 surroundings have far fewer
serious illnesses than those who are not.”
Bernie Siegel, M.D.
Love, Medicine & Miracles
E
ven when nutrients are scarce and toxins abundant, one’s potential for health is
nearly limitless, and it relies almost entirely on ourselves and the power of the mind.
Thoughts and emotions have a tremendous effect on our cells and therefore our
health. What we put into our minds may be more important than what we put into
our bodies. The power of the mind is your best ally in choosing to get well and stay
well.
You are what you think.
“How can it be,” you might ask, “that the mind has so much control over the
body?” This question assumes that one is separate from the other; in fact, they are
inseparable. All the cells in our body contribute to what we call the mind, and what
goes on in our mind affects what happens in all our cells.
Chemical reactions are produced throughout the body by our thoughts, emotions
and interactions with others. Fear makes us turn pale; embarrassment makes us
blush. Modern science has proven that these “thought chemicals” either can be
beneficial or detrimental to health.
We can choose what we put into our minds, and
in doing so, we can choose between health and disease.
This concept is sometimes difficult for people to embrace because thought
chemicals are abstract. Their effect, though, is reflected in Dr. Bernie Siegel’s 1986
book,
Love, Medicine & Miracles
: “If I told patients to raise their blood levels of
immune globulins or killer T-cells, no one would know how. But if I can teach them
to love themselves and others fully, the same change happens automatically.”
Consider how thought chemicals can improve or damage health:
• A 1991 study in the
New England Journal of Medicine
found that stressful life
situations (such as losing a job, breaking off an engagement or simply feeling
overwhelmed by life’s problems) nearly doubles the risk of catching a cold.
• A thirty-five-year study (1946–1981) of Harvard graduates showed that people
who had a pessimistic outlook on life suffered significantly more disease after
age forty-five than people with a positive outlook.
• A 2001 study in
Psychosomatic Medicine
found that optimism protects against
heart disease. People who are pessimistic and blame themselves for everything
were much more likely to die of a heart attack than their optimistic
counterparts.• Dr. O. Carl Simonton, in his 1978 book,
Getting Well Again,
talks about how
visual imagery with positive mental images had a beneficial effect on patients
with advanced cancer. Simonton found that people who used their minds to heal
had double the survival rate of those who did not.
• A study in a 2000 issue of
Lancet
concluded that women who experience
severe emotional stress during the first trimester of pregnancy are 80 percent
more likely to have a child with birth defects.
Body, Heal Thyself
You must believe in your health if you are to maintain or regain health. You must
actively care for your health when you are well, and actively pursue wellness when
you are ill.
When my own body was in progressive deterioration during the depths of my
illness, I began to realize that, for survival, I needed to employ my mind as well as
my body. I began to repeat a version of an old affirmation to myself, again and
again, a mantra of sorts:
Every day, in every way, I get stronger and stronger and
better and better.
At first, when I would say this to myself, my mind would fight back, saying
something like,
Wow, are you a liar! You feel worse today than you did yesterday.
I
realized that my positive mental affirmations were being negated by my own
thinking about my situation. I began to reply to my mind’s objections by saying,
I
know I am worse today, but I am giving you an instruction.
Once I became comfortable giving my body instructions, my own objections
began to disappear and my body began to respond. I would say my affirmation,
sometimes out loud, with passion and expectancy, many times daily, repeatedly,
until I could feel strength coming into my body as I said the words. After a few
weeks, my subconscious mind began to implement the instructions and intent of my
conscious mind. One day, after saying these affirmations, I felt the best that I had
felt since the onset of my illness. The feeling lasted only five or ten minutes, but the
fact that it happened proved that I was on the right path. Soon, the feelings of
strength came more often and lasted longer. Later in my studies, I learned of the
close connection between the mind and the immune system. My badly damaged
immune system was responding!
These affirmations had a profound effect on me. I began to understand that health
and disease can be the reactions of the subconscious mind to the thoughts of the
conscious mind; the subconscious takes orders from the conscious mind and
implements them. Minds do what they are programmed to do, even though much of
that programming is unintended. I began to realize my power to influence my health
simply by choosing the daily thoughts I was putting into my mind. By focusing onmy illness, I had been putting thoughts of disease into my mind, thereby creating
more disease. The mind is always working, so why not make it work for rather than
against you? Keep your images and suggestions as positive, simple, clear and
concise as possible. Then repeat them as often as possible. Allow the subconscious
to accept them as a command and implement them.
Over the past sixteen years, of all of the people I have known with “incurable” and
“fatal” diseases, the thrivers and survivors have been those individuals who used the
power of their minds to heal their bodies consciously. Take the case of Karl, a
concert violinist who became paralyzed by a stroke. His physicians told him the
paralysis was permanent. Confined to a wheelchair, Karl was unwilling to accept
such a fate. He decided to use the power of his mind to establish new connections in
his brain. He started by focusing intensely on just one finger. He commanded it to
move, and eventually it did! Now a medical curiosity, in 2001 Karl was invited to
give a concert at an international medical conference where his doctor presented his
story. Brain scans show that Karl’s miraculous recovery resulted from using entirely
new areas of his brain and bypassing the damaged areas. Music critics claim he is
playing better than ever! How’s that for the power of the mind?
Choosing to Stay Sick
In contrast to Karl, other people in my experience have failed to strengthen their
psychological pathway and lost the health benefits of positive efforts. Lisa was one.
She had suffered from extreme chemical sensitivity for twelve years before coming
to me for help. I was confident I could help her, based on my own experiences. I
taught Lisa how to improve her health, mostly through dietary and vitamin
supplement suggestions, and she made some striking initial improvements. After a
few months, Lisa was living her life in ways that she had not been able to for many
years; she had started dating, going out dancing and even going on sailing trips.
Lisa’s friends commented about how well she looked and her good progress. After
twelve years of sickness, Lisa seemed to be on a path to a more meaningful life. She
learned what was necessary to choose health and seemed to have developed the
psychological willingness to stick with it.
One day, I received a frantic call from Lisa. Her disability caseworker had
contacted her and informed Lisa that it was time for an annual review. Lisa had been
receiving disability funds from social security and state welfare, and she was living
in subsidized housing. For many years, Lisa had been too sick to work and needed
this financial support. Now, her health having taken a dramatic turn for the better,
Lisa feared that her caseworker would notice the improvement and revoke financial
assistance. Lisa panicked.
She had been unable to work for so many years that she had not a clue about howshe could support herself without those benefits. Perhaps her desire to get well
simply could not compete with her fear of losing support. Perhaps twelve years of
“sickness programming” deprived Lisa of the self-confidence she needed to thrive.
Sadly, the last time I heard about her, Lisa had stopped applying what she had
learned about deficiency and toxicity, and her health had regressed. The potential to
get well (that is, her new diet, supplements and workout program) was lost because
she could not unlearn her programming to be dependent and disabled.
Will You Care for Me If I Am Well?
Unhealthy psychological programming derailed the health efforts of another client
named Ruth, who suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome. Although she followed
my recommendations regarding diet and nutritional supplements, she made only
modest improvement, and I realized that Ruth was going to be a tough case. I
suspected that she needed a great deal of assistance along her psychological
pathway.
I learned that when Ruth was a small child, the only time her father paid attention
to her was when she was sick. Then, he would buy her toys, sit by her bed and read
her stories. Most other times, he either ignored her or related to her superficially.
Subconsciously, Ruth learned, “If I want attention, I need to be sick.” No doubt she
did not intend this, but her behavior was programmed nevertheless. Years later


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http://www.sanshaayurveda.com<|eot_id|><|begin_of_text|>PARKINSON'S DISEASE
A Holistic Therapy
by W alter Last
Parkinson's disease, formerly also called Paralysis agitans or Shaking palsy, is a disease of the central nervous system.
Characteristic symptoms are tremors or shaking of one or both arms and sometimes of other muscles. Generally muscles are weak
and rigid, movements slow and the face expressionless, also the voice becomes weak. Typically the walk is with slow, short, shufﬂing
steps, the arms held stifﬂy at the sides and the trunk slightly bent forward, the patien t may spontaneously break into a shufﬂing run.
The onset of the disease is gradual and progression of symptoms usually slow. It may start with a mild shaking of the hands or
involuntary nodding of the head. The mental abilities usually remain unimpaired, however, as the disease progresses there may be
frequent mood changes, withdrawal and depression. The disease commonly starts in middle-aged and elderly individuals and seems
to affect predominantly males. However, high exposure to environmental chemicals and drugs, such as certain tranquillisers and
antihypertensives, inorganic iron, aluminium and carbon monoxide can induce an early onset of Parkinson-like symptoms. The
symptoms of Parkinson's disease are partly due to a loss of brain cells in speciﬁc areas and partly to a lack of the neurotransmitter
dopamine that helps to transmit signals across the tiny gaps between neighbouring nerve cells.
The medical cause of these brain changes is not known. The main medical treatment consists in providing a drug, L-dopa or
levodopa, which can be converted in the brain to dopamine. In addition, there are a variety of dopamine-sparing drugs and others
that stimulate dopamine receptors. However, this treatment is not always effective, especially in advanced conditions and the long-
term deterioration continues unchecked or may even be speeded up. Side effects include involuntary jerky movements, hypotension,
nausea, anorexia, vomiting and disturbance of the mental equilibrium. Long-term treatment may result in neurotic and psychotic
symptoms. These are probably due to an oxidation product of L-dopa, dopachrome, accumulating in the brain; for a similar reason
schizophrenics deteriorate when given L-dopa.
A new and somewhat controversial operation has been used to graft part of an adrenal gland into the brain. This temporarily
stimulates the dopamine production in the brain. However, frequent side effects are even more severe psychotic and neurotic
symptoms and personality changes than with L-dopa treatment. The reason is assumed to be the accumulation of adrenochrome, an
oxidation product of adrenalin, in addition to the dopachrome. Adrenochrome is an even stronger hallucinogen than dopachrome. As
in schizophrenia, high doses of niacin and ascorbic acid can minimise  or prevent hallucinogenic symptoms. Another type of brain
surgery has been experimentally used to reduce excessive shaking and involuntary movements.
Besides L-dopa also other drugs, including benserazide, carbidopa and isonizid have been reported to produce symptoms, which
respond to increased niacin intake. Parkinsonism can also result from brain arteriosclerosis, stroke, head injury and after encephalitis
or inﬂuenza. However, no such causative factors are known for the classical Parkinson's disease that is, therefore, called idiopathic.
NUTRITIONAL  FACTORS
The neurotransmitter dopamine is formed in the nerve cells of the brain from the amino acid tyrosine with L-dopa as an intermediary
stage. Tyrosine can be obtained from food or synthesised from another amino acid, phenylalanine. Therefore, tyrosine and
phenylalanine can be used as nutritional supplements to ensure that the brain has sufﬁcient raw material for the synthesis of
dopamine.
In an experimental study it has been shown that supplementation with 100 mg /kg /day or about 6 - 7 g of tyrosine increased the
dopamine formation in the brain of patients with Parkinson' s disease. Also supplementation with D-phenylalanine helped: 15 patients
received 100 - 250 mg twice daily and examination after 4 weeks revealed signiﬁcant improvement in rigidity, walking, speech and
depression but not with tremors.
L-dopa treatment tends to create a brain deﬁciency of the amino acid tryptophan, which results in depression and other side effects.
Several studies show that patients beneﬁt with mood improvement and functional abilities when given tryptophan in addition to L-
dopa.
Also ascorbic acid helps to countera ct the severe side effects of L-dopa. A double-blind study is described of a patient who could not
tolerate L-dopa because of severe nausea. If the drug was supplemented with ascorbic acid his condition greatly improved while
every time he received a placebo instead of vitamin C his condition rapidly deteriorated.
