INTEGRAL MEDICAL PRACTICE: UNVEILING WELL-BEING by Roberta Ribeiro

THE INTEGRAL MEDICAL PRACTICE: UNVEILING WELL-BEING. Explorations and Insights from Dr. Roberta Ribeiro in her Integral Medical Practice. Roberta E. G. Ribeiro, 2013. The digital version of this work is in the Public Domain, edited with the MedIntegral Seal on account of a unilateral decision by the author. In this case, Public Domain refers to the fact that the digital version of this work lacks Copyright, with only the Moral Right of the author to be recognized for its creation. Total or partial reproduction is permitted, by any means, without previous authorization. Thus, the digital version of this book may be – in its original or modified form – copied, printed and edited. However, the ORIGINAL AUTORSHIP of the text CAN NOT BE OMMITED.

RIBEIRO, Roberta E. Garcia The INTEGRAL MEDICAL PRACTICE: UNVEILING WELL-BEING - Explorations and Insights from Dr. Roberta Ribeiro in her Integral Medical Practice. / Roberta Ribeiro. – São Paulo, SP, Brazil 2013 . 247 p. A4 – (MedIntegral; 1) 1. Integral Medicine. 2. Integral Wellness. 3. MedIntegral. I. Title. MedIntegral is the name Dr. Roberta Ribeiro’s clinic where she practices Integral Medicine in Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. In conjunction with a network of specialists, Roberta dedicates herself to research in the fields of Health, and Wellbeing in Personal, Cultural and Social networking levels, as well as the creation and sharing of practices that promote Integral Health and Wellness.

THE INTEGRAL MEDICAL PRACTICE: UNVEILING WELL - BEING

INTEGRAL MEDICAL PRACTICE 78

EXPLORATIONS AND INSIGHTS FROM ROBERTA RIBEIRO’S INTEGRAL MEDICAL PRACTICE

INTEGRAL WELLNESS 165

InTranslation” (Translation of Interiors) 4 INTRODUCTION 5 A MEANINGFULNESS EPIDEMIC 10

INTEGRAL WELLNESS INDEX 182 SUSTAINABILITY 221 AUTHENTIC HAPPINESS 226

THOUGHT 30 EXISTENCE 65

This book is an invitation to a complete shift in perception about of how one sees the world and oneself, and for which the basic question is: Who really lives inside you?

InTranslation” (Translation of Interiors) “There is nothing but God, nothing but the Goddess, nothing but Spirit in all directions, and not a grain of sand, not a speck of dust, is more or less Spirit than any other”.

Ken Wilber

We tend to be so confident and sure of who we are and that we are who we think ourselves to be, that the idea brought by this question can be even vaguely associated to being sick. However, this sense of certainty consists is nothing more than the illusory reality of dreams. In other words, the “I” (or self) that is usually sure of being so alive is nothing but an illusory shadow of what (or who) really lives inside you. I exist, and therefore manifest in me.

existence

itself

can

The true work is not to change the way we live, but rather to discover what (or who) really lives inside us. In other words, who we really are. Not realizing this fact can be defined as “being contaminated by the epidemic of meaning”. This “epidemic” can consequently lead to living at the sidelines of Authentic Happiness, while never fully reaching it. In this so called “contaminated

state”, what separates you from Authentic Happiness is the gap between an illusory dream and what your life experiences have made of you - in other words, its certainty. To realize that what you seek can neither be found in your achievements, nor in the place are you heading towards in the future. Instead, this State of Mind can actually be found in the very simple nature of your own daily life and in the enchantment that inhabits the ordinary. What you seek can be equally found in the wonder of health and sanity, or in the feeling of being integrated, whole, and complete.

INTRODUCTION At the age of 5 years old, I had already internalized and expressed my desire to be a doctor to my family. Not only that, but I also expressed what kind of doctor I wanted to be: “I want to change peoples minds” - I used to say. In my innocence and “concrete-like” literal thought, I used to think that a Neurosurgeon could do exactly that, so I wanted to be one. In a ways that only life’s destiny or Divine providence can explain, my work today as an Integral Medicine doctor and coach, has reflected exactly my child’s dream, especially when I coach people to facilitate their transformation so they can become healthier and happier in their lives. Due to the low rate of success (cure) of chronicle disease and the desire to be a doctor of health, I ended up choosing the area of “Infectious Diseases” as my Medical Specialty. Besides that, the area of Infectious Diseases often involves working with communities and public health, and not only individuals. Even though it is still far from be a systemic view and acting in truly systemic ways, this field happens to come closer to a systemic approach than any

other medical specialty. So, not surprisingly, this was one of the main reasons that made me chose to follow this specialized medical path related. During all my years of medical practice, I have observed that allopathic drugs, in most cases, are agents that can induce the disappearance of symptoms. However, health is much more than the mere absence of symptoms.

As of today, the WHO (World Health Organization) is the most powerful organization related to issuing health statements, protocol and definitions - even though there are others organizations doing the same in the so called alternative field. However, these alternative health organizations are not so popular; neither have they had the full scientific approval by the Modern Science Academy. Some alternative health practices remain outside of official Scientific Methodology for two reasons:

Many alternatives practices are often not fully based on scientific evidence, and also because the scientific model is always evolving to move beyond its own limitations, instruments and methods of exploration. Otherwise, we could have already solved the elusive mystery of Life and uncovered the “miracle of being alive”. On the other hand, science can make some “miracles” too, such as artificial insemination, prosthetics that make disable people live more normal lives again, as well as transplants that keep people alive and/or give them better quality of life in general. All of these are important parts of the service provided by medical science in the real world. Besides that, Medicine, Science and most healthrelated fields of study and practice have been based and developed within a Capitalist SocioEconomic environment, which means that variables such as money and power are always involved. Capitalism has its own way to see the world and to make it work, according to its own principles. Many times, this approach is

manifested in inequitable and not so egalitarian ways. However, this is surely not the only way to conduct the business of Medicine, wellbeing and healing. There are many other initiatives that approach these areas with an intent of integrating more fairness, freedom, ethics, and equanimity, applied in distinct areas. The Gross National Happiness (GNH) Transitions Towns can be seen as examples of these proactive endeavors. Gross National Happiness (GNH) The Gross National Happiness (GNH) is an Index that measures both Sustainable Economy and Social Development, while protecting the environment and culture. The essence and the philosophy of GNH is to promote peace and happiness of all people, as well as the security and sovereignty of the nation. 1,2 This index was created in Buthan in 1972 and successfully tested in 2007. From then on, it has been implemented in Brazil, Canada and even in the

US. 3 Transition Towns The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Transitions Townsâ&#x20AC;? is a movement initiated in Totnes, England, by Rob Hopkins, who is an independent activist and writer of environmental issues. It consists in a network of communities working to build resilience in response to peak oil, environmental destruction, and economic instability. It is founded upon the principles of Permaculture, 4,5,6 which develops sustainable architecture and self-sustaining agricultural systems, modeled from natural ecosystems 7 .The idea has been adapted and expanded since 2005. Today, they are more than 460 of these communities around the World. 8

A Different Perspective of Health One of my main goals in writing this book was to present different points of view and integrate all of them together in a methodology that can allows us to see the whole matter of health more clearly and hence be able to make better

decisions related to our own health based in shared and finite material resources. If health is something more than absence of disease and goes beyond individual reaching into collective levels, how could we define it? In order to do so, we would need extra references, and the WHO has been the most significant and powerful official reference in our present SocioEconomic environment, so I will use it to start our health and wellness exploratory journey on health and healing. The WHO defines health as physical, mental and social wellbeing. Therefore, the so called healthy state is the result of physical constitution (such as genetic and metabolic functions), daily activities, behavioral choices, lifestyles, selfperception and knowledge about the best ways of living our lives.

aspects of how to facilitate the process of health, healing, and wellbeing In my research, I have explored many aspects, ranging from Modern Medicine, through Homeopathy, Anthroposophy, Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine (Indian), among others. Following that, I found the need to seek for and integrate different aspects of healing and caring for someone who is ill, by making use of a scientific approach to healing that could be meaningful, effective and trustworthy..

The Birth of this Integral Medicine Methodology

Coming out of this gradual process, a new way of approaching the Medical Practice was born, which pretty much constitutes the subject of this book. Hence, this is how my Integral Medicine Methodology was born. I have been applying this methodology in my MedIntegral clinic in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, for almost 10 years.

Based on these definitions, I found the need to seek for, in first place, alternative ways to develop tools and resources related to different

MedIntegral is the place where I practice the Integral Medical Approach to health and wellbeing. It works like a clinic, and is the place

where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve designed and applied the specific methodology based on the Integral AQAL Model, which I call Integral Medicine. In order to enable you, the reader, to better understand this new concept of Integral Medicine, I invite you to navigate with me through an inspiring and informative path that will hopefully help you to make sense of it by yourself: The history of the development of human knowledge and healing practices. So I can offer some extra background to those unfamiliar with the many theories, approaches and Schools of Medicine developed throughout history, I will discuss first, in more basic ways, about a few aspects of Physiology and Biology that I find necessary for a better understanding of the main concepts presented from now on. Following that, I will associate them to aspects coming from diverse complementary fields, such as Economics, Sociology, Philosophy, Spirituality, and Healing (among others), in order to supplement these formulations.

After this introduction, I will cover the subject of awareness (and its complexity), the concept of Integral Wellbeing (with all its perspectives), the State of Authentic Happiness, and finally conclude this exploration with the topic of Sustainability, which, as you will see, can be related to all of them. Conceiving the idea of being healthy as a state of integral Wellbeing, my intention as an Integral Physician is to promote this specific state of health and offer my patients the necessary tools and means so that they can achieve it by themselves. Over the years I have been working with this practice with individuals, as well as businesses, governmental institutions, NGOs, and other private organizations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; always doing my best to disseminate this novel concept and approach. As a result of this extensive process, one of my purposes in this book is to systematize and disseminate the knowledge acquired throughout this path, and at the same time offer you, the

reader, a glimpse of how to discover an Integral State of Wellbeingâ&#x20AC;Ś Then, you might realize that, perhaps what seems to you at first to be a path of challenging transformations and achievements of goals may just be the simple realization of the beingness or nature that is already existent (but still dormant) inside of you all along the path.

A MEANINGFULNESS EPIDEMIC Despite all our knowledge, there is still much ignorance about ourselves and who we really are.

Spiders build webs, monkeys jump, birds fly, and humans think. Each living organism has a specialty. Ours is consciousness. The Homo sapiens differ from other living beings not only in the anatomy of their bodies, but especially in their brain anatomy, which allow humans to be conscious of themselves. It is possible to humans to contemplate the meaning of Infinity, as well as observe themselves contemplating the meaning of Infinity. As far as we know, no other sentient being on Earth has this advanced capacity. Consciousness has been explored by many fields of study, such as Philosophy, Neuroscience, Spirituality, Medicine and Contemplative (or Spiritual Traditions). There are many different definitions about consciousness coming from diverse (but complementary) perspectives in these different fields. Despite these differences, in the context of this chapter I will be referring to consciousness as the quality or state of being aware of an external object or something within

oneself, according to its definition from the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary. Although our consciousness can contemplate about Infinity, it nonetheless allows us to access only one part of this so called “Infinity”: That part (or parts) which we perceive and recognize as “reality”. This is due to the fact that our brain was developed to survive in a world of four dimensions, being three dimensions of space (front/back, left/right, up/down), plus one dimension of time. We are not capable of directly seeing with a naked eye either the “empty space” within a stone, nor our own building atoms. Similarly, we do not possess a microscopic vision (much less “quantic view”), or the ability to see things from a broader macroscopic perspective. Human evolution has taken place in a concrete world, where things appeared quite rigid and impenetrable. For this reason, we tend to accept as real with much more openness and easiness things that have solid constitution and can be

visible to a naked human eye. Some electromagnetic frequencies or waves (EMF) such as emitted by our Cell Phones, WI-FI devices, Microwave Ovens, etc., might seem unreal to our perception at first, at least to our direct biological senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. However, we can make sense of them rationally and empirically by making use of specific instruments that can expand the reach of our natural senses. This concrete World, from which we evolved and feel comfortable in it, is nothing but a short range in the broader reality of the Universe. As a reference, our perception of colors accounts for a very small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, in which its totality is inaccessible to a naked human eye – unless we use instruments. Ironically, it is related to this tiny segment we consider a “normal vision”- in contrast with the abundant microscopic world within and around us and the vastness of the infinite, we call “reality”.

What we perceive from the world is not the world in its true sense, but just a mental model based in sensory input that aid us to survive and thrive in this environment. Here lies the key to understanding the “game of life”: The nature of the model, the gifts and perceptual aptitudes of each species associated with it. As spiders live in webs, monkeys in trees, fish in water, and earthworms inside the earth, we, human beings, are social beings who live in communities and immersed in societies where we live and navigate through a “sea” of people throughout our lives. This fact suggests that our conception of reality is both of an Individual and Collective natures. Yet, for Homo sapiens (like me and you), the diversity of perception of our reality increases even more than other organisms, especially due to the intrinsic selfreflective property of the human brain. This self-reflective quality is capable of infinite interpretations, symbol making, and creation of a myriad of other realities, which end up creating somewhat parallel inner realities that end up

differentiating us from one another in significant ways. Hence, each one of us becomes an unique and private universe, build from the complex aggregation of personal experiences, coupled with culture, environment, and biological upbringing.

and learning about different realities and the Universe at large - which have been organized and transmitted from generation to generation for thousands of years.

It would be insane to ask birds to stop flying, beavers to let go of digging, or dogs to stop sniffing or barking, (even though many times we find ourselves doing exactly that!). This is so because all creatures are performing exactly what they were born to do here in this world. In other words, they are following the designs that the evolutionary course of nature set them up to do. In the same token, it would be quite absurd to ask men to stop pondering or contemplating, because this is an intrinsic part of our very nature.

In early stages of human history before our present era, human thought (or consciousness) was characterized by a Mythic way of thinking. Natural phenomena and humanity itself were usually explained by means of the existence of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;higher powerâ&#x20AC;? located outside, or external of us. Such beliefs gave rise to numerous myths, gods, and religions, which are still present today. A long time later, consciousness developed to higher levels of complexity in some people and this structure of thinking could no longer hold itself and help humans make sense of their existence. It was then that Science as we know it came about.

Following the course of their nature not by choice but by a biological default, humans try to make sense of nature and their own existence through the act of thinking. This is the process that gave rise to the many ways of perceiving

As Science arose, the search for knowledge became disconnected from mythical beliefs and religious affiliations. This is an interesting point to note, for humans created Science to seek for answers that could not be found through Religion. In turn, this search led men to distance

themselves completely from Religion. By doing that, scientists drove to an end the stage of unconsciousness of man. By then, Science proclaimed that, though the process of thinking and cognition, it would make conscious the unconscious, finally discovering its elusive secrets and unveiling the meaning of life. In a way, Science has been striving to fulfill this promise up to the present time. In the words of the French philosopher René Descartes (1596 - 1650) also known as the Father of Science”: “If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.” 1 Swiss Psychotherapist and Psychiatrist Carl G. Jung (1875 – 1961) – student of Sigmund Freud – share a famous statement related to this matter: “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”

Unconscious and Conscious Mind

However, if we pause for a moment to investigate our most elementary and fundamental experiences of existence, we will quickly realize that what keeps us alive is the unconscious. The unconscious exits under the surface of the conscious mind, and it can be said that it also originates it. Nobody needs to think to make their heart pump, the digestion and breathing systems to work, or all the biochemical metabolic reactions that create and maintain their lives. That’s actually a great biological advantage. If we were dependent on a conscious command for all that, we would probably be all dead! Similarly in relation to the word consciousness, unconsciousness has also many different meanings, ranging from “ignorance” (according to Thesaurus), to “loss of the ability to maintain awareness of self and environment, 2 combined with markedly reduced responsiveness to environmental stimuli (according to the field of Neurology). 3

From a Psychoanalytic Theory definition, unconsciousness comes from a division of the mind that contain elements of psychic makeup such as memories or repressed desires - that are not subject to conscious perception or control, but that often affects conscious thoughts and behaviors. 4 At the same time, the unconscious is also the place from which everything comes and can be obtained. In this context, it is the root that keeps everything in balance. It is the same Source that makes the flowers blossom, the seeds germinate, the Earth rotate, the Galaxies expand, as well as me and you to exist and our minds to work as they do. That is what I means when I refer to the important role of the unconscious. As a matter of fact, the ability to be alive and remain alive in all living organisms is rooted in their unconscious. No consciousness can encompass the entire unconscious. The unconscious fills a much vaster inner territory, and consciousness is dependent on it, as it is

just a component of our existence that exists in a more superficial inner realm. Consciousness can be compared with an illuminated island floating in dark seas of the unconscious. Thus, in the same way the unconscious is a physiological aspect of human beings, so it is consciousness. Whether we like it or nor, the conscious and unconscious aspects of our minds are always present in our lives, from the moment we are born, to the moment we die. Development towards becoming more conscious about ourselves and our lives is a natural process in us. We just need to realize that and fully embrace it. With all that being said, let us explore together now the dynamics of how consciousness works.

CONSCIOUSNESS According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, consciousness is â&#x20AC;&#x153;the quality or state of being

aware of an external object or something within oneself”. 5,6 However, this term has been used in several different fields of knowledge and practice such as Philosophy, Contemplative Practices, Spirituality and Medicine, a fact that consequently give it many different meanings based on diverse approaches. As an example, Ken Wilber – contemporary American Philosopher, Writer and Founder of Integral Theory – has developed an Integral Approach to consciousness, based on twelve major “Schools of Consciousness”*, presented in the Journal of Consciousness Studies (1977), and also in his first book The Spectrum of Consciousness (1977, 1993). In his words: “… there are at present approximately a dozen major but conflicting schools of consciousness theory and research. My own approach to consciousness studies is based on the assumption that each of these schools has something irreplaceably important to offer, and

thus what is required is a general model sophisticated enough to incorporate the essentials of each of them”. 7,8 In general, Consciousness has been defined by several related terms such as: Subjectivity; awareness; sentience; the ability to experience or to feel; wakefulness; having a sense of selfhood; and the executive control system of the mind. 9. As Consciousness researchers Max Velmans Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths University of London - and Susan Schneider wrote in their book The Blackwell Companion to Consciousness (2007): "Anything that we are aware of at a given moment forms part of our consciousness, making conscious experience at once the most familiar and most mysterious aspect of our lives."10,11 In his map of prominent Theories of Consciousness, Francisco Varela - a renowned modern Neurobiologist - categorizes Velmans'

work as non-reductionist, stressing the importance of First-Person internal/selfreflexive accounts related to the phenomenology of consciousness, 12 as well as Third-Person external observable accounts related to brain states and functions, which in Velmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work are considered as complementary. 13,14

detailed exposition and comparison of Western and Eastern ways of seeing, perceiving and thinking about the mind and consciousness. Wilber described consciousness as a spectrum (like as spectrum of light), with ordinary awareness at one end (lower levels of vibration), and more profound and advanced types of awareness at higher levels. 16

To most philosophers, the word consciousness connotes the relationship between the mind and the world. To writers of spiritual or religious topics, it frequently imply the relationship between the mind and God, or the relationship between the mind and deeper truths that are thought to be more fundamental than the physical world. For instance, Krishna consciousness in Hindu spiritual traditions is a term used to mean an intimate linkage between the mind of a worshipper and the God Krishna. 15

In Medicine, generally speaking, consciousness is assessed by observing a patient's arousal and responsiveness, and can be seen as a continuum of states ranging from full alertness and comprehension, through disorientation, delirium, loss of meaningful communication, and finally loss of movement in response to painful stimuli 17.

The same pattern occurs in Christianity, with the ancient esoteric concept of Christian Consciousness. In my view, the most clear and thorough account of a spiritual approach to consciousness might be Ken Wilberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book The Spectrum of Consciousness (1977,1993), which presents a

Again, it is important to highlight that in this chapter I will be using the term consciousness to denote the quality of being aware of ourselves and our surroundings.

We will investigate how consciousness happens,

what does it really means, and what is the intrinsic physiology involved in its phenomena So, in this context, consciousness is constituted of two main aspects, a sensorial and a mental one. The sensorial aspect previously referred here is represented by the natural act of feeling Existence in an impartial, non- discriminatory way. For instance, we are able to feel alive regardless of the processes of differentiation and discrimination that our consciousness creates. The mental aspect, on the other hand, is mainly characterized by having a discriminatory factor to it. Therefore, it is the mental aspect that thinks, discerns, and discriminates, allowing the brain to reflect upon internal and external changes, as well as to continuously seek to adapt and survive in the most dynamic ways. All living beings evolved due to their ability to adapt to the environment around themselves. However, for Homo sapiens, this mechanism became more exponentially complex by including the development of concepts, symbols, and meanings to their environment.

This was only possible due to the mental aspect of our consciousness that is capable of selfobservation, which is directly related to human maturity and development. This inherent trait have allowed us the possibility to know ourselves, as well as to know about our own mental universe. Hence, we became able to create an unique and private subjective internal universe, rooted in our values and meanings, and constructed from our own life experiences. This unique universe to each individual ruled by the “I” works like a metaphoric mirror of the experiences lived in the external world. To better illustrate this idea, we can imagine the expansion of the “I” in the following ways: At first, the “I”/Self is conscious of nothing. After that, it recognizes itself as an “I”/ Self. Then, it expands its realm of perception by creating and adding more and more symbols and meanings, until it comes to the belief that this “I”/Self (which is nothing but the mind itself) is evolving by a process of inclusion and expansion - which can be also referred as “transcendence and inclusion”.

Neuroplasticity The plasticity of the mind has been also called by Neuroplasticity, a word which comes from ”Neural” (pertaining to the nerves and/or brain), and ”Plastic” (moldable or changeable in structure). Hence, “Brain Plasticity”, refers to changes in neural pathways and synapses which are caused by changes in behavior, environment and neural processes, as well as changes resulting from bodily injury. 18 Neuroplasticity today has replaced the formerly held scientific position that the brain is a physiologically static organ. It has also explored how - and in which ways - the brain changes throughout life. 19

Figura O – The expansion of the “I”

Research on Neuroscience indicates that experience actually can not only change the brain's physical structure (anatomy), but also its functional organization (physiology). Today, Neuroscientists have been engaged in a reconciliation of previous critical studies that tended to mistakenly advocate the immutability of the brain after adult development, including the more recent and up to date research showing how the brain can, and does, change in

ways. that still apparently still look surprising and mysterious for many researchers20. However, according to certain Psychological, Philosophical and Spiritual concepts, this scientific realization doesn’t need to be so surprising... If we denote the “I” as the subjective universe of the mind, and if the mind is capable of expanding the universe based on its own development, consequently, we can also expand our “I”, our own Self. This is actually the very foundation of many psychological, esoteric and spiritual/ religious schools that cover the subjects of with human development, “enlightenment” or “super consciousness”. Buddhism and Hinduism consider enlightenment as a blessed state in which the individual transcends attachment, desire and suffering, and attaining the blessed state of “Nirvana”. Nirvana in Buddhism is related to the experience of the ineffable ultimate reality, in which one has attained a profound degree of nonattachment, indifferent wisdom and compassion.

In Hinduism, the same concept means “emancipation from ignorance and the extinction of all attachment”.

At the core of this subject, is all a matter of knowing where we will place our psychological center of gravity. In other words, that refers to how much we are able to focus and expand our ideas about the meanings we give to things in general, both in and outside ourselves. It is worth reminding that what develops is a physiological aspect of the mind that basically folds (or mirrors) into itself (the unconscious experimenting itself as consciousness) The Online Medical Dictionary states that the mind “functions and supports properties of living organisms, including both the physical and chemical factors and processes, supporting Life in single or multi-cell organisms from their origin and throughout the whole progression of life” 21.

Hence the development of mind can be seen from this perspective as a physiological process like any other in the body, such as breathing, digesting or metabolizing.

as though the observer was acting as the observed 22,23,24, may provide the neurological basis of human self-awareness 25 - as speculated by Vilayanur Subramanian Ramachandran - (born 1951).

Duality of Subject vs. Object Therefore, through the abilities of the mind to observe itself, the duality of objective vs. subjective is created. In this way, the subject is who observes – thus,, a person observing him or herself, while the objective is what is being observed – thus, the person itself and his or her own mind. This phenomenon is conceived as the reflexive process. Therefore, the amplitude of our reality depends on the diversity of meanings we can access, and eventually relate to aspects of our inner and outer worlds.

Mirror Neurons This duality seems to actually represent the roots of our self-image and self-awareness. The relatively recent discovery of mirror neurons, in which neurons "mirror" the behaviors of others

Ramachandran is a Neuroscientist well known for his work in the field of Behavioral Neurology. He is also Director of the Center for Brain and Cognition, 26, and Professor in the Department of Psychology 27, and the Neurosciences Graduate Program at the University of California, San Diego, USA 28. In an essay written for the Edge Foundation in 2009 Ramachandran gave the following explanation of his mirror neurons theory: "I also speculated that these neurons can not only help simulate other people's behavior but can be turned 'inward'—as it were—to create second-order representations or metarepresentations of your own earlier brain processes. This could be the neural basis of introspection, and of the reciprocity between self-awareness and awareness of others. There is obviously a chicken-or-egg question here as to which evolved first, but... The main point is

that the two co-evolved, mutually enriching each other to create the mature representation of self that characterize modern humans". 29

2. Self- knowledge is knowledge of oneself, which is different from the object of knowledge

Now that we went through this brief overview about this insightful subject, how about summarizing the ideas we have discussed so far in the following concepts?

Fernando Pessoa also artistically touched this concept in this poem:

Who keeps seeing

”Between sleep and dream Between me and who/what is in me, It’s the Who I suppose myself to be, Flows an endless river That flowed through other shores Many others and beyond, In those many trips That every river does. It arrived where I leave today The house that I am today It goes away if I meditate It is gone if I wake up And who I feel myself and dies In what I ties to myself to Sleeps where the river flows, This endless river”.

While I'm thinking?” 30

In Portuguese:

-Fernando Pessoa

“Entre o sono e sonho, Entre mim e o que em mim

1.Consciousness is a process of individualization; since it creates disconnected and distinct selfperception. In the words of Fernando Pessoa, a great Portuguese poet: “Whose look Peering through my eyes? When I think that I see,

É o quem eu me suponho Corre um rio sem fim. Passou por outras margens,Diversas mais além,Naquelas várias viagensQue todo o rio tem. Chegou onde hoje habitoA casa que hoje sou.Passa, se eu me medito;Se desperto, passou. E quem me sinto e morreNo que me liga a mimDorme onde o rio corre -Esse rio sem fim”. 31- Fernando Pessoa

"The only truth is that I live Yes, sincerity I live Who am I? Well, that is a bit too much to ask...”

3. Sensorial perception is a form of consciousness (or knowledge) acquired through the First-Person perspective.

-Clarice Lispector

In other words, a person who experiences the phenomenological aspect of consciousness (First-Person perspective) is, in fact, simultaneously the cause and the occurrence of it. Sensorial perception is rooted in the basic sense of being alive, which comes first in terms of awareness and also empowers the mind to exist. Clarice Lispector, a renowned Brazilian poetess, brilliantly express this concept in this way:

In Portuguese: “A única verdade é que vivo.Sinceramente, eu vivo.Quem sou?Bem, isso já é demais...."

4.The mind is the consciousness in the ThirdPerson (He/She/It). In other words, it means what is being observed, and it is outside of the “I” (First-Person or Observer). Due to this external condition, it turns to be impossible to be observed. The mind is rooted in knowledge and thinking. The mind processes a reflexive mechanism through which the duality of Objective vs. Subjective is created. Again, this concept is also expressed in the words of poet Fernando Pessoa:

“Takes another direction In me the Universe It is a faint stain of me being aware of My idea of things” 32 -Fernando Pessoa

This idea is also reflected in the words of the poetess Clarice Lispector: “The night seems a dream to me today. But it is not. It is that the reality is incredible”. In Portugese: “A noite de hoje está me parecendo um sonho. Mas não é. É que a realidade é inacreditável."33 - Clarice Lispector

5. Subjectivity is the inner space where all our personal experiences are found. These experiences construct our interpretations, and consequently our values.

On these lines, Psychotherapist Carl Jung shared a great insight: “This whole creation is essentially subjective, and the dream is the theater where the dreamer is at once: scene, actor, prompter, stage manager, author, audience and critic” The core of the sensorial apparatus is the sense of being alive, the perception of existing as a being (beingness), and not as a self-image based on the persona or social “role”. The sensorial apparatus is hence more basic and primary, and feeds the center of thought (knowledge, mind). The center of thought corresponds to knowledge itself, of being able to think. The mind is the organ that possesses the reflexive mechanism, and is able to create the duality of the objective vs. subjective worlds or realities. It also creates our self-image. Therefore, when we place our attention into the core of our sensorial apparatus, we are limited

to only perceiving the experience that life provide us by making sense of it through the means of sensing, feeling and experiencing it.

Now that we have explored these new concepts, let us see what kind of conclusions we can derive from them:

The sensorial apparatus does not make sense of anything in terms of concepts or thoughts. It just senses and feels the sense of “beingness” of the living being, so to speak.

The mind and its creations (thoughts, images, and visualizations) allow us to contemplate, think abstractly, and reflect. This particularity gives rise to certain aspects unique to human beings such as the so called existential questions (and conflicts), because of our ability to reflect about the meaning of life and upon our actions, as well as to judge and draw deeper meanings from them.

On the other hand, when we transfer our attention to the center of thought (the mind), we can make sense of life by logical and rational means, based on what we have learned and known, and what makes rational and logical sense. Hence, the meaning of life for the thought center (mind) is created by the logical sense of it. In the former example (sensorial Apparatus) we are the Verb, or the Action. In the latter (thought center, mind), we are the Subject, or the Agent of Action.

Echoes of Reality In Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” in the book Republic, Socrates describes a group of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave through all of their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall shed by things passing in front of a fire behind them, and begin to ascribe names and forms to these shadows. According to him, the shadows

are the closest the prisoners can get to experiencing reality as it is. He then explains how the philosopher is like a prisoner who is freed from the cave and comes to understand that the shadows on the wall do not make up reality at all, as he can perceive the true aspects of of reality rather than the mere shadows seen by the prisoners. This achievement was a consequence of his skills as a human being. 34,35 As time went by, human beings became fixated in the idea of making the unconscious to become conscious to themselves. This was actually an idea initially promoted by Science. During the period of Enlightenment (17th-18th Centuries), it was proclaimed by Science that “I think, therefore, I am.” This proposition created the illusion that we could be able to unveil the unconscious and hence precisely control everything around us, as well as in our own lives. What a trip of wishful thinking! As mentioned before, consciousness and thinking are subunits of the unconscious. Thus, at least in relative terms, the former (consciousness)

cannot exist (unconsciousness).

without

the

ladder

In order to simplify this exploration here, and based on our current purposes with this book, we will focus on a few relative definition of consciousness shared above, which is: “Consciousness and thinking are subunits of the unconscious”.

Personal consciousness arises from the physiological ground of the mind. It creates the duality of Subject vs. Object, and that is the main point here. You exist as a unique and differentiated Self because of (and due to) your perception, which is the result of the physiological functions of your mind and brain. If you are dreaming, you cannot say that you, the main character on the dream, have a “personal unconsciousness” - unless you are totally identified with the character inside the dream, who believes that he or she exists by itself and is at least a part of the unconscious that originates

him. How can a man live without his own unconscious? As Gollum, the shadow of Smeagol, a fictional character from The Lord of the Ring Trilogy - the epic fictional novel written by English Philologist and Oxford University Professor J.R.R. Tolkien – expressed in his famous maxim: “My preciousss”… Originally known as Sméagol, he was corrupted by the “One Ring” and later named Gollum. The Ring, which Gollum referred to as "my precious" or "precious", extended his life far beyond its natural limits. Under centuries under the Ring's influence, Gollum had come to love and hate the Ring. Throughout the story, Gollum was torn between his lust for the Ring, and his desire to be free of it. This is a great metaphor of real life. Like Gollum, we also live in between the dualities of “black and white”, right and wrong, light and darkness, since we are dualistically identified with the image of ourselves created by the ability of our

minds to observe them. Otherwise, there is nothing in between… Stuart Davis, American singer, artist, and Integral thinker, brilliantly grasps this concept it in his lyric “Nothing in Between” from the album Something Simple (2008): “Nothing in between us when we laugh it's something that our head will never grasp (...) There's nothing in between our skin and light Nothing in between the wind and kite Nothing in between our lips and grace Nothing in between the tongue and taste It's seen” Amazingly, the mind seems to be so perfect in nature that it can even create a “meta-logic” in which we can “see” its own game and rules (through its physiology). In other words, we can observe, experience and realize the original duality that our minds created in the first place, so this observation can frees us from the basic duality of Observer vs. Observed created by it. At the moment of this

realization, we can dive into the previously unconscious consciousness, and finally can grasp what it is all about. One more time, Stuart Davis touches this point it on his lyrics “Already Free”, from the same album Something Simple (2008): “Something simple in meWoke up already freeA thousand stories removedLiving proof I’ve nothing to proveBut I needed a push to get me to seeWherever I am, I’m already free” Back to the dualist reality perceived by the mind, it is worth realizing that our limitations and instincts imprison us in a “dream-like reality”, as brilliantly portrayed in the science fiction movies

“The Matrix Trilogy”, written and directed by the Wachowskis, starring actor Keanu Reeves as “Neo”. This groundbreaking Trilogy depicts a dystopian future, in which reality as perceived by most humans is actually a simulated reality called by "the Matrix", which story says was created by sentient machines in order to subdue the human population (especially their minds),

while their bodies' natural life force (heat and electrical activity) are used as energy source. In the movies, computer programmer "Neo" learns this truth (“awaken to reality”) and is drawn into a rebellion against these machines along with other people who have been also freed from the "dream world" and hence were awakened and knew the truth of reality “as it its”. What do we do when we wake up from a dream? Our first instinct seems to be to reconnect to the core of our feelings. We open our eyes to locate ourselves, and as we determine that for our own peace of mind and reference, we are relieved. Only then, we start to actually think about it. In my view, the properly reframed statement “I exist, therefore, I think.” can be seen as a more appropriate reference to the so called “No-Self”. Integral Medicine invites you to change your perspective to experience our life and existence in its own “simplicity-based complexity” (“Simplexity ”), and fullness.

Simplexity Simplexity is an emerging theory that proposes a possible complementary relationship between simplicity and complexity. The concept of Simplexity is the process by which nature strives towards simple ends by complex means.

In these lines, I would like to remark that we exist whether we think about it or not. To exist can be seen as a realization of the unconscious.

Jeffrey Kluger - senior editor and writer at Time magazine on science and social issues - wrote the book “Simplexity: Why Simple Things Become Complex” (2008), where he discusses about this natural phenomenon. 36 So, in order to achieve this perspective of “Simplexity” and fullness in our own lives and existence, all we need to do is to be in touch with ourselves and our being, in the true sense of the words. It is a matter of perceiving ourselves as being alive from the foundation of our basic sensorial feelings of aliveness, and not from a further mental rationalization about being alive (as if thinking of being alive could makes you such).

As we previously discussed, one of the characteristics of human beings is to try to find and give meaning to phenomena that is being observed or experienced through the mental process of interpretation and self-reflection. But how does this process takes place?

THOUGHT

Paradigms “Evolution has one direction: Complexity”

Ken Wilber

“The entire Kosmos exists as a network of rights and responsibilities correlative with degrees of depth and consciousness. Nothing is ever merely instrumental to anything, and everything ultimately, finally, has perfectly equal Ground value as a perfect manifestation of primordial Purity, radiant Emptiness.“ Ken Wilber, from book Sex, Ecology, Spirituality (SES) (1996)

The process of self-reflection takes place within a structure of thinking called Paradigm. The Oxford Dictionary defines paradigm as “a typical example or pattern of something; a pattern or model”. In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, paradigm is defined as: “a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in support of them are formulated; broadly: a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind”.

In the context of this book, paradigm consists in an abstract mental structure made of values, beliefs, and daily experiences. In general terms, the concept of a paradigm can be defined as a model and reference – in other words, a collection of knowledge, opinions and beliefs that form the core foundation for the observation, interpretation, and understanding of a certain study, historical period, or society. As our human species evolved, numerous ways of relating to the world and making sense of observed phenomena developed -both in the individual and collective dimensions. Yet, although evolution seemingly unfolds in time in a linear succession, human development has unfolded in a “semi-linear” fashion. Instead of following a succession of thoughts and practices that would be gradually substituted by others, a complex web in which the old and new ideas can coexist in time has been gradually was created.

Paradigms have an interesting dynamic, which is intrinsically connected to human development. This dynamic creates a somewhat paradoxical structure, because paradigms can provide both the creation of realities, as well as the limits for these creations. Follow below a simplified example of this paradoxical dynamic: Suppose we are observing the construction of two houses, with two distinct types of basic building materials, which are the most common choices in Brazil. House one uses blocks of concrete, while the house two uses ceramic bricks. Without the basic building material (an analogy to the concept of paradigm), we would not be able to build none of the houses. At the same time, brick and concrete block houses exist in Brazil everywhere exactly because of these materials, although other basic building materials exist, such as the pervasive use of wood in the US, in various modalities. Thus, these building materials can provide us both the possibility and the limitations of these creations. In the realm of thoughts, these building blocks

can be associated with ideas, values, perspectives, beliefs, ideologies, thoughts, etc., which are intrinsically present in the most diverse areas such as Science, Politics, Economics, Psychology (Individual and Collective), Culture, and Society. Since this book is focused in Medical Practice, it is worth highlighting that, as an Integral Doctor, I tend to mostly focus on the human element (and dynamics) and what constitute them. The analysis that follows is based on the assumption that paradigm is the structure from which all human aspects emerge, both in individual and collective dimensions. In the individual dimension, paradigms include ways of thinking, spirituality, values, beliefs, and behaviors. In the collective dimension, paradigms involve the dynamics of relationship, Socio-Cultural and Environmental systems such as Education, Government, Media, Economy, Religion, etc. In

parallel with that, it also includes mutually shared values and beliefs. The definitions above lead us to the understanding that the relationship humans have with their surroundings is linked to the structures that sustain our way of thinking and seeing the world, which have been changing since the beginning of our human history. For example, there was a time when people believed that God decided our destiny as a collective based in our overall behavior, so we could not confront Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will. In case we did so, we would be punished with storms or even be personally â&#x20AC;&#x153;groundedâ&#x20AC;? like the legend of Prometheus. Prometheus metaphorically stole the fire of knowledge and wisdom for human use - an act that enabled progress and civilization. 1 . Due to that, he was sentenced to eternal torment from Zeus- King of Olympian Gods. The immortal Prometheus was bound to a rock, where each day an eagle was sent to feed on his liver (life force), which by then then used to grow back to be eaten again the next day. 2

The reflections above lead us to the understanding that the constitution of the human world is, in the most diverse aspects, strongly influenced by the presence of underlying structures and patterns that sustain its existence, which correspond to nothing more than different paradigms. In fact, the Medical Thought â&#x20AC;&#x201C; together with other areas of human studies and interpretations, constructions of reality - are also clearly sustained by paradigms. In order for us to grasp the evolution of Medical Thought, it is therefore necessary to understand the evolution of paradigms that have created and sustained through time until our present moment, looking forward to understand the contextualization of each one of them. Above all, it is important to observe the order, organization e relationships with other interpretations and constructions of reality that have been evolving in parallel with this Medical Thought, including the social values and historical breakthroughs of human thought and

discoveries, which tend to be followed by radical paradigm changes. Pre-Modern, Modern, Post-Modern, and PostPost-Modern Paradigms In general, we can say that history of our human species and development of consciousness had great paradigmatic transformations, especially in reference to the evolution of thought. These key paradigm changes became known as the PreModern, Modern, Post-Modern (also called by PoMo), and - more recently â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Post-PostModern (or Integral) eras, which is considered by some philosophers such as Ken Wilber to represent our current era. Each of these eras and paradigms have their own particular way of thinking, acting and organizing of reality internally (subjectively) and externally, (objectively) as well as in terms of individual and collective dimensions. Since many philosophers today agree that Greek philosophy has influenced much of Western thought since its inception, 3 I will mostly focus

my exploration here on the Western thought and development of consciousness. However, it is also extremely important to highlight that the Greek philosophy was also influenced by the older knowledge and wisdom of ancient East (Middle East, China, India, etc.) literature and mythological cosmogonies. 4 Moreover, it is also worth mentioning the philosophical and cosmological findings of Native Americans, Mayas, Aztecs, Mayas, and especially ancient Egyptians. Even today although alternative historical versions and interpretations abound - no one in the scientific community seem to really know for sure the degree that their knowledge might have influenced our current Western thought. Having said that, I’d like to invite you now to investigate the main structures of three major Western paradigms that preceded our current “Post-Post Modern” worldview: Pre-Modernism, Modernism, and Post-Modernism:

PRE-MODERNISM The Pre-Modern era is the origin of our current Western civilization. Pre-modernism began around 1200 B.C. and lasted to 700 B.C. approximately. It was based on the Mythic Worldview and the personification of the natural elements. Pre-Modernists sought to explore and discover the origin of the Universe through mythological sagas of heroes presented n the great works of Homer e Hesiod. Greek Philosophy “Resourceful Odysseus, Laertes' son and Zeus' child, if it's against your will, you should not now remain here in my house. But first you must complete another journey – to the home of Hades and dread Persephone.” (Homer, Odyssey) “From Chaos came the black Darkness and the Night, and from the Night were born Ether and the Day, which she conceived after uniting in love with the Darkness.” (Hesiod, Theogony)

That initial period was followed by the preSocratic period marked by Tales of Miletus (624-548 B.C.) and the beginning of Philosophy. From a Mythic Worldview, this era transitions to a more Rational Worldview, where reasoning was explored and advanced by great thinkers of that time, such as Plato and others. As brilliant observers and explorers of truth, they have dedicated their lives to decipher the secrets of the Cosmos. From that era, Western cosmology arose, where Western man sought to determine the principles that rule the world from a rational perspective. According to Diogenes Laertius, a biographer of the Greek philosophers - the famous and wise quote “Know thyself” that appeared in the portico at Delphi was written by Tales of Miletus. However, there seems to be no proof in literature, as far as we know, of fragments of thought from Thales of Miletus, but only accounts of his successors. Tales of Miletus was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher from Miletus (624 BC- 546 BC).

