Welcome to Spiritual Roots!
“The fact that you have come this far says a lot about you. And it also indicates where you are on your life’s journey. Something inside you is leading you to know that right now is the time to move forward on your mission to heal. To become the person you were and to love your life. That your soul is driving you to do this?” – Linda Howe
These are the words that one of my favourite authors, Linda Howe, once greeted me with in her book The Akashic Records of Health. I therefore took the liberty of borrowing this thought of hers here so that it might resonate with you as well.
So you are struggling physically with difficulties that you cannot cope with. I understand. Every person has their own physical problems that directly reflect their weaknesses, but not only in the body, but also in the mind and the soul.
The spiritual roots of disease lie in the imbalance between body, mind and spirit
The idea that the emotional and the spiritual world is interconnected with physical ailments is as old as humanity itself. This connection has been emphasized for centuries by various alternative medical systems, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as well as by spiritual teachers of various cultures and eras.
According to Edgar Cayce, one of the most famous American healers, also known as the “Sleeping Prophet”, diseases are the result of imbalances in the imbalances between the body, mind and spirit:
- Imbalance arising at the body level – Violation of natural laws
Poor diet, lack of exercise and ignoring the natural rhythms of the body lead to insufficient excretion of toxins, poor blood circulation and lymphatic system, which contributes to the development of diseases. - Imbalance arising at the level of the mind – Mental and emotional imbalance
Our thoughts and attitudes play an irreplaceable role in health. If there is a discrepancy between what we do, what we think, what we feel, and what our higher self/conscience tells us, negative emotions (such as fear, anger, or resentment) arise, which block the flow of energy in the corresponding chakras (or spiritual centers). - Imbalance arising at the level of the spirit – Karma and Spiritual Awakening
Illness can be a lesson or an opportunity for soul growth. Some illnesses serve as catalysts for spiritual growth, forcing a person to seek deeper healing, understanding, or transformation.
Any imbalance then spreads to other levels and can lead to disease. Let’s look at each of these areas in more detail.
Spiritual roots of disease: The Body – Violation of Natural Laws
According to Ayurveda, Agni – the digestive fire – is responsible for controlling digestion, absorption and assimilation of food and experiences. It is crucial for health and its imbalance can lead to disease. When Agni is weak, undigested food and waste form ama – toxins that block the body’s channels, disrupt metabolism and contribute to chronic disease. Symptoms such as indigestion, bloating or fatigue can develop into serious health problems such as autoimmune conditions, inflammation or cancer over time.
E. Cayce also had a similar view of the physical dimension of the development of diseases:
“The cause of most diseases is primarily intoxication of the organism… If there is a disproportionate increase in waste products in the body, then the basic conditions for the development of disease are created. This will then manifest itself in the weakest link in the chain, depending on our specific genetic makeup, on our inherited dispositions – for some it may be the joints, for others the heart and for others, for example, the kidneys.” – Edgard Cayce
Therefore, part of the first steps on the path to recovery should be the effort to eliminate these poisons. It is possible mainly by changing the diet towards an alkaline diet with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables (1/2 to 3/4 of the diet) and whole grain products, with sufficient water intake and regular exercise supporting proper blood circulation and therefore excretion.
As complementary therapies for regular detoxification and body cleansing that help the body get rid of accumulated toxins, the following are particularly suitable:
- regular elimination and removal of toxic substances from the colon using enemas (or castor oil wraps),
- massages and hot baths to support blood and lymph circulation,
- osteopathic and chiropractic methods, which Cayce recommended in up to a third of his readings, to support the correct flow of energy.
Spiritual roots of disease: Mind – Mental and emotional imbalance
According to Ayurveda and various holistic systems, emotions strongly influence physical health. When emotions such as anger, fear, sadness or stress are suppressed, ignored or incorrectly processed, they create imbalances in the body’s energy systems and disrupt the flow of energy (prana or chi), which negatively affects health. Over time, these emotional imbalances can build up and turn into more serious physical ailments. Restoring emotional balance is therefore considered essential for preventing and overcoming illness.
