Chemicals And Our Health
(Suni Rose: Aquarius Magazine, April, 2000)
Do you suffer from chronic headache,
memory loss, dizziness, sleep disturbance, fatigue, depression,
lowered resistance to disease, immune disorders, rapid heartbeat?
Are you in a confused state, a mental fog? Have you gone from one doctor
to the next, with no relief? You may be suffering from a little-known
condition called multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS).
Experts define MCS as: An acquired disorder characterized
by recurrent symptoms, referable to multiple organ systems, occurring
in response to demonstrable exposure to many chemically unrelated
compounds at doses far below those established in the general population
to cause harmful effects. (Chemical Exposures - Low
Levels and High Stakes; Ashford, N.A. and Miller, C.S.)
We're attacked daily with a vast array of chemicals which we (and our planet) have never before
encountered. There are roughly 100,000 synthetic chemicals employed
world-wide and 1,000 new products entering the market each year.
The CBS news magazine, 60 Minutes, introduced the chemical (Sunday, January 16, 2000), MTBE. This man-made chemical
has been used as a gasoline additive since the
Clean Air Act went into effect. MTBE supplies an additional two
percent of oxygen to the gasoline, which meets the clean air requirement
set by federal guidelines.
While cleaning the air, however, MTBE is reported to have caused widespread contamination
of wells. The chemical has seeped from leaky gasoline tanks and into the
drinking water of communities across the nation.
Chemical pesticides are used indiscriminately. Many end up in our food. Typical commercial
farming means producing much food cheaply and quickly. After the harvest,
the foods are chemically processed (preserved for maximum shelf
life) and widely distributed.
It's all accomplished by the use of several chemicals which have been proven toxic to insects
and pests. Not only do these substances pollute the air and water,
they remain on the foods we feed our families.
People with MCS are affected by these and other seemingly harmless chemicals, at doses far below
the levels established to cause harm. Perfumes, deodorizers, household
cleaners, bug killers, cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, new furniture,
new carpets, newsprint, chlorine bleach, paint and particle
board are some everyday materials contains man-made chemicals that affect
the chemically sensitive.
How does MCS develop? How is it diagnosed and treated?
MCS can develop from direct exposure to a chemical agent or, as in most cases, from constant
exposure to environmental chemicals.
MCS is difficult to diagnose. Conventional medical doctors don't believe patients who have
so many complaints. Some doctors admit to being taught in medical school
to suspect the sincerity of patients who complain of too many symptoms.
The diagnosis of MCS is almost always made by an environmental
doctor. The irony is that the environmental specialist is usually the
last consulted.
I received a long-term, low-dose exposure to formaldehyde on my job and developed an overactive
thyroid, a heart arrhythmia, immune deficiencies, Graves disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
I suffered a plethora of symptoms. My
hair fell out. My whole body fell apart.
Workers' Compensation sent me to doctors who in turn farmed me out to more doctors, including
psychiatrists. They implied my symptoms were all in my head. Two years
after the onset of symptoms, I still suffered. With the decision to regain
control of my life, I turned to an environmental doctor. He
diagnosed MCS, which, he said, resulted directly from the formaldehyde
exposure.
At last I understood how my environment was harming me and what I had to do to protect myself.
I couldn't afford to start treatment and I had no health insurance.
I began my own regimentation and I knew, without a doubt, I had it
in my power to heal myself. Putting my belief into action, I instituted
a holistic program which included regular fasts, a change in diet and
dietary habits (I became a vegetarian), the use of a tonic brewed from
roots, and enhanced nutritional supplementation. Now, five
years after the diagnosis of MCS was made, I am well and whole again.
While writing my book, Overcoming Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (a how-to manual for survival),
I came across desperate, frantic victims of this disease who had given
up all hope of living a normal life again.
MCS is a disabling disease with excruciating symptoms. If you have symptoms that no one can
figure out, see a reputable environmental physician without delay.
He/she can diagnose, treat, and work up an individual nutrition plan.
Yet, the burden for your own recovery rests with you. You have to make lifestyle changes. You
have to find a way to exist amid toxic surroundings and not be engulfed
by them.
Of primary importance is your belief system. You will regain your health if you believe you
can. Visualize yourself healthy and whole, free of debilitating symptoms.
Meditate with the golden-white light of the Christ Consciousness.
See every cell in your body charged with the energizing and healing light.
Memorize and repeat affirmations with focused will. Allow no negative
thought to invade the mind.
With this approach it is possible to effect a total healing of mind, spirit and body.
More on MCS - Diet and
Nutrition (Suni Rose: Aquarius Magazine,July, 2000)
Greetings, friends, as we continue our holistic approach to the healing of
multiple chemical sensitivities. In the last article you had cleaned up your
home environment (the number one priority), and had moved to number two on
your list, diet and nutrition. You did a seven-day fast and once more saw
your reflection in the fountain of youth. In all your earlier attempts at
nutritional therapy, you've never come close to the results you achieved
with your first fast.
The results of the fast were two-fold. It served to cleanse the build-up
of toxins from your body, thus providing a valuable boost to your immune
system. Among the dramatic improvements was a decrease in the size of two
glands under your chin (sub-mandicular glands). They went from being walnut-sized
to marble-sized. Now they're hardly noticeable.
The fast lasted seven days. The first two days prepared the body to accept
liquids only, and the last two days prepared the body for resumption of food.
During those four days, you took only raw foods. The three in-between days
were the liquids-only days, the days you drank the raw vegetable juices mentioned
in the preceding article. During those days you chewed nothing, not even
gum. A small slice of watermelon or a little pureed, fresh apples satisfied
your craving for food. Throughout the fast you used an all-vegetable protein
powder and spirulina.
