Biodynamics of the Immune System

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.

“Michael J. Shea offers a potential bible for anyone wanting to support or improve their health. He generously provides specific scientific details about the physiology underlying the pandemic of metabolic syndrome and also the guidance to heal, incorporating more than 25 years of experience in the field. Beyond that, what brings the book to heart for me is Michael’s personal stories. He candidly writes of his journey with fat and fasting, effects of military service–related PTSD, and his own prenatal and ancestral/epigenetic history. His story invites us to also investigate our own lives with more curiosity. In the process, like Michael, we might find our embryo, the biodynamic fluid body of our origins, and its cosmological connectedness with all that is. This discovery is facilitated by a beautiful collection of embryo art as an additional bonus to explore in the book. The Biodynamics of the Immune System reminds us of the essential continuity of mind, body, spirit, and nature and how the splitting of these generates suffering and dis- ease. This is no ordinary book about metabolic syndrome! It offers paths to deep healing you have probably been craving.”

• Foreword by Bill Harvey Preface AcknowledgmentsAbbreviationsIntroduction 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 Shea3 Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease 4 Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome 5 Origins of Obesity 6 Fat Shaming and Me 7 Character Structure 8 Ultraprocessed Foods9 Intermittent Fasting 10 Human Digestion, the Microbiome, and Elder Wisdom by Cathy Shea 11 COVID-19 and the Rule of the Artery by Mary MonroPART 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 3Biodynamic Spiritual Healing Death, Distance, the Soul, and the Influence of Covid-1916 The Cycle of Moral Distress 17 Aspects of Biodynamic Practice To Palliate, the Second Pair of Hands, and Not Knowing 18 Biodynamic Compassion19 The Breath of Life, Reverence, and Devotion 20 Esoteric Healing by Samantha Lotti PART 4The Stillness Inner Healing Arts and Cosmology 21 The Four Foundations of Stillness22 Breathing, Meditation, and Practicing the Foundations of Stillness 23 A Biodynamic Cosmology with Annalis Prendina PART 5 Therapeutic ApplicationsBiodynamic 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 230 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 PassageAppendix Real Food: Yummy Soups, Smoothies, and Breakfast Ideasby Cathy Shea Glossary Bibliography Resources Index