Principles of AH

What are the Principles of Attitudinal Healing?

The Principles of Attitudinal Healing draw especially from the core message of A Course in Miracles, but were intentionally shaped by Dr. Jerry Jampolsky into a non-religious, practical framework that anyone can use, regardless of belief system.

At their heart, they are based on the understanding that:

It is not external events, but our thoughts and attitudes, that shape our experience.
Love and fear are the two fundamental choices we can make in any moment.
Peace of mind comes through forgiveness, self-awareness, and compassion.

According to Attitudinal Healing International (AHI), these principles are designed as practical tools - spiritual in nature but completely non-dogmatic - for helping individuals remove self-imposed obstacles like judgment, blame, shame, and self-condemnation.

AHI emphasizes that Attitudinal Healing is not about merely adjusting our mindset but about consciously choosing to let go of fearful attitudes. It is a spiritual pathway focused on cultivating a non-judgmental stance toward ourselves, others, and the world. The goal is not to change outward behaviour but to retrain the most powerful instrument we possess - our own minds—toward peace of mind and forgiveness.

How are the Principles of AH used in an AH group?

Principles of Attitudinal Healing are brought into group sessions through beginning all meetings by reading the Principles and Guidelines together - sometimes inviting members to recall them from memory - which helps keep the ideas alive in daily life.

Facilitators often use a principle as a check-in prompt or main discussion topic, drawing from related questions to help participants connect it to real-life situations.

Whether through group rounds, reflective prompts, or take-home intentions, the emphasis is always on applying the principles to everyday experiences—moving beyond theory into genuine, lived practice.

In this video, Paula and Els discuss ways they incorporate the Principles of AH in their AH groups.

the_principles_attitudinal_healing_english.pdf

The Principles of Attitudinal Healing

The Principles of Attitudinal Healing are at the heart of the AH Peer Support Model. Rooted in universal values found across many cultural and spiritual traditions, these Principles offer a foundation for healing that resonates with people from all walks of life. They are applied in ways that honour each person's unique background and lived experience.

The Principles serve to guide us —by focussing on one, it can help us reduce inner conflict, strengthen connection to our own inner wisdom, and cultivate a deeper sense of peace.

If you are having trouble viewing or downloading the Principles, please visit the AHI website for a copy of the AH Principles and other free AH resources: https://www.ahinternational.org/downloads/

Principle 1: The essence of your being is love

In this conversation Els and Paula explore Principle 1 of Attitudinal Healing — the foundation that underpins all other principles: “The essence of our being is love.”

Paula asks Els questions that invite reflection and connection with our true nature:

What are we in truth? In essence?
How do we reconcile this principle with the state of the world (war, abuse, division...)?
What is love really? What’s the difference between conditional and unconditional love?
How can we truly internalise and embody the understanding that we are love?

Whether you're new to Attitudinal Healing or a long-time practitioner, let this conversation remind you of who you are in essence.

Principle 2: Health Is Inner Peace, Healing is letting go of fear

In this discussion, Els explains that ‘health’ in Attitudinal Healing means inner peace, not physical well-being. When we are at peace within, we can calmly navigate any physical or emotional challenge.

Fear, guilt, and judgment arise when we identify with the body or mind rather than our true innocence or essence. This leads to separation and defensive behaviour. The antidote to this Els says, is self-inquiry - asking, “Am I truly guilty?” Asking this will help to release these illusions and reconnect with our impersonal, loving self.

Healing, Els emphasizes, is a practice of returning home to our essence: spotting when we slip into old patterns like fear or needing to be right, then gently guiding ourselves back—again and again. Through this process, we build a habit of choosing happiness over defensiveness, celebrating small shifts, forgiving ourselves, and embracing our deep, inherent peace.

Principle 3. Giving and receiving are the same

In this conversation, we explore the deep spiritual and psychological truth that real giving cannot be separated from true receiving. Els shares practical examples and wisdom on:

• How fear, scarcity, and ego-based thinking block generosity and abundance

• The art of receiving without guilt or obligation — as an essential part of giving

• Why unreceived love is never wasted — it stays in the universe

• The importance of loosening your grip on opinions and the need to "be right"

• A deeper reminder that we don’t own anything except our essence — our true being, which is love itself

Ask yourself: "Can I receive without needing to earn it? Can I give without needing credit?"

Principle 4. We can let go of the past and of the future.

We talk about how holding onto painful past stories or worrying about the future keeps us from fully living in the present. Through personal stories and reflections, we discuss the power of releasing old narratives, the importance of not reliving trauma through repeated storytelling, and how fear-based projections shape a future that hasn’t happened.

Ask yourself, "How are you now, in this moment, without any story?"

Principles 5 to 12:

If you would like to see more videos about the Principles of Attitudinal Healing please visit and subscribe to Paula's You Tube channel: Paula's Place Scotland.

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