All Healing Is Self-Healing
Deep in the soul, below pain, below all the distraction of life, is a silence
vast and grand- an infinite ocean of calm, which nothing can disturb; Nature's
own exceeding peace, which "passes understanding." That which we seek with
passionate longing, here and there, upward and outward; we find at last within
ourselves.
-C.M.C. quoted by R. M. Bucke
Chapter 1
Most people think of self-healing as healing that comes only from
self-administered techniques. Although this is true, it is only part of the
picture. In any healing situation, even in the case of medication, therapy, or
treatment received from a practitioner, your body heals itself in response to
the circumstances that create internal harmony and balance. Treatment
modalities, such as acupuncture, chiropractic, ayurvedic, and massage, are based
on this knowledge. Even allopathic medicine relies on the body's natural ability
to heal itself once medications or procedures have been administered. With this
in mind, all healing can be regarded as self-healing.
This may sound unusual or seem difficult to understand, but there is nothing
more natural. Science and modern medicine have demonstrated through meticulous
research that our bodies have been naturally equipped with the tools needed to
prevent and fight most diseases. We have powerful, intricate systems whose
purpose is to repair damage, generate new cells, and fight off foreign invaders.
In an environment where our body is able to operate in harmony and balance,
these systems function properly and perfect health abounds. Vital cells
proliferate; bacteria, viruses, and our own mutated cells (that could become
cancerous) are recognized and destroyed before they can multiply; cell injury is
mended; and we are filled with dynamic life energy.
And then life enters the picture. We are bombarded with constant stress,
busyness, and a lack of self-care commitment and know-how. In our valiant effort
to "keep on keeping on," we push too hard, losing balance and harmony. As we
continue to overload ourselves over time, we begin to lose self-connection and
our world then "runs" us. We no longer make time to nurture our body, mind,
emotions, and soul. Through this disconnection, neglect, mistreatment, and
overuse, our defenses become altered and sometimes rendered totally ineffective,
causing illness or disease. Our natural systems become less efficient and are no
longer able to repair, regenerate, or defend, and this system failure creates
further imbalance and an increase in symptoms.
Drawn into the external tug and pull, we forget to nurture and listen to our
body. We disconnect from the energy of our inner spirit, causing serious
spiritual illness. Through my studies and experiences in self-healing, I have
come to know that when our soul inhabits a physical body in this world, it
brings with it certain universal and self-truths. Our souls bring learning,
wisdom, insights, purpose, missions, destiny, and dreams. We may remember these
as children, but often forget our soul's agenda as we get caught up in our
lives.
The pressures of societal conditioning, academic learning, fitting into society,
making a living, raising children, etc., capture our attention and we focus on
the external aspects of making our lives happen. When we become separated from
this most important part of our own nature, we inadvertently lose connection
with our soul's essence, goals, passions, and personal energy. It creeps in
quietly, slowly, and so subtly that we don't realize it until it has happened.
The assumed and unwritten expectations and responsibilities of existing inside
of our societal box rob us of our life force. This detached imbalance is an
energetic causal factor that creates a spiritual illness that can quickly lead
to physical illness.
Not only are we made up of energy, but our physical world is also comprised of
an essence, a force commonly referred to as "universal energy." Without knowing
how to reconnect to our soul-self to replenish our depleted energy, we
unconsciously make matters worse by erecting impermeable shields around our self
for survival. This shielding is an unconscious attempt to block the incoming
"attacks" and stresses from the outside world. Unfortunately, nurturing
universal energy is also inadvertently cut off. Not only have we disconnected
from our self, we have also disconnected from the universal life-force energy
that replenishes us. It is not wrong that we use this coping mechanism; in fact,
it is quite natural and necessary. These powerful, innate survival instincts
allow us to endure the most difficult of circumstances. The shortcoming with
this coping mechanism is that most of us are not aware that we are closing our
self off to the natural flow, the give-and-take, between the energies of the
world and ourselves. As the energy imbalance perpetuates, we begin to experience
symptoms such as fatigue, pain, depression, or illness.
In order to stop this downward cycle and promote recovery, it is important to
reestablish an internal environment of harmony and balance that enables your
body to function according to its natural design. Because vital health is the
outward expression of healing that is generated naturally, internally, and
unconsciously, your mission is to re-create and maintain a harmonious internal
environment for yourself. Your body will do the rest. In this way, you can
purposefully and consciously facilitate your body's return to its natural
ability to self-heal. Unbeknown to the busy "doing" part of your mind, you have
a hidden reservoir of peace that lies deep within you, in your soul-self, that
when tapped and utilized brings you into balance and harmony. The techniques
described throughout this book are designed to help you do just that. By
applying these powerful healing techniques yourself, you create harmony and
balance every day in your own time and space. However, because we know that "all
healing is self-healing," these techniques are not exclusive and, therefore,
should be used in addition to medical treatment or complimentary therapies that
you find helpful.
Creating Balance and Harmony
The first step toward creating harmony and balance, and ultimately health, is to
connect with the natural healing abilities of your personal energy. Your
personal energy, also known as your aura, is the life-force energy that moves
through and around you. The core of this life-force essence within you is your
soul-self. Your soul-self is your authentic essence. It is the Spirit that came
into your body when you were born, and it will live on after your physical body
dies. It is the energy source that makes up your energy field and your true
being. It is your connection point to universal energy, to the divine, to God,
Goddess, and Spirit. It is the God-like, Goddess-like, Christ-like, Buddha-like
divine part of you. Being in touch with this part gives you a sense of solidness
in your center; it is the source of your creative and infinite power to design
your world. It is your gut feelings, your senses, your intuition, your inner
knowing, and your wisdom. It lies underneath your daily doings and the chatter
of your mind. It is free from emotion and attachment to worldly aspirations.
Your soul-self, without the chains of the world, feels wild and free like when
you were a child. And although it is childlike, it is not childish. It is
excitement and passion. It is primal and authentic. It is dynamic and
empowering. When you are aware of, and connected with, this powerhouse within
you, you are creating harmony and balance and, therefore, self-healing.
To reawaken this powerful aspect of yourself, you must open to your deepest,
most inner core. You must take the time to sit still, to just be, and to quiet
down your mind and the "doings" that distract you from knowing your authentic
self. The techniques described in this book will help you create a direct
connection, relationship, and dialogue with your inner soul-self through
relaxation, mind focus, awareness, quiet contemplation, and inner stillness.
As you practice these techniques and begin to connect with your soul-self, you
will become aware that you are an energy being, a spirit, in a human body.
Because you are made up of energy, your personal energy forms a natural link to
the universal life-force energy that exists everywhere and in everything. People
worldwide give this energy a divine designation of many different names: God,
Goddess, Universal Power, Higher Power, Universal Source, the Great Web of Life,
the Great Spirit, the Great Mystery, Allah, Prana, etc. Multitudes of people
have argued and fought over the names for centuries, but beyond the philosophies
and dogmas is an energy that, no matter the name, is a life force that lives
inside each of us. It is the Spirit that moves in all things and gives all
things life. Whether you believe in the divine or not, whether you follow a
specific religion or not, this universal life-force energy affects you both
internally and externally. It is oneness with your "godliness" and the web of
life that your soul-self yearns to be connected with at all times. In your
natural state, you are not separate from this great energy. It is only in
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