Post by julia on Apr 13, 2008 20:52:37 GMT
Of the three founder members of the Unity of UK Psychic Surgeons only one is a virtually unknown quantity - Andy Porter. Gary Mannion and Nina Knowland have hogged the limelight for long enough, let's give Andy a chance!
His website (www.andy-porter.co.uk) is a bit short on biographical details, but he wastes no time in introducing his readers to the wonderful world of psychic surgery:
Whoa, deja-vu...this bit's lifted from the UUKPS website. And it's CONVENTIONAL, Andy! CONVENTIONAL! Buy a dictionary!
"Energy"..."different dimension"...this isn't psychic surgery as the Filipino and Brazilian conmen would recognise it. Although they do have one thing in common, namely that neither technique removes disease. Since Andy and his fellow founder-members of the UUKPS live in a fantasy world in which disease is caused by "negative programs", not viruses or bacteria, I suppose it makes a twisted sort of sense to cure illness with imaginary forms of energy.
"An advanced form of vibrational medicine"? As opposed to a primitive form, presumably...What exactly is he talking about? And I'd be careful with comments like "western medical offerings in the form of drugs many of which are toxic to the human body", Andy. Gary Mannion is currently falling over himself to make it clear that he works alongside conventional medicine and always advises clients to continue seeing their doctors and taking prescribed medication. And as for "what is there to lose"...well, in extreme cases people have lost their money and ultimately their lives.
Andy, there is no mystery about how the Filipino conmen achieve their effects. "Any normal magician" can easily duplicate an operation using sleight of hand and the power of suggestion. Think about your inspirational "Quote of the Day":
I can't think of a better description of fake-blood-and-chicken-guts psychic surgery. Desperate cancer patients who spent a fortune on flying to the Philippines and staying in overpriced hotels returned home with their tumours intact and their bank accounts empty.
Alex Orbito has also been accused of fraud:
Tony reminds us that Brazil has also produced psychic surgeons:
Yes, and he was another shameless fraud:
Back to Mr Porter:
I can't see much evidence of Tony being sceptical, but then again he accepts the existence of other spiritual beings and other dimensions...
No, mediums have had over 120 years to come up with proof and have failed to do so. If someone told me they had an invisible unicorn in their garden I wouldn't just accept the concept, no matter how convinced the unicorn-owner seemed to be.
But it IS magic, Tony. Magic isn't real. Although I have to agree that the surgeon "is not performing the healing". Neither is anyone else in a mysterious invisible dimension.
Like Gary Mannion Tony is a practitioner of Reiki, but as far as I know the Indigo Kid doesn't share another of Tony's skills:
Energy...auras...interdimensional energy (not to be confused with common-or-garden energy...Pure woospeak.
Well, thank goodness for that!
This could be caused by earthbound entities? Well, I suppose it's an improvement on demons.
I can honestly say that of all the things that might influence a change of dress sense - a simple makeover, an attempt to recover one's lost youth, sheer bad taste - "spirit attachment" would probably be the last thing to spring to mind.
Blimey, you've got me worried now!
Since when has "spirit clearing" been a profession?
Andy, there is no such thing as negative energy. Ask a physicist if you don't believe me.
"Water contains light" and will help "to increase your vibration"? I agree that ivy can be obtained easily but how is it "protective" to the human body?
They will also detach unwanted visitors who can't stand the smell.
Thanks, but no thanks...
I was rather disappointed not to find any information about Andy's Spiritual Surgeon "Chen", although I think it's safe to assume that he's not a Biblical character.
Finally, another inspirational quote from Andy's site:
Indeed it is. It's your one and only life and it's far too precious to be wasted in pursuit of New Age claptrap.
His website (www.andy-porter.co.uk) is a bit short on biographical details, but he wastes no time in introducing his readers to the wonderful world of psychic surgery:
Psychic surgery is similar to congenial medical surgery that you would receive in hospital...
Whoa, deja-vu...this bit's lifted from the UUKPS website. And it's CONVENTIONAL, Andy! CONVENTIONAL! Buy a dictionary!
How does it work?
With psychic surgery the healer is in semi-trance, or meditative state, and allows the spirit surgeon to channel energy through his hands. The entire healing process occurs in a different dimension that we don't yet fully understand.
The spirit surgeon detects those parts of the body in which disease is developing and injects spiritual energy into those parts, removing disease in the same way an orthodox surgeon would with his scalpel.
