***The Mind-Body Connection, Epigenetics and Holistic Addiction Recovery

We used to believe that we are controlled by our genes and that DNA programs us like software does a computer. We thought that DNA communicated with us—as if we were downloading our fates—and that we had nothing to say about it. This was an incredibly disempowering view of how human life works. It put us at the mercy of what happened even before we were born.

We now know that this is not true. We can influence our genes and consequently, free ourselves of dysfunctional patterns whether others in our families have those patterns or not. Basically, this means that we can engage in a dialogue with our genetics and that our state of health is the result of a dynamic process, not just a DNA download. What we do matters. Finding the right things to do is the key to health.

A Revolution

Thanks to the new science of epigenetics, this knowledge is now accessible and has practical applications in addiction treatment and addiction recovery. Epigenetics has been called by Dr. Bruce Lipton “the most important revolutionary discovery in biology tantamount to the discovery of quantum physics. He says that epigenetics is “a revolution that changes the world”. For us, it has validated scientifically why our holistic addiction recovery program works. It has also validated our belief that we can have a full and sustainable recovery from addiction. Since epigenetics informs our work at The Sanctuary at Sedona, it has certainly changed the world for our clients.

The Mind and Body

We hear a great deal about the mind-body connection these days. It has become a catch phrase in holistic practice. We know that the mind affects the body and that the body affects the mind. We know it because we experience it. If we are seriously injured, for example, we begin to think depressing thoughts. If we are depressed, our bodies slow down and even ache. With the advent of epigenetics, we now understand the specifics of the mind-body connection. We can design interventions for practical applications.

Epigenetics has taught us to think of life transformations as cellular ones. We believe that truly recovering from addiction is a matter of deep cellular change. We experience that change in our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviors, but it is a real biological change at its root.

Every thought and emotion, every behavior and pattern of behavior is rooted in cellular activity. So is a state of health and so is a state of disease. When we seek a profound change in ourselves and our lives, we must attend to all aspects of our lives. Our holistic addiction recovery protocol does that. We address the body and mind concurrently. We also address the emotions, the spirit and the soul. With such a broad net, we comprehensively tackle the problems our clients bring to us. In effect, we walk them through the process of deep cellular change.

Consequently, the body feels better. It is more enlivened. The mind is clearer and sharper. The emotions are uplifted and stabilized. The spirit, or life energy, is robust and the soul finds connection to the life force again.

You can read more about the science of epigenetics discussed by Dr. Lipton in the books cited below. Also, you can hear Dean Taraborelli discuss the healing process of our non-12 Step holistic addiction recovery program in greater depth on The Sanctuary at Sedona's website.

Resources

Lipton, B. (2008). The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter, & Miracles . Hay House.Lipton, B., & Bhaerman, S. (2009). Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future (and a Way to Get There from Here) . Mountain of Love Productions.