What's Happening -- Newsletter from the Center

—2004 Newsletters

—Fall 2004 Newsletter
                           The Second Half of Posture
 

     When a yoga posture is done there are actually two parts.  There is the active doing or masculine part of the pose where one actively engages in the physical positioning of the body in space.  However, this active part of yoga pose which is seen in so many pictures in magazines and books is only half of the process because there is a passive or receptive part of the pose that follows every action where one can be deeply absorbed into the feelings coursing through the energy body.  This receptive or feminine aspect is important to pay attention to because it provides the opportunity for deep integration to occur.

     Integration means the bringing together of all the aspects of our physiology into oneness.  When we surrender to the masculine and feminine aspects of the pose we create space for melting away of the stress and breaking down barriers that we don’t even know we have.  So the practice of yoga postures has their primary purpose of integration in the physiology which causes release of blockages that are unknown to us.

     I have personally heard of situations where the assumption of specific poses evokes an emotional response such as crying, What’s happening?  The active part of the posture produces connective tissue stretch that releases buried emotional baggage that cannot be released in any other way.  Linear counseling will no do it.  The mindbody system is far too complex and denial too strong for us to be able to reach such areas with a cognitive approach.

     But with meditation or the practice of yoga postures such releases are possible over a period of time with practice.  Yoga postures when done with the intent of integration can turn the whole practice into a mediation in motion.  Why?  Because as with meditation the practice of postures takes us to deeper levels of stillness in the physiology so that the activity of the mind becomes overshadowed by silence.  And when silence in the physiology occurs then releases of deep stresses conflicts resentments and anger can come to the surface.

     So practically speaking what does this process look like?  Attention is paid to the breath and with the breath we move into a yoga posture.  For example, in the mountain pose the arms are joined together and brought over the head and held there.

      This produces stretching of connective tissue in the back and chest as one holds the legs and pelvis strong and contracted.  While doing the pose the breath is engaged to bring the arms up on inhalation and slightly down away from the head on exhalation.  As the posture is continued the energy pulsing up from the feet is felt coursing through the torso and out through the fingertips in extension along with any other bodily sensations.  And when the arms are released and brought down from their extended position further attention is paid to the bodily sensations that are happening in the energy field of the body still engaged in the breath but NOT in the usual mental monologue ( Did I do it right?  That was uncomfortable. Why am I doing this anyway?  I’m hungry.  I’m tired, etc) By innocently paying attention to the breath and the bodily sensations the process of integration is occurring because the mind is out of the way.  And once the mind is out of the way there can be no interference with the release of the hidden psychosomatic blockages that get released with the pose.

     But now the release of the pose occurs by bringing the arms down from the extended position and eyes are allowed to close.  Now further attention is paid to the body but the breath goes away and deep integration occurs.  The eyes are magnetically drawn upward and inward as the experience of unity emerges.  This is the second phase of the posture and should not be omitted because so much can be lost.

     And all this happens because we chose to move from an unconscious state of being to a conscious one.
 

—Summer 2004 Newsletter
                           Energy Model

Since Einstein formulated the mathematical equation E=mc2 physicists have recognized that matter and energy are
interchangeable. What is matter is energy and what is energy is matter. But the biological model that we use in the allopathic (Western medicine) tradition today utilizes only a matter field approach. The rich study of the biological matter field has opened large avenues of research and has led to a deeper probing into this matter field. By understanding the matter field we have evolved radiographic studies and enlarged upon the laboratory data that tell us about the matter field’s physiological and biochemical processes.

But it is just as valid is to see the biological model as an energy field as Einstein has shown us. Because allopathic scientists do not have a vocabulary for an energy field approach there is little understanding let alone the capability to talk about the body as an energy field.  Furthermore, since few have experienced their physical body as an energy field it leads a skeptic to doubt that anything exists except a physical matter field. To experience the energy field first hand eliminates any doubt of its existence.  But one has to undertake certain disciplines in order to feel energy in the mindbody.

Some would ask at this juncture “Why bother?” There are two reasons that come to mind. The first reason and the point of this website is to increase awareness as to the value of using energy field information. In this case it is diet to remove foods that promote disharmony and thus imbalance in the mindbody’s energy field. The imbalance promotes the manifestation of disease in the physiology thus leading to all the symptoms of the condition of interstitial cystitis (IC).  The second reason is to point out the benefit of blending the matter and energy field disciplines which can be very powerful in directing research in the matter field arena.

The energy model used is from the Ayurvedic discipline, which has its origin in the Yoga tradition. But one could use other energy disciplines such the traditional oriental medicine (TOM) approach or middle Eastern traditions. It does not really matter. We use the Ayurvedic model because we are familiar with it. But all the traditions saw the physical mindbody and the environment (including foods) as both matter and energy and developed sophisticated systems of healing around that concept. Hence one hears of the terms chi, qi, prana, ru, ruha but these are just terms for the energy field that we are and are part of. The diet helps bring awareness to those foods that are aggravating to the physiology at an energy level but one may not be appreciative of their deleterious physiologic effects until the diet is used.

