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