Energy Healing Books

GREAT PICs BUT NOT MUCH INFO, I WAS EXPECTING REALLY TO LEARN ABOUT THIS BOOK AND I DID NOT.

Makana's book, "Hawaiian Massage - Lomilomi: Sacred Touch of Aloha" is visually dazzling, culturally correct and traditionally true; packed tenderly with illustrative demonstration and words of wisdom from practitioners and teachers of this amazing spiritual healing system. If you want to understand and experience authentic aloha, this book is precious.

Sundae Merrick, Author of "Divine Reason & Rhyme, Access Higher Guidance and Nature's
Wisdom"

This book has a variety of applications of heat and light for healing, many anecdotal, including human and veterinary uses. The plus is that it is based on personal experience, the minus is that it sometimes feels odd ball and hearsay, and I would have liked more in the way of scientific support. The book is part of my exploration of laser and infra-red healing and is a bit eccentric.

This is a very unique book that has some Qigong information that I haven't seen anywhere else. It focuses on combining several treatment modalities that have a synergistic effect that increases the speed and quality of the healing for many different problems. Much better than hearing about how this one thing is the very best or that one thing is the best. It's a combination of several things that work really well alone and they work even better when combined in the specific way this book talks about. This book has some incredible case histories that you just have to read for yourself. I have experienced the results on myself and can say first hand how easy, safe and effective it is.

These are topics that can be studied, literally, for years. But, as a primer, this is an excellent book with good summary usage of information. I especially enjoyed the chakra section and the multiple examples of what blocked or excessive energy flow of any of the chakras may be seen as. A beautiful book that may pull new students into deeper study in these interesting fields.

This one is now found as part of a collection, with three volumes in one binding. Alone, it is a bit simplistic, and it really serves as an introduction to the beginner. Now found with added works on colour and chakra therapy, it is well complemented and more complete as an introduction to forms of healing.

Though this was my first experience in Qigong, I found the tapes clear and easy to follow. A good source of meditation material for self-help as well as for teaching others.

I had to re-wind a few sections to get down the instructions for the qigong exercises right. It may be better if there was a diagram to show what you should really be doing. Not for the audio-impaired learner or for the visual-learner, but it is quite interesting and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it! It might just be easier to practice yoga or go to the gym to energize your body, but I believe activating your qi is far more beneficial, provided that you're able to follow the instructions and don't fall asleep while listening to the tape.

This is NOT a well written book, which is too bad, because it could have been a wonderful introduction to modern radionic practice. The author has brought together a lot of interesting material and given us a good sense of the wide ranging possibilities of radionics. Unfortunately, too many of the topics are covered with very ambiguous and incomplete explanations. If you already understand pyramids, pranamonics, or homeopathy, maybe you'll be able to read between the lines and understand what she's talking about. The rest of us are left wondering if she's trying to hide something. Maybe she was simply trying to put too much into one book, because her discussions of certain techniques are so sketchy as to be meaningless. Nor has she given us footnotes which might make it convenient to do some further research. There is a bibliography, but it is not referenced to the text. There are some exercises, but this could hardly be called a how-to book, simply because the material is not complete enough. The book is still useful as a survey of the field, but could have been much better.

As a Holistic Practitioner I found this book tremendously exciting. Dr. Hartman covers all areas of vibrational medicine. She covers the complete ABC's from how to use a pendulum, to how to do long distance healing. Anyone can use this book as a reference book to understand color therapy or homeopathy. The author manages to make complex material accessible and at the same time the exercises are workable. Dr. Hartman believes we all have the capacity to use our intuition. She delivers the tools to help us develop this capacity.

Can you accept Einsteins paradigm, of the existence of a Life energy flowing through and around all of us. Well this is the concept that therapeutic touch on the whole is based on. Well, here are lessons that teaches you how to believe in this power within yourself, and how to utilize it to heal yourself and others.

I found this book quite informative, and the self-knowledge tests were very useful, especially to the skeptic in all of us. Laying of hands is a wonderful way to explore our own powers and this book is an excellent choice to aid us in this journey.

I would like to give this book five stars, but with my years of energy work I see two flaws in Dr. Krieger's (Dolores Krieger holds a Ph.D in nursing) book.

The things I like about this book.

Several places in this book; Dr. Krieger uses the phrase "You do not stop at your skin". (A statement I agree with completely!)

Page 5-10 the introduction explains how Dr. Krieger began her exploration of energetic healing by observing natural healers like Oskar Estebany, and Dora Kunz.

