Why Energetic Therapies Work

Why Energetic Therapies Work Reflections on Healing and Medicine by a Pentecostal Christian

Stephen D Evans

Why Energetic Therapies Work Copyright © 2006, by Stephen D Evans All Rights Reserved Published in the United States of America, Los Angeles

Cover Art: Jesus Heals the Sick, by Januarius Zick, 1773

Why Energetic Therapies Work This discussion was inspired in part by another essay found at HealTouch.com authored by a chiropractic doctor, its title, Why Yoga Works. Of course, that piece was drawing from Far Eastern traditions of physiology and spirituality, terms and techniques, in attempt to explain what modern western medicine will not explain. In fact, allopathic medicine maintains, fundamentally, that alternative energy-based therapies cannot work. If the method does not lend itself to scientific proofs, including double blind trials with replicated results, then its effectiveness and legitimacy remains in doubt. And so ends that argument. As an individual, husband and father, I find myself compelled again to take up the argument, even if my professional advisors won’t. Also, as a Christian I am challenged to evaluate, to discern the origin and destination of practices gaining acceptance in our culture. Where does it come from? Where is it taking us? On the one hand, I cannot simply dismiss the effectiveness of energy therapy as merely an inexplicable placebo effect. Few, if any, traditional western doctors even consider asking: Why does the placebo work? Nor will many dare to ask why prayer works. Is Christian prayer for healing merely another placebo? On the other hand, I find little help or understanding in the adoption of Hindu or Taoist philosophies, and even greater collision between Christianity and other oriental mythologies. As I investigated further the history of modern practices, it became apparent that orthodox medicine is rooted (as is most of western science) in a Christian vitalistic worldview, wherefrom it took a decidedly materialistic turn —focusing upon surgical and chemical remedies, addressing symptoms over causes of disease. A historical survey of vitalistic medicine in the West Like most early western scientists, doctors A.T. Still and W.G. Sutherland (founders of osteopathic and cerebral-spinal therapies) were decidedly Christian, with no reference or interest in Vedic or Taoist traditions of vital energies. Even later pioneers of applied kinesiology (AK), cerebral-spinal fluid (CSF) osteopathics (CST) and similar chiropractics (SOT) predated the New Age fusion of East with Western para-sciences. It wasn’t until recent decades that followers added principles of acupuncture, reflexology and even kundalini yoga to their arsenals. Doctor John Upledger incorporated a seemingly benign form of meditative channeling to summon help from an archetypal “inner physician” said to be latent in every body. Most recently, specific research into thought-responsive messaging molecules (neuropeptides, enzymes and electrolytes) active in the blood, lymph and cranial-sacral system appears to legitimize even the most unorthodox healing methods. Indeed these seek to engage a body’s innate intelligence and subtle energy systems that may actually underlie the electro-chemical aspects of physiology. Their aim is to treat psycho-emotional causes as well as physical symptoms of illness or injury. I heard of one Western medical educator declaring that any physical illness is the sum of three parts —one third pathogens, another third genetics, and the final third

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relegated mystery, definitively unknowable by current scientific standards. Of course, most of modern medicine is devoted to the first, and then only that portion which is chemically detectable and treatable. Genetic medicine remains mostly theoretical. The mystery part is usually dismissed as psychosomatic and medically untreatable, except perhaps by placebo. Enter salutogenics, focussing study on what conditions promote well-being, rather than the belated treatment of pathogenic causes of illness. Here is an effort, at least a nod, to research the mystery third of health promotion, including even metaphysical conditions which may never lend themselves to double-blind scientific verifications. For instance, here was inspiration for the famous openwindow experiments, simply providing terminal hospital patients a view outside their prison. That one grace can dramatically change the prognosis for some patients via motivational will to live. Doctors and staff now study the practice of positive attitude and manner. A patient’s emotional, social and spiritual needs are considered. Medical office and hospital room décor is scrutinized, all with a view to create better healing environments. This heralds an emergent approach to health and healing –much like the body’s own immune system is designed— recognizing that the potential causes of disease are so varied and complex that biochemistry alone can hardly hope to indicate a truly preventive strategy. “But there is no such thing as alternative medicine,’ said one critic. “There’s only medicine that works.” He really meant to say, if it cannot be proven mechanistically effective in the laboratory, it isn’t medicine. Yet, consider the practice of bloodletting for most of medical history. It was continued for millennia because it worked ... or so it seemed. Perhaps that method, being less harmful than surgical remedies, did work by virtue of some other hidden faith-based factor; an industry-wide placebo effect. Faith and the placebo So why then does the placebo work? The strictest medical scientist will maintain that it doesn’t, not really. That’s why the double-blind study is needed to filter out its effect ... or rather its ineffect. Because, evidentially, it does work; defiantly so —at least until the subject is told that a treatment was “only” a placebo. I used to ask myself— Is this the type of remedy that works only when you believe in it? And then when I found out it was, after all, I felt foolish and shamed for being exposed as so gullible, once again. They said it was researched and proven. It sure cost a bundle. It was even my primary medical doctor who recommended it. So what happened? Soon, the whole wellness proposition begins to appear demoralized. Faith in the efficacy of any prevention or treatment —whether conventional or alternative— takes a hit. Then one must consider the role of a nocebo effect, the expectation that nothing is likely to work; that the “system” is actually stacked against a wellness or recovery outcome. Furthermore— what if this bias is intentional after all –a great profit conspiracy against improving health?

