Listening To MS

Chapter 8: A Scientific Shift

It's healthy to have boundaries and a general understanding of the workings of our world. But soon I realized even with my trusty science, theories are just one way of explaining phenomena. For example as important a breakthrough as Einstein's Theory of Relativity is, other research is being done that contradicts some of his conclusions. One such theory suggests that the speed of light is actually slowing down. Einstein's theory and famous equation E=mc2 works on the premise that the speed of light is permanent. So you see we are continuously learning by observing new phenomena and thus rediscovering the workings of our world.

There is another current theory that is gaining a lot of scientific support, called String Theory. This theory supports what quantum physics has been observing for many years and is able to merge it with the theory of Relativity. According to string theory, everything we see and don't see, from rocks to people can be broken down to strings of energy. This energy is fluid and dynamic and is found sub-atomically, smaller than electrons. In a book entitled, The Elegant Universe, Dr. Greene's explanation of how this theory changes our understanding of the workings of life and everything in the universe is nothing short of magic.

I believe String theory is substantiating in scientific terms that the illusive intuition, for example, is very real. They are not just abstract isolated feelings that an individual has. Mind over matter becomes more than a mere cliché. Now we are beginning to realize, in this case, through physics, that there is so much more that we don't know. This science in particular amazes and continues to inspire me.

While you're driving to work tomorrow, look around you--physics is now proving that everything animate and inanimate is energy. Energy which studies show can be manipulated under certain conditions. That means you, the trees around you, the dog crossing the road, your car; everything ultimately is energy, materializing into different forms. If this is in fact true, it changes our perspective on how we see everything. It gives me more hope and confidence that we truly can affect our lives in substantially positive ways, including disease.

At the time of my diagnosis my choices as far as traditional medicine is concerned, were very limited. Because of this I developed an interest in researching holistic or alternative approaches. There was already a part of me that believed in the mind/body connection, so one of my first priorities was to take care of my mind. I needed to get control over this depression. This state of mind could only exacerbate my disease as well as damage my quality of life and my family's as well.

The depression was having a negative impact on my life, more than MS had ever done. So I found a wonderful therapist who helped me free myself of this destructive thinking pattern. She supported me through the grieving process. Eventually I was able to move forward with a new sense of confidence in myself.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, get help. I can't emphasize this enough for those who are struggling with a loss. A good therapist can make the healing process more efficient. By efficient I mean, simpler, quicker, and more meaningful. The word efficient sounds so sterile, but when you're dealing with depression that's exactly what you need, a sterile environment, where you go in, find the problem and cut it out. I may not have control over my disease, but I still had control over my attitude and was determined to conquer this depression.

During my therapy she recommended I read Minding the Body, Mending the Mind, by Joan Borysenko, one of the first books that put me on the path of holistic health. After reading that book, meditation became an integral part of my life. My preferred method is to be surrounded by nature. Leaning up against a tree surrounded by the fall foliage or taking a drive to the beach on a warm sunny day is a favorite. Walking onto the rocks and being still, while enjoying the caress of the warm summer breeze as the waves crash and the seagulls fly in the distance. Although visualization works very well, I find when I'm especially drained, nature recharges me quickly and the experience is much more fulfilling.

Exercise is also something that I have grudgingly tried to incorporate into my life. The times that I am consistent with it, are the times when I feel my best. It is difficult for me to get started but I find that by getting through the first quarter mile practically sleep walking, I then break free and regain my energy. I rationalize that everything is made of energy and by exercising we are actually raising the vibration of our body's energy field. The higher the vibration the better we feel, at least in my experience.

What science is only now beginning to explore, ancient traditions have known for a long time. For example there is an ancient technique which originated hundreds of years ago in Tibet. It is referred to as Reiki (Ray-Kee), which means universal energy. Reiki is an energetic healing technique that helps to reduce stress and often brings about a relaxed state of being. By relaxing the body, it allows for the mind/body connection to work optimally. In turn we experience a feeling of well being and our bodies systems return to balance.

