Category: energy medicine

Wellness vs Illness, Haripriya Suraj, When Spirit Meets Science
energy medicine, modern medicine, reiki, science, when spirit meets science

Wellness vs Illness

Haripriya Suraj

Being a wellness practitioner, I am often asked by clients and also by family and friends to cure their physical ailments through Reiki. They hope beyond hope that I can do something to bring their thyroid levels back to normal, to help blood sugar stabilise or even to make cancer dissolve.

When I tell them I can teach them about wellness or support them through Reiki sessions, but not perform medical miracles, some of them look at me like something is wrong with me. I can almost read their mind saying – “What kind of a Reiki practitioner are you if you cannot do any of this?”

I may be a Reiki practitioner but Reiki is not some form of magic! It is not a quick fix for illness or for any problem. And it is certainly not something I can do to make a problem vanish from another person’s life. We are each responsible for our own lives.

Reiki is a way of life that empowers people to create physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Reiki takes work. Being well in body, mind and spirit may play a role in helping to prevent certain illnesses and also to cope well if at all illness strikes. But if an illness has already set in, wellness therapy like Reiki alone cannot manage it.

For a long time, I had a hard time telling people that there is a difference between wellness and illness. I often felt judged for recommending that someone must seek medical assistance for illness.

While there are plenty of anecdotal accounts of miraculous medical healings and they are certainly inspiring, they are not the same as ‘evidence.’ Evidence is when a particular therapy is proven to have a specific effect on a specific condition, and is accepted as a fact worldwide.

Being married to a cancer surgeon and co-authoring the book ‘When Spirit Meets Science’ with him has helped me clearly understand the difference between anecdote and evidence. This work has helped me appreciate the amount of effort that goes into conventional medical research before treatments are certified and offered to the world. As explained in the book, the principles of evidence based medicine can be easily applied to ‘alternative’ therapies too. Therefore, until we have a more solid scientific backing, I prefer to call wellness therapies complementary or supportive treatment.

Over the years, I have learned to drop the fear of judgment and to not hesitate to tell someone that they need medical evaluation. They are welcome to ask for Reiki but they must also take medical support if required.

Finally, I believe wellness therapies like Reiki offer enough value in themselves and don’t need a medical tag to certify their worth ( unless someone wants to test its efficacy in treating physical illnesses).

A Reiki session can help to relax the body, still the mind and calm the emotions. It can also help one experience the richness of their inner spiritual world. I believe these aspects are also essential components of any healing process. Reiki is always open to anyone who is interested in adopting a holistic approach to healing.

This image shows love in an article on alchemy with love by Haripriya Suraj in the blog When Spirit Meets Science
energy medicine, Spirit, when spirit meets science

Alchemy With Love

Haripriya Suraj

There are two ways to operate in life-

Love

Non-love

Very often, a given situation will have a completely different feel to it, depending on whether love is the driving force behind it or non-love.

Non-love could be defined as any state of being that makes one feel negative, uncomfortable, anxious, restless etc.

Love brings softness and higher consciousness into the picture. Love can elevate the vibration of even seemingly routine or mundane situations and make them take on a whole new quality.

When you find yourself feeling low, pause and tune in to your heart.

Ask yourself where you are operating from.

Now bring the element of love into the situation and tune in again.

If the emotions you are feeling are very intense, it may not be possible to tune in to your heart without addressing the emotional charge first. I find the practice of Emotional Freedom Technique to be very helpful in bringing down the intensity of difficult emotions. However, different techniques work for different people. So pick a practice that works best for you.

Once emotional intensity drops and you are able to tune in to your heart space, notice what happens.

You are likely to find that your perspective about the situation shifts. This is usually followed by the situation itself transforming for the better.

Remember, love is like a ‘healing balm.’ It can comfort, soothe, uplift and transform, sometimes in an instant.

Let’s invite more love into our lives!

This image depicts the sacral chakra in an article on wellness by Haripriya Suraj
energy medicine, reiki, when spirit meets science

Sacral Chakra Wisdom

Haripriya Suraj

The sacral chakra is an energy centre corresponding to the pelvic region of the physical body.

