About the Author

Bente Hansen is an energy practitioner, spiritual counselor, seminar presenter, workshop facilitator, Reiki master, channeler, and ordained minister. She is a columnist for Australia’s Conscious Living magazine and contributes to numerous other magazines including the Sedona Journal of Emergence and New Spirit Journal. She has a background in education and also hosted radio for two years..

Visit her websites at www.dynamicenergyhealing.net and www.edgarspeaks.com. Currently she also writes blogs at www.joyinoneness.blogspot.com.au.

To Write to the Author

If you wish to contact the author or would like more information about this book, please write to the author via either website or at bhansen9@hotmail.com. The author appreciates hearing from you and learning of your enjoyment of this book and how it has helped you.

The New World of Self-Healing: Awakening the Chakras and Rejuvenating Your Energy Field © 2006 by Bente Hansen. Published by Llweellyn.

The New World of Self-Healing: Rejuvenate your Energy Field and Create a Life of Abundance © 2014 by Bente Hansen.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from Bente Hansen except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

First Edition

First Printing, 2006

Second Edition

e-Book Version, 2014

Cover design by The Turning Mill

Cover photo © 2014

Any Internet references contained in this work are current at publication time, but the publisher cannot guarantee that a specific location will continue to be maintained. Please refer to the publisher’s website for links to authors’ websites and other sources.

Note: The author of this book is not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury that may occur through following the instructions contained herein. It is recommended that before beginning the techniques, you consult with your physician to determine whether you are medically, physically, and mentally fit to undertake this course of practice.

ISBN: 9781483518619

Also by Bente Hansen

Messages from Beyond (2001)

Edgar Speaks: Inner Transformation, 2012 and Beyond & Earth Changes (2011)

Preface

Section One: Energy Model

Section Two: Healing Principles

Section Three: Spiritual Principles

Bibliography

Additional References

“If you don’t know the way,

walk slowly.”

Signs and messages usually arrive unexpectedly, without fanfare or expectation. This was the case with my preparations for a one-day workshop. I was exploring topics of importance for inclusion and was astounded by the realization that there was substantial information, enough for a book. That awareness was the conception of this book. Since that time, there have been moments of both elation and exhaustion as the process of this book’s gestation has unfolded.

My interest in health and wellness spans over forty years. Extensive reading and adhering to an array of diet and fitness regimes reflect a belief that good health is possible and can be a reality for anyone until it is time to depart the physical body. However, major life changes in the early ’90s provided an opportunity for me to explore healing on a deeper level. I was guided to leave behind a traditional career and delve into a field that was totally foreign on the conscious level, yet seemingly comfortable and natural in another way.

As a healing arts practitioner, I see clients experiencing a vast range of conditions. Over time it became obvious that there were limited benefits in the healing support given to individuals. Real and lasting wellness seemed elusive, as no sooner was one condition healed than another would invariably manifest. This resulted in considerable reflection and questioning on my part, as I sought to make sense out of what was observed time and again. Yet on another level I knew that it is possible to maintain vitality and fitness right up until the time of departure—and that conviction remains steadfast.

As a consequence of ongoing questioning and searching, it has become apparent that good health and wellness depend on more than adhering to a healthy diet, exercising regularly and having a positive attitude. There are many factors that contribute to vitality and quality of life. Each factor is a critical aspect of the whole healing process. The factors discussed and explored in this book are all vitally important for attaining and maintaining wellness. Some will be familiar and others may not. Obviously, as this book covers an extensive range of issues, it is not possible to include an in-depth analysis of each factor contributing to wellness. These are all amply researched and discussed elsewhere by other authors.

It is my intention to create awareness of a multifaceted approach for achieving healing on a deeper level. Therefore I have drawn together the understanding gained from years of interest in the field and from work undertaken with clients. A large portion of this understanding has occurred through my personal inner journey, where the nature of truth, reality and the meaning of life have been extensively explored. As you will discover, my guidance from other dimensions has been my teacher for some years now. It is their wisdom that guides my sharing of the perspective on healing contained in this book.

Through regular meditation practice and an intensely focused determination to achieve greater understanding, a path of spiritual seeking seemed a viable option to explore. It was also the path of least resistance, as every other potential avenue for creating meaning in my life was fraught with obstacles! Adhering to a path of seeking spiritual awareness and growth was not without difficulty either. However, it became apparent from the very beginning that this was a learning process. The obvious rewards were quickly evident through increasing feelings of wellness and peace.

