I’ve become fascinated with the study of disease through a vitalistic/spiritual lens of late. If you consider life as a process of spiritual evolution, does disease have a purposeful role or is it simply material degradation? While it is certainly true that material decay of our bodies is unavoidable, I believe that much of what we suffer from is a result of our shadow selves or as August Goforth terms it in his wonderful book The Risen, our simulate selves. It has become apparent to me that most experiences that we label as disease can be used as spring boards to higher levels of consciousness, as tools to help us transcend our shadows. This is not to say that this perspective makes them any easier. In fact it has been my experience that it might make them more challenging, at least from an emotional level. However it does give them meaning and allows us lift ourselves up to a height where we can actually appreciate them.
The Gift of Diabetes is a documentary that illustrates this concept in a very well rounded way. It doesn’t denegrate the role of allopathic medicine, but at the same time it beautifully illuminates how disease can be transcended by widening our perspective to include spirit, emotion and culture into a more holistic view of disease. To a place where balance is restored.
This link will take you to Steve Beyer’s blog entry on the movie, which can be viewed at the bottom of the page.
http://www.singingtotheplants.com/2009/08/gift-of-diabetes/