The health of this chakra is associated primarily with the following-

Emotions

Giving ourselves the permission to feel the wide spectrum of human emotions is vital to living a balanced life. The moment we label an emotion as ‘ unacceptable’ or ‘bad,’ we create a block within our energy system. This holds true for women as well as men. Men are often not given as much liberty as women to feel or reveal their emotional side. In the new paradigm, it is perfectly permissible and normal for men to feel and honour varied emotions and to allow themselves to feel vulnerable.

Sexuality

Sexual energy is a gift of the Universe. It is the force behind creation itself. However, sexuality is often associated with shame and disruption. It is also often a misused resource, as in cases of sexual abuse and assault. Not feeling safe or comfortable about one’s sexuality is a sign of imbalance in the sacral chakra. Feeling a healthy connection to one’s sexuality while respecting and honouring the sexuality and sexual boundaries of others is an indication of a healthy sacral chakra. As wounds related to sexuality are carried by many in the world, this is one chakra that needs significant attention.

Creative potential

The sacral chakra is the ‘womb’ of the energy system. It is associated with creative potential of all kinds, including the potential within the female womb where new life takes form. It is important to know that creation is not restricted to giving birth alone. Any kind of creation is an outcome of creative potential at work.

Place your palm on your sacral chakra and connect to your creative side. How does it feel? Are you utilising your complete potential? What is longing to be birthed through you? Can you channel more of your energy to birth creations unique to you? Each of us is born with unique talents. We can give ourselves the permission to recognise them and share them with the world.

Ability to flow with life

Flowing with life means letting go of the need to control every aspect of life. Is it truly possible to be in control always? Excessive control can begin to feel constricting. Letting go of control doesn’t mean no action must be taken. Action in the right direction must be taken when called for. Letting go means not being too fixated on outcomes. It is the art of taking action and then allowing life to unfold in its own glory.

Blessings!

Related Posts

Root Chakra Wisdom

This is an image of a market showing good vibes in a post by Haripriya Suraj on When Spirit Meets Science
energy medicine, when spirit meets science

Bengaluru Diaries: The Magic & Logic of Good Vibes

Haripriya Suraj

A Sunday evening walk through the streets of Malleshwaram, a bustling locality in our city Bengaluru (Bangalore), turned out to be a soul-stirring experience. Malleshwaram, is one among a handful of localities, that has kept up with the times yet retains the sweet charm of old Bengaluru.

Being a sensitive person, I rarely enjoy crowded and noisy environments. However, the experience at Malleshwaram always feels different.

Fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables are stocked in abundance in every nook and corner. The roads are lined with carts and vendors of all kinds, with everything from simple hairbands to elaborate clothing and footwear being made available to shoppers. The smell of freshly ground coffee powder wafts through the air while friends are seen bonding over chai (tea).

As a bonus, with Diwali (Indian Festival of Lights) around the corner, the shops are now brightly lit and seem to be offering a warm welcome to customers.

Despite being amidst hundreds of people that evening, I felt surprisingly peaceful and refreshed at the end of the walk.

I did some energy analysis and attributed the good vibes in the air to the fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables. These are considered to be ‘high prana’, meaning their quotient of life force energy continues to be high for quite some time after they are harvested. Logically speaking, there’s something about farm-fresh produce that gives many of us a good feeling. When the streets are occupied by as many flowers, fruits and vegetables as humans, the denser human energy is likely to be balanced by the lighter vibes stemming from the former.

My husband Suraj attributed this good feel to the fact that it may feel refreshing to see many humans together, after the Covid scenario severed our connection with the outside world for more than a year. I agree with this viewpoint too for we humans have an innate need for love and connection.

Humans apart, when you also have colourful and nourishing vegetables, fruits and flowers for company, any place can transform into ‘Paradise on Earth!’ I feel grateful for the abundance of goodness on this beautiful planet.

