Quiet healing.

Abstract

Both physicians and patients want deeply healing doctor-patient relationships. Too often, though, the ever-expanding demands of medical practice combine with the defenses of the patient to create doctor-patient isolation. Eastern and Western cosmologies and traditions may encourage different approaches to human interaction and healing. At times, probing the patient with more questions may open up a story vital to transformative healing. However, this narrative essay uses a personal experience as a patient of a Japanese traditional healer and Zen practitioner to explore the value of a quiet approach to patient care.