The Child’s World: New approaches to the homeopathic treatment of children is not just a book about treating children or ‘source’ prescribing or other things that one may, like I did, think it’s about. For me I found it such a great read for various reasons including that it was about treating children and about ‘source’ prescribing! It is, however, so much more.

Before I expound on its’ virtues I would like to put it in the context of the ongoing tradition of homeopathy as practiced in America.

I am talking about when our great healing art was introduced on this continent by the likes of Hans Burch Gram (founder in America, arriving in 1834 on our shores) and Herring, Kent, Wright-Hubbard and so forth. These were, like Linda Johnston, medical doctors that were learned people and, yet, understood how healing truly was done.

Linda Johnston, IMO, practices as they did as many have continued to do – with care and attention to detail the enables them to understand the patients and cure them of what ails them. The same principles of cure are being used and in her book Johnston does a fine job of getting us to see that health and disease are what we must initially understand just as much as the patients even before we can move towards using any of the new methodologies she presents thru great cases.

First off though, I need to let you know that I have the Didier Grandgeorge, have Herscu’s Children's Rxs and, check, have Master’s Children’s rxs and, as well, have Roberto Petrucci’s Children’s MM with rubrics. Also, recently read the wonderful Le Roux Butterflies and Kusse’s Children’s Types along with, of course, the Child Psyche issue, the first one, of Spectrum of Homeopathy. Albeit I have not really sat down with Catherine Coulter’s Children’ Types and many others that I may not even know of. Over the last few years – since being a student and reading Links right from the start – I always went out of my way to find children’s cases by various international homeopaths.

Despite having used all of the above, I have noticed, as a beginner prescriber/practitioner, that what many of these books have in common is they assume that children are either a rx type or that the influences of modern times, as spoken about so well in the Spectrum issue, can still be dealt with in terms of using remedies that are not only the usual suspects but, that we can treat "constitutionally" even with all the new manifestations of pathology that we are seeing in practice.

Louis Klein in his Spectrum piece said we are dealing with what he terms as the “new child”. I love this term – it captures everythg so well, the times, the children themselves…Autism spectrum, PDD-NOS and ADHD and aggression are all part of what we see more and more of along with just more disturbed behaviours all together in what everyone seems now to be accepting as normal (here “all” refers to some and not really all, but teachers, parents, doctors and the children themselves are all, for instance, taking constant runny noses/never finished coughs & colds, as well as, ticks, tapping, even public self-soothing, even masturbation publically thru to constant talking back/rudeness, whining and tears/tantrums along with sleep disturbances and eating & elimination problems for granted (whew, that list was long!)….Are we to accept all of these as part and parcel of normal childhood?[1]

What I observe as a parent (noticing maybe a little too much as I am a homeopath after all!) is that individual parents/families try to address the outcomes of parenting and nurturing without adequate supports as so they turn to interventions from the medical or educational world that can even be harmful never mind helpful. Solutions really are not getting at the root cause of the imbalances we see in children, families and the institutions.

What is great about Linda Johnston’s book is that it does look at causality along with solutions...it puts the child in equation - into a context of development and in society, for instance. It reminds me of the homeopathic version of The Descent of the Child: Human Evolution by Elaine Morgan. A book, by the way, that, IMO, any homeopath would love. They both speak to the nurturing of children developmentally…both come from a children's psychological perspective but with the homeopathic one having a look at the inner world as it relates to both the developmental milestones AND the source that the child(ren) resonate with (hence, “source” prescribing) and the latter one relates to the evolutionary growth of the child(ren) of the species.

It should be noted that despite Johnston’s use of “source” prescribing or what she calls the “new methodology” really a practitioner that doesn’t subscribe to or practice this method - based originally on the Sensation method of Rajan Sankaran - will truly have their eyes opened as to the possibilities of how we can reach into the world of a child and learn what it is that they experience – as this is still really what our casetaking and even analysis of a case is based on: understanding the patient.

Linda Johnston is truly an artist and healer and from her pediatric medical practice that uses homeopathic remedies you can see she is like what Melanie Grimes refers to with traditional allopathic doctors of days gone by that treated with a gentle bedside manner the children, families in their care…with trust and compassion. I Should quickly mention that what Grimes meant about medical doctors is that this is what she went into conventional practice based on as this was her ideal - we know and as she found out that this is not what really goes on - see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZsAfxWcsW0&feature=player_embedded

Anyways, the book outlines how the core of our work is about understanding the child from their perspective and how Johnston helps us get to where we will be able to address the “new child”, all children, by viewing each patient, including adults, as having an inner world that they experience daily – day and night. So, we must get into that world to feel it, to understand what it is about.

