Dear Julia:

I've been struggling with some digestive problems that don't seem to have a physical cause. (My doctor ran some tests and couldn't find anything wrong with me.) I've done all sorts of research, and am now worried that I may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome - which is basically what doctors say is wrong with you when they can't figure out what's going on. A while ago, you wrote a fascinating article about the metaphysical aspects of breast cancer. Would you shed a spiritual light on tummy troubles? Thanks so much!
- Carla

Dear Carla:

While I advise anyone who experiences a sudden health change to see their doctor (as you did), I commend you for taking responsibility for your own health and well-being - no one is more qualified for this job than you are.

I did some research myself, and it's alarming how many people are in your shoes. It seems that millions of Americans have chronic gastrointestinal problems of one kind or another. What's going on here?

Certainly most Americans are ingesting all sorts of junk: from the food we eat to the television shows we watch to the music we listen to, many folks stuff themselves daily with all sorts of crap that isn't good for them on any level of their being. While some people may be able to survive just fine on such a "diet," those of us who are more sensitive must be more careful. So where your average Joe may be able to live on fast food, rap music and the Jerry Springer show, individuals of a more "spiritual" nature may quickly become ill (and go mad!) given that same lifestyle.

While I obviously believe there is a relationship between what we experience emotionally, mentally and spiritually and what we experience on a physical level, when it comes to the many stomach symptoms that can't be diagnosed, even medical doctors seem to agree that the ultimate cause is metaphysical (though they prefer the term psychosomatic.)

For example, there is a proven relationship between stress and stomach problems. When we're emotionally stressed, our adrenal glands begin to secrete adrenaline, and our bodies prepare for fight or flight. Digestion then shuts down so our muscles will have all the blood flow and energy they need to take action. When we relax, the body knows it's safe to go back to business as usual. If we're constantly getting stressed throughout the day, we're starting and stopping our own digestive process over and over again, which can cause indigestion and other problems.

Common phrases also reveal how the belly is particularly tied to our emotions. When we're nervous, we may say we have butterflies in our stomach or our stomach is twisted in knots. When we're repulsed by something, we say it makes us sick {nauseous) or we can't stomach it. To express that we want something very badly, we say we're hungry for success or starving for attention. Our stomachs are so sensitive they can even pick up psychic nuances in the atmosphere. When this happens, we have a gut feeling or we just know something in our gut.

This all makes sense, as the third chakra is located in the area of our stomachs, and this is the main energetic gateway through which we interact with other people and the world. It also governs issues related to our own sense of personal power, our sense of self-control, our feelings about ourselves and other emotional issues. On a metaphysical level, imbalance can arise in this area if we abuse or fail to make proper use of our personal power.

When we are unconscious of issues that are important to our well-being, we may begin to feel that something is wrong in our bodies. If we greet symptoms as messengers and we listen to them, we can consciously work with the natural healing process. When the problem has no physical cause, if we resolve whatever is causing it on a metaphysical basis, it's only natural for healing to follow.

Here are some of the metaphysical issues that frequently cause stomach problems:

Diarrhea: excessive exercise of control, saying too much, going after things that aren't good for you, failing to make the most out of what you're given, doing too much or moving too fast, not choosing carefully enough, pushing yourself too hard.

Questions to ask yourself:

Am I doing too much? Saying too much? Trying too hard? Feeling angry or judgmental of others? Do I need to let go of some "shoulds" or delegate some responsibilities? Am I too daring or reckless in my behavior? Am I easily bored and dissatisfied? Am I afraid of commitment or of having others depend on me? Am I very hard on myself whenever I feel I've failed in some way? Am I high strung, anxious and always on the go? Would others say I'm an overachiever?

Constipation: fear of loss of control; not saying enough; moving too slowly or not doing enough; holding on to things you need to let go of or need to forgive; being too conservative; holding back from other people, your dreams, new ideas or new experiences; not pushing yourself enough.

Questions to ask yourself:

Am I doing too little? Censoring myself too much? Not trying very hard? Avoiding anything? Feeling insecure? Do I avoid new challenges, fear new experiences and hesitate to take on new responsibilities? Am I a bit of a control freak? Do I resist change? Am I staying in a dissatisfying job, relationship or other situation because I believe it's the best I can hope for? Is it very important to me that other people like me and approve of me? Do I blame others for my problems? Do I move through life in a slow, lazy way? Would others say I'm an underachiever?

Gas pains/indigestion: failing to assimilate the lessons you encounter, the need to consciously process your emotions and experiences, the need to make peace with the way things are.

Questions to ask yourself:

What is happening beneath the surface? Is there something I don't want to acknowledge or face? Is there some lesson I'm failing to learn? Am I uncomfortable with something happening in my life to the point where I try to just ignore it? Is there some condition in my life that needs to be addressed? How do I really feel about things?

Nausea/vomiting: emotional shock, the need to reject some change in the present or on the horizon, the need to heal from a profound disappointment, the need to bring the truth up into the light or express your feelings.

Questions to ask yourself:

Is there something or someone in my life that is really not good for me? Is there something that I or someone else has been doing that literally makes me sick? Is something in my emotional world toxic to my well-being?

In general, we might say that stomach problems tend to arise when we feel deeply discontented for some reason - when we don't feel truly nourished by our lives as they stand. Once you've uncovered the emotional issues that may be upsetting your stomach, you'll have to make some changes in order to take better care of yourself.

Begin by paying attention to what you're ingesting and what you're eliminating. As you try to determine your priorities, ask yourself what really makes you feel good, what empowers you, and what (and who) truly sustains you. As you ponder these questions, listen to how your body feels. If you make a habit of this, you should be able to avoid the physical symptoms of imbalance altogether.

May your healing journey bless you with new wisdom, well-being and personal power!

- Julia