Healing 20

healing lies within, radiant with happiness
blindly sought in a thousand outer directions.

The land of
that is
S.S. YUKTESWAR
When you
are
sick of your sickness you will
be sick.
cease to
Lko Tzu
There is
no
thing
such
as an
incurable disease,
only
incurable
people.
BERNIE SIEGEL, M.D.
There
are no
incurable diseases,
only
those for which
man
has
not
yet found the cure.

RACHELLE BRESLOW
discovery is reported to the scientific world, they

say first, It is probably not true. Thereafter, when the truth of the
new proposition has been demonstrated beyond question, they say,
Yes, it may be true, but it is not important. Finally, when sufficient
time has elapsed to fully evidence its importance, they say, Yes, surely
it is important, but it is no longer new.
Whenever
a new
MICHEL
DR
MONTAtGNE
(15331592)
INTRODUCTION
our
body
is
an
the world. For the

and it
can
repair
incredible creation. No other machine is like it in
part, it is designed to last for about 100 years,

and heal itself from a whole host of injuries, traumas,
most
illnesses, and diseases. It
can
do this because, in addition
to
the other
systems of the body, it has a healing system, a system so powerful and

efficient, so subtle and dynamic, and yet so obvious that it has been
largely taken
for
granted
and overlooked
by most
of modern science.
actively searched for, our most modern

diagnostic technologies are currently inadequate to accurately map out
the full extent of its realm. As a result, despite its supreme importance,
your healing system remains the least studied, the least understood,
and the least well known of all of your bodys systems.
Although the concept of a healing system may seem relatively new
to Western medicine, in reality; the idea that such a system exists is very
old. More than two thousand years ago, Hippocrates, considered the
Even if this system
were more
father of Western medicine, declared that natural forces within

the
true
healers of disease. Even
today,
doctors in China, India,
and other countries in the Far East and Middle East continue
their
us are
Japan,
to
teach
activate and cooperate with their bodies natural

heal themselves in times of illness and injury. And within the
patients how
to
ability to
lofty ranks of our own modern medicine, every surgeon who has ever
wielded a scalpel has relied on the bodys natural ability to heal itself
following each and every operation performed.
Norman Cousins, the famous author, healer, and diplomat,
first spoke to me about the healing system more than a decade ago.
At this time, he was at UCLA, pioneering a new scientific program
in psychoneuroimmunology or PNI, for short, which focused on
understanding how the mind and nervous system influence the
Introduction
Xxiv
functioning
usher in
plored
an
of the immune system. His research

important new era in medicine. When
findings helped
we
met,
he im
healing system, but it

wasnt until I came across the following extraordinary case that I
became aware of the significance of Cousins supplications.
Peter was a patient of mine who had undergone a major opera
tion 25 years earlier, during which a part of one of his lungs had to
be removed. To access his lungs, the surgeon surgically removed a rib
from his chest wall. As we spoke about the operation, Peter men
tioned that even though the entire rib had been removed from his
spine to his chest, it had somehow grown back. As a physician, I had
never heard of ribs growing back, so I asked whether he had proof.
me to
investigate
and write about the
X-ray, which verified that what he said

was true. If I hadnt seen the X-ray, I wouldnt have believed it pos
sible. And although the rib was mottled in appearance and distinctly
He said he had
copy of his
thinner than his other ribs, there it
was.
One solid rib bone had
grown in and connected from his sternum in the very front of his
chest to the vertebra in the back of his spinal column.
Although it took his body 25 years to regrow the rib, his X-ray
was proof of a healing system that was never discussed in my med
ical school training and was more amazing than I had ever known.
To form a new complete rib where only a blank space existed is akin
to
salamanders
still have
new
copy of Peters
truly amazing
reminds
growing
me
this
tails
X-ray
or a
person
in my office
growing
to
remind
system within our bodies

would devote more time to its
healing
that if we
a new
me
limb. 1
of how
really is. It also

study, we could
learn countless other wondrous miracles about this incredible
ral
healing
access
it
to
system that each one of

achieve optimum health.
us
possesses,
including
natu
how
to
bodys healing system works in ways that modern science

hasnt even begun to look at or understand. In addition, it has the
titanic responsibility of monitoring all the other systems in your
body and making sure that everything in your body is functioning
at its optimum. This is especially challenging when our modern way
of life, which can be fast-paced and stressful, is inherently very hard
Your
get to know your

healing system, to learn how to cooperate with it, and to explore and
discover ways to strengthen and fortifji it in the process.
on our
bodies. For this
reason,
it is
important
to
Introduction
xxv
book, I share basic information about your healing system.

also provide simple yet effective, time-honored, scientifically valid,
In this
practical strategies, exercises, techniques, and methods to help you

take advantage of your natural internal healing resources. These tools
will enable you to prevent and overcome a vast array of illnesses while
improving the overall quality of your health and life.
Part One describes your extraordinary healing system and how
it works, as well as specific strategies and techniques for strengthen
ing
fortifying this remarkable system.

Chapter 1 explains how your bodys
and
health, how illness and disease
are
natural
state
is
exceptions rather than
one
of
the rule,
how your body operates on the same principles that work in nature,
and how your healing systems primary function is to help you
maintain your natural state of health.
Chapter 2 presents evidence that demonstrates the existence of

your healing system, with case reports and examples that reveal how
your body uses specific mechanisms of repair and restoration of
health that are adapted to a wide variety of medical scenarios.
Chapter 3 briefly describes the other important systems in your
body that function synergistically and cooperate with your healing
system to help keep you healthy.
Chapter 4 presents simple yet powerful strategies and tech
niques
that will teach you how
cooperate with and enhance your

and fortifying it so it can most effi
to
healing system, strengthening

ciently do its job of preventing and healing illness and disease, while
creating better overall health.
Chapter 5 covers the important area of nutrition and its role in
influencing the performance of your healing system.
Chapter 6 explores the important relationship between your
mind and your body, how your thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, and
emotions influence your physical health and the functioning of your
healing system, and what practical steps you can take to maximize
the benefits of this relationship.
Chapter 7 reinforces the power of a strong and vibrant healing
system as it relates to the aging process. In this chapter youll find
numerous stories of people who have lived very long lives with opti
mum health because of their strong healing systems. These stories
illustrate the critical point that growing older doesnt have to be
Introduction
xxvi
synonymous with sickness and deterioration. This

ter
shows that the
most
effective
important chap
path to a long life with good health
keep your healing system fortified and strong.

Chapter 8 includes stories of extraordinary healing that Ive
either witnessed myself or have heard about. This is a small sampling
of the thousands and thousands of people whose healing systems
have enabled them to heal from a wide variety of health problems,
from very serious illnesses, such as cancer, to less life-threatening
is
to
conditions, such
as eczema.
Part Two is the
prescriptive
section of the book. It
begins
with
general strategies to enhance your healing system that take minutes

a day, but that will have a powerful cumulative effect on your heal
ing system. Then youll find step-by-step strategies to help you
overcome specific medical problems and heal from a wide variety of
common ailments. I organized this section by the systems of the
body to make it easier for you to use. Part Two ends with additional
relaxation methods, breathing techniques, and guided-imagery tech
niques to strengthen your healing system.
The bottom line is that you have many more internal healing
resources available to you than you are currently aware. If you knew
what your healing system was capable of, and how you could bring
out its best, you would be able to overcome almost any malady or
affliction that life could throw your way. In so doing, you would dis
cover that just as illness does not occur randomly or spontaneously,
neither does health. Simple things that you can do to support your
healing system can combine to make a huge difference in your
health and quality of life.
We are not helpless victims of circumstance. We can do much
to heal ourselves from illness, and to live vibrant, healthy, happy
lives.
PART ONE
Extraordinary
Healing System
Your
CHAPTER
Your
Healing System
and Your Natural State of Health
hroughout the universe and all of nature, there exists an abun

dantly flowing, vibrant energy that creates and sustains all of life.
On earth, this energy permeates all living forms and is the underly
ing sustaining principle that allows species to be born, to grow, to
multiply, to flourish, and to continue their life cycles for thousands
and even millions of years. This energy, or life force, as it is often
referred to, expresses itself as vitality or aliveness. Although there
may be exceptions, this is the overwhelmingly dominant theme that
governs the life of each living creature and species, including human
beings. In human beings, this vitality or aliveness expresses itself as
a
natural
state
of health.
Health is your bodys fundamental, natural state. Health is

programmed into the DNA of every one of your cells, as it is pro
being. In fact,
if you were to conduct a simple experiment by leaving your body to
its own devices, supplying it with just a few basic necessities, you
would discover that, for the most part, it can remain healthy all on
grammed
into the DNA of the cells of every human
with very little interference or intervention.

Your bodys natural state of health explains why the average cur
rent life span for human beings is well over 75 years, with many
its
own,
people living
to
the age of 100
or more.
Without this intrinsic
state
of health, humans could

to
Extraordinary Healing System
Your
exist
after
generation
possibly live this long

generation. If good health
species natural, fundamental condition,

perished from the face of the earth.
Your natural
state
and continue
not
of health
we
serves as
were
would have
not our
long
fundamental
since
principle
around which your body organizes, balances, and keeps itself vital
and strong over the years. Because of this internal organizing prin
ciple, your body knows how to adjust and adapt to external forces
and
changes
in the environment while
keeping
its order and bal
myriad challenges,
threats, and disturbances. Your body possesses an uncanny resiliency
to spring back to health even after it has been subjected to tremen
dous forces of deprivation, starvation, and torture, life-threatening
illnesses, and high-impact accidents.
Your body also displays an inner intelligence or wisdom that
supports your natural state of health as you move through the vari
ous stages of life. Consider, for example, that your body knows how
to grow a complete set of new teeth after you lose your baby teeth.
How does the body know how to increase its size as it grows, to
create facial hair in men as they go through puberty, and to enlarge
It
ance.
can
right
and
repair
itself from lifes
the breasts in women? How does it know how

in the
and
place
of the
to create new
one
to
grow
that has been lost because of
skin where the old
layer
a new
stubbed
How does your
when
can
injuries
body
occur
it mend and heal
blockage
during an
together a frac
new
blood
in the old ones?
maintain its natural
and various diseases
itself, and
toe,
has been lost
abrasion? How does your body know how to knit

tured bone so that it is stronger than before, and to grow
vessels in the heart if there is
toenail
state
regularly
return to a state
of health,
even
assault it? How
of normal function
ing, following infections from viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites,

or major traumatic injuries and life-threatening illnesses? Think
about childhood alone, and all the injuries children sustain, and the
tears they shed throughout the early stages of growing up, as they
crawl, stand, walk, climb up and down stairs, run, ride a
bicycle, and swim. Add to this the multitude of rashes, fevers, and
infections they must endure, and it is difficult to imagine that any
learn
to
child could
of
us
did.
ever
make it into adulthood in
one
piece. And yet,
most
Your
Healing System
How does your body move forward

tumble, turbulent times of life and always
for the
through
rough and
spring back, continuing,
the
part, past the age of 50, to 75, and even 100 years or
more? It accomplishes all this because of its incredible healing
most
system, and the crucial ways in which that system works with your
bodys other tissues, organs, and systems.
Health Is Natural and Normal;
Disease Is Unnatural and Abnormal

Because health is your
unnatural, abnormal
natural, normal
state.
What do I
The word health is related

ment
toward wholeness and
healthy,
you feel whole and
to
illness represents
by this?
state,
mean
healing, which is
of well-being. When
the word
a sense
well, and
you have
free-flowing, easy feeling in your body.

light; your everyday movements and activities feel
vibrant,
a move
you
are
comfortable,
Your
body
feels
effortless. This is
your natural state of health, a condition associated with

ease in the body and in the mind.
ing
an
feeling
of
When you become ill, you lose your health. You lose your feel
of ease, and you become afflicted with dis-ease. Understood in
these
disease represents nothing more than

from your natural state of health.
terms,
departure
Disease represents
a movement
away from your
temporary
central, orderly,
naturally balanced state, into a more chaotic state. This condition is

accompanied by a feeling of discomfort or even pain. Each movement
in your body becomes difficult and full of effort. You expend great
energy performing simple tasks. Your breathing is usually labored. Your
heart rate is increased. Your appetite is decreased. Your body feels weak
and vulnerable. This is an unnatural and abnormal state for your body.
When you have lost your health, instead of a natural feeling of
lightness or ease, your body feels sluggish and heavy You feel ill at
ease because you are out of balance, and your body has become dis
oriented. It has become a huge distraction for your mind. To think
about anything uplifting or creative is difficult, because your mental
energies are completely consumed by your disease and discomfort.
Your body has become a painful, heavy burden that keeps you from
Your
your life. Disease is not your bodys natural, normal

On the contrary, it is entirely abnormal and unnatural.
enjoying
In the science of
body
the word homeostasis describes your

flexible, fluid form, with an ever-changing internal envi
as a
ronment
state.
biology,
naturally resilient, always striving
that is
for order and
balance. This order and balance that maintain your natural state
of health are achieved through homeostasis as your body processes
adjusts
and
to
external forces and stimuli
to
maintain its natural
of health.
state
When external forces become harmful
or
toxic, and these forces
large or persistent enough to create significant imbalance in your

body, order turns to chaos, with dis-ease, or illness resulting.
According to the biological principle of homeostasis, or balance, ill
ness and disease are only temporary states. Any illness or disease,
then, when dissected to its essential nature, reflects only this: a
are
breakdown in the orderliness of your

imbalance and disorder.
Illness and disease
in your
ance
not
body; they
only
also
are
body,
state
of temporary
temporary, unnatural imbal

the result of temporary, unnatural
create
imbalances that have been created in the world. For
example,
in
developing countries, where the scales of material abundance

have been tipped toward poverty, scarcity, and a lack of basic human
necessities such as food, water, shelter, clothing, sanitation, and edu
cation, diseases of lack predominate. Enough of the basic human
necessities simply are not available. In this deficient environment,
the body becomes weak and vulnerable and can fall prey to any of a
number of diseases. Alternatively, in the developed Western world,
diseases of excess prevail, diseases caused by too much: too much
food, too much luxury, too much overindulgence, too much stress,
and so on. Again, this situation represents imbalanced conditions.
Nobody gets sick by accident, or out of the blue. If you take a
many
the factors that govern your health, you will discover

that illness does not strike randomly. Disease and illness, with very
closer look
few
at
exceptions,
occur at
predictable
times, and for discernable
rea
predictable and occur in

conjunction with the earths rotation on its axis, just as the tides of
the ocean are predictable and occur in conjunction with the lunar
phases, so it is with illness and disease.
sons.
Just
as
sunrise and
sunset
are
Your
Healing System
Listening
As Ive
bodys
already mentioned,
to
Your
Body
illness and disease
when your
internal environment has become imbalanced and disor
occur
dered. This is
usually the result of natures basic laws of health being

knowingly or unknowingly violated. These laws are simple and sys
tematic. More important, your body, which is connected to nature,
is constantly trying to remind you of these laws through its intelli
gent communications network. In fact, you are probably intuitively
aware of what your body requires to remain healthy and strong.
Your body continually provides you with clear, updated infor
mation relayed directly from a precise, highly intelligent, early
warning system designed to inform you when you are in danger of
losing your health. You fall into illness or disease usually when you
have ignored your bodys basic communications and early warning
signs. This occurs in spite of your bodys pleading with you to
change your unhealthy ways. These physical messages usually start
as gentle incantations in the form of bodily discomfort, and then
progress to shouting and screaming in the form of debilitating pain.
For instance, Greg, a patient of mine with chronic back prob
lems, was building a house. After bending over, sawing wood,
pounding nails, and lifting heavy lumber all day long, in the evening
hed be extremely sore and stiff. The next morning, the pain was so
bad he could barely get out of bed. Rather than rest and take it easy,
however, hed take pain killers so he could finish his work. This pat
tern went on for several weeks, and it seemed to work, until one day
he
went too
beam, he
far. While he
ruptured
was
bending over
disc in his
spine
to
lift
and ended
heavy laminated
up on an operating
a
table, where he underwent emergency spine surgery. As is often the

with many of my other back-pain patients, Greg had had plenty
of warning from his body before his rupture; he just chose not to
listen. To him, finishing his house was a higher priority than listen
case
taking care of his body. As with most illness or injuries

that are entirely preventable, Greg could easily have solved his back
problem without having to go through surgery if he had taken the
time to heed the messages from his body.
Jim, another patient of mine, had chronic obstructive lung
disease, a condition very much like asthma. He needed regular
ing
to
and
Your
prescriptions for inhalers that contained strong medicines, which he

used daily just to be able to breathe. As a complication of his condi
tion, he often came down with serious respiratory infections that
required potent antibiotics to stop. Often, he would end up in the
emergency
room
because he couldnt breathe. At these times, he
needed oxygen, ventilating assistance, and strong intravenous med

ications, or he could easily have died. Although his breathing
problems would flare up when he smoked, he continued to do so,
packs of cigarettes a day, his pattern for

more than 20 years. His body was constantly hacking, coughing,
and spitting up foul-smelling mucous and phlegm. He finally got
the message one day after a near-death episode, after which he ended
to
the
tune
of
one to two
up in the intensive-care unit for two weeks.

It has now been three years since Jim stopped
he
longer requires
no
inhalers
to
smoking. Funny,
breathe, he hasnt had
respiratory
infection in more than a year, and his chronic obstructive pul

monary disease has vanished. Jim decided to pay attention to his
bodys
messages and work with its natural
ability
to
maintain his
well-being.
Sally is another patient of mine who ignored her bodys mes
sages. Sally was in a lot of pain and had been vomiting yellow,
bilious material for two days before she came to my office in obvi
health and
pain, which had lasted for almost one week, was

located in the right upper aspect of her abdomen. She was signifi
cantly overweight, of fair complexion, and approximately 40 years
of age. Her signs and symptoms pointed to an acute gall-bladder
ous
distress. Her
attack, which tests later confirmed to be the problem. In most cases,

this condition, brought on largely by a high-fat diet, is completely
preventable.
Almost every day for the week preceding her problem, Sally had
eaten sausage and fried eggs for breakfast, burgers and fries with a
pizza and ice cream for dinner. Even when

her pain increased and the vomiting began, she continued to eat
toast with butter, cheese sandwiches, and chocolate candy bars, all
high-fat foods. She couldnt understand why she didnt feel better.
After I spoke with Sally at length, she mentioned to me that this
milkshake for lunch, and
Over the past several years,

certain rich foods, she had noticed significant
wasnt the first incident of this
after
having
eaten
nature.
Healing System
Your
bloating, and belching, things that she

attributed to mere indigestion. Her body had obviously been
trying to get her attention to change her diet for a long time.
I placed Sally on a clear, liquid diet for 48 hours and also sent
her down to the hospital for laboratory tests and an X-ray to con
firm my diagnostic suspicions. After the diagnosis was confirmed, I
referred Sally to a surgeon to have her gall bladder removed. During
the 48 hours after she had come to see me, during which she drank
only water and liquids and ate nothing solid, her vomiting and pain
completely stopped, and she told me she hadnt felt that good in a
long, long time. However, by then, the wheels of the system were
turning, and the surgeons knife was impatiently waiting. After three
days, Sally was wheeled into the operating room, where her gall
bladder was removed in less than 2 hours. Sally could have main
tained her natural state of health by heeding the messages her body
had been giving her. Instead, she ignored them and interfered with
her bodys natural ability to keep her healthy and strong.
Sams body was talking to him, too, and, like Sally, he wasnt lis
tening. Sam was a local Hawaiian who drank a case of beer each day
abdominal discomfort,
and didnt think much about it. He and his buddies had been
on
steady regimen
for many years. They met at the local beach park

after work, drank, and told their stories until well after dark and it
this
go home. One day, after many years of these drinking

activities, Sam came in to see me. His abdomen was tender, and his
time
was
liver
was
to
painful and swollen.
he hadnt been able
to eat or
He
was nauseous
drink for
more
and
than
dehydrated,
and
week. He
was
(and chronic) alcoholism that was affecting his

liver. His feet and ankles were also extremely swollen, a bad sign that
suffering
from
acute
having circulation problems, as well.

Sam had had plenty of warnings from his body before this
episode. He had not only experienced a tender, swollen belly and
liver, nausea, and dehydration on several prior occasions, but he had
meant
he
was
also suffered from DTs

tried
to
(delirium tremens) and shakes when he had
quit drinking. After brief periods, however,
of suffering had
passed,
once
the
storms
drinking habits with his
he had resumed his
buddies.
I
was
story, I
very
busy
thought I
with other
patients,
and after
wouldnt have much of an
hearing Sams
impact on helping him
10
Your
change his ways. I resigned myself to believing he was just another

casualty of alcohol, and I referred him to an internist who could
admit him to the hospital. I did, however, give my perfunctory
speech about the need to stop drinking, which I thought would only
to
fall
deaf ears.
on
Two years later, a man showed up in my office for a chest cold.

Other than that, he looked healthy and in good, athletic shape.
Because of his
was a
new
beard, I didnt recognize who it wasSam. He
totally changed person!
Sam told
that what I had said
me
He hadnt had
impact.
drink in
to
day
him that
did make
Instead,
years. And it showed!
two
an
drinking lots of water, exercising, and doing hard phys

ical labor; he had quit smoking, as well. Sam had finally listened to
his body, and he was back to his natural state of health.
he had been
Who Gets Sick, and
Many people
person
infection
the
they
airplane,
the
on
the air
in
usually
are
not
so
easily,
and around the
only
only
the
people
of all.
viruses in
or
latter.
that allows
something
Epidemiology
world, known
triangle
they
are
environment
our
changed
them,
But
as
not.
usually
us to
our
of the illness. If
spend
throat
immediate envi
were
every
spread
day
they
were,
all of
from person
to
around these germs
these germs, should be the sickest
Under normal conditions, bacteria and
do
not
bother
in us? Recent research
us
in the least.
points strongly
What, then,
by
them? Is it
in favor of the
is the science that studies disease outbreaks in the
epidemics.
A classic model known
as
epidemiological triangle
the
epidemiological
illustrates that the
I) the host, which

disease; 2) the agent, which
three factors:
is the
potential target of the

disease-causing factor that initiates
is the
existence of disease
person who is the

or
in
become infected and affected
exists in this field. The
organism
or
the
natural. However, because of
organisms
cause
spread
who
for the bronchitis
or
breathe, these microorganisms, in and of
we
then doctors, who
people
family member,
another
would be sick all the time. Also, if germs
person
has
them
contracted. This attitude is
and
themselves,
us
next to
blaming
of bacteria, viruses, and other
ubiquity
ronment
into my office
come
sitting
Why?
depends
on
or
transmits the
disease;
Your
Healing System
3)
and
the environment, in which both the host and agent reside
contact
help
Medical science needs
discover the
epidemics
future
Whereas
true
from
previous medical
factors, which
We
resources.
They
why
are
exposed
more
to
places
we
emphasis
much greater
us
that
keep
healthy
us
resiliency. Studying host
the
the
as
host resistance
on
help
and
bodys
us
resist ill
internal
healing
illness and disease and
resistance factors
helps
us to
people get sick and why others dont, even when they
same disease-causing agents; why certain people get sick
why
certain diseases
seem to
host resistance factors show that, for
on
of health and
respect
personal
natural
our
choices
Studies
most
susceptibility
of ourselves, how well
have
an
affinity for
we
to
illness
we nurture
state
make in
are
based
and honor
every
day
the
body
that is
responsible
in the
determining
how well
we
our
take
bodies, and how well
are
dependent
on
the
lives.
host resistance factors have also led
on
in
on
our
of health. These factors

our
people living
important factors
in addition to the immune system, there is another

tem in
the
some
modern, developed world, the
care
to
people.
Studies
state
to
solve and prevent
importance
more
persons susceptibility to
often than others; and
certain
to
in
bacteria and viruses that caused the diseases,
as
determine
reflect ones natural

understand
while it works
think of host resistance factors
can
all three factors
measure
research attributed
factors within
are
and
or come
occurring.
medical research
newer
weigh
to
origins of illness,
virulence of such agents
ness.
11
for its natural
the realization that,
to
extremely important
resiliency, and
its
sys
ability
to
keep itself healthy. This system is the bodys healing system,

recently discovered system, and its most important one. The body
heal itself and

the
most
knows how
its
to
heal itself and maintain its natural
state
of health because of
healing system.
Your
Healing System
The Guardian of Your
Bodys
Imagine yourself outside
on a
skipping
feeling carefree
down the
street,
beautiful,
Health
day. Youre
light-hearted. All of a
warm summer
and
trip on an oversized crack in the sidewalk. As you feel

yourself going down, you instinctively put out your arm to brace
sudden,
you
12
Your
your fall. As you hit the ground and slide along the pavement, you
immediately feel pain in your arm. As you slowly rise to your feet,
you notice
red,
raw,
patch of skin
bleeding. Although youre
an area
and
where
has been
sustained
off. It is
thankful that its
scrape, it still hurts like the dickens. In doctors
just
ripped
language,
only
you have
abrasion!
an
days, without much fuss, you

watch your body go through interesting yet predictable changes at the
site of the abrasion. First, it begins to secrete a clear-looking fluid that
eventually turns into a brown, crusty covering that thickens and forms
into a scab. When your body sheds the scab after a week or two, just
Over the
layer
sight
several
next
lizard sheds its skin, you notice you have a brand-new

of skin. Several months later, theres not even a scar to mark the
snake
as a
of the
course
or
of the
everyday stuff,
and yet, at the

same time, when you think about the fact that you have new skin, you
have to ask yourself, How did my body know how to do that?
Your
injury~ Pretty
body
system. For the
common,
knows how
to
heal itself because of its
ing system keeps

a myriad of problems
These
events
healing
part, without your even knowing it, your heal

your body resilient by repairing and healing it from
most
encountered every
include not only the rapid
single day of your life.

mending of superficial
problems such as abrasions and cuts and bruises on the skin, but also
the supervising, monitoring, and continual adjusting of critical
physiological processes that occur deep within your bodys internal
environment. When external forces seek
your
body,
when order becomes less
hard
to restore
state
of health. Here
safeguard your
and may
even turn to
or
are
just
few ways your
healing
system works
health:
system can expand and contract blood vessels

increase blood flow to specific areas of your body that need
Your
to
orderly
imbalance within
illness manifests, your healing system works

order and balance to help you reclaim your natural
chaos, when dis-ease,
to
to create
healing
healing.
o
healing system can speed up your heart rate and increase

the strength of its contractions to rapidly deliver more blood,
oxygen, and nutrients to specific sites that need healing; this
process includes cases of life-threatening emergencies.
Your
Your
Healing System
13
healing system stimulates your glands to produce key hor

mones to initiate growth and repair processes within the cells of
damaged tissues.
Your healing system can increase body temperature to cause a
Your
fever and induce
sweating,
to remove
toxins when
an
infection
is present.
a
Your
healing system
modify the function of your kidneys to

and help conserve water if youre dehy
can
reduce urine output

drated.
healing system supervises the amazing

remodeling, of knitting your bones together as
Your
Your
process of bone
it heals fractures.
healing system can increase your breathing rate and lung

capacity to bring in more oxygen for your cells and tissues when
an illness or injury has occurred.
system can do all of these things and many, many
In fact, for as long as you are alive, your healing system
Your
more.
healing
remains viable and committed
bodys
to
its role~
as
the
guardian
of your
health.
Even if there have been times in the past when you were quite
ill and had to struggle against lifes most serious adversities and set
healing system was there for you, attempting to pull you

out of your suffering. Even if you are battling an illness right now,
underneath the symptoms of illness, you will find your healing
system working hard to reestablish balance and order in your body.
The fact that you are alive today is indicative of your healing
systems functioning to fulfill your bodys underlying drive to heal
and become healthy once again. Even if your health is currently
compromised and not what you would like it to be, you can work
with your healing system to strengthen and fortify it and regain your
backs,
your
natural
state
Eliminating
In many
ing
Obstacles
cases,
system,
jeopardizes
and
of health.
you
to
Your
Healing System
unknowingly place obstacles in the way of your heal
creating
an
unfair burden that hinders its work and
its effectiveness.
removing them,
By understanding
what these obstacles
in many instances, your
healing
system,
are
now
14
Your
complete its task of healing, can quickly restore normal

functioning to your body, enabling itto express its natural state of health.
For example, consider the case of a chronic lung infection in a
person who continues to smoke cigarettes. Constant breathing of
cigarette smoke is not natural. If cigarette smoking were natural,
wed all have been born with a cigarette in our mouth. Your body
was
designed to breathe fresh and healthy, clean, natural air.
Although it can survive and tolerate cigarette smoke for a certain
period of time, after a while, the smoke particles, the carbon monox
ide, the tars, and the other toxic substances in the cigarette smoke
create a burden on your healing system that causes an imbalance and
a breakdown in your health. In this case, removing the harmful
obstacle of the cigarette smoke is all that is required for your body
to regain its natural state of health. With the burden of the cigarette
smoke removed, it is an easy, routine task for your healing system to
restore your body to its natural state of health.
Another example is evident with heart disease, the number-one
killer in the Western world. Heart disease is caused by excess choles
terol accumulation. High cholesterol levels resulting from a lack of
exercise, too many rich and fatty foods, and stress can clog the arter
ies of the heart and cause a heart attack. Removing these obstacles
by restricting fat intake, increasing exercise, and managing stress
allows the healing system to restore the body to its natural state of
health. It is well known that this simple strategy can reverse even
unshackled
severe,
to
advanced heart disease.
The
major diseases
diseases, joint diseases,
and
even
have
cancer,
of
at
our
time,
including lung diseases,
metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases,

their
roots
major
obstacles that have been
placed as burdens upon the healing system.

and healing occurs because now the healing
the body to its natural state of health.
Why
the
Healing System
Sometimes, what
Remove these
burdens,
system is free
to restore
Has Been Overlooked
looking for is right under our noses. This is

the bodys healing system. Until recently, we
we are
exactly
the
missed
something
case
heart
with
very fundamental and essential about how
our
Your
Healing System
15
intelligent, functional, whole living systems.

we failed to recognize the significance of the
bodies work
as
consequence,
As
most
important system in our entire bodies.

The bodys healing system has been overlooked until now for a
number of reasons. The primary reason is that conventional medical
science focuses, for the
body,
has
rather than
an
impact
on
part,
most
its function,
on
nesses
and form of the
body works.
significant ways:
more
on
structure
This view
and form
function (how the body works), and so diseases and ill

viewed as localized problems within specific
are
anatomical
of the
areas
body.
whole, the body is viewed
arately
structure
how the
Conventional medicine focuses
than
as
and surgery is often
working as a
many individual parts working sep
Instead of
seen as
one
unit
the ultimate
treatment
for
problems.
these separate
o
or
medicine in these
on
the
on
neglected to acknowledge the cen

tral role that energy plays in the bodys growth, development,
sustenance, and healing. Not recognizing that energy is the real,
active, life-promoting, fundamental principle in our bodies,
Conventional medicine has
doctors
again tend
once
to
focus
more on structure
and form
healing system is not confined to one

anatomical area. The body is a functional system based on the
flow and movement of energies within it. The body directs heal
than
ing
on
function. But the
energy
water
to
where it is needed, much like
from the end of his hose
to
help
put
fireman directs
fire.
out a
part of scientific research has been devoted to the study

of external agents of disease, such as bacteria and viruses, and the
large
development
of specific
drugs,
This research has directed
our
large
awareness
as
antibiotics,
to
kill them.
bodys inner
ignorant about
away from the
part, this focus has left us

bodies work and how they heal themselves.
resources.
how
such
For the
amount
which seeks
to
Genetic defects
most
of research is
currently
link certain diseases

are
to
devoted
specific
to
genetics,
gene defects.
currently being blamed for most
diseases
not
by external agents such as bacteria, viruses, or injuries.

Although genetics certainly has its place in a persons health,
caused
16
Your
public
international
cause most
as
health data show that bad genes do not

diseases in the world. Most common diseases, such
heart disease,
and
cancer,
are
high
blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, arthritis,

linked to poor diets and unhealthy lifestyles
rather than bad genes.
Seeking
to cure
all diseases with
genetic
engineering through the removal of defective genes, while

important for certain rare diseases, completely bypasses the
importance of discovering how the bodys healing system can
help overcome the majority of diseases.
The Growth of
Another
Specialties
significant
reason
in Medicine
that the
healing
system has been
over
coming from so
many different specialty fields in medicine today. Specialists, like
surgeons, tend to treat each system of the body as a separate entity,
looked is the tremendous
amount
of information
part of a unified whole.

For example, we now have cardiology
rather than
as
to
study
and
treat
the
dermatology to study and treat the skin; neurology for the

nerves; endocrinology for the glands; nephrology for the kidneys; pul
monology for the lungs; rheumatology for the joints; orthopedics for
the bones and muscles; podiatry for the feet; otolaryngology for the
ears, nose, and throat; urology for the bladder and related organs;
and so on. Because the healing system is integrated within the struc
heart;
and function of all the other systems of the body, overspecial

ization has caused us to see only fragments of its existence while we
ture
continue
to
of its total presence and significance.

focuses on the study of only one system within
remain
unaware
specialty
the human body, and communication among the various specialty
fields is often lacking. As a result, we physicians have developed a
type of tunnel vision that prevents us from seeing the big picture,
and organizing and sorting all of this specialized information into
one complete, whole system. At times, it appears the left hand does
nt know what the right hand is doing. This is a major flaw of
Each
modern medicine.
The
Healing System
Although
discovery,
Is Not
people regard
the
New
Discovery
bodys healing
system as a recent
in fact, ancient cultures and healers from other parts of the
many
Your
Healing System
world have
17
long known about
it. Within the
healing communities
of
these societies, whose members lived in close
proximity to nature and

respected her wisdom, the existence of a healing system has never
been challenged. It is oniy in our modern age of skepticism, in which
we need new ideas to be scientifically proven before we can accept
them as fact, that the role of the healing system has been questioned.
Even today, most practitioners of the healing arts living abroad
operate from the premise that our bodies are linked to nature,
and that the bodys healing system works with the same intelligent
organizational principles that can be found in nature. Further, they
believe that by studying these natural principles, we can discover
and utilize important, natural, gentle, and supportive modalities
that work in harmony with this healing system to help restore
and maintain our health. Healing can occur when we work with,
not against, the forces of nature that exist within the human body.
When confronted with a sick patient, any physician who under
stands the true value of the healing system will try to understand how
the bodys natural forces of health became unbalanced in the first
place. What caused the body to become less orderly and more
chaotic, and
to
fall
out
of its natural balanced
of disease? Factors such
state
of health and into
sleeping habits, poor

diet, lack of regular exercise, problems at work or working too much,
turmoil at home, erratic social relationships, mental and emotional
conflict, and so on, are all possibilities. Discovering and investigating
a
state
these factors is critical for

harmful
the
Removing
healing system
do its
to
Western medical sciences
early stages,
and
so
me
successful
sign
Once the
to
health
these obstacles and harmful forces allows
job
more
discovery
to
be
effectively.
of the
expected
bodys healing
system is still in its
of any
new
field of scientific
explo
explain.
In the field of astronomy, when
the first
treatment outcome.
much of the evidence for its existence is indirect. This
situation, however, is
ration. Let
stress, poor
have been identified, the road back
culprits
becomes clearer.
as
of its existence is often
planet
is first
discovered,
glimpsed through observing
its influence
a new star or
18
orbiting
the behavior and
on
Here, motion abnormalities
powered telescope.
culations and
galaxies, have
even
universe, if
telescope, until
actually
look for
high-
entity, based
new
orbital motions, result in careful cal
Many
seen.
been discovered in this
actively
dont
we
the
of
help
often be detected with the
through
into clear focus and is
et comes
and
can
Precise mathematical data about the
closer look
neighbor.
characteristics of its closest known
densit>~ gravitational fields, and
mass,
on
Your
plan
new star or
In the
planets,
and
new stars
manner.
something, the
the
vastness
of the
finding
chances of
it
are
own:
the
almost nil.
Within
our
healing system.
bodies also exists
Because
an
entire,
have spent
we
universe of its
vast
efforts
more
investigating
external
agents of disease and havent been actively looking for this internal system,
we
havent amassed
tremendous effect
we
of
great deal of information about it. The
on us
and how
our
bodies function is clear,
even
though
dont have scientific evidence yet of its existence. Given the limitations
our current
difficult
even
if
If
technologies
and less
structures
energy and function, the
on
accurately
to
had been
we
evaluate in all its
more
shift the
we can
and mindset, which focus
current
neutralize them, away from

chemicals
suspect
to
poison
cause
the
understanding
our
systems
beyond
to
along
in
other
problems,
bodies know how
our
learning
how
to
prevent illness, heal diseases, and
our current
to
away from the
weapons
produced
genes
that
and instead focus
cooperate with
and
our
we
more
heal themselves, then
enjoy long
to
away from toxic
and away from bad
how
will be much further
exploration
quick-fix surgical solutions,
of
would still be
sophistication,
detail and
pharmaceutical
majority
anatomical
for it.
focus of scientific
malignancies,
our
more on
healing system
exquisite
aggressively looking
various bacteria and viruses and the
on
healing systems
we
healing
healthy
lives
expectations.
Centenarians
Living Examples
In nature, each
living species
of Your
has
Healing System
programmed lifespan,
maxi
potential age to which members of that species can live. For

example, most insects, such as mosquitoes, gnats, and butterflies,
live to a maximum of only one to two weeks. For dogs, the lifespan
mum
Your
Healing System
19
roughly 10 tol2 years. For great white sharks, it is 300 years. For
certain reptiles, such as desert tortoises, it is 400 years. For certain
trees, such as the Giant Sequoias of Northern California, the life
is
span ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 years. For humans, the maximum
potential lifespan is about 100 years.
If a group of people ever demonstrated the human bodys natural

ability to stay healthy, and the existence of its healing system, that
by definition, are people who have

lived to and beyond 100 years of age. Surprisingly, according to recent
demographic surveys, the fastest growing segment of the U.S. popu
lation is people over the age of 100. Twenty years ago in the U.S.,
there were 6,200 reported centenarians. Today, there are more than
64,000 centenarians in the U.S. alone. People today are more healthconscious than they were 20 years ago, so they are better at cooperat
ing with and strengthening their healing systems. This change has
enabled more people to live longer. Without the bodys incredible
ability to heal itself and return to its natural state of health over and
over again, how is it possible for so many people to live so long?
By and large, centenarians have learned how to cooperate with
their healing systems to reap and enjoy their maximum allotment of
time on this earth. And most did it while staying active and main
taining their health until the very end. Looking at their lifestyles,
and not merely their genes, we can learn a lot about the many ways
that we too can cooperate and work with our healing systems.
Most centenarians I have met, although they are all unique indi
viduals with their own personal stories, share a common bond in
how they have lived their lives. Most have eaten moderately, kept
active, enjoyed good sleep, rested when necessary, stayed involved
with friends and family, and generally enjoyed life. Although their
diets, lifestyles, and genes have differed, many have had to endure
extreme hardships over the course of their long lives, including the
loss of their closest loved ones and family members. Still, most of
these people have exhibited what I would call a lighthearted atti
group is the centenarians, who,
tude. Its
and
oldest
rare to meet a
smile
living
years of age.
come to
on
his
or
centenarian without
her face. An
Western woman,
Although
rely on
example
French
she had lost her
wheelchair, she
great sense of humor

of this was the worlds
a
woman
who lived
to
122
eyesight and recently had

had just quit smoking at the age of
20
Your
121! When interviewed about the
secrets
of her
longevity,
she
replied
only thing she knew was that I only have one wrinkle on my
entire body, and Im sitting on it! This kind of light-hearted attitude
typifies those who have reached the age of 100 or beyond.
The well-known comedian George Burns lived to be more than
100 years old, and he continued to perform and act in movies until
his passing. He never stopped smoking cigars; more importantly, he
also never stopped smiling and telling jokes! His positive attitude
helped to strengthen his healing system and bring his body back to
that the
its natural
state
of health after illness.
delightful 95-year-old woman who was dressed

in a hot-pink outfit, sunglasses, and a shell necklace, and who had a
big smile on her face, despite the fact that she had a large gash on
her leg, which prompted her visit to me. She was taking a cruise and
had stepped off the ship for a days shopping in Hawaii. When she
removed her sunglasses, I saw a pair of youthful, sparkling, blue eyes
that easily revealed her carefree, optimistic attitude toward life. After
several minutes of chatting as I attended to her wound, she asked
whether I could speed things up. Why? I asked.
Because my older sister is in your waiting room, and I dont
want to keep her waiting. We only have one day on your island, and
I promised to go bodysurfing with her!
When I stepped out into the waiting room, I saw her sister,
three years her elder. She was also vibrant and smiling, and dressed
in a matching red outfit with a straw hat!
Many people come into my office and tell me that they are get
ting old and falling apart! I have had people in their thirties and
forties tell me this. Conversely, I have seen many other patients who
are learning how to surf and water ski at the age of 70, others who
are taking yoga in their eighties and are more supple and graceful
than people less than half their age, and still others who are dancing
and gardening daily well into their nineties. Youth and health appear
I
to
be
once
treated
more
connected
to our states
of mind, and reflect
our
attitudes
than pure chronology. A positive attitude and a zest for life

critical for enhancing and fortifying your healing system.
more
are
lesson from the centenarians, and discover the many

ways that you too can enjoy a long, healthy, and rewarding life, free
from disease and debility, way beyond your present expectations, by
Take
Healing System
Your
21
learning to cooperate with your healing

honoring your natural state of health.
system, and
respecting
and
ClosingThoughts onYour Healing

