 Complex Natural Medicines
As can be seen, an herb is not a “magic bullet” with a single
action, but a complex natural medicine composed of many active constituents that work on different body systems. By combining scientific research into active constituents with clinical observation and traditional knowledge of the whole plant, we can develop a rounded picture of each herb’s range of medicinal uses. US_010-013_How_Medicinal_Plants_work.indd   12 26/02/16   4:42 pm13 How Medicinal Plants workNervous system
Nervines,  e.g., rosemary ( Rosmarinus
officinalis, p. 128), support and strengthen
the nervous system. Relaxants,  e.g., lemon
balm ( Melissa officinalis, p. 113), relax the
nervous system. Sedatives,  e.g., mistletoe ( Viscum
album, p. 283), reduce nervous activity. Stimulants,
e.g., kola nut ( Cola acuminata, p. 192), increase
nervous activity. Tonics,  e.g., oats ( Avena  sativa,
p. 175), improve nerve function and tone, and
help to restore the nervous system as a whole. Circulation & heart
Cardiotonics,  e.g., dan shen  (Salvia  miltiorrhiza,
p. 130), vary in action. Some slow heartbeat
rate, while others increase it. Some improve
the regularity and strength of the heart’s
contractions. Circulatory stimulants,  e.g., cayenne
(Capsicum  frutescens, p. 74), improve the
circulation of blood to the extremities. Diaphoretics,  e.g., ju hua (Chrysanthemum  x
morifolium, p. 78), encourage blood flow to
the surface of the body, promote sweating, and
lower blood pressure. Spasmolytics,  e.g., cramp
bark ( Viburnum opulus, p. 150), relax the muscles,
helping to lower blood pressure. Digestive organs
Antiseptics,  e.g., ginger ( Zingiber officinale, p. 155), protect
against infection. Astringents, e.g., bistort ( Polygonum
bistorta, p. 253), tighten up the inner lining of the intestines
and create a protective coating over them. Bitters,  e.g.,
wormwood ( Artemisia absinthium, p. 66),
stimulate secretion of digestive
juices by the stomach and
intestines. Carminatives,  e.g.,
sweet flag ( Acorus calamus,
p. 57), relieve gas and cramps. Cholagogues,  e.g, fringe tree
(Chionanthus virginicus,
p. 188), improve the flow of bile into
the intestines. Choleretics,  e.g., artichoke ( Cynara scolymus,
p. 199), stimulate secretion of bile by the liver. Demulcents,
e.g., psyllium ( Plantago  spp., p. 123), soothe the digestive
system and protect against acidity and irritation. Hepatics,  e.g., bupleurum ( Bupleurum chinense,
p. 72), prevent liver damage. Laxatives,
e.g., senna  (Cassia senna, p. 75),
stimulate bowel movements. Stomachics,  e.g., cardamom
(Eletteria cardamomum, p. 93),
protect and support
the stomach.Musculoskeletal system
Analgesics,  e.g., yellow jasmine ( Gelsemium empervirens,
p. 216), relieve joint and nerve pain. Anti-
inflammatories,  e.g., white willow ( Salix alba, p. 129),
reduce swelling and pain in joints. Antispasmodics,  e.g.,
cinchona ( Cinchona  spp., p. 80), relax tense
and cramped muscles.Urinary system
Antiseptics, e.g., buchu ( Barosma betulina, p. 71),
disinfect the urinary tubules. Astringents,  e.g.,
horsetail ( Equisetum arvense, p. 205), tighten and
protect the urinary tubules. Diuretics,  e.g. cornsilk
(Zea mays, p. 154), stimulate the flow of urine.Endocrine glands
Adaptogens,  e.g., ginseng ( Panax ginseng,
p. 118), help the body adjust to external pressures
and stress. Hormonally active herbs,  e.g., chaste tree
(Vitex agnus-castus, p. 151), stimulate production of
sex and other hormones. Emmenagogues,  e.g.,
black cohosh ( Cimicifuga racemosa, p. 79),
encourage or regulate menstruation.Respiratory system
Antiseptics and antibiotics,  e.g., garlic ( Allium
sativum, p. 59), help the lungs resist infection. Expectorants,  e.g., elecampane ( Inula helenium,
p. 107), stimulate the coughing up of mucus. Demulcents,  e.g., coltsfoot ( Tussilago farfara,
p. 278), soothe irritated membranes. Spasmolytics,  e.g., visnaga ( Ammi visnaga, p. 62),
relax bronchial muscles.Immune system
Immune modulators,  e.g., echinacea ( Echinacea
spp. p. 92) and pau d’arco ( Tabebuia  spp.,
p. 139), encourage the immune system to
ward off infection. Skin
Antiseptics,  e.g., tea tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia, p. 112),
disinfect the skin. Emollients,  e.g., marshmallow
(Althea officinalis, p. 165), reduce itchiness, redness,
and soreness. Astringents, e.g., witch hazel
(Hamamelis virginiana, p. 102), tighten the skin. Depuratives,  e.g., burdock ( Arctium lappa, p. 65),
encourage removal of waste products. Healing and
vulnerary herbs,  e.g., comfrey ( Symphytum officinale,
p. 138) and calendula ( Calendula officinalis, p. 73), aid
the healing of cuts, wounds, and abrasions.Herbs & Body Systems
One of the most common ways of classifying medicinal plants is to identify their actions, for example whether they are
sedative, antiseptic, or diuretic, and the degree to which they affect different body systems. Herbs often have a pronounced
action on a particular body system, for example a plant that is strongly antiseptic in the digestive tract may be less so in the
respiratory tract. Examples of how herbs work on the body are given below. Calendula
(Calendula officinalis)
Cayenne
(Capsicum frutescens)
Sweet Flag
(Acorus calamus)Garlic
(Allium sativum)
Ginseng
(Panax ginseng)Echinacea
(Echinacea spp.) Cornsilk
(Zea mays)
White Willow
(Salix alba)Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis)
Senna
(Cassia senna)
US_010-013_How_Medicinal_Plants_work.indd   13 26/02/16   4:42 pm
14
The developmen T of herbal medicinePhenols
Phenols are a very varied group
of plant constituents ranging from
salicylic acid, a molecule similar
to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), to complex sugar-containing phenolic glycosides. Phenols are often anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, and
are thought to be produced by plants to protect against infection  and feeding by insects. Phenolic acids, such as rosmarinic acid,
are strongly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and can also have antiviral properties. Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens, p. 215)
and white willow (Salix alba, p. 129) both contain salicylates. Many mint family members contain phenols—for example, the strongly antiseptic thymol, found in thyme (Thymus vulgaris, p. 143). Volatile Oils
Volatile oils—which are extracted
from plants to produce essential oils—are some
of the most important medicinally active plant constituents, and are  also used widely in perfumery. They are complex mixtures often of 100 or more compounds, mostly made up of monoterpenes—molecules containing 10 carbon atoms. Essential oils have many uses. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia, p. 112) is strongly antiseptic, while sweet gale oil (Myrica gale, p. 238) is an effective insect repellent. On distillation, some essential oils


 and the seeds in early autumn when the capsules burst. Parts Used  Leaves, flowering tops, seeds. US_180-201_Brassica_dictamnus.indd   200 26/02/16   12:47 pm201Dianthus superbusother medicinal plants
Constituents  Thornapple contains 0.2–0.45%
tropane alkaloids (especially hyoscyamine and
hyoscine), flavonoids, steroidal lactones,
withanolides, coumarins, and tannins. The tropane
alkaloids are similar to those found in deadly
nightshade ( Atropa belladonna, p. 69), acting to
reduce secretions and relax smooth muscle. History & Folklore  Thornapple has a long
history of medicinal use. If taken in sufficient doses,
it causes hallucinations; the Delphic oracle in ancient
Greece and the Inca in South America may have
used it as an aid to making prophecies. Though it is
hallucinogenic, thornapple has traditionally been
used to treat insanity. Medicinal Actions & Uses  At low doses,
thornapple is a common remedy for asthma,
whooping cough, muscle spasms, and the
symptoms of Parkinsonism. It relaxes the muscles
of the gastrointestinal, bronchial, and urinary tracts,
and reduces digestive and mucous secretions. Like
deadly nightshade, thornapple may be applied
externally to relieve rheumatic pains and neuralgia. Related Species  D. metel  and D. innoxia  are both
native to India. These plants are employed in treating
asthma, coughs, fevers, and skin conditions. RQ Cautions  T ake only under professional
supervision. Since it is toxic at more than small
doses, thornapple is subject to legal restrictions
in most countries.Parts Used  Seeds, root, leaves. Constituents  Wild carrot seeds contain
flavonoids, and a volatile oil including asarone,
carotol, pinene, and limonene. Cultivated carrot
root contains sugars, pectin, carotene, vitamins,
minerals, and asparagine. Carrot leaves contain
significant amounts of porphyrins, which stimulate
the pituitary gland and lead to the release of
increased levels of sex hormones.<|eot_id|><|begin_of_text|>Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        Related Species  The endive (C. endiva) has
similar though milder effects. Citrullus vulgaris (Cucurbitaceae)
Watermelon
Description  Annual vine with hairy, 3–5 lobed
leaves, yellow flowers, and green fruit typically growing to 10 in (25 cm) across. Habitat & Cultivation  Native to tropical
Africa, watermelon is grown throughout warm temperate to tropical regions. The fruit is gathered when ripe. Parts Used  Fruit, seeds. Constituents  Watermelon contains citrullin
and arginine, both of which are thought to
increase urea production in the liver, so
increasing the flow of urine. History & Folklore  Watermelon species have
been used in Egypt for more than 4,000 years, figuring in wall paintings dating to the Old Kingdom (2686–2181 bce). They appear to have been a component in remedies for trembling fingers, constipation, and expelling disease brought on
by demons. Egyptian myth recounts that the watermelon originated from the semen of
the god Seth. Medicinal Actions & Uses  Watermelon is
best known as a thirst-quenching fruit that comes into season when temperatures are at their hottest. In traditional Chinese medicine it is used precisely to counter “summer heat” patterns—characterized by excessive sweating, thirst, raised temperature, scanty urine, diarrhea, and irritability or anger. Watermelon fruit and juice soothe these symptoms, increasing urine flow and cleansing the kidneys. The fruit’s refreshing properties extend to the digestive system, where it clears gas. Watermelon may also be used in the treatment of hepatitis. In hot, stifling weather it is helpful for those suffering from bronchitis or asthma. The cooling fruit pulp may
be applied to hot and inflamed skin and to soothe sunburn. The seeds can be mashed and used to expel worms. Related Species  The watermelons of Egypt
(C. lanata and C. colocynthoides) are very similar species. The colocynth (C. colocynthus), native to  dry areas of Africa and Asia, is extremely bitter  and contains a cucurbitacin glycoside with  antitumor properties. Parts Used  Fruit, peel, leaves, flowers, seeds,
essential oil. Constituents  Bitter orange peel contains a
volatile oil with limonene (around 90%), flavonoids, coumarins, triterpenes, vitamin C, carotene, and pectin. The flavonoids are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal. The composition of  the volatile oils in the leaves, flowers and peel varies significantly. Linalyl acetate (50%) is the main constituent in oil from the leaves (petitgrain) and linalool (35%) in oil from the flowers (neroli). The unripe fruit of the bitter orange contains cirantin, which reportedly is contraceptive. History & Folklore  The bitter orange has
provided food and medicine for thousands of years. It yields neroli oil from its flowers, and the oil known as petitgrain from its leaves and young shoots. Both distillates are used extensively in perfumery. Orange flower water is a by-product  of distillation and is used in perfumery and to flavor candies and cookies, as well as being  used medicinally. Medicinal Actions & Uses  The strongly acidic
fruit of the bitter orange stimulates digestion and relieves flatulence. An infusion of the fruit is thought to soothe headaches, calm palpitations, and lower fevers. The juice helps the body eliminate waste products and, being rich in vitamin C, helps the immune system ward off infection. If taken to excess, however, its acid content can exacerbate arthritis. In Chinese herbal medicine, the unripe fruit, known as zhi shi, is thought to “regulate the qi,” helping to relieve flatulence and abdominal bloating, and to open the bowels. The Bitter orange has
a wide range of medicinal uses. Citrus aurantium (Rutaceae)
Bitter Orange
Description  Evergreen tree growing to 30 ft
(10 m). Has leathery, dark green leaves, delicately
perfumed white flowers, and orange fruit. Habitat & Cultivation  Native to tropical Asia,
this tree is now grown throughout the tropics and subtropics. Orchards of bitter orange are found along the Mediterranean coast, especially in Spain. Cinnamomum camphora
syn. Laurus camphora (Lauraceae)
Camphor
Description  Evergreen tree growing to 100 ft
(30 m). Produces red leaves that turn dark green
as they mature, small fragrant yellowish flowers,  and oval red berries. Habitat & Cultivation  Native to China
and Japan, this tree is cultivated in tropical and
sub-tropical regions for its wood, from which camphor oil is derived. Parts Used Stems, root, wood, leaves, twigs,
volatile oil. Constituents  The plant contains a volatile oil
comprising camphor, safrole, eugenol, and terpineol. It also contains lignans. Camphor is irritant and antiseptic; safrole is thought to be carcinogenic. A white crystalline substance derived from the stems, root, and other parts of the tree, also called camphor, has powerful antiseptic, stimulant, and antispasmodic properties. History & Folklore  In the 13th century,
Marco Polo noted that camphor oil was highly valued by the Chinese as a medicine, scent, and embalming fluid. Medicinal Actions & Uses  Camphor is most
commonly applied externally as a counterirritant and analgesic liniment to relieve arthritic and rheumatic pains, neuralgia, and back pain. It may be applied to skin problems, such as cold sores and chilblains, and used as a chest rub for bronchitis and other chest infections. Though the oil has been taken for various complaints, internal use is not advised. Related Species  See also cinnamon
(Cinnamomum spp., p. 81). Cautions  Do not take internally. Camphor oil is
subject to legal restrictions in some countries. US_180-201_Brassica_dictamnus. indd   190 26/02/16   12:47 pm191Co Chlearia offi Cinalisother medicinal plantsessential oils of bitter orange, especially neroli, are
sedative. In Western medicine, these oils are used
to reduce heart rate and palpitations, to encourage
sleep, and to soothe the digestive tract. Diluted neroli
is applied as a relaxing massage oil. The distilled flower
water is antispasmodic and sedative. Related Species  The lime ( C. aurantiifolia )
and lemon ( C. limon,  p. 82) have nutritional
properties that are similar to those of bitter
orange. See also bergam


