Science and Energy Healing

The Latin root of the word “science” can be translated as “having knowledge” or “to know”. Western civilization has developed the scientific method as a means of gaining knowledge, and many believe that it is the only means that can be trusted as reliable and accurate. Nevertheless, there are other ways of gaining knowledge which others would believe to be equally valid.  

Everything is “energy”

We know from scientific understanding that everything is composed of energy, and yet the presence of this energetic aspect of ourselves and our surroundings is mostly not acknowledged in our culture. Even seemingly solid objects like a table appear to be solid due to the interpretations of the mind — on an energetic level they are mostly “empty space”. Modern science has made discoveries about the nature of reality that are consistent with the existence of a “human energy field” and the ability to influence healing through manipulation of energy. These discoveries have radical implications on how we view and experience our day to day reality. It takes time for radical new understandings to be absorbed and integrated into our understanding of reality.

Does science validate the existence of a human energy field?  

All conclusions in the scientific method must be supported by empirical evidence.  ”Empirical” evidence is based on observation or experiment. Ultimately it relies on that which can be perceived through the senses.  In the west, only five senses — sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell — are considered to exist.  But other cultures (as well as people in the west who have observed things without use of the five senses) believe phenomena can be observed that lie beyond the reach of the five senses.  

With regard to the human energy field, those who are able to perceive it through “higher sense perception” have no doubt about its existence. Nevertheless, a Western scientist would refute its existence unless it directly observed or detected through some sort of instrumentation.  ”Seeing is believing” works when everyone is able to see something. For example, if a group of people all perceive a table, the scientist would probably not refute its existence. But the existence of that which cannot be perceived through the five senses (or extensions of the senses through instruments such as microscopes) is assumed to be speculative unless proven by “objective means”.

How can anyone say something really exists and what is a valid way of knowing what exists?  Who can really say whether someone who states they are able to sense energetic information is really sensing something or whether it’s a result of their imagination?  Ultimately we are left to our own judgment of what is real, and more importantly, what kinds of descriptions of reality are valuable to us and point us to practical steps we can take to improve our lives.

What is “higher sense perception”?

Higher sense perception is one of many terms used for the ability to get information in other ways than through the five senses.  Most everyone has heard of the “sixth sense” and the term paranormal.  Although the word intuition can be used much more broadly, it is also a word that refers to gaining knowledge in a way other than through the senses.  Higher sense perception could be thought of as a more subtle functioning of the senses.  

How objective is “objective”?

The Western scientist attempts to eliminate subjectivity, using the scientific method to validate theories through objective findings. When investigated deeply, however, the boundary between objective and subjective blurs. Ultimately, it is the scientists subjectivity (or awareness) that ultimately registers the “objective findings” obtained through scientific instruments, and it has been found that the observer affects the object of observation through the act of observing!

Pitfalls for healers and clients

There are, of course, pitfalls for those who do perceive energies. It is very easy for imagination or fantasy to color ones perceptions. Often students of healing ask themselves questions like “did I really see that?” and have to learn to trust their perceptions. On the other hand, a certain amount of skepticism and questioning is important in order to learn to discriminate between imagination and subtle sense perception. While we can verify the presence of a table in the room by the consensus of those who see it, this kind of verification is less frequently available to healers and intuitives.

The fact that there is little objective verification for statements healers might make does give rise to the possibility of their clients being mislead by healers interpretations. It is important to honor ones own intuition above the interpretations of a healer and to examine everything in the light of common sense.  All too often people want the healer to be all-knowing and be able to tell them exactly what is wrong and exactly what to do.  This can lead to accepting the opinion of a healer too readily and suspending ones own intuition and judgment.

“It has taken thousands of years, but within this century both scientists and spiritual seekers alike have once again begun to view the laws of nature and the laws of God as reflections of the same truth.” Rosalyn L. Bruyere

REFERENCES

Undoubtedly, few scientists would feel that there is any substantial proof of the existence of the energies with which healers work. There has been research, however, which indicates that energy healing does have an effect. The following references are recommended in investigating the question of how energy healing has been studied, understood and viewed in terms of Western science:

The Field: The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe by Lynne McTaggart – highly recommended for understanding quantum physics and its relationship to healing
Hands of Light by Barbara Brennan — contains a summary of relevant scientific concepts
Vibrational Medicine by Richard Gerber, MD
Energy Medicine by James Oschman
Wheels of Light by Rosalyn Bruyere
Spiritual Healing by Daniel Benor — research on spiritual/energy healing

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