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The other day a good friend of mine posted a picture of an Airbus A380 taking off from SFO on his Facebook page. Call me odd, but in a way this image reminded me of the future of health care in America and, for that matter, around the world.
I’ll get to health care in a minute. First, a word about the A380.
For those of you unfamiliar with this remarkable feat of engineering, the A380 is the world’s largest passenger plane. With nearly 50 percent more floor space than its next largest competitor – the Boeing 747 – it can carry between 525 and 853 passengers up to 9,400 miles at a cruising speed of 560 miles per hour. A hundred, 50, even 25 years ago few, if any, would have thought this possible.
The same holds true for advances in health care. What was once thought impossible – perhaps even crazy – is slowly but surely becoming the norm.
Esteemed mind-body physician, Dr. Larry Dossey, describes this evolution in terms of three distinct “Eras” of medicine. Era 1 medicine began in the mid-1800’s, when patients were treated like so many mindless machines. Era 2, which began in the mid-1900’s, ushered in the now widely accepted view that the human mind has at least some bearing on one’s health. Era 3 is the future of medicine, a time when consciousness will be seen as central to the understanding of the universe and the mental nature of health.
Those living here in the Bay Area don’t have to look very far to find quite a number of people who would readily agree with Dr. Dossey’s prediction.
Take, for instance, the Institute of Noetic Sciences in Petaluma. Since 1973 these folks have been engaged in cutting-edge research that explores the potentials and powers of consciousness, including its impact on health.
There’s also U.C. San Francisco's Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. Although their work encompasses more than just consciousness-based medicine, their focus is on patients seeking “a healing-oriented approach to healthcare.” This includes various psychotherapy and Ayurvedic or “mind-body-spirit” services.
And then there’s Saybrook University, the only school in the country offering advanced degrees in mind-body medicine.
To me this commitment to Era 3 medicine is exciting. More than that, it’s beginning to have a very real impact on the world of health care at a time when increasing numbers of people are looking for an alternative to conventional medicine.
Whether their current approach to health care is less than satisfying or they’re interested in exploring an alternative to predominantly drug-based treatments – there’s a growing public demand for health care that’s above and beyond what many – at least at one time – thought possible.
Kind of like the A380.
Just how soon – or if – Era 3 medicine will take center-stage, no one knows for sure. What is certain is that at least some individuals looking for a safe, effective, and reliable approach to health care – myself included – are finding that Era 3 is where it’s at.
Now, if I could just find a way to post a picture of this on Facebook…
© The Bay Citizen, 2012
Eric Nelson
Initial comment...
Jim Herd
About that aircraft, 100 years ago, sure, few would have thought possible, but 50 years ago is a different story, designs were around.
Boeing could have made a similar-sized or larger full double-decker 747 back in the 1960's but chose not to because it probably wouldn't have made money. The A380 isn't making money for Airbus and, most likely, never will. It's a sort of European jobs program for aviation workers...
Shawn Tassone
As a physician who is currently in the flagship class in Mind-Body Medicine at Saybrook and working with Larry Dossey, MD on my dissertation I applaud you for this artile and for recognizing the flight of the alternative medicine movement. i feel as though we are flying under the radar which would be difficult for an Airbus, but hoefully Era III medicine is approaching the landingstrip and soon to be recognized on a national level
Shawn Tassone,MD
Eric Nelson
Thanks for your response Shawn. Funny you should mention Saybrook since a post from the "Saybrook Forum" is going to be showing up as an "Other Voices" post on my blog this Thursday. Small world. I'm also planning on getting together with Dr. Moss when he's in town... Marilyn Schlitz from Noetic suggested I get in contact. Perhaps you and I will meet someday... would love to hear more of your thoughts re. mind-body medicine.
Shawn Tassone
Don Moss is awesome and one of the main reasons the MBM program is in existence. I will be coming to SF August 27-31 for our MBM conference. You should come to our conference and meet the inagugural class that started in 2009 and hear about all the work we are doing. I could also meet up with you if you have the time.
Eric Nelson
Is it possible for an "outsider" like me to come to the conference, or at least part of it? It would be great to meet up with you. Let's connect via email. I can be reached at californian@compub.org.
