By simple definition, energy is a positive force that flows through the body. Advocates of spiritual healing contend that this energy can be utilized in the healing of mind, body and spirit. We all have an aura, a field of energy that surrounds our bodies.
Historically, the aura has been depicted in artwork as a halo or a light surrounding the head. It is believed that some people have the ability to see the aura with the naked eye. For those without this special ability, science has made it possible to view the aura by using special photography, in which the electromagnetic field around the body appears as a multi-colored configuration surrounding the body. The colors can then be analyzed to help diagnose specific deficits in the general well-being of the body and mind.
Within the body, there are various terms to describe energies and their conductors. Chi (sometimes called Qi), or life force, is thought to be an energy that exists in everything in creation. Prana, which sometimes translates to “air,” refers to the body’s vital energies. The chakras are believed to be seven or eight (depending on the school of thought) points along the body that conduct and house chi and prana, making sure that all of the energies of the body are in harmony. Many illnesses, both physical and emotional, are attributed to the misalignment of these energies. Those who practice spiritual healing believe that the mind, body and spirit must all be working together at full capacity in order to achieve health.
Reiki, a healing method developed by Mikao Usui in early 20th Century Japan, employs a practitioner who uses his hands to conduct energy through the patient’s body, helping it to heal itself. The energy that flows through the body is considered to be a “smart energy” of sorts, zeroing in on those areas which need healing. The patient must be completely open to the treatment in order to absorb all of the positive energy and get rid of the negative.
Although scientists don’t have much evidence to go on, believers claim that Reiki has been shown to lower heart rate and diastolic blood pressure. The ironically-named therapeutic touch therapy involves manipulating the aura of the patient without touching the body. The objective is to direct chi to the affected area. This treatment was made popular in the early 1970s by Dolores Krieger.
Polarity therapy brings together ancient traditions and modern medicine, working on the Human Energy Field by means of diet, self-awareness and exercise. Creator Randolph Stone concluded that the energy field is affected by everything that comes into contact with it, both physically and emotionally. The general goal of this therapy is to maintain energy flow; blockage causes illness.
Healers are, in a sense, mechanics of the mind, body and spirit. Their responsibilities to their patients include cleansing, fine-tuning, balancing and charging the energies within. There is a wealth of information available to people who are interested in this fascinating field. Websites abound that offer information and advice. Most energy healers stress that this form of healing can be enormously useful, but should be in tandem with traditional medical care. Afflictions of the body are often caused by an underlying problem in the energy core, and simply treating the physical symptoms make offer some relief, but won’t alleviate the ongoing problem. Likewise, healing the energy alone will not be effective in mending a physical problem like a broken bone or a pulled muscle. It is through an integrated and holistic approach to healing that these energy-centered therapies work best.
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