7 TH B ODY, M IND & L IFE C ONFERENCE MANUAL
THE FOUNDATION FOR UNIVERSAL RESPONSIBILITY OF H.H. THE DALAI LAMA
2 - 3 Ap r i l 2 0 1 8 Body, M ind & Li f e De p a r t m e n t M en-Ts ee-Kh a n g ( S o wa - Ri g p a )
PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
DAY ONE - MON, 2 APRIL, 2018 SESSION
TIME
PROCEEDING
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10:00 - 10:30 AM
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10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Opening Ceremony Buddhist Psychology - H.E. Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
12:00 - 1:00 PM (Lunch Break) III
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Ayurveda - Dr. Sakshi Raj Sharma
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2:00 - 3:00 PM
Siddha Medicine - Dr. Kumaran. D. 3:00 - 3:15 PM (Tea Break)
V
3:15 - 4:15 PM
Unani Medicine - Dr. Aashar Qadeer
DAY TWO - TUES, 3 APRIL, 2018 SESSION
TIME
PROCEEDING
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10:00 - 11:00 AM
II
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Tibetan Medicine - Dr. Tenzin Choying Western Medical Science - Dr. Alok Sarin
12:00 - 1:00 PM (Lunch Break) III
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Tibetan Astro-science - T.A.S.P. Tenzin Loden
IV
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Homeopathy - Dr. Mahendra Pal Kumar 3:00 - 3:15 PM (Tea Break)
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3:15 - 4:15 PM
Yoga Therapy - Dr. Ramesh Bijlani
4:15 - 5:15 PM
Closing Ceremony
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ORGANIZING COMMITTEE ADVISORS Mr. Tashi Tsering Phuri (Director of Men-Tsee-Khang) Dr. Tsewang Tamdin (C.M.O. & Attending Physician to H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama) Mr. Rajiv Mehrotra (Honorary Secretary/Trustee)
MEMBERS Geshe Tenpa Tashi, Head of BML Dept. T.A.S.P. (Tibetan Astro-science Practitioner) Tenzin Nandak, Tseerampa Dr. Tenzin Choying Mr. Kunkyab Pasang Ngoche, Translator Mr. Tenzin Desel, Office Secretary Mr. Nyima Dorjee, Coordinator at FURHHDL
EDITORIAL BOARD Dr. Tenzin Choying Mr. Kunkyab Pasang Ngoche, Translator Mr. Tenzin Desel, Office Secretary
LAYOUT & DESIGN Mr. Tenzin Desel, Office Secretary
AUDIO - VISUAL INCHARGE Mr. Kelsang Damdul Mr. Tenzin Tsepak
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INAUGURAL FUNCTION Monday / 2 April, 2018 (10:00 – 10:30 AM)
1. 9:45 AM: All the dignitaries, guests and participants to be seated inside the auditorium. 2. 10:00 AM: The arrival of inaugural ceremony Chief Guest. 3. The auspicious lamp to be lighted by the Chief Guest. 4 Yuthok Soeldeb (Supplication prayer to Yuthok) to be chanted. 5. Welcome speech to the 7th Body, Mind and Life Conference to be given by Mr. Rajiv Mehrotra, Honorary Secretary / Trustee of the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of H.H. the Dalai Lama. 6. Introductory speech for 7th Body, Mind and Life Conference to be given by Geshe Tenpa Tashi, Head of Body, Mind and Life Department. 7. The Chief Guest to address the gathering. 8. Vote of thanks speech to be given by Tibetan Astro-science Practitioner Tenzin Nandak, Tseerampa.
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INTRODUCTION TO MEN-TSEE-KHANG (SOWA-RIGPA) Men-Tsee-Khang is a charitable, cultural and educational institution of H.H. the Dalai Lama, registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. The main objective of Men-Tsee-Khang is to preserve, promote and practise Sowa Rigpa, the ancient Tibetan system of medicine, astronomy and astrology. It also aims to improve the health and sanitation of the Tibetan refugees in particular and the public in general and to establish dispensaries in order to provide accessible healthcare to the people regardless of caste, creed or colour. Historically, Men-Tsee-Khang was established in 1916 by the 13th Dalai Lama in Lhasa, Tibet. In 1959 the People’s Republic of China invaded Tibet and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama had to flee to India followed by more than 80,000 Tibetans. The Institute initially started with a doctor and an astrologer with ten students in two separate campuses in Dharamsala called Chopra House and Gleenmore Cottage. Dr. Yeshi Dhonden and Ven. Dukhorwa Lodoe Gyatso were the forerunners of Medicine and Astrology Schools. At present Men-Tsee-Khang is a full-fledged Institute with a work force of 432 (140 Doctors, 17 Astro Science Practitioners, 274 Staff) employees. The headquarter in Dharamshala works through several departments with their own activity of academic as well as administrative in nature. The Academic fields of activity includes, Men-Tsee-Khang College, Pharmaceutical Department, Astro Science Department, Research & Development Department, Materia Medica Department, Documentation & Publication Department, Herbal Product Research department, Body, Mind and Life Department and China Desk. The Administrative fields of activity includes Main Office, Accounts, Branch Clinics Management, Internal Auditor, Medicine Store and Sales, Men-Tsee-Khang Exports and Men-Tsee-Khang Panipat. The Institute has 55 branch medical clinics in India (rural/remote areas and city based).
