What wonderful path breaking insights!

We should find more 'scientifc' studies, like UCLA one quoted in the article, and interpret them as spiritual mind-body healing to bring more awareness about alternative medicine like Ayurveda among the common public.

I remember reading some years ago about a study of the difference between people with chronic back pain, and people without back pain. The study didn't find any differences physically between the groups. Each group had the same level of damage to their backs (damage to discs, vertebrae...etc.) The implication was that there were often other, possibly psychological, issues causing the pain.

"... but in this case the monks are inserting their own intention, and what was once automatic becomes voluntary."

Oufff! So much to say about that. Good observation.

Thanks Deepak!

Wiseman Deepak,

Are we sure that the Buddhist monks are "controlling" a feedback loop rather than "adapting" to the cold by raising their body temperature by 14 degrees Fahrenheit?

I like your statement concerning the "dual nature of the nervous system that proves so fascinating". Are you famaliar with what is known as the "problems of the opposites?"

It is said that the world creator ordained that the world be created using opposites and the suffering of the world is due to conflicts or "problems" of these opposites. If we understand these opposites and can therefore make the right choices, we can do away with pain and suffering. In other words, learn the rules of nature and live by them.

As you state in your book, The Book of Secrets, the most common reason for spirituality is to deal with suffering. One can then reason that if we can eliminate pain and therefore suffering we can then eliminate the need for religion, and, for war - as most wars are fought over religious beliefs.

P.S. I need your help!

Deepak,

I thought everything was in one's head including the whole universe. So the scientists were right about psychosomatic illness. At the level of one.

Of course there are the other levels where it is not.

Pain is just information anyway. A message or alert. Often encouraging us to change the current state.

I wonder if sometimes people craving love have pain to get attention.

Of course because of nutrient deficiency some people don't make natural opiates very well.

Maximized profits produces a certain type of medicine. Looking for solutions that one can have a monopoly on.

This is interesting; I spent Thursday night having a discussion with a friend on the book "Anatomy of an illness" which is written by Norman Cousins. She was reading the book as part of her Nursing program, which I felt was a blessing because I am finding more and more students who are studying medicine are being encouraged to also look into and combine alternative medicine into their practice. The cases in Cousins book add evidence to the power that a thought has when directed on the body. The book has been out for many years but we are just beginning to embrace this belief in our western society, which is amazing because as Deepak noted we just started researching this 20 years ago.

As a student of Homeopathy, I find it interesting that science continues to try to rationalize every disease with a genetic answer. With such books like "The Hidden Messages in Water by Masaru Emoto and David A. Thayne" proving the power that direct thought or word has in changing the structure of water crystals, it's amazing how we still question such innovative break thru. In Studying Homeopathy I often question myself when trying to work with the various different remedies for cures. The thought that the real cure is the patient’s enthusiasm and ability to now believe that there is hope often makes me believe that they are curing themselves by “THINKING” positive. There is no question that our ancestors had an insight to natural medicine that we lost along the way as we began to intellectualize everything, but in today’s society we are now embracing medicine in a new way to incorporate the traditional with the alternative. Carl Jung certainly had enough studies to prove the correlation between the thought and the body, as many psycho therapist today embrace new methods of psychotherapy by combining practices of visualization into the patients program, particularly with cancer patients, where it has been proven that when the patient is going thru the process of chemotherapy it’s important to promote positive thinking therapy to help in their recovery process.

Our bodies react to our environment and what we have around us including our thoughts; we can think ourselves sick or we can think ourselves healthy. In either case both begin with the thought which creates the reaction that creates the action. If we think ourselves sick we start creating actions in our lives that will promote sickness, i.e. smoking we know it's bad but people still do it.... think yourself healthy and you are more prone to live a healthy lifestyle. In most cases it's a combination of habits that began from the time we were an embryo and yes we can connect it to genetics because our parent’s nutritionalonal diets and lifestyle are then a part of our "genetic make-up"...but as we grow the thoughts that we connect to our bodies begin to materialize in the physical form and ultimately while our “genes” have some say our thoughts and lifestyle is what ultimately defines our physical structure.

Warm Regards,

All religions lead to one source just like all healthful endeavors lead to health and healing. Most of us just take the "long and winding road." Simplicity seems to exist beneath the clutter of complexity. If we feel our goal must be achieved painstakingly through effort and struggle, than so it is! It's a human thing. You gotta love it!

Hi Deepak,
I have a silly question for you, what do you think about the concept that before the disease actually materializes in our physical form it actually lives in our auric form? and that if for example we address the issue of certain chakras not being aligned (which represent different aspect of our physical form) we have the ability to deal with the possible sickness before it becomes a part of our physical experience in this life? The connection of the aura and our physical bodies.

