Touch in any form has been shown to boost the immune system. When it is done in a loving environment with experienced healing hands it can be very powerful. It has a healing potential. The power of touch is miraculous in its simplicity. It is a necessary gift of nature, without which a human being cannot thrive.

In the New Testament (Mark Ch5:25-34) we read of a woman with a blood problem for twelve years and had seen many doctors to no avail. She knew the power of touch and the transfer of energy for healing. The great healer, Jesus, was in town and the sick lady decided to make her way with the intention of touching or being touched by Him with the intense expectation of being healed. In her mind she had formulated her set up statement thus: “If only I could be touched by Him, I will be healed.” At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from Him. Immediately her bleeding stopped and she was freed from her suffering.

In the ancient scriptures the Vedas, touch has been used in ceremonial rituals with healing properties. Healing by touch and the repetition of the mantras (the problem statements) have been used by the ancient seers and healers. Among the Hindus the swamis are also healers using touch to provide relief, physical and psychological to their followers.

The word Veda comes from the Sanskrit root word "VID" which means "to know". Veda means "pure knowledge". This knowledge is given at the time of creation for the entire humanity. Hence it is universal. It is the most precious intellectual wealth of everyone, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, sect, colour, creed or country. Havan is known in Sanskrit as Agnihotra. In English Agni means Fire and Hotra means healing, so Agnihotra means healing-fire. At the yaj or havan or fire ceremony the Hindu priest (therapist) is actually using a form of healing/cleansing/clearing the meridian (acupuncture) energy points.

The therapist or priest conducting the ceremony sits round a fire vessel with participants near and thinking about their individual problems and repeating certain mantras at the instruction of the priest/therapist. Then he asks them, using the index and the middle finger together, to dip these fingers in some water in the cupped hand of the other hand and touch the various energy points from eyebrows, near the eye, under nose, below the lip on the chin, the collarbone, the knees etc about three times. In those ancient times possibly the participants did not realize they were carrying some form of treatment for healing but the therapist would know as they were aware of the secret knowledge. Even today, among the Hindus very few would realize that they are participating in a healing ceremony; to many this is simply a religious ritual. It would be in the interest of all concerned if they were made aware of this healing approach.

This form of touching or tapping rituals is now called EFT (emotional freedom techniques) founded by Gary Craig. This has been further studied and researched by clinical psychologist, Dr Roger Callahan. Today this approach is being used by many health professionals including psychotherapists.