Hello Medicine (long)

[Guest guest]

UnbrknCh8n wrote:

>

> Whew! You've said a lot. I too believe that people need to take

> responsibility for their own lives. However, I believe that for some

> people, more help is needed than just honoring their inner Teacher (and

> it can be very healthy--and take tremendous courage--for a person to

> realize that recovery may not be possible by going it alone and ask for help).

>

> The way see it, I can be *a part* of some people's process. When I feel I am

> truly doing my job, I feel part of the dance of the universe. When I turn my

> life and will over to the care of my Higher Power, I am doing God's will on

> the job, and sometimes this involves the prescription of medications.

>

> As for people needing the pain they are feeling for growth (or to resolve

> their karma), perhaps that is so. Much has been written over the ages about

> "the dark night of the soul." I know that for my own spiritual journey it

> was necessary for me to go through the pain of alcoholism and drug addiction

> (as

> well as the experience of severe suicidal depression) for my own process of

> spiritual growth. I am now grateful for those experiences.

>

> However, I am not willing to sentence others to *my* hell just because it

> was necessary for me. I am not willing to let a person suffer from a

> possibly

> treatable illness just because I may believe that their pain is necessary for

> their growth (and I would have a hard time dealing with the inevitable

> suicides which could result).

>

> There are some people who don't respond to medications (and perhaps these

> are the people who need the extra pain). I have a woman in the hospital now

> who has not responded to over one year of aggressive medication/psychotherapy

> treatment (she has been depressed since her son suicided). I believe that

> the

> pain and depression she has been going through have likely been necessary for

> her recovery and emotional/spiritual growth. (and during the entire time I

> have treated her, I have stressed to her the importance of deepening her

> spiritual life in recovering from her depression)

>

> Most of the medications I prescribe either help a chemical imbalance, or

> they

> don't. If they don't, they don't do anything. They aren't "feel-good"

> pills-- if

> there isn't a chemical imbalance they don't do anything. They certainly don't

> produce euphoria (I know... I've tried them ;-)

>

> When I look back on my life I see that I have gotten to where I am (a private

> practice psychiatrist) very much in spite of myself. Life has guided me to

> where I am now and I have to believe it is for a reason. When I treat my

> patients I do my best to calm my mind and come from within when making

> decisions regarding treatment. Sometimes the answer that comes is to use

> medications. I have to trust that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing

> (and often prescribing medication is what feels intrinsically right to me).

>

> This is an issue about which people tend to feel strongly. I completely

> respect that. I have a harder time, however, accepting those who profess

> to others what paths or treatments are "right," or "wrong," or beneficial.

> I realize that this is an issue which *I* need to continue to work on,

> especially since my chosen career can put me in the role of answering

> these very questions. Regardless, Bo, I can feel in your posts a true caring

> for and compassion towards others, and although our opinions may differ,

> we are very much alike in that sentiment.

>

> Namasté, my friend-

>

> Mike

 

Hi Mike, you are a total gift to this list! You are most profoundly aware of the

turbulent nature of events in consciousness and the pain they can cause. You

combine your professional responsibilities and spirituality in a beautiful and

compassionate way. Your tolerance of differences in opinion is a great teaching

for us. How did you find us?

 

Lots of love and hugs brother

Harsha