The dominance of Western validation methods is evident in society’s emphasis on peer-reviewed journals. Research has significantly helped make progress in areas related to wellness. However, viewing the scientific method as the sole frame for assigning value limits the diversity of widely known coping skills. There are methods of healing that, although not widely validated by science, are believed by many to be effective in enhancing wellness and promoting holistic healing. This blog explores spiritual energy cleansing methods to remove negativity and promote calm, balance, health, and positivity.
Holistice Healing Practice: Smudging
Palo Santo
With the deep erasure of Indigenous cultures in our society, it is important to ensure that the incredible contributions Indigenous people have made to wellness are acknowledged in this blog.
One contribution is the use of palo santo, which derives from Indigenous people in Central and South America. Palo santo means “the holy wood” in Spanish, and it is believed to help with both physical and emotional concerns. The journey for palo santo to be ready for use takes years. The first step in the process is for trees to fall to the ground naturally. Naturally is the key in the previous sentence to ensure sustainability. Then, oils in the wood should be given plenty of time to mature which leads to higher healing properties.
The wood should be left to sit on the forest floor for at least 4 years. Then it is collected and packed it into bundles of small sticks. Once you have your bundle, you take out one palo santo stick and use a lighter to burn its end. This process is called smudging. Then, you should let the flame burn the stick for a couple of seconds before blowing it out. Lastly, you are welcome to enjoy the healing and woody smell of the smoke.
People use palo santo for various concerns. Personally, I like to use it when I have a cold or feel anxious. Palo santo is believed to eliminate negative energy within a person, but also in physical spaces. If you ever find yourself saying that a room “feels off,” this could be a perfect opportunity to give palo santo a try. Also, it is important to note that palo santo bundles cost from $5 to $20, which is great if you are looking for affordable forms of healing.
Sage
Another indigenous spiritual healing method is the burning of sage. Like palo santo, sage is affordable and comes in bundles. However, the bundles consist of dry sage leaves instead of sticks. You can use a lighter on one end of a bundle and then blow out the flames. The smoke is what promotes energy healing. You should move the bundle around yourself and/or physical space so that the healing smoke can reach various areas. While palo santo is known for promoting positive energy, sage is known for creating a clean slate. It removes all types of energies within a person or a physical space.
Holistice Healing Practice: Crystals
Crystals are known for having various types of energies that could radiate towards a person to promote healing. Thinking about all the crystals that exist could be overwhelming. You narrow it down by focusing on selecting crystals based on what you feel like you need. For example, if you notice that you are feeling stressed, amethyst could be a perfect crystal to enhance calmness. Also, just the act of slowing down and becoming self-aware of what type of crystal could be helpful for you at a particular moment is a wonderful way to nourish your spiritual wellness.
Holistice Healing Practice: Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese healing practice that, like smudging practices, focuses on influencing and shifting energy. However, unlike smudging, Reiki requires the assistance of someone else. When engaging in this healing practice, a Reiki-trained healer will either move their hands very close to various parts of your body without actually touching you, or if they do touch you, it will be a gentle touch. As the Reiki healer moves their hands, they aim to channel into you the universal life energy that strives to dismantle energy blockages preventing emotional and physical healing.
Universal life energy is recognized in various cultures under different names, and it is the energy that exists around and within us all and that connects all living things. It is important to note that Reiki is more expensive than any of the other healing methods I have mentioned so far. A session can cost from around $50- $200, depending on how long the session is and on the expertise of the Reiki practitioner.
“Woo-Woo” Practices
Numerous times, I have heard people introduce spiritual energy healing methods, many of which were not included in this blog, with something along the lines of, “ Okay, so I know these will sound ‘woo woo’ but….” These statements give spiritual practices a negative connotation, making it difficult for people to have an open mind about their effectiveness. As a psychotherapist, I believe in science to the extent that I have contributed to the formation of a few peer-reviewed psychology journals. However, I also believe in spiritual energy methods. The point of this blog is not to convince you that energy healing practices are better than science-based coping skills, but more to expand your knowledge on wellness practices with the hope that you could learn something new that you can add to your already existing toolbox of coping skills.
Do you want to explore holistic healing with a therapist? Reach out to myTherapyNYC to find out which of our therapists would be a good fit for you!
What are your favorite holistic healing practices? Join the conversation in the comments below!
