You will also realize why I started my analysis of disease and healing by a presentation of the psychological causes. [551] This first rule is related to that entire section of the teaching and is, as you can see, intensely practical.

If the healer is clairvoyant, he can with facility ascertain the point of entry of the healing forces, because the "entering light" will then be the brightest, the light of the center itself will convey the needed information. If he is a very advanced healer, he will not use any form of psychic perception but will react immediately upon contact to an impression so powerful, coming from the patient, that it cannot be denied and is probably entirely correct and to be depended upon. It must be remembered, however, that owing to the integrity of the human soul, and to the fact that every soul is in its own nature a Master, there will be always a margin of error where the healer is concerned, even if he is an initiate-healer; there will be evidence to him of a point where the spiritual man (of which the patient is only [552] a reflection) controls, and beyond which - except as a soul on an equal basis with the patient's soul - he cannot and dare not go. There are conditions, for instance, in which an advanced disciple or a high initiate (for definite purpose of vacating his physical vehicle) may be permitting the forces of disintegration, of limitation and of destruction to be breaking down and destroying his physical outer form. When this is the case, the healer may not be aware of the intention; he will, however, be aware of opposition and will be forced to desist from his efforts to heal.

When the patient is a strictly mental type, and the approach to the healing process must be through a higher center, the head center, the healer will be wise to gain the conscious cooperation of the patient so that their two wills will function in unison; this will entail a positive relationship between the two. When the patient is not so highly developed, the healer will have to strive for a spirit of hopeful acquiescence in the man; the emotional nature will be stronger in this case than in the more advanced type and the task of the healer consequently harder. He will have, very frequently, to combat anxiety, emotional reactions of diverse kinds, fear and forebodings. The psychological condition will therefore be fluid, and the healer will have much to do to aid the patient to preserve a constancy of emotional reaction and to become calm and quiescent. This quiet reaction has to be attained if the healing energies are to pass effectively to the right center and its controlled area. This can be brought about by the establishing of a harmonious rapport between the healer and the patient, prior to any healing process. Healers in the New Age will also establish their own clientele, just as physicians do today, and so learn to know the constitution and the temperament of those they may be called upon to help; they will also educate them in certain healing processes and techniques [553] in preparation for their use later, if needed; this time, however, still lies far ahead.

It will be obvious to you that broad generalizations such as the above do not cover every type of man and the many intermediate types and stages. The healer will need to be a true lover of his fellowmen and a trained psychologist as well; this means that he will have to practice as a soul and also as a perceptive mind. [554]

Another point should here be noted. One problem which the healer will have to face with mental types will be the tendency to preserve all energies coming from the soul either in the head, or at least above the diaphragm; this does not mean that all the areas of the body below the diaphragm are not habitually supplied with the needed energies, but that there the functioning is largely automatic and the man is not in the habit of consciously directing energy to the center and the area it controls, when below the diaphragm. It may be necessary to instruct him so to do, if he is attempting to collaborate with the healer and seeks to bring about a cure. His mental focus and the activity of the head center will be a great help, provided he accepts instruction in the art of energy direction. This he can usually do if not too ill or too preoccupied with the preservation of a conscious contact with his body. When he is unable to focus his attention, either through pain or through lack of physical consciousness or profound weakness, the healer will have to work primarily as soul with soul, and trust that the rapport between the patient's soul and the etheric body will be adequate to promote a cure, if that is the destiny of the man.