Unity of LO Lesson
Truth Ideas of an M.D.
By Dr. C.O. Southard
(Unity School of Christianity - 1934)
The Doctor Talks on Healing
The statement has frequently been made that all healing comes from within. This is absolutely true. External applications or appliances, or drugs taken internally, may relieve, but they do not heal. The true healing comes from within the body.
Let us consider the case of a broken bone. The surgeon does not heal the fracture. He puts the fragments into the best possible position for recovery, arranges supports to hold them there, attends to the comfort of the patient, and waits for the healing to take place. Experience has taught him that this requires a certain length of time, so he sees that the bones are kept in place, and that the patient is properly tended, knowing that at the end of this time, the ends will have reunited, unless there has been something to interfere.
Healing is due to a natural power inherent in all living things. If an organism be injured or indisposed, its tendency is toward recovery. This tendency is known as the healing power of nature. It is a power given by the Father to His creatures. If it were not for this divine provision all life would have disappeared from the earth ages ago. This fact has been recognized by some of our medical men, who declare that disease is self-limited; that if a patient's strength can be maintained, he will recover.
This power is manifested also in another way, which we know as resistance to disease. When a person's condition is such that without harm he can undergo exposure which might make another ill, we say that he has a high resistance. When the resistance is said to be low, he may be upset by very little disturbance or exposure. So this healing power tends not only to heal the ills of the body, but also to prevent them.
The physician of today knows these things, and, in his treatment of his patients, he uses medicines only to meet certain conditions, to control certain symptoms, not with any idea that they will cure the patient.
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The tendency to resist disease is shown in all illness; that is, the patient shows progress toward recovery if his resistance be high or if his power of resistance can be raised. Hence the modern physician builds the strength of his patient and looks after his morale, for it is now recognized that the state of the mind of the patient plays a part in his recovery.
It is only comparatively recently that the patient's mental attitude has been given proper attention. We now know that the patient's fear or worry over the possible outcome of an illness may delay or prevent healing by still further depressing his vital forces, which are already at a low point. Faith in the probability of recovery and freedom from worry hasten recovery by giving the healing power full sway. The will to be well is half the battle; there is no more unsatisfactory patient than one who has no desire to recover, or who is full of the fear that he cannot recover.
Since these things are true, it would seem reasonable to expect healing to be accomplished by spiritual or metaphysical means. This form of healing has been derided, and even denied, by many who did not care to investigate. If we look into the matter we are forced to the conclusion that spiritual healing, even of organic conditions, is an indisputable fact.
Healing by faith has been known for ages. It has been practiced in connection with nearly every religion that recognizes the existence of a supreme power. Cures surely must have been obtained in some cases, or the method would have been abandoned long ago. We find records of such healings in both the Old Testament and in the New Testament, and in many other scriptures, ancient and modern. In the Chandogya Upanishad, one of the oldest of metaphysical works, we read: "Mahidasha Aitareya, who knew this (Truth), said to a disease, 'Why do you afflict me, as I shall not die from you?' He lived one hundred and sixteen years."
Spiritual healing is, then, a fact. When we analyze it we find that it is strictly in accordance with natural laws. As I said at the beginning, all true healing comes from within. Each one of us has within himself the natural power to make himself well and to remain well. This power is in the subconscious mind. This is a non-reasoning power that seems to act either entirely automatically, as in its normal duties of keeping the involuntary processes of the body in operation, or on suggestions given to it. it will build into the body the results of any suggestions made to it, whether for good or for evil.
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Most of the ills that afflict mankind are the results of past suggestions to the subconscious mind, repeated so often that they have become subconscious habits of thought. Of course we did not give these suggestions to the subconscious mind knowingly or intentionally, but the line of thought of those around us became impressed upon it; or the subconscious mind was impressed by our manner of living, or our point of view sank into it deeply, without our knowledge. What we call negative thoughts--envy, jealousy, fear, hatred, anger--all produce an effect on the subconscious mind that the latter tries to reproduce faithfully in the body.
Since we know this, the seemingly logical thing to do would be to reverse the process, and to impress this almost too willing servant with positive, constructive thoughts of love, hope, faith, kindness. Give the subconscious mind a chance to build for good instead of allowing it to destroy; for destroy it will-even life itself if it is allowed to go on in the wrong way. This reversing process can be carried out; it is the basis of pure mental or psychic, healing. It is successful to a certain degree, but we can go still farther.
In mental healing, suggestions are impressed on the subconscious mind through the conscious mind exclusively, but there is a still higher power in each of us. There is the superconscious mind, the spark of the divine in each, the Christ within us. We should not overlook this power. The superconscious mind builds only for good, and it has the whole force of the supreme power behind it. The subconscious mind works under the direction of the superconscious mind, just as it does under the orders of the conscious mind. Why not call in the aid of this higher power and turn the work over to it? When this is done seeming miracles happen. This is the true basis of spiritual healing.
The connection between the superconscious and the subconscious is made by meditation and prayer, not the old-fashioned, begging kind, but the fervent request for help, coupled with the faith that aid is being received. At the same time it is necessary to stop trying to control affairs consciously. If this is done the subconscious mind will follow the directions of the superconscious mind and will build up, undoing the bad work of the past.
This highest mind-the superconscious mind-is all-powerful. When it takes hold, its impressions on the subconscious mind are so powerful that good results follow quickly. If we develop sufficient faith in the Christ in us and give Him full opportunity to work, there is no reason why instantaneous cures should not take place.
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Weekly Quote
"I am old but I am forever young at heart. We are always the same age inside. Know that you are the perfect age. Each year is special and precious, you can only live it once. Do not regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many."
By: Richard Gere
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Unity of Lake Orion's services are created with intention.
Using the teachings of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore
of spiritual healing through prayer and meditation.