Heraclitus (535 – c. 475 BCE) - also a preSocratic Greek philosopher - was famous for his insistence on ever-present changes in the Universe, as stated in his famous saying, "No man ever steps in the same river twice” - as pointed by Plato's Cratylus. In contrast with Tales of Miletus, Hieraclitus was considered as an “obscure” thinker. He loved the paradox: “most people do not understand the things they encounter, and also do not know when they have learned, but to themselves it seems to be otherwise” (Fragment B17). The Four Classical Elements Empedocles (490–430 BC) was a Greek preSocratic philosopher best known as the originator of the Cosmogenic Theory of the ”Four Classical Elements” in the West. This theory stated that Earth, Fire, Water, and Air were the basic components of everything. Empedocles portrayed the beauty and wisdom of his observations in these inspiring words:

“As is manifested in the mass of mortal limbs: so, pray for Love to reunite them in one, the limbs that the body acquires when life is thriving at its apex; pray, yet, being divided by the perverse Conflict, each one moves away from each other, wandering along the sidelines of life”. In essence, the effort of all these philosophers above from Ancient Greece were directed to the investigation of the ultimate foundation and essential nature of the external world and Universe that characterizes the Pre-Socratic period.[5] This era ends with Socrates (469-399 B.C.), who managed to bring kind of externallyoriented interest back the to inside into subjective human dilemmas. Socrates was a classical Greek Athenian philosopher who according to Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC – 43 BC) - was "the first who brought philosophy down from the heavens, then placed it in cities, introduced it into families, and obliged it to explore matters of life and morals, as well as good and evil."5 In this

context, Socrates can be considered the founder of Political Philosophy.6,7 “Perhaps his most important contribution to Western thought is [Socrates’] dialectic method of inquiry, known as the Socratic method or method of "elenchus", which he largely applied to the examination of key moral concepts such as the Good and Justice. This method of inquiry was first described by Plato in the Socratic Dialogues. In order to solve a problem, it would have to be broken down into a series of questions, with a series of answers that would gradually distill the main answer sought by a person. The influence of this approach is most strongly felt today in the use of the Scientific Method, in which hypothesis corresponds to the first stage of inquiry.” 8 After Socrates, the ancient Western way of thinking reached a climax with the works of Plato (427-346 B.C.) and Aristotle (384-322 B.C.). Both philosophers criticized pure Empiricism, heralding the dawn of Modernism.

Moving through different Schools of Thought from Hellenism to Patristic, the Pre-Modern era lasted until the Renaissance era, which emerged around the XIII and XIV centuries. Even though these Schools of Thought especially Pre-Socratic - greatly differ from each other, it is neverthless possible to identify a common ground to all of them: The Mythic Paradigm, which can be explained as a way of thinking mostly based on external observations and data. Thus, a Pre-Modern way of thinking always takes an external perspective coming from outside the individual to generate meaning and make sense of the world at large, even in the case of trying to answer the most existential and fundamental questions. This is due to the fact that a Pre-Modern thinker believed he or she had no control about the phenomena of the world. Although Greece had been quite politically evolved during this period, even defining what is known today as Democracy (that was born from the interaction between ordinary people to avoid

the tyranny of those times), as a whole, the perception of humans over nature and themselves was unified, finite and predetermined. That is, every phenomenon that happened was conceived as having a specific reason to be. However, this reason was many times only known by God. This was probably because this was a period in human history marked by much fewer resources and tools available for people to observe the natural phenomena. Collectively speaking, that was a society ruled by a Monarchic Power, sustained by a society based on Agriculture, and a strong hierarchical tribal culture. Therefore, the only way to build knowledge was through personal experience. For this reason, Pre-Modern men acquired knowledge through empirical means, and based on injunctions. This process did not allow for the differentiation between human beings and nature. Thus, it provided a Level of Consciousness that was still

not dissociated. During this period, Pre-Modern humans who were guided by the Pre-Modern paradigm saw themselves as a result of forces (or powers) that seemed impossible to control, so they basically had to obey these forces in obedient and passive ways. Nevertheless, even though men were very identified with nature, there was still a clear separation between the “World of Men” and the “World of Heavens” , which was intrinsically embedded in the theories they have created – especially in relation to the laws that were believed to rule the world and ruled each one of them. The Superlunary World was the term Aristotle used to refer to the “heavens”. This was considered to be a perfect and intelligible world made up of Ether, known as the fifth element. Meanwhile, the Sublunary World - the world of humans - was made of the four basic elements: Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. In cosmology, Earth would occupy the center of the Cosmos, which was believed to be its natural position in relation to the Universe.

Aristotle

(384 BC – 322 BC)

was

Greek

Philosopher and Polymath. He was also student of Plato and eventually became the teacher of Alexandre the Great, who was king of Macedon. Aristotle also began to systematize science by introducing the Inductive-Deductive Method, focusing on causal relations with his implacable logic. The Inductive-Deductive Method, is composed by a process of reasoning starting from one or more generic statements (or premises) organized to reach a logically precise conclusion. It can be said that Aristotle’s reasoning was actually the beginning of Science as we know it today. Based on this perspective, the Pre-Modern Medicine understood that health was a result of the interaction of the four basic natural elements, and that an imbalance among them would result in illness. That is actual foundation of such Medicine or therapies, which is today called Traditional Medicine (in contrast to Conventional Allopathic Medicine).

The modality of Traditional Medicine managed to re-establish the balance between those basic elements, which was believed to bring back the state of ideal health. The focus, therefore, was on the underlying imbalance, instead of the disease - which was diagnosed based on meticulous physical, mental and emotional examinations, aided by intuition (this was especially needed since there were not so many precise and objective means of observation such as anatomy tests, lab tests, or industrialized medicine. Hence, the treatment was solely based on the theory of elements. Last but not least, comes Hippocrates (460 BC – c. 370 BC). Considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of Medicine, Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician who lived in the Age of Pericles (Classical Greece. He later became referred as the “Father of Western Medicine”. Based on his profound knowledge and wisdom, one of his most important sayings was “make food be your medicine” Scholars also use tend to consider the quotation from Heraclitus: “Nature helps itself” (Fragment 67 a) as typically Hippocratic.

Based on this whole Pre-Modern paradigm and Schools of Medicine, other greatest examples of Medicine approaches from ancient times – and that originated around five thousand years ago or more, lasting up to our days - are currently known as the Chinese, Ayurvedic (Indian) and Tibetan medicine, among others. In many ways, they are similar to the less Pre Modern medical practice of Shamanic Healing that tend to be present in the cultures of all Native people throughout the world, including North & South American, Aboriginal, African, Polar, etc. MODERNISM Filled with all kinds of revolutions, Modernism was marked by profound changes in the way humans lived. These changes mainly occurred due to breakthroughs in Science initiated by Heliocentrism – and that was followed by the systematization of the Scientific Method proposed by Francis Bacon (1561-1626). After that, came the historically significant separation of Science and Religion initiated by

René Descartes (1596-1650), and the introduction of the Mechanistic View of Nature developed by Isaac Newton (1642-1727). Those events are among some of the most remarkable discoveries and breakthroughs of Modernism. Together, these aspects gave rise to a more structured and practical way of knowing mostly based on empirical evidences and rationalism. Emerging from a historical period strongly dominated by Theology, modern humans were marked by a loss of innocence, where he could no longer fully trust what he saw and hence found a somewhat desperate need to expand their vision. That is precisely what gave rise to the so called Scientific Revolution.

The Scientific Revolution The greatest protagonists of the Scientific Revolution of the XVII century were Nicolau Copernicus (1493-1543), Renaissance Mathematician and Astronomer - and Johannes Kepler (1571-1620) - German Mathematician,

Astronomer and Astrologer. Proponents of Heliocentrism, they placed the sun in the center of the Universe and opened up the doors to the Modern Western human to a complete new way of thinking. It is worth noting that many ancient cultures and traditions - including Egyptians, and Mayans for example – also used to consider the sun as the center of Universe, so we could also consider these “discoveries” proposed by the Modernism as a “historic echo” of reframing based on scientific evidence. Much research and speculations have been made by trying to discover the ways these old cultures and traditions might have communicated and shared knowledge with each other, even since the ancient Pre-Modern times. These similarities most probably occurred because, as humans, we have been continuously trying to figure out the same fundamental questions since immemorial times: “Who are we? (or Who am I?), Where did we come from? Where are we going? What is this all about?”, etc. In this way, the Western knowledge empirically “proves” by use of

Scientific Methods some of the knowledge imparted by ancient and Esoteric traditions. Actually, this seems to be the main functions of the Modern Paradigm in terms of the human’s ego (or consciousness) evolution (bringing back a bit of psychology jargon). The Modern era also offered new ways to look at reality, since some of its conclusions were actually similar to those from the previous eras (and paradigms), but with the advent of Modernism they were mostly driven by logical facts and empirical investigations, while PreModern and Ancient Traditions were mostly based on phenomenological explorations. So, based on the theory of Heliocentrism - the new Modern way of thinking - the realm of the heavens and the realm of humans were not really so different as it was believed during the PreModern era. However, Copernicus and his contemporary colleagues could not fully demonstrate their discoveries and ideas at that time, because their observations were mostly based on sensorial

perceptions, which only allowed the detection of changes in the positions of the astrological bodies, but not changes in the Earth. This impossibility of observing the rotation of the Earth perpetuated the idea of separation between heaven and humans, although it shortened the “gap”. It was much later that Galileu Galilei (1564-1642) invented the telescope, which confirmed the theory of Heliocentrism and hence disproved the Aristotelian view of the separation of the worlds between the “perfect Supralunary” (heavens, God) and the “imperfect Sublunary” (Earth, humans). Galileo’s invention of the telescope demonstrated that the Supralunar realm was not perfect or eternal as it was conceived, but also subject to change. Supralunary means a realm “beyond the Moon”, or Celestial realm. It was believed that this realm was made of a “fifth substance” called quintessence (or Ether), while -as discussed previously - the Sublunary world

(Terrestrial realm) - was made of those 4 basic natural elements: Earth, Fire, Water and Air. The scientific proof of the Heliocentric Theory claimed the unification of both Ontologic (corresponding to the nature of being) and the Epistemologic (the nature of knowledge) fields of thought. Cartesian Thought Once unified, there should be now only one method of studying the world, which basically (and unfortunately) eliminated all subjective (or phenomenological) observations. This breakthrough brought about the Scientific Revolution during the XVII century, and also the appearance of René Descartes into the scene. Descartes (1596-1650) was a French philosopher who raised strong doubts about the accuracy of the senses, and instead offered us the possibility to rely on our ability to develop clear and distinct ideas ( supposed to be guaranteed by God), provided that we could make good use of this ability as rational beings.

Our senses can indeed deceive us, Descartes proposes: “Holding a piece of wax as I speak and approach the fire, what remained of the taste is exhaled, the smell evaporates, the color changes, the form is destroyed, the size increases, it becomes liquid (...) Certainly nothing remains, except a certain external something, which is flexible and mobile.” - Descartes, in Meditations. Descartes, considered the “Father of Modern Thought”, was the one who instituted the fundamental Cartesian doubt: The affirmation about the existence of anything was now intrinsically tied to the need of empirical and rational proof about that reality’s existence. He criticized the traditional way of thinking and proposed a reconstruction of how knowledge in general could be attained. From his perspective, knowledge could only be attained through the unification of a method that would enable scientific research to produce evidence from methodical doubt and questioning, they were supposed to be systematically found by the rules of correct thinking. Basically, Descartes’ method

(also called by Cartesian Method) proposed that the progression of knowledge can be organized in a structured way of thinking, through four elements: 1. Clarity and distinction when gathering data in order to prevent any doubts possible; 2. Detailed analysis of the different aspects of the problem; 3. Organization of thoughts (deductive reasoning), starting from the simplest of thoughts and gradually progressing to more complexity;

which was a philosophical theory based on the idea that every event could be explained by causal relations. In other words, events could be understood by studying the intrinsic relationship between one event (cause) and its consequence (effect). In the words of Descartes: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve tried to discover, at first, the general principles or generative causes of everything existent, or anything that can exist in the world, disregarding nothing else that could achieve this goal besides God himself who created the World, or inferring them from any source except certain kernels of truth that naturally exist in our souls.â&#x20AC;? - Descartes, in Discourse on Method Mechanistic Thought

4. Synthesis, aimed to recover a broader perspective of the whole by taking into measurement and consideration all the elements involved in the observation. This Cartesian Method of linear inquiry and reasoning was the backbone of Determinism,

This perspective was further developed by the Mechanistic View of Isaac Newton (1642- 1727), who was an English Physicist and Mathematician widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of all time. Newton saw the Cosmos as an ordered and predictable mechanism, in which the function of the whole was determined by the

sums of its parts. If those “parts” could be observed and analyzed mathematically, laws could be established that would guarantee the possibility to predict actions derived from natural phenomena. “We should not admit more causes to natural things than those which are at once true and sufficient to explain their appearances.” - Newton, in Principia Thus, Newton’s Theory (or Newtonian Thought) postulates that all phenomena can be explained based on their mechanic causality, which corresponds to their linear relationship of cause and effect. As we can easily see, both Cartesian and Newtonian perspectives were clearly of dualistic nature. They separated Mind and Body by explaining reality from rational, deterministic, and fragmented approaches. From their perspective, the Universe started to be seen as cold, infinite, linear, and composed of particles.

At this point, Modern humans suddenly discovered that they could explain natural

phenomena that were once simply accepted as basic God’s will. This new paradigm surely expanded their ability to observe and perceive the World and the Universe. They happened to believe very strongly that they could unravel the laws that govern the universe, which would consequently give them power towards nature. But, above all, they could give them power over their own destiny. The new word in order turns to be Reason. Enlightenment (Illuminism) Enlightenment (or Illuminism) was one of the most important philosophical movements of all time, and its main influences originated from concepts conceived during the Scientific Revolution, which defended Reason as the primary basis of Authority. It is worth noting, for example, that even one of the great figures of the Enlightenment, Immanuel Kant (1724 – 1804) German philosopher and central figure of Modern Philosophy who set the basic terms by which all

subsequent thinkers had to grapple – used to feel “ill at ease” towards accepting pure empiricism as the basis of all knowledge. According to him, in order for knowledge to be produced, it would be also necessary the cognitive experience of a thinking subject. Together, all these ideas basically ended up creating a new type of human being, so to speak. A new human being who has expanded one’s own natural senses and surpassed the invisible barrier of the Mythic World by virtually becoming the creator of things. As a consequence, this new collective mindset promoted, in the social sphere, the Industrial Revolution. Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution is therefore the culmination Modernism of the transition from the Feudal System (coming from the discovery and colonization of the “New World”) to the Mercantilist System. Agricultural fields were mostly abandoned, as Commerce was strengthened and expanded, originating an

Industrial Society that sustained a Republican political regime, coupled with a Capitalist economic system. In the field of Medicine, this new way of seeing the world end up substituting intuitive and subjective perception and induction for concrete and objective empirical analysis backed up by logic. Human beings were then (and until today to a certain extent, conventionally speaking) seen as a collection of cells and organs, dissected, and meticulously studied so a more profound knowledge of anatomy could be achieved. Diagnosis turned to be based on lab tests and images that focused on the causes of the diseases, and treatment primarily involved the use of industrialized pharmacology, given rise to the monumental Pharmaceutical Industry, also called nowadays by “Big Pharma”. Conventional Western Medicine (commonly known as Allopathic Medicine) is still the main Medical Approach studied nowadays in most universities around the World. It is not only the

greatest example, but the main representative of this Modern Paradigm. It assumes and interprets that all manifested phenomena are part of a mechanically determined World, and are ultimately composed of an essential physiochemical nature.

POSTMODERNISM

Theory of Relativity and Quantum Physics In 1905, Albert Einstein’s discovery of the “Theory of Relativity” of time and space - along with the concept of non-locality presented by Quantum Physics - threatened the absolutism of reasoning that governed Modernism. In essence, the formulation of the Theory of Relativity was based on the assumption that different references could offer perfectly plausible observations and interpretations (even

if diverse), about specific phenomena of reality. Thus, a new relativistic principle was established, in which the results were strictly based on the point of view from which the observer was observing the phenomena – in other words, his particular perspective of observation. This new paradigm created a groundbreaking (and somewhat disturbing) sense of relativism, by bringing the subjective factor again into consideration. Hence, it managed to make relative the previous absolutism and radical empiricism inherited by the Modern paradigm, while validating the possibility of other perspectives that could be used to observe and interpret the world. Some Post-Modern thinkers tend to stretch this notion to the maximum, by proposing that there is no absolute truth about reality, but only interpretations of it. This new line of thought created a new Pluralistic Theory. Thus, the Universe became “too relative”: It did not exist by itself anymore, as it seemed to be dependent of an observer to bring it to existence - which

rendered it with an ephemeral, discontinuous, and systemic nature. Since according to the Post-Modern Paradigm the relationship between the Universe and the observer could transform each other, the Universe was not only based anymore in parts or particles, but in its intrinsic and co-dependent relationship with the observer, which was a relationship that could transform each other. It hence started to be conceived as a retrofeedback system

In the social dimension, Post-Modernism was marked by the Post-Industrial Contemporary Capitalism, which has favored the production of services and information ahead of material production. Hence, communication and cultural industries, based on technological development, turned to be vital in the dissemination of new ideas bringing forth promotion of Globalization and Democracy. Even though Post-Modernism has brought about new ways of thinking and perceiving the world, its main structure is still

based in the fragmentation model of Western’s Modernism and the Modern paradigm, and could even be considered as an extension of it (as it is also reflected in its name). On the other hand, Post-Modernism has also intersected with some basic tenets of Western’s Pre-Modernism, in the sense that it focuses on the interaction between certain aspects in similar ways as to how the Western’s Pre-Modern era related to the interaction of the five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. Yet, Western’s PostModernism has considered this interpretation in more concrete, discriminative, and articulated ways. At this time in history, the so called Complementary Medicines such as Orthomolecular Medicine - which focus on the biochemistry of the body and its interactions with the environment – came into the picture.

CURRENT SCENARIO

Although all these successive paradigms can reveal a chronological evolution, they are nevertheless still far from being “historical structures” frozen in time, and totally outdated by each other. They have certainly exerted a central role in the development of human consciousness and manifestations, being the foundation for all thinking and behavior. As usual, this pattern also reflected in terms of Medical paradigms throughout history Have you ever caught yourself praying, or looking for a spiritual blessing or “magical healing pass”, at the same time you engaged in conventional lab exams with a conventional physician, and maybe tried a few informal alternative treatments at the side to improve your condition, “just in case”? Paradigm Wars The simultaneity of existence of all paradigms can fuel conflicts of belief and methodology which might often arise - leading to the natural criticism and rejection of each other. Pre-

Modernism criticizes Modernism’s materialism, which by its turn debunks the radically systemic approach of Post-Modernism. The latter in turn opposes the “reductionist truths” and over compartmentalization characteristics of Modernism, and also considers many aspects of Pre-Modernism as “infantile” or of inferior intellectual nature. Although humanity has been using these paradigms and perspectives as tools to solve its dilemmas for centuries, at the moment – more than ever - they seem quite insufficient to prove efficacy in terms of looking after solutions for the multitude of challenges and issues created by some of the problematic Social, Economic and Environmental scenarios of Globalization, among other areas. This is happening especially due to the limitations of these previous paradigms to integrate the whole panorama of reality altogether and treat it as a “system of systems”. These challenging phenomena can be compared to what we usually see in Modern Medicine, when we solve a muscular problem with antiinflammatory aliphatic drugs, and then a gastric

problem might be created. This apparent contradiction can happen because we do not tend to see the whole, and much less think as a whole. Instead, we see things and think about things in terms of fragments and parts, which tend to be not connected and much less integrated. Contemporary Challenges

Today, we face a multitude of growing problems that seem to have gigantic and utterly complex dimensions. Among them, we can enumerate the critical environmental pollution around the planet, sharp social inequality, economic breakdowns, a growing world population where a great part lacks basic living resources, and a planet that evidently does not have the continuous natural resources to maintain this situation perpetually, not even a in the years to come. Almost half of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population of 7 billion lives with less than a dollar per day, and eight hundred and fifty million around the planet

people suffer from hunger. Of course the main problem is not the number of people in the planet as many would erroneously remark, but in the inequality of wealth and resource distribution, as well as economic priorities chosen those in the power (Government and Corporate partners). Examples of this unbalanced pattern abound nowadays, more than ever. Government spending in Wars and growing military arsenals (especially in the USA) have been chosen as main priorities instead of investing in basic infra structures, shelters, good education, affordable, healthcare, and especially good, healthy, and nutritious food (i.e.: naturally grown, organic, free of pesticides, toxins, GMOs, etc.) The dynamic stability of our systems has been constantly jeopardized and threatened by these apparently insane (and unprecedented) chaotic situations represented by multiple crises in Social, Economic and Environmental spheres, locally and worldwide. In terms of Environment, we certainly do not have enough resources available anymore to turn it into a â&#x20AC;&#x153;commodityâ&#x20AC;?

like it has been done for decades. We also see a generalized lack in terms of qualitaty community welfares related to public services such as schools, hospitals and hospices. DeGrowth In the words of Charles Eisenstein - author, public speaker and self-described "Degrowth Activist" who wrote the book Sacred Economics (2011): “The problem that we are seemingly unable to countenance is the end of growth. Today's system is predicated on the progressive conversion of nature into products, people into consumers, cultures into markets, and time into money. We could perhaps extend that growth for a few more years by fracking, deep-sea oil drilling, deforestation, land grabs from indigenous people and so on, but only at a higher and higher cost to future generations. Sooner or later – hopefully sooner – we will have to transition towards a steady-state or degrowth economy.” 9,10 Crisis seems to be the Order of the Day

The crises we face today go certainly beyond the realm of leadership, organizations and economy. These crises also present a treat to our current Socio-Cultural structure and the maintenance of a reasonably healthy balance. In the context of a growing Culture in which not only Economy grows endlessly but also our happiness is linked with over consumption, the fight and competition for the “health and wellness market” has been huge. It involves Alternative and Complementary Medicines, and also spiritual practices. Unfortunately, finger pointing, manipulation of information, fear-based stories based on misinterpretations about both Modern and Alternative-Complementary Medicines tend to play a significant role in this “market jungle”. Our current times pose us challenges that seem to be way beyond the Individual, as it reaches many levels of the Collective. This complex scenario seems to be the nest for the birth of a new Paradigm. Through a TransLogic Model – which means a model that transcends the modern logic of cause and effect,

as well as mutual exclusion of other paradigms the “Integral Paradigm” has emerged by claiming that every point of view can be genuine and at the same time partial. Also seen as a ”Post-PostModern” Paradigm, the Integral Paradigm is based in the principles of embracing different but complementary truths while highlighting the qualities of each. It also offers each one of them a legitimate place in the big picture, and manages to properly organizing them on a single comprehensive map or model.

Tables 1A AND 1B show a comparative summary of the main characteristics that define each of the periods discussed above.

It is also worth noting that according to the logic of paradigms, one can see that even the Integral Theory‘s map can turn to be partial one day, especially due to the fact that paradigms evolve based on our human evolution and progressive endeavors through time. However, at the moment this new Integral Paradigm seems to be able to better respond to many of our present challenges, compared to other paradigms from previous eras.

TABLE 1A- Main Characteristics of Each Historical Period Table 1A

Table 1B - Main Characteristics of Each Historical Period

THE MEDICAL THOUGHT This previous journey trough the paradigms was presented in order to better understand the process of Medical Thought within their historical context. Now, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s explore a bit further the influences of those paradigms in the development of Medical Practices (and Medical Schools of Thought), as well as human consciousness. In the Pre-Modern era, people felt like they were part of something greater than themselves. The main idea that surpassed all other aspects of this time was the unification of humans beings with Nature. Great philosophers of the time such as Empedocles, Plato and Aristotle explained that the Universe was basically made of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. Pre-Modern Medicine was also based on this same idea, which was used to explore and explain both physiology and pathology. As mentioned previously, it was believed that an imbalance of the elements would create instability between human beings and Nature,

which would eventually create disorder, unbalance, and become an illness. Thus, the treatment was based on promoting the reestablishment of this balance and order between humans and the Five Elements, with healing balancing methods that were in accordance with the laws of nature (Natural Laws). Western Medicine Practices that follow the same principles that can be still seen today are Phytotherapy, detox and relaxation techniques, as well as numerous diets proposed nowadays.

Traditional Medicines However, the greatest representatives of such practices where and still are ancient Eastern medicines such as Chinese and Ayurvedic. Since they originate from ancient traditions, they have been represented and proven by Medical Systems applied secularly in millions of people around the world. Again, it is also important to highlight that there have been other important models worth taken into proper consideration that have not

been so widespread as Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine – such as Tibetan, Japanese and Native/Aboriginal modalities of Medicine and healing. Like Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicines, they are also mostly known as “Traditional Medicines”, due to their common roots from secular Medical Traditions. On the other hand, Conventional Medicine (also known as Allopathic Medicine), and the current Western Medicine Paradigm are still based on Objectivism and Materialism from Modernism, especially nowadays. This is a trend that can be trace from the 1900s, based on the ideologies and social systems related to Industrialization and Capitalism. Modern Medicine One can say that this Conventional Medical approach is certainly fragmented in comparison to other approaches, and that it still mostly follows the Cartesian logic. It still sees humans as a collection of “particles” that form cells, organs, and systems. It also predicts that the proper functioning of these parts, organs and systems results is a healthy human being. Illness is seen as derived from the malfunctioning of these structures due to factors that might be

genetic, traumatic, infectious, environmental, behavioral;, or of “unknown origins”, among others. The physician’s role based in this paradigm is to fix or correct the apparent “biological mistake” through the use of chemical or surgical treatment, along with the purpose to provide a prompt cure or control of the disease. So, by making these associations, we can clearly see that Modern Medicine is still heavily based upon the Modern Paradigm previously discussed here, and in most cases it tends to not take into proper consideration the potentially systemic causes of diseases and imbalances. These are not perspectives that Modern Medicine uses to diagnose, prevent or cure diseases, unlike many other Alternative or Complementary Healing modalities. Conventional Medicine mostly tends to aim on remediation of symptoms even prior to physical manifestations and consequences of an illness, such as preliminary signs of unbalance or apparently indirect symptoms. Furthermore, it does not even tend to aim at the hidden systemic (or Holistic) causes of imbalance or disease (unlike many other Alternative and Complementary Healing modalities), but instead

rely mostly on remediation, usually focusing on the most superficial or apparent consequences of any disease, instead of focusing on their root systemic causes. At this point, I would like to expand this discussion further by focusing on the most pervasive (or usual) type of Conventional Medicine whose presence permeates (and predominates) in our everyday lives at this moment in time... (^) The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. However, Conventional Medicine tends to focus on the disease more than on the maintenance of these aspects stated above by WHO. On one hand, all the advances that the Conventional Medical field have experienced in the past decades are undoubtedly remarkable. For example, they have extended the possibility of our lifespan through advanced methods of diagnosis for early treatment and more sophisticated surgical techniques, and has also given everyone (who can pay) the chance of having a family with the advent of artificial insemination. On the other hand â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as many from the Alternative Medicine field have questioned and

criticized - we are apparently still on a lengthy hold (and perpetual hope) for the absolute cure of certain great chronicle illnesses that afflict the planet such as the AIDS, Alzheimer, some types of cancers, and child mortality. Conventional Medicine has also failed in providing a wellstructured support for the prevention and maintenance of health, for the main focus of medical research are the diseases and their superficial â&#x20AC;&#x153;fixingâ&#x20AC;?. As a result, we have numerous specialists in illnesses, and rarely a specialist in health and wellbeing. Chronicle Diseases In the case of chronicle diseases, this is certainly a pervasive issue that poses problems not only to the individual afflicted and their families, but also to the Health System as a whole. The ladder spends a great deal of resources trying to manage and control those disorders in order to generate more quality of life to society in general. Also, there are two main perspectives for the individuals who face the situation and outcome of their own health: The Passive, and the Active approach.

The Passive, and the Active approach to Healing The Passive perspective is the usual customer/ patient perspective, in which only health experts such as doctors, pharmaceutical industry (“Big Pharma”), and organizations such as WHO or government dictates what health is and which protocols should be followed to prevent or cure diseases – besides many times banning, turning illegal, or ostracizing certain promising Alternative Medicine potential healing treatments and cures. The individual corresponding to this approach is seen as a “patient”, which implicitly means an attitude of “passiveness”. The Active Perspective relates to “action”. Here the person’s knowledge is included in the process and could be quite active (and interactive) in relation to it. Active in terms of responsibility, free will, and perspectives about one’s own health and wellbeing - and Interactive in terms of working with doctors in their healing process as a team, co-creating together the path of the cure. Modern Medicine Methodologies

In order to better attend public necessities, Modern Medicine seeks to look for the habits and environments that could generate illnesses, as understood from its own paradigm. In order to accomplish this goal, it makes use of the Epidemiology Method. This method comprises a thorough Quantitative Analysis of the phenomena related to matter of health and illnesses, associating them with the potential conditions that might cause them, such as Environment, age, gender, diet, Education, Socio-Cultural variables, Economy, etc.

Follow below some results found from a a recent comprehensive study related to the overall situation of Health in Brazil.In 2008, the Brazilian Department of Health published a massive amount of data containing the mortality rate of different age groups throughout the country. The meticulous analysis of this data led to the important conclusion that the onset of chronicle diseases is based on four main factors: Life style, diet, the environment where the individual lives, and financial status. Note that the same pattern had already been proven true in the case of infectious diseases.

In Brazil, 74,7% of death causes are due to chronicle diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc.... Sedentary lifestyle (such as no physical exercise) accounts for 52% of the cases of hypertension, 48% of the cases of cardiovascular diseases, 14% of cases of diabetes, 16% of cases of colon cancer, and 10% of cases of breast cancer. I myself had two relatives with breast cancer, and one with colon cancer. Unfortunately, many of my friends share a similar situation. And there is more… Obesity was responsible for 60% of the cases of type II diabetes, 25% of all cancers, 20% of strokes, 30% of coronary diseases, and 40% of hypertension (high blood pressure) Mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety were responsible for five in every ten diseases in Brazil (a staggering 50%). Indeed, in my Integral Medicine practice I have seen depression and anxiety five times more than other diseases. Moreover, in 90% of all sick patients that I’ve treated, mental aspects tend to be deeply involved in the course of their physical illness or disease. I’ve also observed obesity and various other infections of the upper respiratory tract, such as

flu, common cold, pharyngitis and sinusitis - in which stress, depression and anxiety tend to be often involved, in conjunction with external environmental aspects such as pollution and unhealthy diets. Furthermore, lack of quality of life such as little or no leisure time (and happy, free flowing moments) can be also aspects involved in these cases. Epidemic crises of chronic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, CVA (stroke), and infections as consequence of chronic disease count to pretty much up to 50% of all diseases I saw when working as a Medical Doctor intern in the hospitals while I was a student. Approximately 30% of them were related to infectious diseases, and 10% to mental illnesses. In the case of chronic diseases, there is not much to do today from the perspective of Conventional Modern Medicine besides a proper and continuous management of it. According to this paradigm, nobody gets cured of a chronic disease, which is not what other Alternative and Complementary modalities that focus of the root of diseases tend to claim.

In fact, there are some specialties in Conventional Medicine that can actually cure people. Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Infectious Disease, Orthopedics and Surgery to treat wounds and injuries caused by accident or violence - are examples of Conventional Modern Medicine fields that provide actually cure. Infectious diseases are also examples of diseases that can be actually cured by Conventional Medicine, as of today. Back to the introduction, I mentioned the reason why I chose to be a doctor since I was young child, this decision has a lot to do with the subject I just discussed in this chapter. As I said, I ended up

choosing the area of “Infectious Diseases” as my Medical Specialty due to the low rate of success (cure) of chronicle disease. Besides that, I came to understand that the area of “Infectious Diseases” often involves working with communities and public health, and not only individuals. From my current Integral Medicine perspective, I can now see that from a systemic view (and acting in truly systemic ways) the Infectious disease field happens to come closer to a systemic approach than any other medical specialty. So, not surprisingly, this was one of the main reasons that made me chose to follow

this specialized medical path related “Infectious disease”.

Other alarming and very telling data found by the same survey from Brazil’s Department of Health were that physical violence in assaults and accidents had together been responsible for 38% of deaths among the ages of 15 to 49 years old. Also, there seemed to be a significant increase in this number when the age range was narrowed to 15 to 24 years old, representing 78% of deaths. Other external causes of death fell into fourth place among all causes of death in the whole country. These were not only numbers that are far away for us, but we can regularly witness these causes of death on the streets, TV News and Newspapers nowadays. Today in Brazil, It is unfortunately rare to find someone who never had a case of violence in their network of friends and family. Our Public Health Hospitals have been working over their capacity to attend all people in need, with very crowded emergency rooms. At the moment - even though Brazil has been going through an apparently positive economic phase in general - Brazilian doctors

and hospitals in the public sector have been working beyond their professional and structural limits to deal with this sad and cruel reality. The analysis of these numbers makes evident that almost 3/4 of the Brazilian population end up dying due to chronicle illnesses. Among its determinants, sedentary life and obesity are the top ones. However, in the case of the younger population, violence and accidents turn to be the main causes of death. Based on the data above, I would like to call your attention to note that, besides genetically related factors, the leading causes of all diseases or deaths mentioned above were related to SocioCultural and Environmental aspects. Thus, the epidemiology of non-transmissible diseases demonstrates the importance of integrating aspects such as quality of life, promotion of health, Cultural, and Environmental variables. Epidemiology of Non-Transmissible Diseases It is already clear that chronic diseases are related to individual behaviors and habits. In order to change the awful situation described

above, we have to promote health and quality of life (lifestyle impriovement). In fact, this has been done by the epidemiology of nontransmissible diseases, which is an academical term to describe diseases that are not tranmissible trough “vectors”. Inother words, they are non infecctious diseases, such as Diabetes and High Blood Pressure. These issues have been partially addressed by Modern Conventional Medicine, since it focus on the cure of diseases and primes for solution of symptoms and management of sequels. However, the data calls for a more urgent and efficient model that could be more inclusive, and also embrace more fully the relationships between the emotional, mental, biological and environmental aspects of our lives. This model also needed to consider the cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and values of each individual. In fact, such broader model already exists through the Post-Modern Medicine, which tends to see individuals not only as a result of their biological “machinery”, but also in the

interaction people have with their own bodies, Culture, Social Structure, and Environment. From this Post-Modern Medical approach, the individual is seen as part of a system. So, from this approach, the Medical Paradigm shifts from treating the illness, to focusing on individuals and their unique personal needs. Through this practice, a new situation arises where a new language has to be developed and the doctor becomes a “behavioral instructor” (or, in more contemporary terms, a specialized coach). Post-Modern Medical approach: Integrative Medicine (as different from Integral Medicine) The medical consultation then becomes a multidisciplinary engagement and the treatment is targeted to provide to a better quality of life to the individual - besides the proper prevention, cure and control of the disease or illness. This is the practical medical system of what is called by Integrative Medicine (as different from Integral Medicine) However, this system is still based in a disease paradigm, and it still does not

have the development of consciousness at the core of its practices, like Integral Medicine that I practice and advocate in this book does (see more details later in the next chapters). Integrative Medicine is actually a contemporary system founded in the late 1980‘s and is based on a trans-disciplinary approach that integrates effectively the various therapeutic treatments it embraces. In this framework, for example, the patient can be treated with Modern Conventional Medicine, and at the same time with healing practices such as Shiatsu, Meditation, Physical Therapy, and Acupuncture, among others. Moreover, the systemic principles usually present in Post-Modern Medicine approaches such as Integrative Medicine are based upon, can take various aspects of the human life into consideration. They can also recognize how these aspects can play important roles in the states of health or disease of any individual. Yet, the symptoms are still seen and dealt without taking into full consideration the individual’s natural insertion into a broader Cultural and Social environment, even though it is based on a

pluralistic theory that is multidisciplinary in nature.

supposed

mapping and providing the most diverse types of healing resources and treatments. Due to its broad reach in several fields and dimensions, all of this can be applied to individuals, communities, organizations, and even social systems.

Moving a step above and beyond Integrative Medicine, the Integral Medicine Paradigm - in contrast with the Integrative Medicine Paradigm described above – offers a complete

Within the framework used in my Integral Medicine practice at MedIntegral, the idea of well-being goes beyond being physically fit, or the mere adaptation and re-insertion of individuals in the normal parameters of the Culture and Society they live in. The concept of well-being referred here is one that invites individuals to achieve a better understanding and knowledge of their own mind and psyche, as well as the internal and external resources they can use to nourish and further develop their awareness.

THE INTEGRAL MEDICAL THOUGHT

Investigation and analysis of an individual, as well as a collective subject of study (group, community or organization). For that, an Integral Map can be developed, containing both the Objective and Subjective aspects of the person, as well as their collective representations. Based on a groundbreaking and unprecedented translogic structure, Integral Medicine pin points and offers its clients (or “patients”) all the healing resources and therapeutic treatments available not only with the goal of attaining health and enduring well-being, but also aiming the development of consciousness of their subjects of study – and hence contributing to enhance health, growth and maturity to individuals and groups. The Integral approach is also focused on prevention and promotion of health, besides

From the perspective of this Integral Model, the so called “patient” is no longer “passive” in the act of his or her own healing process, but becomes an active member of the healing process by learning and reflecting upon their psychological and behavioral patterns. Hence, this process renders individuals capable of acting upon their natural conditions to attain a state of well-being.

As part of the Integral Treatment, individuals are both supported and challenged in balanced ways to make more personalized choices that will be better for them in the short and long run. Usually, the individual can gradually develop through this process a more “worldcentric” perception (beyond egocentric or ethnocentric) or a sense of being part of a web that permeates and connects all things. That leads them to make better use of their resources in ways that are not only more efficient, but also simpler and more sustainable. In short, Integral Medicine can ultimately lead to a definite positive transformation in people’s life styles.

Table 2 shows a comparative summary of the main characteristics that define each of the periods discussed above.

