Analyzing Current Medical Challenges from a Bahá’í

PerspectiveNorthern Ireland

Summer 161 BE

What Medical Challenges?

LEE Jong-wookDirector General

World Health Organisation

Health Challenges: The Global picture

• Widening gaps in health• Life expectancy trends• Communicable diseases• Non-communicable diseases

Causes of Mortality• Childhood:

– Perinatal– Diarrhoeal diseases– Pneumonia– Malaria

• Adults 15-59:– HIV/AIDS– Other Communicable diseases– Tobacco epidemic– Road traffic accidents

DALY = Disability Adjusted Life Years

Burden of Mental Health Problems

• Mental• Neurological• Substance use disorders• 13% DALYs• 33% YLDs• 150 million depression• 100 million alcohol and drug disorder• 1 million suicides• 25 million schizophrenia• 38 million epilepsy

Tip of the Iceberg

• Alcohol and substance abuse– Crime– Road traffic accidents– Family breakdown– Depression– Schizophrenia– Epilepsy– Cirrhosis– Cancer

Neglected Global Epidemics: three growing threats

1. Cardiovascular diseases1. raised blood pressure2. tobacco use3. alcohol consumption4. cholesterol 5. obesity or overweight

2. Tobacco-related diseases3. Road traffic casualties and traffic-related

environmental hazards

World Health Report 2004Changing History

1. A global emergency: a combined response

2. The treatment initiative

3. Community participation: advocacy & action

4. Health systems: finding new strength

5. Sharing research & knowledge

Solutions• Funding

– Global fund for HIV/AIDS - US$2.1 billion over 2 years to 224 programmes in 121 countries and 3 territories!!!

– The Need:“A massive increase in resource transfers from rich to poor

countries”

• “Prevention”– Distribution of condoms– Educating sex workers– Providing sterile needles

Urban Health: A Growing International Crisis

“As the world becomes increasingly urban, the urgency and importance of understanding how the urban environment affects health grows exponentially.”

Millennium Development Goals

1. To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger2. To achieve universal primary education3. To promote gender equity and empower women4. To reduce child mortality5. To reduce maternal mortality6. To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other

diseases7. To ensure environmental stability8. To develop a global partnership for development

Message fromthe Director-General

“Today’s global health situation raises urgent questions about justice. In some parts of the world there is a continued

expectation of longer and more comfortable life, while in many others

there is despair over the failure to control disease although the means to do so

exist.”

Message cont…

“…A world marked by such inequities is in very serious trouble. We have to find ways to unite our strengths as a global community to shape a healthier future.”

World Health Report 2003

World Health Report “The founders of the international system

more than half a century ago grasped the close connection between health – understood as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being” – and the core values of justice and security.Neither of these two values can endure without the other…”

World Health Report

“As globalization accelerates, the interdependence of nations is perceived clearly. Treating others justly is now both a moral imperative and an aspect of wise security policy.”

SOLUTIONS?

DON QUIXOTE

DE LAMANCHA

Signs and SymptomsSigns and Symptomsversusversus

The Basic IllnessThe Basic IllnessSigns/SymptomsSigns/Symptoms VisibleVisible TangibleTangible MultipleMultiple SecondarySecondary Therapy will be only Therapy will be only

partially effectivepartially effective Disappear when Disappear when

cause is curedcause is cured

Basic IllnessBasic Illness InvisibleInvisible SubtleSubtle SingleSingle PrimaryPrimary Deterioration if not Deterioration if not

found and treated found and treated correctlycorrectly

What is the basic illness?What is the basic illness?

Is it lack of money???!!Is it lack of money???!!

Global Priority $U.S. BillionsBasic education for everyone in the world 6Cosmetics in the United States 8Water and sanitation for everyone in the world 9Ice cream in Europe 11Reproductive health for all women in the world 12Perfumes in Europe and the United States 12Basic health and nutrition for everyone in the world

13Pet foods in Europe and the United States 17Business entertainment in Japan

35Cigarettes in Europe 50Alcoholic drinks in Europe

105Narcotics drugs in the world 400Military spending in the world

780

The Glory of God

“What makes this insight possible for us is the light shed by the rising Sun of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and the influence it has come to

exercise in human affairs.”Century of Light, Introduction

Where lies the illness?Where lies the illness?

