Spiritual Things Matter

To weep is to make less the depth of grief. ~William Shakespeare

The land of tears is a mysterious place as each tear droplet expresses the beauty of its pain or joy. Tears cleanse our souls and powerfully release the pressure we feel in our daily lives. Tears help us focus our vision and our purpose. It gives us the ability to hear and feel our heart again.

Tears need to be shed as they help the body and soul to cleanse many toxins of bitterness and anger, and of disappointments and shame. Tears help our other organs to stay free of disease and sickness, for if one cannot weep, our bodies will. The saltiness of our tears helps to remind us of its cleansing power. As I sit in stillness, I think of the many who are shedding tears, sacred and mysterious perhaps even to their own understanding.

I think of those that weep for their marriage wondering if relief will ever come to their private and lonely pain, and longing and praying for oneness and togetherness in its truest form. At the same time, however, realizing that the shaping of their own character is the forming of an art piece as they search for lasting answers.

I think of the many parents that weep over their children as they continually search for ways to instill in them what is right and what is wrong. The pain they experience as their child grows and finds greater independence, and often pushing away parental guidance. The fear of loss and control brings many to bitter tears. Yet, perhaps a realization and a finding of their deeper self will bring thanksgiving into their hearts, and the understanding that our children are never truly ours, but have been given into our care - for only a short season.

Tears express the language of love which brings such joy and pain to so many. Innumerable tears will be shed as they learn that the other can never be possessed and that the value of separateness will bring value to their togetherness.

Those with greater awareness and understanding will weep many tears. For they have been given the gift of greater responsibility. Only with diligence and commitment to yet a deeper and higher purpose will they understand that the solving of human dilemmas can never come from their limited resources, wit, and cleverness. Wisdom cries out - for its effect is far beyond human intellect. It is available to all those who seek it.

As war prevails in our world due to the pride of men, many tears are shed for the loss of precious lives. The pain of such a loss goes deep and only the healing balm of God’s grace can mend such a broken heart.

Many elderly have been forgotten and are alone. Their tears flow with many regrets wondering if they could have lived life differently. At the same time, others will shed tears of joy as they see the fruit of their own diligent labor and prayers flourish and thrive. They will not fear death, but will await it with wonderment.

The downtrodden and lonely hearts cry tears of their own perceived inadequacies. They wonder what it is they could ever offer this world. Yet, it is in these humble souls that the purity of prayer is heard and answered. Their silent strength is a great gift to this world.

As all of us will shed many tears due to our frailties, our weaknesses, and lack of courage, may strength be found to forgive ourselves. These tears will teach empathy for others as one becomes sensitive to knowing that each person carries a burden. This understanding is the path to forgive others. It is in this continued searching for greater wisdom, courage, and strength that life can be well lived. Ones own courage will be realized as we express our regrets to those we have injured. It may be the most healing and meaningful gift you could ever offer. Let us have the courage to make things right as best as we can and learn to be compassionate in all of our dealings.

At the end of this life, it will not have mattered what our profession was and how many wonderful things we have accomplished on this earth. Who we were will have mattered - for it will have left a lasting affect.

Tears are truly a gift - a wonderful gift to ourselves.

You, oh Lord tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: Ps. 56:8

Carefully observe your activities of thinking, breathing, movement, diet, sex and sleep, for these are the six fundamentals of health. Within this realm lies success or failure in your physical health and emotional happiness.
~Shizuko Yamamoto

After massaging two clients today, I started to realize that one of the things I am constantly saying is, “Don’t forget to breathe”. In truth, I was saying that for my sake as well. How many times do I find myself not breathing properly. Our muscles hold so much stress and toxins and if we would adhere to Shizuko Yamamoto’s advise, how much better would we be for it.

Instinctively, I have always followed more of a natural path. I don’t like to take medicine if I don’t have to. I love fruits and vegetables and if I did not have children, I probably would be a vegetarian. Maybe! However, it was not until I met a doctor who also promotes the “natural” healing more than the traditional medicine route, that I started to pay a lot more attention to the natural healing arts. I do think people need to be prudent and wise in choosing a good natural healer, but once one is found they are wonderful to have and utilize. One of the things that I appreciate is that they will teach you about taking more responsibility for your own health. I think this is vital!

We are more than just physical beings but also emotional and spiritual ones. If one wants to be “whole”, one must look at all aspects of their health. Take good care of yourself by eating right, drinking plenty of water, take walks, clear your mind, tend to your emotional and sexual needs, and get plenty of rest. Get a massage, it is a wonderful way to calm yourself physically as well as emotionally. Above all, continue to be grateful for everything and acknowledge God daily. This will bring spiritual growth into your life.

Viola Jaynes

Enlightened love is the universal medicine.
~Manly P. Hall

A few years ago, I read a book that changed my way of thinking about the human body. If you have never read, “Molecules of Emotion” by Candice Pert, I would highly recommend this book to you. It gave me a greater understanding of how emotions affect our health. When we feel strong emotions, something takes place on a cellular level. Cells are replaced with other cells and our entire structure can change. Consciously we are often not aware of it, but if we pay attention to our bodies, we will see the results, often very quickly.

Studies have time and again proven to us, that when we focus our thoughts on someone or something we love, the rhythm of our hearts even out and becomes healthier. Hormone levels change and even normalize. Heart disease and other stress related conditions can be reversed.

There is a beautiful section in scripture that I particularly love because it coincides so beautifully with this.

Whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things. ~Phil. 4:8

I believe we are living in one of the most exciting times in history. I believe the medical field is waking up more and more to the potential that is yet to be unfolded. I believe the alternative health field has started in that path and the possibilities are simply astounding. The potential to heal oneself is being uncovered by some of our finest. There is so much we don’t fully understand yet, though at the same time we instinctively are beginning to know that it can be reached. An attitudinal shift is so important in this discovery. What we think about and how we think about them can heal us, or it can make us sick.

Dr. Christiane Northrup would also be a good author to read. She, I believe along with Dr. Deepak Chopra, Joan Borysenko, Dr. Larry Dossey, Dr. Bernie Siegel and Dr. Mona Lisa Schulz, are some of our finest- among others - and worthy of our attention. Take time to read and learn what lies within your reach.

Viola Jaynes

Batter my heart, three-personed God…
Take me to You, imprison me, for I,
Except You enthrall me, never shall be free
Nor ever chaste, except You ravish me.
~John Donne

Our total surrender to God is a display of wisdom and a fertile ground for even more wisdom. It is recognizing that the longing and hunger we have for God is His longing for us. His grace at work will allow us to recognize that wisdom.

The theologian Michael Novak speaks of two types of mentality: the secular consciousness and the sacred consciousness. As we long to find meaning in our journey, we will discover that our secular consciousness will shift little by little into a sacred consciousness. For many this will take place in their elder years but it is not necessary to wait. This path is open to all who seek it.

Wisdom is full of paradox. It is a gift! Yet we search for it all of our lives only to realize that it was God who initiated that search. Once wisdom is found one can never let it go because the realization has come that nothing else matters. The search for wisdom is the search for health, wholeness and holiness. All three of these words have the very same root meaning. I find this beautiful!

Oh, how I long to rest in a wise and gentle heart!

Viola Jaynes