MacAoidh's Guide to the Natural Healing Holistic Lifestyle: Freedom from Sickness and Disease and Beyond
Introduction
This guide is based upon extensive experience with a natural healing holistic lifestyle since 2012. I created this webpage to provide people with the essential information needed to optimise their health. My hope is that this information will help others as it has helped me. For me, the greatest gift of this lifestyle is the experience of waking up feeling clear, healthy and vibrant every single day, and effortlessly maintaining that state. At one point in my life such a thing seemed impossible, so I feel truly grateful to have discovered this information. Since discovering that I can feel and function at this level, I also started to make improvements in every other area of my life, and I'd be willing to bet the same will happen for anyone who chooses to walk this path. If you have any questions you can contact me at A.C.MacAoidh@protonmail.com. I also accept donations at busk.co/macaoidh/tip
The Five Pillars
What to Expect?
The 1st Pillar: Diet
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"Dr. Walker and his associates, anthropologists at John Hopkins University, using the most modern electronic microscopic equipment state. "Preliminary studies of fossil teeth have led to the startling suggestions that our early human ancestors (Australopithecus) were not predominantly meat-eaters or even eaters of seeds, shoots, leaves, or grasses, nor were they omnivorous. Instead they appear to have subsisted chiefly on a diet of fruit. Every tooth examined from the hominids of the 12 million year period leading up to Homo Erectus appeared to be that of a fruit eater." - Excerpt from NY Times, May 1979
We share three colour vision with the great apes which is an advantage as a fruit-eating species. Flesh eaters have ten times higher concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, so they don't need to chew much food to process it, whereas a seed if swallowed can pass through our system entirely unchanged. Though we share more similarities with herbivore species, we are not designed to eat so much vegetable matter with over double the size of intestines for difficult to digest plant cellulose. Digestion time is the most crucial aspect to health and wellness (more on this later), and a herbivore is better designed to be able to handle longer digestion times required for processing vegetable matter. The chart below compares species, confirming human physiology to be pretty much identical to the frugivore, while having numerous differences in comparison to other animal .
I first learned about a raw fruit-based diet while reading "An Autobiography: My Experiments With Truth" and "A Guide To Health" by Mohandas Karmachand Gandhi, where he wrote about his experiments as a fruitarian, along with his belief that humans are a frugivorous species, but it was a theory proposed by Tony Wright and Graham Gynn in their book "Return To The Brain of Eden" which convinced me to first try a change in diet back in 2012. Tony Wright self-experimented with sleep deprivation back in 1999. On his third day awake, he perceived that his brain's left hemisphere had gone to sleep, allowing, for the very first time, his right hemisphere free-reign over all of his functions. His experience, lasting only twenty minutes was so profound that in part it clarified a hypothesis that became "Left in the Dark" twelve years later, (before changing the title for publishing reasons). Tony Wright and Graham Gynn theorise that being forced to leave the most biochemically complex ecology of the tropical forest, and the loss of our former symbiotic fruit-based diet, led to the suppression of our brain's higher potential. He highlights in interviews how the human brain stopped expanding around 200,000 years ago, and for at least 50,000 years it has been shrinking at an alarming rate. By 80 years old, the brain has lost 15% of it's weight, while continuously losing grey matter. Such anomalies of the human brain are yet to be understood by Science. Whether the theory presented in "Return To The Brain of Eden" is true or not, the book inspired bold experimentation, so I decided to try a raw fruit based diet for myself because at the time, it was a no brainer (forgive the pun). I was in the worst health of my life, and I had nothing to lose, so I changed my diet the day after the first reading of this book. My experiences with a raw fruit based diet have 100% convinced me of it's harmonious compatibility with the human body, however, I am not wishing to claim that we are a frugivore species. There could be more to this story. It is very easy to find numerous stories about how this diet did not work for people and also how there is really no such thing as one diet which can fit all humans, but there is a very good reason for this. First we must restore the body back to a purified state.
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With this knowledge, it begins to make sense when you again compare the physiology chart of different species. All plant eating species have an alkaline saliva and urine chemistry, whereas those designed to eat meat have an acidic saliva and urine chemistry. The reverse is true of the colon. We are creating the wrong type of acidic environment for diseases to develop over time through our dietary choices. I am not suggesting food is the only source of toxicity, as most people are living in increasingly toxic environments nowadays, but I have observed that it is by far the most significant. When the body has been purified and we eat food which does not impede our physiology, we give the body an opportunity to detoxify on a regular basis, so it can easily deal with all other external factors that contribute to health issues. Sickness and disease is a choice. Suffering is a choice.
During the 1930s, (at a time when there was nothing but organic food) Dr Francis M. Pottenger conducted a 10 year study on the effects of a raw diet on 900 cats. The cat were split down the middle, into two groups. One group received raw meat scraps including organ meats and bone, and raw milk, while the others were fed the same meat scraps but cooked (boiled only), and they were given pasteurized (heat-treated) milk from the same source. The raw group thrived, with few birthing problems, remaining healthy, active and alert throughout their lives, but the cats in the cooked group soon became listless, confused, and highly vulnerable to a host of chronic degenerative ailments normally associated with humans including heart disease, tumours, kidney failure, thyroid dysfunction, respiratory ailments, infections, arthritis, loss of teeth, vision problems, brittle bones, liver inflammation, etc. Behaviourally the cooked food cats became more aggressive towards handlers and towards each other. Gastrointestinal parasites were a major problem for the cooked food cat group but not for the raw group. What caught Dr Pottenger's attention most was what happened to the second and third generations. The first offspring of the cooked group were all born with poor teeth and small, weak bones. The offspring of the raw group remained as healthy as their parents. Many of the kittens in third generation of the cooked group were stillborn, while those that survived were all sterile and unable to reproduce. The experiment had to end there because there was no fourth generation of cats fed on cooked, although the raw group continued to breed and thrive for the next nine generations. It required only three generations for Dr. Pottenger's cats to become sterile and enfeebled. He repeated the experiment with white mice and got the same results. The experiments have also been repeated with monkeys by a separate person, and resulted in the same findings. It is also known that newborn calves fed on pasteurised milk taken from their own mother cows usually die within six months. On a side note, another interesting finding was that the soil which he fertilised with the faeces of the cats on the cooked diet did not grow beans or grows, whereas the soil fertilised from the raw food group grew beans and grass vigorously.
The 2nd Pillar: Fasting
We are often sold the idea that food somehow heals the body, but the beautiful truth is that no diet will do the healing, because like all other organism's, our intelligent body is designed to heal itself. A raw fruit based diet can only serve the healing process by creating an alkaline environment, quick digestion freeing up healing energy, and meeting the body's needs in the best way possible, without further contributing to the problem. However, no diet will provide optimal results if the body is incapable of properly digesting, absorbing or assimilating what we eat. So how can we remedy the problem? Fasting allows the body to focus all of it's vital energy into removing toxic obstruction. I was first introduced to the concept of fasting while reading "My Experiments With Truth" by Mohandas Gandhi. He was convinced that fasting was the reason his health was far superior to the average person. It is true that most people feel better after they "break-fast" in the morning. This is because sometime during the night, the body finishes digesting food, then transitions to cleansing (fasting state). Those who are more toxic experience stronger cleansing reactions, and may feel more uncomfortable until they eat something. However, continuing to eat incompatible foods will cause an energy deficit and dehydration, and for many people this is followed by the desire for addictive morning drugs like caffeine, to energise and fuel the brain, but on a water rich fruit-based diet, lethargy becomes a thing of the past. You have consistent energy from the time you wake up until the time you go to bed.