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View of Men-Tsee-Khang, Dharamshala
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THE FOUNDATION FOR UNIVERSAL RESPONSIBILITY OF H.H. THE DALAI LAMA The Foundation works at the intersection of the commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama – to serve all sentient beings to find personal happiness and for there to be peace on our fractured planet. He is widely celebrated as a pre-eminent spiritual leader and statesman for our troubled times. Through its rich repertoire of programs, the Foundation works to nurture: 1. Universal Human Values 2. Capacities for Peaceful Coexistence & Non Violence 3. Interfaith Harmony & Understanding 4. Women’s Equal Rights & Gender Justice 5. Environment 6. Conversations between Science & Buddhism 7. The preservation of Tibet’s’ civilizational heritage, in particular the Nalanda tradition. Its initiatives include WISCOMP (Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace) that has been in the forefront on issues of gender, peace and security in the South Asian Region The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, founded in November, 1990, is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian, non-denominational organization established with the funds from the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to His Holiness in 1989. In the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations, the Foundation brings together men and women of different faiths, professions and nationalities, through a range of creative initiatives and mutually sustaining collaborations that seek to foster an inclusive, just and non-violent world. It also seeks to expand the network of globally committed citizens that are sensitive to responsibilities in an interdependent world.
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“This new foundation will implement projects according to Tibetan Buddhist principles to benefit people everywhere, focusing especially on assisting non-violent methods, on improving communication between religion and science, on securing human rights and democratic freedoms, and on conserving and restoring our precious Mother Earth. I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not just for his or her own self, family or nation, but for the benefit of all mankind. Universal responsibility is the real key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace, the equitable use of natural resources, and through concern for future generations, the proper care of the environment. I, for one, truly believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Since periods of great change such as the present one come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world. ” - H.H. the XIV Dalai Lama
Silver Oak, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
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CONTENTS 1.
Message from His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama...................................................................1
2.
Preface......................................................................................................................................3
3. Treatment of Mental Disorders from Buddhist Psychology Perspective.................................6 His Eminence Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche 4. Treatment of Mental Disorders from Ayurveda Perspective....................................................7 Dr. Sakshi Raj Sharma 5. Treatment of Mental Disorders from Siddha Medicine Perspective........................................8 Dr. Kumaran. D. 6. Treatment of Mental Disorders from Unani Medicine Perspective.........................................9 Dr. Aashar Qadeer 7. Treatment of Mental Disorders from Tibetan Medicine Perspective......................................10 Dr. Tenzin Choying 8. Treatment of Mental Disorders from Western Medical Science Perspective.........................11 Dr. Alok Sarin 9. Treatment of Mental Disorders from Tibetan Astro-science Perspective...............................12 T.A.S.P. (Tibetan Astro-science Practitioner) Tenzin Loden 10. Treatment of Mental Disorders from Homeopathic Medicine Perspective............................13 Dr. Mahendra Pal Kumar 11. Treatment of Mental Disorders from Yoga Therapy Perspective............................................14 Dr. Ramesh Bijlani 12. Biography of the Speakers......................................................................................................16 13. Gallery.....................................................................................................................................22
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MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA
The root cause of all the problems in this world is mental disturbance. Mind in the state of
severe disturbance and desperation causes acts like homicide or sectarianism. It is very clear that these human-made problems are conditioned by mental disturbances. Consumption of drugs and other alcoholic substances in such state of mind may provide temporary relief but in the long run, will offer no benefit at all. Mental disturbances are caused by anger, arrogance, jealousy, hatred etc. The conditions responsible for mental disturbances arise from our own mind and are not attributable to external factors; an untamed mind causes the disturbances. Its treatment lies within oneself and hence needs to be approached from within. Merely seeking external aids like medication and consultation with physicians will not help. Likewise, in such cases, when the activities of body, mind and speech are not disciplined, problems like homicide and brutality happen, and an unbridgeable gap between the rich and poor occur. It is really sad to see the poor ones struggle every day for a piece of meal. We are all same human beings! Even when one is dying of hunger, it appears that others tend to remain indifferent to it. For instance, in India, in the name of caste system, the poor ones remain poor. They are deprived of mental peace and hence suffer immensely. To overcome this type of problem, encouragement of mental strength is a must as then it will naturally help in reducing mental disturbance which is a law of nature. The concept is same as brighter the light, lesser the darkness. When we talk of the outer environment, the more heat the lesser cold and vice versa. Compendium of Psychology Treatise states: As there is contradiction within the mental perception, Disagreements are bound to happen within mental factors Even though Mind is not a matter; it is an entity of mere experiential and mere tangible As mentioned above, disagreements are bound to happen due to differences in the perception of mind. Therefore to reduce the degree of mental disturbance, it is essential to work more on the
