Windows of Observation: Stories from the Energy Body
In any physiologic dis-ease qualities become our way of having awareness that something is "not right in river city" For example the sensation of hot leads to the burning sensation on urination or a feeling of burning in the vagina, prostate, or perineum This quality also leads to irritability, impatience, anger, resentments about the disease that's being experienced
The mobile quality leads to frequency of urination, getting up at night, urgency to urinate, and anxiety of not knowing what's going on or if the problem will ever go away
Sensations Are More Than You Think
Have you had the experience of equanimity? That is, the sense that the body is peaceful and restful There are no abnormal sensations being reported to you Yes, I think we can all relate to that sense of peace in the mindbody
So when we have sensations in our body they are messengers from inner space from our energy field And rather than be stressed out about them we can welcome them for what they truly are...messages from the mindbody of dis-ease Nothing more and nothing less It's the mindbody's way of getting in touch with us and letting us know that something is not quite right
Hence sensations become our windows of observation of the inner workings of our energy field and so we should never ever discount sensations Rather than be fearful of the abnormal sensations we can simply observe and be grateful that the mindbody is letting us know that something has caused us to leave our state of equanimity
For example, if you go on a hike with your kids and you find that your back muscles are getting tired due to the steep grade of the hill your kids are running up, you take a rest because the mindbody is telling you that your muscles are not conditioned enough to keep on doing the task You give the muscles some rest and they're ready to begin to do some more work This process is called conditioning and the messages from your mindbody are not to stop but to simply rest
What about emotions? Do they lack sensations? Of course not The sense of compassion, kindness, gratitude, and love all carry sensations of oily, liquid, soft, warm, light, subtle, and clear
Using Sensations in Dis-eases of the Energy Mindbody
So it's important as much as we can to observe our energy field by noticing our sensations When we begin becoming a better observer we become a better healer How could this be?
The subtle noticing of how the sensation of hot or mobile is changing for the better gives us a clue that what we are doing is making a difference....that we're on the right track toward dealing with our dis-ease whatever that might be
I've mentioned journaling in past blogs and this is where jotting down your observations can be very helpful because at times the changes in sensation can be so subtle that we may not be able to remember how that sensation was yesterday or last month or even last year Being able to go back over your notes can reassuringly help remind you of how much progress you have made
Healing is not made in a straightline It occurs in waves exactly how the energy field expresses itself So there are good days and bad days and by journaling we get to see this wave like effect in action
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7 Characteristics of Healing
Imagination is necessary for healing any dis-ease because it's part of the creative process The creative process is not just in the realm of the arts but is part of the fabric of all human endeavor including the one that is closest to home called healing Healing is in reality an art form and we are the artists Such a perspective requires the recognition that we are the creator
When we assume an artistic touch to our healing we have to become responsible since we are the architect of our project of healing It demands taking charge so that victimhood is not acceptable We no longer look to the white coat to heal us because we are on to something much more profound, our own creative project
These words may sound philosophical as if they have nothing to do with dealing with the daily trials and tribulations of the dis-ease process but unless you hear them you will continue to suffer with your dis-ease So what are the characteristics of a creative or healing event? Although this verbal list can be longer it should be noted that the healing act transcends the verbal because it comes from the level of the soul
7 Characteristics of Healing
Imagination Simply believing that you can get through this turbulent time of your life and imagining your life as different is a significant first step Einstein said that more important than knowledge, imagination was at the heart of the creative or healing process
Innovation Doing new things and thinking outside the box, outside conventional knowledge, exercises creativity and healing
Faith that what you are doing will bring the outcome you're looking for
Motivation Pain IS the great motivator that moves people to get off point zero and toward solution The internet and social communication is a great tool to utilize to help along the way, getting fresh ideas
Discovery is always part of the creative process because there are always new things uncovered going forward through the healing process