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And so it goes. Suddenly we have entered a numinous faith-blighted realm where the scientistic brand of hope is effectively paralyzed. Oh ye of little faith ... Jesus declared repeatedly during his earthly ministry: Your faith has healed you. So what was that supposed to mean? In some cases he touched the ailing body and for others he simply spoke. Sometimes he addressed the patient, prescribing a course of action; sometimes he spoke as if to the illness itself. Most often it was a command directed at an unseen spirit. There was hardly any ritualized method, though one time he manufactured his own brand of ointment. Whatever the approach, it is clear that Jesus was aware of healing power as an energy or virtue flowing from his body to others. He even promised that his disciples would become capable of the same and greater wonders, offering life-abundant gushing outward like an overflowing fountain. Our Lord also had a peculiar idea of body-hood. He preferred to refer to himself and his role as the son of Adam, the progeny (at least physically) of original Man’s fallen lineage, one more member of that cursed Body of death. But then Jesus was declared to be the New Adam. He said of himself, even before Golgotha: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” He challenged his disciples to regard his body and blood as “real bread and drink”. And when they questioned it, he assured them that walking the earth was indeed the same as treading upon his body. He asked them to remember this mystical fact at every meal, whenever eating or drinking to revitalize their own weakening bodies. Then the apostles taught that our individual sufferings, as well as our triumphs, all serve to strengthen the whole Body —a spiritual corporeality of which we are each a part and partaker of its life, wisdom, order, health, healing and ultimate salvation. Paul alluded to this commonly understood fact when he warned the Corinthians that failure by some to prefer the needs of the weakest of Body members would result in their own illness and even death (recall the fates of Annanias and Sapphira). It is clear that this early-church doctrine referenced physical well-being now in this lifetime, as well as ultimate resurrection to eternal life. The Spirit of Christ was committed to continued human progeny for all flesh, whether believers or not, enabling further generations of newly ensouled bodies —mortal bodies. However, the New Adam has also established a new select lineage, a Body of Life as the mystical Bride of Christ. As if expired and newly enwombed, we may each render our hopelessly cursed adamic being crucified with Christ, then reborn as a child of blessing —having the potential and renewed option to choose life eternal as part of the New Body. A million dollar question My personal and family experience of alternative medicine includes conventional chiropractics and the SOT variety, applied kinesiology, and lately BioSET allergy therapy. I have been generally satisfied with the results, though hardly ever the time and money expended due to long cycles of follow-up exams and/or treatments. Why, if the intelligence and energy is truly innate –why does its release depend upon continued management by a healer? Why can’t my body —without the

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doctor’s repeated intervention and billing—realize its own know-how, manufacture its own tonic and restore its own life force? (That is actually what some practitioners claim to be doing.) This is not an inane question, as continued discoveries regarding human body design reveal its incredible capacity to prevent, diagnose and correct malfunctions, then to learn from the experience for improved prevention. The pagan’s answer: Subtle energy flow was stuck or blocked or buried beneath layers of karmic grudge stored like a knot of static energy (energy tumor) in fleshly tissue connections. There may actually be some germ of truth to this: Whatsoever thou sowest… However, the life magick of Mother Nature is dying (a curse/blessing paradox ever since Adam’s fall from freedom of fellowship with the Progenitor of his living soul). And Mother herself? She has long since declined to an Old Hag condition, assuming she is revealed in true form; known by various names– Ashtoreth, Diana, Succubus, Sophia, Shakti, kundalini, humanism, pharmacology and the ancient Harlot of human souls: Babylon. Without a new infusion of true, pure uncreated and uncompromised Life, the best She can achieve is a life-like state of suspended animation with periodic appearances of beauty. She is wise, diabolically so. She can accomplish much healing …for a price. But it is prone to go wrong, ultimately leaving the patient in worse shape than before the appeal to her sorcerous arts. The Christian Bible’s answer brings real completion: It’s all about the Body – always has been, from the time when original Adam pawned off the intended birthright of all humanity contained in the Body of their DNA, all in exchange for false promises of independent know-how. Thank the gods, they also forfeited access to Life Eternal in company of the Creative Word thus saving themselves and progeny the unredeemable destiny of demons. But thanks again, the true path to knowledge and life is re-opened by virtue of Jesus— his voluntary death intended to satisfy every karmic debt; his Life-explosive recreation of God’s original intent. Mankind is enabled now to become far more than a bickering colony of mortal living souls, rather a new life-giving Body. Just as Mother Nature was originally designed to nurture the continued generations of life in the womb of the earth, so we as members of the new eternal Life Body are codependent in a life-refreshing way. Even as my natural life is ebbing away, I may yet live and heal and find energy to serve hour by hour— This, as I choose to abide in the Spirit as the very Life of Christ’s Body; More about this factual mystery later. Spiritual lineage My own Christian heritage and experience is Pentecostal. That orients my belief system both to accept and suspect activity of metaphysical forms of energy with potential power —power to heal, inform and restore freedom; or power to deceive with counterfeit appearances of life while secretly intending enslavement. It depends upon the power origin or source, the actual intent of the one empowered and our willingness as a Body to practice discernment of spirits –a spiritual immune system.

