The ethics of healing?

[stiobhanrune]

So, I was reading shadowandstar LJ, and found a great link to a blog by a shaman called Wintersong, about invoking consent while doing healing work on someone. I tried to comment, but I had to turn it into a full blog post of my own. You can find the journal here.

Comments

[gaymalewitch]

I think this sums up most magick-users ethical dilemmas quite succinctly. The asking, the focus, and so on is quite clear in your mind, and honorable. And so many 'healers' do not think outside the monetary exchange. As an LMT, I saw way too much of 'healers' bitching about tips and monetary compensation. There is more to compensation and whether the person actaually wants to be healed, and it should be considered, but my mind is elsewhere right now. But I think you sumed up some basic points quite nicely.
I do think an added point that should be made: do not heal if you are not healed. In other words, if you have hurt or injury or emotional trauma, your healing and judgement will be affected by that. One reason I do try to heal or guide right now. 'I' am not ready. And many users of energy and magick do not see that as a limitation to their own practice.

[stiobhanrune]

I'd say that's a pretty healthy response, hon. I teach people not to do magic at all when they're sick or messed up in the head. The only time to do magic when you're all screwed up is when it's a life or death emergency, and then... well, as the saying goes- "On your head be it."

[garan_du]

I personally do not like to ask large, amorphous communities of people for "help," "energy," or whatever because I basically do not trust what comes in from that. Some of the folks who most publicly style themselves as healers are, in many cases, some of the most messed up people I know. And, frankly, I simply don't want/don't trust their energy, mojo, or whatever. If I'm already in a situation where I am in need of healing, should I be asked to devote energy/concentration towards fending off the well-meaning efforts of spiritual basket cases? The short answer is no. I do not personally believe that all magickal energy is neutral. If that were the case, then magick couldn't work because intent and Will would have absolutely no influence on outcome. Yet the premise is that they do. Therefore, it follows that people whose own lives are a shambles probably shouldn't be trusted to set the lives of others in order. This is why I stick with close friends for these issues. My general rule of thumb in these cases is do not butt in where you

[stiobhanrune]

I totally agree with you, GD. I don't trust people I don't know with healing me. Not ok at all.

Of course, I learned how to defend myself for that one. If I get up from whatever they've done to me... they're in for a world of 'healing.'

[gwelt]

Very interesting food for thought. I was taught that Reiki had "built in" protection that prevented it's "negative use". I was also taught not that I had to charge for reiki but that an energy exchange was needed and that it could be in the form of money but didn't have to be. That said when I do send healing energy it's usually when it's requested and then I usually direct it to their deity or higher self asking that if the energy is not needed it be redirected to where it is needed. Kinda like adding "for the good of all and with harm to none" at the end of a spell. I was also taught that "energy follows intent" so if the intent is good I'm not sure I understand what the problem is except that some people have mixed intent which of course can be problematic.

[stiobhanrune]

Real healing can cause harm. If it can't cause harm, it's not real healing. Reiki is perfectly capable of harming- it doesn't directly harm in most cases, but in some cases it harms by not helping properly.

And energy doesn't follow intent. Will follows intent, if the intent is strong. 'Energy' follows where it can follow, and if will is strong enough to make the channel, then the 'energy' goes down the channel.

In some cases, all the will you need is a negligent thought and a drawn sign or some laying on of hands. That's enough to move the power. In other cases... it's not enough.

And I was taught the same protection theory for Reiki. I'm not going to debate whether or not it's 'true,' but I will say that either way, one can still harm with Reiki through incorrect application, or from trying to heal at the wrong time.

[gwelt]

Also I did learn my lesson about sending energy to just anyone who request it after an incident on a yahoo group and a person asking for energy and then using it in a destructive way that was not at all in keeping with my own ethics.

[ext_620885]

I really enjoyed reading your thoughts here. The cogent way you put forth your thoughts and standards of practice show how much thought and dedication you've put into your practices, which personally I think is really important. As a magic user whose work is generally far outside of the realm of healing, I particularly enjoyed this summation

[stiobhanrune]

Hmmm... First off, thanks for replying to my blog! I'm glad you took the time- I found your essay to be very thought provoking. I enjoyed your viewpoints as well, even when I had a different stance on the issues

[ext_620885]

When I work with students receiving healer training, whether from me or someone else (and to be honest, I don't teach healing techniques often, it's my strongest suit as a teacher) I generally require them to take first aid training and ideally basic EMT training. Not because of the technical skills they learn, although those are useful, but because of your point here:

>"it comes down to a question- is the situation life-threatening for themselves or others? If so, act and do the best you can. If not, don't."

I find that one thing these courses are good at is helping people learns skills for assessing a medical/health situation objectively. Which is a skill more healers need.

You clearly treat healing work as a very real tool, which, like a scalpel, is neither good nor bad, it can heal and harm. Maybe this is not the word you would choose, but I want to say that I admire your professionalism.

[stiobhanrune]

Actually, I appreciate that a lot. My Craft tradition focuses on professional magic. :)