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5: Systems of Care: Sowa Rigpa—The Tibetan Knowledge of Healing

DOI:

10.1891/9780826144348.0005

  • Cameron, Miriam E.

Abstract

Healthcare systems are burdened by caring for individuals whose chronic disease. This chapter explores Sowa Rigpa, Tibet’s knowledge of healing, commonly called Tibetan medicine. Tibetan medicine is a complementary therapy with promising scientific evidence pertinent to nursing. Tibetan medicine and nursing share a holistic perspective in considering every individual to have unique, interrelated mental, physical, and spiritual needs. Nurses can use Tibetan medicine as self-care and in nursing. Including Tibetan medicine in integrative nursing expands healing options and promotes relationship-based, individualized, quality care. Tibetan medicine is based on four profound concepts: karma, suffering, healing, and happiness. Tibetan medicine teaches that energy is the very source of existence. Energy has five aspects or characteristics, translated as elements. The five elements combine to form three primary energies: loong, tripa, and baekan. The chapter lists the three primary energies, the Tibetan term for each energy, and the element(s) composing each energy.