Pujya Gurudev Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya’s Kripa
Healthcare
and Spirituality
(Akhand
Jyoti,Nov.-Dec.2008)
Before attempting to answer these vital questions
and addressing related issues of what one is supposed to do at personal level
to benefit from it, we should first understand that Psychiatry and Psychology,
as renowned experts of modern medicine also affirm [1] ,
deal mainly with mental well-being, that too in the sense of not having any
abnormality or disorder. The diagnostic and therapeutic modules under these
disciplines mainly focus at weakness or malfunctioning at the level of brain.
The entity of mind itself is recognized and studied here with respect to
behavioral aspects and manifestation of brain functions. But mind is a faculty
of consciousness force. It exists at a much higher and sublime plane than the
brain. It derives sustenance and evolutionary thrust from spirituality.
Spirituality pertains to enlightenment and vigor at the levels of subconscious
and unconscious mind and hence at the deeper roots of emotions [3 .
The
role of spirituality in healthcare has several dimensions:
(i)
spiritual healing;
(ii)
preventive impact of spiritual practices;
(iii)
overall well-being, and improvement and enhancement of vitality, immunity and
physical and mental potentials by augmenting spiritual strength.
(i)
Healing: Spiritual Healing (or faith healing, as it was
popularly called in the western countries until modern scientists began to
recognize the vast domain and sound foundation of spirituality) had been used
by mankind in varieties of ways since prehistoric times. In fact, this perhaps
was the earliest mode practiced in different forms in different parts of the
world to cure the physical and mental suffering of the masses.
Ayurveda,
the ancient Indian science of life and healthcare known to be the earliest
science of medicine is derived from the Vedic knowledge of spirituality. Mantra
therapy, Yoga therapy, healing by the vital spiritual energy of the yogis,
saints and spiritual masters, prayers have been integral part of treatments
recommended and practiced in ancient India [4] .
Ayurveda’s pharmacology too, in its original form, relied on awakening the
vital power of herbal/plant medicines by spiritual practices. Ancient Chinese
science of medicine also incorporates similar approaches. Prayers,
touch-healing by the masters has also been common to the ancient healing
practices in almost all parts of the world. Pranik Healing, Hypnosis, Reiki,
etc are revived forms of these modes of treatment, which are being popular
among the health conscious people these days. Also, across the globe, most
people pray for fast recovery and vigor when they themselves or their near and
dear ones fall sick.
Some
modern medical centers and research groups have also taken up to thoroughly
investigate the effects and scientific basis of spiritual healing practices. We
shall report their findings in some future articles.
(ii) Preventive
Care: We all must have experienced it in our day-to-day
transactions that a relaxed and balanced mind is more productive than one that
is agitated and tensed. Tension and stress may lead to wrong decisions and
further aggravate the negativity and consequent risk of disturbing mental and
physical health. So we must prevent the causes of stress. Conditioning and
training [5] of body and mind is the foremost requirement
to achieve this. Spiritual disciplines and practices are universal modes for
preventive care and healthy development (growth) of mind-body system .
Spirituality
is the essence of all religious teachings. It should not be confused with
observance of rituals, communal customs, ceremonial sacraments and doctrines.
Self-study and improvement of thinking and actions in the light of illumined
teaching of elevated souls is an integral component of spiritual
practices . Reading of religious scriptures and attending
discourses/discussions on these are also often prescribed for self-study. But
it should be remembered that what is referred in this context is only the
text which deals with pure knowledge, which inspires human mind and heart
towards divinity. Every religion has this light at its core. It is the soul of
religion. Indeed the ultimate purpose of true religion is to motivate people to
righteous actions. Unfortunately people only regard the ‘body’ – the external,
sacramental, dogmatic form – of their religions as per the popular norms
of majority belonging to their ‘commune’ and thus confine their faith and religiousness
only to these superficial horizons.
The
time-tested teachings, lives and works of saints, irrespective of when, where
and in which society they were born, what was the so-called religion of their
parents, show us the light of religion. Their words of wisdom, like the
eternally consistent teachings of a true religion, though expressed in
different languages and ways, give us instant support, strength, hope and
positive directions in moments of adversity, hardship and tensions and thus
annul all possibility of stress.
Reading
and contemplating over such sagacious thoughts is therefore a simple but
effective mode of remaining free from all stresses and depression. Chanting of
devotional hymns and prayers with a feeling of surrendering our ego, our self
identity at feet of God, also calms the mind, relieves its pains and sorrows
and fills it with new energy and joy.
Self-restraint,
which is an essential discipline and foundational component of spiritual
practices, prevents downward flow of the currents of praña (life force) and gradually
enhances vital energy, inner strength and willpower. A spiritually fit person
is therefore not only free from stresses, depressions and all emotional and
mental complications and protected from dissipation of his vital energy and
hence from all infirmities, but he/she also becomes physically and mentally
stronger, alert and dynamic.
Yoga
exercises ( asanas and prañayamas ) are also parts of
spiritual practices for sustenance of healthy and hearty life. Meditation is a higher-level
yoga that not only calms and rejuvenates the mind, but also gradually awakens
and prepares it for spiritual progress.
We
must give ourselves a chance to experiment with the above stated spiritual
practices. It will also help cultivating a positive temperament to see the good
indwelling within and pervading around us.
(iii)
Progress: Spirituality, because of its reach into the deeper
depths of emotions, has intense impact on one’s aspirations and thought
process. Spiritual attitude trains us to live harmoniously with our environment
and to meet the challenges of life, at personal, familial, professional and
social levels [3] . It thus elevates clarity and focus of
mind and sharpens its incisive intellectual potentials.
Yoga,
in its totality, is a practical science of spiritual progress. It makes you
realize yourself and know and use your total potentials and powers. Once your
mind is trained to recognize all this with the help of meditation and other
higher-level yogic endeavors, all your selfish desires, ambitions, attachments,
greed, envy, anger, negative instincts, etc loosen
their grip and are gradually uprooted completely. This unfolds the beginning of
absolute well-being.
Thanks
GOD, Thanks Sadguru,
Shiv
Sharma
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