The Integral Doctor, on the other hand, goes beyond the regular approach of prescribing medications and instructing about better behaviors that could prevent or revert the ill or unbalanced condition of the client (or “patient”). The Integral Physician also acts a specialized coach facilitating self-reflection and assisting in the expansion of consciousness, so that he or she can act as a catalyst to transform their client’s (or “patient”) behavior in order to attain the best state of health and wellbeing possible under their reach.

Table 2 - The Medical Thought: Main Characteristics of Each Historical Period

Existence corresponds to the mere fact of being. It is the concrete experience of being alive, and at the same time the basis from where all life and sentience emerges. Existence manifests itself as self-awareness in its higher expressions in the case of human beings.

EXISTENCE

Now, one can ask an apparently simple but very valid question..

“Suffering means having a nightmare. Happiness means a good dream. Realization means being out of both dreams… in other words, being awake.” Jed Mackenna

After all, what is the actual experience of awareness about? Several areas of knowledge have been paying attention to the subject of human awareness, since immemorial times. The ancient philosophers were already used to reflect about it at length, sometimes dedicating all of their lives. This fundamental existential search has been also implicit in the fields of Metaphysics, Theology, and also the so called “Cartesian (Descartes) Solution”. It has also been explored by pioneer endeavors during the Western “Enlightenment” period, (17th and 18th

centuries), that proposed to reform society by means of reason and advanced knowledge through the use of scientific methods.1 As we saw, this idea corresponded to the Modern Paradigm, from which revolutionary and progressive ideas were used to “demystify” Nature and “Natural laws”. In the field of Biology, coupled with several related areas of Medical Science such as Neuroscience and Biochemistry, many explorations have been made to explain awareness. They have covered through brain’s anatomy and functions, the systemic network involving nervous and endocrine systems, the amazing biochemical information transmission between cells, Biochemistry, and through patterns of Cellular and Systemic Networks throughout the body. Body’s Network Connections These network connections can communicate information all over the body, allowing our

complex and multi-systemic physical apparatus to work perfectly, according to natural laws. Broadly speaking, whatever happens in our hair at the top of our head, the cell of the sole of our feet should be informed in order to keep the proper balance of the body and intelligently keep making necessary adjustments to adapt the body to new situations and environments in order to survive and thrive in life. These network connections could also be seen as a means to keep itself alive, and functioning always under an ideal dynamic balance. The connective tissue (previously covered), as well as the endocrine, nervous, and circulatory systems are perfect examples of these systemically intelligent and naturally self-balancing networks. In summary, these Modern Parading approaches ultimately define consciousness as a result of chemical reactions and electrical neuronal networks. Cognition and Autopoiesis

Another significant area of investigation of consciousness is Cognition, especially if related to the groundbreaking work of Humberto Varela and Francisco Varela. Humberto Maturana is a Chilean Biologist and philosopher, whose work is concerned with the Biology of Cognition. Francisco Varela was a Chilean Biologist and Neuroscientist who co-founded the Mind and Life Institute, aimed to promote a dialog between Science and Buddhism. Both of these pioneering scientists have expanded the notion of the roots of Biological Cognition a bit further than other conventional approaches, by stating that living systems are constituted by elements (such as proteins) that continuously create and re-create themselves in natural patterns of self-organization. This amazing natural process is currently known as Autopoiesis. Autopoiesis is a compound word that carry two meanings: ”Auto” meaning oneself and by itself,

and ”Poiesis” meaning production, creation, organization, formation. Hence, the word “Autopoiesis” literally means "self-production, self-creation", “self-organization”. Maturana and Varela (1980) define Autopoiesis as follows: “An Autopoietic system is a system organized (and defined as a unity) as a network of processes of production (transformation and destruction) of components that produce themselves. At this time, the components have the following characters: (1) through their interactions and transformations they continuously regenerate and realize the network of processes (relations) that produced them; and (2) they constitute it (the system) as a concrete unity in the space in which they (the components) exist by specifying the topological domain of its realization as such a network.” 2 Metaphorically speaking, this concept could be associated with Nature (or a “Divine driven Evolutionary Hand”) playing with a huge “Lego” set composed by elements such as proteins and fat molecules.

At any time, different forms can be created and re-created, organized and reorganized without losing the original nature and identity of their creation, even if we use the exactly the same pieces to build different structures with them. Even though we usually do not realize it, Autopoiesis actually corresponds to a naturally pervasive and continuous biological phenomenon, which is present everywhere in the world of living beings. There are billions of particles traveling back and forth inside and outside every cell in the human body (as well as other living creatures) These cells are building and constantly renewing themselves in continuous, accelerated and quite intelligent and complex ways. The process of Autopoiesis not only defines, but also keeps our physical shape and dynamic balance as we know it. Theory of Autopoietic Systems Influenced by the ideas of Maturana and Varella, German Sociologist and prominent Sociological

System Theory thinker Niklas Luhmann has developed the “Theory of Autopoietic Systems”, presented in his book Social System (1995). In order to develop his theory, Luhmann addressed in detail the Autopoiesis of Social Systems, which he claims ‘can contribute to the abstraction and refinement of the general Theory of Autopoietic Systems’ 3 (Luhmann 1990, p. 11). Luhmann states that communication “seems to consist of an emergent reality of its own, representing some kind of Autopoietic network of operations that continually organizes what we seek, as well as the coincidence of self-reference (utterance) and external reference (information). Communication comes about by splitting reality through a highly artificial distinction between utterance and information, both taken as contingent events within an ongoing process that recursively uses the results of previous steps and anticipates future ones”4 (Luhmann 1992).

Based on Luhmann’s Social Systems theory developed around the 80s, Human Society is seen as a Collective Body constituted by each and every Individual who belongs to it. This Theory sees Interaction as being the process of an organism adaptation to its Environment.

coincidence between the changes state..’” (Maturana, 1975) in the participants.

This process of Dynamic Adaptation is known as “Structural Coupling”.

Besides these definitions, Social Systems Theory also leads to the concept of Interdependence, which means:

Structural Coupling Structural Coupling is the term for structuredetermined (and structuredetermining) engagement of a given unity with either its environment, or with another unity. The process of engagement relates to a "...history or recurrent interactions leading to the structural congruence between two (or more) systems" (Maturana & Varela, 1987). Furthermore, it can also be seen as “...a historical process leading to the spatio-temporal

As such, Structural Coupling has coordination and co-evolution. For example, Structural Coupling is the foundation for Maturana’s account of Linguistic Interaction as “Languaging’”(Maturana, 1978)

Independent Individuals depending on each other (or relying on each other) and on their particular “traits” (position, space and specific skills) in order to create larger dynamic structures, such as Culture and Society. Despite major advances and discoveries in the field of Consciousness Studies, we still know very little about Existence, academically speaking. Existence manifests itself as awareness. From that perspective, it can be defined as a deep

feeling-based perception of being awakened or “shaken up” or “awakened” by life shocks or meaningful events - which often happens when one is emotionally shaken by some awesome or very painful moments in life, such as in the birth of a child, a serious illness, a death of a beloved one, or falling in love. This “awakened mind/heart” turns to be almost impossible to explain in linear or logical words, and this is the main reason that mostly intuitive poets or sages dare to express it in their nonlinear and multi-dimensional metaphorical languages, humor and/or mind-bending language puzzles (which in Japanese are also called by “Koans”). Japanese’ Koans A Koan consists in paradox or cognitively dissonant ideas designed to be meditated upon, Koans have been used to train Zen Buddhist monks to abandon their ultimate dependence on reason and force them into gaining sudden intuitive insights of “Enlightenment”, a peculiar

and highly advanced state of mind known to transcend and include rationality 5 Language Language also takes place to answer this fundamental question about what is Existence. It can be said that language functions both as a communication tool, and also as an inner process that allows us to think. Due to the natural process of adaptation to a specific Culture and Society, most of our experience tends to be rationalized in various intensities, styles and degrees. In other words, this means that most of our experience are transformed into language, kept internally as thoughts, or externally manifested through different kinds of expression such as spoken or written language. Language’s Pronouns Pronouns play a significant role as elements in language. The pronoun “I” is related to the FirstPerson, which means me, the author, who is

writing these words and sharing the ideas in this book. Similarly, the pronoun “You” is related to the Second-Person, which means the other person whom I speak to. In the case of this book, “You” will be you, the reader, who is receiving my communication. Finally, the pronouns He/She/It are related to the ThirdPerson, which means the person who is being talking about. Examples of my medical cases in this book, and references to other authors exemplify the use of this pronoun (or perspective).

So, what (or who) is observed is always a ThirdPerson (He, She, or It), even though there is a First-Person (“I”) perception of the reality being directly observed by the observer (a thinker, doctor, or scientist), who perceives the “It” from the perspective of their own senses (physical apparatus of perception).

Notice that from First-, to Second-, to ThirdPerson, significant differences occur in terms of styles of language, content and communication – and most importantly, the distance between Subject (Observer) and Object (Observed).

Since the Third-Person perspective has become the usual and global approach of observation enacted by most of the Western World (including most of Modern/Contemporary Easter World), it has been chosen as the official Methodological Basis usually taught in schools in the majority of fields, including Medicine. This is how we are trained to understand the empirical “logic” of things early on in life, and how physicians are mostly trained to follow this approach in their medical practices.

All methodologies used for building knowledge are based on observation, which means their focus is on something outside the observer, which one intends to study, observe, or relate to.

Almost every single research about the brain follows the usual protocol of this Scientific Method, which assumes the existence of an observer and something being observed (which

in this case ins related to the mind observing the brain as a physical organ). Hence, this approach is basically a typical example of a Third-Person oriented approach to the subject of Mind & Body (Mind as Brain, as an “It”). However, it is important to note that the consciousness of the observer is also integrated into the whole related to the perception of who or what is being observed. Besides and beyond the Third-Person perspective, not only the Methodology of Integral Medicine presented in this book, but also the Integral Approach and its Integral Health Indexes derivatives also include the First-Person approach, which can also mean a shortening in the gap between the observer and the observed This subjective phenomena is covered also called by the discipline of Phenomenology in Philosophy, and the total absence of this gap is also known as Non-Duality in Spiritual terms.

Non-Duality Historically, Non-duality can be linked way back to the Advaita Vedanta tradition, an ancient school of Hindu philosophy that states there is no difference between Brahman (the highest reality, the True Self) and Atman (the Original Principle)6 Non-Duality ultimately means that the one who observes is the experience itself. “If Atman is Brahman in a pot (the body), then one merely needs to break the pot to fully realize the primordial unity of the Individual Soul with the plentitude of Being that is the Absolute.” 7 In Western Culture, the term “Non-Duality” is also used in Modern/Contemporary Spirituality and the “New Age” Movement to describe a "Great Tradition"8 , that conceives “primordial, natural Awareness without Subject or Object”9 as the fundamental essence of a variety of religious traditions.

The term “Non-Duality” is also used to refer to the idea of “One” (Inter-Connectedness), in opposition to Cartesian dualism. 10 Phenomenology Phenomenology is the philosophical study of the structures of subjective experience and consciousness. 11 Edmund Husserl (1859 – 1938) was a Philosopher and Mathematician who founded the 20th Century’s Philosophical School of Phenomenology. He worked on a Methodology of Phenomenological Reduction that claimed that a subject might come to be known directly in its essence. Even though Science can analyses and describe what is consciousness to us to a certain (but limited) extent, it still do not teach us how to actually become conscious. The actual process of being consciously aware of something can only be cultivated through the First-Person perspective.

The main trait of a First-Person observation is the actual and direct experience of consciousness, “right here, and right now”. As previously explained in this book, the conscious aspect of our awareness is not able to hold its unconscious counterpart within the limited reach of its perception, so, the only way to become conscious of it is to bring the unconscious to life in a conscious, intentional way. This might seem a paradoxical concept, but that's the truth about the reality of our human perception. Once we are conscious and alert, we are involved in the processes of thinking, elaborating, rationalizing and judging. These subjective aspects of the mind can be objectively observed as corresponding to the Beta wave state in the brain. They consist of a big part of our human nature and lives. However, most of the time we are unaware of what is actually occurring behind such mental activity. We tend to not see

ourselves as being something beyond our discriminative thinking minds, which actually only correspond to one potential layer of our consciousness: The first layer of consciousness, responsible for the reflective property of the mind. I am not referring here specifically to rationalization, but to the phenomena of awareness itself, the act of being “aware” of something. This perception of Existence can unblock the consciousness of the rational mind and let perception flow freely through our minds and whole being. The one who observes the thought has always been her (or there). The life expressing itself through us corresponds to what is the “permanent” in us. As stated in the King James Bible (Psalms 46:10):

“Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the Earth”. 12 Lao Tzu (c.604 - 531 B.C.) –an Ancient Chinese philosopher best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching book of wisdom regarded the natural perception of Existence as: “No thought, no action, no movement, stillness: Only thus can one manifest the nature and law of things from within unconsciously, and at last become one heaven and earth.”

total true and with

This fundamentally existential state can also be experienced when “the Simple Feeling of Being” unlocks the most superficial layer of consciousness related to the discriminative (rational, linear) aspect of the analytic mind, allowing the free and natural flow of consciousness to move from the background to the foreground of our human awareness. In the book The Simple Felling of Being, the compilation of Ken Wilber’s works based on the

several passages where he managed to describe this state of consciousness, we find this illustration about it: "Is this not obvious? Aren't you already aware of existing? Don't you already feel the simple Feeling of Being? Don't you already possess this immediate gateway to ultimate Spirit, which is nothing other than the simple Feeling of Being? You have this simple Feeling of Being now, don't you? And you have it now, don't you? And now, yes?... You feel the simple Feeling of Being? Who is not already Enlightened?" 13- Book One Taste There are an endless number of teachings and practices from Wisdom Traditions that aim to promote the access to such fundamental experiences and ways of life. This is actually a path intensely sought be spiritual practitioners of many traditions, especially the Contemplative and Religious practices in the East (Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, etc.) and West (Esoteric Christianity, Kabbalah, etc.), as well as some other healthy Esoteric lineages from both sides.

All of these teachings and practices from Wisdom Traditions ultimately converge to the experience of Inner Silence, or ‘”Stillness’’, a state of mind where attention is driven from external/objective perceptions or inner objects of attention into the full experience of the creative void, silence and stillness characteristic of the roots of awareness always and ever present in our inner world. Morgan Freeman is a famous Hollywood American actor who played the role of “God” in the comedy movie “Bruce Almighty”. This phrase was wisely stated by him: “Learning how to be still, to be really still, and let life happen - that stillness becomes a radiance.” Since Truth is One, contemporary American author and philosopher Ken Wilber also states that “this inner look allows us to find our “Original Face”.

Theory U and Presence Otto Schamer - a renowned organizational consultant and author of the books Theory U and Presence (the latter co-authored with Peter Senge and others) – also covers this subject, coming from a specific perspective. Sharmer states that the contact with our deeper interior world can generate a state of full attention which he calls by "Presencing", a state that opens access to the inner creative field, where future possibility is seeking to emerge.

He also co-founded the Global Wellbeing and Gross National Happiness (GNH) Lab, which links innovators from Bhutan, Brazil, Europe, and United States aiming to provide proactive innovations that move beyond the concept of GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

Sharmer has worked with governments in Africa, Asia, and Europe, and has delivered awardwinning leadership and innovation programs to many reputable organizations and corporations. Inner Sight

In his words: “Presencing is the blending of seeing and presence, a means to connect with the Source of the highest future possibility, and to bring it into the Now.” 14 Dr. Scharmer is also a Senior Lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Founding Chair of the Presencing Institute.

From the perspectives of Sharmer and Wilber – who are thinkers I take in greater respect - the exercise of this Inner Sight can also lead into a gradual transformation of Individuals. Moreover, it could provide innovative solutions to current World challenges, and also promote more honest, integrated, healthy and ethical lifestyles. It is often easy to recognize the presence of “Inner Sights” in the creative and expressive work of poets, painters and artists. Similarly,

monastic rituals practiced by priest and nuns, as well as practitioners of meditation techniques and even advanced Yogis have been also looking to achieve (or access) a similar State of Mind.

As previously mentioned, awareness can be also described as simply as being fully awake to whatever comes to us, and whatever and goes through ourselves.

All these examples require very intense and exclusive dedication to carry out such practices in order to fully experience the intended results.

Gilberto Gil - a renowned Brazilian singerand ex hippie form the 60s - expresses this concept in one of his songs with the beautiful simplicity of a true poet: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I need to learn to just Beâ&#x20AC;?.

However, it is worth highlighting that this is not what my perspective of Integral Medicine is all about, and this is not what my approach of Integral Medicine proposes. As a contemporary Western Integral Doctor living in the 21st Century in our current times and under our present conditions, I fully understand that everybody can achieve this State of Mind independently of how we live our lives, independent of where we live, and independent on what educational, cultural, spiritual, or religious background one is coming from, or embedded in.

As of today, it is my understanding that Integral Theory can offer the most profound and comprehensive approach to be used in any field of knowledge and practice, especially Medicine.

INTEGRAL MEDICAL PRACTICE

“All human experience comprehends four fundamental aspects. If we happen to ignore any of them, we will certainly fail to take into consideration an important part of the “story”. This will in turn create a partial vision and consequently the solutions stemming from it will be also partial.” -Ken Wilber

Based on historical patterns and from a more impartial view, it is important to note that that same concept of “partiality” pointed out by Integral Theory can be also applied to the Integral Theory itself, as time goes by. Given the fact that all man-made theories and paradigms evolve, and the “totality” of one, would turn to be “partiality” of the next. American Psychotherapist Myron Sharaf (1927-1997) included in his book a very telling quote from William Reich (1897 – 1957) – who was a renowned Austrian Psychoanalyst expert in somatic and energetic therapies: “The question ’What is Life?’ lays behind everything I’ve learned. ... It became clear that the mechanistic concept of life, which dominated our study of medicine at the time, was

unsatisfactory Â ... There was no denying the principle of creative power governing life; only it was not satisfactory as long as it was not tangible, as long as it could not be described or practically handled. For, rightly, this was considered the supreme goal of natural science."[19] -Wilhelm Reich

Conventional Medicine As we have observed so far in this analysis, Conventional Medicine (Allopathic) can be seen as a classical biological approach, mainly focused in the physical domains, and based on the disease model. In general, this type of Medical Practice prescribes treatments that are often in line with physical aspects and interventions, such as surgery, drugs and behavioral change based on external interventions and practices. However, this Medical Approach has been gradually changing, in some places more than the others, or more significantly than the others. According to the American Medical News,

published in October 20111, currently 42% of U.S. hospitals provided some kind of Alternative Therapy. Alternative and Complementary Medicines We can also find evidence of a more inclusive approach in the medical fields four years early, when the National Health Interview Survey engaged in a research on the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines by the American population. It demonstrated at that time that thirty-eight percent of American adults were already using these healing modalities. Similar trust and interest can be found in other continents too. In Europe, there are already more than a hundred million people using the Alternative Healthcare at some point in their lives, which includes both Alternative and Complementary Medicines.3. This large interest in Alternative and Complementary Healthcare, alongside with the emergence of new disciplines such as PsychoNeuroImmunology and Integrative Medicine, lead into a different concept and view of health and healing.

Integral Medicine This most up to date Integral Medicine Approach recognizes that emotions, psychological attitude, prayer, and intention can play a crucial role both in the cure of diseases, as well as in the healing process and personal development as a whole. In the context of this new Integral Health Paradigm, two aspects are of paramount importance to take into consideration. On one hand we have the acknowledgement that subjective aspects interfere in states and levels of health. On the other hand, we have the fact that individual consciousness is intrinsic to one’s values, beliefs and worldviews – and that this can be directly related to people’s life styles, and consequently to their health. It follows, for example, that the perception of any individual about a particular disease (either taking it with self-hate, prejudice, judgment, or with compassion, responsibility, and acceptance)

will profoundly influence one’s way of dealing with its symptoms, and therefore its evolution (or “involution”) and prognosis. In this sense, there have been many studies that consistently show that patients with cancer who are properly integrated in support groups can live longer and better than those who do not have such kind of support. This happens because their “cultural territory” governs the processes of health and disease. This kind of support requires the interaction of intersubjective factors, such as communication between client (or “patient), physician and the health team; the attitudes of family and friends; Acceptance of the disease (self-integration) coupled with cultural values and interpretations related to it can play a significant role in the healing process. Yet, Socio-Economic and material factors - such as financial matters, corporate interests profit metality in first place that promiting health, coupled with greed), lobbies, public health safety, sanitation and environmental toxins are rarely included as health inducing (or not) factors - although they can exert an extremelly

significant impact on it, either directly or indirectly. A clear example of this condition is the precarious Social Security System in Brazil, where urban violence reaches such alarming levels that the survey related to mortality in young people between 15 and 24 years has shown that 78% of the deaths are actually due to external causes such as accidents, agression and violence from assault. However, Public Safety is still not fully considered as an aspect of health. The SocioEnvcironemntal sphere includes factors such as Economy, Safety, Public Health, basic Sanitation, and Environmental Pollution. As an example of a new perspective and paradigm, Integral Medicine look for a broad and deep apprehension of health and the construction of a Medical Model more comprehensive, effective, and human. Integral Medicine considers - in each situation - the incidence of multiple factors and variables in the process of case diagnostics, evaluations, and prognostics. Based on collection of multiple data, these aspects are arranged into a single Integral Map. The Integral Medicine (or Integral Health) Model considers as many aspects of health as possible (organized as Lines of Integral

Health) and arrange them in a single map known as Quadrants, which is one of the main tools related to the process and management of health, from an Integral perspective. In order to make this idea a bit clearer, let’s consider the famous story of a group of five blind men who find an elephant on their way. Each of them reaches one part of the animal. One touches the trunk, another paws, the other touché the tail, another touches the ears, and finally the last one touches the belly of the elephant. As they meet after the experience to share their impressions, each one has a different perspective of the animal. The one who touched the tail said “it was something very thin and with some thick hair”. The other who touched the belly disagreed, saying that “it was something big, hard and round”. Then, the one who touched the paw agreed with the perception that the animal was round and hard, but disagreed that it was too large. The blind man who touched the trunk disagreed that the elephant was hard and big, but agreed that it was round. And finally, the man who touched the ear disagreed with them all and said that the animal was somewhat thin, with a large surface.

Which one is the true description of the elephant? None. And, at the same time, all of them. Right? This brilliant story is a metaphor of fragmented views versus broader (whole) views. One of the greatest advantages of the Integral Approach is its amplitude and range of observation. It can add and organize the various (apparently) different perspectives of anything (like seeing the elephant as a whole), therefore coming closer to perceiving what reality is as a whole. It also points to potential shortcomings of perception and interpretation, such as narrowness of views, blind spots and perceptual biases. Unlike other forms of medical practice, Integral Medicine is not fixed on one particular aspect of health. At the same time, it is also good to highlight that many other holistic approaches are also not exclusive like Integral is. In the case of Integral Medicine, the process in which it evaluates matters of health seeks to include the majority of issues involved. The healing and

restorative therapies it suggests or make use of also follow this same principle. So, Integral Medicine is based on the principle that the healthy balance and dynamic stability of the body is intrinsically connected to the numerous dimensions of being. It makes use of a PostHolistic Perspective that considers everything as intrinsically interconnected, and hence of proper interest to the Integral Doctor. Integral Medicine is therefore a broad, inclusive, profound and coherent approach that values the connection among the numerous perspectives that form a healthy human being, both internal and external. In the Medical Field, this more inclusive model has expanded the horizons of the overall medical practice and allows for the creation of a Therapeutic Matrix that can be more complete, whole, integrated, and customized to each individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inner condition and outer situation. In addition, through the process of reestablishing health, specific resources can be also developed to aid or catalyze the

developmental or evolutionary process of the individual in many aspects, such as ego maturity, spiritual awakening, mindfulness, etc. In other words, the Integral Medical model, besides promoting health, healing, and wellbeing in unprecedented ways, also promotes personal growth, as well as expansion of consciousness and awareness.

practices used to reestablish or maintain a healthy condition, based on the uniqueness of each client (or “patient”) - both in terms of internal conditions (mind, emotions, body, spirit) and external situations (socio-economic status, culture, society, environment).

John Kabat-Zinn - professor of Medicine Emeritus and founding director of the Stress Reduction Clinic, plus the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School refers to this expansion of consciousness and awareness as Mindfulness – a term a bit more scientific and impartial than “spiritual awakening”, or “spiritual contemplation”.

The American doctor David Tusek is a doctor in the USA who practices Family and Emergency Medicine with an Integral Approach. In his article “An Integral Path To Medicine: The Mysteries of Salutogenesis” published in the website Integral Life.com (2011)4, he argues that in general, the Integral Doctor tries to answer the question of how the level of consciousness (which will be discussed later) of the clients (or “patients”) can affect the way they respond to illnesses, and based on this data, he works to optimize his Integrally-oriented treatment.

Integral Medicine is able to accomplish these multiple and simultaneous goals mostly because it personalizes the different instruments for medical interventions, as well as the medical

An example of this phenomenon can be illustrated by the fact that in Brazil some religions do not allow blood transfusion, because they believe such procedure would be

Mindfulness

forbidden by God, based interpretations of the Bible.

their

own

Tusek also explains that, in the context described above, it is primarily important to define certain relevant aspects and make clear differentiations such as to be aware about the difference between health and healing, as well as between acute and chronicle illnesses. Follow below a brief exploration of this idea: Health and Healing Health is a state of relative mind and body equilibrium and dynamic balance. When in a healthy state, our bodies and minds have a specific and proper dynamic balance according to the stage of development of each specific individual â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both within and among all dimensions of a human being (Subjective, Objective, Individual and Collective). On the other hand, cure necessarily promotes changes, most often in radical ways. When the

body becomes ill, it is challenged to go through a transformation. For example: In the case of a wounded person, the many layers of the skin start to reorganize themselves in order to quickly transform the wound into a scar. Few people realize but this process involves all dimensions of a human being. It could be quick, complete, and painless, or it could be slow, partial, and painful - and even involve an infection. However, regardless of the result, that area will never be the same as it was prior to the injury. Therefore, the permanent change in the tissue is directly related not only to the seriousness of the initial harm, but also with all the dimensions of the healing process that took place in the skin. In some cases, the result of the healing process is a further â&#x20AC;&#x153;strengtheningâ&#x20AC;? of the body and mind. Body and mind can become better adapted after the healing process, as when it develops antibodies against a virus. In other situations, it may be a much less enriching or strengthening process, which could be

interrupted by all kinds of severe complications, and even cause the death of the individual. In any situation, however, the process of healing definitely involves changes. That is one of the reasons why illnesses could be also considered as a starting point for transformational changes. Thus, healing can be seen as a developmental or evolutionary process, more than a simple way of reestablishing homeostasis. Homeostasis Homeostasis is the property of a system that regulates its internal environment and tends to maintain a stable and relatively constant condition of properties, such as body temperature, level of acidity vs. alkalinity (pH), etc. Leveraging Illnesses and Transformation Differently from other Medical Approaches (or Paradigms), one of the main missions of Integral

Medicine is to take advantage of this transformational potential related to illnesses and promote the development and evolution of the organism (human being) in all of its potential dimensions of growth, health and wellbeing. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consider two examples. Individual Aspects of Health The first one illustrates individual aspects, which is only related to a singular person, including variables such as genetic, behavioral and nutrition.

Collective Aspects of Health The second example illustrates collective aspects, which are related to a group of individuals (i.e.: communities, social holons), including variables such as transportation, quality of air, and Economy (to consider just a few of many).

Referring to that first example, we might consider the healing process related to an orthopedic trauma. In terms of the emotional aspect of this individual, he or she might gain more emotional resilience, while in in terms of their spiritual side, this event might be translated as an experience of inner peace, especially because he or she actually needed to be more still and in repose, and to experience lots of time to reflect and rest. That is, both feelings of resilience and inner peace might contribute to the rehabilitation through physical therapy, since they could become more open and let the body cultivate a peace-inducing biochemistry - which is related to hormones such as endorphins. This hormone stimulates the processes of tissue recovery. Thus, this is a simultaneous process. The change does not only occur in the physical dimension only, but it take place simultaneously in all dimensions of the individual: Subjective, Physical, Behavioral, Relational, and in terms of their participation in Culture and Society.

IntegralMedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Case Study: From Paralysis to Freedom In my practice at IntegralMed, I have observed this process in numerous patients. For example, I had a 24-year-old patient who suffered cervical vertebral damage due to tuberculosis, which is an infectious disease. The disease resulted in making him paraplegic in terms of his physical body. Under these awful circumstances, he became emotionally devastated and developed a mild depression. This led him to social isolation, and he ended up developing several cultural judgments (negative) towards himself and his condition, to which the family also became very concerned to the point of desperation. During the healing process - besides the physical therapy and the medical drugs prescribed - as part of my role as an Integral Doctor, I also established a deep relationship with his immediate family. I provided them with extreme emotional support and coaching based therapy. I also established a closer professional

rapport with my client. By engaging in leisure activities with him and also acting as a friend and facilitator, I constantly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; either indirectly or directly - encouraged him to face his situation from a different perspective. The entire healing process took around 3 and half years. He spent the first 6 months in the hospital, and the following 3 years in rehabilitation, resulting in the fortunate outcome of regaining his ability to walk almost completely. Along with the rehabilitation, he developed great resilience, gained a deeper understanding about his condition, and a new approach to himself and his life - which he reported to be much more inclusive than previous to his condition. He reported that his time alone, with friends and loved ones became much more precious to his heart. The overall experience also lead him to discover and realize his lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream by moving to another country, which he was able to achieve in just a span of one year. Much of these attributes were due to the positive self-image, self-confidence and assertiveness he had gradually gained through

the process of healing that he had to face with open arms (and mind, and heart, and soul). Collective Aspects of Health Back to that example about collective aspects of health, we could refer to the perspective of a certain group of people who suffer from a specific condition in order to improve the hygiene of public and private establishments, as well as access to health resources, or even the improvement of the politics related to health care in general. This is actually what has been happening with the Dengue calamity in Brazil. The nation has been developing a cultural awareness of how to prevent this illness from spreading. This is being done both at a personal level (mental, informational, psychological), and more objectively in the houses of the population, while professionals in the healthcare system (and not only doctors specialized in infectious diseases) have been trained on how to achieve proper diagnosis and treatment. Apart from that, the

conditions for treatment of Dengue were made available in most health care facilities in the country. A similar dynamics happened with the AIDS syndrome in Brazil. In the 1990â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s, only specialized hospitals and health care facilities were properly equipped and had trained professionals who could take care of HIV positive patients. The mortality rate at that time was extremely high. Ten years later, all Brazilian hospitals have been equipped to handle AIDS cases properly, and the mortality rate has drastically decreased. Collectively, the Brazilian nation has learned with the epidemics, and became stronger and more able to face it, treat it, and, most importantly, to prevent it to happen. As I mentioned previously, in order to understand the Integral Medicine Model more fully and clearly, it is also important to define certain relevant aspects, such as the difference between health and healing (described above), as well as acute and chronic Illness.

Since we already covered health, healing, and cure, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investigate now the subjects of acute and chronic Illness, the difference between acute and chronic Illness, and the impact of lifestyle in our health. Acute Illnesses Acute Illness corresponds to any type of illness characterized by signs and symptoms of rapid onset and a defined length of duration, where we can easily pinpoint it its beginning and end. It might be severe and impair normal functioning, such as in the case of a heart attack or acute infections like flu and meningitis. It usually takes place in a context that can be modified and happens under factors that promote it. The goal of the treatment of an acute illness is to return to the same level of metabolic functions prior to its onset. For this reason, it does not properly imply healing in the deeper and broader sense of the word, even though the recovery could involve all dimensions of the individual.

Chronic Illnesses In contrast, chronic Illnesses can have a much significant (negative) impact on health. A chronic illness consists in any type of disorder that persists over a long period of time, and that can affect both physical, emotional, intellectual, professional/vocational, social, and/or spiritual health - as related to proper balance and functioning of the individual as a whole. Their onset and progress can be deeply rooted not only in the lifestyle of affected individuals, but also in their genetic upbringing, as well as surrounding environmental aspects (environmental pollution, chemical products (topical or ingested), toxic or genetically modified foods (GMOs), etc. Furthermore, it can be also deeply rooted in cultural aspects, such as in terrorism/fear, violence, aggression, family history, etc.), as well as social aspects (such as education, traffic, finances, shelter and sanitations, etc.). So, in this context, we can clearly see that the life style of individuals can involve aspects of

emotional, mental, spiritual, behavioral, physical, cultural, social, and environmental natures (or causes). For this reason, lifestyle can be defined as a resulting quality of the interaction of all these dimensions simultaneously and in mutually complementary and interdependent ways. The modification of lifestyle hence constitutes the core foundation of any healing intervention, both in terms of preventing and to treating chronicle illnesses. Based on this knowledge, doctors in general should be specialized in dealing with these multi-perspectival variables and challenges. However, this is definitely not the reality we face in Conventional Medical Training in Universities around the Western World nowadays. Thus, we doctors are usually not well informed or prepared to properly understand and handle these matters. States of Health From what we have explored above, we can now come to the conclusion that health has clearly three basic states, which can be called States of

Health: The Absence of Disease, Acute Diseases, and Chronic Diseases4. This basic principle has been fully embodied into my Integral Medicine practice and healing approaches used at MedIntegral, where I have offered different treatments and practices properly customized for those three different States of Health.

Even in the state of absence of apparent disease, health and wellbeing promotion practices are usually prescribed. Actually, it is important to note that this can be seen as an ideal period to work on health prevention and promotion. Included in this proactive healing approach are practices such as self-inquiry, consciousness development, mindfulness, and contemplative practices â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which together have brought into the foreground of my clients both existential, psychological and spiritual discoveries, aiming to go above and beyond the basic goals of

survival, cure of diseases and maintenance of health and wellbeing.

The Three Integral Pillars of Action From a general standpoint, I have organized the treatments and practices that are usually proposed in Three Pillars of Action or Performance: The Integral Medical Clinic (MedIntegral), the promotion of wellbeing, and the Integrative Practices. Since Integral Medicine applies to the area of Medicine and Health the framework of the specific Integral Model (and paradigm) proposed and developed by contemporary American writer and philosopher Ken Wilber named by AQAL5 Model, the process of implementation of this model in real life will be easier and more clear to fully grasp and understand if we take a closer look at it in more detail.

The AQAL Model

The AQAL Model is an Integral Framework that allow us to embrace and integrate all the five main Integral concepts together in order to get a more integrative view of most phenomena in reality, independent on the area or field they might be located or associated with. Ken Wilber and Integral Theory Due to the depth and scope of his work, Ken Wilber has been also referred by some thinkers as the “Einstein of consciousness”. Since 1977, his writing work throughout the years has gradually formulated what ended up resulting in what is today called by Integral Theory. Today, Wilber is the most widely translated academic writer in America, with 25 books translated into some 30 foreign languages.

Integral Theory is based in the premise that every point of view needs to be considered in order to represent its “partial truth” related to reality at large.

AQAL represents the core of Wilber's work, and it stands for "all Quadrants, All Levels" (of Development), but eventually ended up including 'all Lines', (of Intelligence, or Development), 'all States' (of Consciousness) and 'all Types' (of Personality, or Typologies) .6 when applied to human beings – since it can be also applied in many individual and collective dimensions. These are the five basic and irreducible categories of Wilber's model related to our existence in a manifested world, experiencing a simultaneous and complementary evolutionary process.7 In order for a generic account and interpretation of the Kosmos be more accurate and complete, Wilber believes that it must include each one of these five categories. For him, only such an account can be accurately called "Integral". In the essay, "Excerpt C: The Ways We Are in This Together", Wilber also describes AQAL as "one suggested architecture of the Kosmos".8

The Five Basic Elements of the Integral AQAL Model: Quadrants, Levels, Lines, States, Types So, looking forward to arrive at a clearer and more inclusive knowledge about each one of these five basic aspects (Quadrants, Levels, Lines, States, Types), we should arrange and integrate all these partial, relative and complementary truths together. That can pretty much resemble what we previously did in the example of the elephant and the blind men. Let’s consider a few practical Medical examples to illustrate these concepts a bit further: Examples: A client (or”patient”) could be exemplified by a little girl with Down Syndrome who is used to have colds very often. Her Modern (Conventional) Medicine’s pediatrician promptly prescribes vitamins to stimulate her immune system with pills, but if the doctor takes a closer (and broader) look at her overall condition, he might not be able to treat her in an Integrally oriented way. She might actually need

Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and a family coach to support herself and her family as a whole. Furthermore, it would be necessary to create the best environmental conditions possible around her in order to get the best health state (and state of wellbeing) possible and consequently decrease her chronic episodes of cold. Here is another example; A young man who is a workaholic, married, and father of a little boy, has a heart attack and his Cardiologist prescribes just medicines to treat his cardiovascular conditions without exploring his personal life. Medicinal drugs only won’t solve his problems in terms of relationship at the personal level. He might need emotional support and coaching to improve his health state, and not only that, but to prevent his heart to cause problems again. THE AQAL OF HEALTH As we previously mentioned, Integral Medicine investigates and organizes all aspects of health into an Integral Model. This model that can be

also considered as working like an Integral Operating System (IOS) that can be used to explore, make sense, and enact in inner and outer realities. Like the Integral Model, a photo camera can have many gadgets and functions, which could be used in many combinations aimed to photograph any given object: For sake of association, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consider these camera gadgets and functions to be the lenses, filters, speed, as well as the materials and apertures of the lenses. Following this analogy, if the Integralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AQAL Model was such photographic camera with gadgets, we would have the following in relation to human beings: The camera lenses would be the Developmental Lines of Intelligence (the different competences or intelligences present in people) the filters would be the States of Consciousness, the range and depth of reach of lenses would be Levels of Consciousness. The materials of the camera or type of the camera would be Types (of

Personality, Typologies, or Genres): The Types could be considered as different ways to function in world, such as embodying Masculine/Feminine qualities and aspects in more or less proportion.. The aperture of the lens could provide the choice of which framework you would be taken in consideration and action upon it. If more aperture is set, you would have more light, so you could be seen in the dark better. So the aperture could be would be the Quadrants. By making use of the Integral Map (or AQAL Model - composed by Quadrants, Levels, Lines, States, and Types - an Integral Medical approach takes into account at least three different angles of health and disease, described below: Three Integral Angles of Health and Disease 1. The Objective (or concrete) Observations of facts (i.e.: physiopathology, etiology, conventional treatments offered, and medical exams);

2. The Subjective Perceptions of the Integral Doctor (i.e.: intuition, previous knowledge and experience, both as an equal human being and as a professional doctor

3. The Perspective of the Client (or “Patient”) who is going through the treatment, and who has also information and is experiencing the whole healing process directly in first hand. A truly integrated, structured, and effective Medical Approach has to take all these dimensions into consideration.

different perspectives or angles related to the same phenomena. Quadrants reflect multiple viewpoints that are inherent in nature and existence, and each of these four Quadrants, dimensions, or approaches (as they are also referred to) has a valid and complementary perspective to offer to the big picture of reality. Here is an example to illustrate these dynamics:

QUADRANTS - CORE ASPECTS APPLIED TO HEALTH

The subjective emotional pain of a person who suffers a tragedy can be seen as one perspective of this tragic issue, and the social statistics about such tragedy like this is part of a different, objective perspective on the same matter. The former comes from the viewpoint of an individual and their subjective experience, and the latter comes from an impartial objective observation or analysis of individuals in the collective followed by an objective assessment coming from outside them.

According to Ken Wilber, Quadrants are “tetra– arising”, which means that they represent four

Assembling perspectives together, Wilber identifies four basic perspectives (or Quadrants)

THE FUNDAMENTAL INTEGRAL MODEL I.

ASPECTS

THE

that can be seen as valid to observe and analyze any matter, being an individual, or a fact: Two of these perspectives relate to the subjective (Interior) and the Objective (Exterior) views of individuals, and two of them are replicated in their collective dimensions. This model has been applied throughout the world in several apparently disconnected disciplines, such, as Politics, Education, Arts, Religion, Spirituality, Business, Psychology, Health and, Ecology, among many others. In terms of Medicine, these Four Quadrants (or dimensions of reality) can be organized in a single graphic, containing the various perspectives of the process of health and illness, as well as the therapeutic methods of different (and complementary) medical practices. This leads us to give the proper attention to all the aspects involved in a specific medical situation.

