During the last 30 years, as a paediatrician, I have seen more and more children suffering from chronic diseases. These diseases include abdominal pain, allergies, asthma, overweight, fatigue, depression, headaches, addiction, and other stress-related problems. In some countries, these diseases affect one in four children.
The effects of the symptoms are far-reaching. Children do not go to school. Their sleep patterns are badly disrupted, they take a lot of medication, and they become socially isolated from their peer groups. The family as a whole is also adversely affected, and stress levels are heightened.
The healing of chronic diseases is possible. This can be done when we become aware of the relationship of and the communication between the soul and the body. When this is fully understood, the way forward is to learn how to apply silence to the mind through meditation, yoga, mindfulness and by developing an increased sense of self-compassion.
All thoughts and emotions are created in the soul. The soul knows what is happening in the body and the body knows what thoughts are being communicated from the soul. The art of listening to the language of the body, body language, is not as difficult as it sounds.
Children naturally read the body language of their parents and adults around them and act accordingly. The behaviour of children is a mirror for the family and of their environment. We all want to belong, to be loved, and fit in. We suffer because of not being seen, loved, valued or recognised. In an attempt to try to fit in, we develop survival mechanisms and become a people pleaser, a perfectionist, a rebel, or ‘I do not need anything’ experts. When the pain is too big to handle, chronic diseases arise. Health starts when we learn to embrace pain and learn how to heal ourselves.
Health means taking care of your body, being kind and compassionate to yourself, becoming aware of how you think about yourself, how you treat yourself when something is going wrong and about the relationships you have with other people. When you become aware of your true self and understand how beautiful you are, you are able to see the beauty in everyone.
The number one priority for every human being who wishes to take care of themselves is meditation. To take full advantage of meditation we need to decrease the negative influences from the world outside; choose carefully what to read, watch, listen to and eat and drink. Find some ‘me’ time. Spend time in nature, eat fresh and nourishing food, meditate—all this promotes deep and relaxing sleep patterns and meditation helps empower our inner balance and strength.
When we become role models possessing the inner happiness of the soul and an appreciation of a healthy body when we focus on our qualities and our potential when we connect to our own inner power and share that with the children in our lives, we vibrate positive and healthy energy to the whole world.
Dr Judith M. Kocken MD, PhD, is a paediatrician and a paediatric gastroenterologist. A pioneer in holistic healthcare, she studies and practises Rajyoga with the Brahma Kumaris in The Netherlands.