Author: Maasaisis

SPECIALNESS

by Maasaisis

Sometimes, clarity shines through like a beam of sunlight breaking through a dense forest—direct, bright, and penetrating. As I walk, spinning my prayer beads between my fingers, I realize that cancer is giving me an opportunity to see either through the eyes of fear or through the inner eye that reveals how I mold my reality to appease the demands of an unquenchable ego.

Beneath the many facets of fear that seek to control and wreak havoc lies a deep desire to be seen. As I learn the tactics of the ego, I am humbled by what my prayers reveal. Ego will weaponize fear to prevent me from stepping into the expansiveness of God’s perfect Creation. Attacks of belittling fertilize the ground for self-punishment and outward projection, attempting to fill the self-imposed cracks.

The need to feel important can only be rooted in the belief that we are separate from one another. Otherwise, why would we need to feel special? If we acknowledge that we are all of the Same, then we wouldn’t need to constantly be assured that we matter. When our perception of who we think we are—or who we should be—is challenged, we often respond by attacking and distorting our reality to assert how we want to be seen in the world. Is my twisted ego making me feel special because of cancer? The thought stopped me in my tracks.

Cocooned in the safety of the forest, I dared myself to be perfectly honest. Is my illness a manifestation of seeking love and acceptance? Am I coveting care and validation from others through this disease? Have I allowed myself to be defined by sickness? And the biggest question of all…did I create cancer? If so, can right mindedness reverse what was miscreated?

The discomfort and resistance of pondering these questions made it clear that even in the throes of struggle, egoic pretenses exist. The justifications that immediately followed only confirmed my realization. There are deeper layers of healing beckoning my awareness beneath the superficial symptoms. The lovelessness stemming from projections of myself, rooted in self-preservation disguised as safety, is not who I truly am. I can only pray for guidance as I align my will to bring to light what truly needs healing.

The willingness to uncover the matrix of my operating system can only come through forgiveness. It’s the pathway to avoid falling into the perpetual cycle of attacks—the default program of the human condition. In my study group for A Course In Miracles, I’ve learned to ask ‘says who?’ whenever I feel uneasy. The true Self always seeks to break through with love, inclusivity, and acknowledges the sameness in us. Letting go of needing any kind of validation from others is like a long exhale into ease.

Discomfort serves as a cue to inquire about who is truly in control. If I have the awareness to catch myself in fear, which fuel cycles of attack, competition, justification, grief, righteousness, guilt, denial, disempowerment, and inner arguments of othering, then I need to take a good look at who is running the show.

The challenge with waking up is that it’s easy to konk out and slip back into autopilot. Perhaps this is why we find ourselves here, with our humanness being our teacher or our foe. Aren’t we all running variations of the same program? One that evades fear, seeks love, yearns for uniqueness and correctness, and strives to achieve these in complex ways that often leave us feeling more isolated? Isn’t suffering rooted in our sense of feeling alone and doing whatever it takes to feel less afraid and disconnected?

What if our true nature is the opposite of all that? What if it’s just buried beneath layers of our projections, always prompting us to uncover what is already there? What if healing springs from remembering that what we truly seek is inherent within us, and everything else is perpetuated by the miscreations of our own will? What if we could just grasp the expanse of our true magnificence?

LESSON: ALL THE LAMPS OF GOD WERE LIT WITH THE SAME SPARK.

-A COURSE IN MIRACLES

Banner painting: “REVELATION”- Acrylic on canvas by Maasa

LIBERATING THE GIRL IN THE ORANGE TUTU.

by Maasaisis

I’ve taken my place on stage, and all I can see are the silhouettes of what look like hundreds of people beneath the blaring lights shining directly on me. Our flamenco group, Las Llamadas Del Flamenco, has been practicing diligently for this very moment: to dance at the Starbelly Festival in a prime evening slot. Then, it happens again. My mind goes blank, and I feel myself distancing from my own body as panic sets in. I’m experiencing myself outside of myself, and I know that I will cause a train wreck if I don’t get out of my head. This disconnect is not new; I’ve felt it when the pressure of perfectionism rears its ugly head.

The first time this happened is one of my earliest memories. I was five, maybe six, enrolled in the prestigious Miyashita Ballet School in Kyoto, Japan. The school was known for its rigorous and comprehensive ballet training, even for young dancers. I remember the day of our big performance. Mama, along with all the other moms, was getting me ready backstage, slathering make up on my face and slicking my hair back into a tight bun on the top of my head. It was so tight that it pulled my eyes up, but no amount of pulling could hide the obvious Caucasian traits of my gangly limbs and my reddish, light brown hair. Amongst the thick, silky black hair and the build of other Japanese dancers, I was already blatantly out of place.

We all took our positions on stage, dressed in our orange tutus. I looked for my parents, but the lights blinded me. As the music started, I felt my heart in my throat, and suddenly, my mind went blank. I had no idea what I was doing up there, and my only reaction to the sudden displacement within myself was to move to the music. But my dance was entirely my own and bore no resemblance to what I had learned. I vaguely remember making the commitment to keep moving, flying solo on a gust of wind that only I could feel against the unified flock of orange tutus. I was completely in my own world throughout the entire performance, a fact that everyone witnessed. When others made it evident that I had made a colossal mistake, it forced me to carry the weight of a newfound burden of shame.

