I am currently reading “Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing,” by Caroline Myss, PH.D. And let me just say it is changing my life, not only as a young practitioner, but as a student of health. As I am getting into the chapters that dive deep into the meanings of our seven chakras, each section ends with a series of questions one should ask themselves upon finishing that section. I have decided before I get into sharing my novel, I wanted to have a conversation with you guys about the healing powers of our bodies and how many events, relationships and choices we make throughout our lives affect our energy system, thus affecting our physical health. As I continue to work on my book, I hope this exercise of discussing these questions with you, will help in the development of my writing and ultimately to allow me to receive the great lessons I need to become the best therapist and healer.
There are a multitude of questions we could explore associated with each chakra within Caroline’s book, I might choose a couple to answer and discuss in separate posts or I might try and answer ten in one entry, we’ll see how it goes. This first question I want to share, correlates with the first chakra, shocker. The first chakra, our root chakra, is essentially our family identity, our tribe. This can be your physical family or a group that makes you feel safe and secure. Can you provide the necessities of life? Do you stand up for yourself? Feeling at home and following universal law and order are other mental and emotional issues the first chakra energy can manifest. How we were raised, the relationships we built as children, have affected our energy systems in one way or another and are connected to our physical wellness. It is always good to reflect on where we have come from, what hills and valleys have we seen? And what do we carry with us today from those experiences?
What belief patterns did you inherit from your family?
Be brave and be kind. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. If we eat well at home, then when we’re out, an ice cream or that extra slice of pizza isn’t so bad. These are words I can still remember to this day my parents repeating to me over and over. So much so, that I still practice these ideas everyday. I didn’t realize how lucky I was to grow up in a family that approached life from such a whole minded way, until I moved across the country. I was hating my life and my job and I realized what I was missing, something that felt normal. So, I got a job at a holistic health and wellness clinic and found myself, finally, around people who thought just like I did. It just so happens the people I worked with were almost triple my age.
I fell into a deep love affair with learning everything I possibly could about living the most natural and healthy life. It took me some time to find my passion and I know for some it can take even longer, but what I have know recently realized is that my life’s work has been with me my whole life. I had found my passion in my roots. Taking stock of life so far, the good and the bad, can teach us more about who we are. It doesn’t have to be hard to make decisions about how we treat ourselves. Once we become aware of our bodies and our place in this universe, we become more conscious in every choice we are faced with. I choose to love my body and give it good things. When I can buy the organic option, I do. When I have a cold or strained a muscle, I don’t go to the store and buy the cheapest, fastest working remedy. I look to nature and what this world provides my body to heal and not to just cover up the issue.
I have spent the last four years of my life studying alternative medicine and therapies, I have learned a lot and have had wonderful mentors. But, I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for my family. With all the good and the bad, I found myself in my roots and the lessons I had been taught my whole life, built the foundation of who I am. I decided I wanted to become a massage therapist because I like helping people feel better and a duty to help others is my belief, given to me by my family.
I am so happy to be here with you.
Be well,
Samantha Lee