What are subtle energies?

This vital energy is everywhere. It is an ever present force that circulates and moves in the environment. The subtle body is comprised of a network of energy channels and chakras. Nature has designed the senses, chakras and energy channels to receive information in the environment.

These energy centers are responsible for distributing energy throughout the subtle body. When the body is balanced these subtle energies flow freely through the chakras and channels, and the physical body is strong and healthy. When there are energy blockages, it can result in physical, mental and emotional disease.

What is the difference between healing and curing?

Healing and curing area different processes. Curing is the elimination of signs and symptoms of disease, which may or may not relate to the end of that disease or discomfort. It is usually focused on the person as a physical entity. Curing may not be possible but healing is always possible.

The potential for healing exists within every human being. Healing is a process and may occur with or without curing. It often cannot be measured but only observed. Healing encourages the emergence of a harmonious relationship among the body, mind, and spirit of a person that leads to greater integrity of their whole system. Energetic healing is not instantaneous; it occurs gradually. It promotes and assists the process of healing.

What is meant by "Wholeness"?

According to B. Dossey, (2005) "wholeness" is frequently described as harmony of body, mind and spirit. Wholeness involves more than the intactness of physical structure and function or the status of isolated parts of a person. This term suggests that wholeness is not necessarily a state of any kind, but a process that is fundamentally about relationship. Wholeness is about the relationship of the parts of a system to one another and to the larger systems of which they are a part. According to David Bohm, increasing the wholeness of a system is about establishing a pattern of relationships among the elements that is more and more coherent. Healing, if it is a process of being or becoming whole, must be an emerging pattern of relationships among the elements of the whole person that leads to greater integrity, connection, and cohesion of the whole system. This pattern of relationship can be called right relationship. Healing is the emergence of right relationship at or between or among any and all levels of the human experience. It is a process rather than a state. It is dynamic, and it always affects the whole person, no matter at what level the shift actually occurs.

How does Energy Healing Work?

There are many theories as to how energy therapies work. Many frameworks exist in the literature of quantum physics and holistic healing. Researchers have developed ways to measure the energy field. Theoretically, by correcting any defect in the energy field, energy healing may facilitate healing of the body, mind and spirit. Energy therapies focus on removing energy congestion that forms in the energy fields (aura) and energy centers (chakras). Once imbalance and disturbances are cleared, the energy channels resume their takes of integrating the body, mind and soul to restore health and promote healing. It may also help prevent future issues by restoring balance to energy field disturbances, which could later result n illness if left unbalanced.

How does distance healing work?

It is now believed that consciousness is non-local in that it is not bound to individual bodies. The minds of individuals are spread throughout space and time; they are infinite, immortal, omnipresent, and ultimately, one. The effects of consciousness create bridges between different persons, as with distant healing, intercessory prayer, shamanic healing, so-called miracles and certain emotions (e.g. love, empathy, compassion).

Are there side effects from the Quantum Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a non-invasive procedure considered to be generally safe. Biofeedback does not use any needles, skin penetration or other invasive procedures. It is possible that biofeedback may exacerbate some emotional problems, at least temporarily, during the biofeedback training sessions. Some clients may become drowsy. Other possible side effects of biofeedback training may include a reduction of aches and pains, anger, anxiety, blood pressure, depression, dizziness, grief or sorrow, palsy, reaction times, tics or other pathological conditions; and an increase in focus, attention, concentration, short and long term memory, mental dexterity, physical strength, dexterity and mobility, general well-being and an increase in joy, happiness, courage and peace of mind. However, there is no guarantee biofeedback training will result in any of these generally beneficial side effects.

Does Reiki or Healing Touch conflict with medical treatment?

Reiki and Healing Touch are great complements to both holistic and allopathic (western) medical treatment. They do not intrude on these other treatments or introduce anything that would react with them. They support the body's innate, natural ability to heal itself.

Where has Healing Touch Research been conducted?

Studies support Healing Touch as an integrative therapy. Surveys indicate that patients evaluate it highly. Healing Touch research has been supported and /or funded by hospital, universities, colleges, professional organizations, private foundations, and National institutes of Health: National Center of Complementary and alternative medicine (NCCAM). Healing Touch Research has been conducted in a wide variety of settings exploring issues such as:

• Stress reduction/relaxation response
• Cancer treatment and care
• Cardio-vascular disease
• Death and dying
• Endocrine/ Immune function
• Pain reduction and management
• Patient satisfaction and experience
• Post operative recovery
• Counseling/ Psychotherapy
• Wellness and prevention
• Spiritual/ Personal growth
  

Does Reiki conflict with medical treatment?

Reiki is a great complement to both holistic and allopathic (western) medical treatment. It does not intrude on these other treatments or introduce anything that would react with them. It supports the body's innate, natural ability to heal itself.

Can I learn Reiki? I have never done anything like this before?

The ability to learn Reiki is passed on from teacher to student. It is not dependent on a past knowledge or ability. Once the student is connected to the Reiki energy through the teacher it does not go away. It is relatively easy to learn but requires practice to increase perception and ability.

Is Reiki a religion?

Reiki is not a religion although it tends to strengthen people's sense of a spiritual connection in a way that is right for them. It can help facilitate the graceful unfolding of the higher self when one is ready.

Can I pick up "negative energy" from doing Reiki?

Energetic healing is the art of working with "universal" life energy. The human energy system is in constant, dynamic equilibrium with this energy in its environment. This is the non-physical energy that animates all things. Because Reiki is guided by God consciousness, it can never do harm. In Reiki, this energy is channeled and so the practitioners' energy is never depleted.

Has there been research on the benefits of Reiki treatments?

There are numerous studies that support the efficacy of Reiki in reducing anxiety, reducing pain, facilitating wound healing, creating sense of well being, increasing hemoglobin levels, (Vitale, 2007) and decreasing free radicals (Garrison, 2005). Quantum physics provides an explanatory model to understand the mechanism in which Reiki healing occurs - new discoveries are often first ridiculed, then argued against, then accepted as obvious.

How do you respond to the Catholic Bishops Guidelines for Evaluation of Reiki as an alternative therapy?

Many of the AHNA members who practice Reiki or work in institutions utilizing Reiki voiced concerns over this document. The American Holistic Nurses Association issued a response to this document. In this document the association stated "the American Holistic Nurses Associations' Scope and Standards of Practice support the use of Reiki as an energy-based therapy that is included in the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) (AHNA 2007). Holistic nursing always occurs within the scope and standards of practice of registered nursing and in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations. Holistic nurses are bound by a code of ethics that often challenge them to evaluate their personal and professional ethics especially when they are in contrast to each other. "The practice of holistic nursing is not subject to regulation by religious organizations such as the Catholic Church." Midge Murphy JD, PhD, a professional liability risk management consultant stated the following: "One of the essential core principles of health care ethics is respect for patient autonomy. Autonomy refers to the patient's self-rule and the opportunity to make knowing, voluntary and intelligent healthcare choices. The guidelines would violate the ethical principle of patient autonomy because the Guidelines would deny a patient in a Catholic hospital and/ or health care facility the right to choose Reiki as part of the patient's treatment plan. The Guidelines would conflict with the American Holistic Nurses' Association (AHNA) Standards and Scope of Practice. Members are ethically required to provide care to their patients in accordance with the Standards which would include Reiki, if the nurse was a Reiki practitioner. The implication of the Guidelines is that a nurse, who is a Reiki practitioner, would be prohibited from providing Reiki to a patient that wanted Reiki. This would violate the nurse's right to provide care in accordance with the Standards."