General Discussion on Healing and Religion

Energy Healing: Reflexology, Acupuncture, Qi Gong, Thai Massage, aspects of Ayurveda, Shiatsu

Religions & Energy Healing: Hinduism, Taoism, dare I say Shamanism & Animism (if you could describe them that way)

Generally speaking of course 😉

Pixie

Energy Healing: Reflexology, Acupuncture, Qi Gong, Thai Massage, aspects of Ayurveda, Shiatsu

Religions & Energy Healing: Hinduism, Taoism, dare I say Shamanism & Animism (if you could describe them that way)

Generally speaking of course 😉

Pixie

As I thought with only two posts so far, it would seem that there could well be some excellent discussions ahead. I do hope that the Mods realise that this is not a dig at anyone but a genuine desire to allow people to have their say without being belittled or shouted down. I am sure that as we move on we will have some significant information and links to energy and religion on each of the Modalities.

Hello Healistic 🙂

Just popped in as still at work.:o

Couldnt help but wanted to submit my little input of support.:045:

A post where we can expand our auras and speak freely, a breath of fresh air.

Will be looking forward posting later on.

Blessings to you

Sacrel :nature-smiley-008:

Religion and health

I don't think there has been any certain analysis in any proper studies regarding healing with religion?

This looked at effects of prayer (but not sure if this is what you mean): http://jme.bmj.com/content/34/9/e18.abstract

Thanks Sacrel

I look forward to your post.

I have visited and found this:

This place is for everyone who seeks it, yet few have found it.
This place will wait for you, it will not disappear.
Here is where you truly are, perfect in every way.:D

Let's hope it is True;)

I don't think there has been any certain analysis in any proper studies regarding healing with religion?

This looked at effects of prayer (but not sure if this is what you mean): http://jme.bmj.com/content/34/9/e18.abstract

Yes there has always been a problem with scientific analysis with Healing Prayer/Faith and with Religion and the supernatural. It could be said that in some ways all forms of Energy and Religious Healing need to be analysed.

Whilst I am myself satisfied with the numerous case studies that have been produced within energy Healing, I do understand some of the Medical professions Scepticism with religion and Faith Healing.

Which is why in our small way we are attempting to see where the different Modalities sit.

Having said that there are many Doctors who whilst they may not understand the application they believe that the results are sufficient for them to use Healers. The NHS do in fact accept many forms of Energy Healing within hospitals and clinics.

RP - I'd be interested to know why you include Hinduism in your list of religions that have something to do with energy healing. It does IMHO but I didn't think that was widely known.

xx

RP - I'd be interested to know why you include Hinduism in your list of religions that have something to do with energy healing. It does IMHO but I didn't think that was widely known.

xx

It soon will be. At least on HP:cool:

Actually, my favourite priest in India (see photo on my last India blog!) is a healer. I've watched him in action and he uses the same hands on technique as that priest in Medugorje (Fr Fernando Suarez); with both himself and the healee standing he places his palm on the person's forehead. Many people receiving healing simply keel over (he catches them and lowers them gently to the floor.) They come round after a few minutes.
xxx

Hi Healistic,

I'd just like to explain that the concept of a religion is not something that fist very well with the Buddhist tradition. In fact, religion as opposed to secular pursuits is an idea that comes out of Western culture. This division emerged in Western society with the separation of the institutions of the Christian Church state and later this division was further defined in the enlightenment by the idea that the mind was distinct from the body. The Dalai Lama does make distinctions between Buddhist religion, Buddhist science and Buddhist philosophy.

As Buddhism doesn't believe in gods or a God as we would understand these things in the west it doesn't fit the Western idea of a religion well. However in sociological terms Buddhism acts in Asian societies in ways that other religions function.

And now I'd like to just look at the idea of "energy" from a Buddhist perspective. I think people using the term "energy" in this context would be equating it with the Sanskrit word "prana," which means either life for or breath. In this context it makes sense to talk about it in the context of wider Buddhist/Brahministic yoga traditions of India. In the same way Chi or Ki is used in Chinese Taoist/Buddhist cultures.

Bost of these systems have systems that relate to similar subtle body structures through with this "energy" flows. Chakras, channels and nadis in Indian yogic traditions and meridians in the Chinese traditions. There is considerable evidence for these existence of these subtle body structures and they are integral to traditional healing modalities (Ayurveda, TCM, acupunture, yoga) in India and East Asia.

Meditation is widely understood to affect on these subtle body structures. From my experience these effects are based on developing stillness of the mind, mindfulness of the body combined with philosophical insight. It was really quite a surprise to me to discover these effects were triggered by philosophical insight. Such personal evidence is the main sources of evidence for the existence of what I usually term subtle energy (to distinguish it from energy) and subtle body structures (in distinction to physical body structures).

Form me then there is no element of faith here and in this respect this is nothing to do with religion. However, in the Buddhist tradition the types of process I have briefly related here that are entirely dependent on meditation and philosophy in my experience may become ritualised. These rituals fit into the kind of functions that can be found in many religions with the notable exception of many protestant forms of Christianity.

What I'm implying here is that it's impossible to say that there are any religions or healing modalities that do not act indirectly or directly on the mind and the body and subtle body because they are inextricably linked functions of a living being. However you can say that some healing modalities and some religions act directly on the subtle body and some only act indirectly on it.

Norbu

Hi Sunanda

If Ayurveda for example has energy healing in it, so it must in Hinduism. Isn't it interlinked?

In my recent experience of Hinduism in Bali, the use of energy healing was connected to the use of the triple-deity: Brahma, Vishu and Shiva. Each one having a specfic energetic quality: Fire, Water & Wind.

Best Wishes

Pixie

If Ayurveda for example has energy healing in it, so it must in Hinduism. Isn't it interlinked?

I'm not sure that Ayurveda does have energy healing in it, inasmuch as it is a medical system, albeit certainly not an allopathic one. You've got me scratching my head now because most of the Ayurvedic practitioners I've come across have been more practical and pragmatic rather than energetic healers. (Does that make sense?) But I fear I'm tying myself up in knots here because I actually don't know enough about Ayurveda to pontificate on its relationship with energy healing.

I'm not sure that Ayurveda does have energy healing in it, inasmuch as it is a medical system, albeit certainly not an allopathic one.

This was just an assumption of mine and not based on detailed knowledge. I assumed it was connected to the activity of channels as is the case with Tibetan medicine.

Norbu

This was just an assumption of mine and not based on detailed knowledge. I assumed it was connected to the activity of channels as is the case with Tibetan medicine.

Norbu

Honestly not sure, Norbu. And too lazy to look it all up!:)

xx