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Do you ever wonder why the same pain keeps returning, no matter how many massages you get? Whether it’s a stiff neck, lower back pain, or an aching knee, the relief is often temporary. You might think these pains are the result of poor posture or repetitive movements, but pain isn’t always what it seems. I invite you to explore its connection to the subconscious mind and how holistic healing can reveal its deeper meaning.
Understanding Emotional Pain as a Message from the Subconscious Mind
In my experience, physical pain carries the imprint of unresolved emotions stored in the subconscious mind. Think of the subconscious as an energetic archive, recording every experience you’ve had—good and bad. These unresolved emotions are not just memories; they are energy imprints that your body carries. Over time, they manifest as physical pain or recurring incidents, like hitting the same spot repeatedly.
It’s easy to dismiss such incidents as clumsiness, but they are not random. Each bruise, ache, or injury is your body’s way of signaling that unresolved emotions stored in the subconscious mind need your attention. This connection between emotional pain and physical symptoms highlights the transformative power of holistic healing.
Think of it like firing a gun: the unresolved trauma is the trigger, the movement (hitting or injuring yourself) is the action, and the resulting pain is the fired bullet. Without the trigger, there would be no bullet. Similarly, without unresolved trauma, the pain wouldn’t exist.
This extends to more than just pain or injury. Even tattoos can reflect the subconscious mind’s messages. While you might choose a tattoo for its beauty or meaning, its location on your body can reveal deeper emotional or energetic imprints. Over time, as you heal and grow, a tattoo you once cherished might start to feel misaligned, symbolizing an emotional shift or a part of your past you’ve outgrown. Like physical pain, tattoos may act as subtle markers of unresolved emotions stored in specific areas of the body, pointing to the deeper layers of your healing journey.
It’s not about the design or style of the tattoo itself—I am not at the point where I can interpret that—but about the position or location on the body where the tattoo resides. The placement of the tattoo can uncover much about the emotions, traumas, or experiences you carry within. Each area of the body is connected to specific energy centers and subconscious patterns, and the presence of a tattoo in a particular spot can act as a reflection of these hidden layers.
Even the way you sit, how you cross your arms, or your posture while lying down can provide insights into the traumas you’ve experienced. The position of your legs, feet, or the way you walk carries clues about your life’s emotional imprints. However, this is not something I teach people to recognize or interpret. In the past, when I discovered these patterns and shared them with others, it sometimes led to discomfort or loss of trust. Invading someone’s private space by revealing subconscious truths they weren’t ready to confront can be harmful. Each person carries their own story, and some experiences remain buried so deeply that even they may not recall them. Respecting that boundary is vital in this healing journey.
How the Subconscious Mind Holds the Key to Healing
The subconscious mind operates as a bridge between the unseen energy of your experiences and the physical body. This energy is stored in various parts of the body, often aligning with areas that experience pain. For example, pain in the shoulders might relate to carrying the emotional weight of responsibility or unresolved issues with someone close to you.
By identifying the emotional or energetic root of your pain, you can begin to address it at its source. When the underlying trauma is resolved, the pain often disappears, and your body finds balance. If new pain arises elsewhere, it’s simply another lesson waiting to be learned—a reminder that healing is a journey, not a destination.
How to Begin Listening to Your Body
To uncover the messages your body is sending, follow this step-by-step process:
“Is there pain in your left shoulder?”
1. Sit Comfortably and Breathe
Find a comfortable position, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Pause briefly between inhalation and exhalation to allow your mind and body to settle.
2. Ask the Question
Ask yourself a question about the area of pain and listen carefully to the very first answer that arises. For example:
• “Who is the man I carry on my left shoulder?”
• “Who is the man I feel sadness for?”
The first response is from your higher self; it’s your subconscious revealing the truth. Any subsequent thoughts come from the mind and may disrupt or complicate the process.
3. Write It Down
When there are unspoken words or something you haven’t shared with someone in the past, it can create pain or tension in the throat, neck, or jaw. If you feel this type of pain and suspect it may be linked to unresolved emotions, start by identifying its source.
If you know who it is you need to address, begin writing. However, if you’re unsure, use the breathing technique to explore further:
• Focus on the left or right side where the pain is present.