Never Give Up An attitude that fosters a "can do" mentality no matter how you're feeling or doing in the process
Hard Work requires courage, fortitude, resilience, and daily affirmation
The Mind: Roadblock to Healing
Of course there will be mental or psychological roadblocks I don't have enough money, not enough time, or my job or family prevent me from doing the work necessary to bring about healing But that's all a form of procrastination to get to work The mind will always support the status quo and prevent us from exercising our creativity
But for some of us there will come this Eureka moment when it all fits into place and you're willing to tell the mind to shut up And you will get on with your creative act of healing
Miles Davis has been credited with this phrase "Don't end nothin" It implies that creativity is never ending as is healing We can always be healthier than we were yesterday, that there are always things that we can work on to heal the imbalances that we have
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Healthy Rest: 9 Energy Science Guidelines
Healthy rest with chronic dis-ease is essential in healing because it takes more energy to heal Any chronic dis-ease from a complex of labels that we use can often be associated with sleep disruption But even then an apparently "healthy" person can have a sleep disturbance due to the chronic Vata imbalance in our culture(hurry hurry hurry up indicating the mobile quality)
Proper and sufficient sleep is essential for optimal health and without it, body and mind can suffer, particularly if chronic dis-ease is present But what actually is proper rest has a lot to do with who you are energetically
The Ayurvedic Perspective of Sleep
People with a Vata energy makeup require the most sleep(7-8h) and Kapha even though they like to sleep require the least(6-7h) Pitta's requirements are somewhere in between
Since most dis-eases have a Vata component it's not surprising that sleep disorders are common in particular with chronic dis-ease which are primarily vata disorders Vata sleep disturbances include restlessness and light, easily disturbed sleep that may be precipitated by worry and anxiety There may be tossing and turning and/or frequent kicking of the legs
Disturbed pitta can be a factor also, in the form of excess focus on problem solving/planning and attempting to sleep in hot weather Kapha sleep disturbance usually takes on the appearance of sleeping too much This can lead to slowing an already slow metabolism which then leads to weight gain
How to Get Good Sleep: An Energy Science Approach
In the energy science of Ayurveda, healthy lifestyle is paramount Ayurveda provides lots of suggestions for healthy routines to begin each day, which supports optimal health and peace of mind And by creating healthy routines at bedtime, you are helping ensure a nice, peaceful night’s sleep Importantly going to bed at a proper time sets the stage for waking up early and beginning the day away from the energetically lethargic time of the morning(6-10a) Following are suggestions for creating healthy bedtime routines and optimizing sleep.
Consider that about one hour before actually going to bed is when to start winding down to prepare for sleep If your mind and body are active all the way until your head hits the pillow, it often will take awhile to calm down and settle into a state that will allow you to sleep Instead, begin this process about an hour before you climb into the sheets Avoid stimulating activities during this time, such as heated discussions, violent television shows, unsettling news, computer work, resolving financial issues, etc
Strive for not using an alarm clock so as to arise naturally and well rested
If you are having problems getting to sleep or staying asleep consider doing some soothing rituals
Warm bath
Soothing music
Deep relaxation exercises....sleep is the best meditation
Warm oil massage... foot or scalp massage before bed with bhringaraj oil
Light or spiritual reading
Turn down lights and use candles instead
One of the most important ways to ensure a good night's sleep is simply to maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule, including weekends The best sleep schedule to maintain is to go to bed by 10:00 pm and rise at about 6:00 am This is the time that is most conducive to sleep If you are used to going to bed later and getting up later, this may be difficult at first But your body will soon adjust, and over time you will likely find this schedule allows for a more restful night's sleep
Try not to have the head under pillows This habit reduces good oxygenation during sleep and inhibits good sound sleep
Regular mealtimes (and do not eat anything heavy after 7:00 pm); a cup of warm milk before bed, perhaps with a little fresh nutmeg grated into it
Gentle yoga practice
Aromatherapy, such as lavender and/or jatamansi
Outdoor work in the garden or spending time in nature can be beneficial, as this brings the influence of the earth element and its heavy, slow qualities into the bodymind
Disruption of Sleep by Energy Patterns
Vata Insomnia:
Vata insomnia tends to involve awakening during the early hours of the morning (2-4am) accompanied with fatigue and drowsiness. This is usually due to:
· Cold weather
· Excessive exercise
· Over consumption of raw foods, beans and light cold foods such as salads
