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Essay on Information and Healing
by Dr. Bruce Forciea
Healing is a truly remarkable phenomenon. We often take for granted the extremely complex
systems that function in harmony to heal a cut finger, overcome an infection, or mend a
broken bone. We sometimes wonder why some people seem to miraculously overcome
serious illnesses while others struggle with the simplest of maladies. Our society is filled
with a myriad of healthcare practitioners ranging from mainstream medical professionals to
those practicing alternative methods of healing, all who work to promote healing in their
patients.
Those who practice the art of helping others to heal understand one thing about healing.
There is no one answer for every problem, no one solution to all diseases, no magic potion,
drug, or treatment. There is however a common element to all healing. This element comes
from the basic units of all matter and energy. It is all around us in our universe. It connects us
with all living and non-living matter. It has been flowing throughout the universe since time
began. It is not matter, not energy but can manifest as either.
Our understanding of this fundamental unit of everything comes from a transformation in our
understanding of the universe. Recent scientific discoveries about the fabric of space and
time are converging to define a new point of view about what energy, matter and life are
composed of. The search for this fundamental unit of which the universe and everything in it
is made is beginning to take focus. Progress in abstract mathematical theories such as
string theory is pointing to a vast interconnectedness in the universe. All matter is somehow
connected. All events may be recorded in a universal field that permeates everything. All
consciousness may be unified in this ubiquitous field. The fundamental unit we are talking
about is not matter, not energy, but information.
The physicist John Wheeler once coined the statement “It from bit” to imply that everything in
the universe is composed of information.(1) When one gets to the essence of what matter
and energy are, we see small units of matter called quarks. When we delve further we see
vibrating strings, even further, pure information.
Life is very special in that it has the unique ability to extract this information from the universe.
In fact the essential definition of life centers on this important characteristic. Life continuously
seeks information in order to evolve to higher and higher levels of complexity. From its
rudimentary one celled beginnings to the complex human, life continues to become more
organized by gathering information from the universe. The universe becomes more
disordered over time while life becomes more ordered. Life creates order from disorder.
Our consciousness too has evolved to higher and higher levels of complexity. The purpose of
consciousness is not only to let us experience the universe but to put the information in the
universe into context, to give it meaning. There is an important connection between
consciousness and matter. This connection allows for the transfer of information.
It is the transfer of information that we are concerned about when it comes to understanding
healing. All living systems have the ability to extract information from their environments. The
information travels along a path called a channel. There is one primary channel that
represents the flow of information needed to maintain the organism throughout its life. As
long as the organism is alive, information flows into it. The main information carrying channel
can be divided into several sub-channels. These sub-channels can be used to provide new
information to the organism.
This book is about healing as seen in terms of exchanges of information. The information
travels through channels from a source to a receiver much like the signal in a phone line.
Healing is in a sense communication. The more information transferred, the more healing
occurs.
To illustrate this point let’s use an analogy. Jamie has just been downsized from his position
and is looking for a job. Despite his depressed psyche he decides to heed his wife’s
suggestion to attend a large social function. At the function he mingles with the crowd and
engages in a variety of the standard social conversations. At one point he overhears a
conversation coming from a small group regarding their looking to hire someone with the
same experience as his. He has only heard bits and pieces of the conversation but is
encouraged enough to go over and introduce himself. He does so and finds out that they
were talking about another person outside of the group. The lead eventually materializes and
he subsequently gets a new job.
The above simple story illustrates several concepts regarding the transfer of information and
healing. First of all, Jamie has a need, he needs a job. His need for a job sets his
consciousness in motion to seek out what he needs. The same thing happens in healing.
The consciousness seeks out what it needs to heal. Jamie needs information regarding a
job lead so his consciousness is “tuned” so that out of the many conversations going on
around him he is able to zero in on the one that will lead him to fulfill his need.
Consciousness also works to gather information that is needed to heal. Information is being
exchanged all around us. We only need to tune in to what we need in order to heal.
Second, the initial misunderstanding regarding the conversation illustrates how information
is transferred through a channel. In the crowded room Jamie only hears bits and pieces of
information. There is noise in the communications channel. If his consciousness was not
tuned in to what he needed he may not have been attracted to the particular group of people.
Healing information also travels through channels containing noise. The idea is to get as
much information through the channel by eliminating as much noise as possible. This can
be done by using the techniques discussed in this book.
Third, despite his depressed attitude, Jamie decided on some level to take the initiative to
attend the function. Although he did not realize it, this decision was the first step toward
solving his problem. Deciding to do something about an illness is also the first step toward
healing. Something happens when we decide to take action. Needed information flows.
This book is about seeing healing in a different way. There is no magic remedy, no secret
formula, no mysterious treatment, but a new way of looking at healing. By defining healing in
terms of information flow we can develop a system for maximizing this flow. Once the door is
opened to this concept it will change the way you think about healing. Perhaps you will select
and evaluate treatments differently, or you may be open to trying things you would not think of
before reading this book.
Through the understanding that healing is communication of information we have a common
element from which to build a bridge between the worlds of mainstream and alternative
medicine. Both systems at their most fundamental level work the same way. They use
channels to supply information to the patient. This common ground will help to integrate both
systems to provide a more complete system of healing.
The concepts in this book are useful to anyone wishing to learn about healing. Patients as
well as mainstream and alternative healthcare practitioners will find this book useful in
understanding, evaluating and designing healing programs. Students of the healing arts will
also appreciate its integration of both mainstream and alternative systems of healing. It is my
belief that by understanding healing in terms of information flow, systems of healing can be
unified and improved.