These Tibetan monks who developed this technique realized long ago that there was an electromagnetic field that surrounded everything. Of course they didn't refer to it as such. I became so fascinated with this area of healing. For many years I read several different books on energy medicine. It wasn't however until I went to see a psychoneuroimmunologist at Beth Israel Hospital that I decided to receive training in Reiki.

My physician was a leading researcher in Multiple Sclerosis, an MD/PhD. I walked into the examining room the first day and there on the desk I spotted an acupuncture model with meridians all over it. I must have looked fascinated by it.

The doctor looked at me as she continued my physical exam and asked, "Do you know what that is?"

I explained that I did and that in fact I was surprised to see such a thing in the office of someone who was not only trained as a conventional doctor, but in fact was knee deep in typical scientific research. She went on to explain to me that although many of her colleagues do not share her perspective, she believes that there is much that science not only doesn't understand, but science doesn't have the technological capability yet to even look for the answers. She believes that there are ancient traditions, particularly in the east, that have a lot to offer.

These medical traditions have survived for thousands of years and they seem to benefit people in many circumstances. She felt that there was no harm in maintaining a firm footing in one world, while exploring another. In fact she confided, "I have received training in Reiki and integrate it into my everyday life." She encouraged me to look into it myself. It was that moment when I truly understood that I didn't have to throw out the baby with the bath water. I could appreciate both medical perspectives and philosophies and benefit from what they had to offer in an integrative approach to health rather than an alternative, yet another lesson for me in accepting the whole and not just its parts. Another words I didn't have to choose. Essentially I felt I was given permission to explore.

Learning about these holistic methods was so exciting and freeing for me. It was so much fun to experience some of these methods first hand. I have had wonderful results with massage and acupuncture. Along with the Reiki these are approaches I highly recommend. Acupuncture treatments, in addition to being one hour of relaxation, help to balance my energy field. During the time I was seeing an acupuncturist, and even now, my cravings for unhealthy foods and drinks had greatly diminished. Even now my body usually desires what is healthy for it to thrive.

Our bodies are very wise and when balanced we are better able to be sensitive to what they are trying to tell us. No example is more profound then when a woman is pregnant. Many women have cravings and they vary from woman to woman. At times these cravings are off the wall. My mother shared that when she was pregnant with me, she craved oranges. Not ripe oranges--instead she craved green oranges, unripened, and more than that she ate them like an apple with the skin on. Her and my father would go for their nightly walk together down the cobblestone streets of our home town in Portugal and as soon as she would see an orange tree, she would salivate at the thought of biting into that orange. My poor father hopped many walls and climbed many a tree to satisfy her desire. I can't make sense of it, but our bodies know what they need and what they want and they're more intelligent than we give them credit for. They intuitively know how to get it. My cravings during pregnancy weren't so extravagant. I craved cantaloupes, many many cantaloupes and my sense of smell became bionic. There were many scents I had to avoid. Our bodies have this potential always. We just need to be more aware of our senses and heed their warnings.

These approaches that I mentioned above, help to balance our systems so that we can continue to be in tune with our body's natural guidance system. All of these approaches affect us energetically. This idea is no longer new age mumbo jumbo. Science is now beginning to explain what ancient cultures have mystically known for thousands of years.

For example, massages are a wonderful way to relax and help to release toxins from our bodies. After a massage it is recommended that we drink plenty of water for the next few days in order to facilitate the elimination of these toxins. On average I see a masseuse four times a year. I understand if my body is tense eventually it will affect other areas of my life, whether it's physical or emotional. So I listen carefully to my body's messages and then I nip it in the bud, before the condition is exacerbated.

Over the years I have experimented with various holistic therapies, most of which I found soothing. Take aromatherapy for example, in my personal experience I have found it helpful in achieving or sustaining a certain mood. Whether I use lavender to relax, sage to clear, or citrus scents to revitalize, aromatherapy is an effective tool.

