Illnesses as Warnings: Exploring the Spiritual and Moral Roots of Disease

Our life is full of mysteries, and diseases, which seem merely the inevitable result of aging, may hide much deeper underlying causes. An introduction to this topic helps us view ailments not just as biological phenomena, but as reflections of the inner balance of both soul and body. Many philosophical and moral reflections point out that some diseases can arise as a result of disruptions in spiritual foundations, serving as a warning or even a kind of purification of the soul.

The main part of the discussion proposes looking at disease as a sign: straying from a sincere life, making poor behavioral choices, and unconsciously ignoring one’s true needs can lead to physical ailments. There is a belief that, in some cases, an illness may become a sort of signal sent from above to correct one’s life path—as if a higher power were helping overcome internal conflicts. One example is psychosomatic disorders, where the inability to satisfy inner desires and the suppression of true emotions turn into a destructive force on the body. Moreover, traditional faith connects certain ailments with the consequences of moral errors, where wrongful actions and lifestyle choices are reflected in a person’s physical condition.

In conclusion, although aging and the changes it brings are an integral part of existence, it is worth considering diseases as multifaceted phenomena, rooted in both natural processes and deep moral and spiritual aspects. This perspective opens up space for rethinking our approach to health, motivating us to seek harmony not only in the body but also in the soul, so that life becomes more conscious and fulfilling.

How can we explain the presence of diseases in society if all people eventually die of old age, and is there a hidden cause for this phenomenon? In answering your question, one can argue that diseases should not be seen solely as a natural consequence of aging, but rather as phenomena with deeper, hidden causes related to the moral and spiritual aspects of human life. Even though death from aging is an inevitable biological process, there is a viewpoint that many illnesses emerge as a result of an inner imbalance caused by moral shortcomings or an improper lifestyle.

For instance, one source suggests that some diseases may be sent from above with a certain purpose:
"Sometimes the Lord sends diseases upon the saints in order to ease their struggle with passions. Or, conversely, upon heinous sinners to free the world from them. An example of this is Herod, who was eaten alive by worms (...) And in our daily lives, we can find examples of diseases sent by the Lord either as a warning or as protection. Nevertheless, diseases sent by the Lord constitute only a small fraction of the many ailments that afflict modern humans. In most cases, a person is responsible for his own diseases, or suffers due to parental faults (hereditary diseases)."
(source: 10_49.txt, page: 372)

Another perspective emphasizes that diseases are often the direct result of a sinful lifestyle:
"Quite often, an illness is a direct consequence of our sinful way of life. For instance, an adulterer will sooner or later suffer from a bouquet of venereal diseases; a woman who has had multiple abortions may end up childless; a smoker is unlikely to escape bronchitis, and an alcoholic will have liver problems, etc. Finally, it is obvious to everyone that a disordered lifestyle leads to numerous disruptions in the functioning of the body. These diseases, which are direct and open results of overall sinfulness and a life full of passions, are evident in our own experiences."
(source: 10_49.txt, page: 374)

Furthermore, there are arguments that when a person denies the satisfaction of their inner desires, painful manifestations can appear in the form of psychosomatic diseases:
"When a person satisfies their passion and indulges it, they fall into sin. Illness, on the other hand, becomes the result of that passion not finding direct satisfaction in either actions or thoughts, while also meeting no resistance. In simple terms, the person just tries to ignore their sinful desires, pretending they do not exist. As a result, those sinful impulses, which might not even form explicitly in thought, eat away at the person from within. One of the outcomes of the manifestation of hidden passion is mental and so-called psychosomatic illnesses, that is, somatic (bodily) diseases caused by internal, psychological reasons, usually unconscious."
(source: 10_49.txt, page: 376)

Thus, although aging is a natural process and every person ultimately dies of old age, the presence of diseases in society can be explained not only by biological factors but also by hidden moral and spiritual causes. These perspectives emphasize that many illnesses arise as consequences of moral errors, neglect of one’s inner state, or even as warnings of a disrupted inner balance.