Illness as Symbol - Book Summary (2024)

Healing diseases requires an approach that is contrary to the concept of merely cutting out or suppressing the issue. This is why the question "What are you lacking?" posed by a doctor to their patients is so integral. It is necessary to figure out from the symptoms which life principles are being expressed and have been obscured. Once the life principle is identified, it allows the transition from the unresolved sick level to a resolved healthy one. The key role of interpreting the symptom-images is to incorporate this resolved version into life. Healing happens where this succeeds.

Diseases often surface when issues are pushed from our consciousness into the body. Interpreting symptom-pictures takes symptoms manifested at the physical level and traces them back to the level of consciousness. This involves unveiling the hidden meanings within the symbolism of physical symptoms. When the corresponding issues are brought to consciousness, the energy tied within them is released.

Every form has a content associated with it. Besides their form, disease symptoms also have meaning and significance. This common saying, "Nip it in the bud" rings true. The sooner problems are identified and resolved, the better it is. Suppressing emotional challenges is short-sighted. In a broader sense, it's short-sighted to suppress problems instead of resolving them.

Understanding the components of destiny - the knowledge of unity, symmetry laws such as the resonance law and the law of initials - paves the way to tackling challenges timely. The current trend towards specialization in medicine often results in losing the holistic view. Instead of deducing the whole from the part, the entirety is compromised to cater to the specialty. Meanwhile, reviving the connection between the physical symptom level and the soul level through the interpretation of symptom-images brings relief.

Final Summary: "Illness as Symbol" by Ruediger Dahlke is a book that delves deeply into the understanding of diseases as a language of the soul. It brings forth the concept that mind and body are united in disease manifestations and that ailments are not merely physical circumstances but reflect deeper issues within the soul. It focuses less on the disease's symptoms and more on their interpretations - enabling patients to recognize the direction of needed work, making the healing process more beneficial and persistent. This book builds on themes such as "Polarity and Unity", "Good and Evil" and circles around major areas like the heart, kidney, and liver.

10 Specific Actions:

1. Practice introspection to reflect upon physical symptoms and their possible metaphysical roots or causes.
2. In cases of recurrent symptoms, try to identify patterns to gain deeper insights into underlying issues.
3. When faced with illness, instead of focusing solely on physical treatment, consider the disease as a symbol reflecting something inside your soul.
4. Actively try to unite your mind and body by aligning your thoughts and emotions with your physical well-being.
5. Integrating meditation into daily routine can help to reflect and overcome inner challenges that may manifest as physical ailments.
6. In cultivating a deeper understanding of your-self, try to understand the thematic areas like heart, kidney, liver etc as representations or reflections of deeper human issues.
7. Recognizing and balancing polarities within oneself, being it mental or physical can contribute to overall wellbeing.
8. Embrace the comprehensive vision of diseases that this book offers, viewing the ailment not just as a physical ailment but as a part of a larger narrative.
9. Adopt a growth mindset towards diseases, viewing them as opportunities for personal development rather than obstacles.
10. Ask health professionals to interpret symptoms not merely as medical conditions but reflections of the soul; encourage them to incorporate such holistic perspectives into their therapy approach.