REGAIN BODY WISDOM
I believe that love—which encompasses cognitive empathy and compassion—can bring about necessary change in a world of constant turmoil. This is by no means a new idea; I draw from ancient philosophies and practices that have inspired my path.
I started practicing Reiki in 1993, and it brought me peace and joy. When I use Reiki on myself or others, I enter a meditative state that alters my brainwaves. This practice has awakened the observer in me and quieted my tendency to react defensively to stimuli that previously triggered such reactions. Because it feels good and has helped me stay healthy and overcome health challenges, I’ve been constantly motivated not only to maintain my Reiki practice but also to study other energy healing modalities, such as Medical Qigong. I’ve maintained meditation and mindfulness practices as well. The bonus? I’ve become a more compassionate self.
I will share insights from my book Regaining Body Wisdom (2010), where I explore the multidimensionality of our being: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, as well as a holistic perspective on illness and health. By holistic, I mean viewing the body as a whole rather than focusing solely on an organ, tissue, or part.
When we speak of multidimensionality, we acknowledge that everything in our body is connected. For example, when we experience physical illness, the mind is also affected, along with our relationships with others and our surroundings. Maintaining a multidimensional approach broadens our perspective on health, illness, and healing, making it more likely that any treatment plan will yield optimal results. Preventative measures and treatments are more effective when we consider not just the physical dimension but also the mental and spiritual aspects of our being.
It’s important to understand the difference between healing and curing. Most of the time we focus on curing. However, curing refers to alleviating the symptoms of an illness, while healing involves gaining awareness of the underlying reasons for those symptoms and introducing necessary changes in our lives. We can even learn to appreciate the growth and evolution an illness may bring, helping us become the best possible version of ourselves. Expanded awareness can lead us to understand the real causes of what we call illness and motivate us to make necessary changes in our lifestyle and relationships to truly heal—or even to die peacefully, if that is our path.
Our awakening—the process of expanding our consciousness—requires personal commitment that demands time, dedication, and consistency. It yields a profound outcome: health and joy.