More Than a Feeling

Several of my reviewers asked me to put more emotion in my stories. "Emotion is good!" they told me. It got me thinking about the many ways we show emotion in real life and in writing. It got me thinking about love. Is love merely another emotion, or is it more than just a feeling?

This morning, I read an interview with Larry Dossey, MD about the scientific evidence that love can heal. Dr. Dossey is the executive editor of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine journal, and the author of nine books on health and healing.

I found the interview so interesting, I thought I'd share one section of it with you. Here's what Dr. Dossey has to say about love and healing:

In the 1980s, I began to look at all the studies I could find that had to do with intention in healing -- that is, the deliberate attempt of physicians and healers to use their wishes and desires to help a patient get better. This often takes the form of prayer. As I explored this area, it became clear to me that the bottom line of intention and prayer was love and caring. According to the studies I was reviewing, it didn't seem to matter what religion people belonged to. What was important in effecting healing through prayer was the love and compassion the healer felt for the person being healed.

So I started going into the office earlier and created a healing ritual, in which I entered into a meditative state, thought about each of the patients I would see that day and sent them healing, loving and compassionate thoughts. I got to the point where if I didn't do this ritual, I felt it constituted an ethical breach -- like withholding a needed surgical procedure. I get many letters from doctors who have had the same type of experience and found it has had a positive effect on their patients' health.

Amazing, isn't it?  Don't we all wish we had a doctor who cares that much about our health?  I think just knowing my doctor prayed for me would help me heal faster.  :D

Dr. Dossey was talking about physical healing, but I believe love can do more than that. It can heal emotional scars as well. And there are many other ways, besides prayer, that love can heal. Sometimes a simple smile or a few words said at the right time can make a world of difference in someone else's life.

The interview reminded me of the title of a song I love:



What are your thoughts on this?  Can love heal?  Have you ever prayed for someone, out of love and compassion, and seen a concrete result?