The Landscape of Healing

Healing is a journey, both mysterious and deeply personal. We often find ourselves searching for that place where true healing occurs, wondering what it takes to awaken the healer within. While the process can be complex and unfold over months or even years, the answer is always simple… look within.

The landscape of healing is shaped by what we see, feel, and experience in both our physical and subtle bodies. It encompasses not only the symptoms we observe, but also the underlying energetic patterns that influence our overall well-being. Healing is a dynamic process, one that is constantly shifting in response to our emotions, environment, and inner thoughts. What we experience in our physical body is deeply intertwined with the flow of energy through our subtle body—the energy body that surrounds and interpenetrates the physical. Ancient Ayurvedic healers called this the Aura, while modern Quantum Physics refers to it as the body’s Biofield. Both teachings emphasize the profound influence that emotions, environmental energy, thoughts, and feelings have on how the body either activates healing or manifests disease.

It is no longer enough to rely solely on medications or supplements to suppress or eliminate symptoms. We must take a holistic view, recognizing the many factors that influence the flow of energy through the body such as diet, exercise and lifestyle changes. Yet going even deeper we must consider the energy body as well. By understanding the natural balance between the subtle and physical bodies, we can begin to see how they work together to support health and healing.

For so long, illness has been viewed as the enemy of the body. However, through the lens of energy medicine, we can begin to see that illness may be the body’s attempt to restore harmony and balance. Symptoms of illness, whether they signal the need for better self-care or serve as a way for the body to release toxins or blocked energy, manifest to draw our attention. If we embrace a holistic approach to healing, we must ask ourselves questions about what our symptoms might be trying to communicate:

“What is my body trying to tell me?” Perhaps it's urging you to slow down, get more rest, or make time for laughter and play in your life.

“Is this symptom symbolic of something I need to address?” Stiff ankles, for instance, could represent feeling stuck in one place for too long, while lung congestion might reflect a sense of suffocation in your job. Shoulder pain often points to the weight of carrying others’ burdens.

It’s essential to reflect on the emotions connected to your symptoms, especially those that have been lingering for months or even years. Have you been holding on to anger or resentment, allowing them to simmer beneath the surface.

I always view emotions as guideposts, showing me the root causes of any physical symptoms, my body may be experiencing. Emotions are not just fleeting feelings; they hold valuable insights into our internal state. When you take the time to examine your emotions objectively, without judgment, you can begin to unravel the deeper messages they carry. By paying attention to these emotional signals, you empower yourself to address the underlying causes, rather than just treating the surface symptoms. This awareness can be a powerful step on the road to true healing and recovery, allowing you to release what no longer serves you and create space for balance and well-being.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its over 3,000-year history, has long recognized that emotions play a vital role in the health of the body, and each emotion is linked to one of the five elements (earth, wood, fire, metal, water). These elements symbolically describe the function of different organ systems in the body. They also reflect emotional states that can either support or hinder balance in the body. Let’s look at some of these connections:

Joy is associated with the heart and the element of fire. Healthy joy brings warmth and vitality, much like the radiant heat of a flame. While a lack of joy can result in a feeling of detachment to one’s purpose and passion. Imbalances in the heart energy can lead to restlessness or insomnia. Maintaining a balanced, grounded sense of joy is essential for heart health and emotional well-being.

Worry is linked to the spleen and the element of earth. The earth element is about stability and nourishment, and when worry becomes excessive, it depletes the spleen's energy, leading to overthinking, digestive issues, or fatigue. Just as fertile soil is needed to grow healthy crops, a calm and centered mind is vital for maintaining balance in the digestive system and overall health. 

Anger and frustration are connected to the liver and the element of wood. Just as a tree grows and expands, the energy of anger can be forceful and expansive. When held in balance, this energy can foster assertiveness and decision-making. However, prolonged or suppressed anger can stagnate the liver's energy, leading to irritability, frustration, or even physical issues like headaches. The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of life force energy through the muscles and tendons, these emotions can be reflected with tension developing in those areas. Bitterness tends to affect the energy of the gallbladder and may play a role in your ability to digest fats. Bitterness and unresolved anger or frustration could be the root cause of constipation as adequate bile is needed to stimulate peristalsis in the colon.

Sadness and grief are connected to the lungs and the element of metal. Metal reflects structure, clarity, and the ability to let go. In balance, the metal element helps us process and release what no longer serves us. But when grief is unresolved or sadness lingers, it can constrict the lungs, leading to respiratory issues or a sense of heaviness in the chest.

Fear is associated with the kidneys and the element of water. Water represents flow and adaptability, and healthy kidneys support a sense of courage and resilience. However, chronic fear can weaken the kidneys, causing issues with energy levels, adrenal function, and feelings of insecurity or anxiety. Just as water must move freely to sustain life, our ability to face fear and adapt is crucial for maintaining balance.

By understanding these connections, we can begin to see how imbalances in our emotions can manifest physically, and how addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of our health can promote deeper healing.

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Photo and Artwork by Valerie Greguire, all rights reserved