Now the rebuilding begins. Fresh, raw foods should account for most of your
diet. Locally grown foods are preferable to foods shipped in over long distances,
since local foods have the same growth and atmospheric conditions as those
which your body requires. Locally grown, seasonal foods blend with your own
natural rhythm. An added consideration is that foods that are brought in
from overseas could contain the chemical DDT.
Raw vegetables and fruits contain the enzymes needed for digestion and assimilation.
Enzymes, which are specialized proteins present in all living cells, are
organic catalysts needed for stimulation of every biochemical reaction in
the body. Digestion relies on enzymes at all levels. Cooked and processed
foods are devoid of enzymes, and they place an enormous strain on the pancreas
to produce digestive enzymes. Eventually this vital organ becomes overworked,
enlarged and impaired. All manner of ailments can result from damage to the
pancreas, including allergic reactions to food.
At least one of your meals each day (preferably the noonday meal) consists
of raw vegetables only. Green vegetables are rich in chlorophyll, a natural
detoxifier. Other vegetables such as vine-ripened tomatoes (tomatoes should
always be vine-ripened) and carrots are rich in antioxidants. Sprouted seeds
and beans are also excellent sources of nutrients.
One important reason for you to maintain a diet rich in vegetables and fruits
is the fact these foods are alkalizing. A highly alkalizing diet makes for
a healthy immune system. Overacidity in the system impairs digestive and
enzyme functions and causes the accumulation of toxins, resulting in dis-ease.
Most fruits and vegetables are alkaline-forming, whereas meats, grains and
most dairy products are acid-forming. Ideally, the ratio between alkaline-forming
and acid-forming foods should be 80% to 20%. For most people in our society
this ratio is reversed.
You cannot altogether eliminate acid-forming foods. The body requires a certain
amount of protein and fats for proper metabolism. Therefore you will complement
your new, improved diet with adequate amounts of quality protein, carbohydrates
and fats.
Your modified vegetarian diet now includes plenty of fruits and vegetables,
an all-vegetable protein powder, beans and peas eaten with rice, potatoes
(unpeeled), pasta, whole grains (cereals, bread, crackers etc.), fish and
other seafood in moderation, cheese, soybean milk, cows milk and home-made
yogurt.
The fruits and vegetables which constitute a good part of your diet are those
which act to suppress your overactive thyroid. These foods include the cruciferous
vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, rutabagas, turnips),
radishes, avocados, pears and peaches. Your thyroid gland now works normally
and effectively.
There are foods which can bring on allergic reactions in chemically sensitive
people. You identify these foods and eliminate them from your diet.
Yeast and yeast-containing foods should also be avoided by the chemically
sensitive. Yeast belongs to the family of molds that are highly allergenic
to MCS sufferers. You've made a fine art of label reading. Besides the obvious
(breads, bagels etc.), many canned and prepared foods contain yeast.
You stay away from food additives and processed foods entirely, and you eat
very little fried foods. You use unbleached flour, naturally milled cane
sugar, cold-pressed, unrefined oils in cooking, and unbleached coffee filters
for brewing coffee. Your teabags are unbleached and dioxin free. You buy
consumable liquids like milk or juice in cartons instead of plastic, and
you choose glass containers over plastic whenever possible.
You've gone far in the healing process but there's still much further to
go. The knowledge is continually being revealed to you.
The next phase is supplementation. You will know which supplements you need
to take and in what amounts. Your holistic healing is right on schedule.
HEALING--A Science
and an Art (Siona, Aquarius Magazine, Aug. 2000)
Healing can be considered
both a science and an art. Like all sciences, there are many different modalities,
or methods of healing. All have the same goal of reconnecting an individual
to their own internal source of healing energy.
We are all connected to this one Universal Energy Source, also called
God, also called Divine Love. This is the only energy needed to heal.
We all have the innate ability to heal ourselves. For the majority
of humans who have forgotten this capability, there are techniques that can
be learned. However, the art of true healing involves not the
intellect, but the heart. A science can be learned but
an art requires unlearning. When we succeed in moving the mind
out of the way and allowing the heart to channel Divine Love (healing energy)
then we have mastered the art of healing.
In art, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the final creation is not
that important. A true artist is more concerned with the act of creating, the 'feeling' of freeness, openness and pure possibility that
stems from creating any work of art, from painting to poetry to song.
The finished product is only a bonus. (If someone is inspired enough
by it to exchange money for it, that is even more of a bonus). Often
the 'process' of healing, the positive energy flow from one who has the intent
to heal and one who has the intent to be healed, is just as magnificent as
the final result-- the re-creation of health or balance.
It is a work of art to be involved in the creative process of helping an individual
to return to the path of healing and growth. On the spiritual realm,
it is a most beautiful thing! And in becoming a healer, the process
of developing Love, Creativity and Intuition is more important than the specific
methods used.
So how is this accomplished? Again, since we all have the inborn ability
to heal ourselves, it is through time that we 'learn to forget.'
It seems ironic that the more intelligent we become in a worldly sense, the
further away we go from the connection to our inner healing source.
Jesus, one of the Greatest Healers to walk the earth, said that we must become
like little children to get into the kingdom of heaven. And what do
little children do? They act from their heart center, not their head.
Yes, I am saying that to heal, we must learn to reconnect with our hearts;
to dare, to play, to believe, to create, to free ourselves! The 'Fool'
card in the Tarot represents this wondrous state of spontaneity.
We must become aware of the fact that we are all creators of our world.
And everything is possible! A healer who does not believe in
the impossible will not be able to work miracles!
Sometimes our mind is so clever, it wants to define what everything
is. We may think that to become like a child, we must dig in the dirt
or do something silly. No. Not unless these actions are totally and completely spontaneous. Following are two ways to
bring the fun back into existence and help us re-connect to our Universal
Energy Source. Bear in mind, the whole point is to 'unlearn,'
not to fit these new experiences into already defined notions of what creativity
is about. You will know it is working when you begin to feel more spontaneous,
alive, and creative. When your potentials and possibilities grow larger
than life. When your intuition starts to become more powerful than
your intellect.