Page 11. The Kirlian photos of fingertips showing the energy field around the fingers before, during, and after a healing session (proving there IS something to the notion of energy healing instead of coincidence).

Page 12. Dr. Krieger refers to the subtle energy by the sanskrit term "prana". This subtle energy has been explored by people all over the world, and has been called by dozens of different names. Here is an abbreviated list (Akasha, ch'i (Qi), Ki, Mana, Manitou, Nuwati, Orenda, Orgone, Ruach, and many others.)

Page 15. According to Dr. Krieger there is a written history of this subtle energy dating back 5000 years. (I am aware that The Yellow emperor of China wrote his treatise of internal medicine in 2445 BCE (about 4,450 years ago.)

Page 23-34. This section of the book contains simple exercizes where about 95-98% of people can feel and experience this subtle energy and proove it to themself (from my experience, and talks with Qigong masters about 2-5% of people are insensitive to this subtle energy). (Everyone needs proof in the beginning in order to gain confidence that this energy is REAL and not only wishful thinking or coincidence.)

Page 62-63. Has nice photos of Dr. Krieger's friend and mentor Dora Kunz.

Now for the two disagreements I have with this book.

1. Dr. Krieger severely limits her potential because Therapeutic touch is taught to direct this energy to the recepient a few inches away. (This subtle energy can be directed thousands of miles away as effectively as if the healer were standing right beside the recepient. I have doccumentation where I have passed Reiki attunements to people over 10,000 miles away with their experiences. Dr. Larry Dossey relates in "Prayer Is Good Medicine" (if memory serves) the results of a double blind study where half of the Heart patients in a large hospital were prayed for by people of various faiths, and the people that were on the prayer list (without knowing anything about the test) experienced less complications, and required less medication for pain.)

2. Dr. Krieger teaches only how to direct the healers personal reserves of energy. (There are mental exercizes as in Qigong, and healing modalities like Reiki, Seichim, and others that can teach you how to tap into an infinite supply of energy without depleting youe personal reserves of energy.)

(Repeatedly depleting your personal energy reserves can open you the healer to illnesses. If you ever feel weak or nervous stop immediately.)

Please E-mail me if you have questions or comments about this review. Two Bears.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

I personally love the Book, because of equilibirium centered the self realization of divinity within and the humility of dealing with growing beyond the status quo. When comes to the energy work, the 1st chapter is so brilliant its easy to miss how plain it is, how simply it is. Concerning learning the other meditative conjuring techiques, its comes to centering yourself and trusting your own inner power, its upto you figure out the ways of the force. A companion book this one should be I, Jedi. For obvious reasons.

The pragmatic estoretic point of view that Kosta presents about our metaphysical world is essential when dealing with energies.Personally I know what it is screw up really bad with energy and be hounded by your own ghost. So the wisdom he presents, is something not to be taken for granted nor with a grain of salt. The thing that really mystifies me is how he intentionally made a piece of scripture as anybody who knows anything about energy work knows that its takes as much faith as it does knowledge.

Viva le Nei Kung

the book was excellent. but when i received it the edge at the bottom
in between the spine and the front cover was torn.
other than that i loved it.

Amonst so many books on Nei(inner) Kung & external Kung,
this book perhaps is only one I saw in my entire life
that has scientific explanations/definitions/observations
on Chi, Kung, etc.

Many practitioners do not have author's keen scientific eyes/
attitude on this subject.
This may not be the best text to learn it,
but certainly very informing one
and I don't think we can get anything like this in the market
for very long time to come.

Hope he come up with 3rd book soon.

J. Park

This book is a practical aspect of Nei Kung, or so said the author, Kosta Danaos. It is more of a glimpse than the full practices, and some of these practices were already been discussed to some extent in other Taoist and Chi Kung books. In this practical work, Danaos brought forth a further understanding of Nei Kung and the yang/yin dynamic, and a step by step guide for the mediation as a part of beginning on the path of Nei Kung.

The full details of the techniques on how to obtain the results of combining yin (passive energy) and yang (active energy) is not included in this work because, as according to Chang, he does not want to create "monsters." He was very selective when training other people and it is highly dangerous training (since it is mentioned that many had died in the process).

When first reading this book three years ago, I have to admit that I was quite obsessed with the idea of obtaining greater powers, and reading from this book, it sounds like an easy thing to do: spending hours and hours meditating on your naval and focusing all the physical energies into it, but it was not easy as it sounds. Perhaps Chang was distracting others from discovering the real method of such practice? Once I soon realize of such obsession and how one can be led to a danger of wishful thinking, I have stopped doing these practices and focus on studying other traditions and histories. If one starts to explore psychic realms, one will never be able to succeed if one's psychological aspects are unstable or unhealthy as it would be a highly dangerous to practice such technique of complicated energy work and would likely results in death.

