Immunity? Part Two

In Part 1 of this article I expressed my view of how humanity established and grew a relationship with immunity and the immune system and how it is an expression of how life was and is often viewed: as something to survive and be protected from. With concerns of diseases and violence is it any wonder that protection from is how most of life is lived? Add to that the constant concern for and threat against our financial and societal welfare and well-being and you have a world which is constantly looking over its' shoulder in anticipation of the next conflict to struggle with, the next problem to solve or the next thing to protect ourselves from. Is it a wonder people feel as on-edge as they do? In this article I will be exploring how we can shift our relationship with ourselves; how this will influence our lives; and how it will change the ways we are in the relationship of life.

How we see ourselves and the world around us will influence and determine how our bodies’ function and the approach we take in the support of our bodies. The body is a wonderful expression of our current state of being. If we are anxious the body will begin to create and hold tension, heart rate will increase and the mind will become more alert. This is basic information most are aware of. If you have ever read any information about stress and the management of it, you are aware of how situations and how we perceive them influences what the body does and goes through. If a person remains in stressful situations long enough the body begins to falter and illness can and usually will begin to present. As illness begins to take hold, how a person views what is happening will influence the course of this imbalance. If this is viewed with rejection, tension increases in the body. As tension increases body systems further diminish. As the body continues to move further out of balance the body becomes more inviting to normally disinterested parties. If we are in harmony our body’s natural state of being is not supportive of many, if not most pathogens and other simple-cell organisms. The simplest approach I have, to begin the change in our relationship with our bodies is to ask ourselves, "what can I do to help myself connect with my truest way of being"—what some call “original instruction?”

At the heart of each of us is our heart. Not just the physical heart but also our energetic heart, the location within our energetic matrix through which a being creates themselves as form. This is the intersection point through which soul or spirit consciousness and thought or mind consciousness meet. This is the point that is influenced by free will. This is the point at which choice at every level influences all that is chosen as real. If we choose to experience the world in a specific way, that is how we will present ourselves to the world and how the world will look to us.

One of the many things I appreciate about life is choice; even if we do not fully trust or believe this is true, it is still there. We have an unlimited number of options. It may not be to directly and immediately change the situation of the moment, but we have the ability to change how we are in relationship with ourselves and all that is involved with what is happening. We can, if we choose, become aware of how these very real situations and their potential influence can affect how we feel, experience, and live in this world. It is our perceptions and perspectives, which directly influence and create the foundation from which life is expressed and experienced. We are amazing beings. We can convince ourselves of anything, no matter how "out of this world" something is. The one thing that is not possible is the ability to live separate from and ignorant of the truth. We can, and people often do, choose to be blind to the truth, but truth will ultimately present itself. When this moment arises, and it will happen for everyone at some point, the awakening process has begun. Life will begin to move to uncover and live truth consistently until it is embraced over and over.

A simple practice, which could support the awakening to truth, is to take time on a regular basis to connect with the body and improve your relationship with it through the heart. The reason I chose the heart-centered body relationship is because the body is the vehicle, which most easily gets our attention. If the body is harmony the being will sing. If the body is not in harmony the mind gets a little cranky. Eventually, when the heart is the focal point from which we live, there are no longer any mood swings when the body is in "a formerly perceived" uncomfortable position.

To begin, find a time and place when you will not be disturbed or distracted. Take a moment to connect with the true heart, not the physical heart but the place in proximity to the physical heart where you create yourself as form. The location will be slightly different for everyone, but it will be about midpoint between the spine and the heart muscle center and somewhere between the top of the heart and three inches below the bottom of the heart muscle. Start by breathing naturally. Do not force or manipulate your breath. Let your current rhythm present. After settling into this rhythm bring your awareness to the area of the true heart and stay present with your desire and willingness to experience your true self. Take your time and do not rush even if you are not able to discern your origin. As long as you have a loving desire to connect and you let your faith in your ability to awaken, it will be there, even if you are not able to consciously feel it, over time and with consistent choosing, you will awaken consciously to have an intimate and purposeful relationship with your center. It is through this awakening that all true communication with Divine Source takes place.

Stay centered in your heart with your breath. Feel yourself radiate from that center. Even if you are not feeling the true origin you should be able to feel or be aware of something. It could be warmth, a glow or color; a pulse, vibration or a tone; most anything that has a natural vibration. When you connect with it allow it to expand out from that origin point with each exhaling breath. Continue until you feel it expand as far as you would like it to go, but at least beyond the border of your physical body. Stay with this until you feel comfortable and at peace. Once settled bring your attention and awareness to your body. Gently and lovingly become aware of and feel the current state of your body. Feel where there is tension and flow; love and fear; joy and anxiety; truth and illusion. With each breath feel what is present. Allow what presents to flow without judgment, need to understand, or desire to control. Just let it flow in whatever form it takes. Let each thing come to resolution on its own. No need to force or look for an end. It will come to completion on its own.

This activity has many benefits. Not only will it offer an opportunity to spend some quality time with yourself, but it is also helpful to allow release of all which is no longer serving. As this practice is continued you will notice a more peaceful and centered mind. Anxiety will be more frequently replaced with peace and joy; worry and dread will be replaced with contentment and childlike curiosity. You will begin to look at situations similar to those of the past and find yourself seeing them and feeling differently about them. All of life will have more options, opportunities and possibilities than were able to be seen before. These moments of awakening bring forth the realization of your truest essence. You will begin to feel life without the limitations and boundaries of the past. There will be fewer thoughts of judgment and criticism; and the world will begin to be experienced new every moment.

Take some time periodically to ponder the possibilities life has to offer when you are no longer controlled by your history. At this point it becomes apparent that life can be something very different. You begin to realize you have choice. Not just choice of what to eat or where to go, but how you would like to be and act in any and all situations. Not because you want or need to influence the outcome of an event, but because you are willing to experience yourself and those around you in a joyful, caring, and loving way. You are as you are because you are willing to lovingly be cause in the world. You are willing to be all you are able to be purposefully in every moment because you cannot imagine being any other way.

When a person chooses to live in this way all of life is viewed as a blessing and a gift and received with gratitude for the opportunity to live. It is at this point the body and all of its systems are able to function in harmonious union to support and accentuate the experience of life in physical form. The body system becomes expressive and reflective of a life lived in harmony, not a system of checks and balances, or a system of defense and protection.

What if the immune system is not a system of defense and protection? What if all of this is us protecting ourselves from the one thing that frightens us the most... our own mind and the wounds it carries and protects? What if all that is necessary is to connect to our willingness to embrace the truth about ourselves, life and the way we have been looking at things for so long? What if all that is necessary to change our lives is to spend time looking in the mirror and stay open, without judgment, and lovingly embrace the truth of what we see and feel? Feel all there is without condition or rejection and let the Love that we are shine from us for all to share. What if it is this simple?