System and Your Natural State of Health
Health is your normal and natural state. This condition is founded
on universal biological principles that apply to all living species, not
programmed into the DNA of every cell in

your body and is the reason why the human species has been able to
flourish and survive from one generation to the next for thousands
of years. Health is the reason you are alive today. The maximum
average potential lifespan for a human being is 100 years or more.
humans. Health is
just
Because your natural state is health, any deviation from this natural
state represents an unnatural condition. You are actually programmed
for
good
health the
day you
Disease and illness
not
are
conceived.
only
are
undesirable conditions, but
fundamentally unnatural and abnormal. Their exis

tence represents a departure from the natural laws that govern
normal biological processes on earth. When you become ill, it usu
ally means that unnatural, harmful, unhealthy forces have been
imposed upon your body that cause it to become temporarily imbal
anced and disordered. Restoring order and balance returns your
body to its natural state of health. This is the job of your extraordi
nary healing system, which can be thought of as the guardian of
your bodys health.
Even though challenges and difficulties may seem to be an
almost daily occurrence, your body can rise to meet these challenges
and difficulties because it has an extraordinary healing system that
has been designed to sustain, repair, and correct imbalances and
problems, naturally and automatically. At times, disease may appear
overwhelming and all-encompassing, but your healing system can
help your body bounce back to reclaim its natural state of health,
they
also
even
in the face of death, and
are
at
times when you have abandoned
hope. Through your healing system, your body possesses an

uncanny natural resiliency, like a buoy floating in the sea, to right
itself in the midst of lifes most devastating tempests.
all
22
Your
chapter, you will get a closer look at your healing

action, including the opportunity to examine the evidence
In the
next
system in
for its existence, and
understand what this system does and how

it works. You will also discover why learning to cooperate with your
healing
you
to
to
system, and strengthening and fortifying it,

achieve and enjoy optimum health.
are
essential for
CHAPTER 2
Your
when
Healing System
in Action
you think about the number of threats and insults your
body sustains over the course of a lifetime, the fact that it can remain
healthy at all is truly amazing. To accomplish this incredible task, you
need a single system in your body that can supervise and direct all the
other systems into a unified, efficient, orchestrated healing response
for your protection and the preservation of your natural state of
health. That single, supervisory system is your healing system.
healing
system not only maintains your natural state of

health, but whenever you are sick or injured, or whenever your
Your
charge of damage control. It moni

tors and supervises all processes of repair, growth, and restoration of
health and normal functioning of your bodys cells, tissues, and
organs. In fact, you wouldnt be alive today if it werent for your
bodys remarkable healing system.
Illness or injury can strike at any time, and so your body needs
a system it can count on to safeguard its health, 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, 365 days a year. In this regard, your bodys healing
system is a tireless workhorse because it never sleeps or even snoozes.
It cannot even afford the luxury of a catnap. It remains alert at all
times, ready to spring into action at a moments notice. Like a 911
emergency-response, paramedic rescue crew, your healing system is
health is threatened, it also is in
24
on
Your
operational for up to
healing system permeates
remain
can
Your
body;
it is
be
cannot
scan,
time off for sick leave, vacations,
or even
behavior. It also has tremendous endurance and stamina, and
good
it
continuouslyno
call
or
not
confined
to
any
surgically removed,
MRI,
as
is the
case
one
100 years,
longer.
every organ and tissue in your

structure or specific location. It
or even
with
or even
most
visibly
other
it is difficult
X-ray,
CAT
in your
body.
seen on an
structures
know that such
a system
to even
healthy,
exists; however, during times of injury or illness, as your body mounts
a healing response, evidence of its existence becomes quite apparent.
Although your healing system is arguably the most important
system in your body, you probably have never heard about it before,
or, if you have, the information was sparse. Although you may be
familiar with the other systems in your body, such as the digestive,
respiratory, circulatory, nervous, and immune systems, you probably
are reading about the healing system for the very first time. In fact,
you may be confusing your healing system with your immune
system right now, as many people do.
When you
are
Differences Between Your
Healing System
and Your Immune
System
healing system, they often confuse it

with the immune system. Even though on one level the two systems
may be difficult to tell apart because they work together in a coop
erative effort, on another level they are two very different systems
that serve entirely different purposes.
When
people
first hear of the
The fundamental difference between the
two
systems is that
defending your body against

infections, while your healing system is responsible for repairing
tissue damage from injuries or illnesses, and restoring your body to
its natural state of health. Your immune systems focus is largely on
attacking and protecting your body from foreign invaders. Your
healing system focuses more on healing, growth, regeneration,
your immune system is concerned with
restoration of
For
is
an
function, and maintaining health.
example,
if you
infection in the
were to come
down with bronchitis, which
respiratory system,
your immune system would
Your
Heating System
25
in Action
expected to attack and eliminate the offending organisms that are

causing the infection. However, if you were injured in a car accident
and broke your arm, your healing system would be called upon to
be
heal your injuries. Your immune system would not become involved
because typically there is no infection with a broken bone. The
mending of the broken bone would be a specific function of your

healing system.
Similarly, if you had a heart attack, your healing system would
immediately become activated. A heart attack is not caused by an
infection, and so healing from it does not involve your immune sys
tem, but rather your healing system. After a heart attack, your heal
ing system repairs the damage to your heart muscle while it restores
normal functioning to your heart.
When you understand that most diseases and injuries are not
caused by infection, the distinction between your healing system
and your immune system becomes clearer, and the unique role of
your healing system becomes much more significant.
All of this having been said, be aware that there are times when
the division of labor between your immune system and healing sys
tem is not so clear. Your healing system and immune system work
together and cooperate with each other to keep you healthy. For
example, if your body has sustained damage from an infection, your
healing system and immune system will work side by side to repair
the damage as they fight against, neutralize, and remove the infec
tious agents to prevent further damage to your body. Your immune
system will attack the infection that caused the problem, and your
healing system will actually repair the damage the infection caused
to your body.
Listening
to
Your
Healing System
bodys natural state is good health, your physical needs

are actually quite simple. However, when these needs are not being
met, your body is not shy about giving warning signs to prompt you
into taking immediate corrective action. When situations of urgency
arise, or when you are not healthy, your body, through its commu
nications system, which works closely with your healing system, will
Because your
26
Your
let you know immediately. For your healing system to repair, restore,
and sustain your body most effectively, you must learn how to listen
to
healing system
your
when it talks
to
you.
For instance, when your water reserves become low, and there is
danger of dehydration, your thirst mechanism kicks in, urging you
drink. When your body is low on energy and you need more calo
ries, your hunger drive is activated, prompting you to eat. When you
need sleep or rest, you will begin to yawn, and your eyes will feel
to
heavy; urging
you
lie down. When you become chilled in cold

will begin to shiver, forcing you to put on a
to
body
sweater or jacket, or to seek shelter. If you eat foods that are too rich
or too spicy, or the wrong combination of foods, youll feel nauseous
and might possibly even regurgitate. All these sensations and
responses are part of your bodys intelligence and communications
network, which your healing system monitors and supervises to help
weather,
restore
your
normal function and maintain your natural
Two Essential Roles of Your

Your
healing system
tant
role, much like
vises, organizes, and

while he overlooks
functions in
a
foreman
two
at a
state
Healing System
critical ways. In its first impor

large building site who super
dispatches workers, equipment,

a
construction
of health.
project,
your
machinery
healing system
and
monitors, surveys, and observes each and every part of
meticulously
your body to ensure that all organs and tissues remain healthy and
function smoothly. It facilitates communication between your bodys
various systems and their
respective
cells and tissues. It monitors
bodys complex internal environment, where literally millions

of powerful chemical reactions occur each day. Your healing system
troubleshoots problems anywhere in your body. Just like a mother
who cares for and looks after her children, your healing system in its
protective and nurturing role safeguards the integrity of your entire
body, helping maintain its natural state of health.
In its second vital role, your healing system functions like an
emergency-response paramedic crew, jumping into action whenever
there is a threat to your health. In this more active phase, your heal
ing system is able to perform a wide range of diverse functions, such
your
Your
Healing System
27
in Action
dispatching nerve messages and impulses; mobilizing immune

and inflammatory cells; coordinating the release of powerful chem
icals that can raise body temperature, dilate or constrict blood ves
sels, increase or decrease blood flow to specific areas; and performing
many other vital functions. Your healing system directs the activities
of the other systems in your body to cooperate with each other in
providing a unified, concerted, and effective healing response.
In its first role, you may not even be aware of your bodys heal
as
system as it goes about the business of its crucial surveillance

work silently and without much fanfare. In the second role, howev
ing
the presence of your healing system is much

with specific changes that occur in your body
er,
more
a
as
noticeable,
result of its
actions. The dual
supervisory and emergency-response roles that

your healing system plays in the general functioning of all the sys
tems and structures in your body makes it the most powerful and
important system in your body.
How Your
Healing System Works
Understanding how your healing system functions requires a differ

ent way of thinking about how your body works. Although doing so
may seem difficult at first, if you think of your body in terms of
energy and function, rather than in terms of matter, structure, and
form, it will all make perfect sense. Thinking in terms of energy does
not ignore or nullify the existence of certain structures within your
body; rather,
this view
gives
you
deeper
look into the
dynamic
forces that govern your health. When these
dynamic forces become

unbalanced, you can easily see how problems that create illnesses
and diseases in your body arise. Armed with this knowledge and
insight, you will be able to more effectively remedy these problems
by working with, rather than against, your healing system. Lets
examine
Al
a case
cut
his
that illustrates this
finger
with
etables. At first, there
was
point.
kitchen knife while he

no
blood
at
slicing
imagined
was
all, and he
veg
that
maybe it didnt really happen, and that hed get off easy. Then, as the
first signs of blood began to ooze out of the wound, he realized the
puncture was deep. In no time, the bleeding became profuse. Pain,
28
Your
delayed
for several seconds,
began to pulsate and throb through

hand. Al applied pressure to prevent his
soon
fingertip and entire

blood from spilling onto the floor. After half an hour, he noticed the
bleeding had slowed. An hour later, it eventually stopped.
From the very beginning of this incident, and over the course of
the next several days, Als healing system was busy activating a heal
ing response that includes
out
his
system, which first responds with messages of pain

Al an injury has occurred.
The
nervous
that
warn
The
complex
mechanisms of blood
clotting,
which
are a
sophis
ticated interaction of hormones, enzymes, and numerous chem

icals and cells within the circulatory system. These components
naturally sticky and join together to seal

protect the body from further blood loss.
are
off the wound
to
deeper tissues, and various cells, which

weave themselves together to form a transitional, intermediate
layer of skin and fill in the gap created by the wound.
The
layers
of the skin,
The formation of a scab, which protects the deeper, more sensitive

layers of new skin and tissues as the healing process continues.
system miraculously
skin where the old skin had been completely sev
When the scab

manufactures
new
sloughs off,
Als
healing
finger looks the way it did before his

if nothing had happened at all.
though Als injury is a relatively simple one, if you look
ered. After several weeks, Als
injury,
as
Even
the sequence of events, the various systems and components

involved in the healing of his wound, and the synchronized flow of
at
during the entire healing process, you start to

develop an appreciation for the degree of complexity and precision,
and the incredible organization, speed, and efficiency your healing
system requires to perform this specific task.
Keep in mind that your healing system supervises and coordi
nates all healing responses in your body, including illnesses and
injuries that are far more complex and serious than Als injury. And
even though your healing system may appear to be hidden and dif
ficult to pinpoint within any given part of your body, you can begin
energy and
movement
Your
Healing System
29
in Action
understand the function and purpose of this amazing system by

observing its powerful, swift, dynamic and efficient movements, and
to
viewing the results of its actions. The subtle and dynamic aspect of
your healing system is one of the reasons it has not been more wide
ly recognized, acknowledged, and accepted until just recently.
The immune system and the

tems, and
The
healing system
throughout
body
the
organ, tissue, and cell in your

more
than the immune system,
body.
healing system, the
to one
with your
particular
area
body.
It is also
more
powerful,
healing system
and
body, and operates
of the
can
system that is concerned with
being
on
branches,
the
Fortunately,
thought
preventing
was
of
and
poorly
as an
microscop
aspect of the
eradicating
have learned
more
about
our
resources,
within the realm of
bodys
healing
infections from
understood and
with the shift of funds and

to
is not
fact, your immune system collaborates
be
The immune system also
directed from without
imagined
dynamic,
more
much importance in the practice of modern medicine until the

of AIDS.
sys
permeating every
immune system has many
ic level of cells and biochemicals. In
the
dynamic
diversified in its functions and tasks than your immune system.
Like the
limited
both subtle and
although they often work together, they serve different functions.

healing system is even more subtle and more widespread in its dis
tribution
and
are
not
given
discovery
and research
our own
bodies,
natural defense system than
we
we ever
existed.
Healing System and the

Other Systems in Your Body
Your
special properties and functions of

other systems in your body, integrating and supervising their activi
ties into one organized, efficient healing response. To understand
this more clearly, lets see what happens when you accidentally touch
a hot electric iron and burn yourself.
Imagine an iron that is plugged into an electrical socket, sitting
upright on the ironing board, and inadvertently left on for half a
Your
healing
system utilizes the
30
Your
day. When you discover

tally touch the very hot
As
soon as
of your flesh
the iron and try

bottom.
put it away, you acciden
to
you touch the hot iron and hear the
burning,
you
instantaneously feel pain
sizzling
as
sound
you immedi
ately jerk your hand back. In addition to the incredible burning

pain, within a matter of minutes, you begin to notice blisters form
ing on your fingers and hands in the places that came in contact
with the iron. From the vantage point of what is going on inside of
your body, lets take a closer look at what is happening, step by step,
as your healing system springs into action:
Step
Your
healing
hot iron,
as
system is immediately activated when you touch the

the pain sensors in your fingers and hand send a signal
the brain
through your nervous system. Your nervous system,

working with your healing system, initiates a reflex response in the
muscles of your arm to contract the arm, pulling it away to prevent
further contact with the hot iron, which prevents further injury.
to
Step
immediately,
Almost
in collaboration with the
skin, your healing
system coordinates a response that first results in redness or inflam

mation as tiny blood vessels are directed to increase blood flow to
the
area
Step
of the scorched skin.
Specialized
cells known
as
macrophages, along
with red blood cells,
white blood cells, oxygen, and other essential nutrients, are pumped
into the bloodstream and directed to the injury site to help nourish,
fortify,
Step
and support the
processes.
Shortly thereafter,
ters at
ing
bodys repair
the skin
secretes
the burn sites. The blisters
specific
serve
functions. First, the fluid-filled
fluids
several
sacs act
to
help
form blis
protective and
heal
like shock absorbers
to
protect the raw, injured skin that lies underneath. They also act as
sealed barriers against the possibility of infection. The fluid inside
the blisters also contains nutrients
to
help
nourish and feed the
new
Healing System
Your
layer
31
in Action
of skin that will form underneath. Antibodies and immune

the immune system in this fluid.
under the direction of the healing sys
cells also have been mobilized

These mechanisms also
are
by
ward off any microorganisms that might cause infection. In

addition, the body releases other important chemicals to cooperate
in the healing response.
tem, to
Step
healing response well under way, new cells, fluids, and

chemicals are continuously pumped in and out of the burn site over
the course of the next several days and weeks; the pain begins to sub
side and the new skin growth accelerates.
With the
Step
gradually
Soon, the blisters
body, with new

ously injured old skin.
into the
Step
shrink
skin
as
arising
the fluid is reabsorbed back
to
take the
place
of the
previ
healing mechanisms are activated on the microscopic

finish the job, and, if all goes well, not even a scar will be
Continued
level
to
present where the new skin has grown back.

Even with a simple injury such as a minor
you
can see
that
lot
face of the skin than
more
is
going on
second-degree burn,
in your body beneath the sur
the eye. As with the more serious and com

that occur within your body, again it is clear that
meets
plicated problems
the body needs a single system that can supervise and direct all the
other key systems into one orchestrated and efficient healing response
for the protection, self-preservation, and health of your body. This is
the incredible job that your healing system does for you.
Healing System Responses

Symptoms of Disease
A New
When
our
changes
Way
of Thinking AboutYour Health
initially activated, we might confuse the

our body, which are normal healing responses,
healing system
that
occur
in
vs.
is
32
Your
with symptoms of a particular disease. In fact, this is the common

mistake most people make, including doctors and the medical pro
general. Again, until very recently, our culture has been

disease-oriented in its approach to understanding health and heal
ing, and so we have remained largely ignorant of the healing system
and how our bodies continually strive to correct imbalances and
keep us healthy.
When things begin to change in our bodies, we automatically
assume we are sick, and that something is dreadfully wrong. If our
bodies begin to reflect imbalance and function abnormally, if there
is some discomfort or pain, our first assumption is most likely that
we are becoming sick or that we have an allergy. This is because we
fession in
trying to account for our symptoms. This is a natural and nor

mal interpretation of what is happening with our bodies.
Rather than jumping to the conclusion that something is wrong
with your body, first try to understand how your healing system may
be responding appropriately to correct an imbalance that has
occurred. Let me explain what I mean.
Consider sneezing, for example. We usually think of sneezing as
a symptom of the common cold, or the beginning of an allergy~ In
rea1ity~ sneezing is a normal healing-system response to expel foreign
debris, flush out irritants, remove potential pathogens, rid the body
of disease, and help the body maintain its integrity. Sneezing also is
a protective mechanism that helps to prevent the further advance of
unwanted foreign invaders into the deeper, more delicate structures
of the respiratory system, such as our lungs and sinuses, and is
another common way that our healing systems safeguard our health.
In addition to sneezing, most people, including doctors, confuse
many other common healing responses with symptoms of a disease.
These responses include the following:
are
Coughing.
Also considered
symptom of a
respiratory
illness
or
coughing is a definitive response from your healing

system to expel unwanted debris and invading microorganisms
that have penetrated deeper into the respiratory system and are
threatening to cause damage to your lungs. In medical circles, a
good cough is known as a productive cough in that it success
fully brings up phlegm, mucous, microorganisms, and infectious
condition,
Your
Healing System
33
in Action
debris, which effectively clears the airways and makes for easier
breathing. Coughing can be powerful; the speed at which for

eign particles and debris exit the lungs with a cough has been
clocked at approximately 660 mph, about the speed of an F4
Phantom fighter aircraft.
Usually considered a symptom of an

is a healing response that your body
Diarrhea.
intestinal disease,
diarrhea
uses to
eliminate
toxins and contaminated material from your colon and
intestines. Diarrhea is fast and
efficient, and it
helps
large
to
flush
out
irritating or offending your intestinal tract. A number of

potentially serious intestinal diseases or problems can be elimi
what is
nated this way. Suppressing diarrhea through artificial medica

tions can be dangerous, and doing so often backfires. When you
clog
natural eliminative processes through the

of diarrhea, harmful microorganisms have nowhere
up your
suppression
bodys
go but further inside your body, where they can invade your
liver or bloodstream and cause more serious illness. Of course,
to
there
are
times when
too
much fluid and
electrolyte
loss from
diarrhea may require medical intervention. However, by seeing

diarrhea as a response of your healing system, and seeking out
cooperate with that system, you can often make simple,
natural adjustments to restore balance and health to your body.
ways
to
These may include drinking more fluids, avoiding irritating

foods and substances, and managing stress, which can be harm
ful
to
your intestines and
closely
a
at
these factors in
digestive system. (We will

the chapters that follow.)
look
more
temporarily loses con

sciousness and falls down. The causes of fainting can range from
serious to benign, but the loss of consciousness is usually due to
of a lack of blood flow to the head and brain. Falling down
while fainting represents a compensatory response from your
bodys healing system. When the body has fallen and lies flat on
the ground in a horizontal position, blood flow and oxygen to
Fainting. Fainting
occurs
the brain increase, which

instances of
fainting
are
when
can
person
often
restore
consciousness. Most
totally benign, especially
underlying diseases or conditions exist.

sions when serious underlying disease
if
no
However, there
serious
are occa
is present, and you will
34
Your
need
be
to
brought
correct treatment
cipitated
U
the
is
to
hospital
deal with the
to
fainting,
the
not
just
with
and treated. However, the
underlying causes
the fainting itself.
that pre
Commonly associated with an infection, fever is your

healing systems way of heating your body up to kill offending
organisms, most of which are extremely temperature sensitive
and cannot tolerate excessive heat. Additionally, fever induces
sweating, which helps the body eliminate toxins more rapidly.
Learning to work with a fever through continuous rehydration
(drinking plenty of water), rather than suppressing a fever with
artificial medications, will support your healing system and
result in a faster, more thorough healing response. Even at times
when medical suppression of a fever may be necessary, fluid
intake should be encouraged. With any fever, it is prudent to
look for the underlying causes of the fever and to treat these, not
just suppress the fever. Doing this works with your healing sys
tem to help restore health and balance to your body.
Fever.
Nausea. Nausea
occurs
in the small intestines and
stomach, and
specific response from your healing system that protects

your body from more food entering into it. When you feel nau
seous, you have lost your appetite for food. Your healing system
does this when your body needs to limit solid food intake.
Nausea occurs when you have a high fever and are in need of
it is
lots of fluids,
when you have a stomach virus or an ulcer, and

solid foods would make these conditions worse. Nausea also
helps
or
to conserve
tract so
it
can
energy and frees blood flow from the
be rerouted
to
greater immediate need for

0
other
healing
areas
of the
body
digestive
that have
energy.
bodys healing system, working with your immune

system, produces pus, an unpleasant, smelly, yellowish sub
stance, to help eliminate foreign material, both large and small.
Pus commonly occurs with infection. In the case of a splinter or
foreign body in the skin, your healing system will form a pus
pocket to wall off the splinter, separating it from the rest of your
body. Your healing system will attempt to digest and dissolve the
splinter or foreign object; if this proves difficult, it will try to
push the splinter out of the skin. In addition to fluids secreted
Pus. Your
Your
Healing System
to
flush
out
35
in Action
microorganisms
and
foreign debris,
pus contains
digestive
white blood cells and
enzymes that break down and

digest foreign material. In the case of a bacterial infection in any
part of the body, the pus produced will attempt to kill off and
digest
s
Runny
of the
the bacteria while it flushes

nose
and nasal
cold
the infection.
congestion. Usually considered
allergies,
actually specific responses
common
out
or
runny
nose
symptoms
and nasal conges
bodys healing sys

tem. The increased secretions, mucous, phlegm, and congestion
are your healing systems way of attempting to flush out any
offending organisms or foreign particles that may have invaded
the entrance to your respiratory system. Although attempting to
suppress these healing responses with nasal decongestants and
other drugs gives temporary relief, doing so often backfires; it
can prolong an illness and even make things worse. Because the
pharmaceutical agents tend to dry up the secretions to eliminate
symptoms, they work against the natural processes of your
bodys healing system to eliminate harmful substances.
tion
are
from your
Swelling and redness. The first visible signs at the site of any
injury, trauma, or infection in the body, swelling and redness,
too, are specific responses of your healing system. Whether
caused by a bruise, a contusion, a sprain, a fracture, or an infec
tion, swelling is the result of increased fluids from the lymphatic
system, leaky blood vessels, and other soft tissues. The fluid helps
immobilize the site and
ther
injury to
the
area.
serves as a
shock absorber
Redness,known
as
to
prevent fur
inflammation,
is often
accompanied by pain
area.
and represents increased blood flow to the

Inflammation is a complex response from your healing sys
working with your immune system, to bring important cells

and powerful chemicals to the injured area to help remove tox
ins, repair damaged tissues, and speed healing.
tem,
Tearing of the
Tearing
to
eyes.
what occurs in
material
or
specific healing response similar

nose. Tearing helps to flush foreign
is
runny
microorganisms
out
of the delicate and sensitive
sur
faces of the eyes. Sometimes, when infection or irritation is

extreme, the eyes will remain glued shut because the tears and
secretions have dried up.
Keeping
the
eyelids glued
shut is
36
Your
further attempt of the healing system

additional injury or damage.
o
to
protect the eyes from
mechanism that your healing

eliminate contaminated or noxious material that
Vomiting. Vomiting
is
protective
system uses to
has somehow entered into your stomach and small intestines.
Vomiting is a fast, efficient, and powerful way for your body to
rid itself of toxins or other harmful substances. After you have
eaten
contaminated food,
in food
poisoning, vomiting
will
expel infectious organisms as well as unwanted food

toxins. People usually report feeling much better after they
to
occur
and
as
have vomited in these instances. If you have overeaten, eaten

foods that are too rich, or drunk too much coffee or alcohol,
which
act as
excess,
on
the
intestinal irritants and toxins when
vomiting
digestive
will
occur to
system and
clean
out
theyre
taken in
and reduce the burden
body.
Although initially you may think these responses are associated

only with the individual systems within the body, such as coughing
and the respiratory system, or vomiting and the gastrointestinal
system, remember that it is the healing systems presence within and
its supervisory role over these systems that actually causes these
responses. Keep in mind that the healing system is not a separate
anatomical system. It is a functional, energetic, intelligent system
that permeates every single system in your body.
As you read the rest of this book, think about your body, your
bodily sensations, and any changes that are occurring in your body
as well-measured responses produced by your bodys healing system.
responses that are intended to correct imbalances
you maintain your natural state of health, rather than
Think of them
and
help
as
symptoms of disease. Shift your awareness away from your symp

toms, your discomfort, and your thoughts of an illness or allergy,
problems for you. Instead, trust that your heal

ing system is making necessary physiological adjustments to correct
imbalances and restore your body to its natural state of health.
I realize this perspective may be a radical departure from how you
currently view your body and your health; however, learning to do
even
if these
are
this will make
real
significant difference
in your health. If you
can
focus
Your
less
Healing System
on
body,
disease and
and
more on
37
in Action
health, less
more on
what is
functioning
what is wrong with your

properly; if you can turn your
on
attention away from the fear of external
of disease and agents

of disease that lie beyond your control, and instead look with confi
dence to the hidden treasure chest of healing resources that lies within
your very
body,
own
you will be able
causes
reap the benefits of superior
to
recognize the many ways your healing

system responds to challenges, your dependence on drugs and doctors
will be lessened, and the quality of your life will be vastly improved.
health. If you
You will
can
gain
Empowers
you
to
discover and make
own
of the
use
energies and efforts within your
blaming your
discomfort
or
be
can
disease
on
external
you
of
healing
body
causes
and away from
and forces
beyond
that
can
be harmful
to
well-being.
to
take greater
your diet and
Lessens your
own
thinking
responsibility
understand the connection between your
including
supply
disempowering.
Shifts your focus away from fear-based
Empowers
vast
body.
Directs your
your health and
healing
system
your control, which

~
the responses of your
by recognizing
that lie within your
resources
to
great deal
healing
system. Your
~
learn
lifest~le, and
dependence
on
for your life, and

own
actions and
helps
you
thoughts,
your health.
doctors,
drugs, and
external agents of
treat
ment.
~
your confidence in your
Improves
bodys ability
to
healthy
and
problem
you
remain
heal itself.
~
Helps
might
You
in
planning
the treatment and
healing
of any health
face.
can see
that the benefits of
healing system
and
working
recognizing
with it will have
the power of your remarkable

a
huge, positive impact
on
your
health and your life.

Note: As you are learning this new way of thinking about your body do not neglect to see your
doctor if any physical discomfort or pain increases or does not go away on its own.Your doctor
can be a valuable aid and support for your healing system.
38
Your
Clinical Evidence of Your
Healing System
at
Work
healing responses in general, and weve seen

several different examples of the healing system at work to help heal
superficial injuries. Now lets move deeper inside the body as we
continue to examine the evidence that clearly demonstrates that
your body has a healing system that keeps you alive and healthy. In
each of the situations that follow, remember that the healing system
is the essential element in the healing process and that, without it,
healing would not occur.
looked
Weve
already
Your
Healing System
Sam
was a
at
and Fractures: Sams
Story
senior staff sergeant with 15 years experience

paratrooper and combat controller in the United States
34-year-old
as a veteran
training mission, he was required to

jump from an altitude of 10,000 feet at nighttime over remote jun
gle terrain. Sam got caught up in a tree as he was landing and broke
his ankle in several places. The bone pierced through the skin, mak
ing it a compound fracture. This type of injury has a high rate of
infection and is notoriously difficult to treat. Infection that sets into
the bones is known as osteomyelitis, a serious condition that is diffi
cult to eradicate and that complicates the healing systems ability to
knit the bones together to heal a fracture.
Sam was taken by airplane back to the Regional Medical Center
in the Philippines, where I was required to follow his case to see
whether he would ever be able to resume his career duties again. For
all intents and purposes, it looked as if his military career was over.
Sam was hospitalized repeatedly, placed on numerous antibi
otics, and operated on 11 times over a two-and-one-half-year period,
in attempts to knit his bones together. During this period, he wore
a cast almost continuously and was never able to walk on his own,
relying instead solely on crutches. He underwent numerous painful
scrapings and bone grafts in an attempt to clean the surfaces of the
bones from infection while the doctors were trying to join the bones
together. During these operations, numerous plates and screws were
Air Force.
During
also attached
At
cast
one
was
to
routine
his bones.
point,
when it looked
removed, and he
was
as
if the fracture
told he could
might heal,
Sams
in
light
participate
Your
Healing System
39
in Action
fielding
grounder during a
friendly squadron softball game, Sams ankle snapped and broke in
two pieces as his foot bent out at a 90-degree angle. After this, it was
back to the operating room for him, with more scraping, more
metal plates and screws, another cast, and more crutches.
After two and one-half years, Sam was not only in jeopardy of
losing his job and being medically discharged from the Air Force, he
was also being considered for a foot amputation. He consulted with
the prosthetic specialist, who began fitting him for a prosthetic (arti
ficial) foot in anticipation of the upcoming operation. This was a
frightening proposition for such an active and previously healthy
sports. A week
young
later, while he
was
man.
Back home in the U.S.,

Robert Becker had invented
healing
system in
cases
brilliant
an
orthopedic
surgeon named
electrical bone stimulator to aid the
of stubborn-healing fractures. Sam faced the
prospect of either having his foot amputated, or having this tiny,

electronic device, still in the experimental stages, temporarily
implanted next to the fracture site in his ankle. He chose the new
device, hoping against hope that it would work.

Several months later, Sam was back with a clean bill of health,
jumping
out
of
airplanes.
His bones had mended
together
with the
help of a device that worked with the healing system. Dr. Becker knew
that, given half a chance, the bodys healing system could take over
and finish the job. As the famous physician of ancient times, Galen
(129199 AD), once said, The physician is only natures assistant.
A fractured bone is not a laughing matter, and it can be
extremely painful and disabling. However, because of your healing
system, even the largest bone in your body, your femur, under
normal circumstances takes only six weeks to completely heal. Even
if a fracture is displaced and the broken bones are not perfectly lined
up, in most cases, your healing system can knit the bones together
and realign them perfectly, so that when the healing has finished,
there is little
or no
evidence that
fracture
ever
occurred. Even when
complicated, and bones are totally displaced and out of

alignment, and metal plates and screws are required to hold the
bones together, your healing system can fuse them into one solid
form. Without your healing system, fractures, would be impossible
fractures
to
heal.
are
40
Whether
if
Your
or not a cast or
splint is placed around the fracture site,
fractured bone is allowed
to rest
and remain immobile, bone
healing system, begins immediately

after a fracture has occurred. Bone remodeling, when seen under the
microscope, is one of lifes true miracles. Tiny cells in the bone
matrix, known as osteoclasts, digest the bone and release calcium into
remodeling,
by
initiated
your
the bloodstream, while other cells, known
as
osteoblasts,
act
like civil
engineers erecting a new suspension bridge and use the blood-calcium

stores to deposit new bone at the fracture site. These deposits facili
tate the process of knitting the bone back together again. No mod
ern technological invention, surgical procedure, or synthetic drug
can replace your healing system as it performs the important work
of repairing a fracture. The natural healing of a fractured bone after
effective that the fracture site is often stronger than
the surrounding normal bone tissue.
it is healed is
Your
so
Healing System
Vernes heart disease
was
and the Heart: Vernes
Story
discovered when he had his first heart attack
the age of 69. He had another attack about

a year later. Over the course of the next several years, he was placed
on numerous medications while he underwent several procedures,
in the emergency
room at
unclog his arteries and slow the progression

of his disease. But these methods were only temporarily successful.
Over time, Vernes heart disease grew worse. He was plagued with
known
as
constant
angioplasties,
chest
pain,
to
which increased when he walked up stairs
whenever he became angry or upset. It was quite scary.

When I met Verne, his heart disease had progressed
to
or
desperate
proportions, and his doctors were recommending bypass surgery as the

only way to keep him from dying. Even then, because of his advanced
condition, they said his prognosis did not look good, and the bypass
operation would only buy him a couple of extra years, at best. Verne
was not too keen on having his chest cracked open, and by sheer per
sistence and
first
determination, he was able
experimental
research
study
group
heart disease could be reversed without
Dr. Ornishs program is based
on
the obstacles
to
if you
can
remove
processes, and work with your
to
to
enroll in Dr. Dean Ornishs
investigate
drugs
or
whether
or not
surgery~
the now-proven premise that

your bodys natural healing
healing
system,
even
severe
heart
Your
Healing System
41
in Action
plicated,
be healed. Dr. Ornishs program is simple and uncom

and it consists of comprehensive lifestyle changes that
include
healthy diet,
disease
can
management, and group sup

the time of his first study, these ideas and meth
exercise,
stress
port. Of course, at
ods were considered radical
by conventional medical standards.

Even to this day, the thought of reversing heart disease is difficult to
digest for those steeped in the old school ways of thinking about
medicine and the
Verne took
weeks his chest
began
have
to
treatment
to
of disease.
enthusiastically, and within several

away as his breathing became easier. He
the program
pain
more
went
energy and
at
the
same
time felt
more
relaxed.
and anger diminished. Gradually, one by one, the 13 dif

ferent heart medicines he was taking were reduced until he was
His
stress
down
to
one-half of a
baby aspirin,
every other
day.
Today, at the age of 87, Verne is totally free of heart disease. All
of his medical testspositron emission tomography (PET) scans and
coronary angiogra mshave documented complete reversal of his
condition. He hikes in alpine altitudes and travels the world exten
sively with his wife, teaching yoga and lecturing to

the merits of the Ornish program and the bodys
senior citizens
natural
on
ability
to
heal itself.
Although heart disease is still the number-one killer in the entire

Western world, even this deadly condition can be reversed and
healed when you learn to cooperate with your healing system, as
Verne did, by correcting the unhealthy underlying factors that are
causing blockages in the coronary arteries. As is possible for you,
Verne discovered the tremendous healing resources within his own
body, and, by adopting a healthier lifestyle, he became a partner in
his own healing process. Thanks to the groundbreaking work of Dr.
Ornish, we now know that by learning to listen to the body and
working with its healing system, people can reverse even the most
advanced
As
cases
of heart disease.
direct result of Dr. Ornishs work,
healing system
can
heart when its
current
known
as
we now
know that the
stimulate the
blood
neovascularization
growth of new blood vessels to the

supply is threatened. This process is
or
collaterization. The
new
arteries
can
effectively bypass the old blockage, ensuring a continuous, uninter

rupted flow of blood to the hearts muscles. The process can prevent
42
Your
heart attacks, and it is how you can literally grow your own coronary
artery bypass, without having to go through an operation.
Even if you have suffered a heart attack, and the hearts muscle
cells seem to have died, new evidence has demonstrated that through
system, and restoring blood flow to these

heart muscle cells within a reasonable period of time, they can mirac
your miraculous
ulously
come
healing
back
life. The medical
to
term
for this
new
discovery,
presumed dead can come back to life when

re-established, is hibernating myocardiumlike the
wherein heart tissue that is

circulation is
sleeping bear who
reappears when winter is
Healing System
Mikes Story
Your
Mike
was a
and
flight engineer
High
Blood Pressure:
in the Air Force, where he had served for
20 years. He had flown in Vietnam,
dren, and loved his
job.
over.
was
married with three chil
However, because he had been
recently
high blood pressure, he was in danger of losing his

diagnosed
job and possibly being kicked out of the Air Force. To prevent this
with
happening, he lost 25 pounds over six months by eating a lowfat diet and running every day for 30 minutes. However, his blood
pressure still did not come down. To complicate things further,
because of his flying status, he wasnt able to take medications of any
kind. I was an Air Force flight surgeon at the time, and he came to
me seeking help.
from
After I reviewed his records and his efforts

pressure
by losing weight through
whether he
was
under
stress
to
lower his blood
diet and exercise, I asked Mike
of any kind. He
quickly responded with
confident and adamant No! This response let me know immedi

ately that I might be in for a difficult case because I had yet to meet
a
someone
in the
military who
wasnt under
degree of stress.
having some troubles
certain
Additionally, I later found out that Mike was

with his marriage, which were causing even more stress. In spite of
his finest efforts to lower his blood pressure through diet and exer
cise, stress was contributing to his continued high blood pressure.
After several meetings and long discussions, during which I
explained the mechanisms of how prolonged stress can cause high
blood pressure, Mike was finally able to own up to the stress in his
life. He then consented to learning and practicing the simple, basic
Your
Healing System
43
in Action
stress-management techniques (see

which I thought would activate his
Chapter 6) 1 recommended,
healing system and lower his
blood pressure.
After only six weeks, Mikes blood pressure returned to normal
and remained there for the rest of his career. By removing the
unhealthy factors that were responsible for creating the high blood
pressure, particularly the extreme stress in his life, Mikes healing
system could easily and effortlessly restore his body to its natural
state of health. Of course, he still continues his healthy lifestyle,
including a low-fat diet, and 30 minutes of exercise and 15 minutes
of stress management each day.
As you can see, one of the most significant underlying factors in
high blood pressure is stress, which can create significant imbalance
in the bodys internal environment. Dr. Herbert Benson, associate
professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and chief of the
Division of Behavioral Medicine at the New England Deaconess
Hospital, has conducted numerous studies on the benefits of stress
management in lowering high blood pressure. By practicing simple
yet powerful stress-management techniques similar to those taught
by Dr. Benson (see Chapter 6), you can help your healing system
restore
your blood pressure
High
blood pressure,
killer because it can lead
to
or
normal levels.
hypertension,
to more
is known
as
the silent
serious, and sometimes
deadly,
Although many medica

tions are currently available for managing high blood pressure, they
often have side effects, and, unfortunately, none of them can cure
the problem. Once patients begin taking these medications, getting
off them is difficult, and many people will be on two or three of
them just to manage their high blood pressure.
Just as with heart disease, new evidence is proving that the heal
ing system can reverse and heal high blood pressure once the under
lying causes of the disease are addressed and such simple, natural
methods as diet, exercise, and stress management are properly
implemented. There is no mystery to this malady; the mechanisms
for healing high blood pressure are not complex or difficult to
understand. As with other diseases, removing the harmful causes of
the disease allows the healing system to restore the body to its natu
conditions such
ral
state
as
of health.
heart disease and stroke.
44
Your
Your
Healing System
and Stroke: Deans
Story
only
was he physically overweight, but he was financially burdened by
thousands of dollars of outstanding student loans and a family to
support. Working more than 100 hours each week, sleep-deprived,
eating high-fat junk food, getting no exercise, having no fun, and
constantly fighting with his wife from the stress ended up costing
Dean
young doctor with
was a
heavy
load
on
his heart. Not
Dean his health.
high blood pressure, for which

he was treating himself with the drug samples that the pharmaceu
tical representatives gave him. He was erratic in monitoring his
blood pressure, and he didnt want his colleagues to know about his
Dean
was
suffering from
chronic
condition. At the young age of 32 years, Dean suffered a massive

stroke that left him paralyzed in his right leg and arm. He was in the
for many weeks, and he underwent extensive physical ther
apy and rehabilitation to learn how to move his arm and walk again.
He was extremely depressed during the therapy and felt as if he had
hospital
nothing
left
to
live for.
During this
also had had
gone
on
low
period
of Deans life, he
stroke. But this
man
had
came across a man
completely
greater health than ever before

his diet and lifestyle, and learning how
to
enjoy
who
recovered and
by completely
to manage his
revamping
stress through simple yet effective stress-management methods.
With his back up against the wall, on disability, and unable to prac
tice his trade, Dean decided to give these methods a try~
He immediately shifted his diet to one that was low fat and con
sisted mostly of fruits, vegetables, grains, and other whole foods. He
started exercising regularly, and he began practicing stress manage
ment
self
along with gentle yoga. Even though he didnt consider him

religious person, he also began to pray regularly to help relax
and calm his mind.
to
His blood pressure slowly normalized, and he was gradually able

get off all his medications. As his health steadily improved over
the
next two
years, he
began
to
feel better than
before. He
even
practice, and went on to write

many best-selling books about his experiences. Because he learned to
adopt a healthier lifestyle and incorporate methods that were in har
mony with his bodys healing system, Dean was able to completely
tually
returned
to
active medical
ever
Your
Healing System
the effects of his stroke and live
reverse
and
fulfilling
more
Stroke is
rhage
or
far healthier,
active,
life than before.
serious condition
usually
caused
blood clot in the brain. It also
more
by
either
can occur as a
hemor
result of
blood pressure or other circulatory disturbances.

be fatal. When its less severe, it can cause paralysis of the
high
chronic
Stroke
45
in Action
can
extremities,
paralysis
most
often
on one
body, but it can also cause

affect speech, hearing, eyesight,
side of the
of the facial muscles, and
ability to swallow.
Although stroke can be prevented by addressing its underlying
causes, even after it occurs, the healing system can often miraculous
ly restore the body to its natural state of health. Numerous studies
have documented that when one side of the brain is damaged, if the
individual receives proper training and makes a sincere effort, the
bodys healing system can facilitate the transfer of information from
the damaged side to the healthy side of the brain to restore normal
function to once-paralyzed limbs and muscles.
and the
Your
Healing System
and iabetes: Erics
Story
65-year-old, active man with advanced heart disease com

plicated by longstanding diabetes. For the past 20 years, he injected
himself with insulin daily to control his high blood sugar. His usual
daily dose of insulin was 45 units, not a small amount. If he didnt
use this amount, his blood sugar would skyrocket to dangerous levels.
When Eric attended a one-week retreat for heart patients (many
Eric
was a
of whom also had
changes
diabetes), he
was
advised that, because of the
in diet and exercise, and the stress-management program
that would be part of the retreat, he would need to cut his

insulin dose in half, to make sure that he didnt end up in a
daily
coma
from too-low blood sugar. He was also advised to monitor his own
blood sugars six times a day with a self-administered kit, to make
they stayed at the proper level.