The Four Quadrants of Health

This AQAL of Health organizes the various perspectives of reality. As we have seen, there are four basic dimensions to it: 1. The Objective: Such as physical body, genetics, observable behavior, economy, education, social structure, etc. 2. The Subjective: Such as Psychology, Spirituality, culture, common values and shared agreements 3. The Individual: As related to an individual person 4. The Collective: As related to communities, cultures and systems

groups,

These four basic dimensions are first separated and then uniquely combined to generate four sub-dimensions, corresponding to the Quadrants aspect of the Integral Model. So, the four Quadrants in the Integral AQAL Model correspond to:

1. Individual Subjective (or Psycho-Spiritual): comprehending the health aspects related to the psyche, inner values, beliefs, and spirituality; 2. Individual Objective (or bio-behavioral): Comprehending the health aspects related to the physical body, diet, and behavior; 3. Collective Subjective (or Interpersonal): comprehending the health aspects related to culture, relationships, groups, teams, family, shared beliefs and values; 4. Collective Objective or (or SocioEnvironmental): Comprehending the health aspects related to environment, weather, economic, educational and political systems;

Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives

and

Trans-Disciplinary

For instance, an effective approach aimed to health and looking to reorganize a particular lifestyle, must incorporate both “multi and

trans-disciplinary perspectives”, since we have previously realized that lifestyle is a function dependent on all those four human dimensions (or Quadrants). Why do I say “multi and trans-disciplinary perspectives”? Because a multi-disciplinary perspective draws knowledge from different disciplines, but stays within their self-limiting boundaries.9 In between these modalities of perspective (so to speak), an inter-disciplinary perspective analyzes, synthesizes and harmonizes links between disciplines into a coordinated and coherent whole (CIHR, 2005)12 10 Unlike both, a trans-disciplinary perspective is a specific form of inter-disciplinary approach in which boundaries between (and beyond) disciplines are transcended, while knowledge and perspectives from different scientific disciplines, coupled with “officially” non-

scientific sources can be also integrated into the picture (Vrije University Amsterdam, 2005)50 11 Hence, a trans-disciplinary perspective integrates the natural, social and health sciences into a broader and deeper humanities-based context, while transcending their traditional boundaries. (Soskolne, 2000)55 12 in summary, a multi-disciplinary perspective works with several disciplines, an interdisciplinary perspective works between several disciplines, and a trans-disciplinary perspective works across and beyond several disciplines. 13 The four fundamental aspects and their graphical display into AQAL’s Four Quadrants hence demonstrate an overall panorama of the whole human experience in a manifested reality. From a higher or spiritual point of view focused on a deeper and broader panorama, they can also represent the cycles, differentiation, and evolution of many complementary manifestations of reality, which in Indian Tradition is known by the name of “Samsara” (in contrast to an “Absolute” concept of reality).

At the same time, these same Quadrants can be also used as a tool that that can be applied to observe, discriminate and analyze any type of situation within the most diverse contexts – especially because they individualize while at the same time contextualize all the perspectives of a given situation into a single all-inclusive “tetraarising” Integral Map.

Thus, this approach turns to be naturally more comprehensive and effective, once the Integral Doctor is able to keep in sight the broader and deeper perspective of the whole, without losing sight all of the complementary and interconnected parts related to a disease. Hence, they can observe and analyze specific aspects or dimensions of a disease, without losing sight of the whole panorama associated to it (as discussed previously). Again, this analogy can be associated with that story of the elephant and the blind people. This plasticity of Integral Model’s Quadrants empowers them with great flexibility, which in

turn facilitates their application as an integrative tool in various kinds of sciences, professions, and other human activities. In the Integralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AQAL Map, the Quadrants are derived from the intersection of two axes, one Vertical (featuring the Interior and Collective dimensions), and one Horizontal (featuring the Interior and Exterior dimensions). Stemming from this graphic representation, we can arrive at the diagram presented in Figure 1.

FIGURE 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Quadrants - adapted from Integral Ecology

The Personalized Integral Matrix

By making strategic use of the AQAL Map containing these Four Quadrants, Integral Medicine draws a Personalized Integral Matrix, which is a comprehensive Integral Map that facilitates the observation, analysis and planning of the actions that need to be taken in order to promote an improvement in the overall (and specific) health condition and quality of life of the client (or â&#x20AC;&#x153;patientâ&#x20AC;?). In order to understand this process and goals, it is first important to understand the following concepts: PERCEPTION Perception corresponds to the Subjective domain belonging to all levels of perception and understanding of the world, including the subject of health. It is related to the subjective phenomena that happens in the interior world or reality of any human being (or any sentient being), Due to that, it cannot be fully known by another being, unless if shared through some kind of interpersonal communication. Perception

is a particular kind of awareness that belongs to each individual and is completely intimate to them. It is also basically related to the knowledge gained through personal experience. Perception is hence the foundation that determines the way each one of us think, interpret, and give meaning to ourselves, our lives, and the world at large. It is the basic origin of all personal values and concepts, including wellbeing and self-fulfillment. INDIVIDUAL MANIFESTATION This concept relates to the Individual as manifested in the Objective world. It relates to what is still particular to each individual, but can be seen or observed by others. This dimension encompasses behaviors, body (anatomy and physiology of the person), and all knowledge about the person that can be gathered through empirical observation. This aspect of reality also determines how one should behave and act in the world, as well as how the physical body appears, functions, and

manifests itself in reality. Thus, this dimension is directly related to the person’s body type, lifestyle and creative expression. CULTURE Culture is related to the inter-subjective (collective) reality in all levels of communion, communication, and shared subjective realities, including common values, shared beliefs, meanings, and cultures. It is basically the mutual knowledge acquired through the collective experience of humanity throughout history.. Culture is the inner collective reality that establishes the social perspectives and manifestations of our human world. For instance, it determines what a family, community, group, team or organization believe about wellness, healing and health. It is also important to remember that the collective (or cultural) conception and interpretation of the empirical world and reality itself could be different than the conceptions and interpretations coming from the personal view of each individual in that given culture.

SYSTEMS The Systems are related to the manifestations of relationships of many individuals within the objective or empirical world, creating a web of connections that can be analyzed and observed, which are composed by a series of different systems and processes. For instance, Systems can include all organizations in which the individual is part of, political parties, educational models and institutions, family structures, economic models and organizations, transportation structures, communication networks (online and “offline”), and ecological/ environmental systems - where a group of individuals can be objectively located in place and time. Systems are related to the knowledge acquired through the analysis of other systems or even “systems of systems” (Systemic Analysis). In mutually interdependent and complementary ways, Systems can determine both the collective attitudes and individual behaviors, originated

100

from genetic patterns or patterns of family behavior. All those four basic perspectives described above that composed the Quadrants can correspond to different aspects of the same object of study and observation, as we previously explored. Together, the analysis of these four Quadrants can also bring an improved comprehension of individual and collective health. When we look at individual health, it turns to be a more effective and whole approach if we can take all these perspectives together, since health is not determined only by genetic constitution or behavioral patterns.

Health –like anything else - is actually a function of four interconnected variables (Four Quadrants): Objective, Subjective, Individual and Collective aspects and patterns.

Who does not know somebody who wants to be vegetarian, but often struggles in family or friends’ gatherings where there is no food for them and (even worse) there are also lots of questions and judgments rom them about one’s dietary choices? Maybe that’s your case, or maybe the case of somebody you know. Maybe you have seen yourself in the “interrogation” or on the “judgment side of the table”, so to speak. But the fact is that similar examples can happen not only in this situation, but in many others. In this example, in order to follow a doctor’s suggestion to become vegetarian, that person would certainly need some kind of peer or group support (family, friends, colleagues), a concrete structure of resources (vegetables, recipes, alternatives vegetarian protein sources), plus motivation, desire, efficacy and knowledge to change their behavior. It is like that because we are all part of these dimensions together, both from inside and from outside. They arise at the same time (“tetra-arising”), and have similar weight and importance in any situation. We can

101

also say that they are complementary and interdependent from each other.

II. LINES OF DEVELOPMENT

Theory of Multiple Intelligences In the early 1980s, Howard Gardener - professor of Cognition and Education at the School of Education at Harvard University in the US and author of over twenty books - conceived The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Rather than seeing intelligence as dominated by a single general cognitive ability, this theory differentiates intelligence into specific modalities such as Mathematics, Logic, Spatial, Interpersonal, Musical, and Kinesthetic. However, there seems to exist several other types of "intelligences.", which have been also explored by other developmental researchers in different fields of knowledge and practice.

Gardner, and strategically expanded and reframed it to fit into the Integral Theory’s Developmental Model - also referring to specific lines studied by other developmental researchers - under the name of Lines of Intelligence (or Development). Lines of Intelligence (or Development) These several Lines of Intelligence represent diverse human capacities that can naturally develop though time if properly acknowledged, focused, and consciously exercised. Examples of their main representatives are Cognition, Interpersonal, Moral, Ethical, Kinesthetic, Emotional, Spiritual, and so on…

As an example, Ken Wilber has borrowed the concept of Multiples Intelligences from Howard FIGURE 2 – Lines of Development - adapted from ken wilber’s book The Integral vision

102

Dacher’s Integral Clinical Medical Tool In the area of healthcare, the physician Elliott Dacher14 adapted all four Quadrants, plus the Lines of Development proposed by Ken Wilber into a clinical medical tool. Dr. Dacher - also a board certified professional in Internal Medicine - studies and teaches the principles and practices of health and healing with a special focus on inner development and selfimprovement. His work also emphasizes the traditional goals of Medicine: The end of distress and suffering, as well as the promotion of each individual’s fullest potential. In his adapted model, Dacher basically accommodated three Lines of Development in each of the Quadrants. Hence, he arrived at twelve lines which are not exclusive, but can significantly represent any health situation and, and can complement each other. Although there are many potential Lines of Development that can be traced and addressed

in healthcare, there is still no systematic assessment of Lines of Intelligence. Current and past studies are still scarce and many are in process or development, especially due to the relative short time Integral has been around, as well as the scientific rigor and bureaucracy demanded by certain mainstream academic guidelines and rules to make such tests finally approved and official. Dr. Elliott Dacher also proposes a few other Lines of Healthcare (based on Lines of Intelligence) in the book Integral Health (2006), but there is yet no consensus among scholars in the field yet about these new provisions. Integral Medicine Education In spite of that, Dacher’s assessment has contributed to the learning and development of American Physician Joel Kreisberg’s work with students in his “Body and Mind Medicine” course at the Berkley University, California. Kreisberg is an American Physician and Academic Professor who uses Dacher’s model in his classes. He also

103

wrote about this subject in the article “Integral Education, Integral Transformation, and the Teaching of Mind-Body Medicine” 15 published in the book Integral Education (SUNY Press, 2010). As mentioned before, Dacher’s twelve “Lines of Integral Healthcare” are divided into Four Quadrants. The Upper Left (UL) Quadrant’s Lines correspond to Cognitive, Emotional and Connotative

The Upper Right’s (UR) Lines correspond to Physical Exercise, Nutrition and Self-Regulation

The Lower Left (LL) Quadrant’s Lines correspond to Personal, Family and Community The Lower Right’s (LR) Quadrant’s Lines correspond to Work (professional), Social Activism and Productivity. In my Integral Medical Practice at MedIntegral, I also make use of the composition of many Lines of Intelligence (or Development), which are often

defined trough a detailed study of Individual and Collective dimensions of my clients (or “patients). By Individual Health I mean a person or individual, while by Collective Health I mean a group of people, such as families, communities, organizations, cities, countries, and so on. MedIntegral’s Integral Health Assessment In my work as an Integral Doctor, I’ve been creating, developing and applying a specific Integral Health Assessment, which assembles eighteen Lines of Development (or Health) altogether, which are then arranged in Quadrants (as we can see in the figure 3). Keep in mind that these Lines are not exclusive, but only representative of what I consider as being the main health aspects of investigation and diagnosis.

They all also can and do coexist in the specific constitutions and life conditions of any individual.

104

III. LEVELS OR STAGES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

(WITHIN THE LINES OF DEVELOPMENT) Levels or Stages of Consciousness are related to developmental conditions related to organization, complexity, and maturity. From an Objective perspective, the evolution from atoms, to molecules, to cells, to organisms, is an example of developmental stages applied to external and manifestations. Each stage of this evolution (either Internal/ Subjective or External/Objective) involves a higher level of complexity and organization. Subjectively speaking, it also involves a higher level of psychological (or Ego) maturity.

FIGURE 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; HEALTH-BASED LINES OF DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZED WITHIN THE FOUR QUADRANTS.

The concept of Levels of Consciousness follows the previous concept of Lines of Intelligence very closely, and is intrinsically related to it. For example, each Line of Intelligence has Levels of Consciousness embedded in itself that correspond to potential steps in its own path of consecutive growth, level by level. The more (or higher) you are developed in a particular Line of Intelligence, the higher level

105

you are at in that line in terms of organization, complexity and maturity. Wilber's conception of Levels of Consciousness is clearly based on several theories and schools of Developmental Psychology, including Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development, Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Jane Loevinger’s Stages of Ego Development, among dozens of others. As an example, follow below a description of the Line of Intelligence related to Ethics (Ethics Developmental Line): 1. Egocentric Level: The Ethics of this Level,

basically speaking, is where an individual just knows and defends one’s own self-interest, and is not able to see the interests of others involved in a specific situation. This attitude corresponds the famous “me, myself and I” mindset, and is associated with a phase in childhood when an infant used to behave like that towards others and the world (Level similar to Developmental Psychologist Carol Gilligan's 'Selfish' Stage)

2. Ethnocentric or Sociocentric Level - This level,

generally speaking, is where an individual considers and defends his/her family or group with strong identification as if there were part of oneself - such as a specific company, country, football in America, soccer in Brazil, or even Feminism. (Level corresponding to Gilligan's 'Care' stage) 3.

Worldcentric Level: This level, generally speaking, is where an individual identifies oneself with the world at large (even beyond human beings), such as the so called “Green” idealism or life style, and people identified with ”saving the planet” Many aspects of Ghandi’s life could be seen as a good example of acting from this mindset level (Level similar to Gilligan's ‘Universal Care’ stage).

So, the Integral Model comprises different and consecutive Levels that can be part of the same Line of Intelligence (or Development). Since Lines of Development have been already investigated for more than six decades, we are now able to have different levels of complexity quite welldefined in each major Line of Development

106

researched so far. This is especially possible today due to the rich scope of work of various developmental researchers specialized in different areas (or Lines) related to Human Development. However in the field of health, we still do not have sufficient studies to determine what could be officially called as Lines of Health Development In order to explore the different levels of health that could be present at distinct Lines of Development, In order to cover this gap, I’ve created and developed the Integral Wellness Index. MedIntegral’s Integral Wellness Index (IWI) In the Integral Wellness Index (IWI), the Lines of Health Development are valued from one (1) to five (5), where (1) one means the most primitive stage of development, and maybe the worse possible health and wellbeing and (5) five means the most advanced stage of development of health and wellbeing, which can be potential or factual. This numeric assessment do not have the intention of establishing the Levels of

Development in each Line. It aims, first and foremost, to compile data for a further organization and systematization of these Lines in relation to the field of health. Hence, the main goal is to assess an individual’s state, progression and expansion in a specific Line of Development.

IV. STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND HEALTH

Modern Conventional Medicine uses clinical exams to determines whether the individual is physiologically conscious or unconscious, which can correspond to anything from a state of coma (almost full immobilization), to a state of sleep and sedation, to a state of alertness, where one is fully awake, aware, and engaged in any kind of activity. In this conventional context, consciousness is seen as just a state of being basically alert. However, consciousness has several other broader and profound definitions, such as “a way to understand, be, and act in the world”, among

107

other spiritual definitions that can go even further in terms of complexity and depth. The Three Basic States of Consciousness The Integral Model understands that there are three basic States of Consciousness: Alert, Asleep, and Dreaming. Within the Alert State, it is possible to have a range of Altered States of Consciousness in varied levels of intensity, such as while under the effect of a drug substances or psychedelic plants (entheogens), hypnosis, or experiencing intense emotions such as awe, love, loss, depression, passion, sexual climax, fear, rage, panic, etc. Plato said that everyone becomes a poet when touched by love, referring to a clear alteration in one’s State of Consciousness. We can also consider Altered States of Consciousness as something close to what popularly is called by “state of mind”, or “mood”. Who among us has not experienced a brighter world when we have “fallen in love”, or the dark

reality of fear and loneliness when we had been rejected or lost someone special in our lives? These are very basic, unpolished examples of States of Consciousness. The notion of “States of Health” describes the specific health situation of an individual at a certain point in time, which could range from full health (maximum fulfillment of human potentials), to full disease (closer to death or annihilation). To be healthy is to be within a range that covers the specific positive spectrum composed by absence of disease, well-being and authentic happiness. On the other hand, we have seen that a disease or illness could be either acute, or chronic. In my daily practice at MedIntegral, I usually work with the following States of Health: Chronic disease; Acute disease;

108

Absence of disease, and Wellbeing; Authentic Happiness or Fulfillment; Ongoing Health, Wellbeing, Awakening, Growth and Evolution. in my work in MedIntegral I’ve designed and applied a specific methodology including all this states based on the Integral AQAL Model which I call Integral Medicine which cover all these states of health. However, there are different approaches and different frameworks related to Integral Medicine that have been also developed during the relative short time Integral Theory has been around, and those include the presence in a few mainstream academic guidelines and patterns. V. TYPES

– DIVERSE REACTIONS MANIFESTATIONS OF DISEASES

AND

The idea that “every patient is a singular patient” has been a consensus within the overall medical community, and is driven from education,

history, personal experience, etc. It actually means that each patient presents a specific clinical profile, composed by individual particularities such as reactions to medicines, allergies, lifestyle, and self-perception. By selfperception it means that each patient has their own perception and interpretation about themselves and their health or illness. This natural diversity is due to what the Integral Model conceives as the Type (or Typology) of the patient, which can related to their gender, type of body constitution, personality, etc., besides all other variables discussed in this chapter. In the field of health, Hippocrates - who, as already stated, is considered the “Father of Modern Medicine” - was the first physician who worked with the Typology Model. In order to better understand the body functions in human beings, this great doctor and researcher took into account core personality types of humans and categorized them in four types. That lead to the famous doctrine of the “Four Humors” (or Temperaments) :Phlegmatic,

109

Melancholic, Sanguine and Choleric. Hippocrates also related these Four Temperaments to certain reactions and diets. Ayurvedic Medicine However, even before Hippocrates, Ayurvedic Medicine in India had already proposed the concept of ”Doshas”. Ayurvedic Medicine believes that all material manifestations of the Universe are made up by Five basic Elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Ether.

According to this tradition, Dosha is a biological profile based on the combination and proportion of those Five Elements, in each human being, which turn are influenced by them. The three Doshas are: Vata, ruled by Air and Ether; Pitta, ruled by Fire and Water; and Kapha, governed by Earth and Water. Ayurvedic Medicine also assumes that everybody is born with different proportions of the three Doshas in their biological constitution. From a more contemporary perspective, American cardiologists Friedman and Rosenman have described in the late 50s the concept of “type A personality”. The behaviors of this personality type are marked by aggressiveness, competitiveness, impatience and explosiveness. This personality constitutes such a risk factor of ischemic heart disease, that they are two and a half per cent more likely to experience angina and heart attack than people from other types. PshychoNeuroscience Based on yet another perspective, PsychoNeuroscience is a trans-disciplinary science that

FIGURE 4 – Doshas

110

studies the relationship between Mind (PsychoSciences) and Brain (Neuroscience). PsychoNeuroscience’s research about optimistic and pessimistic behaviors concluded that optimistic people have a lower risk of cancers and mental illnesses. They also manifest fewer symptoms and crises, and recover faster from acute and chronic diseases, comparing to people that have opposite behaviors and tend to be more pessimistic towards themselves and life. The Blood Type Typology and Diet Other typology that has been extensively used in US is the ”Blood Type” Diet, a nutritional diet advocated by Naturopathic physician Dr. Peter D'Adamo, outlined in his book Eat Right 4 Your Type (2002), written with Catherine Whitney. D'Adamo claims that the ABO blood type is the most important factor in determining a healthy diet, and recommends distinct diets for each blood type, including most ideal types of food, behaviors, and exercises that can be a better fit to each Blood Type.

D'Adamo groups thirteen human races together by ABO blood group, each type within a group having unique dietary recommendations: Blood Type O ·Blood group O is described by D'Adamo as the

“Hunter”. He recommends that people who have this blood group eat a diet based on higher intake of proteins. This group is considered by D'Adamo to be the oldest blood type, originated around 30,000 years ago. However, another research indicates that blood type A is actually the oldest.16 Blood Type A ·Blood group A is called by D'Adamo as the

“Agrarian or Cultivator. He believes this type dates from the dawn of Agriculture, around 20,000 years ago. He recommends that individuals who have the blood group A eat a diet that emphasizes vegetables, and is more free of red meat - In other words, diet more closely to Vegetarian, which means no animal meat but eggs and dairy allowed. Blood Type B

111

The Enneagram Personality Model ·Blood

group B is called by D'Adamo as ”Nomad” . He estimates that this group has emerged around 10,000 years ago. D'Adamo states that this type is associated with a strong immune system, coupled with a flexible digestive system. He also claims that people who have blood type B are the only people able to thrive on dairy products. However, this claim has been challenged by the fact that, while people with blood type B tend to be from Asia (specifically, China or India), lactose intolerance is mostly common among people from Asian, South America, and African inheritance (which is least common among those descended from northern Europe or Northwestern India).17,18,19,20 Blood group AB

In terms of other Typology Models that can be related to health, healing, and wellness, there is the Enneagram Model, a Personality Type Model mainly based on Psycho-Spiritual traits and, can be also related to those health-based subjects. The Enneagram is a Personality Type Model composed by 9 personality types and their dynamics, which is anchored on an ancient esoteric wisdom that seems to have influenced many religions, including the seven capital sins in Christianity, where they were called by “vices”, in contrast with qualities of each type (eventually the Church seems to have eliminated two of them due to reasons that can be controversial).

· ·

Blood group AB is described by D'Adamo as the ”Enigma”. He believes people that have the blood type AB belongs to the most recently type in human evolution, having potentially emerged around less than 1,000 years ago. In terms of dietary needs, he treats this group as middle ground between blood types A and B.

Among other studies that correlate the 9 Enneagram Types with a few different types of physical and mental illnesses (and their propensity in each type), Eric S. Schulze, MD, Ph.D., and Tina Thomas, RN, DCSW have explored the relationships of Enneagram types and Brain Chemistry. In the article “The

112

Enneagram and Brain Chemistry“, they propose that: “the Enneagram (that is, the 9 basic types with wings, the Triads, the Hornevian groups, and the Harmonic groups) is explained by genetically determined high, medium or low levels of three dominant amine central nervous system neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that modulate brain activity in predictable patterns. These three are Dopamine, Serotonin, and Norepinepherine”. Based on this information above, we can see that the Typology can indeed play a very relevant role in the process of health and wellness.. As Integral Medicine also takes into account Personality Types, it is able to use appropriate communication, coaching, as well as diagnosis and healing tools for each type. This more personalized approach significantly increases the chances of achieving better results and benefits. INTEGRAL MEDICINE’S DIAGNOSIS PROCESS

Integral Medicine’s diagnosis of individuals is based on signs, symptoms, and laboratory exams of the client. This set of complementary methods of analysis allows the Integral Physician to determine the nature and cause of disease, illness, or imbalance. As characteristic of anything “Integral”, the process of the Integral Medicine diagnosis involves both Objective and Subjective, as shown below.

FIGURE 5 – The Dimensions Medicine’s Evaluation

Integral

113

The following figure shows the ramifications of the aspects highlighted above. These aspects are not properly ”Lines of Development” of Health, but they are nucleus or strategic areas of investigation that could carry inside of them the “Lines of Development” previously mentioned. For example: Blood type and physiological capacity -, which includes genetic and flexibility traits - can be located in the Upper Right(UR) Quadrant, and can be also both included in the Line of Development related to Physical Health (Line of Health Development).

FIGURE 6 – Integral Wellness Matrix

Figure 6 displays some of the aspects related to the construction of the “Integral Diagnosis” of the client (or “patient”), as well as the creation of the Integral Wellness Matrix.

114

Since this map is also used as an Integral Wellness Matrix, the Integral Doctor can quickly use it to create and organize a vast Integral Framework Assessment of the patient. This, in turn, can help the Integral Physician to better interpret and make clearer sense about the results of this Integral Assessment in the context of the current State of Health of the client (or “patient), in order to fully understand the beliefs, intentions, level of understanding, awareness, and acceptance (or not) of the individual’s current health and wellness conditions.

FIGURE 7 – Integral Therapy Matrix

Figure 7 displays some of the Personal Evaluations implemented for the construction of the Integral Matrix to optimize treatment.

Once these aspects have been outlined and established in the Integral Map, the Integral Doctor guides the client (or “patient”) according to his or her possibilities of understanding and healing. In regards to preventative measures and maintenance of a dynamic health balance, a Health and Wellness Coaching program is also offered to support the client to achieve the best state of health and wellness possible. With all these variables in mind, Integral

115

Physicians can optimize the communication with their clients (or “patients”), while using all the available information and resources in more proactive and effective ways. As of today, an official Integral Diagnosis based on a consensus in the growing community of Integral doctors is yet to be structured, which is mostly due to the same reasons previously mentioned, related to specific mainstream academic guidelines, rules and bureaucracy. In my practice at MedIntegral, I started to study and organize some index materials within an Integral framework. In this search, I’ve found the lack of many aspects and variables previously mentioned in other so called “integrative medical approaches” that still do not take in proper account in their health assessments, such as Education, Political and Social structures, and Environment - as well as culturally shared values and beliefs.

Based on these findings, I’ve developed a system to evaluate a more comprehensive and complex set of Health Indicators. These Health Indicators are grouped into a flexible and moldable evaluative framework. This organization allows the Health Indexes to be constructed and customized in accordance to the population being evaluated, to what is being studied, and to the parameters used for these studies. My Model has become a specific example of an Integral Framework that operates in three levels of the AQAL Model: Developmental Lines (or Lines of Development), Quadrants and Qualities. Qualities such as High Performance, Commitment, Efficiency and Sustainability Due to their intrinsic importance and complexity in relation to the subject, these Health Indexes developed in my medical practice will be presented in a separate chapter ahead. in conclusion, the main differences and advantages of the Integral approach in relation to others is that it is able to provide integrally

Integral Map’s Health Indicators

116

oriented doctors with the most integrative and whole perspective ever in human history. The Integral Approach to Medicine and Health allows the coexistence of health, wellness and disease in the same framework, as well Premodern, Modern, Post-Modern, an Post-PostModern (Integral) healing practices. Overall, this specific variant of Integral Model offers more healing options with less possibilities for side effects and damages for anyone: Doctors, clients (or “patients”), health organizations, communities, and our planet. The Integral Approach to Medicine and Health can accomplish all that by making better use of all the available information and material resources available today, by applying in better and more efficient ways all the your accumulated medical knowledge from all eras and paradigms up to the present, and by taking care of all kinds of relationships we can experience in the healing process.

INTEGRAL DOCTOR 1. THE PRACTICE OF THE INTEGRAL DOCTOR

An Integral Doctor needs, first and foremost, to understand in comprehensive and profound ways several aspects related to human beings, as well as a general knowledge about many historical achievements achieved by the field of Medicine as a whole throughout the eras. In the dimension of human beings, they should understand not only objective or physical aspects such as anatomy and physiology but also subjective aspects such as mental, emotional, psychological, existential and spiritual. Furthermore, they need to take into account the Culture, Society, and Systems their clients (or “patients”) belong to, or are embedded in. That also means that the practice of Integral Medicine must embrace practices from Premodern, Modern , Post-Modern, and Post-Postmodern (Integral) Medicines – each one used and customized according to individual

117

clients’ (or “patients”) individual needs. Does that mean the physician trained in Integral Medicine possesses all these abilities? Not really. The Integral Medicine Doctor functions more as a generalist who knows strategically what healing or therapeutic resources need to be used, as well as how, when and where. In fact, there are still no specific trainings currently available to provide all of the prerequisites described above as a whole, and Integral Medicine is still not officially considered as a “Medical Specialty”. Integral Medicine can be actually seen as a way of being and behaving towards the client (or “patient”), the field of Medicine, humanity, and the world. It definitely marks the advent of a new paradigm, a new medical model, a new way of being, thinking, and acting in relation to health, healing, and wellness. In order to gradually prepare oneself to be an expert in this Medical Approach, it is necessary

to first understand and be able to think with an “Integral frame of mind”. Thus, studying the Integral Theory developed by Ken Wilber and other integral Theorist that have come after him turns to be an essential core step. Academic graduations related to Integral Theory is still available through the Fielding Institute in California, USA (in partnership with the Integral Institute), but not in relation to Integral Psychology, Psychotherapy, or Medicine. An Integral Theory Certification as well as Integral Psychology and Psychotherapy graduate degrees were available until recently at John F. Kennedy University in California, USA, and might be available again in the future in other universities, since many dynamics seem to be changing within the world of Integral Academia. Instead of an academic path, one can chose to learn more about Integral Theory as a selflearning project through a growing number of books, media, workshops and websites available nowadays. It would be possible and advised to

118

complement these studies with some form of Alternative Medicine, Psychology, and/or trusted Life Coaching Trainings or degrees. However, there is still no official academic training at the moment that integrates all of them. The Integral Framework is an extremely contemporary approach and is currently walking its “baby steps” of emergence, so to speak. It was mostly developed and shaped in the form it is today very recently around the end of the 20th Century (more specifically, from 1995 to present time). Although the work of Integral Model’s creator and developer Ken Wilber started in the late 70s, his insights were still not specifically related to the construction of an Integral Model and Framework that could be used in many areas such as Medicine. This framework gradually came into fruition by 1995 through Wilber’s extensive compendium book SES: Sex, Ecology, and Spirituality. (which due to its size, scope and significance is also jokingly referred in Integral circles as “The Integral Bible”)

Following the proposition of the Integral Model and subsequent creation of the Integral Institute in 1998, many Integrally oriented initiatives related to several fields of knowledge have been already taking place around the world, especially in the United States, Canada, England, Australia, Netherlands, Germany, Mexico, Russia, Brazil, and a growing number of others. The countries specified above have been the places Integral has mostly flourished in terms of communities, movement, and projects, but Wilber’s books have been already translated in more than 25 languages in 30 countries around the world.

MedIntegral’s Course

Integral

Medicine

Training

In Brazil, I launched in 2012 through MedIntegral an Integral Medicine Training Course focused on physicians and many types of health and healing professionals. This course was designed to provide a deep and comprehensive source of information and training related to Integral Health, Healing and Wellness. One of its goals

119

has been to allow physicians, health and healing professionals to be fully informed about all the opportunities and potentials pertaining to the new field of Integral Medicine and paradigm of Integral Health and Healing. It is very important to highlight that a fundamental aspect - and ongoing practice - of an Integral Doctor is related to working on his/ her own Ego Maturity and Consciousness Development, which can be mapped in consecutive evolving Stages (or Levels) located in different Lines of Intelligence. Follow below an example of Integral Theory’s presentation of different Lines of Intelligence and their Levels of Development, as studied by different developmental researchers: From an Integral Medicine perspective, the gathering and inclusion of different perspectives is as important (or more) then the prescription and use of medicines (“allopathic drugs”) and healing practices, either Conventional or Alternative. The relationship between the Integral Doctor and client (or “patient”, as

addressed in Conventional Medicine) is rooted on mutual trust, vulnerability, equality and transparency. This in turn allows the co-creation of a new and fully integrative system based on continuous feedback and insights about the processes taking place, coming from both parties.

2. THE

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INTEGRAL DOCTOR AND THE CLIENT (“PATIENT”)

The Integral Doctor seeks to understand the individual as a whole. He or she perceives the medical and healing practices not only as means to achieve successful treatments and eradication of specific diseases, but also serves as a facilitator for individuals to achieve a higher understanding and awareness of their own body, mind, emotions, and spirit. This truly integrative approach can capacitate the individual to become more aware of potential negative interferences in the State of Health coming from unique internal (subjective) and external

120

(objective) traits, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses.

patterns,

In terms of negative external (or objective) interferences, these might refer to health variables such as environmental pollution, quality and level of stress in the workplace (where many people use to spend most of their time anyway), diet, physical allergies, special physical sensitivities, daily schedule, bowel movements, source and intensity of hunger or appetite, quantity and quality of sleep; etc. In terms of negative internal (or subjective) interferences, these might refer to health variables such as “psychological allergies” (resistances), psychological sensitivities, dramatization of overall negative physical sensations, and emotional reactions such as sadness, fear, depression. frustration, anger, onset of discomfort - as well as negative feelings and emotions about interpersonal relations, life path, self-image, professional role, recurring negative thoughts, beliefs, values, etc.

As an Integral Physician working with this practice and developing it for more than 10 years, I came to understand (and confirm) that knowing oneself better in all levels, as well as nurturing awareness of the present moment plus exercising the ability to effectively listen to one’s own body as a continuous self-evaluation tool, are definitely amongst the most effective methods to maintain a great quality of life and ongoing state of wellbeing (most of the time). It has been said that knowing how to “listen” to one’s own body is the best way to remain healthy. That is actually the exact kind of support that I tend to provide by using the Integral Medicine Framework at MedIntegral. Once the relationship and mutual trust between the Integral Doctor and client (or “patient”) takes a significant momentum in the overall healing process, it then becomes as important as the prescription of medicines or any kind of healing practice, especially since the exercise and development of this healing relationship could change their concept and perspective of what healthy relationships can actually be. This

121

interpersonal healing dynamics is also related to transparency, support, trust and love. All of these aspects can make a significant difference in the overall healing process, as I have seen in my practice, and as we are learning in this book.

Chiropractic; Yoga; Diets; Mindfulness, Orthomolecular medicine, among others.

MEDICAL CULTURE: PROMOTION

The common practices of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are showed in the diagram below.

CLINIC

AND

HEALTH

From a Clinical Medical Perspective, Integral Medicine can be seen as highly inclusive medical practice, which allows for the balanced coexistence of practices from Modern Conventional Medicine (Allopathic), as well as Pre-Modern Medical Practices (Acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicine and Shamanic healing processes), plus most Complementary (or Alternative) healing practices.

Complementary (CAM)

and

Alternative

and

Medicine

Actually, it is very important to remark that many Complementary or Alternative Medical approaches have been also scientifically proven to be effective, such as Acupuncture;

122

CAM also involves Somatic Healing practices such as Yoga, Feldenkrais, Rolfing, Alexander Technique, Bioenergetics, and Chiropractic. As a matter of fact, Chiropractic practice has been really common and pervasive in the US, and is even covered by all Auto Insurance plans for healing accident issues related to posture improvement; spine correction; pain relief; relocated members; and especially relief of back and neck pains. Many medical schools today such as University of California in Berkley (USA), plus Hospital das Clinicas and Escola Paulista de Medicina in Sao Paulo (Brazil) have included Homeopathy and Acupuncture as part of their overall training courses program.

FIGURE 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; COMMON CAM PRACTICES - Rakel, R. Textbook of Family Medicine, 7th ed. (2007). p. 224

Besides them, there is a plethora of nonacademic schools and organizations that have been providing similar kinds of training and certifications for a long time already. Statistics can prove the pervasive use, public trust and acceptance of such Complementary or Alternative healing modalities.

123

By 2007, $3.1 billion were spent in the United States on Homeopathic Medicine 21 and 2.3% of the people at age 18 or over had consulted a Homeopathic practitioner that same year 22. In Brazil, Homeopathy is included in the National Health System. Since 1991, physicians who want to practice Homeopathy must complete 2,300 hours of education prior to receiving their proper licenses 23. The largest and best hospital in South America, Hospital Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, Brazil, already includes Complementary and Alternative treatments such as Meditation (Mindfulness) and Reiki (Eastern modality of energy healing). Duke University, located in North Carolina, USA, has opened a Primary Care on “Integrative Medicine” (different from Integral Medicine) in July 2012, offering Alternative and Complementary treatments such as Mindfulness, Yoga, Musical Healing, and Reiki, among other healing modalities.

Yoga have been also offered for free in Cancer Hospitals in the USA, as complement to conventional treatments, aimed to boost the immunity and energy level of patients. The St. Davis chain of Hospital in Texas is one of them. Since this chain is a strong representative of a Conventional Medicine paradigm and structure, there might be several other hospitals I don’t know of that already doing the same.

With these facts in mind, you might correctly conclude that Integral Medicine is more than just ”Medicine” as we know it, or learned to identify with. Integral Medicine can be actually seen as a collection of approaches and treatments aimed at restoring overall health more quickly and efficiently, by making use of integrated strategies and interventions applied with the most human and least invasive approaches possible. Even though it proposes a radically different approach to health and healing, Integral Medicine does not intent to completely disregard

124

Modern Conventional Medicine (and Allopathic) methods such as surgery, antibiotics, antidepressives, or any other types of treatments prescribed by it, making sure they are used only when really needed. Integral Medicine simply believes that all these approaches and modalities might be complemented and expanded in their power of healing - seen here as part of the developmental process of the client (or “patient”) - along with other kinds of treatments and medical paradigms. Another positive aspect of Integral Medicine is the focus not only in the “cure” or in eradicating the disease or illness, but to further promote an Integral (and dynamic) State of Health, Healing, and Wellness. This turns to be especially important, given the fact that chronic illnesses are, in their majority, resultant of unhealthy life styles. When we talk about Health promotion, we usually have in mind numerous health and healing practices that envision a comprehensive and healthy lifestyle.

In Integral Medicine and in my private practice at MedIntegral, these practices are included in the main Integral Matrix of Health, which offers practical lines of action designed by keeping in mind two main aspects: Client’s (or “patient”) individual behavior, and their subjective reality (i.e.: beliefs, knowledge, interpretations, and values related to health – both related to themselves and in general). In terms of behavioral change, the promotion of health consists in activities that are specifically targeted and customized to each individual. The goal is to transform the individual’s behavior in order to make it more healthy and balanced. In this case, the main focus tends to be on lifestyle and the places and environment where the individual inhabits – which goes from their family to the cultural setting of the groups, communities and organizations their might be part of. On a behavioral level, the suggested healing program or activities tend to have at first an educational theme related to more gradual and passive behaviors of change that could be

125

partially or individual.

easily

managed

the

In relation to the basic understanding of the meaning of Health, Integral Medicine shares a similar view with the WHO (World Health Organization) that health is the product of an ample spectrum of factors related to quality of life, such as: Proper diet, nutrition, habitat, sanitary conditions, good health conditions, opportunity for continuing education and growth throughout life, social support to families and individuals, and responsible lifestyle. The Individual Orientation By gathering information and understanding about each individual and their Level of Consciousness, willpower, resources and limitations, the Integral Doctor associates what is observed to the numerous possibilities of treatments offered by the various Schools (or paradigms) of Medicine, including the Alternative/Complementary therapies available today.

In my everyday practice at MedIntegral, the first meeting with individuals that needs healing usually lasts around 2 hours, in which my main goal is to listen and learn from them in front of me, who I see as both clients (or “patients”)and human beings. I am usually curious and inquisitive about their lifestyle, overall health and perspectives on wellness. I also tend to be curious about their main concerns in life, relationships, beliefs, existential questions, purposes in life, and also where they want to be in terms of an Integral Wellness perspective. This is the ”Knowing Phase” or “initial assessment process”. After that, we move to the “Discovery Phase” or “research and further assessment process”, in which we manage to discover tools and paths to get where we want by making use of the Integral Healing approach. This data usually emerge from explorations inside their own subjective experiences, and hence inside our mutually shared “we” space (as we are together in this healing journey). Based on this analysis made possible through deep and

126

transparent interpersonal interactions, I can offer as an Integral Doctor many potential healing approaches and tools, such as allopathic medicines (drugs), complementary or alternative medications such as homeopathy, body-mind practices and mindfulness. I can also suggest them to engage in self- and interpersonal inquiries and invitations for them to dig a bit deeper into their own self in order to help me to find therapies and practices that can be a better fit or even “ideal” for them in that moment. By “ideal” it means that they will make them feel better, more aware, integrated, and healthy than before. At this phase in the process it is finally time to apply “hands on” actions based on what we have discovered in the previous phases as potentially effective tools to support behavioral changes in individuals at that precise moment in their lives. As part of a synergetic healing alliance, both Integral Doctor and client (or “patient”) can stand and take responsibility for their always evolving health, heeling, and wellness.

