The Mind-Body Connection
On my journey into helping others heal, I learned something powerful; the importance of having a clear intention. When I work with people in therapy, I notice that their progress is closely tied to their desire to get better. Everyone wants to feel well again instantly, but what’s remarkable is that truly believing in your ability to heal is a challenge for many.
In my therapy sessions, I use visualization techniques to guide my clients to better health. I encourage them to picture the organ or system they want to heal, often suggesting they imagine it in a human form. This personalizes the healing process, making it easier for them to connect with and understand. It’s incredible how putting your mind to healing, with a strong intention, can make a real difference.
For example: Imagine your body’s defenders, the white blood cells, as brave soldiers standing guard. Picture them ready to battle any illness or challenge that comes their way. This simple act of visualizing them as human warriors, preferably with defined features, can make a powerful impact on your health journey. Unlike imagining stars, flowers, or a glow, connecting with these soldier-like cells can bring you better results. It’s like giving your immune system a boost by envisioning it in a way that resonates with your inner strength and determination.
In my therapy, there are some things to keep in mind. One drawback is that if your health issue is because of a lack of certain nutrients, the therapy might not be as effective. But here’s the good part – there are no negative side effects to worry about. Those who grasp the nuances of healing through their mind, often see big improvements in their healing journey.
The Microcosm of Healing: Targeting Organs, Systems, and Cells.
It’s important to focus your visualization on the specific area you want to heal. For instance, if you’re trying to ease persistent heartburn by talking to your stomach, it might not be effective if the problem is actually GERD or low stomach acid. In cases like that, a proper diet might be more helpful. On the contrary, I may investigate liver health and recommend a liver detoxification approach. Because the liver is intrinsically connected to the stomach and heart. The key is understanding your body’s needs and choosing the right approach for your well-being.
For instance: Let’s say you’re dealing with a migraine. Just focusing on the painful area might not do the trick. You see, there’s not just one reason for any health issue. For migraines, it could be stress, water retention, hormonal imbalances, fear, or even slow blood circulation.
As a therapist, I take a closer look at the whole picture. I talk with my clients to figure out what might be causing their ailment. Sometimes, the real reason is not right where it hurts. It could be connected to how they live their lives every day, their thoughts and beliefs.
Once I understand the bigger picture, I can suggest the right therapy. So, it isn’t always about where it hurts; it’s about finding the root cause and addressing it with the right approach.
In my therapeutic experience, I’ve learned that many health issues come from stress, negative beliefs, past trauma and unhealthy habits. But here’s the inspiring part: if you’re ready to tackle these challenges, you can make a big difference in your health. Taking small and consistent steps to your wellness will transform your life.
A Personal Anecdote on the Power of Intention.
A colleague of mine at a senior role had caught a fever and a cold. She took a week off, got some medicine, and recuperated. When she came back, things seemed fine for a couple of days, but then her cold came back, even stronger and stuck around for days. Now she felt miserable and embarrassed as well. She couldn’t figure out why the cold was so persistent. Despite not knowing the reason, she kept going with her life and work.
In the midst of her busy life, I had offered to help her with my therapy many times before. Each time, her schedule seemed too packed for a moment of respite. But one fortunate day, I extended my offer once more, and to my surprise, she found the time to take up the therapy.
As a newcomer in the office for just a month, I had been quietly observing her behavior. It didn’t take long to realize that she carried a heavy load on her shoulders. Her mind was filled with various responsibilities.
To begin with, she was navigating the challenges of her new start-up, a venture that naturally demanded much of her attention. On top of that, she actively engaged in caring for her family, juggling responsibilities like cooking and looking after her teen and husband. Not to mention, she maintained an active social life.
Having struggled for over two weeks, she held a strong desire to heal, and finally made the choice to embrace my therapy. She wasn’t sure about or believed in my therapy. Instead of telling her to imagine her white blood cells or immunity, I suggested something different. I asked her to picture her most important relationships in her mind and imagine pulling them a bit away if they felt too close.
In the session, I inquired about her daughter, whom she held in her heart, her husband right in front of her, and her new business, which she saw right there too. I explained that her mind might be feeling crowded, and I guided her to create some space by moving these relationships a bit away to give her mind some room to breathe. She followed the instructions, and said she instantly felt relief.
I recommended that she repeat the exercise that night in peace. If she noticed the relationships reverting to their previous positions, I advised her to shift them back to the new order. It was a small step, but one that could bring her a sense of calm and control over her mental space.
The outcome of this therapy was amazing: the next day, half of her cold was gone, and the day after that, she was almost free from it. Her speech was normal and she visibly seemed alright. This incredible therapy, I use it often and is known as social panorama – formulated by Lucas Derks – a Dutch Psychologist.
The Delicate Dance: Balancing Intentions in Everyday Life.
In my everyday life – particularly in therapy, I used to delve my attention only on powerful healing intentions required to heal; until recently, an incident compelled me to pen my thoughts on the “essence of intention”.
The wedding of my second cousin’s daughter was approaching. While our relationship with them is not particularly close, I’m grateful that there’s no tension or strain between us.
So, for the wedding, we received the wedding invitation as a forwarded Whatsapp image from my cousin (the bride’s father), along with a message to attend the wedding with family.
