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| '''Energy''' in ], refers to a widespread belief in an interpersonal, ] force or essence. ] is a general term for a force that animates living things. Believers consider spiritual energy to be of a different type than those known to science. | '''Energy''' in ], refers to a widespread belief in an interpersonal, ] force or essence. ] is a general term for a force that animates living things. Believers consider spiritual energy to be of a different type than those known to science. | ||
| Various ideas spiritual energy have been postulated in various cultures, prominent amongst them are: | Various ideas pertaining to ''spiritual energy'' have been postulated in various cultures, prominent amongst them are: | ||
| *the ] idea of the ] or ] | *the ] idea of the ] or ] | ||
| *The traditional ] ] | *The traditional ] ] | ||
Revision as of 06:22, 18 July 2006
For other uses of the term energy, see Energy (disambiguation)Energy in spirituality, refers to a widespread belief in an interpersonal, non-physical force or essence. Vitalism is a general term for a force that animates living things. Believers consider spiritual energy to be of a different type than those known to science. Various ideas pertaining to spiritual energy have been postulated in various cultures, prominent amongst them are:
- the Christian idea of the soul or spirit
- The traditional Chinese qi
- The Indian chakra or shakti
- The New Age/paranormal aura
- The "orgone energy" of Wilhelm Reich
- The morphogenetic fields of biologist Rupert Sheldrake
- The Odic force of chemist Carl von Reichenbach
Various forms of mysticism often associate "bad energy" with disease, and "good energy" and healing powers. Most theories involve the ability to actively influence one's energy. For example, acupuncture purports to have beneficial effects on the human body by manipulating its natural flow of energy. Reiki is a similar procedure in Japanese culture which involves the qi (ki) and the laying of hands. Different theories hold different judgements on the ability of plants or animals to hold energy forces.
Theories of spiritual energy are not validated by the scientific method, thus are dismissed as non-empirical beliefs by the scientific community. Theories of spiritual energy are often felt to be a "folie à plusieurs".(see pseudoscience)
Scientific validation
Throughout history, pseudoscientific claims about "spiritual energy" have attempted to gain credibility by associating with forms of energy that were poorly understood by scientists. In the 1800s, electricity and magnetism were in the "borderlands" of science and the subject of considerable electrical quackery. In the 2000s, quantum mechanics and grand unification theory provide similar opportunities for empirical claims of spiritual energy being physically manifest.
"Spiritual energy" is often equated with empirically understood forces. For example, some believers in the "aura" equate it with electromagnetism, claims that have not yet been supported by experiment. Nevertheless electromagnetic fields are used in standard medical procedures, such as radiation therapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and magnetic resonance imaging.
Several people, for example, The magician James Randi have for many years (as of 2004) offered one million US dollars to any person capable of repeatedly detecting psychic energy fields. No one has demonstrated this ability in a controlled situation. (see The $1 million challenge)
Other proposed treatments, such as magnet therapy are considered ineffective until it is demonstrated that they beat the placebo effect. (see Franz Mesmer)