|
|
by Francis Clifton, Ph.D.
The Power of the Mind
The body has a natural desire toward
wholeness. Even under the most challenging
of circumstances it’s innate
ability to heal itself is a miracle to observe. After
25 years working with people who battle catastrophic
illness, it is the one constant that holds
firm for me. At the Faran Center we are firsthand
observers of human resilience and the
power of the mind to heal.
There is a growing body of evidence from
research that positive imagery has a beneficial
effect on the autoimmune system. David
McClelland of Harvard University tested the
effects of positive and negative images on the
immune system. Based on the finding that
secretions of immune globin A are indicators
of the functioning of the immune system,
McClelland established a baseline of globin A
in 40 student volunteers by scraping the inside
of their cheeks. He then showed the students a
film with images of death, destruction and
despair.
After the students viewed the film, their globin
A secretion levels were again tested and
found to be greatly decreased. The next day,
McClelland showed the students moodenhancing
images in films that expressed happiness,
beauty and harmony. He found that the
vast majority of students then tested well above
their baselines.
On the third day the students were shown a
film about people dying of disease and deprivation
on the streets of an Indian city but the film
also showed Mother Teresa and her sisters helping
the dying with their love. Once again the
students who had viewed this message of hope,
even in the face of horror, had globin A secretions
that were above average.
While McClelland’s research and other findings
in psychoneuroimmunology bear out the
work that we do at the Faran Center, there is
ample evidence that imagination therapy has
been in use for centuries. Before the birth of
modern scientific method, healers had to rely a
great deal on the ability of the body to heal itself
and the ability of the mind and soul to stimulate
that process. The imagery exercises that I have
described below can be seen in this context, as a
practice of positive suggestions to oneself.
For me the three most important parts of
whole-health are energy, cleansing, and being
centered or aware of oneself. These processes are
a known part of physical well-being but they are
also major components of mental and spiritual
health. With guided imagery and a process
known as “waking dream,” I help people create
positive events in their minds that manifest
almost immediately in their body as increased
energy and vitality.
I recommend that you sit upright for my
exercises and not have your arms or feet crossed.
Before you begin, exhale slowly three times.
Long slow exhalations quiet the nervous system
and help to focus the mind inward.
I practice “The Waterfall” with the intention
of building energy and vitality. It is equally useful
for people who are ill and for those who tire
easily. Daily practice of this exercise strengthens
the autoimmune system. It is done three times a
day, early morning, noon and twilight, for one
to two minutes, for three cycles of 21 days of
practice with seven days off between each cycle.
The Waterfall
Close your eyes. Breathe out slowly three times.
See and feel yourself at the bottom of a waterfall.
Feel the spray of water on this hot day. Where is
it cooling your body? Your shoulders? Your
spine? Your face? Is it a rush or a mist? How cold
is it? Your feet are wet as you begin climbing the
rocks behind the falls. Experience yourself
climbing. Are the rocks slippery? Do you have
something to hold onto? It is not a steep or scary
climb but it takes consistent attention and
effort.
You break through the cascading water and
come to stand in a stream looking down at the
water rushing below. You look up at the horizon
and see far and wide. Now you begin to experience
thin streaks of blue light one to three inches
long flowing out of the back of your neck.
There are now thousands and thousands of
streaks. The streaks of blue light shoot up into
the air and rain down on you.
As you fill up with blue light you feel yourself
filling up with vital energy. As you fill up
with this energy you look back at the horizon.
Now you can see farther and wider than you
ever thought possible. Know that this is your
future. Open your eyes and return to the physical
senses.
“The Rose” is practiced with the intention of
centering or reaching the essential self in the
same manner as the waterfall. It is a useful exercise
for people who feel that they are being
pulled in two many directions or who are not in
control of their lives. It is designed to help a person
focus his/her energy.
The Rose
See, sense and experience coming upon the deep
red rose. This is a single rose that glows. It grows
from the earth but is surrounded by snow.
Keeping the rose on your right, circle it seven
times in a clockwise direction.
Feel your feet walking on the snow. See the
rose from every angle. Once you have circled it
seven times, walk up to it and smell its fragrance.
Know that its essence is to bloom. Now
see and know your essence. Open your eyes.
“The Cave of Light” exercise is practiced
with the intention of cleansing in the same manner
as the others. When a person is ill, it is very
important to assist the body in cleansing routines.
This exercise is designed to rid the body of
toxins. It also helps the mind to clear out all old
modes of thinking and behavior in order to
clearly assess the future.
The Cave of Light
See, sense and experience yourself entering a seaside
cave. A pedestal of rock rises in the center of
the cave. See yourself standing on the pedestal.
Above you is a round opening in the roof of the
cave. Sunlight floods down from above, creating
a cylinder of light. See yourself immersed in the
light. See the light draw the impurities away
from every cell in your body. Know that you are
fully clean.
Conclusion:
Imaginal exercises can increase your self-awareness,
enhance your vitality and improve your
immune functions. They can also help counteract
the affects of prolonged negative thoughts
and feelings. When practiced during the course
of a serious illness, imaginal exercises are a way
for the patient to be proactive in his recovery
instead of being solely reactive to modern medicine.
Taking actions yourself further empowers
you to overcome an illness while discovering
what your life can be. Imaginal exercise enables
us to see and move beyond our fears.
Francis Clifton, Ph.D. is the founder and director of the Faran Center for Mental Imagery and Psychotherapy. He is also the
co-founder of the Center for Intentional Living. Other imaginal exercises and excerpts from his book Cancer Visible and Invisible
are available from the Faran Center call 212-893-8740 or visit www.Farancenter.org
|
|
|