Other studies also show the beneﬁts  of vitamin E supplementation. Even  better is the result if several antioxidants are used together.
In one study the time until levodopa treatment became necessary was delayed for 5.5 years in a group of newly diagnosed patients
receiving 3000 mg per day each of vitamin C and E as compared to a group without supplementation.
Home About Diseases Healing the Body Healing Foods Healing the Mind Healing the Emotions Energies Science & Spirituality Spirituality Contact10/30/24, 4:15 PM Health-Science-Spirit - Parkinson's Disease
https://health-science-spirit.com/Diseases/Parkinsons-Disease.html 1/9Vitamin B6 is essential for the synthesis of dopamine. Therefore, this vitamin, together with its cofactor zinc, should be provided in
high amounts to overcome long-term deﬁciency symptoms and stimulate the production of dopamine. While there is also a negative
report, various other studies show varying degrees of beneﬁts from vitamin B6 supplements. In one study supplementation of 10 –
100 mg of vitamin B6 daily resulted in decreased cramps, rigidity and tremors and improvement in 8 cases out of 19 in walking and
bladder control. In another study 5 out of 11 patients improved and out of 90 cases 10% had permanent improvement, another report
found improvement in 9 cases out of 10. Improvement generally was more frequent in cases of shorter duration and least
pronounced in long-standing conditions. Of course, improvements from vitamin B6 supplementation would be limited by existing
deﬁciencies in zinc and tyrosine or phenylalanine as well as other cofactors in dopamine synthesis.
In addition, it should be noted that when taken together with L-dopa, vitamin B6 stimulates production of dopamine from the provided
L-dopa in other parts of the body with less L-dopa reaching the brain and a decreased effectiveness. This may be a factor causing
negative ﬁndings in some experimental studies. However, this less of a problem if L-dopa is used together with a decarboxylase
inhibitor as in Madopar or Sinemet. Nevertheless, with higher doses of vitamin B6 it is advisable to take the vitamin either at the end
of the day after the last levodopa or during the day in smaller amounts about an hour after taking levodopa and several hours


 “Bey ond Orgasm”
state  mentioned  above.  If, ho wever you have  mastered  the
techniques  of the  Healing  Love  exercise,  and your male partne r
does  not practice  these  Taoist Secrets  of Love  techniques, you will
be far superio r to him. Then, if you use the Orgas mic Dra w on him,
you will drain  his life-force  from him, possibly  causing  him great
harm and  creatin g negative  forces  within yourself.
   The w ord Tao me ans “way” and,  as describe d above,  those
who seek  union  with the Tao are trying to find  the “way” of the  universe
from which all of natur e procee ds. There  are many paths  to travel
along  this “way” and many have  sought  a path  in which sex is
perceived  as spirituall y undesir able.  Such people  recoil  from  Taoist
Dual Cultivation  and label  those  who practice  it as follo wing the
“Left- Hand  Path”  (as opposed  to the “Right- Hand  Path” of celibac y).
Dual Cultivation,  properl y practiced,  is a safe  path,  reaping  benefits
for the bod y mind and  spirit.
C. Overview  of the Orgas mic Draw
     In  the Ovarian  Breathing  exercise  you moved w arm repro ductive
sexual  energy  (ovaria n ener gy or Ching  Chi), that  lies in the  ovarian
in its Y ang state,  up to the  head  and then  dow n into the  body. With
the Ovarian  Com pression  exercise  you forced  the Chi energ y that
is produce d in the vital  organs  and glands- heart,  Lungs,  spleen,
thymus  and,  etc: dow n to mi x with the warm Ching Chi  resting  in
the sexual orga ns to heat  up this region.  Then y ou moved the
resulting  warm ener gy upward and circulated  it.
     In  the Orgas mic Dra w you will arouse  yourself in the  direction  of
an orgas m, collect  all the  organs’  and glands’  energ y to mi x with
the sexual ener gy): move that  orgas mic feeling  inward and extend
it longer  and at a higher  center  to be  then  moved into the  organs,
glands  and finall y the nervous  system, so  that the orgas m reach es
energy  cell of the  body. As a result  you will experienc e a new  kind
of orgasm w hich you have  never  experience d befor e. The cool,
Yin, sexual  energy  stored  in the  ovaries  is at your com mand. Y ou
can gather  it quickl y and build  rapidl y to a clim ax, turning  it inw ard
and thereb y extending  the orgasm for  as long as yo u desire,  or you
- 132  -Chapter VI
can deposit  it in the  “slow cooker”  for a longer  and more voluptuous
experience.  Ultimately  the erection  of the  clitoris and the intern al
sensations  of fullness  and expansion  will result  in a rh ythmic
outpouri ng release.  Once  you master this  Taoist techniqu e, you
will find the easiest  flowing channel  in the  body  flows directl y up to
the brain  and higher  center  of the body. Practice is essential  since
initially  you must learn  to control  the anus  Chi Muscl e and the
involuntar y muscle of the  pelvic  diaphra gm to change  the rhythmic
outpouri ng of energ y into an in ward and upward draw of energy,
and to help  push  the sexual  energ y up through  the spine  into the
upper  body
1. Four Levels of  the Orgasmic Upward Draw Practi ce
A. Beginning  Stage
   You will use the muscles of the  fists, jaw s, neck, feet,  perin eum,
buttocks,  and abdomen  to help  activate  the Sacral  and Cranial
Pumps, divert  the ovarian  ener gy and orgasmic feeling,  and push
the energy  upward into the organs  and glands  in the  amused  state.
B. Intermediate St age
   You will use less mu scles tension  of the  fists. jaw s and feet,
increase  your reliance  on the Chi Muscle  of the  perine um, pelvic
diaphra gm and sphincter  and emp loy the Sacral and  Cranial  Pumps
to help  move the  sexual  energ y upw ard.
C. Adv anced  Stage
   Less  muscle tension  of the Chi Muscle  of the  perine um will be
require d and more use of  the Sacral and Cranial  Pumps to provide
greater  pow er for the mind to mo ve Ching Chi to the  crown center.
By concentrati ng power at the  upper  part of the  crown, you will
draw the energy  from  the lo wer center  to the  higher  center.
D. Most Adv anced  Stage
   You will only use pure  mind control:  there  is no  need  for use of
muscles. The mi nd’s po wer will com mand the  ovaries’  sexual  power
to mo ve up  and down into the organs,  glands  and nervous  system,
and to envelop, pack  and revitalize  it at your will.
- 133  -Orgasmic Upward Draw
2. Explanati on of Procedure
    In this exercise  you will need  to arouse  yourself 95 to  99 percent
of the  way to orgasm. As yo u master the Orgas mic Dra w, you may
fine tune your orgasm and  graduall y cultivate  it to go  beyond 100 to
200 percent  arousal,  even  up to  1,000  percen t. To initiall y achieve
arousal  you will massage  the breasts.  Once  you feel that  orgasm
is imminent,  you will stop  and practice  the Orgasmic Draw  method
three  to nine  times per  session,  or until the  orgasm turns  inward,
flowing into the  Micr ocosmic Orbit  and entering  into the orga ns
and glands  as the lo wer-center  arousal  subsides.  This wi ll count
as one  exercise.  You will repeat  this procedu re: stimulating  yourself,
and then  practicing  the Orgas mic Dra w until the  arousal  subsides
and the orgas mic feeling  moves upw ard.
    Practice  makes perfect.  Once  you totall y gain  control  of your
sexual  organs  and the energ y involved  in solo practice,  you will
naturall y have  full control  during  sexual  intercours e. You can
continue  to have  sex and  practice  at the  level  you have  reached.
Some wi ll natur ally become skillful mu ch mo re quickly  than  others
if they  have  trained  their minds through  yoga, meditation  or other
mental disciplines.  If you are not involved  in a prog ram of dail y
physical discipline,  do some wa rm-up exercises  and stretching
before  practicing  the Orgasmic Draw. Iron Shirt  breathin g and
packing  directl y assists in the  execution  of the Orgas mic Dra w.
These exercises  will tone  up the energ y in yo ur organs,  making it
easier  to feel y our intern al Chi ener gies,  and thus speed  up the
command of your sexual ener gy:
    People  spendin g years and years earni ng a doctorat e in med icine
or a Ph.D. in any high  technolo gical science  know  that such
know ledge is important  to ma king a living  in this w orldly life.
However, people  must also consider  learning  the high  technolog y
about  them selves,  one involving  an energ y body  and a spiritual
body  and earning  a doctor ate in prepar ation  for the next life.  All of
the energy  practices  of this  life can  be transferr ed to your next  life
if you start to practice  while you still have  an abun danc e of that
energy. Consciously  you will transfe r your own identification  to a
spiritual  body. Therefor e, it is w orthwhile to spend  time on practice
to earn  this highest  of hum an technologic al degre es.
- 134  -Chapter  VI
D. Orgasmic Draw,  or How to transf orm aroused Sexual
Energy into t otal bo dy org asm.
1. Practice  in an Unaroused State
A. Pre- Exercise
   While learnin g the exercise,  first practice


words	that	children	want	to	hear.	It	makes	them	feel	good.When	they	feel	good,	they	do	their	best.	They	unfold	beautifully.
If	your	child,	or	your	inner	child,	is	used	to	constantly	being	“wrong,”	it
may	take	awhile	for	them	to	accept	the	new,	positive	words.	If	you	make	a
definite	decision	to	release	criticism,	and	are	consistent,	you	can	work
miracles.
Give	yourself	one	month	of	talking	to	your	inner	child	in	positive	ways.
Use	the	affirmations	listed	above.	Make	up	a	list	of	some	of	your	own.	Carry
a	list	of	these	affirmations	with	you.	When	you	notice	yourself	becoming
judgmental,	take	out	the	list	and	read	it	two	or	three	times.	Better	yet,	do	it
aloud	in	front	of	a	mirror.
EXERCISE:
Who	Annoys	You?
Who	else	do	you	belittle?	List	five	of	their	names	and	what	you	find	most
annoying	about	them.
Example:
George.
	He	never	smiles.
Sally.
	Her	makeup
	is
just	terrible.
Now,	take	those	same	people	and	make	another	list.	This	time,	find
something	positive	to	say	about	each	person-something	that	you	can	praise.
Look	for	it.	Even	a	small	thing	will	do.
From	now	on,	every	time	you	think	of	these	people,	use	a	sentence	on	yourlist	to	praise	them.	Keep	your	mind	filled	with	positive	thoughts.	Make	a	habit
of	allowing	only	positive	comments	come	out	of	your	mouth.	If	you	want	to
change	your	life,	you	need	to	control	your	mouth.
EXERCISE:
Listen	to	Yourself
This	exercise	requires	a	tape	recorder.	Tape	your	telephone	conversations
for	a	week
	or
so-just	your	voice.	When	the	tape	is	filled	on	both	sides,	sit
down	and	listen	to	it.	Listen	to	not	only	what	you	say,	but	the
	way
you	say	it.
What	are	your	beliefs?
	Who
and	what	do	you	criticize?	Which	parent,	if
any,	do	you	sound	like?
As	you	release	the	need	to	pick	on	yourself	all	the	time,	you	will	notice	that
you	no	longer	criticize	others	so	much.
When	you	make	it	okay	to	be	yourself,	then	you	automatically	allow	others
to	be	themselves.	Their	little	habits	no	longer	bother	you	so	much.	You
release	the	need	to	“change	them”	as	you	want	to	be.	As	you	stop	judging
others,	they	release	the	need	to	judge	you.	Everybody	gets	to	be	free.
Review	the	checklist	below,	taken	from	page	71,	then	study	the	affirmation
corresponding	to	each	belief.	Make	these	affirmations	part	of	your	daily
routine.	Say	them	often	in	the	car,	in	the	mirror,	at	work,	or	anytime	you	feel
your	negative	beliefs	surfacing.If	You	Believe:
Your	Affirmation	Is:
Why	are	there	so	many	bad	drivers?
I	lovingly	surround	myself	with
wonderful	drivers.
People	are	so	stupid.
Everybody	is	doing	the	best	they	can,
including	me.
I’m	such	a	jerk.
I	love	and	approve	of	myself.
I’d	do	it	if	I	weren’t	so	fat.
I	appreciate	the	wonder	of	my	body.
Those	are	the	ugliest	clothes	I’ve	ever
seen.
I	love	the	uniqueness	that	people
express	in	their	clothing.
They’ll	never	be	able	to	finish	the	job.
I	release	the	need	to	criticize	others.
I’m	such	a	klutz.
I	become	more	proficient	every	day.
The	people	around	here	are	such
slobs.
I	tidy	up	the	rooms	in	my	mind	and
this	is	reflected	in	everyone	around
me.
My	neighbors	are	so	noisy.
I	release	the	need	to	be	disturbed.
Nobody	asks	me	what	I	think.
My	opinions	are	valued.
Can	you	believe	that	old	car	she
drives?
I	lovingly	support	her	choice	of
transportation.
I	hate	his	laugh.
I	rejoice	in	laughter	whenever	I	hear
it.POWER	POINTS
1.	We	are	each	responsible	for	our	experiences.	2.	Every
thought	we	think	is	creating	our	future.
3.	Everyone	is	dealing	with	the	damaging	patterns	of
resentment,	criticism,	guilt,	and	self-hatred.
4.	These	are	only	thoughts	and	thoughts	can	be	changed.
5.	We	need	to	release	the	past	and	forgive	everyone,	including
ourselves.
6.	Self-approval	and	self-acceptance	in	the	“now”	are	the	keys
to	positive	changes.
7.	The	point	of	power	is	always	in	the	present	moment.8
ADDICTIONS
“No	person,	place,	or	thing	has
any	power	over	me.	I	am	free,”
Addictions	Checklist
	I	want	to	feel	better	now.
	Smoking	cigarettes	reduces	my	stress.
	Having	a	lot	of	sex	helps	me	to	escape.
	I	can’t	stop	eating.
	Drinking	makes	me	popular.
	I	need	perfection.
	I	gamble	too	much.
	I	need	my	tranquilizers.
	I	can’t	stop	buying	things.
	I	can’t	get	away	from	abusive	relationships.
H
ow	many	of	these	sound	like	you?	Let’s	take	a	closer	look	at	this
behavior.
Addictive	behavior	is	another	way	of	saying,	“I’m	not	good	enough.”
When	we	are	caught	in	this	type	of	behavior,	we	are	trying	to	run	away	from
ourselves.	We	cannot	be	in	touch	with	our	feelings.	Something	that	we	are
believing,	saying,	or	doing	is	too	painful	for	us	to	look	at,	so	we	overeat,drink,	act	out	compulsive	sexual	behavior,	take	pills,	spend	money	that	we
don’t	have,	and	create	abusive	love	relationships.
There	are	12-step	programs	that	deal	with	most	of	these	addictions,	and
they	work	well	for	thousands	of	people.	We	cannot	hope	to	duplicate,	in	this
chapter,	what	these	programs	have	done	for	people	with	addictive	behavior.	I
believe	that	we	must	first	realize	that	there	is	a	need	in	ourselves	for	the
compulsive	behavior.	That	need	must	be	released	before	the	behavior	can	be
changed.
Loving	and	approving	of	yourself,	trusting	in	the	process	of	life,	and
feeling	safe	because	you	know	the	power	of	your	own	mind	are	extremely
important	issues	when	dealing	with	addictive	behavior.	My	experiences	with
addicted	persons	have	shown	me	that	most	share	a	deep	self-hatred.	They	are
very	unforgiving	of	themselves.	Day	after	day,	they	punish	themselves.	Why?
Because	somewhere	along	the	line	as	children,	they	bought	the	idea	that	they
were	not	good	enough;	they	were	bad	and	in	need	of	punishment.	Early
childhood	experiences	that	involve	physical,	emotional,	or	sexual	abuse
contribute	to	that	self-hatred.	Honesty,	forgiveness,	self-love,	and	a
willingness	to	live	in	the	truth	can	help	to	heal	these	early	wounds	and	give
the	addictive	person	a	reprieve	from	their	behavior.	I	also	find	the	addictive
personality	to	be	a	fearful	one.	There	is	a	great	fear	of	letting	go	and	trusting
the	life	process.	As	long	as	we	believe	that	the	world	is	an	unsafe	place


 startled to find that the runners’ forearm bones were also
denser, despite the fact that these bones received no extra weight at all.
Somehow the whole skeleton shared the message to deposit more calcium
into the bone tissue, thanks to chemical signals (probably in the form of
hormones) that were triggered at the quantum level. The whole body knew
that exercise was being taken.
In quantum terms, whatever promotes orderliness is beneficial in
opposing entrop y. The entire physiology is an island of negat ive entropy;
therefore our efforts need to be directed holistically to preserving
orderliness in every aspect. Because the body uses both creation and
destruction to keep its vital processes going, doing constant work is not the
answer. Exercise has to be balanced by rest, because there is extensive
muscle destruction during exerc ise that needs to be restored in periods of
rest. In every area of life the key is balance, a very general term that can be
broken down into four headings:
Moderation means not going to extremes. Regularity means following a
consistent routin e. Rest means rest. Activity means activity. These four
things sound simple, but, being the only species gifted with self-awareness,
only humans have conscious control over them. The cycle of rest and
activity in lower animals is dictated by instinct, which humans are free to
override. If we override it in the wrong direction, then we actually hasten
entropy. This has become appa rent in the worst aspects of modern life,
which paradoxically blends increased creature comfort with mounting
disorder.
A striking example of how our bodies reflect the imbalance of our
lifestyle is heart disease, the major affliction of the elderly in our societyand the cause of more deaths than all other diseases combined. In the 1920s,
cardiology emerged as a flourishing specialty in direct response to the
alarming epidem ic of heart attac ks that was mysteriously sweeping through
our society. The epidemic wors ened without check for another fifty years,
and when it finally abated sometime in the late 1960s, there was little
agreement over what had happened. We are still asking ourselves why
Americans, second only to the Finns, suffer more coronaries than any other
people in the world.
William Osler, a founder of Johns Hopkins Medical School and the most
famous physician in America at the turn of the century, noted that in ten
years of practice at one hospita l he saw no cases of angin a pecto ris, the
typical chest pain that indicates the presence of heart disease. In seven years
at Johns Hopkins, Osler saw a total of four angina cases. Today, every
cardiologist sees that number in an hour. The incidence of heart attacks
doubled in this country every two decades after 1900. Dr. Paul Dudley
White, the most eminent cardiologist in the generation after Osler ’s,
believed that the epidemic was due primarily to two changes that had taken
place in America during this century—the enormous acceleration in the
pace of everyday life and a “general enrichment of the diet.”
“Enrichment” basically means more fat. In the 1920s and afterward,
foods such as butter, cream, and beefsteak became available not just to the
wealthy but to everyone. The quickening pace of life was due to the
increasing use of the automobile, which vastly accelerated the time in
which people reached their destinations and thus gave another impetus to
“the disease of being in a hurry.” Clearly, these two great changes fitted
people’ s desires  for a materially  better life. An Irish immigran t who could
put steak on the table in place  of cabbage and potatoes thought he was
improving his family’ s lot; to replace the horse and buggy with a Model T
was a goal everyone shared.
Our increased consumption of red meat and other foods high in saturated
fats, such as milk, cheese, ice cream, and eggs, has been particularly
unbalanced. If you plot the incidence of heart attacks, arteriosclerosis,
breast cancer, and colon cancer in the countries of the world, you will see
that certain countries will tend to fall to the bottom end for nearly every
disease—Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, El Salvador, Sri Lanka—while othersrise to the top— the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany. Now, if you
graph the count ries of the world according to how much milk, red meat,
eggs, and cheese they consume, the same distribution will occur. The
nations with low disease rates turn out to be those where there is very little
consumption of high-fat foods, while the societies with the richest diets
have catastrophic rates of heart attacks, hardening of the arteries, and
cancer.
Achieving cardiovascular fitness also became much more difficult in our
leisure society, where pleasures such as radio, television, and movies are
more enticing, at least superficially, than exercise. To begin with, exercise is
artificial. Until the twentieth century, people were intensely active whether
they liked it or not. Before America became a mechanized society, the
concept of exercise for its own sake was all but unknown, since everyday
life contained an enormous amount of physical activity. Advising a farmer ’s
wife to take up aerobics would have been laughable. As late as 1900,
human labor accounted for 80 percent of the total calories expended to
work the land, despite the fact that tractors and combines were already in
widespread use. Today, when nearly all agriculture is mechanized, human
labor accounts for only 1 percent of the total calories expended. To resume
the normal activity the body needs, we all must consciously oppose the
trend toward increased physical leisure.
Other, more intangible changes  stand out equally. Before 1920, half of
Americans lived in small towns, chiefly on farms; after that date, the
majority lived in cities. (The migration to urban areas continues, although
there is some indication of a backlash with the movement of middle- to
upper -class families back to rural areas. They are not going back to work
the farm, howev er, but for cleaner air and less noise than they found in the
city.) People’ s lives are no longe r paced by the rising and setting of the sun.
We get up and go to bed when we like; we work in offices, out of contact
with the open air. If we wish, we can work all night. More important, we do
not labor for ourselves but are frequently tied to someone else’s goals.
Corporations set timetables and deadlines, assign job tasks and descriptions,
and ef fectively keep decision-making in the hands of the privileged few.
The fact that modern life tends to be so unbalanced, in defiance of the
body’ s innate needs, is not lost on the physiology. Your body sendsunmistakable messages whenever its needs aren’ t being met. The stomach
says it’s too full; muscles tremble when pushed beyond their strength.
People who pay attention to the instincts of their bodies, who try to flow
with daily activity rather than push and rush, have a better chanc e of setting
a natural rhythm, despite to modern life’ s few physical requirements.
The overall benefit of a balan ced lifestyle emer ged in 1965, when a
Southern Califo rnia research team headed by Nadia Belloc and Lester
Breslow, now dean of public health at UCLA, decided to follow the aging
patterns of people in Alameda County. A twenty-three-page lifestyle
questionnaire was handed out to almost seven thousand subjects asking
them in great detail about their health status and lifestyle.
After five and a half years, 371 subjects had died. By looking back at the
original response to these questionnaires, researchers discovered that the
most important distinguishing feature of those who survived was not their
income, physic al condition, or genetic inheritance, but a handful of
extremely simple lifestyle habits:
  1.  Sleeping seven or eight hours a night
  2.  Eating breakfast almost every day
  3.  Not eating between meals
  4.  Normal weight—i.e., not more than 5 percent underweight, and
no more  than 10 to 20 percent overweight (the lower number was
for women, the higher for men)
  5.  Regular physical activity—i.e., engaging often in active sports,
long walks, gardening, or other exercise
  6.  Moderate drinking—i.e., taking no more than two alcoholic
drinks a day
  7.  Never smoking cigarettes
This is a very brief list of balanced habits, the kind children learn at their
mother ’s knee, yet they led to dramatic conclusions. Analyzing the
statistics, Belloc found that a 45-year -old man who observed from zero to
three healthy habits could expe ct on average to live another 21.6 years,
while someone who followed six or seven good habits could expect to live
33 more years. In other word s, doing something as simple as eating
breakfast, no matter what kind of breakfast, and getting enough sleep addedmore than 11 years to a man’ s life (by comparison, having both sets of
parents and grandparents live to age 80 increases one’s life expectancy by
only about 3 years).
