HowYourMindAffectsYourHealingSystem
Yourmindworksthroughyourbrainandnervoussystem,generatingthoughtsthatareconvertedintoelectricalimpulses.Theseelectricalimpulsestravelthroughthemanynervesthataredistributedtothevarious
organsandtissuesofyourbody,inmuchthesamewayaselectricitymovesthroughwires. Forexample,whenyouwanttomoveyourarm,beforetheactualmovement, athoughtisfirstgeneratedinyourmindthatcauseselectricalimpulsestostimulatespecificnervesthatwillinturndirectthemusclesin
yourarmtocontract.Thissequenceofeventsresultsinmovementinyour
arm.Thepartofyournervoussystemthatisresponsibleforthistypeofmovementisknownasthevoluntarynervoussystembecausethemovement
isvoluntarilybroughtintoactionbyyourownconsciousthinking.Anotherpartofyournervoussystem,however,knownastheinvoluntary
nervoussystem,orautonomicnervoussystem,ismorewide-reachinginitsdistributionandmorepowerfulinitsinfluenceoveryourbody’sinternalenvironment.Theautonomicnervoussystemregulatessuchcriticalbiologi
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHea’ingSystem137
calfunctionsasyourheartbeat,yourbreathing,yourbloodpressure,yourdigestiveprocesses,yourperspiration,yourvision,youreliminationofwasteproducts,andmanyothers.Withintheautonomicnervoussystemarethesympatheticandparasympatheticbranches.Thesympatheticbranchincreasesactivityandmovement
inyourbody;thisbranchisresponsibleforthewell-kn6wnfight-or-flightresponse.Thefight-or-flightresponseoccurswhenyouarefeelingthreat
enedorareexperiencingstress,anditcanbeinitiatedbythoughtsoffear,
worry,anxiety,panic,andanger.Itcanbemeasuredbyanincreaseinheart
rate,oxygenconsumption,breathing,bloodpressure,andbloodflowtothe
largemusclesoflocomotioninyourlegsandarms.Thesephysiologicalchangesarebeneficialtohelpyou“fightorflee”duringacrisisoremergency,
buttheyalsoservetoinhibittheactivitiesofyourhealingsystem,whichgenerallyrequiresamorequietandrelaxedinternalenvironmentwithinwhich
tooperate.Additionally,whenthefight-or-flightresponseiselicitedrepeat
edly,orprolongedoveralengthyperiod,itcanproveharmfulanddamaging
toyourbodybecauseitcreatestoomuchworkforyourhealingsystem. Theparasympatheticbranchoftheautonomicnervoussystemcounterbalancesthesympatheticnervoussystemandthefight-or-flightresponsebyproducingacalmingeffectonyourbody.Thisbranchisassociatedwithstates
ofrest,relaxation,repair,regeneration,andhealing.Thoughtsthatactivatetheparasympatheticnervoussystemincludethoseofrelaxation,peace,love,serenit>charmony,andtranquility. Intheseways,yourmindplaysapivotalrolenotjustindirectingthemovementofcertainmusclesinyourbody,but,farmoreimportantly,ininflu
encingandmodifyingthephysiologicalprocessesofyourinternalenvironmentinwaysthathaveadirecteffectonyourhealingsystem.Becauseyourbraincanprocessapproximately600to800thoughtseveryminute,youcanseewhatanenormousimpactyourthinkingandmental
activitycanhaveonthehealthofyourbody. MindasHealer,MindasKiller
Youcanuseyourmindforyourbody’sultimatehealthandhealing,or
youcanuseitinawaythatturnsagainstyoutothedetrimentofyourhealth.Yourmindandyourthoughtscancauserealphysiological
138 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
changesinyourbody,astheplaceboeffectdemonstrates.Ifyoulearnto
useyourmindtocooperatewithyourbody’shealingsystem,itcanbe
yourhealingsystem’smostpowerfulally,aloyalservantandfriend.If
youdonotusethemproperly,yourmindandthoughts,throughthereleaseofpowerfulneuropeptides,hormones,andelectricalnervestimulation,canweakenanddamageyourbody’shealth,interferewith
yourhealingsystem,andcauseprematurephysicaldeterioration,dis
ease,andevenyourultimatedemise.Ifitisnotproperlytrainedand
used,yourmindcanbecomeadefiniteliability,provetobeyourworst
enemy,an4evenkillyou.ThefollowingstoryaboutJerrj~oneofmypatients,demonstratesthecrucialprinciplethatlearninghowtouse
yourmindforthebenefitofyourbody’shealthandwell-beingcanliterallymeanthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath. JerrywasatiresalesmanfromasmalltowninTexas.Hewasin
hisearlysixtiesandhadalreadysufferedfromonenear-fatalheartattackjustayearearlier.Hewasluckytobealive.Hiscardiologisthadplacedhimonrestrictedactivitiesuntilfurthernotice.However,JerrycouldnotresisttheofferofspendingtheweekendwithhisbuddiesinasmallhuntingcabininthemountainsofColorado. Eventhoughhehaddecidedtogoonthetripwithoutlettinghisdoctorknow,hetoldhimselfhewouldtakeiteasyandnotdisobey
hisdoctor’sorders.Hewouldnotpushhimselfordoanythingstren
uousthatmightinjurehisheart.However,becauseoftheincreasedaltitudeinthemountainswhereJerrywasstaying,theoxygenwasalittlethinnerthanhewas
usedto—somethinghehadforgottentotakeintoaccount.Ashe
wasreturningtohiscabinoneeveningafteranuphillstroll,hebegantofeelthefamiliarchestpainandpressurethatsignaledanotherheartattackcomingon. Atthatmoment,Jerrymadeaconsciousdecisiontousethe
powerofhismindtoavertapossibleheartattack.Hesimplytoldhimself,“Irefusetohaveanotherheartattack!”Hismindwassoabsolutelycommittedtoavoidingthedreadedexperienceofhaving
aheartattackagainthathissymptomssubsided,andhispainwent
away.Hehasneverhadanotherproblemwithhisheartsincethat
day.Ofthatday,Jerrytoldme,“Doc,Ijustmadeupmymindthat
itwasn’tgoingtohappentomeagain!Isimplyrefusedtohaveanotherheartattack!”
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem139
StorieslikeJerry’sarenotuncommon,andtheydemonstrate
that,whenconstructivelyapplied,yourmindcanbeapowerfulally
ofyourbody’shealingsystem.Yourhealingsystemisprogrammed
tolistentoyourmind,soitisimportanttobeconsciousofthethoughtsandmessagesyoumaybesending. TheMerry-Go-RoundandtheSorry-Go-Round
Everyday,researchersarediscoveringmorewaysthatyourmindand
bodyareconnectedandinfluenceeachother.Theintimaterelation
shipbetweenyourmindandyourbodyaffectsyourhealthinmany
ways.Forexample,peoplewhoarehappy,emotionallybalanced,
andsociallywell-adjustedenjoybetterhealthandaresicklessoften.Whenyouareinagoodmoodandfeelinggoodaboutyourself,youwillmostlikelywanttotakebettercareofyourbody;eatwhole
some,nourishingfood;taketimetoexercise;getenoughsleepand
rest;andparticipateinotherlife_promotingactivitiesthatwillcontributetoyourbody’soverallhealth.Alternatively,ifyoubecomedepressed,orifyourspiritsarelow,youwillnothavetheenergyto
takeverygoodcareofyourself.Youmaynotfeellikeexercisingregularly,whichcanweakenyourcardiovascularsystemandpossibly
causeyoutogainweightasaresultofinactivity.Allthiscanputyou
atriskforheartdisease,diabetes,highbloodpressure,andotherdis
eases.Oryoumaynoteathealthilyordrinkenoughfluids,which
canleadtoexcessiveweightlossandvitamin,mineral,andothernutrientdeficiencies,leavingyouweakanddehydrated,vulnerable
todisease.Youmaynotbatheasregularlyasyoushould,whichcan
leadtoskininfections,andthepossibilityofotherinfections,as
well.Depressioncancreatestressandanxiety,whichcanhaveafur
thernegativeimpactonyourhealth.Allofthesefactorshaveanegativeinfluenceonyourhealingsystem. Inthesamewaythatyourbodyispowerfullyinfluencedbyyourmind,yourmindisalsoinfluencedbyyourbody.Forexample,whenyouarefeelingphysicallyfit,exercisingregularly,eatinggoodfood,gettingadequatesleepandrest,andfeelingrelaxed,yourmentalfacultieswillbesharperandclearer,andyourattitudeandoutlookonlifewillbeinspiredandenthusiastic.Conversely,certain
140 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
physicalailmentssuchasanemia,thyroiddysfunction,nutritionaldeficiencies,andinsomniaareknowntocausementalfatigue,lethargy,anxietyandalteredmoodstates.Hallucinationsandmentalpsychosiscanoccurwithelectrolyteimbalancecausedbyextremedehydration,heatstroke,orkidneydysfunction.Thatchronicpaincanleadtomentaldepressionisalsowell-known.Even
acold,cough,orflucanmakeyoufeellowandaffectyourattitude.Additionally,whenyoufeelbadphysically,youcaneasilybecomefrightenedandanxious.Underconditionsofimpairedphysicalhealth,mentalhealthisadverselyaffected,anditisnotuncommon
forthoughtsofimpendingdoom,prolongedsuffering,andevendeathtoaccompanysuchillnesses,especiallyiftheillnessesaremore
severeorprolonged.Whetheryoubeginwithpoorphysicalhealththatcreatespoormentalhealth,orpoormentalhealththatcreatespoorphysicalhealth,youcangetcaughtinaharmfulcyclewithoutevenrealizingwhatishappening, acyclethatcanbedifficulttobreak.Withthe
poorhealthofyourbodypullingyourminddown,andyourlow
eredmoodanddepressedmentalhealthadverselyaffectingyourbody,youcantumbledown,down,downinacontinuingspiralofincreasedsufferingonbothmentalandphysicallevels,intoworsen
ingphysicalandmentalhealth. ThiscycleisknownastheSorry-Go-Round.TheSorry-Go-RoundisatermIliketousetodescribethedownwardspiralingcycle
thatoccurswhenpoorphysicalhealthaffectsyourmentalhealth,whichaffectsyourphysicalhealth,whichaffectsyourmentalhealth,
andsoon.Butthiscyclealsocanfirstbeginwithyourmentalhealthaffectingyourphysicalhealth.Thepointisnotwhichcamefirst—thephysicalormentalproblem.Itisthattheyfeedoffeachotherand
createaharmfuldownward-spiralingcyclethatisdifficulttobreak.Throughthepowerofyourmind,youcanbecomeawareofthisharmfulcyclewhenitafflictsyou,and,onceyouareawareofit,you
cansuccessfullybreakitbyimplementingpositive,beneficialchangesonbothphysicalandmentallevelsinatwo-prongedapproach(bothphysicalandmental)thatwillleadyoutowhatIcall
the“Merry-Go-Round.”TheMerry-Go-Rounddescribestheoppositestate,inwhich
yourmindandbodyarecooperatingwitheachotherinapositive
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem141
wayforyouroptimumhealth.ContrarytotheSorry-Go-Round,inwhichadownwardspiralingeffectofcontinuednegativementalattitudesanddegeneratingphysicalhealthoccurs,intheMerry-Go-Round,anupwardspiralingeffectofpositivementalandenhancedphysicalhealthperpetuatesitself.‘Whenyourbodyfeelshealthy,yourmindfeelsgood.Whenyourmindfeelsgood,yourbodyisalsolikelytofeelhealthier.Whenyoufeelgoodphysically,
thisupliftsyourmoodandcontributestoapositivementalstate.Apositivementalstatehelpstoinspirelife-affirming,positive,optimisticthoughtsthatwillhavebeneficialeffectsonyourbody’sphysiology~Thiskindofpositiveinteractioniswhatyourhealingsystemthriveson. TheMerry-Go-RoundstrengthensandnourishesyourhealingsystemsothatitcanperformatmaximumcapacityThisisoneof
themostobviousreasonsyouwanttorideontheMerry-Go-Round,
or,ifyouhavefallenoff,togetbackonassoonasyoucan.Youcan
takedefinitemeasurestoensurethatyourideontheMerry-Go-Round.Afewaresuggestedheretogetyoustarted.Remember, atwo-prongedapproachthatimplementsbothmentalandphysicalstrategiesworksbest. ~Exercisecanbeanimportantstrategytohelpyougetbackon
theMerry-Go-Roundifyourmentalhealthandspiritsarecurrentlylowandslumping.Ifyouoralovedonesuffersfromdepression,studieshaveshownthatexercisecanhelpovercome
thisproblem.Thisisjustoneexampletodemonstratethattheimprovementinphysicalhealthoftenresultsintheimprove
mentofmentalhealth. *Stress-managementtechniques,whichyouwillbereadingaboutshortly,canhelpyouavoidtheknee-jerktendencytobecomefearful,anxious,andscatterbrainedinthefaceofdailyproblems,andtheyareanotherpowerfulwaytostayontheMerry-Go-Round. *PositivelyprogrammingyourmindforhealthandhealingisanotherimportantmethodtohelpyougetontheMerry-GoRound.Thischapterdescribesseveralpracticalstrategiesthat
arebasedonthisimportantprinciple. 142 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
ThehealthofyourhealingsystemdependsonyourabilityanddeterminationtogetofftheSorry-Go-RoundandgetontheMerry-Go-Round.Inthischapter,you’lllearnvariouswaystodothis,and
toenhanceandstrengthenyourhealingsystemsoitcandoitsjobeffectivelyandefficiently.Psychoneuroimmunology andYourHealingSystemPsychoneuroimmunology,knownasPNIforshort,isanimportantnewfieldofmedicalsciencethatstudiestheinteractionbetweenyourmindandyourimmunesystem.Newfindingsinthisfieldhaveadirectbearingonunderstandinghowyourhealingsystemworksbecause,asyouknow,yourimmune
systemislinkedtoyourhealingsysteminthedefenseofyourbody.Yourhealingsystemcollaborateswithyourimmunesystemanddependsonthe
healthofyourimmunesystemtofunctionatitsbest. Youmayrecallthatyourhealingsystemandyourimmunesystemaredecidedlydifferent,andtheyalsohavecertainsimilarities.Onesimilarityis
thattheybothareaffectedbyyourthoughts,emotions,attitudes,andtheactivitiesofyourmind.Rigorousandinnovativescientificinvestigationinpsychoneuroimmunol
ogyishelpingustounderstandmoreaboutthewonderfulhealingresources
thatexistwithinus.Italsoishelpingustolaytorestseveralkey,erroneous
mythsabouthowourbodiesfunctioninrelationtoourminds.Onemyth
wasthatwhatgoesoninthemindhasabsolutelynothingwhatsoevertodo
withwhatgoesoninthebody,whichwastaughttoyoungdoctorsinmed
icalschoolsforseveralhundredyears.Tosupportthiserroneousnotion,it
wasfurtherbelievedthattheimmunesystem,whichmanagesthebody’sdefenses,functionedcompletelyindependentofthebrain.But,thankstoseveralimportantdiscoveriesbyresearchersworkinginthefieldofpsychoneuroimmunolog~theseoutdatedbeliefshavefinallybeenprovenwrong.Thereisnowunequivocalproofthatyourmindtalksdirectlytoyourimmunesystem.Thisnewunderstandingisbasedonthefollowingfindings:
oSpecializedreceptorsitesforneumtransmitters,whicharechemicalsproducedbythebrain,arenowknowntoexistonspecificwhitebloodcells. oTinynerveshavebeendiscoveredthatareconnectedtothelymphnodes. Thisdiscoveryprovidesconcreteevidencethattheimmunesystemand
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem143
lymphnodes,whichcontainwhitebloodcells,aredirectlyconnectedto
thenervoussystemandthebrain. *Powerfulhormoneshavebeendiscoveredthatareproducedandsecretedbyspecificwhitebloodcells.Thismeansthattheimmune
systemtalkstotheendocrinesystemanddirectlyparticipatesinone’semotionalexperience. Theseadvancesinpsychoneuroimmunologylendfurtherscientificevidence
towhatHippocratesandotherancientphysiciansandhealershavebeen
tellingusforthousandsofyears:thatapositivementalandemotionalstate
canimprovethebody’sabilitytohealitself. PracticalStrategiesforUsingYourMind
toStrengthenYourHealingSystem
Yourmindisyourhealingsystem’smostvaluableandpowerfulally,
andsoitisimportanttolearnhowtomaximizeyourmind’sincred
iblepower.Thefollowingtechniquesandstrategiescanhelpyoufocusanddirectyourmindtostrengthenyourhealingsystem. PositiveMentalProgramming
Pilotshaveoneofthemostdangerous,difficult,responsibility-laden
jobsintheworld.Becausethelivesofmanypeopleareintheirhands,theirsoundphysicalandmentalhealthisoftheutmostimportance.Asaconsequence,boththepsychologicalandphysical
examsforpilotsareamongthemostmeticulousandcloselyscruti
nizedofanyoccupationintheworld.Whenpilotsaretrained,they
gothroughaformofmentaltrainingthatincludesprogrammingtheirmindsintoaspecific,success-orientedmode.Pilotsmustfocus
theirthoughtprocessesoncreatingstrategic,action-orientedbehav
iorsthatwillresultinapositiveoutcomeandnothingelse.Pilotsdo
nothavetheluxuryofentertainingthoughtsthatwillcontributeto
anegativeoutcomeduringtheflyingmission.Airplanesmovefast. Ifpilotsmakemistakes,evensmallones,intheblinkofaneyethosemistakescanbefatal,notonlyforthepilots,butfortheflightcrew
andpassengers,aswell. 144 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Nowhereistheimportanceofthismentaltrainingforpilots
moreapparentthanduringlanding.Landingaplaneisoneofthe
mostchallenginganddifficultaspectsofflyinganyaircraft.Upondescentandbeforelanding,pilotssettheirsightsfortherunwaywhiletheyarecommunicatingwiththecontroltower.Justastheywilllineuptheirairplanesalongacertainapproachtotherunway,theyhavealreadyfocusedtheirmindsonaspecifictrainofthoughtsthatentertainonlyapreselectedsequenceofdecisionsandactions
thatwillproduceasuccessfullanding.Someflexibilityisrequired,
ofcourse,butallthoughtsduringthisperiodmustbefocusedon
thepositiveoutcomeofasafeandsuccessfullanding.Pilotscannotentertainanyunproductivethoughtsthatcouldpossiblyresultinanegativeoutcome.Ifpilotsweretoentertainsuchfoolishthoughts,
thesheerweightoftheirdistractivepowerswouldmostlikelyresult
inacrash.Akindofself-fulfillingprophecywouldmostlikely
ensue.Entertainingnegativethoughtswouldpreventthepilotsfromfocusingontheconstructivethoughtsthatarenecessarytoexecute
thepreciseskillfulmovementsrequiredforsuccessfullandings. Intheworldofhealthandhealing,asinflying,thekeyrolethat
yourmindplaysindetermining apositive,successfuloutcome
cannotbeoverstated.Whenitcomestoyourhealth,yousimplydo
nothavetheluxuryofentertainingnegativethoughtsornegativeoutcomes.Justlikeapilot,youneedtosetyoursightsonapositiveoutcome,believethatoutcomeispossibleforyou,andthenacton
thatbelief,refusingtoallowanyunhealthythoughtsofdiseaseandsufferingtodistractyoufromyourgoal.Yourhealingsystemneeds
thispositivethinkingtofunctionatitsbestandkeepyourbodyand
