What do you think of using energy healing therapy to help your mind and body?
The odds are that you probably have a strong opinion. Some people believe vehemently that energy healing is the right way to go. Others tend to raise their eyebrows and intimate that energy healing is a questionable practice. There are also the in-betweeners. They are unsure, don’t know much about it, vaguely have heard that it is one of those touchy-feely approaches, and remain hesitant and somewhat skeptical.
Let me add a new dimension to the conundrum.
Turns out that generative AI can be used to perform energy healing therapy.
Say what?
Of all the aspects of energy healing that just about everyone knows, the act of energy healing seems to require that a human energy healer be in the loop. The rather incredible idea that AI would be able to substitute for a human energy healer seems nearly preposterous. Can’t be. Until the day that AI may become sentient, and perhaps includes a “body” such as a robotic structure, AI is merely a cold-hearted non-feely piece of software and computing hardware.
Well, be ready to be surprised.
Modern-day generative AI of a somewhat conventional software and server-based hardware variety can indeed perform duties akin to those undertaken via energy healer therapy. That being said, some doubt the efficacy of such an angle. One thing is for sure, the whole kit and kaboodle comes with a slew of heated debate and a notable difference of opinion.
Here’s how we will proceed. I will walk you through the realm of energy healing therapy, along with introducing you to the coupling of generative AI into this quite intense matter. The ins and outs will be covered. In the end, you will need to decide how you feel about the myriads of considerations at play.
Think of it this way. Even if you are a skeptic or doubter of energy healing and other such methods, you might find engaging and intriguing the intertwining of energy healing and generative AI. There are mental health implications that provide insights into human cognition, human beliefs, human behaviors, and the mind-body dynamics of humankind.
Prepare yourself for a memorable and informative ride.
For my ongoing readers and new readers, this thought-provoking discussion continues my in-depth series about the impact of generative AI in the health and medical realm. The focus this time is once again on the mental health domain and examines the use of generative AI when combined with energy healing.
Previously, I have examined numerous interleaving facets of generative AI and mental health, see my comprehensive overview at the link here. You might also find of notable interest a CBS 60 Minutes episode that recently examined crucial facets of this evolving topic, see the link here (I am honored and pleased to indicate that I was featured in the episode, see the link here).
Other vital postings in my column include in-depth coverage of mental health chatbots which have been bolstered by generative AI (see the link here) and the rapidly changing nature of the client-therapist relationship due to generative AI at the link here. I explored where things are headed regarding the levels of AI-based mental therapy autonomous guidance at the link here, and showcased the importance of the World Health Organization (WHO) report on global health and generative AI at the link here, and so on.
On with the show.
Essentials Of Energy Healing Therapy
This field of endeavor goes by several different names.
For example, some refer to this realm as energy healing therapy, energy medicine, mind-body medicine or therapy, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), vibrational medicine, energy therapy, and so on. Some experts make distinctions amongst those areas. For the sake of discussion, let’s treat them as roughly of the same overall ilk. I will simply mention “energy healing” or “energy healing therapy” and be broadly referring to them as a collective form of therapy.
I apologize if that gets anyone roiled up. I realize that to some these are each vastly different fields or subfields. In this case, I am trying to stay at the 30,000-foot level. Thanks for going along.
The next big aspect to tackle consists of the energy element.
It goes somewhat like this.
As a human, your body contains energy. The storage and flow of energy are important. It can readily impact your mental being. Your mental health is inextricably linked to the energy of your body. This is a two-way street. The body’s energy impacts your mental health. Your mental health impacts the energy within your body.
Again, that’s from a macroscopic perspective.
Suppose that the energy within your body gets stuck, isn’t flowing, or maybe is less than what is suitably needed to keep your mind and body going smoothly. In a sense, perhaps you could resolve the issue by doing something sensible and useful about your energy. You might want to get the energy unstuck, or maybe do something that makes the energy flow more conductively.
Aha, that’s where energy healing therapy comes into the picture.
You could perform energy healing therapy or practices that might provide improvements in your energy flow and storage. Doing so could make your body feel better. Doing so could make your mind feel better. The two are linked to each other, known as mind-body, such that energy healing usually seeks to encompass both as a combo.
