Are you familiar with the divide and conquer or divide and rule philosophy?
For example, this approach can show up in military regimes that are able to seize power in a country by fostering dispute and disagreement between different factions of the society. It can happen when a country invades another by first weakening solidarity and unity by dividing the citizens along social, political, and/or religious beliefs. Perhaps you have even witnessed this divide and conquer phenomenon in other family, educational, or other organizational settings as well.
I was reflecting on how all the news we have recently been hearing about the Coronavirus is doing just that:
- Dividing countries that seem to be affected and hit hard by the virus from those that seem to be less affected or not affected at all.
- Creating divisions within a country between communities when one ethnic group seems to be affected more by the virus.
- Even within families or communities, there can be a rift created when one family or community member has symptoms and now others need to be tested, isolated, miss days from work, and so forth.
In my last book discussion about my new book, Physician, Heal Thyself: A Doctor’s Journey from Medicine to Miracles (A mindful approach to healing based on teachings of A Course in Miracles), I shared about some Coronavirus miracles which clearly demonstrates how healing comes from joining and realizing we don’t have separate interests, whereas illness is a reflection of minds and hearts that are separate, divided, splintered, and fragmented.
Here is an excerpt from my book which speaks to this core issue of the choice we make to join or separate when we face illness:
When we are sick with a cold or headache, often we separate ourselves to rest and recuperate. Eventually we recover and reconnect with others. Often, however, when we are experiencing chronic pain, either physical or emotional, we may live in a state of chronic isolation. …
Dean Ornish, a physician and researcher best known for his groundbreaking studies demonstrating how comprehensive lifestyle changes can reverse even severe coronary heart disease without resorting to drugs and surgery, states:
There isn’t any other factor in medicine—not diet, not smoking, not exercise, not stress, not genetics, not drugs, not surgery—that has a greater impact on our quality of life, incidence of illness and premature death from all causes than loneliness and isolation.
A phrase from A Course in Miracles sums this up beautifully:
Healing is the effect of minds that join, as sickness comes from minds that separate.
In my book discussion, one story I shared was about a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who both become ill with the Coronavirus in China. They experienced a profound healing of both body and mind when they were able to put aside their superficial differences and find a common ground of love, acceptance, and forgiveness. My friend, teacher, and mighty companion Frances Xu first shared this story in this YouTube video which you can view here.
Here is another video in which Frances shares how this whole experience of Coronavirus can be seen as a deep call for love in the One Mind of which we are all a part.
Whether we live in China, or Italy or here in the States, we know at a deep level that we are all deeply and intimately connected. The suffering of one is the suffering of all.
I believe strongly that this whole Coronavirus experience is an invitation to go inside to allow for deep inner healing work while doing whatever seems helpful on the outer plane ( adequate hand-washing, paying attention to our overall health and well-being with sufficient rest, fluids, diet, and so forth).
I will be speaking more about my book, the power of joining, and other Coronavirus miracles in the next few blogs. I feel this is an amazing opportunity to not spiral into fear but rather to come together in true joining, trust, and support so we may find healing and wellness together- as was the case of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in China.
Meanwhile, if you are facing an illness or challenging situation and unsure how your spiritual path can help you, please check out a free preview of my book on Amazon with option to purchase Kindle or old-fashioned paperback.
If you are experiencing a chronic stressful situation, and feel a sense of being divided within and feeling it is really difficult to access your inner resources, feel free to email here at [email protected] so we can explore ways that I can support you!
