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Copyright © 1997 by Guy McCarthy
All rights reserved. Inquiries should be addressed to
Twelve Star Publishing, P.O. Box 123, Jefferson, MD 21755
By applying the principles of anthroposophical medicine,
Peter Hinderberger, M.D., Ph.D., has proposed an explanation
of cancer that includes both spiritual and physical aspects. Today
when most people are touched by both spiritual awakening and cancer,
ideas such as these deserve our attention.
This article is based in part on the remarks of Dr. Hinderberger,
who was keynote speaker at the 1996 Mid-Atlantic Biodynamic Conference
on October 4, 1996. The assistance of Dr. Hinderberger in the
preparation of this article is gratefully acknowledged.
In western medicine there is a growing awareness of
the connection between thoughts, emotions, and physical health.
Stress is now recognized as a contributor to disease, and mind-
body techniques are routinely employed by patients seeking recovery
as well as athletes seeking the highest level of performance.
Currently, western medicine is unable to explain why non-physical
techniques such as visualization are effective -- even though
most open-minded practitioners of western medicine will admit
they often work. This is because western medicine is the only
medical care system in the world that does not include energy
bodies in its approach to health. All other systems recognize
that growth and balance in the physical body is preceded or conditioned
by growth and balance in the non-physical or energy bodies.
To gain a spiritual understanding of cancer, a disease
which continues to respond inconsistently to western medical treatment,
one must consider the complete anatomy of man -- not just the
dense physical body. The energy body most similar to the physical
body is called the "vital body" (sometimes referred
to as the "etheric body"). It surrounds and permeates
the physical body. The vital body is the medium through which
the life force flows, corresponding to flows of nutrients and
fluids in the physical body. The vital body also contains the
blueprint for physical growth that is required as new cells replace
old ones. It has been estimated that each cell in the human body
cycles through death and replacement several times in a single
lifetime. Without a blueprint, how else could this work?
Next further removed from the physical body is the "soul
body" (or "astral") and beyond that, the "spiritual
body" (or "mental"). In these energy bodies our
thoughts, aspirations, and emotions are formed and expressed.
To understand cancer, we must first examine what constitutes
healthy growth, in both the physical and non-physical realms.
To begin with the physical, Dr. Hinderberger explains the rules
of healthy cell growth like this:
First, each new cell created must be identical in form
and function to the parent cell.
Second, each new cell created must take its place within
the local tissue.
For example, a cell formed by mitosis of a liver cell,
must become a liver cell. In addition, the new cell must remain
in the liver, rather than traveling elsewhere in the body. Only
then can the liver remain healthy and continue to function as
its individual cells cycle through death and replacement. Let's
refer to these rules of healthy cell growth as the conformance
principle.
In the physical body, cancer occurs when otherwise normal
cells break the established pattern (the conformance principle)
by changing into something different than their parent cells,
or by traveling around on their own.
Now let's consider what constitutes healthy growth in the
non-physical realm. Based on the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner
and others, Dr. Hinderberger explains four rules of healthy spiritual
growth:
First, that incarnation of a human soul into a physical
body is an intentional, guided process which precedes conception,
pregnancy and birth.
Second, that the purpose of human incarnation is to experience
physical life and to perform good deeds for oneself and for the
community at large.
Third, that we are blessed with talent and support from
the spiritual hierarchy to perform these good deeds in a unique
and excellent way.
Fourth, that we forget all of the above very soon after
birth.
The wonder of human experience is that we find our own
way to these spiritual truths, in many cases without conscious
knowledge or awareness. While we are young, our thoughts, deeds,
and actions are shaped and guided by our parents. We strive to
emulate them, and through the conformance principle we learn from
their experiences.
However, the older we get, the more we feel compelled to
find our own path, to experience new things, to contribute to
positive change in the world. These aspirations reflect the stirring
of spirit, and inner realization of our spiritual purpose. In
order to achieve our spiritual goal, we must have freedom of thought
and emotion. We must be willing to break away from established
patterns of society and express our unique talents and abilities.
