the body holds the answers
I have come to understand that some of the deepest and most effective healing is not found at a doctor's office or a hospital, but rather from inside ourselves. Our bodies are designed for self-healing, and we are capable of both boosting and blocking that ability. And so we see that the body holds the answers. ~ Dr. Daju Suzanne Friedman
THE BODY HOLDS THE ANSWERS how to decode symptoms on the road to health
Inherent in the body is an intelligent guiding system continuously communicating the quality and status of our emotional, mental and spiritual health. Symptoms in the body provide a map for us to follow along the road to health. Decoding these symptoms and finding the root cause can be overwhelming. Kerry-Ann Aiken outlines some simple guidelines to help us decoding symptoms on the road to health.
In nature we find balance and stability. The natural kingdoms hold within them the keys to flourish, grow and sustain themselves peacefully, whilst still flowing gently alongside one another.
Would we live life differently if we knew the divine principles of nature also existed in us? Just as the earth contains magic for those with the senses to perceive it, so the body holds magic for those with the knowledge to understand it. There is a continuous dance between the physical and the non-physical, they are always in relation to one another. That’s why by following the principles of nature, we take our power and health back into our own hands. In this way, we are able to flow with the true rhythms of our being.
Interestingly, the word ‘symptom’ comes from the Greek word syn, which means together, and piptein, which means to fall. Most often, we develop patterns over time that eventually accumulate into symptoms. A symptom is the final destination in a journey taken place over a long period. Through symptoms, your body communicates what’s happening in your internal world. They are useful clues for us in our journey towards healing.
THE TWO SIDES OF THE BODY
Everyone has aspects of the masculine and the feminine, whether male or female – we know women can be rational and men can be nurturing. The Yang or Masculine Principle lies on the right side of the body and relates to our ability to be assertive, authoritative, practical or intellectual. Symptoms on this side are usually connected to our relationship to the external world – business, competition, politics, power, and our function in society.
The Yin or Feminine principle lies on the left side and relates to our ability to express our creativity, to provide care and nurturing, to surrender and receive help, and to trust and listen to our intuition and wisdom. Symptoms on this side usually relate to our ability to be artistic, gentle and nurturing to ourselves and the surrounding world.
HARD TISSUE
The hard tissue parts of the body, like the bones and teeth relate to the soul and the element of earth.
They respond to your vibration and health at a soul level, at the core of your being. Just as the earth forms the central point around which the other elements flow and exist, so your body forms the skeleton or supportive inner framework of your body. Your bones are fundamental to your overall health – they are what hold you together. Life cannot exist without form, and your bones provide this form. So, if you are experiencing issues relating to your bones or teeth, it’s useful to look at the beliefs existing at a soul level. Those that give meaning to other aspects of your life. Your bones usually hold issues of trust, survival, safety, and tribal belonging. These are the things that ground you and keep you anchored in the physical world. Your core beliefs about yourself and your place in the world provide you with structure, strength and support.
When experiencing symptoms in your teeth or bones, take a quiet moment and sit with a journal. Reflect on your stability and structure in life. Do you feel a sense of belonging, or do you feel insecure? Are you financially stable and cared for? Address all your basic survival requirements and if you find you feel alone or unsafe, make changes to overcome this. Reduce monthly expenses to lessen financial pressure, engage friends or family for support, and practice positive affirmations to trust in your soul and purpose for this life.
SOFT TISSUE
Soft tissue areas like skin, muscles and flesh have a connection with thoughts and the element of fire.
Your thoughts and experiences affect your nerves directly, which in turn affect your skin, muscles and flesh. Here we see the value of the phrase, ‘as we think, so we become’, which encourages daily mindful living. How fiery are your thoughts – do they rage out of control like wildfire, creating havoc through your system, or do they burn gently like a candle flame, bringing harmony and peace? Symptoms relating to digestion and the related soft tissue organs like the small intestine are usually associated with an obsessive or analytical mind, or an inability to decipher between necessary and unnecessary thoughts.
Many of us have busy minds, but what may help is an exercise where you spend ten minutes with yourself in silence. Observe the thoughts that come to mind, then sit and write them down – is your mind full of mindless chatter, or is it quiet and serene? If your thoughts seem busy, negative or overwhelming, see if there is a connection to an organ, muscle or ligament that may be problematic or painful. Work at altering the thoughts and see if the symptoms diminish.
FLUID
Bodily fluids like blood, tears and urine relate to emotions and the element of water. They usually correspond to your feelings and the circulation of those feelings throughout your being. Blood and fluid in the body circulate and nourish the cells and organs, they also release emotion through tears and urine. Your body is about 60% water and like a river or ocean that flows freely, so should emotions be invited to flow. They should be felt and experienced. We see the heart as being at the centre of our cardiovascular system. The love and emotion it emits is circulated by the blood. Fluid symptoms are usually related to tenderness, showing you where your emotions are overflowing and out of control, or repressed and locked away. When allowed to flow freely, your emotions bring movement and flow to your longings, beliefs and desires. We are emotional beings and emotions are meant to be felt, not hidden away. Emotions are an expression of the heart – when the heart and love stop, life can no longer exist. The examination in this case is whether you are able to allow your feelings to flow, and how much you have been trained to repress your emotions and bottle them inside.
THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
The circulatory system is tied to communication and the element of air. Through the air we breathe, life is communicated into being. Just like air connects the space between the other elements, so the circulatory system connects the space between your body and mind, and your body and the outside world. This system is linked to communication. The nervous system is responsible for transmitting information between your body and for determining your body’s coordination. It has two working systems: the central nervous system, which conveys information throughout every cell; and the automatic nervous system, which maintains automatic functions like digestion, heartbeat and breathing. Through the intercommunication of cells, neurons and neuroptides, nerves receive information in the brain from the emotions, thoughts and feelings. For instance, pain in the body often indicates a disturbance in communication between the nerves and the rest of the body. Communication flow can be affected by repressing thoughts and feelings, taking on too much responsibility, walking a path that is not right for you, or stretching yourself too thin. Pain often indicates an internal emotional or psychological pain.
Remember: Everything is not always clear cut and specialists often possess different understandings as to what causes diseases. It is important to follow your own intuition, remembering to stay open to help and assistance in cases of severe illness. If you are finding it difficult to understand the root cause of your symptom, try writing down your feelings, thoughts and emotions when a symptom arises, or ask a friend to help highlight traits or behaviours that may be unconscious or unseen to you.
Deciphering the Symptoms:
1. The body is broken up into two sides – the Masculine (right) and the Feminine (left).
2. Issues relating to the soul may show up in the hard tissue. This forms your earth connection.
3. Issues relating to thoughts may show up in the soft tissue. This forms your connection to fire.
4. Issues relating to emotions may show up in the blood. This forms your connection to water.
5. Issues relating to communication may show up in the circulatory system. This is your connection to air.
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Authored by Kerry-Ann Aiken
Words have always been Kerry’s source of inspiration. After school she studied Journalism and English at the University of Johannesburg where she worked at the English department for 3 years, immersing herself in literature and satisfying her thirst for beautiful stories. “I believe life is a magnificent web of interwoven stories – we are all characters to each other’s plots. My writing is greatly inspired by nature and the natural kingdoms, and I am always looking for new ways to add to the mystique and magic of life.” Kerry has recently moved to Shelly Beach in KZN with her husband and has just given birth to a lovely baby girl.
Email: kerrykillen
