What Self-healing Has Taught Me

This is a very personal story for me. But it is one that strongly confirms and validates the value and the importance of self-healing.

In October 2017 I contracted cerebral malaria. It was an absolute fluke… Not something anyone expected as I did not visit an endemic area. Actually, the area I visited is known for its natural beauty and the fact that it is a malaria-free destination.

After a week of suffering from horrible flu-like symptoms and being treated for pneumonia, I had a seizure and collapsed. It was only then that all hell broke lose and I was hospitalized. The next three weeks was a rollercoaster ride which I spent in ICU and high care after complete and acute kidney failure, complete and acute liver failure and complete respiratory failure. I spent three days on a ventilator in an induced coma. I passed through the valley of death and was offered a second chance in life. This near-death experience was also an amazing initiation into my essence of being a Shaman.

After being discharged from hospital I still had to undergo three dialysis treatments a week on an out-patient basis. At this point I was used to doing my daily self-Reiki and even found that I placed my hands in the kidney-area for Reiki self-healing subconsciously when I was asleep or resting. It felt natural as self-healing has formed part of my daily care since 2008 when I started along my Reiki path.

I also have a wonderful friend that gave me twice-weekly reflexology treatments. And a cat that did not leave my side… literally. Wherever I was there he was, parked somewhere close to my kidneys and purring them back to health.

Needless to say, I healed and recovered. Within 3 weeks of dialysis, I was told that dialysis was no longer needed as my kidneys recovered sufficiently to function on their own. A month later the surgically implanted dialysis port was removed, and I was declared “fit and healthy”.

I did not feel fit and healthy – not by a long shot. I felt weak, and my energy levels were depleted. But I continued my daily self-healing, even if it was only for 15 minutes. Daily Reiki self-healing became part of my daily self-care and by January 2018 I was back to horse riding, the healing and teaching of my Reiki practice and pursuing further studies, particularly into the realms of Shamanism.

But let’s get back to the value of self-healing and the wisdoms that emerged from my experience:

1. Reiki self-healing is not something you do as an afterthought and if you can find the time for it. It is something you make time for – as part of your daily self-care routine. I am inclined to believe that, if it was not for the fact that I have been doing Reiki self-healing for so many years prior to my near-demise and have been in a generally good state of health and well-being of body, mind and spirit as a result thereof, I probably would not have survived my ordeal.
2. Reiki self-healing should not be limited to the conventional meaning of “self” but extended to everything that is an extension of the concept of “self”. Reiki the food you eat, the water you drink, the rooms of your home, your pets, your plants… everything that you surround yourself with. This creates a radiant Reiki-sphere within which you can thrive. This definitely supported my healing and recovery and the ability to continue to live a life of vitality, health and well-being.
3. Reiki self-healing greatly supported me in my recovery as a complementary therapy. Dialysis was necessary for my recovery but with my Reiki self-care it was both effective and bearable. The same goes for other medication that formed part of my medical treatment. It was never a matter of either/or in my healing and recovery – all treatments, therapies and medications dovetailed and supported my healing and recovery in a holistic way.
4. Reiki self-healing does not have to be a grandiose series of hand positions as taught in many of the Usui Reiki traditions and teachings. It is merely the simple application of Reiki to yourself with the intention of healing body, mind and spirit. It is about showering yourself with the unconditional love and abundance that is Reiki.
5. Reiki self-healing and the Gokai (the Five Precepts) go hand-in-hand, reinforcing each other in the health and wellbeing in the continuum of body, mind and spirit. Everything is connected – “I” and “WE” are inseparable and “healing self” can easily and effortlessly be substituted with “healing others”. In fact, we can only provide healing to others if we are doing our own healing.

Reiki self-healing is a way of being. It is not something you do because it forms part of your Reiki teachings. And in my opinion, it is essential to maintain a state of high vibrational living on all levels – body, mind and spirit. It is a beautiful gift that you give yourself every day… With great gratitude. For peace. For joy. For calm. For grace. For healing and becoming whole!

Article by Thea van der Merwe, Ph.D.

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Thea van der Merwe, Ph. D. is a nationally and internationally trained holistic energy, certified and experienced Master Reiki Practitioner, qualified in Usui Reiki, Reijukido, Karuna® Reiki, Karuna Ki Reiki, Crystal Reiki, and Gendai Reiki. She obtained the title of Shihan (full master/teacher), the highest level in Gendai Reiki Ho. Besides her greatest passion which is Reiki, Thea is also a spiritual shaman, healer, and teacher, offering readings as a way of accessing spiritual guidance. Her journey of personal discovery, growth, and healing started back in 2005 when she was personally in need of healing and searching for something more than what conventional medicine and therapy could provide. Thea is currently nationally and internationally registered with the South African Reiki Masters Association and The Reiki Healing Association respectively – both professional associations for the local and global Reiki communities, working to promote the wide-reaching practice and healing effects of Reiki throughout the world and where the primary philosophy is that together, we can do so much more. You can get into contact with Thea van der Merwe at viterra.co.za, which is her website, and at facebook.com/viterrahealing on Facebook.