. They are not at a distance from
you. Y ou are one  with them.
“The mystery, the magic of it is that this ordinary consciousness that we take
for gran ted, ev en as far as denying its existence, happens to be the
consciousness of the universe itself, its true center.”
Francis Lucille, fr om  T ruth Love Beauty
How to Stay as A war eness
There’ s no process to become the A wareness that you are; it’ s not something
you have to atta in. This is not something that certain people hav e and you don’ t
have. Y ou ar e alr eady it, right now. Y ou may have overlooked it, and you may
have believed all your life that y ou were just a person, but that doesn’ t alter the
fact of what you actually are.
“Y ou can lose everything else, but you can never lose the awareness that you
are.”
Mooji, fr om  V aster Than Sky, Greater Than Space
When a human being lives from the place of knowing they’re Infinite
A wareness, then  the experience of living in the material world becomes
breathtaking. Because their m ind has dropped to the back ground and
A wareness is in the foreground,  they are no longer subject to the turmoil of the
mind, so they are lighthearted, happy all the time, and laugh a lot. They’re
existing in pure happiness and b liss and living their lives from that place every
day. Problems are virtually nonexistent, everything dreamed of comes to them,
and because they’re consciousl y living as A wareness, they’re fully aware of
their immortality. They know they are everything, and yet the y know they’re
not af fected by anything. Life on earth doesn’ t get any better than this!“Every little thing you do or see—every little, ordinary thin g—carries this
tingly se nse of being. It is hard not to cry sometimes at the most unspectacular
things. The lines of the walls in relation to the flat of the floor. I ts horizontality.
The nap of the rug. The sound of the car going by. The smell of the skin on
your arm. All is miraculous.”
Jan Frazier, fr om  Opening the Door
But you have to experience it for yourself. Hearing it from someone else is a
guide, p ointing you in the righ t direction. It’ s like a travel agent describing
Mount E verest. Y ou can’ t know what Mount Everest is like until you get there
and experience it for yourself—only then will you know.
“It is actually impossible not to remain as this open space of consciousness.
However, to be it knowingly is a dif ferent matter.”
Francis Lucille, fr om  The Perfume of Silence
“Y ou cannot be out of awareness—it is missed simply through the habit of
placing the attention in the thinking.”
Peter Lawry
W e can put our a ttention either on the thoughts in our head or on  the A wareness
that we  are. It’ s a simple sh ift of your attention. Put your attention on
A wareness as often as you can r ather than giving your attention to thinking, and
you will be on your way to absolute freedom and bliss.
The A war eness Practice—Thr e e Steps
to Bliss
The A wareness Practice is what I use and continue to practice to consciously
stay as A wareness. This practice is not to become  A waren ess, bec ause you’rethat alre ady. It’ s  so you can live your life consciously as the A wareness that you
are. It’ s just three simple steps to a life of total freedom and lasting, blissful
happiness.
Step 1. Ask yourself, “Am I aware?”
Step 2. Notice A wareness.
Step 3. Stay as A wareness.
Step 1. Ask Y ourself, “Am I A war e?”
Don’ t try to answer the question with your mind; thoughts cannot help you
experience A wareness. Each time you ask the question, your attention will be
taken away from thinking and t he mind and put on A wareness.  When you ask,
“Am I aware?” A wareness is present instantly. The mind may come in quickly
afterward with a thought, but if it does, simply ask the question again. The
more you ask th e question, the longer you will remain as A wareness, and the
quieter your thoughts and your mind will become.
“Notice that the mind, in all its changes, has a changeless background.”
Hale Dwoskin
After as king, “A m I aware?” the  first thing you’ll likely feel is a sense of relief
as a ny resistance you are holdi ng in the mind and body starts to melt away.
After re peatedly asking the question, over time the feeling of relief will turn
into a subtle fee ling of peaceful happiness. Y ou may feel a sense of serenity, as
your mi nd beco mes quiet. Y ou may feel currents of joy running through the
area around your heart.
The relie f you feel is due to you r mind falling into the backgrou nd. The longer
the mind  remain s in the backgro und, with A wareness present in the foreground,
the greater the relief, and the more happiness you will begin to feel. Bliss
comes when A wareness remains permanently in the foreground, and the mind is
delegated to its rightful place.
Remember, A wareness is formless, so it’ s not something you can hold on to. It’ s
like love. Y ou know love exists, but can you hold on to it? Y ou can feel the
sensations of love in your hear t, but you can’ t grasp it in you r hand. It’ s the
same wi th A war eness. Y ou will feel the sensations of relief and happiness in
your body from A wareness, but you can’ t grasp it or hold on to it.
It ca n se em dif fi cult to consciously stay as A wareness in the beg inning, because
of the habit of thinking.
“As soo n as this is noticed, we may ask again, ‘Am I A ware?,’ in this way
inviting the mind away from th e objects of knowledge or experience, towards
its essence or source.”
Rupert Spira, fr om  Being A ware of Being A ware
The way to break the habit of incessant thinking is by bei ng the Infinite
A wareness that you are. Y ou can ’ t use the mind to stop the min d and break the
habit of thinking. It’ s the reason many people fail at meditation, because they’retrying to  use the mind to quiet  the mind, instead of allowing the thoughts to
come and go without giving them any attention.
For mo st people there’ s virtually no relief from their min d because it’ s
constantly throwing up one thought after another, and they do n’ t realize they
can rem ove thei r attention from their thoughts. Freedom from t he mind is such
a glo rious relief, and it comes when you can observe thoughts ra ther than being
lured into following them and believing them.
Step 2. Notice A war eness
In a rela tively short time of practicing step 1, you’ll get to the p oint where you
automatically notice A wareness. Y ou won’ t need to ask, “ Am I aware?”
anymore, because in the moment you think of A wareness, instantly A wareness
will be in the foreground and your mind will recede into the background.
“Allow the experience of being aware to come into the foreground of
experience, and let thoughts, images, feelings, sensations and perceptions
recede into the background. Simply notice the experience of be ing aware. The
peace and happiness for which all people long reside there.”
Rupert Spira, fr om  Being A ware of Being A ware
Shift your attention to A wareness by noticing A wareness multiple times
throughout the day. It won’ t be long before you feel a sense of exquisite relief
and happiness each time you return from the turmoil of the mind to the deep
peace of A wareness.
“There’ s a fork in every moment. T o be what you are or what you are not.
Y ou’re choosing in every second.”
My teacher
If you feel like your mind is cov ering A wareness, or you feel like you’ve lost it
and you can’ t get it back, ask yourself, “What is aware that A wareness is lost?”
It’ s A wareness that’ s aware of it! And with that, you wil l be aware of
A wareness.
If you don’ t think you’ve been able to discover A wareness yet, ask yourself,
“What is aware that I haven’ t discovered A wareness?” It’ s A wareness that’ s
aware of that too! And now you’re aware of A wareness.
“Y ou are already awareness itself, not the one trying to be aware.”
Mooji
Are you  aware of your body right now? It’ s A wareness that’ s  aware of your
body. A re you aware of the seat you’re sitting on? It’ s A warene ss that’ s aware
of th e s eat. Are you aware of your breathing?


 disease characterized by
a high fever (above 38°C) and it lasts over 3
weeks. Only y our doctor can diagnose pneumo-
nia, since the respiratory sounds and noises dur-
ing chest auscultation (examination) are very
specific. If you suddenly feel sick and have a sore
throat and runny nose, start fasting immediately
without delaying it even for an  hour. Viruses are
Copyright © Vera Giovanna Bani 2019 www.dryfasting.infoThis Ebook was purchased by Gilberto Franchi email: gilbertofranchi@hotmail.frvery tricky. They used to have a cellular structure
in the past, but then they acquired a simpler
structure in the process of evolution. A virus is
just a DNA chain (there are also RNA -contain-
ing viruses) surrounded by a shell that makes  it
much easier for it to survive. A virus secretes
special enzymes that dissolve the nasal mucosa
and penetrates it. After penetrating the mucous
membrane, a virus inserts its DNA into the mu-
cosal DNA. As a result, the previously normal
cell starts synthe sizing viral DNA instead of its
own DNA. In the end, it dies and a large number
of viruses are produced and penetrate other
cells.
The reaction develops like an avalanche, and it
is very fast. Therefore, it’s necessary to start
treatment without delaying i t for a day or even
Copyright © Vera Giovanna Bani 2019 www.dryfasting.infoThis Ebook was purchased by Gilberto Franchi email: gilbertofranchi@hotmail.frfor an hour. Dead cells secrete biologically active
substances or BASs. Together with viral toxins,
biologically active substances cause the inflam-
mation that loosens cell membranes and con-
tributes to the further and more rapid spread o f
viruses. After affecting the nasal cavity and the
development of such unpleasant symptoms as
runny nose and sneezing, trachea and bronchi
are affected and such symptoms as cough, chest
pain, and others develop. Initially, inflammation
is viral, but then bacteria start multiplying in in-
flamed tissues. Under normal conditions,
they’re incapable of parasitizing inside the body,
which is why they are called conditionally path-
ogenic. In this case, after getting to the tissues
weakened by a virus, they develop vigorously,
just like viruses. Microbial inflammation starts
Copyright © Vera Giovanna Bani 2019 www.dryfasting.infoThis Ebook was purchased by Gilberto Franchi email: gilbertofranchi@hotmail.frdominating a virus at some point, and it lasts for
a long time after viruses are eliminated from the
body.
An acute respiratory disease causes so much
stress to the body that microbleeds remain in the
brain even after a complete recovery. That's what
an acute respiratory disease is, although it seems
harmless at first glance. Dry fasting is definitely
an invaluable help in treatment. The combina-
tion of fasting with an acute infection helps the
body to detox quickly and rest from the damag-
ing effects of external factors.
The best option is to start fasting after the first
signs of disease appear. If you feel even mild
symptoms of a disease, stop eating and drinking
at once. In this case, 1 -3 days will be sufficient
for you to eliminate it.
