Greetings..
In my own experiences i believe there is no "magic".. only natural events we don't yet fully understand.. Too often we confuse the ritual with the goal it is intended to move us toward.. rituals are like words, they point to something.. many cultures, many beliefs.. but i sense that it is just differing perspectives of the same thing, and since this is a site for Chinese Martial Arts, i will call it "Chi".. but, in the english, it would be energy.. basic universal energy, the stuff that the universe is made of.. Our, excuse me, "my" goal is to try to expand my awareness and understanding of this energy (Chi).. to use it to improve my life and the lives of others.. a portion of which is self-defense..
Energy is, by its nature, dual (pos/neg.. yin/yang.. light/dark).. yet, it has no inherent value such as good/bad, right/wrong.. WE are the ones that assign value.. and so we see various cultural influences (and subsequent bickerings) regarding the use of that energy.. i think if we scrape off all the labels and rituals we will find a common substance.. if we focus on the usefulness of it, examine how it best serves us and our society, it may someday be common knowledge rather than "hocus-pocus" or sorcery..
As far as the Martial Arts, we can each research the mountains of evidence of QiGong healing, it works.. so then, why couldn't it also supplement martial arts? it is simple energy, we are the ones that use it, and we can use it how we choose.. Energy (Chi) is like the raw material of the universe, we are the crafters..
Be well... (and, "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain")
TaiChiBob.. "the teacher that is not also a student is neither"