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SOUL RETRIEVAL
By Maryphyllis Horn |
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| During trauma, abuse,
neglect or intense prolonged grieving, we tend to leave the body temporarily
in order to avoid the full impact of the pain. If part of the psyche (soul)
decides to recede totally into Spiritual dimensions, we suffer what is called
"soul loss." "Soul Retrieval" is the process of bringing
these soul parts back to us. The "soul," in Shamanic terms, is
the vital essence that is uniquely us; no one else's essence can replace
it. Spiritual healing energy can help for a time, but it does not permanently
replace our own unique essence. Soul is not synonymous with "Spirit."
Note: if you define "soul" differently, please substitute a different
word, such as body-mind or sentient-essence, when reading the following
material. Spirit allows parts of the soul to split off in order for us to cope with pain and trauma, preserve soul qualities (like self-love, wisdom, decisiveness) so life won't obliterate them, or to live more harmoniously in a dysfunctional setting. When part of the soul severs all connections to our physical body, emotions and mind, it still remains connected at the spiritual level. There's no way to interact with it because the communication cord is disconnected. Spiritual law prohibits the soul part from returning on its own. Once it goes, it's gone for life.unless someone with retrieving knowledge and spiritual power intercedes on our behalf. Soul loss results in our feeling a loss of vitality, feeling not quite whole, or sensing that some of the light and color has gone out of life. Perhaps we can't do some things quite as easily as before, or find it difficult to express ourselves or perform certain tasks or functions at the same level as we did prior to the circumstance that caused the loss. For example, a person may feel it's more difficult to be compassionate to the same degree as before, or meditation that once was a snap is now confusing and unfulfilling, or being organized is bewildering now and simply out of the question. Different people experience various responses when trying to contact a trait that has left. Some experience hazy thinking; no matter how hard they try to focus, their mind drifts away from the subject at hand. Some people repeatedly feel resistance to taking action in a life endeavor that they used to do easily. Some work very hard for years, to overcome a problem or learn a quality they lack, to no avail. That's because the part that would help them grow and succeed just isn't home! The effort is as futile as expecting an orchestra to sound complete without its violins. We have to be in the body in order to change, act and grow. The above are subtle signals of soul loss. The soul part took that ability with it when it left! The list of symptoms below are more dramatic signals and also illustrate difficulties that can be caused by soul loss: Missing soul qualities, Pervasive fears,. Co-dependence,. Long-term grief or depression, Addictions, Inadvertent day-dreaming,. Dissociation,. Difficulty concentrating,. Feeling less whole,. Feeling empty, fragmented, alienated from life or like you're sleepwalking through life, Noticeably different after a trauma. Please understand that some of these symptoms may have some other cause. However, the more that apply to you, the greater the chance that you have suffered soul loss. A returning soul part brings back increased energy and sense of wholeness, memories (minus the pain of trauma), and the soul quality it's in charge of. Let's say, for example, it takes away the ability to feel comfortable with people. You can still act in an out-going way, smile, and initiate conversations. To others you appear congenial and natural, but you know inside you're shaking like a leaf. When the soul part returns, it adds comfort to your out-going actions and wipes away the fear; you now feel totally natural, relaxed around people, and have the energy and enthusiasm that goes with it. Naturalness is a major key to soul qualities. One person bought a bicycle and immediately set up an exercise time with it; he realized, after the fact, that he would never have done that without the help of his soul part ... and it was such a natural, "duh!" action. Another person found herself spontaneously playing with her small child and enjoying it, whereas before she hadn't a clue of how to go about it. In several instances, people found their depression lifted and if it tried to return, they inately knew what to do about it. In my own case, decision-making was always an agonizing process, until a soul part was brought back. Numerous times I didn't realize until after the fact that I'd made a momentous decision with absolutely no effort at all! The soul retrieval merely returns a soul part to you. The soul part automatically integrates into your emotions and feelings. However, that alliance is much like a racially integrated neighborhood, where anyone can leave any time they wish. To be sure your soul part stays and you have access to everything it has to offer, you need to give it attention and consciously work with it in your life. In the next issue I will discuss the importance of follow-up integration. Mary Phyllis Horn, Shamanic Practitioner, MEd,
CMHt, CTFT, Rev.
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