Michael J. Shea, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in somatic psychology from the Union Institute and has taught at the Upledger Institute, the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, and the International University for Professional Studies. He is a founding board member of the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America and the International Affiliation of Biodynamic Trainings. He is the author of several books, including Somatic Psychology, and lives in Juno Beach, Florida.

Foreword
by Bill Harvey

Preface

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction
Biodynamics and the Mind-Body-Spirit

PART 1
The Current State of Ill Health and Natural Healing Antidotes
Metabolic Syndrome and Gut Health

1 What Is Metabolic Syndrome?
2 Autoimmune Disorders in the Intestines by Cathy Shea
3 Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
4 Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
5 Origins of Obesity
6 Fat Shaming and Me
7 Character Structure
8 Ultraprocessed Foods
9 Intermittent Fasting
10 Human Digestion, the Microbiome, and Elder Wisdom by Cathy Shea 11 COVID-19 and the Rule of the Artery by Mary Monro

PART 2
The Fluid
Body Biodynamics and Embryonic Healing

12 Levels of the Fluid Body
13 Principles of the Fluid Body Buoyancy, Density, Dissipation, and Heat 14 Visualizing the Fluid Body
15 Embryology of Growth Resistance

PART 3
Biodynamic Spiritual Healing
Death, Distance, the Soul, and the Influence of Covid-19

16 The Cycle of Moral Distress
17 Aspects of Biodynamic Practice To Palliate, the Second Pair of Hands, and Not Knowing
18 Biodynamic Compassion
19 The Breath of Life, Reverence, and Devotion
20 Esoteric Healing by Samantha Lotti

PART 4
The Stillness
Inner Healing Arts and Cosmology

21 The Four Foundations of Stillness
22 Breathing, Meditation, and Practicing the Foundations of Stillness
23 A Biodynamic Cosmology with Annalis Prendina

PART 5
Therapeutic Applications
Biodynamic Cardiovascular Therapy as a Healing Cosmology

24 Attunement and the Principles of Artery Palpation
25 Palpations for Vagal Stimulation and the Role of the Safety System
26 Harmonizing the Five Elements with Primary Respiration
The Star Trek Protocol
27 The Color of the Elements
Advanced Star Trek Protocol
28 The Three-Generation Model of Immune Function
The Original Marrow Part 1
29 Palpating the Abdomen, Pelvis, and Lower Extremities
The Original Marrow Part 2

30 Palpating the Head, Neck, and Shoulders
The Original Marrow Part 3

31 Palpating the Abdomen
The Original Marrow Part 4

32 Neonatal Cardiometabolic Palpation
A New Paradigm in Biodynamic Practice

33 The Five Elements of Tibetan Medicine in Biodynamic Practice

34 Biodynamic Shamanism

35 Realignment of Heaven, Earth, and Human

Putting It All Together
A Biodynamic Rite of Passage

Appendix
Real Food: Yummy Soups, Smoothies, and Breakfast Ideas
by Cathy Shea

Glossary

Bibliography

Resources

Index

Biodynamic therapy practices for optimizing the immune system and healing the spiritual suffering at the root of many modern ailments
• Examines the need to restore balance to the immune system through a deeper spiritual connection to the energies of the universe
• Shares unique biodynamic protocols to balance the metabolism with the cosmos as well as optimize the immune system and the function of the vagus nerve
Drawing on more than 45 years of practicing Eastern medicine, Michael J. Shea, Ph.D., presents a holistic guide to biodynamic manual therapy practices for optimizing the immune system and for healing the deep spiritual suffering of our contemporary world. Showing spiritual suffering to be the root of our modern epidemic of metabolic syndrome and other widespread health issues, the author explains how the pervasive degradation of the human body relates directly with the food we eat, the air we breathe, and our thoughts and emotions. He explains how the Five Element theory of Eastern medicine offers a method to reclaim the body by sensing each element in and around us as a single continuum.
Focusing especially on "the fluid body" in biodynamic osteopathy and biodynamic craniosacral therapy, the author shows how inflamed components of the fluid body, such as the blood and lymphatic system, form the substrate of metabolic syndromes. He offers practices to visualize the health of the fluid body. He explains how, in order to enact the full benefits of the immune system, we need to nurture a deep sense of safety inside the body--a symbolic return to our embryonic and cosmic origins and a restoration of our sacred wholeness.
Offering an extensive section of therapeutic applications, including both in-person and remote techniques, the author shares new and unique biodynamic protocols to balance the metabolism with the cosmos as well as optimize the immune system and the function of the vagus nerve. Enacting healing at the deepest spiritual level, Shea reveals how to create inner and outer balance to restore wholeness as it was at the time of the origin of the universe.