SUSTAINED . OPTIMAL . LIVING

The Ideal Methodology of Healing

2011-01-18T20:29:00.000-08:00

            The Ideal therapueutic system:
1. Must be effective
2. Effective with minimal, or ideally, no risk to patient.
3. Effectiveness not based just on alleviation or absence of symptoms, but enhanced constitutional strength and well-being as well.
4. It should be affordable and readily accessible, understandable.
5. It should understand and have a clear concept of:
    what is a human being?
    what does it truly mean to be healthy?
    what precisely is a diseased state?
    What is the basic need of every human? To attain a state of happiness that is more dependent upon God than external conditions, despite the constant transient changes in life. (Read more from The Science of Homeopathy, by G. Vithoulkas)

We truly strive to attain a state of happiness that is dependent upon God and is not dependent upon external conditions our ever-changing life brings. Baha’u’llah suffered imprisonment and great afflictions on behalf of a travailing humanity in order to set them free from the prison of self. “Consider what Bahá'u'lláh has done: He revealed laws and principles to guide the free, He established an Order to channel the actions of the free, He proclaimed a Covenant to guarantee the unity of the free. Thus, we hold to this ultimate perspective: Bahá'u'lláh came to set humanity free. His Revelation is, indeed, an invitation to freedom -- freedom from want, freedom from war, freedom to unite, freedom to progress, freedom in peace and joy.” (The Universal House of Justice, A Wider Horizon, Selected Letters 1983-1992, p. 218) Any limitation whether physically, emotionally or mentally potentially inhibits the possibility of this state of “freedom,” or non-conditional happiness.

Humans are complex beings with complex systems. Each component has its own systems and communications, and yet integrated to such a high level one cannot separate them. They communicate constantly and are one dynamic reality. Shoghi Effendi acknowledges our three aspects: “What the Bahai’s do believe though is that we have three aspects of our humanness, so to speak, a body, a mind and an immortal identity—soul or spirit. We believe the mind forms a link between the soul and the body, and the two interact on each other.”(Shoghi Effendi, Arohanui, p. 89)

“Say: Spirit, mind, soul and the powers of sight and hearing are but one single reality which hath manifold expressions owing to the diversity of its instruments. AS thou dost observe, man’s power to comprehend, move, speak, hear and see all derive from this sign of his Lord within him. It is single in its essence, yet manifold through the diversity of its instruments.” (Baha’u’llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 154)

The lack of an approach to healing in balancing and unifying these systems weighs heavily on our medical system. Medicine evolved into specialists mastering one part of the body or system, giving prescriptions to patients. Experts often don’t communicate with each other. This type of care can cause patients long term harm. On the other hand, specialization of science is vital to ingenuity and the frontier to new understandings, and most doctors are frank about their lack of true understanding of how the body’s systems work together. The key to optimal treatment lies in comprehending how they work together, assuring constant progress.

Each expression of our being has various qualities which can lead to health or imbalance. Most models segregate the various aspects of the human experience. They focus on one aspect, disregarding the totality of a human: We affect our reality and our reality affects us. The human is not an isolated being, nor is the sum of its influences or parts isolated. Each human experiences degrees of imbalance ranging from minor to severe while some others seem unaffected by external influences or internal disturbances.

A true approach to healing takes into consideration our connectedness to all these influences. Like separate atoms, though, they have their own sphere of balance. Each unit of influence, like “meditation” in the spiritual atom, has its external influence reflected in the electron, and its internal influences reflected in the neutrons and protons. Each human expression, mind, body and spirit, has receptors which initiate a defense mechanism, regulating stimuli from the external and internal environment trying to maintain equilibrium, balance, the “middle way.” Any influence is initially received by these receptors resulting in varying effects, felt on all levels. However, the manifestation of disease or imbalance depends upon the predisposed weakness of the individual.

