Asyouage,youalsotendtobecomemorepatientandtolerantof
painandphysicaldiscomfort,whichincreasesyourendurance.ThisisapparentintheOlympicgamesinwhich,intheenduranceeventssuch
asthemarathonrace,thetopathletesmaybeasmuchas20yearsolder
thanathleteswhocompeteinothereventssuchasthesprints.Infact,
manyoctogenarianmarathonrunnersareactiveintheworldtoday,
andmanyseniorathletesarestillcompetingonthemaster’slevelin
othersportssuchasgolf,tennis,swimming,surfing,waterskiing,and
snowskiing.Theseelderathletesdemonstratethat,regardlessoftheir
ages,theycankeeptheirhealingsystemsvibrantandyouthful,staycompetitive,andenjoylong-lastinghealthbyremainingactive.Withalloftheseadvantagestoaging,weshouldlookuponold
ageasatimeofmaximumhealthandenjoyment.Byunderstanding
allofthefactorsthatpositivelyinfluencetheperformanceofourhealingsystems,andthenputtingthesefactorsintopractice,wecansuccessfullyenjoyasuperiorstateofhealthandavibrant,activelife
fortherestofourdays. ThePowerofLaughterandaSenseofHumor
Inpreviouschapters,wehavetalkedaboutallofthefactorsthatcanimprovetheperformanceofyourhealingsystem.Oneofthemostimportantofthesefactors,ifnotthemostimportant,appearstobe
asenseofhumor.Isaythiswithgoodreason. Ihavemetmanypeoplewhohavelivedwellintooldageandbeyond,sometimesreaching100yearsormore,whodefiedtheprinciplesofwhatmostexpertswouldconsiderahealthylife.Many
ofthesepeoplehadpoordiets,drankalcoholorsmokedexcessively,
didnotexerciseregularly,wereoverweight,and,strictlyfromahealthstandpoint,didjustabouteverythingelsewrong.However,
206 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
thepersonsamongthisgroupwererarewhodidn’talsopossessakeensenseofhumor,anextraordinaryabilitytoallowmostdifficul
ties,negativecomments,andadversesituationstorollrightofftheirbacks.Mostofthesepeopleunderstoodthat,togetthemostoutof
life,theyhadtohavefun.Manygoodpeoplemisstheboatinthisregard.Theytaketheirhealthandtheirlifetooseriously.Onefamoushealthexperteven
wentsofarastosay,“Seriousnessisadiseasemoredangerousthancancer!”Beingseriousallthetimecreatestensioninthebody,which
candrainthelifeforceoutofyourhealingsystem.We’veallheard
thesaying,“AllworkandnoplaymakesJackadullboy.”Whatwehaven’theard,andwhatisalsotrue,isthat“Allworkandnoplay
canmakeJackasickpuppy.”Manyresearchstudiessuggestthatpeoplewhocannottakethetimetorelax,havefun,andlaughare
atseriousriskfordeveloping amajorillness.Dr.BernieSiegel,afamouscancersurgeon,tellsastorythathelpsillustratethispoint. Amanransixmileseverydayfor25years.Heneverwenttoparties,neverwenttobedafter10:00PM,neverdrankorsmoked,
andwasavegetarian.Oneday,hesuddenlydied.Hewassoupset
bythissuddenturnofeventsthatwhenhegottothePearlyGates
hewentstraightuptoGodanddemandedanimmediateexplanationforthisapparentinjustice.“Whatthehellareyoudoing,God?”themanasked.“I’verun
everydayforthepast25years,nevertouchedalcoholortobacco,
gonetobedearly,andeatenonlyvegetables.I’veworkedhardmywholelifejusttoremainhealthyandlivelong,andyouhadtospoileverythingbybringingmehere.What’syourpointindoingthis?”
themanasked. “Mypointisthatyoubasicallyblewit!”Godsaid.“Youforgot
tohavefunandenjoyyourlife,whichwerethereasonswhyyou
werecreated!”Heexclaimed.“Andsinceyoufailedtolearnyourlessonsthistime,I’msendingyoubacktoHellforanattitudeadjustment!”criedGod.“WhatwillIdothere?”queriedtheman. “Forstarters,you’llhavetorunsixmileseveryday,gotobedbefore10:00PMeachnight,andeatonlyvegetables,”Goddeclared. Hecontinued,“Nexttime,trytoenjoyyourlife,andcomebackwhenyourattitudeisalittlebetter!”
Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem207
Dr.Siegelgoesontomakethepointthatitisimportanttodothingsnotoutofthefearofdying,butratheroutofthedesiretoimprovetheoverallqualityofyourlife.Certainlytherewasnothingwrongwithwhatthemanwasdoingtoimprovehishealth,buthisattitudeandreasonfordoingthesethingswerewrong.Again,the
goaloflong-lastinghealthisnotjusttolivelonger,buttoimprove
theoverallqualityofyourlifeintheprocess.Ifyouarenothaving
funandenjoyingyourlife,youaremissingtheboat.Justremember
theFrenchwomanintroducedearlierinthebook,wholivedtothe
ageof122andwho,wheninterviewedaboutthesecretsofherlongevity;repliedthattheonlythingsheknewwasthat“Ionlyhave
onewrinkleonmyentirebody,andI’msittingonit!”Almostnothingintheworldcankeepyourhealingsystemasstrong,vibrant,andhealthyascultivatingandrefiningtheabilitytolaugh ...tolaughoften,vigorously,and—whatisevenmorepowerful—tofrequentlyshareraucousbellylaughterwithyourfriendsorfamily.BobHopepassedawayattheageof100years.Ibelievehe
wastryingtobeatGeorgeBurns’agewhenhedied.Itisnotanacci
dentthatthesetwofamouscomedians,whoearnedtheirlivingwith
asenseofhumorandmakingotherpeoplelaugh,livedsolong.Whenyouarelaughing,havingfun,andenjoyinglife,youarereleasingtensionandcreatingpositivephysiologywithinyourbodythatstrengthensandfortifiesyourhealingsystem.Laughterkills
painbytriggeringthereleaseofpowerfulneurochemicalsfromthebrain,suchasendorphinsandenkephalins,which,aswenotedear
lier,arenaturallyoccurringopiatesmuchstrongerthanmorphine.Laughtersimultaneouslystimulatesthereleaseofotherpowerfulsub
stancesthatboosttheperformanceofyourhealingsystem.Somescientistshavedefinedlaughterastantamountto“internaljogging,”in
thatallthehealthbenefitsofjogging,suchasimprovingthestrength
ofyourheartandcirculatorysystem,canalsobefoundinlaughter. DoingWhatYouLoveContributestoaLongandHealthyLife
Uponhisretirementattheageof89years,aninnovativeartistandanimatorforWaltDisneyStudioswasrecentlyrecognizedforhis
208 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
outstandingcontributiontothefieldformorethan65years.Whenaskedhowhemanagedtokeepgoingallthoseyears,andwhatmotivatedhim,hereplied,“Yougottaloveyourwork!”Whenyoulovewhatyoudo,everydayisadayofplayandenjoyment.Whenyouworkatajobthatyoulove,itdoesn’tfeellikework.Lovingyourworkisthehealthiesttonicintheworldforyourbody’shealingsystemasitisinjectedwithacontinuoussupplyofdynamic,positive,mentalandemotionalenergyeverysingledayof
yourlife.Bythetimeyoureacholdage,thispositiveenergypaysoff
individends.Thefollowingstorieshelpillustratethispoint. PopProctorwasawell-knownsurferfromCaliforniawhofellin
lovewiththesportwhenhepickeditupattheratherlateageof50. Hesurfedformorethan40yearsandretiredfromsurfingattheage
of97.Hediedattheageof99,anditwasrumoredthathediedso
youngbecauseheretiredfromsurfingtoosoon.AlbertSchweitzeroncetoldhishospitalstaffthat“Ihavenointentionofdying,solongasIcandothings.AndifIdothings,I
havenoneedtodie,soIwilllivealong,longtime.”Dr.Schweitzer,whoreceivedtheNobelPrizein1952,remainedactiveuntilhisfinaldays;heliveduntiltheageof90. Mrs.MinamiwasaJapanese-Hawaiianwomanwhowas101
yearsofagewhenImether.Shedrankacupofhotwateraftereach
mealandenjoyedperfectregularitySheworkedinhergarden,whichsheabsolutelyadored,everyday,rainorshine.Whensheleft
meforanotherdoctorbecauseherinsurancehadchanged,shewas
103andstillgoingstrong.HarryLiebermanwasanelderly,78-year-oldmanwhohadbeenaloneinanursinghomesincetheageof75,silentlyawaitinghisdeath.Tohelppassthetime,everydayatnoonhewouldmeethispartnerforagameofchess.Oneday,unbeknownsttohim,hispart
nerdied.WhenHarryshowedupattheusualtimethenextdayfor
hischessmatch,hispartnerdidn’tshow.Thestaffwhowasinformed
ofhispartner’spassingandconcernedabouttheeffectsonHarrydidn’twanttobreakthenewstohimsosuddenly.TheytoldHarryhispartnerhadbecomeillandhadtogotothehospital.TheyaskedHarryifhewouldliketoattendanartclassinstead,justfortheday.Harrywasshuttledofftothenursinghome’sartclass,wherehe
wasseatedatatableandhandedablankpieceofpaper,somecol
Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem209
oredpaints,andabrush.Hehadneverheldabrushbeforeinhis
life,andhefelttotallyawkward.Theteacherannouncedthatthe
classassignmentwastopaintanythingtheparticipantswanted.Whilehewasholdingontothebrush,Harry’sminddriftedback
tothedayswhenhewasaboygrowingupinavillageinhiscoun
tryofbirth,Poland.Slowly,hebegantopaintwhathismindsaw. Attheendofclass,theteacherlookedatthispainting,thankedhim
forhisattendance,andencouragedhimtoreturnthefollowingday.Thefollowingday,however,Harrydidn’twanttopaintanotherpicture.Instead,helookedforwardtoresuminghischessgamewith
hispartner.Attheappointedhour,however,whenHarrysatdown
atthechessboardandwaitedforhisfriend,oneoftheyoungvol
unteerscameandinformedHarrythathisfriendwasstillinthehospital.Sheencouragedhimtopleaseattendtheartclassonemoretime.Harryreluctantlyagreed.Now,forthesecondtimeinasmanydays,Harryfoundhimselfsittingdownwithabrush,ablankpieceofpaper,andsomepaints.Today’sassignment:“Paintanythingyouwant.”Again,Harrydriftedofftohischildhooddaysandslowlybeganpainting. Atthecloseoftheclass,theteacheragaincamebyHarry’stable,
sawhispainting,andmadeanencouragingcomment.HetoldHarryhewantedhimtoattendtheeveningartclassatthelocaljuniorcollege.TheteachertoldHarrythatattheveryleastthiswouldbeachancetogetoutandmeetsomenewpeople,especiallyyoung,attractivecollegegirls.Hesitantatfirst,Harryfinallyagreed. Intheeveningofthenextday,avanpickedHarryupandtook
himseveralmilesawaytotheartclassatthejuniorcollege,wherehe
wasusheredinsidewithmorethan40students,mostofthemyoungenoughtobehisgrandchildren.Thissettingwasmuchdifferent
fromthedull,sedate,andsomberatmosphereofhisnursinghome. Forthethirdtimeinasmanydays,Harryfoundhimselfseated
atadeskwithabrush,ablankpieceofpaper,andpaints.Theassignment:“Paintanythingyouwant.”Onceagain,Harry’sminddriftedofftohispastashedippedhisbrushintothepaintsandbeganapplyingstrokestothepaper. Atthecloseoftheclass,theteacherwalkedaroundtheroomtocritiqueeachstudent’swork.WhenhecametoHarry’spainting,
hepausedforamoment.Thenhemadeasurprisingcomment. 210 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
“Wouldyoubesokindastoautographthispaintingforme?”heaskedHarry.Harrywasdumbfounded.“Why?”heasked. Theteacherreplied,“BecauseIhaveafeelingthatsomedayyou’regoingtobeafamousartist.”Harrythoughttohimself,“Right,butfirstI’llbethenextpresidentofAmerica!”
