Tag: haripriya suraj

This is an image in the article on inner child wounds , self love and self esteem in the blog when spirit meets science by Haripriya Suraj
inner child, reiki, self love, Spirit

Self Esteem & Self Love : Two Keys To Unlock Magic

Haripriya Suraj

As I sat down to pen this post, my head hurt and my heart felt heavy.

As children, many of us sought the attention and approval of people in authority, teachers and parents being primary. I found myself in a similar situation recently; like a little school girl not feeling good enough, because an authority figure refused to give me the validation I was unconsciously seeking!

How we viewed ourselves as children depended largely on how our elders viewed us. We felt good when they showed us their love and gave us their approval. We felt miserable when they withdrew their love and approval on account of something we did or didn’t do. If we had siblings, we may also have experienced bouts of jealousy when our sibling seemed to receive more attention or praise than us.

All of this is understandable because children are largely dependent on adults to meet their needs.

However, if we experience such emotions even as adults, they are like ‘wounds’ and need to be healed.

Such wounds can be healed completely or at least managed well when they show up. We do have the power to help ourselves.

Taking my own example, thanks to the intense inner work I have done and to my spiritual practices, I am able to manage my childhood wounds when they show up unexpectedly. I am aware enough to know when I am being sucked into a negative spiral. After some time spent moping, I make it a point to pull myself out of it with the support of tools such as Reiki, Meditation and Emotional Freedom Technique ( a healing modality that involves tapping on different points and areas of the body while making specific statements).

Self-esteem and self-love are two common areas that need attention in many of us.

While self-esteem points at how good we feel about ourselves, self-love is about our ability to love ourselves, exactly as we are – good and bad, amazing and flawed…

The easiest way to feel good about yourself is to go back in time and connect with the infant or young child you once were. You were born a blank slate. Your mind was empty and your heart pure. You were perfectly comfortable being who you were.

However, if you were repeatedly told you were a ‘bad boy’ or ‘bad girl’ or ‘hopeless kid,’ there is a possibility you may have internalised those labels. As an adult, you may not feel good about yourself unless certain people tell you how wonderful you are.

It is important to catch yourself when you find yourself seeking excessive approval or validation from others. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that external validation is not a measure of your worth. You are worthy simply by virtue of being a human being. Your talents and achievements build up your personality. They add value to your life and to the lives of others. But they are in no way a measure of your innate worth.

Bring your attention to your positive attributes. Think of at least three strengths you possess simply because of who you are. Give yourself the validation you seek. This will shift the energy and help you feel good about yourself instantaneously.

Learning to love yourself is another important milestone. The easiest way to love yourself is to accept that you are human, which means, you have feelings and emotions, good moods and bad, good days and bad. No one on this planet is perfect and neither are you. This does not mean you must make excuses when you err or make the same mistakes over and over again. It simply means you love yourself through all your ups and downs, highs and lows, good and bad times, empowered and weak moments.

I have personally found Emotional Freedom Technique to be very helpful when you need to address and release intense emotions and love yourself through it all. Explore this if you feel called to.

The reins to self-esteem and self-love must only be in your hands. Never hand them over to others.

Love can be shared more generously with others when you love yourself first.

You can help others feel good about themselves when you first feel good about yourself.

Loving yourself unlocks the magic of life!

It elevates your vibration and makes you a magnet to draw more goodness into your life.

Vibe high!

energy medicine, reiki, Spirit, Uncategorized

Energy Body : Meaning & Significance

Haripriya Suraj

Working with the ‘Energy Body’ is an integral aspect of wellness therapies like Reiki.

The Energy Body also goes by other names such as aura and energy field.

The Energy Body is typically depicted as an invisible field of energy around the physical body. It is not static. Instead, it is seen as a fluid and dynamic field that intermingles with the physical body.

From a practical standpoint, the Energy Body represents the sum total of an individual’s quality of life. This includes –

  1. Physical Health & Wellness – How healthy an individual is and how good they feel in their body.
  2. Mental Makeup – What kind of thoughts pre-occupy an individual’s mind, how they harness the power of their mind , does their mind mostly work for or against them.
  3. Emotional Wellbeing – How an individual feels and processes their positive as well as negative emotions.
  4. Social Support & Connection – How connected one feels to family, friends and to the world at large, what is the quality of these connections.
  5. Spiritual Strength – How much one is able to tap in to their source of inner strength, what is their level of connection to the Universe (or a higher non-physical power) and their ability to feel supported by the same.

The Energy Body is divided into sub-systems called ‘Chakras’ or ‘Energy Centres.’ Each of the Chakras represents a certain aspect of human life.

Since the Energy Body and its Chakras cannot be seen or measured in a concrete manner, their existence may be labeled a ‘hypothesis,’ when viewed through a scientific lens. Such concepts may also seem illusory to many.

