Cancer Survival and Spirituality - Just Live in Love

chillibreeze writer — Indu Jagannathan

Cancer survival involves the adherence to the medical treatment prescribed by the physician as well as the mental and spiritual strength required to come out of it stronger and wiser.

Is there a difference between mental strength and spiritual strength? Probably. There is a very thin line that divides mental strength and spirituality. It is the difference that exists between the head and the heart. Though we readily believe that thought emanates from the head and love from the heart, haven’t we wondered how feelings can emanate from the heart, the function of which is to pump blood? Why shouldn’t love or happiness originate from the kidney, liver or the very visible limbs? When our thoughts are in tune with God or the omnipresent spirit, we identify such thoughts as love, joy, or awareness. And the head turns heart when it entertains such pure thoughts. Now, this tuning of thoughts to joy, truth, compassion or God is what is called spirituality.

How is cancer survival linked to spirituality? Any one who has gone through an experience of severe illness would recall how helplessness forced them to seek help from deep within. The very clumsiness of the situation would plod the person to move towards the question of life and death. It dawns that one is being controlled (by the affliction of the disease) instead of being in control. Plans especially the big, ambitious and grand ones are on the verge of abandonment. Aims and dreams boil down to taking care of the most important and immediate of needs. Unanswerable questions like ‘why me’ and feelings of betrayal stare constantly.

All the help and attention received from the medical team or well meaning family and friends fall short of the cry of the thirsty and hungry mind. Sometimes even the lack of attention spurs the mind to begin the search. Thus begins the journey of spirituality. Emotions like self pity and frustration exist through the first phase of change, where self-pity gives way to resolution. Frustration metamorphoses to determination. Resolution to put up a smile and determination to accept become a rule to be practiced. Sheer disciplining of the thoughts leads the mind to higher realms of peace and calm, though still at its infantile and vulnerable stage.

Next comes the phase of counting one’s blessings. The tears now are of gratitude and love. An understanding dawns about the connection between the maker of the situation and the situation. One feels the love of the giver and the protector of all. The love that surges towards the creator becomes the panacea of the illness. The love that spells hope, energy, and gratitude also grants a new lease of life.

Just live in love to beat the odds. Just love the pain, and beat the fear. Beat the fear and win the battle. People like you and me have done that before and there will be many more of such achievers in the future too.

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Indu writes for chillibreeze.

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