Thanks for all your comments on my post, Honoring the Shadow. Agreed, we all have a shadow side. The greater the light, the greater the shadow. In today’s world, we’ve learned to project these negative feelings, our demons and dragons, onto other people, other groups, and other countries. I’m right, and you’re wrong. We dare not reflect that shadow within ourselves; it’s got to be out there somewhere. Society has placed a very high standard of how we are supposed to be, in our goodness and productivity. There’s no room for the dark side, or at least, no safe place to share those negative thoughts, our fears, our anger, our envy, our shame. The list goes on and one, wouldn’t you say?

But, even though we may project this dark side, that doesn’t extricate that shadow completely. As my favorite book by Karol Truman states in her title, Feelings Buried Alive Never Die, and indeed, even though we may deny, reject or project those emotions and feelings, they’re alive and well and will, indeed, stay within us, buried alive, to surface at sometimes the most inappropriate times, or even worse, manifest into a physical imbalance or disease.

As Chuck shared in his follow-up post More on Honoring the Shadow, we subscribe to the belief that this shadow needs to be honored, to acknowledge it and hopefully, make peace with it. The journey into the shadow needs to be an inside job, an internal journey, rather than projecting it outwardly. I know I’m the eternal optimist, but wouldn’t it be grand if we all did the work personally, without placing the blame on others, that we could honor the shadow individually without the projection outwardly; Democrats against Republicans (yes, I’ve been following our political elections), Whites upon Blacks, Men against Women, Catholics upon Protestants, Capitalists upon Communists, Muslims upon Hindus?

And I re-state and emphasize Chuck’s suggestion of using imagery as a tool to do this internal shadow work. We have a passion for guided imagery as a powerful tool in dealing with the dark side within. Since the brain cannot distinguish between what’s real and what’s imagined, we can indeed meet our demons and dragon within without projecting onto others, and come to balance within ourselves in love, peace and joy.

I subscribe to the philosophy of Roberto Assagioli, MD and Pychosynthesis. You may want to Google and read more about Dr. Assagioli’s breathtaking work. His belief, as is mine, is that there are the positive, as well as the negative, aspects within us, and that we need to make peace with all these parts, often referred to as sub-personalities. When we can come to a place of honoring that dark side, we can indeed come to balance. There is an appropriate place for anger; there is an appropriate place for fear. Honoring that part of us, and understanding, can bring an incredible shift, my friends. And further, Assagioli believes that at the core of every sub-personality is goodness. They came into our lives with good indent.

As Chuck pointed out in dealing with the addict, honor their original motive. They came in an effort to alleviate pain. Of course, along the way, it’s gotten out of hand, but honor their original motive and watch and see what’s happens. Acknowledging their efforts, making peace can bring about some incredible shifts. Even honoring the part of us that is prejudice, for example, can bring new insight, delving into where these beliefs originated, with new ways to handle our differences.

In using imagery as a tool in bringing balance to these many sub-personalities within, and after years of teaching and doing guided imagery, the following is our philosophy.

DIAGNOSIS: Imagery is instant access to feelings and the unconscious, bypassing that censor we call the mind. Trauma, pain and negative sub-personalities can be identified, truth revealed about the past, false belief systems clarified, all without judgment, understanding the past for the purpose of clarification and healing. There is no bad truth.

A SAFE PLACE: In that relaxed place of imagery, you can experience that dark side, the pain, discomfort and embarrassment and not be destroyed by it. Giving both permission and safety to freely experience any and all feelings is the beginning of healing.

UNDERSTAND CAUSE & EFFECT: Why me, why this, why now? What is the meaning of these various experiences in our lives? What is the message or learning we are to receive? Reconciling conflicts between the many sub-personalities or parts of us that we manage to externalize into outside relationships, projections and anger.

ACCEPTANCE & FORGIVENESS: Because there is no judgment, there can be an acceptance of reality, a seeing without distortion or denial, a forgiveness of self and others. Forgiveness does not imply condoning hurtful or unacceptable behavior; it is rather a releasing of the issue or trauma, choosing to not let it go on affecting one’s life. To NOT forgive is to give total power over the rest of your life to the one who injured you. A marvelous quote by Deidre S. MacCannon, Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different.  It’s accepting the past for what it was, and using this moment and this time to help yourself move forward.

