holistic health
Embrace The Fall Equinox In Mind, Body And Soul
As the vibrant colors of summer begin to fade and the air becomes crisper in the northern hemisphere, we stand on the threshold of the fall season of transition and transformation. It is a sacred time to prepare our minds, spirits, and bodies for the winter months ahead.
Today’s autumnal equinox is a poignant reminder of the cycles of life and the eternal rhythm of nature. Steeped in ancient tradition and folklore, this celestial event occurs each year around September 21st and marks the point at which day and night are of nearly equal duration. Spiritually, it symbolizes equilibrium; a momentary pause in time between the warmth of summer and the cold of winter. It invites us to reflect on balance and harmony.
Ancient civilizations held a deep reverence for celestial events such as the autumnal equinox, which were often seen as significant markers of time and the cycles of nature. The traditional interpretations and beliefs surrounding the autumnal equinox varied from culture to culture, but they generally recognized its importance in agricultural, spiritual, and cultural contexts, and saw it as a time of transition, balance, and connection between heaven and earth.
In many agricultural societies, the autumnal equinox signaled the time of the year’s harvest. The ancient Egyptians and Babylonians celebrated this event with festivals and rituals dedicated to their agricultural deities. This often included feasting, music, and offerings to ensure a bountiful harvest.
The Modern Practice Of Spiritual Healing
In a world driven by science and technology, the value of our spiritual health is rarely recognized or appreciated these days, yet it is an essential aspect of our holistic health and well-being.
The truth is that spiritual healing has been practiced since the beginning of time to promote physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. Our ancestors were much wiser in this regard. They had a holistic view of health and wellness that not only focused on the physical and mental, but also honored the spiritual or metaphysical aspects of our existence.
In ancient Egypt, for example, illness was treated as a battle between good and evil, and magical remedies were used in addition to herbal medicines. In ancient Greece, holism underpinned everything, and the soul, mind, and body were considered one.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a holistic system practiced for at least 23 centuries, healing is achieved by balancing the yin-yang life force energies that permeate everything in the universe. In the indigenous healing traditions of Native America, holistic health is represented by the four quadrants of the ‘medicine wheel’ or ‘sacred circle,’ namely the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual states of being.
In Christianity, spiritual healing is documented with many references to the healing power of faith and prayer. The Bible also refers to the spiritual gift of healing, and there are several accounts of Jesus performing miraculous healings. In Hinduism, Ayurveda is a five-thousand-year-old Vedic system of medicine that seeks to restore the balance between the body, mind, and spirit.
Aligning The Manipura Chakra
Manipura chakra, also known as the solar plexus chakra or the navel chakra, is the third of seven primary chakras in the body. The Sanskrit word manipura means ‘gleaming jewel’ or ‘radiant gem.’
The solar plexus chakra is located in the area of the upper abdomen, above the navel, and is associated with personal power and identity, self-confidence, sense of purpose, individual will, and personal transformation. It also governs our digestive system and metabolism.
When the manipura chakra is open, aligned, and balanced, we are able to assert and believe in ourselves, make choices and decisions with conviction, and take responsibility.
On the other hand, when this chakra is blocked or underactive, we may experience a lack of self-confidence, uncertainty, indecisiveness, and feelings of powerlessness.
In contrast, when the manipura chakra is overactive, we may become temperamental, aggressive, arrogant, domineering, controlling, and even manic.
An open, aligned, and balanced solar plexus chakra offers the following benefits:
Increased confidence and self-esteem. A balanced manipura chakra instills a deep sense of self-confidence, helping us to assert our opinions, make decisions, and act with conviction. It enhances our self-belief and allows us to overcome obstacles with resilience.
The Ghosts Of Regret
As part of my training as a spiritual life coach, our class was asked to do a profound exercise. Our task was to imagine ourselves on our deathbed someday, being visited by a gathering of ghosts. We had to imagine these ‘ghosts’ from our past as being very bitter and angry, because they represented all the things we never achieved or succeeded in, coming back to haunt us. They were the ghosts of our unfulfilled goals and dreams returning to die along with us.
We were asked to then review our life and imagine what we would say to ourselves and our ‘ghosts,’ now that our life is over. What would we advise ourselves to do if we could go back in time, get a second chance, and somehow live our life anew?
