The Shaman's Lesson of Worth
"Free" and "Health Care" Aren't Necessarily Good Together...
I was a starry-eyed first year resident
when I met the old man, a Shaman (medicine man and spiritual advisor) to
his Native tribe in the four corners area of New Mexico. It had long
been my goal to study with such a healer and learn the "secrets" of the
Shaman's ways. Now here I was, face-to-face with just such a One.
A young man came to see the Shaman
about a health problem. From his appearance and description, I guessed
him to be no more than twenty. He complained bitterly about the "strange
sights" that he saw on occasion. By western standards, schizophrenia was
a likely diagnosis. The young man clearly needed help. The Shaman told
him that he would be available, but that a week-long ceremony would be
necessary. Then the Shaman told him the cost. The young man shook his
head dejectedly and left. I questioned the Shaman.
What was the fee for the ceremony, and
why had the young man gone away without treatment? I wanted to know. The
Shaman explained that the fees were approximately $6000 in western
money, but that people paid in other means of exchange like goats,
sheep, baskets, and other items. The man left because he did not have
the required fee. Sensing that I was upset by this, the Shaman explained
that the young man would return for treatment after he raised the
necessary funds.
"But why," I wanted to know, "don't you
help him now and let him pay later? Aren't there some people that are
too poor to afford your services? Do you ever give your services away
for free?" "Never," he assured me. Then the old man sat me down and
carefully explained his stance.
"Health is a valuable commodity," he
told me, looking to see if I agreed. I nodded. "Like other valuable
commodities, the people who want it dearly enough will work to get it.
As they work, they increase their appreciation of it's value. When I
give a man a healing service without a fee, he associates 'free' with
'not valuable.' The potency of any treatment is not only in the
treatment, but in the person's belief in it's value. When someone pays
dearly for a ceremony, they show that they appreciate the value of my
treatment. More importantly, they show themselves how much they value
their health. A man who values his health will work hard to win it
back, and he is more likely to recover." He paused to let me take his
words in.
"But what if someone really can't
afford your treatment?" I insisted. "People can always afford my
ceremonies if they value their health. A poor man will recruit his
family to help him raise the necessary funds. If he has no family, he
will petition the community to help him raise the necessary funds. By
doing this, he will not only value the ceremony he receives, but he will
feel the support and good wishes of the community for his recovery.
Anyone who truly wants to get well can always find a way to afford the
healing ceremony." With that, the old man stood to indicate that we were
through for the day.
In the years since, the Shaman's words
have returned to haunt me. How many times have I heard people complain
about the cost of supplements, or of my services, while they drive in a
Lexus, eat out twice a week, own a vacation home in the mountains, and
subscribe to cable TV.? I believe that the old Shaman was right. The
people who value their health will work to get it. They will pay to get
it. And they will value it more dearly when it returns.
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