Talking with skeptics can be intimidating. No one likes feeling dismissed, especially around something as important to most of us as energy healing.
Since starting Healing Lab in 2015, talking to skeptics about energy has been part of my job. Here’s what I’ve figured out.
Focus on curiosity
Don’t try to convince someone that energy is definitely, absolutely 100% real. That leads to argument and debate, which won’t feel good for you, and even more important, won’t feel good for them.
Instead, just try to create curiosity. Try to move someone from “It’s not real,” to “I wonder.”
This approach gives you a lot more space to acknowledge doubts, meet the person where they are, and just be friends. And it’s something you can actually succeed at.
Here’s the thing: Curiosity is huge. Curiosity can motivate action. Most of my clients tell me, “I normally would never see an energy healer, but you have a money-back guarantee, so I’m willing to give it a try.” They’re telling me that they are not convinced, but they’re curious, and they want to find out more. That’s the goal.
Understand skepticism
I often see healers talk about how closed-minded skeptics are. Don’t do that.
Skeptics have good reasons to be skeptical. Energy healing is not part of today’s physics, and today’s physics is pretty good. Today’s physics took us to the moon, and brought us the transistors that power the modern world. Claiming we’ve found something that’s missing from today’s physics should be a high bar.
Acknowledge that. Depending on who you’re talking to, that acknowledgment might be out loud or silent. But acknowledge that to yourself before having this conversation. It changes the entire tone.
Most skeptics aren’t stupid or closed-minded. They just believe that it is a virtue to only believe in things for which there is evidence. And you know what? I think that’s a virtue too.
Share personal stories
People love stories. Share the things that have convinced you that energy is real. These could be your own case studies from working with friends and clients, your psychic intuitions, or other experiences.
But here’s the thing: Don’t do it with a challenging tone of, “How do you explain that?” Because that kind of challenge isn’t what we’re going for, and they will be able to explain away individual experiences as coincidence or placebo.
Instead, share it with a tone of, “Here’s this really meaningful experience that happened to me that I want to share with you.” Focus on human connection.
A little science goes a long way
I say this in both senses of the phrase.
Being able to cite a little research can Make a big difference and being seen as someone sensible and rational. I recommend sharing not only case studies, but also cell culture studies, which answer questions about placebo and coincidence nicely.
But also, don’t go nuts with the research. No one wants to be lectured to. Let them ask. Focus on creating curiosity so that they do ask. Some people will, some people won’t. Not everyone is as much of a science geek as I am. And that’s OK. Share a little research, and then focus on having a conversation.