The means of performing energy healing therapy vary.
You might have seen on TV or portrayed in films where an energy healer stands in front of someone desirous of such therapy. The energy healer appears to convey energy to the person or does something that otherwise enables the person’s energy to flow or increase. Voila, the act of energy healing therapy has taken place.
This is partially where the debates start to ensue. One contention is that energy healers ought to entirely be properly trained, certified, and credentialed. The view is that if someone just starts claiming to be an energy healer, this opens the door to scams and scammers. Thus, those who proclaim to be proper energy healers ought to be required to attest to their skills, abilities, and training. Regulations and the like are hotly debated.
Another twist underlies the energy facets.
I like to categorize the energy in this fashion:
- (1) Energy within you.
- (2) Energy transmitted to you.
- (3) Energy around you.
Let’s discuss those three briefly.
I’ve already mentioned the assumption that you have energy within you. This energy might be at the right amount. The energy within you might be the right amount but is jammed up and not in all the places it should be. Perhaps there is enough energy within you, but it is stuck here or there. In that case, you don’t necessarily need additional energy, you just need to have the energy flow and be balanced throughout you.
Of course, the energy might be less than it needs to be and ought to be replenished. Again, the replenishment would need to flow suitably too.
To get your energy to the right level or to get your energy unstuck, one means would be to transmit energy to you. This transmission has a chance of boosting the energy within you. When you don’t need more energy and only need to get energy unstuck, the energy transmission might primarily serve to get the flow underway.
Another possibility involves utilizing the energy that might be around you. Rather than energy being transmitted to you per se, suppose you could absorb or collect energy that might already be around you. This is where crystals and other energy-emitting machinations arise. If you are within the auspices of energy outside of your body, you might be able to use the energy. It isn’t especially being transmitted to you, even though that is a possibility, and generally, you are tapping into energy that is otherwise already within your capability to harness.
Energy And The Distance Controversy
I have a mind-bending question for you.
Does geographical distance make a difference in this energy-gathering conception?
Give that some serious contemplation, if you please.
I shall unpack it.
Suppose an energy healer is standing directly in front of a person seeking energy healing therapy. The energy healer rubs their own hands together, seeming to create an abundance of energy. The energy healer then pushes or directs the energy toward the person wanting the therapy. The energy presumably enters that person’s body. In theory, if done suitably, this will either boost their energy or unlock the flow of energy within them.
With me so far?
I trust so.
Change the setting. The energy healer is in New York and the person seeking energy healing is in California. They are talking to each other via a Zoom-like electronic setup. The energy healer rubs their hands together to create an energy abundance.
Can the energy healer somehow direct or transmit the energy to the person in California?
Your first thought might be that this seems far-fetched. How could energy be transmitted like this over such a great distance? One answer might be that somehow the energy is being transmitted in the same means as the video and audio transmission of the Zoom-like setup. Another angle would be that there isn’t a distance hurdle involved and that energy of this type moves in a manner unlike what we conventionally think of energy to be. Some assert that this type of energy defies the norms of space and time.
I have a bit of a surprise for you that maybe you weren’t aware of.
During the Covid pandemic, energy healing therapy continued even though people could no longer readily get together in person. This gave rise to what some refer to as distance healing, remote healing, or distant healing. Energy healers were kept busy by performing their services on a remote basis.
Cynics might argue that this shows that the whole thing is a facade. The posture is that there wasn’t any energy flowing, to begin with. The fact that remote efforts continued and that people thought they were still getting energy healing just illustrates the false nature of the practice.
The counterargument is that either energy knows no bounds, or that energy can be transmitted over great distances and that conventional science hasn’t identified how this happens. People often point to quantum physics to emphasize that there are aspects of energy that we still do not have a handle on. Einstein was famously quoted as saying that quantum mechanics which posits that objects across vast distances can impact each other was said to be an indicator of “spooky action at a distance.”
While you mull that over, let’s try a slightly different perspective.
