Relationship to science, medicine and religion
Are magnetism, dowsing, vital energy and related practices scientifically proven?
The answer is no.
You can live a peaceful life without faith, without paying attention to the subtle things around you.
Does that mean they don't exist? Not for me.
It's all a matter of interpretation. And as far as I'm concerned, if science doesn't validate these practices, it's because it hasn't yet succeeded in proving them.
Even so...
The fundamental principle in medicine: "First, do no harm".
Support through magnetism, dowsing or any other natural method is defined as "unconventional medicine". A practitioner worthy of the name will never interfere with medical treatment, judge it or ask you to stop it.
On this basis, a praiseworthy practitioner will share this first principle with doctors: Primum non nocere.
Should you believe in magnetism, energy rebalancing, chakras or the pendulum?
Only you can answer this question for yourself.
There are bad and very good practitioners.
Their approach, their "skills", the way they define your problem, may not suit you, whereas with another, the current will flow.
You can be sceptical and change your mind... or not! Whether you're sceptical or convinced, never expect a miracle:
- Teeth and arms don't grow back
- You can't cure serious illnesses like cancer or AIDS
- There's nothing spectacular about it!
Believing is a big word. In fact, if the practitioner inspires confidence in you and you decide to give him or her a chance to help and accompany you, there's a better chance of good results.
That said, it's the same in every field. If you take an aspirin in the belief that it won't relieve your headache, even though we know that Aspirin is effective for headaches, it won't work.
Placebo and mind forces
Wikipedia definition of the Placebo effect:
"A placebo is a substance or treatment which is designed to have no therapeutic value. Common placebos include inert tablets (like sugar pills), inert injections (like saline), sham surgery, and other procedures."
Doctors also say that the "mind" has an enormous influence on healing. With the best treatment in the world, if the patient doesn't have the will to help himself, to fight the disease, his chances are reduced. Unfortunately, I don't have a reference for this, but I'd be surprised if you hadn't heard it before!
My very personal interpretation of all this, which you are free to share or not, is that: whatever the catalyst, it's the patient who will do most of the work.
The practitioner of non-conventional medicine is a catalyst.
A magnetizer doesn't heal. An energeticist does not heal...
They give you the keys, guiding energies to the place where you need them to help you find relief.
That's why it takes a few days to feel the benefits after a session.
To say that these practices are placebos? I don't think so, but then again, as long as it doesn't harm and, on the contrary, helps, from my point of view, people can think what they like!
Religion, belief and alternative medicine
All sacred writings speak of healing by the laying on of hands, of natural healing practices, of healing in general, by human or divine beings (or somewhere in between... in short!).
As far as I'm concerned, there's a link between my beliefs and my practices. I think that's the case for the overwhelming majority of practitioners.
That said, I think it's possible to practice in a secular way.
Moreover, my deepest convictions remain personal, and I encourage everyone to make up their own minds and develop their own spirituality.
This absence of judgment on what I would call "form", has the advantage of enabling me to accompany any person, whatever their faith.
All practitioners and their patients believe in a vital energy. Agreeing on the source is not the problem, as long as the aim is to relieve, help and never harm.