Interview with Dr. Marieta Marques
In our last post, we talked about Anthroposophy and presented some important concepts of this science, which holds a deep knowledge about the forces of the Universe, nature, the human being, and their interrelations, making it impossible to summarize it in small paragraphs.
We also mentioned that we would have a special gift: an interview with Dr. Marieta Marques, who, in addition to being an angiologist and vascular surgeon, graduated from UNICAMP, has an expanded vision through Anthroposophy, with training from ABMA (Brazilian Association of Anthroposophical Medicine) and also training as a Biographer, from the Sagres Association in Florianópolis. This dear person, who captivates everyone she interacts with, is part of the group of consultants in the Well-Being Sciences area at Natura. We are immensely grateful for her collaboration. Now, let’s move on to the learnings!
Vânia: Dr. Marieta, a study conducted in Switzerland a few years ago compared the satisfaction of patients treated by Anthroposophical Medicine with those treated by conventional medicine and showed that the former generally express greater satisfaction, fewer side effects, feel more positive effects from the treatment, and have their expectations better met. They feel that anthroposophical doctors show greater interest in their situation and feel more comfortable reporting their problems (ESCH, 2008). What has been your experience regarding patient care and relationships with people in general before and after knowing Anthroposophical Medicine?
Dr. Marieta: With anthroposophical training, the doctor broadens their perspective, works with archetypes, and adopts a phenomenological view of the patient. In our training, there is also a recovery of self-cultivation, of the meditative path, and this certainly resonates in the doctor-patient relationship.
Vânia: Two articles that investigated stress levels in babies aged 6 months (n=210), 12 months (n=178), and 24 months (n=149), through the measurement of salivary cortisol, showed that babies from families practicing an anthroposophical lifestyle have significantly lower levels of salivary cortisol, meaning they are “less stressed” (STENIUS, 2010; SWARTZ, 2012). One of the striking differences between lifestyles is that anthroposophical families live in the countryside. Do you believe this difference is responsible for the results, or are there more factors involved? From an anthroposophical perspective, is there any special care to be followed with babies that society may have forgotten?
Dr. Marieta: The child in the first septennium lives a sensory phase. They “savor” even the limbs the breast milk and their first food. Everything that is located in the senses of the adult is distributed throughout the child's organism, which is why it is important to offer appropriate stimuli to them. From the simplest actions like bathing, the contact of a fabric on their skin, maintaining warmth, light, colors, shapes, and sound stimuli.
One must also respect the rhythms of sleep and feeding. When parents have guidance from anthroposophy, the child ends up being respected in their development and, consequently, is less subjected to stress.
Vânia: In the previous post, we discussed the septennia. In summary, what are the most notable points of the various septennia of the human being?
Dr. Marieta: As I mentioned above, in the first septennium (0 to 7 years), the child lives a sensory phase and learns through imitation. In this septennium, the tone is: “the world is good.” It is important to have a welcoming environment (a nest), permeated by play, by the fantasies of Grimm's tales. We should not anticipate concepts and early intellectualization, which would bring harm even into adulthood. It is already a phase of so many learnings! Think that in 3 years we learn to walk, to talk, and we begin to think!
Upon reaching the second septennium (7 to 14 years), a period that begins with the loss of baby teeth, part of this vital body that shapes our growth is released for thinking, and finally, the child is ready for school, where they begin to exchange (in relationships) and encounter other adults whom they respect and venerate, the teachers. In this phase, the bond with grandparents can also be intense. I conducted a study at Natura with grandparents and grandchildren and we realized how healthy this exchange can be: listening to grandparents' stories, learning the games from their time, bringing together these generations that have distanced so much, partly due to the arrival of electronic devices and partly due to the intense individualism we live. It is also important to recover mythology, the stories of the Saints. The tone of this septennium would be: “the world is beautiful.”
In the third septennium (14 to 21 years), the teenager moves towards earthly maturity, needs activities, to occupy themselves, “to do,” and also feels the need to find groups with which they identify, seeking independence from their parents. They seek the Truth and need coherent adults in whom they can truly believe, and only then will the adult be heard. At this stage, reading biographies of great figures is very healthy! I think we should stop here with these septennia; perhaps I can talk about the others another day...
Vânia: Anthroposophy advocates the importance of rituals. Do you identify any rituals that have been forgotten by society?
Dr. Marieta: Forgotten rituals:
- The care that the elders had for babies, respecting them sensorily, exposing them with caution and moderation;
- Telling stories to children;
- Doing foot baths, warm compresses;
- Going to bed early, eating at the table, always at the same times, thanking devoutly for the food we are about to eat;
- Street games, such as circles, jumping rope, flying kites!
- Meditating, cultivating friendships.
Vânia: Any anthroposophical medical recommendations to improve our quality of life?
Dr. Marieta: I believe that a coherent life, where we can find a Meaning, respect and listen to the needs of our body, cultivate the playful side of life. And remember the wise words of Paul to the Corinthians: “... Without Love, I would be nothing...”.
Marieta Marques is a doctor, angiologist, and vascular surgeon, with an expansion in Anthroposophy from ABMA-SP and Biographical training from the Sagres Association in Florianópolis.
Contact: marieta.marques@ig.com.br
Vânia Hercilia Talarico Bruno is a Pharmaceutical-Biochemist, with an emphasis in Food and Nutrition from UNESP and a postgraduate degree in Industrial Administration from Fundação Vanzolini - USP. A massage therapist trained by the Amor School (Association of Oriental Massage) and mother of Gabriel (3) and Guilherme (1.8). Currently, she dedicates herself to motherhood, studying philosophical themes, and providing services in Scientific Consulting.
Contact: vaniatal@yahoo.com.br
References:
1. ESCH BM et al. Patient satisfaction with primary care: an observational study comparing anthroposophic and conventional care. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2008, 6:74;
2. STENIUS F El al. Low salivary cortisol levels in infants of families with an anthroposophic lifestyle. Psychoneuroendocrinology. Nov;35(10):1431-7, 2010;
3. SWARTZ J et al. Lifestyle and salivary cortisol at the age of 12 and 24 months. Acta Paediatr. Sep;101(9):979-84, 2012.