HEALING: Of both the physical and the emotional, changing perceptions and beliefs that have crippled us. The feeling good about self that sends forth a host of positive chemicals throughout the body that boost the immune system and enables a natural healing.

TRANSFORMATION: Enlightenment, empowerment, courage and strength by making contact with the spiritual dimensions of the true inner self and its connection with the power of universal truth. Knowing that you are enough for any circumstance or situation.

So, it’s an inside job of acknowledging that dark side, understanding, accepting and hence, making peace with all those demons and dragons within. Reminds me of the ancient fable of Milarepa. An interesting story indeed, and years ago I wrote the following poem.

A brave young lad

Ventured forth in the world

Finding life an adventure

He grew to be a man.

 

He experienced it all

The good and the bad

Tempted by all the dragons around

He lived, he lost, he fell.

 

Now life was far from grand

His world was filled with pain

Traveling farther and farther

Away from home he wandered.

 

Then one day, one fateful day

With strength he found

From deep within

He decided to return.

 

Finding at last his home

In shock he entered a place of hell

Demons and dragons filled his head

A terror beyond his years.

 

Instead of running fast away

He faced the monsters one by one

In sheer fright he honored them

And slowly they disappeared.

 

All but one had vanished

This demon that remained

Was the meanest, the ugliest

The worst of all the lot.

 

Rather than retreating away from home

This man freed his beast in love

He started to sing

And stood square at the feet of his fears.

 

In the flash of an instant

The last demon was gone

And the man was free at last

Welcome home was filling his heart.

Also, these negative or shadow parts of us can manifest, as I mentioned, in physical imbalance or disease. As I mentioned in previous blog postings, I am a cancer survivor, no; I’m a person who happened to have had cancer. My original diagnosis was a cancerous tumor on my optic nerve. I lost the sight in my right eye. After many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, and surgeries, my prognosis was that I had six months to live.

This was when I was introduced to guided imagery, and through the process, I met my cancer. It came in the form of a skinless deer, and rather than trying to get rid of it, I guess project it out there somewhere, I was instructed to listen to its messages, to love it, and yes, put skin on it. Remember, even a cancer, any disease for that matter, is a symptom of a part of us that needs to be healed. By acknowledging the disease, talking to it, honoring it, and yes, even loving it, we are making peace with the issues of a sub-personality within our dark side, so that symptom, the disease, is no longer necessary in our lives.

No part of us can be destroyed. It needs love and understanding so it can change or heal, rather than just wanting it to  go away. If a disease or imbalance comes your way, stop and listen to the message. With the onset of a headache, for example, stop and acknowledge the pain, ask for the message it brings. Perhaps it comes to tell us to slow down and rest. Making peace with that pain and perhaps following the advice to relax, we can allow the headache to leave, halleluiah.

So, imagery by imagery, I visualized putting skin on that deer, listened to his messages and slowly, my tumor started to shrink, I re-gained my eye sight, and today, more than twenty-five years later, I consider myself cancer free with new information and insight. A miracle? I would dare say, yes. But, again, since the brain cannot distinguish between what’s real and what’s imagined, visualizing the transformation of the deer brought about a shift in me. Embracing the deer as part of me, healing it, in turn, healed me. And thus, healing and making peace with all the shadow parts of us, can bring about a healing for not only us, personally, but the planet.

Namaste,

Patti Leviton

www.synergyseminars.com

November 8, 2010

As a former board member of the American Holistic Health Association, as well as a holistic practitioner, I am both intrigued and pleased with the current increase in scientific studies on the body/mind connection.  The research of biochemists such as Dr. Candace Pert is proving that there IS a connection between our thoughts, emotions, even the words we speak, and our physiology.  Her fascinating work is substantiating that our feelings can stimulate certain hormones and chemicals in our body that can enhance or suppress our immune system, that a negative attitude, for example, can literally lower our metabolism.  No wonder that diet never works when we’re depressed! 

I believe, therefore, that the first step to a more holistic lifestyle begins with being AWARE.  Just by being aware of our thoughts, our state of mind, our attitudes, we can make a subtle shift.  The body, an obedient and faithful servant, is listening.  I remember as a child growing up in Chicago, in the fall season, my family started stocking the medicine cabinets with cold pills and aspirin.  The flu season would soon be upon us.  Alas, self-fulfilling prophecy, our bodies obeyed, and sure enough, we would bout with a round or two of the flu.  The body was indeed providing what we asked for or expected.

