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Prayer is becoming a growing part of U.S medical schools:
79 of the 125 medical schools in the nation include courses
on prayer and spirituality, up from only three 10 years ago.
Bottom Line/Health spoke to a leading expert in the healing
power of prayer, Larry Dossey, MD, and found that about 200
studies have addressed prayer and health, and two-thirds showed
positive results for prayer in treating various health conditions.
For instance, in one study patients with severe chest pains
who had been prayed for had half the number of side effects,
and some had no side effects at all, from invasive medical
treatments compared with those who had not been prayed for.
The findings suggest that prayer has a positive effect on
recovery from serious illness.
Dossey goes on to explain one hypothesis of how prayer may
work--through consciousness, when consciousness is looked
at as a fundamental part of the universe, like matter or energy.
Interestingly, you may not have to have faith in order for
prayer to work. However, it appears that you do have to believe
prayer is effective and prayer is influenced by empathy, love
and compassion.
The article also addresses:
- What is the best prayer method?
- What is the best way to start praying?
- Is there an ideal time or place for prayer?
- Does anything inhibit the effectiveness of prayer?
Bottom
Line Secrets February 8, 2004
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