Bandra, Khar, Santacruz Doctor's conference

Organsied by the Bandra-Khar-Santacruz Samithi of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation in association with the Bandra-Khar Medical Doctors Association.

Spirituality & Medicare – are they two sides of the same coin? Common sense says that they should be but as we see in the world around us it seems to be quite the opposite. The aim of this conference was to discuss on this interesting confluence and conflict to an audience of 100 doctors from all over Mumbai.

The venue The Chinmaya Vibhooti Ashram – Hadshi provided the right atmosphere to the conference. At a short distance of 3 Kms from Sri Sathya Sai Pandurang Kshetra, a sense of overwhelming calm pervades upon entering the precincts of the Ashram.

The efforts of the volunteers of the Khar-Bandra-Santacruz samithi in organizing this conference, arranging for transport for the doctors from Mumbai and ensuring the success of the event was commendable.

The conference was inaugurated with the customary lighting of the lamp to the chanting of Vedas by the youth team. Shri Mahesh Goklani, Dr. Rushikesh Pandya and Dr. Deven Parmar along with Dr Janaki introduced the programme and the panel consisting of eminent doctors.

The panelists then took stage and for over 2 hours they held forth on various topics on Spirituality & Medicare. Some panelists explained their views through presentations whereas others regaled the audience through Hindi Film songs and poetry. All the presentations were amazing in their simplicity while tackling a relatively complex subject. A common thread in the all the presentations was to highlight the importance of the MIND in medical treatment.

A synopsis of the various presentations:

Dr Ravi Bapat is a famous gastroenterologist attached to the KEM hospital in practice for the last 40 years. He emphasized on the concept of a sound mind in a sound body. Even WHO (the World Health Organisation) defines health as a combination of Mental, Spiritual and Social well being. He recollected the various stages that the medical profession has gone through in the last 2000 years. He remarked that the medical professionals of ancient times perfectly understood the importance of the mind when treating a disease and hence the treatments were of a holistic nature. But in recent times there is a reductionist approach which reduces the human body only to material object without the mind. Although the medical profession is more techno savvy than ever before but an inclusive approach is missing. This is particularly important when stress seems to be the root cause for all ailments today. He urged the audience to take this concept into account in their professional practice.

Dr Ravi Bhatnagar: In a presentation entitled Service Principles (Heart of the Matter) he spoke on the 5 human values that the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation stands on (Satya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa.) The beauty of this presentation was that he linked each of the values to relevant aspects of the Medical profession. For e.g.: In

· Sathya: The need for doctors to be truthful in the information to be shared to the patient and the relatives.

· Dharma: The doctors should practice what they preach e.g.: A Cardiologist who also smokes or eats junk food, is not dharma.

· Ahmisa: To be sensitive to the sanctity of human life. The doctor should treat the patient as his/her own relative.

· Prema: Having sympathy, solace and understanding.

· Shanti: The doctor should maintain equanimity under all circumstances and should also have the ability to accept the inevitable (death).

Prof G.S. Sokhi: He was the only non-medico amongst the panelist. He spoke on a concept called ‘Quantum of Sabbath’. Prof Sokhi quoted extensively from the Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Nanak’s divine words. The basic premise of this concept is the definition and awareness of Quantum (which is unseen). He explained that there is a unseen force that pervades through the entire universe that sustains everything. Using Guru Nanak’s example he exhorted the doctors to be better listeners and they should not only treat the physical (seen) but should also be aware of the unseen (Quantum of Sabbath – Life Force). This he said requires a change in perception. Prof Sokhi apart from being a physics professor at the Khalsa College – Mumbai has delved into the mysteries of the Quantum of Sabbath over the last 10 years and has made this, his life’s work.

Dr Sodhi: His presentation was on Hypnotherapy as an alternate method to cure, where conventional medicine has its limitations. A practicing chest specialist by profession Dr Sodhi also is a keen practioner and trainer of Hypnotherapy. His presentation explained the background and theory of hypnotherapy and also debunked popular myths about this treatment. He also spoke about past life regression. This is a line of treatment wherein in a hypnotized state the patient is able to find the root cause of the ailment in the current life to an event in one of the past lives. He gave a thrilling narrative of how his patient was able to find the source of his chest pain to an event in his past life wherein he was a soldier in Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj’s army and he was killed in battle by a wound to his chest. This patient used to suffer chest pains whereas scans by various doctors indicated nothing abnormal. Using the above therapy Dr Sodhi gave the realization to the patient about the source of his pain and now the patient is very much at ease.

Dr Manu Kothari: Dr Kothari spoke on Concern, Compassion and Commitment. He emphasized about the importance of living in the present and how not to fear death. Dr Kothari had the audience in splits with his one-liners, the bollywood songs and poetries. His ability of driving home profound truths through humor was a treat for the audience.

SwamiJanakinanda spoke about the importance of putting precept into practice. He said the main problem that afflicts the nation and in particular the medical profession is the gap between knowing what is right and putting it into practice.

The audience was then treated to a satwic sumptuous lunch prepared at the Chinmaya ashram. The conference re-convened with a short film on the works of Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba and the service projects that He has commissioned for the welfare of Humanity.

Shri Nimish Pandya– District President Mumbai – Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation concluded the proceedings with a short talk giving details of the activities in Medicare being undertaken by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation in Mumbai e.g. The Mobile Medicare Seva,The Super Specialty Network etc and urged the doctors not only to utilize the various Seva opportunities available but also to put into practice the concept of Spirituality in Medicare. He appreciated the inputs of the various panelists and requested the doctors to use these tools in their personal and professional lives.

Shri Pandya also used the occasion to offer his gratitude to the many doctors who are rendering yeoman service to humanity through the various medical projects of the organization. He also made a special mention of the support by the Swiss Pharma Company – Novartis for all the medical projects undertaken by the organization.

The conference concluded with Aarthi to Bhagawan and the participants were taken to the Sri Sathya Sai Pandurang Kshetra (The Divine Abode of Bhagawan during his recent visit to Hadshi. After a tour of the temple and bhajans the entire party returned to Mumbai.