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How does Counseling relate to the "Just Touch" philosophy and the goal of self-awareness?

A recipient of Bio-Magnetic Touch Healing^TM may initially come to self-awareness concerning their physical condition, but at some point other aspects of their life may become involved in a healing process. In time, a person may begin making changes in diet, behavior and/or lifestyle to match the changes experienced in the body. For example, they may simply change their posture as they sit at their desk at work, or the change may be as life altering as to consider an entire change of career.

Most people, when they are making decisions or making changes in their lives, want to hear from someone else that what they are feeling or what they are getting ready to do is "okay." As self-awareness unfolds, recipients may share with a practitioner thoughts and feelings they have never told anyone before. Recipients will ask for guidance and counsel. Certainly this is the experience of many caregivers, so what makes "Just Touch" unique?

In the Bio-Magnetic Touch Healing^TM Certification Program the question is asked: "How do we honor and take responsibility in this position of trust? How can we resist the urge to counsel and advise, and not let ourselves be tricked into engaging in the more subtle forms of the same thing; directing, 'guiding,' asking 'helpful' questions, making 'observations'? How do we set aside years of trainings, education, experience and opinions, all so inextricably based in our own particular take on life? How do we keep from 'comforting' another when we are uncomfortable in the face of their pain?"

At the Foundation we have a simple (but not easy!) solution: we do NOT counsel. In all cases we just touch. A Certified Practitioner in Tucson said, "By touching, the information 'comes up' by itself. The person sees it themselves and can move through it on their own -- without words."

Over the years I have experienced this from both sides of the table - as a recipient and as a practitioner of Bio-Magnetic Touch Healing^TM. When I first came to the Center my life was in turmoil and my body was feeling the repercussions of it all. Looking back at those first weeks and months of sessions, I am awed by the personal integrity exhibited by my practitioners. During all those hours listening to me talk over and over again about my troubles and disappointments, they were kind, friendly and caring, but no one ever told me what to do. They just touched. In a few short months not only did my physical condition become manageable, but for the first time, I really heard myself and became ready to make profound changes in my life.

A few years later as a practitioner I worked with a man who was literally on his deathbed. When he had gotten better I was astonished when he said, "You gave me a lot of good advice. I think it really got me through, and I appreciate it." Actually, I had made it a point to say as little as possible, not out of some grand concept of "respect," but mostly because I was scared. I just remember touching, and maybe it was in the touch itself that he heard an agreement to what he already knew. I don't know. The decision this man was facing was whether to live or die, and I was not and am not qualified to help anyone make that decision.

Maybe more than healing the pains and stresses of bodies, "Just Touch" offers the opportunity for the practitioner to grow in their own self-awareness. We learn about our own feelings, motivations and reactions and that in one way or another what we have to offer is always colored by our own values, fears and judgments. And from that point of self-awareness, whatever is said will be just what is needed, because first we learned how to be silent.

One of the most incredible things about practicing Bio-Magnetic Touch Healing^TM is that we can get involved with people because we are not healers, we are also just people. We have a lot of fun and laughter and are given the opportunity to become part of people's lives. It is an honor to be trusted. By participating in people's experience without having to say something or do something, one is allowed to go through it with them -- to grow with them and experience one's own healing. "Just Touch!"

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