Editorial
by Richard Pitt & Premananda Childs
There is always tension in any living system. This tension is created by the momentum of change implicit in any situation in which change is inevitable. As all things are connected and therefore everything affects everything else (is there much dispute here outside the last corridors of 19th century reductionism!!), all theories, systems and people are subject to these forces. This is found in all philosophical, scientific, social, cultural and political systems. In order to try and get a handle on this complex dynamic there is a constant effort to understand what is going on, to attempt to create order from apparent chaos (a hopeless yet important task in figuring out what it’s all about). The amount of energy given to this endeavor found in many “systems of thinking” throughout human history is extraordinary. Homeopathy is but one system, applying a law of cure and a knowledge of nature’s healing power as a model of healing. In so doing, it is seeking to understand enough about the human condition in order to find a “simile” in nature that can help create greater adaptability and health.
Provings, Phenomena and Practice: The Evolution of Homeopathic Knowledge
by Richard Pitt, CCH
Knowledge of medicines - as taken from Hahnemann’s 3rd aphorism - is a key in our development as homeopaths. The evolution of our materia medica is perhaps the clearest example of how our knowledge has evolved in the last 100 hundred years. From 80 remedies in Hahnemann’s and Boeninghausen’s time, to 200 remedies by the time Hering practiced, to today’s total hovering between 2,000 – 3,000 remedies, this is a key area in which homeopathic knowledge has grown. However, the quantity of information does not always relate to quality. One of the main tasks we face as practitioners is navigating our way through this sea of information and hopefully finding some solid ground to prescribe on. As classical homeopaths, we mostly agree with the fundamentals of homeopathic philosophy laid down by Hahnemann – one remedy, minimum dose, the whole person, integrating mind and body – this we know and we hold true, yet when concerning the knowledge of medicines, we have seen a wide divergence in thinking and practice. Exploring the reasons for this development reveals interesting things about homeopathy and each of our contribution to its evolution.
Systems of Homeopathic Thinking - The challenges of teaching homeopathy today
by Jo Daly, CCH
Having been teaching homeopathy and designing curricula for almost 20 years, I have had the valuable opportunity to work with and observe students in a number of schools in North America and the UK. One of my passions has been to understand the needs of homeopathic students and to adjust the content and style of curricula to meet their needs as prospective practitioners of the healing art.
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The teaching of homeopathy in the United States today is a random, uncontrolled event not dissimilar to the Wild West and despite the efforts of the CHC and CHE to bring standards to education, there is little agreement yet about adherence to any standard in the profession.
Learning to Fish
by Heidi Schor, CCH
Massimo Magialavori opened his first seminar of the first four-year postgraduate program I attended by telling us that he was done feeding his students fish. Yes, students were happy as they gorged at the sumptuous meal he lavishly presented, and for some time afterwards basked in their satiety. However, soon the pangs of hunger returned and there were no more fish; Massimo had long gone home. So Massimo embarked on teaching his students to fish, so that when hunger arose students would have the necessary skills to feed themselves.
I am becoming an expert fisher under the tutelage of Massimo.
Case taking and analysis using Rajan Sankaran’s Sensation Method
by Robert Gramlich MD
I have been studying with Rajan Sankaran for some time and have been practicing his Sensation Method based on the Seven Levels of Experience. This method allows me to follow a patient's energy pattern, using the Chief Complaint as the window, all the way to the source energy- the source of the remedy itself. The patient is allowed to demonstrate the mechanism of the source and so remedies can be prescribed ( even if they are not in the Materia Medica yet) with confidence. I have never had such consistent results before and the job has never been as exciting and enjoyable. It is quite a profound experience for me and for the patient to not stop the interview until this source pattern has been experienced in the office.
A Case of Ledum palustre, with Henny Heudens Mast
by Karen Cohen DC, CCH
Henny’s teaching breathes life into the paradigm of miasms.
Each symptom of significance is classified by miasm, with special attention given to symptoms that are strange, rare or peculiar.
The influence of Emmanuel Swedenborg on homeopathic thinking
by Peter Fraser
Kentianism is not thinkable without the Swedenborgian soil in which it grew to maturity, nor has it seemed able to grow or develop further since it largely lost contact with this nutrient and sustaining environment.
Ralph Twentyman
My Homeopathic Life- Then and Now - What Has Changed in my Practice and Why
by Allison Maslan, RShom(NA), CCH
As homeopaths we view life as energy. Energy is in motion. Our goals are to keep the energy flowing and evolving. We know that when the energy becomes stuck or stagnant, our life force is suffering. In this case, we know that a good remedy will be the catalyst to clear to way for a return to health and freedom. Looking back over my twelve years as a homeopath, I realize that change is a very good thing. It means that my life force is moving, growing, expanding and evolving. My career as a homeopath has been a direct reflection of the evolution of my whole life.
The Value of a Characteristic Symptom
by Joe Kellerstein ND
A succinct case example to demonstrate this principle.
President's Message The CHMS in 2007
by Richard Hiltner, MD
The California Homeopathic Medical Society [CHMS] has had several changes in 2007.
Much thanks and appreciation to Premananda Childs and Richard Pitt for the hard work, expertise and enthusiasm they have shown in the production of three first class [2 this year] journals for the CHMS. I have heard nothing but praise for their efforts.
On a sadder note, Lauren Feder has offered her resignation from the Board of Directors.
(and summary of conference activities…)