Life- Visible and hidden !

During a recent visit to the Christian Medical college, Vellore, while on my morning walk, I noticed these two plants in the garden, partly visible and hidden. What was visible held my attention. I moved around the plants to get a glimpse of what was hidden. I could access only part of what was hidden. I continued my walk carrying this sight upon my heart.

The ‘tip of the iceberg’ is an oft quoted phrase which reveals this dual dimension of visibility and hiddenness.

What is visible about our lives is mostly what pertains to our job, where we live, how we relate, what we pursue as a vocation or hobby, what and how we communicate, etc. There is a lot we come to know about a person by being in touch with him or her. Yet a person is more than all of these. Most people whom we know intimately would surprise us again and again by revealing something more than what we already knew about that person. There is often a larger dimension of our life which remains unknown to others. What we know about a person is enough for us to relate and communicate.

How do we reconcile with what is not known or cannot be known about a person! In one sense, it is this dimension which makes each of us unique. Alan Jones in his book Journey into Christ suggested that we 'live with a double mystery- the mystery of ourselves and of God’. Even after making a in-depth journey into one’s inner world using tools of depth psychology, most psychotherapists consent that there would be still a larger dimension in our lives which would remain unknown to us. So life is a journey to know what can be known about ourselves and God.

This journey ought to meet and converge. It is only as much as we are revealed, we come to know about ourselves. This revealing process begins with intimacy with God. Cornelius and Peter (Acts.10) were in prayer, during which time they experienced a revelation about themselves and what they ought to do next.

What remains hidden about ourselves is a treasure. Our daily journey is also an inner journey towards this mystery of ourselves. Blessed are those, who seek God’s guidance for this risky but transforming voyage!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)  

Till we meet again!

Sneha who contributed as a language and communication specialist in the department for 15 months, left us last week to pursue an opportunity overseas. This is the second time in two years we are losing a valuable person, both because of changes that were beyond their control. 

Sneha sang most of the time during her involvement with children, because her melodious voice comforted and stimulated children. She introduced us to sing during our morning prayer time. I found her skills of teaching highly commendable. She was brief, crisp, and precise when she presented journal articles or a topic for discussion. She organised the academic sessions in the department and encouraged all of us to take turns in presenting topics for advanced learning.  She did all of this cheerfully and thoughtfully.

We would  miss Sneha because, she often encouraged us to remain cheerful and collaborative through her friendly and affirming disposition. 

Sneha maintained her academic interest by conducting a pilot cross sectional study on children with Down syndrome to identify the spectrum of their clinical and learning profile in order to classify them into subgroups. There were several occasions when Sneha took initiative for social gatherings and celebrations. She added flavour to the children in the play group and Early Learning Centre by her creative ideas for play and group interaction. 

We wish Sneha had stayed for a longer period! She would hopefully turn the opportunity at her new work place into an advantage for her colleagues!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo0 

Exam result a relief!

As these students came to greet Anna after they got the examination result, I noticed in their faces a sense of relief and achievement. While talking to some of them, it was evident that the examinations have become a burden. 

A comment by one student suggested that it is the teachers who sometimes create a fear about the examinations. There is an unnecessary focus on examination and clearing it as against the focus on learning and all rounded formation.  

I wonder whether students recover from the stress of examinations! There is an accelerated pace of reading and memorising a couple of months before the examinations. Is it not possible to make learning more natural, spontaneous and self-stimulating. 

During a recent lecture, I got two teams to ask questions and offer answers to each other. I was surprised by the depth of their residual knowledge that I feel that most students can be encouraged in their self-directed learning pursuit by encouragement and recognition of their efforts. 

Let us remember that in the study of medical science, attitudes, values, good practices, listening-communication skills, empathy, etc are also subject matter for students.  Most students would get animated if we can bring this habitually in our teaching-learning encounters !

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Philip Yancey on Dr. Paul Brand

I was privileged to hear last month Mr. Philip Yancey speak at CMC Vellore on the occasion of the birth centenary celebration of Dr. Paul Brand. It was Mr.Yancey, who using the few pages of lecture notes of Dr Brand wrote two books, one of which, 'Fearfully and wonderfully made’ remains as a classic on the wonder and mystery of human body. 

Yancey having heard about Dr.Brand and his path breaking journey into treatment and rehabilitation of patients of Leprosy, visited him to interview him. That is when, Dr Brand shared his lecture notes with him, which he had prepared for giving a series of talks during a teaching mission week  at CMC Vellore, where Dr. Brand was working at that time. 

Yancey being a journalist was quick to recognise the treasure in those notes and became aware of the immense resources Dr.Brand possessed because of his integrated approach to life. That is how their collaborative effort  began to publish jointly  six  books in the subsequent years.