14, 277red poppy 244red river gum 47rehmannia 42, 95, 117, 125Rehmannia, R. glutinosa 42, 95, 117,
125
R. lutea 125
“rejuvenator” tonics 76, 124relaxant herbs, action of 13ren shen (ginseng) 118reproductive and menstrual problems
315–16
respiration/respiratory system, effect of
herbs 12, 13
respiratory tract problems 310–12Rhamnus, R. carthaticus 262
R. frangula syn. Frangula alnus 261–62R. purshiana 262
rhatany 225Rheum, R. officinale 126
R. palmatum 11, 15, 42, 126, 177,
264
R. rhaponticum 126R. tanguticum 126
rheumatism 319rhodiola 127Rhodiola, R. crenulata 127
R. quadrifida 127R. rosea 127
Rhus, R. aromatica 262
R. glabra 262R. toxicodendron 262
Ribes nirgum 262ribwort plantain 251Ricinus communis 19, 36, 262–63Rig Veda (Ayurvedic text) 36Roman chamomile 77, 187Roman nettle 146rooibos 174roots, rhizomes, tubers, & bulbs,
harvesting & processing 289
Rosa, R. canina 16, 263
R. gallica 263
rose 263rosebay willowherb 187rosemary 13, 33, 128, 286Rosmarinus officinalis 13, 33, 128, 286rou dou kou (nutmeg & mace) 115rou gui (cinnamon) 81rowan 271–72Rubia tinctorum 263Rubus, R. fruticosus 15, 34, 264
R. idaeus 264
rue 179, 222, 265Rumex, R. acetosa 264
R. acetosella 264R. crispus 65, 264–65
rupturewort 171, 219Ruscus aculeatus 265Rush, Dr. Benjamin 24Ruta, R. chalepensis 265
R. graveolens 179, 222, 265S
Sabal serrulata see Serenoa repenssafflower 184saffron 89, 184sage 22, 23, 34, 130, 131, 286, 287saikosides 72St. John’s wort 30, 31, 32, 51, 79, 106,
286, 298
Salicornia europeae 196salicylic acid 14, 26, 129Salix, S. acmophylla 129
S. alba 13, 14, 26, 129, 140S. fragilis 129S. nigra 129
sallaki 179Salvia, S. divinorum 130
S. lavandulifolia 131S. miltiorrhiza 13, 42, 130, 131S. officinalis 22, 23, 34, 130, 131,
286, 287
S. sclarea 131, 265
Sambucus nigra 15, 18, 34, 51, 132samphire 196san qi 118, 243sand spurrey 170–71sandalwood 266sandwort 170–71sang yebl (white mulberry) 40, 237–38sangre de drago 196Sanguinaria canadensis 266Sanguisorba officinalis syn. Poterium
officinalis 266
sanicle 266Sanicula europaea 266Santalum album 266sap & gel, harvesting & processing 289Saponaria officinalis 267saponins 15Sargassum, S. fusiforme 267
S. pallidum 267
sarpagandha (Indian snakeroot) 261sarsaparilla 21, 270Satureja, S. hortensis 267
S. montana 267
Saussurea, S. amara 268
S. lappa syn. S. costus 267–68
savin 225saw palmetto 48, 51, 136, 197scallion 164scarlet pimpernel 166–67scented Solomon’s seal 253schisandra 40, 133Schisandra, S. chinensis 40, 133
S. sphenanthera 133
Schizonepeta tenuifolia 40, 268Sclerotium cocos see Poria cocosScolopendrium vulgare 268Scots pine 14, 249Scrophularia, S. aquatica 268
S. marylandica 268S. ningopoensis 268S. nodosa 268
scurvy 25scurvy grass 191–92Scutellaria, S. baicalensis syn. S. macrantha
40, 42, 134, 135, 175
S. galericulata 135S. lateriflora 49, 134, 135S. minor 135
sea beet 178sea buckthorn 16, 220sea fennel 198sea holly 206seabeach sandwort 171seaweed 44
see also bladderwrack; help
sedative herbs, action of 13
seeds, collecting 289Selenicereus grandiflorus 268–69self-heal 256Sempervivum tectorum 269Seneca snakeroot 252Senecio, S. aureus syn. Packera aureus 269
S. jacobaea 19, 269, 298
senna 13, 15, 22, 30, 45, 75Senna alexandrina see Cassia sennaSerenoa, S. adamsonii 136
S. japa 136S. repens syn. Sabal serrulata 48, 51, 136,
197
sesame 269–70Sesamum indicum 269–70sex drive, low 316sex hormones 12, 13shamanistic medicine 18–19, 25
North American 49South American 53
shan yao 43, 91shan zhu yu 196shatavari 174sheep’s sorrel 264sheng di huang 125sheng jian 155sheng ma 79shepherd’s purse 183shi chang pu 57shingles 304shu di huang 125si gua luo 230Siamese ginger 61Siberian ginseng 94Siddha medicine 36side effects from herbal treatments 10,
298
silver birch 178silverweed 255–56
Silybum marianum syn. Carduus marianus
34, 72, 137
sil
ymarin 137
singabera 155sinus problems 309, 312siris tree 163sisal agave 161skin health, effects of herbs 12, 13skin problems 303–305skin rashes 303, 318skullcap 49, 134, 135skunk cabbage 274sleep problems see insomniaslippery elm 16, 48, 50, 145, 264Smilax spp. 21, 270smooth sumac 262soap bark 53, 260soapwort 267Socotra dragon tree 196Solanum, S. dulcamara 270
S. insidiosum 271S. melongena 69, 270–71S. tuberosum 23, 52, 271, 298
Solidago, S. canadensis 271
S. odora 271S. virgaurea 32, 271
Solomon’s seal 252–53Sorbus aucuparia 271–72sore nipples 315sore throats 311sorrel 264South American medicine 21, 52–53southern prickly ash 153southernwood 172soya 38, 217Spanish sage 131spasmolytic herbs, action of 13spastic constipation 307spearmint 114, 235speedwell 281sphagnum moss 28Spigelia, S. anthelmia 272
S. flemmingania 272S. marilandica 272
spike lavender 108spiny bamboo 176spiny restharrow 242spirits, plant spirits 18
see also “vital spirits”
sprains 312“spring” tonics 137squaw root 79squaw vine 235–36squaw weed 269squill 280Stachys officinalis syn. S


