Lesson
8 Occult
Therapeutics
THE
student of the history of Man will find in
the legends, folk-lore, and history of all
peoples evidences of the fact that healing
by some form of Occult practice has been
followed by all races--all peoples--at all
times. These various forms of occult
therapeutics have varied from the
revolting practices accompanying the
grossest form of barbaric superstition, to
the most refined form of procedure
accompanying some of the fashionable
metaphysical cults of to-day. These
various forms of occult healing of disease
have been attached to all forms of
religion, from the degraded voodooism of
Africa, to the highest forms of religion
known to the world. All sorts of theories
have been advanced to account for the
cures which have resulted from all these
forms of healing--all manner of creeds
built around the fact that cures have been
made. Priests, teachers and healers have
claimed Divine powers, and insisted that
they were the representatives of the
particular deity which was worshipped in
their respective countries, simply because
they were able to perform cures of bodily
ills. And, in nearly every case, these
priests and healers have claimed the cures
as proof positive of the truth of the
respective religion or school of religious
thought which they favored; and at the
same time insisted that all other forms of
religions or occult healing were bogus and
counterfeit, and that they, the said
priests making the claim, had the only
"real thing"; dire penalties being often
threatened to those who dared to patronize
any of the opposition healers or priests.
Human
nature is much the same all over the
world, and in all times. We find the same
rivalry and claim of "the only real thing"
existing to-day, both in the case of the
rival Voodoo doctors of Africa and the
polished leaders of the fashionable
metaphysical cults of America--and among
all who come in between these two poles.
Alas for these claimers of a monopoly of
one of Nature's great forces--these people
who make cures in spite of their theories,
rather than because of them! Nature's
great recuperative force is as free as air
and sunshine, and may be used by anyone
who cares to do so. It is not owned or
controlled by any person, cult or
school--and no particular form of
religious belief is necessary to one in
order that he may obtain benefit from
it--God's children amuse themselves with
many forms, sects, and creeds, but He
knows them all as his children and smiles
at their childish desires to form
themselves into cliques of "chosen
people," attempting to shut out their
brethren from the common heritage.
It
must have become evident to the student
that there must be some great principle
underlying all these varying forms of
occult healing, because they all make
cures in spite of the fact that each
claims to have the only correct theory and
denounces the theories of the others.
There must be some great force which they
are all using, blindly in many cases, and
their differing theories and creeds which
they have built up around their cures must
be merely regarded as incidents of the use
of the great healing force, and in no way
the real explanation of the phenomena of
occult healing. Any explanation to be
worth a moment's attention must explain,
or attempt to explain, all the various
forms of occult healing--for all the
various cults and schools make cures, and
have done so in all ages--in spite of
their creeds and theories.
The
Yogi philosophers have for centuries past
known and practiced various forms of
occult therapeutics, and have studied
deeply and thoroughly into the principles
underlying the cures. But they have never
deceived themselves into imagining that
they had any monopoly of the matter--in
fact their researches and experiments have
convinced them that all healers are using
a great natural force--the same in all
cases, although applied and called into
operation in various ways--and that the
metaphysical theories, religious beliefs,
claims of divine favoritism, etc., that
have been built around this occult
healing, have no more to do with it than
they would have to do with electricity or
magnetism, had they been built around
these great forces instead of around the
great healing force.
The
Yogis realize that all forms of healing
are but different means of calling into
operation this great force of Nature--some
forms being fitted for one case, and some
for others--combinations being often used
to suit some particular case.
The
Yogis realize that Prana is the direct
force used in all of these cures, although
the Prana is called into operation in
several different ways, as we shall see as
we proceed. They teach that all forms of
occult healing can be explained in this
way--in fact they perform cures in nearly
all the ways used by the great schools of
occult therapeutics--and have for
centuries--believing 'that the one theory
underlies them all.
They
divide the forms of healing into three
general classes, viz:
(I)
Pranic Healing, including what is known to
the Western world as "magnetic healing,"
etc.;
(II)
Mental Healing, including the several
forms of mental and psychic healing,
including "absent treatments," as well as
cures made under what is known as "the law
of suggestion", etc.;
(III)
Spiritual Healing, which is a very rare
form of healing, and is possessed by those
of advanced spiritual attainment, and is a
very different thing from that which is
called by the same name by some of the
"healers" of to-day. But under even the
last advanced form of healing lies the
same force, "Prana." Prana is the
instrument by which the cure is effected,
no matter what method is used, or who uses
it.
