by Nina Stabey, BcHSci, Goonellabah, Australia

David Millikan has decided in his own head that Universal Medicine is a cult. I beg to differ…

In his own words Millikan says, “Cults have one thing in common… You have got to hold before a person some glittering prize, some hope of salvation or some hope of healing, some tangible hope such that they are prepared to make quite extraordinary sacrifices in terms of their own well-being.” (Conversations with Richard Fidler, ABC, 29 November 2006.)

Fact:
Universal Medicine offers NO glittering prize, no promise of enlightenment, no levitation, no special treatment. Each individual has to choose to embark on a process of self-care. No one can do this for us!

Fact:
Universal Medicine offers no guarantees, no outcomes, no fixes, no rose-coloured glasses. Choosing to self-care in a society that lives counter to this is not easy and is often challenging.

Fact:
Universal Medicine makes NO claims about recovering from or curing any illness or disease. It simply shares that the way we live can be ‘good medicine’. We have to choose what is right for us… AND THEN ACTUALLY LIVE IT!!

Fact:
Universal Medicine does not ask for individuals to sacrifice ANYTHING of their own well-being. Au contraire! Individuals are encouraged to develop and build their own well-being!

Fact:
Universal Medicine offers CHOICES: those that either deplete the body or build the body. Each individual then decides how much, how often, and what kind of choices they want for themselves each and every day.

The accusations Millikan hurled at us on Friday night are blatantly untrue. Many of the student group have stopped smoking, drinking alcohol, over-eating comfort foods, taking drugs and participating in unloving sexual conduct… all in the process of developing self-care. Any doctor would congratulate us on making health supportive choices – but not Millikan!

The fact that many of the students have shed significant weight (and maintained it), are living fulfilling, community-oriented, joyful lives is to be encouraged and applauded – NOT CONDEMNED.

Get your facts straight, David Millikan.

Part 1: David Millikan: Eat Your Words (Part 1)
Part 3: Stew On This… Part 3