Indo-Tibetan Philosophical and Medical Systems: Perspectives on the Biofield

Abstract

The word biofield is a term that Western scientists have used to describe various aspects of energy and information fields that guide health processes. Similar concepts and descriptions of energy and information patterns exist in various cultures and have guided whole systems of medicine such as Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine. This article describes Vedic, Jain, and Tibetan philosophical and medical systems’ concepts of consciousness and subtle energy and their relationships to health processes in order to foster deeper crosscul-tural dialogue on the nature of the biofield. Similarities and differences within the 3 traditions are noted, and suggestions for considering these concepts to extend current biofield research are discussed.