Spiritual Healing

With the advent of new theories and medical practices, the face of traditional medicine continues to change in today's world. In addition to standard medical practices, many people are discovering that there can be distinct health advantages in spiritual healing practices.

But just what is spiritual healing? And how can it help you to take a most holistic approach to overall health care and well-being?

Spiritual healing is, by definition, the use of non-physical means to treat illness or affliction. Sometimes referred to as "faith healing," spiritual healing is a type of treatment generally considered to be classified as "alternative" or non-traditional.

Yet the roots of spiritual healing go back for centuries, and some form of this treatment have been shown to exist is almost every culture known to history.

At its core, spiritual healing involves channeling a type of energy from one person, the "healer," to another.

Practitioners claim that this energy can help to heal or alleviate physical, mental or spiritual ailments. The healer is generally thought to be a medium for the healing powers that are coming from a higher power, or spirit.

Other forms of spiritual healing include prayer or meditation healing, in which there is not channeler, or healer, but the energy comes directly to the person asking for the healing.

What makes spiritual healing so unique from modern medicine is that spiritual healing addresses not only issues of the body, but of the mind and spirit as well, treating all three of these human phenomena as one cohesive unit.

In fact, spiritual healing is based on the premise that no one can be truly healthy unless their mind, body and psyche are indeed operating in one sympathetic unit. It is not enough to alleviate physical symptoms of illness or injury; to be completely healed one must also address the mental and spiritual symptoms as well.

And, conversely, spiritual healers also believe that many physical problems are actually manifestations of illness or disorders within the mind or the spirit. Curing one without addressing the other will be futile and counter-productive, according to these healers.

Many people claim that spiritual healing is a "New Age" phenomenon, but in reality that is not so. Most organized religions invoke some aspect of spiritual healing, through prayer, meditation or special intentions, and praying for the sick is a widely recognized and respected tradition.

There are myriad methods for carrying out spiritual healing. Some use a laying-on of hands to transfer healing energy; others anoint the sick with special oils; for others, special crystals seem to the be conduit through which healing occurs.

There are as many methods as there are religious and spiritual interpretations, all with the ultimate goal of bringing healing and wellness in mind, spirit and body.

Spiritual healing takes many forms, including a self-healing regime that has been used in many religions for centuries. And it is becoming increasingly popular outside of organized religion, too.

In addition to prayer, many people are turning to meditation, journaling, and other forms of introspection to connect with a higher spiritual power.

This connection, they say, enables them to absorb the healing power, become aware of things they can do to help improve their own condition, and ultimately take charge of their own well-being.

In addition to traditional religious healing, there are several other recognized types of healing including Reiki (a type of massage), craniosacral therapy, healing touch, and a range of other healing programs.

The topic is a popular one for scientific study, and more and more doctors and scientists are beginning to validate that spiritual healing in many of its forms can be an effective tool in creating a healthy and whole human being.

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Many people have the impression that spiritual healing is a "new age" phenomenon, something that is trendy and modern. But they couldn’t be further from the truth.

In fact, spiritual healing is an ancient practice, and was seen in many cultures around the world in some form. From ancient Egypt, Greece, Native America, Asia and South American, methods of spiritual healing have been practices for hundreds and thousands of years.

Religious experts also recognize the importance of spiritual healing to ancient religions, and there are a number of references to spiritual healing in the Bible.

Both the Hebrew Scriptures (also known as the Old Testament) and the New Testament, or Christian scriptures, contain a number of references to both physical and spiritual healing.

While some of these passages are a bit ambiguous as to their specific meaning, it is clear that the writers of these works had a strong belief, and perhaps even direct experience in, some for a healing of a religious or spiritual nature.

In Exodus 15:26 of the King James Version, the Lord promises to the Israelites that if they keep his commandments, and do what is right, he will keep them free from a number of diseases.

Second Kings 20:5 talks of healing of a more personal nature, in which God promises to heal Hezekiah of his affliction after hearing his prayers.

And Psalms 34:17-19 speaks of Lord's ability to heal a variety of afflictions of the righteous. Psalms 103 invokes a blessing from the Lord, and asserts that he can heal illness and forgive iniquities.

More specific references to healing in the Hebrew Scriptures can be found in Isaiah 57:18-21, Jeremiah 30:17, and Hosea 6:1.

The New Testament is likewise filled with references to healing, especially granted to those who pray for help. Matthew 7:7-11 speaks of the promise of asking for help in any way, and the power of God to grant the request.

