I had suffered for 18-20 years with back pain due to a lifting injury. I had received every form of medical and surgical examination and treatment except surgical intervention. Chiropractic and osteopathic care had helped but only temporarily. Though I did not recognize it at the time, I was self medicating.

I had occasion to attend a Renaissance Fair in northern California and was taking the opportunity to self medicate. I saw several people offering massage therapy and my attention was drawn to one of the practitioners. I thought I would indulge myself and I was waiting until she could see me.

The first question she asked was whether there was any problem with my back and I confessed the old injury and the present pain. She immediately asked if I was willing to let that be healed. There was no reason not to be willing and, though I felt silly to be put on the spot, I agreed.

She had me review the hour of events, which had occurred the hour before the old injury, as she applied pressure to the muscle spasm. I was to stop in the moment just before the injury. It was difficult. I did not want to recall those times. I could not seem to avoid reliving the injury. Finally, after some difficulty I was there.

Now, she said, proceed with the events, using whatever fanciful imaginings occur to you. Only this time, do not be injured. I did as she suggested, imagining some fantastic intervention which avoided the one handed, heavy lifting injury. Immediately, the muscle spasm, which she had been pressing, went slack. I marveled at the healing which had occurred. In the next moment, waves of gratitude filled me and I wept tears of joy, while the crowd shouted, "huzzah!" in apparent honor of the parading Queen Elizabeth. Next, time was spent in forgiving all involved in the injury. As I did, the inexplicable coincidence of tears and cheers occurred time and again.

The healing was deeper and more restful than any in my many years of treatment. I began checking in with my back to see if any sign of the stabbing pain was there. It took a month of looking before the old "friend" of pain reappeared. But I was changed. I had learned that healing, and injury, were of the mind. I did not understand it, but I had been introduced to the miracle of healing and I have never forgotten it.

G. A.- United States