If I knew then what I know now, I’d be saying it differently!
When was the “then?” Two weeks ago: August 24, 2013
What was the “it?” That part about positive thinking.
What is the “difference?” Taking tea with a Buddhist Monk in Mt. Shasta.
Two days before serendipitously sipping tea with a Master Monk, I had been a guest on Dr. and Alexandra Rusu’s weekly radio show about different aspects of healing.
Somewhere in the conversation the subject of positive thinking arose. In case there were others listening who have been diagnosed as terminal, I wanted to make it clear that having negative thoughts is OKAY! How could it be otherwise? It is quite appropriate when looking your mortality up and down that you stamp your feet up and down. But I’m not sure I made it clear that one must not get mired in the negativity.
Not that I do, or at least I didn’t think I did, but the Monk told me to think positive. He also told me what was causing my cancer. He told Mike’s daughter, Elise, about a problem she was having with two people and how to solve the problem, and he told Mike, my husband, how best to communicate with his daughter and with me.
All of this by itself isn’t anything to write home about, except the Monk had never seen us before, nor had we had time to have a conversation with the man, and earlier in the morning the three of us had discussed Elise’s problem and how I most need Mike to communicate with me. The monk was 100% accurate in everything he said.
He didn’t tell me what was causing my cancer, however, until I asked him if I could possibly live through it. He did not say yes or no, but he told me the cause and then he performed a healing on me.
After he had finished, he looked deep into my eyes and said, “You are okay now. Be happy, happy, happy! Be positive.”
Big Baba
Be Happy, Happy, Happy!
If you read my last post, you know that my cancer had started growing again, and chemo was stopped to give my body a chance to build its strength for a possible Plan B. (I guess I didn’t have the most positive outlook after hearing the news.)
Yet, when the San Francisco oncologist examined me two days later, he told me the CAT scan showed the cancer to be stable, and he couldn’t find the nodule. Neither could I. And since then, neither could my Redding oncologist who KNOWS it was there! He said it was about the size of a walnut. It seems to be inexplicable.
When I asked my “if-I-can’t-see-it, I-don’t-believe-it” husband if what had happened opened any possibility in his mind that there might be something more in Heaven and Earth than we know about, he assured me it did not. But then he did say, “It does blow my mind, however.” Then the morning after my oncologist appointment in San Francisco, he did tell me, “Maybe I’ll become a Buddhist.” Ha!
Who knows what is going on in my body. Or any of our bodies.
But there is one thing I do know: I am staying positive. Not to the extent that I deny or cover up any negative emotions that arise. But to the extent that I tell the truth: I am okay!
And so are you!
(If you care to listen to the radio program, below is a link to Dr. Rusu’s blog. Enjoy!)
We’ve been talking to some sort of health practitioner on every show but today we took a different approach and interviewed someone who is receiving care. Gayle has been dealing with pancreatic cancer since 2011 and has since started a blog: http://www.gaylemadden.com/ about her health journey which we found very inspirational for anyone going through any […]
– See more at: http://drrusu.com/radio-show/#sthash.q909AblP.dpuf
oh, Gayle, you are such an inspiration! I am so glad for your healing, positive outlook, and supportive community. WIsh I wasn’t on the other side of this country so I could give you a hug. Keep taking good care of yourself, and I will do the same! xoxo
Thanks, Kathryn. My new goal is to fly to New York to see you in a play! I love watching Goddesses at work. 🙂
Blessings abound, Gayle. You’re an inspiration to many with your willingness to be true to yourself while being open with others and to what they offer. Positive thinking? No question about it. Humanness isn’t necessarily negativity…not to become mired in its depths is the challenge, no doubt. What a blessed opportunity for you to share tea and reflection with the monk!
“Humanness isn’t necessarily negativity….” wow, what a statement, Wise One.
Gayle listened to the radio program, you sound like how you write. I enjoyed you so much.
Thanks, Judith. Now if I could only sound like you paint. 🙂
Yes! Anything and everything is possible! How many times have I seen this in my own life. I know this, yet I still struggle to always belief it. And, energy medicine works – being positive (while also acknowledging the negative, I realize) being Love, being peace… and all of these things you are, Gayle, you are such an inspiration… your blog posts are always a place of refuge for us all. Blessings to you, and to the Buddhist monk! By the way, a couple of weeks ago I nearly lost my beloved bovine friend/teacher, Christina, and energy medicine was one of the factors that has brought her back to good health again… we keep learning, don’t we! Rita
Yes, energy medicine is powerful. You do know that Christina belongs to all of us, don’t you? 🙂 One day I’ll write a post about the beloved bovine. Hope you are doing well.
Greetings Gayle. Thank you for sharing. You are such a blessing and very inspirational. I think of you every day that they have water yoga. It is a great class and look forward to when you may be able to join it. The picture of all of you with The Monk is a beautiful visual image.
Much, much love and positive energy to you, Gayle
From Pat
Thank, Pat. I do look forward to seeing you in water yoga. I’ll be there ASAP! Thanks for your love and support!
The healing power of the mind has such amazing potential. Fortunately the pharmaceutical companies can’t get a patient on it!
Hi George, The healing power of your music is amazing, too! The world needs what you have to say. Maybe you’d allow me to post one of your songs on my blog?
Keep it up.
Dennis is my inspiration!
This is the most special Buddhist monk. I have also had the privilege to meet him. Try to meet him before he goes back to Thailand in late October.
I would dearly love to be in his presence again. I saw him for the second time last week and can’t seem to get enough. 🙂 How did you meet him?
I was walking in Panther Meadows and met him. I was so moved by meeting him that I have been working with him to create a web presence for him. I’m up here this weekend working with him on the Bio…very special!!
Wish I could have met you. I just sent him a “blurb” about my healing experience with him. Hope it helps!
Thank you, Gayle.
Big Baba’s Biography: http://archive.csustan.edu/market/williams/BigBabaBlackBuddhaPhraWithoonArjarasupohBiographyWebLong.htm
Thanks, Kaylene!
Wow! What an incredible experience you had. I tried listening to the radio program, but couldn’t get it to play. Any suggestions? As always, I enjoyed reading your post. It was wonderful seeing you on the 6th, and hope to see you again soon.
Love to you,
Canda
Hi Canda, Always a pleasure to see your bright, smiling face! To listen to the radio program, click on the words “read more” that appear at the end of the post. It should take you to Dr. Russo’s blog and the radio show should immediately begin playing. Hope it works!
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Hi Elliot,
Please feel free to share with everyone!