Visualization

[Hazelbird]

Does anyone here do healing visualization for their MC? Does that seem too over-the-top 'new age'? I figured that some of this condition had to be mind over matter......the brain influences the body......so it can't hurt to try.

I lie down in a quiet place and take several very deep yoga breaths to relax my body. My 'clear my mind' mantra: "Breathing in, I smile; breathing out I calm my body and my mind." (Thich Nhat Hanh from my retreat at Blue Cliff Monastery, NYS). OR "Breathing in peace; breathing out loving kindness."

Then I imagine breathing in healing white light (mine is sparkly! ) down into my gut. Sometimes I imagine breathing out the redness of the inflammation too.

Sounds weird, I know, but I figure it won't do any harm. And it's good relaxation if nothing else.

[Vanessa]

I've used energy medicine in many modalities to facilitate in my healing. As far as I'm concerned, no amount of Vit C or magnesium will help unless you are in a spot in your mind to accept healing and to not identify yourself as the disease itself. That was big for me and was also a turning point. I'm new agey so talk whoo whoo all you want while I'm around!

[Gabes-Apg]

I use various energy medicine approaches
- the Inna Segal visualisations/affirmations (http://innasegal.com/online-store/)
- via my chiropractor/kinesiology treatments we do NET treatments
- I also use with guided healing / meditation tracks (audio clips /podcasts/audiobooks)

for most people, the eating plan and supplements only have limited scope of success, unless we do the mental and emotional work of acceptance, and healing.
in the guidelines for recovery section - there is an area with suggested books, audio etc that members have found useful
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22350

[Hazelbird]

Yay!!! It's good to know that the mind-body connection is recognized and used here. I've never heard the term 'energy medicine' but I like it!

Vanessa and Gabes, I agree wholeheartedly that for healing the mental and emotional work has to be done as well as the physical. "Don't identify with the disease." MC is NOT who we are!!!

Thanks for the link for more 'whoo whoo'.

[JFR]

Visualizations of different kinds are common practices in Tibetan Buddhism. The goal is always to transform the mind in some way. Tibetan medicine does not make a sharp distinction between mind and body. They are seen as always interactive and dependent on each other. There are 4 kinds of diseases recognized. Those that will go away on their own. Those that will lead to death no matter what you do. Those that will respond to physical medicines. Those that respond to healing practices that work on the mind such as visualizations (there are other non-visual practices as well).. Everything I have read about physical diseases from a Tibetan Buddhist perspective emphasizes that just because the body is effected by the mind does not mean you should forego conventional medical treatment but that it is wise to explore all possibilities.

So not woo woo, just good sense.

Jean

[Kari]

Hi Hazel,

Thich Nhat Hanh has been, and still is, very inspirational in my life, so it's so nice to see someone else mention him. I bought my first book by him (Peace is Every Step) at least 20 years ago. Did you actually meet him on the retreat? I'm so sorry he is not recovering well from his stroke, but he is old, so guess it's to be expected.

After I retired from banking, I trained to become a yoga teacher, and have been teaching for 3 years already. Being so involved with yoga and meditation has helped me deal with MC. I use plenty of visualization in my practice and teaching, and believe it's very powerful.

Love and light,
Kari

[JFR]

There are 2 books on healing practices, many of them using visualization techniques, by a Tibetan Buddhist teacher that I recommend. They are not religious books but are intended for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike:

The Healing Power of Mind by Tulku Thondup
Boundless Healing by Tulku Thondup


Also:

"Being Zen" by Ezra Bayda has a great chapter on using meditation to deal with physical illness. He has a chronic condition that causes severe nausea and used meditation to help deal with it. He is an American Zen Buddhist teacher.

Jean

[Hazelbird]

Hello, Jean.....yes, it IS good sense to use all methods available to heal, isn't it? Thanks for that.

Hi Kari, yes I did meet Thay at a 5 day retreat just 2 years before his stroke and sat to hear him speak every afternoon. It was an amazing experience and a life-changing week! I feel so blessed to have had that opportunity. I have never felt so calm, so centred, so healthy, so full of loving-kindness. It was difficult to go back to 'normal' life which was so noisy, so fast, so stressful, so full of non-essential 'stuff'. I also met and attended small, informal evening groups with Sister Chan Khong who is Thay's longtime friend, practice healer, and now director of Plum Village, France. I have her delightful little book and CD on 'Deep Relaxation'.

You're doing wonderful things teaching yoga and visualization to others. And very fortunate to be able to use it for yourself with your MC.

I laughed at your quote about the bakery shop! That's my attitude too......I may not be able to EAT some foods but I can still enjoy SMELLING them. Coffee and freshly baked bread come to mind.

[David22]

I can recommend you a book called " You are the Placebo"- Joe dispenza
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Placebo- ... e+dispenza

And - https://www.amazon.com/Healed-My-Crohns ... ns+colitis


Also various books about Tao te ching, Lao tzu

Alan Watts is great too.

[Gabes-Apg]

David
another good read that you might be interested in is Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton