Cleanse and Renew your Life… Fast!
Tue, Jun 17, 2008
Is it possible that our inability to lose weight could be a result of our inability to let go of other things in our life? One of the questions/comments that I here often is “I am doing everything “right” from eating the right foods to exercising, but I am not losing weight… I don’t understand - what am I missing?”
In my last blog, I addressed the colon as a possible cause. But now I’d like to go a little deeper. Someone asked me last week, “what makes you a holistic coach?” I replied, “my work has evolved from looking at healing from the mere physical body to a more expansive view of how the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies affect the whole.”
I once had a client that I worked with for about 6 months. She worked out 4 days a weeks, ate mainly whole foods, drank plenty of water, and occasionally had a glass of wine. Being about 70 lbs over weight, her determination and will power to be healthy were growing weary. Then I asked her to invite me over for dinner sometime. A week later I went to join here and her family for a Saturday evening meal. As I walked in the doorway of her house, I instantly felt the energetic weight of “things” upon my body. Although her house was beautiful, she had “stuff” everywhere. Knick-knacks, furniture, books, magazines, pictures, toys… everywhere!
After a nice dinner consisting of a salad, fish and veggies, we sat in her living room and talked about why I asked her to invite me over. I said to her, “do you believe that your environment can affect your health?” She said, “I think so.” ”How do you feel about your environment?” She looked around… “It’s OK, its home,” she replied. I proceeded to ask her about her things… where she got them, what they meant to her, etc. Then I said, “do you find it difficult or easy to let go of things from your past?” “Oh, I am very sentimental, I can not get rid of anything, she said.” There it was, I thought. I looked her in the eyes and said, “do you think it may be possible that your inability to let go of personal things is the same reason your refuse to let go of your weight?” A tear trickled down her face as she looked back at me. “But i cant let go of these things, they mean so much to me.” With compassion I replied, “tell me, what does your weight mean to you?”
The evening evolved into a conversation about the interconnectedness of all things. My client began to see how her outer world was simply a reflection of her inner one and how her body/health was a reflection of the beliefs that she held internally. Her inability to let go was evident in all aspects of her life. She talked of relationships that she kept around even though they did not serve her any longer. The personal collection of stuff packed away in boxes that she held on to. We talked about forgiveness and past hurts and by the end of the evening, she felt 1,000lbs lighter.
Over the next few weeks, she began to cleanse her life … a little at a time. Only letting go of what she was truly ready to. She went through all of her boxes and donated them to Good Will. Decided to let go of a few people that she felt no longer served her. Spoke to her brother and forgave him after lugging around the burden of resentment for many years. And as she cleansed aspects of her life, her beliefs about her ability to let go changed and therefore, her body. Within 4 months, she watched as the extra weight that she had been carrying for over 18 years effortlessly melted away.
Far to often we look only at the physical when in fact, the solution is mental, emotional or spiritual. By cleansing and removing things in our life that we may be tolerating (pulling the weeds), we create the space for change to occur (blossoming of new flowers). Holistically, fasting is one of the quickest and most powerful ways to create the space for change. When we “let go” of food, the other distractions of life become clearer. We become more sensitive to those things that we holding on to that may not be moving us toward the light. Fasting is the ultimate cleanse, which is why true healing can take place. I know for many, the thought of fasting is daunting and for good reason. Besides food, there are only two other things more important to our lives… water and air! But we adopt so many erroneous beliefs around food that keep us in a state of dis-ease. My client held a belief that she could not let go of anything! It wasn’t until that root was exposed, that she was able to pull it. When we embark on a fast with the true intention of healing, all of our beliefs begin to grow through the surface for us to look at. Once we become aware of them, change and healing is simply a matter of choice.
If you are not ready for a fast but want to start by cleansing your life, email me and i’ll send you a worksheet to help you identify tolerations you may be holding on to.
Namaste.
Tags: cleanse, Cleansing, Emotional, Fasting, Healing, Mental, Physical, renew, Spirituality, Weight Loss
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Hi- I would love a copy of your worksheet. I am starting to recongnize “stuff” that needs to go, it feels great to watch it leave. I am starting a journey of maybe letting go of a career, I am not moving quickly as I doi not want to make mistakes but would love to have to worksheet to get focused.
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:10 am
I was very encouraged with your thoughts.Was wondering how to find out more about the 10 week Cleanse and Renew your life program. I would be greatly encouraged by obtaining a worksheet for identifying tolerations in my life as my cleansing journey continues. Thank you Gary
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:11 am
Hello Gary,
Thanks for your response. I have attached a form that I use with my clients to help them remove the “tolerations” of one’s life. I recommend using it every few months. It’s a powerful awareness tool that will lighten your load immediately.
The 10 week program is a journey designed to completely identify, dismantle and replace any limiting beliefs that are blocking you from creating the reality you desire.
Our reality (whether health or otherwise) is a result of the beliefs/thoughts that we hold about it. By creating the opening with the initial fasting experience, we essentially wipe the slate clean for you to plant new seeds to grow. Then, through the daily, guided journalling process, you water those seeds into a new experience for yourself. Change your thoughts and frame of mind and you change your life!
The coaching is certainly not for everyone. As with anything, it takes a commitment and desire to want to change your experience of life. So Gary, what intrigued you about the program and if anything were possible, what would you like to experience?