Fast forward forty-five or so years later, I’m back on stage, and I find myself on the outer perimeters of myself, desperately clinging to presence. The music starts to sound out of sync with my tapping feet, and I realize I’ve missed a cue. Drifting apart from the other dancers, who move seamlessly in sync, my mind teeters on the precipice of a total blank as I struggle to regain composure. Within the crisis, my body takes over and aligns with my group in the next bar. I have no idea how long I have been out. I willed myself to focus on my sisters on stage and to calibrate with them rather than with my competing mind that was trying to hijack the performance. It was a tug of war that I somehow managed to dance through, but not without leaving its ugly mark.

The idea of preparing for and attending a three-day festival, vending my art and performing late into the night, might have been a stretch. I had missed a flamenco performance a few months earlier because my body simply said ‘no’. After five months in treatment, a couple of visits to the ER, and dealing with a gnarly ulcerated tumour, I needed a win, so I did it. I showed up anyway with a wing and a prayer.

My shame over not performing as well as I knew I could, with a mistake I couldn’t forgive, cast a dark shadow from the moment I left the stage, despite the exuberant applause of the crowd. I was deaf to any compliment that followed. Consumed by the desire to hide, I couldn’t help but feel that I let my group down. Frustration set in as I realized I’d fallen victim to my ‘old program,’ perhaps starting back when I was the rogue dancer in my orange tutu. Exhausted and upset, I couldn’t let it go. My ego had robbed me of the joy I could have celebrated simply by being there and able to dance at all.

I awoke from a restless night of sleep, still sticky with the residue of regret over what could have been. In the light of day, I realized that an old program had surfaced because it was ready to be healed. That little girl in the orange tutu longed to be liberated, but I didn’t know how, as my ego still dominated my mind space. I’ve learned to ask for help through prayer when I’m stuck. I prayed to be liberated from attacking myself. I prayed to forgive the false perception of myself and to have a beautiful day filled with meaningful connections. I sincerely prayed to let it go.

As I walked toward my tent filled with my visionary creations, a woman stopped me along the way. Her eyes welled up as she told me that the solo I performed the night before moved her to tears. Feeling her sincerity and her need to express appreciation for my performance, my heart instantly opened to receive her perspective, releasing what was holding me. The miracle was that I actually believed her.

The day continued with numerous people expressing their love for our performance, highlighting how our group moved together while showcasing our individual gifts of creative expression. I was gobsmacked. Their perception was entirely different from how I perceived it; I was so focused on what I did wrong rather than celebrating dancing with my flamencas—a typical sabotage of the ego, which only attacks to seek importance.

The Holy Spirit showed me that healing isn’t done alone; it happens with the help of others who can shed light on who we really are beneath the distortions lurking in our subconscious. What blew my mind was seeing the footage of our dance performance. As I cringed, anticipating the part where my mistake occurred, I was shocked to find that it came and went in a flash. During that time, I was entirely in sync with the music, doing something different from the others but it looked intentional and seamlessly integrated into the whole dance. Perfectly imperfect, the girl in the orange tutu was finally liberated.

LESSON: THE EGO ALWAYS SEEKS IMPORTANCE AND WILL ATTACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE WHOLE IN ORDER TO DO SO.

BATHING RITUAL

by Maasaisis

I’m watching blood trickle out in a steady stream, flowing down the curved contour of my breast and marking my torso. The crimson liquid bridges the realm from inside to outside, flowing from the large, mutant opening of my lump that resembles a miniature exposed brain. I notice a slight rancid smell of decomposition which quickens my heart rate so I distract myself by watching the flow. I’m in awe of how it keeps moving, assisted by force and gravity, into the bathwater, tinging it a slightly amber colour.

When we built our home, a big bathtub seated in an open space was at the top of my wish list. I meticulously laid out every tile surrounding the tub with slate, and we crafted a step into the tub from an open-faced timber slab. Ammonite fossils adorned the tiles, connecting me to ancient times and adding a personal touch to my sanctuary.

My evenings involve soaking in water that’s a little hotter than initially comfortable. I love letting the heat sear away the residue of the day, watching my skin redden against the wet heat. Perhaps it’s a Japanese trait ingrained in me from a culture that appreciates bath time as a ritual for rejuvenation, relaxation and cleanliness.

In Japan, public bathing in bathhouses with an assortment of soaking pools of various temperatures and qualities is woven into the culture. It’s a communal activity that fosters connection through the appreciation of a therapeutic soak. Both Sento, public bathhouses found in most neighbourhoods, and Onsen, which are fed by natural hot springs and often feature beautiful outdoor soaking pools, involve etiquettes and rituals. These are based on respect and tradition.

Going to the sento with my family stirs memories of early childhood, a time before I became self-conscious. I would alternate between going into the ladies’ side with Mama and the other side with Da until I reached double digits in age. Upon entering the bathhouse, I was greeted by the familiar fusion of aromas—mineral-rich water, herbs, soaps, and beauty products. An invitation to wash away the day and relax with strangers, buck naked.

At the enterance, there was a small booth where the person on duty collected our fee, which was a few hundred yen at the time, equivalent to about three Canadian dollars. The person was seated in the center of the division as the sole onlooker on both sides. My mom joked that whoever applied for that job must like looking at naked bodies. Naked bodies were a source of curiosity and quiet amusement for me.

I had no qualms about stripping down to reveal the stronger traits of my Caucasian DNA. I was accustomed to being stared at, even when clothed, simply because I didn’t look purely Japanese. At that time, with my spindly long legs and flat chest, I felt no shame and considered myself Japanese through and through, having been born and raised in the Land of the Rising Sun.