After reading the book the one case that exemplifies this and that is ingrained in my brain is the Sunnil Anand case of the 9 yr old girl that had allergies and asthma and experienced it as a brick in her throat that spun horizontally. I have always loved reading word for word what doctor and what patient say in the Intake and here we have transcription of the Interview…Massimo Mangialavori’s cases in Links were always like that and they really helped me so much at beginning see what went on and, therefore, how he came to the remedy – sort of, sometimes, it was if out of left field, but later, with little experience, made sense!

This Sunnil Anand case, one of a few, is an outstanding example of how detailed the inner world of the patient is – with the 7 Levels of Sankaran, this would be at the levels of Delusion and Sensation. Reference to Sankaran is given again, and rightly so, but not really for the choice of the remedy, but more for the method of choosing the remedy by Family and Miasm – so, the remedy in this case was from the Hamamelidae botanical family that is Tubercular is Juglans cinerae, the butternut….which would have been difficult if not impossible to get at without the “new methodologies”…I think the work of Jan Scholten, not referred to here, would have led to the remedy as well in that the Stage and Row of Periodic Table would have gotten to a rx and then the equivalent that he and others are finding in other Kingdoms could have been reached…at a recent seminar with Scholten here in Toronto a couple mths ago he went particularly into the links of Plant Families with the places on the Periodic Table…beyond what he also has written about/worked on: The minerals…metals and salts in plants.

In Child’s World there also is a wonderful history outlining how traditional classical homeopathy started off with prescribing on Symptom Picture moved to the Family/Miasmatic and Doctrine of Signatures and has even further broadened to really see that the source is the patient and the patient is resonating with the source and speaks, breathes, and lives their source – this is beautifully done. So, if you haven’t read all of Sankaran – like the newer Sensation, Sensation Refined for eg...you can skip these (but, note there are great descriptions of remedies a la Soul of Remedies – and the cases add to our MM, so do thk of them as reference books too).

Something to mention that makes the book truly worth having on your shelf – it is lovely read, but can it hold water as reference with one’s limited book budget?? – is that it has the best outline and details on Childhood Development that I have seen in a long time, and I have been reading stuff on this for Psych and Social Work courses along for my own interest for years….so, believe you me, it is the tops! In conjunction with a couple of other resources, such as the evolutionary book, The Descent of the Child, a practitioner has everything they need to gage what is common in a child(ren) at certain ages. Milestones and markers are not explicitly laid out as much as the expectations/goals of certain developmental phases – which, really is much more intelligent a read/reference for us to have on hand.

Oh, BTW, back to one little thing I mentioned earlier – the book is good for thinking and treating our adult patients as well. Linda Johnston states herself: "All homeopaths have had adult patients whose illness involved some unincorporated childhood stage of development or traumatic event that was still overmastering their life. In treating those cases, knowledge of childhood development, stages of growth and normal milestones will be of inestimable value."

Moreover, by way of saying The Child's World is essential, the whole state of pregnancy and birth trauma is part of this book as well (w/cases). Only in the last year or so, did I discover Harry van der Zee’s books on these topics by reading Tinus Smits (Inspiring Homeopathy) on manifesting into self/planet and also work of Melissa Assilem with her Matridonal remedies.
I had all along used Farokh Master’s State of the Pregnancy as my reference and was limited as I had no awareness of more work done that really expanded our horizons on what can be the source of the problem in a case. Linda Johnston is excellent…she covers it all and well. The term, incidently, that really is on the lips of modern homeopaths is “rebirthing” – even children may need to come back again after trauma of previous life time, as a foetus, or from birth is cleared…I will address this all in upcoming blog entries as there are great books on this and cases to read and learn from.

All in all, if you already know and practice incorporating all the stuff mentioned above, I would still say that Linda Johnston’s book is a unique take and presentation on working with children AND adults. It is a book that you will likely read quickly, a real page turner, but go back to for reference in thinking on the world of your little patients.

Although this last quote is about the state of health versus disease it can be applied to getting stuck in our ways/knowledge as homeopaths. Linda Johnston again: "All life has an innate drive towards expression, growth and development. Every advance necessitates leaving a state of stability and familiarity, thus, initiating challenge and risk. Despite the often felt desire to hold on to what is successful and familiar, in nature there is no possibility of staying static, resting on one’s laurels content with the status quo."

