Healing Space with Todd Pesek, MD

Roots of Healing

Yay! My new column "Roots of Healing" debuts in the Summer 2008 issue (pg 57) of Organic Spa Magazine. Organic Spa is awesome! Dubbed one of the most notable launches of 2007, the founders Bev Maloney-Fischback, Publisher, and Mary Bemis, Editor in Chief, are infusing ancient spa wisdoms with modern green living! The Roots of Healing column explores rich and varied traditional health and wellness applications as supported by traditional practices the world over. We apply these wisdoms in health to the modern day for the health of people and planet!   

Check us out!

Visions of Healing in India

Yay! At long last, our documentary Visions of Healing in India is now online, have a look (after clicking on the link, place your cursor over the media window and then click play)!

Many thanks to all of you who have been waiting patiently for this moment, we all worked really hard on the filming and compilation of this work, here we are in the editing studio in Thiruvanthapuram, Kerela, India. This photo was taken after two days straight in the editing studio! We are all in a daze!

Thiruvanthapuram is also known locally as “the spice capital of the world" and "gods own country” for its rich history, culture and natural beauty. The area has rich healing traditions with oral lineage components of greater than thousands of years. For millennia people would flock to the region for its culinary and medicinal plants, natural splendor and biodiversity, and its deep healing traditions. Traditional healers of the area focus location and practice in several main traditional regions: the Western Ghats “spice mountains”, Kanyakumari “where the three oceans meet”, and the Back Waters “Venice of Asia”. The main healing traditions in practice in the region are: Ayurveda which is still taught in its original poetic Sanskrit form and via oral lineage; Naturopathic healing which focuses the power of the sun, moon, stars and elements of nature—earth and mud, water etc.; Herbalists who use natures pharmacopoeia to heal in harmony with the earth; Siddha; and a ritual healing practice involving sound, harmony, and rhythmic oscillations therapeutically and in a fashion unique to south Indians.

The documentary work gives a glimpse of healing traditions in each of these areas, but focuses on tribal healing traditions in three distinct ecological regions in the Western Ghats,  India. We explore the higher elevation montane evergreen forests, the lower elevation moist deciduous forests and the lowland backwaters and coastal areas, in particular. 

We learn about healing systems; adaptations of the respective populations to their environments; afflictions, modes of treatment, and community roles of healers. We also assess the need for and feasibility of programming focused on the conservation of biodiversity and culture via traditional healing. 

Our findings demonstrate intact traditional healing practices with unifying themes to include the premise that in sustaining health there must be healthful surroundings. And that “true healing is all around”. We also uncover strong willingness and need for the development of such initiatives in support of local and global health as well as in support of regional conservation programming.

Check it out, as most certainly there is much that we as a global people could learn from these traditions in our quest for true healing and sustainability for both people and planet!

Healing Across Cultures: Learning From Traditions

Our optimal health and wellness is absolutely dependent upon the healthful states of mind, body, and spirit which are inextricably intertwined with the energies of our environment and nature. Oddly, Western culture often seems to disregard this holism, especially our essential connection to nature, in its considerations of health and wellness as described by modern medicine.
            This disregard for the sanctity of nature and nature’s nurturance of our health is unlike that of many of the traditional cultures in the world. These cultures focus more on balance in the context of environmental respect and harmony. Varied cultures share remarkable similarities in their healing modalities, especially considering relative isolation from one to another—evidence that there is much truth to the healing knowledge they possess. We as a global people are not disconnected from the natural world in terms of health, but dependent and interconnected within ourselves and to everything around us. Social change is essential to assure that the mainstream practice of modern medicine evolves to incorporate this integral aspect of health and wellness, and this can be done through partnerships with cultural leaders, elders, and traditional healers.
            There is a growing demand for wellness and earthly responsibility. It is time to appropriately learn from age-old societies and their healing traditions for they do have answers we are seeking in sustainability and harmony, environmental stewardship and planetary respect, and holistic health. For thousands of years our ancestors have known the secrets of long life—this knowledge needs to be preserved through the apprenticeship of future generations. We must continue to work in collaborative form to develop mutually beneficial learning partnerships combining components of modern medical knowledge with the wisdom of traditional healers around the world.
            By developing the knowledge of traditional healers in a mutually beneficial exchange of wisdom and practice, all global communities can reap rewards through not only the development of holistic collaboration and innovation in healing, but also the generation of economically viable outlets for cultural self-empowerment and ecological integrity.
            This approach to global health and wellness will provide not only ways of healing ourselves as nature had intended, but also a reawakening to the benefits and health-giving resources of nature’s bounty. Along with this newfound awareness will emerge an inevitable respect for maintaining the environment that nurtures the world—people, animals, and plants. The growing realization of the intricate connections among mind, body, and spirit in the context of our natural world is long overdue within modern society. Our understanding of Healing Across Cultures sets us on a path that can lead only to a better sense of self within the context of the universe—a more and more appropriate idea as we increasingly discover ourselves as a global community.

