NICABM.Lecture.2008

Taking Control of the Energy of Your Life, From Your Cells To Your Soul

Richard G. Petty MD, MSc, MRCP(UK), MRCPsych,

Promedica Research Center, Georgia State University College of

Health Sciences,

Loganville, Georgia, USA

RichardGPettyMD.comrpettyus@aol.com

The Questions:

Have your perceptions changed in recent years?

Are we changing as a species?

Are the Laws of Healing changing?

And if the answers are “Yes,” how can we use this information in practice?

In 1905The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtubThere were 8,000 cars in the U.S. and 144 miles of paved roadsMore than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at homeNinety percent of all U.S. physicians had no college educationThe average annual intake of refined sugar was 60 pounds per head, up from 7 pounds per head in 1805. (It is estimated to be about 150 pounds per head in 2005)The five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza2. Tuberculosis3. Diarrhea4. Heart disease5. Stroke

There were only about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.Only 8 percent of homes had a telephone, and there were no computers, airplanes or 24-hour lightingThe human body contained several hundred fewer synthetic chemicals than it does today

Diseases Have Changed...

Apart from epidemics and diseases of social change...

The “English sweats”Rheumatic feverSchizophreniaCoronary artery disease

Have We - And Are We - Changing?

The interplay between food, society and cognitionThe discovery of the actual role of genes in the brainThe strange case of the “Missing chakras”Stage models, e.g.:

Karl JaspersJean GebserKen WilberThe Spiral Dynamic model

Blue

Red

Purple

Beige

Orange

Yellow

Green

Turquoise

The Value Memes (vMemes)

First Tier: The Six “Subsistence” vMemes:Beige: Instinctive, survivalistPurple: Magical, animistRed: Egocentric, impulsiveBlue: OrderOrange: ScientificGreen: Egalitarian

Second Tier: The “Being” vMemes:Yellow: IntegrativeTurquoise: Holistic

And So?

If we are indeed changingAnd the mind and the body are so intimately inter-relatedWe should expect that our physical, emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual development will have an impact on the problems that we see and how to help them

Have Some Therapies “Stabilized” or Become More Valuable Over Time?

HomeopathyFlower essencesThought Field TherapyQuantum-TouchThe ReconnectionAnd dozens more...

Larry Dossey’s Three “Eras” of Medicine

Era I: Mechanical

Era II: Mind-body

Era III: Non-local

“New” Problems That Need New Approaches

Increasing emotional and environmental sensitivity“Salience disruption syndromes:”

Mood instabilityAttention deficitAddictionsSensitivity to geopathic stress

“Diseases of discipleship”

“Diseases of Discipleship”: 1Visual disturbancesExtreme sensitivity to light and soundParadoxically they often also find a raised pain thresholdIncreased metabolic rate, which may cause a slight increase in body temperature and a little weight lossVariable libido: some people lose all interest in sex, but most experience an increase in sexual desire, which can take them and any partners by surpriseDisturbances in circadian rhythmsDisturbances in thyroid and adrenal function: the thyroid often becomes slightly – or sometimes more than slightly – overactive and the adrenal glands slightly less responsive to stimulationHypoglycemiaHypertension

“Diseases of Discipleship”: 2Chronic fatigueAnxiety and a feeling of “butterflies” in the region of the solar plexusInexplicable sensations roughly corresponding to the channels identified in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicineIrregular breathing patterns, usually hyperventilationSomething that feels like electricity under the tongue and on the palateCrying for no readily apparent reasonAs peoples’ consciousness rises, it is quite common to experience “Synesthesia” in which senses overlap: people may taste sounds, feel colors and “hear and see” with different parts of the bodyPsychic abilities often begin to appear: clairvoyance, clairaudience, spiritual intuition and the ability to heal

The Development of a New Model

There is an underlying Matrix of Information: this is the same “Inner Light” mentioned throughout the world

Informational Matrix

The Thought Field

The Main Centers and the Chakras

The Flow of Energy in the Channels and Meridians

The Electromagnetic Field

The Liquid Crystalline Matrix of the Body

Biochemical Reactions

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The Development of a New Model

The Axioms:There is an underlying Matrix of InformationThe single greatest force in the human system is its constant drive to heal itselfSymptoms are signals of disconnectionRelationship is the key to a therapeutic interactionIn contrast to treatment, healing implies and involves:

Meaning PurposeTransformation

Therapies are specific to our stage of development

Integrated Health: 1

The Axioms of Treatment:It is “Integrated Health” since it uses intention to integrate the five dimensions:

PhysicalPsychologicalSocialSubtleSpiritual

Healing must:In-formTransform: be a vehicle for growthBe evolutionary

Integrated Health: 2

Achieving “conventional” health is simple:DietExerciseSleepPosture Flow of “energy” etc.

