Above pyramid is based on a wellness model.  Health is seen not merely as an absence of disease, but of thriving: living a purposeful life, full of energy and vigor, resilience, happiness and inner peace.  The foundation for this degree of health is what I call “Inner Wellness”.   Inner wellness is a state of being that a person can cultivate.  It is based on the understanding that our greatest strength is our power of choice.  It is our thoughts that create suffering, and our thoughts can promote disease.  By learning to choose your thoughts, you can create a state of balance and harmony.  Most of western society believes that happiness is dependant on external factors.  “If only I had more money—I would be happy”.  Wellness is seen the same way.  “If only I had a pill for my cholesterol, I will be healthy.  I see health as more dependant on your inner state of mind, than any external factors.  If we start with a positive attitude, and empowered viewpoint, and learn ways to increase our resiliency it will form a strong foundation upon which to build upon.  We can look at this like a road map to healing.  This is not to suggest that western allopathic medicine should be avoided, but rather to limit its use to where most appropriate.  Also, western medicine should be used in addition to other healing modalities.  In this pyramid each level builds upon the one below it, creating an overlapping and strengthening effect, similar to the staggering of bricks when building a wall.