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                                 CHAPTER XIV

                              MIND AND HEALING

THE TRUE CAUSE OF CONTAGION:

   There  are many people of a supercilious nature who are always  ready  to
crack a joke at the expense of those who practice methods of divine  healing
which  teach one to cultivate a fearless attitude of mind under  all  condi-
tions.   But as a matter of actual fact, an enormous percentage of our sick-
ness is actually due and traceable to feelings of fear upon the part of  the
patient.

   Travelers who have visited uninhabited islands report that the birds  and
beasts found there were unafraid of them at first, but they soon learned the
predatory  nature of man and fled before him in fear of their  lives.   thus
the ruthless nature of man has in ages past, spread fear all over the Earth.
We  have conquered,  tamed and exploited both bird and beast,  and  what  we
could not conquer we have slain,  until every breathing thing hides in  fear
of us.   That is to say,  among the larger animals--none is so large that it
does not fear us and flee from us.

   When we turn in the direction of the little things then the case is  dif-
ferent.   Man,  who thinks he reigns supreme on Earth because he has put all
the  larger  creation in a state of fear, trembles in turn before the minute


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things in the world and the smaller they are,  the more he fears them.   The
microscope  has told us that such a small creature as the  housefly  carries
about  on  the fur of its legs thousands of parasites,  and  therefore  fear
prompts us to spend millions of dollars on fly-paper, fly-screens, flytraps,
and other devices to rid ourselves of this pest, but our efforts are largely
in vain.  Though vast sums are expended yearly to exterminate the fly, it is
so prolific that is breeds faster than we can slay.

   We fear its cousin,  the mosquito, even more.  The microscope has told us
that  this  little  insect is one of the chief messengers of  the  Angel  of
Death.   Therefore we fight it in fear of our lives, but it thrives in spite
of  the vast sums yearly expended upon its termination.   Then there is  the
milk we drink.   Under ordinary conditions it is said that there are 100,000
germs to the cubic centimeter,  but under the best and most sanitary  condi-
tions this army of destroyers can be brought down to 10,000.  So in fear and
trembling we pasteurize this fluid before we dare to give it to the children
of tender age.  Every drop of water we drink swarms with germ life, says the
microscope,  and even the coin and currency wherewith we purchase the neces-
sities of life are vehicles of death, for they are infected with germs to an
almost  unbelievable extent.   Once we started to launder them,  but it  was
found  that the bankers could not so easily detect counterfeits  after  they
had been washed,  so we abandoned the process.   We either fear the counter-
feiters more than the germs or we love money more than health.

   Is not this  whole attitude ridiculous and unworthy of our high and noble


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estate,  as human beings,  as children of God?   It is well known to science
that  an attitude of fear breaks down the power of resistance of  the  body,
and thereby lays it liable to diseases which would not otherwise be able  to
gain  a foothold.   From the occult point of view it is perfectly plain  why
this is so.  The dense body which we see with our eyes it interpenetrated by
a  vehicle made of ether,  and the energy from the Sun,  which pervades  all
space,  is  constantly pouring into our body through the spleen which  is  a
specialized  organ  for the attraction and assimilation  of  this  universal
ether.   In the solar plexus it is converted into a rose colored fluid which
permeates  the nervous system.   This may be compared to electricity in  the
wires  of an electric or telegraphic system.   By means of this vital  fluid
the  muscles are moved and the organs perform their vital functions so  that
the  body may express itself in perfect health.   The better the health  the
larger the quantity of this solar fluid which we are able to absorb,  but we
only utilize a certain part of it and the surplus is radiated from the  body
in straight lines.

    You  have seen the paper ribbons fastened in front of electric  fans  in
candy  stores and fruit stands.   When the fan is set going these  streamers
float  outwards from the fan.   The streamers which flow from the whole  pe-
riphery of the human body also radiate in straight lines when we are in per-
fect health.  This condition is therefore aptly described as radiant health.
We  speak of such a person as radiating life and vigor.   Under such  condi-
tions no disease germs can ever get a foothold in his body.  They cannot en-
ter from without  because  of  these  invisible streamers of force, any more


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than a fly an enter an opening in a building covered by an exhaust fan.  And
those microorganisms which enter the body with the food are also quickly ex-
pelled,  for the vital processes in the body are selective as shown  by  the
kidneys,  for instance, which excrete the waste matter while retaining vital
substances necessary for the economy of the body.

   But the moment we allow thoughts of fear,  of worry,  of anger,  the body
endeavors, as it were, to close the gates against an outside foe, fancied or
real.   Then  also the spleen closes up and ceases to specialize  the  vital
fluid in sufficient quantities for the necessities of the body,  and we then
see a phenomenon which is analogous to the effect of lowering the voltage or
cutting  in  more resistance in the electric fan.   In that case  the  paper
streamers will begin to hang down,  they will no longer wave over the  candy
or  fruit  to protect it and keep the flies away.   Similarly in  the  human
body, when the thought of fear forces the partial closure of the spleen, the
solar fluid does not go through the body with the same speed as before.   It
does not then radiate from the periphery in straight lines,  but these lines
become  crumpled and thus they allow easy access to the  little  deleterious
organisms  which may then feed unobstructed upon our tissues and cause  dis-
ease.

