Removing “My”…

I watched a video recently from the wise spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, where he talked about the significance of relations we make with dis-ease in a mental framework. He explained how constant dwelling about endometriosis (or any other chronic condition) can keep its place in our minds.

This constant attention strengthens the “illness mind form” and we start to associate ourselves as someone who suffers from endometriosis. It becomes a part of us. It becomes an identity of sorts. Constantly thinking this way can create fear and other unpleasant feelings.

This made me think about my own association with endometriosis, which became apparent to me recently within the writings of my book when my wonderful editor pointed out the use of my words “my” in front of “endometriosis” and how in her own healing journey she refrained from this attachment.

As I re-read the draft, I noticed continual instances of these written words… “my endometriosis”.

When I defined this dis-ease as “mine”, this ultimately made it harder to become truly free of it. When I referred to it as being a part of me, then it became just that. There was no escaping.

These thoughts inevitably lead to further unpleasantness, and with a painful condition like endometriosis in play, these thoughts can lead to feelings of hopelessness.

Once this was pointed out to me I corrected this association and removed the “my” from the equation in my written words, spoken words, and words of thought 🙂

You Cannot Find Peace If You Are Always “Fighting”

Another choice of words I’ve been made aware of in my journey to healing was my usage of “fighting” endo. In fact, the tag line that I used on this blog in the past (and printed on the back of my business cards) was “fighting the pain, finding peace, sharing hope.”

It was pointed out to me through other discoveries along the way that “fighting” and “peace” do not fit together. With fighting comes resistance. With fighting comes pain.

In truth… with love and acceptance comes peace. 

In turn, I changed my words “fighting the pain” to “acknowledging the pain” because I believe that’s what I’ve done. I’ve acknowledged the pain when it was present, which in turn has made me more aware of both myself and painful triggers.

Eckhart Tolle talks more about this and how many dis-eases that make their way into our lives can actually be a source of awakening. I see the pain now as a message that something was out of balance, which has prompted further evaluation and exploration.

On the Positive Side?

The discoveries into how I’ve expressed endometriosis as “mine” were quite eye-opening for me. As I continue on this journey and continue to write in this blog it’s difficult sometimes to not focus on endometriosis (it is the main topic after all!)

But I’ve learned that I don’t have to make this condition a part of me, and I no longer need to “fight” it.

Your mind is a very powerful thing. And how much more powerful to be able to change our perspectives and how we associate with endometriosis. A simple re-framing detaches endo from being a part of us. Instead it simply becomes an imbalance that needs to be addressed.

A simple shift from fighting to finding peace.

I encourage you to take a look at how you relate to endometriosis. Do you use the word “my” or “mine”? Do you feel like you are “fighting” this dis-ease?

I’d love to hear your thoughts….

Much Love,
Aubree.