Similarly, as we indulge in a marvelous hot fudge sundae, we often say, I’m going to gain ten pounds! and maybe we do.  The body is always listening.  Think about all the negative and often erroneous information we feed our bodies on a daily basis.  Review your belief systems for the truth you tell your body.  Think about the dialogue, the positive as well as the negative things you convey to yourself.  What is your belief about your health?  What do you tell yourself about diet?

We have the power to control our thoughts, adjust our attitudes, our outlook, and slowly, I believe the body is given the permission to heal.  We can gradually give the body freedom to mend and perform all the functions of health in perfection.  This, indeed is a continual process of our own self talk.  By affirmation, whether it is by our thoughts or our words, slowly the body will obey in health.

The second step in this journey of health is BELIEF.  Modern science is continually baffled by the phenomenon of the placebo effect.  When we believe that a certain procedure or medication will be effective, it will.  Increasing the efficacy by 50 to 60%, I believe our positive self talk to the body is working.

Decades ago, during the Vietnam War, ill prepared for the enormity of the conflict, medics found themselves too often tending to the severely wounded with no morphine.  Time after time, they would administer an IV saline solution, the only thing they had, telling the soldiers that it WAS morphine and that their pain would soon subside.  Within a short time, the pain was alleviated.  How?  Sugar water is hardly an analgesic.  Was it their belief that it was morphine that literally tricked the body into producing the chemicals, the endorphins, necessary to block pain?  Lab reports taken from these soldiers who had been given only saline, but with the understanding that it was morphine, revealed there was morphine in the blood. Where did it come from?  The body was listening indeed.

Wherever your healing journey takes you, be aware of your self talk.  Do you believe in the treatment, what is your belief system about each particular modality?  If you believe and have confidence, the body hears this and will respond in a positive way.  If you are fearful and apprehensive, the body likewise will react in a negative way. 

And the third step in the process is REMEMBERED WELLNESS.  As researched by Dr. Herbert Benson, Harvard University Medical School, when we visualize or think about our bodies in health, remember a time when we felt our bodies were the strongest and healthiest, certain hormones and chemicals are literally secreted to replicate that good health.  Time and again, in my private practice, I use this technique with my clients to promote healing.  As they imagine and remember themselves in perfect health, their bodies are literally obeying.

Right now, think about a time when you felt the best, when you felt you were the healthiest.  It could be last week, last year, or twenty years ago.  Close your eyes and literally see yourself as that strong, perfect you.  Feel the balance, the strength.  Now, throughout your day, continue to think about that healthy you.  The body IS listening. Research has proven that just by focusing and thinking about yourself in health enhances the immune system.  By doing a simple saliva test, scientists are proving that the immunoglobulin A increases.  Indeed, proving a powerful body/mind connection.

Your journey to a more holistic lifestyle begins with being AWARE.  Your very thoughts and attitudes can greatly effect your health, positively or negatively; it’s your choice.  Then add BELIEF, the strong commitment that what you are doing is in the best interest of your health and wellbeing.  And, lastly, focus on the healthy you, the REMEMBERED WELLNESS of when you felt the strongest and healthiest.  Your body is a faithful obedient servant that will respond. 

Simple tools to begin your journey.

Namaste,

Patti Leviton

October 3, 2010

Synergy Seminars

www.synergyseminars.com

If you’ve been following our blog, the theme of all our articles is basically wrapped around the body-mind connection, dreams and guided imagery.  For those of you who may not be familiar with imagery, allow me to introduce you to this powerful process.

Guided imagery is as old as psychotherapy itself. Called by many different names, visualization, directed daydreams, active imagination, this process is a state of relaxation whereby we can bypass that censor we call the brain and go directly into the buried emotions of the unconscious. This place of healing can bring to the surface painful or negative issues that need to be seen, understood, or resolved, whether emotional or physical. The body cannot heal in chaos. Through this process of relaxation we provide our bodies the environment to balance and regain health and well-being.

Major universities and hospital centers are combining imagery with traditional healing practices as a tool in the treatment of catastrophic illness, as well as in quicker recovery from surgical procedures. Imagery can be marvelous in helping to eliminate some of the negative side effects from any chemotherapy treatment.