1) Start creating!
It could be pottery, sculpting etc., but for beginners, I recommend painting.
However... resign yourself to throw away what you create! Or,
don't show anyone. Don't be concerned with the final product!
This will thwart your progress. Concern yourself only with paying attention
to the inner urges that command you to create. Your inner child will
tell you what color to choose, what brush to use or what to mold. It
might look like utter nothingness when completed. Yet you should feel like you are more free, vibrant and alive.
2) Hum and/or Sing.
Do it loud and keep on doing it! Both are therapeutic in that
tonal vibrations can heal our heart, our mind and can ground us at the same
time. Humming can be like repeating a mantra. Again, don't worry
how you sound. And don't do it with music! If you
have a song you know, sing it. If not, play around with different sounds
and hum them, keeping your mouth open (like saying "ah"). You
may even create your own song. "A" is called the note of the heart,
but you don't need an instrument to find the sound that literally pulls on
your heartstrings. Pay close attention (relax and don't concentrate)
and you will start to "feel" the vibration in your body. Higher notes
vibrate the head area, middle notes the heart and even lower notes the root
chakra. This can be one of the most powerful yet fun ways to
heal!
The whole point is to begin--and
to keep on doing it. In time, you will notice the difference.
Siona Devi is an Energy Healer and co-founder
of the Universal Temple of Healing, an organization that promotes spiritual
reconnection and growth. She and her partner, Suni Rose, can
be reached at (770) 908-3458. NOTE: This
number is no longer valid. Our new number is (404) 932-3297.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
And Supplementation (Suni Rose: Aquarius Magazine, Sept. 2000)
You've come a long way since your discovery that your multiple medical problems
stem from low-level sensitivity to man-made chemicals. You've cleaned up
your home and made major dietary changes. The initial results are dramatic.
However, there's much more to embrace in the journey you've embarked on.
You're being directed each step of the way. You have complete faith in
this guidance because you know it comes from a Higher Source.
The next step is supplementation. Supplementation is no longer a choice but
a necessity. You require far more nutrients now, in order to combat the stress
this illness places on your tissues and organs. You know you cannot get the
required daily nutrients from food alone. Modern farming practices have rendered
the soil virtually devoid of nutrients. Man-made fertilizers do not return
the same quality of nutrients back to the soil.
You devour all the latest reports you can find on alternative healing. You
go to the health food stores, stand in the aisles and leaf through the books
and pamphlets. There's one more book you must have. Prescription For Nutritional
Healing, (Balch, J.F., Balch, P.A. C.N.C.,) is the lay persons nutritional
bible. Its an easy-to-follow reference manual on natural healing using readily
available herbs and nutritional supplements.
You've done your research. Now you're ready to do some experimentation. The
basic products in your food pantry already include a multivitamin and multimineral
formula, Vitamin C, B-complex, an all- vegetable protein powder and a herbal
laxative and cleanser. To these you'll add various other
individual or combined formulas of vitamins, minerals and herbal extracts
to suit your needs.
You can choose to take the nutrients in the form of capsules, liquid, powder,
granules or tablets. You know they must be 100% natural and hypoallergenic.
Herbs that are organically grown are a plus. You'll proceed cautiously with
any new supplement until you're sure its right for you. If you don't tolerate
it or you don't feel an improvement in your health after a reasonable amount
of time (usually two to four weeks), you'll stop taking it.
You begin your new supplementation program with the following nutrients,
keeping in mind your doses will decrease over time as your requirements change:
High potency Mutivitamin
and multimineral tablet: One daily. B-complex timed
release 100 mg tablet: One, daily. Vitamin C plus Bioflavonoids
timed release 1500 mg tablets: One, twice daily. Calcium/magnesium/zinc/copper
formula tablets: Three, daily. Iron Complex: One,
weekly. CoEnzyme Q10, 50
mg: One, daily. Organic alfalfa
500 mg tablets: Three, twice daily. Organic flax (essential
fatty acid) 1000 mg capsules: Two, twice daily Gingko biloba and
gotu kola herbal capsules (for improved brain function), combined or separate:
Two to three daily. Soya lecithin granules:
One tablespoon daily. Silymarin 150 mg
capsules: One, twice daily. DHEA (colloidal
form): as indicated on label. Aloe vera juice
(whole plant): see below.
The last three items on the list are specialized products you're taking for
the first time. While researching these products you learn that silymarin,
an extract of the milk thistle plant, is especially important to your recovery.
Silymarin protects the liver from damaging toxins. Studies with the
toxin from death cap mushroom have shown the protective action of milk thistle
on the liver following ingestion of this highly toxic mushroom. You learn
milk thistle is used to protect the liver and to restore liver damage in
serious liver diseases and in multiple chemical sensitivities.
Your research included another marvelous product known as DHEA (extracted
from the wild yam). You tried DHEA after having read an endorsement of a
colloidal DHEA product by a woman who testified she had dramatically recovered
from the symptoms of lupus. DHEA produced remarkable results in your symptoms
from Graves Disease, also an autoimmune disease.
The aloe vera is another of natures miracle plants. Nothing compares to it
for minor burns, insect stings or scrapes. You've known firsthand how many
wonderful uses aloe vera has, but it has not been a part of your diet until
now. You take full advantage of this miraculous plant (growing organically
in your yard) by liquefying sections of the leaf in a blender and adding
some lime or lemon juice. You take three or four ounces twice daily of this
excellent, low-cost tonic and cleanser. You've noticed the fresh leaf in
the produce section of some supermarkets, and the juice under various labels
in the health food stores.
