現代のイギリス社会におけるスピリチュアル・ヒーリングの受容と変容 : 心霊主義者教会を事例として

Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB), vol. 50, pp. 1–54

Abstract

Spiritual healing is the practice whereby a healer sends invisible energy or power to humans or animals to improve their health. This study is based on fieldwork I conducted between 2022 and 2025, primarily in Bristol and London. First, spiritual healing generally accepts orthodox medicine, positions itself as a form of complementary medicine, and adapts to changing times, including legal reforms. As a result, spiritual healing generates little to no conflict with mainstream British society. Additionally, healers do not claim that healing can cure physical symptoms; rather, they imply that it may improve one’s mental or emotional state. They also explain the healing mechanism to the recipients in detail or ensure that recipients understand it. Therefore, both healers and recipients tend to share a common image of how the healing works. Furthermore, sensory experiences during healing often arise from direct physical stimulation, although they are difficult to describe or share. However, healing is considered effective even when people do not perceive any such sensory experiences. For these reasons, spiritual healing is considered an easily accessible practice, which explains why it is still practiced today.

Authors 1

1. Eriko Kawanishi corresponding Aachen National Museum of Ethnology

   National Museum of Ethnology · National Museum of Ethnology

   Affiliation as printed

   National Museum of Ethnology