Hearing the silent voice
 

Comparative Belief Systems and the Coma State

(Please scroll across)

Research Question Sangoma 1 Sangoma 2 Muslim Christian Jewish Buddhist Chinese
Outline what your beliefs are? Ancestors. One god, one Creator. God and son of God, Jesus. Combined the concept of faith, peoplehood and nationhood. All have one God and no-one is in the wrong. Various possible cultural and religious dimensions.
How do you practice your beliefs? Speaking to ancestors. Diagnosing by speaking to ancestors or throwing bones. Prayer. And it is a way of life , a system with rules and regulations. Prayer. Through prayer. We respect everyone's believes and do good in life to earn a good afterlife. Meditation and acupuncture.
Significance of living and death? One is where you join your ancestors to guide. Dying is when your soul leaves your body. We all have a limited life span. On earth to be tested whether to go to heaven or hell. The almighty God wants us back, nothing is forever. Soul has departed our flesh. Death is entering heaven or hell. It is like a rebirth. It is a finite end to a part of God's ongoing creation, a natural occurrence, appointed time of ending a solitary life. High value on presentation of life. Death is rebirth into another life. Part of an endless life cycle.
When did you start practicing you beliefs?
1993.
1996.
 You are born into the family. But at 9 you are allowed to choose what you want. From beginning, initiated when small.
Understanding about coma and states of consciousness? Between this world and whatever comes next. In a dimension where there is no connection between body and soul. The mind of the person is gone. To a deeper level of unconscious state, but still a cognitive part. A life journey. Oerson is conscious, just extreme altered state, still able to feel and hear etc.
Difference between consciousness and unconsciousness? They are still partly aware of the world and still have a cognitive part to them. Depends on soul or body point of view. Mind present, mind not present. Entire awareness and partial awareness. Conscious aware, unconscious not aware
Encountered a comatose person? Yes, mother. Know of one. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
How do you feel about the western medical model? See people as machines without feelings/senses, do things not to improve quality of life. They are doing they're job from the clinical point of view. The doctors know their knowledge from a physical body point of view and we should trust that they know what they are doing. Muslims are advised to seek medical advise from a doctor. I feel the doctors are doing all they can. Mindful and respectful. They try to look at all aspects holistically with a multidisciplinary team, not alone. Illness is a fearful experience because of high value on human life, consequently a high value is placed on physicians and efficacy of medicine. Trust the doctors knowledge. Buddha in the past encouraged people to seek medical treatment when they were sick. They know their medical side/aspect. It not that they don't know what they are doing, its that they have a different type of knowledge.
Any ceremonies or rituals for a person in coma? Speaking, touch, music, candles, herbal remedy , ritual or speaking to ancestors to choose which. To draw the spirit in the right direction. Make sure body functions and the soul comes back, speak to them and hold their hand (touch) keeps them alive for longer. Treat patient from body and soul perspective. Pray for them to have a good passing or better health and recite verses from the holy Quran that the person won't die from spiritual thirst. Prayer and talking to the family etc. Go according to Maslow theory of needs. 1st, warmth, water, cleaning, 2nd spiritual and 3rd. Pray for persons recovery 3x a week. Doesn't require a hospital visit, can occur from a distance. And speaking to them and touch. Monks providing some special praying service if around. When sick, family members gather around and chant the name of Amitabha Buddha. Pray, touch and talk.
Agree with western medical model procedures? The person does not need to be inflicted with pain whilst possibility of still partially conscious. Partially. The doctor knows the concerns, I trust them. They are doing their best. Respect all beliefs. Trust what they do
Do you believe your religion has a more holistic approach? We look at the patient and family. We give reassurance. We look at the person as a whole. Yes, as we see body and soul. And there are various levels of consciousness. The doctor is there to treat the physical body, we are there to treat spiritual being. Together we heal the patient. Looking after them in a holistic manner, cultural, spiritual, physical, social. Believe in intervention from spiritual side. But trust doctors work. Work together. Buddha advised that, "whenever you are sick, don't allow your mind to be sick". We give peace to people.
What is the cause of coma and unconsciousness? Physical accidents. Fear, physical accidents, soul leaving body, or body not functioning. Due to illness or brain damage. Mediated by their one god, as it is their time. Physical accidents, metabolic problems. Physical accidents. Some sickness and ill health is a blessing in disguise. Physical accidents or high states of emotionality.
Explain difference between process of dying and being dead? One you have entered the other world, the other you are in transition and still partly cognitive. If brain dead, the radio for communication is not functioning. But brain storm occurs, which is the presence of another spirit. Dead, you are with the almighty god. God makes us die daily at night when we sleep. The encounter after death ranges over symbolic 49 days, ranges from "clear light" to horrible hallucinations. During clear light communication to person NB. Dead is when you are not conscious at all.
What do you believe are the rights of comatose people? To be treated as humanely as possible, with feelings etc. Treated humanely. To be treated respectively. Rights of a normal living being. Keep fed, cleaned, attention etc. Normal human rights. Normal human rights.
Do you believe organ donation is ethical? No, we do not know if that person has become brain dead or not. If person is brain dead. But chance that spirit might possess the other person. If person is brain dead and nothing can be done. If that is what the person wanted. Have to delay movement of body to let soul free. But many feel they want to donate organs. If classified brain dead
Do you believe its right to intervene with coma patient? If it improves the quality of life yes. With eating you are engaging, but with pain you are forcing them away. Yes, trust what doctors are doing. Yes, we must trust the doctors. Yes.
Do you believe its right to take away life support? We never know if that person is brain dead or not. One God. If you can't bring the patient back. Have to trust the doctor. Medical decision and intervention. Can't say its wrong. Not really. But if no other options. Death is looked at as a part of life. If nothing can be done.
What impact/difference does your practice make? We give holistic care in the sense of body, soul and mind. Sangoma can be used as a diagnostic machine. Comfort, peace. To listen and give christ-like caring. Comfort and give peace. Peace and harmony and respect. Peace.