Spiritual Paths and Roller Coaster Rides: The Healing Crisis

Have you ever been in a situation in which you knew that you needed to changenyour way of living -- eating habits, lack of exercise, lack of sleep? Did you put it offnand put it off until you finally found yourself run-down, exhausted, depressed (ornperpetually anxious)?

Have you ever put off or permanently shelved a passionate desire because itnwasn't "sensible," "realistic," because its fulfillment would threaten your need fornsecurity and stability?

Have you avoided a major change because you thought that you would suffer innthe process of change?

Life in the Rut

Fear of change, of giving up the familiar for the unknown, is probably the mostncommon fear around. Women stay in bad -- and even dangerous -- marriages.
People stay at dead-end jobs and cling to obsolete habits, relationships, and beliefs.

All too often, it takes a crisis to initiate change. The alcoholic who wakes up in jailnmay find the strength to ask for help. When her children are threatened thenabused woman finds courage and resources she wouldn't have imagined she had.
The employee who has put up with everything else is one day asked to donsomething which violates his/her ethical standards and suddenly discovers thenability to imagine and act on new possibilities.

Under such circumstances change is wrenching and traumatic. How much easier ifnone can find courage, strength, and decisiveness before the crisis occurs.

It can happen; in fact, this is what crystals and flower essences are all about.

I don't pretend that working with them guarantees a totally trauma-free transitionnfrom limitation to possibility. I do believe, however, that traumas can benminimized, and that any crisis which occurs will be a healing one.

Crisis On Demand

If, for example, you decide to take Mimulus (Bach) for the fear of change (Mimulusnis generally recommended for known fears) and work with obsidian (which willnhelp to surface emotions you'd prefer to keep well buried) you may experience anninte
al crisis.

You may realize just how afraid you are of changing your career. This fear maynlook so big to you that you might think you'll never be able to overcome it.

Fortunately, you don't have to overcome it. Think of it this way. You are here;nyour future life is there. Between you and your future is a big clump of densenenergy, rather like a blockage in a drain.

When you have a plumbing blockage you don't try to overcome it; you flush it outnor dissolve it. This is what flower essences and crystals do. In so doing they bringncertain debris to the surface (such as unacknowledged fears). They look big; thennthey float away.

They look big in part because you have made a commitment to deal with them. Ifnyou say, "I'm going to deal with fear," you may find that every fear you ever hadnwill confront you.

In essence, when you say, "I'm getting rid of this" your mind gives you a list ofneverything you need to get rid of. If you are like me and don't like long lists it maynbe difficult for you to appreciate how helpful this cataloging function is.

Remember that your commitment is bigger than this list. Also remember thatnhowever difficult dealing with this feels you have the advantage of meeting it at anconscious level and of being able to deal with it before a crisis hits in the exte
alnworld. Realize as well that the nice thing about this list is that you can deal with itnone item at a time.

Finally, there is no substitute for the feeling of accomplishment one experiencesnupon having successfully released an emotional or physical habit and created spacenfor growth. On days when we feel like failures we can brighten our spirits bynreminding ourselves of our success. Our accomplishment will also give us thenconfidence to look at other areas of our lives which trouble us and to decide thatnwe have the power to change them as well.

Clearing the Path

Instead of plunging into change you can address your emotional obstacles. Fornexample:

For fear you can work with rhodochrosite, and emotionally calm yourself withnamethyst. You can take the Bach Flower Remedies Mimulus (for known fears) or
Aspen (for unknown fears).

For feeling incapable of successfully launching change work with citrine andnsmoky quartz. The related Bach Flower Remedy is Larch.

For overwhelm you can work with sodalite for left/right brain balance andnmoonstone for emotional balance. Elm is the Bach Flower Remedy recommendednfor this.

Healing Helpers

If you feel you need help in bringing emotions to the surface, work withnmalachite, lapis, and obsidian. Any crystal taken in gem essence form may initiatena healing crisis.

If the crisis is well underway I recommend crystals which share the ability ofnpromoting energy flow. Smoothly flowing energy helps to dissolve the blockagesnwhich prevent growth and aids in the release of negativity on all levels.

Smoky quartz helps us to manifest our desires and reinforces self-confidence.
Black tourmaline is useful for its ability to deflect negativity. Blue lace agatensoothes the throat chakra, assisting us in asking for help when we need it.

Other stones are specific for certain conditions. Amethyst has been used for a verynlong time for alcohol abuse. Those who have used it for other forms of substancenabuse have also reported success. Keep a rhodochrosite for anxiety.

While whichever Bach Flower Remedies are appropriate for your particular needsnwill assist you in changing, there are several which will help you to ease thenprocess. Crab Apple works as a physical detoxifier, as well as protecting those whonare over-sensitive to the energies of others. Gentian is helpful for discouragement,
Gorse for hopelessness, Sweet Chestnut for anguish and despair.

Rescue Remedy is the most effective, all-purpose remedy. It consists of Rock Rosen(for terror) Cherry Plum (for seemingly uncontrollable desires), Star of Bethlehemn(for shock), Clematis (for the desire to escape physical existence), and Impatiensn(for impatience). It has guided many people through rough spots in the healingncrisis, and can be especially soothing if six drops are placed in bath water.

It is also available in a cream (with Crab Apple added). Though the cream is mostnoften used for cuts, bruises, burns, and skin ailments, we have found that, whennrubbed on the solar plexus area, it can relieve anxiety or digestive problems, whilenwhen rubbed on the forehead it may help headaches.

This, Too, Shall Pass

The most effective assistant you can call on is the power of your own mind.
Remind yourself that whatever you're going through is just something you'rengoing through. Affirm that it is just a temporary condition, and that you'll comenout of it feeling better than ever.

Repeat additional affirmations, designed for the particular situation with whichnyou are dealing. Say them to yourself, say them out loud, write them down.

Deep breathing exercises will help to relieve the stress and anxiety you may benfeeling. Beginning either at the head or the feet, feel your breath flowing smoothlynthrough your body, dissolving all fear and negativity. Meditation can also help tonrestore you to a calmer mood and sense of purpose.

This is no time to keep your feelings in. When I lived in New York City I felt thatnsince there were so few places where one could shout and scream without beingncarted away that screaming rooms for rent would be a good idea. Until someonenimplements this idea I recommend pillow-pounding, aerobic exercise, andnspeaking the truth.

If a subject someone brings up makes you feel anxious say so. (However, if sixnmonths have gone by, and you still don't want to discuss a problem in anrelationship, examine the possibility that honesty has turned into manipulation.)
Those who are truly your friends and want to support your desire to change willnaccept your candor. About the others, the less said the better.

Cry. This is one of the best stress relievers and emotional (and physical) detoxifiers
I know. No one is too old to cry, or too male, or too dignified, or too in control. Letngo. The fewer burdens you carry at this time, the better.

Healing Crisis: Healing Journey

As we work at dissolving more of the habits, emotions, and beliefs which havenlimited our ability to live the lives of our dreams we find ourselves becomingnmore clear and focused about what we really want for ourselves. As we learn tonfollow our own instincts, wishes, thoughts, and desires, the healing crisis becomesna healing journey.