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From a young age, I learned to recognize and enjoy the real presence of Christ’s Spirit as intuitive sensitivity to spiritual realities such as Truth, Beauty, Joy, Contentment and Compassion. As my spirit apprehended instances of these Principles on my path, I would experience the Spirit of Christ’s “amen” celebration —felt as an answering rush, a flush or swell of intangible energy. It usually started at my crown and sometimes (depending on which principle) in other regions of my being, such as heart or belly or throat …and even a whole body glow of bliss. These were not physical sensations produced by environment, external stimulus or internal chemical change –this much I recognized with certainty. Just as emotions are not physical in themselves, though inducing various physical responses; likewise thought may provoke emotion and thereby a flush or reddened face. Being hyperhydrotic and hypoglycemic, I knew full well how to distinguish that difference between chemical and nonchemical origins of sensation. However, I never tried to analyze or compartmentalize variations, call it colors within the overall spectrum of Spirit visitations. Though only vaguely acknowledged, I was simply grateful for every moment given to actually sense glimpses of His everpresence. This is surely somewhat of how Adam experienced his Creator before expulsion from Paradise. I also encountered those visitations in a visionary manner on occasion (mostly as part of nighttime spells of persistent awareness during sleep paralysis [ASP]). Without indulging in too much detail, these were appearances of powerful metaphysical emanations of Light. I capitalize the word, because the perceived source feels powerful —like a whole galaxy of supernovas— and at the same time personal, penetrating and knowable. The radiation is enveloping, warming my being from the inside in flowing swells of energy, as if the light were liquid. At one occasion (while praying for my wife during an ASP episode) the Light source approached me as from a great distance. While I watched in spellbound astonishment, the power grew large like a comet and blasted through her sleeping body into mine. The explosion propelled my consciousness back into a fully wakened physical body. Yet I felt no ill effect, only the heart-swallowing thrill of having survived such an awesome impact of life power. Even in Pentecostal Christian fellowship, I could never articulate my experiences of spirit (ironically) in terms that wouldn’t immediately be labeled the domain of demons. However, one insightful elder (the mother of Ralph Carmichael) introduced me to the writings of Watchman Nee. Therein I found reason for caution and liberation, his doctrine of distinction between the latent power of a fallen living soul –its ability to counterfeit the miraculous— and the true life-giving power of the Spirit of Christ. I was also a precocious student of CS Lewis and some of his buddies, such as Tolkien, Chesterton, and Charles Williams. But it was another friend-of-Lewis, Owen Barfield, whose book titled Saving the Appearances: a Study in Idolotry directed my searching soul most beneficently to the life and work of Rudolf Steiner. In Anthroposophy I recognized a truly Christcentered science of spirit.

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Christian cult-hunters will place Steiner’s worldview under the apostate subheading of Theosophy or some other universalistic dilution of Christianity infused with neo-Hindu terms of demon-inspired Enlightenment. Yet these same philistine “christian” watchdogs will also discredit Watchman Nee —one of last century’s greatest evangelists to the Far East— describing him as merely a puppet of those early Pentecostal women-posing-as-teachers-of-men in blatant defiance of a supposed New Testament Pauline law. Refusing to exercise discernment —as Apostle Paul himself directed— they ascribe all modern experiences of Spirit (including that of Pentecostals and Charismatics) to demonic admission into sacred rites of the church. As if Christ had never died and risen in conquest of the great usurper of spiritual life; as if Jesus had not declared all earthly domain, even the profane (in the old sense of common) to be sacred: “Whenever you eat or drink....” They teach that if a demon can imitate an experience; if servants of Satan have once adopted a term of language; when any region of human thought, art or experience remains defiled by an enemy insurgency— then it is reckoned forever lost, unredeemable, disenfranchised territory. This was also once the teaching regarding use of the dominant seventh chord in church music (so Mr Carmichael tells it), and prior to that the sound of any music at all in certain churches. In fact, all that was first declared “good” by the Creator would have remained lost, even after our Lord’s triumph —unless Christians had realized their great commission and put on the issued armor to march together upon the ragtag remnants of that great rebellion against human freedom. Now being dead to sin and alive to Christ, we must acknowledge our sorely-bought freedom, reckoning all debts redeemed, and so take back every territory which —though enemy-occupied— is truly and legally restored as our rightful inheritance. Yes, we are commanded to participate in this global mop-up campaign launched to conclude Christ’s conquest, daily retaking territory that was seized and remains occupied by enemy guerilla terrorists. Yet, that mission does not mean we allow the land to remain unpurged of insurgent elements before its safe re-occupation by free citizens. We are certainly called as The Body to practice preventive spiritual measures —to openly identify enemy agents and all their trappings, chase them out, destroy their establishment and assets. Then we make the region our own again, a defensible and fruitful homeland. So I am challenged again to exercise discernment of a whole new experience —whence the origin and hence the destination— of more distinctive energetic movements akin to my past sensations of spirit. It was May 2006, the week following my third grandbaby’s birth. While researching the history and practice of alternative medicine, I decided to simply turn the light of conscious awareness to various parts of my body, apart from the normal distractions of pain or pleasure. I like to say that I went knocking on the door of my own spiritual bodyhood and the Holy Spirit answered: Greetings my friend— as you finally see firsthand, I am with you always. The sense of spiritual life and movement was the very same as I had known before, yet never before with such force and persistence and intelligent response to my need. Wherever my

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physical body ailed, the Power knew to minister there. It feels like plugging in to a great power source outside myself and simultaneously resident in my deepest being; it is active there to alleviate pain and re-energize my mortal flesh hourly as needed, then to restore truly regenerative sleep for long-term healing. I don’t pretend to have the gift of healing thereby. In fact, similar to my earlier experience— I suspect that it is not new power or latent power awakened; rather my sensation was awakened to a power that has been resident and active all along. However, assuming this life force is responsive to thought or intent, I may now be graced to participate in the life-restoring activity. This is a potential I wish to explore, never wanting to bury talents like the foolish servant in the parable. Yet it is something requiring discernment of spirits, so that I am certain of the source and the character and the instruments of spiritual activity. I want to be certain that this is the promised bread and fount of Life, that it is not a cheap virus-strewn imitation deposited by the enemy like a hidden land mine to vindictively harm me or my loved ones. And so, after researching the impossibly ritualistic complexity of yoga and its tragedy of pre-mature spiritual awakening known as kundalini emergence; my attention was turned instead to the ministry of a feeble young Welsh Christian revivalist, Jessie Penn-Lewis (one of those uppity women said to compromise Watchman Nee’s career). It was her writings that inspired most clarity, first published after turn of last century. She actually observed and described —decades before any East-West fusion of spirituality— this kundalini phenomenon so revealing of original man’s latency and depravity of spiritual potential. Further, she dared to declare how there is truly no such thing as Life or Death powers equally contending for dominance (dark and light forces, a la Star Wars). There is only distortion of Life and Light as animistic deception (popularly known then as animal magnetism). Spirit rivals are ever poised to deceive, counterfeit, aiming again desperately to usurp dominion of the proto-generational Body of Adam. They are hoping and striving one day to achieve an antichrist incarnation to champion their ideal for man –known apocalyptically as The Beast, a diabolic distortion of humankind, saddled by none other than that pathetic yet potent Harlot of soul-desire devolved to mere animal libido. Ahrimanic empirical Christian Scientism vs. Luciferic Christological universalism There is a certain cowardly philistinism about a “christian” worldview that insists upon strict Newtonian cosmology in regard to science and medicine, while yet attempting to maintain a theology of our primary citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven. And this especially while overlooking the most recent advances in quantum physics and genetics. These Christian modernist teachers will warn that any research or technology involving unseen energies is categorically forbidden as the prior domain of occult sciences, meaning satanic. Meanwhile they neglect to recall the occultic roots of electromagnetic technologies, pharmacology and even surgery (one notable exception being the Amish). This is a subtle form of materialism bordering on idolatry. The eastern spiritualists rightly discern the

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involvement here of mankind’s archenemy, the great Deceiver known as ‘Lord’ Ba’al, Ahriman or Satan. Those spiritual accusers of eastern origin are themselves obsessed with an opposite ideal. They insist upon an older luciferic path of perfection to escape the illusion of individualized material being, denying the fallen state of the human soul and its need for a new Body of Life. The original adamic life-body is just fine, thank you! It only needs awakening, liberating and redirecting —a channeling of higher goddess, Wisdom— to promote health and human evolution. I was startled to find this influence alive and well within the Roman Catholic tradition of Contemplative Spirituality, especially where those teachings and disciplines welcome influence of Hindu and Taoist philosophies. This trend anticipated the broader New Age encroachment upon Christianity. (A similar spirit of influences may be traced further back, including various Gnosticisms, Christian Universalism, Jungian Psychoanalysis and certain Theosophies.) I found them accepting the emergence of kundalini-like energies as natural, innately ‘good’ —though sometimes damaged and prone to distort a disciple’s psyche when awakened prematurely or allowed to rise haphazardly, rather than under management of the ‘Holy Spirit’. Curiously, it is the Hindu and Taoist purists most critical of the short-cut paths of awakening represented by westernized Kundalini Yoga —an unholy alliance (only one of many) between Ahrimanic and Luciferic forces as Antichrist promoting a bestial idol of mankind to rival the New Adam. Allopathic positivistic modernism vs. Naturopathic relativistic post-modernism The ahrimanic cosmology dominates where traditional medics admit only laboratory validated therapies, focusing upon verifiable chemical or surgical corrections of symptoms. Here again is an idolatrous view of wellbeing, believing that only the material body is true and treatable. Holistic therapists begin to consider the reality of immaterial causes or conditions underlying physical illness. (Holism was the standard rather than alternative philosophy of medicine; having persisted so some years after 1900, until the AMA gained political and thereby competitive advantage.) Their problem, of course, is that subtle body dimensions (more like quantum and genetic phenomena) are by nature fluid and dynamic, apparently responsive to varying states of mind (emotion, belief, intention). Such realities must remain scientistically theoretical (again like quantum mechanics), being unsuited for clinical testing methods that were designed for billiard-ball-type cause and effect physical phenomena –at least so long as the medical scientific community refuses to consider other scientific methods of research and verification. Therefore, practitioners of energy-based health must make a certain leap of faith and ‘just DO it’. In fact, it is this which marks their susceptibility to luciferic ideals, a predisposition to trust uncritically the body’s ‘natural’ inner metaphysical ability to heal itself. Such a healer may even welcome participation of other spirits, while yet resisting the notion that any such beings could have ill intent or effect. They say the body’s subtle energies are always wise and benevolent, or at worst benign. Guiding spirits are likewise good and well-meaning– And even if they were not, it

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is never the individual’s prerogative to prejudge. (That would be unforgivably intolerant, however damning.) Regardless of the possibility of any external cause of illness, the truth and the power is always best sought from within, because a ‘truth’ for one can never be presumed applicable to another. There are no absolutes in Heaven as on Earth. One person’s remedy may be another’s poison. Only in the vaguest sense do we all share a common human nature— Though all must share responsibility for the health of Earth’s environment: Mother Nature is no respecter of persons; she may in fact demand the sacrifice (willing or not) of any individual for the common good. Even traditional medicine adheres to this luciferic doctrine when vaccination programs are enforced in the interest of public health in contradiction of adverse risks to individuals. Everything seems to come in Threes Energetic methods and technologies represent western adaptation of eastern practices, some very old, pre-dating anything resembling the genuinely protective elements of our scientific method. (Imagine if your own doctor were to propose bloodletting or a shamanistic chant and dance to cure your insomnia or headache?) All these methods have certain elements in common, aspects which also invite traditional medics to invoke the dismissive explanation of ‘placebo effect’. The first element is acceptance that primary immaterial causes may underlie the bio-chemical and neuro-electrical states evidencing health or illness. These causes may be emotional, stress-related, symbolic, metaphysical vibrations, moral or spiritual, or some combination of any such. There must also be a willingness to make it happen, a desire and intention on the patient’s part to realize healing and continued well-being. This is the famous willto-live or hope element often referenced by allopathic medics after every other measure is applied. For the naturopath, it is communicated as the patient’s pledge or commitment to a new healthy lifestyle, diet and exercise program. Sadly, the traditional doctor of modern medicine typically overlooks, even rejects such a role as educator and/or coach of healthy living. Another requirement is a threefold trust: First, the patient must trust that the therapist means well and knows well —that he or she is expert at their selected healing art. Secondly, the therapist must trust that the patient is capable of achieving better health. Finally, both must trust that the human body’s ‘natural’ tendency is health-seeking (however its intuitive self-management may be inhibited) —that the body can ‘know’ how to heal, either by virtue of its Creator being personally involved or a less personal innate intelligence ever-present. To begin the healing process, the primary trust may suffice, as the healer expresses confidence in his art; that alone may be enough to initialize healing energies, at least for the first session. Then further levels of trust must develop for continued therapy. Even so, some patients continue to doubt the objective reality of life-force or innate intelligence yet still enjoy benefit for weeks or months. These essentials —belief in a subtle body of health somehow conversant with a larger body of life energy; acceptance of personal responsibility for maintaining that health; and the threefold relationship of trust between therapist and patient and