   Whether the consistent mental scientists, or others who believe in divine
healing,  know this law or not, they act according to its dictates when they
affirm that they are children of God, that they have no reason to fear,  for
God  is their Father and will protect them so long as they do  not  deliber-
ately disregard the ordinary laws of life.


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   The actual fact, and the truth in the matter is that contagion comes from
within.  So long as we live a common-sense life, feeding our bodies upon the
pure foods which come from the vegetable kingdom, taking a sufficient amount
of exercise,  and keeping mentally active, we may rest secure in the promise
that  the Lord is our refuge.   There shall no evil befall us so long as  we
thus show our faith by our works.  On the other hand,  if we belie our faith
in God by disregard of His laws our expectations of health are vain.

POWER OF THOUGHT:

   "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he,"  said the Christ,  and this is
an absolutely scientific proposition; something,  moreover,  which  everyone
may  demonstrate by looking about him in the everyday conditions of life  in
the home, office, or street.  Here we see a man with thick lips, with puffed
cheeks,  with a veritable pouch under his chin,  and at once we know that we
have before us a glutton and a sensualist.   Another comes along the street;
his face is furrowed by lines,  his lips are thin and set,  and we know that
thought and care have been the architects that molded his face.

   Each  one  who  passes expresses without exactly what  his  thoughts  are
within.   One is muscular and active, because the thoughts which  have  gov-
erned  his  activities built an active body.   Another has flabby  flesh,  a
pouch stomach,  and a waddling walk,  showing that he is averse to all exer-
cise.   In each case the body is an accurate reproduction of the mind;  each
class  suffers from the ailments peculiar to the trend of its mental  activ-
ity.  The  glutton  and  sensualist  suffer  from  diseases  engendered when


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their  thoughts have crystallized and weakened the digestive tract and  cre-
ative organs.   Their diseases are entirely different from the nervous  dis-
eases that attack the thinker,  and any system of healing that does not take
into  consideration the fact that the body is more a physical expression  of
mind than mind is a manifestation of the physical man,  makes a very radical
mistake.   In our complex nature,  mind and matter act and react  upon  each
other  in such a manner that it is absolutely necessary to consider the  man
as a whole whenever we attempt to deal with his disability.

   It  is well known to physiologists that joy will sometimes bring the  pa-
tient out of the sick room quicker than any medicine.  If something has hap-
pened to give his affairs in the world a sudden upward turn,  so that he be-
comes optimistic, disease seems to disappear as if by magic; and conversely,
even though he may seem to enjoy good health, the moment a depressing influ-
ence comes into his business affairs he begins to feel ill in body.   A let-
ter containing bad news may sometimes stop direction entirely,  and give the
person who receives it a very serious attack of indigestion.  Thus the truth
of the Savior's teaching that "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," is
amply demonstrated in practical, everyday life.

   When we realize this we also see the necessity of cultivating an attitude
of optimism.  A hopeful mind is the greatest of all medicine, and a constant
reiteration of a resolution to overcome the present ills, is better than all
the medicine in the world.  When one is in constant pain, suffering acutely,
it is perhaps very difficult to maintain an attitude of optimism,  neverthe-


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less,  the magic formula of the Savior applied to health,  will help  us  to
overcome in time.

   It is a law that if we think health we must of necessity sooner or  later
express  health.   We must live the rational life and cease  from  excesses,
particularly in diet; that cannot be emphasized too often.  Neither, will it
avail to stand before a mirror and reiterate to oneself, "I have Faith,"  "I
am Health,"  or similar untrue affirmations.  Just stop talking of your ail-
ments to others;  try above all to divert your own thoughts from your condi-
tion;  believe in health as our birthright, and as something that can be at-
tained by us, never wavering.

   You  may have heard the story of the old lady who had heard her  minister
speak about a faith that could remove mountains.  She was willing to try her
faith on the ash heap,  but next morning when she saw it was still there she
exclaimed,  "I thought so."  Conditions were what she expected in her heart,
not  what she claimed to believe with her tongue,  and it will be  the  same
with everyone.  Therefore, believe heartily in health.


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                                 CHAPTER XV

                        DANGERS OF EXCESSIVE BATHING

   While cleanliness itself is a virtue, it becomes,  like many another good
thing,  a vice by being overdone.   Water is the universal solvent and taken
internally  in  small doses it is good, but taken at the  wrong  time,  with
meals for instance,  and in excess, it becomes a poison.  It dilutes the di-
gestive fluids and cools the stomach so that the condition necessary for the
proper  treatment of the food is disarranged and in time,  if the  habit  is
persisted in,  it impairs the digestion permanently.   So also when water is
taken  in excess outside and under improper conditions,  it may  affect  the
health very seriously.

