The Whole Picture on Holistic Health

In holistic healing, energy is the electromagnetic emanations that radiate from all living forms. There are two basic divisions of this energy force. The dense energy body is what we interpret with our five senses. 

Surrounding the dense energy body is a vibrant, layered subtle energy body. Healing practitioners who have developed their intuitive perception skills read the subtle energy body. This provides clues to their client’s spiritual state, reflecting the client’s connection with the Universal Energy Life Force. Healing touch therapies including Therapeutic Touch and Reiki aim to aid in harmonizing this connection.

Here is an example of the significance of an holistic treatment approach. A client comes to a reflexologist with a heel spur problem. It may be helped by regular treatment. That is the physical issue. There may also be other physical problems concerning diet and exercise. In addition, however, there may be emotional problems such as wanting to walk away from an unhappy personal or work-related situation. There may be mental problems of the client not being able to get his mind around the idea that reflexology can help. There may be spiritual problems - a belief that it is not okay to walk away, or it is not okay to feel well.

When all the factors are taken together, it is possible reflexology will not be able to help until the client can look beyond just the physical manifestations. A holistic practitioner will want to help a client consider his belief systems, his life style, his entire energy manifestation.

As an option, painful surgery and two months of convalescence may enable this client to feel well. Suffering and immobility may be more consistent with how the client feels his ends are allowed to be achieved. However, if nothing about his spiritual state changes during this time, it is likely that another physical manifestation will appear at some point in the future. Knee problems, perhaps? Hip surgery? More pain, suffering and immobility.

If, however, during the convalescence the client is touched by something that reaches his spiritual level, true change may take place. Perhaps he’ll be drawn to some type of meditative movement like yoga, Tai Chi or Sufi dancing. Perhaps he’ll be attracted to some artistic practice like painting, writing or acting. 

Arising from the spiritual level, beliefs about himself and his self-worth will manifest themselves in improved physical, mental and emotional wellness. This is holistic healing. This is being made whole.

Ideally, we need not go through pain and suffering to heal. Sometimes we tap into the right teacher or the right practice at just the right time to move us forward on the path. But sometimes we stumble. Sometimes we go a long distance out of our way to come back a short distance correctly. Sometimes the only way out is through. Sometimes our wounds protect us from feeling even more pain than we do. After all, rightly or wrongly, many of us do believe that life is hard. 

But ultimately, life is about being harmoniously whole. This is a vibrant rather than static state. We all occasionally experience negative emotions directed either inward or outward. But if the spirit can continuously connect with that wholeness which is around us and through us, we can all experience good health and wellness.

Gertrude King is an Aromatherapist and Reflexologist in private practice in south western Ontario.