TREATMENTS AND PRACTICES How do We Manage to Do It? In short, the Integral Healing process takes place in two distinctive parts: 1.The Global Evaluation of the Patient: Evaluation

done through an extensive Integrally oriented Medical Questionnaire to determine the Current Wellbeing Index and the Integral Matrix of the Current Wellness (IMCW) 2.Preparation for the healing transformation:

Construction of the Integral Matrix, which is composed by:

Therapeutic

Integral consultations to reestablish the health condition, plus accompanying coaching aimed to change and improve the lifestyle of the client (or “patient) through designing personalized practices that consider most dimensions related to the State of Health and Wellbeing. These are what we call by “Integrative Practices”. It consists of an ongoing project

127

that is designed and constantly updated throughout the life of the individual, according to different situations (both internal/ subjective and external/objective) including new and updated goals can naturally emerge in their lives, The Integral Therapeutic Matrix Basically speaking, the Integral Therapeutic Matrix is an application of the Integral Model to all kinds of healing treatments and practices. It results from a cross combination of several effective methods of treatment and personal development, most of them scientifically proven, or empirically proven by time and experience.

FIGURE 9 A and B â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Therapy Matrix Combination

Thus, if we combine the physical, mental and spiritualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spheres with Traditional (ReModern), Modern, Post-Modern and PostPost-Modern (Integral) therapies and healing modalities, we will obtain up to forty different activities related to potential treatments and developments to choose from, as is seen in the figures below.

128

These activities embrace meditative and contemplative practices and move through the “bio-electromagnetic field”, acquisition of new perspectives, plus deep emotional and body healing work. Hence, in summary, these are the potential resources to be used in the Integral Therapeutic Matrix 1. Conventional Medicine’s Medical drugs (allopathic medicines) + Alternative or Complementary medicines and therapies; 2. Regular Physical Exercises (the three main types: Strength, Cardiovascular, and some modality of Stretching); 3. Ideal Nutrition: Ideal food aimed to take care of the specific situation, which includes the individual’s state of health, life conditions, as well as the environmental reality, Culture and Society there are part of. As an example, a diet for a 40-years old Indian man with gastric problems who lives in a family

that loves spicy food and that work all day long with extended intervals in between meals, would be totally different from a recommended diet for 20-years old American girl who studies all day long, eats mostly at the University, and does intensive body work. 1.Rejuvenation and restful Sleep 2. Therapies for Stress Reduction and Relaxation. 3. Acupuncture. 4. Integrative practices: These integrally oriented practices comprehend an advanced CrossTraining process focused on development of Body, Mind (Heart), and Spirit. This program is usually suggested in form of customized solo practices that can improve people’s health in many levels and ways – as proposed by Terry Patten – an Integral writer/presenter, coach, theorist and practitioner – in conjunction with Ken Wilber and others who wrote the book Integral Life Practice (2008) as a complement to a previously developed an Integral Life Practice Kit. In their words:

129

“[Integral Life Practice] helps you to become as healthy, fulfilled and functional as you can at your current level of health), vertical health (growing to higher, deeper and more expanded levels of consciousness), and essential health (becoming more consistently aware of and alive to essence, or ever-present suchness” 24 These solo Integrative Practices also comprehend a multi-level program which involves Body-Mind-Psycho-Spiritual Interactive activities exercised in group such as Yoga, Martial Arts, Dance, Body workout, Conversations, Bioenergetics, and Co-creation of group’s vision about health and wellness, “Shadow Work”, and Meditation, among others. Follow below a summary of the core focus of these practices. The core focus of these Integrative practices holds Wellness Enhancing Programs, Cultural Activities and Workhops.

FIGURE 10– MedIntegral’s wheel of care

130

INTEGRATIVE PRACTICES – CROSS-TRAINING FOR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT I. The Bio-Electromagnetic Field Practice Vitalism Vitalism is a theory or doctrine which claims that life processes arise from (or contain) a nonmaterial vital principle that cannot be explained entirely as a physical or chemical phenomena as we currently know it. Vitalism has a long history in medical philosophies. As we have covered, most ancient Traditional healing practices asserted that disease results from imbalances in vital forces blocking of Qi/Chi (or prana). On the other hand, in the Western Medical tradition founded by Hippocrates, these vital forces were associated with the four temperaments and humors.

Vitalism still plays a big role among Alternative and Complementary Healing Practices.

It is based on the notion that the “vital elan” is the actual quality that gives the ability to the body and mind to exist. This is such an ancient and pervasive belief that there are more than 96 terms to designate similar phenomena in many cultures. For example, this “vital elan” is known as “Prana” in the Hinduism and “Chi” (or “Qi”) in Chinese culture. Chi Energy According to the Chinese culture, Chi is a subtle electromagnetic energy that permeates everything we know and carries information to and through wherever channel it moves in the body/mind In other words, that means that the Chi moving thorough the body can carry our thoughts, emotions and feelings,, but also other energy fields. The practices of Tai Chi Chuan, Acunpuncture, QiGong, Martial Arts ,Kung Fu, Aikido, Ki-Aikido, etc., are all examples of healing practices involving Chi work, development and manipulation. Bio-Energetic or BioElectromagnetic Field

131

In the realm of Science, numerous studies have been done to understand this vital force, which is commonly referred as Bio-Electromagnetic or Bioenergetic field. Many pioneer researchers around the world have been working in this field, such Rupert Sheldrake on Morphogenetic Fields and James L. Oschman on Bio-Electromagnetic Fields. There have been already many theories and applications related to this phenomena. However, there is still not so much clarity around it, and there is much more that needs to be properly researched, from a scientific perspective. Bio-Electromagnetism is a discipline that examines the electric, electromagnetic, and magnetic phenomena that arises in biological tissues, like the electric potential in cell membranes. Bio-Electromagnetism consists in the difference in the electrical potential between the interior and the exterior of a biological cell,. Another example related to this field are the electric currents that flow in nerves and muscles

as a result of “action potentials”. These “action potential” can be short-lasting events in which the electrical membrane potentials of cells rapidly rise and fall, following consistent trajectories. In muscle cells, for example, an action potential is the first step in the chain of events leading to a muscle contraction. In beta cells from the Pancreas, they can provoke release of insulin. 25 These “action potentials” are used to facilitate inter-cellular communication and activate intracellular processes. The physiological phenomena of action potentials are made possible due to “voltage-gated ion channels”. Voltage-gate ion channels are porous-forming membrane proteins that move from one side to another of a cell membrane, and have functions that include establishing a resting membrane potential, as well as shaping action potentials and other electrical signals by gating the flow of ions across cell membranes. Bio-Electromagnetism has been studied primarily through the techniques of Electro

132

Physiology. In the late Eighteenth century, the Italian Physician and Physicist Luigi Galvani first recorded this phenomenon while dissecting a frog on a table, where he had been conducting experiments with static electricity. Galvani coined the term “animal electricity” to describe this phenomenon, while contemporaries labeled it “Galvanism”. Galvani and contemporaries regarded muscle activation as a result from the action of an electrical fluid or substance in the nerve. 26,27 I actually remember exploring this electromagnetic process in living organisms. in one of my classes (Biophysics) during my first year in medical school. Biophysicist James L. Oschman – an expert in the field of Energy Medicine, who is a Biophysicist and has a PhD in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh - states that the Bio-Electromagnetic field resulting from biochemical activities within the body is responsible for the communication between body tissues as well as their replacement. Connective Tissue and Piezoelectricity

In Oschman’s words: “The connective tissue is a continuous fabric of tissue that extends throughout the animal body, even into the innermost parts of each of its cells. All the great systems of the body - the circulation, the nervous system, the muscleskeletal system, the digestive tract, the various organs - are embedded in this connective tissue. It is therefore an organ that fulfills the roles of form, relationship, support, communication, and movement in the body. Connective tissue is a composite material consisting of strong insoluble collagen fibers embedded in a gel-like ground substance. The fibers are arranged in highly ordered, crystalline formations. Like many other crystals, connective tissue is “piezoelectric” (i.e. it generates electric fields when compressed or stretched). Hence, any movement of any part of the body, muscle, bone, skin, blood vessel, etc., generates characteristic electrical fields that can spread through the surrounding tissues. Since collagen is a semiconductor, the connective tissue is an integrated electronic network that allows all

133

parts of the organism to communicate with each other.”28 The piezoelectric characteristic of the connective tissue consists in another type of electrical phenomena in the body, resulting from pressure created by the electric charge that accumulates in certain solid materials (such as crystals, certain ceramics, and biological matter (like bones, DNA and various proteins) - 29 in response to applied mechanical stress. The piezoelectric effect is generally thought to act as a biological force sensor. This effect was explored in a research study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1970s/ early 1980s, which established that sustained application of electrical potential could stimulate both “bone resorption” and growth of bone invivo, depending on the polarity. 30 In women who previously experienced total fertilization failure, piezoelectric activation of oocytes - together with intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection - seemed to improve fertilization outcomes. 31 Piezoelectric Surgery

A more recent application of piezoelectric ultrasound sources is piezoelectric surgery, also known as piezosurgery.32 It consists of a minimally invasive technique that aims to cut a target tissue with little damage to neighboring tissues. As an example, Hoigne et al. 33 reported its use in hand surgery for the cutting of bone, using frequencies in the range 25–29 kHz, causing micro vibrations of 60–210 μm. This pioneering procedure has the ability to cut mineralized tissue without cutting neurovascular tissue and other soft tissue, thereby maintaining a blood-free operating area, better visibility, and greater precision. 34 Although these are examples of some “miracles” in Modern Medicine (so to speak) made possible by manipulating Bio-Electromagnetic fields, there are also other areas that make efficient use of it such as in the case of the Nano generator. In 2011, The Register - a UK Sci/Tech maganize - announced the development of the first commercially viable Nano generator. They said: “It could pave the way for the human heart to become a charger for our electrical gizmos. The Nano generator device is a flexible chip with millions of zinc oxide nanowires that, when

134

flexed, induce a piezoelectric effect delivering a tiny amount of electrical current.” 35

interconnection, and the free flow of information through the connective tissue fabric.”36

In the case of Alternative and Complementary Medicines, the Bio-Electromagnetic field also bring forth some healing therapies based in scientific evidences such as the Energy Medicine therapies proposed by Oschman.

Physiologists – those who study the organic processes or functions of an organism or any of its parts - take the nervous system as the primer messenger system of the body. However, many other forms of communication can actually take place in the body, but in different forms.

In the same way, this same electrical potential could also stimulate both “bone resorption” and growth (depending on the polarity) of bone invivo. Oschman also proposes the idea that the electrical field could also regulate the replacement process of cells. In his words: “The structure of the adult body is not fixed or permanent tissues are constantly being replaced. Electrical fields generated within the tissues may regulate the replacement process, so that structure can change in response to changes in activity. This is how athletes and other performers optimize their structure and function by practicing a movement again and again. Perfect performance implies total

Emotions and Endorphins The pharmacologist Candace Pert - American Neuroscientist and Pharmacologist who discovered the opiate receptor, (the cellular binding site for endorphins in the brain) argues in her book “Molecules Of Emotion: The Science Between Mind-Body Medicine” (1999) that emotions are neuropeptides, which carry particular information related with specific emotional states. Neuropeptides part of a group of polypeptide compounds that act as neurotransmitters, which means they share small protein-like molecules (peptides) used by neurons to communicate with each other.

135

Pert also claims that the receptors in the cell’s surface are dynamic, so they can change their shape to bind themselves to the neuropeptides. As previously mentioned, the BioElectromagnetic field is responsible for another communication system in the body. Again, in the words of James l. Oschamn: “Bio-Electromagnetic communications are involved in the formation of the parts of the body, both small and large, for the integration of structures, for hormone/receptor interactions, for cells to recognize each other so they can join together to form tissues, and for the maintenance and regulation of body shape. Communications are also involved in healing processes such as regeneration, tissue repair, and activation of the immune system.” 8 Cell Biologists have discovered that the cell’s cytoskeleton is connected to extracellular connective tissue via the surface of the cell. This evidence allows the visualization of a continuous structure extended throughout the body.

Oschman referred to this characteristic “cytoskeletal connective tissue”.

The idea of the existence of a global system of connections and interactions composed of connective tissues from skeletal and cytoskeletal muscles suggests that systems might not be such isolated and unique structures as has been mostly assumed. The Living Matrix Many scientists have already started to recognize and refer to this global, functional and continuous approach as the “Living Matrix”. Research in this area have already shown that this Living Matrix is a continuous “natural factory” that makes, shapes and determines the function of every single part of the organism, and also the human body as a whole. Moreover, investigations related to Electromagnetic Fields can go even beyond the human body sphere. One of these investigations is related to English physiologist Ruppert Sheldrake, who presented

136

the “Theory of the Morphogenetic Fields” in 1981 in his book A New Science of Life (1981). Dr. Rupert Sheldrake is an English Biologist and author. His books and papers stem from his groundbreaking hypothesis of “morphic resonance,” and cover topics such as animal and plant development, as well as behavior, memory, perception and cognition in general - besides other kinds of mysterious phenomena such as telepathy and other phenomena considered “paranormal” by Conventional Science today. 37,38 “The term “morphic fields” can be more generic in its meaning than the term morphogenetic fields, because it includes other kinds of organizing fields in addition to those of morphogenesis. The organizing fields of animal and human behavior, mental activities, and Social and Cultural systems, can all be regarded as being examples of “morphic fields” that can contain inherent memories.”39 Sheldrake’s theory suggests that every atom, molecule, cell or organism generates an organized generic field that exerts a specific effect back to all units that generate it, so it can shape the forms and behaviors of all kinds of

systems in the material world. These fields are considered as invisible structures extended in space and time, yet they are undetectable by the scientific instruments we currently have at our disposal. Besides all those apparent “miracles” performed by Modern Medicine such as artificial fertilizations and blood free surgeries, made possible by using Bio-Electromagnetic fields, these fields are also play significant part and support in ancient Traditional Therapies such as Acupuncture, Tai Chi and Martial Arts, as well a new set of therapies from Alternative and Complementary Medicines known as Energy Medicine. Energy Medicine Energy Medicine - also known as Energy Therapy or Energy Healing - holds the belief that a healer can channel “healing energies” into the person seeking help by different methods: Hands-on, hands-off, and at distance40,41, where the patient and healer can be in different locations. Reiki and Body talk are examples of these therapies.

137

However, Conventional approaches still dispute these claims, coming from pure antagonistic or self-defense acts, or factual data that can counteract those claims. For example, early reviews of conventional scientific literature claims that Energy Healing turned out to have flaws and would be needed further research in order to provide more plausible scientific proofs, 42,43, and more recent reviews have reached the conclusion that there is no evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of these methods. Given the fact that many interests are involved in this matter, I leave it up to readers to draw their own conclusions. 44,45,46,47,48,49 The Bio-Electromagnetic field can be also applied in different areas of Medicine not only specifically related to healing processes, but through technologies that can help disable people to be enabled again. Michael Nicholelis - Brazilian scientist, Professor of Neurosciences at Duke School of Medicine and Co-Director of the Duke University Center for NeuroEngineering in the USA - has been

best known for his pioneering studies in neuronal population coding, Brain Machine Interfaces (BMI) and “neuroprosthetics” in human patients. Nicholelis aims to generate motor movements outside the physical body by reading the brain’s electromagnetic field by means of technological devices. One of his intentions is to create an exoskeleton (a skeleton outside the body, like in invertebrate animals such as snails), which would act as a prosthetic that could allow the disabled to walk, and may one day be controlled by brain waves. 50 As of today, Nicholelis’ lab intends to provide an exoskeleton for a handicapped teenager to make the first kick of the opening event of the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014. 51 As we have seen, there are many ways of using the knowledge of the Bio-Electromagnetic fields. Their practical applications can also have many other uses and potentials, from Energy Therapies to the development of “robotic avatars”. Somatic Psychology also has a few therapies and methods based on Bio-

138

Electromagnetic fields, exemplified by the Psycho-Somatic fields such as Bioenergetics. Bionergetics Bioenergetics is a dynamic form of Somatic (or Psycho-Somatic) therapy rooted in the idea of the existence of a muscular amour, illustrated by the expression of the personality in the way the body moves. This concept was originated from Wilhelm Reich’s (1897 – 1957) extensive pioneer research and practices. Reich was an Austrian Doctor and Psychoanalyst who was a pioneer in merging Medicine, Psychology, and Bio-Energetic healing. His “armor” theory is based upon the continuity between body and mind, linking physical pain, muscle tension, and postural disorders with an individual’s psychological state of mind. Through his groundbreaking research and practice (that later became controversial by the scientific mainstream), Reich demonstrated that suppressed emotions, unhappiness, and anger can actually block the energy flow of the body and cause all kinds of physical distresses,

including various physical and mental diseases. Dr. Alexander Lowen (1910 – 2008) – a former student of Reich - was an American Physician and Psychotherapist, founder and pioneer of the revolutionary therapy of Bioenergetics. Lowen used to analyze common health complaints like headaches and lower back pain, and show how they could be overcome by releasing the muscular tension that had created them in first place. The “language” (or communication) of the body (i.e.: posture, gesticulations, circulation, breathing, motility, expression) is strongly focused in this therapy, as it can indicate the overall profile and status of individuals on their way to personhood – from the past, to the present, and into the future. Somatic Techniques like Bioenergetics can be used to that address energetic aspects of individuals, including their self-perception, selfexpression, self-image, personal grounding, and self-control. Bioenergetics also includes therapeutic work through body contact, as well as exercise of boundaries, grounding, and the

139

understanding of muscular tensions as indicators of somatic and psychological defenses against past traumas. Through Bioenergetics exercises, physical pain can be dissolved and emotion released, leading to a new sense of confidence, health and well-being – not only of the body, but of the whole mind/body being (mind, body, heart, soul and spirit). Dr. Alexander Lowen says : "[Bioenergetics] integrates work with the body, with the patient's interpersonal relationships, and with their mental processes - each of which is correlated and interpreted in terms of the others.... Bioenergetics Analysis starts with the reality of the body and its basic functions of motility and expression". He also writes in his book Bioenergetics - The Revolutionary Therapies that Use the Language of the Body to Heal the Problems of the Mind. (1994): "Bioenergetics rests on the simple proposition that each person is their body. No person exists apart from the living body in which they experience existence and through which they express themselves and relate to the world

around them. If you are your body and your body is you, then it expresses who you are. It is your way of being in the world. The more alive your body is, the more alive and present you are in the world. When a body loses some of its aliveness - as when you are exhausted, for example - you tend to withdraw from the world. Illness has the same effect, producing a state of withdrawal. You may even sense the world at a distance or see it as through a haze. On the other hand, there are days when you are radiantly alive and the world around you seems brighter, closer, and more real. We would all like to be and feel more alive, and Bioenergetics can help us toward the achievement of this goal."52 The Integral Methodology presented in this book has strategically prescribed the application of several practices that can work on this “Bioenergetics” field, by suggesting the integration of two powerful energy-based therapy systems: Ancient practices such as Tai Chi Chuan and Martial Arts (Kung Fu, Aikido, KiAikido), coupled with Modern Psychology and Bioenergetics exercises drawn directly from Lowen’s techniques.

140

The integration of these practices highlights the simultaneous push or “impact” on the BodyMind-Emotion-Energy system by harmonizing it as a whole.

The Lymphatic System They can also activate the lymphatic system, which comprehends the tissues and organs of the body - including the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes - that are responsible for the production and storage of cells specialized in fighting infections and diseases. The channels that carry lymph are also part of this same system. So, by activating theses channels, those enchanted practices coupled with Modern Psychology and Bioenergetics exercises can help lymph to flow, consequently enhancing the metabolism of dead cells resulting from the immune system’s work. Furthermore, these practices based on BioEnergy can create more vitality and disposition, bring up a deeper and clearer awareness of the

body/mind, and increase the ability of the mind to focus and concentrate. Thus, they can promote Integral Wellness, which aims towards the best state and integration possible of Body, Mind, Spirit, Culture and Society (Collective Health). Obviously, practices and therapies that involve the body also work directly or indirectly with Bio-Electromagnetic fields and vice versa – especially since body's Biochemistry is nothing more than the physical (or objective) expression of the Bio-Electromagnetic field. Therefore, the separation of them is absolutely for didactic reasons, as in the “real world” all tends to happen together and simultaneously. As an illustration of this process, I’m sharing this case I treated at IntegralMed. My client (or “patient”) was a woman, 35 years-old, engaged in a 16 years-old marriage where she had 2 daughters (7 and 5 years-old). She was pregnant again when she arrived in my office with symptoms of nausea and anxiety, alternated with depression. She was a very powerful woman, who nevertheless presented great sadness and insecurity. I treated her physical

141

symptoms with Homeopathy, from which she recovered fast. Her mental state was properly taken care through a coaching program, plus Cross-training with Bio-Electromagnetic practices (specifically Bioenergetics exercises), meditation, diet, as well as specific Homeopathic remedies. She ended up going back to study, started to work, and gradually became economically and emotionally independent, especially when she finally got out of her (failed) â&#x20AC;&#x153;marriage comfort zoneâ&#x20AC;? and started a new romance as something she had always dreamed about. Today she is a national reference in her line of work, lives in a cozy little house, has more quality time for herself, and is a much healthy and happier woman. II. BODY (SOMATIC) PRACTICES Besides Bioenergetics (covered in the previous section), there are also several other schools that use body work to generate and improve health and wellbeing. Both Modern Medicine and Conventional Medicine prescribe regular physical activity as an essential practice for the

maintenance of cardiovascular health and stress management. Yoga Indeed, one of the main reasons the ancient practice of Yoga has spread through the West was because it combines both physical and mental health. The Journal of Research in Indian Medicine has published that the daily practice of Asanas (Yogic postures), for six months, decreases pressure rates in the heart, breathing and blood circulation. It also leads to weight loss and decreases the incidence of anxiety. A subsequent study concluded that regular practice of Yoga led to the reduction of physiological stress, as well as lower rates of cholesterol, stabilization of blood sugar level, increase in relaxation brain waves of (alpha waves), and decline of physical problems. Other benefits of the practice of Yoga included a sense of calmness and joy, mental and body relaxation, enjoyment of life, better self-image (self-acceptance), healthier interpersonal relationships, an improvement in ability to focus and concentrate. Moreover, it also generated

142

enhanced overall awareness (both of inside and outside). Dr. V. H. Dhanaraj - a physician from the University of Alberta (Canada) - compared two groups of people. The first group practiced Yoga for six weeks. The second group engaged in conventional exercises during the same period. The research results demonstrated that those who practiced Yoga improved significantly their cellular metabolism, oxygen consumption, lung capacity, cardiac efficiency, thyroid function, hemoglobin and red blood cell count, as well as overall physical and emotional stability. Another study related to breast cancer survivors at the Department of Psychology of the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), showed that Yoga practice promoted significant improvements in the level of fatigue of cancer survivors.53 Elisa Harumi Kozasa -a researcher from UNIFESP in São Paulo, Brazil - studied the effects of Mind/Body treatments such as Yoga, relaxation and Tai Chi in patients with insomnia. The research conclusion presented an improvement in sleep after such therapies. The Brazilian

Journal of Psychiatry published her paper in 2010.54 Body practices are not only related to active practices that involve radical or strenuous physical movements. They could also be subtly “manipulative” (in a good sense), drawing from Somatic Therapy methods and techniques as treatments from Alternative and Complementary Medicine’s are usually prescribed. Indeed, Somatic Therapy is considered as being any kind of treatment presumed to act on biological factors leading to mental unbalance, disease or illness.55 Many of these practices involve the application of accurately determined and specifically directed manual efforts to the body, and this is the reason they are also considered “manipulative methods”. In general, one of the main objectives of these Somatic Therapy methods is to improve the mobility and circulation in areas that are restricted or present some kind of blockage, whether these restrictions are in connective tissues, or in skeletal muscles.56

143

As we mentioned before, all body practices carry on some kind of Bio-Electromagnetic work (either directly or indirectly), but Somatic Therapies can work more clearly, specifically, and efficiently with Bio-Electromagnetic fields trough body movements and actions. Other Somatic Therapies Rolfing, Ayurvedic Massage and Osteopathy are some examples of Somatic Therapies, as well as Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, and many others. Rolfing is a therapy system created and taught by the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration[1] founded by the biochemist Ida Pauline Rolf (1896–1979) in 1971. 57,58 The Institute states that Rolfing is a "Holistic system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that organize(s) the whole body in gravity”. 59 Ayurvedic Massage is an ancient Indian technique based upon “marma points”, which are vital centers or subtle energy fields on the body. They are seen as storehouses of life breath pranic energy - in other words, the “vital elan” that we previously covered.

Osteopathy emphasizes the interrelations between structure, function structure, and function of the body, as well as the ability of the body to heal itself. Osteopaths claim their methods can strongly facilitate the healing process, especially through the practice of manual and manipulative therapy. 60 The use of Osteopathy is not always based on science, and, according to Conventional Medicine claims, there is little evidence that Osteopathy can actually be as effective in treating any medical condition other than lower back pain. 61,62 Again, I leave it up to the reader to choose the sources to trust, since this is one more example of a school not legitimizing the work of the other using their own paradigm, interests, and instruments of measure. Besides the known and acknowledged physical benefits of using those Somatic Therapy methods - such as increasing physical strength, flexibility, circulation and vitality - plus expelling toxins (detox) and relieving pain - the integration of them in a Cross Training program can also expand consciousness, promote deep

144

relaxation, facilitate grounding, catalyze selfknowledge, and increase wellbeing, awareness and attention. From this perspective, they can be also considered as Stress Management Practices. In my practice as an Integral Doctor at MedIntegral, I had another interesting case that also illustrates the sheer power of these practices. My client (or “patient”) was a 38-years old man, who had been unemployed. He was a former Marketing Executive Director, and had 2 sons (8 and 1 years-old). He was suffering symptoms of hypothyroidism (i.e.: tiredness, gain of weight, and a little depression). Initially, his lab exams confirmed the hypothyroidism condition. We started a very rigid detox diet program, coupled with Homeopathy remedies, mindfulness exercises, and a Coaching program to act as a guidance and support during his healing process. These Coaching program involved somatic practices such as bioenergetics and bioeletromagnetic field related exercises. After 2 months of treatment, this man was feeling so well and energized that he even started to run every day. During this short

period, he had already lost 15 pounds and his lab exams turned to be normal again. After 6 months of treatment, he started a new job in a good company, and was also able to find healthier balance between his work and leisure time, by spending more time in nature. He also started to see himself as a more integrated and happy man. III. MEDITATIVE (MINDFULNESS) PRACTICES “Meditare” is the Latin word that originated the term Meditation. It means going back to the center, in order to turn oneself temporarily off to the outside world by looking inward. Meditation is usually practiced in several ways, and for different reasons and goals. As we see below, it can be a: 1. State of Mind, when the mind can become

empty and without thoughts; 2. Practice of focusing the mind on a single object of attention (for example, in a religious figure, one’s own breath, a mantra); 3. Mind Opening to the Divine, which invokes the guidance of a Higher Power;

145

4. Rational Analysis of religious teachings (such

as the concept of impermanence, in Buddhism). Also, it can be related to selfinquiry, like the inner questioning “Who am I?” practiced by spiritual master Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950), who is widely acknowledged as one of the most outstanding Indian gurus of modern times. Another example could be Jiddu Krishnamurti’s famous invitation for the inner non-dual realization that “Subject and Object are One”. Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895 – 1986) was an Indian spiritual teacher, speaker and writer of philosophical and spiritual subjects. In general, the practice of Meditation aims the encounter with what is Absolute or Permanent in reality (as opposed to the impermanence of manifested reality, also called by Samsara or “The Karmic Wheel” in Indian spiritual literature. In Potentials and Pitfalls in the Spiritual Way – which was the theme of an interview between Craig Hamilton (spiritual teacher from “Integral Enlightenment”) and Ken Wilber, Wilber said that “Meditation is the path to finding God and recognizing the Spirit”.

In general, any form of Meditative attempt to awaken the meditator (Subject) for the Ultimate Reality of that what is Permanent or Absolute can be regarded as a valid form of Meditation.

Non Duality Basically, Meditation also relaxes selfcontraction (both physical, egoic and mental), and therefore can expand (and even delete) the perception of a separate self-living in a vast universe. This can eventually lead to the experience of Non-Duality, or Non-Dual awareness, which is the awareness of Pure Consciousness as the ground of being and perception. This Non-Dual Realization can be experienced as a more permanent trait, which consists in experiencing Subject and Object becoming One and the same. In this Non-Dual State of Awareness, “you do not see the mountain; instead you are the mountain”. You have transcended the duality of Object and Subject, and become one with the Spirit. Non duality is the philosophical, spiritual, and scientific understanding of non-separation and

146

fundamental intrinsic oneness between the individual and the Universe. (Pure consciousness) For thousands of years and through deep inner inquiry, philosophers and sages from many spiritual traditions have come to the realization that there is only one “Substance” in the Universe, and therefore we are all part of it. This Substance can be called by many names, such as Awareness, Consciousness, Spirit, Advaita, Brahman, Tao, Nirvana or even God. According to their first-hand experiences and meditations, this mysterious and ultimately sacred Substance is constant, ever present, and unchangeable - and consists in the essence of all existence. Samadhi Samadhi is a higher level or concentrated meditation present in HInduism, Bidhism, Jaianism e sikism. It has been described as a Non-dual State of Consciousness in which the consciousness of the subject experiencing an object of perception becomes one with this experienced object,63 It is also a state where the mind can finally become still, one-pointed or concentrated while the person remains fully

conscious. 64 In Buddhism, this term can also refer to an abiding in which mind becomes very still, but does not merge with the object of attention, and is thus able to observe and gain insight into the ever changing flow of experience. 65 Based on these definitions, meditation - along with other mindfulness practices – can be considered as one of the most efficient and easily available processes for misidentifying with ourselves from the duality of Subject vs. Object in our awareness, When I become aware of my reality as Subject observing it as a Subject – my mind instantaneously becomes the Object of my own awareness. } In other words, when I become aware of my mind, I am then able to watch it, so I can say I have a mind. But, in truth, I am not my mind. I have thoughts, but I am not my thoughts. I have feelings, but I am not my feelings. Therefore, a main understanding and realization coming from Meditation is that I have those experiences, but I am not them (including thoughts, emotions and sensations). As a consequence of this direct perception into the

147

core of my being, I can then realize myself as being the center of pure consciousness, independent of any object or perceptive context. Eckhart Tolle, best-selling spiritual teacher and author of the books The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (2004) and Stillness Speaks (2003) – a favorite - calls this State of realization of our center of pure consciousness by “Inner Stillness” Non-Duality and Perspectives on the Absolute As previously discussed, the Non-Dual experience can also be interpreted from different perspectives, known as First-, Second- or ThirdPerson perspectives. These perspectives enable us to talk about, with, or as (like) something. Talking about correspond to the Third-Person perspective (It, He, She), while talking with corresponds to the Second-Person perspective (You, We). Last (but not least), talking “as (or “like”) corresponds to the perspective of the First-Person. From a Third-Person perspective, the Permanent can be described as “the great web of life”.

On the other hand, a Second-Person perspective would define the Permanent (or Absolute) as the relationship or interaction with the Ultimate Reality. Prayer is probably one of the best examples of a Second-Person practice. Finally, a First-Person perspective would see the Permanent (or Absolute) as the manifestation or expression of the Permanent itself. Jesus, for example, has spoken from all these perspectives in different moments of his life, according to the Bible. He spoke of God, to God, and as (like) God. Follow below a few examples of these passages, related to their respective perspectives: Jesus Speaking as (like) God (First-Person Perspective): Mathews: “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid”. · 14:27 (KJV). The Gospel of John: · “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this

148

shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another:. “13:34–35. Jesus Speaking to God (Second-Person Perspective): Mathews: ·

“O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will”, but as thou wilt. 26:39 (KJV).

The same phenomena can also be seen in Buddha’s teachings and other spiritual masters that permanently realized the Non-Dual Consciousness within themselves (and the Universe), and shared their insight to other human beings in many forms (and perspectives) as part of their own spiritual roles to spread Ultimate Realization, health and healing to other fellow human beings. Three Core Perspectives on Meditation

The Gospel of John” · “Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee”

As mentioned above, each of these perspectives represents a profoundly different experience composed by different forms of manifestations.

Jesus Speaking of God:

In summary:

(Third-Person Perspective):

The First-Person manifestation of Meditation can be seen as the experience of sitting and focusing. In the Second-Person’s perspective, Meditation can be practiced as prayer, or “Conversations with God”, as spiritual teacher and writer Neale Donald Walsch suggests in his best-selling book carrying this name.

Mathews” ·

“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible”. 19:26 (KJV).

The Gospel of John: · “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through” me. 14:6.

149

Finally, in the Third-Person perspective, Meditation is manifested as self-inquiry and intellectual inquiry or contemplation. Integral practices include all of these forms of Meditation. The Integral Cross-training suggests both contemplative, appreciative, mindfulness and meditation practices in its broad scope of customized alternatives aimed to promote overall self-development. The Integral Life Practice (ILP) - created and developed by Ken Wilber and Terry Patten in conjunction with Adam Leonard and Marco Morelli - also make use of all these three core perspectives in a single spiritually based exercise, suggested in their ILP book and ILP Kit: It is called by The “1,2,3 of God”. This Post-Post-Conventional (Integral) Meditation practice promotes de experience of God (or the Permanent, the Absolute, or “Higher Force”) in all three perspectives, and especially aims the First-Person meditation of experiencing God as oneself, since the other two perspectives tend to be more known and commonly practiced in everyday life by many people or religious/ spiritual institutions.

First-Person types of Meditation are more present in Complementary and Alternative (and Esoteric) spiritual institutions, but more rarely in Conventional (or Traditional) ones. Even though Meditation in the First-Person is relatively new and rare in terms of mainstream academic studies - although it has been part of the curriculum f specific classes in certain alternative academic institutions) - this practice has been also used as a method of relaxation, stress management and wellness promotion with quite successful results. This is true especially for those techniques that emphasize attention on the Observer (Subject) instead of reactive thoughts, emotions and body sensations (or states). These practices have been also very effective in reducing rates of anxiety and depression. Mindfulness In 2007, American psychiatrist Lidia Zylowska conducted an eight-week pilot study on Mindfulness training. She studied 24 adults and 8 teenagers who were previously diagnosed with

150

ADHD (Attention Deficit High Activity Disorder), according to the DSM IV criteria. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (4th Edition) - a reference manual published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) that includes all currently recognized mental health disorders, according to definitions from the field of Psychiatry. Although this apparently arbitrary and reference manual have been questioned by many Alternative Health organizations, it is still the main reference for this profession and for Conventional Medicine in general. According to DSM’s definition, ADHD is a disorder characterized by an individual not being able to fully concentrate because of being very “hyper”. The conclusion of Zylowska experiment was that the Mindfulness Meditation technique is a successful intervention for adults and adolescents with ADHD (Attention Deficit High Activity Disorder), since can improve behaviors, concentration, and neurocognitive impairments.

frequency brain waves (Alpha, Theta and Delta) are related to relaxation. They often take over the brain during Meditation. In contrast, in the alert state of mind, high frequency waves known as Beta waves are often in charge. When the human brain works in low frequency waves, the whole system tends to slow down. Thus, blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates tend to decrease.

Brain Waves This positive effect is possible due to many reasons, especially related to brain waves. Low

FIGURA 11 - Brain Waves

151

MINDFULNESS This Meditative technique involves paying attention “by purpose”. In other words, it consists in a purposeful, conscious, and focused direction of our awareness. One of Mindfulness’ main components is the self-regulation of attention needed in order to keep it anchored in the present moment, the “Now” By accomplishing that, it can increase the individual’s ability to recognize mental events happening in the present moment. The other main component of this kind of Meditation involves paying attention to the present moment with curiosity, openness, and acceptance of “what is”.67 Jon Kabat-Zinn - Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Founding Director of the Stress Reduction Clinic and Center for Mindfulness in the University of Massachusetts in USA – has taught Mindfulness as a technique at UMass aimed for coping with stress, anxiety, pain and disease. He also offers Mindfulness practices on Stress Reduction Programs in other medical centers, hospitals and health care organizations, boith in America and Europe.

According to Kabat-Zinn, Mindfulness is a State of Being totally attentive to life (inner and outer). It is about experiencing and understanding the beauty of each special moment. In this state, "we feel more alive and we immediately access our internal resources for insights, transformation and healing." (Kabat-Zinn, 1998). Even though different meditation techniques can have many types of objects of attention embedded in their methods, they all share an intentional core training related to the exercise and development of attention and concentration. The Mindfulness technique consists in exercising concentration by deliberately keeping the attention on the breath. (Kabat-Zinn, Massion, Hebert, & Rosenbaum, 1998). The constant practice of this method can give rise to stability, internal peace and nonreactivity of the mind, which means a mind is able to reach a state of silence, calmness, and proactivity (non-reactivity), and hence being able to efficiently (and properly) respond to stimuli, as well as to better interpret and judge perceptions accordingly.

152

Thus, Mindfulness practice can allow individuals to confront and even include all aspects of their lives (internally and externally), regardless of pain, anxiety, or fear. It is important to highlight that, although not directly reacted upon or identified with, these feelings and symptoms can still be present (and usually are), but thanks to the practice of Mindfulness they be perceived with non-attachment as being only part of an expanded awareness, which means they are not totally filing the whole of perception anymore. Even still carrying these manifestations in their psyche, individuals can still maintain inner space and inner silence to access and see other aspects of their lives - such as beauty, inner freedom, calmness, silence and gratitude. This healing way of seeing themselves and the world turns to be possible due to a gradually acquired sense of inner stability and non-reactivity, which can support the healthy ability to look with compassion towards oneself (including ones’ health condition) and others. Based on that, this Mindfulness technique encourages participants to observe their own feelings, thoughts and bodily experiences without judgment or avoidance – but with full acceptance and surrender..

Today, many researchers have been working with these methods and sharing their positive benefits. In December 2011, a randomized pilot study showed that Mindfulness Training produced significant and lasting relief for patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. In the same month, the “Annual Rheumatic Disease” published on other study about the effects of this technique in patients with rheumatic illnesses This study also concluded that Mindfulness Training reduced psychological stress and fatigue in patients.13 Contemplation: Perspective

Meditation’s

Third-Person

Contemplation is the Third-Person perspective of Meditation. Most people have experienced this perspective at some point in their lives, purposely or naturally. It can be related to the act of contemplating the beauty of nature and the natural reality around us, such as a blue sky, the sun, a loved partner, a pet or wild animal, flowers blooming, or even the actions and growth of a child. It can also embrace contemplation of man-made aesthetic manifestations of universal beauty, such as “sacred art”, “objective art” (a spiritually Esoteric

153

concept), and other quality aesthetic or spiritual expressions (i.e.: paintings, music, architecture, sculpture, poetry, writings, etc.) Contemplation comes from a Latin root and is the Greek word for “theory”. It means “disclose the nature and express the reality”. The Christian theologian Josef Pieper (1904 – 1997)[1] - a German Catholic philosopher and author of various books about Religion and Philosophy such as For Love of Wisdom (2007) - affirms that the first element of contemplation is “the quiet perception of reality”. Indeed, some of the benefits of Contemplation besides promoting increase in awareness are stress reduction, resilience development, decreased reactivity, decreased pain (pain relief), and better ability to cope with inner and outer challenges, among others. Since research projects related to Meditation often prioritize the First-Person perspective (subjective, phenomenological experience), Prayer has not been a subject of much interest in the Academic field, even though many of us use it as an instrument to relate to the Divine or to our “Higher, Real or True Selves” which is nothing more than the timeless Self lying behind

and beyond all manifestation- as Ken Wilber would say, in resonance with many philosophical and spiritual traditions. 68 It is also worth noting that the Psychiatry department of “Hospital das Clinicas” in the University of São Paulo (Brazil), one of the best and largest hospital schools in South America has been studying the impact of Religion in psychiatric diseases. Researchers have already scientific evidence that religiousness (or spirituality) - in which prayer plays a important role - can actually improve the quality of a patient’s life. In my practice as an Integral Doctor, I had a case that could be used as a good illustration for meditation practices although into prayer and religion. My client (or “patient”) was a 40-years old married woman, who presented symptoms of with sinusitis, headache, sleep problems, anxiety, and had an over perfectionist personality. Her husband also shared similar personality traits.

