Sacred Ordinary
Light Of The Worlds
Dear Ones,
Hi alchemists! Divergent thinkers. What another beautiful solstice!
Sacred ordinary. Restless seas. Slothful days. I love wintering in. Protection of sleep is a prerequisite for everything else. Wakefulness is a state of brain damage.
What a difference a day makes sometimes. Just sleep on it, dears. Do you ever wonder about that option? I am here to say that it is a great idea. Let thoughts float on by.
Sometimes life is a sitcom. All we can do is laugh. Observe the reel. Surrender. Get the popcorn. Stay grounded.
WINTER VIRUSES
Circulating microbes are even more interesting nowadays. There is a complex and interconnected relationship between microbes, the environment, plants, and animals (including humans).
We face novel microbes, Sapiens.
Immune naivete refers to a state in which an individual's immune system has not been previously exposed to a particular pathogen. They then may lack specific immunity needed to effectively combat circulating pathogens.
My naive immune system is on maximum guard as I write this. I have been sick with a Non-COVID viral illness for what feels like a prolonged period of time.
This virus invasion of mine requires major TLC to restore balance.
I share my recovery plan here:
***NESSA TIP*** Winter Virus Care for COVID/ non-COVID varieties
Develop sleep rituals to sleep train body/mind- set wind down/sleep alarm, yoga/stretching, breathing exercises/meditation, low light/candles, relaxing music, writing, reading
Herbal tea garden elixirs: I use lemongrass, rose, lemon balm, turmeric, ginger, mint + fruit such as kiwi, lemon, blueberries, grapefruit, pomegranate
Wholesome fruits/veggies + high protein bean and veggie soups
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen every once in a while as needed for headache, sore throat, body aches, or fever.
Maintain gut health with saurkraut, kimchi, yogurt, kombucha (watch caffeine), other fermented foods
Hot steam shower/bath/aromatherapy for relaxation and cough/congestion relief
Body awareness movement: walking, stretching, resistance training, yoga 100% based on body energy levels/cues.
AUTOIMMUNITY OF ABANDONMENT
The habit of self-abandonment stems from unhealthy and unconscious societal conditioning. A sort of body-mind-soul-environment severance. Disembodiment.
I am convinced I lost my soul at sea.
Who taught us to abandon ourselves?
Is there a group that may benefit from this kind of mass disempowerment? Curious.
Abandonment is often the root cause of chronic inflammation and therefore autoimmune diseases, cancer, and other chronic diseases.
Psychological/emotional well-being, stress, immune function, and disease are inextricably linked.
Autoimmune diseases occur when our immune system malfunctions and mistakenly attacks our body's own cells. Systemic confusion. Disturbed operating systems. I have a collection of them- antiques.
What is the opposite of self-abandonment? Attention? Compassion? Embodiment? Is attention the same thing as compassion? As embodiment?
***NESSA TIP***
Mindfulness Muscle Building. Let’s practice existing in Frankl’s space: the space between stimulus and response. How to practice: The next time you get triggered by stimuli. Do not respond or react. Just breathe and observe from within a field of awareness. I tell myself it will pass. It’s ok if you respond by being reactive or emotional. You are only human. It happens to me all the time. I practice noticing my own stimuli and response patterns. ie. who/what coregulates me. who/what dysregulates me?
This practice teaches us:
To interact with all kinds of stimuli in different ways.
To observe our surroundings as a mere witness.
To understand ingrained patterns at all levels.
To cast light and attention to our unconscious habits.
DISEASES OF MODERNITY
Fungal otitis externa (ear infection) from persistent airpod use
Amygdala (fear center) hypertrophy from algorithms and fight club/us vs them mentality
Diabetic amputations of limbs due to so called “food” industry
Heart problems due to stress, fat blockages, heroin, and amphetamines
Immune dysregulation due to modern stress and all of the above
Gut disturbances due to ecosystem disturbances and all of the above
Hormonal axis malfunctioning due to many factors and all of the above
Addictions due to many factors mimicking opium for the masses
Etc etc etc. you get the picture.
ANTIDOTES
We transition to societal palliative care now. Palliative care focuses on relief from symptoms, pain, and stress of serious illnesses/societies. It helps us navigate darkness with grace and reduce suffering. Proven to increase the quality of this short human life.
Nature is a salve to the sickness of modernity. Consciousness, creativity, mindfulness, and sobriety are palliative antidotes to modern pathologies. Being awake, sober, present, and vulnerable in the face of darkness are adaption skills of the century.
May we have the strength to face difficulty without turning away.
May we listen to each other’s stories and experiences.
May we lead with love and with the light of compassion.
May we pay attention to our brain-body-gut-flora axis.
MICROBE WHISPERER
I am a bonafide microbe whisperer. What do you think I did in the hospital setting for all these years? I investigate ecosystem imbalances- on micro and macro levels. Study bodies and petri dishes.
I speak of the microbes that live on us and in us. It is time we embrace all microbial parts more. The true rulers of ecosystems. Keepers of health. Bow down to these invisible living beings. Respect them dearly. I do. If you see what I see…you would, too, lovebugs. You would too.
Commenting = Reading = Sharing = Loving. Thank you for your kindnesses.
May All Beings Find Peace.
To get in touch, click on calender link here or reply to this email.
Nessa (born at 333 ppm)
Stay Close My Heart
Stay close, my heart, to the one who knows your ways;
Come into the shade of the tree that allays has fresh flowers.
Don't stroll idly through the bazaar of the perfume-markers:
Stay in the shop of the sugar-seller.
If you don't find true balance, anyone can deceive you;
Anyone can trick out of a thing of straw,
And make you take it for gold
Don't squat with a bowl before every boiling pot;
In each pot on the fire you find very different things.
Not all sugarcanes have sugar, not all abysses a peak;
Not all eyes possess vision, not every sea is full of pearls.
O nightingale, with your voice of dark honey! Go on lamenting!
Only your drunken ecstasy can pierce the rock's hard heart!
Surrender yourself, and if you cannot be welcomed by the friend,
Know that you are rebelling inwardly like a thread
That doesn't want to go through the needle's eye!
The awakened heart is a lamp; protect it by the him of your robe!
Hurry and get out of this wind, for the weather is bad.
And when you've left this storm, you will come to a fountain;
You'll find a friend there who will always nourish your soul.
And with your soul always green, you'll grow into a tall tree
Flowering always with sweet light-fruit, whose growth is interior.”
― Rumi
Great stuff, as usual.
So many goodies in here! Thanks for putting it all together and sharing with us. A stomach virus got me this week, likely Norovirus. Appreciating the simplicity of yogurt and bananas : ) Good health to us all!