GRATITUDE

               HEALING PAIN THE SPIRITUAL WAY 

An attack by the stray dogs resulted in a dog bite and a fractured wrist, and the trauma of the pain was unbearable for me. My daughter, without formal training, gave me positive energy to ease my pain, and I felt good enough to endure the treatment.  This incident may not have scientific backing, but it is healing. One cannot ignore the existence of spiritual experiences.  Prayers, faith, concern, and trust can move mountains, and it is possible to heal oneself and help others through myriad  forms  to improve the fabric of life.

Since pain is a complex phenomenon relating the physical to the psychological, physicians in some places have started including spiritual histories in patients' charts and some medical schools have added spirituality in the students' curriculum and studies are being conducted to establish the link. Across the world, traditional healing practices cured people in ancient times. With the advancement of science and medical research, their numbers may have gone down but relevance stays and now there is an effort to connect the two. If we can combine the two, it will be an integrated holistic approach for our overall well-being.

To manage my pain in the broken bone due to my allergy to painkillers, I typed traditional healers near me on Google, and viola there was a long list showing the popularity of these alternate methods. Thanks to the Internet revolution spirituality is no longer in the realms of yogis or you do not have to go into the deep forests of the Amazon to gain knowledge. We have realised its importance in our well-being and syncing mind, body, and spirit. There is a lower risk of anxiety, depression, and a sense of high self-esteem in deeply spiritual people. Mindful meditation did reduce my pain and helped me cope with the injury and deal with the discomfort thereby reducing my stress levels.

A sense of discipline, dedication, self-control, and commitment are essential to go on the path of spirituality to heal from the pain. Spiritual elements make us understand suffering and help us find purpose and give us hope when we feel disillusioned in illness. The easy access, cost-effectiveness, and effectiveness of traditional healing in recovery from a disease need to be taken into consideration to understand it fully. 

Many patients with schizophrenia felt that spirituality helped in the recovery process. It often involves a sense of belonging and connectedness which is essential for healing. Apart from finding a purpose, forgiveness comes from spirituality.

Spiritual beliefs may not cure illness but may help us deal with it and feel better. It helps one cope with pain more effectively by giving meaning to life in difficult times and providing a sense of purpose in life. On the end of the spectrum, it also makes palliative care easier. My father, turned spiritual while dealing with fourth-stage aggressive cancer. I am sure it must have eased his suffering.

Empirical evidence, the results of various studies, and practical individual experiences point out to the harmonious link between medicine and spirituality can make the recovery process easier and faster. We rise above the feeling of hopelessness in sickness as we gain strength from nurturing our spirituality. 

Pictures credit: Google