Well, since being partially enlightened on the subject, I have found that the practice of chiropractics is to keep one’s body in alignment so its functions can carry on properly.  Meridians can flow, organs can operate, and life can be healthier for it.  A regular maintenance program is recommended for maintaining health.

A couple of days ago a client introduced me to something called naprapathy.  It is an offshoot of chiropractic and osteopathy. Thanks to Wikipedia, I know that and I also now know what subluxation is … medically and chiropractically!

This is a website with good explanation.  Mt. Lebanon Chiropractic.

And here’s a video that makes it so simple to understand!

So much in the way of naturopathy!  All seem to be gaining ground as awareness grows and people learn to look for natural ways of healing themselves and empowering their bodies.  I’ve even heard that some medical and naturopathic practitioners are joining forces and some insurance companies are covering alternative medicine treatments.

It is always good to ask for advice from an informed person and licensed naturopaths are the ones to seek out for this.  So much information is available online, but to be sure, find a naturopath you trust who doesn’t mind your asking a ton of questions.

Decisions are yours, of course, and better informed makes for more wisely decided.

It is a very simple task, one that we can complete in as little as a few minutes.  The most difficult part is setting the time and sticking to the routine.  As with all things learned, it takes some effort at first, but will quickly become a ritual you will not want to set aside or have interrupted.

In my case, nightly before bed has worked best.  Some enjoy a morning time spent in prayer and meditation and will find this writing fits in perfectly as another instrument to further their spiritual walk.  Whenever your choice of perfect time, make sure to keep your appointment.  System is paramount for a feeling of success and strengthening within ourselves.  It serves as a triggering as well as measuring mechanism, just like a physical exercise program does.  Our minds, like our bodies, will get used to the daily exercise; and will be better able to step into the pattern of meditation and writing more easily as we keep to the set format.

If that sounds boring, believe me, it’s not.  I have found that my inner botherings appear more effortlessly and possible modes of  alleviating them become obvious.  Some may say the words come from Spirit, others claim they are from our Higher Selves, Inner Selves or Souls; from ourselves at another level of understanding.  This sounds the most plausible to me, as I understand we are all part of a Higher Consciousness anyway.  We tap into a source of information and use the material gathered there to better examine our lives.

Ever heard of the Stream of Consciousness?

–adjective
of, pertaining to, or characterized by a manner of writing in which a character’s thoughts or perceptions are presented as occurring in random form, without regard for logical sequences, syntactic structure, distinctions between various levels of reality, or the like: a stream-of-consciousness novel; a stream-of-consciousness technique.

This is a writing tool used by some very well known authors, as a matter of fact; especially post-modern writers like: Virginia Woolf, and James Joyce who would write, focusing on the emotional and psychological progression of their characters, while maneuvering through time and place as best fit in with their development.

Basically, there may be no pre-planning or outlining, but instead, a fluidity and feel that comes from allowing the imagination, or psyche, or intuitive nature of the writer to take the reins without prejudice toward the possible outcome.  There is a natural flow that can be felt and an artistic breath of life that is given to this type of writing.

The same with Automatic Writing.  You will be giving your Inner Self permission to express what has been hidden.  At first it may seem that what is appearing is mere drivel, but give yourself time.  Perhaps there will be but one phrase that will have a ring of meaning to it.  My suggestion is that you don’t worry about punctuation or sentence structure.  I’ve found that in the reading, there is a subtle change in direction if we change where we thought the sentence began and ended.  Allow your hand to flow without pausing to think about what is being put on the paper.  Don’t stop, or analyze, or judge the product.  Think of it as finger painting.  The words are already there, you’re just arranging them, pushing the pen as you give your mind its independence.

As a method of creative outlet as well as an in-depth hunt for hidden mysteries within us, Automatic Writing can be taken lightly or as a profound way of connecting with God.  The feel of each session will be different.  Some days may be playful, some days may be highly emotional.  It all depends on what we need to hear and focus on.  Don’t belittle the silly moments, but take care not to allow those to take away from the attitude you approach your daily ritual with; a state of humbleness and gratitude will affect a deeply fulfilling experience.

