Lecture on Mind-Body Connection and Medicine Held in Malaysia

On November 28, 2009, a lecture titled "Creating A Century of Life: The Significance of Mind-Body Interaction" was held at the Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event was hosted by Dr Amir Farid Isahak, chairman of the Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship (INSAF). Dr. Christopher Boey Chiong Meng, pediatrics professor at the University of Malaya School of Medicine, delivered the lecture which some 220 attended.

Dr. Boey began his lecture discussing the history of medicine and how human illnesses began to be classified as either physical or psychological. He further explained that this way of thinking led doctors to view physical illnesses as merely cases to be treated, rather than taking a holistic approach of understanding a patient's emotional and mental states as well as needs.

Dr. Boey reported that now more doctors are beginning to recognize the important role the patient's mind plays in causing and curing diseases. Citing numerous examples, he explained that an understanding of the profound connection between the mind and body will lead to a greater appreciation of the tremendous healing potential that exists within each person. He ended the lecture by sharing his vision of a world where people take full responsibility for their health, which includes respecting the dignity of all life.

[Adapted from a report from Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM); photo courtesy of SGM]