Today I opened a pomegranate, and as I was squeezing it for juice there popped out a tiny worm. I threw it away immediately, should have taken a picture, but alas…Then something lingered longer than the sight of the worm: the reminder that this is how exposure happens.

What struck me most was that the pomegranate looked perfectly good. Not old, not moldy, not bruised. It was vibrant, fresh something I’d confidently feed myself or my family.

And yet, there it was: a living worm.
If it had been smaller, more transparent, or if I had been in a rush, I would’ve eaten it. Maybe you have too, without knowing. Most of us do.

So what happens if we eat something like that?

If the body doesn’t immediately clear it (which depends on gut terrain, immune strength, and bile flow), a few things can unfold:

• The eggs or larvae can hatch, especially if they find favorable conditions in the intestines.
• The organism could develop into a small roundworm, fruit fly maggot, or a nematode many of which are harmless in plants, but can become opportunistic in a human host.
• Some can migrate into tissues, or live quietly in the gut, contributing to vague symptoms: bloating, fatigue, skin flare-ups, food sensitivities, even shifts in mood or sleep.

The truth is:

Most parasite exposures are invisible.
You won’t always see the worm. You won’t taste the eggs. And many foods even or especially organic fruit carry microscopic hitchhikers.

This isn’t to cause fear. It’s to remind us:
Parasites don’t just come from “dirty” food. They come from life itself.

Today I saw the worm. I threw it away.
But what about all the days I didn’t see it?

When I was living in the Amazon jungle for many months, the locals were eating fruit straight from a guanabana tree. Before taking a bite, I inspected mine and sure enough, there were worms. This was before “worms” became a thing for me.

Every fruit they brought me had worms. Concerned, I went to my teacher and said, “I can’t eat these, they have worms.” She looked at me calmly and replied, “I know. We eat them. Cleaning time is coming soon, so it doesn’t matter.”

Well… okay, I thought. I didn’t eat them, but that moment lit another spark in my journey an early glimpse into the natural cycles of life, death, and renewal.

If you suspect worms may have quietly slipped past your gaze and you’re ready to begin the work of clearing and renewal, this is your invitation. Healing begins the moment we choose to look.

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