Science explains how atoms join together by sharing electrons, creating molecules. This reflects the human experience when we put these expressions together to create a unified vision:

This model reflects the interrelationship of these aspects, acknowledging that any affect on one affects the other—conceptually they are separate atoms, yet when connected they create a single pulsating, dynamic unit. When approaching health the internal dynamics, i.e., mind and spiritual energy flow, but how they reflect in the body, i.e., its symptoms, create a whole experience. They are one and the same. We are a material instrument for spiritual progress while completely connected to our spiritual nature. These expressions, mind, body, soul constitute a unity, though we can segregate them into three models in order to understand how each works better.

Motion and Stillness--the Natural Rhythm

2010-11-12T08:29:00.000-08:00

The Eastern mystics view the universe as an inseparable web, and their interconnectedness is dynamic, not static. We know through quantum physics that matter is both a particle and a wave, it has inherent qualities of motion and stillness; particles are never at rest. Everything in the universe is in constant motion or vibration. The Buddha states, "The world in continuous flux and is impermanent."

As humans age, the tendency is to root ourselves into routine. We are creatures of habit. Many are uncomfortable with the impermanence and ever changes life offers. Our attempt to slow it down is to become rigid--the opposite of the virtue of flexibility. Rigidity in habits or ways of thinking is one of the roads that lead to disease in the mind/body and suffering. It separates us from the soul, which is expansiveness and continuous growth. In fact, Abdul Baha clarifies there is nothing but progress in the spiritual world, there is no descent. Descent for the soul represents stagnation. It cannot ever lose what it has already gained or attained.

Baha’u’llah further elucidates this theme, “Behold how, in this Day, the Beginning is reflected in the End, how out of Stillness Motion hath been engendered. This motion hath been generated by the potent energies which the words of the Almighty have released throughout the entire creation. Whoso hath been quickened by its vitalizing power, will find himself impelled to attain the court of the Beloved; and whoso hath deprived himself therefrom, will sink into irretrievable despondency.”

To stay in balance, we must remain accepting of our motion and stillness. While matter gives the appearance of permanence, it's an illusion, as the world is ever changing. Practicing being comfortable with impermanence and welcoming each day as a new opportunity, each moment as a gift becomes a new habit integrating our fears melting them away into the moment. This type of thinking helps reduce our resting pulse rate, enhances deep breathing and relaxes the muscles. Simple relaxation in the mind can reduce pain and tendency towards mystery maladies for physicians such as tension headaches, stomach aches, joint pains--just a few examples. It also affects food choices, for when we are in duress we tend to choose comfort foods, those perfect blends of chemical highs of fats, sugars and salts found in empty carbohydrates and calories.

This concept is also reflected in spiritual development and transformation. Development happens rapidly and our spiritual life takes motion, then we find ourselves in a quieter place, a sense of stillness. The motion reflects a time of learning a new skill, an opportunity, attending a new class. The stillness represents integration of the skill into action, a time to properly process it into memory creating a newly formed habit. Time for reflection and refinement. The stillness gives us a short rest before our next lesson.

Recognizing this natural rhythm in life comforts us to know where we are in the present moment prompting us to make intelligent choices. Nature reflects this concept in the seasons, or when a flower opens in the morning and closes in the evening. There are cycles and rhythms of the day, and in a lifetime. The trick is to stay flexible and resist our biological tendency to become rigid. Life is fluid, and so is the human temple. Bodies reflect the minds rigidity in the hardening of arteries, arthritis and countless other disorders. Fluid thinking allows the body to remain fluid, toxins that flow in have the opportunity to flow out. Live life like the body’s natural impulse to breathe—inhale…and exhale. Breath takes us right to our soul, centers us on the moment and brings us into perfect motion and stillness.

The Secret to Health

2010-11-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

Many conditions in the body stem from a mind that is not bound to the present moment. Meditation brings the mind back into balance, to connect to the vastness of the universe, expand our energy fields. In the brain, it puts our brain waves into the ideal wave point. Optimal brain frequency and energy management is in the present moment. The Buddha said, "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”

When the mind is occupied in the past through sentimentality, mourning, brooding, angry, it is essentially bleeding out spiritual energy. When the mind is worrying about the future, obsessing about potential problems it also bleeds out spiritual energy. The mind in the present moment is likened to a mirror. Whatever occupies the mind is reflected in this mirror. The mind offers us choice, or free will. Each moment of life presents choice. When the mind mirrors the spiritual world, our choices become enlightened. When the mind mirrors this world, it becomes dark like an animal, responding to its environment through impulses and needs. Imagine how this pertains to decisions in eating, sleeping, working, parenting, and relationships.

