Thursday, September 9, 2010

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?

9 comments:

Jess said...

I've never experienced love physically curing/healing an illness, but I hear about it all the time. And when it comes down to it, there's absolutely nothing negative it can do...that doctor is incredible. Thanks for the story!

Jay said...

Love sure doesn't hurt. And Boston, among other groups, played loud and proper is entirely healing. There's many Doobie Brothers songs that have a similar effect.

Anonymous said...

It's well known that laughter is beneficial to a body, while stress can cause illness. Therefore, it's not a stretch to believe love can heal - or at least help.

Anonymous said...

I have! :) And I got a result. I'm with Laura on this one. Laughter and love is the best medicine!

Annie McMahon said...

Jess, thanks for stopping by! I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

Jay, right you are! And I bet Floyd also has some healing properties. :) It's that good!

Laura, very true. And some people say that cancer is caused by repressed anger. So my advice? "Shout, shout, let it all out!" But that's another whole entire topic.

Kurt, you have? You'll have to post that story on your blog, some day. I'd love to read it!

Louisa said...

I totally agree with everyone. Great blog, Yoda. Any thought, whether it be with regards to love or hate is a powerful tool. Check out Masura Emoto's research into the effects of prayers or affirmations in water molecules or watch 'What the Bleep do we Know?'. When people said prayers of love or joy into water, the crystal formations were spectacular and beautiful. But when they said hateful or angry words, the crystals were misformed and jagged. If that is the effect of our mind on water, then imagine what it does to our body? No wonder stress, hate and anger causes disease. It's all in the mind.

Louisa

Annie McMahon said...

Louisa, I googled it and WOW! That is amazing. Reminds me of a book I read long ago called The Secret Life of Plants. It was showing how plants react to emotions and music.

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

that is so awesome.I would love it if my doctor prayed for me!

prayers and faith definitely heal. big believer.

Annie McMahon said...

Thanks, Tamara! :)

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