I’ve always thought that KNOWLEDGE is EMPOWERING, and over the decades I’ve found it vital for my own health and well-being to seek out clear information, unbiased answers, for all sorts of questions.  I have also found that truly unbiased answers don’t always follow or agree with the status quo.  Where I find myself now, for instance - Energy Field Healer/Teacher, Reiki Master, Shamanic Practitioner/Teacher, and amateur homeopath for my family -  is not always well looked on.  There are those who simply don’t have any regard for what I do, or for looking at the world from an energetic or spiritual perspective.  According to that way of thinking, if you can’t see it and touch it, and ‘prove’ it, according to Newton’s Laws of Physics, then it doesn’t exist. 

Hmm, people once believed the Earth was flat and that if you sailed far enough you could even fall off the edge!  People once believed absolutely the Earth was the centre of the Universe, and the Sun went round the Earth, because that is what it looked like from their small perspective.  Isaac Newton described the world as a great big machine and set narrow Laws of Physics which described how the world worked.  Fine for a couple of hundred years.  Then Newton’s Laws were proved to be, quite simply, ‘not enough’.  They described the physical world.  But quantum physics goes way beyond that, into the movement and behaviour of particles we cannot see or touch, but which are very much there, and behave in ways Newton would never have understood.  Unfortunately, conventional medicine still leans towards the physically based Newtonian view and does not take account of the energetic aspects of people.  Body, Mind and Spirit are still largely regarded as separate in the medical world.

I can’t change the minds of those who think in Newtonian terms.  I can only go on doing what I do, for those who find Energy work helpful, and hope to help people find their own strengths. 

My life path led me to explore many different models and views of healing - conventional and complementary -  as well as different paradigms that describe the world, and this helped me to see a wider picture and make comparison.  I found myself noticing the similarities, not just the differences, as I learned and read about various ways of healing.  It was the similarities that gave meaning for me.  If different modes of healing, different books, touched on a similar pattern, even in a small way, and sometimes that pattern was also echoed in much older writings, I felt there had to be a greater truth there.  And Truth is one thing I have always searched for. 

So, by seeking what has meaning for us personally, what resonates with us, we can do a great deal to support and empower ourselves on every level of our Being.   We can be, as James LeFanu says in his brilliant book, “TOO MANY PILLS” - our own physician - understanding our physical body, how it works, what could help, and researching carefully any medicines or treatments we are offered.  We can help ourselves emotionally and mentally by exploring what we are feeling and, with help or on our own, work out why that might be, and take whatever steps might improve our situation.

The physical body and what affects our health is more individual than conventional medicine gives it credit for.  Not long ago I signed up to an organisation called ‘Fitness Genes,’  www.fitnessgenes.com.  You send off a sample of saliva and they report back on your personal genetic traits.  They regularly send through new traits which have been found.  I’d known for years that I was gluten and dairy intolerant and my experience was supported by the book, “Live Right 4 Your Type, the Blood Type Diet” by Peter D’Adamo.  Then, according to Fitness Genes, I am indeed genetically intolerant to gluten and dairy.

Another trait came through just the other day, about salt sensitivity and high blood pressure.  Who would have thought it, that some of us are genetically susceptible - blood pressure-wise - to salt in our diet – and some are not.  I love salt and was pleased to see that I don’t carry this susceptibility.  Therefore, the amount of salt I choose to use will never affect my blood pressure.  These individual traits explain clearly why conventional medicine cannot do what it tries to do all the time – fit all of us into the same box. 

Moving on from the physical, on an energetic and Spiritual level we can empower ourselves by exploring the unseen world of energy more deeply, and considering what, as a Spiritual Being, we came here to learn and to do.  Taking steps to have our Energy Field cared for if that is necessary. 

I can’t apologise for being an avid reader.  Books are such a useful tool and support, and I love them so much.  And now we have websites too!  Here are a just a few of the books and websites I’ve found useful over the years.  I’ve divided them into four categories.  Please do remember, all the books and websites I suggest are just that, suggestions from my personal experience.  There are many more out there.  However, all should be used carefully, always bearing in mind that sometimes we need outside help. 