So from an Ayurvedic perspective not only is the mindbody an energy field but the environment as well. A piece of broccoli morphologically is described as such but from an energy perspective it is a mixture of energy patterns that may or may not harmonize with the mindbody’s energy patterns. This is the value of the diet. It helps bring awareness to those foods that are aggravating to the physiology at an energy level, but one may not be appreciative of their effects until the diet is used.

Healing can take place when the disciplines are applied properly because there is significant depth and wisdom in these systems. The purpose of this website is to guide this proper application. So the energy patterns used in the accompanying diet are “flavors” of the primary energy field called Pitta in Ayurveda. The energy imbalance leading to the symptoms of IC (interstitial cystitis) is that of increased Pitta and Vata. The primary thrust of the initial work (please see Preliminary research subheading) was to treat the Pitta imbalance with a Pitta pacifying diet and aloe. As new trials are run combining the diets may be even more effective.

Pitta is the energy pattern in the physiology that has to do with transformation. Anything that is transformed or digested in the physiology is under the guise of this energy pattern Pitta.  So the digestion of food thoughts or emotions are simple examples of how this works. When Pitta becomes excessive or increased in the physiology then an imbalance is created. Typically the easiest way to go out of balance is through food choices.

If the imbalance is allowed to persist over time (months to as long as years or even decades) this energy pattern ramps up and begins to produce symptoms of manifestation (please see diagram). It may manifest at first as gastrointestinal distress in the form of “heartburn” or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and then as IC.  But IC may be the presenting manifesting sign of disease in the physiology. Usually but not always if GERD is present using the diet takes longer to ease the IC complex of symptoms. Aloe vera is used in conjunction with the diet because it “cools” down the heat of the transformative energy of Pitta.  Just as one would use aloe on the skin for a sunburn, one can use aloe internally for internal burns in the GI tract (heartburn) bladder (IC) or elsewhere.

Recurrent bladder infections are another example of interstitial cystitis. The ground state problem is interstitial cystitis but the abnormal bladder lining leads to the repetitive nature of the infections. Unless one deals with the Pitta imbalance the patient is doomed to chronic antibiotic therapy which does not deal with the underlying problem.

The value of this approach using diet is based on how well the patient can follow it. Usually patients know which are the Pitta aggravating foods because they cause symptoms, but because there are foods that would seem nonprovoking (e.g. bananas, peaches) foods are sometimes missed that would be clearly aggravating from an energy perspective. Because this is an energy diet, there can be conflicting information as to the dietary recommendations by the Western trained dietitian. But the confusion can be resolved by simply doing the Pitta pacifying diet.

As the patient begins to feel better, avoided foods can be added back into the diet monitoring symptoms. It is important to let patients know that there is an additive or cumulative effect to aggravating foods over time.  So using avoidance foods rarely will probably not cause problems especially if the diet is followed most of the time. Because this is an energy pattern diet there can be conflicting information to the dietary recommendations by the Western trained dietitian who gives matter field dietary information. But the confusion can be resolved by simply doing the Pitta diet. (See “Pitta Diet” at www.icdiet.com)
 
 

Foods as Energy  Produce balance or  imbalance, i.e., painful GERD or bladder irritation

—Spring 2004 Newsletter
                           Letting Go

Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or pioneer of the future. The past is closed and limited, the future is open and free.  —Deepak Chopra

In practical terms surrender means letting go. Although you don’t realize it, reality isn’t a given. Each of us inhabits a separate reality. Your mind blocks the free flow of the life force by saying, “This is how things must and should be.” Letting go releases you from the insistent grip, and when you let go, new forms of reality can enter.

You only have to take a ride on a roller coaster to see who gets more enjoyment out of the experience, those who clutch tight with white knuckles and clenched jaws or those who let go and allow themselves to be carried up and down without resistance.

Letting go is a process. You have to know when to apply it, what to let go of, and how to let go. Your mind is not going to show you any of these things; worst still, your ego is going to try to prevent you from making progress since it believes that you have to hold on in order to survive. Your only ally in letting go is spirit, which sees reality as a whole and therefore has no need to create partial realities based on limitation.

The whole path to love could be described as learning to let go, but letting go all at once isn’t possible. This is a path of many small steps. At any given moment the steps are basically the same: awareness begins to substitute for reactions. A reaction is automatic; it draws upon fixed beliefs and expectation, images of past pain and pleasure residing in memory, waiting to guide you in future situations.

Overcoming any reaction requires an act of awareness. Awareness doesn’t resist the imprint of memory. It goes into it and questions whether you need it now. In the face of a big dog, awareness tells you that you aren’t a small child anymore and that not all big dogs bite. Being aware of this you can ask if you need to hold on to fear. Whether you wind up petting the dog, ignoring it, or withdrawing is now a matter of choice. Reactions result in a closed set of options: awareness results in an open set of options.

