Two Pathways to Health and Healing
By Coralie Darsey-Malloy
When you buy a pill and buy peace with it… you get conditioned to cheap solutions… instead of deep ones. ~Max Lerner
It is becoming increasingly evident that our health care system needs healing. In the past, modern health care has been largely devoted to pathology management of sickness caused by our own “civilized living.”
This contemporary model has been built upon a contagion theory of disease. Within this paradigm a supposed return to health is pursued through a ‘fight against harmful outside influences’ and the totality of the individual is left out. Emphasis is placed on diagnosing diseases by addressing patient’s symptoms. Within this diagnostic approach the “owner” of the body and their part in the disease process is often excluded. Looking at illness from this perspective personal power and self-responsibility is often given over to the health practitioner rather than remaining with the individual.
During my many years as a journalist, free lance writer, public speaker, life coach and group leader I have observed many advancements within the preventative health movement and how it is more generally accepted in mainstream thinking. There are increasing numbers who are seeking a more holistic approach to their health problems than settling for symptom relief. The emerging consciousness in health and healing has a different framework for managing illness and disease. Allopathic medicine is based on a physical examination and sees disease as the enemy. This method creates an air of hopelessness and helplessness and asks the salient question “Why me?”
As an alternative health problems are viewed as something self-created by a lack of understanding about natural principles. It asks, “Why now, and what needs changing?” This approach is corrective, optimistic and empowering rather than antagonistic, overwhelming and fear-based.
True healing requires a multi-dimensional approach. Within new frontiers in health and healing there is a convergence of body-mind-emotion-spirit and energy. This direction is epitomized by some new hybrid sciences with pioneers Candace Pert at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland. She spearheads research in the biology of emotions. Her approach is called psycho neuroimmuology or PNI. Her specialty involves the study of biological interaction and blood chemistry and how the mind, emotion and beliefs influence physical health.
Others in this field include the Symington’s, and Dr. Bernie Siegel. They worked with cancer patients and discovered that neuro-peptides within the body are carriers of information. The concept within the biochemistry of emotions developed through studies that revealed how positive images and affirmations raised the immune system’s white blood cell count. Studies with patients who were unwilling to accept cancer as a verdict coupled with strong determination to overcome their diagnosis had a higher survival rate that those who gave in to resignation.
