[Andrea Barnett Budin]

THANK YOU, JACKIE FOR THIS GREAT LECTURE... Here's what I learned:

In a relaxed state we can remember wellness. We can cognitive restructure our body's function.

There is validity to this premises.

You have the capacity to counter stress and effectively treat physical reactions/illness/dis-ease.

The mind can control genomic structure. YOU can tap into your genes' activity and therefore bodily behavior. YOU can change patterns that your body generally follows.

If you think, I know -- I can't do this or that, because you've become accustomed to "being" a certain way -- that will become so! Whereas, if you KNOW you can alter your body's functions with the power of your thoughts, in a responsive and relaxed state (preferably) -- anything is possible!

If you daily sit quietly, listening only to your breathing, quieting your mind, you can change your body's response to stress by using a phrase or mantra of your choice.

I use HEALTHY AND WELL. NO MORE CANCER. I am recently adding NO MORE OUT OF CONTROL BOWEL MOVEMENTS. SOLID STOOLS!

These messages are heard by the body, whose job it is to follow your instructions. The body hears EVERYTHING you think, say or whisper! It has no sense of humor. So you must be careful what you think and say.

The simplest statement, This is killing me, is inadvisable obviously. Whereas repeating a comfortable phrase to your body 4 x a day, every single day, over time, will retrain your body and help it create wellness.

The innate ability of the body to heal is real.

It is a commitment you can consciously choose to embrace. A daily habit to take the time out of your day, to relax and to program your body with the power of your thoughts. Thoughts that you consciously choose to use and empower your body to function better.

Rather than expect/anticipating how you always remember feeling when you do this or that, you can call upon your mind's memory of how your body functioned at a younger and healthier time!

You can open the door. YOU! Midst relaxation, we can remember wellness.

The relaxation response is the antithesis of fight or flight. Open your mind. Remember! Choose to do this. Or not...

Find a word or a phrase that resonates with you.

Close your eyes. Relax from ankles up. Slowly, moving up. Think NO MIND. Push away thoughts that occur. Return to the PRESENT MOMENT. Within minutes of doing this, you will be receptive to speaking your truth. Say your chosen phrase. I call it my mantra.

For me, I believe HEALTHY AND WELL. NO MORE CANCER. -- works. My body understands and though I don't know precisely how my body is to achieve this, IT knows and it follows instructions, as you specify your command.

It is the body's job to do as you think, to respond as you say, to note how you act.

Self-fulfilling prophecies are real! Because we MAKE them occur! With our thinking. With our words and thoughts!

YOU can lower your blood pressure. Even, and especially, midst a painful episode -- YOU can calm yourself, not panic or become frightful or what feels like naturally "predicting" what will come next -- YOU can alter that response. With your thoughts, reprogramming, and remembering, how it used to feel, when it was younger and healthier.

Choose not to be overwhelmed with stress. A determined attitude helps. You have the power to choose to control it instead of let it sweep you away. BREATHE...

With love, as always

Andi