Breaking Free of a Stagnant Condition

I never cease to be amazed by ah-ha moments that come when I finally approach an everyday problem without applying some emotional attachment. If that sentence sounds like a conflicting jumble of words, stay with me as I guide you thought finding enlightenment from a case of toenail fungus. The simple 2+2 that rid my toe of fungus can be applied as a solution to breaking free of almost any situation where you feel stuck.

The fungal condition appeared within days of a cinder block landing on my toe. The nail cracked from the impact but, was made worse by my morning walks on the beach. Sand hiding in the cuticle bed of my toe nails is my nail tech’s regular complaint when she gives me a pedicure. Cracking my nail simply opened a door that became filled with sand. My tech says that sand holds moisture and this allowed fungus to grow.

Living as I do on the Caribbean, sandals are the standard foot apparel. Wearing closed shoes is similar to wearing a turtle neck to cover a hickey.  I tried a number of solutions: applications of peroxide, bleach, and tea tree or lemon essential oils.  Each of these therapies must have helped in some way but none of them could keep my nail from progressing to an ugly shade of grey. I’m a natural health practitioner; this grey color staring up at me was not a pretty business card.

I dug out Ohashi’s book on Oriental Diagnosis to refresh my memory as to which energy meridian this toe was a part of. I found that the big toe is in the flow of stomach energy. This made sense. I had been experiencing mild digestion distress for months but had not taken the time to give it attention.  I also remembered that when my nail tech gives me a pedicure she uses a brush on my nails. I made dietary changes that included drinking ginger tea at meals and also began to scrub my toe nails with a small brush twice a day. That is when the condition changed bringing with it the moment of enlightenment. The tea stimulated digestion and the brush not only kept my nails clean of sand, it was also supplying stimulation. Circulation was the missing and necessary component.

Fungus is a stagnant condition. It grows where a blockage in the natural flow of energy has occurred. We’ve all seen mildew conditions in buildings where there is an obstruction of air, the trauma to my toe is only one of many ways that energy flow becomes blocked in our bodies. Stagnation also happens from a lack of movement. This appears as weight gain or belly fat when too much time is spent sitting. Folding the body in a sitting position for hours interferes with the flow of blood, lymph and energy. Suppressed emotions also create blockages. Decades of suppressed negativity such as anger, resentment grief or feelings of imperfection also begin to stifle normal flows.

Stimulation opens blocked areas. On a physical level, scrubbing with a brush or loofah will begin to allow air, light or lymph to move. On a mental level, a change in perception brought by a new interest or hobby can bring light and a sense of freedom. Validating personal emotions and practicing self-acceptance is known to dissolve emotional blockages that have been building over time.

Chinese medicine is built around the belief that cause and effect of an illness may be an emotion. Lao Zi, the Chinese philosopher and guiding figure behind Chinese Medicine, stated that when a person practices self-acceptance they become more accepting and understanding of others. They become more capable of expressing emotions, as necessary and appropriate to a situation.

My belief is that forgiveness of our own imperfections is the first step and remembering that everyone has a history is the second.

Advice from another great sage is found in the words of Abraham Hicks: “There is nothing for you to go back and live over, or fix, or feel regret about now. Every part of your life has unfolded just right. And so — knowing all that you know from where you now stand, now what do you want? The answers are now coming forth to you. Go forth in joy, and get on with it.

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THREE MAGIC WORDS THAT BRING CHANGE.

My recent thoughts and posts have been about creating and holding a positive intention. Writing helps me stay focused on my own personal desire. What I’m learning is that the greatest part of creating positive change is to be happy. Emotions are energy and they attract similar energy. When we feel joy in our heart we attract the same. Happiness brings about a positive energy flow that assists in creating the change we want. However, there are always times and people who are NOT on our same page and want to share the pain or ugly they are feeling.  

 Getting what we want will not make us happy... at least not for long. To get the change we want and we must become happy first. Remember energy attracts like energy. So that means when negative people or situations are frequently crossing our path it is generally a sure sign that we are NOT in the happiness flow. Our culture does not teach balance and harmony so when those negative or challenging moments come it is our responsibility to return to a state of peace. It is always there; deep within us. I know this may sound like a difficult process however; the more often we make time to sit quietly, connecting with that place the more easily it will be to return to it when our positive intentions are challenged.

Energy and emotions can be controlled with breath. When thoughts are negative or fearful our breathing becomes shallow and rapid. Our heart energy constricts almost as through the heart is trying to protect itself. On the other hand, when we feel joy and peace our breathing becomes deeper and more relaxed. The heart energy opens and expands.

