South Salem, New York resident, Dr. John Diamond, M.D., D.P.M., M.R.C., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P., D.I.B.A.K has accumulated enough abbreviations to describe his health care credentials that even our government’s long list of initialed bureaucracies could seem small in comparison. Well, not quite but if he really wants to get colleagues to pay his holistic approach its proper due, leaving the U.S.A., the A.M.A and such behind is probably the best way for him to go.
Easy enough when it comes to the DiamondCenter in his native Australia but his work and name is definitely not contained to just one or two continents. He has been lecturing in Russia for several years now and recently had a two week photography exhibit in Moscow to promote a field of study he calls psychoaesthetics.
Selling 45 pieces on the first day, only the enthusiasm for what he has to say on the subject is higher. “Russia is very medically excited,” says Dr. Diamond, as plans for a third Diamond center is in the works.
A member of the American Holistic Medical Association and with over 50 years of clinical practice to his credit, Dr. Diamond believes the healing power is within us all and by cultivating creativity, we preempt the need to be beholden to pharmaceutical companies and their ilk. In his language – with or without the Russian translation – this is called raising the life energy or chi.
So, drawing, dancing, playing an instrument or taking up photography, he believes will go a lot farther than the Advil a day that is supposed to keep the co-pays away. Singing, to the delight of a room full of Russian doctors, who joined him in a native folk song, will also suffice. “Imagine that happening at Sloan Kettering,” says Dr. Diamond.
It’s hard to imagine stressed out Americans sitting around and meditating too – even if they do subscribe to the healing power of life energy. “The Western mind is not geared for passivity, we are active people,” he says, and out of that mindset came psychoaesthetics or active meditation.
So as Russia has always been caught between east and west, it almost follows that they more easily diverge from traditional medicine, while being less inclined to take to the lotus position. Still, he cannot overlook the distinctions in Russian society and rejoice. With hardship that stretches back through the millennia, he says, “It’s all there, the strength, the humanity, the compassion – they are extraordinary people.”
He also believes the openness that is so important to moving forward comes from a pace that moves much slower than our own. Without being constantly distracted by too many television stations, faster computers and advertisements that are never out of our sights, he says, “Life is simpler, even the hustle of Moscow is quieter.”
But people trying to change a dysfunctional life need not be concerned with imaginary lines that circle the earth or cultural boundaries. Sufferers, as he prefers to call patients, must embrace life not escape from it, says Dr. Diamond.
In escape, he means, “We tend to dial up the illnesses that we unconsciously desire,” he says – even if we claim it to be our worst fear. Conversely, “embracing” means passionately pursuing life, music, art and love, while accepting its worth, as Dr. Diamond does in life and practice. “I’m not interested in treating disease,” says Dr. Diamond, “I’m in interested in helping the person to help themselves because that’s what started the disease process in the first place – not helping themselves.”
Finally, his continental travels between the U.S., Europe, Australia and Russia remain imminent but Russia looms the most exciting for him. “They want to publish a lot of my photography and they want to publish all of my writings. It’s quite extraordinary,” concludes Dr. Diamond.
Rich Monetti interview of Dr. John Diamond – M.D., D.P.M, M.R.C, F.R.A.N.C.P., D.I.B.A.K.
Medical Doctor
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Fellow of the Royal Australian and New ZealandCollege of Psychiatrists
Master of Rehabilitation Counseling
Diplomat of the International Board of Applied Kinesiology