Copyright © Vera Giovanna Bani 2019 www.dryfasting.infoThis Ebook was purchased by Gilberto Franchi email: gilbertofranchi@hotmail.frIn reality, there are only a few  people who are
this attentive to their health. Therefore, most pa-
tients undergo fasting only when they encounter
severe signs of respiratory infection, so treat-
ment requires more time.
They'll have to fast for at least 5 -7 days, which
makes it pre -crisis fasting. It’s better not to over-
work and avoid hydrotherapeutic procedures,
enemas, and drugs. The best option is bed rest
with gradual expansion as you begin to feel bet-
ter. The crisis occurs sooner if you have acute in-
fections (in most cases, on the 2 -3rd day), but
you need to fast until the symptoms of the dis-
ease disappear. Otherwise, you may need a pro-
longed treatment course. The body temperature
is normalized in the first two days of illness. In-
stead of antifebrile drugs, you can apply cold
Copyright © Vera Giovanna Bani 2019 www.dryfasting.infoThis Ebook was purchased by Gilberto Franchi email: gilbertofranchi@hotmail.frwater com presses to your head and great vessels
(your groin and axillary cavities) and wrap your
body in wet cloth.
When I’ve only started my work on dry fasting,
I fell through ice while fishing on Baikal. It was -
30 degrees Celsius, and I had to ride a motorcy-
cle for about twenty kilometers. After this bath,
I started having terrible pains in my forehead.
The X -ray confirmed that I had acute frontal si-
nusitis. I couldn’t even lower my head due to the
pain, and I had a fever (38°). It’s obvious that I
didn’t have any appetite at all. I understood that
liquid is always connected with swelling and in-
flammation, so I also stopped drinking water.
My body temperature was normal on the third
day, pain in my forehead was relieved on the
fifth day, and I came out of fasting  on the sixth
Copyright © Vera Giovanna Bani 2019 www.dryfasting.infoThis Ebook was purchased by Gilberto Franchi email: gilbertofranchi@hotmail.frday. The frontal sinusitis was no longer present,
and I underwent dry fasting whenever I con-
tracted influenza or acute respiratory disease.
I’ve had no influenza or acute respiratory dis-
eases for ten years.
In the past, when I got sick, I immediately un-
derwent dry fasting for two or three days until all
the symptoms of the disease disappeared, but
these terms were usually sufficient. My immune
system seems to be so well trained that I don’t
get sick in the midst of any epidemic, and neither
do my patients who underwent a dry therapeutic
fasting course and no longer contract any respir-
atory diseases.

Copyright © Vera Giovanna Bani 2019 www.dryfasting.infoThis Ebook was purchased by Gilberto Franchi email: gilbertofranchi@hotmail.fr19.1.2. Dry fasting for the relapse of gastric ul-
cer or duodenal ulcer, chronic pancreatitis,
cholecystitis, colitis, etc.
What causes this therapeutic effect?
• Inflammation can’t exist without liquid. Any
inflamed area swells (swells with liquid). Mi-
croorganisms, such as microbes and viruses,
can multiply only in sufficiently humid condi-
tions. Shortage of water is extremely harmful
for inflammation. It’s worth mentioning that,
according to modern data, the cause of ulcers
is infectious.
• Of course, the gastrointestinal tract has more
rest than other organs during fasting. As it has
been said, no food means no problems. There’s
no need to excrete digestive juices, push food
through all the sections of the intestines, spend
Copyright © Vera Giovanna Bani 2019 www.dryfasting.infoThis Ebook was purchased by Gilberto Franchi email: gilbertofranchi@hotmail.fra lot of energy on this process, neutralize, and
excrete all of those substances that enter the
body with food. Now, all the forces can be used
to recover, including the restoration of the or-
gans involved in digestion.
• During fasting, the gastric and duodenal mu-
cosa is balanced and restored. It’s manifested
through a decrease or complete disap -pear-
ance of such symptoms as pain, nausea, heart-
burn, and vomiting. New ulcers are cicatrized
and cicatricial changes in gastric and duodenal
walls disappear. As mentioned above, experts
from the Moscow Institute of Gastroenterol-
ogy found that new stomach cells with light
protoplasm appear in patients after a 28 -day
calorie restriction diet, and these are gradually
transformed into mucoid cells within 20 -30
Copyright © Vera Giovanna Bani 2019 www.dryfasting.infoThis Ebook was purchased by Gilberto Franchi email: gilbertofranchi@hotmail.frdays after the completion of diet -fasting ther-
apy RDT30. These cells secrete mucus and sub-
stances that protect the stomach from damage.
After repeated RDT courses, the stomach be-
comes very strong and capable of digesting any
food even in patients with gastro -intestinal
problems.
• Fasting greatly improves liver function. It
causes a mild choleretic effect and restores
liver cells. Patients with gallstone disease in-
stinctively resort to fasting, which relieves pain
and normalizes liver and gall bladder function.
The liver is detoxified naturally: unwanted

30 RDT – this term was introduced in the 1960s by Professor Yuri
Nikolayev (Razgrzochno -Dieticheskaja Terapiya - or fasting dietary
therapy. See introductory article). Recently, RDT often indicates
Russian Diet Therapy to


. I
wholeheartedly recommend a private consultation with Dr. Graham to cl arify or address special health issues, if you need to. You
won’t be sorry.
Janie has a website, www.ringlet.org, which documents her first six months of following Dr. Graham’ s program and
includes a photo history of her as well. She is currently writing two 80/10/10  raw vegan-related books: Ready for Raw,  due
out in Summer 2005, and A Fruit Lover’s Guide to Edible Fruit, to be released later. She also stars in a video/TV series on
similar subjects due to be released in late 2005 or early 2006.

Richard (“Ribs”) Friedland, Malibu, California
I became a vegetarian in 1967, because I heard it would heighten my consciou sness. It all made sense to me right away,
especially when I realized that the way I had been eating was contri buting to the death of innocent animals, and that I could eat in a
way that might be healthier, raise my awareness, and not harm other c reatures that lived on the earth.
I went through a lot of changes during the first four years on a vegeta rian diet. I ate a lot of junk food in the beginning, as long
as it wasn’t meat, fish, or eggs, and that made it easy for me to stick with  the diet. Then I started to switch from regular commercial
sweets to organic health-food sweets and organic goat’s milk ice cream. I tried macrobiotics in those years, which was interesting
but very hard for me to stay on.
Against the advice of three doctors who said they would put their reput ation on the line that I couldn’t survive for more than
18 months, I became a fruitarian in 1971 for a lot of the same reasons that I became a vegetarian. I ate only raw fruit, which didn’t include nuts or seeds or dried, frozen, of dehydrated fruit. I followed this diet v ery strictly for eight years.
I didn’t know anything about the fat content of the avocados and olives I pi cked and ate raw from the trees. (Y es, I did
actually like the taste of one particular type of olive. If I allowed the s mooth green ones to ripen on the tree until they were black and
shriveled, I enjoyed their taste and ate quite a few at a time). I also ha d never heard of food combining, so I generally mixed
anything that was available on a given day. For example, I might eat av ocados, dates, tomatoes, and citrus within a few hours of
each other, although I didn’t do that often.
I read a few books about fruitarianism, like Arnold Ehret’s Mucusless-Diet Healing System,  and then I waited to see if I
would have experiences like they described in the book: almost unlimited en ergy, and incredible strength and endurance. I did not
get the results I was hoping for after eight years. I still had sinus  problems, along with gas and mucus.
For the next couple years, I ate raw foods, with mostly fruit. I went to see a  lot of alternative doctors, including ayurvedic
practitioners and others in the next few years. I had a lot of tests and a l ot of dental work done. A number of these alternative and
ayurvedic doctors suggested very strongly that animal products would be be neficial for me, as well as spicier foods, because I was
too yin or cold, and I needed yang, heating foods.
I did try chicken, fish, and eggs, with cayenne pepper and very little f ruit, for about six months in the winter of 1985. I didn’t
feel much worse when I ate those foods, but I really didn’t like the idea of  consuming innocent animals, and I didn’t feel stronger and
healthier like all the doctors said I would. So I started eating sweet fru its again.
In 1992 I met a Natural Hygienist who explained to me about food combining. I  bought Dr. Shelton’s book and started eating
raw fruits and vegetables at certain times in certain combination s, as described in his book.
I did this for about eight years until one night after eating some cher imoyas and capotes I woke up after about two hours of
sleep and couldn’t fall back to sleep. I was very uncomfortable the wh ole night, trying to relax, massaging myself, and attempting to
stretch. Finally, I did an enema at around 4 am and felt a little better. I couldn’t figure out what had caused this, and I thought it
might be a fluke. Well, the same thing happened the next night. That was  much more difficult, because I only got an hour of sleep
both nights, and I was exhausted. It was hard to think and figure out what to do n ext.
I was eating all raw fruits and vegetables in combination, which inc luded daily nuts, seeds, and avocados, and I was eating a
late last meal of sweet fruit around 10 pm, which was pretty close to when I  went to sleep. The main reason I ate that late was that I
found it impossible to sleep if I didn’t. So I figured I would eat some raw swe et fruit, which was my favorite food. I didn’t sleep for
four nights straight, and on the fourth night I started to panic. I calle d the paramedics and told them I might be having a heart attack.
I couldn’t tell what was going on. They took me to St. John’s hospital, where I  was tested for hours. Doctors there finally told me
that my heart and cholesterol were perfect. The only problem they could fi nd in all their extensive testing was that I had a B 12
deficiency.
I left St. John’s in the morning and went to the W estside Alternativ e Center, which did a lot more very expensive testing. The
tests cost me as much as the hospital bills from St. John’s, which ca me to a few thousand dollars. After about a week, I received the
results from the tests from the alternative clinic, and they said I  had a B 12 /folic acid deficiency. I took B 12  injections in my butt for a
few days, and then they put me on folic acid supplements.
I started asking everyone I knew for help and information, because I st ill didn’t know what had caused my inability to sleep. I
also wasn’t sure what I should be eating, because I had been eati ng the same way for 20 years straight. I knew a 30-year raw food
chiropractor who told me not to eat any sweet fruits and to get my B 12  from Standard Process Labs. I felt a lot better for a while.
