The desired mental state in the patient may be induced either by auto-suggestion (self-suggestion) on his own part; or by the suggestion of the healers, (here is where the ceremonies, and "frills and fringes" of the cults, come in); or by the direct men-tative currents of the healer, applied as indicated in the previous lessons. In this form of healing, the healer works by arousing the mind of the patient, so that he really cures himself. This "arousing" is of course affected by either suggestion, or men-tative currents - the effect being the result of "induction" in either case, as you will readily understand. This form of mental healing, which I call "general treatment" includes both the form of "present healing," that is when the healer is in the personal presence of the patient, or else along the lines of what is called "absent treatments" or "distant treatments," when the healer and the patient are not in each other's presence.

Leaving the subject of "general treatment," for the moment, let us consider the broad principles underlying "local treatment." By "local treatment" I mean mental healing effected by the mind of the healer being directly and specially applied to the mind in the cells and organs themselves. You will remember what I have said about there being "mind in the cells and organs" - "local treatment" is an application based upon that fact. The mind of the healer is brought to bear in a positive, direct, special manner upon these cells and organs, and the suggestions, and mentative currents are directed immediately to these organs and cells, without the intermediate employment of the central mind of the patient, as in the case of "general treatment." Of course one may apply "local treatment" to himself, by directing his mind directly to the cells and organs, instead of indirectly by means of general mental treatment. You may wonder why I speak of direct-ing "suggestions" to the cells - you may well ask, "can the cells heart" The cells cannot hear, but the utterance of the words of the suggestion, by you, will enable you to direct your mind more directly and forcefully upon the cells and organs. You will see, as we proceed, that I advocate "speaking right up" to the cells and organs of the body, and telling them just what you want them to do. You will be surprised when you try this and see how they respond.

Now, that we understand the general principles of both of these phases of mental treatment, let us pass on to a consideration of the practice of mental healing - the actual "how" of the subject. We shall begin with "general treatment," both present and absent, and will then take up the second phase of "local treatment." In both cases we shall see the actual methods of treatment, in detail. But I must ask you to pay close attention to what I have to say about these treatments, for I am condensing a whole course of lessons in mental healing into two chapters, and you will miss something unless you watch closely.

The first step in the personal form of general treatment is to induce in your patient a mental state of calm, and relaxation. This is quite important because this mental state causes the patient to become receptive to the impressions that you wish to make upon his or her mind- The best plan is to have the patient seat himself in a comfortable position (or if he is lying down, let him assume a comfortable attitude), and then talk to him a little in order to induce a comfortable, easy frame of mind, which will react upon the physical conditions. Have him relax every muscle, and withdraw the tension from every nerve, so that he will be relaxed, and "limber" all over, from head to feet. The best way to determine whether or not the desired condition has been effected is to raise one of his hands and then allow it to drop back to his sides or lap. If he is fully relaxed, his hand will drop just as if it were not attached to his body. The mental state producing this physical condition may be best stated by the words "Let Go!" One must mentally "let go," before be will be able to "let go" physically. The patient must feel perfectly at ease, and comfortable, in order that the best results be gained.

The healer should endeavor to quiet the mind of the patient by an earnest, confident, sympathetic conversation, leading the subject toward bright, hopeful, happy topics, and especially avoiding anything likely to arouse antagonism or argument. He should throw earnestness and feeling into bis tones, and speak as if his one object in life were to cure the patient, and of which cure he entertained not the slightest doubt. The healer should forget himself, and concentrate his mentality completely upon the subject of curing the patient. He should be very careful to act out the part of the confident, successful healer, because sick people are very suggestible, and take on impressions very easily, and so, if the healer manifests an apparent lack of confidence in his outward demeanor, the patient will be most likely to accept the suggestion, and the work of healing will thus be rendered doubly difficult. If you have studied the principles of mental suggestion, you will see the psychology of this fact.

It will be well to begin the treatment by a preliminary suggestive treatment, in a conversational tone. You should point out to the patient the conditions that you intend to bring about. You should endeavor to obtain the patient's co-operation by means of his holding a mental image of the desired condition. That is, if it be a ease of stomach trouble, he should form a mental image of a strong, healthy normal stomach, doing its work properly, and digesting the food that is given it, and manifesting a good, hearty natural appetite. If the patient will do this he will be able to do much toward aiding you. You should then tell him that his stomach is Strong, STRONG, STRONG, (speaking the words with intense feeling and force) and that normal conditions are reasserting themselves under the power of the mind. You should, in many ways and forms, keep before him constantly a picture of the conditions you wish to bring about, for by so doing you will change his mental image of disease into a mental image of health, and the best result is sure to follow. If you prefer the use of the hands in healing, by all means use them, as such practice gives a most powerful suggestion, as well as possessing other advantages.

You will find that you will be able to impart a wonderful degree of forceful, earnest intensity to your voice, if you will but practice "visualization" in your treatments. That is, you must endeavor to actually see mentally, the conditions that you wish to bring about. And when you are able to do this, you will be able to hold the attention of the patient as his mind follows your words in your description of the successive steps of the cure that you intend bringing about. He will be able to see himself as gradually improving, and growing well, not only in a general way, but also in the sense that he will be able to form a mental picture of the formerly diseased organ actually growing strong and normal. Always keep before you the mental image of the conditions that you wish to bring about - see them before you as actually existing right now - and your mind, and actions and voice will conform to that mental image, for by so doing the patient will receive the best possible suggestion, and your mentative currents will be stronger and more dynamic.

In the following chapter, we pass on to a consideration of the actual methods of applying Mind-Power to the healing of disease.