I was his personal physician during this period, and so Eric
reported to me daily. On day one, as instructed, he cut his insulin
dosage to 22 units. His blood sugar remained normal. On day two,
sure
he
cut
again
again, to 11 units, and his blood sugar

On day three, he halved his insulin again,
his insulin in half
remained normal.
and he still had normal blood sugar. As word got
out
about Erics
46
Your
dramatic fall in insulin

told Eric
he
was
not to cut
requirements,
down
only following
on
the staff became
his insulin
dosages
the
so
fast. He
nervous
and
responded
that
for what he monitored his blood
sugar to be, and that they continued to stay normal. By day seven,
Eric was completely off insulin. He has remained off insulin to this
day,
six years
He has stuck
later, while his blood sugar continues
to
stay normal.
his diet and exercise and he has continued
to
to
prac
management. He reports his health to be better than ever.

Because he learned to cooperate with his bodys healing system
before it was too late, Eric was able to demonstrate what most med
tice
stress
ical experts previously thought to be impossiblehe was able to get

off insulin (while keeping his blood sugar values normal), something
that he had
depended
system
reverse
daily
for
than 20 years.
Erics case demonstrates that, once again, even after many years
of living with such a chronic, deadly disease as diabetes, the healing
can
on
more
and heal such conditions. When you recognize

has a healing system, and that by instituting simple,
that your body

natural methods that cooperate with it, your
natural state of health.
Your
The
Healing System
Story of Helens
body
can
restore
its
and Arthritis:
Mother
Helen worked in my medical office and always wore a smile. Her

mother, now in her late seventies and the mother of eight children,
had
developed
situation
was
a severe
form of osteoarthritis in her
unsettling to her because until

always walked at least one to two
very
months, she had
she had looked forward

several doctors, she
was
to
right
knee. This
the
previous six
miles a day, and
consulting with
that would help her
this exercise time. After
told the
only
treatment
knee-replacement surgery~
daughter Helen understood that sometimes I took a different
approach to medicine, and she insisted that her mother see me. When
I saw her mothers reports, and the X-rays, I had to agree that things
did not look good for her. However, I did prescribe a simple technique
that worked with the healing system; the technique improved the flow
of synovial fluid inside of the knee and helped to restore mobility to
the knee joint. Over the years, I have relied on this technique in my
would be
Her
practice,
and I have
seen
the successful rehabilitation of
patients;
Your
Healing System
those with advanced
even
47
in Action
cases
of arthritis
improve significantly.
If
patients practice diligently and patiently over several months, this

technique can restore joint function and promote healing in the knee.
Because the technique is so simple, and because it requires active
patient participation over an extended period, I took pains to
explain to Helens mother the underlying principles of the practice
to help guarantee her adherence to it. When I was satisfied that she
understood how the technique worked and why it was important
not to look for results right away, I made her promise me that she
would practice it faithfully, regularly, and carefully for six to eight
months. She agreed.
weeks, Helens mother noticed significant diminish
ment of pain and improved function. After one month, she began
walking again. After six months, she was pain-free and walking three
Within
to
two
four miles
day, dancing like a teenager, and praising me to the

day, seven years later, she has not missed her daily
remained pain-free. No knee replacement was ever
To this
moon.
walks and has
required.
There
many forms
are
of arthritis,
including osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis, which

have as their common denominator the destruction of the joint sur
faces, with increased pain and debility~ Conventional medicine

these diseases with
powerful suppressive medications (many

with unsatisfactory side effects), and the possibility of a jointreplacement operation, but new evidence reveals that by under
standing and addressing the underlying factors that determine joint
health, as in Helens mothers case, your healing system can heal and
treats
reverse
Your
Bob
arthritis.
Healing System
was
and Intestinal Diseases: Bobs
pleasant, good-looking
twenties, with
member of an
wife and
amateur
two
Story
construction worker in his
kids. He loved baseball and
league. By all outer appearances,
early
was
Bob seemed
completely healthy; however,
if you could look inside of his intes

tines, you would know that he was in pain and suffering from a
severe case of Crohns disease. When I met him, Bob was a patient
in the
hospital
as soon as
in which I
there
was an
worked, and he
opening
in the
was
scheduled for surgery
operating-room
schedule. He
48
Your
doses of Prednisone and other strong medications

control his symptoms, which included abdominal pain, weight
was
to
taking high
fatigue, and nausea.

One day, when I was making rounds at mealtime, I noticed that
the food Bob was being served was rather hard to chew, rough in
texture, and difficult to digest. This food just didnt seem right for
loss, diarrhea, weakness,
someone
with his condition, and because I couldnt discount the
role that his poor diet might be playing in that condition, I

asked whether his pain and related symptoms increased after he ate.
possible
He confirmed my suspicions
worse after he ate. He also told
by telling
me
they
me
were
definitely
his condition worsened when he
upset or under stress. This information did not surprise me. I

then asked whether his doctor had ever talked to him about his diet
was
or
suggested special
foods for his condition,
or
management. He replied, No.

I asked Bob whether he would be willing
suggested
relaxation
or stress
for
few
days,
diet that I believed would
to
go
improve
on a
special
diet
his condition. I
liquids, including water, gentle soup broths, juices,

herbal teas, and gelatin, and nothing solid. I told him why, explain
ing the mechanisms of digestion in relation to his disease. He
agreed. I also showed him some simple stress-management practices,
including gentle relaxation breathing to do, which would calm the
suggested
nerves
clear
in his intestines.
doing. Each day,

he reported remarkable improvement. After just three days, he was
completely symptom free. He couldnt believe that something so
simple as his diet and learning how to relax could take away the
incredible pain and suffering he had been going through for the past
Every day,
I checked
on
Bob
to see
how he
was
years with this chronic intestinal condition. After removal of

the harmful factors that created imbalance and disorder in his intes
seven
tines, Bobs
ral
state
healing
system
was
able
to restore
his
body
to
its
natu
of health.
esophageal reflux, gastritis,

peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohns disease, ulcerative
colitis, and diverticulitis wreak havoc on millions of people. Many of
these conditions are treated with strong medications or surgical pro
cedures, and they may be serious enough to cause death or serve as
precursors to other complications, including cancer, which can be
Numerous intestinal diseases, such
as
Healing System
Your
deadly.
Colon
49
in Action
cancer
alone is
one
of the
most
common
deadly
killers in the West.

In my
experience, using strong medications to attack these dis

eases as if they were foreign entities accomplishes
temporary results
at best and does nothing to address the underlying factors contribut
ing to these diseases. Alternatively, learning to work with the heal
ing system, as Bob did, even though doing this may take longer, also
creates longer-lasting results. Working with
your healing system by
implementing simple, natural methods such as proper nutrition and
stress management, along with other modalities that
support and
cooperate with your healing system,
long-standing intestinal diseases.
Healing System
Jesses Story
Your
often heal
even
serious,
and Middle-Ear Infections:
4 years old when his parents took him to an ear specialist

consult about the possibility of having tubes surgically implanted
Jesse
to
can
was
in his
was
ears.
He had been
on
15 months old, and his
antibiotics almost
ear
infections
continuously since
chronic. In pre
that he didnt respond to their ver
were now
school, his teachers complained

bal commands, and they were concerned about permanent
loss. After
reading about
he
hearing
possible effects of not having the oper

ation, which included permanent hearing loss, Jesses parents went
home thinking surgery was their only option.
When Jesses father went for his regular chiropractic adjustment
the next day, he happened to mention Jesses situation to his chiroprac
tor. The chiropractor told him that by adjusting the
spine and remov
ing dairy from the diets of affected children, he and many of his col
leagues had reported significant successes in children with conditions
similar to Jesses. Many medical doctors, including the well-known
author Dr. Andrew Weil, were now also recommending this treatment.
After postponing the conventional tube surgery, Jesses
parents
him
the
for
to
treatment. He gently pressed on
brought
chiropractor
Jesses spine, and he educated Jesses parents about good posture and
simple breathing techniques. They also began him on the new diet
that promised to decrease the amount of mucous and phlegm in the
respiratory system and eustachian tubes of the ears. The chiroprac
tic adjustments continued once a month for nine months.
the
50
Your
he hadnt had
into my office. His parents told me

with his ears since they saw the ear special
later, Jesse
Two years
problem
came
hearing was perfect.

Middle-ear infections are extremely common in young children
and can be a nightmare for a parent. Sleepless nights, painful scream
ing, multiple prescriptions for antibiotics, with the eventual placement
of tubes that puncture the eardrum and middle-ear chamber, along
with the possibility of permanent hearing loss, are not uncommon.
When I first heard about chiropractic adjustments for middleear problems, I was skeptical. However, over the years, I have seen
enough positive results to know that these treatments often work.
Jesses case is just one example. As remote as the connection might
seem, the spinal adjustments help to improve posture and breathing,
and they possibly improve the lymphatic drainage of the middle ear.
Because your healing system integrates the function of all the
systems in your body, to understand and work with it requires
an expanded view of how the various parts of your body are inter
connected. Any healing modality or treatment that supports and
cooperates with the healing system by addressing and removing the
underlying factors of a disease, such as the unusual treatment just
described for middle-ear problems, can result in the healing of con
ist
two
years earlier.
Furthermore, his
ditions that appear to have no cure other than surgery. There is no

miracle in the restoration of health and healing from any disease
once you understand that your body has a healing systemand that
healing
is its
normal, ordinary, everyday job.
Healing System
Rachelles Story
Your
Rachelle
Multiple
Sclerosis:
young housewife with three children. She had been

with a severe, rapidly progressive form of multiple sclero
was a
diagnosed
sis
and
(MS) after experiencing symptoms of loss of coordination,
problems with balance, and visual disturbances. She was placed on

strong, suppressive medications and referred to a specialty clinic for
patients with multiple sclerosis. She was given a wheelchair and told
get used to it, because soon this would be what she would be
spending the rest of her life in.
to
When Rachelle
inside and
saw
opened the door to the specialty clinic, she peered
hundreds of other MS
patients,
all in wheelchairs,
Healing System
Your
and all with
51
in Action
look of
resignation
on
their faces. At that moment,
premonition that this place would only strengthen her dis

ease. Refusing to give up hope of overcoming her affliction, she fled
the scene immediately. That moment marked the beginning of her
healing journey.
she had
Against
her doctors advice, Rachelle underwent
series of
which she
experienced temporary
her
see
improvement.
symptoms go away, even if only briefly, was
all the hope she needed to continue to fight to regain her health. She
acupuncture
treatments
in
To
decided
to
become
researching,
an
active
participant in
her
treatment
by reading,
visiting doctors and healers from a wide range of

alternative and complementary disciplines and traditions. She began
practicing gentle yoga and took a keen interest in her thoughts and
attitudes while studying the effect they had on her body. She learned
that her mind and her attitude played a key role in the health of her
body. She began to take better care of her nourishment, not only
with her food, but also with her thoughts. She saw that loving thoughts
nourished her body, whereas thoughts borne of low self-esteem and
self-hatred were harmful to her body.
After 11 grueling years, Rachelle finally overcame her affliction
and
was
Womans
and
declared disease free. Her classic book, Who Said So?: A
Fascinating Journey of Self Discovery
and
Triumph
over
IVIultzple Sclerosis, (Rachelle Breslow, Celestial Arts, 1991) is one of

the most compelling stories and critical pieces of evidence for the
healing system that I have ever come across. By discovering her heal
ing system, and learning to discard unhealthy habits and thought
patterns that served as obstacles to its performance, Rachelle was
able to completely reverse and heal from a disease still considered
incurable by most so-called health experts!
Your
Healing System
James
was a
captain
and
Kidney
Stones:
in the U.S. Air Force and
James Story
a
senior C-130
pilot
(Special Operations Squadron) reconnaissance

squadron based out of the Philippines at Clark Air Base, where I was
also stationed as a flight surgeon at the USAF Regional Medical
with the 1st SOS
Center in the
One
over
the
Department
of Aerospace Medicine.
day, while he was flying a low-altitude mission on a hot day

jungles of Thailand, James began to feel a terrible pain in
52
Your
his back,
waves.
right flank,
As the
pain
and
groin
that seemed
radiated from his back
to
to
his
and go in
area, becom
come
groin
ing stronger and more intense with each wave, it crescendoed to a

steady 10 out of 10 on the Richter scale of pain and soon became
unbearable. The
pain
became
so
excruciating
that
James,
per
all the controls of his air
now
spiring profusely, was forced to turn over

craft to the copilot while he scrambled to lie down in the back. His
copilot requested clearance for an emergency landing.
After his copiiot landed the plane, James was met by an ambu
lance that took him to the nearest hospital in Bangkok. In the hos
pital, he was given intravenous pain medications. He was then
immediately evacuated by air ambulance and transferred to the
USAF Regional Medical Center in the Philippines, where I worked.
After several hours in the emergency department of our large
hospital, and numerous examinations, including X-rays, blood tests,
and urine tests, James was told he had a kidney stone. Kidney stones
occur as blockages in the kidneys or ureters, and they can be one of
the most painful conditions ever to experience. Surgery for kidney
stones is not uncommon because they can be life threatening, espe
cially if they are large enough.
Several days later, while James was still in the hospital, after he
had received voluminous amounts of intravenous fluids and pain
medications, he passed a single, solitary kidney stone. He was
uneventfully discharged from the hospital after a few days. At this
point, everything looked good.
On follow-up examinations, however, while he was an outpa
tient, James urine tests showed elevated urinary calcium, which per
sisted for days and weeks, and which alarmed his specialists. They
suspected an underlying metabolic problem, which could lead to
another kidney stone, and despite James insistence that he felt fine
and was ready to return to flying, they would not allow him back in
the cockpit. They contended that he was a threat to his and others
flying safety. In the aerospace industry, and in the language of the
U.S. Air Force, according to strict flight-safety policies, James was
indefinitely grounded. This meant that his flying career, within
both the military and civilian worlds, was essentially over.
I believed in the intelligence and power of James healing sys
tem, and I felt strongly that once the obstacles to its performance
Your
Healing System
53
in Action
healing system could correct the situation. I was

convinced that his high urinary calcium was the result of the resid
ual calcium oxalate sand, which consisted of ultra-fine particles
left over from the stone that had recently passed. This conviction
was based on the information I received while I was performing a
detailed medical history of the events leading up to his kidney-stone
incident. Just days before the incident, James had had diarrhea, and
he had become severely dehydrated at the time he was flying. While
flying, he also became severely overheated in his bulky flight suit and
stuffy cockpit, a condition made worse by Thailands heat. He had
also been under significant stress for six months related to an illness
in the family. All of these factors predisposed him to a kidney stone.
I encouraged James to drink as much water as he could, to flush
out the residual sand that I felt was responsible for his elevated urine
calcium. As it turned out, simple water was all his healing system
needed to reverse the dangerously high levels of calcium in his body.
Thanks to James healing system, and his ability to cooperate
with it by drinking lots of fluids, abstaining from alcohol and caf
feine, and avoiding and managing his stress, about six months from
the day of his kidney-stone episode, his urine calcium returned to
normal, and he was permanently restored to flying status without
were
removed, his
any medications and without any waiver.
James has been flying as a senior pilot for Delta Airlines now for
more than 15 years. He surfs, has three beautiful children, and hasnt
day of flying due
illness
during this entire period. He likes

to drink water, as you can imagine, and to date has never had an
inkling of the kidney stone problems that almost ended his career.
missed
Your
Healing System
Tony
wears
to
and
proudly, as a battlefield trophy and

victory over Hodgkins disease, a malig
his shaven head
reminder of his successful

nant cancer
Cancer:Tonys Story
of the
lymph
system, which had him down and
out
for
several years.
Tony looks good with his shaved head and mustache. Even
though he could grow his hair back if he wanted to, he prefers the
look of a monk-warrior. He is in great shape, running four to five
miles each day, and working full time in the automotive department
of a major, national-chain department store. Although he has an air
54
Your
of determination about him,

a
at
the
same
little twinkle in his eyes. He is

person. Heres a man who knows the
cheerful mood, with
vibrant, magnetic
always in
a glowing,
gift of life
time, hes almost
single second feeling sorry for himself or enter

taining negative thinking, in spite of all hes been through.
When I asked Tony where he thought his cancer came from,
and to what he attributed his healing, the answers were simple and
straightforward. Doc, he said, I was under a lot of stress just prior
to my diagnosis. I was working too hard and worrying too much. I
wasnt having fun, and I was way too serious. I never rested, and
everything seemed to get to me. I had a lot of anger that I couldnt
release. I felt all bottled up inside. My diet was bad. I wasnt taking
good care of myself, and I knew it.
When I received my diagnosis, I felt that it was a wake-up
call, Tony continued. In a way, it gave me an excuse to be a little
selfish again and focus on the needs of my body. I changed my atti
and doesnt
waste a
tude and my ways and decided that I would turn all my troubles
over to a higher power. I started taking the time to eat right, exer
cise, and take
care
of myself because I realized it
was
up
to me.
When I shifted gears, its amazing how my body responded,

Tony added. While my doctors were surprised, I was not the least
bit shocked
over
my
complete
reversal of cancer. I
really
feel it
was
brought on my own cancer, and it was I who got me out of that

mess by becoming a little more aware of how my attitude, thinking,
and behaviors were affecting my body. The entire process of getting
ill and then being healed was completely logical to me.
When people start to realize the amazing power of their own
healing systems, and start taking responsibility for their own health,
as Tony did, they often become empowered to take the necessary
steps to help their bodies heal. Although cancer has been and contin
who
ues to
be
one
of the
most
feared diseases of modern times,
even can
stand up to the miraculous powers of your healing system

once you learn how to remove the obstacles that interfere with its
functioning. As you become more aware of the many ways your heal
cer cannot
ing
system strives
more
ways
to
to
keep
your
body healthy,
support and cooperate with it
you will discover many

to restore
your health.
dealing with any major, life-threatening illness and

rallying your healing system to come to your support, understanding
When you
are
Healing System
Thur
the obstacles that
55
in Action
are
interfering with
the
performance
and function
imperative. Some of these obstacles are

ingestion of toxic substances, poor diet,
stress, and lack of exercise; others are more subtle, such as unhealthy
thinking and holding onto anger. Because much unhealthy thinking
of your
healing
system is
obvious, such as habitual
and behavior is habitual and unconscious, you must first become

aware of these unhealthy patterns before you can change them. As
we
explore a little later

a powerful influence
will
exerts
you
can
do
to
in the
on
make the mind
book,
you will
bodys healing
ally in your healing.
your
an
how your mind

system, and what
see
ClosingThoughts onYour
Healing System in Action
body knows how to heal itself because it has a remarkably efficient
and intelligent healing system. You can think of your amazing healing
system as the field marshal who commands the forces of healing with
in your body, directing the various elements to maintain your natural
state of health. I could have presented many more cases here, but it is
clear from the evidence presented so far that you have a healing system
that is capable of healing your body from a multitude of afflictions,
even when these afflictions have become advanced and things appear
pretty hopeless. As long as you are alive, you have healing power.
It is important to remember that, even though the variety of dis
eases and the number of afflictions you may potentially suffer from
on this earth appear vast and staggering, the many ways that your
healing system can heal you and keep your body healthy are, by far,
infinitely greater.
To understand more thoroughly how your healing system works,
and what you can do to work with it, learning about the other systems
in your body with which it is allied is important. Your healing system
utilizes these other systems and relies on their cooperation to initiate
powerful and sophisticated healing responses whenever illness or
injury threatens your natural state of health. In the next chapter, youll
learn about the critical relationship between your extraordinary heal
ing system and the other systems in your body, and how they all work
together and respond to each other in incredible ways.
Your
CHAPTER 3
The Team Members of

Your
Healing System
system is intimately connected to all of your bodys

other 12 systems. It is integrated within the structures and cells of
our
healing
these different systems so much so that when your body is in its nat
ural state of health, the cooperation between the healing system and
the other systems of the body, and the ways in which
together, are almost flawless.
To
fully understand
the connections between the
they
function
healing system
and the other systems of the body, you first need to understand how
each system functions individually and performs specialized tasks.
The health of each individual system is essential to your overall
health and to each systems ability to work efficiently and effectively
with your
healing
system.
Your Skin
Your skin is the
Consisting
most
of several
shades, your skin is
layers
one
exposed system in your body.

appearing in a variety of colors and
exterior and
and
of the
most
obvious features that define your

continuous organ, and, much like
bodys individuality. Your skin is one

a teddy bear or other stuffed animals
outer
lining
that holds its stuff-
58
Your
your skin can be looked upon as the outer covering of the body
that holds in all of your internal structures. Your skin exhibits the fol
ing in,
lowing qualities
o
that aid your
Skin is flexible. It
healing system
stretch and
can
in many
expand
to
important ways:
tremendous
capaci
during pregnancy and extreme cases of

obesity~ This characteristic helps your skin resist tearing and
other injuries, which reduces the burden on your healing system.
ties,
as
sunlight. Like a chameleon, your skin can

change color, depending on its exposure to the sun. Gradual
increases in sun exposure result in the accumulation and depo
sition of a pigment known as melanin, which results in tanning.
Sunlight contains vitamin D, which improves calcium absorp
tion and helps maintain bone density. Tanning increases
tolerance to sun exposure, thus allowing for greater amounts
of vitamin D to be absorbed and produced. Sunlight also pro
motes wound healing, prevents infection, and stimulates the
immune system, and so the skins ability to absorb sunlight is a
sophisticated mechanism that benefits and supports your heal
Skin
ing
o
demonstrated
can
absorb
system.
fluids. Because your body is 70 per

cent fluid, maintenance of proper fluid levels is necessary for
optimum functioning of your healing system. When water con
Skin holds in your
tent
falls below
bodys
certain
level, illness and death
can ensue.
skin prevents your body from becoming dehydrated.

tion also commonly occurs in burn victims. When
sustains
severe
burn
body,
death is
of the
body through
to
real threat
the
Your
Dehydra
someone
than 50 percent of his or her

result of the leakage of fluid out
more
as a
damaged
skin.
protect your body from infection. Intact skin is a nat

ural barrier to most forms of microorganisms, including viruses
Skin
helps
and bacteria. When

your
skin, infection
an
abrasion
can enter
or
laceration
into the
body
creates a
break in
and penetrate into
deeper, more vulnerable tissues and cause significant disease,

damage, and even death. Your skin is fairly tough and supports
your healing system by keeping your body free from infection
and invading organisms.
the
The Team Members of Your
59
Healing System
helps regulate body temperature. Your body is programmed

keep its internal temperature close to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit,
Skin
to
and because of your skin, it can maintain this temperature most

of the time. At 98.6 degrees, all the enzyme systems in your bodys
internal environment function
optimally, including those that

work with your healing system. Any sudden or sustained reduc
tion in this normal body temperature disrupts the health and
integrity of your body. The pores in your skin also regulate body
temperature by opening wider and sweating when body temper
ature rises too high, and by closing to retain heat when body
temperature goes too low. Sweating supports your healing system
by preventing your body from overheating during periods of
extreme physical activity or exceptionally hot weather, when a
fever is present,
or
when you have
stress.
capable of absorbing moisture and other substances.

Much like a frog, your skin can absorb water and literally drink
from the environment. Medical scientists are now making use of
the skins absorption capabilities by creating medicines that are
applied to the skin in the form of patches. These medicines
include nitroglycerin for heart patients, estrogen for postmenopausal women, nicotine for people attempting to quit
smoking, and scopolamine to help prevent motion sickness.
Your skin is
Skin eliminates toxins and
products. One important

example of the skins ability to rid the body of toxins is its
response when the body has a fever. With a fever, sweating
occurs, which helps the body eliminate the toxins caused by the
infection. Until modern medicine began encouraging the use of
medications to suppress fever, people with high fevers, includ
ing those fevers caused by pneumonia, were encouraged to
drink lots of fluids and bundle up in heavy blankets to sweat out
waste
the toxins until the fever broke.

*
Skin
plays an important role in touch. Touch is a vital ingredi

ent for physical and emotional health. Human beings require
regular, compassionate touching to thrive and survive. Studies
done with touching show that the cultures that advocate more
touching have less heart disease and mental illness than cultures
in which people dont touch very often. Babies who are not held
60
Your
and touched often
develop
condition known
as
Failure
to
syndrome, which can have fatal consequences. Touching

essential to strengthen and fortify your healing system.
Thrive
is
Your Hair,Your Nails, and Your
Healing System
helps your healing system in several ways, and although hair is

usually thought of as separate from skin, your hair is a part of your
skin. Each type of hair shape, color, and distribution on the body
found throughout the world has been designed to aid our healing sys
tems and keep our bodies healthy in a multitude of ways. For exam
ple, in Africa, where temperatures can become extremely hot, tightly
curled hair, often referred to as kinky hair, serves to keep the head
and body cool. Kinky hair acts like an intricately coiled refrigerator
system to help trap and cool water vapors (moisture that has evapo
Hair
rated in the form of steam) off the top of the head. Mediterranean
body hair, which is more common in warm, arid climates, protects the
body from drying out, and from wind and sand. This type of hair
helps
to conserve
Hair also
fluids and
acts as a sense
regulate body temperature.

organ for touch. If your head
begins
to
overhanging object that you might not have

seen, your hair will meet the object first. The movement of hair will
inform you to duck your head quickly to avoid serious injury~
Toenails and fingernails are also specialized parts of your skin,
and they help your healing system by protecting the delicate tips of
your toes and fingers.
brush up
against
Healing
Wound
Your skin possesses
sion, burn,
of blood
or
other
along
an
of the
an
Sk~in
uncanny
injury.
ability
Because
with concomitant
to
heal itself after
injuries
injuries
to
to
laceration, abra
the skin may involve the loss
deeper
structures
within the
healing requires the sophisticated and timely collaboration of

many body systems, including the circulatory, the endocrine, the immune, and
the nervous systems. Your healing system supervises and directs this
body,
wound
remarkable collaboration.
61
Heaiing System
Your Skeletal
System
The skeletal system establishes the rigid framework of your body

and is made up primarily of bones, which are the densest structures
body. Intact bones that

on archeological sites.
in your
found
are
thousands of years old
Your skeletal system works with your
important
*
healing
can
be
system in many
ways:
significant stress loads and protect the bodys deeper

organs and tissues. The ribs, for example, in addition to
Bones absorb
internal
being involved in the function of respiration, also serve to protect

the heart and lungs and other vital structures in the chest cavity~
The skull protects and houses the brain, the master organ in the
body. The bones in the spine, known singularly as vertebra, and
collectively as vertebrae, are stacked one on top of each other to

form the spinal column. The vertebrae support the weight of your
head; they also act like flexible conduits, encasing and protecting
the delicate spinal cord, which is the main electrical, intercommu
nicating highway between your brain and body.
*
conjunction
uncanny ability
In
the
case
of fracture. This
continue
*
to
In addition
are
with your healing system, bones have an

to mend and knit themselves back together in
protect the
to
responsible
capability ensures that your bones will

deeper organs and tissues of the body.
their
protective role, bones, along
for
which
movement,
keeps
your
with muscles,
body healthy
and free from disease (see the next section, Your Muscular
System). For example, the bones of the legs are responsible for
walking, running, climbing, and jumping, while the bones in the

arms, hands, and fingers are responsible for movement of the
upper extremities. The bones in your face
participate
in facial
expression, chewing, and breathing; they also protect the delicate

sense organs in the region, such as your eyes, ears, and nose.
*
bodys largest pool of calcium. Calcium is

required for healthy muscle contractions, heart activity, nerve
transmission, and other vitally important functions that aid
your healing system in keeping your body healthy.
Bones
serve
as
the
62
Your
Your Muscular
System
The system that is primarily responsible for movement in your body

is the muscular system. Muscles make up approximately 40 percent
they alone are the heaviest and most

dominant system in your body. The muscles in your body serve as
key allies to your healing system in the following ways:
of your total
body weight,
When muscles
move
and
and
contract,
they
generate heat, which
keeps your body warm. This process supports your healing system
by keeping your body functioning at optimum temperatures.
o
Regular movement and exercise of the muscles improves circu

lation by strengthening the heart. A strong heart aids the healing
system by improving the delivery of oxygen and vital nutrients
throughout your body.
change, and heal.
They are dynamic, versatile, and highly plastic. Body builders
who continually lift weights over a long period of time can add
up to 100 pounds or more of solid muscle tissue to their frames,
becoming powerful and strong in the process. Alternatively, yogis
in India, through many years of stretching the muscles in their
bodies, can mold their bodies into pretzelsthey have earned the
label of rubber men for the incredible flexibility in their joints.
Muscles that are strong, flexible, and relaxed create healthy joints
and ensure strength and maximum movement, which is essential
for the healing system to function most efficiently.
Muscles have
tremendous
capacity
to
grow,
important internal processes that aid

your healing system in keeping your body healthy. For example,
muscles of respiration participate in breathing, causing move
ment of the diaphragm and the rib cage, which allows air and
oxygen to flow in and out of your lungs.
Muscles also
participate
in
Smooth muscles, located inside various vital organs, such as the

intestines, the arteries, and the bronchioles in the lungs, are criti
functioning of these organs and the healing system. They

can contract and expand the diameters of these important tubular
structures, and in the process, help to direct the movement of vital
cal
to
the
63
Healing System
body fluids and important gases such as oxygen

tions within your body.
*
to
specific destina
following examples emphasize how indispensable the smooth

muscles are to the health and performance of your healing system.
The
When the muscles in the arteries

narrower;
body. In
digestive
helps to
digestive
this
the
tract,
known
circulate blood
system, the
as
the arteries become
contract,
more
quickly through your
movement
is caused
peristalsis,
of food down the
alternating
muscles; peristalsis
by
the
expansion of the intestinal

allows the food to pass along the length of the intestines. The
same is true in the lungs, where the muscles that line the breath
ing tubes, known as the bronchi and bronchioles, help to regulate
the flow of air in and out of your body.
contraction and
Your Nervous
The
nervous
system is the
master
System
communication and electrical
arm
healing system. Consisting of your brain, the spinal cord, and

peripheral nerves (like a tree with many branches), your nervous
of your
the
system processes information and sends and receives messages with
astonishing speed and precision throughout all parts of your body.

With the help of your nervous system, your healing system
knows what is going on in even the tiniest cell in the most remote
region of your body. Because of your nervous system, your healing
system can dispatch a concentrated, orchestrated, and effective heal
ing response with great accuracy and speed to any area of your body.
Your
1. The
nervous
voluntary
such activities
swimming,
system consists of two main limbs:
nervous
as
and
system, which
regulates
the
movements
of
standing, walking, running, jumping, sitting,

all other activities that you can consciously
direct.
2. The
involuntary
system, also known as the autonomic

which automatically controls vital body
nervous
system,
processes, such as breath, heartbeat,
nervous
adaptation
to
light,
temperature, visual
muscular reflexes, and many others.
body
64
Your
system is exquisitely interconnected to the func

tioning of your entire nervous system, upon which it depends
for specialized roles in communication, the regulation of vital,
healing
Your
life-sustaining, physiological processes, and the direction of key

mechanisms for the growth, repair, and maintenance of your bodys
natural
state
of health.
Sense
Organs
and Your
Healing System
In association with your nervous system, there are highly specialized

tissues and structures in your body known as sense organs, which
include the eyes,
ears,
tongue, and skin. Information that

and aids your healing system, and that
nose,
influences your perception

enables you to safely move about in this world, is fed
through
to
these various
danger, but,
avoid
sense
more
to
your brain
organs. Sense organs not only allow you

importantly, to interact with life in all its
coming in through the senses can also directly

bodys physiology, exerting a powerful influence on your
fullness. Information
alter your
healing
system.
Your Endocrine
System (Glands)
The endocrine system consists of the major organ-glands in your

body; these organ-glands are responsible for the production, secre
of all your hormones. Hormones are powerful

chemical messengers that work with your healing system to influ
ence important physiological processes and vital body functions.
tion, and
regulation
following hormones and their respective endocrine organs,

commonly referred to as giands, make up the endocrine system and
play major roles in the chemistry of your bodys internal environ
ment while they support your healing system through numerous
The
mechanisms:
Adrenaline, also known
epinephrine, produced by
the adre
glands, is one of the best known of all hormones. Adrenaline

rapidly secreted during emergencies, and in response to fear,
nal
is
as
stress,
or
other
states
flight
bodys physiology:
causes
increases heart
increases blood pressure
increases
increases oxygen
dilates
the
rate
respiratory
rate
consumption
pupils
affects many other functions that help the body direct

resources to effectively deal with any emergency~
Adrenocorticotropic hormone, or ACTH, produced by your

pituitary gland, regulates the production of cortisol from the
adrenal gland. Cortisol regulates glucose metabolism, plays a
key role in the immune system, and aids the healing system by
acting as a powerful, natural anti-inflammatory agent.
produced by the adrenal glands, is a powerful hor
regulates the amount of sodium and fluid levels in
Aldosterone,
mone
the
a
fight-or
following changes in your
of excitement; it activates the
response, which
65
Healing System
that
body;
it also controls blood pressure.
Estrogen and progesterone, produced by the ovaries in women,

play important roles in menstruation and pregnancy; they also
have other wide-reaching effects in the body, such as bone for
mation, cholesterol metabolism, and the health of the skin.
(follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hor

mone), secreted from the pituitary gland, regulate the produc
FSH
tion of
eggs, in the ovaries of women, where estrogen is

These hormones also are involved in the process of
ova, or
produced.
menstruation, and
they play
an
important
role
during
preg
nancy.
a
Growth hormone,
and
regulates
Insulin is
bone
produced by your pituitary gland, controls

growth and overall growth in your body.
produced
important hormones
in the pancreas and is
in your
body.
Insulin
one
of the
most
regulates glucose
metabolism and blood sugar, which are central to the health of

your healing system, and to every cell and tissue in your body.
66
Your
Interstitial
release of
cell-stimulating hormone,
testosterone
from the
testes
or
ICSH, stimulates the
in males.
Melatonin, which is strongly influenced by sunlight and plays a

major role in the regulation of moods, is a powerful hormone
produced by the pineal gland. Melatonin controls natural sleep

and wake cycles, and the production of melanin, the pigment
that helps regulate the amount of sunlight that enters into your
body.
o
Oxytocin, produced by the pituitary gland, regulates the process

of labor by stimulating uterine contractions during childbirth.
Oxytocin also aids in milk production and secretion during
breast-feeding.
Parathyroid hormone, produced by the parathyroid glands, con

trols bone metabolism and regulates calcium levels in your
blood. Parathyroid hormone also affects calcium absorption in
your intestines and calcium resorption in your kidneys. Calcium
also is required for the functioning of the heart, as well as other
important muscles and nerves in your body.
o
and the release of breast milk

o
gland, regulates lactation

following childbirth in women.
Prolactin, secreted from the pituitary
produced in the testes in men, is required for tes

ticular development, sexual maturity, the production of sperm,
the development of facial and body hair, depth of voice, muscu
lar development, and male libido.
Testosterone,
Thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid gland, helps to

regulate growth and development, metabolism, skin and hair
growth, heart rate, body temperature, menstruation, and mood.
Thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, produced by your pitu
itary gland, controls and regulates the function of the thyroid
gland, which is one of the most important glands in your body.
Vasopressin, or ADH (antidiuretic hormone), produced by the
pituitary gland, acts on the kidneys to conserve water by inhibit
ing urination and also plays a role in blood-pressure regulation.
Your
Your
to
digestive
Digestive System
system consists of various organs that
your small and
uous,
67
Healing System
large
intestines, which combine
hollow, twisted, tube-like
structure
to
are
connected
form
that extends
more
contin
than 30
feet from your mouth to your rectum. The following components

make up the digestive system: your mouth, tongue, teeth, salivary
glands, nose, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, large
intestines,
rectum,
and
anus.
The
digestive system also includes the

appendix. Your digestive system,
gall bladder, pancreas, and

through the delivery of essential nutrients, maintains close ties with
your healing system.
Your digestive system is responsible for breaking down, absorbing,
and assimilating vital nutrients into your body from the foods you eat.
These nutrients provide the fuel for your healing system and for your
entire body, helping it grow, repair itself, and maintain its natural state
of health. As your body heals from any malady, your digestive system
plays a key role in delivering necessary nutrients for the purposes of
rebuilding and providing new growth to damaged tissues.
Following digestion, what your body doesnt need or cannot use
is eliminated through the large intestines in the form of solid wastes.
Elimination aids your healing system by ridding your body of
unwanted toxins and waste products.
liver,
Your
Respiratory System
respiratory system consists of the nose, mouth, sinuses, middle ear,

throat, tonsils, trachea, larynx, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and lungs.
Your
breathing, the ribs and diaphragm are consid

ered ancillary structures of the respiratory system. The health of each of
these structures affects the health of your entire respiratory system and,
ultimately, your entire body. Your respiratory system directs the flow of
air in and out of your body through these various structures.
The respiratory system is responsible for delivering oxygen to
your blood, which is then pumped to every cell and tissue in your
body. Without oxygen, your cells and tissues cannot live. Your res
Because of their role in
68
Your
piratory
dioxide,
system is also responsible for ridding your body of carbon

a toxic waste product of normal cellular metabolism.
The
respiratory
including
is in
system is connected
shock,
has
body
a
has
fever,
to
many other systems,
circulatory, lymphatic,
your nervous,
When the
tems.
an
or
oxygen
deficit, such
has sustained
a severe
and
as
digestive
when
sys
person
illness,
trauma,
or
injury, or when stress is significant, rates of breathing tend to auto

matically increase to bring more oxygen into the body. This is just
one example of a critical cooperative effort between your respirato
ry system and your healing system.
Circulatory System
Your
circulatory
system consists of your heart and blood vessels,

the blood, and all the various constituents in your blood, including
The
your red blood cells. In your
arteries that
arteries
the blood
bring
become clogged,
heart, the coronary
supply
back
heart attack
arteries
are
special
the heart itself. If these
to
can
occur.
Their health is
the health of your heart, upon whose health your healing

system and entire body depend.
The circulatory system has many vital functions. It is responsi
critical
to
ble for
and
distributing blood,
which contains oxygen and

other vital nutrients and substances, to every cell and tissue in your
Pumping
body.
These nutrients and substances include hormones, antibod
ies, enzymes, neurotransmitters, vitamins, minerals, and

ments
o
that
Removing
are
vital
to
the
toxic metabolic
functioning
byproducts,
trace
ele
of your
healing
such
carbon dioxide
as
system.
and lactic acid.

o
oxygen from the
lungs to the various organs and tis

sues in your body. Hemoglobin, a very important molecule in
red blood cells, accomplishes this task.
Carrying
Clotting of the blood. White blood cells, which are crucial for
the functioning of the immune system, are essential for blood
clotting. Blood clotting is unique function of the circulatory
a
system, and it
during times of injury to prevent excessive

clotting represents one of the true miracles of
occurs
blood loss. Blood

the
69
Healing System
healing system.
Lymphatic System
Your
think of your lymphatic system as the blood-purification

system. The lymphatic system consists of a series of lymphatic ves
sels and lymph nodes that are strategically located throughout spe
You
can
cific parts of your
the
body. Lymph
fluid circulates
freely throughout
lymph
system; this fluid contains white blood cells, antibodies,

and important chemicals of the immune system. Your lymphatic
system works closely with your circulatory, immune, and healing
systems
as
it circulates and
body to keep
toxins and
removes
impurities
from your
your tissues and blood free from disease caused
by bac
teria, viruses, and other invaders.
Your
Your
Urinary System
primarily responsible
for
acting as a filter for

your blood to remove wastes and toxins from your body. The major
organs of your urinary system include your kidneys and bladder, and
they support your healing system through a number of important
urinary
system is
functions. These functions include the
Your
urinary
in your
a
Your
system
Your
your
to conserve
and
regulate
fluid levels
body.
urinary
system filters and
tion within your

a
helps
following:
purifies
the entire blood circula
body.
urinary system regulates electrolyte levels, assuring that

body has proper amounts of sodium, potassium, calcium,
key minerals and trace elements that support vital

physiological processes that are essential for your healing system.
and other
Your
urinary system
blood, which is critical
monitors
to
your
protein concentration
healing system.
in the
70
Your
Your
In women, the
Reproductive System
reproductive system
is located in the lower abdomen
pelvic area, and it consists of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, and

vagina. The breasts, located in the chest, are also included in this
system. The breasts are actually dual-purpose organs, serving as
nutritive, lactating glands that deliver milk immediately following
childbirth; in addition, they act as attractive forces to the opposite
sex, and as tissues of arousal that help promote sexual and reproduc
and
tive activities. In this way, the breasts
both
serve
secretory function and a reproductive one.

