Medicine meets the soul: Bridging spirituality and health care

(Commentary on “Spirituality and Medicine”) The commentary is on the article titled “Spirituality and medicine” authored by Dr Geeta Chand Acharya and Dr. Prashanta Padhan that was published on date April 30, 2024, in the Journal of Integrative Medicine and Research.[1] In their comprehensive review, the authors have enlightened us on how the modern world is experiencing increasing stress, leading individuals to turn toward spirituality for treatment, healing, and improved daily living. Despite its importance, spiritual health is often misconstrued. Spirituality plays a crucial role in how patients cope with chronic illness, disability, and loss. It is suggested that the medical community should incorporate spirituality into patient care to enhance outcomes. Keywords include spirituality, medicine, and meditation. What Previous Article Says Medical science integrates natural sciences, social sciences, and spirituality, emphasizing human compassion and healing. Recognizing spiritual concerns in patients is vital, particularly in areas such as palliative care and psychiatry, where illness heightens these issues. Spirituality aids stress management and correlates with improved mental health through neurochemical activities, including serotonin and dopamine pathways. Meditation enhances neurochemical balance, reducing anxiety and depression. Studies show spirituality’s protective effects against addiction and its role in medical education for holistic care. Critical Analysis At the outset, the authors should be congratulated for taking up a pertinent issue to probe in. The purpose of writing this commentary arose as it was found that basically the studies have been based on subjective spirituality. The definition of spirituality seems a bit muffled. Spirituality is the basis of Indian traditional medicine and not a supplemental approach. However, Indian definitions and the structural organization of spiritual practice for gaining health are found missing in this article. Although biochemical parameters related to mental health have been addressed, other systemic aspects have not been mentioned. Moreover, the studies mentioned are basically done by people from the West. Hence, the need of adding the appropriate definition, structured pattern of Indian traditions, and findings in the Indian populace will be discussed. The spirituality of the Indian traditional system of spiritual practice is mentioned as “Sanatana Dharma.” “Sanatana” means eternally present and “Dharma” means upholding life principles. When majority of human race believes that God or the supreme power sits in heaven, a hypothetical plane, the scriptures of Indian spiritual tradition declared, “Shrinwantu Vishwe Amritasya Putra” in Shvetashvatara Upanishad, Chapter II, Verse 5. This means that the supreme bliss is within every being and is to be realized by practice through this very physical body and manifest through it. Hence, maintaining good health for practicing spirituality to achieve self-realization in life is very vital. Spirituality in Indian tradition not only addresses meditation but also takes life principles, action, speech, and nutrition into account. These spiritual practices have been summarized by sage Patanjali in his Yogasutra. There is an eight-fold path mentioned by him that addresses all the above-mentioned aspects. The eight elements are yama (abstinences), niyama (observances), asana (yoga posture), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration of the mind), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption or stillness).[2] Although the absolute goal is self-realization, years of practice of the other seven elements is required and maintenance of good health is given utmost priority to achieve the same. Under the abstinences (yama) and (observances) niyama five entities are mentioned under each, basically, that keep restraint over behavior and personality and stimulate introspection which leads to a peaceful and harmonious lifestyle. These practices are the pillars of mental health. Strict observance of these principles from the very childhood can build a healthy human race. Asana (postures) and Pranayama (breath control) are the practices on physical body to maintain good physical health so that further mind restrain and long hours of practice of meditation can be achieved. Since the article discusses the role of spirituality in medicine, we must understand that these practices of asana and pranayama control the subtle bioplasmic channels[3] or energy channels known as naadi through which pranic energy circulates, nurturing health. Although ancient Indian medical science, Ayurveda has its own system for curing diseases with lifestyle modification and medications, the practice of asanas and pranayamas work more like preventive medicine. The asanas have been framed mostly influenced by nature–trees, mountains, and different animals and birds, and the purpose of each has been clearly documented and cautions also have been mentioned. Asanas basically provide flexibility,[4] improve blood circulation to body parts, improve lung perfusion, and regulate metabolism. Taneja has summarized the works of different studies in India and abroad for different therapeutic approaches through yogasanas and pranayamas such as in mental disorders, diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disorders, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.[2] The asanas are broadly classified as “dhyanasana” and “swasthyasana,” the former one being instrumental to keep the spinal cord free for entering into deep focus, i.e., ”Dhyana” and the latter group targeting good health.[5] There are specific asanas targeted for women’s health too, helping them to sail through different phases of physical changes such as puberty, menstrual problems, pregnancy, postpartum disorders, and perimenopausal problems.[6-8] Pranayama, as understood by many as breathing exercises is actually beyond that. It is about enhancing the vital force of life. There are different types of pranayama such as Anuloma-viloma, ujjayi, naadi shodhana, bhramari, sheetali and shitakari, suryabhedana, and chandrabhedana and kapalabhati. Combining asanas and pranayamas the maintenance of normal health is done by regular practice. However, certain interventional studies have shown that stand-alone practice of Sheetali and Sheetkari pranayama was able to lower down systolic blood pressure significantly.[9] Masters of yoga in India have formulated many customized yogic practices amalgamating asanas, pranayamas, and meditation for maintaining good health so that eventually spiritual practice is eased. Some of the prominent lineages in India are Kriyayoga, Hathayoga, Rajayoga, Sudarshan Kriya, transcendental meditation, and Ishayoga which show the path to healthy living.[10-14] Personal Insights and Interpretations Faith in spirituality is one of the pillars that has been mostly described in the article elaborately through studies. But it is not whole, nor it can be quantitated. Although the studies have shown measures of different biochemical parameters, there is no concrete quantitation of faith in individuals. On the other hand, in ancient Indian practices, there is a structured path to spirituality, and their healing powers are also been recently evaluated in different disease conditions and mental health disorders in terms of modern medical science. This commentary is an effort to bring forth the structured spirituality that is not only preventive but also curative. Conclusion All the orthodox systems of Indian Philosophy have one goal in view, the liberation of the soul through perfection. The method is by Yoga; so, said Swami Vivekananda. If in spirituality, Indian yogic methods are not discussed, then it remains incomplete. The mind–body exercise, with inward focus and creating a contemplative state, balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and improves both physical and mental health. The health benefits of yogic practices have to be proven in terms of modern medical parameters to make their role in holistic health further. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.