Joyce Whiteley Hawkes explains that: “Ancient philosophies call the energy of life by many different names—among them Chi. The robust flow of Chi is associated with vibrant health, whereas a natural return to the absence of flow is correlated with ill health. A natural return to the unobstructed flow of Chi occurs when blockages are removed allowing the body, mind, and spirit to be open and clear.
“What is the nature of this flowing life energy? In my early work with clients, I could sense flow patterns—and, curiously, each person’s felt different. The patterns were unique, much like fingerprints or snowflakes. In fact, I was able to recognize an individual and recall the issues we had previously addressed simply by noticing the particular signature of their energy flow.
"How could Chi be so variable? I wondered whether there was an ‘energy signature’ that was a part of personal identity. Eventually, two principles emerged:
1. Each person embodies a distinctive variation on universal energy: a natural and unique pattern exists for each individual consciousness. I call this quality their Soul-Signature.
2. In a healthy individual there is an abundant flow of energy through the body. In this regard I will use the word Flow to convey the quantitative aspects of speed and direction of the Soul-Signature.
"Let’s look at what Flow means to the cells from the point of view of the following fundamental fact about biological life: all cells experience a constant in-and-out flow of the elements necessary for survival. This essential pattern includes growth, repair, replication, response to stimuli, acquiring nutrients, and expelling waste. Scientists call this biological flow homeostasis, which literally means ‘a relatively stable state of equilibrium.’ This profound state of balance prevents sudden changes that could kill these delicate units of life. Complex feedback loops keep the cells at the correct temperature, regulate size, and maintain a relatively consistent molecular organization Food and oxygen move into the cells, and waste is removed. Life ceases for a cell or group of cells without this Flow. If disease prevents large areas of Flow in a critical organ, the entire body dies.
"The topic of Flow places us on that delicate threshold between spiritual, emotional, and physical issues. Well-established Flow changes a person’s inner perception from empty to full, from waking in a state of dread to waking with contentment, anticipating the day ahead. Joy at simply being alive may prompt spontaneous outbursts of gratitude. When Flow reaches all of the levels from Soul to Cell, liveliness enhances simple daily routines. The body responds with improved health. Spiritual healing, therefore, works best in concert with the natural order of life.
"Ed called me for an appointment because he was intrigued by the ideas I expressed about energy healing during an interview on Art Bell’s Coast to Coat radio show. Ed had felt the chill of death when he nearly died during hospitalization for alcoholism. Fortunately, he recovered completely and no longer uses alcohol, but he was not faced with serious heart problems. Our first session seemed to have little effect. Intense concentration was required to clear enough of the stuck energy in Ed’s body to allow him to feel any Flow. Fortunately, we both saw enough progress, albeit it temporary, to continue. After a few sessions, Ed began to respond physically. His stamina increased and his fatigue receded. ‘I just feel better!’ was how he described it.
"We continued with individual sessions, and Ed also attended my classes to develop his own healing gifts. He enjoyed focusing healing energy on others and was quite effective in clearing blockages and increasing Flow in his fellow students. The results in his own body were significant; his health steadily improved. Ed’s purpose in life was now expanded, and he volunteered each weekend at a local spiritual bookstore doing energy healing.
"Our sessions continued on a monthly basis, with emphasis on supporting the Flow in his body. As his physical health continued to improve, he began to have extraordinary spiritual experiences. Sensations of floating, expansion, and great lightness came over him. He experienced joy and awe. Each session opened him to new levels, which were reflected in a profound evolution in his view of himself.
"Our goal was to find a specific quality of energy and a Flow pattern that would stabilize Ed so that he would not become re-blocked after our sessions when confronted with the stresses of work and the ordinary trials of traffic, groceries, and his checkbook.
"As I listened to him, I began to experience the unique energy that resonated within the very core of his being. Many experiences in my own journey had taught me to tune in to the particular energy imprint of the client. Ed had his own angels, his own guides, and his own healer’s heart, but they were buried under years of creating himself as an astute manager and business person and an alcoholic. While working with Ed, I discovered something I have come to think of as each person’s specific Soul-Signature.
"Ed’s way of seeing himself as an administrator did not support health in his body or peace in his soul. Ed felt wonderful when we uncovered his core energy. The next step was to stabilize the energy and then to teach him how to access his own Soul-Signature. Once again, I was reminded that energy work is most effective when it respects and harmonizes with the specific energy of the individual."
Joyce Whiteley Hawkes, Cell-Level Healing: The Bridge from Soul to Cell (Atria Paperback, 2006).