““The crucial need of the human race is The crucial need of the human race is to find a unifying vision of the nature to find a unifying vision of the nature

of man and society... [and] a common of man and society... [and] a common conviction of the course and direction conviction of the course and direction

of history”of history”The Universal House of Justice, Statement on The Universal House of Justice, Statement on

Bahá’u’lláh, p.1Bahá’u’lláh, p.1

Human Nature

“True loss is for him whose days have been spent in utter ignorance of his

self.”Bahá’u’lláh, Words of Wisdom

We are all losers!

Premises for discussion

• Human nature is fundamentally spiritual• Capacities are latent within human beings• An external source of energy (= education) is

needed to express these capacities

Development of Human Potential“Every child is potentially the light of the

world and at the same time its darkness.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

The Purpose of Physical Reality:

Preparation

The Purpose of Physical Reality:

Preparation“The world beyond is as different from this world as this world is different

from that of the child whilst still in the womb of

its mother.” (Gleanings LXXXI)

Human Free Will“All that which ye potentially possess can, however, be manifested only as a result of your own volition. Your own acts testify to

this truth.”(Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings LXXVII)

Human Free WillThe highest expression of free will is:

To recognize the Source of Education for his day and to live by His Teachings.

= To establish the LIFE LINE

The Lifeline“I am the the way, the truth, and the life. No

one can come to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

“I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

“I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet

shall he live.” (John 11:25)

The destiny of the human The destiny of the human soulsoul

““The purpose underlying Their [the Prophets] The purpose underlying Their [the Prophets] revelation hath been to educate all men, revelation hath been to educate all men, that they may, at the hour of death, that they may, at the hour of death, ascend, with the utmost purity and sanctity ascend, with the utmost purity and sanctity and with absolute detachment, to the and with absolute detachment, to the throne of the Most High. throne of the Most High. The light which The light which these souls radiate is responsible for these souls radiate is responsible for the progress of the world and the the progress of the world and the advancement of its peoplesadvancement of its peoples…”…”

“…“…They are like unto leaven which leaveneth the They are like unto leaven which leaveneth the world of being, and world of being, and constitute the animating constitute the animating

force through which the arts and wonders of force through which the arts and wonders of the world are made manifestthe world are made manifest……

All things must needs have a cause, a motive All things must needs have a cause, a motive power, an animating principle. These souls and power, an animating principle. These souls and symbols of detachment have provided and will symbols of detachment have provided and will

continue to provide continue to provide the supreme moving the supreme moving impulse in the world of beingimpulse in the world of being……

(Baha’u’llah, Gleanings 81)(Baha’u’llah, Gleanings 81)

Who dictates new norms?

“It is They (the Manifestations of God) that have, in every age,

defined the meaning and requirements of modernity.”

(Universal House of Justice, Message of 26 November 2003)

Universal Effect of Divine Revelation

“A new life is, in this age, stirring within all the

peoples of the earth, yet none hath discovered its

cause or perceived its motive.”

(Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings XCVI)

Divine Revelation is the Motive Power of Civilisation

“Verily, We behold all created things moved to bear witness unto Us. Some know Us and bear witness, while the majority bear witness, yet know Us not.”

(Lawh-i-Aqdas, Tablet to the Christians, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p15)

The purpose of the Revelation The purpose of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh of Bahá'u'lláh

“…“…To create an organic unity To create an organic unity between the inner and outer between the inner and outer

realities of human life.”realities of human life.”Universal House of Justice, Individual Rights and Universal House of Justice, Individual Rights and

Freedoms within the World Order of Bahá'u'lláhFreedoms within the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh

Organic unity of inner and Organic unity of inner and outer = Justiceouter = Justice

Independent investigation of truth:Independent investigation of truth:““By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others” (HWA 2)not through the eyes of others” (HWA 2)

The Golden Rule:The Golden Rule:““If thine eyes be turned toward justice, choose If thine eyes be turned toward justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself.” (Tablets, p.64)for thyself.” (Tablets, p.64)

Moderation:Moderation:““Whoso cleaveth to justice, can, under no Whoso cleaveth to justice, can, under no circumstances, transgress the limits of circumstances, transgress the limits of moderation.” (G CLXIV)moderation.” (G CLXIV)

Moderation = Justice = BalanceModeration = Justice = Balance

““All other things are subject to this same principle All other things are subject to this same principle of moderation.” (Bahá’u’lláh)of moderation.” (Bahá’u’lláh)

Moderation Moderation BalanceBalanceJusticeJusticeHarmonyHarmonyGolden RuleGolden RuleOrganic unity of inner and outerOrganic unity of inner and outerEquilibriumEquilibriumHomeostasisHomeostasis

