How many of you have experienced something very painful? Have you been too ashamed or guilty to discuss your unpleasant issue with others? If so, why do you think that has been the case? Would you agree that everything we learn in life comes from the teaching of others and our own experiences? Therefore, could it be that the reactions of others have programmed you to feel ashamed, guilty or angry?

Furthermore, have you noticed that you are unhappy? Where you unhappy before your distressing event occurred? If you are unhappy, would that not indicate that your upsetting situation has affected you dramatically? Moreover, do you think you are happy despite your situation? Perhaps so, and then, maybe not. Consider the following information.

Shame, guilt and anger can go undetected for years. You, as well as others might be unaware of your pain. Why has this occurred? You, more than likely, have also been taught to hide your emotions, not only to others, but also to yourself.

Do you need more proof? Consider the well-known statement, "No one wants to be around a sour puss." How many of you have heard this statement? Is it not reasonable to determine that the statement precludes many of us voicing our suffering in order to fit in with societal standards?

Instead of discussing any destructive emotions you may have due to a painful incident, most of you, starting very subtly, probably simply internalize those emotions. Over time, the effects of emotional trauma can have a physical effect on you in the form of weight gain, depression, or illness.

Perhaps you have sought help in the form of weight loss programs, medication, or counseling. Has it worked? Do you still have issues with weight, depression or illness despite your best efforts to improve yourself?

Maybe there is another approach more beneficial to easing your physical afflictions. The answer lies in dissolving the source of your pain; the destructive emotions of guilt, shame and anger.

Before you can dissolve those emotions, however, you must accept the fact that you are not at fault. Current spiritual teachings, based upon a misconstrued concept of God, may have you convinced you are at fault.

Most of us are convinced that God is outside of us. How many of you have been taught that to reach the kingdom of heaven that you must accept Jesus as your savior; you must be 'saved.'

However, to be 'saved' is an action from a source outside of you. To validate this point, one need only look up the definition of the word 'saved.' Webster's dictionary provides the following description: redeem, which means to regain. Does not 'regain' mean that you must get back to something from which you separated?

If the kingdom of God is outside of you, then you are, undeniably, separate from it and from God. However, Jesus himself stated, "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21 KJV), validating that God is not apart from you.

To quote a local shaman named Charles Crooks, "You are not separate, but are part of the whole." We are not separate from God. He is whole, encompassing all, including you and me. Therefore, you are part of His whole.

To think you are separate allows you to feel either superior or inferior to another, resulting in judgment. Only when all are equal, as is the case when you are part of the whole, can judgment be impossible. When you understand this concept completely, you will come to the realization that it is impossible for you to be at fault. How can you be at fault when you had a misconstrued concept of the spirit of God?

As you can see, the answer to achieving effective results to weight issues, depression or illness lies in understanding that the answer lies within you, not outside.

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Author's Bio: 

Cindy L. Herb, author of Awakening the Spirit: The Open Wide Like a Floozy Chronicles, specializes in Mind Body Spirit healing, with concentration on emotional healing for Rape Victims and Physical or Sexual Abuse Survivors. As an inspirational speaker, Cindy L. Herb offers others an alternative approach to healing from any trauma, allowing people to view life's tribulations as an opportunity for spiritual growth. To download your FREE report, Some Helpful Steps to Healing, please visit the author's website at