From the moment we start eating, the body uses around half of it's energy just to process food. If we choose not to eat when we are sick, we liberate energy for cleansing, so the body can heal faster. When sick, every other species will lay down and do nothing. They have the instinctual wisdom to do as little as possible. Parents tell us to eat when we are sick, and when we grow up, we pass on the exact same message to our own children. We have been trained to eat even when our body is asking us not to. A weekly 24-36 hour fast would even benefit those who have cleansed the body, because due to environmental pollutants we may still accumulate certain toxins from external sources.
The date I met Gandhi was July 27, 1946 in New Delhi, which would become the capital of the new Republic of India a year and a month later (Indian's independence became official on August 15, 1947.) At Gandhi's headquarters there, I received permission to accompany this amazing man on a 21 day fasting trip eastward, where he would talk with the people and help them with their problems. At that time, the average Indian earned about 10 cents a day and starvation was a way of life. To show he shared their plight, this saintly and compassionate spiritual leader was planning to travel the dusty roads from village to village on foot, without food, only water, for 3 weeks. Gandhi was then 77 years of age and looked frail in appearance. But his looks were indeed deceiving! This man was a tower of strength, physically, mentally, and spiritually. His stamina, endurance, energy, and mental abilities were astounding to everyone. The trek began at sun-up. The heat and humidity were the worst I have ever experienced. I have spent time in some of the hottest spots in the world, including the Sahara Desert and across North Africa on an 800 mile bicycle trip in intense summer heat. But never did he falter in his brisk pace of walking. The only time he sat down was during talks with the villagers. He would speak for 20 minutes, then answer questions for 20 minutes. Then we continued down the hot, dusty road to the next village. Gandhi ate nothing and drank only water flavoured with lemon and honey. Many who tried to travel with him fell by the wayside, suffering from heat and exhaustion. But Gandhi was inexhaustible! I have been an athlete and hiker all my life, but I have not seen anyone who had the physical stamina and energy that Gandhi had. Each day he walked and talked until sundown before stopping for a rest. During the 21 day fasting walk, I had many talks with Gandhi on the power of fasting. Of all I learned from him, this statement seems to me the summation "All the vitality and energy I have comes to me because my body is purified by fasting." - Except from "The Miracle of Fasting" written by Paul Bragg
Most people nowadays will feel sick in the first few weeks or months of a raw fruit based diet and there are countless instances online of people claiming that the diet caused their sickness, failing to realise it was the toxic waste from their previous unnatural dietary choices that the body was attempting to eliminate. The body is always trying to cleanse and heal, and a raw fruit based diet will best meet the needs of the body so it can cleanse and heal more rapidly. For most people nowadays, eating a fruit based diet is a form of fasting. It is more about what we eliminate from our diet rather than what we consume which leads to healing. The symptoms of toxicity which we experience throughout our lives are evidence that the body is always trying to cleanse and heal. Mucus, common colds, flu, headaches, allergies, blindness, deafness, digestive gas, bloating, fatigue, sleep problems, breathing difficulties, skin inflammations, bad breath, bleeding gums, back pains, joint pains, thyroid issues etc, are all unnatural and indicate a build up of toxicity. Healing episodes are part of the process of undoing decades of damage to the body. They can be tough to pass through, but we should welcome them. Having said that, it can be challenging for some to go immediately into a raw fruit based diet if you are coming from the standard diet of our societies (also dependent on your age), and in some cases, even quite dangerous, depending on the level of toxicity in the body. In my case, trying to do too much too soon eventually lead to periods of overeating on unhealthy food, as I discovered that food choices were closely connected with my emotions. The process of detoxification is also a process of eliminating emotions that do not serve us, but they are not experienced so intensely when we transition slowly. We must be careful with fasting. Most people will have no trouble beginning with at least 50% raw. Some people (like me) will choose 100% raw fruit-based diet from the beginning, but I would guess the amount of those people who persisted without ever falling off the tracks is few and far between.
For transition I recommend following "The Mucusless Diet Healing System" and "Rational Fasting" written by Arnold Ehret. I believe this to be the most intelligent method of transition because you still can experience the pleasure of eating "mucus-forming" foods while additionally making health improvements. This involves using a combination of cooked and raw food. There is also a growing online community lead by Professor Spira which will provide love and support for people on the path. Even if you do not opt for Ehret's method, I highly recommend his books for the wisdom and insight contained within the pages. These books filled me with a lot of inspiration and confidence going forward on this path. For most people who grew up on a standard diet, it may require a certain amount of cleansing and healing before the body is satisfied with eating only a raw fruit-based diet. As Ehret pointed out, for most people there are kilos of gunk in the trunk which is blocking our ability to absorb and assimilate the nutritional content of our food, and also keeping us chronically dehydrated on a cellular level. As mentioned before, this is why Chimpanzees and Bonobos thrive, and why Humans suffer from a myriad of diseases. Another more superficial reason that can be an issue for some is the dramatic weight loss on a raw fruit based diet. For most people starting with an unclean body, the level of assimilation needed to thrive on a low fat raw fruit based diet is not sufficient enough, and this could be indicated by a person becoming dangerously skinny. Once the body is clean enough and the cells have reached a sufficient level of hydration, the body will achieve equilibrium and stabilise to it's natural healthy weight even while eating a low-fat fruit based diet. This is what I experienced. Another alternative strategy for transition is the detoxification pyramid (pictured below). Methodically working through each level until you truly feel ready to advance further, while either implementing a daily intermittent fasting practise, or a weekly 24 hour fast as detailed above.
"In Lesson XV, Arnold Ehret shares the first part of his "Transition Diet" process, which is a fundemental part of his overall Healing System. He emphasizes that chronic illness cannot simply be corrected through a long fast or radical fruit diet, but that a gradual approach should be used. Ehret defines a "mucus-lean" diet as one that still includes certain mucus-forming foods that may be used during certain periods of the "Transition Diet." He explains that the speed of elimination can be controlled and regulated through the quantity and qualify of foods used." — https://www.mucusfreelife.com/free-lesson-15-transition-diet
"Once when Buddha was touring in Kasi with a Sandha of monks, he addressed them saying "I, monks, do not eat a meal in the evening. Not eating a meal in the evening, I, monks, am aware of good health and of being without illness and of buoyancy and strength and living in comfort. Come, do you, too, monks, not eat a meal in the evening. Not eating a meal in the evening, you, too, monks will be aware of good health, and living in comfort." — Kitagiri Sutta of the Majhima Nikaya
Countless studies have shown that by reducing caloric intake an organism lives longer and attains better health. In the Arizona desert in the 80s there was a program called Biosphere 2. They built a series of domes, connected a whole ecosystem under glass, and sent a team of scientists to live there for years. The ecosystem had an oxygen supply and water, but they had to grow all their own food, process their own waste, and nothing was allowed to go in or out. They miscalculated how much food they could grow. The average person ended up consuming two thirds less than planned. At the end of the experiment every person tested healthier in every way. Another more recent study on rhesus monkeys also resulted in an increased life span. Studies of this type are usually referred to as "caloric restriction". Restriction is inadvisable for the average human nowadays before the body has been significantly cleansed first. Through fasting periods we slow down our metabolism, and deep cleansing increases the amount of nutrients able to pass into the cells, so over time the body can thrive on less food. This is a by-product of having a normal functioning body. With a fast metabolism you must eat more to feel satisfied. Regardless of diet, when the body is ready, eating less will improve our health and increase our longevity, because we are liberating more energy for the body to heal, rather than overburdening it with digestion.
