Mary's Sutras:"Turn your back on mankind and make progress"

I've decided to use the little green book "What Mary Says,..." for personal meaning and reflection, to 'decode' it into language that is applicable to my experience of daily living, similar to the Yoga Sutras-tools for meditation and self-awareness. Sutras are 'threads', and so these aphorisms are threads that may be woven into our lives and Jin Shin Jyutsu practice, bringing us closer to our inner wisdom, center, and joy.


I never met Mary Burmeister, the wisdom woman who studied with founder of Jin Shin Jyutsu, Jiro Murai, but I consider her my teacher and mentor! Maybe her photo on the JSJ inc. website reminded me of my Obachan (Japanese grandmother), maybe it was her smile...SOMEthing intuitively attracted me to Mary, and that led to my taking the Jin Shin Jyutsu trainings, and offering this wonderful healing art to others as well as applying it daily for self-care. So, I have no idea what she really meant or was referring to specifically at the time they were said, but trust that whatever meaning arises for any reader is exactly perfect!


"Turn your back on mankind and make progress." Wow! That one jumped out at me today. Especially since Mary was someone who helped humankind immensely as a healer! The meaning for me today is especially relevant, it reminds me of the importance of staying focused on my passion for Integrative Medicine and subtle energywork in particular-it is often scoffed at or claimed as quackery or invalid by some (particularly in conventional medicine). 


"Mankind"-it's ironic that as a whole, especially in the US political climate and mass media, man does not seem kind at all (referring to people as 'man'). 


By turning my back on (ignoring) those who do not find value in my beliefs and practices, I have the best chance of making progress! It speaks to me of how easily I can fall into a defeatist frame of mind, to get drawn into an attitude that when we don't measure up by conventional, linear-mind standards, we aren't moving forward to facilitate whole-being, inter-connected, healthier living.


Turning my back on mankind, and paying attention to my own direct experience-my feelings, emotions, felt senses, intuitions-will be the most accurate marker of progress! 

Why Jin Shin Jyutsu?

Benefits of Jin Shin Jyutsu tm

The effects of Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ) are generally deep relaxation, so it is GREAT in stressful times, times when you feel unbalanced. As there are no contraindications, it works well an adjunct to allopathic medical treatment or alongside other holistic therapies. Jin Shin Jyutsu can be beneficial for example, to help alleviate musculoskeletal or neurological pain, support the immune system, minimize side effects of drugs, and boost vitality. It can ease a sore shoulder, help digestion, or calm a restless mind. It can help us through fears, depression and times of upheaval.

Treating the Whole and the Parts
The philosophy of JSJ views the mental, emotional and physical aspects of a person as interrelated. Treated as a whole, a person commonly sees a range of positive benefits emerging. For example, a woman after surgery for breast cancer attending Jin Shin Jyutsu sessions to reduce stress was surprised that not only did she feel more relaxed in general, suddenly her shoulder pain and her attitude of misdirected anger was greatly reduced; her friends were amazed to see her face looking more radiant. She expressed that in many ways she felt better than she had been since receiving her diagnosis many months prior.

How many sessions does it take, and how often?
Jin Shin Jyutsu works to harmonize the deepest cause of our uncomfortable symptoms at a subtle level, so this journey is not usually a "quick fix". You will feel better during or shortly after a session, but for lasting effects, chronic conditions benefit most from regular sessions over a period of time, at least 6 regular sessions, lasting about 30-60 minutes. Acute discomforts and more critical conditions can be treated daily or even twice per day, for shorter periods.

Joi Box; client's creativity project

Sometimes quick and dramatic results are experienced. I have witnessed a single 10 minute Jin Shin Jyutsu session clear neck pain, minimize shoulder and headache, and bring a new realization that some grief processing still needed to take place; other times it's not so obvious right away, but seen as ease in relationships, lessening of menopausal symptoms/hormonal imbalances, or an ability to bring more creativity in a client's life in the weeks after a JSJ session. I have also seen healthy people discover simple and real support for the stresses and challenges of day to day living.

Deepen your Spiritual Path and Bring Life Meaning

While some wish to alleviate specific discomforts, others wish to discover deeper meaning and authenticity in their lives.  The art of Jin Shin Jyutsu offers uniquely simple and empowering tools to support your individual journey, such as self-help practices to do at home or anytime during your daily living-so simple a small child can do them
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Safe and no Religious Ritual
There are no contraindications for Jin Shin Jyutsu – Many practitioners serve healthy strong individuals and very sick frail people: e.g., newborn babies, weight lifters or builders with back injuries, post-surgery or motor vehicle accidents, people in hospitals after heart surgery, etc.

