A catalyst for profound change
Life has a strange way of throwing us into unanticipated situations which can act as catalyst for profound change in our view of the world, our relationships and our place in the universe. One dramatic and shocking event can catapult us into a new world-view, where nothing around us ever appears the same again.
Sometimes this transformation can happen in one brief moment and represent a quantum leap in terms of personal development. In others it can involve a period of rapid change, of emerging – a chrysalis phase – during which the quality and characteristics of our personal relationships may fundamentally change forever.
Sometimes this transformation can happen in one brief moment and represent a quantum leap in terms of personal development. In others it can involve a period of rapid change, of emerging – a chrysalis phase – during which the quality and characteristics of our personal relationships may fundamentally change forever.
I was trapped in a blazing building
Such a life- changing event occurred in my life in November 1989 when I found myself trapped in a blazing building and consequently had, what is generally known as a near-death experience. This was to trigger a period of intense transformation and growth in my life. I remember the paralysing feelings of fear and terror as the room in which I stood filled with smoke. I was fully aware of the fact that I was inhaling smoke and could feel my lungs expand and my body swell.
The voice of some distant nurse-tutor recited the textbook implications for the body of inhaling smoke; yet, I failed to observe what I knew to be a cardinal rule, of staying low where more oxygen would be available. Frozen by the terrifying realisation that the flames would soon engulf my body, I passed out of consciousness. I later woke up to find myself outside a burning building, in severe shock and suffering from smoke inhalation. The remainder of what happened prior to being hospitalised is mostly a haze.
The nurses and doctors provided the very best in orthodox medical healthcare. My lungs had been badly damaged from smoke inhalation but their immediate and professional medical intervention particularly on my respiratory system enabled me to leave hospital within a few days.
The voice of some distant nurse-tutor recited the textbook implications for the body of inhaling smoke; yet, I failed to observe what I knew to be a cardinal rule, of staying low where more oxygen would be available. Frozen by the terrifying realisation that the flames would soon engulf my body, I passed out of consciousness. I later woke up to find myself outside a burning building, in severe shock and suffering from smoke inhalation. The remainder of what happened prior to being hospitalised is mostly a haze.
The nurses and doctors provided the very best in orthodox medical healthcare. My lungs had been badly damaged from smoke inhalation but their immediate and professional medical intervention particularly on my respiratory system enabled me to leave hospital within a few days.
A transformational change had occurred
When I was discharged from hospital, I returned to the home and family I had left a few days earlier. I felt completely different. Some transformational change had occurred to me that I couldn’t understand or explain and for the first time ever, – I could truly see the world as I had never seen it before. I walked around my house as if seeing it for the first time. I remember staring at a particular picture, which had been hanging on the same wall for the previous twenty years realising that I had never actually noticed it’s details before. I believe that I may have had what some people refer to as a ‘near-death’ experience.
My ability to use exercise or sport as a distraction from my emotional and mental trauma was limited, so I spent many hours and days on self-reflection, regret, hurt, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. I knew I couldn’t change the past or what had happened as a result of the fire, and I didn’t know at this stage what I could learn from this traumatic experience either.
House-bound by my injuries and poor health I would walk from room to room in awe of the smells, sounds and other details I had never truly registered before. It took a number of days for that intensity of consciousness to slip somewhat, but by that time I had gained valuable insight into my relationships, my conditioning, and the various issues in my life.
My ability to use exercise or sport as a distraction from my emotional and mental trauma was limited, so I spent many hours and days on self-reflection, regret, hurt, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. I knew I couldn’t change the past or what had happened as a result of the fire, and I didn’t know at this stage what I could learn from this traumatic experience either.
House-bound by my injuries and poor health I would walk from room to room in awe of the smells, sounds and other details I had never truly registered before. It took a number of days for that intensity of consciousness to slip somewhat, but by that time I had gained valuable insight into my relationships, my conditioning, and the various issues in my life.
I came across my old nursing syllabus
One day while sorting out some paperwork, to my amazement I came across my old nursing syllabus and record of my training in psychiatric nursing. It was like rewinding a film as I flicked through all the pages. I could see the image of myself as a young girl full of enthusiasm for her new job in nursing.
All the images of my early time in nursing came flooding back into my mind. I stopped and reflected on the time I spent working in the Behaviour Therapy Unit of the hospital in Birmingham. I thought about the incredible experience I gained where I witnessed, and was part of the amazing therapies of the day used for patients, such as:
As I reflected back on my early nursing days, I became aware that despite all my nursing training, qualifications and experience, I had all the theory but had no real insight into the problems or health issues affecting these patients. What’s more, at that time I had no knowledge how to empathise with any of these patients.
