Abstract
M.Phil.
The objective of this study was to investigate the problem surrounding the concept of
`Subtle Energy'. The problem being that subtle energies in relation to physiology and
health, are not well defined, "suffered confusion", and could not be explained through
the traditional doctrines of scientific facts. The problem arose from the dissonance created between existing phenomenological proof that 'subtle energies' act as a causal factor in alternative healing modalities, and the scientific establishment which inversely denied such claims, simply due to a lack of validated scientific evidence. This study focuses on providing a clear understanding surrounding the concept of `subtle energies' and in addition, an attempt was made to search for validation of subtle energies in terms of our existing knowledge of science.
The research strategy used in the study includes an explorative descriptive strategy.
The research methods that were used included: A concept analysis of the term 'subtle energies'; A phenomenological analysis of specific characteristics and properties of
`subtle energies'; A literature study to find scientific substantiation for the concept, 'subtle
energies'.
The following are the most important findings of the study: Subtle energies is defined as representative of all energies beyond the four types of energies already recognised by physics; Throughout history, it has been seen that subtle energies was attached as an
attribution to various healing modalities in philosophy, religious dogma and cultural healing practices; Concepts such as 'human energy fields', 'resonance', non-locality and
`synchronicity' were extracted as the characteristics ever prevalent in the appearance of psychic healing; Current constructs of physics, endow the concept subtle energies with a
realistic perspective in our need to comprehend its healing influence on humans.