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What is Spiritual Cleansing?

Tara Barnett
Tara Barnett

Spiritual cleansing is a way to remove bad energies that are thought to cause negative health and emotional effects from the body. Depending on the tradition, these energies may go by many different names, and the removal or reordering of the energies may be done by a variety of processes. Usually, spiritual cleansing is performed on a person by a trained healer of some sort, but there are some types of spiritual therapies that rely on personal meditative or energy directing skills. Given that the success of this type of therapy is highly dependent on belief in the underlying philosophy, most people who attempt spiritual cleansing are already members of a tradition that uses this type of healing.

Usually what is involved in spiritual cleansing depends on the tradition in which the cleansing occurs. For instance, spiritual cleansing of a New Age type might include generic negative energies being removed from the body, whereas a Christian cleansing might involve purging the body of sinful thoughts. It is important that a person obey the spiritual cleansing protocol of whichever tradition he or she is using. On the other hand, a spiritual cleanse is intended to work solely on the spirit, not on the physical realm, so any spiritual cleanse that involves consuming unusual or unknown substances should be looked upon with suspicion.

Self reflection and meditation are important parts of a spiritual cleansing.
Self reflection and meditation are important parts of a spiritual cleansing.

Most people find that using a special room for the process facilitates spiritual cleansing. This room may be decorated or arranged in a meaningful way and may have been prepared by cleansing the room of energies. Participants in the cleansing process are often evaluated prior to the cleanse during a consulting session to determine spiritual needs. Proper preparations are very important to a successful cleanse.

Prayer can help with spiritual cleansing.
Prayer can help with spiritual cleansing.

During a cleanse performed by a healer, it is common for the person being cleansed to lie down. The healer may then work with the energies in the body in some way, either by directing those energies with his or her hands, by applying talismans, or by any other method. Often, the healer is responsible for guiding visualization exercises for the patient, which helps get rid of negative energy.

Personally directed cleanses may involve chanting or movement of energy, but the responsibility for sensing where those energies lie is placed on the person being cleansed. By meditating or otherwise reflecting, people examine the source of the disturbance and endeavor to correct it. Even when this type of cleanse is performed at home, it is still important to prepare the room and create a special space for the cleanse. By setting apart the experience of the spiritual cleanse from daily life, the process can be more effective.

Discussion Comments

Lostnfound

@Grivusangel -- I had to laugh at your post. I think we've all had bosses and workplaces like that. I want to do that sometimes, myself.

I don't really think a human can spiritually cleanse another human. In my opinion, that's the Lord's job. Only He can do that. He's the only one holy enough to accomplish it. Another human would just impose their own sin into the equation. In my belief system, only the Holy Spirit can cleanse and forgive someone completely. We can't do it on our own, or even with the help of another human. It's just not possible for us to be pure enough to do it by ourselves.

Grivusangel

I'm not sure I believe in the personal spiritual cleansing business, but I have seen people who do believe in that go places and cleanse them by burning sage and scattering salt in the corners.

I have been sorely tempted to do that at my office. Maybe bring some holy water with me too. Bet if I sprinkled it on the owner's desk, it would sizzle.

I have a mental image of anointing and salting the owner's office -- you know saying nothing unclean can enter -- and him bouncing off the doorway like there's an invisible force field. I can dream.

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    • Self reflection and meditation are important parts of a spiritual cleansing.
      By: kovaricekpavel
      Self reflection and meditation are important parts of a spiritual cleansing.
    • Prayer can help with spiritual cleansing.
      By: memo
      Prayer can help with spiritual cleansing.