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| Hpathy Ezine - January 2006 | ||||
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The Homeopathic
Process and Christian Spirituality: Recently I was exchanging emails with a 'Religious person' who earlier 'practiced' homeopathy and now claimed that homeopathy was not compatible with Christianity. He was advising fellow Christians to be wary of homeopathy and claimed I was too "deep into it" to see its dangers. He felt I was not on the right path and not discerning wisely. During a telephonic conversation, he mentioned that the incompatibility was mainly because of the principle of Similia Similibus Curentur. His explanation for this evoked my spontaneous laughter over the phone. I later apologized for my reaction; yet, as much as I tried to see his viewpoint, I simply cannot agree with his views. This encounter though made me question myself, and more deeply reflect on my faith as to how my practice of homeopathy and my Christian spirituality helps me integrate the various dimensions of my life. At the outset I have to clarify that I've known wonderful 'religious people' of the Catholic Church, including my own extended family members who are priests and nuns. My own parents were very active in the Church and so I interacted with numerous sincerely committed people who lived their lives to serve others. They have always supported me in my profession as a homeopath. Each of these people were deeply inspired and spiritually motivated. My experience of Church has been a balance, of seeing people tremendously motivated in the Holy Spirit alongside their human limitations. I realize that unfortunately some people's experience of 'church' has been negative. And, as I responded to people who wrote critical feedback to my last article, I'm convinced that the buck stops and starts with me (as a Christian). If people seek to know (again) what Church is, or trust a Christian, a follower of Christ, they have to see it reflected in my life. I am the witness, not someone else out there whom I can point a finger at. While I have talked about the problems we face in the System of Homeopathy today, its just as obvious that Modern Medicine does not have all the answers either. In fact, its difficult to bring to mind many people who's health status has changed for the better in long term, while still on addictive and harsh allopathic medicine. Homeopathy in fact offers hope to those labeled as "incurable" by conventional doctors. Most chronic problems are curable through patient long-term homeopathic treatment, or else at least the quality of life is considerably improved in cases that are too far advanced in pathology. To those who opine that homeopathy is incompatible with Christianity, let me put some queries regarding conventional medicine:
I wonder why no 'religious person' boldly speaks up against this assault on the mind and soul of the sick by harsh and questionable use of allopathic drugs. No, we seem to have lost our voice against the glorified might of 'science'. Yet isn't there even more need today to speak against this deviated abuse of Modern Medicine that is alienating our souls? What about the Orthodox Medicine practiced during Hahnemann's life-time? In Hahnemann's time (1755 - 1843), the type of empirical medicine in vogue was seriously detrimental to life, which was why Hahnemann, a qualified MD was so disillusioned with it. David Little explains Hahnemann's experience and observations in this way:
There were various other destructive methods of treatment like venesections, applying leeches, counter-irritants, etc, prevalent at that time. These frequently resulted in death or prolonged unnecessary suffering in people. The continious inspiration for discovering and establishing the gentle system of healing through homeopathic remedies prompted Hahnemann to state in Aphorism 2 of the Organon : "The highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of health, or removal and annihilation of the disease in its whole extent, in the shortest, most reliable and most harmless way, on easily comprehensible principles." Again in the words of David little:
How aptly this explains the discovery of homeopathic healing in Nature by Hahnemann! Thus let us be careful that we do not - in ignorance, fear, prejudice and lack of spiritual insight, throw the baby out with the bathwater in considering that the proper practice of homeopathy is incompatible with Christianity. Rather it would be wise to seek and percieve the Will of God and God's power in all creation which are the sources for our healing as well. What is the Human Spirit? What is the Soul?
As a Christian, I understand the human spirit to originate from the breath of God. The book of Genesis 2:7 reads, "The Lord formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being." Man was created in God's image and likeness. In communion with God, the human being is whole but does not become God. The human spirit is thus blessed with the ability to seek Communion with the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit. The human spirit is also blessed with the power of reason which no other living being is. This power of reason gives us the ability to acknowledge the transcendental need of the soul, the need for God, the need to be in communion with the Spirit of God who is "the higher purpose of our existence". The Soul, as defined in The Concise Dictionary of Theology is: The Spiritual principle of human beings which survives their death. According to the Old Testament the "nephesh" (Hebrew: "Breath of life") comes from God (Gen2:7) and disappears at death. My "nephesh" can mean "myself" or "my soul". The New Testament often uses "psyche" (Greek: "soul") as the principle of life. Towards the end of the Old Testament, Greek language and thought introduced a sense of the human soul as distinct from the body and endowed by God with immortality (Wisdom 3:1-9,9:15, 16;13). The New Testament reflects a certain dualism between between body and soul (Matt:10:28, Lk 16:22, 2Cor 5:6-10, Phil 1:23, 1Pet 1:9) but primarily thinks of human beings as animated beings destined for final resurrection. Against the Neo-Aristotelianism of Pietro Pompanazzi (1464-1525) the Fifth Lateran Council taught in 1513, the individuality and the immortality of human souls.
