Protection

Dear Patient,

Sometimes a person will ask me how I protect myself doing this work—being surrounded by pain and sickness, practicing an energetic medicine. How do I not take on the suffering of my patients?

It helps that I practice in a fast-paced setting. I don’t have time to linger too long with a single patient. I step into a patient’s energy field briefly, exchange a few words, place a few needles, then I step away and there’s someone else to treat.

It also helps that I practice in a way that’s aligned with my values. Actually, that helps a great deal. The comfort of knowing I’m giving my patients my best is a protective shield. I don’t have to do any energetic hovering. I just let my patients rest and do their thing. Once I step away I almost forget they’re there.

It’s like cooking a pot of rice. You bring the water and rice to a boil, then cover the pot and let it cook. If you remove the lid to check on the progress, it’s going to mess up your rice. You have to trust that the water and rice and heat are going to do what they’re supposed to do.

So it’s the same way with my patients. I put the lid on and walk away until the cooking is done. No peeking under the lid before it’s time. Don’t let the steam escape. Just trust. That’s how I protect myself. Trust the needles. Trust the patients. Trust myself.

This trusting didn’t always come easy, but it got easier with practice. I hope you trust yourself too. It’s good protection.

Love and gratitude,

Your Acupuncturist