The first thing to remember is that continual meditation at these times can bring dramatic improvements and reduction in pain and fear. If this is not possible, then meditating for as long as circumstances will allow is highly recommended. Apart from meditation, there are two simple ideas worth applying whenever illness and fear seem to be taking hold. We have kept them short in order not to give too much information to try and absorb at such a difficult time. These 'rules' will enable us to regain control of our thoughts, which in turn will allow us to take back the responsibility that we are all too willing to give away when our defences are weakened. Rule No.1 - Acceptance When we are struggling with our condition, we need to have a thought that is very simple and that also enables us to keep control of the situation. The thought of acceptance does just this. Just as we have described why it is so important to accept exactly where we are now in life, so it is just as important to accept every twist and turn of our physical or mental symptoms, however distressing they may seem. When suffering an onslaught of unpleasant symptoms, it is the mental fight that we put up against them that causes us to feel more tired, more depressed and more scared than we need to. By fully accepting our physical state at any time we are avoiding the mental fight; when we manage to avoid the mental fight, our internal medicines and painkillers enable the illness to pass swiftly and comfortably through our system, removing the internal toxins and stress as it goes. Fighting it only causes those particular symptoms to become more agitated, to move more slowly and to reduce our own ability to cope. By accepting these symptoms, we are reducing the negative effects of any dis-ease in our systems. We are also accepting responsibility and by accepting responsibility we are taking control. When we take control we can go only in the direction that we want to - and provided that direction is towards restoration of health and happiness, then that is where we will go. Rule No.2 - Trust The word "trust" works in complete association with acceptance. Once we have decided to accept what is happening to us, the only other thing we have to do is believe that it is happening to us for a good reason. Everything in this book so far has been leading us to a greater understanding of how we really function. We have started to see examples of our inner guidance system at work and are now beginning to realise that there is something there to guide us whenever we really need help. Now, when we least feel we have any reason to do so, is the very time that we most need to trust. By taking responsibility for ourselves, meditating regularly and reading books that inspire us, we have come a long way towards healing ourselves. Not even the worst physical set-backs can move us backwards now unless we want them to. By trusting entirely what is going on in our bodies we are placing faith in our Higher Self to guide us in a way that is in our best interests. Sometimes we may be guided to visit the doctor just to get reassurance that we are not about to die; sometimes we may be guided to cancel a holiday that was hindering our recovery because we were worrying so much about not being able to go on it; sometimes we may be guided to stay in bed and rest for a whole week/month/year while our bodies recover. Whatever guidance we receive through our emotions, the point is that we can trust that guidance implicitly. The more we tell ourselves that we trust what is going on, the clearer that guidance will become. In our darkest and lowest moments, silent and continued repetition of the simple phrase that follows will enable us to cope with the very worst of set-backs: "I fully accept and trust everything that is happening to me." If a short mantra is more desirable, repetition of either the word 'trust' or 'thank you' will produce similar results. It may seem almost perverse to focus on one's own suffering and then thank it - but be assured it works like magic.