That chiropractor died in a bicycle accident, and I went back to eating swee t fruit.
I tried different cleanses, including the Arise and Shine one-mont h cleanse, which I followed to the letter. I got really weak
during the final week of the cleanse, where you don’t eat any food. I called t he company to ask about it, and they thought it was
some type of parasite like candida. I went to a doctor, who said that I could send a st ool sample to the Great Smokies laboratory if
I wanted to know for sure whether I had candida. The test results showed tha t I had two strains of candida at the highest level. All
my symptoms made sense to the doctor, because she had recovered from candida an d had written a book about it.
They say with candida that fruit feeds it, and I ate a lot of fruit. I went  on a long, expensive candida cleanse for six months and
felt pretty lousy the whole time. I ate nothing sweet for six months, not  even carrots or lemons, and I had to rotate my foods every
four days. I took a lot of supplements, including Super Garlic, Primal Defens e, some expensive flora from England, and many
others.
I had a really difficult time during those six months. I found it hard to ge t any work done, because all my symptoms had gotten
more extreme. I was so uncomfortable. I stayed with it for the full six mon ths and then took another stool test, which showed that I
still had candida albicans at the highest level. The doctor suggested t aking prescription drugs, and I started back on a diet with sweet
fruits.
I tried numerous other diets, supplements, and cleanses during the next  few years, until I heard Doug Graham and Rozi
Gruben speak at an event called Raw Passion. Rozi talked about what happens t o the blood when we eat certain foods. Doug said
that it isn’t the sugar in fruits, but rather the fat that peo ple with candida consume that inhibits the body’s ability to get th e sugar out
of the blood. I didn’t know whether what they were saying was absolutely what was  happening with me, but I knew I liked both of them
immediately. They seemed to have a lot of conviction about what they were  saying, and they definitely had done extensive research
and discovered a lot of information.
I started to reflect on my situation. No one, out of the many, many doctors I had c onsulted with over the years had helped me
make any health improvements. I thought I was on


 way, is a
Bringer of the Light.   That is because all people in right
livelihood are being who they really are...and Who You
Really Are is the very Light you are seeking to bring!
Did you get that?  Did you hear that?  There is no
brighter Light in the Universe than the Light of your
Beingness.  Therefore, let your light so shine beforeNeale Donald Walsch 33
men, that they may see your good works, and glorify
your Father which is in heaven.
For He said unto them, “Is a candle brought to be put
under a bushel, or under a bed, and not to be set on a
candlestick? Neither do men light a candle, and put itunder a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light
unto all that are in the house.”
Remember, you are in the room to heal the room.
You are in the space to heal the space.  You are in
the house to heal the house... to “giveth light untoall that are in the house.”
There is no other reason for you to be there.
How do you shine the Light of your Being?
By first moving into Right Livelihood –
which means by not allowing yourself to do anything
for a living which violates your deepest inner senseof Who You Are.34Bringers of the Light
You don’t have to take any precipitous action in
this regard however.  For when you adopt and fol-
low Step 3 in the process which is being outlined
here, you will find yourself automatically  moving away
from “wrong livelihood.”  It will happen in just the
right way, at just the right time.  You may even findthat you have caused yourself to be fired  from a job
which you should never have had, or at which you
should never have remained.  This will all look likethe boss’ doing if you are not careful, and only when
you have the most discerning eye will you be able to
see that you brought it all on yourself (usually...evenif subconsciously...quite deliberately).
So don’t go out now and just quit your job.  That’s
not what this book recommends, and that’s not whatthis process is all about.
Yet do not be surprised if, as a result of the pro-
cess of moving towards Beingness  that you have under-
taken, you discover a few weeks or months from now
that you are no longer engaged in the work which
currently fills your days.Neale Donald Walsch 35
Step 3 often produces such a quantum shift in
people’s experience.  That is because Step 3 is in
itself a quantum movement.  It is a movement fromfocus upon what you are doing  to what you are being.
Let’s try a little experiment in that focus shift right
now.  At this very moment, you are reading a bookyou are holding in your hand.  That is what you are
doing.   If someone called you right now and said,
“What’cha up to?” you’d say, “Oh, I’m just readingthis neat little book.”  You’d answer that way because
most of the time you are thinking about  what you
are doing.  You look to see what your body is involved
You are one of the
courageous ones:
someone who has chosen to
make  a life,
rather than a living.It is in this moment that you will discover:36Bringers of the Light
Good.  That’s very good.  You’re getting the idea.
That clarity about what’s going on with you comes
only when you focus on what you are being, righthere, right now.
Now, what we notice is that your present state of
Beingness may not seem to be one that you pre-in, and that is how you answer the question.  It is
quite natural, given how you have focused your life.
But now, focus on what you are being.  Right now,
this moment.  What are you being?  Close your eyes
and stay with the question.
Good.  Now complete the following sentence:Right now I am being...
__________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________Neale Donald Walsch 37
selected. That is, you may experience that the
beingness you described in the completed sentence
just above is a beingness which was induced, if you
will, by your reading this book.
We often see our States of Being that way.  We
imagine them to be induced, or caused, by our exte-rior experience.  Yet look now at Principle #3.38Bringers of the LightNeale Donald Walsch 39
Principle  #3
Everything
you are being,
you are being because
you choose to be.40Bringers of the Light
If, at any given moment, you are being afraid, it
is because you choose to be.  If you are being
joyful, it is because you choose to be.  If you are be-ing annoyed, it is because you choose to be.  If you
are being harassed, it is because you choose to be.
If you are being loved, it is because you choose to
be.  If you are being ignored, it is because you choose
to be.  If you are being helped, it is because you choose
to be.  If you are being hurt, it is because you chooseto be.  If you are being wise, it is because you choose
to be.
If you are feeling wronged, it is because you choose
to be.
This list could go on forever.
Indeed...it actually does.Neale Donald Walsch 41
Understand that beingness  is a State in which
one is, not an action which one takes.
You cannot do “happy,” you can only be “happy,”
depending upon what you decide  to be.
You cannot do “sad.”  You cannot do “afraid.”  You
cannot do “wronged,” or “hurt,” or “annoyed.”   You
can only be these things.
And what causes you to be them? Many people
believe it is what is going on around them; that it’swhat someone or something else is doing.  Yet it is
not.  It is your decision  about what someone else is
doing which causes that.  It is the choice you make.
The complexity surrounding this whole business is
this: so many of the choices you are making are now so
automatic, so deeply based in prior experience, thatthey seem to be noncontrollable by you.  And so it looks
as if  the actions of others, or  experiences exterior to
you, are causing the response within you.
Yet the truth is, you are choosing to be in the State
in which you find yourself.  And the only difference
between you and those who have mastered this life42Bringers of the Light
is that Masters choose differently.
(For a far more detailed exploration of this subject,
see Conversations with God  - Book One.)
The point to be made here is that beingness  is cho-
sen, not induced.  You chose to be whatever you wrote
on page 44.  Why you chose it is another matter –
the subject for another whole book.  Yet this much
we know: the choice was not forced.  Choices mayoften seem forced, but they never are.
You can produce a State of Being by simply select-
ing one.   And you can do this anytime, anywhere.
A State of Being is a feeling, not an action.  Yet
you can undertake to feel a certain way.   That is, you
have the power to decide how you’re going to feel, and
how you feel right now.
This is the great secret of the human encounter.
This is the great gift, and the great tool. And withthis tool all the Universe is opened unto you, and all
the freedom you could ever want to be and to expe-
rience Who You Really Are is granted you.
This is the Truth; the Truth which shall set you free.Neale Donald Walsch 43
You need to at least accept this Principle as a
possibility in order to make it work.  When
you can accept it as a possibility, go back to Step 3.
Choose to move into the State of Beingness you have
described in Step 2, and choose to be that, no matter
what you are “doing.”
This is the formula through which people move
into Right Livelihood.  It is, to use the title from awonderful book by Terry Cole-Whittaker, The Inner
Path from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.
So choose now that State of Beingness you wish
to experience in, as, and through you.  Then be that.
How?  It is a matter of focus.  It has to do with what
you focus your attention upon.
Let’s try one State of Being, just for an example.
Let’s pick... peacefulness.  Let us say, just for the pur-
pose of this exercise, that you wish and choose toexperience yourself in a State of Peacefulness at all
times, everywhere.
Good.  Now concentrate on that for a minute.
Get in touch with that.  See what that feels like.  Put44Bringers of the Light
the book down, relax for just a minute, and go to
that place right now.
Good.  Now choose to be that...choose to be
peace...every minute of every hour for the rest of this
day.


 a limited lifespan. All these shoes may
look good, but can do a great deal of damage.
Remember, too, that even well-made shoes can
become dangerous once they wear out. Socks are important
When shopping for shoes, try to wear the type
of socks or hose you would usually wear with
the shoe. You should be able to lay your toes flat
and move them inside the shoe.
Think about your foot’s shape
The shape of the shoe should match the
shape of your foot. If the long bones and the
toes−integral structures for movement−become
tight and inflexible, it can put strain on the little
toe and the outside of the foot, rather than on
the big toe and the inside of the foot, where it
should be. If foot muscles are sufficiently out of
balance, the long bones of the foot will do most
of the work, rather than the toes. In this severe
case, the toes often curl. So if you have a square
foot, you should wear a square shoe. If your
foot is wide across the ball, the shoe should
match, and if your foot or heel is narrow, choose
footwear accordingly. Consider a shoe that ties if
your arch is so high that the top of your foot
rubs the top of the shoe; laces can accommodate
this hereditary feature.
Match the sole to your lifestyle
Select a shoe that is right for the surface on
which you most often walk. A soft-soled shoe is
good for most surfaces−it absorbs some of the
shock that a hard floor repels. However,
researchers at the Nike Corporation have found
evidence that suggests that hard-soled shoes
may be more suitable for standing on hard
surfaces. As the body strives to hold a standing
position, the muscles necessary to keep the body
upright constantly shift. The stable pedestal
offered by a hard-soled shoe works best for a
foot that is constantly shifting in place; a shoe
that ties offers the most stability.
