Spiritualists define spiritual healing as a form of healing by the use of forces and energies from the world of Spirit, channelled through the healer by the laying on of hands on or near the body, or prayer, or direction of thought from a distance. Spiritualist healers carry out healing in accordance with the philosophy and teachings of Spiritualism.

There is a tendency to think that spiritual healing is effective only owing to the faith or belief of the person requiring this form of healing. This is not true. A child or animal does not know what faith or belief is and yet they receive and can feel benefit from spiritual healing in the same way as anyone else. If a faith or belief is required, then this could be termed faith healing, which may not necessarily have a spiritual context behind it.

Spiritual healing requires no faith or belief whatsoever on the part of the person seeking healing, nor is it necessary for a person to have the same belief as that of the healer administering the healing. The only requirements that are helpful are that a person should have an open mind and a positive attitude towards their well-being and that they continue any medical treatment that has been prescribed for them by their GP. This way they are receiving the best treatment from both worlds. The actual healing itself is one of a spiritual nature and this has an effect at all levels within a person; mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Spiritualist healers aim to administer healing to whoever is in need regardless of race, colour or creed. All SNU-registered Spiritualist healers work in accordance with the healing Code of Conduct issued by the Spiritualists’ National Union (SNU). Healers undergo practical and theoretical training, which takes a minimum of two years to complete and which covers subjects as diverse as greeting the patient, understanding the source of the healing energy and how to administer it and understanding the law in relation to healing.

Spiritualist healing is a form of mediumship, where the healer attunes and allows beneficial energies to be transmitted to the patient. Communication mediums receive information from a spirit communicator, which is passed on to the recipient of the message; however, the healer often has no prior knowledge of the patient’s state of health or why the patient has come for treatment, yet often the patient appears to receive help for the very condition that has caused him to seek help.

The SNU recognises four methods of healing. These are:

• Contact Healing - Where the Spiritualist healer seeks permission to place his/her hands on to the patient, while ensuring there is no cause for embarrassment.
• Near to the Body Healing - Where the Spiritualist healer does not actually touch your body but administers healing by placing his/her hands within three inches of your body.
• Distant Healing - Where healing is sent by power of thought to someone who is physically present but is not receiving contact healing.
• Absent Healing - Where the patient is not physically present and healing thoughts are extended to them.

Patients requesting spiritual healing are advised to ensure that they are consulting a registered Approved SNU Spiritualist Healer. All registered healers carry a registration card, which certifies their name, registration number and renewal date of registration.

To find out more about spiritual healing, contact the SNU Healing Committee at snuhealing@snu.org.uk