Six major demons haunt our lives. They are pain, suffering, illness,
loss, aging, and death. When any of these demons gets too close, we become fearful
and strive to extirpate them or at least keep them at bay. We try to make sure
that these demons will not touch us.
When they do touch us, we, like the Biblical Job, complain that we
do not deserve such treatment. We look for some reason, some wrong, someone to
blame, even God. Yet, like Job, we know, by the evidence around us, that these
undesirable companions are with us for life. We flirt with them, make deals with
them, ensure ourselves against them, fight them valiantly, and yet we know that
they will touch us, and deeply.
What does healing mean when faced with such realities? We know our
bodies and minds have extraordinary capacity for repair and regeneration. Our
medical systems make great use of their tools to support our internal healing
mechanisms. We work with touch and the language of the body to help people who
are experiencing these demons. And yet we know that such ministry can’t
drive the demons away.
The full meaning of healing connotes wholeness, heartiness, health,
and coming into the fullness of your being. Somehow you must change your relationship
to these so-called demons to be consistent with what you know is true.
Healing is paradoxical. Although we are dedicated to giving comfort,
these demons must be included for true healing to take place. We must be realistic
and compassionate at the same time. We must face these demons in our own lives
before we can truly accompany others who want to heal. We can’t master these
demons, although we can master our fears of them.
Should we feel ashamed to have such companions on our journey? I
think not. Sometimes when we have been touched by our demons, we realize that
we have changed. Our fear has converted into strength and wisdom. We can then
embrace these companions as teachers; a shift can take place in our appreciation
of life. Every moment is precious—nothing is insignificant.
“If they are going to die,” wrote Dora Kunz in Therapeutic
Touch, “I tell them that they are going to die so they can switch their
attention from holding onto their bodies to healing their lives.”
As you work to ease the discomforts and losses of others, you can
also accompany them fully as they learn to embrace life’s inevitabilities
and shift their relationship with their demons. This is the true path of the healer. PE
