How Do We Heal Past Emotional Experiences?

In my field of expertise, I have learned a great deal about human nature and its deep rooted addiction to suffering – most of us suffer because of the beliefs we acquired in early age from parents, siblings and communities – We all have heard comments that we took literally and personally as perception or definition of who we are – I call these “programs” or “limiting beliefs” – This past weekend I attended a workshop based on Don Miguel Ruiz’s book “The Four Agreements” – I love to refresh my skills and am amazed at how much I still learn – In his book, Ruiz used the word “Domestication” and write that our own view of the whole reality is based on what we believe it to be, and it is just a concept! Having this knowledge does not mean it is the Truth; Knowledge is only what we know!

Many of my clients have physical and mental problems that are emotionally based which are directly connected to faulty beliefs about themselves – e.g: “my mother had this when she….my father used to say this all the time about me….it simply runs in the family.…my doctors told me it is in my genes….I was told that I can’t do this …”- Are you aware of the entire distorted images and negative inner dialogues you have about yourself? Look at an area of your life your are dissatisfied with – this is a limiting belief. The good news is – Anything can be changed!

This week, as I often do I decided to suggest some reading to one of my clients who I believed could benefit from reinforcement – I mentioned “The New Earth” and the “Four agreements” – to my surprise she told me she had in fact read all of Don Miguel Ruiz books – She said she understood them intellectually but could not “do the emotional work” alone on a deeper level! She said just reading the book was not a very emotional experience, and thinking about her emotional issues wasn’t going to resolve them. She simply confirmed to me how important my work is, and that’s why doing the work as one on one, or in a group – workshop, with a trained practitioner is so important. I suggest you think of this as an ongoing process, just like the other parts of your health program.

There’s plenty of evidence, both from our clinical experience and from medical research, that emotional healing creates positive physical changes in the body. In a perfect world we would all be able to afford an alternative-integrative therapy, yet with the right therapist! I do ask people to view that cost as an investment in their health. There are group therapy options that are affordable and can be helpful. Hypnotherapy, Time line Therapy (NLP) and Meridian Therapy such as MTT, EFT, or TAT are very helpful for many people. Meditation, yoga exercise and other stress-relieving techniques that are helpful as part of your overall health plan, but unfortunately they are not a substitute for “your work.”

Deal with the past and move on… after Awareness come Forgiveness

It may take courage and faith to examine your own life, to face the past with kindness and gentleness for the person you have been and the people who have caused you pain, and to support the person you feel yourself becoming. Healing your past emotional experience helps create a joyful, healthy present moment and opens the doors to the life you want for yourself. Give yourself this Gift – just choose to believe you deserve it!

Be Well Be Inspired ~ Chantal