ent.

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