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Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute of H.H. the Dalai Lama aspect that controls the mind. But first, one should understand the state of a tamed mind, its causes and conditions, and the state of an untamed mind, its causes and conditions. It is very important to explain the nature of mind. Lately, I have been emphasizing on Secular Ethics. It is crucial to educate and create awareness on Secular Ethics, the knowledge which has been passed down from Ancient India. I normally tell people not to take psychology only as a matter related to religion or spirituality. We need to take a broader look. It should be studied and understood as a measure for creating happiness for oneself, family, society, and eventually for world at large that consists of about seven billion human beings. In the years to come, when psychology becomes a part of educational curriculum in schools and one acquires some understanding of psychology, it will help one gain mental peace and happiness at both individual and family level. The main point here is: it is our soul aim and responsibility to educate ourselves and the future generation with certain knowledge on psychology and create more peaceful minds in the world. (An excerpt from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teaching in Dharamsala for Tibetan Youth on 5.June.2017)
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PREFACE With homage to His Holiness the great fourteenth Dalai Lama, today on this occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the 7th Body, Mind and Life Conference, I would like to extend my greetings and Tashi Delek to all the dignitaries, luminaries and participants. 1. Introduction: I would like to give a brief introduction to our department. The Body, Mind and Life Department of Men-Tsee-Khang was initially established in 2013. As envisioned by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the aim of establishing this department is to strive for providing better healthcare mainly in the field of mental health by integrating the essence of various ancient and modern cultural heritages. 2. Nature of Work: As the prime objective of the Department is to render optimum mental healthcare services, we are fully dedicated to make our best efforts:
• To improve techniques for prevention and treatment of mental disorders,
• To engage in cultural exchanges,
• To excerpt the fundamentals of different cultures and
• To do research on various practices and experiential understanding.
3. Core Projects:
• To conduct literary research and compilation projects on subjects relevant to body, mind
and life in general and mental healthcare in particular from the perspectives of Buddhist
Psychology, Tibetan Medicines and Tibetan Astro-science.
• To organize international conference, courses and workshops on the theme of body, mind & life. • To improve physical and mental well-being through various practices including yoga and meditation. • To initiate spiritual activities pertaining to four rituals. These four primary projects comprise of over thirty sub-categories.
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Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute of H.H. the Dalai Lama Under the first project, three different books on life from the perspectives of Buddha’s Teachings and Commentaries, Great Compendium of Tibetan Medicines, Tibetan Astroscience and Kalachakra Traditions have been edited and published. This accomplishment is an outcome of four years of literature review and research work. Under the second project, a series of six conferences has been held so far and numerous subtopics on the theme of body, mind and life have been discussed by 71 guest speakers from the Perspectives of Tibetan Buddhist Psychology, Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Chinese Medicine, Tibetan Medicine (Sowa-Rigpa), Tibetan Astro-science, Modern Science and Yoga. The presentation books of each conference are available and also being published in Tibetan and English. We have been also organizing a series of 10 Day Mental Healthcare Service Course every year and the upcoming 10 Day Mental Healthcare Service Course to be held in July is the tenth of its own kind. Under the third project, in every mental health workshop, topics like mindfulness, yoga, compassion etc. which are secular in nature are covered by integrating theories and practices. A Research Project on the Subject of Mindfulness Meditation Practice in collaboration with the Research Department of Men-Tsee-Khang is also under process. To throw some light on the conference, it is the 7th Body, Mind and Life Conference. Since last year, it was resolved to convene the conference twice a year. Thus, the 5th Body, Mind and Life Conference which covered the topic: ‘Prevention of Mental Disorders’ was held in Dharamshala from 4 - 6 October 2017 and the 6th conference on the same topic was held in Mumbai from 22 23 November 2017 in collaboration with Somaiya Vidyavihar where experts from nine different perspectives were invited. At this time, it is a matter of immense pleasure as we collaborate with the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for this 7th Body Mind and Life Conference. The topic of this conference is entitled as ‘Treatment of Mental Disorders’ and we have presenters from nine different fields of knowledge which are Tibetan Buddhist Psychology, Ayurveda, Tibetan Medicine (Sowa-Rigpa), Unani Medicine, Siddha Medicine, Tibetan Astro-science, Homeopathy, Yoga. I am