   This has been demonstrated many times in our experiences on Mt. Ecclesia.
A number of people who came here have been in the habit,  prior to their ar-
rival, of bathing every day and sometimes twice or three times a day.   They
were,  without exception, in a very serious run-down condition,  because the
excess of water applied with a towel or a sponge,  had depleted the skin  of
its  fatty substance,  and the vasomotor system was unable to operate  prop-
erly, to close or open the pores as required.

   But there was another effect of this excessive bathing,  not seen or  un-
derstood  unless  by  one who has the requisite occult  knowledge,  and  the
spiritual  sight  to  investigate  the matter properly.  Others may know the


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truth of the following explanation because of their own experience along the
lines of healing and magnetism.

   We  all know that when we take a physician's galvanic battery  and  place
one electrode in a basin of water, holding the other electrode in the  hand,
the  flow of electricity through the body is much stronger than when we  put
our  other hand in the water or if we hold both electrodes  without  contact
with water.   When water is evaporated its molecules are broken up and  each
fragment is then enclosed in an envelope of ether which will act as a  cush-
ion and is the basis of elasticity in steam.   When condensation takes place
the  surplus of ether disappears,  and water becomes incompressible  as  the
solid rock.

   But  water has great yearning for ether; it cannot take it from the  air,
however,  any  more than we can absorb nitrogen though we  breathe  it  con-
tinually.   Fluid is volatile in proportion to the amount of ether  it  con-
tains, and we have an example of the intense greed of water for ether in the
avidity wherewith it absorbs anhydrous ammonia, a fluid so volatile that  it
boils at 26 degrees below zero.  This shows why water causes so voluminous a
flow between a battery electrode and the body,  and explains many phenomena,
among  others,  why moisture aids so materially in transmitting good  magne-
tism, the vital fluid of the healer to his patient, and withdrawing bad mag-
netism from the body of the latter.  Also how necessary and helpful it is to
wash  in  running  water,  so that the poisonous  ether  taken  out  of  the
patient's vital body will not hamper  the healer.  When we take a bath under


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ordinary  normal circumstances,  we remove a great deal of effete  poisonous
ether from our vital bodies provided we stay in a reasonable length of time.
After  a  bath the vital body becomes somewhat attenuated  and  consequently
gives  us a feeling of weakness,  but if we are in ordinary good health  and
have  not stayed in the bath too long,  the deficiency is soon made good  by
the  stream  of force which flows into the human body  through  the  spleen.
When  this  recuperation has taken place we feel renewed  vitality  and  at-
tribute it to the bath without realizing THE FULL FACTS as above stated.

   But  when a person who is not in perfect health commences to bathe  every
day,  perhaps twice or three times a day,  an excess of ether is taken  from
the vital body.  The new supply entering by way of the spleen is also dimin-
ished on account of the attenuated condition of the vital body;  thus it  is
impossible for such persons to recuperate after repeated depletions and as a
consequence  the health of the dense body suffers;  they lose  almost  every
ounce  of strength and gradually become confirmed invalids.   Being in  this
delicate state they are unable to eat and assimilate truly nourishing  foods
and in time their condition may become very, very serious.

   Cases  of this description are exceedingly difficult to  handle,  because
they  usually occur with people with common signs on the angles,  with  many
planets in these signs,  or with the Sun or Ascendant there.   This class of
people resent any interference with their diet and habit of bathing, because
they think they are paragons of cleanliness, which is in their eyes a  chief
virtue.  They believe they cannot live  without  so  many baths daily and as


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their appetite is so slight and delicate they believe that they know  better
than anyone else how to look after that part of their requirements, but they
are wrong in both cases as shown in the foregoing.

   Their  first  step to health involves that they cease  bathing  entirely.
The  dry  bath  is the proper restorative, and for this purpose  a  pair  of
coarse  gloves made of linen tape loosely woven are best.   With  these  the
body  may be rubbed morning and evening until the skin shows a health  glow.
By this process the superflous cuticle is removed but the oil and ether  re-
main.   Thus the patient will build up very rapidly,  for when the  chemical
ether increases,  the power of assimilation also revives and there is an im-
mediate  gain of both strength and flesh.   If necessary the patient may  be
given a very light warm sponge  bath once a week, but no tub baths should be
attempted until he or she is fully recovered.


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                                 CHAPTER XVI

                            TRANSFUSION OF BLOOD

   Among  the latest discoveries of science is hemolysis--the fact that  in-
oculation  of  blood from the veins of a higher animal into one of  a  lower
species, destroys the blood of the lower animal and causes its death.   Thus
the blood of man injected into the veins of any animal is fatal.   But  from
man  to man it is found that transfusion may take place,  although at  times
there are deleterious effects.