60 benefits for lifelook after your feet 61tHe feet act  as a base for the body,
holding it upright and stable. they also
propel the body forward in motion. the
foot absorbs any shock incurred from
movement, and disperses the body’s
weight evenly throughout its structures,
so although walking barefoot is good
on soft surfaces, hard structures may
cause damage.
because sandals  do not have the
restrictive, often painful, toe boxes
characteristic of other shoes, they may
be more comfortable. However, many
sandals lack the support necessary for
walking on hard surfaces, walking for
long distances, or running. look for
specialized walking sandals if you plan
to walk for long distances.a range of comfortable,  yet
supportive shoes has been recently
developed specifically for walking at work, for sports, and for leisure. they
have in common the factors of a soft
sole, a wide toe box to allow for toe
spread, a flexible sole, a low heel, and
materials that allow air to circulate
around the entire foot.Wearing sHoes  with heels over two
inches can cause shortened calf
muscles, damage to, metatarsal bones
of the foot, and problems in
the lower back, shoulders, and neck.
Walking in high heels requires greater
energy expenditure: that tired feeling
at the end of the day may be due to
the self-imposed handicap of heels.62 benefits for lifeIt is vital to warm up before you take exercise,
and so too will the hands benefit from warm-up
exercises to get ready for the day. A morning
stretch routine will help improve the way they
do things and prevent them from getting injured.
Do these exercises when you take breaks during
the day to stop fatigue and keep them flexible.
home hand spa
Hands love being pampered, from layers of hand
lotion, to having a proper manicure or hand-
reflexology session. So create your own home
hand spa, where you can treat your hands
whenever they need it. Plunge tired hands in a
bowl of warm water for a long soak, get the
circulation going by rubbing with a loofah, rub
them dry with a warm, soft towel, then put on a
generous helping of hand lotion. To make sure
that the lotion has maximum impact wear cotton
gloves in bed. A warm paraffin-wax bath is a
luxurious addition to your spa.
Carin G for YoUr sKin
For many people, the work they do challenges
the skin on their hands. If the job includes
frequent hand-washing, especially with hot
water and harsh soap−as, for example, in a Look after your hands
Your hands help you work  through your busy day, touching and
manipulating, lifting and holding−they are constantly being challenged. Be
careful not to take them for granted. Protect them from harsh elements, exercise
them to get the best from them, relax them as a respite, and pamper them by
way of reward. You can help prevent hand strain or injury by considering the
ergonomics, or optimum positioning, of your hands when you perform tasks.
health care setting−protective oils in the skin are
lost, leading to dry skin and chapping. If you
work outdoors, your hands come in for
particularly heavy use and need additional care
to circumvent difficulties. As general rule, use
cool water and mild soap to wash your hands,
and then use plenty of hand lotion. Before going
to bed, generously moisturize the hands.
dos and don’ts
 Be conscious of kitchen safety, particuarly
when using sharp knives. For example, 100,000
visits to emergency rooms each year are due to
people cutting themselves while chopping food.
 Wearing gloves can prevent many hand
injuries, so make the effort to wear them when
necessary. Make sure the gloves are suitable for
the activity: protective gloves for gardening;
cloth-lined vinyl gloves for washing dishes or
using cleaning compounds; cotton gloves when
doing housework, to prevent the dryness caused
by dust. And always wear gloves when you are
outdoors in cold weather.
 When working in the workshop or garage, be
very careful when using electric or hand tools.
Do not use your hand as a hammer.
 Help avoid injury by building hand awareness.loo K after YoUr hands 63as UsinG a moUse and keyboard
becomes ever-more common in the
workplace and at home, stress-related
hand injuries are increasing. applying
reflexology techniques to relax the
hands can play a vital role in the
prevention of such problems.64 benefits for lifeExplaining ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of the relationship
between workers and their workplace, especially
the tools and equipment that they use.
Ergonomists examine the inter-relationship
between design and body positioning. These are
intended to prevent the problems and disabilities
that may arise as a result of physical stress and
the strain of repetitive work. A relatively new
discipline, ergonomics emerged during the
Second World War as a proliferation of
technological innovations produced new systems
and machinery that workers would need to
operate. These systems were among the first to
be designed to take into account how people
would use them, making it possible for them to
be manned safely and effectively.
The importance of ergonomics
Ergonomics is concerned with the whole body,
but the hard-working hand, especially, has to
cope with countless stresses and strains. The fact
that many of our everyday activities are highly
repetitive means that the same hand muscles,
tendons, and ligaments often get used over and
over again, in identical patterns. Those parts of
the hand can become strained and overworked.
It is not just typists and manual workers who
are at risk: any manual activity that involves
making the same movement over and over
again, including knitting, sewing, involvement in
a sport, or playing an instrument, can cause
serious damage. If the repetitive pattern is not
dealt with and changed, it will eventually take its
toll. For workers who use a keyboard all day
and every day repetitive strain injuries such
as carpal tunnel syndrome (see p328) and
tendonitis can cause severe pain and even spell
the end of a person’s career. hand er Gonomi Cs
Your hands carry out so many essential tasks
that it’s extremely hard to imagine how you
would cope without them. It is therefore
important that you care well for them, not just
through hand reflexology, but also by acting to
prevent strain and injury in the first place. By
thinking about the ergonomics, or optimum
positioning, of your hands you can ensure they
stay healthy. By positioning your body properly
you will be better able to place your hands in
the best working position.
brachialgic
nerve
pathwaysstress in the neCK can
affect nerves that originate in
the spinal cord, but terminate
in the extremities. this can
result in painful hands, wrists,
and forearms.
Cauda
equina
sciatic nerve
pathwaysfemoral
nerve
pathwaysspinal cordloo K after YoUr hands 65What’s the best course of action?
If you are experiencing symptoms such as


 a typical medical doctor might. Good dentists care about the health of their patients,
even if they do not say it. You can feel it. You will feel good after you leave the office of a good
dentist.
Beyond the good dentists, there are great dentists, yet even they still make mistakes. They are human,
and in the confines of the profession they may perform certain procedures very well, yet not excel at
others. For example, one dentist might be brilliant with Endocal root canals, another might make great
bridges, and another might be good at saving teeth or expertly using minimal drilling.
Dental Referral Disclaimer:
 Just because a dentist is on one of these lists does not mean that he or
she performs completely non-toxic dentistry. It further does not mean that the dentists listed will all
give you the best care, have only treatments that you agree with or that are beneficial for all people,
or use the best biocompatible materials. Not every good dentist is on one of these lists, and not every
dentist on these lists may be good for you. Using these lists is, however, a good way to significantly
increase the chance of finding an excellent dentist. On some of these websites you will need to click
around to find the referral pages.

www.holisticdental.org
 - The Holistic Dental Association
www.toxicteeth.org
 – Consumers for Dental Choice
www.naturaldentistry.org
 – The Institute for Nutritional Dentistry
www.iabdm.org
 – International Academy of Biological Dentistry
www.hugginsappliedhealing.com
 – Hal Huggins Trained Dentists
www.iaomt.org
 – International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology
www.dams.cc
 - Dental Amalgam Mercury Solutions
www.toothconservingdentistry.com
 – Biomimetic Dentistry
Finding a Dentist to Work with Diet
I have had people request that I refer them to dentists who work with diet who understand what I
teach here in this book. There are some dentists who promote good nutrition, or healthy habits in
alignment with this book, but they do not teach it or practice with it. If there are dentists who do, they
generally keep to themselves. There are a few dentists trained by Dr. Huggins that can use blood teststo help you find your ancestral diet, which is based on the work of dentist Melvin Page. This is about
as close as you will get to a dentist in alignment to the dietary principles presented in this book. In
most cases a good solution is to get nutritional support from another natural health care provider and
you can have your dentist monitor the health of your teeth.
Minimally Invasive Dentistry
Minimally invasive dentists remove the least amount of tooth possible during a dental treatment. A
conventional dentist drills and drills, removing significantly more tooth substance than is absolutely
needed. Minimally invasive practices can also involve using lasers or other topical treatments that
limit or prevent dental drilling. If drilling is needed, the best type of dentistry drills a small hole
(lasers work well for this) and places a tiny composite filling in the hole. The integrity of the tooth is
then maintained. Because of the precise cutting ability of lasers, laser dentistry can be minimally
invasive. Lasers or air abrasion can also be done without pain killers and they avoid traumatizing the
tooth from the vibration of the drill.
Non-Invasive Dentistry
If you have a small cavity, the non invasive dentist would advise you about the cavity curing power of
cod liver oil. “Take two teaspoons per day, and come back next week.”
Most cavities can be remineralized by diet alone.
Getting a Second Opinion
Five years ago, I had several painful spots on my teeth. I made an appointment with a dentist and x-
rays were taken of my teeth. It felt terrible getting the x-rays because I felt their harmful effects. This
dentist told me that I had four cavities to be filled. Strangely, the tooth that bothered me and the places
where my teeth felt sensitive did not appear on the x-ray, and the dentist did not notice them in his
examination. This dentist wanted to drill holes in teeth that were not painful. He did not notice,
through examination or x-rays, where my tooth enamel was weak and where my teeth did hurt (I also
did not tell him about the sensitive spots because I did not want to have more fillings placed). This
occurred before I was educated about dentistry. I went to another dentist, at a community college, to
get my teeth cleaned. This dentist had little profit motive because he was paid to teach dental
hygienists and not to place fillings. He told me based on the same set of x-rays (which I brought from
the first dentist) and through the same examination methods that I had one cavity. This dentist also
said that I did not need to get it filled, but rather I should wait to see if it would improve. This is an
amazing example of how money and the need for financial gain from performing dental surgery makes
the dentist see cavities that are not really there. Money seems to make many dentists forget that not
every cavity needs a treatment since it might remineralize and heal. Finally, a friend of mine who is a
dentist told me, based on the same x-rays, that I had three cavities that needed to be filled, and
showed them to me on the x-ray. I could clearly see one of the breaches in the tooth enamel in the x-
ray. I was not really convinced that the two other ones even existed.If you have any doubt in your dentist, get another opinion. Even if you totally trust your dentist, but
you feel unsure of what to do next, get another opinion. If something your dentist says did not sound
right to you, get another opinion. Trust that feeling inside of you that says, “Maybe I should get
another opinion.”
