The Ultimate Search
Spirituality.
A topic I have always wanted to explore in my writing. The impetus to write about this is a story about my brother. The Buddha said, “Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.”
So, before I tell my story, let’s explore the meaning of the word “spirituality” – the elixir of life. A concise description of the concept is that it is about seeking meaningful connection with something bigger than us: the Divine Creator, the Universe, or God, whichever way individuals understand it. After all, there are 8.062 billion humans on our planet! We are all different.
Spirituality has been the subject of many formal research efforts in recent years. Why? Scientists are proving that a search for – and practice of – spirituality has many benefits for our physical and mental health.
Studies show that spiritual practices lower blood pressure and decrease the symptoms of ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and depression. Recovery rates from various illnesses improved when spiritual care was integrated into treatment. People also showed increased immune function. In addition, spirituality increases self-worth and fosters healthy relationships with others.
And now my story…
Whether through prayer, meditation, journaling, or simply spending time in nature, perhaps it’s time to begin your own spiritual exploration.
April 5, 2025. Heart-breaking news. One of those “standstill,” “what now?” “I can’t breathe!” moments in life. My cell phone bleeped – a WhatsApp message. It was my brother, nine years younger than me. The day before, he had received a diagnosis of advanced pancreatic and liver cancer.
The path ahead for him? Bleak. Inoperable. Too late for chemo. Maximum six months to live. And on top of this, pancreatic cancer is one of the most painful forms of the disease. Death – a reality, a concrete fact we are all faced with – was reeling him in at a fast and furious pace.
I visited him in his hometown, Knysna, a few days later. My brother greeted me with a warm, welcoming smile on his familiar face and locked me into a tight embrace. Potent peace, serenity, calm, and complete acceptance of his fate radiated from him. Not “Why me?” but rather “I am ready for my exit.”
“What is your secret to dealing with your diagnosis in such a profound way?” I asked him at an appropriate moment. His answer was simple. He said that during the last years, his exploration of spirituality had become his priority. He invested time and solid commitment to this process.
He cultivated new keystone spiritual habits. There are many approaches, but he found solace in prayer, meditation, mindfulness, learning from others, silence, and keeping a journal of his increasing self-awareness and self-correction. He spent time connecting to the beauty and calmness of nature. His focus is on living gratitude, kindness, and compassion.
So, hats off to a hero – my brother. A man of value; a man who is standing firm, ready for the battle ahead. His life was one of reaching heights and falling hard. Great victories and many losses. He fought his demons with courage and beat them to the ground, continuing his journey with unrelenting courage and valour.
My visit to my brother was one of the most beautiful and inspiring experiences in my life up to now. I said my last goodbye and was at peace. I left with a magnificent example of how to add ultimate value to my own life.
What will you do with this inspiration?
Dr.Sonia