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Episode 2: Pastoral Acupuncture and Wellness with Mark Greiner
It was a privilege to speak with Mark and hear of his ministry. He is a pastor and acupuncturist. He and I have come to the same place, though he started in full-time church ministry and merged to Eastern medicine in mid-life, while I started in traditional Western medicine and merged with spirituality, specifically a Christian spirituality, later in life. Fullness of health means a health of body, mind, and spirit. Thomas Merton said it best:
Eastern Medicine and Health of Body, Mind, and Spirit
After more than twenty years of pastoring his Presbyterian Church in Takoma Park, MD, Pastor Mark broadened his ministry to include Eastern Medicine. He studied three years to gain a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture at the Maryland University of Integrative Health and now is in private practice with a large multimodality practice in Silver Spring. Mark helps his clients to reclaim balance, defeat insomnia, reinforce what is thriving in their lives, and overcome trauma.
Watch the Interview
““I always want to ask each patient not only what is not working in their life but about what is flourishing.””
More Than Needles
Mark spoke of how his practice now allows him to fully address health of body, mind and spirit—the total person—and not just with needle insertions. Eastern medicine speaks of “Word as Needle.” Words, either spoken or listened to, are powerful sources of healing, as described by Thich Naht Hahn.
"Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening in order to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in myself and among other people, ethnic and religious groups, and nations. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to speaking truthfully using words that inspire confidence, joy, and hope."
- Thich Naht Hahn
Five Mindfulness trainings, in the training on "Loving Speech and Deep Listening
In addition to emphasis on words, Mark’s work includes close observation of expression, body language, and color, as well as physical palpation.
“What is flourishing in your life?”
In his work, Mark emphasizes not only the suffering, but also the joy. By asking “What is flourishing?“ he helps us remember our beauty and how we are created in the Divine image.
Rhythm and Balance
Rhythm and balance is all around us…day and night, activity and rest, seasons, and with our own bodies. The modalities of Eastern medicine aim to restore balance when it is out of balance—which often results in maladies such insomnia.
Takeaways
Be the very best primary health care provider you can be for yourself. Empower yourself first with focusing on your diet, sleep hygiene, and exercise.
Trust the wisdom of your body. What is your pain or intuition telling you to do? Then you can seek help as needed.
You can benefit from a “healing partnership” with a professional—but don’t relinquish your own responsibility or forget that your most important healing partnership is with Our Lord and Savior.
Additional Links and Resources
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Recommended Book: Mighty Stories, Dangerous Rituals: Weaving Together the Human and the Divine by Herbert Anderson, Edward Foley
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About Pastor Mark
Pastor Mark Greiner, M.Div., M.Ac., L.Ac.
Mark Greiner is a pastor with more than 20 years of congregational ministry. He works with people and families through life cycle transitions, including end-of-life transitions. His training includes Shalem Institute’s spiritual guidance programs, Tao of Trauma training with Alaine Duncan, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Master of Acupuncture from the Maryland University of Integrative Health.
When not in the clinic, he can be found Sacred Circle dancing with his wife, walking in the woods with his daughter, or hands-deep in ingredients while improvising on a recipe.
About Donna
Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, and programs at her church. She is the author of Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021).
Donna previously practiced medicine for forty years, first as a radiation oncologist and later, after re-training, as a family medicine doctor. What she learned taking care of immigrants and the homeless in Washington, D.C., continues to influence her programs. A central theme is that health of body, mind, and spirit is interrelated and connected to God, all as a package deal. Donna is a wife, mother, and grandmother and lives in University Park, Maryland.
Questions? Reach out to Donna Chacko.
2020 has been a heavy year for most of us. Let me tell you a sweet story about Lucy, the black lab who lives next door to me, as I think it will give you a lift.