In the vast world of healing practices, understanding the different approaches and methodologies can be overwhelming. Jeffrey Yuen, an 88th-generation Jade Purity Daoist monk and healer, offers a compelling framework that simplifies this complexity. According to Daoist philosophy, Yuen teaches that healing can occur at three distinct levels. Let’s explore these levels and their implications for both healers and those seeking healing.

Level One: Energy (Wu)

At the most fundamental level, healing is about energy. This perspective recognizes that all beings are essentially purveyors of light and energy. The healer’s role at this level is to:

• Facilitate the flow and balance of energy
• Work with unseen realms and spiritual forces
• Use ritual, intention, and subtle manipulation
• Harmonize the individual with their larger energetic and spiritual context

This level of healing is often associated with shamanic practices. It focuses on the individual’s place within the grand tapestry of existence, addressing imbalances at the most subtle and profound levels.

Level Two: Interaction (Shi)

Moving to a more tangible realm, the second level of healing emphasizes the interaction between healer and patient. Here, the healer takes on the role of a teacher and guide. Key aspects of this level include:

• Direct work with the individual
• Monitoring subjective responses and experiences
• Helping patients understand their healing process
• Guiding necessary life changes
• Emphasizing the therapeutic relationship
• Co-creating the healing journey

Tools used at this level might include dialogue, reflection, and experiential exercises. The focus is on facilitating the patient’s self-discovery and empowerment, recognizing that healing is an active, collaborative process.

Level Three: Procedural (Yi)

The third level is perhaps the most familiar to those acquainted with conventional medicine. This level involves:

• Specific procedures, techniques, and interventions
• Addressing physical, mental, or emotional concerns
• Diagnosing and treating specific conditions or symptoms
• Using medications, surgery, or other targeted therapies

While this level can be highly effective for certain conditions, it may not always address the deeper, underlying causes of illness or imbalance.

Integration and Implications

Yuen’s ontology suggests that true healing requires attention to all three levels. By integrating energetic, interactive, and procedural approaches, healers can provide a more comprehensive and holistic response to the complex challenges of illness and suffering.

This framework also highlights the importance of the healer’s own personal and spiritual development. To work effectively at the energetic and interactive levels, healers must:

• Cultivate a deep understanding of their inner world
• Access and transmit healing energy
• Hold space for the patient’s unfolding process
• Serve as a clear channel for wisdom and guidance
• Commit to ongoing self-reflection and spiritual practice

Different levels of healing may be appropriate for various individuals and situations. The skilled healer can assess each patient’s needs and adapt their approach accordingly, drawing upon multiple modalities and levels of healing as needed.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Yuen’s perspective invites us to expand our understanding of healing. It suggests that healing is not just about curing disease or alleviating symptoms, but about facilitating a profound transformation on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels.

This framework reminds us that healers are more than just technicians or experts – they are catalysts and guides for each individual’s unique path toward wholeness and integration. As we continue to explore and understand these levels of healing, we open ourselves to a richer, more nuanced approach to health and well-being.

… So, at what level are you working as a healer?