Hi Tom -

I would agree that intention is HUGE in medicine (in everything, but that's
not the point here). I've one patient - who has breast cancer - who
absolutely does not believe allopathic medicine (i.e., chemo) will help her,
but has to receive it because of her insurance in order to get naturopathic
treatment. Her oncologist told her that her cancer had fully metastasized,
and that she would live only another three months, tops. That was two years
ago, at which point she assembled a 'team' of alternative practioners and
has done everything she was told. One of the things I have worked with her
on is the mind-body connection, being present, and having pure and clear
intention. Her tumors are gone, she has undergone very little chemotherapy,
and is healthy in body, mind, and spirit now. In contrast, I lost a patient
a couple of months ago with a similar health history, but who believed her
MD when he said her breast cancer was metastasized and to put her affairs in
order. She did, and she died within the three months she was given. This
patient did not do much of what I suggested - fear is huge here in NC as a
means to control patients - and her health steadily declined, though she
continued to see me for counseling on end-of-life emotions.

Intention is everything. If you work with a patient using whatever
modalities you use and know that you will help, you will. If you whine
about not having this or that available to you and so you can't make a
difference, then you won't. There are many variables, of course, and the
patient's belief in you also matters, but most will not continue to come and
to pay you if they don't think you can do anything!

Interesting topic, and a big one... Thanks for bringing it up...

Be well,
Chance Diebold
Wilmington, NC

-----Original Message-----
From: NDPhilosophy@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NDPhilosophy@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of moehabbahoo
Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 1:33 AM
To: NDPhilosophy@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NDPhilosophy] Intention and the sort...

I hope everyone had a great holiday season and that this new year is
healthy and prosperous to all.

I wanted to share an interesting discussion a good friend and I had
today at lunch. We started talking about intention. We agreed that
intention plays a big part in outcome, whether it be in medicine or
not. For example, the intention the doctor brings during treatment.

That led to another observation, that of patient belief. If a person
who is seeking health does not believe that a certain medicine or type
of medicine is going to help them, than it probably won't. On the
other hand if a person believes, or is led to believe, that something
is going to help them, than it probably will. Another example, I have
a close relative who does not believe that naturopathic medicine could
help his health problems, but he does believe whole-heartedly that
when he goes to his MD and gets prescription drugs, that he will feel
better. And he does feel better, even though his body may be getting
worse.

Then we brought a third variable in, the power of the medicinal
substance. Many drugs overpower a persons free will, and in turn may
change their beliefs. Then they are dependent. Other substances do
this to us; sugar, caffeine, alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription
drugs, etc. On the other hand, we are being instructed to use gentle
medications, one's that will help and support an individuals own
healing process.

We then realized that quite possibly for effective treatment and
health promotion all three factors (intention of the giver, belief of
the receiver, and the nature of the medicine) have to be aligned.
Many of our modalities and even or philosophy tell us to work with the
body to promote healing, not to over-ride it and force it.

I dont mean for this be a long post, I tried to be to the point.
Please offer comments, and those of you who are in practice please
share if this way of thinking is inline with what you have
experienced. I am still a student who sits on my rear end all day and
looks at words and pictures to learn medicine, at least at this point ;)

Thanks!
Tom




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