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The Art of True Healing: The Unlimited Power of Prayer and Visualization
The Art of True Healing details a powerful exercise that stimulates the body, mind, and spirit to help us create physical health and personal success. Originally published in 1932, predating by more than a half century the current interest in the mind’s power to heal, this concise work guides readers through what Israel Regardie calls the Middle Pillar meditation — a technique that combines the mystical concepts of yoga’s chakras and the Kabbalah’s Tree of Life to create a simple and effective healing tool.
In this edition, editor Marc Allen brings Regardie’s work into the twenty-first century — showing us how to unleash energy to heal our bodies and, ultimately, every part of our lives. Like few books before or since, The Art of True Healing provides both the theory and practices necessary for attaining well-being and fulfillment.
In this edition, editor Marc Allen brings Regardie’s work into the twenty-first century — showing us how to unleash energy to heal our bodies and, ultimately, every part of our lives. Like few books before or since, The Art of True Healing provides both the theory and practices necessary for attaining well-being and fulfillment.
96 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1964
60 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
Israel Regardie
149 books306 followersIsrael Regardie (born Francis Israel Regudy) was considered by many to be the last living Adept of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. At an early age, Regardie worked as Aleister Crowley's personal secretary. In addition to his extensive writings, Regardie practiced as a chiropractor and as a neo-Reichian therapist. He taught psychiatry at the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and contributed articles to many psychology magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 22, 2021
Israel Regardie is a little-known thought leader of western occultism. In this book, "The Art of Healing," Dr. Regardie explains a few meditation techniques in a way that anyone from beginners to advanced practitioners can understand.
I remember reading somewhere (not this book) about Dr. Regardie's internship with Aleister Crowley and how he realized Crowley wasn't teaching him anything beyond the superficial when it came to occult matters.
He ended up breaking away and being one of the leaders of a new approach to occultism-
which brings me back to this book.
The meditation techniques will feel quite familiar to anyone who has practiced chakra meditations or color visualizations on the body.
"By these means, the healing force is distributed to every part of the body. No single atom or cell in any organ or limb is omitted from the influence of its healing, regenerative power."
The curious part of this book is that Dr. Regardie uses five centers of energy down the center of the body instead of the more standard seven of eastern occultism.
Of course, as Dr. Regardie states, these exercises are in no way a substitution for competent medical care or therapy when necessary - but they are a wonderful addition to it, for they are able to aid the healing process in a great many mysterious, profound, and positive ways. intro
I'm not entirely sure why he does this though I am familiar with the Middle Pillar exercise (which is what the technique is called). Perhaps he's basing the whole practice off of a teaching Crowley created for his occult studies.
Whatever the reason, I think it is a noteworthy and definite change from other meditations I've practiced.
Highly recommended for readers looking for new meditation techniques and who are interested in western occultism. Another book you may want to pick up if you are into these topics is High Magick: A Guide to the Spiritual Practices That Saved My Life on Death Row.
Damien Echols's style of writing reminds me of Dr. Regardie in both its refreshing simplicity and honest assessment of the Great Work.
I remember reading somewhere (not this book) about Dr. Regardie's internship with Aleister Crowley and how he realized Crowley wasn't teaching him anything beyond the superficial when it came to occult matters.
He ended up breaking away and being one of the leaders of a new approach to occultism-
which brings me back to this book.
The meditation techniques will feel quite familiar to anyone who has practiced chakra meditations or color visualizations on the body.
"By these means, the healing force is distributed to every part of the body. No single atom or cell in any organ or limb is omitted from the influence of its healing, regenerative power."
The curious part of this book is that Dr. Regardie uses five centers of energy down the center of the body instead of the more standard seven of eastern occultism.
Of course, as Dr. Regardie states, these exercises are in no way a substitution for competent medical care or therapy when necessary - but they are a wonderful addition to it, for they are able to aid the healing process in a great many mysterious, profound, and positive ways. intro
I'm not entirely sure why he does this though I am familiar with the Middle Pillar exercise (which is what the technique is called). Perhaps he's basing the whole practice off of a teaching Crowley created for his occult studies.
Whatever the reason, I think it is a noteworthy and definite change from other meditations I've practiced.
Highly recommended for readers looking for new meditation techniques and who are interested in western occultism. Another book you may want to pick up if you are into these topics is High Magick: A Guide to the Spiritual Practices That Saved My Life on Death Row.
Damien Echols's style of writing reminds me of Dr. Regardie in both its refreshing simplicity and honest assessment of the Great Work.
February 21, 2013
While relying heavily on Qabalistic precepts, this is perhaps the most approachable & useful book for the occult student who HASN'T chosen to stick closely to Golden Dawn style Western Hermetic technique. This one was short, sweet & to the point. I remember experimenting with a combination of what Regardie taught about healing in this volume and tricks from The Silva Method with some success. Hmmm, I already have a copy of Silva Mind Control...perhaps tracking a copy of this down might be worthwhile, given my state of health.
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June 15, 2009found the 'middle pillar' exercises beneficial. I like the fact that he is out of the 'mainstream' as far as Kaballah is concerned. i mentioned i was reading this to a 'traditional' Kaballah teacher and was promptly told to 'ignore Regardie, he's not kosher' which let me know i was headed in the right direction!
June 27, 2019
It is not so much a book as an essay on a simplified version of the traditional Middle Pillar exercise packaged as a standalone practice. To this end it is quite nice and it can be recommended to people who would prefer to dip their toes into the ocean of Western Occultism without having to take a full dive. For people who do dive, it can provide interesting directions on how Middle Pillar practice can be adopted to practical ends.
