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La Curación energética
El doctor William Bengston presenta en este libro un cuerpo de sorprendentes evidencias científicas que nos obligará a reconsiderar totalmente lo que hasta ahora pensábamos acerca de las posibilidades sanadoras del ser humano. Basándose en su experiencia, en los increíbles resultados obtenidos y en sus preguntas directas, el doctor Bengston nos lleva a un maravilloso viaje de treinta y cinco años de investigaciones sobre el misterio de la curación con las manos. En la última parte del libro el doctor Bengston explica con detalle su método de sanación, accesible a cualquiera que realice las sencillas prácticas que él enseña.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 29, 2013
Disappointed. The author presents himself as a skeptic then leaks bits of information of prophetic dreams and other extrasensory experiences that occurred prior to his meeting Ben Mayrick, the psychic/healer who becomes his mentor. This adopted appearance of skepticism added to an overall sense that the book was trying very hard to appear scientific and skeptical. If you're interested in "woo-woo", be interested in it I say.
His claims to cure cancer left me uneasy. The individual cases he reported had no context in his overall patient population. Each case felt cherry picked especially when coupled with comments that he doesn't remember the results of his healing work very well. His rational is that he detaches himself from the results as patients are often fickle in responding to successful treatments. Success by his standards or theirs?
Dr. Bengston's experiments with the cancer infected mice are intriguing and it's unfortunate the experiments have yet to be replicated by other researchers to provide confirmation - at least I was unable to locate repeats of his research. His thoughts on viewing phenomena from a sociological perspective are worth consideration and the most significant insight from the book. Other observations in the book are standard fare in the energy healing field.
His claims to cure cancer left me uneasy. The individual cases he reported had no context in his overall patient population. Each case felt cherry picked especially when coupled with comments that he doesn't remember the results of his healing work very well. His rational is that he detaches himself from the results as patients are often fickle in responding to successful treatments. Success by his standards or theirs?
Dr. Bengston's experiments with the cancer infected mice are intriguing and it's unfortunate the experiments have yet to be replicated by other researchers to provide confirmation - at least I was unable to locate repeats of his research. His thoughts on viewing phenomena from a sociological perspective are worth consideration and the most significant insight from the book. Other observations in the book are standard fare in the energy healing field.
June 22, 2015
A very interesting read; I could hardly put this book down. Despite the convincing-sounding experimental studies presented though, one conundrum puzzled me: why is the author not able to heal himself? He also does not address the issue of self-healing at all, which I found strange since one of the first things you would want to do is find out how to heal yourself before others isn't it? Still, worth a read just to imagine the possibilities and open the mind a little.
December 27, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book. It was an easy to read book and easily digestible. As a Reiki practitioner for 7 years I was interested in seeing this scientist's take on energy healing. I was recommended to read this book by a fairly newbie healer that was practicing the author's method of healing and she was curious and unsure if she should take Reiki training. She warned me that he did not believe in a higher power or faith. After reading the book, I am not sure if he does or not. He seems to be confused. There's a side to him that wants to reject the woo, but he is also hopelessly attracted to it, as many healers are. He acknowledges a Source but says faith, belief or intention has nothing to do with how well he heals. In my experience, intention combined with open-mindedness can and does lead to miracles.
His cycling method seems complicated although I am open to trying it to see if it's effective. I imagine the cycling method is what distracts the mind during his healing method, which is the same result if you can focus and clear your mind, which is what Reiki teaches you to do. Perhaps Source just steps in when he distracts himself with the cycling method...but Source is still the root of the healing energy irregardless.
I wish the book was updated because I'd be curious to learn of any recent studies done on energy healing.
His cycling method seems complicated although I am open to trying it to see if it's effective. I imagine the cycling method is what distracts the mind during his healing method, which is the same result if you can focus and clear your mind, which is what Reiki teaches you to do. Perhaps Source just steps in when he distracts himself with the cycling method...but Source is still the root of the healing energy irregardless.
I wish the book was updated because I'd be curious to learn of any recent studies done on energy healing.
May 27, 2020
His research on curing cancer in mice was very interesting, but I didn't feel like he had a whole lot of data on whether or not his methods can be learned by anyone and the instructions are not all that easy to follow and I don't feel like you can separate energy healing from God.