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very hopeful and confident that the conference will bear fruitful result and contribute towards mental healthcare. Generally speaking, a number of mental disorders are chronic illnesses spread deep within the karmic tendency and genes of body and mind since many lifetimes and past generations. Hence, it is not easy to stop this progression. The time is ripe to disseminate any preventive measures and treatment methods that are available for safeguarding against the present condition that may worsen anytime. At this period of time, if we fail to introduce the available preventive measures to overcome this issue, things may become worse and lead this chronic sickness to spread more widely in the genes of the future generation and this will certainly be hard for them to treat. Thereby, keeping this in mind as the sole objective of the conference, I earnestly look forward to enlightening presentations blended with theoretical and practical knowledge for mental disorder treatment. Also an open mindedness and inclusive approach towards each other for a healthy and brainstorming dicussion throughout the conference is highly appreciated. From Body, Mind and Life Department, Men-Tsee-Khang 2 April 2018
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BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY PERSPECTIVE His Eminence Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche One of the ways some mental health problems can be tackled in a safe manner with no adverse effects is by using meditation. In this talk, Rinpoche speaks about how meditation based on the Buddhist tradition can be used to gain insight and then release the root cause of some mental health problems. He uses his own experience of suffering from panic disorder as a young child as an example. Despite having had this problem for several years, he explains how, whilst he was in the middle of a three-year Buddhist retreat himself as a teenager, he successfully dealt with this problem by himself, using the teachings he learnt from his meditation teachers during this time. He indicates we can make friends with some of our mental health problems first, and then use awareness and compassion to transform them on the path towards recognizing our own innate wisdom. He subsequently explains how this approach can also be successfully used for other mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression and some mental trauma.
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A Y U RV E D A M E D I C I N E P E R S P E C T I V E
Dr. Sakshi Raj Sharma Ayurveda, ayu (age) + veda (science) is the science of life that encompasses the mind, body and soul with health. Ayurveda stands by its definition of health, in which a healthy mind plays an important role. Being a holistic science, Ayurveda explores the symbiotic relationship among the mind, body, soul, the senses also called Manas, Sarira, Atma and Indriya respectively and their workings. The dynamics of these primary constituents govern the health of a person. Physical imbalances can disturb mental state while mental illness leads to disruption of body functions. Charaka Samhita and Ashtanga Hrudaya are the two important Classical texts in Ayurveda which describes treatment for mental imbalance. Manas or the physical mind is connected to three faculties called Dhi (intellect), Dhruti (processing information) and Smruti (memory). When there is lack of coordination in between, it leads to Manas Roga or Mental disorders. Thousand years back Ayurveda has separate branch to deal with Manasroga. This ancient medicine has become strong option of alternative treatment in present era for Mental disorders, because the absence of side effects. Ayurveda recommends traditional dietary and lifestyle habits along with yogic exercises and Specialized treatment such as Nidana parivarjana –avoiding causative factors, Shodhana therapies detoxification of body through Panchkarma, Supporting therapies- Sirodhara, Shirovasti, Shiro abhyangam, Mantra (sound therapy), Healing through 5 senses-shabda, sparsha, roopa, rasa, gandhaha. Second is Shamana therapy (oral medicine)with the strength of Ayurvedic Medhya Rasayana or herbal Drugs such as Bhrami, Shankpushpi etc. Ayurveda proved to be an alternative form of treatment, which not only includes treating the disorder – physical and psychological – but also bringing in a change in the lifestyle of the person to prevent future illnesses. An attempt would be made to project at one place the available Ayurvedic material on Mental Disorders and treatment of manovikara in an orderly manner which would be both easy to understand and rewarding in the field of treatment, by describing the definition of manas, its functions, qualities, concept of psychosomatics, classification of mental disorders, treatment of mental illness prevention of mental illnesses and other important aspects.
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SIDDHA MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE Dr. Kumaran.D. Siddha medicine which is one of the oldest system of medicines has its origin in South India. Plants, minerals, metals and animals are used to prepare the Siddha medicines. Various forms of medicines are used for therapeutic purpose. The ‘KirukaiNool 64′ of Agasthiar is the noteworthy book of Siddha medicine. The KirukaiNool describes about 18 psychiatric diseases. ‘The Karma’ or off-shoots or chronic diseases are mainly caused by man’s previous actions. Present life is guided by our karma. Siddhars believe that the mental abnormalities are caused by the evil karmas of the man or his/her ancestor’s karma. Another important reason is ‘Thrithosam’. If the Pitham is increased, the mental abnormalities occurr. Siddhars also believe that the abnormalities may occur due to sleeplessness and breaking of Varma points, traumatic disorders.