However, before dismissing the hypothesis, it may help to reflect on the inherent wisdom it contains and the potential it holds to help people create well-being in their lives (the significance of each Chakra shall be discussed in detail in future posts).

When we work on a specific chakra, we work on a certain aspect of life and strive to bring it into balance and harmony. In other words, we work on becoming better.

When we work consciously on each of the chakras, we address almost all aspects of human existence and move towards creating a well-grounded and well-rounded life.

This is one of the primary goals of energy based wellness therapies.

Uncategorized

The Marvels of Modern Medicine

Haripriya Suraj

Modern Medicine is one of the greatest offerings of Science.

As a child, I looked up to modern medicine. I loved being checked on gently by my kind-hearted physician. I knew that a visit to his clinic would often involve receiving a bottle of colourful potion, drinking which would help me feel better!

I watched my grandparents with multiple health problems lead long lives of fairly good quality, while the generation prior to theirs succumbed to simple illnesses in their forties and fifties. Thanks to the support of modern medicine, my grandparents lived into their eighties.

My own life was saved by modern medicine when I developed a pregnancy-induced life-threatening condition. Had I developed the same condition a century ago, I would have been one among millions of women who lost their lives to pregnancy.

Much of what we take for granted today posed a huge threat to our ancestors – smallpox, typhoid, cholera, rabies, snakebites, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus and the list goes on.

Appendicitis meant death in the past whereas today it is no big deal at all!

Anaesthesia for surgical procedures is another feather in the cap. It’s hard to imagine how terrifying it may feel to be cut open without being put to sleep!

The life-saving measures offered by modern healthcare, both in the form of medicine and surgery, are one of its greatest contributions to humanity.

Certain common health conditions like diabetes and hypertension may not have a cure yet but they can certainly be managed well through a combination of medicine and lifestyle measures.

Vaccinations are another significant contribution of medical science. All of us reading this have witnessed the havoc caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. While some are not for vaccines, the fact remains that vaccination has been a safe and reliable solution for several million people in the last few decades and more recently during the Covid outbreak.

I am sometimes asked why science must focus on the remedies to illness. Why not teach people to be well so we can prevent illness from developing in the first place?

My answer is that illness is part of the world we live in.

As wellness practitioners, we can certainly teach people about how to stay well.

But does that guarantee that illness will disappear?

All of us need the support of healthcare from time to time, even if just for simple health concerns.

Let’s intend and work towards creating a safe and disease-free world.

Let’s work towards helping people embrace wellness.

At the same time, it is important to be awake to the fact that illness is as much a part of the current world as wellness.

Opposites co-exist on this plane of duality called Planet Earth.

For as long as this is the case, healthcare is required.

Wellness can go hand in hand with medical care (where required).

Medicine has always been part of humankind’s history.

The Native Medicine of the past has evolved into the Modern Medicine of today.

When we take a moment to see how far we have come due to the progress made by medical science, we may find ourselves feeling grateful for it.

Thank you, Science!

Uncategorized

Your Body Is More Than A Machine

Haripriya Suraj

The human body is one of the greatest marvels of creation.

It is so close to us that we often take its magic for granted!

Spend some time contemplating the groundbreaking work your body accomplishes every moment and you may just find a renewed sense of appreciation for it.

Your body is bubbling with intelligent life!

You are able to experience this beautiful creation, thanks to your body.

Are you able to see the vivid colours around you?

Say thanks to your eyes.

Are you able to smell the fresh rain-kissed mud?

Say thanks to your nose.

Are you able to eat and drink?

Say thanks to your digestive system.

Do you walk, run or dance?

Express gratitude to your legs.

Are you able to understand and process the information you are reading here?

Express gratitude to your brain.

The list can go on and on….

Every part, organ and system in your body works tirelessly to keep you alive and well.

It is hard to even comprehend how the body manages to accomplishes such a feat!

The body is not just a mechanical system. We may be so used to its presence that we begin to view and treat it like a machine. In truth, the body is a brilliant work of science and art and it deserves love and care from the one inhabiting it.

Take a minute each day to express your appreciation for your body.

Send love to your body.

Do whatever it takes to support your body. No excuses!

Eating a wholesome diet, exercising, taking time to rest well – all of these are common sense but can feel like a big deal to achieve in today’s fast-paced world.

Who wants to spend time connecting to the body when there are more important things to do?

But remember you are able to do the more ‘important’ things only because your body is supporting you.

All it takes is a twisted ankle or swollen eye to appreciate the remarkable gift of good health the body strives to maintain in each moment.

When you begin to recognise the invaluable contribution made by your body, you develop a love and reverence for it. Neglecting or abusing it in any way becomes impossible. Wellness practices like Reiki and meditation can also help you connect with your body.

The body is a gift of the Universe to you.

Honour it. Bless it. Love it!

