Materia Medica vol 2
Language
English
Type
Hardback
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€32.45
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Ananda Zaren was an expert homeopath and a teacher of homeopathy as well as a teacher of teachers of homeopathy. Sadly, she passed away in 2008. She was an early student of George Vithoulkas, and she was a frequent lecturer in Germany where she lectured in hospitals.
Her chapter on "The Wound, The Wall, and The Mask" is a real classic in the homeopathic literature, and she used this simple but important insight into describing each remedy in her books.
This book review is reprinted from the British Homeopathic Journal Vol 85, Number 1, January 1996, with permission from Peter Fisher, Editor.
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These two volumes of materia medica of the mind by Ananda Zaren offer a new model for exploring pathology and materia medica. The work has been influenced by Vithoulkas, and she emphasizes the importance of the emotional state in homoeopathic prescribing.
Zaren's method of interpreting homoeopathic medicines and pathology looks at the initial trigger to the diseased state, which she calls 'the wound'; the way the individual protects himself from further injury, called 'the wall'; and the way the individual presents himself to the world, called 'the mask'. Each medicine is analysed in this way.
These layers of presentation are akin to psychoanalytic theory, which views much pathology as linked to childhood trauma (the initiating wound), especially in the work of analysts like Alice Miller. Psychoanalysis also refers to the defences we develop to cope with this state (the wall), and discusses concepts like a 'true' and 'false' (i.e. masked) self.
Zaren asserts that when the individual is unable to cope with an injury or trauma, a wound is created. Commonly, this is caused by various forms of childhood abandonment. The features of the wound are that it is unexpected, and that its effects are deeply felt by the individual. This original wound is continually restimulated by repeated similar stress. In order to protect himself, the individual forms a barrier or 'wall' around the wound. This wall is represented by physical, mental and emotional symptoms presenting, which initially protect, but later disguise the original wound, causing it to fester underneath. The wall of symptoms acts to numb the individual's response to the original offence and represents an adaptation to the trauma. However, the body becomes drained by having to maintain this defence.
Additional survival mechanisms are developed to obscure the wall, these the author refers to as the 'mask' or the 'persona', the interface the individual has with society. The mask serves to 'distract the individual from the pain and loneliness of the true self'.
Homoeopathic treatment is aimed at matching the original wound plus the symptoms of the wall. Ananda Zaren sees the homoeopathic method as a painstaking method of working with the patient in order to uncover these layers of pathology.
The author discusses well-known medicines-Calc-p, Cann-i, Caust, Hyos, Med, Sil, Anac, Calc, Nat-c, Sulph and Thuja. However, her unique interpretation of the mental aspects offers new insights, also into pathology, in a similar way to the work of Catherine Coulter.
Each drug is explored with respect to aetiology, the wound, the wall, the mask, relationship issues, childhood presentations, and comparative materia medica.
A useful summary is provided at the end of each discussion, and ample references to rubrics in Kent's Repertory are given throughout the discussions.
As with any materia medica of the mind, there is much room for interpretation, yet careful cross-referencing with Kent's rubrics creates a convincing argument for the interpretations given.
I would recommend this book for in-depth study of the mental symptoms associated with the drugs. It provides a fascinating understanding of some which I thought I knew well!
TESSA KATZ
| ISBN | 971792917 |
|---|---|
| Author | Ananda Zaren |
| Type | Hardback |
| Language | English |
| Review | This book review is reprinted from the British Homoeopathic Journal Vol 85, Number 1, January 1996, with permission from Peter Fisher, Editor. These two volumes of materia medica of the mind by Ananda Zaren offer a new model for exploring pathology and materia medica. The work has been influenced by Vithoulkas, and she emphasizes the importance of the emotional state in homoeopathic prescribing. Zaren's method of interpreting homoeopathic medicines and pathology looks at the initial trigger to the diseased state, which she calls 'the wound'; the way the individual protects himself from further injury, called 'the wall'; and the way the individual presents himself to the world, called 'the mask'. Each medicine is analysed in this way. These layers of presentation are akin to psychoanalytic theory, which views much pathology as linked to childhood trauma (the initiating wound), especially in the work of analysts like Alice Miller. Psychoanalysis also refers to the defences we develop to cope with this state (the wall), and discusses concepts like a 'true' and 'false' (i.e. masked) self. Zaren asserts that when the individual is unable to cope with an injury or trauma, a wound is created. Commonly, this is caused by various forms of childhood abandonment. The features of the wound are that it is unexpected, and that its effects are deeply felt by the individual. This original wound is continually restimulated by repeated similar stress. In order to protect himself, the individual forms a barrier or 'wall' around the wound. This wall is represented by physical, mental and emotional symptoms presenting, which initially protect, but later disguise the original