Let's talk Ayurveda—what is it?

Ayurveda, the Sanskrit word meaning science, or wisdom of life, addresses the uniqueness of each person on a case by case basis in an effort to facilitate protection and health from within. It takes a comprehensive and holistic approach inclusive of spirituality and lifestyle and promotes careful consideration of and harmony with nature—as well as full immersion and engagement of ones senses, you know, taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing and then some!! It teaches that all illness affects both the body and the mind and that illness and treatment of ailments of the mind and body unity are inextricably intertwined. It teaches that human beings are highly complex organisms comprised of matter and antimatter and that a constant interaction and balance between these two is what determines the state of our mental and physical health. A dogma of Ayurveda is that no life function operates independently and that where there is imbalance, illness ensues. Ayurveda also asserts that the body is comprised of universal elements of air, earth, fire, water, and ether. These five elements also comprise the three doshas or bio-energies. These are vata, pitta,  and kapha and their influence is said to affect all mechanisms of the body. In most individuals, a dosha predominates and defines body type and temperament. The basis of treatment in Ayurveda is promoting balance of ones doshas. This balance is promoted via varied practices including lifestyle and dietary modification as well as detoxification therapies.

So, in health, embrace your senses!! Connect with our natural world and your nourishment in each form. In India, they eat with their hands. Go ahead and try it, and remember food is medicine.

Riding Elephants…..

Prior to traveling, in ceremony and among other offerings, I look to the sky… Here is my traveling sky! And with it, I am off to southern India where I will be working with traditional healers in harnessing the healing powers of our Earth Mother via healing plants, ceremony and our actions in conservation of biodiversity and culture. While there I will be directing symposia on Healing Across Cultures at two local universities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, our delegation is comprised of scholars, integrative medical practitioners and traditional healers from all around the world and all of whom come together in these venues to begin to effect positive change via traditional healing. We work together for true healing and a paradigmatic shift in wellness spawned by age-old tradition, the wisdom of our elders, and movement for conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage.

The area is known locally as “the spice capital of the world” and “gods own country” for its rich history, culture and natural beauty. The area has rich healing traditions with oral lineage components dating back thousands of years. For millennia people would flock to the region for its culinary and medicinal plants, natural splendor and biodiversity, and its deep healing traditions. Traditional healers of the area focus location and practice in different areas, the main traditional regions where we will be working are Kanyakumari Beach “where three oceans meet”, Spice Mountain, Western Ghats and Back Waters “Venice of Asia”. The main healing traditions in practice in the regions are: Ayurveda which is still taught in its original poetic Sanskrit and via oral lineage; Naturopathic healing which focuses the power of the sun, moon, stars and elements of nature—earth and mud, water et cetera; Herbalists who use natures pharmacopoeia to heal in harmony with the earth; and Unani siddha, a ritual healing practice involving sound, harmony, and rhythmic oscillations therapeutically and in a fashion unique to south Indians. 

Check back as I will update you throughout the adventure in healing. Also, I will be sure to ride an elephant in the Western Ghats!

Learning From Monico

Behind the Smile, He Knew What I Was Looking For

In Belize, I met Monico Sho, a bushmaster of the Maya tradition, whom embraced me as a son, a role left largely unfulfilled in my life up to this point (if you believe our roles are kind of already laid out for us, I now know why), and, perhaps even more importantly, his apprentice—along with his contemporary bushmasters, herbalists and spiritual leaders (shaman). I needed to understand what they knew; I needed to learn as much of what they knew as I possibly could.

Monico was able to help educate me, and I felt very much at home in the rainforest—as I do to this day. We spent literally months on end—many times, over a period several years—in the rainforest as I learned the ways of the Bushmasters of Belize, and my respect for the area and the way of life grew to be as much a part of me as my own skin. As days and weeks turned to months and years, I applied his teachings to develop my inner abilities—how to see, smell, listen, feel, touch, interpret and feel our planet on levels many people tend to ignore. I still use these abilities in life and each time I find myself in the jungle again, as I often do for long interludes. He was truly brilliant; always smiling as if he knew something that we all did not. I know now that indeed he did! What he shared with me and allowed me to access within myself is invaluable, indescribable and of such consequence that it will impact the entire planet. I know it. I think he knew it, too. Maybe it was a part of the reason why he smiled.

