A CCHM Graduate in India with Dr. Farokh Master

This blog is posted by: Lynn Selway DCHM (hons)

I recently returned from a spectacular trip to the foothills of the Himalayas in India where I had spent 11 days studying homeopathic medicine with the world renowned Dr. Farokh Master. Also present were 23 other homeopaths from around the globe including Dr. Will Taylor from Portland, Oregon.

This retreat took place near Dharmashala, India, home to the Dalai Lama and many other great spiritual leaders and 100% of the profits from this seminar went to support the local community. For more information visit http://www.jagorigrameen.org/tara.html The venue, participants and lecture days were absolutely outstanding – covering a wide range of topics from pathology (renal failure, cancer, heart disease, etc) to case taking and management. We had the good fortune to participate in live cases and view amazing video cases. Interestingly enough, people are just people. Whether we’re treating in Canada or India, case taking doesn’t change. We discussed thoughts on studying materia medica, disease - it’s nature and progression - and gained additional insight into some of our most widely used remedies such as: Sepia, Nat-Mur, Nux, Causticum, Rhus-Tox and Tuberculinum.

I could write a chapter on all the wonderful tidbits of information gleaned from these couple of weeks but what struck me the most was a couple of valuable “reminders” which I thought I’d share:

• On Materia Medica: Study from a variety of MM’s but read cured cases from the classical authors (Hahnemann’s Pura/Chronic Diseases, Hering’s MM, Allen’s Encyclopedia, Dunham and Lippe) . These cases are from experience rather than simply publishing others’ work. Dr. Master believes that your best learning about a remedy comes from your own 10 cured cases using that particular remedy – this is what you can hang your hat on.
• On case taking: Always remember that we’re looking for what needs to be cured and don’t forget the importance of the patient’s history – when did the longest existing health issue first start – what was going on and how does this play a role in the progression of the patient’s dis-ease. Remember that the chief complaint might be the last thing to go!
• On disease: One of the health concerns I struggle with and I’m sure others do as well are “silent diseases” like diabetes where the symptoms may be absent. We must remember that we’re not treating the disease, we’re treating the person with the disease. Some diseases are nearly impossible to cure e.g. ALS. Sometimes the most we can do is palliate. 
• On treatment: Not everything needs to be treated homeopathically. Sometimes “home remedies” can be helpful and they’re employed often by Dr. Master. Eg. Suggesting 1 tsp date syrup or black strap molasses daily for someone suffering from anemia.

I feel indeed blessed to have had this opportunity to study with one of the “masters”. It was fascinating, thought provoking and definitely worth the 17 hour plane and 9 hour bus ride … and they’re doing it again next year for those of you who are looking for a life-altering experience!