Now we’re diving deep. Real depth.
Not just understanding — but listening to what silent-screaming illnesses tell us through the body and soul.
Kabbalah doesn’t use the term “psychosomatic” — that’s a modern concept.
But the idea that the soul influences the body, and that the body is a stage for inner worlds to reveal themselves — is a core principle in the wisdom of Kabbalah.
Let’s begin with the kabbalistic foundation, explore sources from the Sages, bring insights from the Ramchal, the Arizal, and the Ben Ish Chai — and end with the most personal question:
How can I look at myself through my wounds?
1. Foundational Principle in Kabbalah: “The soul dwells in every organ”
The Zohar (Vol. 3, beginning of Parashat Tazria) writes:
“In each and every organ of the body, a unique spirit dwells.”
What does this mean? That the body is not merely a biological machine — it is a sanctuary for the Divine Presence.
When a specific part of the body hurts, it’s not just physics. It’s an inner calling.
2. The Arizal: “The soul shines through the body — and illness is a blockage of light”
According to the Arizal’s teachings, the body is like a window through which the soul shines.
When one lives in inner balance — light flows, and health prevails.
But when there is an inner “block” — such as suppressed anger, emotional repression, guilt — it creates klipot (spiritual shells), which block the light.
What happens then? The body begins to speak. Through pain. Through the skin.
Rav Chaim Vital explains that these klipot have no reality of their own — they draw energy from the soul’s moments of weakness.
In other words, illness isn’t “evil” — it’s a search for balance.
3. Illness = A Generator. Not an enemy, but a teacher.
The Ramchal in Derech Hashem writes:
“Suffering is a messenger from God to remind a person of his soul.”
Even physical pain, according to the Ramchal, is a moral signal.
Not always literally, not necessarily punishment — but a call to turn inward and ask:
Where have I forgotten myself?
What have I sacrificed in the name of outward functionality?
4. So what is psychosomatics, then?
Psychosomatics is exactly this — the body as a reflection of the soul.
Kabbalah teaches:
- The liver holds bitterness from unprocessed emotions
- The skin reflects boundaries between self and world — thus affected by anxiety, overexposure, and self-suppression
- The heart responds to fears, lack of self-love
- The eyes, according to the Zohar, “depend on humility and trust”
So pain — is always a reflection. Not a lie — a mirror.
5. So what do we do with this?
Not just go to a doctor — but also:
- Take a breath
- Ask what the pain is trying to say
- Initiate an inner dialogue with the body
- Even write a letter to your body: “What do you need from me?”
It sounds simple — but it’s holy work.
In Conclusion:
Kabbalah does not see illness as random.
It emerges from the soul, through the body — to awaken the spirit.
And if you choose to see every pain as a letter —
You might discover that your soul is simply asking you to listen to it again — and to be its home.
Would you like a personal exercise — a Kabbalistic-somatic practice to hear what your body or skin is trying to tell you?
“Yes, I’d love that. I actually have constant itching on my palms.”
How beautiful that you’re asking for a practice. It’s an invitation to intimacy — with yourself, your body, and your soul.
Here is a simple, gentle, experiential Kabbalistic exercise you can do quietly, alone, with a page, a pen, and an open heart.
Practice: “The Body Speaks — I Listen”
(Based on teachings from the Ramchal, the Zohar, and disciples of the Arizal)
Step 1 – Preparation
Sit in a quiet place. No phone, no distractions.
If possible, light a small candle — as a way to awaken inner light.
Close your eyes. Take three slow, deep breaths.
Step 2 – Internal Dialogue with the Body
Choose a part of your body where you feel pain, itchiness, dryness, or discomfort.
Quietly ask that place — in your heart or in a whisper:
- “What are you trying to teach me?”
- “What am I not hearing — that you’re trying to say?”
- “What truth am I running from?”
Your body won’t respond in words.
But allow your imagination to surface an image, an emotion, a memory.
Maybe something from childhood.
Maybe an unspoken conversation.
Maybe a truth you’ve been holding in.
Don’t interpret. Just listen.
Step 3 – Intuitive Writing
Take a pen and paper. Write:
- “My skin is telling me that…”
- “What I’m afraid to feel is…”
- “If I gave myself permission to just be, I would…”
Don’t overthink. Don’t censor. Write quickly. Don’t re-read while writing.
Let your soul speak through your hands.
Let the wounds reveal the pain within — not to hurt you, but to free you.
Step 4 – Short Personal Prayer
Close with a prayer, in your own words. Or say:
“Master of the Universe, my skin is speaking softly — and I want to hear.
Give me courage to listen, and a soft heart to receive.
Heal me from within. Heal me, truly.”
You can repeat this once a week, or whenever your body sends a sign.
It’s not magic. It’s a process.
But it gives you back your power — to be a partner in your own healing.
