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  1. A Navajo Surgeon & the Power of Ceremony, Prayer, Song & Guided Imagery…

    A Navajo Surgeon & the Power of Ceremony, Prayer, Song & Guided Imagery…

    Lori Alviso Alvord MD, the first Navajo woman to be board certified in surgery, according to a recent article in the East Valley Tribune, is Chief of Surgery at Banner Health Page Hospital in Page, Arizona, and associate faculty at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

    She speaks about the importance of ceremony, which she frames as an elaborate form of mind-body medicine, that works at many levels and coheres mind, body and spirit. She says that ceremony mainly heals the mind, which then helps to heal the body. Critical elements in ceremony are chanting, prayer, song, dance and guided imagery.

    And also critical element in her thinking and culture is that ceremony doesn't just heal individuals, but also heals the community and the planet, because it emphasizes interconnectivity of all things, and we can't heal in a vacuum.

    Hats off to Dr. Alviso Alvord! You can learn more about her in the East Valley Tribune.

    p.s. If you liked this post, you might enjoy getting our weekly e-news with other articles just like it. If so, sign up here!

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  2. Multitasking while Listening to Guided Imagery; Binaural Beats

    Dear Belleruth,

    Two questions: Do you use binaural beats in your background music?

    And, aside from your sleeping aid recordings, can a person multi-task while listening to, say, the weight loss recordings and still gain benefit? Or, does the listening require total immersion while playing the recordings?

    Thanks....

    Penny

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  3. How To Prepare For A High Stress Tour Of Duty At Landstuhl

    How To Prepare For A High Stress Tour Of Duty At Landstuhl

    Question:

    Dear Belleruth,
    I am leaving soon for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, to provide mental health services to our military and their families. I have been in private practice for the last 6 years, and have used your book Invisible Heroes and CD's nearly daily. My question is this:
    Do you have any advice for me as I begin this two year assignment?

    Warm Regards,

    Paul

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  4. Should You Only Listen To Guided Imagery On Headphones?

    Should You Only Listen To Guided Imagery On Headphones?

    Question:

    My therapist told me that I should only listen to the guided imagery with headphones, but I don't see that recommended anywhere here.

    Is there a more powerful effect with headphones?

    Also, if so, is the same true for the affirmations?

    Thanks so much!

    Edward

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  5. What Does it Mean if You Zone Out While Listening to Guided Imagery?

    What Does it Mean if You Zone Out While Listening to Guided Imagery?

    I'm very new to guided imagery. After listening to Healing Trauma for a couple of weeks, I find that my mind now "goes off" somewhere (sort of like right before falling asleep, but not sleeping).

    I am aware that thoughts are flitting in and out but I can't remember what I was "thinking" about or otherwise doing. And I have no memory of anything said on the CD. This usually lasts for most of the entire CD.

    I feel relaxed when I "awake" but am wondering if, because I don't remember hearing anything on the CD past the first few minutes, if I am missing the whole point or IS that the whole point? This doesn't happen when I just listen to the affirmations. Thank you for your answer.

    Christy

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  6. When Trauma Imagery Feels Too Scary

    When Trauma Imagery Feels Too Scary

    Question:

    Belleruth,

    I tried using the guided meditation in the Healing Trauma CD and had a very uncomfortable, scary, physical experience, so I shut it off. My body went into a shut down mode when it heard the music, which was staccato-y and unlike the music I was used to hearing on some of your other CDs I've heard before, which were very relaxing.

    You said early on this CD that everything on it had a purpose, so I figured there was a particular reason why you had this background music. Have you heard of this reaction before from others?
    Is it set up to possibly evoke some underlying response or shift if needed for the individual? Does this mean I should not use this particular CD or go through the experience it is evoking if I feel up to it?

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  7. How to Break Unpleasant Associations with a Guided Imagery CD

    How to Break Unpleasant Associations with a Guided Imagery CD

    Dear Ms. Naperstak [sic],

    About a year ago, I was going contemplating leaving my marriage (which I eventually did) and I was very depressed. I used your guided imagery CD which was helped some. I have since had ups and downs and right now am quite down again. However, using the CD now actually brings me back to last year when I was at my lowest instead of helping me. I cannot listen to the CD without it bringing up very bad memories now. Any suggestions?

    Thanks.
    Donald

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  8. A Childhood Abuse Survivor Is Afraid to Close Her Eyes – What to Do?

    Dear Belleruth,

    I am a therapist working with a woman who is afraid to close her eyes. The very idea creates extreme anxiety, and therefore I cannot use meditation or guided imagery with her, even though both of us believe it could be very beneficial for her. Obviously this has to do with her traumatized past, involving childhood sexual abuse. Any suggestions?

    Dr. Jim

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  9. Questioning the Use of the Word “Can” in an Affirmation

    Questioning the Use of the Word “Can” in an Affirmation

    Dear BR,

    I received your first audio program when I was undergoing chemo for breast cancer. The chemo nurse gave it to me. I loved it, especially the guided imagery part. I also used your surgery tape and I breezed thru the operation. Then I bought other CDs, but found them repetitive and the imagery very similar, no matter what the topic. I myself have been using affirmations and teaching meditation for 30 years.

    My understanding about affirmations is that they should be positive, which yours certainly are, and in the present, which yours are. Anyway here is my question. Why do you use the word "can" in your affirmations?

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  10. What’s Up with All the Options & Suggestions on the Guided Imagery?

    What’s Up with All the Options & Suggestions on the Guided Imagery?

    Question:

    Actually not a question but a personal observation: I have several of your guided imagery/affirmation cds which I use often. They've been very helpful but for me, but there's too much suggestion. I guess it's the way my brain works.

    When you suggest going to a place where I feel safe, etc., I can usually do that, but then I'm distracted by your various suggested alternatives and find myself mentally flitting from place to place.

    Similarly when I'm in that place, your suggestions about seeing, smelling, hearing and feeling it, while helpful, get undermined by the varied scenarios you present.

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