Sacred Power: Medical Intuition and Why People Don’t Heal
Humans are blessed with an innate potential, or “sacred power,” the highest aspect of our being and living. However, many of us don’t access this power and instead, live below our potential, spiritually, health-wise and in many other ways. The good news is that Caroline Myss, a leading expert in medical intuition, energy medicine, human consciousness, and higher living, in partnership with Gaia, has created an engaging online series entitled “Sacred Power,” designed to inspire, teach, and gently challenge us to live wholly and with the power of our mystical inheritance.
Caroline Myss is recognized for her many accomplishments, including developing the field of Energy Anatomy, as well as her educational institute, CMED (Caroline Myss Education), offering a wide range of online, on-demand, and in-person programs. Caroline is the author of five New York Times bestselling books including Anatomy of the Spirit, The Creation of Health, Why People Don’t Heal and How the Can, Sacred Contracts, Invisible Acts of Power, Entering the Castle, and Defy Gravity. In addition to her books, Caroline is the host of a weekly Hay House radio show and maintains an energetic international workshop and lecture schedule.
The series begins with exploring Medical Intuition, an emerging field of science that develops the critical role that inner, or soul healing, has on one’s well-being. It involves the stories we tell ourselves and others about our individual suffering and how it negatively impacts our health. In Myss’s words, “Your biography becomes your biology” — our body’s emotional field interacts with our cells and tissues; our internal and external experiences, positive and negative can be transformed into a source of power and healing.
According to Myss, every human being is the owner of an intuitive intelligence or sacred power: “99 percent of the time, you are listening to this intuition, responding to it, and never even notice it.“ Myss doesn’t consider medical intuition a gift that is simply dropped into our laps. She believes it is a skill that needs to be developed and fostered so that we are able to notice, pay attention to, and act upon the “energetic signals” that come our way, every day. But what exactly is “medical intuition” and how do we develop it?
Medical Intuition: Our Body’s Energetic Data Bank
Myss herself would be the first to say that she was an unlikely candidate for the medical intuitive field she helped to create. Despite being a co-founder of Stillpoint Publishing, which was dedicated to books on consciousness and personal development, she had little interest in the subject of the books:
“I wasn’t the least bit interested in them. I had no desire to meet any healers myself. I refused to meditate. I developed an absolute aversion to wind chimes, New Age music, and conversations on the benefits of organic gardening. I smoked while drinking coffee by the gallon, still fashioning myself after an image of a hard-boiled newspaper reporter. I was not at all primed for a mystical experience.”
What changed for Myss? She could no longer ignore the deeply profound messages and insights she was receiving about other people’s health. She began exploring her capacity as a medical intuitive and sought out the guidance of C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D., a Harvard-trained neurosurgeon. In 1996, they opened the Institute for the Science of Medical Intuition, a research establishment dedicated to funding medical intuitive training for medical practitioners.
More than two decades later, thousands of medical intuitive have changed the way we view and receive medical treatment. In addition to this impact, Myss has worked to empower regular people to learn how to access their own medical intuitive skills. In fact, she believes we are living in a highly energetically charged time in which we are capable of intense transformation, a period she refers to an “Energetic Renaissance” in which the choices we make are drawing more power for ourselves and the world. What does this translate into as far as personal empowerment?
Sacred Power and Healing Tools
Myss defines intuition as the “natural ability to not just sense energetic data that fills this dimension of the invisible world, but to interpret it, to understand energetic data.” She teaches that this ability is ever present; however, obstacles to wholeness and health occur when the data is ignored because we are resistant to the messages. If the obstacles are removed, we have access to a mystical ability, an inner voice which Myss defines as our “cosmic guidance system” whose purpose is the overall management of our well being and optimum health. Below are aspects of our mystical ability to note:
- Every person lives in an energy field
- We leak energy, or power, when we are scared, threatened, or stressed
- Energy is never contained; our bodies share stress with our entire being and others
- Our energy field holds “anchors,” energy that targets our cravings, trauma, and wounds and creates psychic weight
Central to the cosmic guidance system and healing tools is the seven chakra system, which Myss divides into two channels: the lower three being our physical world, the one of survival; the upper four, our emotional world with the heart chakra identified as the turning point to the divine energy system. The chakra system contains the sacred energy that is inside all of us, and when we embrace the divine design, we allow those energies to speak through what Myss calls our “bio-spiritual ecology.”
However, despite the availability of this energetic toolkit, Myss recognizes that many people choose to stay in their wounded state, asserting that this state provides a level of social collateral, as well as an accepted form of intimacy. She calls the resistance to healing “woundology” and can be the impediment to transforming one’s personal state of suffering into a font of power.
Our Wounds: Breaking Through the Patterns of Woundology
Myss acknowledges that healing is intimidating, that it can change relationships, and literally shake up one’s world. Moving past our wounds into wholeness is not only an act of bravery but is in direct opposition to our accepted social language in which, as Myss says, “pain has privileges…we expect to be rewarded or compensated for our suffering.” Despite this, Myss asserts that we’re not destined to stay wounded; we’re meant to move past the “consciousness of our wounds.”
