In our daily lives, we are often only aware of a small aspect of ourselves: our ego. This is the part of us that says, “I think, I am, I want.” The ego creates our persona—the mask we wear for the outside world. It is the side of yourself you choose to show to others: your energy, your inspiration, your knowledge, your experience, and your sensitivity. Social media nowadays is filled with perfect examples of this persona.
But we are so much more than just our ego. Beneath the surface lies a vast ocean of everything we are not (yet) consciously aware of. And it is precisely there that the key to healing and growth is hidden.
Working with the meridians, as we do in Do-In, is a beautiful way to connect with that subconscious mind. The stiffness or resistance you experience during a stretch isn't just physical; it has something to tell you. It is the body's way of communicating what is still lingering in the shadows.
A blocked acupoint is therefore much more than a pressure point used to restore physical balance. It tells a story. The blockage invites you to gain insight and become aware of certain patterns that no longer serve you. In the advanced years at the Do-In Academy, I explain to students the unique story each meridian whispers. I see the meridians as books, with the acupoints acting as the chapters of a beautiful, multi-layered life story.
Another way to connect with these deeper layers is through shamanic journeys, which I offer in the SHEN-medicine year-long training programs (currently only available in Dutch). During a journey, you step away from the everyday ego. You dive with your awareness into layers of yourself that you normally cannot access, always guided by a clear intention.
Recently, during a journey with my students, we explored their relationship with love. We asked ourselves: Do you, in all honesty, believe that you are worthy of love? Or are there fears and insecurities lingering beneath the surface, whispering that love and appreciation are things you have to earn? These are themes that play a role in almost everyone's life, often deeply rooted in our upbringing and education. The moment you bring such a hidden pattern into your conscious awareness, you literally bring it into the light. Only then can you integrate and heal it.
Something I invariably share with students in the the first year at the Do-In Academy is this question:
"If your body were to write you a letter today, what would it say?"
Reflecting on this question is a gentle yet incredibly powerful way to bring a piece of the subconscious to the surface. And the beautiful thing is: every time you repeat this exercise, your body writes a different page. It continuously invites you into a deeper connection with who you are at your core.
Perhaps it is a beautiful question to contemplate today. What is your body trying to tell you right now?
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