One well-known proponent of intermittent fasting is Tonya Zavasta who looks decades younger than her actual age. Tonya is the author of a book called "Quantum Eating: Ultimate Elixir of Youth". She explains how she has two raw meals a day, one at 8am or 10am and the next at 2pm. During the rest of the day she is intermittently fasting. Tonya writes: "Rhythm and discipline are the keys to all healing and rejuvenation. The body processes food more slowly later in the day because our rhythms are not based on absorbing late meals but rather on rejuvenating the body. All of your day's total food intake should be consumed within a span of eight hours, preferably during the daytime, between 7am and 3pm. Eating must stop at least six hours before going to sleep. This way, you achieve 16 full hours of fasting. This regime will assure that your body gets its cleansing function entirely done each and every day. This is essential for health and youthfulness." Indian Ayurvedic medicine, which was popular during the lifetime of the Buddha, taught that the digestive fire is maximal during the waxing of the sun. From midnight until noon energy waxes; from noon until midnight, energy wanes. Tonya further expands on this idea, writing about an experiment which arrived at a similar conclusion: "In the mid-1970s at the University of Minnesota, weight control studies showed that people who ate only one 2000 calorie meal a day for a week lost weight when they ate their meal in the morning. They gained weight when they ate the same meal in the evening. In one research study, normal-weight volunteers ate meals chosen from canned foods and military rations. They lost weight on the breakfast schedule. The volunteers who ate on a dinner schedule maintained the same weight or gained a little."
As we can see from the above excerpt, the main organs of elimination such as the bladder, kidney, and liver are most active in the late afternoon, evening, and late at night, so therefore it would make sense that during a period of cleansing and elimination we should not overburden the body with the digestion of food. We can also see that the stomach is most active from 7am-9am. The stomach empties 50% faster after breakfast than after dinner, so it would also make sense from an energy standpoint that this is the perfect time for our first meal of the day. It would also make sense that the pancreas should be active after we have just eaten, because the pancreas has the job of breaking down protein, carbohydrates, and fats using its digestive juices. In Chinese medicine, the Heart is paired with The Small Intestine, because how hard your heart has to work depends on your digestion. These meridians are most active between 11am-3pm. The Small Intestine is the site where most chemical digestion takes place, and where nutrients are absorbed and assimilated, so that they can reach the cells. It would seem then that 11am-3pm would be the ideal time for the last meal of the day.
"Eat not anything which fire or frost, or water has destroyed. Cook not, neither mix all things one with another. Be content with two or three sorts of food. Never eat unto fullness. Let the weight of your daily food be not less than a mina (570g), but mark that it go not beyond two. Do not trouble your body by eating often." — The Essene Gospel of Peace
"I am seeing many people fasting for long periods of time while they are on fruits. They have no energy and they are getting very strong detoxification symptoms. Let me set the record straight. The Orvel Douglas thirty-one day fruit feast is nothing to do with intermittent fasting, dry fasting, or water fasting. This fruit feast is about eating when you're hungry and stopping when you are satisfied. You can eat as much fruit as you like, this is why its called a fruit feast. People on this feast are fasting and getting sick. Dry fasting and water fasting should only be done by people who have followed a raw diet for a long time. This isn't something one should jump into coming from a cooked food diet. When you have followed a raw diet for a while your body will naturally do this! If you are forcing your body day in and day out you will cause more harm than good. There isn't any rush to cleanse your body. It took years to get there (to an unhealthy state) and it will take years to undo the damage. Nice and slow is the pace to go. Please don't follow what I do. I naturally do what my body asks for. I've been at this for many years. Over the last 12 years I've done water fasts and ate clean, this is why I can operate with lots of energy without consuming a lot of food. If you are becoming rail thin, no muscle tone, no energy, then you are causing your body harm." - Orvel Douglas
A long-term or prolonged fast could be defined as anything over one week. The rookie mountain climber would be considered unwise to tackle Everest without years of experience under their belt first, and so it is that the average toxic individual nowadays would be considered unwise to jump straight into prolonged fasting without supervision. I was one of those people who repeatedly paid the price for my gung-ho mentality, with my approach to both diet and fasting, and though every time I received incredible healing benefits following each fast, it was again a case of falling into food binging patterns . To be honest, the actual process itself I always found to be safe and easy, and encountered no major issues, but I had been eating mostly just fruit for many years prior to my first prolonged fast, and I had already completed many short-term fasting periods.
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With water fasting, 21 days is the recommended minimum, as it takes the body at least 9 days to get into the deepest phase of healing. If you have very little experience with detoxification and want to experience a long-term fast and all its miraculous benefits then I would recommend to fast with expert supervision and guidance, if you can afford to. For this I recommend going to Loren Lockman in charge of the "Tanglewood Wellness Center" in Costa Rica. I also acknowledge that there are people who are suffering with serious health issues, then a prolonged fast would be the only way to go. Besides, even a 1 week water fast during each season change can work wonders during the transition.
"There was an experiment with rats where one group drank only water and the other group were fed. Both groups were exposed to radiation and all the rats that were fed died. The rats who didn't eat were unaffected. This could suggest that people with cancer who wish to use chemo with radiation therapy would benefit by abstaining from food."
"A lot of people are quite overwhelmed by the whole process. They think it's going to be difficult. They think they are going to be hungry. They think they are not going to have any energy but these are the three comments I get from everyone that I coach: They can't believe it's easy. They can't believe they have all this energy and they can't believe they are not hungry, which is kind of funny in a way because to do a juice fast correctly you have to drink about a gallon of juice a day, which is close to 16 pounds of food. So, you get more nutrition when you are fasting probably than any other time" - John Rose
I have juiced for long periods with only fruit (orange, watermelon, grape or coconut water), I have also tried long periods with a juice combination of pineapple, apple, kale, spinach, celery, cucumber, and I even tried long periods of juicing with only oranges. I noticed I felt the nest with the orange juice only fast. The common understanding in mainstream medical science is that drinking or eating one type of substance for long periods would cause significant nutrient deficiencies, and so understandably people may have concerns about the safety of this practise. Willie Smart a.k.a "Brother Air" is a Jazz musician from Ohio, and a long-term practitioner of Arnold Ehret's "Mucusless Diet Healing System". In this ground-breaking book, Ehret describes the human body as an "air-gas engine", i.e, not dependent on food for energy, and that the body was not designed to utilise mucus-forming foods, offering the equation "Vitality = Power Minus Obstruction (V=P-O)" to demonstrate this. In 2001, Brother Air decided to put Ehret's theory to the test. After over two long decades of consistently practicing "The Mucusless Diet Healing System", which involved a gradual transition towards a Natural diet, he first decided he was ready for one year on fruit alone. In 2002, he followed this up with a succession of three 100 day fruit juice fasts. In 2003, he then completed 8 and a half months on fruit juice, and in the same year he completed a solo percussion album, entitled "Brother Air," to celebrate his success at the finale. He would then complete a seven and a half month fast, followed by nine and a half months, eating for only a few months in between.