Here’s an exercise that can be done while sitting quietly: Think of a time when you felt afraid. Likely, just the memory of the event is enough to change your breathing pattern as memory of the past fear awakens. Be aware of your breathing. Now think of a time when you felt free, at peace, safe or happy. Feel how your heart beat slows and your body relaxes? You’re breathing is more relaxed. Slow and focused breathing can even lower elevated blood pressure.

I’ve written before about the power of gratitude in healing life situations. GRATITUDE comes from being THANKFUL and accepting. It brings APPRECIATION, even when conditions are such that we do not feel grateful. Saying THANK-YOU begins a change. The constricting heart energy reverses, breathing relaxes and our metabolism returns to normal. The words THANK-YOU put us back in touch with the depth of peace that is part of our core. We open to love.

The state of being brought from gratitude and appreciation opens channels of energy. It lifts our spirits and draws positive possibilities. There is often a sensation of warmth and expansion at the area of the thymus, above the heart. In holistic circles this area is called the ‘High Heart’. It is where we hold the love for ourselves. It restores the flow of positive Intention. Remember and say the words: GRATITUDE, APPRECIATION, THANK-YOU. They are magical. ~Malana

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The Principle of Intention

 The most popular subtle energy exercise known uses the process of mental gender. It is commonly called ‘The Law of Attraction’.  It is a process of INTENTION activated by EMOTION to CREATE a desired outcome. The principle behind its effectiveness is that energy flows in the direction of our attention. We are co-creating our realities within this practice…consciously or unconsciously; positively or negatively.

A balanced mind is like an artist easel; it’s a perfect place to create. This is why meditation or sitting /lying quietly are important practices. Our culture works against balance with the activity behind its economic focus. It subtly teaches that the more we accomplish in that style the greater our success. We fill our schedules to the point that when outside influences such as family needs, friends, or occasional mishaps arise we feel overloaded.  Mothers and caregivers are often the most in need this balance yet feel the guiltiest for taking the needed 'me' time.  

When  Rhonda Byrne’s book, “The Secret”, became a best seller it brought this esoteric teaching  into the light. I believe that its information helped lift the consciousness of the planet but the majority needed more. Within its pages are the steps to her journey including the need for self-acceptance and balance. Its simplicity gave hope yet, I feel more insight is needed on how to feel better about ourselves. That is the real journey since the intention we put into our actions can have a massive impact on our own inner balance.

Over 20 years ago I learned to consciously work with this mental process.  After reading the guidance of Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, I was in qualification to win a car. The emotional catalyst applied to my desire for the car was not one of achievement but that of FREEDOM. I had relocated to Florida from Missouri to assist in the care of my widowed grandmother. I was living in her home, sleeping on the sofa and trying to financially support myself without personal transportation. I will always be thankful for my decision to help her. It placed me within contact of a circle of supportive women. We did not share problems as much as we would share ideas on time and life management.
 

Achieving the car required a 4 month qualification. I was positive, staying busy and time passed quickly until the final month. Everything began to change and I could feel that all I was building had begun  falling apart. I became sick, the house was filled with visitors, even the weather would not co-operate.  I called a mentor and sobbed my predicament. Her response was for me to get on my knees and thank God for all that was happening… even if I did not feel thankful. Say the words. Fear, anger and agitation contract our hearts energy, whereas gratitude is an expansive energy and opens our hearts to receiving.

 Energy is always in motion and it travels in a circular pattern. Our thoughts and emotions are also energy and are carried in this circle, all the while attracting more of the same before returning to us. My wonderful mentor explained that even when we feel that circumstances are out of our control if we stop, take a breath, and create a quiet place that will allow a change our attitude everything else begins to change.  

This is the reason we bless food, forgive others, and give to those in need. It is not to make us good people but to help us be happy, healthy people. But I’ll go into all of that in some of the next writings.

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Blessings, Malana

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People are on the Level that they Need to Be On

Guest Blog by Aleta Edwards  

As a psychologist, I see a lot of people suffer because they keep trying to change a loved one. They try to force an abusive parent to not manipulate and to apologize, or they try to change a partner or a child. There are parents who try to arrange a child’s whole life, and cannot tolerate any mistakes they may make. 

 Many years ago in Chicago, I saw a Reiki healer, Deanne Lozano. She is a wonderful Reiki practitioner and I took a few of her classes as well. One day we were talking and she said, “People need to be on the level they need to be on.” We might not mean exactly the same thing, but this has been with me, this piece of wisdom, and has become a part of me. Deanne came from the place that people need to love people as they are, regardless of level. As a psychologist, that is not quite my emphasis. Mine is that we need to ACCEPT that people are where they are, whether we love them or not. Granted, this usually comes up with loved ones, but it seems to me acceptance is more the psychological issue. 

