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==The Process of Healing==

==The Process of Healing==

1. While truth is simple, it must still be taught to those who have already lost their way in endless mazes of complexity. This is the great illusion. In its wake comes the inevitable belief that, to be safe, one must control the unknown. This strange belief relies on certain steps which never reach to consciousness. First, it is ushered in by the belief that there are forces to be overcome to be alive at all. And next, it seems as if these forces can be held at bay only by an inflated sense of self that holds in darkness what is truly felt, and seeks to raise illusions to the light.

1. While [[truth]] is [[simple]], it must still be taught to those who have already lost their way in endless [[mazes]] of [[complexity]]. This is the great [[illusion]]. In its wake comes the inevitable [[belief]] that, to be safe, one must [[control]] the [[unknown]]. This strange belief relies on certain [[steps]] which never reach to [[consciousness]]. First, it is ushered in by the belief that there are [[forces]] to be overcome to be alive at all. And next, it seems as if these forces can be held at bay only by an inflated sense of [[self]] that holds in [[darkness]] what is truly felt, and seeks to raise illusions to the [[light]].

2. Let us remember that the ones who come to us for help are bitterly afraid. What they believe will help can only harm; what they believe will harm alone can help. Progress becomes impossible until the patient is persuaded to reverse his twisted way of looking at the world; his twisted way of looking at himself. The truth is simple. Yet it must be taught to those who think it will endanger them. It must be taught to those who will attack because they feel endangered, and to those who need the lesson of defenselessness above all else, to show them what is strength.

2. Let us [[remember]] that the ones who come to us for help are bitterly [[afraid]]. What they [[believe]] will help can only harm; what they believe will harm alone can help. [[Progress]] becomes impossible until the patient is persuaded to [[reverse]] his twisted way of looking at the world; his twisted way of looking at himself. The [[truth]] is [[simple]]. Yet it must be taught to those who think it will endanger them. It must be taught to those who will [[attack]] because they feel endangered, and to those who need the lesson of [[defenselessness]] above all else, to show them what is [[strength]].

3. If this world were ideal, there could perhaps be ideal therapy. And yet it would be useless in an ideal state. We speak of ideal teaching in a world in which the perfect teacher could not long remain; the perfect psychotherapist is but a glimmer of a thought not yet conceived. But still we speak of what can yet be done in helping the insane within the bounds of the attainable.

3. If this world were [[ideal]], there could perhaps be ideal [[therapy]]. And yet it would be useless in an ideal state. We speak of ideal teaching in a world in which the [[perfect]] [[teacher]] could not long remain; the perfect psychotherapist is but a glimmer of a [[thought]] not yet conceived. But still we speak of what can yet be done in helping the [[insane]] within the bounds of the [[attainable]].

While they are sick, they can and must be helped. No more than that is asked of psychotherapy; no less than all he has to give is worthy of the therapist. For God Himself holds out his brother as his savior from the world.

While they are sick, they can and must be helped. No more than that is asked of [[psychotherapy]]; no less than all he has to give is [[worthy]] of the therapist. For God Himself holds out his brother as his savior from the world.

4. Healing is holy. Nothing in the world is holier than helping one who asks for help. And two come very close to God in this attempt, however limited, however lacking in sincerity.

4. [[Healing]] is holy. Nothing in the world is holier than helping one who asks for help. And [[two]] come very close to [[God]] in this attempt, however limited, however lacking in [[sincerity]].

Where two have joined for healing, God is there. And He has guaranteed that He will hear and answer them in truth. They can be sure that healing is a process He directs, because it is according to His Will. We have His Word to guide us, as we try to help our brothers. Let us not forget that we are helpless of ourselves, and lean upon a strength beyond our little scope for what to teach as well as what to learn.

Where two have joined for healing, God is there. And He has guaranteed that He will hear and answer them in [[truth]]. They can be sure that healing is a [[process]] He directs, because it is according to His Will. We have His Word to [[guide]] us, as we try to help our brothers. Let us not forget that we are helpless of ourselves, and lean upon a [[strength]] beyond our little scope for what to teach as well as what to learn.

5. A brother seeking aid can bring us gifts beyond the heights perceived in any dream. He offers us salvation, for he comes to us as Christ and Savior. What he asks is asked by God through him. And what we do for him becomes the gift we give to God. The sacred calling of God's holy Son for help in his perceived distress can be but answered by his Father. Yet He needs a voice through which to speak His holy Word; a hand to reach His Son and touch his heart. In such a process, who could not be healed? This holy interaction is the plan of God Himself, by which His Son is saved.