Warm Regards,

Thanks for your wonderful article Deepak(actually I like to call you Guruji if your ok), i feel sickened when I think of approach western medicine takes for solution of health problems. I was of very good opinion when I was young learning that humans have invented great things like telephone, electricity and aero plane with respect to materialistic world might be doing a great job finding solutions to cancer and heart problems etc. I came to meet the reality when I started having acid reflux and it seemed to be a simple problem to solve for intellectuals who have invented things like cellphones and aeroplanes out of nothing. But seeing the approach of western doctors to this problem it seems like I am into trap of this medicines which I cant stop and if I continue I am loosing my sanity. With the great experience and insights on human body you have can you please suggest any cures or remedies for ACID REFLUX, if there is a affordable cure it would change millions of people.
You are the best in what you do but if you can have some proven solution for such simple looking but painful and frustrating problems it would be great service to society. I am ready to dedicate my life to help people with acid reflux if I can find a solution myself.

Please advice in anticipation. My mail id chandrap99 at gmail.

You are the best in what you do but if you can have some proven solution for such simple looking but painful and frustrating problems it would be great service to society. I am ready to dedicate my life to help people with acid reflux if I can find a solution myself.

Please advice in anticipation. My mail id chandrap99 at gmail.

~Chandra in #9
-------------------------------------------------

Dear Chandra,

Please contact Deepak at the following address:

askdeepak@chopra.com

The Reluctant Healer can cure you by the touch of her hands or even at a long distance by some gifted powers that Deepak recognises in her. The following dialogue between such a healer and Deepak is taken from www.chopracenter.com site.

***

Reluctant Healer
Question:
For most of my adult life, I have had the "knowingness" that healing "auras", or energies, pass through my hands, and can, perhaps, be effective in easing the suffering of others. Mostly, I have placed my hands on my children, or husband, usually without their knowledge, but occasionally, I have directed this energy long-distance, and the results have been such that I am both gladdened and also, slightly frightened.

I am an RN, but haven't worked as such in many years. My husband is a retired ophthalmologist, one son is a family practitioner, and another son-in-law is also an ophthalmologist. I mention this only so that you will know that I've spent my life immersed in the field of medicine.....and hence, have encountered enough disbelief to make me question myself. I am, however, certified in Primordial Sound Meditation and Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga.....and have always sought spiritual direction in my life. Your teachings have been wonderfully illuminating, confirming, in a way, what I've always known, and leading to a deepening and opening in my spiritual life.

My question is how to appropriately use these gifts. I have been advised to ask permission of the person before sending the healing..........but this seems presumptuous, and implies that "I" can actually "heal". I feel that this is energy that simply passes through me, and that virtually anyone could ''do" the same thing. Yet my intuition tells me to use this gift. I don't wish to withhold this nor do I wish to set myself up as some sort of healer! Help!

Answer:
You don’t need to worry about how to use your gift. Your intention is to use it to help people and your intuition is very refined; you will be guided to use this gift in a way that is comfortable for you. Regarding the point about getting permission, that is a issue of courtesy and respect for the choice of the person involved. It isn’t about presuming that you can heal them. Getting permission is actually a act of humility as well, because you are acknowledging that what is in the person’s best interest maybe lack of interference by you.

If you have a previous permission or understanding with your children and husband that they welcome and appreciate your healing help, then it’s not necessary to go through such formalities with them every time you feel guided to help them. You don’t have to worry getting informed consent forms signed all the time.

If for some reason it isn’t appropriate for you to get involved with their process, then your inner guidance will let you know right away. Many practitioners have also developed a silent and reliable means of checking whether their efforts are welcome even when verbal permission is not possible—such as with infants and pets. Thank you for helping out, the world needs all the assistance you have to offer.

Love,
Deepak

***

Note: If you do not want to get help from this lady whose healing powers by touch alone or by long at distance seem to be in no conflict with Deepak's belief in the practice of medicine, you can search for Ayurvedic medicine for your acid reflux at the Chopra Center Store. But I think you will have to first find your Dosha that you can do by taking a simple quiz at the above cited site.

Then depending upon your Pitta, Vitta, Kosha category of Dosha, you can take soothing, invigorating or relaxing tea, and while sipping your tea you can light soothing, invigorating or relaxing candles.

The candle are not expensive, about $27 each. Don't be fooled by the similar looking but counterfeit candles at the 99 cent stores or the Dollar General Stores.

If this does not work for you and you are still awaiting a response from our dear Deepak, please send me a note, as a comment here, and I will suggest you other Ayurvedic remedies.

Love

Dear Deepak,
I walked on fire during a corprate workshop, & a thing which we earlier thought could be done only by sages after much meditation, is not true. Everyhing is in the Mind. We were told to think that we could walk on fire with a strong determination, & we walked over a bed of hot charcoal on which previously burning wood had been placed. And we did not get hurt. The physical body defintely is linked with the state of mind.

I heard about a lot of businesses in the United States, who use firewalking to build teamwork and to advertise alternative health remedies.

We have an example right here in Nidhee(Ref. #12) who was part of such an exercise:

"I walked on fire during a corprate workshop, & a thing which we earlier thought could be done only by sages after much meditation, is not true. Everyhing is in the Mind. We were told to think that we could walk on fire with a strong determination, & we walked over a bed of hot charcoal on which previously burning wood had been placed. And we did not get hurt."

