Living with chronic illness is a hero's journey
If you or a loved one suffer from a chronic illness, you've come to the right place. Here, we look at illness as a growth path instead of a prison sentence, a healing journey instead of series of losses, and an opportunity for awakening beyond the confines of body and mind. I hope you join us on this journey.
In Zen Buddhism, a koan is a question designed to put you in touch with the limitations of your thinking mind and provoke a deeper awareness. You cannot solve a koan using your usual methods. Instead, you must allow it to solve you.
Living with chronic illness, no matter if it is yours or a loved one’s, is a unique koan, one that is not understood by the rest of the world – a world that often feels uncaring and unsupportive and moving far too quickly to notice what you’re living day-to-day.
On the illness journey, you are forced to deal with different perceptions of the illness experience and the meaning of suffering and to navigate many difficult feelings such as sadness, anger, and guilt. You have little to no assistance to guide you through the unique stresses and trauma that chronic illness brings into your relationship with yourself, the people in your life, and the rest of the world.
However, managing a life within the constraints that illness brings can be:
- A growth path instead of something to endure
- A healing journey instead of a series of losses
- An opportunity for awakening beyond the confines of body and mind
None of this happens magically or spontaneously. You need frameworks, practice, and support.
In the Koan of Illness, you will find support, guidance, and community. Using the Integral Model – a comprehensive, holistic, practical, philosophical, and spiritual map – we will help you to:
Increase your capacity to manage illness:
- Heal from the trauma it causes
- Improve the quality of your relationships
- Use illness as a springboard to personal growth
- Deepen your spirituality
- Find a community of depth and support
Illness may be a tragedy, but it also holds gifts for those who are willing to look for them.
The Koan Of Illness FREE Webinar
Hosted by Lynn Fuentes, a professor, educational course designer, and caregiver with a BA, MA, JD, and PhD.
Space is limited. Reserve your spot now.
Meet the host: Dr. Lynn Fuentes
Lynn is a college instructor, educational course designer, and a mediator with a BA, MA, JD, and PhD. An experienced classroom and online instructor, she has designed and taught courses in transpersonal psychology, writing, planning, chronic illness, and conflict management at DePaul University, where she also founded and directed the Chronic Illness Initiative, a program to help students with chronic illness obtain a degree.
A devoted student of Ken Wilber and integral philosophy, she has published integrally oriented essays and articles on conflict resolution and illness management and weaves integral ideas into her course design and teaching. She follows an integral life practice of physical, psychological, meditative, and cognitive development.
Lynn has volunteered in many capacities – with battered women, people in the recovery community, and people with chronic illness – and served on the board of the Solve ME/CFS Association of America for many years. Despite her study of many disciplines, Lynn regards her greatest learning as long-term caregiver for severely ill family members.
Learn more about the Koan Of Illness