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Sandy’s Journey: Early Years, Medical School, Four Noble Truths, Psychosynthesis, Homeopathy
ОглавлениеThe journey into the essence of my Soul began with eager intellectual study and a search for meaning in life. “From Intellect to the Intuition,” has been my path, as I loved more abstract philosophical teachings, seeking my highest spiritual destiny and vocation, amidst a deeper search for truth within all of life. Intuitive knowing is about synthetic understanding and listening to the small silent voice within. This journey has continued for me into the loving realm of the Spiritual Heart, which pulsates throughout the Universe. Ultimately, the mind and heart must work together.
As a child, I eagerly embraced my Lutheran church (I loved the music and honestly thought about the spiritual lessons that were offered). But, I was also very eager to visit my friend’s places of worship- of all faiths- other Christian churches or Jewish temples, and later learning more of Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist traditions, etc., I was seeking a deeper level of understanding (under the outer form of religions- to what was more central for all of humanity).
Then, I began to meditate while attending Knox College, in Galesburg, IL. While I was a pre-med major, taking biology and chemistry courses, I also loved philosophy. And, in walking into a meditation class, I just told myself that a scientific attitude was one of open-mindedness to the experiment or experience. Therefore, I needed to not pre-judge something- simply to be a neutral observer.
Amazingly, I felt an immediate quieting of my very active mind-chatter. I entered a state of calm peace and profound awareness, that lead me into a lifetime of exploring and practicing Eastern & Western approaches to meditation, healing, and spiritual growth.
I could easily integrate science, philosophy, and medicine into a world-view that included spiritual principles. I was intrigued with the symbolic spiraling of the template of life, in pictures of DNA and the evolution of our planet, or for that matter- with the universe. I truly felt that we were not the only intelligent beings in the galaxy. Really, looking at our planet now- we must humbly know that there are more evolved beings out there (and probably a few that are behind us as well). My spiritual belief was, and still is, a very inclusive one.
I had grown up in Chicago, Illinois, in an average appearing family, but one that was a challenge for my siblings and myself, having alcoholic parents. Things were not easy- a lot of the time. But, I can now say “God bless them.” This life has offered me the opportunity to work on my own reactions, attachments and to grow in compassion! Willingness is the key to opening the door to one’s deeper process of healing and transformation.
I am sharing this part of my life, to offer hope to anyone that is in the midst of suffering, or experiencing a time of challenge in his or her life. In my search for a way through painful times, I found that ultimately, how we perceive the world around us and where we focus our innermost thoughts is vital.
I do respect a number of spiritual teachers, from many traditions, that have tried to assist humanity over the many years of Earth’s history. But, the spiritual teachers that have impressed me the most, have been those that did admit to their own personality or ego imperfections, and also had suffered on this planet. (In our spiritual essence we are perfect, but usually our personalities are not - life on this planet has been an ongoing process of healing and evolution in consciousness.)
Also, they did not blame others, but took it upon themselves to seek the highest spiritual truths and to bring divine light, love, wisdom and power into areas of pain or darkness in their own lives first.
Then, as many of the major spiritual traditions say- we are all part of a larger stream of Life as well; no man or woman is an island (although we can delude ourselves with the idea of separatism). So, in climbing the mountain of spiritual growth, moving toward enlightenment, filling one’s heart with joy and love, the path of service becomes apparent as well.
As we assist others, in whatever means of service calls to us, we continue to grow as well. This is not about lecturing or dogmatism. This is more like those little daily acts of kindness. We are powerful beings. No more victims. Service may be very practical, like helping a neighbor with groceries or it may be in holding a thought-form or blueprint of a new enlightened planet. To be of service, includes an understanding, that we are all connected in the light of right relationship. A healthy attitude of detachment from the world of material stuff is also helpful. Think about what you really do need in life.
I found that the “Four Noble Truths,” of which Gautama Buddha spoke, are a reflection of this process, in seeking true freedom from pain and suffering. The Buddha and the Christ are spiritual brothers in service to humanity. The outstanding message of the Christ, was that of faith, hope and love. And of all these, the greatest gift was to develop and embrace “Inclusive Love.”
The Buddha found and offered enlightenment, a lighted mind, free from attachments and a path of inner freedom and compassion for all of life. The Christ brought in the path of love and alignment with divine will. He is the teacher of teachers and filled the heart and mind of Jesus with his grace. They both offered teachings to assist the human family, with each person choosing how to live their life, according to their own free will. This is a planet of choice and of learning.
