Iron rules of health - 21

[Guest guest]

A child said What is the grass? fetching it to me with full

hands,

How could I answer the child? I do not know what it is any

more than he.

I guess it must be the flag of my disposition, out of hopeful

green stuff woven.

Or I guess it is the handkerchief of the Lord,

 

A scented gift and remembrancer designedly dropt,

Bearing the owner's name someway in the corners, that we

may see and remark, and say Whose?

Or I guess the grass is itself a child, the produced babe of the

vegetation.

Or I guess it is a uniform hieroglyphic,

And it means, Sprouting alike in broad zones and narrow

zones,

Growing among black folks as among white,

Kanuck, Tuckahoe, Congressman, Cuff, I give them the

same, I receive them the same.

And now it seems to me the beautiful uncut hair of graves.

Tenderly will I use you curling grass,

It may be you transpire from the breasts of young men,

It may be if I had known them I would have loved them,

It may be you are from old people, or from offspring taken

soon out of their mothers' laps,

And here you are the mothers' laps.

 

Whitman "Song of Myself"

 

 

We generally understand medicine to be a substance either to be

ingested through mouth, applied to the skin or smoked or

breathed/sniffed in through the nostrils. Medicine which is absorbed

by being watched or listened to, or to be put on the body and then

forgotten, or even to walk on, or to absorb by sleeping in a special

chamber, would all be considered most unconventional ways of

treatment. But ayurveda, since it considers the total lifestyle and

the total person, has built in a variety of such unconventional

treatments. In the Iron Rules series chapters 17 through 20, we have

dealt with the body as a collection of cells which all have their own

electromagnetic energy and which are all affected by external

energies, such as electrostatic fields, equipment which emits

alternating electromagnetic fields and also photo energy fields.

 

>From here on we delve inside the body to try to understand how

cellular energy affects the functions of the organs and increases or

decreases our energy for healing. From here on but for a few

exceptions we will relinquish our scientific outlook.

 

Since other names for this cellular energy include bio-energy and

prana, pranic healing will also be covered in this series. However,

the author would like to restrict himself to the use of nature alone

in energy healing. In the following piece, the terms: prana, bio-

electricity or bio-energy all have the same meaning. In this century

we take very little time to attend to our health and prefer to run

after material possessions in order to obtain some imaginary

happiness. So we will restrict our discussion to ways of obtaining

health in harmony with nature but with limited time and cost. Our

creator has given us so many ways by which we can enjoy ideal health

so where is the need for Vaidyas and doctors? Baba Ramdev is giving a

new direction to ayurveda where the emphasis on material substances

as medicine is minimal and the emphasis on treating the energy body

is greatest. Yoga, meditation and spiritual studies are gaining

ground over the need for tablets, decoctions and infusions!

Prana is the basis of all biological manifestations. It is also

called ki, chi, ether, bio-plasma or simply life-force. Our main

intake of this life giving energy is through the chakra system,

breathing, food, sunshine and transference of energy from other

people. In the air it is commonly called prana, while within the body

we usually refer to it as bio-energy. For the Chinese it is also the

chi that circulates through the acupuncture meridians. The movement

of bio-energy is slow and wavelike and can be accumulated and

conducted by organic material and water. It does not need a medium

for transportation. This energy can be experienced through sensations

registered in the nervous system and indirect proof of its existence

can be investigated scientifically if needed. Science always lags

many miles behind spiritual philosophy. Only now is science

beginning to investigate beneficial causes and effects of yoga and

meditation on hypertension, CAD and the relaxation registered in EEGs

etc.

 

Our physical body is permeated with bio-energy and part of this

energy circulates through the acupuncture meridians, while the

surplus radiates out, forming an etheric field, the inner aura,

protecting us from harmful environmental radiation or microbes. Do

not confuse this energy with the scientific definition of Bioenergy

which is stored energy from the sun and is contained in materials

such as plant matter and animal waste, known as biomass. Energy in

the form of electricity, heat, steam, and fuels can be derived from

these sources through conversion methods such as direct combustion,

boiler and steam turbines, anaerobic digestion, co-firing,

gasification, and pyrolysis. This kind of energy can be derived from

either dead animals or humans. However, the energy we wish to discuss

here is that which exists as long as there is individual life

dwelling in the organism.

