Metaphysical Dictionary Introduction
“Religion” has many definitions, but the word usually refers to something that includes a group of convictions based on subjective experience and/or alleged revelation. “Alternative medicine,” too, has many definitions (and at least 27 synonyms). I define it as “a phantasmagoria of health-related methods on the whole dismissed by most mainstream physicians in Western countries.” However, I prefer the expression medical alternativism, which groups alternative medicine, occult medicine, and sectarian “healing.” (Sectarian “healing” encompasses Christian Positive Thinking, the “scientific prayer” of Christian Science, and the “Namu myoho renge-kyo” chanting of Nichiren Buddhism.) In both the sphere of organized religion and the world of alternative medicine, three general philosophies predominate: supernaturalism, mysticism, and vitalism. The vast majority of the methods, systems, and general “approaches” that alternative …
Continue Reading >Metaphysical Dictionary Bibliography
Sources of information, misinformation, and disinformation on the methods described herein include reference books, uncritical trade books, booklets, catalogs, directories, pamphlets, newsletters, leaflets, flyers, form letters, personal letters, published articles, advertisements in periodicals, websites, telecast reports, television talk shows, videotapes, and telephone interviews between the author and alternativists. This bibliography does not list all the writings that contributed to this book. It lists only some of those contributory writings that: (a) were in book or pamphlet form, (b) were written by proponents or quasi proponents, and (c) focused on alternative healthcare, occult medicine, bodywork, or a method not especially influential in the United States. Capitalization in titles stems from the form of the title in the front matter and/or on the cover. In every case …
Continue Reading >Unnaturalistic Methods Glossary
acupoint (acupuncture point): Any of an indefinite number of points on or near the surface of the body that allegedly are susceptible to healthful activation. alternative healthcare (alternative healing, alternative healing therapies, alternative health, alternative medicine, alternative therapeutics, alternative therapies, complementary health care, complementary medicine, extended therapeutics, Fringe Medicine, holistic healing, holistic health, holistic medicine, innovative medicine, mind body medicine, natural healing, natural health, natural medicine, New Age medicine, New Medicine, planet medicine, unconventional medicine, unconventional therapies, unconventional therapy, unorthodox healing, unorthodox therapies, wholistic medicine): Amorphous group of “therapeutic” and “diagnostic” methods chiefly distinguished from establishmentarian (science-oriented) healthcare by its acceptance of “spiritual health” as a medical concern. One of its general principles is that a practitioner is a teacher who can “empower” one. Its …
Continue Reading >Unnaturalistic Methods: F-G
Face Modelling: Purported cosmetic technique invented by Arcadi Beliavtsev and promoted by the Arcadi Centre, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its theory holds that many internal organs are “projected” on the skin of the face and that, therefore, “intensive” facial treatment results in receipt by these organs of a shower of “healing impulses.” facial diagnosis: Mode of macrobiotic diagnosis whose postulate is that cheeks, nostrils, ears, and other parts of the head represent the conditions of different internal organs. Facial Rejuvenation®: “Deep” form of contact healing that combines energy work (see “vibrational medicine”), “head reflexology,” and massage. It includes aromatherapy. faith healing (spiritual healing): 1. Any method wherein one makes an appeal to God or a spirit to participate in healing others, typically a combination of …
Continue Reading >Unnaturalistic Methods: E
Eagle Medicine: Mode of Cherokee healing. Eagle Medicine includes the vision quest — a spiritual search. ear reflexology: Form of reflexology that involves rubbing “reflex points” on the ear, holding part of the ear between the index finger and thumb, and/or pressing a “reflex point” with a fingernail. Eastern medicine: Apparently, a group of methods that encompasses Chinese medicine, shiatsu, and relaxation techniques. Eastern psychology: Group of “psychological therapies” of Eastern origin, notably those psychological methods that are parts of Ayurveda, TCM, or Tibetan medicine. According to Tibetan medicine’s theory, for example, karma strongly influences 101 disorders caused by afflictive emotions (e.g., desire or hatred), and another 101 disorders caused by such emotions involve spirits (harmful “unseen forces”). One of the “primary tools” of Eastern …
