THE SCOPE OF HEALING 203more care of this instrument. But we also learn the
laws of its nature and how to conform to them. If we
apply our knowledge it is possible for us to have a
sensitive instrument and keep it in comparative health.
There are cases, however, when a sickness is
necessary to bring about certain changes in the body
which are the precursors of a higher step in spiritual
unfoldment, and under such conditions, of course,
sickness is a blessing and not a curse. In general,
however, it may be said that the study of the higher
philosophy will always tend to better one’s health
because “knowledge is power” and the more we know
the better we are able to cope with all conditions,
provided, of course, we bring our knowledge into
practice and live the life—that we are not merely
hearers of the word, but doers also, for no teaching is
of benefit to us unless it is carried into our lives and
lived from day to day.
Nervousness Helped by Exercises
If a person of a nervous temperament will
endeavor to perform calmly and quietly the exercises
of Retrospection and Concentration, he will experience
a very beneficial effect, particularly if he will strive to
relax every muscle of the body during the exercises.
If the patient will completely relax his muscles,
calmly and quietly review the day’s happenings in the
evening exercise and concentrate upon a high ideal in
the morning exercise, the nervousness will gradually
disappear.