CLAIRVOYANCE AND OCCULT POWERS/PART 20
LESSON XX.
PSYCHIC AND MAGNETIC HEALING
Probably
no phase of psychic influence is more familiar to the average person of the
Western world than is that of the healing of physical ills and conditions by
means of psychic influence under one name or another. Great healing cults and
organizations have been built up upon this basis, and the interest in the
subject has taken on the form of a great popular movement.
As
is natural in cases of this kind, there have been hundreds of theories advanced
to account for the phenomena of psychic healing, and a still greater number of
methods of treatments devised to carry out the principles of the theories.
Ranging from the teaching of actual divine interposition and influence arising
from certain forms of belief and practice, covering many intermediate stages,
the theories even include a semi-materialistic hypothesis in which mind is
considered as an attribute of matter, but having a magic influence over the
forms of matter when properly applied. But it is worthy of note that no matter
what the general or particular theory, or what the favored method of
application, these healing schools or cults, as well as the independent
practitioners, meet with a very fair degree of success and perform quite a
number of cures.
Many
of these Western advocates and practitioners of psychic healing practically
hold that the whole system is of very recent discovery, and that it has nothing
whatsoever to do with ordinary occult science. The occultists however are able
to smile at these ideas and beliefs, for they not only recognize the general
principles involved, but they also are aware that these principles, and their
application, have been known to advanced occultists for thousands of years. I
do not say this in any dispargement of the moderns schools of psychic healing,
for I am in full sympathy with their great work; I merely mention the matter
that the student may get the right historical perspective in considering this
phase of psychic phenomena and influence.
So
far as the methods of application are concerned, the true occultist recognizes
that most of the methods and forms of treatment are but outward cloaks or
disguises for the real psychic healing principle. The gist of the real methods
is to be found in the principles of the application of psychic influence which
I have presented to you in these lessons, viz: (1) Strong desire to make the
cure; (2) clear mental image or picture of the desired condition as actually
present in the patient at this time; and (3) concentration of the attention and
mind of the healer, so as to bring to a focus to two preceding mental states.
Here you have the real secret of psychic healing methods—the rest are all
elaborations thereof, dressed up forms and ceremonies which affect the
imagination, faith, belief and confidence of the patient, and thus make the
healing process much easier. In fact, with the proper degree of faith and
confidence on the part of the patient, there is but little need of a healer,
for the patient may treat and cure himself. However, in most cases, the
presence of the healer aids materially in arousing the fate and confidence of
the patient, and hastens the cure.
Again,
so far as the theories underlying the cures are concerned, occultists are able
to reduce them all to a single working theory or principle, which includes all
the rest. Brushing aside all technical details, and all attempts to trace back
the healing process to the ultimate facts of the universe, I may say that the
gist of the principle of all psychic healing is that of influencing the astral
foundation of the various organs and parts, cells and centres, so as to make it
proceed to manifest a more perfect physical counterpart. All psychic healing is
really accomplished on the astral body first—then the physical body responds to
the renewed activities of its astral counterpart. To get the real significance
of this statement it is necessary for you to realize just what the astral body
really is. This once grasped, the difficulties vanish, and you are able to form
a clear conception of the entire matter and process.
The
astral body is a precise counterpart of the physical body, its organs, its
parts, its centres, and its cells. In fact, the astral body is the pattern upon
which the physical body is materialized. The astral body is composed of an
etheric substance of a very high rate of vibration. In one sense it may be
considered as a very subtle form of matter—in another as a semi-materialized
form of force or energy. It is finer and more subtle that the rarest vapors or
gases known to science. And, yet, it has a strong degree of tenacity and
cohesiveness that enables it to resist attacks from the material side of
nature. As I have said, each organ, part, centre or cell, of the physical body
has its astral pattern or basis. In fact, the physical body has been built up,
in whole and in all of its parts, on the pattern and base of the astral body.
Moreover, in case of impaired functioning of the physical organs or parts, and
impaired activity of the physical body, its limbs, etc., if we can manage to
arouse the activities of the astral body we may cause it to re-materialize or
re-energize the physical body, and thus restore health and activity to it. If
the liver, for instance, is not functioning properly, we proceed to start up
the activities of the astral counterpart of that organ, to the end that the
physical organ may be re-energized, and recreated in a measure. All true
psychic healing work is performed on the astral plane, before it manifests on
the physical.
