To Think Well is to Live Well
by Master Gladys Wesley-Kennedy
Master Gladys has been called back to the monastery in China for a six week sabbatical. During her absence we present a few of “the best of Master Gladys” articles from previous years.
It was written, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”[1] Hmm, wonder which great soul(s) declared that? If this statement is true, then perhaps, man was created in the image and likeness of the Divine? If it is true, then perhaps man was also given sole responsibility for and jurisdiction over the whole of creation? If it is true, then the conditions of our bodies, life, and world are in our (man’s) hands—scary thought.
In The WHAI’s previous articles, I affirmed that, in many ways, we are responsible for the state of our health, earth, and life conditions. However, for some, this idea is met with blind eyes, deaf ears—or worse—contempt.
In the above listed quote, please ponder the phrase, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...” Consider what that really means. Consider also what it means for man to, “let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air,” etc. These statements are very specific and profound. To truly comprehend their meaning requires us to review the conditions of our life, as well as how and why things happen in our life.
The main tenet of The WHAI™ is that the conditions of our health and life directly reflect our state of mind. In other words, pathology of mind is reflected as pathology of body; health of mind is reflected as health of body and vice versa. Therefore, if fish of the sea, birds of the air, livestock, and all other creatures are currently threatened with extinction and loss of habitat, what does that say about man’s mindset? If earth is in a dire state of ecological imbalance, what does that say about man’s mindset? If our world and health are in states of distress and disharmony, what does that say about man’s mindset? Contemplate these questions carefully, for if we honestly answer them, we will understand where healing must begin. We will know, without question, where the source of our diseased bodies, societies, and earth reside. The importance of accurately answering these questions is that if we know the source of these problems, we know what needs to be healed. In this case, knowledge and a healthy mindset is power.
After the May article, “Getting Out of Mind Hell: Healing Disease,” was published, some readers stated, “Great article, but now tell us how to heal.” This comment was interesting to me because I thought I had. So, in this article, I will attempt to clarify the steps to healing. First, recognize areas of disease in your life. Second, trace these back to the source—the mind and its diseased thought patterns. Third, interrupt diseased mind patterns by replacing them with healing thought patterns. For example, find the blessing in every circumstance and struggle. Hold thoughts of reverence and gratitude for yourself and all living beings. Endeavor to nurture yourself, the earth, and its inhabitants. Finally, strive to live in harmony with all of life. Living this way means you think well. To think well is to live well. Another way to say this is, “To establish a heaven on earth, create a heaven in mind.” Or, “As you think, so shall it be.” Embedded in these statements are the answer and the way to achieving wellness and harmony in our life.
These sayings, although simplistic, hold deep meaning. To live well is our birthright, and to do so is very practical. Our mind, inherently, possesses the power and ability to shape our health, life, and world. Despite this, we continually seek complicated, step-by-step instructions from sources outside ourselves because we lack faith and belief in who we really are. We are the master of our existence. With our invisible, formless, omnipresent, and eternal Divine mind, we shape existence—one thought and action at a time. But, unfortunately, we doubt this. We needlessly rely on and give power to people, entities, or things outside of us, instead of being responsible stewards over our health, earth, and existence. Herein lies our only true problem.
As one of the world’s greatest teachers once said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”[2] So what is your mountain? If you know what needs to be moved out of your life, apply the truth that, with your mind and with faith in who you really are, all things are possible. Thus, to heal—start within. To heal your body, life conditions, and earth—simply put—heal the hindering patterns in your mind.
Gladys Wesley-Kennedy is the founder and QiGong Master of TheWHAI™ & Meditative Fitness™ Programs. Our educational therapeutic programs are based on my personal healing journey from a life of disease to renewed life of health and well-being.