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Breaking Free from Suffering: A Journey of Mind, Body, and Spirit Integration

Writer's picture: Brandilyn HallcroftBrandilyn Hallcroft

I just had a recent experience where my car broke down while visiting friends on Christmas; it took 27 days for me to get my car back. I live alone, so I didn't have a backup to get around it, so I was fine with it. The costs were over $3K, and I was okay with it. But the funny thing about the experience was how others were panicking about my car being broken down! LOL, I thought, well, it's my car, so why are so many other people so upset when I am not upset about it? Their reactions were wild to me, and I found myself comforting them over my obstacles. 

Breaking Free from Suffering

The day after I got my car back, I received a notice stating that something I purchased in 2021 caused harm to people, including myself, and there was a court order to pay people. I didn't even know about it all until I received the notice. The settlement was for $2500, which covered the majority of the costs for my repairs. Had I panicked over the whole situation, I would have caused unnecessary suffering for myself, but I was just okay with everything, and the universe took care of me. I am so grateful. I would not have handled the situation so well in the past, but I have learned to think more wisely, and now I don't suffer so much.  


I still have moments where I jump into a reactive place, but I can stop myself from going to “that place.” What changed me? Why do I react differently to things now? It has taken a lot of dedication, learning, and unlearning things and habits taught me by society and my upbringing. I was tired of being reactive; I knew my reactivity was damaging me. None of this happened overnight. It has been years of integration of myself. 


We have three aspects of our being: Body, mind, and spirit. I spent years studying psychology and going in and out of therapy; this helped some, but it didn’t complete the process. I was still feeling a void within myself. 


How Spiritual Integration Helped Me Stop Creating My Own Suffering

In 2020, I stumbled across a few YouTube channels that pointed me in the right direction. I realized I had been over-focused on the mind but neglected my body and spirit. One of the reasons I neglected spirit was because I tied it to my experience with organized religion. (You can read about this here: The mental health impact of organized religion) My experience made me reject religion and neglect my spirit. 

As I explored the teachings of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, Tosha Silver, and Christina Lopes, I began to piece together how to balance the body, mind, and spirit in a way that truly resonated with me. These individuals each contributed unique perspectives that helped me grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche taught me the art of mindfulness and how to observe my thoughts without becoming entangled in them. Through his gentle guidance, I learned that suffering often arises from the stories we create in our minds. I could dissolve their grip on me by noticing these stories and bringing awareness to the present moment.

Christina Lopes's blend of science and spirituality gave me practical tools to connect with my spirit. She emphasized the importance of emotional healing, energy alignment, and embracing all aspects of myself. Her teachings helped me see that nurturing the spirit doesn’t have to be tied to religion it’s about aligning with who you are. With Christina, some of her teachings don’t completely align with my perspective on life. It’s a little “woo woo.” However, I love her, and she has played a big role in pointing me in the right direction. I don’t have to adopt everything from someone. Everything doesn’t have to align for you to learn from them. Christina was the person who introduced me to the next amazing human who helped me.

During the pandemic, Christina frequently did live stream activations. The experiences I had with these live streams are something that I can’t put into words. They were incredible, and they helped me stay grounded during the uncertainty of that time. I am so grateful for those moments.

Tosha Silver’s teachings about surrender were another eye-opener. Her philosophy of letting the Divine take the lead helped me release control over situations I couldn’t change. I began to see the wisdom in trusting that things would unfold as they were meant to, and this shift significantly reduced my anxiety and reactivity. Her book “Outrageous Openness” is practically my bible. I have it on audiobooks, and I have its paperback. I love the audiobook; she is the narrator of it. I have listened to it so many times that I have lost count. Her voice is soothing and peaceful; I take a warm bath and listen to her speak when I struggle. She brings me so much peace and tranquility. I have also purchased this book for many, and it’s the number one book I have recommended to everyone. 

Together, these influences helped me integrate the missing pieces of my life. I realized that working on the mind alone wasn’t enough. I had to involve my body through meditation and breathwork and honor my spirit by cultivating trust, love, and presence daily.

I look back at that car breakdown and unexpected settlement with gratitude because they showed me how far I’ve come. I would have let those situations ruin my peace in the past, spiraling into worry and frustration. Now, I can recognize the fleeting nature of obstacles and trust that everything will work out as it should.

I’ve learned that suffering isn’t caused by the situations themselves but by our resistance to them. When we approach life with curiosity, openness, and trust, we free ourselves from unnecessary suffering and open the door to peace.

