By Dr. Mark Wiley

In my practice here in Philadelphia, I often see people who are at their last straw. They have tried everything to help them and are at their wit’s end. They don’t know if what I have to offer “will work,” but they will “give it a try.”

On their fist visit with me, I conduct a thorough initial examination, offer a consultation about holistic medicine in general terms, study their specific case, write a report of findings and design a wellness protocol. On their second visit I discuss with them their report of findings and explain their wellness protocol. If dietary changes are necessary, I write them out and we discuss them. If stretches or exercises are necessary, I outline the routine and teach them the methods. If herbs are indicated, I tell them which ones and why.

I describe The Wiley Method as an “Integrated Mind/Body Approach” because it is well rounded, integrates various methods and techniques from a variety of sources, connects mind with body and is certainly an “approach” or map for wellness. Thus, in my office many patients find results after a short amount of time; often 30% faster than practitioners who focus on one aspect of health (such as acupuncture or homeopathy alone). And because my method is designed with things to be done by both me (the healer) and the person seeing me (the one in need of healing), the number and frequency of visits is less.

My point is, with the right information (understanding of the problem and the cure), and the right methodology (ways of healing), and motivation (willingness and want to do it), there is no reason people should still be suffering ill health. But this isn’t always the case.

It reminds me of the old cliché: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink it.” I used to be amazed as to why some people were so willing, ready and able to do the teamwork necessary to achieve health and well being, while others were not. Some people just doubted everything, were already living in mental, emotional and energetic defeat. Couldn’t bring themselves to do the little things necessary on a daily basis to speed recovery, to aid body balance, to “keep things moving” between office visits with me.

But then I realized that not everyone has a positive intention from which they work. And this reminded me of one of Guatama Buddha’s messages about Choice. He said:

Your life is determined by
the nature of mind.

A disturbed mind creates a miserable life.
Suffering follows this mind
like the cart behind a horse.

A silent mind creates a peaceful life.
Happiness will follow this mind
like an ever-present shadow.

Here the Buddha was speaking on the benefits of meditation for quieting the mind. However, if we look more generally at what is being said, we see that if our lives are determined by the nature of our minds and our minds are full of defeat and misery and doubt, then how can we possibly ever achieve health? In other words, you are what you think. If you think misery and pain, you only bring misery and pain into your life. If you think you can’t “do” the diet, the energy work, the herbs, then you are failing at the start and will not achieve health. Psychologists call this the self-fulfilling prophesy.

With this in mind, I would like to remind everyone that health and wellness are a choice. You simply choose to be health, high spirited, happy and you will bring these energies into your life. With such positive thinking and outlook, the will to do what it takes to be healthy will present itself. The rest will simply fall into place.