On the men’s side, It was amusing to observe the assortment of uncircumcised appendages of various shapes and sizes, though I made a point not to stare. Da, with his pale moon-white upturned arse perched on his long carrot legs, Scottish red hair, and his mushroom-tipped ding dong, drew most of the attention before they noticed the half-breed of the opposite sex in tow.

We knew the public bathing etiquette well and did our preliminary wash using the deep basin of luke warm water at the entrance of the large tiled bathing zone. Moving on, we selected our bathing stall from the lineup, each equipped with a seat, mirror, small basin, showerhead, tap, shampoo, conditioner, and body soap. Before sitting down, we ensured to clean the low seat of the plastic stool thoroughly. We proceeded with our detailed scrub down before choosing our first pool to melt into.

There are warm baths, hot baths, even hotter baths, herbal medicinal baths, detox baths, chilly baths, electric baths, and even outdoor baths at most onsens. I used to dip my toes and maybe even submerge my whole foot in the electric bath before chickening out, remembering the old lady who had a heart attack believing she got electrocuted.

Bath time for me is a ritual carried on from my childhood. I was gutted when I was told I could no longer soak in the bath—unless I poured a half bath and sat upright so my breast would float safely above the water. I couldn’t risk another staph infection from bacteria lurking in still water. Begrudgingly, I took to showers because it was too much of a tease to get in the bath without being able to slink back into a full relaxation pose, submerged, with my outstretched legs and heels perched on the opposite end. But after an exhausting day, I opted to at least give half my body the release it needed and witness the extent of my bleed.

My ongoing practice is to create a perspective that supports a harmonious state of mind. I felt mixed emotions of wonder and alarm about the volume of blood coming out of me. My Da, a doctor of Japanese acupuncture told me that Shaketsu or bloodletting is a practice to release blood out of a blocked meridian. A medicinal treatment to maintain health so I decided that is what my body is doing all on its own.

I remind myself that living in Canada, with readily available healthcare, is truly a gift. When I’m ready to get out, I call out to my husband for help to avoid getting blood everywhere. On the vanity across from the bathtub sits a basket filled with saline for cleaning, packets of antiseptic wipes, gauze, skin prep pads, blood clotting gauze, antibacterial silver mesh, and plenty of high-quality bandages designed for serious wounds. These were all provided to me for free by the local wound clinic, along with instructions from a nurse on how to care for ‘my little exposed brain on my boob.’ I can get more of whatever I need for as long as I need it. Today, I choose to be patient, curious, thankful, and keep my sense of humour intact. Today, I choose to count my blessings.

LESSON: MAINTAIN THE ESSENCE OF SACRED RITUAL EVEN IF IT HAS TO BE MODIFIED.

In Kyoto, Mama pregnant with me, and Da in his geta (traditional Japanese wooden sandals) and Scottish beard, which he kept until we immigrated to Canada.

LOST MY MIND

by Maasaisis

I write to disperse the overwhelming pressure of indignation welling up inside me. If I don’t do something, I will implode. The rage rumbles from deep within, rising to the surface, and I can’t decide if I need to break something, cry, or scream. My hands were painting a facade over my inner turmoil with bright, happy flowers. Disgusted by the colourful lie, I left my studio before I tore into the canvas.

I feel utterly defeated by the savage return of this stabbing pain. I clutch my elbow to my chest, hoping to still the sharp intensity. Grace and wisdom have abandoned me. I want to smash something into a million pieces, but not with innocent bystanders close by.

My right breast is an angry tight fist, made up of clusters of defiant cells. It’s pulling outward, breaching the surface and spewing blood. I want to rip it out of me, but I’m stuck with it, everywhere and all the time. This unsightly disfigurement is a constant reminder of what I’m up against, demanding meticulous care that I’m forced to provide. My life is a constant work around in attempting to tame this beast that has a mind of it’s own.

I’ve violently silenced the voice of reason that tells me to be patient, that healing can’t be rushed. I want to do something reckless, like go on a wild bender, but I have two teenage kids in the house and a husband who doesn’t deserve a crazed wife after a hard day of work.

The relentless onslaught of sleep deprivation, constant pain, unyielding self-care demands, and the fiery storm of hormonal chaos has pushed me over the edge into darkness. It all began with the realization that I won’t be able to swim in the lake to soothe the summer heat with my open wound—another joy stolen by this disease. I’m utterly fed up. My mind is a minefield, and I’m stepping on every single one, triggering explosions of what I thought I’d overcome.

Why is this happening? What did I do to deserve this? Will I ever heal? The questions I thought I’d extinguished now ring in my ears. It’s an off day, to say the least. I’m blaming it on the drugs because I need something to blame. I’m granting myself this beautiful, sunny summer day to raise my fists defiantly to the open sky.

In the midst of my calamity, I want to push everyone and everything away. I don’t want to be seen caught in the trap of this disease. Love can’t reach me when I’m lost in the dark. I isolate so I won’t pull the ones I love into the abyss of self pity. It’s a relentless cycle of despair, anger, helplessness, and guilt for feeling this way. I’m ensnared by every obstacle that obstructs love’s path.

I know I need to come up for air and that means I need sleep. I disown my pride and falter back to the morphine so I can numb myself and escape. I granted myself this mercy in hopes of a better tomorrow.

There are days when I lose my grip on what I thought I’d learned, and suddenly, it all seems meaningless. Suffering has a deafening voice, often drowning out the whispers of wisdom, love, and gratitude. Sometimes, I simply need to splatter and spew, raging against my tormentor. It’s not elegant, but it’s a release nonetheless—a raw expression of humanity.

