Love cannot be seen or touched, and yet I believe it is the glue that holds this universe together. Dr. Bernie Siegal, pioneer in mind-body medicine (and author of Love, Medicine, and Miracles), defines God as intelligent, loving energy. But why loving? Because, Siegal explains, when he incises a patient during surgery, the incision heals just like any cut or scrape. Love, he believes, is built into the fabric of the universe.
As we grow up, we are taught that cuts heal and colds eventually go away. Serious illnesses, we are taught, require doctors. But what if the body is programmed to heal itself from even serious diseases? One could well say, “Then why doesn’t it happen?” The answer might be that the body implements the expectations it has been programmed with from birth—and our expectations are pretty low. It is a documented fact that people with a happy, positive outlook on life live longer and have lower mortality rates from various diseases.
But the power of love doesn’t stop there. Dr. Larry Dossey (and hundreds of others in his wake) has conducted experiments in which cardiac patients were prayed for anonymously. A control group not receiving prayer was used to verify the findings. (A real bummer if you’re in the control group!) The studies, conducted over the past two decades, suggest that patients receiving prayer—both traditional prayer as well as simple, loving thoughts aimed at a certain ward of a hospital—show a statistically higher (and faster) rate of recovery.
This is not meant to discourage anyone from going to a doctor, but perhaps the power of prayer—certainly a form of loving energy—can facilitate the healing process.
Yes, there will always be nay-sayers who regard this as New Age nonsense. But if love has no curative powers, billions of humans waste a lot of time every day craving the most valued emotion on the planet.
Why do “failure-to-thrive” babies die from neglect? Why do widows and widowers, on average, often die within two to five years of their departed spouses? Ultimately, the answers can’t be found in a laboratory or by experiment. The human heart finds its own way and makes its own determinations.
Picture (Democritus by Agostino Carracci): public domain
As we grow up, we are taught that cuts heal and colds eventually go away. Serious illnesses, we are taught, require doctors. But what if the body is programmed to heal itself from even serious diseases? One could well say, “Then why doesn’t it happen?” The answer might be that the body implements the expectations it has been programmed with from birth—and our expectations are pretty low. It is a documented fact that people with a happy, positive outlook on life live longer and have lower mortality rates from various diseases.
But the power of love doesn’t stop there. Dr. Larry Dossey (and hundreds of others in his wake) has conducted experiments in which cardiac patients were prayed for anonymously. A control group not receiving prayer was used to verify the findings. (A real bummer if you’re in the control group!) The studies, conducted over the past two decades, suggest that patients receiving prayer—both traditional prayer as well as simple, loving thoughts aimed at a certain ward of a hospital—show a statistically higher (and faster) rate of recovery.
This is not meant to discourage anyone from going to a doctor, but perhaps the power of prayer—certainly a form of loving energy—can facilitate the healing process.
Yes, there will always be nay-sayers who regard this as New Age nonsense. But if love has no curative powers, billions of humans waste a lot of time every day craving the most valued emotion on the planet.
Why do “failure-to-thrive” babies die from neglect? Why do widows and widowers, on average, often die within two to five years of their departed spouses? Ultimately, the answers can’t be found in a laboratory or by experiment. The human heart finds its own way and makes its own determinations.
Picture (Democritus by Agostino Carracci): public domain
37 comments:
"But the power of love doesn’t stop there. Dr. Larry Dossey (and hundreds of others in his wake) has conducted experiments in which cardiac patients were prayed for anonymously. A control group not receiving prayer was used to verify the findings. (A real bummer if you’re in the control group!) The studies, conducted over the past two decades, suggest that patients receiving prayer—both traditional prayer as well as simple, loving thoughts aimed at a certain ward of a hospital—show a statistically higher (and faster) rate of recovery."
There's been alot of these studies done and statistically, the opposite has been found. "No noticable effect" if the recipient of the prayer was not aware of the fact that people were praying for them. In one study, those that knew they were being prayed for did worse than the control group, the thought being that they actually suffered from "performance anxiety" which hampered their healing.
Those people that KNOW they are being prayed for fair better, as it is assumed that the power of positive thoughts and a healthy outlook as to the outcome has a direct effect on the body.
The placebo effect has been well documented.
One interesting conversation I had once with a woman who claimed god saved her friend due to prayer when her friend's cancer disappeared "miraculously" was that the assumption it was a miracle and not a biological anamaly was immoral IF you believe that the act of saving people's lives is a moral imperative.
By suggesting divine intervention, the actual underlying biological anamaly was less likely to be searched for and discovered, a discovery which could actually save thousands of lives for those afflicted with the same biological malfunction.