In case you are wondering, I no longer have any sensitive spots on my teeth. I have no evidence of
tooth decay in my teeth, and I have not had a dental treatment on those teeth that had the putative
cavities five years ago. My teeth feel strong and healthy. I have had digital x-rays examined by two
different dentists, and today I do not have any cavities at all.
Taking Charge at the Dentist’s Office
There is a challenging interplay between being an informed patient, and trusting your dentist. On one
hand you have good reason to know every bit of detail about what type of treatment your dentist is
recommending. On the other hand, if you question every single move of your dentist to the point of
paralyzing him in his treatment of your teeth, then he cannot perform his job in which he is skilled..
The dental office is a scary place. My best advice for taking charge at the dental office is to bring a
friend. Now you have a witness. Call in advance to make sure your dentist accepts this. Since this is
not a normal protocol except for parents and children, there may be some hesitancy on the dentist’s
part. Your friend can ask questions you did not think of, and watch your back in case you become
disoriented from the dental procedures. Having a friend drive you to and from a dental procedure is
also a good idea.
When you are in the dentist’s office, share how you are feeling honestly. If you feel scared or unsure,
let them know. Also try to state your boundaries upfront. Usually most of this can be done on the
phone with the receptionist so you can avoid an uncomfortable situation in the first place. You can ask
the receptionist such questions as, “I am looking for biocompatible treatments; does Dr. So-and-so
perform blood serum compatibility testing, electrical or muscle testing?” When face to face with the
dentist, tell them what you want and expect from them. Examples would be, “I want minimally
invasive treatments; is that something you can do?” or “Please be upfront with what you think about
my teeth so that I can choose the best treatment option based on your opinions.”
Another approach is to set up a visit for a “consultation.” Basically a consultation is when you pay
the dentist for their time to diagnose your condition and to offer an opinion on what to do, but you are
clear that you do not need or expect a treatment. Consultations are a good way to meet with a dentist
and see how good they are based upon their diagnoses and suggestions for treatments. This can add up
cost wise if you consult several dentists. It is also a good time to ask your dentist questions and to get
educated while you are paying them for their time to talk. Consultations can be difficult to perform if
you have a serious condition and just want the dentist’s opinion. The dentist will want to follow their
legal and perhaps moral obligations to treat you.
Cavities and X-rays
One of my readers was overjoyed to have healed his gum problems. He then went to his conventional
dentist for a check-up and was shocked when his dentist told him that one of his teeth needed a rootcanal. “How could this be?” he wondered, when the tooth felt fine. The dentist diagnosed the new
cavity using older x-ray technology which can produce shadows or fuzzy images; these images
showed a large black spot under one of his tooth fillings, which the dentist claimed was not in the
previous x-ray taken 6 months prior. I advised the reader to seek care with a trusted holistic dentist.
The holistic dentist used a more modern digital x-ray


 like a heart attack or stroke that requires immediate attention to improve the odds of diminishing returns. It has been suggested that prehospital treatment may be started by qualified ambu-lance paramedics trained to intubate head-injured patients whose airway may be compromised at the scene of an accident.
55
However, unless the patient is unconscious, intubation may require neuromuscu -
lar blocking agents or anesthetic drugs, which may pose a hurdle for even trained ambulance personnel. This dilemma is a problem that requires further studies to resolve because if rapid and appropriate prehospital treatment can be applied to the head-injured patient, as the Karaça et al.
87 and Kulah et al.88 studies imply, major
success in preventing poor neurologic outlook and death following brain trauma could replace the grim statistics presently associated with this brain insult.
Thus, prehospital neurotrauma care could address the 4H syndrome, hypoten -
sion, hypoxia, hypoperfusion, and hypercarbia seen in most head-injured patients and provide a preplanned therapeutic approach at the scene of accident to counteract the negative conditions that arise after blunt trauma to the brain.
DMSO IN INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSM HEMORRHAGE
Intracranial aneurysms are bulging lesions where blood collects like an expanding balloon due to a weak area in the wall of an artery that supplies blood to the brain. Although aneurysms can occur in any weakened artery, brain aneurysms commonly occur at branch points of major cerebral arteries.
When an aneurysm ruptures, a subarachnoid hemorrhage results as blood accu-
mulates into the subarachnoid space where it compresses the brain. Depending on the amount of the bleed, the resulting intracranial hemorrhage can cause sudden, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, LOC, and signs of a stroke, including hemiplegia.
111 Rupture of intracranial aneurysms is associated with high morbid -
ity and mortality if not immediately treated.112 Nonpharmacological treatment of
a bleeding aneurysm includes clipping the neck of the aneurysm or inserting a coil inside the aneurysms to create a blood clot that stops the bleeding.
Pharmacological treatments are given to manage the symptoms only and include
vasopressors and calcium channel blockers that may alleviate the vascular resistance caused by the spastic, narrowed blood vessels and provide improved blood flow through these vessels. Once an intracranial aneurysm has bled, there is a very high
chance that it will rebleed unless treatment is applied.
Vasospasm, reduced blood flow to the brain, and hemiplegia remain the leading
causes of morbidity in patients who survive the initial subarachnoid hemorrhage
(Figure 9.5).222 Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) in Trauma and Disease
Mullan et al.113 reported on nine cases of patients who suffered partial or total
hemiplegia following surgical repair of intracranial aneurysms. The rationale for
using DMSO to manage postoperative hemiplegia secondary to aneurysmal bleeding was prompted by the ability of this drug to improve the neurological status of rhesus monkeys subjected to traumatic brain injury, high missile injury, and experimental stroke.
75–78
These reports indicated that DMSO treatment of rhesus monkeys subjected to
various CNS insults was able to increase CPP, CBF, and metabolic rate of oxygen while reducing cerebral edema, elevated ICP, and significant mortality in all treated animals when compared to standard treatments.
75–78
A summary of how patients typically responded to DMSO treatment after sub -
arachnoid hemorrhage secondary to aneurysm rupture113 provides insight into how,
and when, the proper use of DMSO can help achieve a successful outcome.
Case 1 : A 61-year-old man suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage and underwent
clipping of two aneurysms located on the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and
right internal carotid artery without incident. After surgery, the blood pressure
climbed spontaneously and mannitol was given every 4 h. Despite this regimen, left-sided paralysis developed and continued without improvement. A diagno -
sis of severe arterial spasm was made, and a decision to use DMSO was made
Intracranial aneu rysm
Aneu rysm ruptureReduce d CB F
Vasospas m
FIGURE 9.5  (See color insert.) Rupture of intracranial aneurysm, depending on
type, size, and location, can cause subarachnoid hemorrhage leading to serious and life-
threatening complications including hemiplegia, aphasia, regional vasospasm, and brain swelling. Treatment with IV DMSO of ruptured aneurysms in people is reported to reverse progressive hemiplegia, vasospasm and resulting low CBF, and improve hemispheric motor deficits. (From Mullan, S. et al., Dimethyl sulfoxide in the management of postoperative hemiplegia, in: Wikins, R.H., ed., Arterial Spasm, William & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD,
1980, pp. 646–653.)223 DMSO in Clinical Neuroprotection
in order to avoid permanent paralysis. DMSO at 1 g/kg bolus was given every
8 h on day 1. The affected right hemispheric blood flow increased 20% and the contralateral left hemisphere by 11% some 30 min after the initial DMSO infu -
sion. After 24 h of DMSO, the clinical condition was satisfactory and DMSO was continued and stopped after 5 days when the patient’s condition was much improved.
113
On day 6, the patient developed low-grade fever, progressive weakness on the left
side, and confusion. DMSO was restarted at 3 g/24 h and reduced to 1 g/24 h for the next 3 days when left side strength and alertness returned. On day 9, DMSO was reduced to 0.5 g/kg/8 h and stopped on day 12. The patient recovered progressively and was discharged on day 18.
113
Case 2 : A 67-year-old woman was diagnosed with a left MCA aneurysm and
elected to have it clipped. After surgery, she was alert and had full strength in all four limbs. Shortly thereafter, she became aphasic and had right-sided hemiple -
gia. Mannitol was given for the next 8 h, but no improvement was seen. CBF was 49 mL/100 g/min on both hemispheres. DMSO was begun at a rate of 0.5 g/kg and increased to 1 g/kg/8 h. After 45 min, she was alert and strength returned to the right side. Two hours after the initial DMSO dose, her CBF was 60 on the right and 66 on the left, a 37% increased blood flow in the affected hemisphere. DMSO was continued for another 3  days at a dose of 1 g/kg daily. Her motor strength returned to normal levels within 12 h, and CBF remained at 60 mL/100 g/min until discharge.
113
In the same series of cases reported by Mullan et al.,113 two patients treated were
relatively young adults.
Case 3 : A 25-year-old woman was hospitalized with severe headache and
high systolic pressure. Neuroimaging showed a left MCA aneurysm with spasm in the internal carotid artery. After clipping the aneurysm without incident and postsurgical recovery, the patient developed significant right-sided weakness, right-leg paralysis, and dysphasia 12 days postoperative. Mannitol was given, but after 8 h, all signs worsened. DMSO 1 g/kg was given over the first hour. Ninety minutes following DMSO, the patient could lift her right leg off the bed and by the following day her dysphasia had cleared. DMSO was continued and reduced to 2 g/kg/day until discharge 3 days later when she was symptom free.
113
Case 4 : A 28-year-old woman was admitted with excruciating headache and
weakness on the right side. After 5  days, she developed hemiparesis and apha -
sia. A CT scan showed blood in her sylvian fissure and after craniotomy an MCA
 aneurysm was discovered and clipped without incident. Steroids and mannitol were
given for severe internal carotid artery spasm, but no improvement resulted. DMSO was given 1 g/kg/4 h and reduced to 1 g/kg/24 h for the next 3 days. A total recovery was seen at discharge.
