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AHHA SELF-HELP ARTICLES COLLECTION |
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I first saw Walter in 1970. For 17 years he had been suffering from crippling arthritis and was in a
constant state of physical pain. Walter was also in emotional pain. As an engineer disciplined to
avoid irreversible situations, he had become a perfectionist who secretly feared people. In addition,
his job, which required him to help perfect a missile warhead, was a source of great anguish to him.
Knowing that his work enabled the missile to kill more people for less money so depressed him that he
had quit his job and had been a virtual recluse for six months.
In treating Walter at Meadowlark, we took a holistic approach--not a new approach, but one as old as the great Greek philosophers. Holism has been used for centuries and is clearly described by the 4th century B.C. philosopher, Socrates, in Plato's Dialogue on Temperance: "You ought not to attempt to cure the eyes without the head or the head without the body, so neither ought you to attempt to cure the body without the soul;...for the part can never be well unless the whole is well." In the health field, a holistic approach may be seen as one of reestablishing a state of harmony of body, mind and spirit. In the holistic approach, it is essential to know much more about the patient than merely a list of symptoms. Thus, at the start, there must be time for the doctor to sit quietly and hear the words, to feel the presenting emotions and to sense the radiation's of the person which will provide intimations of the activity of spirit. That is how Walter and I began. Together we worked to slowly rebuild his mind, his body and his spirit. His holistic regime consisted of a two-week stay at Meadowlark, where his prescription drugs were replaced by homeopathic medications (natural remedies from the animal, plant, and mineral world). Within three days the homeopathic medications had relieved him of pain. His diet consisted of natural food including raw and steamed vegetables, whole grains and fruits. He received no stimulants such as coffee or tea. He had regular, supervised exercise. He became involved in psychological counseling, along with instruction in meditation. In time, he found himself letting go of his former lifestyles and envisioning new life patterns.
Three years later Walter wrote me a letter describing the benefits of holistic healthcare. "At
present, the situation is this: pain is a thing of the past; a dozen ailments are fading or have
already disappeared; atrophied muscles are being restored; faith is full and the prospect is
expecting...for there is that which works well for wholeness in our lives if we let it. The medicine
of the whole person is programmed to help bring wholeness. Medicine of the whole person combines
sudden miracles with slow, steady progress and all works for good."
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