The cumulative  results were not quite as dramatic for women, but the
same pattern was observed at all age levels. A 45-year -old woman who


'fever(atypeoffluattendedbypainswhichfelt
asiftheboneswerebreaking).Bonesethelpstopro-
moteperspiration,therebygivingrelieffromflusand
fevers.Itwasalsousedasatonicforgeneraldebility
withindigestion,especiallyintheelderly.
Thehomeopathicpreparation ismadefromthe
freshherbwhenfirstinbloom,whichischoppedand
poundedtoafinepulp.Itismixedwithalcoholand
lefttostandforeightdaysbeforebeingsuccussed.
GENERALSYMPTOMS
Pains:sore,bruised;inbones.Sweatscanty.Thirst:
forcolddrinks;unquenchable.
Eupatorium islikeBryoniainthattheyhavesimilarflu
symptoms,butthepainsinthebonesaremore
markedwithEupatorium,andtheEupatoriumpatientis
alsomorerestlessthantheBryoniapatient,wholikes
tobecompletely still.TheEupatoriumsymptomsmay
bebetterwhilstsweating,excepttheheadachewhich
isworseforit.
EMOTIONAL/MENTAL SYMPTOMS
Depressed.
Thesepatientsaresadanddepressedduringtheirflu,
andlieaboutmoaningduringafever.
PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Fever
Thepatientissleepywiththefeverandyawnsand
fallsasleepallthetime.Withcharacteristic thirstand
sweat(seeGeneralSymptoms).
Flu
SymptomsEyeballsaching.Eyelidsred.Pains:in
bones;bonesfeelbroken.Skinsore.Withshivering;
chillsinback;headache(seebelow);nasal
catarrh;sneezing.
Betterforsweating.
Thisisanawfulfluwithintenseachingpainsinthe
bonesofthearms,legsandlowerback(andsome-
timesthehipsaswell).Thebonesfeelasiftheyare
brokenandtheskinalloverthebodyfeelsdryand
sore.Eventheeyeballsandthescalpfeelachingand
sore.Gastricflu
SymptomsWithfever;nausea;retching;vomiting:
ofbile;offood.
Befrerafterchills;duringfever.
Thepatientisverythirstybeforevomiting.
Headache
SymptomsPains:inbackofhead;sore,bruised;
throbbing.Withfe.ver(seeabove).
Worseforsweating.
EUPHRASIA(Euphr.)
Familvname:Scrophulariaceae
Othername:eyebright
Thisannualplantgrowsinalpinemeadowsandother
grassyplacesalloverEurope.Itisasmallplant,twoto
eightincheshigh,whichflowersfromMaytoOctober.
Itsflowerslooklikehoodedfoxglovesinminiature
andarewhiteorpurplish-whitewithapatchofyellow
atthecentre,pointingthewaytothenectar.Theplant
willonlygrowinthewildasitleadsasemi-parasitical
existencewithgrassfromwhoserootsitsucksits
nourishment.
ThenameEuphrasia isderivedfromtheGreek
euphrosyne,meaninggladness.Euphrosynewasoneof
thethreeGraces,renownedforherjoy,anditis
INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Ferrummetallicum(Ferr-m.)•89
believedthattheplantwasnamedafterherbecauseof
itspropertiesofpreservingeyesightandthegladness
thatthatbroughtintothelifeofthesufferer.
Inthesixteenthcenturvitwasregardedbythegreat
herbalistsasaspecificindiseasesoftheeyes,andwas
usedbythemtostrengthenthehead,eyes,memory
andtoclearthesight.Itwastakeninternallyeitherin
soup,milk,wineorwater;orthedilutedjuicewas
droppedintotheeyes.Nowadaysthedriedherbisan
ingredientinsomeherbaltobaccosthataresaidtobe
goodforclearingthechest.
EuphrasiawasfirstprovedbyHahnemann,who
foundithadadefiniteirritatingactionontheeves,
indicating itsmostprominentsymptom.Theprep-
arationusestheexpressedjuiceoftheplant,mixed
withequalpartsofalcohol.
GENERALANDEMOTIONAL/
MENTALSYMPTOMS
Worseduringtheevening.
Thisisasmallremedythathasatremendouslyuseful
placeinthehomeopathic first-aidkitbutithasno
notablegeneraloremotionalmentalsymptomsapart
fromageneralworseningintheevenings.Aswith
manyofthesmallremedies itisveryimportantthat
thephysicalsymptoms fitwell.
PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Commoncold
SymptomsNasalcatarrh:bland;watery.With
cough(seebelow);eyeinflammation.
Thenasaldischargedoesnotburnliketheburning,
waten,'dischargefromtheeyes.Thisistheoppositeof
Alliumcepa,wherethenasalcatarrhirritatesandthe
wateringeyesdonotfeelirritated.Thethroatmayalso
besore;ifitis,itwillburn.
Cough
SymptomsCoughduringthedayonly.Mucus
copious.
Betterforlyingdown.
Worseduringthemorning.
Thepersonhawksupamouthfulofmucusatatime
andclearsthethroatfrequently.
Eyeinflammation
SymptomsDischarge:burning;watery.Eyes:sensi-
tivetolight;watery.Eyelids:burning;red;swollen.
WithCOMMONCOLD.
Worseforcoughing;forlight;forwind.
Causeswithcommoncold.Theevesstreamoncoughingandarevervsensitiveto
light.
Eyeinjuries
SymptomsWitheyeinflammation (seeabove).
Hayfever
SymptomsWithcommoncoldsymptoms(see
above);eyeinflammation (seeabove).
Measles
SymptomsWithsymptomsofcommoncold(see
above);cough(seeabove);eyeinflammation (see
above).
Thefeverisnotusuallyveryhighandthepatientdoes
notnecessarilyfeelvervill.
FERRUMMETALLICUM (Ferr-m.)
Othername:iron
IronisthemostcommonmetalintheEarth'scrust,
afteraluminium. Ithasbeenminedforthousandsof
years,anditisstilloneofourmostusefulmetals.The
IronAgewasthethirdgreatstage,aftertheStoneand
BronzeAges,inthehistoryofhumansastooland
weaponmakers.
Ferrumisoneofthemainconstituentsofthebody,
beingpresentinconsiderablequantityintheblood.It
isalsopresentinmanyfoodstuffsand,whengivenin
excesstohumansoranimals,increasestheamountof
ironinthebloodandstimulatestheappetiteaswellas
theenergy.However, iftheadministration ofironis
continued,secondaryeffectswillensuesoonerorlater
anditisthesethatgivetheindications for
homeopathicprescribing(inotherwords,whichcon-
stituteaproving).Hahnemannsaidofpeoplewholive
inareaswithiron-richwaters,'Therewefindmore
thananywhereelse...weakness,almostamounting
toparalysisofthewholebodyandofsingleparts,
somekindsofviolentlimbpains,abdominalaffections
ofvarioussorts,vomitingoffoodbydayorbynight,
pulmonaryailments,oftenwithbloodspitting,de-
ficientvitalwarmth,suppressionofthemenses,mis-
carriages,impotenceinbothsexes,sterility,jaundice
andmanyotherrarecachexias[weaknesses] are
commonoccurrences.'
Thevalueofironhasinfactbeenappreciatedsince
thebeginningofmedicalhistoryforhaemorrhages of
allkinds,diarrhoeasandmenstrualproblemsaswell
asfordropsiesandintermittentfevers,especially if
accompaniedwithgreatdebility.
Thehomeopathicremedyispreparedfromthepure
metalbvtrituration.
NBSEEALSOPAGES203-26FORGENERALADVICE,DOSANDDON'TS.
90•Ferrummetallicum(Ferr-m.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
GENERALSYMPTOMS
Appetite:lost,alternatingwithhunger.Face:pale;
pasty;flusheseasily;redwiththepains.Sweat:
clammy;cold;profuse;worseforlyingdownandfor
slightestphysicalexertion.
Bettertorwalkingslowly.
Worseonbeginningtomove;atnight;forKingdown.
Thesepatientsbecomeexhaustedandbreathlessverv
easily,andtheirpalefacesbecomeflushed,notonly
withexertionbutwhenexcited,andwheninpainor
withafever.Thevinfactbenefitfromgentleexercise,
whichhelpsthemgenerallvandrelievesmanvoftheir


: “I love myself while I am
overweight. I am not this weight in the first place and I refuse to
think of myself in self-degrading terms regardless of the condi-
tion of my body. I am love, and I extend this love to all of me.”
The same kind of inner programming must take place for addic-
tions or anything else that you feel guilty about.
There are 483,364 words in A Course in Miracles. The word
“beware” appears only once: “Beware of the temptation to see
yourself as unfairly treated.” The warning speaks to removing
guilt and taking responsibility: for one’s life. By removing the
inclination to wallow in self-reproach, we also remove the idea
that by suffering in the present moment we will redeem our-
selves and can pay for our sins with guilt. Life doesn’t work this
way. Your suffering keeps you in a state of fear and immobiliza-
tion. That is not a solution to handling your life problems.
There is a solution, and that solution is in loving yourself, and
in trusting in God that your “shortcomings” are nothing more
than lessons leading you to a new spiritual level. By refusing to
buy into the conditioned notion that guilt is good and you
deserve to feel guilty, and that guilt will help you pay for your
Manifest Your Destiny
sins, you reinforce the idea that you are worthy of any desires of
yours that you want to manifest in your life.
By I understand the importance of having harmony between my thoughts, my
feelings and my behavior. To the extent that you remain incongruent
in any of these three areas of thinking, feeling or behaving, you
will impede the process of heightened awareness and the ability
to manifest your heart’s desire.
This is the last of the five points that contribute to your feel-
ings of worthiness about receiving God’s munificence in your
life. It is also the most significant because it defines your level of
integrity. To have thoughts about how you would like to conduct
your life and to posit these thoughts as your essential way of
being, and then to feel guilty, fearful, anxious or anything else as
a result of not living up to these inner positions results in addic-
tive, manipulative and self-defeating behavior.
To be congruent you must be honest about your own
thoughts. It is crucial to examine your thoughts and forthrightly
proclaim what it is that you choose to know internally. Even if
this is perceived as a shortcoming by everyone else, if you are
honest with yourself you will find that your emotional reactions
will be consistent with your inner world.
You will feel peaceful and content, and this will be apparent in
your behavior. This is true for virtually everything about your
life. Your thoughts about health, relationships, prosperity, God,
work, recreation, whatever. If these thoughts are rooted in love
and you honestly know that you are here to express love, kind-
ness and forgiveness toward yourself, toward your work and co-
workers, toward the money you receive, toward your spiritual
beliefs, then you will be in harmony and you will welcome the
blessings that result from your personal conduct in these mat-
ters.
81
82 WAYNE W. DYER
However, if you embrace these thoughts yet fail to act on
them in the daily working of your life, you will feel incongruent
and, consequently, you will not feel that you are deserving of
desires being fulfilled.
Addictive behavior will continue in your life if you remain
incongruent. All unhealthy eating habits will continue if you
remain incongruent. All scarcity perceptions will remain if you
remain incongruent. These are strong statements, yet they
reflect a consciousness that you must grasp if you want to change
your status from being unworthy to being worthy.
You do not have to adopt any particular spiritual practice or
set of beliefs. You have to, however, create a sense of congruency
within yourself to be able to attain this state of worthiness, which
is a prerequisite for the manifestation process. When you are
being eaten up inside, in your own private corner of awareness
that is not available to anyone else other than God, you will
behave in self-defeating ways that verify your lack of inner con-
gruuity.
