(Note: This article by David McMillin was originally published in True Health newsletter.)
While giving a series of lectures in Canada recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with a man who had participated in one of the residential research programs sponsored by the A.R.E. and Meridian Institute a few years ago. Having been diagnosed with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, this man has experienced significant healing as a result of working with the treatment protocol provided to him during the program. He continues to apply the Cayce principles and techniques for his condition with notable success.
One of the things that stood out as he told me his story was his description of the mysterious and often almost imperceptible pattern of healing. Because I have heard similar stories from other program participants, I was fascinated by his account and eager to let him know that others have made a similar healing journey.
One of the common themes in this man’s story is the problem of subjectivity. As he tells it, he was the last to recognize and acknowledge the benefits of the various therapies. It is like watching your children grow up – you don’t notice the progress nearly as much as others who are not so close, who have more objectivity.
So it often is with healing – the process is so gradual that we fail to perceive the changes that are taking place literally under our noses. With this man, friends and relatives had to inform him of the progress and affirm that he was being healed. They could clearly see that his body, mind, and spirit were undergoing transformation. It took some time for his subjective view to catch up with the objective reality that others could clearly observe. Look for and encourage feedback from trusted others as you pursue healing.
Another common theme of the healing journey is the gradual and incremental way that healing often manifests. When seriously ill, we would all like to have an instant and complete cure – the medical equivalent of throwing away the crutches and running down the isle after being healed by a TV evangelist. Sometimes healing does come in this way. However, the journey to wellness may also be experienced as a series of “little healings.” The little healings may not even be directly linked to the official diagnosed condition.
The Canadian man cited above said that one of the first signs that something good was happening was when he noticed that he ceased to have almost daily headaches that had plagued him for years. From a mainstream medical perspective, headaches are not associated with arthritis in any direct, biological way. If there is a link, it must be psychosomatic (i.e., stress). The Cayce approach to arthritis and headache recognizes the possible role of toxicity in both types of illness. Thus, cleansing the body can help both conditions. This was a very positive side effect of treatment that was also relevant to his presenting problem. Improvement in quality of life is probably the most common domain of little healings (see the discussion of quality of life as a form of “Multidimensional Healing” in the April 2002 issue of this newsletter).
There are quality of life scales available for many medical conditions. Filling out a quality of life inventory is a practical way to get in touch with the possibilities of little healings for your condition.
We had numerous participants in the residential research programs describe little healings, once they became conscious of the importance of these gradual steps toward normalcy. For example, a woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) noticed some very pleasant “minor” changes, such as taking fewer and shorter naps (not the three-to-four hour daily requirements they once were). Others observed that she looked rested and her skin coloring was not as splotchy. Her level of motivation for doing home projects and yard work increased. She noticed that she had even perspired while doing manual labor, which is unusual for persons with MS. She remarked, “These may not be big changes to some, but I’m pleased as punch.”
Another person, with Parkinson’s disease, listed twenty different little healings, ranging from having a stronger speaking voice to resuming driving her car. Her sense of humor returned and she started remembering her dreams again.
Edgar Cayce often noted that in conditions requiring nervous system regeneration, the journey to health would be marked by little indications that healing was taking place, especially in the first few months. Such little healings are uplifting and motivating if we will but attend to them and allow them to reinforce positive attitudes and expectations. It is essential to celebrate the little healings as they come. They pave the road of the healing journey.
Engaging the mind in the healing process is extremely important. Creating a “healing list” is a simple technique for focusing the power of the mind. To apply this technique, become mindful of the various forms of healing that you may experience. Write down your healing list to make it more real. Your list may include the big, obvious manifestations of healing as well as gradual, little healings.
Once you are conscious of the many possible positive outcomes that you can experience on your healing journey, be sure to acknowledge healing as it happens. When you experience any healing on your list, rejoice and celebrate it in the moment – in the “midst of life.” Then, later, during a treatment session for your condition (whether it be the wet cell battery, massage, eating a healthy meal, prayer, or meditation, etc.), recall and relive the experience of healing. You will be affirming that healing is happening and this will enhance the healing process. Cayce explicitly told individuals to imagine the positive therapeutic effects of a treatment while doing the therapy.
Healing of chronic, degenerative conditions is a lengthy process requiring patience. A couple of images from the Cayce readings are relevant here – the process of regeneration occurs “line upon line,” “brick by brick.” The little healings will add up if the mind continually affirms them. Remember, mind is the builder. A healing list can provide a clear focus for the mind.
Remember that a long journey requires rest stops and may involve backtracking if we lose our way. So it is with healing. Sometimes we get worse before we get better. We may experience a setback or relapse. The healing journey is seldom linear. It often has its ups and downs.
Be kind and gentle with yourself and others on this journey. When needed, use the objectivity of others to get your bearings. Appreciate and celebrate the signposts along the way that I have called “little healings.” Plan your trip and chart your progress with a healing list that can serve as a road map. If your healing journey is a winding road, enjoy the scenery if you can. The experience of the trip may be more important than arriving at the destination.