The physical wound is a common metaphor used when talking about healing, but the thing is, healing emotionally or spiritually is not the same as healing a physical wound.

I’ve come to realize, working in symbolism and metaphors, how vital the metaphor is. Many metaphors we use are cultural norms we grow up with, so we never think twice about their effect on us.

I want to offer you a metaphor that feels more true to me but feel free to come up with your own. That means something to you. 

The Heart Math Institute states that we can read the heart’s electromagnetic field up to 8 feet away, which means that your heart’s energy field is enmeshing with everything that comes within 8 feet of you. The grass, plants, animals, water. This is why nature is healing. You know that one friend, every time you’re around them, you leave feeling so much better, and on the other side, think of that person who walks in a room and doesn’t even have to speak; the energy is just sucked right out of the room.

Our energy fields hold all the unresolved emotions we haven’t released. As you enmesh with other people, you are enmeshing with their subconscious emotions, the joyful ones and the ones they have yet to release.

We’ve lost many ancient practices of emotional release, so there is a buildup.

Here is the metaphor :

Imagine the idea of healing as a jewelry box. Imagine all your experiences and the energy you’ve picked up from the people around you as a bunch of jewelry, all tangled together. It’s hard to sort out which one of yours. Which ones are someone else’s? Which ones do you want to get rid of, and which ones do you want to keep?

AND you’re still living daily life; there are still necklaces getting tossed in. All this confusion and overwhelm makes healing seem impossible. You don’t know where to start, but the secret is you just start. You go at a pace that works for you. You take a break when needed and come back with fresh eyes. I’m not going to say there’s a magic formula with this metaphor that is the pathway to healing, but I know that the three most essential ingredients are awareness, attention, and intention.