The Missing Piece: Spirituality
By Lauren Nastasi
I have come to the realization that healing has to do with many things; not just my diet. I am sure many of you already knew this, but the problem is realizing how to fix it. For me, the issue was digging down and finding what needed to be healed.
I have Crohn’s Disease and have been working toward healing it with a high raw, vegan diet consisting of green juices, green smoothies, and high quality, wholesome food. I previously composed a post about my journey on Crazy Sexy Life, but I have always felt a piece of the puzzle was missing. The problem was finding it!
What was the missing piece? Spirituality, silly! I pray, do yoga and receive acupuncture treatments, but my mind was never clear. I needed to become in touch with my spiritual side, the one hidden and trying to come out!
A few days before the new year, I had my Tarot cards read. I was in a New Age/Spiritual store and had struck up a conversation with the woman that worked there. We had talked a few times, so I felt fairly comfortable with her. When she offered me a reading, I felt I should do it. Having been raised Catholic, I was pretty relieved when I didn’t burst into flames after the reading was completed. I just hope my Naunee (grandmother) doesn’t read this! Anyway, the reading was very surprising because of how accurate the cards were. Before I left, the reader told me that I need to pay attention to signs from the universe and my angels (to be more spiritual). I thought I was already being as spiritual as I could be because I practice yoga, pray and meditate during acupuncture. What more could I do?
It took me a few weeks to really get the message. I did yoga, but I was always thinking about what I had to do next and not really staying present. During acupuncture, I would meditate for 15 minutes and snap out of it thinking the hour was almost over with 45 minutes left. During those 45 minutes, my mind would think about anything and everything except the present moment.
Then, it happened! I heard the angels loud and clear! Well, not really, but I finally got it. Something clicked! A good friend was talking about reading spiritual books, and I thought to myself, “I need to read a good self-help/spiritual book.” I went out and found a book that looked interesting, titled You Can Heal Your Life, by Louise L. Hay. I like this author, and in fact, I have her other text, Meditations to Heal Your Life. Instead of listening to my instincts, I put the book down and walked away. Not long after, I read a comment on MyCSL mentioning Hay’s book! Kicking myself for not buying it, I went out the next day and purchased it. This began my listenening to the universe.
A few days later, I picked out an “Angel Card” from Oracle Cards, and I drew the “Sensitivity” card. It stated that being sensitive is not a bad thing, and this was actually a new idea to me. I am a sensitive person and always felt it wasn’t a good trait. That same day, I was watching a show and someone mentioned crying isn’t weakness, but rather, not being able to show emotion is. Could these signs be any clearer?
I’ve since decided that I am not going to hide my feelings or feel embarrassed if something bothers me. Instead, I am going to let it out. I started journaling more, going to meditation class and becoming more in touch with my “spiritual self.” After all, look what being present and listening to my instincts has given me: more clarity than I have had in years. Now, it’s time to use it, and hopefully, it will help me on this crazy sexy healing journey!
Lauren Nastasi is a Research Assistant for Crazy Sexy Life. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and pug, Ginger. Her blog can be found at Gingeristhenewpink.blogspot.com.
- Posted by Guest Blogger on March 2, 2010 at 5:00 am
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Tagged as: Crohns disease, healing, meditation, raw, Spirituality, Yoga
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Let it out, girlfriend! In Ayurveda, it is believed that holding in crying (as well as pooing, urinating and vomiting) causes serious physical, emotional and mental disturbances. Thanks for reminding us all to dedicate attention to our spiritual needs, however we define them.
Sounds like you are moving forward on your healing journey Lauren! Congrats on a great post. I definitely believe emotional repression leads to toxicity in our bodies…. it is so important to let it out!
Another awesome post, Lauren. I think spirituality is a brave thing to write about (talk about personal!) and I really appreciate and relate to so many of your sentiments here.
Always love hearing about your journey!
