Hello again, Sparkie!
It's nice to hear from you again! I have answered some of your past
questions and think I have a pretty good idea of what your are looking
for. However, if I miss anything, please be sure to steer me in the
right direction.
You told me in a prior question that you are currently pursuing a
Master's Degree in Experiential Psychology and Theology. You have also
mentioned that you currently work in private practice as a Grief and
Addiction Counselor. In another question, you were very interested in
spiritual healing and the power of prayer in "miraculous" healings.
You have also mentioned that you are interested in traveling to
investigate miracles.
Before I get into an answer, it is important to stress that most of
the investigation into prayer and "miracles" are done through
scientific studies using control groups. If the studies are not
conducted in using scientific methods, then "results" become a matter
of hearsay. I have referenced some of those studies I highlighted for
you in a prior question below.
The other investigations of "miracles" are the types done by the
Catholic Church, and those miracles usually get into strange
phenomenon. I am not sure these are the types of miracles you are
seeking to investigate.
"Catholicism is unique in that it is the only religion with a formal
structure for investigating and verifying miracles...Modern Catholic
miracles include healings of the profoundly ill, visions of Jesus and
Mary, the appearance of stigmata and statues that cry human tears,
shed real blood or emit the inimitable odor of rose petals.
From "Miracles: a Brief Primer" at
http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/thethirdmiracle/miracles2.html
**************************************
From your commentary in prior questions, I get the impression that
your are more interested in the power of prayer and the "miracles"
associated with prayer and other forms of spiritual healing. I am
admittedly trying to read between the lines. Am I right?
**************************************
For an overview of the "types of research being conducted today," you
may remember some references to the power of prayer and consequent
"miracles" that have been observed and highlighted in an earlier
question, which you can review at:
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=137669
I have reviewed some of them again for you here:
"Scientific Investigation of Prayer and Miracles" is divided into five
chapters, and can be found at
http://www.webspawner.com/users/apologete2/
Under the Scientific Investigation of Prayer, Part 1, there are
numerous articles pointing to the increasing awareness of the
miraculous healing power of prayer, and the growing acceptance of
prayer's important role within the medical community.
http://www.webspawner.com/users/apologete2/prayerpage1.html
Under "Part II, Prayer Studies," there is an extensive list of
medical journal articles and study abstracts concerning the very real
benefits of therepeutic prayer, and even a study on the effects of
"distant healing."
http://www.webspawner.com/users/apologete2/prayer2.html
"Scientific Investigation of Prayer part III" goes into lengthy
descriptions of the methodology behind the various prayer studies.
http://www.webspawner.com/users/apologete2/prayer3.html
From your past comments, I am not sure that studies in paranormal
psychology are what you are really looking for. That branch of study
gets into all sort of strange phenomenon like ghosts, hauntings,
spirits, extrasensory perception, clairvoyance and psychokinesis.
Read "DEBATE: Parapsychology" at
http://members.tripod.com/~issuesny/home/id74.html
Rather, I am assuming you want to be closely involved in the practice
of spiritual healing and what can be perceived as "miraculous
healings."
I am also assuming that you have had several psychology and
counseling courses in your master's studies. Therefore, I am trying to
figure out what online programs might be of most interest to you. Have
a look at the ones I have found:
Online Courses
***************
"Miracles Online 2003"
http://members.aol.com/Ahmehyn/index.html
*********************************************
"Miracles OnlineŽ ranks in the Top 10 of AOL classes." The course can
be taken over the internet, or in private study online.
http://members.aol.com/Ahmehyn/pageby.html
(It is a bit unclear how it works, and when the next session starts,
so you will have to contact them and see if it interests you.)
Also refer to the page at http://members.aol.com/Ahmehyn/event.html
for more course information.
