The ( Unconciously Competant )Constant Gardener

As a student of life, I am constantly examining the wonderful and mysterious phenomenon of the human experience, trying to make sense of the common patterns and threads in an attempt to unravel the mystery. I guess that’s what fuels the passion for my work. Each day I get to witness the stories of so many people seeking a solution, a cure,a method through the futility and in the process, I find my own.

So here’s a universal phenomenon -an experience of feeling of pain angst or dissatisfaction whether it triggered by a major life event or  a more frustrating feeling of being in a “ dark place” that has no identifiable cause.  Somehow we have an overwhelming sense that something needs to change - something has to be different- and we seek ways out of the uncomfortable place whether it is through finding the cure, the fix or the easy way out!

Take this analogy – life is a journey towards “Destination Happiness”   we are all taking our own version of the highway- it’s quick ,fast, and is meant to get us  there in the shortest possible time. Our ownunique version of the highway is created over time- shaped by our beliefs and perceptions and life experiences.

Many of us are simply cruising along on this highway, completely unconscious and unaware that something more exists. We are  UNCONSCIOUSLY INCOMPETENT to the possibility of living an authentic life.

No thought is needed; no effort is required to travel this road.  It is familiar and deeply grooved through years of unconscious walking

Neuro-biologically, this path actually exists as a neural pathway.  An addictive pattern of thought, ideas and behaviours created over time ishardwired into the brain,

Inevitably we arrive at a crossroads, a juncture, a life event or internal experience.  This juncture 

looks different for each of us – for some it may be a serious illness, for others a loss, financial crisis or feeling of a “dark night”.  If we choose to pause at the crossroad and lookcarefully, we will notice a little signboard. 

The arrow points straight ahead- “This way to futility”   Only now do we realise that we’ve been travelling towards a futile destination disguised as “happiness” .

Now finally we have become CONSCIOUSLY INCOMPETENT!

The sign that indicates a turn, a change of direction. The sign promises another place- a peaceful relaxing garden ...a life ofequanimity, joy and wisdom.

The only thing is – the path doesn’t exist yet!  It needs to be created!

So we arrive at a place where a choice is required. Do we carry on walking the same path knowing where it leads to do we choose something different?

We feel an inner trembling ....

The idea of carving a new path is terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.

Who knows what dangerous creatures might be lurking? Who knows what else is hiding?  We choose the new path anyway... the path less travelled.

We gather all our resources- guiding lights of like minded souls.Perhaps a bulldozer is required in the form of a physical detoxpocess.  Perhaps it may be as simple as learning to breathe more effectively!   As we gather our equipment and tools, we prepare for a major cleanup!

In real life, this process is sparking up new neural pathways in the brain- literally!

Finally, we begin to journey along the newly created pathway-. It is still fresh and unfamiliar and 

therefore still requires focus, concentration and constant awareness. 

We have now become CONSCIOUSLY COMPETENT at living an authentic life!

The old highway is still there even though the grass has grown over it, and if we lose awareness, we will find ourselves back there again – on the old familiar path to futility.

However, the longer we walk along the path towards the garden, the more we start to enjoy the journey until we realise that the path IS thegarden!  And that in the process of finding the garden, we have been creating it!  

Now we can relax in the present, knowing and understanding that we are constantly is the process of creation and enjoyment of our creations. And that we can enjoy each other’s creations.

This natural relaxed state of being is when we have mastered the art of an authentic life – we have become UNCONSCIOSLY COMPETENT CONSTANT GARDENERS!

The Road less travelled

The Road less travelled

Dear friends
I trust that the arrival of spring has re awakened your zest for life. I certainly feel a sense of renewal on the one hand at the same time feeling resolved with the choices I have made especially with regard to my choice to practice as an integrated doctor.
There are times when its necessary to look back at where you have come to appreciate the sacrifice of walking the road less travelled. I recently filled in at a GP practice where I saw an inconceivable 40 patients in one short day. This re affirmed my choice to sell my GP Practice and work in a more holistic way. For me it was soul destroying to consult with a patient for 10 mins who walked out with nothing but a script in hand.
It was also a humble acceptance for me that my journey as an integrated practitioner has only just begun . At times I feel overwhelmed by all the knowledge yet to be gained and although my medical training has given be a solid basis for the work that I do, I realise that there is so much that I need to unlearn.
So i invite you to journey and discover with me as I grow and mature into the exciting world of the bodymind. Each month I will discussing the integrated approach to conditions that I come across most commonly in my practice in order that you are better equipped to make choices with regards to your health.
This month I will be tackling the cholesterol issue.
Please feel free to contact me with suggestions and feedback.
Namaste
Dr Ela

The Cholesterol Myth

Cholesterol is a natural fat substance that is necessary for the formation of cell membranes and the production of hormones, Vit D and bile salts.
We have been made to believe that a high cholesterol level is the major predictor for cardiovascular disease. Although, it is an important factor to be considered, research is now showing that it needs to be seen in context of a range of other factors.
It is also now being shown that it is the oxidised form of cholesterol(oxy cholesterol) that is dangerous and sticks to the wall of damaged or inflamed blood vessel walls. Oxidation occurs when there is an excess of free radicals in the blood from smoking and ingestion of toxins from the diet and environment.
Other risk factors for Cardiovascular disease that can be influenced
Ø Bad diet
Ø Obesity
Ø Sedentary habits
Ø Type 2 diabetes
Ø Smoking
Ø Stress
Dr Bernard Brom, editor of the SA Society for Integrated Medicine newsletter quotes an article is written by a very well known Integrative Cardiologist in America, Dr Stephen Sinatra and is called “Clearing up the cholesterol confusion”

1. Most cardiologists think that I am nuts and don’t know what I am talking about and that high cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

2. I no longer buy into the cholesterol-lowering frenzy that has turned the medical profession into one big vending machine for statins. Eg Lipitor


3. The French had the highest average cholesterol in Europe, but also the lowest incidence of heart disease.

4. On the island of Crete a 10 year study failed to register a single heart attack despite high cholesterol levels.


5. Half of all heart attacks occur in people with ‘normal’ total cholesterol.

6. Arteriosclerosis is due to inflammation of arterial tissue and not high cholesterol. Cholesterol plays a role, but not even a leading role, in the inflammatory response. Cholesterol appears whenever there is arterial destruction due to the inflammation.


7. Hypercholesteremia is not a disease, but a physiological variant in most people.

8. Newer tests will become more important. They examine the various fractions of HDL and LDL, which are a more sensitive index of disease.

His recommendations are as follows:

For high Cholesterol levels he suggests lifestyle modification, weight reduction and lots of fibre. Statins only if there is evidence of arterial disease.Don’t bring the cholesterol levels down too low, as this is associated with cancer, aggression, cerebral haemorrhage, amnesia and could affect the ability to combat infections.


So what should Integrative doctors advice their clients?

Doctors really need to take into account all the risk factors, and cholesterol is only one of them. These include lipoprotein a, homocysteine, fibrinogen, blood pressure, fasting glucose, weight, BMI and lifestyle factors such as stress, family history, age and sex, personality type, exercise and diet. Are clients prepared to change lifestyle or not and how far are they prepared to go. The more risk factors the stricter one should be about lifestyle and diet and the more nutritional supplements required

If you are concerned about your cholesterol level or would like to know more about a more holistic approach to managing the risks of cardiovascular disease, please call me for an appointment.
Namaste
Dr Ela
Woodlands Centre of Wellbeing and Spa
dr.ela@healingatwoodlands.co.za
082 330 6915