I watched a program on PBS documenting the work of female doctors (MD’s) on a few Native American reservations. They did whatever they could with limited resources, and they coordinated with native healers. One of the women referred to the presence of someone’s spirit in his health.

So for the last few days I’ve been asking myself, and some of my clients, what the spirit seems to be saying. This is more than Louise Hayes’ idea that any symptom has a direct meaning. This is the kind of metaphor we meet in dreams.

I’ve been suffering from vertigo, and a very thick feeling in my head. What if that’s my spirit trying to get my attention, because I haven’t been listening? I’ll give the idea a try.

Umm, my life is cluttered with duties, people, and activities I don’t really care about. I’m “clogged.” I need to simplify, shed what isn’t important to me.

I’ve “filled my head” with concerns that never stop — repetitive thoughts, worries about whether I look good enough, whether I’ll get everything done, whether I’ll matter enough in the world. I’m too easily distracted. I hide out in food, reading mysteries, watching television shows (good ones, but . . .), etc. In these activities, I can avoid my own spirit and its demands — which, I have to say, are severe. (My mother called me “the Jewish nun.”) I’m tired of human suffering, mine and others’ -- can’t I just zone out some more?

I’ve noticed that spirits are not very forgiving. If someone dodges it, the spirit will call out, then scream, then hit hard with pain. illness, or depression. It definitely has a Mind of its own, and it isn’t going away. Ah, well, I tried to evade, but I’m tired of “being thick-headed,” so I give. I’ll work on the book(s), on music, and on my physical health. And if I don’t get it right, I can count on my spirit to let me know, one way or another . . . .