It encapsulates the perfect imperfection of our existence—the beauty, the joys, the despair, the hopelessness—all intertwined with the uncertainty of why we are here and where we are headed.

LESSON: SOMETIMES WE JUST NEED TO SPEW THE UGLY.

MEDICINE OF GRIEF

by Maasaisis

I am here, and she is not. She crossed the threshold two years ago to a place where the living can’t go. I sat with her and watched her close her eyes for the last time. I tenderly washed her porcelain body that shared a similar affliction as mine. In that extraordinary experience of witnessing true surrender, I both shattered and found healing in my heart. Sitting with death in such an intimate way brought to the surface what I hid inside. Beneath the surface of my blessed life lives the terror of leaving all that I cherish behind.

Every death caused by cancer unleashes a torrent of fear and grief. No matter how I try to reframe it with the belief that we are not our bodies, finality is a wound that heals and reopens with every loss. My beloved sister’s passing affected me deeply, and I wasn’t sure if I could show up. There was a constant tug of war between my love for her and the trauma of losing her.

How can I honour those who have passed without casting the dark shadow of death upon myself? How can I allow grief to meet grace? How can I nurture the resistance to push it away? How do I balance my capacity to honour what is mine to heal and showing up for those that I love? These were my prayers as the days drew closer to celebrating my dear friend who chose death for her liberation.

Ultimately, love wins. It was the rallying force of all those who loved her that called me back to join the circle of her radiance.The beautiful thing about grief is that it breaks us open and connects us in the most primordial way. It strips away the layers that keep us apart, exposing the glue that binds us together as One. Grieving for one thing is the same as grieving for all things. It doesn’t need to be named or categorized. It’s all the same, and there lies the medicine for us all.

Legendary stories were spun in the circle of friends who gathered for our beloved Scarlet. I was in awe that even after two years, she had the ability to bring us together again in such a profound way. In showing up, we consciously chose to harness her medicine for collective healing.

When I spoke in the circle, I couldn’t voice the truth of my grief. Instead, I found myself hovering in a safer place, sharing inappropriate stories and recalling her gift to make others shine. For those who knew her well, it was perfectly appropriate to celebrate her in this way.

I couldn’t speak out what was really there. I couldn’t say that I felt abandoned by her choice to leave or that I wanted her to fight harder because that is the voice of my own fear, and it’s mine to transmute.

I was a year into life with cancer by the time she was diagnosed. My coping mechanism stemmed from my incessant need to understand the origin of my disease. I empowered myself with discipline and sought knowledge—I refused to be a victim to the disease. She, however, was terrified. There were times when we could be together, and other times when her fear was too much of a trigger for me. I just couldn’t show up for her without completely unraveling myself.

I believed my role was to be strong, to assure her everything would be okay because ultimately I needed to believe it myself. When I couldn’t fulfill that, I thought it best to hide, to stay away, convincing myself we both needed to walk our own paths. Perhaps there could have been healing for both of us in falling apart together. Maybe I should have invited her into the domain of my own vulnerability, but at the time, I clung to the safety structure I’d built for my own survival, unable to let go. What I know now is that regret often accompanies grief, and the only path for healing is through forgiveness.

My beloved friend understood that I was shaking below the surface of my brave demeanor. She knew I couldn’t allow myself to fracture while facing my own mortality. Perhaps she thought I would try to change her mind? Maybe that’s why she didn’t tell me she was leaving, and why it took the power of the Holy Spirit to bring me to her side to witness her departure, to cast aside my terror and be there when it counted.

If it weren’t for the sequence of universal nudges that alerted me to what was happening, I would have missed the greatest gift Scarlet had to offer me. It wasn’t the gift of her healing from the disease; it was the gift of showing me that grace can accompany the greatest act of letting go. She cut the cord to life and allowed us to bear witness, showing us that we can come together and find closeness in what we all must face.

She continues to help me fill in the deep groove of fear from the other side. She encourages me to fall apart because no matter how many pieces are spread out all over the place, the glue is always tacky for love to put us together again. Her mighty spirit lives on in all of us.

I oscillate between lessons on the dichotomy of mortal and immortal teachings. The teachings from Spirit reinforce that our innate nature cannot be augmented, diminished, or extinguished, while the lessons from life remind us of our finite humanity. Through these teachings, we are brought together in the human experience, guiding us to embrace the unknowable. Together, we bridge the gap through our shared grief, vulnerabilities, regrets, and imperfections, forging a path towards what cannot be broken.

LESSON: I AM NOT A BODY. I AM FREE- LESSON 199 IN A COURSE IN MIRACLES



In Memory of Scarlet Mary Rose “Mother Of All”- By Maasa

RIGHT MINDEDNESS

by Maasaisis

Two steps forward, one step back—every proverbial bump on the road is a reset, a reminder to truly be grateful to be here. My purpose is just that: to find joy and fulfillment in all that I have now, in simply being alive. This was the potent reminder as I ended up in the emergency room with another gnarly staph infection.

Round two, just three months after the last, returned with confirmation from all four vials of the blood cultures: bacteria in my blood, a perfect breeding ground for sepsis. Experience truly is knowledge. It hit hard and fast; the familiar dull ache beneath my right shoulder blade and the dead weight of my arm jolted me awake in the middle of the night. Though I remembered the last time, exhaustion overwhelmed me, and I drifted back into a fitful sleep.

