In modern society we often talk about human potential and the idea of developing or expressing human potential, and yet, in reality, we know very little about the extent of this potential. How could we, when so few of our scientists, psychologists, physicians and therapists have developed to the fullest their own potential? Why is it that the professions that seem most dedicated to the process of helping individuals achieve their fullest physical, mental and emotional potential are also those occupations with the highest rates of suicide, depression, alcoholism, and other significant problems? Why is it that there is such great disturbance, conflict and discord in families?

This is because nowhere in our society is it really possible to study comprehensively the true nature of human potential within, and the method by which we can allow it to unfold. When we speak of the potential of human beings, then we are like blind people trying to understand the experience of a sunset without ever having seen one. A science of human potential can be taught only by those who have themselves experienced that potential.

All our training programs and education institutions are very good at defining, categorizing and contrasting various kinds of disease, which is another way of saying, the experience of limited or restricted human potential. All illness of body, mind, or emotions is really just a limitation in the potential of the person with that disease. And yet, once we finish with the debate about what the disease is, or how it got there, we can really only describe the goal as that of helping the individual gain (or regain) in experience we call "normal" – meaning "what everyone else is like" – without the ability to describe a state beyond this.

© `HIHT News’ (September 2002) published by Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust, Jolly Grant, Dehradun 248 140, Uttaranchal. Website: hihtindia.org. Reprinted with permission.

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