At
this point, I should also call your attention to the effect of
"prana," or life energy, in some cases of healing. This prana is what
Western healers mean when they speak of "human magnetism" in their
healing work. So far from being an imaginary force, as claimed by the physical
scientists and materialists, it is known to all occultists as an active
principle of the human body, and as of great efficacy in the psychic treatment
of disease. I shall mention the details of this form of treatment as we
proceed—I mention it at this place merely to call your attention to the fact of
its existence.
Before
passing on to the consideration of other phases of the subject before us, I
would like to call your attention to the fact that from the earliest days of
history there have been recorded instances of some form of psychic healing. In
the earlier days the psychic healing work was left entirely in the hands of the
priesthood of the various religions prevailing in the several counties of the
world. Claiming to have an exclusive divine sanction to perform healing work,
these priests used various ceremonies, rites, incantations, etc., in order to
obtain their results. In many cases these priests were ignorant of the real
psychic forces invoked and set into operation; they merely practiced methods
which had been found to work out effectively, and which had been handed down to
them by their predecessors. In other cases, however, the priests undoubtedly
were skilled occultists, and had a very full knowledge of the forces they were
using; though, as the masses of the people were very ignorant it was impossible
to acquaint them with these things so far above their understanding; and,
consequently, the priests applied the healing forces under the disguise of
their religious ceremonies and rites.
From
time to time, however, as civilization progressed, there came into prominence
persons who worked cures of physical ills by means of magical ceremonies and
other similar methods, but who were outside of the priesthood. Some of these
men undoubtedly had a very fair knowledge of the real secret of their cures,
though they disguised them to suit the mental condition of their patients, and,
also, probably for purposes of self glorification. In other cases, however, it
is probable that these healers had merely stumbled across the fact that certain
things said in a certain way tended to work cures; or that certain physical
objects seemed to have therapeutic virtue. They did not realize that the whole
healing virtue of their systems depended upon the strong idea in their own
minds, coupled with the strong faith and confidence in the mind of the patient.
And so the work went on.
In
some of the oldest records of the human race, the scriptures of the various
peoples, we find that "laying on of hands" was the favorite method
employed by the holy men and priests, and other performing healing work. From
the first there seems to have been an almost instinctive recognition on the
part of man of the fact that there is a healing power in the touch of the hand.
Even ignorant and savage mothers instinctively apply their hands to the hurt
bodies of their children—a custom that has its counterpart in civilized races,
by the way. The child is taught to expect physical relief from the application
of the mother's hands, and its mind at once pictures relief. Not only is the
mental picture created, but the desire and confidence is established in the
minds of both persons. The same thing is true of all "laying on of
hands," and thus are the principles of all psychic influence brought into
play. But this is not all there is to it. In the first place, there is an
actual transference of prana from the body of the healer to that of the
patient, which serves to energize and revitalize the cells and centres of the
body of the latter. In the second place, there is the effect upon the astral
body of the patient, which tends to materialize better physical conditions. In
the third place, there is that combination and union of the minds of the two
persons, which gives extra force and power to psychic influence. Is it any
wonder that cures take place under these circumstances?
In
the modern revival of the almost lost art and science of psychic healing among
the general public, there has been unusual stress laid upon the feature of
"absent healing," in which the patient and the healer are not in each
other's presence. To many this has seemed actually miraculous, and as a
positive proof of divine interposition. But a little thought will show the
student that such cures are not unknown in the pages of history, as a casual
examination of the sacred books of almost any religion will show. Moreover, the
student will see that to the effect of certain principles of psychic influence
there needs but to be added the principles of telepathic communication, or,
better still, the principles of astral communication by some phases of
clairvoyance, to account for the entire phenomena of "absent
healing."
Space
is no barrier on the astral plane, as you have seen in the preceding chapters
of this book. Once the en rapport condition is established between healer and
patient, and the rest is simple—the astral body is induced to energize more
actively, and as a result the physical manifestation is improved and normal
functioning restored. Of course, all this is wonderful enough—all psychic
phenomena is, for that matter; but, we see that we do not have to go outside of
established occult laws, principles and facts in order to account for some of
these modern miracles which have puzzled and perplexed so many good persons who
have not known of the occult teachings, and who fear that the world is being
turned upside down, and Nature's laws overturned by these "new
fangled" ideas and methods.
Perhaps
the most simple method of healing by psychic influence is that which is at the
same time the oldest method, i.e., the "laying on of hands." This
method was revived about twenty years ago in America and Europe by the new
school of "magnetic healing" which sprung rapidly into public favor.
