The foundation of cultivating psychiatric holistic health is attending to the reality that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. Western medicine treats the body as a piece of flesh to manipulate with pharmaceuticals and procedures, without any consideration or inclusion of the Sacred. The prevailing paradigm in the West, which divorces Spirit from Matter, is at the heart of our broken medical system as well as the crisis on the planet.
Our internal experience tells us that there is so much more to reality than what can be weighed, measured and replicated, but our cultural conditioning dominated by the scientific paradigm, tells us that is all there is. Most wisdom traditions maintain that though the physical body inexorably ages and eventually dies, that consciousness precedes physical form and continues to exist after the heart stops beating. That is why when we gaze in the mirror, it can be so astonishing to see an old face looking back at us, because we don’t feel at all the way we look. Consciousness has not changed much, but the body deteriorates. This discrepancy is one of the great mysteries of human existence.
Suzanne Giesemann, a former naval officer, who now serves as a talented evidential medium, uses the metaphor of a radio dial. You can turn it completely to the human side and feel terrified of aging and death, horrified by the relentless violence and hatred in the world, overwhelmed and heart broken by the devastating consequences of climate change and habitat destruction, or you can turn the dial to the spiritual side and get in touch with loving kindness, a feeling of freedom, expansiveness, peace and connection, that is independent of external circumstances. Both types of experience are continuously available to us. If you only tune into the spiritual side, you may forget to take care of your body and pay your taxes, but if you just tune into the human side, you may feel frightened, despairing and alone.
Our human condition is such that it’s much harder to remember that we are also spiritual beings and not only human beings. The knob is often dialed far over in the human direction. Life presents so many challenges that it is easy to feel overwhelmed and scared, and to reflexively fall into habitual patterns of negativity; the trance of self criticism, feelings of inadequacy, alienation and blaming others.
One of the ways to remind ourselves that we are both human and spiritual beings is through cultivating beauty, play and ordinary magic; seeing the Sacred in everything. The photo at the top of the page is of a pine tree in my garden that I recently hung with troll dolls and designated as a Wishing Tree. Last night I put a blackboard beside it with instructions about how to make a wish. Very shortly afterwards, a group of teenagers went by and wrote the first wish.
I will write out the instructions for wish making here. You do not need a Wishing Tree or blackboard. This practice cultivates awareness that we are both human and spiritual beings, and allows for the union of Heaven and Earth at the heart center, the place in our bodies where these two primary energies combine.
Now that it is summer, it would be good to do this practice outside and barefoot. This brief meditation is highly supportive to the immune system. Many people who consult with me are extremely stressed, which is clearly reflected in their gut health and globally compromised immunity. Do this practice regularly. Wish for all sorts of things, big and small. Saving the lions, elephants, polar bears, the coral reefs, glaciers and rain forests, as well as getting a seat on the subway when you are tired or a good parking spot when it’s pouring.
WISHING GUIDE MEDITATION
- Root down into the Earth and draw up energy through the soles of your feet
- Reach the crown of your head towards the heavens and imagine it opening and light pouring in
- Drop your shoulders
- Rest both of your hands on your heart and feel the warmth
- Smile and close your eyes
- Breathe deeply into your heart center
- Make a wish
- Give thanks
What could you do in your neighborhood to increase your community’s experience of pleasure and play? This is sacred activism on behalf of our planet, which is in dire need of everything which nourishes the soul and opens the heart. I am inviting you create something, and then share what you invented in the comments section. Include pictures. The word in French for heart is coeur, which means courage. Take a risk, and create something public and magical. These are challenging turbulent times of rapid change and transformation. We need make a conscious effort to cultivate a sense of community and joy.
Another tactic to point the dial in the direction of Spirit is to listen to inspiring podcasts. Some of my favorites include Sounds True: Insights at the Edge, On Being, Tara Brach and Buddha at the Gas Pump. Yesterday I heard one that I loved so much, that I listened to it a second time. It was an interview by Tami Simon of Jack Kornfield, one of the original teachers who introduced Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. The podcast titled “Difficult Times and the Crystal of Liberation”, was the most recent offering from Sounds True: Insights from the Edge. Jack Kornfield is writing a book about Buddha’s instructions for hard times. I felt a great sense of ease, peace, self-acceptance and open heartedness as I listened. It completely shifted my state, which had been anxious and harried when I began. May it cast the same spell upon you. The audio file is below.
What a great post and love the wishing tree. I’ve finally added you to my ‘Ninja Docs’ page on my blog (Bipolar 1 Survivor) – also known as “Psychiatrist Who Rock”. 🙂
I hope you like it, newest adds at bottom of page: http://www.bipolar1survivor.com/psychiatrists-who-speak-out-about-psychiatry/.