This is an image showing healing in a post by Haripriya Suraj in the blog 'When Spirit Meets Science.'
energy medicine, personal, reiki

The Healing Energy Of Young Children

Haripriya Suraj

My little toddler is a bundle of energy and knows how to keep everyone on their toes! Her activity is not just restricted to the day but spills over to the nights too.

She often wakes up around 3 a.m. and stays up and about till the break of dawn. This is the time when my energy is lowest and I can barely open my eyes, forget the possibility of playing with an energetic one-year-old!

My husband, being a surgeon, is more accustomed to erratic sleeping hours and most often steps in to do the night shifts with the little one. However, if he has surgery scheduled for early the next morning, I take over so he can get some quality sleep.

Recently, on one such night, my toddler was cranky when she woke up. She did not want to play but wanted to be held instead. I had barely had two hours of sleep and I spent the rest of the night holding her. This went on until 5:30 a.m. By this time, my eyes were heavy and I realised I couldn’t keep them open any longer. I put her back in her crib assuming she would be ready to go back to sleep too. However, she stood up and began sobbing. My heart melted, for it was apparent she was in some sort of distress. I lifted her out of the crib and put her beside me on my bed.

It was 6 a.m. already and I knew I just had some time left for a snooze. I was certain I would wake up feeling cranky and a bad day would follow.

As I drifted into slumber, I could feel my little angel’s warmth enveloping me. I am not sure how exactly to describe the experience but it almost felt like a Reiki session in progress. I felt a soft sweet energy flowing from her to me. The negative loop in my head soon stopped playing. And I fell into deep slumber.

I woke up 45 minutes later and saw my little daughter fast asleep beside me.

I knew something had shifted within me from having her beside me. I woke up feeling as recharged as I would be after my six hours of sleep. My worries about having a bad day had transformed into positive anticipation and I looked forward to the goodness the day could bring. And yes, I did have a great day!

I have no idea what the logic to this experience could be. But I personally feel some magic unfolded in those minutes. I was holding her for several hours prior and do so every single day, but those few minutes stood out in some way.

Young children are pure souls. Their energy is light and uncontaminated. I feel some of her purity rubbed off on me and healed my grumpiness.

I am grateful for the sweet energy young children bring into this world. I believe they are the closest representation of divine love and purity.

This is an image of Haripriya Suraj on When Spirit Meets Science
energy medicine, personal, when spirit meets science

Energy That Heals The Soul

Haripriya Suraj

Rolling hills, coffee plantations, sprawling paddy fields, orange and silver oak trees, crystal clear streams and varieties of birds and insects! My short holiday to Coorg – one of the most beautiful locations in our state – was a feast to the soul and senses.

My ‘sensing mode’ is always on and I automatically tune in to the energy of a given place. I see how the energy dynamics of different places can help enrich my growth and well-being.

So it was with Coorg. On the day of our departure from there, I spent some time in solitude, contemplating on and integrating the energy I had been surrounded by during the time spent there.

And here’s what came up-

Mama Earth is so beautiful. Those of us living in cities rarely have the privilege to experience Earth in all her glory. It felt wonderful to see acres and acres of lush green trees. The greenery was soothing to the eyes and healing to the soul.

The air was clean and pure and it felt refreshing to breathe.

While the sounds of crickets served as a gentle bedtime lullaby, waking up to the melody of a hundred birds chirping helped to welcome the day with joy and gratitude.

In today’s world, connecting with nature often means taking the support of science in some way. It requires an automobile to reach the wilderness. Once there, it also requires a solid roof over the head and some electricity and water to experience a decent stay. Science is a huge part of our lives now and I feel grateful for the many things it has made possible for the world. At the same time, I also believe we must be responsible and utilise resources mindfully.

Coming to the human interactions, the staff at the resort were Angels in disguise. They were gentle and kind and went about their duties with a smile. The logic to this is that they have been trained to serve in this manner. But unless one has some passion for this kind of work and also some innate skill, I personally feel they cannot thrive in the service industry. These souls are surrounded by all kinds of energies throughout the day – some guests are polite, some can be rude and others can be unreasonably demanding. It requires a certain spirit to continue to do one’s best under pressure and to stay sane along the way.

I relaxed into the gracious warmth offered by the staff and allowed myself to receive completely. I also consciously returned the same energy back to them in the form of smiles, appreciation and gratitude. They may have just been executing the job they were paid to do. But at the end of the day, everyone is human.

Warmth, love and human connection keep the world going.

energy medicine, reiki, Spirit, when spirit meets science

Divine Downloads: Tapping Into The Force Of Creative Flow

Haripriya Suraj

I have always felt the book ‘When Spirit Meets Science’ was a ‘divine download.’

The idea for the book came to me as a vision when I was in deep meditation one morning in the December of 2018.

I casually mentioned this to my partner Suraj and asked what he thought of it. He immediately said it would be a good idea for us to work on it and bring it into reality.

The book, which we began authoring in early February 2019, was ready by the end of the month.

The creation of the book was effortless. It almost felt like someone was dictating the content and we were only putting whatever came to us down on paper.

This is what I mean by a ‘divine download’ – when a project just flows and requires minimal human effort; when it almost feels like another force is at work to make it happen.

This force is not something ‘out’ there.

I personally believe and feel this force is part of each one of us.

It is an aspect of our own consciousness.

It may be unexplored territory for many of us.

It is not something concrete that can be measured or explained by the physical senses.

If you begin to look for evidence to support the existence of such a force, it most certainly will leave you disappointed.

In energy healing circles, we believe we tap into this inspirational and creative force through the ‘third eye’ energy centre, the space between the eyebrows.

From a scientific perspective, I am certain there is a centre in the brain that governs creativity.

But here we are talking about much more than creative function or capacity. We are talking about an inspired and effortless flow of activity that ends in the creation of a beautiful piece of work.

A certain level of trust and surrender may be necessary for one to experience ‘effortless flow’. If the logical mind is going to overpower you and you begin to feel you are imagining things, it may be harder to get a taste of the ‘flow state.’

Don’t get me wrong! The logical mind is a valuable asset and this work we are doing is all about integrating the forces of magic and logic. However, at times, the barrier of the logical mind can be so hard to break that being open to different experiences becomes literally impossible.

Practices like Reiki and meditation can help one experience a state of flow easily.

I can go on and on about this but no amount of my explaining can do as much justice to these concepts as can your personal experience of them.

Do you feel ready to explore different dimensions of yourself?

Maybe even access some Divine Downloads waiting to be birthed through you?

Have fun exploring!

energy medicine, modern medicine, personal, when spirit meets science

Hospitals : Dramatic & Deep Healing Energy Zones

Haripriya Suraj

Being a sensitive person, I take care to monitor the kind of content I read or watch and the kind of people I interact with.

I avoid sensational news and only stay updated with whatever is essential to know.

I also limit time spent with people who are into drama and gossip.

I have always been a sensitive person. However, becoming a Reiki practitioner seems to have made me even more sensitive. While the upside to this is that my experience of life has grown richer, the downside is that encountering even the slightest of negative energy in the outside world can take a toll if I am not cautious.

While I do have the choice to monitor the kind of energy I allow into my life, my husband Suraj does not.

Being a cancer surgeon, drama and negativity are routine for him.

Many people visiting hospitals are cranky. If it’s an illness like cancer, it’s even perfectly normal for someone to feel upset or angry about their diagnosis.

However, very often, people lose all sense of reasoning and control, and hospital staff, (primarily doctors and nurses) are at the receiving end of patients’ anger and frustration.

When Suraj comes home from work, I can sense if he has encountered heavy energy in hospital. Further conversation throws light on the kind of human interactions that unfolded during the course of the day. And very often, these encounters are difficult and unpleasant.

While a few patients and caregivers are absolute angels, many are neutral and some are difficult. Not just ‘normal difficult,’ as in when someone is upset for a while and regains their sanity with time. It’s the kind of ‘difficult’ that is always difficult.

