We’ve been on a Marvel Comic Universe journey during lockdown, and last night we reached Dr Strange. It’s a movie all about harnessing the power of the universe for good (or bad) and mastery of energy for healing. And how a negative incident – his car crash for example – is an opportunity to discover new strengths and skills. The mystic one says to Dr Strange, ‘I know how to reorient the spirit to better heal the body.’ and shows him diagrams of chakras, acupressure and other studies, which he immediately dismisses as giftshop fairy nonsense.

She calmly says, ‘Each of those maps was drawn up by someone who could see in part but not in whole.’ He shouts at her, ‘I do not believe in fairy tales about chakras or energy or the power of belief. There is no such thing as spirit. We are made of matter and nothing more!’ and then we know she’s about to change his mind. She throws him into the crazy psychadelic worlds of energy and magic of the multiverse until he is crumpled trembling at her feet saying ‘Teach me.’

I like how my recent interest in the spiritual mysticism around ancient teachings has crossed over nicely with my partner’s love of Marvel movies. A quick search showed me an article about the meaning of the film, which was revealed by Scott Derrickson, the director, who said on twitter that for him the movie was about ‘the significance of trauma, mysticism and personal growth.’

Which is brilliant. I like how a mainstream popular movie suggests that trauma can be the trigger for incredible healing, and that there are energies and practices in which you can use your mind to heal your body, because while I am not a complete ‘homeopathic yoghurt-knitter’ I am beginning to understand, in my personal experience, the power of mental health to determine physical health. That’s what I’m trying to understand and learn here, and what I hope to apply in my ongoing recovery. Thank you Mr Derrickson for your very excellent movie that gently touches on the subject.