Integrated health entails a transformation of of heart and mindThis transformation is usually necessary for us to achieve, exceed and express our full potential

Integrated Health: 3

This needs for “patients” and practitioners to work both with an external orientation:

TreatmentsTherapiesSelf-helpSelf-improvement

And internal approaches:Self-cultivationMeaningPurposeSpirituality

Plane of Physical Interventions: Orthodox Medicines; Gene Therapies

Nutritional Interventions; Herbs; Essential Oils’Detoxification

Homeopathic Remedies in Low Potency; Psychotherapy

Traditional Acupuncture; Acupressure; Shiatsu

Electro-acupuncture;High Potency Homeopathy

Gem Elixirs

Spiritual Healing;Flower Essences

Causal

Gross

Subtle

Applying the Model to “Energy”

Why is “Energy” the Key?

Time is finite and limitedWith a little care and attention, our energy can become almost infiniteTime management is important to help structure our livesEnergy management is the key to resilienceOur energy helps determine the quality and quantity of our lives

Physical EnergyImpacts our ability to manage all of the other energiesPhysical energy is primarily dependent on:

Blood flowOxygenationNutrient supplyMetabolismRest, recovery and renewal

Therefore the keys to mastery of your physical energy include:

Synchronizing circadian rhythms and physical exercise: Aerobic, strength, core groups and stretchingBreathingNutritionSleep

Psychological Energy: EmotionalThe capacity to manage emotions

High emotional intelligenceModulateBoost when necessary

The keys to emotional mastery include:Self-awarenessSelf-confidenceSelf-controlPatiencePerseveranceForgivenessTrustBeautyMusic

Psychological Energy: MentalCapacity to:

Focus attentionSustain concentrationMaintain a realistically optimistic perspective

The keys to mastery of mental energy include:ActionAdaptability AutonomyMental preparationVisualizationPositive self-talkEffective time - and energy! - managementCreativityDetaching from the outcome

Social and Relationship EnergyThey include not only inter-personal relationships, but all relationshipsThey may provide:

ResilienceCopingSupportEngagement

But they may also cause a huge energy drainThe keys to mastery of the energy of relationships include:

Social intelligenceEmpathyThe ability to “protect” your energyConverting dominant relationships into partnerships

Voncerting

The Cinderella of Energy: Subtle Systems

At least 97 cultures have described subtle systems of the body:

PneumaQi (Chi, Ki)PranaOdic forceOrgoneVital forceBiofield

(Please see the questions in the Personal Evaluation of Wellness)

Mastery of Your Subtle Energy

YogaBreathingT’ai chi ch’uan and qigongAcupressureReikiTapping therapiesAnd so on...

Spiritual Energy

“Spiritual” has so many meanings:Contact with the DivineThe highest levels of any of the lines of development through which we can passHaving something to do with experiences that can come about from prayer, meditation, devotion, love

Here I suggest that it is our connection to a deeply held set of values and to a purpose beyond our own self-interestIt is one of our most powerful motivatorsWe can probably all recognize an absence or presence of spiritual energyBut we may not always work on it ourselves or with our clients

First Things First

Before starting the program:Make sure that there is not some physical reason for lacking energy

BUTBe careful about spending time and money on unproven tests and treatments

Your Energy “Audit”

Where do you expend your energy?

For example:Physical activitiesPeople who are - or have been - in your lifeBeliefsHabitsObligations

Your Energy “Audit”

Where do you get your energy from?Things

People

Places

Spiritual practices

Your Energy “Audit”

It is essential to discover the rhythms or cycles of your energy

Energy Thieves

Energy Thieves

Poor diet: many of us are malnourished and dehydratedBad posturePoor breathing patternsPoor sleep patternsClutterDisharmonyWorryEgo fearsSome people

Failing to manage stress

Energy Thieves

Poor diet: many of us are malnourished and dehydratedBad posturePoor breathing patternsPoor sleep patternsClutterDisharmonyWorryEgo fearsSome people

Failing to manage stress

Stress is Not Always Bad!

