Many meditators, healers and people of goodwill are attracted to the idea of distant healing — that in meditation, contemplation and prayer we can help relieve suffering and pain at a distance.
But how exactly do we do this? I will share with you one golden rule, briefly list the most well-known techniques and then describe the strategy that I prefer.
First, the golden rule.
This is simple: Distant healing must always be done in a relaxed, calm and loving way. Otherwise, you may be sending agitated vibrations and energies. In particular, you need to monitor that you do not have any neediness that there be a healing.
If we are needy for healing, then we radiate neediness. Not useful.
So stay calm. The keynote is compassionate equanimity.
*
The most well-known distant healing strategies are:
- Kind thoughts
- Sending healing energy (keep to the golden rule above and check you are not interfering)
- Praying for help and intercessions from whichever tradition, gods, spirits, angels, saints, gurus, etc, who are in your culture.
*
Then there is the heart-opening strategy that I prefer to use.
I like it because it is relevant to both suffering and the causes of suffering. It is also realistic about the fact that some illnesses and distress are chronic and long term, and that death is an inevitability.
This strategy is simple. It is a sense, a visualisation, a calm expectation that the hearts open of those who are suffering.
In the same way, the hearts open of those who create suffering.
In a calm state of compassionate contemplation, bring any person or situation of suffering into your loving awareness.
May your heart be open. May your heart be open. May your heart be open.
When someone’s heart opens, they move into a different mood. They connect with the benevolent flow of the universe. Their emotions and minds become more accepting and kinder. Healing at all levels becomes more accessible. Space is created for waves of grace.
There are other ways of practising this that may better suit you.
If for example you have a Christian background, then you may prefer some wording like this, which has the same effect: May the Christ within you awaken. Or May the Christ consciousness in you be fully awake.
From a Buddhist background, you might feel more at home with: May the Buddha within you awaken. Or May the Buddha consciousness in you be fully awake.
Of course, you are free to adapt the wording in whatever way works best for you.
Within the Buddhist tradition there is also the foundation prayer of Om Mani Padme Hum often translated as the Jewel in the Lotus. In many respects, this is a heart awakening mantra. Each of us is a lotus, a beautiful flower with stems beneath the water and roots deep into the earth. And within us is a jewel. Perceive it. Let it be fully present.
Again, this is congruent with the Hindu greeting of Namaste. I greet the soul within you. I greet your soul. I greet the Christ within you. The Buddha within you. The Goddess within you. All of these facilitate heart-opening.
Some people may prefer to work with the chakra system. You can sense-visualise-imagine the love petals of someone’s heart chakra opening with compassion and wisdom.
*
I use this heart-opening approach when, in meditation, I send healing to the dictators and politicians who are oppressing their peoples. I sense their hearts opening. May your heart be open. I greet your soul.
Similarly, I use this strategy when contemplating those who are suffering with pain and fear. May your hearts be open. I greet your soul. Om mani padme hum.
Softly, gently, empathically, connect with suffering and sense heart-opening.
As always, you as an individual practitioner can explore and feel your way into the approach that is authentic for you.
Remember too to practise basic health and safety. Your fuel, inspiration and safety come from your connection with Spirit, by whatever name you call it. At the end of any healing, bring your focus fully home to your own body and close your energy field like a flower at night closing its petals.
*
I honour and respect activists who work on the front lines to relieve suffering and create safe space for all life to grow and fulfil.
I also honour and support the meditators, contemplatives and prayer-workers who work with distant healing.
Hi William
I am a healer but also have had quite a strong energetic opening in the last 10 years. My chakras are always very active and seem owide open, especially the top ones.
The issue I have had is taking on clients or even friends symptoms at a distance. Even when I’m planning face to face healing, and just set the intention to heal them I get their symptoms. This has nearly ended my healing work, due to be run down overtime, but especially due to getting clients symptoms, which sometimes last for months.
I do try Pychic Protection but sometimes it doesn’t work.
Any suggestions or do you run a good workshop to learn solid techniques on how to guard myself when so spiritually open and empathic?
Many thanks
Will Houghton
That is a very interesting question and challenge, Will.
I have a couple of responses that may be useful.
First, I would be checking that your nervous system and body are vital, toned and strong. This would entail a mix of physical exercise (weights, aerobic, etc) as well as internal martial arts Qi Gung. Empaths need strong toned bodies to counter the sponge effect.
Second, I would programme myself so that at night time, in my out-of-the-body dream state, I am not travelling far from home, meeting clients and looping energy with them. This is as simple as saying to yourself before you go to sleep: ‘Tonight I am staying close to home and not absorbing any of my clients’ patterns or problems.’ Something like that.
I hope that helps. 💚
Thanks for this piece, William. I was wondering when you wrote of ensuring that you close down your energy field after sending healing,(with the wonderful image of a flower gently closing its petal as night falls), whether there is a way you would similarly advise opening your petals beforehand.
Wm: That is a good suggestion, Kate, and may help people find their best way of working with distant healing. Thanks.
Hi William thank you for all of your messages they are always very comforting. I remember finding your book about psychic protection and really liking your style of writing and teaching and the fact there is always something we can do both for ourselves or others even we might feel that we are dropping to pieces!
Happy Christmas to you and your family and anyone who might read this wherever they are! Namaste! Best wishes Susanne
Thanks so much William.
The arrival of this was divinely timed for me too, still working on the distance healing within as well as without.
Wishing you, and others here, joyful times over the holiday season
Thank you William for your inclusive and inspiring teaching. Just as we lose a beloved member of our family and need and want to send healing, loving waves to his wife, the arrival of your clear, simple practice is perfect. 🙏
Dear William, what beautiful timing this is for me, as I am sending healing from New Zealand to Malaysia today. The second distance healing in a series of three over three full moons. I have also been asked to send healing support to a pregnant cat, do you have specific techniques for our beloved animal friends or would similiar visualizations assist.
Namaste,
Jo.
Hi Jo – I do not have much experience of distant healing for animals. I think I would use a prayer asking for help from the animal spirits.
Hi William, thank you for this suggestion. I will do so. Kindest regards, and again thank you.Nameste,
Jo
A beautiful piece Thankyou William
Thank you William that was a beautifully simple reminder 🙏
Thank you William. It is very clear, practical and helpful.