Examples of how thoughts and emotions shape physical health
Stress, fear and anxiety – weakening the immune system
Chronic stress and fear keep the body in a constant state of fight or flight, leading to increased inflammation, weakened immunity and a higher risk of chronic diseases. As Eckhart Tolle says, “Stress is caused by being here, but wanting to be somewhere else.” Mindfulness, deep breathing, and faith-based relaxation techniques can help you restore balance in this case.
Suppressed Emotions and Heart-Related Illnesses
The heart is the center of love and emotional well-being. From a spiritual perspective, heart-related illnesses can indicate a lack of self-love or repressed emotions. Exercises related to expressing gratitude and forgiveness can help support spiritual healing.
Anger and Liver Health
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver is associated with anger and resentment. Holding onto negative emotions can create energetic blockages that potentially contribute to liver disorders, digestive problems, and inflammation. Practices such as journaling, creative work, and forgiveness exercises can help you release anger and restore balance.
Guilt and Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune disorders occur when the body attacks itself. Spiritually, these conditions can reflect deep-seated guilt, self-judgment, or feelings of inferiority. Practicing self-compassion, working with your inner child, and self-love affirmations can especially support emotional and spiritual healing.
Throat Problems and Suppressed Truth
Throat infections, thyroid imbalances, and chronic coughs are often associated with an inability to express your truth. Fear of judgment, past trauma, and blocked energy in the throat chakra can manifest as illness. Try open communication, singing, and creative self-expression, which can help clear blockages and promote spiritual well-being.
Spiritual roots of disease: Spirit – Karma and Spiritual Awakening
The human mind is a gift to us, but it is also a curse. It is capable of incredible inventions, but it is also deeply flawed. According to one of the most famous contemporary spiritual teachers, Eckhart Tolle, there is an inherited dysfunction of the human mind that contributes to what he calls “madness.” Similarly, Hinduism describes a collective “confusion of minds,” which they call maya—the fog of illusion. The Buddha identified dukkha—suffering, dissatisfaction, or simply unhappiness—as a fundamental feature of the human mind. Christian teachings, on the other hand, speak of a state of “original sin.”
This “madness” is evident in the violence, greed, and destruction that we witness throughout history and in modern times, whether in the form of wars, violence, or environmental degradation. We can see it in movies, on the evening news, but sometimes we also witness it in our own lives, when our selfish desires distance us from a life full of love and peace and turn the karmic wheel.
Before we move on to karma, I would like to add that it is your destiny to wake up from this so-called unconsciousness one day.
How Karma Contributes to the Spiritual Roots of Disease
According to E. Cayce, we cause illnesses to ourselves precisely through our selfish thoughts, anger, hatred, envy… We create illnesses of a lighter nature with our current attitudes and way of life, while more serious chronic and difficult to cure or incurable illnesses were “affected by those who directed all their energy and efforts in this or past lives to achieving goals that were contrary to spiritual ideals.”
“Those who see in their activities only a way to ensure their own needs and their influence on others is a matter of peripheral importance for them are ultimately against themselves, because not only can such behavior not bring them true satisfaction and happiness, but it is also counterproductive in the long term, because there are laws of karma that will adequately reward their efforts.” – Edgard Cayce in the book Love, Serve and Meditate
However, karma should not be seen as punishment, but as an opportunity for healing and awakening. As Paramahansa Yogananda taught,
“Karma is the law of cosmic justice. It does not punish, but teaches.” – Paramahansa Yogananda
Instead of seeing illness as just a physical inconvenience or obstacle, we can see it as part of something greater that leads us to wisdom and spiritual wholeness.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, I will ask you a question for reflection, which E. Cayce used to ask people who asked him for help:
“Why do you really want to get well?” or “What will you do when you get well?”
Stay tuned for upcoming posts where I will explore the spiritual causes of specific diseases in greater depth.
-Y-