Human Evolution Index
The Human Spirit
Psychic Healing 2
Physic Healing 3

PUBLISHERS' NOTICE. 

This book is not a book of theories - it deals with facts. Its author regards the best of theories as but working
 hypotheses to be used only until better ones present themselves. The "fact" is the principal thing the 
essential
thing to uncover which the tool, theory, is used. The sanest thinkers the best investigators hold no theory, 
not even the one dearest to them, that they are not ready and willing to throw away when a better one 
presents itself, whether that better one be discovered by themselves or other persons. This is the true 
philosophical spirit. 

It is true that this book may appear dogmatic rather than argumentative. But the author knows of no better
 way to present the facts of the subject, concisely and to the point free from the web of theory, and the 
quicksands of argument. And so he has decided to take the liability of the charge of " dogmatism, " in order 
to deliver his message to you in the style that he feels will reach the greatest number, and thus do the most 
good. 

The facts stated In the book are true, and may be so proven by you in your actual practice, if you will but 
follow instructions. This, after all, is better than argumentative proofs that fail to prove. 

The best way to get the benefit of this book is to start in to put its teachings into practice. Do not be content 
with merely agreeing intellectually to its propositions, but get to work and do something. This is the only way 
for you to get the benefit of the book to get your money's worth from the book. 

The author has placed in your hands the operation of a mighty force of Nature you must do the rest. He has 
pointed out the way - you must take the steps yourself. He has opened the door, but you must walk through 
it  yourself. 

We ask the reader to acquaint himself with each and every one of the several methods of healing taught in 
this book, before- he determines which he prefers to use. The wisest will take a little from each, rather than 
to tie himself down to any particular method or system. All are good, but some will be better for individuals 
than others. The author mentions this fact, and tells yon how to select. 

The methods described in this book may be used in self-healing, even when it is not so stated in the text. In 
fact, self-healing is probably the favorite idea of the author, who believes in people doing things for 
themselves,and being independent, so far as is possible. 

We trust that you will appreciate the value and simplicity of this book, and will put into practice its important 
instruction. 

THE YOGI PUBLICATION SOCIETY. 

Chicago, III., April, 1906. 

This book is intended to be a plain, simple, practical presentation of the various forms of Psychic Healing. 
We have said very little about theory although giving a general outline of the underlying theories that the 
healer may understand the nature of the work he is doing and have tried to make the book tell "how" to do 
the work. 

In introducing the subject we wish to say that we have not tried to make a religion of Psychic Healing, for 
this seems a folly to us. We do not see why Psychic Healing should be made into a religion, any more than 
should Drug Healing, Massage, Osteopathy, or any other form of healing. All true healing results from an 
application of perfectly natural laws, and the power employed is as much a natural law as is electricity. For 
that matter, all natural laws are of " divine " religion, and are equally worthy of respect and reverence. 
1 There has been a great tendency in the Western world to build up religious or semi-religious cults around 
the work of healing. 

Each cult or sect claims that its cures and healing is the result of some special creed or meta-physical belief, 
notwithstanding the fact that the other sects make cures in about the same proportion. 

The Oriental is not deceived even - self-deceived -in this manner. He is taught from childhood that there are 
many subtle forces and forms of energy in Nature, which may be taken advantage of and pressed into service 
by Man. To the Oriental there is as much mystery and awe about electricity as about psychic force in fact, he 
sees them as but varying forms of the same thing, and he respects them both. A little reflection will teach 
anyone that this is correct. All Energy and Force is a manifestation of Prana (the Hindu term for the Principle 
of Energy) and the Oriental teachings are that Prana has Mind behind it that it emerged from the Mind 
Principle of the Universe. We cannot speak at length of these theories here, and must refer students to our 
"Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy" for fuller information, if they desire the same.

The above facts being true, it follows that the Oriental psychic healer fails to feel that jealousy and prejudice 
regarding practitioners of other forms of healing, which, alas, is so prevalent in the Western world. 
He believes that any form of true healing employs the same force and power that he is using notwithstanding 
the difference in the methods and he respects the same accordingly. He naturally prefers his own method, but 
does not abuse his neighbor for preferring another method. 

Moreover, the Oriental healer is taught from the beginning that there are certain natural laws of the body, 
which must be observed in order to maintain health, or to restore it if lost. 
He believes that that which makes the healthy man healthy will make the sick man well. We allude to the 
natural laws regarding nutrition, elimination, breathing, etc. We have set forth our conception of these laws 
in our book, "Hatha Yoga," and will briefly mention the same in the succeeding chapter entitled "The Natural 
Laws of the Body" to which we refer all students, strongly advising them to acquaint  themselves  with these 
natural laws before attempting healing work. We are fully aware that many "Western schools of Psychic 
Healing ignore these laws as too "material" but one has but to look around him to see the folly of that position. Natural laws may not be defied with impunity. 

We believe that if people would follow the teachings of "Hatha Yoga" there would be no need for healing of 
any sort, for all would maintain health. But people will not do this, and therefore healing methods are 
necessary. 
And we believe that Psychic Healing is the best and highest form of Healing known to man. But even Psychic 
Healing will not, and cannot, effect a permanent cure, unless the patient will change his or her habits of 
living, and will endeavor to live in accordance with Nature's laws. 

So therefore, again and again, do we urge the healer to acquaint his patient with these natural laws of the 
body - "Hatha Yoga" - and while giving the healing treatments he should endeavor to "work in" advice and 
instruction regarding the natural laws of the body, so that when the patient is healed he will live in such a 
manner as to promote health, and to hold the ground he has gained, and not slip back again. 

We believe that these two books companion books "Hatka Yoga" and "Psychic Healing" will give one the "Key 
to Health. " 

This book is not intended as a treatise upon disease. On the contrary, it says as little as possible about 
disease, and prefers to keep before the eye of the student the Healthy Condition, and the means of bringing 
it about. Therefore you will see but little of symptoms in this book. Symptoms are but various indications of 
a cause behind them, and we believe that there is only one general cause for disease, and that is improper 
functioning of the cells. In other words, we believe that all disease is but Cell-disease. And we believe that 
the general treatments given in connection with the principles laid down in "Hatha Yoga," will remove the 
cause of the trouble, and the symptoms will then disappear. 

We will not take up your attention with praise of the systems of healing taught in this book. We believe that 
"the proof of the pudding lies in the eating, " and we say to you, "Try It." 

Have confidence in yourself, and in your healing power. It is your Divine heritage, and  is not a gift bestowed 
upon but a few. It is a general gift and natural power that may be developed by practice and confidence, and 
instead of decreasing by use, it grows in proportion to its use. It is like a muscle that is developed by  
practice, but which becomes soft and flabby by non-use. 

But when you begin to make cures, and hear wonderful reports of your success, which may seem miraculous 
to those around you who do not understand the subject, do not become puffed up or conceited, and begin to 
believe  tnat you have some special gift or power. This is folly, for all healers are but channels of expression 
through which the natural forces and energies flow. You are but an instrument in the hands of Natural Laws. 
Do not forget this. 
This thought may be turned into a source of strength if you will look at the other side of the proposition and 
remember that you have the forces of the Universe "back of you. 

We advise the student to carefully study, and acquaint himself with all of the methods taught in this book. 
After doing so, let him select the methods that appeal most to him being guided by Ms intuition. Let him, if 
he is so led, take a little from one system and a little from another, and combine them into a system of his 
own. Let him "take his own wherever he finds it" Do not deem it necessary, to tie yourself to any one system, 
or to wear the "label" or "tag" of any one school. Beware of labels and tags on the mind. Be YOURSELF. 

In order to understand the nature of Psychic Healing one must have an acquaintance with the nature of the 
mental side of the Body. Not I only has the Central Mind a number of Planes ) of Manifestation, but each 
organ has something which might be called an "organic mind", made up of a "group-mind" of a number of 
cells, each of which cells moreover has a cell-mind of its own. This idea is somewhat startling to those who 
have not acquainted themselves with the details of the subject, but it is known to be correct, not only by the 
Yogis,  but also by those who have familiarized themselves with the recent discoveries of Western Science. 
Let us take a hasty look at this cell-life. 

As we told you in the "Fourteen Lessons" the Yogi Philosophy teaches that the physical body is built up of  
"little lives " or cell-lifes, and that each cell had an independent action, in addition to a cell-community  action. These little "lives" are really minds of a certain degree of development, sufficient to enable them to do their work properly. These bits of mind are, of course, subordinate to the control of the Instinctive  Mind of the individual, and will readily obey orders from that source, as well as from the Intellect. 

These cell minds manifest a peculiar adaptation for their particular work. Their selective action in extracting 
from the blood the nourishment needed, and rejecting that which is not needed, is an instance of this 
intelligence. The process of digestion, assimilation, etc., shows the "mind" of the cell, either individual  or 
in groups. The healing of wounds, the rush of the cells to the point where they are required, and many other 
instances familiar to physiologists are evidence of this cell life and mental action. 

The entire body is built up of these tiny cells. This is true not only of the soft tissue and muscle, but also of 
the hard bony parts, including the enamel of the teeth. These cells are shaped in accordance with the 
particular work that they are designed to perform, such shapes and forms varying materially. Each cell is,  
practically, an individual, separate and more or less independent, although subject to the control of the  
organic mind, and, still higher, the Instinctive Mind. 

The cells are constantly at work each performing his own particular task, like a well-trained soldier in an army. Some of the cells are active workers, and others are of the reserve force, kept awaiting some sudden and urgent call to duty. Some are stationery, and others are moving about attending to their particular duties and tasks. Some of them act as the scavengers of the system, carrying away the refuse and debris of the system, while others carry the nourishing elements of the food to all parts of the body. 

Cell life has been compared to a large and well ordered community, each individual doing his own particular 
work all for the common good. The community is a large one, it being estimated that there are at least 
75,000,000,000 of the red blood cells alone. These red blood cells are the common carriers of the body, 
and float in the arteries and veins, carrying a load of oxygen from the lungs and delivering particles of it 
to  the various tissues of the body, which give life and strength to the particular parts. On their return 
journey through the veins the cells carry with them the waste products of the system. Like a merchant vessel,  
these cells carry a cargo on their outgoing trip, and bring back a second cargo on their return. 
Other cells perform police work and protect the system from bacteria, etc., which might produce trouble in 
the system. These policemen are quite savage, and usually get rid of the intruder by devouring him, but if 
 unable to so dispose of him they rally in number and finally eject him from the system in the shape of a  
boil, pimple, etc. 

The cells enable the body to carry on its work of continual regeneration. Every part of our bodies are being  
repaired constantly by fresh material. And the cells do the work. Millions of these little workers are  
constantly moving along, or else working in a fixed position in the parts of our bodies, renewing the 
worn-out  tissues and replacing them with new material, and at the same time throwing out of the system 
the worn-out and  discarded material. 

Each of the cells of the body, no matter how humble may be its functions, is possessed of an Instinctive  
knowledge of that which is vital to its life-work, and its own life. It takes nourishment, and reproduces 
itself by increasing in size and then separating. It seems to have a memory, and in other ways manifests 
mind action. 
We do not consider it necessary to go deeply into this matter at this point, and merely mention these facts  
that the reader may understand that these cells are "living things," having mind action. 

These cells are built up into organs, parts, tissue, muscle, etc., and form what is known as cell-communities, 
in which their minds seem to combine, in addition to their having independent mental action. In the case of 
the liver, for instance, the millions of cells composing that organ have a community-mind, which may be 
called the "liver-mind," and which acts as an "entity" subject, always, to the control of the Instinctive Mind. 
This is a most important fact to remember, in connection with psychic healing, for the whole principle of the 
latter  depends upon the fact that these organs, through their minds, are amenable to Mental Control and 
Direction. 

As we have said, each cell belongs to a cell-group, and each group forms a part of a larger group, and so 
on  until the whole forms a great group or whole community of cells, under the control of the Instinctive 
Mind. 
And the little  minds of the entire cell community combine under the control of that great Instinctive Mind. 
And, at the same time, there are lesser combinations, and still lesser, until the mind of the single cell is 
reached. The entire mental organism of the cells is something quite wonderful, and startling. 

The control of these cell-communities is one of the duties of the Instinctive Mind, and it usually does its  
work very well, unless interfered with by the Intellect, which sometimes sends it fearthoughts and 
demoralizes it. The Intellect insists upon interfering with the established order of the body, and by 
introducing strange customs and habits, tends to demoralize the cell-communities and to bring disorder 
into their ranks. 

Sometimes something akin to rebellion springs up among these cell-communities or groups, and they revolt 
at  working overtime, or from similar reasons. In this connection we take the liberty of quoting from our 
book  entitled "Hatha Yoga," which gives a clear idea of these cell rebellions. The book says: "At times it 
seems  that some of the smaller groups (and even some of the larger on certain occasions) go on a strike, 
rebelling against unaccustomed and improper work forced upon them working overtime and similar causes, 
such as a lack of proper nourishment. These little cells often act just as would men under the same 
circumstances the analogy is often startling to the observer and investigator. These rebellions or strikes 
seem to spread, if matters are not arranged, and even when matters are patched up, the cells seem to 
return to  their work in a sullen manner,  and, instead of doing their work the best they know how, they  
will do as little as possible, and only just when 

they feel like it. A restoration of normal conditions, resulting from improved nutrition, proper attention, etc., 
will gradually bring about a return to normal funtioning, and matters may be very much expediated by  
orders from the Will, directed immediately to the cell-groups. It is astonishing how soon order and 
discipline may be restored in this way." 

Science has shown us the truth of the old Yogi teachings that all disease was cell-disease, and it follows 
that if we can manage to get control of the cell-trouble, we have mastered the entire problem. This control 
may be 
acquired in a number of ways, and the explanation of these ways and their method of application, forms 
the subject of this book. 

As we stated at the close of our last chapter, the control of the cells manifesting physical disease, might 
be accomplished by the several forms of Psychic Healing, which may be considered in three forms known 
as : 

(1) Pranic Healing, or healing by the sending of Prana or Vital Force to the affected parts, thereby stimulating 
the cells and tissue to normal activity, the result being that the waste matter is ejected from the system,
 and normal conditions restored. This form of healing is known in the Western world as "Magnetic Healing" 
etc., and many cures have been made by reason thereof, although many of the healers have not known the 
principles  underlying the work, although they had acquired very good working knowledge of the methods 
to be employed. 

(2) Mental Healing, by which is meant the control of the cell-minds, either direct, or through the Instinctive 
Mind of the sick person. This form of Healing includes what is known in the Western World as Mental 
Healing,  direct and absent; Suggestive Healing; Psychic Healing, etc., etc., etc., and includes many 
so-called religious forms of healing which are but forms of Mental Healing, disguised under the cover of 
religious teachings and theories. 

(3) Spiritual Healing, by which is meant a high form of healing arising from the Healer possessing a high 
degree of Spiritual Unfoldment, and allowing the light of his or her, higher mentality to pour forth upon 
the mind of the patient, bathing him in a wave of high thought and lifting him, temporarily to a higher 
plane of being.  This form of healing is not nearly so common as one might be led to believe from listening 
to the talk of the  healers and their patients. In fact it is very rare, and none but healers of a very high order 
possess it. 
Many who think that they have it, are simply using the ordinary methods of Mental Healing, and have not 
the slightest idea of what true Spiritual Healing consists. But, no harm is done, so long as the results are 
obtained, and we merely mention the matter here, that the reader may form a clear idea of the entire 
subject.

Each of these forms of Psychic Healing will be considered in turn, as we proceed. 

The principal point to be remembered, at this point is that at the last all forms of Psychic Healing are forms 
of Mental Healing. Even the healing by Prana, is Mental Healing, for the Prana is moved by the Mind, and in 
fact, is the power of Mind itself, as we shall see presently. The disease or trouble is called "physical," that is, 
is manifest in the cells of the physical body, and, if we examine it closely we will see that it is really a mental 
trouble of the particular cells affected. And, consequently the only way a cure may be effected, is by reaching 
the mental part of the cell, and rousing it to normal activity. This may be accomplished in many ways, but all 
ways, at the last are Mental Ways, for it is not the "way" that works the cure, but the mind that is aroused by 
the Way. These points will be brought out as we proceed. 

In our next chapter, we shall consider the form of Psychic Healing called Pranic Healing. 

 
Before we can understand Pranic Healing, we must understand something about Prana. Prana is the name 
given by the Yogi philosophers to "Vital Force," or Energy, which is found within the body of every living 
thing. 
It may be called the Life Force. At the last, Prana is known to be Mental in its nature, and is the Energy of 
the Mind of the Universe. But in order to avoid metaphysical distinctions in this book, let us follow the usual 
custom of treating Prana as an independent thing, as we do Mind and Matter. 

The Yogis teach that Prana is a Universal Principle a Something prevading all Space, and together with Mind 
and Matter composing the Threefold Manifestation of the Absolute. Leaving aside the manifestations of Prana 
in the forms of Force, known as Electricity, Heat, Light, etc., let us consider it in its manifestation of Vital 
Force, which is the only aspect with which we are concerned in this book. Prana is the Force by which all  
activity is carried on in the body by which all bodily movements are possible by which all functioning is 
done by which all signs of life manifest themselves. "We have described Prana at considerable length in our 
other  books, and do not desire to repeat ourselves, and to take up space in such repetitions, any more than 
can be avoided. 

Briefly, however, we may say that Prana is that Principle of Life which is found in the air, water, food, etc., 
from which the living organism absorbs it to use in the work of the body. We advise all students of this book 
to read either the "Science of Breath" or else "Hatha Yoga" in order to gain a fuller idea of the subject of 
Prana.
In the books named, we have given many exercises whereby Prana may be stored up and acquired, and also 
how it  may be used. 

The general principles of Pranic Healing rests on the fact that Prana may be transferred or transmitted from 
 one person to another, in many ways. The usual method, and the most effective, is to use the hands and 
make  passes over the sick person, and at the same time directing a current of Prana to the affected part, 
thereby stimulating and stirring into activity the sluggish cell-groups. The Prana so transferred acts as a 
bracing tonic to the patient, and invigorates and strengthens him wonderfully, besides tending to produce 
the local  improvement, just noted. 

Prana may also be sent to the patient in the shape of Energized Thought, directed from the Mind of the Healer. 
This fact has not generally been brought out in works on the subject, but we shall pay much attention to it 
in  our consideration of Pranic Healing, in our next chapter. In fact, very wonderful healing work may be 
performed by those methods alone, without reference to the other phases of Healing. 

The student will notice that we are not tarrying long to discuss theories. This is done purposely, for we 
wish to make this book a book of practical facts, and instruction, and the majority of the theories will be 
familiar to those who have read our other books, which, although not devoted to the subject of healing, 
nevertheless, touch upon the general theories underlying all psychic phenomena. 

Healing of the sick by means of "laying on of hands" has been known from the earliest days of the race. As 
far back in history as we are able to go, we may find trace of this practice. And, it is only fair to surmise 
that  before the days of written history, the custom was likewise prevalent. It is found among all races of 
people  today, even among the savage races. It seems to have arisen from an instinctive conviction in the 
mind of man,  that healing lay in that direction. 

The Indians, the Egyptians, the Jews, the Chinese, of ancient days, were perfectly familiar with this form of 
healing. In Egypt the ancient carvings in the rocks show healers treating patients by placing one hand on 
the stomach, and the other on the back. And the early explorers of China report that similar practices were 
common there. The Old Testament is full of instances of this form of healing. And we also find cases 
mentioned in the New  Testament. St. Patrick is reported to have healed the blind in Ireland, by placing his 
hands upon their eyes. St. Bernard is reported as having cured eleven blind people, and to have enabled 
eighteen lame persons to regain the use of the limbs, all in one day; and in Cologne he is reported to have 
cured twelve lame people, also three dumb persons, and ten deaf ones, all by means of the laying on of 
hands. The history of the early church is full of instances of this sort, and making allowance for the 
romantic tales that always arise in such cases, we may see that much good and effective work was done 
by these people, in this way. 

Pyrrhus, the king of Epirus, is reported by history to have had the power of curing colic and diseases of the 
spleen, by touching the persons affected. The Emperor Vespasian is said to have cured nervous diseases, 
and lameness, blindness, etc., by laying on of hands. Hadrian cured people having dropsical diseases, by 
applying  the points of his fingers to them. King Olaf healed instantaneously by laying his hands upon the 
sufferer. The early kings of England and France healed goitre and throat affections by the "King's touch. " 
In England there was a disease called " the King's evil," which was thought to be curable only by the touch 
of the King. 

The Courts of Hapsburg were believed to be able to cure stammering by a kiss. Pliny reports that in the 
ancient days there were men who cured the bites of serpents by the touch. 

Numerous religious celebrities cured disease by the laying on of hands. In England, Greatakes created quite 
a  sensation, and invited persecution, by going about curing all sorts of diseases in this way. His success in  
curing diseases that had been thought to be curable by the "King's touch" caused many to regard him as a  
pretender to the throne. In the seventeenth century a gardener named Levret performed wonderful cures in 
the streets of London, by stroking the afflicted with his fingers. In 1817, a Silician in-keeper named Eichter 
cured thousands of people by applying his hands to them. 