In men, the testes, prostate, seminal vesicles,
make up the reproductive system.

More than any other system in the
an
endocrine,
urethra, and penis
reproductive
system is responsible for helping to differentiate the physical charac
These differences are responsible for
teristics of men and
the strongly magnetic forces that help foster the sexual attraction
body,
the
women.
between the
sexes.
The natural result of this attraction, and the main
function of your reproductive system, is reproduction and prolifer

ation of the species. Although women can live without a uterus or
prostate, the repro
ductive system is essential for the survival of the human race.
The reproductive system maintains an intimate connection with
ovaries, and
men can
live without
testes
and
the endocrine system. In addition to having receptors for hormones

produced by other organs, the reproductive system produces it own
notably
estrogen in females and testosterone in

males. These hormones contribute to overall health, and they can
hormones,
most
influence emotional and mental
states.
For instance, estrogen
exerts
protective influence on the heart.

Many other systems in the body also are connected to the health
and proper functioning of the reproductive system. These include
the nervous, endocrine, circulatory, and lymphatic systems.
a
Your Immune
Your immune system consists of
organs that
can
System
complex network of cells and

produce extremely powerful chemicals known as
a
known about your immune system until quite

Research is still discovering new facts about this amazing
antibodies. Little
recently.
was
system, whose chief function is

tion and other intruders.
ly
71
Healing System
to
defend your
body against
infec
The cellular components of your immune system consist large

of white blood cells, with highly specialized roles and functions.
You
can
think of white blood cells
as
infantrymen
who
are
pro
destroy any invading enemy in the form of pathogenic

bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or other harmful organisms. The
grammed
to
division of labor among the many types of white blood cells of your
immune system is so detailed, subtle, sophisticated, and precise as to
make any other army or military force in the
appear primitive and impotent in comparison.
Antibodies, which
threats and
can
history
of the world
in direct response to specific

molecular cruise missiles, are released
produced
are
be likened
to
destroy unwanted intruders

with remarkable speed, accuracy, and precision. Antibodies are pres
ent in the blood, produced in large quantities upon demand. They
also are in the bodys mucous membranes, such as the nose, mouth,
respiratory system, intestines, urethra, and other body tissues and
into the bloodstream
cavities that
to
connect to
seek
out
and
the outside environment.
Your immune system, once thought to be a completely inde

pendent system, is now known to be directly linked to your brain
system, and to other systems, as well. For example,

white blood cells have been discovered to possess receptors for neu
rotransmitters produced by the brain, which demonstrates a direct
and
nervous
chemical link with your brain and nervous system. Other white
blood cells have been found to have specific hormone receptors,
indicating that your endocrine system communicates directly with
your immune system. Even
certain white blood cells

communicate
can
directly with
astonishing is recent evidence

produce and secrete hormones
more
your endocrine system.

your immune system works
that
that
closely with
your healing system; and although the two systems are clearly dis
tinct, in many instances they work together to restore your body to
As
we
its natural
discussed earlier,
state
of health.
72
Your
Team
Extraordinary HeaHng System
Closing Thoughts on the

Members of Your Healing System
though an entire book could be written on each individual

system presented in this chapter, I hope you now have a greater sense
of appreciation for how the various systems in your body function
individually and together in support of your extraordinary healing
system, which orchestrates the processes that keep you healthy. In
the next chapter, we will look at the many ways you can cooperate
with your healing system by strengthening and fortifying it so that
it can work for you most efficiently and effectively.
Even
CHAPTER 4
Strengthening and Fortif~ring

Your Healing System
bodys healing system comes prepackaged, completely

installed, and fully functional, even before the first breath enters
your lungs when you are born. Although the healing system is deliv
ered to you in perfect condition, the choices you make in your
everyday life can have a serious impact upon its performance and its
activities. Your diet and lifestyle, home and work environment,
moods and emotions, thoughts and attitudes, in addition to a mul
titude of other factors that are within your control, can dramatically
alter the behavior and efficiency of your healing system.
You can impede your healing systems ability to perform its pro
grammed mission, and overburden and exhaust its resources, by
participating in activities that are harmful to your health. Such
obstructions include the following: ignoring the basic needs of your
body, putting harmful substances into your body, eating nutrientpoor foods, not drinking enough water, not getting enough sleep
and rest, breathing harmful air, subjecting your body to a toxic envi
ronment, and living a lifestyle that is stressful and unhealthy.
our
Additional factors that
can
be detrimental
to
the intrinsic
strength of your healing system include such unhealthy mental habits

as chronic worrying; entertaining thoughts of fear, anger, and rage;
mistrusting; holding onto resentment; maintaining a pessimistic and
74
Your
cynical attitude; focusing on problems and negative circumstances;

depression; apathy; and giving up on life altogether. All these selfdestructive tendencies exhaust your bodys precious resources,
interfere with your healing systems ability to do its job properly, and
increase the likelihood of a serious, life-threatening illness or chronic
debilitating disease taking hold of your body. These negative factors
can rob you of your natural state of health and sabotage an otherwise
wholesome, vibrant, rich, and rewarding life.
Alternatively, you can strengthen, nourish, and cooperate with
your healing system, and even enhance its performance, by learning
to listen to your bodys valuable communications, understanding
what is required to maintain your natural state of health. This will
help you fulfill your basic physical needs of wholesome food, water,
fresh air, plenty of sleep and rest, and appropriate exercise, while
paying attention to your bodys early warning signs when danger or
illness may be approaching.
As we discussed earlier, your body, which is naturally programmed
for health and vitality~ can remain free of illness until your final days,
which might be well over 100 years. But if you hope to come near this
goal, you must cooperate with your healing system, and learn to
strengthen and fortif~ it, to keep it in optimum condition.
Your healing system responds to your deepest intentions and
most heartfelt desires. In this respect, you inwardly possess much
more power than you may be aware. If you want to be happy,
healthy, strong, vibrant, energetic, and active, you need to honor
and take proper care of your body, and understand the intimate rela
tionship between your body, mind, emotions, and spirit. If you do,
you can make your healing system your most powerful ally in your
quest for greater health and wellness.
Prevention
The
From
strategic
Key
to a
and tactical
Strong Healing System

viewpoint,
the best time
to
strengthen,
and cooperate with your healing system is not when you are
sick, but rather when you are healthy. So that your healing system
fortify,
will stand
poised
and
ready
to
leap
into action
at
the first
signs
of
Strengthening
distress,
and
Fortifying
Your
it is better for it
anticipated calamity~
to
prepared
be well
As the famous
demonstrates, the time
75
Healing System
in advance of any
of the ill-fated Titanic
case
check whether there
enough lifeboats
on deck for all the passengers is not when the ship is sinking, but
before it leaves the port. The same is true with your healing system.
Learning how to strengthen and fortify your healing system is easier
when your body is not already under siege from an illness or disease.
This doesnt
to
are
that if you are now ill you will not benefit from
this knowledge. On the contrary, if you are now ill, you need to
focus on this important work more than ever. In fact, your very life
mean
depends on it.
Learning how
to
the absence of illness
defeat any illness, should it attempt to violate the

and sanctity of your body. To further illustrate this point,
tive inertia
integrity
to
consider the
onship
strengthen and fortify your healing system in

or disease gives you the momentum and posi
plight
of
boxer
of the world. The time
vying
to
for the
learn how
heavyweight champi
to box for such a fight
when he steps into the ring against a formidable opponent,

but rather during the many hours of preparation when he is in train
is
not
for the
fight.
prepared, he can then step into that ring with

confidence and poise, actively calling upon his polished boxing skills
to defeat his less-prepared, inferior opponent. This kind of training,
preparation, and mindset is required to win. These requirements are
exactly the same for your healing system. To emerge victorious from
a health challenge, taking the time now to learn how to work with
your healing system will give you the edge you need to defeat any
ing
condition
meet
or
formidable disease that life may throw your way.
many
speaking
So
people
about
who choose
irresponsible people
of fear and denial, refuse
ditions. I
am
not to
speaking
to see
about
developed a confidence
lenges that face us all in
who
visit doctors
neglect
doctors for their
healthy,
mature,
regularly.
they
deteriorating
health
independent people
should
not
am
their health and then,
in their bodies abilities to meet the
this life. If
run
into
out
con
who have
physical
problem,
chal
instead
76
of
Your
rushing
off
to
the doctor, these
ing systems by nurturing
place
time and
to
listening
and
ask for
help
how
to
principles
and
that your
body
health is
will
help
listen
to
techniques,
has the
your
capacity
to
you prevent illness and
may have
to
to
to
your
on
and
apply
develop
stay
activate their heal
their bodies. There is
to
more
body
you will
challenged. Learning
know how
from doctors, but you
rely
occasions when you learn to
learning
people
can
own
some
and
minimize these
healing system. By
simple yet powerful
deep-seated
healthy
definitely
to
inner confidence
heal itself when its
strengthen and activate your healing system

heal yourself from any health challenge you
face in your life. You
can
learn
to
be your
own
best doctor.
Prescriptions for Strengthening

and Fortifying Your Healing System
following key ingredients constitute essential components of a
healthy program aimed at strengthening and fortifying your bodys
healing system, whether youre focusing on prevention or on healing
from an existing health problem. By paying attention to each of
these factors and incorporating them into your life, you will be able
to most effectively tap into your bodys natural ability to heal itself
and significantly improve the quality of your life.
The
Healing System
Rx #1: Learn
to
Listen
to
Your
Body
Chapter 2, your body comes equipped with a

healing system that is constantly attempting to communicate with
you, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Through the language your
healing system speaks, it sends you valuable information to help you
As
we
discussed in
know what its needs
are.
when your body is hungry, and you feel hunger

pangs in your stomach, your stomach will soon begin to rumble and
growl if you dont put something in your belly. When your body is
For
example,
and you will begin

to yawn. When your body needs water, you feel thirsty, which
creates a strong urge to drink fluids. Similarly, when your bladder
tired and
requires sleep,
becomes full and
your eyes will feel
requires emptying,
heavy
you feel the urge
to
urinate.
Strengthening
Fortifying
and
In addition
Your
these
to
77
Healing System
obvious forms of communication,
more
body is constantly sending you other more subtle information.

Depending on what kind of listener you are, you may or may not
be receiving and processing these other important messages. For
your
instance,
When you
upset,
tense,
are
under
or
stress, you may
notice
tight or heavy sensation in your chest, which makes your breath

ing slightly difficult. You may also notice your heart skipping a
beat or two. You may tl-y to ignore these sensations, as many people
do; but if this is an early warning from your heart, it could lead to
increased
known
pain
as
which
angina,
occurs
when there is
lack
of adequate oxygen and blood flow to the heart. These symptoms

could be danger signals of an impending heart attack. Ignoring the
messages could have disastrous consequences.
You may feel queasy
are
nervous,
afraid,
knot in your stomach when you

confronted with an unpleasant situation. If
notice
or
or
linger, the sensations

might increase, or become persistent, which could be early warn
ing signs of an impending intestinal problem, such as an ulcer.
the situation is
Even
though
not
resolved and is allowed
some
of
listen
us
many of
us
dont listen until
refusing
to
cooperate with
bodies
scream at us
they
us
by causing
to our
are
until
bodies
some
of the time,
actually screaming
we
intense
to
tend
pain.
to
This
at us
and
their needs. Our
pain
is the
bodys
ultimate communication strategy to try to get us to wake up to the

fact that we are ignoring one or more of its vital needs. To avoid pain
and
to
healthy, we
strengthen, fortify,
remain
need
to
become better listeners.
and cooperate with your healing system,

it is critical that you first become more aware of your bodys needs
and learn to listen to its early warning messages, in all their myriad
To
forms. When you become a good listener, your body will not need
to shout or scream at you to get your attention, and so you will not
need to experience pain, suffering, misery, illness, or disease.
How
Listen
to
Your
Body
following exercise is a simple yet powerful method to gain

vitally important messages from your bodys healing system:
The
to
to
access
78
Your
yourself quiet
Aliow
alone time. Go into
safe and
quiet
room,
close the door, and take the
phone off the hook so you wont be

disturbed. If you cannot find a quiet place, try using earplugs.
Excuse yourself from your family duties, responsibilities, and
obligations for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Make sure everyone in
your home understands that you are not to be disturbed until
you are finished. You may also want to put on some soft, relax
ing music
o
in the
background
to
help
set a
peaceful, quiet
mood.
position, preferably lying down on your back.

You may place pillows under your knees, or use blankets or pillows
anywhere else to help support your body so that you are comfort
able. Make sure your body is comfortable before you proceed.
Find
comfortable
Gently close your eyes and relax all the muscles

if it is melting into the surface beneath you.
As you close your eyes and relax your
to
the
ment
area
in your
body, bring
your
of your stomach and abdomen. Notice the
in that
region.
You
can even
body,
as
awareness
gentle move
top of the
of this movement. Feel the
place your
hands
on
help you become more aware

rhythmical, automatic movement of your breath as it flows in and
out of your body. Notice that when the breath flows into your
body, your stomach and abdomen gently expand and rise. Notice
that when the breath flows out of your body, your stomach and
abdomen gently contract and fall. Try not to control the rate or
depth of this movement; rather, just let your mind be a passive
observer as you watch and observe this gentle, automatic rhythm.
area to
Every time the breath leaves your body, feel all the muscles
your body releasing tension, and becoming more relaxed.
Focus your
awareness
within, becoming
of how your
breathe.
aware
in
body
feels from the inside
as
As you become
relaxed, observing the gentle, automatic
movement
slowly
more
you continue
of your breath
as
to
of your body,
starting from the tips
it flows in and
out
systematically scan your body,

of your toes and moving toward the top of your head. Visit all
parts in between, including your heart and chest area; your back
and spine; your shoulders and.neck; your groin, buttocks, and
genitals; and your stomach and abdominal area.
and
Strengthening
Fortifying
Your
79
Healing System
Notice any areas of discomfort, pain, or tension, which you may

not have been aware of before, in these areas. Also notice any
areas
and
of relaxation, comfort, and
After your allotted time,
feelings
gently stretch
of vitality and health.
muscles, and open
your
your eyes. Resume your normal activities. Remember

your
body
At first
this way
this process may appear to be

relaxation exercise. In reality, however, much
body
listen
to
regularly.
glance,
First, when your
to
relaxed,
nothing more than

more is going on.
system, which is the

main communications link between your mind and body, becomes
calmer and more focused. In this state, your mind also becomes
is
your
nervous
quieter, more alert, and concentrated. Because your mind and body
are intimately connected, when your body is relaxed, your mental
powers for internal listening are also increased.
The awareness you gain from this exercise will spill over into
your daily life. You will notice a heightened sensitivity to your bodys
inner sensations, and
you
breathe, the food
to
its responses
to
your environment, the air
you eat, and your mental and emotional
regularly practice listening

important messages from it that
When you
to
cover
you
feel before. You will become much
your
body,
were
more aware
state.
you will dis
unable
to
hear
or
of the valuable infor
mation your body is communicating to you, and you will be better

able to use this information to respond to your bodys needs. Should
imbalances
body occur, you will be better able to

assist your healing system in correcting these imbalances as it
restores your body to its natural state of health. By opening the door
to better communication and cooperation, learning to listen to your
body can become one of the simplest, easiest, and yet most power
ful ways to strengthen and fortif~ your healing system.
or
insults
to
your
Healing System R.x #2:

Pay Attention to Your Personal Hygiene
personal hygiene consists of the simple acts you perform daily
to help support and care for your body. These actions include such
common activities as brushing your teeth, moving your bowels, and
bathing. These simple routine habits, which may seem insignificant
at first, add up over the days, weeks, months, and years of an entire
Your
80
Your
long run, exert a powerful influence on the

performance and efficiency of your healing system. In fact, your per
sonal hygiene can have a much greater impact on your ability to stay
healthy and resist diseases than your genes, the medicine you take,
lifetime and, in the
or
your doctor.
The elements of personal
hygiene
following sections con

tribute significantly to the health of your body, and they can
strengthen and fortify your healing system. They can make a huge
difference in the quality of your life, and in your ability to stay well
and resist disease. If you want to live a long and happy, healthy life,
and you are interested in preventing problems before they develop,
or if you are currently struggling to regain your health, pay careful
attention to the following elements of hygiene.
Dental
Hygiene
and Your
in the
Healing System
depends on proper digestion. Digestion begins in your

mouth with the chewing of food, which depends on the health of
your teeth. For this reason, regularly brushing your teeth and observ
ing good dental hygiene is important. When you brush regularly, you
prevent the possibility of plaque build-up, cavity formation, and gum
disease, all of which can impair digestion, interfere with proper nutri
tion, and adversely affect your healing system.
Good health
Bathing
Bathing helps
which is
Healing System
and Your
one
preserve the function and
not
of your skin,
bodys primary defense organs. Regular bathing

feeling fresh and clean, and it removes bacteria and
of your
leaves your skin

germs that can accumulate
are
integrity
washed
or
the surface of your skin. Bodies that

bathed regularly are more prone to skin infec
on
Microorganisms, including staph and strep bacteria, can

invade your body after first appearing on your skin. Regular bathing
can aid your healing system by eliminating these infections at their
tions.
source.
Healing System:
Hygiene
Elimination and Your
Bowel and Bladder
Because of normal internal metabolic processes,

toxic wastes are produced and accumulate in your
large amounts of
body during each
Strengthening
and
Fortifying
Your
81
Healing System
day. Failure to eliminate waste products and toxins promptly and

efficiently contributes to the steady build-up of these materials,
which can cause your healing system to bog down and become seri
ously impaired. Without regular elimination, you will literally drown
or suffocate in your own waste. Irregular elimination can contribute
to the onset of a number of serious, life-threatening diseases.
Solid, unwanted, toxic-waste products are eliminated through
the large intestines in your bowel movements, while liquids are elim
inated primarily through the kidneys and bladder, in the urine.
Ensuring the health of these organs is essential for your healing
system to operate with maximum efficiency~
Tips for Healthy Elimination

plenty
including
body is approxi
mately 70 percent fluid, and the more fluids you bring into your
body, the more efficiently your healing system can eliminate and
remove toxins from it. If your bowels are sluggish and need a
little coaxing in the morning, a large cup of hot water or a warm
beverage will usually bring fast results.
of fluids,
Drink
Increase your fiber intake
Adequate fiber
products from
cancer
intake
water.
throughout
ensures more
Your
the
your intestines, thus
grains,
reducing
physical activity, which improves

intestines, which helps elimination.
Avoid low-residue foods, such
can
o
prepackaged meats
cause constipation.
excess
cause
constipation along
contribute
o
Limit
an
to
coffee,
alcohol. Alcohol
sources
tea,
contain tannic
of fiber
vegetables.
blood flow
to
the
processed starches, cheeses,
can
with
dehydrate your body, and can

bowel or bladder problems.
intestinal and bladder irritant, and chronic
problems
night.
and other foods, which lack fiber and
Avoid
Alcohol is
as
at
the risk of colon
seeds and nuts, and fruits and
Increase
and
and
effective elimination of waste
and other intestinal diseases. The best
include whole
day
use can
with these organs.
and caffeinated sodas, because these
acids, which
can serve as
usually
irritants. Caffeine stim
parietal cells in your stomach to produce hydrochloric

acid, which, if produced in excess, can damage the lining of your
ulates the
82
Your
stomach and intestines, and

intestinal
cJ
potentially lead
are
highly processed
chemical additives. These foods
lining
Healing System
Eat
Food
of your
urinary
ulcer
or
other
contain artificial
also irritate and
can
and
or
digestive
damage
the
systems.
Rx #3:
Well-Balanced Diet
supplies
to an
problems.
Eliminate foods that
delicate
the basic
Consisting
of Natural Foods
building blocks for the sustenance of every

body, providing life-supporting energy for
cell and tissue in your

metabolic activities, mechanisms of defense, and the processes of
repair and restoration governed by your healing system. Just as any
high-powered, performance-oriented machine requires the

best fuel, your healing system requires pure and wholesome food to
ensure optimum performance and functioning. Here are a few basic
but critical guidelines:
other
well-rounded, high-performance diet that includes ade

quate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fats and oils, essential
vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Additionally, make sure
D
Eat
you
are
consuming adequate
vegetables,
Favor fresh fruits and
which contain
an
amounts
of fluids and fiber.
grains, and legumes,

of your bodys basic nutri
whole
abundance of all
requirements, over flesh foods. Although flesh foods are

excellent sources of protein, you should minimize them in your
daily diet because of their tendency toward a higher fat content,
lack of fiber, and potential for higher concentration of heavy
tional
metals and environmental toxins.

~
eating packaged or processed foods, which often con

tain preservatives and additives that, while they increase shelf
life, may have harmful side effects. Packaged and processed
Minimize
foods
generally
lack the
vitality, fiber,
and nutrient
quality
that
fresh and whole foods contain.

~
Do
not
ity
and
be fanatical in
leniency
following a
is necessary
your food choices
are
limited
restrictive diet. Some flexibil
becoming
to
avoid
or
unavailable. The
stressed when
stress
of being
Strengthening
Fortifying
and
rigid in your diet

might be providing.
detracts from whatever benefits your diet
too
83
Healing System
Your
surroundings are pleasant and enjoyable when

you eat. Your healing systems ability to remain strong and active
is influenced not only by the chemical constituents of the foods
you eat, but by your meal patterns and the timing of your meals,
in addition to many other factors surrounding food. For example,
properly chewing food and the circumstances under which food
is eaten also play a role in the digestion and absorption of nutri
ents. When you take your meals in a peaceful atmosphere, diges
tion and assimilation are enhanced. (In the next chapter, Ill offer
more specific information on nutrition for your healing system.)
Make
your
sure
Healing System R.x #4:

Get Adequate Exercise
Movement is
fundamental
and, along with exercise,
healthy healing
maintenance of
Physical Activity
and
it
principle of all matter in the universe,

is an important key to a strong and
system. Movement and exercise
healthy joints
are
and muscles, and
essential for the
they
are
vital for
your circulation and the health of your cardiovascular system. Your

daily activity level is an integral part of your bodys ability to stay
healthy,
resist
illness, and
maintain
an
active and vibrant
healing
system.
The Benefits of Exercise for Your
Healing System
The benefits of exercise for your healing system are numerous.

Because your healing system is connected to all of the other organ
systems in your body, any exercise you do regularly will significantly
benefit your healing system. Among its many benefits, exercise
o
Energizes and
Clears
Improves
thinking
circulation
Improves
overall muscle
Improves
cardiac health
activates your
healing
system
depression
to
your
brain, which improves clarity of
strength
in your
body
84
Your
Improves
blood flow
digestion
and elimination, and reduces
Improves
immune function
Improves
bone and
Imp roves
the
joint
improves
constipation
health
time of fractures and
healing
Improves complexion
and skin health
joint injuries
by increasing
blood flow
skin
to
blood flow
Improves
stomach and intestines, which
to
Just 30 minutes of
benefits, and more.
A few of the
to
genitals,
which
day
exercise each
sexual function
improves
will
bring
you all of these
types of exercise are listed in the

or more, and follow the guidelines
more common
following sections. Choose one

listed to strengthen and fortify your healing
system.
Walking
natural ways to exercise. In
traditional cultures, before the advent of the automobile and motor
Walking
is
one
simplest
transportation, people
ized
means
there
exercise, and
was
people
and
most
used their
of transport, in addition
Consequently,
to
of the
no
to
need
own two
their
use
in these cultures
as
their
primary
of domesticated animals.
aside
to set
legs
were
extra
time in the
generally more
day
fit than
those of our modern societies.

If you
use
are
this time
extremely busy, walking

to
listen
to
friends, brainstorm ideas,
music
is
good way
to
exercise and
educational tapes, socialize with

conduct business meetings. I have
or
or even
meetings with several close colleagues and friends

we were walking through scenic nature trails in Hawaii, where
often held medical

while
find creative ways to increase the amount of time

you walk, and make walking a part of your daily routine and lifestyle,
I live. If you
can
healing system will automatically

thoroughly enjoyable activity.
your
benefit from
an
otherwise
Ti~ps for Walking

o
Choose
time of
best for you.
only
exercise.
Try
day
to
specific days of the week that work

three to five days a week if this is your
and
walk
Strengthening
Fortifying
and
Find
place
to
the beach, and it is
not too
cold, consider
hopefully with interesting
walk,
could be outside in
scenery. This
indoors in
nature or even
heavily trafficked areas if possible

unhealthy to breathe, and the noise
large
mall.
because exhaust fumes
are
and distraction of the
may interfere with your concentration and relaxation.
Walk with
friend
Alternatively,
near
Avoid
cars
I
safe
place
clothing, especially comfortable, supportive
Wear comfortable
shoes. If you live

going barefoot.
85
Healing System
Your
You may
portable
If you
a
you
of
are out
while,
listen
CD
or
start
family
can use
want to
tape
or
with
this time
to
player
shape
just
member
you have company.
be alone.
to
educational tapes with

you walk.
music
as
so
or
and havent done any exercise in

10 tol5 minutes a day on a flat,
quite
even
surface.
*
pace thats comfortable for you. Recent research indi

that it is more important to walk regularly than to walk
Walk
at a
cates
briskly.
You do
not
need
to
force
strain
or
or
be uncomfortable
in any way.
If all goes well, after one to two weeks, add 5 minutes per week so
that you can eventually build up to 30 to 60 minutes each day.
Bicycling
enjoyable way to exercise while you get out and
see the world. Bicycling is often considered easier on the joints than
running or other exercises. This exercise helps to build up the largest
muscles in your body, your legs and lower torso, while it also
Bicycling can
be
an
your cardiovascular health.
improves
T:ps for Bicycling
Avoid
Start
at a
heavily
at a
trafficked
areas
that have exhaust fumes.
comfortable pace and try
to
ride for 15
to
30 minutes
to
the proper
time.
Make
sure
height
for your
bicycle
legs.
your
and
seat
are
adjusted
86
Your
Unless you
Maintain proper posture

are not
~
are an
expert, avoid
as
strapping your feet into
you ride
so
the
pedals.
that your back and knees
strained.
To protect your head from

Use
protective glasses
or
fall,
wear a
helmet.
eyewear for your eyes.
Swimming
If you have access to a pooi, pond, lake, or ocean, swimming can
be a wonderful form of exercise that provides all of the cardiac and
Swimming is especially beneficial if

or knee problems because it is a non-weight-bearing
gentle on the joints.
circulation benefits of walking.

you have back
exercise that is
Tips for Swimming

o
Start
out
slowly and
increase your
laps gradually, adding
one
lap
each time you swim.

o
Build up
Alternate strokes
thorough
o
Make
to at
least 20
to
you
sure
It is better
are
to
swimming
different muscles in your
each
body
breathing
straining.
comfortable with your

are not
forcing
swim slower and
or
longer
enjoyable, the likelihood

regularly is much greater.
you make it
swim
30 minutes of
day.
a more
workout.
swim, and that you

a
give
to
as
you
than faster and shorter. If

that you will continue
to
Weight Lifting
the many colorful characters in the world of professional
bodybuilding, weight lifting has become increasingly popular. Pump
Thanks
to
weight training can increase muscle strength and improve

your overall physical health. It can also relieve mental and emotional
tension, and effectively strengthen and fortify your healing system.
ing iron
and
Tzps for Weight L~fing

a
light weights and move through the full range of

motion of the exercise youre doing to ensure proper movement
of the muscles being exercised.
Start with
Strengthening
and
Fortifying
Your
Balance your workout so you

muscle groups at one time.
Focus
body,
properly as you work out.
rect
exhale
to
as
you lift
or
move
Be
and accept the help of a personal trainer

new machine or while you are learning
If your muscles
are sore
the
day
after
gone before you work these
rest to
the
point
the
most gyms encourage
saying
medical perspective, ignoring pain
injury
strain
to
to
orient your
a new
routine.
workout, wait until the

same
muscles
grow and become stronger.
possible to overtrain and injure muscles

ing adequate rest between workouts.
or
avoid
weight.
Remember that muscles need
Never force
to
physiologically more cor

a weight, as if you were
air into the
on a
same
It is
It is
exercises
blowing
smart
all the
joints.
pain is completely
again.
o
weight-lifting
Breathe
self
o
and
Stretch in-between and after

stiff muscles and
working
body, including your legs and back,

are the largest and most important mus
they usually are the ones most neglected.
because these muscles
not
are
the lower
more on
cles in your
87
Healing System
if you do
not
allow
that you feel pain. Although

No pain, no gain, from a
in your
body can
result in
an
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise describes any sustained exercise that increases your
breathing and heart rate and has the ability to make you break a
requires increased air delivery to your body,

which results in greater oxygenation of your tissues. You can achieve
these results in numerous ways and settings, from brisk walking,
running, calisthenics, hiking, biking, swimming, aerobic dancing
sweat.
Aerobic exercise
and exercises,
sports, games, and other fun exercises. Aerobic

exercise may also include the exercise you get while working on your
job if you perform manual labor or are regularly involved in activi
ties that
to
require
continuous
the
period
steady
of time.
movement
of your
arms or
legs
over
88
Your
Tzps for Aerobic Exercise

o
Take 5 tolO minutes
to
stretch and
warm
up before and after
exercising.
o
If you havent exercised in a while, start slowly and do

about 10 tol5 minutes at a time for the first week.
Make
sure
you
and that you
forcing or straining your muscles or joints,

gasping for air while you are breathing.
are not
are not
Slowly
build up speed, distances, and

until you can do 30 to 60 minutes at
o
only
of time
length
a
exercising,
time.
If you experience pain that persists in any part of your body,

ease off your exercising pace and intensity-. If the pain persists
stopping altogether. Trying to

ignore the pain or force through the pain does not help. Doing
this is how serious injuries and problems can develop.
even
with less exercise, consider
Remember
a
transition
to rest
to
and allow
your
next
some
down time before you make
activity-.
Stretching
Stretching can provide tremendous support for your healing system.
Stretching is becoming increasingly popular in the United States
and Europe with the acceptance and introduction of traditional ori
ental disciplines such as yoga and tai chi into Western cultures. Even
giant Sumo wrestlers in Japan stretch as part of their pre-match
warm-ups and rituals. Stretching is also making its way into the
medical establishment and is gradually becoming accepted as a
first-line intervention in the fields of rehabilitation, sports medicine,
and physical therapy for the treatment and prevention of neuromus
cular disorders and
injuries, including
back
pain, post-surgical
rehabilitation, and many forms of arthritis and other joint diseases.

When done properly, stretching feels good. Stretching is some
thing that most animals do naturally. When dogs or cats awaken from
a nap, the first thing they do is stretch. Children also naturally stretch
and assume all kinds of twisting, flexible, and topsy-turvy positions as
they play and explore the different muscle groups in their bodies. They
do this as part of the natural process of developing the coordination
that is such a vital part of their normal growth and development.
Strengthening
and
Fortifying
Your
89
Healing System
result of the effects of stress,
aging, and increasingly seden

tary lifestyles, many people begin to develop severe stiffness and
pain and are unable to move their joints adequately as they age. This
process sets the stage for a whole host of joint diseases to set in,
including arthritis. Stiffness also increases the likelihood of injuries
because of the rigidity within the joints. Stretching can help reverse
As
these harmful tendencies.
personally benefited from the stretching that comes from

yoga, the grandfather of all stretching systems. As an introduction to
proper stretching, there is no substitute for attending a gentle yoga
class once or twice a week for several months or longer. Because of
yogas increasing popularity, yoga classes are now available in almost
every city in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Europe. Before
I have
yoga class, make sure the teacher has proper credentials

and the class is not too rigorous for you, particularly in the begin
ning. If you have particular health needs, make sure you call this to
you
start a
the attention of the teacher.
Tips for Stretching

*
Set aside 10 tol5 minutes

your
at one
time
your schedule
If you have
start out
day
when you
Stretch
not
could
*
do
as
or
stretched before, and your muscles are stiff,

and gently. Remember not to force or strain.
never
far
as
you
enough,
bounce
damage
Breathe
enter
to
build up to 30 to 60 minutes a day,

in divided periods, morning and evening,
can
without
feeling pain.
your muscles will
not
If you dont
become flexible and
healthy. However, if you stretch too far, you

you might damage and tear your muscles.
Do
be alone
permits.
slowly
stretch far
can
stretching. Gradually
either
as
slowly
when you stretch.

your muscles.
or
and
jerk
gently when
you
into the muscle cells that you
Whenever
stretch,
are
will feel
pain,
and
Again, doing
this
so
that oxygen
can
stretching.
possible, stretch in the morning, even though your

muscles will most likely be stiffer then. This is a great way to
start the day.
90
Your
Healing System
Rx #5: Get
Enough Sleep
and Rest
bodys most basic physiological functions and one

of the most important activities to strengthen and fortify your heal
ing system. When you sleep, your body has a chance to recharge
its batteries. Many illnesses are less symptomatic in the morning,
thanks to the refreshing and regenerative properties of sleep. In fact,
your healing system is most active when you are sleeping and rest
ing, since other physiological processes are held at a minimum and
cannot interfere with its work during these periods.
Alternatively, people who suffer from insomnia, or who do not
get enough sleep or rest throughout their day, are at risk of becom
ing sick. Sleep deprivation alters the proper functioning of your
healing and immune systems and predisposes you to heart disease,
chronic fatigue syndrome, endocrine and metabolic disorders, nerv
Sleep
is
one
of the
ous-system imbalances, stress-related conditions, and other serious

health problems.
When you are getting adequate

wake up feeling rested and refreshed.
sleep each night, you should

Taking a nap in the afternoon
socially acceptable in many cultures, and many studies are

beginning to show that naps can be beneficial. Incorporating a
is also
now
60-minute power nap into your schedule,

weekends, can be a great asset to your healing system.
daily
30-
to
Alone Time: An
for Your
If it
runs
Important
Healing System
continuously,
toy will
Your body is
or
down its batteries and stop working.

fact, many illnesses can be traced to the
important, principle. Just
least
on
Form of Rest
any machine
as
at
every
ship
neglect
eventually
no
different. In
of this
must come
wear
simple,
yet
in from the open
body must take time off

from its incessant activities to allow your healing system to recharge,
regenerate, and renew its energies.
Throughout our busy lives, as we give ourselves over to our
seas
to
work,
dock and
our
resupply,
families, and
our
so, too,
your
friends,
we
need
to
take time
out to
be
precious life energies. As part of your regular

routine, it is important to experience what I call alone time for a
brief period each day.
alone and
restore our
Strengthening
and
Fortifying
Think of alone time
Your
91
Healing System
mandatory solitary confinementnot in

a punitive way, but rather as a time for you to rest and heal, to quiet
down your engines, to be responsible only to yourself and your
body, with no phones to answer, no duties to perform, no scheduled
appointments,
no
as
commitments,
ries. Even if your alone time is

state
of
system
only
solitude your batteries

work more effectively to
quiet
can
While this need for
burdens,
no
15
or
can
is
worries,
20 minutes
recharge,
restore
rejuvenation
no
no
day,
hur
in this
healing
and your
health.
only
common
sense, as a
continually amazed at how many people expect their

bodies to keep going without recharging their batteries. When these
same people become sick and end up in the doctors office because
of frayed nerves, sleep deprivation, and physical exhaustion, most
are shocked to learn why they became sick in the first place. They
doctor,
are
am
unable
run-down
to see
state.
the connection between their illnesses and their
They
think their illness is caused
by
misfor
some
ill luck. The sad fact is that many of these folks have not yet
discovered the life-sustaining practice of spending time alone with
tune or
themselves.
They have not learned how to tell their families or their

bosses that they need time alone to recharge their batteries. In fact,
it is commonly reported that people who suffer from major, chronic,
debilitating diseases often complain that they have no time for
themselves, that they are just following scripts that other people are
constantly imposing on their lives. Insisting on alone time is one
way to stand up for the needs of your body.
Learning to say No to excessive demands on your life energies
is mandatory if you want your healing system to remain strong and
healthy. Being alone allows your body time to conserve energy, and
it allows your mind time
to
settle down and focus within
so
you
can
listen and cooperate with your healing system. When you are quiet,
alone, relaxed, and peaceful, your healing system functions best.
Taking the time to be alone is one of the most powerful things you
can
do
to
strengthen
and
fortify your bodys healing
Healing System Rx #6:

Manage and Minimize the
system.
Stress in Your Life
engineering, stress is defined as the amount of strain

experienced by a system as the result of an applied external force or
In the field of
92
Your
load. If the system is not flexible, or if it is unable to adapt to the

force or load, it can break under the strain. This description is sim
when you experience stress. If stress is
prolonged or too great, your mind and your body can suffer from a
breakdown in health.
ilar
to
what
happen
can
Although
stress
external forces such

these
war,
sources
can
as
are,
by major disruptive
disasters, political turmoil, and even
obviously
natural
for
most
be caused
of
us,
far less
common,
less pro
dangerous than the stress caused by our own

processes and our fast-paced, hectic lifestyles.
Stress, if not handled properly, can do considerable harm to
your healing system, wasting and depleting your precious physical,
mental, and emotional energy while it causes fatigue and exhaus
tion, which renders you susceptible to illness and disease. Stress
interferes with your bodys natural ability to grow, repair, and restore
longed,
thought
normal
aged
and less
healthy
tissues. Your immune system
and inefficient with
been linked
to a
significant
number of
major
and
can
also become dam
prolonged
serious
illnesses,
stress.
Stress has
including
heart
high blood pressure, ulcer, stroke, and cancer, and it has

implicated as a significant contributing factor in many others.
disease,
been
Stress is unavoidable
at
times, but it is important
to
be able
to
effectively and to minimize its impact. You can accom

plish this through a variety of proven methods and techniques.
However, you need to practice and be familiar with these techniques
and methods well in advance, so that, when you do experience
stress, you can easily apply them to neutralize and handle the stress
more effectively. Again, all this is nothing more than sound preven
manage it
tive medicine.
Stress management has been shown to be a vital factor in the

successful reversal of major chronic diseases such as heart disease,
hypertension, diabetes, and cancer.

