You have probably come across
exotic-sounding terms such as “chakra”, “prana”, “aura”, and “tantra” in your
course of reading books on spirituality, sex, and healing in the New Age
literature section of the bookstore. But what’s the real scoop behind these
exotic vocabularies?
Are All Energy Healings the Same?
Chakra or energy center is
a term
used in Pranic healing, an ancient Hindu system of energy healing. “Prana”
means life energy. “Aura” is another terminology traced to Pranic healing. Aura
is a non-physical body that consists of energy, which exists along with our
physical body. The aura that covers our body is said to have seven layers
pertaining to the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an
individual as manifested by energy. Studying the color and thickness of auras
give ideas on the state of health of individuals. Six colors are associated
with aura and interpreted into six personalities. These colors are all present
in an individual but one or two are more pronounced.
Green
– ambitious achiever
Blue
– spiritual peacemaker
White
– unconventional chameleon
Red
– activist
Orange
– creative communicator
Violet
- psychic
Although Tantra is popularly
associated with the peculiar practice of sex and spirituality, it is another
method of energy healing. It comes from the word “tan” which means to spread or
expand. The concept of connectedness is a recurring theme in Tantric writings
on sex and spirituality. As a method of healing, spirituality and sex figure
prominently. It is presupposed that the union of man and woman can reach
spiritual levels during orgasm, which removes the body and mind off collected
impurities. These impurities being negative energies can in turn manifest as
physical illnesses.
Unlike Pranic and Tantric
healings, which have Hindu origins, Reiki originated from Japan. It is
relatively younger than Pranic and Tantric healings having been rediscovered in
the early 1900’s. Reiki stands for universal energy, an energy brought forth by
higher intelligence. Students of Reiki are taught how to tap this energy to
heal physical, emotional, and mental illnesses.
Although Pranic, Tantra, and
Reiki are all systems of energy healing, they differ in the type of energy
tapped for healing: life energy, sexual energy, and universal energy
respectively.
The concepts of the connectedness
of mind, body, and spirit; the connection of individuals to all living and
nonliving things around them and to the universe; and how energy impacts
physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being are some of the salient
similarities of these three healing methods.
Why Do People Turn to Energy
Healing?
Pranic, Tantric, and Reiki are
considered alternative methods of healing. In spite of the availability and
relative accessibility of modern medicine, how come more and more people are
being drawned to them? Here are some possible reasons:
· Energy healing worked where
modern medicine failed.
For several reasons both
explainable and unexplainable, modern medical treatment failed to heal ailments
and conditions in several if not many persons. Research or data may not be able
to support this statement. But for the families of the dying as well as for the
dying patient, they would take the risk of using alternative methods ranging
from herbals and organics, faith healers, witch doctors, and New Age healing
techniques just to be get well.
· People perceive modern medicine
to be isolating.
Medical treatments are oftentimes
focused on the disease and its causative agent, which can make a patient feel
isolated and treated like a mere host of the disease. Although recent
developments in hospital practice are gradually promoting the holistic
treatment of a patient, the perception still persists. Unlike in energy
healing, since energy and spirituality are intimately linked, the patient feels
that all aspects of his health are being attended to.
· Energy healing is non-obtrusive
and natural thus it is safer.
Repeated surgical procedures are
physically and emotionally traumatic for most patients. It is but a logical and
attractive option to both patient and families to look for less stressful
health interventions. Moreover, with the rising popularity of New Age
religions, going natural is the way to go.
· Energy healing is a good way of
relieving stress.
Meditation is part and parcel of
energy healing methods and this is an added come-on for highly stressed people.
Moreover, sophisticated equipment is not required thus it becomes all the more
convenient for students and future students of energy healing.
The battle between alternative
healing and mainstream medicine continues as both present the benefits of their
approach. But in the final analysis, what matters is the restoration of good
health.
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