When we heal from our wounds, we move into wholeness and our full health and life potential. One of the challenges is that we have close to no positive role models, or iconic whole people to emulate. Another challenge is that wholeness is often viewed as being an unapproachable, solitary state which can make us feel we will not be able to be in a relationship as wholly healed beings.
In the face of the social acceptance of wound intimacy, how do we move past our wounds? Myss counsels that in order to heal our wounds, we must learn the “vocabulary of healing,” moving past words such as “blame” and “deserve” as they represent powerless strategies.
She says that forgiveness is the key to healing and is a “mystical act of the soul.” Our wounds are meant to be healed and while they do happen to all of us, we can choose to view them as critical soul challenges provided to “enhance and build our character” and once healed, we’re able to empower others to do the same.
Myss advises that the next time a friend or loved one begins to speak the language of wounding, instead of adding to that vocabulary of woundology, to make the choice to focus the conversation on a positive and empowering experience. She shares that one of the most difficult choices we can make is the day we stop responding to the power of other’s wounds. Yet, this choice is also liberating and life-affirming.
The path to healing requires courage, but it is one that allows us to live in our sacred power, which is our birthright. Thankfully, that birthright is not a solitary quest; it is a shared birthright and Myss believes that all of us are meant to heal and that in the grand cosmic scheme, “we’re all in this together.”
Caroline Myss is coming to the GaiaSphere event center for an exclusive weekend-long seminar“Revolutionizing Spirituality,” on August 16-18, 2019. The unique event will explore “the next wave of expanded consciousness” and provide an intimate and immersive experience for participants. Learn more about this event here.
About the Author
The Wheel of Life: What It Is, What It’s For, and How To Use It
The Wheel of Life is a visual tool used in coaching to assess balance across different areas of a person’s life. It helps identify areas that need more attention and to set goals for improving satisfaction in each aspect. In this article, we explore what the Wheel of Life is, how to create your own, and how to use it to achieve greater well-being.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Wheel of Life?
- How To Create Your Own Wheel of Life
- The 8 Components of the Wheel of Life
- What to Do With the Results of the Wheel of Life
- History and Origin of the Wheel of Life
What Is the Wheel of Life?
The Wheel of Life is a circular diagram divided into several sections, each representing a key area of life, such as health, relationships, career, and leisure. This tool allows people to clearly and simply visualize the current state of their life in these areas, offering a holistic view of their well-being. By evaluating and rating each area on a scale from 1 to 10, it creates a visual representation of balance—or imbalance—in one’s life.
The process of using the Wheel of Life involves reflecting on each area and assigning a score that reflects your current level of satisfaction. The scores are connected to form a figure resembling a wheel, where its symmetry indicates the degree of balance in life. An unbalanced wheel with peaks and valleys suggests areas that require more attention and development.
How To Create Your Own Wheel of Life
Creating your own Wheel of Life is a simple and effective process to evaluate and improve different aspects of your life. Follow these steps to build yours:
- Represent the areas in a circle: Draw a circle and divide it into equal sections, each representing an important area of your life. Imagine it like a birthday cake sliced into equal parts. Ideally, you should include eight areas of the Wheel of Life, but you can adjust based on what you consider meaningful.
- Identify the key areas: Determine the specific areas you want to assess, such as health, relationships, career, personal development, finances, leisure, family, and friends. These areas should reflect significant aspects of your life that influence your overall well-being. Be sure to include both personal and professional dimensions.
- Rate each area: Evaluate your current level of satisfaction in each area on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 means total dissatisfaction and 10 represents maximum satisfaction. Be honest with yourself when assigning these scores. This step is crucial to identify which areas need more attention.
- Connect the dots: Link the scores in each area to form a figure within the circle. This shape may look like a balanced wheel or an irregular form with peaks and valleys. The consistency of this figure reflects the level of balance in your life.
- Interpret the results: Analyze the resulting shape to identify the unbalanced areas that require more attention. Ask yourself which areas are causing greater imbalance and how you might improve your satisfaction in them. Use the results to set goals and create an action plan.
The 8 Components of the Wheel of Life
Below are the eight key areas that make up the Wheel of Life. Each represents a different aspect that influences your overall well‑being. These categories help you see, at a glance, how you feel in each area. You can adjust them based on your current priorities. The essential thing is that they reflect what truly matters to you.
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Personal Development
This area focuses on growth and continuous improvement in all aspects of your life. It includes learning new skills, expanding your knowledge, and working on personal qualities. Reflecting on personal development allows you to identify areas to improve and set clear growth goals.
Ask yourself: Am I dedicating enough time to my learning and growth? What new skills would I like to acquire? How can I improve my daily habits to boost personal development? What training or reading activities can I incorporate into my routine? Am I setting achievable development goals? How can I measure my progress?
