"Mighty Spirits" includes those with Mental Illness

Our trials have purpose in the eyes of God and can bring us closer in love with Him and others. This post is meant to help you understand who you really are. I hope it changes your perception of yourself and any labels you may have been given.

It was helpful for my daughter and I to change our perceptions about mental illness. In the beginning we asked the question 'why?'  or  'why me?'  Over time, we learned to change the questions we were asking of God to, "What would you have me learn?"

I learned that I may have even chosen to have a daughter labeled wtih a mental illness before I ever came to earth. The idea that we may have chosen our own life learning lessons -- or what we call trials -- is actually a cross cultural pattern found in NDE's around the world. Understanding this can bring hope when facing life's challenges. Remembering who we are, where we've come from and our purpose in coming to earth helps us through happy as well as tough times. Author Roy Mills saw that before being born on earth, “I selected certain life experiences and was taught about them.”

An apostle said something akin to that.  Elder Richard G. Scott said,
"We lived in the presence of God our Holy Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ in a premortal existence. There we gained an understanding of the Father's plan of salvation and the promise of help when we would be born as mortals on earth.  ...So that the period of mortal testing and growth would yield its greatest benefits, you were taught and prepared for the circumstances you would personally encounter in mortality." (Ensign, Nov. 2005)  (See also illustration #293 in my book Healing Arts.)

Interestingly, Roy Mills was told not to share the memories from his NDE with anyone  -  for 45 years! He upheld that; then, in 1995 he was told by an angel that it was time to share.  She said the message of his pre-birth experience would change the lives of everyone who would listen.  It would help them understand who they really are.

My friend, Kathy Truman, introduced me to Roy Mill's book  The Soul's Experience and sent the excerpt below. It is from a chapter titled "The Mighty Spirits."  I share this with all of my clients lately and have highlighted portions of it. Enjoy, and get your own copy of this amazing book!

THE MIGHTY SPIRITS 

Excerpt from:  The Soul’s Remembrance by Roy Mills
An account of one man’s remembrance of the premortal realm:

We come to live in the physical world so that we can grow spiritually by gaining experience and exercising our free will.  Many of those experiences involve hardships which can only happen on earth, because Heaven is a place of perfect love, forgiveness, peace, and tranquility.  And these hardships are necessary to help us build faith and exercise the gifts God has given us.  Each of us is given a mission to accomplish while we are here, but we are also allowed to select some of the challenges that will bring us growth.

The angels help us choose our experiences, because what we choose must fit with our mission and with God’s overall plan for our lives... They explained that the more difficult a challenge was, the more knowledge and wisdom and love it could bring.  I knew that it would be pleasing to God if I dealt with many experiences in a positive way, so I began selecting all kinds of challenges.

While I was in Heaven, I never saw anyone who was depressed, maimed by an accident, or suffering from disease. Our spiritual bodies are always healthy and whole; they are perfect, and our spirits shine with a radiant beauty. Our physical bodies are only a temporary home for our spirits, and nothing can truly harm who we really are.  So when I selected my earthly experiences, I had no concern for what they would do to my physical body.  I knew that the more I suffered for others, or because of others, the more I would grow in spirit.  And with that knowledge, I had a completely different perspective on adversity and the experiences I chose for my own life.

The angels explained to me that an illness or accident triggers a chain of events that can lead to spiritual growth.  Some spirits choose a life of extreme sacrifice or nearly unbearable suffering.  The light of God shines brightly around these people, and in Heaven they are thought of as mighty spirits, because they come to earth to suffer so that others can grow in understanding and love.  

Some mighty spirits choose to be born with severe disabilities such as blindness, deafness, mental illness, Down’s Syndrome, and others.  Some choose to be paralyzed or disfigured or disabled later in life by an accident.  Others suffer a life-threatening illness such as cancer, or Alzheimer’s.  And many brave spirits choose to be born into alcoholic or drug addicted families, or into abusive homes where they suffer and sometimes even die from abuse.

Many of these people who suffer from such challenges live their lives thinking they are inferior or unworthy of love because they look different or don’t have the same abilities as most people, or because they were the victims of abuse.  But the truth is that they are mighty spirits who denied themselves and have come to earth to help others grow.  

