-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
imagery
at the forge
psychospiritual approaches

definition

image: With your eyes gently shut begin to breathe in and out three times. Let yourself go back in time. Discover that within your imagination you are standing at an old fashioned blacksmith's forge. Feel the heat of the fire and the smell of the melting metal. You can see that in the forge there is a fire. In the fire there is a lump of metal. As you stare at the lump of metal, you become aware of your own fear and frustration because it will not get hot. It will not become more than warm. Everything that you need in life is to be made from this metal or other lumps just like it and you are helpless. As you realize just how helpless you are, feel the tightness in your chest and notice just how little you are breathing. Thinking of your own breath gives you an idea. Let your eyes wander around the smithy until they settle upon a simple squeeze type bellows. Feel yourself move over to pick the bellows up and examine them closely as you work them experimentally. Notice the simple relation between distance of movement, volume of air flow and force of air. For no particular reason, find yourself working your own lungs as you work the bellows. As you focus the increased stream of air upon the fire, notice how easily the metal now melts. And further notice just how alive you feel as you use your lungs freely as you would a bellows. Take a moment to ponder that and celebrate the discovery. Then allow your eyes to slowly open once again.
(Chavez)

uses: asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia


footnotes