Forthenext25years,HarryLiebermanpaintedeverydayandeventuallyestablishedhimselfasoneofthepreeminentartistsintheworld,paintingvillagescenesfromhischildhoodlifeinPoland,alongwithstoriesfromtheOldTestament.Tothisday,hisworksaredisplayedprominentlyinbooks,museums,andgalleriesallovertheworld.Doingwhathelovedtodo,HarryLiebermanlivedpastthe
ageof103. Dowhatyoulove,andlovewhatyoudo.Thisistheessenceofallowingthecreativespiritwithinyoutoflourishandexpressitself,producinglong-lastinghealthandasenseofwell-beingasbyprod
ucts.Ifyousuppressordenythisspirit,itwillwitherupanddie,
andyourhealthwillsurelyfollow.Suppressingordenyingyourinherentcreativeinstincts,notdoingwhatyoulove,ornotlovingwhatyoudo,willdrainyourlifeforceandrenderyourhealingsystempowerless.Whenthishappens,youwillbecomesick.Manypeopleareallowedtopursuetheirdreamsandareencouragedtofollowtheirheartsfromanearlyage.Thesearethelucky
ones.Others,likeHarryLieberman,discovertheirtruejoyandpassionwhentheyareatanadvancedage.However,regardlessofyour
age,thehealth-enhancingbenefitsofputtingyourheartintowhat
youaredoingareundeniable.Organizingyourlifearounddoingwhatyouloveisoneofthewisestandmosteffectivewaystostrengthenandfortifyyourhealingsystem,allowingyoutheopportunitytoenjoylong-lastinghealth. CelebrateYourYearsandEnhanceYourHeaUngSystem~
Oldageisatimeforcelebrationandenjoyingthefruitsofyourlabors.It
isthetimeofyour”secondchildhood?’ achancetoregainyourinnocence,
toseebeautyinsimple,everydaythings,andatimetoplayandenjoy
Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem211
yourself.Oldageisatimetolove,beloved,andtoknowthatloveisthefundamentalunderlyingrealityinalloflife.Withallofthistolookforward
to,itiscriticalthatyoukeepyourhealthasyouagesoyoucanmaximize
theenjoymentofyourgoldenyears.StrengtheningandfortifyingyourhealingsystemasyouageisthebestinsurancepolicyIknowtohelpyourealizethisgoal. Manypeoplelivehealthy,pain-free,disease-free,activelivesforalong,
longtime,andthentheyleavethisworldpeacefullyandgentlywithoutany
painorsuffering.Thesepeoplehavefoundwaystocooperatewiththeir
body’shealingsystems,andtheyhavelearnedtostrengthenandfortify
themastheyhaveadvancedinyears.WhileI’mnotdenyingthatsomeday
weallmustdepartthisearth,thereisnoreasontobuyintothefalse
notionthatyouhavetobecomesickanddisabledbeforeitisyourtimeto
leave.Whenyouworkwithyourhealingsystem,youcanenjoylong-last
inghealth,andstayhealthy,untilyourfinaldays. Frommyownresearchandexperience,Ihavefoundthefollowingpracticaltipstobeparticularlyhelpfultostrengthenandfortifythehealing
systemasyouage:
~Practicetheprinciples,exercises,andtechniquesdescribedinthisbook. ~Drinkplentyoffluids. ~Eatplentyoffruitsandvegetables. ~Getadequatefiberinyourdiet. ~Practicegoodbowelhygiene. ~Practicestressmanagement. ~Relaxregularly. ~Dobreathingexercises. ~Thinkyoung.Rememberthatyouareonlyasoldasyouthinkyouare. ~Takethetimetoplanforabrightfuture. ~Learntobespontaneous. ~Developaflexiblemindset.Avoidbeingtoosetinyourways. ~Dowhatyoulovetodo. ~Stayactive. 212 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
OMaintainaviablesocialsupportsystem. OStayinvolvedwithhobbiesandcreativeactivities. oBeanonconformist. oBeadventuresomeandtrynewthings. OSpendtimeinnature. oIfyougetbored,learntoplayamusicalinstrumentorpaint. oSing. oDanceregularlyandoften,evenifyouarealone. oAvoidgettingangry. oCultivateandnourishlovingrelationshipswithyourfamilyandfriends. 0Don’tfosterresentment. oIfyouaresingle,date,orbeactiveinsocialclubs. oSpendtimeoutdoors. oSurroundyourselfwithbeauty. oHavefun,andremembertosmileandlaughgenuinelyfromyourheart. oEnjoycomedyandkeepalight-heartedattitude. oDon’ttakelifetooseriously. oDon’ttakeyourselftooseriously. oSpendtimewithpeoplewhoarebusyandinvolvedindoingsomethingmeaningfulwiththeirlives. oChooseyourfriendsandcompanywisely. oDon’twasteyourtime. oDon’tdothingsyoudon’twanttodo. OBetruetoyoursenseofpurpose. oTakethetimetoreflectonthemeaningoflife. °Appreciatethefactthatyourlifeisagift,nomatterhowdifficultithas
been. oAcknowledgeallthethingsinlifeforwhichyouhavetobegrateful. OHonorthedignityofyoursoul. 0Findawaytogivebacktotheworld. Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem213
~Performsomeformofregularcommunityservicethatmakesyoufeel
goodinside. ~Spendtimewithchildren;letthemteachyouhowtoplayandbeinthe
presentmoment. ~Spendtimewithanimals.Ifpossible,haveoneormorepets. ~Vowtodoatleastonethingdifferentlyeachday. ~Getupearlyeverymorning,andgotobedearlyeverynight. ~Listentomusicthatinspiresandupliftsyou. ~Travelifyoucanafforditand,ifnot,trytowalkorgoinanewdirec
tioneveryday. ~Writeinajournalyourmostmemorableexperiences. ~Writepoetry,evenifyou’veneverdoneitbefore. ~Wakeupeachmorningandtelltheworldthatitisabetterplacebecauseyouarehere. ~Don’twastetimebeingaroundpeoplewhodon’tinspireyouoruplift
yourspirits. ~Readbooksandwatchmoviesthatinspireandupliftyou. ~Readaboutpeopleolderthanyouwhoaremoreactivethanyou. ~Keepconnectedtoyourfamily,friends,andlovedones. ~Rememberthatifyouwanttohaveatruefriend,youhavetobeatruefriend. ~Listentomusicthatstirsyourheartandsoothesyoursoul. ~Findawaytoshareyouruniquetalents,gifts,andexperienceswiththeworld. ~Focusonhowyoucandoyourparttomakethisworldalittlebetter. ~Appreciatehowagehasmellowedyouandmadeyouabetterperson. ~Loveyourselfandyourlife,eveniftheyaren’tperfect..
~IfyouhavefaithinGodorahigherpower,prayforguidanceandpeace. ~Makepeacewithyoursoul.Forgiveyourselfforallyoumayhavedone
wrong. ~Crywhenyouwantto,anddon’tfeelashamedwhenyoudo. 214 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
=
0Livefromyourheart.Rememberthatyourbodypossessesanefficientandintelligenthealingsystemthatcankeepyouhealthythroughamultitudeoflife’schallenges. j~Celebrateandhonoryouryearsonthisearth,andenjoyyourlife! LivingLifetotheFullestUntilYourFinalDays
IhopeIhaven’tgivenyoutheimpressionthatyouwillliveforever.AlthoughIdoexpectyoutolivelong,stayhealthy,andenjoyyourlife,itwouldbeirresponsibleofmetotrytodeceiveyouintobeliev
ingthatyoucanremainonthisplanetindefinitely.Landisalimitedcommodity,andunfortunately,whenitisourtimetogo,wehaveto
leavetomakeroomforthenextperson.Evenifyoureachtheageof100,120,orbeyond,somedayyouwillexperiencetheprocessofleavingyourbodyasyoudepartthisworld.Inmanyculturesaround
theworld,thisprocess,knownasdeath,isregardedasanaturalandsacredevent,nolessimportantthanbirth.Inthesecultures,deathis
seenasareleaseandablessing,thefinalchapterofaperson’searthboundlifeinastorythatwouldotherwisebeincomplete.Further,in
thesecultures,deathisseentobenotmerelyanend,but,rather,anewbeginning.Asaresult,theanniversaryofthedayapersondiesisusu
allyrememberedandcelebratedevenmorethantheperson’sbirthday.Thebenefitofacceptingthatyouwillnotliveonthisearthfor
everisthatyounolongerhavetolivewiththetensionthefearofdeathcreates.Theacceptancecreatesanaturalstateofrelaxation.As
youknow,yourhealingsystemworksbestwhenyouareinanaturallyrelaxedstate,andsoovercomingyourfearofdeathgreatlyimproves
yourvitalityandcontributestolong-lastinghealth.Deathiscertainlynotanexperienceweshouldwelcome,initi
ateprematurely,orglorif~,’beforeitstime;nonetheless,itneednot
bethedifficult,painful,miserableexperienceitiscommonlyheldto
beinoursociety.Deathcanbealoving,specialoccasion,aprofoundlyhealingexperienceforallthosewho’vecometowitnessthesacreddepartureofauniquelycreatedsoul.Agooddeathcanactas
apowerfulaffirmationandaspecialblessingtothoseleftbehind. Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem215
Suchdeaths,ratherthanproducingtensionandprolongingthemyththatdeathisapainful,horribleordeal,contributetooverallhealingbyreinforcingthepeacefulness,beauty,andserenityofthisnaturallifeexperience.Suchanattitudecollectivelystrengthensandfortifiesthehealingsystemsoftheindividualswithinthecultureandsociety,andcontributestolong-lastinghealthinthoseindividuals. Agooddeath,whichcanbelikenedtochildbirth,requirespreparation.Forexample,itiswellknownthatmotherswhohave
notattendedprenatalclassesareusuallypoorlypreparedforlabor,
andtheyoftensufferfarmorecomplications,pain,andtraumathanthosewhoarewellprepared.Thesameistrueindeath.Inanill-prepared-fordeath,farmorecomplications,pain,andtraumaoften
occurthanisnecessary.Suchanexperiencereinforcesthenotion
thatdeathisahorribleeventandcreatesfearinthosewhowitness
suchadeath.Aviciouscycleperpetuatesitself,influencingsociety’sgenerallyfearfulperceptionofdeath,andcreatingunnecessaryworryandnegativeoutcomesintheprocess.Ironically,thebestway
toprepareforagooddeathistohaveagoodlife. Itispossibletoenjoyyourfinaldaysonthisearthandhaveapositiveexperienceofdeath.Howsuccessfulyouareatdoingthisisstronglyinfluencedbyyourabilitytoworkwithyourhealingsystemandremainhealthythroughoutyourlife,whichislargelydeterminedbythechoicesyoumakeeveryday.Realizethatyourtimeonearthislimited,andthenliveyourlifeasifitwereaprivilege,as
ifeachmomentcounts.Focusondoingwhatyoulovetodo.Forexample,acowboy’sdreamistodiewithhisbootsonandbeburied
withhishorse.Theprobabilityofrealizingthisdreamisincreased
witheachdaythatheiscansaddleupandrideoffacrosstheplainswithhistrustysteed.Thesameistrueforyouandanynumberofactivities,hobbies,andvocationsthatyoulovetodoandthatare
nearanddeartoyourheart.Themoreyoucanorganizeyourlifearounddoingwhatyoulovetodo,thebetterthechancethatyou’lldepartthisworldinanupliftedstate,withoutanysorrowsorregrets. Inindia,whereIhavetraveledfrequently,Ihavemetmanypeopleintheireighties,nineties,andolderwhoareactive,healthy,respectedmembersoftheircommunities,andwhoenjoytheirlives,totallyfreefromthefearofdeathandunconcernedabouttheiradvancingage.Further,theSanskritliterature,whichdatesback
216 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
severalthousandyears,isfullofhistoricalaccountsofaccomplishedsoulswhocouldaccuratelypredictthetimeoftheirdeathandleavetheirbodieswillfully,peacefully,andwithcourage.Similarly,inJapan,Samuraiwarriorshavetraditionallygreetedeachnewdaywiththethought,“Todayisagooddaytodie!”Althoughthisstatementmightinitiallyappeartobefatalistic,thephilosophyactuallyenrichesthewarriors’livesandimprovestheirhealth.Byfacingtheirmortalitythisway,acknowledgingthattodaycouldbetheirlastdayonthisearth,theycanlivewithoutfearandremainmorerelaxed.Thisrelaxedattitudenourishesandsupportstheirhealingsystemsandhelpsthemachievelong-lastinghealth.BecausetheSamuraicreedpermeatesalmosteveryaspectofJapanesesociety,itisnotsurprisingtoseethat,onaverage,people
inJapanlivemuchlongerthanpeopleintheWest.Understandingthatyouhavetremendouscontroloveryourlifecircumstancesandyourhealthisthebestwaytoprepareforagooddeath.Itisalsothebestwaytoenjoyyourlife.Likethecowboy,yogi,orSamuraiwarrior,youcanenjoylong-lastinghealth,andthen,whenitisyourtime,exitthisworldwithpeaceandserenity,courageandconviction,graceandstyle.Whenyoulearntowork
withyourhealingsystem,youcanenjoylong-lastinghealth,and,whenthetimecomes,experienceapeacefulandpain-freedeath. ClosingThoughtsonAging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem
Theboundariesforwhatisconsideredtobeoldagearecontinuallybeingexpanded.A70-year-oldman,bytoday’sstandards,isnowviewedasstillyoung.Youcanprolongandmaintainyouthfulvigorandhealthwellintoyoureighties,nineties,andbeyondifyouwork
atsupportingandnourishingyourhealingsystem.Yourattitudeaboutagingplaysanimportantroleinyourlongevityandinfluencesphysiologicalmechanismsthatcaneitheraccelerateorslowdown
theagingprocess.Ifyoudeveloppoorhealthhabitsbasedonpessimistic,negativeattitudes,youstandagreaterchanceofbecoming
illanddyingearlier.Butifyouareinspiredtomakethemostofyourlifeandyourextraordinaryhealingsystem,andyouaremotivatedto
Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem217
stayhealthy,youcanenjoyalongandfulfillinglife.Maintainapositivementalattitudeanddevelopsoundpersonalhealthhabits,and
youwillexudeaspiritofyouthfulnessandimproveyourprospects
ofremaininghealthyuntilyourfinaldays.Acceptyourmortality
andunderstandthatyouareontheearthforalimitedtime,andyou’llmoreeasilyovercomeafearofdeath.Cultivatearelaxedattitude.Yourhealingsystemwillbenefitsignificantly,andyouratti
tudewillfacilitateyourgoalofachievinglong-lastinghealth. CHAPTER8
TheHealingSystematWork
PersonalStoriesofExtraordinaryHealing
octorsdealwithpain,suffering,andillnesseverydayoftheir
lives.Becauseofthis,theytendtoviewlifethroughadistortedlens
thatseesdiseaseasnormalandhealthasabnormal.Servingassoci
ety’sappointedhealthexperts,theyareinrealitydiseaseexperts.In
thiscapacity,doctorsexertaprofoundinfluenceonourwayofthinking,andsowehavelearnedtobepessimistic,negative,andfearfulwhenitcomestoourbodies.Goingbeyondthisdistortedlensandprobingdeeperintothemiraculousworkingsofourbodies,however,wewilldiscoveraheal
ingsystemthatcanovercomenearlyeveryafflictionknowntoman. Wewilldiscoverthathealthandwell-beingaretherule,andillness
anddiseaseareexceptionstotherule.Manypeoplewithadvanced,seriousmedicalconditionsgetbetterwhentheylearnhowtocooperatewiththeirhealingsystems.Andalthoughthesecasesmayseemextraordinary,infact,theyarequiteordinary~Whenyouunderstandthatyouhaveahealingsystem,youshouldexpecthealing,regardlessofhowoverwhelm
inglytheoddsmaybestackedagainstyou.Whenyouoralovedone
isafflictedwithanillnessorinjury,therealquestionisnot“Willhealingoccur?”butrather“Whenwillhealingoccur?”Theanswer
is“Whenyoudecidetocooperateandworkwithyourhealing
220 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
system,youwillgetbetterandheal;thesooneryoudothis,thefasteryouwillheal!”
Iofferthefollowingstoriestohelpyougettoknowyourheal
ingsystembetter.Becauseyourhealingsystemiswithinyou,itcan
beactivatedfreeofcharge.Itisreadytoworkforyou“24/7,”andit
isyourmostpowerfulallyonlife’sjourney.Allyourhealingsystemasksisthatyouacknowledgeitsexistence,listentoit,andmakeaconcertedefforttocooperateandworkwith,notagainst,it. Ronald’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
RonaldJenkinswas19yearsofageandawayatcollege.Hewasastrappingpictureofhealth,onafullathleticandacademicscholar
ship,andhehadnevermissedadayofschoolduetoillnesssincehe
wasinkindergarten.Exceptforroutinephysicalexamsandimmunizations,Ronaldhadneverseenadoctororbeenhospitalized.He
wasintheprimeofhislife,anditwasallgood.Soon,however,his
lifewouldchange.Whilehewasacounseloratayouthcampduringsummerbreak,Ronaldawokeonenightwithintenseabdominalpain.He
rantothebathroomtorelievehimself.Projectilediarrheaensued,
notjustonce,butsomanytimesthatRonaldhadtospendhalfthenightonthetoilet.Hebegantofeelfeverish.Hethoughthemighthavecontracted acaseoffoodpoisoning.Hedrankliquidsandrested,thinkinghewouldgetbetteronhisown.Afteroneweek,however,hissymptomscontinuedwithoutanyletupinintensity. Forthefirsttimeinhislife,Ronaldsoughtthehelpofadoctor. ThedoctordiagnosedRonaldwithgastroenteritisandtreated
himwithrest,fluids,antibiotics,andanti-inflammatorymedicines.Aftertwoweeks,however,therewasstillnoimprovement,sohisdoctorreferredhimtoaspecialist.Thespecialistorderedbloodtests,X-rays,intestinalscans,andacolonoscopy,anexaminwhichaflexi
bletubeisinserteduptheentirelengthofthelargeintestines.Aftermuchdeliberationanddiscussion,thedoctorsmadethediagnosisofCrohn’sdisease,asevereinflammatoryconditionofthesmalland
largeintestines.Ronaldwasplacedonastrictprotocolofstrong
YourHearingSystematWork 221
medications,includinganti-inflammatories,antimicrobialagentsandcorticosteroids,andahighlyrestricteddiet.Ronalddidn’tdosowellonthisregimen.Hispainanddiarrheacontinued,andhesoondevelopedothersymptoms,aswell,suchas
stiffandpainfulswollenjoints.Astrange,blister-typerashappeared
onhisface.Hewasconstantlynauseousandlight-headed.Thecor
nersofhismouthbegantocrackandbleed.Daybyday,hefelthimselfgrowingweaker,hisvitallifeenergyebbing.Hewasforced
totakealeaveofabsencefromschoolandmovebackinwithhisparents.Fortunately,theywerewillingtodoanythingtohelpRonaldregainhishealth.Aftersixmonths,Ronaldappearedtobeondeath’sdoorstep. Hisweighthadfallentoanall-timelowof104pounds,downfrom
hisnormalweightof180pounds.Hisfriendsremarkedthathelookedlikeaconcentration-campvictim.Hisdiarrheahadincreased
tothepointthathecouldn’tsleepformorethan45minutesata
timebeforehewouldhavetogetoutofbedandruntothetoilettorelievehimself.Hehadnoappetite,andhisabdomenwasbloated
andfullofgas.Heforcedhimselftoeattostayalive,buthecould
n’tkeephisfoodin—everythingthatcameinthefrontdoorwasimmediatelyexpelledthroughthebackdoor. InadesperateattempttosaveRonald’slife,hisdoctorsenthim
tothenation’stopspecialistsingastrointestinaldiseases.Afterreviewinghisrecordsandexamininghim,theyallagreedRonald’s
wasoneoftheworstcasesofCrohn’sdiseasetheyhadeverseen.If
hislifeweretobespared,theconsensuswasthatsurgicalremovalof
hiscolonandalifetimeofimmunosuppressivemedicationswasRonald’sonlyoption.Ronaldreturnedhometocontemplatehisfate.Hebecameextremelydepressed,andeventhoughtofsuicide.Becausehewasmalnourished,hehadtobefedthroughalarge,intravenouscatheterinsertedintoaveinnearhisneck.Thiscatheter,whichcouldeasilybecomeinfected,becameRonald’slifeline. AsRonaldlayinbedwastingaway,oneofhisfather’sfriendssuggestedsomethingsimplebutradical.HesuggestedthatifRonaldcouldregainthebalanceofnaturalflorainhisintestines,hehadagoodchanceofrestoringhishealth.Hebasedthisideaonrecentresearchthatsuggestedthat,inadditiontothe500goodbacterial
222 YourExtraordinaryHeahngSystem
strainsthatresideinthehumanintestines,theremaybemanymore
typesofbeneficialbacteria,perhapsupto10,000strains.HeaskedRonaldtotryseveralcapsulesadayofaspecialhygienicdirtcultivatedforhumanconsumption;thisdirtcontainedmanystrainsofthesebeneficialbacteria. Atfirst,Ronaldwastakenabackbytheideaofeatingdirt,but,becausehewasdesperate,hewasreadytotryanything.Afterlonghoursofreading,research,anddiscussionswithhisfatherandhisfather’sfriend,herealizedthatwhatwasbeingproposedwasareturn
tothedietaryhabitsofhisancestors.Inthosedays,beforepesticidesandartificialfertilizers,peopleoftenatevegetablesrightoutofthefields,ingestingsmallamountsofbeneficialsoilorganismswith
eachbite,and,intheprocess,replenishingtheirnaturalintestinalflora.Whenwethinkofcows’digestivesystems,andhowtheirmultichamberedstomachsarefilledwithmanybeneficialbacteriathat
helpdigesttheirfood,thisideaisnotsoradical. Thefirstday,Ronaldtooksixcapsulesofhygienicdirt(twoat
atime,threetimesaday).Thefollowingmorning,afterhisfirstsoundnight’ssleepinalongtime,Ronaldfelthisabdominalpainlesseninintensity.Forthefirsttimesincehisillnessbegan,hedidn’tawakenwithafever.Throughoutthecourseofthenextseveraldays,
hisdiarrheaslowedinfrequencyandintensity.Afterseveraldays,hisstoolsbegantofirmup.Afteroneweek,hisappetitebegantoreturn
andhehadhisfirstnormalbowelmovementinalmostayear.Overthenextseveralweeks,ashecontinuedtoswallowthecapsulesofbeneficialdirt,Ronald’sappetiteandbowelmovementscontinuedtoimproveandnormalize.Hisjointhealth,skin,mouth
sores,energylevel,andattitudeallimproved,aswell.Aftersixmonths,hisweightwasbackupto180pounds,hewasbackinschool,andhewascompletelywell.Eatingdirtfliesin~thefaceofconventionalmedicine,whichoftenviewsnatureastheenemyandthecauseofmostdiseases.Whenweworkwithourhealingsystems,however,naturalsolutionsoftenworkbest.ForRonald,usingbeneficialorganismsthatarenormallyfoundinhealthy,hygienicsoilwasthesecretingredientthatultimatelycuredhisdisease.Beneficialbacteriahelpindigestion,andtheyproducemanyvaluablesubstances,suchasvitamin
K,thusrestoringbalancetotheintestines;consequently,theyare
YourHealingSystematWork 223
oneofthemostimportantwaystocooperatewithyourbody’snat
uralhealingsystem. Rani’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
RaniwasanelderlywomanwholivedinacommunityIregularlyvis
itedinIndia.Shehadsufferedfromasthmasinceshewasalittlechild,
andshetookmedicinesregularlytocontrolit.‘Whenevershecaught
acold,breatheddustyair,orwasunderheavystress,herasthmawould
flareup.Atthesetime,sometimesevenhermedicineswouldfailher,
andshewouldhavetogotothehospital,whereintravenousmedica
tionsandspecialbreathingtreatmentswereadministered.Havingbeenawayforalongtime,IreturnedtoIndiaoneyear
tofindRaniinaveryprecipitouscondition.Notonlywasherasthmaflaringup,butherfeet,ankles,andabdomenwereswollen. Shehadnoteatenfordays,shecouldnotgetoutofbedwithout
help,andsheappearedtobeondeath’sdoorstep.‘WhenIexaminedRani,Idiscoveredshallowrespirations, afeeble,irregularheartrateandabnormalheartsounds,fluidinherlungsandbelly,andanenlargedliver.Shetoldmeshehadn’turinatedinseveraldays.Thesewereallominoussigns.Isuggestedshe
behospitalized,eventhoughherfamilycouldn’taffordit. Inthehospital,aftermanyexaminationsandinvestigations,thedoctorsfoundthatRaniwasincongestiveheartfailure,herliverwasfailing,andherkidneyswereshuttingdown.Shewastoldthatnoth
ingcouldbedoneforher.Raniwasdischargedfromthehospitalwithlittlehopeoflivingmorethanaweekortwo.Herfamilypreparedforherimminentdeath. Asalast-ditchefforttohelpRani,Iattemptedtoadministersev
eralverystrongmedicinesIhadbroughtwithmefrommyhospitalbackhomeintheU.S.forpatientswithserious,life-threateningconditions.Oneofthesewaslanoxin,aderivativeofdigitalis,usedforcongestiveheartfailure.Anotherwaslasix,astrongdiuretic(water
pill)usedtoremovefluidfromthelungs,feet,andabdomen.Ialsohopedthelasixmightflushherkidneysandrestoretheirfunction.Inaddition,Ibroughtthelatest,strongestbronchodilatorandcorticosteroidinhalerstoopenupherairwaysinanattempttotreather
224 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
asthma.Butseveraldaysonthesemedicationsonlysawhercondition
worsen.Shewasgoingdownhillfast. Onemorning,whenIwasdoingmyusualrounds,IsawanIndiangentlemansittingdownandtalkingwithRaniasIapproachedherhome.ThefamilytoldmehewasDr.Vinod,arenowneddoctorwhopracticedAyurveda,India’sancientfolkmed
icine.Ayurvedausesprimarilynaturalmedicinestohelprestorehealthtothebody.Rani’sfamilyhadcalledDr.Vinodtoseewhethertherewasanythinghecoulddotohelpher. Dr.VinoddidsomethingthatIhadneverseenbefore,andwhichwentcompletelyagainstmymedicaltraining.Hestoppedall
hermedicines,wentoutbackbehindRani’shome,pluckedaleaf
fromaparticulartree,andplaceditonherabdomen.Herestricted
herdiettothreeglassesadayofpuregoat’smilk.Everydayafresh
leafwasapplied.Thistreatmentseemedprimitivetome,andIwasextremelyskepticalthatanythinggoodwouldcomeofit.However,withinseveraldays,Ranibegansittingupinbedunder
herownpowerandeatingfullmeals.Herbreathingslowlyreturned
tonormal,theswellinginherfeetandabdomenweregone,and,withinaweek,shewaswalkingaroundthegroundsoutsideofherhome.Withinthreeweeks,herbreathingbecamenormal,andsheregainedalmostallofherpreviousstrength.IfIhadn’tseenherrecov
erywithmyowneyes,Iwouldn’thavebelievedit.Rani’scasewasmorethanalessoninhumilityforme,aU.S.-trainedphysicianwhosupposedlypossessedthelatest,mostup-to-dateeducationandhigh-techmedicines.Moreimportantly,itshowedmehowinstitutingtherighttreat
ment,evenaridiculouslysimpleone,andeveninthefaceofanapparentlyhopelesssituation,canworkwiththehealingsystemto
helprestorethebody’snaturalstateofhealthandvigor. Pierre’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
PierrewasanadventurousFrenchmanImetduringmyearliertrav
elsinIndia.ThesonofaroyalFrenchfamily,hehadrebelledand
runawayfromhishomeland.PierrehadhitchhikedthroughGreece,Turkey,Iraq,Iran,andAfghanistanbeforehereachedIndia. YourHealingSystematWork 225
Eventually,hebuiltahutonthebeachinGoa,alongthecentral
westerncoastofIndia,andsettledintoacarefreelifeofanexpatri
ate,internationalbeachbum.Hisdailyactivitiesconsistedoffishing,takingsiestas,learningabouttheIndianculture,andpanhandlingforfood.Butthefunwassoontoend. OnedayPierreawokewithasharppainontherightsideofhisabdomen,justbeneathhisribcage.Itwasdifficultforhimtobreathe.Henoticedhisurinewasdarkbrown,almosttea-colored,whilehisstoolswerelightyellowcolored.Hehadafever,noappetite,andwasextremelynauseous.Foodandwaterwouldnot
staydown—hefrequentlythrewup.Severaldayslater,whilehewaslookinginamirrorinapublicrestroom,Pierresawthathisskinand
thewhitesofhiseyeshadturnedyellow.Hewasjaundiced.That’swhenheknewhehadhepatitis.Beingsickinyourowncountryis
scaryenough,butwhenyouareinapoor,developingcountry,far
fromhomeandwithoutmoney,itcanbeevenscarier.Pierrewentfromhospitaltohospital,hopingforacure.Hewas
toldthattherewasnocureforhisformofhepatitis,andthatnoth
ingcouldbedone.Becausehehadahardtimekeepingfluidsdown,
andanevenhardertimekeepingfooddown,hegrewweakerandweakerandlostalotofweight.Outofdesperation,hewasdirected
tothehospitalandyogaresearchinstitutewhereIwasstudyingandconductingresearch,about400milesnorthwestofGoa.Inthishospital,all-naturaltreatmentsfromtheworldofyogaareprescribed
andadministeredtopatientswithdiseasesforwhichmodernmedi
cinehasnotbeenabletofindacure.Pierrewasprescribedthingsthatmadeabsolutelynosensetomewhatsoever.Forexample,hewasprescribedregularbreathingpractices,knownaspranayama,thatweresupposedtocalmhisnervoussystemandimproveoxygenationoftheblood.Hewasalsoprescribedkri)ias,specificintestinalwatercleansesthatflushedhisintestinesandweresupposedtocleanseandpurif~rhisliver.Pierre
wasalsoprescribedcertainasanas,oryogaposes,alongwithothergentleabdominalexercisestohelpmassagehisinternalorgansandpromotebloodflowtotheliver.Healsowasinstructedtodrinklots
ofwaterandjuices,andhewasfedkichari,atraditionalyogicfoodmadeupofcooked,splitmungbeans(dal)andbasmatirice.Iwas
toldkichariwasgentleandsoothing,easytodigest,anexcellent
226 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
sourceofprotein,andthatitcontainednumerousvitamins,miner
als,andtraceelementsthathelprestoreliverhealth.Otherfoods,suchaspapaya,alongwithnaturalmedicinesthathelpednourish
andstrengthentheliver,werealsoprescribed.Followingtreatmentwiththeseunconventionalmethods,Pierreregainedhishealthandinseveralmonthscompletelycuredhishepatitis.Hiscasedemonstratesthatevenintheabsenceofmodernmedicines,healingcanoccurwhentreatmentisaimedatcooperat
ingwithyourbody’shealingsystem.Inyoga,allattemptsatrestora
tionofhealtharedesignedtoworkwithyourhealingsystem,notagainstit.Forthisreason,yogaremainsoneofthemostpromising
areasofinvestigationifyou’reinterestedinworkingwithyourheal
ingsystemtoachieveoptimalhealthandwell-being. Ned’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