If you click on the link next to the textbook, it will bring you to
the Barnes & Noble website, where you can read about the book and some
reviews:
Helen Schucman, Ph.D., was a clinical and research psychologist. A
Course in Miracles was "scribed" by Dr. Schucman between 1965 and 1972
through a process of inner dictation. She experienced the process as
one of a distinct and clear dictation from an inner voice, which
earlier had identified itself to her as Jesus. William Thetford,
Ph.D., was her trusted friend and colleague, and assisted and
supported Dr. Schucman throughout the Course's scribing, including the
events that led up to it. It was as if Helen had waited all her life
for this particular moment, which triggered a series of internal
experiences for her. These included heightened dream imagery, psychic
episodes, visions, and an experience of an inner voice. This period of
preparation culminated on the evening of October 21, 1965, when the
now familiar voice of Jesus said to Helen: "This is a course in
miracles, please take notes."
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bookSearch/isbnInquiry.asp?sourceid=00125197876681018015&ISBN=0670869759&bfdate=01-30-2003+21:44:06
There is a Miracles Home Study Groups & Discussion site at
http://miracleshome.home.att.net/people.html
(I have a feeling this relates to the course described above. I do
not have AOL and did not want to download it to read the discussions,
but it is worth a look)
Enrollment: anytime if you study privately
Pathways of Light
http://pathwaysoflight.org/
*****************************
This organization offers a host of online and self-study courses.
"Home & Group Study Programs for Mind Healing Through A Course in
Miracles.
A Course in Miracles is rich with ideas that are foreign to the
thought systems of the world. It takes careful study of this
remarkable book to fully grasp its meaning and apply it effectively in
our lives. These Miracles Studies Programs are helpful tools for ACIMŽ
students who want to deepen their understanding of Course principles
and make them a way of life. These programs may be used for individual
study, with a certified Mind Healing Partner, or as a guide for groups
studying A Course in Miracles." (Click on any title to see a full
description.)
http://pathwaysoflight.org/HomeStudy/miraclesprogram-index.html
Courses 1-4 are described on the site at
http://pathwaysoflight.org/courses/step4dscr.html#2010
Ordained Ministerial Counselor:
Course 4 will provide you with the credentials to become a Ministerial
Counselor.
After you have completed the credentialed courses in Steps 1-4, you
will have fulfilled the requirements for ordination as a Pathways of
Light Ordained Ministerial Counselor. This status allows you to
legally offer spiritual counseling and perform marriage ceremonies as
an ordained minister of Pathways of Light. For more information, see
"Why become an ordained minister?" under Frequently Asked Questions
about Pathways.
See Ministerial Training Curriculum for a list of required courses
leading to ordination as an Ordained Ministerial Counselor (O.M.C.).
These courses may be taken at the Center in Kiel, from a facilitator
near you, or by facilitated correspondence. After completing the
O.M.C. curriculum, you apply to the Pathways of Light Advisory Council
to be ordained.
Being an O.M.C. prepares you to fulfill your purpose of serving in
this time of awakening. The Pathways courses qualify you to facilitate
8-week groups, Pathways of Light courses and Self Awakening Spiritual
Counseling. Ordination qualifies you to perform weddings and other
ceremonies of transition in any state in the US.
http://pathwaysoflight.org/ministerialtrng.html#Top
Spiritual Counselor:
You may become certified as a Spiritual Counselor after you have been
ordained as a Minister:
http://pathwaysoflight.org/courses/step4dscr.html#2010
Step 5 -- 2010: Spiritual Relationships Counselor Training --This
in-depth training provides understanding of the procedures and
processes used in effective Spiritual Relationship Counseling. You
will learn tools you can use to help the partners:
Identify the key areas which need attention in the relationship.
Set achievable goals for the kind of relationship they would like to
have.
Develop effective listening and communication skills.
Recognize defensive thoughts which become barriers to love and lead to
conflict in the relationship.
Dedicate ample time to the relationship to share with and listen to
the needs of both partners.
Become nurturing and supportive to each other in their process of
awakening to their true potential.
Included in this course is an in-depth program to guide your clients
into a spiritual relationship.
You will be required to read and report on eleven texts to receive
your certification as a Spiritual Relationships Counselor. These 11
texts are not included in the course fee.
