How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

[Pompal 09.]

On a parenting board I post on, someone mentioned they were uncomfortable/disturbed at their massage session today because the therapist said they fluffed the person's aura. Which I can understand because like 98% of that board is super-strict almost fundementalist Christian and all. But one of the replies steamed me up pretty good. The reply said that the therapist tried to speak sin into the client's life by saying she fluffed the client's energy. It went on to say that the therapist was dabbling in the occult and should be avoided.

So anyways, I responded that I didn't see how the therapist saying she fluffed the clients energy automatically meant she was speaking sin into the client's life. I said I didn't see how it equaled the occult either. That at our core, energy is what we are. The person who made the comments is wanting to see proof from the Bible. Grr. The verses I can find talk about using the energy God gave us, but something tells me that won't quite satiate her.

Any thoughts, ideas, references?

 

[Bob Loblaw]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

I can understand your frustration, but people like that are firmly entrenched in their belief system and nothing you can say will likely change her mind. She's entitled to her opinion, so let her have it. Best thing you can do, rather than argue the point with HER is to simply state your own opinion and move on.

I met a woman at my child's school a few years ago, who within 20 minutes of talking to me told me that anyone with any mental illness has "let the devil in". It may be her belief, but I found her bald statement incredibly rude. She didn't know me at all and we were not even talking about anything remotely like that.

Anyway, I find it funny (in the weird way, not the jovial way) that some people with strong religious beliefs feel that they can just spew any rude thing from their mouth without reprise because they are clinging to the bible. I try to avoid engaging with rude people of all walks of life though. Not just the religious ones! LOL!

 

[Real Reds the world power]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

Thanks. Yeah this is not the first time I've had my faith questioned on this board because of my calling, nor the first time insulting and/or totally ridiculous things have been said about same. I'm considering very seriously that perhaps the time has come for me and that group of people to part ways. I knew going into massage would cause me some problems among some denominations and so forth but I never expected such blatant *censorable word* to be spewed about my craft and allowed on a message board that proclaims no personal attacks are tolerated right on the top of the UA.

 

[Cov]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

Thank goodness, or "the BIG GUY" upstairs, whatever, that I've had minimal contact with overly religious folks over the years, as I tend to have little patience with the attitudes that seem to be so often part of their mindset. I have found more than a couple are about as bigoted & close-minded as they come. My only response to those who go over the proverbial line is to say "Judge not lest you be judged". Being as my own MIL is of the Lutheran faith she would like it if everyone in the family would convert to her religion so that we could all be in heaven together! Personally that would be my idea of another version of H*ll!

Just be happy that the person you were dealing with wasn't a family member & that you can simply walk away from her. My belief personally & as a massage therapist is that if I'm helping another person to feel more comfortable in their physical body, mind & spirit, then I am doing sacred work, be that God's work,
the Great Spirit, Source, The Goddess, or whatever other term one is comfortable using as a label for that which is greater than ourselves.

To each their own & to quote a song we all know: "Let It Be"

 

[SJG]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

If you're looking to win a(n) discussion/argument, then the best response is not to engage.

Say your peace, state your belief, be respectful, accept that others may or may not agree and move on without looking back. There is always someone opinionated and close minded enough that will demand the "I'm right, you're wrong" position NO MATTER what religion, race, or political standing they take. Intolerance is universal.

 

[beka]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

Thanks all. Like I said, I've been attacked more than once and at this point I've decided to 'take my business elsewhere' as it were. I wouldn't take this kind of verbal diarrhea from a paying client, I'm surely not going to put up with it for free, kwim?

 

[sheenkhit]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

On a parenting board I post on, someone mentioned they were uncomfortable/disturbed at their massage session today because the therapist said they fluffed the person's aura. Which I can understand because like 98% of that board is super-strict almost fundementalist Christian and all. But one of the replies steamed me up pretty good. The reply said that the therapist tried to speak sin into the client's life by saying she fluffed the client's energy. It went on to say that the therapist was dabbling in the occult and should be avoided.

So anyways, I responded that I didn't see how the therapist saying she fluffed the clients energy automatically meant she was speaking sin into the client's life. I said I didn't see how it equaled the occult either. That at our core, energy is what we are. The person who made the comments is wanting to see proof from the Bible. Grr. The verses I can find talk about using the energy God gave us, but something tells me that won't quite satiate her.

Any thoughts, ideas, references?

Something we find interesting is that quite often, when my husband works on certain folks, they will notice a very strong energy. Different people will qualify that energy in different ways.

One Pastor said he'd never (or rarely, I don't recall which) felt "such a strong presence of the Holy Spirit" as when he was on DH's table (he doesn't necessarily "pray" while he's massaging; however, we are indeed "believers in the Lord"). Many other Christians have expressed similar thoughts.

We've also had high-level Reiki people exclaim over the powerful Reiki energy they sensed while on the table (he's never been trained in Reiki).

