The word “healer” almost always brings to mind visions of a bearded man in flowing robes, holding a staff in one hand while the other is placed on the head of the person in need of healing. So it was such a surprise to see Datin Anne Jones at the Booker Room of MPH, 1 Utama, on October 19, 2004. Sporting a short, trendy hairdo with a warm personality and bright smile, she quickly assumed the role of facilitator for the evening at a hands-on seminar organised by eHomemakers.

Datin Anne started by explaining to the audience that energy healing focuses internally and addresses common negative sentiments like anger and hatred.  According to her, anyone can use their minds to enforce energy boundaries around them. Datin Anne asked the participants to imagine stepping into an eggshell big enough to fit into. In this shell, she explained, participants can shield themselves from the negative energies of others. Datin Anne suggested that it was a good idea to get into individual “egg shells” to start the day.

Part of energy healing relies on the use symbols in protecting and healing one from the layers of negativity around. The symbol for protection looks like a Red Indian teepee with the outline of an eye inside. Inside the eye is a dot and care should be taken to draw the top curve of the eye first, from the left to the right, before outlining the bottom curve.

After protecting one’s self, Datin Anne shared ways to “lift” people up in the healing process. Healers must learn to let go. Keeping things in makes us sick in the long run, she explained. One way to let go is write down on a piece of paper the anger elements and then one should proceed to tear or burn that piece of paper up.  Datin Anne advised participants to repeat the process several times until the pent-up emotions are released. She pointed out that every piece of paper burns differently – this could be due to the negative energy transferred from self to the paper and into the flames.

After protecting one’s self and letting go, the next stage of healing is to enhance and lift up a person’s energy. Fresh water is often associated with this part. Water is seen as good, clear energy and is universal as is love. One has to reach out and get it. One way is to sit quietly and imagine white light coming towards you like bubbly champagne bubbles. Then participants are asked to imagine that when the bubbles are being blown away, they carry with them all the negativities.

Again, symbols are used and this time one that is similar to the single loop ribbons used in AIDS and cancer support groups is recommended. Datin Anne demonstrated this by adding a dot between the loose tail ends of the ribbon. Participants are guided to draw this thrice, starting from the right to left. Datin Anne pointed out that the unique thing about energy healing symbols is that, one can imagine drawing them in one’s mind if there are no writing materials nearby. Or the symbols can also be drawn in the air with one’s hand.

Participants were asked to draw this symbol in the air and feel the energy flowing in.  They were then asked to place the hand/ finger where it mattered i.e. the area that needed healing. Another technique is to place the hand/palm on the top of another person’s head (crown) at the energy center.

Datin Anne also depicted another symbol with spikes all around which represented the negative vibes in a person where the energy from that person is going off in all sorts of directions. This can also be described as the “noises” disturbing a person’s mind.

With all the healings exercises involving the “extraction” of negative energies from within, the logical question would be to ask where these negativities would go to. Datin Anne cautioned that if a healer is inexperienced or careless, these negativities might end up being absorbed by them so healers must learn to protect themselves.

For this, Datin Anne advised that a healer should always seek the help of his/her spiritual guide to protect the healer from unwanted elements – God, a deity, depending on one’s faith. Another way is to envelope one’s self in a violet “flame” to shield from the negative aura.

Datin Anne then demonstrated the healing process on a member of the audience.  She started by bringing energy towards the person using the ribbon symbol. Placing her palm on the person’s crown, Datin Anne finished off the healing session by “combing” away the burden carried by the person and then bringing together all the positive energy by hugging the person.

To get rid of a burden, Datin Anne advised, the healer must comb (using the hands to do this) across the person’s shoulders and down the back a few times. She also recommended that having a bowl of water nearby with salt added would attract the negativity energies and stop them from going to others. 

A member of the audience wondered aloud if healing can only take place in the presence of the person in need. To this, Datin Anne explained that distance healing is possible. Healers would need to draw images of the relevant symbols in their minds while thinking of the person in need. One can also use photographs of the person in need to heal. She explained that physical contact in not essential in energy healing.

Datin Anne went on to elaborate that energy healing and healing in general combines love with good intentions. She clarified that through the use of symbols and the internal connection of the healer with their spiritual guides, energy healing transcends cultural, religious and racial barriers.  According to her, the power to heal is within anyone who has the desire to heal. Though this comes naturally to some, others may do so with proper guidance and training.

Part of the journey of healing is to get to know one’s self - the letting go, the forgiving and the perception of one’s view of life - and Datin Anne has observed that it is this experience that makes energy healing so enriching.

For more information on what Datin Anne and her group does, please log on to the website Hearts&Hands.

Article contributed by Roziana Rashid