We Shall Overcome

Dr. Rajesh Bhola
India
May 18, 2012

A few days back Manju talked to me about her life. In the past twenty five years, she has been detected with cancer three times – about once every eight years. Each time she has lost the affected part of her body; it had to be amputated. During her last tryst, she had a premonition  that something wrong was again going to happen to her. She was right. Destiny had kept its time. While attending a marriage reception, Manju reported breathlessness, and was rushed to the nearby hospital. This time she was detected with a serious heart ailment, that necessitated immediate surgery.

Physically she has gone weak; her bones are sticking out, and the physical strength has gone. At the time of her first surgery she was a young woman. She now has lost her hair and looks a wreck. She has endured twenty five years of psychological and physical trauma.The most difficult affliction to bear has been psychological and social, rather than physical. 

At times, the series of setbacks threw her into a state of depression. The black mood hung over her. But she also spoke of how her experience, working as an attendant in ‘langars’ (community eating) held in a temple every month, has taught her as much - in a different way - as her reading of religious scriptures. The learning has stood her in good stead, in her war against cancer. She empathizes with the religious tradition of the temple, of distribution of alms and clothes to the poor, and responds to the simple human needs of the downtrodden with compassion. Each suffering has taught her something, has given her life that extra quality and depth. 

Eventually, her mental climate has changed, assisted by the consistent support and tolerance of people who love her. She is grateful that she had some religious and spiritual training, to prepare herself for eventualities of this kind. We can all learn a lesson from her; it is as profound as everything we learn from the famous gurumas and yogins around.   

Obstacles and suffering we will assuredly meet. The Almighty wants us to meet these well. When we experience obstacles and ailments, it can go either way with us. We may become bitter, depressed and alienated; or we may grow as people. Experience broadens us. Difficult experiences challenge us. We need to learn how to overcome; to not be defeated. Obstacles should wake us up. Enlightenment does not abolish them; it teaches us ways of surmounting them. 

Dr. Rajesh Bhola is President of Spastic Society of Gurgaon and is working for the cause of children with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities
for more than 20 years.