Healing - It's Been Hiding Within You
Energy Medicine, at its foundation, focuses on the energy fields of the body that organize and control the growth and repair of cells, tissue, and organs. Changing impaired energy patterns may be the most efficient, least invasive way to improve the vitality of organs, cells, and psyche.
Conventional medicine, at its foundation, focuses solely on the biochemistry of cells, tissue, and organs.
Modern science has rediscovered that we really are creatures of energy, that all matter is composed of atoms which are held together by energy charges, and that matter can be changed by altering the makeup and amount of information within the field that surrounds it. These fields regulate our physical body. We are in a time where science is beginning to validate the existence of the energies that surround and exist within each of us. We can measure, document, and visually prove their effects in EKG's, EEG's, blood chemistry, and Kirlian photography among others, developed in the early 1900’s.
All things are infused with energy. As a species, we have been fascinated by this energy and the power it has within our own bodies as well as the world around us. This energy that permeates our bodies goes by many names such as chi, prana, ki, orgone, kundalini, light, or consciousness. With this understanding, practices have been developed to help cultivate and balance this personal energy. Reiki, Qigong, Tai Chi, Meditation, Yoga, and Feng Shui are just a few of the many ways individuals can enhance the flow of this energy.
We are all born with the power to heal ourselves. Our bodies are in a constant state of maintaining balance. It is the energy within that helps the body to repair and replace aspects of itself as needed. In a not so distant past, our ancestors had an innate wisdom that they used to heal themselves and maintain vitality. Over time, with our focus shifting to what is outside of ourselves, we have lost the ability to clearly see within.
In comparison to our own personal energy, Reiki is the energy that connects our higher self with everything around us. We can use Reiki energy to help us balance our own energy and bodies.
The Buddhist proverb: When a student is ready, the teacher appears is often true in the case of Reiki. You may have found this information at just the perfect time in your life. Reiki is the intelligent life force that connects us to what we need.
Physical vs. Energy Body: As a rule, our species is very closed-minded. If we can smell it, see it, touch it, hear it or taste it, then it is real, if not, then it simply doesn't exist. Recent advances in science and technology have proven that there are many things that are beyond our immediate perception. We don't have to understand them totally to acknowledge their existence or to use the information we do have. We don't need to know all the details on how the TV gets a picture and sound, or how that email message gets to the other side of the world almost instantly. We just trust and believe it works based on our experiences. The physical body is interwoven and dependent on the energy body. When the life force energy leaves the body, all that is left is a pile of decomposing matter, which is rapidly recycled back into the earth.
Auric Field: The energy currents flowing through us create a charged field outside of our physical body as well. This auric field is composed of several layers and is of variable thickness. It is usually palpable within a couple inches of the physical body. Some people can visualize it and detect color flows. There are now cameras that can capture and colorize the auric field on film. Kirilian photography is becoming quite popular and is readily available at many festivals and events. The aura, or subtle body, connects directly with the physical body in many locations. Many of these places, or energy centers, within the body are also collections of nerves and matter which produce their own level of mind. These centers also go by the name vortexes or chakras. There are numerous minor chakras, but generally speaking, only 7 major chakras are recognized.
Chakra Connection: There have been many books written on the subject of the chakra system. The energy channels have been mapped, diagrammed and various opinions argued extensively. The chakras act as transformers, converting the energy field into current usable by the body. This is merely a brief overview on the most commonly accepted principles.
The flow of energy is multidirectional and multidimensional. Just as blood vessels run throughout the body, so do the energy pathways, or nadis. The three larger nadis run through the torso in a simultaneous, vertical, spiraling pattern connecting the major chakras. Sushumna nadi is the central channel which goes straight up the spine. Ida nadi starts at the bottom left of the spine and spirals upward. Pingala nadi starts at the bottom right of the spine and spirals upward. Where these two nadis cross forms a chakra and meets at a plexus of nerves. The smaller channels feed into and out of this mainstream flow. Each chakra serves a specific purpose and controls different aspects of our emotional body. They are interfaced with the physical body through the endocrine system and each chakra correlates with a particular gland of that system. Each center controls the organs, glands, muscles, and tissues which surround it, via the field of information it produces. They are each represented by a different color of the light spectrum. Interestingly enough, the levels also correspond to our evolution as a species and with modern psychological theories of increasing successful development (i.e. Maslow's hierarchy of needs).
Hormonal Connection: We have discussed the energy centers and their connection to the endocrine system. There is an important correlation here. Our thoughts, feelings and beliefs originate in our energy body and are translated by the energy centers into the chemical language of the physical body via hormones. A thought makes you feel a certain way, which produces specific hormones and chemicals which then make you feel exactly the way you are thinking. That is why we feel emotions with such intensity and why, when our hormones are out of order, we experience emotional turbulence. This cycle can be used consciously to control your life. The sexual hormones are especially prone to causing emotional outbursts, but even with the digestive hormones, i.e. insulin, erratic production causes moodiness and irritability. Keeping our subtle body healthy and balanced has a direct effect on how good we feel physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Energy Medicine awakens the innate powers within us that bring resilience, joy, and enthusiasm to one’s life – and greater vitality to your body, mind, and spirit! Balancing your energies balances your body's chemistry, regulates your hormones, helps you feel better, and helps you think better. Ancient healing techniques can be used to combat the challenges of the 21st century and to thrive within them. Energy healing has been called the self-care and personal development path of the future, but it empowers you NOW to adapt to modern day.
