Welcome to this meditation on reducing neuroinflammation in the brain and spinal cord.
The symptoms of neuroinflammation can range from fatigue to chronic pain,
Brain fog,
Headaches,
Cognitive decline,
And mood disorders just to name a few.
The causes of neuroinflammation are also broad.
Some sources may be microbial such as COVID,
Epstein-Barr,
Mold,
Or Lyme.
Different toxins can trigger inflammation in the central nervous system as well and these may come from airborne particles,
Chemicals in the environment,
And pesticides.
But regardless of the symptom presentation and the causes,
Today our intention is to tend to our central nervous system and intentionally cultivate healing in the brain and spinal cord to reduce inflammation.
I invite you to begin to settle into a comfortable posture.
In this practice I encourage you to lie down.
This might allow you to more fully relax and receive this healing.
But if lying down isn't comfortable in this moment,
A seated posture will work as well.
Closing the eyes if that feels comfortable,
Otherwise just softening the gaze.
Beginning to connect to this new moment that we have.
We might allow the breath to serve as an anchor into presence.
Taking three slow cleansing breaths.
Breathing in through the nose and breathing out through the mouth.
Beginning to invite into our space healing energy in the form of light.
Allowing this light to circle above the crown of the head and allowing a color to emerge that feels deeply healing.
This light could be a golden light,
It could be a white light.
Notice what color arises as we begin to invite in all of the healing qualities that we are desiring into this light.
Imagining that within this healing light are the following properties.
The capacity to reduce inflammation.
The capacity to bring balance to each neuron so it's firing at the correct rate and in coherence with other neurons.
This light can bring balance and harmony to the immune cells throughout the central nervous system.
Bringing the right balance to all of our white blood cells.
This light can bring nourishing blood flow with the perfect amount of oxygen,
With the perfect amount of nutrients to all of the structures of the brain and the spinal cord,
To all of the fluid that bathes our central nervous system.
This healing light can bring healing to the microglia.
These glial cells are the glue of the brain filled with immune cells and they play an active role in inflammation.
We can trust that this healing light can heal all of the glial cells.
We can trust that this healing light can bring exactly what the central nervous system needs to function optimally,
To clear us of fatigue,
Pain,
Autonomic dysfunction,
Cognitive difficulties,
And brain fog.
This light is the healing we long for to live the life we desire.
Gently bringing our attention to the region of the brain down through the spinal cord.
Starting at the crown of the head we can gently highlight in our mind's eye the entirety of the brain.
Bringing kind attention to the dura mater,
The outer protective tissue of the brain.
Gently inviting this healing light to surround the brain,
To surround this tissue.
Imagining now that this healing light moves more deeply into the brain to the next layer of tissue,
The arachnoid mater,
This web-like tissue can then move into the small space filled with fluid and nourishing blood vessels that serve as a cushion and a protection for the brain.
Gently invite this light into this space.
Moving down through the brain we meet the pia mater,
This delicate tissue that adheres to the brain and follows every part of the surface of the brain.
Bathing the brain in healing light,
Inviting this healing light into key structures of the brain.
Setting this intention to reduce inflammation,
Bringing the perfect balance to our neurons,
To the glial cells,
Creating an integrated and healthy brain.
Balancing the immune system.
We might invite this healing light into the front part of the brain,
This prefrontal cortex located behind the forehead.
Imagine that this light can clear any foggy thoughts,
Can restore clarity,
Focus.
It allows for calm decision-making.
Infusing this healing light with a mantra,
My mind is clear and I think clearly and effortlessly.
Gently bringing our attention and inviting this healing light into the midline of the brain,
To the anterior cingulate cortex.
Imagining that this healing light can soothe any tension,
Reducing any over-activation.
Repeating the mantra,
My mind is calm and balanced.
My mind is calm and balanced.
Inviting this healing light energy into a region of the brain called the insula.
Between the front part of the brain and the sides of the brain,
An area where we might integrate our emotional and our physical states.
Imagining that we can connect with these sensations of our body without judgment.
Further creating a state of homeostasis and balance.
Repeating the mantra,
My mind and body work together in harmony.
My mind and body work together in harmony.
Beginning to invite this healing light into the region of the hippocampus.
These small structures sitting in the temporal lobes of the brain.
An area where our memories are consolidated.
An area that helps us to regulate stress and also an area that can become challenged when we're dealing with chronic illness and inflammation.
Taking a moment to invite this healing light to be the hippocampus.
Reducing any inflammation.
Maybe even creating new neural connections.
You might imagine this renewal and resilience.
Creating new healing pathways in the brain.