Before signing off you want to mention another alternative source of treatment
you consider to be extremely relevant - homeopathy. Homeopathic medicine
has seen a resurgence in popularity in America and is destined to come into its
own in the new millennium. Many people are opting for alternatives to allopathic
drugs. Many practitioners of traditional medicine are turning away from allopathic
cures. The time is ripe for change. Besides, the low cost of homeopathic
treatment makes it an attractive option. You urge the reader to check into
this field of medicine.
Stress and Your Health
(Suni Rose: Aquarius Magazine, Nov. 2000)
Stress is so common in our lives, yet we don't stop to consider why were
prone tostress. We
don't stop to consider why were so stressed. Im so stressed out, we moan.We acknowledge our stress
but don't do anything positive about it. By complaining, we may temporarily relieve stress.
Each time we get stressed, we apply another temporary band-aid and keep on going.
We must put a stop to this. For the health of mind and body, stress must be managed.
What is stress? Webster’s Dictionary defines stress as: : ...the effect of
somechange in your
life. Any change in your life, such as illness, loss of a job, loss of a
lovedone, moving,
separation, divorce, can bring on stress. Dr Barry Seedman in GuaranteedTo Win, reduces stress to two words: Something
unfinished. This could mean a decisionthat must be made, a chore that
must be done, an unresolved relationship issue, even aphone call that must be returned.
These situations all represent imminent change and areall potentially stressful situations.
Stress can be very useful. If it were not for stress we wouldn't be motivated
to doanything. We
wouldn't get out of bed in the mornings, or eat when were hungry. Thebody reacts to normal stress
by producing a burst of extra energy to see us through theactivities of the day. Stress activates
us to be productive, creative and motivated.
Stress also plays a part in potentially dangerous situations. Say, for instance,you're walking across the
street. You see the eighteen wheeler approaching but you misjudge the speed. Now you're
in the middle of the road and this huge truck is barrelingdown on you. You're almost sure
to choke on your breath as your muscles tighten andbecome tense. Your heart rate immediately
increases, as also your blood pressure and respiration rate.
Significant changes take place in your hormone levels, especially your cortisonelevels. Instantly your whole
body chemistry goes through changes, preparing you to reactto the challenge. This response
is known as the Fight or Flight response. It occurs in everystressful situation you encounter
and prepares you to take appropriate action to respond tothe challenge. You either confront
the challenge (fight) or escape it (flight). In the case of the eighteen
wheeler, you immediately produce the energy and use itto get out of the way. That's a
normal stress response and it occurs instinctively, automatically.
Say you scamper to safety. What happens next in the sequence of the normalstress response is of vital
importance. The emergency is over. That is, the physical threatis no longer imminent. The cycle
needs to be completed. In order to complete the cycle,you need to relax again.
You breathe out slowly, feeling your muscles relax. Your whole body chemistry
returns to normal as you wind down from the stress reaction. You're back
to normalagain, ready
for the next challenge. This release of tension is called The RelaxationResponse. It occurs naturally
and effortlessly. It is essential for the health of mind and body.
So why are we faced with so many unresolved stressful situations? What becameof The Relaxation Response
mechanism? In our modern civilized world, much of thestress is emotional rather than
physical. Many stressful situations confront us each dayand the relaxation response doesn't
have a chance to kick in. The Relaxation Response nolonger works. We've lost our ability
to relax. The changes in body chemistry persist, eventually producing decreased
effectiveness of the immune system, resulting in disease. The source of much
illness is that the stress response is not taken to a satisfactory conclusion.
What happens to all the energy produced by the stressful conditions weencounter? Energy cannot die,
its a Universal Law. The energy produced by the stressful situations build up in the
body and show up as the negative emotion of fear, which is the basis of all
other negative emotions.
In addition to stress on the job, we worry about life and our life's situations.
Whatif I cant pay
the bills? What if I don't get that job? What if I don't do well? What if...?This results in so many fears,
so much tension, so many repressed feelings. If we are to successfully
manage stress, we must accept these stressful situations and take appropriate action
to resolve them. Our actions may not always bring resolution. The important element is
acceptance of the situation, whether or not we view it as satisfactorily resolved.
Acceptance of the situation is taken to be a satisfactory conclusion. Non-acceptance
is motivated by fear, creating more stress because stress is a self-perpetuating condition.
This is destructive stress and can manifest as mental and physical imbalance, creating
illness of mind and body.
Some conditions resulting from stress include depression, anxiety, loss of memory, heart attack, high
blood pressure, cancer, stomach disorders, nervous disorders and skin conditions. In order
to combat these diseases, stress management is vital. By using relaxation techniques,
exercise, meditation, planning and lifestyle changes, you can reduce your stress and ward
off serious illness. Don't wait until its too late.
Suni Rose is a Certified Advanced Clinical
Hypnotherapist who offers stress management workshops. Call her at (770)590-9732
or e-mail to Uthsuni@aol.com for information. NOTE:
This number is no longer valid. Our new number is (404) 932-3297.
The Journey Into Yourself
Is The Most Rewarding You Will Ever Take! (Siona: Aquarius Magazine, Dec. 2000)
Following an Energy Healing session, some often wonder, 'What should
I do next?,' or 'What to do in-between sessions?' Although people
are primarily responsible for their own healing, many people don't understand
what they should do on their own to facilitate the healing process.
Following are some answers to questions often asked by those undergoing energy
healing treatments.
What exactly
is healing?
Healing is the process of restoring balance and wholeness. It is a process
of re-connecting to the Universal Healing Source found inside every living
thing. This healing energy comes from the Universe, The Creator, or
God which are just different terms describing the same phenomenon.
We are all born with the ability to heal ourselves, but not everyone remembers
how to properly use it.
Why do I have
this illness or condition?
Healing is wholistic. It deals with your whole being. There is no such
thing as an isolated injury or illness. Regardless of the "circumstances"
surrounding the illness or injury, it is something necessary for your growth,
in some way, otherwise you would not be experiencing it. Even if caused
by an 'accident,' there is a real and positive reason for it in your life.