I realized through this experience that something should be done to allow indigenous peoples to maintain their traditions, but still be able to feed and clothe and house their families without having to exploit themselves. The lands we all need to survive in a global sense are their physical homes (and, honestly, I feel that the planet is a spiritual home to everyone on it, right now, in the past, and in the future).

That said, I also saw the amazing knowledge stores and wisdom of traditional healers. I thought, why can’t I bring this benefit to the western world, and give these people who have embraced me so fully a way to preserve the things they hold dear as well? I know that herbals are used in a western sense already, but I wanted a better way. I wanted to heal both people and planet. A noble goal, if a bit lofty (my mother has always told me I must have a reason for being here, since I tended to be a very accident prone but very lucky teen. Here I am Mom. You were right).

Now I Have To DO Something…

My core being, childhood root doctoring, and apprenticeship with Monico has blossomed into an individual with an insatiable quest to raise consciousness, heal, educate, grow and to effect the positive change inherent in the appropriate alignment of energies. I work with traditional healers and teaching plants to accomplish these things in ways of unprecedented import and will continue to do just that! This is my path as a healer.

…But I Am Not Alone

I was beside myself at first when I found out that Monico has passed away (in a physical sense) before he could see the dream he inspired in me come to fruition…but what he taught me is really a huge part of what I do, and I know that he is proud of Earth Healers, what we are, and what we will become. I have since recognized that he still guides me in my actions of today just as he did in the rainforests of Belize long ago. I strongly feel his presence—even now as I write this! Every expedition I go on, all of them, I feel him with me. Is this how a person who had lost a mother or father feels in their own daily lives? I’d like to think so.

What healers or traditions have you learned from?

Who Is Todd?

Hi, I’m Dr. Todd Pesek, MD.

But, please, call me Todd!

Humble Beginnings

My vision for Earth Healers started a long time ago—sometime in my early childhood, perhaps even before then. I have always harbored a connection with the planet. I grew up in the Appalachian area of rural Pennsylvania, and we always had a home either very near or on a large area of land—and I could usually be found outside, ambling and taking it all in, or running and feeling the ground   beneath my feet, breathing in the smells and the spirit of the world around me. I would literally wake, pull something on, and tumble out the door if the weather was nice. Sometimes I would sleep in my clothes so I could get outside faster. I usually had some kind of pack with me, a bag or backpack, or whatever was handy, for carrying a notebook or some paper and a pencil, some water, whatever else seemed right that day for the hours I'd be out. It was my meditative place; my home where I felt safer than even when I was indoors. This was a place where I felt at ease.

Throughout my childhood, my younger sister and I would embark on various adventures and expeditions as we explored our surroundings.  Often we would emerge from the house at around 5 am to hear the sounds of the earth waking up. We would fill a gallon jug with hot spring water, stick in some herbal tea, grab our thermoses and some toast, and be gone for the day. And out we would go, to connect.

Kids these days!

I realize now that we were naturally nurturing our spiritual connections to the planet in ways we could not explain, we just knew we had to, so we did. Most children know this inherently; you can’t keep them still, can’t keep them inside. I remember sometimes picking cherry tomatoes and green beans out of the garden for lunch, and I recall inventing a way to dry the mint leaves from our large plants so we could wrap them to make tea for our mother. It was actually pretty good tea too.

I am sad to see that many western children are moving away from their connections to our natural world. I see the increase in disease and obesity in kids steeped in this culture, and it makes me so sad. I don’t think we were meant to be mostly sedentary, indoor dwelling folks…indoor air pollution notwithstanding, I think kids need room to run and explore and breathe and appreciate how the littlest creatures are all connected to the big picture. Perhaps we could work together to remedy this?

Traditional Healing Starts at Home

As far as healing, my family has always been steeped in the Appalachian root doctoring tradition and home care. We were always the sorts to offer Goldenseal and Echinacea at the first sign of a cold. We have always lived healthfully—eating carob instead of milk chocolate, using stevia, molasses, and honey for sweetening, and always reusing or recycling anything we possibly could.  It was partially out of necessity, but mostly because my parents knew it was the best way to instill the values they held in their kids. My sister and I became whizzes at reusing boxes and milk crates. Growing up under these circumstances, I learned to appreciate my connection with the earth, the creatures around me, and our natural capacity for healing.

The Missing Piece Is Found in the Jungle

As I got older, and became more and more involved in the “realities” of western culture, it became more of an effort to maintain this connection, as it does for all of us, and I had to reach further to find the time to get out and feel myself decompressing. I think for a time in my late teens to early twenties I felt like something was missing for me, something I couldn’t put my finger on. I was healthy, I exercised regularly, I was in school, but something wasn’t there for a time and I missed it.

