It very well can be. A common practice that is similar to it is Reiki, using one's life force to heal and soothe a person from within. In times when magic was a lot stronger, such as in the time of Christ, it was not exactly uncommon to hear of illnesses and maladies being healed by the correct application of energy.
These days, with divinity being more separated from the world and men is less in tune with those forces, it's not exactly possible, not that I am aware of at least, but channeling positive energy through one's hands, for yourself and others, has been a proven method of therapy and helps the body recover on it's own.
Healing touch can be done by anyone with the right intention. All of life can be considered miraculous if you do not understand the energy behind it. As an example, my husband was suffering from an anxiety attack yesterday and his heartbeat was very irregular. To aid in calming him, I lay beside him and slowed my breathing so that his body would respond by slowing down also. Within 10 minutes his heartbeat had slowed and become regular and he felt fine. It is all in the intent.
'Healing touch can be done by anyone with the right intention.' - agreed.
'All of life can be considered miraculous if you do not understand the energy behind it.' - sure, and I'm a believer in mundane physical laws. I do believe in miracles separately.
'As an example, my husband was suffering from an anxiety attack yesterday and his heartbeat was very irregular. To aid in calming him, I lay beside him and slowed my breathing so that his body would respond by slowing down also. Within 10 minutes his heartbeat had slowed and become regular and he felt fine. It is all in the intent.' - I don't agree it's 'all' in the intent. Maybe a mixture of intent and technique?
You can have all the best techniques in the world...but if you do not have the intent or heart for what you are doing, it will not work. Spiritual arts are based on emotion and pure intent. In truth, you do not need tools or special techniques. If your will is strong and the intent is pure, it will come to pass.
'You can have all the best techniques in the world...but if you do not have the intent or heart for what you are doing, it will not work. Spiritual arts are based on emotion and pure intent. In truth, you do not need tools or special techniques. If your will is strong and the intent is pure, it will come to pass.'
That's interesting. That's exactly how I healed a friend's shoulder once. Thanks for the tip. Now, does it rely on the help of a deity or not?
A further point - of course there are other physical ways of getting things done, e.g. a flu vaccine. But I guess that's obvious. I just feel people shouldn't get too caught up trying to do things in whatever magical way, whether it's praying to Jesus, Satan, Shiva or through their own magical will, in cases where there may be a far easier, physical solution.
One further further thing of note - what was being described there was a very helpful breathing technique. I guess it still required the will to perform the breathing technique?
And then if we do get into talking about will, what's causing the will? It's always linked to emotion? Seems to me that love is the best reason to do anything, although I guess any of the 7 virtues are noble.
In my experience, it does not. Most Reiki teachers do not preach allegiance to any kind of faith. It's a natural art and so is magic. Divine entities are like watchers. It may be favorable to recognize them and ask for their assistance, but I would not say it's strictly required, but that is also from my own experience and point of view. Everyone is different on how they conjure.
You are right of course. It's own way, I view science as a form of applied and explainable magic, for both good and ill, as that is what magic is. It is a raw force that exists across time and space. While perhaps some people shouldn't focus on the ritual, sometimes that is what makes them comfortable and that's what they rely on to allow themselves to conjure.
For instance, I know how to ground myself, center my emotions and gather energy, but I have become accustomed to the idea of imagining myself becoming one with the life force in the earth and I do this by being barefoot and walking unto unpaved areas. Doesn't have to be explicitly grass or marshy, but feeling my body physically in contact with the earth, helps me visualize the process and let's my art work for me.
And yes, you're correct. Will is essential in all things because that is how we draw on the universe and how the universe responds to us. However, like the concept of karma, even the smallest of intent can snowball, especially if supported by a number of people...this can lead to the theory about how deities are born, or like the tulpa, but that can be a very provocative topic.
As for your last question, that is for you to answer. What guides your will? Where does your desire burn? What do you pull from in your hardest moments of life.
It is different for all, but all equally relevant.
Also, I agree it doesn't have to rely on the help of a Deity. You can channel the energy of the Universe. That's the nature of will - power is taking energy and doing something with it.
You could also argue the Universe is a Deity. In the sense of an all-encompassing God, that pervades everything. But I think it's still correct to say it's your own energy.
I just wonder if that's how Jesus did it. He could heal really well, according to several examples in the Gospels.
