Afterword

What kind of person would devote herself to getting this book to you? What part will I play in helping you to put it to use successfully? To start, it may be helpful for you to know what it means to be a naturopathic physician.

A naturopathic physician (N.D.), also called a naturopath, naturopathic doctor, or, in Arizona, a naturopathic medical doctor (N.M.D.), practices a distinct system of primary health care—an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. Naturopathic medicine’s techniques include modern and traditional, scientific and empirical methods.

Principles Of Healing

The following six principles of healing form the foundation for naturopathic medical practice:

1. The healing power of Nature.

The body is more than the sum of its physical parts. It also has an inherent, intelligent life force continuous with the life force in all creation. The natural state of this life force is balance and harmony—within the body, within the person, and with all of creation. The natural healing process is ordered and intelligent. The physician’s role is to assist the patient in working WITH the ordered and intelligent efforts of the natural life force as it acts in the body and in the person’s life.

2. Treat the whole person.

The current appearance and functioning of the physical body is the result of a larger life system in each person that includes nutrition, exercise, and other factors including mental, emotional, genetic, spiritual, environmental, and social aspects of life. When there is imbalance9 anywhere in the system, the body will sooner or later display illness. To achieve the result of physical health, the physician must assist the patient in addressing health in all these aspects of his or her life.

3. Identify and treat the cause.

Disease symptoms are the natural result of the body’s attempt to heal itself or adapt to an imbalance in the person’s life. (For example, a fever is the body’s way of killing “germs’, and a runny nose is to clear out “germs” or irritating particles. A body weakened by stress or malnutrition will invite infection. A tumor may be the result of unexpressed or unresolved emotions, desires, creative urges; or physical toxins that have not been released.)

Using symptoms as clues to underlying imbalance, the physician searches for and aims treatment at the cause of the imbalance, so that all obstacles to cure can be removed, and the body’s own inherent intelligence, working with the intelligent life force in all of creation, can do the healing.

4. Prevention is the best cure.

Rather than wait until disease demonstrates underlying imbalance, it is best to live in balance. The physician’s role is to understand each patient well enough to identify imbalance before it leads to disease, and to teach the patient how to create the best possible circumstances for health.

5. First, do no harm.

The physician’s responsibility is to guide the patient in choosing the tools and techniques most likely to support the body’s life force, and causing the least possibility of adverse effects.

6. Doctor as teacher

The original meaning of the Latin root for doctor was teacher. The physician’s primary role is to inspire, guide, and teach a patient how to be well, and how to care for him or herself in the event of disease.

Even when he or she gives hands-on treatments, the doctor is not the healer, but only serves to facilitate healing by the life force acting in the patient.

Techniques And Tools

A naturopathic doctor is trained in a wide range of diagnostic techniques (such as lab tests, x-rays, and physical exams) and in the use of many tools and treatment techniques. From these she chooses the combination she believes will best support the body’s own self-healing. The tools and techniques include:

. homeopathic medicine . counseling . allopathic medicine . hydrotherapy . nutritional medicine . exercise programs . botanical medicine . stress management programs . musculo-skeletal manipulation . electrical stimulation . dietary programs . minor surgery

When she believes it to be in the patient’s best interest, she refers patients to various specialists, including M.D.s, D.O.s (osteopaths,) acupuncturists, massage therapists, chiropractors, psychotherapists, and many other types of health practitioners.

Training And Licensing

In case you’re curious as to how the training and licensing of a naturopathic doctor (N.D.) compares with that of a medical doctor (M.D.), here’s the scoop:

In the state of Washington, U.S.A., where in 2004 I am licensed as a primary care physician (the same category as an M.D.), naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from an accredited four-year naturopathic medical school and pass national and state licensing examinations. Study at accredited colleges includes western medical philosophy and medical sciences:

. anatomy . physiology . biochemistry . pharmacology . pathology . histology . embryology . genetics . microbiology . endocrinology . immunology . gynecology . obstetrics . dermatology . neurology . oncology . cardiology . proctology . urology

The program of study also includes naturopathic medical philosophy, Chinese and/or Ayurvedic medical philosophy; all of the therapeutics listed above; and supervised clinical practice. Annual continuing education is required.

This book has changed my practice of medicine

In publishing and promoting The Science of Being Well, my aim is to offer a system which I believe will benefit you. I have thought long and hard about what it means to be a physician practicing what Mr. Wattles teaches. Should I abandon the practice of medicine altogether?

By oath and law, my role as a physician is to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease. This role requires me to focus my attention on disease. The practice of the Science of Being Well as Mr. Wattles teaches it requires one to “sever all mental relations with disease and enter into relations with health”.

But however much I may help my patients build the strongest relationship with health, there is still the question of what to do if disease is present. How should I support a person who is committed to the path of healing, but has a disease which is currently disabling or even life-threatening?

What I believe is that disease in a person’s body is a result of some blockage or constriction of the free flow of life force in the human system. The blockage may originate in a person’s thoughts or actions. It may originate in his or her parents’ thoughts or actions, or those of other influential people. It may be on a much larger scale, as in social, cultural, environmental, or other global conditions. All of these are part of the human system. All of these can affect an individual’s health.

