Western Culture Essay

The Eastern Cultures’ Healing Powers: The Western Cultures’ Greatest Asset

Quick Fix culture and the Attitude Adjustment Culture The Western Culture focuses on two methods of healing: chemically engineered compounds and surgical procedures. For instance, in the United States, individuals have the option of antidepressants with or without the aid of cognitive therapy(Selhub 2007) Most individuals choose the quick approach due to its alluring quick fix scheme. These contrasts different from the Eastern Culture’s main focus: the power of the mind and the energy from within: mind, body, and soul. The effects of Eastern Culture’s approach have been proven to be enduring and beneficial to the individuals involved. The Western Culture would greatly

Mind, body and soul co-exist in the Eastern Culture. “The Eastern idea of health and disease is look upon as the two sides of a coin…Every individual person is in a state of balance between external insults and internal defensive mechanisms.” ( Tsuei 1978). For example the Eastern approach takes in account of heavens and the earth” ( Tsuei 1978). If in curing the sick you do not observe the records of heaven nor use the principle of earth , result will be calamity.” ( Tsuei 1978). The Eastern culture looks at the universe and the laws of nature, in choosing treatment for their

The way that the Western and Eastern cultures interpret the body and mind is like looking at a painting. One individual may interpret it as a symbol for a deeper meaning, while another individual may simply look at the painting and perceive only the image that is projected in front. The Western Culture identifies stress and emotions as a liability to an individual’s overall health. At one time there was a correlation between the feeling of grief and death. For instance, when a wife had passed away and a month later her husband passed away, it was thought that the reason of death was grief. Therefore, the death certificate would read “Grief” as probable cause of death. Times have changed and this is no longer acceptable. One cannot prove that grief causes death. In the Western Culture the mind and body treatment consists of regulating stress instead of an invisible internal energy that the Eastern Culture believes in (Selhub 2007).In some ways the Western Culture lets a little bit of the Eastern Culture come in treating patients. Some Western Physicians have looked into Transcendental Meditation, Mindful Meditation, Guided Imagery, Progressive muscle relaxation, Hypnosis and Autogenic training. Patients have shown increases in elevated moods and health. However, the skepticism is still high. One article states that “Better studies are necessary to determine fully what the benefits of meditation are for patients