Photo by Unknown Author licensed under CC BY-SA

Months ago, I felt prompted to get a family member an appointment with Sheena Curtis who is a graduate of Investigating Health. On Sheena’s website, I found out there were some pages for her clients to read and sign before their phone session. I looked them over and thought "this is a little over the top, isn’t it??"  I’ve had clients just sign a one paragraph disclaimer since 2006.

“Truly original, boundary breaking ideas are rarely welcomed at first, no matter who proposes them. Protecting the prevailing paradigm science moves slowly, because it doesn’t want to make mistakes. Consequently, genuinely new and important ideas are often subjected to nitpickingly intense scrutiny, if not outright rejection and revulsion,...  But if the ideas are correct, eventually they will prevail.  Eventually the new view becomes the status quo, and ideas that were rejected as madness will appear in the popular press, often touted by the very critics who did so much to impede their acceptance. Which is what we see today as a new paradigm comes into being.” Candace Pert, Molecules of Emotion

“Someone must live a new truth first. Someone must have wisdom to recognize the possibility, the courage to become that possibility and the strength to live that possibility as a reality. The reality must be lived among us, in a world that may not always support that truth. That someone becomes the living bridge.”  Gregg Braden, Walking Between the Worlds, 80

“Over the 17 or 18 years I have been involved in these complimentary healing methods (at the insistence of the Spirit, I might add), I have bumped –up against the fears and misinformation of members of [my] church many times – including church leaders.  Each time, with some time and communication, those fears have eventually been laid to rest. . . .

[Once] I went through some very difficult months while [my] Stake Presidency launched a full investigation of what I was doing (at the request of the Area Presidency) because of some outrageous and slanderous accusations . . .. [Someone] went to my Bishop and Stake President saying I was involved with satanic things.  [The Savior himself was judged wrongfully by some people for casting out evil spirits and was accused of working through the devil.]

Both my Bishop and the Stake President know and love me – I’ve been a faithful ward and stake leader all these years and they have great faith in me, but the seriousness of the accusations brought the Area Presidency into the picture and THEY are the ones who instructed them to proceed with a full investigation.

Every man and woman I have ever served as a facilitator (and their companion) was called in and interviewed by our Stake President: every friend, walking partner, neighbor, etc. This went on for a few months and you can only imagine how horribly painful it was for me.  There were days when I could not get out of bed. It was as if everyone who has ever trusted me was ALSO in the hot seat.  Satan was reigning with … horror for those months. I ceased working with people, of course, awaiting the decision of my church leaders. When I attended my church meetings, I hardly dared sit by anyone in case they would be contaminated and called in next.  It was a nightmare. 

The interesting part is, I had never charged anyone a penny for my services. I worked many days, 8-13 hours a day, but never considered charging because I felt I was using spiritual gifts and it would be priestcraft [evil] to charge for using sacred gifts – especially since the most effective processes I used had been taught to me by Heavenly Father, the Holy Ghost and angels.

In the end the Stake President called me in. It was a Sunday. He was so humble, he was so tender and gentle. He told me on Saturday night he was watching the Women’s [Worldwide] Broadcast – listening to Sister Bonnie Parkin [THE GENERAL WOMEN’S OFFICER of her church] and the Spirit spoke clearly to him and said, “THAT could be [this sister’s name]. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? Then he sobbed and begged me to forgive him for what he had put me and my family through. He said after talking to all those people he had come to know that “[I] had helped so many people in such wonderful ways.” 

He said, “How can I make it right for you?” I asked if he had plans to call each of those people back into his office and let them know his finding.  He promised to do so, to clear my name and my reputation of any blight that may have come about because of the investigation.   

