It may sound impossible — feeling blissful while sick with the flu. But it truly happened, and now I understand the reason behind it.
The last time I got the flu was also the last time I received a flu shot, over 20 years ago. I remember lying in bed, feeling utterly miserable — not just physically but emotionally too. I was recently divorced and alone, with no one to take care of me. The added self-pity — thinking, “why me?” — only amplified the suffering.
Going Toward the Pain Instead of Resisting
During life coaching school, I learned a transformative technique: go toward the “bad thing” instead of avoiding it. So, during the flu, I consciously allowed myself to feel every sensation in my body — the tightness in my throat, the aches, the fatigue. I didn’t resist or try to distract myself.
After about 30 minutes of fully immersing myself in these sensations, something remarkable happened. The discomfort began to transform — the pain in my throat shifted into a sense of comfort and pleasure. I felt happy, even blissful. It may sound strange, but this experience revealed an important truth: our perception of suffering is often shaped by resistance and self-judgment.
The Spiritual Lesson: Allowing Changes Everything
Recently, I recommitted to my morning spiritual reading in The Way of Mastery after a period of inconsistency. During a session, I came across a sentence that resonated deeply:
“Spirituality is merely a process of seeing things differently.”
This is about allowing — accepting reality instead of resisting it. When we label experiences as “bad” or “good,” we create unnecessary suffering. The flu, which I initially resisted, became an opportunity to explore radical acceptance, mindfulness, and emotional clarity.
When I allowed myself to fully experience the flu symptoms without judgment, I entered a state of physical and emotional bliss. It was a profound reminder that our natural state is joy and light, and resistance often blocks this innate experience.
Lessons for Everyday Life
Life is full of challenges, and the ego thrives on resistance. The key is to notice what you resist and choose to allow instead. Ask yourself:
- What am I resisting right now?
- How can I allow myself to fully experience it without judgment?
By embracing this mindset, discomfort transforms into growth, resistance into peace, and ordinary moments into opportunities for joy.