Learning to prevent and reduce stress in your life, in addition to
managing whatever stress may be currently afflicting you, will allow
you to feel much more calm and relaxed. And effectively managing
stress will liberate tremendous amounts of energy in your body that
your healing system can use. Fatigue will vanish, and your healing
system will perform much more efficiently, enabling you to more
effectively resist and eliminate illness and disease.
Strengthening
Fortifying
and
93
Healing System
Your
stress-management techniques are currently

taught. All have as their common goal your ability to effectively
calm and relax your mind and body, which frees up energy for heal
ing. In Chapter 6, you will be introduced to some of these methods
Many popular
and
techniques.
Heating System
Rx #7:
Enjoy Your Work
work routine, your work ethics, and your attitudes

toward your work influence the functioning and performance of
Your
your
time
daily
healing
at
system. For example, you might spend most of your

work. In this setting, you may have to contend with
coworker tensions, bosses, deadlines, company policies, commuting

to and from work, and other issues, which require a substantial
investment of your life energies. In this respect, your work and your
work environment may be having a more significant effect on your
physical
and mental health than
Many people
work
at
anything else.
home, with less energy spent interacting
commuting through dangerous traf

office, but other problems may present
with coworkers and bosses and
fic back and forth
themselves, such
the
inability
to
to
an
the intrusion of work into the home space, and

turn off the work mode when they are interacting
as
with their families.
Many people
dont like their
reveal, and this dissatisfaction
jobs,
can
polls and surveys

damaging effect on the
as numerous
have
system. Toxic emotions that have built up in the form of

resentment can exhaust the immune system and deplete internal
healing
healing resources. Many people who develop chronic illnesses report

feelings of long-term animosity or ambivalence for their work, often
feeling hopelessly trapped in dull and boring routine. Many other
fortunate souls, having made peace with their vocation and having
found their niche in the world, report that their work is like play. I
a
discovered this
positive perspective
to
be the
case
with
pilots
while
working as a flight surgeon in the Air Force. They would often

tell me that they couldnt believe they were being paid to fly; they felt
like they should be paying the Air Force for the opportunity to fly.
Pilots and many other people who enjoy their jobs and the com
pany of the people they work with, and of the people they serve,
consistently demonstrate superior health. They feel they are part of
I
was
94
Your
they are uplifted by the sense of performing a valuable

service to their community and fellow human beings. These positive
feelings work to fortify and strengthen the integrity of their healing
a
team,
and
systems.
Many
cultures consider work
to
be
form of worship, wherein
provide,
your work and the services you
however humble,
are
an
important opportunity for you to give back to the world. This

perspective can enhance your self-worth, uplift your spirits, and
generate positive emotions that stimulate your healing system and
improve your vitality. In fact, many studies are now revealing that
retirees who regularly volunteer their time in local community serv
ice enjoy much greater health and live much longer than their peers
who do not participate in such activities.
If you are currently unhappy with your work, it is imperative to
change your attitude toward your work so that it can become

more meaningful to you, or, if this is impossible, to find work that
is more rewarding and enjoyable. Whether you work with others
part of a big company, or you work alone, learning to enjoy your
work and focusing on its positive aspects will be health-enhancing,
life-promoting, and great benefit to your healing system.
either
as
Healing System
Rx #8:
One of the best ways
through play. Play
activities
as
reduce tension and
to
represents
your overall health. This
of humor, and
EnjoyYour Play
a
carefree
means
taking
state
in your life is
of mind that is vital to
stress
the time
to
cultivate
a sense
be spontaneous, creative, and involved in such fun

sports, music, dance, the arts, or pursuing your favorite
to
everything wrong from a

health standpoint; however, because of their light-hearted attitudes,
keen senses of humor, and their ability to play and have fun, they
lived well beyond their life expectancy.
In nursery schools, kindergartens, and elementary schools
throughout the world, play is an integral part of the daily routine
hobbies. I have
met
many
people
who did
and curriculum for all children. A child who does
play
unhealthy
know how
to
and abnormal. This standard should
apply to adults.
Many adults become workaholics who regard play or having fun
a waste of time. On the contrary, most of humanitys greatest
also
as
is considered
not
Strengthening
and
Fortifying
Your
ideas and inventions have
95
Healing System
come
from
people who
knew how
to
play
their powers of imagination. In fact, most inventors claim

their greatest ideas came to them not when they were actively pur
and
use
suing them,
but rather when
they
were
involved in fun and frolic
simply enjoying themselves. Many successful businessmen

and professional people understand that, to be truly happy and
healthy, it is important to know how to play.
Play is an effective way to strengthen your healing system
because it helps you forget about time. In this state of timelessness,
you are not worrying about the future or feeling sorrowful, grievous,
or guilty about the past. Rather, you are completely absorbed and
and
were
focused in the here and
now.
Freed from the mental and emotional
forces that drain your energies and interfere with your bodys inter
nal processes of repair and regeneration, when you are playing, your
healing system gets recharged. When you play, a light-hearted spirit

prevails that. influences brain biochemistry and causes the release of
beneficial hormones, neurotransmitters, and other powerful chemi
cals that strengthen and support the activities of your healing
system. The following story demonstrates the healing power of play.
Derek, a physician and personal friend who had been suffering
from severe back pain with sciatica, was looking for a quick fix so he
could get back to work as soon as possible. However, he couldnt
find a surgeon who would operate on him promptly, so in a moment
of exasperation he decided to go surfing. In his joy and enthusiasm
for being in the ocean and doing something that he loved, he totally
forgot about his pain and predicament. When he came out of the
water, Derek was surprised to discover that his pain was gone! He
became completely healed, and although his condition has not
returned to this day, Derek now makes sure to take regular time out
of his schedule
to
go
surfing.
also encompasses the field of entertainment. Nearly every

culture has made use of this aspect of play to pass on important
Play
moral, spiritual,
or
cultural lessons
to
upcoming generations,
the forms of traditional songs, dances, poetry,

are
being entertained,
emotions
can
are
usually
in
stories. While you

more relaxed frame of
or
problems.
At these times,
often be stirred up and released,
causing laughter
mind, detached from
deep
you
often in
your worries and
96
Your
emotional responses trigger the release of

beneficial hormones and chemicals that serve as powerful stimulants
Again,
or tears.
deep
these
plays, or sport
ing events carry an added benefit of creating intimacy and a feeling
of belonging to a larger community as you share a collective, live
energy that occurs when people are gathered together to focus on a
common goal or activity. This sense of community can help combat
the feelings of isolation and loneliness that often plague people who
are struggling with health issues, lending further support to the
work of the healing system.
Creativity is another important aspect of play. Pursuing hobbies,
including the arts, music, singing, dancing, painting, writing, or
participating in any one of a number of other activities involving the
for your
healing system.
Live
events
such
as
concerts,
of your hands and your more artistic side can also be a way of
strengthening and forti~ing your healing system. Many people have
overcome life-threatening health conditions by becoming involved
use
deeply personal, meaningful, and fun

for them. In fact, having your creativity stifled is now considered a
major risk factor for contracting a chronic disease.
Cultivating the creative aspect of your spirit and remembering
to develop a light-hearted attitude that fosters a spirit of play is
important. From a health perspective, play needs to be an integral
part of your daily life. Play can strengthen your basic natural energy
projects
in creative
and activate
that
are an
that
important
were
internal mechanisms of
essential part of your
Balancing Your Work

Both work and
play
are
your
and your
sense
personal
equally important,
Meaningful
of purpose, and
provides
balancing
work lets you
Play keeps
you with
these
to
your heart, and focused in the present.
you in
Maintaining
an
important
provide
opportunity
for your
helps
to
define
give back
carefree, loving frame of mind, connected
the world.
system.
but
needs. It also lifts your self-esteem,
to
nervous
system.
Play
and
activities in your life is essential.
family
healing
and recovery
repair
Play
relaxes your
body, mind,
proper balance between work and
and
play
Strengthening
enables you
and
fortify
need
to
Fortifying
and
to
experience
97
Healing System
Your
all these aspects of life, which
healing system. Both work and play

weighed and balanced with each other.
your
be
Healing System
Rx #9:
Develop
are
helps
to
strengthen
important, and both
Effective Social Skills
antiquity, people have lived together in families, clans, tribes,

communities to organize themselves, and to nurture and care
Since
and
for each other. Like bees and
humans
are
also social
creatures.
meaningful.
Studies show that good social skills strengthen and fortify our
healing systems, and that living a lonely and isolated life can be
We
depend
ants,
harmful
to
on
each other
to
make
our
lives
those systems.
people with serious illnesses have
reported significant
they improve their socializing
skills. These activities have included visiting with friends, or partic
ipating in some kind of volunteer community-support work, either
at a day-care center, a senior center, a hospital, or some other chari
table organization.
Well-known doctor and author Dr. Bernie Siegel tells a story to
help illustrate this point. He tells of a special pass he got from God
Many
improvement
to
in their health when
visit both Heaven and Hell. In
steaming
soup
didnt look
were
too
unable
were too
to
long,
being
Hell, he
saw
many bowls of
long-necked spoons. This soup

realized that the hungry people in Hell
served with
bad until he
feed themselves because the necks of their spoons

and they kept missing their mouths with the spoon
fuls of soup. When he got
to
surprised to see the

same long-necked spoons. However,
saw that the people in Heaven had
Heaven, he
was
bowls of soup and the

upon closer observation, he
learned to place the spoons in each others mouths,
same
hot,
so
that everyone
got fed.
Fostering a spirit of cooperation and sharing by building and

developing strong social ties has been scientifically proven to
improve survival. Because of the powerful biochemical effect that
emotions exert on your healing system, many studies are now show
ing that people with inadequate social support who are lonely and
socially isolated are at risk for developing serious, life-threatening
98
Your
physical
According
diseases.
to
the research of heart
Dean Ornish, social isolation and
lack of intimacy
specialist
are
Dr.
considered
top risk factors for the development of heart disease, the numberone killer in the Western world.
Good social skills

childhood. However,
families
reach
begin
as
with
family
the divorce
rate
are
usually
continues
to soar,
and
and many
will have to
broken apart, it is clear that many people

beyond their families to their friends, colleagues, coworkers,
are
out
learned in
get the support they need to remain healthy. Doing so

can strengthen their healing systems and can help to prevent physical
illnesses associated with a lack of social support and intimacy~
and others
to
Animals
love and,
to
are
also
capable
of
pets, can serve as

those who may otherwise
as
giving and receiving unconditional

an important form of social support
be isolated from family or friends.
alone who have pets have been shown to be at

much lower risk for developing heart disease and other serious ill
Senior citizens
nesses
living
than those who do
not
have pets and
are
living
with similar
health conditions.
Developing
effective social skills allows you to feel supported

and connected to others. Knowing that your life counts, that you are
important
to
others, that
purpose for
emotions that
a
you make
difference, and that
you have
being here create uplifting, inspiring, life-affirming

help to strengthen and nourish your healing system.
Healing System Rx #10: Utilize Natural

Elements That SupportYour Healing System
Your
key
body is linked
to
natural elements,
the world of nature and is
including air,
sun, water,
dependent on
certain
and the various miner
als and nutrients of the earth, for its very survival. Ancient physicians
and healers understood this basic principle of health and healing. Of
course,
now
that
our
medical science has advanced
considerably,
we
great deal more about these natural elements and the

complex ways in which we interact with them. And contrary to what
we might expect, with all of the technological advances of modern
have learned
relationship with
healing has only increased.
medicine, the importance of

ments to our
health and
Natural elements that

can
also
serve as
our
are
critical
powerful therapeutic
these natural ele
the survival of your body

agents and medicines that aid
to
Strengthening
Fortifying
and
Your
99
Healing System
and support your healing system when you are ill. And used preven
tively, these natural elements can help to keep, you healthy for many
to come.
years
Understanding
common resources
tify your healing
from
nature
making intelligent use

can significantly strengthen
and
of these
and for
system.
Air
As you probably know, the air you breathe contains the vital element
of oxygen, which nourishes and energizes every cell and tissue in
your
body
and is
your overall
an
essential ingredient
of health.
Oxygen
to
your
healing
system and
that it is the first
important
medical agent administered to a critically ill or Injured person,
whether the condition is a heart attack, a gunshot wound, or any
other serious life-threatening emergency. Oxygen is routinely stored
state
is
so
for this purpose in ambulances and in all hospital emergency

operating rooms, and intensive-care units.
rooms,
Good, clean, fresh air, characteristically found in particular

places in the world, can have life-enhancing effects on a persons
health. This fact is reflected in better health statistics for those
places. Generally, you can findbetter quality air where there is less
industry and less pollution, and where steady breezes, ample water,
vegetation, and mountains or hilly terrain help to purify, filter, and
increase the quality of the, air you breathe. Heavily forested areas
usually have excellent air quality because of the vblurninous oxygen
so many trees produce.
Your body and your healing system deserve the best air you can
find. If you find yourself indoors or in any environment with com
promised air quality, walk outside or go to another place where there
is good air. If you are currently battling an qlness or are seeking to
improve the quality of your health, pay close attention to the qual
ity of the air you regularly breathe~
Fresh, outdoor air is almost always preferable to indoor air,
which
become stale and stagnant, and which tends to attract

mold, dust, and dust mites. Indoor air can also play host to toxic
can
fumes, vapors, and other chemical aerosol irritants which, if ventila

tion is poor,
can
indoor filters,
improve
the
accumulate and
concentrate.
Fortunately,
purifiers, and humidifiers are now

quality of the indoor air you breathe.
many
available
to
104
Your
applications
of heat and the mechanisms
natural support for your

n
bodys healing
by
provides
which heat
system:
Heating padc relax muscles and improve blood flow, improve

oxygenation of tissues, and help reduce swelling. Heating pads
are effective in the treatment of back pain, muscle strains and
spasms, joint injuries, arthritis, and many other conditions.
Hot
water
bottles work
heating pads
as
do and
are
used in similar
conditions, including abdominal pain, gas, and constipation.

o
Hot foot baths
warm
and
They also are

of respiratory diseases.
neck and chest

treatment
the feet
keep
area.
improve
blood flow
effective and
helpful
to
the
in the
swelling and help draw toxins out of

affected areas. They help improve blood flow to the area being
compressed, and they can be very effective in the treatment of
Hot compresses reduce
abscesses, boils, and other skin infections and health conditions.

cJ
Hot water, teas, and broths relieve
branes. These
liquids
are
congestion
often effective in the
of
mucous mem
treatment
of throat
infections, sinus and nasal congestion, bronchitis, and other
piratory
They
infections.
can
colon and intestines, which aids

o
Hot baths relax and

are
Saunas utilize heat
blood flow
to
induce
injured mus
pain, painful joints,
to sore or
muscle
sweating and
eliminate toxins from
body.
the
Steam baths break up

tract. They also relieve
from the
o
improve
helpful for back pain,

neuromuscular injuries.
They
and
your
Hot showers open and clean pores of the skin, helping to elimi
nate toxins while removing bacteria from skin surfaces.
cles.
help to relax and soothe

digestion and elimination.
also
res
phlegm and mucous in the respiratory

congestion and help to eliminate toxins
body.
Jacuzzis provide
hot-water massage
to
aching joints
and
mus
cles.
o
Infrared
heat relieves
pain
bruises, and tendonitis.
of muscle
injuries, strains, sprains,
Strengthening
and
Fortifying
using heat
Note: In
of any kind, it is
overdo it and burn your
105
Healing System
Your
important
to
remember
not to
body.
Water
Water is the
arguably
most
the
commonly
most
essential and
will first look
that life exists
important
integral
found substance in all
biosystems
and
of all natural elements. Water is
so
exploring other planets

for signs of water before they declare the possibility
or may have existed on that planet. You can further
to
life that scientists
of water when you consider that it is the

dominant element in your body, constituting about 70 percent by
appreciate
the
importance
weight and volumenot surprisingly,

water
about the
same
percentage of
the surface of the earth contains.
We
look upon water, known as the universal solvent,

essential nutrient for our healing systems, but also
can
not
as a
only as an
therapeutic agent and medicine. In addition to keeping our bodies
healthy, water is almost always required in abundant amounts as a
support for our healing systems when illness or disease sets in.
Maintaining adequate water intake is one of the simplest and
most powerful ways to ensure good health and rapid recovery from
illness or injury. Inadequate water intake can hamper the perform
ance of your healing system and lead to dehydration, congestion,
stagnation, obstruction, infection, and disease. You can determine
whether you are getting enough water by monitoring the color of
your urine. Dark yellow urine, which occurs when your body is
trying to conserve water, invariably means that your body is low on
fluids. Clear urine, like tap water, or very light yellow urine, usually
indicates adequate water intake. If you are taking certain vitamins,
such as the B and C vitamins, your urine can be artificially discol
ored; in this situation, monitoring whether or not you are getting
enough water may be difficult. Also, because your urine tends to be
more concentrated when you sleep, it is usually darker first thing in
the morning.
When you are ill, increasing your water intake is important, to
help improve the flow of fluids in and out of your body. These extra
fluids assist your bodys healing system to eliminate toxins, which
are increased during periods of illness. Many illnesses respond dra
matically if you drink only water for 48 hours or more. I have
106
Your
personally seen cases of many diseases, including respiratory condi

tions, gastroenteritis, gall bladder disease, gout, Crohns disease, and
many others dramatically improve by following this method. The
importance of drinking plenty of water daily cannot be overstated.
In addition to drinking water, you can also employ water in
many other ways as a natural and valuable support for your healing
system. In fact, in Chinese medicine and the ancient medical sys
tems of India, unique and specific internal cleansing techniques
employ the use of water to help remove blockages and restore health
to particular areas. In the West, water has also been used effectively
in nasal
douches,
Sitz baths, and
enemas,
nebulizers, hot compresses, fomentations,
simple soaking.
Healing System
Minerals of the Earth and Your
The science of nutrition examines food

their biochemical
impact
on
coveries
the earths
trace
that
nearly
and core, from arsenic
crust
body
within the human
elements
you,without which
revealing
are now
body. Proteins,
the health of the human
hydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and

natural elements around
derived from the earth and
sources
in minute
you could
single
every
to
are
all derivatives of the
not
live. Scientific dis
mineral element found in
molybdenum, has
quantities. These minerals
been discovered
to
Many
bodys
the
bodys
as
of these vital mineral elements
eIectro~tes.
include sodium,
functioning
Some of the
they participate
mission of
bodys
nerve
roles in
electrically charged
they
chemicals
well known of these elements
fluid levels,
as
beating
the
kidney function, brain
impulses, bone formation, and

impulses
many
of your heart, regu
function and the

more.
Any
disrupts
the flow of
in your
body,
are
patients
routinely
admitted
trans
disturbance
electricity
which often
illness, and possibly death. These mineral electrolytes
that
in
critical roles within your
supporting your healing system, and
in such diverse functions
the transmission of electrical
tant
play
as
more
in the intricate balance of these minerals
serious
are
potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous.
Electrolytes play important

lation of the
they
health.
internal environment,
known
inciden
are not
tal contaminants; rather, controlled studies have determined that
essential
carbo
are so
and
causes
impor
measured and monitored in the blood 24 hours
to
the intensive-care unfts of all
m~or hospitals.
Strengthening
and
Fortifying
Your
107
Healing System
Salt
Salt is abundant in
sea water
throughout nature. There

throughout the world that consist
and found
many different types of salts

of various combinations of minerals. However,
are
common
which consists of sodium and chloride and is used in
table salt,
cooking and as
widely distributed, and

biologically most important salt. Salt consisting of sodium and chlo
ride is an essential natural ingredient in all living systems.
In addition to the necessity for a certain amount of dietary salt
intake, salt is also a valuable natural support for your healing system.
Sodium and chloride are arguably the most important electrolytes in
your body, and they play a key role in the functioning of your heal
ing system. Salt also has important therapeutic applications in both
the prevention and treatment of various conditions and illnesses.
Because of its ability to absorb water and draw fluid out, its preser
vative effect, and its ability to kill bacteria and other harmful
microorganisms, humans have relied on salt for centuries as a valu
able aid in curing and preventing infections. Learning to work with
salt is a safe and effective, simple yet powerful way to assist the work
of your healing system.
The following list is a small example of how salt can assist your
healing system:
a
seasoning,
is the
most
well-known,
most
Salt packs, salt soaks, and salt fomentations

to
intact skin with
warm
water
to
are
help
applied externally
draw
out
unwanted
fluids, swelling, and toxins from various skin and soft-tissue

infections, including carbuncles, furuncles, cysts, and abscesses.
~
Salt
water
also
of intestinal
can
be taken
cleansing,
to
poisoning, diarrhea,
When taken internally, salt
medical supervision.)
Salt-water
sore
*
Salt-water
be
nose
extremely
and
water must
be
can
drops,
or
aid in various forms
the
use
effective in the
treatment
of
vomiting. (Note:
used under qualified
and
nausea
be very effective in
and tonsillitis.
gargles
throats,
an
prevent and assist in the
food
internally as
treating pharyngitis,
of salt-water nasal douches,
treatment
of nasal
can
allergies, hay
fever, rhinitis, colds, congestion, and sinus infections.
108
Your
Extraordrnary Healing System
Nebulized saline is another form of salt
effective aerosol spray used in the
respiratory
water
treatment
employed
as
an
of asthma and other
conditions.
Clay
clay as a natural support for the healing
system among traditional indigenous cultures is well documented.
Pharmaceutical-grade clay, a naturally occurring substance some
times referred to as bentonite, is readily available at most drug or
health food stores. Applied to the skin as a paste, clay works well as
a natural drawing agent. In addition to its ability to draw off toxins
and reduce swelling from infections, clay works with your healing
system by supplying valuable trace elements and minerals that are
absorbed into the body in minute but significant quantities. Clay
applications can speed the healing of insect bites, boils, abscesses,
The
therapeutic
use
of
and many other skin conditions; it can be used alone or in combi

nation with other substances, such as aloe, salt soaks, or ginger
gentle, safe, and effective, even in difficult cases.

Clay also can be taken internally as an intestinal purifier to help
absorb toxins from the intestines; it has been employed like this in
compresses.
European
health and
Clay
is
folk medicine for centuries
regulate
as
way
to
improve
colon
bowel function.
Plants and Herbs and Your
Healing System
Throughout the ages, man has relied on the healing properties of

various plants and herbs. And although most doctors in modern
countries have come to rely on medicines derived from synthetic
pharmaceutical compounds, the use of plants and herbs has experi
enced
dramatic comeback in Western societies in
recent
years.
plants, when used with intelligence and discretion,

help strengthen and fortif~r your healing system.
Herbs and
can
natural medicines have proven track records in

other countries, including China, Japan, and India. Even until
Many of these
recent
times in
our
own
Western
medicine, botany, which is the
required course in
fact, many modern drugs and medicines
natural world of plants.
study
of
plants,
was
most
medical schools. In
have their
origins
in the
Strengthening
Here
are a
effective in
r~
Fortifying
and
Your
few of the
supporting
most common
your
109
Healing System
plants
and herbs that
healing system:
Aloe grows like a succulent cactus. Its leaves contain

liquid gel that has healing and antiseptic qualities. Aloe
applied topically
burns,
to
are
cuts, scrapes,
clear
can
be
skin infections, and
injuries in which the raw surfaces of skin have been

exposed. Aloe helps not oniy to fight and prevent infection but
other
also
to
healing process. It is safe and gentle, and it

internally in limited quantities to help heal
aid the actual
can even
be taken
ulcers in the mouth, stomach, and intestines.

t~
Ashwaganda
is
traditional herbal
remedy
from India that has
been used for thousands of years as a tonic and to enhance nat

ural host resistance factors. Ashwaganda can be taken long term
to
r~
increase ones stamina and
Astragalus is
an
strength.
plant medicine from China. It is used to

appears to be especially effective for respi
ancient
bolster defenses and

ratory illnesses.
t~
Bilberry
healing
especially effective in
assisting the healing system repair damage done to small, fragile
blood vessels, particularly those of the eyes and kidneys. Bilbrry
may also be effective in treating certain types of macular degen
aids in wound
and is
eration and other eye diseases, trace blood in the urine,

as venous insufficiency and varicose veins.
~
Comfrey
is known
as
knit bone in American and
as
well
European
folk medicine for its
ability to expedite the healing of fractures.

Comfrey also aids in healing wounds of the skin, mucous mem
branes, respiratory system, and intestines. It can be applied
externally as a poultice or taken internally. The leaves or roots of
this plant can be used, although the roots are not recommended
for internal
~
use.
Chinese medicine used
support the health of

the female reproductive system, and it has become increasingly
popular in the West. It is often used to help alleviate menstrual
Dong Quai
is
to
cramps and balance estrogen metabolism.

r~
Echinacea is
popular
herb
commonly
used in the
early
stages
110
Your
of mild
respiratory infections;
healing
and other conditions.
Garlic is used
as
it may also be
helpful
in wound
purifier. Many people

pressure with garlic. Used
blood
have lowered their blood
it is often effective for the
treatment
of
cold
or
claim
to
in soups,
respiratory
infection.
o
Ginger is a root that can be grated and used fresh, or dried or

powdered. It can also be used in the form of a tea. Ginger helps
to create heat in the body. It is offered on sea voyages as stan
dard fare to soothe the stomach and help prevent motion
sickness. As a tea, ginger is very effective in cases of pharyngitis
and tonsillitis. It can often curtail the spread of strep throat if
the illness is caught in its earlier stages. Ginger can also be
applied to the skin in the form of a poultice; it helps to draw out
toxins in
of skin and soft-tissue infections.
cases
Gingko is derived
earth. Gingko has
and
even
improve
from
of the oldest
one
living plants
on
the
been used in Oriental medicine for centuries,
Western scientific research has verified that it
blood flow
to
the brain,
increasing memory and
can
mental
eyesight. This herb is also used in the treat

ment of tinnitus, migraine headaches, vertigo, and as a possible
agent in stroke prevention. It may also prove helpful in cases of
alertness, and
even
Alzheimers disease.
o
Ginseng is a tonic herb traditionally valued in the Orient for its

ability to prolong life, increase energy in the body, and improve
sexual stamina. Some studies suggest that ginseng may improve
the health of the
the
system, as well
increasing the tone and
elderly, by
nervous
cardiac function in
as
contractility
of heart
muscles.
o
Guggal comes
from
used for centuries

shown
o
Kava
guggal
root
relax the
is
It is used
nerves.
caused
by
help
weight. Studies
lowering cholesterol.
reduce
traditional medicine from
of insomnia and
pain
to
resin that grows in India. It has been
be effective in
to
a tree
anxiety.
as a
Polynesia
have also
that
muscle relaxant and for mild
Kava
root
also
can
muscle spasms. Because it
helps
cases
be useful for back
can
induce drowsi
Strengthening
ness,
Kava
root
not
be used when you
driving
are
or
equipment.
support the health of the liver. Many

with elevated liver enzymes resulting from chronic hep
Milk thistle
patients
111
Healing System
Your
should
mechanical
operating
~
Fortifying
and
helps
to
reported significant
laboratory readings of
and other liver conditions have
atitis
in their symptoms and
improvement
their liver enzymes after they have taken milk thistle for several
months. The mechanisms by which milk thistle supports and
heals the liver is still unknown, yet a
ventionally trained liver specialists are
some
of their
Neem
comes
patients.
from the leaves of the Neem
the traditional food
Johns
sant.
wort
might
You
powerful
as a
need
effects, and
ventional
psychiatric
tree
India, which is
in
camels. Neem is used in
widely prescribed
notice its
generally quite
*
is
by
eaten
medicine from India

St.
growing number of con

now recommending it to
blood
in
Ayurvedic
purifier.
Europe
as
an
antidepres
take this herb for several weeks
to
you should
not
medication.
take it with any other
By itself,
Johns
St.
to
con
wort
is
safe and often effective.
ginger family. The dried, powdered

root is the part of the plant most often used. Turmeric gives
curry powder its characteristic yellow color. Turmeric applied to
the skin as a paste is often effective in a variety of skin disorders.
Taken internally, it helps to improve the health of the liver and
eyes. It also is now being used as an adjunct in the treatment and
prevention of certain cancers and liver disease.
Thrmeric
comes
from the
Valerian has been used in folk medicine
insomnia, and it is
quite
as an
effective in mild
aid
cases
to
anxiety
and
of these condi
tions. Valerian is also sometimes recommended
as
gentle
muscle relaxant.
Many
natural medicines
potent, so it is important to
conflict with any other medicine you are
are
quite
they do not
currently taking. As with any new substance you take into your
body, if you experience untoward effects, discontinue its use and
seek the advice of a qualified health professional for further recom
be careful that
mendations.
112
Your
Closing Thoughts on Strengthening

and Fortifying Your Healing System
falling raindrops
deep canyons and valleys out of

mountains. Added to other grains of sand, a tiny grain of sand can
make a large beach or vast desert. Similarly, individual health factors,
which may seem insignificant and unworthy of our attention when
considered alone, form the very foundation for strengthening, forti
fying, and activating your healing system when they are added
together. In combination, these factors also can substantially improve
your overall health and the quality of your life. These factors include
listening to your body; paying attention to your personal hygiene;
maintaining a healthy diet; doing regular exercise, stretching, and
stress management; balancing work and play; developing good social
skills; and incorporating healthy natural elements into your daily
routine, such as drinking plenty of water, breathing fresh air, getting
adequate sunshine, and using natural herbs and minerals when
appropriate.
In the next chapter, we will look more closely at the critical role
diet and nutrition play in strengthening and fortifying your healing
system. By following a few simple dietary and nutritional guidelines,
you will not only greatly improve your overall health, but youll also
gain the maximum benefits from your extraordinary healing system.
In time,
carve
CHAPTER 5
Fueling Your Healing System
igh-performance machines, from racing cars to rocket ships,

all require specialized fuels to make them go. Your body is no
different. In fact, your body is the greatest of all high-performance
machines
on
this earth, created
to
last up
to
100 years
or more.
Your
body is an engineering masterpiece of nature, more complex, sophis

ticated, durable, and intelligent than anything ever crafted by man.
Your body is adaptable to a variety of climates, environments, and
life situations, capable of moving in an infinite number of ways, and
of enduring and surviving conditions of extreme hardship and dep
rivation.
As you
already know,
your
body
skill, precision, and expertise that it
designed with
equipped with its
has been
comes
such
own
healing system. This extraordinary system is self-contained, selfmonitoring, and highly intelligent, and is capable of supervising and
initiating mechanisms of repair, restoration, and recovery from a
huge assortment of illnesses, injuries, and insults. To accomplish
these tasks, your healing system mobilizes specialized cells and stim
ulates powerful biochemical reactions that can rapidly mend
damaged tissues when you are ill or injured. It also maintains a bal
highly ordered natural state 0f health when you are not

injured. No other machine on this earth can boast of such a
anced and
sick
or
114
Your
with any other high-performance machine, your

healing system performs best when it receives special, high-perform
ance fuel. The fuel your healing system requires is wholesome,
system. And
just
as
nutritious food.
A Wholesome Diet for
Strong Healing System
keep your healing system strong is to eat a balanced,

wholesome, simple, natural diet. Such a diet consists of a wellThe best way
to
rounded blend of all essential nutrients. These nutrients include
adequate
als,
trace
amounts
of proteins, fats,
carbohydrates, vitamins,
elements, fiber, fluids, and other vital
nutrients such
phytochemicals (special health-promoting molecules

and vegetables). Your daily requirements of these
according to where you live,
bolic requirements.
vary
The Best Fuel for Your
for your
ing
healing system, and
fortifying this
and
most
vegetables, grains, legumes,

0
these foods
important system
larger
provide
are
foods almost
Are
generally
muscle
exclusively
easier
the purest energy
to
the purest energy
essential for
in your
body.
mass
most
strengthen
In addition, fruits,
other mammals,
than humans. Our
including gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, baboons,

eat
meta
nuts, and seeds
Constitute the nutritional foundation for

those with much
substances will
what you do, and your basic
nuts, and seeds
monkeys,
also
from these categories.
digest
source
including
primate cousins,
and
than
most
flesh foods, and,
again, represent
for the metabolic demands of your
healing
sys
tem.
O
Are lower
mental
on
the food chain and contain far fewer toxins and environ
pollutants
than
most
foods that
are
derived from the flesh of
other animals.
O
Take less time

raw.
to
cook, and
are
generally
safe
enough
to
as
found in fruits
Healing System
Fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes,

source
miner
be consumed
Fuehng
115
Healing System
Your
spoiling
Have less chance of
putrefying
and
than animal
products
do. As
result, the possibility of contamination and food poisoning from these

foods is much less.
I
usually
Are
uous
atmosphere
natural foods
All nutrients
of the earth, and
the best chance of
eating
wide
to
healing system. Depending
on
you may have many
list
more
etables, grains, legumes,
as a
keys
to
the health of
derived from the soil and

of these foods will
ensure
the foods that
the best fuel
serve as
where you live and what is available,
categories of fruits, veg
nuts, and seeds.
grains, including rice, wheat,
Whole
Leafy
Roots and stems,
Beans and
legumes, including
eyed
chickpeas,
peas,
variety
the
food choices within these
greens,
extensive and contin
diet.
complete
following
are
ultimately
are
guide
Use the
require the
for transport and storage that flesh foods need.
simple, wholesome,
healing system.
for your
and dont
expensive,
refrigeration
These
your
less
oats, rye, corn, and
barley
including lettuce, spinach, and cabbage

including
carrots,
turnips, potatoes, and
soy beans,
pinto beans,
onions
sweet
peas, black-
mung beans, lentils, and peanuts
including walnuts, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts, and
Seeds and nuts,
Fruits, including apples, oranges, bananas, pineapples, cherries, berries,
grapes,
apricots, peaches,
Other
vegetables, including
squash, tomatoes, chili
and watermelon
bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower,
cabbage,
peppers, okra, and mushrooms
Essential Nutrients for Your

Before
almonds
Healing System
briefly the essential nutri

ents that we mentioned earlierprotein, carbohydrates, fats and
oils, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and phytochemicalsand
how they affect your healing system. Doing so will give you a greater
understanding of the rationale behind the practical ways to fuel your
healing system.
we
go
on,
it is
important to
discuss
116
Your
Protein and Your
Healing System
provides the structural elements for growth and repair of

your bodily tissues, and it is one of the most important nutrients
for your healing system. Protein is also the primary nutrient build
ing block for your muscles which, at 40 percent of normal body
weight, are the largest and most dynamic, energy-dependent struc
tures in your body. In addition to its predominance in muscle tissue,
protein is found in nearly all cells and tissues of your body, includ
ing your blood.
Adequate dietary protein intake is required for growth in children;
if it is not taken in required amounts, it can result in muscle-wasting
disorders in children. But because the daily requirement for protein is
only about an ounce a day, a lack of protein today in Western coun
tries is rare. In spite of this, unfortunately, a lingering fear of not
getting enough protein drives much of the unhealthy dietary prac
tices currently in vogue in Western countries. This fear results in
overeating, which can lead to obesity and can be very harmful to
Many people in Western countries have come to depend on
and animal products as convenient sources of protein.
meats
Unfortunately, these foods contain highly saturated animal fats with
creates an unnecessary burden on the healing
no fiber, which
Protein
Learning to incorporate protein from non-meat sources in

daily diet is a much healthier and safer approach for your heal
system.
your
ing
system.
Carbohydrates
and Your
Healing System
Carbohydrates are derived from plants. Carbohydrates constitute

the major fuel source for your healing system. The old, common
name for carbohydrates was starch, which we sometimes attribute to
the heavier, denser carbohydrates, such as potatoes and certain grain
flours that make bread. Starch was erroneously thought to contain
empty calories, but today we know differently. Because carbohy
drates provide the greatest overall return of energy of all foods,
marathon runners and triathietes typically carbohydrate load
before a major race by eating lots of pasta and breads. They know
from experience that this is the best long term, high-performance
fuel for their dynamic bodies.
Fueling
Your
117
Healing System
Grains such
as
rice, wheat,
barley,
oats, corn,
and millet, in addi
potatoes, are the largest staple food crops in the world, and
these have served as traditional sources of carbohydrate nutrient
tion
to
energy for the majority of the worlds population for many years.
These foods, which contain complex carbohydrates, are the longest
lasting, slowest burning, and most efficient of all fuel sources for
your healing system. Additionally, they usually contain lots of fiber,
and so are extremely beneficial to the health of your colon and heart.
Foods with complex carbohydrates also are valuable sources of
essential vitamins, minerals, and
such
trace
elements, and other nutrients
phytochemicals. To strengthen and forti& your healing

and keep it running smoothly and efficiently, your diet
consist of about 60 percent complex carbohydrates.
as
system
should
Fats and Oils and Your
Healing System
performance of your healing

system. Specifically, they promote healthy skin and nails, and they
contribute to the structural integrity of cell membranes in your
body, which aids your healing system in preventing infection. Fats
and oils also help to protect and coat nerve sheaths, which improves
the health of your bodys communications. As you know, your heal
ing system depends on an efficient and accurate communications
system. Fats and oils also pad and cushion internal organs in your
body, protecting them from injury while they insulate and keep your
body warm. Because fats are lighter than water and are high-energy
nutrients, they are also a convenient way to store fuel that your heal
ing system can use when food intake is inadequate or scarce.
For these reasons, a small amount of fats and oils in your daily
diet is necessary for your health. Additionally, some fat-soluble vita
mins and other nutrients can be absorbed only with fats and oils.
For example, omega-3 fatty acids, found in flaxseed oil and certain
fish oils, help the healing system with blood clotting and can be
absorbed only with fats and oils.
Fats and oils
There
are
are,
oils that have
no
essential for the
doubt, other beneficial
nutrients in certain fats and
sent
yet been discovered. But because fats and oils repre

the densest and most concentrated forms of food energy, their
not
over-consumption
lems,
including
can
contribute
to
obesity
and other health
prob
heart disease, the number-one killer in the Western
118
Your
hemisphere.
Fat intake should be restricted
to
10 percent
25 per
level and
to
daily calories, depending on your activity

current health status. For example, Dr. Ornish, at the University of
California in San Francisco, found that a 10-percent daily fat intake
works best to aid your healing system in reversing heart disease.
of your total
cent
important type of structural fat

and integrity of your healing system and,
Cholesterol is
the health
an
your cell membranes. In addition
to
that supports
in particular,
the cholesterol it obtains from
your body can manufacture its own cholesterol from other

fats and oils. A diet that exceeds your bodys basic daily caloric
your
diet,
requirements, however,
will
than is needed, and, if this
create
occurs,
cholesterol in your body

the excess cholesterol can form
more
clog arteries and lead to heart disease. Reducing total

fat intake, or restricting total calories, while increasing daily activity
levels can help lower cholesterol levels and aid your healing system
to dissolve blockages, open up clogged arteries, and improve blood
blockages
flow
to
that
your heart.
Vitamins and Your
Healing System
naturally occurring compounds that are essential to the

healthy functioning of your healing system. They work with your
bodys various enzyme systems and are critical to the performance of
important, life-sustaining processes involved in the growth, repair,
and regeneration of healthy as well as damaged tissues. Although
vitamins are usually required in much smaller quantities than other
Vitamins
are
proteins, fats and oils, and carbo

that doesnt include them at all can impair the
basic nutritional elements, such
hydrates, a
functioning
Vitamin
diet
of your
as
healing
requirements
system and result in illness.