During many years spent working in the education sector the advantages of applying the spiral curriculum to learning became apparent. This approach involves teaching a basic concept and then enabling the student to gain proficiency through practice. When the student is ready that basic concept is expanded to encompass additional information. This in turn is further absorbed and internalized by the student. Learning increases in gradients as mastery is achieved, with new knowledge being incorporated and integrated with previous learning. My spiritual learning progresses similarly.

For some people seeking greater knowledge of spiritual wisdom, the obvious place to learn is from books and teachers. A great deal of my learning was acquired in my healing room, in meditations, during sleep when lucid dreaming would occur and through interactions and communication with spirit beings from other dimensions. It took time and practice to become accustomed to this way of learning. Initially I sought verification or proof of whatever was shared, though in time my trust increased due to unsought corroboration and other synchronous events.

An explanation of the energy model shown by my teachers from other dimensions is detailed in section 1. This energy model was totally unfamiliar when it was first revealed. Over a period of time, the pieces came together and I was able to view this model from a holistic and integrated perspective. My teachers cleverly employed the spiral curriculum approach in their teaching, thereby reducing the possibility of incredulity or disbelief on my part.

When doing energy work on clients I usually close my eyes, relax and feel the movement of energy. Closing the eyes is a means used to eliminate distractions and to concentrate fully on whatever is happening within the client and the energy flow that is occurring. During this time my mind is completely clear of chatter, a state that has been achieved due to regular meditation practice. This enables me to feel the movement of energy and its differing frequencies. There are instances where images come to mind. These images often relate to energy and its flow. Gradually I came to see images that were linear and represented the energy grid that is described in chapter 4. Initially the meaning was unclear. However, as these images continued to appear, additional information was revealed. This was delivered via regular channeling and from the increasing detail shown in the images.

There were unexpected instances when visual images would demonstrate that this energy structure exists in absolutely everything. One day, when walking with a friend, we stopped at a park and he went to use the restroom. As I sat on a bench, I quietly relaxed my mind and observed the paving. Almost immediately my fingertips began tingling, an indication that energy work was in progress. By then it had become commonplace to undertake energy healing on the earth. In this relaxed state I saw lines that were distorted, and within a few seconds they straightened and connected beautifully into the structure described clearly in this book.

What is the purpose of this energy model that has been shown? In time I came to understand its role in the healing process. This is energy at a subatomic level, for want of a better description. Illness occurs subtly and gradually. Its initial effect is on the subatomic composition of the body. Similarly, healing can only take place when there is healing of the subatomic energy system. The more I saw and worked with the energy system, the clearer the connection between it and the healing process became. It is this connection that is detailed in this book.

Section 1 explores the energy model and contains an explanation of its operation and functioning. It includes a perspective on health and healing that extends beyond the Western medicine model currently adopted and advocated. Section 2 contains practical information regarding basic changes that can be made to daily life for creating good health in terms of diet, exercise and meditation. Included are chapters on the power of thought, reality creation and releasing fears. Section 3 focuses on the inner, or spiritual, aspect essential for healing on a deeper level.

This book has been written because of a realization that occurred while I was undertaking preparations for a one-day workshop. It was obviously time to share in writing what had previously been shared with clients, friends and participants in workshops. In addition, the morning following the workshop I awoke and the first words uttered were, “I have to write a book.” Those words were spoken aloud with no conscious intent on my part and were another clear message.

A Learning Tool

The human body is incredibly complex and each person exhibits a unique biochemistry, depending on lifestyle experiences and genetic blueprint. Therefore, each reader will respond to the information, strategies and visualizations shared in this book according to the perceptions, beliefs and health status he or she holds. Realistically, there is no one clear-cut and simple health strategy that can be prescribed and applied successfully for every individual or every situation. Health and wellness are as much a state of mind as they are a physical state of being.

This book is not intended for use as a medical compendium. If you have a medical condition that is being treated, it is important to follow the advice given by your health practitioner. However, you may find several strategies or explanations that may be helpful in dealing with your condition on another level. And, with application, this may actually ameliorate symptoms and increase well-being over time.

The theme of self-healing underpins the three distinctly different sections of the book. The background information contained in section one is essential to the understanding and application of the suggested strategies and visualizations that are outlined throughout the book. Realistically, the ways in which you utilize the information will be dependent upon your particular situation and needs.

