CONSCIOUSNESS AND COGNITION IN ALTERNATIVE HEALERS: AN INTERIM REpORT ON RESEARCH INTO THE RELATIONSHIP OF BELIEF, HEALING, AND PURPORTED SUBTLE ENERGIES

Abstract

This ongoing research explores the psychological processes associated with the attempts of individuals who attempt to beneficially influence physiology of living organisms through such methods as wishing, laying-on of hands, prayer, and the purported transfer of subtle "energy." Participants met specific criteria of social and/or scientific acceptability. A multiphasic research approach is explored in which the writings of a variety of healers were analyzed. A content analysis of the writings of 3 scholarly healer-researchers clarified and objectified healers' esoteric language, and an experiential inventory was developed. A systematic analysis was then performed using 10 books wrinen by well known healers in combination with 10 taped interviews of individuals who demonstrated healing (or biological influencing) under controlled conditions. Interviewees also ranked the importance of each major area of consciousness.

Ranked averages indicate that the principal features of Transpersonal Healing (TH) are alterations in attention, cognitive processes and sense of self. Qualitative analysis reveals that TH involves self-regulation of attention, physiology, and cognition, the induction of altered awareness and reorganization of the healer's construction of cultural and personal realities. Attention is directed towards intrapsychic processes, resulting in (1) increased accessibility of subconscious materials, (2) enhanced empathy, (3) heightened emotional responses. (4) modified aHirudes. (5) altered meanings, and (6) distortions in time sense. Most significant among ontologic changes is a modification. or transcendence. of the healers' ordinary sense of self and absorption within functional beliefs. TH healer types appear to represent a range of contemporary subtypes of "pure" shamanic practice, the core process of TH being described as encompassing methodologies used to intentionally activate an endogenous healing potential. A taxonomic system is proposed and recommendations for future research are presented.