   In olden days people married in the family;  it was then looked upon with
horror if one should "seek after strange flesh."   When the sons of God mar-
ried the daughters of men,  that is to say,  when the subjects of one leader
married outside the tribe,  there was great trouble,  they were cast off  by
their leader and destroyed,  for at that time certain qualities that we  now
possess were to be developed in humanity and were thus implanted in the com-
mon  blood which ran pure in the family or small tribe.   Later on when  man
was  to  be brought down into material conditions,  international  marriages
were commanded,  and,  from that time on, it has been looked upon as equally
horrible if persons within the same family united in marriage.

   The old vikings would not allow anyone to marry into their family  unless
they  had  first  gone  through  the  ceremony of mixing blood to see if the


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transfusion  of the blood of the stranger into their family was  detrimental
or otherwise.  All this was because in earlier times humanity was not as in-
dividualized  as it is today.   They were more under the domination  of  the
Race or Family Spirit,  which dwelt in their blood,  as the Group Spirit  of
animals  does in the blood of animals.   Later the  international  marriages
were given to free humanity from that yoke and make every separate Ego  sole
master of its own body without outside interference.

   Science has lately found that the blood of different people has different
crystals,  so that it is possible now to tell the blood of a negro from  the
blood of a white man;  but there will come a day when they will know a still
greater difference, for just as there is a difference in the crystals formed
by the different races, so there is also a difference in the crystals formed
by each individual man.  The thumb-marks of no two people are alike,  and it
will  be found in time that the blood of each human being is different  from
the blood of every other individual.  This difference is already evident  to
the occult investigator, and it is only a question of time when science will
make the discovery, for the distinguishing features are becoming more marked
as  the  human  being  grows  less  and  less  dependent,   more  and   more
self-sufficient.

   This change in the blood is most important and in time,  when it has  be-
come more marked,  it will be productive of most far-reaching  consequences.
It is said that "Nature geometrizes,"  and Nature is but the visible  symbol
of the invisible God whose offspring  and  images we are.  Being made in His


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likeness, we are also beginning to geometrize, and naturally we are starting
on the substance where we,  the human spirits,  the Egos,  have the greatest
power, namely, in our blood.

   When the blood comes through the arteries, which are deep in the body, it
is a gas;  but loss of heat nearer the surface of the body causes it to par-
tially condense,  and in that substance the Ego is learning to form  mineral
crystals.   In the Jupiter Period we shall learn to invest them with  a  low
form  of vitality and set them out from ourselves as plant-like  structures.
In  the  Venus Period we shall be able to infuse desire into them  and  make
them like animals.  Finally, in the Vulcan Period, we shall give them a mind
and rule over them as race spirits.

   At  the present time we are at the very beginning of this  individualiza-
tion of our blood.   Therefore it is possible at present to transfuse  blood
from one human being to another,  but the day is near at hand when that will
be impossible.  The blood of a white man will kill all who stand lower,  and
the blood of an advanced person will poison the less cultured.  The child at
present receives its supply of blood from the parents,  stored in the thymus
gland, for the years of childhood.  But the time will come when the Ego will
be  too  far individualized to function in blood not  generated  by  itself.
Then  the present mode of generation will have to be superseded  by  another
whereby the Ego may create its own vehicle without the help of parents.


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                                CHAPTER XVII

                    EFFECTS OF REMOVAL OF PHYSICAL ORGAN

   Generally speaking,  when an arm,  a limb,  or an organ has been  removed
from the physical body by means of a surgical operation,  the dense part  of
the organ permeated by the planetary ether is taken away.   The four  ethers
which  constitute the vital body of the man or woman thus operated upon  re-
main;  but there is a certain magnetic connection between the part  decaying
in  the  grave and that etheric counterpart which remains with  the  person.
Therefore,  he or she feels the pain and suffering in the part  removed  for
some  time after an operation,  until decay has taken place and the  etheric
counterpart has disintegrated.

   However,  there are some exceptions to this general rule which it is well
to note.  We have observed that the physical body accommodates itself so far
as possible to altered conditions.  If a wound in a certain part of the body
makes  it impossible for the blood to flow in the normal channels  it  finds
another  set of veins by which it may make its circuit,  but an organ  never
atrophies  so long as it can serve any useful purpose.   It is similar  with
the vital body composed of ethers.   When an arm or limb has been amputated,
the etheric counterpart of that member is no longer required in the  economy
of  the  body;  therefore,  it gradually wastes away.  But in the case of an


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organ  like the spleen where the etheric counterpart has an important  func-
tion as gateway for the solar energy,  naturally no such disintegration will
take place.