113
The remaining five cases of aneurysmal hemorrhage were treated with DMSO
using a similar regimen as the previous patients, and all except one patient had excel -
lent recoveries. The patient who died had a history of hypertension, cardiac defi -
cits, seizures, and heavy smoking and presented with giant aneurysm at the internal carotid artery bifurcation, which penetrated into the hypothalamus and right hemi -
sphere. Despite initial success with DMSO in raising CBF 27% on the affected 224 Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) in Tra


. Er.) Believed that the basis of a systematic
(Three days a month), fasting and cleansing of the stomach with vomiting
and enemas. And the Egyptians, he noted, the healthiest of men.
There is also evidence that the ancient Egyptians had been successfully treated
Syphilis dry starvation. Looking ahead, we say that in the XIX century, and
more precisely in 1882, during the occupation of the territory of Egypt French
recorded numerous instances of getting rid of this
disease this way.
As you know, if people have long been unaware
64
64cleansing and therapeutic value of dry fasting, they will not
would in all cultures and religions with a tenacity to insist
to starvation. Therapeutic value of fasting for a meaningful
human life has always masked his religious
value. And that, indeed, surprising that
Nature knows best person to benefit? If you ever
do a course of therapeutic dry fasting, then you will understand,
how do you open the door to a closed society, purified before
nature. Yes, all people are equal outwardly, they all have two arms, two
legs and head. However, as well as externally identical bottles can
have a fine wine, and in another the vinegar, and internal
content people fundamentally different. The quality of some
people is clearly a more valuable and mature than others,
especially with age.
The Old Testament, in Jewish literature called Tanah, reports
fasting 75 times. in Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament and Jewish
Pentateuch, states that Moses before getting on
God's Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, starved for 40 days and nights (Exodus
34:28), and only God honored Moses' attention. in the Bible is
reference and starvation. So, Moses fasted on the mountain without water for
40 days, and not once. After fasting, "his face was shining
rays, "so that" they were afraid to approach him. " of Christ, after such
Prevention opened supernatural abilities. 40 days
starving Buddha, Mohammed fasted for 40 days. and nothing happened,
went only benefit. as a reward - the connection with the sky, talk directly
with God. But our medicine still does not want to take it on board. You
as clean and wash the dishes, why not want to give your
body the same opportunity? If we are attacked by the disease,
it must be natural, a natural way
deliverance. Each force must be found opposing. In
time of public danger or disaster among the Jews was the custom
and was considered a religious duty to impose on themselves a post that is
e. refrain from food and water, pray and make sacrifices.
Positions observed by the Hebrews with particular severity and different
not only abstaining from food, but even from all other sensory
needs. Thus, the word "post" means "ban."
in this sense, it means the refusal to accept any
food for a certain period of time. Neither of which lean food
during this time period could be no question. Eating lean
food during Lent is a flagrant violation and perversion of the
concepts.
Fasting was an important part of Judaism. Entirely a treatise
of the 64 volumes of the Jewish Talmud "Megillat Taam, translated
as the "Scroll of starvation", is devoted exclusively to starvation.
This treatise examines in detail about 25 days in which Jews
must starve. When the people of impending danger, "the Sanhedrin
Elders of Zion "had the power to impose a general starvation
65
65to seek salvation. These mass starvation usually
lasted a few days to a week. Until now, the orthodox Jews,
Noting the days of the tragic events in Jewish history, does not drink
alcohol, but be sure to starve. All modern religious
Jews fast on the holiest day of Yom Kippur, Judaism -
Day of Atonement, which falls at the end of September, when they do not
eat or drink for 24 hours.
In Christianity, everyone knows the legend that Jesus Christ, as
Moses, before beginning to preach God's message left
in the desert and do not eat or drink for 40 days and nights. Jesus Christ did it
starvation in full accordance with the laws of Judaism, which by
birth he belonged and which was brought up. in those
fasting has an important role in the life of the country of Judea,
Party members and the Pharisees went hungry on a regular basis for two days each week.
It was at the end of his 40 - days fasting Jesus Christ hath spoken:
"Not by bread alone doth man live, but that tells him to LORD
God "(Gospel of Matthew 4:4), thus, like Moses, confirming
and his personal experience, that the starving himself begins to speak
Lord God.
In Russia, the Middle Ages was widely practiced fasting
in monasteries. in those times, as we said, post more often
means complete abstinence from food, and often from the water. in XIV
century in Russia there are the so-called desert, many of whom
then turned to the monasteries. Around them are settled farmers,
especially to the north of Moscow, away from danger by
Tatars. Contemporaries Sergius described how he was very
often starved himself, encouraged the monks to the post, but the body they were
strong and powerful spirit.
But it is reasonable, without extremes of post healthy person does not
harms. Here we can recall, and examples from the Scriptures
(At least three youths, who, eating in the Babylonian captivity
some vegetables were stronger and healthier than their peers who ate
meat), but more striking examples from the life of the holy ascetics
Orthodox Church, which is true around the world have revealed that the flesh
can be subjected to the spirit.
Ven. Macarius of Alexandria during Lent tasted
(Bread and vegetables) only once a week. He lived for 100 years. Ven.
Simeon during Lent nothing
ate. Lived for 103 years. Ven. Anfim also had not eaten all the Holy
Chetyrehdesyatnitsu, and lived much longer - 110 years.
Overall, however, in a Christian environment, starvation has degenerated into a kind of
sacrifice, suitable only for special
people - monks, and that for the average person, they say, is optional.
It so happens that in Christianity, some "professionals"
was requested to atone for the sins of others, while others
could relax without looking back. This deliberate policy
that, say, there are special people who sins for them to pray for forgiveness
66
66and they are certainly not free, release, and led Christian
the world to complete decomposition. Reminder of the once-serious
relation to fasting for Christians is the period of Lent,
when the faithful Christians follow certain restrictions
in the food eaten before that on Shrove Tuesday pancake to satiety.
Muslims strictly observe the fast month - Ramadan. this month
All Muslims are strictly not eat or drink from dawn to dusk. Home
and the end of Ramadan are the big national holidays.
Ramadan is so serious that people who have no possibility of
comply because of illness or pregnancy, should also comply
Ramadan later, that is to repay a debt. Strictly speaking, during the hours
Ramadan money had nothing to enter the gastrointestinal tract -
can not even swallow saliva. Private Muslim canteens
and restaurants are open during Ramadan, but empty. However,
after sunset, Muslims eat a modest meal type
bean, lentil soup with spices and dates. Therefore, in this
Month shops where they sell the Muslims overwhelmed dates.
Muslims believe that fasting helps a person to avoid sin.
Therefore, the prophet Muhammad believed that the real Muslim
must refrain from eating for two days each week (as
and the Pharisees).
American researchers have indirectly confirmed the benefit of
Muslim fasting. They managed to uncover the cellular mechanism
explaining the link between fasting and duration of
life in humans and other mammals. Islam prescribes
refrain from taking food and liquid during daylight hours
during the month of Ramadan. Scientists David Sinclair and his colleagues
found that during fasting activated genes SIRT3 and SIRT4,
which prolong the life of cells. Perhaps this information
can be used to create cures for disease-related
with aging.
In Hinduism, the different religions of India, a variety of flow
and sects are actively using starvation as a means of purification,
and in particular, fasting is an integral part of practice
yogis. On a dry fasting for Yogi, I wrote a chapter on "dry starvation
in nature. "
SECRETS OF JAPAN SKIH Monks in
In the process of aging spare capacity of all our organs
and systems are shrinking with each passing year. Consequently, in order not to grow old,
Reserves must be trained, or rather adaptation reserves.
Coaching - it means regular use, and they are used
especially when something is missing. Organism may
not enough food, water, oxygen, and information. They are conscious,
artificial restriction encourages the use of reserve
opportunities. Restrict the intake of food and get well,
known since ancient times, the method of regeneration
67
67- Starvation. This is a temporary full voluntary refusal of food.
The purpose of this fast - the transition to internal power supply, ie,
use of reserves.
If, in addition to stop and water intake, then get dry
starvation - even more effective method of cleansing, healing
and rejuvenation. With a lack of


, p. 304.
■ Nausea & motion sickness,  p. 306.Although best known for its bright yellow color
and spicy taste in Indian food, turmeric is increasingly recognized as a medicinal food with almost unparalleled health benefits. Its powerful anti-inflammatory action makes turmeric a key remedy in many chronic health problems, including allergies, arthritis, diabetes, and psoriasis, where long-term inflammation is usually
a major underlying factor.
 QCautions If taking blood-thinning medication, or if gallstones are present,
take only on professional advice. Turmeric occasionally causes skin rashes.Rhizome is carefully
unearthed and broken
into sections. It is boiled  or steamed before drying.
Poultice using a paste made
with powder. For psoriasis,
mix 1 tsp with a little water
and apply 3 times a day.
Powder  is the most common preparation
in Ayurvedic medicine. For gastritis, take  1 tsp with water 3 times a day.Decoction (to make,
p. 291). For gastritis, take 1/3 cup (75 ml)
3 times a day.
Fresh rhizome Dried rhizome
Fresh rhizome is
bright orange insideTincture (to make, p. 292). For eczema, take 1 tsp diluted with
1/2 cup (100 ml) of water 3 times a day.
US_090-091_Curcuma_Dioscorea.indd   90 26/02/16   3:59 pm91Dioscorea villosakey medicinal plants
Fresh root
and tuber
Chopped dried
root and tuberDried root
and tuber
Tincture  (to make, p. 292).
For arthritis, take 1⁄2 tsp with
water twice a day.Decoction  (to make, p. 291).
For irritable bowel syndrome,
take 1/3 cup (75 ml) twice a day.Rhizome has muscle-
relaxant propertiesDioscorea villosa  (Dioscoreaceae)
Wild Y am, Colic Root
Wild yam is the plant source of a steroid-like substance,
diosgenin, which was the starting point in the creation
of the first contraceptive pill. There is no suggestion
that the plant was used as a contraceptive in the past,
though it has traditionally been taken in Central America
to relieve menstrual, ovarian, and labor pains. The herb
is also valuable for digestive problems, arthritis, and
muscle cramps.
