Not all types of health remediation fall within the realm of “conventional medicine.” Alternative medicine can come in many different forms, including energy therapy, a holistic healing method using the energy of human body, mind, and spirit. Learn more about the diverse and interesting nature of this alternative form of healing.

from my.clevelandclinic.org

What is "life force?"

The "life force," often called "energy" in Western culture, is an entity that permeates and bonds all. It is sometimes referred to as the "vital force." In China, it is called Qi; in India it is called prana. It is believed the "life force" extends throughout the universe and that the individual is part of an indivisible whole. Most Eastern philosophies share this common theme of universal spirit and wholeness. Individuals who practice such alternative medical approaches as meditation, yoga or tai chi do so not only because it decreases stress and anxiety and promotes general well-being, but also because it helps them connect with the "life energy" within and around them. The belief is that because the "life force" permeates everything, an individual is unavoidably affected by external events and energies. Thus, treatment of the individual should consider the mind/body/spirit interaction as well as an overall connection to the universe.

What is energy healing?

Energy healing is based on the belief that our "life force" creates energy fields that are unbalanced during emotional or physical disease. Because our energy fields are part of an interconnected whole, the use of focused intention by one individual can aid in the health and well being of another. Many individuals use their own individual means of directing their intention to heal. Others practice according to schools such as Reiki. In the West, a common form of energy healing is Therapeutic Touch, which has been taught to thousands of nurses across the United States.

Healers operate in many different ways. For example, they visualize, send intentions for diseased cells to die, send intentions for cells to revert to their optimum state of health, or simply send loving energy. A common theme is the intention for the well-being of the client. Another is focusing on being a conduit for a loving, universal life force.

An interesting feature of energy healing is that it may be performed over distances of thousands of miles. The "life force" claimed to be transmitted by energy healers does not have the properties of any known form of energy. A comparable practice to energy healing that is used frequently in the West is prayer. A 1996 survey showed that 82 percent of Americans believed in the healing power of prayer. A survey of patients in American Cancer Society support groups for breast cancer found that 88 percent experienced beneficial effects of spiritual and religious practice.

Blending of paradigms

The idea that an energy can be transmitted from one person to affect the health of another, especially from a distance, does have some scientific merit. This idea is quite compatible with theories of quantum physics, in which there are no time/space barriers. In quantum physics, subatomic particles communicate instantaneously, and theoretically, particles can affect each other at far ends of the galaxies.

It has been about 80 years since Einstein introduced his theory of relativity and quantum mechanics was born. This represented a complete paradigm shift that still has not been incorporated into medicine. However, as the science provides more and more indications that there may be realities and energies that are beyond our current comprehension, the interest in performing scientific research to detect the effects of such energies is increasing.

Research into energy healing

In an effort to incorporate Western sciences' need for physical proof, studies have been performed on the impact of energy healing on living, isolated cells as opposed to human subjects. Many of the studies on isolated cells are inadequately controlled, are published as incomplete reports, or are published in non-reviewed journals. Thus, while existing evidence provides enough positive indications to warrant further investigation, there is a great need for more rigorous studies from experienced investigators.

Of 23 clinical trials involving energy healing that did meet a rigorous criteria requiring adequate design, control and review procedures, 57 percent have shown a beneficial effect. This caused authors reviewing the studies to conclude that the "evidence thus far merits further study."

Indeed there is growing interest and evidence for alternative health exploration based on a "life force," wholeness, and interconnections. The National Institutes of Health has established a Center that is devoted to research in the area of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The budget is growing rapidly and research into areas such as energy healing and prayer is being encouraged. Several large clinical trials, especially on the effects of prayer, are now underway in major academic institutions across the country. Through science, researchers eventually hope to better understand how energy healing practices may be incorporated into Western medical practices.

from healing.about.com

Energy Medicine is a term used for holistic healing therapies that are focused on manipulating "life force" to bring about balance and wellness. Some energy-based modalities involve practitioners using hands-on techniques. Other therapies involve non-touch or absentia treatments. Specific areas treated are the aura, human energy field, chakras, and the meridian syste

1. Reiki

Reiki (pronounced Ray Key) is a combination of two Japanese words rei and ki meaning universal life energy. Reiki is an ancient laying-on of hands healing technique that uses the life force energy to heal, balancing the subtle energies within our bodies. Reiki addresses physical, emotional, mental and spiritual imbalances

2. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most commonly used holistic medical procedures in the world. The word 'acupuncture' describes a variety of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by using a variety of techniques. Acupuncture points are believed to be points that allow entry into channels. This is to redirect, increase or decrease the body's vital substance, Qi (pronounced Chi) and restore balance on an emotional, spiritual and physical level.

