Why Forcing Healing on Others Might Be Doing More Harm Than Good

Hannah Macintyre
May 3
2 min read

Hello, beautiful souls! It’s Hannah Macintyre here, ready to dive into a topic that might make a few of us squirm in our spiritually supportive seats: why forcing healing on others might be doing more harm than good. Yes, even with the best of intentions, we can sometimes cross the line from helpful to, well... a bit overbearing.

The Healing Hero Complex

We’ve all been there. You learn a new healing technique, discover Reiki, or feel the warm fuzzies of spiritual growth and suddenly think, “I must heal everyone!” Cue dramatic cape fluttering in the wind.

But here’s the kicker: healing isn’t something you can force. Just because you can sense someone’s energetic wobble doesn’t mean it’s your job to fix it. In fact, charging in with unsolicited spiritual support can sometimes do more harm than good.

Why It Doesn’t Work (and Can Backfire)

It Disrespects Free Will: Healing is a personal journey. People need to choose it for themselves. If someone hasn’t asked for your help, you might be crossing a boundary, even if your intentions are pure.
It Undermines Their Growth: Struggles, challenges, and even emotional pain often hold valuable lessons. By swooping in to ‘fix’ someone, you could be interrupting an important part of their soul’s growth.
It Creates Dependency: Constantly offering healing without being asked can make others reliant on you rather than empowering them to find their own inner strength.

Signs You Might Be Forcing Healing

You feel compelled to help, even when no one has asked.
You get frustrated when people don’t take your advice or accept your help.
You offer healing as a reflex, not a response to a request.

How to Support Without Overstepping

Ask First: It sounds simple because it is. “Would you like some support with that?” is a game-changer.
Hold Space, Don’t Fill It: Sometimes, people just need a listening ear, not a spiritual intervention.
Trust Their Journey: Believe in their ability to navigate their own healing. Your role isn’t to carry them but to walk beside them if they ask.
Offer, Don’t Insist: Let your support be an open hand, not a shove.

When You Can Send Healing Without Permission

There are exceptions, like sending general loving-kindness or prayers without targeting specific outcomes. Intentions like “for their highest good” respect free will. But direct energy work? Always best with consent.

Final Thoughts: Empower, Don’t Overpower

The desire to help is beautiful, but true healing comes from within. Your job isn’t to be the hero of someone else’s story. It’s to be a supportive character, cheering from the sidelines, offering a hand when asked, and trusting that everyone’s journey is unfolding exactly as it should.

So, next time you feel that urge to jump in and fix, pause. Breathe. And remember: sometimes the most powerful healing is simply holding space with love and respect.