In energy healing circles, we refer to this difficult category as ‘people who suck your energy.’ They are the kind of people you may find talking down to staff in restaurants, not giving a damn about societal or civic decorum, or throwing their weight around to show everyone who’s boss; arrogant, haughty and disrespectful in short.

Imagine what may happen when such people receive a difficult diagnosis or need to undergo life-saving surgery? How would they deal with the crisis? How would they interact with the people who are put in charge of their recovery?

The details can be rather disturbing and messy.

While the medical profession is challenging on every level, I personally feel it also offers some great opportunities for growth. It trains you to become thick-skinned when required. It pushes you to do much more than what you may think is possible. It exposes you to all kinds of energy – good and bad, ugly and beautiful- and broadens your perspective on life. It teaches you how to be or how not to be with fellow humans. In a way, it is training for life itself.

I cannot speak for every doctor, for each person is different. But being part of the medical world has certainly made my kind and sensitive partner Suraj thick-skinned. While he relaxes into his softer side in the comfort of home, I feel proud that he knows how to transform into a ‘tough nut’ while at work!

This is an image of relxation in the post on Reiki& Going with the Flow by Haripriya Suraj
energy medicine, reiki, self love, Spirit

Going With The Flow Of Life & Reiki

Haripriya Suraj

After a week spent doing much creative work, I suddenly felt saturated to the brim.

And stuck…

I could not pick up my pen to journal nor my laptop to blog.

A part of me was distressed wondering what was happening.

When I tuned in to my inner voice, it whispered I had to let it all go for a day and simply be.

The body followed suit and got me feeling all achy and sore.

I knew I had to take a day off and give both my physical as well as creative muscles time to recharge.

My personal Reiki time felt extra special for I had no agenda on my mind.

As Reiki infused my body, mind and soul with its gentle warmth, I felt deeply rested.

There was nothing to plan for the day ahead.

As I soaked in my Reiki experience, I contemplated the meaning of going with the flow.

I felt blessed that Reiki practice forces us to slow down when we start to race! I’m glad I chose to honour the needs of my body and mind when they were begging for rest.

I could not take an entire day off because I have ‘mommy duties’ to attend to.

However, I did try to make the best of my ‘REST!’ And that was good enough.

No matter how busy our modern lives may be, don’t we all deserve these little breaks?

this is an image of root chakra in the article on Root Chakra by Haripriya Suraj on When Spirit Meets Science
energy medicine, reiki, when spirit meets science

Root Chakra Wisdom

Haripriya Suraj

In energy healing circles, the root chakra is one of the seven primary chakras (energy centres) we work with.

The root chakra is seen as an energy centre located at the base of the spine. This is not a physical structure in the body but a representation of the energy body at the ‘base of spine’ level.

At the moment, there is no way we can scientifically prove the existence of chakras. However, the objective here is not to generate proof. It is to understand and apply the invaluable wisdom presented by the theory of ‘Chakras.’

Root Chakra Wisdom

As the name suggests, the root chakra is to humans what roots are to plants.

Roots help plants and trees stay grounded to the Earth and serve as a medium for them to receive nourishment.

In the case of humans, the root chakra primarily represents –

  1. Ability to stay grounded in day-to-day reality on Planet Earth.
  2. Feelings of safety, security and support
  3. Matters of survival on the planet

If someone is preoccupied by fantasy and is disconnected from the reality of everyday life, we say they are ungrounded and have an imbalanced root chakra.

Same goes for people who are very fearful and anxious and experience the world as a dangerous place with many threats to their survival.

The root chakra is like the foundation of existence.

One can manage life with a wobbly foundation. But building a strong one can bring in more ease to life.

Contemplate the health of your own root chakra.

Do you feel safe, stable and grounded?

Do you sense any blocks in your root chakra? Are you aware of an incident from your past that is the likely cause of these blocks? If yes, how can you work on them?

Knowing you feel blocked in specific areas is a huge achievement in itself. Awareness of self is the first and most important step of the healing process.

Stay grounded! Stay happy!