In
considering the subject of Occult
Therapeutics, we must go back to the
beginning. Before considering the question
of cure we must look at the healthy body.
The
Yogi Philosophy teaches that God gives to
each individual a physical machine adapted
to his needs, and also supplies him with
the means of keeping it in order, and of
repairing it if his negligence allows it
to become inefficient. The Yogis recognize
the human body as the handiwork of a great
Intelligence. They regard its organism as
a working machine, the conception and
operation of which indicates the greatest
wisdom and care. They know that the body
IS because of a great Intelligence, and
they know that the same Intelligence is
still operating through the physical body,
and that as the individual falls in with
the working of the Divine Law, so will he
continue in health and strength. They also
know that when Man runs contrary to that
law, inharmony and disease result. They
believe that it is ridiculous to suppose
that this great Intelligence caused the
beautiful human body to exist, and then
ran away and left it to its fate, for they
know that the Intelligence still presides
over each and every function of the body,
and may be safely trusted and not feared.
That
Intelligence, the manifestation of which
we call "Nature" or "The Life Principle",
and similar names, is constantly on the
alert to repair damage, heal wounds, knit
together broken bones; to throw off
harmful materials which have accumulated
in the System; and in thousands of ways to
keep the machine in good running order.
Much that we call disease is really a
beneficent action of Nature designed to
get rid of poisonous substances which we
have allowed to enter and remain in our
system.
Let
us see just what this body means. Let us
suppose a soul seeking a tenement in which
to work out this phase of its existence.
Occultists know that in order to manifest
in certain ways, the soul has need of a
fleshly habitation. Let us see what the
soul requires in the way of a body, and
then let us see whether Nature has given
it what it needs.
In
the first place, the soul needs a highly
organized physical instrument of thought,
and a central station from which it may
direct the workings of the body. Nature
provides that wonderful instrument, the
human brain, the possibilities of which
we, at this time, but faintly recognize.
The portion of the brain which Man uses in
this stage of his development is but a
tiny part of the entire brain-area. The
unused portion is awaiting the evolution
of the race.
Secondly,
the soul needs organs designed to receive
and record the various forms of
impressions from without. Nature steps in
and provides the eye, the ear, the nose,
the organs of taste and the nerves whereby
we feel. Nature is keeping other senses in
reserve, until the need of them is felt by
the race.
Then,
means of communication between the brain
and the different parts of the body are
needed. Nature has "wired" the body with
nerves in a wonderful manner. The brain
telegraphs over these wires instructions
to all parts of the body, sending its
orders to cell and organ, and insisting
upon immediate obedience. The brain
receives telegrams from all parts of the
body, warning it of danger; calling for
help; making complaints, etc.
Then
the body must have means of moving around
in the world. It has outgrown the
plant-like inherited tendencies, and wants
to "move on. Besides this it wants to
reach out after things and turn them to
its own use. Nature has provided limbs,
and muscles, and tendons, with which to
work the limbs.
Then
the body needs a frame work to keep it in
shape. to protect it from shock; to give
it strength and firmness; to prop it up,
as it were. Nature gives it the bony frame
known as the skeleton, a marvellous piece
of machinery, which is well worthy of your
study.
The
soul needs a physical means of
communication with other embodied souls.
Nature supplies the means of communication
in the organs of speech and hearing.
The body needs a system of carrying repair
materials to all of its system, to build
up; replenish; repair; and strengthen all
the several parts. It also needs a similar
system whereby the waste, refuse matter
may be carried to the crematory, burned up
and sent out of the system. Nature gives
us the life carrying blood--the arteries
and veins through which it flows to and
fro performing its work--the lungs to
oxygenize the blood and to burn up the
waste matter. (See "Science of Breath."
Chapter III.) The body needs
material from the outside, with which to
build up and repair its parts. Nature
provides means of eating the food; of
digesting it; of extracting the nutritious
elements; of converting it into shape for
absorption by the system; of excreting the
waste portions.
