Be
a Healer
“The
truth is, if you take the medicine of what you know and marry it to the
medicine of who you are, you have the chance to become a clear vessel.”
Mark
Nepo (Finding Inner Courage, p.246)
Most of us have no idea of the power we have at our
fingertips. Not the power of the world, but the power of love. We believe that
we must DO something huge to become powerful—get advanced degrees, have a
corner office, a name plate on the door that lists our credentials. We pay head coaches and
CEO’s of corporations more money than they can possibly need or spend in a
lifetime, because we believe they have unusual power and that somehow we can vicariously
bask in the light of it.
In truth, none of that is necessary. Power and money are
not equivalent. If you want to change lives, learn the power of compassion, of
presence, of paying attention, listening, and responding from your heart. No
advanced degrees are necessary for showing compassion to another human being.
If you want to change your own life, grow in compassion for yourself. Think of
yourself as you would a friend who is doing the best they can. When you mess
up, own it, and move on. If you want to be a healer, simply be fully present; keep
your body, mind, and spirit in the present moment. Be with whoever you are with
in your entirety.
In this day of 10-minute appointments with our “primary
care physicians,” there is little chance of healing anything. We must learn to
be the bridge for ourselves and others because the medical system we operate under
has become an instrument of capitalism and not an entity for healing. This is, I’m
sure, an advantage for shareholders in those corporations, and perhaps it will
force us to claim our personal power to heal. There are many good doctors and
nurses who are burdened by this system, who went into medicine because of a genuine
desire to heal others, and who are now prevented from doing the things necessary
for healing to take place—spending time, paying attention, showing respect for
the patient, and concern for their greater lives, rather than simply treating their
symptoms.
There is healing in the simple act of paying attention—how many
times have you said, “He really listened to me.” Or “I felt heard for the first
time.” There is healing in the act of showing genuine interest. In touching a hand,
or shoulder in a compassionate manner. When people feel seen, heard, respected,
cared about, valued—healing happens on its own. It’s not something we DO, it’s
something we ARE. We are present. When you’re giving gifts for Christmas this
year, don’t forget the gift of presence. The material gifts can be small if the
spiritual gift is your undivided attention. Compassion is the best gift of all.
In the Spirit,
Jane
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