 

Within the body, bio-energy forms a blueprint that guides maintenance

and growth of each organism. It is the 'adhesive' that holds the

cells together and at the same time it is also the 'energy of

organization'. In deep sleep the bio-energy body, our etheric body,

tends to float in a horizontal position over the physical body in

order to become recharged with this etheric energy. Acupuncture-

points are like transformers or inflow points of bio-energy from the

meridians into the underlying tissue structures. If this flow which

occurs along a meridian and into the muscles, is blocked, a limb

becomes lifeless and paralyzed, even if the blood circulation and

nerve impulses are intact. Through meditation we can direct and

modify this stream of bio-energy with our minds in order to heal

ourselves. Generally, we may increase our inner reservoir of bio-

energy by living in an area with a high environmental potential of

bio-energy. We can find this where there is plenty of sunshine,

abundant vegetation - especially trees - and where we have an

elevated position - ideally a tree-clad hilltop or mountain plateau

in the subtropics. The air is low in bio-energy on rainy days and at

night. The energy field is lower in city hospitals especially where

the sick are admitted and nursed close to each other.

Bio energy fields were known to ayurveda acharyas for centuries;

This resulted in the development of various Vedic rituals to increase

the bio-electricity; as expounded in the following URL:

 

http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/sandhya/contents.html#science

 

>From these oriental secrets, in the west, we learn that Professor

Harold Saxton Burr, the author of Fields of Life (Ballantine),

measured the electric fields around living things and showed that

these 'Life-Fields' (abbr. 'L-fields') exist both prior to and guide

the development of the related entity.

 

Bio-energy or life-energy is a major factor in healing despite the

denial of its existence by orthodox medicine. The inner aura follows

the contour of the body while the outer aura is shaped like an

inverted egg. and may stretch away from the body some 8-10 inches.

Our sages have developed a science known as Vastu shastra where an

environment conducive to this electromagnetic field will help by

improving concentration, meditation etc. Yoga theory believes in

multiple levels of existence, the energy body being among the higher

levels. Medicine administered at the higher level becomes more

effective and can obtain results which medicine when given only to

the physical body can not hope to achieve. This is where conventional

mainstream medicine and all alternative branches of medicine,

including ayurveda, differ, the group of latter treatments taking the

holistic approach.

 

It is believed that disease first enters the bio-plasmic body and

then the visible physical body. Hence the healing process attempts to

rectify the bio-plasmic body through induction of bio-energy at

specific points of that body known as chakras. We will discuss the

healing associated with just Nabhi Chakra later. Remedial measures

may also include the use of energized water. Studies have shown that

meditation has a great influence on the bio-plasmic body. Brain cells

are known to produce electric waves of different frequencies.

The parables and miraculous stories where a saint touches a sick

person and creates healing in that person, are not simply `marketing

propaganda' of such saints. Chances of recovery are inevitably

greatly increased by being regularly exposed to high concentrations

of prana wherever that might be. Prana is highest in green

surroundings and especially on tree-clad hilltops and mountains.

There are highest levels in the air on sunny days and lowest levels

on dull days or at night. That is the reason that cancer pain is

often higher at night. Medical Astrology attributes cancer to planet

Rahu (node), a Tamas planet which becomes more powerful in darkness

and again in the second half of the lunar month when the moon is

waning.

