All World
Gayatri Pariwar

    [Bio-energy fields, aura-measurements for diagnosis of psychosomatic disorders, and energy-healing by Reiki, Pranic, Siddha-science, etc are gaining popularity among the literate world since past few years. The concerned topics have also attracted the attention of the mass media as well as scientific journals on Alternate and Complementary Medicine. However, at the popular level, the approach is largely superficial. The surveys of the healers and also of those who practice these therapies regularly as part of fitness exercises do not show consistency on scientific basis and effects of these techniques.  The reactions of scientifically trained minds are often extreme in this regard — one either regards theses ‘therapies’ as yet another kind of faith-healing (placebo), or, one wants to decipher the underlying phenomena in the modern laboratories like the energy of particles of matter.  In this article we would introduce the multidimensional aspects and cite some related scientific works to illustrate the importance, need and feasibility of a new and integrated approach to investigate into and benefit from the gigantic source of energy — biophysical, vital and spiritual - hidden within us

The fundamental role of energy in various functions of a living body has been extensively studied by the ancient as well as modern researchers. The ancient scientists (the rishis) had grasped the existence and potential of all forms of energy in the physical and sublime domains as reflections of the Omnipresent Consciousness-Force. Being derived from understanding of non-living matter, the modern research in one form or the other deals with physical perception of energy and relies upon instrument-based observations and experimentation.

Way back in the late 19th Century Nicola Tesla observed the phenomenon of corona discharge from objects under high voltage fields. This phenomenon was studied with a very special kind of electrophotographic technique (known as Kirlian Photography) by Semyon and Valentia Kirlian of erstwhile USSR in the late 1930s and later.  The technique attracted wide research interests from across the globe around 1970 onwards.

As per Kirlian’s original hypothesis, the idea was to correlate the corona discharge patterns of different parts of the human body with the healthy or diseased state of the living system.  The development of advanced mathematical and computational techniques enabled the analysis of complicated waveforms recorded in the photographs. However, it was found that while the records of corona discharge patterns of an inanimate object always showed same pattern as per the physico-chemical nature of that object, in case of living beings – especially humans, there was enormous variation, even in the records of the same person on the same day.  In order to minimize the variability due to, say random disturbances caused by external environment, or fluctuations in the high-voltage field generated for corona discharge, more sophisticated instruments and imaging techniques were developed in the succeeding years which are in use since last one decade or so. The list includes computer-integrated CCD cameras, GDV cameras, thermal cameras, aura-imaging equipments having sensors of low and high intensity photonic emissions from biological systems, etc.

As a part of an integrated approach to healthcare, several medical researchers and clinicians are using biofield mapping or so-called aura-imaging by these instruments for possible pre-diagnosis of psychosomatic diseases and disorders.  Although the randomness and high variability in the shape, intensity and colors of ‘aura-images’ still need to be tackled to calibrate and standardize the measurements – at least in case of certain vital organs – for scientific establishment of these new diagnostic techniques, the authentic case-studies in such research centers have, to a great extent, helped recognition of the existence of some ‘bio-fields or human-energy domains’.  Affirmation of the inter-dependent nature of emotions, mental health, hormonal secretions and clinical health has been a milestone in this direction.

Simultaneous research and worldwide acceptance of yoga in healthcare has further elucidated the validity of the interrelated concepts of meridian energy fields, endocrine system and the extrasensory energy-centers (chakras) and paved the way for scientific recognition of the spiritual healing methods.

Most importantly, the aura-recordings have shown exceptionally bright, orderly and almost consistent patterns in the bio-field images of some accomplished yogis and spiritual saints.  This illustrates the exceptional control of their awakened pr³ña (vital energy) over their mental and bodily functions.  The extrasensory potentials of consciousness-force, or rather the sublime currents of bio-energy reflected in the forms of parapsychological powers and other supernatural faculties therefore could no longer be discarded as mythological or occult imaginations.

