Week 3 - Michelle Nguyen

To me, “Attack on the Spirit by the “Rational World” (and Spiritual Recovery from It)” by Brett J. Esaki suggests people of color and women, being treated unjustly, are turning to spirituality. However, the article does also aim to validate spirituality with science and scientific ideas. Turning to modern spirituality is a way of coping with the injustices women and people of color face. A lot of the modern spirituality focuses on self-care for one’s mental health. Many of these self-care activities are described normally as entertainment like shopping and surrounding oneself with a calm, aesthetically pleasing environment. Esaki attributes the primitive connotation of spirituality due to inadequate education; simply because they are not valued by the academic community. It is refreshing, though, that the world is now changing to accept spiritual healing as a legitimate form of medicine. “I Would Always Rather be Abnormal than Holistic” seems to be a modern perspective on how people should embrace spiritual healing as a legitimate form of health care; however, it also felt like Haydock was permanently labeling it as abnormal. Still, this feels like the correct direction we should be taking. From a third person perspective, it does not seem like such a big deal whether spiritual healing is validated by science because people can still follow it if they choose to. Why put labels on things? I think, though that it is very important because the connotation spiritual healing receives by not being validated seems to be causing turmoil in people who do it then feel guilty (Ie: women and people of color as described by Esaki). Sure, it may not have to be holistic medicine, but it should at least be validated as a reliable option. People will do what they want to do and take whatever path they need for mental and bodily health. I wonder, though, is there a trend or pattern among people regarding what solution they pick? Do certain types of people have a tendency to pick certain healing options either based on culture or genetics?

References:
Esaki, Brett J. "Attack on the Spirit by the “Rational World” (and Spiritual Recovery from It)".

Haydock, Shana B. "I Would Always Rather be Abnormal than Holistic". DSM: Asian American Edition. 45-53

Media:
http://lifehacker.com/why-self-care-is-so-important-1770880812