In some spaces today, there is a growing misconception that pain equals healing—that the more intense, forceful, or physically painful a ritual is, the more “effective” it becomes.

Some even justify the use of harsh methods or tools—such as striking or whipping with objects like buntot pagi—as part of spiritual cleansing or deliverance.

This perspective must be addressed with clarity and responsibility.

True spiritual healing is never an act of violence.

Healing Does Not Harm the Body

The human body is sacred. It is not an enemy to be punished, but a vessel to be cared for.

A spiritual healer is called to:

• Restore balance
• Ease suffering
• Support the body’s natural ability to heal

Inflicting pain intentionally—especially through striking, whipping, or forceful physical action—is not aligned with compassionate healing.

Pain may sometimes be released in healing, but it is never imposed as punishment.

There is a profound difference between:

• Therapeutic sensation (like pressure in hilot to release tension), and
• Violence disguised as ritual

One restores. The other harms.

Power Without Compassion Becomes Abuse

When force is used without gentleness, it reveals not sacred authority—but imbalance.

The use of objects like buntot pagi to inflict pain:

• Can create fear instead of trust
• Can traumatize rather than heal
• Can shift focus away from Divine grace toward human control

A healer who causes unnecessary harm moves away from Divine alignment, regardless of intention.

Even if cultural or historical elements are referenced, we must remember:

👉 Not all inherited practices are meant to be continued without discernment.
👉 Spiritual traditions must evolve toward greater compassion, not preserve harm.

The Energy of Violence Disrupts Healing

In Hilot Binabaylan and other sacred healing traditions, healing is rooted in balance (timpla).

Violence introduces:

• Agitation
• Fear
• Energetic disturbance

Instead of restoring harmony, it can deepen imbalance in:

• Katawan (body)
• Kalooban (inner self)
• Diwa (spirit)

You cannot bring peace into a person by first creating chaos within them.

The Role of the Healer: Caregiver, Not Enforcer

A spiritual healer is not a punisher, nor an enforcer of spiritual force.

They are:

• A tagapag-alaga (caretaker)
• A tagapamagitan (mediator)
• A tagapagpanumbalik ng balanse (restorer of balance)

Their work is grounded in:

• Pag-aaruga (care)
• Paggalang (respect)
• Pakikiramdam (deep intuitive sensing)

Healing is an act of care—not domination.

Strength Does Not Require Harm

There is a misconception that gentleness is weakness.

In truth:

• It takes greater strength to remain calm than to act aggressively
• Greater discipline to listen than to overpower
• Greater wisdom to guide than to control

A true spiritual healer can work with deep, transformative power without causing harm.

Divine energy does not need violence to be effective.

Reclaiming the Sacred Path of Healing

As spiritual healers, especially within the path of Hilot Binabaylan, we are called to uphold the highest standard of care.

This means clearly affirming:

✅ We do not use violence in healing
✅ We do not inflict pain as punishment
✅ We do not justify harm in the name of tradition
✅ We protect the dignity and safety of every person

Instead, we commit to:

• Healing that restores
• Touch that respects
• Practice that honors life

Final Reflection

If a method requires hurting someone to prove its power,
then it is not the power of true healing.

Because:

True healing does not break the body to fix the spirit.
It gently restores both—together, in dignity, compassion, and sacred balance.