   It  should  also  be remembered that wherever disease  manifests  in  the
physical  vehicle  that part of the vital body has first  become  thin,  at-
tenuated, and diseased, and it was its failure to supply the necessary vital
energy  that  caused the manifestation of physical symptoms of  ill  health.
Conversely, when health returns, the vital body is the first to pick up, and
this convalesence is then manifested in the dense body.   Therefore,  if the
physical  spleen is diseased,  it is a foregone conclusion that the  etheric
counterpart is also in subnormal health,  and the wisdom of removing the or-
gan is doubtful.   However, if it is done, the body will seek to accommodate
itself  to the new condition and the etheric counterpart of the spleen  will
continue to function as before.

   Another interesting angle to this question is revealed in the after-death
state.   When  a person who is injured passes into the invisible  realm,  he
thinks  with the same mind,  pictures himself there as he was in the  world.
Consequently a scar on the forehead or the loss of an arm or limb is  repro-
duced by his thought in the matter of the Desire World, and he appears there
disfigured as he was here.   In the World War this was very noticeable,  for
all  the soldiers who passed out with wounds which they could see and  which
they knew how to determine the effect of,  reproduced these wounds in  their
desire bodies.   They felt pain similar to what they would have felt if they
had still been in the physical body, because they fancied that there must be
pain connected with it.  However,  they were quickly assisted by one another


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and  by  those who had been helped by the Elder Brothers to see  the  matter
right:   that there was no actual pain.  As soon as they were convinced that
their wounds were but illusions and taught that they could shape their  bod-
ies  in the normal and healthy state,  they could quickly remedy the  condi-
tion.

REMOVAL OF TONSILS:

   Removal  of the tonsils is a subject on which our opinion  is  frequently
asked, and we have always discouraged the removal of these necessary organs,
for it has been found that serious throat and lung diseases are often  expe-
rienced in later life as a consequence of removing the tonsils,  and an  in-
creasing  number of physicians today denounce this operation as  wholly  un-
necessary.

   The  tonsils are ruled by Taurus,  one of the signs of Venus.   There  is
great sympathy between signs ruled by the same planet.  Libra, the other Ve-
nus sign,  rules the kidneys.  Removal of tonsils from the Taurus region af-
fects secretion of urine in the Libra region.  Therefore, when we remove the
tonsils  from  a child we increase the tendency to gout  and  rheumatism  in
later years.

   As  a matter of fact,  enlarged tonsils are due to  conditions  connected
with the arrival at puberty and adolescence,  perhaps accentuated by a wrong
diet,  and  this is a factor in most of the other throat diseases,  for  the
larynx is the opposite of the generative organs,  as proved by the fact that
the voice changes at the time of puberty; and in many other ways.   When the
period of adolescence is past it will be found that these organs will return


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to their normal condition and will give no further trouble.

   In  acute conditions we have always recommended the citrus fruits as  the
finest antiseptics known.   This applies also and particularly to pineapple.
Lemonade made of lemons and HONEY will be found to give great relief in this
condition.   Oranges,  grapefruit,  and pineapple should also be used freely
when the child complains of throat trouble.   A cold compress on the  throat
at night when the child goes to bed,  supplemented by massage of the throat,
will be found an effective treatment in all throat troubles.   It goes with-
out  saying that the bowels should be kept open and clear.   By the  use  of
these  simple  treatments the trouble will probably be over in a  few  days,
perhaps even without the necessity of putting the child to bed.   Do not  be
afraid if white matter is expectorated during the process of this treatment.
That is just what the child needs to get rid of, in order to be well.


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                                CHAPTER XVIII

                           FORM OF HEALING TO USE

INTRODUCTION:

   The form of healing to advise depends upon the nature of the sickness and
the temperament of the patient.  If it is a case of a broken leg,  a surgeon
is  obviously the one to call.   If there is an internal disorder and it  is
possible  to get a broad-minded physician,  then in certain cases he is  the
one  to get.   If,  on the other hand,  a mental healer,  Christian  Science
healer,  or anyone else who is spiritually minded can be brought in,  HE MAY
HELP A PERSON WHO IS HIMSELF STRONG IN FAITH, for, as a tuning fork which is
of  a certain pitch will respond when another tuning fork of the same  pitch
is struck, so will the person filled with faith respond to the ministrations
of  these last named ones.   But where faith in their methods is lacking  in
the  patient,  it is far better to send for a regular physician in whom  the
patient  has confidence,  for health or sickness depends  almost  altogether
upon the state of mind,  and in the conditions of sickness where a person is
enfeebled, he becomes hypersensitive and should not be thwarted in his pref-
erences.   Besides, whatever good there is in any system of healing, the ef-
fects upon a certain person will be beneficial or the reverse in exact  pro-
portion to his faith in its healing power.


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TAKING MEDICINE:

   Certainly,  it  is our duty to take medicine administered by  a  properly
qualified  person,  or attempt to cure the ills from which we suffer in  any
other way possible that appeals to us.   We should be doing decidedly  wrong
if we allowed our physical instrument to deteriorate for lack of proper care
and attention.   It is the most valuable tool we possess,  and unless we use
it  circumspectly and care for it,  we are amenable to the Law of Cause  and
Effect for that neglect.