Suppose an energy healer is at a great distance from a person seeking this kind of therapy. The energy healer has made arrangements for crystals or other energy-emitting items to be in the room where the person is. By instructing the person over a Zoom-like presence, the energy healer can get the person to absorb the energy present or around the person. Thus, the energy healer is not transmitting energy across a great distance. They are instead in this circumstance aiding the person is being able to tap into the energy that is nearby them.
Those who have a scientific explain-this-to-me mindset might find that approach more relatable to their sense of how the world works. The key is that the geographic distance no longer raises those head-scratching questions. You can still be hesitant to believe that crystals or other items are in fact an energy source or that a human can tap into them, but at least the distance dilemma is taken out of the equation.
Research On Energy Healing Practices
Wow, that’s a lot to absorb.
Let’s see what research has to say.
In a research study entitled “Energy Healing Therapies: A Systematic Review and Critical Appraisal” by L. Rogers, K. Phillips, N. Cooper, Health Psychology Review, January 2021, these salient points were made (excerpts):
- “Common terms used in the field of energy healing include energy healing, energy medicine, energy therapies.”
- “These mind-body energy healing modalities are a group of healing techniques that enhance the mind’s interactions with bodily function, to induce relaxation, and to improve overall health and well-being.”
- “Mind-body energy healing techniques are based on mantras, meditations, breathing exercises, physical exercises, and relaxations, on the belief that human thoughts, feelings, and emotions can affect both physical and mental wellbeing.”
- “In this work, we presented a review of the ten popular mind-body energy healing therapies. They are compassion-based Ray 72000 Nadi healing, Reiki healing, Ray 114 chakra healing, Pranic healing, Music therapy, EFT healing, Theata Healing, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Touch Therapy.”
- “There is a need for more robust randomized control trials utilizing standardized holistic energy healing protocols to provide further evidence on this subject.”
Notice that those above points indicate that these practices can make use of meditations, breathing exercises, and the like.
I bring this up because energy healing is sometimes (some would say, unfairly) pigeonholed into solely the act of energy transmission.
The gist is that energy healing therapy does not rely exclusively on energy transmission or energy sharing. As noted, mantras, relaxation techniques, and a host of other techniques come into play.
One difficulty with research on this topic is that we customarily expect strong or reliable research to employ empirical tests and experiments, of which lamentedly there is not as much done in this sphere as you might presume. The last bullet point above noted that more robust RCTs (randomized control trials) are needed.
Speaking of which, let’s take a look at a study that did make use of RCT. In a study entitled “Effects Of Distant Biofield Energy Healing On Adults Associated With Psychological And Mental Health-Related Symptoms: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study” by Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Alice Branton, Dahryn Trivedi, Sambhu Mondal, Snehasis Jana, Health Psychology Research, 2024, these points were made (excerpts):
- “The United States National Institutes of Health (US-NIH) categorized complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into five broad classes, viz. mind-body therapies (meditation, Yoga, Biofeedback, hypnosis, Tai Chi, etc.), biological therapies (dietary supplements, botanicals, special foods, diets, etc.), biofield therapies (healing touch®, therapeutic touch, Reiki, external Qigong, prayer, blessing, etc.), body-based therapies (massage, reflexology, chiropractic, etc.), and whole medicine systems (traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, Naturopathic, etc.).”
- “In this study, the authors focus on biofield therapy as an intervention.”
- “Scientists believe that a form of energy is the infrastructure of the body’s electromagnetic and physiological systems.”
- “However, they cannot be detected with modern scientific instruments, have no gravity, and are referred to as ‘subtle energies’.”
- “It is suggested that some energy healing practitioners can access these energies in various ways for therapeutic interventions.”
I wanted you to see that the study chose to examine biofield therapy.
They came up with an experimental design that divided the human subjects into three major groups, namely those who received the biofield energy healing therapy, one group who did not have energy healing, and one group who had a fake or sham healing therapy. This is a handy approach.
We can compare those who got the energy healing with those who did not. Assuming all else is equal, if the group that received energy healing came out ahead, we might lean into believing that perhaps the energy healing does make a difference.
Furthermore, by having the fake or sham energy healing, we can compare the other two groups to this group. If the fake instance did as well as the group with the energy healing, we might believe that the energy healing was more so a placebo than it was a healing milieu.
