The Healing Power of Writing: Connecting with Your Inner Voice

Discovering the Inner Voice

Back in 2005, I found myself in a difficult situation. As an OB/GYN in San Diego and expecting a child, I was unhappy with my job, grieving the imminent loss of my father, and contemplating suicide. Despite being pro-choice, I couldn’t bring myself to terminate my pregnancy now that my baby had reached the 24-week “viability” mark. Feeling trapped in a life I no longer enjoyed, I knew I had to make a change.

One night, while I was sobbing on the bathroom floor, I heard a gentle voice inside me say, “Sweetheart, you’re going to have to quit your job.” It was a moment of clarity, even though I had no idea how to make it happen.

I decided to call this wise voice my “Inner Pilot Light” or Self, as it’s referred to in Internal Family Systems (IFS). This spontaneous emergence of Self during my darkest moment marked the beginning of a daily practice for me. Each morning, I would wake up and ask my Inner Pilot Light for guidance, allowing it to speak through my writing. To my surprise, the words that flowed from my fingers were profound and enlightening.

A Glimpse into the Inner World

Here’s an example of the messages I received:

Dearest Beloved,

Inside of you, I hear a noisy grumbling, and I recognize that voice. Hello, you sneaky, adorable, ferocious, fearful goblin! I see you, and I love and accept you. I appreciate all you’re doing to try to keep things safe. I know you’re just trying to protect against change and uncertainty, maintaining the status quo at all costs.

I know you mean well, with all your nervous, scared ruminating and all your circular anxious plans. I know you want me to think you’re this big, scary monster. But I see that you’re really just the voice of a scared inner child who needs love and comfort. Would you consider letting me put my great arms around you as I rock you on my cosmic lap?

I’m not kicking you out, you dear little beast. You’re always welcome, and nobody’s going to blame or shame or judge or reject you. I’m going to listen to every single scary thing you want to tell me because I’m so grateful that you’re trying to be such a fierce protector. (Good job doing what you do, my little lovebuggy!)

I’m just asking that you try trusting me just enough to free you from all the exhausting work you do trying to keep the unpredictable world safe.

How would you feel about going on a holiday for a while, maybe somewhere warm and beautiful, like the south of France? Don’t worry! You won’t get kicked out or replaced while you’re gone. You’re totally welcome here, and nobody’s going to make you leave. I’m just thinking there might be a job you’d like better than the one you have.

What if I take care of keeping things safe for a while? Would you dare to let me help you out? You would? Really? Ah . . . I’m touched.

Awesome. Now, about that trip to France . . .

Ooh la la,
YOUR INNER PILOT LIGHT

Sharing the Healing Power

When I first started receiving these messages, I shared some of them with trusted friends. Surprisingly, they found the words deeply resonant and asked how my Inner Pilot Light could know exactly what they needed to hear. This led me to publish these daily messages as an email newsletter called The Daily Flame. The response was overwhelming, and I continued writing and sharing these love letters for the next ten years. Eventually, they were compiled and published as a book, The Daily Flame: 365 Love Letters From Your Inner Pilot Light.

Although I no longer publish these daily letters, I still engage in this writing practice for my own therapeutic process when needed. Looking back, I now realize that this practice, which connects Self to various parts of myself, was my way of finding solace and guidance during a challenging period in my life. In a sense, these letters saved me.

If you’re interested in exploring how writing can help you heal, I invite you to join the upcoming online writing class, Write To Heal: IFS + Memoir Writing, in January. This class, co-taught by Harvard psychiatrist and lead IFS trainer Frank Anderson, MD, will delve into various IFS-inspired writing practices that can assist in the healing process.

Additionally, I will be teaching an IFS + Memoir Writing retreat in Malta in November 2024. If you’re looking for a unique holiday gift that promotes self-growth and healing, consider joining me on this transformative journey.

Remember, your inner voice is always there, waiting to guide you. All you need to do is listen and let it speak through your writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of holistic medicine over conventional medicine?

Holistic medicines have been used for thousands of years by many cultures and religions worldwide. They were developed using ancient knowledge and experiences.

These medicines can be used safely, effectively, naturally, and are affordable. These side effects are far less severe than those from pharmaceutical drugs.

They will also assist you in achieving better health and well-being.

They can protect you from disease and improve your overall wellbeing.

They could also cure heart disease, cancer, diabetes as well arthritis and asthma.

There are hundreds of traditional medicines in the world. Each has its own benefits.

According to the World Health Organization, around 80% of the population uses traditional methods to treat their illness or injury.

It has been reported that around half a trillion people rely on traditional herbs for their primary health care.

The global market for complementary therapies is estimated to reach $22.2 billion by 2020.

People are increasingly turning to alternative medical practices to avoid harmful side effects associated with conventional treatments.

People often turn to complementary therapies for treatment when they are not able to respond to conventional treatments. These therapies may be tried before they resort to medication or surgery.

There are many reasons why people choose to use complementary therapies.

To improve quality of life
To reduce stress levels
For relaxation
To relieve pain
To enhance immunity
Support for those with serious illnesses
To boost energy
To control weight
To maintain good nutrition
To improve sleep patterns
To manage chronic conditions

Why is alternative medicine important

Alternative therapies are popular because they can be cheaper and more convenient than traditional treatment. There have been cases in which patients have died from side effects, such as allergic reactions, after receiving these treatments. There are also alternatives that may be more effective.

