The first shade is simply when the body contracts a virus and the immune system does its job of clearing the invaders. We get physical symptoms which are usually uncomfortable such as sore throats, swelling, upset stomach, etc... Our society however, in its endeavor to maintain appearances and achieve results tends to treat symptoms without addressing the cause. Thus, an allopathic doctor may give us various medicine to deal with the symptoms. In those times, our attitude towards illness can make a big difference in the experience of being ill as well as in the recovery time. The more we judge and negate the experience, the more likely it is to be difficult. To put it in a nutshell, if we see the process of 'illness' as a natural and beneficial process, however inconvenient and uncomfortable, then we have more change of a speedy recovery. In that sense, the term 'illness' is a misnomer. That which we see as illness is actually a sign of wellness in progress. By honoring our body and allowing it to do its healing work our head, heart and body work as a team, or in unison if you like. That is where true healing is. Consciousness is orchestrating the show so an illness is never untimely no matter what our mind may think of it. Only inconvenient if that.
The second shade of illness is the psychosomatic illness. In other words, when a psychological trauma has not been dealt with at the mental and emotional levels, the 'illness' takes the next step to make itself heard and call our attention and it densifies itself by lodging itself in the body (soma), which is the densest of all human levels. Examples of psychosomatic illnesses are anxiety, depression, chronic aches and pains in the body. The body has the ability to heal itself unless our mental and emotional processes come in the way. This is where it is important to be aware of our data, keep a healthy diet and exercise aerobically on a regular basis. Allopathic medicine practitioners would treat the symptoms. This may be quite appropriate for instance when someone is in intense pain or deep in depression treating symptoms buys us time and can offer a better quality of life while we are in the healing process. However the cause of the illness must be found if we are to move on. Holistic practitioners will give assistance in finding the cause. A regime of meditation and holistic lifestyle is helpful in reestablishing and maintaining health and becoming aware of the causes of our distress. One simple way to gain more awareness regarding what our body may be trying to communicate to our consciousness is simply to ask! For instance, at the beginning of our meditation we may mentally repeat 2 or 3 times something along the lines of "please show me what it is I need to see" or use any incantation which may appeal to you. It is amazing what we get when we ask for it nicely...
The third shade of illness comes through catharsis. Catharsis is a natural process. It is what happens when we have happy times and then our minds gets involved and tells us we can't have this happiness. Those of you who meditate at delta level on a regular basis are very familiar with this process since meditation speeds it up. Instead of leaving it to life events to challenge our beliefs and patterns, we become aware of them in meditation. Thus we often experience this 'clean up' process. Illnesses we may have had as children may reoccur, or old wounds which had not totally healed may wake up again demanding acknowledgment and resolution. By becoming aware of them and accepting them (as well as possibly treating the symptoms) we make friends with them and they finally clear off, leaving us free to move on to a more fulfilling experience of life.
Bottom line is, illness need not be a bane, simply a sign that our body is doing a good job at looking after us or that it is time to hear wake up call. Illness can lead us to greater states of awareness and in due course deliver us to more happiness.
