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Viewing 1 - 2 out of 2 Blogs.
This is something I wrote quite a few months back for another group I belong to. It was supposed to be about Reiki energy, but quickly took on a life of its own (as happens most of the time when I start talking. *snort*) Thanks to Ghost Hunter, Wild Flower, and Dougie for reminding me about this and getting the neurons firing again. *Hugs*
Okay, for brevity’s sake, and without meaning to minimize at all, in short Reiki is a belief system based on the movement of auric energy assisted by meditation techniques on the part of the healer. This healing system works by raising the vibrations of the being or object to be healed, closer to that of the practitioner and altering the life energies of the recipient (and practitioner.) I know there's much more, but I'll leave it there.
At it’s core, Reiki, and much of alternative medicine is based on vitalism, the notion that living organisms possess some unique quality that gives them that special quality we call life. I have to say that this is my belief as well, but also that this is yet the greatest of our personal spiritual quests.
In ancient times, the vital force was widely identified with breath, in Greece - 'psyche or pneuma' (the breath of the gods), and the Romans - 'spiritus.'
As 'breath' became more widely identified as an actual material substance, words like 'psychic' and 'spirit' came about to refer to that more intangible, unique quality of the living organism, the qualities of life and consciousness -'life force.'
As modern science developed in the West and we began to gain knowledge and insight into 'matter,' a few scientists looked hard for scientific evidence as to the nature of 'the living force,' or 'life force.' In the 1700’s after Newton published his laws of mechanics, optics, and gravity, he spent years unsuccessfully looking for the source of life using alchemic experiments. In the eighteenth century, Anton Mesmer believed that magnetism was key to the universal living force in the human body and could be directed into other bodies. He believed that the human body had an 'animal magnetism' and he would treat people by pointing a finger at them and 'direct his energy toward them until the flow of nervous current would re-balance the patient's energies.' Today mesmerism is connected with hypnosis and has less to do with notions of a living force. Today this 'vital force' is often referred to as the bioenergetic field, the very field we are told can be 'manipulated' to bring the body’s 'live energies' into balance.. And herein is where the controversy lies. Conventional medicine also stakes claim to a bioenergetic field, which using biochemistry refers to documented measurable exchanges of energy that DO occur within organisms and between themselves and the environment through physical and chemical processes. The difference is that alternative medicine maintains that this field goes BEYOND physics and chemistry and into a vital living force.
I know, I know, bla bla bla -- but I am getting there. Just stick with me for a few more minutes. The best example for where I'm going with this can be found in the study of auras. There is no argument by conventional science as to the existence of auras being attributed to all – and ONLY – living organisms. It is fact acknowledged by all; however, the debate over what causes them varies between the two disciplines.
The general consensus amongst vitalists appears to be that this 'field' is electromagnetism and is evidenced by the measurable electromagnetic waves that humans emit., and science concurs, but only goes so far as to corroborate that CERTAIN parts of the body/organs emit these waves, ie., brain, and that they do provide powerful diagnostic information, but that these waves are not unique and show no characteristics different from those of any electronic system, to the point where they can be simulated with a computer. There is nothing that makes them different from 'live' organisms or 'dead.'
The fact is that humans do have auras that can be photographed with infrared-sensitive film. The science? 'Black body' electromagnetic radiation. Objects that reflect very little light appear black on infrared-sensitive film but they emit invisible infrared light as a result of the random movements of all the charged particles in the body that are CAUSED BY HEAT. For example, a body is full of charged particles and heat makes them move. So light emitted from a living organism has a shape that is specified by its temperature. As the temperature rises, you begin to see the aura. Just like the sun, radiating as a black body of intense heat. But humans, at much lower body termperatures than the sun, radiate mostly in the infrared region of the spectrum, which as we know, infrared light is invisible to the naked eye but easily seen with infrared detection equipment.
Hence the development of Kirlian photography. Semion Kirlian was an American electrician who discovered that if an object on a photographic plate is subjected to a high-voltage electric field, an image is created on the plate which looks like a colored halo or coronal discharge. This was said to be a physical manifestation of the spiritual aura or 'life force' of the subject.
In a Kirlian experiment, a fresh cut leaf was placed on a piece of photographic film that is electrically isolated from a flat aluminum electrode and a pulsed high electrical voltage applied between another electrode placed in contact with the leaf and the aluminum electrode. Upon development of the film, photographs showed changing, multicoloured patterns, with protruding flares and sparks. In the same circumstances, non-living objects didn’t show the same – as a matter of fact, when looking back to the leaf , the pattern was seen to gradually diminish as the leaf died. He stated that it appeared to be the actual life activity of the leaf itself. We now know based on pysics and controlled experiments that is as a result of the fact that living things are moist and the subject is exposed to electricity it produces gas 'ionization' around the object which is then transferred to the surface of the film. When performing the same controlled experiement in a vacuum where this gas is not present, the same object does not produce the image. Likewise, The 'fresh-cut leaf effect' can also be produced using a long dead but wet piece of wood.
Having said all of this, I really have to say, I am by no means denigrating those who have benefitted from or experienced the positive effects of Reiki or any other holistic practices – far from it. As a matter of fact, I have had 'hands laid on' me, and I have to say, I myself have felt the effects. I’m just not convinced that its merits are based on manipulation, exchange of/or conduction of auric energies that surround and reside within us, or whether it is more power-of-suggestion, or whether it is yet another unexplained phenomena of the power of one's mind and its control over the human body.
In conclusion, I would like to add something I found on the net that leaves me feeling humble and mindful of my obligations to myself and humanity.
Don't get angry today.
Don't be grievous.
Express your thanks.
Be diligent in your business.
Be kind to others.
—from the original document in Usui Sensei's handwriting.
Reiki Principles
Just for today, I will not worry.
Just for today, I will not be angry.
Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings.
Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.
—as taught by Reiki Alliance Masters.
I will say, I do believe that anything that teaches these tenets truly deserves our respect, and at the least, a little bit of introspective thought, don't you think?
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Apports
Posted On 04/17/2007 08:47:25
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Has anyone ever heard of 'apports?' Okay, I am very open-minded, but I have to admit, I have a problem with this, theoretically-speaking. Still, I thought it was an interesting concept to mull over, to say the least.
I’ve read that apports are items that manifest from non-physical to physical reality. Some people say manifestation may be linked to teleportation or telekinesis by one or more of the people in the room, but I’ve also read that they are materialized objects produced by mediums during Spiritualistic séances. Many believe a spirit, such as a deceased loved one, has brought the gift, usually linked to an observer in the room. Often the gift has symbolic significance for the person receiving it.
The opposite of apport is asport , which is the transference of a small object to an unknown location via unknown means. Now this seems a little more plausible to me.
Some people believe that apports are ethereal in nature, meaning that they are only a temporal image created by an outburst of energy, but many attest that they can most certainly also be solid, touchable and altogether 3D objects which appear (and/or disappear) seemingly out of nowhere.
Many people claim to having experienced receiving unexplainable 'gifts' that they believe have been brought to them by an angel or spirit, such as a deceased loved one, and often the gift has a symbolic meaning for the person receiving it. Do you think this is fiction? Urban myth, brought on by a people’s desire to believe, in a time when séance’s were evening entertainment before the advent of television? Or is there something to it all?
Anyone have any experience with any of this?
*waving* It's nice to be home!
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