If you don’t have enough knowledge about alternative medicines, they can pose a danger. Vitamin supplements, for instance, aren’t controlled like pharmaceuticals. This makes it easy to take too many vitamins. Other remedies, however, can be toxic.

Who uses alternative medicine

People use alternative medicine for many reasons:

They are keen to avoid surgery and harmful drugs.
They believe natural remedies work better.
They prefer non-invasive treatment.
They are looking to spend less.
They feel more secure using natural products
They desire greater control over their healthcare decisions.
They want to be responsible for their health.
They want a healthier world.
They want less stress in their lives.
They desire greater control over their doctors and their healthcare plans.
They want their children receive a better education.
They want healthy food and good nutrition for their family.
They want safe, effective medications.

What does it mean to use complementary medicine?

Complementary Medicine can be described as any treatment that is complementary to mainstream medicine. This covers treatments like acupuncture, aromatherapy and chiropractic care, homeopathy or hypnosis as well massage therapy, naturopathy, reflexology and traditional Chinese medicine.

Complementary medicine should not be considered in isolation of conventional medicine. Because they combine Western scientific methods with other proven healing methods, they are sometimes called “alternative” and “integrative medicine.”

Who uses holistic medicines?

Holistic medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that treats the whole person, not just specific symptoms. It is concerned with both the physical and mental aspects of well-being.

Holistic medicine can include acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic treatment. It also includes nutritional counseling, yoga, and many other complementary therapies.

A holistic approach to medicine includes those with heart problems, cancer, diabetes, arthritis or depression.

Statistics

The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)

External Links

How To

How to make a career in Holistic Medicine

The field, known as holistic medicine, is growing at an unparalleled rate. There are many paths you can take to this career. However, returning to school is probably the best way to do it if you want to commit to this profession.

Many schools offer programs in holistic medicine. There are many schools that offer courses in holistic medicine, including the National College for Complementary Medicines. This college offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Many programs are available for medical professionals wishing to enter the field.

Online universities offer holistic health classes. One such program is the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. This institution provides students with various holistic health education tools and resources.

Another option is to attend a traditional four year college. Many colleges offer holistic health courses. The University of California, for example, offers a Bachelor’s degree in holistic health sciences.

A nutrition course is recommended if you intend to pursue a career involving holistic medicine. NCCM recommends that students take a course in nutrition before they begin any professional training. A good knowledge of nutrition is crucial for integrative medicine.

Holistic medicine is more holistic than traditional medicine because it focuses on the whole person and not just symptoms. It requires more skill and knowledge. Holistic medicine will require that holistic practitioners understand how to evaluate various types of illness from an interdisciplinary perspective.

According to the NCCM, nutritionists often collaborate with doctors to offer dietary advice to patients. Some may even recommend diets or supplements that are specific to the patient’s needs based on their assessment.

The fundamental principles of nutrition are essential for holistic practitioners. This includes understanding the nutritional content of foods. It also means identifying nutrient deficiencies and other problems that may be causing them.

It is important to remember that holistic practitioners do not specialize in nutrition. Some practitioners focus solely on acupuncture, while others focus on herbal remedies. Others combine both approaches to create a single treatment.

However, most holistic practitioners recommend a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains. They also emphasize eating plenty of fish and seafood. They suggest avoiding processed foods and fast food restaurants. Instead, they recommend eating organic produce whenever possible.

The one thing holistic practitioners can agree on is the importance of a balanced diet in helping to prevent diseases. There are however some things they disagree on. For instance, they don’t believe that gluten causes celiac disease. They believe that the disorder is caused by a deficiency of nutrients.

However, they do acknowledge that some foods can cause allergic reactions. They say peanuts and shellfish can cause anaphylaxis. They also warn against excessive caffeine.

Many holistic practitioners are able to use herbs to treat many illnesses. They avoid the use of pharmaceutical drugs. This is because they feel that such substances only mask the problem instead of solving it. They prefer natural remedies whenever possible.

Holistic practitioners may offer many alternative therapies. However, they also tend to use complementary methods. These include:

Acupuncture-In Chinese medicine, acupuncture involves inserting needles strategically into the skin. This stimulates the body’s healing process.
Herbal therapy – In addition to acupuncture, holistic practitioners commonly use herbs to treat various disorders. Ginseng is an example of a common herb that is used for this purpose.
Homeopathy – Another form of traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy is based on the principle of like cures. Let’s say you experience the same symptoms as someone suffering from a specific illness. In that case, you should seek a remedy that contains the same ingredients found in the original substance.
Massage therapy – Many holistic practitioners offer massage therapies to promote relaxation. They claim that massage therapy can improve blood circulation and energy levels as well as ease muscle tension.

It is important to find a practitioner who meets your needs when choosing one. If you want someone specializing in nutritional counseling, look for a practitioner with a degree in nutrition. The American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM) has a certification program that allows you to learn more about acupuncture.

Ask your doctor any questions you may have about holistic care. Your insurance provider may be able to provide information about which services you are covered.

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If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.

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By: Nicolay Kreidler
Title: The Healing Power of Writing: Connecting with Your Inner Voice
Sourced From: lissarankin.com/a-daily-therapeutic-writing-practice-that-could-help-you-heal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-daily-therapeutic-writing-practice-that-could-help-you-heal
Published Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2023 01:28:35 +0000