 p resented here is an intro duction to the A yurvedic system to get you
thinking and, hopefully, to get you started on your healing journey. This can
be the wisdom that can end our  turmoil around food and diets. Read this a
few time s. Let the information sink it. W e’ll start with some bi gger overall
concepts that you can begin to t hink about, and then we will go deeper into
each concept so we can apply them on a day-to-day basis. C O N S C I O U S N E S SMore commonly understood as awareness, Consciousness is the Source
ener gy out of which awareness arises. Think of it as a field  or state of
existence. It is an ener gy that has frequency or vibration and  all that we
attract into our life is a match for the vibration we internally experience. The same Source ener gy that created us also created the food we consume. A wareness is not a static phenomenon; it is a continuously expanding state
of C onsciousnes s that connects us to our Source. The more aw are we are,
the better decisions we make. In fact, the quality of our life depends on how
aware we are. A lthough Consci ousness is the field out of which awareness
arises, I will be using these two terms interchangeably. Anything we are not aware of is in our subconscious  min d and it is b elieved
that we live clos e to 95 percent of our lives subconsciously. This may sound
outrageous at first, but the reali ty is that we have a great deal of untapped
potential and life can only get better as we develop more Consciousness. In order  to heal, we must be aw are of what needs healing. How we do one
thing is how we do everything. How we eat and how we view food is a
result of  the beliefs about ourselves that we learned during the early years
of our lives. Som e of those belie fs may not be conducive to how we want to
live today. Our professional life, our relationships, and how we live are the
result of our sub conscious belie fs. As we become more consci ous, we can
tune into the specific beliefs that are creating habitual patterns in our life. The sam e belief s that color our health af fect our relationships, o ur work life
and, in fact, all aspects of our lif e. By becoming more aware, we can decide
what be liefs are  working against us and use our free will to change those
beliefs. Change is most ef fective when it is internally driven, rather than externally
imposed. When we look to the e ver changing information about  food that is
available to us and try to make changes, these changes are almost always
short-lived. W ith short-term and fragmented changes come short-term and
fragmented resu lts. W ithout understanding what needs changing and why it
needs changing, we soon give u p. But in the expanded Conscio usness, our
focus is more on uncovering our potential and becoming whole than it is
about just losing a few pounds. This focus pulls us inward, healing us in
ways th at we never thought possible, and in that lar ger healing, ourrelationship with food and everything else begins to shift and heal. This is a
more direct and much faster path than hopping from one diet to the next. Change is a con stant in life: our needs, our desires and our inne r and outer
environments are all dynamic processes of life that require that we be
“awake” to them so we can a djust how we live accordingly. Our own
experiences are our biggest source of learning and wisdom, and  learning to
rely on our inner wisdom will empower us in a way that no pill ever can. W H Y  D O  Y O U  W A N T  B E T T E R  H E A L T H.<|eot_id|><|begin_of_text|>
Q: What is the author's stance on the role of doctors in making health decisions?,
A: The author believes that doctors often do not provide patients with the best options and instead try to sell their own products, taking away the patient's power to make informed decisions.
Q: What is the author's perspective on the importance of intuition and inner wisdom?,
A: The author emphasizes the importance of trusting one's own wisdom and intuition, and encourages readers to look inward for guidance rather than seeking external validation.
Q: What is the author's view on the role of food in our lives?,
A: The author views food as a means to an end, and stresses the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies.
Q: What is the author's approach to healing, and how does it differ from Western medicine?,
A: The author advocates for a holistic approach to healing, which involves understanding the interconnectedness of our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies, and working with the body's natural rhythms and cycles. This approach is in contrast to the Western medical model, which focuses on symptoms and does not consider the individual's unique constitution.
Q: What is the author's stance on the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness?,
A: The author emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness, encouraging readers to take responsibility for their own health and well-being by tuning into their own inner wisdom and intuition.<|eot_id|><|begin_of_text|>They are or ganize d, decisive, and they see things clearly, but
they can  be intense and they ma y have sharp tempers. Another characterstic
that stands out for Pitta people is that they often have red hair and skin. T om Cru ise is a good example of someone with Pitta constitution. In the
animal kingdom, the tiger fits the bill. A balan ced Pitta  is sharp, focus ed, generous, social, and calm, and this is
the ideal expression of who they are. Due to their fiery nature, Pitta people mean business. Stay out of their way
when th eir mind is set on something. They don’ t like to waste time. They
are sharp as a razor and a force to be reckoned with. When things don’ t go
their wa y, they can become angr y and irritated. They like to be in char ge of
everything. They have an intense appetite. They naturally enjoy hot spicy
foods, meat and alcohol, toma toes, garlic and onions. They live lar ge. Eating Pitta foods and leaning into their personalities creates mo re Pitta and
leads to Pitta im balance which may manifest as psoriasis, skin conditions,
hypertension, and migraine headaches. T o r ecreate balance, those with Pitta constitution need to stop and smell the
roses. A  walk in the cool moonlight and swimming are so me cooling
activities that can bring them balance. Another way is by cutting down on
hot spicy foods and increasing cooling bitter foods. Keep reading to find out
which foods are pacifying for a Pitta constitution. Paul, who had a Pitta constitu tion, came to me due to arthritis that was
showing up in his hands. His face and skin wer e r ed, as though inflamed. When I asked about his diet, he excitingly informed me how much he loved
hot and spicy foods. In fact, he was very pr oud of his collection  of differ ent
chili sauces. I was not surprised when he told me he loves  grapefruit,
tomatoes, garlic and onions. These ar e all Pitta foods and they wer e helpinghim cr ea te a Pitta imbalance (inflammation in his hands.) A nd, yes, he
loved people, socializing and a lcohol. Although, this was a ch allenge, the
way for him to balance was to r e duce his consumption of Pitta foods, which
would r educe the inflammation  he was experiencing, while incr easing his
consumption of cooling foods—such as bitter gr eens—and adding anti-
inflammatory spices like turmeric to help him get his pain under contr ol. K A P H A  C O N S T I T U T I O N
W ith the predominance of W a ter and Earth elements, those with Kapha
constitution hav e a lar ge build and a lar ge frame; they are heavy and soft. They lik e to have a plan and th ey love routine. They are very reliable and
have a good, gentle nature. When in balance, they are sweet, jovial, and
kind, an d they have a teddy bear -type personality. When out of balance,
they can become couch potatoes, lethar gic, and obese. Santa C laus is a good example  of Kapha, and in the animal kingdom, we
see Kapha in the elephant. A balanc ed Kapha is very stable, consistent and reliable; they are generous
and kind, and they have soft personalities. Kapha people like to collect th ings and they like to have a lo t. They like
luxury and excessive buying, a nd they don’ t engage in anythi ng creative. They enjoy sedentary activities and love to sit, watch movies, and talk. They love heavy foods, such as pizza, cheese, ice cream, meat products, and
sweets. They often overeat. This leads to Kapha imbalance and can
manifest as couch potato syndro me, obesity, diabetes, depressio n and heart
conditions, to name a few. In order to bal ance, those with


 lungs, the brightness
of th e li ght stre aming in through the window or emitted by a lamp
—is a simulation, a construct that engulfs you in a virtual reality. On the one ha nd, we are se t up—brain, body, and min d—to
conform to virtual reality, the result of a collective hoodwinking
that ha s taken many thousands of years to create. This makes
things v ery tri cky. A prisoner has an incentive to dig a tu nnel to
the outs ide wo rld, because he knows that there’s something lying
beyond the prison walls. The virtual reality you now experience
offers n othing on the other side that you can touch, taste, feel,
hear, or smell. But someth ing does lie outside virtual reality,
which I’ll term metareality. M etareality is the worksho p where
consciousness creates everything. It is our source and origin, a
field of pure cr eative potentia l. Metareality is not perceived by the
five sen ses, be cause it has n o shape or location. Yet it is totally
accessible, and it offers our only means to escape si mulated
reality. Once you realize that you are engulfed in a simulation, it d awns
on y ou how infinite the crea tive power of humans really is. We
fashioned our world using not bricks and mortar but one invisible
material: consciousness. In a scientific age, this assertion seems
incredible, if not absurd. From inside the simulation, creation can
be viewed like a movie of the universe unfolding from the big bang
onward, along a time line th at has taken 13.7 billion years. How
can this mind-boggling arena, bounded by time, space, matter,
and energy, be essentially fake? To find out, it w ill take a pers onal sense of curiosity and a touch
of adventurousness to go beyond conventional wisdom. Consciousness is present in every second of our lives, yet
conventional wisdom takes it for granted. This isn’t like missingthe forest for the trees. It’s like living in the forest without seeing
any trees at all. Take t he enormously pop ular book Homo Deus, whose
overarching th eme is the invention of the future. The author,
Israeli historia n Yuval Noah Harari, wants to offer a n ew and
better s tarting point for the f uture. Age-old burdens from the past
once seemed inescapable, Harari writes:
The same three problems p reoccupied the people of
twentieth-century China, of medieval India and of
ancient Egypt. Famine, plague and war were always at
the top  of the list….Many  thinkers and prophets
concluded that famine, plague and war must be an
integral part of God’s cosmic plan or of our imperfect
nature. In a burst of o ptimism rare among futurists, Harari goes on to
write that these problems are essentially solved, even though they
persist in pockets around th e globe: “[A]t the dawn of the third
millennium, hu manity wakes  up to an amazing realisation…. [I]n
the last few de cades we have managed to rein in famine, plague
and wa r.” Eagerly his readers want to accept Harari’s vision that
“on the  cosmic  scale of histor y humankind can lift its eyes  up and
start looking towards new horizons.”
And what are these horizons? In Homo Deus, Ha rari takes the
reader on a jou rney through all the existing problems and  a roster
of poss ible solutions that futurists love to explore. Only on page
409 do es he arrive at consciousness, and then he touts a future
dominated by “techno-religions”—in other words, our evolution is
leading toward  artificial intelligence and supercomputers that
upgrade the raw material o f the human brain. Faced with a
stupendous intelligence that towers over us, what can we do but
worship it? Harari’s vision  winds up in the wrong place because it started
in the wrong place. Consciousness belongs on page 1, and the
future that evolved consciou sness can lead to is where humanity
should be heading. Every future that has unfolded throughouthistory has been based on a d irection taken by the mind. A rtificial
intelligence, after all, is just another notch on the belt of human
intelligence; therefore, predicting that we will be surpass ed by a
Frankenstein race of supercomputers is very premature. We need
to know  our full capacity be fore taking bets on any future. Until
metareality becomes a common experience, being human has not
reached its full creative capacity. Settling for a better dream isn’t
good enough—an upgraded illusion is still an illusion. I n  Y o u r  L i f e
THE MET AHUMAN SUR VEY
The bes t evidence we have f or going beyond is that everyday
people are already experiencing metareality. One measure of this
is a twenty-qu estion survey developed by John Astin and David
Butlein, which  goes by the awkwardly academic title of Nondual
Embodiment T hematic Inventory (NETI). On a scale from 20 to
100, NETI assesses how people rank themselves on qualities long
considered spiritual, psychological, or moral. They include
metahuman traits we already value highly because they  are so
meaningful, as well as other traits that make life easier  to cope
with, such as the following:
Compassion
Resilience
Propensity to surrender
Interest in truth
Lack of defensiveness
Capacity to tolerate cognitive dissonance (i.e., having
inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes)
Tolerance for emotional discomfort
Gratitude
Low anxiety level
AuthenticityHumility
These t raits de scribe human nature liberated from second hand
social norms and conditioning. When you possess these qualities,
you are free to reach the metahuman state of awareness. Take a moment to participate personally. Here’s the NETI
questionnaire that was used to assess what are often called
“nondual experiences,” meaning a heightened state of
consciousness. You will give yourself a total score from 20 to 100,
and we’ll proceed from there. NETI Questionnaire*1

To download, go to http://prhlink.com/9781524762988a002
Instructions: Please indicate how often the following things
occur fo r you. Circle only one answer (note: scores are reversed for
questions 4, 8, 14, and 16):
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time
1. An inner contentment that is not contingent or dependent
upon circumstances, objects, or the actions of other people. 1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time2. Accepting (not struggling with) whatever experience I may
be having. 1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time
3. An interest in clearly seeing the reality or truth about
myself, the world, and others, rather than in feeling a
particular way. 1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time
4. A sense that I am protecting or defending a self-image or
concept I hold about myself. 1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time
5. Deep love and appreciation for everyone and everything I
encounter in life. 1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time6. Understanding that there is ultimately no separation
between what I call my “self” and the whole of existence. 1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time
7. Feeling deeply at ease, wherever I am or whatever situation
or circumstance I may find myself in. 1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time
8. A sense that my actions in life are motivated by fear or
mistrust. 1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time
9. Conscious awareness of my nonseparation from (essential
oneness with) a transcendent reality, source, higher power,
spirit, god, etc. 1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time10. Not being personally invested in or attached to my own
ideas and concepts. 1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time
11. An unwavering awareness of a stillness/quietness, even in
the midst of movement and noise. 1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Most of the time
5. All of the time
12. Acting without assuming a role or identity based on my own
or others’ expectations