Qigong practitioners recognize it as qi, as do other/various martial arts practitioners (He has been practicing Qigong since he was very young, and has also been highly trained in several martial arts forms).

Each person seems to "interpret" this energy in a way they can relate to. It's all the same energy, from the same Source. For those who are open to it, it will come and minister to them in the way(s) they will receive it best. For those who are closed, they will never "get" it, no matter what "faith" they practice lip service to. We explain the energy as best fits the circumstances and the audience, to the best of our own limited ability. Beyond that, it is up to the person and God (or "the source, the energy, or whatever you believe it comes from) to do the rest.

(And I do agree that the OP should consider leaving that forum, or at least refrain from mentioning their practice there, in light of their tight legalistic attitude. There's a forum to which I belong- also a parenting one- where many of the members are almost "deathly afraid" of homeopathy. I used to be as well, until I learned about Traumeel, and from there, began to study a bit about homeopathy in general. Now, while I don't necessarily run to a homeopath or to the homeopathic section of the health food store at the hint of any trouble, I do have some standard "go-to's" that I rely on that are, indeed, homeopathic in nature. People tend to fear that which they do not understand. If they are not open to learning about energy work, it stands to reason that they will fear it and therefore shun it. Most "sheeple" are only parroting what they're been taught- whether from their parents growing up, the school(s) they went to, or what is preached from whatever pulpit they sit under ['pulpit', in this case, referring to doctrine, not necessarily religious, by which one chooses to live one's life].)

 

[noone]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

Renee that was a fantastic way to explain it. Love it

 

[Gage]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

I have spoken to religious fundamentalists too, and it is very hard to have a discussion with them because they demonize everything that is not their religious opinion. The best thing is just to leave them alone in their belief, if they are happy with it.

 

[SLipknOT FTW]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

I find it interesting that this topic has been revived. We are about to embark on our first series of qi gong classes, and the people expressing interest range from relatively "fundamentalist Christian" to "new Ager" to something in-between.

We have decided to approach it as specifically "non-religious"; but simply an exercise in developing "mind-body coordination" (think "hand-eye coordination"). Even fundamental Christians cannot dispute that science tells us that every living thing has energy flowing through it.

 

[Sanat]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

We have decided to approach it as specifically "non-religious"; but simply an exercise in developing "mind-body coordination" (think "hand-eye coordination"). Even fundamental Christians cannot dispute that science tells us that every living thing has energy flowing through it.

It's what we are. Energy with awareness. Even animals have this, sometimes more so than humans!

 

[gaga4cash]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

We have decided to approach it as specifically "non-religious"; but simply an exercise in developing "mind-body coordination" (think "hand-eye coordination"). Even fundamental Christians cannot dispute that science tells us that every living thing has energy flowing through it.

It's what we are. Energy with awareness. Even animals have this, sometimes more so than humans!

You know this, and I know this. We are, however, not necessarily in the majority.

 

[the Christian]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

Since the thread has been revived, I thought I'd update a bit and let everyone know that from that discussion came the opportunity to write an article on my viewpoint. It's for an online Christian Living magazine, but I really worked my tail off on it and am proud of it. You can read it here:

http://joyfulbreathmag.com/wellness.htm

 

[Memphis Belle]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

Since the thread has been revived, I thought I'd update a bit and let everyone know that from that discussion came the opportunity to write an article on my viewpoint. It's for an online Christian Living magazine, but I really worked my tail off on it and am proud of it. You can read it here:

http://joyfulbreathmag.com/wellness.htm

Thank you for the update and the link to your article. I enjoyed reading your perspective very much! While I do not believe in "god", I understand and can relate to what you wrote.

I do not believe that the universe takes the sides that humans have put on "good vs evil" - there is only balance, ebb and flow and so much more nuance than we will probably ever even be aware of in our lifetime. I don't think it can be boxed, explained and put into a neat little book such as the bible for instance.

I do appreciate that we all have our own ways of coping, living and trying to understand what life means, what our own individual life means and how it all fits together. I think whatever works for people that does not come to oppress others is fantastic. If more people spent time in prayer/mediation on a daily basis we could be healthier, happier and live in greater harmony with nature, others and ourselves!

I've gone on a bit of a tangent :grin: so I will end by saying I applaud your efforts to reach out and explain a wonderful modality and it's possible benefits. That some seek to vilify it is small minded indeed - but those people are also working within a parameter that (hopefully) works for them and helps them to understand life in a way they can understand.

 

[sian m]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

Thanks for the feedback and the thoughts. I love hearing what others have to say about the topics that matter to me both as an MT and as a person. {I loathe to use the term Christian most of the time due to the images/thoughts alot of people seem to have that just don't mesh with who I am let alone what I believe}

 

[mlz194085]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

mkat, I think you did an excellent job on that article. Thank you so much for letting us read it.

 

[sheenkhit]

How To Reply? Discussion about Bible/Human Energy

I enjoyed reading it too and your closing was awesome!