Love you, Lauren! We are such multi-faceted beings and I too believe that tuning into our spirituality is a really important part of our journey towards wholeness.
xoxo…..Penni
Consider taking a 10-day Vipassana meditation course. This has brought me more clarity than anything else ever. Take a look at wwww.dhamma.org. BTW, the course is absolutely free.
you are on your way! being open is so essential.
Lauren, you are so right! The God Pod is not just the tummy, it’s the mind/spirit too!
xoxox deb
Look at YOU! Love the blog, sweet girl. Thank you for sharing. BIG LOVE to you my friend! xoxoxox
THANK YOU for equating emotional expression with spirituality, empowerment and healing. And hugs to you on your healing journey.
Beautiful post.
I’d like to talk about the mysticism (such as Tarot cards) and Christianity. I know Christianity (especially Catholics) denies mysticism and all other forms of spirituality, but this was not the case from the beginning when Jesus preached. Even the idea of reincarnation and past lives were common back then — the mystic aspects of life were rejected only later when the church became more about authoritative power.
I read people’s soul records (called Akashic Records). I discuss past lives and energetic issues. Yes, this is probably as esoteric as it gets. But I have many Christian clients, and even some ministers come to me. Time is changing, and I think it’s a good thing. I have nothing against churches, but spirituality is fundamentally a personal experience. We can have direct communication with spirit guides, angels, and divinity.
Akemi Gaines
Lauren- Bless your heart girl! I really needed to read this today. Thank you for being you and for sharing your journey!
xoxoxox
Lauren, so proud of you for sharing your story here
Great post : )
I really enjoy the guided meditations and talks at http://www.audiodharma.org
this is so sexy boy
Thanks for the kind thoughts and for your everlasting support everyone!! XOXO!
Akemi Gaines–I know what you are saying about religions and spirituality, but that’s a whole different blog!
As for myself, my grandparents wouldn’t approve of psychics or tarot, but they are in their 80’s there is no changing them or there thoughts now! I don’t follow that either, there are some beliefs from Catholicism that I believe in and practice but I am very up to date, and anything old school doesn’t work for me. My dad was raised hardcore catholic and my mom was a hippie, so there ya have it, ying and yang, works for me!
Crazy – I have just made this same realization that although I go to yoga and meditate, I am not spiritual. I recently attended a workshop that emphasized how important spirituality is to staying connected to your true self and your intuition. I have started expressing gratitude daily which makes me feel both connected and happy!
I have always been “sensetive” and my mom critisizes me sometimes for crying or getting upset. She tells me that I am going to get even more upset or start hurting worse (I have chronic pain)she doesnt realize that it actually makes me feel better and relives my stress.
God has always been important in my life and knowing that Im eatting a clean diet helps me have a closer relationship with Him.
Hi sweets, i know i had seen that snow angel some where..You have got me thinking, I use to pay more attention to my spiritual side. I think about it now and those where some of my best moments in my life. I need to bring that back in to my life!bck off forcing my will allow something bigger than me have control! Thanks so much for sharing,happy days girl-friend.. Love BUGGS
Congrats on your journey. I’m looking forward to reading future posts, here and on your blog!
Great post, Lauren. Thanks for the inspiration–and congrats on your own shift toward more spirituality.
Lauren,
Thank you for responding to my comment. I guess my point is: have no fear about getting tarot reading or whatever psychic reading (as long as it resonates with you). God won’t be upset about it. I wasn’t sure if you were just joking about it in the article or if you were actually a bit concerned.
As you know, we are guided. If you are guided to a reading, it’s fine.
Akemi Gaines
Thank you Akemi! So true. And yes, I was joking!
Thanks for reading and giving your input. Well wishes!
Awesome post.I’d also add that building real-life social connections (offline) and spending time with people that can encourage me on my spiritual path is better still, in my experience!
this post is sooo…. YES!
its always got to be an alchemical thing, a myriad approach that kicks the healing vibe into motion. thanks for the reminder, lauren.