Your Energy Plan

The Core Personalized Program:Make sure that you are not trying to “Teach a Cat to Quack!”

The Rescue Package:Sometimes we all fall off: so we need some simple steps to get back on track

The Emergency Energy Kit:What to do when you need some extra energy now, this minute

Nutrition

Nutrition

Nutrition

Nutrition

Content: What to avoid What to include

Supplements Breakfast, lunch, dinner and healthy snacks Avoid hydrogenated oils Water instead of drinks that cheat you Fruit Glycemic index Balance Learn labels Don’t just eat: Dine!

Synchronizing Circadian Rhythms

Food: The time that you eat and what you eat is critically dependent on your circadian rhythmThe optimal time for exercise is also dependent on an individual’s rhythmsKnowledge of the cycles can also help identify the energy nadirs, when it is best to focus on mundane and repetitive tasks

The 48-Minute Hour

Whatever an individual’s basic circadian structure, it is highly likely that he of she will still follow the basic 8, 20 and 48-minute cyclesA key to focused energy is the forty-eight minute hour

The Major Determinants of Sleep

MelatoninTemperature:

AmbientCore

Serotonin levelsMuscle tensionInflammatory mediatorsAge:

Therefore any interventions must consider age as a factor

Practical Techniques for Managing Sleep

Establish the CauseSleep hygiene

Then:Use the nasal cycle: Lie on your left then your rightAromasMelatoninCold compress:

Chinese medicineStonewall Jackson

Practical Techniques for Managing Sleep

VisualizationRemembering backwardsHerbal remediesHomeopathic remediesCalcium/magnesiumFacial massageMusic

Protecting Your EnergyWe do not want to lose our empathy or intuition but we also cannot afford to be overwhelmed by those who come to us for helpThere are a number of techniques that can help us all to deal with this pressing issue:

Improve our ability to ground ourselvesRapid centeringProtection:

Crossing your hands“Smoothing” our subtle systems“Zipping up”Flower essences (see handout)

Sample Grounding Exercise

Use your intention and your breath to visualize that you can lower your mind into your heartVisualize yourself breathing into and out of your heartVisualize yourself sending the energy in your heart down through your body into the earth – to the pulsing core of the earthNow visualize yourself breathing the energy of the earth back into your heart

The Rescue Package

You will only stay with a plan if it fits with your core values:

Remember your purposeRemember your contribution and legacyRemember how good it felt to have the extra energy for just one day

And if those are not enough, we have other tools:Tapping therapiesFlower essencesA skilled guide

Psychological Reversal

Typical features:Confusing right and left or up and downSudden word finding problemsConsistently typing two letters the wrong way roundIntense episodic irritability, energy collapse or procrastination for no readily apparent cause

Often specific to a place or topicResponse to treatment can be diagnostic

The Psychological Reversal point

The point on the hand used to treat psychological reversal: it corresponds to the acupuncture point Small Intestine 3

Emergency Energy Boost 1: Energizing Breath

Sit up, with your back straight, with your eyes closedPlace your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind your upper front teeth and keep it there throughout the exerciseBreath in and out rapidly through the nose, keeping the mouth lightly closedInhalation and exhalation should be equal and short, and until you are an expert, you should feel the muscular exertion in your neck and diaphragmThe chest action should be rapid and mechanical, like a bellows (Stop if you develop any dizziness)Breath audibly on both inhalation and exhalation, aiming to reach 3 cycles (in and out) per secondStart with 15 seconds and gradually increase the length of time of the exercise up to a minute at a time

Emergency Energy Booster 2: Acupressure

Acupressure: SO LONG AS YOU ARE NOT PREGNANT: press here gently for 30-60 secondsThen gently massage the middle of the sole of your foot for 30-60 secondsThen with your feet flat on the floor, do 30-60 seconds of abdominal breathing

Summary

Integrated Health is an approach that does not replace but enhances existing methodsEnergy is an important key to health, attention and engagementIt is wise to incorporate three strands into a program of development or treatment:

Core personalizedRescueEmergency