Dr Thornton Streeter maps human energy fields to diagnose the onset of diseases. Ethel Da Costa does a chi check.
VENUE: ‘The Energy Centre’ at the Ayurvedic Natural Health Centre, Saligao, Goa.
MISSON: To demolish the hype surrounding aura/energy readings. We’re in the 21st century, sister! There’s no room for hocus-pocus.
Nameless faces walk in and out of the centre, some assisted by therapists in green overalls. As three nuns help an old woman out of a car, you can almost hear the pain straining her aged bone and muscle. “What happened to her?” a little girl asks. “Time,” I retort.
MEETING THE DOCTOR The consulting ward is filled with more faces marred by wrinkles, sagging skin and age. Outside, a vibrant, green vegetable and herb garden pulsates with energy in the noon-day sun. The world is full of contradictions.
In a small room, light streams in from a little verandah. A table bears the weight of two laptops and a computer, and a video camera stands in the corner of the room.
An Electro Scanning Machine (ESM) sits on a bed with a wired-up test-tube electrode filled with bright pieces of rock - a crystal electrode. An uncanny silence of expectancy hangs around these futuristic-looking machines.
The silence is broken within seconds. A blond man with blue eyes walks into the room and introduces himself as Dr Thornton Streeter, CEO and co-founder of the Centre for Human Energy Field Research, India . He immediately proceeds to demonstrate.
A young girl, Preeta, is asked to volunteer. Dr Streeter claims he intends to map her Human Energy Field (HEF).
SHEER ELECTRICITY A video camera attached to a computer analyses light intensities - the electro-magnetic field emitted from the body - through colour and pattern recognition. The technique is called Polycontrast Interference Photography (PIP scan).
The point is to provide the physical body with a ‘blue print’ to order its structure. To show how it works, Preeta is made to hold the crystal electrode.
Harmless sound and radio waves are introduced into Preeta’s body, via a electro-crystal generator. Quantifiable readings of her energy fields suggest a harmonious well-being.
Dr Streeter explains, “Seven areas of the body are scanned - the crown, brow, throat, chest, abdomen, back and solar plexus. Readings determine whether affected areas have an excess or deficiency of energy. More importantly, it shows where disease could occur.”
The scan indicates stress related problems, indicated by the colour pink in the brow, eye and throat areas. Crystal therapy is prescribed, a treatment the doctor claims, is side-effects free.
CRYSTAL GAZING INTO MEDICINE So, what’s crystal therapy?
Dr Streeter simplifies, “The body is about light. Good food and good thoughts emit white light. Disease is the disturbance signifying an imbalance in food and thought.” In short, a holistic healing method aided through complementary medicine.
“The procedure aims towards correcting imbalances in the physical, mental, astro, enteric and emotional state of a human being. We do not treat the symptom. We identify the problem,” the enthusiastic doctor elaborates.
The computer flashes more psychedelic pictures of patients with stomach ailments, heart congestion and intestinal infection. Hues of pink, black and yellow dance on the screen, amidst bright circular lights — the 'chakras'.
THE GREAT COSMIC MIRACLE? What causes the energy imbalances? Dr Streeter explains, “Changes in lifestyle and junk food. We have forgotten our ancient healing systems, by not caring for our mind, body and soul.” He realised this after a near-death accident in California when he was confined to a wheelchair for a year - his spine cracked in five places - and he met up a guru specialising in aura and crystal healing at a festival in South India.
Three years of training under Harry Oldfield - guru of alternative medicine and inventor of the electro crystal therapy - Streeter was ready. Of course, the doctor’s diagnostic methods has its share of critics, but the crowded lobby of the clinic belies such doubts. “Healing starts with faith,” Dr Streeter retorts.
Another patient walks in. He has a painful stomach problem. Doctor-patient get into an animated conversation. It is time to make myself scarce.