Before deciding to pursue Energywork... (updated)

Some of us maybe at the point where we wonder is there more to it than what we have been taught all these while in religious schools. Some of us maybe searching for answers as to our existence but never could find it in the various religions around today...it's like something is missing. Some of us are searching for higher truths. Some of us are curious as to our own spirituality. Some of us never really fitted in but we can't seem to put a finger on it. The list goes on... And the idea of joining esoteric spiritual schools from simple physical yoga to meditative yoga to "energy work" may appeal to some of us in our search. However, I must say that there are issues that we need to consider before we embark on such a journey versus going for the more mainstream path which is through the various religious organizations in the world today. The former is potentially a faster path but full with pitfalls and definitely the path less trodden today. The latter is the slow path but a sure path if you practice regularly and not be dogmatic as dogma stops your growth. Which path suits a person depends on the individual. But, like I said, there are issues that need to be addressed.

I read from a traditional craft website recently on the difference that we need to understand before deciding and I thought that was a really good write up. However, that write up was more for traditional craft vs monotheist religions. The problem is that there are other religions that are not monotheist. So, I thought I did put my own up based on what I read and on my understanding.

"Energywork" is defined as the use or manipulation of energy or chi. In the past, a practitioner would be called a witch, sorcerer, wizard, shaman, medicine man, or traditional crafter. Today, this would be the practitioners of modern day energywork like Bhavapasta, Reiki, Pranic Healing (to name a few). For ease, I am just going to lump all practitioners of energywork together and call them all Lightworkers. A Lightworker would say that energywork is the use of natural abilities to influence reality. Some of us more philosophical ones would say that energywork is the transformation, alteration, or changing the form of the very essence of nature according to one's will.

Energywork can be used outside of religious context. It can also be used within the framework of religions or spiritualities that allow the use of energy manipulation. For example Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism have many rituals (or pujas) that are mystical in nature. If one is clairvoyant, one would be able to see the immense energy that is at these rituals.

That is also the case with european traditional crafts like the Traditional Witchcraft of the British Isles. Every Traditional Witch, or Crafter, follows a particular path in pagan spirituality which reflects classical pagan ideals and which has magic as a primary element. This evolved from the nature spirituality of our ancestors. The old pagan spiritual traditions of Britain, sometimes called "Earth spirituality," has a witchcraft heritage. The old religions of Britain and magic complimented each other in a brilliant manner and provide a beautifully cohesive religious paradigm reflective of old folk culture.

Mainstream Monotheistic religions like Christianity, Islam and Judaism was never part of this. However, their inner schools like Gnosticism (Christian Mystics), Sufism (Moslem Mystics) and Kabbalah (Judaic Mystic?) are. However the mainstream "schools" are generally not aware of this and thus for most mainstreamers, it is non-existence. Well.. you do not teach your underaged child what goes on behind your closed bedroom door when you and your spouse are making love right? Making love with someone whom you love (in most cases, that would be your spouse) is the highest form of love second only to compassion (Godunconditional love) but you still don't tell your underaged child right?. Just digressing.

Anyway, here are a few ideas to ponder:

1) The application of energywork into any religious structure necessarily must assume that the religion itself does not prohibit the use of energywork (or magic or witchcraft to be more blunt).

However, mainstream monotheist religions specifically and repeatedly clearly prohibits the use of magic and witchcraft. This is stated in very clear language in scripture as well as commentaries on scripture by their respective Talmudic and Church authorities. Same goes for Islam.

Generally, monotheistic religions are revealed religions; this means the legitimacy of each religion rests solely on their sacred text, called "the word" in Christianity. They both believe their respective scriptures to be the only true revelations from their respective monotheistic supreme god. These are considered "revelations" that are stated in the Jewish Torah and in the Christian New Testament, sources that establish each religion's version of their respective "ultimate truth."

In Judaism, the prohibitions against witchcraft include Exodus 22:18, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live", and in Deuteronomy 18:10-11, "There must not be found among you anyone... practicing divination, or soothsaying, observing omens, applying sorcery, neither a charmer, a medium, a wizard, or a necromancer."

In Christianity, the prohibitions include Galatians 5:19-20 (King James Version) in listing "acts of sinful nature" which included the "worship of idols and witchcraft...", and in Revelations 21:8 that lists those destined for Hell which includes those that "practice witchcraft." There are others, but you get the idea.

But the funny thing is while these are stated, Gnostics, Sufis, and Kabbalistics happily continue with their practices. Hmmmm... makes you wonder who wrote all those revelations.

Anyway, these are just some examples of Jewish and Christian intolerance and myopic thinking that is incongruous to the higher ideals of pagan spirituality or energywork in general. On another side note, its also kind of hypocritical for strict monotheists to practice yoga as yoga is actually a spiritual practice that enables one to awaken Kundalini energy, connect with one's higher soul and beyond for soul realization etc. Again, these is against what their religion teaches them.

Padmasambhava, founder of Tibetan
Buddhism and one of the greatest
magicians of all time

For Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism, they are more tolerant of energywork. Probably due to the ancient arts of QiGong, Tai Chi, Ayuverda, Acupuncture and meditations in general etc that uses and manipulates chi and thus the concept of energywork is already prevalent in eastern cultures and their religions. Hence usually there is no problem with buddhist, Hindus, Taoist etc practicing energywork. In fact Taoism is known to have many mystical (Tantric) teachings. Tibetan Buddhism is steep with pagan rituals and mystical arts.

