By Nancy Ging, LCSW

Dear WB Adviser: Can this method (the shadow meditation you described in the February issue) work on someone who is overeating?

— Marta

DEAR MARTA, If by “method” you mean partnering your polarities of shadow and light, I say, Yes!

Begin by simply noticing what uncomfortable, buried feelings are trying to come into your awareness when you start to ingest food you don’t need. Those feelings most likely are shadow energies that are crying out for attention. Once noticed, they may allow you to just say “No” to the munching syndrome.

If that doesn’t work, try this: instead of eating those unhealthy foods, begin to imagine chewing away at your shadow energies. This should keep you occupied since shadow energy is terribly dense, tough stuff, while the energy of your light essence, or consciousness, is spacious.

Also remember to let your primary goal be the experience of wholeness, and your secondary goal relief from your symptoms, or in this case, freedom from unconscious and/or unhealthy over-eating.

Cancer Treatment Decision

DEAR WB ADVISER: I was recently diagnosed as having a small malignant lump in my breast. A lumpectomy followed by radiation is the medical recommendation. I’m an energy healer — a natural health, holistic, alternative medicine sort of person and don’t really want to do any of these things. I’m willing to have the lump removed but don’t want the radiation. My husband and his family, his extended family, our adult children and my family are all frantic that I may not have the radiation. Shouldn’t this be my decision?

— Breast Cancer and Family Challenged

DEAR CHALLENGED: Indeed, what is done to your body must be your decision, but one of the realities of the situation is that we live in a world of intermingling energies. The energies of the others in your family circle sound intense. Those energies are probably impacting on your own energy field, unless you have mighty good boundaries (and when we’re in a crisis, the boundaries of sensitive people often fall asunder). You may have to consider placating their wishes in order to harmonize the energies that surround you, but not if you will end up with resentment about it. You must be true to yourself, on the one hand (the psychological realm), and on the other hand (in terms of the energy paradigm), you need to consider the whole vibrational scene, now and after you take whatever action you take. Along with whatever medical procedures you choose, a hypnotherapist or energy healer may be able to help you ward off or clear out unwanted side effects. Remember, it is important for you to have as much peace as possible with what you’re having done to your body or energy field to get the best results. If you decide to go with the radiation route, have a holistic healer clear the energy of any damaging effects of radiation or even chemotherapy may have on your physical and energetic body.

These decisions are horrendously challenging. Know that there isn’t an absolutely right or perfect decision, only the decision that feels best to you in your gut now, in this moment. Also focus on the love the others have for you. They mean well. Focus on their love and your own love for you. Then your decision will be a wise one — coming from your heart and hara (gut), with a little help from your head.

Nancy Ging, L.C.S.W. is a Chicago-area holistic psychotherapist