By being honest with yourself about what you believe, and
then acting on that principle regardless of what others might
think or say, you promote an inner peace that gives you a strong
sense of worthiness. I encourage you to examine your thoughts
carefully in all areas of your life, and identify where you are not
in harmony with your actions. Then work each day to bring
about more of a sense of inner congruence that meets with your
own personal standards, and keep this a private matter.
You will find the behaviors that you dislike beginning to disap-
pear and that you are promoting a sense of balance that gives you
peace. There is nothing your highest self wants more than peace.
This peace makes you feel worthy of all of God’s richest bless-
ings, and when you radiate this out into the world, it is returned
to you without fail.
Manifest Your Destiny
These five attitudes provide you with the tools for creating an
inner atmosphere of worthiness. They all reflect an ability to live
peacefully in the present moment and to discard many of the atti-
tudes of your past that keep you in a constant state of feeling power-
less and unworthy of being able to manifest more blessings and hap-
piness into your life. Often this feeling persists because you are
locked into the story of your earlier wounds. To finalize the path of
worthiness, you must sever your relationship to these old wounds.
UNBONDING YOURSELF FROM YOUR PAST WOUNDS
The inclination to bond to our wounds rather than move past
them traps us in a constant state of feeling unworthy. A person who
has experienced traumatic events in life, such as sexual abuse, the
death of loved ones, traumatic illnesses, accidents, family disruption,
drug addictions and the like, can become bonded with the past
painful events and replay them for attention or pity. These wounds of
our lives can seem to give us an enormous amount of power over
others.
The more we iell others about our wounds and our suffering, the
more we create an atmosphere of pity for ourselves. Our creative
spirit remains so connected to our memories of woundedness that it
cannot be about the business of transforming and manifesting. A
feeling of being unworthy of receiving all that one desires is the
result.
Very often the tale of these woes is told in the first few moments
with a sort of urgency for the listener to know how horrible the
wounding was and still is. After a while the ego uses this energy as a
power play in individual and group situations that encourage discus-
sion of one’s struggle to survive the wounding. This can keep indi-
viduals from advancing spiritually and can reinforce the image of
themselves as unfortunate.
83
WAYNE W. DYER
The tendency to bond with the wounds of our lives reminds us of
how unworthy we are of receiving anything that we really would like
because we remain in a state of suffering. The more these painful sto-
ries are recalled and repeated, the more the person is guaranteed of
not attracting his or her desires.
Perhaps the most powerful sentence you can memorize in this
regard is “Your biography becomes your biology.” And I would add,
“Your biology becomes your lack of spiritual fulfillment.” By hanging
onto the traumas of your earlier life, you literally have an impact on
the cells of your body. When we examine the biology of an individual,
we find that his or her biography is close to the surface. Thoughts of
anguish, self-pity, fear, hate and the like all take their toll on the body
and the spirit. After a while, the body is unable to heal, largely
because of these thoughts.
Attachment to early pain comes from a mythological perception of
“I am entitled to a perfect, pain-free childhood. Anything that inter-
feres with this perception I will use for the rest of my life. Telling my
story will be my power.” What the perception does is give an injured
child inside you permission to control you for the rest of your life.
Moreover, it provides a strong sense of illusory power.
The moment anyone stands up to you, or crosses you, or even dis-
agrees with you, the injury is brought forth with accusations of
insensitivity concerning the other’s treatment of you. This power is
empty, however, because it continuously reinforces the idea that you
are not worthy of being free from these events. The unworthiness
then inhibits you from attracting to yourself the love, kindness and
abundance that is the universe.
This is not to say that one ought not to deal with traumas and help
them to heal. But it is to say that one must be very careful to avoid
explaining present life in terms of traumatic history. The painful
events in our lives are like a raft you use to cross the river. You must
remember to get off on the other side.
84
Manifest Your Destiny
Notice your body when it is wounded. An open wound actually
closes quite quickly. Just imagine what it would be like if that wound


th century
the plant was a standard painkiller for menstrual pain and cramps. From 1840 to 1900, over 100 papers were published recommending marijuana as a medicine.
Medicinal Actions & Uses  In view of its
long history as a medicinal treatment, it is hardly surprising that marijuana has, at one time or another, been recommended for almost every illness. As an analgesic, it appears to relieve pain with minimal side effects, being particularly helpful for cancer and AIDS patients undergoing chemotherapy. For those suffering from multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other muscular illnesses, marijuana can reduce neurological overactivity and muscle spasm. The plant provides effective treatment for glaucoma,
in which pressure within the eye is abnormally
high, and is hypotensive, lowering blood pressure. Marijuana relieves asthma, menstrual pains, the pain of childbirth, and of arthritis and rheumatism, and may have value as an antidepressant. It encourages and induces sleep. The seeds are used in Chinese medicine as a strong but well-tolerated laxative, especially for constipation in the elderly; and as a dietary supplement to provide a balanced and healthy supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Research  Modern research shows marijuana to
be a sedative, an anti-inflammatory agent, and an analgesic as effective as codeine. Research has focused on the constituent THC, but it is clear that the complex of constituents within marijuana has a significantly wider range of applications. Clinical studies from 1975 onwards have shown that the cannabinoids are powerfully antiemetic, especially in those having chemotherapy. To varying degrees, clinical trials indicate that marijuana or its cannabinoids relieves symptoms in multiple sclerosis (such as tremor, muscle spasm, and poor coordination), in spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, glaucoma, chronic pain, and loss of appetite. Now
that medical marijuana is legally available in a number of U.S. states, there is
accumulating evidence of just how
effective the herb, and extracts of it, are in relieving pain. A 2015 article in the Journal of
the American Medical Association found “30%
or greater improvement in pain with
cannabinoid compared to placebo,”
i.e., marijuana extracts on average
produced a 30% or more improvement
when compared to an inert substance. It also
found that availability of medical-grade marijuana was associated “with a 15–35% decrease in substance abuse admissions.” Not only is medical marijuana a valuable analgesic, it also helps to prevent addiction to other painkillers, in particular opioids, such as codeine and morphine.
Caution  Marijuana is a controlled substance in
North America. Research your local laws. Marijuana leaf
Capparis spinosa (Capparaceae)
Caper
Description  Shrub growing to 3 ft (1 m), with
spiny trailing stems, fleshy oval leaves, green buds,
large white flowers, and red berries in autumn.
Habitat & Cultivation Native to the
Mediterranean region, caper thrives in open areas, often growing on stony terrain. The buds are harvested before the flowers open and are pickled for culinary use.
Parts Used  Root bark, bark, flower buds.
Constituents  Contains phenolic compounds.
History & Folklore  Though much favored as a
piquant food by the ancient Greeks, capers were said to disagree with the stomach. They remain a popular condiment to this day.
Medicinal Actions & Uses  The unopened
flower buds are laxative and, if prepared correctly with vinegar, are thought to ease stomach pain. The bark is bitter and diuretic and can be taken immediately before meals to increase the appetite.
US_180-201_Brassica_dictamnus.indd   182 26/02/16   12:47 pm183Cari Ca papayaother medicinal plants
The root bark is purifying and stops internal
bleeding. It is used to treat skin conditions,
capillary weakness, and easy bruising, and is also
used in cosmetic preparations. A decoction of the
plant is used to treat yeast and vaginal infections
such as candidiasis.
Related Species  A decoction of the North
American C. cynophallophora  is taken to encourage
the onset of menstruation, and is used as a gargle
for throat infections.
Capsella bursa-pastoris syn. Thlaspi
bursa-pastoris  (Brassicaceae)
Shepherd’s Purse
Description  Annual or biennial with an erect
stem, rosette of basal leaves, 4-petaled white
flowers, and heart-shaped seed pods.
Habitat & Cultivation  Thought to be native
to Europe and Asia, shepherd’s purse is now found
throughout most temperate regions, and grows
profusely as a weed. It is harvested throughout
the year.
Parts Used  Aerial parts.
Constituents  Contains flavonoids, polypeptides,
choline, acetylcholine, histamine, and tyramine.
History & Folklore  This herb’s name derives
from the appearance of the seed pods, which
resemble heart-shaped purses. During the First
World War, when the standard herbal medicines for staunching blood—goldenseal ( Hydrastis
canadensis, p. 105) and ergot ( Claviceps
purpurea )—were unobtainable in Britain,
shepherd’s purse was used as an alternative.
Medicinal Actions & Uses  One of the best
remedies for preventing or arresting hemorrhage,
shepherd’s purse has long been a specific treatment
for heavy uterine bleeding. While weaker-acting in
this respect than ergot, shepherd’s purse has none
of ergot’s toxicity and is better tolerated by the body.
It may be used for bleeding of all kinds—from
nosebleeds to blood in the urine. An astringent herb,
it disinfects the urinary tract in cases of cystitis, and
is taken for diarrhea. It is used in Chinese medicine
to treat dysentery and eye problems.
Research  Reports suggest that the plant is
anti-inflammatory and reduces fever.
Caution  Do not take during pregnancy.
Self-help Use  Heavy menstrual bleeding, p. 315.
Cardiospermum spp. (Sapindaceae)
Balloon Vine
Description  Deciduous perennial climbers
growing to 10 ft (3 m), with compound leaves,
small white flowers, and black seeds.
Habitat & Cultivation  Balloon vine is found
growing in tropical regions around the world.
Parts Used  Root, leaves, seeds.Constituents  Most Cardiospermum  species
contain cyanogenic glycosides.
History & Folklore  Native Amazonians string
balloon vine seeds into armbands that are worn to
ward off snakes.
Medicinal Actions & Uses  In Indian herbal
medicine, balloon vine root is used to bring on
delayed menstruation and to relieve backache and
arthritis. The leaves stimulate local circulation
and are applied to painful joints to help speed
the clearing of toxins. The seeds are also thought
to help in the treatment of arthritis. The plant as
a whole has sedative properties.
Caution  Do not take during pregnancy.
Carica papaya  (Caricaceae)
Papaya
Description  Herbaceous tree growing very
rapidly to 26 ft (8 m). Has segmented leaves,
yellow flowers, and large, black-seeded yellow
to orange fruits weighing up to 11 lb (5 kg).
Habitat & Cultivation  Native to tropical
America, papaya is now cultivated in tropical regions
throughout the world.
Parts Used  Fruit, latex, leaves, flowers, seeds.
Constituents  The fruit contains proteolytic
enzymes (papain and chymopapain), and traces
of an alkaloid, carpaine. Papain, which is found in
the milky white latex that flows from incisions
in the unripe fruit, is a protein-dissolving enzyme
that aids digestion.
History & Folklore  Papaya juice, shoots,
and latex were used in Mayan herbal medicine. In
tropical Latin America, the leaves are used as a
meat tenderizer.
Medicinal Actions & Uses  Papaya’s main
medicinal use is as a digestive agent. The leaves
and the fruit can both be used (the unripe fruit is
especially effective). The latex from the trunk of
the tree is applied externally to speed the healing
of wounds, ulcers, boils, warts, and cancerous
tumors. The seeds are used as a gentle purgative
for worms. The latex has a similar but more violent
effect. The flowers may be taken in an infusion to
induce menstruation, and a decoction of
the ripe fruit is helpful for
treating persistent
diarrhea and
dysentery in
children. The ripe
fruit is mildly
laxative and the
leaves are used
to dress wounds.Caper’s  buds pickled
with vinegar have been
used as a condiment
since ancient times.