When I awoke, the huge red patch stamped on my breast confirmed what I already knew. I swiftly packed up and headed to the ER with a sense of urgency. Despite catching it earlier than last time, by the time I got registered, pain enveloped me, and my bones quivered from an unshakeable chill. Triage quickly recognized the urgency of my discomfort, and I was moved through the process swiftly, aided by my clear articulation of what was wrong.

One of my favorite doctors was on duty, which felt like my first miracle of the day. Given that it was round two of what felt like a Groundhog Day ordeal, I was relieved it wasn’t the same doctor as last time. That doctor’s bedside manner left me feeling more vulnerable than I already was—the one who made me feel like I was fighting a losing battle.

I was quickly put on IV antibiotics, and although I felt like I’d been hit by a bus, I knew it was only a matter of time for the peak to subside. Armed with the understanding gained from previous experiences, I simply needed to endure. That night, I burned up with a 39.8-degree fever, shivering and sweating my way through delirium. The bulk of the healing occurred that night; it was as if my body knew exactly what to do to expedite the process because it had imprinted this particular program from last time.

The irony was that even in such a volatile state, I was awed by the vital strength within me to create such an inferno, burning away the infection. It takes an incredible amount of energy to burn that hot, and I had the capacity to harness that power. I felt my mighty spirit ablaze—a reminder that the spirit invariably outweighs the body. This is why I continue to gravitate towards practices that tether me to Spirit. My fire burned all night and smouldered into the morning. I knew I was over the hump, and the scarlet stamp confirmed it by turning the tone down a couple of shades.

It’s safe to say that the infection sprung from my ulcerated tumor, serving as a doorway for bacteria to infiltrate. Being immunocompromised from targeted treatment therapy, it’s no surprise that my defenses were breached. Despite the unwelcome presence of bacteria in my bloodstream, this experience empowered me to seek ways to prevent a recurrence. I must strengthen my immune system without compromising my treatment plan. I need to find that delicate balance, the middle way, even at a cellular level.

Prior to this bump on the road, I felt a strong urge to dive back into A Course In Miracles. It took me about a year and a half to read through the text initially, and I just scratched the surface of my understanding. The universe responded quickly to the harkening of this nudge. The very next day, I received a gift from someone I barely know. My dad texted me a picture of a beautiful, brand new hardcover copy of ACM from a different publisher than the one I had read. ‘Our neighbour gave this to me to give to you,’ his text said. I was gobsmacked. My old paperback copy was battered and falling apart, so this swift response felt like a resounding ‘yes, get to it!’

The nurse in triage looked so sad and depressed. When I asked her how she was, she curtly replied, ‘I’m OK.’ I got the swift message not to engage any further. The teachings of A Course In Miracles emphasize right-mindedness in attaining liberation from the perception of reality that divides us from our indivisible nature. Forgiveness and love lead to eternal inner peace, and this can only happen through the recognition of the inherent unity of all beings. Salvation is a collective effort rooted in reciprocation.

I decided to practice and attempt to remove the obstruction in my perception that caused me to see the woman before me as broken. The Course states that healing can only happen through a correction in our perception of what we see on the outside and by removing the obstacles of separation. As she took my temperature and blood pressure, I sat and perceived her as perfect love. I peeled away the layers of her experience that brought pain to the surface to unveil her wholeness. It was a very difficult task, as I witnessed my own brokenness.

She seated me in my chair to receive my potent dose of IV antibiotics. I decided not to fill the space between us with meaningless conversation, which is what I would normally do to try and ‘fix’ the awkwardness. Instead, I continued to practice perceiving her in her innate perfection. Behind the sadness, I saw the gentle beauty in her eyes. She hooked me up, and that’s when the miracle happened. She engaged. She could have walked away and avoided me, but instead, she asked me what I did. I told her that I used to massage, but I was taking time off for healing, and that healing had transformed me into an artist.

I showed her the rosary I’d made that I was wearing and shared that I was also a painter. I thought the conversation would end there, but she asked if there was a way she could see my paintings. Surprised and delighted, I proceeded to show her a few of my paintings on my phone. She took her time looking at the images. She shared with me that she and her daughter engaged in art therapy together, finding great benefit from the experience. In turn, I explained how intentional creativity played a significant role in my healing journey. Suddenly, I was aware that we were truly in each other’s presence. Her entire demeanour shifted before my eyes. The depressed-looking woman changed into a beautiful woman with incredibly compassionate eyes.

The doctor with the questionable bedside manner was on duty when I was ordered back to the emergency room for a re-check. It was another opportunity to course-correct from our last interaction. Bracing myself for his insensitive, matter-of-fact demeanor, I was shocked to be greeted by an informative and kind professional. He took the time to explain in detail what my body was fighting and why we needed to continue treatment even though I was feeling better. With his mask off, I saw that he was completely different from how I remembered him. No longer the doom-and-gloom doctor, he even gave me a ‘whoop’ of a cheer when I told him I was feeling much better. It was like a complete warp in reality had occurred. This is what the Course calls a miracle.

May I not get entangled in fear, doubt, and my bodily experience. May I rest in the liberated state of that which I already am in right-mindedness. May I be tethered to eternal and unconditional love. May I perceive heaven here on earth. May I perceive wholeness in all. May I find refuge in Your gentle and tender embrace. May I be reminded when I forget. Amen.

LESSON: HEAVEN IS A STATE OF MIND

The Miracle Effect

THE MIDDLE WAY

by Maasaisis

My first call to action upon waking on Mother’s Day was to reach over to my bedside table, gather the orange bottles of opiates, and put them away out of reach. It was a conscious decision to let go, a psychological statement that I didn’t need them anymore. I had relied on those pills to get me through intolerable nights of pain. As I placed them in a drawer in the bathroom, my sense of liberation from dependency was tinged with the fear of possibly needing them again.