This is an image in an article by Haripriya Suraj that describes what energy and vibration mean in the context of energy healing - When Spirit Meets Science
Uncategorized

The Meaning of Energy & Vibration in Wellness Therapy

Haripriya Suraj

Many energy healing practices fall into the category of wellness therapy. The words Energy and Vibration are part of every energy healer’s vocabulary.

These words are usually associated with conventional science. Many people from a scientific background are baffled when they hear these words being tossed around casually by wellness practitioners!

Bring in talk of quantum physics and assert that its findings are in line with those of energy healing, and wellness practitioners are certain to be dismissed as disillusioned people preaching some kind of pseudoscience!

The goal of this article is to shed light on the words ‘energy’ and ‘vibration’ and what they represent in the context of energy healing/wellness therapy.

An understanding of quantum physics isn’t necessary to explain this!

Here goes-

The building block of ALL creation is ENERGY.

This is the core premise of energy healing practices like Reiki and many other wellness therapies.

Energy may manifest as a star, planet, rock, tree, water, fire, air, or human. But at its deepest level, everything in the Universe is seen as some form of energy.

Taking this even further, the thoughts we think, the emotions we feel, the love we share with our dear ones and the way we project ourselves in the world is also seen as energy.

When someone says you have a nice vibe, what they mean is that you are a pleasant person to be around. Your pleasant disposition is the energy you put out into the world.

If someone says you are vibrating at a low frequency, they mean there is a negative pattern or behaviour in you that brings disharmony to you and to those around you. That negative behaviour is the energy you share with the world.

The concept of energy is also fundamental to conventional science but what most scientists mean by energy is radically different from what energy healers mean. There are a few scientists who are open to an inclusive definition of energy but that is their personal definition and belief and is not validated by mainstream science. This is important to understand so as not to mix concepts up and ruffle feathers.

When an energy healer uses the words energy and vibration, it most often means the state of our being at any given point- how good we feel in our body, what we think, how we feel, what we do with our time, how we connect with other beings on the planet and so on.

Going even deeper, sending energy to ourselves or to others (as done in practices like Reiki) can seem incomprehensible too.

What does it mean to send energy to someone? How is that even possible?

Most of us have experienced moments when we think or feel something and the person next to us also expresses the same within a short span of time.

Or we remember someone after a long time and receive a text or call from them soon after.

This phenomenon (called telepathy) is based on the concept that we are connected to everything and everyone in this world and that our energy reaches far and wide to touch others in ways that may not always make logical sense.

There are other times when we have a fleeting vision or desire that comes to pass in mysterious ways.

One can certainly argue that telepathic encounters and other mysterious phenomena are the product of chance and maybe they are at times.

Chance or not, it doesn’t make it any less interesting when it happens!

When we experience life in ways different from what we are accustomed to, it brings in a new dimension to existence.

So, when an energy healer says she is sending energy to someone, it is based on the premise that we are all interconnected. If I am connected to you and I send you love and good thoughts, you can pick that up and receive it to support yourself. Sending energy is the same as consciously sending love, good will or positive intentions to another. All of this may seem illusory and far-fetched, but a certain level of faith, openness and personal experience are required to embrace it. No amount of theory can validate such phenomena as much as personal experience.

In our day-to-day interactions, many of us can decipher who wishes us well and who doesn’t. We know who we can trust and who we cannot. To explain this in terms of energy, we just pick up on the energy of each person we come in contact with and either open up our own energy field to them or protect it from them. At times, we may be vulnerable and allow the negative energies of others to affect us.

The words energy and vibration are meant to help us understand ourselves better, to overcome challenges, to be open to a certain amount of magic to carry us along and to create a wholesome life.

At this point, I would like to make a confession. From my limited understanding, I personally feel there are some interesting parallels between energy healing and conventional science. However, this is my personal belief and I understand I cannot claim it as truth until it can be proven beyond doubt. Till we know better, it may make more sense to stick to the ‘energy’ we know and work with in the field of wellness rather than get our concepts mixed up with conventional science.

If everything is energy at the deepest level, it hardly matters anyway.

All we need is some discernment to know what kind of energy must be applied when!

Uncategorized

Healing The Clash Between Energy Medicine & Modern Medicine?

Haripriya Suraj

As a Reiki healer, my work involves applying principles of energy healing to create wellness for myself and also to help others who are seeking the same.

So why am I choosing to write about modern medicine?

Over the years, I have witnessed an unhealthy clash develop between the worlds of energy and modern medicine. I feel this clash is uncalled for and arises from misconceptions that have formed around modern medicine.

In the year 2007, Reiki synchronistically opened doors for me to view and understand the system of modern medicine and to appreciate the possibilities for healing it brings to this world.

