If you think that this is an utterly ridiculous, pre-scientific concept that has been disproven by science long ago, or some nonsense from Star Wars, think again. First, science can never disprove the existence of anything, because that is a logical impossibility. Conventional science has thus not disproven the existence of a life energy, it has merely managed so far to explain nature without using the hypothesis of a life energy.

Second, conventional science has actually not been very successful at explaining living systems in terms of mere chemistry. Sciencists had to discard whole areas of experience (such as the so-called "paranormal") until what was left was explainable on the basis of the materialist dogma. It is easy to explain nature with an important ingredient missing if you simply declare all the phenomena that require this ingredient for explanation non-existent. Homeopathy is a perfect example of this selective perception of reality. Homeopathy works, period. Anyone who has ever experienced its healing power, and that includes myself, can attest to that. Yet orthodox medicine is still in denial. Why? Because the fact that homeopathy works confounds the prevailing scientific dogma that the human body is completely explainable by mere chemistry. High-potency homeopathics do not contain a single molecule of pharmaceutically active substance, so to the conventional scientific mind, it is a priori (i.e. without even looking at the actual evidence) clear that they can't work. Thus, all evidence to the contrary has to be seriously flawed in some way and can therefore be ignored.

Of course, many people, scientists and nonscientists alike, believe (contrary to actual evidence) that the power of homeopathy is "just a placebo effect". Hello? According to the materialist dogma, there should be no such thing as a placebo effect (i.e. people getting the same effect from a pharmaceutically inert substance as from a real medication, as long as they just believe they are receiving medication). The very existence of the placebo effect disproves one of the fundamental assumptions of orthodox science, namely the cartesian separation of mind and body. Unfortunately, many scientists still seem to believe that they can make an inconvenient phenomenon simply go away by attaching a dismissive label to it. Saying that something is "just" the placebo effect, without ever having explained that effect, is not science. It is a rhetorical trick to hide the fact that there is no conventional explanation.

Third, anyone can convince herself of the existence of the energy body by simply working with it and experiencing the results. That kind of subjective evidence does of course not meet scientific standards of proof, but it does not have to. Science can't explain human consciousness, but that does not mean that I don't trust my own experience that tells me that consciousness exists. In the same way, once you have experienced positive results in working with your energy body, you have evolved beyond the need for scientific proof.

Fourth, the emerging science of biophysics has actually proved the existence of a subtle energy in living beings. Cells emit a very weak, coherent light (so-called biophotons) in the visible and ultraviolet spectrum that correlates with their physical function. If you received a traditional science education, and you find ancient spiritual teachings unconvincing, some of the following sites might lead you to reconsider some of your views. There is also an excellent book on the subject, Biophotons, which is unfortunately extremely expensive.

• International Institute of Biophysics
• On the Coherence of Ultraweak Photon Emission from living tissues (scientific paper)

Far-eastern spiritual practices such as Yoga, Tantra, Tai Chi, Chi Gong and Reiki work by directly influencing the energy flow of the body, by means of assuming postures, breathing, meditation, chanting and visualization. Such techniques are also refered to as energy work.

The Chakras (chakra is sanskrit for wheel) are the centers of the energy body. Many esoteric traditions consider them the key to personal and spiritual growth. Working on the chakras can be a powerful tool to dissolve deep-seated emotional blockades, and to prevent or cure chronic disease. There is widespread belief that music, essential oils, flower essences and crystals can also have a harmonizing and healing effect on the energy system, and in particular on the chakras. Here are some pointers to lead the way:

• Chakras
• The Chakras
• The Chakras
• Energy and Chakras
• Chakras, Energy Points of the Human Body
• Chakra Balancing Meditation
• Practice: Light in the Chakras
• Chakras, Human Energy System
• Chinese Qi Gong
• Kundalini FAQ
• Kundalini Web Sites of Interest
• Kundalini Articles
• Kundalini-Questions and answers
• Aromatherapy and essential oils information from AromaWeb
• About Aromatherapy
• A guide to essential oils and their uses
• The Guide to Aromatherapy
• Bach Flower Remedies
• Dr. Edward Bach Center
• Crystals and Chakras
• Healing Properties of Gemstones - applied to Chakras
• Using Crystals and gemstones for healing
• Gemstone healing A-Z
• Crystals, Gems and Stones
• The Healing Gemstones
• Crystals and Gemstones
• Language of Gemstones
• Healing Stone Database Search

"It is now well established that all living systems emit a weak but permanent photon flux in the visible and ultraviolet range. This biophoton emission is correlated with many, if not all, biological and physiological functions. There are indications of a hitherto-overlooked information channel within the living system. Biophotons may trigger chemical reactivity in cells, growth control, differentiation and intercellular communication, i.e. biological rhythms."