LAYING ON OF HANDS:

   There are two very common difficulties in the practice of osteopathy  and
kindred  methods of treatment by the laying on of hands.   In  this  process
there are two distinct operations.  One is a taking away from the patient of
something that is poisonous and injurious, provocative of disease; and there
is also a giving out of vital force by the doctor himself, or herself.   Ev-
erybody  who had done any work of this kind knows this because it  has  been
felt and is felt by every one who is successful.  Now,  unless the doctor or
healer is bubbling over with radiant health,  two things are liable to  hap-
pen;  either the human miasma taken away from the patient may  so  overwhelm
him  or her that to use a common expression "he takes on the  condition"  of
the patient, or he may give too much of his own vital force, and thus become
entirely  depleted.   Both of these conditions may combine,  and then  there
comes  a day when the physician or healer finds himself or herself run  down
and forced to rest.

   Magnetic   healers  who  are  frankly  unscientific  often   escape   the
first-mentioned condition by "throwing  off the magnetism," as they say, but


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all  are liable to be run down.  That is something that nobody  can  escape,
save  on  who can see the etheric effluvia he takes and the vital  fluid  he
gives.   Most people are vampires when they are sick,  and the stronger  and
more  robust they are ordinarily,  the worse they are usually when  sickness
has thrown them upon a bed or sickness.

   The  following hint is of value in keeping away  undesirable  conditions:
First,  fix  your thoughts firmly in such a manner that you will  not  allow
this  miasmatic effluvia which leaves the patient's body to enter your  body
further than the elbow;  second, when you are giving treatment leave the pa-
tient once in a while and wash your hands IN RUNNING WATER IF POSSIBLE;  but
at any rate wash in water,  and change the water as frequently as  possible.
The water has a twofold effect.   In the first place,  the effluvia  leaving
the  patient's  body has an affinity for water.   In the second  place,  the
moisture which stays upon your hands enables you to get the miasma from  the
patient in a larger measure than you otherwise would.   This is on the  very
same principle that if you take the electrodes of an electrical battery  and
put them into water,  you will find the effect of electricity is many  times
intensified if you try to touch the water.

   So also with yourself; you are the electric battery in the case, and your
hands  being  moistened will draw to yourself the miasma in a  much  greater
measure  than otherwise.   If conditions are such that you cannot get  water
you may try to throw the magnetism off, but then it is necessary to be care-
ful,  because when the magnetism is thrown away from you it is attracted  to
the Earth, because it is subject to gravity;  and to the spiritual vision it


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is a dark or rather a black jelly-like fluid.   It lies shimmering and shiv-
ering  on the floor.   If now the patients gets up relieved from  the  couch
where treatment has been given, and goes over the place where this magnetism
has been thrown away,  then the miasma will re-enter the body and he or  she
will be in a worse condition than before you started the treatment.   There-
fore it is the best policy always to throw such miasma our of the window, or
better still, put them into a fireplace and then set fire to them.

   From  the foregoing it is evident that this laying on of hands  is  some-
thing  that should not be done indiscriminately by any one who has not  been
trained  in  one  of  the many  properly  equipped  schools  of  Osteopathy,
Chiropractic, etc.  Probationers who live worthy lives are trained under the
special guidance of the Elder Brothers.

VACCINATION AND ANTITOXIN:

   Bacteriologists  have discovered that many diseases are caused by  micro-
organisms which invade our body,  and also that when this invading army  be-
gins  to create a disturbance the body commences to manufacture germs of  an
opposing nature or a substance which will poison the invaders.  It is them a
question of which are the strongest, the invaders or the defenders.   If the
defending  microbes  are more numerous than the invaders or  if  the  poison
which  is noxious to the invaders is manufactured in sufficient  quantities,
the patient recovers.  If the defenders are vanquished on the body is unable
to  manufacture  a  sufficient quantity of the serum necessary to poison the


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invaders,  the patient succumbs to the disease.   It was further  discovered
than  when a certain person has once successfully recovered from a  specific
malady,  he  is immune from renewed attacks of that disease for  the  reason
that he has in his body the serum which is death to the germs that cause the
disease he has once weathered.

   From the above facts certain conclusions were drawn:

   (1)  If a healthy person is inoculated with a few of the germs of a  cer-
tain disease he will contract that disease in a mild form.   He will then be
able to develop the saving serum and thus he will become immune to that dis-
ease in the future.

   THAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF VACCINATION AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING DISEASE.

   (2)  When a person has contracted a disease and is unable to  manufacture
a  sufficient quantity of the serum which will destroy the  invading  micro-
organisms, his life may be saved by inoculation with the serum obtained from
another who has become immune.

