When Opposites Disappear, There Can Be Peace

Dear Patients & Friends,

When I attended college in the early 1970s, I studied comparative religion with an emphasis on Eastern philosophy. One of the most profound principles I learned during that time, stated that when 'opposites disappear', you would become enlightened. One of the ways I interpreted this proverb was, that when I had developed a profoundly deep sense of universal unity, I would no longer believe that diversity - including opposites - was the only reality.

I was trained by my teachers to investigate the perspective that reality was both unified AND diversified. Both of these realities were true simultaneously. The teachings were very clear that we did not live in an "either-or" world, rather, it was a "both-and" world.

Over decades of contemplating this guidance from a social viewpoint, I've been able to apply this teaching by being better able to accept people for who they authentically are, even when they don't resonate with my values. I came to understand that the diverse array of people's values didn't need to be judged as being better or worse ("either or") than mine. I learned that people's convictions for what is true for them, is just as real as for what is true for me.

I now believe that as long as people are not violating another person's rights to be physically, mentally and emotionally safe, we should all be able to disagree with someone and still respect them. Naturally, if another person is needlessly harming someone physically or emotionally just to defend their perspective, that is not right nor respectable.

The quality of all of my relationships has become so rich because I've become curious about people's widely differing standpoints. I've become more accepting of people and have gained new insights because of this "both and" approach.

Racism & Favoritism

In my travels around the world, I've consistently observed that the overwhelming majority of people simply want a fulfilled life consisting of good health, loving relationships with their family and friends, doing meaningful things in their community and having enough money to take good care of themselves and their family. Simple and wonderful.

People who willingly and consistently commit physical or emotional crimes against others as a way to offend someone with their beliefs, should not be a person who has a role in determining the health of a society. These types of people do not want opposites to dissolve.

They thrive on the polarity. They have no intention of considering other people's beliefs in order to create a harmonious relationship. You are either with them, or not. Simple and frightful.

Stay Calm

As a physician, I'm encouraging you to avoid communicating with people, or watching people on your screens, who are solely focused on their opposite point of view. Please do not engage in meaningless arguments with these people, no matter how certain you are of your convictions. Trust me, close-minded people are equally certain of their convictions AND, they're happy to try to beat you into submission with their opinions.

As a physician, I'm encouraging you to avoid communicating with people, or watching people on your screens, who are solely focused on their opposite point of view. Please do not engage in meaningless arguments with these people, no matter how certain you are of your convictions. Trust me, close-minded people are equally certain of their convictions AND, they're happy to try to beat you into submission with their opinions.

Medical research is sobering clear: the number one cause of all illness is mental stress.

If you don't know how to manage your unhealthy responses to stressful people, it's highly possible you'll end up with any number of symptoms including: muscular pain, headaches, back aches, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, low energy and organ dysfunction.

And that list doesn't even mention that suffering unnecessarily from stress weakens your immune system, making you more prone to becoming ill from the coronavirus.

If you don't know how to manage your energy with people who enjoy and who are adept at creating polarization, you'll need to learn practical restorative health techniques in order to remain calm in the midst of this world-wide chaos.

A Healthy Mantra

On Tuesdays and Thursdays at the office, I thoroughly enjoy my occupation as a mentor, in the form of a life coach and as a stress management expert. When patients want to learn how to have better relationships by improving their communication skills, I first help them discover their authentic values, and then how to articulate them calmly, clearly, concisely and confidently.

I give them this mantra as a way to remain clear that communication with others does not need a winner or a loser: "you have no one to offend and nothing to defend."

In other words, you simply state what's true for you and then relax to whatever and however someone responds to you (assuming it's non-violent).

If you do communicate with people who are not open to finding common ground, remember this mantra throughout the discussion. If you find that the other person is interested in offending and defending, then please, for the sake of your health, respectfully end the conversation and walk away calmly, not defiantly.

True,
Dr. Mark

Announcements

Massage Therapy in Doctors' Offices is Back! We're now scheduling massage therapy with Jeremiah, Ariel and Van, our three expert deep tissue therapists.

There many people who regularly receive massages in spas or with their personal therapists, but can't do so because their therapists don't work in a medical setting.

If you have friends, family members or co-workers who are looking for a great massage, please feel free to let them know that they're welcome to get their body work here. Of course, we'll understand that when the restrictions are fully lifted, they'll want to return to their familiar practitioners.

Expanded Office Hours - As of Monday, June 1st,our expanded chiropractic hours will
be:
9:30 - 11:30 AM and 4 - 6 PM

For patients who want to see me on Tuesdays or Thursdays for life coaching, nutritional counseling or stress management therapy, please call or email the office. I'll then get back to you to find time to schedule you.