Spirit healing, also known as spiritual healing or energetic healing, is a deeply rooted concept in yogic philosophy. Especially from the perspective of the Samkhya system, the mind (chitta) is seen as a complex entity consisting of manas (sense organs), ahamkara (the ego or I-consciousness) and buddhi (the intellect or discriminative faculty). This model makes it clear that the mind is not a rigid concept, but a dynamic interplay of different functions and levels. This is what makes it so difficult to define the term mind or spirit itself. First we need to clarify the topic of mind, to identify the spirit.
Spirit and Mind as open concept in Yoga
In yoga, the concept of the mind is not limited to mental processes. Rather, the mind is understood as a flowing, open system which, according to Patanjali, is characterized by mental thought patterns. These waves can cause restlessness and confusion, but can also enable clarity and insight. In order to heal the mind – be it through awareness work, energetic clearing or spiritual purification – it is necessary to calm the vrittis. According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, this is done by disciplining the mind: “Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodha” – yoga is the stilling of the movements of the mind.
Spirit is the pranic body
The basis for every form of spirit healing is healing of the pranic body. Prana is the universal life energy. Prana is the intelligent energy of all matter and life in the universe. It is the energy that connects our pranic body (Pranamaya Kosha) with the physical body.
Prana flows through the entire organism via the subtle energy channels, the nadis, and is regulated by the chakras – the energetic centers. We therefore perceive our spirit in the prana body and our material body is an extension of our prana body. The body of flesh is an extension of the pranic body.
The interaction between prana and the mind is crucial for mental health. Prana acts as an overriding psychic force that can balance the functions of manas, ahamkara and buddhi. Blockages or imbalances in the flow of prana can have a negative impact on mental clarity, emotional stability and spiritual connectedness. The question arises not about healing the spirit, but how we balance the characteristics of the pranic body through prana. This includes also the aspects of consciousness and subconsciousness.
Consciousness, subconsciousness and the kleshas
In yogic understanding, consciousness is a multi-layered phenomenon consisting of the levels of the conscious mind (manas), the subconscious and the superconscious. The subconscious mind stores deeply rooted impressions (samskaras) that have been shaped by past experiences, sensory perceptions and even previous reincarnations.
These impressions are the basis for the kleshas – the causes of mental suffering. According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, there are five central kleshas: Ignorance (Avidya), egolessness (Asmita), attachment (Raga), rejection (Dvesha) and the fear of death (Abhinivesha). These roots of suffering often operate in the subconscious and influence our thoughts, feelings and actions in subtle, often unconscious ways.
Through concentration we transform the spirit
The practice of yoga meditation offers a transformative way to dissolve these kleshas. Unlike Western psychology, which attempts to resolve unconscious conflicts through analysis and segmentation, yoga focuses on a profound experience of letting go. Through concentration (dharana) and deep meditation (dhyana), the consciousness is refined in such a way that subconscious patterns come to the surface. Instead of mentally dissecting them, the practitioner allows them to rise up into the light of conscious awareness where they are released.
This process of raising the subconscious into consciousness through concentration and surrender enables a radical transformation of the mind and spirit. The kleshas lose their power as they are dissolved through the practice of letting go. In this way, the consciousness is freed from the shackles of unconscious imprints and placed in a state of deep clarity and inner freedom. This liberation is not only the healing of the mind, but also a step towards spiritual enlightenment.
Methods of spirit healing
The yogic tradition offers a variety of techniques and approaches to heal the mind and bring it into harmony. According to Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, the mind encompasses our behavior, body, breathing and consciousness. By purifying all these aspects, it has a positive effect on our mind. Whether one speaks of mental healing, energetic cleansing or spiritual transformation – the goal is always to harmonize the flow of prana and bring the spirit into a state of calmness and clarity.
- Pranayama (breathing techniques): Breathing exercises such as Nadi Shodhana (alternate breathing) and Kapalabhati (light breathing) cleanse the nadis, promote the free flow of prana and calms the spirit. This has a direct effect on energetic and mental blockages.
- Meditation and concentration: Concentration exercises (Dharana) and meditative practices can calm the vrittis and lead the spirit into a state of deepest healing.
- Kundalini activation: Targeted work with the Kundalini energy – the dormant spiritual force – makes it possible to direct prana into the chakras and transform the spirit. This practice can dissolve mental and spiritual inhibitions and raise consciousness to a higher level.
- Rituals and energetic work: Ceremonial acts, which are common in many spiritual traditions, have an effect on both the subtle body and the soul.
The role of a healer in spirit healing
Sometimes the spirit needs external support to get back into balance. An experienced spiritual healer can help to harmonize the subtle body through energetic transmissions, cleansing the nadis or aligning the chakras. This targeted work with prana can stabilize the state of spirit and mind in the short term and lay the foundation for long-term self-healing. If you are interested in distance or on-site spiritual healing, please contact me. NAMASTE