 states that "without exception" his pa-
tients with syphilis "have gotten well in four to eight weeks under hygienic care." Dr. Tilden refers to recovery from syphilis "in from six weeks to two months without
aftermaths of any kind" when the fasting treatment, followed by correct diet, is em-
ployed. Dr. Weger claims that the "local lesions of the first-stage heal with star-
tling rapidity' and that "pharyngeal, labial, and buccal ulcerations frequently disap-
pear before the tenth day of fasting." In treating diseases of the female reproductive system, fasting relieves conges-
tion, removes infection, relaxes tissues and restores tone to the affected area. Abnormal growths of the womb tend to be partially or completely absorbed during
the fast. The supposed need for surgical operation, with its attendant dangers and
disadvantages, is thus reduced or eliminated when diseases of the female organs   28 occur. In such simple conditions as painful and excessive menstruation, fasting is
also of distinct value. Dr. Hazzard stated that "From one to three day's abstinence
from food will correct excessive menstruation, and, when no mechanical defect is
present relief is obtained within twenty-four hours when the flow is accompanied
by pain." Diabetes was first treated with fasting by the famous French clinician, A. Guelpa,
of Paris. Dr. Guelpa noted that fasting for three or four successive days rendered
the urine of patient with severe diabetes sugar-free, and effected pronounced im-
provement in the state of health, with no aggravation of the disease in any case. The American physician Dr. Heinrich Stern, was next to treat diabetes with fasting
and reduced nutritional intake, and his many hundreds of patients as a rule re-
sponded favorably. Dr. Stern found though there were certain cases of the sever-
est types of diabetes "which no amount of fasting would render sugar-free." the
majority of patients "cease to excrete sugar within forty-eight to sixty hours;' with
an occasional patient fasting six days or longer before the glycosuric symptom
disappeared. In approximately seventy-five per cent of all cases the urine also rendered free
from ketones, though this required a longer period of fasting. Dr. Frederick Allen,
of the Rockefeller Institute, has also employed the "starvation treatment" of diabe-
tes, and his important work with fasting and restricted diet in 1915 effected a 60
per cent reduction in deaths from diabetic coma. Also treated in many instances by fasting is the serious disease, epilepsy. Sev-
eral decades ago Dr. Rabagliati noted that fasting "seems to be of very great effi-
cacy in the treatment of epilepsy." In 1932 Dr. C. Clemmessen came to a similar
conclusion as a result of his work at the Hospital for Nervous and Mental Diseases
in Dianlund, Denmark. On the basis of 155 fasting treatments for epilepsy, Dr.   29 Clemmessen found that in the great majority of cases, fasting caused the epileptic
attacks to cease within four to five days, irrespective of the previous duration of
illness. Fasting was equally effective whether the epilepsy was of organic nature
or cryptogenetic, and it seemed to be most effective in cases with very frequent
seizures. Dr. Alsaker stated that "It is a revelation to some persons who fast how clearly
the mind can function." This being true, it might be expected that various forms of
insanity would be helped by fasting. Widespread experience by many physicians
has shown that fasting is not only valuable in caring for the insane patient but that
it frequently succeeds where all other forms of treatment have failed. Fasting can
not only be applied in promoting absorption of brain tumors and improving the
physical condition of the brain and nervous system; it also has been used suc-
cessfully in treating mental aberrations which were thought to have purely emo-
tional causes. Of those fasting practitioners who have cared for mental patients, Dr. Hay had
some of the most notable experiences. He applied the absolute fast and partial
fast, along with proper nutrition, and he reported excellent results in the majority of
cases. Of seventeen cases of dementia praecox brought to Dr. Hay, five cases
were unmanageable without restraint but all others were carefully treated and
"made splendid comebacks" to a high grade of mental health. Dr Hay described
one mental patient who "was wholly irrational, could not even answer questions,
having both amnesic and ataxic aphasia, cried continually, and required a special
nurse to restrain her from throwing herself out of the window." Yet after ten days
of partial fasting, utilizing only the extracted juices of fruits and vegetables, fol-
lowed by 20 days of controlled diet, the patient returned to her home "as sane as
she had ever been before in her life, and a very bright young woman." 30 Fasting is the safest and most appropriate method of treating varicose veins. It
does not destroy or coagulate the veins, which are accomplished by other meth-
ods at the cost of overworking the deeper blood vessels, but it does heal varicose
ulcers, helps to restore tonicity to the walls of the veins, reduces their size and
provides freedom from pain. In young people who are affected by varicosities of
small to moderate size, full recovery is usually possible. For the patient past mid-
dle age, with severe varicosities, definite improvement with comfort may be ex-
pected but complete recovery is rare. In all cases, proper nutrition and adequate
exercise after the fast are necessary to prevent excess fluid in the tissues and as-
sure continued improvement or maintenance of normal tone of the walls of the
veins. When varicosities occur in the vein near the anus, as in hemorrhoids, fasting is
also of much assistance. During the fast there is little or no bowel action to occa-
sion further irritation, and healing of the affected areas is permitted. As early as
1854 Dr. Joel Shew, in discussing "The Hunger-Cure' stated that "There is nothing
in the world that will produce so great relief in hemorrhoids as fasting." In cases
"where to evacuate the bowels would put the patient into an agony, amounting
almost to spasms" there was marked improvement after only three or four days of
fasting. Dr. McCoy described one case history of hemorrhoids in which the patient
was unable to walk for several days before the fast because of the severe pain
that persisted day and night. Yet after only ten days of fasting "all signs of the
hemorrhoids had disappeared, and the rectum seemed to be in quite a normal
condition. While writing on this same subject Carrington stated: "I may add that I
have observed some most striking examples of such cures myself." Arthritis, rheumatism and gout as a rule respond quickly to the fast. Most pa-
tients experience freedom from severe arthritic pain within a few days after the   31 fast is instituted. There is gradual disappearance of the swelling and complete or
partial absorption of the deformity by autolysis providing complete ossification of
the joint is not present. Dr. Casey A. Wood, Professor of Chemistry in the Medical
Dept. of Bishop's College in Montreal, issued a report concerning seven case his-
tories of acute articular rheumatism. These patients were speedily restored to
health during four to eight days of fasting. Dr. Wood also mentioned forty other
similar cases from his own private practice in which recovery from this disease
was achieved, and in no instance was it necessary to fast longer than ten days. However, patients affected by severe chronic arthritis of long standing must usually
undertake longer fasts. Those who are so crippled that they are unable to walk
alone, comb their hair or even feed themselves usually achieve restoration of con-
siderable motion to the stiffened joints during a single fast, although complete re-
covery (when this is possible) in some of these cases may require a second fast. Simple gall bladder and bile duct infection is completely remedied during fasts of
short to moderate duration. The pus is removed, the inflammation subsides and
the tissues are healed during this physiological rest. When stones have formed in
the gall bladder, somewhat longer fasts may be required but recovery is to be ex-
pected. The patient with gallstones finds relief from severe pain after the first few
days of the fast, although complete recovery in the more advanced cases may re-
quire up to 20 to 25 days of abstinence from food. During the fast, the stones sof-
ten, later disintegrate and then pass through the bile duct into the small intestine. Some pain may occur during the passage of stones but this does not involve the
extreme discomfort frequently experienced prior to the fast. Fasting is without doubt the most rapid and effective method of remedying high
blood pressure. Indeed, hundreds of consecutive patients have been treated for
this condition without a single complete failure. Even patients who have failed to   32 respond to all of the customary treatment of high blood pressure do respond to
fasting. Shelton has reported one case in which a systolic pressure of 295 was
brought down to 115 during three weeks of fasting. And the cures in these cases
tend to be lasting. If the blood pressure falls below normal during the fast, it will
rise to normal later, but actual hypertension does not redevelop so long as good
nutritional habits are maintained after the fast. Heart disease has been treated by fasting in a


auty	sleep	every	day	and	in	the	long-term,	which	is	where	the
real	benefits	are	to	be	had. What	you	choose	to	do	for	your	evening	routine	is
completely	up	to	you. Every	person	will	respond	differently	to	each	activity. You	can	choose	one	of	these	suggestions,	a	combination	of	them,	or	come	up
with	your	own	ideas	for	how	to	wind	down	in	the	evening	before	bed. The	most
important	thing	is	that	you	pick	something	that	makes	you	feel	relaxed	and
that	you	do	it	at	the	same	time	every	day	as	often	as	you	can. Here	are	some
suggestions	for	your	evening	routine. SIP	SOMETHING	SOOTHING
After	dinner,	sip	some	herbal	tea	or
hot	almond	or	hemp	milk	while	relaxing	orgetting	ready	for	bed. (See	the	Evening	Replenishing	Elixir	on
this	page
.) GET	DIM
After	6	p.m.	in	the	winter	or	7	p.m.	in	the	summer,	start	dimming	the	lights	in
your	home. Try	using	candles	at	dinner	and	in	whatever	room	of	the	house	you
are	in	to	start	reducing	your	exposure	to
artificial	lights. You	don’t	have	to	go
full	precolonial	style,	but	any	time	you	can	reduce	artificial	lighting,	the	better. PRACTICE
ABHYANGA
If	you	are	too	rushed	in	the	mornings,	you	can	perform	your
abhyanga
	routine
(see
this	page
)	in	the	evening. Or	practice	a	shorter	variation	of
abhyanga
followed	by	a	relaxing	hot	bath	or	shower. If	you	completed	your
abhyanga
	in
the	morning,	a	nice	warm	bath	or	shower	might	be	relaxing	by	itself. RELAX	TO
MUSIC
Try	a	routine	of	listening	to	some	music	you	find	truly	relaxing. Music	can	help
to	powerfully	relax	your	mind. Find	some	music	you	connect	to	with	a	slower
vibration	that	leaves	you	feeling	soothed	and	chilled	out. No	stimulating	hip-
hop	or	hard	rock	at	this	time! HONOR	THE
SACRED	HOUR
Treat	the	last	hour	before	bed	as	sacred	time	for	you. Try	reading	something
relaxing	or	spiritually	uplifting,	or	meditating. There	are	excellent	ways	to	set
the	energetic	tone	as	you	drift	into	sleep. (See
Pillar	6
	for	more	specifics	about
meditation.) Your	nighttime	reading	should	be	done	with	real	books	instead	of
an	electronic	reader	that	can	disrupt	your	internal	cues	and	sleep	patterns. During	the	sacred	hour,	what	you	avoid	is	just	as	crucial	as	what	you	engage
in. Avoid	stressful	or	stimulating	activities. Late	at	night	is	not	the	ideal	time	to
complete	last-minute	work	on	a	presentation,	hit	the	gym,	or	engage	in	a
dynamic	Vinyasa	yoga	flow. It’s	also	not	the
best	time	to	get	into	a	big
emotional	discussion	with	your	partner	or	a	friend. You’ll	be	better	off	saving
that	for	morning	tea	or	a	Saturday	hike,	if	you	can	put	it	off	until	then. Stressful	activities	just	have	no	place	before	bedtime. They	can	induce	your
body	to	secrete	the	stress	hormone	cortisol,	which	can	make	you	feel	more	alert. Chill	out	and	steer	clear	of	anything	non–chilled	out. SECURE	THE	BEST	BEAUTY	SLEEP	POSE
Research	has	shown	that	exactly	how	you	sleep	on	your	pillow	can	influence	wrinkleformation. One	study	from	the	journal	of
Clinical	and	Experimental	Dermatology
studied	mechanical	forces	on	the	face	and	how	they	influenced	wrinkles	and
superficial	facial	changes,	including	the	formation	of	crow’s-feet	and	lines	around
the	mouth. They	found	that	redistributing	pressure	could	help	reduce	wrinkles. 3
So	what	can	you	do? First,	ensure	that	you	have	the	right	kind	of	pillow	(see
this
page
)	and	avoid	sleeping	on	your	stomach,	which	may	create	pressure	and
enhance	wrinkles	to	an	even	greater	degree. Also	avoid	crossing	your	legs	when
you	sleep. It’s	not	only	bad	for	circulation,	but	can	also	twist	your	spine,	leaving	you
feeling	unbalanced	in	the	morning. Try	sleeping	with	a	pillow	between	your	legs,
which	will	keep	your	legs	and	hips	more	balanced. Create	a	Personal	Bedroom	Cave
One	of	the	most	important	routines	you	can	create	is	the	habit	of
sleeping	in
an	ideal	environment. If	you	look	at	the	sleeping	habits	of	other	animals,
regardless	of	whether	they	sleep	during	the	day	or	the	night,	you	will	find	bears
and	bats	burrowed	deep	in	cool,
dark,	quiet	caves. Let’s	take	this	cue	from
nature	as	a	guide	to	create	an	ideal
sleep	environment. There	are	three	factors
that	are	essential	for	creating	your	own	personal	beauty	sleep	“cave”	right	in
your	own	home. COOL
Warm	temperatures	might	feel	great	during	the	day	when	you’re	outside,
especially	if	you	like	to	hike,	bike,	or	go	to	the	beach. But	high	temperatures	are
not	great	for	sleep. In	fact,	some	research	has	shown	a	connection	between
insomnia	and	elevated	body	temperatures. 4
	You’ve	perhaps	already	experienced
how	much	easier	it	is	to	sleep	soundly	when	you	can	snuggle	under	the	covers. When	you	sleep,	your	body’s	temperature	drops	mildly,	which	actually	helps
prepare	you	to	sleep	through	the	night. While	the
National	Sleep	Foundation	recommends	a	cool	65	degrees
Fahrenheit	(18	degrees	Celsius)
5
	for	sleep,	somewhere	between	65	and	75
degrees	Fahrenheit	(18	to	24	degrees	Celsius),	depending	on	your	particular
body	constitution,	is	a	good	range	to	help	you	drop	off	to	sleep	faster	and	more
deeply. Some	researchers	believe	that	keeping	temperatures	steady	throughout
the	night	is	important,	and	that	if	there	is	a	rise	or	fall	in	temperature	you
might	experience	less	quality	REM	sleep. If	possible,	set	your	home
thermometer	to	hold	steady	at	a	certain	temperature. From	a	beauty	perspective,
excessive	heat	can	cause	you	to	lose	even	more	fluids	throughout	the	night,	and
sleep	is	already	dehydrating. Chronic,	excessive	nighttime
dehydration	over
time	can	contribute	to	drying	out	and	taxing	your	skin.DARK
Your	whole	bedroom	needs	to	be	as	dark	as	possible. Move	as	much	electronic
equipment	out	of	your	bedroom	as	possible	(surely	the	printer	can	fit
somewhere
in	the	living	room)	and	get	rid	of	digital	alarm	clocks	that	are
plugged	in	and	introduce	their	own	lights	and	electromagnetic	frequencies. Then	go	through	and	use	black	tape	to	cover	any	little	blinking	lights	that	can’t
be	avoided. Light	tells	your	brain	that	it’s	time	to	wake	up,	and	even	a	small
amount	of	ambient	light	from	your	cell	phone	or	computer	can	disrupt	the
production	of	melatonin,
6
	which	regulates	sleep	cycles. It’s	also	very	helpful	to	equip	your	room	with	heavy	blackout	shades	that
completely	block	out	the	sunlight	along	with	outside	streetlights	or	car	lights. This	is	especially	important	if	you	live	on	a	busy	road	or	in	a	city. An	eye	mask
is	also	a	g


