Ancient Knowledge in a Modern World
Western medicine, as practiced in it’s present day form, is probably less than 100 years old and is a mere infant compared to that upheld by many of the worlds oldest cultures. Native American Indian, Asian Indian and Chinese medicine, for example, may be several thousand years old but they offer undeniably powerful, ancient solutions to many of the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual dis-ease and lifestyle issues we face in modern day society.
Wherever they are in the world, these cultures seem to incorporate the same basic principles of healing and spirituality and it is these very principles that we in the West appear to have, in many ways, lost sight of. Traditionally, in these cultures, ancient knowledge and wisdom was revealed to few; treasured secrets being taught only to those who were naturally gifted and who could be trusted to safeguard the art. For these ‘chosen few’, dedication was essential to the honing of their craft and fulfilling their life purpose – that of a ‘Spiritual Adept’ - one whom had earned the power to help spiritually heal those around them, both rapidly and effectively.
Changing Times
In many ways, the Western world with its exploded population and eagerness to ‘progress’, has shot itself in its ‘Spiritual foot’; core principles of ancient spiritual and healing practice have been consumed by society’s tidal wave embrace of convenience and commerce. Civilization and the Human personality have together become more complex and the ancient structures put in place to satisfy the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual needs of the individual have been gradually over loaded to breaking point.
Society may have evolved but the wisdom inherent within ancient traditions has been seemingly ‘lost’. Convenience has delivered the desired goal of ‘time’ but for many, instead of peace, joy and prosperity this extra ‘time’ has brought self-doubt, depression, confusion, fear, emptiness and dysfunctionality in relationships. In many cases the question asked is all too familiar:
“what is my purpose?” “what is the meaning of my life?” “why I am here?”
What if all we really want is to have peace, love, health and happiness? To feel we can be ourselves in relationship with those around us safely, trustingly and authentically?
Seeking but not finding?
Where there’s a need, there’s a solution and over time, a plethora of pills, therapies and remedies have made their way to the forefront of modern consciousness in a bid to prop up the apparently failing or frail western psyche. Moving from one therapy to the next, we ask others questions (that in ancient culture we would have been taught and encouraged to answer for ourselves), and never quite manage to find or believe the answer we’re given. Why?
We take our ill-health and emotional baggage to healers trained in a multitude of disciplines, comparing one form of energy with another but still we don’t feel ‘healed’, Why?
We turn to our community, friends and family, off-loading problems and perceived issues but ultimately, at home, we might start to feel the same isolation, resentment, paranoia, worthlessness or loneliness. Why?