Description
Book SynopsisBiodynamic therapy practices for optimizing the immune system and healing the spiritual suffering at the root of many modern ailments Drawing on more than 45 years of practicing Eastern medicine, Michael J. Shea, Ph.D., presents a holistic guide to biodynamic manual therapy practices for optimizing the immune system and for healing the deep spiritual suffering of our contemporary world. Showing spiritual suffering to be the root of our modern epidemic of metabolic syndrome and other widespread health issues, the author explains how the pervasive degradation of the human body relates directly with the food we eat, the air we breathe, and our thoughts and emotions. He explains how the Five Element theory of Eastern medicine offers a method to reclaim the body by sensing each element in and around us as a single continuum.
Focusing especially on “the fluid body” in biodynamic osteopathy and biodynamic craniosacral therapy, the author shows how inflamed components of the fluid body, such as the blood and lymphatic system, form the substrate of metabolic syndromes. He offers practices to visualize the health of the fluid body. He explains how, in order to enact the full benefits of the immune system, we need to nurture a deep sense of safety inside the body--a symbolic return to our embryonic and cosmic origins and a restoration of our sacred wholeness.
Offering an extensive section of therapeutic applications, including both in-person and remote techniques, the author shares new and unique biodynamic protocols to balance the metabolism with the cosmos as well as optimize the immune system and the function of the vagus nerve. Enacting healing at the deepest spiritual level, Shea reveals how to create inner and outer balance to restore wholeness as it was at the time of the origin of the universe.
Trade Review“Michael J. Shea offers a potential bible for anyone wanting to support or improve their health. He generously provides specific scientific details about the physiology underlying the pandemic of metabolic syndrome and also the guidance to heal, incorporating more than 25 years of experience in the field. Beyond that, what brings the book to heart for me is Michael’s personal stories. He candidly writes of his journey with fat and fasting, effects of military service–related PTSD, and his own prenatal and ancestral/epigenetic history. His story invites us to also investigate our own lives with more curiosity. In the process, like Michael, we might find our embryo, the biodynamic fluid body of our origins, and its cosmological connectedness with all that is. This discovery is facilitated by a beautiful collection of embryo art as an additional bonus to explore in the book.
The Biodynamics of the Immune System reminds us of the essential continuity of mind, body, spirit, and nature and how the splitting of these generates suffering and dis- ease. This is no ordinary book about metabolic syndrome! It offers paths to deep healing you have probably been craving.” * Cherionna Menzam-Sills, Ph.D., author of The Breath of Life: An Introduction to Craniosacral Biodyna *
“Superbly comprehensive! This book translates an understanding of metabolic syndrome to its relationship to human embryology and describes how biodynamic cardiovascular therapy assists the healing process across the spectrum of consciousness. Written like prose yet often reads like poetry.” * Dale G. Alexander, Ph.D., licensed massage therapist and workshop instructor-presenter *
“Michael J. Shea’s understanding and explanation of the intricate interrelated workings of the human immune system in relation to our metabolic, hormonal, gastrointestinal, and even spiritual health represents integrative care perfectly.” * Jaimie L. Mickey, M.D., dual board certified in family medicine and integrative holistic medicine *
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The Biodynamics of the Immune System is like a tall glass of cool, clear water. Page after page, this book soothes and nourishes my mind, body, and spirit. Whether you are a health care provider, a bodyworker, or ‘just’ a regular human trying to make it through these challenging times, this book offers respite and incredible information. More importantly, it offers ways to incorporate many of the ‘thousand faces of Health’ into your daily practice.” * K. Michelle Doyle, biodynamic craniosacral therapist and founder of Local Care Midwifery *
