For self-preservation, the brain is designed to be hyper-sensitive to situations which, objectively viewed, are dangerous. That’s why when we suddenly see flames, no matter what else we may be doing, all we want to do at that moment is run out of the building.
What will dramatically change the field of cancer treatment is the focus on the genetics of the cancer. In the near future, the main approaches to cancer treatment will involve 1) targeting the cancer-producing genes or 2) stimulating the patient’s immune system to create antibodies to fight off the cancer.
Antibiotics save countless lives but they also kill beneficial bacteria along with disease-causing bacteria. The destruction of beneficial bacteria is related to the dramatic increase in certain illnesses: Crohn’s disease, asthma, allergies, celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, and obesity.
Pain is a brain phenomenon, and stress turns up the pain signals in the brain. It’s a bit like turning up the volume on a radio. Stress reduction techniques like meditation are so helpful because they turn down the pain signals in the brain.
Scientific research shows that meditation, by improving our body’s handling of stress, not only slows the aging process but, in some instances, reverses it. We now have a readily available way of measuring the effect of meditation on the aging process.
I think Paramhansa Yogananda or Swami Kriyananda would say that our DNA is the physical manifestation of our karma. In other words, we have the genetic material that best fits the karma we need to work out in this particular lifetime.
We live in a culture where eating far too much sugar is very easy to do. Excessive consumption of sugar can cause oxidative stress to the brain, which causes slower thinking and poor concentration and memory.
When the motor scooter bucked, my body was launched into the air. Witnesses said I did at least one cartwheel, but I only remember a blur. I believe my right leg folded up under me as I hit the pavement with my full body weight. Then I rolled lengthwise several times until I was lying face up on the grass by the roadside.
Spiritually, the most important attitude for a healer is a constant awareness that God is the source of the healing power. There is also the need for reverent devotion to God and Guru because if you pray and ask the Masters to guide you, they will protect you from all negative influences, especially any tendency to become egoic.
When I “came to” I realized to the core of my being that all I needed to do was accept the gift of sobriety and say YES to it and to life, and God would take care of the rest!
