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Bliss
Canada
33 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2007 : 10:29:41
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Hi Everyone I could use some advice on how/when/why to tell others about Sarno. I think I'm doing quite well even though I sometimes get the symptom imperative - I just breathe through them, talk to my brain....etc and I have no fear left which is good. Is it just instinct as to when to spread the word? I want to be careful about not going back to frantically "saving the world" which was my old way - I used to stay obcessed /over-invested in other people's problems. Too exhausting! Any advice would be helpful Tks, Bliss P.S. Glad the back/forth thing with TT and Alexis is over...it wore me out! |
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mizlorinj
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2007 : 12:19:29
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Good question. I have found people only think surgery or physical therapy is the answer. There are only a few people I have gone into detail with and one was the other day when he was talking about knee pain, and how it's now in his other knee! I told him I had bad back pain but read Dr. Sarno's books and was fortunate enough to see him and enter his treatment plan. I told the guy Dr. Sarno talks about knee pain in his books too. He said he's going to get the books from the library. That was the most interest I've seen in learning about more. I've found that even people who have had a herniated disc (or still do like me) aren't too open to hearing about another way of treating it that involves work on their part. I say "I saw Dr. Sarno who is the author of several back pain books that are about the mindbody connection and how our own emotions are likely a large part of the physical problem." After saying that I wait for a reaction and if they haven't walked away, I then say "check out Dr. Sarno's books; his plan worked for me and I'm grateful to be fully functional now." Kind of funny--they know how bad I was doing and now I'm at work with NO PAIN, bending, sitting, lifting, but some still aren't particularly interested in how I got better! They just have to find it for themselves I guess. Or be in the excruciating pain I was! -L |
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Bliss
Canada
33 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2007 : 18:02:57
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THanks L I totally get what you wrote.... Can anyone else in the forum give me their thoughts? Tks much Bliss |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2007 : 18:08:04
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When you're new to Sarno you tend to proselytze it to everyone, the TMS goodist in us. You eventualy find out most people need their pain as a protective device from facing their emotional issues, so why deprive them of it?
You can mention it to acquaintances but I wouldn't recommend investing much of your emotional energy into it. It's like hitting your head aginst a brick-wall.
A few rare people may buy into it. You are wasting your breath on those who think surgery is the answer and are looking for a quick external fix. |
Edited by - tennis tom on 02/18/2007 22:34:01 |
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Jeff4460
USA
13 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2007 : 19:51:52
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I used to just tell my story about how I was cured by reading a book. I'd try to explain the Sarno theory as well as I could. Of course they would tell me they totally believe my story and how remarkable it is...BUT their problem was diffrent. I felt like I was trying to convince them that my story was true.
Now...I rarely mention it to anyone. If I do hear of someone close to me with problems...I buy them a book and send it to their house. Over the last 5 years I have bought about 12 copies of the MBP from Amazon and had it drop shipped to their houses. Sometimes I sign the note...other times I don't. I have no idea if I have actually helped anyone...but in my mind I have done enough. I also think think the fact that I cared enough to buy them a book and have it shipped to their house speaks louder than if I would try to convince them in person.
Jeff |
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shawnsmith
Czech Republic
2048 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2007 : 07:12:48
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Hi Bliss,
I have found that it is rare to find someone who will believe what Sarno says (this despite the fact his books, oddly enough, are bestsellers). I know many people who are in constant pain and I have introduced them to Dr. Sarno's work by either giving them one of his books or talking about some of the TMS concepts (link between repressed emotions and bodily symptoms). Most will nod in agreement, but their eyes glaze over like I am some kind of new age fruit cake and they wish I would move on to another topic. So I am selective about who I introduce TMS to. Like someone else stated, most people will say: "yes, but my case is different, I have that herniated disk back there or some other diagnosis from my doctor, I know someone who had what you had and they had surgery or some other physical treatment and fully recovered." They don't mention, however, that the person developed something else later on.
You cannot force TMS on others and your desire to do so is a reflection of a personality trait you may want to examine, ie goodist or the need to be right all of the time. It may also reflect that you have doubts yourself and are trying to cover that up with a burning desire to convince others. The bottom line is people must be convinced of TMS on their own.
The best convincing argument for TMS and the validity of Dr. Sarno's work is that you get well yourself and then tell others about how you recovered. Some will believe and others, like I said, will say "yes, but my case is different."
************* Sarno-ize it! ************* |
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Bliss
Canada
33 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2007 : 09:02:13
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Thank you everyone! You have helped immensely and I will take a good look at why it is, indeed, that I feel that compelling need. Very much appreciated, Bliss |
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tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2007 : 09:56:58
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quote: Originally posted by Bliss
...I will take a good look at why it is, indeed, that I feel that compelling need. Very much appreciated, Bliss
No worries Bliss, it's part of the "goodist" TMS personality, a good thing for humanity, better than being an axe-muderer, I suppose.
Your compulsion to proselytze Sarno will fade with enough rejection and you will save your "goodist" energies for those special people and occassions.
Cheers, tt
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Wavy Soul
USA
779 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2007 : 23:43:08
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quote: You eventualy find out most people need their pain as a protective device from facing their emotional issues, so why deprive them of it?
I work with people on this stuff - they are specifically hiring me to inform them about it because they want to get well... except when they don't! I recently got to see the truth of the above with just 3 out of 22 people who were so attached to the reality of their symptoms that they didn't want to know about a solution even as I and others danced in front of them, telling our success stories. But of course that low numbeer was in a group who sought out specific mind-body help. I imagine in the general population of sick TMSy people, the proportion is probably reversed - more like only 3 out of 22 who are willing to explore emotions rather than be sick.
I have to say that I was very defensive when I was sick and people implied it was all in my head. I was suffering so much, and just thinking it wasn't real just made me feel crazy. After all, they weren't showing me the way out, they just seemed to be judging me to be crazy or a faker or something.
I think it's important to explain to people that there is an actual practical approach they can try if they read the books, etc.
xx
Love is the answer, whatever the question |
Edited by - Wavy Soul on 02/19/2007 23:46:46 |
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Bliss
Canada
33 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2007 : 18:30:19
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Excellent input from all...thanks! Really glad I found this forum. Bliss |
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