· Excess sexual activity
· Excess travel and noise
· Constipation, bloating
· Rheumatism and arthritis
Pitta Insomnia:
Pitta insomnia involves difficulty falling asleep and staying up past midnight. It is commonly associated with:
· Hot weather
· Over consumption of sour, citrus and spicy foods
· Hyperacidity
· Caffeine and alcohol consumption
· Staying up too late
Kapha Insomnia:
Kapha insomnia is usually early morning arising which is related to;
· Overeating heavy foods such as meats, dairy, sweets
· Snoring
· Sleep apnea
· Restless leg syndrome
· Depression
· Breathlessness
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SIBO(Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth): 5 Energy Science Solutions
The energy science model of dis-ease states that except for trauma every dis-ease or imbalance begins in the GIT(gastrointestinal tract) Since this is the case we can appreciate how important foods become in the evolution of dis-ease and conversely how important foods become in the management and healing of dis-ease Correct food selection appropriate for own's energy constitutional makeup along with incompatible food combinations become foundational in any dis-ease healing
Short term acute dis-ease processes can be readily corrected over brief(months) periods of time Obviously the longer the imbalance the more likely that other energy science techniques will be necessary to deal with advanced dis-ease conditions This term dis-ease emphasizes that the energy patterns are not at ease or that an imbalance of qualities is physiologically present
The matter science(allopathy, naturopathy) often look at infection as a cause of many diseases Every once in a while you'll see matter science research studies attempt to unsuccessfully or questionably successfully incriminate bacteria in the cause of specific disease Because bacteria are treatable by antibiotics which is a big tool in the matter science toolbox an attempt to incriminate bacteria can be a scientific "home run" These attempts have happened unsuccessfully with GERD(gastroesophageal reflux), rheumatoid arthritis, and obviously IBS
Symptoms of Poor Digestion
Many experience poor digestion but discount it as just the way they are.....but in reality these symptoms should not be ignored Any unphysiologic food craving is unhealthy and shoud be best avoided Overeating is abnormal(eating more than 2 handfuls at any one meal) as well as cravings for ice Post meal digestive problems such as heaviness, bloating, loss of energy after eating, need for naps after eating, diarrhea, and constipation are major warning signs that things are not healthy in the GIT
Matter Science and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth(SIBO)
Now the matter science is getting closer to what the energy science has been saying for 1000's of years....the GIT is responsible for all dis-ease But since the matter science model of disease can only hold space for offending insults such as internal(autoimmune) and external(bacteria, parasites, fungus, and viruses) it becomes limited as to seeing the origins of dis-ease Presently the matter science has a new approach to disease seeking an understanding through the alteration in bowel flora
This alteration or better yet described as disruption of normal bowel flora has become known as SIBO where "bad" bacteria overgrow the "good" bacteria is probably not only the small bowel but large bowel as well There are past models that lead to grounding in this kind of disease origin such as leaky gut syndrome and the candidal(fungus) overgrowth theories that have their proof in patient improvement by flora manipulations
Now the current rage for bowel disorder from IBS to systemic disease is to manipulate the small bowel flora with antibiotics(killing off the "bad" bacteria) or better yet "fecal bowel flora" transplants which have seen benefits
Energy Science Understanding of SIBO in Agni Terms
As we have discussed at length in past blogs the bacterial flora of the GIT which is 10x the cellular mass of our own individual body's cell mass is part of a greater concept called agni Called metabolism in matter science terms, agni is not only more user friendly, but as we have talked about in the past, a highly functional and malleable term that is freely manipulative by energy science techniques As a matter of fact one of the main tenets of the energy science that separates it from the matter science is this concept of agni
As we have alluded to earlier, qualities(vibrational frequencies) become disrupted in the GIT and this subsequently leads to an alteration in agni This disruption leads to SIBO but at times gut mucosal changes as well making this look like IBS in some respects
Then if the matter and enegy science models are talking about the same thing then what's the big fuss? Just use the matter science techniques that we have discussed above
Energy Science Solutions for SIBO
There is a general tenet in healing disciplines that the closer your treatment touches the origin of the disease the greater success the healer will have So what's better, to treat SIBO or the cause of the SIBO? If the energy science model tells us that the cause of SIBO is an energy imbalance leading to the SIBO, the best solution is to deal with the imbalance This is not rocket science folks!
