To be
diagnosed with myasthenia gravis is a devastating experience, especially when
your doctor told you there is no known cure to date, except managing the
symptoms of your autoimmune disease. Don't feel desperate and despondent because
you have no idea how you got the autoimmune disease; despair will only
lead to worsening of your autoimmune disease symptoms. Self-efficacy, which is
self-belief, is critically important in healing any disease. Since time immemorial, it has
been human nature to get healed from disease and disharmony in the body and the
mind. For thousands of years, physicians and sages have acquired and
assimilated wisdom in healing.
What is
wisdom in healing?
Wisdom
is the ability to interpret information in order to influence one' s
choices in actions that will ultimately transform the body and the mind. Wisdom
in healing is therefore the use of right choices for right actions to
facilitate the natural self-healing process innate in humans.
The
wisdom of some of the ancient health and healing systems manifests the
importance of holistic wellness and the power of natural healing:
(1) Hippocrates (born around
450 B.C.) was the Father of Medicine. His Greek medical system was based
on moderation for a balanced lifestyle
in harmony with nature for natural healing. Hippocrates once
said: "A wise man ought to realize that health is his most valuable
possession, and learn how to treat his illnesses by his own judgment." In
other words, if an individual takes good care of his or her health, that
individual is in fact saying: "Doctor, you're fired!"
(2) The
Tibetan health system came under the influence of Buddha, and
Tibetan monks who practiced compassion and mindfulness. Tibetan medicine
emphasizes virtuous conduct, a healthy diet, regular daily activity and
seasonal routines to promote all-round health and natural healing. In addition,
its medical system heavily relies on herbal cures for natural
healing. For more information on Tibetan natural healing, go to: The Five Tibetan Rites, a set of physical
activities to promote physical and mental wellness.
(3) The
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also embraces an extensive herbal
medicine. For thousands of years, Chinese doctors have believed that
"qi" (internal life energy) flows throughout the body by
way of channels or meridians. This internal life force is capable of
continuous circulation to provide oxygen and nutrients to different parts of
the body when there is balance between opposite
of "yin" and "yang." Essentially, these internal “qi” energies are enegies of the universe. Imbalance results in stagnation or blockage of "qi", which is the cause of disease. (For more information, visit my website: Chinese Natural Chinese Natural Healing.)
(4) The
Ayurveda system in India
The
major difference between the wisdom of these long-standing health systems and
that of modern Western medicine is that the former focuses on the prevention
and natural healing, while the latter emphasizes the cure and the removal of
disease symptoms. There is a saying that if the only tool you have is a hammer,
then everything looks like a nail to you. For Western doctors, their hammers are
the prescription drugs. They emphasize eliminating the symptoms of disease,
instead of eradicating the causes.
Western
medicine provides invaluable medical knowledge through experimental research,
while the ancient medical systems provide wisdom. Knowledge does not
necessarily make one wise; true wisdom is the intuition, interpretation, and
application of right knowledge.
To find
out more about wisdom in living, read my book: The Book of Life and Living.
The
first step towards coping with myasthenia gravis is to empower yourself with knowledge
about the autoimmune disease, and then take appropriate actions to eradicate
its symptoms. Healing is possible if you believe it.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
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