For me, this was a very thought-provoking process. The first thought for me was my personal ‘bucket list’ of things I still want to experience in this lifetime. For example, I still want to travel on the Orient Express train with my family; see the view from The Shard (a 72-storey skyscraper in London); fly down The Grand Canyon; and witness the splendor of Niagara Falls.
There are many things I still hope to also do. But why have I not done at least some of it yet? Too busy earning a living? Yes, we all get busy, and most of us need to work. However, does this mean we cannot also lead a fuller life?
The next thought the deathbed exercise brought up for me was a sad memory from a few years ago, when my late brother was receiving rehabilitation treatment at a local hospital. We were very close as siblings. He confided in me one day, while we sat looking out the hospital window and saw a young family walking by, that he often feels intense regret and sadness when he sees people with their kids and grandkids, while he had no offspring of his own.
The Basics Of Reiki
Reiki is popular concept in modern spirituality, metaphysics and energy healing. It is therefore good for anyone interested in these fields to have a basic understanding of this technique to engage in discussions with likeminded people in a meaningful way.
The term reiki is a combination of two Japanese words. Rei means ‘divine wisdom’ or ‘divine power,’ and ki means ‘life force energy’ or ‘vital human energy.’ Reiki is therefore a ‘divinely empowered life force.’
Reiki, or rather the system of Reiki, was developed in Japan a century ago by a Buddhist monk known as Mikao Usui. He was a renowned spiritual man who dedicated his life to being of service to others. While seeking spiritual awakening on Mount Kurama, north of the Japanese city of Kyoto, he was divinely inspired with the gift of Reiki. It was introduced to the United States in the late 1930s by Hawayo Hiromi Takata, a Japanese-American woman who received training in Reiki in Tokyo and became a master practitioner.
Although it is more commonly known only as a form of energy healing, true Reiki is in fact a comprehensive spiritual practice and a conscious lifestyle. Yes, it involves the healing of the mind and body, but it also proposes living in total peace with oneself, and being aware of your own unique purpose and spiritual light within. The system of Reiki seeks to remove the layers of fear, worry and attachments that conceal our innate brightness of being.
Aligning The Svadhisthana Chakra
Svadhisthana chakra, also known as the sacral chakra, is the second of seven primary chakras in the body. The Sanskrit word svadhisthana means ‘where your being is established.’ Swa means ‘self’ and adhishthana means ‘established.’
The sacral chakra is located in the area of the lower abdomen and is associated with creativity, passion, and sensuality. It governs the reproductive organs, kidneys, and bladder.
When the svadhisthana chakra is open, aligned, and balanced, we experience a deep sense of creativity, emotional balance, and vitality. We feel a strong sense of pleasure and contentment in our physical experiences.
On the other hand, when the svadhisthana chakra is blocked or underactive, we may experience a sense of emotional numbness, depression, or anxiety. We may have difficulty connecting with our creative instincts and deriving pleasure from our physical experiences. This chakra is especially blocked by excessive fear.
In contrast, when the svadhisthana chakra is overactive, we may become overly attached to our physical desires, such as sex, food, or mind-altering substances, which can lead to addiction and disconnection from our emotional self.
An open, aligned, and balanced sacral chakra offers the following benefits:
Aligning The Muladhara Chakra
The muladhara chakra, or root chakra, is the first of the seven primary chakras or subtle energy centers in the human body. This chakra is located at the base of the spine at the perineum and is represented by the color red. It is the foundation of the chakra system. The Sanskrit word muladhara means ‘support,’ ‘root,’ or ‘base.’
The root chakra ensures our sense of security, stability, and belonging. It is also responsible for us feeling grounded and connected to self and others. It is essentially our energetic connection to the Earth.
When the muladhara chakra is open, aligned, and balanced, we feel a deep sense of security and stability. Our body feels physically energized and strong, capable of handling whatever physical challenges and obstacles may come our way.
However, when this chakra is underactive or blocked, we become dissociated from our physical body and feel disconnected from the material world. This can manifest as feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, fear. We become uneasy, restless, and unsettled in mind and body.
In contrast, when the muladhara chakra is overactive, we may become overly attached to our physical appearance and identity, extremely materialistic, and obsessed with accumulating wealth, property, and material possessions.
The muladhara chakra is incredibly important for maintaining physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being. An open, aligned, and balanced root chakra offers the following benefits:
