On the subject of healing paths, I gather that most people would expect me to talk about the different disciplines of healing that are readily available out in the world right now – for example, most will have heard of Reiki, crystal healing, colour healing along with a good few others that I won’t list here now for the sake of length and not creating confusion. These are all valid modes of healing but are not what I’m discussing here. What I am talking about is the path that any individual needs to follow for their own healing and that can encompass a whole lot of different techniques and tools.

The healing path an individual needs to take is both complex and unique to them and depends on a few factors. The first thing to consider is the illness or injury itself that is causing them to seek help. This will provide an understanding of what the problem is, it’s symptoms as well as clues to the root cause (if there is one) and possible treatments. This is followed by who they are as a person and what speaks to them and their core beliefs. This will give further information on possible root causes, if there are any, and their possible treatments. Lastly thorough consideration of the possible techniques and tools that could be applied in light of all that information so that the proper medicine, treatment, therapy or other tool can be found and used. They could need daily medication from their doctor at the same time as receiving a monthly healing therapy such as hands on healing or they might need daily physiotherapy while also receiving occasional advice from a priest or access to a counsellor, just as two examples.

It’s also important to understand that while following that path, a person might find that they need to change paths from the one they’re on to another that suits them better or to one that’s parallel but leads to a slightly different destination. This happens as changes come to light both in their issue and within themselves during the journey, so we must be flexible and willing to change approaches as necessary.

Whatever it is a person needs to heal, it has an affect on all aspects of who we are from our physical bodies, through our thoughts and how we feel about things to our spiritual nature. For example, someone could lose a limb through an accident and need surgery, physiotherapy and medication as well as prosthesis, but this can have far reaching affects beyond the body. It can also affect how they see themselves and the world around them, how they feel about those things and their spiritual viewpoint meaning that they need other help besides the conventional medications and treatments. As another, someone could go through a traumatic incident that, while not physically harmful at the time, still leaves them feeling not only mental and emotional effects but also physical effects such as fatigue, aching bones and joints, headaches etc. This means they might need not only mental and emotional support and treatments but also help for the physical effects from medicines and medical treatments.

In short, I feel its important that we recognise the fact that rarely does one thing on its own lead us to healing. It’s more likely to be complex web of solutions that work together to take us on a journey that will make us feel whole again.

Bright blessings,

Sarah x