The patient can get up and leave the site immediately after the procedure.
With psychic surgery the healer is in semi-trance, or meditative state, and allows the spirit surgeon to channel energy through his hands. The entire healing process occurs in a different dimension that we don't yet fully understand.
The spirit surgeon detects those parts of the body in which disease is developing and injects spiritual energy into those parts, removing disease in the same way an orthodox surgeon would with his scalpel.
The patient can get up and leave the site immediately after the procedure.
"Energy"..."different dimension"...this isn't psychic surgery as the Filipino and Brazilian conmen would recognise it. Although they do have one thing in common, namely that neither technique removes disease. Since Andy and his fellow founder-members of the UUKPS live in a fantasy world in which disease is caused by "negative programs", not viruses or bacteria, I suppose it makes a twisted sort of sense to cure illness with imaginary forms of energy.
Why does it work?
Psychic surgery appears to be an advanced form of vibrational medicine.
For those who are suffering, have tried the western medical offerings in the form of drugs many of which are toxic to the human body, and require help, what is there to lose?
Psychic surgery appears to be an advanced form of vibrational medicine.
For those who are suffering, have tried the western medical offerings in the form of drugs many of which are toxic to the human body, and require help, what is there to lose?
"An advanced form of vibrational medicine"? As opposed to a primitive form, presumably...What exactly is he talking about? And I'd be careful with comments like "western medical offerings in the form of drugs many of which are toxic to the human body", Andy. Gary Mannion is currently falling over himself to make it clear that he works alongside conventional medicine and always advises clients to continue seeing their doctors and taking prescribed medication. And as for "what is there to lose"...well, in extreme cases people have lost their money and ultimately their lives.
History
Philippines
In the Philippines, the procedure originated in the 1940s with Eleuterio Terte. Terte and his student Tony Agpaoa trained others in his techniques. Terte and many of his students were associated with a religious organization, the Union Espiritista Christiana de Filipinas (The Christian Spiritist Union of the Philippines.)
In 1959, the procedure became widely known in the U. S. through the publication of Into the Strange Unknown by Ron Ormond and Ormond McGill. They called the practice "fourth dimensional surgery," and said "we still don't know what to think; but we have motion pictures to show it wasn't the work of any normal magician, and could very well be just what the Filipinos said it was — a miracle of God performed by a fourth dimensional surgeon."
Perhaps the most famous psychic surgeon is Alex Orbito, who became well-known in the U. S.
Philippines
In the Philippines, the procedure originated in the 1940s with Eleuterio Terte. Terte and his student Tony Agpaoa trained others in his techniques. Terte and many of his students were associated with a religious organization, the Union Espiritista Christiana de Filipinas (The Christian Spiritist Union of the Philippines.)
In 1959, the procedure became widely known in the U. S. through the publication of Into the Strange Unknown by Ron Ormond and Ormond McGill. They called the practice "fourth dimensional surgery," and said "we still don't know what to think; but we have motion pictures to show it wasn't the work of any normal magician, and could very well be just what the Filipinos said it was — a miracle of God performed by a fourth dimensional surgeon."
Perhaps the most famous psychic surgeon is Alex Orbito, who became well-known in the U. S.
Andy, there is no mystery about how the Filipino conmen achieve their effects. "Any normal magician" can easily duplicate an operation using sleight of hand and the power of suggestion. Think about your inspirational "Quote of the Day":
What the eyes see the mind is fooled into believing!
I can't think of a better description of fake-blood-and-chicken-guts psychic surgery. Desperate cancer patients who spent a fortune on flying to the Philippines and staying in overpriced hotels returned home with their tumours intact and their bank accounts empty.
In 1967, Tony Agpaoa was indicted for fraud in the United States. He jumped bail and went home, forfeiting a $25,000 bond
www.skepdic.com/psurgery.html
www.skepdic.com/psurgery.html
Alex Orbito has also been accused of fraud:
TORONTO — The Filipino “psychic surgeon” who once ministered to film actor and New Age maven Shirley MacLaine has been charged with fraud here in Ontario, police said Wednesday.
Alex L. Orbito, 65, a self-described “reverend” who claims to reach into the bellies of the ill to retrieve their “negative energies,” faces charges of fraud over $5,000 and possession of the proceeds of crime.