PHYSICAL

It’s vital to care for your physical body – it is all you have to carry your soul through this lifetime!   If I feel I have a physical problem the first thing I want is a clear diagnosis.  Off to my GP, which is only sensible.  Then, when I know what’s going on, I explore, seek as much information as possible, so I can make an informed and empowered choice about how to deal with the issue, with my body. 

“LIVE RIGHT 4 YOUR TYPE”,  Peter D’Adamo

(A great book that describes a way of eating – not a diet – depending on your blood type.   Dr. D’Adamo is one of those who has been put down by some in the conventional medical community, but I read the book and found it made sense to me.  It certainly helped the IBS I had been diagnosed with, as well as mild joint pains, asthma, skin condition and more.)

“TOO MANY PILLS”   James LeFanu   (2018)

(A brilliant book by Dr. LeFanu, who knows exactly how the pharmaceutical companies, conventional medicine and drugs work – and often do more harm than good.  His insights are illuminating to say the least!   I wish this informative book had been around many years ago.)

 www.mayoclinic.org

(The Mayo Clinic is a well-known medical establishment in the USA.  Some tests and treatments are different from the UK, but it’s a useful site to look up background info about symptoms or diagnosis.  Do go carefully!  Don’t use sites like this for self-diagnosis!  For information only!)

 www.savingthewholewoman.com

(Diagnosed with a mild uterine prolapse a few years ago I felt devastated at first.  Until I came across this website and voila!   Loads of incredible information, accurate anatomy and physiology and a workable way of managing a prolapse.  Back then the information was available in a book, “SAVING THE WHOLE WOMAN”, which I found invaluable.  Unfortunately, this amazing book is now only available as second-hand copies (though there has been mention of an updated version coming out).   But the website has lots of information and offers streaming videos.  I prefer my book, but I’m old-fashioned that way.   P.S. – for anyone with a prolapse I added acupuncture and homeopathy to energy healings and found both helpful.)

www.wddty.com

(That is, “What Doctors Don’t Tell You”.  A magnificent website and I subscribe to the magazine.  Loads of up to date, accurate and useful information about healthy eating, along with alternative and complementary ways to tackle all kinds of physical problems.)

www.saveourbones.com

(I found this website trying to help my mum, diagnosed with osteoporosis.  Lots of free articles to read on the website, as well as books you can buy.  Osteoporosis, according to the website, can be reversed.)

EMOTIONAL and MENTAL

It’s so important to do what we love in life.  If it can’t be your job, make it your hobby. 

“MOLECULES OF EMOTION”,  (1997)  by Candace Pert.

(Candace was a neuroscientist and this fascinating book is her description of how science conclusively proves that our emotions affect our health and sadly, how much internal politics affects medical research.)

 “STEERING BY STARLIGHT”,  (2008)   Martha Beck

(A lovely self-help book with plenty of interesting exercises.)

 “LIFE CHOICES, LIFE CHANGES”, (1995)   Dina Glouberman

(Another book I’ve had a lot of fun with, Dina works with her model of visualisation to help you explore personal questions or problems.)

 “GAMES PEOPLE PLAY”,  (originally published 1964, 2016 version Penguin Books)

Eric Berne

(A great book for understanding human relationships, based on the useful Transactional Analysis model of psychotherapy.)

 “I’m OK, You’re OK”(Pan Books) and “Staying OK” (Pan Books, 1985

(Brilliant, easy to read books about Transactional Analysis.  You will find yourself in the pages!)

 SPIRITUAL and ENERGETIC

Carolyn Myss suggests we should do what Feeds our Spirit.  I agree.  Whether that is prayer, meditation, creating beautiful art or music, working with animals or people, or something else that draws you.  A recent piece of research proved that those who live a life with MEANING are much more physically healthy than those who live a life filled with the more dubious “pleasures” of the modern physical world. 

