by Lawrence Wilson, MD

SPIRITUAL DISEASES AND SPIRITUAL RETRACING

by Dr. Lawrence Wilson

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

I. SPIRITUAL DISEASES

DEFINITION

Spiritual diseases are those that have as their primary cause an imbalance or error in thinking having to do with God or the Creator. Another way to say this is that they are due largely to misperceptions in the way one views oneself in relation to the larger universe.

COMMON SPIRITUAL DISEASES

1. Arrogance. This is the most important of the spiritual diseases. Arrogance is the belief that one knows more than one actually knows, or is better than or superior to others in some way. It is a type of pride - an inflated view of oneself that blocks one from seeing the truth.

Arrogance is often difficult to correct because the person is unaware that a problem exists, so little or no action is forthcoming to overcome it. In other words, arrogance is a strong type of denial of truth. For more on this important topic, read Arrogance.

2. Fear. This is the most common of the spiritual diseases. According to the Bible and others sources, fear is a state of mind in which one feels cut off from God. This is almost a universal problem on planet earth.

Fear paralyzes the body, contracts the muscles, upsets digestion, and is generally very yin in its effects on the body. It can alter one’s perception and judgment, causes one to project one’s feelings upon others and use them as scapegoats, and has many other extremely damaging effects on the body and the mind.

This is one reason why Christian preachers and others encourage one to find Jesus or God to enable them to let go of their intense fear. When one does this, healing often follows quickly because stress is greatly reduced on the body.

Positive aspects of fear. Fear can cause a person to hold back or shrink back, thus saving their life or preventing some other catastrophe or mistake. So fear can make one cautious, make one study harder, try harder, examine options more closely, take more precautions, and so on. These are some benefits of fear. For more details about fear, read Fear.

3. Doubt. Doubt is also a very common condition on earth. One might say it is the opposite of arrogance. If arrogance is being too sure of oneself, doubt is not being sure enough about anything, so that one is always drifting back and forth, and unsure about many things.

Doubters never achieve much in life, are always unhappy, and often get in the way of progress by impeding the joy and happiness of most other people. Doubt is the cause of many accidents, misfortunes and other disasters because doubters often do not exercise good judgment in times of crisis.

Doubt is also extremely yin in its effects on the body. This means it tends to slow the oxidation rate, expand the body in an unhealthy way, and damages the body in many subtle ways.

Many people know how uncomfortable it is to be stuck in doubting everything and everyone. It is a terrible feeling that can cause severe depression and even suicidal thoughts. It is a very common emotion today since people have left behind the Biblical framework that formerly was taught in school such as the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule and the like. In fact, this is a doubting generation.

Positive aspects of doubting. Doubt can cause one to question everything. This can lead people to new heights, new discoveries and newer ways of thinking. So as with all the spiritual diseases, doubt can be harnessed to enable one to seek the truth more deeply.

Doubt also has another benefit. It can stop one from rushing in when one ought to be cautious. This is an important benefit of doubting everyone and everything. For more details, read Skepticism and Doubt.

4. Ignorance. This is the most devastating of the spiritual diseases. We say this because everything one does is based on assumptions, knowledge and principles. If one is ignorant, one’s behavior will be based upon false ideas and false principles. As a result, the outcome of the behavior will most often be faulty, and could result in death or disease.

For example, eating in ignorance leads millions of people to develop diabetes and cancer. Marrying in ignorance leads millions to become unhappy, infertile, depressed and even suicidal at times. Working in ignorance leads to injuries and job dissatisfaction. Voting in ignorance can lead to the downfall of a nation. And so on.

Positive aspects of ignorance. Feeling or knowing that one is ignorant can lead a person to search for the truth. By so doing, one becomes wiser and a more balanced individual. This is the great benefit of realizing one is ignorant.

II. SPIRITUAL RETRACING

This occurs often during the development program. It is a correction process in which one realizes that one has been incorrect regarding some spiritual matter or issue.

Symptoms can be unpleasant if one realizes that one has been wasting time and energy with fear, anger, resentment, hatred or some other negative emotions that are based upon wrong thinking. However, when one completes the reaction, one feels much better, lighter, and happier.

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