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Interpreting psycho-somatic relationships with humility

Physical suffering shouldn’t be misinterpreted as a punishment, but more as an assignment. We often do not choose it; however, we choose how to cope with it. 

The contribution of state of mind to health and illness is largely recognized. However, we should be aware of a large complementarity of the issue. Factors, which contribute to the creation of an illness are vast, and many of them will remain unknown to us.

What is the responsibility of a 5-year-old child coming from a loving and harmonious family, when he succumbs to brain cancer? How it is possible that a cigarette – alcohol – drug abuser mafia guy enjoys his retirement in good health until nineties?

Although some principles about the health-and illness-contributing factors are obvious, we should keep our humility and acknowledge that there will always be a mysterious side of the matter. We should be cautious that too much emphasis on psychosomatic relations does not lead to an excessive judgmentof others and/or a permanent sentiment of self-guilt, since these attitudes are far from promoting one’s good health.

For it is not the judgment of others that cures, but kindness and compassion. 

Physical suffering shouldn’t be misinterpreted as a punishment, but more as an assignment. We often do not choose it; however, we choose how to cope with it. 

When sickness occurs, we have the choice of responding with anger, guilt, or the role of a victim, or with more noble emotions, such as patience and compassion.

It is well documented that positive emotions promote healing and recovery, while the negative ones induce stress and weaken our immune system.

Physical suffering often removes the outer egotistic layers of our personalities and allows us to refine our perceptiveness towards others and our inner wisdom. And this is the path to healing.

Author: Kristina Höschlová

March 13, 2024