Body Wisdom the blog
A record of my thoughts, ideas and discoveries as I map our Body's Wisdom
I am Mary-Anne,
a chiropractor of 20 plus years experience. I'm drawn to explore how our body and psyche interact.
Explore by topic:
- Body wisdom points
- The process (what, why & how)
- Themes or concepts
- Resources & reviews
One concept of health is wholeness in body, mind and spirit. Yet what I consider 'health’ as is not a ‘perfect’ whole body, mind and spirit. Perfect is not really achievable for many (and is the top athlete ever truly happy with their health? I don't know!). We need to look at health in a living state of our body, mind and spirit. The World Health organisation describes health as; "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity".
Transitioning to school can manifest in bodily symptoms
We have been looking at the links between our body, mind and spirit. The question remains: how are they linked when we are unwell? The idea that what we think and feel can make us sick has been around for a long time. On the flipside, it is very clear that sometimes we are sick independent of thoughts and feelings. Yet the emotions appear to be there anyway. How does that work? They seem to be impossible to unravel. In fact, I suspect it is simultaneous; it happens together. It may appear that one precedes the other, and perhaps that is true. My theory is that the WHOLE self changes its function and it manifests in one form, most visibly in the body. Yet, body, mind and spirit are damaged at the same time. I know this appears to be different to the comment I wrote in my last blog - that a ‘broken’ body can be whole and healthy. Perhaps the examples in my mind are people that have grown as a result of their injuries? An accident ends with a body becoming paraplegic; however, the person’s mind and spirit grow in strength and stamina. Spiritual and emotional well-being can be independent of physical health. Perhaps this is the exception? Or a goal? If we are blessed to age, we have changes in our body, markers of our life, such as arthritis in the fingers, bellies that sag, and wrinkles. These are normal. For example, corrosive thinking wears down the body, which aligns with basic histology that shows cells can take decades to change their form. The cells are eventually worn down. They function differently for a while, then change shape and become functionally different. Specific example: type two diabetes doesn't come out of nowhere; the body is attempting to cope for a long time before it can no longer work its insulin magic. Change means that time is a key factor. My limited understanding of physics suggests that the answer will eventually come from there. Give it another 50 years. There is some very cool information on simultaneous time (time appears to flow forwards and backwards) as well as quantum entanglement. We are peeking at a problem in another room through a little keyhole! In my practice, I have seen how the WHOLE self changes its function and sickness manifests in one form, most visibly in the body. However, with an ill body, the mind and spirit are damaged in a linked timeframe. We have so much more to learn. In my next post I talk about this with concrete examples.
I have used this term ‘balance’ quite a lot in my blogs, but the meaning may at times be elusive to its actual function in our bodies.
I really enjoy writing in cafes (J.K was onto something). Earlier I felt inspired to go to an old haunt in Glebe, Sappho books . I managed to pick up three books that will be great for references for my mapping. Two of them are about the Heart, so we will see if there are any interesting perspectives in them. The Third is a real treasure; it is a rare book on Constitutional Acupuncture. I have a lot of reading to do in prep for discussing my work with an acupuncturist in the future. Here I am at Sappho's. March has been a swirl of emotion, the bout of Covid really threw me emotionally; I suddenly felt overwhelmed by what I had actually decided to do. Recap: Close a nearly 9-year old practice and become a "freelance Chiro" as I like to call it, focusing on a Sabbatical year to write all this material up. Angie at Wild Lotus Oils, where I am able to work, reminded me of Women Who Run with the Wolves by my fav Clarissa Pinkola Estes. This is essentially about creativity and so it has been a wonderful reminder to dig deep and come to terms with the risks, fears, and joys of being vulnerable whilst creating. I've had to use the Transition Essence drops to keep on an even keel and keep creating. Like all major changes in life, it tends to dredge up old wounds and worries in the process of cleaning up and moving on (like spring cleaning). I have realised I am worried too much about what people "out there" will think of my work. I have been worrying too much about " failing" to make a Map of quality. I'm letting another layer of that fretting go. I've slowed down and sat more with the discomfort. The need for quiet and stillness has meant my bed has become my boat this week. I have adventured in Spirit, without going anywhere. Did I tell you I plan to start with my workshops in May? And will do the heart points? Hint, there are more than 2 points :-). Knee will be next, I suspect. I am super proud of myself as I have now completed a first draft of my Heart workshop and a first draft of a booklet for it as well. I have always been the type to set a deadline and then rush headlong to produce the material. I guess university primed us for that. I feel that this is just not who I am anymore; I can't bear the idea of the pressure of a looming deadline, I'm growing up! I chose Lavender as my header photo as it is about calming and expressing oneself, on point, right? xx Mary-Anne