When we see a child who is confined to a wheelchair because of a problem with his or her muscles or nerves or brain, we feel compassion for the child.  But the deeper truth is that this individual had compassion for us first, having chosen their condition to help us grow.  When we think we are helping the disabled, we are really helping ourselves by learning selflessness, charity, and how to demonstrate our love.

These courageous souls chose their conditions in order to inspire love, compassion, caring, patience, or forgiveness in others.  They also suffer to gain experience and knowledge that will help others who face similar challenges, or to help improve conditions by raising public awareness.  Like Jesus, the mightiest Spirit of all, these souls suffer in our place so that we can learn, experience, and grow without bearing the same cross they carry.

In Heaven, everyone who chooses to be born on earth is thought of as a courageous spirit.  It’s not easy to leave the peace and love of Heaven for the hardships and strife of earth. ..It often takes adversity to shake us up and help us grow, but God wanted His children to be happy in their earthly lives, too.  After choosing my life experiences, I was told to also have fun while I was here.  This life may be a ‘vale of tears,’ but it is also supposed to be a time of joy.  And how much joy we experience is up to us.

When we realize that we, ourselves, chose many of the difficulties in our lives, and that all things happen for a reason, we begin to let go of earthbound thinking.  We can give up the crutches we use to fill the emptiness in our live-alcohol, drugs, money, meaningless sex, prestige, and power.  When our eyes are opened, we begin to see things as they really are.

We begin to understand that life isn’t cruel or unfair, but is a spiritual journey that leads us to meaning and joy and real happiness.  Knowing the truth about ourselves sets us free to be the happy, loving people God wants us to be.

If you enjoyed reading this, you might also like the post on praise in all things.

Dr. Susan Lawton on Vetiver & ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, etc

Information shared in this document is by Dr. Susan Lawton 
from research and practice.  

Vetiver  

"Vetiveria Zizanoides
Nourishing, Restoring, Reconnecting (A little goes a very long way)
Vetiver grass has long, narrow aromatic leaves and straight stems. Grows in tufts
and is very tall; approximately 6 feet high. Its roots are spindly, but intensely aromatic.   The
Vetiver is steam distilled from the roots and is a very challenging process to gather and process the
plant roots for the oil.  Its scent is heavy, bitter and very earthy (kids ask for the oil that smells like dirt).
"Antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiseptic, relieves
muscle spasms and can assist in relief of liver congestion, wound healing and relief of dry skin and
oily scalps, mood lifter, pain relief for stiff joints of arthritis, rheumatism, sprains and strains.
Helpful with insomnia, regulating appetite, and has proven effective with anorexia nervosa when
used consistently.
"Vetiver has a high level of sesquiterpene as part of its chemical make up.
Sesquiterpene (BBB-Brain oxygenating) molecules deliver oxygen molecules to cells, like
hemoglobin does in the blood.  Sesquiterpenes can also erase or deprogram miswritten codes in
cellular memory.  Sesquiterpenes are thought to be especially effective in fighting cancer. *
Used with other essential oils in blends to hold the fragrances for a long time,
really helps the citrus oil scents “pop” in blends.
"Vetiver Oil balances the activity of the sebaceous glands, or oil glands, and helps to
normalize oily skin and clear acne.  It replenishes moisture in dry and dehydrated skin.  Because it
strengthens connective tissue of the skin, Vetiver has a rejuvenating effect on the complexion,
particularly mature skin.
"White Blood Cell Stimulant:  Enhances immunity by increasing the production of
white blood cells that fight infection.  These are the cells that patrol your body, cleaning and
literally gobbling up foreign invaders.  **
"Stimulates the Production of Red Blood Cells, which transport oxygen throughout
the body.  This again improves immunity and circulation.  ***
"Vetiver Oil normalizes either extreme sensitivity or insensitivity.  It integrates spirituality with
materialism, restores balance and harmony, brings thoughts and actions into focus, and helps to stabilize mental and physical energy.
*Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, Mojay, 1999, Healing Arts Press
Healing Oils of the Bible, Stewart, 2005, Care Publications
** Aromatherapy for Dummies, 1999, Wiley
*** Modern Essentials, 2009 Abundant Health, LLC.  Aromatherapy, Roberta Wilson, 2002.

