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Written by Thomas K. Szulc, M.D.
June, 2005
Our bodies are much more than they appear. Our physical anatomies, although extremely complex, only represent a fraction of our bodies. We are more than just matter and physical lumps of carbon based compounds. At the quantum level, matter and energy are 2 sides of the same coin (E=mc2). Physicists have known this for over 100 years, but the knowledge has yet to be applied to orthodox medicine or our understanding of the body in any conscientious way. Let us view the human body from a holistic perspective to understand this better.
Humans are dynamic energy beings that are in a constant state of energetic flow with our external and internal environments. There are two main types of energy: Yang energy, which is a type of electrical energy and Yin energy, which is a type of magnetic energy. Yin energy applies to the surfaces of cells and yang energy goes deep within each cell to support and nourish. These two energies need to work together to balance and vitalize the overall energy of each cell. If a cell is not working properly and not vitalized then it must be expelled into the lymphatic system for elimination. We receive our Yang and Yin energies from external and internal sources and use them to vitalize and cleanse the cells of our body or eliminate them if they are dead, weak or not performing their functions properly. The body has an energy cycle that runs 24 hours, where the yang and yin energies travel through all the organs, systems and cells of the body.
In addition to the Yin and Yang energies our bodies also consist of 7 major energy centers known as chakras. These chakras also connect to several smaller centers throughout the body. These chakras, or energy centers, function as pumps or valves, regulating the flow of energy through our energy system. They interact with the physical body through two major vehicles, the endocrine system and the nervous system. Each of the seven chakras is associated with one of the seven endocrine glands, and also with a group of nerves called a plexus. Thus, each chakra can be associated with a particular part of the body and particular bodily functions controlled by the plexus or endocrine gland associated with that chakra. The trouble comes when these energy and lymphatic channels become blocked and begin to disturb the normal function of the body.
So what can disturb the flow of energy in the human body?
The answer lies in the pyramid below.
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The top half of the pyramid represents aspects of our health related to energy such as spiritual, mental or emotion problems. The lower half are aspects of our health related to the physical and biochemical functions of the body and are where disease and illness become visible. The middle ground between these two words is the nervous system consisting of the brain, spinal column and nerves. The nervous system bridges the world of energy (thought, emotion) with physical responses in our bodies. Emotional-mental problems lead to disturbances in the nervous system which are then expressed at the biochemical level and finally as illness and disease on the physical level. This direction is the strongest and where most illness and bodily disturbance originates. For instance, an emotional problem related to mental attitudes and beliefs such as anger or fear cause an energetic disturbance that blocks the flow of vital energy to the body and disrupts the nervous system. Once the energy is blocked, our biochemistry registers the disturbance (usually turning our internal environments pH more acidic) which then leads to symptoms we recognize as illness and disease. Our negative mental attitudes lead us to harbor negative emotions that disturb energetic balance within the body. That is why it is very important to let go of negative emotions and beliefs and hold positive attitudes towards life.
The highest level is the spiritual; our connection to love, hope, and belief. Focusing on things we love creates a spiral effect that will positively affect our mind, emotions, nervous system, biochemistry and finally physical selves. This top to bottom direction is the strongest and most influential. The other direction starts with the physical and involves mostly what we put into our bodies and expose ourselves to; what we eat, drink, breathe, etc. We all know that eating junk food (processed, fast foods), not drinking enough water, and smoking cigarettes affect our health in negative ways. But what is often overlooked is the effect of energy and mental aspects that often hinder our health and wellness.
Health care in America focuses concretely on the physical and ignores the energetic aspects of life that are essentially far more important. The growing fields of psychology and therapy have come a long way towards addressing the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of ourselves, but we are far from the day when medical science itself will treat the body as a complex multi-dimensional being with energetic aspects as well as physical. People must realize that the human body is so intricate and goes beyond what can be seen and registered. We need to improve both aspects of ourselves; the energetic as well as the physical.
What can we do to maintain wellness and balance?
On the Physical levels of our Body:
- Eat nutritious, fresh foods (fruits, vegetables, etc):
This is of vital importance. You are what you eat. Artificial, processed foods contain many toxins that are difficult to process and remove by our bodies. Fresh, organic foods are free of antibiotics, hormones, preservatives, additives and chemicals that are harmful to us and act as toxins in our bodies. These toxins build up and overload our bodies, eventually leading to illness and disease. Proper supplementation and periodically partaking in a total body detox is also very helpful in maintaining health.
- Fresh, clean water:
Water is of critical importance to our bodies. Our bodies are over 75% water and water is a critical transporting and cleansing mechanism for our bodies. Clean, fresh water that is filtered or water that comes from springs or other natural sources is the best for us.
- Proper hygiene:
Making sure our bodies are clean is also very important. Taking showers or baths, brushing our teeth, trimming our nails, cleaning our hair are all important tasks that help ensure that our bodies are working properly and optimally. Proper cleansing ensures proper elimination and helps avoid stagnation. You want to avoid stagnation and congestion which is associated with redness and swelling.
- Exercise regularly:
Regular exercise helps stimulate blood flow and lymphatic flow to all areas of the body including deep tissue and muscles. Exercise helps bring these toxins to the surface where they can be processed for elimination. Most of the flow of the lymphatic system is based on low pressure. When you exercise and do movement you increase elimination flow and eliminate toxins from the muscles and skin. Exercise also leaves us in a good mental state.
- Sleep well and fulfill sexual need:
Getting enough sleep (at least 7 hours a day) and fulfilling the bodies need for sexual stimulation are also important aspects of our health that should not be ignored.
On the Energetic levels of our Body:
- Pray to a higher power and cultivate attitudes of love, compassion, hope and faith:
It doesn't matter if you believe in God or a higher power as long as you cultivate universal principles in your life such as love, compassion, hope and faith. These principles lift us up and energize our bodies and are critical for health and happiness.
- Maintain a healthy positive outlook on all of life, while striving to eliminate negative thoughts and beliefs:
Negative thoughts and beliefs form a strangle hold on our lives and inhibit us from living fulfilling, authentic lives. Thoughts are just thoughts and we can choose to exercise positive or negative thoughts. Positive thoughts lift us up and make us feel good while negative thoughts drain our energy and cause blockages within our bodies which eventually lead to illness and disease. Practice cultivating positive thoughts that uplift and support you rather than bring you down.
- Let go of negative emotions and foster an attitude of forgiveness:
Negative emotions such as fear, anger, hate and jealousy create blockages in our energetic flow and can eventually lead to illness. We must learn to forgive everyone and everything that has ever wronged us not because they deserve it, but because harboring of negativity and tormenting over the past can only be detrimental to the body and its functioning.
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