A point I’d like to insert here is that you should make the writing experience as special as if you were giving a gift to one of the most important people in your life; ’cause you are.  Find a special way to make the time a treat.  Maybe you’d like to make a book by binding some paper together in a homemade method that speaks of you.  Maybe you’re the one who enjoys making a special purchase for yourself on occasion.  Find a perfect pen that makes you feel powerful or unique or in tune with the universe.  Maybe an extraordinary box you found at a garage sale will be the perfect place to keep this bit of you that you will be creating each day.

Welcome to another method of natural self healing.  Remember to keep your journal close at hand and give yourself a tiny push to get started with a new daily habit.  This could very well be the key you’ve been searching for.

I salute you as you walk your path and accept responsibility for your life. 

Flickr Creative Commons image credit: Ernst Vikne

I’ve created a page for this as an article.

However!  I can’t stand the thought of our skin absorbing that stuff.  So, I keep a little bowl of extra virgin olive oil out on the counter and dip into that every little while.  I also use some of my coconut oil if I happen to be having some for breakfast or lunch.  These natural, healing, plant oils are so much better for us.

I always think of Sophia Loren and the story I heard years ago of her practically drinking olive oil and bathing in it.  I always admired her youthful looks and didn’t much care if it was the truth or not.  Now I just hope it is.

Some use the olive oil on their babies skin and it is great for gently removing cradle cap (cradle crap as one of my younger siblings used to say).  Ever used olive oil soap?  Very soothing.

No, really, it’s Aloe Vera, here to save the day!

We have aloe growing in pots around the side yard and have always used it for sunburns as well as injury burns.  What a smelly sap it has!  Yuk!  But we suffer through the smell because we know how soothing the cool gel is and how wonderfully fast it relieves the burn pain and peeling, and insights rapid healing.  Really, really, really.  For us it does!  Even though we keep our plants outside, they grow very well inside and enjoy an arid climate.  Aloe Vera is a succulent and stores moisture in its leaves.  The plumper, the better for our purpose.

Has anyone out there drunk the aloe juice available from the health food stores?  I just got a small bottle and can tell you it is far worse tasting than the smell of the fresh plant sap!  But it’s good for us, right?  I surely hope so.  Why is it that we have the old saying, “If it tastes good, it must be bad for us?”  That means, “If it tastes bad, it must be good for us.”  That can’t be a rule of thumb, no way.  I’ve heard that the fresh sap tastes better, but haven’t tried it yet.  I think I will ’cause I don’t know how I’m gonna make myself buy anymore from the store.

So, back to using aloe plants for burns…

Pick ( I use a paring knife) the outer leaves only, leaving the inner ones to continue growing.  Wash them if a faucet is handy, but it is not necessary.  Sometimes the outer edges will have short spines that can rub and irritate the burn while wiping the sap onto the skin, so you might like to shave those off with the knife blade before application.  With the knife’s tip, slice into one of the outer edges, cutting deeply, almost to the other side, filleting the leaf open like wings.  Then simply wipe the juice onto the skin by holding the leaf as a cloth and applying in strokes.  Use as many as your plant can afford to give up yet still continue growing.

Now, my plants are very delicate little things with white spots on them and very understated spiny edges.  Here is a video about how a commercial grower does the filleting of each leaf by hand, extracting only the insides and leaving the outer skin to discard.  I could not do that with my finer strain of plant, they are simply too small.

I suggest, before using Aloe Vera yourself, you do a bunch of research online and make a decision as to what product and what method you could benefit from.  Happy peeling!

A note I’ve found while reading:
“Aloe (aloe barbadensis – not aloe vera!), may cause bladder and kidney damage.” from Kombucha: the miracle fungus By Harald Tietze