In order to understand how the system of 38 Bach Flower Remedies works we need to look into the certain fundamentals of Dr. Edward Bach’s philosophy, which he shared in his book Heal Thyself.

According to Dr. Bach, the nature of all human beings has two aspects within it: a Soul, or a Higher Self, which is our real self and a representation of the Divine Creation that never ceases to exist, and a personality, or a Lower Self, that comes to life in this specific physical form in order to gain knowledge, experience and to develop virtues, “thus advancing towards the perfection of our natures”. As long as our Soul and personality are in harmony, our life is joy, peace and health. But as soon as there is a conflict between the two, disease and unhappiness may begin. Of course, there are certain maladies that may be caused by direct physical means (accidents, injuries, poisons, for example), but disease in general, as per Dr. Bach, resides within the fundamental conflicts of the human nature.

Another important aspect to understand is the Unity of all things. All that exists is part of the greater Creation, whether it be a planet or a pebble, a star or an insect, a man or a microbe. We are all united like the drops of water in the ocean, like the rays of the sun, coming from the same source. Thus any action against ourselves or against another is unnatural and ultimately affects the whole.

Dr. Bach describes the two possible fundamental conflicts that can cause a disease: dissociation between our Souls and our personalities, which basically means acting against one’s true self, and cruelty and wrong towards others, or acting against Unity. The latter seems to be the logical possible continuation of the former, for once we become disconnected from our Soul, we gradually fall out of ever-present eternal love, joy and happiness and start seeking these things in the outer world, often reflecting our misery onto others. So understanding and correction of these conflicts (or errors) would shorten our illness and bring us back to health. In fact, these moments of suffering serve a beneficial purpose to our evolution, as they point out when we are taking wrong paths. “From the moment the lesson is understood and the error eliminated there is no longer need for the correction…” Ultimately, the final and complete healing comes from within.

So how do we go about understanding our errors and eliminating them?

It is by looking at the physical, mental and emotional manifestation of the disease that we may find out any conflicts, work on developing the opposing virtues and thus remove them from our nature. One of the greatest underlying root cause of disconnect from our Soul lies in being judgemental to others: accepting the fact that what is right for one is wrong for another, and that the question of right or wrong, or good and evil, is purely relative, is key to the acceptance of life as is, without any struggle.

Moreover, Dr. Bach names and describes the real primary “defects” of man that cause diseases and conflict with the fundamental aspect of Unity. Pride, or a rigidity of mind, in its physical manifestation can cause rigidity or stiffness of the body. Cruelty onto others can lead to pain, which is learning the effects of your deeds through personal suffering. Hate may result in loneliness, or violent tempers and hysteria. Excessive self-love (or selfishness) can lead to neurosis or neurasthenia. Ignorance (or failure to learn and staying close-minded) may cause impairment of vision and hearing. The instability of mind represented by indecision and weakness of purpose can lead to the same quality in the body, which are various disorders of movement and coordination. And finally, the result of greed (or domination of others) may render the person slave to his own body.

But yet, as Dr. Bach puts it, there is no cause for depression. “The prevention and cure of disease can be found by discovering the wrong within ourselves and eradicating this fault by earnest development of the virtue which will destroy it; not by fighting the wrong, but by bringing in such a flood of its opposing virtue that it will be swept from our natures.”

If you need help and guidance in assessing your current situation and where the cause of distress may lie, as well as which Bach Flower Remedies can assist with bringing you back to harmony with your true self, you may want to consider booking a one-on-one Consultation with Lena Vito (online or in person). Your personally selected Remedy and follow-up are included in the fee.