Det. Michael Barsky of the Toronto police said officers seized $6,000 in U.S. and Canadian currency — the proceeds of a single afternoon of healing — after raiding the Scarborough hotel where Orbito and his fellow accused, John Robert Wood, 62, are alleged to have set up treatment sessions.
“Through sleight of hand, he tells them that he’s removed tumors and illnesses from their body,” Barsky said. “Complainants have held out that it looks like he has some sort of bloody substance on his hand.”
Debunkers claim practitioners of “psychic surgery” keep a small balloon filled with animal blood inside the palms of their hands, squeezing them just as their hands appear to enter the abdomens of their patients.
The tumors and guts they remove, the size of Brazil nuts, are frequently the livers and hearts of chickens.
Orbito also claims to cure blindness by removing a patients’ eyeballs and cleaning them before replacing them in their sockets, other reports say.
A private session with Orbito typically lasts between two and seven minutes, with charges beginning at $135, Barsky said.
Orbito held six sessions over two days last weekend, each drawing 200 to 500 patients, numbers that indicate he and his Canadian partner may have collected hundreds of thousands of dollars, Barsky said.
Wood of Pickering is alleged to have coordinated the sessions, arranging venues and soliciting patients.
Barsky said Wood lured some to the treatment by claiming Orbito had cured his own wife of breast cancer — an illness further investigation has revealed she never suffered.
Wood faces the same charges as Orbito.
Police made the arrests on Tuesday after receiving complaints from people who attended the sessions.
“He’s pulling the heartstrings of very, very sick people who don’t have any other medical answers for their situations,” Barsky said, adding Orbito’s patients came from all walks of life, with some even asking that he treat their sick pets.
MacLaine wrote about Orbito in her 1989 book, “Going Within: A Guide to Inner Transformation.”
Orbito is also said to have treated Fidel Ramos, the former President of the Philippines.
This is not the first time Orbito, who travels the world ministering to believers, has run afoul of Canadian authorities.
In September 1996, immigration officials, the RCMP and representatives of the College des medecins du Quebec halted one gathering in Fossambault-sur-le-Lac, reminding Orbito that he does not have the right to practice medicine in Canada.
In 1989, Liberal Sen. Hazen Argue of Saskatchewan was accused of helping people receive treatment from Orbito in a Regina hotel.
Orbito arrived in Canada about a month ago, police say, and is travelling with his wife and adult daughter. Police are not sure where he is based, though in the past he has lived in Manila, Philippines.
www.filipinoreporter.com/archive/3327/headline03.htm
Alex L. Orbito, 65, a self-described “reverend” who claims to reach into the bellies of the ill to retrieve their “negative energies,” faces charges of fraud over $5,000 and possession of the proceeds of crime.
Det. Michael Barsky of the Toronto police said officers seized $6,000 in U.S. and Canadian currency — the proceeds of a single afternoon of healing — after raiding the Scarborough hotel where Orbito and his fellow accused, John Robert Wood, 62, are alleged to have set up treatment sessions.
“Through sleight of hand, he tells them that he’s removed tumors and illnesses from their body,” Barsky said. “Complainants have held out that it looks like he has some sort of bloody substance on his hand.”
Debunkers claim practitioners of “psychic surgery” keep a small balloon filled with animal blood inside the palms of their hands, squeezing them just as their hands appear to enter the abdomens of their patients.
The tumors and guts they remove, the size of Brazil nuts, are frequently the livers and hearts of chickens.
Orbito also claims to cure blindness by removing a patients’ eyeballs and cleaning them before replacing them in their sockets, other reports say.
A private session with Orbito typically lasts between two and seven minutes, with charges beginning at $135, Barsky said.
Orbito held six sessions over two days last weekend, each drawing 200 to 500 patients, numbers that indicate he and his Canadian partner may have collected hundreds of thousands of dollars, Barsky said.
Wood of Pickering is alleged to have coordinated the sessions, arranging venues and soliciting patients.
Barsky said Wood lured some to the treatment by claiming Orbito had cured his own wife of breast cancer — an illness further investigation has revealed she never suffered.
Wood faces the same charges as Orbito.
Police made the arrests on Tuesday after receiving complaints from people who attended the sessions.
“He’s pulling the heartstrings of very, very sick people who don’t have any other medical answers for their situations,” Barsky said, adding Orbito’s patients came from all walks of life, with some even asking that he treat their sick pets.
MacLaine wrote about Orbito in her 1989 book, “Going Within: A Guide to Inner Transformation.”