3. Kolaimni

Kolaimni is a non-touch form of energy medicine. A trained Kolaimnist will work with her hands within the body's electromagnetic sheath (human energy field), approximately one half to one inch over the physical body. Short manipulative strokes infuse restorative energies into the recipient. Kolaimni's methodology has been described as an "etheric massage.

4. Pranic Healing

Pranic Healing is a nontouch energy-based technique that accelerates the healing process through the use of “life-force” being directed to the part of the physical body that needs healing. In order to locate blockages of chi, the Pranic practitioner scans the recipient’s aura or “energy field.” Chi energies are then projected through the Pranic practitioner’s palm chakras to cleanse, energize, and revitalize the problematic area.

5. Matrix Energetics

Based on the science behind quantum physics Matrix Energetics is a transformational healing technique that merges touch and intent. The Matrix Energetics practitioner's focused intent affects changes that bring about healing for the recipient. The practitioner's touch is used to identify areas on the body that need attention.

6. Ama-Deus

Ama-Deus is a method of hands-on and absentia energy healing that promotes spiritual growth and awareness. It is also a means to support our physical and emotional bodies. This healing modality is taught in two levels. Students are taught a ceremonial invocation that connects them to the flow of Ama Deus energy.

7. Chios Energy Healing

Chios (pronounced Chee’-ohss) Energy Healing was created by Steve Barrett. Chios healing techniques, include chakra charging, chakra system rebalancing, radiatory healing and seventh-layer healing.
Chios Energy Healers

8. Huna

Huna, in Hawaiian, means "secret." Huna, in its purest form is ancient knowledge enabling a person to connect to his or her highest wisdom within. Understanding and utilizing the fundamentals or "seven principles" of Huna is intended to bring about healing and harmony through the power of the mind.

9. Quantum Touch

Quantum-Touch is a vibrational touch therapy that incorporates touch, breath work, and body awareness meditations. Its concepts are closely related to polarity therapy. It is primarily a light-touch energy therapy, but it is secondarily promoted as a therapy that helps bones to spontaneously adjust to their proper alignment.



10. Johrei Healing

Johrei is a Japanese healing modality that uses focusing and scanning tools to dispel negativity and increase vitality. During a Johrei session the Johrei practitioner and client sit in chairs facing one another. The Johrei practitioner holds an opened palm toward the recipient while focusing and directing ki energies toward his or her client.

from energytherapy.net


Much has been written about the energy of living things, but there is little scientific evidence. The energy field surrounding living things is difficult or impossible to measure using current scientific techniques. However, science and spirituality are on a convergent course. Eventually, we will have instruments that can reflect an individual's state of balance. When we turn the corner from science, we must consider the universal characteristics of energy. Quantum physics states that energy and matter are interchangeable and the String Theory suggests that differences in physical matter are simply variations in energy vibrations. In a similar fashion, each human is composed the divine energy of the Soul in the form of body, thought, and spirit. Energy does not emanate or reflect from a person, the energy is the person, the core. This understanding is fundamental to maintaining your energy field and body in harmony. Since the body is a manifestation of human energy, dis-harmony in the energy field will cause dis -ease in the body. If the human energy field is out of balance, the body will be out of balance.


HUMAN ENERGIES

The Personality - composed of the high self, conscious self, and basic self

The Basic Self is part of the subconscious that controls the memory and body functions. The body has its own natural intelligence, but we can put other information into that intelligence. The Basic Self is your life-force and must take care of the body's fundamental needs. Here you find a person's beliefs. It is our survival instinct and provides energy according to how we structure our beliefs and make our choices. It is loyal though non-creative and contains our family patterns, social norms and mores, an archetypal pattern of our destiny, our inner child, the seat of body intelligence, and the will to survive. Its job is to maintain the status quo. In other words, the Basic Self has assimilated the beliefs developed through our life span and believes we will die if we change them. The reality of the Basic Self is habit and its self-will fights changes in habit. It will, however, respond to our authority and yield to any transformation that facilitates the actualization of our destiny if it knows what to do. Basic Self is under the authority of Conscious Self and can lie to you if your consciousness doesn’t want to know the truth. Many people have more than one Basic Self - such as male-female, play-persistent, young-old - which give different perspectives. A person who wants to control people has split off their higher consciousness to put their Basic Self in control.

The Conscious Self is our waking life and creates new awareness. It is creative and innocent until a choice is placed into action. Its function is to be the vanguard of new experience and here we make choices and gain skill. As we grow in awareness and spiritual illumination, we extend the Conscious Self and become increasingly able to live in the awareness of the High Self and be conscious of the dynamics of the Basic Self. It mediates all three selves.

Another part of the unconscious is the High Self. It relates like guardian angle, colleague, and counselor. It is not soul, but soul-like. High Self can’t work when there is low self-esteem. In our personality, the High Self is a spiritual consciousness that is our higher nature. From a practical standpoint, it can function as our guides, soul, and connection to God. It is the energy of life and form and is creative and non-inflictive. The High Self exists as a spiritual form in our personal consciousness which is always in contact with Spirit. When I use the word Spirit, it is the Holy Spirit and refers to forces beyond our personal domain. The High Self is within our personal domain and as a spiritual expression it follows the same procedures as any spiritual agent in that it responds to requests. It guides us in our destiny. You might say it is an agent of our soul. It works closely with the Conscious Self and Basic Self. As the guardian angel, it links us with our soul, the universe, and the High Self of others. Because the High Self exists in a spiritual dimension, it cannot violate anyone or anything. Even if the High Self has better wisdom, it will not supersede our conscious choice unless we ask it to.

The Soul is your essential divine nature plus experience. Soul is a coherent, intentional system, fulfilling its nature. It is God individualized as you and carries your real ideals and commitments, and gives character to your conscience. This divine energy is formless, timeless, and eternal.
 

THE AURA


Aura is a traditional term for the protective psychic and spiritual energy fields that surround and penetrate the physical body. Historically, artists depict halos around the heads of individuals to denote their spirituality. Biblically, writers refer to the raiment or countenance of light in an attempt to describe the field of spiritual energy around angels, men, and women. It is from this invisible atmosphere that we receive our first impression of people. We use common-sense terms such as blue mood , red with anger, green with envy, full of energy, or radiant beauty. Such terms are similar to how individuals with spiritual sight describe the aura. From this intuitive nature, we form impressions and experience emotions and feelings regarding them and ourselves. Quantum physics describes the universe as energy. Psychology, Eastern therapy, and complementary medicine have terms for life as energy. Yoga psychology views the aura as an energy field surrounding the body, interacting through spiritual and psychological levels via structures called chakras. So we may conclude that the aura is an energy field that surrounds the physical body. It encircles each of us as the sun's rays encircle the sun or the halo that surrounds the moon. The appearance of the aura, whether attractive or repulsive, depends on one's physical health, mental attitudes, and spiritual development. The human aura is a dynamic matrix that includes the physical, emotional, and mental-spiritual aspects of self. The aura is the self as energy. All the contributing factors in our daily life register in our aura as colors, lines, dots, emanations, and vibrations. Every one of us is different, and our hidden selves are expressed through the aura. Those individuals who live on a strictly physical, mental, and material level have an entirely different emanation than those individuals who are intellectual and spiritual.

The Aura and Noetic Field

To the ancient Greeks, the mind is a spiritual faculty. Nous is their term for the intentional, purposeful intelligence that controls and orders the world of matter. Nous emerges from the void as the wind of spirit or the first emanating spirit of creation. Noetic derives from nous and is the structure of perception and understanding in our experience of that relationship or correlation between nous and form. The noetic field is an interacting psycho-spiritual energy that has an implicit intelligence and knows how to interrelate and synchronize with all elements within that coherent system. We are a microcosmic or personal noetic field, and the universe is a macrocosmic noetic field. The noetic field is a sustaining, nurturing, intelligent life field that is universally present. This field can be compared with grace, dharma, nirvana, and heaven. As noetic beings, we have the capacity to generate a noetic field and, by doing so, interface with the universal noetic field.

