# Appendix explained — The Varieties of Religious Experience > Chapter companion for The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James. ## What happens The appendix presents two case studies that illustrate the power of mental healing and the influence of the mind on physical health. The first case describes a patient who, despite skepticism, experienced a sudden and profound improvement in health through silent mental treatment, attributing the change to a telepathic reception of a healthier mental state. The second case recounts a father's initial skepticism about mental healing, which was overcome when his daughter was cured, leading to a personal transformation marked by inner peace, tolerance, and the elimination of selfishness, culminating in a realization of the immanence of God. ## Themes in this chapter ### The Role of Feeling and Emotion The case studies highlight the emotional and psychological changes that accompany healing, such as the disappearance of irritability and the growth of serenity and confidence. ### Healthy-Mindedness and the Sick Soul The second case describes a shift from a state of nervousness and dread to one of inner calm and confidence, illustrating a movement from a 'sick soul' to a 'healthy-minded' state. ### Mysticism and the Reality of the Unseen The first case involves a telepathic influence from a healer's mind, suggesting a connection to an unseen reality beyond the conscious mind. ## Character check-ins ### William James The author, who presents and comments on the case studies, discussing the implications of mental healing and the unconscious mind. ## Key lines > I have come to the conclusion that the dividing line that has been drawn is an arbitrary one, the nerves controlling the internal activities and the nutrition of the body throughout; and I believe that the central nervous system, by starting and inhibiting local centres, can exercise a vast influence upon disease of any kind, if it can be brought to bear. The distinction between nervous and organic disease is not clear-cut; the nervous system can influence all types of illness. _James argues for the central role of the nervous system in health and disease._ > I grew broadly tolerant and receptive toward the views of others. I had been nervous and irritable, coming home two or three times a week with a sick headache induced, as I then supposed, by dyspepsia and catarrh. I grew serene and gentle, and the physical troubles entirely disappeared. The patient became more open-minded and calm, and his physical ailments vanished. _The healing process led to both psychological and physical transformation._ > I may say that the growth has all been toward the elimination of selfishness. I do not mean simply the grosser, more sensual forms, but those subtler and generally unrecognized kinds, such as express themselves in sorrow, grief, regret, envy, etc. It has been in the direction of a practical, working realization of the immanence of God and the Divinity of man’s true, inner self. The patient's spiritual growth involved letting go of subtle selfishness and recognizing the divine presence within. _The healing experience led to a deeper spiritual realization._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_varieties_of_religious_experience_se/chapters/appendix - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_varieties_of_religious_experience_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_varieties_of_religious_experience_se/chapters