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the body’s know-how to regain health— these characterize the ongoing mystery behind energetic healing therapies, as well as the otherwise unexplainable placebo effect which stubbornly accompanies all healing intentions. Given this much, a simple cup of plain water offered and accepted in good faith can commute profound healing virtue. My conclusion: It’s All in the Body The focus of pathogenic medicine is the hardened parts of Earth’s Body — biochemical disorders, microorganisms, immunodeficiencies— cursed to devolve and degenerate per the original Fall of Adam (meaning Earth). Genetic causes of illness evidence the less-hardened, subtler aspects of mankind’s collective Body, whereby that original sin nature is passed to succeeding generations. Therefore, the propensity of kundalini-type awakenings to spiral downward into a state of dysfunction despite (perhaps because of) the self-realization of ‘higher’ –perhaps alien—consciousness: this is also a predictable outcome. Mystery causes of ill or well-being may reflect the reality of ‘hidden things of Christ’ (compare mystery to occult; Apostle Paul, Ephesians 3; Colossians 2) as the very life virtue of His metaphysical Body and Blood –being Wisdom and Truth incarnate and reactivated in the Body of Earth, in the continued generations of physical births and most potently in Christian community. Where energetic therapists are successful —actually reconnecting the individual body with health-seeking influences—the long-term benefit depends upon which collective Body they plug into. Herein lays the key to discernment of spirits: the intended origin and destination of this energy. Both the healer and patient have authority and power to choose freely, agreeing wherefrom their life-energy will flow (fulfilling the spiritual axiom—being two-in-accord and sharing the “amen”). Crediting an ‘inner physician’ may or may not connect with the Body of Christ, depending upon the intent of the creditor. (Who gets the praise? Which kingdom is advanced?) And especially as ritualistic methods, language and symbols are attached to the practice, such a vague endorsement may detract from our true Source of life eternal; it might indeed be rendered a ‘gateway to occult’ (as in forbidden) attachments —so Christian critics warn. Yet Christian practitioners of energetic therapies can also be guilty of this form of idolatry. The Christian —as a willing and submissive member of the mystical Body of Christ— is actually most advantaged for doing good when the wisdom and power promoting wellbeing is humbly ascribed to the resurrected Jesus Christ. Here is mankind’s first true Conqueror of powers deceptively apparent: Sin and Death. Thus a simple prayer, especially by two in agreement saying, Thy Will be done— that must ever remain the most direct and effectual ‘channel’ accessing the everlasting river of Life. This is true even while sensation of that flowing fountain remains veiled (occult; mystery) to full consciousness, to ‘scientific’ consensus. That is the meaning of a prayer of faith. One need not insist that he must feel the power in order to experience the blessing.

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Practical guidelines for discernment of energies Various books recently published report on research seeking to reconcile ancient sub-anatomical mappings with bioelectrical measurements of subtle body energies. Energy therapists describe this force as Intelligence able and willing (when consulted) to instruct the therapist —as well as the ailing body— as to alternative remedies and preventive strategies. Perhaps it is because they persist examining all the various parts of the energy systems (by magnifying glass, so to speak) that various diagnostic methods and procedures grow more and more complex. There are many conflicting theories and assertions— such as regarding polarities of power, distinguishing negative resistance from positive current; energy gateways and energy blockages or ‘cysts’. It is reminiscent of older eastern disciplines involving an impossible web of etheric vortexes, meridians and ‘accupoints’. What if we were to approach other human activities that way, attending to every detailed part before ever acting? It would be like diagramming every sentence and every syllable of each word before attempting to say what we mean. Whatever happened to simply speaking …simply growing, healing and procreating? Not that the process isn’t wondrously complex, even as we simply will to do it– Yet therein lies the joy of freedom to be and to act and fellowship. If that innate intelligence is to be trusted as so all-knowing and all-wise, why did the body ever go so wrong? Why such paralyzing complication to fix it? The answer probably requires a different question —rather than what or why— Who ultimately benefits by prolonging such suffering, perpetuating helpless dependence upon a godlike master-of-complexity. True, we are dependents –or rather we were designed to live in community as inter-dependants. But we are intended thereby to live free, not subservient …to live actively as energizers –power faucets rather than passive energy sinks and drains. The irony lies in how elaborately (and emptily) Adam’s enemy delivers promises to these captive souls: how they may ‘become as gods’; even as their very life-of-soul is being deconstructed, disconnected from living spirit. All life and movement of earth processes yields power; it is the Blood of Christ poured out, after all, as renewed life for all generations; this is the mystical Bread and the Breath of Life. In my own experience, it requires only an inspiring bit of news, a memory, a smell, a taste, radiant sunshine or puff of clean outside air. Somehow, any impression of sense or mind having emotional import (ranging from wonder to compassion to indignation) may trigger this flow of new energy, whether it comes from the Earth’s (Adam’s) Body or directly from the heart (Spirit) of the Father. I don’t mean to suggest a pantheistic presence or impersonal power, though it appears this energy is available in a limited way for sustenance and healing of