An imagery experience is like a dream except we don’t have to wait for the unconscious to provide the dream or the subject matter. We can create a dream at any time to cover any desired subject. Whether using imagery for emotional trauma or physical situations, this process can be dynamic. A client, Ann, came to me concerned about a cyst discovered in her breast, which was filled with an unidentified substance. Her doctor recommended draining the growth in hopes that it would shrivel up. In an imagery experience, I asked Ann to see the cyst and she did. I suggested that she imagine a spray bottle filled with a healing solution, made up of all the chemicals from her own body needed to heal and flush away the cyst. This image of the magic solution is not as unusual as you may think, for scientifically, there is not a chemical or pharmaceutical available today that the body cannot replicate within itself.

As Ann imagined spraying this solution liberally over the cyst, I asked her to watch and see what happened. Spontaneously, she saw a substance draining from the cyst and slowly the growth began to shrink and shrivel up. A week late, her doctor reported that the cyst had almost disappeared and the procedure was no longer necessary.

Whether you are just in maintenance of a strong body or facing a particular health issue, you can try an imagery right now. Close your eyes and visualize your own healing solution flushing away poisons, toxins, pain, or disease, relaxing and bathing your body with peace and calm. Take a deep breath and literally feel yourself relax. In this place of relaxation or imagery, the body does change, and physiological shifts do happen, and healing begins. In the area of severe illness such as asthma or cancer, imagery can also uncover the emotional components that underlie the illness and then give the body permission to heal. This love and support can often provide physical miracles. And, as modern research is proving, the brain cannot distinguish between what’s real and what’s imagined, so, through imagery, imagine that return to wellness.

On your own,  you can use CDs to experience a journey of relaxation and healing. A simple google search brings hundreds of CDs available on just about any subject you can think of. Also, visit our website at http://www.synergyseminars.com/bookstore/bookstore.htm for a full listing of all our CDs, from dealing with cancer to releasing weight, from alleviating pain to increasing energy, and everything  in between.

Guided imagery with a caring therapist provides a safe and non-judgmental place for facing your fears or negative aspects of self. Feeling protected, supported, listened to, and understood is one of life’s most healing experiences.

Charles D. Leviton, EdD

September 28, 2010

Synergy Seminars

www.synergyseminars.com

Chuck and I were at a conference in Tucson this past week, and I didn’t check my blog. Home now, this morning, armed with my cup of coffee, I checked the site. WOW. I was blown away by all your comments about our articles. Indeed, that warms my heart. I’m sharing my observations about the world around me, and you validate that we are all experiencing the same thing. Like minded, fellow journey men, if you will, traveling and experiencing the same adventures. I’m sharing my world, according to me, and find there are many on the path. Thanks for all your complimentary comments, and I hope you will continue to enjoy our words.

For all of us, honor the synchronicities of the universe. I read years ago the quote by Allen Vaughn, “a coincidence is just a way for God to be anonymous.” Indeed, pay attention to all those coincidences in your life right now. Even the simple experience of starting to hum a special song and then turn on the radio and they’re playing that tune. Perhaps that’s the universe saying “we honor you, we’re paying attention”. Don’t try to figure out the logical reason why, when you were thinking about someone and then, out of the blue, they just called you. Just smile and say “thank you”. Pay attention to all those sacred synchronicities. It is indeed a validation that you’re on the right track.

I take comfort in these synchronicities. It’s as if I know there is a greater power out there taking care of me. From the simple coincidences of going to the market to buy toothpaste and discovering your favorite brand is on sale, to, quite by accident, meeting someone who will become your best friend or life partner. Indeed, there are no accidents. So, from  these small and sometimes silly coincidences as validation, build your trust that all the traumas of life will bring the right person, the right information, the right whatever your way to give you the power to handle anything.

I was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor some twenty-five years ago. I look back and see all the wonderful synchronicities that opened the doors for my healing. Quite by chance it was during that time I met my husband. A therapist, he was teaching and using guided imagery with his clients, and we began using this modality as a tool, first to reduce the side effects from the chemotherapy and then, to delve deeply into the issues of what were the lessons I was supposed to learn from this journey of cancer. Through imagery, I learned how to get out of my own way, if you will, and give my body permission to heal. And so it was. From a diagnosis of six months to live to now, my life path of sharing and teaching the art and science of guided imagery.

So, to you, my bloggers, I am interested to know how you found our site.  There are no accidents. And also, if you’re interested in learning more about imagery, visit our website at www.synergyseminars.com. Namaste,

Patti Leviton

Synergy Seminars

www.synergyseminars.com

August 28, 2010