Sun and Water:
Towards a Synthesis of Medical and Energetic Approaches
We are a fourth year medical student (J) and an energy worker/death doula (Jane), who are attempting an experiment in combining typically disparate approaches to health and healing. In our experience, the worlds of alternative healing and conventional medicine are usually siloed. Those who have deep experience with energy work and emotional healing often have little knowledge of the body’s biological mechanisms and how to interpret medical data like labs, imaging, and medication regimens. Conversely, doctors and others with medical knowledge usually lack a deep understanding of subtle energetics and the many ways the body expresses and moves.
We propose a health-coaching approach that combines both worlds. Our plan is to do a truly comprehensive evaluation, walking back through your experience of your illness, with a deep attunement to your body’s messages (imaginal, emotional, energetic, and more). Our hypothesis is that in so doing, we will find new avenues of healing, that would have been impossible with either approach alone.
What is it?
Possible interventions may include:
Biologically oriented healing visualizations
Energy work targeting specific organs and biochemical pathways
Corrective, emotionally attuned work around medical education and illness-related grief
Holding space for ambivalence (and any other feelings) about limitations, frustrations, and infractions in trust from previously received medical care
Exploration of alternative healing modalities
Recovering a sense of agency in exploring one’s own body and inner world
Coaching on health systems navigation and advocacy
Format
The health coaching comprises three 90-minute, remote sessions. The first will be similar to an intake at a doctor’s office, except that as we ask medical questions, we will be moving more slowly, and with a deeper attunement to the energetics. Second and third sessions will include energy work and coaching (as listed above). We will reserve a portion of the third session for discussion of our time together, feedback, and a spacious closing ritual.
We will then present our findings as a case study. This will include at least one live workshop, and, possibly, published writing. By participating in this case study with us, you’ll consent to the sharing of details of our work together and our findings. Our preference is that you will attend the workshop with us, share a little about your experience of the case study, and field questions from participants; but we’re also open to having you remain anonymous.
It is free to participate. See below for information on the application process, from which we’ll select one candidate.
Inclusion Criteria:
Have a diagnosed (or non-diagnosed but likely): rheumatologic, autoimmune, endocrine, gynecologic, gastrointestinal, or functional neurological disorder. (These are the disorders where we foresee the most potential in our collaborative efforts.)
Have experience with body-based emotional processing, whether through energy work, meditation, therapy, any other number of modalities, or through your own explorations
Exclusion Criteria:
Active cancer
Suicide attempt or active suicidal ideation within the last 18 months
Under 18 or over 65
Apply to Sun and Water
Applications are currently closed and the first round of this experiment is underway. Please check back for news on workshops and writing about our findings!