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Emotional Health Versus Physical Health
by Christine Hall
Deepak Chopra, the current pop-culture natural health guru,
takes great pains to explain that most diseases don’t begin
in the body, but in the mind and spirit. Usually, by the time a
disease process manifests as a physical ailment, the person has
actually been suffering emotionally, mentally or spiritually for
quite a long time. In other words, the best time to cure a
disease is before it has a chance to become a sickness of the
body.
Nearly all of the ancient healing systems have this belief in
common. From the Ayurvedic principles of ancient India, to the
shamanistic practices of the Native Americans, to the
understanding of health developed by the ancient Pagan priests
and priestesses of Europe; all believed that physical health is
a direct result of mental and emotional health.
These days, a good holistic healer will tell you that it’s
not enough to merely treat your disease with doctor prescribed
medicines or surgery, you must also work on the underlying
emotional and mental causes of your condition. In her book
“Essential Reiki, A Complete Guide To An Ancient Healing
Art,” writer Diane Stein catalogs some of the underlying
causes of chronic physical ailments. Surprisingly, the same root
causes will be given by Native American shamans, Ayurvedic
practitioners and Tibetan Buddhist medicine people.
Accidents:
The adage that “accidents are never planned” is not
necessarily true. Accidents are usually an expression of anger,
frustration or rebellion. Often you can see them coming from a
mile away.
Anorexia/Bulimia:
The root cause of this malady is often the result of
self-loathing which causes the sufferer to deny herself
nourishment. Anorexic and bulimic people usually feel as if
they are “not good enough.”
Arms:
A person who is having arm troubles has difficulty embracing
many aspects of life. To understand why you’re having
trouble embracing life, remember that old emotions are often
held in the joints.
Arthritis:
This condition usually develops after a lifetime of being
critical of self and others. People with arthritis are often
perfectionists. Because this condition develops so slowly and
is the result of lifelong patterns, it can take a great deal of
work getting to the root cause, but using positive affirmations
in the morning might work wonders if you don’t expect
change overnight.
Asthma:
While it’s true that asthma may be a reaction to an
unhealthy environment, it’s important to remember that
asthmatics breath the same air as everyone else. The root of
this condition can be not enough or too much attention from the
mother and the feelings of guilt and inferiority that can often
result from mother-love issues.
Back:
Problems with the upper back are often the result of a person
feeling emotionally unsupported. Middle back problems are
usually caused by guilt. Problems with the lower back can be
the result of burnout or worrying about money.
Boils,
Fever Swellings: All of these are usually connected with
anger issues. Quit holding on to your anger and you body might
quit seething or holding-on to your fluids.
Cancer:
Cancer develops because of deep resentments, distrust,
self-pity, hopelessness and helplessness. It’s amazing how
much healthier we would all be if we let go of the past to
experience the present. Internalizing the past will hurt you.
Ears:
Earaches can be caused by anger issues while deafness can
symbolize a refusal to listen.
Feet:
People with foot problems often suffer from a lack of
self-understanding and an inability to move forward.
Hands:
People generally experience problems with their hands from
figuratively holding on to things too tightly. Arthritic hands
can be caused by self-criticism, internalizing criticism and
criticizing others.
Headaches:
Frequent garden variety headaches can occur when you invalidate
yourself and decide that your wants and needs aren’t
important. Migraines are usually the result of anger,
perfectionism and frustration.
Heart:
The mystics and healers from the east say that having a healthy
heart chakra is a key to overall health. Even western poets
recognize that this energy center is where we receive and send
love. People with heart problems should ask themselves if
they’re denying themselves love and joy.
Knees
and Legs: People with problem knees are often inflexible
and unable to bend or change. Knee troubles can also indicate
pride, stubbornness and self-righteousness. Bad legs can mean a
fear or reluctance of moving forward.
Lungs:
People with difficulties like chronic bronchitis can have an
inability to “breath-in” or give out life. Smokers
take note: too much smoking indicates a denial of life and
feelings of inferiority.
Neck:
When people experience neck pains they usually have flexibility
issues that need addressing.
Obesity:
Overweight or obese people often feel as if they need
protection, which comes from a basic sense of insecurity. As a
therapist I know puts it, “overeating is usually the
process of substituting food for love.”
Stiffness:
A stiff body usually equals a stiff mind. Therefore, when we
suffer from stiffness we are usually inflexible and resistant
to change. Pay attention to where the stiffness manifests to
gain insight into what needs changing.
Swelling:
When we suffer from chronic swelling we might find that our
thoughts have stagnated, that we have bottled-up our tears or
that we are feeling trapped.
Often, when we have anger issues or problems like being
inflexible and unaccepting of change, we are the last to know.
If your particular health issues say that you have trouble
accepting yourself and you don’t believe that to be true,
ask your friends what they think. Often those who know us and
love us see us better than we see ourselves.
©Copyright
2001 by AlternativeApproaches.com
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