Habitat & Cultivation
Wild yam is native to North and
Central America, and has now
become naturalized in tropical,
semitropical, and temperate climates
around the world. The plant is
propagated from seed in spring, or
from sections of tubers or by root
division in spring or autumn. It thrives
in sunny conditions and rich soil. The
root and tuber of wild yam are
harvested in autumn.
Related Species
Many yam species have a hormonal
action.  Shan yao (Dioscorea opposita)
is an important tonic for the stomach
and digestion in traditional Chinese
medicine, and is taken for appetite
loss and wheezing.
Key Constituents
■ Steroidal saponins
 (mainly dioscin)
■ Phytosterols
 (beta-sitosterol)
■ Alkaloids
■ Tannins
■ StarchKey Actions
■ Antispasmodic
■ Anti-inflammatory
■ Antirheumatic
■ Increases sweating
■ Diuretic
Research
■ Synthesis of hormones
Diosgenin, a breakdown product of
dioscin, was first identified by Japanese
scientists in 1936. This discovery
paved the way for the synthesis of
progesterone (one of the main female
sex hormones) and of corticosteroid
hormones such as cortisone. Wild
yam does not contain estrogen or
progesterone, and wild yam “natural
progesterone” products are derived
from chemically processed diosgenin,
and have little or no relationship with
naturally occurring wild yam.
■ Anti-cholesterol activity
Research indicates that diosgenin
reduces the absorption of cholesterol
from the gut and increases its
elimination from the body.
Traditional &
Current Uses
■ Traditional uses  Both the Maya
and the Aztec peoples used wild yam
medicinally—possibly to relieve pain.
The plant is also known as colic root
and rheumatism root in North
America, indicating its use by European
settlers for these conditions.
■ Gynecological problems
A traditional remedy for painful
periods and ovarian pain, wild yam
has estrogen-modulating activity and
is used to treat menopausal symptoms.
■ Arthritis & rheumatism
The herb’s combination of anti-Wild yam
A deciduous perennial
vine, climbing to 20 ft
(6 m) with heart-
shaped leaves and
tiny green flowers.
inflammatory and antispasmodic
actions makes it extremely useful
in treatments for arthritis and
rheumatism. It reduces inflammation
and pain, and relaxes stiff muscles
in the affected area.
■ Muscle spasms & pain  Wild
yam helps relieve cramps, muscle
tension, and colic.Wild yam  can be found growing wild in
damp woodlands in North America. Parts Used
Key Preparations & Their Uses
■ Digestive problems
The herb can be used as an
effective treatment for digestive
problems, including gallbladder
inflammation, irritable bowel
syndrome, and diverticulitis.
Self-help Use
■ Period pain, p. 315.Caution  Do not take during pregnancy.Root and tuber have valuable
antispasmodic properties. They
are used to treat colic and
menstrual cramps.
US_090-091_Curcuma_Dioscorea.indd   91 07/04/16   4:37 pm
92EchinacE a spp.key medicinal plants
The best-quality
root leaves a tingling sensation on the tongueEchinacea spp. (Asteraceae)
Echinacea, Purple ConeflowerEchinacea
A perennial growing  to 4 ft (1.2 m) with upright stems and  pink to purple
daisy-like flowers.
Echinacea is a name derived from the Greek
word for hedgehog and was inspired by the appearance of the flower’s central cone.
Habitat & Cultivation
Native to central parts of the U.S.,
three species of echinacea are used medicinally: E. angustifolia, E. purpurea,
and E. pallida. All are threatened in the wild and only commercially grown plants should be used.
E. purpurea is cultivated widely in the U.S. and Europe. Grown from seed in spring or by root division in winter, it thrives in rich, sandy soil. The leaves and flowers are gathered during flowering; the roots of 4-year-old plants are lifted in autumn.
Key Constituents
(E. purpurea)
■ Alkylamides
 (mostly isobutylamides)
■ Caffeic acid esters (mainly
 echinacoside and cynarin)
■ polysaccharides
Key Actions
■ Immune modulator
■ Antimicrobial
■ Anti-inflammatory
■ Detoxifying■ Heals wounds
■ stimulates saliva
Research
■ Immune system Clinical research
into echinacea has confirmed that it increases the number of white blood cells and their strength of action, although its precise mode of
action on immune function is not well understood. The polysaccharides inhibit the ability of viruses to take over cells, while the alkylamides are antibacterial and antifungal. Research supports the use of echinacea to prevent colds and respiratory infections resulting from air travel. Not all clinical trials have found positive effects, possibly because in some cases too low a dose of echinacea was used.
Traditional &
Current uses
■ Native American medicine The
Comanche used echinacea as
a remedy for toothache and sore
throats and the Sioux took it for rabies, snake bite, and septic conditions.
■ Western uses Echinacea is a key
remedy in Western herbal medicine, and is used to treat many health problems, notably viral and fungal infections, and skin infections such as acne and boils. It makes an excellent gargle for throat infections, and is typically prescribed by herbalists wherever the immune system  is underperforming.
■ Allergies The herb is a helpful
remedy for treating allergies such  as asthma.
Self-help Uses
■ Acne & boils, p. 305.■ Bites & stings, p. 303.
■ Chilblains, p. 302.
■ Cold sores, p. 304.
■ Coughs & bronchitis, p. 310.Parts Used
Key Preparations & Their UsesRoots of all three
species have valuable immune-stimulating properties.
■ Earache, p. 312.
■ Flu, sore throats & tonsillitis,  p. 311.
■ Canker sores, p. 306.
■ Urinary & fungal infections,  p. 314. Fresh E. purpurea rootA


 skin. Lotions and compresses are both simple ways to use herbs externally and can be very effective in relieving swelling, bruising, and pain, soothing inflammation and headaches, and cooling fevers.Standard Quantity
30 g dried or 75 g fresh herb, 150 g emulsifying
wax, 70 g glycerine, and 1/3 cup (80 ml) water
Standard Dosage
Rub a little into the affected area 2–3 times a day.
Storage
Store in sterilized, airtight, dark glass jars in a refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Standard Quantity of Lotion
2 cups (500 ml) infusion or decoction, or 5 tsp (25 ml) tincture in 2 cups (500 ml) water
Standard Application of
Compress or Lotion
Use as required. Prepare a fresh compress or
lotion when it cools (if hot) or when it dries  (if cool).
Storage
Store lotions in sterilized bottles, with lids, in a refrigerator for up to 2 days. 1Melt the emulsifying
wax in a glass
bowl set in a pan of boiling water,  or a double boiler. Add the glycerine, water, and herb while stirring, and simmer for 3 hours.
2Strain the mixture through a wine press or  a jelly bag. Stir slowly but continuously until
it cools and sets. 3With a small knife or spatula, place the set cream into dark glass jars. Tighten the lids and label. Store
in a refrigerator as soon as possible.
1Wash your hands thoroughly and soak a soft cloth or clean washcloth in the lotion. Wring out the
excess liquid. Before applying, rub some oil on the affected area to prevent sticking. 2Place the compress against the affected area. For pain and swellings, secure the compress with
plastic film and safety pins and leave for up to 1–2 hours. Reapply as required.Applying a Compress
US_296-297_Creams.indd   296 26/02/16   4:43 pm297Inhalations
using essential
oil relieve many
respiratory complaints.herbal remedies for home use Other Preparations
Different herbal preparations suit different ailments. Most of the following
preparations provide localized relief. Steam inhalations, for example, help
clear various respiratory complaints; gargles and mouthwashes soothe sore
throats and mouth ulcers; massage oils can ease aching muscles; and skin
washes relieve inflamed skin conditions.
Steam Inhalations
Steam inhalations are an effective way to clear
congestion and relieve sinusitis, hay fever, and
bronchial asthma. The combination of steam and
antiseptic ingredients clears the airways
throughout the respiratory system.
To make  Pour 1 quart of freshly boiled water into
a large bowl, add 5 –10 drops of essen tial oil, and
stir well. Alternatively, make an infusion of 25 g of
herb to 1 quart of water, brew for 15 minutes, and
pour into a bowl. Cover the head and bowl with a
towel, close the eyes, and inhale the steam for
about 10 minutes or until the preparation
cools. After a steam inhalation, it
is advisable to stay in a warm
room for 15 minutes to allow
the airways to adjust and
any congestion to clear.
Gargles & Mouthwashes
Gargles and mouthwashes usually contain astringent
herbs, which tighten the mucous membranes of the
mouth and throat. Astringent herbs such as rhatany
(Krameria triandra, p. 225) and myrrh ( Commiphora
molmol, p. 85), can be made more palatable and
more effective for sore throats by adding a little
licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra, p. 101) or a pinch of
cayenne pepper ( Capsicum frutescens, p. 74) to the
preparation. As gargles and mouthwashes are made
from infusions, decoctions, or diluted tinctures, they
can generally be swallowed for internal treatment.
Ensure you do not exceed the daily internal dose
of an herb.
To make  Make an infusion ( see p. 291) but allow it
to stand for 15–20 minutes in order to increase its astringency. Strain, then gargle, or rinse the mouth
with a cupful. Alternatively, use a decoction (p. 291)
or dilute about 1 tsp (5 ml) of tincture in 1/3 cup
(100 ml) of hot water and use in the same way.
Repeat as often as required unless specified.
Pessaries & Suppositories
Pessaries and suppositories are waxy pellets
containing essential oil or fine powder. They are
used when oral medicine is likely to be broken
down during digestion before reaching its intended
site. Pessaries are inserted into the vagina and
suppositories into the anus, where they melt at
body temperature. The herb is quickly absorbed
into the bloodstream, providing fast relief. It is best
to buy ready-made suppositories.
