May | 2016 | A Glimpse of Heaven: The Philosophy of True Health

An inquiry from a reader of my book and blog: “How do you view anger and frustration, i.e, with regard to the dynamics of what you coin in your book as ‘true health?’ How does one deal with these most difficult of human characteristics – meaningfully and healthfully grow past them – learn to deal with them in a more and more beneficial way?”

Response: Humbly and respectfully, I believe I need to ask myself many times each day…”What genuine effort am I making to control my anger? What level of honesty am I utilizing with regard to my attachment to hatred, pride, jealousy, greed, ignorance, frustration? Am I fooling myself? How deeply am I willing to look? How important is it to me to learn to objectively gauge my thoughts and actions…MOST PARTICULARLY in a spirit consistent with my responsibility in making the world a better place (i.e., versus a spirit of tearing it down)? Is the ‘key’ to unlock the door to such true health found in a loving sparkling spine-tingling/shivering ‘magic elixir,’ made up of splendid amounts of true appreciation and gratitude? Is it found in deeply embracing my comfort and discomfort equally? Is it found in learning to better and better ‘witness’ these dynamics in a less and less blemished fashion?”

Is this level of insight enjoyed by way of impeccably endeavoring to do the right thing for the right sake…without the need for selfish recognition or hidden agendas – no need for reward? Is this what ‘true health through true responsibility’ means? How much healthful faith does it necessitate? Yin to yang, how badly do I need to hide behind my ‘walls of lies’ – walls built with anger and frustration? How deeply do I want to embrace the notion that, “if there is a Heaven, if there is a key to the universe, if there is a sixth sense, they are rooted in true honesty, promoting of true happiness and true freedom – but most importantly, needing less and less to hide behind?

Can I stand the fact that no matter what, on this earth, there is always room for improvement, deeper and deeper loving and selfless objective insight? How badly do I want to avoid getting stuck on stagnant plateaus of living death…a living purgatory? How badly do I want to live my life as a “living loving art form,” versus living a life in which I take so much for granted? Once again, please remember that this is ALL meant in a spirit of humility and respect: We are ALL in the same common boat in this – our lives here. — Dr. Glen Hepker (Copyright 2011)

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