There is an online discussion forum associated with the coursework as
well, at
http://www.pathwaysoflight.org/forums/index.html
Enrollment: Anytime
Canyon College Online Spiritual Counseling Certificate Program
http://www.canyoncollege.edu/spiritual.htm
***************************************************************
"This comprehensive college-based course is developed to include
introduction, basic, intermediate, as well some advanced education and
skills in Spiritual Counseling. Those who currently practice Spiritual
Counseling will find the course comprehensive, complimentary to their
practices, and highly valuable for study of advanced concepts and
skill attainment. The course of study is based on New Thought
concepts, philosophy, psychological and a mix of Eastern and Western
Religious Philosophies. It does not promote the study of one
particular religion or doctrine. Students are to learn the materials,
and take what particularly "speaks" to them from the courses. Each
Spiritual Counselor may surely decide what dimensions of counseling
they will practice in.
This course is designed to be self-paced. Many, current,
authoritative, and classic texts are used and communication with the
course instructor is by email, telephone, fax, and/or US postal mail.
Students can utilize all of any one of these vehicles to communicate
with the instructor, although email and phone are preferred.
The course has six modules. A second certification in Advanced
Spiritual Counseling is also offered.
To see a complete description of each course module, go to
http://www.canyoncollege.edu/cc/spiritual/syllabus/spc350.htm
(The course sounds fascinating!)
Universal Class
****************
Spiritual Counseling for Beginners
http://class.universalclass.com/chash/s/c/1/sc101.htm
Intermediate and Advanced Spiritual Counseling
http://home.universalclass.com/i/crn/3874.htm
Breyer State University
*************************
Bachelors/Masters & Doctoral Degrees in Metaphysics and Spiritual
Counseling
Review courses at
http://www.breyerstate.com/bachelors-metaphysics-spiritual-counseling.htm
Each course is 10 weeks. Students may accelerate, but may not complete
a course in less than 4 weeks. Upon successful completion of the first
10 courses in the curriculum, students graduate with the combined
BS/MS Degree in Metaphysics & Spiritual Counseling, and are entered
into the Doctoral level curriculum. Upon successful completion of the
doctoral level curriculum, students are conferred the degree, Doctor
of Divinity in Metaphysics & Spiritual Counseling.
Timeframe for Study
********************
Since all these classes are self-paced, you can go as fast or as slow
as you want. They also vary in depth, and amount of classes for degree
or certification, so the timeline for completion will vary.
I have added the following material simply to provide information so
you can start formulating ideas for possible directions to take in
your potential practice of healing as a spiritual counselor or working
with studies involved in the investigation of miracles.
What exactly is spiritual healing?
**************************************
The following is copied from the World Federation of Healing website
at http://www.wfh.org.uk/
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL HEALING?
To many people who have received spiritual or divine healing, as it is
sometimes called, it is a wonderful experience. Yet to many people it
is still a mystery and they ask. What is spiritual healing? Although
healing has been known and used for thousand of years it is even now
not fully understood. It is an energy which flows between a healer and
the patient but the precise nature of that energy is not yet known. It
has been studied scientifically and is capable of being measured yet
it does not conform to the generally accepted rules of physical
science.
WHAT CAN HEALING DO FOR THE PATIENT?
It can assist the natural healing resources of the mind and body to
recover their former functions. It should never be regarded as an
alternative to normal medical treatment and patients should continue
to consult their doctor. However, the medical or surgical treatments
are often made much more effective if the healing is given side by
side with the physical treatment. There is abundant evidence the
healing quickly reduces the effect of shock whether the shock is due
to accident or surgery. On occasions, these natural healing treatments
produce unexpected beneficial results
CAN HEALING BE GUARANTEED
Healing, whether it is given once or many times, can never be
guaranteed to produce either an improvement or cure. Nevertheless,
healing given by a trained and experienced healer will never do harm
but in most cases will produce a marked improvement.
WHAT IS FELT DURING TREATMENT?
