John Diamond (doctor)

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John Diamond
John Diamond, M.D.jpg
John Diamond, M.D.
Born9 August 1934
Died25 April 2021 (age 86)
EducationUniversity of Sydney (M.B.B.S., 1957; Diploma in Psychological Medicine, 1962)
Alma materUniversity of Sydney
OccupationPhysician and Author
Board member ofAdvisory Board, Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, The Koushikai Foundation
Websitehttps://drjohndiamond.com

John Diamond (9 August 1934 – 25 April 2021) was a physician and author on holistic health and creativity.[1]

Biography[]

Birth[]

Diamond was born in Sydney in 1934. His parents, Rudolph Richard Diamond and Doris Lipert, were both pharmacists.[2]

Education and early career[]

Diamond graduated from Sydney University Medical School in 1957 and was awarded his Diploma in Psychological Medicine in 1962. After graduating, he worked in private practice in Melbourne, and as a psychiatrist for the Victorian Department of Mental Hygiene (1960–62), the Repatriation Department in the State of Victoria (1963–68), the German consulate (1966–68), and the Royal Australian Air Force (1966–69).[3][4]

In 1968, Diamond conducted a series of in-depth, psychologically probing interviews with the left-wing Australian politician Jim Cairns, at that time a Labour Party Member of Parliament, and later deputy-Prime Minister. The interviews, which were recorded on audiotape, have been described as "politically unique" by one of Cairns' biographers.[5] They were initiated by the department of Political Science at Monash University, which was interested in researching the psychological motivations of politicians, but Cairns then continued them privately with Diamond over the course of a year, finding them to be "a voyage of self-discovery."[6] Another of Cairns' biographers, Paul Strangio, had noted how, in his interview technique, Diamond successfully "managed to penetrate his subject’s emotional defences."[7][8]

In the 1960s Diamond was associated with Frank Galbally, a criminal defence lawyer in Australia, appearing as a medical witness in a number of homicide cases in which he successfully used novel approaches to argue the defendant's mental state as a mitigating circumstance.[9]

In 1971 Diamond moved to New York. He was to remain based in the US for the rest of his life, except for a four-year residence in England in the 1990s.[10] In New York he worked for the Legal Aid Society and on an adolescent drug-abuse program while giving seminars and lectures to medical professional bodies.[11]

Professional associations[]

He was a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry, a Foundation Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, a Diplomate of the International College of Applied Kinesiology, and from 1978-80 was President of the International Academy of Preventive Medicine.[12] He was an Honorary Advisor to the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation and their Japanese sister organization, the Koushikai Foundation.[13]

Marriages and children[]

Diamond married three times. His first wife was Suzanne Gurvich, with whom he had three three children, Ian, Kathie, and Peter. In the 1970s he married Betty Peele, and in 1994 the opera singer Susan Burghardt.[14]

Life work[]

In the mid-1970s Diamond moved to a more holistic approach to his work. At its heart was the concept of Life Energy, Diamond’s word for the ancient Chinese concept of Qi. He believed that the flow of Life Energy underlay health at its most basic level, and suffering, whether physical or psychological, was caused by blockages, often unconscious, to the flow.[15][16] His approach with those who came to see him was to first diagnose the impediments to the flow of Life Energy, and would draw on a wide array of modalities to overcome it, including acupuncture, verbal affirmations, physical procedures, and herbs.[17]

This led to the development of Life-Energy Analysis (formerly Behavioral Kinesiology), a system based upon Applied Kinesiology, which he developed in the 1970s, after moving to the US from Australia. He was the first medical doctor trained in applied kinesiology to become a Diplomate of the International Board of Applied Kinesiology (1976) and he was the only doctor trained in applied kinesiology to have studied personally with Florence Kendall.[18]

He was also the author of bestsellers Your Body Doesn't Lie (originally released as Behavioral Kinesiology), and Life Energy: Unlocking the Hidden Power of Your Emotions to Achieve Well-Being. His book Facets of a Diamond: Reflections of a Healer is endorsed by Bernie Siegel and Caroline Myss.[19]

After moving back to the US from England in 1996, Diamond practiced privately as a holistic consultant in New York and founded The Institute for Music and Health, where he researched and taught his approach to the therapeutic power of music.[20]

A central component of Diamond's approach was what he termed "cantillation," from the Latin word for "to sing." Cantillation conventionally refers to the chanting of sacred texts, but Diamond applied it in a wider sense both of feeling loved, and in turn expressing that love to others through music, art, poetry and any other act of creativity. His technique was to reveal the activity unique to each person which allowed them to "cantillate," and then show them how to raise their Life Energy through the practice of that activity. He encouraged an egoless, altruistic approach, which he found to be the most effective for therapeutic purposes.[21][22][23][24]