So true, and for us it is truly about taking on the responsibility to be healthy and not be fearful about the so called “new methodologies” – the growth and development in homeopathy will be the future of how we work and how we can get results for our patients. I’m sure I will be writing further on this: it’s about the use of all possible substances/remedies, the use of all possible ways of seeing.

PS - If you read this book let me know and feel free to send in your experience of this book. I’ll post on the Blog so others will get another perspective on the book – call me on this as I may be able to swing it so you get a complimentary NEW book to read as well, so as to get reviews from YOU on it!! With the line up of slated books to come out of Narayana ther will be lot's to discuss:-)

Few last things to mention FYI:

This article on history of Homeopathy in the International Diaspora by Peter Morrell is fabulous and not too long: http://www.homeoint.org/morrell/articles/pm_outli.htm

In America: http://www.homeoint.org/history/king/2-01.htm (this is long but chock full of the data you may need for talk/backgrd for discussion at a dinner party, LOL – how to put a damper on a family gathering!)

As for Canada – do we not often get our history & even our culture inadvertently from South of the boarder?? but I will make an effort to get my school notes out as we had a great lecture on homeopathic history here in Ontario – as for the rest of Canada…if anyone has info do send to me and I will follow-up to get the Canadian content up to speed!

Bedside manner with compassion and the medicines, homeopathic remedies, are what we need as a foundation; I feel good fitting myself into the history of our healing art here in North America. Stay well, but do Dare to be Better! Hugs to all of you, gentle readers.

[1] Great piece for practitioners to share with parents is in the Introduction of this book, you can read it here: http://books.google.ca/books?id=h4NukJS7X84C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Edward+shalts&source=bl&ots=gqFgMQTJOZ&sig=rF6kiuIZ4dNLPnHoxeWB0NxXT7M&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false

Introductions Please!

Hello all, just to let you all know a little about myself, other than that the reference to the Overflowing Vessel is from the I Ching's Hexagram that I feel relevant these days for my life: #42, Yi (Increase) which has as its'character a vessel that has water on top of it, overflowing...symbolizing "material abdundance, which enables you to turn your attention to your inner being". All I can say, is about time! As I am almost 50 and really need to do some more inner reflecting - but no naval gazing allowed, as been there, done that! Funny that I am on the course of being a homeopath as it certainly seems to be antithetical to material abundance, that's for sure.

Mind you, my being the Representative for Narayana in terms of their Customer Service where I will work for books is not gonna make me wealthy (will make me wise though), but it will help with regards to the material part of life...since I will not have to buy books as all homeopaths try NOT to do too much of this inorder that we can feed ourselves and clothe ourselves;-) They do add up, especially if you are hungry for knowledge as most of us are and because they are highly specialized.

Interesting though that at this time and in this cyber world there seems to be a growth spurt happening within our profession - Narayana, for instance, is really going at putting out books galoure - I was just told that they are slated to publish 44 books this upcoming year; that is almost 1 book a week.

Insane? What is happening? I think it is because, as stated on their website's homepage, they have selected "...books [that] represent a synthesis of modern homeopathy's newest developments and the most important works of classical homeopathy." So, what does that mean? Well, it means that there are more new developments occuring recently than there have been for a while - since Links came out just 20 yrs ago the rate of growth for homeopathy since inception has more than doubled (I'm just guessing, but totally plausible?!).

After the foundation was laid and some forward thinking masters from the past moved the work of Hahnemann and his peers at the time further along, advancing what was the basis of a great system into "modern times' - it was practiced and kept alive with home prescribing/acute prescribing as well as "constitutional" prescribing...rightly so, as it needed to be kept alive, what with all the attacks/concerted effort to extinguish it and all that jazz. I did read the history, and will next post have a link to really cool history here in N.A. that some of you may already be familiar with and others not.

Now we are seeing homeopathy take off in terms of the innovation and advances it is making in terms of catching up to modern times/ailments and human conditions - it has skyrocketed and is, literally, out in orbit...really getting to the source of the, well, source! That is of the patients/of the remedies/states and everything, hence, words in use these days are essence, core, depth, sensation, energy...Progressive modern day homeopaths with strong foundations in the system of this medicine are really approaching the work of developing the art/science from all angles....all facets of healing are fair game and, again, rightly so cause there is room for all ways that a) get real results, and b) that enhance the work of others, and that can survive the attack of those crazy skeptics all over the place these days.

