Write an essay of approximately 500 words in which you will discuss the relevance of the Seven Principles to the function of healing.
That was the question in section 7 of an 8-section course on Healing which I completed in 1998. Here is my attempt at an answer. Without wishing to boast, I achieved a 100% mark for the paper, but that doesn't mean there aren't other interpretations.
A healing medium will in many cases be the first point of contact a patient has with Spiritualism. As such, he or she is as much an ambassador of the religion as a clairvoyant medium, and should be familiar with the Principles so that patients searching for a deeper understanding of our beliefs may discuss them with the healer if and when they wish.
The Fatherhood of God
Spiritualism avoids any attempt to define God. However, examination of the Universe at any level from the physical laws determining the behaviour of sub-atomic particles to the movement of galaxies reveals a breathtaking elegance and beauty. It is impossible not to arrive at the conclusion that there is a single intelligent force behind all the mysteries of the Universe including life itself. It is this force which we refer to as God (or the Great Spirit) and, since it has created life, it is referred to as the "Father." Ultimately, it is this force, albeit directed through potentially many intermediaries, that passes through a Spiritualist healer to the patient during healing.
The Brotherhood of Man
Since God created all life, it is but a short philosophical step to infer that all life is equal. Ideally therefore, the petty inequalities created by Man will be discarded so that all human life can behave as equals and form a single community. Within this community – the Brotherhood of Man – is provided an environment in which every person contributes according to his or her ability and receives according to their need, both material and spiritual.
This Principle is a fundamental part of Healing. The healer is in the fortunate position to be able "give" by virtue of his ability to act as a channel for the healing power. The patient is, at the time of healing, in need of that power. Thus a balance is established between giving and receiving. In the course of the natural flux of need and gift, the healer will eventually find himself on the receiving end of healing, thus completing the circle of Brotherhood.
The Communion of Spirit and the Ministry of Angels
It is a fundamental tenet of Spiritualism that the Laws of God never change. Our understanding of those Laws is necessarily imperfect, and it is this understanding that we can expect to change as we grow spiritually through our experiences. The higher we can raise our spiritual selves through our service, the greater will be the revelation made available to us through the Communion of Spirit.
In the context of the spiritual healer, it is clear that greater revelation and understanding of the Laws will enable the healer to improve her ability to channel healing energies and help the patient.
Since the Spirit in each one of us is eternal, the love and friendship that we enjoy during "life" continues after "death" and the apparent separation from loved ones is revealed as, at worst, a temporary state of affairs. Nevertheless, whilst the separation lasts, the loved ones who have preceded us into the spirit world will undoubtedly wish to do whatever they can to "minister" to those remaining in the earthly plane. This ministry may involve the spirit people keeping a watch over us and projecting thoughts of love and well being, or for those sufficiently advanced, it may involve assisting in the projection of healing energies through the channel opened by the healer. In any case, the healer must be reminded of the principle of the Ministry of Angels and where appropriate, make the patient aware that healing energies are around them at all times, and not just when they attend a healing session.
Continuous Existence of the Human Soul
This Principle is demonstrated regularly all over the world at every Spiritualist service, where demonstrators communicate with spirit and give direct evidence of continued life to those on the material plane. The knowledge of continued existence can be a great comfort to patients attending healing services. The patient who is perhaps lucky enough to be only mildly incapacitated may be spurred by the knowledge to get well and ensure that he makes a full contribution to life. At the other end of the spectrum, the severely ill patient may simply take comfort from the knowledge, which therefore eases his passing by removing fear of the unknown.
Personal Responsibility
Leading directly from the previous Principles is the acceptance by Spiritualists of responsibility for all thoughts, words and deeds initiated by oneself. The progression of the individual cannot be achieved through the teaching, guidance or deeds of others, but only from within. Acceptance of this responsibility is fundamental to spiritual progress. Once one has taken responsibility, positive spiritual influences can really start to help achieve harmony in one’s life.
For the healer, this should be second nature. One of the earliest lessons is that no one can teach you how to "be" a healer. Each takes responsibility for finding his or her own way of achieving attunement and all the other attributes and skills required of a healer.
For the patient, there is a harder and often unpalatable lesson – that many illnesses can be traced to disharmony within the spirit, for which the patient must take personal responsibility. Complete recovery will only ever be possible with the patient’s cooperation and dedication to a positive mental attitude and greater spiritual awareness.
Compensation and Retribution
Balance is the essence of this Principle. For every action there is reaction. For every good deed, there is recognition – for every bad deed, retribution. Since each spirit is eternal, the balance may not be struck in this life, but it certainly will be in the next. Once again, for the healer, this should be as natural as breathing. One hopes that healers will not, for the most part, concern themselves with retribution, but should nevertheless guard against unworthy thoughts concerning their patients. Certainly, the privilege of being able to be of service in a healing context is its own reward and healers often enjoy the gratitude of their patients, even though they are only channelling the energies which are not theirs to "give."
Patients frustrated with long term and/or debilitating illnesses may take some comfort from the knowledge that there is always some hidden purpose to the ordeal and they will certainly be compensated eventually.
Eternal Progress open to every Human Soul
Progress towards ever increasing spiritual awareness and enlightenment is not easy, but it is possible for every individual and is directly under the control of that individual. Within the rule of Law, the progress attained will be in direct proportion to the effort expended. Nothing is unrewarded; no sacrifice "missed", no unworthy deed overlooked in the spirit’s reckoning.
Should the healer ever become discouraged for whatever reason, he or she should bring this Principle to mind. No matter how hard the road seems, or how slow the progress, progress is assured if the healer’s motives are true and commitment to service is unwavering.
This is another part of the Spiritualist’s religion that can bring comfort to a patient. Great hardship or adversity such as that suffered by the chronically or terminally ill is often met with great fortitude. To discover that there is a point to the suffering and that it will eventually reach an end can be some small relief. To learn further, that the adoption of a positive mental attitude and seeking to uncover the good in amongst the bad can help in one’s eternal spiritual progress must surely alleviate to some extent the short term negative effects of the illness.