Here are the key results (excerpts):
- “In recent years, the popularity of Biofield energy healing therapy has increased tremendously parallel to conventional therapy. However, due to insufficient scientific studies on biofield therapies, authors planned this clinical trial to examine the safety and effectiveness of biofield therapy in treating symptoms of psychological and mental health and to explore parameters for its effectiveness.” (ibid).
- “This study involved a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three parallel-groups, single-center trial.” (ibid).
- “Perceived psychological symptoms/scores (fatigue/tiredness, sleep disturbances, stress, cognitive impairment, loss of memory, mental restlessness, emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, confusion, financial crises and dissatisfaction, low libido, motivation, confidence, lack of perception, relationship, and social behaviors, etc.) were significantly (p <.0001) improved in the biofield intervention group compared to the naïve control and sham control groups.” (ibid).
- “Besides, biofield intervention did not show any study-related adverse effects in all three groups throughout the trial. “(ibid).
- “The distant (virtual) biofield energy healing therapy significantly improved psychological and mental health-related symptoms without affecting safety concerns, and improved overall health and quality of life.” (ibid).
The results suggest that the biofield energy therapy did make a difference.
They also wanted to see if any of the groups incurred adverse effects. We would want to know if the biofield energy therapy produced adverse effects, and likewise, whether the no-intervention and/or the fake intervention might have been harmful. According to the above points, the researchers found no adverse effects during the study.
Please do not try to overly generalize from one study.
I say that because there are all kinds of limitations and conditions associated with any one study. You must be cautious in deciding to make broad declarations.
Generative AI For Energy Healing Therapy
Now that I’ve taken you through the fundamentals of energy healing therapy, we are ready to shift into AI mode.
I’m sure you’ve heard of generative AI, the darling of the tech field these days.
Perhaps you’ve used a generative AI app, such as the popular ones of ChatGPT, GPT-4o, Gemini, Bard, Claude, etc. The crux is that generative AI can take input from your text-entered prompts and produce or generate a response that seems quite fluent. This is a vast overturning of the old-time natural language processing (NLP) that used to be stilted and awkward to use, which has been shifted into a new version of NLP fluency of an at times startling or amazing caliber.
The customary means of achieving modern generative AI involves using a large language model or LLM as the key underpinning.
In brief, a computer-based model of human language is established that in the large has a large-scale data structure and does massive-scale pattern-matching via a large volume of data used for initial data training. The data is typically found by extensively scanning the Internet for lots and lots of essays, blogs, poems, narratives, and the like. The mathematical and computational pattern-matching homes in on how humans write, and then henceforth generates responses to posed questions by leveraging those identified patterns. It is said to be mimicking the writing of humans.
I think that is sufficient for the moment as a quickie backgrounder. Take a look at my extensive coverage of the technical underpinnings of generative AI and LLMs at the link here and the link here, just to name a few.
Back to the crux of things.
There are two main avenues to go with generative AI in the realm of mental health therapy:
- (1) By Mental Health Professions. Mental health professionals can opt to make use of generative AI to aid their patients and clients while under their care.
- (2) By The General Public. The general public can make use of generative AI to aid in their self-advancement regarding mental health.
I am going to focus on the use of generative AI by the general public.
If you’d like to learn more about the use of generative AI by mental health professionals as part of their service offerings, see my extensive coverage at the link here.
The use case on the general public usage in this context is this.
You can readily use generative AI for energy healing therapy. All you need to do is log in and proceed to tell generative AI in a prompt that you wish to undertake energy healing therapy. No special commands or permissions are needed. Nothing prevents you from proceeding. The AI won’t somehow refuse to undertake the task (note: some generative AI apps have been instructed by the AI maker to not proceed on such requests, thus, you might be rebuffed though this is due to instructions by the developers of the AI and not somehow natively by the AI itself, see my discussion at the link here).
There is a chance that the AI might respond by emphasizing that you should consult with a human energy healer. This won’t cause the AI to refuse to otherwise proceed. It will simply alert you that the use of AI ought to be coupled with the use of a human therapist.
