The First International, Interdisciplinary Conference on The Science of Whole Person Healing was held in Bethesda, Maryland, at the end of March. Chemists, physicists, biologists, medical doctors, spiritual healers, and other healthcare professionals convened to discuss the science of alternative medicine and nonmedical healing. Organized by Friends of Health, the conference included 11 other high-profile institutional sponsors and over 50 speakers (see www.wholepersonhealing.com) Senior Writer Jeffrey Hildner reports some of the highlights.
The distinguished participants who attended The Science of Whole Person Healing conference are united in a quest. Christian Science healer Giulia Plum, from Redding, Connecticut, who chaired one session, framed it rhetorically: "Aren't we all searching for the same thing—freedom from illness and suffering?"
And in their quest, conference attendees are united by another idea: Consciousness can bring this freedom. Opinions varied about whether consciousness is human or divine, mortal or immortal—i.e., mind or Mind. But everyone agreed, consciousness has power. It impacts health and is integral to a whole person's well-being. Researchers in "effects-based science" have been gathering hard evidence that mind-matter interaction, intercessory or healing prayer, and spirituality produce real effects. The human body is affected by thought.
