Mind Control

The discussion on the Theresa Neumann phenomenon and current Twinkle situation has brought out a lot of repetitious wonderings and thought ponderings that I have come across many times in my life. A science-filled and religion-following upbringing has led me to really question what it is that occurs around me and why. My father’s side of the family is extremely Christian and looks to God for all of life’s answers and worries. My mother’s, on the other hand, is rooted in scientific theory and explanation.

         I have heard other stories like those of Theresa and Twinkle, with similar doubt and suspicion. When it comes to the time of lent in the life of a Christian, some extreme believers choose to instead of only giving some minor thing up as a display of God’s grace, they give up most everything and fast for the entire 40some days. Now for me, giving up chocolate for the duration from Christmas day till Easter is a struggle, but it has been well documented and commonly practiced that true believers go the entirety of lent without any food and only water to drink. They claim that the belief and trust in God calms their mind and they know that he will provide for them in all times of hardship. When hearing these stories, everything inside me screams that it is unrealistic and nearly impossible for them to not eat anything for over 40 days, after hearing that only in great survival stories can people pull through. Gandhi himself did fast for 21 days in the 1970’s, but 21 is a lot different than 40.

         Taking the opposite side of this in my brain was an event that took place about three years ago. A good friend of my family was diagnosed with stage four cancer in her uterus. She, along with all her friends and family, were greatly shocked and she decided that the operation described as an option to her by her oncologist was the best option. There was a tumor over 5 cm and they were determined to try to remove it and then shock her system with rounds of chemotherapy. Everything was set up for the surgery and two days before it was to happen, she made a trip to a friend of our pastor. This friend was known to be a healer. He told us that the Lord spoke everything through him and he was no way responsible for the miracles that occur, but it was God himself who casts them down. She went to see this healer with my grandma and went through the ceremonial healing. I’m not sure exactly what happened at the healer’s house but when she was on the operating table we were all waiting in the lobby. The doctor came back out after only about 20 minutes with the craziest face on. He told us that they started the procedure and when inside there was no tumor. Not only was there no tumor, but they did a test and the cancer that was in surrounding tissue was completely gone. The physicians stitched her back up and came to tell us of this unbelievable miracle and after our friend was conscious and able to be visited she looked at us and said, “It is as he said it would be.”

         This proves to be an extreme example, but I do believe that there are certain cases where the mind can over rule all science and nature. I am in full support of modern medical practices and everything to go along with them, but I also have a personal addition that the mind can over ride anything that it truly sets its aim on, whether it be that the mind is disconnected or rather completely connected to the body, that’s the true mystery.