Elliott Dacher, M.D.

Elliott S. Dacher, M.D., studies and teaches the principles and practices of health and healing, with a special focus on inner development and human flourishing. His work emphasizes the traditional goals of medicine: the end of distress and suffering and the promotion of each individual's fullest potential. He sees meditation, practiced progressively and precisely, as central to that vision.

Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Dacher trained in medicine at S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo, completed post-graduate training at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and on the Harvard Medical Service at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, and is board certified in Internal Medicine. He began practicing in Washington, D.C. in 1975, and served as an internist, physician/administrator, and director of wellness and health promotion services for the Kaiser Permanente Health Care Program. In 1984 he established a private practice in Virginia, where he began bringing meditation, imagery, yoga, biofeedback, and alternative therapies into his work with patients.

In 1996 he left medical practice to begin an in-depth study of consciousness and health, an ongoing exploration of mind/body medicine, integral health, and human flourishing pursued among the wisdom traditions of Asia. That study led to his book Aware, Awake, Alive, which brings together the wisdom and practices of East and West. His earlier books include Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing, Whole Healing, and Intentional Healing.

A past fellow of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, he is a frequent presenter and seminar leader, and offers personal mentoring and counseling. He lives in Massachusetts.