2) There are many reasons why it is not logical to try to combine Mainstream Monotheistic religion with energywork. In fact, many members of both sides (Lightworkers vs. Christians and Jews) would consider a practice that combined energywork with Christianity, Islam, or Judaism with strong disapproval and even disgust. The main problem is the impossible task of accommodating directly conflicting fundamental beliefs. Unless, the monotheism practitioner is a Gnostic, Sufi, Kabalistic or an old soul that "knows".

3) Most traditional crafters are pagans or non-monotheist. We do subscribe to a supreme God but at the same time, we do recognize the presence of Deities, Nature or Earth spirituality. Monotheists traditionally are somewhat fearful of Nature and to Earth spirituality because of Nature's closeness to the gods or demigods. Of course, they would use the word, demons. To my amusement, some of them even erroneously referred to Kundalini energy as satanic. Monotheists approach nature with a great deal of apprehension specifically as a reaction to classical Neoplatonism of the Greco-Roman world and to ancient pagan civilization which exhibited a superior culture and a higher level of spirituality based on love, rather than the fear Monotheists needed to generate to herd people into their churches, mosques or synagogue. Christians (Catholics) considered Nature as the domain of demons, which they considered to be evil spirits. However, the word "demon," is Greek for "spirit" not evil spirit. The Christians were affraid of spirits even though each person has a spirit, a.k.a.soul. This type of anti-rationalism is what helped to drove Europe into the Dark Ages.

The Ascended Masters

4) Christians are monotheists, at least according to them. Classical Neoplatonists of ancient Greece and Rome questioned this idea as being ludicrous. Monotheism is defined as the belief in one supreme god. However, in Christianity, their one supreme god was declared to be three gods-in-one, a so-called "trinity" in the third century, C.E. That is 300 hundred years AFTER their Jesus lived. (Which means he never heard about a "trinity" and presumably would not approve.)

This trinity godhead is made up of 1) God the Father, 2) His "only begotten son" Jesus Christ, and 3) The Holy Ghost. This threesome may not sound like a monotheistic religion (because if you count them, there are three). Nevertheless, since the third century C.E., Christians have insisted that a trinity godhead is not polytheism. As a side note: Roman Emperor Julian Augustus called the Christian trinity, "the three-headed monster."

In any event, paganism and monotheism are not compatible. Another side note here: Paganism does not necessarily mean that you subscribe to many different gods. It's more like you recognize that there are different higher beings like the Boddhisattvas, Ascended Masters that you can seek guidance from apart from God, Jesus or the angels.

5) Pagans take very strong exception to the Christian idea that "God's only begotten son is Jesus Christ." This makes no sense as we believe we are all the sons and daughters of God.

6) Another claim in both Judaism and Christianity is the demand that their faithful follow no other god than the one their religious authorities approve. With this one point alone, it's obvious that the concepts of deity in Judaism / Christianity and those in Traditional craft hopelessly irreconcilable.

7) Then there are those other Christian (and other monotheists) pesky details, like:

• The expectation of being repentant of "sin",

• The disbelief in reincarnation, and

• The belief in the devil, otherwise known as Satan.

These are but three bizarre Christian beliefs that have no place in energywork because they are incompatible with traditional spirituality or any form of true spiritual growth for that matter.

8) Besides, those of us who have spirituality at heart could never accept Jesus as a "savior." While we acknowledge and recognize that Jesus is an Avatar, an Ascended Master, a great teacher, we do not see him as a savior per se. Simply put, we do not believe we are in need of being saved by anyone. In fact, most Lightworkers would find the very idea absurd and arrogant. Contrary to the christian approach, we view Jesus (and the rest) as a great being, a great teacher, a great Avatar whom we would turn to for spiritual guidance, help etc. For us, accepting Jesus into our lives means we accept his teachings and spiritual guidance. His sacrifice was so that humanity would move to the next level of evolution and he moves to his next level on the Bodhisattva path that he was on. It is absolutely absurd to suggest that we get to go to heaven only through him. 

Therefore, it would be wise that if you are a mainstream monotheists, you should select One Path that jives with you in order to avoid inner conflict within yourself. However, usually, if you are attracted to energywork without being repulsed by it, it means that in one of your past lives, you have either done it before or been exposed to the good side of it i.e. healing work.

Anyone can learn energywork but Energywork is not for everyone. So, if you're on the fence and you feel you don't really know what to do, then that is perfectly fine. Take time and think about what is in your heart. Only you can decide what is best for you.

If Islam, Judaism or Christianity (or Catholicism) is deeply meaningful to you, then live a Moslem, Jewish or Christian life. Good people are in every religion.


On another side note here...For us Lightworkers, we are "indifferent" to monotheist religions. We consider these religions out-of-tune with the true nature of the universe. Therefore, for christianity, it is mostly ignored, especially today as the clergy have little political power. While Islamic clergy does have considerable political influence in their respective countries, it is also still generally ignored by Lightworkers. So, being indifferent to monotheists religions is an attitude among Lightworkers and in my opinion it is the best approach. But that doesn't mean we are doormat to be stepped on... Trust me, if you overly-offend a Lightworker and thus invoke his/her wrath, you may suddenly find unexplainable things happening to you... Let me clarify that the destructive energies will not be from the Lightworker but from the aggressor (in this case, you). Shields can be extremely powerful at repelling negative/destructive energies. I've seen how one person was almost destroyed (literally) by his own doing for picking on the wrong Lightworker. All the Lightworker needed to do was put up a shield but the aggressor stupidly continued his attacks for months. He almost died as a result and had to be saved by other Lightworkers... Sending destructive energies once or twice to a shield only to have it repelled automatically back to you may result in you not feeling anything since most of us are not trained to feel energy anyway, but if you keep at it everyday for months... sigh... trust me... it's a stupid thing to do. There are better ways to kill yourself. :-)