Admit you are addicted —then understand why you reach out for sugar, for instance
WHAT IS the difference between a craving and an addiction? Most people confuse the two. A craving is an urge or desire for something, while an addiction is the constant surrender to a craving.

According to Dr. Gary Zukav in “The Seat of the Soul,” an addiction is the lack of resistance and the power to overcome certain desires and impulses. This very act of giving in is really granting oneself permission to be irresponsible.

There are several kinds of addictions: food, drugs, anger, work, sex/relationships. Which one is yours? In truth, a person may have more than one addiction. While they are real challenges to the self, no addiction can be overcome if the dynamic that underlies it is not understood.

Do you really want the truth? Beneath each and every addiction is an issue of power. Rationale: Each person struggles daily and deeply with power—its lack or absence and its acquisition. Connected to this is the fact that beneath every crisis in life, whether it is emotional, physical, spiritual or psychological, is the issue of taking control, which is actually power.

Now here’s the turning point: The true journey of the soul is all about mastery of the self and owning up to one’s ability to use power as a means to get closer to the spirit or matter—to completeness or emptiness.

Know thyself

Simply look at yourself—honestly. Master the courage to analyze why and how you perceive what you value in life. As such, you will begin to realize the consequences of your actions.

Example: Eating a bag of chocolates daily will lead to weight gain and eventually diabetes. You know that by not curbing your cravings-cum-addiction, harm is being done to the self not by any outsider but by an insider—you.

Admit that you are addicted. Understand why you reach out for sugar. Is there a pattern? Emotional stresses can lead to food bingeing. Process your emotions constructively instead of getting a “high” on sweets. Every time you are on an emotional low, whether it’s because of your spouse, family or friends, reaching out for an external solution to an internal problem will not fix your addiction. In the long run, it will worsen your situation.

Fix an internal problem from within, and not from without. Let’s take a look at alcoholism, drugs or sex. Now that you already know that an addiction stems from an inadequacy, by reaching for another promiscuous encounter, you merely worsen the problem. Would you, instead, reach inward to slay your inner demons?

Life is all about learning the lessons that intend to bring us into wholeness. This wellness is all about the harmony of body and soul. As Zukav says, “You cannot not evolve.” It’s only a question of time—whether it’s today, next month or 10 years from now.

The pace of one’s journey depends on the power of choice. But the challenge is this: If you are going to evolve anyway, why postpone it?

Healing prescriptions

Alcoholism—Eat a well-balanced diet. Add vitamin B6 to replace its depletion in the body. Natural sources are bananas, potatoes, prune juice, chicken breast and chick peas

Depression—100 mg B complex twice daily, 1,000 vitamin C, 4,000 mg selenium or 70 mcg for men

Diabetes or pre-diabetes—100 mg B complex, 15,000 mcg biotin, 1,000 mg calcium, 200 mg chromium picolinate, 500 mg magnesium, 1,000 mg vitamin C, 100-800iu vitamin E. (Best to consult your doctor first.)

Power trip: Pray. It’s the fastest way to connect to heaven’s powerhouse.

Power juice: In a blender, add one banana, half an apple, one whole orange. Drink up!

Affirm today: “I’ve got the power!”

Love and light!

Reference: “Healing with Vitamins,” Prevention magazine