Natural Healing: Ask a Great Question

You're dealing with a health challenge. You've tried everything you can think of. And yet, the challenge persists. It's a completely natural place to be, yet frustrating.

Why so natural? Simple. Here's what you just said, "I've tried everything I can think of." Typically, the things you think of first are those already either within, or very close to, your comfort zone. (Granted, they may not feel so very close at the time.)

Sometimes the solution you're really searching for is very, very different from the old status quo. Despite your furtive poking around at the edges of your day-to-day world, you may not yet have stumbled into it. In these moments, the frustrated yet committed health seeker is likely to exclaim:

OK already! NOW WHAT???

It's a great question! Let's see why. We'll explore the characteristics that make profound questions profound. And some simple ways to tweak your natural exclamations for better results.

Characteristics of a Great Question

* A great question is packed with passion. Let the natural world know you're passionate about your cause and you will be rewarded with better ideas.
* It's solution-focused. Your question, if answered, will yield results that shed new constructive insight. Notice that the question, "Why hasn't this worked?" does not work under this guideline. All you're likely to get in answer to that question is a bunch of validation of your fears about being a victim.
* It's specific. Our sample question could stand some tweaking here. The more specific the question you ask, the better answer you're likely to receive. A simple change like "What one thing should I consider next?" or "What possibilities have I overlooked so far?" would make our sample question more focused.
* It's values-driven. Asking a question like, "Which relative can I hit up for money next?" misses the values mark for most of us. "How can I fund my healing journey?" is a much more productive question. It opens the doors to any number of integrity-rich creative solutions.

Here's the process in a nutshell: Come up with a great question. Write it down. Sit with it. And then go on about your business. Allow the answer some time to percolate. Periodically refresh the question in your mind. Notice your random thoughts and connections over the next few days. Here's a fantastic example of what could happen.

"Adam" and his aching hip.

I once knew a man named "Adam." We met when he became my client at a new part-time job I'd accepted at a physical therapy clinic. In fact, he came in on my very first day.

Adam had hip pain, and he'd "tried just about everything." No kidding. He really had! Physical therapy, movement therapy, stretching, acupuncture, herbs, supplements, sound therapy, you name it. And his hip still hurt, same as ever. I'm delighted to say that the approach we took together worked, and that Adam's pain problem was resolved. Later, he told me this story.

"The week before our first therapy session together," he said, "I was on a business trip. After the day's work was over, I went to the hotel bar for a drink. There I was talking with the guy next to me, and he suggested I try something called St. John method neuromuscular therapy. I remembered the name.

"As I flew back, I remember thinking, 'St. John therapy. Now where am I going to find someone who does that?'

"Shortly after I arrived home, the physical therapist phoned and told me she'd just hired a new practitioner who did something called St. John Therapy. She thought it might help me and wondered if I'd be willing to give it a try. Of course I said 'yes!' I didn't even have to look! You found me."

Adam had set a clear healing intention. He'd asked a great question and listened for the answer. Once the answer arrived, he had acted on it without hesitation. Adam was pain-free within just couple of weeks.

So how about this? Take out a pencil and paper. Write yourself your next great question!