> Holistic Healing

Illness, not health, is quickly becoming the norm in our country. Statistics show that childhood, chronic degenerative, autoimmune and malignant diseases are steadily increasing to epidemic proportions. So the question that everyone is asking is: "Why are we so sick?"

Physiologists, scientists who study the normal functions and phenomena of living things, have a very simple explanation. Essentially all of the organs and tissues of the body perform in an integrated manner to maintain harmonious balance. The term "homeostasis" is used by physiologists to define the maintenance of constant conditions in the internal environment. For instance, the lungs provide a steady flow of oxygen to the blood and cells, the kidneys work to balance mineral concentrations and the gastrointestinal system absorbs, assimilates and excretes food nutrients and waste. All of these functions operate under various laws of nature, some well understood and others not. Good health results when these homeostatic mechanisms function without interference. Disease occurs when homeostasis is negatively affected and the body reacts, compensates, or in the end stage, degenerates in response to offending factors. Pathology is the study of abnormal physiology or disease, which unfortunately is the state most people present to their doctors.

Most of society equates good health with proper nutrition, regular exercise and a moderate lifestyle. At least that is what wholistic medicine has been preaching over the years. But is that enough?

Healing philosophies that have evolved from the knowledge of preceding civilizations over the last 7,000 years, have a markedly different perspective and emphasis. If the total health and consciousness of the body could be represented by a pyramid, this pyramid could be broken down into five levels.

PDF Diagram of True Health Pyramid

Level One

The lowest level is the physical body. It is not placed at the base because it is less valuable; instead, the physical body is the foundation upon which everything else rests. It is our connection to the earth and the source of our physical energy. The physical body is identical with what we see, feel, hear, smell and taste. It ends at the skin surface.

This level is the home of conventional medicine and many wholistic modalities. The laws of biochemistry, physiology and mechanics govern here. Eating right, supplementation, herbs, exercise, fasting, massage and a healthy lifestyle are examples of appropriate physical body therapies.

Level Two

The second level is the electromagnetic body. It is the sum of all electrical and magnetic events caused by the activity of the nervous system. These measurable forces act as spark plugs, initiating cell-to-cell communication along an information highway. Theoretically, these biomagnetic fields extend into space beyond the skin and into infinity.

On this level, acupuncture, neural therapy, magnetic therapy and reflexology are fitting. These therapies have an organizing effect on the nervous system and are governed by the natural laws of neuro-physiology.

Level Three

The third level is the mental-emotional body. This is where feelings, perceptions, attitudes, intelligence and to some degree, beliefs are formed. All humans are generally identical on the first two levels; however, it is at this third level where the uniqueness becomes evident. Only mathematics is able to conceive the expansive size of this and the next two higher levels.

Here, techniques such as psychotherapy, counselling and homeopathy may be helpful. The laws that govern this level are simple: nurture and love a child, keep it safe, nourished and warm and provide it with the opportunity to learn. Any violation of these needs has consequences leading to fairly predictable distortions of mind and body.

Level Four

The fourth level is the dream body. Dreams may act as an interface between the conscious and subconscious realms. At the same time, they may only represent factors that one has only recently experienced and/or distortions of reality. This is the highest level at which an interaction between physician and patient is possible.

The dream body is benefited by balancing the lower three levels. Family healing that develops respect and love between all family members is vital to success here.

Level Five

The fifth level is the spirit body. The only relationship that exists here is the relationship between the individual and his/her spiritual beliefs. No physician, psychologist, guru or religious figure can impart this level onto anyone. Those who have truly experienced this level have an attitude of deep respect and love, and understand that it cannot be explained using language. The spirit body extends beyond infinity.

The spirit body may or may not be helped through prayer or meditation. One must turn inwards and upwards. Create time and space to be alone. The laws that are operative here are gradually revealed to us as we mature.

Achieving Balance

True health requires simultaneous work and balance on all five levels. Each level has its own order and its own laws. The lower three levels belong to the personal realm and the fourth and fifth levels to the transpersonal realm. Each higher level has an organizing influence on the lower levels. Phenomenon that we observe in the physical realm may occur simultaneously also on the other four levels. In fact, the physical body can manifest problems occurring on the other levels. However, you can have problems in the higher levels, which have not yet penetrated down to the lower levels.

Health and wellness is certainly more than just taking vitamins and eating good foods. One must ask, "Where in my life has homeostasis gone askew?" and then take steps to achieve balance. It is only after this that the question "Why am I sick?" can be answered.

Garrett Swetilikoff is a naturopathic physician, as are his father and brother. His busy practice in Kelowna, BC, specializes in prolotherapy, neural therapy, chelation and hyperthermia. Garrett can be reached at 250-868-2205 or gswetlikoff@shaw.ca.

Source: alive #239, September 2002