5. A brother seeking aid can bring us gifts beyond the heights [[perceived]] in any [[dream]]. He offers us [[salvation]], for he comes to us as [[Christ]] and Savior. What he asks is asked by God through him. And what we do for him [[becomes]] the gift we give to God. The sacred [[calling]] of God's holy Son for help in his [[perceived]] distress can be but answered by his Father. Yet He needs a [[voice]] through which to speak His holy Word; a hand to reach His Son and [[touch]] his [[heart]]. In such a [[process]], who could not be healed? This holy [[interaction]] is the plan of God Himself, by which His Son is saved.

6. For two have joined. And now God's promises are kept by Him. The limits laid on both the patient and the therapist will count as nothing, for the healing has begun. What they must start their Father will complete. For He has never asked for more than just the smallest willingness, the least advance, the tiniest of whispers of His Name. To ask for help, whatever form it takes, is but to call on Him. And He will send His Answer through the therapist who best can serve His Son in all his present needs. Perhaps the answer does not seem to be a gift from Heaven. It may even seem to be a worsening and not a help. Yet let the outcome not be judged by us.

6. For [[two]] have joined. And now God's [[promises]] are kept by Him. The [[limits]] laid on both the patient and the therapist will count as nothing, for the [[healing]] has begun. What they must start their Father will complete. For He has never asked for more than just the smallest willingness, the least advance, the tiniest of [[whispers]] of His Name. To ask for help, whatever form it takes, is but to call on Him. And He will send His [[Answer]] through the therapist who best can serve His Son in all his present needs. Perhaps the answer does not seem to be a gift from [[Heaven]]. It may even seem to be a worsening and not a help. Yet let the outcome not be judged by us.

7. Somewhere all gifts of God must be received. In time no effort can be made in vain. It is not our perfection that is asked in our attempts to heal. We are deceived already, if we think there is a need of healing. And the truth will come to us only through one who seems to share our dream of sickness. Let us help him to forgive himself for all the trespasses with which he would condemn himself without a cause. His healing is our own. And as we see the sinlessness in him come shining through the veil of guilt that shrouds the Son of God, we will behold in him the face of Christ, and understand that it is but our own.

7. Somewhere all gifts of God must be [[received]]. In [[time]] no [[effort]] can be made in vain. It is not our [[perfection]] that is asked in our attempts to [[heal]]. We are [[deceived]] already, if we think there is a need of healing. And the [[truth]] will come to us only through one who seems to [[share]] our dream of sickness. Let us help him to [[forgive]] himself for all the [[trespasses]] with which he would [[condemn]] himself without a [[cause]]. His healing is our own. And as we see the sinlessness in him come [[shining]] through the veil of [[guilt]] that shrouds the Son of God, we will behold in him the face of Christ, and [[understand]] that it is but our own.

 

There is no other way to seek His Son. There is no other way to find your [[Self]]. [[Holy]] is [[healing]], for the Son of God returns to [[Heaven]] through its kind [[embrace]]. For healing tells him, in the Voice for God, that all his sins have been [[forgiven]] him.

==The Definition of Healing==

==The Definition of Healing==

1. The process of psychotherapy, then, can be defined simply as forgiveness, for no healing can be anything else. The unforgiving are sick, believing they are unforgiven. The hanging-on to guilt, its hugging-close and sheltering, its loving protection and alert defense,–all this is but the grim refusal to forgive. "God may not enter here" the sick repeat, over and over, while they mourn their loss and yet rejoice in it. Healing occurs as a patient begins to hear the dirge he sings, and questions its validity. Until he hears it, he cannot understand that it is he who sings it to himself. To hear it is the first step in recovery. To question it must then become his choice.

1. The process of psychotherapy, then, can be defined simply as forgiveness, for no healing can be anything else. The unforgiving are sick, believing they are unforgiven. The hanging-on to guilt, its hugging-close and sheltering, its loving protection and alert defense,–all this is but the grim refusal to forgive. "God may not enter here" the sick repeat, over and over, while they mourn their loss and yet rejoice in it. Healing occurs as a patient begins to hear the dirge he sings, and questions its validity. Until he hears it, he cannot understand that it is he who sings it to himself. To hear it is the first step in recovery. To question it must then become his choice.