Tag Archives: alternative medicine

The Power of Limiting Belief Systems

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Strong belief systems can significantly impact our ability to navigate the world in full alignment with our divine purpose. Spirit is always trying to show us the highest path for our lifetime here on earth, but God respects our free will and will not impinge on it. Like a rebellious teenager, we can make choices that are contrary to God’s plan for us even though we do not see it at the time, all thanks to powerful belief structures that limit our vision.

Blinding Belief System

I fought rheumatoid arthritis naturally for 18 months and refused pharmaceutical treatment in large part due to my strong belief that the Western medical model is greedy and toxic. And while I did learn that there are many natural things I can do that help alleviate pain and increase mobility, ultimately I made things harder for myself because I did not accept Western treatment. My joints have become deformed, and it is almost impossible for me to walk.  My rheumatologist told me he has not seen anyone in his practice whose body has been as ravaged by the disease in years because everyone else is now taking modern medicine.  Now that is a bitter pill to swallow, especially because I have felt divinely guided in my healing approach.

Initially, when I was offered pharmaceutical treatment, I prayed about it and was given the guidance to pursue natural treatment. So, I looked at diet, lifestyle changes, alternative healing modalities, supplements, and held the faith that I was healing. Although my decision was controversial for many, I stubbornly held to it as I saw small improveImagements in my health and had read stories about others who had gone into remission thanks to various diets or other changes.

But underlying my decision was a strong belief that Western medicine was wrong and that Western doctors were pill pushers more interested in profit than in true healing. I had a hard time trusting even my holistic doctor and an even harder time accepting that I might not know everything I need to know to create good health for myself. Because I had this belief system, I would naturally gravitate toward resources that enforced it––rants about Big Pharma, horror stories about detrimental side effects, and celebrations from individuals who had healed naturally. I figured anyone who supported the Western model had been brainwashed or lacked faith.

But after my dad insisted that I meet with a rheumatologist, my resistance broke down. It became clear that what I was doing was not very effective. Despite my best efforts at healing on all levels, my body continued to attack itself and my joints refused normal operation. As I prayed in the waiting room, God told me to start pharmaceutical treatment.

A New Perspective on ‘Big Pharma’

I have absolute faith in God, but was still hesitant to make such a radical shift in my approach to healing. My holistic doctor gave me a call and told me that he agreed with the rheumatologist that the disease is worse than the medicine, and I began to cry, releasing all my frustrations at haImageving failed at natural treatment. I told my dad I would try a new medicine, and he was very relieved. Even though the medicine is very expensive, he pointed out that it is very risky to research and create new medicines, so the cost in some ways is not representative of the effort. All of a sudden, I could see how the pharmaceutical industry is wealthy not necessarily because they are greedy, but because finding medicines that improve our health and extend our life is incredibly important and in many ways the ultimate investment for us as a species. Of course people are willing to pay for help!

Most of all, I was amazed to see how my strongly structured belief system that preferred natural medicine prevented me from being open to other forms of healing. All of a sudden, I felt supported rather than repressed by the fact that Western treatment has scientific data to back it up, something that is sorely lacking with alternative treatments. And instead of feeling fearful about needing to receive regular blood work, now I feel relieved that I will be getting good health care and am more likely to find out about something that is wrong early because I am connected to doctors.

I am proud of myself for my ability to gather all of my inner resources to confront this disease without needing to depend on external authority. I am also grateful that I can let go of the belief system that prevented me from being open to Western medicine to begin with. Now that I have joint deformities and can barely walk, it is clear to me that the side effects are indeed nothing compared to the effects of the disease. Before, I did not understand that at all.

Beliefs Blocking God’s Assistance

The whole thing reminds me of the story about the couple that prays for God to save them from the flood, but when emergency workers arrive in boats and helicopters, they turn them away, saying that God will save them. Ultimately, they end up dying and when they get the other side they ask God why he abandoned them. He tells them he sent a boat, he sent the helicopter, and they did not accept the help.

In my case, God sent scientists with skill to develop and investigate new medicines. He sent the technology to x-ray my body and study my blood. He sent generations of people who have suffered with my disease who were willing to experiment with different treatments so that people in the future would not have to suffer in the same way. There is something really meaningful to that that I did not have the ability to see before.