   As  it is not easy to get such antitoxins or cultures from human  beings,
these  germ-cultures and poisons have been obtained from animals,  and  much
has  been written both for and against the use of such methods  of  fighting
disease.   With these we are not here concerned;  the occult viewpoint  goes
deeper than the question at issue,  as seen from the material side of  life.
There  are undoubtedly cases where disease has been prevented by the use  of
antitoxin;  there are also cases where vaccination and antitoxin have caused
the fatality they were designed to prevent, but that is beside the question.


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From  the occult viewpoint vaccination and the use of antitoxin OBTAINED  BY
THE PROCESSES IN USE IN BACTERIOLOGICAL INSTITUTES is to be deplored.  These
methods work a wrong on the helpless animals and POISON THE HUMAN BODY, mak-
ing it difficult for the Ego to use its instrument.

   If we study the chemistry of our food we shall find that nature has  pro-
vided  all necessary medicine,  and if we eat right we shall be immune  from
disease without vaccination.

   When in normal health the body specializes a far greater quantity of  the
solar energy than it can use.   The surplus is radiated form the whole  sur-
face  of the body with great force and prevents the entrance of  microorgan-
isms which lack the strength to battle against the outwelling current;  nay,
more!  on the same principle that an exhaust fan will gather up particles of
dust in a room and hurl them outward does this vital fluid cleanse the  body
of inimical matter, dangerous germs included.,  It must not surprise us that
this  force  is  intelligent and capable of selecting  the  materials  which
should be eliminated,  leaving the beneficial and useful.   Scientist recog-
nize this fact of selective osmosis.   They know that while a sieve will al-
low any particle of matter to pass through which is smaller than the mesh of
the sieve,  the kidneys for instance,  will keep fluids of use to the  body,
while allowing waste products to pass.  In as similar manner the vital fluid
makes a distinction,  it rids the body of the poisons and impurities  gener-
ated inside and repels similar products from without.


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   This  emanation has been called N-rays, or Odie fluid,  by scientist  who
have  discovered it by means of chemical reagents which render it  luminous.
During the process of digestion it is weakest, for then an extra quantity of
the  solar energy is required for use inside the body in the  metabolism  of
the food;  it is the cementing factor in assimilation.  The heartier we have
eater,  the greater is the quantity of vital fluid expended WITHIN THE  BODY
and  the weaker the eliminative and protecting outrushing  current.   Conse-
quently  we  are in the greatest danger from an invasion by an army  of  in-
imical microorganisms when we have gorged ourselves.

   On the other hand, if we eat sparingly and choose the foods which are the
most easily digestible,  the diminution of the protective vital current will
be correspondingly minimized and our immunity from disease will be much  en-
hanced without the necessity of poisoning our body with vaccine.


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                                 CHAPTER XIX

                            THE SCOPE OF HEALING

THE LAW OF DESTINY:

   A  large and increasing number of medical men are now convinced that  the
LAW OF DESTINY is an important factor in producing disease and retarding re-
covery,  though they are not believers in the fallacy of an inexorable fate.
They  recognize that God DOES NOT WILLINGLY AFFLICT US NOR AIM TO  GET  EVEN
WITH THE TRANSGRESSOR; they understand that all sorrow and suffering are de-
signed  to  teach us lessons which we would not or could not  learn  in  any
other way.  The stars show the period estimated as requisite to teach us the
lesson;  but EVEN GOD CANNOT DETERMINE THE EXACT TIME nor the amount of suf-
fering necessary; we, ourselves, have a prerogative, FOR WE ARE DIVINE.   If
we  awake to our transgression and commence to obey the law ere the  stellar
affliction ceases, we are cured of our mental, moral, or physical distemper;
if  we persist to the end of one stellar affliction without  having  learned
our lesson,  a more inimical configuration will enforce obedience at a later
time.

   Cancer  and consumption are seemingly incurable,  yet there is  always  a
possibility that they may yield, and they certainly will yield, if the force
directed against them is sufficient.  Like all other physical manifestation,
they are the result of a spiritual cause, and if we can get at that,  offset


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it with something of an opposite nature, there is a chance,  whereas the at-
titude of resignation and non-assistance will certainly never bring the  pa-
tient  out of his or her condition.   Given life in a salubrious  climate--a
strong  desire  for  health,  a  hope  that  neither  knows  or  permits  of
discouragement--and a simple,  nutritious, healthful diet will cure even the
worst case of consumption.   As for cancer, it is difficult to tell when the
debt of destiny which has caused the trouble has passed,  and there are many
cases on record where cancer has been cured; that is to say,  of course,  in
its milder forms; but even in its advanced forms there is no reason for giv-
ing up hope as long as there is life.