We speak of intellectual maturity which is the maturity of the intellect, we speak of emotional maturity which is the maturity of the heart. Furthur we recognize the need for spiritual maturity, which is the maturity of the soul. Every human being has been created with a soul, spirit and body, but not everyone seeks spiritual maturity. In my perception, this results in an incomplete development of a human being, for, every human being is necessarily an intellectual (rational) being and a creature with feelings (emotional), but also a spiritual being with the capacity to relate to the transcendental Being, God. The spiritual person is one who recognizes the need for spiritual maturity to become a truly "whole" person. The ability to use one's reason (mind) must be assisted first by emotional maturity, followed by spiritual development, in order to be a truly balanced person in every aspect in life. Indeed a truly spiritual person is one, who in being ever aware of his/her humanness and limitations recognizes the need to be dependant on God in his/her soul. In my perception, the expression of a spiritually matured person (of any religious background) is one who seeks to interact for the benefit of others in simplicity, humility and compassion. In the discovery of homeopathy, I perceive Hahnemann to be a scientifically rational person as well as a spiritual person. Healing of Soul and Body : A Renewal of One's Mind
One can renew one's reason-gifted mind with a decision to understand the process of homeopathic healing that goes against the prevalent ideas of this age and the medical approach of today. One can perceive the truth of this simple method of healing through repeated experiences and observation of the effects of homeopathic remedies while following the principles of the philosophy laid down. It is in experiencing the benefits of a healthier mind and body, that one is convinced in one's mind of the homeopathic paradigm. In a similar way, the spiritual renewal of one's mind begins with a decision to follow a simple process of being slowly transformed to eternal values of Christ. This is a progress through spiritual conviction and tangible experiences of God's love without suppression or struggle against one's human needs. It is a repeated experience of divine support in strengthening of one's human spirit, beyond the weakness and limitations of the body, enhanced by the soul's dependence on God. This practical method of transformation, is Biblical philosophy laid down nearly 2000 years ago in the New Testament (Study the entire Chapter 8 of the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans), which is continuously revealed with deeper and wider understanding today. In this process, through the transcendental activity of one's soul, the mind and heart are receptive to the Wisdom, Love and Gifts of the Spirit of God within us. In more psycho-spiritual terms, one achieves "self-actualization" and "self-awareness" which allows for a deep knowing and wisdom, of being in touch with one's 'Innermost Self'. One achieves greater transcendental activity through prayer, meditation and obedience to God's Will. But one also necessarily remains interconnected with other people, family, friends in this process. This fosters special experiences that lead one to experience love (Greek: Agape) in one's concrete human circumstances and suffering. As a Christian, I seek to relate to God's Spirit through Christ, who offered himself in unconditional love as a sacrifice for human salvation. I believe this is the simplest and most reliable form of meditation or prayer which evolves with deeper maturity. It is a hotline with God for any person whatever be one's stage of intellectual or emotional development or stage of physical disease. It is a pure, simple method of receiving and experiencing unlimited love and wisdom from God. This is the secret of a personal encounter with Christ, "for the higher purpose of one's existence" (Organon Aph. 9) i.e. being ready to serve and sacrifice with love for the good of humanity. This process of transformation is simple, gentle and permanent,... on easily comprehensible principles (Organon Aph. 2) - like homeopathy! My human spirit is always fortified by the Spirit of God, through dependence on the divine. This necessarily requires that my human spirit is humbled so that the Spirit of God may be more powerful. This slowly and surely results in a renewal first of the mind and heart, which is followed by healing in the body; no matter what one's past life of suffering has been, or what one has inherited, or what are one's past experiences of hurt, failings, sin or physical disease. Human difficulties don't cease, but one faces them with a deep sense of peace, courage and a supernatural strength called Grace. One feels loved and one is full of hope no matter what the external circumstances. Then there is no place for doubt, fear or narrow thinking. This step is the basis of subsequent Spiritual Healing of the body through the Spirit of God which I will explain in the next and final chapter of this series. I will do this to parallel with the understanding of Miasm and the working of the Similimum in Homeopathy, with case examples in both homeopathy as well as Spiritual healing. My parents were involved in the Healing Ministry of the Catholic Church for almost 25 years till my father died in December 2001. With this background, it is a personal experience of Spiritual healing that I wish to share with you (fellow Christians), that remains in complete compatibility with healing through Homeopathy. Thank you,
1. Organon of Medicine
6th Edition, by Dr. Samuel C. Hahnemann |
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