Baha'u'llah defines the resting place of the mind: One of the requisites of true love is willingness to bear every suffering and tribulation that hath occurred in the past or may occur in the future. One of the greatest resting places of the mind is accepting what is, what was, and what will be--reflective of a tranquil heart and noble spirit. Acknowledging and embracing whatever...

True Liberty

2010-10-31T13:07:00.000-07:00

Great scientific advances bring challenges in morality. Science left unchecked with spiritual values leads to the pettiness of ego and glory in the mind. The leaders in food industry have been able to pinpoint the chemistry of food which accesses the addiction part of the brain. This perfect balance includes the right balance of fat, sugar and salt. It explains why it's so hard to have only one scoop of ice cream, or anything less than the entire bag of chips! It was said the Cinnabon recipe underwent 191 recipe trials before coming out with the right combination of texture, smell and taste.

The Master comments on human eating habits, "If humankind were free from the defilements of sin and waywardness, and lived according to a natural, inborn equilibrium, without following wherever their passions led, it is undeniable that diseases would no longer take the ascendant, nor diversify with such intensity. But man hath perversely continued to serve his lustful appetites, and he would not content himself with simple foods. Rather, he prepared for himself food that was compounded of many ingredients, of substances differing one from the other...The result was the engendering of diseases both violent and diverse."

When left unto ourselves, the excitable taste enhancers put into food can lead us astray, to eat too much, too little nutritional value and too often. While we demand freedom in choices, without an educator, it's difficult to make good choices. In fact, true liberty, true freedom comes when we submit to educated choices within a framework, for it promotes well being and happiness. We could apply this theory to eating, sleeping, the TV programs we choose, the friends we choose to spend the most time with. In fact, the true battle lies within ourselves. The Buddha says, it is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.

Baha'u'llah says, "Consider the pettiness of men's minds. They ask for that which injureth them, and cast away the thing that profiteth them...We find some men desiring liberty, and priding themselves therein. Such men are in the depths of ignorance...That which beseemeth man is submission unto such restraints as will protect him from his own ignorance, and guard him against the harm of the mischief-maker. Say: True liberty consisteth in man's submission unto My commandments...they would of a certainty attain unto perfect liberty."

While maintaining balance within the body and the mind the real battle lies within our own addictions, desires and what motivates our choices. Knowing our true freedom lies within submitting to healthy choices helps control our impulses.

Intoning Fine-Tunes the Brain

2010-10-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

OK, how do you "intone?" Webster defines it: To utter in musical or prolonged tones, recite in singing tones or in a monotone. It goes back to the 14th century, meaning to elongate vowels for extended periods of time. Secondly, how does this tune the brain?

In all forms of human vocalization, nothing can rival intoning. Using your voice can enhance your mood and memory. Don Campbell, the founder of the Institute of Music, Health and Education, lists many benefits of using your voice. "Toning balances brain waves, deepens the breath, reduces the heart rate, and imparts a general sense of well-being."

When I sit in session, I always listen to the tone of voice. The voice will often reveal at what period in life their energy is stuck in. Sometimes, a wound from childhood will bring out a childish response to a situation, and the voice will reflect this. When the voice is relaxed, our mood is relaxed. Intoning brings us more present minded, centered and grounded. Emotional background noise tends to go away, and physical pain can lessen. Anxiety can be relieved from intoning, especially performance anxiety.

Campbell has correlated certain sounds with specific effects on the body...

1. Ahhh--immediately evokes a relaxation response.

2. EE or Ay--is the most stimulating of vowel sounds; helps with concentration, releasing pain and anger

3. Oh or om--considered the richest of sounds; can warm skin temperature and relax muscle tension

In Daniel Amen's book, "Change your Brain, Change your Life," he recommends toning for 5 minutes a day for 2 weeks to see if it helps. He notes that children hum when they are happy. "As the sound activates your brain, you will feel more alive and your brain will feel more tuned in to the moment."

When reciting out loud meaningful passages, or spiritual scripture, try to elongate the vowels as you are reading. Then attempt to utter the phrases in a musical tone, changing pitch. Various cultures express meaningful moments through chanting from India, Native American, Arabic, Jewish, vespers, African, Gregorian. How do they teach their children at such a young age to chant? Mothers will sit with their children at a young age and teach them to chant their names first. If you think of your name, how many syllables does it have? How many ways can you change those syllables into a melody? What different lengths of time can you elongate the vowels in your name? Just starting with your name shows you an infinite possibilities one word can express!

Baha'u'llah in Gleanings encourages us to intone and elucidates its effects. "Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb. Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul. Thus have the mysteries of the Revelation of God been decreed by virtue of the Will of Him Who is the Source of power and wisdom."

How many times have we been obedient by reading the Word of God, and prayed, only to rush through it to get other things done? Imagine the powerful effect on your body and soul if we took some time, even to do a short intoned prayer! Intoning helps to keep our mind focused and present in the prayer, rather than having the scattered mind wandering off thinking of other things during the prayer. Baha'u'llah even says we may first be unaware, or not conscious of its effect initially but guarantees in time it will influence our soul. What a joyful tool to fine tune the brain with the frequency of our soul, and it influences our soul to keep changing that frequency to higher and higher notes!

A clear and evident example by Mulla Husayn, a young Shaykhi leader and scholar whose journey in search of the Promised ONe had led him to Shiraz, when he discovered the promised Qa'im, (He who will arise). This was none other than the Bab (the gate). According to the book "The Dawn Breakers" Mulla Husayn recalls sitting in the Bab's presence while revealing and intoning Verses, "The overpowering effect of the manner in which He wrote was heightened by the gentle intonation of His voice which accompanied His writing. Not for one moment did He interrupt the flow of the verses which streamed from His pen...I sat enraptured by the magic of His voice and the sweeping force of His revelation. At last I reluctantly arose from my seat and begged leave to depart. He smilingly bade me seated, and said: 'If you leave in such a state, whoever sees you will assuredly say: This poor youth has lost his mind.' "

True Cleansing in Remembrance

2010-10-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

Living in an environmentally toxic world challenges our bodies daily; i.e., drinking water, eating foods, breathing the air, even bathing. These are ways the body takes in nutrition, but as we examine the quality of this nutrition, farming practices lowered nutritional value of our foods, not to mention the soil quality and minerals have lessened. Drinking water and the air is contaminated, and it's estimated that a daily shower delivers quite a punch of toxins by breathing in the steam. There are so many toxic temptations even for the mind! Junk TV, gossip at work, internet choices...

Our bodies were made to detoxify and cleanse in order to maintain homeostasis. Cells work daily to eliminate harmful substances while softening the cellular wall to allow nutrition to enter. The mind detoxifies by telling others our stories at the end of the day, or processing events by journaling, meditation and reflection. Creativity through song or drama allows us to purge strong emotions; to experience catharsis. Asistotle said, It is the human soul that is purged of its excessive passions. He translates catharsis as a purification or experience that brings pit and fear into their proper balance.

The Buddha clarifies that everything begins in the mind, “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” When we intentionally purify the mind and eliminate as many toxic influences as possible it becomes easier to experience harmony. The mind has influence on the body and connects the soul to it. Our ultimate battle within the mind is to purify ourselves of all attachments. Baha'u'llah gives us the ultimate direction and remedy for this: Deliver your souls, O people, from the bondage of self, and purify them from all attachment to anything besides Me. Remembrance of Me cleanseth all things from defilement, could ye but perceive it. (Gleanings p. 294)

Each prophet has given this instruction to their believers. Jesus said, "If you mention My Name and I will do it. If you love me, obey my commandments." (John 14:14) When we bring to mind and remember our eternal selves, our perceptions and thoughts change, therefore our actions change. It is easier to be obedient and virtuous, to follow what is asked of us. It is simply the best detoxifier on the planet known to humankind, yet so ancient in concept. The battle of self and passion has been alive since the first man elevated himself over another. It was referred to as "idols" in the past. The Old Testiment, Ezekial testifies to this truth:

I will sprinkle pure I will sprinkle pure water upon you, that may become cleansed; I will cleanse you from all your contamination and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My spirit within you, and I will make it so that you will follow My decrees and guard my ordinances and fulfill them.

