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War Anxiety
by Christiane Northrup, M.D.
[correspondence]
Dear Friends,
The fear and anxiety caused by the possibility of war are the biggest
health challenges we face right now. As a physician, I know full well
that emotions such as fear and anger impede the healing process and,
if held long enough, actually lock us into a vicious cycle that produces
more pain, more fear, and more anxiety. This can wreak havoc on our
minds, bodies, and spirits. But this doesn’t have to be the case.
There are very specific things each of us can do right now to help
prevent war and at the same time create peace in our bodies, minds,
and spirits. I was strongly reminded of this week. Both of my daughters
called from their respective colleges with concerns and worries about
what they’ve heard on the news about a possible terrorist attack.
One wanted to know what I thought about stockpiling cash, water, and
canned goods. Her roommate’s mother had sent them warnings. The
other daughter wanted to know if I thought it was safe for her to go
to NYC this weekend. I told them to go about their lives as usual, while
paying attention to their inner guidance. I reassured them that they
each had access to guidance from within that would lead them in the
right direction if they paid attention. I also gave them a way to think
about the current global situation that leads to healing and peace,
not further conflict, and shared with them my unshakable belief that
each of us has the power, through our thoughts and emotions, to influence
the energy of the planet in a way that helps prevent further conflict
and also creates peace. Here’s what you can do.
1. Use your thoughts wisely. Understand their power. Thoughts have
a tendency to become their physical equivalent. This is one of the fundamental
laws of the universe. Another one is the law of attraction, which states
that “like attracts like.” Because it is consciousness that
creates reality, the kind of consciousness you hold—your vibration—actually
creates the kind of life you’re living. It’s impossible to
create peace and harmony if you’re pushing up against a war. It’s
impossible to create peace and harmony if you’re condemning George
Bush, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, etc. You don’t have to agree with
them, but realize that you’ll be contributing to the energy that
creates war if you assume an “embattled” mentality concerning
them. The split in our nation right now about war is actually creating
more of the energy of war. It’s not possible to “fight”
for peace without creating war.
2. To create peace, you have to be peaceful. The only way to stop war
is to start from within yourself. You must do personal disarmament.
The only way to get and stay peaceful is to concentrate on what brings
you peace and resist the downward spiral of negative emotions that blames
others for your lack of peace. Remember, that to which you give your
attention expands. Although there is no denying that we’re in a
perilous and frightening position right now, that doesn’t mean
we are powerless to change it. But the only way to do so is by changing
your thoughts and emotions from those of anger, hatred, and fear to
those associated with compassion and peace.
Spend 30 seconds several times a day creating a “virtual”
reality of what peace would look and feel like. Imagine that it’s
a year from now and the economy is flourishing. George Bush is radiantly
healthy; the governments of the free world are all cooperating to ensure
global harmony and peace. And Saddam and Bin Laden and their influence
have disappeared from the planet. Imagine all our soldiers back home
and reunited with their families. Imagine a global village in which
all of us can travel freely and joyously and with understanding and
acceptance of each other’s cultures. When thinking about Iraq or
North Korea, imagine the women and children. Send your energy and compassion
to them. Don’t try to change the men of these countries. In fact,
don’t even give them any thought lest you energize them. Withdraw
your energy from them so that you will no longer be “feeding”
them.
Dozens of studies have documented the fact that our thoughts can and
do affect others in profound and measurable ways. When a critical mass
of individuals (1 percent of the population) was brought together to
practice Transcendental Meditation in various areas of the world, for
example, there was a measurable decrease in the number of violent crimes,
suicides, terrorist attacks, and even international conflicts worldwide.
(Orme-Johnson, et al. (1988). International Peace Project in the Middle
East: The effect of the Maharishi technology on the unified field. Journal
of Conflict Resolution, vol. 32, (4), pp. 776–812.) There are also
over 180 studies that have documented the positive effect of prayer
on everything from other humans to yeast cells.
3. Imagine all the angels and non-physical beings who are working on
the other side to protect and uplift all of us. Know that they can only
do their work in an atmosphere of compassion, not condemnation. The
energy of condemnation will prevent them from connecting with the hearts
of those who most need their inspiration and love.
4. Avoid watching the news and reading the newspapers. Headlines are
designed to keep you afraid and disempowered so that you will buy more
papers or watch more TV. Then you get “hooked” on the news
because you’re waiting for some official “guidance” that
will keep you safe and secure. This simply can’t happen, because
it’s not the way the media is set up. The media is designed to
get you riled up, so that you remain tuned in to the “chain of
pain.” The only lasting safety and security come from the peace
that you create within yourself. What’s safe for one person will
be dangerous for another. Remember all the hundreds of stories from
September 11, about the people who were supposed to be at the World
Trade Center but, for hundreds of different reasons, simply weren’t
there that day. Tune in to how you are feeling when you’ve severed
the influence of the mass media. This will give you the guidance you’re
seeking.
5. Finally, know that when you are tuned into your heart, your Inner
Wisdom, and God, then your energy lightens up and your vibration literally
changes. You become a beacon of light and peace. You become an uplifter
and a peacemaker. There’s an old saying, “The rising tide
lifts all boats. But it won’t raise a stone.” Stop looking
at and thinking about the stones. Join me in raising the tide. And remember
the words of the great M. K. Gandhi, “When in despair, I remember
that all through history the way of truth and love has always won; there
have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible,
but in the end they always fall.”
Warmly,
Christiane Northrup, M.D.