Reclaim

Ancestral Karma - Unpacking Ancestral Inheritance

What is Ancestral Karma? Ancestral Karma (Family Karma) is comprised of patterns, programs, beliefs, and actions committed to by one's ancestors, and passed down through the genetic line (via cellular memories). Ancestral Karma is closely related to an individual's Soul Karma. Factors beyond the family have included external oppression and discrimination that have taken place at a systemic level in our society and community (for example, through the workplace or education systems). Trauma has also be amplified through through various socioeconomic factors. All these factors compounded with existing stressors have adversely impacted the global populations, as they activated various adverse epigenetic mechanisms.

Consider how these forms of ancestral karma impact the present:

religious programming
cultural programming
societal programming
personal trauma
relational trauma
poverty trauma
food insecurity
war trauma

environmental trauma
natural disasters
colonization
immigration/migration
disease and hereditary disorders
institutionalized racism
systemic oppression
addictions, habits, impulses, and desires

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Honoring Our Ancestors

Ancestral healing is a process that involves addressing and healing the emotional and spiritual wounds that have been passed down through generations within a family. When our ancestors traumatic experiences, their survival mechanisms were activated. They developed behavioral patterns, belief systems, and ways of living and interacting that (at the time) felt safe. For many of our ancestors, these patterns kept them alive, functioning, in a harsh world where they had no support and very little opportunity. What happens when those very beliefs and coping mechanisms are passed down generation after generation through the unconscious parenting style and culture? Most of these belief systems were built on high levels of fear, dysfunction, and spiritual disconnection. Survival mechanisms are just that - tools for survival. Instead of surviving, we must work toward thriving by taking aligned action, daring to dream, and embracing the abundance of the universe.

Transgenerational patterns are emotional and energetic imprints that drive behavior. Ancestral karma may exhibit a pattern repeated from generation to generation, and while much of that certainly comes down to individual choice, it is important to consider the underlying energetic imprint. One may have had generations of persons their family lines vibrating to them, “This is how it’s always been done. Who do you think you are? Aren’t we good enough for you? Doing something different is dangerous.”

Honoring ancestral trauma does not mean condoning it; honoring it means acknowledging it fully. It means acknowledging those who committed the action/belief/imprint, who passed it down, who bowed under the weight of the hand they were seemingly dealt, unable to choose differently. Honoring it involves forgiveness. That forgiveness must start with us, in the present, before it is extended back to ancestors. We bring it to prayer, meditation, or contemplation. We might light a candle, or hold pictures/artifacts that belonged to those ancestors. We face it and accept it for what it is. And then we offer it (and ourselves and them) forgiveness.

Ancestral trauma is often unconscious and one's mind may only have access to some murky second-hand stories (for example, what their mother told them about the time she was pregnant or how her childhood was). Much of the data needs to be pieced together from one's own somatic experience. This requires a depth of interoception that often comes later on in the somatic healing journey.

Interoceptive depth allows one to make sense of the information that every impulse and sensation is carrying through their body: this is how one makes the unconscious conscious, by feeling the body, and the stories/messages that are held within. There needs to be both structural work on the spine and organ healing work that facilitates the release and reintegration of somatic charge and heavy emotion. The nervous-system layers that have build up survival patterns and responses need to be unravelled and released from the system, creating more space and deeper grounding. The roots need to be healed and recalibrated to go deeper into the field of the ancestry and the Earth.

This healing process requires one to have developed a foundation of self-compassion and self-love. This is why people often do ancestral healing work after having already been on a long personal healing journey. One must learn to release patterns of identity structures that have been passed down through generations and transmute them. By doing this, one can begin to transform themselves for the better and create a healthier future for those who come after.

Because one carries vibrational imprints from their ancestors in their personal field, it is essential to heal these imprints (including subtle and unconscious belief systems). Rather than just repair and restoration, an integral somatic and energetic- based healing journey can invoke resolution, purpose, deeper compassion, profound existential meaning and spiritual reconnection. A rebirthing into a higher frequency field is also required.

This process involves healing, releasing old patterns, beliefs, and wounds that we inherited from our ancestors that play through our nervous system and energy body, and accessing the higher consciousness and wisdom that is available to us. As one does this, they begin to open to the gifts and power that have been passed down through their lineage, and can use them to support their personal healing and growth. This process is a powerful tool for connecting with ancestors and reclaiming one's heritage, to create a brighter future for oneself and for future generations.

