The Origin of Healing
Consciously or unconsciously, every being is capable of healing
himself or others. This instinct is inborn in insects, birds,
and beasts, as well as in man. All these find their own medicine
and heal themselves and each other in various ways. In ancient
days the doctors and healers learned much from animals about
the treatment of disease. This shows that natural intuition
has manifested in the lower creation as well as in the higher.
The scientists of today should not, therefore, claim with pride
that they are the inventors of chemical remedies, but should
humbly bow their heads in prayer, seeing that each atom of this
universe, conscious of its sickness, procures for itself from
within or without a means for its restoration. In other words,
medicines were not discovered by physicians, but were intuitively
found in creation as the necessity for them arose.
The excess of man's artificial remedies has had the effect
of increasing disease. This is also mainly due to the modern
artificial ways of life, so different from the natural living
of the ancients which is ridiculed today by so-called civilization.
Today the luxuries and needs of life are obtained at the sacrifice
of true health and comfort.
Healing without drugs and medicines is the most natural method,
although the absolute neglect of them is inadvisable. There
are cases in which surgical instruments are also permissible
but only when absolutely necessary. If horses can move wagons,
why should engines be used? In the same way if a disease can
be cured with a simple remedy the mental power should not be
wasted, for it may be used in a more serious case. If every
malady were to be healed mentally then why were all drugs and
herbs created? On the other hand diseases which will yield more
easily to mental treatment should not be left entirely to material
remedies, for their root must first be healed. So many patients
recover temporarily by the help of medicine but again become
sick, and in such cases healing is especially needed. It is
much to be deplored that in the present age such important work
as healing has been undertaken by people who are often most
materially minded and do not understand its psychology, making
it a profession and thus bringing discredit upon it.
Self-healing is more desirable than healing by others; the
former strengthens the will, the latter weakens it. Many people
think that hypnotic and psychic power alone can heal; but they
do not realize how the healer must first heal himself by the
practice of the strictest morality from the lowest to the highest
phase of his existence. He must purify himself by Iman, or faith.
Then only can he claim to be a healer.
There are five kinds of disease caused by various disorders
on different planes of existence. Some diseases on the physical
plane are contracted from without, while others spring from
within. There are several supposed causes, but in reality the
true cause of disease is weakness, while the cause of health
is strength. This does not mean physical weakness or strength
only, but strength and weakness on all planes of existence.
Activity causes what is called life, while the reverse brings
about death, the former causes circulation and the latter congestion.
Circulation gives health, while congestion causes disease.
The scientists of today are giving electric treatment as
a comparatively new discovery, and it is claimed that it is
the most beneficial of all remedies. Healing is also electric
treatment, and has been given throughout the different planes
of life for ages. Every being has a natural gift of healing
in a greater or lesser degree, but it may be developed. The
physical and mental faculties should be opened in such a way
that the electric vibrations on the various planes of existence
are enabled to operate. Physical vibrations depend upon the
purity and energy of the body, and they can be projected through
the finer parts of the body such as the palms of the hands,
the tips of the fingers, the soles of the feet, the cheek, the
forehead, the ear, the lips, nose, and eyes. The finest of all
these is the eye; it is much more useful than all the other
organs, for it is through the eyes that the electric rays can
be emitted. The nose has also an important part to perform,
it being the very channel of breath. The ears can work when
the healer is spiritually advanced, and the vibrations can also
pass through the tips of the fingers.
The Oriental custom of placing the eyes upon the holy hands
or feet of the sage is not only expressive of humility, but
it has a still greater meaning. It signifies the healing by
the holy hands or feet, which illuminate the devotee. The sages
who bless those aspiring souls by placing their hands upon the
head, inspire them by sending forth the rays of their power
through the fingertips. In kissing the hands or feet of the
Holy Ones the Orientals have the same object in view. In the
same way the caress of the mother heals the child of all its
pains and soothes it to sleep. Courage and consolation are given
to another by placing the hands on his shoulders, the vibrations
in this action give new life and courage.
Physical Healing
A patient can only be healed if he has sufficient faith in
the power of healing and confidence in the healer. In the case
of self-healing, self-confidence and the power of breath and
concentration are most necessary. There is a well-known story
that Shams-i Tabriz, the Shiva of Persia, was once most respectfully
entreated by the priests of the day to awaken the crown prince,
who had just died from his last long sleep. The Shah, his father,
issued a decree that if there was any truth at all in religion
his only son must be restored to life by prayer, otherwise all
the mosques would be destroyed and the mullahs be put to the
sword. In order to save many lives Shams-i Tabriz complied with
their request and sought the dead body of the prince. He first
said to the body of the prince, 'Kun ba Ismi Allah' (Awake at
the call of God). The dead body did not move. He then, under
the spell of ecstasy, exclaimed, 'Kun ba Ismi' (Awake at my
command). At this suggestion the prince immediately arose. The
story goes on to relate that this abrupt command, although it
restored the prince to life, brought the charge that he had
claimed to be God against Shams-i Tabriz, and according to the
religious law, he was condemned to be flayed alive. He gladly
submitted to this punishment in order to keep religion intact,
as it is the only means of elevating the multitude.
By this we understand that Shams-i Tabriz in his first suggestion
to the dead spoke conventionally, entreating God as a third
person, which had not the slightest effect on the dead body.
But in his next command he lost his individual self from his
consciousness and felt himself to be the whole Being of God.
