by Swati Chopra

"God's in his heaven, all's right with the world!" is the sort of cheery optimism that metaphysical teacher and best-selling author of self-help books, Louise L. Hay would recommend as a panacea for all ills. For, she believes life to be a buffet with innumerable thoughts to choose from. Thoughts have the power to create our future. Consequently, we are what we think.

Louise began her career as a Science of Mind minister in 1981. She has used the experience to author pathfinding books like Heal Your Body and You Can Heal Your Life. Not only has she sought to establish the psychosomatic origins of all physical 'disease', but has also devised simple attitudinal changes guaranteed to heal the body, mind and soul.

What causes our bodies to malfunction? Germs and infections? Not necessarily, says Louise. Certain mental patterns, such as those of criticism, anger, resentment and guilt fester in the psyche until they find tangible expression in the form of cancers, ulcers and tumors. Such abusive mental patterns are formed when an individual hab negative, self-hating, guilt-ridden thoughts over and over again. Besides creating physical illness, these also poison our lives with uncomfortable, unrewarding experiences.

Louise calls them 'metaphysical causation'. "No person, place or thing is responsible for our frustrations," she says in You Can Heal Your Life.

Okay, so I see the negativity of my mental patterns and choose to make changes. What next? Louise believes in the power of the present moment—the best time to change is now. Once a decision to change is made, all else will follow. To let go of persistent thought patterns, follow a series of 'letting go' exercises. The foremost thing is to realize the power of the mind—it is a tool that can be used, whether to create a happy, peaceful life or a sad, discontented one. Release past resentments physically as well as mentally. Forgive and forget. Consciously visualize yourself happy.

Once the system is cleansed of excess baggage of the past, it is time to build anew. According to Louise, the most powerful way to achieve this is through positive affirmations. To do this, change the way you think and talk. For instance, saying "I now accept a wonderful new job" will open up opportunities whereas harping on "I hate my job" will lead you nowhere. Also, make your statement in the present tense, such as 'I have' or 'I am'. Making future tense statements such as 'I want' or 'I will have' will only serve to let the idea remain tantalizingly out of reach, in the future.

Louise should know—she has risen phoenix-like from the ashes of a traumatic past. A victim of sexual abuse at the age of five, Louise was plagued for most of her life by self-doubt and negative thought patterns. She finally seemed to reach the end of her tether when she was diagnosed with vaginal cancer. Refusing to panic or to give up on herself, Louise took on responsibility for her own healing. This involved physical and mental detoxification—the purging of years of frustration and suppressed anger. Miraculously, at the end of six months, not a trace of cancer remained. This led Louise to the realization that "disease can be healed, if we are willing to change the way we think, believe and act."

ILL HEALTH: THE REAL CAUSE AND CURE
PROBLEM	EMOTIONAL CAUSE	CURATIVE THOUGHT PATTERN
Accidents	Inability to speak for the self. Rebellion against authority.	I release the pattern in me that created this. I am at peace. I am worthwhile.
Addiction, alcoholism	Not knowing how to love the self. Feeling of guilt and inadequacy. Self-rejection.	I choose to love and enjoy myself. Each moment is new. I live in the now.
Arthritis	Feeling unloved. Criticism, resentment.	I now choose to love and approve of myself. I see others with love.
Asthma	Smothering love. Inability to breathe for oneself. Feeling stifled. Suppressed crying.	It is safe now for me to take charge of my own life. I choose to be free.
Lower back problems	Fear of money.	I trust life. I am safe. My needs are always taken care of.
Middle back problems	Guilt	I release the past. I am free to move forward with love.
Upper back problems	Lack of emotional support.	I love and approve of myself. Life loves and supports me.
High blood pressure	Long-standing unsolved emotional problem.	I joyously release the past. I am at peace.
Low blood pressure	Lack of love as a child. Defeatism: "What's the use? It won't work anyway."	My life is joy. I choose to live in the ever joyous now.
Cancer	Long-standing resentment, deep secret or grief eating away at the self.	I lovingly forgive and release the past. I choose to fill my world with joy.
Depression	Hopelessness, anger.	I create my own life. I now go beyond other people's fears and limitations.
Diabetes	Longing for what might have been. Deep sorrow.	This moment is filled with joy. I choose to experience the sweetness of life.
Heartattack	Squeezing love out of the heart for material possessions.	I bring joy back to the center of my heart. I express love to all.
Hepatitis	Resistance to change. Fear, anger, hatred.	My mind is cleansed and free. I leave the past and move into the new.
Nervous breakdown	Self-centeredness. Jamming the channels of communication.	I open my heart and create loving communication.
Overweight	Insecurity and self-rejection. Seeking fulfillment and protection.	I am at peace with myself. I am safe. I create my own security. I love myself.
Skin problems	Anxiety, fear, feeling of being threatened.	I lovingly protect myself with joyful thoughts. I am free in this moment.
Suicidal tendencies	See life as black and white. Refusal to see other ways out.	I live in the totality of possibilities. There is always another way. I am safe.
Tuberculosis	Wasting away from self-centeredness. Cruel thoughts.	I create a happy, peaceful world to live in.