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Hallett, Annie. Book reviews, Spirituality and Health International 6(4): 265-267 (2005), John Wiley & Sons,
How Can I Heal What Hurts? Wholistic Healing & Bio Energies Healing Research, Volume II (Popular Edition)
By Daniel J Benor, MD
This book represents what must have truly been a labour of love and dedication. The text leans more towards a discourse on its title – ‘Wholistic Healing and Bio-energies’ – rather than simply being a reference book, its subject matter being far wider than the title suggests. It includes, for example, references to psychiatry, psychology, physiology and astrology, in addition to many therapies and self-help approaches. It is clearly articulated and makes easy reading, although because of its size, over 600 pages, and its nature, I suspect it will be more of a book to dip in and out of. This, in fact, is how Dr Benor suggests it is to be used.
The introduction sets the context and discusses the interplay between orthodox approaches to healthcare and the more wholistic view, which Dr Benor advocates. He clearly states the key areas he is addressing and how the chapter plan reflects this. This is particularly useful in view of the book’s dimensions, in both size and content. The introduction is followed by a short resume of the four volumes of Healing Research of which this book is the second volume. It is explained that this edition is the popular version of the earlier publication, which was entitled ‘Consciousness, Bioenergy and Healing’. Whereas the professional edition discusses in detail the associated research, this popular version is very much written with the lay person in mind, although it does include some research. I suspect in order to make it more appealing to the lay reader, this popular version dedicates two chapters to self-healing, one of them focused on exercises and techniques for readers to utilize for themselves.
The opening chapter takes a look at self-healing and explores this from numerous angles. Contemporary psychotherapeutic thinking is encompassed along with associated physiological function. Dr Benor then expands into the theoretical basis of transpersonal psychotherapy and the concept of collective consciousness.
Dr Benor’s psychiatric background is clearly evident in this chapter and there is quite an emphasis on cognitive and psychodynamic approaches.
In Chapter 2 Dr Benor begins to explore the nature of Wholistic Energy Medicine and describes numerous therapies associated with this concept. This makes for absorbing and informative reading and it concludes with a discussion around issues relating to the integration of complementary therapies into orthodox healthcare.
Chapter 3 explores the nature of energy and energy fields in more detail. The section describing the nature of the aura particularly fascinated me. Much of the material in these chapters was substantiated by references to research and was not only stimulating and thought-provoking to read, but provided a good basis of understanding upon which to lay the therapies described.
The comprehensive nature of this book is further verified by the fourth chapter, which transports us from the human energy fields to the effects of geo-biological energy on health and healing, extending to the influence of astrology and paying a brief visit to sacred geometry, by way of feng shui. Dr Benor uses research to substantiate many of his statements, and generally gives some indication as to the reliability of the research.
Self-healing is revisited in the fifth and final chapter and again covers a wide range of approaches from cognitive behaviour therapy to ancient traditions including the reading of runes and tarot.
My other main concern with this chapter relates to the potential to trivialize the ancient and sometimes mystical qualities of such arts as the reading of runes, the tarot and I Ching. These can be a powerful means of gaining insight when used by the wise and experienced but I personally felt concern at their being reduced to a few lines of DIY self-healing. I think this is an illustration of one of the problems associated with trying to be all inclusive, as I am sure Dr Benor is fully aware of the complexities of these ancient arts.
To conclude, this is an extremely comprehensive book, which offers an articulate insight into the subject matter. It functions as a useful and informative reference book and should be valuable reading for those wanting to increase their understanding of Wholistic therapies. It brings together many of the ideas and themes prevalent in the Wholistic interpretation of health, albeit with a backdrop of psychiatric discourse.
Annie Hallett, RGN Msc
Counsellor and Complementary Therapies Coordinator
Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust
DOI: 10:1002/shi.31
Maurice Kouguell, PhD
Review for Energy Therapy Network of the Mid-Atlantic States
HOW CAN I HEAL WHAT HURTS needs to be required reading not only for
medical doctors but for all patients afflicted by long term medical issues.
When I was diagnosed with cancer over four years ago, I was fortunate to
have been prepared by my own training in energy medicine, prayers and
many modalities which I discovered on my own and I am certain that all
those were instrumental in prolonging my health. None of those
modalities were discussed with me by my oncologist, an excellent
physician. It seems to me that there comes a time when the physician
must become a healer and make it known to the patient what else is
available for the well being of the patient. Alternative healing and
complimentary medicine are in my opinion still in their infancy although
we have made strides in incorporating those into the healing process. I
have met with staff members of the hospital where I am a patient and
discussed and proposed , from a cancer patient’s view, what is needed,
from playing relaxing music in the waiting room to apprising the patient
of how he could be proactive in his own treatment.
Patient education and avenues to be taken for one’s well being are so
well outlined and discussed in this wonderful book and I feel strongly
that it should find its way at least into the waiting room of
oncologists as well as other specialists deal with long term illnesses.
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eBook: $27.00
