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In Tibetan
Medicine, a person is understood to be a composite of body, mind and
spirit. Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School has researched
mind/body interactions for more than 20 years. He points out that this
is not alternative medicine, because it has a scientific base. Dr. Benson
states that he knows “of no culture that has better developed mind/body
interactions than the Tibetan culture. What they have done is truly
remarkable.” He fears, however, that this ancient culture is in
danger of being exterminated, and that we could lose this age-old knowledge
of the human capacity for mind/body effects.
Underlying the Tibetan system is the principle that when all the energies
and related biological and chemical interactions in the human body are
in balance we experience what we consider “good health”. With
good health we “feel good,” feel strong, have good relationships
and we have joy in our lives. When physical or metaphysical aspects
of the body are out of balance we lack one or more of these positive
indications. Diagnosis and treatment take all of these factors into
consideration. The Tibetan doctor considers the patient's attitudes,
activity, behavior, physical constitution, diet, and home and work environment,
and may assess body type, body movements, facial appearances, skin color,
mental activity, speech patterns, appetite and digestion, skin conditions,
pulse and urine.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama explains that the Tibetan medical tradition
emphasizes prevention rather than cure. Modification of behavior is
recommended, to prevent potential illness. The next step is a proper
diet. Only after that is medication prescribed.
The therapeutic power of the mind or consciousness is highly regarded
in the Tibetan system, which recognizes that our health involves not
only the physical circumstances acting upon our bodies but that the
ideas and mental patterns of the individual are subtle, yet powerful,
causative factors in bringing our specific health conditions into being.
The Tibetan doctor may recommend a change in factors that cause physical,
mental or spiritual stress in one's life. Lifestyle changes can
be the most important prescription given by the doctor. Do not be surprised,
when you consult a Tibetan doctor, if you are told to start or stop
a particular behavior or to follow a certain discipline in your life
and are sent away with no pills at all!
In Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, the function of all disease is to stimulate
one to develop compassionate activity. This is different from fear and
anger as the basis for confronting disease. If a patient can focus on
compassion for others and oneself the benefit will be realized on both
the physical and psychological levels.
Wise actions today can bring good health tomorrow. In this view of health
maintenance the doctor is more of a professional consultant than a trained
technician hired to maintain the machine. In the Tibetan system the
doctor is a diagnostician but is also a teacher and guide. Whether the
client receives and follows that guidance is a matter of personal choice
and discipline.
To
learn more about Dr. Dakpa's visit, call (404) 816-5510.
Teri Sivilli is a student of Tibetan Buddhism and the Special Projects
Coordinator for Drepung Loseling Monastery, Inc. Contact her at institute@drepung.org.
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Healing