| With the connection between our minds | | | | and spiritual health anytime soon. Pills |
| and our bodies increasingly supported by | | | | and procedures are far more easily |
| medical and scientific research, the | | | | assessed, quantified, measured and a lot |
| establishment is at last catching up | | | | cheaper than actually spending real time |
| with what 'positive thinking' gurus like | | | | with a patient. |
| Louise Hay have been saying for years. | | | | As a result, Western medicine generally |
| What we think and believe about | | | | ends up treating the symptoms of disease |
| ourselves, the world around us and our | | | | and illness rather than the underlying |
| place in it can not only be a key factor | | | | problem, which often means that the |
| in our health and healing outcomes but | | | | problem will either re-occur or simply |
| may also be an underlying factor in the | | | | manifest in some other form. |
| cause of illness and injury. | | | | For those living in western societies at |
| A completely new medical field known as | | | | least, it remains up to each of us to |
| "Mind-body medicine" has emerged on the | | | | become more aware not only of our bodies |
| back of mind body research. Focusing on | | | | requirements; but also of our own |
| the interactions among the brain, mind, | | | | emotional and mental health needs. By |
| body, and behaviour, and the ways in | | | | being more alert for potential emotional |
| which emotional, mental, social, | | | | and spiritual issues, we can deal with |
| spiritual, and behavioural factors can | | | | them or seek appropriate help before |
| directly affect health. | | | | they turn into something more serious or |
| An interesting feature of illnesses or | | | | life threatening. |
| disease with a metaphysical basis is | | | | A great way of starting to raise your |
| that specific emotional issues can often | | | | self-awareness and start getting back in |
| determine the location of disease or | | | | touch with yourself is to set aside a |
| illness within the body. Experienced | | | | small amount of time each week. You will |
| therapists who work in this field have | | | | only need about 30 minutes but it is |
| reported that once they become aware of | | | | important that you will not be disturbed |
| certain emotional or spiritual issues, | | | | or distracted. Just sit quietly and just |
| they began to anticipate the possibility | | | | STOP, allow your mind to wander. Gently |
| of an associated disease. | | | | examine your innermost feelings, |
| Even the very word dis-ease reveals an | | | | emotions, fears and events over the past |
| underlying truth that dis-ease in the | | | | week. |
| mind can lead to disease in the body. | | | | What you discover may be a revelation to |
| However, do not expect your doctor to | | | | you; and that new understanding could |
| now become all "touchy feely" or to be | | | | make a huge difference to your health |
| very much more interested in your mental | | | | and emotional well-being. |