To make pessaries  Use a pessary mold or make 24
molds from cooking foil shaped around a
thimble. Mix 10 g of soft soap, 2 tbsp plus 2 tsp
(50 ml) of glycerine and 2 tbsp (40 ml) of
methylated spirits and pour into the molds. Leave
for a few minutes to coat the molds, then pour out
the excess and leave to harden. Melt 20 g of cocoa
butter, remove from the heat, and add 30 drops of
essential oil or 5 g of powder. Pour into the shells
and leave to set for 3 hours, before removing the
pessaries. Store in a cool place in a pot lined with
greaseproof paper for up to 3 months.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used in massage to soothe minor
aches and pains. Before use, they should be diluted
with a carrier oil as they can irritate the skin. Essential
oils deteriorate rapidly after dilution, so it is best to
mix small quantities as you need them.
For massage  Mix 5–10 drops of essential oil with
1 tbsp of carrier oil, such as wheatgerm
or almond oil, and massage gently into
the skin.
Oil burner  Use 5–10 drops of neat
essential oil mixed with water. Burn
for 30 minutes.Baths & Skin Washes
Herbal baths and skin washes can relieve many
conditions, including aching limbs and stuffy
sinuses. They are made from diluted essential oils
or infusions. Eyebaths soothe sore, inflamed, or
irritated eyes.
To make an herbal bath  Add 2 cups (500 ml) of
strained infusion (see p. 291) or 5–10 drops of
essential oil to a running bath.
To make a skin wash  Make an infusion, strain it,
and bathe the affected area.
To make an eyebath  Make a small quantity of an
infusion or use an herbal teabag. Strain the liquid
carefully into a sterilized eyebath. Alternatively, add
2 –3 drops of a tincture to an eyebath filled with
water that has just boiled. Allow to cool and place
the eyebath firmly over the eye. Tip the head back
and bathe the eye by continuously blinking. Repeat
up to 3 times a day.
General cautions Eyebaths should be very weak, so as
not to sting the eyes. Always use boiled, cooled water in a
sterilized container. Do not bathe eyes over a period of
more than 2–3 weeks at a time. If bathing eyes frequently,
add a tiny pinch of salt to each eyebath to counter
leaching of salts and minerals from the eye.
Cold Macerations
Heat destroys the active constituents of some
herbs, and a cold maceration is more appropriate
than a decoction.
To make  Pour 2 cups (500 ml) of cold water over
25 g of herb and leave to stand overnight. Strain
and use as you would a decoction
Juices
The juices extracted from many herbs can be taken
internally or applied externally.
To make  Pulp the plant, preferably using a
mechanical juicer. Otherwise use a food processor.
Squeeze the pulp through a jelly bag to collect the
juice. Some herbs need to be cooked in order to
extract their juice.The eyebath is applied  to the affected eye and the head is
tilted well back.
Infusions  made with
antiseptic herbs make
useful gargles and
mouthwashes for sore
throats and mouth ulcers.Essential oils  are
used in baths and
oil burners, and in
massage to relieve
tension and stress.
US_296-297_Creams.indd   297 26/02/16   4:43 pm
298
herbal remedies for home useWhat Can Go Wrong?
Following a few simple rules will normally ensure
that the worst that happens when taking an herbal medicine is that there is no improvement in your condition. Nevertheless, there are situations in which herbal remedies can cause damage, and several medicinal herbs


 the mirror or until their
clothes no longer fit. Then they grudgingly force themselves to "diet" to
make up for these past indulgences. It's like running out and locking your
garage after someone has driven off in your car. It's too late; the damage
is done. The "remedy" for these indulgences is usually deprivation, and
almost every one of the "diet cures" on the market today requires the
dieter to take off pounds at any cost. Diet schemes are an extremely expensive way to lose weight. Many times their real cost is a person's
well-being.
Why don't diets work? The answer actually is quite simple. What do
you think about when you're on a diet? Just as I did, you are usually
thinking about what you're going to eat when the ordeal is finally over.
How can you possibly succeed on your diet when all you are thinking
about is food? Depriving yourself is not the answer to healthy, permanent
weight loss. It usually causes you to binge later on, which complicates
the problem. Deprivation and bingeing become a vicious cycle, and
that's just one of the many problems with dieting.
Another is that diets are temporary; therefore, the results have to be
temporary! Do you want to be permanently slim or temporarily slim?
Permanent measures bring about permanent results. Temporary measures
bring about temporary results. Have you ever heard anyone say, "I've
been on every diet that's ever come on the market, and nothing seems to
work"? Why have they been on every diet? They've been on every diet
without success because dieting is the wrong approach! Diets fail because
of the regimentation involved. Very few of us can be regimented suc
cessfully for long when it comes to food. Yet many people, not having an
alternative, continue to do what they have always done—diet—because
they've never been presented with any viable alternative. They continue
their search for that one panacea that will end—once and for all—their
battle of the bulge.
When we go on a diet, our systems are thrown into turmoil while they
try to adapt to a new regimen. They then must readapt to old patterns
when the regimen ends. It's like taking a metal rod and bending it over
and over again. Eventually it will become weak and break. If you jerk
your body back and forth over and over again by dieting, it will become
weak and break down.
But when I attack dieting, I attack an American institution. According
to a Louis Harris poll, 62 percent of all Americans are considered to be
overweight. Over forty-four million Americans are considered to be
clinically obese; that is, twenty pounds or more overweight. More than
half of the nation is dieting or has dieted.
But the fact of the matter is that dieting doesn't work! It never has, and
it never will. The sheer numbers should prove this to you. How many
diets have there been over the last twenty years? Fifty? One hundred? If
they really did work, why would there be a need for an unending chain of
new ones? If diets worked, wouldn't the rate of obesity in this country be
decreasing each year instead of increasing? In 1982 fifteen billion dollars
were spent on weight-loss schemes in the United States alone. Fifteen
billion dollars! If you had fifteen billion dollars to spend, you could spend
10 • FJT FOR LIFE one million dollars every day for forty years and still have four hundred
million dollars left over! If diets worked, that monumental amount of
money would surely put an end to this problem, wouldn't it? The fact is
that that incredible amount is increasing by one billion dollars each year.
In spite of the new diets that come and go, the problem is becoming
worse.
It is obvious that people have had it with the diet mentality. Confusion
and frustration are rampant because most of the diets contradict one an
other. When the so-called authorities are at odds with one another, what
is the layperson to believe? One popular diet says to eat mostly protein
and very few carbohydrates. Another equally popular diet says to eat
mostly carbohydrates and very little protein. Can they both be right? An
other plan says to eat whatever you feel like at the moment and then
wash it out with pineapples and papayas. Yet another says to eat a small
concoction of whatever you like, but be sure to exercise and be positive.
One more says to eat anything you can dream of, just weigh it first. And
another says you should adhere to its program for only two weeks at a
time. Many diets merely rely on tedious calorie-counting. The most dan
gerous of all is the latest diet craze that substitutes drugs and "nutritional
powders" for real food. The cost to one's well-being from these has yet to
be measured. Since we have relied on diets so heavily in the past, and we
know they don't work, what now is our alternative? YOU ARE READING
IT!
What we have here is commonsense information that people can use
to determine for themselves what is best for them. It is time to take con
trol and responsibility back from those who are arguing about who has
the right answer. What we have is a new approach, a new way of think
ing, a new way of eating, so that diets become unnecessary and as ob
solete as sealing wax. It is obvious that diets are not working, so let's get
rid of them and set ourselves free! Why not find out firsthand that the
only permanent results you will see in weight loss will come when you
STOP DIETING!
That's what I did. I finally had had it. I finally gave up dieting. I
resolved to find an answer that would make sense to me, that would be
reasonable and permanent. After three years of driving myself crazy with
diets, it became obvious that what I needed was to learn how to properly
take care of my body. What I wanted to find was a course of study that
would teach me how to acquire and maintain that slim and healthy body
that I knew was inside of me.
One evening at a music festival two thousand miles from home, I
overheard two rather healthy-looking individuals discussing the idio-
syncracies of a friend in Santa Barbara, California, referring to his long
DIETS DON'T WORK • 11 dissertations on the beauty of good health. My ears perked up. "Excuse
me," I interrupted, "who is this fellow you are discussing?" In less than
twenty-four hours I was on my way to Santa Barbara. Little did I know
that I was on the brink of one of the most remarkable discoveries of my
life. I was about to be introduced to a most extraordinary, age-old science
known as...
12 • FIT FOR LIFE CHAPTER
Natural Hygiene
-L Natural Hygiene—when 1 first
heard the term, I thought, Yeah, I know what that is, brushing my teeth
and being sure to wash behind my ears. As it happens, that is what many
people think when they hear this term. Actually Natural Hygiene is a
most remarkable approach to the care and upkeep of the human body.
The first time I heard the term, I was staring into the face of the
healthiest person I had ever met. One look at him and I knew he had to
know something about how to take care of his body. As I looked at his
clear eyes, radiant skin, serene demeanor, and well-proportioned body, I
could not help but reflect on all of the health professionals 1 had sought
advice from in the past who did not exemplify the physical ideal any
more than I did. When he met me, he said, "You know, you're killing
yourself and you don't have to be." Well, I lit right up like a Christmas
tree. That sentence was my introduction to Natural Hygiene and the
beginning of a most rewarding friendship. In a matter of hours Mr.
Jensen (pseudonym used per request) explained to me in a most concise,
easy-to-understand way exactly why I was fat and why I was having such a
struggle losing weight and keeping it off. It all made so much sense to me
that I was dumbfounded at its obvious simplicity. Listening to this initial
• 13 • explanation of how to achieve and maintain a truly fit body I could be
proud of, I was filled with a sense of joy and relief I had never before
known. Here was the information that 1 had known I would somehow
find.
I had the very good fortune to study with Mr. Jensen for the next three
and a half years. And what an eye-opening experience it was! Not only
did I have the daily benefit of his knowledge, but I acquired and read
everything I could find on the subject of Natural Hygiene. I determined
that the study, practice, and teaching of Natural Hygiene were going to
be my life's work. After leaving Santa Barbara, I studied Natural Hygiene
intensely for the next ten years. For several years I counseled people
privately on how to use the principles of Natural Hygiene as a life-style,
and I continue to do so. In 1981 I began a seminar program known as
THE DIAMOND METHOD, and between then and now I have spoken