• The Purpose of the School of New Physis
• The Definition of New Physis
• How to Pronounce Physis
• Who is behind New Physis?
The Purpose of the School of New Physis
1. To pay tribute to human experience and achievement in life: to rise above ordinary way of thinking and to bring to light mysterious and hidden knowledge, particularly relating to the health and welfare of all life.
2. To inspire in the student his or her worth and to understand one’s relationship to the universe in which we live, and thus appreciate one’s role in life.
3. To discern between the two realms of phenomenon in life, in nature: the material and the non-material and how this is applied to the advancement of the human experience.
The Definition of New Physis
Physis, – Greek, nature
Physike, – Greek, natural – the science of medicine, (orig.) natural philosophy
Physician, – one skilled in the art of healing, the use of physic
New Physis, – an expression for awakening of man and redemption of Nature.
The Greeks called Nature – Physis. This is one interpretation of the word. Another translation is ‘the real constitution of things’. WHS Jones suggests that physis is ‘the truth about the universe.’ Hippocrates referred to Physis as that which heals. The source of our understanding and practice of healing is in the Physis – in Nature. But what is Nature, which later Paracelsus (1493-1541) referred to as Great Nature? Underlying this is an intimate understanding of what we are as human beings; the position and evolution we have in Nature. We are a part of Nature, not outside of it.
Our dilemma is, as Heraclitus states, that Nature prefers to hide. The hidden Physis represents the inexpressible in life. Nature cannot be measured but can be perceived by one who desires perception. A hidden connection is stronger that an apparent one, which is obvious when a connection is perceived.
Natural medicine in our modern idea of it would entail using only natural remedies or therapies and not the products of material science. The reality is far greater than this, though, as the physis is difficult to grasp, but we must seek to do so. Perhaps the greatest challenge that lies before human beings as a collective, is to acknowledge the connection to Nature and that we are not apart from Her, as our material scientific thinking has led us to view the world.
New Physis, then, seeks to provoke commentary on Nature + Medicine, to balance material scientific thinking in medicine, ecology, agriculture and social living, to enrich our understanding and awareness of Nature. Her healing power – Vis Medicatrix Naturae – is our pathway to healing – becoming whole.
Extracted from the article “New Physis”, New Physis Newsletter #1, June 2004. Read more articles in the New Physis Newsletter archive.
How to pronounce Physis
Physis most probably ought to rhyme with physics (fiz’iks), but f-eye-sis sets it apart, quite rightly so!
Who is behind New Physis?
Cornelis van Dalen began his quest to seek healing methods more than thirty-five years ago. His interest in the body and importantly in the human spirit guided him to eventually delve into the practice of Traditional Western and Eastern (Chinese and Japanese) therapeutics. But being European, Homoeopathic and Naturopathic medicine has a natural affinity to the way he thinks.
This began in 1988; he studied first therapeutics with the practical aspects of body therapies. Firstly, Swedish massage and then Zen Macrobiotic Shiatsu under various teachers. The study of Naturopathy and classical Homoeopathy completed the present cycle of experiences and qualifications. He established practices in Australia, West Indies and now has clinics in London and Surrey.
Underlying all this is a lifetime pursuit and study of the mysteries of life, which has culminated in a breath of knowledge and experience. But it is never enough is it? Life is the ceaseless effort to BE! As a health writer, articles have been extensively published in the past in leading U.K. journals and he currently edits (and mostly writes) and publishes the New Physis Newsletter. This love for imparting the knowledge and benefits of experience from a varied life and of the now 20 years of therapeutic practice, had lead to the establishment of the School of New Physis lecture programme and practitioner training.