Root Chakra - The Subconscious Mind

The root chakra, also known as Muladhara, is the first of the seven energy centers in the body and is located at the base of the spine. It's associated with the element of earth, the sense of smell, and the action of excretion. The root chakra is responsible for a sense of security and stability, and for feeling grounded and connected. It's also said to provide a foundation for life.

Samskaras & Vasanas - Epigenetic Imprinting

Epigenetically, all of our ancestors' thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and programs are stored in our bodies, within the DNA. In the ancient language Sanskrit, the storage is called samskara. Samskaras are the subtle impressions of past actions (from ancestors and past-lives). As long as we are alive, we continuously perform actions which leave subtle impressions in the subconscious. This process is beautifully explained by the literal meaning of the word “samskara:” the prefix "sam" means "well-planned, well thought-out" and "kara" means “the action under-taken.” Thus, “samskara” means “the impression of, the impact of, the action we perform with full awareness.” In other words, it is the intention behind the action that gives power to that action.

Each time the action is repeated, the impression becomes stronger. This is how a habit is formed. The stronger the habit, the less mastery one has over their mind when we they to execute an action that is contrary to their habitual patterns. Habit patterns subtly yet powerfully motivate one's thoughts, words, and actions. When they become strong enough to alter one's thinking process, it is called “samskara.” When one's world is totally under the influence of these powerful impressions they become the determining factors of personality. When habit patterns become so ingrained that they adversely alter body chemistry, it is called "addiction."

The contents of one's mind color their perception of themselves and others. When even one's discriminatory faculty, the intellect, is colored and one spontaneously and effortlessly thinks, speaks, and acts in accordance with those colored perceptions, then the samskaras have become vasanas (literally, “color” or “coloring agent”). A vasana is an energetic-emotional signature of an experience that colors all subsequent experiences.

Cellular Memories

Biological memory can be defined as a sustained cellular response to a transient stimulus (to understand this phenomenon, we must consider how the properties of different biological systems achieve memory of a stimulus, essentially permitting a cell to produce a lasting response). One way that cells accomplish this task is through transcriptional states, which involve populations of molecules regulating gene expression. If the transcriptional response is bistable, a chemical state becomes defined as on or off and, given certain parameters, this state can be inherited through DNA replication and cell division. In this way, a cell can produce a lasting memory of a biological response.

Healing the Persecution Imprint

Where has your expression been silenced? Every time one honors their body's expression, wisdom, speaks their truth, calls back their power, shares their voice, connects with their sensuality, they heal the persecution imprint. Persecution imprints have been stored the cellular & molecular memory of one's body, keeping them engrained in belief systems that manifest from the subconscious state of "survival". This imprint has been passed down generation to generation, through forms of isolation, punishment, unaccepted behavior, being ostracized, public humiliation, judgment, fear of displeasing others, silence, and disempowerment. Through work with the lower chakras of the body to heal & regenerate on the cellular level, one can stabilize and re-create a healthy, solid foundation. When this imprint is healed, one opens themselves up to all forms of abundance, knowing that it is safe to be seen, heard, witnessed & to fully step into the soul's wisdom.

Epigenetics: Nature vs. Nurture

New scientific research from Harvard University shows that environmental influences can actually affect whether and how genes are expressed. Old ideas that genes are “set in stone” (or that they alone determine development) have been disproven. Nature vs. Nurture is no longer a debate—it’s nearly always both! During development, the DNA that makes up genes accumulates chemical marks that determine how much or little of the genes is expressed. This collection of chemical marks is known as the “epigenome.” The different experiences people have rearrange those chemical marks.

This explains why genetically identical twins can exhibit different behaviors, skills, health, and achievement. Until recently, the influences of genes were thought to be set, and the effects of children’s experiences and environments on brain architecture and long-term physical and mental health outcomes remained a mystery. It is now known that genes inherited from one’s parents do not set a child’s future development in stone. Variations in DNA sequences between individuals certainly influence the way in which genes are expressed and how the proteins encoded by those genes will function. But that is only part of the story—the environment in which one develops, before and soon after birth, provides powerful experiences that chemically modify certain genes which, in turn, define how much and when they are expressed.

While genetic factors exert potent influences, environmental factors have the ability to alter the genes that were inherited. The epigenome can be affected by positive and negative experiences. which leave a unique epigenetic “signature” on the genes. These signatures can be temporary or permanent and both types affect how easily the genes are switched on or off. Recent research demonstrates that there are ways to reverse certain negative changes and restore healthy functioning.