I figured that I would find it in the rainforest--a place to which, for unexplainable reasons, I have always been drawn. In books as a small boy, in movies as a teen…perhaps it was the allure of expounding on my healing heritage, or maybe the mystery and majesty of the unknown. Maybe I’m a bit of a thrill seeker. I am sure that there were elements of all of these reasons (and then some that I can’t explain). And so I went when the opportunity arose—off to the jungles of Belize, after I had just seen the miracle of my nephew’s birth. I guess you could say, thanks to this, I was especially vulnerable to the desire for meaning we all kind of look for as we make our way from day to day.

The indigenous people I met and the way of life they embraced made so much sense to me--the balance they achieve reminded me of the ideals I had as a child. I won’t say that they or I have no hardships, that we don’t get sick or we won’t someday return to the earth, that there aren’t days when we have all been hungry…but the harmony of their sustainable lifestyles and the capacities of earth and man to heal themselves are so in line with the parts of me that speak to me loudly, the parts that are just THERE, whether from our early experiences, past experiences, a gift, whatever.

Let me step back and say I’ve always been the kind of person that takes an all-consuming interest in things I find worthwhile. My family finds it odd, but I can literally focus endlessly on tasks I feel are worth doing. I did it when I was young and wanted to master outdoor skills, I did it in high school when I wanted to be physically fit, I did it in college, where I graduated from the honors biochemistry program as a premed student, I did it in medical school where I proudly demonstrated academic prowess, and I continue to observe the same trends in my life to this day. I am lucky to have passion I can focus.

And so it began, days into months, months into years. I spent literally months at a time in the jungle. My first jungle experience was a reward in its difficulty, if that makes sense. Like walking for a toddler.

A Dream Realized: Offering Alternatives in the Face of Poverty

Such was the birth of Earth Healers, in a conceptual sense. Together, the remarkable family I have assembled through my ventures and the ventures of those I love and respect work to alleviate poverty by providing respectable occupation steeped in the traditions of healing. Poverty is a  disgusting thing, anywhere on earth. Look around you, no matter where you are, and you will likely see it or its effects somewhere. People will do what they must to fend for their loved ones. They will continue to slash and burn in the rainforests, or sell themselves for whatever they can. Together, we provide alternatives—respectable, real alternatives. There is a definite screaming undertone of conservation of both rainforest and deep healing tradition—but this type of conservation allows us to not only share traditional healing with the world in an entirely new way, but it allows the populations others sometimes consider “less advanced” (for the record, I do not feel this way. You may have noticed.) to show the world their brilliance and use the lands in the sustainable ways they have honed for millennia. It is my hope that we can learn something from each other. Traditional healers have inherent unity and can benefit humanity through their introspection and insights.

I think corporate conglomerates would put down their saws and pick up their sustainable gathering baskets if they knew they’d make 100 times the cashola…together, we can provide the models which have the potential to grow well enough to seriously impact these scenarios. It feels right to me now, the time to raise consciousness and green business awareness. There are people like us out there to reach, and people who aren’t like us to educate. We are demonstrating economically viable conservation…I am fixated on a fiscal exchange to demonstrate that these lands are worth more living (sustainable growth and harvest of medicinal plants and healing traditions) than destroyed (slash and burn, logging, etc). What I knew as a child, and what I want to demonstrate now as a professional is that there is no human health without environmental health.

I hold my head high as my partners and I work side by side with our indigenous counterparts on our joint programming. The barefoot little boy in me belongs out there in the dirt and trees and beauty, and the healer and preservationist in me believes in wellness, as well as what we do as we help cultures (yes, even our own as we carve an even larger niche in a newly emerging market) generate new ways to earn a living through an increasingly socially responsible and global marketplace. We can all be a part of each other without trying to keep up with the Joneses so much so that we kill everything in our path. This has always made perfect sense to me. How could it not?

My endeavors have expanded globally from the rainforests of Belize and Guatemala…I now find much of my time being occupied primarily in the Amazon, at least currently, though I still work closely with healers on our programming in other areas. I’ll say it again; we are all connected and important to each other!

I really look forward to sharing Amazonia and its mystery and mysticism, as well as with project planning and development (it isn’t always smooth, but its always worth it!), and exchanging information with all of you, my extended Earth Healers family. Consciousness and economically viable conservation are the messages that my partners and I wish to share with you, and we would love to hear your feedback. Talk to us, so we can become a cohesive group and a formidable force in the business of peace and prosperity.

Let’s walk this path together…