June 26, 2011
Extremely interesting autbiographical book, plus a how-to on developing these skills. Much food for thought.
October 23, 2023
LONG review ahead! I have so many thoughts on this book, and no one else to share them with!
I first read The Energy Cure in my teens and remember being fascinated by what it said. I’ve had many conversations including the things I learned. But at the time, I was a very conservative Christian and as such, was wary of anything regarding healing and powers outside the confines of church. Anyways, I was thrilled to accidentally find it again recently!
The Energy Cure is a very readable story of the author, Bill (and his mentor, Ben), discovering healing energy and what followed. This book also covers the how those two men went different directions with their power and knowledge, and the many tests and studies that Bill has conducted on mice to price the power of hands on healing. I’m already working to apply the methods described after reading this book again!
I feel that The Energy Cure is a fantastic introduction to the world of healing and energy work. Bill is intensity focused on proving that this Energy is real and powerful, along with the science behind energy work - which helped this book feel less “woo woo”. (Side note, but it does seem that Bill pretended to be more of a skeptic than he really was, but thats not really that important. Bill seemed quite accepting of the power/skills, and only a sceptic in the sense that he wanted to PROVE what was happening scientifically.)
On the other hand, The Energy Cure seemed to get somewhat repetitive and narrow in focus about halfway through. It became mostly a detailed narrative solely about lab experiments on cancerous mice. Which was interesting to a point, but eventually felt redundant when he could have simply explained the outcomes and conclusions (and maybe had an appendix for detailed information). At several points, this book felt like it was repeating itself - especially issues that frustrated or bothered Bill. For example, his frustration towards mainstream science and medicine because they ignored or brushed aside his discoveries. Or his defense of and (repeated) descriptions of his personal energy healing method. Or his obsession and confusion over why his control mice often healed. It felt like he was low-key letting off a lot of steam in this book haha.
Bill clearly believed that he was working to find answers to the questions that we all would ask- yet he really wasn’t. He was so focused on some version of “how little can I do to heal this mouse” (can I just heal for two minutes a day? Can I heal twenty mice at once? Can I heal at a distance without visiting the mouse? Can I heal by just leaving some cotton with it?…).
But my biggest question? Can you learn to heal with other methods. He was really (REALLY) focused on the method that he and Ben had “created,” which is fine, but like… energy healing has existed in many cultures, religions, and practices throughout history. He could have gathered energy healers with different methods and run the same tests. What if he hadn’t trained his test subjects in his method (not the mice- the students healing the mice) and instead, just told them to hold the mice and try to heal them for an hour a day? It’s interesting because the author claims to have read so much literature on the subject, yet he spends his entire book so focused on HIS method that it feels like he missed an incredible opportunity to validate hands-on healing as a whole. Also I didn’t really appreciate the emphasis on lack of faith needed to perform these healings. Also, I know that he was just repeating his observations, yet I wish he had explored more why he was so confident that someone’s indifference impacted their healing ability or ability to be healed. Because many other healing practices RELY on faith of some kind. (He did explain why he doesn’t LIKE faith, but not why he’s so convinced it doesn’t work.).
It’s also frustrating that he’s so vocal about forgetting patients, not keeping records, and not following up. He’s so methodical with his lab rats and has tons of questions about them, but he doesn’t even keep tally of how many people he’s treated for cancer. You’d think he would have them sign an agreement to keep him in the loop on their health and he’d also keep statistics- type of cancer, time spent healing, symptoms of cancer and the rate at which it changes, mental state of people, remission rates, percentage that quit treatment and why. Instead, the book was filled with antedates, naming a handful of reactions and behaviors after the first names of past patients without seeming to care about WHY they had the reactions they had. With the amount of healings he was supposedly doing, Bill could have had a solid amount of statistical information about hands on healing of people, yet he seemed content to politely complain that “we can’t experiment on people.”
This leads me to believe that Bill is FAR more obsessed with self-validation than he says he is. (Which by the way, anyone who spends a lot of time trying to convince people he’s “humble” and “has no ego” usually is the opposite.) The amount of time and energy he devotes to trying to PROVE his abilities seems to far outweigh his efforts to heal people (or even train others to heal- unless it’s in a lab situation).
