New Age Buzzwords in Health, Healing and Wellness – What Do They Mean to You?

Of all the popular “new age” search terms in the health and healing category, my personal favorite is holistic healing. This term, it seems, encompasses all others, such as spiritual healing, soul healing, healing meditation, chakra, energy healing, spiritual journeying, and metaphysics. Some of these terms are specific methodologies like Chakra and guided meditation, while others are just general expressions of embracing a way of thinking beyond the realm of materialism. The popularity of these search terms is a clear indication that hundreds of thousands of people are taking charge of their health and exploring possibilities beyond conventional medicine, which mainly consists of eradicating diseases through cuts, stitches, burns, radiation and toxic chemicals. Of course, there are many benefits and people cannot afford to turn their backs on treatment opportunities in the standard healthcare system, but there are many viable supplements and alternatives.

However, the emphasis here is that holistic healing focuses on you, the consumer, taking charge and responsibility for your health. You start by understanding that you are much more than a skin bag of cells, tissues and organs and that your goal is to be well; not just to be disease free. Thus you come to understand that you are a person with body, mind and spirit, all functioning as a single inseparable unit, so that each consideration has its impact on the whole being. Therefore, our well-being depends on the thought, word and action of ourselves and everyone else who is involved in our lives.

In conclusion, the basis for a healthy life is how you think, what you say and what you do. Every decision is simply an answer to the question: “Should I or shouldn’t I?” Wellness generally requires being able to put off the desire for instant gratification and striving to maintain self-discipline. Healing requires seeking information about the existing or potential health problem and leaving all options open when discussing recommended solutions which should always include some lifestyle adjustments. Therefore, true holistic healing is about abandoning the notion that “the doctor knows best” and taking responsibility for yourself by learning, evaluating and deciding.