Mietek Wirkus and Margaret Wirkus           

            ...The sin of our time is that we do not know.  We do know where we have to look for the power and the energy and the sense of their direction, but we are so intellectually oriented that this seems a non-rational, even superstitious thing to do because we persist in the preposterous illusion that we must know  rationally, in advance, where we are going.
                                           Sir Laurens van der Post - A Walk with a White Bushman

Mietek Wirkus was born in July 1939 in Poland.  From childhood he was capable of observing 'colourful, glittering clouds' surrounding the bodies of people and animals and would comment about them.  He first gave healing at age four to his sister to relieve her asthma.  Members of his family and his sister's doctor observed that after several seconds' treatment the asthma attacks would pass.

  From early childhood Mietek realised that he differed from the vast majority of other children.  It was more than thirty years later, however, before he decided to devote himself to work with bioenergy.  During this time, he continued to develop his healing abilities.  He studied eastern meditation techniques and breathing exercises.  He also learned how to regulate the flow of energy in his body and within his own energy fields; how to increase or slow down the flow as needed; how to send energy and concentrate it in appropriate areas in or beyond the body; and how to augment with his own energy the energy fields of other people.  He also compared his own experiences in manipulation of this subtle energy with written sources in esoteric writings about the connections between the mind, emotions and health of physical bodies.

  As he continued to develop the ability to use his energy, Mietek started formulating his own bioenergy theory, on which his school is now based.  The theory incorporates elements of Tibetan healing teachings, especially those for breathing and movement of energy.

  Along with two other bioenergy therapists, Mietek worked for over two years in Polish medical centres, seeing patients along with physicians.  He then moved to the US with his family, where he now practices and teaches bioenergy healing.

  In his school, Mietek focuses his attention primarily on the external energy fields that surround a person.  His experiments suggest that there exist flowing currents of energy in the physical body, as well as external fields of energy around the body.  He identifies four levels of energy that flow on the intentional level:

  1. through the skeletal structure of the body and the joints;

  2. through blood circulation;

  3. through the nervous system; and

  4. through the skin.

All of these energy flows may be improved and facilitated by the system of practices contained in the concept of 'body work', such as massage, chiropractic, Rolfing, Alexander technique, acupuncture, etc.  Because the internal energy flow remains closely related to the external energy flow, body work can have a very positive effect on the person's physical, emotional and mental states.  However, to assure that this positive effect can be retained longer, it is also necessary to correct the flow of energy in the fields surrounding the body.  These are (per terminology developed by Soviet scientists):

  1. the thermal field (also known as the etheric body, which has a direct influence on the physical body);

  2. the electromagnetic field (also called the emotional or astral body, whose state is directly connected with the emotions and which has a direct effect on the state of the thermal field); and

  3. the acoustic field (also known as the mental level, which has a direct effect on the state of the emotional field and via the emotional field affects the thermal field).

All of the fields have their energy distribution centres (chakras in Sanskrit; khalso in Tibetan), all are in a state of constant vibration and all are held together with the same subtle 'binding matter', which Mietek considers to be the mind.  This mind 'inhabits' each of these fields with varying levels of awareness.  Without the existence of this 'binding matter' our physical, etheric, astral and mental bodies would disintegrate, which is what happens from the moment of physical death.  (This does not mean that 'WE' die.)

  There exist also supra-mental levels of energy.  These are alterable, however, only as a result of close connection with the Highest Source of energy, however we may understand this Source.

  A practitioner of bioenergy must first 'straighten out' his or her own energy flow on each level before considering working on the fields of others.  This is the goal of the basic training course offered by the school created by the authors.  In the basic training, various theories are considered.  Major emphasis is placed on individual experience.  While all students perform the same exercises, detailed in a manual, their personal experiences vary.

  On the elementary level, we teach how to feel the energy, how to send it where we want it, how to release the emotions accumulated (often unconsciously) through the years, so that the mental level can assert control over emotions and steer all of these levels of energy.  Everyone is accepted into the elementary classes, provided they are mentally balanced and not excessively aggressive.  At this level, groups of 16-20 students at a time discover their energy abilities and help to teach each other, under close supervision of the authors.  The individual attention which is possible in these small groups is time consuming but brings the best results.  Thus far, about 1,000 persons have completed our basic course in the US.

  Candidates for the advanced class are selected by Mietek.  They are taught work with bioenergy, how to affect the energy fields of another, how to correct them, how to work in the etheric, emotional and mental levels.  Each student is encouraged to undertake basic studies in anatomy and physiology.  We teach hygiene in bioenergy work as well as the ethics of that work.  There are also recommended readings.  To perfect the techniques we use a video camera to give students feedback and help them assess their progress.  Students are also encouraged to become acquainted with other methods of energy work, and, after completing their course, to develop their own methods compatible with the individual needs for application of bioenergy in their own line of work.  Clearly, the needs of a therapeutic masseuse, a psychologist, a physician and other carers differ from each other.

