If it is possible to slow the ageing process and preserve health & vitality what really is the best approach?
Magazines and the media are constantly informing us of the
':right' things to eat, the 'right' way to exercise, what we 'should'
and 'shouldn't' do to the point that it becomes a confusing and
exhausting roller coaster. Instead of tuning in to our bodies
own subtle signals and intuition we let external sources drive a lot of
our behaviour.
The simple route out of all the chaos and back into ourselves is called 'conscious awareness'. This involves more than just thinking that we are being aware at a mind level. It involves regularly getting into an expanded meditative state so that we can tune back in to how our body is feeling. When we increase our bodies awareness we are getting back in touch with ourselves at a soul level. When the body and soul is aligned, life suddenly becomes lighter, clearer, and we are able to direct our energy effortlessly with purpose.
So how do we know if we are tuned in or tuned out? When we are tuned in things are going easily for us, we are calm & certain, the answers are clear, everything fits together, we feel in harmony with situations, there are no outer obstacles, we are open to possibilities, we don't judge ourselves or others, we feel whole. When we are tuned out things are not going smoothly for us, we are confused & uncertain, the answers are not clear, we go back & forth, everything feels mixed up & we feel 'out of sync", there are many obstacles, we are conflicted on the inside, we find it hard to see a way out, we blame ourselves & others, we feel incomplete and that we are lacking something.
Regular reflection and meditation enables us to 'tune back in'. There is no 'right' way to meditate and it is best to let your body guide you however it is usually done sitting or lying in a quiet space with as little distraction as possible. All you need to do is allow your mind the time it needs to quiet down. The thoughts will whirl by initially, just notice that they are there and let them pass by like clouds in the sky. The trick is to focus on your breathing. The rising & falling of the abdomen. It may take the body a while to get back into its natural breathing state so it is important not to rush the process, it is not a race. Its you getting back in touch with you in your most natural rhythm.
Becoming 're-tuned' can be a difficult process, especially in times of stress when we need it most. Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that promotes the natural flow of energy(Qi) in our bodies and provides an excellent way of tuning back in. Fine stainless steel disposable needles are inserted at specific energy points in the body to re-establish our energy flow. The body responds by falling into a deeply relaxed state, the breathing regulates and the mind becomes quiet. After a treatment, patients often report feeling 'dreamy', physical discomforts diminish and the mental outlook softens. With tuning back in we become less effected by the outer world. We are able to make better decisions with calmness and clarity. We re-connect with our soul and our individual purpose in life. We feel more positive in ourselves and in our communication with others. Our energy(Qi) is flowing easily. This really is our natural state, we have just forgotten Who We Are.
To book in for your initial acupuncture session with Dr Rachel Berners(CM) @ the Eltham or Port Melbourne Endota Spa call Rachel on 0417325393.
Article written by Dr Rachel Berners(CM). Extracts from the book "Reinventing the body, Resurrecting the soul" by Deepak Chopra.