In the last 100 years, Western medical techniques have drastically modernized the way we see medicinal approaches for minor, intermediate, or major illnesses and surgeries. It’s quite often that a person would hear about an Indian or Chinese cough treatment and feel uneasy about their antiquated style of medicine. Medical science is surely a product of our modern culture and practices, but does that mean the old ways are outdated and have no use for us? Let’s find out…!
Key Differences
The main difference between the two practices is the perception of body and mind. For the East, body and mind go together like two peas in a pod, but for the West, they are as split as they can be. In Eastern traditions, the mind and the body are one and should be treated as such. They both come with the same energy and should not be taken as separate entities. In the West, on the other hand, both mind and body are seen as two different parts of a person that have to be treated differently. For example, in Western practices, poor digestion and depression are two highly different conditions that different professionals should treat. In Eastern practices this is perceived as one — both illnesses have the same source of the problem and should be treated like one.
Is The Mind Over The Body?
Western medicine treats the body and does not acknowledge energy fields and self-healing. The power of the body comes from itself, which splits the idea that the mind has control over the strength of the body. Eastern medicine focuses on the so-called “subtle body,” which enhances your body through the power of the mind. The idea is the flow of energy and the way we think of what is possible and impossible. An interesting concept is the different opinions of the two approaches regarding stress. Stress is prevalent in our days, and lots of people find it hard to deal with it.Looking at it from a Western point of view, stress is something that a psychologist should take care of. It is not related to an illness of the body. The East sees it as a problem that affects the body and can potentially cause severe trauma to our internal organs.
Should You Let It Be?
Like the cultures, these medicinal practices have very different opinions on what to do with the body/mind. For the practices of the West, the mind is the brain, which is an organ, ergo should be fixed as a part of the body. The approach of the East is seeing the mind/body as a self-healing mechanism. This results in treatment done by balancing the energy fields and ridding them of energetic blockage. In the end, that which can be said by studying both schools of practice is that Eastern and Western medicines should learn from each other in order to evolve and be more efficient. Ruling one out and saying that only one is the true approach can close our minds to the possibility of finding that golden middle ground to how we take care of our body and mind.
Final Thoughts
Whatever the case may be, try to think of it this way — an illness or a condition can only be truly healed when you marry thoughts and habits. Health begins on a conscious level and is supported via your habits. Your body is a self-healing mechanism, but that does not mean you should blast it with toxins nor ignore what you feed it. Feed your body with good food, good thoughts, good emotions, and lots of love and watch it bloom.
Stay healthy.