The book has been written with two purposes in mind. First, I am sharing my experiences, perspective and insights on how the healing process operates at a subtle level and also how specific life (energy) factors result in the creation of illness. While there may be some similarity in what is presented with information that is offered by other authors, I feel the energy model described here is vastly different from anything depicted elsewhere. I recommend that you take time to familiarize yourself with this model and its application and apply it to every aspect of your life.

Second, the book is a useful resource designed to be used as a tool for creating effective and lasting changes to health and well-being. It may be beneficial to initially read the book thoroughly. Allow yourself time to digest concepts and exercises that resonate with your life issues. Then, when you are ready to begin implementing some of the strategies and visualizations, select those that are relevant.

If, for example, you’ve become aware of the need to make changes to your thinking and attitude, it may be worthwhile to work through chapters 15 to18 in a consecutive manner. Or, if your life feels as though it is out of balance and stress is a constant factor, the chapters in section two are well worth exploring in depth. Often, making simple but effective changes in practical ways can result in increased feelings of inner calm and balance and a reduction in daily stresses.

Take time to implement the appropriate exercises in order to ensure that desired improvements are well rehearsed and integrated into your daily lifestyle. It may even be beneficial to supplement the exercises with further in-depth reading on a particular subject in order to fully understand the relevance of particular concepts. For example, if you choose to learn meditation to reduce stress reactions, it would most likely be useful to read comprehensive books on the subject in addition to joining a class.

Once you are familiar with exercises relevant to your situation and have put them into practice you may find that pleasing results are achieved with some of the strategies while others do not offer the same obvious results. Be patient with yourself and the routine you establish to create the desired changes. Often improvement is gradual and subtle, and only upon reflection does it becomes apparent that great progress has actually been made.

It is also important to feel comfortable in undertaking any of the exercises. Allow intuition to be your inner guide. You will instinctively feel comfortable doing some of the exercises and not others. At a later time when you have assimilated earlier learning it may be appropriate to explore strategies that initially appeared daunting and uncomfortable. It is then likely you will derive benefit from undertaking those exercises that earlier appeared too challenging. Work at your own pace at all times and be selective about the exercises you choose. Where you instinctively feel it is appropriate to your needs to change the wording or to either add or delete some of the steps, allow your inner knowing to guide you in how best to apply the strategies and visualizations.

I recommend that you allow time for the integration of new learning. Set realistic goals so that you do not end up feeling pressured and impatient with your efforts. For example, when it is second nature to have full mindfulness of your every word and thought, it is likely that full integration of the concepts and exercises in chapters 15 through 18 has taken place. In the meantime, remind yourself whenever you experience a slippage that you are a work in progress. It may take months of diligent application to create the changes in well-being you seek.

Accept that the information in this book is intended as a guide to assist you to create the wellness, abundance and joyfulness that is your birthright. It is not intended as a “do” and “don’t do” compendium. Its usefulness as a reference tool may last several months or years, depending upon your interest and needs.

As you read the information shared in this book, allow your mind to explore the concepts, suggestions and exercises. Reflect on them. Where possible, take time to put into practice some of the visualization exercises and strategies that may be especially relevant. I encourage you to use this book as a resource to be referred to as situations and issues arise in your life. You will take from it whatever is needed at any particular time.

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned,

so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

—Joseph Campbell—

The beauty of a rose never diminishes even long after the bloom has faded and all that is left is the husk of what once was. The beauty of it remains for in time, after it has withered upon the bush, there comes to replace it yet another bloom, one of equally stunning beauty. Even after the magnificence of each bloom begins to fade there is still a lingering scent. The beauty remains though the flower itself may not. That is the nature of you, of your soul. The beauty is always there regardless of what may happen in life. The beauty is undimmed and untarnished. In many instances, other aspects temporarily cover the beauty.

The journey of life itself creates difficulties within the human body. The daily hardships and challenges that confront the individual begin to take their toll, and so this kernel of beauty, this grain of truth at times becomes submerged beneath the many layers of grime, confusion and pain that rest upon it. There comes a time when an individual may indeed believe they are no more than a grubby speck of dirt. As they look into their body they may see physical ailments. Especially as the years encroach there tends to be an increasing number of conditions and illnesses that beset the human physiology.

