WCN Library Article # 1:

An Introduction to Wholism
Michael Greenstein, wholistic educator and therapist

Wholism is a model of how to create balance and harmony in our lives. It encourages the appropriate use of our body, heart, mind, and spirit in order to create harmonious relationships within our own being and with all living things around us.

Wholism is based on the Universal Laws. Its focus is on relationships, energy, the use of all our resources, and on co-operation. Neither a spiritual practice, religion, nor a science, wholism is an integrated way of living that welcomes the many valuable contributions that science, religion, and spirituality make in creating a life of balance and harmony.

To understand wholism we need to understand the wholistic model of how the universe operates and our role in it. Here's an overview of that model:

The Wholistic Model

  • Our universe has a Creator. It is the source and regulator of all life. The Creator is loving, compassionate, patient, tolerant, and just. Our own human behaviour must display these same qualities.

  • Our universe is an orderly place. It operates according to a set of Universal Principles or Laws. These Laws govern all living beings and provide us with real standards on which to base our behaviour and understand the nature and purpose of life.

  • Our universe is dynamic. It is filled with living beings that vibrate and exchange energy. The universe is a living system that transfers energy to where it is needed so all can experience balance and harmony. Creating balance and harmony is why the universe exists. Relationships are the mechanisms that enable this to happen

  • Universal life is dependent on relationships. Relationships are energetic exchanges that connect all living beings with each other. Every form of life depends on these exchanges in order to survive. We are all interconnected and interdependent. There is no "them" and "us".

  • All forms of life have their own specific design, nature, and purpose. Universal balance and harmony requires that every form of life act according to its own nature and fulfil the duties that are associated with that nature. It takes all kinds of beings with different natures to make the universe complete. No matter how great our outer differences, all living beings have value and deserve our love and respect.

  • Human beings are multi-dimensional. Our original nature is spiritual. Our life in physical form on Earth is a temporary but important part of our complete life path. While on Earth we are required to maintain our spiritual connection with "home" in order to develop a compassionate heart that can form harmonious relationships with others. We are also required to fully train our mind in order to thrive in the material world. Balance occurs when our compassionate heart and clever mind develop at the same rate and we use all our spiritual and material resources appropriately.

As you can see, wholism is an approach to living that is based on a very wide view of life. Wholism encourages spiritual connection so we may access our human feelings and act in a co-operative, compassionate, loving, and tolerant way. This state is acquired through a spiritual practice; not clever thought or the use of the will.

Wholism also points out that spirituality must be complemented and balanced by an active involvement in the material world. We need to use our skills and talents to provide for our basic needs and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Success in today's world requires that we develop our intellectual skills and make full use of modern science and technology.

In order to live in balance and harmony, we need to create a lifestyle in which all parts of our being are active and in which spirituality and science both play important roles. We describe this type of lifestyle as wholistic.

Wholistic principles and practices encourage the development of

  • spiritual connection
  • self awareness
  • co-operative and compassionate behaviour
  • active involvement in the material world.

Wholism is both a response to and an antidote for the current levels of stress, rapid change, and unbalanced development in the world. Wholistic practices offer clear alternatives to the many unhealthy living and working conditions we are now experiencing e.g. materialistic lifestyles, competitive work places, polluted environments, etc.

I invite you to read other WCN Library articles for more details. Michael Greenstein

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