The need for mental and emotional freedom is a paramount condition
of healthy spiritual growth. Let's refer to this condition as
the freedom principle.
Take a moment to review what we have just learned about
the physical and spiritual aspects of healthy growth. In the physical
body, the conformance principle is important, because it allows
for healthy cellular growth. In the energy bodies, the freedom
principle is important, because it allows for healthy spiritual
growth.
Imagine what might happen when an individual passes through
adult life while repressing the freedom principle. For one reason
or another, he feels bound to roles and patterns defined by his
parent's generation. He accepts the conditions and limitations
that are encountered, rather than taking responsibility to press
ahead and create new experiences. When major changes occur, he
feels uncomfortable and tries to preserve old, familiar ways.
From a spiritual perspective, we might conclude that this
individual is not allowing himself the freedom to find his unique
path in life. Instead, this person remains bound by circumstances
or old patterns. Progress toward his spiritual goal is much slower
than it could be. The result is a frustration of his higher self,
or spiritual consciousness.
After years of frustration, the freedom principle is forced
down through his energy bodies and finds expression in his physical
body. Otherwise healthy cells begin to express freedom by breaking
the established patterns of their parent cells. Expression of
freedom at the cellular level is the beginning of cancer. Over
time, enough of these rebellious cells accumulate into a condition
diagnosed as cancer.
What happens next can vary, depending on the choices and
treatments available to individual patients. Many who survive
cancer report that it changed their lives. Many survivors enjoy
new levels of freedom and activity, breaking old patterns that
previously confined them. Spiritual growth in these individuals
is vibrant. In such cases, the higher self triumphed by using
a physical disease to free the individual from restricting conditions
in the spiritual, soul, and vital bodies.
With the understanding that cancer is a condition of the
energetic, non-physical bodies, as well as the physical, we can
begin to look for treatments that are balanced in both realms,
energetic as well as physical. Dr Hinderberger employs anthroposophic
treatments for cancer that include homeopathy, eurhythmy (dance
therapy), rhythmic massage, art, and color therapy. This approach
encompasses the whole individual, and can lead from a physical
and spiritual diagnosis to healing at the source.
In our personal lives, it is often hard to view illness
and death in the broader context of spiritual development. Yet
these conditions are often employed to promote spiritual growth
in ourselves and in those we love. In these times of transformation,
we are encouraged to become intentional about our own evolution.
A spiritual understanding of cancer, and of the energetic treatments
available, is a valuable step forward to be taken with courage,
open mind, and open heart.
Guy McCarthy is a writer, philosopher and engineer who
recently encountered cancer in a loved one.
Peter Hinderberger, M.D., Ph.D., attended medical school
in Switzerland, where he was trained in traditional as well as
anthroposophically-extended medicine. Dr. Hinderberger is a leader
in the field of alternative treatments for cancer, and Medical
Director at Ruscombe Mansion Community Health Center in Baltimore,
MD. He may be reached for telephone consultation from 8:30 - 10:00
a.m., weekday mornings (except Thursday) at (410) 367-6263.
A study of the energy bodies and their effect on physical health
is a primary focus of Anthroposophical Medicine, which was inspired
by the work of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). Steiner was
a proponent of Spiritual Science, in which all elements and conditions
in the world are considered to be manifestations of intelligence
and spirit. Hence any condition can be dealt with most effectively
by seeking to understand the spiritual influence behind it. Steiner's
holistic world-view has been successfully applied in many fields,
including education (Waldorf education), agriculture (Biodynamic
farming), medicine, and art.
For more information about Rudolf Steiner and the work he inspired,
contact:
Anthroposophical Society in America
410 South Michigan Ave, Suite 833
Chicago, Illinios 60605
(312) 913-9226
Anthroposophic Press
3390 Route 9
Hudson, NY 12534
voice (518) 851-2054
fax (518) 851-2047
email anthropres@aol.com
Rudolf Steiner College
9200 Fair Oaks Boulevard
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
(916) 961-8727
http://www.steinercollege.org/
Rudolf Steiner Archive and Electronic Library
http://www.c4systm.com/Steiner/