Continue Reading >Unnaturalistic Methods: D
Daniel’s Diet: Alleged medical panacea and “higher way of eating” promoted by microbiologist Robert O. Young, Ph.D., D.Sc., author of Colloids of Light & Life, Profiles of Microscopy, Sick & Tired, and One Sickness — One Disease — One Treatment (1995). In the latter book, Young holds that myco sis, or fungal infection, or over-acidification of the body (or blood), is the only disease. He further holds that an “inverted” way of living and eating, especially excessive consumption of sugars and animal protein, causes such over-acidification. Daniel’s Diet excludes all foods except avocados, lemons, limes, tomatoes, vegetables (e.g., buckwheat and soybeans), dark-green vegetable juice, tofu (bean curd), millet, “sprouted” or soaked seeds and nuts, oils, sea salt, herbal teas, specific dietary supplements (e.g., Pycnogenol®), and …
Continue Reading >Unnaturalistic Methods: C
candle magick: Subject of The Candle Magick Workbook: Why and How Candle Magick Works, by Kala and Ketz Pajeon. It is a purported way to obtain health, love, money, and success, and, apparently, relief from busybodies, ex-lovers, and “unwanted” suitors. C.A.R.E. (Chakra Armor Release of Emotions): System advanced by author Raphael Rettner, D.C. Apparently, its postulate is that emotions are “involved in” four “energy pathways”: acupuncture meridians, chakras, “polarity elements,” and “armor” (a muscle spasm due to an unexpressed emotion). The Cayce Approach to Health and Healing: “Holistic approach” to healing and wellness that encompasses breathwork, energy field work, Self-Applied Health Enhancement Methods, and “remedies” (e.g., the apple diet) related to the “readings” of clairvoyant Edgar Cayce (1877-1945). Its theory posits reincarnation and a triune …
Continue Reading >Unnaturalistic Methods: B
Baby B.E.S.T.: Adaptation of B.E.S.T. to infants. Bach flower therapy (Bach flower essence method, Bach flower essence system): Quasi-homeopathic system of pseudodiagnosis and pseudotherapy developed in the 1930s by British physician Edward Bach (1886-1936). Bach put forth his philosophy in Heal Thyself: An Explanation of the Real Cause and Cure of Disease, first published in 1931. Therein he described five “fundamental truths,” in sum: (1) Souls, invincible and immortal sparks of the Almighty, are the “real,” “Higher” selves of humans. (2) Humanity’s purpose is to develop virtues and wipe out all intrapersonal wrongs. Souls know what circumstances conduce to the perfection of human nature. (3) One’s lifetime is a minuscule part of one’s evolution. (4) When one’s “Soul” and personality are “in harmony,” one is …
Continue Reading >Unnaturalistic Methods: A
abhyanga: Ayurvedic “rejuvenating cure” that is a secondary part of panchakarma. Abhyanga is a “very complete massage” with a medicated (“herbalized”) oil. Practitioners supposedly gear the medicated oil to one’s “constitutional type” (see “Ayurvedic nutrition”). abjad: Sufi system of numerology. aboukra: Purportedly, an ancient Egyptian “healing art” that strengthens and balances the body’s “natural energy fields” and “meridians.” absent healing (absentee healing, distance healing, distant healing, remote healing, teleotherapeutics): 1. Alleged treatment of a patient not in the practitioner’s vicinity through magic, meditation, prayer, “spirit doctors,” or telepathy. 2. A form of faith healing that supposedly involves the projection of “positive healing energy.” ACCESS (Access Energy Transformation): “Energy technique” that supposedly works with the “creative force” to free it and connect it to the “Light” (“us”). Allegedly, Novian, a “Being …
Continue Reading >Unnaturalistic Methods: H
HaelanWork: “Complementary healing therapy” that purportedly blends centering prayer (see “divine therapy”), “healing dialogue,” Holotropic Breathwork, meditation, and Therapeutic Touch. Hakomi (Hakomi body-centered psychotherapy, Hakomi Body-Mind Process, Hakomi Body-Oriented Psychotherapy, Hakomi Method, Hakomi Method of Body/Mind Therapy, Hakomi Therapy, Hakomi work): “Refinement” of Reichian Therapy developed by Ron Kurtz in the mid-1970s. The Hakomi Method supposedly uses the “mind/body connection” to elicit nonverbal “core beliefs.” It is based partly on bioenergetics, Buddhism, and Taoism. “Hakomi” is a Hopi word that means: “How do you stand in relation to these many realms?” (loosely, “Who are you?”). Hakomi Integrative Somatics (formerly Hakomi Bodywork): Form of body-centered psychotherapy originated by Pat Ogden. It includes energy work (see “vibrational medicine”). Its theory posits “wisdom” of body, mind, and spirit. …
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