PureInsight | August 6, 2006
Our thoughts and emotions can get us well and keep us well, or get us
sick and keep us sick—practical tools for harnessing the power of
intention.
In Parts 1 and 2, which can be seen here:
http://www.pureinsight.org/pi/index.php?news=4088 and
http://www.pureinsight.org/pi/index.php?news=4098,
I discussed how ancient wisdom and modern science describe the inherent
link between mind and body, and described scientific research that
demonstrates the effect of thoughts and feelings on our physical
health. Here, in Part 3, I give practical tools for harnessing the
power of intention.
Our thoughts and feelings affect us. They can affect all aspects of our
lives: our health, relationships, even finances. What I come across
most often in my work is the impact that thoughts and feelings have on
health. Negative thoughts and unexpressed feelings can create energy
blockages, which become foci for disease.
Our culture doesn't readily support being in touch with our emotions,
especially ones that are judged to be negative. Many of us spend our
lives not even knowing how we feel, let alone being able to express
feelings. Instead, we may medicate ourselves with activity to avoid
feeling uncomfortable feelings. Workaholism, food, alcohol, addiction
to exercise, dependence on pharmaceuticals and relationships are some
of the ways we can avoid knowing our feelings and ourselves.
Feelings are normal and natural. Anger, sadness, fear, whatever you are
feeling, is completely normal and natural. It's what we do in response
to our natural feeling state than can become harmful to us. Keeping
uncomfortable feelings inside can make us sick.
When we learn to feel our feelings, and "just be" with them, rather
than keeping them stuck inside our bodies, we can harness the amazing
inherent power that each one of us holds.
The following simple writing techniques will help you to get in touch
with feelings and transform negative thoughts and uncomfortable
feelings.
Get a notebook that can serve as a journal. It helps if you can commit
to this daily practice and start your day with it. If your schedule
doesn't permit, any time will do. Soon you will miss it when you don't
do it! If you can take your journal around with you, you'll find it can
be a source of comfort when situations arise that bring up
uncomfortable feelings.
1) Stream-of-Consciousness Technique:
Write down all your thoughts and feelings, including fears, resentments
and anxieties. If you are not certain, then just write that. Even if
you are feeling that you don't want to write, write that down! Be "in
the moment" with whatever is going on. Do not censor or judge what you
are writing. Take your feelings to the limit. For example, if you are
worried about money, write why, what might happen - your innermost and
deepest fears. If you are having a hard time with a spouse, significant
other, or co-worker, write about this. As you are engaged in this
process, your mind will naturally have reflective thoughts in response:
Difficult feelings will transit to positive responses. Write these too.
If more feelings come up, continue with these until you can write no
more.
2) Non-Dominant-Hand Response Writing:
After you have written your feelings down, write with your non-dominant
hand: If you are right-handed, use the left and vice versa. Do not
censor, and don't worry what your penmanship looks like. Just let your
hand do the writing. Just write whatever comes to mind. See what
happens - you will probably be surprised!
Next week: Part 4 details more practical tools to harness the power of intention.
References and Suggested Readings
1. Capacchione, L. "The Power of Your Other Hand: A Course in Channeling the Inner
Wisdom of Your Right Brain." Franklin Lakes, NJ: The Career Press; 2003.
2. Hay, Louise L. "You Can Heal Your Life." Carson, CA: Hay House, Inc. 1983.
Dr. Muehsam is a holistic physician practicing in New York City.
