I believe that love, which involves experiencing cognitive empathy and compassion, can bring about the necessary changes in a world that is constantly in turmoil. This is by no means a new idea. I draw from ancient phylosophies and practices that have inspired my path.

I started practicing Reiki in 1993, and this practice brought me peace and joy. When I use Reiki on myself or others, I enter into a meditative state, which somehow changes my brainwaves. It has awakened the observer in me and quieted my tendency to react defensively to stimuli that previously triggered such reactions. Because it feels good and has helped me stay healthy, or overcome health challenges, I constantly feel motivated not only to maintain my Reiki practice but also to study other energy healing modalities, such as Medical QiGong, and to keep meditation and mindfulness practices. The bonus? I believe I have become a more compassionate individual.

I created these pages to share insights from my book Regaining Body Wisdom, where I delve into the multidimensionality of our being: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, as well as a holistic perspective on illness and health. A holistic approach means viewing the body as a whole rather than focusing solely on individual parts.

When we speak of multidimensionality, we acknowledge that everything in our body is connected. For example, we experience a physical illness, the mind is also affected, along with our relationships with others and our surroundings. Keeping a multidimensional approach widens our perspective on health, illness, and healing, making it more likely that any treatment plan will yield optimal results. Preventative measures and treatments are more effective when we consider not just the physical dimension but also the mental and spiritual aspects of our being.

It’s important to understand the difference between healing and curing. Most of the times we are focused on the first. However, curing refers to alleviating the symptoms of an illness, while healing involves gaining awareness of the underlying reasons for those symptoms and introducing the necessary changes in our lives. We can even learn to appreciate the growth and evolution an illness may bring into our lives, helping us become the best possible version of ourselves. An expanded awareness can lead us to understand the real causes of what we call illness and motivate us to make the necessary changes in our lifestyle and relationships to truly heal or even to die if that is the case.

Our awakening—the process of expanding our consciousness—requires a personal commitment that demands time, dedication, and consistency, and it yields a great outcome: health and joy.

—Silvia Casabianca