allitssystemsrunningsmoothly.Withoutthenourishmentandfuel
ofpositivethinking,yourhealingsystemwillbecome“distracted”fromitscriticalroleinmaintainingyourhealthandwell-being,and
itwillnotbeabletofunctionproperly. Forexample,Ifyoucomedownwitharespiratoryinfectionor
anyotherillness,andyouwanttogetbetter,focusyourmindonbeinghealthyagainbyimplementingthefollowingmentalstrategies:
~Setyoursightsfirmlyonthegoalofbeinghealthyagain. nMentallyrepeatthatyouwillgetbetter,andcontinuetodosountilthebeliefisfirmlyingrainedinyourmind. ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSyslem145
*Makeamentalchecklistofthingsyoucandotogetbettersoon. Forinstance,ifyouhavearespiratoryinfectionwithafever,
yourchecklistmaylooksomethinglikethis:
Callinsickforwork. Contactyourdoctor. Getplentyofrest. Drinkfluids. Avoidrich,fattyfoods. Keepwarm. Takemedicinesasneeded.Continuetosetyoursightsonyourgoalofbeinghealthy,mentallyrepeatingthisgoalasoftenasyoucan. *Ifyoucutyourfingerandarebleedingprofusely,thesamementalprogrammingwouldapply,onlythechecklistwoulddiffersomewhat:
Findacleancloth,cottonball,orbandage,andapplydirectpressuretothewound. Placeyourhandaboveyourhearttoreducebloodpressureandbleeding. Oncebleedinghasstabilized,contactfamilymembersorfriendstoinformthemofyourinjury. Ifthewoundneedsprofessionalattention,seekimmediatemedicalcare. Ifyouareseenbyahealthprofessional,followhis/herordersconcerningwoundcare,cleansingandbathingofthewound,
andmedicalfollow-up.Restrictactivitiesasneededtoassisttheprocessofwoundheal
ing.Continuetosetyoursightsonthehealingofyourwoundand
therestorationofyourhealth.Mentallyrepeatthisgoalasoftenasyoucan. Adaptyourpositivementalprogrammingtofittheneedsof
yourparticularsituationandcondition.Manypeoplehaveused
146 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
positivementalprogrammingsuccessfullytoovercomeevenserioushealthconditions,includingcancer,heartdisease,multiplesclerosis,
andHIV.Thefollowingstoryisagoodexampleofthepowerfuleffectsofpositivementalprogramming. Jan’sStory
Janwasdiagnosedwithbreastcancer,andeventhoughshewentthroughthegruelingtreatmentsofaradicalmastectomy,chemotherapy,andradiation,shewasgivenonlysixmonthstolive.Ratherthangivingupallhopeandbecominganothercancerstatistic,Jandecidedtoenlistthehelpofhermindtoridherbody
ofthisdreadedcondition.Shehadreadaboutotherpeopleovercominginsurmountableoddstodefeattheirdiseases,andshethoughtthat,ifitwaspossibleforthem,shemightbeabletodoit,
too.Becauseherlifewasontheline,sheplungedheadfirstintoresearchinghowshecouldpossiblyturnherhealtharound.Shecommittedherselftoprogramminghermindinapositiveway.WhileJanwasdecidingtoconcentrateonnutritionandnaturalsupplementsthatcouldbuildupherstrengthandresistance,she
alsobeganreadingbooksonhowherthoughtsandattitudescouldstimulatehealingmechanismsdeepwithinherbody,eventhoughat
thattimetheideaofahealingsystemwasvirtuallyunknown.Practicingseveralmentaltechniquesthathelpedherrelax,slowdown,stopworrying,anddevelopabettersenseofhumor,Janbegantofocusmoreonapositiveoutcome.Afterseveralmonths,
shebegantofeelmoreenergy,vitality,andstaminacomingintoherbody.Withtheseobviousphysicalsignsofimprovement,heratti
tudeimproved,andshebegantoactuallybelieveshemightbeable
tofollowinthefootstepsofotherswhohadsimilarlyovercome
cancer.Shedidallthisinspiteofthemastectomyshehadandthe
oddsthatwereweighingheavilyagainsther.Today,30yearslater,Janistotallycancerfreeandradiatesaspiritofcalmreassuranceandoptimismthatisobvioustoanyonewhomeetsher.Shehaslongoutlivedthedoctorswhofirstpronouncedherdeathsentence.Throughherdifficultjourney,Janhas
cometorealizethetremendoushealingpowerofherownmind.Sheselflesslyvolunteershertimeinassistingotherwomenwithbreast
cancer,encouragingthemnottogiveintohopelessnessanddespair,
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHeahngSystem147
but,rather,tousethebody’sgreatestallyinhealing,themind,tostrengthenandfortifytheirhealingsystemsthroughthecultivationoflife-affirming,constructivethoughtsandpositivementalattitudes. InfusingYourHealingSystemwithPositiveBeliefs
Beliefsarepowerfulthoughtsthatweholdontoandinvestwith
greatenergyasiftheyweretrue,eventhoughtheymightnotbe
true.Yourbeliefshelptoshapethewayyouthinkandviewtheworld,andoftentheyarebackedbythecollectivesupportofmanypeople,includingfamilyandfriends.Yourbeliefsarealsoreinforced
andinfluencedbymanyfactors,includingyoureducation,thebooksyouread,themedia,yourcolleagues,peers,community,reli
giouspreferences,gender,andage,andyourownpersonalthoughtsanduniquelifeexperiences.Beliefscanbepasseddownfromonegenerationtothenext.Theycanextendfarbackintime,coveringcenturies,andevenmillennia.Beliefsoftengainstrengthovertime.Themorepeoplewho
shareinasimilar,commonbelief,themorepowerfulthatbeliefbecomes.‘Whenbeliefsbecomeheavilyinvestedwithalotoftime
andenergy,lettinggoofthemandchangingthemisdifficult,evenwhentheyarewrong.Forexample,inmedievalEurope,beforeChristopherColumbus’shistoricvoyagein1492,thebeliefwasthat
theworldwasflat,andthatifyousailedtoofarouttosea,youwouldfallofftheedgeoftheworld,Ofcourse,wenowknowthat
thisbeliefwasnottrue,butforhundredsofyears,manypeoples’liveswereaffectedbythislimitedview.Beliefsareconstructedofpowerfulthoughts,andassuchthey
canplayamajorroleindeterminingyourhealth.Beliefscansignificantlyinfluencetheperformanceofyourbody’shealingsystemthroughthepowerfulmessagestheysendtoeveryorgan,tissue,and
cellinyourbody.Ifyourbeliefsarepositive,healthy,andlifesustain
ing,theycanworktoyouradvantage.Forexample,inawell-knownstudythatlookedatHarvardUniversitygraduatesovera25-yearperiod,thosewhobelievedtheirhealthwasgoodorexcellentatthebeginningofthestudyhadsignificantlyfewerillnessesanddiseases,
farbettersurvivalstatistics,andreportedenjoyingmuchbetterhealth
attheendofthe25-yearstudyperiodthanthosewhoreportedtheirhealthasonlyfairorpoor. 148 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Thefollowingapproacheswillhelpyouinfuseyourhealingsystemwithpositivebeliefs:
oChooseapositivebeliefthatsupportsyourgoalsofimprovedhealth.Examplesmightbe“IbelieveIcanbehealed,”or“Iambecomingstrongandhealthy.”
oRefusetoentertainbeliefsthatopposeyourpositivebeliefabout
yourhealth. oWritedownyourpositivebeliefandrepeatit,firstsayingitout
loudtoyourself,thenwhisperingit,andthenmentallyrepeat
ingitoverandoveragainasoftenasyoucan,wheneveryoucan. oReadbooks,watchmovies,andparticipateinactivitiesthatnur
ture,support,andreinforceyourpositivebeliefaboutyourhealth.Suchactivitiesmightincludeeatinghealthyfood,gettingadequatesleepandrest,goingforregularexercise,receivingmassagesonceaweek,andsoon. oSeekoutandsurroundyourselfwithpositive,optimisticpeoplewhoreinforceyourpositivebeliefaboutyourhealth. oAvoidpeoplewhoopposeyourpositivebelief.Ifyouhaveapessimistic,unsupportivedoctor,findonewhocanbemoreoptimisticandencouraging. oYoumaychooseasmanypositivehealthbeliefsasyoudesire. Negativebeliefs,whicharebasedonfearandpessimisticprojectionsconcerningyourhealth,canactuallyinterferewiththeperformanceofyourbody’shealingsystemandcanresultinharm
toyourbody.Ifyousustainsuchbeliefsoverasufficienttimeperiod,theycanevenbecomeself-fulfillingprophecies.Again,recallingDr.Eliot’sfamouswords,“Thebrainwritesprescriptions
forthebody,”thisisonlycommonsense.Forexample,ifyouthink
longandhardaboutgettingcancer,youmaybecontributingtothephysiologicalprocessesthatwillcreateatoxicinternalcellularenvi
ronmentthatcanactuallycausecellstomutateandmanifestin
cancer.Ifyouthinklongandhardaboutgettingaheartattack,yourthoughtsandbeliefscancreatetheinternalchemistrywithinyourbodythatconstrictsthecoronaryarteriesinyourheartandshuts
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem149
downthebloodsupplytoyourheartmuscles,whichcancontribute
toanactualheartattack. Eventhoughscientificresearchinthesemind-bodyinteractions
isstillrelativelynew,alargenumberofstudiesalreadyinthemed
icalliteratureconfirmtherealityofthesedestructivementalprocesses.Thegoodnewsisthatmanynewstudiesarenowshow
ingthatyoucantransformandovercomethesenegativeinfluences
byfocusingmoreonpositive,life-enhancingbeliefsandincórporat
inganoptimisticviewoftheworldintoyourbeliefs. Anexampleofthepowerofpositivebeliefsisevidentinthe
storyofAIDS.WhenAIDSwasfirstdiscovered,justthediagnosis
ofbeingHIVpositivewasenoughtokillaperson.Morethantheactualvirulenceofthevirus,thisresultwasduelargelytothefear
anddreadtheseindividualsassociatedwiththemysteriouselements
ofthevirusandthedisease.Now,peoplearebetterinformedand
notsofearfulaboutHIVandAIDS.NotonlyhasHIVlostitsdiagnosticshockvalue,butthelong-termsurvivalratesandqualityof
lifealsohaveimproveddramaticallyamongpeoplewhoareHIVpositive.Forthemostpart,thischangehascomeaboutnotsomuchthroughbreakthroughsinmiraculousmedications,butratherthroughpeoplebecomingempoweredtofightbackandreclaim
theirhealththroughachangeintheirbeliefsaboutHIV.BasketballsuperstarMagicJohnsonisonesuchexample,andtherearemanyothers. TransformingNegativeBeliefsintoPositiveBeliefs
Entertainingandholdingontobeliefsthatwillenhanceyourhealth
maynotbeeasy,especiallyifyouwereraisedinafamilyorenviron
mentthattaughtandencouragednegativebeliefs.However,youcansucceedbyfollowingthestrategiesdescribedinthischapter. Infact,manypeoplewhohaveovercomeserious,life-threaten
ingafflictionsdidsobydiscoveringthattherootsoftheirphysicalsufferingwereanchoredinthemuckofunhealthy,negativebeliefs
theyhadharboredaboutthemselvesandtheirbodiessincechildhood.Someofthemorecommonlyreportedofthesenegative
150 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
beliefsarethese:“Youareabadperson,”“Youdonotdeservelove,”“Youdonotdeservetobehappy,”“Youneedtobepunishedfor
yoursins,”“Youdeservetosufferandhavepain,”or“Theonlyway
youcanreceiveattentionorloveisifyougetill.”
Formanypeoplewhohaveovercomeseriousillnesses,healingfromthephysicalaspectsoftheirdiseasesmeantexpungingthedis
easeatitspsychologicalroots.Theyneededtoletgoofthedeeplyingrained,negativebeliefsthatledtoalifetimepatternofunhealthy,self-destructivethoughtsandrelatedbehaviorssuchassmoking,overeating,drinking,drugabuse,stayinginabusiverelationships,havingunsafesex,andtakingunnecessaryrisksthatleadtoaccidentsandinjuries.Thesenegativebeliefsandbehaviorsarenotunlikethosethatwouldcausepeopletoendtheirlivesbyputtingabulletintheirbrainsorjumpingoffofabridge. Ofthosewhohavesuccessfullyhealedthemselves,manyhave
beenabletolookbackontheirdiseasesasgiftsthathelpedthemtransformmentally,emotionally,andspirituallyintomorevibrant,stronger,healthierindividuals.Thephysicalcuresweremerelysidebenefitstheyenjoyedalongtherouteofthedeeperhealingthatoccurred.Thefollowingstoryisadramaticexampleofthepowerof
themindandhowonepersonhealedhimselfbytransformingandovercominghisnegativebeliefs. Josh’sStory
Inhissophomoreyearofcollege,Joshwasdiagnosedwitharare,malignantbraintumor.Histypeoftumorcarriedapoorprognosis.Fewerthan12peopleintheentireworldhadhadthistypeoftumor,
andnoonehadlivedlongerthanayearafterthediagnosiswasmade,evenwiththebesttreatmentthatconventionalmedicinehad
tooffer.AlthoughJoshwasinitiallydevastatedbythenews,something
inhismindrefusedtobuyintohisdeathsentence.Hebelievedin
hisheartthathisbodycouldhealitself.Hedidnotsaymuchtoothers,but,secretlyinside,Joshvowedtodefythestatistics.Ashe
setaboutchanginghisdietandlifestyle,reducinghisstress,andtakingthetimetolistentohisintuition,Joshtookaleaveofabsence
fromschooltoconcentrateonhisdeeperhealing.Afterjust4months,aCTbrainscanshowedthathistumorhadindeedgrown
ThePowerofYourMmdandYourHeaI~ngSystem151
alittlesmaller.Hisdoctorswereamazedandtoldhimtokeepdoingwhateverhewasdoing.After9months,thetumorhadshrunkto
lessthanone-thirdofitsoriginalsize.After18months,6months
afterheshouldhavebeendead,Josh’stumorwasnolongerdetectableontheCTscan.Threeyearslater,thetumorstillhadnotrecurred.Joshwaselated,buthewasn’tsurprised.Nowadoctorhimself,Joshcounselshispatientsontheirattitudeswhileheedu
catesthemabouttheirmindandthepoweroftheirbeliefstoimprovethequalityoftheirhealth.Joshisnotagainstconventionalmedicaltreatmenttoincreasetheoddsofasuccessfuloutcomewhenapatientisfacedwithadifficultdiagnosis,buthebelievesthat
thetransformationofnegativebeliefsintopositive,healthyonesisimperative.Heislivingproofthatoptimisticbeliefscanactivateinternalhealingmechanismsandovercomeincurablediseases.Becauseyourbodyisprogrammedtoobeyyourmentalcommands,itisimperativetobeginnowtoprogramyourmindtoembracepositive,life-affirmingbeliefs,asJoshandmanyothers
havedone.Manymethodsandtechniquesareavailabletohelpyou
dothis,includingself-improvementbooksandtapes,motivationalvideos,inspirationalTVprograms,prayers,mantras,upliftingquotesandsayings,genuinelyhelpfulfriendsandsupportivepeergroups,compassionateandwisecounselors,andsupportivedoctors
andhealers. FourBasicPositiveBeliefs‘Wheneveryoufindyourselffallingpreytonegativebeliefs,gently
butfirmlyshiftyourfocustofourcorebeliefs. (Note:Youmaywant
tosubstituteyourownpositivebeliefs,ratherthanwhatissuggestedhere.Inthebeginning,however,keepitsimplebyusingnomore
thanfour. )Youneedtoreinforcethesefourbasicbeliefsanddrive
themdeepintoyoursubconsciousmindandbody,likedrivingarailroadspikesolidlyintothegroundwithasledgehammer.Once
thesebeliefsaresolidlyembedded,theywillattractotherpositivebeliefstoyourmindand,inturn,infuseyourhealingsystemwith
thepositiveenergyitneedstofunctionatitsbest. Belief#1:IamlovablejustasIam.Belief#2:Ideservetobehappy,healthy,andfulfilledinmylife. 152 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Belief#3:Mybodyhasahealingsystem,anditknowshowto
healitself.Belief#4:Mybodywantstobehealthy. nBeginrepeatingthesebeliefstoyourself,firstoutloud,andthensilentlythroughouttheday. c~iWritethebeliefsdownonasmallcard.Keepthemonyourbathroommirror,inyourcar,atyouroffice,orinanyplacewhereyou’llseethemseveraltimesaday. nRecordthebeliefsonataperecorderoronamessagemachine. DMemorizethebeliefs,sothatwheneveryoucatchyourmindin
afearful,doubting,pessimistic,ornegativemode,orifyourmindstraysfromyourgoalofimprovedphysicalandmentalhealth,youcanbringitbackonaconstructivetrackthatwillstrengthenandnourishyourhealingsystem. Ifyoufollowthisstrategyfaithfully,youwillseehowvibrant
andaliveyourbodywillfeelasitrespondstoyournewmentalcommands.Throughthesepositive,life-affirmingbeliefs,yourhealingsystemwillawaken,arise,andshiftintohighgeartoperformsmoothlyandefficientlyforyou. StimulateYourHealingSystemwithPositiveSelf-Talk
Youprobablyhaveseenandheardhomelesspeopleinthestreetsof
ourcities,talkingoutloudtothemselves.Uponseeingthem,the
firstthoughtthatprobablypopsintoyourheadisthattheyarecrazy!TheironyisthatyouandIalsotalktoourselves,everydayof
ourlives.Theonlydifferenceisthatwhenwetalktoourselves,weusuallydosoquietly,inthesilentchambersofourownminds.Ourinternaldialogues,unlikethoseof“crazystreetpeople,”aregenerallykeptstrictlypersonalandprivate.Theseprivatedialoguesareknowncollectivelyasself-talk.Examplesofself-talkincludethe
timeswhenyoumentallypatyourselfonthebackandsay,“Good
job!welldone!”orwhenyoucriticizeyourselfandsay,“Youjerk! Youmessedupagain!”Yourself-talkcanhaveahugeimpactonthehealthofyourbody
andyourhealingsystem.Self-talkgeneratesthoughtsthatcreate
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem153
nerveimpulsesthatalterandmodif~rthephysiologicalworkingsandinternalchemistryofyourbody.Negativeself-talk,whichfocusesonnegativethoughtsandwhatiswrongwithyourlife,canbeverydestructive;itcancreatebothphysicalandmentalproblems.Alternatively,positiveself-talk,whichisbasedonanoptimisticmentalattitudethatseesproblemsaschallengesandfostersamorepositiveoutlookonlife,cancreateandmaintainastrong,resilienthealingsystemandrobustgoodhealth.Positiveself-talk,ontheonehand,centersonsuchthemesashope,enthusiasm,inspiration,compassion,creativity,beauty,appreciation,optimism,love,generosity;health,andhealing,anditexerts
apositive,uplifting,life-enhancinginfluenceonyourhealingsystem.Whileyouareengaginginpositiveself-talk,youareyour
owncheerleader,yourowncornermanintheheavyweightboxingchampionshipfightforyourlife.Negativeself-talk,ontheotherhand,isusuallybasedonthefollowingthemes:anger,resentment,revenge,jealousy,hatred,guilt,blame,shame,self-criticism,lowself-esteem,pessimism,cynicism,sarcasm,hopelessness,futility,fear,sadness,grief,sorrow,worry,ill
ness,andsuffering.Bysendingunhealthymessagestoyourbody,negativeself-talkinterfereswiththeperformanceofyourhealingsystem.Negativeself-talkcreatestensionandafeelingofheaviness
inyourbody;whenitbecomeshabitualorcontinuous,ittearsdown
