Simplicity In Healing
Simplicity makes me think about a story from the well known Chinese Daoist Zhuangzi. The story of ‘Butcher Ding’ tells about a butcher who was always able to work elegantly and effortlessly, constantly keeping his blade sharp. His cuts of meat were beautiful. His slaughtering looked like a dance of great precision. When asked how he approached his work, the butcher answered that he focused on the natural pockets of ease in the meat. Instead of using force to hack through an area, he observed where his blade could run smoothly. By working this way, his work remained excellent and his blade stayed sharp for years. He worked simply, not aggressively. He worked with the natural structure of the meat, rather than forcing his own will upon it.
In my somatic energy healing practice in New York, Seena Energetics, I approach things the same way. I observe where someone is holding tension, and where they have pockets of ease. Instead of going to the areas of tension, which in reality is the body protecting itself in some way, I work with the places that are tension free. These areas are resourced with energy and freedom. By placing gentle contacts and focus on areas of ease, I cue the person’s nervous system to new awareness. Their system is able to view itself from a different angle, understand that it is safe to let go of tension, and amplify the areas of ease. It’s simple. The nervous system and body respond to clear signals. Once tension is cleared it is also easier for the people I help to remember that at its most basic level, life is simple. When we are stressed and tense, we often notice only the complexities and chaos. When we are relaxed, we regain our awareness of the simplicities of life and how much there is to be grateful for.
The body is very smart, and when it is protecting itself in some way, using force likely won’t cause long-term change. Sometimes it can even make things worse. The Spinal Energetics, Somatic Energy Healing and Network Spinal elements I use in my practice are all very big on simplicity; less is more. Gentle contacts on the body, and in the field around the body, can be extremely powerful when placed with clear intention. Any healer has a huge responsibility to bring only simplicity into the room with the person they are helping. Bells, whistles, fluff, unclear communication, are all noise to the person’s system. Your skillset, intention and presence as a healer should be grounded in simplicity. Because simplicity means clarity. And clarity brings direction, momentum and results. A healer needs to know exactly what they are doing and why, at every moment. This simplistic approach invites ease. Energy becomes liberated and dynamic in this way. A person’s somatic life force can begin to flow like a beautiful symphony. I see the power of simplicity every day at my Seena Energetics offices in Manhattan.
Said another way; I work with the tone — or frequency — of a person’s nervous system, in the most simple manner.
The more I approach a person’s system with simplicity, the more their tone is able to amplify, enrich and deepen.
Harmony and overtones do not come from chaos; they arise from simplicity.
This is also how I create music on stage as a singer and singing-healer. Coming from a jazz and reggae background, I’m extremely appreciative of the beauty that comes from simplicity. In order for the musical idea to convey itself, it needs simplicity. Not layers of noise.
Approaching anything in life in a simplistic manner is the most life affirming.
Because nature is simple, and we are part of nature.