One of the relatively more known parapsychological or spiritual abilities is — Psychic Healing.  The existence of this power in some people has been verified scientifically by a series of experiments and investigations in the western countries over the past three to four decades.  It is believed that in this process the psychic healer transmits some part of his extraordinary vital energy to the patient by touch.

Remarkably, the changing paradigms of modern medicine seem to be coming closer to these methods of healing. Application of ultrasonic imaging, functional positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc in diagnostics and use of neuroelectromagnetic currents in shock therapy, infrared and ultrasonic heating, pulsed magnetic fields combined with ion cyclotron resonance in healing of wounds deep inside the body and repair of bone non-unions, soft-tissue damages etc, are integral parts of modern healthcare system. Ever since these developments, Energy Medicine – from Electromagnetic, Thermal, and Light, to Bioelectromagnetic – is being seen as an answer to the challenges of worsening health scenario in the recent times. 
As reviewed by Dr. A. Liboff (in the Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 2004), research studies by Drs. Lund, Burr, Becker and others show that organisms tend to express quasi systemic electric changes when perturbed, and, conversely, will tend towards wellness either through endogenous repair currents (of bio-energy) or application of external currents (of, for example, the healer’s bio-energy). 

Because of the limitations of the state-of-art equipments, scientists have so far been able to investigate only some physical aspects (e.g. electromagnetic fields) of one’s ability of generating desired effects of psychic healing. Dr. Bernard Grad of the McGill University, Montreal has shown that the growth of barley seed increases significantly when watered by the persons having psychic healing ability.  Mere touch of the water-container for a few minutes by such persons was found sufficient to make the water potent enough to treat some patients who drank it later.  Similar experiments when performed by dull and sadistic persons had shown the existence of opposite and negative effects.  Dr. Grad described it as an   X-factor of the vital energy, which exists in each one of us, but its level varies with our psychosomatic states.  In his project report (published in JASP 1965) entitled “Some Biological Effects of Laying On Hands” Dr. Grad stated that the light-waves existing in the aura around the fingers of the psychic healers as recorded by Dr. Kirlian on celluloid plates are nothing but the waves of X-energy.

Recent investigations of Dr. Thelma Moss of the UCLA (USA) and Dr. Robert Miller, another American scientist of high repute are also focused on further analysis of the so-called   ‘X-energy’ or para-electricity and related supernormal powers.  Dr. Edward Bream of Willington, Delaware (USA) had analyzed the chemistry of the water after the immersion of the fingers of a Psychic Healer in it.  His results showed 97.04% hydrogen bonds in it as compared to the 100% binding in ordinary water.  This along with the observations on the changes in the   surface tension further supported the idea that there is an emission of   electrical energy through the healers' fingers.  The experiments (in the context of cloud-chambers) of Dr. Miller's team with Fisher's Transiometer models had confirmed the above implications.

A research article published in Science Digest (May, 1982) presents important details on psychic energy.  Dr. Elmer Green, a Biopsychologist at the Maninger Foundations, Kansas (USA) and Dr. C. Norman of the Pain  & Health Rehabilitation Centre, Wisconsin (USA) have studied some parapsychological effects on human physiology.  Their experiments showed a significant effect of vital energy on the Cardiac rhythms, EEG, Body-temperature, the resistance power of the skin and the viability of the WBCs in large number of chronic patients. Over 80% of the patients suffering from different kinds of pains were totally cured and encouraging responses were observed in the other patients also.  Experiences of those patients indicate that most of them felt an   electric current or an energy spark flowing through their bodies while being touched by the healers.

Life-energy also plays a key role in spiritual healing and in strengthening of the willpower.  Normally, great personalities have an excessive storage of this energy.  This energy exists in every human being and can be elevated by its controlled use and by dedicated spiritual practices.  Indian sages of yore used to transfer parts of their vital spiritual energy (pr³ña) into the deserving devotees by the process of   pr³ña-d³na and ïaktip³ta.  The ancient Indian scriptures on Yoga Tantra describe these processes in detail. 
In modern age, Austrian doctor, Francis A. Mesmer popularized the importance of bioelectromagnetic currents of vital energy.  He worked hard to make use of the bioelectricity in his body for the treatment of some physical and psychological diseases.  His experiments laid the foundation of Mesmerism, which was further developed into the technique of Hypnotism by Mr. C. Uzigar.

