“Illness as a spiritual path” with Karen Richards

[Natalia]

"In February 2008 at the age of thirty-three, Karen experienced a sudden and radical awakening. Prior to this realisation, no teachings or practices were followed – in fact at that time the terms non-duality and awakening were completely unfamiliar. This spontaneous realisation presented itself during a period of intense emotional suffering and when demands in life exceeded Karen’s physical capability. Karen is invited around the world to hold Satsangs and to explore what awakening really is."

http://www.conscious2.com/video/episode-022-illness-spiritual-path-karen-richards/

[johnf]

Karen is one of my favorites, never seen this video, or this interviewer, thanks.

John

[Natalia]

Karen is one of my favorites, never seen this video, or this interviewer, thanks.

John

Thanks for introducing me to her, very timely.

She posted it on her Facebook page today.

[johnf]

Alex Howard seems to really get her well, and does a great job of
asking her important questions, and talking just enough to keep it rolling.
And really this discussion applies to the entire subject of suffering.
I have my things I struggle with, where I wish I could be anyone but me, then I watch her deal with
her Thyroid stuff, and internet people both, it makes it easier to accept what comes my way.

John

[Natalia]

Alex Howard seems to really get her well, and does a great job of
asking her important questions, and talking just enough to keep it rolling.
And really this discussion applies to the entire subject of suffering.
I have my things I struggle with, where I wish I could be anyone but me, then I watch her deal with
her Thyroid stuff, and internet people both, it makes it easier to accept what comes my way.

John

Surrender can be so healing and freeing...that feeling of inner peace...and allowing the flow...it helps if we are allowed our space for that surrender...

[laughs-last]

Not watched video yet....but think there is a strong link between the 'wounded healer', dealing with pain, near death experiences and their relationship to the expanding of consciousness. I agree letting go is the way, though it hard and takes courage.....being vulnerable is empowering and liberating. I feel often our society focuses on be strong to an excess that creates barriers to feeling too, finding the balance is tricky but worthwhile I feel :)
:jester:

[mosquito]

Congratulations on being the first post in 3 months to make me want to sign in to the forum !

A huge subject which most people probably don't want to go near; Illness is part and parcel of who/what we are and despite our attempts, be they holistic or pugnacious (Western medicine), to rid ourselves of it, we are doomed to fail. Illness isn't necessarily a curse (though I fully understand why people see it that way) but is often a great teacher.

A book well worth reading, dare I even say REQUIRED reading, for anyone involved in health/healing is "The Healing Power of Illness" by Dethlefsen & Dahlke, ISBN 1-84333-048-2. Might be out of print but you may be lucky.

It (the book that is) changed my perspective on healing and health (I used to work as an acupuncturist), and the underlying philosophy, namely that illness directs us to those parts of ourselves we most need to pay attention to, continues to inform and surprise me (often in the most unpleasant ways) on my path.

[conk]

I have found that surrender alleviates my pain. I simply lie back and give thanks to God for my pain and ask for more, allowing it to flow freely into and through my body and head. "And this too I surrender to thee Oh Lord", "And this too", "And this too". Total surrender to the Divine Intelligence is a must. We cannot fight the universe and come out on top! ;)

Dr. David Hawkins teaches elegantly about surrender. There is a great book, The Secret of Letting Go, by Guy Finley.

Let go of your physical, mental, and emotional attachments and find the primordial self, that Self that is and has always been. The dark cloak of negativity that comes with fuss about the past and/or the future clouds the true Self. Live in this moment, cherishing what God offers in this moment. It is as it has to be, for there is no choice. Do not fight was must be. Acceptance of what is frees up the flow of Spirit from our energetic bodies to our physical body.

[conk]

Congratulations on being the first post in 3 months to make me want to sign in to the forum !

A huge subject which most people probably don't want to go near; Illness is part and parcel of who/what we are and despite our attempts, be they holistic or pugnacious (Western medicine), to rid ourselves of it, we are doomed to fail. Illness isn't necessarily a curse (though I fully understand why people see it that way) but is often a great teacher.

A book well worth reading, dare I even say REQUIRED reading, for anyone involved in health/healing is "The Healing Power of Illness" by Dethlefsen & Dahlke, ISBN 1-84333-048-2. Might be out of print but you may be lucky.

It (the book that is) changed my perspective on healing and health (I used to work as an acupuncturist), and the underlying philosophy, namely that illness directs us to those parts of ourselves we most need to pay attention to, continues to inform and surprise me (often in the most unpleasant ways) on my path.

It is available at Amazon............for $640.00! Yikes. Absolutely great reviews though. A used book is $125.00.

[Natalia]

Here is another video on this

2FencvV1ue0

[ulli]

Here is another video on this

2FencvV1ue0

Listening now. I really like this guy...his path sounds a lot like my own.
I also became very sick exactly 20 years after my own awakening.
Also using artistic talent for commercial purposes...
which is so much more difficult than just creating art to make oneself happy.
Because designing clothes or jewelry for others to use WITHOUT sacrificing one's true self...
that is what helps one find one's place in the greater community.
Everything he says is something I can relate to, his stuff happened to me.
Same books, same work...we must be members of the same group soul.

Today is one of those special Avalon days, when every thread I open seems to hold up a mirror to the self I recognize.
This doesn't mean that threads I find challenging don't show me a mirror as well, its just that they reflect t the unknown self,
or the repressed self.

[Natalia]

Thank you ulli, and everyone for sharing <3

[Natalia]

"Using 'spiritual teachings' to blame people for illness greatly fuels suffering and therefore seeking - and it's total nonsense. It's primitive and unevolved." ~ Karen Richards

[Natalia]

“Yet another tenet of the ungrounded spirituality movement is to blame people for their physical illnesses. If only they had dealt with their past life issues, if only they had become more aware, if only they had processed more of their emotional pain, if only… Not only are these comments presumptuous- only the person with the illness can make those statements- but they ignore the very simple fact that illness is often sourced in many things, a number of which are not easily identifiable and certainly not attributable to karma or awareness or emotional health. SOMETIMES PEOPLE JUST GET SICK. I have seen too many new cagers working someone else’s illness as an egoic boost, narcissistically using it as evidence of their own superiority “Well, I didn’t get sick, because I am a more aware person”. Nonsense! Sometimes people just get sick, and if you can’t respond with compassion, keep quiet. They don’t need insult added to injury. They need our presence.” ~ JEFF BROWN

[greybeard]

Hi Amethyst
Alcholism did it for me.
Like the Jeff Brown quote I would not be inclined to blame illness on anything done or not done.
People are born with potential for this or that form of illness.
Great thread

Best wishes
Chris

[Natalia]

Hi Chris :)

Yeah, it's like when Russel Brand was talking about drug addiction being an illness and that people who have it should be treated with more compassion, not like "they do it to themselves, they don't deserve any help"...