The Healing Mirror

Dr. Jane Fresne, DN

Embarking on a journey of healing, both for myself and those under my care, often is a consequence of the presence of a current situation that evokes distress, pain, discontentment, and/or fear. This apparent catalyst, be it from a circumstance, a person, or an illness, can reverberate within our minds and bodies with relentless intensity and perseverance, until we pay attention . While it might seem like a mere reaction, it's essential to recognize that our perceptual framework is shaped by our past experiences, and our physical being is the result of a quantum microcosm. Therefore, it makes sense to delve into this origin to unearth the underlying cause of the present manifestation, whether it is physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional.

It's crucial to emphasize that this pursuit in no way diminishes the importance of seeking medical assistance. Nevertheless, drawing from decades of healing experiences, I can affirm that every facet of our being interconnects. Nutrition and exercise, for instance, influence our internal environment. Research demonstrates that the focus of our attention and thoughts shapes and reinforces specific neural pathway patterns. Our beliefs, expectations, and communication in relationships can define the course of our days, whether good or bad. Stress, whether self-induced or arising from external sources, has been shown to contribute to illness. The question that lingers is how we can alter these inherited, learned, and societally influenced patterns.

One potent healing approach starts with allowing ourselves to fully experience any challenging or distressing emotions that are currently present in our lives. There are moments when our psyche requires time to come to terms with specific losses and traumas, and it is essential to grant ourselves that time. When we are prepared, acceptance of what we are feeling becomes a cornerstone. This isn't the same as giving up; rather, it is about creating space within ourselves to acknowledge both our present state and the direction we wish to travel on our path to healing and wholeness.

Then, either through assistance of a healer or engaging in self-guided meditation, we allow ourselves to own the feelings, releasing blame, regardless of how the situation or individual may have triggered them. The person or situation then actually has become a mirror for us to access and embrace the feelings as our own. For instance, instead of focusing on "they hurt me or upset me," we shift our perspective to "I feel hurt and upset." Through intent and steadfastly being with the feelings, we invite into our consciousness a glimpse of our childhood or early adolescence when we might have experienced these emotions before. It is vital not to dismiss whatever emerges but to connect with that younger version of ourselves and listen to their innermost feelings. By being present for this younger self in a way no one else could be, we begin the process of healing the origin of the pain, discomfort, and recurring, unwelcome thoughts.

This practice offers a remarkable experience as we conclude our day. During this introspective review of the day, we have the opportunity to recreate the patterns of challenging experiences in a different light. We start by reacting to our memories using the aforementioned exercise and then consider what we may need in our lives, whether from ourselves or others.

May your journey on the path to healing be filled with countless blessings.