Cleansing the Mind, Healing the Body

Written By Developer Designer

When I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, everything changed.

My body felt foreign to me.
Unpredictable.
Untrustworthy.

I was scared — not just of the diagnosis, but of what it meant for my future. I wanted to do everything I could to support my healing, and alongside medical care and major dietary changes, I turned inward.

One of the most powerful tools I found was meditation.

Every morning, I would sit for 12 minutes in complete stillness. I’d put my headphones

on, play the sound of running water from

my apple music app and visualize water — clean, fresh water, like from a spring or a flowing river — pouring gently into the top of my head.

I watched that water move slowly through my brain, washing through every fold and pathway. I imagined it traveling down my throat, through my heart, lungs, liver, kidneys — especially my liver, where my illness was centred.

I pictured dark soot, scars, damage, and stagnation being lifted, loosened, and carried away.

Then I took the water further — through my intestines, hips, legs, ankles, feet — clearing every muscle, tendon, nerve, vein and artery I had - until it flowed out through my toes.

For the first six minutes, I used the water to release everything that didn’t serve me:

  • Negative Thoughts

  • Anger

  • Resentment

  • Jealousy

  • Fear

  • Doubt

  • The feeling of “not enough”

I let it all drain out of my body.
For the second six minutes, I shifted the intention.

I imagined the water bringing energy back in — healing greens, grounding yellows, strengthening reds. I invited in peace, courage, patience, gratitude, clarity. I set the tone for how I wanted to show up that day.

By doing this every morning — and again at night — I stopped starting and ending my days in fear. I started meeting my days on my terms.

Over time, something incredible happened.

My liver enzymes, which had been off the charts, slowly began to normalize.
I slept better.
I felt calmer.
I trusted my body again.

I truly believe this meditation played a major role in my healing — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.

Meditation became a way to quiet my inner critic.
To release fear before it took hold.
To remind myself that my body was capable of healing.

That flowing water made me feel refreshed, focused, grounded, and ready. It helped me let go at night and trust that tomorrow would take care of itself.

Why This Matters

The inner critic thrives when the nervous system is overwhelmed.
When fear is loud.
When the body is tense and exhausted.

Meditation interrupts that cycle.

It creates space.
It brings awareness.
It reminds you that you are not broken — you are responding.

And sometimes, healing doesn’t come
from pushing harder…It comes from slowing down and allowing.

This Weeks Mindset Fuel 

Below are two resources that may help with this specific meditation practice

Album
Relaxing Piano Music with Water Sound

Click Here

This is by Bryan Chi, Noble Music. This link is specifically on Apple Music. You can try this or find other running water sounds that work for you with your time you have available.

🎧Podcast
Mindful in Minutes— by Kelly Smith

Click Here

Meditation teacher, author, and founder of Yoga For You.  I just started using this podcast for a quick mediation during my day.  They are short, and geared toward whatever need you might have that day.  

Fear Means It’s Go Time: Action Step

This week, try this simple practice:

  • Go to Apple Music or Spotify

  • Search for running water, river sounds, or water meditation

  • Sit in a quiet space — even for one minute if that’s all you have.

First pass:
Visualize the water cleansing you — washing out negative thoughts, old energy, fear, stress, and anything that feels heavy or stuck.

Second pass:
Let the water bring strength, courage, gratitude, peace, groundedness, and the belief that you can handle whatever this day brings.

You don’t need to do it perfectly.
You just need to begin.

In Closing

Your body is listening.
Your mind is powerful.
And you are allowed to start your day from a place of calm instead of chaos.

This practice helped me heal.

And I hope it helps you create space, clarity, and compassion — for your body and your mind.

Courage up,
Missy

Keynote speaker | Team Workshop Trainer | Mindset Coach | Course Creator | 7 X Hall of Fame Athlete | Ironman and Marathon Finisher | Adventure Seeker | Nature Lover

If you’ve noticed your inner critic getting louder, more anxious, or more convincing lately, my online Course Crush the Inner Critic; Transforming Self-Talk For Professional Growth will help you build the internal tools to filter outside noise and trust yourself again.

You can also reach out to me directly if you are wanting more specific one-on-one coaching. I’m coaching clients who are ready to stop outsourcing their confidence and start taking ownership of their growth. If that’s you, reach out to me at Missy@themissywest.com to set up an inquiry call.

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