The Basis of Holistic Health

In a small book, A Practical Guide to Holistic Health, Swami Rama lays out some basic health principles which are unlike those found in other health articles or books. He was an authentic Indian sage who taught hundreds of students during the last half of the twentieth century while living a simple life of good health, good humor and constant service to humanity. He founded a vast teaching hospital in northern India called the Himalayan Institute Hospital, and a teaching and retreat facility, the Himalayan Institute, in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

The words in italics below are his.

1. The basis of holistic health lies in one's understanding the purpose of his life and learning how to achieve that purpose. People who are able to focus on a single goal are not torn by conflicting pressures. To work steadily toward a single goal is less stressful and more productive.
2. What label one attaches to this purpose -- happiness, perfection, health, a state of tranquility, nirvana, samadhi, Godhead -- is immaterial.
3. For such purpose oriented people whatever they think, speak and do is in accordance with their purpose of life. They regulate their habits and know that physical and mental health are not two different things, but are inseparable units which are essential for maintaining holistic health.
4. All human beings have the inner potential and skill to be completely healthy. One must understand his inner skills and resources and use them as much as possible in order to insure perfect health. Health is not an external application; it is internal ability that can occasionally be assisted by external factors like doctors or medicine.
5. By simply studying one's own capacity and learning how to regulate one's dietary habits, external activities, and thinking process, it is possible to gain control over his life and remain healthy. Over the past two hundred years of western culture, we have been trained to give control to medical doctors. This has created a very dysfunctional and costly relationship. Only by controlling our own health with infrequent consultation with doctors can we have robust health with minimum cost.
6. Attitude is the most important factor in realizing health. The four remaining points are all interrelated. A positive attitude about our own potential is necessary so that we can develop the contentment, satisfaction and awareness that are required.
7. It is inner contentment and mental satisfaction which are the real keys to health. The Scriptures say to “Put away all covetousness and seek contentment; for the covetous hath ever been deprived, and the contented hath ever been loved and praised.” A person who is not content is doomed to unhappiness for regardless of what may be obtained physically, it will always be lost.
8. The mental aspect of health is more important than the physical, and the spiritual aspect of health is of greater importance than either of these. This implies that the foundation of physical health is mental health and the foundation of mental health is spiritual health. Since many people today struggle with spiritual belief, it might be helpful to expand our understanding of spirituality to include not only theistic belief systems like the Abrahamic religions and non-dualistic belief systems, but also the spirituality of non-religious works like those of Eckhart Tolle.
9. Ultimately, one becomes aware of the center of consciousness within, that flows outward in various degrees and grades. This particular level is called spiritual health. One who remains constantly aware of this center enjoys all the gifts of life. This is the essence of Eckhart Tolle’s books, The Power of Now and A New Earth. It is also the essence of Yoga in the largest sense of the word.

These nine points are taken from the website of my dear friend, Swami Jneshvara Bharati, who was a student of Swami Rama’s for many years.

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