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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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