By Adrienne MacIain, Ph.D.
“Americans are becoming increasingly bankrupt–mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually–but it doesn’t have to be that way.” – Laura Bonetzky-Joseph, author of The Secrets to Healing (click)
In Japan, the energy-healing practice of Reiki has been reported to heal everything from major illnesses like Cancer and autoimmune disease to mystery ailments like chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, and stress. So why aren’t we seeing these same results in the U.S.?
Laura Bonetzky-Joseph, author of The Secrets to Healing: An Invitation to Healing The ROOTS to Chronic Illness and Trauma Through the Japanese Reiki Gokai (click), which just hit bookshelves this week, believes she has found the answer.
As an experienced healer, multi-generational intuitive, speaker, podcaster, seeker, spiritual mentor, Jikiden Reiki® Shihan (teacher), social justice warrior, and a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, and litigation abuse, Joseph knows first-hand both the destructive power of trauma, and the healing power of Reiki when properly understood and utilized.
“Unresolved trauma is an unrecognized epidemic that many times is the root cause for issues such as chronic illness, cancer, pain, autoimmune disorders, and anxiety,” says Bonetzky-Joseph, “Over a number of years, I suffered from more than one of these conditions, until I discovered a better way to eliminate them from my life.”
Laura’s journey to healing began when she started looking into aspects of her issues that the healthcare system couldn’t figure out. “For over 14 years,” she says, “I systematically implemented a spiritually based, holistic approach to my healing that literally saved my life—in ways that you might say defy all logic.”
There is a method, however, to this medical mayhem.
“There is a direct connection between stress and illness,” explains Bonetzky-Joseph. “Medical research has repeatedly shown us over time that two-thirds of all visits to family physicians are due to stress-related symptoms. This has worsened since the recent pandemic. Many people feel they are spinning their wheels, not getting better & searching for answers with no feeling of end in sight, spending a fortune on medical care that is bankrupting Americans at alarming rates, with symptoms getting worse in some cases.”
That’s why she wrote this book. Because it doesn’t have to be that way.
“When we address the ROOT systems including the capitalism of ‘disease’ that is a traded commodity on Wall Street, we can learn NEW ways of accessing healing, recovery, empowerment, and become our own superheroes,” Bonetzky-Joseph reassures.
“In this book, I share with you my half a century long journey, the Japanese teachings I have learned along the way, Reiki stories, and why this powerful medicine, often not prized in a monetized culture, might be exactly what you are seeking.”
It is Laura’s hope that by addressing the capitalist healthcare system, the root issues of chronic illness and disease, that folks will not only find inspiration in these pages, but some healing, practical actionable steps, and reprieve.
Weaving her own personal lived experience AND professional learned experience together, Joseph has created something that is vitally missing in our society, and more specifically in the Reiki industry, spiritual communities, and trauma fields. The Secrets to Healing is intended as a bridge between those gaps.
“My work addresses the unspoken, untapped, challenges and pathways to reclaim our health, vitality and power,” explains Bonetzky-Joseph, “I am someone who has walked this path, trained with credible teachers and shared my work with others.”
The Secrets to Healing is an invitation back to self – an unpacking of our colonized mindsets that is blinding us from becoming our own superheroes of our story and reclaiming our life, health, vitality through the spiritual medicine of the traditional Japanese system of Reiki.
For folks struggling with cancer or chronic illness, this book may hold the answers to restoring wholeness that may be missing in their current care, yet is complementary to existing care.
For folks who are survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, this book may hold the answers to how to break the repetitive cycle of abuse and trauma, offer sustainable methods to heal the trauma manifesting as illness, or offer tools on how to present yourself more effectively when dealing with custody courts.
For Reiki teachers, this book is a must-have resource book for every Reiki certification.
Laura Bonetzky-Joseph is here to help folks who suffer from a history of chronic illness, cancer, trauma, and/or abuse to address root issues, transform pain, bridge science, research and the practical magic so that they can experience sustainable healing and wholeness by rediscovering the body’s ability to heal itself and the power that lies within so that they can become their own superhero. Since 2006, she has helped thousands of people heal issues and restore wholeness – personally, mentally, physically, spiritually, professionally.
Bonetzky-Joseph’s mission is to help others rediscover the power that lies within and become their own superhero by addressing root issues, transforming pain, bridging science, research and the practical magic of sacred, ancient traditions… with honor and integrity. She does this while also advocating for holistic health, domestic violence survivors, and policy changes. She is a bridge between the amazing modern advances of modern medicine with the ancient ways of healing and empowerment through rooted sacred spiritual practices.
