Healing is an act that has largely been ignored in our culture. For decades it has been the social norm to withhold feelings and hide emotions. As an author, an expert in archetypes, creator of ‘energy anatomy,’ and medical intuitive, Caroline Myss, Ph.D. has witnessed first hand how this cultural ignorance has come to cause dysfunction and imbalance to the human energy field. Myss refers to the causes of these dysfunctions and imbalances as ‘wounds.’ In order to heal, we must commit ourselves to identifying, understanding, and appreciate the wounds that we’ve been unconsciously carrying around.

To counteract the dysfunction and imbalance and bring healing to the forefront of health, we must first start with ourselves. In past articles, you have seen how self-care routines and practices are beneficial to the energy body. This week I would like to share with you my revised version of Myss’ “Six Steps to an Empowered Heart.” Due to the terminology Myss’ uses in her version, I have tried to make the following easier to understand.

Six steps to an empowered heart, as inspired by Caroline Myss, Ph.D., from Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing.

1. Commit yourself to heal

Once you turn inward and begin the healing process, you will notice that feelings and emotions are more present and obvious than ever before. Do not get discouraged by this. It is the beginning of the process.

2. Identify your wounds

Once you begin this conscious journey, start to identify what wounds remain unhealed.

3. Understand your wounds

As you begin to understand what wounds remain with you, start to understand how these wounds come to influence your environment and relationships.

4. Appreciate your wounds

Do not view your wounds as a negative. Take time to give gratitude to them, regardless of how they may have made you feel over the years.

5. Move to forgiveness

In order to forgive, we must understand the meaning forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean accepting an apology and moving forward. True forgiveness, as explained by Caroline Myss, is “a complex act of consciousness, one that liberates the psyche and soul from the need for personal vengeance and the perception of oneself as a victim.” Through forgiveness, we release any control our wounds had on our being. We are not always ready for this change, which is why many of us experience difficulties releasing, letting go, and moving forward. It is not until we free ourselves of these wounds that we can truly begin to heal.

6. Be love

Replace your wounds with love by living a life of gratitude and appreciation. By changing your perception, you will no longer recognize the wounds as part of you or your past.

If you would like some suggestions on how to start incorporating gratitude into your lifestyle, check out this article here. It provides three tips on how to uncover the most neglected human emotion, and better your relationships and quality of life!