Are Vaccines Really Safe?!

For many years, vaccinations were an accepted part of life for children and their parents.  The government mandated them, and few people argued.  After all, they were considered the most effective tool in stopping the spread of a number of horrible diseases.

Vaccination has practically eradicated several diseases that were once quite common.  But in recent years, there has been mounting evidence that vaccinations can be harmful to children.  This has led to public outcry, and a growing number of parents are now refusing to have their children vaccinated.

Vaccines and Autism

One of the most prevalent arguments against vaccines is their reported link to autism.  Autism cases have increased at an alarming rate over the past decade.  Although vaccine manufacturers deny it, many experts believe that this rise in autism is closely linked to childhood vaccinations.

There are two issues regarding vaccines and autism.  The first is the use of thimerosal, a preservative used in vaccines that contains mercury.  The use of thimerosal was once allowed in vaccines, even though the mercury in it is a neurotoxin.  It is believed that vaccinations given between the late 1980s and 2003 had levels of thimerosal beyond what was considered safe, and may have caused autism in many children.

The other vaccine controversy pertaining to autism involves the MMR vaccine, which does not contain thimerosal.  This vaccine contains three sets of viruses, and it is administered at an age when autism is most likely to be discovered.  It is believed that the MMR vaccine may cause autism in children who have problems with their immune systems.

Other Vaccine Controversies

Autism isn't the only problem that has been linked to vaccines.  Some opponents of vaccines in their current state believe that they cause healthy cells to mutate.  This can cause the immune system to attack them, leading to autoimmune disorders.

Other health problems that have been unofficially linked to vaccination include brain damage, cardiovascular disease, metabolic problems, and even cancer.  Vaccines are also blamed for Gulf War Syndrome.  With all of these potential problems, it is no wonder that mandatory vaccination programs have become so controversial.

Do I Have to Get My Child Vaccinated?

Vaccines are currently mandated by law, but most states allow religious exemptions to the requirements.  Some also allow philosophical exemptions, so if you are hesitant to allow your child to receive vaccines, check your state's laws.  Also, some of the newer vaccines are optional.  It is important to know and exercise your rights regarding these.

Opponents to the current vaccine laws are pushing for stricter regulations and modifications to the vaccine schedule.  Some also endorse different methods of immune therapy.  These changes could result in a safer way to protect ourselves and our children against disease.

Pranic, Tantric, and Reiki - Why Do Energy Healing?

You have probably come across exotic-sounding terms such as “chakra”, “prana”, “aura”, and “tantra” in your course of reading books on spirituality, sex, and healing in the New Age literature section of the bookstore. But what’s the real scoop behind these exotic vocabularies?

Are All Energy Healings the Same?

Chakra or energy center is a term used in Pranic healing, an ancient Hindu system of energy healing. “Prana” means life energy. “Aura” is another terminology traced to Pranic healing. Aura is a non-physical body that consists of energy, which exists along with our physical body. The aura that covers our body is said to have seven layers pertaining to the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual as manifested by energy. Studying the color and thickness of auras gives ideas on the state of health of individuals. Six colors are associated with aura and interpreted into six personalities. These colors are all present in an individual but one or two are more pronounced.

            Green – ambitious achiever

            Blue – spiritual peacemaker

            White – unconventional chameleon

            Red – activist

            Orange – creative communicator

            Violet - psychic

Although Tantra is popularly associated with the peculiar practice of sex and spirituality, it is another method of energy healing. It comes from the word “tan” which means to spread or expand. The concept of connectedness is a recurring theme in Tantric writings on sex and spirituality. As a method of healing, spirituality and sex figure prominently. It is presupposed that the union of man and woman can reach spiritual levels during orgasm, which removes the body and mind off collected impurities. These impurities being negative energies can in turn manifest as physical illnesses.

Unlike Pranic and Tantric healings, which have Hindu origins, Reiki originated from Japan. It is relatively younger than Pranic and Tantric healings having been rediscovered in the early 1900’s. Reiki stands for universal energy, an energy brought forth by higher intelligence. Students of Reiki are taught how to tap this energy to heal physical, emotional, and mental illnesses.

Although Pranic, Tantra, and Reiki are all systems of energy healing, they differ in the type of energy tapped for healing: life energy, sexual energy, and universal energy respectively.

The concepts of the connectedness of mind, body, and spirit; the connection of individuals to all living and nonliving things around them and to the universe; and how energy impacts physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being are some of the salient similarities of these three healing methods.

Why Do People Turn to Energy Healing?

Pranic, Tantric, and Reiki are considered alternative methods of healing. In spite of the availability and relative accessibility of modern medicine, how come more and more people are being drawn to them? Here are some possible reasons:

           

· People perceive modern medicine to be isolating.

Medical treatments are oftentimes focused on the disease and its causative agent, which can make a patient feel isolated and treated like a mere host of the disease. Although recent developments in hospital practice are gradually promoting the holistic treatment of a patient, the perception still persists. Unlike in energy healing, since energy and spirituality are intimately linked, the patient feels that all aspects of his health are being attended to.

· Energy healing worked where modern medicine failed.

For several reasons both explainable and unexplainable, modern medical treatment failed to heal ailments and conditions in several if not many persons. Research or data may not be able to support this statement. But for the families of the dying as well as for the dying patient, they would take the risk of using alternative methods ranging from herbals and organics, faith healers, witch doctors, and New Age healing techniques just to be get well.

· Energy healing is a good way of relieving stress.

Meditation is part and parcel of energy healing methods and this is an added come-on for highly stressed people. Moreover, sophisticated equipment is not required thus it becomes all the more convenient for students and future students of energy healing.

The battle between alternative healing and mainstream medicine continues as both present the benefits of their approach. But in the final analysis, what matters is the restoration of good health.

· Energy healing is non-obtrusive and natural thus it is safer.

Repeated surgical procedures are physically and emotionally traumatic for most patients. It is but a logical and attractive option to both patient and families to look for less stressful health interventions. Moreover, with the rising popularity of New Age religions, going natural is the way to go.