NedPetersonwasaprofessoremeritusinpsychologyattheUniversityofHawaii.Hewas59yearsofagewhenhewasfirstdiagnosedwithheartdisease.Beforehisdiagnosis,Nedhadbeensufferingfromvaguechestpainforseveralmonths,buthedismissedthesepainsasonlyamusclestrain.‘Whenhefinallyvisitedhisdoctor,hewasreferredtoacardiologist,whoorderedastresstest
andanangiogram, atestthatmeasuresthebloodflowinthearter
iesthatfeedtheheart.Ned’scardiologisttoldhimthatthestresstestshowedheartdis
ease.Resultsofhisangiogramwerealsonotgood.Themainartery
was100percentblockedandtwootherswere80percentto85per
centblocked.Athalliumtest,whichmeasuresbloodflowtotheheartmuscle,confirmedsevereblockagestoimportantareasoftheheart.Becauseofthelocationsoftheblockages,Nedhadonlyoneoption:immediatecoronary-arterybypasssurgery.Hewastoldthat
ifhedidn’thavethisoperation,hewouldbedeadwithinseveralmonths. Nedwasreluctanttoacceptsurgeryashisonlyalternative.Hewas
notfondoftheideaofhavinghischestcrackedopenandhisheartstoppedwhilethesurgeonstitchedtinyveinstohiscoronaryarteries,bypassingtheblockages.Thesignificantpotentialcomplications
YourHeahngSystematWork 227
associatedwithopen-heartsurgerycausedhimtoseekanothersolution. Nedtoldhiscardiologistthanks,butnothanks;hewouldtryanotherway.Hiscardiologisttoldhimhewasafoolandwouldprobablybedeadwithintheyear. Byluck,NedstumbledupontheworkofDr.DeanOrnish,the
firstpersonintheworldtoprovereversalofheartdiseasewithoutdrugsorsurgery.NedreadDr.Ornish’sbest-sellingbook,Dr.DeanOrnish’sProgramforReversingHeartDisease,andhebeganalow-fat,plant-baseddiet.Healsoembarkedonanexerciseregimenofwalk
ingandbikeridingthreetosixdaysaweek,anddailygentleyogastretching,relaxation,andmeditation.Andhelearnedhowtogetintouchwithhisfeelingsandexpressthem. AfterNedhadfollowedDr.Ornish’sprogramfortwoweeks,his
chestpaindiminishedsignificantly.Afteronemonth,ithadvanishedcompletely.Inthreemonths,hecouldbike12mileswhilebarelybreakingasweat.Inoneyear,hewenttoanotherdoctorwhoordered
anewangiogramandthalliumtest.Ned’srepeatangiogramshowed
theblockageshaddissolvedsignificantly.The100percent-blockedvesselwasnowonly40percentblocked,andthe80percentto85per
centblockageswerereducedto20percentto25percent.Therepeatthalliumtestshowed300percentimprovementofbloodflowtothe
heartmuscles.Nedwascompletelyoutofthedangerzone. Nedfeltlikeanewman,andwithlaboratoryprooftoconfirm
hisreversalofheartdisease,hewentbacktothefirstcardiologistwhohadtoldhimhe’dbedeadwithinayearifhedidn’tundergoopen-heartsurgery.Nedshowedthedoctorhisangiogramandhisthalliumtestresults.Thecardiologiststaredatthemindisbelief.HeaskedNedhowhehaddoneit,howhehadreversedhisheartdis
ease.NedtoldhimabouttheworkofDr.Ornish.Today,Nedrunsvolunteergroupsfornewlydiagnosedheartpatients,andhereceivesregularreferralsfromthesamecardiologistwhooriginallytoldhimhewasafoolnottoundergoopen-heartsurgery.Hehaswrittenabest-sellingbookaboutcaringfortheheart,andheiscompletelyfreefromheartdisease.Becausehewas
abletounderstandwhatcontributedtotheblockagesinhisheart,
andhetookcorrectiveactionthataddressedtheunderlyingcauses
ofhisproblem,hishealingsystemwasabletorepairthedamages
228 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
andreversehisdisease.Today,Nedenjoysradianthealthbecausehe
haslearnedtolistentoandcooperatewithhishealingsystem. NormanCousins’Story
ofExtraordinaryHealing
NormanCousinswasthefirstpersontotellmeaboutthebody’shealingsystem.Hisowncaseisoneofthemostdramaticandvividexamplesofthehealingsysteminaction. Aremarkablewriterandinternationalpeacemaker,CousinstraveledtoHiroshimaeachyearfor40yearstohelphealpeople’swoundscausedbythedroppingoftheatomicbombonJapaninWorldWarII.Formanyyears,healsohelpednegotiatetherelease
ofimportantpoliticalandreligiousprisonersthroughouttheworld. Oneday,afterservingasamediatorduringthefamousSALTtreatytalksbetweenPresidentJohnF.KennedyandNikitaKrushchev,CousinsreturnedhomefromtheSovietUnioncompletelyexhausted,physically,mentally,andemotionally.Hewasextremely
upsetthatthetalkshadnotgonewellandthattheSovietsweredefiantlymovingforwardonthebuildupofnuclearweapons.Itwasa
verystressfultimeforCousins.Severaldayslater,amysteriousfeversurfaced. Inadditiontohisfeverandexhaustion,Cousins’spinebegantostiffenandbecomeextremelypainful.Aftermanytests,hewasdiagnosedashavinganadvancedcaseofankylosingspondylitis,asevereformofspinalarthritisthatcausesaprogressivestiffeningandfusion
ofallofthevertebraeofthespine.Cardiacinvolvementanddeath
wereadistinctpossibility~Cousins’familydoctorcheckedhimintooneofthecountry’sfinesthospitals,andsummonedandconsultedthebestspecialistsof
theday.Theexpertmedicalopinionswereunanimous:Nothingcouldbedone;hiswasahopelesslyterminalcase.Cousinswasgiven
sixmonthstolive. Thedoctorsmonitoredhissedimentationrate,whichwasaspecificbloodtestthatmarkedtheseverityofthisdisease.Alreadyhigh,
theratecontinuedtoriseeachday.Everyday,theblood-drawing
teamwouldstickaneedleinhisarmtobiochemicallyconfirmhis
YourHeahr~gSystematWork 229
progressive,deterioratingcondition.Inhisrarelightermoments,becausetheblood-drawingteamwasn’treallyhelpinghim,Cousinsjokinglyreferredtothemas“thevampiresquad.”Duringthistime,Cousinsrealizedthat,becausehehadonlysixmonthstolive,hemightaswellenjoyhisfinaldays.Inhisstateofdespairandhopelessness,heaccidentallystumbledontothesecrethealingpowerofhumorandlaughterasantidotestopainandmisery.Cousinswasafriendtomanycelebrities,fromU.S.presidents
toHollywoodmoviestars.OneofthesefriendswasAllenFunt,theproducerofthehitTVcomedyseriesCandidCamera.FuntsuppliedCousinswithfilmsoftheshow’smostmemorableepisodes.Cousins
alsowatchedotherfunnymovies,includingMarxbrothers’films.As
helayinhishospitalroom,lostinthegaietyandlaughterofthemovies,hebegantonoticehispainlessening.Specifically,hediscov
eredthatforevery15minutesofsolidbellylaughter,hecouldget
twohoursofpain-freesleep.Atthesametime,LinusPauling,NobelLaureatechemistandaclosefriendofCousins,insistedthathetakevitaminCeveryday. AsCousinscontinuedonthisprogram,heslowlynoticedhissymptomsimproving.The“vampiresquad”alsoreportedthathissedimentationratestartedtodrop,indicatingthathisinternalbiochemistrywaschangingforthegood.Withinseveralmonths,hecouldgetoutofbedandwalkwithoutacaneorcrutches.Withina
year,hewascompletelypainfree,hissedimentationratewasbacktonormal,andhewasdeclared“cured,”notonlybyhisdoctor,but
alsobythetopspecialistsoftheday,whohadpreviouslydeclaredhis
casehopeless.Afterwritinghisbest-sellingbookAnatomyofanIllness,whichdescribesthedetailsofhismiraculoushealingjourneyandtriumph
overankylosingspondylitis,Cousinswentontospearheadpioneer
ingresearchinanewfieldofmedicineknownaspsychoneuroimmunology,which,asnotedearlier,studieshowthemindandnervous
systemcanaffecttheimmunesystemandinfluencethecourseofill
nessandhealth.ManyAIDSandcancerpatientshavebenefited
fromthesestudies.Aswithallthesystemsinthebody,theimmune
systemdependsonthehealingsystemtodoitsbestwork.Astronghealingsystemisnecessaryfortheimmunesystemtofunctionoptimally—asitdidinNormanCousins’case.After10yearsofworkin
230 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
thisfield,Cousins’nextbest-sellingbookwasappropriatelytitledHeadFirst:TheBiologyofHopeandtheHealingPoweroftheHumanSpirit. Arthur’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
Dr.BernieSiegelisawell-knowncancersurgeon,internationallyacclaimedspeaker,andbest-sellingauthorofnumerousbooks,includingtheimmenselyinspirational,timelessclassic,Love,Medicine,andMiracles.OneoftheearliercasesthathelpedinspirehiminvolvedamannamedArthur.ArthurwasapatientofDr.Siegel’swhohadbeendiagnosedwithanadvancedcancer.Hisconditionwasdescribedasterminal,andhewasgivensixmonthsto
live.Dr.Siegeldidnotexpecttoseeorhearfromhimagain.Onedayfiveyearslater,however,Dr.SiegelranintoArthurin
thelocalgrocerystore,andhewasastonished.Hethoughthe’dseen
aghost.HetoldArthurthathewassupposedtobedead—whatwas
hedoingstillalive?Arthurreplied,“Dr.Siegel,youprobablydon’trememberwhat
youtoldme,butyousaidIhadonlysixmonthstolive,andthatit
wasimportantformetomakeitthebestsixmonthsofmylife.”Arthurwenton,“Itookyouradvice.Iquitmyjob,whichIneverreallyliked.Iwentonacruise,whichwassomethingIhadalwayswantedtodo,andIbegantakingpianolessons,whichwassomethingelseI’dalwayswantedtodo.Aftersixmonths,Ifeltsogood,
IdecidedIdidn’thavetodie.I’venotbeensickinthepastfiveyears,andIhaveneverfeltbetterinmywholelife.”
Dr.Siegelstoodtherescratchinghisheadandthought,“IwonderhowmanymoreofmypatientswhoIsenthometodieare
stillalive,likeArthur.”
Thenextmorning,hehadhismedical-officestaffcallthefami
liesofhundredsofhispatientswhowereassumeddead.Tohissurprise,hediscoveredthatabout20percentoftheseterminalcases
werestilllivingandwerecompletelyhealthy. Hethoughtagainandwonderedwhytheyhadn’tcomebackto
seehim.Thenithithim:Ifyouwereapatient,yourdoctorsaidyou’dbedeadinsixmonths,andaftersixmonthsyoufeltbetter
YourHealingSystematWork 231
thanyoueverhadinyourwholelife,thelastplaceyou’dgoisyourdoctor’soffice. Dr.Siegelthenpersonallycalledallofthesepatientsandaskedthemifthey’dbewillingtoattendweeklygroupmeetings.Overthe
courseofthenext12years,thesepatients,whowereallsurvivorsof
cancer,metasagroup.Dr.SiegelcalledthemExceptionalCancerPatients,andtheyservedashisteachers.Theirstories,andthemanythingstheydidtoactivatetheirhealingsystemswhileovercomingterminalcasesofcancer,aredescribedinLove,Medicine,andMiracles. ThebeautyofDr.Siegel’sworkisthatithasgivenhopetomil
lionsafflictedwithterminal,life-threateningillnesses.Inhiswords:“Therearenosuchthingsasincurableillnesses,onlyincurablepeople.”Hebacksupthesewordsbypointingtothescientificliter
ature,whichcontainscasereportsofpeoplefromallwalksoflifebeatingeveryso-calledincurableillnessknowntoman.ItisDr.Siegel’sopinionthatifonepersoncanbeatanincurabledisease,bydefinition,thediseasecannolongerbecalledincurable.Dr.Siegel’sExceptionalCancerPatientsprovidestrongevidencethatourheal
ingsystemscanbeaccessedandactivatedthroughavarietyofmeans
andways,andthat,onceactivated,theycanovercomeeventhemost
severeoflife’safflictions. LouiseHay’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
LouiseHaywasayoungwomanwhobarelyfinishedhighschool. Atayoungage,shedevelopedcervicalcancer,andshewastoldthat
ifshedidn’tundergoimmediatesurgeryandchemotherapy,shewoulddie.Louisewasreluctanttohaveanoperationandputstrangechemicalswithpotentiallytoxicsideeffectsintoherbody.Instead,
shedecidedtopursuealternativemethodsofhealing.Sheresearched
theimpactofnutritiousfoodsonherhealth,andshechangedher
diet.Shealsoexploredthemind-bodyconnectionanddiscovered
howherthoughts,emotions,andattitudescouldbepowerfulinflu
encesonherphysicalhealth.Duringthisjourneyofself-exploration,Louisediscoveredthat
shehadbeensexuallyabused,andthat,asaconsequence,shehad
232 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
harboredshameandresentmentforthepartofherbodywherethe
cancereventuallydeveloped.Aftershehaddiscoveredcertaininnertruthsaboutherself,sherealizedthatitwasquitelogicalthatcancerwouldshowupthere.Slowly,asLouise’sdiet,lifestyle,andattitudesimproved,and
shelearnedhowtocaremoreforherselfinthought,word,andaction,hercancerwentaway,neveragaintoreturn.Shehassince
goneontoenjoyradianthealth,andshehasbecomeanextraordi
naryteacherandhealer. Inherhealingwork,Louisediscoveredthat,inmanyinstances,
howwetreatourbodiesisareflectionofhowwetreatourselves. Thisinteractionhasapowerfulinfluenceonourhealingsystems,andonourhealth.Forexample,whenwethinkkindandlovingthoughtsaboutourselvesandourbodies,wetendtotreatthem
withloveandkindness.Thisencouragesustoeatright,andtoexer
cise,rest,andsleepwell,amongotherthings.Thesebehaviorshelpstrengthenandfortifyourhealingsystemsandensureourgoodhealth.Whenweareangryatlifeandresentfulofourselvesandothers,wetendtoparticipateinself-destructiveactivitiesthatareharmfultoourbodies.Thesebehaviorsmakeextraworkforourhealingsystemandcanultimatelycontributetoillness.Louisewentontowriteseveralinternationalbest-sellingclas
sics.Herfirst,andperhapsmostfamous,isYouCanHealYourL~,basedonherownself-healingjourney.Shealsohasproducedmanyotherwonderfulbooksandtapestohelpotherswhoareinterested
inhealing.Sheevenstartedherownsuccessfulpublishingcompany,HayHouse,whichhasgrownrapidlysinceitsinception. Steve’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
Stevewasacarpenterdoingframingworkonacustomhome.One
day,whilehewasclimbingaladderandcarryinghiselectricsaw,heslippedandfell.Inthecommotion,somehowheaccidentallyhittheswitchthatturnedthesawon.Thepowerfulsawcutacleantrackthroughhisarm,completelyseveringit.Helookeddownandsawthat
hishandandwristwerenolongerattachedtohisbody.Bloodwaseverywhere.Hescreamedforhelp,andhiscoworkerscamerunning. YourHeaUngSystematWork 233
Theycalledtheambulance,andsomeonehadthepresenceofmindtoapplyatourniquettoSteve’sarmtohelpstopthebleeding.Another
persongrabbedhisseveredwristandhandandputitinabag.Theparamedicsarrivedonthescenewithin20minutes,and