The Universe makes no mistakes.
How can an illness
be necessary for my growth?
An illness usually points the way for change. It allows one to see
that 'something is not right,' and to re-evaluate our patterns of thinking,
action and/or feeling. This is not to say that one 'deserves'
an illness or an illness is a 'punishment.' To view it from this perspective
would negate the fact that the Universe is All-Loving and that we are here
for a Purpose. Illness is simply an imbalance that needs to be corrected.
Many, many people have changed their lives for the better due to an unexpected
illness that 'forced' them to change.
Healing requires change. When you change the pattern that 'created'
the illness, then the illness will simply fall away or disappear. In
many cases, this happens instantly. You must be willing to expand your
thinking, to give something up or try something new, or to forgive, or you
will unknowingly 'hold on' to the illness. By holding onto whatever
behavior, thought or action pattern caused the illness, you keep the 'illness
pattern' intact. Although a competent healer can get rid of symptoms
and pain, if no real change is made, the pattern remains and the illness
may re-surface.
Healing requires dedication. There is no such thing as a 'quick fix.'
Sometimes illnesses surfacing now are the result of things that happened far
in the past or deep issues that were never resolved. You must be dedicated
to getting to the 'root' of the problem and this may be buried under many
layers. You must arrive at a genuine understanding of the problem on
an emotional level. This means, you must feel your way back through
the layers which started the negative emotional pattern. Once this
is done, these layers of pain, anger and grief will peel back as smoothly
as an onion.
What should I
expect from a healing session?
There are an infinite number of things that happen during and after a healing
session. The best way to help the process is to expect the best possible
outcome, but don't label what this is! Many surprising things
result from an Energy Healing session.
Your healing is a process, not an event. A process is something on-going.
Although the physical symptoms may go away, in many cases, you must still
be willing to grow and change for the better. You will find as your
expectations are positive, the results may be astounding. And what you
learn about yourself along the way may be even more astounding.
But the most important thing to remember is that you WILL get better.
Relax, love yourself and enjoy the process!
Are there any
specific things I can do to help my healing?
Yes! There are things you definitely can and should do. In general;
Meditation, Affirmation, Visualization, Self-Massage, Self-Hypnosis, Mantra,
Yoga, Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Artistic practices, and reading spiritual and
uplifting information are all ways to re-connect with your own internal healing
source. If in doubt about where to start, let your intuition guide
you. But the key is to DO them. Find which spiritual exercises
work for you, set aside time daily to do them, and without a
doubt, the magic will unfold!
Siona Devi is an Energy Healer and co-founder
of the Universal Temple of Healing, an organization dedicated to healing
and spiritual upliftment. She can be reached at (770) 908-3458. NOTE: This number is no longer valid. Our new number is
(404) 932-3297.
Recommended Reading (this
portion was unpublished) The Seat of the Soul, Gary Zukav Lessons in Truth, Emily Cady Healing the Child Within: Discovery and Recovery
for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families, Charles Whitfield, MD For Case Studies: www.Reiki.org/Reiki
Article Archive/Usui Reiki Healing Stories
Stress causes problems affecting mind and body. Most people live out of their lower chakras (are ruled
by their emotions). Blockages in these energy centers create fears: fear of loneliness,
of pain, of illness, of death, of not being loved, of disapproval and more. Living with fears
causes continual anxiety and emotional stress, giving rise to many mental and physical
conditions.
When
we live in the conditions of depression, anxiety, worry, strain, tension,
hurt, sadness, low self esteem,
envy, jealousy and other negative emotions caused by stress, we exhibit physical manifestations
of that stress. Research shows that our heart rate speeds up, our breathing becomes
shallow, our muscles tense, our blood flow slows down, our hormones become imbalanced,
and our metabolism speeds up and becomes erratic. When we've built up excessive
stress, our bodies break down and show signs of dis-ease. Stress is a self-perpetuating condition.
The symptoms of stress in turn produce greater stress, repeating itself.
Some of the signs you might exhibit if you are under considerable stress
are: drinking to excess, smoking
to excess, eating to excess, erratic sleep patterns, temporary loss of memory, pessimism
(seeing the negative side of every situation), depression, restlessness, feelings of
resentment toward others, nervous conditions, sudden mood changes, inability to relax,
and overreaction to normal stress situations.
Do you ever wonder why you feel so much fear, tension, or anger? Do you wonder why you have so many repressed
feelings? Do you sometimes wonder why you are prone to stress? You may be more
prone than the next person to experience stress, and your reaction to stress may produce
more severe and life-threatening consequences. Realizing why you are prone to stress
may be the first line of defense against an insidious enemy. It is part of the planning and
lifestyle changes which must be implemented to reduce stress and ward off serious illness.
The cause of your stress can fall into any of several categories: 1. You may have been born
with the tendency. A pregnant woman who is nervous and unhappy can pass on these
tendencies to her unborn child. Therefore the predisposition for stress
could have been transferred to you. Two children from the same household could be exposed
to the exact same stressors, yet both might have entirely different reactions.
2. You could have been
exposed to the stress patterns of someone you admired while growing up and modeled your
behaviour after them.
3. You may experience stress
by imagining the worst possible outcome in every situation. You form negative
habit patterns of worry, anxiety, etc., and you send out the negative energy. The energy
you send out attracts like energy to you, so the dire circumstances you imagine
will very likely occur. Have you ever known anyone to be worry-free who constantly
thinks in negative terms? Like attracts like. Thought is energy and energy works like a magnet.
Thought waves go out and attract to themselves energy of like vibration. If the
thoughts are negative, they attract more negative energy. All that negative energy finds its
way back to you, the negative energy source.
4. You may form rules to
live by which you set for yourself and others. These rules are the shoulds. I should
be the perfect spouse, parent, grandparent, son, daughter, etc. I should not make mistakes.
