The Unexpected Obstacle to True Healing

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This article is inspired by the insights and discussions presented in episode 66 of The Born to Heal Podcast by Dr. Katie Deming, The Conscious Oncologist

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Peter Crone, known as "The Mind Architect," on the Born to Heal podcast.

Our conversation shed light on a topic that I believe is crucial for anyone on a healing journey: the impact of perfectionism on our well-being.

The Hidden Dangers of Perfectionism

"Perfectionism, if you look at it as a behavioral adaptation, it's a coping strategy, right? There's no such thing as perfect. That's a story."

- Peter Crone

In my years of practice, I've encountered many patients who pride themselves on their perfectionism. They see it as a badge of honor, a sign of high standards and dedication. But as Peter pointed out in our conversation, perfectionism often masks a deeper issue - a fundamental belief that we're not good enough as we are.

This constant striving for an unattainable ideal can create a hostile internal environment. As a doctor, I've seen how this internal stress can manifest in physical symptoms and even hinder healing processes. It's a pattern I've observed particularly often in my work with breast cancer patients.

The Subconscious Mind: Our Hidden Driver

"95% of our behaviors and actions, thoughts are under the surface and outside of our conscious awareness."

- Dr. Katie Deming?

One of the more fascinating aspects of my conversation with Peter was our exploration of the subconscious mind. As I mentioned during our talk, a staggering 95% of our behaviors, actions, and thoughts are driven by our subconscious. This means that even when we're consciously trying to make positive changes, our deeply ingrained subconscious beliefs can sabotage our efforts.

This understanding has impacted my approach to patient care. It's not enough to simply treat the physical symptoms - we need to address the underlying mental and emotional patterns that may be contributing to illness.

The Mind-Body Connection in Healing

"I would invite people to look a little bit over their shoulder and who have I been for the last few years, months, or maybe even a decade plus, that I've been living in resentment or hatred towards my parents or my mom that I feel bitter about the fact that my husband or my wife left me, I feel less than because of my siblings who are more successful, whatever environment somebody is creating inside of their own internal physiology, that's where the treasure lies. And that's where the healing happens."

- Peter Crone

In my practice, I've seen time and again how unresolved emotions and limiting beliefs can create an internal environment that's not conducive to healing. Resentment, bitterness, feelings of inadequacy - these emotions aren't just psychological burdens. They can have real, tangible effects on our physical health.

How to Break Free from the Perfectionism Trap

"Awareness is the first key to go, my gosh, I have for 30, 40, 50 years thought that I wasn't good enough because fill in the blank, whatever the justification was, my older sibling was a better athlete, the better academic and they got more attention from my parents."

- Peter Crone

So how do we break free from perfectionism and create a more supportive internal environment??

As Peter emphasizes, and I wholeheartedly agree, the first step is awareness. We need to recognize our perfectionist tendencies and the beliefs that drive them. This isn't about positive thinking - it's about diving deep into our subconscious and rewiring our fundamental beliefs about ourselves and our worth.

Embracing Imperfection for True Healing

"Life is about spiritual evolution, not circumstantial comforts."

- Peter Crone

This quote from Peter encapsulates a crucial shift in perspective for anyone on a healing journey. Instead of striving for perfection or focusing solely on external circumstances, we need to view our challenges as opportunities for growth and evolution.

In my own life and in my work with clients, I've found that embracing our imperfections can lead to profound healing. It allows us to let go of the constant stress of trying to be perfect and creates space for self-compassion and true self-care.

I was struck by how closely Peter's insights align with what I've observed in my medical practice. True healing isn't about being perfect - it's about being authentically, imperfectly ourselves.?

By becoming aware of our subconscious patterns, processing our emotions, and embracing our imperfections, we can create a more supportive internal environment for healing and growth.

If you want to go deeper in conversation I encourage you to listen to the full episode of the Born to Heal podcast.