“Michael Shea brings together the ancient history of separation from nature and from each other and provides a beautiful, practical guide to bring healing and health to us as individuals and as a collective. His poetic metaphors and scientific research show us that health on every level is possible and how to live from a place of wholeness and love. The specific therapeutic applications and collaborative somatic learning experiences will benefit all humans and sentient beings on the planet. While this book was originally intended for manual therapists, all of us in the helping professions can greatly benefit both personally and professionally from the philosophy, information, and practices found here. If everyone read and applied this wisdom, we as a planet and a people could move more quickly into sustained health and happiness! I found myself inspired and my heart opened as I traveled through the pages of this incredible gift to all of us. Highly recommended!” * Marti Glenn, Ph.D., clinical director and chief experience officer of Ryzio Institute *
“In this paradigm-shifting book Michael Shea shares his biodynamic embryology, anatomy, and spiritual expertise so we too may clearly see. This book is about the pursuit of truth through compassion and critical thinking, giving us the insight and inspiration to see and heal the elephant in the room. In these times of COVID and a worldwide plague of heart disease, anxiety, depression, dementia, and obesity, this is the one book to read . . . and share!” * Mary Bolingbroke, osteopath and lecturer at the Daisy Clinic Trust *
“I am familiar with the beauty and biodynamic nature of this book because I’ve had the good fortune to have a collegial relationship with Michael for many years. We regularly treat each other, supervise each other, and share clinical experiences. This book represents an advance in biodynamic thinking to include a sense of origin and connection to the universe so necessary for the contemporary client.” * Brian Shea, D.O., a 30-year clinical biodynamic osteopathic practitioner in Boulder, Colorado *
Table of ContentsForeword
by Bill Harvey
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction Biodynamics and the Mind-Body-Spirit
PART 1 The Current State of Ill Health and Natural Healing Antidotes
Metabolic Syndrome and Gut Health
1 What Is Metabolic Syndrome?
2 Autoimmune Disorders in the Intestines by Cathy Shea
3 Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
4 Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
5 Origins of Obesity
6 Fat Shaming and Me
7 Character Structure
8 Ultraprocessed Foods
9 Intermittent Fasting
10 Human Digestion, the Microbiome, and Elder Wisdom by Cathy Shea
11 COVID-19 and the Rule of the Artery by Mary Monro
PART 2 The Fluid
Body Biodynamics and Embryonic Healing 12 Levels of the Fluid Body
13 Principles of the Fluid Body Buoyancy, Density, Dissipation, and Heat
14 Visualizing the Fluid Body
15 Embryology of Growth Resistance
PART 3Biodynamic Spiritual Healing
Death, Distance, the Soul, and the Influence of Covid-1916 The Cycle of Moral Distress
17 Aspects of Biodynamic Practice To Palliate, the Second Pair of Hands, and Not Knowing
18 Biodynamic Compassion
19 The Breath of Life, Reverence, and Devotion
20 Esoteric Healing by Samantha Lotti
PART 4The Stillness
Inner Healing Arts and Cosmology
21 The Four Foundations of Stillness
22 Breathing, Meditation, and Practicing the Foundations of Stillness
23 A Biodynamic Cosmology with Annalis Prendina
PART 5 Therapeutic Applications
Biodynamic Cardiovascular Therapy as a Healing Cosmology 24 Attunement and the Principles of Artery Palpation
25 Palpations for Vagal Stimulation and the Role of the Safety System
26 Harmonizing the Five Elements with Primary Respiration
The Star Trek Protocol 27 The Color of the Elements
Advanced Star Trek Protocol 28 The Three-Generation Model of Immune Function
The Original Marrow Part 1 29 Palpating the Abdomen, Pelvis, and Lower Extremities
The Original Marrow Part 230 Palpating the Head, Neck, and Shoulders
The Original Marrow Part 3 31 Palpating the Abdomen
The Original Marrow Part 4 32 Neonatal Cardiometabolic Palpation
A New Paradigm in Biodynamic Practice 33 The Five Elements of Tibetan Medicine in Biodynamic Practice
34 Biodynamic Shamanism
35 Realignment of Heaven, Earth, and Human
Putting It All Together
A Biodynamic Rite of Passage
Appendix Real Food: Yummy Soups, Smoothies, and Breakfast Ideas
by Cathy Shea
Glossary
Bibliography
Resources
Index
