Holistic Energy Healing Books - "Hands of Light" by Barbara Brennan

“Hands of Light: A Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy Field” by Barbara Ann Brennan first published by Bantam Books in 1988 is a universal guide on how to heal oneself and others for those who are willing to accept the challenge.

The author is a psychotherapist and a scientist with a background in Atmospheric Physics. She has a very interesting background because she worked for NASA as a research scientist before she became involved in psychotherapy and studying the human energy field. Barbara studied the human energy field and Bioenergetic Therapy for over fifteen years before the publication of this book, and she also studied with both American and Native American healers. She teaches and gives workshops on the Human Energy Field and Healing. Her extensive research in the Universal Energy Field (UEF) and in the Human Energy Field (HEF) makes her an expert in her ability to experience “High Sense Perception,” (HSP) as she terms it. With her HSP, she can sense auras, chakras, energy fields, and disease in the body, and she is able to heal the body with this knowledge.

As all authors do, Barbara makes assumptions about her reader. The first assumption that she makes is that the reader is interested in either healing oneself, going on a spiritual journey, or healing another person. If these are not your interests, you will not find this book interesting. The subject matter in the book is spiritually profound, metaphysical, highly abstract at times, theoretically challenging, and stretches your core thought processes and reasoning. This is not a book for an audience of readers who seek anything less than profound change. This book challenges the reader to reach deep into the areas of their untapped resources and pull out something greater than they ever thought possible. The meditations and practices are a gift, a delight, and a challenge; and reader be warned—it all works!

The author makes some other assumptions about her reader. She assumes that anyone can learn to perceive auras and chakras as long as they follow her plan of how to become in tune with the UEF. It might take someone a long time to follow her plan if they have many of their own blocks to clear (which she covers in depth) before they reach the amount of HSP that she has achieved, but with practice she says it is possible. The author says it is possible to heal another person, but with time and a significant amount of patience, and after healing oneself, one will be able to reach their goals.

The purpose of this book is to give instruction on the major chakras and auras on a metaphysical level, High Sense Perception, the amazing healing ability we all possess, and one’s ability to embark on a spiritual journey. Barbara is also clear about saying that one must have a healthy body, clear aura, and clear chakras before one performs a healing on someone else. Another purpose of this book is to serve as a reference for future use. This is not a book to read once and then put down.

Although many more people today than ever before are becoming more interested in this topic, the audience is a rather small percentage of the population. This type of reader will either be overwhelmed by the vast wealth of information given to them in this book, much like I was initially, or they will be delighted by the information when the time is right. It is my opinion that the information presented in “Hands of Light” will only make sense to someone when the time is right for the person.

“Hands of Light” covers topics such as the Universal Energy Field and the Human Energy Field, how to see auras and chakras, and what they all are made of. The book gives colorful pictures of what auras look like and where to find chakras on the body. The book also discusses psychological blocks and energy defense mechanisms visible in the aura. Chapter 13 specifically discusses the aura and chakra patterns of the major character structures, which for example, gives bodily characteristics, thought patterns, defense mechanisms, and energy levels specific traits associated with five major character structures (e.g., schizoid, oral, psychopathic, masochistic, and rigid) (Brennan, 111-113). This aligns the psychotherapeutic approach with the Bioenergetic approach to healing. The author also discusses tools the healer can use to determine causes of illness including a chapter on communicating with spiritual teachers. The “Exercises to Receive Spiritual Guidance” in Chapter 19 and section on “Channelling Personal Spiritual Teachers for Guidance” were exceptional for personal development (Brennan, 170-171). Towards the end of the book, the author addresses what an entire healing session would be like for a client and for the healer. Finally, she closes with chapters about the ongoing responsibility to care for the healer.

The style of the book is scholarly, so the reader must also be scholarly due to the complexity of the material. It would also benefit the reader to have an experienced healer to guide them through the hand positions if possible. The diagrams in the book are not sufficient to go from reading this book straight to practicing with clients.

It is hard to say whether people not familiar with Reiki or similar healing arts will fully understand chakras and auras without experiencing them. The very technical language and descriptions in metaphysical terms helps the reader gain a much greater awareness of what is happening with the UEF and HEF, but it might be difficult for some readers to believe that either exits due to their personal or spiritual belief systems. Although the author tackles the topic with great knowledge, she often does so from the voice of her spirit guide, which can sometimes sound less authoritative than if it were in her own voice. People not in the field may find these things difficult to believe if they have not experienced them.

This is a scholarly written, spiritually profound, metaphysical book of energy healing
that contains excellent knowledge and years of research.It is for many readers and healers around, and for those who want to embark on their spiritual journey. Expect changes to happen!Healing begins as soon as you are ready, so be ready for some major changes.

This book is a powerful tool for a wise healer.

The strengths far outweighed the weaknesses in “Hands of Light.” There are wonderful meditation guides offered in this book. For example, on page 175 there is a meditation to “Enhance Experience of Each of Your Auric Levels” that is extremely helpful. There is also an entire chapter on exercises for charging chakras, physical exercises to open chakras, visualization exercises, breathing and posture exercises, and many more ways to care for one’s body. There are also many excellent references to authors, books, and additional healing methods, techniques, and traditions throughout the book. One will find many exercises in the book to test their knowledge and continue their personal growth. As mentioned already, this is not a - “I read it so I’m an expert” kind of book. This book is one to keep and use for reference for a long time.

In my professional life, this book will be one to keep and use often. I want to open a healing practice, so this book is a gem. I have already started to use some of the methods in the book on myself and have achieved noticeable results. This is changing my personal life because I’m slowly clearing blocks in myself. As I am able to change myself, I am able to use that understanding to help others. Others have noticed the change in my energy, and although they cannot tell exactly what has changed, they notice that something has changed. Animals are also responding differently to me. I am confident that Barbara’s process of opening blocks in the chakra is working. Overall, this book is going to help propel my personal and professional life upward if I choose to do the work.