The New World of Self-Healing

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could put our fingers on someone’s forehead and say as Jesus did, ‘You are now healed,’ and that healing would be instantaneous and total?” These words were uttered by one of my many aware clients, who in his own right is a powerful healer. In a utopian society such a phenomenon would not only be highly desirable, but it would also be considered normal. In our current society, however, such a situation would be described as miraculous, if it were to ever occur. There are many seeking the path to awareness and enlightenment that also aspire to emulate the miracles of Jesus and other enlightened masters. Underlying this aspiration is an inherent belief that in time, with long and diligent seeking, such feats will be achievable. Upon hearing my client speak longingly of such a possibility, I responded without conscious thought, and my words surprised him as much as they did me. “What you are seeking is an idealisation. Instead of a select group of individuals being able to heal to such a degree, we are coming to a time when we will be able to heal ourselves. We look to others to take responsibility for our healing when we have this ability within already. To be truly responsible for one’s health means that we are then in a position of empowerment when it comes to self-healing.” It has been some years since that conversation took place. Its clarity remains and has since been replayed within my mind numerous times. As I ponder the message contained in that statement it is apparent there is much more implied than first appears. The words spoken were clearly guided and as much a message for me as for my client. I wonder, is attaining such a state of empowerment any closer? And more importantly, are people ready to become fully responsible for their health status? If people are to be truly responsible for their health and well-being then culturally there needs to be a major shift in perception and attitude. If a time is ever reached when all people truly can self-heal, then a critical step towards achieving this state is acknowledging a sense of accountability for creating what has occurred. From there it becomes an individual responsibility to generate the conditions for self-healing to occur and ensure that the best and most relevant healing modalities are applied when appropriate. It may seem that what I am suggesting sounds impossible, especially as societal conditioning and beliefs hold that the mechanics of the body are too complex for the ordinary person to understand. It is accepted that it is in the public’s best interests to leave health matters to the experts. Basically, a system of disempowerment has insidiously been promoted and actively encouraged by both the medical fraternity and pharmaceutical corporations. This has resulted in the gradual diminishing of individual responsibility and ownership of health status. Health programs focus on illness treatment, not wellness maintenance. Health funding is given to finding cures, usually at great cost, instead of promoting preventive medicine. Several years ago, I remember hearing someone say that in China doctors are remunerated according to the good health of their patients, and that sick patients resulted in low remuneration and status of the doctor within the community. Realistically, the current system of health care will continue as is until real impetus for change and improvement occurs. This will only happen when individuals actively begin to question their medical diagnoses and treatments, instead of meekly accepting what is told to them. From there the next step is taking full responsibility and ownership of the healing process rather than unquestioningly complying with someone else’s directives. Supposing right now you were asked how well you feel, what would be your honest response? Do you have sufficient energy for each day? Or do you believe it is normal to feel tired, anxious, and to have constant aches and pains in your body? Most people I encounter can list a few symptoms, often minor but annoying, of general discomfort within their bodies. In some instances, there is even acceptance that this is normal. This is because within Western society there is an inherent belief that aging inevitably results in degeneration of the body, its organs, and their functioning, and with that there is resultant decreasing energy levels, physical flexibility and feelings of well-being. As Western medicine operates on a curative model, most people will generally make a visit to their family doctor a priority only when they do not feel well. For others, it may involve a visit to a natural therapies’ practitioner, such as chiropractor, naturopath or acupuncturist. The general response from people when not feeling well is to seek advice, healing, and support from an expert—someone trained in diagnosing and healing whatever the problem or condition may be. It is normal when experiencing a health problem to seek immediate resolution. Visiting a doctor generally results in the taking of prescription drugs, resting, following prescribed exercises and sometimes undergoing a surgical procedure. These are common remedies for the great numbers of physical symptoms manifesting within individuals. I have found that focusing attention on physical conditions, however, is only one facet of the total healing process. The metaphysical meaning of illness, including the link between mind, emotions, and health, is nowadays gradually gaining acceptance by the general public. Since Louise Hay’s early work (1984) on the metaphysical meaning of illness there has been a wealth of research, articles, and books available on the body, mind, and spirit connection. A quick browse through any bookstore usually reveals a quantity of books on “how to” make changes, improve and achieve lasting good health, to have limitless vitality and enhanced wellness and so on.