Health
As we age, it is typical that we become more interested in health. Health isn't a commodity that we can ignore, then buy in a prescription from our doctor or pharmacist when something goes wrong. It's all about how we live our lives.
In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna explains the three modes of nature: Ignorance, Passion and Goodness. Living in good health means being situated in the mode of goodness so far as possible - cultivating knowledge, being active but not overworked, having a calm mind, getting the right amount of sleep, eating fresh vegetarian foods and avoiding toxins.
Krishna also explains that the body is naturally controlled by a heirachy: Supersoul - Soul - Intelligence - Ego - Mind - Senses - Body (BG 3.40). When we are in pure consciousness, we act in harmony with God as the Supersoul, and our real self, the soul is in command of the senses. When we allow the demands of the body and senses undue license, we descend to the lower material modes.
So, to enjoy good health, we need to exercise all aspects of the self - soul, mind and body: The soul with spiritual exercises, the mind with mental exercise, and the body with physical exercise. We should all find some physical exercise that we like doing and that gets our heart and muscles going: I enjoy walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, gym and squash. Physical exercise also releases natural endorphins, and has an uplifting effect on the spirit.
Western medicine and the British NHS are impressive in many ways such as diagnosis and surgery, and I'm very grateful for them, but they do have an over-reliance on symptoms rather than underlying causes, and an unhealthy relationship with the pharmacutical industry. Although drugs may help in the short-term, for example to temporarily alleviate a headache, they aren't the real answer.
I'd like to recommend a few outstanding health practitioners, organisation, books and websites which have or are helping me maintain good health.
The Bhagavad-Gita As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Most sublime, beautiful and complete philosophy, explaining the real meaning of life. Health-wise, explains how the modes of material nature work, and how to move from the modes of ignorance and passion to goodness and beyond.
Philip Weeks - Natural Health Care for the 21st Century. Philip is an outstanding holistic health practitioner specialising in detoxification. He is also skilled and qualified in nutrition, Vega testing, herbology and acupuncture, and runs a holistic health practice in Hereford with several complementary associates. Philip is a a close friend of mine, and I look after his website. I have also put an account of how Philip helped me win my battle with eczema here.
Dr Arabinda Mukherjee - Astrology and Ayurvedic medicine. Dr Mukherjee has an international reputation for providing advice, solving problems and uniquely effective ayurvedic treatments (using herbs he personally gathers in India). He runs a very busy practice in Stanmore, North London, and has 99% cured me of asthma.
Dr Hesham El-Essawy - Holistic dentist - Specialist in mercury amalgam removal, Harley St, London. Literally miraculous results with no pain. A genius and world-expert, capable of curing many serious medical problems. Cured me overnight of long-standing finger-excma and a "mental fog" of which I had been unaware. I cannot recommend Dr Hesham strongly enough.
Healthspan - Top supplier of vitamins and supplements, based in Guernsey (VAT-free). All good stuff, especially the MSM and Glucosamine, which fixed my cyclist's aching knee in about two days. Sell vegetarian versions of many otherwise non-veg nutrients. Fast, fab service. Also publish a free magazine with interesting advicles.
Allen Carr/Easyway - One of the most effective way to stop smoking and deal with other addictions including alcohol. When it comes to saving lives, Allen is probably right up there at the top of the list. The Easyway organisation continues his work posthumously, and for anyone suffering from an addiction, is probably the most accessible and effective solution available.
Dieting makes you Fat by Geoffrey Cannon & Hetty Einzig, 1983 - A work of absolute brilliance on nutrition, body weight and diet. Destroys the calorie-counting theory and explains properly how the body deals with nutritious (whole) and junk foods. Get thee away from me, Doughnuts!
Real Age - This site asks you a long questionaire and calculates your 'real age' based on how you look after or abuse your body. After doing this, they then send you e-mails every week with articles on health. Helpful and thought-provoking.
What Doctors Don't tell You - This organisation started off life as a seriously ill journalist, then morphed into a book, a website, a newsletter, a maiiling list, a DVD of the book, a series of conferences... you get the picture. Great stuff. Presumably one of the bibles of alterbative medicine, although, alarmingly, many of its main points come from supressed mainstream medical studies. E-mail list rather high volume, with a plethora of limited-time special offers. See my review (of the book) here.
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