Here's what I would say about Reiki... It's new-age, it's wacky, it doesn't work. And a lot of silly, gullible people spend their hard earned dollars on it in vain.

That's a popular type of thinking about Reiki and alternative medicine in general. And it's pretty appealing to the logical, scientific brains of our time. Except for one dilemma...Reiki does work and millions of people could say from personal experience that this is true.

So then the question becomes- as we sit atop our high horse in this, the age of reason- how does Reiki work? Or more to the point, why does it work. By all accounts it shouldn't work. It doesn't use any drugs. You don't have to cut into anything or anyone. 'Normal' doctors don't use it. I can't see it with my eyes or hear it with my ears. So, sorry lady. I don't believe it. It just doesn't work.

Except that it does.

Let's look at Reiki a bit here to see if we can figure this out. In a Reiki session you lay your hands on someone and use your life energy to help someone else's life energy to flow. Now that's just downright crazy. Anyone would say it, right. Now Reiki originated in Japan a long time ago. This is all the more reason to be skeptical. I mean no-one knew anything about medicine back then. So how could there be any validity to this stuff at all?

Well it now appears that science itself is coming up with a good and scientific theory to answer the question 'How does Reiki work?' Because Reiki actually does work. And the explanation is coming from the new and pioneer field of high-energy physics. (Hmm. Physics, huh?) As these scientists talk about high-energy physics, they bandy about terms like 'subatomic matter', 'unpolarized' and 'vortex' theory. From all of this, one gets the strong impression that there is some kind of energy flowing- energy that is way too small for us to detect by our standard methods of measurement.

However, we can certainly feel this energy. And we feel it distinctly- such as the tingling, warm, pins-and-needles feeling that a Reiki practitioner has in the hands as he or she works on someone. We also feel it when we are practiced upon- like a sensation of warmth, or even cold, in an area of the body that is worked upon. (Hmph. You're not just pulling my leg are you?)

Now let's take a better look at who has been using this Reiki stuff. If we really put our minds to it, we may be surprised at what we find out. For instance, do you remember the old biblical 'laying on of hands?' I hate to say it, but that does sound an awful lot like Reiki. So maybe, when we look back to our past as a race, we can see that people in the days of old were not as dopey as we once thought. They had some kind of intrinsic knowledge, for instance, that if something works- don't question, don't ask why or how- just use it. I wonder sometimes if we can't use a slice of their common-sense, old fashioned though it is to the Age of Reason advocates.

Insomnia is quite common, and not nearly as rare as you might think. The most common form of insomnia is temporary however and bouts of it come few and far between. Many people who are suffering from temporary insomnia have an easy time relating it directly to something life changing or stressful going on in their life.

A small group of Americans suffer from the type of insomnia that lasts more than just a few nights and may struggle with sleeplessness for weeks at a time. Sometimes, the persistent insomnia is so severe it can last for months or years. The insomnia sufferers who deal with chronic insomnia really know what the side effects associated with insomnia can mean to a normal life.

Prior to dealing with the side effects of insomnia, determining the kind from which the individual suffers is a key component. Generally speaking, there are three major kinds of insomnia and sufferers usually consistently fall into one category. They either fail to fall asleep at all; they may fall asleep but awaken again intermittently every hour or two, or lastly they may fall asleep and remain asleep for a period of three hours or slightly more, only to awaken after that time and not find it possible to return to sleep.

Those who suffer from insomnia often seek out over-the-counter medication for help. Sadly, most sleep aids found over-the-counter don't address each form of insomnia, but only focus on helping you get to sleep. Sufferers who can fall asleep but can't stay asleep often find themselves still waking in the night, with increased tiredness from the pills.

Headaches and the inability to concentrate are two of the most common side effects stated by individuals suffering from insomnia of any kind. Irritability is another side effect that can transfer onto those around the insomniac and make social and working relationships challenging. With the insomniac trying to avoid letting their lack of rest transfer into other areas of their life, it's almost impossible to accomplish.

When an insomniac has run out of natural energy reserves, chronic insomnia becomes a dangerous condition. The lack of sleep may cause problems with driving and reacting to traffic situations even as a pedestrian. The sufferer may find that she or he is at a heightened risk of becoming involved in a traffic accident.

Sometimes an insomniac realizes their chronic lack of sleep is adversely affecting driving and also workplace behavior. Due to this realization, insomniacs may try to offset their lack of sleep, capacity to concentrate, and overall bad mood with over the counter stimulants. Terribly, many of these substances are hazardous and can adversely affect the human body.

Often insomniacs will try to get a good night's sleep by "self-medicating" with alcohol or recreational drugs. The danger in this type of practice is incredible for the insomniac and their loved ones. The good news is there are many treatments out there which help those who have trouble sleeping, gain the rest they badly need.

When we talk about the concept of altering consciousness, what do we actually mean? Do we mean improving our memory? Is it increasing our IQ or improving our sleep? Are we discussing becoming psychic or clairvoyant, or reaching a deeper meditation state? Or do we simply want to be able to stop yelling at our children? Now as I see it, altering consciousness is all of this and much, much more. It is shifting the very way we think, see the world, live our lives, and exist on this planet.

I know this sounds very new-age and far-out. That's because it is.

And as I speak about ways to alter consciousness you may begin to think of manifestation, and the movie called the Secret. You may be reminded of Echart Tolle and THE POWER OF NOW or A NEW EARTH. You may think of Yoga, meditation, Buddha and karma. You may recall a life-changing course you once took called The Landmark Forum. You may think of the deepest tenets of Christianity and other world religions. Quotes may come to mind- such as "There but for The Grace of God Go I" and "Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. "

But as I personally think about this I suddenly realize... the desire to alter consciousness is not so new after all.

The human race has wanted to alter its consciousness for thousands of years. We have even had some brilliant ideas of what direction to alter it to- living on this earth in peace and harmony, for instance- or having tolerance for others, good judgment, and an abundance of love- or helping people instead of harming them. In short we have had the wonderful idea that all beings should live their lives in joy and happiness, with their needs met and a high level of satisfaction in life. They should do this-and humans have believed this almost without exception.

No my friends, these are not new ideas. But what is new here is the idea, the concept, the glimmer of a thought that we could actually do it There is an arising awareness, sweeping the planet like a brush-fire, that it is within our reach as human beings to live our lives in peace and harmony with each other, as well as with a high level of life fulfillment for all. Now notice I never said people thought this was probable, nor that it was an assured. I only said there is an awareness that it is possible. And that in itself is a huge breakthrough for mankind- as this idea has never occurred in masses of the population before.

Now here is what none of us is sure of- will kill ourselves of, or will we become this possibility of a whole new world?

If you're an optimist like me, you're trying to beat the clock. You and I will try to pull for humanity to find ways alter consciousness, and quickly. And in my articles and blogs, I will give you some good ideas of how to do this. Some are time-honored and take work and practice. Others like brain entrainment are simpler to do and may work more quickly. So stay tuned as we explore this whole new, but old, world. And with that I will say, namaste, and peace be with you.