And,
finally, the body is provided with means
of reproducing its kind, and providing
other souls with fleshly tenements.
It
is well worth the time of anyone to study
something of the wonderful mechanism and
workings of the human body. One gets from
this study a most convincing realization
of the reality of that great Intelligence
in nature-he sees the great Life Principle
in operation - he sees that it is not
blind chance, or haphazard happening, but
that it is the work of a mighty
INTELLIGENCE.
Then
he learns to trust that Intelligence, and
to know that that which brought him into
physical being will carry him through
life-that the power which took charge of
him then, has charge of him now, and will
have charge of him always.
As
we open ourselves to the inflow of the
great Life Principle, so will we be
benefitted. If we fear it, or trust it
not, we shut the door upon it and must
necessarily suffer. The student may well
ask what has all this to do with Occult
Therapeutics, and may complain that we are
giving him a lesson in Hatha Yoga, in
which latter statement he would be near
the truth. But we cannot get away from the
idea that there is that in Nature which
tends towards keeping a man in perfect
health, and we cannot help feeling that
the true teaching is rather to instruct
people how to keep well in the first place
rather than to point out how they may get
well after they have violated Nature's
laws. The Yogis think that it is illogical
to build up a cult around methods of
healing--they feel that if cults must be
built up let them rally around the centre
of Health, allowing the curing of disease
to be merely incidental.
In
"Hatha Yoga", our forthcoming book, we
will give the principles of the Yogi
Philosophy of perfect healing, in which is
taught the doctrine that Health is the
normal condition of man, and that disease
is largely a matter of ignorance and the
disobeying of natural laws of living and
thinking. We will teach there that the
healing power exists in every man, and may
be called into operation consciously or
unconsciously. Occult healing is merely
the calling into play of this inner force
within the individual (sometimes with the
assistance of other individuals), and the
opening up of the system to the
recuperative energies already within
itself.
All
healing is occasioned by what we have
called the "Vital Force" in the
individual. The active principle of this
Vital Force is, as we have explained, that
manifestation of universal force--Prana.
In order to avoid repetition we would
refer you to "Science of Breath" and to
"Lesson Seventh" of this course, or an
explanation of the Nervous System and how
Prana operates over it. Read over what we
have said on this subject, and you will be
able to more clearly understand what we
are about to say regarding the different
forms of occult healing.
Let
us suppose that a person has neglected the
rules of right living and thinking, as set
forth in "Hatha Yoga" and other works on
the subject, and has "run down" in health.
He has tried different forms of material
treatment, and wishes to avail himself of
what may be found in the several forms of
Occult Therapeutics. He finds himself
offered several forms of occult healing.
We will try to make plain to you how these
different forms of healing operate, and
the explanation behind each. We cannot
give you detailed information and methods
in a lesson of this size, for each system
would require a volume to do that, but we
hope to give you a general idea of the
several forms of treatment.
Magnetic Healing.
This
is a form of Pranic Healing in which
either the sick person or some "healer"
sends an increased supply of Prana to the
affected parts. Pranic healing really
accompanies nearly every other form of
healing, al though its use is not
suspected by those administering it. In
what is known as "Magnetic Healing" the
operator passes his hand over the body of
the sick person., and by an act of will,
or strong desire, generates within himself
a strong supply of Prana which he passes
out to the patient. This Prana acts as
would a supply sent from the system of the
patient himself, and tends to strengthen
and invigorate the afflicted part of the
body and to cause it to function normally.
In Magnetic Healing the hands are usually
passed over the body, the actual touch
usually being employed. We have given
general directions regarding this form of
healing in "Science of Breath," and may,
some day, issue a little manual on the
subject, giving specific directions. We
will give some general directions at the
close of this lesson, if space permits. We
have said so much about Prana in previous
lessons, and in "Science of Breath" that
the student should be able to understand
the principle behind this form of healing without
much more explanation.
Mental Healing.
