There is an old axim in Shamanic Healing. When illness hits the physical, mental or emotional bodies, a good Shaman will ask "When did you stop dancing? When did you stop singing?" In other words, when did you stop doing the things that lighten your heart and get you outside your own experience into the one the whole world enjoys together? When did you become so self-absorbed that you forgot you're connected to the world around you and to other beings?
In Shamanic healing, illness of all kinds - whether physical, mental or emotional in its manifestation, begins in the spiritual realm. So when we begin to look at illnesses, chronic or acute, as well as injuries we may give ourselves on a regular basis, we have to look at what they're connected to outside our bodies that is trying to get our attention. Shamans believe that if illness or dis-ease (look at that carefully) can't get your attention in the spiritual realm, it will manifest in the mental. If it can't get your attention there, it will move into the emotional. And if it still can't get your attention, then a physical illness will manifest.
We must look at what the illness or injury does for us. Does it keep others feeling sorry for us? Does it give us a false sense of support when others are drawn in by our dis-ease to try to comfort us? Is it connected to anger, to fear, to self-loathing or simply a lack of healthy self-love? Are we denying ourselves something or giving ourselves an over abundance of something that's bad for us? Are we covering up the real problem with temporary symptoms to try to distract ourselves from the appropriate actions that would alleviate the problem for good? Do we just have really bad self-control? Or do we have overall problems with a sense of control by other's expectations of us? Where does the problem REALLY lie?
Further - are you strong enough to be truthful with yourself and DO something about it that will last?
If you deal with feeling stressed out all the time and find yourself having migraines, for instance, you might want to take a bit more time to think about what's really bothering you. Likewise, if you have a "stress gut" or ulcers, think about what's "eating you alive" and what you're "not digesting" about yourself or your life. IBS is directly connected to having things in one's self or life that they are not "digesting" properly and often is directly connected to ego problems. Likewise, migraines, high blood pressure and a lot of stress related illnesses have to do with areas in your life where lack of acceptance is the problem.
So, when you're trying to see why you keep getting every cold that walks through the door at work or why allergies kick your seasonal butt or why you keep having pain in an old injury, look at it a bit more closely - with a Shamanic eye and an open heart. LISTEN to your body!
Look at part of the body is it effecting? Is it a once in a lifetime injury or is this something that plagues you regularly? Is it seasonal? Does it happen when you're getting ready to do something specific - like going to visit certain family members?
Then look at what the body part its effecting does for you. Your head is about your thought processes. Its also about how you're accepting (or IF you're accepting) help from above - from the Divine, the Universe and the Higher Selves of those around you. Do you have problems thinking you're worthy of Divine help?
If it is in your throat, what are you having trouble communicating or swallowing in life just then? Are you stifling ideas or thoughts you've had? Are you silently screaming and feel no one hears you?
If its your chest, your breathing - are you accepting Love? Are you giving Love? Is the Love that is flowing from you pure or is it tainted with expectations? Are your thoughts, inspirations and "air" related components flowing through you - to and from you - or are you squelching them and denying yourself the right to "breathe"? Is someone around you impairing your ability to "breathe"?
If it is your stomach, look first at the foods you're eating. Are you loving yourself with the right foods or are you feeding yourself crap and expecting good performance anyway? Are you "digesting" what life is throwing at you or are you rebelling against it? Are you seeing clearly any issues with your ego or are you denying what is right in front of you because it doesn't mesh with pre-conceived notions about the outcome you might be harboring?
If it is in the intestines, look a deep seated needs, wants and desires. Are they being fulfilled or are you stuck? Are you feeling like you're on the right path or are you backed up to old patterns again? Are you clearing the way of your own bullshit? Or are you still fooling yourself in some way?
If it is in your legs, knees, ankles or feet, generally it has to do with the path you're on. Again, are you content on your path? Are you fighting it? Are you sticking to old patterns and tripping over old problems? Are you watching where you're walking, what you're saying and doing? Or are you just blithely going along and falling on your face regularly?
When healing from the inside out, we must first be ready to look at ourselves honestly. Then, we must be willing to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for both the mistakes and their resulting injuries to ourselves. Then, we must LOVE OURSELVES enough to correct those mistakes and make the commitment to ourselves not to make the same mistakes again.
I heard it said once by a wise counselor I know who was counseling someone that was making the same mistakes in their life over and over and over again, "Why," asked the Counselor, "do you do the same things over and over again if you know the results aren't what you're seeking?"
"I don't know." said the person being counseled.
"Well, that's just stupidity then. I can't fix stupidity. But, you can." said the Counselor, smiling with encouragement.
The point here is, folks, don't consign yourself to misery. Be honest. Be forgiving with yourself. We're all human and we make mistakes. But have the strength and fortitude to NOT make the same mistakes repeatedly. The answers don't change, just for trying the mistake again!
Also, in the name of appropriate self care -- DO NOT USE THESE GUIDELINES INSTEAD OF SEEING A PHYSICIAN if you're truly ill. They are designed to help you increase wellness and your own sense of well-being, but they are never meant to take the place of appropriate medical care. If you need assistance, whether it be mental, emotional or physical, seek the appropriate assistance immediately.
Love & Light to your Spirit! :)
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