(and why a physician became a shamanic healer)
Healing is usually seen as a curing of an illness or
relief of symptoms. But true healing is much more. True healing doesn’t focus
only on symptom relief, but on seeking
the foundation and source of any underlying imbalance, while moving towards
health and wholeness in the largest sense.
I have spent my
life seeking to understand the nature of healing and help people to heal. That
journey began with my going to medical school, becoming a physician, and then
spending an additional 4 years training as a psychiatrist, followed by 10 years
of private psychiatric practice. But I soon realized that despite my intense years
of training, I was still limited in how much I could help people heal – and how
I myself could heal. So I pursued other more alternative trainings with a passion,
one leading to another, including meditation, hypnosis, breathwork, and shamanic
work.
The pursuit of the
latter led me to explore and learn about ancient ways of healing from
traditional native healers in this country, South America, and Africa. Those years of intense
and diverse (and fascinating!) training and experiences changed my world dramatically
and gave me a much larger perspective through which I view healing – a
perspective that goes well beyond the western medical model. I have learned of
the powerful healing wisdom that exists deep within all of us, the amazing
creativity that is our essence, and the necessity of attending to the energetic
and spiritual dimensions of healing. I have experienced and witnessed deep
healing at all levels – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual – of myself
and others.
My greatly expanded
view of healing led me to leave my practice of psychiatry in 2005 to fully follow
a shamanic path that focused on this deeper nature of healing and
transformation. I offer this work of deep healing in my practice in
Winston-Salem, in individual healing sessions as well as group classes and
workshops.
What does this
work entail?
So often, the
source of our ailments and suffering lie in aspects of ourselves of which we
are not conscious – and which are not often appreciated or understood in our
western culture. We are complex beings – and the deeper we go within, the more
clearly we can see beliefs, patterns, contradictions, and energetic imbalances
that are troublesome. Healing often entails
breaking free of old limiting beliefs, patterns, and traumas, while
reconnecting with your own deep inner wisdom, passion, and purpose.
In more concrete
terms, healing sessions start by talking about what you are seeking help with
as I begin to intuitively sense more deeply into your situation. For most
sessions, I offer hands-on healing work with the client laying on the healing
table. I create a safe space in which we can open to and track energies,
emotions, thoughts, or patterns that need attention. The healing may involve
grounding work, clearing of energies, reconnecting to parts of self or Source,
balancing, opening to guidance, and more.
At other times I
may guide a presencing meditation, helping you to listen to and access aspects
of your body, psyche, and soul that have been unseen and unheard for too long.
Shamanic hypnosis sessions may also do that, as well as connect in with
spiritual guidance or with past lives that need healing.
A note regarding
the spiritual aspects of my work: Although there is a spiritual component to
shamanic work, it is not religious in any way and there is no dogma or set
belief system. When I use the term ‘spiritual’, I mean it in the largest sense,
regarding our deepest essence and our relationship with all of creation. I
always respect and honor a client’s personal beliefs and faith (or non-faith)
as we work together.
People often ask
what kinds of issues or illnesses I help people with. If someone feels drawn or
called to work with me, it’s good to listen to that even if you’re not sure
why. That said, most often I find myself
helping people with trauma, depression, anxiety, and/or fatigue, as well as
those who are seeking more meaning and purpose, a deeper spiritual connection,
and/or overall increased health, vitality, and passion for life. I also mentor
other healers and health care professionals.
I view a path of healing as one that not only helps to
heal illness, but also moves us towards more peace, vitality, and deep
connection. A path that helps us access deeper levels of wisdom, intuition,
meaning and purpose. A path that brings us more balance and allows for more joy
and love. A path that opens us to deeper relationships with ourselves, others,
and the world around us.
Sandy Phocas is a
shamanic practitioner and workshop leader in Winston-Salem NC. She can be found
online at www.sandyphocas.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment