| Various religious and spiritual traditions from the | | | | The relaxing power of breath is still used; |
| East have advocated combining breath and a | | | | however, phrases with spiritual meaning are also |
| mantra to induce a deep meditative state leading | | | | used. Instead of continually repeating "one," you |
| to spiritual and emotional healing. Dr. Herbert | | | | repeat the following with your inhale and exhale: |
| Benson, founder of the Harvard Mind-Body Medical | | | | - I love you |
| Institute has studied these claims using Western | | | | - Please forgive me |
| scientific methods. Dr. Benson's research has | | | | - I am sorry |
| demonstrated the body moves into what he calls | | | | - Thank you |
| the "relaxation response" when such methods are | | | | Try this now. |
| used. | | | | Inhale deeply and slowly while thinking, "I love |
| The Relaxation Response | | | | you." |
| To quote Dr. Benson, "The relaxation response is | | | | Now exhale slowly and think, "Please forgive me." |
| a physical state of deep rest that changes the | | | | Again with a deep, leisurely inhale, "I am sorry." |
| physical and emotional response to stress... and | | | | Finally, on the exhale, "Thank you." |
| the opposite of the fight or flight response." | | | | Very simple, isn't it? |
| The fight or flight response is a reaction to stress | | | | Releasing Emotional Pain |
| which elevates blood pressure, disrupts digestion, | | | | The spiritual healing is deeply activated when you |
| and releases hormones which can be destructive | | | | combine the above with the memory of a painful |
| for the body on a long-term basis. Fight or flight | | | | event. This can be something you did or |
| was never intended by nature to be a long-term | | | | something someone did to you. |
| state of being. It was meant to marshal all your | | | | Bring something to mind that continues to cause |
| physical forces to run or fight with all your might | | | | you pain when you remember it. Set your |
| to preserve your life. | | | | intention to release and heal this event. As you |
| The relaxation response moves the body back | | | | inhale and say, "I love you," see love leaving you |
| into the rhythm needed for a healthy reaction to | | | | and going to the other person. Now, with your |
| life. Food can be easily digested, blood pressure | | | | exhale say "Please forgive me." You are asking |
| returns to normal and the stress hormones are | | | | for forgiveness energy to come to you for |
| no longer released. In a sense, the body relaxes | | | | whatever part you played. As you say "I am |
| and responds with a "Ahh, all is fine now. I'm | | | | sorry" with your inhale, you are releasing any |
| safe." | | | | bitterness within you. With the final breath release |
| Is there really spiritual healing through the | | | | of "I love you," you are stating your returning to |
| relaxation response? Dr. Benson, in his method, | | | | oneness with the individual. |
| uses a simple word to focus the mind. If you go | | | | Continue this process until the pain is gone or |
| to his WEB site you will find he has you repeat | | | | greatly relieved. |
| "one." | | | | If you make a commitment to doing this, you will |
| Ho'oponopono | | | | find yourself relaxing emotionally and physically. |
| If you move to Ho'oponopono healing from the | | | | The tension and bitterness from the event leaves |
| Hawaiian tradition, you find something different. | | | | you. The joy hidden by the pain is released. |