Toxic shame is the belief that there is something inherently wrong with who we are, with our being. Guilt is “I made a mistake, I did something wrong.” Toxic shame is: “I am a mistake. There is something wrong with me.”
http://www.healyourinnerchild.com/book-content/inner-child-healing-how-to-begins
It is very important to start awakening to the Truth that there is nothing inherently wrong with our being – it is our relationship with our self and with life that is dysfunctional. And that relationship was formed in early childhood.
The way that one begins inner child healing is simply to become aware.
To become aware that the governing principle in life is cause and effect.
To become aware that our relationship with our self is dysfunctional.
To become aware that we have the power to change our relationship with our self.
To become aware that we were programmed with false beliefs about the purpose and nature of life in early childhood – and that we can change that programming.
To become aware that we have emotional wounds from childhood that it is possible to get in touch with and heal enough to stop them from dictating how we are living our life today.
That is the purpose of inner child healing – to stop letting our experiences of the past dictate how we respond to life today. It cannot be done without revisiting our childhood.
We need to become aware, to raise our consciousness.
To create a new level of consciousness for ourselves that allows us to observe ourselves.
It is vitally important to start observing ourselves – our reactions, our feelings, our thoughts – from a detached witness place that is not shaming.
We all have an inner critic, a critical parent voice, that beats us up with shame, judgment, and fear. The critical parent voice developed to try to control our emotions and our behaviors because we got the message there was something wrong with us and that our survival would be threatened if we did, said, or felt the “wrong” things.
It is vital to start learning how to not give power to that critical shaming voice. We need to start observing ourselves with compassion. This is almost impossible at the beginning of the inner child healing process – having compassion for our self, being Loving to our self, is the hardest thing for us to do.
So, we need to start observing ourselves from at least a more neutral perspective. Become a scientific observer, a detective – the Sherlock Holmes of your own inner process as it were. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/imbalance-body-microbiome-may-contribute-range-serious-disease/
If modern medicine is truly to be a healing art, says Dr. Larry Dossey, it must embrace three ideas it has too long ignored. It must address not only our bodies, but our minds and spirits as well; it must deal not only with the mechanism of illness, but with its meaning; and it must recognize that our power to heal and be healed extends beyond our physical bodies. Bestselling author Dossey is one of the most influential spokespersons for the role of consciousness and spirituality in medicine.
In these writings, he also explores the relationship – often documented in extensive research – between science and ‘unscientific’ topics such as prayer, love, laughter, work, war, creativity, dreams and immortality. Does the mind produce consciousness — or transmit it? Why has job stress become a worldwide epidemic? Could war be a biological condition? Why is fishing good for your health? Also how can science study the effects of prayer? Dossey tackles all these questions and more. Some essays are funny, some sober, some inspirational. Each in its own way challenges us to examine ourselves and our health in a new and different light. https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Beyond-Body-Medicine-Infinite/dp/0751533300
In this recent research by Drs. Larry Dossey, Herbert Benson, and Richard Davidson among others reveals that prayer, mental resolve, mindfulness cultivation, altruism and relaxation response can all help make a significant difference in healing as well as raising our happiness quotient. Even the placebo effect can work in our favor! Finding words to ask for help is a way we can heal the spirit and find peace.
Richard Davidson among others reveals that prayer, mental resolve!!!
This is not just simple faith healing; it includes intentional mental cultivation through repeated practice, including powerful and profound, tried and true contemplative techniques and spiritual exercises such as meditation, chanting, creative visualization, yoga, breath & energy work, and the like.
The practice of being fully with one’s breath is to get embodied and stay within the present moment. In this way, there’s no pushing away from what is unwanted in your body, there’s no rejection of where you’re at. Let yourself find a natural rhythm of breath. Imagine the in–breath bringing with it infinite healing capacities, letting it fill all the cells of the body with purity and well-being. Let go of all expectations as you do this, just letting yourself be present with each breath. Breathe, relax, focus, center and smile.
Loving kindness — wishing well for others — and heartfelt empathic compassion are great protections from the pernicious disease and restlessness of anger, fear, resentment, jealousy and bitterness. We can’t truly heal the spirit unless we find ways to make love of our self complete and unconditional. Love is a total attention that can deepen and become the fullness of loving presence, in which we’ve embraced, forgiven, and accepted ourselves completely. Here is true healing, not far from what theists call divine love. Why are we so often afraid to genuinely embrace and totally accept ourselves?
Throughout history great civilizations have risen and fallen. The same with belief systems. Societies that once possessed great knowledge have suffered over time from invasions, disasters and human greed. Records were destroyed, lost or discarded over time, and belief systems degenerated. And what about the destruction of our own planet? When you’re in tune with nature and your own psychic senses, you can feel the energy imbalance of the world.
