Physician, Heal Thyself

Article by Reiki Master Supriya Nair

How many times have we heard healers say, “I have put on weight since I started healing”, “As healers, we pull the client’s negative energy and store them as a layer of fat around us”, “Healers are vulnerable and take up negative energies.”

There are many healers who suffer from chronic fatigue, burnout, hypertension, diabetes, gall stones, chronic back aches, fibromyalgia, thyroid disorders, PCOS, hyperlipidemia and have a hard time losing weight. On the contrary, there are those healers who are absolutely healthy, without any chronic ailments, and are aging gracefully. These are the healers who give credit to Reiki and healing for a physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually healthy and disease-free life.

Burned-out or On Fire?

So what sets the two groups apart? Well, Self-care is the major differentiator between them. The fact is we cannot pour from an empty cup. Before a healer can heal the issues that others are experiencing, they must first heal themselves.

Many healers would argue, we use the symbols and activate Reiki several times a day. However, that’s not all. Activating Reiki symbols while being in a negative thought zone will never bring about healing for self. Self-care is not an overnight random business. It is a well-informed, committed and continuous process!

What Makes A Healer Vulnerable?

Healers are humans. Each of us has challenging situations to deal with at home, work and social fronts. And since healers see the traumatic events in the lives of their clients as well, they are all the more vulnerable. Their service not only encompasses physical presence but also the compassionate participation of their mind, emotions and spirit. They empathize with the client and feel their pain and suffering at times leaving them exposed and open to exchange of energies.

This energy if not dealt with can give rise to umpteen instances of imbalances. That’s the sole reason why we are asked to clear our energy in between sessions. However, again most of the times only symbols are used for clearing; no time to let our thoughts settle or detach our self from them is permitted.

Self-care Practices

Here are some approaches to self-care that can be adopted for cultivating optimum health.

• Reiki Techniques – Doing meditations like Hatsurei Ho and chanting Reiki Ideals should be a daily ritual.
• Other Techniques – A daily dose of yoga, pranayama, deep breathing or any other meditation technique is equally beneficial.
• Hygiene – Clearing energies in between sessions with Kenyoku Ho, Jakikiri Joka Ho or using the Three Pillars of Reiki, etc.
• Illness Preventive Behaviours – Efforts to avoid unhealthy eating and drinking habits and addictive tendencies; adoption of exercise regimen, adequate sleep and balanced dietary pattern; a walk amid nature does wonders in cultivating an attitude of gratitude.

Ask for Help

The greatest pitfall on the road to healing is the notion that healers don’t need help. Sometimes, a healer might be so deeply entangled in sustenance and supporting their family, that they might forget the most significant soul who needs their gift – their own SELF! This means that they might also be in need of counseling and therapy at some point of time. Being in the awareness and accepting the fact that healers are not always the givers and might need help too can be like an antidote for their own vanity.

My fellow compassionate healers, we need to understand that if we want to provide the best to our clients, we need to first take part in healing ourselves. I urge you all to take good care of yourselves foremost before you feel that need or desire to give uninhibitedly to others. Healer, heal thyself!

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Dr. Supriya Nair, IMD, PhD has been a Reiki and Kriya Yoga practitioner since 2008. A conduit between the scientific and spiritual worlds, Dr. Supriya has a profound fascination for the healing arts. Apart from holding the title of Usui Reiki Master Teacher, Dr. Supriya is a certified Health Coach and proficient in various integrative medicine modalities. She is also the author of "Train Your Brain to Unchain Your Pain."
To get in touch with Dr. Supriya, you can reach out via email at [email protected] or connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/supriyanair111 and on Instagram at instagram.com/proconscious.cafe.