yourbody’shealth. Moredangerousthanmostexternalagentsofdisease,negativeself-talkcansabotageandweakenyourbody’sdefensesfromtheinsideasitcreatestoxicchemicalimbalancesthatcanleadtochronic,degenerativediseases.Negativeself-talkcontributestopoorpersonalhygiene,andunhealthydietsandlifestyles.Mostimportantly,negativeself-talksendsself-destructivemessagestoyourbodythatinterferewithyourhealingsystem.Youareincontrolofyourthoughtsandthemasterofyourowninternaldialogues.Therefore,youcanstimulateyourhealingsystemandimprovethequalityofyourhealthandlifebycarefullycensor
ingnegative,unhealthythoughtswhilereinforcingpositive,healthy,life-affirmingthoughts.Numeroustechniques,strategies,andactivitiesareavailableto
helpyouprogramyourmindintothelanguageofpositiveself-talk. 154 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Hereareafewofthemorewell-knowntechniquesthathaveworked
formanyofmypatients:
oAffirmations:Thesearepositive,life-affirmingstatementsthatyou
canverballyormentallyrepeatcontinuouslyuntiltheybecomedeeplyingrainedinyoursubconscious.Withcontinuousrepeti
tionandpractice,affirmationseventuallybecomeautomaticandeasilyaccessibletoyouwhenyouneedthem.Anexampleofaratherwell-knownaffirmationis“Everyday,ineveryway,Iamgettingbetterandbetter!”Affirmationsarenotonlylifeaffirmingandhealthenhancingwhenpracticedovertime,buttheycanbecomfortingandreassuringintheshortrun,aswell. oArtandliterature:Beingaroundgreatworksofart,includingpaintings,writings,andsculpture,canhelpgetyououtofthe
rutofnegativeself-talkandmakeyourealizethatthereismore
tolifethanpain,suffering,andsorrow.Participatinginthearts
canhelpbringyouonestepfurtherintothepositiverealm. oAudiotapes:Booksontapeandrecordingsfrominspirationalauthorscanbepowerfultoolstohelpyoureprogramyourmind
tofocusmoreonpositiveself-talk.Youcanlistentoaffirmations
intapeformwhileyouaredrivinginyourcarorwhileyouare
athome,untiltheyaredeeplyingrainedinyourpsyche. oChanting:Chantsareupliftingandinspiringaffirmationsor
prayersthatarerhythmicalandmelodicinform.Theyaresimilar
tosongs,butsimplerandmorefocusedintheirpurpose.Chants
forhealthandhealingcanhelpyoushiftoutofunhealthynega
tiveself-talkintothebeneficialrealmofpositiveself-talk.There
aremanywonderfulupliftingandinspiringchantsfromnearly
everyculture,includingNativeAmerican,African,Aboriginal,Sufi,Christian,Muslim,Hindu,Jewish,andBuddhist. oFriendsandfamily:Spendingqualitytimewithfriends,family,andtrustedeldersandwisepeopleinwhomyoucanconfide
alsocanbeveryhelpfultoinspirepositiveself-talk.Beingaroundpeoplewithwhomyoufeelsafe,inanenvironmentwhereyoufeelwarmth,affection,andacceptance,andwith
thoseyoucanlookuptoandadmire,knowingtheycarefor
you,canupliftandinspireyourself-talktobemorepositive. ThePowerofYourN1~r~da~dYourHeahngSystem155
~Gratitudejournal:Writingdownallyourthoughtsandfeelingsaboutthethingsinyourlifeyouaregratefulforcanbeaneffectivewaytohelpyoushiftyourfocusfromseeingaglassthat
ishalfemptytoonethatishalffull,andtorerouteyourthoughtsandfeelingsawayfromwhatisnotworkinginyourlife
towhatisworking.Manysuccessfulpeople,includingOprahWinfrey,keepagratitudejournal. ~Hobbiesandentertainment:Theseenjoyableactivitieswillhelp
youforgetabouttime;theywillallowyourmindtobeabsorbed
inconstructivethoughtandpositiveself-talk.Itisdifficultto
talknegativelytoyourselfwhenyouareengagedinacreativeactivitythatyoutrulyenjoy. ~Hypnosis:Hypnosisisanothertoolthatmanypeoplehavesuccessfullyappliedtoaidtheirmentalreprogrammingofhabitual,negativeself-talkintoaninternaldialoguethatismuchmorepositiveandhelpful.Manypeoplehavefoundhypnosistobe
oneofthesafestandmosteffectivemethodsavailableforquit
tingsmoking.Contrarytopopularfearsandmyths,hypnosisis
safeanddoesnotallowanotherpersontotakeoverorcontrol
yourmind.Rather,mosttherapiststeachself-hypnosis, atechniquethatshowsyouhowtotapintothehiddenpowersofyour
ownsubconsciousmindsothatyourmindcanalignitselfwith
yourbodyandworkwithyourhealingsystem. ~Mantras:Wecanlikenmantrastoprayersandchantsthatarerepeatedcontinuously,eithersilentlyoroutloud.Mostmantras
comefromtheEastIndiantradition,butyoucanadaptanyphraseorexpressionthathasmeaningforyoufromyourownnativelanguage.Effectivemantrasforhealingshouldbeshort,rhythmical,andmelodic,tofacilitateeasyrepetition.Some
mantrasareknowntobeverypowerfulbecausetheynotonlyhelpinfuseyourmindwithpositiveenergythroughcontempla
tionoftheirmeaning,but,throughrepetition,theirsoundscanactivatecertainlife-enhancingvibratoryenergiesinyourbrain
andnervoussystem.Youcanusemantrasforspecificoccasions
andcircumstances;specializedmantrasthatcanbeveryeffective
alsoexistforhealthandhealing.Anexcellentresourceformantras
isHealingMantrasbyThomasAshley-Farrand. 156 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
oMusic:Singing,listeningtoandplayingmusic,anddancing—especiallywhenitaccompanieschantingandsinginguplifting
songsandsacredmusic—canhelpupliftyourmindwhiletheyimproveyourself-talk.Engaginginnegativeself-talkisdifficultwhenyourmindisoccupiedinpositivemusicalactivities. oNature:Immersingyourselfandyoursensesinthebeautyandmysteryofnaturecanhaveadramaticallypositiveeffectonyourself-talk. oPrayer:NormanVincentPeale,inhisclassicbookThePowerofPositiveThinking,describesthepositiveimpactthatprayerhas
onourthoughtsandminds,aswellasonourhealth.Ineverytraditionoftheworld,prayerisuniversallyrecognizedforitsabilitytoliftpeopleoutofthemundanequagmireofhopeless
nessanddespair,futilityanddepression.Inhistwobooks,HealingWordsandPrayerisGoodMedicine,Dr.LarryDosseycitesnumerousscientificstudiesthatdocumentthehealth-enhancingbenefitsandeffectivenessofprayer,evenintheface
ofdevastatingterminalillnessandmajorlife-threateningevents. Byprovidinga“seniorpartner”or“higherauthority”toconsultwith,prayercanserveasavehicletotakethepressureoffyourlife,removeyourfearsandworries,manageyourstress,andshift
yourself-talkintoamorepositivemode. oReading:Readinguplifting,inspirationalbooks,includingautobiographiesofgreatpeoplewhostruggledagainstadversityand
overcamemajorobstacles,canhelpyoufocusyourself-talk
moreonthepositiveaspectsofyourlife.Self-improvementbookscanalsobeofgreathelp. oSportsandgames:Thesecanhelpyoudevelopconfidencein
yourbody’sabilitytomoveandperformlikeanathlete.Evenpeoplewithserioushandicapssuchasamputationsofbothlegs,
orpeoplewhoarewheelchairbound,arenowcompetingonaninternationalleveltodemonstratethatdisease,illness,limita
tion,andactivityrestrictionsaremoreastateofmindandcanoftenbeovercomewiththehelpofpositiveself-talk. oVisualizationandimagery:Thesearementaltechniqueswithscientificallyprovenbenefitsnotonlyforhealthandhealing,but
alsointhehigh-performance,physicallydemandingworldof
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem157
professionalsportsandinternationalathleticcompetition.Byusingthevisualandimaginativepowersofyourmind,youcan
helpproduceasignificantpositiveshiftinyourinternaldialogues,stimulateyourhealingsystem,andpromotemeasurableimprovementinyourphysicalhealth. Theplaceboeffectisascientificprinciplethatdemonstratesjusthowpower
fulaninfluenceyourmindhasonyourbody.Theplaceboeffectisauniquephenomenonobservedduringclinicaltrialsfornew,potentiallyusefuldrugs.Whenastudyislaunchedtotesttheusefulnessofanewdrug,halfof
thepatients,knownastheexperimentalgroup,willreceiveapillthatcontains
thenewdrug,whiletheotherhalf,knownasthecontrolgroup,willreceiveaplacebo,whichisapillthatcontainsnodrugatall.Bothgroupsaretoldwhat
toexpectfromthenewdrug,andbothgroupsbelievetheirpillcontainsthe
newdrug.Innearlyeverystudyofthistype,alargepercentageofthosereceivingtheplacebo,thepillwithoutthedrug,willreportphysicalchangesconsistentwiththoseexpectedfromthenewdrugbeingtested.Thesechangescanbemeasuredandarereal;theyarenotjustafigmentoftheimagination.Thereisnopossiblewaytoexplaintheplaceboeffectother
thanbyacknowledgingthatthemindhasthepowertomakethesechangeshappeninthebody. EmotionsandYourHealingSystem
Emotionsarepacketsofmentalandphysicalenergythatmovethroughandattempttomoveoutofyourbody,muchlikeariverwhose
watersteadilymovestowarditsgreaterdestinyoftheocean.The
wordemotioncomesfromtherootemote,whichmeanstomoveout. Youremotionshaveaprofoundimpactonyourphysicalhealth,
andtheyplayanintegralroleinthefunctioningofyourhealingsystem.Youremotionsareconnectedtoyourendocrinesystem,whichincludesyourpineal,pituitary,thyroid,parathyroid,andadrenalglands,aswellasyourpancreasandreproductiveorgans.Duringemotionalexperiences,powerfulhormonesarereleasedinto
158 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
yourbloodstreamfromthesevariousorgans,andthesehormones
havefar-reachingeffectsonyourbodyandyourhealingsystem. Forexample,whenyouareinahighlyexcitablestate,eitherfeel
ingexuberantjoyorintensefear,youradrenalglandsreleaseepinephrine(adrenaline),whichcanconstrictbloodvessels,acceler
ateheartrate,increasebloodpressure,andaffectlungandkidneyfunction.Cortisol,whichcansuppressyourimmunefunction,is
alsoreleasedatthesetimes.Allofthesefunctionsarecriticaltoyourhealingsystem.Insulin,whichregulatessugarmetabolism,isalsoproducedinresponsetocertainemotions,especiallywhenyouarefeelingfrightened,angry,orunderstress.Thesearejustafewofthe
morecommonlyknownhormonesassociatedwithyouremotions,
butyoucanseewhataprofoundeffecttheycanhaveonyourheal
ingsystem.Beingintouchwithyourfeelings,understandingwhattheyare
andwhattheymean,isimportantforthehealthofyourhealingsystem.Whenyouareintouchwithhowyoufeel,youusuallyfeelenergizedandalive.Whenyouareoutoftouchwithyouremotions,
youtendtofeelseparatedfromlife,isolatedandlonely.Feelingsoflonelinessandisolationcreatestress,which,ifsustained,canhaveharmfulrepercussionsonyourhealingsystem.Clearevidencenowexiststhatsuppressingemotionscanbedamagingtoyourhealthandyourbody’shealingsystem.Repressingemotionsgoesagainstthenaturallawsoftheuniversethatrequire
thenaturalenergyofemotionstomoveoutofyourbodytoseekconsciousexpression.Numerousstudieshaveshownthatpeoplewhocontinuouslysuppresstheiremotionsaremorelikelytofall
preytoseriousillnesses,includingheartdisease,hypertension,diabetes,cancer,autoimmunediseases,andotherchronicconditions.Otherstudieshaveshownthatpeoplewhoareabletoaccesstheirfeelingsandexpressthemselvesenjoybetterhealthandgreaterlongevity.Ratherthansuppressingyourfeelingsandemotions,mostmedicalexpertsarenowrecommendingthat,topreventillness,itisimportanttogetintouchwithyourfeelings,whatevertheyare,and
thenlearntoexpresstheminhealthyways.Healthyfeelingscreatesensationsofcomfortandeaseinyourbody.Somehealthyfeelingsarejoy,happiness,peace,contentment,serenity,satisfaction,andlove.Becausetheyreleasepowerfulhor
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem159
mones,thesefeelingsareextremelybeneficialtothehealthofyourbody’sinternalenvironment,andtheycankeepyourhealingsystemvibrantandstrongformanyyears.Ofcourse,themostpowerfulhealthyfeelingofallislove.Becausefeelingsarelocatedinourbodies,therearereallynonegativefeelingsoremotions,thoughthisprobablysoundslikeacontradiction.Feelingsjustare,andtheycannotbejudgedonanylevelbyanyone.Evenanger,pain,andsadness,generallyconsidered
tobe“negative”emotions,canbeappropriateandbeneficial,especiallywhenweacknowledgeandreleasethemfromourbodiesinatimelyandsensiblemanner.Theproblemoccurswhenwedonotreleasetheseemotions,butrather,aswediscussedbefore,wehold
ontoandcontainorsuppressthem.Underthesecircumstances,suppressionofso-callednegativeemotionscanbeharmful.Healingoftenoccurswhentherootsoftheseunhealthyemotionsareexposedandthenreleasedfromyourbody. GettingRidofEmotionalBaggageUnhealthyemotionsthatarenotreleasedfromyourbodycanpile
upandcauseabigmess.Likeluggingaroundtoomuchbaggage,orhavingabackflowofgarbagethatbeginstosmellandfester,unhealthyemotionsthatarenotreleasedfromyourbodycancreate
toxicchemistryinyourbody’sinternalenvironmentthatinterferes
withyourhealingsystem’sperformance.Releasingyouremotionalbaggagebylearningtoletgoofstoredupnegativefeelings,suchas
oldresentmentandanger,willhelptolightentheburdenthatmay
bedraggingdownyourbodyandmakingitsick.Angeristhemostnotoriousaspectofemotionalbaggagethat,if
notreleasedfromyourbody,canbedetrimentaltoyourhealth.Angerleadstoresentment,jealousy,hostility,hatred,andrage;ifit
issuppressedandallowedtobuildupovertime,angercancausedamagetoyourbody’sinternalenvironment,particularlyyourbloodvesselsandcardiovascularsystem.Manypeoplehaveexperiencedfatalheartattacksorstrokesbecauseoftheirintenseanger.Angerthathaspiledupforyearsandnotbeenappropriatelyreleased
canalsoeruptexplosivelyandviolentlyatthedropofahat,causing
greatharmtoyourselforothers.Seeminglyinsignificanteventscanoftentriggerthisstored-upanger.Manyofthehorrendouscrimes
160 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
andwarsintheworldcanbetracedbacktothisinappropriateexpressionofanger.Prolonged,continuousangerdisturbsthemind,creatingemotionalvolatilityaswellasmentalinstability.‘Whenyou
areangry,youaremad,anditisnotbycoincidencethatinsanepeoplewere,andstillare,referredtoas“madmen.”Angerthatisburieddeepandneverallowedtocomeout,so-called“frozenanger,”
hasbeenimplicatedinsevereformsofdepressionandmentalillness.Angerwastesenergyandmaycauseactualdamagetoyourbody,creatingadoubleburdentoyourhealingsystem.Thisiswhyitisimperativetoreleaseangerappropriatelyandpreventitsunhealthybuildup.Onceangerisexpressedandreleasedappropriately,otheremotionsareoftendiscovered,mostnotably,pain.Ifyoucanrelease
youranger,feelthepain,andmovethroughthepain,youcandis
coverthemostimportantemotionofall,love. Hereareafewtipsforreleasingunhealthyemotionalbaggage:
aCloseyoureyesandnoticeanysensationofdiscomfortinyourchest,stomachandabdomen,orinanyotherpartofyourbody. aDoyourbesttoputanamethatrelatestoafeeling,suchassadness
(“Ifeelsad”),anger(“Ifeelangry”),andsoon,onthissensation. aAllowyourselftofeel’thefullextentofyourfeelings,whether
theyareanger,resentment,jealousy,guilt,shame,sadness,or
sorrow. (Thereisasayingamongbehavioralscientists:“You
cannothealwhatyoucannotfeel.”)
aSpeakaloudorwritedownthenameofthissensationorfeeling. Trytounderstandwhatcausedit.Seewhethertheremightbe
otherfeelingsunderneaththisonethatmaybeencouragingtheexpressionofthisfeeling. Tofurtherhelpyoureleaseangerandemotionalbaggage,youmightwanttotrythefollowingactivities:
aWritedownallyouwantaboutyournegativeemotionalexperi
enceuntilyoufeelyouhaveexpressedallyouneedtosay. aShoutoutloudatthetopofyourlungseverythingrelatedto
yournegativeemotionalexperiencewhileyouaredrivingin
yourcarwiththewindowsrolledup(sonobodycanhearyou). ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem161
*Takeaplasticbaseballbatandstrikeapillowasoftenand
ashardasyoulike,orpunchorkickapunchingbag,whilerepeatingoutloudanangry,emotionallychargedphrasethatisappropriatetoyouranger. (Isuggestyoudothisinaroomor
areawherenoonecandisturbyou,andviceversa.) *Performanyotherphysicalactivity,includingliftingweightsoraerobics,whileyoufocusonreleasingangerandotherunhealthyemotions.Thisprocesscanbecatharticandhealing.Rememberthatthewordemotioncomesfromthewordemote,whichmeanstomoveout.Movingyourbodycanoftenhelp
angerandotheremotionalbaggagetomoveoutofyourbodyandbereleased. *Seekprofessionalcounselingortherapy. *Ifyou’vegonebeyondtheangertofeelyourpain,youmaynotice
tearsflowingautomaticallyfromyoureyesasyoufeelandrelease
yourpain.Underthesecircumstances,thereleaseofpainwhile
youcrycanbeextremelybeneficialforyourhealingsystem. Love:TheMostPowerfulEmotionofAll
Loveisthemostpowerfulandimportantemotionintheworld.It
isthegreatestsourceofnourishment,strength,andenergyforyourhealingsystem.Lovecanbeawakenedbyoutsideforces,butitstrueoriginsemanatefromthemysteriousdepthsofyourownheart.Love
isconnectedtothecreativeforcesoftheuniverse,andforthisreason
itcanexistbeyondthebordersofyourmindandbody,andextend
toeveryhumanheart.‘Wherethereislove,thereishealing,evenin
thefaceofdevastatingdiseaseandlife’smosthorrendoustrials,tribulations,andsuffering.Sincethedawnofcivilization,wisemenandsages,mysticsandphilosophers,poets,artists,andhealershavealldeclaredthatlove
isthemostpowerfulhealingforceintheworld.Thankstonewmedicalresearch,scientistsanddoctorsarenowbeginningtoacknowledgetheaccuracyofthisview.Studiesnowshowthatpeoplewhoreporthavingmoreloveintheirlives,evenifthatlove
iscomingoniyfromtheirpetdogorcat,livelongerandsufferfromfewerdiseases.InthewordsofDr.BernieSiegel,“Loveisthemostpowerfulknownstimulantofthehumanimmunesystem.”Inthe
162 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
wordsofTheAmericanHolisticMedicalAssociation’scharterdeclaration,“Loveisthemostpowerfulmedicineintheworld!”