“My Stake President also instructed me that I was to get a license and start charging people for my services. This was very difficult for me, at first. I told him I didn’t feel it was right to charge people for help when I was using spiritual gifts of healing. He looked at me and said, “You are not charging for your spiritual gifts!  You are being compensated for your time!”  When he said the words ‘compensated for your time,’ it resonated with me.” (TL phone conversation, 4/25/18) 

Then he said, “What else can I do – I want to make this up to you somehow.”  I asked if he would give me a blessing which he promptly did.  He sobbed through the blessing and hugged me goodbye. 

The following Fast Sunday I felt prompted to bear my testimony in Sacrament meeting.  I was terrified to do it, but the Spirit would not let me rest, so I did.  My testimony was all about the Savior.  Following my testimony, our Bishop stepped to the pulpit and said (with tears running down his face), “Brothers and Sisters, I love [so and so- saying her name]. I felt the power of her goodness and her spirit as she approached the pulpit today and I want to thank her for her example and her service to all of us in this ward.”  It was a spellbinding moment, and I felt vindicated before my [church] members and have never felt sheepish since about what I do. 

Shortly after these events, I took the [rest of the] Rapid Eye [Technology] Course. I already had certifications to use other modalities. I became certified and licensed – my business license hangs on the wall of my office. I openly have clients coming and going [not anymore since she is retired], and I accept payment for my services. I can never again be accused of practicing without a license (that was one of the concerns mentioned during the investigation, so I decided to remedy it.  I guess doing things out of the goodness of one’s heart has its drawbacks – at least in this …telestial sphere.) Since those painful events, I’ve added some other modalities to my “tool box.” 

I've paid a dear price (in terms of money, sacrifice and obedience) to do the [energy] work I do. I feel the blessings of heaven every day as I serve my brothers and sisters in need… That's why I love the words to the song, "I would be my brother's keeper, I would learn the healer's art. To the wounded and the weary, I would show a gentle heart." 

Now that I've shared all that, perhaps you can understand why I get a bit defensive when I hear people toss out accusations against people who do this type of work. I'll admit that perhaps the individual involved is out of line, but my first impression will always be to give them a chance -- NOT JUDGE WITHOUT MORE INFORMATION.      

I'm the first to acknowledge my weaknesses, but I also know that my motives are pure. So if we find that a person is misled or misinformed -- can we kindly deal with them, constructively showing them another way rather than lashing out -- especially if it is without "just cause". The Golden Rule applies here nicely. We all need kindness and patience as we learn…. define and carry out our life's missions.

Just want to send you all some love and encouragement tonight. You are doing good things. When opposition and storms wage against me, here's what I do. 1. I get on my knees and ask [God] what he wants me to learn. 2. I actively forgive those that have offended. 3. I actively ask for forgiveness for my human weaknesses. 4. I move forward and continue to follow what I've been inspired to do. 

The statement issued by the church [spokesman] said, "“We urge Church members to be cautious about participating in any group that promises-in exchange for money-miraculous healings or that claims to have special methods for accessing healing power outside of properly ordained priesthood holders,”  end quote 

I've been to many energy healers and none of you have promised me miraculous healings in exchange for money. And you know what? I'm always careful to consider who to work with when it comes to energy healing. 

I've had times when others casted doubt on what I was doing and it made me question myself. There is also a statement from the Church that cautions church members about attending seminars. I simply went and talked with my Bishop with a humble heart that was willing to learn and make changes if I needed it. 

I know not everyone in this group is a member of my church. But for those of you that are, remember that the church is not against you. Don't feel like you have to hide. If you have concerns, just ask. The Lord will guide and direct you.   And honestly, this firestorm will pass. Stay strong!

“When the children of Israel needed water in the wilderness, God told Moses to speak to a rock, and it would give its water to him.  It was recorded: “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod…. And speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water.” (Numbers 20:7-8).  However, Moses smote the rock with his rod twice instead of speaking to the rock as God had instructed him.  He also said that he and Aaron would get the water and not God, so Moses was punished by not being able to go into the promised land. (Numbers 20: 9-12)” Vicki Alder, Mysteries in the Scripture, 149

“Regarding the experience I shared -- may I just say that when it was all said and done, I was driving down the freeway one day and suddenly some truth distilled upon my mind.  My reaction was so severe, I almost swerved off the road.”* (She had SHOCK at this realization.) She explains: 

For over 17 years I have done energy work and for all those years I felt a little sheepish about it – knowing it was out of the ordinary and [wondering if it would] meet the approval of my [religious] leaders, but also knowing I was directed by Heavenly Father.  Throughout those years I had yearned for the sanction and validation of my [church] leaders.  

