I had similar thoughts after I did an Ayurveda retreat in Nepal earlier this year, and noticed a difference re: some of the issues I was having. There’s a lot of non-validated theories that still give me pause, but also a lot of wisdom there and a much healthier approach to treating the whole system that I hope we can learn from. The best way to treat people is using both schools of knowledge.
Thanks for reading! Did you write about your Ayuverda retreat too, Zefan? Also i think you’re right, it’s important to have your own discernment. But I think there are a lot of western medicines and treatments that are also on weak foundations/research that we accept when we shouldn’t. Or modern inventions that sound good but aren’t really an improvement or cause other issues— which if you think about it is the same idea as a spiritual solution that “sounds nice”
This is a topic that kind of confounded me. With a Chinese heritage, I've been well acquainted with Qi, Yin Yang and so on, and I never question the wisdom of my elders or ancestors ... until I started to learn more about science. Sure, there some things that got a bit mix up through verbal teachings, but I do believe in some of the more formal east medicine. But having the west-influenced science education and now married to a western bio engineer, you can see how often I am reminded that anything not well peer reviewed or studied or researched cannot be trusted. I have since put myself on the spot to say I am skeptical about everything, but I am willing to be open to learn about everything too. My husband often said (regarding approved medicine for example) that my skepticism stem from my lack of understanding of it. I guess this applies too to our alternative medicine or the easy medicines, right? Ok hold that thought, I have to go argue with him again now 😂
I had similar thoughts after I did an Ayurveda retreat in Nepal earlier this year, and noticed a difference re: some of the issues I was having. There’s a lot of non-validated theories that still give me pause, but also a lot of wisdom there and a much healthier approach to treating the whole system that I hope we can learn from. The best way to treat people is using both schools of knowledge.
Thanks for reading! Did you write about your Ayuverda retreat too, Zefan? Also i think you’re right, it’s important to have your own discernment. But I think there are a lot of western medicines and treatments that are also on weak foundations/research that we accept when we shouldn’t. Or modern inventions that sound good but aren’t really an improvement or cause other issues— which if you think about it is the same idea as a spiritual solution that “sounds nice”
Fair point about western medicine lacking that foundation at times, too. I’ll be thinking more about that. Appreciated this read!
And yes! 😊 I wrote about it here: https://open.substack.com/pub/verylost/p/what-to-believe-in?r=25xpbu&utm_medium=ios
This is a topic that kind of confounded me. With a Chinese heritage, I've been well acquainted with Qi, Yin Yang and so on, and I never question the wisdom of my elders or ancestors ... until I started to learn more about science. Sure, there some things that got a bit mix up through verbal teachings, but I do believe in some of the more formal east medicine. But having the west-influenced science education and now married to a western bio engineer, you can see how often I am reminded that anything not well peer reviewed or studied or researched cannot be trusted. I have since put myself on the spot to say I am skeptical about everything, but I am willing to be open to learn about everything too. My husband often said (regarding approved medicine for example) that my skepticism stem from my lack of understanding of it. I guess this applies too to our alternative medicine or the easy medicines, right? Ok hold that thought, I have to go argue with him again now 😂