Each week, I will share three things on how to heal holistically. Drawing from my 28 years of experience as a practicing Naturopath, as well as what I am currently working on, exploring, and curious about. Make a pot of tea and give yourself the time and care you deserve.
- HEALING: Considerations for when you are experiencing XYZ.
- REVERENCE: A deep respect & attention to the things that truly impact healing
- EXPLORING: A journey into the deeper work, meeting the parts, wounds, and survival strategies that keep us small, stuck, and suffering with persistent symptoms & feelings.
This is a reminder for you to kindly tend to your symptoms, as they are your body's way of communicating that something is not functioning properly and you may need to take action. You can start by asking yourself what you may be out of relation with or ignoring, such as an underlying cause or unmet part of yourself.
To truly heal, you can learn from your symptoms and follow their lead, becoming more patient in their presence. Instead of fighting against them, you can observe them without being consumed by them.
Observing your symptoms involves tuning into your sensory experiences, noticing slow shifts in tone, focus, or language, or having vivid dreams or imagery. By paying attention to these signals and working with them rather than against them, you can move towards healing and wholeness.
2. REVERENCE: Why am I not healing? The obstacle is the way.
The obstacle is the way, as stated by Marcus Aurelius, can be applied to you and your symptoms and illnesses. It reminds you that your symptoms and dis-ease are not just obstacles to overcome or get rid of, but they are also opportunities for growth and learning.
Instead of simply trying to mask or eliminate the symptoms, you can approach them with reverence & curiosity. You can ask yourself what they are trying to teach you, what parts of yourself you are neglecting, and what changes you need to make in your life to promote healing and wholeness.
This approach requires a shift in mindset from viewing your symptoms as something to be fixed or eradicated to seeing them as part of your journey towards greater health and well-being. It also requires you to be patient and accepting of the discomfort that comes with healing.
By embracing your symptoms and dis-ease as part of the path, you can develop a deeper sense of self-awareness and a greater understanding of your body and mind. You can learn to work with your symptoms and use them as guides towards greater health and happiness.
Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 161 AD until his death in 180 AD. He is known as one of the most respected emperors in Roman history, and was also a philosopher and writer. Aurelius is especially famous for his book "Meditations," which is a collection of personal reflections and philosophical musings on life, virtue, and the human experience. Today, he is often remembered as a model of Stoic philosophy and a symbol of wisdom and moral strength.
3. EXPLORING: Why am I not healing? Shadow.
Shadow work, as developed by Carl Jung, involves exploring and integrating the unconscious parts of ourselves that we may not be aware of or may not want to acknowledge. The idea is that by bringing these unconscious aspects of ourselves to the surface and integrating them, we can achieve greater wholeness and healing. By recognising that individuals have multiple parts, including physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual, and that these dimensions interact with one another to create a complex and integrated whole. Shadow work can help individuals identify and address unconscious patterns and beliefs that may be contributing to their symptoms.
For example, someone with chronic anxiety may benefit from exploring the unconscious beliefs and experiences that are driving their anxiety, rather than just treating the symptoms with medication. The concept of the shadow refers to the parts of ourselves that we have repressed or denied because they are seen as unacceptable or socially unacceptable. These parts of ourselves may be unconscious, and we may not even be aware of them. When our shadow is not integrated, it can manifest as physical ailments.
Another example is how depression can manifest as physical symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, and appetite changes. Depression may be caused by unresolved issues in our shadow, such as suppressed emotions or unmet needs. When we don't address these underlying issues, they can contribute to the development of physical symptoms.
Shadow work involves exploring and integrating these unconscious parts of ourselves, which can help to reduce psychological distress and physical symptoms. By exploring and acknowledging our shadow, we can gain greater self-awareness and develop new coping strategies for dealing with difficult emotions and experiences. This process can help us to achieve greater wholeness and healing, both psychologically and physically.