Starting A Healing Circle

A Healing Circle is a gathering of individuals concerned with promoting healing and offering healing intention. Many communities, churches and hospitals offer healing circles to create an opportunity for their members or patients to take an active role in their own healing. People often ask whether a healing circle is for the purpose of healing physical ailments or for emotional, mental or spiritual healing. A healing circle is for any purpose or concern that a participant wishes to bring to the circle.

To start a healing circle, it is important to gather a core group of people who are interested in creating the circle. It is of great value to have one or several people who practice some sort of energy healing techniques such as Reiki or Therapeutic Touch but it is not necessary.

Finding an appropriate venue is also important. Often churches, community centers or hospitals are willing to host a healing circle if they receive an acceptable proposal. Certainly a cozy and pleasant environment is more conducive to creating a healing atmosphere. Below is a sample of a proposal for a healing circle that could be adapted to your particular situation.

Sample proposal for a healing circle:

A Healing Circle is a voluntary gathering of individuals concerned with promoting healing and offering healing intention.

A healing atmosphere is created by placing chairs in a circle and preparing a display in the center of the circle that is evocative of positive and/or inspirational feelings and by playing soft music conducive to meditation. The display may include candles, flowers and other items that have meaning related to spirituality and healing.

Generally, once the circle gathers, a member of the group will offer an inspirational reading or thought for the day. After the reading, members of the group are invited to place their healing concerns, for themselves or others, in the center of the circle silently or aloud. As concerns are offered, a symbol for the concern such as a small stone or bead may be placed in the circle. Participants may also bring an item that is meaningful to them to place in the circle.

Then participants are invited to relax and close their eyes if they are comfortable doing so. Circle members are informed of a sign they may give if they do not wish to be touched when healing energy is offered. Most energy healing can be offered with or without touching.

At this time, healers within the group may rise and come behind the chairs of members of the circle. The healers place their hands on or near the heads, faces and shoulders of the individuals in the circle, performing reiki, or therapeutic touch, or whatever their practice. Participants may silently pray or meditate. After a predefined period of time, a member of the group will signify the end of the circle, usually by ringing a chime or by speaking softly to inform the group.

Healers: Healers are members of the group that have been trained in a healing practice such as reiki or therapeutic touch.

Reiki: Reiki is a Japanese healing art that involves placing the hands near or on the body to facilitate the flow of universal life force energy, thereby enhancing and promoting healing.

Therapeutic Touch: Therapeutic Touch is an intentionally directed process of energy exchange during which the practitioner uses the hands as a focus to facilitate the healing process. It is a contemporary interpretation of several ancient healing practices.

The applicant(s): (Give a brief description of yourself as a leader or leaders of the group.)

A healing circle may also be conducted without healers by simply having an extended period of prayer and meditation after the reading. The benefit of a healing circle is enjoyed in the balancing of energy if healers are present but also simply in the power of prayer and meditation and the elicitation of the relaxation response that enhances an individual's innate healing abilities.

Creating a healing circle is a wonderful experience that is of great spiritual benefit to all who participate. By gathering a group of interested people, finding an appropriate venue and creating a healing atmosphere, you can contribute a great healing resource to your community.

© 2006, Davis Virtual Assistance. This article may not be reprinted or copied on any type of media either in part or in whole.

Dina Crawford is a personal life coach, seminar leader and writer. For more information visit http://www.wingsofawareness.com.