wound, causing it to fester underneath. The wall of symptoms acts to numb the individual's response to the original offence and represents an adaptation to the trauma. However, the body becomes drained by having to maintain this defence. Additional survival mechanisms are developed to obscure the wall, these the author refers to as the 'mask' or the 'persona', the interface the individual has with society. The mask serves to 'distract the individual from the pain and loneliness of the true self'. Homoeopathic treatment is aimed at matching the original wound plus the symptoms of the wall. Ananda Zaren sees the homoeopathic method as a painstaking method of working with the patient in order to uncover these layers of pathology. The author discusses well-known medicines-Calc-p, Cann-i, Caust, Hyos, Med, Sil, Anac, Calc, Nat-c, Sulph and Thuja. However, her unique interpretation of the mental aspects offers new insights, also into pathology, in a similar way to the work of Catherine Coulter. Each drug is explored with respect to aetiology, the wound, the wall, the mask, relationship issues, childhood presentations, and comparative materia medica. A useful summary is provided at the end of each discussion, and ample references to rubrics in Kent's Repertory are given throughout the discussions. As with any materia medica of the mind, there is much room for interpretation, yet careful cross-referencing with Kent's rubrics creates a convincing argument for the interpretations given. I would recommend this book for in-depth study of the mental symptoms associated with the drugs. It provides a fascinating understanding of some which I thought I knew well! TESSA KATZ The British Homoeopathic Journal
This book review is reprinted from The Homoeopath with permission from Nick Churchill of The Society of Homoeopaths. Ananda Zaren presents a study of these remedies using her own model of analysis which she outlines in the introductory chapter. The model consists of the WOUND, the WALL and the MASK. According to Ananda a WOUND occurs when a trauma is experienced - for example, emotional abandonment or disappointed love. However, she states that "Whether a specific event can cause a WOUND depends on the intensity of the trauma and the susceptibility and Vital Force of the individual". The WALL in Ananda's model is the response which protects the individual against further trauma, and consists of the totality of the symptoms. The MASK represents the superficial facade which is presented to the world - "a depressed patient might appear to be jovial, and a fearful patient could appear arrogant and detached". Ananda states that prescriptions based on the MASK will usually fail, and that it is necessary to treat the WALL to bring about a cure. Each remedy is analysed according to this model. Ananda describes, for example, how the WOUND of Calcarea carbonica may develop in a family where "suppression of emotion is cultivated and valued". The child is taught that obedience to others is important and is not encouraged to talk about feelings or problems. Calcarea carbonica children are rewarded for obedience, chores and achievement and develop a WALL which includes duty and routine, work and obligation, anxiety, insecurity and a blocking of intimacy, while presenting a MASK of independence, cheerfulness and capability. The remedy pictures are illustrated with appropriate rubrics and each section includes rubrics for the WOUND, WALL and MASK. Ananda includes differential Materia Medica and a useful section on the Natrums. A section on children is included for each remedy. How well does this analytical model work? I found the concept of the WOUND rather inconsistent. Initially the WOUND is described as a "sudden trauma" but Ananda then proceeds to describe the WOUNDS of the various remedies occurring over a long period; the WOUND of Anacardium, for example, initiated by "a history of on-going abuse" and that of Sulphur by "a history of humiliation by the parents". Although the important issue of susceptibility is mentioned briefly, it is not developed, which for me raised several questions. To what extent are we already 'wounded' at birth? To what extent are 'wounds' inherited or inflicted? How far is the WOUND a stimulus to pre-existing susceptibility? These issues are especially important in a remedy such as Thuja, where there may be a strong miasmatic inheritance, but are not addressed. I was disappointed that Ananda did not illustrate the remedies with longer case studies from her own clinical experience. The section entitled 'The Path of Healing' describes how the patient moves through various stages of healing, which might encompass awareness, anger and rage, and grieving, to self-acceptance and increased spiritual awareness, and is well worth reading. Overall I felt that this book would probably be of most interest to students, as the information is fairly basic, and presented in a clear and readable way. This is a well-made hardback, but unfortunately rather expensive for students at 25 pounds. The Homoeopath No. 57 1995 |
Review
This book review is reprinted from the British Homoeopathic Journal Vol 85, Number 1, January 1996, with permission from Peter Fisher, Editor.
These two volumes of materia medica of the mind by Ananda Zaren offer a new model for exploring pathology and materia medica. The work has been influenced by Vithoulkas, and she emphasizes the importance of the emotional state in homoeopathic prescribing.
Zaren's method of interpreting homoeopathic medicines and pathology looks at the initial trigger to the diseased state, which she calls 'the wound'; the way the individual protects himself from further injury, called 'the wall'; and the way the individual presents himself to the world, called 'the mask'. Each medicine is analysed in this way.
These layers of presentation are akin to psychoanalytic theory, which views much pathology as linked to childhood trauma (the initiating wound), especially in the work of analysts like Alice Miller. Psychoanalysis also refers to the defences we develop to cope with this state (the wall), and discusses concepts like a 'true' and 'false' (i.e. masked) self.
Zaren asserts that when the individual is unable to cope with an injury or trauma, a wound is created. Commonly, this is caused by various forms of childhood abandonment. The features of the wound are that it is unexpected, and that its effects are deeply felt by the individual. This original wound is continually restimulated by repeated similar stress. In order to protect himself, the individual forms a barrier or 'wall' around the wound. This wall is represented by physical, mental and emotional symptoms presenting, which initially protect, but later disguise the original wound, causing it to fester underneath. The wall of symptoms acts to numb the individual's response to the original offence and represents an adaptation to the trauma. However, the body becomes drained by having to maintain this defence.
Additional survival mechanisms are developed to obscure the wall, these the author refers to as the 'mask' or the 'persona', the interface the individual has with society. The mask serves to 'distract the individual from the pain and loneliness of the true self'.
Homoeopathic treatment is aimed at matching the original wound plus the symptoms of the wall. Ananda Zaren sees the homoeopathic method as a painstaking method of working with the patient in order to uncover these layers of pathology.
The author discusses well-known medicines-Calc-p, Cann-i, Caust, Hyos, Med, Sil, Anac, Calc, Nat-c, Sulph and Thuja. However, her unique interpretation of the mental aspects offers new insights, also into pathology, in a similar way to the work of Catherine Coulter.
Each drug is explored with respect to aetiology, the wound, the wall, the mask, relationship issues, childhood presentations, and comparative materia medica.
A useful summary is provided at the end of each discussion, and ample references to rubrics in Kent's Repertory are given throughout the discussions.
As with any materia medica of the mind, there is much room for interpretation, yet careful cross-referencing with Kent's rubrics creates a convincing argument for the interpretations given.
I would recommend this book for in-depth study of the mental symptoms associated with the drugs. It provides a fascinating understanding of some which I thought I knew well!
TESSA KATZ
The British Homoeopathic Journal
This book review is reprinted from The Homoeopath with permission from Nick Churchill of The Society of Homoeopaths.
Reviewed by Jane Golding RSHom
Ananda Zaren presents a study of these remedies using her own model of analysis which she outlines in the introductory chapter. The model consists of the WOUND, the WALL and the MASK.
According to Ananda a WOUND occurs when a trauma is experienced - for example, emotional abandonment or disappointed love. However, she states that "Whether a specific event can cause a WOUND depends on the intensity of the trauma and the susceptibility and Vital Force of the individual".
The WALL in Ananda's model is the response which protects the individual against further trauma, and consists of the totality of the symptoms.
The MASK represents the superficial facade which is presented to the world - "a depressed patient might appear to be jovial, and a fearful patient could appear arrogant and detached".
Ananda states that prescriptions based on the MASK will usually fail, and that it is necessary to treat the WALL to bring about a cure.
Each remedy is analysed according to this model. Ananda describes, for example, how the WOUND of Calcarea carbonica may develop in a family where "suppression of emotion is cultivated and valued". The child is taught that obedience to others is important and is not encouraged to talk about feelings or problems. Calcarea carbonica children are rewarded for obedience, chores and achievement and develop a WALL which includes duty and routine, work and obligation, anxiety, insecurity and a blocking of intimacy, while presenting a MASK of independence, cheerfulness and capability.
The remedy pictures are illustrated with appropriate rubrics and each section includes rubrics for the WOUND, WALL and MASK.
Ananda includes differential Materia Medica and a useful section on the Natrums.
A section on children is included for each remedy.
How well does this analytical model work? I found the concept of the WOUND rather inconsistent. Initially the WOUND is described as a "sudden trauma" but Ananda then proceeds to describe the WOUNDS of the various remedies occurring over a long period; the WOUND of Anacardium, for example, initiated by "a history of on-going abuse" and that of Sulphur by "a history of humiliation by the parents".
Although the important issue of susceptibility is mentioned briefly, it is not developed, which for me raised several questions. To what extent are we already 'wounded' at birth? To what extent are 'wounds' inherited or inflicted? How far is the WOUND a stimulus to pre-existing susceptibility? These issues are especially important in a remedy such as Thuja, where there may be a strong miasmatic inheritance, but are not addressed.
I was disappointed that Ananda did not illustrate the remedies with longer case studies from her own clinical experience.
The section entitled 'The Path of Healing' describes how the patient moves through various stages of healing, which might encompass awareness, anger and rage, and grieving, to self-acceptance and increased spiritual awareness, and is well worth reading.
Overall I felt that this book would probably be of most interest to students, as the information is fairly basic, and presented in a clear and readable way.
This is a well-made hardback, but unfortunately rather expensive for students at 25 pounds.
The Homoeopath No. 57 1995