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Summary of Question:	Does Gurbani Replace The Need For Heart Meds If One Has Had A Heart Attack?
Category:	Health
Date Posted:	Saturday, 12/06/2003 2:04 PM MST

Sat Sri Akal,

My father is a 62-year-old Amritdhari and reads Gurbani several times daily, as well as any literature pertinent to Sikh history/culture. He is a retired public health chemist, but I am deeply concerned about his beliefs because I believe he is negatively affecting his health. He suffered a series of heart attacks 5 years ago which resulted in open-heart surgery (quadruple bi-pass). We were blessed that he was given a second chance at life. High blood pressure and high cholesterol run in his family. Since he is a heart patient, he has been prescribed specific medications by his doctors and has been strongly advised to take them daily: aspirin to keep the blood thin, a beta-blocker to control blood-pressure, and cholesterol medications to keep the "bad" cholesterol numbers as low as possible-- all in the efforts to prevent future heart attacks/stroke/death.

The problem: my father refuses to take his medications regularly. In fact, he recently quit all medications for 3 weeks. He believes he has achieved this level of "oneness with God" which replaces the need to take any medications. He says that he can control his health by his free will. Unfortunately his blood pressure is often in the 2nd stage of Hypertension (I took him to his appointment yesterday because of the severe swelling I noticed on his feet) and his blood pressure reading was 195/110--- way too high and inviting stroke. His cholesterol is also too high, for being a heart patient. He refuses to see that he is not any less of a Sikh if he takes his medications. He brings Waheguru into all conversations. While I am very spiritual, I think this is obsessive-compulsive behavior and that he is away from reality sometimes.

I try explaining to him that if he was so in-control, then his blood pressure/cholesterol numbers should reflect that. But they don't. He sometimes spends hours in the bathroom spitting out mucous from his throat. He claims that such action rids the body of cholesterol. I am afraid that he is adding stress to his chest area and ruining the lining of his esophagus. His current mindset, behavior, and explanations scare me to bits.

I am deeply concerned and stressed out. I was afraid of losing my father 5 years ago and am especially concerned now that he is not being cooperative. I am asking for any help/advice that you may be able to give. Because I am not an Amritdhari, my father gives me no credit for my views/advice sometimes. Perhaps you can say/explain something that could make an impact?

I would appreciate any such help.

Thank you.

(REPLY) Sat Nam. It is very hard to deal with fanaticism. Your father's refusal to take medication is foolish and basically not logical. You might point out to him that he did go through a medical,surgical procedure, and taking medication now is really part of that procedure. God helps those who help themselves. Yes, Guru's grace can accelerate healing, but if you stand in front of a moving train that cannot stop, you are going to get run over, even while chanting God's Name. Guru does not forbid us from using medical procedures (your father already had one!). Taking Amrit does not make anyone an authority on medical, physical necessities, and the fact that he won't listen to you because you haven't taken Amrit is irrational. Is there any trusted Amritdhari friend of the family, or relative that could speak with him? Otherwise, he is virtually committing sucide, which is a sin. I wish you well. I suggest you might chant the DHAN DHAN RAM DAS GURU shabd -- the one praising Guru Ram Das, the Lord of Miracles! and pray for your father to take care of his physical body on the physical plane as common sense would dictate. Blessings, SP