The Homeopathic Miasms
Language
English
Type
Paperback
Publisher
Cutting Edge Publications
Out of stock
€13.95
Share on social media
This is a modern review of the homeopathic theory of miasms, taking Hahnemann's groundbreaking hypothesis as the starting point, and extending it to include positive as well as negative traits, exploring how miasms can and do contribute to a growth in human consciousness. Considering the miasms as challenges to humanity, the author describes each major miasm in terms of its life issues and affinities, with the disease aspects being incorporated into a much larger picture. It includes the five chronic miasms of psora, sycosis, syphilis, tuberculosis and cancer, plus the more recent miasms of radiation and AIDS. It also includes the organ and tissue affinities, associated homeopathic remedies and flower essences.
Even seasoned homeopaths will be interested in this new take on miasms. Ian Watson builds on Hahnemann's theory of chronic disease by explaining how perceiving the miasms as transformative influences rather than just underlying predispositions to disease can help us integrate the positive traits rather than simply eradicating the negative ones. He also relates the miasms to stages of individual and collective evolution. A unique aspect of this book (as far as I am aware) is the suggestions for the use of specific flower essences to address the issues raised by each miasm. This has certainly influenced my own thinking as to how flower essences can be used in chronic cases. The authors own interest and study of psychotherapy is also clearly evident in the book. Psychotherapy, particularly Jungian philosophy has informed homeopathic literature for many years but I found the direct correlation of it to the miasms in this book fascinating. Ian has a skillful way of explaining complex issues in a clear and concise way making this a much easier read than many others on these topics but no less informative. The depth of the information in this relatively slim volume is deceptive. When I was at college, Ian's book 'A Guide to Homoeopathic Methodologies' was essential reading and the one we all quoted from in our graduation cases and assignments. I have a feeling this book will follow suit. I certainly wish it had been in print when I was studying. I therefore recommend this book to practitioners and students alike. by Carol Boroughs, Homeopath (reviewed on Amazon UK)
Even seasoned homeopaths will be interested in this new take on miasms. Ian Watson builds on Hahnemann's theory of chronic disease by explaining how perceiving the miasms as transformative influences rather than just underlying predispositions to disease can help us integrate the positive traits rather than simply eradicating the negative ones. He also relates the miasms to stages of individual and collective evolution. A unique aspect of this book (as far as I am aware) is the suggestions for the use of specific flower essences to address the issues raised by each miasm. This has certainly influenced my own thinking as to how flower essences can be used in chronic cases. The authors own interest and study of psychotherapy is also clearly evident in the book. Psychotherapy, particularly Jungian philosophy has informed homeopathic literature for many years but I found the direct correlation of it to the miasms in this book fascinating. Ian has a skillful way of explaining complex issues in a clear and concise way making this a much easier read than many others on these topics but no less informative. The depth of the information in this relatively slim volume is deceptive. When I was at college, Ian's book 'A Guide to Homoeopathic Methodologies' was essential reading and the one we all quoted from in our graduation cases and assignments. I have a feeling this book will follow suit. I certainly wish it had been in print when I was studying. I therefore recommend this book to practitioners and students alike. by Carol Boroughs, Homeopath (reviewed on Amazon UK)
| Subtitle | A modern View |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9780951765784 |
| Author | Ian Watson |
| Type | Paperback |
| Language | English |
| Publication Date | 2009-12-03 |
| Pages | 105 |
| Publisher | Cutting Edge Publications |
| Review | This book review is reprinted from Volume 23, Winter 2010 edition, with permission from Homeopathic Links. Reviewed by Joesph Rozencwajg, New Zealand I like Ian Watson's modern and pragmatic approach to homeopathy, so I was very interested to read his latest book. After all, the concept of miasms is one of the most difficult to grasp and many of us do struggle with it. And as usual, lan did not deceive my expectations: he starts by saying that many approaches to homeopathic treatments are simple allopathy with potentised remedies: use this remedy to treat that condition; and the same is true with the concept that miasms are "evil" and should be eradicated, another allopathic concept. He sees miasms more as stages or states of life rather than pathological entities; pathology occurs when imbalance comes into play. Psora is survival, Sycosis is growth and reproduction, Syphilis death and destruction, Tuberculosis the wake-up call, and Cancer is relationship to others. Clearly this is more of a philosophical and sociological approach than anything else and puts a very different light and vision to miasms. Ian presents many Flower remedies adapted to miasmatic states, but the few homeopathic ones are again presented the allopathic way: page 41 "Consider Medorrhinum also for puffy ankles or feet..." as an example, is exactly what he deplored at the beginning of the book. Then involving "divine" intervention or presence might be obvious and clear for lan, whatever his belief system is, but it is not really expected in a book aimed at practitioners of very various and different creeds and philosophical inclinations. Still, this book and the concepts presented are an invaluable addition to our understanding of miasms and I would certainly recommend it as an integral part of their study. This book review is reprinted with the permission from the Summer 2010 Edition of The Homeopath. Reviewed by Margot Maidment It is six years since Ian Watson has described himself primarily as a homeopath, his work having branched out into areas he describes as involving personal growth and self-transformation. However, his interest in homeopathy as a discipline has not diminished, as can be seen in his latest publication, The Homeopathic Miasm A Modern View. He writes that the impulse for this work came out of a feeling that 'the miasm theory developed by Hahnemann contained a built-in limitation' Ian sets out to identify a 'limitation' in Hahnemann's miasmatic theory and to elucidate a modern approach to understanding miasmatic theory with a view to increasing the usefulness of these ideas for homeopaths working today In keeping perhaps with his interest in self-transformation, he suggests that a new way to look at miasms is to see them as transformative influences, embracing both positive and negative aspects, which can be understood, learned from and integrated, rather than viewed simply as disease-producing forces that need to be overcome. He attempts to take a neutral approach that sees miasms not as malefic influences that need to be eradicated but as opportunities and agents of transformation and inner growth. He succeeds in doing this, I feel, even with the 'contemporary miasms' of cancer, AIDS and radiation Ian looks at commonly understood rubrics and seeks to explain how they and the remedies we associate with them fit into a miasmatic pattern. As well as looking at the miasms from a theoretical perspective, he includes information on the nosodes associated with the miasms. Homeopaths will not find this aspect controversial. What may be more controversial is his advocacy of the use of flower remedies, but this is, in fact, in keeping with the way he has extended his work into the promotion of self-healing approaches rather than promoting an 'expert' model of healing. In addition, he makes useful links between the homeopathic miasms, Buddhist philosophy and psychotherapeutic modalities, such as Jungian thought. One criticism might be that he does not offer any references for some of the statements he makes or offer suggestions for further reading, which I would have found useful, but as he is not claiming his work to be an academic tome, preferring instead to focus on providing a practical aid to learning and prescribing, this can perhaps be forgiven. The merits of Ian's book will depend on the degree to which we are able to use his ideas, not just to 'cure' people but rather to enable people to gain insight into the issues and challenges that face us, not only as individuals but as a species. This is a concise but rich book which introduces a new dimension into homeopathic philosophy, based upon Ian's own thoughts and experiences as a homeopath and healer and I can thoroughly recommend it to homeopaths, students and teachers alike. |
Review
This book review is reprinted from Volume 23, Winter 2010 edition, with permission from Homeopathic Links.
Reviewed by Joesph Rozencwajg, New Zealand
I like Ian Watson's modern and pragmatic approach to homeopathy, so I was very interested to read his latest book. After all, the concept of miasms is one of the most difficult to grasp and many of us do struggle with it.
And as usual, lan did not deceive my expectations: he starts by saying that many approaches to homeopathic treatments are simple allopathy with potentised remedies: use this remedy to treat that condition; and the same is true with the concept that miasms are "evil" and should be eradicated, another allopathic concept.
He sees miasms more as stages or states of life rather than pathological entities; pathology occurs when imbalance comes into play.
Psora is survival, Sycosis is growth and reproduction, Syphilis death and destruction, Tuberculosis the wake-up call, and Cancer is relationship to others.
Clearly this is more of a philosophical and sociological approach than anything else and puts a very different light and vision to miasms.
Ian presents many Flower remedies adapted to miasmatic states, but the few homeopathic ones are again presented the allopathic way: page 41 "Consider Medorrhinum also for puffy ankles or feet..." as an example, is exactly what he deplored at the beginning of the book. Then involving "divine" intervention or presence might be obvious and clear for lan, whatever his belief system is, but it is not really expected in a book aimed at practitioners of very various and different creeds and philosophical inclinations.
Still, this book and the concepts presented are an invaluable addition to our understanding of miasms and I would certainly recommend it as an integral part of their study.
This book review is reprinted with the permission from the Summer 2010 Edition of The Homeopath.
Reviewed by Margot Maidment
It is six years since Ian Watson has described himself primarily as a homeopath, his work having branched out into areas he describes as involving personal growth and self-transformation. However, his interest in homeopathy as a discipline has not diminished, as can be seen in his latest publication, The Homeopathic Miasm A Modern View.
He writes that the impulse for this work came out of a feeling that 'the miasm theory developed by Hahnemann contained a built-in limitation' Ian sets out to identify a 'limitation' in Hahnemann's miasmatic theory and to elucidate a modern approach to understanding miasmatic theory with a view to increasing the usefulness of these ideas for homeopaths working today In keeping perhaps with his interest in self-transformation, he suggests that a new way to look at miasms is to see them as transformative influences, embracing both positive and negative aspects, which can be understood, learned from and integrated, rather than viewed simply as disease-producing forces that need to be overcome. He attempts to take a neutral approach that sees miasms not as malefic influences that need to be eradicated but as opportunities and agents of transformation and inner growth. He succeeds in doing this, I feel, even with the 'contemporary miasms' of cancer, AIDS and radiation
Ian looks at commonly understood rubrics and seeks to explain how they and the remedies we associate with them fit into a miasmatic pattern. As well as looking at the miasms from a theoretical perspective, he includes information on the nosodes associated with the miasms. Homeopaths will not find this aspect controversial. What may be more controversial is his advocacy of the use of flower remedies, but this is, in fact, in keeping with the way he has extended his work into the promotion of self-healing approaches rather than promoting an 'expert' model of healing. In addition, he makes useful links between the homeopathic miasms, Buddhist philosophy and psychotherapeutic modalities, such as Jungian thought.
One criticism might be that he does not offer any references for some of the statements he makes or offer suggestions for further reading, which I would have found useful, but as he is not claiming his work to be an academic tome, preferring instead to focus on providing a practical aid to learning and prescribing, this can perhaps be forgiven. The merits of Ian's book will depend on the degree to which we are able to use his ideas, not just to 'cure' people but rather to enable people to gain insight into the issues and challenges that face us, not only as individuals but as a species. This is a concise but rich book which introduces a new dimension into homeopathic philosophy, based upon Ian's own thoughts and experiences as a homeopath and healer and I can thoroughly recommend it to homeopaths, students and teachers alike.