Whenever I expressed that heartfelt desire to [my husband] , he shook his head and said, “What do you mean… you HAVE their validation – they keep calling you to positions of leadership, … they invite you to speak at their meetings and give you rave reviews; they place their hands on your head and pronounce beautiful encouraging blessings; they approve all the… calls they get from out of town invit[ing] you to speak in [various] congregations; in interviews and across the pulpit they constantly express their love and confidence in you; …what do you want?” 

Well, in my heart of hearts, the reasons those “logical” reasons did not fill me with ‘validation and sanction’ from my leaders is because they didn’t fully know what I was doing. Some of them have had some idea of what I do, and others have been totally oblivious that I had a ‘side job’ and had people coming to my door year in and year out for help with difficult and complex problems. 

Meanwhile, after that full-fledged investigation by ALL my local priesthood leaders [including the Area Presidency who now know my name], they DO know what I do.  They also know why I do it and how it is affecting the people I serve.  So, you see, what the Spirit distilled upon my mind was this: “NOW your prayer has been fully answered – you have the complete validation of your priesthood leaders.” What a shock!! * It was true. That which I had longed for had come to pass. 

Even though it required ‘walking through a fire’ to bring it about, it was worth it!! No more [was what I do a] secret, no more hedging, no more worries that I’m going to be ‘found out’ and thrown out…. Those thoughts and feelings had plagued me all those years, and now they are gone. 

Do you see why I am much more confident to speak up, (as I did in class)…  I did it for the sake of [those] who may be walking a similar path of contradiction of fear: having been beckoned by the spirit to look into these healing arts, but yet wrestling feelings of fear that they may be ‘on the edge’ and get criticized or punished by their church leaders. I don’t have fear any more – because I’ve already walked that path and survived.  …That’s the ‘rest’ of the story.” (Email to Tamara Laing, Feb. 27, 2004 “RE: Notes to Diane forwarded to me”)

“Spirit helpers work at all levels and will help the patient at these levels if required to do so. But this will depend on the quality of your energy field. At the highest levels, they will appear as angelic forms…  It should be appreciated by [facilitators], who are aware of what their spirit helpers are saying and doing, that to convey any of this to the [client] may not be either helpful or appropriate.  Further, it is against the Code of Conduct (mentioned earlier) to give this kind of information to a [client] in the form of a ‘reading’ during the actual session. This is to prevent what may be false information being given to a trusting patient under the guise of ‘higher teachings.’ Use your common sense with all inner guidance and use your discretion as to how you convey this to others, if at all.” (Jack Angelo, Your Healing Power, 199)

“Many energy healing practitioners think they are safe because their websites are similar to all the others. This is unwise because over 95% of websites, featuring the services of energy healing practitioners, carry significant legal risks. Remember licensing boards, regulatory agencies, and the courts have a negative perception of energy healing methods and consider them to be unsubstantiated and suspect.”  MidgeMurphy.com  

“Reiki is defined as a “spiritual healing art” that is performed on an individual by a Reiki Practitioner by “transmitting healing life force energy” through the hands. It is the position of the Division that to the extent that Reiki is used as a “spiritual healing art” and does not involve the methods outlined in the scope of practice of Massage Therapy, then Reiki is not a modality of massage. However, should a Reiki Practitioner while performing the “spiritual healing art” involve the use of any of the methods outlined in the scope of practice of Massage Therapy, then the Reiki Practitioner must be licensed as a Massage Therapist.”