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Western medicine is not holistic as it’s focus is primarily upon the body completely ignoring the mental, emotional and spiritual components. In fact, the Vedic philosopher and teacher, Jeffrey Armstrong, refers to the modern Western physician as a “body geek”. The separation of the body from the mind and spirit began gradually and then surged with the ascendancy of Christianity.
Fueled by both ignorance and arrogance, Christian clergy and their theologians began dismissing reason, logic, scientific inquiry elevating faith. The sixth century Pope Gregory warned that faith would be weakened and destroyed if reason prevailed: “Faith has no merit where human reason supplies the truth,” he stated.
To strengthen their view of faith over reason, the church taught:
Quickly, scientists and physicians distanced themselves from any metaphysical matters dealing with mind and spirit, focusing exclusively on the physical body. Armstrong writes: “Since independent scientific thinking was persecuted and often punishable by death at the hands of religion…. scientists divorced themselves from he spiritual questions of life that could challenge the ruling religious elite. But in India, no such persecution of scientific thinking every occurred.”
Fueled by both ignorance and arrogance, Christian clergy and their theologians began dismissing reason, logic, scientific inquiry elevating faith. The sixth century Pope Gregory warned that faith would be weakened and destroyed if reason prevailed: “Faith has no merit where human reason supplies the truth,” he stated.
To strengthen their view of faith over reason, the church taught:
- Illness was caused by human sin, a harsh and distorted form of Christian Karma whereby God sent diseases to punish;
- Mental illness was caused by Satan and his army of demons and it was the church which had the “cure” - exorcism.
- Physical illness was to be treated by prayers of faith offered by the clergy.
Quickly, scientists and physicians distanced themselves from any metaphysical matters dealing with mind and spirit, focusing exclusively on the physical body. Armstrong writes: “Since independent scientific thinking was persecuted and often punishable by death at the hands of religion…. scientists divorced themselves from he spiritual questions of life that could challenge the ruling religious elite. But in India, no such persecution of scientific thinking every occurred.”
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Loving-kindness is the thought of wishing total happiness for others and putting that wish into practice. It is the thought of unconditioned, pure, and universal love towards all beings without attachment, self-centeredness, or expectation of rewards. - Tulku Thondup
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Acts of wisdom and acts of compassion are actions of oneness. Compassion without wisdom is dysfunctional. Wisdom without compassion is fruitless. - Victor M. Parachin
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An ongoing, multinational European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study collected data over a 16-year period from more than half a million men and women from 10 different countries. Based on their research, the study concluded the group that drank the highest amount of coffee—the top 25%—had a lower risk for all-cause mortality (death by any cause), compared to those who did not drink coffee.
That's one side of research. Other studies, however, come to an opposite conclusion, namely, that coffee consumption may shorten lifespan, raise cholesterol and triglycerides, increase inflammation markers, and if you are a genetically-slow caffeine metabolizer, it may increase the risk of non-fatal heart attacks. Other studies show it may cause insomnia, fatigue, cerebral infarction, as well as cardiovascular complications and caffeine withdrawals. In women, it may interfere with contraceptives ad postmenopausal hormone balance.
Dr. John Douillard, who writes about this issue, (https://lifespa.com/coffee-extends-life-according-global-study/) offers this way of responding to scientific studies which contradict one this way: "Whenever I see conflicting science on both sides of the scientific aisle—which is all too common—I look for wisdom from our ancestors. What was the traditional use of coffee? What were the predicted benefits and risks from traditional systems of medicine that have been in place for thousands of years?"
That's one side of research. Other studies, however, come to an opposite conclusion, namely, that coffee consumption may shorten lifespan, raise cholesterol and triglycerides, increase inflammation markers, and if you are a genetically-slow caffeine metabolizer, it may increase the risk of non-fatal heart attacks. Other studies show it may cause insomnia, fatigue, cerebral infarction, as well as cardiovascular complications and caffeine withdrawals. In women, it may interfere with contraceptives ad postmenopausal hormone balance.
Dr. John Douillard, who writes about this issue, (https://lifespa.com/coffee-extends-life-according-global-study/) offers this way of responding to scientific studies which contradict one this way: "Whenever I see conflicting science on both sides of the scientific aisle—which is all too common—I look for wisdom from our ancestors. What was the traditional use of coffee? What were the predicted benefits and risks from traditional systems of medicine that have been in place for thousands of years?"
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I would like to make a distinction between spirituality and religion, because they aren't quite the same thing. Spirituality can be a very personal experience, while religion provides support from other people who are trying to move in the same direction. But sometimes religion gets tribal, and then it becomes "us" against "them." - Lama Tsomo
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A few years ago, an eleven year old girl was watching television program while at her elementary school. A a dish-washing liquid commercial came onto the screen, she recalled. What sparked her attention was its tagline: "Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans."
"Two boys from my class said, 'Yeah, that's where women belong, in the kitchen,'" she said. "I remember feeling shocked and angry and also just feeling so hurt — it just wasn't right and something needed to be done."
Returning home, she told her father about the incident who recommended she write letters to people who could make a difference. She wrote to U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton, TV journalist Linda Ellerbee and attorney Gloria Allred, in addition to addressing a letter to the soap manufacturer. To Markle's surprise, she received "letters of encouragement" from all three women, and a camera crew even came to her house in Los Angeles to cover the story. And the campaigning didn't just encourage discussion and change on a local level either.
"It was roughly a month later, when the soap manufacturer Procter & Gamble changed the commercial for their ivory clear dish-washing liquid. They changed it from 'Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans' to 'People all over America,'" she said.
"It was at that moment that I realized the magnitude of my actions. At the age of 11, I had created my small level of impact by standing up for equality."
That eleven year old girl was Meghan Markle, now engaged to Prince Harry of England. The lesson: we can make a difference if we will only act.
"Two boys from my class said, 'Yeah, that's where women belong, in the kitchen,'" she said. "I remember feeling shocked and angry and also just feeling so hurt — it just wasn't right and something needed to be done."
Returning home, she told her father about the incident who recommended she write letters to people who could make a difference. She wrote to U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton, TV journalist Linda Ellerbee and attorney Gloria Allred, in addition to addressing a letter to the soap manufacturer. To Markle's surprise, she received "letters of encouragement" from all three women, and a camera crew even came to her house in Los Angeles to cover the story. And the campaigning didn't just encourage discussion and change on a local level either.
"It was roughly a month later, when the soap manufacturer Procter & Gamble changed the commercial for their ivory clear dish-washing liquid. They changed it from 'Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans' to 'People all over America,'" she said.
"It was at that moment that I realized the magnitude of my actions. At the age of 11, I had created my small level of impact by standing up for equality."
That eleven year old girl was Meghan Markle, now engaged to Prince Harry of England. The lesson: we can make a difference if we will only act.
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We shouldn’t act upon or express every feeling and impulse that arises; we need to retain the authority to restrain, act or let an impulse pass. - Ajahn Sucitto