Others

DAILY FORTUNE - MAY 5, 2017

(354) Origin of divination and its philosophy

By Janet ShinThe practice of divination has its origin in human nature facing unexpected situations, which were more devastating and inevitable in ancient times. These situations mostly were caused by nature such as natural disasters, climate changes and geographical changes including attacks wild animal attacks. For instance, a man may have been walking out of his cave after waking up to find himself facing a huge scary tiger or the Earth inexplicably, violently shaking. Any deviation from the security of life and their awareness of crisis created the consciousness of anxiety. They were not trivial matters but unknowable and impending, even affecting the very survival of whole tribes.At first people would have asked the Heavens why a certain calamity had happened and how they could avoid a similar peril the next time. This provoked a need for divination which is actually an act of calling for God’s revelation. Later on, it developed to interpret accidental situations by ‘thinking’ and ‘investigating’ the sameness and difference of all phenomena and ulti

Ex-Miss Korea wins Buddhist prize

By Yoon Ja-young Keum Na-naA former Miss Korea, Keum Na-na, won this year’s Buddhist Prize by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, along with three other participants, on Buddha’s Birthday, Wednesday.The Jogye Order noted Keum’s contributions to enhancing public awareness of Buddhism, by discussing how Buddhist teachings helped her through numerous media interviews, speeches and books.Known for possessing both “brains and beauty,” she has become a role model for many youths.She came to the fore when she received the Miss Korea crown in 2002 while she was attending medical school at Kyungpook National University.She also made headlines when she enrolled in Harvard two years later, giving up a comfortable life guaranteed for medical students here in favor of new challenges.She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Harvard University, graduating cum laude. She went on to get her master’s degree in nutrition from Columbia University, and recently got a Ph.D. at Harvard University School of Public Health. She also received an award fo

DAILY FORTUNE - MAY 4, 2017

Drug-free childcare blog blasted over home remedies

By Ko Dong-hwanA family visits a pediatric hospital in Yongsan-gu district, Seoul, for influenza treatment. / Korea Times file A blog promoting unchecked home remedies over prescribed drugs in treating children’s illnesses has been criticized for putting youngsters in jeopardy.The “Raising Baby Without Drugs” blog, known by the Korean acronym “Anaki,” claims to be operated by a Korean medical doctor. It was established in 2013 and has some 60,000 members, many of them mothers without medical qualifications.The members believe that seeking medical help and using prescribed drugs makes children weaker because their immune systems become more dependent on medication. They instead champion natural healing to strengthen children’s immune systems against viruses and, if necessary, home remedies such as “edible charcoal powder” or soy sauce.Some blog supporters believe that parents are too quick in seeking medical treatment for their children. One said online: “Does drugging children help them or does it help you parents worry

DAILY FORTUNE - MAY 3, 2017

DAILY FORTUNE - MAY 1, 2017

Doctors begin to think about long-term health, happiness of cancer survivors

By Shin Hyun-young  When I was a resident, my father was unexpectedly diagnosed with a brain tumor.Despite surgical resection and multiple rounds of radiation therapy, the tumor recurred five years later.The painful experience of battling cancer and coping with the treatment brought our family closer together.However, in general, the overwhelming stress that cancer patients and their families undergo harms their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.Although I had encountered several cancer patients during my training program as a doctor, being a family member of a cancer patient generated a different set of feelings in me.I became anxious about every step of cancer therapy that was being administered to my father, and at times, any abnormal changes in me would make me worry about possible proliferation of cancer cells in my own body.Irregular eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle owing to a busy work schedule added to my nervousness because I knew a healthy lifestyle was important for preventing carcinogenesis.However, at the time, no system was in place to ensure the

Acute Dyspepsia

By Sunghun LeeAt one time or another, we have all experienced indigestion to varying degrees.Generally, it is from an excessively indulgent lunch or dinner as many readers would have experienced themselves as I have.However, there are those of us who are prone to frequent indigestion which does not necessarily have anything to do with what or how much they have eaten.They are just as likely to feel the same even with at the slightest bit of mental exertion.Detailed symptoms can vary from person to person and may include one or more of the following.The upper stomach just below the solar plexus feels bloated as if foods from the previous meal or snack remain in position.Some also burp but still feel bloated.Others can also feel nauseous and even vomit.Occasionally, patients experience diarrhea. In some cases, patients experience cold hands and feet, feel chilly with pain in their extremities which can often be mistaken as cold.Some, especially females others who regularly experience headaches, may complain of headache associated with indigestionThe Korean language has several differen

DAILY FORTUNE - APRIL 29-30, 2017