Healing depends on balance. If our external and internal lifestyles are balanced then, assuming we have the potential to get well, all the conditions necessary for healing are in place. How to establish external balance? We should develop a good diet, drink plenty of water, get enough rest and sleep, have regular exercise within our capacity and we need to have an enjoyable job or purpose in life or learn to enjoy it. Also it helps to live in a clean and healthy environment. We also need supportive and healthy relationships and should avoid substance abuse...

We have a subtle body too, made of energy - life force energy that runs through subtle pathways or meridians and centres of energy, known as chakras. A skilful healer can help the body to heal by stimulating and unblocking the meridians so our natural energies flow freely, bringing mental, emotional and eventually physical balance and well-being. This is the way most natural healing therapies work...

Our body, nervous system, mind and internal energies are so intimately connected that a particular therapy may work on several of these areas at the same time to bring balance and healing to the whole. Even the therapies that work only on the mind like counselling and psychotherapy can have a positive influence on the physical body through this chain of close connections...

Life force energy is the subtle foundation of all life, a sort of 'cosmic soup' that supports, nourishes and sustains the cycle of birth, life and death. Physical matter is made up of differing frequencies of energy. Solid objects are made up of energy vibrating at a very low or slow frequency. Less solid objects like water, air and subtle life force energy are vibrating incredibly fast.

Universal life force energy is regarded as the source of all life. The life force in plants, trees, animals, humans, planets, stars and universes comes from this one source. We need to make contact with the source if we want to maintain or recreate good physical, mental and spiritual health. When we are in touch with this energy through prayer, meditation, walking or receiving healing we feel less 'separate' and increasingly 'whole' within ourselves and within the 'whole' of creation. We experience a sense of unity, we become more aware of our place or role in the great scheme of things and at the same time we feel supported, safe, open and confident in our ability to be all that we are. These spiritual or personal experiences are the 'essence' of healing...

There are many conditions required for health like good diet, regular light exercise, social and environmental circumstances, mental attitude etc. However, there are times when good health is not easily restored or maintained even when all the obvious conditions are present. Then we need to look for deeper causes and solutions...

Happiness or fulfilment is just a state of mind - it comes from within so it is impossible to find lasting peace of mind in only the external world. Sometimes illness could be a blessing in disguise because it can help to start us on that inner journey towards wholeness and ultimate healing...