To use or to abuse - To use or to abuse - thatthat is is the questionthe question

JusticeJustice UseUse Organic growthOrganic growth AnesthetistAnesthetist ChastityChastity ConservationConservation Good deedsGood deeds Voluntary sharingVoluntary sharing World unityWorld unity ReligionReligion

InjusticeInjustice AbuseAbuse Cancerous growthCancerous growth Drug abuserDrug abuser PromiscuityPromiscuity PollutionPollution CrimeCrime GreedGreed Internet pornographyInternet pornography Fanaticism & hatredFanaticism & hatred

Purpose of Justice

“The light of men is justice. Quench it not with the contrary winds of oppression and tyranny. The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men.”

(Tablets, Words of Paradise)

A civilisation gone out of A civilisation gone out of controlcontrol

““The civilisation, so often vaunted by the learned The civilisation, so often vaunted by the learned exponents of arts and sciences, will, if allowed to exponents of arts and sciences, will, if allowed to overleap the bounds of moderation, bring great overleap the bounds of moderation, bring great evil upon men…evil upon men…

If carried to excess, civilization will prove as prolific If carried to excess, civilization will prove as prolific a source of evil as it had been of goodness a source of evil as it had been of goodness when kept within the restraints of moderation…when kept within the restraints of moderation…

The day is approaching when its flame will devour The day is approaching when its flame will devour the cities.”the cities.”

Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’u’lláh

“Religion is Man’s attempt to get into touch with an absolute spiritual Reality behind the phenomena of the Universe, and having made contact with it, to live in harmony with it. This activity is all-pervading. It comprehends all others. Moreover, it is man’s life-line. When once a creature has acquired, as Man has, a conscious intellect and a free will, this creature must either seek and find God or destroy itself.”

Arnold Toynbee

Human NatureHuman Nature

““The yearning for belief is inextinguishable, The yearning for belief is inextinguishable, an inherent part of being human. When it an inherent part of being human. When it is blocked or betrayed, the rational soul is is blocked or betrayed, the rational soul is driven to seek some new compass point, driven to seek some new compass point, however inadequate or unworthy, around however inadequate or unworthy, around

which is can organise experience and dare which is can organise experience and dare again to assume the risks that are an again to assume the risks that are an

inescapable aspect of life.” inescapable aspect of life.” Century of Light, p.59Century of Light, p.59

The Intoxication Instinct 1The Intoxication Instinct 1

““From alcohol and cannabis to cocaine From alcohol and cannabis to cocaine and LSD, it seems there are no limits to and LSD, it seems there are no limits to our appetite for mind-altering substances. our appetite for mind-altering substances. What is it about human nature that drives What is it about human nature that drives us to get out of our heads?”us to get out of our heads?”

New Scientist, 13 November 2004New Scientist, 13 November 2004

The Intoxication Instinct 2The Intoxication Instinct 2

“…“…everyone hath turned away from everyone hath turned away from the celestial the celestial winewine of unity unto the foul dregs of impurity, and of unity unto the foul dregs of impurity, and content with mortal cup, hath put away the chalice content with mortal cup, hath put away the chalice of immortal beauty. Vile is that wherewith he is of immortal beauty. Vile is that wherewith he is contented.”contented.” (HWP 61) (HWP 61)

““O Son of dust! Turn not away thine eyes from the O Son of dust! Turn not away thine eyes from the matchless winematchless wine of the immortal Beloved, and open of the immortal Beloved, and open them not to foul and mortal dregs. Take from the them not to foul and mortal dregs. Take from the hands of the divine Cup-bearer the chalice of hands of the divine Cup-bearer the chalice of immortal life, that all wisdom may be thine…immortal life, that all wisdom may be thine…Wherefore have ye turned away from My Wherefore have ye turned away from My holy and holy and immortal wineimmortal wine unto evanescent water?” unto evanescent water?” (HWP 62) (HWP 62)

The Intoxication Instinct 3The Intoxication Instinct 3

““O son of worldliness!O son of worldliness!Pleasant is the realm of being, wert thou to attain Pleasant is the realm of being, wert thou to attain

thereto; glorious is the domain of eternity, thereto; glorious is the domain of eternity, shouldst thou pass beyond the world of shouldst thou pass beyond the world of

mortality; mortality; sweet is the holy ecstasysweet is the holy ecstasy if thou if thou drinkest of the drinkest of the mystic chalicemystic chalice from the hands of from the hands of

the celestial Youth. Shouldst thou attain this the celestial Youth. Shouldst thou attain this station, thou wouldst be freed from destruction station, thou wouldst be freed from destruction

and death, from toil and sin.” and death, from toil and sin.” (HWP 70)(HWP 70)

Intoxication Instinct 4Intoxication Instinct 4

““Think not that We have revealed to Think not that We have revealed to you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have unsealed the We have unsealed the Choice WineChoice Wine with the fingers of might and power.” with the fingers of might and power.”

