This afternoon, I found myself writing to a dear friend who is, at the moment, not very well. As I was writing, I realised that what I was sharing with them may resonate far beyond just one person. And if these words can help even one individual begin to understand their mind, body, energy in a different way. if it helps even one person move through some form of dis-ease, then I will consider that a very meaningful contribution. Because when we begin to understand the connection between mind, body, energy, we begin to understand ourselves on a much deeper level.
In Qigong Energy Medicine, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that all dis-ease begins not in the physical body, but in a person’s energy field. This is something that, for many, may sound abstract at first, yet when we begin to observe our own lives more closely, it starts to make a great deal of sense. Our energy is constantly being influenced by the people we are around, the environments we move through, the thoughts we entertain, and the actions we take. But it does not stop there. We are not isolated beings. We are interconnected with everything. So, even events happening far beyond our immediate surroundings, for example global tensions, collective fear, uncertainty in the world, can subtly, yet significantly, impact our internal state. This is the constant interaction of mind, body, energy, whether we are consciously aware of it or not.
What influences us most deeply, however, are our thoughts. Not just the thoughts themselves, but the energy they generate. This is where the relationship between mind, body, energy becomes undeniable, as each thought creates a ripple through all three. Every thought carries a frequency. Every emotional response creates a shift within the body. And while this may once have been dismissed as purely philosophical, modern research, particularly studies around placebos, has begun to show that the mind has a measurable impact on the body’s ability to heal. If a belief can trigger healing, then it must also be true that a belief can contribute to imbalance. Which leads us to a very important realisation: just as our thoughts can play a role in the creation of dis-ease, they can also play a role in restoring balance.
For those of you who may not know much about me, my background is not limited to one single field. Alongside Psychology, I studied Naturopathy, which then led me into Reiki, and eventually into Qigong Energy Medicine. I have never positioned myself against allopathic medicine. On the contrary, I believe there is a place for it. But I have always believed, deeply and consistently, in an integrative approach, one that recognises the relationship between Mind, Body, and Energy, and understands that true wellbeing comes from the harmony between all three.
Interestingly, just a few weeks ago, I watched two separate talks where medical doctors, trained in conventional systems, were beginning to express ideas that align very closely with what I have believed for many years. One of them spoke about the way we move through life, constantly oscillating between health and dis-ease. And what struck me most was this idea that we rarely allow the body the space to naturally recalibrate. We either intervene too quickly, interrupting processes we do not fully understand, or we delay action entirely, placing all responsibility outside of ourselves.
When I relate this to energy, it becomes even clearer. Energy, like the tide, moves in rhythms. It rises and falls. It expands and contracts. And so it is only natural that life follows the same pattern. There are periods of ease and periods of challenge. There are moments of clarity and moments of confusion. Our minds reflect this, and as a result, so does our energy. Nothing remains static.
This brings me to a very personal example, my knee. In Energy Medicine, the knee is associated with movement, flexibility, and our ability to move forward in life. It represents our capacity to stand firm, to remain grounded, but also to adapt and progress. When I began to reflect on what had been happening in my life, it became almost impossible to ignore the connection. I could clearly see how my mind, body, energy were all responding to the same internal conflict.
There had been a significant upheaval. After nearly forty years of estrangement, my father re-entered my life. That alone carries emotional weight that cannot be understated. Alongside that came the fear of being uprooted, of having to shift everything I had built over decades. And deeper still, there was the fear of starting again. The fear of letting go of what had been created, even if only partially, and stepping into uncertainty.
When I look at it honestly, I can see that my body was responding to all of this. The tension, the resistance, the internal conflict; it had to go somewhere. So it manifested physically.
What changed everything was not the physical treatment, but the internal acknowledgement. The moment I stopped avoiding what I was feeling and began to face it directly, something shifted. I allowed myself to see the fears clearly, to understand them, to question them. And in doing so, I was able to change my mindset. With that shift, my energy began to change as well. This shift within my mind, body, energy created a sense of coherence that I had not felt in a long time.
What once felt heavy and restrictive began to feel lighter, more directed. I moved from confusion into clarity. From hesitation into decision.
With that came something incredibly important; a renewed sense of purpose. I set new goals. I gave myself something to move towards. And in doing so, I felt a return of something that had been quiet for a long time; life force. That inner drive, that sense of curiosity, determination, even wonder. These are not small things. They are essential. They are what give us a reason to rise each day with intention rather than resistance.
There was a time in my life where that energy was not present. A long period, in fact. Years where I felt disconnected, where motivation was absent, where even the simplest actions felt heavy. Looking back now, I can see that I was moving through a necessary phase of healing, even if I did not fully understand it at the time. And for that, I no longer judge myself. I do not criticise that version of me. I understand her.
Because if I had not walked through that, I would not be here now. I would not have the awareness I have. I would not have returned to who I truly am.
There is something deeply symbolic in the way we sometimes avoid even looking at ourselves during those periods. Not just physically, but emotionally. We turn away from our own reflection because it is too painful to face. There is shame, regret, confusion. And yet, it is only by turning towards ourselves, gently and compassionately, that we begin to rebuild.
They say the phoenix rises from the ashes. Whether or not we take that literally is not the point. The meaning behind it is undeniable. Sometimes, everything must fall apart so that something stronger, more aligned, and more authentic can emerge.
And this is where everything comes together. As my mind became stronger, clearer, more focused, I began to notice changes in my body. Not dramatically, not overnight, but steadily. My knee began to improve. Movement became easier. Strength began to return. Today, I can manage the stairs almost entirely unaided. And while I did support myself with natural remedies, I know, without doubt, that the most significant shift came from within.
From finding balance. From creating solutions that honoured both my responsibilities and my own sense of peace. From no longer forcing myself into extremes, but instead allowing space for compromise, for understanding, for alignment.
There is a tendency to believe that nothing happens without reason. That there is always something greater at play. Whether one sees this as a divine plan, or simply as the unfolding of life, I do believe that there is always something to learn. Every experience, every challenge, every moment of discomfort carries within it an opportunity for growth in mind, body, energy.
Because if life were always smooth, if nothing ever challenged us, if we were never asked to look deeper, to reflect, to evolve—then we would remain exactly as we are. And perhaps that is not why we are here.
Perhaps we are here to learn, to grow, to refine ourselves. To become more aware, more compassionate, more aligned with who we truly are beneath all of the layers we accumulate over time.
And perhaps, in understanding the relationship between our mind, our body, and our energy, we begin to realise that healing is not something that happens to us. It is something that happens through us, when we are finally willing to listen. Because healing is, ultimately, the restoration of balance between mind, body, energy.
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