For me the spiritual side of life is an incredibly important part of Who I Am and What I Do.   My work as a Healer and Teacher is not just a job, it’s a way of life.  I’ve included books about the therapies I practice, as well as more general reading.

 “SETH SPEAKS” (and other ‘Seth’ books),  Jane Roberts

(Fascinating channelled books, by a being who calls himself Seth, brought through by Jane Roberts.  Old now, from the late 1960s, through the 1970s and early 1980s, but still very interesting to read.)

 “EMMANUELS’ BOOK”, (plus Emmanuel’s Books II, III, IV), Pat Rodegast

(Beautiful, gentle, channelled books, organised in the form of questions very pertinent to our lives as humans, asked of Emmanuel, with the answers channelled by Pat Rodegast.  These have been on my bookshelf for many years, and I still find them comforting and uplifting.)

 “PSYCHIC PROTECTION”  Caitlin Matthews (2005)

(Caitlin is a shamanic teacher, and this is her book about psychic/energetic protection with some wonderful exercises and advice.)

“HANDS OF LIGHT”, “LIGHT EMERGING”,  (and more recently “CORE LIGHT HEALING”),   Barbara Brennan

(These are beautiful, though sometimes complex, books.  At the beginning of my journey, more than 25 years ago now, ‘Hands of Light’ in particular became a signpost for me, turning up in the office of my Homeopath, later in my Crystal Therapy teacher’s hands, and on the table in my Reiki teacher’s home.  They are old friends and often re-read.)

 “THE ENERGIES OF YOUR LIFE”, (2015)  Sue Zange 

(An informative book, describing the Human Energy Field in detail, in an understandable way, which is important, because not all books do this.  The book has information, describing how we interact with others energetically, and how energy can become blocked and affect us physically and emotionally.  There are also easy, useful energy exercises to help you to begin to clear and balance your own energy and empower yourself.)

“ESSENTIAL REIKI” Diane Stein

(A brilliant book about Reiki with detailed history, drawings of hand positions, and notable for being the first book to put the Reiki symbols in print.)

www.shamanism.dk

(The website of my favourite shamanic teacher, the wonderful Jonathan Horwitz. You will find much wisdom here, in Jonathan’s own words.)

“THE WAY OF THE SHAMAN”  Michael Harner  (Harper One Books, 1980, 1990)

(One of many shamanic books I’ve read, and one of the best.)

 To finish, a favourite quote I often share with students:

“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.

Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.

Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumoured by many.

Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.

Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.

But, after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”

                                                          (attributed toGautama Buddha)

 

I came from a practical, medical background before moving into energy work.  For me that proved difficult.  I had very specific questions, which people often couldn’t answer.  I doubted energy work, the chakra system.  Who decided what the human energy field looked like?  How did it work – exactly?   ‘Energy’ was invisible, how could you work with it?   I also noticed teachers would often say things along the lines of, “You don’t need all those complicated techniques – or attunements – or meditations.  All you need to do is ….”  

They would then proceed to describe the fairly complicated model of meditation, or healing, that they taught.  There was a ‘mine is better than theirs’ view – even, I noticed, within the Reiki world!   People seemed to focus so much more on the DIFFERENCES, how much better This model was than That one, and so on.  I found this discomforting, for a spiritual view that was supposed to embrace everyone!

As I attended more workshops and courses over the years, and read widely, I began to notice something else, something better  – the SIMILARITIES between healings models.  I noticed where one crossed over with another, or when a technique was similar, definitely recognisable, and would simply have a different name.  I loved this.  It felt uplifting.  Noticing the similarities helped me begin to understand energy work, and the subtle anatomy of the Human Energy Field, much better. 

Similarities spoke to me of a Greater Truth, a deeper history, and that was comforting and enlightening.   I realised the differences were just how the specifics were brought through by different people, added to or altered, depending on their experience and skill, and then given a name. 

