Studies show low immune function in people who are dedicated to pleasure and meeting all their needs and desires. Similar studies also show remarkable immune function in service people. Here, I must open a big parenthesis and clarify that we are not talking about the typical poor and resentful housewife who does everything for everyone and nobody cares, that is not service, that is slavery and a completely different subject. What is focused here is genuine altruistic care, sincere and willing to feel the heart for something that is outside of us.

Over the years it has been proven time and again that when you begin to intend for someone else to heal, you also heal yourself. Therefore, it is not a coincidence that people who have been through trauma are suddenly given an inner urge to go to Africa and start helping. In fact, this is an internal call to self-healing through service. These people invariably experience deep personal transformation and incredible healing experiences as a result of the work they put into others.

Similarly, we have many examples of the power of group healing and group therapy, such as AA, etc. Group healing is a great way to expand your sense of self, increasing your healing potential. Being part of a group in which you are not only supported by others, but you support others yourself harnesses an enormous amount of healing power that the ego cannot dream of accessing. The ego is small and effectively powerless when it comes to healing. You focus on yourself (including self-healing) out of fear of pain or desire for pleasure, and that’s not a good enough motivation for healing. In contrast, a true dedication to something greater than ourselves embodies both the right motivation and the real engine for healing.

A great way to expand your sense of self is by caring for the Earth (which, of course, is part of us). Such practices stand out strongly in shamanic healing, for example. In that regard, here is an amazing story that Dr. Alberto Villolo shared not long ago at an online conference. Imagine this: he is in the Amazon with a shamanic healer and they are waiting for a bus in the heat. Hours pass, no bus comes. Dr. Villolo decides to use the power of intention and begins to visualize a bus that stops with two seats available. Four hours later there is still no bus. Finally, Dr. Villolo says to his partner, “You know, obviously I can’t do it. Why don’t you use your methods and get us a bus?” The shaman healer turns around and realizes that the earth needs water and begins to pray for rain. An hour later, the rain comes just as a bus turns the corner. In fact, when you dedicate yourself to something bigger than yourself, they always take care of you.