The Four Noble Truths are:
First Noble Truth: Life is full of suffering. As we examine our lives and those around us, it becomes very real, whether that suffering is at a physical, emotional or mental level. We cannot avoid the suffering of birth, sickness, loss of loved ones and death. And life is also full of joy and happiness! But, everything in the third- dimensional material world is impermanent. All life forms on Earth go through a cycle of life and death, from plants to humans.
Second Noble Truth: The truth of the cause of suffering. The direct causes of suffering are desire or attachment to things, with craving and ignorance. Desires are endless- for material things, good food, entertainment, a promotion, or a hot date. Unmet expectations lead to suffering, unless one is really detached from the outcome. Attachments or addictions limit our consciousness and blind us to the underlying nature of reality- ignorance is simply a lack of true understanding, as to the nature of life. As people read, meditate or search for more understanding, they are no longer deluded, and can see deeper connections of cause and effect.
Third Noble Truth: The truth of the end of suffering. The Buddha taught that the end of suffering is a state of happiness and great joy. To stop suffering, one must eliminate thoughts and desires which hurt others or oneself. Ill will, anger, jealousy, greed, resentments, self-pity, grasping after material desires, and a life lived in ignorance must be released or transformed. Imagine a peaceful, clear mind and heart- letting go into a neutral place of acceptance with compassion for all beings. This is an enlightened state of mind, where one can live, without attachment or judgment, regardless of what is going on in the world around them.
Fourth Noble Truth: The truth of the Path leading to the end of suffering. This is called the “Middle Path,” or the ”Noble Eightfold Path,” between the world of polarity or of opposites. Through practical experience, struggle and observation, the Buddha saw that neither, living a life of attachment to indulgent pleasures nor a life of extreme asceticism was the way to go. We need to avoid extremes, of all kinds! In terms of spiritual practice, this is also referred to as walking the narrow razor-edged path – and it is very easy to be pulled off this path. So, we need determination to keep focused on seeking higher truths and balance that come from within. This may be sought in moments of tranquility in nature, or from prayer or meditation, where we can contact the Voice of the Soul, the Lord, Jesus, the Imam Madhi, the Christ, God, Buddha-nature, Source or the Creator.
The “Noble Eightfold Path,” is a way to heal oneself from suffering, the illusion of separatism and to guide one in being of service to others, with a peaceful heart and enlightenment. The eight steps or key concepts are:
1/ Right Understanding
2/ Right Thought
3/ Right Speech
4/ Right Action
5/ Right Livelihood
6/ Right Effort
7/ Right Mindfulness
8/ Right Concentration
Reference: There are many books on these teachings; one simple guide is “Teachings of the Buddha,” by Jack Kornfield.
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There are many paths to Higher Truth. My path may not be your path. And that is just fine! We each have our own distinct soul signatures or vibrations- like drops of water in a larger ocean. We are One and also distinct at the same time. We all need to simply honor and respect one another. A time of beautiful peace and creativity is coming to this planet. We just need to get our egos out of the way or to bring the light and love of our deeper connection to the forefront.
Be a lamp unto yourselves- discover the Source of God within you! God is both transcendent (beyond the personal ego) and immanent (inside)! This means that the energy and spirit of our Creator is within each cell of our being and also permeates the entire Universe within and around us. The Oneness that unites us is the light and love of the Creator that was exemplified as the Consciousness of the Christ, beaming through the Master Jesus.
We each have our own struggles and personality issues to transform and heal. And, we can extend that concept into families and even nations. Each point of crisis, can be like standing on the top of a mountain- we have a choice to slip backward or to leap forward with courage, to the next level of challenge or growth in awareness (consciousness).
True freedom comes with responsibility. We are not victims and it is not ok to blame others. We can tap into our higher inner guidance- God’s help-soul-Spirit to assist us. We have a link or pathway, to be empowered by the Divine, if we just ask with gratitude and sincerity. We are here on Earth for a purpose. What is yours?
I knew that I wanted to be a physician when I was in kindergarten- looking at a picture book with doctors and nurses. I went straight through school to that end, graduating from Rush Medical University. I was the serious, studious and athletic dork. My social life eventually followed in later years. In searching for complementary medicine options (in 1977), I left the mid-west for San Francisco, California.
