Healing comes from the word whole. Wholeness is a state of integration. Therefore, we can think of healing as becoming whole and as re-integration.
Example: a cut in the skin is a dis-integration of the layers of the skin. Healing, in this case, is
the re-integration of the divided layers
the parts (the 2 divided sides of the skin) becoming whole (healing of the division)
Example: congestive heart failure is a lack of integration of the functioning of the heart. Sometimes the contraction phase is not functioning properly and sometimes the relaxation phase is not functioning properly. In this case, healing is
re-integration of the roles of contraction and relaxation for the heart to pump blood optimally
restoration of whole heart function as opposed to partial (one of the phases, or one of the physical anatomical structures) heart function
Healing can occur
within a part, as discussed above in the case of a cut or of congestive heart failure.
across the whole body and mind
at the level of identity: who we are and what we're about
Healing is not necessarily the same as treatment. The focus in treatment is in changing the presentation (symptoms, signs) of a condition. The focus in healing is to discover an unknown–what integration and wholeness might be–and allow that discovery to unfold.
Healing is not necessarily the same as cure. A cure is a way to make something go away. Healing is about discovering what is presently unknown and seeing where it leads.
Healing doesn't prevent us from taking treatments and pursuing cures. Healing includes many paths.