I should not complain. You make up these rules and then religiously try to live
by them. When you cant or don't, you feel bad. You punish yourself with criticism and
condemnation. When the people you know don't behave the way you think they should,
you condemn them also.
5. You may have a type
A personality. A type A personality is addicted to stress. They are prone to over achievement,
they habitually set unrealistic goals and force themselves to work toward
them, They're constantly competitive, are always rushing to beat the clock, are cynical
and subject to sudden outbursts of anger. If you exhibit any of these symptoms, you may fall
into the category of a type A personality. Studies have linked type A personalities
to heart attacks.
6. You may experience stress
from severe and ongoing physical pain and discomfort. Physical pain can cause stress
due to accompanying feelings of depression, self-pity, resentment and envy. Often
the thought of imminent pain, rather than the pain itself, brings on stress.
7. You may experience stress
from repressing or refusing to accept important feelings like hurt, sadness,
anger or pain.
8. Lastly, you may experience
stress more readily if you have a nutritional deficiency. B-complex and
vitamin C are known as the stress vitamins. A deficiency of the B vitamins lead to nervousness,
irritability, sleeplessness, tossing and turning and other nervous conditions.
If you smoke or drink, or if you're under constant pressure from whatever source, your need
for vitamins B and C increases.
If you recognized yourself in any of the above, it is time to take action.
You have confronted your enemy, now
you must work to defeat it.
Siona, Aquarius
Magazine: Nov. 2001
Seichim:
Another Language of Healing
Many people are aware of a field of energy healing
called Reiki which involves stimulating energy centers in the body, often
in conjunction with sacred healing symbols. But not so many know about its
sister-science called Seichim (pronounced say-cheem). They are very similar
and some believe they are the same system adapted to different cultures in
the same way both Italian and Asian cultures eat noodles or pasta but adapt
the recipes to the tastes of each individual culture.
Seichim was rediscovered in 1980 by
an American named Patrick Ziegler. There is an interesting anecdote about
how he snuck into the Great Pyramid in Egypt, hiding from the guards until he was locked
within, alone, for an entire night. The experience profoundly affected his
life. As he lay in a sarcophagus (intuitively guided to do so) a brilliant
light, swirling in the form of an infinity symbol (sideways figure eight)
hovered over him. The light was dazzling to the point of almost being beyond
what our physical eyes can see. It was a very divine energy, accompanied
by the beautiful melody of singing angels. It melted away his fears and he
spent the remainder of the night in a state of spiritual awe and rapture.
After this experience he studied with
a Sufi Master and became a Reiki Master as well. Later, he learned that Reiki
was called Seichim by an ancient being named Marat who was channeling through
an associate of his. Marat also passed on more healing symbols and the attunement
process which is how a student is opened to the Seichim healing energies.
Patrick was instructed to add the infinity symbol and began to teach and
attune others based on intuitive guidance, four years after the experience
in the Great Pyramid.
Although Patrick continues to teach
his simple version, some of his students (or students of his students) have
added variations such as Sekhem, Seichem, Tera Mai Reiki and Karuna Reiki.
Although these variations are interesting, Seichim is not a new or developing
science, it is ancient and very complete and referred to on the pyramids
of Egypt, in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, and other
sacred Egyptian texts. It has been brought back to the world at a critical
time when it was very much needed.
Some feel Seichim is 'lighter,' 'higher,' or more powerful than Reiki, but
Patrick never seemed to follow this line of thought. According to reports,
he also rejected the term “... 'lineage bearer,' as the nature of the energy
[to him] is more holographic than linear.” He believed more in simplicity
and the importance of intuition. I also follow this philosophy as it is my
belief Reiki and Seichim stem from the exact same energy. I believe there
is only ONE universal source of all energy and this energy is free to all
and the same to all. It is up to the Healer, not the method, to establish
a strong connection with the universal source of healing. It is this connection
that makes healing effective. The Divine Presence within, which some refer
to as God, is the True Healer, as a Master Healer named Jesus advocated.
To debate over which energy healing
science is better or worse is a trap that keeps some within the confines
of material thinking. The methods and symbols (if used at all) vary between
healing modalities, and very often the intuitive process in healing is just
as or more important than the techniques used. Getting to the root of an
illness or negative feeling such as anger or depression and helping one to
understand why it is there is a significant aspect of healing, as Gary Zukav
asserts in the “Seat of the Soul.” This involves using the intuition which
all of us are blessed to have and learning to see the valuable messages our
emotions carry. Our feelings are built-in roadmaps to what needs to be healed
in our lives.
Just as there is more than one way
to solve a problem, there are many different methods of healing. As we are
all unique individuals, what works for one may be ineffective to another.
Truly, “one man's medicine is another man's poison.” If you are interested
in receiving healing, learning more about healing or becoming a Healer, it
is important to go with the method you are drawn to. Also, many have been
Healers in previous lifetimes and are going into it now with prior soul knowledge.
Times dictate we should all become self-healers as it is becoming more and
more difficult to remain balanced in an outwardly chaotic environment. We
cannot take our favorite Healer home to live with us so we can get an immediate
treatment every time we fall ill. Healers are here to assist us in learning
our soul lessons and to help us move along whenever we fall into a rut which
usually manifests in some type of illness or imbalance. It is a beautiful
and rewarding feeling when we learn to connect to our own internal healing
power! Siona [previous surname removed] is an Energy Healer and co-founder of the UniversalTemple of Healing. She can be reached at (770) 908-3458.
She currently teaches online and at various Atlanta colleges. NOTE: This
number is no longer valid. Our new number is (404) 549-4151..
Holistic Healing of Fibroid Tumors
by Suni Rose
Appeared in Natural Awakenings, Atlanta Edition, June, 2003
Fibroid
cysts are benign growths formed by cells on the muscle walls of the uterus.
These cysts can be found either inside or outside the uterus and are the
result of abnormal growth patterns within the cells of the muscle walls.