Some have insisted that generative AI should be restricted across the board from being able to perform energy healing therapy unless a human therapist has authorized such usage. The viewpoint is that only when you are under the care of a human therapist should the AI perform those kinds of tasks. The human therapist would presumably be working with you to ensure that the AI guidance is doing the right things, and not doing wrong things.
I’m betting that you are potentially scratching your head and puzzled that generative AI could undertake energy healing at all. Since today’s AI is not sentient and doesn’t have a body like that of a human, the question arises about the crucial premise of the use of energy. A human energy healer seemingly uses their bodily energy and transmits or shares the energy with you.
Contemporary AI can’t do that.
Aha, here’s the answer to the conundrum.
I had earlier noted that energy healing therapy is multi-faceted. For example, most would agree that meditation, relaxation exercises, and the like are within the rubric of energy healing therapy. Those types of tasks are ones that generative AI can readily help you with. The AI can explain how to perform those tasks. The AI can ask you how things are coming along. The AI can encourage you to keep going. Etc.
In that sense, the non-energy facets are potentially viably performed by generative AI.
Even the energy facets can be carried out. Here’s how. I had mentioned earlier that sometimes crystals or other energy-producing items might be present when someone is undertaking remote energy healing. The pandemic seemed to increase the attention to such an approach due to energy healers not being able to meet with their clients in person.
Generative AI could be used in conjunction with those energy-producing artifacts. The gist is that the AI is not trying to transmit energy to you. The energy is there in your presence and the AI is guiding you to make use of that energy.
Give that eye-opening approach to generative AI for energy healing a reflective moment to sink in and ponder the weighty topic.
Questions arise aplenty:
- Should generative AI be used in this fashion or is it perhaps reinforcing a form of therapy that some would decry is not valid or otherwise misleading?
- Will the use of generative AI for these purposes give a kind of scientific afterglow as though the AI “knows all” and therefore the energy healing process gets undue credit?
- Are there going to be sneaky people who insidiously leverage generative AI for this purpose and trick others into thinking that energy healing via AI is stupendous and rigorously being applied?
- And so on.
What we at least need are some robust empirical studies to ascertain whether using generative AI in this manner is on par with the work of human energy healers. Is it less effective, more effective, or equally effective? Also, are there potential harms that can come from using generative AI this way? Maybe some people will become worse due to taking this path.
Right now, the entire approach is loosey-goosey.
The temptation to use generative AI in this use case is substantial. An energy healer usually charges a fee or by the hour. Most of the generative AI apps are either free to use or have a nominal cost. The logistics of arranging to confer with a human energy healer can be arduous, such as stipulating days and times. Generative AI is pretty much available non-stop, 24×7, whenever and wherever you might be.
I’ve predicted that we will see human energy healers incorporating generative AI energy healing into their practices. This makes abundant sense. You tell clients that they will meet with the energy healer periodically. Meanwhile, the rest of the time, the client can use generative AI. The generative AI is set up or tailored by the energy healer to fit their practice, see my coverage of customized generative AI at the link here.
Important Words Of Caution
I am not suggesting that generative AI should be used for this purpose. I am merely pointing out that it can be used this way.
In fact, I have repeatedly and loudly warned that we are engaged in a global experiment about mental health by allowing generic generative AI to give out therapy-like advice without any semblance of suitable controls, monitoring, regulations, and the like, see my exhortations at the link here.
There are lots of downsides and potential gotchas associated with using generative AI in this sphere, for example:
- Generative AI might provide generic advice rather than personalized advice.
- Generative AI might seem overly confident and lull people into a false sense of trust.
- Generative AI might have outdated content that no longer is considered valid.
- Generative AI might miscalculate context and say the wrong thing.
- Generative AI might trigger someone via wording that is off-putting to the person.
- Generative AI might distract a person from seeking the help of a human therapist.
- Generative AI might end up revealing confidential or private information about a person.
- Generative AI might lead the person toward being dependent upon generative AI for advice.
- Generative AI might misinterpret, misdiagnose, or otherwise be off target.
- Generative AI might contain hidden biases that produce inappropriate advice.
- Generative AI might lack any semblance of accountability for the advice being rendered.
- Generative AI might produce falsehoods, fictitious indications that are so-called “AI hallucinations”.
- Etc.