To make a Jin Shin Jyutsu appointment go to www.pujawellness.com or for queries, phone 608-695-5905.
 

Integrative Health

Incorporating practices that help support our bodies and mind, bolster our spirit and relationships, and blend with allopathic medicine, is a cornerstone of nursing philosophy and comprehensive health care known as  Integrative Health, Integrative Medicine, Holistic Nursing, or Complementary Medicine (CAM).

Many people are seeking safe and practical approaches to health care, and are integrating CAM modalities with their conventional care for:

• Health promotion
• Pain relief
• Treatment of chronic illness
• Spiritual or developmental growth
• Changing unhealthy habits and feeling better as they age

Did you know that about 2 million Americans use a type of CAM called “energy therapy”?
Also known as “energy work” these modalities create a balancing effect on energy in your body, which elicits a calming effect in the mind as well. My focus is on the practices of Reiki and Jin Shin Jyutsu because they may be safely used for anyone in medical settings as well as at home. Used successfully in Asia for centuries, they’re gaining popularity throughout the world as people discover their benefits.

 Like the name “Izumi Joi”, Reiki and Jin Shin Jyutsu originated in Japan. They enhance the skills I’ve acquired in conventional training as a Registered Nurse, as well as contribute to the knowledge and experiences I gained earning a Master’s Degree in Holistic Health Education and yoga teacher certification. It's wonderful to teach others these modalities for self-care, as well as offer to clients.

Research related to energywork and mind-body medicine (such as meditation) is growing. I find it fascinating because it perplexes our current mode of thinking and study design, yet seems to work; the effects are difficult to measure objectively with our current technologies and funding limitations, yet the potential uses for preventive health, active patient involvement, and healing are encouraging. Practices such as yoga, acupuncture and meditation that were once discounted by westerners are now considered therapeutic, and energy therapies are gaining ground at the cutting edge as well. Many articles point to the importance of developing an almost-daily routine of self-care in order to effect and maintain change as we age; whether it’s exercise, nutrition, or time for inner reflection, it’s crucial to find something easy that allows you to take as much time as you want, or can be beneficial within a few miniutes.

Energy work is an invaluable tool for accessing your “Izumi Joi”; Reiki and Jin Shin Jyutsu in particular are easily taught as short daily routines for self-care, and are beneficial when experienced with a practitioner.

I'm interested in hearing about what your experiences with energywork are like: have you tried it? What piqued your interest enough to try it the first time? What effects did you notice and were they immediate or over a period of time?

Sweet Energy

Ever wonder about sugar craving?
Is it will power, mass media & corporate advertising, or something else that makes us want to eat more than the 100-300 “discretionary” daily calories the USDA advises?

Tools for Good Health

My passion is offering tools of good health to people. With the right tools, a beautiful garden can be created (like this one, in the center of a hospital in Japan we visited).

My Dad always said that if you have the right tool, it’s more efficient, and the repair or build lasts a lot longer, maybe for a lifetime. He showed me that sometimes it takes awhile to figure out which tools are best for the situation, and that it’s important to observe the effects over a period of time to see how well everything is working: has the structure changed, does it hold up under tough conditions, is it working well? Are different building materials are needed? Sometimes we knew the ‘fix’ was temporary, like when you didn’t have the time, motivation or money for the best materials. But for the foundation of things he built, he always took the time needed, used the right materials to get the job done, and kept up with preventive maintenance.

I was pretty lucky to have a mentor-dad willing to show me how to repair and maintain things, and it’s been a great metaphor for health. When it comes to health, a lot can be learned on your own, and ultimately it is your own discoveries that will bring about a sense of peace. It may, however, increase your efficiency and provide deeper understanding when you consult with a well-seasoned teacher, mentor, book, or take a class from someone who is experienced.

Energywork is like that: the materials on hand, the amount of time you invest, your intuitive and book knowledge, previous experience, past neglect or maintenance, and mentors all affect what’s needed now to create a strong foundation of health, to reinforce what works well to maintain the structure, to restore and renew, or to help create a new addition to the ‘home’ (your body, your life).



Thanks, Dad! :>D

What effects our choices in healthcare?

I’m wondering today about the energy of choice-what moves us to make decisions that either support or thwart our well being? When it comes to how we obtain healthcare, what drains our energy and what empowers us? I believe that learning that we have options motivates us to explore ways to best care for ourselves, it's energy-enlivening. When we receive education and care from someone who respects our decisions, we feel free to ask questions, can make wiser decisions, and we become more energized to take actions which support our health (like taking a hike on a wintry day instead of sitting and watching TV...eating healthier food...)

Before I proceed, let me say that I am encouraged by the good work of many health care practitioners in both conventional and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). I don’t think our healthcare system as a whole is quite ready to truly embrace Integrative Medicine, although there are a growing number of individual licensed practitioners who are providing services and a slow trend towards getting the word out to neophytes so that the philosophy and practice can be implemented early on in a career of general medicine, specialities, and nursing (see a little more about training and education trends here).

 Certainly medical and academic institutions aren’t yet embracing or implementing the concept of Integral Medicine, (see http://www.integraldevelopment.com/integral.pdf and http://wilber.shambhala.com/html/misc/integral-med.pdf for deeper detail about integral medicine], but there are some places where the need for blending a variety of approaches is at least recognized, and I believe that we will evolve towards more holistic care in the next generation or two (or three, or…). But it's a cryin' shame that we aren't welcoming these approaches as part of standard care now. 

     There is a growing body of research highlighting the value of communication, conveying caring presence, and the importance of the relationship between healthcare provider and healthcare consumer in healing. Several years ago while exploring the power of placebo  Barrett, Muller, Rakel et. al (2006) stressed how to "provide practical tools for astute clinicians...eight specific clinical actions: speak positively about treatments, provide encouragement, develop trust, provide reassurance, support relationships, respect uniqueness, explore values, and create ceremony. These clinical actions can empower patients to seek greater health and may provide a healthful sense of being cared for." How would you feel about going to the doctor's office if you got some of THAT? Would you be more likely to follow their advice, or trust in their recommendations, or seek advice in the first place?

     And the mass media has provided us information about what energizes people to take better care of themselves, too:

A recent NY Times article also points out that when people have personal contact for 5-15 minutes per month beyond their initial weight loss period, they keep their weight down and their healthy habits persist, even 2 years later compared to those who don't. In other words, they stay motivated and are healthier when they have access to a trusted professional that can listen, provide them with information about health topics they’re interested in, and is available. So, it appears that we will use our energy to take better care of ourselves when we have a relationship that is more than rote. Perhaps it is not only the CAM modality, but the practitioner's attitude and time that leads people to spend more than 30 million dollars annually out of pocket for CAM therapies.

  

There is also evidence indicating that it takes repetition over time to create and deepen the pathways in your brain. Did you know this is how habits become automatic? If you’ve spent years thinking you don’t need exercise, that it’s okay to consume greasy sugary foods (like those little Krispy Crèmes or Dunkin’ Donuts!), or that you’ll get to that yoga class ‘one of these days’ to de-stress, it’s like wearing a path in the carpet: pretty soon you see that’s the only way to go, and you keep following it, even when it’s not leading you to where you want to end up. You need to make the ‘healthy habit’ pathway bigger than the unhealthy one. This requires awareness, and commitment, which can be supported and reinforced by balancing your internal energy :>D

   In CAM and integrative medicine, rather than ‘doing’ meditation or yoga or energy work, we say ‘practice’. With practice over time, we become more skillful, enhance the neuronal pathways, and our habits, bodies, and behaviors become more supportive. Our thoughts influence our bodies; our internal balance influences our motivation. This applies to both practitioner and client/patient.

PRACTICE FOR THE DAY: HELPING YOU MAKE DECISIONS

What better way to gain clarity and make decisons than to reduce your worry?

A Jin Shin Jyutsu finger hold is to hold your thumb! How easy can that be? Simply hold one thumb, and breathe. Holding for about 10 breaths will definately work, but as few as three slow breaths while holding first one thumb, then the other, will calm your nerves and help you to regroup your thoughts so that you can gain a new perspective. As you hold, close your eyes or look at something peaceful...relax your shoulders, become acutely aware of the pleasant physical sensation of your thumb being firmly but comfortably held; notice the sound of your breath and the movement of your ribs, abdomen, chest...feel your heartbeat slow down. Then, consider your options once again. It can work in a few moments, or you may wish to do this self-help exercise several times a day for a few days or a week before making a decision.