The other schools of psychic healing, generally known as "mental
healing," "spiritual healing," "divine healing," etc.,
generally frown upon the use of the hands in psychic healing, deeming it
"too material," and too much allied to hypnotism, etc. But this view
is quite bigoted and narrow, for this method has no relation to hypnotism, and,
moreover, it gives the patient the benefit of the flow of prana from the
healer, while at the same time producing the psychic effect on the astral body,
as I have just mentioned.
I
take the liberty of quoting here something on this subject from my little book
entitled "The Human Aura." In the chapter of that book devoted to the
consideration of the subject of "Auric Magnetism," I said: "In
cases of magnetic healing, etc., the healer by an effort of his will (sometimes
unconsciously applied) projects a supply of his pranic aura vibrations into the
body of his patient, by way of the nervous system of the patient, and also by
means of what may be called the induction of the aura itself. The mere presence
of a person strongly charged with prana, is often enough to cause an overflow
into the aura of other persons, with a resulting feeling of new strength and
energy. By the use of the hands of the healer, a heightened effect is produced,
by reason of certain properties inherent in the nervous system of both healer
and patient. There is even a flow of etheric substance from the aura of the
healer to that of the patient, in cases in which the vitality of the latter is
very low. Many a healer has actually, and literally, pumped his life force and
etheric substance into the body of his patient, when the latter was sinking
into the weakness which precedes death, and has by so doing been able to bring
him back to strength and life. This is practically akin to the transfusion of blood—except
that it is upon the psychic plane instead of the physical."
But
the true "magnetic healer" (call him by whatever name you wish) does
not make this pranic treatment the all-in-all of his psychic treatment. On the
contrary it is but the less subtle part, which leads up to the higher phases.
While treating his patients by the laying on of hands, he, at the same time,
strives to induce in the mind of the patient the mental image of restored
health and physical strength; he pictures the diseased organ as restored to
health and normal functioning; he sees the entire physiological machinery
operating properly, the work of nutrition, assimilation, and excretion going on
naturally and normally. By proper words of advice L and encouragement he
awakens hope and confidence in the mind of the patient, and thus obtains the
co-operation of that mind in connection to his own mental efforts. The astral
body responds to this treatment, and begins to energize the physical organs and
cells into normal activity—and the journey toward health is begun.
[In
the little book just mention, "The Human Aura," I gave some valuable
information regarding the influence of colors in psychic healing, which I do
not reproduce here as it is outside the scope and field of the present lessons.
Those who may feel interested in the subject are respectfully referred to the
little manual itself. It is sold for a nominal price by the publishers of the
present work.]
In
the form of psychic treatment which comes under the head of Suggestive Therapeutics,
great insistence is laid upon the verbal suggestion to the patient, on the part
of the healer. The patient is told that he will get well; that his organs will
function normally; etc., etc. But the student of the present lessons will
readily see that the only virtue in the spoken words consists in their power to
evoke and induce the mental image of the desired condition in the mind of the
patient. The mental picture thus evoked produces a corresponding effect in the
astral body of the patient, and sets into operation the materialization of
desired results. In addition, the words produce a strong mental picture in the
mind of the healer himself, and thus give form and strength to his psychic
vibrations which are being poured out toward the patient. This is really the
secret of suggestive treatment.
The
many cults of metaphysical healing, in America and Europe, lay great stress
upon what they call "affirmations," which are but statements of the
patient of his or her faith in the healing power of God, or of Mind, or Spirit,
or Principle (different names are used). The patient naturally has confidence
aroused, and as naturally begins to picture the desired condition; this in turn
reacting upon the astral body, and this upon the physical body or organ. In
addition, the healer's mind is also set to work in the same way, and sets into
motion the healing psychic forces in the way just mentioned. You will notice
that the same principle is always involved and set into operation and
manifestation.
There
is no particular virtue in the form of affirmation used by the healer or
patient, except the important virtue of being able to arouse strong mental
pictures of restored health, proper functioning, etc. There is of course this
also: certain forms of affirmations or mental statements are better suited than
others to the particular wants of certain persons. For instance, a very
religious person will be aroused better by affirmations and statements filled
with religious sentiments and ideas; while a person of a purely scientific turn
of mind will receive more benefit from affirmations in which the precise
physiological functions are specifically mentioned; while the person who is
fond of mystery and strange ceremonies will be better served in the
affirmations or statements taken in the form of some magical incantation, etc.
