Evolving through illness

Evolving through illness

In an effort to overcome a challenging illness, human beings often undergo intense  emotional and physical churning that engenders a massive spiritual shift in their  consciousness, says Jamuna Rangachari

As humans born on earth, we are obligated to evolve. The meshes of earthly life are designed  to facilitate evolution through external  and internal friction. No matter how  much we try to evade this responsibility, we have to  fight our demons and ascend to a higher frequency of  existence. And until we have done the required inner  work, the body remains a repository of all that which  is unhealed and unresolved in our life, in the form of  chronic aches, pains, and almost incurable diseases.  For the longest time, we were programmed to  believe that the human body is destined to fall sick  and deteriorate gradually. Therefore, all illness is  nothing but a gradual progression in that direction.  Physical suffering has to be tolerated as inevitable  and borne with a smile. 

Yet, as illnesses surmounted, and the human race  reeled under it causing many to lose time, relation ships, and their cherished dream, the search for per fect health gained momentum, unleashing a slew of  spiritual and metaphysical discoveries. The yearning  to house a body brimming with health and vitality  motivated people to introspect, go on healing jour neys, try various alternatives, and change several key  elements in their mental and emotional make-up,  making the entire process a kind of spiritual practice. Yet, not every illness is curable; Suma wrote an article called Karma and Grace in  the magazine, which injected me with a  fresh dose of hope. The article beautifully  highlighted the fact that when faced with a  challenge, one also gets the requisite  strength to handle it. She elucidated that the  difference between the karma we earn and  what is actually visited upon us is huge, and  that divine justice goes hand in hand with  divine grace. This further inspired me to  face my challenge with fortitude. 

I then started exploring all kinds of alter native therapies to heal myself. I also decided to focus on the positive in life and being  grateful for all that I had. After experimenting with several modalities, I finally stumbled upon acupressure which healed me  completely. Gradually, I shifted to focussing  on my emotions, to heal any underlying  psychosomatic issues that could possibly  have triggered the problem. Today, I am  certain that it was my keenness to work on  my emotions and develop a positive attitude  that resulted in my overall healing.   Gradually, I shifted to focussing  on my emotions, to heal any underlying  psychosomatic issues  Gradually, I shifted to focussing  on my emotions, to heal any underlying  psychosomatic issues that could possibly  have triggered the problem. Today, I am  certain that it was my keenness to work on  my emotions and develop a positive attitude  that resulted in my overall healing.  

Overcoming any stubborn illness is a form of  sadhana. Illness wonderfully stops us in our  tracks, forces us into new priorities and redirects  our lives.

The harder the struggle to get well, the  greater the dividends in terms of finding one’s  core strengths and discovering hidden abilities. other major setback in life, is supposed to help us  learn, evolve, and grow.  My own battle with multiple sclerosis became a  form of school, a training ground, from where I  emerged stronger and empowered. When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007, I was devastated. There was no known cure or any guidelines on  what someone afflicted with this problem must do to  keep herself reasonably healthy. During those days of  intense turmoil, I serendipitously came across the  book, Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do,  by Dr Robert Schuller. The book talks about people  who courageously withstood and overcame mam moth challenges that came their way. It speaks about  building a positive self-image, no matter what the  problem, and creating a positive world for yourself. It  motivated me to read positive stories, and take inspi ration from people who remained cheerful and upbeat  in the worst challenges of their life. Around the same  time, the then editor of Life Positive, Suma Varughese,  with the flu, or years of struggle with a  chronic illness, getting sick has a wonderful  way of stopping us in our tracks, forcing us  into new priorities, and redirecting our  lives. The harder the struggle to get well,  the greater the dividends in terms of finding  one’s core strengths and discovering hidden  abilities.  

Leena Haider, a businesswoman and Heal  Your Life practitioner from Mumbai, was  diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of  44. She says, “The breast cancer diagnosis  transformed my life. Of course, I went  through the initial shock and trauma, but  once I came to terms with it, I realised that  it was just my body telling me to change my  thinking. Till then, I always put myself and  my needs on the back burner. This was my  body’s way of asking me to stop doing that.”  She came up with an action plan that put all  her learnings as a healer to the test. 