1. Siegfried, T. The Bit and the Pendulum. 2000. New York: John Wiley and Sons p 3.
by Dr. Bruce Forciea
Healing is a truly remarkable phenomenon. We often take for granted the extremely complex
systems that function in harmony to heal a cut finger, overcome an infection, or mend a
broken bone. We sometimes wonder why some people seem to miraculously overcome
serious illnesses while others struggle with the simplest of maladies. Our society is filled
with a myriad of healthcare practitioners ranging from mainstream medical professionals to
those practicing alternative methods of healing, all who work to promote healing in their
patients.
Those who practice the art of helping others to heal understand one thing about healing.
There is no one answer for every problem, no one solution to all diseases, no magic potion,
drug, or treatment. There is however a common element to all healing. This element comes
from the basic units of all matter and energy. It is all around us in our universe. It connects us
with all living and non-living matter. It has been flowing throughout the universe since time
began. It is not matter, not energy but can manifest as either.
Our understanding of this fundamental unit of everything comes from a transformation in our
understanding of the universe. Recent scientific discoveries about the fabric of space and
time are converging to define a new point of view about what energy, matter and life are
composed of. The search for this fundamental unit of which the universe and everything in it
is made is beginning to take focus. Progress in abstract mathematical theories such as
string theory is pointing to a vast interconnectedness in the universe. All matter is somehow
connected. All events may be recorded in a universal field that permeates everything. All
consciousness may be unified in this ubiquitous field. The fundamental unit we are talking
about is not matter, not energy, but information.
The physicist John Wheeler once coined the statement “It from bit” to imply that everything in
the universe is composed of information.(1) When one gets to the essence of what matter
and energy are, we see small units of matter called quarks. When we delve further we see
vibrating strings, even further, pure information.
Life is very special in that it has the unique ability to extract this information from the universe.
In fact the essential definition of life centers on this important characteristic. Life continuously
seeks information in order to evolve to higher and higher levels of complexity. From its
rudimentary one celled beginnings to the complex human, life continues to become more
organized by gathering information from the universe. The universe becomes more
disordered over time while life becomes more ordered. Life creates order from disorder.
Our consciousness too has evolved to higher and higher levels of complexity. The purpose of
consciousness is not only to let us experience the universe but to put the information in the
universe into context, to give it meaning. There is an important connection between
consciousness and matter. This connection allows for the transfer of information.
It is the transfer of information that we are concerned about when it comes to understanding
healing. All living systems have the ability to extract information from their environments. The
information travels along a path called a channel. There is one primary channel that
represents the flow of information needed to maintain the organism throughout its life. As
long as the organism is alive, information flows into it. The main information carrying channel
can be divided into several sub-channels. These sub-channels can be used to provide new
information to the organism.
This book is about healing as seen in terms of exchanges of information. The information
travels through channels from a source to a receiver much like the signal in a phone line.
Healing is in a sense communication. The more information transferred, the more healing
occurs.
To illustrate this point let’s use an analogy. Jamie has just been downsized from his position
and is looking for a job. Despite his depressed psyche he decides to heed his wife’s
suggestion to attend a large social function. At the function he mingles with the crowd and
engages in a variety of the standard social conversations. At one point he overhears a
conversation coming from a small group regarding their looking to hire someone with the
same experience as his. He has only heard bits and pieces of the conversation but is
encouraged enough to go over and introduce himself. He does so and finds out that they
were talking about another person outside of the group. The lead eventually materializes and
he subsequently gets a new job.
The above simple story illustrates several concepts regarding the transfer of information and
healing. First of all, Jamie has a need, he needs a job. His need for a job sets his
consciousness in motion to seek out what he needs. The same thing happens in healing.
The consciousness seeks out what it needs to heal. Jamie needs information regarding a
job lead so his consciousness is “tuned” so that out of the many conversations going on
around him he is able to zero in on the one that will lead him to fulfill his need.
Consciousness also works to gather information that is needed to heal. Information is being
exchanged all around us. We only need to tune in to what we need in order to heal.
Second, the initial misunderstanding regarding the conversation illustrates how information
is transferred through a channel. In the crowded room Jamie only hears bits and pieces of
information. There is noise in the communications channel. If his consciousness was not
tuned in to what he needed he may not have been attracted to the particular group of people.
Healing information also travels through channels containing noise. The idea is to get as
much information through the channel by eliminating as much noise as possible. This can
be done by using the techniques discussed in this book.
Third, despite his depressed attitude, Jamie decided on some level to take the initiative to
attend the function. Although he did not realize it, this decision was the first step toward
solving his problem. Deciding to do something about an illness is also the first step toward
healing. Something happens when we decide to take action. Needed information flows.
This book is about seeing healing in a different way. There is no magic remedy, no secret
formula, no mysterious treatment, but a new way of looking at healing. By defining healing in
terms of information flow we can develop a system for maximizing this flow. Once the door is
opened to this concept it will change the way you think about healing. Perhaps you will select
and evaluate treatments differently, or you may be open to trying things you would not think of
before reading this book.
Through the understanding that healing is communication of information we have a common
element from which to build a bridge between the worlds of mainstream and alternative
medicine. Both systems at their most fundamental level work the same way. They use
channels to supply information to the patient. This common ground will help to integrate both
systems to provide a more complete system of healing.
The concepts in this book are useful to anyone wishing to learn about healing. Patients as
well as mainstream and alternative healthcare practitioners will find this book useful in
understanding, evaluating and designing healing programs. Students of the healing arts will
also appreciate its integration of both mainstream and alternative systems of healing. It is my
belief that by understanding healing in terms of information flow, systems of healing can be
unified and improved.
1. Siegfried, T. The Bit and the Pendulum. 2000. New York: John Wiley and Sons p 3.
| Dr. Bruce Forciea's New book presents a new paradigm for healing with alternative medicine by using information channels. |
Using Information to Heal