| Q. The concept of "Innate
Intelligence" sounds almost religious or metaphysical. Is
it?
A. For some people, the concept of life itself has
religious and metaphysical overtones. For others, it can be
understood and appreciated from a strictly scientific
perspective. So it is with the concept of Universal and Innate
Intelligence as discussed in chiropractic philosophy. We do
not know precisely what the Innate Intelligence is or how it
functions. Since we find an overwhelming abundance of evidence
that is does, indeed, exist, we feel confident in building a
set of beliefs upon the concept. Even the most scientific,
agnostic observer has to admit that there is a systematic
organization to the human body (and the universe). We did not
develop the way we have randomly. Some perceive this
organization as proof of a Supreme Being ... others as an
indication that some as-of-yet-unknown forces are at work.
Regardless of the perspective, the conclusion is the same:
Innate Intelligence does exist.
Q. If the existence of an "Innate Intelligence" is so
obvious, why doesn't everyone believe in it?
A. At some level, most people DO believe in it – they just
never put a name to it. Even today, distinguished scientists
and medical doctors are admitting that there is only so much
they can do for a person who has been sick or injured. After
that, "it's up to the patient," they say. What they really
mean is that they must step back and let the person's own
Innate Intelligence take over. If the person can be healed,
his or her own body will heal itself.
Q. Is it really so bad to take a couple of aspirins, or
other pills, when we don't feel right?
A. The question is not whether or not it is "bad" to take
two aspirin. The question is: do we understand the risks we
run whenever we take things that alter the body's normal
biochemical balance? The fact is, there is no way for anyone
to know for sure exactly how your body will react when you
swallow those pills. Even as mundane a drug as aspirin (and
aspirin IS a drug) affects each person differently. One person
takes two and her headache is gone. |
Another person takes the exact
same pills and, a half hour later still has his headache, plus
an upset stomach. A third person – who has taken aspirin many
times in the past – has an allergic reaction and is rushed to
the hospital. A fourth person feels great because her headache
is gone, and never realizes that it was a signal of something
more serious. If there was some way to know PRECISELY what a
particular chemical would do in YOUR body EACH TIME, then it
might be safer to use drugs. As it is, we are just guessing
and hoping for the best.
Q. A lot of people claim they were "cured" of different
conditions with chiropractic. Is this true?
A. NO. No one has ever been "cured" or "healed" with
chiropractic. A doctor of chiropractic does one thing: detect
and correct vertebral subluxations. This removes or decreases
interference to the normal flow of Innate Energy through the
body. The Innate Intelligence can then direct all parts of the
body in a more efficient and effective manner. Without
interference, the body can more easily work towards healing or
curing itself. If a person walks out of a chiropractic office
feeling better, his or her own body gets the credit!
Q. Why are these pamphlets called "The Green
Booklets?"
A. In 1906, D.D. Palmer, the man credited with
"discovering" chiropractic and formulating its foundation of
principles and procedures, wrote a textbook called "The
Science, Art and Philosophy of Chiropractic." Later, his son,
B.J. Palmer, took his studies further and published a series
of textbooks which – bound in the distinctive green text-book
binding popular in that day – came to be known as "The Green
Books."
While hundreds of books have been written since on every
aspect of chiropractic, these important works still contain
the basic technical information and philosophical
underpinnings of the entire profession. They are read and
reread by chiropractors throughout the world. These philosophy
pamphlets draw from those pioneering works and their
development, design, and name is in honor of
them. |