Shifting From Fractional to Holistic Awareness (WAS: Wheat grass ... Ann Wigmore)

[Guest guest]

Michael,

 

I agree, one cannot reasonably argue that wheat grass contains high levels

of certain nutrients. The problem is that it ALSO contains high levels of

some rather caustic substances. And the entire mix comes through in the

juice.

 

Further, I'd like to take a different tack for a moment. Perhaps you are

familiar with the phrase " fractional thinking " ?? Medical-model thinking

exemplifies fractional thinking. Simply put, we look at a thing in terms of

its parts ... we assume that everything is exactly equal to the sum of its

parts, no more, no less. In science, the religious term for this belief is

" reductionism " . Wherever a quantum perspective is adopted, the counter-term

for this belief is " holism " .

 

All living organisms are more than the sum of their parts. Why? Because all

living organisms learn ... they possess the capacity to adapt, to modify

their behavior based upon experience.

 

Whenever we think in terms such as " this contains these nutrients, this

contains those nutrients " , we engage in fractional thinking. We are looking

only at parts, not at the whole. We are not taking a systemic view. And

indeed, such fractional thinking often works beautifully, when we apply it

to inanimate objects, and particularly to objects of human design. So, for

example, when we design a motor and it " breaks " , we can observe the motor,

identify the " broken " part(s), repair or replace those parts, and voila,

motor works again.

 

Not so with living beings, though allopathic medicine surely keeps trying

and trying to make it so.

 

Where am I going with all this?

 

I am suggesting that you shift your perspective, away from " This item

contains these great nutrients " , and toward an holistic perspective, perhaps

expressed as, " The human organism digests this item well (or poorly), by

design " .

 

So does wheat grass, as grass or as juice, contain some great nutrients for

humans? You bet!!! Is it FOOD for humans? No.

 

Even a table leg contains SOME nutrients, if we process it enough. But I

doubt any of us would therefore call it food.

 

I'm being VERY brief here, I do hope I'm sharing enough for clarity.

 

Best to all,

Elchanan

 

 

Michael [bossalingo]

Sunday, September 23, 2007 6:17 AM

 

Re: Wheat grass ... Ann Wigmore

 

Thank you. I agree that it is important to not characterize Wheatgrass or

any other

substance as a miracle food. As you point out, the overall dietary approach

is the most

important thing. But one cannot argue about the high nutrient levels in a

small shot of

wheatgrass juice. It is a bioavailable nutrient rich source that does

become absorbed and

utilized by the body. It improves cellular health and is an overall

medicinal & nutrient

dense substance.

 

A raw vegan approach along with other valid approaches to lifestyle and

eating are much

more important than wheatgrass, but I honor the research done by Ann Wigmore

in her

quest for an amazing whole food supplement.

 

~Michael