Mental
healing covers a great deal of ground and
has a number of apparently differing
forms. There is a form of Self-Healing
which consists of the repetitions of
affirmations, or auto-suggestions, by the
patient, which tends to create a more
cheerful and uplifting mental attitude,
which reacts upon the body and enables it
to function properly. We would say right
here that the principal benefit derived
from this and kindred forms of healing
lies in the fact that it compels the
patient to "let go" of adverse thoughts
which have prevented Nature from doing its
work, rather than in any special virtue of
the affirmations. 'We have been refusing
to let the Divine Life Principle work
freely through us, and have hampered it
with adverse auto-suggestion. When we
change our mental attitude we cease to
interpose this obstacle, and Nature soon
reasserts herself. Vigorous
auto-suggestion, of course, stimulates the
system and spurs up the Instinctive Mind
to its work.
In
the form of mental treatment known as
"Suggestion" the same principle operates.
The mind of the patient is relieved of
adverse auto-suggestions by the positive
suggestions of the healer, and the brake
is taken off of the Instinctive Mind and
Nature soon re-asserts herself, and a
sufficient supply of Prana is sent to the
parts and soon a normal condition of
affairs is re-established. In Suggestive
Treatment the healer usually, although
often unconsciously, sends forth to the
patient a supply of his own Prana which
stimulates the parts to action and which
renders easier the efforts of the
patient's mind to re-establish normal
Pranic conditions.
In
what is ordinarily known as "Mental
Healing" there is generally a considerable
amount of suggestion used, although the
healer may not be aware of it. The mental
attitude of the healer is impressed upon
the patient by the attitude, words, tone,
and demeanor of the healer, and the mind
taking upon the suggestion is benefited
thereby. But, besides this, the healer is
pouring into the minds of the patient a
strong current of uplifting,
strengthening, and invigorating thought,
which the patient receives telepathically,
particularly as a receptive mental
attitude is manifested. The joining
together of the two minds in a common
purpose produces a greatly increased
directive force, and besides the mind of
the patient being turned away from
negative thoughts, a greater supply of
Prana is absorbed and distributed through
the body. The best form of Mental
Treatment benefits both the mind and the
body of the patient.
What
is known as "Absent Mental Treatment" acts
along precisely the same lines as the
above mentioned form of Mental
Treatment-the distance between patient and
healer proving no obstacle to a strong
healing thought. In both cases the healer
often creates a powerful thought form,
fully charged with Prana, which often
produces an almost immediate effect upon
the patient, the parts being greatly
stimulated and strengthened. Instantaneous
cures have often been made in this way,
although comparatively few healers are
sufficiently advanced to send
thought-forms of this kind. A very
powerful mental healer may be able to send
a thought so highly charged with Prana,
and so full of vital force and life, that
a diseased organ may be filled with such
recuperative force that it will begin
instantly to cast off the waste and
diseased matter and draw from the blood
the elements necessary to rebuild and
repair itself in a comparatively short
space of time, in which case when the
organism of the individual once
re-establishes normal functioning the
system is able to carry on the work
without further help from outside.
All
forms of Mental Healing come under one or
more of the above heads. Remember, now,
the important point is to get the mind of
the patient into the proper mental
attitude, (Taking out all forms of adverse
auto-suggestion, so that it will allow
Nature to do its work properly without
interference. In the process of
accomplishing this result, the Prana may
be aided (as above explained) by strong
thought directed to 'the afflicted part,
and also by sending a supply of Prana from
the healer to stimulate the part and thus
render easier the healing work of the
mind.
Spiritual Healing.
There
is another form of healing, very rarely
observed, in which a highly developed
spiritual person is able to let his
spiritual aura and essence so descend upon
an afflicted person that the entire system
becomes filled with it temporarily, and
all abnormality disappears, as Spirit
being perfect transforms all that with
which it comes in contact. This true
Spiritual Healing is, however, so rare
that very few rare persons have had the
good fortune to witness it. It is claimed
by many who are doing good work healing on
other lines, but many of these persons are
self-deceived, and have not the faintest
conception of what true Spiritual Healing
is.
Spiritual
Healing is marked by the immediate and
perfect healing of the patient, and the
restoration of absolutely normal physical
conditions, the patient being transformed
physically, into a condition resembling
that of a robust, perfectly healthy,
strong, vigorous child, without a blemish,
pain, particle of inharmony, or symptom of
any kind. A few gifted individuals in the
world in each age possess this power, but
it is rarely manifested, for good occult
reasons. And (draw a pencil line under
these words) true spiritual healing
is never performed as means of obtaining
financial gain--it is given "without money
and without price." True Spiritual Healing
is never tarnished by the slime of
materiality--never! It is right and proper
for "healers" to charge for Mental Healing
and Pranic Healing in all forms, as they
devote their time to the work, and "the
laborer is worthy of his hire," and no
desire is entertained to criticize such
charges--they sell their services just as
we sell these lessons, and are entitled to
their just remuneration just as we are.