Early childhood experiences can—and do—lead to physical and chemical changes in the brain that can last a lifetime. The brain is particularly responsive to experiences and environments during early development. External experiences spark signals between neurons, which respond by producing proteins. These gene regulatory proteins either attract or repel enzymes that can attach them to the genes. Positive experiences, such as exposure to rich learning opportunities, and negative influences, such as malnutrition or environmental toxins, can change the chemistry that encodes genes in brain cells — a change that can be temporary or permanent. This process is called epigenetic modification.

Research has shown that specific epigenetic modifications do occur in brain cells as cognitive skills like learning and memory develop, and that repeated activation of brain circuits dedicated to learning and memory through interaction with the environment. Injurious experiences are not “forgotten,” but rather are built into the architecture of the developing brain through the epigenome. The “biological memories” associated with these epigenetic changes can affect multiple organ systems and increase the risk not only for poor physical and mental health outcomes but also for impairments in future learning capacity and behavior. On the contrary, reciporal “serve and return” interaction with adults, facilitates positive epigenetic modifications. Sound maternal and fetal nutrition, combined with positive social-emotional support of children through their family and community environments, will reduce the likelihood of negative epigenetic modifications that increase the risk of later physical and mental health impairments.

Consciousness, Meditation, & Epigenetic Expression

Consciousness, at its simplest, is sentience or awareness of internal and external existence.

Meditation is the delicate and effortless art of simply existing. Beyond all the chatter and noise in our mind, there is a silent, peaceful, blissful, beautiful space that exists in all of us, a place of pure consciousness. Turning our attention to this silent chamber within is meditation; this silence cleanses the mind, and makes room for better perceptions and new ways of looking at life and its challenges.

Many studies have consistently demonstrated an epigenetic link between environmental stimuli and physiological as well as cognitive responses. Epigenetic mechanisms represent a way to regulate gene activity in real time, allowing the genome to adapt its functions to changing environmental contexts. Factors such as lifestyle, behavior, and the practice of mindfulness have been shown to be important means of environmental enrichment. Practices such as mindfulness meditation, Vipassana, Yoga, Tai Chi, and other such practices have been reported to positively impact well-being. In fact, they can be considered emotional and attentional regulatory activities, which, by inducing a state of greater inner silence, allow the development of increased self-awareness. Inner silence can therefore be considered a powerful tool to counteract the negative effects of environmental noise, due to its power to relieve stress-related symptoms. Since all these positive outcomes rely on physiological and biochemical activities, the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms influenced by different mindful practices have recently started to be investigated.

Epigenetic Healing - Restructuring DNA via Energy Therapy

Energy healing allows for restructuring of the DNA, as well as any modalities that assist in reprogramming the subconscious mind. Energy therapy works by clearing and re-coding DNA with consciousness, allowing new DNA strand fabric to be built through light and geometry, creating new holographic projections and reality stabilizations. Certain types of meditation may be implemented as well, especially Kundalini Yoga Kriyas such as Sudarshan Kriya.

Tetrahedron lattice DNA structures create heat (light) signatures (the electric scanning micrograph shows the distribution of a 3D graph of annealing energy). Annealing is heating. When you create a piece of glass for a window you anneal it, you heat it, the bonds solidify with the heating process and when it cools it trains the shape. Consciousness is the annealer in these realms, the crystals in your DNA are the window, and what is being projected is the Holographic information of light in one's DNA. This could be a thought forming itself into an intention that gives rise to these suddenly cascading lattices of stored holographic information. They start out with one seed geometry in the middle, random, chaotic and entropic. It's stored there as potential energy, but as soon as it organizes itself into bonds, it creates connected thought expressions of one's consciousness. The energy exists in various dimensions, waiting for an opportunity to have connection, just like cymatics (sound made visible). Cymatics beautifully demonstrate the deeper multidimensional connections of phasing in and out of realities, just like DNA.

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When we look at the refraction pattern through a crystal, a projection occurs similar to a laser focused through a crystal. This refraction pattern reveals the structure of DNA in great detail. When one communicate with their cells' DNA blueprints, they are communicating with their soul. Their complete genome is a continuous thought expressed as cellular fractalization through dimensions, facilitating the blueprint of matter into physical experience. We are refining dimensional awareness into singularity points of presence as communication of the soul's establishing Omnipresence. The sonoluminescence of holographic projection are frequencies branching fractals throughout the space-time continuum.

