A reader named Cassie initiated a discussion on our Forum that we thought
many of you would like to know about:
I'm an end-of-life companion at the local VA hospital. Many of the
people I see are actively dying, and are unable to respond to me.
In this situation, would it be unethical for me to put a drop of
Rescue Remedy on their skin to ease their transition? I know you're
not supposed to give anyone essences without their consent, but in
this case they're not able to reply. My intent is to ease their
suffering. I'd appreciate hearing what you think about this.
Kinara replied:
I believe it is always appropriate to seek permission before any
healing work is attempted. Having said that, though, I believe that
the higher self, the soul always has the option to refuse to receive
any treatment. Is the disease the "true" person or not? I always
try to remember that healing is an inside job and nobody can really
heal or cure another, only facilitate the desire of the soul.
When I was training with flower essences I was taught to use applied
kinisiology both to check for permission to use the essence and to
select the appropriate essence. I believe that this is a sensible
and non-invasive practice to follow if there is any doubt.
Another reader added:
I would also point out Perelandra's approach in the case of working
with delirious or unconscious patients. You must connect with their
higher self (and yours) and their electrical system. You then use
surrogate energy testing to determine if they want essences, and if
so, what essences. I have used this approach occasionally when it
seemed appropriate.
Rose Mattox said:
I must agree with the last post. However, if the individual is
delirious or unconscious, and permission to use essences is given on
behalf of that individual by spouse or family members, I believe it
would be ethical to give the essence.
Leda's perspective on this controversial topic was different:
This is my own personal opinion, and might be different than other
practitioners: I never give flower therapy to people who don't ask
me. I work in a hospital myself. I normally see people with Cancer,
AIDS, etc, but I have learned that sometimes people need to learn
spiritual lessons through sickness. This was the spirit of flower
therapy according to Doctor Bach in the early times. Often in meditation, I see that my own fear of pain and death as well as my attachments are protected into my intervention with the dying.
Andreas Kortes has an essence of Orchids called VICTORIA REGIA,
which is used in helping the transition to the other world. It works at the level of
Kundalini and the seventh chakra. In the descriptions of Victoria
Regia it is said that it doesn't accelerate the process of dying, but makes it softer.
Maybe a similar mixture (but less specific) could be made from Walnut and Honeysuckle,
but I repeat, I don't think it is ethical to give someone flowers without asking. It
is like when people ask if they can give Reiki to a dying or very
sick person without asking. Some Reiki Masters advise at least to ask the
person's higher being. I know this subject is very controversial.
This week I have been confronted myself with people I know with
cancer and have asked myself so many questions.
Vibration Editor, Deborah Bier, took the same question to another level. (She can
often be counted on to do just that!)
You know, I think this is such an interesting subject. And
everyone's contributions have been very thoughtful and helpful.
I am musing about how we each make powerful, life-changing impacts
on others' health without asking for or getting express permission.
We do this often without concern or conflict about what we are
doing. And I'm wondering why this differs from giving someone an
essence without their conscious permission. Let me give an example
to indicate more of what I'm thinking. I will use the following
example because it's so common.
What we eat on a daily basis can be very powerful, positive medicine
-- or can very powerfully help us become unwell. I'm the main
grocery shopper and cook in my household. I select the food and how
it is prepared. I therefore help set the stage for greater or
lesser health through these choices. Now, I have not asked my
husband if the level of healthful or unhealthful food is something for which he
gives permission. I buy and cook -- he generally just eats and
enjoys.
I make far more healthy choices than he would on his own. I am
therefore deeply affecting his state of health, yet I have not asked
his express permission to do so. It's actually pretty clear to me he
doesn't believe as strongly as I do that our diet impacts our
health, so on a significant level, he doesn't even want to be a part
of such a discussion. Is affecting his health in this way OK
ethically?
Let's extend this idea to the types of packaging our purchases come
in -- non-recyclable packaging has an impact on landfills and the
health of our environment. So do the cleaning products we use -- I
affect the air you breathe when, for example, I use a toxic solvent
to clean something. And then there's the car I drive, the fuel it
burns, if I walk to work instead, if I cut down a tree or even plant
a new one. And on and on and on and on!
What I'm getting at is this: we are all always and constantly
affecting each other's health and wellbeing in profound ways without
asking for and receiving permission. How is that different than from
slipping someone an essence without their knowing? I'm not saying sneaking people essences without permission is nothing to worry about, but in light of or other choices, it IS something to ponder!
Cassie, the reader who originally asked the question, digested these responses and
wrote once more:
Interesting points, Deborah. You've got me thinking more about my original post about
people who are in the hospital and are dying. These people have given their consent to
the hospital staff to be treated. The staff doesn't check with the person's higher self
before giving them antibiotics or morphine, although one could argue that perhaps they
should. How is this any different from giving an essence? I'm not advocating one way or
the other -- just interested in the whole topic of responsibility and ethics.
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