Cygnus Editorial 2006 Issue 12: WHICH WAY IS UP? Ann Napier

2006 Issue 12: WHICH WAY IS UP?

Dear Friends,

Sometimes, in the midst of all the different ideas people have about how the universe works, don't you sometimes feel rather perplexed? You're trying your best to move in a certain direction because you think it's right, but then somehow, doubt sets in, and you end up feeling you don't know which way to turn any more. Well, for the perplexed, here's a great and very grounded way to work out which way is up!

We can start simply by looking at our own physical bodies: at our biology in general, and our immune system in particular. As we understand it (and putting it very simply, of course), the immune system is the part of the physical body that distinguishes between what is 'self' and what is 'other'. Cells which are determined by the immune system to be 'other' are neutralised and eliminated from the body with the aid of white blood cells. So it could also be said that the immune system is the part of our physical body that communicates to us what our self – our true self – is and is not, and what it wants and does not want.

In fact, this is what many spiritual teachers confirm. On a subtle body level, they say that the heart chakra governs the immune system, and that the heart chakra also communicates to us the needs of our true self, or Higher Self, as some people call it. Well, now we know why they make this connection. There really is a biological link between the immune system and our sense of self.

Now, if you've followed our logic so far, you'll see that, if we simply look at the immune system and what makes it strong, we'll be able to discover quite a lot about our true self and what it wants us to do. And since it appears that there are many similarities in the way the immune system works in different people, we could start from the idea that there are also many similarities in the nature of our true selves, although of course each one of us is utterly unique and individual.

OK. So hands up anyone whose immune system is boosted by negativity, closed-mindedness, dejection, self-centredness, fear, anxiety, worry, cruelty, meanness, hatred, repressed emotion, lack of self love or lack of compassion for others. No takers so far? We thought so.

How, on the other hand, would kindness, goodwill, appreciation, gratitude, cheerfulness, love for yourself and others, trust, confidence and inner peace work for you? And as a firm foundation for all those lovely feelings, how about loving acceptance and release of all your emotions and motives – not just the nice ones, but the ones you'd really rather not see, too? Well, scientific evidence abounds these days that, on an emotional level, these are the kinds of things that boost the immune system. (See It’s the Thought That Counts and The Biology of Belief) Which means that these things are not just 'what you need'. They are what you ARE. They are Self. They are YOU. What you NEED is what you ARE.

Just let yourself dance in that for a moment, inwardly. You ARE kindness, acceptance, goodwill, appreciation, joy. And nothing can change that because it's engraved right into every cell of your body, in your immune system. Now it's in that core awareness – not in a state of dejection, weariness and grim determination – that we're supposed to embrace and address the problems in our lives. Then nothing will defeat us any longer.

The question is, how to remember to do that, when reactions of sadness and fear are such a habit, and when the outside world seems to encourage and reinforce such habitual negative reactions at every turn? Well, all the contributors to this Review have wonderfully helpful suggestions to make. So reading them could be a good place to start! William Bloom, Diana Cooper and Mary Wainwright suggest a number of simple things you can do that will have the effect of boosting your immune system, because they boost your awareness of the love, protection and beauty that are integral to your true self. Chris Thomas and Dr David Hamilton throw more light on how the self communicates with the physical body via our DNA.

And as for overcoming our habitual negative reactions once and for all, well, we can only say: perseverance furthers! When you fall down, just get up again! And by constantly remembering to consider our immune system and its needs, at least we can be freed from doubt about what it is we're supposed to be persevering in. And that helps a lot, doesn't it?

So, dear friends, have a beautiful Winter Solstice, Christmas and New Year celebration, sharing and rejoicing in your true self.

With much love from Geoff, Ann and the Cygnus Team