When to let go

The critical time to let go are when you feel the strongest urge not to. We all hold on tightest when our fear, anger, pride and distrust take over. Yet these forces have no spiritual validity. At those moments when you are afraid, angry, stubborn, or mistrustful, you are in the grip of unreality. Your ego is forcing you to react from the past, blinding you to new possibilities here and now.

Spirit has a good outcome for any situation, if you can open yourself to it.

What to let go of

If the right time to let go is when you don’t want to, the thing to let go of is the thing you must hold on to. Fear, Anger, stubbornness, and distrust portray themselves as your rescuers. Actually those energies only make you more closed off. For example, panicky people tend to act that way because it is familiar; the same is true for angry and stubborn people. It is helpful to challenge familiar reactions by stating that you no longer believe in them. Here are a few examples:

Instead of saying “I have to have my way,” say to yourself, “I don’t know everything. I can accept an outcome I can’t see right now.” Instead of saying “I’m incredibly afraid,” say to yourself “fear isn’t me.” Being more afraid doesn’t make it any more real.” (This technique is also applicable to feelings of overwhelming anger, distrust, rejection, anxiety, and so forth).

How to let go

Since letting go is a deeply personal choice you are going to have to be your own teacher. The process takes place on every level—physical, mental, emotional—where energy can be stuck or held and no two people have exactly the same issues. You may feel comfortable with a lot more physical release than I do. I may feel comfortable with a lot more emotional release than you do. It is important to find the balance between physical, mental, and emotional release that works for you.
I also suggest that you embrace the following ideas as appropriate.

-This is just an experience. I’m here on earth to have experiences. Nothing is wrong.
-My higher Self knows what is going on. This situation is for my benefit, even if I can’t see that now.
-My fears may come true, but the outcome will not destroy me. It may even be good. I’ll wait and see.
-I’m having a strong reaction now, but it isn’t the real me. It will pass.
-Whatever I am afraid of losing is meant to go. I will be better off when new energies come in. Whatever fear says, nothing can destroy me.
-When people fall they don’t break, they bounce.
-Change is inevitable. Resisting change doesn’t work.
-There is something here for me, if I have the awareness to find it.
-The things I fear the most have already happened. I don’t want to hold on anymore. My purpose is to let go and welcome what is to come.
-Life is on my side.
-I am loved, therefore I am safe.

I encourage you to embrace the coming season with a sense of openness, vitality, and a renewed sense of pure potentiality.
—Deepak Chopra
 

—Winter 2004 Newsletter
                           Spirituality & Health

Our present day way of viewing the human experience is to identify ourselves as a mind and body that has somehow learned how to think and feel an emotion. Although this materialistic model has given us a great deal in scientific discoveries, it is incomplete and cannot propel us beyond the narrow confines it creates. If we are to continue our health evolution as a human species, we have to find a model that helps us with difficult questions such as, “What is the origin of thought?”  “How are our desires manifested?”  “What is my relationship to my fellow human beings and the environment?”

The consciousness-based model identifies spirit or consciousness as the overseer of the mindbody system and with it we have the capability to answer all the above difficult questions and more. With it we can increase love, compassion, intuition and creativity. The basis of this model is grounded in quantum physics and ancient healing wisdom.

If we are to use this scientifically established consciousness-based model we have to understand what consciousness is in biological terms so we can harness this aspect of ourselves for our benefit and evolution. The “I” in all experience is the soul which is a manifestation of a greater field of intelligence we call Spirit. So we have a localized form of consciousness we call the soul, which is an expression of the larger field of consciousness we call Spirit, but it has many different names.

From a scientific perspective spirit is a silent field of infinite possibilities. How this translates is simple; one can only be that silent field if one is aware. Few believe that spirituality has much practicality on a day to day basis, but spirituality is practical because a spiritual person is in tune with the messages that the mindbody sends to him: Did the mindbody receive too much to eat? Is the mindbody tired and need rest? What emotion is the mindbody sending him in times of stress? Is mindbody exercising too much or not enough? Is the mindbody still, so that he can fully see what is happening in the present moment?

One who lives fully in the present moment lives fully in the body and uses the mindbody as a platform from which he makes intuitive choices, knows people by feeling them and understands that even though his awareness (yet another name for spirit soul or consciousness) is part of the universe, he is the universe.

But what does this have to do with health? Today from a materialistic and reductionistic viewpoint health implies the absence of disease. From a consciousness based perspective health is a higher state of consciousness in which we remember our true nature or spiritual being.

There are many levels of awareness but the quieter the mindbody is, the more profound will be awareness in participating in the moment. But awareness can be endlessly manipulated because our mindbody has so much power over it. By far the most direct way to achieve increasing levels of awareness is by meditation and then our mindbody and soul becomes integrated and balanced. If the mind is elsewhere the taste of food that is being eaten is not totally experienced. If the mind is elsewhere one does not see what is right in front of oneself. The suns are born of the mind, but not the other way around.
 

1999 Newsletters
2000 Newsletters
2001 Newsletters
2002 Newsletters
2003 Newsletters
2004 Newsletters
2005 Newsletters
2006 Newsletters