 that I worked that week. This was a
new measure of freedom for me, and one that I treasured. I felt a new senseof control over my life. Of course, I also had many new restrictions
imposed on me: I had to report to work when Mr. Stahl said to. I had to
wear an apron. I had to work the hours that he decided were appropriate for
me. But I did not have to traipse  through the snow and slush hoping that my
customers would be home so that I could collect my earnings. I stayed at Stahl’ s all through my high school years, working as an
assistant manag er after a few years, closing up the store and taking
responsibility for the safe and the money tabulations, working as a butcher
if neede d, and generally being in charge. I gained more freedom over my
working hours and what I could do as I progressed from bag boy to cashier
to produce manager to butcher to assistant manager. My weekends were
always six hours on Friday evening, twelve hours on Saturd ay, and six
hours alone on Sunday to handle everything in the store. I was making good
money and enjoying the work, but I knew this was not to be a career
position for me. After graduation from high school I enlisted in the navy. I knew I had a
military obligati on, and I also knew that I did not want to be marching in a
column and carrying a gun in preparation for learning how to become a
potential killer. I could not have done it then, and I could not do it today. I
tested well and was assigned to communications schools and ultimately to
the island of Guam in the South Pacific. Each job that I managed to get
while serving four years in the service was in the direction of more
freedom. But the very first time I had to participate in a personal inspection, I
experienced an internal revulsion that is impossible to describe. To have a
young officer staring at me, inspecting my shave, critically examining my
uniform, and telling me that my shoes were not shiny enough turned my
stomach. I knew that I could not handle being in that situation for the next
four years, and so I figured out in my own mind how I would avoid future
inspections. For four years, I never was inspected again. Ever! No one knew
about this internal decision I made, not even my very best friends. I simply
moved toward more freedom by getting assigned to the kinds of positions
that were exempt from inspections. I became a cryptographer, a supervisor
of a message center. Even within a system that is thoroughly regimented, I
was able to extend a lar ge measure of freedom over my life. After four years as an enlisted petty officer, I knew that I had to make
some dramatic changes in my life. Reenlistment was out of the question. Ihad watc hed each payday as many of my contemporaries drank themselves
silly, spending all of their pay as soon as it arrived, and passing  the rest of
the time reading comic books and generally being broke, both financially
and in character. I had made a commitment while on Guam for the last eighteen months of
my enlistment that I was going to college. I knew that I did not have the
necessary funds, so for eighteen  months I managed to live on 10 percent of
my salary and to save the remaining 90 percent. That’ s right. I saved 90
percent of my salary for a year and a half, and I had it all put into a bank
account for the purpose of paying my tuition for the full four years of
school. No one in my family had ever attended college, but I focused on
attending Wayne State University in Detroit. No one in my family had ever
accumulated the money necessary for school, but I concentrated all of my
thoughts on what I had, which was a bank account that was growing
steadily every two weeks. I expanded what I thought about, and what I
thought about was what I had, rather than what I did not have, or what the
history of my family had been. I made the decision to become a teacher because I loved being in front of
an audie nce, I loved young people, and I especially loved being off every
day at three o’clock and having my entire summer free. The freedom aspect
of teaching was a major consideration. I knew that I would be able to do
pretty much what I wanted once  the classroom door was closed. I knew that
I would have a lot of spare time for attending classes in the evening. I also
loved pursuing a college degree, even though I was twenty-two years old
and a mere freshman, when most people my age were either college
graduates or well on their way to a working career. Once I started teaching I loved what I was doing. But it was not long
before I began to notice how much of my freedom had been stripped away
from me. I had to be in the same classroom every single day, for the same
time period, for an entire school  year. I had administrators imposing a lot of
curriculum rules on me, telling me what committees I had to serve on and
when I had to go to faculty meetings. My life became exceedingly
scheduled. I disliked the fact that I was going to have to be in room 223
every single Wednesday for the next forty weeks at 2:00 in the afternoon. More and more I found that I was having less and less control over how I
spent my days. In the name of a job, I was giving up a great  deal of the
freedom and abundance that I treasure so much.I noted at this time that the school counselors had much more freedom
than the teachers. They had their own offices, were free to schedule
appointments at their convenien ce, and could leave the school for lunch,
since they did not have a class and time schedule to adhere to. They also
were able to work one-on-one with students and pretty much could come
and go as they wanted. There was a lot of important work to be done, but it
could all get accomplished on the counselor ’s own time schedule. So I went for my master ’s degree to become a school counsel or. And I
loved counseling. I loved my studies. I loved being in a school setting with
young people everywhere. I loved the freedom that I had in contrast to
teaching. My day was what I wanted it to be, and I did not have to live and
breathe by the school time schedule. However, I noted that the college
professors who were teaching me to become a counselor had to come into
the university only two or three  days a week, and that their schedules were
much lighter than mine: they had a great deal of free time to write and do
research. I still had to be in that school office five days every week, forty
weeks every year, and my days were filled with school duties. I wanted still
more freedom, and I immediatel y enrolled in my doctoral studie s to prepare
myself to become a college professor. Teaching at the university level is a wondrous experience, and I
thoroughly enjoyed it for six years. I was able to work it out so that my
office hours and class teaching assignments were completed on a three-day-
a-week regimen. Fantastic! Three days for the college, and four whole days
for me to write,  to counsel, to have control over my own life and my own
destiny. The relative freedom in comparison to working for a school system
was like night and day. But I was still dependent upon the university for a
paycheck. They  still set my school calendar and gave me my teaching
assignments. And they began to give me more and more  committee
assignments. I was assigned to doctoral study groups and research
assignments. I knew in my heart that it was going to be necessary for me to assume
total control over my days if I was ever going to experience the abundance
that I am able to write about today. But of course I had all of the concerns
that everyone has about money, bills, and family. When the day came for me to leave college teaching, it was not because I
was dissatisfied. In fact, I was thrilled and proud to call myself Professor
Dyer. I was very proud of having gone from my humble beginnings inDetroit to the academic world of college professor in New York City. I
loved what I was doing, but I wanted to do it all on my terms. I did not want
to be told how to dress ever again. I did not want to be told when to be in
what building or on what committee at any specific time. I wanted freedom,
complete freedo m. I made the decision to leave a marvelo us teaching
assignment at a wonderful university in order to have that control over my
life. Again, I point out that never once did I entertain the idea that I would
abandon my responsibilities and obligations. As I have said, I place an
enormous amount of importance  on being responsible for the choices that I
have made in my life. My famil y comes first, and I have always met all of
my obligations as a father and a husband. And I have been blessed with
supportive family members who always encourage me to pursue my own
dreams, regardle ss of how “crazy” they may seem at the time. They have
always known that Wayne was the kind of person who could not survive if
he had to run his