I believe that disease creates a precious opportunity for healing—for learning the truth about the flow of life energy in the universe and how we are all part of it.

Disease is not the enemy that our modern medical system has made it seem. Disease is a messenger. True healing requires willingness to receive the message and deal with it.

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On a global scale, when we see epidemics and the effects of global environmental pollution, healing may require global change. On a personal level, healing may require forgiveness, letting go of limiting beliefs about oneself and the world, and accepting higher truths. It may require taking the natural action that results from understanding higher truths—actions like changing one’s job or living circumstances, and relationships with everyone and everything in one’s life.

This is big stuff!

It is my intention to focus my energy, skills, and experience on helping people to achieve true healing. This means shifting my attention from disease to the message it carries. It means helping people to open up to and align with the full, free flow of life energy.

There are lots of doctors who can help you sort out how to manage the symptoms of disease so you can still function while you are healing. There are fewer who will look beyond the disease itself to help you heal the underlying condition. I’m in the latter group. For some people part of what I do to help them create the best possible circumstances for healing may be managing disease. But I will not support people in dealing with disease at the expense of healing.

My interpretation of “severing mental relations with disease” is to give no power to any fear or belief that disease is the problem. Further, it means to give no power to the fear or belief that there is disharmony or imbalance. What it means is to understand that there is science at work, with understandable and predictable rules. If you know what the rules are and how to work with them, you can have any result you want, including perfect health.

The Science of Being Well gives you the basic rules. My contribution is to help you understand how it all works as my own understanding grows so we can all experience the blessing of true well-being.

What is my vision for you? Could it be yours, too?

Imagine with me…

You wake up in the morning after a restful sleep, full of energy and enthusiasm for the day ahead. (You say the affirmation Charles Fillmore wrote at the age of 93: “I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm and spring forth with a mighty faith to do the things that ought to be done by me!”)

Your body feels WONDERFUL. You look in the mirror and love who and what you see.

Your day unfolds gracefully, from one peaceful moment to the next—regardless of how things may appear—from the moment you joyfully awaken until the moment you lie peacefully to rest for the night. You hold a powerful vision of the dreams that are yours to fulfill. You have all the clarity, support, and resources you need to do today’s work with excellence, and the confidence and faith that you’ll have all you need tomorrow and every day.

You live in constant gratitude for the marvelous opportunity to have a body which allows you to interact with all the beauty and wonder of the physical world. You are joyfully aware of your connection with all of creation with every breath you take, every drink of water, every bite of food, every loving thought, every word you say, every action. You thoroughly enjoy everything required to bring food to your table—every interaction with people, the earth, rain, sunshine, other living beings, and the food itself. You love the way your body moves, and love to move for the sheer joy of it.

You live in perfect health.

Your life of gratitude, peace, mindfulness, personal responsibility, intimate relationship with your spiritual and physical source of life and health, and positive relationship with yourself and other people creates a ripple effect benefiting all of humanity and all life on Earth.

And everyone on Earth lives as you do, in perfect health, perfect prosperity, and perfect peace.

Will you join me in this vision?

Will you turn your back on doubts, fears, past failures, the appearance of hopeless conditions, that little voice inside that always seems to tell you “it won’t work” for you? Will you courageously take your next step, and then another, toward your vision, regardless of appearances and negative thoughts?

You DO have what it takes. You CAN have what you want. And here’s the best part: it can be EASY, and it can be FUN!

Are you ready for your life to be more wonderful than ever before? Are you ready to experience not only physical health but an entire life of well-being?

Can you imagine participating in something that benefits not only you, but the entire planet? It may be as simple as deciding to make it so.

Say “yes!” and the forces of the universe are already rushing to help you.

For starters, you already have this e-book! And I’m creating or tracking down every other way I can think of to help and support you.

All you have to do is say yes…

• Say yes to the ongoing support available through the Science of Being Well. Check the site often for exciting new resources.

• Read the free Be Well!TM e-zine for regular infusions of inspiration, practical tips, and amazing stories of others’ successes.

• Build your faith in what’s possible by listening to the audiobook.

• Increase your support group of like-minded people in the worldwide online discussion forum.

• Let your computer help you focus on health with my free Fresh AirTM software.

• Invite others to join you by printing out and giving this book to your friends, referring them to the website, and encouraging them to jump in with you and take full advantage of the resources.

• Increase the number of like-minded people in your field by joining the affiliate program and linking to the site on your own website.

My friend, you have my full faith and confidence that if you practice the Science of Being Well, you will…Be Well!

9: My own view is that it’s not imbalance, but a blockage or constriction of the free flow of life force that creates the conditions for disease.

Glossary

Terms and names which may be unfamiliar or are not commonly used today are explained here, chapter by chapter. Two very important terms used throughout this book and Mr. Wattles’ other writings are explained at the end of this Glossary.

