In addition to the concepts of integrative, alternative and complimentary medicine which were discussed in the first issue of Healthy Times, I would like to add holistic medicine. As the name implies, it embraces the totality of an individual: body, mind, and spirit.

The words for “holism” come from the Anglo Saxon word hal and the Greek word holos, giving us the meanings of health, hale, heal, whole, and holy. In other words, to be healthy is to follow a sacred path.

Today, with the help of Einstein and other scientists, we understand much better that we and all in the universe are composed of energy or spirit, and we must bring ourselves into harmony with the energies in which we live and move and have our being.
We begin by honoring our bodies - the temple which houses spirit - with healthy food, regular exercise, adequate sleep, fresh air, and pure water. We consider all that we put into our physical bodies to insure that the best energies are working to promote high-level wellness.

Likewise, we consider what energies make up our emotional and mental bodies, for research has also shown the powerful connection between our thoughts and feelings and our physical body.

The late Evarts Loomis, MD, Father of Holistic Medicine and founder of America’s first holistic medical retreat (Meadowlark, here in Hemet) found that physical symptoms were often a clue as to what was going on in a person. For example, if a person had headaches, he would ask “What or who is the biggest headache in your life?” The question was to be answered quickly without any thought, and the answer often surprised the respondent because he was not consciously aware of what was bothering him.

Similar questions included “Do you have a problem you need to get off your back?” for chronic backaches; “Are there situations in your life that you do not wish to see?” for eye problems; and “What sort of situations get under your skin” for skin eruptions and itching.

Lastly, we need to be sure we are connected to the source of energy. This can be through prayer, meditation, music, art, dance, literature (including sacred texts) and nature.
High-level wellness strives for a balance between body, mind, and spirit so that we may find wholeness, healing, at-onement with spirit. As you can see, holistic practitioners include all that makes up the whole person.

Fay L. Loomis, MA, Health and Growth Associates, lectures, writes, and holds workshops on holistic health. You can reach her at 951-927-1768.