11.10.09
toxifying my detox process
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the concept of detoxification. So I thought I’d write about it.
Basically, I view “detox” as almost more metaphysical than physical, although toxicity definitely manifests in the physical realm.
In reading a book called “Raw Emotions,” the extraordinary claim is made that one cannot simultaneously process heavy emotions, AND digest a full stomachload of cooked or processed food. The argument is that it takes so much energy for the body to deal with something like a steak dinner, to convert it to liquid so that the body can absorb some nutrients, that there is nothing left to deal with any wayward emotions we might be feeling.
Therefore, some of us get into the habit of stuffing our faces to avoid dealing with emotional issues we might be experiencing. Those of us who get caught up in this habit binge eat to numb ourselves out. I encourage you to sit with this concept for a bit, particularly if you yourself have a history of emotional eating. Even if you don’t have such a history, sitting with this issue will give you more understanding of JWL and his behavior patterns than almost anything else.
So dig deeper: what happens when we store fat? This is energy being converted from one form to another; the body takes excess available energy (when we eat more than we burn) and converts it into stored fat, where it remains potential energy, waiting to be used by the body. But during this process, another form of energy conversion entrains with this process: the emotional energy we are reluctant to deal with in the moment is also stored in the fat cells.
In addition, any fat-soluble toxins in the body are also stored in the fat cells. These toxins are countless, from plastics in our environment, to medications or other chemicals we are ingesting, to growth hormones in our food, to fluoride or chlorine in our water, etc etc.
So if we view weight loss as a detox process, which I very much do, it follows that the different entrained energy patterns that “went in” to fat storage together will also release together. So as the weight reduces and the fat is released, so are the old toxins, so are the old emotions.
I’ve been absorbing these toxins for more than 35 years, including countless gallons of asthma inhalers (and the propellants necessary to breathe them in). Now that I am in a profound cleansing process, I have no doubt that the asthma I experience now is also a detox process.
For 35 years, at the first sign of an asthma attack I have squelched it immediately with a blast of the inhaler. Now that it is clear that an asthma episode is a detox problem, the question arises: why would I want to toxify my detox process?
Better than the inhaler blast is to get up, breathe deeply, and build my lung strength and endurance. Relaxation. Perhaps some herbs. Deal with my healing and detox in a way that promotes healing and detox, so that I can move through it sooner.
The theory here is rock-solid in my mind. The practice, on the other hand, is a challenge because I no longer have the immediate relief the inhaler provides. I am resorting to other coping strategies with mixed results.
I keep thinking that the longer I can endure the asthma without the inhaler, the more quickly I’ll move through my detox and healing process. It’s difficult to remember this while experiencing breathing difficulties.
I was chatting with a friend the other day, and she emphasized that the sooner I can change the way I think about this issue, the sooner I will heal. I agree with this, and am presently searching for new words and new concepts to make habit.
Lisa Marie said,
November 10, 2009 at 6:53 am
J, in the 6th paragraph, 1st sentence did you mean to say: “In addition, any fat-soluble toxins in the body are also stored in the fat cells”? Just want to make sure I’m getting your point. Could you change that?
Also, I’m really interested in what you’re saying in these last 4 paragraphs. What you’re dealing with here are years of programming: Mom and Dad drilled into your head to NOT exercise AND to reach for your inhaler. So, your poor lungs are underutilized. When they’re underutilized AND addicted to drugs, they’re not going to strengthen. So, when you turn the tables, introduce better, lung-strengthening foods (I also call these medicinals), AND start using homeopathics (medicines that work WITH symptoms… unlike allopathic meds that work AGAINST the symptoms), your lungs are like, DUDE! What the HELL?!?
What I would advocate is NOT to screw around with the messages you’re sending your body. On one hand, you’re saying, “Hey, lungs/heart chakra, you’re safe. I’m taking care of you. This is a new method that can feel a little scary, but I’ve done a lot of research and would like to work WITH you. If we can break this addiction, just think how much more AIR we can take in, just think how much more LOVE we can let in!” But if, in the middle of this process, you say, fuck it, and reach for an inhaler, you’re reiterating the need to panic, you’re validating the fears the little one within you has about not trusting (the world, itself, big people around him, etc.). I say no more mixed messages! Trust is what’s missing here.
Fear and love cannot exist within the same healing space. Let yourself love.
Forever in your corner… Me
JWL said,
November 10, 2009 at 10:59 am
That makes sense, though to be fair it was the doctors advising me (and mom and dad) to take it easy and reach for the inhaler. I do remember Mom and Dad trying to teach me not to take the inhaler too much.
darkdaughta said,
November 10, 2009 at 9:06 pm
JWL, What Lisa Marie wrote here is so wonderful:
“But if, in the middle of this process, you say, fuck it, and reach for an inhaler, you’re reiterating the need to panic, you’re validating the fears the little one within you has about not trusting (the world, itself, big people around him, etc.). I say no more mixed messages! Trust is what’s missing here.
Fear and love cannot exist within the same healing space. Let yourself love.
Forever in your corner… Me”
She is able to fearlessly express her observations as someone who is so close to you while lovingly letting you know that she is beside you in this struggle.
I was completely ignited by her mentioning your little one. We all have them. They are us. They never left us. Sometimes, ofttimes they have much more say and control than we realize.
I appreciate the way both you and Lisa talk about this detoxification process, this healing process, this body reclamation process that is also very much an emotional internal rewiring process as well.
I appreciate this holistic approach to dealing with your asthma and also with your weight loss. I think I tend to concentrate on the emotional but live in a household where pieces around food are not consistent implemented. Utilizing natural remedies are something I’d like to once more incorporate more of.
All in time. Thank you so much for sharing some of what’s happening for you, JWL. It’s real. It’s human. It’s encouraging. It’s raw…pardon the pun. I couldn’t resist. :)
Hugs.