Still on Integration and Balancing Opposites

Hello, Companion Mustard Seed Library book readers,

The author of this book, in this chapter also goes into the possible connections between the workings of the body and the mind and spirit. He writes that "Some physical diseases are merely physical and need the attention of a competent physician and the love of Jesus mediated through prayer for physical healing." He also writes "For often when we are sick it is a sign from deep within us that something in our minds or in our spirits needs attention--a sign that we need to grow--and when we do that which our inner selves need, we are healed. Some of us will stop long enough to look at our inner selves only when we are physically ill--only then are we ready to admit our need for change and we are willing to try to change, even though the change may be painful. Inner healing and physical healing are connected in many different ways."

In this chapter on integrating and balancing opposites he introduces some physiological information: "Physiologists tell us that our bodies run on a low current of electricity flowing through the nerves and brain cells, and this electric current "carves impressions" on the cortex of the brain as we repeat thoughts, feelings, and actions. As these impressions become deeper we form a habit of that particular reaction. The imbalance in ourselves that we perceive is in part "pressed into" our brains by the electricity in our bodies, and so I find it helpful to pray that these impressions are washed over by the Light of God's Love, that this Light erases old and unhealthy patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior and creates new, healthier, more balanced ones."

"On a physiological level, another form of imbalance that we can experience is an imbalance of hormones and other secretions within the body (often subtly connected with movements of the psyche), and imbalances within and among various organs of the body. Often it is not certain whether these reactions are causes or effects of imbalances within the psyche, but we do know that they affect the way in which we live and relate to other people. So we can find it worthwhile to pray that the Light of God will fill any parts of our bodies not acting in harmony with the rest of the body, and that the Light of God will balance all hormonal and other secretions in the body in the best way for us. We do not need to have all the particular medical knowledge of what is wrong to ask God to set it right, although that knowledge can help our prayers to be more specific."

The author contributes his own sample prayer, coming from the medical knowledge that he understands:

"Jesus, I know that there are certain areas of my life that are governed by habits of thought, feeling and behavior that throw my life out of balance. I ask now that the Light of Your Love for me wash over my brain where all these habits are physically ingrained. I ask You to free me with Your grace and create in me new patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior more in tune with the person I really am, and so free me to express my true self.

"Lord Jesus, if in my body there is any imbalance of hormonal or other secretions that is causing or is the result of disorientations within my psyche, I ask You now to heal that imbalance. Send the Light of Your Love into those parts of my body that are not functioning according to Your perfect plan for me, and help my body to accept Your Love, which will make it whole. Jesus, only You know how fully this physical imbalance has affected my life; I give You permission to put back into proper perspective all those parts of my life touched by this problem. Thank You, Jesus, for knowing what to do and how to do it gently and effectively."

This way of praying is interesting to me and maybe to you. Light is I believe a physical attribute and to image and pray for God's love to come to us as Light penetrating and washing over the parts of our body could very well be an opening within us for God to work to heal wherever the need within us is. The author is always acknowledging throughout this book that God knows more than we do and we pray constantly for revelation and help and to be able to accept God's coming into our lives to give us integration and balance and now the author advises us in this chapter to pray for physical integration and balance also. I think the thing is for people always to pray as it makes sense for them to pray but, if light and thinking of God's love as Light in your life, in my life, makes sense, any of us could very well bring this way of praying into our prayer lives. It's reminding me of all the hymns "Jesus, the Light of the world" and this little light of mine, Jesus gave it to me, etc., etc., etc. Light is a mysterious substance, what makes sunlight, candle light, electrical light?

God's Peace,
Sharon