Since she worked on removing her illness with commit ment and dedication, it  became a kind of sadhana for  her. And like any sadhana done with determination and  sincerity, it fructified into her  growth and empowerment as  an individual. “I started affirming that all the resources  required for my healing would come to me.  I used a lot of affirmations, prayers, essen tial oils, Bach flower remedies, Reiki, EFT,  and other modalities to help myself. In the  process, I became more authentic, learnt to  experimented with their mind and life to find a way  to victory.,

Sai Padma, a 44-year-old from Visakhapatnam, was  born healthy but got afflicted with polio at the age of  one and a half months. The attack crippled her voice  and movement of limbs. Her parents, both of whom  were doctors, did their best to restore some  kind of normalcy to her. After receiving  several shock treatments—the only treat ment available then—her voice and upper  limbs became active but movement in her  legs could not be restored. 

Today, in hindsight, I  realise that I wouldn’t have taken so many  bold decisions and lived life as per my  choice if I hadn’t had this diagnosis.” She  concludes, “I believe that everything happens for a reason. Deep down, I know that I  went through this experience so that I  could help many women with the same. I completed a diploma course in classical music, along  with finishing her graduation in commerce and a  diploma in computers. She then wanted to study  chartered accountancy, but sadly, all the institutes  she approached, politely declined to admit her, say ing that they cannot accommodate her. Finally, one  institute accepted her after much persuasion. Once  admitted, she poured her heart and soul into master ing the subjects. But then, there was another chal lenge waiting for her. “Life twisted again after I finished my CA internship. I would come down with  severe fatigue, pain, and constant fevers,” she says.  She was diagnosed with a condition called gross  scoliosis for which she had to undergo surgery but  recovered well through sheer grit. Currently, she is  pursuing her MBA (finance) so that she can help  finance various disability related sectors and make women more economically independent.  

Caring and healing 

The caregivers of such patients have to put their  lives on hold to accommodate a severe ly challenged soul among themselves.  And this alone has on many occasions  caused people to discover qualities  hitherto unknown to themselves, such  as, patience, compassion, perseverance,  humility, sacrifice, and unconditional  love. Secondly, illness too, like any other major setback in life, is supposed to help us  learn, evolve, and grow.

Overcoming any stubborn illness is a form of  sadhana. Illness wonderfully stops us in our  tracks, forces us into new priorities and redirects  our lives. The harder the struggle to get well, the  greater the dividends in terms of finding one’s  core strengths and discovering hidden abilities. 

Recently, I watched an interview with the chairman of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, on TV. As he spoke, I  learnt that Satya owes his deeply empathet ic nature to Zain, his eldest son, who is  severely disabled. He was born weighing  just three pounds, having suffered asphyxi ation in the birth canal. As a result, he is  visually impaired, suffers from cerebral  palsy, has limited communication, and is a  quadriplegic. “When he brings his maximum effort to the table, I feel  the need to do more for him and others,” said Nadella.  

He shared how the condition of his son has taught him  and his wife, not just how to  cope but also the power of  kindness. In the process,  

Nadella learned the empowering act of being kind to others as well as himself.  

Another astounding care giver who I came across  recently is Yukta Sahni, a  young vivacious mother, living in my colony in Delhi. She  knew almost everything about nutrition and health.  Intrigued, I asked her if she was a doctor or a nutritionist,  which she denied. After she  left, another young woman who was sitting next to us  told me her story, which one  could call heart-wrenching or  inspiring, depending on one’s  perspective. Yukta’s son was diagnosed with leukaemia  when he was just five. After a  few rounds of chemotherapy,  radiation, and the works,  when she found no improvement, she felt extremely  depressed and went into the “Why me?” syndrome. The doctors did not have an answer, nor did her  friends or relatives. At that juncture, she started to  pray deeply for guidance. 

