Practical Spirituality--Surviving Prostrate Cancer

Practical Spirituality--Surviving Prostrate Cancer

There’s nothing like discovering that you have cancer, especially if no one in your family ever had it. Cancer is a very dangerous disease, as anyone knows. It is only dangerous on the physical lever, but probably even more devastating on the emotional and mental level. Especially the forms of cancer that seem not to be taken seriously by those who don’t have it. This is especially true of prostate cancer.

As soon as anyone discovers that you have prostrate cancer the first thing they tell you is how common it is, and then they move onto the success rate of its treatment. This is a bit comforting, but when you begin to hear about the procedures involved, that comfort flies out the window. Cutting out parts of your body, eradiating your body to shrivel your prostate, planting hundreds of radioactive seeds in the prostate, or freezing the prostate until it dies, and the left over affects of decreased potency and the need to use stimulates for intercourse, if that is even possible, are devastating.

These are not good things. They are all loses that must be grieved. Even if you don´t want to, any of these treatments mean that you will never be able to father another child. You will always know that a part of you is missing; the part that created the seeds that bring forth life. If you are a survivor of prostate cancer, or you have just been diagnosed, and all of the speeches about the success rate don’t quite comfort you on all levels, you may be dealing with the last issue of which I spoke. Procreation is more than a physical act. It is an issue that is somewhat primordial and spiritual. It is at the root of what it means to be alive for just about every species on Earth. Most people do not really think about it like that.

People around you hear cancer and panic, thinking that you should do anything to keep it from spreading. The cancer patient, some of them anyway, however, often looks deeper, looking for the meaning behind the fact that parts of one’s own body has declared war on you, and thinking of the most beneficial ways of dealing with it.

If you are diagnosed with prostrate cancer, or any other type, and are thinking of getting treatment, or if you are having treatment, or have completed treatment, it is important for you to look for a deeper meaning. It is important for you to begin to explore your life deeply and to find a meaningful way to participate in life that is satisfying and enjoyable. Many say that modern civilization is a toxic, cancerous environment in itself. Is it any wonder that our bodies should become like the toxic environment in which we live? Find ways to be healthy. Create sacred spaces where you can step outside of the toxic environment to strengthen yourself. You will then give birth to new things on a different level—a spiritual level.

If you can find a group where you can talk about what has happened, the shock that has happened to your mind, body, and spirit, find one. Several hospitals have prostate cancer survivor support groups. Many other people will not know what you are talking about and what you are going though on the inside. Don’t try to force yourself to get over it and to go ahead with life. You will do this, and life will go on. The truth is, however, that you have been injured, even if it doesn’t show on the outside, and you can never get back what you have lost. You have to heal from the injury on all levels. This is something that we must learn to live with. A greater understanding of who you are and why things like this happen are the only help. It is also important to work to gain some insight, or lifestyle that is worth all of the fear and suffering. When you have done this you will be able to move on without pushing. It will be natural and you will be a greater person. Don´t ignore practical spirituality and healing methods like meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga or Chi Kung. They can be very good for dealing with the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of the injury if you go very deep in their application.

Dr. John W. Gilmore is a writer, spiritual director, and certified healer in many alternative health traditions. For more information on how to apply practical spirituality to your life visit our free Practical Spirituality Journal at www.dswellness.com. Explore our website for more information geared to the healing of the greater community. Also visit our school at http://dswellness.htap.net.