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HAUNTING The manifestations of strange and inexplicable phenomena said to be caused by ghosts and spirits. The phenomena include apparitions, unusual changes in temperature, and the movement of objects, noise, smells and so on.

Interestingly only a small number of hauntings involve seeing ghosts. Most hauntings involve noises such as mysterious sighs and whispers, smells such as perfume or burning wood, or sensations such as the pricking of skin, cold breezes or being touched. Some hauntings involve poltergeist activity, such as objects moving, or glasses being smashed. Those who experience hauntings typically report receiving negative emotions such as fear, anger and hatred, but some occasions there are positive feelings.

Not every person who visits a haunted site will experience paranormal phenomena. It is suggested that only those who are psychically or emotionally receptive at the time of visiting can pick up paranormal sensations.

Psychical researcher Frederick Myers defined haunting as a 'manifestation of persistent personal energy' , in other words, proof that some kind of energy was being transmitted after death, which was somehow connected to the dead person. Myers believed that ghosts had no intelligence or consciousness and were merely fragments of energy left behind by the dead person. Another element to be considered is how energy of the living can also be present in a place even though they have since moved away from such a place.

HEALING FAITH AND PSYCHIC Treatment of illness, that involves the channelling of healing, psychic or spiritual power through the healer into another person, often involving touch or the laying on of hand and/or prayer. Some healing is instant but other patients require numerous treatment. Religious belief is not an essential part in healing although many healers do have a strong religious or spiritual belief. True healers believe that they themselves do not heal but simply transform, restore and balance the universal life force, thought to permeate and sustain all living things. An imbalance or depletion in this life force can be caused by poor diet, lifestyle habits or negative thinking and this can lead to illness and unhappiness.

Many healers are said to be born with special healing powers but it is also thought that anyone can tap into this power to some extent. Healing powers are also said to come with high spiritual attainment, through visionary experiences or through the tutelage of another healer.

In faith healing the healing is thought to come from God. The healer usually lays hands on the patient and becomes a kind of conduit for divine energy to transfer to the patient. Belief in faith healing has been central to all kinds of societies throughout history. It is fundamental to Christianity and despite opposition from the medical establishment remains universal among Christian prayer groups and healing circles today.

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that spiritual or psychic healing works, but how it does is unknown. It's very likely that consciousness plays a part. Quantum physics has demonstrated that matter is not static but energy, and the invisibility of this matter forms the basis of Taoist, Buddhist and Hindu healing practices. Traditional Western science holds that the universe is inert but healers reflect the non-Western view that the universe is a living entity and all things are interconnected by energy. This will of the healer may also play a part; laboratory experiments have shown that healers can speed up or slow down the growth of cancerous cells in mice through prayer or intense thought projection.

Several factors have been identified as influential - but by no means a guarantee of success - when it comes to healing. First, the presence of large amounts of universal life force, certain places, such as Lourdes in France, are thoughts to be bursting with healing energy. Next, an open and trusting attitude on the part of the patient is considered important as fear, distrust and guilt can act as barriers to the healing. A positive attitude on the part of the patient is also believed to make it easier for the healer to transmit energy. Thirdly, relaxation on the part of the healer and patient is thought to be helpful as again this helps the healer tune in and transmit energy. Forthly, the healer must be filled with loving, positive and compassionate thoughts, and finally the healer must ask for help from a higher source and give recognition to and thanks for it.

HIGHER SELF A concept that is common in esoteric thought, particularly in connection with intuition and psychic development. In religion it is often thought of as the conscience or the spark of divinity within. The concept of a higher self is frequently linked with the theory of reincarnation and the belief that there is a part of us that has been alive before: personalities that are incarnated are facets of but one individual.

The term ' higher self' or 'higher consciousness' refers to the concept that each of us has a part of ourselves that is thought to act as a bride between the spiritual and the mental an d physical dimensions of our awareness. Simply put, there is a part of us that is a reservoir of higher wisdom that can help guide us through our lives. This part of us is better able to see the bigger picture of the daily dramas we get tangled up in and can help bring us perspective. Acting with the guidance of our higher self can lead us is in the direction of our greatest fulfillment.

Psychics believe that the higher self communicates by sending messages through the psychic senses. Developing your psychic potential will help strengthen your connection with your higher self and allow you to communicate with it more efficiently.

There is growing evidence from psychology for the existence of a higher self. When patients with multiple personality disorder are researched its often the case that one personality is more mature, intelligent and developed that others, and some psychologists believe there are elements of multiple personality in all of us. Dr Eric Berne's transactional analysis, for example, arranges the personality into three different types of self. Occultist Colin Wilson developed the theory of a hierarchy of selves presided over by a mature, and developed self that can take charge with 'an act of will'.

HOLISM For the Greek word holos meaning 'whole, the holistic approach refers to a philosophy or therapy that aims to treat the whole person - mind, body and spirit - rather than just the symptoms or problems they are manifesting. To holistic therapist the underlying cause of the illness many not be physical but emotional, mental or spiritual, so it is pointless just treating the physical symptoms.

A holistic practitioner will encourage patients to take an active part in their recovery with lifestyle and diet changes, and/or a change in thinking patterns or patterns of belief. When it comes to non-critical illnesses holistic therapies can have a higher rate of success in some instances than orthodox remedies.