In the sixth podcast, Sacred Journey Worldwide's distinguished lecture series, presents Dr. Charles S. Finch, author, board-certified physician and former director of International Health, Morehouse School of Medicine.
A 1971 graduate of Yale University and a 1976 graduate of Thomas Jefferson Medical College, Dr. Finch also has expertise in African antiquities, comparative religion, anthropology, and ancient science. Finch spoke to Sacred Journey Worldwide about his life-long passion for medicine and the extensive field work he conducted among the Serrer people of Senegal.
He also gives an overview of African healing systems, which, he says, is Spirit-based. Much of his research focuses on healing traditions of two Senegalese ethnic groups: the Lebu and the Serrer. Although some view them as separate and distinct systems, Finch insists both ethnic groups share similar cosmological and spiritual beliefs.
The Lebu spiritual healing system is called ndepp, whereas, the Serrer tradition is known as Loup. Both systems are comparable to that of the Fon of Benin, and the Yoruba of Nigeria.
Rabs are the ancestral spirit guides of the ndepp's. "There are innumerable rabs, but seven major ones guide human destiny. Healing is carried out in the ndepp system by communing with and invoking the intervention of the rabs to alleviate personal and communal suffering. One communicates with the rabs through the drums, dances, songs, invocations, offerings and sacrifice," says Finch.
In our interview, Finch also pays tribute to the late Maam Adji Fatou Seck of Senegal, one of the countries most outstanding and successful spiritual healers, who visited the U.S. on several occasions with her delegation and performed authentic healing ceremonies. "The most skillfull of healers seemed able to accomplish near-miracles in their ability to restore, physical, psychic and spiritual health to afflicted persons."
Finch witnessed Fatou Seck heal a man suffering from Turrets Syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary body movements and vocal outbursts. We also discuss remote healing -- a characteristic of African medical science. Many Africans who live abroad routinely call home to have healing work performed on their behalf.
Finch says there's a growing interest in alternative healing systems. "A large segment of the patient population is seeking alternative modalities of health care outside organized medicine. There seems to have emerged an implicit recognition that healing, sought by so many, goes beyond the curative paradigms perfected by modern medicine."
In Africa, 85% of the population still consults traditional healers, particularly since poverty puts expensive modern health care out of the reach of the masses. In addition to championing African healing and spiritual traditions, Finch's organization, Coumba Lamba USA, also collaborates with Native American medicine people and their spiritual traditions. He briefly discusses a water purification ritual that was performed by Richard Dalton, a medicine man in Hoonah Alaska.
Dr. Finch has lectured more than 500 times in the U.S., Senegal, England, Switzerland and Egypt. He is the Vice President of the Senegal-based Association for the Promotion of Traditional Medicine and has published more than a dozen articles including: The African Background of Medical Science, Nile Genesis: The Birth of Christianity, Race and Evolution in Prehistory, Science and Symbol in Egyptian Medicine and Pharmacotherapy in Therapy.
For more information on Finch or to make a contribution to his organization, Coumba Lamba USA, please contact him at:
http://www.charlessfinch.com/.
On behalf of the Sacred Journey Worldwide team, I extend a very warm welcome to this accomplished scholar and health professional that must be heard.
James
email (James@Sacredjourneyworldwide.com)
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