On the cemetery road, while walking under the newly blossomed almond trees, a gentle breeze touched his face, and the twilight concealed his tears. His heart twisted with pain, twisting again. His mind was ablaze, jumping from one thought to another, tormenting him terribly.
He had read numerous philosophy books, many religious books as well, yet none of them had eased the pain of the person within him. A close friend he had just spoken to on the phone had recommended a therapist to him. It had become a necessity. The thoughts running through his mind were unbearable.
Who Is Thinking These?
He was very helpless and exhausted. He was not at all satisfied with his life. The religious talks and sermons he had listened to only frightened him more. His heart darkened, his hope shattered. His silent cries had turned into sobs under the blanket late at night.
He felt very impure and sinful. “You are very sinful,” he told himself. “And on top of that, you are sick, you are sick.”
With resentment, he deleted the phone number his friend had sent. Walking and walking, he reached the seaside, sat down, and opened Instagram. He read a few stories, feeling even worse. There, a man was speaking about hell and torment. How dark this world was. “I will never smile,” he said to himself.
The phone rang, ringing painfully, just like in Turkish movies. He did not answer. He had no strength to talk, with a voice that had fallen into this sick and deep swamp.
Two Months Later
As he sat on the wall, a cat approached and touched him as if embracing him. Soon, he was going to his appointment. He decided to go by bicycle; the office was very close anyway.
Forgetting even to lock his bicycle, he rushed inside. A young female assistant greeted him, “Welcome, you arrived right on time,” and led him inside.
The therapist smiled at him and said, “There’s nothing to worry about; we are going to read a book together.”
“Are you going to tell me a story?” he teased slightly.
“We will read a book together, and inshallah, we will both find healing.”
“Why? Are you sick too?”
“Of course. Everyone is a little sick and needs treatment every day.”
“Oh, really? Alright, let’s read. I suddenly got excited.”
He held a thin brochure in his hand.
“You will listen to this part I will read without making any comments, then we will work on it word by word and find healing, okay?”
“Okay,” he said, grinning helplessly. “Since I’m here.”
Reading Therapy: Bibliotherapy
The book, as you know, was The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Worry – Anxiety – Compulsion) Treatise written by the End of Times Therapist from the Risale-i Nur Collection.
These reading sessions continued for days. The therapist never even asked about his troubles. He read and explained; he read and explained. There were even moments when they cried together out of joy.
What Did the Therapist Say?
“Oh, you who suffer from the disease of worry! Do you know what your worries resemble? They resemble a calamity. The more importance you give them, the more they swell. If you ignore them, they wither away. If you look at them as something big, they grow; if you see them as small, they shrink. If you fear them, they become heavier and make you ill. If you don’t fear them, they become light and hidden. If you don’t understand their nature, they persist and settle in. If you recognize their nature, if you know them, they vanish. So, I will explain only the ‘Five Aspects’ of this troublesome worry, which occurs frequently. Perhaps it will be a cure for you and me. For this worry is such a thing that ignorance invites it, while knowledge repels it. If you do not recognize it, it comes; if you do, it goes.” (21st Word, Second Station)
“But if it is an imaginary illness, the most effective cure is to not give it importance. The more importance you give it, the more it grows and swells. If you don’t give it importance, it shrinks and disperses. Just as if you provoke bees, they swarm around your head; if you ignore them, they disperse. And just as in darkness, an illusion of a snake from a swinging rope grows the more importance you give it. Sometimes it even drives one to madness; but if you don’t give it importance, you see that it’s just an ordinary rope, and you laugh at your earlier panic.” (20th Remedy, Treatise for the Sick)
Ways to Overcome Worries
The therapist leaned back, took a sip of his mint tea, and said:
- Whatever bad feelings you have, know that they do not belong to you. They may come from Satan, from a misleading preacher, or from a societal mindset.
- Always remember that Satan continuously whispers to you, constantly saying words that will break your morale, and never believe every negative thought that comes to your mind. Because thoughts come from two sources: either Satanic or Divine. Any unpleasant idea or word is from Satan; keep this in mind. Whenever such a thought enters your mind, say, “This thought is not mine,” recite your prayers, and continue on your path. Do not let Satan mock you. Say Euzu-Besmele and move forward.
- You must have knowledge about the issue that troubles you, such as the fear of death, illness, or poverty. Knowing and understanding the nature of worry is a method of overcoming it.
- Do not dwell too much on your worries. The more importance you give, the more they grow; if ignored, they wither.
- Do not exaggerate in your mind; immediately engage in another activity. The bigger you see it, the bigger it becomes; the smaller you see it, the smaller it gets.
- Do not fear. Fear makes it heavier and causes illness. Psychological distress can turn into physical illness. If you do not fear, it lightens and stays hidden.
Reading: Bibliotherapy Recommendations
- Duha, Inshirah, Falaq, Nas Surahs
- 21st Word’s Second Station and the 20th Remedy from the Treatise for the Sick
- The Dhikr of La Ilaha Illallah
- Expose yourself to goodness and beneficial things
- Find ways to serve the Quran and keep yourself engaged
Final Words: One Month Later
Sitting on the beach, his lips moved silently, and his eyes were filled with joy.
“O Comforter of all those in distress! “ From now on, there is no place for Al-Khannas in my heart, my mind, or my imagination. I have taken refuge only in You.”
