Jacka, Judy 1938-

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JACKA, Judy 1938-

PERSONAL:

Born August 1, 1938, in Melbourne, Australia; daughter of Keith (a civil engineer) and Beth (a nurse; maiden name, Cotterill) Lawrence; married David Taylor (marriage ended); married Alfred Jacka, March 13, 1972 (divorced, October, 1988); married John Garretty (an investment advisor), April 16, 2001; children: (first marriage) Milton, Matthew. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: Prince Henry's Hospital, general nursing certificate, 1960; Southern School of Natural Therapies, B.H.S.; University of Melbourne, graduate diploma in human relations education, 1981. Politics: "Middle of the road." Religion: "The truth in all." Hobbies and other interests: Bush walking, metaphysics, meditation, philosophy, classical music.

ADDRESSES:

Home and office—4 Joseph Ct., Park Orchards 3114, Victoria, Australia; fax: 03-987-64770. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Southern School of Natural Therapies, Melbourne, Australia, began as principal, became chair, 1972-97. Self-employed natural therapist, 1971—; public speaker.

MEMBER:

Australian Natural Therapists Association (life member; past chair), Medical and Scientific Network.

WRITINGS:

A Philosophy of Healing, 1977.

A-Z of Natural Therapies, Lothian, 1987.

Meditation: The Most Natural Therapy, Lothian, 1990.

Healing through Earth Energies, Lothian, 1996.

Healing Yourself Naturally, Crossing Press, 1998.

The Vivaxis Connection, Hampton Roads Publishing (Charlottesville, VA), 2000.

Synthesis in Healing, Hampton Roads Publishing (Charlottesville, VA), 2003.

WORK IN PROGRESS:

Research on healing.

SIDELIGHTS:

Judy Jacka told CA: "My writing is chiefly educational, and I have chosen to write on topics that have not already been well covered. My first book, A Philosophy of Healing, was published in 1977, written because, at that time, there was not any modern book covering naturopathic philosophy for my students. The next book was written as an account of how to make a synthesis of natural therapies, again because there was no such book available. The inspiration for my writing has always come from my practical experience in life, whether involving natural therapies, meditation, or healing.

"In writing and living I am eclectic so that I select information and experience from a number of sources and blend them together. This is how I practice as a natural therapist and teacher. Of particular concern is an aim to bridge science and natural therapies. Included here is the need to validate wherever possible subtle forms of healing.

"The actual practice of writing in my case is an easy discipline of two hours per day, commencing between eight and nine o'clock in the morning. I usually write nonstop during this period and edit my writing from time to time, but not every day or even weekly."