Sunday, September 23, 2012

Conversations with Chang

I found out that Chang had kidney cancer almost a year after he was diagnosed. In his usual way, he spoke enthusiastically about the Gerson Therapy, the urine therapy and their benefits. He encouraged me to try out coffee enemas, drink juices and take the Gerson supplements. 

After listening to him, I finally asked him whether he had considered that healing could be more than just physical. And that healing encompasses mind, body and spirit. I also asked him whether he loved himself.  He was stumped and said "Isn't self-love narcissistic or attachment to oneself?" This turned out to be a really big question for him. 

Many people are afraid to love themselves, They somehow feel they are not allowed to. That self-love is self indulgent. They find it much easier to find fault with themselves. And to be harsh and unforgiving toward themselves for their imperfections and mistakes. They do not allow themselves the space to be themselves, to delight in their own company and to pamper themselves. Don't we all deserve a break sometimes? As human beings, we tend to swing to extremes. Does loving ourselves have to swing towards narcissm? What is narcissm? Narcissism is an obsession with ourselves, to the exclusion of other people -- both their needs, and their gifts which they want to share with us. Narcissism is not self-love.

Our self-love is a confirmation that we are lovable; therefore, we eagerly recognize and accept the love which is offered to us. If we lack self-love, we reject other people's love, because we do not recognize it, or we feel that we are not worthy of it. It increases our ability to love other people. It allows us to understand ourselves and know ourselves. We are not repressing anything from our own awareness.
 
I reminded Chang that Buddhism teaches the middle path and he could look at self love as compassion towards oneself. If we cannot have compassion towards ourselves, how then can we expect others to have compassion for us? How then can we know how to feel compassion for others. It starts with us.

And what does self love have to do with cancer? Because self-love is the pathway to healing. We need to learn to have a great respect for ourselves and a gratitude for the miracle of our bodies and minds. The science of energy medicine teaches us that our organs and other physiological systems sense and store emotions. The immune system’s intelligence observes feelings we have about ourselves, and can improve its health when we develop authentic feelings of self-love.

In the words of cancer survivor, Anita Moorjani, who came back from a near death experience in 2006. "Self love is the best medicine. I learnt from being at death's door that unless I loved myself, nothing else in my life could function at its best."  (Chang posted her story on May 11, 2012)



(Posted by Chang's Friend)

12 comments:

  1. My dear "mysterious" friend of Chang. Thanks for keeping Chang's blog alive (pun intended).

    I still visit this site many time a day, somehow hoping it to come alive!!

    Looking forward to read more of your past reminiscences with Chang.

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    Replies
    1. Dear Justin,

      Am happy you enjoyed it.
      Thank you.


      Chang's Friend

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  2. Well said, CF. Emotions is truly linked to our physical health.

    I would like to attach a link here which shows the inter-relationship between mind and body.

    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/08/21/a-new-view-of-cancer-german-new-medicine.aspx

    Kenneth

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    Replies
    1. Dear Kenneth,

      A reader introduced German New Medicine to Chang in 2010. Chang read through the artciles and wrote a post in November 2010. It is very interesting but I believe the healing has to be deep enough to effect any change on the cellular level.

      Chang's Friend

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  3. Dear friend,

    I never fail to visit this site almost everyday. Unless i am busy with housework. I hope you will not
    terminate this site. I enjoy reading your posts and find it interesting and knowledgeable. Good job. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Chang's friend,
    I still come in to see any new updates. Thank you being the custodian of the blog.

    I came to know of this blog in June and busy reading for the first 2 weeks till midnite. Then I slowed down as I knew who CT Chang was. At that time he was still bubbly and writing every 4 days or so. There were many old topics that I had not completed reading and would still visit this blog now and then to continue and learn more from him.

    Today I learnt a colleague who in his late 40's had passed away yesterday due hepatities . This is a cruel world with so many kinds of diseases.

    Cindi

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    Replies
    1. Dear Cindi,

      Thank you. Yes, it is hard indeed to watch the suffering in this world.

      CF

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  5. dear CF

    Thanks for continuing this blog, am very grateful and surprised to see some more postings. May you accumulate more merits and karma.
    Thanks for sharing the above info. Yes self love is indeed very effective healing and motivation to oneself.

    Keep on posting, reminds us of hearing and talking to Chang.....
    Regards
    Mrs Heng YC








    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Mrs Heng,

      You are such a wonderful supporter.
      Thank you.


      CF

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  6. CF,

    Good to see Chang is still'alive',TQ for that special role of yours

    Admittedly it is not easy to fully appreciate what is said today, new concept, psych somewhat, I will try,

    rgds, kokpiew

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    Replies
    1. Dear Kok Piew,

      Thank you. You are such a good friend of Chang's


      CF

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