Balloon vine  leaves are
applied to relieve aching joints. Fruit
US_180-201_Brassica_dictamnus.indd   183 07/04/16   4:37 pm
184Carthamus tinC torius  other medicinal plantsCarthamus tinctorius (Asteraceae)
Safflower,
Hong Hua (Chinese)
Description


 American medicine
northern prickly ash 153
“nosebleed” (yarrow) 56
nosebleeds 310
notoginseng 243
Notopterygium incisium  41, 240
notopterygium root 240
nutmeg 22, 37, 115
“nutmeg butter” 115
nux vomica 273
Nymphaea, N. alba  240–41
N. lotus  240–41
N. odorata  240
O
oats 11–12, 13, 175
Ocimum, O. basilicum  116, 241
O. basilicum var. minimum  241
O. tenuiflorum  syn. O. sanctum 37,
116, 286
Oenothera biennis  30, 51, 179, 241
oil of Cade 225
oils, essential 297, 299
infused 294
ointments 295
older adults  319
Olea europaea  241–42
oleander 19
olive 241–42
omega-3 oils 109
onion 11, 59, 164
Ononis spinosa  242
Operculina turpethum  242
Ophelia chirata see Suvertia chirata
opium poppy 10, 21, 26, 28, 46, 47,
244
Opuntia ficus-indica  47, 242
oral thrush  314
oregano 242–43
oregon grape  177
Origanum, O. majorana  syn. Majorana
hortensis  242
O. vulgare 242–43
Orthosiphon aristata  243
osteopathy 27, 51
Oswego tea 236
over-the-counter medicines 17, 35
overactivity,  insomnia and 309nervous exhaustion and 309
P
Pacific yew 31, 275
Paeonia, P. lactiflora syn. P. albiflora  42, 117, 243
P. officinalis  20, 117, 243
P. suffructicosa  117
pain relief 11, 21, 86, 96, 97, 103, 114,
122, 155
palas 180
pale catechu 280
palpitations 302
Panax, P. ginseng  12, 13, 21, 40, 42, 43, 68,
79, 83, 118, 124, 127, 243
P. notoginseng  118, 243
P. quinquefolium 118, 243–44
panic attacks  302, 308
Papaver, P. rhoeas  244
P. somniferum  10, 11, 21, 26, 28, 46, 244
papaya 11, 183
paprika 74
papyrus 199
Paracelsus 23–24, 30
pareira 52, 189
Parietaria officinalis  syn. P. diffusa  245
Parkinson, John 108
parsley 246
parsley piert 170
partridge berry 235–36
passiflora 119
Passiflora, P. incarnata  119
P. quadrangularis  119
passionflower 119
Pasteur, Louis 28
patchouli 161, 252
pau d’arco 53, 139
Paullinia, P. cupana  syn. P. sorbilis  53, 245
P. yoco  245
Pausinystalia yohimbe  syn. Corynanthe
yohimbe 245
peepal 212
Peganum harmala  245
pelargonium 120
Pelargonium, P. reniforme  120
P. sidoides  120
pellitory 45, 166
pellitory-of-the-wall 245
penicillin 28
pennyroyal 48, 71, 235
peony 20, 117, 243
pepper 122, 250
peppermint 30, 114, 286
peptic ulcers  35, 313
pergularia 246
Pergularia extensa  246
period pain  315
Persea americana  50, 121
Peruvian balsam  239
Peruvian bark 80
pessaries 297
petha 177
Petroselinum crispum  246
Peucedanum graveolens see Anethum
graveolens
Peumus boldo  52, 246
peyote 49, 230
Pfaffia paniculata  246
Phaseolus vulgaris  246–47
Phellodendron amurense  247
phenols 14
Philadelphia fleabane 195
phu (valerian) 148
phyllanthus 247
Phyllanthus amarus  247Physalis alkekengi  syn. P. franchetti  247
Physiomedicalism 27, 50–51, 221, 231
Phytolacca americana  syn. P. decandra  49,
51, 247–48
phytotherapy 31
Picrasma excelsa  syn. Picraenia excelsa  248
picrorrhiza 248
Picrorrhiza kurroa 248
pilewort 260–61
“Pill of Eight Ingredients” 125, 196
pill-bearing spurge 209
Pilosella offoconarum see Hieracium pilosella
Pimenta officinalis  248
Pimpinella anisum  53, 248–49
pineapple 53, 167
Pinguicula, P. grandiflora  249
P. vulgaris  249
pinkroot 272
Pinus sylvestris  14, 249
Piper, P. angustifolia  122, 249–50
P. betle 122, 250
P. cubeba 122, 250
P. methysticum  46, 122
P. nigrum  116, 180, 250
P. sanctum  122
Pipinella anisum  223
pipsissewa 188
Piscidia erythrina  251
pistachio nut 251
Pistacia, P. lentiscus  251
P. vera  251
pit shirish 163
plague, spread of 23
plant names 55
plant spirits, belief in 18
Plantago  spp. 13, 123
P. asiatica  123, 251
P. indica  123
P. lanceolata  251
P. major  123, 251
P. ovata  123
P. psyllium  123
plantain 238
Plasmodium parasite  28, 67
Plectranthus barbatus see Coleus forskohlii
pleurisy root 49, 173–74
Pliny the Elder 32–34, 160, 190, 196, 234,
235
Plumbago, P. europaea  251
P. zeylanica  251
Podophyllum, P. hexandrum  252
P. peltatum  252
Pogostemon cablin  161, 252
poison ivy 262
pokeweed 49, 51, 247–48
Polo, Marco 22, 190
Polygala, P. senega  252
P. tenuifolia  252
P. vulgaris  252
Polygonatum, P. biflorum  253
P. multiflorum  253
P. odoratum  253
Polygonum, P. aviculare 124, 253
P. bistorta  13, 124, 253–54
P. cuspidatum  124
P. hydropiper  254
P. multiflorum  41, 43, 124
Polymnia uvedalia  254
Polypodium vulgare  254
polypody 254
polysaccharides 16
Pomaderris elliptica  254
pomegranate 39, 259–60
populeon see balm of Gilead
Populus, P. x candicans  syn. P. x gileadensis 254–55
P. tremuloides  255
Poria cocos syn. Sclerotium cocos  40, 61
Portulaca oleracea  255
P. oleracea var. sativa 255


 and leaning into their personalities creates mo re Pitta and
leads to Pitta im balance which may manifest as psoriasis, skin conditions,
hypertension, and migraine headaches.
T o r ecreate balance, those with Pitta constitution need to stop and smell the
roses. A  walk in the cool moonlight and swimming are so me cooling
activities that can bring them balance. Another way is by cutting down on
hot spicy foods and increasing cooling bitter foods. Keep reading to find out
which foods are pacifying for a Pitta constitution.
Paul, who had a Pitta constitu tion, came to me due to arthritis that was
showing up in his hands. His face and skin wer e r ed, as though inflamed.
When I asked about his diet, he excitingly informed me how much he loved
hot and spicy foods. In fact, he was very pr oud of his collection  of differ ent
chili sauces. I was not surprised when he told me he loves  grapefruit,
tomatoes, garlic and onions. These ar e all Pitta foods and they wer e helpinghim cr ea te a Pitta imbalance (inflammation in his hands.) A nd, yes, he
loved people, socializing and a lcohol. Although, this was a ch allenge, the
way for him to balance was to r e duce his consumption of Pitta foods, which
would r educe the inflammation  he was experiencing, while incr easing his
consumption of cooling foods—such as bitter gr eens—and adding anti-
inflammatory spices like turmeric to help him get his pain under contr ol.
K A P H A  C O N S T I T U T I O N
W ith the predominance of W a ter and Earth elements, those with Kapha
constitution hav e a lar ge build and a lar ge frame; they are heavy and soft.
They lik e to have a plan and th ey love routine. They are very reliable and
have a good, gentle nature. When in balance, they are sweet, jovial, and
kind, an d they have a teddy bear -type personality. When out of balance,
they can become couch potatoes, lethar gic, and obese.
Santa C laus is a good example  of Kapha, and in the animal kingdom, we
see Kapha in the elephant.
A balanc ed Kapha is very stable, consistent and reliable; they are generous
and kind, and they have soft personalities.
Kapha people like to collect th ings and they like to have a lo t. They like
luxury and excessive buying, a nd they don’ t engage in anythi ng creative.
They enjoy sedentary activities and love to sit, watch movies, and talk.
They love heavy foods, such as pizza, cheese, ice cream, meat products, and
sweets. They often overeat. This leads to Kapha imbalance and can
manifest as couch potato syndro me, obesity, diabetes, depressio n and heart
conditions, to name a few.
In order to bal ance, those with Kapha constitution should incorporate
lighter f oods (V ata foods) such as leafy greens, salads and light soups, and
they should minimize heavy foods, such as dairy and meat products.
Exercise for them is a must, as they tend to be sedentary. W e’ll look at
Kapha balancing foods later.
Gail cam e to me due to her inability to lose weight. She was about 200
pounds o verweight, and she was a gr eat, passionate cook. She loved to eatand party. The weight gain had  occurr ed over the years as a r esult of too
much eating, socializing and liv ing lar ge. The mor e weight she  gained, the
har der it became to move ar ound and the less she wanted to move. Although
she had originally had a Pitta constitution and imbalance, she ignor ed it for
too long and thus cr eated a Kapha imbalance. As passionate as she was, it
became a r eal struggle for her to move, even when she knew she had to.
Moving or working out was painful, and ther efor e she did not want to do it.
This is why it is so important to stay in balance: when an imbalance is
ignor ed for too long, it can become a deeply-ingrained pr oblem, both
mentally and physically. Gail and I had to take small steps to change her
mindset and I h ad to become st rict with her, as that is what sh e needed at
this point in or der to make a shift. Gale is working har d to change her
situation, even though it is challenging for her.
It is  imp ortant t o understand that these three forces, V ata, Pitta and Kapha
are continuously working in our body to create homeostasis and we need all
three of them. In general, the  constitution of an individual and their
imbalances tend to be the same, but this is not necessarily true. For
example, those with V ata consti tution tend to have a V ata imbalance, those
with Pitta constitution tend to have a Pitta imbalance and those with Kapha
constitution ten d to have a Kapha imbalance. But V ata indi viduals can
equally create a Pitta or a Kap ha imbalance. Similarly, Pitta people can
create a V ata or a Kapha imbalance, and those with Kapha constitution can
create a V ata or  Pitta imbalance. T o determine a person’ s constitution and
imbalance, we look at their physical body, its functions, and their
psychological nature.
T ake a look at the chart on the  following page and fill it out to discover
your constitution and a possible curr ent imbalance.
