The Modern Healer
In indigenous traditions, healers—the medicine women and men, the curanderos and curanderas—were an essential part of the community. They typically lived within the community and frequently offered their services for free. This was possible because the healers were taken care of by the village or tribe. Their food, shelter, and clothing were provided so that they could focus on healing.
Today, our healers look different. They are the holistic practitioners, the mystics, the herbalists, and other various teachers. Due to the push of individuality and capitalism, the community safety net is gone. Yet, even with this major change, many people still believe that modern healers should offer their services for free or for a donation.
Through my personal experience, I learned that healers today - in modern society - cannot serve the community without a sustainable energy exchange.
Money makes the world go round. We need it to live, survive, pay our bills, and even invest in our well-being. This is the reality of our society, and going against this constant energy exchange creates resistance.
When I was focused on offering my services for a donation or through a sliding scale, I wasn’t making enough to live, and the resistance was crushing. I was so preoccupied with possibly not being able to pay my bills that I was unable to show up fully in my gifts for my clients.
Through honest feedback, reading a few books, and implementing some changes, I have learned that the most important factor is charging what is reasonable for your current skill level and experience in the field. Doing this brings in more aligned opportunities and interactions.
I started to believe that even though I was implementing changes, the people who were meant to find me, would find me. I also began focusing on what having enough money meant to me. What did it look like? What did it feel like? I started imaging what doors would open and what I would be able to offer the community if there were more money and resources.
New beliefs began to form.
Money creates freedom. Money creates opportunities. Money allows me to create more impact in the world.
Once I began to accept this reality and adopting these new beliefs, I began to look at receiving money for my services differently.
Guess what? You can do this too!
Now, I know more than ever the importance of having a sufficient financial foundation. It allows for us healers to show up fully and authentically for the people we serve.
When we can show up fully, we are a clear channel, fully embodied in our gifts.
This also allows us to be able to show up with more capacity. Better able to give back and offer free or donation based services to the community when it feels aligned.
The moral of the story is that in modern times, we still have to take care of one another, just in different ways.
It’s truly all interconnected. We need each other to evolve.
If you are feeling the call to evolve in your life at this moment, I opened up my calendar for one-on-one energetic tune ups. These sessions are designed to realign your energy centers. Schedule now at https://healingvibescrystals.as.me/schedule/5dc274e5
Sources:
Vest, J. L., PhD. (n.d.). The Ethical Psychic: A Beginner’s Guide to Healing with Integrity, Avoiding Unethical Encounters, and Using Your Gifts for Good. North Atlantic Books.
Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame, Student Research Briefs. (2023). CURANDERISMO: THE PREVALENCE OF TRADITIONAL HEALING IN THE CONTEXT OF WESTERN MEDICINE. In Institute for Latino Studies | University of Notre Dame | Student Research Briefs (pp. 1–11) [Journal-article]. https://latinostudies.nd.edu/assets/557582/voulume_20_issue_4_min.pdf
