Post by ruth on Mar 31, 2007 12:17:54 GMT
Energy in spirituality, refers to a widespread belief in an inter- or intra-personal forces, for which no evidence has yet been found by the physical sciences. Believers assume spiritual energy to be of a different type than those known to science, and therapies involved are often classed as alternative medicine
The concept of spiritual energy
Various ideas pertaining to spiritual energy have been postulated in various cultures, prominent amongst them are:
the Christian idea of the soul or spirit
The traditional Chinese qi
The Indian Chakra, Shakti, Prana or Kundalini
The Japanese idea of Reiki
The New Age/paranormal aura
The "orgone energy" of Wilhelm Reich
The morphogenetic fields of biologist Rupert Sheldrake
The Odic force of chemist Carl von Reichenbach
biofields
The Islamic way of "Ruqeeyah"
Vital energy or life force is known under different names in different cultures, such as qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ki in the Japanese Kampo system, doshas in Ayurvedic medicine, and elsewhere as prana, etheric energy, fohat, orgone, odic force, mana, and homeopathic resonance
Premise of Energy Therapies
Though there are varying approaches, "energy therapies" are typically based on the assumption that, as everything in the universe is made of energy, this energy can be manipulated in order to heal. Various techniques have developed which claim to be able to heal at this energy level.
Various forms of mysticism often associate "bad energy" with disease, and "good energy" and healing powers. Most theories claim the ability to actively influence one's "energy."
For example, acupuncture purports to have beneficial effects on the human body by manipulating its natural flow of energy, whilst scientists argue that it works physiologically by blocking or stimulating nerve cells and causing changes in the perception of pain in the brain.
Reiki is a similar procedure in Japanese culture which claims to manipulate the qi (ki) through the laying-on of hands. Other methods like Yuen and the Berkeley Psychic Institute method purport to transmit "energetic force" without physical contact.
Theories of spiritual energy are not validated by the scientific method, thus are dismissed as non-empirical beliefs by the scientific community. Theories of spiritual energy are considered to be pseudoscience.
Biofields
A biofield is claimed to be "a massless field that:
(a) is not necessarily electromagnetic,
(b) surrounds and permeates living bodies,
(c) affects the body, and
(d) possibly is related to qi"
Although scientists and physicians remain skeptical as to its existence, alternative practitioners claim that humans have a field external from their bodies that strongly affects actions and feelings. They believe biofields can be degraded by EMF frequencies and electronic screens such as radio waves, television and computer screens, and can lead to disease, overstress, and fatigue.
From the National Institutes of Health: The biofield has defied measurement to date by reproducible methods. Therapies involving biofields are based on the concept that human beings are infused with a subtle form of energy. This vital energy or life force is known under different names in different cultures, such as qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ki in the Japanese Kampo system, doshas in Ayurvedic medicine, and elsewhere as prana, etheric energy, fohat, orgone, odic force, mana, and homeopathic resonance. Vital energy is believed to flow throughout the material human body, but it has not been unequivocally measured by means of conventional instrumentation. Nonetheless, therapists claim that they can work with this subtle energy, see it with their own eyes, and use it to effect changes in the physical body and influence health.
"Energy psychology" includes a collection of diverse techniques aimed at healing emotional, cognitive, spiritual and physical distress.[citation needed] The field of Energy Psychology is not recognised or accredited by professional bodies such as the British Psychological Society.
Some techniques under the umbrella of "energy psychology" include:
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
Applied kinesiology (Brain Gym)
Therapeutic touch
The concept of spiritual energy
Various ideas pertaining to spiritual energy have been postulated in various cultures, prominent amongst them are:
the Christian idea of the soul or spirit
The traditional Chinese qi
The Indian Chakra, Shakti, Prana or Kundalini
The Japanese idea of Reiki
The New Age/paranormal aura
The "orgone energy" of Wilhelm Reich
The morphogenetic fields of biologist Rupert Sheldrake
The Odic force of chemist Carl von Reichenbach
biofields
The Islamic way of "Ruqeeyah"
Vital energy or life force is known under different names in different cultures, such as qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ki in the Japanese Kampo system, doshas in Ayurvedic medicine, and elsewhere as prana, etheric energy, fohat, orgone, odic force, mana, and homeopathic resonance
Premise of Energy Therapies
Though there are varying approaches, "energy therapies" are typically based on the assumption that, as everything in the universe is made of energy, this energy can be manipulated in order to heal. Various techniques have developed which claim to be able to heal at this energy level.
Various forms of mysticism often associate "bad energy" with disease, and "good energy" and healing powers. Most theories claim the ability to actively influence one's "energy."
For example, acupuncture purports to have beneficial effects on the human body by manipulating its natural flow of energy, whilst scientists argue that it works physiologically by blocking or stimulating nerve cells and causing changes in the perception of pain in the brain.
Reiki is a similar procedure in Japanese culture which claims to manipulate the qi (ki) through the laying-on of hands. Other methods like Yuen and the Berkeley Psychic Institute method purport to transmit "energetic force" without physical contact.
Theories of spiritual energy are not validated by the scientific method, thus are dismissed as non-empirical beliefs by the scientific community. Theories of spiritual energy are considered to be pseudoscience.
Biofields
A biofield is claimed to be "a massless field that:
(a) is not necessarily electromagnetic,
(b) surrounds and permeates living bodies,
(c) affects the body, and
(d) possibly is related to qi"
Although scientists and physicians remain skeptical as to its existence, alternative practitioners claim that humans have a field external from their bodies that strongly affects actions and feelings. They believe biofields can be degraded by EMF frequencies and electronic screens such as radio waves, television and computer screens, and can lead to disease, overstress, and fatigue.
From the National Institutes of Health: The biofield has defied measurement to date by reproducible methods. Therapies involving biofields are based on the concept that human beings are infused with a subtle form of energy. This vital energy or life force is known under different names in different cultures, such as qi in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ki in the Japanese Kampo system, doshas in Ayurvedic medicine, and elsewhere as prana, etheric energy, fohat, orgone, odic force, mana, and homeopathic resonance. Vital energy is believed to flow throughout the material human body, but it has not been unequivocally measured by means of conventional instrumentation. Nonetheless, therapists claim that they can work with this subtle energy, see it with their own eyes, and use it to effect changes in the physical body and influence health.
"Energy psychology" includes a collection of diverse techniques aimed at healing emotional, cognitive, spiritual and physical distress.[citation needed] The field of Energy Psychology is not recognised or accredited by professional bodies such as the British Psychological Society.
Some techniques under the umbrella of "energy psychology" include:
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
Applied kinesiology (Brain Gym)
Therapeutic touch