Nevertheless, it was actually this book that brought me to the attention of Nei Kung, Chi Kung, and other Taoist traditions to which I had never heard of before, and read a great deal of books on the subject. Also, from this book, I have learned a helpful technique of meditation for the purpose of centering myself, quieting my mind, and trusting my inner voice or abilities.

In conclusion, I have enjoyed reading this second book by Danaos as it is informative and interesting. This is merely a personal recount of the author's thoughts and further discussions of the meditative techniques with references to mythologies and legends.

However, it is best to read it with a grain of salt as I have learned the hard way.

I have a lot to thank Kosta for. I was able to find his master after reading his first book. However his latest book does not share the secrets of the warrior sages. Rather it gives Kosta's philosophy about life and , it is easy to read and entertaining and I share his hope that more and more people through whatever meditation they come into contact with, will evolve and bring mankind to fulfilment.

I bought the book when it was first published several years back (I was 17ish). I thought the concepts behind it were outrageous! But I decided to try it for myself and see. I spent the three years it says are the minimum of practice, doing daily two hour long meditations. Sitting and standing. At the end of the three years I had the awesome power of being able to make some people sway a half inch back and forth and others look at me like I was nuts. I was crazy and determined enough to do one more year of training. However this time I had got into contact with one of the people in the testimonials, a Richard Mooney (I think, it has been a while) He explained the meditation in the book is for the healing form of Ling Kong Jing, not the martial force. I then purchased his book which details the actual exercise of the martial empty force. I did this for the fourth year (it is a much harder form) and then tried out my force (he recommends another three years or more, however I was not wasting my time with another three years) My empty force had not changed.

So, from someone who has done it, this book is at best a really good book on learning the power of meditation and willpower. Nothing more.

I was very intrigued by this book at first because I study Aikido. But on page 45 the author writes "Not everyone will be bounced off the wall like a ball or thrown up to the ceiling. Those sensitive to chi will have that sort of reaction, but people without this sensitivity will move only a little, or not at all (but will actually be hurt more than the ones who are thrown around). If the master can't make the target move, then observers will say the master is a liar and the empty force is fake."

Hello?! This book's subtitle is "The power of chi for SELF-DEFENSE and energy healing." So if I read the quote above well, this technique only works in a closed setting with people who know they are supposed to fall or fly. If I am walking down the street and a group of thugs attacks me (I assume that thugs are not usually well-tuned to chi forces), then this technique will not work and they may still get to me, even if they may get hurt by the force. So VERY early on the book let me know that I was wasting my time.

But I decided to give the book a second chance. I skipped the anecdotal evidence chapters and took a closer look at the exercises in case they had something to offer. The techniques are poorly explained, and I have no idea how to practice anything using this book. I do not recommend it to anyone interested in working with energy and/or martial arts. But if you are looking for something amusing to read and you are willing to put up with the bad writing, this may be up your alley.

A book I am currently reading about energy and martial arts that I am enjoying a lot and has practical exercises is Intuitive Body: Aikido as a Clairsentient Practice. It does not offer anything closely related to what Empty Force promises, but it is helping me to understand martial arts from a different perspective and helping me to better embody energy and be more conscious of it. Hope it helps you too.

This book talks about an interesting idea that focuses on the combative aplication of Qi, stressing instantanious damage.
The Empy Force reads like a poorly written technal paperthat uses speculation as evedence and "ancient chinese legends" as irevocable proof. Perhaps its the lack of said 'legends' in the american culture that has left me pesamesticly speculative.
That being said: Some of the things described are amazingly simmilar to what I have found myself doing in zen meditation. Also I intend to incorperate some of the other techniques into my meditations and movement. I suspect that this book holds knowledge for those more famaliar with the chinese form of thinking (or expression) than I am. It has been my experiance studying Traditional Chinese Medicine (here in the states) that the chinese love medafors and wont say what they meen. I belive the reason for this is because the journy of discovery yields the best results.

If you would like to put some effort into aquiring skills this is a good place to start learning . Excelent book and infomation.

The negativity of the previous reviews had me curious rather than deterred! I therefore ordered the book - and do not regret doing so. Having developed an intense interest in consciousness and energetics (through reading numerous books from both Eastern and Western points of view) I find that "Empty force" adds ably to the discussion (and even seeks it.) I suspect that reviewers' expectations of this book are only as limited as their reading on the subject.