"ADHD and anxiety relief have been reported by consistent users. Diffusing Vetiver is relaxing and a great anti-depressant.
Anxiety can be relieved by mixing Vetiver with Myrrh 1:1 and applying behind
the knees right after shower in the morning.  The Vetiver and Myrrh are both
rather thick in nature and will process gradually and lend a calming influence
throughout the day.  If you need to reapply after 3 or 4 hours use same ratio.
"TMJ Massage Blend for jaw muscles:  1 ounce Fractionated Coconut Oil, Helichrysum 4 drops,
White Fir 3 drops, Vetiver 2 drops, and Balance 2 drops
Tension-Buster:  Vetiver 3 drops, Patchouli 1 drop, Wild Orange 2 drops, and Ylang Ylang 2 drops
Stress Reducing Bath:  ½ cup Epsom salts, Lavender 2 drops, Cypress 2 drops, Geranium 1 drop,
White Fir 1 drop, and Vetiver 1 drop
Stretch Mark Reducing Oil Blend:  1 ounce cocoa butter, melted, ½ ounce Fractionated Coconut
Oil, 1/2 ounce rose hip seed oil, Lavender 8 drops, Grapefruit 3 drops, and Vetiver 3 drops
"To Relieve Obsessive Over thinking:  Vetiver 2 drops, Sandalwood 4 drops and apply to the back of the neck or on the bones behind the ears
To Relieve Preoccupation with Detail:  Frankincense 3 drops, Vetiver 2 drops, and Lemon 1 drop
To cope with sudden fear, especially at night:  Geranium 2 drops, Vetiver 2 drops, and Rose 1 drop
Sweet Sleep:  2 Tablespoons Fractionated Coconut Oil, Sandalwood 6 drops, Wild Orange 2 drops,
Ylang Ylang 2 drops, Coriander 1 drops, and Vetiver 1 drop
Joint or muscle pain after injury: Vetiver 4 drops, Lavender 3 drops, and Bergamot 2 drops, all  in a
capsule and take internally
Post surgery blend for pain after joint replacement every 2 to 4 hours can help stretch other
means: Vetiver 4 drops, Lavender 3 drops, Helichrysm 2 drops, and White Fir 2 drops in a capsule
and take internally
"Relieve absentmindedness and helps with clarity – rub on the back of the neck 2 to 5 times a day:
Vetiver 4 drops, Peppermint 3 drops, and Frankincense 3 drops (can mix together and put in a
roller bottle for easy application)"    Dr. Susan Lawton

NOTE: The advice shared in this document has not been evaluated by the FDA. The products and methods recommended are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease, nor is it intended to replace proper medical help. Kindly understand that essential oils work to help to bring the body into balance - thus helping the body's natural defenses to restore homeostasis. Essential oils are not used to "treat" medical problems.  Thank you for your sharing with others.

Tamara sells these oils!  
If you are interested, email me at tamaralaing247@gmail.com 
or use the contact form on the right sidebar.

Other helpful ideas are under the tab "Mental First Aid." click HERE 

More on Healing Generations

I have come across some valuable information since I wrote my book.  Here are a few wonderful paragraphs relating to healing generations by Truman Madsen. Thank you Tresa for sharing this.

And, therefore, as you look back at your seventy or so forebears...  you might recognize that you have inherited the blood of many generations.  And blood may not be a correct word scientifically, but in the scriptures it stands for seed, which means heredity, the inheritance of tendencies, and all of us have them.  You have the blood of this generation, from which we must become clean - 'clean from the blood of this generation' (D&C 88:85). If you do, you will be clean from the blood of every generation, because it is compounded and accumulated into now- and that includes the blood of some degeneration. 

