Tiger 10 M Seminar

Bhawisha and Shachindra Joshi are well-known to many in the international homeopathy community. While they travel widely to share their expertise and experience of working with the Sensation Method, it has also been their dream to invite students of the method to India, and to combine a seminar on the ongoing developments in their work with the opportunity to experience the wildlife of India. And so the Tiger 10 M Seminar was born (Fig. [1]).

Fig. 1 Shachindra and some happy homeopaths before a cool morning safari.

The combined focus on wildlife was particularly relevant, as in recent years the Joshis have been working particularly on furthering our understanding of the remedies of the animal kingdom. This work has included some significant refinements in the case-taking process and analysis to help us arrive at the best remedy more quickly and surely. Drawing on their many years of clinical experience, their knowledge of the natural world, and their knowledge of the patterns of the remedies in the periodic table, the Joshis have “mapped” much of the animal kingdom onto the table. The parallels between the themes of the periodic table and those of the different animal species and subspecies help us to systematically and logically arrive at more precise prescriptions for those patients who need an animal remedy. Hence, the subtitle of the seminar: Mapping Personalities.

Twenty homeopaths from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Italy, US, UK, Romania, and Germany met at Ranthambore in Rajasthan for eight days. Some were experienced practitioners of the Sensation Method, and some quite new to it. However, the Joshisʼ teaching skills and the supportive and inclusive atmosphere encouraged all to contribute to discussions, and all learnt a tremendous amount, both in terms of skills to apply in the clinic and materia medica knowledge. The learning highlight was the opportunity to observe two or three live cases via video link every day, some local people and some group participants or their family members. For local patients, assistant homeopath Priyanka projected running translations onto a screen. We saw how the Joshisʼ approach allows the case to unfold, to reveal the focus of the case and the whole pattern, which can be connected to a substance in nature. Testament to their skill in this process is that by the end of each case there was remarkable consensus among the observers, if not on the exact remedy, then certainly within a small group of remedies. They then elicited our observations, comments and discussions points, before highlighting key aspects of the case-taking process and the patientʼs pattern. After case discussion, we looked at the materia medica of the chosen remedy as well as comparative materia medica.

The body of knowledge that the Joshis have built on the animal kingdom through research and many, many solved cases is impressive, and indeed, many of the live cases were prescribed animal remedies, including one Tiger. This was a patient with a strong ego, who spoke of his responsibility, authority and power in his work as a policeman, corresponding to Row 6, where the Joshis have placed most of the big cats. He loved running and vividly described how he could chase down a criminal: “I let him run for one kilometre, then I catch him. Once heʼs tired heʼll surrender with his tongue out.” While love of running is strong in Canidae, this patientʼs need for freedom and his own space and the fact that he was more of a loner than dependent on the group, suggested Felidae. Tiger was indicated rather than Lion, as he was not inclined to show off his power, and lived a relatively simple life, unlike Lions, who may tend to be showy, and love luxury.

Besides the mammals, birds, and reptiles, there were, of course, also some plant and mineral cases. One of the important insights the Joshis have had over the years of following up patients is that while an individualʼs deep pattern remains the same throughout their life, at different points in life, they may express different aspects of this pattern, and indicate a need for a plant, mineral or animal kingdom remedy. As we discussed the live cases, after identifying the kingdom the patient needed now, we also considered what the mineral, or sometimes the plant analogue would be, which may, according to the Joshisʼ experience, be needed at some point. Follow-ups and ongoing care have been arranged with the patients.

The last few days were spent at Sariska National Park, in a beautiful tented accommodation. The work continued, with the focus on comparative materia medica of mammals, birds, and reptiles, supported by video cases. Participants also had the opportunity to present their own cases for discussion to gain insights from other homeopaths and the Joshis.

As absorbing as the work was, there was also play! We took four morning and evening safaris into Ranthambore National Park, where we spotted animals from the materia medica and more: deer, crocodiles, monkeys, kingfishers, eagles, a leopard, a hyena, a sloth bear and a wonderful tiger (Fig. [2]).

Fig. 2 The tiger some of us spotted on the last day.

There was a fascinating talk by a park ranger, who told in graphic detail of being attacked by a tiger who had strayed out of the reserve and been surrounded by angry villagers. There was a fabulous party with camel rides, barbeque, fireworks, traditional music and dancing (Fig. [3]). There were temple visits. Family members made jeep trips out to nearby villages, where they were welcomed into localsʼ homes; they visited Jaipur and Udaipur; they had relaxing massages. At Sariska we enjoyed morning and evening yoga and pranayama taught by Bhawishaʼs father, Narendra.

Fig. 3 Bhawisha helped some of the women put on their saris for an evening party.

Every aspect of the seminar was extremely well organised, largely thanks to the unstinting efforts of Bettina, the Joshisʼ assistant. Bhawisha and Shachindra were also tireless in ensuring that everyone was well looked after. From every perspective, the Tiger 10 M Seminar was a great success, and an experience that all participants will treasure.

To see more and to be tempted to join Tiger 50 M in 2016, visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Tiger10m and watch the YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKSsYvuImnM.