Tibetans have perfected the art of listening, of being present and being in touch with where their patients are, which are valuable tools when trying to provide peace and comfort to the dying, she added. Historically, Western medicine generally has viewed the mind and body as separate entities. Tibetan medicine, in contrast, is based on the belief that the mind and body are one unit. As a result, Western doctors ask about and treat symptoms, while Tibetan doctors obtain a spiritual and social history and then treat the entire person. Consider the common cold.
Western medicine says colds are caused by a virus that enters the body through mucus membranes.
In contrast, Tibetan medicine says colds are caused by negative thoughts that, if allowed to persist, become demoralizing. Some people believe a bigger house will make them happy, but when they get the bigger house, they are not happier, she said. Hatred, anger and aggression. Delusion, confusion and closed-mindedness. The treatment is meditation.