Understanding Grief: A Holistic View

I'd like to illustrate how grief can manifest across all dimensions of our being—body, mind, and spirit.

Grief is a complex journey that extends far beyond mere sadness. Mentally and emotionally, it can manifest as waves of sorrow, longing, anger, or even numbness—a rollercoaster of emotions that can leave us feeling lost and overwhelmed.

Grief in The Body

But grief doesn't just reside in our minds and hearts; it reverberates throughout our entire being.

When we experience profound grief, it can manifest physically, affecting our respiratory system, immune function, and overall vitality.
It may manifest as tension in the chest, that makes every breath a struggle, a lump in the throat, a knot in the stomach that refuses to loosen, or a heaviness in the limbs—a tangible reminder of the weight we carry within us.

Grief and The Lungs

In Chinese medicine and other holistic practices such as Ayurveda for example, Grief is believed to affect the lungs—a vital organ not just for breathing, but for the processing of grief itself. When sorrow remains unresolved, it can constrict the lungs, hindering our ability to fully inhale the essence of life and exhale what no longer serves us.

Holistic modalities may view grief as a disruption in the body's energy flow or as an imbalance in specific organs or systems.

By understanding these connections between emotions and physical health, we gain a deeper appreciation for the holistic nature of healing.

Grief and The Soul

Yet, perhaps most profoundly, grief touches our spirits, shaking the very foundation of our being, and casting a shadow over our sense of self and purpose. It challenges our beliefs, shatters our sense of identity, and can leave us questioning the very meaning of life itself in the face of profound loss.

In essence, grief touches every aspect of our being—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. As we navigate the depths of grief, let us embrace a holistic perspective—one that honours the complexity of our experience and recognises the interconnected web of our being.