And Joseph practices everything she preaches. Even in the writing and publishing of this book, Bonetzky-Joseph has had to make use of her Reiki training.
“I have struggled with a lot of fear, writing this book,” she admits, “fear and anxiety surrounding all the lack aspects – lack of being seen, heard, and understood. Fear of retaliation for speaking my truth, of having my voice silenced once again. I had to put the teachings I preach to use to address my anxiety and fears of lack. I upped my own self-care strategies, put a team in place to support me (mentally, physically, and spiritually) who clearly understand my triggers and my somatic perpetuation of wanting to flee and go back into hiding again.”
But fear is far from the only obstacle she’s faced in the process of getting this book out into the world. “I have had to overcome the multitask of end-of-life care and subsequent passing of both my parents while also running my business, dealing with toxic family structures, moving, closing my father’s business and estate, and maintaining a healthy life work balance,” says Bonetzky-Joseph.
“Triggers and CPTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) can be a beast, and can show up unannounced at any time. There is something strange that happens when the body reacts differently than the mind, like a two-year-old having a temper tantrum in the middle of the grocery store line. I have had to give myself grace when needed. I have had to push myself when it was needed. I have had to check myself on how much I am living what I am preaching and especially on the last precept – Do your duties fully – and contemplating on what that looks like in completing this book,” Bonetzky-Joseph confesses, “I have had to remind myself that if I want folks to believe in me, I need to believe in me better and stronger. I must believe in the medicine I offer more convincingly.”
Bonetzky-Joseph believes it is her extensive, intersectional training and dedicated practice that have allowed her to thrive and reach her goals despite the obstacles she’s had to overcome. And she wants these same results to be available to everyone.
“I believe in a world where universal balance is restored. When we can understand the intricate nature and power of the universe resides within us, we can restore our own innate healing and power. With that knowledge and understanding comes stewardship, great personal responsibility, and understanding that the balance of ALL life is needed for us as humans to become fully whole on a planet that sustains us.”
“If you can heal trauma,” Bonetzky-Joseph reassures, “you can heal anything.”
Joseph offers spiritually-based integrative holistic health enrichment private sessions, workshops, groups, retreats, and guest appearances at our location or yours.
Here’s what her clients have to say:
“Laura Joseph, what can I say?? She’s just Awsum! She helped me in soooo many ways, from spiritual & emotional healing, I’ve been to her retreats (omg, life changing!), I’ve had sound healings, mediumship readings, reiki session, empath workshop, & even had training to practice Jikiden Reiki! There’s not much this girl hasn’t done! Not only has it been great to be a client, but I am especially grateful for the friendship & kinship that has developed from that as well!” – Monica McCall
“Laura is truly one of a kind. Her knowledge and experiences she shared only enhanced my learning throughout the seminar. I look forward to practicing and evolving under her guidance as I take this incredible journey as someone who can now begin to give Jikiden Reiki. Thank you, Laura!” – Maribel Carubia, Jikiden Reiki Training (click)
“I highly recommend it for anyone being told they’re ‘too sensitive,’ weighed down by their emotions or their environment, or feel as though they don’t fit in. Laura is excellent at what she does and she has knowledge, compassion, insight and understanding that is truly unmatched.” – Debbie Gillis
“It can be challenging to open up, be vulnerable in a group. The class felt safe & nurturing & it became increasingly easier to share personal experiences.” – Jeannine Whitehead
“Without the help I have received here I do not know where I would be today or who I would be.” – James Fennessy
To learn more or book a session, please go to: https://linktr.ee/HealingWithSpirit (click)
“Relax, your soul has your back.” – Laura Boneztky-Joseph
Eileen Shaw, BA, MA has been a pioneer & innovator in the practice of meditation since the 1970’s. She has studied with Sharon Salzberg, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jon Kabat-Zinn’s MBSR course and with several other teachers. She sparks the enthusiasm of her students for the powerful difference that meditation can make in their lives. She creates a deep connection with her students. Using cutting edge neuroscience in her teaching and spreads the joy of mindfulness practice in community settings ranging from schools to professional healthcare centers, and corporate offices. She offers three 8-week courses, Meditation levels I, II & III, Retreat Workshops, as well as individual coaching on meditation for the busy professional.