Personal life[]

For many years, Diamond played drums in a jazz band which he founded, named the Diamond Jubilators. It embodied the altruistic approach he espoused in his work, performing in hospitals and nursing homes to benefit residents.[25][26] He was, especially in his last years, a devoted photographer and painter, creating images with the intention of raising the Life Energy of the viewer. A gallery dedicated to his paintings and photos, Life Energy Arts, is located in Mount Kisco, New York.[27][28][29]

The Institute for Music and Health[]

The Institute for Music and Health (IMH) is a center based in New York's Hudson Valley providing training and service in the area of "music for wellness."[30] The IMH disseminates the work of Diamond through a variety of programs for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The Institute's approach is called the Diamond Method for Music and espouses an altruistic philosophy. It runs community outreach programs involving interactive and intergenerational music-making, connecting mainstream and special needs children with seniors.[31]

The Music Engagement Program[]

Diamond's work has been cited as the inspiration for the Music Engagement Program (MEP) at the Australian National University School of Music. The MEP is based on what program director Susan West terms the Music Outreach Principle, an altruistic approach to music making which "draws on the philosophies of Dr. John Diamond and encompasses a modern interpretation of the idea that sharing music making promotes general well being."[32]

According to Australian Capital Territory Arts Minister Joy Burch, as of mid-2013, the program reached 6,000 students, 120 teachers and 28 schools. Burch estimated that 2014-2016 student participation would increase to 10,000 students across ACT schools.[33]

Publications[]

  • The Collected Papers (Volumes 1&2). Valley Cottage, NY: Archaeus Press, 1977, 1980. ISBN 1-890995-30-4.
  • Your Body Doesn’t Lie. Sydney: Harper & Row, 1979. ISBN 0-446-35847-9.
  • A Spiritual Basis of Holistic Therapy. Valley Cottage, NY: Archaeus Press, 1979. ISBN 1-890995-28-2.
  • Speech, Language and the Power of the Breath. Valley Cottage, NY: Archaeus Press, 1979. ISBN 1-890995-31-2.
  • The Re-Mothering Experience: How to Totally Love. Valley Cottage, NY: Archaeus Press, 1981. ISBN 1-890995-25-8.
  • The Life Energy in Music (Volumes 1-3). Valley Cottage, NY: Archaeus Press, 1981, 1983, 1986. ISBN 1-890995-34-7, ISBN 1-890995-26-6, ISBN 1-890995-27-4.
  • Life Energy: Unlocking the Hidden Power of Your Emotions to Achieve Total Well-Being. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1985. ISBN 1-55778-281-4.
  • Editor, A Book of Cantillatory Poems. Valley Cottage, NY: Archaeus Press, 1985. ISBN 1-890995-23-1.
  • Life-Energy Analysis: A Way to Cantillation. Valley Cottage, NY: Archaeus Press, 1988. ISBN 1-890995-24-X.
  • Editor, The Healing Power of Blake: A Distillation. Bloomingdale, IL: Creativity Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1-890995-03-7.
  • The Way of the Pulse: Drumming with Spirit. Bloomingdale, IL: Enhancement Books, 1999. ISBN 1-890995-02-9.
  • The Veneration of Life: Through the Disease to the Soul. Bloomingdale, IL: Enhancement Books, 1999. ISBN 1-890995-14-2.
  • The Healer: Heart and Hearth. Bloomingdale, IL: Enhancement Books, 2000. ISBN 1-890995-22-3.
  • Holism and Beyond: The Essence of Holistic Medicine. Bloomingdale, IL: Enhancement Books, 2001. ISBN 1-890995-37-1.
  • Music and Song, Mother and Love. Bloomingdale, IL: Enhancement Books, 2001. ISBN 1-890995-33-9.
  • Facets of a Diamond: Reflections of a Healer. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2002. ISBN 1-890995-17-7.
  • The Diamond Color Meditation: Color Pathway to the Soul. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2006. ISBN 1-890995-52-5.
  • Stillpoints: An Introductory Guide to Haiku Painting. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2008. ISBN 1-890995-56-8.
  • My Painting Guidance: Su Shih, Wang Wei, and the Nanga. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2010. ISBN 1-890995-61-4.
  • Art for Healing: Guided Painting Then and Now. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2011. ISBN 1-890995-69-X.
  • The Pulse of Music. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2011. ISBN 1-890995-58-4.
  • Freedom From Fear: Transcending Economic Crisis. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2011. ISBN 1-890995-71-1.
  • Arborophilia: Writings on Trees. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2011. ISBN 1-890995-82-7.
  • Matrophilia and the Inner Temple. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2012. ISBN 1-890995-74-6.
  • Nendo Tamashii: The Soul in the Clay. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2014. ISBN 1-890995-76-2.
  • Medicine and Beyond: The Diamond Reports, Vol. 1. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2014. ISBN 1-890995-97-5.
  • Singing and Surgery: Waking Up with a Song. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2014. ISBN 1-890995-88-6.
  • Beyond the Obvious: Photography for Healing. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2014. ISBN 1-890995-84-3.
  • The Meridians and Beyond: The Diamond Reports, Vol. 2. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2015. ISBN 1-890995-65-7.
  • Creativity and Beyond: The Diamond Reports, Vol. 3. Ridgefield, CT: Enhancement Books, 2015. ISBN 1-890995-63-0.

