Spirituality

Spiritual is an aspect of self that forms the whole of self.

We are mind, body, spirit, a unified whole, that also includes the concept of the 'soul.' This may sound a little abstract, but it is practical way to view ourselves without fragmentation.

Spiritual not as something that is set apart from the self but as an ordinary part of ourselves.

We often find, due to our environment that we separate aspects of ourselves in terms of wellness; emotional health, mental health, physical health, and spiritual health. To be in the best personal health, we need to ensure we care for ourselves as a whole person. 

This leads us to focus on our internal and external resources. We can attain external support in all area of wellness, and we need to ensure that we do not give up accountability, we are the generators of wellness.

 

Spirituality from a PNI and personal development perspective can be defined as a person who uses all of their internal resources effectively.  

 

Personal resources such as our creativity, intuition, and healing powers are all definitions of our internal power.

These powers are not gifted to the chosen few, they are accessible to us all. 

We have a choice to connect to the resources within.

Mystical

Attending to our spiritual selves may sound mystical like it is something we can choose to believe in, or not, but spiritual is who we are; we all feel an essence of self that is intangible but viewing self in a practical way can be uplifting and grounding.

 

Our spiritual selves are an innate part of our human make up, providing practical tools that serve and support us in dealing with the ebb and flow of life.

'Spiritual' can mean different things to different people, but a practical definition can be found in trusting of self.

Throughout the ages, people have turned to spirituality to muster the courage needed to face a crisis in their lives.

We start looking within ourselves for the support that we need when we realise that irrespective of external support we need something more. We can find the strength we need by connecting to our selves in a way that holistically generates wellness. 

'Holistic' meaning that the mind body and spirit is attended to in all aspects of health by combining care.

We don't need to wait for a crisis to use our creativity, intuition, and healing powers. Understanding that we have resources within that, we are already using removes the mystery surrounding the resources the reside within us all. 

We all have resources within us which allow us to be in alignment with our true sense of self. 

When we are out of alignment, we feel a dominant force within us that desires change, we perceive this force as stress.

 

Stress is an indicator that we need to adjust our thinking.

Researchers have found that boosting our self-esteem can strengthen our emotional immune systems.

A variety of studies demonstrate that a sense of control, a positive and progressive outlook, combined with self-care, result in the building of emotional resilience; which effectively reduces negative stress.

We are starting to understand that the way we think is a full body experience. What we think we feel, and it is important to remember, especially in times of stress, that what we think can be distorted.

 

We can change our perception.

If we can imagine better health, a better life, a calmer existence then we should take the time required to connect with ourselves to generate this vision.

 

Connect with your sense of self, your strength, your resilience, your love, your healing; your ability to self-care. 

To the mind the imagination is real. 

 

Think about the above sentence 'to the mind the imagination is real' what action do you feel you should take with this in mind?

How can you serve you, to live a better day every day? 

 

PNI leads the way, but without awareness, there is no vision, no action, no change. 

Reflective thinking, self-compassion, affirmations, creative innovations such as writing, drawing, and painting, together with mindfulness and meditation are some of the tools that build self-efficacy and promote a productive mindset.

Irrespective of the challenge, we are in control of the way we perceive our lives. 

On a final note, we are spiritual, irrespective of how we perceive ourselves to be.

Genetic Memory

We can alter genetic memory.

Science now provides the proof that can lead us to change how we view health and how we manage ourselves.

 

Genetic memory can be altered through the process of positive thinking and visualisation which simulates a positive emotional state and adjusts a negative one. 

 

Affirmations are a powerful wellness tool.

Affirmations can reflect the way we desire things to be irrespective of circumstance; this is in alignment with self-efficacy.

Louise L Hay uses the affirmation process extensively throughout her work with outstanding results.

Personalised affirmations are extremely powerful especially when they are in direct alignment with the outcome that is desired.

Affirmations are always in present tense - we are like this now. We allow our imagination to roam free building an experiential image in our minds. 

The aim is not to override the mind/body. We aim to relax, visualise, and generate within ourselves an environment conducive to wellness.

 

 A powerful generic affirmation is 'I am healthy, happy, emotionally, physically, spiritually eased.' 

Psychosomatic Body

PNI highlights why we benefit from respecting that we have a psychosomatic body. 

An emotionally induced illness is physiologically connected to our health and overall well-being.

It is commonly accepted that negative thought patterns contribute to a range of illnesses and diseases from the common cold to the production of cancer cells. 

 

An emotionally induced illness can no longer be termed imaginary; it is proven that emotions are physiologically connected to health. 

 

Repetitive negative thinking physically affects the body by systematically causing the body to be in a state of fight or flight.

 

Adrenaline

At times of acute stress, the body enters into the fight or flight mode and adrenaline is released from the adrenal glands, negatively affecting the body; the focus has shifted away from our immune and digestive systems, producing a weakened immune system, digestive problems, while overworking the heart.

