Prana Pages

Post Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season , we are often reminded of the activities in our abdomen, the vital digestive organs.  The excess intake of complex carbohydrates such as dressing, mashed potatoes and yams coupled with the extra sugars of pumpkin pie, marshmallows, holiday cookies, and cranberry sauce, and (for some of us) alcohol, puts our tummies into overload. No wonder we get tired.

The truth is, the holiday season is often labeled as the most stressful time of year, so it is no wonder that we turn to foods that have a calming and relaxing effect on our systems.  Fats, carbohydrates, alcohol, and the ever famous L-tryptophan in turkey are all agents that promote the synthesis of seratonin and or other factors leading to relaxation, sleepiness, or lethargy.

On an energetic level, the activity (or inactivity) of our tummies can be a great indication of what is going on in our lives, and is one of the easiest “diagnosis” tools in my work of body wisdom healing.  The digestive tract is located in the core of the third (manipura) chakra, the center of identity, power, will, and individuality.  Thus, issues surrounding the digestive tract always relate back to our sense of self, our personal power, and our individual identity.  When our tummies ache, we are facing issues of shame, not feeling good enough, powerlessness, and identity.

Holding On…

When a digestive tract “gets stopped up” or goes into “constipation”, more often than not, this is an indication that one is holding onto something that needs to be released.  Chronic constipation issues are signs of deep resentments or old unresolved identity issues that, unless processed and released, can result in bowel obstructions leading to further complications.  Resentment, especially deep resentment or regret, builds gradually over time.  More often than not, these issues began in childhood when we were teased by the school yard bully or somehow “wronged” by the really mean teacher.  Holding these identities placed upon us by others, often causes us to spend a lifetime trying to compensate, working hard to be “good enough” or to live up to expectations that don’t match our genetic code.  Over time, we begin to resent the expectations put upon us by others, the personality traits that are not accepted, and we hold onto anger, sadness, frustration, and inadequacies.  Each of these gets lodged, literally, in our digestive tract as more and more “crap” that we can’t let go.  When you suffer constipation in your life, it is good to ask yourself what it is you are holding onto that no longer serves you?  What resentments have you built up over the years?  How can you forgive those who have wronged you (perhaps those from long ago)?  How can you drop the grudges?  Addressing these questions will help you to release the excess baggage in your life and you might find yourself a little lighter.

The “Runs”…

Conversely, when food “goes right through” and we suffer “diarrhea”, more often than not, this is an indication that we are rejecting nourishment as it is provided to us.  Again, after years of teasing and bullying since childhood, we have developed a learned behavior of “not deserving.”  In some senses, the body has lost the ability to distinguish the healthy input from the negative input, and so it rejects it all.  Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are all examples of the physical body manifesting ailments as an expression of the lack of self-love, powerlessness, and shame one feels inside.  When we suffer diarrhea, it is good to ask yourself what is it in life that could be good for you that you are rejecting?  What is it you really want but think you do not deserve?  How have you given you power away?  Answers to these questions can help you discover what simple changes to make in your life to start healing your power chakra.

Cravings

The foods we are craving are more often signs of feeling “something’s missing” in our lives.  Take a look at the types of foods you are craving to discern what voids in your life are not being fulfilled.  Please note, this refers to chronic cravings that occur consistently.  If you have a food craving and it goes away after one dose, then the craving was simply a physical need to be fulfilled rather than an emotional issue to be resolved.  This list can also be referenced in “reverse”.  Should you desire the effects on the right side of the list, provide yourself more of the foods associated on the left column.

• Sugars = sweetness, intimacy
• Carbohydrates = comforts,
• Salts = foundation & support
• Proteins = strength, stability
• Caffeine = passion, drive, motivation, will
• Stimulant Drugs = purpose, mission
• Depressant Drugs = grace, surrender, needing to let go of control
• Fruits & Juices = sweetness, abundance
• Root vegetables (carrots, potatoes, yams, etc.) = grounding, foundation, support
• Watery vegetables (peppers, tomatoes, etc.) = cleansing, purification, renewal
• Leafy vegetables (swiss chard, kale, spinach, etc) = cleansing, love, acceptance

Treatment

Treatments for digestive tract issues are as complicated as the functions of each vital organ.  While the obvious response is to address the dietary intake and supplement with exercise, the larger picture involves a complex process of identifying one’s personal power issues, addressing old resentments, releasing grudges, developing self-esteem, and building self-confidence.  No wonder weight loss, diet fads, and exercise programs are such daunting tasks for most of us.

The good news is that baby steps can produce drastic results.  It may have taken us since childhood to develop these issues, but they can be reversed in a fraction of the time it took them to develop.