 of Leadbeater's views on the
awakening of kundalini. History records many spontaneous awakenings of kun
dalini; however, it is generally believed that it is a gradual
process, and most people who are attempting to awaken kun
dalini for the first time will find it difficult in the present in-204
carnation. The chances of successful higher awakening are
greater for those individuals who have practiced yogic
disciplines in their previous lifetimes. During yoga practice, it is imperative to fully realize the
value of one's Master's (or Guardian Angel's) guidance, and
to follow it closely. Although age is no barrier to successful
practice, good health is a prerequisite. The awakening proc
ess is strenuous, and only those in good physical condition
can endure it. During the spontaneous awakening of the serpent power, a
dull glow is experienced at the coccyx, or in the abdomen or
spine. This is followed by an excruciating pain in the spinal
cord, the channel for the rise of kundalini. Etheric dross is
burned up during this painful process of purification. Despite strong resistance, kundalini continues to rise,
ultimately flashing through the head and encompassing the
surrounding atmosphere. At this stage, except for a tem
porary loss of consciousness and slight fatigue, no adverse
physical effects are experienced. Once awakened, the serpent fire must be controlled
carefully. The power must be made to move in an effective
way, directed to the various chakras in a particular pattern. Normally, the adept concentrates upon a given chakra and
activates it through the infusion of prana, and then the kun
dalini is aroused and directed to the chakra. As the optimum
pattern differs considerably from individual to individ
ual - due to differences in constitution, personality, and
karmic factors - the close supervision by the Guru is in-
dispensible. During the second stage of its arousal, the serpent fire con
tacts the second etheric center. This acts as a prelude to con
scious astral journeys which can be recalled later. *
* An accomplished yogi is able to consciously leave his physical body and
travel to distant places through the astral dimension. This phenomenon
is called astral projection. However, in individuals whose kundalini is
still dormant, dreams may act as a vehicle for astral travel. For example, 205
When the serpent fire reaches the third chakra, the practi
tioner experiences various kinds of astral influences in the
physical dimension. He finds some experiences pleasant and
others vaguely hostile - his feelings about certain places, for
example - without any logical explanation. With the awakening of the fourth center, the individual
naturally begins to experience the joys and sorrows of others
as if they were his own; at a later stage this experience may
extend to bodily suffering as well. As the serpent power reaches the fifth center, the practi
tioner becomes clairvoyant on the etheric and astral planes,
acquiring the ability to hear various astral suggestions. The vivification of the sixth sense enables a person to
develop a unique faculty - a tiny etheric tube with an eye at
its tip, stationed between the eyebrows. This tube can be ex
panded or contracted to examine objects of various pro
portions, in accordance with the needs of the individual. Leadbeater notes that this tube corresponds to a smali snake
depicted on the forehead of ceremonial headressess of Egyp
tian pharaohs. Finally, the awakening of the seventh center revitalizes the
kundalini and enables it to pass easily through all the above-
mentioned etheric centers. Once this has been achieved, a
person acquires the ability to transcend the physical con
sciousness and experiences the beatitude of heaven. An interesting related phenomenon Leadbeater discusses
is what he calls "casual clairvoyance." In the casual clair
voyant state a person may experience glimpses of the astral
world, despite the fact that the kundalini has not awakened. This is due to irrevocably strong infusions of prana which
galvanize the chakras and activate them on higher levels. In
tense inner concentration, resulting in the dharana or
dhyana states of yoga, sometimes produces these spasmodic
a person who often dreams of flying through the air may actually be
traveling through the astral dimension, but because his chakras are not
fully awakened, he can have this experience only in dreams. 206
clairvoyant states, which are not related to the arousal of the
serpent power. At other times, the partial awakening of kun
dalini may be responsible for the onset of extraordinary
psychic powers. When a person experiences these casual
clairvoyant states, he should practice diligently to fully
awaken the kundalini force. The prerequisite qualifications for the complete awaken
ing of kundalini are as follows:
1) A well-integrated, ethical, and virtuous life pattern. 2) A strong disposition to control and channel the kun
daliniproperly. 3) A well-developed sense of equanimity to endure the
awakening of kundalini without succumbing to injury. If an individual attempts to awaken the serpent fire before
fulfilling these criteria, the following dangers may be en
countered:
1) Once awakened, the serpent power is uncontrollable. Its movement may generate excruciating pain which af
fects the whole somatic system and sometimes death
results. In some cases, permanent damage is sustained
in dimensions higher than physical. 2) Instead of moving upward along the spinal cord, the
serpent power flows downward. In such cases, the reti
cent animal centers, located in the body's lower regions
but unused by normal, virtuous people, are activated. *
This results in an upsurge of the most undesirable pas
sions. 3) The intensification of base, evil personality charac-
Leadbeater omits the names of these chakras which are said to
predominate in animals, but in the Indian tradition they are called the
Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Rasatala, Hahatala, and Patala. These
lower chakras are located between the coccyx and the heels. The
Muladhara (the root chakra in humans) is said to be the highest of the
chakras active in animals, while it is the lowest of the normally function
ing human chakras. 207
teristics may occur. The traits of ambition, jealousy,
selfishness, etc. are intensified to an incredible degree,
deteriorating the very nucleus of the life process. Thus, although awakening of the serpent power can lead
the practitioner to spiritual liberation, serious dangers await
him who is not adequately prepared. Leadbeater emphatical
ly stresses the need to develop selfless love and to devote
time and energy to the betterment of society before indulging
in practice designed to awaken kundalini. Furthermore, the
expert guidance of a guru is necessary to avoid premature
awakening and the accompanying dangers. Leadbeater goes on to discuss the "etheric web," a single
layer of minute physical atoms permeated by vital force
which envelops the physical body like a sheath. This esoteric
web acts as a strong barrier to all forces, with the exception
of the divine force, which pass between the physical and
astral bodies. Thus, a main function of the web is to protect
the physical body from the influence of astral entities, while
allowing the force of divine life to enter freely. It safeguards
against the premature opening of the two bodies, which is
potentially dangerous to a person whose chakras and nadis
are not adequately purified. Because this etheric web is the
only barrier between the astral and etheric centers, any
damage to its subtle fabric might result in emotional and
physical disorder. According to Leadbeater, the habitual consumption of
alcohol, narcotics, drugs, tobacco, etc., may eventually
weaken this protective web. These volatile stimuli harden
the atoms so that the pulsation of the etheric web is greatly
restricted and its growth is crippled. This leads to ossifica
tion of the web and a breakdown in the normal influx of vital
energy. In turn, gross materialism, brutality, animalism, a
loss of finer emotions, lack of empathy, selfishness, anger,
and other such qualities are likely to manifest - in short, ir
responsible and regressive behavior may result. 208
Leadbeater suggests that damage to the etheric web may af
fect the astral body directly, causing injury which remains
even after death. In such cases, an individual's astral body
might remain paralyzed and helpless for many weeks or
months after physical death has occurred. Thus, in order to progress spiritually within one's lifetime,
it is important to give up all antisocial habits. The etheric
and astral bodies must be purified, and the atomic matter of
the etheric web kept scrupulously clean. This allows a
natural, gradual opening of the etheric web, facilitating com
munication between the etheric and astral bodies; at the
same time, the undesirable influences from the


 so because as vedanta, Geeta ·
and Bible say that tansgression of laws of life is sin and their pro
per observation is a great merit. This is so because laws of life is
the active form of God Himself. If these laws are broken, God feels
insulted and insulated God cannot behelpful at all. There is great. joy in the observation of laws of life and such a joy is divine and
God too is not far from such a divine joy. so observance of all laws
of righteous life is a divine must. Prayer : Pr. 1~·er is the must of all musts a divine must, a. ~pontaneous must ad without it all cures are secontiary. Pr(. yerwith
a dean life, with pure character and enjoined with the observation·
of a11·taws of sound and healthy l. fe work wonders and this is the
universal experience of all sa ins. One may ask why should one pray
God. Is God a despot who r~quires our flattery to be pleased. l(). t
is not so at all True Prayer means finding out one's own divine' self. because essenti<illy man is God's incarnation. He is so engrossed
in worldly things like money, sex and other base enjoyments that
he forgets his own divine self and becomes a pethy mortal man. So
he must pray in such a way that he can find his own Divine self
who is all heaith, wealth and wisdom. So such a_ prayer is the greatest
Divine must and is the musts of all must the Divine Fundamental
must. Exercise : Most of the people are so lazy in doing physical
exercise, that they never care for any exercise and that is why they
suffer small or big ailments. It is sheer laziness and carelessness on
the part of such people that they try to avoid physical work. lt. is
a mental attitude· of the most of the people that exercise is only
meant for sportsmen only or only for the athlete$. Really speaking
exercise is physical prayer to keep fit the body. It keeps all systems
of the body quite fit and s_o every one' should do exercise for the
sake health. It is a must for all except those who do manual work
for earning their bread. Yogcic Asiansand calesthenics along with
few simple pranayam Keep fit the whole bodY. and mind too. It is
a last must but not the least and so form a child to an old man, every
·body should to exercise according to one's qw11 need and fitness. New Cases
Urine therapy is so much propagated· not only in Gujarat but in
India and abroad that many books are already written on this very·
Therapy. In Gujarat, Ravajibhai made the start and his noble work
is taken' i. Jp by so many other enthusiasts. Ravajibhai's own son,
Sri Shashikantbhai has inherited his father's faith and enthusiasm and
is carying on his work very well and has continued his father's work. During last several years so many successfur cases by urine therapy
have come to light. Some of the notable cases treated 50 far are
given -below. (1. Sri· Rasiklal M. Shah of Meva:d'~ Str:et, ~nklesaw~r,
Dist. :Bharuch was suffering from pain m the •otenst~ne (pec;•s~
lack of hunger, debilities and cough, tn t~n da~~ e got a~y
his hunger, got relief in· all other matte. rs rn few ays more
this therapy. B Kh of F/15. Govt Engineering College Reva (M:P. ) (2) Sn K. are'·
got raid of his diabetes by this therapy. h. kl I P Shah of GanJ· Basauda, Dist. :Vidisha in M. P. (3) Sn C ampa a •. got mur;:h relief i.<|eot_id|><|begin_of_text|>
Q: What is the author's emphasis on in the recovery of health?,
A: The author emphasizes on Natura-Urine Therapy and gives importance to the additional concepts described in this chapter later on.
Q: What is the first and foremost principle of Naturopathy?,
A: The removal of all toxins in the body.
Q: What is the author's view on the use of tobacco and other drinks?,
A: The author strongly advises against the use of tobacco and other drinks, considering them injurious and poisonous.
Q: What is the importance of exercise in the author's approach?,
A: The author emphasizes the importance of physical exercise for overall health and well-being, and it is considered a must for everyone.
Q: What is the author's view on the importance of prayer?,
A: The author stresses the importance of prayer as a must for all, and it is considered essential for the therapy to be effective.<|eot_id|><|begin_of_text|>CONTENTS
Cover
About	the	Book
About	the	Author
Also	by	Deepak	Chopra
Praise	for	‘Life	After	Death’
Title	Page
Dedication
Memoir:	The	Life	Beyond
PART	ONE:

L
IFE
	A
FTER
	D
EATH
1. Death	at	the	Door
2. The	Cure	for	Dying
3. Death	Grants	Three	Wishes
4. Escaping	the	Noose
5. The	Path	to	Hell
6. Ghosts
7. The	Invisible	Thread
8. Seeing	the	Soul
9. Two	Magical	Words
10. Surviving	the	Storm
11. Guides	and	Messengers
12. The	Dream	Continues
PART	TWO:

T
HE
	B
URDEN	OF
	P
ROOF
13. Is	Akasha	Real? 14. Thinking	Outside	the	Brain
15. The	Mechanics	of	Creation
Epilogue:	Maha	Samadhi
Reading	Notes
Index
Acknowledgments
CopyrightAbout	the	Book
What	happens	when	we	die? In
Life	After	Death
,	Dr	Deepak	Chopra,	the	world-famous	pioneer	in	the	field
of	mind-body	medicine,	addresses	one	of	the	fundamental	questions	of
existence. Drawing	upon	personal	experience,	the	wisdom	of	ancient	Vedic
philosophy	and	state-of-the-art	particle	physics,	Chopra	helps	us	overcome
our	fears	about	dying	and	to	consider	the	fantastic	possibilities	that	may	await
us	in	the	afterlife. This	is	the	book	that	Dr	Chopra	has	been	preparing	to	write	his	entire	life. In
it,	he	considers	the	theory	that	death	is	an	illusion	of	the	senses	and	that	the
soul	survives	in	an	ongoing	spiral	of	refinement,	ending	in	enlightenment. Thought-provoking	exercises	offer	a	first-hand	experience	of	these	and	other
ideas,	helping	you	to	make	sense	of	your	own	spirituality	whatever	path	you
choose	to	follow,	and	offering	you	your	very	own	map	of	eternity.About	the	Author
D
EEPAK
	C
HOPRA’S
	many	books	have	become	classic	texts	of	health	and
spirituality	as	well	as	national	bestsellers. He	is	the	founder	of	the	Chopra
Center	for	Well	Being	(
www.chopra.com
)	and	the	president	of	the	Alliance
for	a	New	Humanity	(
www.anhglobal.org
).Also	by	Deepak	Chopra
Creating	Health
Return	of	the	Rishi
Quantum	Healing
Perfect	Health
Unconditional	Life
Ageless	Body,	Timeless	Mind
Journey	into	Healing
Creating	Affluence
Perfect	Weight
Restful	Sleep
The	Seven	Spiritual	Laws	of	Success
The	Return	of	Merlin
Boundless	Energy
Perfect	Digestion
The	Way	of	the	Wizard
Overcoming	Addictions
Raid	on	the	Inarticulate
The	Path	to	Love
The	Seven	Spiritual	Laws	for	Parents
The	Love	Poems	of	Rumi
(edited	by	Deepak	Chopra;	translated	by	Deepak	Chopra	and	Fereydoun	Kia)
Healing	the	Heart
Everyday	Immortality
The	Lords	of	the	Light
On	the	Shores	of	EternityHow	to	Know	God
The	Soul	in	Love
The	Chopra	Center	Herbal	Handbook
(with	coauthor	David	Simon)
Grow	Younger,	Live	Longer
(with	coauthor	David	Simon)
The	Deeper	Wound
The	Chopra	Center	Cookbook
(coauthored	by	David	Simon	and	Leanne	Backer)
The	Angel	Is	Near
The	Daughters	of	Joy
Golf	for	Enlightenment
Soulmate
SynchroDestiny
The	Book	of	Secrets
Fire	in	the	Heart
The


	soft	white,	and	then	there	was
only	whiteness	and	no	room. He	looked	down,	and	his	body	was	gone	too. It
had	slipped	away	so	easily	that	he	was	reminded	of	something	his	master	had
told	him:	“The	body	is	like	a	cloak. For	the	enlightened,	dying	is	like	letting
the	cloak	fall	to	the	floor. For	the	unenlightened,	it	is	like	ripping	off	a	cloak
that	is	sewn	on. ”
What	would	slip	away	next. Ramana	could	still	pose	mental	questions,	so
his	mind	hadn’t	left	him. He	saw	himself	as	a	boy	of	twelve,	when	he	first
met	his	master,	who	lived	in	the	same	forest	retreat	that	became	his	after	the
master	died. The	old	man	sitting	in	lotus	position	on	a	worn	deerskin	had	said,
“Do	you	want	to	learn	from	me. ”	The	boy	nodded. “Is	it	because	your	parentsthink	it	would	be	a	good	thing. ”	The	boy	nodded	again. Then	the	master
waved	his	hand,	sending	Ramana’s	parents	out	of	the	room. When	they	were	alone,	the	master	said,	“Come	to	me	when	it’s	your
desire,	not	that	of	your	parents. ”
“Why. ”	Ramana	asked. “My	parents	only	want	what’s	good	for	me. ”
“That’s	not	enough,”	the	master	replied. “You	can’t	be	with	me	and
remain	like	ordinary	people. Ordinary	people	need	the	support	of	family,	or
they	would	die	of	loneliness. They	need	the	support	of	society,	or	they	would
have	no	friends	or	spouse. They	need	the	support	of	their	bodies,	or	they
would	starve. And	most	of	all,	they	need	the	support	of	their	minds,	or	they
would	go	crazy. ”
“I	don’t	see	why	you’re	telling	me	this,”	said	the	boy. “Because	if	you	lose	family,	friends,	your	body,	and	your	mind—all	of
which	you	must—I	don’t	want	you	to	die. I	want	you	to	be	free. ”
The	boy	didn’t	come	back	for	ten	years,	and	even	then	the	master	laughed
and	said	he	had	been	quick	about	it. “After	what	I	told	you,	most	people
would	stay	away	forever. ”	During	his	period	as	a	disciple	Ramana	had	found
the	teaching	difficult. He	often	stumbled	but	never	fell. Everything	his	master
foretold	came	true. The	time	came	when	the	disciple	no	longer	needed	the
support	of	his	family. But	this	wasn’t	a	loss,	because	he	now	saw	them	with
great	compassion. He	didn’t	need	the	support	of	society,	but	this	wasn’t	a	loss,
because	he	saw	himself	as	part	of	all	humanity. He	didn’t	need	the	support	of
his	physical	body,	but	this	wasn’t	a	loss,	because	his	body	took	care	of	itself
better	when	he	stopped	worrying	about	it. The	one	thing	Ramana	never	quite	gave	up	was	the	support	of	his	mind. “Ah,	you	fear	that	without	a	mind	you	will	die,”	his	master	said	patiently. Ramana	adopted	the	same	patience. He	learned	to	go	inward	in
samadhi
	to
experience	silence,	and	over	the	years	this	became	home	to	him,	a	place	free
of	the	constant	activity	of	the	mind. On	the	day	his	master	died,	Ramana	knelt	by	his	bed	and	wept. “So	you
imagine	that	I	am	leaving	you,”	his	master	whispered. “Your	mind	still	has
you	in	its	spell. ”	He	said	this	affectionately,	not	in	reproof,	and	that	consoled
Ramana. An	hour	later	his	master	went	into	the	deepest	of	all	silences,
maha
samadhi. Ramana	could	remember	all	these	things	now	that	he	too	had	died. He
looked	around. There	was	no	one	to	greet	him,	no	family,	not	even	his	master. For	a	second	a	shiver	of	fear	gripped	him,	then	it	faded,	and	with	it	the	power
to	think. Ramana	didn’t	even	get	to	think,
There	goes	my	mind. He	slipped
effortlessly	to	where	mind	was	no	longer	needed. There	was	no	whiteness
around	him	anymore,	but	even	this	perception	lasted	for	only	an	instant,
because	there	was	no	darkness,	either. When	his	mind	slipped	away,	it	took
light	and	dark	with	it. Now	he	was	enveloped	in	silence,	which	came	as	an	indescribable	relief. Like	thieves	in	the	night,	whole	worlds	wanted	to	enter	him	and	take	his
silence	away. But	all	they	could	do	was	glance	off	him	ever	so	lightly,	like
feathers	off	a	rock. He	was	impenetrable	now. There	was	no	universe	and	no
God,	no	divine	presence,	no	love. He	lingered	like	that,	in	the	womb	of	the	timeless,	for	a	while. Then
Ramana	felt	a	soft	breath,	and	it	beckoned	him	back. He	was	stirring	to	life
again. Not	because	he	wanted	to	live	on	earth,	for	that	would	have	been	a
thought. The	breath	was	its	own	reason. There	was	a	split	second	when	he
could	choose	not	to	return. Eternal	peace	was	just	as	possible	as	another
lifetime. Only	then	did	he	realize	that	he	was	free	at	last. Human	life	could	be	his
again,	only	now	he	also	would	have	eternal	peace,	the	two	together. Ramana
smiled	to	himself,	if	one	can	say	that	the	cosmos	smiles. The	breathing	grew
louder. He	relaxed	and	let	it	carry	him	downward	back	to	earth. One	breath,
then	another,	always	louder,	until	it	became	like	the	monsoons	drifting	down
the	mountain,	or	the	knocking	of	the	gods. He	couldn’t	see	what	family	he
would	be	born	into,	but	Ramana	knew	his	new	purpose:	to	show	these
dreaming	humans,	whom	he	loved	so	much,	how	to	wake	up. READING	NOTES
There	will	never	be	a	definitive	book	on	the	afterlife,	which	I	think	is	good,
because	no	single	book	will	ever	convince	skeptics	or	console	everyone	who
has	wondered	what	happens	after	death. What	might	change	society’s	fear	and
doubt	is	a	rising	tide	of	evidence. Below	I	have	listed	every	book	and	Web
site	that	helped	me	write	this	book. They	constitute	a	mountain	of	evidence
that	life	continues	after	death;	more	important,	each	one	is	a	symptom	of
rising	consciousness. Too	long	has	death	been	a	mysterious	subject. The	best	I
can	hope	for	is	to	shed	a	little	light	into	that	darkness,	but	I	couldn’t	have
done	it	without	the	countless	other	people	trying	to	shed	the	same	light. Chapter	1:	Death	at	the	Door
We	have	entered	a	new	era	in	research	where	the	Internet	has	become	as
valuable	as	standard	book	references. Besides	Googling	any	general	topic
(e. g.,	ghosts,	near-death	experiences,	heaven)