Our olfactory sense is very powerful. We have all had the experience of smelling something and immediately a memory is triggered. That is because our sense of smell has a more direct path to the area of our brain that recalls memories than any of the other 4 senses. Aromatherapy can be quite powerful. For the longest time I would have instant recollections of my time spent in Portugal as a child--sweet memories. Until one day as an adult I realized that what was triggering these memories was diesel fuel! Not the best scent to trigger happy sensations, but it made sense. At the time diesel was the main fuel used in Portugal. So if a bus happened to pass by me, I would be flooded with good feelings.

There are other ways in which feelings can be affected. Consider for a moment, items that surround you, items that you have a particular fondness for. Maybe it's a cozy blanket, one that's practically falling apart from so much use, but none the less it's near and dear to you and soothes you. What about the mood that the soft warm glow of candles can impart in a room? Your grandmother's vase filled with fresh cut flowers from your garden which you cultivated with loving tenderness and serenity. All of these are examples of things that can and do affect your mood and ultimately can affect your perception of the world at that given moment.

Now bear with me for a moment longer. What if someone told you that blankets could cure depression? Would you believe them or politely remove yourself from the presence of an individual who most certainly has one foot off the curb? What if they said it could treat depression? The inference there, meaning the state of mind that is associated with depression. Still you would say highly doubtful. I agree, highly doubtful. Well what if it's not depression at all, what if it's merely a case of the blues, melancholy? Can you see yourself being soothed by wrapping yourself in the comfort of your favorite blanket? No the blanket didn't heal you and really it has no innate magical powers, but it is a particular blanket, your blanket, which carries nurturing energetic vibrations that now resonate with you from years of use. Thus it is soothing to your energy field, granted in a mild but never the less, effective way.

This leads me to the controversial discussion of crystals and other stones. I can see the rolling of the eyes. Breathe, relax, and keep an open mind, then decide what you believe. These new age items especially have been highly criticized by the skeptics. Remember, everything is made of energy--everything. You can't escape that fact. More accurately everything is energy. The material world---matter---is just a materialized expression of energy vibrating at different frequencies. So therefore, in its very essence, every little thing, including rocks, water, wood, etc., they all have there own unique vibration. So if we accept that String theory has merit, then it isn't that far fetched to entertain the idea that particular crystals or stones have a specific affect on their environment. Do they cure disease? Probably not, although the power of suggestion is a powerful thing. Is it impossible? Nothing is impossible. Can they affect our energy fields in ways to assist us in healing ourselves? Absolutely. But it's not because they're different or unique or even magical. It is exactly because they are the same as everything else that exists in the world. It's all energy, affecting the surroundings in different ways. Individuals with our own unique frequencies respond differently to these crystals. Just like that blanket, it has everything to do with how something resonates with you.

My collection of stones and crystals come from many different places in the world. Most I didn't buy, but prefer to find one that I'm drawn to in that particular place and time. Mainly I enjoy them as reminders of that experience and also for their innate beauty. I have found them helpful in meditating, especially when meditating outdoors is not possible. These are my little pieces of nature that create a soothing, relaxing environment for me to be able to surrender to the moment. Again, it's not magic. Their unique energetic vibrations affect the surroundings in such a way that it assists me in achieving higher levels of consciousness. You don't have to spend money on buying specific stones. Take a walk along your favorite wooded path or a secluded beach. Surround yourself with earth's own gifts. Then bring back small reminders of the beauty you've just experienced, the moment you just captured.

In defense of the critics, unfortunately there are many who take advantage of vulnerable people and claim that their product cures a disease or all diseases. Just remember to balance an open mind with healthy skepticism. Research a product or a service thoroughly before passing judgment one way or another and then follow your intuition. There are therapies that you may find very helpful and others that despite the research and recommendations do nothing for you personally. That's okay; it just means it doesn't resonate with you at that given moment. You may try it again years later and change your mind completely, or not. Use caution however, with people charging large fees and claiming to cure diseases. Otherwise, explore and enjoy the adventure.