 

Psychosomatic Disorder

The term psychosomatic disorder is mainly used to indicate that physical symptoms are thought to be caused, or made worse, by mental factors.

Sometimes the term 'psychosomatic disorder' is used when mental factors cause physical symptoms that can not be diagnosed; where there is no diagnostic physical illness. For example, chest pain may be caused by stress and no physical cause can be found.

A psychosomatic illness used to be deemed imaginary 'in the mind' and emotional conflict was often disregarded. However, healthcare workers now aim to provide a holistic approach to health and treat the person as a whole, by giving due consideration to mental and social factors that may be contributing to any form of emotional, physical illness.

Treatments to ease stress anxiety and depression can be used to counteract the emotional counterpart of physical illness.

 

Of course, this does not mean that medication or operations are less important.                                                                                                                                 

It is combined health care which enables us to be emotionally/physically supported.


 

 

Chemical Perceptions

PNI provides a platform for understanding how exposure to stress and stressors may be relevant to the onset and progression of illness and disease.

Our emotions and perceptions affect our nervous system, both the sympathetic and the parasympathetic.

The body finds it difficult to differentiate between a threat that is real and one that is imagined.

When something takes us by surprise, we respond emotionally/physically. When someone upsets us, we may feel it in our gut. We understand that emotions can cause physical pain and that an instant feedback response is in place.

We have a choice not to damage ourselves by our emotional state, in the same way that we can choose not to drink to excess. We now know that ineffective thinking can activate the fight or flight response and damage us emotionally/physically.


Neuropeptides

Candice Pert, PhD, identified that Neuropeptides, which were once thought to exist in the brain alone, were present not only in the cell walls of the brain but also in the immune system. These peptides (informational substances) affect our emotions and physiology."A feeling sparked in your mind will translate as a peptide being released somewhere. Peptides regulate every aspect of your body, from whether you're going to digest your food properly to whether you're going to destroy a tumour cell."

Blood Redirection

When our fight or flight response is activated, chemicals such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol are released into our bloodstream. Blood is redirected away from our digestive tract and into our muscles and limbs, requiring extra energy and fuel for running and fighting. Our impulses quicken. Our awareness intensifies. Our sight sharpens. Our perception of pain diminishes. Our immune system is stimulated with increased activation. We become prepared—physically and psychologically—for fight or flight.

Walter Cannon, professor of physiology at Harvard University.

Walter Cannon provided research on homeostasis and the fight or flight response. This led to an understanding of how we automatically respond to stress and brought forward an understanding of the fight or flight response.

Our fight or flight response is automatic in a way designed to protect us.

We are seeking stability. 

However, the response is not always accurate and may be activated when there is nothing to fear.

The mind cannot differentiate between a real threat and a perceived one, and the body responds accordingly. 

When our fight or flight response is activated, chemicals such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol are released into our bloodstream.

Blood is redirected away from our digestive tract and into our muscles and limbs, requiring extra energy and fuel for running and fighting. 

Our impulses quicken. 

Our awareness intensifies. 

Our sight sharpens. 

Our perception of pain diminishes. 

Our immune system is stimulated with increased stressful activation; in a real or perceived negative response, we become physically and psychologically prepared for fight or flight, or we may freeze and fawn, all of which are alarming for our sense of well-being. 

Ineffective Thinking

Ineffective thinking regularly allows stress to build within us. When this is left unattended, stress can become chronic. A build-up of stress leaves us feeling that we are under attack. When this happens, the fight or flight response remains switched on.

The aim is to differentiate between a threat that is real and one that is the result of an overactive and overburdened mind, body. 

Neuropeptides (nerve proteins)

Neuropeptides and Perception.

Neuropeptides also commonly known as Peptides they are small protein-like molecules used by neurons, a specialised cell transmitting nerve impulses to communicate with each other. 

Neuronal signaling molecules influence the activity of the brain in specific ways. Different neuropeptides are involved in a wide range of brain functions, including analgesia, reward, food intake, metabolism, reproduction, social behaviours, learning, and memory.

It is essential for us to remember that Neuropeptides link perception in the brain (our thoughts; the way we see things) to the body. 
 

Neuropeptides carry messages back and forth between mind and body have a profound effect on our nervous system.

Peptides are continually changing their configuration along with our emotional state.

When our mental and emotional state is out of balance, neuropeptides will make physical symptoms appear in the body.

Neuropeptides were initially only identifiable in the brain. With advances in science neuropeptides form part of the Bodymind notably as a communication network.                                                                                                                                

Candace Part PhD. 

"the chemicals that are running our body and our brain are the same chemicals that are involved in emotion." 

Neuropeptides are in the cells of the immune system. They are floating around in the bloodstream going to all of our different organs.

These chemicals regulate almost all of the life processes of our cells. Effecting the way our cells communicate with each other.

We can generate a hormonal response that is in alignment with our recovery by changing our mood.                       

When we "feel" an emotion, our entire body is feeling it.

Stress

Understanding the different types of stress can help us make informed decisions about stress management.