Anyways those are just some random thoughts. Certainly doesn’t detract from the point of The Energy Cure. I read it completely and enjoyed it (twice!). I would just have some questions for the author if I met him. Thank you for reading the longest review ever if you’re still reading! 😂
I first read The Energy Cure in my teens and remember being fascinated by what it said. I’ve had many conversations including the things I learned. But at the time, I was a very conservative Christian and as such, was wary of anything regarding healing and powers outside the confines of church. Anyways, I was thrilled to accidentally find it again recently!
The Energy Cure is a very readable story of the author, Bill (and his mentor, Ben), discovering healing energy and what followed. This book also covers the how those two men went different directions with their power and knowledge, and the many tests and studies that Bill has conducted on mice to price the power of hands on healing. I’m already working to apply the methods described after reading this book again!
I feel that The Energy Cure is a fantastic introduction to the world of healing and energy work. Bill is intensity focused on proving that this Energy is real and powerful, along with the science behind energy work - which helped this book feel less “woo woo”. (Side note, but it does seem that Bill pretended to be more of a skeptic than he really was, but thats not really that important. Bill seemed quite accepting of the power/skills, and only a sceptic in the sense that he wanted to PROVE what was happening scientifically.)
On the other hand, The Energy Cure seemed to get somewhat repetitive and narrow in focus about halfway through. It became mostly a detailed narrative solely about lab experiments on cancerous mice. Which was interesting to a point, but eventually felt redundant when he could have simply explained the outcomes and conclusions (and maybe had an appendix for detailed information). At several points, this book felt like it was repeating itself - especially issues that frustrated or bothered Bill. For example, his frustration towards mainstream science and medicine because they ignored or brushed aside his discoveries. Or his defense of and (repeated) descriptions of his personal energy healing method. Or his obsession and confusion over why his control mice often healed. It felt like he was low-key letting off a lot of steam in this book haha.
Bill clearly believed that he was working to find answers to the questions that we all would ask- yet he really wasn’t. He was so focused on some version of “how little can I do to heal this mouse” (can I just heal for two minutes a day? Can I heal twenty mice at once? Can I heal at a distance without visiting the mouse? Can I heal by just leaving some cotton with it?…).
But my biggest question? Can you learn to heal with other methods. He was really (REALLY) focused on the method that he and Ben had “created,” which is fine, but like… energy healing has existed in many cultures, religions, and practices throughout history. He could have gathered energy healers with different methods and run the same tests. What if he hadn’t trained his test subjects in his method (not the mice- the students healing the mice) and instead, just told them to hold the mice and try to heal them for an hour a day? It’s interesting because the author claims to have read so much literature on the subject, yet he spends his entire book so focused on HIS method that it feels like he missed an incredible opportunity to validate hands-on healing as a whole. Also I didn’t really appreciate the emphasis on lack of faith needed to perform these healings. Also, I know that he was just repeating his observations, yet I wish he had explored more why he was so confident that someone’s indifference impacted their healing ability or ability to be healed. Because many other healing practices RELY on faith of some kind. (He did explain why he doesn’t LIKE faith, but not why he’s so convinced it doesn’t work.).
It’s also frustrating that he’s so vocal about forgetting patients, not keeping records, and not following up. He’s so methodical with his lab rats and has tons of questions about them, but he doesn’t even keep tally of how many people he’s treated for cancer. You’d think he would have them sign an agreement to keep him in the loop on their health and he’d also keep statistics- type of cancer, time spent healing, symptoms of cancer and the rate at which it changes, mental state of people, remission rates, percentage that quit treatment and why. Instead, the book was filled with antedates, naming a handful of reactions and behaviors after the first names of past patients without seeming to care about WHY they had the reactions they had. With the amount of healings he was supposedly doing, Bill could have had a solid amount of statistical information about hands on healing of people, yet he seemed content to politely complain that “we can’t experiment on people.”