Love and Light,
Patrick
July 27th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Hello Friends,
I am very interested letting go of the limiting and negative stuff in my life. I’ve attempted fasting a few different times and have an extremely difficult time getting past the whole “food” thing. In my family, we have surrounded ourselves with the notion that food is our purpose in life. Everything we do has revolved around food. I somehow have to unlearn the many myths about food that I have held onto for almost 43 years. My weight has always been up and down. Never consistent. I developed hypertension about 3 years ago and have to take medication to control my blood pressure. But more importantly, I feel toxic. Lately, I’ve been craving caulifower and tomatoes, which I eat, but I also eat a lot of highly processed foods. I’m addicted. A strung-out food junkie. My body is screaming for relief in many ways….physically, mentally, and spiritually. I feel like I am in a cage looking out at all the healthy people that have such great control and are in good shape through exercising…etc…HELP! I would be so appreciative of any worksheets or help or anything. Thank you so much!
July 28th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Hello Kelly,
Thanks for contacting me. I can feel your frustration. I know it is challenging, but this is when transformation happens if we are open to how it shows up.
I tend to handle request for advise with white gloves. So, take what works and get rid of the rest. In my humble opinion, the fastest way to transcend any situation in our lives is through total acceptance of it. Not always easy to do when the situation is painful, but powerful to say the least.
Changing our reality is not always easy but if we know the rules of change, it becomes much more doable. You may have seen or heard of “The Secret.” If not, it is worth renting. But there is something that most people that talk about the law of attraction neglect to mention… its the “Law of opposites.” This states that because everything in the universe works on ying/yang, up/down, right/left… every situation that we desire has its opposite as well. As we ask for and focus on what we desire, the exact opposite will show up to provide us with the contrast in order to experience our creation. In other words… we have to know up before we can see down. Sadness in order to experience happiness, etc.
So what does this mean for you and your situation? Is it possible you could allow yourself to completely accept where you are with the KNOWING that it is the exact opposite of what you desire and the acceptance of which will allow that which you desire to unfold?
Kelly, I have seen this work over and over in my own life. I do not believe there are any mistakes or coincidences in life. You contacted me for a reason. Your life is about to shift. Keep focusing on what you desire and yet, accept where you are. Then, be open to who and what shows up in your life and take “inspired action” on the things that simply feel right to you. Not things you think you “should” or “have to” do. But rather, act on the things that show up that you want to do. Fast because it simply feels like the right thing to do, not because of any certain expected outcome.
Remember… complete acceptance of what is because it is perfect to create that which you desire. Neale Donald Walsch says, Happiness is allowing yourself to be okay with what is, rather than wishing for, and bemoaning, what is not. Obviously, what is is what is supposed to be, or it
would not be. The rest is just you, arguing with life. Somewhere along the way you will have to learn to just Trust Life (God). Why not start today?
I am here for you Kelly if you want to reach out again or are ready to embark on you journey back to optimal health.
Love and light,
Patrick
July 30th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Wow….after reading your information on “clensing and renewing your life” I realized that I had never looked at anything that way before. I have been trying to loose weight for quite some time now with out any results. Can you send me your worksheet? Thanks.
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Hi Patrick,
I have been on a highly intentional path to transform my life and bring in love and light, to renew myself completely, starting last August. With the guidance of an amazing coach, I completed a detox program to cleanse myself body and soul. He gave me the guidelines to continue the process, however, a year later, I can’t help but feel I am very close to where I started. This coach may have provided me as much as he could, and it is up to me now to put it all in practice, but I am still struggling. I feel burdened by possessions, habits, attachments to places and people familiar. The thing that feels most heavy is the constant battle with food and my body. I am interested in your worksheet and help to let go of fears. Will it actually help me to get rid of my boxes of memorabilia? I have collected things my whole life so when I am much older I can have a good time looking at them and remembering events in my life. Do you think having these things around are posing a problem to my growth? Is it not enough to hide them away in storage? Must I hold a bonfire in my backyard to get rid of these things permanently?
I wish there was a way to start completely from scratch. I wish I knew what I needed to do to do be happy, to have the life I want. How do I know what life that is?
November 16th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Hi! I would love a copy of the worksheet!
I’m a college student away from home for the first time, and one of the first things I’ve noticed on campus is that people tend to think of eating as an activity. With a meal plan that encourages you to eat a ton of processed foods three times a day, it’s hard to remember what was normal.
It feels like everyone here overeats, without regard to what they are eating. This scared me, because I’ve been raised vegetarian by a family that cares very deeply about physical and spiritual health. This mindless eating seems disrespectful and unhealthy, yet if everyone is doing it, it becomes brainwashing.
A few days ago I was finally fed up. I started eating only fruits and vegetables, and felt a little better. I’d like to try a fast to completely cleanse my body of the past few months, but I worry that in this environment people won’t understand. I have always been thin, and I want to fast safely without causing concern.
November 17th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Hi Caroline,
I can totally relate to your frustration. The one thing I know is true for me is that I have to do what I feel is right “for me.” And, in doing so, I wake a lot of other people up to other ways of seeing things. It sounds like you may be projecting your frustration of overeating to those around you. You do not have to overeat just because everyone else is. Deep down, many of them are probably feeling the same way. Its not always easy to be the beacon of light, but you will inspire many by living YOUR truth. What if it was OK that people do not understand? Can you still fast and cleanse? Is it possible that many people may understand and have been thinking about cleansing themselves? That’s typically what I find. But it takes a strong person to be the first. Some people will be interested, some won’t. That will be that way with everything you do in life. Try not to let it effect YOUR TRUTH!
Fasting is one of the most sacred and healthy practices you can adopt for yourself. Learn how to fast and do it because you want to. Dont tell anyone unless they ask. Then, just tell them you are fasting or cleansing. I guarantee it will start some amazing conversations. Just do not let anyone elses ignorance (fear) put seeds of doubt in your mind. Know that what you are doing is perfect for YOU! That is all that matters.
Namaste,
Patrick