“We explore the symptoms of suffering from the perspective that the malady itself is the pathway to awakening more fully to our true nature.” Brumet
You do not have to look far to see suffering in today’s world. In the young and old alike, there are many who, for one reason or another, are enduring painful conditions, physical diseases, and other physical maladies. Pharmaceuticals are being prescribed at an alarming rate and ingested like candy to alleviate symptoms. For as many drugs as are being prescribed, people are still in a lot of pain and suffer from varying degrees of debilitation. Suffering has become a way of life. There exists a belief among many people that says, “This is the way life is going to be and there is nothing I can do about it except make the best of it.” Others believe suffering is something that happens “to us.” This belief arises out of a victim consciousness where someone feels the cause and healing of suffering come from an external source. Some people are addicted to suffering, oftentimes because suffering is what makes them feel alive. Still others view suffering as a major inconvenience and therefore something that needs to be fixed so they can get on with life. In truth, pain is inevitable at times but suffering is optional.
Symptoms are a call for healing from the deepest level of our being.
Whatever your personal belief around suffering might be, I invite you to see it as a stepping stone rather than as a stumbling block. It doesn’t matter if it is chronic inflammation, auto-immune, hormonal, digestive, neurological, structural, and so forth. The innate intelligence within the cells of the body is calling out for healing – healing of the consciousness and thought patterns that are restricting the life force. It is reminding you that on some level of consciousness there is conflict between the human self and the spiritual self.
There may be a need to tend to the physical body first, depending on the circumstance, to keep the condition from spiraling out of control. When the physical body is presenting symptoms, it is bringing forth information about a condition that was previously unknown to the conscious mind. To only address the physical is to limit your innate ability to heal and live a healthier, more expanded version of yourself. Also, if you only address and treat the physical, you will be exchanging one set of symptoms for another without getting to the root cause.
At some point, pain and suffering need to be viewed from a higher perspective. It gives us the opportunity to deepen our understanding of our spiritual nature and learn how to work with spiritual laws for true and lasting healing. Physical health challenges can be our greatest teacher if we change our perception about them. We choose how we perceive the circumstances when we are confronted with a health situation. No one else can dictate to us the thoughts and attitudes to have about our life. We alone determine what we will think and believe.
A great start for transforming suffering is to let go of any resistance you have and let suffering transform you. Your symptoms will reveal a lot of information to you if you take the time to truly go within and listen without judgment or preconceived ideas. Let them be the key that opens the door into the deeper recesses of your mind where you can access your true nature that is healthy and whole. Hold steadfast to a vision of health and wholeness in your mind. Look for the gift or blessing within the conditions that you find yourself in.
Transform all that happens to you into a valuable lesson for your spiritual growth.
Above all, have compassion for yourself throughout your healing journey. Either suffering will master you or you will become the master over your suffering. You will transform your suffering when you are willing to take an honest inventory of your life and your beliefs about yourself and others and then raise your consciousness above your present conditions into a more expansive realm of thought where you can envision yourself healthy and whole. Cleanse your whole being with positive thoughts and emotions. The power of the mind over the emotions, the body, and the entire physiological process is incontestable.
Many infirmities originate in mental idleness, depression, rebelliousness or self-destructive thoughts. A lot of suffering can be eliminated just by letting go of judgments, resentments, and criticisms, thus channeling your thinking towards more pleasant, positive, uplifting thoughts and optimistic ideas. Never underestimate the power of the mind over the body. If you are looking to take a deeper dive into your own healing, please reach out to me. I would love to hear from you and see how I can help you reach your health and wellness goals.