The psycho-spiritual structure that we call personality forms an energy field or noetic matrix around the physical body. Ancients called this the human aura. The aura has a degree of materiality or substance (a body) that is localized around a person. It is held together in much the same way as the physical body, by the presence of self.


Auric Levels

It is generally believed that he human aura has seven major levels. The physical and etheric levels extend about six inches to a foot from the physical body. The imaginal and emotional auric levels extend about two feet from the body and incorporate the physical and etheric levels. The mental, archetypical, and spiritual auras extent approximately three feet from the body and incorporate the other levels.

The archetypal aura contains the map of our destiny. It is like a template, things you must do. In your growth you need to learn something. You are given as many experiences as you need to learn. It can be one or a hundred, all the same to the template. It's like going home - you can go many ways and have many experiences, but you get home and thus satisfy your template.

When reflected outside of us, we see the archetypes as the temples of gods. When internalized, these archetypes are the angels of destiny, the gods that dwell inside us. As life-long learning, our destiny is synonymous with our Soul's curriculum. We came into physical life with an internal, archetypical lesson plan. The archetypical level is in our subconscious.

The spiritual aura reflects our transcendent nature into our psychological, social, and physical realities. It reflects and responds to the balance and alignment of all levels. The balancing energy acts as wholeness and moves through the chakras and levels as a process of breathing. Each of the other levels provides a conduit for spiritual energy. As the aura becomes balanced, the spiritual level becomes more evident.

Through our mental aura and mentality, we construct our relationship to our destiny, karma, and inner life. It reflects our beliefs, concepts, and attitudes. Though feelings and emotions are often keys to our beliefs, our mental activity decides what we will build as our internal structure, and how we project ourselves into life. We shape our reality with our minds. Our mind is the constructor, the builder. It reflects our associative ability through which we internalize and develop our integrative learning and personality. This level is also dissociative and reflects the constraints that divide us from and within ourselves and from each other. Mental heath or mental illness is reflected in this level.

The emotional aura carries the artifacts of our feelings and emotional reactions and actions. It registers our fulfillment, longs for peace, and reflects our warmth, devotion, and what we care about. Emotions give rise to our beliefs and judgments and the impetus to pursue our vision. The emotional aura reflects an aspect of our dharma or causal body (the force that determines and sets causation into our lives). It is balanced through powerful, universally oriented, non-manipulative, unconditional loving. It is the source of our drive for power and dominance, and powers our adversarial and competitive nature. The emotional aura is also the source of passion and the total embracing, loving heart that heals and forgives. It is our peacemaker.

The imaginal aura is the medium through which we create and transform our circumstances. This aura can be developed as a function of perception or inner-seeing and creativity. Intention, positive self-image, visual learning, visualization and healing, manifestation and success are generated and reflected in this level. Used integratively, it is a power force for connecting, integrating, and aligning all levels. Used dissociatively, the imaginal level can be devastating. Delusions and obsessions are generated through and reflected in this auric level. It is affected by drugs that create forms in the aura that are disconnected from the authentic processes of creativity. Drugs disconnect you from the ability to complete, fulfill, or enhance the soul's purposes. They effectively help us avoid life and the challenges and rewards that our soul is destined to fulfill.

The etheric aura is a blueprint or archetype for the physical body. It creates and maintains the body form. Meridians and chakras appear in this formation. The etheric body or double acts as a template for the physical body and appears as an energy matrix. It is described in chi-gung as meridians that transmit chi to the body. Balance and alignment of the aura affect the meridians and their functioning. If the energy of the etheric-double is blocked or out of balance, the physical body will reflect this. The meridians interact with the organs and the chakras interact with the endocrine system and nerves.

The physical aura reflects physical trauma, cell memory, physical health, and physiological beliefs and emotions. It penetrates the physical and etheric bodies and reflects the state of the energy fields. In balance, it can accommodate enhanced forces deeper in the psyche.