For the first year of my training in Taoist Self-Healing Meditation, I was somewhat baffled by the subtleties of energy. I remember walking around, trying to feel and understand the energy behind things. One day, I was looking at some paintings at the Portland Art Museum when I said to myself, “What is this painting trying to say to me?” In that moment, I shifted my point of view from looking at the painting (judging the colors, style, technique) to that of listening to what was being expressed . . . and I got it! The artist was expressing outrage at the senseless killing of war. From that point on, I began my journey of consciously seeking and listening to the energy behind, and around people, animals, trees, flowers, stones . . . everything!
I was only able to have this “aha” moment because of the hours and hours I spent practicing with an open mind. After all, I came from a culture and educational paradigm that believes only material things are real and can be measured. (Maybe you can relate!) I was taught that if it can’t be measured, it doesn’t exist. But there’s a different kind of reality, that can’t be observed from the outside: it’s the energy that creates our personal truth. We can feel when these energies are misaligned, and there’s great value in learning to work with them instead of ignoring them.
I use several different energy healing modalities with my clients in addition to traditional psychology and specialized training in Solution-Focused Life Coaching. While each tool is valuable on its own, they also make each other stronger and better. For example, the tool of meditation is foundational to honing and enhancing intuition, and intuition is a skill I use in energy medicine work.
Keep reading to learn a bit more about how energy healing works and a few of the forms I use with my clients:
Taoist Self-Healing Meditation
I was lucky to learn the practice of Taoist Self-Healing Meditation from a Chinese Master, David Cheng. Similar to yoga, this healing modality is essentially learning movements and positions to draw, build, and direct our Chi Energy. It’s a solitary practice that’s hard to understand until you’ve spent a lot of time patiently practicing and waiting for your work to pay off.
We often asked our instructor questions about what books we could read to learn more about what he was teaching us. He would reply, with a twinkle in his eye, “Americans read too many books. Throw away your books and experience it for yourself—then you will know.” Although I am still an avid reader, I took his words to heart. I continually practice suspending judgment and experiencing for myself. When it comes to discovering personal truths and working with energy, that is the only way to truly know.
Flower Essences
Later on in our training, one of my fellow students asked me if I had ever heard of Flower Essences. I hadn’t, so she invited me over to show me some that she had been working with. She had a box with small bottles that had dropper tops. They were tinctures made from flowers. She pulled them out one at a time and told me about them. Comfrey is for painful patterns from our ancestors to now; cauliflower helps with the birthing process; salvia is for emotional stability during extreme stress . . . and so on. I understood that these were descriptions of the energy behind each flower. I tried some, and I was hooked! Each flower had its own “personality” of healing qualities.
I felt strongly called to learn all I could about essences. I read what was available (not much), took workshops, participated in study groups, and experimented on myself, friends, and pets—essences are completely safe, even for babies and pregnant women. I learned that essences, which are a type of energy medicine, are subtle yet profound heartfelt healers on many levels.
Energy Medicine Truths
Essences reduce stress, connect us to spiritual experience, and expand our consciousness. They always direct us to our life purpose. In fact, after several years of working with them, I have come to realize that the biggest limitation is always our own imagination and what we believe is possible! Some truths I have learned through personal experience with energy medicine in the form of essences include:
- Energy medicine in essence embodies heartfelt wisdom
- They work well even for animals and babies who don’t have a clue why they are using them
- They are even more effective when paired with other modalities such as meditation, herbs, yoga, or life coaching
- They work best when chosen specifically for a person and their need in the moment
- The more specific and clear I am about what I ask for, the better the formula
Uses for Energy Medicine
As a coach, I’ve found many different applications for energy medicine. When a client is highly stressed. I may choose a formula for immediate support while assisting them in the process of changing their thinking and behavior to get better results. I also often use it after an “aha” moment during a coaching session, to more quickly and easily integrate what was just learned.
There are many other situations where I recognize that energy medicine is the best choice. For example, one of my clients wanted to become more intuitive on her path as a healer, so I gave her a formula for receptivity. Another client was having trouble sleeping because she was worrying too much at night. The formula I gave her helped to quiet her mind so she could rest.
There are so many ways that energy medicine can benefit you—and as my teacher David Cheng said, “Experience it for yourself—then you will know!” If you’re curious to learn more about how my work with energy medicine can support your journey, schedule a Discovery Session.
Warmly,