The wedding invitation didn’t particularly bother me, because of our not so cordial relations. Although our parents are still alive and well, I found the informal style, especially receiving it as a forwarded message, casual and disrespectful. Despite this, I chose to keep my thoughts under control, knowing that a more formal offer might not be necessary given the nature of our relationship. I rationalized that my cousin might not be fully aware of certain social media nuances, or perhaps, he had more pressing matters to attend to.
The turning point, however, came when I contemplated the significance of intention. While I did receive an invitation, I felt it was only proper to reciprocate with a gift. Given my tight budget, I initially considered sending a modest amount of cash along with a fabric for an outfit that was collecting dust in my cupboard to give the appearance of a more substantial gift. However, just before finalizing this plan, a crucial realization hit me.
This cousin of mine had been one of many who generously contributed during my daughter’s leukemia treatment. The thought struck me: Was it right to deliberately offer a less valuable gift to someone who had helped me in a time of need? The answer from within was clear and emphatic – “No!” I couldn’t bring myself to intentionally undervalue a gift to someone who had supported me when it truly mattered.
In response, I increased the monetary amount of the gift, and in doing so, I felt a genuine sense of satisfaction. I was relieved that I had not succumbed to a selfish impulse and had maintained the integrity of my intentions, realizing that the essence of giving lies not just in the material value but in the sincerity and goodwill behind it.
The Everyday Magic of Intention: Transforming Mundane Moments into Meaningful Experiences.
Our actions have consequences that go beyond what happens right away. It’s like a chain reaction in the karmic cycle. When “we do good for others” without expecting anything in return, it creates positive vibes in the karmic world. This makes a cycle of good things, happiness, and positive energy. The connection between what we mean to do and what we actually do shapes our journey in this karmic cycle.On the flip side, if we do things with selfish intentions, it messes up the karmic balance, bringing negativity and problems.
Realizing how our actions can change the karmic cycle highlights why it’s important to be kind without expecting anything in return. It’s a reminder that what we do doesn’t just affect now but also influences what happens later.
On the other hand, recognizing the inherent diversity of individuals and the unique challenges that each person faces, the journey of life can be complex and difficult. Embracing the concept of universal kindness at all times may seem difficult for many of us. In the reality of today’s fast-paced world, consistently embodying genuine care and goodwill towards others may not always be practically feasible. Life’s demands and pressures often create circumstances where our acts of kindness may not align perfectly with our innermost intentions.
Navigating Life through Buddha’s Eight Fold Path.
I believe that navigating life becomes much more straightforward when approached with simplicity. In my view, Buddha’s Eightfold Path offers a practical framework for personal growth that acknowledges the complexities of human nature and the demands of contemporary life. I invite you to delve into these thoughts further. Cherish the knowledge:
Right View: Understand that people have different perspectives and life situations. The concept of Right View encourages an open-minded approach to diverse beliefs and experiences. How do you know that it is the “Right View”?
When one adopts an open-minded approach toward varied ideas and experiences and life conditions among people, one is aligned with the “Right View”. A perspective can be considered in line with the Right View if it fosters understanding, empathy, and respect for the diversity of human experiences.
Right Intention: While it may be challenging to always act with pure intentions, the emphasis is on cultivating a genuine desire for positive change. It acknowledges that everyone may face inner conflicts but encourages the continuous effort towards wholesome intentions.
Right Speech: Practicing truthful and kind communication doesn’t mean being overly idealistic. It acknowledges that disagreements and conflicts are part of life, but the focus is on expressing oneself with honesty and empathy. At a deeper and more apparent level, it also includes the choice of words, tone, expressions, and gestures.
Right Action: The path recognizes the intricate nature of contemporary existence. Right action promotes ethical behavior, accepting that the complexities of modern life may lead to varied situations, each demanding a thoughtful and context-specific course of action.
Right Livelihood: The idea here is to choose a livelihood that aligns with ethical values as much as possible. It acknowledges the challenges in finding a perfect match and emphasizes making positive choices within one’s means.
Right Effort: The path recognizes that personal growth is a gradual process. Right effort encourages individuals to strive for self-improvement without expecting immediate perfection.
Right Mindfulness: Mindfulness extends beyond suppressing thoughts or emotions; it cultivates a non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, inviting the practice of gracious and thoughtful actions in response to one’s thoughts and feelings.
Right Concentration: Cultivating focused and concentrated states of mind through meditation is recognized as a demanding yet invaluable practice. It acknowledges the patience and persistence required, for attaining profound concentration is a gradual process that unfolds over time with consistent effort.
The above wisdom encourages a consistent, mindful commitment to positive change, recognizing that perfection is a journey rather than an immediate destination.
Conclusion
This wise saying by Alcoholics Anonymous, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”, has become my life philosophy, helping me navigate tough situations with a broader perspective.
It asks for peace to accept things we can’t change, like the people and the past. It encourages bravery to change what we can, like our actions and situations now. And it wishes for wisdom to understand when to let go and when to take action. I try to remember this whenever I find myself in overwhelming situations, it allows me a chance to step back and to face life with a resourceful mind, a brave spirit, and smart choices.
Please leave a comment on what you think about the above.
