A Close Encounter with Self-Healing
In March this year, I was based at the Six Senses resort in Fort Barwara, in Rajasthan, about a three-hour drive from Jaipur, in the Sawai Madhopur area, flanked by Ranthambore National park.
I was invited as a Visiting Professional, offering my services as a therapist and healer. The resort is a magnificently restored 300-year-old fort, consisting of 48 suites, large open corridors linking various spaces and floors, tastefully designed restaurants, reading spaces, outdoor spaces, and the spa. And, very remote.
As most forts were built on hill tops or a height that enemies couldn’t penetrate easily, Fort Barwara is no exception. Therefore, there are multiple levels and steps everywhere. The various levels, connected by the steps, looked stately, like terraced rice fields. I spent a month at the resort and my eyes never tired of looking at the restoration with satisfaction. Even delight.
Recovering from two leg surgeries in the last three years, after a fall and a tibia broken in three places, I was extra cautious as I navigated the steps. From the evening I arrived till I left, I became comfortable with staff gently putting their hand on my left or right arm, whichever side they were located. “Mind your step” was the phrase I heard them say.
I walked slowly; eyes peeled to the ground. But, on the fifth day, I had a small tumble. Coming out of the lobby, heading towards the spa, the sun hit me directly in my eye. I knew there was a step, but clearly missed it. Fortunately, the step was a low one, and I fell on my right side, breaking my fall with my right arm. Two staff members came running from the lobby entrance to help me up.
I rose by myself and realized nothing was broken. The frame of my glasses was a little bent (I’d fallen on them), but I seemed fine. I sat in the lobby and the Ayurvedic doctor in charge of the Spa came over, looked at the foot and said, nothing serious and I should rest it. The resort nurse/doctor came by, sprayed some Volini, and left. I hobbled back to my room, rubbed some aloe vera on my bruised knee, washed my face and lay down. Breathing deeply, I fell asleep.
Later, Naomi, the spa assistant manager came by with an oil and rubbed it over my foot and made soothing sounds. I felt soothed. It was odd to be in a place where I couldn’t consult my husband who knows quite a bit about medical things (a degree in chemistry, besides good sense!) or have my Ortho surgeon who has been treating my falls since 2000. It was a bit scary but oddly comforting too. I had only myself to deal with the situation.
I began to ice the foot and that helped. The Spa doctor suggested I should do saltwater immersion of the foot too, which I did. I took some anti-inflammatory pills I was carrying with me, which helped to keep the pain down. I continued to walk to the dining room for meals. It helped to see other faces and have the sympathy of the staff. On the fourth day, I started walking over to the Spa and seeing guests for therapy. My right foot stuck out as I walked, there was some pain, but I was happy that I could walk. For me, it was a sign that there was nothing seriously wrong with the foot. I missed the evening swim, but I told myself the foot will be better soon.
I watched the foot go from blue to dark blue and the blueness move around the top of the foot. Every day the foot looked different. I massaged it, put the ice pack, and left it. I walked slowly, admiring the resort and a week before I left, going back to swimming. The foot wasn’t completely healed, but healing.
About six weeks after the incident, back home, I felt my foot was back to normal. I was pleased that I didn’t travel to see a doctor, get an X-Ray, maybe get a cast that would restrict my movements. I liked the slow healing of the foot and my daily interaction with the progress.
This is perhaps the first time I have allowed a not very serious situation to heal by itself. The lack of emergency care came as a blessing. I learned what I needed to take care of the foot, by being patient and alert to the needs and progress of the healing, relying on my instincts and faith that I could assist the healing of the foot.
I learned a great deal in this encounter about self-healing.