I think love and being loved contributes to longevity, but I think it is often over-stated. People who live alone have a tendency to fall into less than healthy habits. They are less likely to go out and play tennis, walk in the park,etc... and much of the disparity of longevity can be attributed to that.
Having a wife who nags at a man to stay off the piss and stop wolfing down crappy food also helps...
Great post Billy!
The neglecting factor does kill.
Scott, I've read some of the opposing studies, and some, like Lynn McTaggert's and Dossey's himself believe that the experimental parameters were flawed in some cases, so I'll concede that point. Some of the double-blind studies were not carried out correcvtly, and McTaggert believes that the kind of prayer makes a difference.
I agree there's not proof, but even if people believe they get better because they expect to (or know they're being prayed for), I'm not sure that negates the idea that love has a curative power, even if it means you have a nice partner to snuggle up with and watch meaningless, though I think American Idol is enough to cause illness -:)
There is certainly no concrete proof for any of this. I can attest to the fact that a nagging (ex) wife will do more to ruin a person's health than a fifth of scotch a day. I lived with a Borderline Personality for many years before the disease got any attention. It's a miracle (pardon the pun) that I'm still alive today.
Anna, thanks. Glad you liked it.
Powerful post Billy.
It reminds me of many loved ones I have lost and whom I think of often. One is my older brother (by ten years) who was given the all clear of cancer after five years. Then my mother died and, because of a rift in the family, he was very tense when he arranged the funeral. I have never seen a person who's lips were as white as his during that time. Five months later he was dead also. I believe that the stress of arranging the funeral with fraught had brought the cancer back.
Relaxation, love, friendships and happiness are indeed the recipe for a long and healthy life (if you don't slip on a banana skin, that is).
Monique, thank you for such a thoughtful and revealing response. Yes, stress is so harmful. Love inherently allows us to relax.
Interesting post and interesting responses.
Being loved (and that doesn't necessarily mean having a partner) and being loving are certainly the best 'states' we can aspire too.
I have an uncle (97) and an aunt (87) . Both have been widowed for many years and both have very 'loving' unselfish and ultimatley relaxed characters.They have big hearts. Both, until recently, have enjoyed great health. I don't think it's a coincidence.
I think it's our old friend positivity, which when married with love and calm, creates the equation which will hopefully engender longevity.
It was a nice post, Billy.
Whether prayers help or not, they definitely not hurt.
Isn't that alone an achievement in today's world?
Billy I share the same believe as you do. My brother broke his neck. He spent ages in hospital with pins in his head. He healed completely. All the medicine students and doctors came to look at this miracle cure. Now i believe my brother is a little saint, he has done lots of good. He is always joking and People love having him around. i think that contributed to his healing.
One doctor espacially spent hours to make him a special wheelchair so he could once a day have his smoke, so he could keep it up to stay another 4 weeks pinned down to get excellent healing. He received lots of love.
Lane, you make a good point. Having a partner in and of itself doesn't always do the trick. Quite the opposite sometimes. The key, as you say, is positivity and having a relish for and love of life, with hopefully a good support system and friends and interests. I know an elderly person who gets up every day just to look for good things to do for others. It's not only received love, but given love as well, as you indicate.
szelsofa, you're a hundred percent right. In today's world, anyone who sends out a positive thought or thinks of someone else has my vote. It's a negative society.
Marja, that's a very inspirational story about your brother. As Bernie Siegal says, when doctors actually demonstrate love for someone (not all that common in Western medicine), it has a pronounced effect in many cases. Kowing that people take an interest in you when you are sick has an effect on the body's healing mechanisms. I remain a believer -:)
Billy, yes, it's fine to list me in your blog roll. More than fine, in fact; I'm flattered.
When my mother was dying of cancer, the callousness of her oncologist made a terrible situation even worse. I don't know that she would have lasted longer if he had been kind and caring, but both my parents would have been happier.
Shauna, thanks. People don't realize that the way people die is as important as the way people live. There's a real need for better hospice care and workers trained to deal with terminal illness.
And thanks too--I've added you to my Chapter And Verse Blog (about writing) and this one too.
I was actually just reading about these experiments where prayer was tested. The Darwinist Richard Dawkins spends a few pages on the subject. While I don't believe blind prayer can do anything for anybody, I do believe that warmth, comfort, solidarity, human bonding... all the elements of warm and fuzzy (like petting a dog or a cat) can enhance healing.
SO if you are gonna pray for someone, go on into the room and hold their hand too...
interesting blog! love it!