154

We started an Integrally oriented Coaching Process, coupled with an intense Meditation program based on Mindfulness and a dietary change. In the first 2 weeks of this program, she was already enjoying a more calm and relaxed attitude, as well as experiencing increased overall awareness, The headaches had stopped, and she was gradually able to find a more laid back and easy going way of living - not so punctuated by the previous perfectionist traits. After 3 months, she started to work in a company that she really wanted, initiated a continuous exercise program, and became more confident in general towards herself and her life situation. Since her sinusitis was not still cured and neither got significantly better, we decided to start with Modern Medicineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allopathic drugs as a complement, which brought a significant improvement in her case, as a complement to al the success she had already achieved.

The Integral Therapeutic Matrix (ITM)

THE PILLARS OF MEDINTEGRAL FOUNDATIONS OF MY EVERYDAY PRACTICE AS AN INTEGRAL DOCTOR

Strategic elaboration of resources and processes to improve health and wellbeing (i.e.: medicinal drugs, homeopathy, diets, relaxation techniques,

The process of building the Integral Therapeutic Matrix (ITM) contributes not only to the most important Medical solutions, but also in the promotion of overall health, healing, and wellbeing. As the first priority, it focuses in the cure and alleviation of diseases, and is the pillar of Integral Clinical Solutions. In second place, it focus is in the change of lifestyle, which is the cornerstone for promotion of wellness. Based on these ideas presented, the Methodology in my medical practice at MedIntegral is based on three main pillars which have similar goals related to promoting healing, awareness and consciousness development. They are: 1- INTEGRAL CLINICAL SOLUTIONS

155

self-inquiry others).

and

behavioral

change,

among

The following case illustrates a good example of my daily practice. My client (or â&#x20AC;&#x153;patientâ&#x20AC;?) was a 50-years old woman, who had a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). This disease is considered by Conventional Medicine as an autoimmune disease, which tends to limit movements, causing articular pain, edema and inflammation. It can also affect several organs. Under my supervision and care, this woman went through both Modern and Complementary Medicine treatments, composed by pharmacological drugs, acupuncture program, health coaching, special diets, meditation program, and emotional work. All these treatments were integrated into a cohesive and coherent whole (or map), and as an Integral Doctor, I took care of balancing and guiding such integration process trough periodic Integral Coaching sessions. By making use of a strategically differentiated, customized, and personalized medical

treatment, I usually present clinical solutions that are integrated and exclusively developed to each unique individual. In order to successfully accomplish that, we have to take into consideration several complementary and interdependent aspects, such as the individual habits, beliefs, living conditions, community, Environment, Culture, Economy, genetics, physical exercise preferences, diet, and lifestyle. Innovative and synergistic solutions are then created by taking into consideration all therapies and healing techniques available from different Medical paradigms, schools and traditions, based on both scientific and experimental solutions coming from Traditional, Conventional, Alternative, and Complementary Medicines. Here is a basic practical insight from this Integral Medical approach. Treatments would not work well if a raw diet is prescribed to somebody whose diet is mostly based on meat and carbs. On the other hand, the healing approach would be much more effective if the suggested diet initially also included vegetables and fruits, and then was gradually shifted to raw leaves and

156

vegetables afterwards. Smooth and gradual changes could make the treatment much easier, effective and sustainable, and that’s what usually happens. 2- WELLNESS PROMOTIONS Sustainable Quality of Life Project. This Integral Medicine methodology states that health values and states change as life goes on, and that these changes reflect in transformations in our habits, believes and behaviors. A Sustainable Quality of Life Project takes these life changes happening in time into proper account, so it can provide an ongoing process of support, including periodic checks related to the vision and goals that both doctor and client (or “patient”) share about their wellness process, so new goals and practices can be set according to present or future needs. I am coming back to my previous case example - the woman with rheumatoid arthritis - to add that she was also developing her relationship skills in parallel with our treatment by

investigating her strengths and gifts, which through self-awareness could be used to improve her interpersonal dynamics in life. I often work particularly on these interpersonal areas too, but with the exception of two aspects and using a specific strategy: 1- Help her to recognize and also get their attention to the present moment, by investigating her strengths. 2- Help her to realize that these traits are part of her unique traits as a human being (uniqueness), and also aspects of the natural fruition, development and manifestation of her “higher self” – pretty much like an apple is an aspect of the natural fruition and manifestation of an apple tree. From a much deeper and higher spiritual perspective, one comes to the absolute realization that there is really nothing to “fix”, neither nothing to be proud of. There is only ”Life” or( ”Existence”) existing trough us. Taking the situation presented in this case, most Conventional behavioral change approaches

157

would analyses the problem and try to “fix it”, while also will trying to fulfill the perceived “absence and deficiency”. Integral Coaching Canada’s Methodology There are few approaches that focus on working on and developing “weak spots” or “learning edges” - instead of developing strengths, gifts and qualities - without looking specifically for deficiencies or absences. An example of such approach within the Integral field is Integral Coaching Canada’s Methodology. This methodology prescribes goals by aiming on the development of characteristics that are not yet developed, because it comes from the belief that individual can become more integrally developed in many dimensions by focusing on those aspects, which are considered an important areas to engage in one’s process of development. At MedIntegral, I propose a methodology that intentionally pays attention on strengths and qualities. By doing that, I believe it is possible for my clients (or “patients”) to access and be in

contact with the best in themselves, which means “Existence” and its flows. This approach does not focus on developing Ego’s qualities or traits. On the contrary, it supports people to access, and act from “stillness space” (inner silence), and do what needs to be done from this inner space based in present life conditions, despite personality patterns, feelings, thoughts, ideas or preferences. In order to provide an illustration of that, I am going to refer again to the example of my client (or “patient”) that had rheumatoid arthritis. She was suffering from pain and was quite sacred about her disease. We had 3 sessions covering this topic, in which she kept usually looking and analyzing her “psychological shadows” and apparently unconscious sabotage patterns. Her mental dialogue was composed by a constant need to be in control of situations and be always too available for her partners in close relationships. She actually had a tendency of being dependent on them, and as a consequence, to loose herself in the other as

158

part of an unconscious process of “emotional fusion”. She also used to constantly say in our meetings that she did not know who she was. Taking a closer look at her case and analyzing it from different perspectives, we could objectively see that, she did have an autoimmune disease, which means an immune system that overreacts and could not recognize her own body tissues as herself, or being part of herself. One of the most important functions of our immune system is to recognize what belongs to self and what is “no self” in terms of cells, from a biological perspective (which refers to the UR Quadrant in the AQAL Map). In a healthy organism, the immune system recognizes what is you and what is not, and it fights against the “alien bodies” to eliminate them from the system. In others words, it constantly works to “keep your identity”. If she did not recognize herself or did not know who she was in a Subjective way (which psychologically relates to the UL Quadrant in the AQAL map), consequently her immune system

also did not know what was herself in more biological (or Objective) terms (UR Quadrant). This example could be seen as an intriguing example of tetra-emergence in the Quadrants, if one takes the liberty to draw these metaphorical associations. Here is a summary of her case, with perspectives divided by different Quadrants (or dimensions): UR Quadrant: Rheumatoid hyperactive immune system.

Arthritis,

pain,

UL Quadrant: Questions and doubts about who she was. Great intensity of fear present. No significant or solid references about herself. She presented a weak self-image. LL Quadrant: Solitary and usually more closed down to others. Apparently unable to be engaged in any significant relationships or experience deeper kinds of intimacy in her life. Weak boundaries when engaged in relationships. In general, she had very few friends and relationships.

159

LR Quadrant: Objective and practical aspects such as personal goals, life projects and professional work were not clear in her mind, so she could not manifest them appropriately in her life, nor even work appropriately towards achieving them. In the first session we had, she took notice of all the integrated process offered by my Integral Methodology applied to Health. In the second session, we went through an appreciative inquiry, where she was able to realize that she got very used to hide herself behind all those explanations of control and so on, because she had a hard time setting limits (weak psychological boundaries). That lead to a significant insight related to her physical health: After all, â&#x20AC;&#x153;limitsâ&#x20AC;? represent clear boundaries between her and another person, between her space, and the space of others. Ironically, the same psychological issue was manifested in her physical body, which also seemed to be having a hard time setting limits between its own tissues and foreign tissues.

Hence, like her psyche was not sure about herself, her own body was also not recognizing some of its parts as its own self, at a cellular level. Family Constellations In the same coaching session that brought this groundbreaking insight, I used a psychological interpersonal methodology known as Family Constellations, which is an experiential process that aims to release and resolve profound tensions within and between people. This technique was founded by Bert Hellinger, a German Philosopher and Psychologist. 69 So, in a single session, we applied a regular Family Constellation exercise including attempts to reveal previously unrecognized systemic dynamics that could span multiple generations in her given family. Once being aware of and integrated into the psyche, those revelations could potentially resolve some of the deleterious effects these dynamics could be reflecting on her own life. This was significant especially once she was encouraged to be finally able to access them and accept their existence as factual realities of

160

the past, going even beyond causalities coming from her own life. During this deep process of interpersonal inquiry integrated with self-inquiry, she came to realize the intrinsic strength of belonging to millenary traditional Japanese women. She also realized that her mother did not want to be a Japanese woman in the society they lived in. Therefore, she did not fully accept or recognize her daughter as a Japanese woman, which consequently ended up giving her daughter (my client, or “patient”) an awful sense of “not belonging”, a weak self-image, and a lack of solid references about herself. Through the Family Constellations Method, she could finally honor her Japanese family traditions and culture, by including and at the same time transcending them in her own psyche and selfimage. At one point, she provided this interesting feedback: “In order to expand myself and have a stronger presence in the world I need to embody and keep within myself the truth of my family tradition as a core value”. Clinically, her pain eventually became less intense and much better to cope with, her relationship with mother and son also achieved a

much better quality and level of mutual understanding, and she started to embrace more her feminine side, this time embodied in a stronger Japanese woman. In our last session, she realized that wanted to get on her knees to honor herself and set this self-made ritual as a daily practice, which ended up transforming her life. She eventually became more open, calmer, and easier to relate as a person. She also became able to see her own “ego” (and personality) as an “object” of her expanded self and awareness, which made all the difference to handle all her life challenges in much easier ways. Back to the methodology, the practices involved in the Integral Clinical Solutions aim to develop physical, emotional and mental strengths in order to support the client (or “patient”) to better deal with their disease and facilitate the overall healing process. In this process, Integral practices are included and expanded, since they are used to develop a state of consciousness based on health and wellness.

161

By including all these aspects, we were able to arrive at a clear vision in terms of our client’s (or “patient”) wellness state, which included expansion and development of her awareness. We use tools such as motivation interview, appreciative inquiry, medical drugs, herbs, diets, educational sessions and materials, TransDisciplinary practices (such as Family Constellations), and Bioenergetics exercises, coupled with- psychological and contemplative based practices such as Meditation and SelfObservation/Inquiry, among others.

Motivational Interviewing The practice of Motivational Interviewing recognizes and accepts the fact that clients who need to make changes in their lives approach counseling at different levels of readiness in order to actually engage in significant changes in their behaviors. 70 During the process of counseling, some patients might have thoughts about it, but not take any steps to change it, while some patients especially those who voluntarily seek counseling

- might be actively willing and trying to change their behavior, but unfortunately might have been doing so unsuccessfully for many years. In order for a counseling therapist to be successful at Motivational Interviewing, four basic skills should first be established. 71 These skills include: 1. The ability to ask open ended questions; 2. The ability to provide affirmations; 3. The capacity for reflective listening. This involves two key steps: Seeking to understand a speaker’s idea, and then reflecting back this idea to the speaker, in order to confirm if it has been understood correctly); 4. The ability to periodically provide summary statements to the client. 72 Hence, Motivational Interviews are a judgmental, non-confrontational and adversarial approach to dialogue. 73

nonnon-

162

The Appreciative Inquiry Model The Appreciative Inquiry Model is based on the assumption that the questions we ask tend to focus our attention in particular directions. Other methods of assessing and evaluating a situation in order to propose solutions tend to be based on a “deficiency model”.

based approach", it starts with the belief that every organization - or every person in that organization -, has positive aspects that could be built upon. It asks questions like “What’s working well?”, “What’s good about what you are currently doing?” 74 Since we have been talking of WELLNESS PROMOTION is important to remember that this concept can be applied in personal and collective levels. Follow below WELLNESS PROMOTION applied to these two dimensions. PERSONAL Development of Personal Skills:

FIGURA 12 -AI model Appreciative Inquiry takes an alternative approach. To this issue as a self defined "asset-

Support the development of personal, professional, social, and political abilities that can empower individuals to take charge of their overall health conditions though expanding their knowledge and daily practices aimed to promote physical excellence, emotional balance, mental clarity, and fulfillment. COLLECTIVE

163

Community Building Actions: Sponsor effective community actions in order to set priorities in decision making, as well as in strategy development and implementation of strategies. In the previous pages we discussed about two of the three pillars of MedIntegral. The third one correspond to one of the most powerful and practical aspects of these approach which is the Integral Practices. 3- INTEGRAL PRACTICE: Design of informative materials, training programs, activities, and practices to promote healing and wellbeing. Because this Integral Methodology applied by MedIntegral is powered on supporting individuals to become sustainable at a Personal level, it proposes practices that not only improve their state of wellness in our contemporary world reality, but also on how to sustain it. This can be mostly done through collective programs, for it believes that community

interactions and experiences can enhance creativity, as well as catalyze synergy and awakening of positive and proactive new ideas. This approach in turn enhances the possibility of individuals to develop their own personal projects and dreams (the ones that can only make sense to each one of us as individuals). Consequently, this process can enhance positive traits and mindsets such as gratitude, inspiration, care, increased stamina for life (energy), and improvement of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overall mood, health and wellbeing. Last, but not least, I would like to remind the reader about an important statement related to my particular approach at MedIntegral: On one hand, Integral Methodology can help the Ego to evolve and reach higher levels of maturity. On the other hand, its ultimate goal is to help people to access and realize the state of non-duality, which, articulated in simper terms, means to bring people to access and realize â&#x20AC;&#x153;their simple feeling of beingâ&#x20AC;?.

164

It is actually mainly based on this context that I have been very inspired to develop, apply and present this particular Integral Methodology, but I just want to make sure that this Integral Medicine Methodology might not be misinterpreted as being one more tool to just make somebody be only a better person, or to only support them to achieve a state of wellness and health. Rather, this methodology embraces those fundamental aims and much more. It is a process is aimed to support people to directly and fully experience the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Existenceâ&#x20AC;? itself, or to to move from a duality mindset, to a glimpse of experience of non-duality.

INTEGRAL WELLNESS

165

Peacefulness, tranquility, comfort, satisfaction, and inspiring goals form the ground that ensures our aliveness and well-being. Although there are different perceptions about what wellbeing means, above all it means experiencing the freedom to be who we truly are.

They are: Standard of Living, Time Management, Proper Governance, Quality Education, Health, Communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vitality, Environment, and Culture1.

The Gross National Happiness (GNH). This is one of the reasons why wellness has come to such prominent focus in many scientific fields - especially in Sociology, where it occupies the center of the newest Health Development Index, which is represented by the Gross National Happiness (GNH). The first version of this Index presents wellness as a multidimensional concept composed by nine dimensions, as we see below-in Figure 13. At the center of the GNH lies the fulfillment of the aspect of psychological well-being, which basically covers three levels: Mental Health, Emotional Balance and Spirituality. The other eigth dimensions are seen as either influencing or being influenced by this core.

FIGURE 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GNH (Gross National Happiness)

166

Buthan, - a small country located between China and India, and wedged in the Himalayas - is the actual “father” of this Index. It shows that despite having a low GDP (Gross Domestic Product), the Bhutanese have a significant high level of health, wellness and quality of life, especially if compared with other countries with much higher GDP. These apparently intriguing results have raised deep reflections related to the values and criteria that have been used to assess the growth and development of populations around the world. Since the traditional criteria takes into account only economic activity and growth (GDP), it does not clearly and fully reflects the whole idea of quality of life. So, based on these parameters – and especially if compared with the idea of GNH - it can be a very a reductionist and outdated model. GNH’s concept, in contrast, reflects the broader aspects of quality of life, which allows a more accurate analysis and measurement of health and wellness development. The concept of a “multidimensional human” is also an important contribution of this Index. Since it is concerned

about multi-dimensional aspects such as Sustainability, Education, Spirituality and Happiness, it reveals realities and values more aligned with our complex cultural, social, political and economic contemporary scenarios.

DIMENSIONS OF INTEGRAL WELLNESS Happiness is the goal of every human being, and it is such so that it is even part of one of the three pillars of US Constitution: The Human Right to “The Pursuit of Happiness”2 Even though each one of us can have different preferences, dreams and goals in life, we all seek ways to achieve happiness and fulfillment in some ay or another. In this sense, indexes like GNH can be used to improve the concept of wellness and also provide better tools to measure the current level of collective wellbeing, from local to global dimensions. Besides Social Sciences, different scientific fields have been researching the subject of wellness.

167

The current way of thinking about wellness was reengineered around the 1990s. This recent movement brought up a multidimensional concept basically focused in six dimensions: Physical, Emotional, Mental, Professional, Cultural and Socio-Environmental.

beings in the world. Thus, it can represent the awakening to what is most sacred in us. Each of these Integral Wellness dimensions dimension represents a complexity of values, as we can see in a summary of their main characteristics below.

Integral Wellness Dimensions The concept of Integral Wellness expands this model by adding the dimension o Existence (or Beingness) into its core, which is actually the root from where all others aspects of being emerge, are be sustained, and integrated. The concept of Existence (or Beingness) is related to the fundamental miracle of being alive. It is the existential aspect of being that is common to every sentient creature and mode of being - and which we are able to witness within ourselves. This concept can also be intrinsically related to the experience of non-duality. Integration with Existence requires a complete paradigm shift in regards to the role of human

168

FIGURA 14 - Integral Wellness Dimensions

169

PHYSICAL This dimension refers to all processes of the body, so it generally relates to levels of vitality, flexibility and fitness. It includes an increased awareness about nutrition, resting, relaxation and sexual activity. It also relates to sleep quality, diet, stress management, disease, environmental and genetic predispositions - as well as other choices directly related to physical activities. In short, a good and healthy level in the Physical Dimension includes the quality and accountability of our daily choices, practices and behaviors related to our physical body. FIGURA 15â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Instances of the Physical Dimension of Integral Wellness.

170

EMOTIONAL This dimension refers to the ability to perceive and express feelings and emotions in healthy, free, and natural ways. This ability emerges from several competences, such as deep awareness and attention to the present time, as well as knowledge about oneself and proper control over states of anxiety, depression, and sadness. It can be said that the greater (and quicker) the capacity individuals have to recognize their own potentials and limitations in realistic ways, the higher the quality of their emotional health will be. FIGURE 16 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Instances of Dimension of Integral Wellness

the

Emotional

171

MENTAL This dimension refers to the ability to use reason and logic to understand the world around us. The Three Eyes of Knowledge According to Ken Wilber in conjunction with other philosophers and spiritual teachers of the past and present, the mental dimension is one of the three possible ways to acquire knowledge. Wilber has even written a whole book to discuss the different ways to acquire and build knowledge. In the book Eye to Eye (Shambhala/ 1996) he discussed the “three eyes of knowledge”: Knowledge acquired by Experience/ Empirism, by Reason, and by Contemplation. They are related to Flesh/Body (senses), Mind and Spirit. The latter is considered as the “Eye of Spirit”, which means it is beyond reason, and hence it cannot be reduced by reason because it transcends (and can include) reason. . This kind of knowledge can be acquired through

contemplative practices such as Meditation. In Wilber’s words: “One first takes the practice of contemplation, which may be meditation, zazen, interior prayer, mantra and so on. When the ”Eye of Contemplation” is fully trained, then look... ...The final and highest proof is ultimately a proof of God, or Buddha Nature, or Tao - but it is not an empiric proof, and not a rationalphilosophic proof; it is a contemplative proof.”3 According to Wilber, Experience/Empirism is knowledge acquired by living life, which means it comes only from (or primarily from) sensory experience. Who among us does not know a simple person who has such deep knowledge and can barely read? This is what the “Eye of Flesh” is all about. It corresponds to the empiric aspects applied by Science, which make also use of all kinds of instruments to expand our sensorial capacities of observation.

172

Mind is the way of applying reason and logic, which means to think, analyze, discern and reach a conclusion through the means of objective evidence and rational deduction. Descartes – whose term Cartesian Logic is derived from - once said: “We should never allow ourselves to be persuaded except by evidence of our reason, and not by our senses.” 4 In conclusion, the Mental Dimension is related to the process of mental logic and the ability to make proper use of use it. It also means the potential to make mental connections, associations, and representations of the real world, as well as to reflect by means of metaphors, engage in abstract imagination, audit opinions, and pose questions, among other mental skills. Mental knowledge also involves the ability to understand oneself and the Universe, at least partially in intellectual ways…

FIGURE 17 – Instances of the Mental Dimension of Integral Wellness

173

PROFESSIONAL This dimension refers to the realm of professional work and proper use of one’s skills and gifts as part of Culture and Society. Consequently, this dimension is intrinsically related to the individual’s economic structure, cultural and social situation, located in a specific place and time. Fulfilling this dimension in healthy ways requires the ability to properly choose a profession or line of professional work, as well as the level of adaptation and ideal matching related to the processes inherent in such activity. This dimension basically refers to the natural process of accessing and manifesting our “uniqueness”, and sharing our unique gifts to the World. It also involves tapping into our inner gifts, and spreading our seeds into the culture and society we live in. In other words, it is the path of to finding our right function and action within the human ecosystem called Culture and Society.

The degree of gratitude, motivation and satisfaction coming from a sense of fair (or prosperous) financial reward are also aspects related to this dimension, as they are intrinsically connected to a broader SocioEconomic and Cultural systems in a specific time and place. Sacred Economics Besides the concept Degrowth mentioned before, activist Charles Eisenstein has brought up the concept of “Sacred Economics” ( 2011), In it, he affirms that money is “life itself”, and that a healthy way to deal with the flow of “Life itself” (or money) is by developing awareness and bringing the sacredness of Life into our everyday life. From there, it can provide a greater sense of community, gratitude, awareness about Life, Self uniqueness, and about the sacred aspects of the World we live. In Eisenstein’s words:

174

“Today we live in a world that has been shorn of its sacredness, so that few things indeed give us the feeling of living in a sacred world. Massproduced, standardized commodities, cookiecutter houses, identical packages of food, and anonymous relationships with institutional functionaries all deny the uniqueness of the world” 5

show up as commitment, quality of work environment, balance between work and personal life, conscious and responsible management of financial resources, and last (but not least) the creation and nurturing of a specific self-image and personal mindset for success.

In “Sacred Economics”, Eisenstein traces the history of money - from ancient economies based on gifts to Modern Capitalism - revealing how the money system has contributed to alienation, competition, scarcity, destruction of communities, and created the apparently insane necessity of “endless growth”. In order to counteract that, he proposes a more connected, ecological, and sustainable way of being achieved through awareness of your uniqueness, intrinsic gifts, and potential contributions to the world. All these abilities require the exercise of specific skills such as awareness, attention, and sense of “presence” in the real world. In life, they can

FIGURE 18 – Instances of the Dimension of Integral Wellness

Professional

175

CULTURAL This dimension refers to being in mutual contact or interaction with one another. It also relates to common interests, needs, and shared beliefs. The Cultural Dimension embraces relationships at home, work, with family, friends, peers, colleagues, co-workers, communities, nation, and ultimately with all peoples from all generations. As much as individuals can contribute for the common good besides taking proper care of their lives, more mature, developed, truly integrated and healthier they will be from an Integral stance. Such common good values and interactions can eventually create structures and systems that promote human development and environmental protection -In others words, they can gradually bring forth an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Evolutionary Cultureâ&#x20AC;?.

FIGURE 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Instances of the Cultural Dimension of Integral Wellness

176

SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL These dimensions are related to everyday choices made by individuals, groups, or organizations, which as a sum contribute to the maintenance and improvement of the quality of life on the planet - and consequently, to each individual. The Social and Environmental Dimensions include responsible decisions we make about the use of water, energy, fuel, food, health, air, land, and natural resources. It takes into account the genuine concern for the welfare of future generations and – unlike many current approaches – it does not focus only on immediate gains at the expense of others from the same generation of future ones. These fundamental Socio-Environmental dimensions also recognize the intrinsic interdependence among human beings as well as with other living beings, including the planet Earth as a whole. In the social component, it concerns the proper access to several social structures or systems, such as Healthcare, Education, clean Environment, Entertainment, Transportation and

Habitation, as well as proper economic standing, distribution of income, and working conditions.

FIGURE 20 – Instances of the SocioEnvironmental Dimensions of Integral Wellness

177

EXISTENCE This dimension refers to the feeling center of consciousness discussed previously, which is part of the unconscious itself for many people. The dimension of Existence could be also translated as “The Simple Feeling of Being”, which is actually the name of a book written by a few Integral thinkers compiling many quotes extracted from Wilber’s books. This dimension relates to what is permanent and immortal in us. Life itself. Similarly to what many esoteric spiritual teachers in the past and present have claimed, Ken Wilber describes this state of mind as: “People typically feel trapped by life, trapped by the universe, because they imagine that they are actually in the universe, and therefore the universe can squish them like a bug. This is not true. You are not in the universe, the universe is in you.” 6 Life is a constant flow where all forms are in state of becoming, in constant process of

manifestation and evolution. Life emulates the flow of Universe itself, with everything becoming manifested from a state of formlessness. All paradigms are based in idea of elements, which can manifest and change themselves according to different forms and organizational structures. Universe’s Building Blocks (Elements)

In the Pre-Modern paradigm, these elements were: Ether, Water, Earth, Fire and Air. Molecules, Atoms, Particles and Strings are the components of the Modern paradigm. Systems are the constituents of the Post-Modern paradigm. Finally, the Integral Paradigm (Post-PostModern) take dimensions as elements. All of the paradigms can be seen as nothing

178

more than interpretations of the Flow between the states of form and formlessness. On the other hand, this can also be described as a “state of silence”, stillness and beingness (Formlessness) turned in a state of becoming, manifestation and doing (Form). There are many references about the state of formlessness (also described as “void”), Zen teacher and Professor Masunaga Reiho (1901-1980) has said that: “Nothing exists; all things are becoming.” “Nothing exists separately from Brahman, Brahman is the only existence.”, said the Spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute, a center of Yoga teachings. 7 Wei Wu Wei puts it: “Why are you unhappy? Because 99,9% of everything you think, and everything you do, Is for your self,

And there isnt’s one.” 8

According to some Integral philosophers, spiritual teachers and masters, Spirituality is present in everyday life and is also evolving. So, according to this perspective, our role or “play” in life is actually part of this higher evolution, and can gradually determine how spirituality has been and will be grounded and manifested in the World. Here is another way of saying it… There are basically two dimensions involved in this Reality as a Whole: Being and Becoming, or Unmanifested and Manifested Reality. The former refers to inner silence, space, and the “simple feeling of being” - we have all experienced that some instances in life, either through spiritual practices or not (naturally). This can be experienced .when we can let go of - our thoughts, feelings, time, and perception of the world around us - either by will or by radical external circumstances, Our perception of the world refers the “form” aspect of it, including

179

mass, energy, time and space. The concept of Existence described here relates to both of them, the manifested and unmanifested realities. Existence is then defined as the phenomena or state of living, as well as the act of experiencing subjective and objective realities as being Life itself.9 It corresponds to the roots of Life and at the same time it is Life itself, composing an apparent paradox that can not only be explained only by the mind, but only with both the mind, body, heart, and soul, and in the present moment., Objectively speaking, Existence can be also manifested in different forms of life, from the simplest ones such as bacteria, to the homo sapiens, which is apparently the most complex living form on planet Earth. In this context, Existence encompasses in it definition the “Flow of Being and Becoming”. We can be aware of it, in the same way we can be aware of our body. Hence, Existence can be also defined as a quality of being where we KNOW what we can, but cannot not explain it in a logic, linear, or empiric

way. Indeed, Existence has its own intrinsic intelligence, and its own connection to the whole, both in and out. Like seeds know how to become a tree, birds know how to sing , and ants know how to grow a fungus inside their colony to feed themselves. Like the human cell knows how to reproduce and form the human body and mind in all their complexity from the fusion of sperm and egg, Existence carry in itself its own intelligence and potential manifestation according to Natural Laws. In the field of Art, poets from all over the World and all times have talked directly or indirectly about Existence, most of the times using different names and definitions. The American poet Walt Whitman (1819 - 1892) in his poem Song of Myself explain it as: “I celebrate myself, and sing myself,And what I assume you shall assume,For every atom belonging to me is as good as it belongs to you.” The brilliant Portuguese Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935) - my favorite poet by far and of all

180

times - wrote this poem under his heteronyms Alberto Caeiro: (3/8/1914) “The only inner meaning of things Is that they have no inner meaning at all. I don’t believe in God because I never saw him. If he wanted me to believe in him, Without a doubt he would come to talk with me And come in my door Telling me, Here I am! (...) But if God is the flowers and the trees And the hills and the sun and the moonlight, Then I believe in him, Then I believe in him all the time, And my whole life is an oration and a mass, And a communion with my eyes, and through my ears. But if God is the trees and the flowers And the hills and the moonlight and the sun, Why should I call him God? I call him flowers and trees and hills and sun and moonlight; Because if he made himself for me to see

As the sun and moonlight and flowers and trees and hills, If he appears to me as trees and hills And moonlight and sun and flowers, It’s because he wants me to know him As trees, and hills, and flowers, and moonlight, and sun. And that’s why I obey him, (What more do I know about God than God knows about him?), I obey him by living, spontaneously, Like someone opening his eyes and seeing, And I call him moonlight and sun and flowers and trees and hills, And I love him without thinking about him, And I think him by seeing and hearing And I walk with him all the time" - Alberto Caieiro: O Guardador de Rebanhos Based on this, this model considers that Existence integrates all other dimensions, so it is the core of Integral Wellness .

181

INTEGRAL WELLNESS INDEX FIGURE 21 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Instances of the central dimension of Integral Wellness

182

There are good times and bad times in life, highs and lows, and most people (we included) know very well this pattern from our own personal life and experiences. Even though they are an intrinsic part of life, they often bother us, make us upset, and takes us by surprise - unless we are already experiencing life from a very high level of beingness, non-attachment, awakening and inner freedom – which can be regarded as an embodied and stable awareness of Existence. Definition of Health Furthermore, the perception that something is going wrong might be even alien to the person who is experiencing it, and often conveyed only to those around them. This lack of selfperception could be seen as some kind of blind sight, illness or frailty by others. Looking at this picture, we not only start pondering about the definition of health, but we also start questioning: “What does it mean to be a fully healthy person, anyway?” This complex inquiry has been taking place since humans have realized that some things can help

them to lead a better life, while others certainly can’t.. In regards to reaching and maintaining an idealized or optimum state of health, the first and most significant of natural concerns are linked to survival in face of life-risking events, such as diseases (especially transmissible), states of hunger, or misery of life sustaining resources. However, a broader view of health has been also taking place overtime, so the attention has turned into a collective dimension, as well as one that leads to the contemporary concept of ”Public Health”. Even though many local agencies have been a part of the history of the “Public Health” Institution and had some relative success, the most powerful institution in the area of Public Health is again the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the WHO is responsible for setting standards and policies related to Public Health, usually by discussing these matters from a Global perspective and “behind closed doors”. As usual (and unfortunately), the local

183

population from different communities are often not invited to discuss and express their voice in matters of collective health and wellness related policies. Historically speaking, the WHO was established in 1948, after the Second World War. Its purpose was to maximize the health for all peoples in the world. As previously presented, in the overall context of WHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responsibilities, health is defined as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease illnessâ&#x20AC;?1. This definition implies that health corresponds to the fulfillment of all basic needs, whether they are from emotional, sanitary, nutritional, social or cultural natures. This is a broad and complex definition, which at least in theory covers psychological, biological, legal, social, environmental, political, and economic implications, among others. Based on this perspective, the definition of health goes far beyond the individual. Health is also seen as intrinsically linked to several complementary contexts, such as Culture, Community, Environment, and Geography, which

results in common concerns about geographical and seasonal diseases. An example of this definition can be related to the fact that the incidence of diarrhea and dehydration in Brazilian children is much higher in the Amazon region than in Sao Paulo - capital of the State of Sao Paulo, which the most industrialized, modern and dense populated city in Brazil. This contrast is mostly due to the poor and inadequate sewage system in the Amazon region. In Sao Paulo, on the other hand, there is a greater number of respiratory diseases related to air pollution, resultant from mass industrialization, buildings and quantity of automobiles. These diverse contexts are not only linked to those geographic regions, but also to the social, cultural, political and economic systems in which individuals who live in both regions are embedded in. Generally speaking, it is a huge challenge to track and measure such concept as complex as health. As previously mentioned, there are many perspectives from which we can approach the

184

concept of health, such as mortality, morbidity, physical disability, the degree of autonomy of individuals, the population’s age, socioeconomic structure, quality of healthcare, and – last but not least - the “Happiness Index”, among others. Health Indicators In order to establish a trusted parameter of evaluation and measure the level of life and health of different types of population in our planet, benchmarks (known as Indicators) have been created around the world. There are several Health Indicators nowadays, but they tend to be so different that we are still far from being able to clearly and easily compare different countries and regions in a clear, organized and fair basis. For this reason, the WHO has formed an International Committee to define the most suitable methods for determining and evaluating the Quality of Life. Since it turned to be impossible to come up with a single Index, the WHO suggested twelve components (or contexts)

which should follows 2:

considered

separately

Health: including demographic conditions, which are related birth-rate, fecundity, migration and distribution by age, gender and regions.

Food and Nutrition

Education: Including Literacy Level and Technical Education

Work: Working, conditions within the Work Environment

Employment: Availability and Matching

Consumption: Finances

Transportation

Shelter and Quality of Habitation/ Habitats: Including Sanitation and Domestic Installations

Clothing

Economy

and

General

185

10.

Recreation

11.

Social Security

12.

Human Freedom*

As previously pointed, these components (or contexts) are decisive to establish or explain particular health conditions and situations, as related to individuals and the places they live. Quality of Health Thus, if we want to ascertain the level of the Quality of Health, it is vital to use indicators that can move through among different sectors. We also need to make sure these indicators can cover more than one significant sector in order to take action on areas of shared interests.Examples of that could be traced to evolution of employment, average worker’s income, electricity consumption, organizational structure, transportation, organizational culture, , among others.

In this area of analysis, another common challenge we face is related to the fact that we often evaluate variables such as disease or death (the permanent absence of health, at least in this current physical reality), in order to measure levels related to Quality of Health So, one of the challenges to circumvent these limitations turns to be finding instruments that can measure gradients of health, wellness and quality of life - instead of morbidity. Positive Health Indicators These are called Positive Health Indicators. Different of those “negative” components listed above, many so-called Positive Health Indicators such as “Welfare” and “Quality of Life” are related to a Subjective (interior) nature. Due to that, they tend to be more difficult (or even impossible) to estimate in more objective ways.. In order to organize health evaluations from a broader perspective, Health Indicators can be classified into the following main features:

186

Health Indicators Mortality/ Survival Morbidity/ Severity/Disability Nutrition/Growth/ Physical Development Demographics Social/Economic Conditions Environmental Health Healthcare Services Organized in this way, these Health Indicators can lead to a broader and much more specific perception of health, which moves far beyond individual the usual Indicators of Health. As a group, they can function as a panoramic shot of any particular element related to the overall health situation, of an individual (client or â&#x20AC;&#x153;patientâ&#x20AC;?), hospital, house, neighborhood, city, state, country, or even at a global level.

Therefore, these Health Indicators are capable of establishing a more systemic type of diagnosis aimed to improve health in the systems analyzed by taking specific actions to solve their main challenges in different areas and promote a better State of Health in many complementary and interdependent dimensions. To illustrate this concept more clearly, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s analyze the high mortality rate of infants in Brazil. According to the Misterio da Saude Publica (Brazilian Federal Health Administration), the unfortunate existence of this disturbing fact occurs mainly due to the lack of sanitation, emergency rooms and healthcare facilities located around the country, especially in rural areas far from big cities. From an Integral Medicine perspective, what could be the necessary health improvement actions that can significantly reduce this rate? The first two actions that come to mind are: First, to strengthen the child health trough the use of medication and proper diet and second, to provide relevant and truthful information

187

(detached from any further economic agenda or corporate interests) to mothers in order to help them to strengthen their children’s health as much as possible, especially in the beginning of their lives. But, in fact, both the causes and consequences related to this specific Integral Diagnosis go far beyond the current assignments related to the Health Sector. In this situation, a truly “systemic diagnosis” would be much more helpful to seek further ways of bring sanitation, infra-structure and extra health units closer to these mothers. After all, this is not only a matter of Individual Health, but also a matter of Public Policies. In truth, there seems to be a paradox here: This is a not an Individual Health problem, and at the same time individuals must be healthy enough to be able to fight for the improvement of these conditions. This situation turns to be some kind of a vicious cycle, or a “catch 22” situation, so to speak. These poor people have not enough strength nor do they have sufficient education, information, self-esteem, and confidence to

demand and fight for their innate humans rights, to choose their representatives (if there are those who could really help), or even to be more active and become “activists” in their communities, from local to global scales. In this context, an action beyond these individual choices should also be taken. The Nature of the Public Health Problem There are different perspectives related to the real nature and cause of these complex and apparently “paradoxical” problems, from light hearted (scientific-based) beliefs that these are natural issues are caused by a “random evolution of complex variables”, to highly concerning (and heavy hearted) beliefs about the potential existence and invisible manipulation of certain self-serving global to local agendas (and not as humanitarian as they appear to the public) that might be diligently working to keep the situation as it is, and even lobbying to make it worse. However, it is out of the scope of this book to focus on these speculative perspectives, as disturbing, cognitive dissonant, or reasonable as

188

they might be, from alternative perspectives about these issues of inequality and social injustice affecting the Health System. My main goal here is to invite the reader to get acquainted to as many perspectives as possible about the current Health (or lack thereof) condition of humanity and the world at large without leaving any table unturned – even if some of them could sound a bit disturbing or “cognitive dissonant” at first glance, especially due to a lack of further data and background, coupled with proper education about alternative (non-mainstream) perspectives about reality. One a more positive note, follow below some examples of leading actions related to the area of Public Health in Brazil: Public Health Solutions in Brazil One of them is the emergence of social enterprises and leaders such as Roberto Kikawa - a Physician who idealized the “Carreta da Saúde” 3 (The “Health Truck”), an itinerary truck equipped with laboratories and offices that serve

disadvantaged populations with information, diagnosis and initiation of treatments. Another good example is the awesome Amazon Health Project “Saúde Alegria” (“Happiness Health”), which offers primary care especially to the Amazon population that live close to rivers. 4

In conclusion, all the Health Indicators discussed in this section add significant value by pointing to Collective Solutions besides only Individual Solutions, which include providing collective diagnosis in parallel with individual ones. colocar uma capa com a figura do integral health index INTEGRAL INDEX Although the creation of all those new Indexes has brought important references for the evaluation of health states, the goal of developing health in a collective level is still far from being achieved. These numerous and comprehensive Indexes usually present

189

fragmented view of health, based on the still pervasive view of the human beings a separated individuals, and somewhat oblivious to the world and society around them. This paradigmatic interpretation of reality has certainly not contributed to a broader concept of health. The current context of scarcity of methods aimed to assess more dimensions and levels of health and wellness in a more integrated and comprehensive perspective (such as the Integral Approach) - plus the necessity to create and simultaneously authenticate oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own protocols - has led myself as an Integral Doctor at to adapt Ken Wilber's Integral Model to my own Health Assessment and Methodology, used at MedIntegral. By making use of this preconceived foundational structure, I have been able to analyze, investigate and bring many Indexes and Indicators altogether. This endeavor has ultimately resulted in deeper, richer, and broader view of all subjects under study,

analysis, treatment, and strategic plans for improvement. As we have discussed previously - the concept of health goes beyond individuals and their immediate families - and actually reaches Communities, plus Social, Economic and Environmental systems and structures. Due to that, it turns to be an imperative necessity to clearly define the State of Health of whom and what we actually want to study. MedIntegralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Integral Health Index Hence, I propose the use of an Integral Health Index, which potential for proactive change and improvement I firmly trust. This new Index is based on theoretical foundations coupled with professional and practical experiences in the field of health, both in individual and collective dimensions. It is my firm belief that that it can be indeed a more effective tool aimed to analyze and promote comprehensive health, healing and wellness in all kinds of individual and collective realities

190

Due to the comprehensive nature embedded in its structure, this Index naturally presents a great scope and versatility of analysis, mostly due to the quasi-simultaneous observation of various aspects of individualsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; overall health condition as intrinsic part of the same analysis (Individual, Collective, Subjective, Objective), as previously related in the Quadrants presentation within the Integral AQAL Model. The Integral Health Index also covers and maps different Levels of Consciousness (or Ego Maturity) within different Lines of Intelligence (or Development), and is also related to specific Typologies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as discussed in previous sections. It can accomplish that by organizing them simultaneously in a unified and complementary framework, from which a panoramic view of the state of integral health of individuals can be properly assessed, including specific traits, potentials and patterns that can be accessed and presented more clearly and easily to all parts involved.