 

Bio-energy is exceptionally concentrated in rainwater collected

after a heavy shower on a sunny day. This highly charged rainwater

should be used for washing and drinking for maximum benefits. In

polluted areas it may be necessary to purify this water with a

charcoal filter before use. This is how sand, soil and charcoal can

come to our aid by purifying our drinking water. Fresh rainwater, and

especially rainwater from thunderstorms, has a beneficial negative

electrical charge, however this is discharged and lost if it comes in

contact with metal. Ancient Indians knew this well, hence the method

of storing water in earthenware pots became popular and making

certain medicines in earthenware pots was a recommended practice

which both cut costs and avoided contamination by heavy metals,

adding minerals from the earthenware to help fortify the medicines.

Prana is much enriched in sunlit streams and even in artificially

sunlit cascades. Water can also be improved by exposing it to

sunlight before use. This is the secret of ayurveda recommending

storing water in sunlight and moonlight (Anshodaka, Message # 2139).

Fresh fruit and vegetables stored in the dark and especially in a

refrigerator get enriched with prana if exposed to sunlight before

eating them. And if you are arranging a picnic, have it at a spot

where sunlit river or lake exists. Then the success of the picnic is

assured!

 

Revitalizing the patient may be the most important task of all when

treating chronic disease and most especially in cancer. Eli G Jones,

in his book `Cancer - Its causes, symptoms and treatment' writes: " I

honestly believe that if it were possible to keep the vitality of a

person at or near the normal healthy standard there would be no

danger of cancer. We find in cancer victims, weakened vitality and

enfeebled nerve power; this gives us the key to the situation and

tells us how to successfully combat the disease". Wilhelm Reich in

his book "The Cancer Biopathy" describes his research into the effect

of prana on cancer development and treatment. He shows how cancer

cells originate from body cells that are deficient in prana and how

cancer cells are destroyed by blood cells that are highly charged

with prana. In an earlier article in this series, the author

indicated the need to stay near a beach for cancer healing. Author

himself has experienced the positive effect of increasing a

patient's energy though breathing techniques in the healing of cancer

patients.

 

Healthy blood which is well charged with bio-energy readily destroys

cancer cells and pathogens. Methods to vitalize the blood in this way

include the use of fresh raw juices, walking barefoot on dewy grass,

deep breathing exercises, meditation, energy healing and cultivation

in addition to devices such as magnets, cones and pyramids. It may be

recalled that the author recommended walking barefoot on wet grass

the early morning (messages # 2077, 6794) and if the sun is rising at

this time the benefits are further increased.

 

What are the principles of transferring energy? The most important of

these are both touch and the conductivity of water. We absorb the

energy of the dew on grass through the conductive soles of our feet.

Nature stores this energy in the plants which contain water/juices

and saps, or even the dew itself on the grass and we absorb this

energy by touch. Such juices are alkaline due to the absorption of

this energy. Ions which impart this energy also increase the pH of

these juices. The mother sooths a crying child by holding the baby to

her breast and this calms the baby more quickly than anything else.

The heart chakra located under the breast area has the highest levels

of prana in the human body.

 

Proponents of non-vegetarianism are mainly driven by the higher

levels of prana in animal flesh, but by the time they eat the food,

all the anticipated energy is lost and only heavy-to-digest protein

remains which then needs all the spices and increased digestion time

which further depletes and enervates the consumer. Here too, the

taste of the food when an animal is free-range, when it eats only

green grass and also receives love from the owner is well appreciated

in some ayurveda posts.

 

Freshly cut grass emits strong bio-energetic radiation. In a similar

way, a 'hay cure' was formerly used with good results as a folk

remedy for many diseases. In Goushalas in India, if a cow baby is

suffering, it is made to spend time on a green grass bed. Similarly

when children get chicken pox or measles, villagers tie neem tree

twigs around their waists. Ayurveda recommends tying green leaves or

using betel nut leaves for fomentation, a good example being the

leaves of the `Arka' herb which are mostly used to relieve joint

pains. The reason for this may be the higher fluid content in this

leaf which can be found by plucking a fresh leaf, which then secretes

a milky fluid. Sometimes the patient gets immersed for hours in

freshly cut hay or sometimes in fresh leaves. Banana leaves are used

to cover a patient having mud-bath and then later exposed to

sunlight. Only for this reason are raw foods and vegetables used as

the charged water they contain give more energy, provided we are

able to digest them. It is believed that cut leaves and grasses lose

most of their prana within a few hours. This could be due to loss of

charged water content in addition to losing their root system and

their contact with the earth their mother! This outpouring energy can

be used to irradiate a tumor or a weak organ with a strong charge of

prana when a pack of freshly cut grass is kept over the area and in

contact with the skin. The pack should be renewed every few hours.