Loveisstrongerthanfear.Infact,loveovercomesallfearsanddoubts.Wheneverfearsanddoubtsgetthebetterofyou,immedi
atelyshiftyourattentiontolovingthoughts.Startentertainingthoughtsofloveforyourself,yourfamilyandfriends,yourpets,andwhoeverandwhateverisnearanddeartoyou.Continuetofocuson
thatwhichyoulove.Ifyoucan’tfindanything,it’stimetogetout
youremotionalshovelandstartdiggingthroughthelayersofgarbagethatmaybecoveringupyourheart.Keepdigginguntilyoureachit.Thereyouwillfindloveasithasalwaysbeen:evercomforting,everhealing,powerful,generous,timeless,andeternal. Loveistheessentialnatureofyoursoul.Whenyouareinpainandfeelingbad,eitherinbody,mind,orspirit,rememberthis.If
youhavetriedeverythingelseandnothinghashelpedyousofar,trylove.Itwillhealyou! LaughterandHumorAretheBestMedicine
Whenyouarelaughing,youfeelhappyandjoyful.Thispositivementalandemotionalstatehasbeenclinicallyandscientificallyproventohavetremendoushealth-enhancingeffectsonyourbody,workinglikeanelixironyourhealingsystem.I’vemetpeoplewellintotheireighties,nineties,andbeyond,who,fromahealthstandpoint,dideverythingwrong.Theysmoked,
theydrank,theyoverate,andtheydidn’texercise.Whattheydidright,however,waslearnhowtolaughandnottakelifeorthemselvestooseriously.ThiswasthecasewithNormanCousins,well-knownauthorofAnatomyofanIllness,who,whilesufferingfromapainful,incurablecondition,discoveredthatafterjust15minutesofsolidbellylaughterwhilehewatchedcomedymovies,he
gottwohoursofpain-freesleep.Heeventuallywentontocompletelyhealhimself,eradicatingalltracesofillnessfromhisbodybyfollowingthisprescriptionoflaughter.Humorandlaughteralsoactivatethebody’snaturalpain-controlmechanismsthatreleaseendorphinsandenkephalins,powerfulopiate
likeneurochemicalsproducedbythebrain.Laughtercanrelaxthe
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem163
mindandbodyandnotonlyneutralizetheeffectsofthefight-or-flightresponse,butenergizeandactivateyourhealingsystem,aswell. Thisiswhywell-knownphysicianssuchasDrs.PatchAdamsandBernieSiegeladvocatethehealth-enhancingbenefitsoflaughingregularlyandcultivatingasenseofhumorinyourlife. AHumorousRx
Toincreaseyourlaughterandfun,andtostrengthenyoursenseofhumor,trythefollowingprescription:
~Watchcomedymoviesorcomedytelevisionshowsonetotwotimesaweek.Ifyouhaven’tseenthemoviePatchAdams,star
ringRobinWilliams,Ihighlyrecommendit. *Watchstandupcomedians,eitherinpersonoronTV
*Readthecomicsectionor“funnies”regularlyinthenewspaper,andcomedybooksandmagazines. *Watchcartoonshowswithyourchildren,grandchildren,orfriends,orrentaDisneyanimatedmovietowatchbyyourselfif
youlivealone.GotoDisneylandorDisneyWorld,ortoyourlocalamusementorthemeparkasoftenaspossible. *Playwithchildrenasoftenaspossible. *Remembertoletoutthechildwithinyou. StressandYourHealingSystem
Stressinterferessignificantlywiththeperformanceofyourbody’shealingsystem.Stressstimulatesandactivatesyoursympatheticnervoussystem,whichinitiatesthefight-or-flightresponse.Recall
thatwhenthefight-or-flightresponseisactivated,adrenalineisreleased,whichcausesexcitationandincreasedactivityinyourbody.Bloodflow,nutrients,andenergyareshuntedawayfromyourbody’sinternalorgansanddispatchedtothelargemusclesofmove
mentinyourarmsandlegssoyoucanfightorflee.Undertheseconditions,healingandrepairmechanismsareputonhold,and
withdiminishedbloodflow,nutrients,andenergy,yourhealingsystemtendstobogdownandfunctionpoorly.Repeatedstresscan
164 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
havedamagingeffectsonyourbodysuchaselevatingbloodpressure
todangerouslevels,restrictingbloodflowtotheheart,andcreatinginflammatorylesionsinthestomachandintestines.Stresscreates
moreworkforyourhealingsystemandcanovertaxyourbody’sheal
ingresources. Onedefinitionofstressisinformationoverload—toomuchinformationcomingintoourlivestooquickly,whichcanoverwhelmus.Althoughtherehasalwaysbeenstressassociatedwiththehumancondition,todayfarmoreinformationiscomingatusfrom
moredirections,andatamuchfasterratethaninthepast.Itisdif
ficulttodecidewhichinformationisimportantandwhichisnot. Yourlifeoftendependsontakingpromptandresponsibleactionbasedoncorrectinformation,andtoomuchinformationcompli
catesandconfusesthisprocess.Informationoverloadiscreating
morestressformorepeoplethaneverbefore.Stressalsoseemstoincreaseasthepaceoflifeincreasesaround
us,resultinginhurriedandfrenziedactivity.Theincreasedspeed
andpaceofourmodernlifestylescontributestomoretensionand
stressaroundusaswerushtomeetmoredeadlinesforanincreasingnumberofresponsibilitiesandactivities.Anotherdefinitionofstressisasenseofisolation:isolationfromfriends,family,community,theworld,yourself,oryourhigherSelf. Thisisolationmayhavenothingtodowithphysicallocation.Evenin
themiddleofasprawlingmetropolissuchasNewYorkCity,people
canfeelisolated,disconnected,andlonely.Wecanperhapsbetterunderstandthestressofisolationbyexaminingthepopularsaying“Nomanisanisland.”Becausemanisinherentlyasocialcreature,toremainaloneorisolatedforlongperiodsisstressful.Prisonsapplythisprinciplewhentheysubjecttroublesomeprisonerstosolitaryconfine
mentastheultimateformofdisciplineandpunishment.Becauseofthepotentiallydamagingeffectsandnegativeinfluence
ofstressonyourhealingsystem,learninghowtorest,relax,and
managestresseffectivelyiscriticaltoyourhealth.Stress-managementtechniquesactivatethe“relaxationresponse,”whichcompletelyneutralizesanddisarmsthefight-or-flightresponse.Thesetechniquesworkwithyourhealingsystemtohelpactivaterepairmechanisms
thatcanreversetheeffectsofchronic,stress-relateddiseases.Stressmanagementtechniquesandstrategiescanhelpyourbodyregain
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem165
andmaintainitsnaturalstateofhealthandvigor.Thefollowing
storydemonstratestheeffectivenessofstressmanagementinstimulatingthehealingsystem. Conrad’sStoryConradwasahighlyambitiousyoungmanwhohadalwaysdone
wellinschool.Hewasclassvaledictorianinhighschoolandearnedexcellentgradesincollege.Upongraduationfromcollege,Conrad
wasplacedinaprogressivetelecommunicationscompanyasajuniorexecutive,apositioninwhichhereceivedanexcellentsalarywith
manybenefits.Heworkedlonghoursathisnewjobbecausehe
likedtheworkandwantedtomakeagoodimpressiononhisbosses.However,sincehighschool,Conradhadexperiencedincreasinglydisturbingdigestive-systemsymptomsofgasanddiarrhea.Sometimeshehadabdominalpainthatwokehimfromhissleep.Thesesymptomsintensifiedafterhegraduatedfromcollege.Bythe
timeConradcametoseemeonhistwenty-eighthbirthday,threespecialistshadalreadydiagnosedhimwithinflammatoryboweldisease.Hehadbeenplacedonaregimenofcorticosteroids,painmedications,andgastrointestinalantispasmodics.Thesemedicationsinitiallyseemedtohelp,butnowtheywerelosingtheireffectiveness
andmadehimfeeldruggedandout-of-sorts.Thesesymptomsinterferedwithhisjobperformanceandhispersonallife.WhenIsawConrad,Inoticedthatheappearedveryagitatedandrestless,inadditiontohisphysicalsymptoms.Hetoldmethat,
foraslongashecouldremember,hehadalwaysbeentenseandcouldn’trelax.IrecommendedseverallifestylechangestoConrad,includingachangeinhisdiet,andIalsotaughthimasimpletechniquetohelphimrelaxandmanagehisstress.Afterjustsixweeksofrelaxationtrainingandpractice,Conradreportedmarkedimprovementinhiscondition.Oneyearlater,he
wasoffallmedicationsandhadonlyanoccasionalflare-up.Four
yearslater,Conradisessentiallysymptomfree,exceptwhenlifebecomesparticularlytenseathomeoratwork.Havingmadetheconnectionbetweenhismindandhisbodyandhowstresscancontributetohisinflammatoryboweldisease,Conradknowsthatrelaxationandstressmanagementarenotanoption,butratheranecessityforhiscontinuedgoodhealth. 166 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
AcceptanceandAssertivenesstoReduceStress
Onekeytoreducingstressinyourlifecanbesummedupinthefamousserenityprayerthatmany12-stepprogramsuse:“Godgrantmetheseren
itytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,
andwisdomtoknowthedifference:’Thiswishinvolvesboththeacceptance
ofcertainlimitationsandrealitiesinyourlife,andthedeterminationtoimprovethoseaspectsofyourlifethatcanbechanged.Livingbythisphilosophycantakeatremendousweightoffyourshoulders,anditcanempoweryoutobetteryourlifeinmyriadways.Ratherthanrunningawayfromproblems,difficulties,orconflicts,orescapingthroughvariousunhealthydistractionssuchasalcohol,drugs,food,
sex,orotherself-destructiveandirresponsiblebehavior,beassertiveandface
yourproblemsheadontohelpreducestress.Beingassertiverequiresthink
ingpositively,usingyourresources,andheedingtheadviceofthoseyoutrust
toeffectivelydiscoverandimplementthebestsolutionsforyourproblems.Assertivenessandacceptancearepowerfulwaysforyoutoreducethe
stressinyourlife.Theyencourageamorecreative,solution-orientedapproachtolifebyenablingyoutoviewproblemsanddifficultiesaschal
lenges,educationalopportunities,andnecessarygrowthexperiencesfor
yourhighergood. Stress-ManagementMethodsandTechniques
Thefollowingprovenstress-managementmethodsaresimple,powerful,andeffective,particularlywhenyoupracticethemregularly. DeepRelaxationtoReduceYourStress
Oneofthemostpowerfulwaystofortifyyourhealingsystemistoneutralizetheeffectsofstressbylearninghowtorelaxyourmind
andbody.Becausenoneofuswereevertaughtthisskill,however,
veryfewofusknowhowtodoit.Instead,togaintemporaryrelief
fromthetensionsandpressuresaroundus,mostofushavelearned
toresorttoartificialmeansofrelaxing,suchasdrugsoralcohol.Thesesubstancescreatedependence,havesideeffects,andultimatelycanbeharmfultoourbodies. ThePowerofYourM~r,dandYourHea~ngSystem167
Relaxationisoneofthemost,ifnotthemost,importantfirst
stepsontheroadtohealing.Relaxationneutralizesandreversestheeffectsofstressandallowsyourmind,yournervoussystem,andall
thesystemsinyourbodytocooperatewithyourhealingsystem.Relaxationhelpstoinitiatehealingmechanismsthatoperatedeepwithintheorgantissuesofyourbody.Relaxationhasmanyprovenbenefits,includingtheabilitytoreducestress,lowerbloodpressure,improveimmunefunctioning,
andcalmandstabilizenervous-systemactivity,andsoitisimpor
tanttolearnthisinvaluable,essentialskill.Relaxationgoesfarbeyondsittingbackwithasix-packofBudweiserandwatchingaMonday-nightfootballgame.Whiledoingthatmightbeenjoyable,thereareother,morepowerfulwaystorelaxthatnaturallycalmandsoothebothyourmindandyourbody.Relaxationisthefoundationofotherpowerfulmind-bodytechniquesthatcansupportandnurtureyourbody’shealingsystem.Learninghowtorelaxisaseasyaslearninghowtodriveacar.Inthebeginning,allittakesisalittlepractice.Here’sadeeprelaxationtechniquethatiseasyandeffective:
~Securea15-to20-minutetimeslotforyourselfduringwhich
youcanbequietandalone. ~Makesureyouwon’tbedisturbedduringthis15-to20-minuteperiod,andthatyouhavenoresponsibilitiestoattendto—nophoneorpagertoanswer,nodiaperstochange,nostoveor
oventoturnoff.Findaroomwhereyoucanclosethedoorand
befreefromalldistractions. (Youmightneedtowearearplugs
orheadphonesifitisnoisy.) ~Liedownonabedoronthefloor,makingsureyouareinacomfortablepositiononyourback.Youmayneedtoplaceblari
ketsorpillowsunderyourknees,head,andback.Makesureyou
arenotcold. Note:Beforeyouproceed,youwillfindithelpfultogetasmalltaperecorderandrecordyourvoiceasyoureadtheremaininginstructions
outloud,slowlyandcalmly.Afteryouhaverecordedthisexercise,youwillhaveyourownrelaxationtape.Youcanliedownandletyourownwordsguideyouthroughdeeprelaxationanytimeyouwish. 168 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
oKeepyourhandsalongthesideofyourbody,withyourpalmsfacingup,orfoldyourhandsontopofyourstomachandabdomen.Gentlycloseyoureyesandbringyourawarenessinsideofyourbody. oNoticeintheareaofyourstomachandabdomentheslightup-and-downmovementthatoccurswiththemovementofyourbreathasitflowsinandoutofyourbody.Whenthebreath
flowsintoyourbody,yourstomachandabdomengentlyrise,gentlyexpand.Whenthebreathflowsoutofyourbody,yourstomachandabdomengentlyfall,gentlycontract. oWithouttryingtocontroltherateordepthofthismovement,allowyourmindtobeapassiveobserveroftherhythmicalflow
ofyourbreathasitmovesinandoutofyourbody,causingyourstomachandabdomentoriseandfall. oEverytimethebreathleavesyourbody,feelallthemusclesin
yourbodyreleasingtensionandbecomingmorerelaxed. (Note:
Anaturalrelaxationphaseoccursinyourbodyduringeachexhalationofthebreath.Whenyoupaycloseattentiontoyourbodyanditsbreathingprocesses,youcanfeelthisrelaxationphasequitedistinctly.) oNowbringyourawarenessdowntoyourfeetandtoes.Using
yourbreathandthenaturalrelaxationphasethatoccursduringeachexhalation,gentlyrelaxallthemusclesinyourfeetandtoes. oRelaxallthemusclesinyourankles,lowerlegs,knees,thighs,hips,pelvicarea,buttocks,andlowerspine. oRelaxallthemusclesinyourstomach,abdomen,andchest,as
wellasthemusclesinyourmiddleandupperback,including
theareabetweenyourshoulderblades. oRelaxallthemusclesinyourshoulders,arms,forearms,wrists,hands,fingers,andfingertips. oRelaxallthemusclesinthebackofyourneckandhead,and
thoseonthetopofyourhead. oRelaxyourforehead,andallthemusclesaroundyoureyes,ears,
andjaws,andallthemusclesinyourface. oRelaxallthemusclesinyourbody. ThePowerofYourMindandYourHeaflngSystem169
*Nowslowlybringyourawarenesstothetipofyournose,where
thebreathisflowinginandoutofyourbodythroughyournos
trils. •Withouttryingtocontroltherateordepthorthemovement,noticethegentleflowingmovementofyourbreathasitcomes
inandoutofyourbodyatthispoint. aObservethebreathasifitwereseparatefromyou. •Asyoucontinuetoobserveyourbreathingforatleast5tolOminutes,letyourmindandbodyrelaxcompletely. Afteryoucompletethisexercise,gentlyopenyoureyesandstretchyourentirebody.Makesurenottorushtoyournextactiv
ity~Takethetimetosavorthecalmandrelaxedstateyouhavejustexperienced.Knowthatthisisnotanartificialorcontrivedstate,
butratheryournaturalstateofbeing.Focusonremaininginthis
calmandrelaxednaturalstatethroughouttheday,untilthenext
timeyouareabletodothisexercise.Practicingthisexerciseregularlybringsthemosteffectivebenefits. HowDeepRelaxationStrengthensandRechargesYourHealingSystem
Deeprelaxationquietsdownthenervoussystemandslowsmetabolicprocessesinthebodysothatthehealingsystemcandoitsworkunimpeded.Withtheseobstaclesremoved,yourhealingsystemcanperformmoreefficientlyandeffectively.Becausethehealingsystemfunctionsbestinaquiet,calmenvironment,deeprelaxationisoneof
themostpowerfultechniquesforstrengtheningyourhealingsystem.Otherbenefitsofdeeprelaxationincludethefollowing:
aYouwillfeelmorerelaxedthroughouteachday,andyouwillfeel
morepeacefulfromwithin,evenduringdifficultandstressfulsituations. •Youwillbecomemuchmoreawareofstressfulsituationsand
theireffectsonyourbody.Youwilllearnhowtoavoidunneces
sarystressandhowtomanagestressmoreeffectivelybyrememberingyournaturalrelaxedstate. 170 YourExtraordinaryHeahngSystem
oYouwillbecomemuchmoreawareoftheharmfulconsequences
ofsuchemotionsasfearandangerinyourbody,andyouwill
beabletomovethroughandreleasefearandangermuchmoreeffectivelyandswiftlythroughyourabilitytorelax. oYouwillhavemoreenergythroughoutyourday.Stresswastes
energyandcausesfatigueinyourbody.Themorerelaxedyou
are,thelessfatigueyouwillexperienceinyourlife.Releasingtensionandbecomingmorerelaxedfreesuptremendousamountsofnaturalenergyinyourbody. oRelaxationeliminatestensionanddecreasespain.Ifyouhaveachronicmedicalproblemthatcausespersistentpain,youwillexperiencelesspainthroughthepracticeofregularrelaxation. oIfyousufferfromanxiety,phobias,orevendepression,youwill
mostlikelyseeimprovementintheseareasinarelativelyshortperiodoftime. oDeeprelaxationstimulatesyourhealingsystemandactivates
deepinternalprocessesofhealing. Asyoucansee,deeprelaxationwillbenefityouinmanyways,physically,mentally,andemotionally.BreathingtoReduceYourStress
Becauseyourbreathisthelinkbetweenyourmindandyourbody,workingwithyourbreathisoneofthemostpowerfulstress-managementmodalitiesknown.Whenyouarementallyagitated,anxious,orunderstressofanykind,yourbreathingisdisturbedandbecomesmoreshallowandrapid.Whenyouarerelaxed,yourbreathingbecomessloweranddeeper.Normally,wegoaboutouractivitieswithoutanyawarenessof
ourbreathing.However,withoutyourbreath,youcouldn’tlive. Yourexistencedependsonthecontinuousflowofoxygenthat
comesintoyourbodyfromtheairyoubreathe.Improvementinyourhealthoccurswhenyoucanbreatheina
morerelaxedandeasyway,whichwillresultfrompracticingthesimpleyetpowerfulbreathingtechniquesinthissection.Deepbreathingincreaseslungcapacityandbuildsupthestrengthofyourrespiratorysystem,creatingmoreefficientbreathing.Efficient,relaxed
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHeaNngSystem 171
breathingbringsinmoreenergyforhealingandregenerationfor
thesetwocriticalreasons:
1.Withimprovedbreathingcomesincreasedoxygenationoftheblood.Increasedoxygenationofthebloodmeansgreateroxygendeliverytoeverycell,organ,andtissueinyourbody. 2.Asyourbreathbecomesmoreefficient,smooth,andrelaxed,thereisacalmingeffectonyourbrainandnervoussystem,whichreducesoverallmentalandphysicaltension. Inapowerfulway,bothofthesefactorsworksynergisticallytorelievefatigueandcreatemoreenergyinyourbody,improvingthefunctioningandperformanceofyourhealingsystem. BreathingExercise#1:BreathAwareness
~Findaquietplacewhereyoucanbealonefor10tol5minutes.Makesureyouareabsolutelyfreeofallobligationsandresponsibilitiesduringthistimeslot.
