What Is the Purpose of Sickness and Suffering?—Veritas interview
The last few years, and the last year in particular, have been fiery for many of us, myself included. Many challenges have presented themselves and for some, we have been brought to what may have felt like our limits, only to experience something of increasing intensity and complexity. These trials are not mistakes or bad luck. They are necessary opportunities for our learning and expansion. Without them we wouldn’t, and couldn’t, make the changes that will prepare us to be part of the most beautiful and perfect of projects, God’s family. Suffering helps us pierce that hardened shell of self that prevents us from fully receiving divinity’s inflow of spirit, igniting our essence.
The increasing wrongness we see in the world requires our increasing purification, our insistence on aligning with what is true and good. Things are heating up in all directions, in all avenues of existence. There is urgency, there is purpose. But always there is God’s love and God draws close to those who suffer when they reach out.
About a month ago, I had the honor of being on Mel Hostalrich’s VERITAS radio program to talk about the purpose of sickness and suffering. This subject is central to spiritual practice in general and a very personal interest of mine. Interestingly, two days after that interview, I started having severe abdominal pains. Two days after they began, I was in the hospital having an emergency appendectomy. And two days after that, I was supposed to do another interview with Steven Wright, the owner of the HealthyGut company, about the psychospiritual causes of gut pain and disorders! That interview, of course, had to be postponed.
My odyssey with this has included some of the most intense physical experiences of my life. After the surgery it wasn’t initially clear what direction things would go and recovery has been slow and complicated. When timing like this occurs, you can be sure it is no accident. I am being shown something I have to learn. Despite feeling like I’ve been doing this excavation work all my life, clearly I have been missing some key points and just like with so many others, I required a radical straightening.
For each of us, the reasons we experience these trials in our lives are individual and the subject requires a great deal of contemplation and exploration. Sometimes we only understand the larger meaning much later. When we are faced with our most brutal confrontations with our material natures, that is often, paradoxically, when we must examine ourselves most radically from a spiritual perspective. So I was talking about this with Mel and I have been exploring it for more than 30 years and yet here I was facing this so acutely in my own life again.
There are many reasons why I think this showed up for me now, some deeply personal, and others more universal. In part, I felt God was indicating that if I was going to be presenting more publicly about these things, I better make damn sure I knew what I was talking about! There were many times during this experience when I was fully wrapped up in the material suffering and brought to my knees with it, praying for mercy. Just like everyone, I had to return to surrender again and again and again. Just like everyone, I had to zoom out from the worry of self to the knowing that my purpose is not self-protection, but service to God. Just like everyone, I too am a child that doesn’t know what medicine I need and must trust that “heavenly physician of souls” (Thomas A. Kempis).
If you are interested, please give a listen to the interview and let me know your thoughts and questions.
Much love to all!
Maya Lena
Download Part 1 below. For Part 2, please go to VERITAS.
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Mel Hostalrich writes: "Tonight, prepare to embark on an enthralling exploration that transcends the ordinary. In a world brimming with uncertainty and existential questions, one profound inquiry stands out: What is the purpose of sickness and suffering? This age-old riddle, rich with complexity, has long captivated the minds of philosophers, spiritual guides, and seekers of truth.
We welcome Maya Lena Flamm, a distinguished figure in the intertwining worlds of spiritual wisdom and holistic health. With over three decades dedicated to exploring the depths of human experience, Maya brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and profound insights. Her journey, encompassing diverse realms of holistic practices and spiritual exploration, offers a fresh perspective on the quintessential questions of existence.
Tonight is not just an interview; it's an odyssey into the human soul. With Maya's guidance, we will navigate the intricate landscapes of emotional and physical health. Her unique approach, blending the teachings of Eastern and Western mysticism, shines a light on the shadows and highlights of our lives, inviting us to embrace the full spectrum of our experiences.
We'll delve into conversations that promise to unearth new understandings of healing, unearthing practical strategies for nurturing our complete selves - body, mind, and spirit. Prepare to be part of a dialogue that seeks to unravel the profound wisdom hidden in life's challenges and to discover the transformative power that lies within our struggles.
So, join us for an evening of enlightening discussion and eye-opening revelations. A journey of discovery awaits."