The Journey/Mind-Body Connection

The Journey is the life work of author, speaker and mind-body healing expert Brandon Bays who, in undergoing her own healing journey from a basketball-size tumor in 6½ weeks with no drugs or surgery, pioneered profound, yet simple tools that have helped thousands of people heal from issues like anxiety, depression, stress, chronic pain, anger, low self-esteem, issues relating to abuse, relationships, and physical diseases or illnesses.  I haven't met very many people who have heard of "The Journey", but I did have the pleasure of attending a "Journey Intensive" workshop last year in Los Angeles where what Brandon talks about in her book, "The Journey" is taught and practiced.  It was definitely an interesting and different experience, that helped to open my mind to a very different way of healing the body. 

The basis of it is somewhat similar to the ideas in myofascial release; to find, deal with and release stored cellular memory.  The concept behind it is, that when we experience something traumatic in our life, wether it be something we may think is "small" (an emotional situation such as the breakup of a relationship) or something very intense (a near-fatal car accident), the emotions we experience during this event are manifested physically in our body.  Quantum physics attempts to explain and describe how this process biologically/physically takes place.  The film, "What the Bleep do We Know" gives a good illustration of these biological processes in a movie-like dramatic way and mixes in interviews with quantum physicists, spiritual "gurus" and other "really smart" ;-) people. (Watching the movie is a quick, easy way to get a better grasp on this concept if you don't already know what it's about).

The results of these emotional manifestations can, and usually do, lead to the onset of physical pain, a chain-reaction dysfunction of the organs and finally disease.  This process can take years to manifest and because our "modern" medicine doesn't have the appropriate knowledge, mindset or "equipment", to more or less, test the entire pathology of it, the correct diagnosis and treatment (based in the emotional roots/cause) is never implemented. 

What "The Journey", as well as John Barns style myofascial release set out to do, is tackle these "emotional-into-physical" issues before they actually become a physical manifestation and "correct" the ones that have already manifested.  You are essentially taught a process that, in effect, takes you back to the moment these traumatic feelings/issues/circumstances took place and are given the appropriate tools to deal with them in such a way, that allows your physical being to release the "imprint" the situation had on you, permanently. 

And therein lies the beginning of the body's physical healing process.  Depending on how "deep" or intense a persons specific "issues" are, there can be an immediate feeling of improvement, or it may take longer for the results to be felt physically.  However, there is almost always an immediate emotional response; the feeling of a burden being lifted or being freed in some way.  Every individual's experience is different and relates to their own life experience. 

The idea that our emotions and feelings play a significant role in the physical health of our bodies is an enlightening concept, but of course, is not the ONLY one.  What we put into and ON to our bodies, physically (food, water, medications/drugs, toiletries, environmental pollutants, etc.) is the other giant piece of the puzzle, that must also be handled with careful consideration.  Through my research and experience in finding the most ideal nutrition for myself, I've found several doctors, healers and concepts that have opened my mind to ideas about food that are just as "out there" as some people might find the "Journeywork".  But that info will be in my next post;-)

Video of testimonials