So, I am hopeful about trying a new medicine. I am also on the lookout for strImageong belief systems that might prevent me from truly embracing the world as God created it. Have you ever experienced a block from a belief system that you have?

Parents Convicted of Murder for Prayer Treatment

One more thing: in this case, I am luckier than these parents, who relied on prayer entirely to help their daughter with diabetes. Instead of seeking out medical treatment, they continually prayed, and so their daughter died a painful death for a disease that is now manageable due to modern medicine. They were actually prosecuted and found guilty of second-degree homicide. In my case, at least my decisions have only affected myself and not any innocent bystanders! I wish everyone out there great luck in discerning the right course of treatment for any health problems you might have…

Healing Mishaps Might Derail Your Self-Healing Progress

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Over the past year, I have seen my life as I knew it fall apart thanks to the physical devastation of rheumatoid arthritis. This disease, which many metaphysical teachers connect to harsh self-criticism, has turned my own immune system against my joints. My ankles, knees, wrists, and hands are chronically inflamed, swollen, and painful. On top of this, I have joint deformities and limited mobility.

When I was diagnosed, I was a practicing Reiki master and doe-eyed follower of 70s health icons who extolled fasting, raw juices, and simple living as the path to cure any disease. My prayers advised me to attempt natural treatment, and I pursued my healing fervently on all levels. I have worked with acupuncture, homeopathy, supplements, diet, massage, psychics, Bowen therapy, deep meditation, and many more modalities on my quest for healing.

Something I am doing must be working, because my pain has diminished and my mobility has improved in my upper extremities. Still, I have encountered a lot of “healing mishaps” from various individuals and practitioners along the way. These people have shown me how important our words are, especially when talking to a person who is dealing with physical health challenges.

Some background information: I investigated stories from people who had helped their disease by changing their diet. Apparently, many autoimmune disorders are caused by a leaky gut that allows food particles to sneak into the blood, where they are attacked as foreign invaders. I immediately had ALCAT allergy testing done. The test identified many common vegetables, fruits, grains, meats, fish, and herbs as allergens, and I cut them out of my diet.

This radical shift in eating habits was extremely difficult to manage, especially since my physical ability was rapidly declining to the extent I would need to use the grocery cart as a walker so that I could complete my shopping trips. My body was constantly in pain from head to toe, and I was still trying to maintain a job and pursue a graduate degree while living far away from my family.

Healing Mishap #1: Blame It On Karma

In the midst of this, I went to see Amma, the so-called hugging saint, who gives blessings to her many devotees through hugs. I always love the spiritual energy at the event and find it very uplifting, but this year I could not stop crying because everything hurt and nothing seemed to be helping. One woman, dressed in the standard white Indian-style garb and scarf spackled with some om signs, noticed I was walking slowly and asked what was wrong. I told her I had rheumatoid arthritis, and she immediately suggested that I try echinacea. I told her that I was allergic to echinacea, and she looked at me, smiled, and said almost jovially, “Darn that karma!” before walking off.

This completely devastated me, and I spent the rest of my time at Amma’s event trying not to be completely pissed off at that completely callous, unfeeling woman. I could not understand how she could say that to me or anyone. Even if my condition is karmic, it is completely rude to throw a comment like that at someone who is clearly suffering quite a bit. I stewed over her ability to walk off quickly and her need to disguise herself as an Indian woman to prove her spiritual worth. I chalked it up to experience and told myself I would never tell anyone that their suffering is their own fault because of karma. This was healing mishap number one.

Healing Mishap #2: One Session Didn’t Heal You?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that stays with you for life. if you are lucky, however, it can go into remission so that you no longer experience the debilitating symptoms. Attempting to treat the disease with dietary changes can take a year or more to see any clear progress. So, it is understandably frustrating to try to heal the disease.  As much as I wish I could snap my fingers and make it all go away, it is still with me despite my best efforts to approach healing on every level. I have faith that God is helping me to be healthy, and I also (sort of) have acceptance that health might take a different form for me in this lifetime.

For a while, I went to a community acupuncture clinic hoping that the acupuncture would help me out. I would park as close as possible to the door and bumble in, dragging along feet that felt heavy as rocks with pain shooting up and down my legs with each step. It was worth it because acupuncture was always a peaceful experience and would help lift my mood. One time, though, a new practitioner worked on me. After the session, it took me a minute to get my shoes and get ready to stand up. He looked at me and said, “What? You are still having problems after I treated you?”

