60
measurements and assessments, initiating its own decisions, and learning its own lessons.” (Sarasohn, 2006)
This is important to understand because, when our gut is out of whack, feelings of doubt, incompetence, fear, anxiety, depression, and paranoia can come into play. This process was explored and explained in the article, Brain Imaging Approaches to the Study of Functional GI Disorders, that “different brain areas will be activated if subjects attend to bodily sensations vs. emotional feelings.” (Mayer, Aziz, Coen, Kern, Labus, Lane, & Tracey, 2009, p 14) So, it is safe to say that, when our tummies start feeling nervous or anxious, there may be more to the story than simply the metaphysical or emotional. It may just be that the “way we are living” could be the culprit. Di Stefano, author of Holism and Complementary Medicine: Origins and Principles (2006), expands on this thought with a look at stress: “Ignoring the effects of constant stress and chaotic lifestyles may cause our self-regulating systems to break down and our vital energies to progressively decline.” (p 105) Our vital energies are important when dealing with the metaphysical or spiritual connections because they help to fuel the human connections between mind, body, and soul.
Why is knowing all this important, and what does this have to do with trusting knowledge from within? Well, it is your personal power that is the reason behind this discussion. “Personal power is an amalgam of many dimensions. Its presence is reflected in such qualities as self-knowledge, strength of will, and the capacity for discipline and self-regulation.” (Di Stefano, 2006, p 103) Everything is connected, from the physical body to our mind and soul (e.g. vital energy, chi, spirit, or personal power). “Each of us are subject to environmental influences related directly to our home and work spaces, and indirectly to the quality of the air that we breathe, the water and fluids we drink, and the foods we consume.” (Di Stefano, 2006, p 66) The importance here is to recognize these connections not just for health reasons but for the spiritual connection as well. If the body is out of whack, then the spiritual connection could be, too.
The advice I would give to anyone who is looking to strengthen their spiritual connection, whether through ritual or knowledge, would be to start looking within. Start a journal and examine your sleeping, eating, stress, and exercise habits to see what needs to be improved or changed. Once all these habits are in line, the spiritual experiences and connections can easily be introduced through your ritual and knowledge within. Since “our thoughts, emotions and imagination can project into the experience of our body in unexpected ways,” (Di Stefano, 2006, p 66) it is safe to assume that if our will and intentions are negative, our bodies’ responses will be negative as well. Some may ask, “What about the people who are so down and out that they can’t make any life changes due to lack of motivation or being disheartened?” Then I would say again, it is necessary to go within and evaluate oneself. Meditation, visualization techniques, and deep breathing are a great start, but the point is, again, to start with yourself (body, mind and soul), then reach out for more information. You may come to see that the knowledge you were seeking was right there inside all along.
The simple act of lying back to close your eyes and taking 3 to 10 deep breaths (filling the belly, not the chest) will calm the heart, bring in more oxygen (energy), calm the mind, and relax muscles. I use this technique at least once a day now,
Continued on the Next Page...