Dan Horner
Dan Horner is the founder of New Ground Events, which presents the Science, Spirit and Health Symposium: Understanding the Science of Energy Medicine on Friday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 10. The event takes place at Pima Community College Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre, 2202 W. Anklam Road. Horner will introduce a variety of speakers, including headliners Dr. William Tiller who discusses "The Scientific Experiments That Turned Orthodox Science on its Head" and UA Research Scientist Dr. Gary Schwartz who discusses "The Energy Healing Experiments." For a complete schedule and ticket info, visit www.newgroundevents.com.
What is one thing people will take away from the symposium?
People who attend the conference are going to be convinced from the amount of research and experiential (data) that there is something more beyond just the physical body. Scientists are able to study energy. According to some scientists, energy is conscious and is something like a spirit.
I see.
If you look at Dr. Gary Schwartz from the University of Arizona, for instance, he's done quite a bit a research on energy medicine—and on mediums, people who can talk to dead relatives. He's done it in a way that is scientifically vigorous. He outlines it in a number of books that he has written. Beyond reasonable doubt, you could say he has almost proven that there is something beyond death.
What other research will be discussed?
(As a couple of examples,) Dr. Melinda Connor, a neuropsychologist, will discuss how music heals your brain. Dr. Ann Baldwin has done research on reiki and has documented physiological changes that occur to the body during a (reiki session). If you watch someone receive energy healing, there is nothing to see. But people have energy fields and scientists can study energy.
Dr. Schwartz and Baldwin work at the University of Arizona. Are there other local presenters?
Yes, 75 percent or more are from Tucson. Some of the world's leading researchers on energy science are in Tucson.
On your website, it states that in regard to the event, "this is where we take energy healing out of the closet." Why do you think it's in the closet?
It's in the closet the same as yoga, meditation and acupuncture were in the closet 10 to 20 years ago. It's very normal for people to not take new information and say, 'Wow that all must be true.' (People wondered): You're gonna stick needles in my body and tell me it's going to help me get well? That sitting still in a chair is good for my brain and my health? That stretching poses actually have psychological benefits? What's happened over time is all those things were proven to happen.
Do you think those who practice energy medicine are unconventional?
They are on the cutting edge of medicine rather than a fringe group. One aspect of alternative and complementary medicine is energy medicine. Energy medicine is more future than fringe.
But it's being practiced alongside traditional medicine, right?
Now at this point, University Medical Center uses reiki on cancer survivors as follow-up treatment for their recovery. I've heard healing touch has been used on Marines who suffer from PTSD. There are a lot of allopathic doctors who have added energy medicine to their practices.
Why did you decide to organize this symposium?
I've used energy medicine and have seen it's beneficial for me. I know for certain if I have a backache or headache, I am still amazed I can get an energy medicine appointment and it seems to help. I was as dumbfounded as anyone else that this does help.
I see.
I would also see that people who did energy medicine didn't want to talk about it openly. I got the impression they generally feel like others don't accept what they do. I don't want people to feel like they have to be secretive or quiet about something that works so well.
Do you think there is value in putting science and spirituality together?
It's helping us to become more whole. There's a lot of research out there. It's applicable to every one of us.