(Baha’u’llah, K5)(Baha’u’llah, K5)

Effect of Universal and “Proper Education”

“Were man to appreciate the greatness of his station and the

loftiness of his destiny, he would manifest naught save goodly

character, pure deeds and a seemly and praiseworthy conduct”.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablet of Maqsud)

Purpose of Justice

“The light of men is justice. Quench it not with the contrary winds of oppression and tyranny. The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men.”

(Tablets, Words of Paradise)

“Regard the world

as ahuman body”

Bahá’u’lláh

World Health Report

“As globalization accelerates, the interdependence of nations is perceived clearly. Treating others justly is now both a moral imperative and an aspect of wise security policy.”

The Basic IllnessThe Basic Illness

““The well-being of mankind, its peace and security The well-being of mankind, its peace and security are unattainable unless and until its unity is are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.” (Bahá’u’lláh)firmly established.” (Bahá’u’lláh)

““To this day, however, you will find most people To this day, however, you will find most people take the opposite point of view, they look upon take the opposite point of view, they look upon unity as an ultimate, almost unattainable goal unity as an ultimate, almost unattainable goal and concentrate first on remedying all the other and concentrate first on remedying all the other ills of mankind. ills of mankind.

If they did but know it, all the other ills are but If they did but know it, all the other ills are but various symptoms and side-effects of the basic various symptoms and side-effects of the basic disease - disunity.” disease - disunity.” (Universal House of Justice)(Universal House of Justice)

The spiritualization of The spiritualization of civilisationcivilisation

“ … “ … this Body of humanity’s material civilisation this Body of humanity’s material civilisation calls aloud, yearns more desperately with each calls aloud, yearns more desperately with each passing day, for its Soul. As with every great passing day, for its Soul. As with every great

civilisation in history, until it is so animated, and civilisation in history, until it is so animated, and its spiritual faculties awakened, it will find neither its spiritual faculties awakened, it will find neither peace, nor justice, nor a unity that rises above peace, nor justice, nor a unity that rises above the level of negotiation and compromise.” the level of negotiation and compromise.”

[Century of Light, p. 144][Century of Light, p. 144]

Role of Bahá’ís?Role of Bahá’ís?

““It is not in providing support, nor It is not in providing support, nor encouragement, nor even example that encouragement, nor even example that the work of the Cause chiefly lies. The the work of the Cause chiefly lies. The

Bahá’í community will go on contributing in Bahá’í community will go on contributing in every way possible to efforts towards every way possible to efforts towards

global unification and social betterment, global unification and social betterment, but such contributions are secondary to its but such contributions are secondary to its

purpose…” purpose…” Century of Light, p.144Century of Light, p.144

[[

Work of the Bahá’ísWork of the Bahá’ís

““Its purpose is to assist the people of the Its purpose is to assist the people of the world to open their minds and hearts to the world to open their minds and hearts to the

one Power that can fulfill their ultimate one Power that can fulfill their ultimate longing. There are none, except those longing. There are none, except those who have themselves awakened to the who have themselves awakened to the Revelation of God, who can bring this Revelation of God, who can bring this

help.”help.”(Century of Light, p.144)(Century of Light, p.144)

Political Peace -Symptom Political Peace -Symptom TherapyTherapy

““Now that ye have refused the Most Great Now that ye have refused the Most Great Peace, hold ye fast unto this, the Lesser Peace, hold ye fast unto this, the Lesser Peace, that haply ye may in some degree Peace, that haply ye may in some degree

better your own condition and that of your better your own condition and that of your dependents.”dependents.”

(The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 120)(The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 120)

The Remedy

“That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the

world is the union of its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith.”

Bahá’u’lláh(COL, p. 144)

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development

““The working of the material world is merely a The working of the material world is merely a reflection of spiritual conditions and until the reflection of spiritual conditions and until the spiritual conditions can be changed there can spiritual conditions can be changed there can be no lasting change for the better in material be no lasting change for the better in material

affairs.”affairs.”(Universal House of Justice, 1974)(Universal House of Justice, 1974)

““The universal crisis afflicting mankind today is, The universal crisis afflicting mankind today is, therefore, essentially spiritual in its causes.”therefore, essentially spiritual in its causes.”