theytookSteveandhisseveredhandtotheUCLAMedicalCenter. Hewasimmediatelyrushedtotheoperatingroom,wheretwoteams
ofsurgeonsandnurseswerealreadywaitingtoworkonhim.One
teamworkedonthehand,dissectingthebloodvessels,bones,tendons,muscles,andnerves,whiletheotherteamworkedonhisarm,preparingtheseveredendforreattachment.Theyweregoingtotry
toconnectSteve’shandtohisarm.Thiswasin1975,whenthesekindsofoperationswerenotsocommon. IwasemployedattheUCLAMedicalCenterasanoperating-
roomassistantatthetime.Myshiftstartedat7:00AMandendedat
3:30PM.WhenIcamebackthenextmorningat7:00AM,theoperationwasstillgoingon,anditcontinuedforseveralmorehours.Aftertheoperation,Steve’sarmwasputinanimmobilizingsplint.Aftertwomonths,thesplintwasremoved,andhebeganphysicaltherapy,duringwhichhelearnedexercisestohelpstretch
andstrengthenhisarmandhand..ThankstoSteve’shealingsystem,
thehealingprocesswaswellunderwaybythetimehereachedphys
icaltherapy.Withinsixmonths,Stevewasabletogainfulluseofhisarm,includinghiswrist,hand,andfingers.Withinoneyear,mostofthesensationhadreturnedtohisfingertips.Additionally,eventhoughStevehadlostanenormousamountofbloodfromtheaccident(he
hadalmostgoneintoshock),surprisingly,hedidn’tneedanybloodtransfusionsaftertheoperation.Bydrinkinglotsoffluidsandeatingiron-richfruitsandvegetables,hewasabletoassisthishealingsysteminmakingmorebloodforhisbody.BecauseofSteve’shealingsystem,circulationtohishandandfingerswasrestored.Hisseveredbonesknittedbacktogetherand
werestrongerthanever.Theseveredmusclesandtendonswererejoined,mended,andhealed.Hisnervesregeneratedandregisteredalmostfullyintactsensation.Withinoneyear,Stevewasbackonthe
job,healthyandstrong,andcuttingwoodwithhisfavoritesaw.This
time,however,wheneverhemovedaroundwithit,hemadesurethesafetyswitchwason. 234 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Rose’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
Rosewasanelderlywomanwhohadbeensufferingfromarashon
herarmsandlegsforseveralmonths.Shewenttoseemygoodfriend
Dr.Elpern,whospecializesindermatology~Dr.Elpernhadtriedvar
iousremedies,andhehadRosecomebackseveraltimesforcheckups.Eachtime,therewasnoimprovementinherskincondition.Becomingalittlefrustrated,Dr.ElperndecidedtostophermedicationsandprobedeeperintothepossiblecausesofRose’srash. Heaskedifshehadbeenfacinganyunusualdifficultiesathomeor
hadbeenunderanykindofstress.RosetoldDr.Elpernthatherhusbandhadrecentlybecomeverysickandthatshewasworriedabouthishealth.Shewentontotellhimthatherhusband’sdoctors
hadnotbeensuccessfulatmakingherhusbandbetter.Dr.Elperndiscoveredthatherrashhadfirstappearedaboutthetimeofthe
onsetofherhusband’sillness. Dr.ElpernaskedtoseeRose’shusband.ShebroughthimtoDr.Elpernonhernextvisit.Hequestionedherhusbandthoroughly,examinedhim,madeapresumptivediagnosis,andtreatedhimaccordingly.Inaweek’stime,Rose’shusbandwasfeelingmuchbetter.Oddlyenough,Rose’srashalsobegantoimprove. OnRose’snextvisitwithDr.Elperntwoweekslater,herrash
wascompletelygone.Dr.Elpernhadn’tdoneanythingotherthan
treatherhusbandforanunrelatedcondition.Dr.Elpernknewthat
stresscanaffectaperson’shealingsystem,andhewaswiseenough
totreatthesourceofRose’srash,whichwasherhusband’shealth. Onceheregainedhishealth,sheregainedhers,aswell. Sam’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
SamwasanobeseHawaiianmanwholedasedentarylifeandatetypicalmodern-dayfoodssuchascannedmeatsandhigh-fatHawaiianfoodssuchasporklaulau.Inadditiontohisobesity,Sam
alsosufferedfromseveralotherchronicdiseases,includinginsulindependentdiabetes,whichwaspoorlycontrolled.Sam’sdoctorwantedtosendhimtoDr.Shintani,aprogressiveyoungdoctorwho
hadastrongbackgroundinnutritionandpreventivemedicine.Dr. YourHeaHngSystematWork 235
ShintanihadjustlaunchedanewpreventivenutritionalprogramforHawaiiansknownastheHawaiianDiet.Aftertakinghismedicalhistoryandconducting aphysical
exam,Dr.ShintanirecommendedthatSamgoontheHawaiian
Diet,whichwasformulatedfromacombinationofmodernscience
andtraditionalHawaiianwisdom.Accordingtohistoricalaccounts,
theoriginalHawaiianpeople(beforethearrivaloftheEuropeanexplorersandmissionaries)werequitehealthy,athletic,andlean.ManydiseasescommonamongWesterncultureswerenonexistent
amongHawaiianpeopleswhenCaptainJamesCookfirstdiscovered
theminthe1600s.TheoriginalHawaiiansatemainlysimple,wholesome,healthyfoodssuchasfruits;complexcarbohydrates,suchassweetpotatoesandtaro;vegetables;wholegrains;nuts;seeds;andfish.Thisdietwasinstarkcontrasttosuchhigh-fatfoods
asfriedchicken,roastedpig,andfastfoods,popularamongpresent-
dayHawaiianssuchasSam.AccordingtoDr.Shintani’sresearch,it
isbecauseoftheirmodern,perverteddietandunnaturallifestylesthatHawaiianssufferfromhighratesofobesity,diabetes,heartdis
ease,highbloodpressure,andstroke.WhenhefirstmetDr.Shintani,Samwasmorethan150poundsoverweightandrequired100unitsofinsulineachdaytocontrolhisdiabetes.Afteroneandone-halfyearsontheHawaiianDiet,Samhad
lost150pounds.Hisblood-sugarlevelshaddroppedtonormal,and
hewasabletocompletelygetoffhisinsulin.HemaintainsnormalbloodsugarlevelstothisdaybystayingontheHawaiianDiet. Theareasofnutritionandpreventivemedicinearesadlylacking
inthepracticeofconventionalmodernmedicine,andtheyarevirtuallyabsentfromthecurriculumofmostmedicalschoolsinthe
West.Butthesetworelatedfieldsofstudy,whichmostphysiciansrarelydiscusswiththeirpatients,providesomeofthemostpractical
andimportantstrategiestosummonthesupportofthebody’shealingsysteminthehealingandpreventionofeventhemostdevastatingmodern-dayillnesses.ThisemphasishasbeenthemainthrustofpioneeringphysicianssuchasDr.Shintani.Sam’sstoryprovidesaclearexampleofhowcooperatingwithyourbody’snatu
ralhealingsystembyapplyingtheseideasaboutnutritionandpreventioncanreverseadeadlydiseasesuchasdiabetesandeffect
trueandpermanenthealing. 236 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Jim’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
Jimwasaplumberinhisearlyfifties.Heledanactivelife,exceptwhenhebecameincapacitatedwithflare-upsofhispsoriasis,aconditionhehadbeensufferingwithfor30years.Jim’spsoriasiswould
flareupatthemostinconvenienttimes.Itcausedhimtocancelimportantscheduledevents,suchasfamilyoutingsorfishingtripswithhisbuddies.Psoriasiscanoccurinpatchesontheskin,theknees,thefeetandanldes,theelbows,thescalp,behindtheears,orjustaboutanyother
placeyoucanimagine.Althoughitisconsideredaskindisease,in
severecasespsoriasiscanalsoinvolvethejoints,becomingadebilitat
ingformofarthritis.Modernmedicinedoesnotunderstandwhat
causespsoriasis.Unabletocureit,doctorstreatitmainlywithsuppressivemedications,whichgivetemporaryrelief,atbest.Thisapproachisoftenreferredtoaspalliation,ortheprocessofeasingdiscomfortwithoutcuring.Corticosteroidandimmune-suppressing
creamsareusuallyadministereddailytoreducetheseverityofthesymptoms.Thesetreatmentsareappliedmorefrequentlyduringflare-
ups.Strongpillsareoftenprescribedformoreseverecases. Jimhadadrawerfullofcreamsandpillsthathehadcollected
overtheyearsduringhismanyvisitstodoctors.However,asmuch
asheusedhismedicationsreligiously,hisflare-upswerebecoming
morefrequentandmoresevere.Eachtimehispsoriasiserupted,his
oldpatchesgrewlargerandmoreangry,stayinginflamedforlongerperiods.Additionally,newpatchesofinflamedskinweresurfacing
inareasthatwerepreviouslynormal.Hisconditionwasworsening,and,inadditiontobeingpainfulandirritating,thereseemedtobe
norhymeorreasontotheflare-upsorwhyhisdiseasewasspread
ing.Hispsoriasiswasstartingtodrivehimcrazy.Itwasthenthathebegantounderstandthephrase“theheartbreakofpsoriasis.”
Byluck,JimcameacrosstheworkofDr.JohnPagano,achiro
practorwhohadworkedwithmanypsoriasispatientsovertheyears,andwhohadwrittenanaward-winningbookentitledHealingPsoriasis:TheNaturalAlternative.Thisbookcontainsmanycasedescriptionsandfull-colorplatesofpsoriasispatients(beforeand
after)whohavesuccessfullycuredtheirpsoriasisbyfollowingDr.Pagano’srecommendations. YourHealingSystematWork 237
Dr.Pagano’sapproachtohealingpsoriasisisbasedonabroaderunderstandingofthehumanbody,therealityofahealingsystem,howalltheothersystemsareinterconnected,andhowoncebalance
isrestoredamongthesesystems,healingcanoccur.Inparticular,
Dr.Pagano’sapproachtakesintoconsiderationtheuniquerelation
shipbetweentheskinandtheintestines.Hisworkfocusesontheeliminativepropertiesoftheskin,andhowdigestivedisturbances
suchasconstipationcanleadtoabuildupoftoxinsintheskinthatcontributetopsoriasis.Hisresearchhasdemonstratedthatonceintestinalhealthandhygienearerestoredthroughproperdiet,psoriasisisgreatlyimprovedorevencompletelyeliminated.WhenDr.PaganometJim,hequestionedhimatlengthabout
hisdiet,somethingthatnootherdoctorhaddonebefore.Hethen
toldJimhehadtogiveuphiscoffeehabit,whichwasinitiallyquitedifficultforhimtodo,andtoincorporatemorefruits,vegetables,
water,andfiberintohisdiet.Healsotoldhimtogiveupsodasandotherjunkfoodsthathehadbecomehabituatedtoovertheyears. Atfirst,Jimdidn’tthinkthatallthesesacrificeswereworthit,especiallywhenhisconditiondidn’tseemtochangeforthefirstsixweeks. HeaskedDr.Paganoifhereallythoughtthatthechangesinhisdietcouldhealhispsoriasis.Dr.PaganoreaffirmedthatJimneededtostick
withtheprogram,thatsoonhe’dstarttoseeimprovement.Afterthreemonths,Jimbegantonoticeareductioninthesever
ityandfrequencyofhisflare-ups,evenduringtimesofstress,whichusuallymadehispsoriasisworse.Hispatcheslookedlessredand
weremoreitchythanpainful.Aftersixmonths,hispatchesstarted
tofadeandlookmorelikethecolorofhisnormalsurroundingskin.Afteroneyear,hispatcheshadrecededandcouldonlybediscovered
bypersistentanddeliberateprobing.Aftertwoyears,notalesioncouldbefound,andhispsoriasiswasgone.Fiveyearshavepassed,
andJimhasnothadarecurrence.The“heartbreakofpsoriasis”is
nowadistantmemory.Jimhasn’tmissedafishingtriporfamilyoutinginfiveyears,and,insteadofadrawerfullofcreamsandmedications,henowhasadrawerfullofshorts,whichheneverusedto
wearbecauseoftheembarrassmentofhispsoriasispatches.Onceagain,thehealingsystemwentintoactionwhenJimtook
measurestostrengthenitthroughdiet;andhispsoriasis,whichhad
beenamajorproblemforyears,wascured. 238 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
Hal’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
Hal,aformerathleteandnowamedicalstudent,hadsufferedchroniceczemaonbothofhishandsforsixyears.Whenhiseczemaflaredup,Halcouldn’tevenholdafootballbecauseofthecracking
andbleedingonhishands,and,inparticular,onthethumbonhisthrowingarm.Thisconditionwasespeciallydebilitatingandhumil
iatingbecauseHalhadbeenastarquarterbackonhiscollegefootballteam.Hal’seczemabeganwhenhewasworkingasanorderlyinabusymedical-centeremergencyroom.Duringthisperiod,heroutinelyusedindustrial-strengthgermicidalsoaps,whichseemedtoirritate
hishands,tocleanthedoctor’slabs.Thegloveshewassupposedto
usetoprotecthishandsrippedandtore,andweremoreofahindrancethanahelp.SoHaljustdidhisscrubbingandcleaningwithoutthem.Otherfactors,suchasstress,couldhavecontributed
toHal’seczema,aswell.Aftersixmonths,hishandsbecameextremelyitchy,andtheystartedtocrackandbleed.DoctorafterdoctorsawHal’shandsandprescribedtreatments,
buttherewasnoimprovement.Hetookatruckloadofvarious
creamsandpills,andhewaseventuallyreferredtoanallergist,who
didsomeskintestsonHal.Theskintestsindicatedpositivefor
morethan20allergens.Basedonthesetests,Halunderwentaseries
ofallergyinjections,alltonoavail.Afterseveralyears,hegaveupall
hopethathisconditionwouldeverbehealed. Sixyearstothedayafterhebegan,Halhadjustfinishedtheacademicandclinicalworkforhissenioryearinmedicalschool.He
hadafewweeksoffbeforebeginninghisinternship,usuallythe
mostdifficultyearinayoungdoctor’straining.Hewasawaitingtheresultsofthenationalmatchprogram,tofindoutwhichhospitalhewouldbeassignedtoforhispostgraduateresidencytraining.Everydayforfouryears,onhiswaytomedicalschoolinPhiladelphia,Halhadpassedapotterystudiothatofferedbeginningclassesinmakingpottery.Hehadremarkedtohimselfthatsomeday,whenhehadalittleextratime,hewouldliketotakeoneofthosebeginningclasses.Nowwashischance. Halwalkedintothepotterystudioandsignedupforabeginningclassthatlastedsixweeks.Heinformedtheteacherthathisgoalwas
YourHealingSystematWork 239
tomakeacompletedinnerwaresettingforsix,includingplates,soupbowls,andcoffeemugs,beforethesix-weekclasswasfinished.Theteacherthoughtthiswasabittoomuch,notrealizingthatshewasdealingwithatypicaltypeA-personalitymedicalstudent. Halcametoclassthefirstdayandwasgivenalumpofwetclay
tomoldandformbetweenhishands.Hewastoldhowtocareforthe
clay,howtoaddmoremoisturewhenitbecametoodry,howtodry
itifitbecametoowet,andhowtorollandkneadit,justlikebreaddough.Thatfirstday,Halthoroughlyimmersedhishandsintheclay. Hefollowedtheteacher’sinstructionsearnestlyandsincerely.Afterseveralclasses,thestudentswereintroducedtothepotter’swheel,onwhichpotsare“thrown”orspunintoshapebytheskill
fulhandsofthepotter.Halabsolutelylovedthepotter’swheel,and
hecameinduringhisfreetimeafterclass,workinglonghourswith
