Self-healing is a transformative journey that can empower you to address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
When I went through the process of healing myself, I had to first understand that I had been walking through my life totally disconnected from myself and from my body. Slowly I began, with therapy and meditation, understanding the profound connection between mind, body, and spirit. That meant if I was neglecting one of them, I was neglecting the others as well.
I went deep, still because I got hungry for more. I started inner child and inner bonding. We’ve all heard of inner child stuff, but inner bonding was new. It’s a technique for connecting with your deeper and higher self, which plays a crucial role in this path.
I know I may be getting ahead of myself, but during this process of self-healing, my healing buddy and I came across information regarding the vagus nerve, and, well, we went on a major tangent and focused healing here as well. Accessing the healing power of the vagus nerve can enhance your ability to self-regulate and recover from stress.
The self-healing journey is about more than just recovery; it’s about growth and aligning with your truest self. This blog post explores the intersection of spirituality and self-healing, offering insights into what it means to heal and thrive holistically.
What Does Self-Healing Truly Mean?
Self-healing is the process of harnessing your inner resources to overcome physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual deficiencies. It’s a highly personal process, and it doesn’t rely solely on external tools but emphasizes your innate personal power to return to a state of balance, vitality, and homeostasis.
This approach acknowledges the body’s natural capacity to heal itself when given the right conditions.
I tell everyone that the first step on the self-healing journey is awareness. By getting in your body, you’re forced to pay attention to your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations; you can identify areas that need healing.
Whether it’s through mindfulness practices, meditation, or journaling, increasing self-awareness lays the foundation for meaningful healing.
This is because the mind and body are deeply interconnected. Dr. Joe Dispenza refers to this connection as coherence. Negative emotions can manifest as physical ailments (or dis-EASE), while physical discomfort can affect mental health.
Self-healing addresses this relationship by encouraging practices that nurture both.
These three books were and are paramount throughout my journey of self-healing. I HIGHLY recommend adding these to your library TODAY!
The Power to Heal Yourself
I think it’s important to manage expectations at the start. Healing yourself isn’t magic or wishful thinking. Like anything in life, it requires dedication, persistence, and consistency. You have to show up for yourself. Also, realize that healing yourself isn’t a linear process. It involves highs and lows, moments of clarity, and periods of doubt. There are times that you’re going to encounter things that absolutely suck; this is part of the journey.
Embracing the journey as a series of learning experiences will help you maintain motivation and patience.
Books like Louise L. Hay’s holy trinity—Heal Your Body, You Can Heal Your Life, and The Power is Within You—provide valuable guidance on the self-healing journey. Her work highlights the connection between thoughts, emotions, and physical health, offering affirmations and insights to reframe negative patterns and help you uncover what’s happening within you.
It may sound like you’re broken beyond repair, but I assure you that you’re anything but broken. You’re exactly where you need to be. Healing yourself requires gentleness, grace, understanding, and self-compassion.
Recognize your struggles without judgment and treat yourself with the kindness you’d offer a friend.
This mindset creates a supportive environment for transformation.
Inner Bonding: Connecting With Your True Self
Inner bonding is a self-healing practice developed to connect with all that you know as you—the true authentic self. It involves a dialogue between different parts of yourself—the inner child, adult self, and higher guidance—to uncover unmet needs and address emotional wounds. This is the part that a lot of people find the most challenging and difficult to do.
I recommend starting with one of my favorite spiritual teachers, Teal Swan, to navigate some of these waters. You will need the support. And of course, do nothing this heavy without the care of a therapist or medical provider, of which I’m neither.
The inner bonding process begins with learning to be present and acknowledge your feelings. Next, you explore the underlying causes of these emotions, often linked to childhood experiences or unmet needs (this is the part that is uncomfortable and may absolutely suck on many levels).
By nurturing your inner child with love and support, you can begin to build a stronger connection with your authentic self.
Consistent practice of inner bonding will eventually lead to increased self-awareness, emotional resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose.
It’s a powerful tool for anyone looking to heal emotional wounds and live more authentically.
Vagus, Baby!
The vagus nerve is a key component of the parasympathetic nervous system, often called the “rest-and-digest” system.
It’s responsible for regulating vital functions like heart rate, digestion, and emotional response, making it integral to the self-healing process.
Polyvagal theory, a concept first introduced by Stephen Porges, centers around accessing the vagus nerve to reduce stress, relieve anxiety, heal trauma, and balance your nervous system. There are specific exercises and methods to help you unlock the power of the vagus nerve and your body’s capacity to heal from stress, trauma, anxiety, and injury.
Accessing the healing power of the vagus nerve allows your body to recover from stress more effectively. It strengthens your ability to cope with challenges and supports both physical and emotional well-being. This connection underscores the importance of integrating mind-body practices into your self-healing routine.
While this is one of many books on Polyvagal Theory, it is the easiest and most practical to understand and apply. I still return to it regularly.
Spirituality and Self-Healing: Bridging the Gap
Spirituality plays a profound role in self-healing by providing a sense of purpose and connection. It encourages introspection, helping you explore your beliefs and align your actions with what you believe. You will definitely find that many of the spiritual practices you grew up with may no longer resonate with you as you grow and heal—and that is perfectly natural!
Spiritual practices are intended to provide a sense of peace, which is essential for healing.
Exploring and combining your spirituality with some of the self-healing practices we have discussed creates a holistic approach to well-being. Meditation, prayer, and energy healing are powerful tools that nurture both the soul and the body.
These practices help in accessing inner wisdom and forming a deeper connection with oneself. No one path of spirituality is correct; no one path of spirituality is incorrect. Everything simply is.
Self-healing is not about isolation but integration. It’s about uniting physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health to create a harmonious life. By embracing spirituality, you unlock your potential for transformation. This is all a journey, but only you can travel it. No one can do it for you.
Conclusion
The intersection of spirituality and self-healing is a deeply personal and multifaceted journey.
By embracing practices like inner bonding, polyvagal theory, and nurturing your spiritual side, you create a framework for lasting well-being. Healing becomes not just a goal but a transformative process that promotes growth, resilience, and fulfillment.
As you continue on your self-healing journey, remember that small, consistent steps can lead to profound changes. Trust the process, embrace your unique path, and discover the power within to heal and thrive.