FINDING A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION

Research is showing that spirituality is making a positive impact on healing. Being spiritual can mean different things to different people. For some, being spiritual can mean going to church, praying, meditating, practicing mindfulness, being in nature, or putting energy into family, friends, or a good cause. Being spiritual can mean connecting with a higher power, God (the Universe, the Divine). It is a sense of sacredness. When someone is dealing with illness, they may feel alone or isolated and making a spiritual connection can give meaning and purpose to one’s life. Adopting a lifestyle that incorporates a spiritual practice results in many benefits including enhanced immunity, enhanced mood and reduced stress which has a positive impact on overall health.
Finding a sustainable practice that appeals to an individual and making it part of their daily routine is an important addition to holistic health, as well as following a nutritious whole-food diet, exercising, and getting good quality sleep.Combining these aspects of a healthy lifestyle provides an interconnection between mind, body, and spirit.
MEDITATION FOR A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION

Meditation encompasses many aspects of spirituality like prayer and mindfulness. Some popular forms of meditation include:
Seated Meditations:
Guided Meditation - Guided meditation involves a trained practitioner or teacher providing direction, either in person or through audiovisual media with music and/or verbal instructions.
Mantra Meditation – A mantra can be a breath focus, visualization, word, or phrase. While often used in seated meditation, it can also enhance moving meditations like walking.
Chakra Meditation - Rooted in ancient Eastern traditions, chakra meditation has been practiced for thousands of years and is now a key component of yoga and energy healing. In her book The Anatomy of the Spirit, Carolyn Myss, Ph.D., offers the following insight:
“When working with your chakras, beginning with the first and working your way up, ask yourself the following questions:
Am I losing energy?
If so, what fear is drawing power from my body?
Take a deep breath and consciously disconnect your energy from that fear.”
Moving Meditations:
Walking Meditation - This is done with opened eyes and is much slower than going on a normal walk. It involves either coordination with breathing, or a specific focus.
Yoga - Yoga is a mind-body exercise, involving a combination of muscular activity and a mindful focus on awareness of the self, the breath, and energy.
Tai Chi - Tai chi is a healing/martial art combining martial art movement with Qi (vital energy circulation), breathing, and stretching techniques.
Qi Gong- Qi gong is similar to Tai Chi which consists of a series of breathing, body movement and meditation to attain deep focus and a relaxed state.
Prayer meditation:
Contemplated Prayer - This can involve the silent repetition of sacred words or sentences, with focus and devotion.
Contemplative Readings - This is taking readings and teachings and reflecting on, or thinking deeply about them.
These are examples of a few methods of meditation. Trying one or more methods is sure to bring meaning to one’s life, reducing stress and aiding in their health and wellness.
References:
Alschuler L., Gazella, K. (2010). The definitive guide to cancer. Berkley, CA: Celestial Arts
Dessy, M., McClure, K. (2017). Beyond meditation: Making mindfulness accessible for everyone. Willis, TX: Versadia Press.
Dienstmann, G. (n.d.). Types of meditation: An overview of 23 meditation techniques. Retrieved from:https://liveanddare.com/types-of-meditation
Myss, Carolyn, Ph.D. (1996). Anatomy of the spirit, the seven stages of power and healing. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press

Coastal Functional Medicine is excited to partner with Lynette for her expert knowledge in nutrition and the Bredesen Protocol!
Lynette Scalora-Palacios is a Certified Nutrition Consultant (NC), a Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner (FNLP), and a Bredesen Protocol ReCODE-Certified Practitioner. Her goal is to educate and empower individuals to achieve their optimal health goals, with a focus on the prevention of age-related disease and Alzheimer’s disease by providing nutrition and lifestyle education with compassion and support. Lynette believes in identifying each individual's health goals and taking small steps to achieve those goals.