Dear shakurav

Thank you for that wonderful expose! I value your experiences and
willingness to share.

Yes, the placebo effect is a very real effect, and it can be understood to
be a manifestation of the power of an individual's belief. At the same
time, though, there is definitely a very real physical difference between
the "placebo" and the "active agent." Indeed, it would be unethical of a
healer (mainstream or otherwise) to offer her patient a placebo (a.k.a.
snake oil) when she knows there is a known, active agent which will cure
the problem. As powerful as placebos can be, they pale in comparison to
the "real thing." After all, that's why they're called "placebos!"

At the same time, there are limits to the power of belief. I know this is
not a popular attitude among the regulars at this site, but it would be
wise to remember what history teaches us. Remember the Boxer Rebellion in
China? How much more powerful Qi-Masters can you ask for than a dedicated army
of Shaolin and other monks whose sole purpose in life is to develop Qi?
They firmly believed their Qi protected them from the bullets and swords
of the "foreign invaders" of China. What more noble a task can Qi-energy
be used for: to defend one's country, families, and way of life! YET ...
they were ruthlessly slaughtered by bullets and swords, and China lost a
whole generation of Qi-Masters in one day. That was the sad result of
their firm belief in Qi. Must this happen again to root us back firmly into reality?

(See the following for a history refresher:)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_Rebellion

I for one believe in human potential, oh yes! But may we be guided by a
rational spirit, without the need to resort to irrational notions.

I wish you the very best in your journey,

HF