Taking a peek into the world of modern medicine and liking what I saw was not easy. It meant having to periodically clash with the viewpoints of my dear friends in the energy healing community. This was not fun at all, for my energy healer friends are my kind of people, my tribe! They are beautiful souls I can be myself with. I can show my flawed human self to them without fear of judgment and they can do the same with me. We share a bond cemented by unconditional love. Therefore, clashing over a topic like medicine felt rather painful.

Having understood the principles of medical science thoroughly, I could no more find a valid enough reason to be critical of it or to compare it with energy healing. This isn’t to imply that medicine is always practised perfectly. It just means I developed a sense of appreciation for the foundation on which modern medicine is based. As in every other profession, it requires a competent and compassionate healthcare professional to execute it well.

Being an energy healer, it is hard for me to make statements like-

“Modern Medicine treats only the manifestation of the illness and not the root cause.”

“Pharmaceuticals must be avoided because they have side effects.”

Medicine may treat only the manifestation of illness but that doesn’t make it any less significant. Very often, the manifestation of an illness has to be addressed on priority. Modern Medicine is life-giving and life-saving. And this isn’t only in the case of emergencies like heart attacks or accidents. If we look closely into our own households, we can see that it spans way beyond that. Almost all of us know someone who is alive or healthy today only because modern medicine helped them manage a ‘non-emergency’ health condition effectively.

Pharmaceuticals have side effects. But do they deliver the results they are expected to? Almost always!

The side effects of every pharma drug are rigorously documented. There is no sugar coating or guessing game. Besides, these drugs are meant to be prescribed only when their benefits are much greater than their risks. They aren’t meant to be consumed for pleasure, like chocolate! They must be taken when required and this is not something to be ashamed of or looked down upon. Several energy healers feel they are letting their body down if they so much as pop one pill. I personally feel it isn’t necessary to punish ourselves with these beliefs.

Comparing the two streams of healing is similar to comparing a tiger with a cow! It doesn’t make sense to say a tiger is bad and a cow is good or vice versa. It also isn’t fair to compare these creatures without understanding the larger purpose each of them serves in the ecosystem.

The strength and alertness of the tiger are as appreciable as the gentleness and calm of the cow!

So why compare and clash?

It is possible to drop all judgment and be empty.

Let us honour each path for exactly what it offers!

Uncategorized

Reiki – A Doorway to Spirit

Haripriya Suraj

Reiki is a form of energy healing that aids relaxation and well-being.

However, it is also so much more than that.

If one goes deep into Reiki practice, it can also act as a portal that offers a glimpse into the world of Spirit.

As palms lay gently on or over the body, they warm up. This gentle warmth permeates the body and feels like a blanket of comfort.

The breath becomes deep and calm. The body becomes still.

The mind soon follows suit. Thoughts begin to recede into the background and a sweet silence takes over.

In this meditative silence, one is completely in tune with oneself. This state of being opens the doorway to go within and connect with the subtle world of Spirit.

It is hard to describe in words what connecting with Spirit means. It is best experienced rather than explained theoretically. Besides, there are innumerable ways to experience Spirit and it simply cannot all be put into one box.

Reiki practice helps one to connect with Spirit in a calm, loving and expansive energetic space.

Uncategorized

The Promise of Science

Haripriya Suraj

Considering my history, I find it interesting that I feel inspired to write about science today!

As a student, science was never a subject I looked forward to studying. I did not like that it had to be learnt by rote. Mugging up scientific facts and theories without understanding their essence ripped the joy out of learning and concepts remained vague.

Over the years, I began to despise science for I felt it was reserved for an elite section of individuals with a special intelligence and I presumed I did not possess it.

Several years down the line, when learning science was just part of my history, I bumped into my partner Suraj who had an in-depth understanding of science – not just knowledge of fancy theories but varied applications too. And this opened doors for me to learn science again! Not just to learn but also to appreciate it.

It’s amazing how much people we know can teach us if only we are willing to learn.

Co-authoring the book ‘When Spirit Meets Science’ with Suraj made me understand and appreciate one of the core principles upon which the world of science is based.

A hypothesis is rigorously tested before it is presented as fact to the world.

I never appreciated the importance of this principle until I began to ponder the fact that if airplanes weren’t rigorously tested and sure to fly, no one would have the courage to board them.

If anaesthesia wasn’t guaranteed to put people to sleep during surgery, no patient would step into an operation theatre!

If electronic and electrical gadgets were not certified to work as they do, no one would spend money acquiring them.

Science is a huge part of everyone’s life today, irrespective of whether we notice, appreciate or understand it.

All scientific and technological inventions come with a guarantee of working as they are expected to. There is the occasional plane that crashes or gadget that malfunctions. But those are the exceptions. Most of the time, science delivers results almost perfectly.

A hypothesis is rigorously tested before it is presented as fact to the world.

That is the promise of science.

And also its greatest blessing!