Those words really affected me. I had not expected a miracle from one acupuncture session, though I was hoping that it would help manage my symptoms and possibly even heal the root cause. I had been doing everything I could to help myself feel better and had begun to realize that it was a slow path.

Hearing his disbelief made me want to cry, as all the shame I felt for not being able to heal my disease suddenly rose up in my consciousness. I felt like I had messed up because the acupuncture session didn’t Immediately achieve radical transformation. It seemed like there must be something wrong with me as a healer and perhaps even as a person. I stopped going to acupuncture for several months because of what he said and potentially missed out on an effective therapy that could’ve helped over time. When I did go back, I made sure to avoid him and told another practitioner how it made me feel. She chalked it up to his ego…

Healing Mishap #3: Crab Mentality

I studied with a shaman once who told a story about crabs in a bucket. When one is about to escape, all the other ones will pull it down so that it falls back into the bucket and no one gets out.  He Crabs in a Bucketsaid that humans are a lot like those crabs. At the time, it was just a story, but now it’s a lot closer to reality for me. I’ve had many people who are supportive and I’m very grateful for all of that support. But just one harsh word, one doubt about my progress has been enough to topple me in my delicate condition, and I have had loved ones tear me down when I felt elated for rising up.

Most remarkably, I visited a Bowen therapist and found I was able to ride my bike for the first time in several months. Excited and filled with joy, I called a friend to celebrate the improvement in my condition. But rather than rejoice with me, she began criticizing me and basically expressed that what I’d done would never work and I needed to be seeing a doctor. That was the last time I was able to ride my bike. My physical condition went downhill after that, and I even began sabotaging myself by eating things that I knew I was allergic to. It was like I needed to prove my friend right and be just another crab in the bucket.

Healing Mishap #4: When Healers Attack

Most recently, a healing teacher whom I trusted turned against me and caused another physical decline. Although I had concerns about the quality of her energy work, she requested that I visit and I decided it would be okay as long as I had a lot of spiritual protection. I hoped she wouldn’t try to do any hands-on healing, but as things unfolded, that is what she wanted to do, and it seemed like it might work so I agreed.

Although my time with her was inspiring because she supported the vision of me where I was fully recovered, I was not sure that the energy work itself had done anything other than make me feel inexplicably pissed at my boyfriend. I still had a sharp pain radiating from my foot, and I noticed that I would get incredibly emotional when the pain was triggered. I began investigating links between pain and emotions and discovered the website for a psychic healer.

This gifted woman immediately uncovered the fears that were locked in my foot and did energy work to release those fears. The next day, the pain was completely gone. This was pain that had been so excruciating that I had not been able to walk and needed to use crutches. I was so incredibly grateful for her help that I posted a celebration on Facebook.

A few days later, the healing teacher called me to let me know that her spiritual master had directed her to my Facebook page and that she saw that I was working with someone other than her and that I ruined things because my spiritual masters actually needed me to be in pain as part of their plan and I needed her to help me connect to my spiritual masters so that I could heal and that I couldn’t work with anyone else if I was working with her and that since she had discovered that I was working with someone else, she would just go ahead and revoke all the healing that she had given me.  Before she hung up, she told me I could expect to be in more pain and for my condition to get worse.

At the time, I was feeling incredible and so confident that I was healing that I kind of laughed at this seeming curse from her. Two days later, I did feel notably worse, and now I had to wonder whether it was because of her, because of the incoming storm, or if it was something totally unrelated. I think it was a combination of many factors, but I know that her vengeful response triggered the subconscious aspects of myself that are not in full line with healing and probably activated some deeper wounds so that yet again, the crab stayed in the bucket.

Your Words Can Hurt Or Heal

I write this not to send out a bitter rant, but rather to emphasize the importance of being truly supportive to anyone you know who is working on their personal healing. Even if someone seems strong and certain, if they are in pain and suffering, they need your help (and really, who isn’t in pain or suffering on some level?). One harsh word can derail their efforts, and you may need to think twice about how you speak to anyone you know who is healing. Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of needing to pull others down, but do help others to rise up and know that as they rise, you rise as well.