But the individual who is able to give the
real gift of Spiritual Healing is never
placed in a position in which he finds it
necessary to charge for his services--he
is fed by the ravens, and has no need of
bartering his spiritual gifts, and would
die before he would so prostitute his
divine privilege. We do not wish to be
misunderstood in this matter-when we speak
of Spiritual Healing we mean the true
gifts of the Spirit, not some of the forms
of Psychic or Mental healing miscalled
"spiritual." If you would have an example
of true Spiritual Healing, turn to the New
Testament and read of the work of the
Spirit as manifested through the Son of
Mary. Let that be the standard--as in fact
it is.
Experimental Healing.
We
find, to our satisfaction, that we will
have sufficient space in which to give our
students a few brief experiments in actual
Occult Healing which they may practice.
These experiments are given merely as
examples, of course, and are not to be
taken as being full instructions in the
various forms of Occult Healing.
We
will first take up a few experiments in
Pranic Healing (or "Magnetic Healing," if
you prefer the term):
(I)
Let the patient sit in a chair, you
standing before him. Let your hands hang
loosely by your sides, and then swing them
loosely to and fro for a few seconds,
until you feel a tingling sensation at the
tips of your fingers. Then raise them to
the level of the patient's head, and sweep
them slowly toward his feet, with your
palms toward him with fingers
outstretched, as if you were pouring force
from your finger tips upon him. Then step
back a foot and bring up your hands to the
level of his head, being sure that your
palms face each other in the upward
movement, as, if you bring them up in the
same position as you swept them down, you
would draw back the magnetism you send
toward him. Then repeat several times. In
sweeping downward, do not stiffen the
muscles, but allow the arms and hands to
be loose and relaxed. You may treat the
affected parts of the body in a similar
way, finishing the treatment by saturating
the entire body with magnetism. After
treating the affected parts, it will be
better for you to flick the fingers away
from your sides, as if you were throwing
off drops of water which had adhered to
your fingers. Otherwise you might absorb
some of the patient's conditions. This
treatment is very strengthening to the
patient, and if frequently practiced will
greatly benefit him.
In
case of chronic or long seated troubles,
the trouble may often be "loosened up" by
making "sideways" passes before the
afflicted part, that is by standing before
the patient with your hands together,
palms touching, and then swinging the arms
out sideways several times. This treatment
should always be followed by the downward
passes to equalize the circulation.
(II)
In Chapter XIV, "Science of Breath," we
have, given a number of valuable
experiments in this form of healing, which
we advise the student to study and
practice, if he is interested in this
phase of the subject.
(III)
Headaches may be relieved by having the
patient sit down in front of you, you
standing back of his chair, and passing
your hands, fingers down and spread open
in double circles over the top of his
head, not touching his head, however.
After a few seconds you will actually feel
the passage of the magnetism from your
fingers, and the patient's pain will be
soothed.
(IV)
Another good method of removing pain in
the body is to stand before the patient,
and present your palm to the affected
part, at a distance of several inches from
the body. Hold the palm steady for a few
seconds and then begin a slow rotary
motion, round and round, over the seat of
the pain. This is quite stimulating and
tends to restore normal conditions.
(V)
Point your forefinger toward the affected
part a few inches away from the body, and
keeping the finger steadily pointed move
the hand around just as if you were boring
a hole with the point of the finger. This
will often start the circulation at the
point affected, and bring about improved
conditions.
(VI)
Placing the hands on the head of the
patient, over the temples and holding them
for a time, has a good effect, and is a
favorite form of treatment of this kind.
(VII)
Stroking the patient's body (over the
clothing) has a tendency to stimulate and
equalize the circulation, and to relieve
congestion.