While having a personal chat with Mr. Ynacey, he confessed that it was the meeting with Dr. Brand and long years of association with him, which helped him in becoming a writer of the current standing. With over 30 books behind him,  Mr. Yancey regards Dr. Brand as his spiritual father. 

Listening to him give the oration on Dr. Brand, I realised that Dr. Brand’s coming to work in CMC Vellore was in one sense accidental. Dr. brand’s entry into the field of leprosy was a response to the suffering of patients of leprosy he saw at Vellore. Dr. Brand began with no previous experience or expertise, but created a new paradigm of reconstructive surgery to restore the functions of their hands and feet. He spent his life time to  add quality to the life of those who suffered from chronic illnesses which impaired sensation and pain!

During an interview I had with Dr. Brand in 1999, he and Dr.Mrs Margaret Brand mentioned to me that, ‘we were guided to do what we did, often not knowing enough to do it well. We learned what we did not know, because God was with us in this endeavour’.

M.C.Mathew(Text and photo)

Looking back to move forward!

It is one year this week, since my bypass surgery for the heart. I took most of the last month to remember, reflect and meditate on the experiences of the last one year. It  also became a time of fasting from blogging. Let me recall three experiences of this season.

Pausing: The sudden illness with a  mild chest pain became an alarm signal in August 2013,which forced me to seek medical advice. The diagnosis: blocked coronary arteries. It raised questions in my mind as to how it could have happened  in spite of my careful diet and regular exercises. However, I was helped to turn that question to an opportunity to look at the daily rhythm, stress factors,  and make changes to correspond with the ageing process.  A child one morning, as I was walking to my room,  just before my illness said to me that I looked tired. So it was a call to live differently- carry the concerns of each day lightly and stay content.

Learning:   All heart patients have a common learning curve to understand the body and its responses.  The body is anatomically and physiologically conditioned by the mind and and inner self. To live from an inner restful state of mind is the way forward for heart patients. An eighty years old professor who needed cardiac surgery recently told me that he is still struggling to ‘let go’. He happened to mention that he cannot hold many things together even if he wanted and yet he is slow to give away control and surrender to another way of living- finding joy in the small things of life rather than look for something spectacular that others would take note of. Yesterday when Anna and I walked around our property along the walking track which was recently made, we were overjoyed to see how that changed the face of the property which was often overgrown with grass. Now there are flowering plants and recently planted fruit trees. There is a shift taking place within us- delight in what is given and what is possible!

Revising : A friend shared in a recent meeting, how he found spending time with his father has  become a profitable and refreshing experience. Earlier, he consulted his father for opinions and suggestions, but he now loves to have conversations with him centred on life experiences. I was inspired when I heard this. He was moving away from an earlier attitude of ‘wanting’ something more from his father to ‘sharing’ life events mutually. What a revised attitude to relationship! We are not individuals on a solitary journey but people called to be relational and inclusive. 

I am glad life is becoming more open with new prospects. It was a surprise to spot a blue butterfly for the first time, after the monsoon in our garden. It symbolised the prospect of an inner visitation from God!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Ducks in Dry place!

There are ducks who grow up in dry places! A farmer told me that they adapt well and do not miss water. In fact they are not drawn by water even when they sight water. The farmer mentioned that ducks growing up in the dry places adapt better to hostile environment.

So ducks adapt and change their preferred habitat!

As humans we too are resilient and flexible. It is when we are deprived by what we rightly deserve, some of the best transforming experiences take place in our lives!

Yesterday I heard a story of a highly accomplished professional who told me about the freedom he and his colleagues found when a senior colleague moved away to another place. The senior colleagues exerted pressure on his colleagues to conform to his ways and denied spontaneity and creativity. After he moved away, the rest of the team came together with a resolve to forge ahead which they did admirably. This friend concluded this conversation by saying that ‘it was the earlier years of difficulties,  restrictions and stifling of freedom, which helped them to grow in patience and openness’.

There are dry seasons in our lives. Sometimes we are pushed to live in dry places longer than we desire.   Even that would bring some meaningful purposes into our lives! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A contrast!

Nature is a silent teacher!

While camping in a retreat centre couple of weeks back, I noticed this sight in the morning at a distance. One hill top was covered with clouds and was only partially visible. The other was brightly lit in the morning sunshine and its treasure was laid open for any one to behold!

These two sights came upon me as symbols of human nature. Some people live their lives protected by the insulation they provide for themselves. They would use their  position, acclaim, success, popularity, skills, etc. to insulate themselves from revealing their true self. 

Some others live their lives transparently inviting others to read their lives. They convey an openness even when they make an error of judgement. They live and relate to enhance communication and mutuality!

I wish, we would choose to live our lives publicly and as an open book!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)