Hypnosis was initially used for creating artificial deep sleep. The French doctors, Le Fountain and Braid et al investigated some other uses of Biomagnetism and Hypnosis in Medicine.  A series of advanced scientific experiments on these applications gave birth to a new branch of science called Electrobiology.  The investigations of an American, Dr. Darling, and a French, Dr. Durand de Grasse, at New Orleans (USA) are amongst the most significant of the recent contributions in this area.  Several international organizations like – The School of Nancy, The School of Charcot and The School of Mesmerism are also engaged in research on therapies based on hypnotism. 

Noted scientists, Dr. M. O. Male and Dr. J. M. Wembrel have cited a large number of evidential case-studies in support of the above therapies. Prof. Helen F. Dunbar directed the Joint Committee on Religion and Medicine of the New York Academy of Medicine (1931-1936). In her popular book titled “Emotions and Bodily Changes”, she writes that hypnosis therapy could be effectively used in the treatment of Hysteria, Phobia, Stammering and some other Neuronic diseases.  Another doctor, Dr. Win also argues in favor of the use of hypnotism in curing of various psychological disorders.

Dr. Arnold Fast of the USA had successfully tried hypnotizing his patients   instead of giving them anaesthesia during a large number of minor surgical operations.  Many dental surgeons also followed his technique and found it more risk-free and convenient.  Dr. Bernard Levinson also proved the scientific utilization of hypnotism as a substitute for anaesthesia during a large number of surgical operations at the Tara Hospital in Johanesberg (South Africa).  Further, the scientific experiments of Dr. James Bride confirmed that the biolelectricity in human body is not only sufficient for various physiological functions but it could also be utilized for the development of many supernatural activities.  Effective cure of depression by positive autosuggestions induced in a state of hypnotic
sub-consciousness is also becoming popular among neurologists and psychiatrists. 

Dr. Van Otizer, Dr. J. Rafler, Dr. Schultz and Dr. Mar are among the accomplished Gynaecologists who successfully experimented on the use of hypnotism in painless deliveries.  Dr. Win argues that effectiveness of hypnotism increases with the faith of the patient in the doctor.  Dr. Rachen Bake, a bioelectricity expert from Germany has described the manifested as well as subtle vital energy (praña) as a form of fire that is abundant near the face and constitutes the  ‘healing aura’.

The investigations of the reputed scientists like Dr. Modatriuz and Count Pugilov show that the medicinal uses of pr³ña are only the glimpses of the enormous capabilities of its immense power; this energy could also be utilized for personality development, awakening of latent talents and the refinement of attitudes of the aspirants. Advancement of scientific investigations in this direction would help reestablishment and constructive use of the spiritual science of vital energy as described in ancient Indian literature.

Oriental philosophy describes that this supernormal potential of pr³ñika or psychic healing is only a fraction of the various powers attainable by spiritual s³dhan³s that enhance the level of pr³ña and activate its otherwise dormant energy-currents in the body.  It is said that the persons endowed with this ability can also affect the vital energy and subtle bodies of the patients  (subjects) apart from creating visible healing effects on the physical body. 

As concluded by Dr. Lindoff, an all inclusive (bio)electromagnetic field representation for living system would enable a more rational transformation from genome (or molecular basis of health, which is the latest paradigm of modern medical sciences) than the present endpoint, universally stated in terms of the so-called visible characteristics or the phenotypes. This representation strongly suggests the reason for the efficacy of the various electromagnetic (and hence the pr³ñic or psychic) therapies, namely, as the most direct means of restoring the body’s impacted (bio)electromagnetic field to its normal healthy state.  This representation would also bring us closer to the Vedic concept of subtle-body or energy-body which is regarded as the source of existence and a tool for evolution of an individual being or soul.