often change over time, they vary
slightly
they
during pregnancy and lac
tation. Athletic training and recovery from illness and injuries may
increase the bodys requirements for one or more vitamins. Because
for males and females, and
increase
bodys biochemical pathways and metabolic processes are com

plex, subtle, and still remain largely unexplored, it is certain that
more vitamins than we currently know about will be discovered in
the future and recognized as essential to our healing systems.
The best way to ensure adequate vitamin intake for your heal
ing system is to eat a well-rounded, wholesome diet with plenty of
the
Fueling
119
Healing System
Your
vegetables, and a certain limited

amount of fats and oils (again, specific vitamins require fat for
absorption). When a problem occurs in a specific area of your body,
you may need to supplement normal dietary sources with a specific
vitamin, or concentrate on eating foods that contain higher quanti
ties of a specific vitamin, to support the work of your healing system
whole
in that
grains,
nuts,
seeds, fruits,
area.
The list that follows describes the various vitamins that

health of your
vitamins
are
healing system.
currently being researched,
covered. The recommended
estimates, based
Academy
This list is
on
the
dietary
findings
and is
and many
recovery from illness and
still
listed
to
are
the
to
all-inclusive;
more are
(RDAs)
allowances
new
be dis
per-day
of the Food and Nutrition Board, National
They
slightly
vary
requirements changing during pregnancy
are
for
people
for males and females, with
and lactation, athletic
training, and
injuries.
healing system in protecting the health of your eyes;

it also promotes healthy skin growth. A lack of vitamin A can cause poor
night vision and blindness, as well as skin problems. Recent research sug
Vitamin A aids your
gests that vitamin A also helps prevent certain

vitamin A
yellow
rots.
fruits and
(mcg)
Vitamin
your
foods that contain beta carotene,
are
vegetables
The recommended
grams
~
not
essential
of Sciences, National Research Council. The RDAs
14 years of age and older.
P~
guide
are
B; (thiamin)
mended
dietary
including
most
mango, papaya,
sources
of
orange and
squash, yams, and
car
allowance of vitamin A is 800 micro
aids your
healing system
system. A lack of vitamin
disorders of the
include whole
as
Good
1,000 micrograms (mcg).
to
nervous
such
cancers.
nervous
B1
in
maintaining the health of
can cause
system and brain. Good
grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits,
dietary
allowance of vitamin
B1
is 1.1
beriberi and other
sources
of vitamin
and milk The
milligrams (mg)
to
B1
recom
1.5 mil
ligrams (mg).
~
Vitamin
B2 (riboflavin) supports
health of your skin and
nervous
your
healing system by protecting
system. A lack of vitamin
B2
the
has been
120
Your
linked
B2
vitamin
ed
O
dermatological
to
dietary
include
healthy skin,
vegetables, cereals, and grains.
can cause
B2
is
and
pellagra,
include
grains,
dietary
allowance is
1.3mg
gastrointestinal
nuts, most
15mg
vegetables,
maintaining
B3,
or
B3
of vitamin
sources
The recommended
19mg.
to
processes that support your
role in
legumes.
and
B5 (pantothenic acid) participates
Vitamin
The recommend
health. A lack of vitamin
serious disease. Good
of
sources
1.7mg.
to
healing systems
supports your
nerves,
Good
neurological problems.
and
allowance of vitamin
B3 (niacin)
Vitamin
niacin,
most
in
variety of physiological
These include energy metab
healing system.
olism, blood-sugar regulation, and production of antibodies, cholesterol,
hemoglobin, and
to
Vitamin
B6 (pyridoxine)
nervous
has been linked

Good
to
B6
include whole
dietary
The recommended
4mg
B12
causes
products.
Because vitamin
this vitamin for up
allowance is very small,
Folic acid works in
systems
role in
anemia and
dietary
2 is
seen
during
to
dark green
8Omcg
vitamin
nerves
one
of the
most
B12
to
potent
tremendous
support your
healing
and red blood cells. A lack of
pregnancy and alcoholism,
vegetables,
to
of red blood
five years, the recommended
system disorders. Good
allowance is I
production
the
only 2mcg.
maintaining healthy
nervous
grains, cereals,
at
conjunction with
folic acid, sometimes
supporting
mankind, and because your liver has
capacity
dietary
2mg.
to
dairy products, most animal products, and
to
store
in
stones.
anemia and nervous-system disorders.
substances known
to
B6
nuts, and most
1.6mg
healing system
system, and in the
include milk and
fermented soy
protect the health
grains, cereals,
allowance is
aids your
nervous
cells. A lack of vitamin

sources
to
nervous-system disorders, anemia, and bladder
health of your central
allowance is
system, blood, and urinary system. A lack of vitamin
B12 (cyanocobalamine)
Vitamin
Good
by your healing system
is used
of vitamin
sources
vegetables.
dietary
7mg.
of your
hormones. The recommended
sources
can
lead
to
of folic acid include
and fruits. The recommended
200mcg.
healing system in maintaining healthy skin and nerves. A

has been implicated in skin and nervous-system problems
Biotin aids your
lack of biotin
and may affect cholesterol metabolism. Good
sources are
soybeans
and
Fueling
121
Healing System
Your
grains. The recommended dietary allowance of

I
(ascorbic acid)
role in wound
and
aids your
healing system by playing
best natural
by fragile
blood vessels and
of vitamin C is
source
most
red chili peppers,are also
The recommended
dietary
Vitamin 0 aids your
healing
tribute
to
source
of vitamin D.
osteoporosis
sunlight
and
is
added
now
allowance is
Vitamin E
key
role
are
important
system
disease
healing.
The
good
sources
of vitamin C.
60mg.
by playing
key
role in calcium metab
causes
rickets and
and other disorders. Natural
Naturally occurring
sunlight
can con
is the best
substances in the skin absorb
converted into the active form of vitamin D. Vitamin D
milk, cheese, and butter. The recommended dietary
to
helps keep
as an
cancer.
nuts,
wound
(d-alpha-tocopherol) supports your healing system by playing a

in wound healing. When applied topically, vitamin E aids in scar
it also acts
and
scurvy,
5mcg.
formation and
skin
healthy
and strong. When taken
internally,
antioxidant, important in the prevention of heart disease
Good
sources
vegetable oils,
allowance is
8mg
to
and
of vitamin E include the oil of many seeds and

wheat
grains. The recommended dietary
10mg.
Vitamin K supports your
an
to
fruits, including citrus. Certain
allowance is
can cause
impaired
olism and bone formation~ A lack of vitamin D
3Omcg
healing, collagen formation, immune defense, inflammation,
prevention. Vitamin C deficiency
cancer
characterized
is
O0mcg.
Vitamin C
biotin
healing system
as an
essential component of your
bodys blood-clotting mechanisms. Vitamin K is naturally produced by a

specific strain of bacteria that live within your own intestines, where the
vitamin is absorbed. Good dietary sources of vitamin K include green tea,
spinach, cabbage,
dietary
You
allowance is
can see
leafy green vegetables.

65mcg to 8omcg.
and other
from these
descriptions
how important vitamins
optimum functioning of your healing system.

your
daily diet, and
each
one.
that you get
at
The recommended
Be
sure
least the minimum
are to
the
you include vitamins in
daily requirements
for
122
Your
Minerals,Trace Elements, and Your Healing System
powerful essential nutri

ents that aid and support your healing system. They are required for
growth, repair, and regeneration of tissues, to keep your body
healthy and free from disease. Minerals are derived directly from the
earths core, and they have unique properties. They are integral to
In addition
the
to
structure
vitamins, minerals
and function of
are
also
important
enzymes,
hormones, and
transport molecules, such as hemoglobin, within the body. As

noted earlier, almost every mineral element that exists in the core of
they
the earth has been found
quantities in
to be a poison,
exist in minute
generally considered
trace amounts by your body.
Trace elements are chemically related
body.
in
to
Even arsenic,
to
the human
is
required
minerals and
usually
classified in the same nutritional category~ The difference between

trace elements and minerals is that minerals are required in slightly
greater amounts than trace elements, and their functions are a little
better understood. We know that trace elements are required for
nutrition and
good
health, but
we
dont know
exactly
how much of
exactly what each one does. We do know,

however, that a deficiency of trace elements in your body results in
a failure to thrive, increased susceptibility to disease, and even death.
So although they are required in very small amounts, trace elements
are absolutely critical to the optimum functioning of your healing
each
one
is needed and
system.
T~~Th
Minerals and Trace Elements That
Support
Following
and
Your
are
the
functioning
Calcium
plays
tion, blood
important minerals
most
of your
Important Key
o
Healing System
and
trace
elements for the health
healing system.
Minerals
key
clotting,
role in
nerve
helping
your
healing system
with bone forma
conduction, and muscle contraction, including
the muscles of your heart. Sources of calcium include
broccoli, leafy green vegetables, and

from
lack of calcium and increased
some
fruits.
parathyroid
dairy products,
Osteoporosis
can
result
hormone secretion. The
Fueling
RDA for
1000mg/day,
1500mg/day.
Copper
is
and for
grains, seeds, and
premenopausal
For
postmenopausal
for your
important
collagen formation,
800mg/day.
is
most men
is
123
Hearing System
Your
healing
system
nuts.
The RDA has
not
fluoride supports your
healing system
and is
and
pediatricians
you
are
living
in
an area
where the
The RDA for fluoride has

Iodine is
your
key
element of
healing system
not
it is
men
cell metabolism,
of copper include
fruits,
yet been established.
plants, and
Many
fruits.
dentists
with fluoride for children if
supply
water
in tooth and bone
important
supplementing
recommend
elderly
and
regulate
to
repair. Sources
and tissue
formation. Sources include mineral water,
women
women, the RDA
be fluoridated.
not
may
thyroid
hormones and
in energy metabolism,
plays
critical role for
including
regulation
the
of
body temperature. Iodine deficiency results in the well-known condition

of goiter, which produces a large swelling in the neck that is the result of
an
enlarged thyroid gland.
salt, algae, and

*
Iron is
sea
Good
sources
foods. The RDA is I
central part of the
sea
molecule and functions in oxygen
healing system
repair and
to
the health of organ tissues. In addition to red meats,
all red fruits and
water,
sea
S0mcg.
hemoglobin
transport, which is essential for your
of iodine include
restore
of iron
sources
are
vegetables, including beets, watermelon, raspberries,
cherries, strawberries; dried fruits, including raisins, dates, and figs; beans;
and certain
absorption
*
Magnesium
leafy vegetables, including spinach.

of iron in your
is
body.
The RDA for iron is
metabolism and blood pressure.

green
*
vegetables
Phosphorous
is
10mg.
to
regulate
energy
magnesium include leafy
magnesium
is
280mg
to
350mg.
important for helping your healing system support bone

sources
grains. The RDA
Potassium is
Sources of
and fruits. The RDA for
metabolism. Good
whole
healing system
for your
important
Vitamin C enhances the
is
of
phosphorus
800mg
to
include fruits,
helping
to
and
1200mg.
important for your healing system
of your heart while
vegetables,
conduct
to
nerve
support the
impulses
in
functioning
your body.
Potassium, along with sodium, also helps your healing system by facilitat
ing
water movement
in and out of your
in and out of your
body.
Good
sources
cells, and
of
by directing
potassium
water
are most
flow
fruits and
124
for
LI
has
potassium
Sodium is
system
for certain
a
not
by playing
of
mon source
green leaves
as
key
role in
has been linked
if you have
Sulfur
is
important
Keep
formation and structural

your
body.
Good
The RDA has
not
sources
integrity
heart failure,
body
amounts.
most com
not
retention, which
hypertension,
can
and kid
healing system
of
the
in mind that too much sodium
aid and support the
proteins and other compounds
plant and
of sulfur include both
animal
in
proteins.
Elements
important minerals, called
of your
regulating
Important Key Trace

Other
your
healing
that aids your
to excess water
congestive
helping
for
body
cell membranes and tissues. The
ney disorders. The RDA for sodium has

LI
and tubers. The RDA
conduction while
nerve
of sodium is table salt.
problem
as roots
electrical ion in your
water across
people
well
been established.
important
an
movement
be
Your
and your
trace
elements,
healing system,
but
are
they
essential
are
to
the health
required
in minute
These minerals include: arsenic, bromine, boron, chromium, cobalt,
manganese,
molybdenum, selenium, silicon, tellurium, vanadium, zinc,
and
quite possibly many others, including cadmium, lithium, silver, and gold.
Good
sources
of
trace
natural, volcanic-derived, organic soil, which is the

minerals
body
this earth. Even
though they
are
most
critical
to
life grown in
fertile
source
of all
the health of your
healing system, in general, trace elements are present

small amounts that determining exactly how much you
and
in such
day
on
plant
elements include rich and varied
in the
body
need every
is difficult.
Vitamin and Mineral
Supplements
Research shows that you are better off getting your vitamins, miner
als, and trace elements in their most natural form, the foods that you
eat,
rather than from
als, and
trace
supplements.
elements
are
This is because vitamins, miner
better absorbed when
other natural nutritional elements
digested
they
are
bound
and assimilated
by
to
your
body. For instance, iron is better absorbed in your intestines in the

presence of vitamin C. For this reason, I generally dont recommend
Fueling
Your
125
Healing System
supplementation unless you are suffering from

a specific vitamin deficiency or a health condition that could be
significantly improved through vitamin therapy, or your diet is
incomplete in one way or another.
If you choose to supplement your diet, do so with discretion
and care. Supplemental vitamins and minerals are concentrated and
not in their natural state, and if you take them in excess, they can
cause serious health problems. Vitamins and other supplements
should never replace a good, wholesome diet. I frequently encounter
people who do not focus enough time and thought on their diets
but instead rely on their supplemental vitamins and minerals to
make up for any deficit in their diets. When it comes to selecting
healthy, nourishing foods for your healing system, it is of paramount
importance that you take time to listen to and work with your body.
When you are just starting out, it is also a good idea to work with
your doctor and preferably a reliable nutritionist to help you deter
vitamin
or
mineral
mine the best nutritional program for your individual health needs.
Phytochemicals:
Phytochemicals
Natures Medicines
plants that have

both nutritional and health-enhancing effects, and they support
your healing system in many ways. Phytochemicals facilitate the
processes of growth, repair, and tissue regeneration. They also help
prevent certain chronic, degenerative diseases, including cancer and
heart disease. Among the better-known phytochemicals are the
carotenoids, including beta carotene, a parent compound to vitamin
A, found in yellow- and orange-colored fruits and vegetables.
are
naturally occurring chemicals
in
Carotenoids prevent heart disease and are beneficial in the preven

tion of certain cancers. Lycopenes, found in tomatoes, are also helpful
prevention of certain cancers, heart disease, and other chronic

conditions. Many health experts feel that Italians have such low rates
of heart disease and cancer because of their steady diet of tomatoes,
in the
lycopenes.
Other phytochemicals play a significant role in supporting your
healing system and can help overcome a wide variety of diseases,
particularly the prevention and healing of certain cancers, heart dis
ease, and even macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness
in the elderly. Because these important phytochemicals come from a
which contain
126
Your
wide
variety
of plant
colorful fruits and
getting enough
sources,
vegetables
it is
to
important
make
sure
to eat a
your.
wide
healing
variety
of
system is
of these natural chemicals.
Probiotics and Your
Healing System
compounds important in the

nutrition and health of your healing system. Probiotics are produced
by certain strains of bacteria that naturally live in your intestinal tract,
and they also occur in nature. These strains of bacteria can aid your
healing system in combating illness, restoring health, and maintaining
proper biochemical balance in your body. More than 500 different
strains of bacteria have been discovered to live in your intestines, help
ing to break down ingested foods while producing valuable metabolic
byproducts that are then absorbed and carried to the various cells and
tissues in your body. One of these products is vitamin K, which your
healing system utilizes as an essential ingredient in blood clotting.
Scientists have discovered, for example, that ingesting lacto
bacillus bacteria, commonly called acidophilus, which occurs
naturally in yogurt and is now available in supplemented commer
cial milk preparations and other products, reduces childhood
Pro biotics represent another class of
diarrhea, decreases the likelihood of intestinal side-effects while

people are taking antibiotics, and prevents yeast infections in
women. Probiotics often can successfully combat infections, espe
cially those of the intestinal tract, and possibly those of the

respiratory system. They may also reduce the required dosages and
possible toxicity of childhood immunizations. Probiotics appear
naturally in many traditionally fermented foods, such as vinegar,
wine, cheese, yogurt, tempeh, and soy sauce.
Tips for
Healing System
Twelve Essential
Fueling Your
fortify your healing system with the right

fuel, you need to follow a few simple nutritional guidelines. Keep in
mind, however, that we all are unique individuals with different
nutritional needs that can change and evolve as we grow, age, or
modify our activities or environment. It is important, therefore, that
To
help strengthen
and
Fueling
you
Your
not
127
Healing System
cling blindly
to
any
dietary
of
stringent nutritional or
appropriate for you. As a general
one
set
formulas that may not be

rule, listen to your body, trust in its inherent wisdom and natural
state
of health, and
respond intelligently
to
its
ever-changing
nutri
tional needs and demands.
Tip #1:
Whole
Eat
Simple
Diet Rich in
Fruits,Vegetables,
Grains, Seeds, Nuts, Beans, and Legumes
a
high_performance nutrition, most experts are now

recommending a simple diet predominantly based on foods
obtained from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts,
For the sake of
and seeds. These foods
higher
are
more
concentration of vitamins,
balanced and contain
minerals,
trace
much
elements, and
other valuable nutrients than flesh- and meat-based foods. Plantbased foods also contain
beneficial
complex carbohydrates,
more unsaturated fats and oils, and, contrary to popular opinion,
they are also excellent sources of protein. Numerous studies have
clearly established a link between a greater intake of fruits and veg
etables and greater health and longevity. Under most conditions,
these are the best fuels for your healing system. These foods are also
an excellent source of fiber, which is essential for optimal intestinal
more
health. Fiber has been shown
prevent colon cancer as well as heart

disease. We also obtain valuable fats and oils from these foods.
to
Plant-based foods contain less saturated fat, and

fewer toxins and less
they
also contain
pesticide residues than other foods. Plantderived proteins, which are plentiful in beans, legumes, nuts, seeds,
and grains, are generally more beneficial than protein from meats
and animal flesh. When you consume meats or animal products, try
to eat less, and try to eat these foods only as condiments or flavor
ings, as the Chinese and Japanese do. And if you feel so inclined,
eat them duringspecial occasions, such as holidays or birthdays, as
a form of celebration, as the early hunting-gathering societies did.
The trend toward a healthier diet consisting of simpler, more
wholesome, natural foods and fewer flesh foods is supported by the
health data from the countries with the largest populations in the
world, including China and India, in addition to other countries
where people derive the majority of their nutritional requirements
from fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes. In these countries, there
128
Your
is far less heart
disease, hypertension and stroke,
arthritis, and other chronic
degenerative
cancer,
diseasesthe so-called
diseases of civilizationthan in countries that derive
nutritional
studies
helps
now
advantages.
as
are
growth
maintain the
of their
products.
of protein,
convenient
sources
and health of muscles, but
most
reveal that these diets have greater disadvantages than

Most meat-based diets contain harmful substances, such
saturated fats that
and environmental
residues, which
we
more
from flesh foods and animal
requirements
Meat and flesh-based foods
which
diabetes,
are
compare them
clog the arteries in your heart and brain,

toxins, including heavy metals and pesticide
can
stored and concentrated in animal tissues. When
other
to
simple, wholesome,
natural foods,
also lack sufficient fiber and other essential nutrients, such
mins, minerals, and
trace
meats
as
vita
elements.
Although many people erroneously assume that plant-based

diets are lacking in protein, their fear of not getting enough protein
from plant sources is not scientifically valid. Studies have proven
that it is easy to get abundant protein from a diet that combines
grains and legumes with other fruits and vegetables. Other studies
have shown that traditional cultures around the world that have
vived for centuries
little
to no
on
evidence of heart disease and
Many excellent
meat
natural foods show
simple, wholesome,
these
substitutes
sur
cancer.
are
now
available that
are
derived from soy, legumes, and other vegetable-protein sources. In

the more progressive cities in America and Europe, many restaurants
now
offer these
products
and grocery stores.

The average daily
on
their
menus, as
protein requirement for
40 grams, which is a little more than an

question of adequate protein intake, daily
do
most
most
ounce.
supermarkets
adults is less than
Whenever there is
protein requirements can be

met by combining beans (legumes) or seeds with grains. An example
would be eating beans and tortillas, as we commonly do when we eat
Mexican food. An even simpler example would be a peanut-butter
sandwich on whole-wheat bread. Tofu is also an excellent complete pro
tein, and it can be prepared in many ways. Dairy products, including
milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt, are also excellent sources of protein.
Many excellent nutrition plans and cookbooks for healthy eating based
on a diet that incorporates more fruits and vegetables are available.
Fueling
Your
129
Healing System
Tip #2: Consume More Fluids, Including Soups,

Juices, Herbal Teas, and Water
healing system requires adequate fluid intake to function opti
mally. Because your body is 70 percent fluid, all metabolic processes
in your body occur predominantly in a liquid internal environment.
For this reason, it is important to drink lots of water throughout the
day. The more liquids you consume, the more effectively fluids can
circulate in your body, and the more rapidly your body can elimi
nate toxins. Fluids also aid in the healing of infections and many
other congestive and degenerative conditions. Many illnesses can be
traced to chronic dehydration resulting from a lack of fluid or water
intake. Fresh fruits and vegetables, many of which are more than 95
Your
percent
water,
are
excellent
sources
of fluid.
Consume More Fiber in Your Diet
Tip #3:
essential fuel additive for the health of your colon, heart,

and healing system. Adequate fiber intake ensures your ability to
Fiber is
an
eliminate unwanted
and toxins from your intestines, and it

and degenerative diseases. Because meat
waste
help
prevent cancer
doesnt have fiber, and because
can
Americans
most
eat more meat
than
food, they usually dont get enough fiber in their diets.

This lack of fiber causes problems with elimination, which results in
any other
the
steady buildup
extra
of toxic
burden and strain
for illness. The best
grains, and other

legumes, nuts and
Tip #4:
waste
on
the
in the
healing
body.
Waste
system and
buildup
can set
puts an
the stage
predominantly fruits, whole

plant-derived vegetables, including beans and
sources
of fiber
are
seeds.
Eat Food That Is
Prepared
Fresh
prepared fresh each day. Dont eat food that is

stored in freezers for long periods of time, has been sitting on shelves
for a long time, or was prepared months to years in advance and then
prepackaged. This food often has lost its vitality and nourishment,
and it also may be harmful to your body. Also avoid refined foods,
including refined flours, which are devoid of fiber and often contain
Consume food that is
harmful additives and

to
eat
preservatives.
those made with
If you
whole-grain
eat
breads and pasta, try
flours. Eat less artificial and
130
Your
refined sugars. Instead, when you

and natural sweeteners, such as
crave
sweets, eat
more
fresh fruits
and fruit-derived
honey
sweets,
including juices and dried fruits. Processed, refined, and packaged

foods lack the vitality, freshness, and fiber that your healing system
requires to function optimally, and they may cause it to work over
time by creating unhealthy conditions in your body.
Include Raw Foods in Your
Tip #5:
Eat
at
least
one
portion
bles and fruits. This
day
of
raw
Daily
Diet
foods, including fresh vegeta
food could be in the form of
raw
salad with
fresh sprouts, or fresh fruits and vegetables, such as carrot sticks or

fresh apple pieces. Raw fruits and vegetables are loaded with vita
elements, and they contain a

Make sure, however, that you chew
mins, minerals, and

and fluid
content.
well because
quately.
content,
while
they can
trace
be difficult
Raw fruits and

assure
if theyre
with their
essential vitamins, minerals,
natural sugars for your
Eat
vegetables,
digest
not
high
raw
healing
Regular Meals,
fiber
foods
chewed ade
fluid and fiber
efficient circulation and elimination in the
they provide
Tip #6:
to
high
trace
body,
elements, and
system.
at
Regular Times
bodys digestive system is set up to handle regular meals. Going

all day without eating, and then overeating for dinner, is a common
habit that can contribute to digestive problems, overburdening your
body and making your healing system sluggish. A steady flow of
nutrients works best for your healing system, not starving it all day
long and then overloading. Graze on healthy snacks if you get
hungry, or if your blood sugar gets low. However, make sure not to
spoil your appetite for your meals. Eat more toward the earlier part
of the day and less in the evenings.
Your
Tip #7:
Take the Time
to
Plan and CookYour Meals
Proper nutrition is essential for your health. Although preparing

healthy, wholesome food might take a little extra thought and time,
just remember that your healing system deserves and requires the best
fuel you can give it. Like anything thats worthwhile, proper nutrition
takes planning and preparation. If you wait until you are hungry to
decide what you are going to eat, you will most likely grab the nearest
Fueling
131
Healing System
Your
food available, which could be fast food

the time
shop
to
Tip #8:
Create
Eating your
healthy,
for and cook

a
or
convenient
junk food. Take
wholesome foods.
Pleasant Ambiance When You Eat
food under
pleasant
circumstances, in
enhances the smell and
calm, quiet envi
of the food and
improves
digestion. While eating, use pleasant settings, including quality plates,
silverware, and serving utensils. Light a candle or use soft lights at the
table. Avoid watching TV while you eat, or eating with the stereo or
ronment,
taste
radio
blasting, which can interfere with proper digestion and the assim
ilation of vital nutrients. Avoid arguing or getting upset for any reason
while you eat. If you are upset, it is best to wait until you are calm to
eat because emotional upheaval can adversely affect body chemistry
and have
spirit
of
and your health. Cultivate a

for the food that you consume. Many cultures
negative impact
gratitude
digestion
on
surrounding food, such as

received, to be equally important to,
around the world consider the ambiance

how it is
if not
prepared,
more
Tip #9:
and how it is
important than, the
ChewYour Food
biochemical
Slowly
and
composition
of the food.
Thoroughly
The process of digestion begins in your mouth, aided by digestive

enzymes secreted by your salivary glands. So chewing your food
slowly
and
thoroughly
is
important. Doing
this makes
digestion
efficient for your stomach and intestines.

Most healthy, fresh, wholesome food requires thorough
easier and
more
before you swallow it. Proper chewing

which is why dental hygiene is also an
chewing
good teeth,
depends on
important part of your
overall physical health and personal hygiene. Not chewing your food
slowly and thoroughly because you are eating when you are in a
hurry or upset can cause indigestion and rob your healing system of
necessary vital nutrients.
Tip #10:
Eat
Wide
Variety
of Foods
Do your best to satisfy your bodys nutritional requirements by eating

a wide variety of foods. This variety will ensure the opportunity for a
greater selection and utilization of natures essential nutrients. In the

past, populations that were confined to limited choices in their diets
often
came
down with
severe
nutritional deficiencies.
132
Your
Because many vitamins,
minerals,
trace
elements, and other
nutri
pigments and dyes that

contribute to the specific colors of certain fruits and vegetables, many
nutritional experts recommend eating as wide a variety of fruits and
vegetables as possible, including every color in the rainbow in your
diet at least weekly. For all practical and scientific purposes, this
approach represents the safest and most reliable way to ensure the
highest-octane fuel for your high-performance healing system.
tional substances
are
associated with natural
I: Eat Fewer Rich,
Tip #1
Heavy
Foods
clog your digestive, lymphatic,

and circulatory systems, draining your body of healing energy. Such
foods have been linked to a number of diseases, including gout,
gall bladder disease, heart disease, diverticulitis, and many others,
including cancer.
Rich, heavy foods, which contain a lot of fat, oil, and protein,
represent the most difficult of all foods to digest, often taking at
least four or five hours, and sometimes even longer. The time and
energy required to break down and digest these foods will interfere
with the performance of your healing system. The process of diges
Rich, heavy foods taken in
tion
excess can
redirect blood flow and energy away from the work your
system is doing. If you are healing, and you are not under
can
healing
nourished,
rich and
it is
heavy
Tip #12:
Minimize
important
to
keep your diet light. Avoid or minimize
foods.
Minimize the Use of Alcohol and Stimulants

or
reduce alcohol intake. Consider
eliminating
it alto
special, festive occasions. Alcohol, which

is a nervous-system depressant and also has negative effects on the
liver, can make your healing system sluggish and incompetent.
gether
or
saving
its
use
for
addition, minimize or eliminate the

including caffeine, which is commonly found
In
caffeinated sodas. Caffeine stimulates the

increase mental
agitation
and
cause
use
in
of stimulants,
coffee,
tea,
and
system and can

Stress constricts your
nervous
stress.
blood vessels and promotes the fight-or-flight response, which inter

feres with the performance of your healing system.
Fueling
Your
133
Healing System
Closing Thoughts on
Fueling Your Healing System
body is a high-performance
machine, with an extraordinary healing system that requires the
highest-performance fuels available from the purest sources. Repair
and restoration of damaged tissues require energy; and the energy
It is
important
you
consume
on
your
to
remember that your
in the form of food will have
healing
system and your overall
tremendous influence
state
of health and well
being.
Remember
to eat
foods that
and balanced, and that contain
are
wholesome and nutritious, fresh
plenty
of vitamins, minerals,
trace
elements, fluids, and fiber. These foods include most fruits and veg
etables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, soups, herbal teas, juices, and
water.
Make
sure
you
are
getting adequate protein, carbohydrates,
fats, and oils
in your diet. Eat natural foods that represent every

color in the rainbow at least once in a weeks time to get enough
phytochemicals. Take time to prepare your meals thoughtfully,

eat regularly, avoid unhealthy snacking, and chew your food well. If
you are attempting to heal yourself from a chronic illness or condi
of flesh food in your diet, or eliminate it
Avoid rich and heavy foods unless you need to put on
tion, reduce the
altogether.
weight. Also
There
amount
be careful with alcohol and caffeine intake.
are
many excellent
resources
for nutrition. When it
comes
fueling your healing system, respect your individuality, remember

to keep an open mind about trying and learning new things, and
dont be too rigid or fanatical about following a stringent dietary reg
imen that has worked for others but may not be right for you. Above
all, stay informed, and listen to your body as you focus on fulfilling
its ever-changing nutritional needs.
to
CHAPTER 6
The Power of Your Mind

and Your
Healing System
mind is your healing systems most powerful ally. Working

through your brain and nervous system, your mind can send pow
our
erful messages to your body that can, dramatically influence the

performance of your healing system. Through these mechanisms, a
sophisticated
communication feedback system sends
precise, split-
second information from your body back to your brain. Your mind
remains in intimate contact with your bodys ever-changing internal
by side with your healing system.

physician and author Dr. Andrew Weil,
environment while it works side

In the words of well-known
Wherever
nerves are,
All mental
activities of the mind
activity,
whether conscious
can
or
travel.
unconscious, has
healing system and can enhance or

interfere with its performance. For example, when your mind is in a
positive state, immersed in thoughts of love and affection, caring
and compassion, enthusiasm, health, happiness, joy, and peace, ben
eficial chemicals known as neurotransmitters or neuropeptides that are
secreted by your brain can actually infuse your body with positive
energy, strengthening your healing system and improving your
health. Alternatively, when your mind is in a negative state, with
thoughts of pessimism, cynicism, jealousy, anger, hatred, fear,
revenge, self-criticism, blame, shame, guilt, and despair, you are
powerful
influence
on
your
136
Your
sending negative
body via equally powerful

chemicals that can weaken your healing system and interfere with its
ability to do its job effectively. In the words of Robert Eliot, M.D.,
The brain writes prescriptions for the body.
messages
to
your
When you understand the power of your mind, and its enor
mous ability to work either for you or against
you, you will no
longer waste valuable

~
,,
rate,
~ci
time
energy
or
I
blaming outside forces,
includ
II
poiiute environment, or
other people for your illnesses, diseases, or lack of good health.
Outside forces can certainly play a role in disease processes, but, in
ing
maci
genes,
microoes,
evii
the final
analysis, your health is based more on the personal choices

you make for yourself, moment by moment, each day of your life,
and your ability to optimize the incredible power of your mind to
aid your healing system. You are the one who is ultimately respon
sible for your health, and so it is imperative that you understand this
principle. More than any other power or force in this world, your
own mind can serve as your healing systems most qualified and
capable partner.
Healing System
How Your Mind Affects Your
Your mind works
through
thoughts
that
converted
impulses
travel
are
through
example,
movement,
impulses
to
when you
thought
is first
that
in much the
are
These
distributed
same
arm.
The part of your
known
voluntarily brought
as
way
to
electrical
the various
electricity
as
tribution and
or
nervous
autonomic
more
by
moves
environment. The autonomic
in
before the actual
your
movement
responsible
conscious
system, is
its
nervous
more
influence
system
movement
thinking.
as
the
wide-reaching
over
your
regulates
in your
for this type of
system because the
own
electrical
causes
direct the muscles in
system, however, known
nervous
powerful
nervous
turn
results in
events
system that is
voluntary
arm,
in your mind that
that will in
nerves
into action
Another part of your
system,
generated
nervous
the
your
move
This sequence of
arm to contract.
movement is
want to
specific
stimulate
your
nervous
impulses.
wires.
For
is
body,
nerves
system, generating
nervous
electrical
into
the many
organs and tissues of your
through
your brain and
involuntary
in its dis
bodys
such critical
internal
biologi
The Power of Your Mind and Your
cal functions
digestive
as
your heart beat, your
sympathetic
branches. The
in your
body;
this branch is
response. The
fight-or-flight
experiencing
worry,
they
also
to
can
can
or
a more
prolonged
body
your
The
help
quiet
producing
over a
because it
be measured
by
legs
calming
and
fight-or-flight
lengthy period,
on
your
parasympathetic nervous system

serenit>c harmony, and tranquility.
In these ways, your mind
These
activity
can
have
see
on
body.
can use
you
can use
as
emergency,
gen
it
an
damaging
prove harmful and
can
healing
nervous
system.
system
fight-or-flight
counter
response
This branch is associated with
pivotal
role
body, but,far
direct effect
approximately
enormous
states
that activate the
not
just in
importantly, in
more
on
600
of
your
to
directing
800
your
the
influ
internal
healing system.
thoughts every
impact your thinking and
mental
body.
Healer, Mind
as
Killer
your mind for your bodys ultimate health and healing, or

it in a way that turns against you to the detriment of your
health. Your mind and your
by
include those of relaxation, peace, love,
the health of your
Mind
You
process
what
or
response is elicited repeat
system and the
plays
environment in ways that have
can
physiological
healing system, which
encing and modifying the physiological processes
minute, you
threat
increase in heart
an
much work for your
of certain muscles in your
can
feeling
by thoughts of fear,
repair, regeneration, and healing. Thoughts
Because your brain
fight-or-flight
and blood flow to the
arms.
branch of the autonomic

nervous
effect
movement
and relaxed internal environment within which
creates too
sympathetic
of rest, relaxation,
movement
be initiated
are
fight or flee during a crisis
you
when the
parasympathetic
balances the
when you
inhibit the activities of your
Additionally,
operate.
edly,
to
serve to
erally requires
to
stress, and it
and parasym
activity and
consumption, breathing, blood pressure,

beneficial
are
sympathetic
for the well-kn6wn
occurs
muscles of locomotion in your
changes
but
response
It
the
are
branch increases
responsible
anxiety, panic, and anger.
rate, oxygen
large
system
nervous
pathetic
or are
your blood pressure, your
many others.
Within the autonomic
ened
breathing,
perspiration, your vision, your elimination of waste
processes, your
products, and
137
Heaing System
thoughts
can
cause
real
physiological
138
Your
effect demonstrates. If you learn to

use your mind to cooperate with your bodys healing system, it can be
your healing systems most powerful ally, a loyal servant and friend. If
you do not use them properly, your mind and thoughts, through the
release of powerful neuropeptides, hormones, and electrical nerve stim
ulation, can weaken and damage your bodys health, interfere with
your healing system, and cause premature physical deterioration, dis
ease, and even your ultimate demise. If it is not properly trained and
used, your mind can become a definite liability, prove to be your worst
enemy, an4 even kill you. The following story about Jerrj~ one of my
patients, demonstrates the crucial principle that learning how to use
your mind for the benefit of your bodys health and well-being can lit
erally mean the difference between life and death.
changes
body,
in your
as
the placebo
Jerry was a tire salesman from a small town in Texas. He was in

his early sixties and had already suffered from one near-fatal heart
attack just a year earlier. He was lucky to be alive. His cardiologist
had placed him on restricted activities until further notice. However,
Jerry could not resist the offer of spending the weekend with his
buddies in a small hunting cabin in the mountains of Colorado.
Even though he had decided to go on the trip without letting his
doctor know, he told himself he would take it easy and not disobey
his doctors orders. He would not push himself or do anything stren
uous that might injure his heart.
However, because of the increased altitude in the mountains
where
used
Jerry
was
tosomething
returning
began to feel
was
the oxygen was a little thinner than he was

he had forgotten to take into account. As he
staying,
to
his cabin
the familiar
evening after an uphill stroll, he

chest pain and pressure that signaled
one
another heart attack
coming on.
At that moment, Jerry made a conscious decision to use the
power of his mind to avert a possible heart attack. He simply told
himself, I refuse
absolutely
a
have another heart attack! His mind
committed
heart attack
away. He has
day.
to
again
never
avoiding
the dreaded
experience
so
of having
that his symptoms subsided, and his pain went

had another problem with his heart since that
Of that
it wasnt
to
was
day, Jerry told

going to happen
another heart attack!
me,
to
Doc,
me
just made up my mind that

again! I simply refused to have
I
Healing System
139
Jerrys are not uncommon, and they demonstrate

that, when constructively applied, your mind can be a powerful ally
of your bodys healing system. Your healing system is programmed
to listen to your mind, so it is important to be conscious of the
thoughts and messages you may be sending.
Stories like
The
Merry-Go-Round
Every day, researchers
and the
Sorry-Go-Round
discovering more ways
that your mind and

connected and influence each other. The intimate relation
are
body are
ship between your mind and your body affects your health in many
ways. For example, people who are happy, emotionally balanced,
and socially well-adjusted enjoy better health and are sick less often.
When you are in a good mood and feeling good about yourself, you
will most likely want to take better care of your body; eat whole
some, nourishing food; take time to exercise; get enough sleep and
rest; and participate in other life_promoting activities that will con
tribute to your bodys overall health. Alternatively, if you become
depressed, or if your spirits are low, you will not have the energy to
take very good care of yourself. You may not feel like exercising reg
ularly, which can weaken your cardiovascular system and possibly
cause you to gain weight as a result of inactivity. All this can put you
at risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other dis
eases. Or you may not eat healthily or drink enough fluids, which
can lead to excessive weight loss and vitamin, mineral, and other
nutrient deficiencies, leaving you weak and dehydrated, vulnerable
to disease. You may not bathe as regularly as you should, which can
lead to skin infections, and the possibility of other infections, as
well. Depression can create stress and anxiety, which can have a fur
ther negative impact on your health. All of these factors have a
negative influence on your healing system.
In the same way that your body is powerfully influenced by your
mind, your mind is also influenced by your body. For example,
when you are feeling physically fit, exercising regularly, eating good
food, getting adequate sleep and rest, and feeling relaxed, your
mental faculties will be sharper and clearer, and your attitude and
outlook on life will be inspired and enthusiastic. Conversely, certain
140
physical
Your
ailments such
as
anemia,
deficiencies, and insomnia
are
thyroid dysfunction,
known
and altered mood
lethargy, anxiety
mental psychosis can
extreme dehydration,
chronic
pain
can
lead
to
cause
states.
nutritional
mental
fatigue,
Hallucinations and
electrolyte imbalance caused by

heat stroke, or kidney dysfunction. That
to mental depression is also well-known. Even
occur
with
cough, or flu can make you feel low and affect your attitude.
Additionally, when you feel bad physically, you can easily become
frightened and anxious. Under conditions of impaired physical
health, mental health is adversely affected, and it is not uncommon
for thoughts of impending doom, prolonged suffering, and even
death to accompany such illnesses, especially if the illnesses are more
severe or prolonged.
Whether you begin with poor physical health that creates poor
mental health, or poor mental health that creates poor physical
health, you can get caught in a harmful cycle without even realizing
what is happening, a cycle that can be difficult to break. With the
poor health of your body pulling your mind down, and your low
ered mood and depressed mental health adversely affecting your
body, you can tumble down, down, down in a continuing spiral of
increased suffering on both mental and physical levels, into worsen
ing physical and mental health.
This cycle is known as the Sorry-Go-Round. The Sorry-GoRound is a term I like to use to describe the downward spiraling cycle
that occurs when poor physical health affects your mental health,
which affects your physical health, which affects your mental health,
and so on. But this cycle also can first begin with your mental health
affecting your physical health. The point is not which came firstthe
physical or mental problem. It is that they feed off each other and
create a harmful downward-spiraling cycle that is difficult to break.
Through the power of your mind, you can become aware of this
harmful cycle when it afflicts you, and, once you are aware of it, you
can
successfully break it by implementing positive, beneficial
changes on both physical and mental levels in a two-pronged
approach (both physical and mental) that will lead you to what I call
the Merry-Go-Round.
The Merry-Go-Round describes the opposite state, in which
your mind and body are cooperating with each other in a positive
a
cold,
way for your
optimum
health.
141
Healing System
Contrary
Sorry-Go-Round, in
continued negative mental
to
the
spiraling effect of
attitudes and degenerating physical health occurs, in the MerryGo-Round, an upward spiraling effect of positive mental and
enhanced physical health perpetuates itself. When your body feels
healthy, your mind feels good. When your mind feels good, your
body is also likely to feel healthier. When you feel good physically,
this uplifts your mood and contributes to a positive mental state. A
positive mental state helps to inspire life-affirming, positive, opti
mistic thoughts that will have beneficial effects on your bodys
physiology~ This kind of positive interaction is what your healing
which
downward
system thrives on.