I couldn't help but see significant parallels between the philosophy of "chi" in this book and the "non-locality" of mind referred to in the prestigious "Studies in Consciousness" - that of William Braud PhD in particular. Scientifically correct to the point of dryness, Braud's "Distant Mental Influence" details meticulous research (with copious statistics and references) on the effect of thought at a distance on REG machines (Random Event Generators) He includes other double-blind laboratory studies into the power of non-local mind. (Non-local being defined as mentally mediated events occurring outside the brain.) Top universities are involved in this research worldwide and are replicating these staggering results, led by a veritable 'Who's Who' of international scientists.

I also see a close parity between the "chi" of "Empty Force" and the documented cures of "Quantum Healing" (see website as well as book) and the rapidly accumulating evidence of energy tapping (EFT being the most widely known through worldwide reporting on its website) with an increasing number of medical abstracts. If this is "snake oil" territory, then hundreds of eminent doctors and psychologists world-wide are partaking of it, with endorsement from medical journals. Can such a historically conservative body have suddenly become so gullible?

Refuse to believe it until you see it? There is the confirming infra-red imagery from Japanese scientists ... I could go on ad infinitum. Another reviewer is confusing experiential certainty with arrogance. I would advise caution only to those who are unfamiliar with Asian philosophy: The vocabulary as well as the metaphor is alien to Western thinking. However, we would do well to remember the five blind men arguing over the same elephant, defining it only by the different part they touched.

While I don't anticipate becoming a "master" at it, I have already exercised this skill to a very limited degree. And from what I have seen demonstrated, even skeptics could make use of the concept in some small way. Down the track, the West may well claim this wisdom as ours, as we often do, when cultures we have arrogantly deemed "primitive" have used it for centuries. Incidentally, for a Western account, B K Franztis, martial arts expert, international lecturer and author, has focused one of his books on his own experience with "empty force." It is titled "The Power of Internal Martial Arts." Frantzis is even more assertive about his claims.

BIG lesson here: Don't condemn this book out of ignorance, especially before investigating a skill that even our Ivory Halls now validate.

The book has a lot of filler. For example, the whole third is dedicated to the history of Reiki and the author's own path.
But my main complaint is that you can't learn Reiki from it. The author states that to be able to use Reiki, you must first be go through the process called "attunement" and you need to attend a Reiki course to do that (or find a Reiki Master to get you through it). Supposedly, this process will open you up to Reiki energy and then (and only then) you will be able to use it for healing. How is it then "for beginners"?

I'm not sure why this book isn't more popular. It's a thorough and kind introduction to Reiki that is the perfect introduction for beginners. As a Reiki master, I encourage my students to keep this book handy as they learn and practice. David Vennells also offers a nice chapter on Reiki meditations that is a good guide for infusing Reiki into your meditation practices. There's a nice emphasis on self-healing (sadly missing in many Reiki books today)and a caring chapter on the 5 Reiki precepts. A good solid introduction for anyone learning -- or interested in learning -- the healing art of Reiki.

Like most metaphysical studies, Reiki, has many different schools of thought. Since I am preparing to take a Reiki I & II class this upcoming month, I wanted to learn as much as possible about Reiki. For that, I thought Mr. Venells book to be a good starting block. No, it doesn't tell you anything, but, then again, it isn't designed to be the "end all" guide to this practice. The very title says "for beginners." This means, people like myself, who are learning more about Reiki will find this book to be helpful. I thought the author did a very good job about explaining the basics of reiki, and his list of resources, while somewhat incomplate, gave a helpful next step.

Reiki practitioner David F. Vennells wrote Reiki for Beginners: Mastering Natural Healing Techniques out of a wish "to share the good health, sense of personal fulfillment, and deeper appreciation of life that I have gained from Reiki." Vennells starts with the story of how his years of suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome were ended with Reiki treatments.

He then explains that "Reiki is the name given to a simple yet profound system of natural healing for body and mind." The name means "life force energy" in Japanese. Although he is a Buddhist, he emphasizes that "there are no belief systems or dogma attached to Reiki." It's a tool that can be used for physical healing, or spiritual growth, depending upon individual needs.

Vennells describes how Reiki was introduced to the Western world, offering brief biographies of the key Masters. He then explains how people can learn Reiki--it's taught personally by a Master to students--focusing on First Degree Reiki. This is the beginning level, and can be quickly learned. Those with First Degree certificates are able to use Reiki for self-treatment and basic healing of others.

