Dr Amy L LANSKY responds to ThinkWellness360 questionnaire.
Why and how did you think of becoming a homeopathic educator?
My first, real experience of homeopathy, as some of you, ThinkWellness360, readers may know, was actually the most miraculous — the cure of my son Max’s autism. All this began in early 1995. The initial effects of his homeopathic remedy were quite noticeable — he was three-and-a-half years old, at the time — and, by the time he was five, he was testing normally, although it took a few more years until he was fine, also normal. This experience is discussed, at length, in my book, Impossible Cure: The Promise of Homeopathy. This dramatic event had a profound effect on my entire family. Homeopathy became our primary form of medicine. Eventually, I began studying homeopathy, writing articles and, in due course, my book came through. I have dedicated myself to spreading the good word about homeopathy’s amazing power. I helped to pass legislation in my former state [California] that legalised homeopathic practice, including testifying at a governmental hearing about our experience. I also served on the Board of the National Center for Homeopathy for seven years. Other than the sales of my book, I have always done everything I can for homeopathy, in my own humble way, including answering several e-mails from all over the world, for gratis.
What made you think of, study and use homeopathy?
I had heard of homeopathy before and had tried some over-the-counter [OTC] mixed remedies before our experience with our son. But, I really knew nothing about it. I first learned what homeopathy was in 1994, when I read a short magazine article by Dr Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, ND, who specialises in homeopathy, about its use in treating ADHD. This was what that led us to try it. The rest is history.
What has been your personal and professional experience as a homeopathic educator?
I have learned, over the years, that it is usually fruitless to convince someone to try homeopathy. They must choose to pursue it on their own, usually after reading about it, or hearing about personal experiences of healing from others. Well, you can let people know about your own experience, but beyond that, you can do no more. Indeed, what usually convinces people to try homeopathy — besides their own desperation — is hearing about other people’s cures. This is one of the reasons I wrote my book the way I did. It is full of cured stories, contributed by many people from around the world, for a variety of ailments. This was actually a hard lesson for me to learn. I was so enthusiastic about homeopathy that I kept attempting to convince people to try it. I hated to see friends and family people suffer needlessly, especially children who I knew could be helped. However, I eventually learned that these people needed to come to me on their own and ask for a referral. Sometimes, it happened. Usually, it didn’t. It’s somewhat like that old saying, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” People have to choose their own destiny.
What unique and special skills do you think you have that has helped you in your homeopathic learning?
I have a PhD in computer science and worked as a researcher in that field for many years. In other words, I have a very analytical mind-set and this helps a lot when studying homeopathy. Doing a PhD also taught me to think for myself, often outside the box. It also taught me the discipline required to study and write. Thankfully, I was blessed to be a good writer and able to explain complicated subjects in a way that most people find easy to understand. This has been a big part of the success of my books. Of course, most people in technology tend to be pretty closed-minded about something like homeopathy. What helped me to be more open, perhaps, is that I have always been a spiritual person, tuned into [more] subtler perceptions, especially about people’s health state. Because of this, something like the vital force is easy for me to accept and understand at the intuitive level. Impossible Cure bid fair to my expanded studies. This led me to write my second book, Active Consciousness: Awakening the Power Within. The latter talks about even more esoteric subjects than homeopathy. I am currently finalising a third book that combines my interest in alternative approaches to health — with spirituality and the architecture of the energy bodies.
What is your best definition of optimal wellness and why?
It is much like what Dr Samuel Hahnemann, MD, the founder of homeopathy, said — freedom in body, mind, and spirit. Freedom from focus on body woes. Freedom in the mind from obsession with negative thought patterns and emotions, so that one is motivated and able to happily pursue one’s interests and gifts. Freedom in spirit to connect to god and understand one’s life purpose.
The ‘best’ case you’ve seen in homeopathy?
My son’s healing.
The ‘not-so-good’ case that you’d know of?
Many people write to me about their own, or their child’s, case. I try to only provide supportive advice and not comment on a practitioner’s treatment choices. But, because of this, I also hear about a lot of mismanaged cases and the use of what I consider to be the dubious application of homeopathic remedies. I am always aghast when someone tells me about being given too many high potency remedies, often in mixtures, in quick succession. After this kind of treatment patients often suffer from aggravations and mixed up cases and think that this is what homeopathy is all about — and, they give up homeopathy entirely. This kind of practice is the result of practitioners having poor, or non-existent, training and not realising the power of our potentised remedies.
What appeals to you the most?
I am very much drawn to beauty in the arts, music, and nature. I play the piano, I paint, I sing, and I am an avid lover of water, enjoying swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or ‘just being by the water.’ I also love learning new things — new art forms, travelling to new places, meeting new people. Creativity is more than important to me — a joy.
What annoys you the most?
People’s urge and need to conform, especially out of fear of some kind. These kinds of people can easily be manipulated by propaganda and do not have the ability to truly think for themselves. They will not even know they are being manipulated and also tend to foist their views on others. Even worse, of course, are those who take advantage of such ‘offhand’ human tendencies and use them for their own gain. This phenomenon is rampant in today’s world. It underlies corporate greed, media and government manipulations, and it is exploited by the healthcare industry too. We saw it in full force during the COVID-19 years and I fear that we will see a lot more in the years to come. As a former computer scientist, I have a deeper understanding than most people do about the growing dangers of technology in our world and how it will be used to manipulate and control people.
Your favourite book?
He, She, and It, by Marge Piercy; Woman on the Edge of Time, also by Marge Piercy; and, The Fifth Sacred Thing, by Starhawk. I usually read non-fiction, but with fiction, I prefer historical and science fiction. I also enjoy books by Paulette Jiles, who has written several novels about the American West and the Civil War.
Your favourite joke?
I’m terrible at remembering jokes. My husband, however, is a master joke-teller and has a gag for every occasion and on every topic.
Your favourite song?
One that pops into my head is American Tune by Paul Simon. Believe it, or not, I also love bagpipe music and the songs, Scotland the Brave and Amazing Grace, performed on bagpipes. I am sure I was a Scot in a previous life. I have my favourite tartan [Lindsay], and even own bagpipes, which, I’ve, unfortunately, never learned to play.
Your favourite movie?
The Wizard of Oz.
Your favourite TV, Netflix show?
Battlestar Galactica — the version that came out in 2004. This was created by Ronald D Moore, with music by Bear McCreary, whose music I adore. Also by Moore is the amazing new show, For All Mankind. I am a huge fan of sci-fi and I love Star Trek. I also enjoy historical fiction and am currently enjoying the series 1883 about the American West of that period.
Your other interests, or hobbies?
Swimming, canoeing, painting, piano, singing, knitting and other needle work, gardening, and hanging out with friends. I am an animal lover and I especially love dogs and horses. I’m also a big fan of philosopher-writer Charles Eisenstein.
Your goal in life?
My goal is to keep learning and developing as a natural human being and sharing my learning, wisdom, and love with others.