• If it’s on the left side, ask yourself: “Who is the man I have unspoken words with?”
• If no answer comes, go deeper: “Who is the man from my childhood I have unspoken words with?”
The first response is your higher self providing clarity. Writing down these thoughts can help process and release the unspoken emotions tied to this pain.
4. Symbolically Release the Energy
Once you’ve written everything, safely burn the letter. Scatter the ashes in a flowing river or the sea. This symbolic act allows you to release the energy physically and emotionally.
Client Experience: Unspoken Words
I’ve also witnessed this connection with my clients, revealing how deeply our emotions can influence physical pain.
I once worked with a client who came to me with intense neck pain she’d been dealing with for years. During our session, I felt her pain was linked to unspoken words with her mother. I sensed the age at which the issue had arisen, so I gently asked her, “How is your relationship with your mother?” She replied, “It’s good.” I then asked, “How was it in your childhood?” She again said it was good, but I could feel she had suppressed memories.
I guided her through breathing and asked, “Who is the woman from your childhood with whom you have unspoken words?” Her first response came: “My mother.” Her face tensed as if something long-buried had surfaced. I asked her to share those unspoken words, and she began to speak, cry, and release the emotions she had been holding in.
When she opened her eyes, she was surprised, almost disbelieving. She moved her neck and said, “This can’t be. I’ve had pain in my neck for years, and now it’s gone.”
The Power of Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
If you wish to share your feelings with another person, consider writing a compassionate letter. Use Nonviolent Communication (NVC) principles by focusing on your emotions and experiences rather than blaming. For example:
• Instead of: “You always ignore me,” try: “I feel hurt when my words are not acknowledged.”
This approach fosters understanding and encourages healing within relationships. Writing in this way can improve energy flow between you and others, creating a healthier and more balanced connection.
Understanding the Body’s Energy: Masculine and Feminine Sides
The body’s left and right sides carry different energetic qualities that uncover emotional imprints:
Left Side: Associated with feminine energy, but holds unresolved emotions related to men.
Right Side: Associated with masculine energy, but holds unresolved emotions related to women.
This might feel counterintuitive, especially if your dominant parent influenced your energy balance. For instance, if your father was the more dominant figure, unresolved emotions about men manifest on the left side, even as the right side becomes dominant. Likewise, a dominant mother could create similar patterns: unresolved emotions about women manifest on the right side, even as the left side becomes dominant. Recognizing these connections helps you explore and release stored emotions tied to relationships.
Personal Anecdote: My Healing Journey
Here’s how I’ve seen this connection play out in my own life. You might find a similar thread in your own experiences.
Several years ago, I experienced a motorbike accident that severely damaged my entire left side. My foot was so badly injured that the bones were visible. My knee looked like something out of a horror movie, my shoulder was scraped white, and my hip and ribcage were in pain. While recovering, I found myself asking, Who is this man I carry on my left side? Was it the man who hurt me in childhood? My best friend who took his own life? My father?
I followed the same exercise I now share with you: breathe in, breathe out, and ask yourself the question. The answer came: myself.
Myself? Why would I be carrying myself? What was I afraid of? Why did I feel guilt? As I sat with these questions, my sister came to mind, and tears flowed. I realized I hadn’t fully grieved her death. I had been holding on to resentment toward myself, feeling guilty for her loss. I even feared answering the phone, worried it would bring more bad news.
Acknowledging these emotions changed everything. I wrote a letter to my past self—the me from 2007 who lost my sister—as if writing to a dear friend, encouraging and lifting him up. I then burned the letter to release the energy.
The very next day, the pain in my body reduced drastically. When I went to the doctor for a check-up, they were stunned. “How are you walking without pain? Yesterday, you couldn’t even stand,” they asked.
Within a month, I had recovered 90% from my wounds and pain. The scratches left were minor and posed no problem. This experience taught me that once we uncover the emotional root of our pain and address it, healing can happen rapidly—sometimes even miraculously.
Asking the Right Questions: Working with Pain
When exploring pain on a specific side of the body, ask questions related to the opposite gender. For example:
• Pain in the left shoulder: “Who is the man I carry on my left shoulder?”
• Pain in the left side of your back: “Who is the man who caused me sadness?”