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Why Energetic Therapies Work

nonbelievers (long before they become acquainted with the Source Himself). The life energy released by a compassionate thought, kind word or gesture is certainly a product of Creation (or re-Creation). Its activity and effects are akin to pure Light and Life, because it is borne of that which emanates from above and within as the (noncreated) Creator Spirit of Christ. But therein lays the primal difference between soul life and Living Spirit. One is created and susceptible to compromise; the other hearkens from outside earthly time and space, from the very mind or Logos of God. One is mortal, temporary and corruptible. The Other is the fount of eternal life. Earthly power can be dominated by a willful and fallen soul, disconnected from its true Source. The spirit of man is remade to be a branch of that Source when re-attached and regenerated by the Spirit of Life Himself. Resurrection power of the ascended Christ offers renewed strength for every moment of need. This is Grace to endure mortal bodyhood is also our deposit toward the promised incorruptible body that will house each individual living spirit. Until that day our living soul remains fallible and temporary, unable to sustain even a body of flesh for very long. Our soul cries out, a shadow ‘self’, even as it attempts to seize control— for it is ever yearning to plug in once again to spiritual life; to stop and yield and thereby realize enduring Selfhood (and my New Name), finally embracing its intended master and lord, as soul-bride to the Bridegroom: Spirit Man.

Spiritual ‘massage’ as pain management I hope and suspect this ability may be available to every Christian once the Spirit is acknowledged and His Presence experienced as distinctly tangible. I have only to admit my need, pause in peace and wait. The top of my head tingles; a glow ignites back of head and neck. Then I simply avail myself of spiritual power, wherever needed —as Life of the Body— for self-healing, for wisdom and ministry to others. It is both a yielding and a willing. A sort of massage ensues as if by unseen hands, inside and out, determined fingers made of fountain and flame. It feels rather like hot jets in a spa, melting localized pain, relaxing general stress and joint stiffness. In moments, I can hear neck and spine joints snapping gently back into place as I move. When my intention is directed toward other people, I shift attention from my self to the Life and Light of Christ present in the earth and resident in other believers. The glow moves from head down to my chest and begins pulsing. (Life of the Body has a heartbeat of its own.) The sense of liquid fire then flows down my arms and out my hands. I can actually ‘treat’ myself this way, holding a hand or pointing fingers at places on my own body. This seems to work best without touching (though often a gentle press or tapping helps to ‘awaken’ the area first). There is an answering electric glow rising from deep under skin and bone where my hand hovers. I can

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Why Energetic Therapies Work

‘listen’ while quietly massaging another’s neck and shoulders, scanning their various joints and muscles and nerve centers with a hand or a ‘mental hand’. Any problem spot evokes a response just below my heart, like a buzz or giggle of yearning pain. Heat energy begins pumping outward from heart through hands. I keep reminding myself, “Blessed are the meek ...“, aspiring to be an instrument, not a celebrity. In fact, to this date (Summer 2007) I have not yet been called to openly minister healing to any but my own family –though secretly I pray constantly for every suffering person I learn about. If my hand or my resolve grows fatigued, I immediately know thereby that my soul has lapsed into dependence upon its own energy rather than power of the Spirit. It only takes a humble thought then, redirected to Heaven, in order to ‘turn up the heat’ and restart the primary flow of spiritual energy. In that moment, all my own muscle soreness melts away and hope returns, so that I may continue massaging my loved-one in spirit as well as flesh.

The seeker must court ongoing awareness of the Spirit, ever-present, by diligent preparation of Godly character and habits: Be thankful –for daily bread (proof of Resurrection Life), also restored health, including a doctor's care Be revering —look for truth, beauty, justice, grace as living wells of spirit power. Practice personal peace, joy and compassion. Simplify —take control of all stress; relax all tension (without slouching). Exhale stress and pain, like "bad" air. Stop slouching –observe a healthful lifestyle, attitudes, posture, habits; avoid numbing entertainments; always prefer full consciousness to ritual and trance. Limit idle chatter —likewise in prayer; wait silently for the Spirit, heart and ears open; learn the Spirit's language; listen to all senses, body and spirit. Allow the Spirit to locate need. Be content —don't expect mortality to be reversed or extended. Death, as replacement of a corruptible body, will be the ultimate healing; so Christ Himself has promised. Meanwhile my spirit and soul are camping out in a temporary tent, a breakable earthen vessel set to serve eternal power as life sustenance for hungry souls. I consider experiences of mortality as opportunities to practice dependence upon spiritual strength. Pain is a reminder, a coach and tool for exercising the spiritual man.