http://www.mucusfreelife.com/brother-air-fast/
The video above is a talk with Brother Air, from 2012. At this point, he had been practising the Mucusless Diet Healing System for thirty years. Since 2002, he claims that he has only eaten for 11 months of those last ten years. The rest of the time he has been juice and dry fasting (more on this later), claiming to have abstained from solid food for 49 months. He also describes in the talk that at some point, his weight balanced out, so he loses barely any weight during fasting periods, and if people looked at him, they wouldn't even know he was fasting. He claims that his need for sleep dropped off significantly, and that his wife will testify that he barely sleeps anymore. All of this defies scientific logic, but we really need to reevaluate the understanding and conclusions drawn by mainstream nutritional science, as Brother Air insists on mainly just drinking Pineapple juice. Brother Air inspired me to experiment, and I was able to verify through my own experience that this is the truth because I experienced all of this with a prolonged orange juice only fast. Today, Brother Air is still busking across USA, sharing a passion for "The Mucusless Diet Healing System" with his son "Baby Babaji". Brother Air's family was formed around Arnold Ehret's teachings, and his goal is physiological liberation. It is important to note that Brother Air or Arnold Ehret do not recommend people dive straight into long-term fasting, and stresses the importance of a long-term transition, because most people are just not ready for the toxic burden which fasting can unleash. Ehret recommends a 3-4 day water fast at most so that people can really gauge where they are at. For those who would prefer to try a less aggressive juice cleanse, I recommend watching the documentary below: "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead." It follows the story of two men in their 40's with the same life threatening disease, who juice vegetables, and small amounts of fruit for 60 days. These people had no prior fasting experience and their results were recorded by medical professionals. They underwent a profound transformation. Juicing vegetables is a less intense detox than fruit, so this could be the ideal way to begin your natural healing journey if the body is significantly more toxic.
"One difference between fruits and vegetables is the word 'astringent', meaning 'I'm going to pull more aggressively on your lymphatic system'. That's why fruits are the king of detoxification." — Dr. Robert Morse
An even more powerful method of fasting is water fasting. I followed many of the guidelines set out by Loren Lockman of Tanglewood Wellness Centre, a water fasting centre in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. His message is to emulate the example of animals in Nature and rest as completely as possible, with eyes closed, so that the body can direct more energy towards cleansing and healing. The major part I differed on was the subject of the type of drinking water. Loren does not recommend distilled water. I fasted on distilled water for 30 days and had none of the problems which the mainstream medical community claim. Distilled water is pure water. I have very little experience with spring water as recommended by Loren, so I cannot really advise, except in my experience distilled water is safe and effective. My decision to use distilled water was influenced by the book "Water: The Shocking Truth That Can Save Your Life" by Paul Bragg. Simply using a water distiller will show you all of the gunk that is stored in tap or bottled water, as the gunk is clearly visible after each use of the distiller. Loren Lockman advises always sipping water, as this is essential for cellular hydration. He explains how in Nature, our water would come from fruit, always trickling slowly into the system. He also recommends drinking around four litres of water a day while fasting, so the old hard dry waste in the small intestines can then absorb the water, increasing the likelihood of it breaking down, then moving to the colon for release. The four litres is just a general guideline but using technology he can measure the correct amount needed daily for each person, and some more dehydrated people were advised to drink 6 or more litres daily. The May Clinic suggests that the body's ability to process water is limited and drinking more than 1 litre per hour may exceed this capacity. The Made Blue Foundation explicitly states that the kidneys can process a maximum of 0.7 to 1 litre of water per hour, making 1 litre per hour a safe upper limit. In my experience, the detoxification benefits from a water fast is undoubtedly superior to the benefits from a juice fast of the same length, however, it is not so practical for those with busy lives, as it may require more resting periods. Dr. Herbert Shelton is considered to be the father of the modern day Natural Hygiene movement. He was also considered to be one of the world's foremost authorities on fasting. His writings inspired Gandhi, and he supervised over 40,000 fasts during his lifetime. His vast experience inspired the writing of the book "The Science and Fine Art of Fasting". I consider this as essential reading for anyone wishing to fast. This book is so comprehensive that it will alleviate any fears one may have over potential risks with fasting.
"However long the fast may continue, no danger whatever from starvation need be feared, since hunger will always return before the danger point is reached. Thus, so long as hunger is absent, it is a plain indication that no food is required. Hunger is a mouth and throat sensation, rather than a stomach sensation. The condition is one of comfort, not of discomfort and suffering. It is indicated by a watering of the mouth and often a distinct desire for a particular food. Most men and women have never experienced normal hunger since infancy. Dr. Dewey pointed out that with many people the 'evil work' of inducing disease began with the very first meal which was forced upon them by the mother or nurse before they were ready for it. As the forcing process was continued, he says 'in due time trouble began' and, thereafter, every outcry of nature was interpreted as a signal of hunger. He says that the meals of the infant 'all through the first year of life are regulated by the tunes of crying. It is all too true that gastric impairment and gastric distress are built in infancy by wrong feeding." — excerpts from "The Science and Fine Art of Fasting"
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"When you eat cooked food your body produces leukocytes, (white blood cells) sending them to your digestive tract. Science is clear that this only happens in the event of an injury, with the exception of digestive leukocytosis, which they say happens for no reason. Nothing happens for no reason. Scientists don't understand it because for most people it's happening all the time, which means their body temperature is constantly higher. Your body is reacting to cooked food as if it has been poisoned, but only because it has. It is a simple fact that if you feed any species cooked food it's health degrades" - Loren Lockman
The countries with the highest meat consumption are shown to have the highest rates of colon cancer. Fasting is the most effective way to rehydrate and break down the old rotting garbage in the small intestines so it can be transported to the colon for release. As the small intestine is nine times the length of our body, you can imagine it will take some effort for the average person to cleanse. This old waste material is sometimes called "mucoid plaque" and in rare cases comes out fully formed, in a long, tarry, serpent like structure - the same sacculated shape of the small intestine. However, it is more common during a fast that it is broken down gradually, into smaller pieces, as it did for me. The majority of people are filthy cesspools, a breeding ground for parasites, viruses, and fungus. Through fasting we starve the parasites of their sustenance. The video below expands on the subject of mucoid plaque.
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Some healers claim that the use of herbs will speed up the detoxification process during fasting. Two of the biggest advocates of using wild herbs along with an alkaline diet and fasting are Dr. Robert Morse and Dr. Sebi. According to both of these respected advocates, herbs speed up and aid the process of natural healing by stimulating bowel movement, moving stagnant lymph and dissolving mucoid plaque. Dandelion, stinging nettle, elderberry, burdock root, cascara segrada, and plantain are just a few easily available examples. Dr. Robert Morse wrote "The Detox Miracle Soucebook - Raw Foods and Herbs for Complete Cellular Regeneration", which continues to receive incredible reviews and life changing testimonials. In 1988, Dr. Sebi was declared not guilty, as he took on the Attorney General of New York in a Supreme Court trial, where he was being sued for false advertisement and practise without a license, after placing ads announcing he had been regularly curing diseases such as blindness, cancer, etc. Before the trial, the judge asked him to provide one witness per disease he had claimed to cure. However, instead he provided seventy-seven witnesses, so the judge had no choice but to proclaim Dr. Sebi not guilty on all counts. I have no experience whatsoever of using wild herbs for healing as I didn't feel they were necessary for me personally, but I included this section because it could benefit those with a more serious illness.