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Home Environment
Home represents the physical and emotional environment in which you live. A balanced and harmonious home greatly contributes to your overall well‑being. Evaluating this area involves considering not only the physical space but also the relationships and family dynamics that affect your quality of life.
Ask yourself: Do I feel comfortable and safe at home? Are home relationships healthy and supportive? What changes can I make in my environment to improve my well‑being? Am I dedicating enough time to organizing and cleaning my space? How can I improve living together with household members? Which aspects of my home’s physical and emotional environment need more attention?
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Health
Evaluating your health means considering multiple aspects such as diet, exercise, rest, and stress management. Reflecting on these factors helps you identify patterns that need adjustment to improve overall well‑being. A proactive approach to your physical and mental health is crucial for maintaining a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle.
Ask yourself: Am I taking proper care of my body and mind? Do I have healthy eating and exercise habits? How do I manage stress and nurture my emotional well‑being? Am I sleeping enough and in a restorative way? Do I need to adjust my exercise routine? How can I improve my diet to feel better physically and mentally?
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Work and Career
Reflecting on your professional life allows you to assess not only your career satisfaction but also the balance between work and personal life. It’s fundamental to consider growth and development opportunities in your current role. Finding work that you’re passionate about and that offers harmony with other areas of your life can significantly improve your overall well‑being.
Ask yourself: Am I satisfied with my current job? Do I have opportunities for professional growth and development? How can I improve the balance between my work and personal life? Am I achieving an adequate balance between work time and rest? What aspects of my job bring me the most satisfaction? How can I better manage work-related stress?
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Friends
Authentic, high-quality friendships are essential for emotional well-being. Evaluating your friendships can help you discover the depth and authenticity of these connections. It’s important to invest time and effort into maintaining and strengthening these relationships to ensure they provide the support and companionship you need.
To go deeper in this reflection, consider: Do I have friends I can fully trust? How often do I spend quality time with my friends? Do my friendships uplift me or drain me? Am I dedicating enough time to maintaining and nurturing these relationships? How can I improve communication and connection with my friends? Am I open to making new friends if needed?
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Love
In the Wheel of Life, love refers to romantic relationships and the quality of these intimate interactions. Evaluating this area involves considering aspects such as communication, emotional connection, and overall satisfaction in the relationship. A healthy, loving partnership can be a major source of emotional support and well-being.
To explore this area, ask yourself: Do I feel loved and valued by my partner? Do we communicate openly and honestly? What can I do to strengthen our emotional connection? Am I satisfied with the level of support and understanding in our relationship? How can I contribute to making our relationship stronger? Are there any conflicts we need to resolve together?
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Finances
Evaluating your financial situation allows you to analyze your spending habits, your saving capacity, and your future planning. Reflecting on these elements will help you identify areas that need adjustment to improve financial stability. Good personal finance management is key to peace of mind and quality of life.
Reflect on your finances with questions like: Am I satisfied with my current income? Am I saving and investing adequately for the future? Are my spending habits aligned with my priorities and values? What changes do I need to make to improve my financial stability? Am I managing my debts and financial commitments effectively?
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Leisure and Hobbies
Spending time on hobbies and leisure activities is essential for maintaining a healthy balance. Evaluating this area helps you consider whether you are investing enough time in activities that relax and entertain you. Adding more recreational time to your routine can boost your well-being and personal satisfaction.
To assess this area, ask yourself: Do I regularly make time for my hobbies and leisure activities? Do these activities bring me joy and satisfaction? Am I exploring new activities that interest me? What can I do to ensure I have quality free time each week? How can I integrate more recreational activities into my daily life? Am I prioritizing time for myself amid my daily responsibilities?
What to Do With the Results of the Wheel of Life
Once you’ve completed and assessed your Wheel of Life, the next step is to use the results to set goals and create an action plan. Analyze the areas with lower scores and reflect on why these areas are out of balance. Identifying the reasons behind dissatisfaction in these aspects will help you determine specific actions you need to take to improve.
After identifying which areas need attention, it’s crucial to set clear and achievable goals for each one. Break these goals into smaller, manageable objectives you can work on progressively. This will allow you to track your progress and stay motivated over time. Make sure your goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
History and Origin of the Wheel of Life
The Wheel of Life was created by Paul J. Meyer, a pioneer in the field of personal and professional development and founder of the Success Motivation Institute. Meyer developed this tool in the 1960s as part of his coaching programs, with the goal of helping people assess and improve different aspects of their lives in an integrated way.
Since its creation, the Wheel of Life has been adopted by coaches and therapists around the world due to its simplicity and effectiveness. Its intuitive design facilitates reflection and self-assessment, enabling individuals to quickly identify areas that need attention and growth. Over time, this tool has become a staple in coaching programs, personal development workshops, and therapy sessions, proving its versatility and long-term value.
