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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The Gifts of Longing

The human experience is quite a profound journey our souls undertake. The learning our souls receive from being on earth with all its beauty and complexities cannot be measured. When I speak of soul I am not referring to anything abstract or fringe, the soul is an essential "part" of our whole selves. Orthodox medicine has left soul out of the picture, soul is the domain of religion.  Well at least this is how it has been for a while. 


The beauty of essences and the beauty of Dr. Bach is that soul is not separate from the equation of health and wellness, do I say it is essential? This talk of soul may rub some the wrong way and that is ok, for there is no scientific proof of a soul, you can't point to it or pin it down. There are many things we cannot see and we don't deny their importance either. Air, Electricity, Thoughts, Memories and so on, but we accept that they are there and carry on. 


Dr. Bach was a keen fellow an extremely keen fellow who bucked the system and forged a new path, he was a true pioneer, he understood soul and its importance. And, if you read some of his writings it is apparent that he knew the depth soul played in the realm of human experience, wellness and well being. Not many folks are going to come out and say this: The health of your soul is important to the health of your body and life. 


There are times in life when the crucible of existence forges our life in deep and profound ways, times when our soul is tested. This testing also works on the psyche and all its complexities. And, if we can remember in these times the importance of our soul and its role in the play of our lives we might find some solace.  I want to talk about two remedies that can be helpful in times of such soul testing: Sweet Chestnut and Cherry Plum.




Sweet Chestnut: is like a friend from the realm of nature; extending a hand of service to soul and psyche as it swirls in the depths of human suffering. This suffering is the crucible; it is something we all go through more than once in life, it is a gift, challenge and marks a change in how we live life. While in the throes of such a challenge we may not see it as such and feel that we are being punished.  It is agonizing to feel so alone in our pain but if you see it through you will come out changed. Sweet Chestnut is beneficial for times referred to as 'the dark night of the soul' times of deep despair, human pain, anguish and soul suffering. Sweet Chestnut offers support a deep level fostering faith in adversity and communion in solitude; it is a profound remedy that offers support for times of deep suffering. On a different level, tooth aches can cause deep agony and consume us with turmoil and I have found Sweet Chestnut works well for this and other times when physical pain tests our psyche.

Cherry Plum: this light filled remedy can help to illuminate the dark corners of the mind when the pain of our suffering brings such mental anguish that we fear we may lose our minds or end our life.  Cherry blossoms fill the spring air with light, the gentleness of their white blossoms are celebrated around the world. Their light bearing quality can help the soul that feels it is on the edge of collapse due to emotional pain and stress. During these times the quality of surrender can help to release the pain and tension; the light Cherry Plum carries is a spiritual light which can guide the soul as it moves through its challenges.

In these days of pharmaceutical glory we have become accustomed to the idea of a fix, this is very normal and I will say in-balance with society. How are we to function in our day to day under such pain and stress? If a pill can help us to carry on then we are functioning in a way that is in-balance with the dictates of our social order.  Note the one letter difference and phonetic sameness of imbalance and in-balance. 

But, all this leaves out the function of the soul and its importance and how we can grow as people from such profound anguish. I am not knocking drugs, just pointing out the limited range in which they function. Where as you have a great range that you can experience and the more you embrace this range the more at peace you may become with the ebbs and flows of the soul life, psyche and emotions.

May the gifts of the flowers bless your soul with healing touch of nature.


Mark D'Aquila

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