Illness and healing in the context of cultures

Abstract

Sentient beings – humans included – develop in complex interactions of body and mind; these in turn interact with their social and geospheric environment, and all of this is embraced by a divine universe. Disease is an imbalance of the human being with a) himself; b) the environment; c) the universe. Generally, there is no body without information and structure (mind) and there is no mind that would not express itself physically. Consequently consciousness is eminently important for healing. All ancient cultures are wholistic and religious. Rather than to look at their systems of healing through the lenses of scientific thinking and the concepts of our time they should be viewed as complementary to Western scientific thinking and medical practice so as to enlarge our healing visions and practice.