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==The Role of the Psychotherapist==

==The Role of the Psychotherapist==

1. The psychotherapist is a leader in the sense that he walks slightly ahead of the patient, and helps him to avoid a few of the pitfalls along the road by seeing them first. Ideally, he is also a follower, for One should walk ahead of him to give him light to see. Without this One, both will merely stumble blindly on to nowhere. It is, however, impossible that this One be wholly absent if the goal is healing. He may, however, not be recognized. And so the little light that can be then accepted is all there is to light the way to truth.

1. The psychotherapist is a [[leader]] in the sense that he walks slightly ahead of the patient, and helps him to avoid a few of the pitfalls along the road by seeing them first. [[Ideally]], he is also a follower, for One should walk ahead of him to give him [[light]] to see. Without this One, both will merely stumble [[blindly]] on to nowhere. It is, however, impossible that this One be wholly absent if the goal is [[healing]]. He may, however, not be recognized. And so the little light that can be then [[accepted]] is all there is to light the way to [[truth]].

2. Healing is limited by the limitations of the psychotherapist, as it is limited by those of the patient. The aim of the process, therefore, is to transcend these limits. Neither can do this alone, but when they join, the potentiality for transcending all limitations has been given them.

2. [[Healing]] is limited by the [[limitations]] of the psychotherapist, as it is limited by those of the patient. The aim of the [[process]], therefore, is to [[transcend]] these limits. Neither can do this alone, but when they join, the [[potentiality]] for [[transcending]] all limitations has been given them.

Now the extent of their success depends on how much of this potentiality they are willing to use. The willingness may come from either one at the beginning, and as the other shares it, it will grow. Progress becomes a matter of decision; it can reach almost to Heaven or go no further than a step or two from hell.

Now the extent of their success depends on how much of this potentiality they are willing to use. The willingness may come from either one at the beginning, and as the other [[shares]] it, it will [[grow]]. Progress becomes a matter of [[decision]]; it can reach almost to [[Heaven]] or go no further than a step or two from [[hell]].

3. It is quite possible for psychotherapy to seem to fail. It is even possible for the result to look like retrogression. But in the end there must be some success. One asks for help; another hears and tries to answer in the form of help. This is the formula for salvation, and must heal.

3. It is quite possible for [[psychotherapy]] to seem to fail. It is even possible for the result to look like [[retrogression]]. But in the end there must be some [[success]]. One asks for help; another hears and tries to answer in the form of help. This is the formula for [[salvation]], and must heal.

Divided goals alone can interfere with perfect healing. One wholly egoless therapist could heal the world without a word, merely by being there. No one need see him or talk to him or even know of his existence. His simple Presence is enough to heal.

Divided goals alone can [[interfere]] with [[perfect]] [[healing]]. One wholly egoless therapist could heal the world without a [[word]], merely by being there. No one need see him or talk to him or even know of his [[existence]]. His simple [[Presence]] is enough to heal.

 

4. The [[ideal]] therapist is one with [[Christ]]. But healing is a [[process]], not a [[fact]]. The therapist cannot [[progress]] without the patient, and the patient cannot be ready to [[receive]] the [[Christ]] or he could not be sick. In a sense, the egoless psychotherapist is an [[abstraction]] that stands at the end of the process of healing, too advanced to [[believe]] in sickness and too near to [[God]] to keep his feet on earth. Now he can help through those in need of help, for thus he carries out the plan established for [[salvation]]. The psychotherapist [[becomes]] his patient, working through other patients to [[express]] his thoughts as he receives them from the Mind of Christ.

==The Process of Illness==

==The Process of Illness==

1. As all therapy is psychotherapy, so all illness is mental illness. It is a judgment on the Son of God, and judgment is a mental activity. Judgment is a decision, made again and again, against creation and its Creator. It is a decision to perceive the universe as you would have created it. It is a decision that truth can lie and must be lies. What, then, can illness be except an expression of sorrow and of guilt? And who could weep but for his innocence?

1. As all therapy is psychotherapy, so all illness is mental illness. It is a judgment on the Son of God, and judgment is a mental activity. Judgment is a decision, made again and again, against creation and its Creator. It is a decision to perceive the universe as you would have created it. It is a decision that truth can lie and must be lies. What, then, can illness be except an expression of sorrow and of guilt? And who could weep but for his innocence?