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UNANI MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE Dr. Aashar Qadeer The Greco Arab medicine is the one which is coined in South Asian Countries, India in particular, as Unani System of Medicine. This healing system is well known, just a click on Google revealed its distinctions. Greek philosopher-physician Hippocrates (b.460 BC), truly praised as the Father of medicine, was the man who established a medical system based on the Natural Cause of health and disease, and freed the healing art from superstition and magic. Later on another medical legend Claudius Galen (b.129) followed Hippocratic Corpus on medical science, because of its core concept of holistic approach towards health and disease. In the medieval period (500 to 1500 AD) Hippocratic medical science took a ground breaking lead over other medical system in practice. That was the time when Arab world was in command to analyze all the knowledge of the time and decide what the best was. In the process Greek medical science was selected for use and to work on. Avicenna of Persia (b.980) summarized leading medical science of the time so beautifully in his book ‘Canon of Medicine’, it was described as the Medical Bible. The Canon of Medicine describes the human profile in three folds viz. 1) Anatomical, 2) Physiological and 3) Psychological. There are ten parameters to make a distinction of one person to another; the last parameter is the mental state. The mental state is duly responsible to place the profile of a person in a class. The mental state slowly but surely comes under effect of the society, a non essential but co-efficient cause comes under the natural cause of the survival. This doctrine of human profile was further confirmed by the definition of the health, set by W.H.O.: “Heath is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity” How the mental illness is connected with the society and can seriously impair, temporarily or permanently, the mental functioning of a person, extent to misbehave with others and how it could be handled through the modes of treatment mentioned in Unani Systemof Medicine with a modification in respect to the applied is the theme of this paper.
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T I B E TA N M E D I C I N E P E R S P E C T I V E Dr. Tenzin Choying In this fast paced modern world, when human needs are surpassing human values, happiness and sense of contentment, everyone is seeking for a healing system that can bring a halt to this race and lit a light of hope and mental peace. Therefore we are witnessing a grand comeback of the traditional healing systems in the global platform. Traditional Tibetan Medicine plays a pivotal role in the treatment of mental disorders. Why? It is because of its holistic approach towards the attainment of a healthy body with healthy mind. Mental afflictions give rise to the three nyepa that in a balanced state helps in the proper development of the body, and in an imbalanced state causes diseases. From the day one of the conception starts the complementing journey of Body and Mind. These two though being distinct are interwoven in such a way that these become inseparable and complement each other. In the course of treating mental disorders with Tibetan Medicine, the prime focus is given at correcting loong imbalance while taking into account other relevant factors too. The relationship between loong and mind is often in simple terms exemplified with the relationship between a horse (loong) and a rider (mind); a chariot and a charioteer, or a blind man accompanied by a lame man. Such is the bond between the two that disturbance in one affects the other too. Tibetan Medicine offers four types of remedies: diet, lifestyle, medicine, and external therapy, which are employed based on the nature of the disorder. It also emphasizes on the ethics of a physician or Menpa [which literally means to benefit] as the physician plays an instrumental role in healing a patient physically, mentally and emotionally. Hence every Tibetan Medical Practitioner draws inspiration from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is an embodiment of the Most Compassionate Healer in the world.
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WESTERN MEDICAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE Dr. Alok Sarin The complex domain that is called mental disorders actually encompasses a wide variety of difficulties. These may range from the stresses and strains of dealing with life and the world, to tendencies to anxiety or depression that are best considered parts of personality structure, to what are considered mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It has been believed that some of these difficulties will have their causation in real life difficulty, some will be caused by habits and patterns of behaviour, and some by actual neuro-transmitter imbalance. As we understand more about the world, about individuals and about how individuals deal with the world, what becomes clear is that none of these boundaries are as rigid or impermeable as we once thought. So, real life difficulties are more difficult to deal with if one is prone to anxious patterns of thought, and a vulnerability to neurochemical imbalance can be triggered of by stress. It is in the light of these understandings that more complete or holistic paradigms are important, and it is necessary for these paradigms to incorporate the scientific, the medical, the personal and the philosophical threads in as meaningful and relevant a manner as possible. As medical discourse moves from a position of paternalistic authority to become more inclusive of the personal autonomies of choice, and to look at various other therapeutic interventions like mindfulness, the challenge before medicine is how to be aware of new and different realities without necessarily abandoning the doctrine of scientific thought that medicine is hopefully built upon. As discourses in medicine negotiate these challenges, it is to be hoped that medical intervention becomes both more empathetic and effective at the same time. So, while medication has long spoken of what is called the multi-factorial aetiology of disease, it is to be hoped that a more nuanced understanding of these issues can help medical discourse produce better scientists and doctors.
