An Integral View of Health (5) An Experiential Approach

This is the Integral view of health as we understand it. It is less of a conceptual and more an experiential view. Its justification lies not so much in the discoveries of modern science but in the sheer mass of empirical evidence accumulated over the centuries since man first began to walk on earth and lift his head to the sun. The experience has been verified throughout the ages by men and women of all races, education and culture. It is naturally enough understood that when one uses terms like psychic being, or higher levels of energies one is likely to locate them in the body and hence identify physically. But this is not so. The Integral view does not limit itself to the assumption that matter is the sole reality. The limitations of this view lie in the limitations of the human instruments of sensory experience and narrow logic. We shall attempt to expand this model in subsequent issues but doing so carries the risk of reducing it into a rigid formula. That is why only broad outlines are presented. The rest is to be filled up by each according to his individual need and turn of nature. The subscribers to these views may be few because the mind of humanity is still conditioned by the physical discoveries of science.

Thus we find ourselves far removed from the traditional view of health and body as well as psychological fitness. To discover health one has to discover its source. The need for health and immortality arises from our soul of which we are usually not conscious. The first step then toward a healthy living is to discover this secret soul in us. Next, we have to take each and every activity of our physical-nervous-mental being as an opportunity for linking up the outer instruments to the soul. Depending upon our present need and turn of nature one can take up one or the other of these to prepare and discipline oneself in the ‘right’ direction and with ‘right’ attitude. Gradually, the whole of life has to become a field of action and work of this kind. Finally, with the aid of the psychic one has to develop an increasing receptivity to higher and higher levels of being till finally, one touches the Truth-Substance. It is then that health will be spontaneous and immunity from illness automatic and total.