This leads me to believe that Bill is FAR more obsessed with self-validation than he says he is. (Which by the way, anyone who spends a lot of time trying to convince people he’s “humble” and “has no ego” usually is the opposite.) The amount of time and energy he devotes to trying to PROVE his abilities seems to far outweigh his efforts to heal people (or even train others to heal- unless it’s in a lab situation).
Anyways those are just some random thoughts. Certainly doesn’t detract from the point of The Energy Cure. I read it completely and enjoyed it (twice!). I would just have some questions for the author if I met him. Thank you for reading the longest review ever if you’re still reading! 😂
February 18, 2023
The author's opening statement is as follows :
“Over the past thirty-five years I have successfully treated many types of cancer—bone, pancreatic, breast, brain, rectal, stomach, leukemia—as well as other diseases, all using a hands on technique that is painless, noninvasive, and has no unpleasant side effects. To my knowledge, no person I have ever healed experienced a recurrence. The effectiveness of this treatment has now been proven in ten controlled animal experiments, conducted in five university medical and biological laboratories by trained, sceptical researchers.”
That is the theme of the book. The experiments and the author's personal story are presented fairly. The objections raised against the book in the other reviews strike us as absurd, given what it is actually about.
“Over the past thirty-five years I have successfully treated many types of cancer—bone, pancreatic, breast, brain, rectal, stomach, leukemia—as well as other diseases, all using a hands on technique that is painless, noninvasive, and has no unpleasant side effects. To my knowledge, no person I have ever healed experienced a recurrence. The effectiveness of this treatment has now been proven in ten controlled animal experiments, conducted in five university medical and biological laboratories by trained, sceptical researchers.”
That is the theme of the book. The experiments and the author's personal story are presented fairly. The objections raised against the book in the other reviews strike us as absurd, given what it is actually about.
June 20, 2021
Well written with a fascinating topic, this book (along with a couple of other recent reads) helped me change my perspective on healing, leading a truly healthy life and which phenomenal powers human being possess (despite of not being aware of them most of the time). I am certain that we can heal ourselves and others if we can manage to get into the right state of mind (meditation is the key for me). And I guess that any technique that appeals or comes to us works. I personally don't like Bengston's "Cycling" method as it reminds me to much of the "get anything you wish for" paroles of the Law of Attraction community. But I'm sure it works for others and the overall process Bengston describes works for me.
September 20, 2023
I have come to appreciate William Bengston and all that he contributed to the field of energy healing, more so as a researcher than a healer, despite the many sick people he has healed. This book does a great job unboxing aspects of William's research, which surely points to some cause and effect, but by no means does it unravel the mystery. Nonetheless, William's humble and eager spirit is inspiring in helping me understand the field and become excited about its implications in my personal life. This book is not a guide to energy healing but rather an exposition of the scientific method used in William's research and the hypothesis/conclusions drawn. William has an accompanying Audio lecture called Hands-on Healing, which is a practical guide to learning his method.
March 20, 2020
Caught hold of this book in days of social distancing and a sense when I wish I could heal the ones impacted.
I found it anecdotal though very interesting. Will notate a couple interesting sentences/quotes from the book as reminders of what I know now.
In times of Global lock downs 3.20.20.
“Miracles don’t happen in contradiction to Nature but only in contradiction to what we know of nature”
“Science is a faith based system with gatekeepers ever ready to persecute its Heretics”
I found it anecdotal though very interesting. Will notate a couple interesting sentences/quotes from the book as reminders of what I know now.
In times of Global lock downs 3.20.20.
“Miracles don’t happen in contradiction to Nature but only in contradiction to what we know of nature”
“Science is a faith based system with gatekeepers ever ready to persecute its Heretics”
November 27, 2021
I cannot yet rule out that this book and the companion audiobook haven’t actually changed the course of my life. After reading the book and practicing the technique with the audiobook, I attended a workshop with Bill Bengston and others learning and practicing the cycling technique and healing. If you are interested in intensifying your healing abilities or learning to heal others or if you simply want to learn a manifestation technique, I recommend this book.
July 26, 2023
Quite a fun autobiographical take of Bengston who seems to have stumbled upon a Reiki-like healing method. Image cycling is used (instead of Reiki symbols). The quest to try to do research experiments to understand the quantitative scope of the healing method as well as the mechanism of action is amusing, too. It seems he's continuing with trying to do some research while also focusing on healing, perhaps more intensely.
