Great question, great discussion.

My interpretation is that the *teachings* that grow from sacred texts (not the texts themselves) act as maps or guides through a spiritual process, a process of our consciousness. When we get ill, of course we need to use physical medicines to attend to the physical aspect of the illness, but the *process* of healing — whichever path we take, whichever medicine we choose — is important also.

The *manifestation* of the illness (remember the illness itself is a disharmony of physiology) gives the consciousness of the individual the opportunity to discover, change, and evolve something within themself. 

For example, if I get sick with something and I have two options (A and B) for its treatment, I’m going to investigate why I feel afraid of option A... healing the fear of going down that path may hold an Alchemical treasure that I can transmute and then use in my life going forward. 

In the Inner Tradition of TCM (Taoist Alchemy) the illness has presented itself as the lesson, the opportunity to fulfil some aspect of individual’s purpose/destiny/life-role. This is a deeply shamanic and mystic perspective.

But it comes down to the individual finding that *meaning* in the moment. It’s not the traditions or the texts that hold the power — it’s the individual. I’m not a moslem, so the Qu’ran is not going to help me, just like the Bible won’t because I’m not Christian... and by that I mean I don’t particularly hold those texts to be inherently sacred, and there has been too much bloodshed done in the names of those books for me to buy into any of it... and yet, I can find snapshots of perennial, sacred truths in them which would guide me. But literally my interpretation....

Sacred healing comes from the individual’s consciousness, but triggered and/or inspired to follow and surrender to the process. This goes quite a way to start understanding the power of placebos and nocebos.