It’s as if Mother Earth herself is weeping in pain. This may be the ultimate example of karma. For so many years people have been taking and taking from the Earth. Apparently believing that they were put here to be dominant. Putting themselves above everything except their God. Polluting the Earth and atmosphere. This blatant and sometimes ignorant disregard has led to the decline of conditions here. So what we learn from this is that continuing on a destructive path eventually leads to your own destruction.
No matter what, an oppressed spirit can and will rise again given the right support and guidance from Source who help shows the way to heal all wounds and get the energy flowing again. Hate and resentment is a breeding ground for disease. Anger is the fuel for the fire that burns oneself, and close-minded ignorance hides the truth that saves. Let’s strive to learn how to free the spirit, set a new course and intention for our life, let go and surrender, and learn simple daily ways to renew the self, re-ignite your passionate inner fire and fan it into flame, and soar on high.
Even in modern day quantum physics, the law of cause and effect is still recognized. And karma is the belief in many other religions worldwide, and has been for thousands of years. To simplify, think about all the times in your life when you’ve done something wrong and KNEW it was wrong.
You had the feeling something bad would happen because of it, and sure enough something did, so you learned your lesson. That’s karma at work.
When we are unwell, it’s mostly due to imbalances clogging our lives and limiting our innate capacity for joy and well-being. These internal imbalances and energy blockages often express themselves as disturbing emotions — anger, frustration, anxiety and alienation, to name a few, and also manifest through the physical body as ulcers and allergies, migraines, back pain and other forms of dis-ease great and small.
The root cause of these and other imbalances of mind-body-spirit are very much in line with the Buddhist notion that our own obscurations and illusions cause all of our afflictions and suffering, of all kinds— at the outer, inner and at the subtlest levels as well. Conflicting emotions and delusion results in unwholesome acts which bring us low, mentally, physically, energetically, spiritually and psychically. In fact, longevity as well as vitality is also negatively impacted by these karmic imbalances.
“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” ― Jalaluddin Rumi
Most healers have wounded souls. What actually makes them healers is their ability to heal these wounds themselves.
Healing is such a laborious task that requires you to go back and feel the pain.
As hard as it could be, it’s the only way to heal and make yourself whole once more.
Here are the 7 steps to healing your inner self that John Bradshaw laid out.
***
Dr. James Kwako explains what is integrative medicine, and shows how to reconnect with our soul and reach our inner self. The Law myoho-renge-kyo represents the identity of what some scientists refer to as the ‘unified field of all consciousnesses’. In other words, it’s a sound vibration that is the essence of all of existence and non-existence, the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent.
All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. In a very similar way, it’s important for us to have our ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our life, all other life and what we and all else that exists truly is.
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach into the core of our enlightenment and switch it on. That’s because the sound vibration of ‘myoho-renge-kyo’ represents the combination of the three major laws that underlie all existence. ‘Myoho’ represents the Law of latency and manifestation (Nature), and consists of two alternating states. One state of ‘myo’ is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists.
This includes our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them, our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re not being expressed, our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma, and more importantly, our enlightenment.
The other state, ‘ho’, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes obvious to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory, whenever we experience or express our emotions, or whenever a good or bad effect manifests from our karma.
When anything becomes apparent, it simply means it has come out of the state of ‘myo’ (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ‘ho’ (manifestation). It’s simply the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing something.
The second law, ‘renge’, governs and controls the functions of ‘myoho’, ‘ren’ meaning cause and ‘ge’ meaning effect. The two laws of ‘myoho’ and ‘renge’, both functions together simultaneously, as well as underlies all spiritual and physical existence. The final and third part of the tri-combination, ‘kyo’, is what allow the law ‘myoho’ to be able to also integrate with the law ‘renge’.
It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects together all Life and matter, as well as the past, present and future. It is often termed the Universal Law of Communication. Perhaps it could even be compared to the ‘string theory’ that some scientists now suspect exists.
Just as our body cells, thoughts, feelings and all else are constantly fluctuating within us, everything in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux, in accordance with these three laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of ‘myo’ and ‘ho’ in a single moment than it would ever be possible for us to calculate or describe. And it doesn’t matter how big or small, important or trivial that anything may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now, or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of ‘myoho-renge-kyo’.
These three laws are also the basis of the four fundamental forces and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. Simply put, all forms of existence, including the seasons, day and night, birth, death and so on, are all moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation, rhythmically reverting back and forth.
Between the two universal states of ‘myo’ and ‘ho’ in absolute accordance with ‘renge’ and by way of ‘kyo’. Even stars are dying and being reborn in accordance with the workings of what the combination ‘myoho-renge-kyo’ represents.
‘Nam’, or ‘Namu’, on the other hand, is a password or a key; it allows us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘myoho-renge-kyo’. On a more personal basis, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives from moment to moment, as well in our environment.
By facing east, in harmony with the direction the Earth is turning, and rhythmically chanting Nam–myoho-renge-kyo for a minimum of ten minutes daily, anyone can experience actual proof of its positive effects in their life. In so doing, we can pierce through even the thickest layers of our karma and also activate our Buddha Nature (enlightened state). We’re then able to bring forth the wisdom needed to challenge, overcome and change our negative circumstances into positive ones.
It brings forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that is preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we truly are, regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexual preference.
We are also able to see and understand our circumstances and environment more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. Actual proof soon becomes apparent to anyone who chants the words Nam-myoho-renge-kyo on a regular daily basis.
Everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect, so the strength of the result from chanting depends on dedication, sincerity and determination. To explain it more simply, the difference could be compared to making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, or producing a song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk-l-Vaa_3M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfRcUpoPl7w&t=24s
***
The documented benefits of meditation are impressive. It lowers the respiratory rate, oxygen consumption, and many, but not all, blood pressures. It has been found to reduce anxiety with individuals reporting strong feelings of well-being. Psychologist Lawrence LeShan writes in How to Meditate that the practice produces a deep relaxation with a wakeful, highly alert mental state that is the opposite of stress.
Psychologist Lawrence LeShan spent his entire adult life practicing psychotherapy with advanced metastatic cancer patients. When he threw out the old Freudian model in which he had been trained, his patients began to unexpectedly go into remission.
By helping these patients, all of whom had been given very dire prognoses, to fine meaning and purpose in their lives, a large number of them beat their prognosis and went into long term remission. He helped them learn to “sing their own song” in life. Also more than anything, Dr. LeShan helped them find hope. Having hope and something to which these dying patients could look forward, was the active ingredient that catalyzed dramatic and unexpected remissions from their metastatic cancers as he taught them how to write their own song.
***
The physical and mental benefits of meditation are achieved first. Yet there is much more to the practice, and the ineffable significance lies in the much more which has been characterized in many ways. Bay area cardiologist Dean Ornish writes that by using stress management tools such as yoga, prayer, or meditation it is possible to rediscover inner sources of peace, joy, and well being.
There is nothing magic about posture. It is true that photographs of meditators always show them looking blissful in the lotus position, and if you want to try a meditation pillow on the floor and it is comfortable for you then by all means meditate in the lotus position. Many Westerners prefer a chair that supports the back in a comfortably erect position and allows the feet to touch the floor. As you sit down to meditate remind yourself that you control your mind. You want the body comfortable so it won’t be screaming at you. Clothing likewise, should be loosely comfortable and not so tight as to cut off circulation.
If you need a bite to eat first-fine. A stomach that’s growling hungrily will be just as distracting as one that is overly full following a huge meal. If this seems a strange notion, consider that you have the power to decide what you feed your mind just as you decide what books to read, or which movies to see, or how much television you will watch. The fact of a rebellious mind simply means that most of us haven’t assumed dominion over our minds, and so the mind has become the tail that wags the dog.
Thoughts will come and go endlessly. Ignore them.
Go about your business of also concentrating on your breathing or your contemplative meditation. Every time you find your mind has run off again gently bring your attention back to the breathing or the phrase you are contemplating. As one meditator so aptly put it, you’ll be contemplating love and the kinds of love such as mother love or brotherly love, and all at once your mind announces that you love chocolate, and wouldn’t you just love to run down to the corner store and get some chocolate.
After you have been meditating for a while, and your practice is well established your response will be one of bemused tolerance as you watch the wayward thought scurry across the screen of your mind and disappear. After you have finished your meditation you might opt for the chocolate, or as the captain, you can even say no to that idea and for a long walk instead. In essence, it is a journey of self-discovery with many different trails leading to inner sources of peace, joy and well being. Happy Trails!
****
Understanding and Dealing with Death and Illness.
Physical life is a gift that comes with a variety of experiences. Suffering and illness are bundled in with that package of experiences. Although our bodies have expiration dates, our spirits don’t expire. Choosing to look at illness and death in positive ways rather than negatively will help to give your life here on the planet deeper meaning. Birth is the entry point to the physical experience, death is the end chapter…. but the spirit has no expiration date.