Scientific Research - Sudarshan Kriya Yoga Breathwork Meditation

Sudarshan Kriya (and accompanying breathing practices, referred to collectively as SKY and taught through the Art of Living Foundation worldwide), have been found to enhance brain, hormone, immune and cardiovascular system function. SKY uses specific cyclical, rhythmic patterns of breath to bring the mind and body into a relaxed, yet energized state. Its effects have been studied in open and randomized trials, both in healthy and health-compromised populations. Research demonstrates that the effects of SKY reach to the molecular level (DNA), shown to impact gene expression at short and long-term periods, aiding in reducing depression, anxiety, addiction, PTSD, and stress, as well as significantly increasing well-being, optimism, mental-focus, and emotional regulation. In addition, SKY is associated with enhanced cardio-respiratory function, antioxidant status, and immune system function. The wide range of documented benefits suggest that SKY may be an efficient tool for rapidly strengthening the mind-body complex.

Improvement of Mental Function, Immune Function, Cardiovascular/Respiratory Function, and Biochemical Status:

Increased biomarkers of well-being [38]:

• Increased levels of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) [6, 35, 39]
• Increased levels (33%) in the well-being hormone prolactin levels in depressed patients with low prolactin levels from the 1st session
• Reduced blood pressure, and reduced heart rate in both healthy and health-compromised individuals [42-44][6]
• Improved cholesterol and triglyceride (lipid) profiles [36][6, 21]
• Improved respiratory function [3, 43-46]
• Improved immune cell counts in apparently healthy individuals [21, 25], some documented within 3 weeks (neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets) [21]
• Improved immune cell counts in health-compromised individuals seen in 12 weeks [25]

• Rapid changes to genes (the building blocks of DNA) expression [39-41]
o SKY induced changes in the expression of genes in white blood cells (immune cells) within 2 hours of starting the practice.
o Long-term effects of SKY on expression of 11 genes related to oxidative stress, DNA damage, cell cycle control, and cell death suggests that the long-term benefits of SKY may be mediated in part by regulation of gene expressions [39].

Reduced biochemical markers of stress: cortisol [2, 33, 34], corticotrophin [2] blood lactate [35], ACTH [2], and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) [2, 36, 37]

• Blood lactate levels in participants who did not learn SKY were 4x higher than their classmates who were randomized to learn SKY, suggesting a greatly increased resilience to stress in SKY practitioners. Since stressful physiological responses negatively impact immune systems, cardiovascular systems, and endocrine systems, as well as mental health, this has significant implications for wellness [16]
• Relieved anxiety [1-10] & depression [2, 4, 8-19], PTSD symptoms [3, 15, 16, 20], and stress levels [4, 6, 17, 18, 21-23]
• Significant reductions in anxiety found in many populations, including a 73% response rate and 41% remission rate in individuals for whom medication and psychotherapy treatments had failed [1].
• Depressed patients who learned SKY experienced a 68-73% remission rate within 1 month.
• Significant reductions in PTSD symptoms were found in 4-6 weeks and were sustained at 6 mo. [15] and 1 year [3, 15].

Improved emotional regulation [1, 17, 18, 26-28]
Increased levels of self-esteem, optimism, joviality (e.g. joy, happiness, energy), serenity, life satisfaction and quality of life [4, 5, 15, 18, 28-30]
Enhanced brain functioning - increased mental focus/heightened awareness [31], faster recovery from stressful stimuli [22], [13, 14]
Improved quality of sleep - restoration of time spent in deep restful stages (stages III and IV) of sleep. [32]
Reduced impulsivity and addictive behaviors [24, 25]

Epigenetic Healing - Honey

Honey has been used as a natural medicine for over 5,000 years, and has many healing properties, including wound healing, antibacterial properties, antifungal properties, anti-inflammatory benefits, and digestive benefits. Honey can be utilized to help wounds contract, re-epithelialize (reduce scarring), boost the immune system, promote debridement, and stimulate tissue regeneration.

A study published in the Molecular Nutrition & Food Research Journal found that honey supplementation enhanced DNA repair activity in a residential population chronically exposed to pesticides, which resulted in a marked reduction of pesticide-induced DNA lesions. Honey extracts efficiently reduced DNA damage by upregulation of DNA repair through NFR2.

Another study published in the Journal of Food Biochemistry found that Sundarban honey (South Asian honey), a wild multifloral honey produced by Apis dorsata bees, confers protection against oxidative stress-induced damages to the DNA, particularly observed in the liver and kidneys.

Lastly, a study published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal found that honey is a natural anti-cancer agent.