Fasting will completely eliminate our need for pharmaceutical medicines which are toxic to the body and cause side effects. When we take medicine to eliminate mucus for example, we stop the bodies natural way to heal. We may feel better, but in the long-term we only get more toxic as a result. The sulphur in antibiotics accumulate in the bowels and weaken intestinal tissue. Antibiotics act like an atomic bomb throughout the body, killing the microbe bacteria of the immune system, which medical science erroneously tell us is harmful. This also eliminates the symptoms of detoxification, but again, it does not equal improvements in health. These bacteria are nature's janitors, working to clean up the dead and dying tissue within our body. Yes, janitors can be temporarily annoying (helping to cause symptoms), but we depend on them, and they are not the cause of disease. If there was no mess in the first place, the janitors would leave us in peace, and they would go to somebody else. It would be best to focus on creating a healthier environment within the body.
Menstruation
There are doctors who have broken free of the allopathic medical model which is backed by the mighty profitable pharmaceutical industry. Through independent research into alternatives they have discovered natural healing and as a result, they have a different view on menstruation than what is commonly taught by mainstream medical science. The majority of humans are overloaded with toxicity nowadays, however, women live longer on average than men, because they release vast amounts of toxins through the blood during their monthly cycle. Women develop cardiovascular disease problems, like heart attack and stroke, usually in their 70s and 80s (after menopause), about 10 years later than men, who develop them in their 50s and 60s. Gender does not necessarily affect longevity. The real issue is toxicity. Adherence to Natural law equals health and longevity whether you are a man or a woman.
"The reason why you have menopausal symptoms is actually because menstrual cycles are a very potent way to detox once a month. This is the same way you might get PMS symptoms, because you have a lot of toxic burden, and the body is getting ready to dump as much as possible out your period through the blood. When you get through menopause, and you stop menstruating, now the body no longer has that route to detox itself, so the toxins stay in the body, and cause symptoms like hot flashes, aching joints, and other issues. It is not a hormonal problem, it is a toxicity problem. If you take some steps to do detox, increase your water intake, and increase bowel movements, most likely you can take care of these things." - Dr. Andrew Kaufman, M.D
http://www.thefruitdoctor.com/annette-larkins-ageless-raw-vegan-70-year-old-woman Interviewer: "How was the menopause for you? Annette Larkins: "I often tell the story that when I reached menopausal age, I one day realised that I had not had a menstrual period for two or three months. Concerned that I might be pregnant, I went to the doctor's office to be tested. Since the results were negative, I concluded that it must have been menopause. The cessation of my monthly period was the only sign that I ever had.
Carbohydrates, Protein, and Fat
The most common question those on plant based diet's get asked is "Where do you get your protein?". Every living food contains protein and we can thrive on tiny amounts of it. The recommended daily allowance for protein was first determined around 100 years ago, by looking at studies on how much protein a rat needs to thrive. Although rats grow at a much faster rate than humans, it was through clever marketing by the meat and dairy industry that lead to a belief that we need four times the protein requirements of a rat. It makes sense that we need the most protein at the stage when we are growing the fastest. A newborn baby triples in size consuming roughly only 2% of its calories from mothers milk protein, and the average adult in the USA consumes 20-25% of calories from protein. A baby cow in comparison grows 10 times in size, because the milk from a cow contains much more protein and fat to meet their needs. Dr T. Colin Campbell is a biochemist who conducted "The China Study" which was the largest study of human nutrition ever done. He found that the higher animal protein consumed, the higher the rates of cancer and other disease. The healthiest of the population observed had only 10% of calories from protein, and only 10% of overall calories came from animal foods. The most protein rich foods are the most constipating.
Fat exists in every single living cell. The body requires at least 2.5% body fat to survive. In Nature, food quickly spoils and often animals have to go through long periods without any. The reason our bodies store fat is so we have enough reserves in times of need. The average person can fast on water for at least six weeks. When a person is lean, fat stores are used up slower than a person who is carrying more. The average person in Europe consumes at least 25% of calories from fat, but the body becomes less efficient at processing so much, because fat is the most difficult macro nutrient for our body to digest. This may be hard to accept for some, but it is quite clear as the body gets cleaner with time. For the frugivore in Nature, nuts and seeds only serve for a specific purpose, as the next best alternative in times of fruit scarcity. It is expected to crave fats in the beginning, as they are anti inflammatory, but over time, as you heal, purify and become less acidic, your body will naturally crave them less. It is important nuts are bought shelled in their natural state, then soaked, in order to activate the enzymes. Otherwise they can be some of the most difficult foods for the body to digest. Squirrels are able to achieve this by burying them in soil, and later digging them back up. Avocados are more easily digested than nuts, but all concentrated fats are acidic and mucus forming for the human body. However, they can be very useful while transitioning towards a raw fruit based diet. My own dietary fat percentage is less than 5% and I completely avoid avocados because I always take a noticeable hit in my energy levels and feelings of well-being, but this sensitivity developed gradually over time.
So what is judged to be the ideal ratio we should be looking to emulate on a raw fruit based diet? The key is a diet that is low in protein, low in fat, and high in carbohydrates. One general ratio that works for most people is roughly 80% carbohydrates, 10% fat, 10% protein, which was the ratio popularised by Doug Graham in his book "The 80/10/10 Diet", but certainly those numbers could be shifted and played with depending on where each person feels comfortable. This journey should be an enjoyable process and not about restriction. Some people may feel more comfortable with 70/15/15, 70/20/10 or 90/5/5. In the book "Healthy at 100: The Scientifically Proven Secrets of the World's Healthiest and Longest Lived People" by John Robbins, he describes the lifestyle and eating habits of the long lived cultures of Abkashia (Russia), Vilcabamba (Ecuador), and Hunza (Pakistan). They all shared many things in common: Each diet was relatively low in calories, plant-based, high in carbohydrates, but low in protein, fat, salt, and sugar. The following table below is taken from the book:
Sugar
Many people have been conditioned to believe that if something tastes sweet we should only have small amounts of it. Fruit sugar is a monosaccharide, which is a simple sugar. The glucose and fructose found in raw fruits are the main fuel for our body. There was an extensive study out of Harvard medical school which shows the glycemic index and glycemic load on different foods. The glycemic index is how fast a food increases blood sugar. The glycemic load is how much a food raises blood sugar. Doctors and dieticians feel that the glycemic load ranking system is a much better yardstick to determine how a food will affect blood sugar and sugar reducing hormone levels. One of the tests was on a bagel which had a glycemic load of 38. An apple, peach and orange in their fresh natural state all have a glycemic load of between 3 and 6. The plain bagel will raise your blood sugar five or six times as much.
Sarah Erika is a woman who joined the Israeli army, where she was administered four vaccinations. This caused her health to spiral way out of control, to the point where every time she tried to eat, she would puke it back up. She ended up in a wheelchair, and she was told by doctors she would be sick for the rest of her 'short' life. However, Sarah was not one to blindly listen to authority, so she took it upon herself to undertake a juice cleanse. Initally, her intention was to juice cleanse for 100 days, but she ended up going for 365 days, one year in total. She healed all of our issues, and she completed a 5k marathon on the last day of the cleanse. While juicing, she would rarely use vegetables, preferring to juice fruit only, simply because they tasted better. In an interview (featured below) Sarah was asked "Some people would say what about all the sugar in fruit juices, aren't they bad for you?" Her response to this question was: "The body runs on sugar. ATP powers the entire body. Everybody has heard in science class the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. What does mitochondria run on? ATP. The way that our body synthesizes ATP is from one input, and that is sugar, so all the sugar from fruit juice, all your doing is powering your body."