So you see, the fact of Pranic Healing has made itself apparent in all ages and among all people, and those  
having sufficient confidence in themselves to perform cures, were looked upon as specially gifted persons. 
But the fact is that the "gift"is one common to the race, and may be manifested by anyone who has sufficient 
confidence in himself to try it, and who has sufficient earnestness to "throw his heart' ' into the work. 

The old Yogi teachers of over twenty-five centuries ago, had reduced this form of healing to a science, and 
traces of their knowledge filtered out to all parts of the world. The Egyptians obtained their knowledge from 
the great Yogi teachers, and established schools of their own. The Greeks obtained a similar knowledge from 
India and Egypt. And the Hebrews and Assyrians are believed to have obtained theirs through Egyptian 
channels. 
The early Greek physicians performed their principal cures by the laying on of hands, and manipulation of 
the affected parts of the body. With them the healing process was something belonging to the orders of the  
priesthood, and the general public were not allowed to participate in its mysteries. Hippocrates has written: 
"The affections suffered by the body, the soul sees quite well with shut eyes. Wise physicians, even among 
the  ancients, were aware how beneficial to the blood is to make slight frictions with the hands over the body. 
It is believed by many experienced doctors that the heat which oozes ont of the hand, on being applied to the 
sick, is highly salutary and suaging. The remedy has been found to be applicable to sudden as well as habitual pains, and various species of debility, being both renovating and strengthening in its effects. It has often appeared,  while I have thus been soothing my patients, as if there were a singular property in my hands to pull and draw  away from the affected parts aches and diverse impurities by laying my hand upon the place, and by extending my  fingers toward it. Thus it is known to some of the learned that health may be implanted in the sick by certain  gestures, and by contact, as some diseases may be communicated from one to another." 

Aesculapius treated diseases by breathing on the affected parts, and by stroking them with his hands. The  
ancient Druids, that is the priesthood, performed cures in this way, the same being made a part of their  
religious ceremonies and rites. Tacitus, Vopiscus, and Lampridius, report these things of the Druids, and 
give wonderful testimony regarding their " gifts". 

The records of the Middle Ages are filled with similar accounts of wonderful cures accomplished by the 
laying on of the hands, the churches being the usual scene of the cures. Van Helmont, who lived about the 
first part of the seventeenth century, seemed to be acquainted with the principles of Pranic healing, for he 
writes: 
"Magnetism is active everywhere, and there is nothing new in it but the name; it is a paradox only to those 
who ridicule everything, and who attribute to the power of Satan whatever they are unable to explain. 

About the same time, a Scotchman named Maxwell, taught similar methods of healing. He believed in a vital 
spirit pervading the universe, which man could draw upon in order to cure diseases. In 1734, Father Hehl, a 
priest,  taught the existence of an " universal fluid, " which might be used to cure diseases. He made many 
wonderful 
cures, but was driven out of the church for possessing the power of the devil, and using witchcraft. Mesmer 
taught the theory of Animal Magnetism, and accomplished cures by its aid, always using his hands in 
applying it. 
Mesmer left many followers and disciples, many of whom gained great prominence, the Marquis of Puysegur 
being one of these. 

In Germany Mesmer's doctrines, and those that grew of them, gained great popularity and prominence. 
Bremen was a great centre of the " Animal Magnetism " doctrine, and from there it spread all over Grermany. 
The Prussian government took a great interest in the matter, and established a hospital for the cure of 
diseases by  magnetic treatment. Various Continental governments passed rigid laws keeping the magnetic 
treatments in the hands of the medical fraternity. 

And, so from country to country, the new doctrines spread Often repressed by governmental interference, 
urged on by medical opposition, it still flourishes in various forms, and under different theories. During the 
past ten years it has gained great prominence in America and Great Britain, both from the various schools of " 
Magnetic Healing" as well as from the tremendous growth of the "New Thought movement." Many theories 
have been evolved to account for it, ranging from purely material ones to religious conceptions. But, 
notwithstanding the theories, the work went on, and cures were accomplished. The laying on of hands 
played a prominent part in nearly all these forms of healings, in spite of their theories or names of their 
schools. 

Many people still believe that this form of healing is some sort of special gift, inherent in, and bestowed 
upon certain individuals. But this is not so, for the "gift" of healing is inherent in each person, although 
some attain more proficiency than others, by reason of their peculiar temperamental adaptibility for the work. 
And all may cultivate and develop this "gift." 