Orbito is also said to have treated Fidel Ramos, the former President of the Philippines.
This is not the first time Orbito, who travels the world ministering to believers, has run afoul of Canadian authorities.
In September 1996, immigration officials, the RCMP and representatives of the College des medecins du Quebec halted one gathering in Fossambault-sur-le-Lac, reminding Orbito that he does not have the right to practice medicine in Canada.
In 1989, Liberal Sen. Hazen Argue of Saskatchewan was accused of helping people receive treatment from Orbito in a Regina hotel.
Orbito arrived in Canada about a month ago, police say, and is travelling with his wife and adult daughter. Police are not sure where he is based, though in the past he has lived in Manila, Philippines.
www.filipinoreporter.com/archive/3327/headline03.htm
Tony reminds us that Brazil has also produced psychic surgeons:
Brazil
José (Zé) Arigó, born José Pedro de Freitas (18 October 1921 - 1 November 1971) was a Brazilian psychic surgeon. He performed his healing acts and surgical operations with his hands or with simple kitchen utensils while in a trance, channeling the spirit of a certain Dr. Adolf Fritz.
José (Zé) Arigó, born José Pedro de Freitas (18 October 1921 - 1 November 1971) was a Brazilian psychic surgeon. He performed his healing acts and surgical operations with his hands or with simple kitchen utensils while in a trance, channeling the spirit of a certain Dr. Adolf Fritz.
Yes, and he was another shameless fraud:
Channeling Dr. Fritz
...Ze Arigo (1918-1971), (was) a Brazilian faith healer who, in the early 1950s, claimed to channel the spirit-mind healing power of Dr. Adolf Fritz, a German doctor who allegedly died during World War I. Arigo developed quite a reputation as a faith healer and psychic surgeon, but his ploy seemed to have been aimed at directing business toward his brother, a pharmacist. He would write out illegible prescriptions for people that only his brother could read. People came from far and wide to be cored by Arigo. His reputation soared after it was alleged that he did a bit of psychic surgery and removed a cancerous tumor from the lung of a well-known Brazilian senator. For twenty years, Arigo's fame spread as he "cured" and "operated" on thousands of people, including the daughter of Brazil's president. Despite his fame, he was twice convicted of practicing medicine illegally.
Arigo performed his psychic surgery with a pocketknife and a heavy German accent, perhaps to misdirect people so they wouldn't notice his lack of concern for medical hygiene.
Arigo died in a car crash in 1971, but Dr. Fritz didn't go with him. He took over the body of another Brazilian healer who went by the name of Oscar Wilde. (I'm not making this up.) Wilde didn't last too long before he, too, died a violent death. After that, a gynecologist from Recife, Dr. Edson Queiroz, claimed Dr. Fritz was his. The doctor, however, was stabbed to death in 1991.
www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-118955905.html
...Ze Arigo (1918-1971), (was) a Brazilian faith healer who, in the early 1950s, claimed to channel the spirit-mind healing power of Dr. Adolf Fritz, a German doctor who allegedly died during World War I. Arigo developed quite a reputation as a faith healer and psychic surgeon, but his ploy seemed to have been aimed at directing business toward his brother, a pharmacist. He would write out illegible prescriptions for people that only his brother could read. People came from far and wide to be cored by Arigo. His reputation soared after it was alleged that he did a bit of psychic surgery and removed a cancerous tumor from the lung of a well-known Brazilian senator. For twenty years, Arigo's fame spread as he "cured" and "operated" on thousands of people, including the daughter of Brazil's president. Despite his fame, he was twice convicted of practicing medicine illegally.
Arigo performed his psychic surgery with a pocketknife and a heavy German accent, perhaps to misdirect people so they wouldn't notice his lack of concern for medical hygiene.
Arigo died in a car crash in 1971, but Dr. Fritz didn't go with him. He took over the body of another Brazilian healer who went by the name of Oscar Wilde. (I'm not making this up.) Wilde didn't last too long before he, too, died a violent death. After that, a gynecologist from Recife, Dr. Edson Queiroz, claimed Dr. Fritz was his. The doctor, however, was stabbed to death in 1991.
www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-118955905.html
Back to Mr Porter:
Proof?
Until we can learn to accept the the existence of other spiritual beings, existing in a different space/dimension to humans, that most of us cannot see and communicate with, we will always be skeptical of such alternative therapies.