If you want to cultivate this mindset in your life, I encourage you to explore the teachings of these inspiring individuals. And remember, healing is a journey, not a destination. Be kind to yourself as you integrate these practices into your life it’s worth it.


Integrating the Body: A Key to Healing and Reducing Suffering

Healing from suffering isn’t just a mental or spiritual process. It also requires a deep connection with the body. I’ve learned how our physical well-being shapes our emotional and mental states. I’ve created a foundation for greater resilience and inner peace by understanding nutrition and incorporating movement into my life.

The Role of Nutrition in Healing

One of the most transformative lessons I’ve learned is how much nutrition impacts physical health and emotional and mental well-being. I addressed this connection in my blog post, The Hidden Link Between Malnutrition and Mental Health, where I shared my personal journey of discovering a magnesium deficiency. That deficiency caused symptoms that mimicked emotional distress, leading me to therapy only to find that the root cause was nutritional.

The body needs key nutrients to function properly, and when we’re deprived, our mental health suffers, too. Nutrients like magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and iron play a vital role in regulating mood, focus, and emotional stability. After making dietary adjustments and supplementing where necessary, I noticed a significant improvement in my physical and mental health. This experience reinforced the idea that addressing the body’s needs can alleviate suffering in ways we often overlook.

Moving the Body to Release Stress

Another element of healing is movement. For me, exercise had to be tailored to my unique needs. Due to a heart aneurysm, I focus on low-impact workouts like walking, sit-ups, squats, and lifting light 5-pound weights. These simple activities strengthen my body, help release stress, and improve my mood. I have a small dog who’s an absolute social butterfly and loves being outdoors. She’s a great motivator to keep up with my walking routine. Having a dog can be incredibly helpful when trying to consistently build the habit of walking. Since I live in an apartment without a yard, I take her out regularly, even when it’s cold, which keeps both of us active and engaged.

Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, often called “feel-good” hormones, which act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. Regular movement also helps regulate the nervous system, reducing the physical manifestations of stress and anxiety. The consistency of even low-impact exercise has given me greater control over my well-being, teaching me that healing doesn’t have to be complicated or strenuous. It just has to be consistent.

Listening to Your Body

The body holds wisdom, but many of us are disconnected from it. For years, I ignored the signals my body was sending me, assuming that every issue was a mental or emotional problem. It wasn’t until I started to pay attention to my physical health through nutrition, exercise, and rest that I realized how interconnected the mind, body, and spirit are.

Here’s what worked for me:

  • Mindful Eating: Paying attention to what I consume and understanding how it affects my body has been transformative. Instead of following fad diets, I focused on nutrient-dense foods that support brain and body health.

  • Gentle Exercise: Tailoring movement to my body’s needs has helped me stay active without overexertion.

  • Rest and Recovery: I’ve learned to prioritize rest, understanding that healing requires downtime as much as action.

Breaking the Cycle of Suffering

By integrating the body into my healing journey, I’ve been able to break the cycle of suffering caused by neglecting my physical needs. In the past, I would have responded to challenges with panic or despair. Now, I see obstacles as opportunities to tune into what my body tries to tell me. When I nourish myself physically, I’m better equipped to handle life’s ups and downs with grace and patience.

If you want to start your journey of body integration, begin by examining how you fuel your body and move it each day. Small, consistent changes can lead to profound results. Remember, healing isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.

You, Too, Can End Your Own Suffering

I’m not perfect, but I still have moments when I feel upset about things; I curse like a sailor, slack off on exercise, and enjoy hamburgers or pizza from time to time. It’s not about being perfect or depriving yourself of things you enjoy. It’s about thinking about things differently, understanding yourself, and awareness. 


The journey to reducing suffering and finding inner peace isn’t about eliminating life’s challenges but changing how we respond to them. By integrating the mind, body, and spirit, we can break free from reactive patterns, nourish ourselves on every level, and embrace life’s uncertainties with trust and gratitude. Whether through mindfulness, surrender, proper nutrition, or consistent movement, the key is to start small and be gentle with yourself. Each step brings you closer to a life of resilience, balance, and peace.


YouTube pages mentioned:


YouTube Channels for Information on Nutrition:

Dr. Sten Ekberg Disclaimer: Journaling is a powerful tool to support your healing process. The CBT exercises in Journals to Healing journals are intended to help you analyze and reframe your thoughts as part of a personal growth journey. However, these journals do not replace therapy or professional help. If you are experiencing intense emotions or feelings beyond your control, please seek professional assistance. Resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) and Crisis Text Line (Text HOME to 741741) are available 24/7 for support. Remember, reaching out for help is a strength, and healing is a process.

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