The Merry-Go-Round
strengthens and nourishes your healing

system so that it can perform at maximum capacity This is one of
the most obvious reasons you want to ride on the Merry-Go-Round,
or,
if you have fallen off,
take definite
measures
get back on as soon as you can. You can

ensure that you ride on the Merry-Go-
to
to
suggested here to get

two-pronged approach that implements
Round. A few
strategies
~
you started.
Remember,
both mental and
physical
works best.
be
important strategy to help you get back on

the Merry-Go-Round if your mental health and spirits are cur
rently low and slumping. If you or a loved one suffers from
depression, studies have shown that exercise can help overcome
this problem. This is just one example to demonstrate that the
improvement in physical health often results in the improve
Exercise
ment
*
are
can
an
of mental health.
Stress-management techniques, which you will be reading about

shortly, can help you avoid the knee-jerk tendency to become
fearful, anxious, and scatterbrained in the face of daily prob
lems, and they are another powerful way to stay on the
Merry-Go-Round.
Positively programming your mind for health
another important method to help you get on
Round. This
are
based
on
chapter
this
describes several
important principle.
healing is
the Merry-Go
practical strategies that
and
142
Your
The health of your healing system depends on your ability and

determination to get off the Sorry-Go-Round and get on the Merry-
chapter, youll learn various ways to do this, and

to enhance and strengthen your healing system so it can do its job
effectively and efficiently.
Go-Round. In this
Psychoneuroimmunology
and Your
Psychoneuroimmunology,
PNI for short, is
known
as
Healing System
important
an
new
field of
medical science that studies the interaction between your mind and your
immune system. New
standing
how your
system is linked
healing system
findings
in this field have
healing system
to
your
decidedly different,
both
bearing
direct
as
and
they
function
at its
healing system
by
body. Your
depends on the
best.
and your immune system
thoughts,
your
under
in the defense of your
also have certain similarities. One
affected
are
to
on
you know, your immune
collaborates with your immune system and
You may recall that your
they
works because,
healing system
health of your immune system
that
are
similarity
is
emotions, attitudes, and the
activities of your mind.
Rigorous
ogy is
helping
and innovative scientific
that exist within
myths
was
understand
us to
us.
about how
our
that what goes
with what goes
on
It also is
on
us to
lay
to rest
bodies function in relation

in the mind has
in the
psychoneuroimmunol
in
body, which
several
resources
key, erroneous
to our
minds. One
absolutely nothing
whatsoever
was
taught
to
myth
to
erroneous
notion, it
further believed that the immune system, which manages the
bodys
defenses, functioned completely independent of the brain. But, thanks

several
important
discoveries
choneuroimmunolog~ these
There is
now
by
new
in the field of psy
finally
been proven wrong.
that your mind talks
understanding
to
working
outdated beliefs have
unequivocal proof
immune system. This
researchers
do
young doctors in med
ical schools for several hundred years. To support this

was
healing
about the wonderful
more
helping
investigation
is based
on
the
directly
to
your
following findings:
Specialized receptor sites for neumtransmitters, which are chemicals pro

duced by the brain, are now known to exist on specific white blood cells.
Tiny
nerves
This
discovery provides
have been discovered that

concrete
are
connected
to
the
lymph
nodes.
evidence that the immune system and
which contain white blood cells,
lymph nodes,
the
*
nervous
hormones
secreted
by specific
emotional
are
directly
connected
to
system and the brain.
Powerful
system talks
143
Healing System
to
have
been
discovered
white blood cells. This
the endocrine system and
that
are
means
produced
and
that the immune
directly participates
in ones
experience.
psychoneuroimmunology lend further scientific evidence

Hippocrates and other ancient physicians and healers have been
These advances in
to
what
telling
can
us
for thousands of years: that
improve the bodys ability
to
positive
mental and emotional
state
heal itself.
Strategies for Using Your Mind

Strengthen Your Healing System
Practical
to
Your mind is your healing systems

and so it is important to learn how
most
to
valuable and
powerful ally,
maximize your minds incred
ible power. The following techniques and strategies can help you
focus and direct your mind to strengthen your healing system.
Positive Mental
Programming
dangerous, difficult, responsibility-laden

jobs in the world. Because the lives of many people are in their
hands, their sound physical and mental health is of the utmost
importance. As a consequence, both the psychological and physical
exams for pilots are among the most meticulous and closely scruti
nized of any occupation in the world. When pilots are trained, they
that includes programming
go through a form of mental training
their minds into a specific, success-oriented mode. Pilots must focus
their thought processes on creating strategic, action-oriented behav
iors that will result in a positive outcome and nothing else. Pilots do
not have the luxury of entertaining thoughts that will contribute to
a negative outcome during the flying mission. Airplanes move fast.
If pilots make mistakes, even small ones, in the blink of an eye those
mistakes can be fatal, not only for the pilots, but for the flight crew
Pilots have
one
and passengers,
of the
as
most
well.
144
Your
Nowhere is the
of this mental
training for pilots

more apparent than during landing. Landing a plane is one of the
most challenging and difficult aspects of flying any aircraft. Upon
descent and before landing, pilots set their sights for the runway
while they are communicating with the control tower. Just as they
will line up their airplanes along a certain approach to the runway,
they have already focused their minds on a specific train of thoughts
that entertain only a preselected sequence of decisions and actions
importance
landing. Some flexibility is required,

of course, but all thoughts during this period must be focused on
the positive outcome of a safe and successful landing. Pilots cannot
entertain any unproductive thoughts that could possibly result in a
negative outcome. If pilots were to entertain such foolish thoughts,
the sheer weight of their distractive powers would most likely result
in a crash. A kind of self-fulfilling prophecy would most likely
Entertaining negative thoughts would prevent the pilots from
focusing on the constructive thoughts that are necessary to execute
the precise skillful movements required for successful landings.
In the world of health and healing, as in flying, the key role that
your mind plays in determining a positive, successful outcome
cannot be overstated. When it comes to your health, you simply do
not have the luxury of entertaining negative thoughts or negative
outcomes. Just like a pilot, you need to set your sights on
positive
outcome, believe that outcome is possible for you, and then act on
that belief, refusing to allow any unhealthy thoughts of disease and
suffering to distract you from your goal. Your healing system needs
this positive thinking to function at its best and keep your body and
that will
produce
successful
ensue.
all its systems running smoothly. Without the nourishment and fuel
of positive thinking, your healing system will become distracted
from its critical role in

it will
not
be able
to
maintaining your
function properly.
health and
well-being,
and
If you come down with a respiratory infection or

any other illness, and you want to get better, focus your mind on
being healthy again by implementing the following mental strategies:
For
example,
Set your
Mentally
sights firmly
on
the
goal
of
being healthy again.
repeat that you will get better, and continue

until the belief is firmly ingrained in your mind.
to
do
so
145
Healing Syslem
mental checklist of things you can do to get better soon.

For instance, if you have a respiratory infection with a fever,
Make
your checklist may look
something
like this:
Call in sick for work.

Contact your doctor.
Get
of
plenty
rest.
Drink fluids.
Keep
foods.
fatty
Avoid rich,
warm.
Take medicines
needed.
as
sights on your goal of being healthy,

mentally repeating this goal as often as you can.
Continue
to
set
your
finger and are bleeding profusely, the same

programming would apply, only the checklist would
If you
mental
cut
your
differ somewhat:
Find
clean cloth,
pressure
to
cotton
ball,
or
bandage,
and
apply
direct
the wound.
Place your hand above your heart
to
reduce blood pressure and
bleeding.
bleeding
Once
friends
to
has stabilized,
inform them of your
If the wound needs
medical
If you
contact
family
members
or
injury.
professional attention,
seek immediate
care.
are seen
concerning
by
wound
and medical
professional, follow his/her orders

cleansing and bathing of the wound,
health
care,
follow-up.
Restrict activities
as
needed
to
assist the process of wound heal
ing.
Continue
to set
your
sights
on
the restoration of your health.
often
as
you
healing
Mentally
the
of your wound and

repeat this
goal
as
can.
Adapt your positive mental programming to fit the needs of

your particular situation and condition. Many people have used
146
Your
programming successfully to overcome even serious

health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis,
and HIV. The following story is a good example of the powerful
effects of positive mental programming.
mental
positive
Jans Story
diagnosed with breast cancer, and even though she went
through the grueling treatments of a radical mastectomy, chemo
therapy, and radiation, she was given only six months to live.
Rather than giving up all hope and becoming another cancer
statistic, Jan decided to enlist the help of her mind to rid her body
of this dreaded condition. She had read about other people over
coming insurmountable odds to defeat their diseases, and she
thought that, if it was possible for them, she might be able to do it,
too. Because her life was on the line, she plunged headfirst into
researching how she could possibly turn her health around. She
Jan
was
committed herself
While
Jan
was
to
programming
deciding
her mind in
to concentrate on
positive
way.
nutrition and natural
supplements that could build up her strength and resistance, she

also began reading books on how her thoughts and attitudes could
stimulate healing mechanisms deep within her body, even though at
that time the idea of a healing system was virtually unknown.
Practicing several mental techniques that helped her relax, slow
down, stop worrying, and develop a better sense of humor, Jan
began to focus more on a positive outcome. After several months,
she began to feel more energy, vitality, and stamina coming into her
body. With these obvious physical signs of improvement, her atti
tude improved, and she began to actually believe she might be able
to follow in the footsteps of others who had similarly overcome
She did all this in
spite of the mastectomy she had and the

odds that were weighing heavily against her.
Today, 30 years later, Jan is totally cancer free and radiates a
spirit of calm reassurance and optimism that is obvious to anyone
who meets her. She has long outlived the doctors who first pro
nounced her death sentence. Through her difficult journey, Jan has
cancer.
healing power of her own mind. She

selflessly volunteers her time in assisting other women with breast
cancer, encouraging them not to give in to hopelessness and despair,
come to
realize the tremendous
147
Heahng System
bodys greatest ally in healing, the mind, to

strengthen and fortify their healing systems through the cultivation of
life-affirming, constructive thoughts and positive mental attitudes.
but, rather,
to
use
the
Infusing Your Healing System

Beliefs
are
powerful thoughts
with Positive Beliefs
that
we
hold
onto
and invest with
they were true, even though they might not be

help to shape the way you think and view the
world, and often they are backed by the collective support of many
people, including family and friends. Your beliefs are also reinforced
and influenced by many factors, including your education, the
books you read, the media, your colleagues, peers, community, reli
gious preferences, gender, and age, and your own personal thoughts
and unique life experiences.
Beliefs can be passed down from one generation to the next.
They can extend far back in time, covering centuries, and even mil
lennia. Beliefs often gain strength over time. The more people who
share in a similar, common belief, the more powerful that belief
becomes. When beliefs become heavily invested with a lot of time
and energy, letting go of them and changing them is difficult, even
when they are wrong. For example, in medieval Europe, before
Christopher Columbuss historic voyage in 1492, the belief was that
great energy as if
true. Your beliefs
the world
was
flat, and that if you sailed
would fall off the

this belief
lives
were
edge
of the world, Of
too
course,
far
out
to
we now
constructed of
you
know that
was not true, but for hundreds of years, many

affected by this limited view.
Beliefs
sea,
peoples
powerful thoughts, and as such they

can play a major role in determining your health. Beliefs can signifi
cantly influence the performance of your bodys healing system
through the powerful messages they send to every organ, tissue, and
cell in your body. If your beliefs are positive, healthy, and life sustain
ing, they can work to your advantage. For example, in a well-known
study that looked at Harvard University graduates over a 25-year
period, those who believed their health was good or excellent at the
beginning of the study had significantly fewer illnesses and diseases,
far better survival statistics, and reported enjoying much better health
at the end of the 25-year study period than those who reported their
health as only fair or poor.
are
148
Your
The
following approaches
system with
o
positive
help
will
you infuse your
healing
beliefs:
positive belief that supports your goals of improved

health. Examples might be I believe I can be healed, or I am
becoming strong and healthy.
Choose
Refuse
entertain beliefs that oppose your
to
positive
belief about
your health.
o
loud
to
ing it
o
positive belief and
Write down your
yourself,
over
and
then
over
again
as
you can, whenever you
can.
participate in activities that nur

ture, support, and reinforce your positive belief about your
health. Such activities might include eating healthy food, get
ting adequate sleep and rest, going for regular exercise, receiving
week, and
massages
once a
Seek
and surround
out
Avoid
people who
optimistic
and
so on.
yourself with positive, optimistic people

positive belief about your health.
belief. If you have
doctor, find one who can be
oppose your
simistic, unsupportive
often
as
Read books, watch movies, and
who reinforce your

o
whispering
repeat it, first saying it out

it, and then mentally repeat
positive
pes
more
encouraging.
You may choose
as
many
positive
health beliefs
as
you desire.
Negative beliefs, which are based on fear and pessimistic projec

tions concerning your health, can actually interfere with the
performance of your bodys healing system and can result in harm
to your body. If you sustain such beliefs over a sufficient time
period, they can even become self-fulfilling prophecies. Again,
recalling Dr. Eliots famous words, The brain writes prescriptions
for the body, this is only common sense. For example, if you think
long and hard about getting cancer, you may be contributing to the
physiological processes that will create a toxic internal cellular envi
ronment that can actually cause cells to mutate and manifest in
cancer. If you think long and hard about getting a heart attack, your
thoughts and beliefs can create the internal chemistry within your
body that constricts the coronary arteries in your heart and shuts
down the blood

to an
149
Healing System
supply to your heart muscles,
which
can
contribute
actual heart attack.
Even
though
scientific research in these
large
number
ical literature confirm the
reality
is still
relatively
new,
mind-body interactions
of studies already in the med
of these destructive
mental
processes. The good news is that many new studies are now show
ing that you can transform and overcome these negative influences
by focusing more on positive, life-enhancing beliefs and incrporat

ing an optimistic view of the world into your beliefs.
An example of the power of positive beliefs is evident in the
story of AIDS. When AIDS was first discovered, just the diagnosis
of being HIV positive was enough to kill a person. More than the
actual virulence of the virus, this result was due largely to the fear
and dread these individuals associated with the
mysterious
elements
people are better informed and

not so fearful about HIV and AIDS. Not only has HIV lost its diag
nostic shock value, but the long-term survival rates and quality of
life also have improved dramatically among people who are HIV
positive. For the most part, this change has come about not so much
through breakthroughs in miraculous medications, but rather
through people becoming empowered to fight back and reclaim
their health through a change in their beliefs about HIV. Basketball
superstar Magic Johnson is one such example, and there are many
of the virus and the disease. Now,
others.
Transforming Negative
Beliefs into Positive Beliefs
holding onto beliefs that will enhance your health

may not be easy, especially if you were raised in a family or environ
ment that taught and encouraged negative beliefs. However, you can
succeed by following the strategies described in this chapter.
In fact, many people who have overcome serious, life-threaten
ing afflictions did so by discovering that the roots of their physical
suffering were anchored in the muck of unhealthy, negative beliefs
they had harbored about themselves and their bodies since child
hood. Some of the more commonly reported of these negative
Entertaining
and
150
Your
beliefs
are
You do
your
you
these: You
not
deserve
sins, You deserve
can
bad
person, You do not deserve love,

be happy, You need to be punished for
to suffer and have pain, or The only way
are a
to
love is if you get ill.

who have overcome serious illnesses,
receive attention
or
people
healing
from the physical aspects of their diseases meant expunging the dis
ease at its psychological roots. They needed to let go of the deeply
ingrained, negative beliefs that led to a lifetime pattern of unhealthy,
self-destructive thoughts and related behaviors such as smoking,
overeating, drinking, drug abuse, staying in abusive relationships,
having unsafe sex, and taking unnecessary risks that lead to acci
dents and injuries. These negative beliefs and behaviors are not
unlike those that would cause people to end their lives by putting a
bullet in their brains or jumping off of a bridge.
Of those who have successfully healed themselves, many have
been able to look back on their diseases as gifts that helped them
transform mentally, emotionally, and spiritually into more vibrant,
stronger, healthier individuals. The physical cures were merely side
benefits they enjoyed along the route of the deeper healing that
occurred. The following story is a dramatic example of the power of
the mind and how one person healed himself by transforming and
overcoming his negative beliefs.
For many
Joshs Story
sophomore year of college, Josh was diagnosed with a rare,
malignant brain tumor. His type of tumor carried a poor prognosis.
Fewer than 12 people in the entire world had had this type of tumor,
and no one had lived longer than a year after the diagnosis was
In his
made,
to
even
with the best
treatment
that conventional medicine had
offer.
Although Josh
initially devastated by the news, something

in his mind refused to buy into his death sentence. He believed in
his heart that his body could heal itself. He did not say much to
others, but, secretly inside, Josh vowed to defy the statistics. As he
set about changing his diet and lifestyle, reducing his stress, and
taking the time to listen to his intuition, Josh took a leave of absence
from school to concentrate on his deeper healing. After just 4
months,
was
CT brain
scan
showed that his
tumor
had indeed grown
The Power of Your Mmd and Your
little smaller. His doctors
whatever he
was
were
amazed and told him
After 9 months, the
doing.
original
less than one-third of its
on
tumor
size. After 18
after he should have been dead,
detectable
151
HeaI~ng System
Joshs
to
keep doing
had shrunk
to
months, 6 months
tumor
was
no
longer
scan. Three years later, the tumor still had not

elated, but he wasnt surprised. Now a doctor
the CT
Josh was
himself, Josh counsels his patients
recurred.
on
their attitudes while he edu
them about their mind and the power of their beliefs to

improve the quality of their health. Josh is not against conventional
cates
medical
treatment
increase the odds of
to
faced with
successful
outcome
difficult
diagnosis, but he believes that

the transformation of negative beliefs into positive, healthy ones is
imperative. He is living proof that optimistic beliefs can activate
internal healing mechanisms and overcome incurable diseases.
Because your body is programmed to obey your mental com
mands, it is imperative to begin now to program your mind to
embrace positive, life-affirming beliefs, as Josh and many others
have done. Many methods and techniques are available to help you
do this, including self-improvement books and tapes, motivational
videos, inspirational TV programs, prayers, mantras, uplifting
quotes and sayings, genuinely helpful friends and supportive peer
groups, compassionate and wise counselors, and supportive doctors
when
patient is
and healers.
Four Basic Positive Beliefs

Whenever you find yourself falling prey to negative beliefs, gently
but firmly shift your focus to four core beliefs. (Note: You may want
substitute your own positive beliefs, rather than what is suggested
here. In the beginning, however, keep it simple by using no more
to
than
four.)
You need
to
reinforce these four basic beliefs and drive
deep into your subconscious mind and body, like driving a

railroad spike solidly into the ground with a sledge hammer. Once
these beliefs are solidly embedded, they will attract other positive
beliefs to your mind and, in turn, infuse your healing system with
the positive energy it needs to function at its best.
them
Belief #1: I
am
lovable
Belief #2: I deserve
to
just
be
as
am.
happy, healthy,
and fulfilled in my life.
152
Your
Belief #3:
My body has
healing
system, and it knows how
to
heal itself.
Belief #4:
n
c~i
My body
be
wants to
Begin repeating these beliefs

silently throughout the day.
Write the beliefs down
on
to
healthy.
yourself,
first
small card.
out
Keep
bathroom mirror, in your car, at your office,

where youll see them several times a day.
n
Record the beliefs
Memorize the
a
fearful,
on a
beliefs,
doubting,
can
you
strengthen
or on a
them
or
on
in any
your
place
message machine.
that whenever you catch your mind in

pessimistic, or negative mode, or if your
so
mind strays from your
health,
tape recorder
loud, and then
bring
goal
of
it back
and nourish your
improved physical
on
and mental
constructive track that will
healing
system.
If you follow this strategy faithfully, you will see how vibrant
and alive your body will feel as it responds to your new mental com
mands.
Through
positive, life-affirming beliefs, your healing

awaken, arise, and shift into high gear to perform
system will
smoothly and
these
efficiently for you.
Stimulate Your
Healing System
with Positive Self-Talk
probably have seen and heard homeless people in the streets of

our cities, talking out loud to themselves. Upon seeing them, the
first thought that probably pops into your head is that they are crazy!
The irony is that you and I also talk to ourselves, every day of
our lives. The only difference is that when we talk to ourselves, we
usually do so quietly, in the silent chambers of our own minds. Our
internal dialogues, unlike those of crazy street people, are gener
ally kept strictly personal and private. These private dialogues are
known collectively as self-talk. Examples of self-talk include the
times when you mentally pat yourself on the back and say, Good
job! well done! or when you criticize yourself and say, You jerk!
You messed up again!
Your self-talk can have a huge impact on the health of your body
and your healing system. Self-talk generates thoughts that create
You
153
Healing System
impulses that alter and modif~r the physiological workings and

internal chemistry of your body. Negative self-talk, which focuses on
negative thoughts and what is wrong with your life, can be very
destructive; it can create both physical and mental problems.
Alternatively, positive self-talk, which is based on an optimistic
mental attitude that sees problems as challenges and fosters a more
nerve
positive
outlook
on
life,
can create
and maintain
strong, resilient
healing
system and robust good health.

Positive self-talk, on the one hand,
centers on
such themes
as
hope, enthusiasm, inspiration, compassion, creativity, beauty, appre

ciation, optimism, love, generosity; health, and healing, and it exerts
a positive,
uplifting, life-enhancing influence on your healing
system. While you are engaging in positive self-talk, you are your
own cheerleader, your own corner man in the heavyweight boxing
championship fight for your life.
Negative self-talk, on the other hand, is usually based on the fol
lowing themes: anger, resentment, revenge, jealousy, hatred, guilt,
blame, shame, self-criticism, low self-esteem, pessimism, cynicism,
sarcasm, hopelessness, futility, fear, sadness, grief, sorrow, worry, ill
ness, and suffering. By sending unhealthy messages to your body,
negative self-talk interferes with the performance of your healing
system. Negative self-talk creates tension and a feeling of heaviness
in your body; when it becomes habitual or continuous, it tears down
your bodys health.
More dangerous than most external agents of disease, negative
self-talk can sabotage and weaken your bodys defenses from the
inside
as
it
creates
toxic chemical imbalances that
can
lead
to
degenerative diseases. Negative self-talk contributes to poor

personal hygiene, and unhealthy diets and lifestyles. Most impor
tantly, negative self-talk sends self-destructive messages to your body
that interfere with your healing system.
You are in control of your thoughts and the master of your own
internal dialogues. Therefore, you can stimulate your healing system
and improve the quality of your health and life by carefully censor
ing negative, unhealthy thoughts while reinforcing positive, healthy,
life-affirming thoughts.
Numerous techniques, strategies, and activities are available to
help you program your mind into the language of positive self-talk.
chronic,
154
Your
Here
are a
few of the
for many of my
o
more
techniques
well-known
that have worked
patients:
Affirmations: These are positive, life-affirming statements that you

can verbally or mentally repeat continuously until they become
deeply ingrained in your subconscious. With continuous repeti
tion and practice, affirmations eventually become automatic and
easily accessible to you when you need them. An example of a
rather well-known affirmation is Every day, in every way, I am
getting better and better! Affirmations are not only life affirming
and health enhancing when practiced over time, but they can be
comforting and reassuring in the short run, as well.
Art and literature:
Being
around great works of
art,
including
paintings, writings, and sculpture, can help get you out of the
rut of negative self-talk and make you realize that there is more
to life than pain, suffering, and sorrow. Participating in the arts
can help bring you one step further into the positive realm.
o
Audiotapes:
authors
to
can
focus
tape and recordings from inspirational

be powerful tools to help you reprogram your mind
Books
more on
on
positive self-talk.
in tape form while you

at
o
home, until they
Chanting:
are
You
can
listen
to
affirmations
driving in your car or while you

deeply ingrained in your psyche.
are
are
uplifting and inspiring affirmations or

prayers that are rhythmical and melodic in form. They are similar
to songs, but simpler and more focused in their purpose. Chants
for health and healing can help you shift out of unhealthy nega
tive self-talk into the beneficial realm of positive self-talk. There
are many wonderful uplifting and inspiring chants from nearly
every culture, including Native American, African, Aboriginal,
Chants
are
Sufi, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, and Buddhist.

o
Friends and family:
and trusted elders
Spending quality time with friends, family,

and wise people in whom you can confide
helpful to inspire positive self-talk. Being
be very
around people with whom you feel safe, in an environment
where you feel warmth, affection, and acceptance, and with
also
can
those you
you,
can
can
uplift
look up to and admire, knowing they care for

and inspire your self-talk to be more positive.
Gratitude journal:
155
Heahng System
The Power of Your N1~r~d a~d Your
down all your thoughts and feelings

about the things in your life you are grateful for can be an
effective way to help you shift your focus from seeing a glass that
is half empty
Writing
to
one
that is half full, and
to
reroute
your
thoughts
feelings away from what is not working in your life
to what is working. Many successful people, including Oprah
and
Winfrey, keep
~
gratitude journal.
Hobbies and entertainment: These
enjoyable
activities will
help
forget about time; they will allow your mind to be absorbed

in constructive thought and positive self-talk. It is difficult to
talk negatively to yourself when you are engaged in a creative
activity that you truly enjoy.
you
Hypnosis: Hypnosis is another tool that many people have suc

cessfully applied to aid their mental reprogramming of habitual,
negative self-talk into an internal dialogue that is much more
positive and helpful. Many people have found hypnosis to be
one of the safest and most effective methods available for quit
ting smoking. Contrary to popular fears and myths, hypnosis is
safe and does
allow another person to take over or control

your mind. Rather, most therapists teach self-hypnosis, a tech
nique that shows you how to tap into the hidden powers of your
not
own
subconscious mind
your
body
so
that your mind
and work with your
Mantras: We
can
liken
repeated continuously,
healing
mantras to
either
can
align
itself with
system.
prayers and chants that
silently or out
loud. Most
are
mantras
from the East Indian tradition, but you can adapt any
phrase or expression that has meaning for you from your own
native language. Effective mantras for healing should be short,
come
rhythmical,
and melodic,
facilitate easy repetition. Some

mantras are known to be very powerful because they not only
help infuse your mind with positive energy through contempla
to
meaning, but, through repetition, their sounds can

certain life-enhancing vibratory energies in your brain
tion of their
activate
and
nervous
system. You
can use mantras
for
specific
occasions
specialized mantras that can be very effective

also exist for health and healing. An excellent resource for mantras
is Healing Mantras by Thomas Ashley-Farrand.
and circumstances;
156
Your
Singing, listening to and playing music, and dancing

especially when it accompanies chanting and singing uplifting
songs and sacred musiccan help uplift your mind while they
improve your self-talk. Engaging in negative self-talk is difficult
when your mind is occupied in positive musical activities.
Music:
Nature:
Immersing yourself and your senses in the beauty and

mystery of nature can have a dramatically positive effect on your
self-talk.
o
Prayer:
Peale, in his classic book The Power
Norman Vincent
of
Thinking, describes the positive impact that prayer has

on our thoughts and minds, as well as on our health. In every
tradition of the world, prayer is universally recognized for its
ability to lift people out of the mundane quagmire of hopeless
ness and despair, futility and depression. In his two books,
Healing Words and Prayer is Good Medicine, Dr. Larry Dossey
Positive
cites
numerous
scientific studies that document the health-
enhancing benefits and effectiveness of prayer, even in the face

of devastating terminal illness and major life-threatening events.
By providing a senior partner or higher authority to consult
with, prayer can serve as a vehicle to take the pressure off your
life, remove your fears and worries, manage your stress, and shift
your self-talk into
o
a more
positive
mode.
Reading: Reading uplifting, inspirational books, including auto

biographies of great people who struggled against adversity and
overcame major obstacles, can help you focus your self-talk
more on the positive aspects of your life. Self-improvement
books can also be of great help.
Sports and games: These can help you develop confidence in
your bodys ability to move and perform like an athlete. Even
people with serious handicaps such as amputations of both legs,
or people who are wheelchair bound, are now competing on an
international level
to
demonstrate that disease, illness, limita
tion, and activity restrictions are more a state of mind and

often be overcome with the help of positive self-talk.
o
Visualization and imagery: These
can
techniques with sci

entifically proven benefits not only for health and healing, but
also in the high-performance, physically demanding world of
are
mental
157
Healing System
professional sports and international athletic competition. By

using the visual and imaginative powers of your mind, you can
help produce a significant positive shift in your internal dia
logues, stimulate your healing system, and promote measurable
improvement in your physical health.
placebo effect
The
ful
When
scientific
patients,
the
new
observed
study
the
known
is
drug.
receiving
the
study
pill
There is
expected
no
by acknowledging
happen in the body.
than
no
placebo
The
at
effect is
potentially
receive
a new
pill
all. Both groups
large
new
real; they
useful
drugs.
drug,
half of
that contains
are
pill
told what
contains the
are
not
explain
just
the
to
tested. These
figment
placebo
of the
effect other
make these
changes
Healing System
packets of mental and physical energy that move through

and attempt to move out of your body, much like a river whose
water steadily moves toward its greater destiny of the ocean. The
Emotions
are
word emotion
comes
from the
they play
an
emote,
glands,
During
emotional
as
means to move out.
system. Your emotions are connected

which includes your pineal, pituitary,
adrenal
which
profound impact on your physical health,

integral role in the functioning of your healing
Your emotions have
and
root
percentage of those
drug being
that the mind has the power
Emotions and Your
unique
drug, will report physical changes
from the
to
the control group, will receive
of this type,
way
how power
just
both groups believe their
are
possible
as
drug
without the
be measured and
can
imagination.
drug, and
every
consistent with those
changes
body.
clinical trials for new,
that contains
new
placebo,
the
your
the other half, known
nearly
In
on
that demonstrates
experimental group, will
the
as
pill
expect from the
during
principle
is launched to test the usefulness of
drug, while
placebo, which
new
influence your mind has
an
phenomenon
to
is
to
your endocrine system,
thyroid, parathyroid, and

well as your pancreas and reproductive organs.
experiences, powerful hormones are released into
158
Your
your bloodstream from these various organs, and these hormones
far-reaching effects on your body and your healing system.

For example, when you are in a highly excitable state, either feel
ing exuberant joy or intense fear, your adrenal glands release
epinephrine (adrenaline), which can constrict blood vessels, acceler
ate heart rate, increase blood pressure, and affect lung and kidney
have
function. Cortisol, which

also released
at
can
suppress your immune
these times. All of these functions
are
function,
critical
to
is
your
healing system. Insulin, which regulates sugar metabolism, is also

produced in response to certain emotions, especially when you are
feeling frightened, angry, or under stress. These are just a few of the
more commonly known hormones associated with your emotions,
but you can see what a profound effect they can have on your heal
ing system.
Being in touch with your feelings, understanding what they are
and what they mean, is important for the health of your healing
system. When you are in touch with how you feel, you usually feel
energized and alive. When you are out of touch with your emotions,
you tend to feel separated from life, isolated and lonely. Feelings of
loneliness and isolation
harmful
repercussions
Clear evidence
create
on
now
stress,
which, if sustained,
can

exists that suppressing emotions
have
can
be
damaging to your health

emotions goes
against
and your bodys healing system. Repressing

the natural laws of the universe that require
the natural energy of emotions to move out of your body

conscious expression. Numerous studies have shown that
to
seek
people
continuously suppress their emotions are more likely to fall

prey to serious illnesses, including heart disease, hypertension, dia
betes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic conditions.
who
Other studies have shown that
people who are able to access their

feelings and express themselves enjoy better health and greater
longevity. Rather than suppressing your feelings and emotions, most
medical experts are now recommending that, to prevent illness, it is
important to get in touch with your feelings, whatever they are, and
then learn to express them in healthy ways.
Healthy feelings create sensations of comfort and ease in your
body. Some healthy feelings are joy, happiness, peace, contentment,
serenity, satisfaction, and love. Because they release powerful hor
feelings
159
Healing System
extremely beneficial to the health of your

bodys internal environment, and they can keep your healing system
vibrant and strong for many years. Of course, the most powerful
healthy feeling of allis love.
Because feelings are located in our bodies, there are really no
negative feelings or emotions, though this probably sounds like a
contradiction. Feelings just are, and they cannot be judged on any
level by anyone. Even anger, pain, and sadness, generally considered
to be negative emotions, can be appropriate and beneficial, espe
cially when we acknowledge and release them from our bodies in a
timely and sensible manner. The problem occurs when we do not
these
mones,
are
release these emotions, but rather,

onto
and contain
pression
often
Getting
we
hold
or
when the
roots
Rid of Emotional
big mess.
emotions
are
Baggage
released from your body can pile

Like lugging around too much baggage, or
emotions that
cause a
unhealthy
body.
of these
and then released from your
Unhealthy
up and
discussed before,
suppress them. Under these circumstances, sup

of so-called negative emotions can be harmful. Healing
occurs
exposed
as we
are not
having a backflow of garbage that begins to smell and fester,

unhealthy emotions that are not released from your body can create
toxic chemistry in your bodys internal environment that interferes
with your healing systems performance. Releasing your emotional
baggage by learning to let go of stored up negative feelings, such as
old resentment and anger, will help to lighten the burden that may
be dragging down your body and making it sick.
Anger is the most notorious aspect of emotional baggage that, if
not released from your body, can be detrimental to your health.
Anger leads to resentment, jealousy, hostility, hatred, and rage; if it
is suppressed and allowed to build up over time, anger can cause
damage to your bodys internal environment, particularly your
blood vessels and cardiovascular system. Many people have experi
enced fatal heart attacks
strokes because of their intense anger.

up for years and not been appropriately released
or
Anger that has piled

can also erupt explosively and violently at the drop of a hat, causing
great harm to yourself or others. Seemingly insignificant events can
often trigger this stored-up anger. Many of the horrendous crimes
160
and
Your
in the world
wars
can
be traced back
to
this
inappropriate
expression of anger. Prolonged, continuous anger disturbs the mind,

creating emotional volatility as well as mental instability. When you
are angry, you are mad, and it is not by coincidence that insane
people were, and still are, referred to as madmen. Anger that is
buried deep and never allowed to come out, so-called frozen anger,
has been implicated in severe forms of depression and mental illness.
Anger wastes energy and may cause actual damage to your body,
creating a double burden to your healing system. This is why it is
imperative to release anger appropriately and prevent its unhealthy
buildup. Once anger is expressed and released appropriately, other
emotions are often discovered, most notably, pain. If you can release
your anger, feel the pain, and move through the pain, you can dis
cover the most important emotion of all, love.
Here are a few tips for releasing unhealthy emotional baggage:
a
Close your eyes and notice any sensation of discomfort in your

chest, stomach and abdomen, or in any other part of your body.
Do your best to put
(I feel sad), anger
Allow
they
yourself
are
sorrow.
cannot
a
to a
(I feel angry), and
feel the full
extent
so
feeling,
on,
of your
such
as
sadness
this sensation.
on
feelings,
whether
heal what you
cannot
feel.)
Speak aloud or write down the name of this sensation or feeling.

