All World
Gayatri Pariwar

In the previous article concerning Spirituality and Psychology, it was mentioned that Spiritual Psychology is the key to wellbeing and holistic development. Before analyzing these aspects in depth, we should note that apart from several other factors, good health and strength of the mind- body system is essential for wellbeing and development on all fronts of life. So let us discuss the topic of Spirituality and Health (of the mind- body system) first.

In the parlance of modern sciences, the issue of health (physical fitness) falls under the purview of Health Sciences — incorporating preventive as well as therapeutic healthcare. With rising causes and complaints of diseases and disorders (including psychosomatic disorders), a need has been felt in the modern system to integrate Alternate and Complimentary Therapies along with Psychology in the mainstream Health Sciences. However, barring limited hospitals and medical research centers, an integrative system is far from the reach of the masses. The scenario is worse on the front of preventive healthcare. For preventive care, for treatment of psychosomatic and psychological disorders, and also for vigorous improvement of otherwise normal health, and enhancement of vitality and immunity, the principles and practices of spiritual science are most relevant. These should be effectively adopted to achieve holistic health.

The upcoming trends of healthcare underline the need for holistic or multidimensional approach. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not necessarily the absence of disease and infirmity”. In a popular article [1] Dr. HS Wasir, the then Head of Cardiology Department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences had pointed out the need of a fourth dimension: spiritual well-being. He asserts that spirituality energizes the other components of health, namely, physical, mental and social. Similar views are also expressed by several other medical professionals of international repute.

By and large it is globally accepted today that the predominant approach of ‘clinical health’ or ‘symptomatic treatment’ often suppress the cause of the disease instead of identifying and uprooting it. This approach cannot ascertain good health even after ‘recovery’. A comprehensive approach focused at removal or thorough treatment of the root-cause of an ailment is required for viable health. Ethno-medical systems like Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, and Homeopathy, that consider a person’s physical, mental, and emotional nature as a whole in the diagnosis and treatment of a disease appear promising in this regard. Though slower in initial effects as compared to modern medicine (Allopathy), these methods if practiced thoroughly are supposed to provide steady and lasting healing effects.

Major challenges before the modern medical system and health-sciences pertain to prevention and/or treatment of tension, stresses, anxiety, emotional complications, etc and related psychosomatic disorders. “Tension” and “Stress” universally recognized causes of a wide range of diseases are gripping larger and larger sections of the developed, urban and upper middle class, including the youths,across the world. The other members of the human society too are not free from their clutches. Stress is no longer regarded as only a psychological problem. It has been affirmed as a principal cause of several health hazards such as – heart attacks, angina, arrhythmias, hypertension, peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, autoimmunity, certain kinds of skin diseases, and even some forms of cancers. A close cousin of “stress” is “depression” which also causes or aggravates a wide spectrum of psychosomatic disorders, including low blood pressure, anxiety, suicidal tendency, insomnia, some kinds of cancers, amentia, epilepsy, sciatica etc. Savants predict that if the present trends continue, it might become third (after cardiac problems and cancer) major cause of untimely death.

Significant efforts have been made in psychiatric and psycho-medical sciences in recent decades, to find feasible and effective modes of “stress management” via several kinds of seductive medicines, nerve-relaxing games, exercises, amusement tools and recreation-activities for mental diversion and rejuvenation. However, these alone have not been able to tackle the problems. Moreover, recent times have witnessed continued increase in the numbers of cases and complexities of stress, tension, depression, etc. Consequent health issues continue to rise every year. In fact, stress, tension, depression, etc, are too complex and deep-rooted to be managed like other ailments; these cannot be removed by external means alone.

Neither modern medical science nor any alternative medication mode has been able to ‘cure’ stress, depression, etc, without incorporating some sort of psycho-spiritual healing. But then a natural question arises — how spirituality could help combating these problems? In what respect would it be different from and would complement use of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology? Still broader question is what should be the mode of incorporating this new dimension into health care modules? Can healthcare system ensure health for all by focusing on this component?

Before attempting to answer these crucial questions and addressing related issues of what one is supposed to do at personal level to benefit from it, we should first understand that Psychiatry and Psychology, as experts of modern medicine also affirm, deal mainly with mental well-being, that too in the sense of not having any abnormality or disorder. The diagnostic and therapeutic modules under these disciplines mainly focus at weakness or malfunctioning at the level of brain and endocrine system. The entity of mind itself is recognized and studied here with respect to behavioral aspects and manifestation of brain functions. Whereas, mind being a sublime faculty, requires spiritual strength for its healthy and happy functioning.

The role of spirituality in healthcare has several dimensions: (i) preventive impact of spiritual outlook and spiritual practices (sadhanas); (ii) overall well-being, and improvement and enhancement of vitality, immunity and physical and mental potentials by augmenting spiritual strength; (iii) spiritual healing.

Preventive Impact of Spiritual Disciplines:
As we all know, the secret of sustaining healthy and hearty life lies in keeping adequate balance between regularity of exercise, food, and rest, for the body and maintaining the calm temper and positive, intellectual, and joyful creative activities of the mind. Conditioning and training [2, 3] of the body and mind is the foremost requirement to attain and maintain good health. Spiritual disciplines and practices are universal modes to achieve this end on our own via sincere efforts, with inspirational guidance of spiritual masters and/or their enlightening books and discourses. Could there be a more effective way, that too free of cost?