theclay.Eventhoughhewasonlyabeginner,Halagainreminded
theteacherofhisgoaltocreateacompletedinnersettingforsix. Sixweekslater,attheendofthelastclass,Halhadcompleted
hisdinnerwaresetforsix,whichheremovedwithjoyfromthekiln
andproudlydisplayedinfrontoftheotherstudentsintheclass.Afterhedidthis,hehappenedtoglancedownathishands.They
werenolongercrackedorbleeding,andtheyhadnosignsofeczema.Now,20yearslater,theeczemahasneverreturned.Wedon’tknowexactlyhowHalwascured.Perhapsdoingsomethingrelaxingthathelovedwasenoughtostimulatehishealingsystemintoaction.PerhapsworkingwiththeclayitselfhadahealingeffectonHal’shands.Perhapsthecureinvolvedacombinationofthetwo;we’ll
neverreallyknow.WhatwedoknowforsureisthatHal’shealingsystemwasreadytodo.itswork,andallitneededwastherightcat
alystforittospringintoaction. SisterEsther’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
SisterEstherwasseniornunattheGoodCounselHillconventinMinnesota,thesiteofagroundbreaking15-yearstudyofAlzheimer’sdisease.ThestudywasconductedbyDr.DavidSnowden,aresearcher
attheUniversityofMinnesota,anditwasimportantenoughto
appearonthecoverofTimemagazine.SisterEsther,whowas106
240 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
yearsofage,andmanyofherfellownuns,whowereintheireighties
andnineties,showednosignsofAlzheimer’sdisease,despitesignificandyadvancedages.Thisfactwasinsharpcontrasttowhatconventionalsciencewouldhavepredicted. Dr.SnowdenwasparticularlyinterestedinEsther’slifestory,as
wellasthoseofhersisternunswhowerefreefromAlzheimer’sdis
ease.BecauseEstherwasfullyfunctionalandmentallysharpasawhipdespiteheradvancedage,Dr.Snowdendecidedtolookdeeper
andtrytodiscoverothercausesthanmerelyageorgeneticsthatmightexplaintheriddleofAlzheimer’sdisease,whichannuallyaffectsabout4millionAmericans. Dr.Snowden’sresearchrevealedacompletelydifferentscenario
forAlzheimer’sdiseasethaniscurrentlytheorizedbymostresearchers.Becauseofthelengthandthoroughnessofhisstudy,Dr.Snowden’sfindingsarenotonlycredible,buttheyalsooffertremen
doushopeandinsightsabouthowthehealingsystemworksand
howwecanstayhealthyasweage.InDr.Snowden’sscientificopin
ion,Alzheimer’sdiseaseisstronglylinkedtolifestyle,environment,
andsocialandemotionalfactors,allofwhichcanaffecttheanatomyandphysiologyofthebrain.Likeningthebraintoamuscle,andapplyingthefamiliaraxiom
“Useitorloseit,”Dr.Snowdenfoundthatthenunswhokeptmen
tallystimulatedandsociallyconnectedshowedthefewestsymptomsandwereabletoavoidthediseasealtogether.Agedidn’tseemtobeacriticalfactor.Theoldernunswhocontinuedtoexercisetheirbrains
bythoughtfulwritingandspeakingwhileremainingengagedinothermeaningfulworkandactivitiescontinuedfreeofthesymptomsofAlzheimer’sdisease,whileyoungernunswhoweresociallywithdrawn
andnotmentallystimulateddevelopedsymptomsofthedisease. SisterEstherenjoysworkingonvariouscraftprojects,andshe
ridesastationaryexercisebikefor10minuteseveryday.Shestaysactivelyinvolvedwithothernunsandwiththeaffairsofhercon
vent.Inourattemptstounderstandhowthemindaffectsthebody,
andviceversa,SisterEsther’sexampleandDr.Snowden’sresearchremindusofhowimportantitistokeepusingourbrains,remainsociallyconnectedwithourfriendsandfamily,andfindwaysto
keepourselvesstimulatedandactivelyinvolvedinlife.Awellrounded,healthylifestylethatinvolvesmentalchallengesaswellas
YourHealingSystematWork 241
strongemotionalandsocialconnectionshelpssupportourhealingsystems,whichcankeepushealthy,evenwhenwereachagesapproachingSisterEsther’s. Gerry’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
GerrywasanelderlypatientofadoctorwhosepracticeIwascover
ingwhilehewasaway.Gerryhadalong-standinghistoryofdiabetes,andshehadsufferedfromhippainformanyyears,painthatcausedhertowalkwithacane.Hermedicalchartwasthicker
thanaphonebook,andeverytimeshecameintocomplainabout
herhippain,shewastolditwasfromherdiabetes,whichisknown
tocausenerveproblemsthatcanresultinpaininthelegsandlowerextremities. OnedaywhileIwasexaminingher,GerryaskedmeifIthought
avisittoachiropractormighthelpherhippain.Notwantingtodiscourageher,butnotwantingtobuildupfalsehopeseither,Itold
heritmightbeworthatryandprobablywouldn’thurther.Because
herregulardoctorwasadamantlyopposedtochiropractors,heneverapprovedofherdoingthis.Shehadneverseenachiropractorbefore,andshewassomewhatapprehensive.Sheseemedrelieved
thatIwasn’tsoagainstthem,andperhapsmyreactionhelpedher
getupthecouragetovisitone. Twoweekslater,onhernextvisitwithme,Gerrywalkedinto
theexamroomsmiling.Isawthatshedidn’thavehercane.“Gerry,youforgotyourcane.What’supwithyou?“Iasked.“Doctor,Idon’tneedmycaneanymore,”shereplied.Sheadded,“Lastnight,Iwentdancingforthefirsttimein30years!Myhippainiscompletelygone!”
Shethenburstintotearsandthankedmeforhealingherhippain.AllIdidwasgiveherpermissiontogotothechiropractor,who,afteronesimpleadjustment,wasabletorelieve30yearsof
painandmisery.EventhoughGerry’sisaratherstraightforwardcase,Ilearnedsomethingimportantfromher.Sometimes,anopenmind,anew
wayofthinking,andasimpleadjustmentareallthatarenecessary
toassistyourhealingsysteminrestoringhealthtoyourbody.
Extraordinary_Healing_-_the_amazing_power_of_your_body_s_secret_healing_system.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        Asyouage,youalsotendtobecomemorepatientandtolerantof
painandphysicaldiscomfort,whichincreasesyourendurance. ThisisapparentintheOlympicgamesinwhich,intheenduranceeventssuch
asthemarathonrace,thetopathletesmaybeasmuchas20yearsolder
thanathleteswhocompeteinothereventssuchasthesprints. Infact,
manyoctogenarianmarathonrunnersareactiveintheworldtoday,
andmanyseniorathletesarestillcompetingonthemaster’slevelin
othersportssuchasgolf,tennis,swimming,surfing,waterskiing,and
snowskiing. Theseelderathletesdemonstratethat,regardlessoftheir
ages,theycankeeptheirhealingsystemsvibrantandyouthful,staycompetitive,andenjoylong-lastinghealthbyremainingactive. Withalloftheseadvantagestoaging,weshouldlookuponold
ageasatimeofmaximumhealthandenjoyment. Byunderstanding
allofthefactorsthatpositivelyinfluencetheperformanceofourhealingsystems,andthenputtingthesefactorsintopractice,wecansuccessfullyenjoyasuperiorstateofhealthandavibrant,activelife
fortherestofourdays. ThePowerofLaughterandaSenseofHumor
Inpreviouschapters,wehavetalkedaboutallofthefactorsthatcanimprovetheperformanceofyourhealingsystem. Oneofthemostimportantofthesefactors,ifnotthemostimportant,appearstobe
asenseofhumor. Isaythiswithgoodreason. Ihavemetmanypeoplewhohavelivedwellintooldageandbeyond,sometimesreaching100yearsormore,whodefiedtheprinciplesofwhatmostexpertswouldconsiderahealthylife. Many
ofthesepeoplehadpoordiets,drankalcoholorsmokedexcessively,
didnotexerciseregularly,wereoverweight,and,strictlyfromahealthstandpoint,didjustabouteverythingelsewrong. However,
206 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
thepersonsamongthisgroupwererarewhodidn’talsopossessakeensenseofhumor,anextraordinaryabilitytoallowmostdifficul
ties,negativecomments,andadversesituationstorollrightofftheirbacks. Mostofthesepeopleunderstoodthat,togetthemostoutof
life,theyhadtohavefun. Manygoodpeoplemisstheboatinthisregard. Theytaketheirhealthandtheirlifetooseriously. Onefamoushealthexperteven
wentsofarastosay,“Seriousnessisadiseasemoredangerousthancancer. ”Beingseriousallthetimecreatestensioninthebody,which
candrainthelifeforceoutofyourhealingsystem. We’veallheard
thesaying,“AllworkandnoplaymakesJackadullboy. ”Whatwehaven’theard,andwhatisalsotrue,isthat“Allworkandnoplay
canmakeJackasickpuppy. ”Manyresearchstudiessuggestthatpeoplewhocannottakethetimetorelax,havefun,andlaughare
atseriousriskfordeveloping amajorillness. Dr. BernieSiegel,afamouscancersurgeon,tellsastorythathelpsillustratethispoint. Amanransixmileseverydayfor25years. Heneverwenttoparties,neverwenttobedafter10:00PM,neverdrankorsmoked,
andwasavegetarian. Oneday,hesuddenlydied. Hewassoupset
bythissuddenturnofeventsthatwhenhegottothePearlyGates
hewentstraightuptoGodanddemandedanimmediateexplanationforthisapparentinjustice. “Whatthehellareyoudoing,God. ”themanasked. “I’verun
everydayforthepast25years,nevertouchedalcoholortobacco,
gonetobedearly,andeatenonlyvegetables. I’veworkedhardmywholelifejusttoremainhealthyandlivelong,andyouhadtospoileverythingbybringingmehere. What’syourpointindoingthis. ”
themanasked. “Mypointisthatyoubasicallyblewit. ”Godsaid. “Youforgot
tohavefunandenjoyyourlife,whichwerethereasonswhyyou
werecreated. ”Heexclaimed. “Andsinceyoufailedtolearnyourlessonsthistime,I’msendingyoubacktoHellforanattitudeadjustment. ”criedGod. “WhatwillIdothere. ”queriedtheman. “Forstarters,you’llhavetorunsixmileseveryday,gotobedbefore10:00PMeachnight,andeatonlyvegetables,”Goddeclared. Hecontinued,“Nexttime,trytoenjoyyourlife,andcomebackwhenyourattitudeisalittlebetter. ”
Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem207
Dr. Siegelgoesontomakethepointthatitisimportanttodothingsnotoutofthefearofdying,butratheroutofthedesiretoimprovetheoverallqualityofyourlife. Certainlytherewasnothingwrongwithwhatthemanwasdoingtoimprovehishealth,buthisattitudeandreasonfordoingthesethingswerewrong. Again,the
goaloflong-lastinghealthisnotjusttolivelonger,buttoimprove
theoverallqualityofyourlifeintheprocess. Ifyouarenothaving
funandenjoyingyourlife,youaremissingtheboat. Justremember
theFrenchwomanintroducedearlierinthebook,wholivedtothe
ageof122andwho,wheninterviewedaboutthesecretsofherlongevity;repliedthattheonlythingsheknewwasthat“Ionlyhave
onewrinkleonmyentirebody,andI’msittingonit. ”Almostnothingintheworldcankeepyourhealingsystemasstrong,vibrant,andhealthyascultivatingandrefiningtheabilitytolaugh. tolaughoften,vigorously,and—whatisevenmorepowerful—tofrequentlyshareraucousbellylaughterwithyourfriendsorfamily. BobHopepassedawayattheageof100years. Ibelievehe
wastryingtobeatGeorgeBurns’agewhenhedied. Itisnotanacci
dentthatthesetwofamouscomedians,whoearnedtheirlivingwith
asenseofhumorandmakingotherpeoplelaugh,livedsolong. Whenyouarelaughing,havingfun,andenjoyinglife,youarereleasingtensionandcreatingpositivephysiologywithinyourbodythatstrengthensandfortifiesyourhealingsystem. Laughterkills
painbytriggeringthereleaseofpowerfulneurochemicalsfromthebrain,suchasendorphinsandenkephalins,which,aswenotedear
lier,arenaturallyoccurringopiatesmuchstrongerthanmorphine. Laughtersimultaneouslystimulatesthereleaseofotherpowerfulsub
stancesthatboosttheperformanceofyourhealingsystem. Somescientistshavedefinedlaughterastantamountto“internaljogging,”in
thatallthehealthbenefitsofjogging,suchasimprovingthestrength
ofyourheartandcirculatorysystem,canalsobefoundinlaughter. DoingWhatYouLoveContributestoaLongandHealthyLife
Uponhisretirementattheageof89years,aninnovativeartistandanimatorforWaltDisneyStudioswasrecentlyrecognizedforhis
208 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
outstandingcontributiontothefieldformorethan65years. Whenaskedhowhemanagedtokeepgoingallthoseyears,andwhatmotivatedhim,hereplied,“Yougottaloveyourwork. ”Whenyoulovewhatyoudo,everydayisadayofplayandenjoyment. Whenyouworkatajobthatyoulove,itdoesn’tfeellikework. Lovingyourworkisthehealthiesttonicintheworldforyourbody’shealingsystemasitisinjectedwithacontinuoussupplyofdynamic,positive,mentalandemotionalenergyeverysingledayof
yourlife. Bythetimeyoureacholdage,thispositiveenergypaysoff
individends. Thefollowingstorieshelpillustratethispoint. PopProctorwasawell-knownsurferfromCaliforniawhofellin
lovewiththesportwhenhepickeditupattheratherlateageof50. Hesurfedformorethan40yearsandretiredfromsurfingattheage
of97. Hediedattheageof99,anditwasrumoredthathediedso
youngbecauseheretiredfromsurfingtoosoon. AlbertSchweitzeroncetoldhishospitalstaffthat“Ihavenointentionofdying,solongasIcandothings. AndifIdothings,I
havenoneedtodie,soIwilllivealong,longtime. ”Dr. Schweitzer,whoreceivedtheNobelPrizein1952,remainedactiveuntilhisfinaldays;heliveduntiltheageof90. Mrs. MinamiwasaJapanese-Hawaiianwomanwhowas101
yearsofagewhenImether. Shedrankacupofhotwateraftereach
mealandenjoyedperfectregularitySheworkedinhergarden,whichsheabsolutelyadored,everyday,rainorshine. Whensheleft
meforanotherdoctorbecauseherinsurancehadchanged,shewas
103andstillgoingstrong. HarryLiebermanwasanelderly,78-year-oldmanwhohadbeenaloneinanursinghomesincetheageof75,silentlyawaitinghisdeath. Tohelppassthetime,everydayatnoonhewouldmeethispartnerforagameofchess. Oneday,unbeknownsttohim,hispart
nerdied. WhenHarryshowedupattheusualtimethenextdayfor
hischessmatch,hispartnerdidn’tshow. Thestaffwhowasinformed
ofhispartner’spassingandconcernedabouttheeffectsonHarrydidn’twanttobreakthenewstohimsosuddenly. TheytoldHarryhispartnerhadbecomeillandhadtogotothehospital. TheyaskedHarryifhewouldliketoattendanartclassinstead,justfortheday. Harrywasshuttledofftothenursinghome’sartclass,wherehe
wasseatedatatableandhandedablankpieceofpaper,somecol
Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem209
oredpaints,andabrush. Hehadneverheldabrushbeforeinhis
life,andhefelttotallyawkward. Theteacherannouncedthatthe
classassignmentwastopaintanythingtheparticipantswanted. Whilehewasholdingontothebrush,Harry’sminddriftedback
tothedayswhenhewasaboygrowingupinavillageinhiscoun
tryofbirth,Poland. Slowly,hebegantopaintwhathismindsaw. Attheendofclass,theteacherlookedatthispainting,thankedhim
forhisattendance,andencouragedhimtoreturnthefollowingday. Thefollowingday,however,Harrydidn’twanttopaintanotherpicture. Instead,helookedforwardtoresuminghischessgamewith
hispartner. Attheappointedhour,however,whenHarrysatdown
atthechessboardandwaitedforhisfriend,oneoftheyoungvol
unteerscameandinformedHarrythathisfriendwasstillinthehospital. Sheencouragedhimtopleaseattendtheartclassonemoretime. Harryreluctantlyagreed. Now,forthesecondtimeinasmanydays,Harryfoundhimselfsittingdownwithabrush,ablankpieceofpaper,andsomepaints. Today’sassignment:“Paintanythingyouwant. ”Again,Harrydriftedofftohischildhooddaysandslowlybeganpainting. Atthecloseoftheclass,theteacheragaincamebyHarry’stable,
sawhispainting,andmadeanencouragingcomment. HetoldHarryhewantedhimtoattendtheeveningartclassatthelocaljuniorcollege. TheteachertoldHarrythatattheveryleastthiswouldbeachancetogetoutandmeetsomenewpeople,especiallyyoung,attractivecollegegirls. Hesitantatfirst,Harryfinallyagreed. Intheeveningofthenextday,avanpickedHarryupandtook
himseveralmilesawaytotheartclassatthejuniorcollege,wherehe
wasusheredinsidewithmorethan40students,mostofthemyoungenoughtobehisgrandchildren. Thissettingwasmuchdifferent
fromthedull,sedate,andsomberatmosphereofhisnursinghome. Forthethirdtimeinasmanydays,Harryfoundhimselfseated
atadeskwithabrush,ablankpieceofpaper,andpaints. Theassignment:“Paintanythingyouwant. ”Onceagain,Harry’sminddriftedofftohispastashedippedhisbrushintothepaintsandbeganapplyingstrokestothepaper. Atthecloseoftheclass,theteacherwalkedaroundtheroomtocritiqueeachstudent’swork. WhenhecametoHarry’spainting,
hepausedforamoment. Thenhemadeasurprisingcomment. 210 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
“Wouldyoubesokindastoautographthispaintingforme. ”heaskedHarry. Harrywasdumbfounded. “Why. ”heasked. Theteacherreplied,“BecauseIhaveafeelingthatsomedayyou’regoingtobeafamousartist. ”Harrythoughttohimself,“Right,butfirstI’llbethenextpresidentofAmerica. ”
Forthenext25years,HarryLiebermanpaintedeverydayandeventuallyestablishedhimselfasoneofthepreeminentartistsintheworld,paintingvillagescenesfromhischildhoodlifeinPoland,alongwithstoriesfromtheOldTestament. Tothisday,hisworksaredisplayedprominentlyinbooks,museums,andgalleriesallovertheworld. Doingwhathelovedtodo,HarryLiebermanlivedpastthe
ageof103. Dowhatyoulove,andlovewhatyoudo. Thisistheessenceofallowingthecreativespiritwithinyoutoflourishandexpressitself,producinglong-lastinghealthandasenseofwell-beingasbyprod
ucts. Ifyousuppressordenythisspirit,itwillwitherupanddie,
andyourhealthwillsurelyfollow. Suppressingordenyingyourinherentcreativeinstincts,notdoingwhatyoulove,ornotlovingwhatyoudo,willdrainyourlifeforceandrenderyourhealingsystempowerless. Whenthishappens,youwillbecomesick. Manypeopleareallowedtopursuetheirdreamsandareencouragedtofollowtheirheartsfromanearlyage. Thesearethelucky
ones. Others,likeHarryLieberman,discovertheirtruejoyandpassionwhentheyareatanadvancedage. However,regardlessofyour
age,thehealth-enhancingbenefitsofputtingyourheartintowhat
youaredoingareundeniable. Organizingyourlifearounddoingwhatyouloveisoneofthewisestandmosteffectivewaystostrengthenandfortifyyourhealingsystem,allowingyoutheopportunitytoenjoylong-lastinghealth. CelebrateYourYearsandEnhanceYourHeaUngSystem~
Oldageisatimeforcelebrationandenjoyingthefruitsofyourlabors. It
isthetimeofyour”secondchildhood. ’ achancetoregainyourinnocence,
toseebeautyinsimple,everydaythings,andatimetoplayandenjoy
Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem211
yourself. Oldageisatimetolove,beloved,andtoknowthatloveisthefundamentalunderlyingrealityinalloflife. Withallofthistolookforward
to,itiscriticalthatyoukeepyourhealthasyouagesoyoucanmaximize
theenjoymentofyourgoldenyears. StrengtheningandfortifyingyourhealingsystemasyouageisthebestinsurancepolicyIknowtohelpyourealizethisgoal. Manypeoplelivehealthy,pain-free,disease-free,activelivesforalong,
longtime,andthentheyleavethisworldpeacefullyandgentlywithoutany
painorsuffering. Thesepeoplehavefoundwaystocooperatewiththeir
body’shealingsystems,andtheyhavelearnedtostrengthenandfortify
themastheyhaveadvancedinyears. WhileI’mnotdenyingthatsomeday
weallmustdepartthisearth,thereisnoreasontobuyintothefalse
notionthatyouhavetobecomesickanddisabledbeforeitisyourtimeto
leave. Whenyouworkwithyourhealingsystem,youcanenjoylong-last
inghealth,andstayhealthy,untilyourfinaldays. Frommyownresearchandexperience,Ihavefoundthefollowingpracticaltipstobeparticularlyhelpfultostrengthenandfortifythehealing
systemasyouage:
~Practicetheprinciples,exercises,andtechniquesdescribedinthisbook. ~Drinkplentyoffluids. ~Eatplentyoffruitsandvegetables. ~Getadequatefiberinyourdiet. ~Practicegoodbowelhygiene. ~Practicestressmanagement. ~Relaxregularly. ~Dobreathingexercises. ~Thinkyoung. Rememberthatyouareonlyasoldasyouthinkyouare. ~Takethetimetoplanforabrightfuture. ~Learntobespontaneous. ~Developaflexiblemindset. Avoidbeingtoosetinyourways. ~Dowhatyoulovetodo. ~Stayactive. 212 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
OMaintainaviablesocialsupportsystem. OStayinvolvedwithhobbiesandcreativeactivities. oBeanonconformist. oBeadventuresomeandtrynewthings. OSpendtimeinnature. oIfyougetbored,learntoplayamusicalinstrumentorpaint. oSing. oDanceregularlyandoften,evenifyouarealone. oAvoidgettingangry. oCultivateandnourishlovingrelationshipswithyourfamilyandfriends. 0Don’tfosterresentment. oIfyouaresingle,date,orbeactiveinsocialclubs. oSpendtimeoutdoors. oSurroundyourselfwithbeauty. oHavefun,andremembertosmileandlaughgenuinelyfromyourheart. oEnjoycomedyandkeepalight-heartedattitude. oDon’ttakelifetooseriously. oDon’ttakeyourselftooseriously. oSpendtimewithpeoplewhoarebusyandinvolvedindoingsomethingmeaningfulwiththeirlives. oChooseyourfriendsandcompanywisely. oDon’twasteyourtime. oDon’tdothingsyoudon’twanttodo. OBetruetoyoursenseofpurpose. oTakethetimetoreflectonthemeaningoflife. °Appreciatethefactthatyourlifeisagift,nomatterhowdifficultithas
been. oAcknowledgeallthethingsinlifeforwhichyouhavetobegrateful. OHonorthedignityofyoursoul. 0Findawaytogivebacktotheworld. Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem213
~Performsomeformofregularcommunityservicethatmakesyoufeel
goodinside. ~Spendtimewithchildren;letthemteachyouhowtoplayandbeinthe
presentmoment. ~Spendtimewithanimals. Ifpossible,haveoneormorepets. ~Vowtodoatleastonethingdifferentlyeachday. ~Getupearlyeverymorning,andgotobedearlyeverynight. ~Listentomusicthatinspiresandupliftsyou. ~Travelifyoucanafforditand,ifnot,trytowalkorgoinanewdirec
tioneveryday. ~Writeinajournalyourmostmemorableexperiences. ~Writepoetry,evenifyou’veneverdoneitbefore. ~Wakeupeachmorningandtelltheworldthatitisabetterplacebecauseyouarehere. ~Don’twastetimebeingaroundpeoplewhodon’tinspireyouoruplift
yourspirits. ~Readbooksandwatchmoviesthatinspireandupliftyou. ~Readaboutpeopleolderthanyouwhoaremoreactivethanyou. ~Keepconnectedtoyourfamily,friends,andlovedones. ~Rememberthatifyouwanttohaveatruefriend,youhavetobeatruefriend. ~Listentomusicthatstirsyourheartandsoothesyoursoul. ~Findawaytoshareyouruniquetalents,gifts,andexperienceswiththeworld. ~Focusonhowyoucandoyourparttomakethisworldalittlebetter. ~Appreciatehowagehasmellowedyouandmadeyouabetterperson. ~Loveyourselfandyourlife,eveniftheyaren’tperfect. ~IfyouhavefaithinGodorahigherpower,prayforguidanceandpeace. ~Makepeacewithyoursoul. Forgiveyourselfforallyoumayhavedone
wrong. ~Crywhenyouwantto,anddon’tfeelashamedwhenyoudo. 214 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
=
0Livefromyourheart. Rememberthatyourbodypossessesanefficientandintelligenthealingsystemthatcankeepyouhealthythroughamultitudeoflife’schallenges. j~Celebrateandhonoryouryearsonthisearth,andenjoyyourlife. LivingLifetotheFullestUntilYourFinalDays
IhopeIhaven’tgivenyoutheimpressionthatyouwillliveforever. AlthoughIdoexpectyoutolivelong,stayhealthy,andenjoyyourlife,itwouldbeirresponsibleofmetotrytodeceiveyouintobeliev
ingthatyoucanremainonthisplanetindefinitely. Landisalimitedcommodity,andunfortunately,whenitisourtimetogo,wehaveto
leavetomakeroomforthenextperson. Evenifyoureachtheageof100,120,orbeyond,somedayyouwillexperiencetheprocessofleavingyourbodyasyoudepartthisworld. Inmanyculturesaround
theworld,thisprocess,knownasdeath,isregardedasanaturalandsacredevent,nolessimportantthanbirth. Inthesecultures,deathis
seenasareleaseandablessing,thefinalchapterofaperson’searthboundlifeinastorythatwouldotherwisebeincomplete. Further,in
thesecultures,deathisseentobenotmerelyanend,but,rather,anewbeginning. Asaresult,theanniversaryofthedayapersondiesisusu
allyrememberedandcelebratedevenmorethantheperson’sbirthday. Thebenefitofacceptingthatyouwillnotliveonthisearthfor
everisthatyounolongerhavetolivewiththetensionthefearofdeathcreates. Theacceptancecreatesanaturalstateofrelaxation. As
youknow,yourhealingsystemworksbestwhenyouareinanaturallyrelaxedstate,andsoovercomingyourfearofdeathgreatlyimproves
yourvitalityandcontributestolong-lastinghealth. Deathiscertainlynotanexperienceweshouldwelcome,initi
ateprematurely,orglorif~,’beforeitstime;nonetheless,itneednot
bethedifficult,painful,miserableexperienceitiscommonlyheldto
beinoursociety. Deathcanbealoving,specialoccasion,aprofoundlyhealingexperienceforallthosewho’vecometowitnessthesacreddepartureofauniquelycreatedsoul. Agooddeathcanactas
apowerfulaffirmationandaspecialblessingtothoseleftbehind. Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem215
Suchdeaths,ratherthanproducingtensionandprolongingthemyththatdeathisapainful,horribleordeal,contributetooverallhealingbyreinforcingthepeacefulness,beauty,andserenityofthisnaturallifeexperience. Suchanattitudecollectivelystrengthensandfortifiesthehealingsystemsoftheindividualswithinthecultureandsociety,andcontributestolong-lastinghealthinthoseindividuals. Agooddeath,whichcanbelikenedtochildbirth,requirespreparation. Forexample,itiswellknownthatmotherswhohave
notattendedprenatalclassesareusuallypoorlypreparedforlabor,
andtheyoftensufferfarmorecomplications,pain,andtraumathanthosewhoarewellprepared. Thesameistrueindeath. Inanill-prepared-fordeath,farmorecomplications,pain,andtraumaoften
occurthanisnecessary. Suchanexperiencereinforcesthenotion
thatdeathisahorribleeventandcreatesfearinthosewhowitness
suchadeath. Aviciouscycleperpetuatesitself,influencingsociety’sgenerallyfearfulperceptionofdeath,andcreatingunnecessaryworryandnegativeoutcomesintheprocess. Ironically,thebestway
toprepareforagooddeathistohaveagoodlife. Itispossibletoenjoyyourfinaldaysonthisearthandhaveapositiveexperienceofdeath. Howsuccessfulyouareatdoingthisisstronglyinfluencedbyyourabilitytoworkwithyourhealingsystemandremainhealthythroughoutyourlife,whichislargelydeterminedbythechoicesyoumakeeveryday. Realizethatyourtimeonearthislimited,andthenliveyourlifeasifitwereaprivilege,as
ifeachmomentcounts. Focusondoingwhatyoulovetodo. Forexample,acowboy’sdreamistodiewithhisbootsonandbeburied
withhishorse. Theprobabilityofrealizingthisdreamisincreased
witheachdaythatheiscansaddleupandrideoffacrosstheplainswithhistrustysteed. Thesameistrueforyouandanynumberofactivities,hobbies,andvocationsthatyoulovetodoandthatare
nearanddeartoyourheart. Themoreyoucanorganizeyourlifearounddoingwhatyoulovetodo,thebetterthechancethatyou’lldepartthisworldinanupliftedstate,withoutanysorrowsorregrets. Inindia,whereIhavetraveledfrequently,Ihavemetmanypeopleintheireighties,nineties,andolderwhoareactive,healthy,respectedmembersoftheircommunities,andwhoenjoytheirlives,totallyfreefromthefearofdeathandunconcernedabouttheiradvancingage. Further,theSanskritliterature,whichdatesback
216 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
severalthousandyears,isfullofhistoricalaccountsofaccomplishedsoulswhocouldaccuratelypredictthetimeoftheirdeathandleavetheirbodieswillfully,peacefully,andwithcourage. Similarly,inJapan,Samuraiwarriorshavetraditionallygreetedeachnewdaywiththethought,“Todayisagooddaytodie. ”Althoughthisstatementmightinitiallyappeartobefatalistic,thephilosophyactuallyenrichesthewarriors’livesandimprovestheirhealth. Byfacingtheirmortalitythisway,acknowledgingthattodaycouldbetheirlastdayonthisearth,theycanlivewithoutfearandremainmorerelaxed. Thisrelaxedattitudenourishesandsupportstheirhealingsystemsandhelpsthemachievelong-lastinghealth. BecausetheSamuraicreedpermeatesalmosteveryaspectofJapanesesociety,itisnotsurprisingtoseethat,onaverage,people
