Oct. 21, 2024
Healing Modalities, Faith and Our Societal Biases
Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
Amazon Music 
RSS Feed 
Castro 
RadioPublic 
PocketCasts 
YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Powers Within, Chapter VI Faith, pp. 54-55 This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2024/10/18/healing-modalities-faith-and-our-societal-biases/
Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are all available on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871
More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at www.aurobindo.net
The US editions and links to e-book editions of Sri Aurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com
1
00:00:01,040 --> 00:00:05,080
The prevailing wisdom in today's
world holds that science has
2
00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:09,320
understood enough about the
ideology of disease to be able
3
00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:14,360
to intervene and take steps to
mitigate or cure disease using
4
00:00:14,360 --> 00:00:19,640
drugs or even, at the cutting
edge, various forms of genetic
5
00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:22,720
intervention.
The practitioners of that
6
00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:26,360
science envision a day when they
will be able to change the
7
00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:31,160
genetic makeup of an individual
to eliminate certain diseases or
8
00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:35,240
even use this science to alter
the mechanism of disease.
9
00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:41,040
Modern vaccines using
recombinant RNA are used to
10
00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:45,040
awaken the immune system to a
potential future threat and
11
00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:49,520
thereby forewarn and forearm the
body against that disease.
12
00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:54,400
Research in monoclonal
antibodies is being used to
13
00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:58,680
provide protection against
certain illnesses, and new
14
00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:02,440
antiviral medicines are
developed to prevent viruses
15
00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:05,840
from reproducing in the body,
thereby aiding.
16
00:01:05,960 --> 00:01:10,680
The immune system, all of the.
Science is based on a specific
17
00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:15,120
line of understanding of biology
and Physiology and certainly
18
00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:19,440
provides a distinct line of
development over time that many
19
00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:21,920
people have come to trust and
rely on.
20
00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:24,600
What?
Is not heavily discussed,
21
00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:26,360
however.
Are potential.
22
00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:29,800
Side effects and unintended
consequences.
23
00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:34,400
Nor are other approaches
considered valid, even if they
24
00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:40,000
have a long history of success.
It is true that concurrently,
25
00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:44,160
Western science is exploring and
developing the use of lasers,
26
00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:48,640
concentrated beams of light
energy to effectuate certain
27
00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:53,280
treatments, as well as using
radiation therapies and even.
28
00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,800
Various dietary.
And lifestyle regimens to
29
00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,040
address certain chronic
imbalances.
30
00:01:59,920 --> 00:02:03,640
Antheogenic substances have also
started to be explored as a
31
00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:08,039
means towards understanding and
treating various conditions.
32
00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:11,800
Clearly.
There is room for other ways of
33
00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:15,280
understanding and approaching
the issue of health and
34
00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,960
Wellness.
Indigenous people around the
35
00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:22,080
globe have explored various
other ways of understanding
36
00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:26,280
human health, Wellness and
physical balance and harmony,
37
00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:30,840
prayer and faith healing.
The use of various forms of
38
00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:33,840
sound therapy through the
chanting of various sounds or
39
00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:36,720
mantras.
The use of various physical
40
00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:40,840
asanas, specific dietary
regimens, including in some
41
00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:45,200
cases the use of herbs,
meditation and harnessing the
42
00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:49,240
power of the mind and the will
are just a few of the methods
43
00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:50,040
seen.
In the.
44
00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:54,840
Ancient traditions of more
recent vintage, but nevertheless
45
00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:59,040
shown effective in certain
cases, is the use of homeopathic
46
00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:03,240
remedies which do not rely on
active ingredients the way
47
00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:07,760
Western medicine does, but on
energetic response of the body
48
00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:11,280
at more subtle levels.
Ayurveda.
49
00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:16,240
Traditional Chinese medicine.
Shamanic healers all have a long
50
00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:20,080
history and show successful
outcomes where practice with
51
00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:24,840
understanding and faith.
In fact, we see a resurgence of
52
00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:29,120
interest in these traditional
modalities even in the West, as
53
00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:33,120
the implications and unintended
consequences of the Western
54
00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:38,480
approach become more obvious.
These unintended consequences
55
00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:42,960
include in some cases serious
imbalances, disease conditions,
56
00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:47,520
even death of the patient, not
to speak of the high cost
57
00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:51,880
involved and the chemical waste
products that then enter into
58
00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:55,640
the environment.