I had strung together a few weeks, delighted by my capacity to accomplish what I could not fathom only a couple of months ago. I moved my parents into their new home, spending three full days proactively creating the next rendition of their sanctuary. I noticed that my pace in approaching life is much slower yet more meaningful, and with this approach, I managed to get more done in a day than when I used to run around like a headless chicken. Time bends when I’m synced in the moment.

My heart stalled in anticipation when the doctor called to discuss my most recent PET scan result. The test would indicate my biological response to the initial three months of treatment. I’ve noticed that I’m much more cautious about trusting my own experience now. Cancer has taught me that I am not the one in charge—that clinging to any rigid way of thinking or being will become a trap. In order to continue on this path, I must always leave room to pivot. If I cling too hard, I won’t be able to let go and flow with what is happening.

I had to repeat what she said to anchor the meaning. ‘One of my tumors shrunk by half?’ I asked. ‘Yes,’ she replied, ‘it looks as though you are responding well to treatment.’ She continued to explain that the spread in my sternum, pec, lymph nodes, and chest wall had all shrunk in varying degrees. Additionally, she noted that the numerous suspicious spots in my liver and lungs appear to be inactive. ‘We certainly have to keep an eye on your liver and lungs, but all in all, this is good news,’ she said. Beyond the positive news, I nestled into the relief that I could trust the signals my body was giving me. It’s as if I’m also healing the part of myself that feels like I don’t know anything anymore.

Finding the middle way in response to life has proved to be effective in navigating all this. In respect to who I am, it’s important to still have a ‘w’holistic approach with an eagle eye expansive view. I’ve followed the doctors’ advice to forgo supplements, herbs, and protocols that stimulate my immune system while I acclimate to treatment. However, these powerful drugs I’m taking have potentially concerning long-term side effects that I want to address. Now, it’s time to adopt a collaborative approach to assist healing while promoting longevity.

The master herbalist I connected with has decades of experience using herbs and medicinal foods as powerful allies in cancer care. When we spoke, I immediately felt a connection. We both agreed on the importance of supporting my immune response while fortifying the function of my organs. She will also be prescribing ‘herbal chemo’ to seek and destroy cancer cells. I particularly appreciated her collaborative approach and her knowledge of pharmaceutical drugs used in oncology treatments. She confirmed that I should absolutely stay on my current treatment plan and strengthen its effectiveness with her protocol.

It’s important to me to be transparent with my oncology team and to receive their support. My herbalist would need regular blood testing to ensure that the herbs are beneficial, a process that my doctors may or may not initiate. As I continue to embrace vulnerability and reach out for assistance when needed, I’ve been overwhelmed by the heartfelt support from those around me. I’m discovering that the more I allow myself to be seen authentically, help finds its way to me in one way or another. Now, I find myself surrounded by a diverse circle of powerful allies – from the experienced professionals guiding my treatment to the unwavering love and support of my family and friends, and to the One listening to my prayers and showing me the way.

After the liberty of pain-free days, the return of what feels like electric jellyfish shocks bouncing around my sternum and breast is a hard pill to swallow. While pain is never welcomed, my intuition tells me that the herbal protocol is working because it feels like the cancer cells are agitated and on the run. It feels like they are contracting and wanting to escape from inside of me. The inflamed, angry cherry on the contour of my breast has opened up, weeping blood and contributing to the burning pain. From the loss of my hair to my lopsided swollen boob with a protruded discharging lump, my ego has been kept well in check. My sense of humour remains intact.

In the spirit of the middle way, I’m leaning on the knowledge of German New Medicine as it now serves as a kind of safety net for me. I’ve learned that the healing phase in any tissue is usually painful, swollen, and messy, much like how a wound heals. Even emotional healing often precedes a messy and painful period. I’m straddling between what I think is happening and who the fuck knows, while conscious of how easy it is to fall into the dark territory of fear. So… I continue to pray. Instead of morphine pills to manage the discomfort, I’m drinking herbal poppy concoctions which takes the edge off and assists me into sleep without the nasty side effects. Currently, this plan is manageable as I ride out this wave.

The Middle Way forges a path between the known and unknown. The practice of finding neutral ground and doing whatever it takes to stay there. It’s about finding balance between what my spirit yearns for and what my body needs. It’s about appreciating my vitality without pushing it too far into expectation, and about not assuming anything while respecting change. Understanding that there is no ‘right’ way to do anything, only opportunities to respond to life without pushing it away or clinging too hard.

LESSON: The Middle Way is the path of wisdom and compassion, the path of balance and harmony. It is the path that leads to the cessation of suffering.” – Buddha

THROUGH THE PEEPHOLE

by Maasaisis

The efforts I fought for months ago have had a ripple effect with a double-edged sword. One edge inflicts deep wounds, while the other cuts out a small opening, a peephole through which I can glimpse a shimmer of gold amid the ashes. Six months ago, the PET scan results hurled me into the ‘metastatic’ category as my liver illuminated with suspicious activity. The impact of this news swiftly plunged me into denial. I sought to reinforce it with my own rationale, other than metastasis, for why there might be areas of increased sugar uptake in the fastest-regenerating organ of my body.

Since cells involved in healing processes also consume more glucose and thus appear brighter in a PET scan, I converted my shock into a more digestible explanation. To gain further insight into my liver’s condition, I requested an MRI, known for its detailed imaging of soft tissue. However, my requests were repeatedly denied on the grounds that the evidence of metastasis in the PET scan was deemed sufficient.

