How to Heal Yourself and Others

Source: CCO Creative Commons

The Chinese say that everything in the world has a yin and a yang, or two opposite forces. The yin is the negative or passive force, and the yang is the positive or active force.

The yin has also been applied to darkness, and the yang applied to light. We all know that there is a balance of darkness and light in life, and our hope is that they balance each other out. There are times, however, when the darkness of life’s vagaries becomes overwhelming, and we need to bring in more light, which is what healing is all about. So how do we do this, and how do we help others?

There’s no doubt that some people are more capable of self-healing. They open their minds and bodies to allow this to happen. Blakeway (2019) says, “Healers are simply conduits” (p. 209), and this is certainly true. They also have tools, either innate or learned, that have worked for them in the past. Chances are, we know healers when we meet them, simply because we feel good in their presence.

In order to be a healer, you must come from a healed place—that is, you need to be healed yourself. For the most part, healers have been on that life path for a long time, and it has been their desired direction. You most likely know if you are one of those people, but you also might be able to identify a healer you know. There are many kinds of healers who work in various career paths.

Here are some ideas for healing yourself and others, keeping in mind that you cannot heal others until you yourself are healed.

Self-Healing

If you intuitively feel that you’re a healer, or if someone has told you that, it’s important to trust your abilities and use them wisely. This means accepting who you are from a physical, physiological, and spiritual perspective. It also means treating yourself in a kind, gentle, and supportive way, just as you would support a loved one in need. In many ways, our bodies help us self-heal. For example, if you consume too much alcohol, you might have a headache the next day and decide to rest. If you eat unhealthy foods, then you might have gastrointestinal problems and choose to drink tea or have some chicken soup.

How to Heal Yourself

• One way to heal yourself is to do a grounding meditation. Begin by placing your feet comfortably on the ground or the floor. Take three deep breaths, and with each breath, release any negative energy. Direct your attention to the soles of your feet. Imagine large roots extending down from your feet and into the Earth about six or eight feet. Move your awareness to the base of your spine. Imagine your spine going deep into the earth. Feel the magnetic pull of gravity coming from the earth’s core. Breathe in for three counts. Hold your breath and exhale for four counts. Repeat this pattern three times. When you’re ready, open your eyes.
• You can also practice resonant breathing. Lie on your back; breathe in for six counts and breathe out for six counts. When you feel calm, change your breathing pattern by breathing in through your nose, filling your diaphragm and chest full of air. Then exhale through your mouth. If you can, repeat this for about 5 to 10 minutes. You might feel your consciousness shift. Write down your thoughts in your journal.
• Establish a regular journaling practice. Start with 15 to 20 minutes, and then increase as needed. Journaling increases self-awareness while also allowing you to tap into your subconscious mind.
• You may also practice inner visualization. Focus on a troubled area, and then imagine radiating energy outward from that place and then pulling in the universe’s energy to that area. Imagine the troubled part feeling better and healed. Bathe in that sensation.

Healing Others

If you’re a healer, you others may reach out to you when they’re troubled. Other times, you might feel as if you need to reach out to those who don’t readily ask for your help. You can also practice the above exercises with those in need. Here are some other tips:

• Choose a safe and sacred space to meet. These individuals should be able to speak honestly with you, sharing whatever information they’re comfortable with. Establishing trust is vital.
• Ask the person to get comfortable, whether it’s by sitting in a chair or lying down in a safe place.
• Prepare yourself to do a grounding exercise by connecting yourself with an imaginary cord within the Earth’s center. Next, imagine a bright, white light coming in through the top of your head and making its way down your body. Take some deep breaths in and out, and feel the powerful light energy. Feel the energy moving through you, and focus on it. Some healers energize their hands by having their palms face one another so that the energy is felt. The healers then place their hands around the person, and the healing energy is picked up.

In summary, whether you engage in self-healing or are assisting others, the experience can be quite transformative. You might also find it to be a transcendent experience where you go to levels of solitude and interconnectedness that you’ve never experienced before. Enjoy the journey!