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T I B E TA N A S T R O - S C I E N C E P E R S P E C T I V E T.A.S.P. Tenzin Loden At this time and age, the rise in mental disorders is on quite an alarming rate, yet the interest and attention it has gained is pretty much inversely proportional. Before setting into the treatment aspects, it is most essential to understand the complexity part of the subject. Tibetan Astro-Science takes the Buddhist idea that every entity is a composite result of five elements. In its exclusive terms, all disorders are said to be caused by 1) Disturbances in five elements, 2) Decline in five elements, 3) Discursive thoughts and 4) Evil spirits.
In the context of ‘Mental Disorders’, discursive thoughts take the central role and in the
treatment measure, the idea is to cut down the amount of it. On a more practical ground, we take into consideration the birth details to understand each individual and forecast things into language that remains much exclusive to Tibetan Astro-science realms. Yet on a more subtle level, the effort is to end up balancing the elements. The treatments are much individualistic, just as Desi Sangey Gyatso Rinpoche beautifully summed: “How can saying everything end up being beneficial, Rather do employ the arrow of your mind.”
The effort will be to do a presentation that will aspire to click with general audience yet
draw from the arcane pages of Tibetan Astro-Science.
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H O M E O P AT H I C M E D I C I N E P E R S P E C T I V E Dr. Mahendra Pal Kumar Mental health is a major concern worldwide including India. It is an integral part of health and is more than the absence of mental illnesses. It refers to a broad array of activities directly or indirectly related to the mental well-being, prevention of mental disorders, and treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by mental disorders.The burden of mental disorders is likely to have been underestimated because of inadequate appreciation of the inter-play between mental illness and other health disorders. In India, World Health Organisation estimates that the burden of mental health problems is of the tune of 2,443 DALYs per 100,000 population, and the age-adjusted suicide rate per 100,000 population is 21.1.Homoeopathy system of medicine is more effective in the treatment of mental disorders. Principle of Homeopathy, the science of therapeutics, views man as a related BODY-MIND-SOUL entity. It has a holistic approach towards diseases and considered the Mental diseases are the one sided chronic diseases of psoric origin affecting whole psychosomatic entity. In the ORGANON OF MEDICINE, DR.HahnemannFounder of Homoeopathy classified mental diseases into the four groups. Selection of the most similimum Homoeopathy Medicine is utmost important for the treatment. Case taking, analysis and evaluation of Symptom, repertorisation, miasmatic diagnosis are the key role to play for the selection of most similimum Homoeopathic Medicine. Lastly selection of Potency and review of the patient cannot be ignored to achieve the best result.
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YOGA THERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVE Dr. Ramesh Bijlani Understanding the role of yoga in the prevention and management of mental disorders needs going beyond the popular tendency to treat yoga as a set of physical practices such as asanas and pranayamas. While the dynamic practice of yogasanas can contribute to the treatment of depression, a broader view of yoga as well as mental illnesses puts the subject in the proper perspective. Starting from the top, achieving the union of the body, mind and spirit, which is the goal of yoga, fills life with peace, joy and fulfillment, and these highly positive psychological attributes become independent of external events and circumstances. That is prevention of mental disorders at it best. At the next level, stress can be managed through cognitive restructuring. Cognitive restructuring based on yoga goes beyond using logic to make the client see something positive in the situation. Even when there is nothing else that is logically positive in the situation, there is at least one thing positive from the yogic standpoint: every situation, without exception, is an opportunity for spiritual growth. To this psycho-spiritual approach may be added a few practices such as relaxing asanas and pranayamas, and meditation. Finally, yoga can help best a basically mentally healthy person finding it difficult to cope with a tough phase of life, and having symptoms such as anxiety, excessive anger, depression, headache, panic attacks or insomnia. In mental illnesses having a biological basis in a deranged neurotransmitter profile, such as endogenous depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, yoga cannot be a substitute for drug therapy, although its judicious use can improve the outcome of drug treatment.