At the time, I wasn’t prepared to accept a treatment plan based on mere assumptions. I fought tooth and nail until my local MD relented under my plea for an MRI. I’m immensely grateful that my care providers have flexible boundaries that stretches open when I advocate strongly for myself. Finally, after all these months, I underwent the MRI a couple of weeks ago.

When the results appeared in my inbox, I leaned on the pillar of strength from my morning prayers. Despite the adversities and hardships that comes with the walk that I am walking, I’m most grateful for the enduring strength of Spirit that holds me up when I’m shaking. I was hoping that whatever was there in my liver would be gone after three months of being on treatment. The new hair growth, return of my appetite, and increased stamina seemed promising signs of healing. Nevertheless, the results revealed at least four nodules in my liver, and this time, I didn’t push it aside into denial or search for alternative explanations. I allowed the truth of what is slam right into me.

I surrendered to the cathartic waves of emotions that surged violently within me, crashing with relentless force. I felt it all without trying to cling, and in that surrender, their progression seemed to hasten. As the initial intensity of this reality settled, I willed my mind to soar high above and gain a broader, panoramic perspective of the situation. This isn’t new information; it’s confirmation of previous findings indicating mutant activity in my liver. It’s clarity that must be accepted—a crucial baseline for the path ahead.

Resisting acceptance will only erect roadblocks on the path I must walk. My journey demands unwavering faith and patience—a continuous dance of fluidity and adaptability. I must navigate my current reality while remaining anchored to what cannot be touched by this disease. I must keep the light of my spirit burning, even when the room goes dark around me. It’s in this choice, available to me, that I can discover gifts in the most unpredictable places.

The gift I received came in the form of a timely call from a different oncologist than the one I usually see. Just hours after I had read the results on my computer screen, he reached out to share his interpretation of the findings—a perspective far less terrifying than my own. He explained that in cancer treatment, success isn’t solely measured by achieving remission but also by stabilization. According to him, the MRI results didn’t necessarily indicate anything new; rather, they provided additional insight into what we already suspected. He offered me a different vantage point to consider.

Perhaps these nodules are smaller than before. Maybe they’ve stabilized, given that they’re all still relatively small. It’s possible that between November and February, when I began treatment, the nodules grew significantly, and what we’re seeing now is evidence that the treatment is indeed effective. Like light passing through a prism, every situation can reveal a different picture depending on the angle from which you view it.

The persistence in pursuing an MRI screening brought yet another gift. With a clearer baseline established, I now have the opportunity for regular MRI tests in the coming months to monitor my liver. Unlike x-rays, CT scans, and PET scans, MRI imaging doesn’t emit radiation and is non-invasive—a fact worth celebrating. When it comes to monitoring treatment, it’s crucial to compare apples to apples, so to speak, as each screening modality offers unique information.

After three months on treatment, the true gauge of its effectiveness lies in comparing PET scan results. Last week, I embarked on a solo journey, driving hours to undergo another PET scan. As I await the results in the coming week, I remain buoyant on my raft of certainties. I’m grateful for the vitality that was absent just a couple of months ago, for the nurturing love of my friends and family, and for the immeasurable power of Spirit that continues to light my way. Everything else is not evident in now.

LESSON: Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. – Charles R. Swindoll

THE ROSE CIRCLE

by Maasaisis

My heart has blossomed open, leaving the core of the bloom exposed and tender to all nuances of life. Perhaps it’s the hormone medications that have fueled my emotional liberation; perhaps I no longer need to armor up. There is a clear border between life before and after cancer. My life before was a constant rush of ticking off boxes on my never-ending to-do list. I lived at full throttle speed where busyness equated to success, leading me to keep even those I love at a distance. Trauma was a distraction extinguished like a candle before it could burn.

I now look back from the perch of my unhurried way of life, where nothing more has to be acquired or achieved. My days unfold naturally, like a flower opening up to the sun. There is no forcing or pressing against it. This way of allowing life to come to me, rather than chasing it or repressing it, has been the greatest gift bestowed upon me by my greatest adversity. I am at ease with taking time, and I know when to stop and be still. I’m finding spaciousness in places I’ve missed before.

After my last ER episode, a beautiful new practice of praying the rosary came into my life to sustain me. Although I don’t adhere to any organized religion, I’ve always relied on the power of prayer and meditation to still my mind. However, lately, I’ve struggled to find solace in meditation. The many voices in my head seem to overpower the peace I seek. The sobering experience of my health deteriorating rapidly made having something tangible to hold onto more than just a metaphor.

Da encouraged me to watch Tammy Peterson’s interview, where she shared how she healed from terminal cancer through praying the rosary. Tammy’s testimony, attributing her daily prayers to curing her cancer, deeply inspired me. I retrieved an old rosary, a gift from my mama that lay dormant on my altar and searched for instructions on how to pray the rosary. While I was well-acquainted with the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary was less familiar to me, and the mysteries represented by the decades of the beads did not really resonate with me. I didn’t feel a connection to the wooden rosary with a bulky cross which inspired the idea to make my own.

I came across the perfect meaningful objects for the creation of my divine feminine rosary: a beautiful Guadalupe talisman from my mama, symbolizing grace, healing, and love, and a gold Scottish thistle passed down to me from my aunt. This thistle was given to her by my grandparents in 1965 when she left Scotland and immigrated to Canada. Additionally, I found a little cross from a beaded bracelet that my daughter begged me to buy but no longer satisfied her fashionable taste. It was important to me that the divine masculine was also represented in my special rosary, so I incorporated the cross that once belonged to my daughter, bringing her into my rose circle. I chose rosewood beads for the mother beads and yellow jade for the father beads, and thus my powerful tool for prayer, carrying the essence of my family’s love and connection, came to be.