(VIII)
Much of the value of Massage and similar
forms of manipulative treatment, comes
from the Prana which is projected from the
healer into the patient, during the
process of rubbing and manipulating. If
the rubbing and manipulating is
accompanied by the conscious desire of the
healer to direct the flow of Prana into
the patient a greatly increased flow is
obtained. If the practice is accompanied
with Rhythmic Breathing, as explained in
"Science of Breath," the effect is much
better.
(IX)
Breathing upon the affected part, is
practiced by many races of people, and is
often a potent means of conveying Prana to
the affected. This is often
performed by placing a bit of cotton cloth
between the flesh of the person and the
healer, the breath heating up the cloth
and adding the stimulation of warmth in
addition to the other effects.
(X)
Magnetized water is often employed by
"magnetic healers", and many good results
are reported to have been obtained in this
way. The simplest form of magnetizing
water is to hold the glass by the bottom,
in the left hand, and then, gathering
together the fingers of the right hand,
shake them gently over the glass of water
just as if you were shaking drops of water
into the glass from your finger tips. You
may add to the effect by afterwards making
downward passes over the glass with the
right hand, passing the Prana into the
water. Rhythmic breathing will assist in
the transferring of the Prana into the
water. Water thus charged with Prana is
stimulating to sick people, or those
suffering from weakness, particularly if
they sip it slowly holding their mind in a
receptive attitude, and if possible
forming a mental picture of the Prana from
the water being taken up by the system and
invigorating them.
We
will now take up a few experiments in the
several forms of Mental Healing, or
Psychic Healing as some prefer to term it:
(I)
Auto-suggestion consists in suggesting to
oneself the physical conditions one wishes
to bring about. The auto-suggestions
should be spoken (audibly or silently)
just as one would speak to another,
earnestly and seriously, letting the mind
form a mental picture of the conditions
referred to in the words. For instance:
"My
stomach is strong, strong,
strong--able to digest the food given
it--able to assimilate the nourishment
from the food-able to give me the
nourishment which means health and
strength to me. My digestion is good,
good, good, and I am enjoying and
digesting and assimilating my food,
converting it into rich red blood,
which is carrying health and strength
to all parts of my body, budding it up
and making me a strong man (or
woman)."
Similar
auto-suggestions, or affirmations, applied
to other parts of the body, will work
equally good results, the attention and
mind being directed to the parts mentioned
causing an increased supply of Prana to be
sent there, and the pictured condition to
be brought about. Enter into the spirit of
the auto-suggestions, and get thoroughly
in earnest over them, and so far as
possible form the mental image of the
healthy condition desired. See yourself as
you wish yourself to be. You may help the
cure along by treating yourself by the
methods described in the experiments on
Pranic Healing.
(II)
Suggestions of healing, given to others,
operate on the same principle as do the
auto-suggestions just described, except
that the healer must impress upon the mind
of the patient the desired conditions
instead of the patient's doing it for
himself. Much better results may be
obtained' where the healer and patient
both co-operate in the mental image and
when the patient follows the healer's
suggestions in his mind, and forms the
mental picture implied by the healer's
words. The healer suggests that which he
wishes to bring about and the patient
allows the suggestions to sink into his
Instinctive Mind, where they are taken up
and afterwards manifested in physical
results. The best suggestionists are men
of vitality, who send forceful thoughts
charged with Prana into the organism of
the patient, at the same time that the
suggestions are given. In nearly all forms
of mental healing, several methods are
intermingled, as the student will discover
for himself, if he takes the trouble to
analyze the treatments. The Instinctive
Mind often falls into bad habits of
attending to the body, by reason of the
person having departed from the natural
way of living and having caused the
Instinctive Mind to take up these
incorrect habits. Suggestion, and
auto-suggestion bring back the Instinctive
Mind to normal functioning, and the body
speedily recovers its former harmony. In
many cases all' that is needed in
suggestive treatment, is to relieve the
patient's mind of Fear and Worry and
depressing thoughts, which have interfered
with the proper harmony of the body, and
which have prevented the proper amount of
Prana from being distributed to the parts.
Removing these harmful thoughts is like
removing the speck of dust which has
caused our watch to run improperly, having
disarranged the harmony of the delicate
mechanism. Fear, Worry and Hate, with
their accompanying emotions, are the cause
of more physical inharmony than nearly all
the other causes combined.
