A Holistic Approach

“A holistic approach is a recognition of the homogeneity and wholeness of life.  Life is not fragmented; it is not divided.  It cannot be divided into spiritual and material, individual and collective.  We cannot create compartments in life: political, economic, social, environmental.  Whatever we do or don’t do affects and touches the wholeness.  The homogeneity. We are forever organically related to wholeness.  We are wholeness, and we move in wholeness.” –Vimala Thakar, Indian Social Activist and Spiritual Teacher

The word “holistic” is derived from the Greek holos, which means whole. Holos implies the understanding that, as Aristotle said, “The whole is more than the sum of its parts.” A holistic healing philosophy, holism, considers all the potential contributing factors to a person’s well-being and understands that everything affects everything. 

Holistic medicine does not distinguish between conventional and nontraditional or alternative therapies, it embraces the best of both worlds.  One way to view a holistic philosophy is thinking of it as a blended approach to health care, taking the best from both worlds. Usually, a portion of my patients treatment plan is rooted in conventional medicine with the intention of cultivating the lifestyle skills that might allow them to discontinue some or all of their medications over time. The benefit is that while they are learning how to live, they remain protected. 

Holistic medicine requires a new way of thinking. Conventional medical treatment targets a specific disease process, while the holistic model focuses on creating balance. Thinking of it as a lifestyle is a more accurate description than simply a treatment. When people ask me what is important, my answer is: everything. That is what a holistic approach is about. The human body actually possesses the ability to heal itself, but it can only do so if one is living a balanced life. 

Traditional medicine, with its narrow, fragmented lens, ignores the concept of balance and has little respect for the laws of nature. Medicines and surgery can only do so much. The distinct nature of Western lifestyles takes a huge toll on our health. Unfortunately, the Western model assumes medical science will relieve us of our responsibility for our health and provide the solution to our toxic lifestyle so that we do not have to change.  When we accept responsibility for our actions it becomes clear that chronic disease is the natural outcome of our toxic lifestyles. 

We must choose a lifestyle that promotes health. As we align with the laws of nature, we are able to connect to the “ease” necessary to reverse the “dis-ease” process.