So perhaps you do have problems that you can blame on your ancestors, and if you
forgive that and choose to stand close to the Lord in the process of purifying your life, that will affect  your whole family in both directions.  You are not alone. There is no way you can gain solitary and neutral ground.  You are in it - you are involved. And this, I believe, is one of the profound meanings of the tame and wild olive trees. If you take a wild branch and graft it in to a tame one, if the branch is strong enough it will eventually corrupt and spoil the tree all the way to the roots. But if you take a tame branch and graft it in to a wild tree, in due time, if that branch is strong enough, it will heal and regenerate to the very roots. You will have then been an instrument in the sanctification even of your forebears.

...To be that kind of branch and achieve that kind of transformation backward and forward is perhaps the greatest achievement of this world.  But to do it one must be great, one must be linked, bound to the Lord Jesus Christ.  One must be mighty.  One must be something of a savior.  And that is exactly what the Prophet Joseph Smith said we are: 'saviors on Mount Zion.'   (Truman G. Madsen, "The Temple: Where Heaven Meets Earth," p 84)

The following is the ending excerpt from an  excellent article by Larry Barkdull on Meridian Magazine.  Who knew that Elder Hafen and Isaiah touch on healing generations?! Thank you Sylvia for sharing this.  Brother Barkdull wrote:

Becoming a 'Repairer of the Breach'

Isaiah counseled, “Hide not thyself from thine own flesh [your own family].”(14) That is, love them, pray for them, and fast for them. We expect the Lord to stand by our children despite their waywardness. Would He not, therefore, expect the same of us? Our willingness to sanctify ourselves through fasting and prayer in behalf of our children, and our continuing to love and reach out to them, serves to repair relationships. Through fasting and prayer we sanctify ourselves to become, according to Isaiah, “the repairer of the breach.”(15) That is, fasting and prayer empowers us to repair anything that has torn the relationship apart.

Concerning our becoming repairers of the breach, Elder Bruce C. Hafen taught that we, through fasting and prayer and applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ, gain power to repair even generational family problems and to stop the “intergenerational flow of affliction,” which plagues one generation of our family after another. These generational problems are often the reasons our children are presently suffering. Some damaging family traits reduce agency and continue to afflict several generations of a family. But by means of the sanctifying principles of faith, fasting, prayer, and diligence, these negative traits can be halted and severed.

Repairers of the breach can seek heavenly power to ensure that those harmful traits will never again distress subsequent generations. Elder Hafen said we can “fill the void left by a former generation and raise a new foundation for the next, thus repairing the breach in the intergenerational linkage: ‘They that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach; the restorer of paths to dwell in.’ (Isa. 58:12) (Bruce C. Hafen and Marie K. Hafen, The Belonging Heart: The Atonement and Relationships with God and Family Heart, 119.)

Promised Blessings 

"Isaiah’s doctrine concerning the fast is astonishing. Generational healing becomes possible. Evidently fasting yields a power that extends to our deceased loved ones, allowing them to be healed and set free. Through focused fasting, we become repairers of the breach to our present families and our ancestors. Moreover, our children-- “they that shall be of thee”--will “build the old waste places.” In other words, because of our fasting, our children will also be empowered to repair the generational injuries and help to save their forefathers. What will be the result? 

“Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations [to follow]”; that is, you will help your children lay a new foundation for their lives upon which salvation will come to them and to those your grandchildren. Therefore, you will be given the honorable name, “repairer of the breach”—the one who helped them overcome their weakness, repair their broken lives, and brought them back to the correct path. (See also John H. Vandenberg, Conference Report, April 1963)

Does the fast still sound too simple, too easy? Perhaps we should reconsider the fast as an incredible principle of power and do as Moses encouraged his people to do: simply look up and live."  (Larry Barkdull, "Rescuing Wayward Children through Fasting and Prayer," Meridian Magazine, Thursday July 10, 2010, www.ldsmag.com/article/5880)

IF YOU LIKED THIS POST YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY READING "GENERATIONAL QUOTES"
http://tamarasbook.blogspot.com/2009/08/generational-issues-quotes.html

Hope for Asperger's and Infections... with Homeopathy

I just read an amazing article on finding help for Asperger's: "Asperger's Syndrome,  A Journey Not a Destination." This is another story of a dedicated mom finding help for her ill child in alternative medicine. Several of the articles in this magazine are on Aspergers Syndrome. I was happy to find energy therapies mentioned in another article, also.  Sometimes I wish I could say on air, "Wake up America!  Help is available for those who will take time to understand PRINCIPLES behind alternative medicine therapies." This mother understood the principles behind homeopathy and it made such a HUGE difference for her son. What she says makes SO MUCH sense once basic principles are understood.

