A Whole New Perspective on Receiving
The Healing Power of Touch
We always say in our Level 1 & 2 classes that one of the healing aspects of medicinal aromatherapy that often goes unnoticed, or undervalued, is TOUCH. Topical application of the essences offers the greatest healing power (versus inhalation or ingestion). This is primarily because of the absorption rate, but also because of the application on the skin…touch. We suggest that essences be dripped directly onto the skin (undiluted – sometimes referred to as “neat”) and then feathered or massaged into the area of concern…the knee, shoulder, whatever you are treating. Of course, this advice applies only when you are using pure, medicinal grade essences whose quality you know and trust.
Students and clients have repeatedly and, often jokingly, expressed that their significant other, or their mother, or their child has wanted THEM to apply the essences (instead of the person applying it him or herself), even when the area of concern is easily reached. “Oh, no,” the client will say…”they won’t apply the essences themself…they want ME to!” And, we have always laughingly replied that it is much nicer to have the essences applied by someone else…especially someone who is loving and cares about you!!
When my husband, Leonardo, wrote his certification paper on Vetiver, he did the requisite research into its origin, production, etc. In the more personal section of the paper, where he was discussing his relationship to Vetiver, and how he had used her in his life, he spoke briefly about the importance of touch in having Vetiver applied to him. Often, when Leonardo talks about the paper to a client or friend, he will mention his discussion of touch, almost as though his entire paper focussed it; I have come to realize that it is that aspect of the paper that most powerfully continues to “speak” to him.
The other night, we were putting oils on each other before going to sleep. I was putting Vetiver and St. John’s Wort on him, and was telling him what I wished for him to put on me. When it was my turn, he had no idea what I oils I wanted him to use for me…”But I just told you! When I was putting your oils on!” And it was then that he had the insight. “I didn’t really hear you because I was purely in a receiving state.” My mind was completely turned off so that I could be fully open to receive the essences! It is so different when I apply the essences to myself; I have to be in the thinking mode…what I am going to use, where, how much, etc., as well as the receiving mode. That thought process doesn’t allow me to be as fully open to receiving the oils as when you put them on me. Then I can be a pure receptor.”
I have continued to think about the power of that insight since we had that discussion. Being a PURE receptor…being open in heart, mind, body, spirit. No thinking, no judging, no talking. Just being open on a pure, complete level. I am reminded of that as my goal when I meditate…wholly open, wholly ready to receive.
I know in my heart that this degree of openness to the essences and their healing messages and effects surely enhances the healing process and bond, the relationship between the essence and the receiver of that essence. It is like when we truly SEE a person, truly HEAR a person…no background thoughts or mental planning to distract, even at a subtle level. Just a full and open receiving of them…truly the greatest gift we can give another.
So, you may ask…what does this mean for me, if I have no one to apply the essences to me?? I would first suggest that you may, in fact, have someone to apply them. While the examples I gave earlier were of true intimates…partner, child, parent…this beautiful principle also applies to people with whom we have lesser ties. Take your oils to your massage therapist to have them applied on you; ask a friend to do an “essence share” …in our Level 1 class, we conclude the weekend with a “practical”…where two students who usually do not know each other except from the class as paired up as partners. Each has 15-20 minutes to work silently on the other — head, neck, shoulders, hands and feet — with three to five essential oils they have intuited for their partner. The results are literally incredible. The faces and energy of the people are changed…their testimonials give words to the love and high vibration that emanate from them. Fifteen minutes, unfamiliar individuals, no verbal guidance, head/neck/shoulders/hands/feet only, 3-5 essences …and this is a formula for transformation? Over ten years of doing this allows me to say without reservation, YES. I can’t imagine at least one friend or acquaintance wouldn’t enjoy sharing this experience with you, if you but have the courage to ask!
Finally…if those ideas are not an option…I would suggest making your self-application more of a ceremony and less of a “treatment”. Get your mind out of the equation as much as possible. Choose the essences ahead of time. Don’t worry so much about exactly how many drops you are using. (Trust the Universe that the amount will be exactly what you need!). Create a quite space and just ALLOW yourself to gently drip the essences on you and focus on the sensation of them. Bond with them, speak in your heart to them, thank them. Create as pure a receptive state as you can, and then give yourself a few moments with these sensations before going back to your usual routine.
Receiving…such a powerful part of healing. I know it. Thank you, Leonardo.
Much love,
Audre Gutierrez
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Wow, I LOVE Leonardo’s insight about being in such a completely receptive state that he tuned out EVERYTHING, including voice of his loving wife! The capacity to maintain that level of yin focus is amazing, and so important not only for healing, but for manifesting the life we dream for ourselves, as well.
I’ve been consciously working with this concept of receiving, or being in a yin state, for months. And let me tell you, it has not been easy. In our culture we are taught from a young age that we only have value if we are DOING something, and we have even greater value if we are doing something for someone else. If we are still, if we seek to be receptive and tend to our own inner needs, then we are so easily labeled selfish, lazy, a time-waster. But how can we effectively give of our selves and our energy if we can not guiltlessly replenish and refresh our inner resources? After a time, there will not be anything left to give. And that can only lead to exhaustion, sickness, depression and even anger.
In his book Wisdom of the Earth Speaks, Barry Kapp relates the story of the birth of one of his children. As he was assisting the birth, he saw an angel breathe the Breath of Life into his newborn child and then watched the child take that breath in — he says that at that moment he realized that with our first breath we are taught the value of receiving. I had full-body chills when I read this story — my personal signal that what I am seeing/hearing is a Truth for me — and I have been meditating on this Truth ever since. It struck me that in our quest to be respected “productive” members of society, something so basic to our well-being — our birthright as children of Earth Mother — has been minimized and even frowned upon.
Everything we need to live a life of health, beauty and abundance is right here, ready and waiting for us — if only we can accept and allow it in!
Hi, Lisa…Leonardo is quite a source of inspiration and understanding. He had never used an essential oil in his life until he met me, and he has answered their call with his whole heart and spirit!!
Thank you for your sharing about the difficulties in learning to receive and benefitting from the ability to wholly receive from others. The essences teach us in so many ways, and at so many levels, that it is truly multi-dimensional.
Blessings, Audre