by Joanne Shay in 2000
Medical Acupuncture Spring/Summer Volume 12 Number 2
In this book, the author provides an easily digestible account of where the "art" of medicine comes from. Dr. Greenwood shares case histories and treatment results with the goal of demonstrating the deeper levels of consciousness that must be unlocked before the doors of healing can be opened. Throughout the book, the healer is presented as an active bystander while the patient must actively find awareness of spirit and body to embrace health and well-being.
The interpretation of the fairy tale "Rumpelstiltskin" in Chapter 4 was particularly enjoyable, with parallels drawn to deficient Qi and the necessity for both patient and healer to disengage from "bargains with dwarves" The constant thread throughout the book is that pain and wellness are best accessed through emotional exploration. Chapter 13 suggests that symptom patterns often evolve from personality traits that are extremes of either Yin or Yang gender characteristics. This construct is a comfortable extension of the biopsychotypes represented by the Priincipal Meridians and can be used by the healer to guide the patient's self-exploration.
The self-exploration described is not suitable for every patient, nor will it be embraced by every physician. The best that we can hope for is that receptive patients will find able physicians. Braving the Void is an excellent starting point for both patients and physicians embarking upon this journey.
Joanne Shay: Dr Joanne Shay is a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology with subspecialty training in Pediatric Anesthesia. Her special interests are pediatric pain and the developmentally disabled child. Dr Shay practices at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.