Personal Alchemy: Three Steps To Positive Transformation
By Laura Turner
Lately, I've become intrigued by the idea or process of "alchemy."
Funk & Wagnall tells me alchemy is a transformation, "a change in
nature, form or quality." So how to take charge of your own personal
alchemy? For me, it's about changes and transformations of mind, body and
spirit. Therefore, in this article I've outlined three of my favorite ways to
approach personal alchemy on the path to wholeness and health.
Step One: Dissect A Past Transformation:
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It's easy to feel overwhelmed when thinking about the process of making a
personal overhaul. Therefore, it's important to break this idea down to its
least common denominator. To begin, recall if you can a positive
transformation you've made in your life. It could be as simple as beginning
and staying with an exercise program. In your mind locate and focus on one
specific personal transformation.
Next, break down your transformation into its components: mind, body and
spirit. I tend to look at everything in this tri-fold sense. I believe it is
important to see the way a particular event contributes to the growth of each
component. Right now, take a moment to observe the ways each of these
components have contributed to your transformation:
Mind: Was your mind committed to making this positive change?
Body: What daily actions did it take to make this personal transformation
effective and permanent?
Spirit: Was there a spiritual component at hand guiding you toward your
positive goal?
Step Two: Begin The Uncovering Process:
Now that you've dissected a previous transformation, the uncovering process is
simple. This process asks you to take some time with your journal and uncover
a new personal transformation you would like to experience. With pen in hand,
take time to make notes to yourself. Start small. What transformations would
you like to make this year? Do some dreaming.
When you've finished, scan your list for one worthwhile goal that is
achievable. If you are unable to commit to one on your list, try these ideas
to complete your uncovering:
According to Louise Hay in her book "You Can Heal Your Life" these
components will help you live a holistic, healthy life. Perhaps one may
inspire you toward a worthwhile goal.
Nurture The Body: Practice sound nutrition. Aim to make the best choices for
your body and choose food and beverages that make you feel well. When
appropriate supplement with herbs, vitamins and homeopathy.
Practice a sound exercise program. Find a form of exercise that is appealing
to you and is one that you will do. Choose from: aerobic exercise, resistance
training, tai chi, yoga or Pilates. When appropriate use body work such as
massage or reiki.
Nurture The Mind: Add to your daily practice, visualization, guided imagery,
affirmations or dream work. Spiritual meditation is also a great way to quiet
the mind and allow time to tune in to the divine.
Nurture The Spirit: Find time to practice prayer work, meditation, forgiveness
and unconditional love.
Step Three: Find Answers In The Silence: Then Take Your Goals One By One
We can't possibly do everything. For as someone once told me "you have
only, all the time there is." With this in mind, I am brought back to my
earliest ideas about personal alchemy. This involves one of the most
difficult, yet necessary practices: finding time for silence. Finding time is
the challenge I most often face when looking at my own personal growth and
aiming to find ways to simplify and speed up the process.
Silence. Why does it work? From a physics or scientific standpoint, the
electrons within the molecules of the body actually speed up when the body
slows down. It seems difficult to understand at first, but the key is its
reciprocal process. When the body slows down, the energy surrounding the body
and passing through the body speeds up, literally directing the body:
instructing it.
Grace, balance and growth are often natural extensions of this process. When
you take some time to be still and offer your goal up to the universe, you can
then become aware of the divine direction. To do this, try to first become
aware of your surroundings. Then aim to find time each day to move toward your
worthwhile goal. Keep it close to your heart. Know that there are many
distractions in life, but if you take time to rest and stop for one moment, it
could be the moment you will receive your greatest inspiration.
When in doubt, there's always help! For a creative boost and further direction
in your discovery process, please explore these sources:
The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity By Julia Cameron.
Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential by Caroline Myss.
Article
Source: http://www.add-articles.com
Laura Turner is a natural health practitioner and
author. She hosts www.beauty-and-body.com
and publishes the New Body News and Wellness Letter, The Online Magazine
Healthy People Read. ( www.new-body-news.com
) Subscribe for f.r.e.e. and receive her Special Report: "Take Charge of
Your Health!" and check out her latest book: Spiritual Fitness!