This story made it clear that the healer must be confident of
his at-one-ness with God, and during the time of healing he
should most assuredly feel the power of the Almighty working
through him, thus absolutely losing the thought of his individual
self.
The electric battery, which heals is charged in three ways:
by controlling the breath, by strengthening the will, and by
absorbing the electricity of the sphere.
In order to make use of this healing battery it is most essential
that the eyes should be made to work so that they project the
electricity. They must be first cured of their nervousness,
that ever-moving condition to which they are addicted from birth.
They eyes are naturally weakened and made tired by allowing
them to respond from morning to night, to every attraction which
invites their attention. The healer, in order to make use of
them for healing, first trains them to be steady.
The electricity can be absorbed by striking with the fingers
the finer vibrations in space; and it can be discharged in the
same way by slowly passing the tips of the fingers through the
space above the affected part of the patient's body. Sometimes
passing the fingers closer to the body, and sometimes slightly
touching the affected part is helpful. It depends upon the intensity
of pain suffered by the patient and the amount of electricity
required. It is very necessary that each time the fingers have
passed over the affected part they should be shaken in order
to disperse the poisons collected there; in other words poisonous
germs collected on the fingers should be thrown away. It is
advisable to shake the fingers over a fire so that the germs
may not be left on the floor, and also to have incense burning
in the room. Some healers, in order to protect the fingers,
make use of peacock feathers, which sweep away all such germs.
The healer can test his healing power by feeling the electric
current running through his fingers as he shakes them. A healer
even when playing an instrument can heal the listeners with
his music. If a healer gives a gift with a good wish it brings
good luck, and if he writes a word it becomes a charm, a healer
in itself which heals the possessor and keeps him free from
death and disaster
Mental Healing
Mental healing is performed by suggestion. In most cases
the parents are the first healers, for they convey their thought
to the child by the knitting of the brow or by looking at him
fixedly. Even animals can be trained in the same way.
There are many diseases of the human mind produced by self-consciousness.
They develop unconsciously, and are such as love of praise and
flattery, intolerance of insult, irritability, infatuation,
jealousy, anger, passion, and greed, besides the craving for
alcohol and drugs. In order to cure such diseases the healer
must have great control over himself, or his own shortcomings
may keep the patient back. The Holy Prophet was once requested
by an aged woman to speak to her son, who spent all his daily
wage on dates, leaving her penniless. The Prophet promised to
do so after five weeks' interval. On the appointed day the boy
was brought before the Prophet, who spoke to him very kindly,
saying: 'You are such a sensible lad that you ought to remember
that your mother has endured much suffering for your sake, sacrificing
all her wages in order to bring you up. And now she is so old
and you are in a position to support her, and you are squandering
your money on dates. Is this just or right? I hope by the grace
and mercy of Allah you will give up this habit.' The boy listened
very attentively and profited by what he heard. But the disciples
of the Prophet wondered, and asked why the reproof was delayed
for thirty-five days. The Holy Prophet explained, saying, 'I
myself am fond of dates, and I felt that I had no right to advise
the lad to abstain from them until I had myself refrained from
eating them for five weeks.' The healer of character should
never for a single moment try to heal another of weaknesses
to which he is himself addicted.
Spiritual Healing
Spiritual healing is still higher in its nature than either
of the former methods. It can be performed by a single being
as well as by a group of people. In this case the heart of the
healer can send forth its feelings and vibrations, and in accordance
with their intensity the subject is healed. In absent spiritual
healing the desire spreads forth its rays and reaches the patient
wherever he may be, curing him without the presence of the healer.
The concentration of several people united together works still
more wonderfully.
The power of the healer depends upon the warmth of his heart.
Devotees by their power of concentration, by their purity of
life, and by their divine love become wonderful healers. Their
every tear and sigh become a source of healing for themselves
and those around them. Devotion is the fire in which all infirmities
are consumed and the devotee becomes illuminated within himself;
and the joy of the devotee and his pain cannot possibly be compared
with any other joy in life. Spiritual healing does not require
the fixed gaze, the touch of the fingers, or the power of breath,
but Tawajjuh (a kind of glance), or Dua (a good
thought) of the spiritual healer serves the purpose.
Abstract Healing
In abstract healing the soul, heart, and body are healed
of all diseases and weaknesses therein. This healing is only
possible during the ecstasy of the healer. The strong psychical
vibrations which run through the pores of his body from his
inner self naturally pierce through the bodies, hearts, and
souls, of all around him, who receive them in accordance with
their power of receptivity. Murshids have frequently inspired
their mureeds without reading or discussing, and such mureeds
have reached perfection. It is a wonderful phenomenon, which
an exceptional mureed once in a while experiences under the
guidance of his Murshid.
There is a story told of Hafiz Shirazi, who, together with
ten other Hafiz, was being trained under the same Murshid. A
certain time was set apart for their meditation and other practices,
and a certain time for food and sleep. Hafiz Shirazi kept awake
during the night in rapt contemplation of Allah. After years
of patient waiting, one evening the Murshid, in ecstasy, called
for Hafiz. The wakeful Hafiz was the only one who heard, and
he answered the call and was blessed by the Murshid, who chose
this ideal time to inspire all his mureeds. Each time he called
for Hafiz the same Hafiz answered the call, all the others being
asleep. So the wakeful one received an eleven-fold blessing,
his own and that of the ten others who lost this precious opportunity
by their sleep. And Hafiz became the greatest spiritual healer
of his time, whose every word, from that day to this, has been
powerful to heal.
checked 18-Oct-2005