Try to understand what caused it. See whether there might be
other feelings underneath this one that may be encouraging the
expression of this feeling.
might
want to
help
you release anger and emotional

try the following activities:
Write down all you

ence
that relates
anger, resentment, jealousy, guilt, shame, sadness, or

(There is a saying among behavioral scientists: You
To further
to
a name
your
you
about your negative emotional experi

until you feel you have expressed all you need to say.
Shout
your
baggage,
out
car
the top of your lungs everything related to

emotional experience while you are driving in
loud
negative
want
at
with the windows rolled up
(so nobody
can
hear
you).
pillow as often and

as hard as you like, or punch or kick a punching bag, while
repeating out loud an angry, emotionally charged phrase that is
appropriate to your anger. (I suggest you do this in a room or
Take
area
*
plastic
161
Healing System
where
baseball bat and strike
no one can
disturb you, and vice versa.)
Perform any other physical activity, including lifting weights or

aerobics, while you focus on releasing anger and other
unhealthy
emotions. This process

Remember that the word emotion
which
to move out.
means
anger and other emotional
can
be cathartic and
healing.
comes from the word emote,

Moving your body can often help
baggage
to move out
body
of your
and be released.
professional counseling
Seek
If youve gone
tears
your
or
therapy.
beyond the anger to feel your pain, you may notice

flowing automatically from your eyes as you feel and release
pain. Under these circumstances, the
you cry
can
be
extremely
beneficial for your
release of
pain
while
healing system.
Love:The Most Powerful Emotion of All
powerful
important emotion in the world. It

is the greatest source of nourishment, strength, and energy for your
healing system. Love can be awakened by outside forces, but its true
origins emanate from the mysterious depths of your own heart. Love
Love is the
most
is connected
it
to
can
exist
to
and
the creative forces of the universe, and for this
beyond
the borders of your mind and
every human heart. Where there is
the face of
devastating disease
tribulations, and suffering.
love, there
and lifes
Since the dawn of civilization, wise
most
reason
body, and extend

is healing, even in
horrendous trials,
and sages, mystics and

philosophers, poets, artists, and healers have all declared that love
is the most powerful healing force in the world. Thanks to new
men
medical research, scientists and doctors
are
now
beginning
to
acknowledge the accuracy of this view. Studies now show that

people who report having more love in their lives, even if that love
is coming oniy from their pet dog or cat, live longer and suffer from
fewer diseases. In the words of Dr. Bernie Siegel, Love is the most
powerful known stimulant of the human immune system. In the
162
Your
words of The American Holistic Medical Associations charter dec
laration, Love is the
powerful
most
Love is stronger than fear. In
medicine in the world!
fact, love
overcomes
all fears and
doubts. Whenever fears and doubts get the better of you, immedi
ately shift your attention to loving thoughts. Start entertaining
thoughts of love for yourself,

whoever and whatever is
your
family and friends,
you. Continue to focus on

that which you love. If you cant find anything, its time to get out
near
your emotional shovel and
and dear
your pets, and
to
digging through the layers of garbage

that may be covering up your heart. Keep digging until you reach it.
There you will find love as it has always been: ever comforting, ever
healing, powerful, generous, timeless, and eternal.
Love is the essential
and
feeling
start
of your soul. When you are in pain

bad, either in body, mind, or spirit, remember this. If
you have tried
nature
everything else
love. It will heal
Laughter
and
nothing has helped you so far,
try
you!
and Humor Are the Best Medicine
When you are laughing, you feel happy and joyful. This positive
mental and emotional state has been clinically and scientifically
health-enhancing effects on your body,

working like an elixir on your healing system.
Ive met people well into their eighties, nineties, and beyond,
who, from a health standpoint, did everything wrong. They smoked,
they drank, they overate, and they didnt exercise. What they did
right, however, was learn how to laugh and not take life or them
selves too seriously. This was the case with Norman Cousins,
well-known author of Anatomy of an Illness, who, while suffering
from a painful, incurable condition, discovered that after just 15
minutes of solid belly laughter while he watched comedy movies, he
got two hours of pain-free sleep. He eventually went on to com
pletely heal himself, eradicating all traces of illness from his body by
following this prescription of laughter.
Humor and laughter also activate the bodys natural pain-control
mechanisms that release endorphins and enkephalins, powerful opiate
like neurochemicals produced by the brain. Laughter can relax the
proven
to
have tremendous
163
Healing System
only neutralize the effects of the fight-orflight response, but energize and activate your healing system, as well.
This is why well-known physicians such as Drs. Patch Adams and
Bernie Siegel advocate the health-enhancing benefits of laughing reg
ularly and cultivating a sense of humor in your life.
body
mind and
and
not
A Humorous Rx
To increase your laughter and fun, and
humor, try the following prescription:
~
Watch
movies
standup comedians,
Watch
Read the comic section
comedy
Watch
friends,
books and
cartoon
or rent
Play with
Remember
children
to
or
either in person
funnies
nervous
star
TV
in the newspaper,
let
Disneyland or Disney World,

theme park as often as possible.
as
out
often
as
or to
your
possible.
the child within you.
significantly
Healing System
with the
performance
bodys
sympathetic
of your
fight-or-flight
response is activated, adrenaline is

excitation and increased activity in your body.
released, which causes

Blood flow, nutrients, and energy
ment
one to two
system. Stress stimulates and activates your

system, which initiates the fight-or-flight response. Recall
that when the
bodys
regularly
of
magazines.
Stress and Your

Stress interferes
or on
to
amusement or
healing
television shows
sense
shows with your children, grandchildren, or

a Disney animated movie to watch by yourself if
you live alone. Go
local
comedy
your
and
or
strengthen
week. If you havent seen the movie Patch Adams,

Robin Williams, I highly recommend it.
times
ring
comedy
to
are
internal organs and dispatched to

in your arms and legs so you can
healing
shunted away from your

the large muscles of move
fight
or
flee. Under these
and repair mechanisms are put on hold, and

with diminished blood flow, nutrients, and energy, your healing
system tends to bog down and function poorly. Repeated stress can
conditions,
164
Your
damaging effects on your body such as elevating blood pressure

to dangerous levels, restricting blood flow to the heart, and creating
inflammatory lesions in the stomach and intestines. Stress creates
more work for your healing system and can overtax your bodys heal
ing resources.
One definition of stress is information overloadtoo much
information coming into our lives too quickly, which can over
whelm us. Although there has always been stress associated with the
human condition, today far more information is coming at us from
have
more
directions, and
than in the past. It is dif

decide which information is important and which is not.
ficult
to
Your life often
based
cates
more
on
depends
correct
much faster
rate
taking
prompt and responsible action

information, and too much information compli
on
and confuses this process. Information overload is

stress for more people than ever before.
resulting
creating
the pace of life increases around

in hurried and frenzied activity. The increased speed
Stress also
us,
at a
seems to
increase
as
and pace of our modern lifestyles contributes to more tension and

stress around us as we rush to meet more deadlines for an increasing
number of
responsibilities
and activities.
Another definition of stress is
a sense
friends, family, community, the world,
of isolation: isolation from
your
self,
or
your
higher
Self.
This isolation may have nothing to do with physical location. Even in

the middle of a sprawling metropolis such as New York City, people
lonely. We can perhaps better

understand the stress of isolation by examining the popular saying
No man is an island. Because man is inherently a social creature, to
remain alone or isolated for long periods is stressful. Prisons apply this
principle when they subject troublesome prisoners to solitary confine
ment as the ultimate form of discipline and punishment.
Because of the potentially damaging effects and negative influence
of stress on your healing system, learning how to rest, relax, and
manage stress effectively is critical to your health. Stress-management
techniques activate the relaxation response, which completely neu
tralizes and disarms the fight-or-flight response. These techniques
work with your healing system to help activate repair mechanisms
can
feel isolated, disconnected, and
that
can reverse
management
the effects of chronic, stress-related diseases. Stress
techniques
and
strategies
can
help
your
body regain
and maintain its natural
165
Healing System
state
of health and
vigor.
The
following
story demonstrates the effectiveness of stress management in stimu

lating the healing system.
Conrads
Story
highly
ambitious young man who had always done

well in school. He was class valedictorian in high school and earned
Conrad
was
grades in college. Upon graduation from college, Conrad

was placed in a progressive telecommunications company as a junior
executive, a position in which he received an excellent salary with
many benefits. He worked long hours at his new job because he
liked the work and wanted to make a good impression on his bosses.
However, since high school, Conrad had experienced increas
ingly disturbing digestive-system symptoms of gas and diarrhea.
Sometimes he had abdominal pain that woke him from his sleep.
These symptoms intensified after he graduated from college. By the
time Conrad came to see me on his twenty-eighth birthday, three
specialists had already diagnosed him with inflammatory bowel
disease. He had been placed on a regimen of corticosteroids, pain
medications, and gastrointestinal antispasmodics. These medications
initially seemed to help, but now they were losing their effectiveness
and made him feel drugged and out-of-sorts. These symptoms inter
fered with his job performance and his personal life.
When I saw Conrad, I noticed that he appeared very agitated
and restless, in addition to his physical symptoms. He told me that,
for as long as he could remember, he had always been tense and
couldnt relax. I recommended several lifestyle changes to Conrad,
including a change in his diet, and I also taught him a simple tech
nique to help him relax and manage his stress.
After just six weeks of relaxation training and practice, Conrad
reported marked improvement in his condition. One year later, he
was off all medications and had only an occasional flare-up. Four
years later, Conrad is essentially symptom free, except when life
becomes particularly tense at home or at work. Having made the
connection between his mind and his body and how stress can con
tribute to his inflammatory bowel disease, Conrad knows that
relaxation and stress management are not an option, but rather a
necessity for his continued good health.
excellent
166
and Assertiveness to Reduce Stress
Acceptance
One
key
to
reducing
serenity prayer
ity
and wisdom
in your life
stress
12-step
that many
accept the
to
Your
things
be summed up in the famous
can
programs
use:
change, courage
cannot
God grant
change
to
me
the
the
seren
things
I can,
know the difference: This wish involves both the acceptance
to
of certain limitations and realities in your life, and the determination
improve those aspects of your life
losophy
take
can
empower you
your
various
head
on to
ing positively, using your

to
unhealthy
other self-destructive and
problems
effectively
in
approach
help
lenges,
your
educational
and
implement
They
can
ways.
you
as
are
to
opportunities,
stress.
Being
heeding
or
conflicts,
assertive and face
requires think
assertive
the advice of those you
powerful
a
view
more
or
alcohol, drugs, food,
the best solutions for your
encourage
by enabling
life
off your shoulders, and it
distractions such
reduce
resources,
discover and
your life.
to
phi
irresponsible behavior, be
Assertiveness and acceptance

stress
this
running away from problems, difficulties,
Rather than
sex, or
myriad
changed. Living by
be
can
weight
tremendous
better your life in
to
escaping through
that
to
ways for you
to
trust
problems.
reduce the
creative, solution-oriented
problems
and necessary
and difficulties
as
chal
growth experiences
for
higher good.
Stress-Management
The
following
Techniques
simple, pow
practice them regularly.
proven stress-management methods
erful, and effective,
Deep
Methods and
Relaxation
particularly when
to
you
are
Reduce Your Stress
powerful
fortify your healing system is to

neutralize the effects of stress by learning how to relax your mind
and body. Because none of us were ever taught this skill, however,
very few of us know how to do it. Instead, to gain temporary relief
One of the
most
ways
to
from the tensions and pressures around us, most of us have learned
to resort to artificial means of relaxing, such as drugs or alcohol.
These substances
mately
can
create
be harmful
dependence,
to our
bodies.
have side effects, and ulti
The Power of Your M~r,d and Your
Relaxation is
one
of the
167
Hea~ng System
most,
if
not
the
most,
important
first
steps on the road to healing. Relaxation neutralizes and reverses the

effects of stress and allows your mind, your nervous system, and all
the systems in your body to cooperate with your healing system.
Relaxation helps to initiate healing mechanisms that operate deep
within the organ tissues of your body.
Relaxation has many proven benefits,
including the ability to

reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve immune functioning,
and calm and stabilize nervous-system activity, and so it is impor
tant
to
learn this invaluable, essential skill. Relaxation goes far

sitting back with a six-pack of Budweiser and watching a
beyond
Monday-night
football game. While
doing that might be enjoyable,

there are other, more powerful ways to relax that naturally calm and
soothe both your mind and your body.
Relaxation is the foundation of other powerful mind-body tech
niques that can support and nurture your bodys healing system.
Learning how to relax is as easy as learning how to drive a car. In the
beginning, all it takes is a little practice.
Heres a deep relaxation technique that is easy and effective:
~
Secure
you
can
15-
be
to
20-minute time slot for
quiet
which
and alone.
you wont be disturbed
during this 15- to 20-minute

period, and that you have no responsibilities to attend tono
phone or pager to answer, no diapers to change, no stove or
Make
sure
oven to turn
off. Find
a room
where you
be free from all distractions. (You

or headphones if it is noisy.)
~
yourself during
Lie down
on
bed
or on
might
the floor,
can
close the door and
need
making
to wear
sure
you
earplugs
are
in
position on your back. You may need to place blari

or pillows under
your knees, head, and back. Make sure you
comfortable
kets
are not
cold.
Note: Before you
you will find it helpful to get a small tape

recorder and record your voice as you read the remaining instructions
out
proceed,
loud, slowly and calmly. After you have recorded this exercise,
will have your own relaxation tape. You can lie down and let your
words guide you through deep relaxation any time you wish.
you
own
168
Your
with your palms

facing up, or fold your hands on top of your stomach and
abdomen. Gently close your eyes and bring your awareness
inside of your body.
along
your hands
Keep
Notice in the
and-down
area
the side of your
body,
of your stomach and abdomen the

that
movement
occurs
with the
as
it flows in and
stomach and abdomen

o
Without
trying
to
out
gently fall, gently
control the
of your
When the breath
gently rise,
body, your
contract.
depth
rate or
up-
movement
of your body.
flows into your body, your stomach and abdomen
gently expand. When the breath flows out of your
breath
slight
of this
movement,
allow your mind to be a passive observer of the rhythmical flow

of your breath as it moves in and out of your body, causing your
stomach and abdomen
o
Every
your
to
rise and fall.
body,
time the breath leaves your
body releasing
feel all the muscles in
becoming more relaxed. (Note:

phase occurs in your body during each
tension and
A natural relaxation
exhalation of the breath. When you pay close attention to your

body and its breathing processes, you can feel this relaxation
phase quite distinctly.)

o
Now
bring
your
awareness
down
to
your feet and
your breath and the natural relaxation
each exhalation,
o
that
occurs
Using
during
the muscles in your feet and
Relax all the muscles in your ankles, lower

hips, pelvic area, buttocks, and lower spine.
toes.
legs, knees, thighs,
Relax all the muscles in your stomach, abdomen, and chest, as

well as the muscles in your middle and upper back, including
the
gently relax all
phase
toes.
area
between your shoulder blades.
Relax all the muscles in your shoulders,

hands, fingers, and fingertips.
arms,
forearms, wrists,
Relax all the muscles in the back of your neck and head, and
those on the top of your head.
Relax your forehead, and all the muscles around your eyes,
and jaws, and all the muscles in your face.
Relax all the muscles in your
body.
ears,
169
Heaflng System
slowly bring your awareness to the tip of your nose, where

breath is flowing in and out of your body through your nos
Now
the
trils.
Without
trying
control the
to
rate or
depth
or
gentle flowing movement of your

out of your body at this point.
notice the
in and
a
Observe the breath
As you continue
as
if it
were
the
breath
movement,
it
as
comes
separate from you.
observe your breathing for at least 5 tolO

minutes, let your mind and body relax completely.
to
After you complete this exercise, gently open your eyes and
stretch your entire body. Make sure not to rush to your next activ
ity~ Take the

experienced.
time
to savor
the calm and relaxed
Know that this is
not an
artificial
state
or
you have
contrived
just
state,
but rather your natural state of being. Focus on remaining in this

calm and relaxed natural state throughout the day, until the next
time you are able to do this exercise.
brings the most effective benefits.
Practicing this
exercise
regularly
Deep Relaxation Strengthens and

Recharges Your Healing System
How
quiets down the nervous system and slows metabolic

processes in the body so that the healing system can do its work unim
Deep
relaxation
peded. With these obstacles removed, your healing system can

perform more efficiently and effectively. Because the healing system
functions best in a quiet, calm environment, deep relaxation is one of
the most powerful techniques for strengthening your healing system.
Other benefits of deep relaxation include the following:
a
You will feel

more
more
peaceful
throughout each day, and you will feel

within, even during difficult and stressful
relaxed
from
situations.
You will become much
their effects
sary
stress
on
your
and how
bering your
more
body.
to
aware
of stressful situations and
You will learn how
manage
natural relaxed
stress more
state.
to
avoid
unneces
effectively by
remem
170
Your
You will become much
of such emotions
be able
effectively and
through and release fear and anger

swiftly through your ability to relax.
You will have
more
are,
causes
fatigue you
and becoming
amounts
will
more
day.
much
Stress
more
wastes
relaxed you
in your life. Releasing
experience
more
relaxed frees
of natural energy in your
tremendous
up
body.
Relaxation eliminates tension and decreases pain. If you have a

chronic medical problem that causes persistent pain, you will
less
experience
pain through
the
likely see
period of time.
of
practice
If you suffer from

most
energy throughout your

fatigue in your body. The
the less
tension
of the harmful consequences

fear and anger in your body, and you will
more aware
to move
energy and
as
Extraordinary Heahng System
anxiety, phobias, or
improvement in these
can see,
physically, mentally,
Breathing
to
deep
and
relaxation.
depression, you will

areas in a relatively short
even
Deep relaxation stimulates your healing

deep internal processes of healing.
As you
regular
system and activates
relaxation will benefit you in many ways,
emotionally.
Reduce Your Stress
Because your breath is the link between your mind and your body,
working with your breath is one of the most powerful stress-man
agement modalities known. When you are mentally agitated,

anxious, or under stress of any kind, your breathing is disturbed and
becomes
more
shallow and
rapid. When
and deeper.
you
are
relaxed,
your
breathing
Normally, we go about our activities without any awareness of
our breathing. However, without
your breath, you couldnt live.
Your existence depends on the continuous flow of oxygen that
becomes slower
body from the air you breathe.

Improvement in your health occurs when you
comes
into your
can
breathe in
relaxed and easy way, which will result from practicing the
simple yet powerful breathing techniques in this section. Deep
more
breathing increases lung capacity and builds up the strength of your

respiratory system, creating more efficient breathing. Efficient, relaxed
breathing brings
these
in
critical
two
more
171
HeaNng System
healing
energy for
and
regeneration
for
reasons:
improved breathing comes increased oxygenation of the

blood. Increased oxygenation of the blood means greater oxygen
delivery to every cell, organ, and tissue in your body.
1. With
2. As your breath becomes
more
effect
calming
efficient, smooth, and relaxed,
your brain and nervous system,

which reduces overall mental and physical tension.
there is
on
powerful way, both of these factors work synergistically to

relieve fatigue and create more energy in your body, improving the
functioning and performance of your healing system.
In
Breathing Exercise
~
Find
Make
quiet place
where you
you
absolutely
sure
are
during
You
lie down
can
are
in
chair
can
be alone for 10 tol 5 minutes.
free of all
obligations
and respon
this time slot.
sibilities
sit in
#1: Breath Awareness
on
or on
your back
any
comfortable
as
in
deep relaxation,
or
comfortable, firm surface. Make
you
can
sure
you
position.
Close your eyes and bring your awareness inside of your body.
Notice the gentle movement in your stomach and abdomen.
(You obviously will need
keep
to
read the
instructions for this exercise. For maximum benefits,
however,
to
your eyes open
your eyes closed after you have read and familiarized your
self with this technique.)
keep
*
Notice that when the breath flows into your

ach and abdomen gently .expand and rise.
body,
your
stom
Notice that when the breath flows
body,
your
stom
ach and abdomen
gently
Without
trying
control the
continue
to
as
of your
and fall.
rate or
observe this automatic
and abdomen
*
to
contract
out
depth
of this
movement
your breath flows in and
out
movement,
in your stomach
of your
body.
the breath flows into your body, feel the oxygen from
your blood entering into the cells and tissues of your body,
Every time
172
Your
energizing
body.
o
control the
on
rate or
depth
the breath
seeing
as
Every time the breath leaves

becoming more relaxed, and
and
ness
of the
your
feel your entire
body
becoming
calm,
body,
your mind
more
Feel the
into every cell
and
more
healing energy from your breath flowing

tissue of your body, as your body becomes
healthy,
your take.
slowly open your

eyes. Before you resume your normal activities, appreciate the
power of your breath. Notice its calming influence on your
mind and its energizing effect on your body. Know that your
breath is always available to you should you begin to feel
stressed, anxious, or fatigued at any time. Keep this awareness of
breath with you as often as possible. Have as your goal to prac
tice this breathing exercise every day for at least 5 tolO minutes.
If your schedule permits, build up to 30 minutes per day. The
best time to do this exercise is in the mornings or evenings,
when it is usually more quiet.
Find
like this for 10
breathing
After
Make
#2:
where you
you
absolutely
sure
are
You
lie down
are
in
chair,
on
15 minutes,
can
Sound
be alone for 10 tol5 minutes.
free of all
obligations
and respon
this time.
during
can
to
Breathing with
quiet place
sibilities
sit in
of your breath,
peaceful. Feel the power of this natural state of calm

tranquility in your entire body.
Breathing Exercise
movement
separate from you.
vibrant, and alive with each breath
feel all the muscles in
and
serene,
system and entire
Now direct your awareness to the tip of your nose. Watch the
breath as it flows in and out of your body. Again, without trying
focus
healing
your
Every time the breath leaves your body,

your body becoming more relaxed.
to
strengthening
and
deep relaxation,
your
back,
as
the floor,
or on
any firm surface. Make
on
comfortable
in
you
can
sure
you
or
position.
Gently close your eyes and bring your awareness inside

body. (You obviously will need to keep your eyes open
of your
to
read
173
Healing System
the instructions for this exercise. For maximum benefits, how
keep your eyes closed after

yourself with this technique.)
ever,
Open
you have read and familiarized
your mouth and breathe in and
out
slowly. Every
time
aahh, which is the sound
you breathe out, make the sound
that the doctor asks you to make when he or she examines your
throat. Make sure this sound is coming from your throat. You
to
one
whisper
gentler.
Next,
and
place
hand
the front of your neck in the throat

check whether your vocal chords are vibrating.
can
this
on
same
your throat
area
you
breathe,
making
it softer
you
to
focus
on
the sound
coming
from
and vocal cords.
the flow of your breath, but make

comfortable with your breathing.
Gently lengthen
sure
as
Next, close your mouth while you continue to make this same
gentle, whispering sound; allow the breath to flow in and out of
your nose, yet continue
sound
area
are
and
deepen
Make your breath smooth and flowing as you make this soft,
gentle sound, which should feel like a gentle grating sensation
in your throat. Make this sound on both inhalation and exhala
tion. Continue to gently lengthen your breathing.
Make this sound softer

manner.
one
you continue
to
breathe in this
fact, make this sound barely audible,
In
sitting
as
next to
you wouldnt be able
to
so
that
some
hear it.
gently lengthen and slow your breathing as much

as you can, making sure your breath is smooth and flowing as
you make this soft, gentle, grating sound. Make sure you are
comfortable with your breathing, and that you are not experi
encing any sensations whatsoever of forcing or straining or dis
Continue
to
comfort.
a
Keeping
your eyes
closed, continue
to
breathe with sound in
this fashion.
a
doing this technique correctly, you will begin to feel

more relaxed, peaceful, and focused in your mind and more
energetic in your body.
If you
are
174
Your
technique and these sensations for

like, gradually increasing to a maximum of 15 to
Stay
with this
long
you
30 minutes at
as
as
time.
powerful yogic breathing technique from ancient India

known as Ujjayi Breathing. The technique not only combats stress
by helping to keep the mind calm and focused, but it also improves
lung capacity and respiratory function as it brings more energy into
your body. Ujjayi Breathing purifies the nervous system and
enhances the performance capabilities of your healing system.
This is
Meditation
to
Reduce Your Stress
yet powerful way to manage your stress. It

can calm your mind and rejuvenate your body, and in so doing help
strengthen your healing system. Meditation is not mystical or mag
Meditation is
simple
ordinary, and when done correctly, it can have

a tremendous effect on your physical and mental well being.
In the early 1970s, Dr. Herbert Benson at Harvard University
documented the beneficial therapeutic effects of meditation and its
ability to lower blood pressure. Since then, numerous other studies
have demonstrated the wide-reaching, therapeutic benefits of medi
tation and its ability to help heal many other serious conditions,
including heart disease, cancer, and AIDS.
Meditation occurs when you are not thinking about the past or
the future, and you are just aware of what is happening in the here and
now. We have all experienced a meditative state at one time or
another, even if only for a few brief moments. As children, we experi
ence this state of mind much more frequently. Children like to play a
lot, and, when they play, they are so intent on their playing that they
are often not aware of anything else. They may be hungry~ but they
will completely forget about food because of their total absorption in
their play. This focused state is very much like meditation.
Meditation can help bring back the energy and enjoyment of
life that you experienced as a young child. By relaxing your mind
and helping focus your awareness in the present moment, medita
tion lightens the burdens of your past and future, releasing pent-up
energies and precious internal resources that are now available for
your healing system to use.
ical. It is natural and
There
are
techniques
many
175
Healing System
for meditation. For meditation
to
style or technique that suits

your own personal tastes and needs. The following meditation is
offered as a sample of what is available to you. Meditating regularly
for just 10 to 15 minutes a day, or more if your schedule permits,
will result in tremendous improvement in your health.
work for you, it is
important
to
find
Dr~fring Thought-Clouds Meditation

This is
~
simple
Find
quiet place
Make
meditation
sure
sibilities
during
You
lie down
can
sit in
are
in
chair,
where you
are
you
that takes
technique
be alone for 10 tol5 minutes.
can
absolutely
only a few minutes:
free of all
obligations
and respon
this time.
on
your
back,
as
the floor,
or on
any firm surface. Make
on
comfortable
in
deep relaxation,
or
you
can
sure
you
position.
Gently close your eyes and bring your awareness inside

body. (You obviously will need to keep your eyes open
of your
to read
the instructions for this exercise. For maximum benefits, how
keep your eyes closed after

yourself with this technique.)
ever,
Observe your breathing and the gentle

breath as it flows in and out of your body,
previous breathing
~
As you continue
that you are in a
out
these
onto
these
as
exercises.
to
relax and observe your
room
with very
high
breathing, imagine
windows
on
either side.
thoughts
reacting to them, just imagine that

and fluffy clouds gently passing in and
thoughts
are
soft
or
of the windows in the
room.
relax and observe your breathing, letting any

that comes into your mind be like a soft and fluffy
Continue
to
thought
cloud, gently drifting
*
of your
described with the
movement
As you breathe and continue to relax, it will be inevitable that

certain thoughts may come into your mind. Rather than hold
ing
you have read and familiarized
in and
out
of the windows in your
let any thought disturb your peaceful, relaxed

mind; rather, let it go on its way like a soft, fluffy cloud
Do
by.
not
room.
state
of
drifting
176
Your
do this meditation whenever you feel yourself becoming

anxious or tense, or when you are experiencing disturbing thoughts
You
can
of any kind. When you become proficient at it, you can

with your eyes open, in the midst of other activities.
Visualization/Guided
Manage
From the
Wright
Brothers
do this
Help
Strengthen Your Healing System
Imagery
Your Stress and
even
to
to
Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas
Edison, all great inventors in the history of the world began with
an
imaginative idea that came from their minds. Imagination sows the
seeds of reality, and it can play a huge role in influencing the per
formance of your healing system while it helps your body maintain
its natural
state
of health.
powerful force, and whatever imaginative thoughts

you dwell on can become a reality in your life. This is especially true
for thoughts about your health. Your brain is a powerful, metaboli
cally active transformer of pure electrical energy; as a result, thoughts
generated in your brain and directed to certainareas of your body can
exert a powerful effect on the physiology of that part of your body. By
recognizing the tremendous imaginative power of your mind, you can
learn to harness this power and focus the energy it generates to fortif,r
and boost the effectiveness of your bodys healing system.
Guided imagery and visualization are powerful techniques that
have helped many people overcome such serious life-threatening ill
nesses as cancer and heart disease by making use of the connection
between their minds and bodies, and using the power of their imag
inations for healing purposes. For example, pioneer cancer specialist
and radiation oncologist Dr. 0. Carl Simonton showed that many
of his patients were able to successfully increase their immune
system activity, stimulate repair and regeneration of damaged tis
sues, and demonstrate reversal of their diseases by using their minds
to imagine their white blood cells removing the tumor cells in their
Your mind is
bodies. In his classic book Love, Medicine and Miracles, Dr. Bernie
Siegel shares the stories of many of his cancer patients who also over
came their diseases through the successful application and use of
visualization and imagery techniques. Dr. Marty Rossman, in his
book Healing Yourself also shares stories of numerous patients of his
who healed themselves through the use of these specific techniques.
Youve
177
Healing System
picture is worth a thousand

words. Because your mind thinks in terms of pictures or images, it
continually processes information by visualizing and imagining
anticipated scenarios as you project yourself into the future. This is
how your mind thinks and makes plans, and it is one of the most
natural and powerful things you do. Your body is influenced by your
mental activities, and by this same process you can influence the
state
no
of your
doubt heard the
saying
health. However, this influence
own
can
work for you
against you. Consider, for example, the case of worrying.

Worry is the negative application of your imagination, fearfully
projecting your mind into the future and visually imagining worst-case
scenarios of events to come. This process causes anxiety~ which
or
increases
stress.
Stress results in the constriction of blood vessels and
inhibits the flow of vital
bodily fluids,
which
result in conges
tion and accumulation of toxins in various parts of your body. In
addition to high blood pressure and heart disease, chronic worrying
has been shown
to
contribute
can
the formation of ulcers and
to
numer
other illnesses and diseases.
ous
Conversely,
learn
to
numerous
studies have also shown that when
harness the constructive forces of their minds and
the harmful habit of persistent
improve.
For this
reason,
worrying,
their health will
it is vital that you learn how
people
overcome
invariably
to use
your
mind and the power of your imagination to improve your health

and the quality of your life. Visualizing or imaging can be an impor
specific
for your healing system

areas of your body.
How
Begin Guided-Imagery
tant
ally
to
Guided-imagery
as
it directs
healing energies
and Visualization
and visualization
techniques
to
Techniques
are
best
performed
with your eyes closed and when you are in a relaxed state. Begin as
you would with the deep relaxation methods, and the breathing
techniques
are
in
that you just read about in this section. Make sure you
comfortable position and your breathing is slow and relaxed.
When you feel your mind becoming calm and your body relaxed,
introduce the specific imagery and visualization techniques that best
suit your needs. Please do
not
feel limited
or
restricted in any way
suggested techniques listed here. Many wonderful styles

of imagery and visualization techniques are available from trained
by
the few
178
Your
teachers and
erence
professional therapists,
section of this
from the books listed in the ref
book, and from
your
own
creative
imagination.
heal from any affliction in your

body, you will realize the best results by practicing imagery and visu
alization techniques regularly over an extended period of time, until
If you
currently trying
are
to
life-threatening conditions,
set aside at least 15 to 30 minutes, twice a day, for the practice of
imagery and visualization techniques. For illnesses that are not life
threatening and are less severe, practicing these techniques once a
day for 15 to 30 minutes will be helpful.
you
are
Positive
o
completely
healed. For serious,
Imaging for Activating
Your
Healing System
While you are in a relaxed and serene state,

closed and your awareness focused within.
See
yourself as
See
yourself with
small,
very
a
standing in
clipboard and pencil
in
your head, as you monitor and make

various internal organ systems.
Allow
Without
o
image of your healing
an
notice the first
judging,
your eyes
the interior of your
on
keep
system
shape
to
or
hand, and
notes
body.
hard hat
of your
bodys
form in your mind.

form that appears.
yourself speaking to your healing system. Hear its gentle and

confident voice answer back to you. Spend time carrying on a
See
conversation with it,
just
as
you would with any other person.
Ask your healing system any question, and tell it anything you
wish. Try to get to know it. Make sure you listen carefully to
responses to your
it whether it has
this
o
name
system
use
healing
more
healing
see yourself gently directing
any area of your body that needs healing
becoming
personal level,
and
system
about which you
your
on
ask
in future communications with it.
dialoguing
After
or
questions and dialogue. You might want to

a personal name and whether you could
to
are
familiar with your
concerned.
yourself calmly and persistently speaking words of encour

agement to your healing system and the other systems in your
body under its supervision, to make sure your body is function
ing optimally and harmoniously.
See
yourself making
179
Healing System
healing systems progress as

you continue to encourage it to perform its tasks of repair and
restoration where they are needed in your body.
See
of your
notes
Ask your healing system what it needs from you

continue to do its job most efficiently.
Thank your
behalf.
healing
Make
Breathe life into these
point
to meet
plete
this exercise,
have
just
again
in the
feelings
near
that it
doing
system for the work it is
so
on
can
your
future.
body as you com

maintaining positive feelings about what you
and into your
visualized.
Relax and take
Open
Write down any
deep
breath
your eyes when you
insights
as
are
or
you finish this exercise.
done.
thoughts
about your
experience.
visualization/guided-imagery technique is only a small

sampling of what is available to you. You can modify and apply this
technique to suit any health condition that you would like to
improve. The beauty of visualization and guided imagery is that
they can enable you to gain incredible insights and access key infor
This
of your health. Further information about

visualization and guided imagery is given in the resource section in
mation about the
state
the back of this book.
Pray
to
Prayer
the
Reduce Your Stress
powerful
powerful known
serves as a
most
Prayer can open

dialogue with the wise
to man.
communication for you to

powers of our sacred universe that exist outside
you. In this
capacity,
prayer offers you
problems
and worries
and
in the process.
higher
Prayer
is
power,
one
way
relieving
of the oldest,
and infinite
hand
a
of
channel of
well
as
to
one
as
within
over
your
lot of tension
most
universal,
effective methods of stress reduction. However, for prayer

work for you, you have to be comfortable with the type of prayer
and
to
stress
to a
perhaps
stress-management tool,
most
you use,
choose
as
to
well
pray.
as
the
context,
style,
and method with which you
180
Your
Many
scientific studies have
now
been conducted that demon
therapeutic efficacy of prayer. One study even showed

clinical improvement in people who were prayed for from a distance
and didnt know it. Many of these people didnt even believe in God.
In Dr. Larry Dosseys best-selling book Healing Words, this fascinat
ing study and others are discussed in great detail.
No matter how embittered or cynical you might have become
during your lifes journey, it is never too late to attempt to contact this
divine source through honest and sincere prayer. Miracles can occur
the
strate
when you do. In fact, consider how you got on this earth and the fact
that you are alive right now. Those are in themselves miracles!
Whether
iation,
particular religious or spiritual affil

if you are an agnostic or an atheist, you can still learn
heart and contact the loving, intelligent force and
you have
or not
or even
to
open your
power that created you and sustains your very life.
When you do take the time to unburden your troubles
higher power, sharing all your pain, sorrow, problems, fears,

appointments, make sure that you take a few moments to
and dis
wait for
your prayers when you have finished. You

often obtain tremendous insights and wisdom in this process.
wise counsel in response

can
to
to
higher powers are known to speak very softly and quietly, so

to enhance your ability to receive a response to your prayers, first calm
your mind by practicing relaxation, breathing, meditation, or all three
However,
of these in sequence before you initiate the act of prayer.

Alternatively, you might find it helpful to release your pain,
worries, tensions, and fears to the ocean, the sky~ the stars, a moun
tain,
or
some
comforts and
other
special entity, force,
reassures
or
you. You may do the
place
same
in
nature
with
that
trusted
the great unknown mystery of

the universe that remains open and receptive to creative ideas,
insights, and the healing force of love that exists in your heart.
friend, loved
one, or
wise
counsel,
or
Peace of Mind and Your
Healing System
body does not operate in a vacuum. To a large degree, its state

of health registers and reflects what is going on in your life, which
in turn is a product of your mental habits and thoughts. A crazy,
Your
181
Healing System
chaotic, troublesome life, born of a disturbed mind, creates a stress

ful life, creates chronic physical tension, depletes the bodys energies,
the immune system, repeatedly triggers the fight-or-flight
response, and interferes with the performance of your healing
system while it renders the body susceptible to illnesses and diseases
depresses
from both internal and external agents.

When your mind is disturbed, like
an
out-of-control roller
furious tempest, it can create violent mood swings that

can upset your bodys internal balance. These mood swings cause the
release of potent hormones and strong chemical modulators that can
coaster or a
wreak havoc
on
your
bodys
internal organs and tissues. A disturbed

plethora of diseases to enter your body,
mind opens the door for a

creating opportunities for a
smorgasbord
of
potentially dangerous
disorders that can make your life miserable and quite possibly take
you to an early grave. Your healing system cannot possibly operate
efficiently under these conditions.
A peaceful mind, conversely, creates a relaxed, healthy body and
contributes
your
to a more
harmonious internal environment in which
system can work smoothly and efficiently. When your

peace, and you are relaxed and tranquil, feelings of love,
healing
mind is
at
happiness, and gratitude naturally and spontaneously

arise. These feelings produce powerful hormones and gentle, sooth
ing nerve impulses that bathe and nourish your healing system in a
flood of loving, life-giving energy. Just as a calm sea makes for
smoother travel for any ship, so too a peaceful and tranquil mind
contentment,
makes for
calmer, smoother,
more
harmonious internal environ
bodys healing system.

Just as your bodys natural state is one of health, so, too, your
minds natural state is one of peace. Keeping your mind calm and
relaxed may take some training if you have forgotten what it is like
to be peaceful, but it will be well worth the effort. A peaceful mind
is essential for a healthy body. If you want to effectively promote the
work of your healing system, one of the most important things you
can do is to actively recruit your mind in this process by keeping it
peaceful and calm. The stress-management techniques described in
this chapter, along with the chapters other prescriptive elements,
provide the most powerful, time-proven methods to help you
ment
for your
achieve and maintain this
most
valuable of all
possessions.
182
Your
Closing Thoughts
on
of Your Mind and Your
the Power
Healing System
chapter the powerful influence your mind has

over your healing system. Every thought that is registered in your
mind has the potential to create powerful chemical changes in your
body, changes that affect the processes of healing and repair. Staying
calm and relaxed, positive, optimistic, and enthusiastic is vital to
maximize the incredible ability of your mind to cooperate with, sup
port, nourish, and strengthen your healing system.
The practical strategies, techniques, and exercises prescribed in
this chapter are based on proven clinical experience, but to reap their
benefits, just reading them is not enough. Set aside time as suggested
to practice one or more of these extremely helpful techniques, so
they will become a part of your daily routine and lifestyle, just like
brushing your teeth is. If you or a loved one is currently battling a
major, life-threatening illness, doing this is not an option; it is a
You have
seen
necessity.
The next
in this
chapter
will reinforce the
of
minimizing
stress in your life as we explore how a strong and healthy healing
system has enabled many people to achieve great longevity. Youll
learn how these people were able to reach the age of 100 or more,
and how, by harnessing the energy and power of your extraordinary
healing
system, you
can, too.
importance
CHAPTER 7
Aging, Long-Lasting Health,

and Your Healing System
our
for the
comes
ability
most
to
part,
equipped
live
a
longer
is
not a matter
of mere chance, but is,
self-determined process. Your

healing system and can last, on
systematic,
with its
own
body
aver
everyday life
longer, how
ever, is not just to extend your life, but to enjoy a higher quality of
life as you age, and to participate fully in life, remaining enthusias
tic and active to the very end of your days. Doing this requires you
to be healthy. The process of achieving a long life while remaining
healthy is what I call long-lasting health.
If you carefully study the lives of people who have enjoyed longlasting health, you will discover primarily personal health habits,
diets, lifestyles, and attitudes that are consistent with the ideas and
methods that work with their bodies healing systems and that have
been presented in this book. Understanding and applying these
ideas and methods will help you enjoy long lasting health, as well.
But you must also be prepared for certain challenges you might have
to face as you age. The following story illustrates my point.
An elderly woman was suffering from a painful knee condition
that had been troubling her for some time. The pain was only in her
right knee, but it was severe enough to make walking difficult. She
age, 100 years. Of course the choices you make in your
can shorten or lengthen this time. The point of living

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healing lies within, radiant with happiness

blindly sought in a thousand outer directions.

sick of your sickness you will

those for which

yet found the cure.

discovery is reported to the scientific world, they

the world. For the

incredible creation. No other machine is like it in

part, it is designed to last for about 100 years,

illnesses, and diseases. It

do this because, in addition

systems of the body, it has a healing system, a system so powerful and

actively searched for, our most modern

father of Western medicine, declared that natural forces within

healers of disease. Even

doctors in China, India,

activate and cooperate with their bodies natural

of the immune system. His research

healing system, but it

and write about the

X-ray, which verified that what he said

thinner than his other ribs, there it

One solid rib bone had

system within our bodies

really is. It also

learn countless other wondrous miracles about this incredible

system that each one of

bodys healing system works in ways that modern science

get to know your

bodies. For this

book, I share basic information about your healing system.

practical strategies, exercises, techniques, and methods to help you

fortifying this remarkable system.

health, how illness and disease

exceptions rather than

Chapter 2 presents evidence that demonstrates the existence of

that will teach you how

cooperate with and enhance your

healing system, strengthening

synonymous with sickness and deterioration. This

shows that the

path to a long life with good health

keep your healing system fortified and strong.

Part Two is the

section of the book. It

general strategies to enhance your healing system that take minutes

and Your Natural State of Health

hroughout the universe and all of nature, there exists an abun

Health is your bodys fundamental, natural state. Health is

into the DNA of the cells of every human

with very little interference or intervention.

the age of 100

Without this intrinsic

of health, humans could

Extraordinary Healing System

possibly live this long

species natural, fundamental condition,

in the environment while

its order and bal