Our Role In Health: Stress or Peace?
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a field of research that deals with the interaction of the central nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system, and how these systems can be altered through behavior and stress. The immune, nervous, and endocrine systems communicate to maintain health. All is interconnected, all levels, all existing. The interest in PNI is the effects of thought and emotion on our health. Stress affects the entire Be-ing, nerves, cells, tissues, and systems of the body (individual and global). Stress if held, can disrupt nervous, endocrine, and immune system functioning resulting in “dis-ease.” What is our body communicating to us? Our Home, Take Care.
All control begins with taking control of the feelings we hold in our mind, because our feelings determine our thoughts we hold in the mind. Thoughts are profound. Scientific research is showing that thought actually travels faster than light. The challenge is bringing the thoughts/feelings from the subconscious into the conscious mind. Once conscious we can cognitively work in shifting perception and behavior. Are the thoughts/feelings true? Feelings, conscious or not, are causing your thoughts and beliefs, influencing your behaviors, and the effects you are now living. It is possible, to live now the causes, that will create the effects you truly desire in your life. This is good news. When we venture into the journey of healing we create the space for others to heal as well. We have the capacity to heal all relationships, all contacts just through mindfulness and single pointed focus.
The practices of yoga can support a balanced internal environment which will ultimately benefit the practitioner and result in the experiences of Mindfulness. We cannot evolve without balance. It may take a lot of work to keep showing up and create the balance, but through repetitive practice it becomes easy and joyful. It is good to take responsibility of the internal movements, if we are interested in our health. If we are interested in our health, we also must be willing to eventual and inevitable change. We must be willing to take on new perspectives. Stress is usually a measure of our resistance to change. Many will often defend outdated thoughts so strongly engrained in our psyche due to attachment and even identity with them. Remember, physical change follows energetic change. Healing initially creates identity crises until we are able to let go. Letting go allows receptivity to the present moment, where all life is happening. A good mental exercise is to ask yourself, what is my relationship to change? How can I align myself into the conscious state of allowance? What is my body trying to communicate to me? All is interconnected, wired together.
It is exciting when we realize we can presence ourselves in our lives. That it is not only a choice, but also an adventure of effort and surrender. As we begin to see and admit the truth about ourselves and our roles in creating our reality, we begin to let go the tragedies of self doubt. Our external life circumstances are reflections. Most of us choose stress to avoid change at all cost. It is the culture conditioning that inspires the rooted belief that the world is out there and coming in at us. We will continue to suffer with change until we learn how to presence ourselves in peace. In peace we will start to witness the Laws of Nature, and be inspired to create positive movement.
The practices of yoga, Reiki, psychotherapy, and meditation will assist us in making decisions and taking responsibility for our current actions, thoughts, and words. We begin to “in-joy” the process, as we witness the benefits of growth. Personal effort is necessary. Surrender is necessary. Happiness is an inherent nature. The healthier and happier we become the more we are revealed our purpose of doing all that we can to uplift the life’s of others. We begin to see ourself in other. We begin to see the Highest in other, in our self. My teachers and the Jivamukti Yoga founders, David Life and Sharon Gannon told me that “You drive your own karma.” I believe the source of strength to get through the growing pains of change is revealed in the “Sadhana.” It is in the “practice.” Just for today do not stress. Do your Best. Let Go, Be Patient, Trust and Find Acceptance in the Highest. If we pay attention and know that “All Is Coming” (Shri K. Pattabhi Jois) regardless of our preferences, we are getting closer to uprooting our attachments to suffering, and discovering peace. “Pade. Pade.” Step by Step, Foot by Foot. Change on all levels, our World is in movement. One Movement! Love, Light and Bliss Absolute! Trust that there will be signs. ☺
In Gratitude to my Teachers,
Shannon Connell
