4 LEVELS OF HEALING IN THE BODY
We are multifaceted, multidimensional beings. So, when it comes to healing issues that present for us, to really remedy chronic presentations, we usually need to address more than just the physical body. The mental, the emotional, and the energy bodies need a bit of a look in too. Let’s learn a little more about what these are.
When we have an imbalance in the body that disrupts its normal functioning, we experience a particular symptom or set of symptoms that let us know something is up. Initially, these messages might be really minor—pain with our bleed every month; starting to miss a day going to the bathroom once a week; a strange restless legs sensation when we try to sleep. If left unattended, they can become louder messages—debilitating pain that feels like your uterus is falling out; skin breakouts that don’t go away; becoming anxious every time you leave the house.
Some sets of symptoms receive labels—for instance, endometriosis; acne; anxiety. Though, these were simply imbalances to begin with, that we weren’t aware of or didn’t listen to, that have developed into a dis-ease state.
The root of our issues can arise from imbalance in any of the levels in the body. Though, the physical tends to get the most stage time.
OUR PHYSICAL BODY
is our organ systems, tissues, cells. If we look at the physical body as a whole, there is no one part that is independent from another. If I use an example, just because we have sinusitis, doesn’t mean the root of the issue is in the sinuses. There are many factors that could be in play. We might look at digestive health, immune function and lymphatic clearance to see if the imbalance could be starting there. On this level we focus on ways we can intervene, physically.
We can use herbs, and implement movement practices, and change one’s lifestyle and nutrition. And, whilst these will ripple into the other levels of the body, they might not address what needs to be worked through there. Not completely.
This is where awareness at the level of the mental, emotional, and energy bodies comes in.
Our mental body
is how we think and what we believe, as well as our attitudes in life. These can play a role in our health, especially when it comes to our mental health. Our beliefs can influence the way our entire body works and the health hiccups we experience. Our mental patterning shapes our habits and actions, which can be the obstacles to our health that we need to shift to allow healing to take place.
We can work on our mental body through acts of awareness and engaging in practices that help us master our mind. For instance, affirmations, meditation and breath work are really helpful here. Psychologists and hypnotherapists are a wonderful support too.
Our emotional body
is one of our most profound, yet oftentimes overlooked. According to mind-body medicine, developed from Jungian psychology, emotions can tuck themselves away in the physical body—we store our issues in our tissues. I have long been fascinated by this concept, which is what led me into deeper and deeper study of mind-body medicine practices such as yoga and tantra. When we experience trauma or heightened emotions, we might not process in ways that allow the emotional energy to move through us, and out of the body. When it becomes trapped, it can lead to imbalance. For example, there is a link between endometriosis and sexual trauma.
Working with somatic therapists, engaging in a yoga practice developed specifically for you, using flower essences, practising yoga nidra, and getting in touch with your emotions with guidance (i.e. counselling, psychotherapy) can help facilitate the movement of emotions that are rendering your healing journey fruitless. I won’t undermine the benefit of having support with inner self practices you can weave into your life here too. This RAIN practice is lovely.
Our energetic body
is becoming much more subtle. It relates to our chakras, meridians, nadis (or channels) and the polarities of the body (i.e. masculine/feminine). This is how energies flow through the body and the balance of our polarities. When particular channels are blocked, energy isn’t flowing freely, or we have a dominance in a particular polarity, we can experience imbalances that lead to dis-ease states in the body. Continuing with the theme of women’s health here, if we have a blocked sacral chakra (where our creative and sexual energy is stored), we might see issues with our reproductive system and even fertility.
Different energy healers can work in this space, for example, reiki. Ayurvedic and yoga therapists work with the nadis and chakras, and Chinese doctors and acupuncturists work with the meridians. A really beautiful book if this has piqued your interest is one by Carroline Myss (PhD) called Anatomy of the Spirit.
There are many levels of the body that require tender care in the healing process. Having an imbalance or dis-ease state can be one of the most profound opportunities to learn more about ourselves and our different bodies, paving the path for us to come home to who we are. I know this has certainly been the case for me.
I share this with the intention that those that feel like they have tried everything to remedy an issue have so much more at their fingertips. We have a whole world to discover in our healing journey. If we don’t get anywhere with our first stop, it’s wise to explore another avenue and never give up. Our bodies are self-healing. If we can get to the crux of the obstacle to what is in the way of this innate process, we can move to greater heights of health and awareness of ourselves.
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