Conscious Eating/Chewing
Conscious eating, or chewing is particularly important when eating denser food that is low in water and fibre. This concept was made popular by Horace Fletcher who said that all food should be chewed thoroughly until liquefied before swallowing. It would then be less likely to leave behind residue in the intestines, which is likely to be one of the main reasons why Fletcher's clients reported such massive improvements in their overall health. You will also feel satisfied for longer, increase the likelihood of absorbing and assimilating nutrients, and in turn decrease the amount of food that you consume. Chewing or swishing in the mouth applies even while consuming smoothies and juices as Dr. David Jubb, the scientific advisor to Anne Wigmore said "You must drink what you chew and chew what you drink in live food. You can't just make things into a smoothie and whack it back. You have to chew that up thoroughly. You must have prodded hormone. It has to be wet with saliva, not water." Saliva contains the enzymes pytalin, and will send signals to the stomach crucial for the digestion process. Fletcher came up with the phrase "Nature will castigate those who don't masticate." His method was publicly praised by many well known people of the time, such as John D. Rockefeller and Upton Sinclair, but this practise was nothing new, as it has been taught by various ancient spiritual traditions: "Concentrate exclusively on eating whenever you are eating. Let this principle become your mantra. The organ involved in eating is the same organ used for talking. Don't use your mouth for both at the same time. Social eating leads to overeating and impaired digestion. Being psychologically present when you eat is the key to liberating yourself from hunger. When you eat and socialise at the same time, your awareness of eating diminishes. You'll quickly feel hungry again. Eating is personal. You can allocate other times for family. Teach children to eat in silence and gratitude, concentrating on the moment. Smell your food with every bite, with full awareness of that bite."
"Drink Your Food and Chew Your Water" - Mahatma Gandhi
"When I am eating, I am deaf and dumb." - Russian Proverb
Raw Fruit Based Diet Alternatives For Winter
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Anne Wigmore has a large following in Scandinavia, promoting a diet based on a combination of wheatgrass juice, live sprouts, and fresh raw foods. She learned about natural healing methods from her grandmother, and healed herself entirely from cancer by utilising this wisdom. Anne wrote a book on the subject of sprouts as she values them as vitally important during winter months for those who cannot get close to the tropics. This way you can include some fresh and nutritionally dense raw food if you are struggling to find quality produce. Sprouts are filled with essential enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. They are also high in amino acids (the building blocks of protein), antioxidants and chlorophyll, which help to cleanse the blood. As with soaking nuts and seeds, sprouting increases the absorption of nutrients and ease of digestion, but also the fibre content within the food.
Annette Larkin's is no stranger to the numerous benefits of sprouts and continues to thrive as a raw vegan well into her seventies. Another is Tea Skrjanec who went through a radiant transformation on a raw vegan diet, including sprouts in her diet. Tea is shown on the image below, along with a link to her eBook which informs you how to successfully grow your own sprouts. As is noted in the title, the process of growing sprouts is simple and requires little effort. Others suggest foraging to include abundantly available wild edible plants/herbs in their green salads, although personally I have no experience with them. The reason given is that their long taproots reach deeper into the soil, and so they are said to have a higher nutritional value.
https://www.etsy.com/listing.776515666/microgreens-for-micro-efford?fbclid=IwAR34rEGHX-4cnSNgwXuXMOl-O2OyfhHLGgEePo1ADdDrizMZHwxJssCgP9w
Organic vs Non-Organic
Part Two (Other Holistic Healing Methods)
So far the focus has been mainly on diet and fasting, which is of course vital for cellular healing, but this alone has its limitations in terms of taking us to the highest level of health possible. As humans are part of Nature, there are significant improvements we can make to our home life and setup to better align ourselves with it's healing properties. Due to technological and scientific advances combining with ancient wisdom, there is a growing awareness in other forms of nourishment, which are also crucial for reaching the highest level of health. In this second part, I will look at natural holistic methods which have helped me on the journey. As I am open to experimentation, please feel free to suggest anything useful that I may have missed.
Exercise
The body is designed to move. Exercise helps speed up elimination of toxins and brings more oxygen into the body. People who exercise are at a significantly reduced risk of developing dementia, like Alzheimer's disease. Exercise positively stimulates the brain by increasing blood flow to the area, which promotes the growth of new brain cells. At the same time, you trigger neurotransmitters such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. Endorphins are responsible for the euphoria people feel from regular exercise. According to a study published in Neuroscience, the "secret" to more productivity and happiness is consistency in regular exercise. It was shown a little each day goes further than doing a lot once or twice a week. The people who exercised at different times during the month performed better in memory tests than those who did no exercise, but did not perform nearly as well as those who had worked out that morning.
As shown above, in the case of walking, exercise doesn't necessarily need to be physically demanding. Physical movement of any kind will be beneficial. In Nature, gorrilas aren't seen to be jogging, but they do keep moving in search of food. In our primitive existence we would need to be able to climb trees to reach fruit, so we do require an appropriate level of strength and muscle. Dr. Robert Lockhart taught corrective exercises to offset potential problems as we age. Walking on hands, and the use of the inversion table turns the body upside down, changing how gravity impacts the spine. Annette Larkins is another advocate of using inversion for the health benefits.
It is myth that you cannot build muscle and strength on a fruit based diet low in fat and protein (See John Rose or a shaved chimpanzee for example!). However, it may be that your weight and mass will be more proportionate to the size of your body frame, and humans vary in this regard. For bodybuilders, this may not be ideal, but there is always an alternative. Wade Lightheart (featured in the video below) is a former three time national bodybuilding champion from Canada, who always considered himself to be too skinny growing up. He was the first to compete on a calorie dense raw vegan diet, and he supplements with natural raw plant based enzymes and probiotics for building mass. Even without supplements, you can make significant gains just by stretching the stomach to be able to eat a higher number of calories, like our primate relatives. As fruit is easily digestible by the body, many have found they can adapt to eating large amounts without much discomfort. While intermittent fasting, Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is activated from 16 hours onwards, and at 18 hours it begins to sky-rocket. HGH stimulates cell regeneration which is crucial to the maintenance of muscle mass and strength. It is best to exercise an hour or two before the first meal.
One exercise regime I practise is called "Angamardhana" which I learned from the Isha foundation. It is tough, but incredible! It as an intensive, full body workout, based on yogic poses, stretches and exercises, guaranteeing strength, flexibility, and balance. With consistency, it is possible to complete the whole exercise in 30-45 minutes (the organisation say 25 minutes but I don't see how this is possible!), however, a beginner should be happy if they complete it within an hour. This system aims to transform a person for the better. Jaggi Vasudev was introduced to Angamardhana at the age of 11, and claims that after only 3 months of practise he would automatically wake up at 3am every morning. He has maintained this time of rising ever since. Of course, he had the significant advantage of being a child which for most people means more flexible and hydrated, so it would be reasonable to assume that it would take longer for such results if you are older. Regardless, even just incorporating regular sets of daily stretching will make an enormous difference to your well-being.
