He Moves In Mysterious Ways

After reading my posting ‘Volcano’, a friend challenged me as to whether refusing chemotherapy for a life threatening cancer would be equivalent to the Pastor’s refusal to leave the island at a time of imminent danger. Might not the bereaved relatives and friends legitimately ask why the cancer sufferer had disrupted their lives rather than submit to treatment? It was a good question and one with no easy answer. In his book ‘Wishes Fulfilled’ the spiritual teacher Wayne Dyer describes how as human beings we are intimately linked to the Divine and bring into existence that which is aligned to our highest purpose. Citing situations where cancer sufferers have the poorest of prognoses, yet have gone on to make complete recoveries, Dyer tells us that these recoveries occur despite inputs from the senses demanding action to avoid death. The two approaches appear to be dichotomous. Can this circle be squared? I have long considered myself a cell in the body of humanity. This perspective recognises that my health contributes to the health of the whole. It is both my duty and privilege to protect my health so that I can play the fullest part in my family, community and society. Somewhat paradoxically, it is by encouraging independence of the healthcare system that I can make my greatest contribution to it. When fewer people are draining the system, precious resources can be directed to areas of greatest need. Our health service can shift toward preventive medicine and emergency services. Through the example I live, others may recognise the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and choose similar action. When they too become healthier the ripples quickly spread across the community. Perhaps our problem resolves when, as with the cellular model, we see our interdependence as the Divine pattern by which we nurture one another. No one individual or group holds all the answers, but collectively we are capable of responding with greater intelligence to any situation. The dilemma still remains as to how to choose the most appropriate course of action. To help us here we might examine the origins of and motives behind the advice on offer. I believe that medical workers enter their profession in order to help people. They will act in good faith and offer advice from the best information available to them. Such is the trust between doctor and patient that, in effect, patient choice is determined by those providing the information to our GPs and specialist physicians. Unlike the doctors who feel a duty of care to their patients, suppliers of chemotherapy and other drugs only have a duty to their shareholders. There is more money to be made from managing the symptoms of disease than from curing it. There are vast numbers of cells being made by the body every day and some genetic errors are inevitable. A well functioning immune system is generally capable of detecting and eliminating defective cells so that the body remains healthy. Cancers only take hold where conditions permit. Often the patients have suffered prolonged periods of stress in their lives, either psychological or physiological, giving rise to imbalanced hormone expression and dis-ease. In such situations a cure requires that these stresses are relieved. When we can recognise the Divine in each member of our communities we will choose to interdependently support one another through our unique knowledge and skills. By presenting these as gifts rather than monetary transactions we will have the courage to accept God’s help from our, sometimes unconventional, fellow travellers, confident that we are all seeking to serve the body of humanity. Then when the island blows, all will be saved.