I have spent several weekends over the past couple of years holed up in a classroom with 25 other people dissecting the mysteries of homeopathic medicine. I have used and studied homeopathy for almost 20 years and am continually inspired and encouraged by the depth of its healing potential.
Our teachers, Drs. Amy Rothenberg and Paul Herscu of the New England School of Homeopathy, regularly shepherd groups of budding homeopaths – experienced doctors, naturopaths, nurses and veterinarians as well as housewives and computer engineers with an interest in healing – through an in-depth two year course of study. We learned philosophy, theory, and how to take and manage cases. We studied how to treat men, women, babies, children and teens, patients suffering from depression, autism spectrum disorders,anxiety and trauma. We looked at cases ranging from neurological and cardiovascular issues to hemorrhoids and head injuries, and studied flu epidemics and vaccines.
The simple definition of homeopathy – a form of medicine developed 200 years ago using small amounts of natural substances to jumpstart the immune system to heal itself – does not do justice to the potential of homeopathy’s healing power. A well chosen remedy can gently bring a person back into balance, healing at the mental and emotional levels as well as the physical, going far beyond the ear infection or flu that brought the patient into the doctor’s office.
As homeopaths we are trained to decipher exactly how an individual responds to and interacts with the world, and find the remedy that exactly matches that person. Life is full of stresses, whether it is a virus or an injury or an angry boss, and we each react differently. There is no right or wrong way to react to those strains, and my homeopathic studies have given me a deep tolerance for our many differences. Homeopathy is fundamentally the study of the many facets of human nature, and it has helped me develop a well of compassion for my fellow travellers through life.
At our last class weekend our teachers hosted a farewell dinner at their house, and a wonderful gathering it was: twenty six very different individuals who have come together through an interest in healing and a shared experience of learning together, eating good food and celebrating. I was touched by our teachers’ words as they spoke to us before distributing our diplomas, aware of the overwhelming amount of information we are trying to assimilate and the sense of responsibility we feel towards our patients. Mindful of our nervousness at being “launched”, they reminded us that what we can offer each patient who comes to us will shift that person’s life towards health in some way, small or large, and that we will spread healing one patient at a time. Looking around the room at my fellow classmates, I was uplifted to think of the healing that will come from this group, and so excited that I will be contributing, one patient at a time.
Dear Ellen, that was such a pleasure to read, and so close to what i felt too! Thank you for finding just the right words!
As the recipient of your homeopathy talents many times over the years, congratulations and thank you!
Nicely said, Ellen. I am still sad it is over even though we only met once every other month. Hope to see you soon.
I look forward to connecting sometime soon – we will have to have a Boston area meet-up!