Rita, I also don't consider myself "religious" but rather "spiritual." Nor do I consider PD a punishment, in any form. In some ways, it has been a blessing in my life. As I love to be continually learning and exploring, I am enjoying discovering some of these new (at least to me) topics that I've been bringing up relating to religion/spirituality and healings, specifically the more charismatic types of healings. The more I study all religious philosophies, as well as other things like alternative medicine, astrology, psychic phenomena, or whatever, the more I find that it all really complements everything else. If you guys could only see some of the other poetry I''ve written in response to tv preachers, etc., you might have the opinion I was headed for someplace rather hot rather than becoming super-religious! Regarding my most recent interest in spiritual healings, I don't plan to become a charismatic christian, but in a way, what they're doing is cool. They're probably the only Christian group who try to actively manipulate the power of the holy spirit (kinda like doing mind/body stuff) to bring about physical reality. Alot of the way they describe what they're doing, from what I can see, is very similar to what Deepak Chopra says. Put your intention out into the universe (pray), but don't get hung up on the outcome (ask for God's will), act as tho' what you want is already reality (faith and belief), and it will Be (miracle). In a sense,. they're taking the new age concept of co-creating with God, and doing it literally, from a Bible perspective. Indian yogis are supposed to be adept at manipulating reality as well. I think the medium that they manipulate is pranna, rather than holy spirit. Or the Chinese with Chi. Likewise, the series of books by Carlos Casteneda also talks about creating reality, with the possibility of such things like shape-changing, etc. If I learned that trick, I'd definitely be saying goodbye to PD! Maybe I'd become a wolf! I also plan, should I ever be blessed with my own healing, to make sure the whole world knows about it. I would want it well documented and recorded, so there was absolutely no doubt, and so that others would also begin to believe in the possibility for themselves. In the meantime, I'll keep praying that a cure for all of us becomes a reality, while we still have enough life in us to then go out into the world and raise some heck about whatever we feel it is important to do so. For myself, I would think more maybe about marriage, really diving into a business, fighting for environmental issues, and who knows, maybe even become president one day (now I'd have to think twice about that one! Man, I don't that I'd want that job these days!). The one thing that worries me about getting cured, is losing my ability to write poetry. I honestly don't know that I'd be willing to give it up. Let's all keep praying for a cure (however you define "praying"). Like that book "Saved by the Light" described it, our prayers are seen and heard up there (wherever there is). They flow throught the streets and through the buildings. Just like we're trying to get attention from earthly resources, let's get the heavenly ones to also take note of us! Collectively I believe that we can really make a difference. Wendy