I completed my internship and residency at UCSF and practiced in S.F. until 1985. It was great to be with people from many cultures and a variety of holistic healing methods in addition to excellent allopathic-traditional training. It’s nice to have a good emergency room nearby! While appropriate medical diagnostic workups are important, many alternative- complementary-integrative healing approaches are also quite valid, effective and safe.
I included psychiatric training in addition to medicine, to honor that the body affects the mind and the other way around, as well. I saw in my clinical training that spending seven minutes with an ulcer patient and then just giving them a routine medicine was not enough. Their story often included emotional pain, work stress, denied feelings or unconsciously repeating, negative coping patterns as well.
A person’s mood can change if they are in prolonged pain or distress. It is easy to be irritable with chronic pain or grouchy if one is overtired. On the other hand, emotions like anxiety, anger or sadness can easily trigger physiologic reactions in the body. Prolonged grief, or stress can impair the immune system, allowing one to be susceptible to many illnesses or contributing to heart or endocrine system problems as well. Each person can be affected in different ways and needs to be understood and treated as an individual.
After medical school, I also received training in Psychosynthesis (a growth- oriented form of psychotherapy, which goes beyond analyzing a problem, into finding more transformational or synthetic solutions, as we connect to our inner true Spiritual Essense) and Classical Homeopathy (a natural, integrative body-mind form of vibrational medicine that treats the whole person).
Psychosynthesis was developed by Roberto Assagioli, M.D., who was a pioneer in the field of transpersonal psychology/ psychiatry. Transpersonal means beyond the personality. So, after healing and integrating one’s personality imbalances or challenges, one can also develop the qualities of their higher nature or soul, such as compassion, joy, forgiveness, courage, honor, tolerance, unconditional love, etc. Actually, both one’s personal healing and transpersonal healing are interwoven.
If someone is stuck in self-pity, a good way out of it is to do something good for someone else or to reflect on the opposite quality, say of a healthy concern for others. Another example would be to seek courage during times of fear; that is to go forward, along with the fear, not denying it, but letting the higher quality of courage permeate and naturally absorb the fear.
Dr. Assagioli believed that there was more to us, than just the physical-emotional- mental aspects to our personalities. There is nothing new about this thought of a spiritual realm that guides humanity, but he was one of the first physicians to integrate the spiritual into his clinical practice.
This has nothing to do with religion or a set theology. People may have their own religious tradition that they follow. His work was to reach the heart and soul at a deeper level within each person, and to bring that experience into the life of that person, as the source of higher- level wellness.
Hundreds of books, ancient scrolls and online websites are available to explore this concept. Some concepts are more basic than others, while some texts discuss science and spirit in terms of quantum- photon physics, spiritual evolution and God as an energy of light that resides in every living cell.
My spiritual search lead me into thoughts of our higher destiny and purpose on this Earth. Over time, I was guided into the theme of this writing, which is about conscious preparation for our shift in consciousness before, during and after 2012. Really, the window of opportunity is right in the moment of Now! There is even a book called The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle- have you read it?
So, this is a good time to clean up our act, because whatever we think does become our reality and now, even more rapidly than in the past. In the near future, it will be instantaneous. Wow! So, do we want to project fear and anger, or love and faith, outwardly to others- knowing, like a mirror, that it all comes right back to us as well?
Some cosmologists say the Earth will be crossing the galactic equator soon and that the whole solar system is changing now as well. WE do have a choice though, given free-will, to shift into a higher dimension of consciousness (ponder on what that means).
My journey as a physician-healer-wellness coach, also lead me into the study of energy and vibrational medicine. I intuitively was lead to learn Classical Homeopathy, briefly at the Pacific Academy and then I entered the very excellent 3- year professional training program at the Hahnemann College of Homeopathy in Northern California. Since then, I have continued to study with homeopaths from around the world. A wonderful new training college, The American Medical College of Homeopathy, is now offering professional courses in this profound method of energy medicine (www.amcofh.org).
It takes many years to master the science and art of homeopathy. It has been practiced for over 200 years and is growing everyday, as more people discover it’s profound benefits. The practice of homeopathy carries ancient principles of body-mind-spirit healing into the modern world of energy-informational medicine. It is a safe, natural treatment for everyone, including with animals and in pregnancy. It is nontoxic and views each being as uniquely vibrating at an individual resonance, amidst the larger ocean of life. Each treatment is focused on the individual person, to stimulate their own life force and the wisdom of their innate healing mechanism.
At this time, exciting new realms of global transformation and spiritual-energetic healing are rapidly emerging for all of us. There is more to follow on this topic as you read further in this book.