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This blog is another opportunity to feel grateful. Thank you, Universe, for continuing to bless me with recovery and health.
There is much written on this subject but more needs to be understood.
I dedicate this blog post to HIS glory.
This blog post explores my relationship between spirituality and healing. This post can be helpful if you want to know how grace can nurture to achieve milestones in any healing process.
HIS GLORY says I’ll be fine.
At times life bends us way too much between two breaths,
Health is an honor and not everyone is respected,
I wonder why my romance with it turned so sour.
I started feeling the reflections of some foreign wounds as my shadows went darker,
The scars flaunted shamelessly and were not apologetic for my plight,
It tricked me with symptoms, diluted my confidence, and roared with a flux,
Beneath each ripple, my body burned with pain, and I could feel the gravity,
But my determination to get back from this fever was and is fearless.
It’s HIS GLORY that says I’ll be fine.
Waiting for the day when the dancing rhythm of bells will flow in my veins too,
And the mindful self-care techniques will heal my broken pieces.
The Known suggest me to surrender to karmic connections,
On the contrary, The Unknown aren’t liberated,
Nevertheless, I pray to The Supreme not to take away the bitter parts of my voyage,
As this desolate nourishes my horizon toward HIM.
It’s HIS GLORY that says I’ll be fine.
I must retain and sense his presence amidst the despair,
Never did HE argue that it would be a smooth walk, even if HE walks along,
I have to keep up with faith and optimism which constantly flickers with doubts.
He has assured me that the shackles of pain will split asunder,
And that day I shall flee,
Until then, I must take my chances to keep tranquil and feel HIS glory.
It’s only time that will tell what’s been lost vs gained,
As of now, I have been asked to celebrate,
As HIS GLORY says, I’ll be fine.
The above little story is of those days when I felt like I lost myself.
In 2016 I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Isaacs’ Syndrome. Isaacs’ is a neuromuscular health condition that stems from muscle hyperactivity. In the process, I also discovered that I had Lyme disease. Lyme is a bacterial illness that gets transmitted through ticks.
Glaucoma also accompanied me. Glaucoma is an eye-related disease that damages the optic nerves. And Membranous Glomerulonephritis is a progressive kidney disease. I faced tremendous issues with my gut, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes. During my journey, I also developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Diabetes, Frozen Shoulder, Eczema and Blood Pressure.
The news of my diagnosis was wreaking havoc and hit me like a hurricane turning my world upside down. The entire transformation from being normal to rare wasn’t easy.
The question that haunted the screen of my mind was – why was I the chosen one?
The spiritual aspect was a powerful tool that added to my advantage of being born in one of the oldest civilizations.
Various coping mechanisms supported me when I poured out all my despair and hurt feelings at God. It gave me emotional comfort and encouraged me to view my situation as an opportunity for growth.
My Story of Turning Towards Spirituality
Spirituality is a broad-based term that is quite individualistic in experience.
For some, it might be getting involved in rituals and belief in God. For others, it might be about a non-ritual or non-religious approach that includes meditation, prayers, spending self-time, quietness, etc.
During research, I discovered that our traditional healthcare included many dimensions of spirituality.
Our old systems of medicine practiced spiritual care to benefit patients. However, the lack of proper evidence forced practitioners to stop using it.
Honestly, it helped me experience solace during tough moments and acknowledge hope. In my experience, there is a lot that ‘Spirituality’ can offer and that my vocabulary cannot express.
As a child, I experienced the presence of spirituality in diverse ways.
The concept did not bind me to reading or following specific practices. Instead, what I found intriguing was its focus on compassion, celebrations, respect for elders, and going beyond rituals.
Fast forward to moments that shaped my life…
It all happened so fast that it reflected no semblance of normality. Those years were filled with such significant events that they still don’t seem to blur, leaving a lasting impact.
Indeed, it’s true as I have experienced it!
I experienced a sense of personal development after this traumatic event in my life.
Over time, I felt a new confidence and gratitude towards life. Somewhere my emotional being started believing that all this was clearly a divine intervention!
However, my other side often questioned if I would ever get up again.
And the same divine intervention answered, of course, yes.
Lying down with my eyes closed, I recollected how my father narrated instances during working days.
He loved narrating some of his favorite verses from the Bhagwat Gita. He thought that being in the proximity of God opens us to incredible changes. It increases a positive perspective to fight back and deal with broken circumstances.
Practically it was a mere coincidence when I visited a spiritual care retreat in Rishikesh. This experience amalgamated my body, and mind, and helped me implement and learn more.
The atmosphere was designed to heal. My body felt soaked in the smell, aura, the vibrations, and the sight of the holy place.
I gradually understood that spirituality can embrace me beyond imagination. It is personal and thus isn’t limited but instead a much deeper practice.
It became a gradual process to comprehend life, a little better.
My practices were customized…These practices are a way of life and have a long-lasting effect.
1) The conversations did not reflect on any concept of beliefs and values. Instead based on understanding my emotional and spiritual needs.
2) I attended collective prayer sessions that infused positive energy. The use of the senses of touch, sight, hearing, and speech was encouraged during these sessions.
The sessions changed my perspective toward Spiritual care in the following ways:
1) No flavor or supporting religious belief was necessary to access this care. The practices were set apart from any particular systematic doctrine.
2) It was based on my personalized individual choice.
3) The focus was more on the inner journey than outer practices.
I felt a deeper sense of gratitude after each session. It infused the power to unblock the flow of healing by encouraging a state of equilibrium both in the mind and the body.
I also felt physical changes like a balanced Blood Pressure level and restful sleep.
To conclude, I was fortunate to breathe the intimacy of such practices. They instantly delivered results, transforming energies, and improving health.
In my experience: –
1) Reading books like Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges by Dr. Steven helped. It talks about people overcoming painful circumstances by seeking comfort in spirituality.
2) Spiritual care doesn’t need to be demonstrative yet personal.
3) It is a great support:
While getting diagnosed with a rare disease accompanied by a couple of chronic ailments exposed me to a pool of emotions. This process gave the power to fight against all odds.
4) Spiritual beliefs and practices were a great self-help tool. I gradually developed feelings of gratitude and optimism.
5) They nourished my values and helped me find a sense of calmness in times of chaos.
6) Importantly: they helped me address the larger question of Why me?
7) It generated and rekindled hope by improving my emotional well-being which resulted in the reduction of pills.
Conclusion
I credit spirituality for holding my hand during my healing process and not letting the illness alone define my life.
I am still here and there is a lot of love to give & receive, be grateful, and do my best. I don’t wish to speed up the process.
I bow down to HIM pleading mercy for all my fellow friends who are facing challenges. May our attitude be one of being in charge, of longing to win.
It is undeniable how today’s technological developments have changed the face of medicine. However, don’t you think there is something unscientific about us? If yes, how can science and medicines do it alone?
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed above in this article are the author’s own and do not represent any kind of medical advice.
