It is commonly said, in many spiritual traditions, that, “Your body is a temple.” The human body is the interface for spirit to have a human experience. The spiritual and physical interface in the body. The body started as a small bit of cell tissue rapidly developing and developing within the uterus, a mini version of the cosmic egg. There was a drumming rhythm, the heartbeat, coaxing spirit to reside within the tiny human developing. Within a space of muted sensory input, the embryo is in an altered dream state. Sensory deprivation tanks cause people to hallucinate because it re-creates the womb and induces an altered state of consciousness. In the womb consciousness, or spirit, slowly starts to reside in the body. If we keep our bodies as healthy and comfortable as possible, we limit suffering.
People in active use disconnect from their bodies. They strip-mine the chemical highs from their brain and body creating a wasteland. The body in active addiction quickly loses its balance and when cravings hit, can feel like the enemy. People go for days not eating and when they do, eat junk food. Because of the lifestyle of addiction, people lose their health. They contract disease, exacerbate pre-existing conditions, get scars, lose their teeth, etc. When prostituting, the body is used as a tool to get money and collects the energy of strangers. People who have prostituted, or suffered bodily abuse, report that they feel like showering all the time and cannot get other people’s energy off them. Because substances are expensive, and people struggle to maintain employment, they commit crimes. When incarcerated people become habituated to external power, are isolated for long periods of time from others, lose touch with family, see or experience violence and learn unhealthy ways of thinking and behaviors. Substance use and the lifestyle that accompanies it worsens mental health and increases trauma.
When you are so unwell how can you hope to re-gain your health? How do you cope with health problems and the fear that comes along with them without using? Be patient and believe that you can heal. Connect to the compassionate forces of the universe or your higher power. Believe that with proper nutrition, medications and lifestyle changes you can make your body a safe comfortable space again. Show your body compassion and gratitude for carrying you through this life… staying with you even through over-doses and abuse…. Forgive yourself for polluting your body. Accept your body even though it is imperfect or has issues that need ongoing attention. Under proper support, do the hard work of releasing the trauma that accumulated in the cells of your bodies. Realize that many other people have experienced suffering and struggle. You are not alone and do not need to feel ashamed. It takes a long time to heal, but if we believe that it is possible, we can. “People do recover.”
Within this section we will look at nutrition (healing foods), supplements (vitamins and herbs), exercise (yoga, breath work, walking), energy work (reiki, shamanism). Bodywork (acupuncture, massage), and reconnect to nature. We will explore how our bodies can become a safe space again. The body is a mini temple for our spirit to experience life on earth.