Serendipitously, she met a senior in the ward who  told her that all she could do now was to make her  son as happy as possible since only that could enliv en his mind and spirit. Inspired, she began to  consciously give him healthy, nutritious food  and take him out to all the events he loved. As  a result, the boy started participating in all the  games and activities in the colony, reading  plenty of books, as well as making friends  everywhere. 

Life for him and the family  started becoming joyous, with hope for complete  recovery injected in the process. 

“I do not know what will happen next, but I do  hope and pray for as much happiness as is possible  for my son. This can happen only if I can be as happy  as I can be. I have surrendered myself to the  Almighty with complete faith that I shall be guided  on the right path by Him.” Her faith, courage, and  optimism, in the face of impending sorrow and  uncertainty, has made her an inspiration for every one around her. 

An example of selfless love 

Not just children, even adults need the support and  care of their loved ones to heal. At 49, while vaca tioning with her extended family in Lakshmangarh, a  small village in Rajasthan, Bimla Killa had a massive  brain stroke. Since there was no history of any major  brain-related illness on both sides of her family, the  doctors administered her with painkillers, thinking it  to be a migraine. When on the third morning too, she  woke up with the same splitting headache, her husband, Mahesh, packed for both of them and flew back  to Kolkata. She was driven straight to the hospital,  where the doctor declared it to be a massive brain  haemorrhage. The next morning, she suffered a paralytic stroke, which damaged 30 per cent of her brain,  rendering her entire left side immobile. She lost her  speech and the use of her right limbs. Doctors put  her survival chances at less than 20 per cent. 

Bimla spent the next two months in the ICU of  Woodlands Nursing Home in Kolkata, silently bat tling the odds. During this period, Mahesh spent  most of his waking hours outside the ICU. After she  was discharged, a series of treatments like physiotherapy, speech therapy, counselling, and  many others were started for her. Their 

While attempts to overcome personal illness  build core strengths of an individual such as  being determined and responsible, dealing  with illnesses of near ones gives the caregiver  a glimpse into the expanse of his soul. 

consciously give him healthy, nutritious food  and take him out to all the events he loved. As  a result, the boy started participating in all the  games and activities in the colony, reading  plenty of books, as well as making friends  everywhere. 

With this, the little boy’s life changed from  being only about treatment to one that made  

medical interventions and may face more.  Still, he has a discerning passion for music  and loves to spend time with his family  members. Even in his most vulnerable  moments, 21-year-old Zain shows great  resilience and strength, which inspires both  his parents. His positive chatter stops their  internal chatter of “Why me? Why my  him look forward to life. Life for him and the family  started becoming joyous, with hope for complete  recovery injected in the process. 

“I do not know what will happen next, but I do  hope and pray for as much happiness as is possible  for my son. This can happen only if I can be as happy  as I can be. I have surrendered myself to the  Almighty with complete faith that I shall be guided  on the right path by Him.” Her faith, courage, and  optimism, in the face of impending sorrow and  uncertainty, has made her an inspiration for every one around her. 

An example of selfless love 

Not just children, even adults need the support and  care of their loved ones to heal. At 49, while vaca tioning with her extended family in Lakshmangarh, a  small village in Rajasthan, Bimla Killa had a massive  brain stroke. Since there was no history of any major  brain-related illness on both sides of her family, the  doctors administered her with painkillers, thinking it  to be a migraine. When on the third morning too, she  woke up with the same splitting headache, her hus band, Mahesh, packed for both of them and flew back  to Kolkata. She was driven straight to the hospital,  where the doctor declared it to be a massive brain  haemorrhage. The next morning, she suffered a paralytic stroke, which damaged 30 per cent of her brain,  rendering her entire left side immobile. She lost her  speech and the use of her right limbs. Doctors put  her survival chances at less than 20 per cent. 

Bimla spent the next two months in the ICU of  Woodlands Nursing Home in Kolkata, silently bat tling the odds. During this period, Mahesh spent  most of his waking hours outside the ICU. After she  was discharged, a series of treatments like physio therapy, speech therapy, counselling, and  many others were started for her. Their  bedroom started resembling an ICU facility  with an adjustable bed and all monitoring  equipment. Things began to look brighter,  and the efforts of therapy began to reap  results. She had started stringing six to  seven words together to communicate and  could walk with some help. 