Chemicals in the air, land and
59
00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:59,320
water resulting from our modern
day romance with chemical
60
00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:01,960
products as the cure all for
every problem.
61
00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:05,640
Are changing the very.
Nature of our Physiology,
62
00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:10,640
impacting chromosomes, changing
hormone balances, etcetera.
63
00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:15,640
In some cases, these waste
products actually create mutated
64
00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:20,560
disease vectors that become
antibiotic resistant superbugs,
65
00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,520
thus the apparent victory.
Of the Western.
66
00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:27,000
Approach turns into a long term
defeat.
67
00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:30,720
As the bacteria and.
Virus vectors find ways to
68
00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:36,720
survive and thrive faster than.
Western science can keep up what
69
00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:38,360
the.
Ancient traditions have found.
70
00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:40,280
Is that?
There are powers other than
71
00:04:40,280 --> 00:04:44,000
physical substances.
That can aid us in maintaining
72
00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:48,200
physical health and Wellness and
in restoring that balance when
73
00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:48,920
it.
Has somehow.
74
00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:51,960
Been lost.
We are already aware of the
75
00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:55,640
ability of the mind and will to
aid the healing process.
76
00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:59,720
Research has actually been done
that shows that meditation and
77
00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:04,840
yoga can aid in the treatment of
cancer, as per a 2014 study
78
00:05:04,840 --> 00:05:08,480
published in the journal Cancer
conducted at the University of
79
00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:11,120
Calgary and the Alberta Health.
Service's.
80
00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:17,000
Tom Baker Cancer Center In 2019,
another study published in
81
00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:20,720
Frontiers in Psychology
disclosed that those who had
82
00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:24,200
meditated for a.
Considerable time had longer
83
00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:27,280
telomeres.
Than those who did not meditate.
84
00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:31,320
The length of telomeres is
related to the aging of the
85
00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:35,120
cells, and they shorten as cells
age and die.
86
00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:38,880
Other studies have found similar
results.
87
00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:43,560
There was also a well advertised
case of a surgeon who was
88
00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:48,000
diagnosed with advanced cancer
and was told he had only a short
89
00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:51,560
time to live.
He decided to take a leave of
90
00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:56,200
absence from his job to sort out
his priorities and along the way
91
00:05:56,200 --> 00:06:00,120
he met someone who recommended
he take up a macro biotic diet
92
00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:04,600
and meditation.
He did so and forgot all about
93
00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:08,280
the death sentence hanging over
his head as he deepened his
94
00:06:08,280 --> 00:06:12,800
focus on his inner growth.
He simply forgot to die.
95
00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:18,680
Doctor Anthony Satellaros
autobiography recalled to life
96
00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:23,240
the story of my recovery from
cancer tells his story.
97
00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:28,680
It is no great leap to suggest
that as we continue to expand
98
00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:31,800
our understanding and reflect
upon the various different
99
00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:35,880
approaches, we could dispense
with many of the physical
100
00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:40,240
substances and go directly to an
energetic approach to healing
101
00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:44,160
that relies on the ability to
harness the higher and occult
102
00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:49,080
powers that we have tended to
disregard and our reliance on
103
00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:51,720
external support and means of
healing.
104
00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:56,320
The placebo effect gives us a
clue that should be a bright
105
00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:59,920
sign for us.
Along this line of approach,
106
00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:04,960
Triorobindo writes in his
Thoughts and Aphorisms quote.
107
00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:10,040
We laugh at the savage for his
faith in the medicine man, but
108
00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:13,160
how are the civilized less
superstitious who have faith in
109
00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,080
the doctors?
The savage finds that when a
110
00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:20,520
certain incantation is repeated,
he often recovers from a certain
111
00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:25,160
disease, he believes.
The civilized patient finds that
112
00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:29,240
when he doses himself according
to a certain prescription, he
113
00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:32,760
often recovers from a certain
disease, he believes.
114
00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:35,600
Where is the difference?
End Quote.
115
00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:40,000
The mother observes quote one
could.
116
00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:42,720
Say in conclusion that.
It is the faith of the patient
117
00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,240
which gives the remedy its power
to heal.
118
00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:50,960
If men had an absolute faith in
the healing power of grace, they
119
00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:54,920
would perhaps avoid.
Many illnesses end.
120
00:07:54,920 --> 00:08:00,560
Quote reference Sri Aurobindo
and the Mother Powers within,
121
00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:05,320
Chapter 6 Faith, pages 54 to 55.
00:00:01,040 --> 00:00:05,080
The prevailing wisdom in today's
world holds that science has
2
00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:09,320
understood enough about the
ideology of disease to be able
3
00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:14,360
to intervene and take steps to
mitigate or cure disease using
4
00:00:14,360 --> 00:00:19,640
drugs or even, at the cutting
edge, various forms of genetic
5
00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:22,720
intervention.
The practitioners of that
6
00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:26,360
science envision a day when they
will be able to change the
7
00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:31,160
genetic makeup of an individual
to eliminate certain diseases or
8
00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:35,240
even use this science to alter
the mechanism of disease.
9
00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:41,040
Modern vaccines using
recombinant RNA are used to
10
00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:45,040
awaken the immune system to a
potential future threat and
11
00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:49,520
thereby forewarn and forearm the
body against that disease.
12
00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:54,400
Research in monoclonal
antibodies is being used to
13
00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:58,680
provide protection against
certain illnesses, and new
14
00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:02,440
antiviral medicines are
developed to prevent viruses
15
00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:05,840
from reproducing in the body,
thereby aiding.
16
00:01:05,960 --> 00:01:10,680
The immune system, all of the.
Science is based on a specific
17
00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:15,120
line of understanding of biology
and Physiology and certainly
18
00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:19,440
provides a distinct line of
development over time that many
19
00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:21,920
people have come to trust and
rely on.
20
00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:24,600
What?
Is not heavily discussed,
21
00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:26,360
however.
Are potential.
22
00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:29,800
Side effects and unintended
consequences.
23
00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:34,400
Nor are other approaches
considered valid, even if they
24
00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:40,000
have a long history of success.
It is true that concurrently,
25
00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:44,160
Western science is exploring and
developing the use of lasers,
26
00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:48,640
concentrated beams of light
energy to effectuate certain
27
00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:53,280
treatments, as well as using
radiation therapies and even.
28
00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,800
Various dietary.
And lifestyle regimens to
29
00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,040
address certain chronic
imbalances.
30
00:01:59,920 --> 00:02:03,640
Antheogenic substances have also
started to be explored as a
31
00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:08,039
means towards understanding and
treating various conditions.
32
00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:11,800
Clearly.
There is room for other ways of
33
00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:15,280
understanding and approaching
the issue of health and
34
00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,960
Wellness.
Indigenous people around the
35
00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:22,080
globe have explored various
other ways of understanding
36
00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:26,280
human health, Wellness and
physical balance and harmony,
37
00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:30,840
prayer and faith healing.
The use of various forms of
38
00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:33,840
sound therapy through the
chanting of various sounds or
39
00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:36,720
mantras.
The use of various physical
40
00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:40,840
asanas, specific dietary
regimens, including in some
41
00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:45,200
cases the use of herbs,
meditation and harnessing the
42
00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:49,240
power of the mind and the will
are just a few of the methods
43
00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:50,040
seen.
In the.
44
00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:54,840
Ancient traditions of more
recent vintage, but nevertheless
45
00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:59,040
shown effective in certain
cases, is the use of homeopathic
46
00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:03,240
remedies which do not rely on
active ingredients the way
47
00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:07,760
Western medicine does, but on
energetic response of the body
48
00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:11,280
at more subtle levels.
Ayurveda.
49
00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:16,240
Traditional Chinese medicine.
Shamanic healers all have a long
50
00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:20,080
history and show successful
outcomes where practice with
51
00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:24,840
understanding and faith.
In fact, we see a resurgence of
52
00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:29,120
interest in these traditional
modalities even in the West, as
53
00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:33,120
the implications and unintended
consequences of the Western
54
00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:38,480
approach become more obvious.
These unintended consequences
55
00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:42,960
include in some cases serious
imbalances, disease conditions,
56
00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:47,520
even death of the patient, not
to speak of the high cost
57
00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:51,880
involved and the chemical waste
products that then enter into
58
00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:55,640
the environment.
Chemicals in the air, land and
59
00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:59,320
water resulting from our modern
day romance with chemical
60
00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:01,960
products as the cure all for
every problem.