It is indeed not an easy task to see the inherent beauty beneath a body that is often crippled or gnarled with physical pain. It is interesting to observe, however, that underlying this, the spirit is indomitable. Human nature, being what it is, tends to rise to the surface with an acceptance of the status quo—not only acceptance but with it adjustment and justification for what is occurring physically. It is as if the spirit knows that in spite of the physical limitations and hardships it experiences, there is always underneath, at the very core center, something that is deeper, stronger and enduring.

The other layers that build up over time are those of emotional and mental pain. The anguish these create ultimately within the physical body is considerable. With both emotional and mental pain there come strong beliefs and perceptions about how life really is. Life does not start off being this difficult but through the many experiences, interactions and the deeply held beliefs that are taken on during embodiment the human body becomes a vessel of pain. It carries this pain around it, very much like a shell, so that whatever else occurs in life, it can only further add to what already is there.

It would be inspiring to observe humanity shedding this pain. It would be a delight to see and feel the releasing of this pain. It is not necessary to carry so much pain within us, or for so long!

The human spirit is like the beauty of the rose. Though at times it may wither, it comes back strong, vibrant and healthy.

It is not natural for the human body to age and deteriorate as it does. Our bodies were not designed for this. They were designed to give us long life, robust health, equanimity of mind and calmness of emotions. We have created the very conditions that erode physical, mental and emotional health. No one else has created the problems that the majority of the world’s population finds itself experiencing.

The diseases that are a scourge upon our planet are the result of our actions and emotions. The many modern plagues that beset us are the result of a planet that has gone out of balance. This lack of balance is due to the intervention and the degradation of our lands. We have stripped bare many acres of prime land, denuding them of nutrition and yet simultaneously setting up the environment for an imbalance of microbes, animals and plants to exist, thus creating the scenario where ultimately the ecology of our planet is greatly distressed.

As we observe Mother Nature’s attempts to rectify the imbalance we have created, please note that the very conditions we find our bodies in are mirroring those of Mother Earth. She is endeavoring to correct the destruction and degradation that has been ongoing, especially so in the last few hundred years of human time. Mother Earth too is like the beauty of the rose. She is now experiencing the winter of her years and is preparing herself for the spring that will emerge. The spring will herald in the new—after there has been a release of the old, after there has been a cleansing of the toxins.

All that we see happening in our natural environment is mirroring what is happening within individuals on our planet. If we were to make some basic changes to our lives we would find there is no need to suffer from ill health, degenerative conditions, decreased mental functioning and distressed emotional states as we age. Surely the process of aging is really about the gaining of wisdom, the harnessing and expansion of inner creativity and the evolvement of greater insight, awareness and understanding around the meaning of life.

Aging is not about focusing on the little, and in many instances, not so little ailments. Aging is not about living in fear. It seems that as we age we become more fearful of what is happening in the world around us. We fear for our personal safety. There is great fear around financial insecurity and also around physical health.

Is this what we strive for in our younger years? It seems in many cultures that great emphasis is placed on the accumulation of financial security. This is often in preparation for our older years. It seems the focus for living has become to gain financial security and, accompanying that, there is always the fear of losing it. Should we spend our younger years amassing our fortunes? Given the current lifestyles in developed countries, is there any likelihood that we will have the ability to fully appreciate and enjoy this accumulated wealth? It seems not.

It seems, instead, that no matter how much we amass in terms of financial investments and security there is never enough. Even if there were, then the fear around losing it and the illnesses generated through emotional stress and mental worry add considerably to the aging process. So it is that when we come to the time of our life when we are most able to enjoy the fruits of our labors we are instead beset by ailments and conditions that further degenerate our bodies.

It does not have to be like this. We create these conditions. We take on the fears, anxieties and worries and, through the use of our language and emotions, create what befalls us in our later years. On one level, we know very well that positive thinking creates healthier, happier people. Yet our society, as such, is ingrained with patterns of speech that reinforce negativity and lower self-perceptions.

There are many common expressions that are widely accepted and used within our societies to reinforce the beliefs that life is hard, that aging is inevitable and that financial struggle is the only way to live. There is a perception that in order to attain a healthy, happy and safe life one must strive to be in competition, fearful of losing what has been gained. There is an inherent fear that when there is sharing there is also loss.

The human psyche has become so indoctrinated into beliefs about how life must be that it has forgotten that choices can be made—choices in all things, in all ways and at all times. Nothing is prescribed. The individual creates it through every conscious and subconscious choice.

