Memory and the Body (Part I)

There are so many ways to look at a person.  As clinicians, we tend to look at clients or patients as being their deficits or their strengths (maybe as humans we tend to look at most everything and everyone in this way).  And with this assessment of deficits and strengths comes a clinical intelligence that tends to pigeonhole or make biased, non-elastic critiques.

"Clinical intelligence" becomes rather stupid in this way, mostly because it is rigid and non-curious.  It's the human condition to do this; to rely on a knowledge base (often skewed) to know someone.  We all do this, usually out of our cultural indoctrination. This is why the developmentally delayed, physically challenged, ancient/aged, person of "difference" becomes almost invisible, is ignored or discounted and easily subject to abuse or neglect.  They are not seen in their entirety.

What we all have in common as human beings is a muscle, cellular memory, an aspect of our being that stays intact even when the normal markers of "intelligence" (cognition, reason, memory) is no longer available.  One can experience this body memory through the event of having a practice (like yoga, qigong or tai chi), losing it for a time and then coming back to it.  While "away" from the practice, if one is somewhat sensitive, one notices the change in movement patterns, balance and general flow. Regaining the practice, it is notable to see the general improvement in respiration and agility.  It's remarkable.  The body remembers with repetition.  The cells rally and behave in concert, muscle tissue responds.  This is possible even in the ancient and infirm, the unfit and generally passive body. When a muscle is repeatedly required to mobilize itself, even in the most weakened self, it gets stronger, it does what it is supposed to do, because it remembers through repetition (practice). This cell/muscle memory doesn't forget entirely even in a dormant state.  A reminder (repetition) has it soon responding to its nature and its natural design.

This is a good argument for parents to encourage their children's natural propensities and for people in general to know their own natures, gifts and truths (and hopefully spend a lifetime exploring them).  The natural design in our neurons, chemistry and physicality is also present in our psych, spirit and soul's memory.  What is natural in a person, is the flow of the person.  What flows freely in a person is a manifestation of their natural cellular memory, which can be relied upon time and again. This is their true intelligence. Coming out of a surgery, experiencing terrible pain could be helped by knowing a person's nature.  Those who are kinesthetic-based, touch oriented would be supported by touch.  Those who are auditory, a musician, lover of music, could be distracted (pleasurably) by music.  Those who have a lifelong practice of yoga breathing, could be helped to return to that in that moment of need.

From this point of view, the loss of cognitive memory is but an aspect of the whole.  The "usual" (memory) is not accountable, but one's deep truth embedded in one's cells and muscle memory is reliable.  Much of the (subtle energetic) trauma present in institutional care is the disregard of this wholeness, the lack of recognition and hence denial of a person's natural Being.  When this is seen and allowed to manifest, a fuller healing, even a flourishing transpires.  In this significant period of vulnerability, the subtle (cell memory) can go unrecognized, even become invisible.

Who advocates for the Wholeness in a person in this vulnerable circumstance?  Healthcare providers are the mechanics of the medical nuts and bolts in the institutional stay. Realistically, they have their hands full monitoring the science and administrative factors of the healing.  For them to have an understanding of the energetics of healing, well then you've got a super person on your team. The subtler aspects of healing most often falls on family and trusted others. Their presence at the bedside is not to "protect" the mechanical medical care of the loved one (health professionals pretty much know what they are doing), but to ensure this internal flow, cellular memory is accessible in the healing process. The more a patient can access their flow (sense of humor, their joie de vivre, nature), the more complete their healing process can be.  Without it, healing takes longer and generally is incomplete, one's vital nature having not been included.

The deep seated memory in the body is for us to recognize, mine and appreciate.  But first we must remember and understand that it is ours to be had.

A Dosha for Now

Photo:  Ernst Haas

Sometimes we find ourselves without an anchor, actively flailing, trying to find a semblance of purpose, clarity, a sense of groundedness.  All the prayer, meditation and seeking of a stillness doesn't help the confusion and discord one is living.  In all of that struggle it is difficult to accept the conditions and uncertainty that is in this Now.  We are a sail, flapping in the wind, our bow and stern unaligned.  The mast no longer the sturdy, unmoving vertical of Me, but the foil for the clanging rig.

Since the usual means that provides clarity and a type of security is unavailable, what is required?  Perhaps the chaos experienced is part of the organic cycle, necessary for an evolution.  Perhaps patience, tolerance and acceptance is the buried treasure at the bottom of the extreme discomfort. Perhaps it is a lesson to not live dependently on "methods" or ways to bring calm.  Human frailty is our constant companion. It's one moment at a time when one is flapping in the wind.

Is it possible to look toward some ancient ideology for navigation when being grounded is not an option? The three dosha types in Ayurveda are not a come-and-go aspect of the self, but fairly permanent.  The fact is, very few of us are purely single dosha types; we have all elements of each of the three doshas in us, usually one or two of them is most pronounced.  But doshas are universal, so why not take the qualities and work with them where we are experiencing ourselves now.

The three dosha types in Ayurveda are:  Vata (air/ether), Pitta (fire/water) and Kapha (earth/water).  As in Chinese medicine, Ayurveda has a complex and layered ideology which impacts every aspect of life. In terms of looking at where we find ourselves in a moment, when there is a lack of groundedness present, we often are experiencing "air" quality.  In Ayurveda, Vata dosha is represented by the qualities of air and/or ether.  Like vapor, this quality is manifested one moment and gone the next.  Mystery, creativity (turning illusions), innovation are aspects pronounced with air-types.  One's approach can not be direct, but the magician's ability to turn something into something else becomes a talent.  If the decision is not to resist the lack of groundedness one is feeling, another choice might be to work with the Vata quality moment.  Allow creativity, new ideas, "dream time" to be present and to manifest.  Be sparing with gross, extensive energy output, as that is not the quality of energy available at this moment.  Sensitize oneself to the ephemeral, the subtle, this may be of use before the cycle returns to "earth/grounded" actions.

The earth's power of groundedness may not be available, nor a direct use of force possible.  This "doing" is most often familiar to Kapha types.  In the human energy cycle we are not always earth-bound.  We have other resources at our disposal.  One is reminded of the effective use of martial Tai Chi (using an other's force by allowing, relinquishing one's own force).  Through relaxation and a connection to one's centered dantian, understanding how to use others energetic output and force becomes more available.  As air, one  moves as the wind takes you; a flexibility, acceptance and opening to other unforeseen possibilities exist.

Elementally, water influence is another aspect we may find in ourselves.  It is often the surreal arena.  The place of illusion, non-clarity, distortion of ideas or place are frequently present. Water's effectiveness is in its relentless repetition in wearing a stone (an idea, a resistance) away.  Unabated vigilance is a strong characteristic.  We have been or known in others this quality's effectiveness; an even, steady wave that just keeps repeating over and over and over again.  Not successful the first or fiftieth time?  Just send in another wave or simply another drop.  Eventually, it's impact will be made.

An approach of heightening qualities of an available dosha or element when another is lacking or unavailable can help the movement that might be needed now. Through our timelines, there are times when a fire or heat is required but not available.  Awareness of the need and an understanding how to harness it from our environments or create a like energy source from another aspect of our being is an adaptation to what is.  These innate gifts provide unique qualities.  When one can't be grounded or centered through the power of earth energy, there are other ways of approach which can be effective.




basic information on doshas:

on Doshas - Blue Lotus Ayurveda

Images for Ayurveda dossiers