The video below by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski has been showing up on my Facebook feed occasionally for the last year or so. It showed up again this morning and inspired me to make changes in my own life. What I love about this short video is that he creates a metaphor using the growth cycle of lobsters ( yes lobsters! ha!) and self growth. There is a saying in Chinese Medicine culture "that all parts contain the whole."This is a perfect example of how we can learn to be in harmony with and learn from nature through the unexpected wisdom of lobsters. His message is very pertinent for the fall season as many people face hardship this time of year.
One aspect of how Chinese Medicine views the energetic effect of fall on human beings is through the emotion of grief and the "letting go of what no longer serves." If you have seen me as a practitioner I have most likely told you that healing, most of the time, is not comfortable. Healing involves letting go of limiting beliefs, habitual tendencies, practiced ways of being that we have outgrown, self concepts, and information. Usually this is quite confronting and many of us run away from the process. I know that I do sometimes.
For example: A patient comes to me with headaches. During the interview he makes the connection that his headaches get worse when he becomes stressed with work. I ask him what he means by stress. He tells me that changes in the workplace make him feel stressed. He tells me he feels a rising sensation and then gets his headaches when he thinks about the impending changes. I could simply treat the headaches with acupuncture or herbs to help him feel better, but what about when he gets stressed again? It is my goal to not only treat the symptoms my patients come in for, but also to support the process of self growth. Many times the symptoms we experience call for changes in the way we are living our lives. They are like the lights that show up on the dashboard of a car when it needs service. Each one can be looked upon as a signal from the physical body calling for self transformation.
- Like the lobster that has outgrown it's shell, what areas of life have you outgrown?
- What can you let go of that is no longer serving you?
- How can you use adversity for growth in your own life?