Where the level of indoctrination is so deep, then there is no questioning; there is no examination of what the situation really is. Along with this comes an abrogation of responsibility. The human emotions and mind are very quick to blame others. It is easier to blame an issue, another person or the system for your ill health or misfortunes. It is much easier to go to someone for a diagnosis and to know that they will take responsibility for healing whatever it is that ails you. That is indeed the preferable option, so it would seem.

Taking full responsibility for all that we do and think requires a huge commitment by the individual. Whenever there is a choice made that is not desired or does not turn out as anticipated, it is often easier to affix the blame elsewhere rather than looking at what has occurred and learning a valuable lesson from it, giving thanks for the opportunity for that learning and then rectifying the situation.

Ironically, in spite of what may appear to be a very gloomy picture that I am painting of the human embodiment, I know that the beauty of the soul still shines through. I know that the soul, like the rose, always blooms when the time is right.

“The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves

as the sole cause of all our adversities.”

—Sophocles—

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could put our fingers on someone’s forehead and say as Jesus did, ‘You are now healed,’ and that healing would be instantaneous and total?” These words were uttered by one of my many aware clients, who in his own right is a powerful healer.

In a utopian society such a phenomenon would not only be highly desirable, it would also be considered normal. In our current society, however, such a situation would be described as miraculous, if it were to ever occur! There are many seeking the path to awareness and enlightenment that also aspire to emulate the miracles of Jesus and other enlightened masters. Underlying this aspiration is an inherent belief that in time, with long and diligent seeking, such feats will be achievable.

Upon hearing my client speak longingly of such a possibility I responded without conscious thought and my words surprised him as much as they did me. “What you are seeking is an idealization. Instead of a select group of individuals being able to heal to such a degree, we are coming to a time when we will all have the ability to heal ourselves. We look to others to take responsibility for our healing when we, in reality, have this ability within ourselves. To be truly responsible for one’s health means that we are then in a position of empowerment when it comes to self-healing.”

It has been a few years since that conversation took place, but its clarity remains and has since been replayed within my mind numerous times. As I ponder the message contained in that statement it is apparent there is much more implied than first appears. The words spoken were clearly guided and as much a message for me as for my client. I wonder, is attaining such a state of empowerment any closer? And, more importantly, are people ready to become fully responsible for their health status? If people are to be truly responsible for their health and well-being then culturally there needs to be a major shift in perception and attitude.

If a time is ever to be reached when all people truly have the ability to self-heal then a critical step towards achieving this state is acknowledging a sense of accountability for creating what has occurred. From there it becomes an individual responsibility to generate the conditions for self-healing to occur and ensure that the best and most relevant healing modalities are applied when appropriate.

At this stage it may seem that what I’m suggesting sounds impossible, especially as societal conditioning and beliefs hold that the mechanisms of the body are too complex for the ordinary person to understand. It is accepted that it is in the public’s best interests to leave health matters to the experts. Basically, a system of disempowerment has insidiously been promoted and actively encouraged by both the medical fraternity and pharmaceutical corporations. This has resulted in the gradual diminishing of individual responsibility and ownership of health status.

Health programs focus on illness treatment, not wellness maintenance. Curative medicine predominates. Health funding is given to finding cures, usually at great cost, instead of promoting preventive medicine. Several years ago I remember hearing someone say that in China doctors are remunerated according to the good health of their patients, and that sick patients resulted in low remuneration and status of the doctor within the community!

Realistically, the current system of health care will continue as is until real impetus for change (and improvement) occurs. This will only happen when individuals actively begin to question their medical diagnoses and treatments, instead of meekly accepting what is told to them, and from there taking full responsibility and ownership of the healing process rather than unquestioningly complying with someone else’s directives.

Supposing right now you were asked how well you actually feel, what would be your honest response? Do you have sufficient energy for each and every day? Or do you believe it is normal to feel tired, anxious and to have constant aches and pains in your body? Most people I encounter can list a few symptoms, often minor but annoying, of general discomfort within their bodies. In some instances there is even acceptance that this is normal. This is because within Western society there is an inherent belief that aging inevitably results in degeneration of the body, its organs and their functioning, and with that there is resultant decreasing energy levels, physical flexibility and feelings of well-being.