A lengthy list, for sure.
This is not to say that generative AI should not be used. It is to say that when generative AI is used, care and thoughtful efforts are hopefully top of mind. For my detailed advice on the proper way to proceed in such usage, see the link here.
Showcasing The Use Of Generative AI
I will next proceed to examine further the use of generative AI in this context.
This will consist of a series of dialogues with ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a logical choice in this case due to its immense popularity as a generative AI app. As noted, an estimated one hundred million weekly active users are said to be utilizing ChatGPT. That’s a lot of people and a lot of generative AI usage underway.
A few quick comments before we launch into using ChatGPT.
If you are going to try to do the same prompts that I show here, realize that the probabilistic and statistical properties will likely produce slightly different results than what I show here. That’s the nature of generative AI and how it is devised.
You also should expect that different generative AI apps will respond in different ways. Not all generative AI apps are the same. The key is that sometimes a particular prompt will work in one generative AI app and not another. Nonetheless, the odds are relatively high that you will get roughly similar responses from all the major generative AI apps such as GPT-4, Gemini, Bard, Claude, etc.
There is also a timing factor to be considered. A prompt that worked today might not work the same way tomorrow. Most of the generative AI apps are continually being updated. The updates might alter internal mechanisms that could change how the generative AI reacts to your prompting.
We are ready to get underway with ChatGPT.
I will ask a foundational question.
- My entered prompt: “What is energy healing?”
- ChatGPT generated response: “Energy healing is a holistic practice that involves channeling and balancing the body’s energy to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Practitioners believe that the body has a vital energy or life force, often referred to as “chi,” “prana,” or “qi,” which flows through it. When this energy is blocked or imbalanced, it can lead to physical or emotional issues. There are various forms of energy healing, including Reiki, Acupuncture, Qi Gong, Healing Touch, Crystal Healing, etc.
You likely observe that ChatGPT is familiar with the topic.
This is a good sign for this discussion. If ChatGPT had not previously encountered data training on a topic at hand, there would be less utility in using the AI. The AI would have to be further data trained, such as the use of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), as I discuss at the link here.
Let’s jump into the important matter
- My entered prompt: “Does energy healing work?”
- ChatGPT generated response: “The effectiveness of energy healing is often debated, with some people experiencing significant benefits, while others are more skeptical. It’s important to note that energy healing is typically used as a complementary practice alongside conventional medical treatment.”
What do you think of that answer by ChatGPT?
Pretty much a down-the-line kind of response. You are being informed that maybe energy healing works, maybe not, and that if it is used, doing so in conjunction with conventional medical treatment is the prudent scheme.
Let’s see what ChatGPT has to say about remote energy healing.
- My entered prompt: “Does a person who wants to undergo energy healing have to be physically in person with an energy healer or can the process be done remotely?”
- ChatGPT generated response:
“Energy healing can be done both in person and remotely, depending on the specific practice and the beliefs of the practitioner and the recipient.”
“In-Person Energy Healing: Traditional energy healing practices like Reiki, Healing Touch, and acupuncture typically involve the practitioner being physically present with the recipient. The healer might place their hands on or near the body, use tools like needles (in the case of acupuncture), or guide the recipient through specific movements or breathing exercises. Being in person allows for real-time interaction, where the healer can adjust their approach based on the recipient’s responses.”
“Remote Energy Healing: Many practitioners believe that energy is not confined by physical distance and can be sent across any space. This is often referred to as distance or remote healing. In Reiki, for example, practitioners may use symbols and visualization techniques to send healing energy to someone who is not physically present. Remote healing offers greater flexibility, allowing individuals to receive healing from anywhere, without needing to travel or be in the same location as the healer. Some energy healers offer remote sessions via phone or video calls. During these sessions, the healer might guide the recipient through visualizations, meditations, or simply focus on sending energy while the recipient is in a relaxed state.”
End of ChatGPT response
Okay, we now have on the table that ChatGPT seems to be relatively well-versed on this topic because of data training.
Let’s ask the zillion-dollar question.
- My entered prompt: “Can generative AI be used to undergo energy healing therapy?”
- ChatGPT generated response:
“Generative AI can be used in several ways to support someone interested in energy healing.”