The reason ayurveda recommends using fresh juice of some herbs while

making some medicines/tablets may now become more obvious. A friend

told this author that he was suffering from insomnia for many years

but then he had such a deep sleep one night when a healer used the

juice of a certain flower to treat him through Nasya

administration. Have you seen how your pet cat crawls into your

bed to enjoy your closeness and loving touch! The secret here is your

bio-energy. The priest in some temples in India will keep a silver or

gold crown on your head charging you with bio-energy whereas when you

visit some swamiji, he will put his palm on your crown area to charge

you.

 

In ancient India, acupressure therapy existed. This system recognises

that our palms and our finger tips are like control boards for the

manipulation or alteration of bio-electricity. Healing is achieved by

applying slight pressure to specific points. And it may not be out-of-

context to mention that pulse diagnosis has arisen out of this bio-

energy principle only. The diagnostic accuracy of some old Vaidyas is

unmatched by any modern Vaidyas. The magnetic field of adjoining

fingers alternate in polarity and influence the magnetism of iron in

the blood. The resulting changes are matched with spectral signatures

in the memory (cognitive skills) of a Vaidya. The increased iron in

blood gives stronger interaction and corresponding strong pulse

reading. Weak or feeble pulse indicates less vitality, but more

important than that, the rhythm, regularity or reasonant beat

patterns, indicate the disturbances in the L-field of the body. Do

not confuse the pulse rhythm with heart beats. Often the pulse may

show irregular beats, but heart beats heard through a stethoscope are

steady and regular. The use of the stethoscope requires intense

concentration and a deep understanding of the noises the body can

make. So complex is stethoscope diagnosis, that most doctors hang on

to the same stethoscope throughout their careers, terrified that if

they change it they will no longer be able to recognise the sounds it

picks up. Just as old doctors could recognize various heart

conditions through listening to the stethoscope alone

(http://www.antiquemed.com/james_hope.htm) similarly the Vaidya had

skills in diagnosing not only the heart of the patient, but the whole

body!

 

Morning dew on fresh grass is another source of highly concentrated

prana. Walk on it barefoot for 10-20 minutes, rub the dew with your

hands over your bare skin and all over the body or if warm enough

even roll with bare skin in the dewy grass. The author's friends

arrange monsoon treks especially for this benefit! When walking

barefoot on green grass psychics are able to see an expansion of the

aura. Psychics claim that they can see a person's aura and observe

changes under certain conditions. The aura both influences our

surroundings and is influenced by them. When you visit an ashrama or

attend a discourse by a saintly person, his aura influences and

blesses all of his surroundings. And when you are in a gathering of a

great many people in a philosophical or pious mood, the collective

aura calms your mind, perhaps even decreasing hypertension and at the

same time infusing a positive mood! On the other hand, if, even in

error, if you are jailed and in the company of a seasoned convict,

this too can influence your outlook and your aura.

 

It is equally important to conserve our own bio-energy by living in

or visiting surroundings which are high in the bio-energy found in

nature, generally those in sunny locations and with luxurious plant

growth, or in the mountains or at the seashore. Some individuals

claim to have lived on prana in the mountains but that would not

normally be possible in a city. On the other hand males lose much

bio-energy through ejaculation and should minimize such losses,

especially in the case of debilitating diseases. Alternatives are

discussed in Tantric texts and are out of our scope here.

 

The post is longer than usual to accommodate a great deal of

information. Thanks for your patience.

 

Editing help from Jane MacRoss is gratefully acknowledged.

 

Dr Bhate.