As Western medicine operates on a curative model, most people will generally make a visit to their family doctor a priority only when they do not feel well. For others, it may involve a visit to a natural therapies practitioner, such as chiropractor, naturopath or acupuncturist. The general response from people when not feeling well is to seek advice, healing and support from an expert—someone trained in diagnosing and healing whatever the problem or condition may be.

It is normal when experiencing a health problem to seek immediate resolution. Visiting a doctor generally results in the taking of prescription drugs, resting, following prescribed exercises and sometimes undergoing a surgical procedure. These are common remedies for the great numbers of physical symptoms manifesting within individuals. I have found that focusing attention on physical conditions, however, is only one facet of the total healing process.

The metaphysical meaning of illness, including the link between emotions and health, is nowadays often explored and is gradually gaining acceptance by the general public. Since Louise Hay’s early work on the metaphysical meaning of illness there has been a wealth of research, articles and books available on the body, mind and spirit connection.¹ A quick browse through any bookstore usually reveals a quantity of books on “how to” make changes, improve and achieve lasting good health, to have limitless vitality and enhanced wellness and so on.

Over the years I have seen countless clients experiencing a vast range of conditions involving an extensive range of physical, mental and emotional discomfort and pain. However, there have been occasions, far too numerous to count, when I have felt helpless and inadequate with the level of my professional ministrations. This is not because of inherent feelings of incompetence or inadequacy. My suspicion is that most healing practitioners will admit to similar feelings in many instances.

The reason for this feeling of inadequacy is that there are often a myriad of symptoms manifesting within the individual seeking healing. Many of these symptoms are deeply emotional and require far more time than I, or any other professional, can possibly give in the course of one or several sessions. It seems as though much of what occurs in healing is often merely a Band-Aid approach, treating the symptoms or obvious pain but not necessarily healing the real cause of ill health. Because of this, no sooner is the healing of one condition facilitated than something else is likely to manifest elsewhere in some other form. A great deal of my work as a healing arts practitioner has been to assist people to come to a greater understanding of how emotions and the mind influence and affect general health and well-being. Many other healing practitioners also adopt and follow similar principles in their work.

It has occurred to me, time and again, that there has to be more to healing than what has been taught, learned and practiced. Surely there must be some means of ensuring excellent health at all times. After all, this is a given birthright. Most babies are born in a healthy state, as everything within the body is usually in perfect working order at birth. Whatever happens to that healthy body? What causes the body to become increasingly susceptible to illness and poor health? Most importantly of all, what are the conditions creating the general belief that deteriorating health and illness are inevitable and natural? Why, as aging occurs, is it accepted knowledge that either heart disease, cancer, arthritis or some other dreaded condition will invariably strike? Surely you have the right to expect your body to perform superbly right up until it is time to depart this life.

Given the continuing expansion of knowledge and technology over the last one hundred years shouldn’t there be greater health benefits and improvements on every level? It could be expected that with corresponding changes in diet and lifestyle and advances in medicine, trends should strongly indicate an improvement in general health statistics.

Yet, this is not necessarily the case. Cancers continue proliferating among the general population, with new and unusual cancers on the increase. Heart disease is still considered a major disease despite early detection, intervention and strategic rehabilitation. The incidence of diabetes is increasing. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and depression have become commonplace in recent years and could be considered to be in almost epidemic proportions in our Western society. Menopause, which was once a naturally occurring cycle experienced by women, is now considered to be another disease or condition that requires extensive research, testing and medicating. The list goes on and on. There are numerous newly identified conditions and illnesses that devour millions of dollars annually in extensive research and testing.

It should be noted that the three main causes of death in industrialized countries are heart disease, cancer and iatrogenic deaths. “Iatrogenic” means caused by medical treatment. In the United States alone, research figures indicate that 225,000 deaths occur annually due to unnecessary surgery, medication errors, miscellaneous errors in hospitals, infections in hospitals and negative effects of drugs. It has also been suggested that this figure of 225,000 is somewhat conservative.²

Reported data indicates that in 2003 health care spending reached $1.6 trillion in the United States.³ The article also states, “We actually cause more illness through medical technology, diagnostic testing, overuse of medical and surgical procedures and overuse of pharmaceutical drugs. The huge disservice of this therapeutic strategy is the result of little effort or money being appropriated for preventing disease.” This article, complex in its research data, also indicates strongly that the rate of iatrogenic deaths is far greater than previously believed. By projecting the available research statistics over a ten-year span, the figure of 7.8 million iatrogenic deaths is postulated. This figure is far “more than all the casualties from wars that America has fought in its entire history.”

