The Swivel Universe (art by Natalie and Gil Dekel)
by Tamisha Sabrina.
Part 1. Go to Part 2.
During the 1980’s, Dr Robert Becker, Dr John Zimmerman, and Max Cade each investigated what happens whilst people perform therapies like Reiki. They found that not only do the brain wave patterns of practitioner and receiver become synchronised in the alpha state, but they pulse in unison with the earth’s magnetic field, known as the Schuman Resonance. During these moments, the biomagnetic field of the practitioners’ hands is at least 1000 times greater than normal, and not as a result of internal body current. Toni Bunnell (1997) suggests that the linking of energy fields between practitioner and earth allows the practitioner to draw on the ‘infinite energy source’ or ‘universal energy field’ via the Schuman Resonance. Prof Paul Davies and Dr John Gribben in The Matter Myth (1991), discuss the quantum physics view of a ‘living universe’ in which everything is connected in a ‘living web of interdependence’. All of this supports the subjective experience of ‘oneness’ and ‘expanded consciousness’ related by those who regularly receive or self-treat with Reiki.
Both Zimmerman (1990) in the USA and Seto (1992) in Japan further investigated the large pulsating biomagnetic field that is emitted from the hands of energy practitioners whilst they work. They discovered that the pulses are in the same frequencies as brain waves, and sweep up and down from 0.3 – 30 Hz, focusing mostly in 7 – 8 Hz , alpha state. Independent medical research has shown that this range of frequencies will stimulate healing in the body, with specific frequencies being suitable for different tissues. For example, 2 Hz encourages nerve regeneration, 7 Hz bone growth, 10Hz ligament mending, and 15 Hz capillary formation. Physiotherapy equipment based on these principles has been designed to aid soft tissue regeneration, and ultra-sound technology is commonly used to clear clogged arteries and disintegrate kidney stones. Also, it has been known for many years that placing an electrical coil around a fracture that refuses to mend will stimulate bone growth and repair.
Becker explains that ‘brain waves’ are not confined to the brain, but travel throughout the body via the perineural system, the sheaths of connective tissue surrounding all nerves. During a treatment, these waves begin as relatively weak pulses in the thalamus of the practitioner’s brain, and gather cumulative strength as they flow to the peripheral nerves of the body, including the hands. The same effect is mirrored in the person receiving treatment, and Becker suggests that it is this system, more than any other, that regulates injury repair and homeostasis. This highlights one of the special features of Reiki (and similar therapies), that both practitioner and client receive the benefits of a treatment, which makes it very efficient. For an extensive review of this research see J Oschman ‘Energy Medicine’, pub. by Churchill Livingstone, 2000.
It is interesting to note that both Becker and Cade carried out their research on a wide array of cross-cultural subjects, and no matter what their belief systems or customs, or how opposed to each other their customs were, all tested the same. Part of Reiki’s growing popularity is that it does not impose a set of beliefs, and can therefore be used by people of any background and faith, or none at all. This neutrality makes it particularly appropriate to a medical setting.
End of Part 1. Go to Part 2.
References (for both parts 1 and 2)
Becker, Robert O. ‘The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life’, Pub: William Morrow & Co. Inc. 1985
Bunnell T., ‘A tentative mechanism for healing’, Positive Health, Nov/Dec 1997.
Cade M. & Coxhead N., ‘The Awakened Mind;Biofeedback and the Development of Higher States of Awareness’, pub: Element Books, 1996 (reprint).
Davies P, & Gribben J., ‘The Matter Myth’, Pub: Penguin, (1991).
Hartwell B. & Brewitt B., ‘The efficacy of Reiki hands-on healing: improvements in adrenal, spleen and nervous function as quantified by electro-dermal screening’, Alternative Therapies, July 1997, Vol 3, 4.
Oschman J, & Oschman N., ‘Energy Review (parts 1,2,3,4,5)’, Jnl of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Vol 1, issues 1,2,3, Churchill Livingstone (1996/7).
Olson K. & Hanson J., ‘Using Reiki to manage pain, a preliminary report’, Prevention & controle en cancerologie, 1 (2) , 1997.
Samarel N., ‘The experience of receiving therapeutic Touch’, Jnl of Advanced Nursing 17, (1992).
Seto A. et al., ‘Detection of extraordinarily large bio-magnetic field strength from human during external Qi emission’, Acupuncture and Electro-therapeutics Int. Jnl. Vol 17. 1992.
Schlitz M. & Braud W., ‘Reiki Plus natural healing: an ethnographic / experimental study’, Psi Research, 4, (1985).
‘Scientific Research on Transcendental Meditation, Part 1, Jan 1998’. British Association for the Medical Application of TM.
Wirth D. et al. ‘The effect of complementary healing therapy on postoperative pain after surgical removal of impacted third molar teeth’, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 1, (1993).
‘Dr Yan Xin on Scientific Qigong Research’, International Yan Xin Qigong Assoc., (1999).
Yan Xin, ‘Exploring the Mechanisms of Qigong Healing’, 1999 Yan Xin Qigong Assoc.
‘Structure and property changes in certain materials influenced by the external qi of qigong.’ Material Research Innovations, 2, 349-359 (1999).
‘The effect of short and long term qi emissions on three biochemical processes: nucleotide polymerization, protein (Fab fragment) crystallization, and enzyme (Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase) activity.’ Materials Research Innovations, 2 (1999).
‘Observation of the effect of external qi on the ultraviolet absorption of nucleic acids.’ Ziran Zazhi (The Nature Journal, in Chinese), 11 (1988).
‘Observation on the bromination in solution of n-hexane and bromine under the influence of external qi.’ Ziran Zazhi (The Nature Journal, in Chinese), 11 (1988).
Zimmerman J., ‘New technologies detect effects of healing hands’, Brain/Mind Bulletin, Vol 10, No 16. Sept 30, 1985.
Zimmerman J, ‘The laying-on of hands, healing and therapeutic touch: a testable theory BEMI currents’, Journal of the Bio-Electromagnetics Institute. Vol 2, 1990.
First uploaded to this website 5 Feb 2015, and updated 29 March 2015. © Tamisha Sabrina, March 2000.
I originally saw this article on 18 Nov 2003 on UK Reiki Federation website reikifed.co.uk. I contacted the federation in 2015 and they contacted Tamisha and obtained permission from her to re-publish this article here. Permission obtained on 5 Feb 2015. The federation also emailed me this article in word document. Minor style amends were needed to format the article to the web. There is a shorter version of this article circulated over the web, but here you can read the complete article in full. Do not copy or publish this article without written permission. Thank you. – Gil Dekel.
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