Constitutional Homeopathy is what made a world of difference for my son with Lyme disease. He
had been sitting in the recliner from February until Fall (without enough energy to even play a video game), but within the first week or two on a couple of constitutional remedies he began to do things he hadn't done in 8 months!  He played a little basketball with friends, he went to the lake with us and later boating with friends... We knew something wonderful was happening. Interestingly, the next person with Lyme who might see a constitutional homeopath would be given remedies specifically for their body - not the same ones my son took. (An added blessing was that we paid only $10 a bottle for each remedy and they lasted for months.  This is a so-called alternative treatment worth looking into.  There are places in Europe where these remedies sit alongside prescription drugs in pharmacies.  (America is far behind the times when it comes to some areas of medicine.)

Constitutional homeopathy has been amazingly helpful for my family.  My neighbor believes it is the very best approach for ANY infection after it was the best solution for her son with MRSA as well as her own chronic sinus infections.  I rarely every get those, but the last time I did I was in the southern part of Utah at a family reunion.  Being desperate, I got a Rx for antibiotics but the infection flared when the medicine was gone.  I am SO glad I got an appointment with a constitutional homeopath.  I was given the right remedy for me and the infection cleared quickly because it went to the root of the problem.  I haven't had any trouble since. I LOVE constitutional homeopathy - which is different from using a homeopathic remedy labeled for a single, acute condition.

An additional thought I have is the question, "What is 'alternative' medicine anyhow?"   Back in its day in the 1800's, homeopathy wasn't an "alternative" choice, it was The choice for many maladies. So what is really 'alternative' today?  It's simply a matter of perception.  Today's alternative may be tomorrow's norm.  

Read this great article!:

 http://issuu.com/acfei.media/docs/annals_preview_issue/33?e=2350419/1903275

Hello

I'm a Christian mother, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who was prompted by the Holy Spirit to find answers in Energy Medicine to help my daughter with a bipolar illness. She made amazing turnarounds at appointments of Rapid Eye Technology. I believe that applying the same health principles we learned can help anyone with health challenges. In the beginning I had absolutely no understanding of this field and was wary of using it.  Its methods involved concepts I had never heard of or even imagined before. I wanted to be careful and use wisdom in deciphering whether each new principle I learned fit with Christian beliefs.

I spent a few years reading every book I could about 'energy work'- a more common term for a broad spectrum of energy healing methods.  I was surprised to find premises in energy work that were vaguely familiar. I learned that a plethora of cultures outside of mine believed in an invisible life-giving energy that filled the universe. This subtle energy was known by various foreign names such as "Chi" or "Prana." In English it was described as life force energy.

After a couple of years of voracious reading, I heard a distinct impression from spirit to focus my reading on  sources from prophets and religious leaders.  Imagine my surprise to learn from John A. Widtsoe that the light of Christ was the universal life-giving energy that other teachers called life force. That's when my research really became interesting! I wanted to learn everything I could about the light of Christ. I discovered that Latter-day Saints use many different terms for this subtle essence.  I also learned that prophets and apostles have commented on principles underlying Energy Medicine. LDS religious leaders wrote more about universal subtle essences and healing than I ever expected and sometimes with surprisingly detailed comments. I was overwhelmingly relieved to learn from Apostle Parley P. Pratt about this subtle invisible essence and how it could be shared with others in his book, Key to the Science of Theology.