The difference, however, lies in the mind of the patient, rather than in the
words themselves. Words are merely invokers of ideas—symbols of ideas. In
themselves, words are nothing—ideas are everything.
If
you wish to treat yourself psychically for some physical disorder, or if you
wish to do good to others in the same way, you have but to put into operation
the general principles of psychic influence herein described. That is to say,
you must first be filled with the strong desire and wish to make the cure; then
you must make a strong mental image of the desired result, as actually present.
(Do not think of it as "going to be;" instead say and think that it
"is now!"); then concentrate the attention firmly and positively upon
the idea. You may aid yourself and others by affirmations or auto-suggestions
(words creating desired ideas and mental pictures) if you wish—you may get
better results in this way. In this connection, let me remind you that the healing
work in many cases consists largely in placing proper mental pictures in the
mind of the patient, thereby displacing improper and harmful mental pictures of
disease, etc., which have been given lodgment there before. Many persons are
sick because of improper and harmful mental pictures that they have allowed to
be placed there by the suggestions of others. Fear and dread of disease often
acts to bring about the feared condition, for reasons that you can readily see.
And,
now, finally for the work of "absent healing" by psychic influence. I
can state this to you very simply; it is this: take what I have just told you
regarding personal treatments, and combine it with what I have told you in
previous lessons about "long distance psychic influence"—then you
will have the whole thing. Here is a sample of an effective distant treatment;
or "absent treatment," to use the popular term—it may be varied and
enlarged up to fit individual cases:
Sit
quietly in your own room, inducing a calm, peaceful mental attitude and state.
Then (in the way already told you in this book) make a mental picture of the
patient as sitting opposite to you, or lying down in front of you. If you have
never seen the patient, make simply a mental image of a man, or a woman, as the
case may be, and think of the figure as being the patient. The best
practitioners of distant psychic healing produce such a strong mental image of
the patient that they can often actually "feel" his or her presence.
(This of course is the result of a simple form of clairvoyance.) Then make a
strong mental picture of the condition that you wish to induce in the
patient—the healthy physical condition of the organ, or part or body, as the
case may be. See this condition as existing at the present time, and not as merely
to come in the future. At the same time, you will do well to mentally speak to
the patient, just as you would in case he or she were sitting before you in the
physical body. Tell the patient just what you would in such case. Pour in the
suggestions, or affirmations, or whatever you may wish to call them. In some
cases in which an excellent en rapport condition is established, patients
become aware of the treatment, and sometimes can almost see and feel the
presence of the healer.
A
prominent Mental Scientist, of America, instructs his pupils to consider each
of the organs of the patient, or of themselves, as having a separate
intelligence; and, therefore, to "speak up to it" as if it really
understood what was being said to its organ-mind. I would say that such form of
treatment would be calculated to bring about very good results, indeed. The
principle of concentration and mental picturing would be invoked very strongly
in such a case, and the astral counterpart of the organ should respond to such
treatment quickly and effectively. It is an occult fact that there is mind in
every organ and cell of the body, and if the same is awakened in the astral
counterpart, it will respond to the command, suggestion, or direction. The
writer in question evidently is well acquainted with this occult law, judging
from his other writings, and has simply veiled his knowledge with this easily
understood method of treatment which undoubtedly will "do the work,"
to use the American term.
Finally,
no matter what may be the theory, or method, given in connection with psychic
healing of any or all kinds, you will find the same general principles
underlying it that have been presented over and over again in this book. In
fact, many purely material and physical remedies owe their success to the fact
that they appeal to the imagination of the patient, and also inspire confidence
in him. Anything that will inspire confidence, faith and hope in the mind of a
patient, and will bring to his mind strong mental pictures of restored health and
normal functioning of his organs—that thing will make for health for him. So,
there you have the whole theory and practice in a sentence!
I
would remind the student that these are not lessons to be read but once and
then laid aside. In order to get from them all that they contain for you, you
will find it necessary to read them several times, with a reasonable interval
between readings for the knowledge to sink into your mind. I feel sure that you
will find with each reading that there are many points that you over-looked
before. The lessons cover a wide field, with many little excursions into
bye-paths and lanes of thought. I trust that the reading and study will make
you not only a wiser person, but also a stronger and more efficient one. I thank
you for your kind attention, and trust that we shall meet again in the future.
END OF THIS BOOK. CREATED BY WISDOM DRAGONS
WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON BOOKS
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