   As for sclerosis,  there are several methods whereby the deposits may  be
eliminated, and these removed, the patient may become as well as ever.  Par-
ticularly is this so if he or she can be brought to recognize the breach  of
the laws of Nature which has caused the disease in the specific case, and it
is to this end that we should labor.   Whether the disease be cured or  not,
if the person can be taught now what laws have been transgressed,  if he  or
she can be led to see what is the spiritual cause of the disease,  and learn
to walk in the ways of virtue, which are according to the laws of God,  then
in  the future there will be no disease for them.   It is that for which  we
are laboring,  that we may hasten the day of liberation;  that we may  bring
all mankind towards a realization of health.

   As to whether or not we should interfere with destiny, let us first real-
ize  who made the destiny!   We did!   We set the force going which has  now
ripened  into  destiny,  and  having made it, we certainly have the right to


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change it in so far as we are able.  In fact,  this is the hall mark of  di-
vinity,  to rule ourselves.   The very greatest majority of mankind is ruled
by the heavenly orbs which may be called "the clock of destiny."  The twelve
signs of the zodiac mark the twelve hours of day and night,  the planets may
be likened to the hour hand and show the year when a certain debt of destiny
is ripe for expression in our life.  The Moon indicates the month,  and  at-
tracts certain influences felt by us without our knowing that they are being
exerted,  or without our realizing what they are for,  but these  influences
will  tend to bring our actions in line with the destiny which we have  made
in previous lives,  and invariably the thing which is foreshown will come to
pass unless--yes,  there is an UNLESS, thank God, for if it were not so,  if
there were no possibility of changing destiny, then let us sit down, "Let us
eat,  drink,  and be merry,  for tomorrow we die."  We should then be in the
hands of inexorable fate and unable to help ourselves.  But, thank God there
is one chance which is not shown in the horoscope,  namely,  that the  human
will may assert itself and frustrate fate.

   As Ella Wheeler Wilcox has expressed in poetic form:

         "One ship sails east and another sails west,
          With the selfsame winds that blow.
         'Tis the set of the sail, and not the gale
          Which determines the way they go."

   It is of utmost importance that we set the sails of the barque of life as
we want and never scruple about interfering with fate.


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   This  disposes  also of the idea of "affirmation"  as a factor  in  life.
This in itself is folly.  It is work and action that we need in life, as you
will readily see by this illustration.  Suppose a little seed of those beau-
tiful carnations were endowed with speech, and it came to you saying:  "I am
a  carnation."   Would you not answer:   "No,  you are not a carnation,  you
foolish little thing.   You have the potentiality in you,  but you will have
to go out in the garden and bury yourself for awhile and grow.  By that pro-
cess  alone you can become a carnation,  never by  affirmation."   Similarly
with ourselves.  All the "affirmations" of divinity are vain unless accompa-
nies  by actions of a divine character, and they will prove our divinity  as
words never can.

RELATION TO SPIRITUALITY TO HEALTH:

   The  rupture of physically robust health is necessary before it  is  pos-
sible to attain poise in the spiritual world, and the stronger and more vig-
orous  the instrument,  the more drastic must be the method of  breaking  it
down.   Then come years when there is an unbalanced fluctuating condition of
health,  until  finally we are able to adjust ourselves so  as  to  maintain
health in the Physical World while we retain the ability to function also in
the higher realms.

   When we understand the higher philosophies, when we live the life that is
taught by them,  our body becomes extremely sensitive and must be given more
care  than is necessary to the body of an Indian,  or Negro in the wilds  of
Africa.   They  have no delicately organized nervous system like  the  white
race.  Those who are interested along the lines of spiritual development are


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particularly high-strung,  therefore, as we progress it becomes necessary to
take more and more care of this instrument.   But we also learn the laws  of
its nature and how to conform to them.  If we apply our knowledge it is pos-
sible  for  us  to have a sensitive instrument and keep  it  in  comparative
health.

   There  are cases,  however,  when a sickness is necessary to bring  about
certain  changes  in the body which are the precursors of a higher  step  in
spiritual unfoldment,  and under such conditions,  of course,  sickness is a
blessing  and not a curse.   In general, however,  it may be said  that  the
study of the higher philosophy will always tend to better one's health,  be-
cause  "knowledge is power"  and the more we know the better we are able  to
cope with all conditions,  provided, of course,  we bring our knowledge into
practice and LIVE THE LIFE--that we are not merely hearers of the word,  but
doers  also,  for no teaching is of benefit to us unless it is carried  into
our lives and lived from day to day.

NERVOUSNESS HELPED BY EXERCISES:

   If a person of a nervous temperament will endeavor to perform calmly  and
quietly the exercises of Retrospection and Concentration, he will experience
a  very  beneficial effect,  particularly if he will strive to  RELAX  EVERY
MUSCLE of the body during the exercises.

   If the patient will completely relax his muscles,  calmly and quietly re-
view  the  day's happenings in the evening exercise and concentrate  upon  a
high  ideal in the morning exercise,  the nervousness will gradually  disap-
pear.


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