'The Breaking of the Shell' — with Elaine Walker with Anna Grear

The Breaking of the Shell — by Elaine Walker (Interviewer)

Tears were very close as I listened to Anna's story. Her courage in the face of such pain reminded me of Kahlil Gibran's poem On Pain, from The Prophet, and particularly this line, 'Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding'.

So many people who go through serious illness seem to encounter some sort of breaking of the shell. Anna describes her  breaking, or breakthrough, as part of a rather frightening spiritual experience. Not something she would choose and yet something for which she is profoundly grateful. 

Unlike most recovery stories, this one is not really about recovery, nor is it about those things we hope will make us well. It's not so much about diets or supplements, infrared or wearable vagus nerve stimulating devices, but more about the inner journey,  leaning into areas of personal resilience and following one's own North Star. 

Anna's environmental wisdom does, however, help us towards a healing direction, whilst acknowledging the individual nature of each person's journey with a fatigue related illness. 

Being part of this podcast has been a wonderful experience on many levels and nourishes my own sometimes wobbly trust in a better future. As Anna shows so clearly, there is always hope'. 

Elaine Walker

Elaine has a long-time experience of ME/CFS and is a member of the HypnoCatalyst NeuroCalm Community on Facebook. She felt that she wanted to interview Anna, to find out more of Anna's own journey. This podcast episode is the result.