To ensure the survival[1] of the species, the human form and all its internal processes[2] have been optimised over a period of more than six million years. However, this optimisation of the human system has evolved in accord with the environment and all other life forms. Knowing this, it should not be surprising that in every moment and since the earliest beginning[3], the constant exchange and transformation of matter and energy is taking place.
This multi-dimensional exchange, in which something get absorbed and something else is extracted, happens automatically and mostly without person’s attention. For that reason, the natural processes are often taken for granted, and their complex functionality goes undetected. Factors responsible for this complexity are:
Inherited traits[4]
Physical fitness (organ function, mobility of the spine and tendons, strength of the bones, number and type of the muscles cells, etc.);
Non-physical fitness (thoughts, emotions, conditioned responses, level of wisdom, or spiritual maturity);
External resources (“building material” derived from food, water or air);
Internal resources (“building material” produced by body and mind).
Depending on their combination and interactions, the factors provide optimal or sub-optimal conditions for growth and development. Under sub-optimal conditions, the source or its transformation fail and the body is brought out of balance. Although our internal processes try to adapt to any disorder, a prolonged imbalance leads to deterioration in health or even death.
But keeping the balance is not an easy task. Our sensory receptors are continuously switched on, what brings us under uninterrupted environmental influence that triggers a constant adaptation of the body-mind to changes and demands of the energy supply. This makes external (environment) and internal (human) systems inseparable.
Such non-separateness is also applicative within the physical body. The complexity permeates each level through the numerous interwoven body processes that never run independently. All the systems and organs of the body influence each other’s function - what happens in your gut alters your cardio-vascular system, your endocrinology system, your nervous system, your immune system, and vice versa.
However, the mutual impact does not occur only at the organic and systemic level. The hormones and neurotransmitters are in constant communication with each other and various mental, bio-physical and bio-chemical processes are subject to permanent transformations, whereby body and mind are inseparable. In other words, the physical processes affect our thoughts and feelings, which in turn affect the body.
Although the reciprocal interactions of body, mind, spirit and external environment, has been recognised by modern research, the true awareness of its complexity is lacking. People tend to forget that this strong interweaving affects not only their personal well-being, but also their relationship to people, the environment and life in general. Any failed interaction, regardless of level or type, brings human system out of balance and causes acute or chronic illnesses. When this happens, people usually rely on modern medicine that offers a quick solution through various medical and pharmaceutical methods.
Modern medicine has certainly developed beyond expectations and gained in complexity over the past century. It has become an excellent tool for resolving many symptoms caused by internal or external imbalances. However, due to the increasing complexity, there is an increasing number of specialisations that, supported by the rise of technological methods, are shifting the healing approach towards isolated action due to the narrowing of perception.
In particular, in diagnostics, which is limited by standardised and impersonal methods, the root cause of the symptoms is frequently not recognised. The body is often treated as an accumulation of many parts that can be handled, corrected or replaced as needed (or if desired), and where the interlocking of internal and external factors is out of focus.
With this, regardless of how advanced the modern medicine has become, it remains on the surface and continues to treat the symptoms, while the causes of the problem persist or even disseminate when the self-healing mechanism is weakened.
The healing process requires a holistic approach that takes into account a unique combination of factors that are specific to individuals (including their interactions with the environment). Namely, due to various hereditary and non-hereditary factors, people can respond in different ways to the same pathogens or stressors, and therefore develop different symptoms, what makes standardised tests insufficient. Similarly, the same symptoms may not always be caused by the same triggers, and thus cannot be treated the same way.
Theoretically, this is nothing unknown or new, but in practice, diagnostic tools, used in modern medicine, are mostly based on new technologies and old standardised tests. The treatments are largely aimed at diminishing the symptoms before their diagnostic value is exhausted, which in most cases is contra productive to healing process. Without good diagnostics, the aggressive methods, often used pre-maturely and mindlessly, can be applied to wrong targets, resulting in short term improvements, damage of the healthy tissues and systems, or can even deteriorate health condition.
To ensure the success of the healing process, we need to holistically observe each person’s condition, to make the right diagnosis and choose appropriate methods. Further on, these methods should use symptoms as coded messages of our body and not as treatment targets. Rather, methods should simultaneously address the cause of the symptoms and strengthening of the self-healing mechanism.
Nevertheless, the self-healing mechanism should not be considered in isolation, but in conjunction and in synchronisation with the entire universe. This requires an open door to the healing power of the entire existence, which can only be achieved if the technical and medical knowledge is transcended. Namely, optimal self-healing conditions can only be established by bringing back in balance the inner and outer environment.
The importance of modern medical methods is undisputed, but no matter how advanced the methods are or how outstanding performance of the medical practitioner is, without regard to all inter-relations, the treatment would not be sufficient for a successful healing. To consider inter-relations in its fullness, the healer must possess more than just relevant medical knowledge and exceptional technical skills. He must comprehend the laws of heaven and earth thoroughly and understand the movement and transformation of elements, matter, and energy. As the Taoist would say:
“The Great Doctor dissolves karmic suffering;
The High Doctor healsdiseases of the future;
The Intermediate Doctor heals already manifested diseases;
The Low Doctor has only one static method;
A Bad Doctor is causing damage and death. "
But even the greatest healer, who sees the germs of future diseases and can understand karmic clutter of the person, is only there to help protect, activate and maintain our own self-healing system. The real work has to be done by us, and only when we are ready to help ourselves can we also be helped.
No matter how unpleasant it sounds, we cannot deny that we are the creators of our thoughts and emotions, and we determine the quality and quantity of what enters our bodies and our minds. Therefore, we bear the greatest responsibility for shaping our habits, tendencies, and also our illness. It is certainly not easy to take responsibility into our own hands, which is why people consciously or unconsciously reject it, but if we do not take on this responsibility, we also lose its creative power.
Although our mindless behaviour shapes our illness, we also have the capacity to develop mindfulness that enables us to recognise our own tendencies and open ourselves to the healing power of nature. However, our own inner growth, commitment, and actions are essential; and this, long before symptoms occur. This “preventive approach” refers to becoming fully aware of our true nature, mastering of our own body, mind, and spirit, and recognising our interactions with the entire environment.
In other words, healing begins before the disease appears and it is more than a quick fix. It requires our own inner development through discipline, perseverance and patience.
[1] It should be understood as: survival and the role of the species
[2] Physical and non-physical processes
[3] Even before human species appeared
[4] Not only genetics