Titles such as “Being Empathic” or “Reading Body Energy” came to mind when the thought of writing about this topic grew to more than a passing interest, or “brain fart” as some local radio jockeys have expressed of their imagination. But you mention “empathic” or “body energy” and people tend to think “you freak” or “That’s disgusting, you pervert” respectively. But if more people were to understand how we all work, as we all generate a field of energy, then more people would know how to heal themselves and each other.

You might think of Hollywood at this point and how characters in movies and television can touch another person and heal them miraculously within seconds. I can note from experience you can effect change in a person, but not to that speed and not so dramatically. The process of healing other people requires years of practice to those people who care to learn a technique, which varies from person to person, and should they want to develop it. More often than not, a person with this type of skill will not quantify it as a skill, but more of a hindrance, and will want to learn how to control the resulting anxiety. Therefore, maybe you can relate to my past and the steps I took finding relief?

I was always quiet, hypersensitive and a daydreamer as a child, and for much of grade school, teased and bullied for what fellow students saw as deficiency in character. I would stare at things and wonder why they were working that way, why some people were more aggressive than others, and why some people were more comfortable to be around and others terrified me. I ignored these senses throughout high school though I detected patterns.

University would be the start of the exploration, leading off with a pretty woman at a departmental dance. She sought me out. An encouraging sign which seemed to be reinforced when I felt something like her body energy growing more relaxed during idle conversation. Other young men in the department would swarm her the odd time when I went to the bar, but I was encouraged seeing her refusing things from them. We would spend the remainder of the time at the dance together. I felt her settling down and being comfortable with me.

In the days to follow, I would feel her body energy expanding, and something I saw as more confidence and reputation growing as she went through a metamorphosis. Weeks later her energy changed again. It seemed more restricted, condensed, darker, and at times, empty. I asked her how she was doing. She was cold at that point, avoiding me as much as possible, and would not change until the end of the school year. At that point I sensed a multitude of transformations, one of which was intimacy, and sad to note, not with me. But regardless of how I felt at the time, I was going through a change and without realizing it, I needed a mentor.

Much frustration would come as writing and filmmaking were my priorities at the time. But I would meet John J. Heney, my future mentor, through Angela Airey. Angela and I met during a workshop in film. Angela was being published and introduced me to John at the launch.

John was recovering from Parkinson’s Disease and dystonia. He looked at me and said “you’ve got a skill. Would you like to develop it?” I answered “Sure, as long at it gets rid of my anxiety”. He told me the anxiety was energy trying to convey information but I was not listening to it or them. John asked me to join a support group for people, each with their own special skills, who were developing theirs by way of helping other people.

I thought, “Not so fast. This is too weird for me. I’m a writer and a filmmaker. I’m not a medium or a healer.” But when anxiety controls your life, you need to find a way to release that tension.

Three weeks later I contacted John and agreed to meet with his group, being leery at meeting people like that.

When you can control the energy in your environment, you control the mood. That was a good first impression; seeing John control the energy in the room as though without effort. I was comfortable, neutral, and felt better than I could remember in years.

After introductions, John asked me to treat him.

“Me? You want me to treat you?”

He nodded.

“What am I supposed to do?”

He asked me to sit behind him, apply hands to his shoulders and let instinct take over. “You’re kidding, of course,” I told him.

He shook head. “You can do this. I can see it.”

I did as asked, and sat behind him. I brought hands close to his shoulders and saw clouds appearing in the space between them. I cursed but continued, not knowing what else to expect.

After what seemed like minutes of doing nothing I asked, “When do I know when to move my hands?”

“Give it time,” he said, his voice sounding subdued. “They will let you know, but you’re doing great.”

Within moments the clouds disappeared and reappeared at the centre of his stomach. Yes, that meant I was seeing clouds materialize in his body. I cursed at that point, being beyond what I could process, but so would begin a new phase, a new level of exploration, and my way of healing by touch.

John would eventually request weekly sessions in helping him reestablish his mobility. In that year and a half, I would learn how to read more of the information energy was conveying.

This skill --though sometimes it feels like a curse-- leads to interesting experiences, especially when reading other people, and their body space. People tend to try to project their assets. Energy shows me the traits they want to hide, and most of the time I am leery at telling people what I see of their character.