Saturday, January 14, 2012

DR. ALBERT SCHWEITZER




Albert Schweitzer demonstrated that every useful life is a ministry. 
He was a Master Attractor. 

Albert Schweitzer was born on January 14, 1875.  Albert Schweitzer would have been today 137 years old. 
He was a prodigy from his youth.  By age thirty he earned doctoral degrees or its equivalent in the areas of Theology, Philosophy, Musicology and Medicine. 
Schweitzer was a son of a protestant pastor in Alsace on the border between Germany and France. After graduation from high-school his education continued simultaneously in theology, philosophy and music at the same time period.  His studies in theology, philosophy and musical theory took place at the University of Strasbourg (1893-1898).  He first became an ordained pastor and then earned his higher degree in theology.  He was awarded a PhD degree in philosophy for his work on the religious philosophy of Kant (1899).  During summer breaks he studied music and playing the organ in Paris with a great organ player of the time (Widor) and wrote a book on the renowned French musicologist Eugene Munch. 

After realizing his graduate scholastic achievements, Schweitzer continued to study and write on theological subjects.  His writings involved the history, teachings and meanings of the works of Jesus and Paul of Tarsus and he also wrote on the Buddhist and Hindu religions.  As an organ player he gave public concerts and became a prime interpreter of J.S. Bach musical works for organ in Europe.   He eventually wrote a major text on J.S. Bach and wrote a book on the art of construction of church organs that is relevant to the present day. 
As a man of a towering intellect, Schweitzer was inspired to live a higher life of service to humanity.  At age 29 he decided to study medicine in order to serve as a missionary physician in Equatorial Africa.  He found that in Gabon where there is a lack of medical care and decided to serve there as a physician.

Albert Schweitzer studied medicine at the University of Strasbourg during the years 1905-1912.  He then married his wife who was a nurse.  In 1913 he graduated with an MD degree. 

Together with his wife, friends and assisted admirers Dr. Schweitzer embarked on recurring tours of lectures and concerts to raise funds for the envisioned medical facility that he will establish in Lambarene, Gabon.   For this purpose he recruited his friends to help him first raise the funds and then purchase and package the medical supplies needed to provide the care.  In 1913 he departed with his wife on board a ship to West Africa.  They carried the crates with medical supplies and medicines to launch the clinic and build a hospital and a leper village in Lambarene.

Dr. Schweitzer was a prolific writer even in the jungle.  His work in tropical Africa is well documented in his diaries and books that he sent for publication to Europe.  Later the on-going construction and expansion of the medical facility and medical work in Lambarene were photographed and preserved on films.  Under the inspiration of the scenic views in Africa Dr. Schweitzer conceived and wrote his major original philosophical concept known as reverence for life.  He then wrote his major philosophical treatise The Philosophy of Civilization (1923).

Using his books, music recordings royalties, live concerts and lectures’ proceeds he financed in the following 40 years the medical facility in Lambarene.  His fame and moral authority in Europe, U.K. and North America grew and was surrounded by a growing body of followers.  He was honored by numerous universities.  In 1952 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  Dozens of institutions - schools, hospitals, colleges and societies are named after him. 

Dr. Albert Schweitzer demonstrated in his life-work and legacy how to harness the Key Concepts of the Law of Attraction.

·      Albert Schweitzer had a vision.  He took action to manifest his vision - working on it - throughout his life.

·      Dr. Albert Schweitzer put his vision in writing, published in over two dozens of books and recorded music.

·      Schweitzer was a great communicator and speaker. 

·      Dr. Schweitzer developed through his growing circle of friends and supporters - a master-mind alliance.  His friends and followers enabled him to raise funds in Europe and U.S. to sustain the medical facility.

·      His humanistic approach of reverence for life - regardless of ethnic and national differences - is an inclusive principle.  His medical facility treated very sick folks with tropical diseases without discrimination.  The practice of inclusivity attracted people, volunteers and materiel in support of the now world-famed initiative.

Dr. Schweitzer passed away in on September 4, 1965, at age 90 years. 



© Mandy (Menahem) Lender MD 2012



 
 







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