Isang himala: a phenomenological study of miraculous healings through mind-body interventions in the Philippines.

Abstract

Miraculous healings are the result of isolated medical cases wherein individuals have miraculous recoveries from serious and life threatening diseases. Medically, it is seen as abnormal and unexplainable.

Under the domain of Traditional Medicine, Mind-Body Interventions claim to address the health problems by targeting the interactions among the brain, mind, body, and behaviour. There is little scientific explanation as to why Mind-Body Interventions can heal, but it has been accepted in the scientific community as a Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This study aimed to find out the essence of miraculous healing through mind-body interventions, and its implications to the Filipino health-seeking behavior.

A Phenomenological Approach of inquiry was employed in this research. By asking informants questions about their experience of healing others, or having been healed (depends if the informant is a healer, or someone who was healed), and then comparing this data with related literature, a textured analysis of the actual experience was provided. Through this method of triangulation, the study was able to discover various themes and elements which were found to be common in all of the informants’ experiences. Also, it was realized that contrary to common beliefs, mind-body therapies should not be reduced as having placebo effects. Their effectivity actually lies on the subject’s meanings, to which he ascribes to the experience.

The findings of the study also have implications on Filipino health practices and health-seeking behavior which is reflective of Filipino culture. Qualities and traits native to our culture have been found to be established in Filipino health-seeking behavior.