For a week or two I continued to rest and take my recommended medication. I felt that I was slowly but gradually recovering from my physical injuries, but unresolved fear, shock and trauma started to have a controlling effect on my everyday life. Admittedly, something had definitely changed for me for the good, but unresolved fear was controlling me and preventing me from moving on.
All the images of my early time in nursing came flooding back into my mind. I stopped and reflected on the time I spent working in the Behaviour Therapy Unit of the hospital in Birmingham. I thought about the incredible experience I gained where I witnessed, and was part of the amazing therapies of the day used for patients, such as:
- Hypnosis
- Ether abreaction
- Narco-analysis
- Desensitization
- E.C.T.
- Behavioural therapy
- Aversion therapy
- Obsessive Neurosis therapy
As I reflected back on my early nursing days, I became aware that despite all my nursing training, qualifications and experience, I had all the theory but had no real insight into the problems or health issues affecting these patients. What’s more, at that time I had no knowledge how to empathise with any of these patients.
For a week or two I continued to rest and take my recommended medication. I felt that I was slowly but gradually recovering from my physical injuries, but unresolved fear, shock and trauma started to have a controlling effect on my everyday life. Admittedly, something had definitely changed for me for the good, but unresolved fear was controlling me and preventing me from moving on.
How the intensity of my fear decreased
On a friend’s recommendation, I attended a local complementary healing clinic for energy therapy sessions. This was a new experience for me and with each therapy session I could feel a change taking place physically, mentally and emotionally.
After about four energy therapy sessions I could feel that the intensity of the fear had decreased to a level where it was no longer controlling my everyday life.
It was as though a healing had taken place for my whole being, body and soul, and I had shed the ‘old me’ and a ‘new me’ had now been awakened.
Slowly but surely, I felt that a new life was beginning for me, with a new way of looking at everything around me. A new way of seeing and relating to people in my life including my family, friends and neighbours.
After about four energy therapy sessions I could feel that the intensity of the fear had decreased to a level where it was no longer controlling my everyday life.
It was as though a healing had taken place for my whole being, body and soul, and I had shed the ‘old me’ and a ‘new me’ had now been awakened.
Slowly but surely, I felt that a new life was beginning for me, with a new way of looking at everything around me. A new way of seeing and relating to people in my life including my family, friends and neighbours.
A true awakening had taken place
During and following this time of therapy, healing and recuperation, there was a true awakening taking place within me, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically.
If energy therapy had such a profound effect on me, I felt it could also have a profound and positive effect on many others who might need help.
I knew that what I needed to do was to explore and access every aspect of energy healing possible, that I could train in. Over the following years I trained in many energy healing therapies including Shen Therapy and Bio Energy Therapy and developed my own modality called Physio Emotional Release Therapy. From that time onwards I knew I had found my true path in life. This became my passion which I have continued to work with for over thirty years.
I now believe that our own personal experiences are priceless and invaluable in providing us with an awareness and insight into how to empathise with others in our everyday lives and when working professionally with clients. I understand more clearly than ever before that as a therapist, I cannot take anyone where I haven’t been.
It took my own trauma and tragedy to bring me to this new awareness and realisation. It’s never too late to learn about who we are, and it’s never too late to make changes in our lives, our work and our perceptions on life.
This entire experience and the healing and transformation that took place changed my whole perception on life. (My true story – Patricia Hesnan)
If energy therapy had such a profound effect on me, I felt it could also have a profound and positive effect on many others who might need help.
I knew that what I needed to do was to explore and access every aspect of energy healing possible, that I could train in. Over the following years I trained in many energy healing therapies including Shen Therapy and Bio Energy Therapy and developed my own modality called Physio Emotional Release Therapy. From that time onwards I knew I had found my true path in life. This became my passion which I have continued to work with for over thirty years.
I now believe that our own personal experiences are priceless and invaluable in providing us with an awareness and insight into how to empathise with others in our everyday lives and when working professionally with clients. I understand more clearly than ever before that as a therapist, I cannot take anyone where I haven’t been.
It took my own trauma and tragedy to bring me to this new awareness and realisation. It’s never too late to learn about who we are, and it’s never too late to make changes in our lives, our work and our perceptions on life.
This entire experience and the healing and transformation that took place changed my whole perception on life. (My true story – Patricia Hesnan)
© Patricia Hesnan - (Retd Nurse, Author, Cert in B.C.S. & Stress Management, Cert in Shen Therapy & Dip. Bio Energy, Therapist, Speaker & Course Facilitator, Crania-Sacral Practitioner, Dip. Hol.T.M. Medium, Channeler). * Excerpts from her best-selling book “Be Your Own Therapist.”