Sometimes the person receiving the healing will experience a pleasant
feeling of warmth. Others will only have a feeling of relaxation and
comfort. Because healing has its origins in the divine, patients often
experience a wonderful feeling of peace and spiritual upliftment
DO I NEED TO HAVE FAITH IN THE HEALING FOR IT TO WORK?
Although undoubtedly faith does help, there are many examples of
people being helped who do not have any faith in the healing. As the
healing begins to work and the patient starts to feel better, the
faith in the treatments grows naturally.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO HAVE HEALING?
There are no fixed rules concerning the number of treatments needed to
improve a condition. Most healers work on the basis of giving on
treatment per week. Where it is necessary for example when a patient
is in pain or the condition is chronic, treatment is twice or three
times weekly. You cannot have too much treatment.
DOES THE HEALING GIVEN BY ONE HEALER CLASH WITH THAT GIVEN BY ANOTHER?
Sometimes a patient is worried in case the benefits already received
are lost by having healing from a second healer. The answer is NO it
does not. Healing should always benefit the patient. If your healer
has helped you and for some reason cannot treat you more often or is
away from home, ask if he or she is able to recommend someone to give
you extra treatments between visits to them.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THE HEALING?
During the actual healing session you can try to relax as much as
possible and mentally open your mind to receiving the healing. Even if
you do not have faith in it, by keeping an open or unbiased mind, it
can assist the flow of healing energy.
Under the aims and objectives of the Federation:
1. The World Federation of Healing seeks to unite all practitioners in
the healing field into the recognition of the holistic approach to
health. Recognizing that all creatures exist on a multi dimensional
basis, i.e. body, mind and spirit. That disease may result from
disharmony in any of these areas.
2. It seeks to establish harmony and co-operation between all branches
of the healing disciplines to enable each to use its own particular
skills to the maximum benefit of the sick in, mind, body or spirit.
3. The Federation aims to cut across the barriers of language, race or
culture by drawing together under one umbrella exponents of all
disciplines of healing from whatever race or background they may come.
to assist individually and collectively in promoting world awareness
of Man's spiritual nature and its reflection on bodily health and
happiness.
4. It seeks to draw into membership all qualified practitioners
whether allopathic, homeopathic or other alternative therapies such as
acupuncture, osteopathy, psychotherapy, chiropractic, radionics,
herbalism, naturopathy, diet, healing etc. It aims to alert the public
to the existence of these various disciplines and to guide and
encourage their responsible use in co-operation between practitioner
and patient.
The following description of Spiritual Healing is from Doug Osbornes
website at
http://members.tripod.com/~rahotep/WHATISHEALING.html#Whatishealing
Spiritual Healing is a Divine therapy that has powerful restorative
properties in illness and/or disease.
"Absent Healing" is "distant" healing, and does not require the
physical presence of the Healer to initiate restorative changes as the
healing progresses.
Spiritual healing is NOT "Faith" healing, as young children and
animals can all respond readily to this therapy, as well as those for
whom help has been requested by another, in a proxy manner.
Although having some form of confidence in the power of healing is
always helpful, it is certainly not a pre-requisite for a healing
result.
There is no known illness/disease that in the past has not failed in
some way to respond to the special "power" of Spiritual Healing. In
this way, the Healer always anticipates positive changes as the
healing progresses, always looking ahead, knowing that whatever can be
done, will be done, if at all possible.
Spiritual Healing will not (and does not) interfere in any way with
other treatments or medication already being used or taken. (It is
suggested that as improvements and positive changes take place
throughout the progress of the healing, that the patient discusses
with their doctor/therapist any alterations etc. to their prescribed
treatment.)
What kind of background or education is required?
*************************************************
It appears, from the backgrounds of the healers I have researched,
that qualifications for spiritual healing range from a simple,
spiritual background and experience, to ordained ministers and on up
to medical degrees and PhD's in Psychology.