Unfortunately, in the next MRI scan, six  months after the stroke, she was found to  have another aneurysm in her brain that  needed to be surgically clipped. She was  hastily flown to Mumbai with a slew of  family and extended family members.  

The surgery took close to six hours. The  surgeon told Mahesh, “An operation is also  an injury, albeit a controlled one. Though  we have clipped her aneurysm, there has  been extensive damage.” He then added  that chances of Bimla’s survival beyond  three years were slim, and all the progress  she had made in speech and the use of her  limbs had been lost. She had touched  ground zero once again. 

Mahesh has to strive to  keep pace with her slow speed—go to the  club every evening, have their dinner  together, after which they watch their  favourite TV shows before retiring to bed. 

Their daughter, Raksha Bharadia, who is  married and lives in Ahmedabad, recounts,  “I remember once when I was visiting them  in Kolkata. It was six in the morning and  they had just finished their meditation. This is the best medicine we can give to ourselves. Along  with this, we need to add oodles of positivity too to  our thoughts because this is what the Universe is  trying to convey to us. 

Many proponents of the mind-body healing spec trum say that we are responsible for our health or ill ness. This sometimes sounds a little condescending.  A better way to think is to take a longer, spiritual  view, and let go of the notion that illness is bad, or  that we must have done something wrong to bring it  

Holistic healing 

Instead of seeing illness as our failure to  maintain our health, it’s more useful to  view it as a sign that we’re ready to grow.  The part of us that chooses illness is the  spiritual self that sees our highest good. 

True healing requires coming into alignment with  our highest good. But if we have addressed symp toms without supporting this realignment, we  probably won’t be able to sustain a state of health  and well-being for long. We need to adopt a new  way of living to help us continue the deeper pro cess of change that can be engendered only spiritu ally. 

In all my experience, I have found that including a  sincere prayer of thanking the Universe, the cosmos,  

All illness is purposeful for both, the personality as  well as the soul. The ego, the part of us that believes  we’re defined by our physical body, can’t help but  find illness threatening and considers it inimical.  However, as we address our lives’ situations more  deeply, we realise that ‘responsibility’ is not the  same as ‘control’. We can only control what’s within  the range of our conscious awareness. Illness brings  our hidden aspects to the surface and makes us con sider new options. This is, perhaps, one of its most  important functions. 

So, instead of seeing illness as our failure to main tain our health, it’s more useful to view it as a sign  that we’re ready to grow. The part of us that chooses  illness is the spiritual self that sees our highest good  in a way limited perceptions of our ego can’t. 

From a spiritual perspective, illness is a step  toward wholeness. No one consciously chooses pain  or illness, yet the experience of dealing with these  challenges can lead us on a journey that ultimately  delivers great rewards. We have seen many people  with cancer and other diseases describe their illness  as one of the greatest blessings of their lives because  it forced them to reshuffle priorities and pursue  paths that brought profound fulfilment. The illness  gave them an opportunity to make choices  they wouldn’t have considered otherwise.  As far as healers are concerned, illness  gives them more confidence in their own  healing prowess, as nothing speaks louder  than one’s own authentic experience. To caregivers, it shows them that life is  all about caring and loving despite whatev er cards may be dealt by life to their loved  ones. In the process, all of them become  complete if they look at the illness as a  supreme teacher. Isn’t it often said that the  true test of love is caring for loved ones  when they combat illness? 

Let us strive to accept any illness as a  comma and not a full stop in life. Only then  shall we be able to see life as an eternal gift. 

Jamuna Rangachari is a writer who has  authored two books for children, and  compiled and interpreted Teaching Stories-I and II for Life Positive. 

To read these articles online and post your comments, go  to http://www.lifepositive.com/Magazine/January2018.  We welcome your comments and suggestions on this  article. Mail us at editor@lifepositive.net