Letters, Volume 13 #6

I agree with much of what Fr. McCarthy says: the Christian churches are reluctant to give their approbation, the phenomena deserve serious attention, the church should promote spiritual teachings more, the desire for God is innate, we learn from the saints that the process is lifelong and requires discipline, it is arduous work, the pure of heart truly see God, contemplation is a rich source of wisdom and is open to anyone, and growing consciousness develops a deeper desire for God.

In my three years as a student at the Natural Health Consultants Institute in Montreal, I have found all of the above fundamental to learning to be a healer. This "New Age" school enters its fifth year in September. New students will be welcomed to their first class with an introduction to spiritual psychotherapy. It is a marvellous amalgam of the Adlers and Jungs of this century with personal experiences of teachers who typically have been healing through holistic medicine for ten to fifteen years.

Your comments on "hysteria" have no place among these dedicated helpers of humanity. The sensations you ridicule are part of life in the institute. And yes, there is a very sad irony in the inability of our church to attract people, given its spiritual treasure house.

Please be aware that it is not only Christian spirituality that has the felt knowledge that we are loved by God. Yes, we must migrate away from egotism towards spirituality, and this is a fundamental truth. But Christianity has no monopoly on this truth.

I find it important to share with you, as I do with clergy here in Montreal, these truly positive aspects of New Age spirituality.