Many healers begin as wounded healers. We decide to change our lives and go to therapy or to a healer; we then feel better and realize, “Wow, if I could change, then ANYONE can!” So we become inspired to help make a difference in the world. We go on a retreat, on a course, maybe on a couple years training program, and then we are finally ready to “be a healer.” But just how ready you are depends on the amount of personal work you’ve done first.
Now, if every healer waited until s/he was completely healed there may not be very many to choose from as it is a consistently evolving process. When I started my own private practice 20 years ago, my clients were my best teachers and mirrors. What they brought to the table gave me so much to work on, within myself. I would notice their limiting beliefs and apply it to myself later.
In those days I would spend easily four hours a day doing belief work and clearing stuff to make sure I was no longer attached to whatever had been consciously or unconsciously upsetting me. I found it fascinating. But what continually surprises me is the number of established and experienced healers, even healing teachers, who do not continue to do their own personal work! I went on shamanic pilgrimages annually so I could be pushed out of my comfort zone and continually read spiritual healing books. I think a whole ten years or more went by when I finally read a novel just for sheer pleasure rather than yet another self-development book.
I continued to study with my teachers and learned from other healers. But despite all that, for many of those years, I was not consistently walking my talk; I was certainly still reacting to triggers, and sometimes I even felt that ‘spiritual superiority’ that so many healers have and won’t admit. I was still attached to the way I thought it was supposed to be, so I fell into the justification loop. I was “evolved” and “aware” so I rationalized that my ‘less than healer like antics’ were just me being human.
Many healers are caught in this loop. They traipse about dressed like fairies singing all the spiritual lingo and they are helping some people, for sure, but where is the integrity, the authenticity? Where is the grounding? I too used to prefer flying around on my broomstick in the ethers rather than have to deal with mere mortals here on earth, in fact, humans often used to annoy me. I’d have to do a fair amount of centering to get into “healer mode” so I could work from a place of love. My behaviour didn’t always mirror my healer image. I see this across the board with healers. Yes, we are all human and we absolutely need to feel what we feel, but how about modeling what we teach, letting go of fear and being held accountable by someone else?
I even left my path for about four years in my final attempt to run from the path of service and continue to give up my power to men and avoid the responsibility of the material world. My shamans in Peru told me they would hold space for me so when I returned to my healing path, I’d come back even stronger! It was then I knew I was avoiding facing my deepest fear. After experiencing some hard truths about myself, I finally learned to surrender. And I mean really surrender – not just talking about it. LIVING it, practicing all the fundamental skillsets on a daily moment to moment basis, breathing it, and boy what a difference it made to every aspect of my being. 
So I wonder why so many spiritual healers out there are not leveling up? Granted Divine Timing plays a role, but regardless of your level of evolution, our personal work never stops. If you are a coach, a healer, a channel, and do not have your own coach, healer, therapist or wise-woman to hold you accountable, I ask, why not?
I do not just mean a good friend to listen to your stuff, I mean someone who is going to put the cards on the table and call you out on your stuff! It is extremely empowering allowing another to see your vulnerability without judgment. Someone to keep you on track, to encourage you to level up and to celebrate your success with you on a weekly basis.
It’s great to be connected to Source, but it’s imperative to have another human perspective to help keep you accountable to yourself and communicating clearly with your colleagues, clients, and loved ones. So, are you practicing what you preach 100 percent?
