The power of group healing

This week I gave acupuncture to a group of social workers serving low income communities. They were having a work retreat and looking for a few moments of relaxation and respite amidst a full schedule and a career of challenging and draining days. The group of colleagues sat together around an office table. After explaining some of how acupuncture works, I started placing needles in each persons ears. There are great points for stress, detoxification, anxiety and overall healing in our ears. At first the coworkers continued chatting and making small talk with one another. As I proceeded around the circle, putting ear needles in each person, the conversations lulled and a calm silence enwrapped the room. I went around again, adding body points specific to each persons concerns and then sat down with the group. It was powerful to feel the shift in the room. Folks clearly entered a different space – the realm between asleep and awake. A space internal and deep, different for each individual, yet magnified and enhanced by the group setting and communal experience. How quickly this happens. After about 30 minutes of peaceful silence, I removed the needles. Again, there was an energy shift. People appeared lighter, more relaxed - yet engaged, and full of questions about how acupuncture works and where to get it.