Journey to the IOM Integrative Medicine Summit

As soon as I learned of the Institute of Medicine Working Summit on Integrative medicine and the Health of the Public, mere words cannot describe the hope, the longing, the relief, the responsibility and the joy that welled within my being. Although my journey has been long, it has not been completely solo. Rather many other health practitioners of various healing modalities and traditions have journeyed far, have longed for a day when, perhaps, we would, at least be invited to the table. After all, we work side by side despite the agencies and institutions that have constructed the walls. We all have the same goals in mind--Healing.

With that in mind, I read the venue. Something within just clicked. This was a continuation of the conversation the James Reston and his 1971 New York Times article, "Now, About my Appendectomy in Peking" initially reignited. His subsequent articles detailing Chinese medicine in closed, communist China captivated the world's attention. For many in the West, this served as an introduction beyond the stories that generally filled sanctioned media. Although it introduced other ways of knowing, of seeing, treating and integrating healing, it more fully acquainted the west with the people of China. The unexpected and unintended consequences of the hybrid discourse that ensued, propelled many upon the associative paths of study. Yet, looking back in time, I sincerely believe that the west was taken by surprise!

Chinese medicine is not the only medicine that has value. Indeed, there are so many healing modalities and complete systems, many of them ancient. Nevertheless, they have stood the test of time. More importantly, the rituals of daily living which they have have prescribed have served as preventative measures and/or delimited the progression of disease. When engaged in accordance with worldview, each inherently contains more value. (I've studied so many for such a long time:-)

Understandably, the Summit sparked my interest. I submitted registration and anxiously awaited approval. This was to be a CONVERSATION- shared dialogue, listening and speaking. it provided opportunity to learn from each other and extend the aggregate wisdom to patients and families seeking a better quality of life. What could be more fulfilling?

Thanks to a dear friend in DC, everything was planned perfectly. Additionally, being in DC with her would grant us time together. Dr. Diane "Dwan" Tai, who does so much wonderful work has also committed this year to uplifting healing. Her last minute acceptance to the Summit was also a precious gift. All equated "Double Happiness."

Yet just before the summit, something overwhelmed me. Somehow, I felt less than worthy, less than up to the task. Nervousness and excitement collided. Thanks to a few friends dear words, the incredible energy of all the lives that have intersected with mine within the course of healing, of my pursuit of learning so many modalities and the experiences of my Chinese medicine masters completely filled me with an incredible energy, a force of lightness and strength at the same time. Indeed, I believe that many of the healers out there unknown to me were connected within that surge--Oneness realized! Thanks so much for ALL you do!

Upon the wings of all that shared experience, that life, love, hope and healing energy, I was ready. The footsteps were not merely my own. My body merely executed them. For the sake of others, we travelled on to partake of a grand conversation, to give and to receive. Yet, the 缘分 (yuan fen) destiny and synchronicity had only just begun. The best had yet to come...........

Love and gratitude to all who empowered and encouraged the journey, especially Lonnie Hodge, David Wolf, Dr. Ashis Brahma, Maynard Clark, Diane Tai, Marissa and David, my dear Tongxue and SO many more! We journey together! Namaste, 湘君。

Integrative& Aboriginal Healing--Light For the New Year!

Obviously, I thought this post would detail more about the World Summit, but life sometimes deals its own hand. I WILL write more about that here within the next few weeks. However, something more compelling prompted me to write, to share.
As many of you know, the last few years in the United States, particularly 2008, was punctuated with unprecedented actions, including the suppression of health information not only within its borders but also within various regions of the world. This has been confirmed by numerous physicians, healers and entrepreneurs worldwide. Yet, these actions have also included the introduction and implementation of some controversial laws in Ohio and New Jersey. These included the "gag order" on anything related to nutrition unless, of course, with the exception of nutritionists. Such actions/mandates call so many aspects of life and human rights into question, I hardly know where to begin. I welcome conversations and comments related to this! However, the most disconcerting aspect of such legislation has led me to question the value of cultural knowledge, cultural practices and, of course, how these acts greatly delimit our survival as humans or "Divine Primates," as my friend Earon Davis so accurately details.

While many problems and challenges do exist within the US healthcare system, its associative agencies, and, indeed, throughout the world, I want to focus on some little rays of sunshine, casting such brilliant light. After all, this is a NEW YEAR! This is a time for Healing, Expansion and creativity!

From the bottom of my heart and the depths of my being, I wish you, your loved ones and those whose lives you touch and those whose live touch yours a happy, loving, healing and fulfilling 2009!

*Among the few bright shining stars, I want to highlight the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District in Russia , now actively investigating, exploring and seeking ways to implement a truly innovative system within the region. Every time I think of it, it makes my heart smile. For those of you who are unaware of the minority region and its traditions, I'll briefly explain that many consider this region the birthplace of Shamanism. Other traditional medicine also exists within the region, as well. Yet, Russia has the foresight to engage people in collective knowledge and truly integrative healing for the sake of its community. By doing so, they have placed medicinal knowledge, both aboriginal and western on more equal footing.
More information here

I have often stated that looking at symptoms simply as they are and then drawing the connections and then alternately looking at them through the pre-defined International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is in fact looking at the condition through dissimilar yet intersecting lenses. While the ICD often provides a shared language or point of context, it does not detail conditions, causes and context as richly as traditional medicines, despite the seemingly simplistic classifications and/or translations. The convergence often times offers new insight.

More importantly, however, the population of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District in Russia is diverse and overwhelmingly aboriginal people. Due to the deficiencies of and/or conditions not well addressed by western medicine, highlighting the cultural and ethnic disparities, engaging and incorporating the knowledge, cultural practices and adapting the western medical system to partner, actively demonstrates a concomitant strategy to insure the greatest health/ quality of life for the aboriginal people and by extension peoples who live beyond the borders. After all, many conditions we are experiencing and currently naming and/or identifying through the ICD have existed through the ages.

For their efforts, I applaud Russia and the medical school within the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. Indeed, many others throughout the world have engaged such strategies, including but not limited to China with recognition of Chinese medicine, Zhuang Medicine, Mongolian and Western, Thailand, Mali, some Northern European countries and Indonesia, which perhaps embodies the most medical pluralities.

Yet, all of these traditions, these systems, healers of various traditions and practices and people who seek healing have co-authored these integrated systems.
To each of them, I am eternally grateful.

We all stand upon the shoulders of the ancients. We are all related. So, with this little bit of light, of hope, of hands reaching for and embracing collective knowledge, I leave you, all the while hoping it makes your heart smile at least one one-hundredth as much as it makes mine. Thanks so much for being you! Namaste,湘君