What it means to be an authentic healer.

There are many talented healers practicing different techniques, using different devices, materials, and remedies. They are all answering the same call to help our brothers and sisters. To be clear, most healers don't like to be called “healer”. They guide and create an environment that supports the healing process, awakening body's wisdom and abilities. They are facilitators.

Every culture has healing traditions based on centuries of practice and available resources (plants, minerals, etc.). A good practitioner is always a student, learning from different teachers and cultures. I have a hard time with the word "cultural appropriation" relating to healing traditions. Nowadays, Reiki practitioners (Japanese healing tradition) and some Peru healers (shamanic practice) mention Chakras (Indian healing traditions). Western EFT practitioners use acupressure points (TCM). We enrich our knowledge by learning new techniques or approaches. Some vocabulary like prana, meridians, and chakras become common, like names of the human organs.

We all feel inclined to be of service to the people. We take classes or workshops with different teachers from different cultural backgrounds, who share their knowledge. But for many of us it is like learning a second language. Not everyone becomes fluent and that’s Okay. Only a few become equal to native speakers. This is easier for people who have ancestral connections. I admire people who speak more than one language. I learned more than one technique and had more than one teacher. I want to encourage you to learn more about your ancestry – it is where your real healing power resides. Learn about your cultural healing tradition, connect with your ancestral wisdom and healing practices.

Energy medicine is the link between science and spirituality. Energy medicine has many names: folk medicine, indigenous, alternative, integrative medicine, and biofield therapy are just a few of them. But the concept is the same: treat a patient as a whole. Attend to his physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. The goal is to restore and maintain the body's optimal health and create a nourishing relationship with the environment.

Authentic healers are deeply connected to the Earth's biosphere and the cosmos. This knowledge offers access/connection to the source. Being a part of the biosphere opens the door to intimate relations with everything that Earth provides. Everything that we encounter on Earth has healing abilities. Sadly, some of this knowledge was lost, but we still have great healers and practitioners who carry this knowledge.

As energy practitioners, we must be honest with ourselves: an individual practitioner cannot heal every illness. When we honestly evaluate our practice, we see that we have more success with one element (illness) than with others. We all have the gift of healing, but all our gifts are unique. Realizing this does not make us less "professional"; it shows where our strengths are. It helps us find our purpose. Put our energy into where we are more effective and have more success. What people in the marketing business call a "niche."

8 Characteristics of an Authentic Healer:

• He meets you where you are, on your level.

• He utilizes your abilities and resources.

• He creates a plan for you and guides you one small step at a time.

• He comes from a place of love and compassion and never judges.

• He empowers you and boosts your self-appreciation and self-confidence.

• He teaches you self-helping skills.

• He is present for you.

• An authentic healer will never promote his practice or modality as superior to others. They cooperate and support each other.

If you are a practitioner, may the sunrise bring you energy, sunset gratitude, and night restore you.

If you are a student, may wind of encouragement be with you, and every stone on your journey becomes a stepping stone to success.

Disclosure: This material is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

With love and light,

Roman Vaynshtok

November 1, 2022