We do not care to devote a great deal of space to the theory underlying Pranic Healing or all the various 
forms of healing by the laying on of hands, really comes under this head, in spite of conflicting theories and 
names. 
But we may as well briefly run over the fundamental ideas underlying the subject. Perhaps the better way 
would be to identify the word "Prana," with that which we recognize as Vital Force, so we will use the word 
Vital Force, in this chapter, in our work of explaining the nature of Prana. 

Vital Force is that which underlies all physical action of the body. It is that which causes the circulation of  
the blood the movements of the cells in fact all the motions upon which depend the life of the physical body. 
Without this Vital Force, there could be no life no motion no action. Some call it "nervous force," but it is  
the one thing, no matter by what name it may be called. It is this force that is sent forth from the nervous 
system by an effort of the will, when we wish a muscle to move. And it is this force which causes that muscle 
to  move. 

It is not necessary to go into a discussion of the real nature and essence of this Vital Force, for that would 
carry us far into other phases of the subject. Enough for our purpose is the fact that it really exists, and may 
be used in the healing of disease. The electrician even the most advanced men of that science know nothing 
of the real nature of Electricity, and yet they are able to make wonderful use of it, and to understand its laws 
of operation. And so it is with this matter of Vital Force, for to understand its real nature and origin, one 
would need to know the real nature and origin of the Universe. But, man may, and does, use this force every 
moment of his life, and may turn it to account in other ways, such as the healing of the sick. 

Man absorbs his supply of Vital Force from the food he eats; the water he drinks; and largely from the air he  
breathes. He also has a mental source of energy, whereby he draws to himself energy from the great 
reservoirs  of Energy, of the Universal Mind. In our books "Science of Breath" and "Hatha Yoga," we have 
gone into this  matter at greater length, and all students of Psychic Healing should acquaint themselves with 
those books, if they have not done so already. This Vital Energy is stored up in the Brain, and great nerve 
centres of the body, from which it is drawn to supply the constantly arising wants of the system. It is 
distributed over the wires of the nervous system, to all parts of the body. In fact, every nerve is constantly 
charged with Vital Force, which is replenished when exhausted. Every nerve is a "live wire/' through which 
the flow of Vital Force proceeds. And, more than this, every cell in the body, no matter where it is located, 
or what work it is doing, contains more or less Vital Energy, at all times. 

A strong healthy person, is one who is charged with a goodly supply of Vital Force, which travels to all parts  
of the body, refreshing, stimulating, and producing activity and energy. Not only does it do this, but it 
surrounds his body like an aura, and may be felt by those coming in contact. A person depleted of Vital 
Force will manifest ill-health, lack of vitality, etc., and will only regain his normal condition when he 
replenishes his store of Vitality. 

While the medical fraternity are quite free to express their belief in the existence of Vital Force although 
they differ in their theories regarding the nature of the same they insist that it cannot be transferred 
beyond the limits of the nervous system of the person producing or manifesting it. But this is contradicted 
by the actual experiences of thousands of people who know that Vital Force, Prana, or Magnetism, call it 
what you will, may be, and has been transmitted to the body of a third person, who is thereby strengthened 
and invigorated by reason thereof. 

Many of the advocates and practitioners of this form of Healing have caused a confusion in the public mind 
by calling it " Magnetism," or "Magnetic Healing" etc. There is nothing "Magnetic" about this Vital Force, for 
it arises from an entirely different cause, although, to be sure, all forms of Force or Energy arise from the 
same primal cause. Vital Force is something which plays its own part in the economy of Nature, and that 
part is entirely different from that played by Magnetism. It is something different from anything else, and 
can be compared only with itself. 

All persons have more or less Vital Force, and all persons have the power of increasing their store, and of  
transmitting it to others, and thereby curing disease. In other words all persons are potential healers. There 
has been much talk about persons being "gifted" in this form of Healing, but the fact is that all persons  have 
the "gift," and may develop it by confidence and practice. And this development is the purpose of this part of 
the book. 

The principles of Pranic Healing is the filling of the cells of the affected part with a fresh and full supply of 
Vital Force or Prana, whereby the cells are enabled to regain normal powers of functioning, and work, the 
consequence being that when the cells work properly, the organ recovers its former activity, and the entire 
system regains Health and Health, after all, is merely Normal Functioning. 

Human Evolution Index
The Human Spirit
Psychic Healing 2
Physic Healing 3