The strategic choices about which Indexes or Lines will be used in the Integral Health Index, depend on a few specific definitions that should be established beforehand. Initially as a first measure, we should define the target and subjects of study that will be evaluated. As previously discussed, we can evaluate the state of health and wellness of individuals, communities (i.e.: families, cities, regions or countries) and even structuresystems (i.e.: organizations or departments inside organizations). This initial process will determine the goals of the assessment (or diagnostic), as well as the state of health and wellness of those subjects of study being evaluated in terms of their Integral State of health, healing, and wellbeing. After that, we should define both the methodological, ethical and operational aspects of the subjects being studied. Example of analytic inquiries could be: What do I want study in this population? Options might be: Levels of glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, education,;

191

motivation, emotional behaviors, and so on.

maturity,

beliefs,

organized, it is time to put the Integral Health Index in full motion.

This preliminary inquiry process will define which Lines and Indexes will be part of the Integral Health Index and consequently used in the evaluation.

The Integral Health Index is a framework that can integrate all this data together into a big panorama.

Here is another illustration of how it can be used, in a different context. Let’s say I’d like to examine the Integral Wellness Level of employees working on Cosmetic Company with a relative degree of corporate awareness about humanitarian and Sustainability issues.

In this example, I would be interested in studying their physical, mental and spiritual health. I would be also interested in examining their relationships inside and outside the organization, as well as the overall culture, systems, structures and processes of the organization they work for. So, once all those elements illustrated on the examples above are clearly defined and

Disclaimer Before moving ahead, I feel the need to make a disclaimer. Since the next section of this chapter is about taking a closer look and unpacking the Integral Health Index’s conception and development, it could be perceived by some as being too technical or abstract (especially if related to studies about the biological and humanities aspects of our reality, which are intrinsic characteristics of the subject of Health). I make this disclaimer because in order to present the rationale behind building the Integral Health Index, I had to include in the following section a few concepts related to Math and Geometry, as well as abstract thinking. If that’s not your preference or interest at the

192

moment, please feel free to jump ahead to the next chapter, in which I provide a clear continuation to this theme... THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE INTEGRAL HEALTH INDEX The Integral Health Index Assessment primarily aims to understand health and wellness in terms Objective, Subjective, Individual and Collective states (States of Health and Wellness), including their main attributes reflected in several dimensions, and their impact on the Quality of Life of the subjects of study being assessed. Although these attributes are simultaneous, interdependent and complementary, they are divided into Quadrants - Figure 22 - as a methodological strategy. This strategy allow us to see all these simultaneous attributes separately, as well as each one at the time.

FIGURA 22 - Quadrantes

The figure above shows two axes: Horizontal and Vertical. Figure 23A below separates the Collective from the Individual aspects or dimensions, and Figure 23B latter separates the Subjective from the Objective aspects or dimensions.

193

Each Quadrant represents a combination of the original attributes of the axes, which leads to four main dimensions of manifested reality, as we can see in FIGURE 23C. These dimensions are: Individual Objective (A); FIGURE 23A

FIGURE 23B

Individual Subjective (B); Collective Subjective (C);

The Four Quadrants in the Integral Model result from overlaying them - mixing Fig. 18a with 19B, and arriving at Fig. 19c below.

Collective Objective (D)

The letters ABCD refer to the Figure 22 above.

Quadrantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tetra-Emergence

FIGURE 23C

The next step in this model making process is the inclusion of the Levels of Development in the structure of the Quadrants. Since the Quadrants are simultaneous, complementary and interdependent manifestations of any phenomena, what happens (or is manifested) in

194

one, also happens and is manifested in the others simultaneously. This observable phenomenon is also called by “TetraEmergence”, in Integral terms. Emergence an Strong Emergence Emergence means the way complex systems and patterns arise out of a multiplicity of relatively simple and basic interactions. The concept of “Strong Emergence” refers to the following concept: If systems can have qualities not directly traceable to their own components but rather to how those components interact these new qualities are irreducible to the constituent parts of those system. (Laughlin 2005) Hence, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. So, this perspective of Emergence is called by Strong Emergence. 5 Hence, Tetra-Emergence means that all dimensions of manifestation arise at the same time, and also that they together represent a whole that is more than the sum of themselves.

In order to better visualize how the Levels of Development manifest their growth and evolution within the Quadrants, think about what happens when we throw a stone into a lake... Waves spread from the center to the periphery, right? Similarly, the Levels of Development manifest themselves in the same natural ways. But one might ask: Why are these manifestations waves, and not lines, as mentioned before? This happens because of the effects of tetraemergence and simultaneity of manifestations, which means that a point on the Upper Left Quadrant has a corresponding point on the Upper Right Quadrant, and the same with the Lower Quadrants. In Integral terms, these waves are known as Levels of Consciousness and are usually represented as rings, as seen in Figure 24 A. FIGURA 24 A

195

Based on the discipline of Geometry, we know there are millions of points on a curved line (or ring), each one corresponding to an unique location in the axis of each Quadrant, where points represent units of height and distance. Therefore, we can say that these points located in each Quadrant represent different aspects FIGURA 24 B of a ring.

Based on the Integral Modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assumption that there is a developmental or evolutionary wave propagating from the center to any point located in a ring, will find an equivalent point in the subsequent ring. Hence, if we choose any given point and follow the next step in its growth and evolution, we will obtain a sequence of points within the concentric rings. As we connect all of them, we will get a line that runs through all the rings coming from the center. This line is known

as Line of Development in Integral Theory, presented in the FIGURE 24 C.

FIGURA 24 C

Since Quadrants are Tetra-Emergent and Levels are Developmental or Evolutionary Waves (as previously described), any movement or unfolding of a Line in a Quadrant will reflect in a s i m u l t a n e o u s movement or unfolding in all other equivalent Lines in the other Quadrants. In other words, the Lines of Development will mirror each other in FIGURA 24 D all four Quadrants.

196

Here is an example of how this concept can be observed and applied using one of the cases I have worked:

UL Quadrant: Strong emotional and psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, fear and panic.

My client (or “patient”) was a woman, 38 yearsold, worked as an editor, married, and with a 10 years-old son. My client (or “patient”) arrived at my clinic with a Conventional Medicine diagnosis of Panic Syndrome.

LL Quadrant: Dependent attitude related to family and family, and apparently serious challenges in her marital relationship;

By analyzing and designing the Tetra-Emergence of it using the Integral Health Index, I initially focused on her physical symptoms, and consequently investigated the other mirror manifestations of them in all Quadrants. This is what observed:

UR Quadrant: Physical symptoms such as trembling, profuse perspiration, palpitation of the heart and nausea;

LR Quadrant: Urban violence in Sao Paulo (Brazil), coupled with pervasive Media propaganda about it, supported (or echoed) by public opinion. As pointed before in this section, each ring is made of millions of points. Since each point can turn into a potential line, there are consequently millions of possible lines that could be traced from it in the same ring. Since all points are equidistant from the center, that means they would represent the same Level of Development, seen from the perspective of different Lines of Development. Does it seem complicated? Let me provide a more basic and concrete example:

197

Imagine 6 turtles with paws full of wet clay standing all together in the same central location in a tight circle disposition (Circle 1) Then, imagine a concentric ring mark drawn a foot larger than Circle 1 made by the turtles (Circle 2). Now, imagine the turtles walking in a straight line from their central position (Circle 1) towards Circle 2 in front of them.. In the end of their “slow walk” (representing the evolutionary process), you will get 6 lines evolving in different directions spreading as rays, but they will all have approximately the same distance from the Circle 1 that represents the center, right? That means that all turtles walked the same distance, independent of the locations of the lines of their different but simultaneous paths. This is an image that can illustrate the same Level Development (ring mark) crossed by specific Lines of Development (turtle’s paths). However, as previously mentioned, each point in the line or ring is particular, and related to a specific aspect of that Quadrant. If we

translocate these points into the other Quadrants, they will reflect in specific characteristics related to the specific dimension of that Quadrant (UL, UR, LL, LR).

FIGURA 24 E

Once again, the quality of Tetra-Emergence of the Quadrants and their corresponding developmental or evolutionary waves create a symmetric reality that is reflected in all four Quadrants. The Evolutionary Path of the Brain In order to clarify the idea about the specificity of these points besides their equivalence, let’s make use of the evolutionary path of the brain as an illustrative comparison. It is commonly understood that the brain has evolved in three

198

main evolutionary waves, corresponding to the Reptilian, Limbic, and Neocortex brains. The Reptilian Brain The first ring in our previous example can represent the survival function of the brain, called by Reptilian Brain. The Upper Right Quadrant (UR) describes the objective aspects of this evolutionary wave, which corresponds to the Reptilian Brain and maintenance of vital functions.

The next ring in evolution can be represented by the Neocortex Brain, represented in the Upper Right Quadrant (UR) and related to the ability of cognitive thinking in the Upper Left (UL) Quadrant.

Correspondingly, sensations take place in the Upper Left Quadrant (UL) in the Integral AQAL Model, and are related to the subjective aspects of this evolutionary wave. The Limbic Brain The next ring in evolution can be represented by the Limbic Brain, represented in the Upper Right Quadrant (UR) and related to feelings and emotions in the Upper Left (UL) Quadrant. The Neocortex Brain (Italico)

FIGURE 25 - The Three brains

Bulding the Integral Index Practically speaking, in order to build the Integral Health Index, it is first necessary to establish a reference point, drawn from any data of interest that deserves to be further studied.

199

Here is another example: A 10 years-old boy, very creative, and suffering respiratory problems. He is used to be in a bad mood and express aggressiveness very often at home. He is also quite bright and creative, has a good verbal articulation and arguments related to what he wants, and enjoys being a lot of time on the couch watching TV or playing video games. Ironically, this boy also seems to be very dependent on others in relation to doing simple and casual tasks, and usually does not like take showers by himself, dresses up, or tie his shoe laces by himself. Based on this example, let’s get some reference points using the Integral Health Index. The objective facts of the UR Quadrant inform us that the boy has respiratory problems, a low level of serotonin (a neurotransmitter related to the feeling of joy and happiness), lack of sleep, and high levels of IgE (immune-globulin related to allergic problems) in the blood. The analysis also get into some important extra information such as that he basically has a vegan diet, have no engagement with physical exercises at all, and

present constant manifestations of aggressive behaviors at home. After this initial step, where we took this data from the UR Quadrant as a “reference point” from where we could determine the corresponding “mirror images” (aspects) in all Quadrants in the Integral Health Index we are then able to find the mirror aspects of that UR Quadrant data in the other Quadrants . They would correspond to: UL Quadrant: Subjectively speaking, the boy presents of lack of confidence, low self-esteem, and attention difficulties. Bad mood tends to be always present in relation to duties involving routine tasks and time deadlines, such as homework, sleep and shower time. LL Quadrant: The boy presents bulling problems. Also, he is the only son of separated parents that hold very different values. Father lives in the city, likes american football,

200

and not so healthy food like beer, soda and barbecue. Mother lives in the country side close to the city, never watches TV, is very serious about the importance of having a vegan diet, and drinks only natural juices and water. On the LL Quadrant, we can also include the school, family, and all other cultural environments they live in (neighborhood, city, State, Country). Note: Protein is definitely an important food to facilitate our development and meat has lots of protein, so it has been a controversial subject for many due to cultural habits and corporate propaganda. Although a vegetarian or vegan diet can provide enough proteins and be much healthier alternative to the body/mind, if the choices and regime are well administered. In terms of relationships, we also know that the boy usually argues with his Mother about routine

tasks, such as homework, shower and sleep time. LR Quadrant: The boy’s School Structure comprehends 7 hours of school time every day, with lots of homework. Personal Living Structure: The boy alternative living in three different houses: Mom’s, Dad’s and Grandma’s, and is usually surrounded by TV and videogames wherever he stays. Diagnosing the Integral Health State As a result of this first step in our analysis using the Integral Health Index, we can arrive at two main conclusions, corresponding to an overall picture of this boy’s health, wellness and development – coupled with corresponding results from the mirror images (specific correlations in the Quadrants). This comprehensive data shows where his current Integral Health State is, generally speaking, according to those complementary and interdependent “tetra-arising” dimensions. Visualizing the Ideal Integral Health State

201

The second step in using of the Integral Health Index corresponds to setting a goal, a vision of where he could be or wants to be in his “ideal Integral Health State”.

intended developmental goals in those new references, and also the range of variation between the current state and the idealized State of the boy.

Again, we manage to set a new reference point and get the mirror images in all the four Quadrants. For example, let’s say that the one of the aspects of the”Ideal Integral Health State” for that boy is to stop bulling. This aspect is located in the LL Quadrant. From there, one of the mirror images in UR Quadrant would correspond to him having a more structured discipline and routine related to his stay at Mom’s, Dad’s, and Grandma’s houses, Better discipline and routine could be reflected in such as setting up specific times for homework and leisure, sleep and shower time. and so on and so forth...

As a result, we have a Line that invariably meet the “center axis” of all the four Quadrants, and links the point related to his current State of Health to the point of his Ideal State of Health in the Quadrants diagram.

Theses “future mirror images” reflected in the Quadrants could be seen as the next developmental or evolutionary waves of development stemming from the current state of affairs in this boy’s life. We manage to set the

Consequently, we would find lines coming from the center that run through all the “rings” (or developmental waves). These are the developmental or evolutionary waves that establish the relationship and interaction between the “intended future” (starting point), and the corresponding “intended futures” belonging to the other three Quadrants (mirror images). Those Lines correspond to the Lines of Development, which are specifically related to the reference points at hand.

202

Likewise, we could then choose from thousands of points in the ring, and there would be one specific Line of Development stemming from each one of them. For instance, bringing back to example of the boy… If we focus and pick his current sedentary behavior, and set the ideal future behavior as swimming 3 times per week as an intended visualized reference, this goal would correspond to developing his Kinesthetic Line of Development. Similarly, if we pick another mirror aspect of his current behaviors such as bad mood or arguing all the time, we could set another Line of Development corresponding to another ideal goal that would have reflected action items in the other Quadrants. And so on… Furthermore, from the equivalent corresponding points created as mirror images in the Quadrant’s diagram, we could also draw different Lines of Development in each one of these Quadrants. These lines, drawn in succession, would enable the Integral Health

Index (or Integral Assessment) of that initial reference point we were focusing on in order to draw more knowledge and data about it, including the insights and ramifications that it would reflect into other dimensions. Here is one more way to apply the Integral Health Index. Based on this application and in the examples above, the Integral Health Index can also be seen as a sphere which works with three basic layers, as we see below. Integral Health Index’s Layers: Lines, Quadrants and Qualities Coming from the center and leading into the periphery, these layers are: Lines, Quadrants and Qualities. Qualities emerge from the junction of two Quadrants, so they correspond to 180 degree sections. The expression of the Quadrants in the Integral Health Index is a resultant that corresponds to more than the ordinary sum of its Lines, It actually corresponds to a mathematical function of these Lines.

203

For instance, if I wish to study the Health aspects related to the UR Quadrant corresponding to Physical and Behavioral Health, I could find Lines such as Metabolic, Genetic, Nutrition and Behavioral. When I assemble them all together, I could have access to a panoramic view of the Physical and Behavioral Health of my client (or “patient).

Here is a real world example, coming from my practice. My client (or “patient”) was a woman, 40-years old, with symptoms of depression. Her mother and brother had depression too, and she used to spend more than 75% of her day taking care of her kids alone as a house duty. She also used to eat a lot of chocolate, and her blood serotonin level, as well as thyroid hormones, were very low. All this data together informed me that she definitely needed some physical changes (such as medical drugs and physical exercise) coupled with behavioral changes (such as spending more

time doing what she liked, etc.) to actually get better and get healed of her condition. In this example, the genetic aspects is related to her family’s tendency for depression. The nutritional aspects related to her indulgence with eating so much chocolate (sugar) and the metabolic variable corresponds low levels of serotonin in the blood as well thyroid hormones. Finally, the behavioral aspect is related to the fact that she uses to spend most of her times engaged in house duties. Coming back to the previous example of the boy: We might opt to design some Developmental Lines (Lines of Development) from his current Health State into his “Ideal (Integral) Health State”. These Developmental Lines could represent the aspects of nutrition, physical health, kinesthetic, emotional, inter-personal (relational), and cognitive (mental), just to name a few potential choices.

204

From those Lines of Development would then emerge the Quadrants. For instance: The Biological & Behavioral aspects (UR Quadrant) emerge from the Lines related to this Quadrant, such as Kinesthetic, Nutrition and Physical Health. In this case, Qualities would emerge from Quadrants grouped in pairs. For instance, the aspect of High Performance would emerge from the UR Quadrant, while the attitude of being able to keep commitments (sense of responsibility, honor, and respect) would emerge from the UL Quadrant. In this context, it is also important to remember the definition of the concept of Emergence previously described, which states that the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts. Besides the fact that the Integral Health Index can bring forth those three complementary layers of specific information, it could also could be applied in another three different contexts: Individual, Communal (Communities), and

Systemic-Environmental - among other potential choices of study and healing intervention. This scale flexibility has actually very broad ramifications. It means that an Integral Doctor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in conjunction with other experts in specific areas - can also study, for example, the State of Health of an Organization (Organizational Health), of a Neighborhood (Community Health) and, of families, groups, teams (family, group and team dynamics), and - as usual - the State of Health of an Individual (Personal Health). APPLICATIONS The initial step to build an Integral Assessment (as part of an Integral Health Index) also corresponds to defining the specific subjects of study. As previously mentioned, this focus can be shed on Individuals, Groups, Communities, and/or the Systemic-Environmental dimensions. Since each one of them can be represented by different Lines of Development, they will all imply different Index compositions. Stages of Index applications

205

There are three main applications. They are:

stages

Index

1. Statistics: Composed by a compilation of data from a four-step questionnaire. 2. Analytics: Composed by a trained professional who will later analyze the data in order to pick the Lines, Quadrants and Qualities that should be focused and worked on, so we can achieve an Integral panorama of what has been studied and aimed for healing intervention. 3. Solutions: Composed by Integral Solution to the subjects being studied, they will be incorporated into the Integral Assessment. This comprehensive Integral Assessment is centered on the core concepts of Integral Health and Wellness in all their Dimensions (or Quadrants). The main goal of this encompassing approach is to strategically design the actions that need to be performed by the Individual, Group, Community or Organization being accessed. It

ultimately aims the improvement of the Qualities in question, and also in promoting effective and balanced impacts on their individual, relational, communal, social and environmental dimensions. How to Use the Index? There is a specific methodology to work with the Index, which is very important to know about. Lines are the first ones to be evaluated, based on initial reference points. From their choice and integration, the Quadrants emerge. In turn, these are the foundations for the emergence of Qualities, which represent the third layer of the Integral Index. This means that each layer can somewhat correspond to a mathematical function of the one that originated it. In other words, this process itself can gradually unfold like any developmental path in nature. Here is an illustration: First, Lines could be corresponded with atoms. Then, Lines assemble together in systemic ways, giving rise to

206

Quadrants, which correspond to molecules. Finally, Quadrants assemble together in naturally systemic ways, giving rise to Qualities, which can be corresponded to cells in a biological evolution emerging from simplicity to complexity. In this emergence process, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. As we stated before, Emergence is the way complex systems and patterns arise out of a multiplicity of relatively simple interactions. Likewise, the Integral Index allows us to assess the Integral Health of Individuals, Groups, Communities and Systems. Therefore, it can offer more comprehensive, deeper, and integrated solutions to our current challenges and problems, both individual and collective, as well as internally and externally. Based on this broad versatility, the Integral Index provides many configurations in different areas of study, such as Health, Psychology, Spirituality, Sustainability, Economics, Education, Business, Politics, Sociology, and so on.

In summary, The Integral Index is a cutting-edge Developmental Framework that can be used to build broader and more integrated Indexes in several instances and areas of human knowledge and activities. In order to obtain the Integral Index of any area of human knowledge and endeavor, it is necessary to organize the Indicators, Indexes and specific Developmental Lines of interest that particular area, within the AQAL model. For example, an Integral Sustainability Index takes into account specific aspects like Individual and Group Behaviors, as well as Social, Economic, Environmental Impacts. As expected, it also focuses directly on issues related to Sustainability, as reflected in various dimensions. Last, but not least, it also had to focus and cover Social and Cultural Shadows, which correspond to disintegrated aspects of our Society and Culture that are either not known, repressed, alienated, or considered too cognitive dissonant to their cultural and social concept of themselves to be acknowledged and integrated

207

with ease. Acting as reflexes from individual dimensions (Left Quadrants) to collective (Right Quadrants), these Collective Shadows are also intimately connected with Individual Shadows, which is a psychological concept explored by Psychologist Cark G. Jung, which means disintegrated aspects of the psyche of individuals that are either not known, repressed, alienated, or considered too cognitive dissonant to their self-image to be acknowledged and integrated with ease.

In this area of study, the Integral Index basically functions as a clinical tool, known as the Integral Wellness Index (IWI).

Even though the Integral Sustainability Index ( as well as other specific Indexes) can be quite different in specific content from the Integral Health Index (with exception of a few similarities and intersections), it still keeps its depth and amplitude of variables that can significantly support the evaluations and solutions related to any area of study.

Human Relationships and Cultural Health (LL Quadrant) and;

The Integral Wellness Index (IWI)

It is used to identify and access the individual's overall State of Health and Wellness from the perspective of those four core aspects, represented in Quadrants: Physical Health and Behavioral Health (UR Quadrant); Psycho-Spiritual Health (UL Quadrant);

Systemic-Environmental Health (LR Quadrant) The IWIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s application basically consists in picking up and organizing specific Lines of Development of Health into the Quadrants, according to each specific case. These Lines are usually generic representatives of the whole panorama, and hence are arbitrary and not exclusive.

Individual Health

208

WHO’s WHOQOL (World Health Organization Quality Of Life) Indicator and SF36 (Stress Oriented Assessment)

it assembles together those twelve components in a single map, as shown below:

The IWI is based on existing Individual Health Indicators such as the WHOQOL - World Health Organization Quality of Life, which is also a WHO project created to develop an instrument to evaluate Quality of Life - integrated with the SF36 (a Stress Oriented Assessment), and strategically added by other Lines that can complement and integrate further aspects related to Health, Healing and Wellbeing. These Lines include: Metabolic Assessment (Lab Exams, etc.), Level of Consciousness Beliefs, Values, Relationships, Education, Work Situation, Economy & Financial Resources, Quality of Life & Basic Access to Housing, Health & Nutrition, among others. These specific Lines belonging to the IWI have the ability to measure all these dimensions discussed in the previous chapter. Since the Index organizes more complex and nuanced factors related to Health and Wellbeing,

FIGURE 26 – The WHO’s Twelve Components of Health organized in Quadrants.

209

Integral Health Index as a Positive Health Indicator Furthermore, since this Index assesses the subjective aspects related to Quality of Life and Wellbeing combined with objective aspects (such as nutritional status and metabolic processes), it can also be seen as a “Positive Health Indicator.” That means, it can measure both positive aspects such as Wellness, Quality of Life and Health, instead of “negative” aspects such as morbidity or mortality, as is usually the case with “Negative Health Indicators”. Community Health In the context of Community, the Integral Index tool analyses Personal, Environmental, and Social impacts related to Sustainability in terms of the specific Health and Wellness aspects of a Community. Besides that, it also adds specific Lines in the Systemic-Environmental Quadrant (LR), that are not present in the Integral Wellness Index of an Individual, Besides that, both structures are quite similar.

Systemic-environmental Health In the field of Systemic Environmental Health, the Integral Index determines the Health and Wellness of these Systems, as well as the people involved in them.

LAYERS OF THE INTEGRAL HEALTH INDEX We already know that the the Integral Index is made of Lines of Development, Quadrants and Qualities. Together, they compose the three foundational layers of this Integral Index. The first layer works with the Lines of Development of the Health, related to the Integral’s AQAL Model previously discussed. The second layer covers the Quadrants. The third and last layer considers both Objective, Subjective, Individual and Collective attributes of Wellness, and their corresponding impact on Quality, more specifically related to the Individual, Community, and ”SystemicEnvironmental dimensions.

210

FIGURE 27 – The Third Layer of the Index

HEBTIDA Index (Human Earning Before Tension, Irritability Disease and Absence)

Since it is an Index that measures Collective Health and Wellness, HEBTIDA covers the Health and Wellness of systems such as Organizations, Communities or Cities. These systems are made by group of human beings, relationships, organizational culture and mutual values. In case of Organizations, these aspects constitute the so called “human capital”, or by the most popular term “Human Resources”. This so called “human capital” can have its own “illnesses” from an organizational perspective such as absence, irritability, absenteeism and disease, which could bring the Health of Organizations down by low productivity, low creativity and high costs of health insurance. The EBTIDA Index

Let’s take the HEBTIDA Index adapted and developed by me as an example. HEBTIDA stands for Human Earning Before Tension, Irritability Disease and Absence.

All of these aspects can compromise the area of Organizational Development, which is measured by Indexes such as the EBTIDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization)7 . The EBTIDA Index provides an indication of the current operational profitability

211

of the business – in other words, how much profit does a business organization makes by making use of its current assets and the operations on the products it produces, distributes, and sells. How would an Index that could measure Organizational Development through Human Capital and Social Capital look like? HEBTIDA does exactly that.

The HEBTIDA Index So, by making use of my Integral Index background, I’ve named this new integrally oriented Index as HEBTIDA (Human Earnings Before Tension, Irritability, Disease and Absence). Different from EBTIDA which link the Organization’s development to the monetary Earnings, this Index is a more inclusive comprehensive and deep way to measure the Organization’s development through the

integrations of several Capitals such as Human, Social, Cultural, Systemic and Environmental in the same Index. Basically, this is what HEBTIDA Index is all about. 1. Lines of Development used in HEBTIDA are: Cognitive-educational, Motivational, General knowledge about health subjects, Emotional, Spiritual, Values and believes , Quality of life, Nutrition, Routine, Physical health, Metabolic, Sustainability, Structure/systems, access to Quality of Life improvement, Professional, Community shared values, Culture and Human Relationships. 2. Quadrants (or dimensions) of HEBTIDA are: Bio-Behavioral (UR Quadrant): Related to the health of the physical body and observed psychological behaviors. Psycho-Spiritual (UL Quadrant): Related to the subjective or psychological health, which corresponds to health in terms of emotional, mental and personal values, as well as spiritual

212

FIGURA 28 - HEBTIDA 213

dimensions related to health. Interpersonal (LL Quadrant): Related to relationships, family, groups, culture and shared values. Systemic-Environmental (LR Quadrant): Related to social systems, such as Education, Economy, Financial, Transportation, Environment, etc. 3. Qualities of HEBTIDA are: High Performance, Commitment, Excellence and Effectiveness. HEBTDA’s Quality #1: High Performance In this context, the aspect of HEBTIDA related to High Performance (LR Quadrant) emerges from Bio-Behavioral (UR Quadrant) and PsychoSpiritual dimensions (UL Quadrant). These dimensions in turn emerge from the Lines of Development related to aspects of Health, corresponding to different Lines of Intelligence as previously discussed. These Lines of Development related to Health correspond to various variables among all those dimensions,

such as Metabolism, Education, Quality of Life, Emotional Development, Diet and Sleep. HEBTDA’s Quality #2: Commitment Developing the attribute of Commitment requires Personal Values, Inner Motivation, and the support of other people from a Community, who might share similar perspectives and values that can lead to healthier and higher levels of interactions. These subjective aspects are located in the UL and LL Quadrants. So, from this line of thought, we can conclude that Commitment is a Quality that emerges from both Psycho-Spiritual and Interpersonal dimensions. HEBTDA’s Quality #3: Excellence The attribute of Excellence is linked to Cultural and Shared Values and simultaneously with the access to Resources and Structures (Organizational Patterns). Hence, Excellence emerges from dimensions related to Cultural, Social and Environmental dynamics and their interdependence.

214

FIGURA 29 Modelo Teórico do Índice de Bem215

HEBTDA’s Quality #4: Effectiveness In order to be Effective, you must be physically fit and healthy, proactive, and at the same time have specific kinds of resources or skills necessary to achieve the desired results. Thus, we can conclude that Effectiveness arises from Social, Environmental and Bio-Behavioral spaces.Those corresponding Lines are located in the UR and LR Quadrants.

DESIRED RESULTS AND BENEFITS Quantitative 1 - Personal Dimension (UL, UR Quadrants): Achieve better health and wellbeing. 2 - Community Dimension (LL Quadrant): – Be properly integrated as part of a healthier, better, and more effective community to live in and relate to. 3 - Systemic-Environmental Dimension (LR Quadrant): – Become a better Organization for

employees to work for, provide better products and/or services to customers or clients, and support the environment and planet as a whole (“win-win-win situation”) Qualitative 1 - Personal Dimension (UL, UR Quadrants): Nurture and maintain greater Vitality, achieve a qualitative longevity of fife, improve Quality of Life in general within many Dimensions, and reach a dynamic balance of continuous Integral Wellness. 2 - Community Dimension (LL Quadrant): Increase the community power through “crowdsourcing”, as well as other types of cocreative projects and activities.. Crowdsourcing According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Crowdsourcing is the practice of obtaining sough after services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, and especially from an online

216

community, rather than employees or suppliers. 8

from

traditional

Co-creation emphasizes the generation and continuous realization of mutual value. It activates and empowers people to share, combine and renew each other's resources and skills in order to create a greater value through new forms of interaction, services, and learning mechanisms. 9 In other words, it means, building a better Community to live in and relate to (within an Organization or not), based on values such as Fairness, Equality, Care, Proactivity, Group Work, and Mutual Respect. These terms above are mostly related to the Business field. In the context of this book, they basically mean building structures and knowledge altogether, within a collective field of action. 3 - Systemic-Environmental Dimension (LR Quadrant): Increase Productivity, Sustainability, Efficiency, and Innovation. Also, improve overall

Time Management , Reduce Absenteeism (which is a specific Business term that means physical presence at, work but showing a lack of focus or attention), Increase in the level of Satisfaction of both employee and costumer or client; Decrease (or Re-Strategy) of Investments on health insurance Companies, etc. In conclusion, those are the main Qualitative Benefits and Desired Results (Solutions) of the application of the Integral Index at Organizational levels.

RESULTS One of Ken Wilberâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s main statements and a core tenet of Integral Theory is that there is no such thing as a field of knowledge that can hold one hundred percent of truth all the time. What is often important and most intelligent is to organize and assemble many perspectives together from different but complementary fields, and then manage to get the best solution for the specific situation related to any study.

217

By engaging in such endeavor, we can also choose a better path towards health and wellbeing. It is also fundamental to keep in mind that this healing path should be regularly revised and updated due the naturally dynamic patterns of life, which shows that whenever a single condition changes, everything else changes at the same time in less or more intense ways, either directly or indirectly. Integral Methodology: Qualitative and Quantitative Types of Success Fortunately, this Integral Methodology embodies this flexibility, flow and organic capacity in profound ways. Besides that, by using it properly and strategically it can facilitate Integral Doctors to achieve two types of success: Qualitative and Quantitative. By Qualitative success it means subjective improvement of mental and emotional levels of health, well-being, awareness, plenitude, better quality of life, more efficiency and efficacy. By Quantitative success, it means objective (measurable) improvement of physical, mental , emotional and behavioral levels of health, as well as an overall improvement in objective measurements at various levels - coupled with

integration of the seven Integral Wellness dimensions measured by the Integral Health Index, previously discussed. According to my experience, success rates can differ among Quality and Quantity due to specific reasons belonging to their nature. As an approximation, I could say that the Qualitative rate success is around 90%, while the Quantitative rate success is around 80%. Follow below a couple of cases that can illustrate this pattern:

218

1- Woman, 30 years-old woman, marketing professional, living in Sao Paulo (Brazil). Diagnosis: Fibromyalgia and Chronic sinusitis.

219

2- Man, 50 years-old, retired (former executive director), married with 2 adult sons, living in Sao Paulo (Brazil). Diagnosis: Depression, obesity, Hepatitis C and high blood pressure.

220

Although “Sustainability” has been a word quite commonly heard nowadays around the World, it is often misunderstood due to the main emphasis on the Environmental aspect of it. Yet, few people are aware that Environment it is just one of the multiple aspects or dimensions of Sustainability. Sustainability is in fact a multi-dimensional concept that transcends and includes Environmental aspects.

SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability is not a know-how, it is being in another way. Augusto de Franco

It actually covers a broad range of dimensions, ranging from Personal, to Economic, to Cultural and Social areas. In these areas Sustainability aims towards sustaining and facilitating the more ideal conditions necessary to support and improve the lives of all living beings on Earth, including human growth and awakening in terms of many Lines of Development and the State of Mind of Existence, as well as the planet itself as a “living being”. Based on this broader definition, we can conclude that Sustainability is actually related to

221

life itself, and therefore to life’s enhancing aspects of wellbeing, health and healing. As an illustration of this broader multidimensional embrace, Environmental Pollution could not only be seen as an important manmade variable that might promote Global Warming issues (although this issue is controversial), but also as a Global Issue that certainly lead to all kinds of diseases such as allergies, pulmonary problems, chronic illnesses, and even cancers, among other issues. Environmental Pollution also leads to all kinds of economic issues, especially in terms of remediating the damage already created. The pervasive contamination related to our food, soil, water, so called heavy chemical “cleaning” products, and rivers only correspond to a small portion of the chain of reaction of pollutants that have been continuously thrown into our planet’s (home) natural environment. Based on this perspective, Sustainability can be also seen as a matter of the Public Health business, which should be committed to provide

true, authentic, and information with “no corporate strings attached” to the public about these issues, as well as offering efficient alternatives and solutions to prevent or remediate these challenges to our health as individuals and communities and ecosystems. Unfortunately, many of these challenges today seem to be either denied, repressed, or – what might be worse – indirectly or directly supported (or colluded) by the same organizations that are responsible to bringing their solutions and cures to the public at large. This can be a very polarized and controversial theme that I rather not focus here in this book, but just present this alternative perspective of reality as potentially being one of the main reasons for the continuous existence of this pervasive and concerning health problem, that occurs worldwide in both Individual, Local and Global scales. So, based on this confusing panorama, a few questions arise:

222

How would it be a Health based System that could apply a more Integral approach to address all of these challenges? What if this approach could actually teach people about how to make a better use of natural resources by taking advantage of the environment in simpler, more aligned, ethical, and efficient ways - without forcing them to adopt a more radically “alternative (hippie) lifestyle” such as isolation from society, no cars, no electronics, no cellphones, no use of Modern (Conventional) Medicine and so on? It is my strong belief that the specific Integral Medicine Model I’ve been developing at MedIntegral can bring many important contributions to the development of this new approach to Sustainability, as seen from many dimensions. Natural Adaptation Based on the idea of “natural adaptation”, the concept of Sustainability implies that, if necessary, we must adapt ourselves to the

imposed conditions of a specific place and time in order to keep ourselves alive (and healthy). This phenomenon of natural adaptation of living beings to their environment happens in nature all the time. Living systems often build or adapt themselves to the consequences or “byproducts” of their own process of life sustenance and transformation. Dynamic Balance For example, the digestion process breaks down fruits into sugar (fructose), which is then absorbed by the body. This sugar ends up becoming energy through further chemical reactions. This is part of the body’s natural intrinsic process to keep itself alive. Everything is settled according to their own systemic components. The whole process of transformation consists in a naturally “dynamic balance” - and the notion of dynamic balance is nothing else than the essence of what the concept of Sustainability is really about.

223

In this example, transformation of byproducts can be seen as being just one aspect of a successful sustainable process (or system). Thus, emulating this process through some type of “Paradigm Shift” is probably the best and only solution that we have available today in order to achieve healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives, in both individual and collective levels.

There are few references related to the Biological & Behavioral aspects (i.e.: Health, Welfare, Nutrition, Behavior); Personal aspects (i.e.: Cognitive, Emotional. Psychological, and Spiritual, including individual beliefs and values) and Cultural and Social variables (i.e.: Cooperation promoted by Social Networks online and “offline”, and freedom resultant of the “democratization of relationships”).

THE CONCEPT OF INTEGRAL SUSTAINABILITY

The relatively recent Internet phenomena promotes today almost free access (or access at very low cost) to most people in the planet, and facilitates the connection to those who cultivate the same beliefs, values and views independently of geographic boundaries, economical resources, or social classes. This is most probably the best example of “democratization of relationships” we have ever seen in our human history.

As mentioned before, the contemporary topic of Sustainability tends to prioritize discussions, research and proposal of solutions mainly related to the Environmental dimension (both natural and human-made), in which the interaction and balance between the preservation of natural resources and economic development pretty much occupy the center of the matter. Even this idea gas been a “neuralgic” point in the “Sustainability Equation”, as there are many other aspects of this multidimensional issue that are usually just superficially glimpsed upon and hence not taken into proper consideration by most Sustainability analysts, researchers and advocates

Public policies have tried to address this issue with apparently timely and pragmatic solutions, as if there were a path that would magically end in reaching Sustainability. However, this is a concept that does not actually exist in reality, if

224

we really reflect deeper about it. Sustainability itself is actually “the way”.

co-create a new Culture and Society intrinsically based on Sustainability, sooner or later.

In other words, Sustainability is not a “knowhow”, but, instead, a continuous and dynamic way of being towards ourselves, others, and the world. As previously discussed, any “Autopoietic” system needs to learn how to continuously selfregulate itself in order to develop, be fully healthy, alive and sustainable. In the human scale, this natural principle applies both to Individual systems (human beings), and Collective systems (Culture and Society).

Therefore, as individuals and communities, we must build a sustainable structure rooted in equitable Health and Integral Wellness. This proposal actually forms the basis of the concept of Integral Sustainability brought forth the Integral Health approach I have envisioned and developed in my practice as an Integral Doctor here at MedIntegral.

Conscious access to Awareness, the State of Mind of Existence and Authentic Happiness are fundamental elements located at the roots of the whole concept and proposal of Integral Sustainability. However, it is up to each Individual, Culture and Society to continuously promote adaptations to new demands of their particular reality and the world, as well as to provide creative solutions. If each one of us can be fully sustainable in our lives, work place, and organizations, we will most certainly gradually

225

Some common and incidental questions we often hear globally nowadays are: What is the price of happiness? How much does happiness cost?

