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I am writing this because I gained slightly more clarity today about a conflict I have been noticing in myself with regard to Reiki Energetic Healing. What I am about to describe however has to do with other forms of Energetic Healing techniques and modalities as well.
How many who are in the field of Healing Facilitation have heard someone say, “Oh, I just get out of the way and allow the healing energy to flow.”? Or “I step back and allow the energy to flow.” Well, as I was learning Reiki back in 2003 and 2004, this was preached in each class. This might also be mentioned in Pranic Healing, or possibly with Quantum Touch. Well I have a problem with this statement and the sentiment behind it.
I believe that to truly heal trauma, we must feel it. I do not mean to scare anyone, because some of us have gone through some nasty, terrible crap (abuse, neglect, accidents, etc). It is now being noticed through empirical research that trauma comes out of the body the same way it goes in. And with a completely safe space, being led by someone (or a team) with years of academic training and further years of experience assisting people through the process of healthy embodiment, trauma can and will come out of the body if we are ready to work on it. And we can go at whatever pace feels safe to our system – no use re-traumatizing or re-triggering anyone!
Revisiting the first issue, we are saying, “I’m going to get out of the way and allow healing energy to flow.” Really? How do you know whatever energy you are channeling is going to be completely for the client’s good? The Universe is a big place. If we set very clear intentions and hold an altruistic motivation, then there is a chance we will encourage healthy energy to come through us. But why not stay present and mindfully monitor the situation?
That is my first concern. But more importantly, by “getting out of the way” or “stepping back” we are basically setting the intention to dissociate, to leave our own body and allow something else to come through us. I feel this is an issue with some New Age-y material – that there is some magical way we will heal ourselves and others without feeling anything uncomfortable. Really? When was the last time you heard of getting something for nothing? Again, I am not saying we should strive for discomfort. But we need to be present in our bodies, we need to be present to whatever our body wants to work through and if we are going to be working with others, we must be embodied and present for the person, pretty much the entire time.
There is such incredible potency in touching someone with presence and simply sincerely wishing them well. Actually, if you can do this much (for say, 30 minutes), you are already on your way to being a practitioner of healing touch. By wishing yourself, and your client, and all beings well (happiness, safety, comfort), you are setting a powerful intention. And if you can let go of any miscellaneous agendas with regards to your client, they will feel your unconditionally-kind support and they can work through some deep issues surrounded by the positive resources of kindness, comfort and safety.
But if we say, “I’m going to step back and allow the Angels to do their thing,” then we are sacrificing our presence and our embodiment. If you want to work with Angels or other wisdom beings, then during the session, invite them to support your presence. Invite them to offer insights for the client if that would help, if your client is okay with that. But don’t drift up out of your body! Don’t scooch out to the side and dilly dally while something / someone else conducts the healing session!
When we are treating someone, it happens occasionally that something comes up for us personally. Here I am with my hands on my client’s solar plexus, and now I am noticing my own throat tightening up. This is not a new pattern for me (which, if new, might actually be a reflection of what the client is going through). So I gently tell my system that I will deal with this manifestation at a proper, later time, but for now I must be present with my client. And then the tension in my throat slowly starts to dissolve and my presence returns purely to the client. Good. But if I talk my talk about embodiment and presence, then I must also receive bodywork and support. I must practicing giving and receiving authentic healing facilitation. I must have teachers and mentors who I can check in with, in case I encounter a challenging or novel phenomenon. And by having this support, my client feels the ease in my body, and it allows them to go deeper, faster.
In conclusion, Just Breathe. Soften your edges. Lighten your touch. Broaden your awareness. And offer your simple, humble presence through your hands. With practice, this becomes easy, routine.
Start where you are. Be gentle. Be kind. And remember, “Life is not an emergency.” (A quote from Julie Henderson.)
You will be amazed at what is possible. (And of course, before touching someone, get proper training and supervision from a qualified teacher or school. Preferably get your massage license, RN, acupuncture license or other medical license.)
Meditation Informs Healing Facilitation 