Something to Think About: Very Touching

Something to Think About: Very Touching

Reflections by Chuck Cluff, Atherton resident since 2004

Mark 5:31 
“His disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you, and you say, ‘who touched me?'”

Touching is a big thing in sports, nursing, religion and more. You see athletes hugging each other, getting in circles and connecting by touch, slapping one another’s hands after feats of physical prowess. Nurses are taught the value of touching related to healing and patient wellbeing. Physical therapists and massagers are effective for more reasons than just working the muscles. Some religious practices involve touching. What’s the big thing about touching? Energy! Life energy. Spiritual energy. People exchange energy when and while they touch.

Affection involves touching: parent with child, lovers with each other, friends greeting and departing with a hug, sitting by a bedside holding the hand of one ill, shaking hands. It’s natural for us to do, with most not aware of the most important reason; the giving and taking of energy. Humans share life energy with each other all the time. Some faiths have a laying on of the hands, which is not just a ceremony. Daniel mentions being given strength when touched (10:18) and Jesus asked who touched him when he knew energy had been taken from him and given to a woman in the crowd for healing. (Mk.5:31) Jesus was aware that giving energy was taxing. Some believe this is why he was so tired after being with the crowds for a whole day. He was literally drained.

There is a special feeling when conscious of this energy exchange while being with another. Knowing you are actually giving something of yourself to someone else when you touch them is satisfying. Those with gifts of healing believe they can increase the energy force by focused and heightened concentration. It seems to be so. It is good to be around high energy friends. When we need a lift they are there for more than just verbal encouragement. They actually lift us physically. Maybe just a little, but we feel better after being with a person like that. We may be that to another. And, the most energy exchange is when we are with God. Energy is on the material and spiritual planes and when we are with God we are at the source! Jesus and all spiritually effective persons drew from the Divine. Jesus was often off alone with his heavenly father. This is how small frail persons such as Mother Teresa had so much energy. They kept connected to where energy comes from; from God. In normal everyday touching we exchange energy with others. We therefore need to reenergize, to be ready for the next day. Another reason for maintaining a strong God connection, which affirms the importance of the time we get off alone with God.