Healing simply means to make well or to restore to health. Alternative Healing would then refer to a different way of healing. Healing can be applied to many things- living and non-living, concrete and abstract. We say that living beings such as humans, animals, birds who are sick or unwell- need to be healed, these are the concrete living things I refer to; but in addition to that one also speaks of healing situations, relationships, friendships, minds and many other such issues- these are the non-living, abstract things in our lives that affect us and our health.

We find the cause of the illness or the dis-ease that manifests in the concrete, that is the body, lies in the abstract or the unseen world. Take for example the phrase- "she died of a broken heart". When we refer to a broken heart as a cause of one's ceasing to be, we are not talking of a heart that is actually physically broken- are we? We are, in this case, referring to situations, events, people who may have caused this person so much grief that it eventually led to her health breaking down which in turn led to her death. It is this thought that causes us to take into account the ‘unseen world' that does exist around us - the world of thought, the world of emotions, the world of energy. That needs attention. The cause of the illness or health or wealth or anything else for that matter; lies in the mind. The mind is abstract, it is not the brain. To heal the body completely, one must then heal the mind, the emotions, the thoughts and none of these can be seen or touched!

The world of modern medicine does not accept this view easily, but ironically the same world also believes in placebos.

One important factor, in my opinion, that keeps the dis-ease in people's lives is the fact that they cannot let go. They cannot let go of the thought that created the stress, and as long as they hold on to that stressful, harmful thought, they hold on to the disease. Some people are so used to being ill, they use that as an attention seeking ploy. Given a chance they will elaborate on their illness to an extent that their illness becomes their emotional crutch. They dont accept healing as an option. They are so used to suffering the dis-ease. Their minds cannot visualize them being in perfect health. Even if they try- the hold of the mind is so strong that it throws up obstacles to healing. They cannot undersatnd that their mind is a tool for them to use, and not vice-versa. Thus healing cannot take place in a person who does not wish to be healed. In order for the person to heal, one must first convince the mind to let go. Show the mind a healthy happy image to focus on so it can let go of the old unhappy image.

I think it is then right to say- a healthy, happy mind can lead to a healthy, happy body.

How does one get the mind to feel happy? There are simple techniques that get the body to release "happy hormones" called endorphins. Endorphins help healing; they take away the feeling of pain. To get your body to release endorphins-just clap loudly like you are applauding a performance you loved! Just go on nodding your head like you approve of an idea whole-heartedly. Laugh out loud, see a funny movie, read a humorous book, go dancing, listen to happy music or anything that will make you laugh like a carefree child. Concentrate on feeling happy- and the healing will take place.

All forms of healing are in the mind.