Self-control over the passions of sense-organs is universally advised as the foremost spiritual discipline. Yoga-practices like Âsanas, Bandha, Mudra, Pranayama [4, 5] and meditation [6] together with disciplines of healthy and austere food, fasting for one day per week, etc are widely experienced and affirmed as most effective and supporting methods for natural self-restraint over sensory passions and mental agility. Âsanas help physical exercise of all parts of the body in a harmonized way; Bandhas prevent drainage of vital energy, Mudras activate and augment mutually supportive effects of the five basic elements and hence help fine-tune the vital (bio) chemical activities and physiological functions in the brain and rest of the body. [The type and level of these practices should be chosen under the guidance of an adept yoga-teacher as per one’s age and physique.]

Spiritual Practices Generate Vigor, Vitality, and Vibrancy:
Pranayama is of unique importance in generating vigor and in also in controlling and positively energizing the mind and its inner core. Practice of pranayama requires deep, rhythmic breathing at a consistent pace of time; and holding it after inhalation and exhalation in each cycle. The durations of holding the breath out and in are increased gradually as per one’s natural capacity, and as guided by the yoga-teacher. This entire exercise requires firm determination and mental concentration. More importantly, it’s a meditative practice with which some imagination and feeling is also associated. For example, it could be about extraction of prana – vital spiritual energy – from the universe; its absorption in the one’s body and mind, and its consequent effects.

Dhyana (Meditation) is a higher-level practice of yoga that not only calms and rejuvenates the mind, helps sharpen its potentials and strength, but also gradually awakens and prepares it for spiritual progress.

The time-tested teachings, lives and works of saints and sagacious great personalities show us the true light of religion. Their words of wisdom, like the eternally consistent teachings of a true religion, though expressed in different languages and ways, give us instant support, strength, hope and positive directions in the moments of adversity, hardship and tensions, and thus alleviate the possibilities of stress, depression, anger, and other negative traits. Reading and contemplating over such illumined thoughts is an essential component of spiritual endeavors of sadhana; it is a simple but effective means of mental wellbeing, illumination of thoughts and
emotions, and virtuous progress [7] .

Chanting of devotional hymns and prayers with a feeling of surrendering the ego/self-identity at the feet of God, also calms the mind, relieves its pains and sorrows and fills it with new energy and joy. Prayers are a powerful means of soothing the emotions, generating hope and optimism, channelizing emotional energy and awakening the goodwill indwelling in the inner self. A spiritually fit person is therefore more focused, alert, and free from problems of stress, tension, depression, anger, and all kinds of mental complexes and emotional complications. He / She is protected from dissipation of vital energy and thus from all infirmities/weakness. Such a person thus becomes physically and mentally stronger and dynamic, and also enjoys emotional peace and bliss.

Spiritual Healing:
Spiritual Healing (or faith-healing, as it was popularly called in the western countries until modern scientists began to recognize the vast domain and firm foundation of spirituality) had been used by mankind in varieties of ways since prehistoric times. In fact, this perhaps was the earliest mode practiced in different forms in different parts of the world to cure the physical and mental suffering of the masses.

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life and healthcare known as the earliest science of medicine is derived from the Vedic knowledge that treats all life-forms as spiritual beings. Mantra therapy, Yoga therapy, healing by blessing and transmission of vital spiritual energy of the yogis, saints and spiritual masters, and healing through prayers, have been integral part of treatments recommended and practiced in ancient India. Ayurveda’s pharmacology too, in its original form, relied on awakening the vital power of herbal/plant medicines by specific spiritual sadhanas.

Ancient Chinese science of medicine also incorporates similar approaches. Prayers, touch-healing by the masters has also been common to the ethno-therapies practiced in almost all parts of the world. Pranic Healing, Hypnosis, Reiki, etc also rely on use of vital spiritual energy of the masters/expert healers. By and large it is commonly experienced across the globe that people often pray for fast recovery and vigor when they themselves or their near- and-dear ones fall sick.

Some modern medical centers and research groups have also taken up to thoroughly investigate the effects and scientific basis of spiritual healing practices. This is a good beginning and a major step towards recognition of Spirituality in Health Sciences.
It is time we realize that devoid of spirituality, no resource or support – be that physical vigor,mental sharpness or prosperous social status – can ensure positivity and righteousness in one’s inter-personal dealings and responses to life’s many pressures and challenges and consequent stresses. Indeed spirituality is the core of health in the truest sense of well-being.

References:
1.The Fourth Dimension. Article by Dr. HS Wasir in the health column of Indian Express, Bombay Edition, December 25, 1993. pg 9
2. Niroga Jeevan Ke Mahatvapurna Satra. Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Samagra Vangmaya Vol. 39. Publ. Akhand Jyoti Sansthan, Mathura; UP, India. 1995.
3. Health Tips from the Vedas. (Compilation and Translation of Hindi articles published in “Akhand Jyoti”; Edited by Dr. P. Pandya
and Shambhu Dass). Publ. Vedmata Gayatri Trust Shantikunj, Hardwar, 2007.
ISBN: 81-8255-021-1.
4.Pragya Yoga for Healthy & Happy Life. (English Translation of Hindi book “Pragya Abhiyana Ka, Yoga Vyayama” by Brahmvarchas). Publ. Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj, Hardwar, 2007. ISBN: 81-8255-025-4
5.Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandh (Book by Swami S. Saraswati). Yoga Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, 2002.
6.Japa, Tapa, Dhyan — The Triple Path of Sadhana. Publ. Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj, Hardwar, (2nd Ed.) 2008.
7.What is Spirituality? (English Translation of Hindi book “Adhyatma Kya Tha, Kya Ho Gaya, Kya Hona Chahiye by Pt.Shriram Sharma Acharya). Publ. Vedmata Gayatri Trust Shantikunj, Hardwar, 2007. ISBN: 81-8255-025-4