The reality is that twentieth-century health conditions continue unabated regardless of the amount of money spent in research, development, medication and eradication programs. The health status of the general population is as precarious now as it ever has been. This is in spite of the development of wonder drugs such as antibiotics, better standards of personal and public hygiene and vast improvements in living standards in the last hundred years or so. Isn’t it time to stop and seriously question whether what we are doing is actually working?

Ours is an era in which scientific analysis and reasoning predominate. If something can be proved and validated it is accepted as a scientific truth. Scientific inquiry always follows a structured process. There is the initial hypothesis or theory put forward. In order to prove it, logical steps are then adhered to in observation and testing situations. A control group or study is generally included as a means of ensuring validation. This is the process followed by medical and scientific researchers which invariably results in a vast array of new products (medications) being made available for public consumption as an aid to achieving health improvement or hinting at possible cures for a range of illnesses.

However, it has to be obvious to anyone that our way of dealing with health issues is not effective. Escalating health costs are affecting the whole of society. Health insurance in Western countries is becoming increasingly expensive. In fact, it is becoming so expensive that it is rapidly becoming unaffordable. Health statistics may indicate improvement in some conditions and diseases, but overall it seems that more and more people are at greater risk of developing ill health or a serious health condition during their life. Ill health is rapidly becoming an acceptable state of being for a significant portion of the population in western cultures!

My contention is that real and lasting healing is not being achieved because attention is not focused in the right direction or in all possible directions. Scientific research and development deals with the physiological and anatomical aspects (data has to be measurable and validated) and is generally limited to facilitating healing of the physical body. However, the figures quoted previously, demonstrating the high rate of iatrogenic deaths, are an indication that this methodology isn’t achieving promising results!

The metaphysical approach, dealing with emotional and mental states, is a healing modality that is gaining acceptance by the general public and is often used in conjunction with standard medical treatments. In recent years the benefits of spiritual healing, whether through religious faith or spiritual convictions, has been acknowledged as being a valid form of healing. The healing power of meditation and prayer has been validated in research studies.⁴

Irrespective of the type of healing approach undertaken, in most instances the patient tends to rely on the expertise and experience of someone else. Societal conditioning and health models are constructed in such a manner that trusting other people to know what is best for us has become the modus operandi for the population in general. With this there is also the possibility of a codependency situation arising, as the patient may come to rely heavily on the skills of the practitioner to cure whatever ailment is being treated. However, the corollary of this is that it has become all too easy to abdicate self-responsibility for our health. In looking to others to prescribe quick fixes and painless solutions to health issues, complacency sets in and individual learning and problem solving skills diminish.

Realistically, healing is a gradual process. Anyone who has suffered the frustration of a broken limb or heart attack can assure you there is no quick fix for this type of healing. It is the same for practically every other illness or health-related condition. Ill health does not occur overnight; rather, it occurs stealthily over time and often without obvious initial warning signs. For healing to be beneficial and lasting, a process involving indeterminate time, depending upon conditions of ill health, takes place as the body restores itself to a state of homeostasis.

In the following chapters I will be proposing an unorthodox and possibly different perspective on how the body functions and heals. I ask that you keep an open mind and suspend judgment because it is very likely your beliefs will be challenged. From what I share, you will be able to gain a basic understanding of how healing works on a much broader basis.

By making some straightforward changes to your lifestyle, you will be able to create a healthy and balanced body, one that will remain healthy for as long as you consciously choose. Strategies and visualization exercises are also included throughout the book. In implementing the suggested changes, know that you will be taking charge of your own health status. You will come to know and view your body intimately and certainly in a way not experienced before.

My intention in sharing the information in this book is to create awareness so that you can make empowered and conscious healthrelated decisions for your highest good. Finally, how do I know that what I’m sharing works? Because I apply the principles in my life consciously and consistently. My health has never been better, and it has been that way for some years now in spite of the fact that I’m in my mid-sixties, which is the time of life when one supposedly is succumbing to many degenerative conditions and diseases.

As you read and come to understand the basis of the information, you too will come to see your potential for creating improvements in all areas of your life. Having good health and well-being is a choice that is available to all. It is how you live and view your life that ultimately makes all the difference.