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S PEAKERS
H IS E MIN E N C E Y ONGEY MI NGYUR RI NPOCHE
He is a teacher and master of the Karma Kagyu lineage and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. He has authored three best-selling books, including the New York Times best-selling book “The Joy of Living�, as well as Joyful Wisdom and Turning Confusion into clarity and oversees the Tergar Meditation Community, a global network of Buddhism Meditation Centres. At the age of eleven, Rinpoche began studies at Sherab Ling Monastery in Northern India, the seat of Tai Situ Rinpoche. Two years later, Mingyur Rinpoche began a traditional three-year retreat at Sherab Ling, subsequently becoming appointed by his teacher at age 17 to be one of the youngest retreat masters in the history of Tibetan Buddhism. In June 2011, Mingyur Rinpoche left his monastery in Bodhgaya in the middle of the night taking nothing with him, but leaving a farewell letter, in order to begin a period of extended retreat as a wandering yogi. He returned more than four years later in 2015 and today continues to teach meditation throughout the world.
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Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute of H.H. the Dalai Lama
D R . R AMESH BI JLANI
Dr Ramesh Bijlani is a medical doctor, scientist, writer, inspirational speaker and spiritual seeker, and above all a person committed to using his unique blend of talents for touching the hearts and lives of his fellow beings. He spent nearly 30 years on the faculty of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, where he did research on nutrition, and in the year 2000 went on to establish a patient care facility for providing lifestyle modification courses based on yoga for prevention and management of chronic disease. He took voluntary retirement in the year 2005 to find more time for dissemination of yoga. He has written 17 books, including Back to Health through Yoga (Rupa, 2008) and A Primer on Yoga (NBT, 2015). He has posted more than 250 blogs on the spiritual networking site, Speaking Tree. He has been living and working at Sri Aurobindo Ashram – Delhi Branch since 2007, where he gives talks, conducts spiritual retreats and yoga courses, and continues to write. D R . ALOK SARI N Dr. Alok Sarin, M.B.B.S, & M.D. (Psychiatry), is a practicing clinical psychiatrist in New Delhi, with an active interest in medicine, psychiatry, ethics, society, history and literature. He has been in active clinical practice since 1985, and is currently attached as an Honorary Consultant to the Sitaram Bhartia Institute, New Delhi. He has been active in various Non Governmental Organisations
including the Richmond Fellowship Society and the Chittaprakasha Charitable
Trust.
He is the founder and moderator of the psychiatry mailing list, Indian_Psychiatry@yahoogroups. com, the first e-community for Indian psychiatrists. He has been the recipient of the Senior Fellowship by the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, for research on the mental health aspects of history. He has also been involved in a project in continuation
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of this, funded by the Wellcome Trust. He is the conceptualiser of the Canvas Askew, a public forum for addressal of mental health and illness issues. This is a series of talks and discussions on various aspects of psychiatry that is now in its seventh year, and has become a popular platform for public debate on mental health. He has been a member of the Task Force on Mental Health Policy set up by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that was responsible for the National Mental Health Policy. His current areas of interest and publication are the history of psychiatry in India and the psychological impact of communal conflict focusing on the Partition of India.
D R . TENZI N CHOYI NG Born in 1982 and an alumna of Central School for Tibetans Darjeeling, Dr. Tenzin Choying graduated from Delhi University in 2003 with an honors degree in Political Science. Following in the footsteps of her father (Late) Dr. Pema Dorjee and mother Dr. Y.K. Dorjee, she joined the Tibetan Medical & Astro. College of Men-tsee-khang in 2003, and successfully graduated in 2009. After graduation, Dr. Choying was selected and placed at the Translation Department of Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute, Dharamsala. She was actively involved in the English translation of the fundamental Tibetan Medical text “Gyue shhi: the Four Tantras” for over eight years. Currently, she is serving at the Body, Mind and Life Department of the institution. As a Tibetan Medicine speaker and Health consultant, she has represented Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute on various outreach tours at Japan, Singapore, USA, and Canada. She has served as the English interpreter to the Tibetan Medicine Scholars during the 4th Body, Mind & Life Conference held in Dharamsala. On the personal front, she has assisted her father Dr. Pema Dorjee, the author of the book “The Spiritual Medicine of Tibet” in many translation books, and also gained clinical experiences from her parents.