AUTHENTIC HAPPINESS

The driving force of contemporary Financial Capitalism is rooted on the frenetic consumer desire of the masses continuously induced by the alluring scent of advertising. Today, pretty much everything on the face of the Earth seems to have a price. Due to mass propaganda and advertising, most people have difficulties in relation to how to put up with that without taking it as life’s purpose and “ultimate truth”. In our era, happiness is frequently compared with possession of money, success, and material resources. But in reality, we still know very little about what really is to be happy, as well as what seems to be the real core behind the feelings or mental states of happiness. Often, when people are asked to describe what they actually feel when being happy, most almost always start to stagger. Happiness

226

Happiness turns to be a concept that can relate to many different values and experiences to many people. As I said, the concept of Happiness holds such fundamental importance in the human condition that "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" were deemed to be unalienable Human Rights by the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. 2 Perspectives on Happiness The concept of Hedonism focuses on pleasure as the basic component of the good life. The Early Hebrews believed in the theory of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Divine Commandâ&#x20AC;?, which states that happiness can be found by living according to the commands or rules set down by a Supreme Being. The Greeks thought that happiness could be discovered through logic and rational analysis. Socrates even advocated Self-Knowledge as the path to happiness. Finally, Christianity was based on finding happiness in the message and life of Jesus Christ, which is a message based on love and compassion.

Some thinkers and critics have focused on the difference between the hedonistic traditions of seeking pleasant experiences and avoiding unpleasant ones, and the Eudaimonic traditions of living life in full and deeply satisfying ways. Positive Psychology Various researchers, including the field of Positive Psychology, manage to apply the Scientific Method to answer questions related to what "happiness" is, and how it might be attained. Positive Psychology is a relatively recent branch of Psychology whose purpose was summed up in 1998 by Martim Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, They define Positive Psychology as: "the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing on multiple levels that include the biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural, and global dimensions of life." 3 Even though Positive Psychology has offered an apparently new approach to the study of positive emotions and behaviors, its ideas, theories, research, and proposed motivation to study the

227

positive side of human behavior seem to be as old as humanity itself.4 Seligman asserts that happiness is not only derived from external or momentary pleasures5 He provides the acronym PERMA to summarize Positive Psychology's findings related to happiness. According to him, human beings are happiest when they have: 1. Pleasure (tasty food, warm baths, good sex, etc.); 2. Engagement (also known as “flow”, which basically means the absorption in a pleasurable, enjoyable yet challenging activity; 3. Relationships (it is now a known fact that social ties have turned out to be an extremely reliable indicator of happiness), 4.Meaning (related to a perceived quest or belonging to something higher than the self) 5. Accomplishments (achievement or realization of tangible goals). On September 2012, the New York Times published the article “Anxious America”, in which they corroborated many of claims of Seligman, by saying:

“Despite being the richest nation on earth, the United States is by a wide margin also the most anxious nation, with nearly a third of Americans likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. America’s precocious levels of anxiety are not just happening in spite of the great national happiness rat race, but also perhaps, because of it.” 6 We can also see a similar pattern when analyzing the largest economy in the World. United States’ GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is by far the biggest one in the World - 15.7 trillion dollars in 2012; it is 3.7 trillion more than the second place - China. 7 In 10 years the USA rose its GDP up to 50% (2001-2011)*. Yet, during this time, the number of,suicide among Americans ages 35 to 64 also rose by nearly 30 percent. Moreover, Depression affected 1 in 10 Americans in May 2011, according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention 8. So, based on these data, we can move our inquiry a bit further. If it is a fact that only external and monetary pleasures cannot make people happy, what could make it? Wealth does

228

not seem to be enough to make people happy. On the other hand, political freedom, strong social networks, and absence of corruption can be together considered as more important than income in explaining significant differences in wellbeing between the countries located at the top and at the bottom of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happiness Indexâ&#x20AC;? .

no sense to say one person's happiness in a person is " 50% due to genetics", but it does make sense to say one personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difference in happiness is 50% due to differences in their genetics (being the rest due to behavior and environment) 10,11,12, as we can see in the graphic bellow:

At an individual level, aspects such as good mental and physical health, someone to love and count as good company and support, job (or work) security, and stable families seem to be also crucial elements that can contribute to a higher level of happiness in anybody, independent of the Culture or Society they live in. Happiness and Genetics Sonja Lyubomirsky, a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and author of How of Happiness (2000) argues that people's happiness varies around a genetic set point,. He suggests that 30-40% of the difference in happiness levels is due to genetics (i.e. inherited). On the other hand, Robert Biswas-Diener - an American Positive Psychologist - says it makes

229

AFTER ALL WHAT IS AUTHENTIC HAPPINESS? The great majority of my work is grounded into the co-creation of a continuous state of wellbeing. Wellbeing belongs to the realm of aspirations and desires of the individuals who are identification with their own history and hence reflect in their own personal values and identification. Based on that, there is no peek, no summit, no time in our lives that we will “live happy forever after”… Such an illusory concept of eternal and continuous happiness is usually presented in fairy tales. There is no such thing as a life only colored by an ongoing state of happiness and wellbeing. As soon as we reach a desired performance or peek and manage to achieve a certain state of happiness and fulfillment, we automatically manage to get ourselves into reaching a new plateau, looking for more happiness, and hence running the “happiness cycle” again.

Happiness Cycle The Happiness Cycle is a cyclical pattern that involves pursuing happiness endlessly... For instance, people often think: “I will be happy when I grow up and become an adult”. Then, adulthood comes and happiness might still be not there. So, people start to think: “Probably, I will be happy when I have success and money”. Then they struggle to achieve this materialistic goal just to find that and happiness might still not be there. A subsequent though emerges: “Maybe happiness is located in family grounds, in the path of husband/wife, and in having children”. People then marry, raise a family, and again the happiness so avidly sought might be not there. Once more, in a tireless chain of justification and illusory hopes, people affirm that happiness might be in retirement. Unfortunately, once more happiness might still not be lurking there, especially when one’s life force might be already fading away. So, based on this “not so optimistic and happy” example that tends to be reality for most, it is easy to see that

230

it is naturally impossible to be happy all the time. Even if there was such possibility, life would p[probably appear as total boredom, and probably be unhappy, ironically but realistically speaking. Life is rooted in dualities of “Good vs. Bad”, “Right” vs. “Wrong”, where periodic oscillations between moments of greater and lesser intensity in levels of wellness and happiness are parts of its natural movements. In a dualistic based reality, happiness represents a developmental or evolutionary impulse, which lead us to always strive to get better in order to grow and evolve. This natural developmental path corresponds to Ken Wilber’s concept of the “Atman Project”, presented in one of his earlier books that carry the same name title (1996). In Wilber’s words: “...psychological development in human beings has the same goal as natural evolution. And since the ultimate reality is God, Buddha or Atman, it follows that psychological

development aims at Atman. and that is part of what we call the Atman Project.” Like anything else, happiness does not exist by itself. It can be actually interpreted as a set of concepts, values and beliefs intrinsically related to the Level of Consciousness or paradigm people carry within themselves, instead of a State of Consciousness or Mind. In the Modern Paradigm, which is based in the Socio-Economic structure of Capitalism, the ”Happiness Game” (so to speak) tends to be more like a State of Mind, a set of values imprinted in our minds, and an inception to keep us relentlessly moving within the productionbased Capitalism World (or Machine) – which ends up making us humans act pretty much like living “human machines”. Also, the pervasive ideology of Capitalism has been literally was an inception - which is the seeding an idea in someone’s mind as if it was originally belonging to itself. This idea was artistic represented in the science fiction movie Inception (2010) staring Leonardo the Caprio. AS

231

the cave man was incepted by his own instinct to find a shelter, the Post-Modern men has been incepted to following Capitalism values, which he thinks is necessary for his survival.

Most people want to be free from the continuous journey of having to go to work every day. Instead, if given an option, they would like to be able to manage their own time, to be more in contact with those who they love, or those who share the same mindsets, beliefs, values and views... Today, these somewhat “unconventional” concepts might represent what happiness is, within the reality or “game” of the Ego immersed in a mechanistically based Capitalist System. However, in parallel with this aim and all other aims related to the pursuit of happiness through humanity’s history, there has been always a “non-dual” internal space (or State), where one needs to do some work to recognize and access, in order to free oneself and not identify anymore with naturally polar and opposite aspects of the manifested duality of happiness vs. suffering.

What usually appears as fugacious and temporary States of “Non-Duality” is often a result of intense practice and volition. In time, these conscious efforts (that do not necessarily need to be “forced” upon the mind) can help practitioners to achieve a specific stage of “Non Duality” that presents a more stable, palpable and available attributes of inner peace, stillness, and happiness. This State of Beingness (for word, especially because Western vocabulary there specific terms to describe subjective phenomena like languages and traditions).

a lack of a better in our common are not enough certain particular in other Eastern

Coming from a quite sharp, real, and Qualitative dimension that is very different in nature to the mostly known kind of “happiness” experienced from Qualitatively simpler States of Mind based on duality and polarity of opposites, the concept of “Non Dual” Happiness (also called by True

232

Realization) could be defined here as “Authentic Happiness”.

the ocean drop is the ocean itself, there is no flow to follow.

“Authentic Happiness” greatly differs from the usual notion of happiness that has been known and accepted by most people, especially in the West. From this perspective, true happiness is not only made of pleasure or victory, and it is not even related to any type of conquest.

So, in quite “Zen-like” terms, this basic realization - which is actually a discovery of something perennial that has been always there, but we are usually not aware of its existence could be also considered as “Authentic Happiness”.

It's actually a realization of the “Simple Feeling of Being”, accessed through an internal subjective State (or place) beyond the feeling of being apart from Life itself, and even of oneself.

Based on these insights, we can say that Authentic Happiness is a result of SelfKnowledge, as related to the Ancient Greek aphorism “Know Thyself". This spiritually famous wise phrase corresponds to one of the Esoteric maxims of the ancient “Oracle of Delphi”, according to the Greek philosopher and writer Pausanias13. Delphi is perhaps best known for the Oracle located at the sanctuary that was dedicated to Apollo (son of Zeus and Leto), built during the Classical Period.

Since you and I - like any other human being, are beings in constant process of “Natural Flow” and Life itself, from this higher perspective there is in fact no flow to follow, nor anything to do, in terms of gaining access to this natural and ever present Non Dual State of Mind. Like a drop in the ocean; it does not “follow” the ocean flow because to do so it should imply it is made of something apart from the ocean. Since

Since this process of internal exploration about what happiness full review of most (if not all) of and acquired values and beliefs,

and external is lead us to a your intrinsic achieving the

233

State of Mind of ”Authentic Happiness” could be seen as being a completely voluntary, natural, and authentic wish. This wish or “burning desire” for many could be also seen as a result of a “higher inner calling” for something deeper, truer, and more enlightening than the dualitybased reality most of us are usually taught and conditioned to experience throughout our whole lives… This can be seen as a true inner paradigm transformation. Realizing this true inner Paradigm Shift could radically reshape our Self, our Life, and our Behavior both as Individuals, as well as Culture and Society. Or at the very least, it could facilitate appreciating reality with new eyes, and possibly acting upon it with “new hands” as a consequence of that. In other words, the experience and embodiment of this new existential paradigm could make us perceive reality through much more clear, comprehensive and deeper eyes. Each one of us could become a different person – and, as a result, we could become more mature,

accomplished, and authentically happy human beings. In this context, Authentic Happiness can be seen as nothing more than pure, simple, basic awareness. It is the State of Mind that is always present and open to the all creative potential already available for any given human being to tap into, and make proper use of it in their lives. I do not propose here the adoption of a specific life style in order to achieve Authentic Happiness. Folowing an externally defined lifestyle often involves the submission of a given number of pre conceived ideas that might distance oneself from one’s own creative potential of adaptation and uniqueness. It might be like living in function of another’s eyes, under the conventions of a given social group, or following the current “fashion” of the times. As a result of Authentic Happiness, the main individual realization lies exactly in not having an externally defined lifestyle, but to be fully present to the creativity and decision making power of kowing at every moment what’s the

234

best choice to make, the best thing to do, and the best actiion to take based in life’s circumstances. In our Culture, we usually try to learn from people we respect or admire, and consciously or unconsciously try to learn how to be like them, and follow their own steps. Since we believe this learning process is made of behavioral imitation - which is partially true - we emulate in various degrees the mindsets and behaviors of enlightened (or Self Realized) beings such as Buddha, Jesus Christ, Ghandi, and many others not so high in terms of positive or immaculate reputation. We might also tend to imitate (to be and act like) people that have achieved some degree of success, and supposedly achieved a relative degree of happiness much higher than the average person, such as Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres or even Matthieu Ricard – who, according to some Neuroscientists in the US The Independent Journal published on February 2007, has been declared the happiest man have ever tested…

Matthieu Ricard has a Ph.D. degree in Molecular Genetics at the Pasteur Institute in France, and became a Buddhist monk living in the Himalayas. He is also author of many books, including “The Monk and the Philosopher” (2000) which has been a best seller in Europe and was translated into 21 languages. For sure this emulation strategy of people who have achieved a significant level of happiness in their lives does not work. Time and natural feedback from the World can prove that fact sooner or later to anyone who tries it, either consciously or unconsciously. The specific behaviors and lifestyles of those people is nothing more than the objective manifestations or representations of what has been particular, intrinsic, and specific to them and their life conditions. These particularities can stem from their specific backgrounds, life experiences, genetic and environmental triggers, and, in more spiritual terms, they could also be due to their “karmic work” or higher “soul calling” that was supposed to be manifested in the World at that moment in time. These skills, personalities and

235

behaviors that led the to success and apparently relative degree of happiness could not be actually learned or imitated from anyone else, but only realized, actualized, manifested by those who owned it. These intrinsic attributes might manifest themselves as such due to several reasons impossible to grasp in their entirety by our discriminative rational and dualistic minds In other words, they concern to matters beyond our understanding. The model, if there is one, is actually not in their behaviors and actions, but in themselves as beings. Behavioral change techniques Behavioral change techniques consist of theorybased methods designed to promote change in one or several psychological determinants of behavior, such as the attitude or self-efficacy of an individual. Such methods are commonly used in behavioral change interventions such as many usual health interventions related to physical and mental exercises, diets, and also more specifically through interventions such as the Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM) .

Behavioral Change: The Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM) Developed by James O. Prochaska of University of Rhode Island and colleagues - starting in 1977 - the TTM model describes five change states based on behavioral transformation: PreContemplation (not ready for change); Contemplation (getting ready for change); Preparation (ready for change); Action (changing); and Maintenance (sustaining changes).1 The Integral Medicine Approach developed at MedIntegral also makes strategic use of behavioral change models such as TTM and Appreciative Inquiry, but only partially and up to a certain point and only related to a certain behavioral and lifestyle changes. Unlike what other behavioral methods often advocate, this Integral approach does not propose that an “Eldorado”, paradise, or “rainbow’s gold” treasure will be magically found at end of the path.

236

After all, this book proposes and stands for the fact that there is a natural Path available to all of us mainly made of Awareness and perception of Existence. Perhaps, the so called True Realization that Authentic Happiness springs from can happen throughout our wonderful, mysterious and inspiring Life Journey...

REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION 1-http://www.grossnationalhappiness.com/ 2-http://www.grossnationalhappiness.com/wpcontent/uploads/2012/04/Short-GNH-Indexedited.pdf 3-http://www.gnhusa.org/ 4-Hemenway, Toby (2009). Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture. Chelsea Green Publishing. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-60358-029-8. 5-^ Mars, Ross (2005). The Basics of Permaculture Design. Chelsea Green Publishing. p. 1. ISBN 978-1-85623-023-0. 6-^ Mollison, Bill (1988). Permaculture: A Designers' Manual. Tagari Publications. p. 2. ISBN 0-908228-01-5.

237

7 -http://transitionnetwork.org/ 8- http://www.transitionnetwork.org/initiatives

7- Journal of Consciousness Studies, 4 (1), February 1997, pp. 71-92Copyright, 1997, Imprint Academic 8-http://www.imprint.co.uk/Wilber.htm 25/05/13

A MEANINGFULNESS EPIDEMIC 1- René DEscartes, Discourse de la Methode. 1637. 2-hhttp://thesaurus.com/browse/un +consciousness 3-(From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp344-5) . 4-http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ unconsciousness 5-"consciousness". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved June 4, 2012. 6- ^ Robert van Gulick (2004). "Consciousness". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

9-Farthing G (1992). The Psychology of Consciousness. Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0-13-728668-3.

10-John Searle (2005). "Consciousness". In Honderich T. The Oxford companion to philosophy. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-926479-7. 11- ^ Susan Schneider and Max Velmans (2008). "Introduction". In Max Velmans, Susan Schneider. The Blackwell Companion to Consciousness. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-75145-9. 12-Varela, F. J. (1999) consciousness. Journal of Studies, 6(2-3), 111-140.

Present time Consciousness

238

13- biem Graben, P. & Atmanspacher, H. (2009) Extending the philosophical significance of the idea of complementarity. In H. Atmanspacher and H. Primas (eds.) Recasting reality: Wolfgang Pauli’s Philosophical Ideas and Contemporary Science. Springer, pp.99-113. 14- Hoche, Hans-Ulrich (2007) Reflexive monism versus complementarism: An analysis and criticism of the conceptual groundwork of Max Velmans's reflexive model of consciousness Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, 6 (3) , pp. 389-409. 15- Lynne Gibson (2002). Modern World Religions: Hinduism. Heinemann Educational Publishers. pp. 2–4. ISBN 0-435-33619-3. 16- Ken Wilber (2002). The Spectrum of Consciousness. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. pp. 3– 16. ISBN 978-81-208-1848-4. 17- Güven Güzeldere (1997). Ned Block, Owen Flanagan, Güven Güzeldere, ed. The Nature of Consciousness: Philosophical debates. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. pp. 1–67.

18- Pascual-Leone, A., Freitas, C., Oberman, L., Horvath, J. C., Halko, M., Eldaief, M. et al. (2011). Characterizing brain cortical plasticity and network dynamics across the age-span in health and disease with TMS-EEG and TMS-fMRI. Brain Topography, 24, 302-315. doi 10.1007/ s10548-011-0196-8 19-Pascual-Leone, A., Amedi, A., Fregni, F., & Merabet, L. B. (2005). The plastic human brain cortex. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 28, 377-401. doi 10.1146/annurev.neuro. 27.070203.144216 20- Chaney, Warren, Workbook for a Dynamic Mind, 2006, Las Vegas, Houghton-Brace Publishing, page 44, ISBN 00979339219 21- http://www.online-medical-dictionary.org 22-Rizzolatti, Giacomo; Craighero, Laila (2004). "The mirror-neuron system". Annual Review of Neuroscience 27: 169–192. doi:10.1146/ annurev.neuro.27.070203.144230. PMID 15217330

239

23-Keysers, Christian (2010). "Mirror Neurons". Current Biology 19 (21): R971–973. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.08.026. PMID 19922849.

33-Clarice Lispector Uma Aprendizagem ou O Livro dos Prazeres

24-Keysers, Christian Empathic Brain. Kindle.

The

34- Plato, & Jowett, B. (1941). Plato's The Republic. New York: The Modern Library. OCLC 964319.

25-Oberman, L.; Ramachandran, V.S. (2009). "Reflections on the Mirror Neuron System: Their Evolutionary Functions Beyond Motor Representation". In Pineda, J.A. Mirror Neuron Systems: The Role of Mirroring Processes in Social Cognition. Humana Press. pp. 39–62. ISBN 978-1-934115-34-3.

35- At Libertyfund.org: Plato's Republic - http:// oll.libertyfund.org/? option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php %3Ftitle=767&chapter=93795&layout=html&Ite mid=27

(2011-06-23).

26--Center for Brain and Cognition website 27- Ramachandran Bio on CBC website 28- Psychology Department Webage with link to CBC 29- Ramachandran, V.S. (January 1, 2009). "Self Awareness: The Last Frontier, Edge Foundation web essay". Retrieved July 26, 2011. 30- Fernando Pessoa - Cancioneiro 31- Fernando Pessoa, 11-9-1933 - Cancioneiro 32- Fernando Pessoa - Cancioneiro

36-http://www.simplexitybook.com/ SimplexityPageTwo.html

THOUGHT 1-William Hansen, Classical Mythology: A Guide to the Mythical World of the Greeks and Romans (Oxford University Press, 2005), pp. 32, 48–50, 69–73, 93, 96, 102–104, 140; as trickster figure, p. 310.

240

2- Lewis Richard Farnell, The Cults of the Greek States (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1896), vol. 1, pp. 36, 49, 75, 277, 285, 314, 346; Carol Dougherty, Prometheus (Routledge, 2006), p. 42ff.. 3-Alfred North Whitehead, Process and Reality, Chap. I, Sect. I

10- "Charles Eisenstein: 'In a gift economy the more you give, the richer you are' - video". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 December 2012.

4-Griffin, Jasper; Boardman, John; Murray, Oswyn (2001). The Oxford history of Greece and the Hellenistic world. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press. p. 140. ISBN 0-19-280137-6

1- Kors, Alan Charles. Encyclopedia of the Enlightenment. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2003. Print.

5- Marcus Tullius Cicero, Tusculan Disputations, V 10–11 (or V IV). 6 - Leo Strauss, Natural Right and History (Chicago: University of Chicago Press 7- E.g. H. Jones, Master Tully: Cicero in Tudor England (Nieuwkoop: De Graaf, 1998). 8- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates 9- http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/ 2012/sep/03/debt-federal-reserve-fixationon-growth

EXISTENCE

2-Maturana, HR 1980. 'Introduction'. Autopoiesis and cognition: the realization of the living. H. R. Maturana and F. J. Varela. Dordrecht, D. Reidel Publishing Company. 42. 3-Luhmann, N 1992. 'Operational closure and structural coupling: the differentiation of the legal system.' Cardozo Law Review 13(5): 1419-1441. 4-Luhmann, N 1995 [1984]. Social systems. Stanford, Stanford University Press. 5-http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ koan 6- Raju 1992, p. 177.Raju, P.T. (1992), The Philosophical Traditions of India, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited

241

7- David Gordon White, (1996). The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India. Chicago: University of Chicago Press; 18. Quoted online in InfoRefuge "Patanjali’s Yoga Darsana – The Hatha Yoga Tradition." NOTE: Similar identification also made in the Hathayogapradipika (4.50) 8- renard 2010. Renard, Philip (2010), NonDualisme. De directe bevrijdingsweg, Cothen: Uitgeverij Juwelenschip 9-http://undividedjournal.com/about-thejournal/ The on line journal of nonduality and psychology whcih chief editor is John J. Prendergast, Ph.D Marriage and Family Therapist in San Rafael, CA, US. 10-Kyriakides, Theodoros (2012), ""Nondualism is philosophy, not ethnography". A review of the 2011 GDAT debate", HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory 2 (1): 413–419 11-Zahavi, Dan (2003), Husserl's Phenomenology, Stanford: Stanford University Press

12-http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ 1611_Psalms-46-10/ 13- WILBER, Ken, One Taste, p. 302 14-Schamer Otto, Theory U, Berrett-Koehler Publishers,2009, p. 163 15-http://www.ottoscharmer.com/bio/ INTEGRAL MEDICAL PRACTICES 1-http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/ 2011/10/03/prsd1004.htm – pesquisado em 26.02.2012. 2- http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam pesquisado em 26.02.2012.

3- -http://www.efcam.eu/content/view/27/45/ - pesquisado em 26.02.2012 4-David Tusek, http://integrallife.com/integralpost/integral-path-medicine We base our discussion on David Tusek MD´s ideias, in his article The Integral Path to

242

Medicine, published on April 5, 2009 on Ken Wilberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog, 5- Wilber, Ken IntroductiontotheIntegralApproach, http:// www.kenwilber.com/Writings/PDF/ IntroductiontotheIntegralApproach_GENERAL_20 05_NN.pdf

Updated on August 3, 2004. URL: http:// www.nserc.ca/profes- sors_e.asp? nav=profnav&lbi=intre (Accessed on April 29, 2006).

10- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

6- Fiandt, K., Forman, J., Erickson Megel, M., et al. (2003). Integral nursing: an emerging framework for engaging the evolution of the profession. Nursing Outlook, 51(3), 130-137.

11- Training Program Grant Guide: Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research. Ottawa: CIHR, 2005. Updated on May 19, 2005. URL: http://www.cihr- irsc.gc.ca/e/17948.html. (Accessed on April 29, 2006).

7- "Integral Psychology." In: Weiner, Irving B. & Craighead, W. Edward (ed.), The Corsini encyclopedia of psychology, Vol. 2, 4. ed., Wiley 2010, pp. 830 ff. ISBN 978-0-470-17026-7

12- Soskolne C. Transdisciplinary approaches for public health. Epidemiology 2000; 11: S122.

8- "Excerpt C: The Ways We Are In This Together". Ken Wilber Online. Retrieved December 26, 2005. 9- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Guidelines for the Preparation and Review of Applications in Interdisciplinary Research. Ottawa: NSERC, 2004.

13- Whitfield K, Reid C. Assumptions, ambiguities, and possibilities in interdisciplinary population health research. Can J Public Health 2004; 95: 434-6. 14- Dacher, Elliot. Integral Health, Basic Health Publication, Incc, CA, 2006. 15- â&#x20AC;&#x153;Integral Education, Integral Transformation and The Teaching of Mind-body medicine, found

243

in the book Integral Education: new directions for a higher learning, Esbjorn-hargens, Sean, State University of New York Press, Abany, NY, 2010. 16- "The Individualist". Retrieved 2011-10-17. 17Saitou, Naruya; Yamamoto, Fumi-ichiro (1997). "Evolution of Primate ABO Blood Group Genes and Their Homologous Genes". Molecular Biology and Evolution 14 (4): 399â&#x20AC;&#x201C;411. PMIDÂ 9100370. 18-Praveen K Roy (16 June 2011). "Lactose Intolerance". eMedicine. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 19- Dean, Laura (2005). Blood Groups and Red Cell Antigens. Baltimore, MD, USA: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health (NIH). Retrieved 23 November 2011. 20- Robin, Suzanne (28 March 2011). "Bloodtype Diet". LIVESTRONG.COM. Lance Armstrong Foundation. Retrieved 23 November 2011.

21- "The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States: Cost Data". National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. July 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-16.52-^ 22- "Costs of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Frequency of Visits to CAM Practitioners: United States, 2007". National Center for Health Statistics. July 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-16. 23- "Legal Status of Traditional Medicine and Complementary/Alternative Medicine: A Worldwide Review" (PDF). World Health Organization. World Health Organization. Note that the document specifically states that it is not an official document of the WHO. 2001. Retrieved 2007-09-12. 24-https://s3.amazonaws.com/integral-lifelanding-pages/ILPpromo/books/ ILP_Handbook.pdf

244

25-MacDonald PE, Rorsman P (February 2006). "Oscillations, intercellular coupling, and insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells". PLoS Biol. 4 (2): e49. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0040049. PMC 1363709. PMID 16464129. 26-Myers, Richard (2003). The basics of chemistry. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. pp. 172–174. ISBN 9780313316647. 27-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Bioelectromagnetics#cite_note-2 28- Oschaman, James L. – Scientific Basis of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. N.O.R.A. Press. Dover, New Hampshire, USA, 1997. 29 - Holler, F. James; Skoog, Douglas A; Crouch, Stanley R (2007). "Chapter 1". Principles of Instrumental Analysis (6th ed.). Cengage Learning. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-495-01201-6. 30- Pollack, S.R, Korostoff, E., Starkebaum, W. y Lannicone, W (1979). "Micro-electrical studies of

stress-generated potentials in bone". In Brighton, C.T., Black, J. and Pollack, S.R. Electrical Properties of Bone and Cartilage. New York City: Grune & Stratton, Inc. ISBN 0-8089-1228-3. 31- Baltaci, Volkan; Ayvaz, Özge Üner; Ünsal, Evrim; Aktaş, Yasemin; Baltacı, Aysun; Turhan, Feriba; Özcan, Sarp; Sönmezer, Murat (2009). "The effectiveness of intracytoplasmic sperm injection combined with piezoelectric stimulation in infertile couples with total fertilization failure". Fertil. Steril. 94 (3): 900–4. doi:10.1016/ j.fertnstert.2009.03.107. PMID 19464000. 32-Manbachi, A. and Cobbold R.S.C. (2011). "Development and Application of Piezoelectric Materials for Ultrasound Generation and Detection". Ultrasound 19 (4): 187–196. doi: 10.1258/ult.2011.011027. 33- Hoigne DJ, Stubinger S, Von Kaenel O, Shamdasani S, Hasenboehler P. (2006). "Piezoelectic osteotomy in hand surgery: first experiences with a new technique". BMC Musculoskelet Disord 7: 36. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-7-36.

245

34-Labanca M, Azzola F, Vinci R, Rodella LF. (2008). "Piezoelectric surgery: twenty years of use". Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 46 (4): 265–9. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2007.12.007. PMID 18342999.

41- Daulby, Martin; Mathison, Caroline (1996). Guide to Spiritual Healing. Brockhampton Press. p. 89. ISBN 1-86019-370-6.

35 - http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/30/ nanogenerators_could_charge_ipod/28-

42- Astin, J.; et. al (2000). "The Efficacy of "Distant Healing: A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials". Ann. Internal Medicine 132 (11): 903–910. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-132-11-200006060-000 09. PMID 10836918.

36- Oschaman, James L. – Scientific Basis of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. N.O.R.A. Press. Dover, New Hampshire, USA, 1997. 37- "Biography of Rupert Sheldrake, Ph.D.". sheldrake.org. Retrieved 18 Mar. 2013. 38- ^ Sheldrake, R. (1981). A New Science of Life: The Hypothesis of Morphic Resonance. Park Street Press. ISBN 9780892815357. LCCN 94044869. 39 —Rupert Sheldrake, The Presence of the Past (Chapter 6, page 112) 40- Jules Evans (July 14, 2008). "Spiritual healing on the NHS?". London: The Times.

43- Ernst, Edzard (2001). "A primer of complementary and alternative medicine commonly used by cancer patients". Medical Journal of Australia 174 (2): 88–92. PMID 11245510. 44- Abbot, NC; Harkness, EF; Stevinson, C; Marshall, FP; Conn, DA; Ernst, E (2001). "Spiritual healing as a therapy for chronic pain: a randomized, clinical trial". Pain 91 (1–2): 79–89. doi:10.1016/S0304-3959(00)00421-8. PMID 11240080.

246

45- Ernst E. (2003). "Distant healing—an update of a systematic review". Wien Klin Wochenschr. 115 (7–8): 241–245. doi:10.1007/BF03040322. PMID 12778776. 46- Ernst E. (Nov 2006). "Spiritual healing: more than meets the eye". J Pain Symptom Manage. 32 (5): 393–5. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman. 2006.07.010. PMID 17085260. 47-Pittler, MH; Ernst, E (2008). "Complementary Therapies for Neuropathic and Neuralgic Pain: Systematic Review". Clinical Journal of Pain. 24 (8): 731–733. doi:10.1097/AJP. 0b013e3181759231. PMID 18806539. 48-Trick or Treatment. Corgi. 2008. p. 388. 49- So PS, Jiang Y, Qin Y (2008). "Touch therapies for pain relief in adults". In So, Pui Shan. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Online) (4): CD006535. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006535.pub2. PMID 18843720.

50-http://67.227.219.148/~beyond/wordpress/ wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ ScientificAmerican_MindOutofBody_excerpt.pdf 51-http://50.28.85.69/~nicolab/wp-content/ uploads/2012/11/SciAm2012_Nicolelis.pdf 52-http://www.bioenergetic-therapy.org/ index.php/en/ 53- Yoga for persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Bower JE, Garet D, Sternlieb B, Ganz PA, Irwin MR, Olmstead R, Greendale G. - Cancer. 2011 Dec 16. doi: American J Midlifeealth. 2010 Jul;1(2):56-8. 54- Mind-body interventions for the treatment of insomnia: a review KOZASA, Elisa Harumi et al. Mind-body interventions for the treatment of insomnia: a review. Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr. [online]. 2010, vol. 32, n.4 [citedÂ 2012-02-15], pp. 437-443 . Available from: <http://www.scielo.br/ s c i e l o . p h p ?

247

script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-4446201000040 0018&lng=en&nrm=iso>. ISSN 1516-4446.Â h t t p : / / d x . d o i . o r g / 1 0 . 1 5 9 0 / S1516-44462010000400018. 55-http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ somatic+therapy 56-http://www.kinectionsinc.com/approach/ somatic-therapy.php

61- "Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment". NYU Langone Medical Center. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012. 62- "Osteopathy – NHS Choices". Nhs.uk. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2012. 63-Diener Michael S. ,Erhard Franz-Karl and Fischer-Schreiber Ingrid, The Shambhala Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen, ISBN 0-87773-520-4

57-http://www.rolf.org 58-Stirling, Isabel (2006). Zen Pioneer: The Life & Works of Ruth Fuller Sasaki. Shoemaker & Hoard. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-59376-110-3. 59- http://www.rolf.org/about/index.htm 60- "Glossary of Osteopathic Terminology". Educational Council on Osteopathic Principles (ECOP). American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). November 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2013.

64-Dictionary.com (links directly to samadhi definition) 65- Richard Shankman, The Experience of Samadhi - an in depth Exploration of Buddhist Meditation, Shambala publications 2008 66-Journal of Attention Disorders published on November 19, 2007 http:// jad.sagepub.com hosted at http:// online.sagepub.com 67-Scott R. Bishop, Mark Lau, Shauna Shapiro, Linda Carlson, Nicole D. Anderson, James Carmody, Zindel V. Segal, Susan Abbey, Michael

248

Speca, Drew Velting & Gerald Devins (2004). "Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition". Clinical Psychology: Science & Practice 11 (3): 230–241. 68- http://www.kenwilber.com/blog/show/575 69-International Systemic Constellations Association (2012). Foundations of Systemic Constellations. Retrieved January 19, 2012 from http://www.isca-network.org/FoundationsE 70- Handmaker, NS; Miller WR, Manicke M (2001). Pilot study of motivational interviewing 86. pp. 680–683.

Therapy Manual. Washington, DC:National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 75-Eaton, Sarah Elaine, "Appreciative Inquiry: An Overview" http://www.scribd.com/doc/ 56010589/Appreciative-Inquiry-An-Overview"

14- Janis C. Kelly Ann Rheum Dis. Published online December 20, 2011 Ann Rheum Dis annrheumdis-2011-200351

doi:10.1136/

71-"Motivational Interviewing". 72-"Motivational Interviewing: An evidencebased approach to counseling helps patients follow treatment recommendations". AJN, American Journal of Nursing. October 2007. 73- Miller, W.R., Zweben, A., DiClemente, C.C., Rychtarik, R.G. (1992) Motivational Enhancement

INTEGRAL WELLNESS 1-http://www.gnhusa.org/about-gnhusa/whatis-gnh/9-dimensions-of-gnh/ 2-Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization [COMMENT: Again, chgeck AR for WHO subject before keeping trhe same perspective about it] as adopted by the

249

International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948. 3- Ken Wilber - Eye to Eye Shambhala/1996, pag31 4- Rene Descartes - Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason and Seeking for Truth in the Sciences. source: Discourse on Method (1637). Cambridge University Press, edited Haldane and Ross; first five parts. 5-Eisenstein, Charles, Sacred Economics, Evolver Edition, 2011, introduction 6-Ken Wilber, One taste, 448. (Shambhala/2000) 7-Pandit Rajmani Tugunait - Seven Systems of Indian Philosophy Himalayan Institute Press/ 1984). pag 22 8-Ask the Awakened (Sentient Publications;1 edition/ 2002)

9-http://www.thefreedictionary.com/existence

INTEGRAL WELLNESS INDEX 1- Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO) as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, June, 1946 - signed on July 1946 by representatives of 61 States of the United States of America. (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and enacted on 7 April 1948. 2-http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/arquivos/ pdf/curso_indicadores.pdf 3-http://www.projetocies.com.br 4- http://www.saudeealegria.org.br/index.php 5-Laughlin, Robert (2005), A Different Universe: Reinventing Physics from the Bottom Down, Basic Books, ISBNÂ 0-465-03828-X 6-http://www.soundstrue.com/podcast/ transcripts/ken-wilber2.php? camefromhome=camefromhome

250

7-http://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/ ebitda.asp

3- Seligman, M.E.P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive Psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5-14.

8-http:// www.merriam-webster.com/ dictionary/crowdsourcing 9-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co-creation

FELICIDADE AUTENTICA 1-http://www.mojohealthandwellness.co/ upload/Hedonia,%20eudaimonia,%20and %20well-being.pdf 2- Jefferson, Thomas, ed. (June 1776). "Declaration of Independence: Jefferson's draft as amended and accepted by Congress". United States Library of Congress. Scanned image of the Jefferson's "original Rough draught" of the Declaration of Independence, written in June 1776, including all the changes made later by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and other members of the committee, and by Congress. Retrieved October 21, 2012.

4- Compton, William C., and Edward Hoffman. Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Flourishing. 2nd ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2013. Print. 5-Seligman, M.E.P. (2004). Can Happiness be Taught?. Daedalus journal, Spring 2004. 6-http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/ 2012/09/22/america-the-anxious/ 7-(https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/ the-world-factbook/. 8-http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdepression/ 9-http://www.earth.columbia.edu/sitefiles/file/ Sachs%20Writing/2012/World%20Happiness %20Report.pdf 10-^ a b , 5 Myths of Positive Psychology, by Robert Biswas-Diener in Psychologytoday.

251

11- Lopez, S. J., Snyder, C. R. “The oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology”. Oxford University Press, 2009. p. 189 12-Sonja Lyubomirsky, David Schkade and Kennon M. Sheldon, “Pursuing Happiness: the Architecture of Sustainable Changes.” Review of General Psychology, Vol. 9, No. 2, 111–131, 2005 13- Pausanias, Description of Greece, http:// www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus. +10.24&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext %3A1999.01.0160

252

BERNADETTE, Roberts. What is self? Sentient Publications. Boulder, Colorado, 2005. DACHER, Elliott S.Ph.D. Integral health. Basic Health Publications. Inc. Califórnia, 2006. DESCARTES, René. Meditações metafísicas. Martins Fontes. São Paulo, 2005.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

DIENER, Ed; KAHNEMAN, e Daniel SCHWARZ, Norbert. Weel-being, the foundations of hedonic psychology. The Russel Sage Foundation. New York, 1999. DIENER, Ed e SUH, Eunkook M. Culture and subjective well-being. MIT press. Massachusetts, 1995. FRANCO, Augusto de. Escolas de redes – Tudo que é sustentável tem o padrão de rede. Escola de redes. Nodo de Curitiba. Paraná, 2008. FREITAS, Carlos Machado e PORTO, Marcelo. Firpo -Saúde, ambiente e sustentabilidade. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, editor. Rio de Janeiro, 2006.

253

HOMERO. Odisséia, tradução direta do grego, introdução e notas de Jaime Bruna. Cultrix. São Paulo, 2006. LOVELOCK, James. The vanishing of Gaia. Penguin Groups. London, England, 2009. MATURA, Humberto e VARELA, Francisco. The tree of knowledge. Shambhala. Massachusetts, 1992. MCKENNA, Jed. Spiritual Enlightenment: the Damnedest thing. Wisefoll Press. 2010. MOREIRA, Rui. A revolução científica do século XVII. Departamento de física, Faculdade de ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 2005. NEWTON, Isaac. Principia. Cambridge and London, 1863. OSCHAMAN, James L. Energy medicine - the scientific basis. Churchill Livingstone. Toronto, 2009. PERT, Candace, Ph.D. Molecules of emotion. Touchstone. NY, 1997.

Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948. SANTORELLI, Saki – Heal thy self. Bell Tower. NY, 1999. SCHARMER, C. Otto. Theory U. Sol. Cambridge, Ma, 2007. SHELDRAKE, Rupert. A new science of life. Park Street Pres. Vermont, 1995. WILBER, Ken. The marriage of sense and soul. Random House. NY, 1998. WILBER, Ken. Integral Psychology. Shambhala. Massachusetts, 2000. WILBER, Ken. Integral Spirituality. Shambhala. Massachusetts, 2005.

254

WILBER, Ken, PATTEN, Tery, MORELLI, Marco e LEONARD, Adam - Integral life practice. Shambhala. Massachusets, 2008. Virtual: Wellness Program. University of California. Riverside. http://wellness.ucr.edu/ http://cfcul.fc.ul.pt/equipa/3_cfcul_elegiveis/rui %20moreira/revolucao%20cientifica.pdf Gross National Happiness. http:// www.grossnationalhappiness.com/

255