February 2010 — Page 224

You have probably come across exotic-sounding terms such as “chakra”, “prana”, “aura”, and “tantra” in your course of reading books on spirituality, sex, and healing in the New Age literature section of the bookstore. But what’s the real scoop behind these exotic vocabularies?

Are All Energy Healings the Same?

Chakra or energy center is a term used in Pranic healing, an ancient Hindu system of energy healing. “Prana” means life energy. “Aura” is another terminology traced to Pranic healing. Aura is a non-physical body that consists of energy, which exists along with our physical body. The aura that covers our body is said to have seven layers pertaining to the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual as manifested by energy. Studying the color and thickness of auras give ideas on the state of health of individuals. Six colors are associated with aura and interpreted into six personalities. These colors are all present in an individual but one or two are more pronounced.
Green – ambitious achiever
Blue – spiritual peacemaker
White – unconventional chameleon
Red – activist
Orange – creative communicator
Violet – psychic

Although Tantra is popularly associated with the peculiar practice of sex and spirituality, it is another method of energy healing. It comes from the word “tan” which means to spread or expand. The concept of connectedness is a recurring theme in Tantric writings on sex and spirituality. As a method of healing, spirituality and sex figure prominently. It is presupposed that the union of man and woman can reach spiritual levels during orgasm, which removes the body and mind off collected impurities. These impurities being negative energies can in turn manifest as physical illnesses.

Unlike Pranic and Tantric healings, which have Hindu origins, Reiki originated from Japan. It is relatively younger than Pranic and Tantric healings having been rediscovered in the early 1900’s. Reiki stands for universal energy, an energy brought forth by higher intelligence. Students of Reiki are taught how to tap this energy to heal physical, emotional, and mental illnesses.

Although Pranic, Tantra, and Reiki are all systems of energy healing, they differ in the type of energy tapped for healing: life energy, sexual energy, and universal energy respectively.

The concepts of the connectedness of mind, body, and spirit; the connection of individuals to all living and nonliving things around them and to the universe; and how energy impacts physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being are some of the salient similarities of these three healing methods.

Why Do People Turn to Energy Healing?

Pranic, Tantric, and Reiki are considered alternative methods of healing. In spite of the availability and relative accessibility of modern medicine, how come more and more people are being drawned to them? Here are some possible reasons:

· Energy healing worked where modern medicine failed.

For several reasons both explainable and unexplainable, modern medical treatment failed to heal ailments and conditions in several if not many persons. Research or data may not be able to support this statement. But for the families of the dying as well as for the dying patient, they would take the risk of using alternative methods ranging from herbals and organics, faith healers, witch doctors, and New Age healing techniques just to be get well.

· People perceive modern medicine to be isolating.

Medical treatments are oftentimes focused on the disease and its causative agent, which can make a patient feel isolated and treated like a mere host of the disease. Although recent developments in hospital practice are gradually promoting the holistic treatment of a patient, the perception still persists. Unlike in energy healing, since energy and spirituality are intimately linked, the patient feels that all aspects of his health are being attended to.

· Energy healing is non-obtrusive and natural thus it is safer.

Repeated surgical procedures are physically and emotionally traumatic for most patients. It is but a logical and attractive option to both patient and families to look for less stressful health interventions. Moreover, with the rising popularity of New Age religions, going natural is the way to go.

· Energy healing is a good way of relieving stress.

Meditation is part and parcel of energy healing methods and this is an added come-on for highly stressed people. Moreover, sophisticated equipment is not required thus it becomes all the more convenient for students and future students of energy healing.

The battle between alternative healing and mainstream medicine continues as both present the benefits of their approach. But in the final analysis, what matters is the restoration of good health.

Many people are confident in handling themselves in front of other people because they are satisfied with the way they look. But for people who are experiencing hair loss, being confident in front of others can be a difficult thing. This is because they cannot help but think that the people they are dealing with only focus on their falling crown of glory and not on what they are saying.

While it’s true that hair loss can greatly affect one’s overall physical appearance, this is not enough reason to lose self-confidence totally. If you are one of those persons who are slowly losing their self-confidence due to hair loss, one of the best things that can be done is learning how to cope with it.

Coping with hair loss can start with the acceptance that you might really be suffering from a condition that is really our of your control. Experts say that baldness or hair loss can be categorized into two—permanent hair loss and temporary hair loss. People who are suffering from permanent hair loss are those who have the condition in their genes. Since it is hereditary, one cannot really do so much about it but to learn how to accept it, and try to seek for alternative remedies that can slower the pace of losing hair. Other conditions where one cannot really do something about hair loss is if they are suffering from autoimmune illnesses such as cancer, thyroid complications or lupus. People who have to undergo treatments are also in greater risks of losing hair fast.

People who are suffering temporary hair loss are those who undergo hormonal changes such as pregnancy in women or taking in birth control pills as well as those who put to much pressure on their scalp by changing hairstyles often or those that are using hair products that are harmful to the hair.

Knowing the cause of your hair loss can help you cope with it easier. Of course, you cannot determine this on your own so you have to visit your doctor to address your concern. Once he or she had the final diagnosis, you can now ask for available treatment or options that will work for you.

Tips to be more confident

People who are losing their hair can still look good despite their condition. Since not so much can be done about their hair, they should try focusing on other aspects of their body and personality to look beautiful and be confident in facing others. The following are some beauty tips and regiments that can be done to boost beauty and self-confidence despite hair loss.

1. Maximize the potentials of make-up.

For women, make-up greatly affects their overall appearance. If you are losing your hair, try to get your confidence from your beautiful face with the aid of some cosmetics. To do this, knowledge in the proper use and application of eyeliner, eye shadows, lipsticks, blush ons and foundations is a must to help you flatter your features and enhance your overall aura if done properly.

2. Take good care of your skin.

Since the skin is the largest organ of the body, having radiant and youthful skis despite hair loss can make a lot of difference. To achieve good skin and fair complexion, make it a habit to use sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun, avoid smoking, get enough rest and proper nutrition, learn to relax to avoid too much stress, and get regular exercise.

Archives for February 2010

Energy Healing 101: Pranic, Tantric, And Reiki

Boost Your Self-Confidence Despite Hair Loss