10 Spiritual tools

[Guest guest]

In the Arthritis Care Courses I run ...these following 10 Tenets are what we use......and believe me they do work, I have seen the toughest grouchiest man cry after doing the set because he has some relief from his pain....and I know from my own experience....one of the requirements of working for Arthritis care is that the workers have Arthritis themselves.

I have a degenerative form of Arthritis in which my joints just crumble....I have had bone removed from my shoulder blade, top of my arm and collar bone twice and the top 2 vertebrae in my neck are crumbling, but I cannot have that operated on as there is a 90% risk of me coming out of surgery paralyzed from the neck down....I think the migraines that it causes are the worst and it is difficult to focus on the exercises below, BUT, I do and it work's ....

If you are in pain....Not just physically this work's for Emotional and Spiritual pain too........please try them out, and like we tell our Student's ...You do not have to do them all....try them out and find which one or All you are most comfortable with and the one/one's that work's best for you.

My health was not told for sympathy but to let you know I do not SUFFER from Arthritis....Arthritis shares my life, I am JAN not Arthritis....but when I first joined Arthritis Care it ruled my every waking minute, every facet of my life and I was so angry at being out of control with it and the pain and my anger itself seemed to feed the pain, I was angry with the whole wide world, now the disease and I co-exist....some days it get's the upper hand but....MOST day's I AM in control <G>

So please read it through to the end.

Take Good Care of yourselves

Hug's and Love

Jan xox

10 Spiritual Tools for Coping with Chronic Pain

By Maureen Pratt

Chronic pain can make us feel isolated and helpless, especially if its cause is an illness or physical condition for which there's no cure or effective medical treatment. At times of deepest despair, finding ways to nurture our spirits can help us not only cope with the pain, but also discover nuggets of grace, comfort, and productivity that can move us through and beyond the helplessness and hopelessness we feel. Here are ten spiritual tools that can help you get started toward peace in spite of and in the midst of pain.Find Quiet

When we are in great pain, finding true peace and comfort is not easy. But it is possible, if we first try to still our worries and fears, both external and internal. Finding a place where there are no noisy distractions is a great start. Enjoying the outward quiet, we can then calm our inner selves and nurture peace within.

Just Breathe

The act of breathing is not only a physical process, but it can also be a tool to move our pain, negative thoughts, and worry out of our bodies and hearts, replacing these with a better sense of self. In a quiet place, breathe in slowly and deeply, then let the breath out, expelling stress and pain with it. Feel the sharpness of pain subside as relaxation and calm take its place.

Listen to Music

A beautiful piece of music can inspire our spirits and soothe our pain like no other sound. It can also help us get in touch with the absolute joy of living, even if we live with severe pain. Put on your favorite piece of music - instrumental or vocal - sit back, and close your eyes. Let the music carry you away from your immediate pain to a place of calm.

Lose Yourself in Prayer

So often when we pray, we ask for relief from our pain and leave it at that. Perhaps more effective when pain is oppressive is lifting up our pain and then resting quietly with the comfort that our concerns are being tended to by One greater that ourselves - and we do not have to take them back again.

Reflect in Nature

Pain can isolate us and make us feel very much alone. But in reality, we are part of an amazing world. A walk in the outdoors, a glance outside at a garden, a quiet moment with a beloved pet - each of these things can renew our sense of belonging to the world, help us to feel less alone in our pain, and make us grateful for our lives among such wonder.

Laugh More

Pain itself is no laughing matter, but the act of laughing can be physically and spiritually healing. It helps us breathe deeply, cleanses tense pain from our bodies, gives key muscles beneficial exercise, and lets us travel to an uplifting place of joy. Whether it's a joke, a cartoon, or the antics of a pet, find laughter and enjoy it often!

Reach Out to Others

When we are in pain, it can be easy to feel as if no one cares. But there are many in the world who feel the same thing - and we can make a difference in our lives and in others' lives by reaching out in comfort and care. A phone call to a hurting friend, a visit to someone in need, even an email to an online support group - all of these can help us become less isolated, and help others in the process.

Live in the Light

It's easy for our souls to be flooded with darkness when pain is sharp and overwhelming. We can combat this darkness by bringing on light. The flicker of a candle, the warm glow of one small lamp illuminating a dark room - light can help focus thoughts and bring comfort. Even in the darkness, be conscious of the light all around, and let it guide you to greater calm.

Take Care of Yourself

Often, there is no cure for what causes our pain. This can make us feel as if our lives are out of control. But the better we take care of ourselves, the more we will feel at least a little control over our circumstances - and our attitude toward pain. Taking time to follow a healthful regimen reflects on our spiritual health, too, and gives us a chance to rise above our pain and feel better - inside and out.

Never Lose Hope

Each day, there are new developments in medicine and in therapies to ease pain, inside and out. Hope is not just a feeling that things will be better - it is a tangible tool to motivate and guide us through the frustrations that accompany pain into positive actions that can make our lives better now and in the future. Without hope, our spirits wither. With hope, as with the Creator, all things are possible!

Maureen Pratt is a speaker and author who focuses on spirituality, faith and wellness. Her most recent book is "Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness" (Doubleday Religion). Her website is www.maureenpratt.com.