Paper short abstract:

Spiritual healers in contemporary Germany are a heterogeneous and growing group. One aim was to learn about which biographical aspects were relevant to the process of becoming a healer. Two types of healers emerged in our study: the wounded healer type and the healer by interest type.

Paper long abstract:

Spiritual healers in contemporary Germany are a heterogeneous and growing group, yet little data exists about them. Therefore, one aim was to learn about which biographical aspects and events were important to the process of becoming a healer. The study was based on semi-structured interviews combined with participant observations. According to the healers, a talent for healing can be inborn, inherited or developed through life experiences. Most of the healers experienced a crisis which prompted their transformation to healers (the wounded healer type). A smaller group became healers mainly out of interest without going through crisis and by focusing on the spiritual attitude itself (the healer by interest type). Both types see the basis of healing in a connection to a transcendent reality which enables an open, loving and empathetic attitude. The connections between healing talents, crises and suffering are well known in traditional healing systems. The similarities and differences towards spiritual healers in contemporary Germany will be presented and discussed.