Also in Matthew (21:22), it is stated that whatever is requested in prayer by a true believer, will be granted.

The gospel of Mark speaks specifically of laying on of hands to heal the sick (16:18), while John (15:7) reiterates that anyone asking of God shall receive what they need.

James 5:14-15 continues the theme of spiritual healing, this time speaking of anointing with sacred oils in combination with prayer to heal those who are ill. In fact, James even appeals to the crowd, encouraging any who are sick to ask the Lord for healing, in much the same way that healing preachers today prompt their congregations to come forward for healing.

The Bible does offer some caveats, however, citing specific incidences during which healing was not successful.

In the story of Lazarus, Jesus was not able to prevent the death of his friend, although he later did raise him from the dead. And in Paul's letters, (1 Corinthian 15:42-53) he writes that the human suffering caused by illness and death is unavoidable, and a part of the human condition.

Paul himself suffered from a flesh wound that remained unhealed, and caused him much discomfort. Paul's attempts at healing others were not entirely successful either, as cited by Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23 (Timothy himself) and 2 Timothy 4:20 (Miletus).

For a deeper discussion of the presence of spiritual healing in the Bible, there are several books available.

Healing Oils of the Bible, written by David Stewart, Ph.D., cites over one thousand instances in which oils are mentioned in the Bible in relation to healing.

The Heart of Pastoral Counseling by Richard Dayringer is a short book that includes information on the religious aspect of healing from a biblical perspective.

And Life Understood from a Scientific and Religious Point of View cites specific references to spiritual healing in the Old and New Testaments.

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Spiritual healing is, by definition, the use of non-physical means to treat illness or affliction. Sometimes referred to as "faith healing," spiritual healing is a type of treatment generally considered to be classified as "alternative" or non-traditional.

Yet the roots of spiritual healing go back for centuries, and some form of this treatment have been shown to exist is almost every culture known to history.
Edward Bourne, who authored "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook," lists some of the benefits of spiritual healing as a feeling of security and safety, peace of mind, self-confidence and the capacity to give and receive unconditional love.

Many types of spiritual healing involve energy, both inside and outside of the body. The objective of most methods is to cleanse and clear the body's life force of negative obstructions, so that the mind, body and soul can harmonize. Many spiritual health practitioners see this as the only true path to whole health.

It is commonly believed by spiritual healing enthusiasts that any ailment, be it physical, mental or emotional, begins in the mind, at least in some part. So when mind, body and spirit work together, the ailment can begin to heal.

Many modern healthcare practitioners are beginning to realize the benefits of incorporating a spiritual aspect into a patient’s care, and in fact some HMOs and medical facilities are offering these services.

The medical evidence does suggest that spiritual healing, in complement with traditional medical care, can increase positive outcomes for patients with a range of conditions. Specific studies suggest benefits in cancer patients, new moms, people suffering from depressive disorders, and cardiac patients, among others.

Obviously, "healing" is a general term. So let's look more closely at some of the benefits that have been documented as a result of a few of the different variations of spiritual healing.

Reiki, a well-known and much practiced method developed in the early 20th Century, channels energy through the hands of a practitioner through the body of the patient.

Positive results have been recorded in the form of reduced heart rate and reduced diastolic blood pressure. Relief from depression and anxiety has also been attributed to Reiki therapy.

Polarity Therapy has been around since the mid-20th Century. It offers treatment using the body's energy as well as a combination of diet, exercise, self-awareness and other factors. The body's ailments are diagnosed through verbal means as well as touch.

This therapy is thought to aid stress reduction, relief of migraine headaches, allergies, digestive disorders, PMS symptoms, body pain and fatigue. It has also reportedly helped with pregnancy and post-natal care.

Qi Gong (sometimes spelled Chi Kung), a Chinese method of healing that has been practiced for over 2,000 years, is a combination of exercise and the cultivation of qi (life force) energies. Discipline of the body plays a key role, and there are exercises to help regulate the body (posture), mind (through relaxation) and the breath. There are moving and still variations.

Besides curing illness, its benefits are believed to include a stronger body including the diaphragm and cardiovascular system, a regulated central nervous system and cerebral cortex, greater synchronization of the brain waves, increased lung capacity and a more effective immune system.

And then, there's good old-fashioned prayer. Prayer can be done in a group or by oneself. It can be practiced even when the person being prayed for has no knowledge of such.

Many studies have been done to validate the effectiveness of prayer. It can help with the health and well-being of the person being prayed for - but it also brings a sense of peace to the person doing the praying.

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Labels: spiritual healing