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T.A .S.P. TENZI N LODEN Tenzin Loden did his schooling from Tibetan Children’s Village with major in Science and Mathematics. He also served the school as a volunteer teacher for 5 months after his graduation. He then joined Tibetan Medical and Astro.College where he studied Tibetan AstroScience for five years and did one-year internship under the guidance of senior astrologers at the Astro.Department. With his appointment as lecturer of Tibetan Astro-Science in March 2014, he has been teaching regularly at the College till date. Besides teaching, he has served as interpreter at international conferences for Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan Astro-Science scholars and also translated for Khyentse Foundation Leadership and Management Workshop several times. Since 2006, he has been active with PeaceJam Foundation, a non-profit working closely with Nobel Peace Laureates. He has also led workshops titled: ‘Ancient Wisdom, Modern Lifestyle’ at PeaceJam Conferences held in New Delhi and WCS University, USA. D R . MA H E NDRA KUMAR PAL Dr. Mahendra Kumar Pal belong to Vill- Hariharganj, Rohtas District of Bihar, where he did his preliminary education. He completed graduation in Homoeopathy from the R.B.T.S. Govt. Homoeopathic Medical college & Hospital, in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Subsequently, he studied MD (Homeopathy) in the Practice of Medicine speciality from the University of Delhi. Currently, he is serving as the Research Officer at the Ministry of AYUSH. His primary goal is to serve for the promotion, propagation , development and betterment of Homoeopathic medicine.
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D R . S A KSHI RAJ SHARMA Dr. Sakshi Sharma is MD Ayurveda from Mumbai University. She is a keen researcher, academician and renowned physician. She has 17 years of experience in academics and research. She has worked variously in different capabilities of teaching at CDL college of Ayurveda, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana & as Associate Professor in CBPAC Sansthan under the govt. of NCT, Delhi. At present she is working as Reasearch Officer (Ay.) in Central Ayurveda Research Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, New Delhi under Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences under Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India. She has a booklet and number of publications to her credit in many national and international science journals. She has vast research experience and handled eight research projects under IMR and RFD as Principal investigator and Co-investigator. At present she is investigator in Collaborative project “Role of Rasayana in Healthy Ageing” with AIIMS, New Delhi and Principal investigator in “Prakriti project” under IMR. She has presented scientific research paper in various national and international conferences and seminars as an invited speaker. She has attended three months training program for Indian scientist Sponsored by DST Govt. of India, at Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi and got outstanding paper award on 28th Jan 2010. She has visited Japan in 2012 as one of the member of scientific delegation from different fields sponsored by DST (Dept. of Science and technology), Govt. of India.
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Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute of H.H. the Dalai Lama
D R . KUMARAN. D. Dr. Kumaran. D., an alumnus of the Govt. Siddha Medical College, has 10 years of experience in different spheres of Indian Systems of Medicine including clinical,training, regulatory and policy matters. Dr. Kumaran. D. is a Research Officer (Siddha) in Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi.The Ministry of AYUSH was formed in 2014 to ensure optimal development and propagation of AYUSH systems of health care. Dr. Kumaran focuses on treating lifestyle disorders like Diabetes, Arthritis, Bronchial Asthma and Skin diseases through Siddha system of Medicine. Providing technical inputs in respect of Siddha Medical Education, Colleges and Research. He dealt with policy related matters of Govt. of India in respect of Siddha Medical Education and Colleges where he also delivered lectures.
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5th Conference on Body, Mind and Life, 2017 A still from a session of 5th Body, Mind and Life Conference
6th Conference on Body, Mind and Life, 2017 A still from a session of 6th Body, Mind and Life Conference
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Speakers and participants of 10 Day Course on Mental Healthcare Services, 2017 with the General Secretary of Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute of H.H. the Dalai Lama.
A still from Tibetan Medical session during the 10 Day Course on Mental Healthcare Services, 2017
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CLOSING CEREMONY Tuesday / 3 April, 2018 (4:15 PM onwards)
1. 4:30 PM: The arrival of Closing Ceremony Chief Guest. 2. The Chief Guest to present Souvenirs to the speakers. 3. Two representatives from the participants to give feedback on the conference. 4. Conclusion speech to be given by Mr. Rajiv Mehrotra, the Honorary Secretary / Trustee of the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of H.H. the Dalai Lama. 5. The Chief Guest to address the gathering. 6. Thank you note by the Body, Mind and Life Department. 7. Men-Tsee Tengye Monlam (Prayer for World Peace and Prosperity of Tibetan Medicine and Tibetan Astro-science) to be chanted.
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STAFF MEMBERS OF BODY, MIND & LIFE DEPARTMENT, 2018 From right to left: Mr. Tenzin Desel (Office Secretary), Dr. Tenzin Choying, Geshe Tenpa Tashi (Dept Head), T.A.S.P. Tenzin Nandak , Mr. Kunkyab Pasang Ngoche (Translator).
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CopyrightŠ2018: Men-Tsee-Khang Published by: Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute of H.H. the Dalai Lama) Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala-176215 Distt. Kangra (H.P.) INDIA Tel: 0091-1892-223113/223222 Fax: 91-1892-224116 Email : bodymindlife@men-tsee-khang.org Website: www.men-tsee-khang.org (English) www.mentsee.org (Tibetan) www.men-tsee-khang-cn.org (Chinese)
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