The Intersection of Hinduism and Medicine
In medicine, every patient’s story is a journey toward balance: between illness and health, fear and hope, body and spirit. In Hindu philosophy, this pursuit of harmony is central to life itself. The teachings of Hinduism view healing not only as a physical process but also as a spiritual one, an alignment of body, mind, and soul.
As a surgeon, I see this truth reflected in my daily practice. Healing extends far beyond the incision or the diagnosis. It lives in the compassion we show, the calm we carry, and the purpose that guides our work. These ideas parallel the Hindu principle of dharma, one’s sacred duty to act with integrity, selflessness, and devotion to the welfare of others.
Dharma: The Duty to Heal with Compassion
In dharma, service is not about recognition, but about taking the right action. As physicians, our responsibility is to serve without attachment to the outcome, focusing instead on doing what is just, kind, and necessary to preserve life and well-being. This is the heart of good medicine. It is also a profound reflection of faith.
In Hinduism, the divine exists within every being. Each life is sacred, a reflection of Atman, the eternal spirit that connects all living things. When I meet a patient, whether child or adult, fearful or brave, I see not only their anatomy but also the divine essence within them. This understanding brings humility and reverence into the practice of healing.
Seeing the Divine in Every Patient
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that “the wise see the same divine presence in all.” This insight transforms medicine. Healing is not a battle against disease, but a restoration of balance, an act of compassion, service, and faith. When we recognize the divine light in each person, we treat not just the illness, but the soul seeking peace and restoration.
There are moments in surgery when everything feels perfectly synchronized: the steady heartbeat, the team’s focus, and the quiet precision of each movement. In those moments, I sense something greater than myself. It feels as though the same creative energy that shapes life, the essence of Brahman, flows through the act of healing.
The Universal Energy of Healing
Faith, in any form, invites humility. It reminds us that while knowledge and skill are vital, true healing flows through grace. Whether we call it God, Brahman, or the energy that sustains life, the source is one. My role is not to command it but to serve it faithfully, with integrity, compassion, and devotion to every patient entrusted to my care.
Medicine and faith together remind us that every act of healing is sacred. In the quiet after surgery, when a patient takes their first breath anew, I am reminded that this work, this dharma, is not mine alone. It is a calling shared with the divine.
Jim
