The most fascinating thing about illness is that it comes to slow us down and force us to recollect and introspect. Great saints became saints often because of illness. St Francis was such an example.
http://piercedhearts.org/theology_heart/life_saints/francis_assisi_life.htmMost of us do not realize that sometimes we are being blessed by being ill. Because the body can warn us that our outer activities are not in line with our inner spiritual unfoldment.
Life is somewhat of a mystery in this way so I do not pretend to make sense of it all. Yet when we 'wait and see'
and endure difficult periods in our illness it is almost as though something wants to be heard inside us and demands to be listened too.
It also happens vicariously through our friends. At times listening to them and their illness is like connecting to part of ourselves and perhaps in our own 'hearing' we can recognize some of our own 'illness'. Until we can 'feel' the pain and suffering of others we will not be able to feel the pain and suffering associated with our own spiritual ignorance.