Extraordinary_Healing_-_the_amazing_power_of_your_body_s_secret_healing_system.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        HowYourMindAffectsYourHealingSystem
Yourmindworksthroughyourbrainandnervoussystem,generatingthoughtsthatareconvertedintoelectricalimpulses. Theseelectricalimpulsestravelthroughthemanynervesthataredistributedtothevarious
organsandtissuesofyourbody,inmuchthesamewayaselectricitymovesthroughwires. Forexample,whenyouwanttomoveyourarm,beforetheactualmovement, athoughtisfirstgeneratedinyourmindthatcauseselectricalimpulsestostimulatespecificnervesthatwillinturndirectthemusclesin
yourarmtocontract. Thissequenceofeventsresultsinmovementinyour
arm. Thepartofyournervoussystemthatisresponsibleforthistypeofmovementisknownasthevoluntarynervoussystembecausethemovement
isvoluntarilybroughtintoactionbyyourownconsciousthinking. Anotherpartofyournervoussystem,however,knownastheinvoluntary
nervoussystem,orautonomicnervoussystem,ismorewide-reachinginitsdistributionandmorepowerfulinitsinfluenceoveryourbody’sinternalenvironment. Theautonomicnervoussystemregulatessuchcriticalbiologi
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHea’ingSystem137
calfunctionsasyourheartbeat,yourbreathing,yourbloodpressure,yourdigestiveprocesses,yourperspiration,yourvision,youreliminationofwasteproducts,andmanyothers. Withintheautonomicnervoussystemarethesympatheticandparasympatheticbranches. Thesympatheticbranchincreasesactivityandmovement
inyourbody;thisbranchisresponsibleforthewell-kn6wnfight-or-flightresponse. Thefight-or-flightresponseoccurswhenyouarefeelingthreat
enedorareexperiencingstress,anditcanbeinitiatedbythoughtsoffear,
worry,anxiety,panic,andanger. Itcanbemeasuredbyanincreaseinheart
rate,oxygenconsumption,breathing,bloodpressure,andbloodflowtothe
largemusclesoflocomotioninyourlegsandarms. Thesephysiologicalchangesarebeneficialtohelpyou“fightorflee”duringacrisisoremergency,
buttheyalsoservetoinhibittheactivitiesofyourhealingsystem,whichgenerallyrequiresamorequietandrelaxedinternalenvironmentwithinwhich
tooperate. Additionally,whenthefight-or-flightresponseiselicitedrepeat
edly,orprolongedoveralengthyperiod,itcanproveharmfulanddamaging
toyourbodybecauseitcreatestoomuchworkforyourhealingsystem. Theparasympatheticbranchoftheautonomicnervoussystemcounterbalancesthesympatheticnervoussystemandthefight-or-flightresponsebyproducingacalmingeffectonyourbody. Thisbranchisassociatedwithstates
ofrest,relaxation,repair,regeneration,andhealing. Thoughtsthatactivatetheparasympatheticnervoussystemincludethoseofrelaxation,peace,love,serenit>charmony,andtranquility. Intheseways,yourmindplaysapivotalrolenotjustindirectingthemovementofcertainmusclesinyourbody,but,farmoreimportantly,ininflu
encingandmodifyingthephysiologicalprocessesofyourinternalenvironmentinwaysthathaveadirecteffectonyourhealingsystem. Becauseyourbraincanprocessapproximately600to800thoughtseveryminute,youcanseewhatanenormousimpactyourthinkingandmental
activitycanhaveonthehealthofyourbody. MindasHealer,MindasKiller
Youcanuseyourmindforyourbody’sultimatehealthandhealing,or
youcanuseitinawaythatturnsagainstyoutothedetrimentofyourhealth. Yourmindandyourthoughtscancauserealphysiological
138 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
changesinyourbody,astheplaceboeffectdemonstrates. Ifyoulearnto
useyourmindtocooperatewithyourbody’shealingsystem,itcanbe
yourhealingsystem’smostpowerfulally,aloyalservantandfriend. If
youdonotusethemproperly,yourmindandthoughts,throughthereleaseofpowerfulneuropeptides,hormones,andelectricalnervestimulation,canweakenanddamageyourbody’shealth,interferewith
yourhealingsystem,andcauseprematurephysicaldeterioration,dis
ease,andevenyourultimatedemise. Ifitisnotproperlytrainedand
used,yourmindcanbecomeadefiniteliability,provetobeyourworst
enemy,an4evenkillyou. ThefollowingstoryaboutJerrj~oneofmypatients,demonstratesthecrucialprinciplethatlearninghowtouse
yourmindforthebenefitofyourbody’shealthandwell-beingcanliterallymeanthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath. JerrywasatiresalesmanfromasmalltowninTexas. Hewasin
hisearlysixtiesandhadalreadysufferedfromonenear-fatalheartattackjustayearearlier. Hewasluckytobealive. Hiscardiologisthadplacedhimonrestrictedactivitiesuntilfurthernotice. However,JerrycouldnotresisttheofferofspendingtheweekendwithhisbuddiesinasmallhuntingcabininthemountainsofColorado. Eventhoughhehaddecidedtogoonthetripwithoutlettinghisdoctorknow,hetoldhimselfhewouldtakeiteasyandnotdisobey
hisdoctor’sorders. Hewouldnotpushhimselfordoanythingstren
uousthatmightinjurehisheart. However,becauseoftheincreasedaltitudeinthemountainswhereJerrywasstaying,theoxygenwasalittlethinnerthanhewas
usedto—somethinghehadforgottentotakeintoaccount. Ashe
wasreturningtohiscabinoneeveningafteranuphillstroll,hebegantofeelthefamiliarchestpainandpressurethatsignaledanotherheartattackcomingon. Atthatmoment,Jerrymadeaconsciousdecisiontousethe
powerofhismindtoavertapossibleheartattack. Hesimplytoldhimself,“Irefusetohaveanotherheartattack. ”Hismindwassoabsolutelycommittedtoavoidingthedreadedexperienceofhaving
aheartattackagainthathissymptomssubsided,andhispainwent
away. Hehasneverhadanotherproblemwithhisheartsincethat
day. Ofthatday,Jerrytoldme,“Doc,Ijustmadeupmymindthat
itwasn’tgoingtohappentomeagain. Isimplyrefusedtohaveanotherheartattack. ”
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem139
StorieslikeJerry’sarenotuncommon,andtheydemonstrate
that,whenconstructivelyapplied,yourmindcanbeapowerfulally
ofyourbody’shealingsystem. Yourhealingsystemisprogrammed
tolistentoyourmind,soitisimportanttobeconsciousofthethoughtsandmessagesyoumaybesending. TheMerry-Go-RoundandtheSorry-Go-Round
Everyday,researchersarediscoveringmorewaysthatyourmindand
bodyareconnectedandinfluenceeachother. Theintimaterelation
shipbetweenyourmindandyourbodyaffectsyourhealthinmany
ways. Forexample,peoplewhoarehappy,emotionallybalanced,
andsociallywell-adjustedenjoybetterhealthandaresicklessoften. Whenyouareinagoodmoodandfeelinggoodaboutyourself,youwillmostlikelywanttotakebettercareofyourbody;eatwhole
some,nourishingfood;taketimetoexercise;getenoughsleepand
rest;andparticipateinotherlife_promotingactivitiesthatwillcontributetoyourbody’soverallhealth. Alternatively,ifyoubecomedepressed,orifyourspiritsarelow,youwillnothavetheenergyto
takeverygoodcareofyourself. Youmaynotfeellikeexercisingregularly,whichcanweakenyourcardiovascularsystemandpossibly
causeyoutogainweightasaresultofinactivity. Allthiscanputyou
atriskforheartdisease,diabetes,highbloodpressure,andotherdis
eases. Oryoumaynoteathealthilyordrinkenoughfluids,which
canleadtoexcessiveweightlossandvitamin,mineral,andothernutrientdeficiencies,leavingyouweakanddehydrated,vulnerable
todisease. Youmaynotbatheasregularlyasyoushould,whichcan
leadtoskininfections,andthepossibilityofotherinfections,as
well. Depressioncancreatestressandanxiety,whichcanhaveafur
thernegativeimpactonyourhealth. Allofthesefactorshaveanegativeinfluenceonyourhealingsystem. Inthesamewaythatyourbodyispowerfullyinfluencedbyyourmind,yourmindisalsoinfluencedbyyourbody. Forexample,whenyouarefeelingphysicallyfit,exercisingregularly,eatinggoodfood,gettingadequatesleepandrest,andfeelingrelaxed,yourmentalfacultieswillbesharperandclearer,andyourattitudeandoutlookonlifewillbeinspiredandenthusiastic. Conversely,certain
140 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
physicalailmentssuchasanemia,thyroiddysfunction,nutritionaldeficiencies,andinsomniaareknowntocausementalfatigue,lethargy,anxietyandalteredmoodstates. Hallucinationsandmentalpsychosiscanoccurwithelectrolyteimbalancecausedbyextremedehydration,heatstroke,orkidneydysfunction. Thatchronicpaincanleadtomentaldepressionisalsowell-known. Even
acold,cough,orflucanmakeyoufeellowandaffectyourattitude. Additionally,whenyoufeelbadphysically,youcaneasilybecomefrightenedandanxious. Underconditionsofimpairedphysicalhealth,mentalhealthisadverselyaffected,anditisnotuncommon
forthoughtsofimpendingdoom,prolongedsuffering,andevendeathtoaccompanysuchillnesses,especiallyiftheillnessesaremore
severeorprolonged. Whetheryoubeginwithpoorphysicalhealththatcreatespoormentalhealth,orpoormentalhealththatcreatespoorphysicalhealth,youcangetcaughtinaharmfulcyclewithoutevenrealizingwhatishappening, acyclethatcanbedifficulttobreak. Withthe
poorhealthofyourbodypullingyourminddown,andyourlow
eredmoodanddepressedmentalhealthadverselyaffectingyourbody,youcantumbledown,down,downinacontinuingspiralofincreasedsufferingonbothmentalandphysicallevels,intoworsen
ingphysicalandmentalhealth. ThiscycleisknownastheSorry-Go-Round. TheSorry-Go-RoundisatermIliketousetodescribethedownwardspiralingcycle
thatoccurswhenpoorphysicalhealthaffectsyourmentalhealth,whichaffectsyourphysicalhealth,whichaffectsyourmentalhealth,
andsoon. Butthiscyclealsocanfirstbeginwithyourmentalhealthaffectingyourphysicalhealth. Thepointisnotwhichcamefirst—thephysicalormentalproblem. Itisthattheyfeedoffeachotherand
createaharmfuldownward-spiralingcyclethatisdifficulttobreak. Throughthepowerofyourmind,youcanbecomeawareofthisharmfulcyclewhenitafflictsyou,and,onceyouareawareofit,you
cansuccessfullybreakitbyimplementingpositive,beneficialchangesonbothphysicalandmentallevelsinatwo-prongedapproach(bothphysicalandmental)thatwillleadyoutowhatIcall
the“Merry-Go-Round. ”TheMerry-Go-Rounddescribestheoppositestate,inwhich
yourmindandbodyarecooperatingwitheachotherinapositive
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem141
wayforyouroptimumhealth. ContrarytotheSorry-Go-Round,inwhichadownwardspiralingeffectofcontinuednegativementalattitudesanddegeneratingphysicalhealthoccurs,intheMerry-Go-Round,anupwardspiralingeffectofpositivementalandenhancedphysicalhealthperpetuatesitself. ‘Whenyourbodyfeelshealthy,yourmindfeelsgood. Whenyourmindfeelsgood,yourbodyisalsolikelytofeelhealthier. Whenyoufeelgoodphysically,
thisupliftsyourmoodandcontributestoapositivementalstate. Apositivementalstatehelpstoinspirelife-affirming,positive,optimisticthoughtsthatwillhavebeneficialeffectsonyourbody’sphysiology~Thiskindofpositiveinteractioniswhatyourhealingsystemthriveson. TheMerry-Go-RoundstrengthensandnourishesyourhealingsystemsothatitcanperformatmaximumcapacityThisisoneof
themostobviousreasonsyouwanttorideontheMerry-Go-Round,
or,ifyouhavefallenoff,togetbackonassoonasyoucan. Youcan
takedefinitemeasurestoensurethatyourideontheMerry-Go-Round. Afewaresuggestedheretogetyoustarted. Remember, atwo-prongedapproachthatimplementsbothmentalandphysicalstrategiesworksbest. ~Exercisecanbeanimportantstrategytohelpyougetbackon
theMerry-Go-Roundifyourmentalhealthandspiritsarecurrentlylowandslumping. Ifyouoralovedonesuffersfromdepression,studieshaveshownthatexercisecanhelpovercome
thisproblem. Thisisjustoneexampletodemonstratethattheimprovementinphysicalhealthoftenresultsintheimprove
mentofmentalhealth. *Stress-managementtechniques,whichyouwillbereadingaboutshortly,canhelpyouavoidtheknee-jerktendencytobecomefearful,anxious,andscatterbrainedinthefaceofdailyproblems,andtheyareanotherpowerfulwaytostayontheMerry-Go-Round. *PositivelyprogrammingyourmindforhealthandhealingisanotherimportantmethodtohelpyougetontheMerry-GoRound. Thischapterdescribesseveralpracticalstrategiesthat
arebasedonthisimportantprinciple. 142 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
ThehealthofyourhealingsystemdependsonyourabilityanddeterminationtogetofftheSorry-Go-RoundandgetontheMerry-Go-Round. Inthischapter,you’lllearnvariouswaystodothis,and
toenhanceandstrengthenyourhealingsystemsoitcandoitsjobeffectivelyandefficiently. Psychoneuroimmunology andYourHealingSystemPsychoneuroimmunology,knownasPNIforshort,isanimportantnewfieldofmedicalsciencethatstudiestheinteractionbetweenyourmindandyourimmunesystem. Newfindingsinthisfieldhaveadirectbearingonunderstandinghowyourhealingsystemworksbecause,asyouknow,yourimmune
systemislinkedtoyourhealingsysteminthedefenseofyourbody. Yourhealingsystemcollaborateswithyourimmunesystemanddependsonthe
healthofyourimmunesystemtofunctionatitsbest. Youmayrecallthatyourhealingsystemandyourimmunesystemaredecidedlydifferent,andtheyalsohavecertainsimilarities. Onesimilarityis
thattheybothareaffectedbyyourthoughts,emotions,attitudes,andtheactivitiesofyourmind. Rigorousandinnovativescientificinvestigationinpsychoneuroimmunol
ogyishelpingustounderstandmoreaboutthewonderfulhealingresources
thatexistwithinus. Italsoishelpingustolaytorestseveralkey,erroneous
mythsabouthowourbodiesfunctioninrelationtoourminds. Onemyth
wasthatwhatgoesoninthemindhasabsolutelynothingwhatsoevertodo
withwhatgoesoninthebody,whichwastaughttoyoungdoctorsinmed
icalschoolsforseveralhundredyears. Tosupportthiserroneousnotion,it
wasfurtherbelievedthattheimmunesystem,whichmanagesthebody’sdefenses,functionedcompletelyindependentofthebrain. But,thankstoseveralimportantdiscoveriesbyresearchersworkinginthefieldofpsychoneuroimmunolog~theseoutdatedbeliefshavefinallybeenprovenwrong. Thereisnowunequivocalproofthatyourmindtalksdirectlytoyourimmunesystem. Thisnewunderstandingisbasedonthefollowingfindings:
oSpecializedreceptorsitesforneumtransmitters,whicharechemicalsproducedbythebrain,arenowknowntoexistonspecificwhitebloodcells. oTinynerveshavebeendiscoveredthatareconnectedtothelymphnodes. Thisdiscoveryprovidesconcreteevidencethattheimmunesystemand
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem143
lymphnodes,whichcontainwhitebloodcells,aredirectlyconnectedto
thenervoussystemandthebrain. *Powerfulhormoneshavebeendiscoveredthatareproducedandsecretedbyspecificwhitebloodcells. Thismeansthattheimmune
systemtalkstotheendocrinesystemanddirectlyparticipatesinone’semotionalexperience. Theseadvancesinpsychoneuroimmunologylendfurtherscientificevidence
towhatHippocratesandotherancientphysiciansandhealershavebeen
tellingusforthousandsofyears:thatapositivementalandemotionalstate
canimprovethebody’sabilitytohealitself. PracticalStrategiesforUsingYourMind
toStrengthenYourHealingSystem
Yourmindisyourhealingsystem’smostvaluableandpowerfulally,
andsoitisimportanttolearnhowtomaximizeyourmind’sincred
iblepower. Thefollowingtechniquesandstrategiescanhelpyoufocusanddirectyourmindtostrengthenyourhealingsystem. PositiveMentalProgramming
Pilotshaveoneofthemostdangerous,difficult,responsibility-laden
jobsintheworld. Becausethelivesofmanypeopleareintheirhands,theirsoundphysicalandmentalhealthisoftheutmostimportance. Asaconsequence,boththepsychologicalandphysical
examsforpilotsareamongthemostmeticulousandcloselyscruti
nizedofanyoccupationintheworld. Whenpilotsaretrained,they
gothroughaformofmentaltrainingthatincludesprogrammingtheirmindsintoaspecific,success-orientedmode. Pilotsmustfocus
theirthoughtprocessesoncreatingstrategic,action-orientedbehav
iorsthatwillresultinapositiveoutcomeandnothingelse. Pilotsdo
nothavetheluxuryofentertainingthoughtsthatwillcontributeto
anegativeoutcomeduringtheflyingmission. Airplanesmovefast. Ifpilotsmakemistakes,evensmallones,intheblinkofaneyethosemistakescanbefatal,notonlyforthepilots,butfortheflightcrew
andpassengers,aswell. 144 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Nowhereistheimportanceofthismentaltrainingforpilots
moreapparentthanduringlanding. Landingaplaneisoneofthe
mostchallenginganddifficultaspectsofflyinganyaircraft. Upondescentandbeforelanding,pilotssettheirsightsfortherunwaywhiletheyarecommunicatingwiththecontroltower. Justastheywilllineuptheirairplanesalongacertainapproachtotherunway,theyhavealreadyfocusedtheirmindsonaspecifictrainofthoughtsthatentertainonlyapreselectedsequenceofdecisionsandactions
thatwillproduceasuccessfullanding. Someflexibilityisrequired,
ofcourse,butallthoughtsduringthisperiodmustbefocusedon
thepositiveoutcomeofasafeandsuccessfullanding. Pilotscannotentertainanyunproductivethoughtsthatcouldpossiblyresultinanegativeoutcome. Ifpilotsweretoentertainsuchfoolishthoughts,
thesheerweightoftheirdistractivepowerswouldmostlikelyresult
inacrash. Akindofself-fulfillingprophecywouldmostlikely
ensue. Entertainingnegativethoughtswouldpreventthepilotsfromfocusingontheconstructivethoughtsthatarenecessarytoexecute
thepreciseskillfulmovementsrequiredforsuccessfullandings. Intheworldofhealthandhealing,asinflying,thekeyrolethat
yourmindplaysindetermining apositive,successfuloutcome
cannotbeoverstated. Whenitcomestoyourhealth,yousimplydo
nothavetheluxuryofentertainingnegativethoughtsornegativeoutcomes. Justlikeapilot,youneedtosetyoursightsonapositiveoutcome,believethatoutcomeispossibleforyou,andthenacton
thatbelief,refusingtoallowanyunhealthythoughtsofdiseaseandsufferingtodistractyoufromyourgoal. Yourhealingsystemneeds
thispositivethinkingtofunctionatitsbestandkeepyourbodyand
allitssystemsrunningsmoothly. Withoutthenourishmentandfuel
ofpositivethinking,yourhealingsystemwillbecome“distracted”fromitscriticalroleinmaintainingyourhealthandwell-being,and
itwillnotbeabletofunctionproperly. Forexample,Ifyoucomedownwitharespiratoryinfectionor
anyotherillness,andyouwanttogetbetter,focusyourmindonbeinghealthyagainbyimplementingthefollowingmentalstrategies:
~Setyoursightsfirmlyonthegoalofbeinghealthyagain. nMentallyrepeatthatyouwillgetbetter,andcontinuetodosountilthebeliefisfirmlyingrainedinyourmind. ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSyslem145
*Makeamentalchecklistofthingsyoucandotogetbettersoon. Forinstance,ifyouhavearespiratoryinfectionwithafever,
yourchecklistmaylooksomethinglikethis:
Callinsickforwork. Contactyourdoctor. Getplentyofrest. Drinkfluids. Avoidrich,fattyfoods. Keepwarm. Takemedicinesasneeded. Continuetosetyoursightsonyourgoalofbeinghealthy,mentallyrepeatingthisgoalasoftenasyoucan. *Ifyoucutyourfingerandarebleedingprofusely,thesamementalprogrammingwouldapply,onlythechecklistwoulddiffersomewhat:
Findacleancloth,cottonball,orbandage,andapplydirectpressuretothewound. Placeyourhandaboveyourhearttoreducebloodpressureandbleeding. Oncebleedinghasstabilized,contactfamilymembersorfriendstoinformthemofyourinjury. Ifthewoundneedsprofessionalattention,seekimmediatemedicalcare. Ifyouareseenbyahealthprofessional,followhis/herordersconcerningwoundcare,cleansingandbathingofthewound,
andmedicalfollow-up. Restrictactivitiesasneededtoassisttheprocessofwoundheal
ing. Continuetosetyoursightsonthehealingofyourwoundand
therestorationofyourhealth. Mentallyrepeatthisgoalasoftenasyoucan. Adaptyourpositivementalprogrammingtofittheneedsof
yourparticularsituationandcondition. Manypeoplehaveused
146 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
positivementalprogrammingsuccessfullytoovercomeevenserioushealthconditions,includingcancer,heartdisease,multiplesclerosis,
andHIV. Thefollowingstoryisagoodexampleofthepowerfuleffectsofpositivementalprogramming. Jan’sStory
Janwasdiagnosedwithbreastcancer,andeventhoughshewentthroughthegruelingtreatmentsofaradicalmastectomy,chemotherapy,andradiation,shewasgivenonlysixmonthstolive. Ratherthangivingupallhopeandbecominganothercancerstatistic,Jandecidedtoenlistthehelpofhermindtoridherbody
ofthisdreadedcondition. Shehadreadaboutotherpeopleovercominginsurmountableoddstodefeattheirdiseases,andshethoughtthat,ifitwaspossibleforthem,shemightbeabletodoit,
too. Becauseherlifewasontheline,sheplungedheadfirstintoresearchinghowshecouldpossiblyturnherhealtharound. Shecommittedherselftoprogramminghermindinapositiveway. WhileJanwasdecidingtoconcentrateonnutritionandnaturalsupplementsthatcouldbuildupherstrengthandresistance,she
alsobeganreadingbooksonhowherthoughtsandattitudescouldstimulatehealingmechanismsdeepwithinherbody,eventhoughat
thattimetheideaofahealingsystemwasvirtuallyunknown. Practicingseveralmentaltechniquesthathelpedherrelax,slowdown,stopworrying,anddevelopabettersenseofhumor,Janbegantofocusmoreonapositiveoutcome. Afterseveralmonths,
shebegantofeelmoreenergy,vitality,andstaminacomingintoherbody. Withtheseobviousphysicalsignsofimprovement,heratti
tudeimproved,andshebegantoactuallybelieveshemightbeable
tofollowinthefootstepsofotherswhohadsimilarlyovercome
cancer. Shedidallthisinspiteofthemastectomyshehadandthe
oddsthatwereweighingheavilyagainsther. Today,30yearslater,Janistotallycancerfreeandradiatesaspiritofcalmreassuranceandoptimismthatisobvioustoanyonewhomeetsher. Shehaslongoutlivedthedoctorswhofirstpronouncedherdeathsentence. Throughherdifficultjourney,Janhas
cometorealizethetremendoushealingpowerofherownmind. Sheselflesslyvolunteershertimeinassistingotherwomenwithbreast
cancer,encouragingthemnottogiveintohopelessnessanddespair,
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHeahngSystem147
but,rather,tousethebody’sgreatestallyinhealing,themind,tostrengthenandfortifytheirhealingsystemsthroughthecultivationoflife-affirming,constructivethoughtsandpositivementalattitudes. InfusingYourHealingSystemwithPositiveBeliefs
Beliefsarepowerfulthoughtsthatweholdontoandinvestwith
greatenergyasiftheyweretrue,eventhoughtheymightnotbe
true. Yourbeliefshelptoshapethewayyouthinkandviewtheworld,andoftentheyarebackedbythecollectivesupportofmanypeople,includingfamilyandfriends. Yourbeliefsarealsoreinforced
andinfluencedbymanyfactors,includingyoureducation,thebooksyouread,themedia,yourcolleagues,peers,community,reli
giouspreferences,gender,andage,andyourownpersonalthoughtsanduniquelifeexperiences. Beliefscanbepasseddownfromonegenerationtothenext. Theycanextendfarbackintime,coveringcenturies,andevenmillennia. Beliefsoftengainstrengthovertime. Themorepeoplewho
shareinasimilar,commonbelief,themorepowerfulthatbeliefbecomes. ‘Whenbeliefsbecomeheavilyinvestedwithalotoftime
andenergy,lettinggoofthemandchangingthemisdifficult,evenwhentheyarewrong. Forexample,inmedievalEurope,beforeChristopherColumbus’shistoricvoyagein1492,thebeliefwasthat
theworldwasflat,andthatifyousailedtoofarouttosea,youwouldfallofftheedgeoftheworld,Ofcourse,wenowknowthat
thisbeliefwasnottrue,butforhundredsofyears,manypeoples’liveswereaffectedbythislimitedview. Beliefsareconstructedofpowerfulthoughts,andassuchthey
canplayamajorroleindeterminingyourhealth. Beliefscansignificantlyinfluencetheperformanceofyourbody’shealingsystemthroughthepowerfulmessagestheysendtoeveryorgan,tissue,and
cellinyourbody. Ifyourbeliefsarepositive,healthy,andlifesustain
ing,theycanworktoyouradvantage. Forexample,inawell-knownstudythatlookedatHarvardUniversitygraduatesovera25-yearperiod,thosewhobelievedtheirhealthwasgoodorexcellentatthebeginningofthestudyhadsignificantlyfewerillnessesanddiseases,
farbettersurvivalstatistics,andreportedenjoyingmuchbetterhealth
attheendofthe25-yearstudyperiodthanthosewhoreportedtheirhealthasonlyfairorpoor. 148 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Thefollowingapproacheswillhelpyouinfuseyourhealingsystemwithpositivebeliefs:
oChooseapositivebeliefthatsupportsyourgoalsofimprovedhealth. Examplesmightbe“IbelieveIcanbehealed,”or“Iambecomingstrongandhealthy. ”
oRefusetoentertainbeliefsthatopposeyourpositivebeliefabout
yourhealth. oWritedownyourpositivebeliefandrepeatit,firstsayingitout
loudtoyourself,thenwhisperingit,andthenmentallyrepeat
ingitoverandoveragainasoftenasyoucan,wheneveryoucan. oReadbooks,watchmovies,andparticipateinactivitiesthatnur
ture,support,andreinforceyourpositivebeliefaboutyourhealth. Suchactivitiesmightincludeeatinghealthyfood,gettingadequatesleepandrest,goingforregularexercise,receivingmassagesonceaweek,andsoon. oSeekoutandsurroundyourselfwithpositive,optimisticpeoplewhoreinforceyourpositivebeliefaboutyourhealth. oAvoidpeoplewhoopposeyourpositivebelief. Ifyouhaveapessimistic,unsupportivedoctor,findonewhocanbemoreoptimisticandencouraging. oYoumaychooseasmanypositivehealthbeliefsasyoudesire. Negativebeliefs,whicharebasedonfearandpessimisticprojectionsconcerningyourhealth,canactuallyinterferewiththeperformanceofyourbody’shealingsystemandcanresultinharm
toyourbody. Ifyousustainsuchbeliefsoverasufficienttimeperiod,theycanevenbecomeself-fulfillingprophecies. Again,recallingDr. Eliot’sfamouswords,“Thebrainwritesprescriptions
forthebody,”thisisonlycommonsense. Forexample,ifyouthink
longandhardaboutgettingcancer,youmaybecontributingtothephysiologicalprocessesthatwillcreateatoxicinternalcellularenvi
ronmentthatcanactuallycausecellstomutateandmanifestin
cancer. Ifyouthinklongandhardaboutgettingaheartattack,yourthoughtsandbeliefscancreatetheinternalchemistrywithinyourbodythatconstrictsthecoronaryarteriesinyourheartandshuts
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem149
downthebloodsupplytoyourheartmuscles,whichcancontribute
toanactualheartattack. Eventhoughscientificresearchinthesemind-bodyinteractions
isstillrelativelynew,alargenumberofstudiesalreadyinthemed
icalliteratureconfirmtherealityofthesedestructivementalprocesses. Thegoodnewsisthatmanynewstudiesarenowshow
ingthatyoucantransformandovercomethesenegativeinfluences
byfocusingmoreonpositive,life-enhancingbeliefsandincórporat
inganoptimisticviewoftheworldintoyourbeliefs. Anexampleofthepowerofpositivebeliefsisevidentinthe
storyofAIDS. WhenAIDSwasfirstdiscovered,justthediagnosis
ofbeingHIVpositivewasenoughtokillaperson. Morethantheactualvirulenceofthevirus,thisresultwasduelargelytothefear
anddreadtheseindividualsassociatedwiththemysteriouselements
ofthevirusandthedisease. Now,peoplearebetterinformedand
notsofearfulaboutHIVandAIDS. NotonlyhasHIVlostitsdiagnosticshockvalue,butthelong-termsurvivalratesandqualityof
lifealsohaveimproveddramaticallyamongpeoplewhoareHIVpositive. Forthemostpart,thischangehascomeaboutnotsomuchthroughbreakthroughsinmiraculousmedications,butratherthroughpeoplebecomingempoweredtofightbackandreclaim
theirhealththroughachangeintheirbeliefsaboutHIV. BasketballsuperstarMagicJohnsonisonesuchexample,andtherearemanyothers. TransformingNegativeBeliefsintoPositiveBeliefs
Entertainingandholdingontobeliefsthatwillenhanceyourhealth
maynotbeeasy,especiallyifyouwereraisedinafamilyorenviron
mentthattaughtandencouragednegativebeliefs. However,youcansucceedbyfollowingthestrategiesdescribedinthischapter. Infact,manypeoplewhohaveovercomeserious,life-threaten
ingafflictionsdidsobydiscoveringthattherootsoftheirphysicalsufferingwereanchoredinthemuckofunhealthy,negativebeliefs
theyhadharboredaboutthemselvesandtheirbodiessincechildhood. Someofthemorecommonlyreportedofthesenegative
150 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
beliefsarethese:“Youareabadperson,”“Youdonotdeservelove,”“Youdonotdeservetobehappy,”“Youneedtobepunishedfor
yoursins,”“Youdeservetosufferandhavepain,”or“Theonlyway
youcanreceiveattentionorloveisifyougetill. ”
Formanypeoplewhohaveovercomeseriousillnesses,healingfromthephysicalaspectsoftheirdiseasesmeantexpungingthedis
easeatitspsychologicalroots. Theyneededtoletgoofthedeeplyingrained,negativebeliefsthatledtoalifetimepatternofunhealthy,self-destructivethoughtsandrelatedbehaviorssuchassmoking,overeating,drinking,drugabuse,stayinginabusiverelationships,havingunsafesex,andtakingunnecessaryrisksthatleadtoaccidentsandinjuries. Thesenegativebeliefsandbehaviorsarenotunlikethosethatwouldcausepeopletoendtheirlivesbyputtingabulletintheirbrainsorjumpingoffofabridge. Ofthosewhohavesuccessfullyhealedthemselves,manyhave
beenabletolookbackontheirdiseasesasgiftsthathelpedthemtransformmentally,emotionally,andspirituallyintomorevibrant,stronger,healthierindividuals. Thephysicalcuresweremerelysidebenefitstheyenjoyedalongtherouteofthedeeperhealingthatoccurred. Thefollowingstoryisadramaticexampleofthepowerof
themindandhowonepersonhealedhimselfbytransformingandovercominghisnegativebeliefs. Josh’sStory
Inhissophomoreyearofcollege,Joshwasdiagnosedwitharare,malignantbraintumor. Histypeoftumorcarriedapoorprognosis. Fewerthan12peopleintheentireworldhadhadthistypeoftumor,
andnoonehadlivedlongerthanayearafterthediagnosiswasmade,evenwiththebesttreatmentthatconventionalmedicinehad
tooffer. AlthoughJoshwasinitiallydevastatedbythenews,something
inhismindrefusedtobuyintohisdeathsentence. Hebelievedin
hisheartthathisbodycouldhealitself. Hedidnotsaymuchtoothers,but,secretlyinside,Joshvowedtodefythestatistics. Ashe
setaboutchanginghisdietandlifestyle,reducinghisstress,andtakingthetimetolistentohisintuition,Joshtookaleaveofabsence
fromschooltoconcentrateonhisdeeperhealing. Afterjust4months,aCTbrainscanshowedthathistumorhadindeedgrown
ThePowerofYourMmdandYourHeaI~ngSystem151
alittlesmaller. Hisdoctorswereamazedandtoldhimtokeepdoingwhateverhewasdoing. After9months,thetumorhadshrunkto
lessthanone-thirdofitsoriginalsize. After18months,6months
afterheshouldhavebeendead,Josh’stumorwasnolongerdetectableontheCTscan. Threeyearslater,thetumorstillhadnotrecurred. Joshwaselated,buthewasn’tsurprised. Nowadoctorhimself,Joshcounselshispatientsontheirattitudeswhileheedu
catesthemabouttheirmindandthepoweroftheirbeliefstoimprovethequalityoftheirhealth. Joshisnotagainstconventionalmedicaltreatmenttoincreasetheoddsofasuccessfuloutcomewhenapatientisfacedwithadifficultdiagnosis,buthebelievesthat
thetransformationofnegativebeliefsintopositive,healthyonesisimperative. Heislivingproofthatoptimisticbeliefscanactivateinternalhealingmechanismsandovercomeincurablediseases. Becauseyourbodyisprogrammedtoobeyyourmentalcommands,itisimperativetobeginnowtoprogramyourmindtoembracepositive,life-affirmingbeliefs,asJoshandmanyothers
havedone. Manymethodsandtechniquesareavailabletohelpyou
dothis,includingself-improvementbooksandtapes,motivationalvideos,inspirationalTVprograms,prayers,mantras,upliftingquotesandsayings,genuinelyhelpfulfriendsandsupportivepeergroups,compassionateandwisecounselors,andsupportivedoctors
andhealers. FourBasicPositiveBeliefs‘Wheneveryoufindyourselffallingpreytonegativebeliefs,gently
butfirmlyshiftyourfocustofourcorebeliefs. (Note:Youmaywant
tosubstituteyourownpositivebeliefs,ratherthanwhatissuggestedhere. Inthebeginning,however,keepitsimplebyusingnomore
thanfour. )Youneedtoreinforcethesefourbasicbeliefsanddrive
themdeepintoyoursubconsciousmindandbody,likedrivingarailroadspikesolidlyintothegroundwithasledgehammer. Once
thesebeliefsaresolidlyembedded,theywillattractotherpositivebeliefstoyourmindand,inturn,infuseyourhealingsystemwith
thepositiveenergyitneedstofunctionatitsbest. Belief#1:IamlovablejustasIam. Belief#2:Ideservetobehappy,healthy,andfulfilledinmylife. 152 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Belief#3:Mybodyhasahealingsystem,anditknowshowto
healitself. Belief#4:Mybodywantstobehealthy. nBeginrepeatingthesebeliefstoyourself,firstoutloud,andthensilentlythroughouttheday. c~iWritethebeliefsdownonasmallcard. Keepthemonyourbathroommirror,inyourcar,atyouroffice,orinanyplacewhereyou’llseethemseveraltimesaday. nRecordthebeliefsonataperecorderoronamessagemachine. DMemorizethebeliefs,sothatwheneveryoucatchyourmindin
afearful,doubting,pessimistic,ornegativemode,orifyourmindstraysfromyourgoalofimprovedphysicalandmentalhealth,youcanbringitbackonaconstructivetrackthatwillstrengthenandnourishyourhealingsystem. Ifyoufollowthisstrategyfaithfully,youwillseehowvibrant
andaliveyourbodywillfeelasitrespondstoyournewmentalcommands. Throughthesepositive,life-affirmingbeliefs,yourhealingsystemwillawaken,arise,andshiftintohighgeartoperformsmoothlyandefficientlyforyou. StimulateYourHealingSystemwithPositiveSelf-Talk
Youprobablyhaveseenandheardhomelesspeopleinthestreetsof
ourcities,talkingoutloudtothemselves. Uponseeingthem,the
firstthoughtthatprobablypopsintoyourheadisthattheyarecrazy. TheironyisthatyouandIalsotalktoourselves,everydayof
ourlives. Theonlydifferenceisthatwhenwetalktoourselves,weusuallydosoquietly,inthesilentchambersofourownminds. Ourinternaldialogues,unlikethoseof“crazystreetpeople,”aregenerallykeptstrictlypersonalandprivate. Theseprivatedialoguesareknowncollectivelyasself-talk. Examplesofself-talkincludethe
timeswhenyoumentallypatyourselfonthebackandsay,“Good
job. welldone. ”orwhenyoucriticizeyourselfandsay,“Youjerk. Youmessedupagain. ”Yourself-talkcanhaveahugeimpactonthehealthofyourbody
andyourhealingsystem. Self-talkgeneratesthoughtsthatcreate
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem153
nerveimpulsesthatalterandmodif~rthephysiologicalworkingsandinternalchemistryofyourbody. Negativeself-talk,whichfocusesonnegativethoughtsandwhatiswrongwithyourlife,canbeverydestructive;itcancreatebothphysicalandmentalproblems. Alternatively,positiveself-talk,whichisbasedonanoptimisticmentalattitudethatseesproblemsaschallengesandfostersamorepositiveoutlookonlife,cancreateandmaintainastrong,resilienthealingsystemandrobustgoodhealth. Positiveself-talk,ontheonehand,centersonsuchthemesashope,enthusiasm,inspiration,compassion,creativity,beauty,appreciation,optimism,love,generosity;health,andhealing,anditexerts
apositive,uplifting,life-enhancinginfluenceonyourhealingsystem. Whileyouareengaginginpositiveself-talk,youareyour
owncheerleader,yourowncornermanintheheavyweightboxingchampionshipfightforyourlife. Negativeself-talk,ontheotherhand,isusuallybasedonthefollowingthemes:anger,resentment,revenge,jealousy,hatred,guilt,blame,shame,self-criticism,lowself-esteem,pessimism,cynicism,sarcasm,hopelessness,futility,fear,sadness,grief,sorrow,worry,ill
ness,andsuffering. Bysendingunhealthymessagestoyourbody,negativeself-talkinterfereswiththeperformanceofyourhealingsystem. Negativeself-talkcreatestensionandafeelingofheaviness
inyourbody;whenitbecomeshabitualorcontinuous,ittearsdown
yourbody’shealth. Moredangerousthanmostexternalagentsofdisease,negativeself-talkcansabotageandweakenyourbody’sdefensesfromtheinsideasitcreatestoxicchemicalimbalancesthatcanleadtochronic,degenerativediseases. Negativeself-talkcontributestopoorpersonalhygiene,andunhealthydietsandlifestyles. Mostimportantly,negativeself-talksendsself-destructivemessagestoyourbodythatinterferewithyourhealingsystem. Youareincontrolofyourthoughtsandthemasterofyourowninternaldialogues. Therefore,youcanstimulateyourhealingsystemandimprovethequalityofyourhealthandlifebycarefullycensor
ingnegative,unhealthythoughtswhilereinforcingpositive,healthy,life-affirmingthoughts. Numeroustechniques,strategies,andactivitiesareavailableto
helpyouprogramyourmindintothelanguageofpositiveself-talk. 154 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Hereareafewofthemorewell-knowntechniquesthathaveworked
formanyofmypatients:
oAffirmations:Thesearepositive,life-affirmingstatementsthatyou
canverballyormentallyrepeatcontinuouslyuntiltheybecomedeeplyingrainedinyoursubconscious. Withcontinuousrepeti
tionandpractice,affirmationseventuallybecomeautomaticandeasilyaccessibletoyouwhenyouneedthem. Anexampleofaratherwell-knownaffirmationis“Everyday,ineveryway,Iamgettingbetterandbetter. ”Affirmationsarenotonlylifeaffirmingandhealthenhancingwhenpracticedovertime,buttheycanbecomfortingandreassuringintheshortrun,aswell. oArtandliterature:Beingaroundgreatworksofart,includingpaintings,writings,andsculpture,canhelpgetyououtofthe
rutofnegativeself-talkandmakeyourealizethatthereismore
tolifethanpain,suffering,andsorrow. Participatinginthearts
canhelpbringyouonestepfurtherintothepositiverealm. oAudiotapes:Booksontapeandrecordingsfrominspirationalauthorscanbepowerfultoolstohelpyoureprogramyourmind
