The Wounded Healer
by Christopher Buck
Mythology is a method to identify traits within the human psyche and use these archetypes to translate human experiences. In Greek myths, Chiron was the wisest of the Centaurs and the archetype of the Wounded Healer. He was accidentally wounded by an arrow that had been dipped in the blood of the Hydra. Because he was immortal, the venom caused him eternal torment. In his search for his own cure, he discovered how to heal others. In teaching others the healing arts, he found a measure of solace from his own pain.
"Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion"
~ Buddha
Each of us goes through trials in life: Rites of Passage, physical illness and pain, mental confusion, emotional trauma, Spiritual distress. These trials help us to learn compassion. They teach us how to be a Wounded Healer.
There is a difference between curing someone and Healing someone. Medicine is a Science, but Healing is an Art.
Science is from the Mind.
Art is from the Heart.
Healing Energy flows when Hearts connect.
"The doctor is effective only when he himself is affected."
~ Carl Jung
Jung believed that a malady of the soul could be the best possible form of training for a Healer. The pains and burdens one bears and eventually overcomes is the source of great wisdom and healing power for others. The Wounded Healer understands what the patient feels because he has gone through the same pain. The Healer's experience is what makes him a brother of the patient, rather than his master. This triggers a fundamental change in perspective. Because he has learned through experience, he is able to feel empathy instead of just sympathy. The patient can sense this subconsciously. This opens a conduit between the two on the spiritual level and connects them. The suffering patient can be cared for by the Healer and be instrumental in the Healer's own healing. Each encounter between Healer and patient can be transforming for both.
The lesson of Chiron teaches us is that we can overcome pain and transcend into knowledge. That each of us can become a Wounded Healer
"When I stand before thee at the day's end, thou shalt see my scars and know that I had my wounds and also my healing."
~Rabindranath Tagore
©2009 Humanity Healing. Partial Rights Reserved.
Music 1: Innocente: by Leigh Nash
Music 2: The Mummers Dance by Loreena McKennitt
Image: Allison Kaila Vallecillo, Reaching Out
www.allisonvallecillo.com
Image: John S T Cheung, Trapped
www.onesunart.com
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