Preface

New Thought: New Thought is a practically oriented spirituality that promotes fullness of all aspects of living, through constructive thinking, meditating, and other ways of realizing the presence of God. It was recognized as “The Religion of Healthy-Mindedness” by William James in his 1902 book, The Varieties of Religious Experience. Because it affirms freedom of belief of each person, there is a variety of theological positions among its practitioners. Current New Thought churches and groups include Unity, Religious Science, Science of Mind, Divine Science, and others.

As New Thought is a spiritual approach, not a religion, there are many people who follow New Thought principles regardless of their particular religious affiliations (or none at all).

Chapter 1

Allopath: An allopath is a doctor who uses strong substances to counteract the body’s processes during disease. The emphasis is often on stopping symptoms. Modern examples would be a medicine to reduce a fever, or dry up your runny nose during a cold, or a drug so you don’t feel pain. During Mr. Wattles’ time, injected morphine was the standard painkiller. A variety of substances we now recognize as toxic, such as mercury and large doses of strong alcohol, were common allopathic medicines back then.

Homeopath: A homeopath is a doctor who uses extremely dilute doses of substances which, if taken in large dose, would cause the very same symptoms the patient is having. The theory is that symptoms are the natural result of the body’s effort to heal itself, and that these dilute substances support, rather than counteract, this effort to heal.

Osteopath: An osteopath is a doctor who uses musculoskeletal manipulation with the goal of healing the whole body by restoring circulation and nerve impulses to all body organs and systems.

Bills Of Fare: In Mr. Wattles’ day a “food scientist” would guide a person to health by giving a list of specific foods to eat or avoid. This could be called a diet plan, menu, or “bill of fare”.

Christian Scientist: A Christian Scientist follows a religion founded in 1866 by Mary Baker Eddy, practicing spiritual healing based on the teaching that cause and effect are mental, and that sin, sickness, and death are destroyed by a full understanding of the divine principles of Jesus’ teaching and healing.

Mental scientist: A mental scientist believes that the mind is fully capable of healing the body, or in limiting its healing, through belief, and that the mind can be trained in positive belief through verbalizing positive statements called “affirmations”.

Hygienist: Hygienists followed a health reform movement begun in the 1830s by Sylvester Graham. They urged a regimen of unrefined flour, daily exercise, cold baths, hard mattresses, loose clothing, and abstinence (from drinking alcohol, smoking, and masturbating), all tied to “Christian morality”. As meat was viewed as a substance likely to stimulate immoral sexual passions, the ideal diet was thought to be vegetarian.

Chapter 4

Dr. Tanner: In 1880, Dr. Tanner in New York City did a 40-day fast to prove such a thing could be done. He drank only water, and had several attendants caring for him so his need for physical exertion was minimal. The newspapers ran daily accounts of his progress, and doctors took daily scientific measurements which were then published in the well-respected British Medical Journal.

After his success, many others demonstrated that even longer fasts could be done with beneficial results, even while carrying on normal activities of daily living. Several of these are described in detail in Dr. E. H. Dewey’s book, The No-Breakfast Plan and The Fasting Cure.

Chapter 11

Fletcher habit: The practice of chewing one’s food to liquid, the “Fletcher habit”, was named for Horace Fletcher, who promoted it. His research on the subject is detailed in his book, The A.B.-Z. of Our Own Nutrition.

Chapter 16

Hot fomentations: A hot fomentation is a treatment using several thicknesses of wool or cotton soaked in hot water, then placed over the painful area or other body part in which increased heat is desired.

Because it increases circulation, it is not used over open wounds. Due to the danger of burns, it is not used in body areas unable to detect heat, in infants, or in persons who are unconscious or paralyzed. It is not usually used over a menstruating or pregnant uterus, or an area with cancer.

This treatment is generally safe for sore muscles. For other uses, it is recommended that you consult a naturopathic doctor or someone else trained in hydrotherapy. (In some areas, massage therapists are trained in hydrotherapy.)

You can read more about this treatment for home use in Home Remedies, by Agatha Thrash, M.D. and Calvin Thrash, M.D.

Throughout The Book

Purpose

Today we generally use this word as a noun meaning variously:

• The object toward which one strives (Example: a goal).

• The reason for which something exists (Example: the purpose of life).

• The reason for taking action (Example: our purpose is to get well).

But in Mr. Wattles’ day the word was often used as a verb. When one purposes to do something, it means one completely intends to perform or accomplish that something. It describes total determination and commitment.

I suggest that when you see this word used in The Science of Being Well, The Science of Getting Rich, or The Science of Being Great, you consider all its possible meanings. They all make sense!

The Certain Way

Mr. Wattles uses this phrase in all three of the books mentioned above, and there are a couple of meanings, both of which apply. First he is referring to a particular, specific way of thinking, acting, living, etc.

And the word “certain” also means:

• Sure to come or happen; inevitable: certain success.

• Established beyond doubt or question; indisputable. (Example: What is certain is that every effect must have a cause.)

• Capable of being relied on; dependable: (Example: A quick and certain remedy.)

• Having or showing confidence; assured.

Once again, all these meanings are useful.

The End