Mary said “Listen only to harmony.” I’ve often wondered what that means: ignore anything that is out of harmony? No, that can’t be right. Smile through the pain and try to keep your head up all the time? Nah, I don’t think so.

With respect to Jin Shin Jyutsu, I think what she may have meant is not to dwell on what’s wrong. I think she meant to listen for hope, possibility, and love, instead of symptoms, disharmony, and labels. She always taught to look at any illness as a project instead of a disease. I love that perspective, because even if I can’t “cure” an illness, there is still so much harmony that can be found in simply listening to the situation with an open, curious heart.

As I hold my thumbs to help my worry, do Main Central to help myself go back to sleep at 4am, or hold 11/15 and 11/25 to release tension in my back, shoulders, and hips, I find hope in this beautiful art that encourages me to “listen” rather than “fix” my discomfort or attitudes.