Sirsasana (headstand) is the King of the Asana's (in Yoga) and Sarvangasana (shoulderstand) is the Queen of asana's. I generally recommend these two Asana's, combined with Paschimottanasana (sitting forward bend) invariably to those who approach me. These three Asana's alone can keep you in perfect health." — Swami Sivananda
Air and Toxins in the Home
As animals of Nature, being outside in the open air is indispensable to our health, but unfortunately many of us have created polluted environments. The higher the altitude, and the further from civilisation, the better the quality of air. Mohandas Gandhi stressed how important it is to always keep windows and doors open, or sleep outside if you can. According to the U.S environmental protection agency, the air inside the average home is up to three times more toxic the air outside in the average city. Toxins are found in most furniture in modern homes today, belonging to a class of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). These chemicals pollute the air in our homes, causing many side effects, including irritation to the nose, throat, eyes, etc. This is one reason that it is essential to air out the home as often as possible. Other methods to combat this problem include house plants, air purifiers, vents, non toxic furniture, etc.
"After learning how to inhale the air, we should cultivate the habit of breathing fresh air, day in and day out. We are generally in the most pernicious habit of keeping confined to the house or the office throughout the day, and sleeping in narrow rooms at night, with all doors and windows shut. As far as possible, we should remain in the open air at all times. We should at least sleep on the veranda or in the open air. Those who cannot do this should at least keep the doors and windows of the room fully open at all times. The air is our food for all the twenty-four hours of the day. Why, then, should we be afraid of it? It is a most foolish idea that we catch cold by inhaling the cool breeze of the morning." - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Nature
"This curious world which we inhabit is more wonderful than it is convenient; more beautiful than it is useful; it is more to be admired and enjoyed than used. The order of things should be somewhat reversed; the seventh should be man's day of toil, wherein to earn his living by the sweat of his brow; and the other six his Sabbath of the affections and the soul, in which to range this widespread garden, and drink in the soft influences and sublime revelations of Nature." — Henry David Thoreau
Technology
Dr. Jack Kruse is a neurosurgeon who teaches how blue light is a health risk to people today. Electronics and artificial lighting emit blue light, which only occurs in nature during the brightest part of the day. So when we encounter this light in the dark, we signal to our brain that it is daytime, and suppress our natural secretion of melatonin. This is our sleep and anti ageing molecule. Blue light contributes to inflammation, destroys DHA, dopamine and impairs mitochondrion function. During any prolonged water fast, I noticed how easily my eyes felt strained and looked bloodshot after staring at screens too long, and also the significant drain this had on my mood and energy levels. "Harvard researchers and their colleagues conducted an experiment comparing the effects of 6.5 hours of exposure to blue light to exposure to green light of comparable brightness. The blue light suppressed melatonin for about twice as long as the green light. It shifted circadian rhythms by twice as much." Wearing blue blocking glasses at night-time is an effective solution for ensuring the best quality sleep and eyesight, as they provide protection from artificial light sources.
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Hundreds of scientists are petitioning to the United Nations for an evaluation of the cancer risk posed by electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation. In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer announced that all cell phones are considered to be a class B carcinogen. To put this into context, this class of carcinogens is shared with toxins such as diesel engine exhaust, heavy metals, and certain pesticides. It is no secret that Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, the founders of Apple and Microsoft, banned their children from the usage of cell phones as teenagers, while also limiting their screen time on computers. The adverse effects of speaking on a mobile phone can be seen in the image below in an experiment conducted by leading Russian scientist Dr. Konstantin Korotkov. He holds fifteen patents for biophysics inventions, and is the pioneer of the scientific field of electro photonics, which captures the electromagnetic field of a subject. The first image shows the significant disruption of a subjects field after only thirty minutes of phone usage. The second image shows the radiation effects of using a cell phone for only fifteen minutes.
For this reason it would be a major benefit for the human body to take a regular fast from technology. Depending on a persons work, this may not always be possible or practical. Switching a phone to airplane mode and switching off location services will stop the device from broadcasting. If you need to keep it on to receive calls, it is best to never store the phone beside your body. The more distance between you and the phone, the less it will negatively impact your health. These are just a few bio-hacks you can implement to reduce the effects of radiation. In the video below, Matt Maruca describes how to implement more useful smartphone specific bio-hacks in details, including reducing the negative effects of blue light.
Grounding/Earthing
As the human body is mostly water and runs on electricity, we are highly conductive beings. It is has been discovered that walking barefoot on the earth absorbs negatively charged ions/electrons into the body, negating the effect of positively charged EMF radiation from sources such as mobile phones, WIFI, TV, etc. Negative ions are created in Nature by the effects of water, air and sunlight on the earth's electromagnetic field. An experiment conducted by Russian scientist A.L. Tchijewsky in the 1940s demonstrated how an increase of negative ions in the atmosphere increased the lifespan of rats by three times. Walking on natural grass, dirt, sand, etc in Nature will have a stabilising effect. Those swimming or walking where the sea meets the beach will greatly benefit from the flow of electrons, as sea water is an ideal conductor. Based on the studies and research on the benefits of earthing, many companies are now selling products which allow you to connect to the earth indoors. I have little experience with these. "The Grounded" is a documentary which explores the profound healing effect of connecting the body with Mother Earth. Research has discovered that walking barefoot improves posture, strengthen foot muscles, and prevent common injures. Shoes damage feet by forcing them to grow weaker over time.
Sunlight
Dr. John Ott was a researcher and author who looked at the interaction of sunlight on living organisms. He realised that light entering the eyes regulates vital circadian rhythms that control our appetite, energy, mood, sleep, libido and other functions. His research is causing science to revise it's opinions about the therapeutic benefits of light. John Ott called the deprivation of sunlight "Malillumination". This is the result of limiting our intake of full-spectrum daylight by shielding ourselves with tinted windows, windshields, sunglasses, and suntan lotions, etc. Deprivation of sunlight contributes to issues of obesity, fatigue, sleep and eating disorders, as well as breast, prostate and colon cancer. It is no coincidence that the highest rates of alcoholism, depression and suicide occur in the societies furthest from the tropical equator. John Ott developed the technology "High Definition Natural Lighting", with products for those who cannot get away in winter, and aim to replicate natural sunlight indoors as closely as possible.
Collective Evolution Article On The Nutritional Value Of Light
Dr. Jack Kruse advises the single most important health measure we can take is to see the sunrise every day. By using blue blocker glasses under artificial light at night time, increased melatonin secretion will mean a better sleep quality, increasing our likelihood of waking up with sunrise as Nature intended. Witnessing sunrise functionally programs the brain clock to know what time it is, signalling the release of every hormone in the body. The skin and the eyes need to photo adapt over a period of time to slowly absorb a higher light frequency. Waking up then immediately looking at a mobile phone screen is such a dramatic increase in light frequency that it negatively impacts our health and well-being. Additionally, when we decide not to step outside until closer to midday when the sun is stronger, our solar callus has had no time to develop, and so the skin will burn and damage faster. Ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, Aztecs, and Incas all appeared to worship the sun, but it was treated as a symbol of God, believing this to be a powerful stimulus for our biology and the giver of life. When we begin to cleanse and heal we discover that the sun is much kinder to our skin.
