Why the problem isn't usually where the symptom is...

To make real progress, we need to go deeper.

Imagine yourself out in the wild, surrounded by the raw elements of nature. In such a setting, our body instinctively follows a top-down sequence of priorities, sacrificing the lower centres to preserve the higher ones.

This innate mechanism optimizes our chances of survival, our most important faculties, like breathing, vision, and balance, are protected at all costs. In essence, the body’s natural intelligence knows exactly what to do in a life-or-death situation.

But here's the game-changer: We don’t need to be in the jungle to harness this powerful methodology.

In our modern world, this same top-down approach can be applied to tap into our highest potential, health, and vitality by tracing our problems to their source.

In my studies as a holistic health practitioner, I’ve found the CHEK totem pole* to be an invaluable resource to visit over and over again.

Based on these principles, this Totem Pole system offers a roadmap to understanding how different elements of the body and mind work together to elevate or diminish our well-being.

The Psyche.

At the pinnacle of the Totem Pole is the soul, or the "psyche."

This is where everything begins. The soul represents the non-physical you—the part of yourself that can't be measured in a laboratory but governs everything you do.

It’s your thoughts, emotions, desires, and aspirations. In short, it's the engine driving your choices. Your thoughts shape your reality.

If your thoughts are clouded with negativity or self-doubt, your actions will follow that pattern.

This is why the soul bird sits at the top of the totem pole, because it directs the course of your life, even when you don’t consciously realize it.

Next, we have the balance of energies: the sun and the moon, representing the yang and yin energies in Chinese philosophy.

Yang energy, represented by the sun, is all about action, drive, and outward motion. It’s that surge of energy you feel when you're ready to tackle a project or challenge head-on. It pushes you forward, just like centrifugal force.

But yang energy can’t exist without its counterpart, yin energy, symbolized by the moon.

Yin is introspective, calming, and grounding.

It's that quiet, still moment when you rest and recharge, just like water swirling inward in a calming spiral.

Together, these energies create harmony in the body and mind.

The rhythm of our daily lives, 16 hours awake, 8 hours asleep, depends on the delicate balance of these forces.

When these natural rhythms are disrupted, everything else starts to wobble, just as missing a few hours of sleep can throw our whole day off.

That’s because our bodies are finely tuned machines, and when we go against our natural cycles, we pay the price.

Breathing.

The next layer on the totem pole is the foundation of life itself: breathing. Are you breathing deeply and fully, or are your breaths shallow and quick?

Proper breathing is what keeps us alive, and yet most of us take it for granted—until something goes wrong.

Breathing correctly involves filling the belly first and then the chest, a smooth, rhythmic pattern. If this pattern is off, the effects ripple through the entire system.

When the breath is compromised, everything else on the totem pole suffers.

Mastication.

After breath, we must consider what we’re feeding ourselves, literally and figuratively.

Mastication, or chewing, isn’t just about the mechanics of eating; it’s a metaphor for how we nourish our bodies and minds.

The food and information we consume are the building blocks of our health.

If you’re feeding your body junk food, processed snacks, and sugary drinks, you’re asking for trouble. The same goes for what you consume mentally, negative media, toxic relationships, and stressful environments all act as “junk food” for the mind.

Just as you can’t build a healthy body on a diet of fast food, you can’t build a healthy mind on a diet of negative thoughts.

Everything you take in becomes a part of you.

Vision.

The next layer on the totem pole focuses on vision.

In the wild, your eyesight is crucial, you need to see both threats and opportunities.

On a physical level, the body will compromise everything below vision to keep the eyes on the horizon.

But vision goes deeper than just physical sight; it’s about seeing your reality clearly.

If your vision, both literal and metaphorical, is cloudy, you won’t be able to navigate your life effectively.

What are you not seeing?

Are there obstacles in your path that you’re blind to?

Or perhaps, are you failing to recognize the opportunities right in front of you?

Clear vision is vital, not only for survival but for thriving.

Hearing and Balance.

Following vision is the symbol of hearing, representing balance in both a literal and symbolic sense. In the wild, the ability to hear threats is crucial, and this applies in everyday life as well.

But beyond mere hearing, this part of the totem pole emphasizes the importance of truly listening, not just to others, but to yourself.

Listening and keeping balance, externally and internally.

The Cervical Spine.

Descending further, we arrive at the cervical spine, particularly the top vertebrae, which are critical for balance and proprioception.

The upper cervical spine helps you understand where your body is in space.

Any misalignment here can cause ripple effects throughout the entire body.

It’s essential to observe ourselves.

See how we carry our bodies, and find what this says about us.

There is a continuously proven connection between our posture and psychological state.

The Visceral Organs.

The health of your organs is next in line, and healthy organs are a prerequisite for building a strong body.

An idea first proposed by the father of bodybuilding Eugen Sandow.

The organs also store emotions; anger, for example, resides in the liver.

Iyou are dealing with chronic organ issues, it's often a sign of deeper emotional or psychological blockages.

The Limbic System and Beyond.

Finally, we reach the limbic system, the emotional bank of the body.

Emotions like fear, anger, and sadness have the power to override every other system in the body, sometimes with devastating consequences.

This is why it’s so important to address emotional health if we want to achieve true physical wellness.

And this is why someone might experience chronic pain in their hips, knees, or lower back, only to discover that the real issue lies much higher up the totem pole, perhaps in their thoughts, emotions, or daily habits.

When dysfunction appears, whether it’s in your body or in your mind, it’s rarely isolated to just one part.

Often, it’s a symptom of something more deeply rooted that has gone unnoticed for years, quietly slipping through the cracks.

When we assess our health, we have to ask: what’s really driving this dysfunction?

Is it stress, poor sleep, unresolved emotions, or a lifetime of unhealthy habits?

These unseen forces accumulate over time and manifest as physical symptoms further down the chain.

The same applies to injuries, what seems like a random knee or back problem might be your body’s way of telling you something higher up is out of alignment.

This is where most traditional health services fall short.

They don’t ask the deeper questions.

If we can’t trace our challenges back to the psychospiritual theme that will serve our highest evolution, are we truly addressing the cause? Or are we merely treating the symptoms?

To truly heal and thrive, we must take a step back and examine the whole of ourselves.

And allow the answers to flow.

-Aris

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*credits to the CHEK Institute