By: Chirya Risely
Source: The Daily Guardian https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/view/2138/the-daily-guardian/15
Dated: March 8th, 2025

Medical science has shown that our emotional state plays a huge role in determining our physical well-being. How we think can either heal us or harm us. This explains why worry, anxiety, pain or fear about an existing illness, only aggravates the condition and can, in some cases, worsen the illness. When physical health is compromised, it causes great distress, sending the mind into overdrive and loss of equilibrium. 

However, the power of the mind can bring about quite dramatic changes; using positive thoughts of healing the body, instead of those of anxiety and fear.  Affirmations can radiate healing energy and speed up recovery with thoughts like – “Every day I am feeling better and better.” “Everything is perfect, my life is beautiful, my body and mind are at ease”. Practising affirmations like these, full of positive wisdom and strength, sends positive energy to the body. Worrying is a negative energy that attracts equally negative repercussions on our health, relationships, roles and wealth. Worrying about negative future scenarios triggers the fear that can affect our physical health, even before anything ever happens – and more often than not, never does. 

Every illness and negative situation and seems huge at first, but as we move forward, and begin to deal with the situation, the more positive we can be, the quicker is the possibility of healing, and finding solutions. No situation is permanent. Practical experience says that after some time, situations seem smaller.  Knowing this, determination and patience help us to think more clearly to bring about a resolution.

Although illness is often debilitating, sometimes there is a hidden benefit. Maybe we have a chance to rest from stressful life matters, maybe time alone and resting shows us ways forward we had never thought of, maybe we discover virtues and strength we never knew we possessed. Negative situations often make us more powerful and wiser.  They make us think differently and take us on new paths to success, which we would have never found, if the situation had not arisen.

Health does not come from nutritious foods, vitamins and medicines alone. It comes from peace of mind; peace in the heart and peace in the soul.  It is magnified by laughter, love and faith In God.  Practising daily meditation provides a strong foundation for deep peace and contentment. 

Chirya Risely is a Rajyoga meditation teacher
based at the Brahma Kumaris Peace Village Retreat Center, USA