March 7, 2025
Intriguing, and I believe him. My issue is with his tone. Frustration with the medical establishment is understandable, but this felt borderline adversarial. The movement should be for the two approaches to collaborate as allies. Some of the anecdotes were set up to reinforce a binary and I think that’s counterintuitive.
October 19, 2019
If you have any interest in energy healing this is a great book to help satisfy any doubts. Many citings of scientific research proving that energy, hands on healing can be beneficial and cure diseases.
January 8, 2020
What a book! Fascinating. Exciting. I loved that Bill was a skeptic and then was able to heal mice of cancer. I loved that he did so much research to prove the validity of energy healing. I loved that he said anyone can do it.
December 26, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. But somehow the author sounds like he isn’t too convinced with the method. Too afraid to sound woo woo. I do believe we can heal people through faith/energy or whatever. But I’m not sold on this method.
January 2, 2018
I found this book very interesting and have recommended it to many friends.
December 16, 2017
As an analytical thinker, I love that this book explains some of the "why" and "how" behind hands-on healing.
December 18, 2018
Headscratcher
While there is a lot of anecdotal information in this book there is sufficient focus on quality research data to leave you wanting to know more.
While there is a lot of anecdotal information in this book there is sufficient focus on quality research data to leave you wanting to know more.
January 13, 2019
Interesting Book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2019
Be aware of what Bengston actually claims for his method.
With that said, image cycling is a great technique in practical magic.
With that said, image cycling is a great technique in practical magic.
September 30, 2020
Amazing research about energy cure
July 30, 2021
Hmmmmmm..... Very out there
April 19, 2022
Read half before book expired
August 28, 2023
Very well written. Keeper
April 6, 2024
great read and learning tool
Loved the teachings. I love the fact the there intention to heal is what is all that is needed. I will practice cycling
Loved the teachings. I love the fact the there intention to heal is what is all that is needed. I will practice cycling
April 16, 2025
This is a spellbinding story, and Bengston's research looks very promising. I plan to study and write about it for some time going forward.
November 29, 2010
A Fascinating and Compelling Read
William Bengston, PhD has written a very valuable and important book that challenges us all to embrace the full spectrum of healing. THE ENERGY CURE: UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF HANDS-ON HEALING introduces us to those aspects of non-Western medicine that too often are dismissed as hokey magic or mind twisting ideas practiced by a segregated sect of would be Medicine Men. But in part thanks to books such as Dr. Bengston's and those by other authors who practice Holistic medicine, acknowledging the fact that our bodies are part of the energy of the universe and that as such can be altered by acting on that flow of energy to foster cures or improvements in physical ailments is a gift the author shares here. We have yet to understand the power of the human brain and the capabilities of concentrated thought and participation in the energy fields that surround us, are within us, and ARE us. Few readers will come away form Bengston's book with skepticism about his message - provided they have minds open to the possibilities we, to now, have ignored.
Bengston is obsessed with providing proof of his observations and abilities. His initial exposure to this new realm of attending to human ailments came in 1971 when he met and subsequently worked with Bennett Mayrick, a man able to perform psychic readings and hands on healing. Bengston then struck out on his own and worked in research to justify the credibility of such phenomena, parting way with Mayrick, and finally returning after an absence to his studies and discovering his own abilities to perform and to teach energy healing. The manner in which he leads the reader through this maze of recognition and understanding and examining the proof and then sharing the abilities he discovered is the bulk of this book.
If there is a criticism of this book it is the overly long portions that discuss the author's academic journey. He writes very well and one at times wishes he would have edited this initial manuscript to reduce the 'filler' that at times keeps the flow of the coming to understanding and accepting of his ideas and history. But Bengston is obviously a humanist and doubtless fells that his readers should have the benefit of all of his scientific proof to assure that his précis is strongly supported. Indeed, he ends his book (before the very helpful appendices) with the following: 'My hope is that all those who read this book take from it an expanded sense of the resources offered by the Universe, along with a greater awareness of their own potential in calling upon that abundance, not only for healing, but for all aspects of life. The possibilities are infinite. The limitations are our own. Not faith, not belief, but trust.'
