A few years ago, my friend Raven Jones developed a good-sized tumour on his knee. Amputation was advised, but Raven was attached to his leg and thought, "There must be some other way", so he refused both surgery and chemotherapy. Today, he still has both his legs and no tumour. You can read about it in his book, ‘Cancer Recovery: a daily program to heal cancer naturally', the details of which are on his website: myayurvedalife.com.
It may not be for everyone, but Raven's method involved exploring ayurvedic medicine, a combination of natural holistic medicine, diet and lifestyle changes that are customized to help cancer patients on their journey back to health. The recovery program, he says, is based on rebuilding the immune system and cleansing the body while adding organic live and cooked foods with nutritional supplements. Physical exercises and emotional release techniques are part of the programme, which helps to remove what he says are the original causes of disease and re-balance the body by exploring the emotional conflict which is at the heart of all true healing.
Recently, Raven returned to India for more treatment and further training in Ayurvedic medicine. While there, he came across a wisdom story and passed it on to me.
A long time ago in ancient India, there was a wilful king and a holy man. The king loved hunting, and often went out with only a small number of attendants. One day, with the king leading, this swift and mobile party startled a tiger in a thicket. It came hurtling towards them with a roar. The king's horse reared up and fell, taking the king down too. The king's men chased the tiger away. Meanwhile, the king's horse, flailing around to get up, trod heavily on the king's hand as he lay breathless on the ground.
Two fingers were damaged badly. The king's doctors advised immediate amputation, but the king refused. Infection set in. The doctors warned that gangrene could spread, and again advised amputation. The king, reluctant still, insisted on a different kind of opinion. A holy man was instantly summoned to the court.
When the situation was explained, the holy man turned to the king and said serenely, "Whatever heaven sends is for the best". He, too, then advised amputation of the damaged fingers.
The simple operation was carried out immediately. It was painful, but the wound was clean and healed well. Nevertheless, the king was not grateful. He was furious at having to lose even the most humble of body parts, and wanted revenge on the holy man. He insisted that the sage live in the palace, summoning him to the court frequently, then keeping him hanging around with nothing to do.
The king had special gloves made for his damaged hand so that it appeared normal. One day, he felt like hunting again. He took only two attendants, but also insisted that the holy man be brought along. In a forest clearing, some distance from the palace, they came across a large pit, which had probably been dug as an animal trap some years before. A wicked thought came to the king. Telling his men to dismount, he ordered them to put the holy man in the pit.
"Why are you doing this to me?" the sage asked. "Be quiet", the king replied. "Remember what you told me... ‘Whatever heaven sends is for the best'." "Stay with him", he added to his men. Then he rode off alone.
Cancer Recovery by Raven Jones
The king intended to return an hour or two later, but soon found himself in dire straits when he was set upon by armed bandits. These ruffians made a habit of stripping their victims of their riches and clothing, then killing them as a sacrifice to their demonic goddess. The king was ordered to dismount, take off his clothes and prepare to die.
He did as instructed trembling, but when he took off his gloves, the robbers exclaimed in horror. They noticed his missing fingers and declared him unfit to be a human sacrifice after all. Only perfect human specimens were good enough for their goddess.
The thieves kept the king's horse and jewelled ornaments, but allowed him to dress again and depart. It took him some time to find his way back to his men, giving him the opportunity to reflect deeply on what had occurred. "The holy man was right, after all", he thought. "If my fingers had not been amputated, I should be dead by now."
So much time had passed that his men had been worrying, and were delighted to see their master again. The king immediately bade them free the holy man, as he told them what had happened. While the party was making its way back to the palace, the king had another thought. Turning to the holy man, he said, "If whatever heaven sends is for the best, what good came of your being in that pit for several hours back there?"
The holy man replied, "Well, Your Majesty, suppose I had been with you when the bandits struck. I have no body parts missing. Would it not have been me that they turned on to sacrifice?"
"Heaven knows best indeed!" said the king. Returning home much wiser for the day's adventures, he gave the holy man a reward and permission to return to his village.
You can see why this story appealed to Raven, having faced losing his leg, just as the king faced with losing his fingers. In his case, his body was spared; which just goes to show how variable each person's fate may be. Always, though, we are wise to think that whatever happens, however unfortunate it may seem, will ultimately be for the best. In this way strength, courage, and later gratitude, will grow naturally from having faith.
Copyright Larry Culliford
Larry's books include ‘The Psychology of Spirituality', ‘Love, Healing & Happiness' and (as Patrick Whiteside) ‘The Little Book of Happiness' and ‘Happiness: The 30 Day Guide' (personally endorsed by HH The Dalai Lama).
