by JoAnn Fogler

Your Body Believes Every Word You Say; The Language of the Body/Mind Connection by Barbara Hoberman Levine

Barbara Hoberman Levine’s Your Body Believes Every Word You Say, examines the link between language and disease. Levine starts out with, “Who would have guessed that having a brain tumor would be the most beneficial life saving adventure of my life?” A teacher of Communication, Meditation, Metaphysics, and Holistic Health, she gathered the courage and strength through many illnesses to change her life for the better and in the process came this book -a book that is relevant to anyone interested in promoting wellness. She went through many surgeries and medical tests and kept a journal to help her with healing. Levine used holistic techniques in conjunction with medical advice, and addressed the physical, mental, and spiritual components of wellness.

In Your Body Believes Every Word You Say, Levine reveals how our bodies respond to many of our ordinary verbal expressions. She traces common phrases like “that breaks my heart” and “it’s a pain in the butt” to the underlying beliefs on which they are based and the physical symptoms they cause in our bodies. There are many common phrases that our bodies “hear” and respond to. A few would be, “I got choked with emotion,” “it blew my mind,” or, “I need to get this off my chest.” Strong emotions can produce the physiological changes that allow disease conditions to flourish. Levine says that we face many choices in the courses of a lifetime. We can choose to be upset, despairing, angry, and envious, or happy, satisfied, and content.

Levine references various books that she recommends and authors and doctors that have helped in her healing. In Anatomy of an Illness, Norman Cousins, well-known editor and author, wrote about how he used laughter to help cure a stress-produced “incurable” collagen disease. Laughing at jokes, at the human condition, and at yourself can help you live longer and happier. Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. is another important voice that Levine mentions. He wrote about the healing system within the body which is responsible for day to day maintenance and for positive responses to everyday illnesses.

Levine offers a self-help approach for understanding pain. One of her suggestions is that when pain comes, stop what you are doing and objectively observe the pain. Notice your state of mind and emotions related to the sensations you are feeling while you are in pain. “Is there any situation in your present life that might be contributing to this current pain or upset?” Of course, most of us know that healing never goes in a straight line and there are many ups and downs.

This book will really be helpful if you or someone you know is suffering. At the end of each chapter are marvelous experiences to help you with awareness and healing, along with some great quotes. One of the best quotes is, “ Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength” from Corrie Ten Boom.

Levine’s hope is that her readers will use this information to help improve their own health. As a practical tool for getting to the roots of what ails you, and making a shift, it’s hard to imagine a better book.

You can find Your Body Believes Every Word You Say at Tidal Creek Cooperative Food Market.