The mantra,
I am open to living in a healthy and happy body,
Mind and spirit.
I am open to creating new memories and new experiences of health and happiness.
Inviting this healing light into the amygdala.
Located closely to the hippocampus.
The amygdala are often overactive when we're dealing with chronic illness.
When we're dealing with inflammation in the nervous system.
Imagine that this beautiful healing light can send warmth and calm to this region of the brain.
Softening any hyperactivity.
Reducing any inflammation.
Inviting this beautiful healing light deep into the brain and the thalamus and the hypothalamus.
These areas that help to regulate our circadian rhythm.
Help to regulate our autonomic nervous system.
Our endocrine glands.
Allowing this healing light to bring harmony to the hormones,
The neural circuitry,
To our sleep cycle,
To our energy regulation.
Repeating the mantra,
My brain and nervous system are receiving signals of safety and well-being.
My brain and nervous system are receiving signals of health and well-being.
Inviting this beautiful healing light into the brain stem.
Responsible for vital functioning of our heart rate and breathing.
Allowing this healing light to bring warmth and overall balance and harmonizing effect to our entire system.
Repeating the mantra,
I know deep in my core,
I am enough and I am safe.
I know deep in my core,
I am enough and I am safe.
Bathing the brain stem in healing light.
Bringing balance to the immune cells and the nervous system.
Reducing any inflammation.
Allowing this beautiful healing light to move to the cerebellum,
Sitting at the back of the brain.
This incredible structure that supports our motor coordination,
Our balance.
Allowing this beautiful healing light to bathe the cerebellum.
Reducing any inflammation.
Filling the cerebrospinal fluid with health and balance.
Optimal functioning.
Repeating the mantra,
My brain is healthy and integrated.
My brain is healthy and integrated.
Inviting now this beautiful healing light that reduces inflammation,
Brings balance to all of our immune cells.
So there's a balance in the lymphocytes,
The neutrophils,
All of these cells that support our immune system.
Balance and harmony.
Imagining that this beautiful healing light begins to drip down through the spinal cord,
From the base of the brain,
Through the region of the neck,
Down through the middle portion of our back,
Called the thoracic region.
Healing light moves through the spinal cord down to the lower back.
Inviting this beautiful healing light to move up and down the spinal column,
Through the fluid of the spinal cord.
Bathing in all these healing properties.
Reducing inflammation.
Balancing the immune cells.
Bringing harmony and homeostasis throughout the entire spinal cord.
And then inviting from the spinal column,
All of the nerves that branch out.
Bathing all of these branches of nerves with healing light.
Allows for perfect signaling between the body and the brain.
Freeing us of pain.
Freeing us of fatigue.
Freeing us of post-exertional malaise.
Freeing us of cognitive deficits.
Bathing our entire being in healing,
Homeostasis,
And optimal functioning.
And imagining that we can further move this healing light up and down through the spinal column,
Up through the brain and back down with each breath.
So as we inhale,
We can draw this healing light from the brain down to the base of the spinal cord.
And we exhale and this beautiful healing light moves up through the spinal cord and bathing the brain.
Feel free to choose which direction you send the breath.
It might feel more natural to inhale and move the light from the base of the spine up to the brain.
But for the next few breaths,
We breathe in.
Allowing the healing energy to flow between the brain down to the spinal cord and then exhaling and sending it in the opposite direction.
Bathing the brain and the spinal cord with this healing light.
Reducing inflammation.
Bringing balance and harmony to the immune cells.
Bringing balance and health to the glial cells.
Gently letting go of the visualization for the time being,
Knowing we can return to it at any moment.
Repeating the mantra,
My brain and spinal cord are healthy.
My central nervous system is balanced.
My central nervous system is functioning optimally.
Allowing this balance and homeostasis within the central nervous system to nurture health and body,
Mind and spirit.
Trusting that this is possible.
Healing is possible.
The Dalai Lama reminds us,
My intention is my protection.
We can set our intention with this practice to bring about healing in the brain,
The spinal cord,
The entirety of the central nervous system.
I encourage you to do this practice often.
Sending this message of healing.
Bathing the central nervous system in this healing light to reduce neuro-inflammation,
To bring balance to the glial cells and to bring harmony to the immune system.
And this will ultimately lead to a reduction in pain,
Headaches,
Fatigue.
We can have improved cognitive function.
And this will move us towards the life that we desire to live.
In a healthy,
Happy body,
Mind and spirit.
We might take two slow cleansing breaths here as we close the practice.
May this practice support you on your healing path.
May it serve to reduce the suffering of all beings everywhere.
Many blessings to you.
Thank you.