References[]

  1. ^ "John Diamond - Bio". Reachoutarts.org. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  2. ^ "John Diamond, 86: Bestselling author and pioneer of holistic healing through the arts". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  3. ^ "John Diamond, 86: Bestselling author and pioneer of holistic healing through the arts". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  4. ^ "John Diamond - Bio". Reachoutarts.org. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  5. ^ Ormonde, Paul (1981). A Foolish Passionate Man: A Biography of Jim Cairns. Ringwood, VIC, Australia: Penguin Books. p. 95. ISBN 0-140059-75-X.
  6. ^ Ormonde, Paul (1981). A Foolish Passionate Man: A Biography of Jim Cairns. Ringwood, VIC, Australia: Penguin Books. pp. 95–96. ISBN 0-140059-75-X.
  7. ^ Strangio, Paul (2002). Keeper of the Faith: A Biography of Jim Cairns. Carlton South, VIC, Australia: Melbourne University Publishing. p. 179. ISBN 0-522850-02-2.
  8. ^ "Trade Practices/Tobacco documents/Jim Cairns biography". ABC Radio National. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  9. ^ Galbally, Frank (1989). Galbally!: The Autobiography of Australia's Leading Criminal Lawyer. Ringwood, VIC, Australia: Viking Penguin. pp. 117–121. ISBN 0-670832-14-6.
  10. ^ "John Diamond - Bio". Reachoutarts.org. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  11. ^ "John Diamond, 86: Bestselling author and pioneer of holistic healing through the arts". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  12. ^ "John Diamond - Bio". Reachoutarts.org. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  13. ^ "Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation". Ppnf.org. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  14. ^ "John Diamond, 86: Bestselling author and pioneer of holistic healing through the arts". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  15. ^ "John Diamond, 86: Bestselling author and pioneer of holistic healing through the arts". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  16. ^ "John Diamond - Bio". Reachoutarts.org. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  17. ^ "John Diamond, 86: Bestselling author and pioneer of holistic healing through the arts". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  18. ^ "John Diamond: The Third Side of the Triangle" (12). AK. Winter 2001–2002. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  19. ^ Diamond, John (2002). Facets of a Diamond: Reflections of a Healer. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books. pp. back & front covers. ISBN 1-890995-17-7.
  20. ^ "John Diamond, 86: Bestselling author and pioneer of holistic healing through the arts". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Dr. John Diamond's Music for the Soul" (PDF). East West: The Journal of Natural Health & Living. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  22. ^ "Cantillation". Drjohndiamond.com. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  23. ^ "John Diamond, 86: Bestselling author and pioneer of holistic healing through the arts". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  24. ^ "John Diamond - Bio". Reachoutarts.org. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  25. ^ "John Diamond, 86: Bestselling author and pioneer of holistic healing through the arts". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  26. ^ "John Diamond - Bio". Reachoutarts.org. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Life Energy Arts Gallery". LifeEnergyArts.gallery. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  28. ^ "John Diamond, 86: Bestselling author and pioneer of holistic healing through the arts". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  29. ^ "John Diamond - Bio". Reachoutarts.org. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  30. ^ "Institute for Music and Health, Hudson Valley, New York". Musichealth.net. 27 March 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  31. ^ Yanks, Lauren (29 September 2012). "Music helps autistic connect". Poughkeepsie Journal, Living & Being. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  32. ^ "Music Engagement Program". ANU.edu.au. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  33. ^ "Arts outreach program to continue through ANU". ACT.gov.au. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
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