March/April 1998

Articles on the theme "Regeneration"

The Cosmic Dance
by Bob Gonzalez
How energy is transformed by Life's play. Foods and emotions that help regeneration.

An Ayurvedic Perspective
by Dinesh Mader
Ayurveda, the world's oldest science of healing, and its approach to regeneration.

The Jewel Within
by Rev. Pat Cross
A discussion of our spirituality and how we can recover our intrinsic abilities.

The Path of the Heart
by Carlos Warter MD
The importance of opening the heart to realize one's essential health and well-being, and achieve spiritual regeneration.

The New You
by Karin Pekarcik
How to reinvent yourself and create the You you really want to be.

The Psychology of Regeneration
by Patrick Plaskett
Undoing negative programming and becoming once again "as little children".

A New Light Body? by Audrey Craft Davis
Tuning into the body's ability to regenerate itself. A look at the future as we move into the fourth and fifth dimensions.

Physical Regeneration
by Zygmunt K. Skowronek
Concerning the importance of getting the nutrients we need in our diet.

Spiritual Regeneration
by Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati How meditation can lead to greater awareness of the moment and the God inside of you. Followed by a suggested meditation.

Walking on Fire
by Alvin Bartz
A hypnotherapist's account of a fire-walk experience. Regenerating the spirit to overcome self-limitations.

The Problem of Regeneration
by David Findlay
Making sure that what we re-generate is what we want to re-generate.

Other Feature Articles

Natural Health Q&A
by Eliabeth Fenton and Renee Gillombardo
A discussion of three characteristics of emotional health.

What is . . . A Medical Savings Account
by Susan Moyers
A tax-deferred savings account that allows you to select your own doctor and covers a variety of "alternative" therapies.

An Ayurvedic Perspective

by Dinesh Mader

"In the eyes of Ayurveda, Nature is the supreme Mother: endlessly forgiving, endlessly accessible. We consciously or through ignorance fall out of our delicate balance with Nature. But no matter what degree of imbalance we may experience, Nature stands by with the means to restore us." - - from Robert Svoboda's "Rejuvenation"

The word "regenerate" has its roots in several classical languages: Latin, generatus, "begotten." Greek, genesis, "creation." Sanskrit, janayati, "to cause." Plus the prefix re- which means "again." So, regeneration means "rebirth."

If Ayurveda were a religion, the body would be seen as a temple, a place of fire worship, and the fire itself could be seen as our digestive power - a concoction of hormonal secretions, enzymes, biles, acids, emulsifiers, and the like. As other living organisms (our diet) are sacrificed into the fire, they are transformed into energy (heat) or waste (ashes) to be eliminated.

Digestion is not limited to the physical body in Ayurveda, but applies also to the mind - not just feasting on facts and information which are so abundant these days - but also trying to make sense of the experience of life. Mental indigestion would constitute the inability to recover from emotional trauma.

As a health science, Ayurveda is concerned mainly with the balance of the physical body. It is assumed, however, that our physical condition is supported by mental constructs, and that healing is required at all levels.

Disease in Ayurveda is a gradual process - the result of a kind of chronic indigestion. Because our behavior is ruled by the mind - emotions, desires, expectations, and longings - we invariably find ourselves eating sub-standard foods that are not completely digestible. In fact, given the composition of what passes for food these days, our bodies may not identify these substances as nourishment. Indeed, we may not even actually seek nourishment from them. Rather we simply seek temporary respite from nervousness, insecurity, anger, or lust. We may be eating, not because we have genuine hunger, but because it is required of us socially or pragmatically. Yet without appetite there cannot be complete digestion.

The end result of these eating habits is an accumulation of subtle, undigested particles which find their way into our bodily fluids and tissues. They may be perceived as aches and pains in the joints or muscles, inflammations, infections, skin blemishes, excessive phlegm, fatigue, or any of a host of troublesome but not unusual symptoms. If left unattended this systemic toxemia, caused by the accumulation of insufficiently or undigested particles, will impede the circulation of vital fluids in the tissues, and give rise to major illnesses. This is the "death" from which we must regenerate.

Regeneration in the Ayurvedic method begins with the removal on a regular basis of this low-level toxemia to prevent its build-up. This can be accomplished in a number of ways depending on the severity of the condition.

1. Regular (not prolonged) fasting: For example, one could refrain from eating solid foods for one day each week, during daylight hours. This allows the blood to attend to a thorough cleansing of the tissues as opposed to its usual role of providing energy for perpetual digestion. Fasting also reminds us of what genuine hunger feels like.

2. The regular ingestion of enzymic herbs known traditionally to have a cleansing effect on our tissues. Ginger would be an example of this kind of herb. It is somewhat pungent in taste, readily available, and is highly esteemed for its digestive qualities in both the Ayurvedic and Chinese traditions. Spearmint, peppermint, and powdered papaya are also excellent herbs for promoting digestion and dispelling gas.

3. Removing toxins which are more tenacious and entrenched in the tissues may require a more specialized herbal preparation. The most common formula in Ayurveda is called Triphala, meaning "three fruits" in Sanskrit. A typical regime of Triphala would last three to six months depending on the specific case. The effect of this herbal preparation is to gradually cleanse the lower bowel lining, improve absorption, and consequently the quality of the blood. The herbs contained in Triphala actually loosen accumulated toxins and scour the tissues, then rejuvenate them by encouraging cell growth.

4. For a more thorough regeneration in the Ayurvedic tradition one would commit to periodic rejuvenation at an Ayurvedic nursing home or retreat. In cases of chronic toxemia, where the accumulations are thoroughly "identified" with the tissues, it may require that the patient take leave of their day-to day life style, and commit to live in a therapeutic environment where gentle cleansing is accompanied by traditional treatments (oiling and sudation). A person's day-to-day routine often becomes a web of bad habits and unhealthy relationships. One must deliver oneself from this environment occasionally and bring all of one's awareness to bear upon healing of the body, mind, spirit.

The client feels entirely nurtured and satisfied in the retreat environment where the treatments and meals are offered according to a routine, to establish rhythm. The food is easily digestible, nourishing and delicious. The warm oil treatments invite stillness and restfulness. The overall effect therefore is the release of toxins and the strengthening of absorption, resulting in clarity and vitality.

The Sanskrit term for regeneration and rejuvenation is "rasayana." Rasayana relates to the root word, "rasa" which has many varied meanings. Generally it refers to "essence'' or "juice." Life is a flow, a continual process of transformation and adaptation. The regeneration process is to revitalize by removing the impediments obstructing "flow" within the body and mind - to increase expression, creativity, fulfillment, satisfaction, and a strong sense of self while moving purposefully through life.

Dinesh Mader LMT teaches Ayurvedic principles and yoga at massage schools and in public workshops. He and his wife are co-founders of Rasayana Cove near Arcadia, Florida. (941) 494-4687 or 494-7565.

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