The way of the Ani Yunwiwa

When I think of how my grandparents taught their healing methods to others, many happy memories awaken. It was clear that my grandfather was the primary student of his father-in-law. There was an unspoken ease and mutual respect between them, which they shared with those who approached them with respect. Many people came to visit for teaching and healing; those who had a great commitment to learn came to stay for months and brought provisions for themselves and the family. They were tested with humor and tasks to determine their level of understanding.

My grandparents would just listen and they would offer tea. People who wanted healing had to come in the right way; usually they had to come four times. My grandparents would always insist that the person do something before coming back again. Violet came many, many times. First they told her to put bowls of water in her bedroom and to put pretty flowers around her room. She came back. They told her to put salt in the corners of the room and white chalk under her bed. She did everything, and still there was sorrow in her heart and a rage in her husband. My grandfather and grandmother really gave both of them some homework. For the husband, so he could feel more peace, certain things were told to him, which I did not hear. They had come from far away places, in their emotions and geographically. I asked, "Is it because he comes from far away that they cannot get along?" I got one of the usual answers, that was both yes and no. "Yes, he does come from far away and from a culture that is a little different from that of his wife ... and where there's love and ease, distance doesn't mean anything." For Violet and her husband there was no resolution, and no child born to them, and so I learned that sometimes healing does not bring people what they think they want, and that people can ask to be healed of something that is really not a disease ...

This article can be read in its entirety in Mandala