Congratulations to Nidhee and her colleagues and especially their firewalking organizers for taking proper precautions and successfully performing the event.

Unfortunately, these KFC employees from Australia were not so lucky, as reported by The Age:

KFC bosses aren't chicken, but they sure are tender

"It was meant to develop leadership skills, but the fire-walking exercise for 30 managers of the KFC fast food chicken restaurant chain was too hot to bear.

Among 20 taken to Hunter Valley hospitals yesterday for treatment to a range of burns to their feet was Roger Eaton, the chief executive officer for Tricon Restaurants Australia, which owns the Australian franchise rights to KFC.

The mass burning took place on the last day of a management development conference for 180 KFC executives and managers at the Horizons golf resort at Salamander Bay, Port Stephens, north of Newcastle."

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/02/27/1014704967158.html

Here's one to try.
Walking barefoot in the snow. I often walk through the mountain streams here barefoot and then into the snow. It feels as though you are walking on fire, but for a much longer time. You would swear your feet are being shredded but they are not, it is only in the mind that they are. When I just except the pain as a feeling then I become really relaxed and very awake. After doing this for about 30 minutes I feel energized for the rest of the day.

Here's to snow walking

derek

Well said "the squid".

"Either "mind" is physical matter, or it is not, skeptical friends. Please make up your minds what you think you think, if in fact you have any control whatsoever over what you think at all."

It is pure waste of time and energy to have a decent debate with skeptics with their narrow minded views and robotic ways of thinking.

It is useless to debunk the silly standards they set for the true knowledge of science and spirituality which knows no bounds.

Mind techniques like meditation and powerful intentions, can, not only be useful to treat the (well known) stress-related diseases but also genetic diseases!

Deepak Chopra gives scientific evidence for Quantum healing from Quantum Physcis.

We need not waste out time and energy with Skeptic's views. They are quiet evidently ignorant of 'consciousness' in science.

Dr. Chopra says.."in this case the monks are inserting their own intention, and what was once automatic becomes voluntary."

Hey, you Skeptic, you mayn't fully comprehend the above, but do you know 'you' can reduce heartbeat pulse rate by simply closing your eyes and quieting your mind.

What more proof do you want for mind controlling involuntarily functions of the body?

The sqid asks:

"Here's my curiousity today: when the links between mind and body are "discovered" by either one side or the other, which one will be proven "correct" by said discovery?"

Are you nuts? Such connection need not be newly "discovered" or "proved". Mind-Body connection is well documented by research(for ex. study of meditating monks, or the recent UCLA study) and is apparent by simple observations. It is apparent from the wisdom of ages. It also is evident to many by self-knowledge.

Years ago I was in a co-dependent relationship. I had negative thoughts and words toward the man I was spending time with. (He and the relationship were teachers for me.) I developed neck problems and one morning woke up not able to turn my head at all. My body had manifested my thoughts and words into a physical "pain in the neck". Changing my thoughts/words and acupuncture helped my neck heal.

I'm noticing that I currently have some negative thoughts and words about some situations/people in my life. I am going to intentionally change that. It's healthier that way...for me and everyone around me.

My energy field feeds me and I feed it. What is the quality of my feelings, thoughts, words and actions? Seems there is always something to work on in this body...for this body! The work has to do with creating space for new and positive patterns. A re-wiring and re-charging of body.

Trish~~

I'd say there is nothing wrong with genetics, but of course mind-body medicine should be developed also. If only medicine would use all available method of treatment instead on focusing on just few of them, I believe length and quality of life could increase significantly... but we would buy less drug that way, and there are some corporations that wouldn't like that probably...

Aloha Deepak

I love hearing Nassim Haramein: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4907540922643918266 He shares that we could wrap our dna around the earth five times. In listening to him I was reminded of your Quantum CD, where you share how we are like the Light behind the projector. Nassim Haramein shares we are just fluctuations of Light. Mahalo for being your teaching, love patty

I too enjoyed Deepak's post. I think a positive and strong mind is important in accomplishing anything, especially faith and belief that one can do it. Surely, the walking on hot coals sounds like a skill from reading all the replies above, i.e., one should practice. However, I wouldn't walk on coals, nor do I have the desire and that KFC story sounds scary.

But I do believe one could do many amazing things if the mind is strong enough, which I bet includes prayer, meditation, practicing, being physically fit and healthy, free of whatever would hinder someone to really walk on really hot coals.

Love, Char

BTW: It was good to get this post from Deepak, as I have so issues that I am working on, so it's a pleasant reminder not to give up.

Thanks Friend of Chopras, i am still hoping Deepak would reply to me. Anyhow if you have ayurvedic suggestions please let me know. I really appreciate your intention to help.

Thank you for intention to help, as you not close by any suggestions regarding ayurvedic medicine is greatly appreciated.