I have seen so many people suffer by trying to get an apology for years, one that is not forthcoming. They try everything, to no avail. Nowadays, it is probably true that everyone has some disturbed relatives or at least ones with some degree of dysfunction. Adult children are often paralyzed by guilt and cannot get free of being dominated by a mentally ill parent. Adult children are often filled with shame and anxiety trying to disprove how they really feel about themselves deep down. I have also seen parents push their children to be popular and to have the best grades, and it really is a soul-numbing way to have to grow up.

Often, these are love relationships. An adult child wants to share things with the parents that are not possible. While I think who we love is an individual decision. I do think we have to accept. People are the way they are and, truthfully, we only have the power to change ourselves. When people do want to change, a therapist can be a guide and companion, but the walk will be walked by the client.

When people share with me that they are fighting a hurt or disappointment year after year and getting more and more frustrated trying to change someone, I share with them what Deanne said long ago. They hear the words and look shocked, and they get it. People need to be on the level where they need to be. Deanne said many others have said this better, but I like how she said it. Maybe she meant love and I mean acceptance, but I have seen that this has set a lot of people free, this ability to accept the way things are, and this provides a foundation of emotional strength and growth. This does not mean we do not fight to make the world better, or permit or accept clearly wrong or hurtful behavior. Rather, this idea allows us to accept how another human being is in the world, and not set ourselves up for frustration and further pain but to align our expectations and make decisions that are rooted in reality. It also enables us to remember that we are not responsible for the behaviors of another. We know what we give and what we do, and what others do with that must be owned by them. 

As a therapist, when people tell me that someone who has hurt them HAS to change, I share Deanne’s statement with them. There is always a surprised silenced, a pause, followed by an “Oh.” It is a powerful truth. It actually empowers people and gives them the tool to let go of a significant part of what hurts emotionally.

 

     by Aleta Edwards: Clinical Psychologist - Tampa, Fl.
     author of: FEAR OF THE ABYESS                            

     Please share your thoughts and comments

What Is Spiritual Healing?

Outside of conventional medical practices are the ‘Alternative Therapies’. These include Reiki, massage, herbal or homeopathic remedies, and energy or touch point therapies. Any and all of these can be very effective; however, they are passive –meaning they are done for you or to you. They can restore well-being and help strengthen the body but may NOT maintain a healthy balance indefinitely without uncovering the patterns that triggered the imbalance. Spiritual healing is pro-active. It requires your participation and becomes a journey of empowerment and wholeness.  

Most dis-ease stems from a metaphysical base. When I use the term metaphysical, I mean beyond the physical.  We may want to blame stress, the environment, or our bodies; however, two people can experience the same stress or trauma with only one falling ‘victim’ to it. The weakness comes from what we believe about ourselves in our relationship to others, the world around us, or even our thoughts about life and death.

Growing scientific evidence states that toxic emotion can contribute to disease or destructive relationship habits. Awareness that emotions, feelings and the power of thought have a direct bearing upon our physical health becomes one of the first steps into spiritual healing. A willingness to consider that we are in some way co-creators of what has happened to us, begins the understanding that we have the power to be part of correcting it.

SPIRITUAL is not RELIGIOUS. Although many spiritual people are religious, there are just as many religious people that are not spiritual. Spiritual is recognition of how we are connected to all other life.  Our inability to understand this is the cause of most of the imbalances in our culture.

We are muti-dimensional beings. In ancient times there was a greater understanding that declines in health or happiness were a reflection of an emotional or mental (spiritual) imbalance. Priests or priestesses were the healers of the time. The popularity of the Hawaiian healing technique, Ho’o pono pono,  has brought a resurgence of this  awareness into the 20^th century. There is an ever increasing interest to learn how the mind influences the body for optimum health. Spiritual Healing work empowers people with the ability to remove and replace negative emotions, feelings, and thoughts with positive beneficial ones. 

People referred to as Spiritual Healers are simply guides, teaching techniques that offer others awareness.  Although I was working as an alternative healer, I felt I was within conventional procedures using my degrees as a Traditional  Naturopath (T.ND) and Master Herbalist. It was after I began to apply what I had learned and personally practiced from traditional elders and though Metaphysics studies that new referrals invariably would say “I was told you are a spiritual healer.”

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