Originally published in Energy Magazine: The official Publication of the Healing Touch Program September/October Issue. Disease and Healing: Where’s My Magic Bullet? by Bonnie Thompson, HTCP, EFT-ADV

 Recently, I listened with interest as my friend described to a small group how she had experienced serious back problems for 35 years. She shared with gratitude that she was now free from these back problems after one year of treatment with an alternative care provider. I was surprised when one of the women in the group expressed dismay that it had taken a whole year to heal.

In our quick-fix culture we are constantly being told that instant healing is a pill or a surgery away—or even a diet or an alternative treatment away. Yet, how many times have you (or someone you know) actually experienced an instant, permanent cure? Contrary to appearances, everyone has some healing work to do in this life. Illness and healing are simply a part of the school of life.

One of the most important aspects of healing is the learning and growth that accompanies the process. But often we see healing as a final goal, a destination at which we will arrive and be done.

In high school and college, good grades and the prospect of be-ing “done” were my primary motivators. Happily, I rediscovered my love of learning when I began home schooling my children. Now, the idea of being “done” with learning and education sounds terrible to me.

I find strong parallels between education and healing. Both are all about learning and growth. We can try to cheat and skip past the learning and growth, but in the long run that really does not serve our best interests.

As a home schooler, one of my favorite philosophers is Charlotte Mason, an English educator who lived about one hundred years ago. I recognize much wisdom in her teaching methods, and my children (and I) have benefited greatly from her work. Mason advocated “living books” for children and her primary philosophy was “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.” In other words, education is something you live and do every day. It is never finished; it is a way of life.

Perhaps illness and disease are a part of our education in this life. Healing is a part of life that brings learning and growth, if we are open to it.

I have worked with a number of people who expect miraculous results from just one session with me. In my experience, though, real healing takes time and active engagement in the process on all levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Think back to a time in your life when you were experiencing dis-ease (illness or emotional pain). Did you learn more about your strengths and weaknesses, and do you appreciate your good health more today?

Now that you are on the other side of that experience, would you give up the lessons you learned? According to Arnold Mindell in his book, The Quantum Mind and Healing, symptoms are our allies, helping us on our path of learning and growth. He calls symptoms “awareness indicators” — the key to healing — when we pay attention on a subtle level.

Our bodies are so amazing. We are truly creations of the Divine. Your body knows how to heal itself—you have experienced this anytime you have had a cold, a cut or a bruise, or a broken bone. Sometimes it needs some help with that process. Your job is to clear the path to healing and create optimal conditions for healing. Your body will do the rest! So, here is the big secret in healing: Your body *is* the Magic Bullet. 

Instead of looking outside of yourself for healing, pay attention to those “awareness indicators,” AKA symptoms. Set the stage for healing by clearing your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual blocks and supporting yourself on all of these levels. Yes, this takes time but you will learn and grow tremendously in the process. Now I admit that I am as impatient as anyone.

However, I recognize that I have come a long way in my own healing and that helps me to continue moving forward. Be patient with yourself and honor your own progress. You may even come to a point when you no longer need to be “done” with healing and find that you are comfortable just moving through the process. “[Healing] is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.”

 

About the author:

In her quest for health and well-being, Bon-nie has been led to travel off the beaten path for many years. When her son was diagnosed with eczema and asthma as a toddler, she began extensive personal research and experimentation with whole food nutrition and alternative health care. Her own struggle with chronic illness also drove this search. After discovering Healing Touch and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), she began practic-ing on herself and her family with excellent results. Encouraged by friends and family to share these gifts, she began her private practice in Fort Collins, Colorado in January 2007. A strong advocate of personal empowerment, Bon-nie loves to share the tools that she has found most useful, especially with families and children. Besides offering individual sessions, she offers workshops and publishes articles regularly on subtle energy, balanced living, and whole food nutrition. Bonnie is a Healing Touch Certified Practitioner and member of the Healing Touch Professional Association. She and her husband have home-schooled their four children since 1997 (yet another alternative path). Bonnie’s website is www.healingtreewellness.com