What I love about Narayana is that they represent the best of of the best: past and present. The selection of past works is very carefully choosen, not just a smattering or random selection from what I can see. I will review some groovy old time guys and gals - couple reading now from the parcel sent to me as a gift!! (so very generous, the folks at Narayana).

And of the present authors/homeopaths, they are chosing who stands out in terms of being useful clinically, even if the work is "theoritical" in nature. Mind you, anything that is practical for our practices is also theorectical cause we are a special breed of people. We usually love dialogue on the far out and funky theories as to why people resonate with certain substances and how disease develops in sentient beings and all that, but we are all about discussing cases from the perspective of what happens when there is movement towards cure and how plays out in real world and real time - like practically how did you dose, what potency, what symptoms did you make into rubrics and so forth.

For me I have been a student and beginner practitioner for about 7 years now - where has this time gone?? And all along I have loved this field, homeopathy, cause it blends both my interests in philosophy and fields like social sciences and the interest I have had in people, psychology and such for instance. I had a interest in health matters as well - reading magazines and books always in search for answers about how to have optimal health and live with vitality and in a spiritually aligned manner... linking my interest in world religions with just how to live a simple and good life (still working on that).

So, in my foundation course, I was just more and more blown away with how deep this homeopathy was on every level. Once I started to practice I got more and more amazed at how very expansive the definition of health and disease became as I learned about how my patients were experiencing their lives and responding to remedies - the awareness that I got from their healing and, hence, growth was not at all what I expected.

Although I was just a beginner practitioner I was able to learn lots thru my own experiences as a patient - went to my schools clinic, unwillingly, but had relief and cure of asthma and allergies that I didn't even consider as problems since I had lived so long with them that I thought were just part of my life. Also, through my daughter I have had the opportunity to see how homeopathy helps address not only physical complaints but works on a level that addresses core problems of existence for a person. It is simply amazing, or "awesome" as she would say!

Anyways, I was trying to say, that fortunately, as a beginner I went straight into what we have here in North America, maybe equivilant to what may exist in other countries - the motherland of Homeopathy, Germany, for example? - the Master Clinician Course run by the perceptive and knowledgable, daring and scholarly Louis Klein. Thank god!! Why I say this is because I have seen some of the people that went to my foundation course remain stuck in a place where they are not even aware of the possibilities that exist for themselves, homeopathy and their patients. More later on this Graduate course and would love to hear about other experiences of education out there (so much to learn even on how we learn!).

I will end by saying that being in Toronto Canada where we have a few schools, including a Naturopathic college that has a homeopathic department run by a progressive, hip & happening homeopath...and wher we have a homeopathic supplier for rxs from all the pharmacies of Europe and N.A. and for books has certainly enable me to feed my hunger. More later on this cute and wonderful "store" too....I worked for a while at the bookstore, also for books really and to pick up my remedies since I was making a weekly trip there anyways (like, if I went in to work, I always came home with a book - not lucrative at all, also, it took away from really getting into practicing - a really great place though).

I recall that the last several books I bought were all Narayana published books. I couldn't get enough of them, so when asked to be the Customer Rep I was astounded and honored as I just loved them already. It all came about just recently and suddenly, but I feel the fit is excellent as I am a fan for sure. And since I am just getting started in my practice with a great clinical supervisor (more on her later too) I feel that I can put time into helping where needed but still do the work I need to find the remedies and manage cases of the few patients that I have. I have to say, my clinical supervisor and I are getting into a weekly groove, so this and that are all making it possible to manage my time better....which, as a mom with a partner, very supportive and productive, and the desire to also be active in the community and participate in my daughter's school and assist in grps that we are belong to I really do need to be on top of my use of time (those time managment courses didn't work, but now that I found my calling I just go at it like a dog at a bone and I don't want distractions from what I am focused on - amazing how that works).

Doing some work with Narayana is not only helping me focus but it is a total pleasure to be able to communicate with the lovely people that started this wonderful publishing business. They are homeopaths and just plain good folks. I will get the scoop on the start up of Narayana for you all dear readers and let you know, as I learn more ALL about them, the choice of publishing and anything you all want to know!

Anything else on me? I guess doing a Blog on the Narayana books will inadvertently reveal things about myself, so hope you get a sense of the love that I have for homeopathy, books and all things homeopathic. I hope too to get to know what you think/feel about the books and your work as homeopaths...how we all benefiting from the new developments and using them - let's all find out and help each other grow and move forward. Best to you all and look forward to this journey.

Yours truly,

Laura