Statistics show that fibroids affect about 30% of all women. Most women know
they have fibroids only when the cysts are discovered during a routine medical
examination. Research has shown that fibroids are five times more common
in African-American women than they are in Caucasians.
It is thought that the growths occur in women during their late thirties
to early forties and that they shrink considerably after menopause. Thus
it is believed that excess production of estrogen may play a part in their
formation. Oral contraceptives with a high estrogen content may also contribute
to the formation of fibroids.
Fibroids can produce symptoms such as abnormally heavy menstrual periods,
bleeding between periods, anemia, infertility, increased vaginal discharge,
painful sexual intercourse, and bleeding after intercourse. The growths can
be painful and can cause bowel and kidney obstruction.
From the viewpoint of orthodox medicine, surgery has been the accepted treatment
for fibroids. However, in the early stages the cysts are usually benign and
the patient relatively symptom-free. Thus physicians are reluctant to intervene.
They usually hold off treatment until the tumors reach the size where they
begin to be troublesome. Yet the likelihood exists that fibroid tumors can
become malignant if left untreated over an extended period.
A hysterectomy was formerly the principal treatment for fibroids. An alternative
procedure (a myomectomy) was developed, where only the tumors are removed
and the uterus is left intact. There’s a higher chance of complications following
this surgery and about a 50% chance the tumors will return. In recent years
other, surgery-free, methods have been tried by medical science. It may be
too early yet to know the success rates of these procedures.
From the viewpoint of holistic healing, uterine fibroids can be healed without
surgery and the tumors prevented from reoccurring, once the energetic component
of their formation is understood. Almost all disease is psychological in nature,
having its origin or cause in the emotional body. The emotional or astral
body is the body that is most active in humanity today. Desire is a quality
of the emotional body. Since most people are ruled by the emotions, and since
the emotional body is connected to the lower chakras, we find that the chakras
which lie below the diaphragm are generally in an unbalanced state – usually
a state of overactivity.
The chakras are vortices of energy found throughout the body, which draw
energy from the Universal Energy Field in order to supply the energy needs
of the physical body. When a center is out of balance, it will take in too
much energy, not enough energy, or the inflow or output will be distorted.
We know as a fact that disease (when not of a group origin or based on karmic
law or due to an accident) occurs due to an imbalance in the activity of
the energy center governing the diseased area of the body. Alice Bailey explains
in Esoteric Healing, p203-204: “A full and balanced flow of energy from the
center into the area which it controls leads to resistance to so-called disease;
where there is lack of development and an unbalanced situation, where the
centers are concerned, there will be no power to resist.”
The chakras
are found on the etheric body, the body which underlies the dense physical.
The etheric body is as real as the dense physical body, but is a subtle body
made up of lines of force and points where these lines of force cross each
other, thus forming centers of energy. Where many centers meet and cross,
you have a larger center of energy. Where great streams of energy meet and
cross, you have the seven major centers. The seven major centers are connected
to the seven major glands and are responsible for the correct functioning
of these glands. The glands are the outstanding determining factor connected
with the general health of the individual. Their influence, by way of the
blood stream, reaches into every part of the body, producing both psychological
and physiological effects.
The health of the organs is largely dependent upon the centers, as they condition
the glands and as the energy is distributed throughout the body. An imbalance
in the energy flow of any center will negatively affect the gland governed
by that center. Should the imbalance persist, disease will show up in that
area of the body. Ultimately the disease will be carried, through the blood
stream, to other parts of the body.
An overactivity in the center that governs the reproductive system – the sacrum
center – will result in an overstimulation of the gonadic glands (the ovaries
in the female and the prostate in the male), causing an overproduction of
hormone in these glands. Uterine and prostate conditions can develop if the
energy imbalance persists. Since the blood stream is the primary conveyor
of glandular secretion throughout the body, it will transfer this dis-harmony
to other parts of the body. Depending on the degree of dis-harmony within
the gonadic glands, the result can vary anywhere from benign conditions (such
as fibroids or enlarged prostate) to severe malignancies.
We can see then that the key to preventing disease is to obtain, and maintain,
a state of balance in the energy system. Even when disharmony has already
manifested in the physical body, the effect can be reversed. We do this by
working through the emotions. It may be time to examine your emotional issues.
How do you feel about yourself, about your life? How do you honestly feel
about your body? What is your attitude toward sex, or toward the opposite
sex? What are the judgments you’ve carried over from childhood regarding
sex? Do you pursue hobbies or activities that expand your wonderfully creative
abilities?
Searching for answers to the above and other similar questions can open areas
of your mind and emotions you would rather not confront. Are you unconsciously
burying emotional issues instead of bringing them to the surface and dealing
with them? Bring them up – examine them closely. What you resist, persists;
what you look at, disappears. Emotional blockages can result from repressed
feelings and from denial. Confront and acknowledge these feelings, then lovingly
release them into the universe to be transmuted into the energy of Divine
Love.
The various elements of alternative healing can help you to access
those areas of the emotions that are buried deep within the psyche and can
bring you freedom from suffering. Energy therapy releases emotional blockages
and brings the centers into balance, restoring health to those areas of the
body affected by the imbalance. Pastoral counseling addresses spiritual problems
that you may be struggling with. Issues relating to diet and nutrition are
addressed. You may wish to pursue techniques such as healing visualizations
with imagery. Creating a harmonious environment and maintaining a positive
mental attitude are also essential components of mind/spirit/body healing.
With conscious effort and the will to be healed, you can re-create your
life and your health. The fibroid tumors can disappear. The prostate can
return to normal size. No invasive surgery need be involved and healing can
take place on all levels of being.
Recommended reading:
You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay
Creative Visualizations, Shakti Gawain
Healing Visualizations, Creating Health Through Imagery, Gerald Epstein,
M.D.