I'm intrigued by how remembrance and new life is connected to obeying the ordinances of God. I wonder how many times we can remember. This remembrance connects us to our higher self, to a greater and eternal perspective, to our inner nobility and others. How could this calling to mind affect our food choices, our entertainment decisions, and affect the words we use with one another. How would affect us not only individually, but collectively? (family, neighborhood, community, the world!) How much defilement can it truly cleanse? I'm determined to challenge this concept, to keep an open mind and trusting heart policy. As a scientist, I will be anxiously waiting to see the data as to how it may change my internal and external experience in this life. Perhaps those nagging impulses and cravings will finally be put to rest!

The Power of One Act

2010-10-07T07:44:00.000-07:00

Usually the right thing and the hard thing are one in the same. Whether we are addressing spiritual progress or natural healing for the body and mind, both paths present primordial challenges as they address human habits, which are DNA driven. I once heard the call, "Rise above your DNA!" What distinguishes one deed from another? What constitutes this rising above our human existence in healing? One virtue that makes an action powerful is righteousness. This word sometimes has a shaming and unpleasant connotation in Western culture. If we investigate the truth of this virtue, righteousness is doing what is right, upright, equitable and fair thing. It's an act that is free from wrongness, or virtuous--it's "Godly."

Socrates said all men's souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine. It's the divine quality of our actions, usually through our intention or obedience to God's will, that distinguishes and empowers our actions. Therefore, whether we are intentionally putting our mind/body into balance or spiritually detaching from the world, intention and obedience will make our actions right and divine. This becomes the impetus for a new healthy habit. It requires:
1. knowledge of the teachings of God, knowledge of the right actions
2. the determination to follow through
3. love or attraction to that action.

In Gleanings, Baha'u'llah gives us a clear significance and true power of this process. "One righteous act is endowed with a potency that can so elevate the dust as to cause it to pass beyond the heaven of heavens. It can tear every bond asunder, and hath the power to restore the force that hath spent itself and vanished...the influence flowing from such an action will, most certainly, be diffused throughout the whole world."

The influence our thoughts and actions have on the worlds of God cannot be comprehended. These teachings reassure us of the potency of such righteous actions, and many who have near death experiences come back to tell the same truth. How can we lose, if we purify our intentions prior to speaking or doing? We can take a few seconds to ask ourselves, what is the righteous act here, what is the divine path?

I encourage you to do the right thing, which may be the hard thing. Purify your intentions when eating, drinking, sleeping, thinking, relating with one another, and serving others. Imagine that one act affecting the entire world. Perhaps a lost soul somewhere will regain hope.

The Eye and Perception

2010-09-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

The eyes reveal our inner reality. The eyes are likened to the windows of the heart in Mark 7:20-23. Viewing the iris helps discover our ability to resist negative energy. This resistance is measured by the density of the iris fibers. It's measured by the white, gray or dark shading in the iris. The eye reveals how much vital force is present in the organ systems in the body and its strength to react intelligently, dispel toxins or trauma. Vitality, liveliness, joy, distance and sorrow...the range of emotions reflect in the eyes.

The human reality is both the outer material body as well as the energy of the spirit associating with it. There are forces visible to the eye; plants growing, the sun rises and sets. The forces invisible to the outer eye cannot be comprehended; understanding, memory, thought, the soul. Baha'u'llah in Gleanings acknowledges the "inner and outer" eye: "Ponder a while thereon, that with both your inner and outer eye, ye may perceive the subtleties of Divine wisdom and discover the gems of heavenly knowledge which, in clear and weighty language, I have revealed in this exalted and incorruptible Tablet, and that ye may not stray far from the All-Highest Throne, from the Tree beyond which there is no passing, from the Habitation of everlasting might and glory."