tofocusmoreonpositiveself-talk. Youcanlistentoaffirmations
intapeformwhileyouaredrivinginyourcarorwhileyouare
athome,untiltheyaredeeplyingrainedinyourpsyche. oChanting:Chantsareupliftingandinspiringaffirmationsor
prayersthatarerhythmicalandmelodicinform. Theyaresimilar
tosongs,butsimplerandmorefocusedintheirpurpose. Chants
forhealthandhealingcanhelpyoushiftoutofunhealthynega
tiveself-talkintothebeneficialrealmofpositiveself-talk. There
aremanywonderfulupliftingandinspiringchantsfromnearly
everyculture,includingNativeAmerican,African,Aboriginal,Sufi,Christian,Muslim,Hindu,Jewish,andBuddhist. oFriendsandfamily:Spendingqualitytimewithfriends,family,andtrustedeldersandwisepeopleinwhomyoucanconfide
alsocanbeveryhelpfultoinspirepositiveself-talk. Beingaroundpeoplewithwhomyoufeelsafe,inanenvironmentwhereyoufeelwarmth,affection,andacceptance,andwith
thoseyoucanlookuptoandadmire,knowingtheycarefor
you,canupliftandinspireyourself-talktobemorepositive. ThePowerofYourN1~r~da~dYourHeahngSystem155
~Gratitudejournal:Writingdownallyourthoughtsandfeelingsaboutthethingsinyourlifeyouaregratefulforcanbeaneffectivewaytohelpyoushiftyourfocusfromseeingaglassthat
ishalfemptytoonethatishalffull,andtorerouteyourthoughtsandfeelingsawayfromwhatisnotworkinginyourlife
towhatisworking. Manysuccessfulpeople,includingOprahWinfrey,keepagratitudejournal. ~Hobbiesandentertainment:Theseenjoyableactivitieswillhelp
youforgetabouttime;theywillallowyourmindtobeabsorbed
inconstructivethoughtandpositiveself-talk. Itisdifficultto
talknegativelytoyourselfwhenyouareengagedinacreativeactivitythatyoutrulyenjoy. ~Hypnosis:Hypnosisisanothertoolthatmanypeoplehavesuccessfullyappliedtoaidtheirmentalreprogrammingofhabitual,negativeself-talkintoaninternaldialoguethatismuchmorepositiveandhelpful. Manypeoplehavefoundhypnosistobe
oneofthesafestandmosteffectivemethodsavailableforquit
tingsmoking. Contrarytopopularfearsandmyths,hypnosisis
safeanddoesnotallowanotherpersontotakeoverorcontrol
yourmind. Rather,mosttherapiststeachself-hypnosis, atechniquethatshowsyouhowtotapintothehiddenpowersofyour
ownsubconsciousmindsothatyourmindcanalignitselfwith
yourbodyandworkwithyourhealingsystem. ~Mantras:Wecanlikenmantrastoprayersandchantsthatarerepeatedcontinuously,eithersilentlyoroutloud. Mostmantras
comefromtheEastIndiantradition,butyoucanadaptanyphraseorexpressionthathasmeaningforyoufromyourownnativelanguage. Effectivemantrasforhealingshouldbeshort,rhythmical,andmelodic,tofacilitateeasyrepetition. Some
mantrasareknowntobeverypowerfulbecausetheynotonlyhelpinfuseyourmindwithpositiveenergythroughcontempla
tionoftheirmeaning,but,throughrepetition,theirsoundscanactivatecertainlife-enhancingvibratoryenergiesinyourbrain
andnervoussystem. Youcanusemantrasforspecificoccasions
andcircumstances;specializedmantrasthatcanbeveryeffective
alsoexistforhealthandhealing. Anexcellentresourceformantras
isHealingMantrasbyThomasAshley-Farrand. 156 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
oMusic:Singing,listeningtoandplayingmusic,anddancing—especiallywhenitaccompanieschantingandsinginguplifting
songsandsacredmusic—canhelpupliftyourmindwhiletheyimproveyourself-talk. Engaginginnegativeself-talkisdifficultwhenyourmindisoccupiedinpositivemusicalactivities. oNature:Immersingyourselfandyoursensesinthebeautyandmysteryofnaturecanhaveadramaticallypositiveeffectonyourself-talk. oPrayer:NormanVincentPeale,inhisclassicbookThePowerofPositiveThinking,describesthepositiveimpactthatprayerhas
onourthoughtsandminds,aswellasonourhealth. Ineverytraditionoftheworld,prayerisuniversallyrecognizedforitsabilitytoliftpeopleoutofthemundanequagmireofhopeless
nessanddespair,futilityanddepression. Inhistwobooks,HealingWordsandPrayerisGoodMedicine,Dr. LarryDosseycitesnumerousscientificstudiesthatdocumentthehealth-enhancingbenefitsandeffectivenessofprayer,evenintheface
ofdevastatingterminalillnessandmajorlife-threateningevents. Byprovidinga“seniorpartner”or“higherauthority”toconsultwith,prayercanserveasavehicletotakethepressureoffyourlife,removeyourfearsandworries,manageyourstress,andshift
yourself-talkintoamorepositivemode. oReading:Readinguplifting,inspirationalbooks,includingautobiographiesofgreatpeoplewhostruggledagainstadversityand
overcamemajorobstacles,canhelpyoufocusyourself-talk
moreonthepositiveaspectsofyourlife. Self-improvementbookscanalsobeofgreathelp. oSportsandgames:Thesecanhelpyoudevelopconfidencein
yourbody’sabilitytomoveandperformlikeanathlete. Evenpeoplewithserioushandicapssuchasamputationsofbothlegs,
orpeoplewhoarewheelchairbound,arenowcompetingonaninternationalleveltodemonstratethatdisease,illness,limita
tion,andactivityrestrictionsaremoreastateofmindandcanoftenbeovercomewiththehelpofpositiveself-talk. oVisualizationandimagery:Thesearementaltechniqueswithscientificallyprovenbenefitsnotonlyforhealthandhealing,but
alsointhehigh-performance,physicallydemandingworldof
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem157
professionalsportsandinternationalathleticcompetition. Byusingthevisualandimaginativepowersofyourmind,youcan
helpproduceasignificantpositiveshiftinyourinternaldialogues,stimulateyourhealingsystem,andpromotemeasurableimprovementinyourphysicalhealth. Theplaceboeffectisascientificprinciplethatdemonstratesjusthowpower
fulaninfluenceyourmindhasonyourbody. Theplaceboeffectisauniquephenomenonobservedduringclinicaltrialsfornew,potentiallyusefuldrugs. Whenastudyislaunchedtotesttheusefulnessofanewdrug,halfof
thepatients,knownastheexperimentalgroup,willreceiveapillthatcontains
thenewdrug,whiletheotherhalf,knownasthecontrolgroup,willreceiveaplacebo,whichisapillthatcontainsnodrugatall. Bothgroupsaretoldwhat
toexpectfromthenewdrug,andbothgroupsbelievetheirpillcontainsthe
newdrug. Innearlyeverystudyofthistype,alargepercentageofthosereceivingtheplacebo,thepillwithoutthedrug,willreportphysicalchangesconsistentwiththoseexpectedfromthenewdrugbeingtested. Thesechangescanbemeasuredandarereal;theyarenotjustafigmentoftheimagination. Thereisnopossiblewaytoexplaintheplaceboeffectother
thanbyacknowledgingthatthemindhasthepowertomakethesechangeshappeninthebody. EmotionsandYourHealingSystem
Emotionsarepacketsofmentalandphysicalenergythatmovethroughandattempttomoveoutofyourbody,muchlikeariverwhose
watersteadilymovestowarditsgreaterdestinyoftheocean. The
wordemotioncomesfromtherootemote,whichmeanstomoveout. Youremotionshaveaprofoundimpactonyourphysicalhealth,
andtheyplayanintegralroleinthefunctioningofyourhealingsystem. Youremotionsareconnectedtoyourendocrinesystem,whichincludesyourpineal,pituitary,thyroid,parathyroid,andadrenalglands,aswellasyourpancreasandreproductiveorgans. Duringemotionalexperiences,powerfulhormonesarereleasedinto
158 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
yourbloodstreamfromthesevariousorgans,andthesehormones
havefar-reachingeffectsonyourbodyandyourhealingsystem. Forexample,whenyouareinahighlyexcitablestate,eitherfeel
ingexuberantjoyorintensefear,youradrenalglandsreleaseepinephrine(adrenaline),whichcanconstrictbloodvessels,acceler
ateheartrate,increasebloodpressure,andaffectlungandkidneyfunction. Cortisol,whichcansuppressyourimmunefunction,is
alsoreleasedatthesetimes. Allofthesefunctionsarecriticaltoyourhealingsystem. Insulin,whichregulatessugarmetabolism,isalsoproducedinresponsetocertainemotions,especiallywhenyouarefeelingfrightened,angry,orunderstress. Thesearejustafewofthe
morecommonlyknownhormonesassociatedwithyouremotions,
butyoucanseewhataprofoundeffecttheycanhaveonyourheal
ingsystem. Beingintouchwithyourfeelings,understandingwhattheyare
andwhattheymean,isimportantforthehealthofyourhealingsystem. Whenyouareintouchwithhowyoufeel,youusuallyfeelenergizedandalive. Whenyouareoutoftouchwithyouremotions,
youtendtofeelseparatedfromlife,isolatedandlonely. Feelingsoflonelinessandisolationcreatestress,which,ifsustained,canhaveharmfulrepercussionsonyourhealingsystem. Clearevidencenowexiststhatsuppressingemotionscanbedamagingtoyourhealthandyourbody’shealingsystem. Repressingemotionsgoesagainstthenaturallawsoftheuniversethatrequire
thenaturalenergyofemotionstomoveoutofyourbodytoseekconsciousexpression. Numerousstudieshaveshownthatpeoplewhocontinuouslysuppresstheiremotionsaremorelikelytofall
preytoseriousillnesses,includingheartdisease,hypertension,diabetes,cancer,autoimmunediseases,andotherchronicconditions. Otherstudieshaveshownthatpeoplewhoareabletoaccesstheirfeelingsandexpressthemselvesenjoybetterhealthandgreaterlongevity. Ratherthansuppressingyourfeelingsandemotions,mostmedicalexpertsarenowrecommendingthat,topreventillness,itisimportanttogetintouchwithyourfeelings,whatevertheyare,and
thenlearntoexpresstheminhealthyways. Healthyfeelingscreatesensationsofcomfortandeaseinyourbody. Somehealthyfeelingsarejoy,happiness,peace,contentment,serenity,satisfaction,andlove. Becausetheyreleasepowerfulhor
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem159
mones,thesefeelingsareextremelybeneficialtothehealthofyourbody’sinternalenvironment,andtheycankeepyourhealingsystemvibrantandstrongformanyyears. Ofcourse,themostpowerfulhealthyfeelingofallislove. Becausefeelingsarelocatedinourbodies,therearereallynonegativefeelingsoremotions,thoughthisprobablysoundslikeacontradiction. Feelingsjustare,andtheycannotbejudgedonanylevelbyanyone. Evenanger,pain,andsadness,generallyconsidered
tobe“negative”emotions,canbeappropriateandbeneficial,especiallywhenweacknowledgeandreleasethemfromourbodiesinatimelyandsensiblemanner. Theproblemoccurswhenwedonotreleasetheseemotions,butrather,aswediscussedbefore,wehold
ontoandcontainorsuppressthem. Underthesecircumstances,suppressionofso-callednegativeemotionscanbeharmful. Healingoftenoccurswhentherootsoftheseunhealthyemotionsareexposedandthenreleasedfromyourbody. GettingRidofEmotionalBaggageUnhealthyemotionsthatarenotreleasedfromyourbodycanpile
upandcauseabigmess. Likeluggingaroundtoomuchbaggage,orhavingabackflowofgarbagethatbeginstosmellandfester,unhealthyemotionsthatarenotreleasedfromyourbodycancreate
toxicchemistryinyourbody’sinternalenvironmentthatinterferes
withyourhealingsystem’sperformance. Releasingyouremotionalbaggagebylearningtoletgoofstoredupnegativefeelings,suchas
oldresentmentandanger,willhelptolightentheburdenthatmay
bedraggingdownyourbodyandmakingitsick. Angeristhemostnotoriousaspectofemotionalbaggagethat,if
notreleasedfromyourbody,canbedetrimentaltoyourhealth. Angerleadstoresentment,jealousy,hostility,hatred,andrage;ifit
issuppressedandallowedtobuildupovertime,angercancausedamagetoyourbody’sinternalenvironment,particularlyyourbloodvesselsandcardiovascularsystem. Manypeoplehaveexperiencedfatalheartattacksorstrokesbecauseoftheirintenseanger. Angerthathaspiledupforyearsandnotbeenappropriatelyreleased
canalsoeruptexplosivelyandviolentlyatthedropofahat,causing
greatharmtoyourselforothers. Seeminglyinsignificanteventscanoftentriggerthisstored-upanger. Manyofthehorrendouscrimes
160 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
andwarsintheworldcanbetracedbacktothisinappropriateexpressionofanger. Prolonged,continuousangerdisturbsthemind,creatingemotionalvolatilityaswellasmentalinstability. ‘Whenyou
areangry,youaremad,anditisnotbycoincidencethatinsanepeoplewere,andstillare,referredtoas“madmen. ”Angerthatisburieddeepandneverallowedtocomeout,so-called“frozenanger,”
hasbeenimplicatedinsevereformsofdepressionandmentalillness. Angerwastesenergyandmaycauseactualdamagetoyourbody,creatingadoubleburdentoyourhealingsystem. Thisiswhyitisimperativetoreleaseangerappropriatelyandpreventitsunhealthybuildup. Onceangerisexpressedandreleasedappropriately,otheremotionsareoftendiscovered,mostnotably,pain. Ifyoucanrelease
youranger,feelthepain,andmovethroughthepain,youcandis
coverthemostimportantemotionofall,love. Hereareafewtipsforreleasingunhealthyemotionalbaggage:
aCloseyoureyesandnoticeanysensationofdiscomfortinyourchest,stomachandabdomen,orinanyotherpartofyourbody. aDoyourbesttoputanamethatrelatestoafeeling,suchassadness
(“Ifeelsad”),anger(“Ifeelangry”),andsoon,onthissensation. aAllowyourselftofeel’thefullextentofyourfeelings,whether
theyareanger,resentment,jealousy,guilt,shame,sadness,or
sorrow. (Thereisasayingamongbehavioralscientists:“You
cannothealwhatyoucannotfeel. ”)
aSpeakaloudorwritedownthenameofthissensationorfeeling. Trytounderstandwhatcausedit. Seewhethertheremightbe
otherfeelingsunderneaththisonethatmaybeencouragingtheexpressionofthisfeeling. Tofurtherhelpyoureleaseangerandemotionalbaggage,youmightwanttotrythefollowingactivities:
aWritedownallyouwantaboutyournegativeemotionalexperi
enceuntilyoufeelyouhaveexpressedallyouneedtosay. aShoutoutloudatthetopofyourlungseverythingrelatedto
yournegativeemotionalexperiencewhileyouaredrivingin
yourcarwiththewindowsrolledup(sonobodycanhearyou). ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem161
*Takeaplasticbaseballbatandstrikeapillowasoftenand
ashardasyoulike,orpunchorkickapunchingbag,whilerepeatingoutloudanangry,emotionallychargedphrasethatisappropriatetoyouranger. (Isuggestyoudothisinaroomor
areawherenoonecandisturbyou,andviceversa. ) *Performanyotherphysicalactivity,includingliftingweightsoraerobics,whileyoufocusonreleasingangerandotherunhealthyemotions. Thisprocesscanbecatharticandhealing. Rememberthatthewordemotioncomesfromthewordemote,whichmeanstomoveout. Movingyourbodycanoftenhelp
angerandotheremotionalbaggagetomoveoutofyourbodyandbereleased. *Seekprofessionalcounselingortherapy. *Ifyou’vegonebeyondtheangertofeelyourpain,youmaynotice
tearsflowingautomaticallyfromyoureyesasyoufeelandrelease
yourpain. Underthesecircumstances,thereleaseofpainwhile
youcrycanbeextremelybeneficialforyourhealingsystem. Love:TheMostPowerfulEmotionofAll
Loveisthemostpowerfulandimportantemotionintheworld. It
isthegreatestsourceofnourishment,strength,andenergyforyourhealingsystem. Lovecanbeawakenedbyoutsideforces,butitstrueoriginsemanatefromthemysteriousdepthsofyourownheart. Love
isconnectedtothecreativeforcesoftheuniverse,andforthisreason
itcanexistbeyondthebordersofyourmindandbody,andextend
toeveryhumanheart. ‘Wherethereislove,thereishealing,evenin
thefaceofdevastatingdiseaseandlife’smosthorrendoustrials,tribulations,andsuffering. Sincethedawnofcivilization,wisemenandsages,mysticsandphilosophers,poets,artists,andhealershavealldeclaredthatlove
isthemostpowerfulhealingforceintheworld. Thankstonewmedicalresearch,scientistsanddoctorsarenowbeginningtoacknowledgetheaccuracyofthisview. Studiesnowshowthatpeoplewhoreporthavingmoreloveintheirlives,evenifthatlove
iscomingoniyfromtheirpetdogorcat,livelongerandsufferfromfewerdiseases. InthewordsofDr. BernieSiegel,“Loveisthemostpowerfulknownstimulantofthehumanimmunesystem. ”Inthe
162 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
wordsofTheAmericanHolisticMedicalAssociation’scharterdeclaration,“Loveisthemostpowerfulmedicineintheworld. ”
Loveisstrongerthanfear. Infact,loveovercomesallfearsanddoubts. Wheneverfearsanddoubtsgetthebetterofyou,immedi
atelyshiftyourattentiontolovingthoughts. Startentertainingthoughtsofloveforyourself,yourfamilyandfriends,yourpets,andwhoeverandwhateverisnearanddeartoyou. Continuetofocuson
thatwhichyoulove. Ifyoucan’tfindanything,it’stimetogetout
youremotionalshovelandstartdiggingthroughthelayersofgarbagethatmaybecoveringupyourheart. Keepdigginguntilyoureachit. Thereyouwillfindloveasithasalwaysbeen:evercomforting,everhealing,powerful,generous,timeless,andeternal. Loveistheessentialnatureofyoursoul. Whenyouareinpainandfeelingbad,eitherinbody,mind,orspirit,rememberthis. If
youhavetriedeverythingelseandnothinghashelpedyousofar,trylove. Itwillhealyou. LaughterandHumorAretheBestMedicine
Whenyouarelaughing,youfeelhappyandjoyful. Thispositivementalandemotionalstatehasbeenclinicallyandscientificallyproventohavetremendoushealth-enhancingeffectsonyourbody,workinglikeanelixironyourhealingsystem. I’vemetpeoplewellintotheireighties,nineties,andbeyond,who,fromahealthstandpoint,dideverythingwrong. Theysmoked,
theydrank,theyoverate,andtheydidn’texercise. Whattheydidright,however,waslearnhowtolaughandnottakelifeorthemselvestooseriously. ThiswasthecasewithNormanCousins,well-knownauthorofAnatomyofanIllness,who,whilesufferingfromapainful,incurablecondition,discoveredthatafterjust15minutesofsolidbellylaughterwhilehewatchedcomedymovies,he
gottwohoursofpain-freesleep. Heeventuallywentontocompletelyhealhimself,eradicatingalltracesofillnessfromhisbodybyfollowingthisprescriptionoflaughter. Humorandlaughteralsoactivatethebody’snaturalpain-controlmechanismsthatreleaseendorphinsandenkephalins,powerfulopiate
likeneurochemicalsproducedbythebrain. Laughtercanrelaxthe
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem163
mindandbodyandnotonlyneutralizetheeffectsofthefight-or-flightresponse,butenergizeandactivateyourhealingsystem,aswell. Thisiswhywell-knownphysicianssuchasDrs. PatchAdamsandBernieSiegeladvocatethehealth-enhancingbenefitsoflaughingregularlyandcultivatingasenseofhumorinyourlife. AHumorousRx
Toincreaseyourlaughterandfun,andtostrengthenyoursenseofhumor,trythefollowingprescription:
~Watchcomedymoviesorcomedytelevisionshowsonetotwotimesaweek. Ifyouhaven’tseenthemoviePatchAdams,star
ringRobinWilliams,Ihighlyrecommendit. *Watchstandupcomedians,eitherinpersonoronTV
*Readthecomicsectionor“funnies”regularlyinthenewspaper,andcomedybooksandmagazines. *Watchcartoonshowswithyourchildren,grandchildren,orfriends,orrentaDisneyanimatedmovietowatchbyyourselfif
youlivealone. GotoDisneylandorDisneyWorld,ortoyourlocalamusementorthemeparkasoftenaspossible. *Playwithchildrenasoftenaspossible. *Remembertoletoutthechildwithinyou. StressandYourHealingSystem
Stressinterferessignificantlywiththeperformanceofyourbody’shealingsystem. Stressstimulatesandactivatesyoursympatheticnervoussystem,whichinitiatesthefight-or-flightresponse. Recall
thatwhenthefight-or-flightresponseisactivated,adrenalineisreleased,whichcausesexcitationandincreasedactivityinyourbody. Bloodflow,nutrients,andenergyareshuntedawayfromyourbody’sinternalorgansanddispatchedtothelargemusclesofmove
mentinyourarmsandlegssoyoucanfightorflee. Undertheseconditions,healingandrepairmechanismsareputonhold,and
withdiminishedbloodflow,nutrients,andenergy,yourhealingsystemtendstobogdownandfunctionpoorly. Repeatedstresscan
164 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
havedamagingeffectsonyourbodysuchaselevatingbloodpressure
todangerouslevels,restrictingbloodflowtotheheart,andcreatinginflammatorylesionsinthestomachandintestines. Stresscreates
moreworkforyourhealingsystemandcanovertaxyourbody’sheal
ingresources. Onedefinitionofstressisinformationoverload—toomuchinformationcomingintoourlivestooquickly,whichcanoverwhelmus. Althoughtherehasalwaysbeenstressassociatedwiththehumancondition,todayfarmoreinformationiscomingatusfrom
moredirections,andatamuchfasterratethaninthepast. Itisdif
ficulttodecidewhichinformationisimportantandwhichisnot. Yourlifeoftendependsontakingpromptandresponsibleactionbasedoncorrectinformation,andtoomuchinformationcompli
catesandconfusesthisprocess. Informationoverloadiscreating
morestressformorepeoplethaneverbefore. Stressalsoseemstoincreaseasthepaceoflifeincreasesaround
us,resultinginhurriedandfrenziedactivity. Theincreasedspeed
andpaceofourmodernlifestylescontributestomoretensionand
stressaroundusaswerushtomeetmoredeadlinesforanincreasingnumberofresponsibilitiesandactivities. Anotherdefinitionofstressisasenseofisolation:isolationfromfriends,family,community,theworld,yourself,oryourhigherSelf. Thisisolationmayhavenothingtodowithphysicallocation. Evenin
themiddleofasprawlingmetropolissuchasNewYorkCity,people
canfeelisolated,disconnected,andlonely. Wecanperhapsbetterunderstandthestressofisolationbyexaminingthepopularsaying“Nomanisanisland. ”Becausemanisinherentlyasocialcreature,toremainaloneorisolatedforlongperiodsisstressful. Prisonsapplythisprinciplewhentheysubjecttroublesomeprisonerstosolitaryconfine
mentastheultimateformofdisciplineandpunishment. Becauseofthepotentiallydamagingeffectsandnegativeinfluence
ofstressonyourhealingsystem,learninghowtorest,relax,and
managestresseffectivelyiscriticaltoyourhealth. Stress-managementtechniquesactivatethe“relaxationresponse,”whichcompletelyneutralizesanddisarmsthefight-or-flightresponse. Thesetechniquesworkwithyourhealingsystemtohelpactivaterepairmechanisms
thatcanreversetheeffectsofchronic,stress-relateddiseases. Stressmanagementtechniquesandstrategiescanhelpyourbodyregain
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHealingSystem165
andmaintainitsnaturalstateofhealthandvigor. Thefollowing
storydemonstratestheeffectivenessofstressmanagementinstimulatingthehealingsystem. Conrad’sStoryConradwasahighlyambitiousyoungmanwhohadalwaysdone
wellinschool. Hewasclassvaledictorianinhighschoolandearnedexcellentgradesincollege. Upongraduationfromcollege,Conrad
wasplacedinaprogressivetelecommunicationscompanyasajuniorexecutive,apositioninwhichhereceivedanexcellentsalarywith
manybenefits. Heworkedlonghoursathisnewjobbecausehe
likedtheworkandwantedtomakeagoodimpressiononhisbosses. However,sincehighschool,Conradhadexperiencedincreasinglydisturbingdigestive-systemsymptomsofgasanddiarrhea. Sometimeshehadabdominalpainthatwokehimfromhissleep. Thesesymptomsintensifiedafterhegraduatedfromcollege. Bythe
timeConradcametoseemeonhistwenty-eighthbirthday,threespecialistshadalreadydiagnosedhimwithinflammatoryboweldisease. Hehadbeenplacedonaregimenofcorticosteroids,painmedications,andgastrointestinalantispasmodics. Thesemedicationsinitiallyseemedtohelp,butnowtheywerelosingtheireffectiveness
andmadehimfeeldruggedandout-of-sorts. Thesesymptomsinterferedwithhisjobperformanceandhispersonallife. WhenIsawConrad,Inoticedthatheappearedveryagitatedandrestless,inadditiontohisphysicalsymptoms. Hetoldmethat,
foraslongashecouldremember,hehadalwaysbeentenseandcouldn’trelax. IrecommendedseverallifestylechangestoConrad,includingachangeinhisdiet,andIalsotaughthimasimpletechniquetohelphimrelaxandmanagehisstress. Afterjustsixweeksofrelaxationtrainingandpractice,Conradreportedmarkedimprovementinhiscondition. Oneyearlater,he
wasoffallmedicationsandhadonlyanoccasionalflare-up. Four
yearslater,Conradisessentiallysymptomfree,exceptwhenlifebecomesparticularlytenseathomeoratwork. Havingmadetheconnectionbetweenhismindandhisbodyandhowstresscancontributetohisinflammatoryboweldisease,Conradknowsthatrelaxationandstressmanagementarenotanoption,butratheranecessityforhiscontinuedgoodhealth. 166 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
AcceptanceandAssertivenesstoReduceStress
Onekeytoreducingstressinyourlifecanbesummedupinthefamousserenityprayerthatmany12-stepprogramsuse:“Godgrantmetheseren
itytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,
andwisdomtoknowthedifference:’Thiswishinvolvesboththeacceptance
ofcertainlimitationsandrealitiesinyourlife,andthedeterminationtoimprovethoseaspectsofyourlifethatcanbechanged. Livingbythisphilosophycantakeatremendousweightoffyourshoulders,anditcanempoweryoutobetteryourlifeinmyriadways. Ratherthanrunningawayfromproblems,difficulties,orconflicts,orescapingthroughvariousunhealthydistractionssuchasalcohol,drugs,food,
sex,orotherself-destructiveandirresponsiblebehavior,beassertiveandface
yourproblemsheadontohelpreducestress. Beingassertiverequiresthink
ingpositively,usingyourresources,andheedingtheadviceofthoseyoutrust
toeffectivelydiscoverandimplementthebestsolutionsforyourproblems. Assertivenessandacceptancearepowerfulwaysforyoutoreducethe
stressinyourlife. Theyencourageamorecreative,solution-orientedapproachtolifebyenablingyoutoviewproblemsanddifficultiesaschal
lenges,educationalopportunities,andnecessarygrowthexperiencesfor
yourhighergood. Stress-ManagementMethodsandTechniques
Thefollowingprovenstress-managementmethodsaresimple,powerful,andeffective,particularlywhenyoupracticethemregularly. DeepRelaxationtoReduceYourStress
Oneofthemostpowerfulwaystofortifyyourhealingsystemistoneutralizetheeffectsofstressbylearninghowtorelaxyourmind
andbody. Becausenoneofuswereevertaughtthisskill,however,
veryfewofusknowhowtodoit. Instead,togaintemporaryrelief
fromthetensionsandpressuresaroundus,mostofushavelearned
toresorttoartificialmeansofrelaxing,suchasdrugsoralcohol. Thesesubstancescreatedependence,havesideeffects,andultimatelycanbeharmfultoourbodies. ThePowerofYourM~r,dandYourHea~ngSystem167
Relaxationisoneofthemost,ifnotthemost,importantfirst
stepsontheroadtohealing. Relaxationneutralizesandreversestheeffectsofstressandallowsyourmind,yournervoussystem,andall
thesystemsinyourbodytocooperatewithyourhealingsystem. Relaxationhelpstoinitiatehealingmechanismsthatoperatedeepwithintheorgantissuesofyourbody. Relaxationhasmanyprovenbenefits,includingtheabilitytoreducestress,lowerbloodpressure,improveimmunefunctioning,
andcalmandstabilizenervous-systemactivity,andsoitisimpor
tanttolearnthisinvaluable,essentialskill. Relaxationgoesfarbeyondsittingbackwithasix-packofBudweiserandwatchingaMonday-nightfootballgame. Whiledoingthatmightbeenjoyable,thereareother,morepowerfulwaystorelaxthatnaturallycalmandsoothebothyourmindandyourbody. Relaxationisthefoundationofotherpowerfulmind-bodytechniquesthatcansupportandnurtureyourbody’shealingsystem. Learninghowtorelaxisaseasyaslearninghowtodriveacar. Inthebeginning,allittakesisalittlepractice. Here’sadeeprelaxationtechniquethatiseasyandeffective:
~Securea15-to20-minutetimeslotforyourselfduringwhich
youcanbequietandalone. ~Makesureyouwon’tbedisturbedduringthis15-to20-minuteperiod,andthatyouhavenoresponsibilitiestoattendto—nophoneorpagertoanswer,nodiaperstochange,nostoveor
oventoturnoff. Findaroomwhereyoucanclosethedoorand
befreefromalldistractions. (Youmightneedtowearearplugs
orheadphonesifitisnoisy. ) ~Liedownonabedoronthefloor,makingsureyouareinacomfortablepositiononyourback. Youmayneedtoplaceblari
ketsorpillowsunderyourknees,head,andback. Makesureyou
arenotcold. Note:Beforeyouproceed,youwillfindithelpfultogetasmalltaperecorderandrecordyourvoiceasyoureadtheremaininginstructions
outloud,slowlyandcalmly. Afteryouhaverecordedthisexercise,youwillhaveyourownrelaxationtape. Youcanliedownandletyourownwordsguideyouthroughdeeprelaxationanytimeyouwish. 168 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
oKeepyourhandsalongthesideofyourbody,withyourpalmsfacingup,orfoldyourhandsontopofyourstomachandabdomen. Gentlycloseyoureyesandbringyourawarenessinsideofyourbody. oNoticeintheareaofyourstomachandabdomentheslightup-and-downmovementthatoccurswiththemovementofyourbreathasitflowsinandoutofyourbody. Whenthebreath
flowsintoyourbody,yourstomachandabdomengentlyrise,gentlyexpand. Whenthebreathflowsoutofyourbody,yourstomachandabdomengentlyfall,gentlycontract. oWithouttryingtocontroltherateordepthofthismovement,allowyourmindtobeapassiveobserveroftherhythmicalflow
ofyourbreathasitmovesinandoutofyourbody,causingyourstomachandabdomentoriseandfall. oEverytimethebreathleavesyourbody,feelallthemusclesin
yourbodyreleasingtensionandbecomingmorerelaxed. (Note:
Anaturalrelaxationphaseoccursinyourbodyduringeachexhalationofthebreath. Whenyoupaycloseattentiontoyourbodyanditsbreathingprocesses,youcanfeelthisrelaxationphasequitedistinctly. ) oNowbringyourawarenessdowntoyourfeetandtoes. Using
yourbreathandthenaturalrelaxationphasethatoccursduringeachexhalation,gentlyrelaxallthemusclesinyourfeetandtoes. oRelaxallthemusclesinyourankles,lowerlegs,knees,thighs,hips,pelvicarea,buttocks,andlowerspine. oRelaxallthemusclesinyourstomach,abdomen,andchest,as
wellasthemusclesinyourmiddleandupperback,including
theareabetweenyourshoulderblades. oRelaxallthemusclesinyourshoulders,arms,forearms,wrists,hands,fingers,andfingertips. oRelaxallthemusclesinthebackofyourneckandhead,and
thoseonthetopofyourhead. oRelaxyourforehead,andallthemusclesaroundyoureyes,ears,
andjaws,andallthemusclesinyourface. oRelaxallthemusclesinyourbody. ThePowerofYourMindandYourHeaflngSystem169
*Nowslowlybringyourawarenesstothetipofyournose,where
thebreathisflowinginandoutofyourbodythroughyournos
trils. •Withouttryingtocontroltherateordepthorthemovement,noticethegentleflowingmovementofyourbreathasitcomes
inandoutofyourbodyatthispoint. aObservethebreathasifitwereseparatefromyou. •Asyoucontinuetoobserveyourbreathingforatleast5tolOminutes,letyourmindandbodyrelaxcompletely. Afteryoucompletethisexercise,gentlyopenyoureyesandstretchyourentirebody. Makesurenottorushtoyournextactiv
ity~Takethetimetosavorthecalmandrelaxedstateyouhavejustexperienced. Knowthatthisisnotanartificialorcontrivedstate,
butratheryournaturalstateofbeing. Focusonremaininginthis
calmandrelaxednaturalstatethroughouttheday,untilthenext
timeyouareabletodothisexercise. Practicingthisexerciseregularlybringsthemosteffectivebenefits. HowDeepRelaxationStrengthensandRechargesYourHealingSystem
Deeprelaxationquietsdownthenervoussystemandslowsmetabolicprocessesinthebodysothatthehealingsystemcandoitsworkunimpeded. Withtheseobstaclesremoved,yourhealingsystemcanperformmoreefficientlyandeffectively. Becausethehealingsystemfunctionsbestinaquiet,calmenvironment,deeprelaxationisoneof
themostpowerfultechniquesforstrengtheningyourhealingsystem. Otherbenefitsofdeeprelaxationincludethefollowing:
aYouwillfeelmorerelaxedthroughouteachday,andyouwillfeel
morepeacefulfromwithin,evenduringdifficultandstressfulsituations. •Youwillbecomemuchmoreawareofstressfulsituationsand
theireffectsonyourbody. Youwilllearnhowtoavoidunneces
sarystressandhowtomanagestressmoreeffectivelybyrememberingyournaturalrelaxedstate. 170 YourExtraordinaryHeahngSystem
oYouwillbecomemuchmoreawareoftheharmfulconsequences
ofsuchemotionsasfearandangerinyourbody,andyouwill
beabletomovethroughandreleasefearandangermuchmoreeffectivelyandswiftlythroughyourabilitytorelax. oYouwillhavemoreenergythroughoutyourday. Stresswastes
energyandcausesfatigueinyourbody. Themorerelaxedyou
are,thelessfatigueyouwillexperienceinyourlife. Releasingtensionandbecomingmorerelaxedfreesuptremendousamountsofnaturalenergyinyourbody. oRelaxationeliminatestensionanddecreasespain. Ifyouhaveachronicmedicalproblemthatcausespersistentpain,youwillexperiencelesspainthroughthepracticeofregularrelaxation. oIfyousufferfromanxiety,phobias,orevendepression,youwill
mostlikelyseeimprovementintheseareasinarelativelyshortperiodoftime. oDeeprelaxationstimulatesyourhealingsystemandactivates
deepinternalprocessesofhealing. Asyoucansee,deeprelaxationwillbenefityouinmanyways,physically,mentally,andemotionally. BreathingtoReduceYourStress
Becauseyourbreathisthelinkbetweenyourmindandyourbody,workingwithyourbreathisoneofthemostpowerfulstress-managementmodalitiesknown. Whenyouarementallyagitated,anxious,orunderstressofanykind,yourbreathingisdisturbedandbecomesmoreshallowandrapid. Whenyouarerelaxed,yourbreathingbecomessloweranddeeper. Normally,wegoaboutouractivitieswithoutanyawarenessof
ourbreathing. However,withoutyourbreath,youcouldn’tlive. Yourexistencedependsonthecontinuousflowofoxygenthat
comesintoyourbodyfromtheairyoubreathe. Improvementinyourhealthoccurswhenyoucanbreatheina
morerelaxedandeasyway,whichwillresultfrompracticingthesimpleyetpowerfulbreathingtechniquesinthissection. Deepbreathingincreaseslungcapacityandbuildsupthestrengthofyourrespiratorysystem,creatingmoreefficientbreathing. Efficient,relaxed
ThePowerofYourMindandYourHeaNngSystem 171
breathingbringsinmoreenergyforhealingandregenerationfor
thesetwocriticalreasons:
1. Withimprovedbreathingcomesincreasedoxygenationoftheblood. Increasedoxygenationofthebloodmeansgreateroxygendeliverytoeverycell,organ,andtissueinyourbody. 2. Asyourbreathbecomesmoreefficient,smooth,andrelaxed,thereisacalmingeffectonyourbrainandnervoussystem,whichreducesoverallmentalandphysicaltension. Inapowerfulway,bothofthesefactorsworksynergisticallytorelievefatigueandcreatemoreenergyinyourbody,improvingthefunctioningandperformanceofyourhealingsystem. BreathingExercise#1:BreathAwareness
~Findaquietplacewhereyoucanbealonefor10tol5minutes. Makesureyouareabsolutelyfreeofallobligationsandresponsibilitiesduringthistimeslot. Section summary: 

**How your mind affects healing**: It highlights how our thoughts can either hinder or help in health recovery by influencing physiological processes within us. It explains that repetitive stress response hinders self-healing while relaxation techniques enhance it;
•   **Case study of patient success stories**, including those who transformed their beliefs to heal from cancer/ terminal illnesses through mental re-programming;

      - Notes on the importance for maintaining positive thinking during illness diagnosis/treatment process

    Now please summarize this part into an accurate concise manner without repetition as follows:

Please provide me with the main points summarized below. Main Points
----------------

### Introduction 

·         Our minds play crucial roles both directly affecting bodily functions & indirectly guiding physiol-
          glogical responses. #### Impact of Thoughts and Attitudes 
                    ·       Repressive negative emotions harm physical well being | Optimistic views promote better outcomes. +     Fear/worry/anxi-
                        ety/p>
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Here is my attempt summarizer's version):

Summary Main Point Summary |
-------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
Introduction               Not just directing body movements but also impacting physiology |

Impact                   Unfavorable thought patterns worsen overall wellness             Promotes beneficial effects when optimistic outlook maintained.
The voluntary nervous system is responsible for directing the movement of certain muscles, while the involuntary nervous system is more powerful and influential in its effects on the body.
What is the main difference between the voluntary and involuntary nervous systems?
The "Merry-Go-Round" refers to the negative cycle of poor physical and mental health. One can break out of it by becoming aware of their negative thoughts and beliefs, and then reframing them into positive affirmations.
What is the "Merry-Go-Round" and how can one break out of it?
The placebo effect is a scientific principle that shows how the mind can influence the body's physiological processes. It demonstrates that the mind can create real physical changes in the body.
What is the placebo effect and how does it demonstrate the connection between the mind and body?
The parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system counterbalances the sympathetic branch and produces a calming effect on the body, which is essential for the healing process.
What is the role of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system?
Self-talk has a significant impact on the body's health, and it is crucial to cultivate a positive self-image by reframing negative thoughts and focusing on affirmations.
What is the importance of self-talk and how can one cultivate a positive self-image?