My Inner Calling: Quantum Healing

Dr Sachin DESHMUKH responds to ThinkWellness360 questionnaire: 

Why and how did you think of becoming a doctor? 

I’ve always had that archetypal ‘inner calling’ to be a doctor, or physician, and helping and serving people, from my formative years. Health and happiness are the two sides of the same coin to leading a healthy, happy life.

Medicine is a noble profession. I believe in being actively involved in connecting certain ancient traditional approaches with mainstream medicine and using the latest advancements in science and technology for a higher purpose.

Medicine is a rewarding and enriching life journey, more so as a profession. My grandfather always emphasised that to serve others is a great privilege. Because, it is “in giving that we receive.” This has stayed put on the skin of my thought and has not eased one bit.

What made you think of, study and specialise in the system of medicine you now practice?

I was born into the family of yoga masters. I also grew up with several monks and masters from diverse spiritual traditions. It was this element that stoked my fervour to develop a system that integrated a plethora of wonderful teachings to help people and also meet them at their ‘bespoke’ levels.

This holds good, especially in our era of bludgeoning lifestyle diseases, which are, of course, preventable. I was also exposed to the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at an early age. His approach, his simplicity, his scientific template only amplified my interest to pursuing holistic health, wellness, also longevity, and improving my patients’ quality of life [QoL].

I owe it too to my mentor Dada J P Vaswani of Sadhu Vaswani Mission, who gave me the delightful opportunity to lead and create a new, also unique, Department of Natural Therapies & Yogic Sciences at Inlaks & Budhrani Hospital, and MNB Cancer Hospital, Pune.

This led to the beginning of my own new echelons and new horizons in integrative medicine. My work at the Ramakrishna Math and Vedanta Society, and other spiritual organisations, such as Siddha Samadhi Yoga SSY-Rishi Prabhakar, also opened up new frontiers, not to speak of exciting possibilities, in radical healing — viz., mind/body medicine, art as therapy, food as medicine, right thinking and high living, for vibrant health and happiness. We made them easily accessible to one and all.

What has been your personal and professional experience as a doctor?

I reckon that it was my background and training in diverse healing modalities that I developed a unique integrative and individualistic approach to treating patients. This also fuelled my interest in Applied Yoga, Transcendental Meditation^®, Maharishi Ayurveda and Lifestyle Medicine.

Every healing modality has something to offer and no system is exclusive. When we integrate them, they get transformed into a simple, yet profound, customised, practical empowering tool for optimal, or quantum, healing and vibrant health.

This led me to integrating the knowledge of Yoga and Ayurveda too into clinical settings using some of the advanced capabilities of modern science. It was just amazing to witness first-hand how our ancient, also timeless, ideas coalesce with current modern lifestyle trends and technology.

What unique and special skills you think you have that has made the big difference for your patients?

I think the biggest gift I have is simplicity and a service-oriented mind. I perceive things with a different perspective in people going through diverse challenges and transitions in life.

I find it rewarding to seeing them able to making a paradigm shift in their life through simple tips, ideas, regularity of daily routines and discipline. For me, the Art of Listening is paramount — it gives new insights to just about everything, the tangible, the intangible, the apparent and the imponderable.

What is your best definition of optimal wellness and why?

I have always believed that health comes from within and it ought to be supported by the right environment and a proper catalyst, or facilitator — one who does not look at health and illness in isolation.

Your best case?

Every case is unique — the learning, the triumph, the fulfilment and the good feeling it brings to a doctor cannot be expressed in words.

Your ‘not-so-good’ case?  

Everything there is has something good, and not-so-good, in it. Maybe, we’d call a thing as challenging when our resources are not just good enough.

Once this surfaces, we surrender, as it were, to a higher power, or seek help from someone who can guide us in the whole process. There are always certain cases where there is no cure, but only palliation.

This would make it a not-so-good case. The onus is on us to help and support every life to the best extent possible, juxtaposed by a noble purpose and intent.

What appeals to you the most?

Simplicity, effortlessness, Laws of Nature, consciousness, and the Absolute, or divine reality, over relative entities.

What annoys you the most?

I believe in the dictum that nothing should annoy me when I behold love, compassion, or empathy, as my higher principles of life. This holds the key to remain calm and also in harmony with oneself. Always.

Your favourite book?

• Science of Being and Art of Living. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
• Ramayan in Human Physiology. Dr Tony Nader
• Towards the Silver Crests of Himalayas. G K Pradhan
• Complete Book of Yoga: Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga. Swami Vivekananda
• Autobiography of a Yogi. Swami Paramahansa Yogananda

Your favourite joke?

Ah, there are too many of them. But, here is one, right on top. A man from Silicon Valley went to see god and said, “I have everything I can imagine, except patience.

Can you please give it to me, right now?” Well… Life is in a Hurry [Rush] for everyone today, yes, and it should be transformed to Hari [Divine, in Sanskrit] through simple awareness. Yoga teaches us to slow down and ‘tune’ into our ‘present-moment’ reality.

Your favourite song?

Any meaningful song and poetry, viz., Vedic richas — chants that are so meaningful and full of insightful ideas. My favourites include Jnaneshwari by Kishori Amonkar, Bhagavad Gita by Lata Mangeshkar, and Ananda music.

Your favourite movie?

The list is just too long.

Your favourite TV, Netflix show?

All meaningful and inspirational shows, such as Forks Over Knives.

Your other interests, or hobbies?

Music, nature, hiking, art, cooking, healthy eating, and service to all.

Your goal in life?

Service. Service. Service.

Dr SACHIN DESHMUKH, BHMS, who first trained as a physician in India, holds an impressive string of degrees, diplomas and certifications in homeopathy, Ayurveda, holistic medicine, and yoga therapy, among others, from institutions of national and international repute. He practiced medicine for over a decade in India, where he headed the Department of Natural Therapy & Yogic Sciences at general as also cancer hospitals, along with his private practice. Dr Deshmukh was born into a family of yoga masters. He was also exposed to diverse Vedic traditions and philosophies, right from his childhood — a roseate revelation that is part of his continuing progression. Of discovery, also rediscovery, and erudite mindful and holistic expansion. He is affiliated in various capacities to several community-based and academic organisations. His teaching and therapeutic approach is tailored, or personalised, to address the specific needs of his students, patients, and clients.