61
00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:05,640
Are changing the very.
Nature of our Physiology,
62
00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:10,640
impacting chromosomes, changing
hormone balances, etcetera.
63
00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:15,640
In some cases, these waste
products actually create mutated
64
00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:20,560
disease vectors that become
antibiotic resistant superbugs,
65
00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,520
thus the apparent victory.
Of the Western.
66
00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:27,000
Approach turns into a long term
defeat.
67
00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:30,720
As the bacteria and.
Virus vectors find ways to
68
00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:36,720
survive and thrive faster than.
Western science can keep up what
69
00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:38,360
the.
Ancient traditions have found.
70
00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:40,280
Is that?
There are powers other than
71
00:04:40,280 --> 00:04:44,000
physical substances.
That can aid us in maintaining
72
00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:48,200
physical health and Wellness and
in restoring that balance when
73
00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:48,920
it.
Has somehow.
74
00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:51,960
Been lost.
We are already aware of the
75
00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:55,640
ability of the mind and will to
aid the healing process.
76
00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:59,720
Research has actually been done
that shows that meditation and
77
00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:04,840
yoga can aid in the treatment of
cancer, as per a 2014 study
78
00:05:04,840 --> 00:05:08,480
published in the journal Cancer
conducted at the University of
79
00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:11,120
Calgary and the Alberta Health.
Service's.
80
00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:17,000
Tom Baker Cancer Center In 2019,
another study published in
81
00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:20,720
Frontiers in Psychology
disclosed that those who had
82
00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:24,200
meditated for a.
Considerable time had longer
83
00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:27,280
telomeres.
Than those who did not meditate.
84
00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:31,320
The length of telomeres is
related to the aging of the
85
00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:35,120
cells, and they shorten as cells
age and die.
86
00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:38,880
Other studies have found similar
results.
87
00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:43,560
There was also a well advertised
case of a surgeon who was
88
00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:48,000
diagnosed with advanced cancer
and was told he had only a short
89
00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:51,560
time to live.
He decided to take a leave of
90
00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:56,200
absence from his job to sort out
his priorities and along the way
91
00:05:56,200 --> 00:06:00,120
he met someone who recommended
he take up a macro biotic diet
92
00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:04,600
and meditation.
He did so and forgot all about
93
00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:08,280
the death sentence hanging over
his head as he deepened his
94
00:06:08,280 --> 00:06:12,800
focus on his inner growth.
He simply forgot to die.
95
00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:18,680
Doctor Anthony Satellaros
autobiography recalled to life
96
00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:23,240
the story of my recovery from
cancer tells his story.
97
00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:28,680
It is no great leap to suggest
that as we continue to expand
98
00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:31,800
our understanding and reflect
upon the various different
99
00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:35,880
approaches, we could dispense
with many of the physical
100
00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:40,240
substances and go directly to an
energetic approach to healing
101
00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:44,160
that relies on the ability to
harness the higher and occult
102
00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:49,080
powers that we have tended to
disregard and our reliance on
103
00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:51,720
external support and means of
healing.
104
00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:56,320
The placebo effect gives us a
clue that should be a bright
105
00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:59,920
sign for us.
Along this line of approach,
106
00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:04,960
Triorobindo writes in his
Thoughts and Aphorisms quote.
107
00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:10,040
We laugh at the savage for his
faith in the medicine man, but
108
00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:13,160
how are the civilized less
superstitious who have faith in
109
00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,080
the doctors?
The savage finds that when a
110
00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:20,520
certain incantation is repeated,
he often recovers from a certain
111
00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:25,160
disease, he believes.
The civilized patient finds that
112
00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:29,240
when he doses himself according
to a certain prescription, he
113
00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:32,760
often recovers from a certain
disease, he believes.
114
00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:35,600
Where is the difference?
End Quote.
115
00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:40,000
The mother observes quote one
could.
116
00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:42,720
Say in conclusion that.
It is the faith of the patient
117
00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,240
which gives the remedy its power
to heal.
118
00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:50,960
If men had an absolute faith in
the healing power of grace, they
119
00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:54,920
would perhaps avoid.
Many illnesses end.
120
00:07:54,920 --> 00:08:00,560
Quote reference Sri Aurobindo
and the Mother Powers within,
121
00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:05,320
Chapter 6 Faith, pages 54 to 55.