(III)
In what is called strictly Mental Healing,
the patient sits in a relaxed attitude of
body, and allows the mind to become
receptive. The healer then projects to the
patient thoughts of a strengthening and
uplifting character which, reacting upon
the mind of the patient, causes it to cast
off its negative conditions and to assume
its normal poise and power, the result
being that as soon as the patient's mind
recovers its equilibrium it asserts itself
and starts into operation the recuperative
power within the organism of the person,
sending an increased supply of Prana to
all parts of the body and taking the first
step toward regaining health and strength.
The prime principle of Mental Healing is
to get the mind 'of the patient into the
proper condition, it naturally following
that beneficial and normal physical
conditions must follow. But the best
Mental Healers do more than this--they
(often unconsciously) send a positive
thought strongly charged with Prana right
to the affected spot, and actually work a
physical change in the organism of the
patient, independent of what is
accomplished by his own thought-force. In
treating a patient in this way, keep
firmly in your mind the thought that
physical harmony is being re-established
in the patient, and that health is his
normal condition and that all the negative
thoughts are being expelled from his mind.
Picture him as strong and healthy in mind
and in body. Picture as existing all the
conditions you wish to establish within
him. -- concentrate the mind and fairly
dart into his body, or into the affected
part, a strong penetrating thought, the
purpose of which is to work the desired
physical change, casting out the abnormal
conditions and re-establishing normal
conditions and functioning. Form the
mental image that the thought is fully and
heavily charged with Prana, and fairly
drive it into the affected part by an
effort of the will. Considerable practice
is usually needed to accomplish this last
result, but to some it appears to come
without much effort.
(IV)
Distant healing, or "absent treatment," is
performed in precisely the same way as is
the treatment when the patient is present.
We have given some directions regarding
this form of treatment in Chapter XIV,
"Science of Breath," which, coupled with
what we have just said in the last
paragraph, should give an elementary
working knowledge of the subject. Some
healers form the picture of the patient
sitting in front of them, and then proceed
to give the treatment, just as if the
patient were really present. Others form
the mental image of projecting the
thought, picturing it as leaving their
mind, and then traversing space entering
the mind of the patient. Others merely sit
in a passive, contemplative attitude and
intently think of the patient, without
regard to intervening space. Others prefer
to have a handkerchief, or some other
article belonging to the patient, in order
to render more perfect the rapport
conditions. Any, or all, of these methods
are good, the temperament and inclinations
of the person causing him to prefer some
particular method. But the same principle
underlies them all.
A
little practice along the lines of the
several forms of healing just mentioned,
will give the student confidence, and ease
in operating the healing power, until he
will often radiate healing power without
being fully conscious of it. If much
healing work is done, and the heart of the
healer is in his work, he soon gets so
that he heals almost automatically and
involuntarily when he comes into the
presence of one who is suffering. The
healer must, however, guard against
depleting himself of Prana, and thus
injuring his own health. He should study
up the methods given by us, of recharging
himself, and protecting himself against
undue drains upon his vitality. And he
should make haste slowly in these matters,
remembering that forced growth is not
desirable.
This
lesson has not been written for the
purpose of advising our students to become
healers. They must use their own judgment
and intuitions regarding that question. We
have devoted the lesson to the subject, as
it formed a part of the general subject
which we are treating in this course, and
it is important that they should know
something of the principles underlying
these several forms of healing. Let them
analyze any form of treatment which they
may witness or hear of, stripping it of
all the fantastic theories which have been
built around it, and they will be able to
classify and study it without accepting
the theory of the person making the cure.
Remember
that all the cults and schools make cures,
using the same principle, but attributing
the result to widely differing theories
and beliefs.
For
ourselves, we cling to the principles of
"Hatha Yoga," which teaches the doctrine
of preserving health by right living and
right thinking, and we regard all forms of
healing as things made necessary only by
Man's ignorance and disobedience of
Natural laws. But so long as man will not
live and think properly, some forms of
healing are necessary, and therefore the
importance of their study. The advanced
occultist regards the preservation of
health as a more important thing for the
race than the cure of disease, believing
with the old adage, that "an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure." But
so long as we may benefit our fellow men,
it is well that we know something of the
subject of Occult Therapeutics. It is one
of Nature's forces, and we should know how
to use it.