D I S C O V E R I N G  Y O U R  C O N S T I T U T I O N  A N D
I M B A L A N C E
V A T A PITT A KAPHA
Small frame and
thin
Medium frame and
athletic build
Lar ge frame and big
build
Small ankle and Medium ankle and Lar ge ankle and wristwrist bones
 wrist bones
 bones
Thin face
 Square or medium
face
Lar ge or round face
Small, and active,
dark eyes
Medium and
penetrating eyes
Lar ge eyes with thick
eyelashes
Thin, dark and
rough hair
Light, blond or red,
fine, oily hair
Thick wavy hair, dark
or light
Dry and thin skin
 Skin is oily and a little
heavier
Thick and moist skin
Cold hands and
feet
Always warm
 Sweats easily
Brittle nails
 Flexible and strong
nails
Strong thick nails
Has a hard time
gaining weight
Can gain/lose weight
easily at will
Gains weight easily,
has a hard time losing it
Appetite is
variable
V oracious appetite
 Enjoys eating, finds it
hard to stop and can
easily skip meals
Likes to snack,
nibble
Likes high protein
meals
Loves fatty, heavy,
starchy foods
Food sensitivities
 Can eat anything
 Sluggish digestion
V ariable thirst
 Usually thirsty
 Rarely thirsty
T ends towards
constipation
T ends towards a loose
stool
Soft, regular bowel
movements
Light, restless
sleep
Needs only 6 hours of
sleep
Can sleep all day
Prefers warm
climate, sunshine
Prefers cool and airy
places
Likes all climates
except humid ones
Dislikes routine
 Likes routine and
being in char ge
Likes routine
Creative thinker
 A leader and a
visionary
Good at or ganizing
Likes to be
physically active
Likes physical
activities, especially
competitive ones
Loves sedentary
activitiesLearns quickly &
for gets quickly
Analytical mind
 Rarely for gets, good
memory
Changes mind
easily
Has strong opinions
 Changes opinions
slowly
T ends toward
fear/anxiety when
stressed
T ends toward
frustration/anger when
stressed
T ends to avoid dif ficult
situations
Changeable mood
and ideas
Likes to express ideas
and feelings
Steady, reliable, slow to
change
Mind tends to
race
V ery focused with a
sharp mind
Calm mind
Enthusiastic but
unfocused
Goal oriented and has
a sharp focus
Easy-going and needs
motivation
____ Number of
Checks____ Number of Checks ____ Number of Checks
The colu mn with the most checks is usually your primary constitution. If
you hav e an equal number of ch ecks in two or all three columns, then you
are bi-d oshic su ch as vata-pitta, or pitta-vata, vata-kapha or p itta-kapha
etc. Or you could be tri-doshic.
If you checked some aspects under a column that are dif ferent from your
constitution as a whole, then you could have that imbalance. For example,
if yo ur primary dosha is vata, as that’ s what has the most chec ks, but if
you also checked two-three is sues under the pitta or kapha  column,
especially the psychological and  physical functions, then you could have


reality. The mystery revolves  around how two things tha t are so
unalike could have come from the same seed.
To take  advan tage of infinite potential, you must accept that
reality is open-ended, capable of taking subtle, invisible impulses
and tur ning th em into mind a nd matter. This open-ended ness I’m
calling metareality, because it lies beyond mind and matter;
metareality is where the en tire universe and everything in it,
including all mental activity, is in an embryonic state.
I won’t pretend that metareality is easy to embrace when you
first lea rn about its existence. How secure can you feel about your
life if it is tota lly open-ended? Not very—everyone prefer s things
to b e more se ttled and orderly than that. But when yo u think
about i t, a painter contemplating a blank canvas or a writer
looking at a blank sheet of paper relies on “Anything can happen”
as th e best and  highest creative state. When you approach infinite
potential as infinite creative p ossibilities, there’s an openin g to the
kind of freedom “I” cannot experience within boundaries.
We are so conditioned to say “my” body and “my” mind th at we
automatically believe they ar e doing the acting and thinking we
experience. But in metareality consciousness is doing the acting
and thinking. We could—and  should—shift into that perspective
for o ne simple reason. The br ain cannot make the leap int o higher
consciousness; only consciousness can. A violin string can’t invent
new forms of music, but the musical mind can use the vio lin as its
instrument of physical expression. In the same way, the bodymind
—an understan ding that the body and mind are a single  unit—is
the physical expression of consciousness.
In music there are more possible combinations of notes than
atoms in the u niverse, and yet we are comfortable with such vast
possibilities. In chess, we play without anxiety in the face  of 400
possible positions after each player has made one move, which
explodes to over 288 billion after four moves. In everyday ways,
like playing games, we take infinity for granted. It’s all around us.
Even if you had a limited vocabulary of two thousand words,
which is what a typical five-year-old has, that’s enough to createan endless string of word combinations, not to mention that
nothing stops you from giv ing a common word multiple new
meanings. ( Pet, f or example,  is already a verb, a noun, and an
adjective, as in “I pet my pet cat, who is the only pet I hav e”—and
anyone is free to assign new  meanings to the word. Pet  could
substitute for coddled, luxurious, endearing, and the like. It
already has those connotations. New meanings can be invented
out of the blue, the way hip  and cool  have wandered away from
their literal meanings.)
Since w e are so used to infin ity in these simple guises, w e can
expand our comfort zone to be comfortable with infinity as a
personal  trait.
S u d d e n  G e n i u s
“Anything can happen” is essential to being human. A leap of
awareness ca n happen unexpectedly, as in the amazing
phenomenon k nown as sudden genius, a term coined by Darold
Treffert, a physician in Wisconsin who has become an expert in
“exceptional brain performance.” He defines sudden genius  as a
“spontaneous epiphany-like  moment where the rules and
intricacies of music, art, or mathematics, for example, are
experienced and revealed, producing almost instantaneous
giftedness.”
Of t he fourteen cases Treffe rt has studied to date, a striking
example is a twenty-eight- year-old Israeli-born man he calls
“K.A.” As a performer, K.A. could casually pick out popular tunes
on t he piano one note at a t ime. One day he was in a shopping
mall that had a piano on display. To quote his account of the next
moment, “I suddenly realize d what the major scale and minor
scale we re, wh at their chords were and where to put my fi ngers in
order to play c ertain parts of the scale.” Without prior kn owledge
or abilit y, K.A. suddenly just knew  how musical harmony worked.
He veri fied this by searching for music theory on the internet, and,
to h is amazement, “[m]ost o f what they had to teach I alreadyknew.” He was left baffled by  how he could know a subject he had
never studied.
Such a phenomenon strongly supports a central feature of
metareality—that human beings are already connected to infinite
possibilities.
We are kept from our hidden potential for all kinds of reasons—
we’ve just seen how the ego edits and limits reality, for i nstance.
Even when we are confronted by evidence to the contrary, the
power of limitation prompt s us to greet it with skepticism or
overlook it entirely. The very fact that Treffert could get his
observations on sudden genius published in Scientific American
(July 25, 2018) is owed to a larger mystery, known as  savant
syndrome, which has a well-established history in medical and
psychological practice.
Savant syndro me also deals with extraordinary abilities  that
defy explanation. There were already two different forms of this
condition that Treffert is also an expert on. In “congenital savant
syndrome,” the extraordinary ability appears early in life. There
are chil dren who can tell you the day of the week that any date,
past or  future, falls on—so-called calendar savants—and others
who can mentally generate prime numbers with the sp eed and
accuracy of a computer. (A prime number is a numera l that is
divisible only by 1 and itself. The sequence begins easily with 2, 3,
5, 7, and 11. But soon it beco mes much harder to know the next
number in the sequence without a calculator to help. For instance,
7,727 and 7,741 are both prim e numbers, but none of the numbers
in between them are.)
The other form is “acquired savant syndrome,” where an
ordinary person suddenly has astonishing abilities after a head
injury, stroke, or other central nervous system incident. To these
two ver sions T reffert has added “sudden savant syndrom e” as a
third ty pe, as in K.A.’s story. None can be scientifically ex plained.
In the congenital form, the child is often on the spec trum of
autism or mental retardation. (In his celebrated 1985 book, The
Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, th e neurologist Oliver
Sacks recounts stories of “other-brained” people, including
incidents of people with right-brain injury and autistic children
who have extraordinary mathematical abilities.)Savant syndrom e had a some what alien reputation when it was
confined to autism and bra in injuries, but once sudden genius
occurred in seemingly norm al people, it came much closer to
home. Treffert titled his article “Brain Gain: A Person Can
Instantly Blossom into a Savant—and No One Knows Why.” To a
science-minded reader, brain  is the most si gnificant word  in the
title, because the standard explanation for all mental phenomena
in our day is brain-centered. But it’s not reasonable to say that a
brain suddenly learned how music theory works without any
external input, education, or training. (It’s rather like saying that
the brain knows all the cities in the world without ever having seen
a map.) People who acquire sudden artistic ability typically
become obsessed with painting and can hardly pull themselves
away to  do anything else. This is reminiscent of Picasso, who was
obsessed with painting from early childhood, but it would be hard
to im agine that people who had little or no interest in art  became
fascinated with making pain tings overnight because the ir brain
told them to.
For mo st people, art, music, and math are not critical aspects of
life, and with o nly fourteen cases of sudden genius on record, so
far at least, th is strange phenomenon seems fairly exotic. But it
turns out that sudden genius is yet another clue to the mystery of
what it means to be human, and the clue has to do with infinity
itself.
R e l a t i n g  t o  I n f i n i t y
If s omeone has little or no  interest in music and sud denly
knows music theory without studying it, where did the knowledge
come from? It wasn’t sent through a teacher or textbook, which is
the normal way of gaining knowledge. Somehow it was
downloaded, w e might say, from a source “out there” somewhere.
But wh ere? Music is a hum an creation—there are no chords or
sonatas or symphonies in Nature. Nor is there an invisible library
“out there,” where all the information about music is stored.Besides, even if such a libr ary existed, who would be sending
people a download when they didn’t want one?
We want to keep away


	derivatives,	be	sure	to	use	strong	protection	from	the	sun
or	avoid	sunlight	altogether.	And	remember	that	all	women	trying	to	conceive
or	who	are	pregnant	must	completely	avoid	retinoids.
Alpha	Hydroxy	Acids	(AHAs)
Exfoliation	helps	your	skin	shed	old,	damaged	surface	skin	cells	to	allow	new,
fresh	cells	to	grow	in	their	place.	If	you	don’t	slough	old	cells,	it’s	harder	for
your	body	to	absorb	the	ingredients	from	your	skin-care	products;	they	will
more	likely	just	sit	on	the	surface	of	the	older,	dead	skin	cells	and	not	do	you
any	real
good.	What	a	waste!	This	is	similar	to	the	concept	of	internal
detoxification.	You	have	to	make	space	for	the	new	raw	materials	to	come	in
and	be	absorbed	and	assimilated	so	they	can	be	used	to	fuel	your	beauty.
AHAs	exfoliate	without	scrubbing	with	physically	dense	abrasives	such	as
grains,	granules,	apricot	pits,	and	the	like,	which	can	lead	to	broken	capillaries
and	damaged	pores.	However,	if	your	skin	is	dark	or	particularly	sensitive,	be
very	careful	to	avoid	irritation.	There	are	various	kinds	of	AHAs	and	different
strengths	to	choose	from,	including	malic,	mandelic,	lactic,	and	glycolic	acids.
The	mandelic	and	malic	acids	tend	to	be	much	safer	for	dark	skin,	though	be
sure	to	ask	your	dermatologist	if	you	are	unsure	which	AHAs	are	right	for	your
skin,	and	ask	what	strength	to	use.	AHAs	can	also	make	your	skin	more
sensitive	to	sunlight,	so	be	sure	to	protect	yourself	properly.
Green	Tea
Green	tea	is	a	fantastic	ingredient	to	include	in	your	skin-care	routine	due	to	its
polyphenols,	a	type	of	flavonoid	that	enacts	powerful	antioxidant	activity.
Topically	applied,	green	tea	can	help	reduce	inflammation	in	your	skin,	thereby
preventing	or	slowing	the	formation	of	lines	and	wrinkles	and	reducing	sagging
skin.	Some	studies	have	shown	that	green	tea	can	also	reduce	damage	from
environmental	pollution	and	sun	damage.
9
PeptidesPeptides	are	protein	fragments	that	have	been	shown	to	have	some	beneficial
effects	on	skin.	In	particular,	they	help	heal	damaged	tissue	from	scars	and
wrinkles	and	stimulate	the	production	of	healthy	normal	skin.	Some	research
has	shown	that	peptides	can	help	enhance	cell	communication,
10
	regulating	the
exchange	and	growth	rates	between	layers	of	skin	cells.	Peptides	can	also	prevent
harmful	oxidation	that	damages	the	skin,	and	they	have
anti-inflammatory
properties	that	can	better	set	up	your	skin	to	heal	itself.