I’m very slow getting a list of holistic psychiatrists in the U.S. done (freebie report) but will soon and email you the final doc. Every single one of you needs to be celebrated, respected and easily found by those who may need your care – so they don’t get victimized by traditional approaches.
So love your blog, will start that simple breathing meditation and maybe a wishing tree in the future 🙂
Thank you, Molly, I am so happy that you love the blog and am honored to be included on your list! The times they are a changing, and business as usual just does not cut it any more. I see a paradigm shift coming our way and that’s a very good thing.
I’ve posted many comments on your wonderful blog and I recently received XRF instrument test results from Lead Safe America that showed the graphic on my cherished Angel mug is 6382 ppm lead and the rest of the glaze is 38 ppm. 90 ppm lead is considered toxic and unsafe for children. The graphic covers most of the mug and I used to warm my hands on it as I drank my steaming hot water. I now use a glass mug. I’ve learned not all people excrete metals and other toxins well and it’s better to avoid whenever possible. My Spirit is strong and as always, good or bad, happy or sad, I know the Angels will help guide my path. For more info see my story in my local newspaper http://www.valleycenter.com/news/2016-06-09/Valley_Life/Detoxing_and_eliminating_lead_helps_fight_fibromya.html
Thank you for writing. That is scary about your favorite mug. Your story in the local paper contained information I did not know, such as the possibility of lead leaching from porcelain tubs. You have learned so much about how to take care of yourself. I am sure that it has been a challenging journey. Its great that you are sharing what you have learned with others. That is a gift.
This is the link for more info on lead in tubs. The 3M lead check swab test showed mine was OK but I limit my baths to 20 minutes now and hope to have it tested someday with an XRF instrument. http://www.mommypotamus.com/lead-leaching-bathtubs-the-dirtiest-secret-in-your-bathroom/. Also, this is one of the many approaches I am using to heal. I have used homeopathic remedies for many years http://joettecalabrese.com/blog/lead-poisoning-and-two-homeopathic-antidotes-what-i-would-do-if-i-lived-in-flint-michigan/
I thought I should add, I didn’t give up my baths because epsom salts are so therapeutic for me. I re-read this link to help me better understand, accept, and adapt http://larrynewman-kirkman.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-support-biochemical-pathways-in.html. Also, in 2013 I had 23andMe and various interpretive software genetic tests and found many similarities to Dr. Amy Yasko’s patient database including +/+ for all BHMT, my understanding is it’s the short route through the methlyation cycle. http://dramyyasko.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/03-A1-Mutation_Breakdown.pdf
Thank you, this is a beautiful post. I’m healing one heck of a complicated chronic illness which can be oh so heavy, but I also prescribe to the ‘spiritual being in a physical reality’ outlook which makes it not so heavy. A broader outlook (an infinite timeless outlook) makes my challenge more interesting and way more possible.
I really like the radio dial idea you shared (one end ego-fear and the other light-trust-love) and also the notion of seeking out pleasure and play. I use to sing in an acapella group and it was just a way to do something cool and get silly and laugh.
You’re awesome; thank you again for the great writing!
You are welcome, Doris, and thank you for taking the time to write. Chronic illness can be a huge spiritual practice/journey. Take the time to listen to the Jack Kornfield recording. I had the feeling listening to him that of course life is hard and challenging. The fact that we suffer does not mean that we are doing something wrong. There is illness and loss and so much that is not in our control. It sounds like that acapella group was really fun. Laughing is very good medicine for chronic illness. You might want to make it or something similarly light hearted part of your healing protocol.
I love this post. It’s simply magical and, therefore, uplifting of my spirit. My neighborhood surely needs a boost in this department and, while I try to conjure up my antidote to neighborhood dreariness, I’ll hold the effect of your inspiring counsel tightly upon my heart……..
In another vein, based on your earlier post on histamine and tinnitus, I have renewed my efforts of dietary discrimination and have just received a supply of Holy Basil. In the dietary realm, I have already observed my beloved daily lemmon to be a negative influence. I’ll stay attuned for future basil effects.
Thank you…….. Be well………..
Dear Patricia, Thank you so much. You made my day. You are the first to respond to the post. I am happy that it uplifted your spirits. Listen to the interview with Jack Kornfield. It had a profound calming effect upon me, I think mainly because it so supported self acceptance. Let me know what you dream up in the magic department for your neighborhood.
I would be interested to hear about the effect of Holy Basil on your tinnitus. I recently learned that people with elevated copper have tinnitus that improves with treatment. I was thinking about writing a blog post about tinnitus. Many blessings to you.