     "How do I know that Reiki and other energy work is doing anything?" 
Even after hours of training, observation, working with individuals who benefit (as well as my own healing), I'm asking that question! "As I look up studies, read opinions about it being "inconclusive" or even "quackery", my mind begins to go down the dark path of doubt... Am I making this up? Can I authentically claim that it remedies particular conditions, that it's balancing energy or unblocking pathways in the body, that sitting there with my hands on a person is helping to heal?"
     There I am, on the razor's edge-ouch! A Registered Nurse with conventional training and a strong interest in the scientific process, AND a practitioner and teacher of philosophies and "methods" that claim to improve one's health, for which there is little conventional means of measurement. i.e., Reiki and JSJ, yoga, meditation, guided imagery. Sometimes being on the edge of new ways of thinking and being is darned uncomfortable, but when I remind myself that having a worldview, much less the movement towards integrative health, is new and that evolution is often s-l-o-w enough to not be obvious to the naked eye, my confidence returns. Just because a "quackwatch" conservative or the mainstream doesn't agree or believe doesn't mean it is not truth. So, I turn to my self-care practice today, and check in with my own experience, which is ALWAYS valid. And what I find to be true is that practicing Reiki feels really good. And, when I practice it on myself, on a daily basis, my acceptance of life as it is is strong,  I resonate with a deep joy and optimism that we are on our way to higher levels of consciousness, compassion, and healthier ways of living. I notice the gentle hum of pleasant energy in my body, my mind relaxes, and I'm better at practicing loving kindness towards myself and others for the rest of the day. Now THAT's healing!


     One of my core beliefs is that it's essential to have the full spectrum of healing available, conventional and CAM, invasive and non-invasive, and that we must integrate all as part of standard health care. Without accepting all levels of healing, we'll continue to slide down the slippery slope of ill-health that we are witness to now, such as the alarming rise in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, depression, and chronic pain syndromes, as well as  violence to ourselves (critical thoughts or debasing comments about our own body for example) and others (just look at the daily news).
     It's important to transcend our doubts and cynicism when something is beyond our comprehension, and be open to things we don't understand, but which intuitively seem beneficial. How would electricity have been discovered, or laser technology, or the benefits of handwashing to prevent the transmission of germs (Semmelwise observed lower death rates from infection in patients of midwives, who washed, vs. physicians, who did not)? These are all things not visible to the naked eye and beyond comprehension at the time... Even with research studies, we are after all talking about the statistical odds, and the outcome may depend on whether we are asking the right questions in the first place. In the midst of this line of thinking, I also realize that sometimes the information we have at hand, the ability to know which questions to ask, or the means to measure something like subtle healing energy is limited, and it comes down to plain old belief, observation and experience until we develop those means.
     I had a confirming 'lightbulb moment' while listening to an NPR interview with  Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, writers of the TV show "Lost", in which they said that the writers look at each other all the time and say "This is the most ridiculous show in the history of television shows, what the h*** do we think we are doing?" Same sort of question as when my cynical mind creeps in and says, "Energywork? Healing through my hands? What is it exactly that I'm doing?" They go on to say, " In our writing we have to be so committed to this not being ridiculous, " and when everyone continues no matter how ridiculous it seems, it all works. It's a very successful show, and the take away message for me is to continue the study of and application of mind-body and energy medicine and my belief that we do have an innate capacity for healing, and trust my intuitive wisdom, which tells me that when people slow down and intentionally experience subtle energy in and around their body, no matter how riduciulous it seems from a science or rational point of view, it is healing. (discussion of healing vs. curing for future blog topic) And, at the end of a session that I've provided to clients, the joyful and relaxed look on their face, as well as their verbal feedback, tells me this is true for others as well.

Being in the Here and Now & Insomnia Help

In the Here And Now

One of my ‘blogging intentions” is to write about whatever is on my mind RIGHT NOW, today, here...referred to as “staying in the present’. It’s what ancient wisdom traditions say is one of the necessary conditions for good health and being a balanced energetic Being. Also, to become more concise (but am not there yet!) So here it is: As I look out the window

I’m noticing a peaceful feeling in my body; I smile softly. Breathing slows, muscles in my shoulders relax as I witness winter snow dispersing into the air as it falls off dark tree branches waving in the wind.
      I have a thought about how they appear thick and solid, yet majestic and graceful in these movements, and I’m aware that the slow rhythm is comforting to me, and my breathing adjusts to an even deeper relaxed level. As I gaze at the woods, I see open spaces created by leaves that have fallen months ago, spaces that were not there compared to summer; I sense a certain spaciousness in my body, too.  I feel my ribcage moving as I breathe, and experience a vibrating, humming resonance throughout my body that seems to reverberate with this scene of nature;
I am with the entirety of All That Is. Nice.

Beauty inside, same as beauty outside.