Because it's with the inner and outer eye that we perceive and our perceptions and thought create reality, keeping the eyes clear are of vital importance. The slightest impediment may obstruct its vision. An inner impediment may be pride, glory, jealousy. Anything that will cloud our vision. "Thine eye is My trust, suffer not the dust of vain desires to becloud its luster." (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings) In fact, if it were not for human vision, we could not imagine the "vision of God."

When there is a problem with the eye, we may want to meditate on who or what we don't want to see clearly. What impediment are we are putting between ourselves and the truth?

Honesty and Intention to Maintain Homeostasis

2010-09-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Communication between cells is constant. Cells have a protection response or a growth response depending upon the message. When we communicate internally or externally, our ego usually has an agenda. When we have integrity, our intention is that the person we are communicating with understands what we are trying to convey. Often we use honesty as an excuse to communicate our agenda. "I'm just being honest." or ""Forgive me for being honest here, but...." (You know how to feel immediately when someone initiates a conversation with those words.) Pema Chodron, a Buddhist monk, says honesty without lovingkindness is simply hurtful. In fact, honesty is often used as a blunt weapon to bludgeon. Abdul Baha says if we do have a problem with someone or their actions, we must "Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the bearer. Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts. Beware! Beware! lest ye offend any heart." (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 453)

Even our internal dialog is often "brutally honest" with ourselves. "What were you thinking? You are so stupid!" These unwelcome messages shut down our thoughts, emotions and cells automatically like the cells in protection response when a virus enters the system. It becomes very hard to hear the intentions of the person speaking to you when they use honesty as a weapon...even if their intention is to convey an important message, the manner in which it is conveyed can inhibit the hearer from really trying to understand because their cellular response has shut down. We've even seen in the labs when a one political party is shown an advertisement from an opposing polotical party, the center in their brain for decision making immediately shuts down.

Our challenge is to clear our intentions. When we purify our thoughts and use our heart to have lovingkindness, there is always a way to communicate so the other will hear. This skill can maintain balance and homeostasis in relationships, and within our bodies.

Disobedience: The source of illness in the mind and body

2010-09-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

When studying the organ systems in the body, it's vital to understand the relationship amongst the "individuals" or cells in the body. How can this community live in harmony amongst such diversity? Each cell has its own function and responds to the whole. Not only do individuals harmonize to make an organ, but each of the 11 organ systems work in harmony, like several families make up a neighborhood. The key to maintaining unity within is acquiescence. Each cell, or individual, will acquiesce to the greater will or thought. When one cell rebels or acts on its own disease begins.

Much spiritual illness excites the nerves through lack of acquiescence in the mind. It's the key to a tranquil mind and heart. When our thoughts revolve around an axis point of, "I don't have to do that" or "I can say and do what I want" it creates dissension and strife within. It creates a heart of fear rather than trust. Even when we acquiesce to a wrong decision made by an institution or government, we can trust the process of life to correct the decision. This mindset is the opposite of the one of Western culture and a spiritual attribute. It brings to mind reading the "Promulgation of Universal Peace" by Abdul Baha. "God desires unity and love; He commands harmony and fellowship. Enmity is human disobedience; God Himself is love." If the spiritual principle states obedience and love engender unity and fellowship, I wonder the implications in the human temple?

Overstep not the Bounds of Moderation

2010-09-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

I found a quote in Gleanings by Baha'u'llah this morning, "Bestow upon them according to their needs...deal with undeviating justice, so that none among them may either suffer want, or be pampered with luxuries. This is but manifest justice." The advice was given to the Sultan Abdul-Aziz, but I immediately was struck by it's significance in the health field. Maintaining health represents homeostasis in the body and mind. Chinese medicine balances yin and yang, mind balancing focuses on the sympathetic/parasympathetic nerve. The Buddha also said, "The Middle Path" led to spiritual enlightenment. When we apply moderation to eating, movement of our bodies, feeding our mind and activities it's easier to achieve harmony. Even as a parent, I ponder the application of this advice. Spoiling children without cause enables entitlement, and withdrawal of affection or material things causes a mind of lack or victim mentality. Both create an unhealthy state of mind which leads to unhealthy habits and ultimately disease in the human temple. On one hand, decadence, and the other starvation. Oh if we could find the balance in all things!