- “Personalized Guidance and Resources: AI can generate personalized meditation scripts, visualizations, or affirmations that align with specific energy healing practices. For instance, someone practicing Reiki could use AI-generated guided meditations to enhance their focus during a session.”
- “Education and Learning: AI can create educational content, such as articles, videos, or interactive tutorials, to help someone learn about different energy healing techniques, their benefits, and how to practice them.”
- “Virtual Coaching: AI-driven virtual coaches can provide reminders, tips, and encouragement for people practicing energy healing, helping them maintain consistency and track their progress.”
- “Music and Sound Therapy: AI can generate soothing music or soundscapes tailored to the needs of the individual, which can enhance the environment for energy healing practices like Reiki or Qi Gong.”
End of ChatGPT response
Those approaches all seem logical.
The Proof In The Pudding Via Generative AI
It is time for the grand reveal.
I will go ahead and pretend that I want to get some energy-healing therapy. I will tell ChatGPT that I want it to help me.
Here we go.
- My entered prompt: “I’ve been feeling stressed lately and heard about energy healing. I’m curious about it, but I don’t know where to start. Can you help?”
- ChatGPT generated response: “Absolutely! Energy healing can be a wonderful way to manage stress and restore balance in your life. What specifically interests you about energy healing? Are you looking to learn a specific technique, or are you just exploring your options?
- My entered prompt: “I’m not sure. I’ve heard about Reiki and chakra balancing, but I don’t really know what they involve. I guess I want something that can help me relax and maybe sleep better.”
- ChatGPT generated response: “Reiki and chakra balancing are both excellent practices for relaxation and improving sleep. Let me explain a bit about each. Reiki is a Japanese healing technique where the practitioner channels energy into your body, typically through gentle touch or even hovering hands. Chakra balancing involves focusing on the seven main energy centers in your body, known as chakras. Would you like to try a guided meditation to balance your chakras, or perhaps explore some Reiki techniques you can practice on your own?”
- My entered prompt: “Chakra balancing sounds interesting. I like the idea of focusing on different parts of my body. Can you guide me through it?”
- ChatGPT generated response: “Certainly! We can start with a simple chakra-balancing meditation. It’s best to find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Ready?”
- My entered prompt: “Yes, I’m ready.”
- ChatGPT generated response: “Great! Let’s begin. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. We’re going to focus on several chakra, starting from the root at the base of your spine and moving upward. {This went on for quite a while}. Take a few more deep breaths, feeling all the lights aligned and balanced. When you’re ready, gently open your eyes.”
End of ChatGPT response
Due to space limitations here, I slimmed down the last response above which involved ChatGPT aiding me in going through several chakras.
Also, please be aware that I kept going far beyond that activity and had a lengthy dialogue with ChatGPT. It was quite interesting.
My goal here was to give you a semblance of what it is like to have generative AI perform energy-healing therapy and guide you thereupon.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you are now aware of energy healing, plus, how generative AI dovetails into energy healing.
It was a twofer that covered both of those topics.
What is your reaction to the two?
I suppose that if you are a doubter about energy healing, the addition of generative AI would likely be infuriating. The AI element might give people a sense that energy healing is fully on the up and up. On the other hand, if you are someone who stridently believes in energy healing, you might be joyous that generative AI has come to the table.
Energy healers might be somewhat disturbed since this could undercut their book of business. Perhaps this is yet another instance of AI taking human jobs. The other side of that coin is that generative AI might broaden the market for energy healing. This in turn might create a new level of demand for human energy healers. You could convincingly argue that generative AI in this use case might expand the market and further legitimize the approach.
Time will tell.
A few final remarks for now and I’ll conclude this discussion.
Paracelsus, the famed Swiss physician and alchemist, said this: “The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore, the physician must start from nature, with an open mind.”
That is a sentiment that might or might not alter your opinion about energy healing. Just thought I’d mention it.
The last word will go to Aristotle: “The energy of the mind is the essence of life.”
Put your mind to work and decide whether you believe in energy healing therapy and decide too what you think of generative AI being in the mix. It is yours to decide.
I truly hope that this discussion was energizing for you.