If nothing arises, go deeper:
• “Who is the man from my childhood I carry?”
These questions often unlock hidden memories and emotions. Remember that most unresolved traumas originate in childhood, even if they resurface later in adulthood. Life often brings experiences that echo unresolved childhood emotions, giving you opportunities to recognize and heal them.
Recognizing Patterns and Life Lessons
Sometimes, pain isn’t isolated to one spot but appears repeatedly in different areas. This is often a sign that life is presenting you with a recurring lesson. Lessons repeat until we truly understand and integrate them. For example:
• A painful knee might signify issues with moving forward in life, fear/insecurity.
• Lower back pain could relate to worries, anxiety, depression.
• Neck pain often points to unspoken words or suppressed emotions.
When these lessons are understood and addressed, they no longer need to manifest as physical pain. This is where a holistic approach becomes invaluable, as it connects the emotional, mental, and physical aspects of your being.
Tools to Help You Heal Yourself
Healing doesn’t always require external interventions. Many tools are available to help you resolve emotional blockages and find balance. Here are a few practices you can incorporate into your routine:
The body carries both masculine (right side) and feminine (left side) energies. Understanding their interplay and addressing imbalances can bring harmony to your energy body. (You can read more about this in my other blog.)
Grounding practices, like working with the Muladhara Chakra, not only stabilize your energy but also bring calmness to your physical body. (See my blog on grounding the Muladhara Chakra.)
3. Journaling and Writing Exercises (burn and shred)
Writing can be a powerful tool for releasing trapped emotions. When pain arises, write down whatever comes to mind about that area of your body. Don’t filter your thoughts—let them flow freely. Burn the paper afterward to symbolically release the energy.
4. Breathing Exercises
A simple breathing practice can help you connect with your higher self and uncover hidden emotions. Focus on your breath, turn inward, and ask your subconscious for answers.
Why Pain Moves: The Layered Nature of Healing
It’s important to understand that healing is like peeling an onion—layer by layer. When one issue is resolved, another might surface, guiding you to a deeper level of understanding. This isn’t a sign of failure but progress. Life presents these lessons so you can grow, evolve, and ultimately live with greater ease and clarity.
Your Journey to Holistic Healing
Healing isn’t about quick fixes; it’s a journey. Combining practices like energy healing, chakra balancing, and self-reflection with physical therapies like massage can create a powerful synergy. By first addressing the emotional layers, physical treatments become more effective, and lasting relief is possible.
For more insights into chakras and their connection to emotions, visit my website: Metta Healing: Chakras and Colors.
Reflection: Healing Is a Unique Journey
These experiences—both my own and my clients’—demonstrate the power of uncovering and addressing the root emotional causes of physical pain. For some, healing happens instantly. For others, it takes time. No two journeys are the same, but each step forward brings us closer to balance and wholeness.
Closing Thoughts
Pain is more than just a physical sensation—it’s a messenger, a guide, and a reflection of your subconscious mind. It calls you to explore the deeper layers of your being, uncovering unresolved emotions and traumas. Instead of fearing or avoiding it, view pain as an opportunity to learn, heal, and grow.
By taking a holistic approach to healing—acknowledging the interconnectedness of your mind, body, and spirit—you can break free from the cycle of recurring pain. Each step you take in understanding the messages your body sends brings you closer to balance and wholeness.
Healing is a journey, not a quick fix. Trust in your ability to heal, and ask your body, ‘What are you trying to tell me?’ Begin today.
FAQs
1. How does energy healing differ from traditional therapy?
Energy healing focuses on the energetic imbalances behind physical and emotional pain, complementing traditional approaches by addressing the root causes.
2. Can I practice energy healing at home?
Yes, simple practices like breathing exercises, meditation, and self-reflection can help you connect with your higher self and initiate healing.
3. Why are specific body parts associated with emotional trauma?
Each body part correlates with specific energy centers (chakras) and emotions. For example, throat pain often links to unspoken words and the throat chakra.
4. Is it necessary to consult a professional for energy healing?
While self-practice is effective, a professional can provide deeper insights and guidance, especially for complex or deeply rooted issues.
5. What do chakras reveal about pain?
Chakras represent energy centers that influence emotional and physical health. Balancing & healing chakras promotes overall well-being.
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