Hurdles to Wellness – Benefits to Sickness
Dealing with Grief: its okay to display anger but don’t you ever cry or display grief in public 🙁
10 Ways to Grow Your Spirit
1. How to Grow Your Spirit: If you are spiritual-oriented like I am you might have found yourself feeling stymied being in a physical body. But hey, that is the point. You are having a human experience as a means to grow spiritually. In this slideshow I offer tips on how to enhance your journey as a spirit in a body.
2. Follow Your Passion: Recognize and further develop your intelligence and special gifts. Our talents are signifiers that lead us toward our unique paths. Follow your passion and you will soon discover where you fit in this world. When we squelch innate yearnings we lose our way.
What is Your Life Purpose?
About the Roles We Play
Self Empowerment
3. Tie Up Loose Ends:
Unresolved issues eat away at us emotionally and mentally. Tackle troubling things that need dealt with and put them to rest. In the meanwhile, learn not to allow future problems to be ignored. Our wounds fester when they are not attended to in a timely manner. Realize that buried problems always surface eventually. And when they resurface… DEAL with them, refrain from stuffing them down inside of you even deeper. Dealing with difficulties as they arise rather than holding grudges or ignoring them is the best route.
Forgiveness
Healing Our Emotional and Mental Bodies
4. Be Responsible in Your Relationships: Turn away from the blame game when it comes to addressing problems in your relationships. Be honest about the things that you have said or done that harmed the relationship. Own up to your own failures. Focus on changing your defeating patterns rather than expecting changes from the other person. Be a problem-solver not someone who adds to the problem.
As You Change Your Relationships Will Change
Spiritual Relationships: Partnering Through Change
5. Love Sometimes Means Saying Goodbye: Not all relationships are meant to last forever. We sometimes out grow our partners, or our partner goes off in a direction which makes us struggle to stay in step with. Sometimes, the most responsible thing you can do is to offer love and compassion to the person as you release the relationship.
At a Crossroads: Right or Wrong Decisions
Cutting Cords to Toxic Relationships
6. Simplify Your Life: If a thing no longer serves a purpose in your life, it is clutter. Clutter can be a physical thing or a belief that blocks your path. Release any beliefs that no longer ring true. You were likely indoctrinated into a religion by your parents. Check in with your heart and see if what you were taught feels right…. if not, seek out a different path that does.
Holding on to things that don’t feed you will instead eat up your energy.
Free your space and expand your energy by getting rid of unwanted gifts, broken or useless items, self-defeating mental images, etc.
Full Moon Release Ritual
De-clutter Your Environment
7. Confront Your Inner Demons: Everyone makes mistakes or regrets past decisions. Exposing our frailties and recognizing that we are not perfect frees us from feeling stupid or “less than.” Bring light to those things that you are not proud of and realize that through these experiences you have learned great lessons, and have likely become a better person for them. Keeping negative actions hidden can overshadow our spirits with shame or depression. We all deserve to live with joy regardless of our imperfections.
How To Live Your Life Without Regrets
8. Go with the Flow: There is a fine line between caution and fear. We are meant to travel along a spiritual pathway. We are not meant to remain stunted in one place for very long. Yes, change can be scary. But, change is a path of learning, so why not follow it? When we resist change we can actually create chaos. Do you want to undertake a lesson down a path which you’ve chosen, or have lessons thrown at you down a path that was forced upon you?
When a Door Closes a Window Opens
Healing from Within – The Paradigm Shift
9. Be Patient: There are times when we need to be still. Impatience or frustration will not help any situation. Desired changes sometime take time to unfold. You may feel like you are ready to jump into a new arena… but wait. The situation or person that you are wanting to meet may not be ready for you just yet. It’s okay to sit at the bus stop for a few more minutes, the bus will arrive eventually. What’s the hurry?
Are You in a Creative Void?
Ways to Calm an Anxious Spirit
10. Love and Honor Your Physical Self: Are you taking good care of yourself? Your physical body is the vehicle that has been loaned to you to live out your life in and to assist growing your spirit with. Pamper your body, tend to your illnesses, exercise and give it the proper nutrients.
We Are All Creators of This Reality! We have forgotten the divinity that is inside all of us. We are able of achieving miracles, however, our educational system teaches that matter is the highest there is, but we know better know don’t we?
Everything is energy, every emotion or situation is purely energy, we don’t have senses to sense emotions, but what we do sense is energy. Ancient civilizations were very well aware of this, and they were master in harnessing and directing energy to they’re will. We must reclaim this knowledge. We are not the victims of this reality, we are the creators of it. We must remember that nature’s natural state is abundance! When something is lacking in the natural world the eco-system will be out of balance and will not thrive but try to survive. This is humanity right now, we are not really living we are merely surviving. Regain your ancient power and be in charge of your experience here on the physical plane.