Traditional Jewish therapy performed [Spiritual Issues]

[Guest guest]

Phil wrote:

> (3) http://tinyurl.com/24r2ra says: " My grandmother Alehah Hashalom (who

grew up in Yerushalayim,

> pre-war), remembers how the Arab women used to use this method. A

> historical analysis I once read, found the origins of this practice to

> be in the pagan practices of the Pre-Islamic Arabs. There are many

> such examples. Nowadays, with all of the eastern " medicine " that is

> becoming so popular in some circles, we have to be very careful in

> what we learn from them. On the one hand, some of what they seem to

> have learned over the centuries can teach us (e.g. acupuncture has

> shown to be beneficial in many studies for some uses especially in the

> alleviation of pain.) But let us be very careful that we are not

> engaging in practices of Avodah Zarah. "

 

 

i was reading something this weekend about being careful about what to

continue from the classics or works from previous dynasties. the example

was used that a famous Qing dynasty physician used a hangmans rope in

decoctions based on prevelent superstitions of that era. obviously common

sence dictates not to continue the practice.

 

 

Yehuda replied:

> I am familiar with his opinion, Phil. The torah world is a cornucopia

> of opinions, many expressing their authority without basis. Whether

> the dove cure is an ancient Jewish tradition or whether its origins

> are of a folk basis, is really of secondary importance. When engaging

> in any therapy, it is the practitioner's intention that is important -

> does the object in and of itself possess healing properties, or is it

> an energy source or gift from the Creator to be humbly used as a

> conduit to direct healing from Above. The fact is that in traditional

> mainstream Torah circles this cure is used and is viewed as the

> latter, and is certainly not to be viewed as an expression of animal

> sacrifice which would be forbidden. My very best, Yehuda

 

>

> _we

>

 

we could view our medicine in this light. i mean we try to explain in tcm

(or western scientific) theory how it all works, the acu and the herbs, but

really, it can't be explained. and intention seems to play a key role.

this is what, i believe, separates us from west. med, and why we'll never be

peers, we have an entirely diff. philosophy of med and healing. an entirely

diff. practitioner (doctor if you will)/patient relationship. (i would

argue ours is superior in this regard). whether or not we meditate/pray

prior to each an every tx, and even though the communist party has tried, we

cannot take the spirituality out of our medicine. whether we emphasize it

or not, its still a player.

 

more and more i dedicate/give up my life, in a spiritual way, to my role as

a 'healer' of this medicine. like the shaman of the tribe, this medicine is

my life. i cannot separate clinic/office/personal. its all, more and more

one complete integrated whole.

 

kath_._,___

 

--

Kath Bartlett, LAc, MS, BA UCLA

Oriental Medicine

Experienced, Dedicated, Effective

 

Asheville Center For

70 Woodfin Place, Suite West Wing Two

Asheville, NC 28801 828.258.2777

kbartlett

www.AcupunctureAsheville.com