(Shoghi Effendi, 1935)(Shoghi Effendi, 1935)

Our Glorious DestinyOur Glorious Destiny

““The enormous energy dissipated and wasted on The enormous energy dissipated and wasted on war, whether economic or political, will be war, whether economic or political, will be consecrated consecrated

to such ends as will extend the range of human to such ends as will extend the range of human inventions and technical development,inventions and technical development,

to the increase of the productivity of mankind,to the increase of the productivity of mankind, to the extermination of disease,to the extermination of disease, to the extension of scientific research,to the extension of scientific research, to the raising of the standard of physical health,to the raising of the standard of physical health, to the sharpening and refinement of the human to the sharpening and refinement of the human

brain, brain,

Our Glorious Destiny…Our Glorious Destiny…

to the exploitation of the unused and to the exploitation of the unused and unsuspected resources of the planet, unsuspected resources of the planet,

to the prolongation of human life, to the prolongation of human life, and to the furtherance of any other agency and to the furtherance of any other agency

that can stimulate the intellectual, the that can stimulate the intellectual, the moral, and spiritual life of the entire human moral, and spiritual life of the entire human race.race.

Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p.204Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p.204

Don Qxuite de Lamancha?Don Qxuite de Lamancha?

““To enter into theTo enter into the quixotic quixotic tournament of demolishing tournament of demolishing one by one the evils in the world is, to a Bahá’í, a vain one by one the evils in the world is, to a Bahá’í, a vain waste of time and effort.waste of time and effort.

His whole life is directed towards proclaiming the His whole life is directed towards proclaiming the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, reviving the spiritual life of his Message of Bahá’u’lláh, reviving the spiritual life of his fellow-men, uniting them in a divinely-created World fellow-men, uniting them in a divinely-created World Order, and then, as that Order grows in strength and Order, and then, as that Order grows in strength and influence, he will see the power of that Message influence, he will see the power of that Message transforming the whole of human society and transforming the whole of human society and progressively solving the problems and removing the progressively solving the problems and removing the injustices which have so long bedeviled the world.”injustices which have so long bedeviled the world.”

(Universal House of Justice, 1974)(Universal House of Justice, 1974)

True HealingTrue Healing

““The greatest form of healing which the The greatest form of healing which the Bahá’ís can practice is to heal the Bahá’ís can practice is to heal the

spiritually sick souls of men by giving spiritually sick souls of men by giving this greatest of all Messages to this greatest of all Messages to

them.”them.”(Shoghi Effendi, Compilation on Health & Healing)(Shoghi Effendi, Compilation on Health & Healing)

Global Economic ImbalanceGlobal Economic Imbalance

AgricultureAgriculture EducationEducation Decision-makingDecision-making

Why is progress not being Why is progress not being made?made?

Is it because of lack of material resources?Is it because of lack of material resources? Is it because of lack of human resources?Is it because of lack of human resources? Is it because of lack of appropriate Is it because of lack of appropriate

institutions? institutions? Is it because of lack of general good will?Is it because of lack of general good will?

What is the basic illness?What is the basic illness?

Is it lack of money???!!Is it lack of money???!!

The spiritualization of The spiritualization of civilisationcivilisation

“ … “ … this Body of humanity’s material civilisation this Body of humanity’s material civilisation calls aloud, yearns more desperately with each calls aloud, yearns more desperately with each passing day, for its Soul. As with every great passing day, for its Soul. As with every great

civilisation in history, until it is so animated, and civilisation in history, until it is so animated, and its spiritual faculties awakened, it will find neither its spiritual faculties awakened, it will find neither peace, nor justice, nor a unity that rises above peace, nor justice, nor a unity that rises above the level of negotiation and compromise.” the level of negotiation and compromise.”

[Century of Light, p. 144][Century of Light, p. 144]

4. Coming of age of Humanity

“…This idea of the coming of age of mankind constitutes the central core of the Bahá’í

Teachings, and is the most distinguishing feature of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. A proper

understanding of this concept gives the key to an adequate appreciation of the tremendous claim

made by the Author of the Faith, both with regard to His own station, and to the incomparable

greatness of His Dispensation.”(Shoghi Effendi, 12 October 1936, quoted in compilation entitled

“Peace”)