Light: Nature's Miracle Medicine-1

Light: Nature's Miracle Medicine

From the time of early historical accounts to the present day, people have recognized that cyclic or rhythmic patterns are an integral part of the functioning of all dynamic systems. Originating at a level probably outside of our own universe, these cycles affect all other dynamic systems residing within our universe. In a stair-step or dominolike manner, the cosmic cycles affect our universe, which then affects the solar system, which then affects the Earth, and so on down through Earth's climate, seasons, inhabitants, right down to the smallest particle within an atom. Since all things are integrally connected in this way, everything affects everything else. Nothing escapes this process.

The purpose of these introductory comments is to develop a foundation upon which to build a better understanding of how the cycles of our human lives relate to the cycles of our environment. What, for example, do the seasons describe? How does the activity of each season affect our lives during that season? If we are truly meant to be one with the universe, shouldn't our lifestyles be synchronized with nature? What would that experience really be like? How does our lack of synchronicity with the universe affect us?

Since the time of Hippocrates, it has been known that human beings, like animals, have specific daily and seasonal rhythms. As a matter of fact, Hippocrates himself thought this to be so important that he recommended that all individuals who wished to study medicine should first become fully aware of seasonal changes and the coincidental changes within animals and humans. By understanding seasonal variations, students can better understand the physiological and emotional changes associated with them. For instance, certain psychological and physical disorders seem to be more prevalent in the fall, while human fertility seems to reach a peak during the summer. 

I believe that these universally occurring variations affect all living things. Plants and animals awaken in the spring of the year, develop and mature in the summer, slow down in the fall, and rest in the winter. I believe that people are meant to respond to the seasons in an identical manner. Consider our responses to the seasons: we want to begin anew by doing spring cleaning; we experience a childlike summer-camp mentality when we take time away from our usual routines to have the opportunity to grow and expand unobstructively, we take slow walks as we experience the beauty of fall; we feel coldness and stillness during the very dead of winter.

There is great importance in the messages conveyed to us by the seasons. Spring has always been a time to revive and summer a time to fulfill. Fall clearly describes maturity verging on decline, while winter is nature's way of clearing off the old and creating a foundation for a fresh start. Spring and summer define and create externalization, a time for growth, movement, and fruition, whereas fall and winter encourage internalization, a gradual slowing down, a time for quiet introspection and rest.

Winter is specifically a time of year when we go within our homes as well as our psyches-natural settings for deep feelings to arise and families to reconnect, followed by maturation of expression and resolution. It is truly nature's time to look deeply inside and heal the heart. It is as if nature has a master plan for us to spend part of our lives exploring our external environments, and part of our lives exploring our internal environments. Unfortunately, winter, which was once a time of year when nature assisted our inner growth by supporting us in going into the unlit aspects of our souls, has now become a time of depression and sadness dreaded by many.

From pages 119~200 Light, Medicine of the Future written by Jacob Liberman, O.D., Ph.D