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The importance of “positive thinking” in all the aspects of life is well known. In particular in all forms of weariness, apathy or demotivation that may result in “the blues” or even in depression. This happens especially in all forms of illness that hinder one in daily life and tend to make one lose the courage to act. This may happen also to patients with Parkinson's disease.
Consequently, as soon as I started to experience the symptoms of the disease, I thought it was important for me to activate defenses against depression, so that I would not be caught unprepared and would be able, so to speak, to fight back.
The spiritual exercises of Saint Ignazio di LoyolaAmongst other things, the little known booklet written by Saint Ignazio di Loyola in the 16th century helped me a lot. He knew human psychology and human weaknesses very well.
It is entitled "Spiritual exercises” and indicates how cleansing of the mind and heart leads to the ability to make important decisions in life with a free and serene spirit.
The author dedicates a few invaluable pages to the description of the various positive and negative moods that are experienced at the moment of a decision (and that reoccur in many circumstances of daily life) and makes practical suggestions on how to overcome the "negative" moments and promote the "positive" ones, in other words how to behave in the "off" and "on" phases.
OFF phases: OFF pangsThe “off” phases are described as moments of sadness, heaviness, restlessness and nervousness, due also to false or specious thinking.
The "off" pangs, which one cannot explain, are experienced as something that blocks, that discourages and prevents one from progressing; they are like an invitation to drop everything and let everything go.
ON phases: Strength and courageWhat we call “positive thinking” or “on” phase today is described as “giving courage and strength, consolation and peace, making complex things easy, removing obstacles so that one can progress with the practice of good”.
Thus, it is a mood, a “tone” of consciousness in which joy, optimism, hope and enthusiasm predominate.
However, the most interesting part of this booklet contains the indications about how to behave when one has "the blues” or when one realizes that the mind is slipping towards negative and sad thinking.
It is very important not to let one self go, not to open the door to these kinds of thoughts.
On the contrary, one has to shake them off and promote all the things and activities that lead to enthusiasm, joy in doing, zest in achievement.
My modest experience in this field has shown me how also music can play an important role in this context. This is especially true for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
It is very important for them to move, especially to walk to the time and rhythm of music.
I should like to briefly describe what has helped me, leaving out its other indications.
I have tried music by various authors. In the end I drew the conclusion that Mozart’s music is the one that is most helpful. Mozart expresses human joy admirably, with brilliance and energy; his music stimulates one to overcome fatigue, blocks, difficulties in movement. In particular, when one has to practice walking, Mozart’s music helps one to march to the pace of the music and to overcome all the qualms and difficulties that tend to block or hinder marching. Sometimes I move in my room following the time of music, as if I were dancing, and this helps me to put my things in order or to prepare material for my studies. I have realized that hearing music resounding in the environment is not enough. It should reach one’s ears via earphones of various kinds and should be fairly loud.
Sound reaching the brain stimulates movement more and gives the rhythm that induces one to move rapidly. Each patient can practice with different types of music and will ultimately select the type that is most useful. However, in any case I believe that Mozart’s music is an endless treasure for whoever wishes to be guided by it and follow its rhythm and melody, invigorating his or her actions.
Whoever wishes to practice “positive thinking” finds practical and discreet support in Mozart’s music, which does not suggest any thoughts in advance, but brings imagination and mood into an optimal condition that promotes commitment and overcomes any qualms and blocks preventing action.
Carlo Maria card. Martini, S.I. |
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