Essential	Fatty	Acids	(EFAs)
EFAs	reduce	the	amount	of	moisture	lost	through	your	epidermis,	the	top	layer
of	your	skin,	thereby	keeping	your	skin	soft	and	elastic	instead	of	dried	out.
They	are	particularly	protective	in	cold	or	windy	weather,	which	can	strip	away
the	skin’s	lipid	barrier	and	contribute	to	skin	conditions	such	as	eczema.	The
anti-inflammatory	properties	of	these	essential	fats	are	also	helpful	for	eczema
and	psoriasis,	and	in	preventing	inflammation	that	can	contribute	to	aging.
There	are	many	natural	sources	for	these	essential	fatty	acids,	such	as	shea
butter,	kukui	nut,	jojoba,	rosehip,	sesame	seed,	black	currant,	evening	primrose,
camellia	seed,	almond,	apricot	kernel,	argan,	hemp	seed,	manuka,	kokum,
pumpkin	seed,	olive,	black	cumin	seed,	coconut,	sea	buckthorn,	avocado,
borage,	tamanu,	and	walnut	oils.
Hyaluronic	Acid	(HA)
The	body	uses	hyaluronic	acid	to	make	new	cells,	and	it	is	a	natural	compound
found	in	the	skin.	As	we	age,	we	produce	less	of	this	acid,	so	adding	it	back
helps	repair	the	skin	and	reduce	inflammation.	As	a	skin-care	product
ingredient,	it	helps	not	only	to	deliver	moisture	to	the	skin	but	also	to	hold	it
there,	preventing	moisture	loss	for	continued	smooth	skin	while	protecting	the
skin	from	dirt,	debris,	and	pollutants.	It	doesn’t	penetrate	too	deeply,	staying
near	the	surface	of	your	skin.	Hyaluronic	acid	was	once	produced	largely	from
the	comb	of	a	rooster,	but	thankfully	it	is	now	produced	in	a	lab	from	a
fermentation	process	that	involves	plant	materials.
Clay
There	are	different	kinds	of	clays,	which	are	a	highly	beneficial	ingredient	to
include	in	skin	masks.	Sometimes	masks	are	pushed	to	the	side	in	a	skin-care
routine,	but	applying	masks	is	an	ancient	beauty	tool	that	can	be	very	beneficial
to	use	at	least	once	a	week	(depending	on	your	skin	type)	to	help	you	maintain
beautiful	skin	for	the	long-term.
Clay	is	a	unique	ingredient	with	the	ability	to	absorb	excess	oils,	dirt,	andharmful	toxins	from	the	skin.	Clays	are	made	up	of	different	mineral	contents,
which	are	unique	to	different	types	of	clays,	and	these	minerals	help	rejuvenate
the	skin	as	the	clay	simultaneously	exfoliates	and	stimulates	blood	circulation
to	the	skin.	The	more	regularly	you	use	clays,	the	fresher	your	skin	will	look.
Improved	circulation	and	the	removal	of	debris	from	your	pores	instantly
improve	the	brightness	of	your	skin.
Rose	clay	is	mild	kaolin	clay	that	is	great	for	normal	to	dry	skin	and	gently
helps	cleanse,	exfoliate,	and	improve	skin’s	condition.	It	gets	its	delicate	pink
color	from	the	iron	oxides	it	contains.	White	clay,	also	known	as	China	clay,	is
basically	kaolinite	and	is	the	mildest	of	all	clays.	It	helps	stimulate	circulation
to	the	skin	while	gently	exfoliating	and	cleansing.	French	green	clay	consists
mostly	of	montmorillonite	and	is	highly	efficient	at	drawing	oils	and	toxins
from	the	skin.	It	also	helps	nourish	the	skin	with	minerals	and	phytonutrients.
It	is	great	for	oily	skin	and	is	commonly	included	in	spa	body	wraps.	It’s	not
recommended	for	sensitive	or	dry	skin.	Yellow	kaolin	clay	is	mild	and
stimulates	circulation	to	the	skin;	it	is	suitable	for	use	on	sensitive	skin	as	well
as	dry	skin.
ANCIENT	BEAUTY	INGREDIENT:
ROSE	WATER
Roses	are	one	of	the	most	universally	revered	flowers	for	their	beauty	and	sweet
fragrance,	but	what	can	they	do	for	your	skin?	In
ancient	Rome,	rose	water	was
allegedly	used	as	a	cleanser.	Some	even	bathed	in	it.	Rose	water	has	also	been	a
part	of
Indian	skin	care	for	millennia.	Just	like	natural	foods,	natural	skin-care
ingredients	can	impart	their	beautifying	properties	onto	you.	Pure,	true	rose	water
is	created	from	steam	distillation	of	damask	rose	petals.


 r than what
we have. Here are a few ideas to help you challenge any scarcity
consciousness in your life. They have worked for me in my life, and in the
life of almost every happy and successful person I have ever known.

Be against  nothing! Make an effort to state everything that you stand
for in positive rather than negative terms. For example, instead of
trying to lose weight, try being for the image of yourself that you have
in your mind. Rather than attem pting to quit smoking, try being for
yourself as a tobacco-free person. I saw a sign outside a gift shop on
Maui which illustrates this point perfectly. It states: “Please enjoy your
cigarettes and soft drinks outsid e of the store.” Emphasize what you
want, rather than what you dislike or what is missing.
Make an effort to be thankful for what you have and who you are each
day. Do this even if you want more and dislike who you are. Being
thankful upstages greediness, and focuses your thoughts on abundance.
The universe seems to provide abundantly when we are in a state of
gratefulness. The less we need to have more, the more we seem to get!
Take some daily time to observe the ways in which you are using your
mind. Assess how much of your mental energy is focused on what is
missing. How much of your time do you spend wishing that you had
more, or commiserating about your sorry state of affairs? Be
scrupulously honest with yourself. You may discover that a
surprisingly large chunk of your waking hours is spent thinking this
way. If so, make a concerted effort to shift that consciousness for a
specified amoun t of time each day. Shift your thought proce sses to
what you truly want to expand. This can eventually develop into a
lifetime habit. To make this shift of consciousness, you must firstbecome aware of how much of your thinking, your life, is spent on
feeding that which you really do not want to grow.
Practice this in personal relationships too. Much of the time, problems
in a relationship  occur because each person is concentrating on what is
missing in the other person. If you are angry with someone you love,
shift your focus to something about that person that you truly love.
Then allow that person to be what you love and also at times
something that you find difficult to accept. When you focus on what
you love about someone, that focus will grow in your relationship.
This is also a phenomenal way of being with children. Catch  them
doing things right!
Make a persona l commitment to do what you love and to love what
you do. Today! I cannot overstress how important this is as a strategy
for experiencing  abundance. If deep within you you would love to try
another occupation or to change locations or whatever, then you will
sooner or later do that. It is the only way for you to be authe ntic to
yourself. It is virtually impossible for abundance to replace scarcity
while you feel inauthentic. As you begin to do what you love and love
what you do, you will find life opening to you in ways you never
dreamed. And if you are not ready to change jobs, avoc ations,
locations, or whatever, then change your thoughts toward those
disliked daily activities. Search for the joyful part of what you do and
be thank ful for having the mind, body, and spirit to do something
productive. Abundance flows when we love what we are doing.
Whatever you enjoy receiving in your life, remind yourself, “I deserve
this.” It is okay to feel deservin g. And you will if you believe the self
that is receiving  something is worthy and important. Abundance is
related to how you feel about yourself. If you feel that you are
important enough to ask, and divine enough to receive, receiving will
be your reward.  If, on the other hand, you feel unworthy, it will be
almost impossible for abundance to flow into your life. Think of how a
tree unfolds to all of its magnificent potential, always reaching for the
sunshine and growing and flourishing. Would you ever suggest to a
tree, “You should be ashamed of yourself for having that disgustingmoss on your bark, and for letting your limbs grow crooke d”? Of
course not. A tree allows the life force to work through it. You have the
power within your thoughts to be as natural as that tree. I often remind
myself of this by recalling some thing Lao-tze said, thousands of years
ago: “The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white.” Neither
need you do anything but be yourself.
Softly and kindly remind yourself, “I cannot own anything.” It is a
valuable thought to keep in mind as you struggle to improve your
financial picture, worry about investments, and plan how to acquire
more and more. It is a universal principle which you are a part of. You
must release everything when you truly awaken. Are you lettin g your
life go by in frustration and worry over not having enough? If so, relax
and remember that you only get what you have for a short period of
time. When you awaken you see the folly of being attached to
anything.
Use affirmations as a regular part of your life. Use every technique that
you can to attrac t abundance. Walls, mirrors, the refrigerator, your car,
are all great spaces for displaying written affirmations. A positive
affirmation helps you to shape your thoughts around your wants. A
positive affirmation helps you to be authentically aligned with your
thoughts. Your beliefs need to be affirmed regularly in order for you to
see them in the world of form.
Whenever you are tempted to give less, try giving a little extra instead.
When you find yourself living out the old stingy habit, it helps to stop
yourself on the spot, “in your mind,” and then exhibit a completely
new way of being. You will be shocked at how much more begins
circulating back into YOUR  life; to say nothing of how much better you
will feel inside because of the special effort you extended to another
person. It truly feels good to give a little extra. As they say, “It is never
crowded along the extra mile.”Abundance is a universal principle that many of us do not experience
because we misinterpret it. We believe it means having things and striving
for more  of those things. But abundance really means unders tanding that
our eternity and our universe are endless. It is a different way of seeing. I
have always loved the following little fish story, which illustrates
beautifully the intent of this chapter.
“Excuse me,” said one ocean fish to another, “you are older and
more experienced than I, and will probably be able to help me.
Tell me: where can I find this thing they call the ocean? I’ve been
searching for it everywhere to no avail.”
“The ocean,” said the older fish, “is what you are swimming in
now.”
“Oh, this? But this is only water. What I’m searching for is the
ocean,” said the young fish, feeling quite disappointed.
We too, are alrea dy immersed in total abundance. We do not have to keep
trying to find it. No matter how far that little fish swims, he will never run
out of ocean. It is as universally abundant for him as our universe is for us.
Decide how you are going to live each of your days. Abundance is yours
for the asking. It is not someth ing that is available only for a lucky few.
Abundance is a part of your very humanity. It is there for you to tune in to
right now. What ever you are thinking right now is expanding for you. You
will ultimately take action on those thoughts.
OceanofPDF.comDET ACHMENT

Detachment is the only vehicle available to take you from striving
to arriving.
You would think that in a land where everything is bountiful, the people
would have an eternal lock on happiness and fulfillment. It seems only
logical that we here in the affluent West should indeed be the happiest
people on the planet. We consume a large percentage of the world’s natural
resources. We have the highest standard of living in the history of mankind.
We have abundant supplies of refrigerators and television sets and
automobiles. These things, which we have come to think of as necessities,
are, in fact, luxury items for some 90 percent of the world’ s population.
Relative to most other people on the planet, we are rich beyond their
dreams. Still, we are not blessed with contentment, happiness, and
joyousness. How can this be?
It seems  to me that the more materialistic we become, the less trusting we
are as a people. The more we have, the less we are inclined to focus on
communicating basic human values. Instead we shift our emphasis to the
wallets and possessions of ourselves and others.
When we have very few possessions we are compelled to deal with each
other and look directly into one another ’s eyes, there being nothing of a
material nature to distract our gaze. As we accumulate more and more, our
eyes shift to our possessions and away from one another ’s humanity.
Consequently, in the most materialistic society in the history of humanity,
we have very high levels of loneliness and despair. As we have  shifted our
emphasis away from human interaction, we have also produced one of the
most violent cultures in human history.