Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Something Is Happening
I have four friends who are each facing serious health/physical problems. They are the folks I remember most in my prayers and meditations, for each has a special place in my heart. Two have been diagnosed with cancer, one suffered a major aneurysm seveeral months ago, and one is seeking to rebuild strength in her limbs which have been weakened from m. s.
Now, within the last two or three weeks, I have heard reports of highly significant improvement from every single one. The cancer markers are going down, the language and memory functions are returning to their previous states, and the bodily strength is returning. Now, I wonder, do these four have a magic formula, something in common which puts them on the recovery path?
Well, it is true that they are all highly intelligent and spiritually developed people. They all have an insight into the world and humanity far beyond the usual. But more than this, they are all people of great determination and will, not persons who give up easily or simply blindly follow "doctor's orders" when a problem arises. The two diagnosed with cancer both tried conventional treatment, and when that obviously was not working, they found help from alternative sources. In each case, they worked with M. D.'s who incorporated alternative techniques into their practice. One stressed aryuvedic formulas and the other focused on strict diets and cleansing rituals to detoxify the system and prepare it to regain its natural healing talents. These approaches often act more slowly than traditional modes. One has to be patient, to exercise extreme self-discipline, and maintain hope in the face of little seeming progress. But, for both of my friends, things did get better, and the results are most encouraging. Even the tradtional physicians report significant improvement in their readings.
My friend who experienced the aneurysm did not go into the usual cognitive rehabilitation program, feeling it might be inappropriate for her needs. Instead, she continued with her book discussion class (which she had herself been facilitating before), even when she couldn't remember the plots of the books by the time she reached the end. (The students carried the discussion for her.) Now she does, and the class continues to meet on an informal basis, offering her lots of encouragement and gratitutude in her role as teacher. She also does writing exercises with an old friend. Both recently lost their mothers, and Carol is working to recover her faded family memories. She is extremely articulate, just as before, one of the world's best and most perceptive observers, one of the most understanding friends one could imagine. (When you tell her your story, she "gets it," even if it is different from her own.) She has a Flannery O'Connor sense of humor, and a Mother Teresa dedication to helping others, and has been a major ispiration to thousands of students and friends.
The fourth heartening report is from dear Patricia, who gave me this site as a birthday present last spring, and who is becoming a nationally known presence. Once a long distance runner and marathon swimmer, she continues to swim an unbelievable number of laps weekly, and in addition has found a trainer to help her to develop more leg strength. She says he is amazed at her progress, and then adds, "He just didn't know how determined and dedicated I can be once I set my mind to it." She may have slowed down, but obviously nothing can really stop her.
So--what do these friends have in common? They are all creative people, seekers and not mere observers. They searched until they found the right healers and the appropriate techniques, and did not wait passively for healers to come to them. They were open, they were willing, and they were wise.
So here are the stories of four determined people. four amazing human beings who just happen to be among my closest friends.
(Note: I do not mean to discourage others who are not progressing as well, and certainly not to imply that they are doing something wrong, or just aren't trying hard enough. I simply wanted to share the good news from my personal circle. Indeed, yesterday when I did a little ritual of celebration, the sweet kundalini energies stirred in my heart once again, and I realized yet another time that we are all connected to one another and to it, and it to all of us. Some simply call it love.)
Now, within the last two or three weeks, I have heard reports of highly significant improvement from every single one. The cancer markers are going down, the language and memory functions are returning to their previous states, and the bodily strength is returning. Now, I wonder, do these four have a magic formula, something in common which puts them on the recovery path?
Well, it is true that they are all highly intelligent and spiritually developed people. They all have an insight into the world and humanity far beyond the usual. But more than this, they are all people of great determination and will, not persons who give up easily or simply blindly follow "doctor's orders" when a problem arises. The two diagnosed with cancer both tried conventional treatment, and when that obviously was not working, they found help from alternative sources. In each case, they worked with M. D.'s who incorporated alternative techniques into their practice. One stressed aryuvedic formulas and the other focused on strict diets and cleansing rituals to detoxify the system and prepare it to regain its natural healing talents. These approaches often act more slowly than traditional modes. One has to be patient, to exercise extreme self-discipline, and maintain hope in the face of little seeming progress. But, for both of my friends, things did get better, and the results are most encouraging. Even the tradtional physicians report significant improvement in their readings.
My friend who experienced the aneurysm did not go into the usual cognitive rehabilitation program, feeling it might be inappropriate for her needs. Instead, she continued with her book discussion class (which she had herself been facilitating before), even when she couldn't remember the plots of the books by the time she reached the end. (The students carried the discussion for her.) Now she does, and the class continues to meet on an informal basis, offering her lots of encouragement and gratitutude in her role as teacher. She also does writing exercises with an old friend. Both recently lost their mothers, and Carol is working to recover her faded family memories. She is extremely articulate, just as before, one of the world's best and most perceptive observers, one of the most understanding friends one could imagine. (When you tell her your story, she "gets it," even if it is different from her own.) She has a Flannery O'Connor sense of humor, and a Mother Teresa dedication to helping others, and has been a major ispiration to thousands of students and friends.
The fourth heartening report is from dear Patricia, who gave me this site as a birthday present last spring, and who is becoming a nationally known presence. Once a long distance runner and marathon swimmer, she continues to swim an unbelievable number of laps weekly, and in addition has found a trainer to help her to develop more leg strength. She says he is amazed at her progress, and then adds, "He just didn't know how determined and dedicated I can be once I set my mind to it." She may have slowed down, but obviously nothing can really stop her.
So--what do these friends have in common? They are all creative people, seekers and not mere observers. They searched until they found the right healers and the appropriate techniques, and did not wait passively for healers to come to them. They were open, they were willing, and they were wise.
So here are the stories of four determined people. four amazing human beings who just happen to be among my closest friends.
(Note: I do not mean to discourage others who are not progressing as well, and certainly not to imply that they are doing something wrong, or just aren't trying hard enough. I simply wanted to share the good news from my personal circle. Indeed, yesterday when I did a little ritual of celebration, the sweet kundalini energies stirred in my heart once again, and I realized yet another time that we are all connected to one another and to it, and it to all of us. Some simply call it love.)
