Receiving

As many of you know, I have been awaiting elbow and wrist surgery since the fall. I had the operation two weeks ago, and met with my surgeon today for my post-op appointment. He was amazed at how well I am healing--how little bruising there is, how little swelling, how well my surgical wounds have closed.

While I didn't give him a lecture on shamanism (he was already running 45 minutes late), I was not surprised. This isn't the first time I have had a medical professional amazed at my recovery after an injury or accident. Each time, this one included, I asked for help. As you can imagine, I know a lot of people who do shamanic healing work. My teacher said that circles, once formed, continue in non-ordinary reality long after the participants have disbanded. I have certainly found that to be true when I ask for help. I don't know exactly how many people worked with their spirits on my behalf, because it doesn't matter, and I didn't take attendance. I do know specific people who responded to my request and said they would work for me. They did an amazing job.

There is something magical about asking for help. Think of all the variables involved: autonomy, vulnerability, relationship, trust, hope, love, relationship (yes, twice, because we are in a relationship crisis in our culture right now). Receiving, without having to do anything other than trust the support, is a beautiful thing.

Think for a moment what it takes for you to ask for help, and what it takes for you to receive. Is it hard? Is it fraught? Is it easy? Do you trust it? Asking and receiving is a skill set in itself, one about which I have received many teachings through this work. And here is another one--a doctor in disbelief, and spirits around me gently laughing.