Grady Harp
William Bengston, PhD has written a very valuable and important book that challenges us all to embrace the full spectrum of healing. THE ENERGY CURE: UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF HANDS-ON HEALING introduces us to those aspects of non-Western medicine that too often are dismissed as hokey magic or mind twisting ideas practiced by a segregated sect of would be Medicine Men. But in part thanks to books such as Dr. Bengston's and those by other authors who practice Holistic medicine, acknowledging the fact that our bodies are part of the energy of the universe and that as such can be altered by acting on that flow of energy to foster cures or improvements in physical ailments is a gift the author shares here. We have yet to understand the power of the human brain and the capabilities of concentrated thought and participation in the energy fields that surround us, are within us, and ARE us. Few readers will come away form Bengston's book with skepticism about his message - provided they have minds open to the possibilities we, to now, have ignored.
Bengston is obsessed with providing proof of his observations and abilities. His initial exposure to this new realm of attending to human ailments came in 1971 when he met and subsequently worked with Bennett Mayrick, a man able to perform psychic readings and hands on healing. Bengston then struck out on his own and worked in research to justify the credibility of such phenomena, parting way with Mayrick, and finally returning after an absence to his studies and discovering his own abilities to perform and to teach energy healing. The manner in which he leads the reader through this maze of recognition and understanding and examining the proof and then sharing the abilities he discovered is the bulk of this book.
If there is a criticism of this book it is the overly long portions that discuss the author's academic journey. He writes very well and one at times wishes he would have edited this initial manuscript to reduce the 'filler' that at times keeps the flow of the coming to understanding and accepting of his ideas and history. But Bengston is obviously a humanist and doubtless fells that his readers should have the benefit of all of his scientific proof to assure that his précis is strongly supported. Indeed, he ends his book (before the very helpful appendices) with the following: 'My hope is that all those who read this book take from it an expanded sense of the resources offered by the Universe, along with a greater awareness of their own potential in calling upon that abundance, not only for healing, but for all aspects of life. The possibilities are infinite. The limitations are our own. Not faith, not belief, but trust.'
Grady Harp
August 22, 2012
I enjoy reading about alternative treatments. Now, if I could just get myself to consistently practice the skills I read about.
Available in print, e-reader, and audio CD
From Amazon.com:
With The Energy Cure, Dr. William Bengston presents astonishing evidence that challenges us to totally rethink what we believe about our ability to heal. Drawing on his scientific research, incredible results, and mind-bending questions, Bengston invites us to follow him along his 35-year investigation into the mystery of hands-on healing and to discover a technique that may activate your healing abilities. Part memoir and part instruction, this provocative book explores: Bengston's paradigm-shifting experimental results and why they seem so difficult for some medical practitioners to accept - Image cycling, a unique preparation method for a hands-on-healing treatment - Why traditional Western medicine isn't always best, the value of skepticism, the strengths of energy medicine, and more.
Available in print, e-reader, and audio CD
From Amazon.com:
With The Energy Cure, Dr. William Bengston presents astonishing evidence that challenges us to totally rethink what we believe about our ability to heal. Drawing on his scientific research, incredible results, and mind-bending questions, Bengston invites us to follow him along his 35-year investigation into the mystery of hands-on healing and to discover a technique that may activate your healing abilities. Part memoir and part instruction, this provocative book explores: Bengston's paradigm-shifting experimental results and why they seem so difficult for some medical practitioners to accept - Image cycling, a unique preparation method for a hands-on-healing treatment - Why traditional Western medicine isn't always best, the value of skepticism, the strengths of energy medicine, and more.
March 24, 2020
I wish I had known beforehand that this book involved rapid cycling of mental images, because I am someone who does not naturally form mental images. I can do it with a great deal of effort, but am not then able to cycle through them rapidly. As a consequence, this book was of very little use to me. I could draw some parallels between this and some other energy healing methods I have tried, but it really wasn't worth my time. Similarly, a rather large portion of this audiobook is taken up by drumming, which, while pertinent to the method being discussed, isn't really a very engaging audio program. Your experience may be different, but I certainly wouldn't recommend this if you can't form mental images.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews