by Andrew Pacholyk, MS L.Ac ~
Peacefulmind.com
1. Cleansing the Body
This is one of three processes that should be done 4 times a year. Using the seasons as a guide, allows us to work with the “flow of nature” and change as our bodies change. Consider a healthy detox or work with the power of an herbal cleanser.
Here is a nice Detoxification Bath to get you started:
2 Cups Sea Salt
2 Cups Baking Soda
4 Tbsp. Ginger Powder
Place all ingredients in a hot bath and bathe for 20 Minutes
Drink plenty of water. This bath withdraws impurities from your body
and helps you to feel better. This bath can be done
2 to 3 times in a week or as needed.
Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative and is high in both fiber and mucilage. Psyllium seeds contain 10-30% mucilage. The laxative properties of psyllium are due to the swelling of the husk when it comes in contact with water. This forms a gelatinous mass and keeps the feces hydrated and soft. The resulting bulk stimulates a reflex contraction of the walls of the bowel, followed by emptying.
De-cluttering the space around you can make all the difference in the way you feel. Start small. Try organizing a drawer or desk, your closet or one room in your house, first. Then move on to a bigger project. Learn the secrets to de-cluttering and re-organizing your life with the proponents of Feng Shui
Physical exercise: is what your body instinctively wants to do especially under stress: fight or flight, and it works. It burns off some of the stress chemicals which tension produces. Therefore, a tired muscle is a relaxed muscle. Relaxed muscles contribute to a relaxed mind.
Tips For Detoxing
1. Eating a diet that focuses on fresh vegetables and fruits.
2. Eat whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.
3. Adopt a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise.
4. Avoiding drugs and alcohol.
5. Taking a high potency multiple vitamin and mineral supplement.
6. Take nutritional/herbal supplements to protect and enhance liver function.
7. Go on a three day fast, four times per year.
8. Fasting at the change of the seasons is a good rule to remember.
9. Take care of your skin and know your skin type.
10. Consider a self empowering affirmation to clear your mind.
~ “Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be Revelation.” – Eileen Caddy, Spiritual leader/writer
2. Cleansing the Mind
This is the 2nd in the trilogy. Learn how to think in “affirmations” that are positive! These are statements that you make either aloud or to yourself. Always approve and accept yourself. You cannot love yourself unless you first, approve of and accept yourself.
A disciplined mind is a free mind. Gain control over your thoughts and you maintain control over your life. Retrain your mind and you regain your freedom. Calming the mind is a behavioral technique used to interrupt, minimize and eliminate “psychological noise”. Obsessive, repetitive thoughts, anxiety and fears are all apart of negative, self-destructive patterns that can benefit from the positive affirmations and mind quieting.
“Love Thy Self“
I am perfect, whole and complete NOW, the way I am.
I deserve all that I require.
I am worthy, loveable and strong.
The need to understand the power and place of our mind continues to intrigue all those who wish to grow. Mind Medicine is simply listening to how your heart speaks to your mind. This language is called intuition. Children are extremely intuitive and utilize this ability daily. As we grow older, it seems that we tend not to trust these feelings, images or concepts from our mind’s eye. They almost seem odd, irrational or just something that is hard to believe. The art of tapping into the super sensory powers of your subconscious, is just another way of “paying attention”!
1. Start by maintaining an open-minded. Accept that there are somethings you may not understand. Allow yourself to “see” there are two sides to every story.
2. Have a non-judgmental attitude. Judgement is a destructive emotion. When left unchecked, unresolved or not under control, judgements can wash away the foundation of any insight and clarity.
3. Experience being experimental. Practice the art of listening to your hunches. Act upon them. If they are right, look at what seemed to be the reason behind it. Allow mistakes to happen.
4. Allow yourself to be playful. When we tap into our child-like curiosity we are less conscious what others think and are more in tandem with our free mind.
5. Give change an open pathway. Follow along with change as if you are playing a game. Follow along the pathway of change with curiosity, intrigue and the desire to learn it’s lesson. Leave your resistance behind.
6. Invite daydreaming. Dream-like states are associated with the subconscious. Allow yourself to look into this window. Write down the images and symbols you recall.
7. Embrace the love of all places, people and things . Remind yourself that we live in each other’s hearts and when we look at ourselves we see each other. When we love each other we love ourselves more.
8. Forgiving is the ultimate in acceptance of yourself and others. It revels a path to our true selves. Let there be no bumps in the road to “seeing”.
9. Make positive affirmations or suggestions to yourself. This can clear the mind and open up your “inner dialogue”.
10. Learn to understand an intuitive impulse . Your intuition can be sparked at any time. When it occurs, make note of the way it happens. What may have triggered it? Is there a physical action associated with it?
~ “Intuition (is) perception via the unconscious mind” – Carl Jung, Psychologist
3. Cleansing the Spirit
This is a life long lesson and third in the trilogy.  What is spirit?  What is your belief system ? Does it serve you well? How about discovering some great meditations!  Utilize the strength of yoga therapy. Â
To recognize a power that is greater than our own is to recognize our Spirituality.
We understand the mind/body relationship to be inspired by alignment with one’s Highest Spiritual Principle and by that awareness we can choose Truth.
Spiritual health is often considered a condition marked by a diminished sense of fear and the daily experience of unconditional love, joy, gratitude, and a personal relationship with your God (1.) (or an awareness of an inner source of infinite power and compassion.)
Religion can play a part in guiding us to the path of Spirituality. BUT, religion is simply a bridge to Spirituality. There are many religions, but only one spiritual truth. This spiritual truth is the journey home to your Self; and the understanding of your emotional courage, truth, and honesty. What is important in life are the good works of love that we do for others.
Spirituality means shining a light into the darkest corners of our world and developing our capacity for compassion for those who are suffering and working for justice for all.
Surrendering to our higher powers so that your Spirit can orchestrate the infinite correlation of details that are necessary for the manifestation of your desires. These are the benefits you’ll receive when you surrender to a higher power.
Spirituality can be found anywhere. You can experience it in a church or temple, in the revel of nature, in a yoga, dance or exercise class, in the darkest, most unlikely place. Spirituality is a state of mind. It is an experience that brings you closer to the realization of life’s truths. It can be found when facing fear, enjoying simplicity or contemplation.
Remember, spiritual lessons are encrusted in our daily life experiences as jewels. They are made available to everyone who wishes to pay attention and listen.
Try this physically connecting exercise that has a beautiful relationship to the sun. The Sun Salutation in yoga is a great wakening and cleansing exercise. This is a flowing combination of some of the asanas or positions in hatha yoga.
Sun Salutation
Stand in Tadasana, take a deep breath, clasp thumbs in front of you and raise arms in front of you over head. Arch back from the waist. Now, fold over at the waist as you exhale, placing palms on the floor, Uttanasana, step your right leg back into Lunge, step your left leg back to Plank, come into Bhujangasana, flow into Adho Mukha Svanasana, step your right foot forward to Lunge, left foot forward for Uttanasana, inhale up to Tadasana. Repeat, stepping your left leg back into Lunge.
Cleansing Meditation
Breath is life! Exchange of electrons. Flow of energy. Air is the primary nutrient. Survival without it is measured in minutes. It is so important that you do it without thinking. Your breathing is the voice of your spirit. It’s depth, smoothness, sound, and rate reflect your mood. If you become aware of your breath and breathe the way you do when you are calm you will become calm. Practicing regular, Â mindful breathing can be calming and energizing. With the addition of music and it’s rhythm, the “musical breath” can even help stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders. Fall into the rhythm of the music and breathe. Focus on your breathing and the music.
Focusing on the breath is one of the most common and fundamental techniques for accessing the meditative state. Breath is a deep rhythm of the body that connects us intimately with the world around us.
Close your eyes, breathe deeply and regularly, and observe your breath as it flows in and out of your body. Give your full attention to the breath as it comes in, and full attention to the breath as it goes out. Whenever you find your attention wandering away from your breath, gently pull it back to the rising and falling of the breath. Inhale through your nose slowly and deeply, feeling the lower chest and abdomen inflate like a balloon. Hold for five seconds.
Exhale deeply, deflating the lower chest and abdomen like a balloon. Hold for five seconds. Do this three or four times, then allow your breathing to return to a normal rhythm. You will begin to feel a change come over your entire body. Gradually you will become less aware of your breathing, but not captured in your stream of thoughts. You will become more centered inward. You will just “be there.”