To those who are interested to read this book, I suggest googling the name and downloading a PDF version. The author is now dead for long enough not to be crossed by missing his royalties. Also, downloading it is well within the realm of the law since the original book is out of print.
A word of warning for those who end up having a copy edited by Marc Allen. Ignore any modifications that he proposes in the Afterword. It is one thing to follow the original author's advise in modifying this practice to one's liking or adopting modifications of other people practising something close enough to the tradition Israel Regardie was promoting. It's quite another kettle of fish to mix approaches taken from different traditions and energy systems, sprinkle it with ungrounded references to quantum physics, and weight it by the authority of someone like Deepak Chopra. Chakras are quite emphatically not Sephirot. Mishmashing between the two may work up to a degree. However, someone digging into it with too much enthusiasm may find themselves landing in a world of hurt before they understand what's going on.
To those who are interested to read this book, I suggest googling the name and downloading a PDF version. The author is now dead for long enough not to be crossed by missing his royalties. Also, downloading it is well within the realm of the law since the original book is out of print.
A word of warning for those who end up having a copy edited by Marc Allen. Ignore any modifications that he proposes in the Afterword. It is one thing to follow the original author's advise in modifying this practice to one's liking or adopting modifications of other people practising something close enough to the tradition Israel Regardie was promoting. It's quite another kettle of fish to mix approaches taken from different traditions and energy systems, sprinkle it with ungrounded references to quantum physics, and weight it by the authority of someone like Deepak Chopra. Chakras are quite emphatically not Sephirot. Mishmashing between the two may work up to a degree. However, someone digging into it with too much enthusiasm may find themselves landing in a world of hurt before they understand what's going on.
June 12, 2019
Best Stuff, No Guff
This is the classic, uncomplicated, foundational practice of the Western Mystery Tradition. It isn’t cluttered with the ideas of later editors. So many concepts essential to personal development are introduced here, despite its brevity. It is Occultism 101 simply presented without the mystery-mongering of so many other writers. This is where everyone should start to refresh their psyche and develop basic techniques such as visualization.
This is the classic, uncomplicated, foundational practice of the Western Mystery Tradition. It isn’t cluttered with the ideas of later editors. So many concepts essential to personal development are introduced here, despite its brevity. It is Occultism 101 simply presented without the mystery-mongering of so many other writers. This is where everyone should start to refresh their psyche and develop basic techniques such as visualization.
August 30, 2007
My only issue with this book is that it does not instruct students to properly banish before the MP. The Middle Pillar ritual is very powerful, and tends to make the person performing it an "astral junk magnet". The LBRP is very important - it banishes any harmful or unwanted influences - and should be done before proceeding with the MP ritual.
January 25, 2023
O livro é um compilado curto feito por Marc Allen sobre os ensinamentos acerca do Ritual do Pilar do Meio de Israel Regardie, baseados principalmente no livro "A Árvore da Vida". Simples, direto e eficaz, possui tudo que um adepto precisa para praticar o ritual e suas variações sugeridas. Pequenas lições sobre um grande assunto, que se realizado de forma diligente, servirá de plataforma de lançamento para técnicas e rituais mais elaborados e específicos.
July 29, 2025
Great insight on western occultism viewed from the lens of psychology. Regardie introduces his middle pillar meditation and explains the importance of psychoanalysis combined with occult study. He explains a method for integral health. This was my intro to Regardie, interesting fellow
March 25, 2018
Good source on the Middle Pillar mediation and the law of attraction.
August 30, 2019
I wish i could be a student of or assistant to him. The book is pretty short, neat and explains stuff with details.
February 24, 2020
Israel Regardie, enough said lol
April 12, 2020
Brilliant
There is wisdom in here that is as distillation of essential oils...it does not take much to get a lot from this book. Well worth a read
There is wisdom in here that is as distillation of essential oils...it does not take much to get a lot from this book. Well worth a read
November 7, 2021
Exactly what i was looking for :)
June 28, 2022
Middle Pillar method
December 30, 2024
IT WORKS
Used to eliminate pain when my daughter ran a staple through her thumb.
***** **** *** ** * ** *** **** *****
Used to eliminate pain when my daughter ran a staple through her thumb.
***** **** *** ** * ** *** **** *****
May 15, 2016
A Little Jewel by Regardie
As a past practitioner or Golden Dawn Ritual, I found this little book filled with esoteric knowledge and wisdom, giving insight into the central ritual used by magicians of all Orders. If you were just given the formula to follow, but not given insight into each and every part of this ritual, then this book will open your eyes, explaining in detail what this ritual is really about and what it can be used for. I highly recommend a thorough and thoughtful reading of this book which will open even more doors into your magical works.
As a past practitioner or Golden Dawn Ritual, I found this little book filled with esoteric knowledge and wisdom, giving insight into the central ritual used by magicians of all Orders. If you were just given the formula to follow, but not given insight into each and every part of this ritual, then this book will open your eyes, explaining in detail what this ritual is really about and what it can be used for. I highly recommend a thorough and thoughtful reading of this book which will open even more doors into your magical works.
May 8, 2016
The reading of this book came in the right moment, re-evaluating my direct experiences on distant healing. It came in the right moment to bring to the light a different technique. Compact, sincere and right to the point, although I would prefer the author to unravel more details, especially for the astrological approach. Perhaps –on the other hand– what shared in this book, was just enough...
August 24, 2008
All this current push on the secret...this is one of the orignals!!!! MUST READ if life keeps punching you in the face, this will wake you up...lots of info in a very small easy quick read book!!! has great excersises for canging your thought processes and helping you to deprogram
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews