The Healing Power of Illness: Understanding What Your Symptoms Are Telling You

Dethlefsen & Dahlke

(My note: This passage of the book is translated by me from the original Czech version, so there might be some mistakes. The page may not match the original either).

Preface, page 7

“This book is uncomfortable because it takes a person’s illness as an alibi for his unsolved problems. We want to show that the sick person is not only an innocent citizen of some imperfections of nature, but also an offender. We do not mean harmful substances from the environment, civilization, unhealthy life and similar “culprits”, but we want to bring to the fore the metaphysical aspects of the disease state. In this respect, symptoms appear as bodily forms of expression of mental conflicts and symbolisms are able to reveal the patient’s current problem.

In the first part, we present the theoretical assumptions and philosophy of the disease.

We recommend that you read this first part carefully and accurately, maybe several times before proceeding to the second part. You can also think of this book as a continuation or interpretation of my latest work “Schicksal als Chance”, although we have tried to make the new work look completely independent. We think that reading this work can be both a good introduction and a supplement – especially if the theoretical part would cause problems.

In the second part, the most common symptoms of diseases are presented in their symbolic expression and interpreted as expressive forms of mental problems. The index of individual symptoms allows the reader to find a specific symptom if necessary. Nevertheless, our original intention is to show the reader a new perspective by interpreting the symptoms, which will allow him to interpret each symptom independently and recognize its meaning.

At the same time, we chose the topic of the disease as a starting point for numerous worldview and esoteric topics, the validity of which goes beyond the scope of the disease. This book is not difficult, but it is also not as simple or banal as it might seem to those who did not understand our intention. This book is also not “scientific” because it lacks the caution of “scientific presentation.” We have written it for those who do not want to sit aside and waste their time by non-binding juggling with floccules, but are ready to set out on a journey. People who desire enlightenment do not have time for science – they need knowledge. This book will certainly provoke strong opposition, but we hope that it will reach people (few or many) who will want to use it as an aid in their journey. It was written just for that.”

“Munich, February 1983 authors”