I spent several weeks helping a client explore why he was experiencing stomach problems. His diet was near impeccable and there was little room for improvement. The issue seemed to be physical and organic in nature, but all his lab work had come back normal and doctors could not explain his symptoms.
Familiar with his history, I began to think that there was perhaps a psychospiritual explanation. He already knew quite a bit about the chakra system and was receptive to the idea that his condition might be related to an imbalance in the energy centers of the subtle body.
We began to explore his suppressed resentment toward his father, his dissatisfaction with his work, and his inability to pick a path in life because of his crippling fear that he would take the wrong one and miss his purpose in life. We had also discussed the detrimental effects that secrets have on the psyche and body. There were issues, but as we debriefed them one by one, we concluded that as significant as they each were, separately and especially combined, they were not the primary cause. I continued to research his symptoms and recommend gentle and natural treatments. He experienced temporary relief, but there continued to be a dark cloud over his head. Not only was his stomach bothering him, but his unrelenting thoughts were a source of constant torment.
Sick of Being Sick and Identifying the Cause of Mental Distress
About six weeks in, while in session, something shifted dramatically. He later said that it could only be described as "being sick of being sick." He said he just couldn't take the suffering anymore. He needed to confess something.
He told me that he had been keeping a secret for two years. And until now, he had not considered the connection between the secret and his symptoms.
Before he confessed, he said that he was struggling with a part of himself that was telling him to keep it in. Another part of him was praying at the same time. The response that he repeatedly got back from his plea for help was "Let go."
He began to cry and ask for patience. He needed to release his emotions first and then he would take time to find the words. He then told his story from the beginning. The effect of letting go was immediate. His breathing slowed and his body relaxed. His face and eyes looked peaceful. Deep inhalations and exhalations signaled that his body was being freed of negative energy. In an instant, he began to feel tremendous relief.
He continued to struggle with stomach issues for a while. How long the soul has been burdened, and the extent of trauma to the body, directly impacts the time it will take for us to heal. Stress affects us down to the cellular level.
Consciously suppressing thoughts and feelings, especially when relating to a traumatic event or a guilty conscience, is extremely stressful and fosters an environment that produces physical and mental imbalances that can lead to disease. Even smaller burdens add up over time and should be cleared frequently.
Looking Forward to an Honest Life Free of Weights
The act of confessing begins with listening to our inner voice and then making a conscious decision to heed its call and follow a path that leads to an honest life.
The practice of frequent confession is considered a way of purifying the conscience. In the process of acknowledging everyday faults and humbly asking for help, bad habits are consciously recognized and corrected. Self-control is practiced, the Will is strengthened, and the conscience is cleared.
Confession is not merely about absolving the past. It assists us in controlling future impulses, passions, and weaknesses. It allows for the development of self-knowledge, humility, and a life anchored in honesty. Through frequent self-examination, we are able to slowly and methodically develop an authentic interior life.
If you are burdened by the weight of a secret, consider finding someone that will help you let go and begin to heal. It is important that your confessor is patient, kind, and compassionate. They should be knowledgeable, prudent, and able to ask the right questions, avoiding unnecessary detail. And above all else, they need to be free of judgment and understand the "seal of the confessional," meaning they will never disclose any of the details that you share with them.
Letting go and starting over with a clean slate will not only improve your mental health, renew your confidence, and free you of guilt, it will also improve your physical health, heal your relationships with others, and move you toward becoming your authentic self. The truth does, in fact, set you free.
References
Baur, B. (1999). Frequent Confession: It's Place in the Spiritual Life. Princeton: Scepter Publishers.
Georges, E. (1995). A cultural and historical perspective on confession.