History of Holistic Healing Methods
The oldest texts are from the Far-East. According to the Ayurvedic (= the science of life) medicine of India and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the foundation of health is balance, which is created by the harmony between matter, energy and spirit.
For Ancient Greek natural philosophers, health was harmony, while disease was a manifestation of disharmony. The restoration of health meant the restoration of balance within the system (Hippocrates, Galenus).
According to the Salerno School of Medicine (the first such school in Europe), the foundations of a healthy life are air, food and drink, sport and rest, sleep and awareness (being awake), humours and excrement, as well as mood and emotional state.
According to Paracelsus, the health of a human is determined by the “inner doctor” – that is nature and life itself within the body, and the “medicine healing from within” – that is inner substance.
Theory
The holistic approach considers wellness, wholeness and health as most valuable, continuously striving for balanced existence.
It takes into account all aspects of an individual’s life: physical, mental, general and emotional well being, as well as spirituality and faith.
The holistic approach means a search for tools that help realise our desires and find our personal power and strength.
If someone wishes to find health and wholeness, she will quickly realise how important it is to take care of our connections and relationships, as well as our environment and planet. It is just as important to tolerate and accept the differences between humans, and to be able to practice mercy and compassion towards them.
Holistic Healer
A holistic healer has to understand that our discomfort and pain arise from, and are indicators of, imbalance.
This imbalance can be a physical problem, such as an unhealthy lifestyle and lack of respect for the body.
The imbalance, however, can also mean that our mental, emotional and/or spiritual needs are not being met.
A holistic healer must take into account all these aspects together when establishing a diagnosis. It is with this complex information that the healer sets out to find the best possible cure.
Equipped with a precise diagnosis, the healer is able to work with the given person on physical, mental and emotional levels.
On the emotional level, it is through decisions and forgiveness that the patient can make progress.
The mental level requires understanding and meaning given to the situation.
A given disease or injury can have a positive outcome for the patient if she learns from it and avoids making the same mistake again.
With correct knowledge and realisation, the patient can feel relieved and happy.