ashayam etc. Synonyms of Kashayam – Kashaya, Kashay, Kwatham, Kwath etc. Sometimes, the word Kada is also used to describe Kashayam. Kashaya, Kashayam, Kashay, Kwatha, Kwatham, Kwath, Kada, Kadha,
Niryuha, Shruta
How to Prepare Kashayam? Dry herbs are taken as per the specic traditional Ayurvedic formula. e herbs are pounded into the form of coarse powder. Mix well. Add 8 times of water to the herbs. Allow the herbs to completely get soaked
in water for one to two hours. Start boiling this mixture in a wide mouth container in mild re. Keep on stirring the contents with a ladle. Boil the Kashayam till it reduces to 1/4th or 1/8th or 1/16th to original water
quantity.For example, if you have taken 100 grams of coarse powder of herbs and have
added 800 ml of water, you should boil and reduce the kashaya to 200 ml or
100 ml or 50 ml. e concentration of the Kashaya depends on the purpose. However, 200–300 ml of Kashayam is also acceptable. Filter the Kashayam across a clean cloth immediately. us prepared Kashayam can be used within 4–5 h ours. is is the method of preparation of kashayam. Kashaya Formula
Herb – dry – coarse powder
1 part of coarse powder + 16 Parts of water S Boil in mild re. Evaporate water by boiling till 1/8th reduction. Filter. Use it when fresh. 1 part of herb + 16 parts of water S Boil and reduce to S 1/8th part S Filter. Eg: 10 grams + 160 ml of water S 20 ml. Sharangdhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda 2nd chapter. References for 1/8th and 1/4th are available. Eg: 10 grams + 160 ml of water S 40 ml.<|eot_id|><|begin_of_text|>Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        Notion Press
Old No. 38, New No. 6
McNichols R oad, Chetpet
Chennai - 600 031
First Published by Notion Press 2018
Copyright © Janardhana V Hebbar 2018
All Rights R eserved. eISBN 978-1-68466-714-7
This book  has been published with all efforts taken to make the material error-free after the
consent of the author. However, the author and the publisher do not assume and hereby
disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or
omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other
cause. No part of this book may be used, reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written
permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical
articles and reviews. Disclaimer
Contents of this book are for educational purpose only. Please consult your
healthcare service provider before following any health advice given in this
book. Do not use this book for treating yourself or others. Please contact your
healthcare practitio ner for any health consultation. e spices, herbs, herbal
products, home remedies, health tips and such other materials explained in this
book are not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Many of
the herbal products and concepts explained in this book have no clinical
documentation. e herbs, their combination and Ayurvedic formulations are
described based on rich Traditional Ayurvedic classical text books and author’s
own experiences. (c) 2018. Janardhana V. Hebbar. All Rights Reserved. || Jai Guruji ||
Dedication
I, Dr.<|eot_id|><|begin_of_text|>
Q: Who is the author of the book?,
A: Janardhana V. Hebbar
Q: What is the purpose of the book?,
A: The book provides various Ayurvedic home remedies and their preparation methods.
Q: What are the main text books of Ayurveda?,
A: The main text books of Ayurveda are Brihat Trayi, Charaka Samhita, and Sushruta Samhita.
Q: What are the 5 things one should know before taking Ayurvedic medicine?,
A: The text does not explicitly mention the 5 things one should know before taking Ayurvedic medicine, but it does mention the importance of understanding the basics of Ayurvedic dosage forms and the need to consult a healthcare provider before using any health advice.
Q: What are the 7 things to consider when making a remedy with any Ayurvedic herb?,
A: The text does not explicitly mention the 7 things to consider when making a remedy with any Ayurvedic herb, but it does provide general guidelines for preparing herbal remedies, such as the importance of proper digestion and the need to consider the patient's condition and health status.
Q: What is the purpose of the Kashayam (Kwath) remedy?,
A: The text does not explicitly mention the purpose of the Kashayam (Kwath) remedy, but it does describe the preparation method of Kashayam and its potential uses.<|eot_id|><|begin_of_text|>(1/4th)
Proportion of Water and Reduction Based on Hardness of Herbs
If the herbs are soft, then
1 part herb + 4 part water S boil and reduce to a 1/4
If the herbs are hard, then,1 part herb + 8 parts water S boil and reduce to 1/4
If it is very hard, then
1 part herb + 16 parts water S boil and reduce to 1/4
How Kashayam Is Eﬀective? Kashayam contains water soluble active principles of the herbs. Most of the
active principles of any herbs are water soluble in nature. Hence kashayam is
one of the best ways to enjoy maximum benets out of herbs. Water soluble components are readily absorbed from intestines. Hence
Kashayam are very swift in action. e freshly prepared kashayam will have medicinal herbs in active mode and
bring about fast action. How much water to add? 4 times to the weight of herbs, 8 times or 16 times of the weight of the herbs. How much water to boil and reduce? e proportion of water boiling and reduction varies. It could be 1/4th, or 1/8th
or even 1/16th. More the reduction, stronger the Kashaya, higher the concentration. What happens if the above mentioned proportion of herbs, water is not
followed? e above mentioned ratio is specied in Ayurvedic text books. If the
proportion is varied, then concentration of Kashayam will also vary. e other proportions like – herbs:water = 1:4, and 1:16 are also mentioned. But from a practical point of view, one part herb and 8 parts of water looks
more appropriate and eﬀective.Can any herb be made into Kashayam? ere are some herbs which cannot be made into Kashayam. Like clove,
eucalyptus etc, which have volatile principles which will evaporate at higher
temperatures. What is the basis for using combination of herbs while making Kashayam? Usually Kashayam is prepared based on the formula given in Ayurvedic books. ey are designed by experts based on mutual compatibility, collective
eﬀectiveness over a particular disease, one herb masking the side eﬀect of the
other, etc parameters. Can I make my own combination for my Kashayam? Seeking expert advice makes better sense when compared to self medication or
self trials. Self medication may lead to serious adverse eﬀects. Why some Kashayams are advised at 6 am and 6 pm? Usually Kashayams are administered on empty stomach. is helps in
maximum absorption of the water soluble active principles of Kashaya through
stomach and intestines. It helps to extract maximum benet out of Kashaya. However, some kashayams containing ginger, pepper etc spices may be diﬃcult
to tolerate for some patients. In such cases, it is advised 10 minutes before or
after food. Rules for Preparing Kashaya
Always use wide mouthed vessel, Iron/steel. Do not close the lid. Stir the contents continuously.Boil in mild re. (Once after the water starts boiling, continue on ~90 degree
Celsius)
Use coarse powder as much as possible. Use it afresh, in mild hot condition. In Pitta disorders, cool the Kashaya and administer. Coarse Powder vs Fine Powder
If coarse powder is used, the ltering of Kashaya at the end, will be lot easier. If ne powder is used, then the ltering will be diﬃcult, especially when
Kashaya is highly concentrated. In ne powder, ltered Kashaya may contain some precipitates. Soaking the Herbs in Water
Some people advice to soak the Kashaya herbs over night. is is a good idea, if Kashaya is made in


  to form
just under the skin. Fasting will help to clear the cells of waste. Cleans ing the
skin on the outside with gentle facial soap and cleans ing it on the inside is the
very best remedy for acne that you’ll ever ﬁnd. In addition, diet is important to reducing inﬂam mation and keepi ng the skin
follicles open and clear. Foods for your face that are rich in vitamins A, B, and C
and smoothies and juices that are made from melons, spinach,  and other dark
leafy greens (parsley, kale, and Swiss char d) and broccol i can help treat acne. Yellow-orange vegetables and fruits, for example, apricots, red pepper s, carrots,
squash, and carrots are bursting with anti-inﬂam matory beta carotene,  anot her
good acne buster.In addition to vitamin C, a host of nutrients found in fruits and
vegetables are essential to healthy skin. Vitamin A helps the skin rid
itself of blemishes and stimulates the renewal of skin cells; vitamin E
protects against skin cancer, speeds healing of cuts and abrasions,
and prevents dryness; calcium supports the bones so that skin
doesn’t sag or wrinkle; and essential fatty acids feed the skin, making
it soft and plump instead of dry and lined. Water is essential for healthy cells, including skin cells. Regular water intake in the form of pure water or the ﬂuids in
fruits and vegetables helps to ﬂush waste that causes dull,
lifeless skin. Because fruits and vegetables are over 90 percent
pure water that has been naturally ﬁltered through the plant’s
root system, they’re an excellent way to hydrate the cells of your
body. Gr owing Healthy Hair and Nails
What is one of the easiest ways for nutritionists and other health
professionals to determine malnourishment, nutrient minerals, and
trace elements your body may be lacking, and even toxic exposure to
elements like lead, cadmium, mercury, aluminum, or arsenic? By
analyzing your hair. That’s because hair permanently records your
body’s levels of these important nutrients and offers a snapshot of
your body’s state at a particular time. The reason hair analysis is so accurate and reliable is that when new
hair cells are forming the hair follicle, they take in traces of
substances in the blood stream — protein, fat, vitamins, minerals,
and trace elements, as well as toxic substances. New cells push out
the older cells, and as the hair or nail cells move away from the
follicle or nail bed, they die and harden, trapping and mapping
exactly what was in them or lacking in them at the time of the cells’
death.Healthy hair and nails have a natural luster, strength, and shine that
come directly from the nutrients in the blood vessels in the dermis at
the base of the hair follicle and the nail bed. Feeding the cells that are
important for the regenerative growth of both hair and nails means
that when they eventually die and are keratinized, they will be
stronger. Sebum, the body’s natural oil, comes from the sebaceous gland
connected to the hair follicle. When the oil is replenished from the
foods you eat and drink, it coats the hair and gives it more luster and
natural shine. You already know that juicing and smoothies will deliver
concentrated vitamins and minerals, as well as some protein,
carbohydrate, and fat, depending on the ingredients you choose to
add. And you know that those nutrients pass directly into your blood
from fruit and vegetable juices because the ﬁber has been removed. Table 7-2 lists the speciﬁc foods to juice daily or add to your
smoothies to feed your hair and nails. Losing W eight
A few years ago, I lost 30 pounds over the course of a year. I was
pleased that I had accomplished my goal and that, in the process, I
didn’t actually feel like I had deprived myself of good food. What
surprised me the most about the reaction of my friends and family
was their one question: “How did you lose weight?”
I’m here to tell you what I told them: There is no magic involved in
losing weight. Anyone who makes a commitment to being healthy and
losing weight can do it. There is only one sure route to weight loss,
and that is to make sure that you burn more calories than you take in. Your body converts what you eat and drink into energy using a
process called metabolism. Calories from protein, carbohydrate, or
fat are combined with oxygen during this complex biochemical
process to release the energy your body needs to work and move and
even for internal functions while you’re sleeping or at rest. The number of calories your body uses to satisfy its energy needs is
called your basal metabolic rate (BMR). It’s based on your age, sex,
and body size and composition. Your BMR should account for 60
percent to 75 percent of the calories you burn every day. BMR is the
number of calories that nutritionists use to calculate how many
calories you should be eating in a day to lose or gain weight.The role of fat in weight gain or loss
Of all the nutrients in food, only proteins, carbohy drates, and fats cont ain
calories. And fat contains over two times the num ber of calories per gram that
proteins or carbohydrates contain. We need complex carbohydrates like those found in fruits and veget ables; lean
protein from nuts, beans, soy, chicken, and ﬁsh; and small amount s (not more
than 25 percent of your total calories) of polyunsaturated fats like avocado oil,
olive oil, and nut oils. The focus shoul d be on omega- 3 fats becaus e they’re the
types of fats least consumed in the moder n Western diet. Because fat is over twice as concent rated in calories as protein or
carbohydrates and because it enters the body  in a state ready  to be stored,
consumption of high-fat foods in amount s not balanced by physical activity
leads to weight gain, so use it sparingly. It’s important to note that excess
carbohydrates are easily converted and stored as fat if they aren’t used by the
body for energy. One of the most important advantages  of pure fruit or veget able juices and
smoothies is that, while they contain plant proteins and carbohy drates, they’re
completely free of fat. This makes them  valuabl e snack  and meal substitutes to
use as part of your new, healthy routine. The only factor that can change the number of calories your
body burns or converts to energy in a day is physical activity. If you eat or drink fewer calories than your body burns over the
course of time, it will begin to use energy stored as fat to fuel its BMR
and physical activity. If you want to loose weight and you choose not
to increase the amount of physical activity you do in a day, you’ll
have to decrease the number of calories you consume. If you change
to lower-fat foods and decrease the number of calories you take in
and you begin to add some form of physical activity to your daily
routine, you’ll burn fat and lose weight at a faster rate.T a k i n g  t h e  l o n g - t e r m  a p p r o a c h
Remember I mentioned that I took a year to lose 30 pounds? That
works out to about 21/2 pounds per month. Not all that impressive
when stacked up against the claims of some popular diets, I admit. However, slow, steady weight loss has proven to be the most effective
method of keeping you motivated and at being able to maintain your
new, healthy weight. You stay motivated by taking a long-term approach because losing
one to six pounds a month means that you’re setting reasonable goals
instead of starving or depriving yourself only to go right back to old
habits when the diet is ﬁnished. It gives you results you can track,
and it means that you’re revamping your eating habits over a longer
period of time and training yourself to rethink your attitudes about
food, health, and weight. To lose 1 pound of fat, a person must consume or burn
(through exercise) 3,500 calories less than he or she uses. M a k i n g  l i f e s t y l e  c h a n g e s
In addition to reducing calories in and increasing calories out, there
are other factors that guarantee success in achieving and maintaining
an appropriate weight. Having a positive attitude and making a
commitment based on reasonable goals will ensure long-term success
in your weight loss program. Here are some of the adjustments that
will prove to be the most important changes you’ll ever make
because they take you away from crash or temporary diet toward
permanent lifestyle changes:
 Eat and drink low-fat foods. Juices and smoothies are excellent
low-fat meal replacement and snack alternatives. Every
individual’s caloric needs varies, but generally, a successful
weight-loss program provides 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day. Eating complex carbohydrates in the form of raw fruits andvegetables will give you a feeling of being full with over half the
calories of a high-fat meal. Eating large amounts of high-fat foods promotes weight gain and
keeps fat stored on the body. Increase ﬁber. Drinking fruit or vegetable smoothies helps
increase your