1. Louise Hay. You Can Heal Yourself, Hay House, Inc., 1984.

2. Phillip Day. Health Wars, Credence Publications, 2001.

3. Carolyn Dean, MD ND, Martin Feldman, MD, Gary Null, PhD, and Debora Rasio, MD. “Death By Medicine,” Nexus New Times 11, no. 5. Refer to website: www.nutritioninstituteofamerica.org.

4. Joan Budilovsky and Eve Adamson. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Meditation, Alpha, 2003., Eric Harrison. Teach Yourself to Meditate in 10 Simple Lessons, Ulysses Press, 2000, Michael Levin. Meditation: Path to the Deepest Self, OK Publishing, Inc., 2002., www.tm.org/research/home.html, www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2002/04.18/09-tummo.html, www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8317

“Not everything that counts can be counted

and not everything that can be counted counts.”

—Albert Einstein—

Over the last hundred years or more scientific research has delved deeper to uncover more and more about the amazingly complex piece of machinery that is the human body. There is no denying that scientifically and medically there have been incredible discoveries about the structure and functioning of the physical body, and, with that, there have been dramatic improvements in testing, diagnosis and surgery procedures. Allopathic, or Western, medicine predominates in our society. Allopathic medicine focuses on the physical body; it focuses on what can be seen, whether with the naked eye or under a microscope. It is premised on scientific theory and research and is the yardstick by which individuals gauge their well-being.

Not all cultures, however, advocate or support the allopathic model. Ancient texts and teachings show we are more than a physical body. Traditional Chinese and Indian medicines, which are holistically based, have been used successfully for thousands of years and were established long before allopathic medicine became fashionable. It must also be remembered that indigenous cultures throughout the world have used plant medicine successfully for thousands of years. Allopathic medicine could realistically be viewed as the new kid on the block when placed within the larger context of all medicines that have been developed and adopted. Being the latest model does not necessarily mean it is superior nor is it necessarily likely to supersede earlier medical models.

Allopathic medicine focuses primarily on the treatment of the physical body and generally does not acknowledge that we are more than a physical body when it comes to treating ailments. The reason for this is that allopathic theory presumes pathogen states are present when ill health occurs, and so treatment is commonly based on medication and surgical procedures.

Being holistic models, both traditional Chinese medicine and ancient Indian knowledge and practices acknowledge the energy field that is part of the body. This energy field is part of and also surrounds the physical body. In Chinese medicine this energy is known as Ch’I. It is a vital energy containing two opposite forces, yin and yang. When these opposing forces are balanced, the body is in a state of health and, when out of balance a state of dis-ease is the result—dis-ease meaning lack of ease or comfort. Ancient Indian teachings refer extensively to prana, which is otherwise known as universal life energy. Prana includes spiritual breath or light energy and is vital to healthy bodily functioning. Yoga practitioners are well aware of the importance of correct breathing techniques in maintaining suppleness and vitality with the spiritual breath.

Eastern philosophies and teachings have successfully made their way into Western culture, especially since the 1960s and are now being integrated in countless ways into health care practices. This has provided the general population with a clear opportunity to learn about other medical models, spiritual practices and beliefs. Societally this has resulted in a greater diversity of choices.

Many holistic teachers and practitioners have taught and written about the different bodies the individual has, including information as to the importance of these bodies to overall health and well-being. There are seven such bodies, each having a specific function. The first is the physical-etheric body, which comprises the dense physical body. Close to the physical body are the astral and mental bodies. Further out are four higher bodies, often referred to as the intuitional, atmic, monadic and divine planes.⁵ In the extensive literature that is available different words have been used as descriptors of definition and function, but their meaning and intent are much the same. For the purposes of this book, I am taking the liberty of simplifying explanations that could easily fill another book. It is my intention to provide a broad overview in order that later descriptions and explanations have an identifiable context.

The work of medical intuitives, including Barbara Brennan and Dr. Carolyn Myss, has been influential in the lives of many people in Western cultures. Their books and teachings have taken a great deal from Eastern perspectives on how the body is formed and how it functions. They have demonstrated that it is as important to have awareness of and care for your energy field as it is your physical body. Dr. Carolyn Myss and others have demonstrated the vital role performed by the seven chakras, or energy centers, in the body that record and store information about your emotions, experiences and beliefs.⁶ These teachings stress the importance of good management of the chakras, which in turn leads to balance and well-being in daily life.

In her books, Hands of Light and Emerging Light