Our thoughts and emotions can get us well and keep us well, or get us sick and keep us sick. Here are additional practical tools for harnessing the power of intention in our lives.
In Parts 1 and 2, I discussed how ancient wisdom and modern science describe the inherent link between mind and body. Part 4 is a continuation of Part 3, in which I gave practical tools for harnessing the power of intention in our lives, for healing and transformation.
In an earlier Series of articles in The Epoch Times, "Food as Medicine," I discussed the importance of wholesome food choices. However, even the purest of foods will not nourish us if negative thoughts and feelings plague us as we eat.
What follows are two additional simple writing techniques to help transform negative thoughts and feelings. The first involves releasing resentments; the second involves the power of affirmations.
Resentments
Resentment keeps us stuck or blocked more than any other emotion. In Chinese medicine, anger is a source of many physical diseases. A specific writing exercise to release resentment is as follows: Make 3 columns on a page. In column 1, write down the names of all the people you have ever felt angry or resentful toward, as far back in your life as you can remember. In addition to people include institutions, organizations and even social injustices that you may feel angry about. In column 2, write down what circumstances made you feel that way. In column 3, write down how this situation made you feel. Be specific: not just angry or resentful, but, for example, not honored, not respected, not taken seriously and so on. In the process of writing, you will discover that these feelings will transit.
Affirmations
In list form, write down all that you dream of and desire. Limit yourself in no way whatsoever. Your present personal, financial, employment, or geographical circumstances are irrelevant. Do not allow any of these situations to limit your creative imagining. Write about your ideal partner, job, home, vacation activity, financial needs. For example, if you dream of a new job, describe your ideal job: what you do, location, co-workers, how much money you make. And, most importantly, write in the present tense, as if you have all these desires now. Imagine how you feel in these circumstances. Write these feelings down.
And finally, if you are without pen and paper, and are feeling stuck in a negative mode of thinking, or feeling uncomfortable feelings (like fear, anxiety, frustration or anger), you can shift these thought/feeling patterns just with your intention to do so, and a simple technique. Imagine the scenarios you wrote about above: your specific dreams and desires. With your eyes closed, slow your breathing down, breathe fully and deeply into your abdomen, and imagine these ideal circumstances. Visualize them if you can, note the feelings you have about them, feel any sensations you may have. Note how the negative feelings have shifted. The point is to turn on positive thoughts, and turn off the negative ones. And remember, you can do this anytime, anywhere.
Dr. Muehsam is a holistic physician practicing in New York City.
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