Soon this fascination expanded to energy healing, exorcisms, homeopathy, Bach flower remedies, and intense communication with spirit guides. Lew Smith kept his day job, but every chance he could he healed the sick and dying for free. His office and home "overnight ... became Lourdes central," with the requisite wheelchairs and crutches that were no longer needed, and Miami newspapers started writing articles titled, "Decorator Enjoys Bonus Career As Spiritual Healer".
Throughout all of this strangeness, Philip tries to make his own way (not so easy with a father who can track you anywhere and always knows what you're doing), refusing his dad's entreaty's to join him in healing the planet. He gets ripped off by the Scientologists, almost killed by a closeted gay photographer while at university, and fights off attacks by bandits in South America, all in attempts to leave the mystic tradition of his family behind. In the end he becomes a successful artist and writer, healing people through images and words.
Philip never questions his father's psychic and healing abilities. To him, having seen them work every time, they are self evident and obvious. Lew diagnoses and cures people over the phone and through other family members, knowing things nobody should know; he shares this wisdom for free, never charging for what he calls God's work.
Whether you end up believing in Lewis Smith's psychic healing abilities or not, Walking Through Walls is a fascinating and often disturbing look into a segment of society we rarely ever see or hear about. Philip Smith's retelling of his family's story based on memory, conversation with patients, friends, and family, and his father's notes, papers, letters, and other mementos and materials is an in depth look at how the supernatural can drastically effect everyday life. I highly recommend it!
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