The felt sense of spinning the beads between my fingers as I pray has amplified my faith. A personal mother prayer landed into my awareness, resonating with my request for her guidance. I was gifted the Aramaic translation of the Lord’s Prayer from a beloved, which opens my heart for the Father beads. Instead of the traditional dedication to the mysteries, what resonates with me is to dedicate the first decade to my personal heartfelt prayer. The second set of ten is for prayers of gratitude. The third is dedicated to those I want to pray for, the fourth for our ancestors, and the fifth, I return home to myself, Gaia, and welcome whatever may come up.

On low-energy days, I sit and bead rosaries, finding peace in creating meaningful tools of prayer. As I make them, someone always comes to mind to gift it- to whom I know will appreciate and use it. One day, while I was praying the rosary while walking in the forest, I received the message to show others how to make them. After all, there is power in crafting your own prayer tool! For the first time in ages, I felt like this was something I could offer without depleting my energy — to offer it in an easy, authentic way to those who feel called to join the circle.

My vision came to fruition as a circle of thirteen sisters gathered in my home. After months of winter isolation due to my health crisis, this was a welcome shift of energy with loving friends. Coming together in creative ceremony with others who yearned for heartful connection was incredibly meaningful and nourishing. We all shared a common desire to pray together and be in each other’s presence. Something magical is bubbling up to the surface with this recognition, and I feel its importance deeply. In these changing times, we need the support of each other and feel the sustainment of something much bigger.

In opening our rose circle, we are now connected to all through prayer. In a time where disconnect—the ailment of separation that can only lead to disharmony—the rose circle is one way for us to heal together. This is the gift I received from praying the rosary: the gift of knowing that we can come together and be held in a circle where we are all of the same.

LESSON: WE ARE ALL OF THE SAME

THE JEWELS INSIDE

by Maasaisis

Enlightenment is each time I awaken to something that brings about a radical, positive shift in my state. I don’t believe it to be a destination, attainable only by those who possess something others may not. You don’t have to be a spiritual master to wake up to yourself. The Holy instant in which I received such an awakening sprung with the budding energy of spring.

I’ve had this insight before; the remembrance emerged from the familiarity that resurfaced. It broke free from the heavy layers of symptoms and survival that had kept me from retrieving it. When I landed back in my ‘aha’ moment, it became abundantly clear that I had become a victim of my circumstance and operating from a place of brokenness. I was living life intently focused on the need to be fixed.

The cascading effect of my physical deterioration over the last five months tested every aspect of my being. There were times when I felt the absence of the only thing that gave me a semblance of assurance: my faith. When my connection to the Divine felt lost, I retreated into shutdown mode and escaped into drugged sleep. I latched my mindset on surrender but in doing so, I allowed myself to primarily be a cancer patient.

The grace of all that is good always finds its way back to me. This is how I continue to have faith. In one auspicious moment, I clearly understood that, even with many insights along the way, the frequency of how I was operating stemmed from a place of sickness. My language had morphed into a lingo of struggle, amplified by my symptoms. But how can I hope to heal if I continue to put out signals of being diseased? If my cells need to remember what they were before they became mutants, I must remind them with my imagination and infuse it with feeling. Energy flows where attention goes.

The challenge lies in catching my response to strong physical sensations that screams disease. If I can just acknowledge it’s presence without suppressing it or labelling it, it creates an opening to transmute it into something that I can let go of. In that sense, surrendering truly becomes a tool for living rather than merely surviving.

My legs are pumping the pedals on a smooth incline that weaves through the dense forest. I can smell the earthy, damp essence emanating from the tribe of trees. My heart pumps vital blood for the optimal functioning of my athletic body. My muscles are solid and strong, every cell nourished and exuding vitality. Sunlight streams in between the trees, revealing the emerald green of moss blanketing rocks and the base of tree trunks. My bike is an extension of me, responding to my will with speed and clean lines. Gratitude overwhelms me as I take in the beauty around me. I can hear Al riding right behind me. He is always there in moments that count the most. At the summit, overlooking Gaia’s magnificent vista, we respond to awe with presence.

I continue to revisit this visualization as often as possible, engaging my felt senses. Even though I’m not there yet, it’s important to acknowledge how far I’ve come rather than focusing on the distance left to travel. There has been significant improvement compared to how I was between December and February, when getting out of bed was a monumental task. Now, I can take long walks without crashing after, go grocery shopping and cook dinner for my family.

The evidence of my healing is showing up in unexpected places. I’m recognizing that this stripped-down version of me has created a much wider space in my heart to feel. Allowing others to see me as I am has enabled me to soften into their presence. I’m able to receive love which has become my medicine.

So many have prayed for me and held me through the most vulnerable of times. Living in a small community where I’ve resided for the last two decades, the kind folks of this town remind me that I’m loved and that I matter. I’ve fallen into the arms of people whom I barely know, in tears when asked how I’m doing, only to be held in the loving way of a long-time beloved. My heart swells with every meaningful gesture from another. To forgive myself when I forget and lean into remembering. I didn’t have the ability to be this way before this wisdom disease came to mentor me. My outer shell was too hard to crack for the jewels to be found inside.

LESSON: ENERGY FLOWS WHERE ATTENTION GOES