Consider the Biographies and Backgrounds of some Spiritual Healers
******************************************************************
Read about Doug Osborne at
http://members.tripod.com/~rahotep/BIOGRAPHICALNOTES.html#BioNotes
Read about Joan Borysenko at
http://joanborysenko.com/html/bio.html
Read about Gerhard Kluegl at
http://gerhardhealer.com/
"Gerhard is an ordained Minister, Spiritual Healer and Earth Steward
through the Spiritual Energy Association, a member congregation of the
International Assembly of Spiritual Healers & Earth Stewards
Congregations."
Read about Robert Allen Walls, President, Inner Search Foundation,
Inc.
http://www.innersearchhealingschool.com/page1.htm
He is a Healer, Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Behavioral Therapist
and Author.
Read about Miriam Walls, Vice President, Inner Search Foundation, Inc
http://www.innersearchhealingschool.com/page1.htm
Her training includes advanced studies in Nutrition, Herbal Medicine,
Characterological Defenses and Spiritual Growth.
After reading about the backgrounds of various spiritual healers, you
may decide your impending master's degree in Experiential Psychology
and Theology may be enough. Perhaps some hands-on experience is all
you really desire.
*******************************************************************************
If you feel you have enough academic background from your masters
degree, and enough "people experience" from your private practice, why
not consider a seminar?
The Inner Search Healing School offers a 3-hour seminar titled
"Becoming a Healer."
You may read more about the seminar on their website at
http://www.innersearchhealingschool.com/becoming_healer.htm.
(You might even be able to be there and back in one day!!)
Where can I fit in?
*******************
Spiritual healing or counseling in private practice.
Spiritual healing or counseling in established healing centres
Spiritual healing or counseling in hospitals or hospices (your
experience in
grief counseling certainly goes along with this!
Spiritual healing or counseling in alternative therapy clinics and
wholistic
health centers
Spiritual healing or counseling in nursing homes, "Ronald
McDonald"-type
houses, or long-term care facilities.
Spiritual healing or counseling within specific groups dealing with
illnesses
like cancer, aids, etc.
Assisting in scientific research studies to measure the effects of
prayer and
spiritual healing, by being one of the principal practitioners
offering spiritual healing or counseling.
(Look more intensely at the scientific study abstracts highlighted
above) For instance, there would certainly be a need for someone of
your expertise to facilitate the leading of prayer groups.
Providing "distant healing" services.
What is Distant Healing?
Distant healing is healing performed when the patient is not present.
it is possible to transmit healing energies over any distance and this
form of healing can be very effective. The patients may or may not be
aware that this healing has been undertaken for them but may attain
much benefit from it coming as it does from the love and concern that
their friends and relatives have for them.
(Perhaps you could even do this through your own website!)
http://www.nfsh.org.uk/distanthealing2.html
Healing animals (you said nothing was too wacky!!!!!!!!!!!)
"Animals can be helped by healing. Some healers are more experienced
in giving healing to animals than others, but most experience healers
have treated animals. Cats, dogs, horses, rabbits and birds have been
helped. The healing of animals shows that although faith is
undoubtedly helpful it is not essential." (From the World Federation
of Healing website at http://www.wfh.org.uk/ under what is healing?
tab.
Legal Issues
*************
Please read Doug Osborne's recommendations on his site at
http://members.tripod.com/~rahotep/IMPORTANTLEGALPOINTS.html#LegalPoints
Books and Tapes
****************
See Joan Borysenko's recommended list at
http://borysenko.powersource3.com/tapebook/index.cfm
References for further information
************************************
National Federation of Spiritual Healers
http://www.nfsh.org.uk/contents.html
I sincerely hope this answers your questions, and that I have been
right in my assumptions about the directions you want to pursue. If I
have missed any important points, gone off in the wrong direction, or
any of the links fail to work, please let me know in a clarification.
As always, Sparkie, it is always a great deal of fun researching your
questions!
umiat
Google Search Strategy
investigating +miracles
online study +miracles
Paranormal psychology and miracles
+Online +spiritual counseling |