The health principles in energy work that enabled my daughter to  make huge turnarounds, and similar or equivalent LDS quotes for those principles, were on a DVD I produced in 2010 titled, "Scientists, Scholars and Spiritual Leaders Introduce Energy Work- A Gift From God." It sold out and is no longer available. The DVD answered questions such as: Are LDS beliefs compatible with Energy Work? What do prophets teach about healing? Are chakras in the Bible? Does an invisible energy heal? What about crystals and long distance healing?  All of this and more is answered in my new book.  In fact, the book contains nearly 300 slides not found in the DVD.  The book includes everything the DVD had and much more.

I came to the conclusion that premises underlying the energy work I was led to fit with the gospel of Christ while there were other methods that did not  follow scriptural  principles.  I desire to share information related to appropriate integrative healing methods, and scriptures and religious quotes that teach a person how to discern the difference. Answers to our health questions and concerns really are in the scriptures! This site does not claim, however, to represent the doctrinal beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Perhaps it is time to educate - not just medicate. We need an education on whole person health, for we are more than just the physical bodies the medical field focuses on.  Traditional medicine still practices from the viewpoint of "Person = Body." Conventional medicine has no concept of altering energy flows. Understanding that the previous equation is incomplete, one would be wise to enlist the help of a health practitioner who understands that "Person = Body + Mind + Spirit."  I want a health practitioner addressing my entire being, not just a portion of myself.  We need more medical doctors in the western world who practice from the entire paradigm.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. said "Energy Medicine is the next big frontier in medicine."  Why is that? Dawson Church,PhD gives a great answer: "Techniques from energy medicine and Energy Psychology can alleviate chronic diseases, shift auto-immune conditions, and eliminate psychological traumas with an efficiency and speed that conventional treatments can scarcely touch." (The Genie in Your Genes- Epigenetic Medicine and the New Biology of Intention, 29.)  That is because our energy body is the grid work underlying the physical nature of us.

Bruce Lipton, a renowned cell biologist and former medical school professor, offers an educational analogy: "Conventional medicine works with the iron filings, whereas a deeper form of healing would attempt to influence the magnetic field. Most doctors don't see the field, so they're trying to figure out the relationship between the filings without even trying to incorporate the energy field in which they exist." (quoted in The Genie in Your Genes, 152.) In simple terms, human beings are more than just the physical bodies that medical doctors consider. We are also complex systems of energy fields. When our energy fields are cleared and balanced it makes an impact on our physical level, also.

The field of Energy Medicine takes into account the whole person's being: physical body as well as mind and spirit. This includes the invisible subtle light energy that surrounds people, known to scientists as the biofield.  Fields of energy penetrate and surround our bodies. Scriptures teach this, such as  "Let us put on the armour of light."(Romans 13:12) Everyone has generally unseen energy fields around their physical body. Progressive doctors and hospitals are embracing this view.* Shouldn't you? (*See cover story U.S. News &World Report, Jan. 21, 2008.)

Understanding this new perspective enables whole person health. Caroline Myss writes, "According to energy medicine, the human spirit is a manifestation of energy. . . . The intention behind using Energy Medicine is to treat the body and the spirit equally." (Why People Don't Heal and How They Can, x,xi)"  John A. Widtsoe states that another way, "Joseph Smith taught also that spirit is only a pure form of matter. . . .'The spirit and the body are the soul of man.' (D&C 88:15) The spirit here referred to may be compared to the ether of science, vibrating with the force of intelligence, which is the first and highest of the many forces of nature... Man, according to this is composed of matter; the spirit which may be likened to ether, and energy." ( John A.Widtsoe, Joseph Smith as Scientist, 34, 63-64)

New York Times best-selling author Gregg Braden calls such spiritually-based techniques that I mention "internal technology" that a person can apply on their own to improve health. Larry Dossey, MD calls some of these techniques "Eternity Medicine." (see Reinventing Medicine, chapter 6) I love the term he chose.

Of course, one should use caution when exploring cutting-edge methods of healing. On the other hand, we also need to realize that false traditions of our fathers may have been passed down to us concerning health. World renowned scientists are teaching that we are NOT limited by the laws of physics and biology as taught to generations before. Physics has changed to an energetic view of all creation. Will you? I did and it has made all the difference!

To your health~ Tamara