inJapanlivemuchlongerthanpeopleintheWest. Understandingthatyouhavetremendouscontroloveryourlifecircumstancesandyourhealthisthebestwaytoprepareforagooddeath. Itisalsothebestwaytoenjoyyourlife. Likethecowboy,yogi,orSamuraiwarrior,youcanenjoylong-lastinghealth,andthen,whenitisyourtime,exitthisworldwithpeaceandserenity,courageandconviction,graceandstyle. Whenyoulearntowork
withyourhealingsystem,youcanenjoylong-lastinghealth,and,whenthetimecomes,experienceapeacefulandpain-freedeath. ClosingThoughtsonAging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem
Theboundariesforwhatisconsideredtobeoldagearecontinuallybeingexpanded. A70-year-oldman,bytoday’sstandards,isnowviewedasstillyoung. Youcanprolongandmaintainyouthfulvigorandhealthwellintoyoureighties,nineties,andbeyondifyouwork
atsupportingandnourishingyourhealingsystem. Yourattitudeaboutagingplaysanimportantroleinyourlongevityandinfluencesphysiologicalmechanismsthatcaneitheraccelerateorslowdown
theagingprocess. Ifyoudeveloppoorhealthhabitsbasedonpessimistic,negativeattitudes,youstandagreaterchanceofbecoming
illanddyingearlier. Butifyouareinspiredtomakethemostofyourlifeandyourextraordinaryhealingsystem,andyouaremotivatedto
Aging,Long-LastingHealth,andYourHealingSystem217
stayhealthy,youcanenjoyalongandfulfillinglife. Maintainapositivementalattitudeanddevelopsoundpersonalhealthhabits,and
youwillexudeaspiritofyouthfulnessandimproveyourprospects
ofremaininghealthyuntilyourfinaldays. Acceptyourmortality
andunderstandthatyouareontheearthforalimitedtime,andyou’llmoreeasilyovercomeafearofdeath. Cultivatearelaxedattitude. Yourhealingsystemwillbenefitsignificantly,andyouratti
tudewillfacilitateyourgoalofachievinglong-lastinghealth. CHAPTER8
TheHealingSystematWork
PersonalStoriesofExtraordinaryHealing
octorsdealwithpain,suffering,andillnesseverydayoftheir
lives. Becauseofthis,theytendtoviewlifethroughadistortedlens
thatseesdiseaseasnormalandhealthasabnormal. Servingassoci
ety’sappointedhealthexperts,theyareinrealitydiseaseexperts. In
thiscapacity,doctorsexertaprofoundinfluenceonourwayofthinking,andsowehavelearnedtobepessimistic,negative,andfearfulwhenitcomestoourbodies. Goingbeyondthisdistortedlensandprobingdeeperintothemiraculousworkingsofourbodies,however,wewilldiscoveraheal
ingsystemthatcanovercomenearlyeveryafflictionknowntoman. Wewilldiscoverthathealthandwell-beingaretherule,andillness
anddiseaseareexceptionstotherule. Manypeoplewithadvanced,seriousmedicalconditionsgetbetterwhentheylearnhowtocooperatewiththeirhealingsystems. Andalthoughthesecasesmayseemextraordinary,infact,theyarequiteordinary~Whenyouunderstandthatyouhaveahealingsystem,youshouldexpecthealing,regardlessofhowoverwhelm
inglytheoddsmaybestackedagainstyou. Whenyouoralovedone
isafflictedwithanillnessorinjury,therealquestionisnot“Willhealingoccur. ”butrather“Whenwillhealingoccur. ”Theanswer
is“Whenyoudecidetocooperateandworkwithyourhealing
220 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
system,youwillgetbetterandheal;thesooneryoudothis,thefasteryouwillheal. ”
Iofferthefollowingstoriestohelpyougettoknowyourheal
ingsystembetter. Becauseyourhealingsystemiswithinyou,itcan
beactivatedfreeofcharge. Itisreadytoworkforyou“24/7,”andit
isyourmostpowerfulallyonlife’sjourney. Allyourhealingsystemasksisthatyouacknowledgeitsexistence,listentoit,andmakeaconcertedefforttocooperateandworkwith,notagainst,it. Ronald’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
RonaldJenkinswas19yearsofageandawayatcollege. Hewasastrappingpictureofhealth,onafullathleticandacademicscholar
ship,andhehadnevermissedadayofschoolduetoillnesssincehe
wasinkindergarten. Exceptforroutinephysicalexamsandimmunizations,Ronaldhadneverseenadoctororbeenhospitalized. He
wasintheprimeofhislife,anditwasallgood. Soon,however,his
lifewouldchange. Whilehewasacounseloratayouthcampduringsummerbreak,Ronaldawokeonenightwithintenseabdominalpain. He
rantothebathroomtorelievehimself. Projectilediarrheaensued,
notjustonce,butsomanytimesthatRonaldhadtospendhalfthenightonthetoilet. Hebegantofeelfeverish. Hethoughthemighthavecontracted acaseoffoodpoisoning. Hedrankliquidsandrested,thinkinghewouldgetbetteronhisown. Afteroneweek,however,hissymptomscontinuedwithoutanyletupinintensity. Forthefirsttimeinhislife,Ronaldsoughtthehelpofadoctor. ThedoctordiagnosedRonaldwithgastroenteritisandtreated
himwithrest,fluids,antibiotics,andanti-inflammatorymedicines. Aftertwoweeks,however,therewasstillnoimprovement,sohisdoctorreferredhimtoaspecialist. Thespecialistorderedbloodtests,X-rays,intestinalscans,andacolonoscopy,anexaminwhichaflexi
bletubeisinserteduptheentirelengthofthelargeintestines. Aftermuchdeliberationanddiscussion,thedoctorsmadethediagnosisofCrohn’sdisease,asevereinflammatoryconditionofthesmalland
largeintestines. Ronaldwasplacedonastrictprotocolofstrong
YourHearingSystematWork 221
medications,includinganti-inflammatories,antimicrobialagentsandcorticosteroids,andahighlyrestricteddiet. Ronalddidn’tdosowellonthisregimen. Hispainanddiarrheacontinued,andhesoondevelopedothersymptoms,aswell,suchas
stiffandpainfulswollenjoints. Astrange,blister-typerashappeared
onhisface. Hewasconstantlynauseousandlight-headed. Thecor
nersofhismouthbegantocrackandbleed. Daybyday,hefelthimselfgrowingweaker,hisvitallifeenergyebbing. Hewasforced
totakealeaveofabsencefromschoolandmovebackinwithhisparents. Fortunately,theywerewillingtodoanythingtohelpRonaldregainhishealth. Aftersixmonths,Ronaldappearedtobeondeath’sdoorstep. Hisweighthadfallentoanall-timelowof104pounds,downfrom
hisnormalweightof180pounds. Hisfriendsremarkedthathelookedlikeaconcentration-campvictim. Hisdiarrheahadincreased
tothepointthathecouldn’tsleepformorethan45minutesata
timebeforehewouldhavetogetoutofbedandruntothetoilettorelievehimself. Hehadnoappetite,andhisabdomenwasbloated
andfullofgas. Heforcedhimselftoeattostayalive,buthecould
n’tkeephisfoodin—everythingthatcameinthefrontdoorwasimmediatelyexpelledthroughthebackdoor. InadesperateattempttosaveRonald’slife,hisdoctorsenthim
tothenation’stopspecialistsingastrointestinaldiseases. Afterreviewinghisrecordsandexamininghim,theyallagreedRonald’s
wasoneoftheworstcasesofCrohn’sdiseasetheyhadeverseen. If
hislifeweretobespared,theconsensuswasthatsurgicalremovalof
hiscolonandalifetimeofimmunosuppressivemedicationswasRonald’sonlyoption. Ronaldreturnedhometocontemplatehisfate. Hebecameextremelydepressed,andeventhoughtofsuicide. Becausehewasmalnourished,hehadtobefedthroughalarge,intravenouscatheterinsertedintoaveinnearhisneck. Thiscatheter,whichcouldeasilybecomeinfected,becameRonald’slifeline. AsRonaldlayinbedwastingaway,oneofhisfather’sfriendssuggestedsomethingsimplebutradical. HesuggestedthatifRonaldcouldregainthebalanceofnaturalflorainhisintestines,hehadagoodchanceofrestoringhishealth. Hebasedthisideaonrecentresearchthatsuggestedthat,inadditiontothe500goodbacterial
222 YourExtraordinaryHeahngSystem
strainsthatresideinthehumanintestines,theremaybemanymore
typesofbeneficialbacteria,perhapsupto10,000strains. HeaskedRonaldtotryseveralcapsulesadayofaspecialhygienicdirtcultivatedforhumanconsumption;thisdirtcontainedmanystrainsofthesebeneficialbacteria. Atfirst,Ronaldwastakenabackbytheideaofeatingdirt,but,becausehewasdesperate,hewasreadytotryanything. Afterlonghoursofreading,research,anddiscussionswithhisfatherandhisfather’sfriend,herealizedthatwhatwasbeingproposedwasareturn
tothedietaryhabitsofhisancestors. Inthosedays,beforepesticidesandartificialfertilizers,peopleoftenatevegetablesrightoutofthefields,ingestingsmallamountsofbeneficialsoilorganismswith
eachbite,and,intheprocess,replenishingtheirnaturalintestinalflora. Whenwethinkofcows’digestivesystems,andhowtheirmultichamberedstomachsarefilledwithmanybeneficialbacteriathat
helpdigesttheirfood,thisideaisnotsoradical. Thefirstday,Ronaldtooksixcapsulesofhygienicdirt(twoat
atime,threetimesaday). Thefollowingmorning,afterhisfirstsoundnight’ssleepinalongtime,Ronaldfelthisabdominalpainlesseninintensity. Forthefirsttimesincehisillnessbegan,hedidn’tawakenwithafever. Throughoutthecourseofthenextseveraldays,
hisdiarrheaslowedinfrequencyandintensity. Afterseveraldays,hisstoolsbegantofirmup. Afteroneweek,hisappetitebegantoreturn
andhehadhisfirstnormalbowelmovementinalmostayear. Overthenextseveralweeks,ashecontinuedtoswallowthecapsulesofbeneficialdirt,Ronald’sappetiteandbowelmovementscontinuedtoimproveandnormalize. Hisjointhealth,skin,mouth
sores,energylevel,andattitudeallimproved,aswell. Aftersixmonths,hisweightwasbackupto180pounds,hewasbackinschool,andhewascompletelywell. Eatingdirtfliesin~thefaceofconventionalmedicine,whichoftenviewsnatureastheenemyandthecauseofmostdiseases. Whenweworkwithourhealingsystems,however,naturalsolutionsoftenworkbest. ForRonald,usingbeneficialorganismsthatarenormallyfoundinhealthy,hygienicsoilwasthesecretingredientthatultimatelycuredhisdisease. Beneficialbacteriahelpindigestion,andtheyproducemanyvaluablesubstances,suchasvitamin
K,thusrestoringbalancetotheintestines;consequently,theyare
YourHealingSystematWork 223
oneofthemostimportantwaystocooperatewithyourbody’snat
uralhealingsystem. Rani’sStoryofExtraordinaryHealing
RaniwasanelderlywomanwholivedinacommunityIregularlyvis
itedinIndia. Shehadsufferedfromasthmasinceshewasalittlechild,
andshetookmedicinesregularlytocontrolit. ‘Whenevershecaught
acold,breatheddustyair,orwasunderheavystress,herasthmawould
flareup. Atthesetime,sometimesevenhermedicineswouldfailher,
andshewouldhavetogotothehospital,whereintravenousmedica
tionsandspecialbreathingtreatmentswereadministered. Havingbeenawayforalongtime,IreturnedtoIndiaoneyear
tofindRaniinaveryprecipitouscondition. Notonlywasherasthmaflaringup,butherfeet,ankles,andabdomenwereswollen. Shehadnoteatenfordays,shecouldnotgetoutofbedwithout
help,andsheappearedtobeondeath’sdoorstep. ‘WhenIexaminedRani,Idiscoveredshallowrespirations, afeeble,irregularheartrateandabnormalheartsounds,fluidinherlungsandbelly,andanenlargedliver. Shetoldmeshehadn’turinatedinseveraldays. Thesewereallominoussigns. Isuggestedshe
behospitalized,eventhoughherfamilycouldn’taffordit. Inthehospital,aftermanyexaminationsandinvestigations,thedoctorsfoundthatRaniwasincongestiveheartfailure,herliverwasfailing,andherkidneyswereshuttingdown. Shewastoldthatnoth
ingcouldbedoneforher. Raniwasdischargedfromthehospitalwithlittlehopeoflivingmorethanaweekortwo. Herfamilypreparedforherimminentdeath. Asalast-ditchefforttohelpRani,Iattemptedtoadministersev
eralverystrongmedicinesIhadbroughtwithmefrommyhospitalbackhomeintheU. S. forpatientswithserious,life-threateningconditions. Oneofthesewaslanoxin,aderivativeofdigitalis,usedforcongestiveheartfailure. Anotherwaslasix,astrongdiuretic(water
pill)usedtoremovefluidfromthelungs,feet,andabdomen. Ialsohopedthelasixmightflushherkidneysandrestoretheirfunction. Inaddition,Ibroughtthelatest,strongestbronchodilatorandcorticosteroidinhalerstoopenupherairwaysinanattempttotreather
224 YourExtraordinaryHealingSystem
asthma. Butseveraldaysonthesemedicationsonlysawhercondition
worsen. Shewasgoingdownhillfast. Onemorning,whenIwasdoingmyusualrounds,IsawanIndiangentlemansittingdownandtalkingwithRaniasIapproachedherhome. ThefamilytoldmehewasDr. Vinod,arenowneddoctorwhopracticedAyurveda,India’sancientfolkmed
icine. Ayurvedausesprimarilynaturalmedicinestohelprestorehealthtothebody. Rani’sfamilyhadcalledDr. Vinodtoseewhethertherewasanythinghecoulddotohelpher.
The author views old age as a time of maximum health and enjoyment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.
What is the author's perspective on the concept of old age?
The author stresses the importance of doing what you love, and not suppressing your creative potential, as seen in the stories of Harry, Rani, and others.
What is the key to a long and healthy life, according to the author?
The author highlights the importance of accepting death as a natural part of life, and not fearing it, which allows for a peaceful and serene experience.
What is the significance of the concept of death in the author's perspective?
The author emphasizes the body's healing system as a vital and powerful mechanism that can be activated and strengthened through various means, including relaxation, social connections, and a positive attitude.
What is the role of the body's healing system in the author's perspective?
The author stresses the significance of understanding and cooperating with one's healing system to achieve long-lasting health, and not suppressing one's creative potential, as seen in the stories of individuals who have overcome various health issues.
What is the importance of the author's message about the healing system?