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The History of Mind-Cure: Belief in Wholeness and Oneness

Explore the history and beliefs behind the mind-cure movement, which emphasizes that wholeness is our natural state of being and that dis-ease is a result of believing in separation from God. Learn about key figures such as William James, Sir Isaac Newton, and Phineas Parkhurst Quimby, and their contributions to this belief system.

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The History of Mind-Cure: Belief in Wholeness and Oneness

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  1. The History of New Thought & Unity HST 140

  2. A time of prayer

  3. AgendaSession 4 • Discussion: History of Mind-Cure • Assignments for this week • Plan for next week

  4. History of Mind-Cure

  5. What is mind-cure?a belief system • Wholeness is our natural state of being

  6. What is mind-cure?a belief system • Wholeness is our natural state of being • Wholeness is a result of conscious awareness of Oneness

  7. What is mind-cure?a belief system • Wholeness is our natural state of being • Wholeness is a result of conscious awareness of Oneness • dis-ease is a result of belief in separation from God

  8. what is mind-cure?a belief system • Wholeness is our natural state of being • Wholeness is a result of conscious awareness of Oneness • dis-ease is a result of belief in separation from God • Feelings/thoughts are the most important factors in human health

  9. William James[1842-1910]on mind-cure • "religion of healthy-mindedness" • There are two types of religious people • “The Healthy Minded” spiritual optimists • “The Sick Souls” or “The Divided Selves” wrestle with themselves overwhelmed by their sense of sin The Varieties of Religious Experience 1902

  10. The science of mind-cure Sir Isaac Newton  1642-1727 Marquis de Puységur 1751–1825 James Braid 1795-1860 Anton Mesmer 1734-1815

  11. Sir Isaac Newtongravity • Planets follow predicable orbits governed by magnetic force • A force acts on falling objects [apples] • Moon would fly away if a force was not causing it to fall toward the earth • Led to later experiments using magnets to heal

  12. Anton Mesmer • Cosmic fluid reacts to gravitational force of planets • - disease results when fluid is blocked in body • - use trance to unclog fluid • Initially used magnets • - found them unnecessary • Animal magnetism: cosmic fluid flowed in Mesmer • - healing came from his touch/manipulation

  13. Armand-Marie-Jacques de Chastenet, Marquis de Puységur • Artificial somnambulism [aka hypnosis] • similarities between sleep & trance • Patients open to post-hypnotic suggestion • Mind with conscious awareness • - potential to influence behavior • “I believe in the existence within myself of a power. • From this belief derives my will to exert it…. • Believe and Want.”

  14. James BraidFather of Hypnosis • Cosmic fluid doesn’t exist • - mesmerism is subjective force • Hypnotism • - psychological event from physiological process • - induced with power of suggestion • Eye fixation is key to mesmerism • - not cosmic fluid, hand gestures or will of mesmerist

  15. ContributionsPhineas Parkhurst Quimby1802-1866 • The cause of all illness is error belief • “The truth is the cure.” • - healing happens in the mind • Hypnosis allows people to release error thought • - fewer inhibitions • Healing comes as result of: • - confidence in the healer • - expectation of recovery

  16. Quimby’s Technique • Sat next to patient • Told patients God is benevolent • - God is good & doesn’t condemn • - people sick because of religious beliefs [hell, etc.] • Said he healed the same way as Jesus • - made distinction between Jesus & Christ • He absorbed errors/disease from patients into his body to heal them

  17. There is a divine energy inherent in the system that immediately and with omniscient skill reacts against every disorder of mind or body and exhibits itself in a psychical and physiological effort to restore harmony. Warren Felt Evans

  18. ContributionsWarren Felt Evans1817-1889 • Souls are Whole • - doesn’t deny existence of disease • - but disease results from incorrect thinking • Outer expression of people result from the • nature of their souls • Must release ego to receive healing power of God • Every healing practitioner is another Jesus Christ • - not miracles; result of following universal law

  19. ContributionsWarren Felt Evans1817-1889 • “every person of ordinary intelligence • [can become] his own family physician” • 2 things are required • the desire to get well • faith in the effectiveness of the treatment

  20. The mind of mind-cure Emanuel Swedenborg 1688-1772 Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803–1882

  21. Session 4 Assignment • Which of the scientific understandings • of healing • is most surprising to you? • Your response is due____________

  22. Session 4 Assignments: test Moncrieff discusses the “power of right thought.” What contributions did Quimby and Evans make to this concept of right thought? due: ______________

  23. Reading for Next SessionPrinciples of New Thought: the Nature of God • Moncrieff: 1 [nature of God] • 2 [trinity] • Phineas Parkhurst Resource Center. • “Chapter 4 - An Exposition Of Dr. Quimby's Philosophy. • “Ralph Waldo Emerson.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. • Shepherd: 1 [Philo, Plato, 1-18] • 6 [Eckhart, 96-113] • 9 [Emerson, 151-170] • Swedenborg Foundation. “Correspondences.” • ---. “Swedenborg’s Biography.” • ---. “Divine Providence.”

  24. A time of prayer

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