Dr Wahida Murthy
Being healthy is not only freedom from illness, but also a state of physical and emotional (soul & spiritual) well-being. Inspired by Anthroposophic medicine – an integrated system of medical practice, and is based on a comprehensive view of the human being pioneered by spiritual scientific researcher Rudolf Steiner (1825-1925) who worked in close co-operation with a Dutch physician, Dr.Ita Wegman (1876-1943) which brought forth a holistic view of the human being in health and disease.
In his words,“Medicine is more than just a natural science and needs the spiritual humanistic supplement”. Scientific, artistic and spiritual insights need to be applied as treatment modalities along with medicines in restoring health.
Artistic therapies play essential and integral aspect of holistic management of health, in building up immunity, prevention and treatment from diseases (Imbalance) at the
a) Physical– (Sclerotic and inflammatory conditions, mainly related to heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, joints, skin, reproductive system etc. and also illnesses of this time cancer, Neurodegenerative diseases, Diabetics, hypertension, etc.) pain management sleep disorders.
b) Emotional – (Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, OCD, dementia, ADHD, autism etc.)
In a way art therapy accompanies, all the disease treatment either physical or emotional.
Artistic therapy comprises the entire realm of art
Art includes, Eurythmy, Poetry, Music, Painting, Sculpture/ Clay , Speech formation, Drama, Movement
There is a great difference between “Art” and “Healing art” in the way it is practiced. The “Artist” does everything with the work of art in mind; the curative painter or therapist has the sick person in the centre of attention; he/she works in close conjunction with Doctors.Encouraging therapeutic effects in the patient’s whole constitution.
Note:.Depending on the person’s situation, constitution, temperament and age, a given artistic process can either be healing or make the problem worse; Hence this subject calls for in depth study.
During This Testing Times of Covid Pandemic:
With the pandemic on us, let us look at the multi-dimensional understanding of the human being. The reality is, we are not only physical body but also are an ensouled and spiritual entity. Thus art of healing is based on comprehensive idea of human nature.
The greatest challenge humanity is facing is the uncertainty and “Fear”. This fear can crawl into anything, cause negativity in our thinking, feeling and action; hence impacts on our productivity, performances and health (Emotional as well as physical).
Rudolf Steiner in 1920 had said, If you go to sleep at night with these thoughts of “fear” the unconscious after images and imaginations imbued-impacts the soul (that manifests as constriction of the middle area of the body, where lungs and heart are situated) are good seedbeds in which pathogenic germs can nestle, thrive and find a pleasant breeding ground.
Study shows that, these days, there is surge of “stress related psychological illnesses” like anxiety depression,bipolar and panic attack in addition to physical disease. The newentry is “Digital exhaustion” and sleep deprivation.“Soul nourishing” artistic activities can be integrated with care of physical body with nutrition, exercise, and other body mind therapies like meditation, yoga, etc.
Actually our rhythmic system of heart and lungs, apart from circulation and breathing function is also psychic area for sensory world.We perceive relationship between the inside and outside world, maintaining the balance, area for reflection,co-ordination, interest and enthusiasm, freedom, wonderment, fulfilment.Faith, hope & love are positive feelings and by doing artistic activities can be enhanced. One canface the “fear and uncertainty” courageously.
Through all this, physical warmth is also developed, blood flows more actively, more oxygen is transported and the immune system becomes stronger, and this has a healing effect. Especially painting with water colours ( preferably with plant colors) work on the middle area.
Painting Therapy
Profound healing forces lie in “colours” too. They are direct expression of our world of feeling as expressed in language Red with fury, Pink of health, dull as grey. The inherent qualities of warmth activity and expansion in the reds, oranges, and yellows or the coolness, passivity and contraction of the blues and green- the therapist trues to work with these effects in the course of treatment. Painting has an exceptionally healing effect on the middle breathing realm of our body. The colour mood – the entire colour experience has a special liberating effect on the breathing process. The activity if painting normally involves short periods of total involvement, being in the “present state of timelessness. Working upon our feeling (soul) life painting with water colours, quietly harmonize circulation and respiration.
To Be Continued..
interesting. Are you recommending that a separate artist works as a therapist by creating artwork while thinking of the patient’s disease? Are you also recommending that the patient him or herself does creations of Art?