Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 135
135 and control the thoughts and actions of other persons. This process of healing operates through the concentra- tion of the operator’s attention which influences the nervous system of the subject and assumes control over it, so that his actions and conduct become subject to the will of the operator who can direct them in any manner he chooses. But such healing is confined almost wholly to disorders connected with the nervous system. For instance, it is possible that fever, headache, conjunctivi- tis, etc. , may be cured by this means, but it would be impossible to cure by this means any disease or disorder affecting the constitution, for instance, syphilis, leprosy, tuberculosis, etc. The power to heal nervous or superficial disor- ders may be considerably developed by practice, and is based upon the ability of the operator to concentrate his attention. It is not necessary that the operator should touch or handle the subject in any way or should make any prescribed movements. If the necessary degree of concentration is achieved, no matter whether by prayer or in any other manner, the desired result can be brought about. Every person can, by a little practice, acquire this art to some degree, and people who avoid the use of liquor and the eating of swine’s flesh can easily become expert healers. But this has nothing to do with the spiritual condition of a man, nor can such healing be regarded as a sign or a miracle. It is an art, like any other art, and advantage can be taken of it as of any other law of nature. On the other hand, the signs shown by the Prom- ised Messiah as as illustrations of the manifestation of the