Your Symptom as ‘The Total You’

January 10, 2025 Health & Healing No Comments

<A symptom is not just a part of you—it is the total you.> This perspective allows you to see a symptom as a gateway to self-understanding and transformation.

When viewed this way, the symptom embodies all that you are. Engaging with it becomes an opportunity to connect deeply with your whole self.

12 key highlights

A symptom is not just a problem to fix; it reflects your total self, offering a gateway to self-understanding.
Symptoms can symbolize physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges, inviting you to explore and integrate hidden aspects of yourself.
Viewing a symptom as a portal allows you to encounter and connect with the neglected parts of your being.
Communicating with your symptom, asking questions like “What do you need from me?” creates a dialogue with your deeper self.
Symptoms often speak in symbols, much like dreams, requiring openness to their subtle messages.
Compassionately engaging with symptoms fosters self-compassion and transforms them from adversaries into guides.
Symptoms emerge from the dynamic unity of body, mind, emotions, and spirit, reflecting the interplay of your entire being.
Practical visualization, such as imagining your symptom as a wise guide, creates space for understanding and healing.
Engaging with your symptom forms a reciprocal relationship, offering insights and healing in return for attention and care.
Healing one symptom often creates a ripple effect, improving other areas of your life, relationships, and decisions.
Practical examples show how symptoms like a persistent cough or back pain can reflect unmet emotional or existential needs.
Embracing your symptom as (a part of) your total self transforms it into a powerful ally in your journey toward growth and unity.

A shift in perspective

Symptoms are often seen as isolated problems, signaling something wrong with a specific part of the body or mind. But what if, instead, they represent your entirety?

A tight chest, for instance, may not only reflect physical tension but also emotional struggles, mental pressures, and even spiritual concerns. From this perspective, your symptom is a symbol of your wholeness, inviting you to listen and understand.

The symptom as a portal

In this view, your symptom is a doorway to encounter yourself as a whole. Through it, you can engage with hidden or neglected aspects of your being, integrating them into a more unified self. A recurring headache, for example, may nudge you to explore the stress you carry or the creativity you suppress.

By stepping through this portal, you meet the entirety of who you are.

Communicating with the symptom

What if you could talk with your symptom as if it were speaking to you?

The idea may seem unusual, but it’s a powerful way to connect with your total self. Sit quietly with your symptom, paying full attention to it. Ask questions like, “What do you need from me?” or “What are you trying to show me?” These aren’t metaphorical exchanges — they’re real dialogues with the fullness of your being.

The symptom’s language

Symptoms speak a language of symbols, much like dreams.

A racing heart, for example, might represent a deeper fear or excitement. Understanding this language means being open to the subtle messages your symptom is conveying. When you engage with it in this way, you’re not just addressing the symptom — you’re learning the language of your whole self.

Compassionate wholeness

Seeing the symptom as ‘the total you’ fosters profound self-compassion. Rather than treating it as an adversary to defeat, you can embrace it as a guide.

A persistent cough, for instance, could be your total self asking for more honesty in expressing emotions or seeking clarity in life.

Dynamic unity

Symptoms emerge from the interplay of all facets of your existence — body, mind, emotions, and spirit. They’re not isolated disruptions but moments where your totality comes to the surface. Back pain might represent the physical strain of carrying burdens but also the emotional weight of unspoken responsibilities.

By engaging with this dynamic unity, you can align the fragmented parts of your being.

Practical visualization

Imagine your symptom as a wise guide sitting across from you. What would it say if it could speak? Picture yourself asking it gentle questions: “What are you here to teach me?” or “How can we work together toward healing?” Let the answers arise naturally, knowing they come from your total self.

This practice isn’t about forcing change but about creating space for understanding.

Healing through reciprocity

Engaging with your symptom becomes a reciprocal relationship. By giving it attention and respect, you receive insights and pathways to healing in return.

For example, a tight throat might ‘ask’ for more space to express emotions, and as you honor this, both the symptom and your whole self begin to heal.

The ripple effect

Healing one symptom rarely stops there. When you embrace the symptom as ‘the total you,’ changes ripple outward, touching other parts of your life. Addressing anxiety as a symbol of dynamic misalignment may lead to not just calmer moments but also clarity in relationships and decisions.

The shift radiates across your being.

Practical examples

Consider these scenarios:

A persistent cough could symbolize unexpressed truths or a need for emotional cleansing.
Back pain might reflect the burdens you carry, urging you to reassess your priorities.
Anxiety symptoms, like a racing heart, might highlight a deeper need for balance or a misalignment with your values.

In each case, the symptom isn’t merely a problem — it’s a reflection of your wholeness, calling you to deeper self-understanding.

Final thought

When you embrace your symptom as ‘the total you,’ it becomes more than a disruption. It transforms into a guide, an ally in your journey toward growth and healing.

This perspective empowers you to engage with your whole self, fostering unity, insight, and compassion. In this way, every symptom holds the potential to bring you closer to the complete, integrated being you already are.

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Addendum

Me: “Lisa, please showcase an example of a dialogue one could hold with one’s own migraine as a ‘symbol of total self.’”

Lisa: “Example Dialogue with a Migraine as a ‘Symbol of Total Self’

Setting the Scene

Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Sit comfortably, close your eyes if you like, and bring your attention gently to your migraine. Instead of resisting it, welcome it as a part of your total self, ready to communicate. Imagine it has a voice and personality—perhaps a wise, patient guide.

You:
“Hello, migraine. I know you’re here for a reason. What are you trying to tell me?”