Kari Allen
I have studied a little bit of Dossey's work as well, and I appreciated the demarcations he drew in the health care eras. As a fellow Saybrook student, I am excited to witness the growth of mind body methods in our system of health care, though I am not without concern. Just as the practice of Yoga has been diluted in many ways to be acceptable to mainstream expectations, and to fit into fitness studios and such, I am somewhat concerned that the same possibilities exist for the mind body methods as they find their way into health care systems, and into the hands of untrained, minimally educated and/or unaware health care workers.
I am currently contracted with a Psychiatrist, Dr. Paul Copeland in West Sacramento, California as a Mind-Body Counselor who studied under the great yogi Sri T. Krishnamacharya, one of India's best known authorities on yoga. Dr. Copeland reminds me of the value of health care "off the beaten path", and has shared on occasion the profound impact organic discovery can have in the healing process. With that said, it is important that as interest increases in the healing practices of mind body methods, and it is assimilated into health care that knowledgeable mind body health providers protect the integrity of the healing traditions by practicing what it is that we represent in the first place; mindfulness in healing.
I will too, be at the conference my fellow student Shawn Tassone mentioned at the end of this month. I second Dr. Tassone's recommendation to speak with Dr. Don Moss. He is an exceptional writer and thinker on this subject who embodies a presence of excellence in this field.
Kari Allen, CAS-I
MS, Saybrook University
Kari Allen
I have studied a little bit of Dossey's work as well, and I appreciated the demarcations he drew in the health care eras. As a fellow Saybrook student, I am excited to witness the growth of mind body methods in our system of health care, though I am not without concern. Just as the practice of Yoga has been diluted in many ways to be acceptable to mainstream expectations, and to fit into fitness studios and such, I am somewhat concerned that the same possibilities exist for the mind body methods as they find their way into health care systems, and into the hands of untrained, minimally educated and/or unaware health care workers.
I am currently contracted with a Psychiatrist, Dr. Paul Copeland in West Sacramento, California as a Mind-Body Counselor who studied under the great yogi Sri T. Krishnamacharya, one of India's best known authorities on yoga. Dr. Copeland reminds me of the value of health care "off the beaten path", and has shared on occasion the profound impact organic discovery can have in the healing process. With that said, it is important that as interest increases in the healing practices of mind body methods, and it is assimilated into health care that knowledgeable mind body health providers protect the integrity of the healing traditions by practicing what it is that we represent in the first place; mindfulness in healing.
I will too, be at the conference my fellow student Shawn Tassone mentioned at the end of this month. I second Dr. Tassone's recommendation to speak with Dr. Don Moss. He is an exceptional writer and thinker on this subject who embodies a presence of excellence in this field.
Kari Allen, CAS-I
MS, Saybrook University
Kari Allen
I have studied a little bit of Dossey's work as well, and I appreciated the demarcations he drew in the health care eras. As a fellow Saybrook student, I am excited to witness the growth of mind body methods in our system of health care, though I am not without concern. Just as the practice of Yoga has been diluted in many ways to be acceptable to mainstream expectations, and to fit into fitness studios and such, I am somewhat concerned that the same possibilities exist for the mind body methods as they find their way into health care systems, and into the hands of untrained, minimally educated and/or unaware health care workers.
I am currently contracted with a Psychiatrist, Dr. Paul Copeland in West Sacramento, California as a Mind-Body Counselor who studied under the great yogi Sri T. Krishnamacharya, one of India's best known authorities on yoga. Dr. Copeland reminds me of the value of health care "off the beaten path", and has shared on occasion the profound impact organic discovery can have in the healing process. With that said, it is important that as interest increases in the healing practices of mind body methods, and it is assimilated into health care that knowledgeable mind body health providers protect the integrity of the healing traditions by practicing what it is that we represent in the first place; mindfulness in healing.
I will too, be at the conference my fellow student Shawn Tassone mentioned at the end of this month. I second Dr. Tassone's recommendation to speak with Dr. Don Moss. He is an exceptional writer and thinker on this subject who embodies a presence of excellence in this field.
Kari Allen, CAS-I
MS, Saybrook University
Eric Nelson
Hello Kari,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments. I look forward to possibly attending the conference... at the least, having some conversations with the likes of Drs. Moss and Tassone. Perhaps you and I will have a chance to meet as well. Actually... I'm heading out to the Sacramento area at the end of this month. Maybe we could have coffee. Best way to reach me is via email at californian@compub.org.