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Why Energetic Therapies Work

We all must learn, individually and as a community, to distinguish fallen self and its dying soul power from Spirit-regenerated Soul: Living spirit is evidenced as awareness of Life and Light (instinctive know-how); living soul thinks it has wisdom, appears as innate intelligence to heal and advise. Formative life, as agent of soul, shapes the material body —evidenced as maturation, procreation and healing; soul is also experienced as a dream body and subtle ‘sleep’ body (animating habitual functions) and is often distracted selfabsorbedly from its primary purpose, being designed to repair and refresh the physical body. But when regenerated by the Spirit, the Soul reborn is again dedicated to the well-being of all its members. Earth vitality, as the living Body of Christ, supplies nourishment (Breath and Bread of Life); provides for Universal Grace to revitalize dying souls. Living soul that is repentant, admitting its need for grace, is growing increasingly aware of its dependence upon the abiding Spirit of Christ; seeks Healing Virtue (inspiration) and Wisdom (intuitive know-how) in selfless pursuit of Kingdom values.

From writings of Jesse Penn-Lewis, dividing soul (psyche) from spirit (pneuma): Spirit activity is known by its fruit as long term results. Soul activity is not so enduring and often causes harm. Spirit is consistent with nature of Jesus, respecting free will of every fully conscious seeker. Soul exploits sleep, hypnosis, or drug-induced compromise of self-consciousness. Spirit enables the soul to resist temptation and pursue genuine Godliness. Soul seeks repeated physical and social validations; evidence of power for power’s sake. Soul activity is exposed by its codependency and susceptibility to fleshly lust or selfish ambition; it is often haunted by a false sense of guilt or shame for ever questioning the true source of its power. (Scripture actually commands that we doubt, in the sense of testing spiritual origin.) Soul ambitions tend to divide community, making saints dependent upon abilities of a human leader –even pitting one leader against his rivals— instead of equipping disciples to seek wisdom of the Spirit themselves.

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Why Energetic Therapies Work

Keep asking: Whose name may be praised? Whose kingdom is furthered— human soul or Spirit of Christ?

Advice to nonchristian spiritualists, Pagans and New Age ‘christian’ mystics: Awareness and manipulation of fallen soul power –such as by use of hallucinogenics, mantras, meditations— amounts to a premature ‘awakening’ instead of true Spirit Initiation. Such shortcuts fail to complete necessary Preparation –that is, first developing the strong character required to realize Intuition, the ability to discern truth from deception. Raising energy that is unregenerate (soulish; psyche), especially before sleep, may invite untimely initiation of spiritual awareness without full Spirit protections —ASP, Incubus, pointless OBEs, Guardians of the Threshold, kundalini sickness, UFO abductions, ghost sightings, demons disguised as ‘spirit guides’ or messengers. These experiences —though spiritual— are extremely confusing and disorienting, likely causing psychological damage that dissociates the person from normal life. Contrastingly, spiritual experience will be protected, clarifying and life-equipping given guidance of the true Companion (paraclete) promised by the Christ. Neo-Eastern and New Age exercises attempt to awaken fallen soul power from the base upward, primarily focussed inward to energize a lower reservoir and animal impulses; this type of energy reserve is quickly depleted, being dependent upon attachment to a superior guru or spiritual mentor and/or availability of impersonal and unreliable earth forces (animus) for renewal. This kind of empowering creates spiritual leeches, not lords. In contrast, initiation by Christ's Spirit (baptism of fire) works from the crown downward, flowing outward from heart through limbs, voice and eyes. Energizing centers are head and heart, ever poured out on behalf of others; a weak and empty vessel is availed for the work of Christ’s Body. The Holy Spirit (paraclete) is effectively building a kingdom of priest-kings.

Practice Bible-oriented vocabulary denoting true regeneration of soul by the Spirit (work in progress): Soul Power opening chakra raising energy (prana; anima) unblocking meridians centering/focusing meditation channeling

Spirit Power awaken heart, mind and will to the Spirit; lift the veil to reveal ‘hidden things’ in Christ be continually refilled with the Spirit, a fount overflowing, Life (pneuma) abundant repent, receive forgiveness; as two agree, Heaven will open seek the peace of God, beyond human understanding washing of the mind with the Word (logos) Christ is the vine, we are branches, His Body and Bride

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Why Energetic Therapies Work

spirit guide mantras and kriyas kundalini (luciferic)

Christ’s Spirit will guide you into all Truth worship in Spirit and in Truth; there is liberty be baptized by the Holy Spirit and fire, initiation into the priesthood of Christ

“They that patiently wait for the Lord will renew their strength and be lifted up on angel wings.”

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