  Over 280 persons have completed the advanced training in the US.  Many of them report achieving considerable success in applying the method.  After completing the advanced classes, students are invited to attend regular, free, monthly consultative gatherings, during which they may work with healees who are specifically invited for this purpose.  In these meetings, students may also consult with Mietek about their problems and conduct discussions about bioenergy with other practitioners.  These meetings are regularly attended by 40-50 people from the Washington, D.C. area.  For those attending them, after some two years, we also conduct a special training in energy transmission and in bioenergetic diagnosis at a distance.

  We are sometimes asked, "What are the paramount requirements of a candidate for bioenergy training?"  There are many, and each person must be considered individually.  Undoubtedly, the first consideration must be the candidate's motivation.  If this is a temporary interest, based on a whim of a moment, the candidate will soon realise that the study of bioenergy is not only pleasure but also a challenging investment of many hours required for concrete exercises.  Many of these may be difficult, but all are crucial to effectively learning the entire method.  Thus, strong motivation, supported by deep and genuine interest in the student, are necessary.

  Of great help is an ability to meditate, which makes easier the concentration that is necessary for particular exercises.  Also helpful is the ability to breathe rhythmically and deeply.  Reading about subtle energies can be helpful.  This, however, may be an impediment of sorts, since many sources teach different methods and we may not have time to thoroughly examine the contents of each.  As a result, students may sense contradictions and chaos, which must be dealt with before new knowledge can be acquired to reach a cohesive whole.

  Very helpful in bioenergy diagnosis is a knowledge of anatomy and physiology, as well as how the brain and its receptors work.  Because bioenergy diagnosis and medical diagnosis differ, physicians and nurses usually have a much easier task in integrating them.

  Setting aside an adequate time to practice at home and getting together with other students between classes to practice are both very helpful.  Also important are self discipline, an ability to think positively, and genuine friendliness - which should all be evolving into an all-encompassing love for all living creatures and for nature.

  In a teacher, we seek the ability to perceive (feel) and see energy, the ability to manipulate its various levels, the ability to detect the flow of energy in a student, and the obvious theoretical and practical knowledge and background.  Just as important is the teacher's good will and friendliness and love for others, patience and forbearance for errors and their gentle and sympathetic correction.  Teachers should be prepared to share with the student all of their knowledge.  Only then will their students have a chance to equal and outgrow the teachers - which is the indispensable element of evolution that governs all.

  Students must take into consideration the need of daily exercises for 30-45 minutes in order to achieve a desired level of proficiency.  Each student should also be prepared for a possibility of undergoing manyemotional and psychological changes during and immediately after the training.  Occasionally, these may occur at a fairly intense level.

  Tests of ability to conduct bioenergetic diagnosis and to work with bioenergy are given during the last three classes of the advanced training.  Students completing the advanced course receive a certificate.

  Mietek is concerned to keep the costs of the training at a level which will not deter anyone genuinely interested in learning how to work with bioenergy.
 
  Mietek strongly advocates this model of bioenergy therapists working closely with physicians.  He is pleased to see such co-operation now in the UK, Russia and China.  Bioenergy also has an enormous potential for prevention of disease.  Early diagnosis is possible because disturbances in the energy fields surrounding a person are often evident before there are manifestations of disease in the physical body.  Bioenergy diagnosis is much faster and less expensive than conventional laboratory analyses.  In addition, it helps to eliminate pain and other symptoms without causing side effects.  Bioenergy also offers opportunities to explore questions about the causes of illness.

  The authors are contemplating opening a three-year bioenergy school.  In addition to the present curriculum, students will be studying anatomy and physiology, fundamental functions of the brain and its receptors, techniques of visualisation, and experiments with the effects of sound and colour on the energy fields.  There will also be studies of the students' brain waves before and after training and during transmissions of energy.

Wirkus Bioenergy Foundation, 9907 Fleming Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA

I was very impressed by my experience of an eleven hour workshop with Mietek and Margaret Wirkus.  I have many years' experience in healing, yet found a newness and intense insight as a direct result of their teachings . -- Rita Benor  February 1992
 

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Copyright © Daniel J. Benor, M.D. 1993 Reprinted with permission of the author P.O. Box 76 Bellmawr, NJ 08099 www.WholisticHealingResearch.com   DB@WholisticHealingResearch.com 

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