I don't know why but this one made me laugh. Probably the bummer bit and the fact I've read a bit about limbic loops.
Anyhow, called in to say thanks for your comment on the family b/day
- aunt will really appreciate all of them.
Scott, human touch is miraculous in its own way. Agreed. Look at all the good done by an elderly person having a cat or dog. Any touch by a loving animal seems to work too, and I for one believe animals have souls. They have too many emotions not to.
Thank you Iluvia!!! Hope you'll come again, although this blog is not as active as my other one.
Julie, I know what you mean. I couldn't help throwing in a bit of humor! I mean--an experiment in love that leaves people in a control group ... OMG -:)
Hmmmn. You and my little sis' would hit it off big-time (she preaches on this). I confess to knocking heads with her every now and then (smile), but I like to think she has enough positive thoughts to maybe (emphisis upon maybe) carry us both through.
Thanks for stopping by, Shrinky! I like the idea of a surrogate positive thinker LOL.
Well written.
But unlike a New Ager,you can probably hear echoes of Bergson, Kant, Gabriel Marcel and others here. The road is well travelled by people who have devoted lifetimes to these matters. Trouble with New Agers, it seems to me, is their charming ignorance, as if these things had never been thought of before.
Your skill as a writer, however, leaves out irrelevancies and footnotes and gets us to the heart of the matter.
I sincerely hope that God is love.
Likely is.
Well written.
But unlike a New Ager,you can probably hear echoes of Bergson, Kant, Gabriel Marcel and others here. The road is well travelled by people who have devoted lifetimes to these matters. Trouble with New Agers, it seems to me, is their charming ignorance, as if these things had never been thought of before.
Your skill as a writer, however, leaves out irrelevancies and footnotes and gets us to the heart of the matter.
I sincerely hope that God is love.
Likely is.
Ivan, you are absolutely right. Most concepts regarded as New Age have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Excellent article, Billy. To dismiss what we cannot understand is most foolish. The healing power of love may not be something we can measure, but the inductive evidence for it is overwhelming.
Hi Billy, I have nothing to add, but just dropped in to say hi ... Hi!
Tomcat--thanks. You've taken my meaning exactly. It can't necessarily be measured, but the power of love has demonstrated itself throughout history.
Monique, you're a sweetie to drop in and say hello. I'll be paying you a visit too at your blog. I'm behind in things -:)
Wow, you have some very cool, very deep things on here! Love it!
Thanks for stopping by, Mandy!
Billy, do you mind if I copy this article to my fibromyalgia forum. I think it's quite uplifting & might heal a soul or two. Thanks.
Tina, feel free to use this post (or any other post on mind-body healing) on your fibromyalgia site. (I had about three or four posts in a row on this general topic. I have a very metaphysical side :) Just give give me an attribution for my vanity's sake -:) I'm glad you like it. Hope it helps someone.
Billy - I think I have had some experience of this - my grandson had AML and was given only days to live following three courses of chemo.
Last month he received the all clear.
Rather than clog up your comments with the story you can read about it [if you want to of course] here:
http://miladysa.blogspot.com/2005/09/perspective-and-silver-linings.html
http://miladysa.blogspot.com/2008/01/all-clear.html
If you do read the posts I would be truly interested to know what you think happened.
May I wish You a Happy Saint Patrick's Day .... and upon that a great Easter holiday!
(( hug ))
Certainly an uplifting, positive post.
It was inspirational to read.
Thank you anna-lys. Happy holidays to you -:)
jewaira, thank you very much. Thanks for stopping by!
I've been thinking a lot about love lately. This is a really great post.
Christina, thanks! Glad you liked it!
Happy Easter Billy
Happy Easter, Monique!
I find this post comforting and healing in itself. All of the comments are valuable. It is a shame that anecdotal "evidence" can't be quantified because there seems to be indications that something is going on. Very difficult to research. I also wonder how much interest science has in investigating these claims and counterclaims. Not mcu I would assume. One thing for sure (for all the doubters): love does not (usually) hurt.
andree, actually much of the research has been quantified, although some researchers debate its reliability, objecting to methodology, etc. But Dr. Larry Dossey's experiments over many years seems to be accepted by many scientists and physicians. The research quoted in some of the above responses to this post is not accurate, namely that people who did not know they were being prayed for did not see any noticeable effect. This is incorrect. Many double-blind experiments showed advanced rates of recovery by people who had no idea they were being prayed for. It really depends on the researcher and his/her methods and how well the variables were controlled. Personally, I'm a believer, having read so much by reputable scientists over the years from many disciplines. A simple prayer over water can change its molecular structure.
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