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and I felt confident that, due to this lady's personal belief in God, plus her stoical nature, that the two sessions proposed would be adequate. This confidence rapidly dissipated when I discovered the procedure involved.
Whilst conscious, her head was to be positioned so as to enable an almost straight line down through her trachea to her lungs, followed by insertion of three tubes up through her nose, the first with a camera, the second with a protective device for the voice box, and the third a tube which would provide oxygen to her lungs. It was estimated that the procedure would take approximately ninety minutes during which time she would be fully awake. This would be followed by a four operation under general anesthetic once the third tube was correctly positioned.
Realizing the power of her idea that I could help, plus my outward exuding of confidence that she was correct, she was taught abdominal breathing, muscle relaxation and then creative imagery consisting of angels soothing her throat, face, and mind whilst she was mentally far from the operating table at her self-chosen spot of a beautiful water hole in a rainforest. And, whilst her body would remain at the water hole, her mind would return to the operating theatre on a cue from the surgeon or anesthetist which was to be her name, followed by an instruction which she would carry out before returning to the water hole.
The power of her idea and belief that she could achieve this state of rugged self discipline whilst at peace was affirmed five days later by her being given the "Award for Best Patient of the Year" by the theatre staff. I had potently prayed for her that day, and was relieved when the hospital advised that the operation had been successful, for I doubt whether I myself could have coped with such an ordeal. Which brings me to sharing my thoughts on fortifying my own courage and dedication.
On aiding my Thought Adjuster partner
I can aid my partner, my Thought Adjuster by:
Desiring to be God-like, and willing to do and be all things that are essential to the final attainment of the overmastering desire. (1205)
Trying to develop a modicum of "spiritual potential in my intellect." (1203)
Devoted and determined effort to realize eternal destiny, which does not mean self-torture, mock piety, or hypocritical and ostentatious self-abasement, but loving service, decisions, determinations, and steadfast faith. (1205-6)
Becoming adept in the art of a continuous human temporal compromise whilst I yield spiritual allegiance to but one master. (1199)
If in doubt when making decisions, err in the direction of altruism as leading to the goal of human happiness and to the joys of the kingdom of heaven. (1131)
Learning to pray and worship like Jesus did, and to develop the strategies of problem solving that he himself used. (1774)
[Ann Bendall is a practicing clinical psychologist.]
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