I feel the differences are not nearly as important as the similarities.  Similarities prove energy work is in the collective unconscious, part of our heritage as Spiritual Beings.  You might wonder what similarities I’ve noticed.  Quite a number over the years.  Here are some of them: 

GROUNDING

This shows up again and again, in almost every healing model I’ve studied or learned.  Connection to the Earth’s energies, walking on the grass, enjoying nature.  Makes sense to me!  The greatest learning I had about grounding though, how to reinstate it and strengthen it, comes from Energy Field Healing.

EARTH STAR

This interesting energy centre was first introduced to me by my Crystal Therapy teacher in the mid-late 1990s.  I’d read a few books about the Human Energy Field by then, including Barbara Brennan’s “Hands of Light” – with no mention of the Earth Star.  I googled it – yes, all those years ago!  There it was, on a couple of spiritual/energy sites, no more than one or two short paragraphs. 

Later, when my hands began to move in Reiki, I found myself working below the feet of clients, moving my hand in a circular fashion, but not knowing exactly what I was doing, but sensing movement and energy clearing downwards.  A few years later I found I had been working, unknowingly, on the Earth Star. 

I met the Earth Star again when I did my Energy Field Healing training, and I was fascinated to hear of it  – another similarity – and to find out a bit more about it, and how to work with it in detail.

SELF HEALING

Something mentioned in almost all the healing modalities I’ve met, and very important.  But a striking similarity came up between my Reiki training and in Energy Field Healing.

Mikao Usui, who developed the Reiki system, taught a technique called ‘Usui’s Self-Healing Method’.  It consists of sitting or standing, and visualising You in front of yourself.  You put your hands out and ‘give Reiki to yourself’, following the Reiki hand positions.

In Energy Field Healing we use an identical technique, called ‘Show Me, Me.’  It is brilliant, and allows you to use EFH techniques on yourself, and I use this every day to check and balance my own energy. 

SIEVING

This is a lovely, easy technique and I was first taught one version of it while on a course with the Spirit Release Foundation in Malvern, Worcestershire.  Once again, it turned up in EFH, slightly different, very effective, and comfortingly similar.

ENERGY CENTRE in the Lower Abdomen

This is a bit of a puzzle, but something I have noticed.  A number of practices and healing models I’ve come across talk about an energy centre situated in the lower abdomen.  I can’t be sure if it is the exact same energy centre, because each is described so differently, and given different uses and importance.  But here they are:

Cusco (meaning ‘bread basket’) – from the Quero people in South America, introduced during some shamanic training.

Tan Dien (or Dan Tien, or Lower Elixir Field) – from Reiki and Tai Chi Qi Gong practices.

The Hara – described as a centre and a ‘line’ of energy – from Barbara Brennan’s healing practice, but also from martial arts/Tai Chi Qi Gong

The Core Star – the one I am most familiar with, described by Barbara Brennan, but my greatest understanding comes from EFH.  A fascinating energy centre which is tremendously important. 

Noticing similarities and differences in energy work makes me think of other aspects of human life.  The religions of the world, for instance.  Most religions worship at least one ‘supreme Being’, although the deities have different names.  Most religions have basic rules such as ‘Thou shalt not kill’.  But they have different buildings for worship, different dress rules, etc. 

It has occurred to me many times that if humans took a bit more notice of the similarities between us, and less notice of the differences, and if people just let people be – to worship individually as they choose, to marry as they choose, to dress as they choose, to behave in their own individual, even quirky, non-harmful ways – all of course, with equal consideration for others and a reasonable moral compass – the world would be a more peaceful place. 

Perhaps you’d like to have a go at noticing the similarities, rather than the differences, in all aspects of life and any healing models you know. 

DISCLAIMER (The Small Print)       

These are just my current thoughts. 

Thoughts can change as we learn and grow.

I can be wrong, but am nevertheless entitled to my thoughts.

You don’t have to read my blog or take any notice of anything I say.

It is important you always make up your own mind - about everything.

I am not you, and don’t know you or the details of your life. 

Therefore, you are responsible for any decisions or changes you make as a result of reading

my thoughts. 

Finally, nothing in any of my blogs is intended nor should be taken as medical or health advice.  Always research for yourself and talk to doctors or therapists you trust (conventional or complementary).