Until we can learn to accept the the existence of other spiritual beings, existing in a different space/dimension to humans, that most of us cannot see and communicate with, we will always be skeptical of such alternative therapies.
I can't see much evidence of Tony being sceptical, but then again he accepts the existence of other spiritual beings and other dimensions...
Mediums do provide proof for the existence of "spirit" and many people find having a reading with a medium helps them to accept this concept.
No, mediums have had over 120 years to come up with proof and have failed to do so. If someone told me they had an invisible unicorn in their garden I wouldn't just accept the concept, no matter how convinced the unicorn-owner seemed to be.
Remember its not magic and the psychic surgeon only provides a channel for the spiritual entities to work through.
He is not performing the healing !
He is not performing the healing !
But it IS magic, Tony. Magic isn't real. Although I have to agree that the surgeon "is not performing the healing". Neither is anyone else in a mysterious invisible dimension.
Like Gary Mannion Tony is a practitioner of Reiki, but as far as I know the Indigo Kid doesn't share another of Tony's skills:
Spirit Clearing
Spirit / Entity Attachment
Soul rescue or spirit release is healing work dealing with ‘earth-bound’ souls, trapped spirits or entities. They can be attached to a person, looking for sources of energy that they can connect to and use. In general they are referred to as "ghosts" but this is a loose term used to capture all types of inter dimensional energy.
Lost souls can become attached to a person’s aura for a multitude of reasons and can cause emotional and physical distress.
Spirit / Entity Attachment
Soul rescue or spirit release is healing work dealing with ‘earth-bound’ souls, trapped spirits or entities. They can be attached to a person, looking for sources of energy that they can connect to and use. In general they are referred to as "ghosts" but this is a loose term used to capture all types of inter dimensional energy.
Lost souls can become attached to a person’s aura for a multitude of reasons and can cause emotional and physical distress.
Energy...auras...interdimensional energy (not to be confused with common-or-garden energy...Pure woospeak.
As with all types of spiritual practice trying to identify the symptoms of spirit attachment is the hardest part of the removal process.
Spirit attachment is quite common and can be diagnosed and successfully treated.
Spirit attachment is quite common and can be diagnosed and successfully treated.
Well, thank goodness for that!
Symptoms
1) Thoughts that are not your own, as if somebody is either talking to you in your head or suggesting you do things that you know you do not agree with.
1) Thoughts that are not your own, as if somebody is either talking to you in your head or suggesting you do things that you know you do not agree with.
This could be caused by earthbound entities? Well, I suppose it's an improvement on demons.
2) Changes in behavior that will be noticed by close members or your friends or family, such as change of dress sense, change of eating or drinking habits, drug taking, alcohol abuse etc.
I can honestly say that of all the things that might influence a change of dress sense - a simple makeover, an attempt to recover one's lost youth, sheer bad taste - "spirit attachment" would probably be the last thing to spring to mind.
3) Unexplained fatigue, depression, addictions, anxiety, physical symptoms, chronic illnesses, and sudden mood changes.
Blimey, you've got me worried now!
Things to Try
If you think you have or know somebody that could be experiencing spirit / entity attachment there are a number of things you can try should you so wish before contacting a professional.
If you think you have or know somebody that could be experiencing spirit / entity attachment there are a number of things you can try should you so wish before contacting a professional.
Since when has "spirit clearing" been a profession?
1) If you taking part in recreational drug or alcohol abuse stop, this is a negative addiction and will encourage negative energy.
Andy, there is no such thing as negative energy. Ask a physicist if you don't believe me.
2) Drink plenty of water, water contains light and will detoxify your body helping to increase your vibration, in addition the herbal remedy ivy can be added as this is a highly protective herb to the human body and can be obtained easily.
"Water contains light" and will help "to increase your vibration"? I agree that ivy can be obtained easily but how is it "protective" to the human body?
3) Incense sticks burning will also help to detach a corded spirit / entity, as they contain powerful herbs.
They will also detach unwanted visitors who can't stand the smell.
If you would like to discuss your problems please use the contact page.
Thanks, but no thanks...
I was rather disappointed not to find any information about Andy's Spiritual Surgeon "Chen", although I think it's safe to assume that he's not a Biblical character.
Finally, another inspirational quote from Andy's site:
It's your life!
Indeed it is. It's your one and only life and it's far too precious to be wasted in pursuit of New Age claptrap.