1 So what is foundational in healing the bowel? Well from what we said already choosing foods appropriate for you energy makeup and observing incompatible food combinations are support any further manipulation
2 Probiotic It makes complete sense to support the "good bacteria" in the gut so as to improve agni But it's often too much of a good thing at times with probiotic use Find a good probiotic(not necessarily the most expensive)but supplement for 2-3 weeks and then do a break and perhaps another couple of rounds Then done
3 Yogurt as a probiotic As we've discussed in the past homemade yogurt is a great food to use to support the bowel flora Kefir has the potential of carrying yeast along with the probiotic so it's not recommended from an energy science point of view
4 Avoid antibiotics if possible All that antibiotics do is further disrupt the already compromised bowel flora If you have to use antibiotics then you should definitely supplement with probiotic or yogurt for a period of time
5 Reduce ama As we have talked about in the past when agni suffers ama forms in the gut and begins to leave the GIT This unprocessed undigested debris which is the result of poor digestion is the basis of all chronic dis-ease
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Aloe vera and Inflammatory Disease
The use of aloe for sunburn is the herb's biggest notoriety If you think about this from an energy science point of view it becomes clear that aloe's main use is to reduce the hot quality physiologically The hot quality is present in all inflammatory conditions from diarrhea to arthritis to infection to cancer Because of this aloe vera has had a growing popularity as a herb for inflammatory conditions And certainly aloe is cheaper than targeted antiinflammatory pharmaceuticals even with insurance
The Inflammatory Condition
The matter science theory of inflammatory conditions involves complex biological micromanagement with many different entry points in the cascade After you've listened or read a discussion regarding this cascade you walk away bewildered Due to the confusion the public literally gets hoodwinked into believing that the hocuspokus of the pharmaceutical industry science is valid stuff But like every other business they are in it to turn a profit and therein lies a bias
The energy science approach to inflammation is simple but elegant It sees the Pitta imbalance as the crux of the problem since Pitta is the only energy pattern of the three that carries the hot quality Due to the accumulation of the hot quality inflammation occurs Herbs such as aloe as we experience with sunburns reduce the hot quality
The liver and spleen are the functional sites of Pitta and the liver can become overheated with resultant slight elevations in liver function usually not considered as important by the clinician evaluating the labs unless they're markedly elevated Hence aloe as a herb becomes an excellent liver healing agent and liver protectant
Since the skin is another functional site of Pitta it comes as no surprise that aloe can be used in all forms of skin rashes, such as hives, urticaria, exzema, and psoriasis As the skin problems become more complex of course increased and different energy science interventions are necessary
Aloe has an impact on the health of the GIT(gastrointestinal tract) and can help cool down excessive heat that occurs with Pitta imbalance The affect aloe has on the mind can reduce impatience and irritability Of course all these energy science manipulations don't occur within a couple of days but rather in terms of months or years of use
Forms of Aloe
There are currently many forms of aloe vera gel or juice on the market and many have citric acid as a preservative If used in large volumes aloe may aggravate the Pitta condition due to the citric acid and not the aloe itself The most common side effect of too much is diarrhea
The advantage of the freeze dried aloe is that it doesn't have the need for preservatives such as citric acid which is appealing Some time ago Desert Harvest perhaps to avoid the citric acid preservative began using a freeze dried product in capsule form....and maybe the primary reason when they thought of it was to make it more user friendly for patients(everybody is used to taking a pill)
Since that time other companies have followed even having powders available Aloe Farms has such a pill form freeze dried product In general I have some misgivings about these products because the freeze drying process which may affect the the bioavailablity of the aloe vera herbal nutrient....the rasayana energetic effect of aloe may also be lost since it's not just about the molecules but also the subtle energetics of the plant which has significant medicinal value
The value of aloe vera gel is that when used as an anupan(serves as a taxicab to take the herbs to targeted tissues) with herbal formulas it can theoretically produce a slow release to the GIT mucosa Agni is invariably adversely affected so this technique assures that there will be good absorption and assimilation of the herbal mixture The amount of aloe when used as a anupan is small so citric acid is not a problem For use as an antiinflammatory using large volumes(6T three times per day) the citric acid could become an issue But the remedy is simple....cut back on the dosing
The two brands that don't have citric acid are George's and Aloe Farms Aloe Farms uses Vit C(ascorbic acid) and potassium sorbate as preservatives These two gels available don't have caraggeneen which has concerned the IC community due to studies suggesting the seaweed is carcinogenic in animal studies using large doses(I tend to discount such "unbiologic studies") Both available through Amazon or the ic-solutions.tv Amazon store under Health and Personal Care George's goes for 7.42 for 32oz and cheaper in the gallon size per oz
George's gel by their labeling has no preservatives making it a favorable product in the market
Remember that just like pharmaceuticals aloe can become a bandaid so we can go on eating foods that aggravate and produce IC However when used appropriately to help with symptoms as we make dietary changes makes the most sense
Aloe should not be thought of as THE tool in the tool chest to heal IC but rather as one of the many Remember that energetically it's not just one thing that causes IC but a multiplicity of things(foods, incompatible foods, season, lifestyle choices producing too much of the hot quality etc) and so it's just not one thing that deals with healing IC but a multimodality approach with herbs like aloe vera being one small part
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