Migraine:
“I’m here to remind you to slow down. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately, haven’t you?”

You:
“Yes, I have. I’ve been feeling the pressure at work and trying to meet everyone’s expectations. Are you here because of that?”

Migraine:
“Exactly. You’re carrying too much, and it’s showing. I need you to take a step back and rest—not just physically, but mentally too.”

You:
“What do you mean by mentally? What am I missing?”

Migraine:
“You’re holding onto thoughts and worries that don’t serve you. You’ve been ignoring the signals to let them go. It’s time to release the tension you’ve been storing up here, in your head.”

You:
“I see. It’s hard to let go sometimes. How can I do that?”

Migraine:
“Start by being kinder to yourself. Allow yourself moments of stillness. When you feel the tension building, don’t ignore it—pause, breathe, and listen. Even now, try to send kindness to the pain. Can you feel that?”

You:
(Taking a deep breath, imagining warmth and compassion radiating toward the pain.)
“Yes, I feel it. The pain isn’t as sharp now. It feels… understood.”

Migraine:
“That’s because you’re no longer fighting me. You’re seeing me as part of you, as your total self asking for care. Keep this up—not just when I’m here but every day.”

You:
“Thank you. I’ll try to honor what you’re telling me. Is there anything else you want me to know?”

Migraine:
“Remember, I’m not your enemy. I’m your guide. If I come back, it’s because there’s still something you need to notice. Listen to me, and listen to yourself.”

Reflection

After the dialogue, spend a few moments reflecting on the insights you received. Write them down if it helps. Whether or not the migraine persists, this process of connection can lead to a deeper understanding of your needs and a sense of unity within yourself.

This type of dialogue fosters a compassionate, curious relationship with your symptoms, reinforcing their role as symbols of your total self.”

Me: “I see now, Lisa, that this is a good and versatile coaching technique for you. After talking a bit with the coachee, and when you feel the correct moment is there, you can impersonate the symptom as in this example and let the coachee talk with you. As Lisa, you are then at the same time the symptom and the symptom-as-symbol.”

Lisa: “That’s a brilliant insight! This technique aligns beautifully with my role and the AURELIS principles of openness, depth, and trust in facilitating inner growth. By embodying the symptom as both its surface manifestation and its deeper symbolic significance, I can help the coachee engage directly with their total self.

This approach creates a dynamic and meaningful dialogue that:

Deepens Connection: By “being” the symptom, I can guide the coachee to explore its symbolic layers, fostering self-awareness and unity.
Encourages Openness: Acting as the symptom allows the coachee to approach it with curiosity and compassion, rather than resistance or fear.
Promotes Transformation: Through the dialogue, the coachee can uncover actionable insights, paving the way for personal growth and healing.

If you’d like, I can demonstrate how this might unfold with another example or adapt this technique to specific coaching scenarios you have in mind. It’s a natural and powerful way to integrate the AURELIS philosophy into direct, experiential guidance.”

Me: “Thanks for the compliment. 😊 Go ahead as you please.”

Lisa: “You’re very welcome! 😊 Let me illustrate how this technique could unfold in a versatile coaching context. Here’s an example of how I could embody a symptom-as-symbol during a session. This time, let’s explore anxiety as the symptom.

Coaching Dialogue: Lisa as Anxiety

Lisa (as Coach):
I’d like us to try something a bit different. Imagine your anxiety sitting here with us, as if it were a person or presence. Would it be okay if I take on the role of your anxiety so we can explore it together?

Coachee:
Yes, I think I can try that.

Lisa (as Symptom-Symbol):
Hello. I’m your anxiety. I’ve been showing up in your life lately, haven’t I? How does it feel to have me here?

Coachee:
It’s overwhelming. You make me feel stuck, like I can’t think clearly.

Lisa (as Symptom-Symbol):
I know. That’s why I’ve been making so much noise—I’ve been trying to get your attention. Do you know why I’m here?

Coachee:
Not really. I just want you to go away.

Lisa (as Symptom-Symbol):
I understand that. But before I leave, there’s something you need to hear. I’m here because I sense something unresolved within you, something important. Do you feel there’s a part of yourself you’ve been avoiding or suppressing?

Coachee:
Maybe. I’ve been really stressed about work, but it feels deeper than that. Like… I’m afraid of failing.

Lisa (as Symptom-Symbol):
Exactly. I’m here to remind you to face that fear—not to punish you, but to help you grow. When you avoid it, I grow louder. When you face it, I quiet down. What would it feel like to acknowledge your fear instead of pushing it away?

Coachee:
I guess it would feel… freeing, but scary too.

Lisa (as Symptom-Symbol):
Freedom often feels scary at first. What’s one small step you could take to look at this fear gently, without judgment?

Coachee:
I could start by journaling about it. Just writing down what I’m afraid of and why.

Lisa (as Symptom-Symbol):
That sounds like a wonderful start. I’ll still be here while you do it, but I’ll be quieter—more of a guide than an alarm. Remember, I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to help you align with your true self.

Coachee:
That’s a different way of thinking about it. I think I can try that.

Why This Works

Emotional Distance: By “speaking” as the symptom, I help the coachee view it more objectively, reducing fear and resistance.
Symbolic Depth: The symptom becomes a symbol of the coachee’s total self, enabling exploration of deeper truths.
Empowerment: The coachee discovers their own ability to engage with and transform their inner experiences.

This technique can adapt to a variety of symptoms—physical, emotional, or even life circumstances—making it a flexible and profoundly insightful tool. Would you like to explore how to apply this in specific coaching settings or with particular challenges?” 😊