Sciatica and Energy Healing
by Suni Rose
Appeared in
Natural Awakenings, Atlanta
Edition, November, 2003
“Sciatica” is a common ailment resulting from a pinched nerve coming out
of the spinal column. The sciatic nerve runs from the spinal column through
the buttocks, into the thigh, leg, foot, all the way down to the toes. A
narrowing of the space between the vertebrae through which this nerve passes
often results in pinching of the nerve. The cause of narrowing may be due
to a build-up of calcium deposits on the tips of the vertebrae, or to continuous
exertion which causes weakening and buckling of the spinal column.
When the sciatic nerve is pinched the person experiences severe pain and
limitation of movement, a condition which frequently progresses to become
chronic. Due to the chronic nature of the pain, a mental/emotional nature
to the illness is usually experienced. Sciatica can also develop during pregnancy
as the fetus exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing irritation of
the nerve. However, these symptoms usually disappear after delivery.
“Joan,” a 34 year-old woman, came to see me after suffering with this disability
for five years. She had been diagnosed with sciatica and had seen various
medical practitioners, but had gotten no long-term relief from this disabling
condition. When I first saw her, she was in severe pain. In her own words:
“For five years I have not been able to walk for a lengthy period of time,
or even to shop. I have always had to sit in the car and have my children
or boyfriend do the shopping, or even if I went shopping I always had to
sit down after five to ten minutes of walking… this pain was extremely unbarring.
I have had to be rushed to the emergency room, at least three to four times
a year, because of the pain in my lower back and legs.”
Joan enquired about “spiritual healing.” She wanted to know if there was
anything I could do to help relieve her pain. She had exhausted all other
avenues and was willing to “try anything.” I explained that, apart from accidental
injuries and certain other groups of ailments, a disruption in the flow of
energy is the main cause of illness. I further explained that energy therapy
could correct the disruption and restore the flow of energy. Joan was willing
to try energy healing, yet I could see she needed more reassuring. In order
to set her mind at ease and put her in a relaxed state where she could gain
the most from the treatment, I proceeded to ‘educate’ her in this approach
to healing that was completely new to her. The following is a summary of
my pre-talk:
“Energy therapy is an alternative healing method done to unblock and balance
the natural flow of energy found in, and around, all living things. A blockage
or an unbalanced flow of energy to or from any energy center can produce
mental, emotional, or physical disharmony. When our energy level is high,
we feel strong, confident, ready to enjoy life and take on its challenges.
When our energy is low we feel weak and are more prone to illness.
“This ancient form of healing is completely safe, natural, and effective.
It produces only positive effects. The healer acts as a guide to balance
the energy system and to increase the energy levels of the person being healed.
The healer can sense causes and interconnections in the various aspects of
a person’s life that have created illness, and works with the client to maximize
his or her own healing potential. As the energy field is cleared of blockages,
stress and tension begin to fall away. This stimulates the person’s own internal
healing ability to complete the healing process. This does not happen overnight,
just as illness does not suddenly appear, and takes commitment on the part
of the client to the healing process.
“Energy therapy can relieve the symptoms accompanying most conditions and
can get to the cause of the ailment to effect a cure. As this happens, the
unhealthy organs and tissues become properly nourished and begin functioning
in a balanced, healthy way. The client can help the healing process along
by maintaining a positive attitude and by relaxing and allowing the energy
to do its work. With the right mental attitude you begin to feel balanced,
centered, in charge of your emotions, and at peace with yourself and the
world.
“Energy treatment can lessen or alleviate pain, anxiety, fear, stress, tension,
depression, anger, hurt, worry, and low self esteem. It has been scientifically
proven that these and other negative emotional states can cause high blood
pressure, heart attacks, chest pain or angina, skin disorders, stomach disorders,
nervous disorders, and cancer. Research on the mind/body connection has shown
that mental stress has profound effects on the physical body. People who
heal with energy know that stressful situations cause energy blockages that
can produce extreme changes in our body chemistry. If the build-up of stress
is allowed to continue, a breakdown occurs in the immune system. Energy therapy
relieves the effects of these negative conditions and enhances the potential
for healing.”
“Is energy therapy a substitute for drugs?” Joan asked. I replied that energy
therapy works with, and complements, any other treatment the client is receiving.
The client is advised to continue all medications and medical treatments.
In many cases however, the need for drugs decreases as the healing progresses.
As with any medical treatment, results are not seen overnight. A minimum
of three treatments is recommended. Many people receive regular, on-going
treatments. The more healing energy you receive, the more centered, balanced,
and healthier you become in mind, spirit, and body.
By the end of my talk Joan was nodding her head, indicating she was in agreement
with the therapy and was anxious to get started. Having satisfied myself of
her belief system, I proceeded to treat her with various methods of energy
therapy and with some visualizations for healing. The methods I used consisted
of a combination of Reiki, Qigong, magnetic and radiatory healing, and crystal
healing. After the first treatment Joan experienced welcome relief. I instructed
her to follow up at home with the healing visualization exercises, and we
set the next appointment.
Joan later wrote: “At the end of that first session I felt no pains at all,
and I was almost in tears because I couldn’t believe what was happening…
I was so amazed that the minute I walked through my front door, after five
years of pain, seeing chiropractors, etc., I called my parents in New York to let them know what had taken place. My parents
urged me to continue (the treatments), at least a couple more times, which
I did. Four months later, here I am still pain free.”
Joan received a total of two in-person treatments and one distant healing
treatment. At the time of this article Joan has been pain free for seven months,
doing the things she loves and enjoys. She has rediscovered the joy of living,
for she’s a vibrant young woman who lives her life most fully. Her mind/body/spirit
state is again harmonious. And she now has a deep respect for the everyday
things of life that she had previously taken for granted.
Suggested Reading
Paradox and Healing, Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Hands of Light, Barbara Ann Brennan
The Art of True Healing, Israel Regardie