Conscious Breathing
"On average, you breathe 20 to 25 breaths a minute. In good health you breathe 10 times a minute, and a mentally balanced person breathes 7 to 9 times a minute. Fewer than that and you are a yogi." — Yogi Bhajan
Conscious Laughter
Electromagnetic Field
Meditation
In my opinion, the most important section of part two, and the most essential practise for optimal mental health. Meditation is an ancient skill for developing concentration and awareness. Generally, from moment to moment, we allow our mind to be directed towards external objects, as usually our attention is directed by the senses. One of the most common practises of meditation is mindfulness, which is quite simply the ability to withdraw the mind inwards, to be present, in silence and stillness, resting in the here and now. Meditation is about getting in touch with the true nature of reality. It is the way in which we can experience our basic inseparability from the universe. Within this neutral state we are not afflicted by thoughts of the past or future, and we are able to embrace our fears, worries, and our anger. By simply observing passing sounds, sights, bodily sensations, thoughts, or emotions, moment to moment, without reacting, like a baby simply observing everything happening around them, we may experience how the self is actually separate from it all. In this sense, we are not aiming to control thoughts and emotions, but simply not allowing them to control us. It is possible to practise mindfulness in any moment of life
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In order to get the most benefit from meditation we must be as relaxed as possible. Detoxifying the body will eliminate discomfort from sitting for meditation. All of our joints are affected by this toxic waste. This was one reason I found it difficult to consolidate meditation as a daily practise in the past, and during the silent ten day Vipassana retreat in Germany, I fairly struggled in this regard. However, if you are struggling, there are various different postures. Even sitting in a chair is fine, as the key is relaxation. This could be employed in the meantime, while long term fasting and deep cleansing will eventually return you to the flexibility you experienced as a child. This was when you were closest to 80% hydration, without acids and toxic waste backing up the system, slowly destroying vital bodily organs and functions. Perhaps flexibility may be achieved through yoga and stretching, but fasting and a fruit diet will get the permanent results without having to maintain it. Further explained below is the type of posture and sitting position involved in a successful meditation practise.
"You cannot go as far in meditation lying down as by sitting. It is possible to find total rest in a sitting position, and in turn to advance deeper in meditation in order to resolve the worries and troubles that upset and block your consciousness. Among our workers in Vietnam there are many who can sit in the lotus position, the left foot placed on the right thigh and the right foot placed on the left thigh. Others can sit in the half lotus (one foot of your choice placed on the thigh). In our meditation class in Paris, there are people who do not feel comfortable in either of the above two positions and so I have shown them how to sit in the Japanese manner, the knees bent, resting on their two legs. By placing a pillow beneath one's feet, it is possible to sit that way for more than an hour and a half. Even so, anyone can learn to sit in the half lotus, though at the beginning it may be somewhat painful. But after a few weeks of practise, the position gradually becomes quite comfortable. During the initial period, when the pain can be bothersome, alternate the position of the legs or change to another sitting position. If one sits in the lotus or half-lotus position, it is necessary to use a cushion to sit on so that both knees touch the floor. The three points of bodily contact with the floor created by this position provide an extremely stable position."
Keep your back straight. This is very important. The neck and head should be aligned with the spinal column; they should be straight but not stiff or wood-like. Keep your eyes focused a yard or two in front of you. If you can, maintain a half smile. Now begin to follow your breath and to relax all of your muscles. Concentrate on keeping your spinal column straight and on following your breath. As for everything else, let it go. Let go of everything. If you want to relax the worry-tightened muscles in your face, let the half smile come to your face. As the half smile appears, all the facial muscles begin to relax. the longer the half smile is maintained, the better. It is the same smile you see on the face of the Buddha. Place your left hand, palm side up, in your right palm. Let all the muscles in your hands, fingers, arms, and legs relax. Let go of everything. Imagine yourself as a pebble which has been thrown into a river. The pebble sinks through the water effortlessly. When you feel yourself resting like a pebble which has reached the riverbed, that is the point when you begin to find your own rest. You are no longer pushed or pulled by anything." - Excerpt from "The Miracle of Mindfulness: The Classic Guide to Meditation", Thich Nhat Hanh
http://www.meditation24-7.com/wildserenity/meditation/page39/page39.html
http://liveanddare.com/benefits-of-meditation/
http://www.lorinroche.com/research/benefits.html
https://blog.bufferapp.com/how-meditation-affects-your-brain
http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2015/02/09/7-ways-meditation-can-actually-change-the-brain/#78b4fa4d7023
http://howtobehappy.guru/why-is-meditation-so-important-and-why-it-can-help-us-to-feel-happier/
https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2016/february/meditation-changes-brain.html
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/18/contemplation-therapy/?_r=O
Sexual Health
At age 27, I was introduced to the practise of Brahmacharya, meaning control of the senses in thought, words, and actions. I first encountered the term while reading "My Experiments With Truth" by Gandhi. At the age of 37, Gandhi took a vow that he would observe celibacy, and remain a brahmachari for the rest of his life. I later researched semen retention and it's effect on mind, body and spirit. I soon discovered the growing "noFap" community on reddit. Huge numbers of people quitting porn and masterbation were noticing vast improvements in every area of their lives. There were consistent reports of increased happiness, boosted confidence, increased motivation, increased energy, and lower anxiety. I was sceptical, but on top of the other research, I was encouraged enough to experiment, and as I developed my own practise of semen retention, the more benefits I also began to notice. I could certainly feel the energy deficit during times that I was less disciplined in my practice and I had an idea of what Gandhi was writing about.
It has been said that our sexual energy is the most powerful internal energy source we have available to us. Our ability to create is a natural by-product of cultivating this life force, as without it, we would not be here. In an interview with a journalist, Nikola Tesla mentioned our sexual energy as being "the most widespread in the universe". In ancient traditions it is believed that we can cultivate our life force through seminal retention in order to achieve greater vitality and longevity. Semen, when retained, is absorbed back into the body to support the higher energy centres, the nervous system, and the brain. I am not suggesting complete abstinence for everyone, or even for myself at this stage, as we have different needs and desires in life, however, these may shift the more that we detoxify the body. The alternative is the spiritual practise of white tantra which will teach how to retain the semen while experiencing an orgasm without ejaculaton. The practise of semen retention goes hand in hand with meditation, fasting, and a natural diet. The choice on whether to release this energy on short lived pleasures, or to save it for something more worthwhile is something that should be considered wisely for those seeking optimal health and well-being.
"The knowledge of how the mental and vital energy transform into what we want, and achieve control over all feelings. Hindus call it Kundalini Yoga. This knowledge can be learned, for what they need many years or is acquired by birth. The most of them I acquired by birth. They are in the closest connection with a sexual energy that is after the most widespread in the Universe." - Nikola Tesla
Conclusion
So that's about it. This guide is subject to change, as we all are, but hopefully it has provided a decent foundation to an evolving strategy. There are always difficulties with diet changes in the beginning, but slow and steady wins the race. The more we detoxify, and the more that plant foods start to taste better, the more our capability for digesting different types of fruit return. There is plenty of conflicting information out there, and no doubt that you would find plenty of the names I mentioned in this guide on websites such as "Quackwatch", but then once you experience the simple truth of this lifestyle, you may start to question more what information might be purposely misleading us. Besides, How can we really claim to know the truth unless we test it for ourselves? Mohandas Gandhi once wrote "If the parents are in perfectly good condition, their children will certainly be superior to them in all respects." I am confident that anybody who is willing to test this will witness profound positive changes to their lives and that will have a knock on effect for future generations. Finally, to finish as I began, with Hippocrates: "Health is the greatest of human blessings." Peace. Love. Respect.
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