He offers numerous suggestions in which Reiki may be used in healing. The twelve basic positions for the hands are described and illustrated. He also explains how Reiki may be used for healing at a distance. Additionally, Vennells provides guidelines for those who plan to go into professional practice.

As well as the actual physical aspects of Reiki, Vennells discusses the five principles, which include "be grateful today" and "be kind to others today," and how to integrate them into daily practice. He talks about the causes and nature of disease, including karma. One chapter includes stories from other practitioners about how they've used Reiki to heal themselves, friends, and clients. He finishes with meditations and visualizations.

An appendix lists sources for finding a Master and various Reiki groups. While Vennells offers tips for preparing to become attuned to practice Reiki and provides guidelines for using it after attunement, people can only obtain their attunement and certificates from a Reiki master, not from his book.

Vennells says that "whatever your spiritual path, or path of personal growth, Reiki can enrich it and bring you closer to your full potential as a human being." Beginners Guide to Reiki is an excellent reference for anyone interested in hands-on healing.

When I was introduced to Reiki last year, I found this book helpful and insightful. I am currently Reiki II and will be taking the Master class this weekend. I have given this book to others as a general introduction to reiki.

Thank you Mr. Vennells. May everything be auspicious!

This book is full of useful information for both indian and wiccan uses of crystals. The encyclopedia is a must for creating indian arts and crafts.

This book is not worth one star.

Ms. Elsbeth implies this book is authentic indian stone medicine.

It is NOT. If you want Native American or new age material; look elsewhere than reading this conglomeration and getting confused.

Page xii-xiii: "The stone people - the earth angels, devas, dwarves, elves" _| The Indians worked with the stone people and the little people. Devas, dwarves and elves are Celtic of origin.

Page xvi: "The Celts left their tracks literaly etched in stone in the Ancient Celtic alphabet called Ogham". _|What does the Druid alphabet have to do with crystal healing?

Page xix: "The South American rainforest, our main source of oxygen" _|What does THIS have to do with crystal medicine? Furthermore; I am all in favor of preserving the rainforests, but the rainforests are NOT the primary source of oxygen. Trees only produce oxygen during daylight hours. They use oxygen during hours of darkness, and trees are dormant part of the year. Trees are a further oxygen depletion system when leaves decompose. The real source of oxygen is from the oceans (this will not win friends and influence people, but it's true).

Page 3: "The Lakota address the Great Spirit as Tunkashila" _| Only part of the Lakota. The more common name is Wakan Tanka.

Page 3: There is the Yuwipi ceremony which uses the power inherent in the sacred stones." Ms. Elsbeth has confused the Inipi ceremony with the Yuwipi ceremony.

Page 57: There is an illustration of the seven chakras. The chart is incorrect.

Page 79: the author goes into palmistry.

Page 99: the author (tries) to show an illistration of the meridians. She shows a few accupuncture points on the body (without showing ANY illustration of the meridians. Furthermore; the Chakra model, and meridian model are mutually exclusive. If the Chakra model were correct; then accupuncture could not work.

The ONLY redeeming quality of this book is the 16 pages of color photos between page 168 and 169.

Mahalo. Two Bears

...and generally accomplishing it.

This is a book that has blended eastern, western, and New World practise with crystals into a unique product. Nonetheless, the author does imply that the matter at hand is largely of native lore and with some Pagan influence. This book has altered my outlook on stones a bit, and therefore may open some other eyes as well. This is one book that may be read with a grain of salt, but it still includes some great information. In addition to the commonly addressed minerals, Elspeth goes on to include some others that are rarely discussed. More research should be undertaken by the reader before working with all of these minerals, however. Several of them (such as autunite) are potentially toxic and/or radioactive. Care should always be taken to know what you are using. Always double check metaphysical references with mineralogical or geological ones!

In this book i truly felt "left out in the cold?"..maybe, but, it seems that the author left out a lot of info that seemed to be left out in the book that should have been in there. There were some great info on each stone..however, it left you wanting more but you just couldnt find it and just left you empty. Now as for "American Indian medicine" with stones i just couldnt see it anywhere close, and some of her info were misleading. Anyways, readers looking for healing within the stones should pick up a better book like "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic" which is the best so far you'll get tons of info from that book than this one.

I do have to agree with the previous reviewer, in that the book lacked direction and motivation in the beginning pages; but the Stone Encyclopedia included in it has been a great asset to me in finding quick information about certain stones. A valuable book for a collection, but I would recommend it only as a reference tool.