BONUS
CH. 1, 2, 6 & 16
IsaacEliaz,MD
Isaac Eliaz, MD, has been a pioneer in integrative medicine since the early 1980s, focusing on cancer, immune health, detoxification, and mind-body medicine. He’s a respected clinician, researcher, author, and educator. He is the author of The Survival Paradox and formulator of EcoNugenics, a line of science-backed supplements.
He is also the founder and Medical Director of Amitabha Medical Clinic and Healing Center in Santa Rosa, California
Dr Eliaz is a lifelong student and practitioner of Tibetan Buddhist practices. One of them is Tonglen Meditation, a practice that involves the art of exchanging suffering with love and compassion After decades of practice and study, Dr. Eliaz created Open Heart Medicine, a modality that combines science, meditation, and a unique understanding of the heart’s physiology and its inherent ability to perform Tonglen meditation as a unique approach to promoting healing on all levels.
I’ve learned to let go of our current medical system’s matic paradigms, both conventional and alternative. ple often say I think ‘outside the box,’ to which I reply, there was never a box to begin with.
PART ONE HOW THE SURVIVAL RESPONSE AFFECTS OUR HEALTH
CHAPTER
ONE
WHAT IS THE SURVIVAL PARADOX?
RebeccafirstcametoseemeatAmitabhaMedicalClinicin2011.Shewas seventy,withstage4lungcancerthathadmetastasizedtoherbones.Shehadno familyandlivedalone;hercompanionthatdaywasastone-facedchauffeur waitinginacaroutsidetheclinic.Withtearsinhereyes,shetoldmeshehad justbeendiagnosed.Handsshaking,sheshowedmethePETscanreport highlightingthemultipletumorsthroughoutherbody.Basedonwhatthe oncologistsaid,sheunderstoodthatherlifecouldcometoanendverysoon.
“Idon’twanttodie,”shesaid.“I’mnotreadytogo.”Everycellinherbody wasreelingwithanxietyandfear.Herrestlessnesswaspalpableintheair.
Asanintegrativephysicianwhotreatscancer,I’dhadthisconversationmany times.Ihandedheratissueandshewipedhertears.“IwilldoanythingIcanto overcomethiscancer,”shesaidfirmly.Iacknowledgedherfiercedetermination, herresolve.Afterall,determinationiswhat’sneededfirstandforemostto overcomeadeadlydisease,right?
Withheranxietysopalpable,Iwonderedhowthisfearmustbeaffectingher. Notjustonthelevelofheremotionsorqualityoflife;Iwonderedhowitwas affectingthecancercells.Willthisfear-baseddeterminationnottodiehelpher overcomeherdisease?Orwillitcausehertobecomesickerandshortenherlife? Heranxietywassoprominentthatitinfusedhersurroundings,affectingher abilitytotakeadeepbreath.Itwasconstantsuffering,anditwasclearshewas in“survivalmode.”
Beinginsurvivalmodemeantthathersympatheticnervoussystem hormones,thedriversofherinnatebiochemicalresponsepatterns,weredialed allthewayup.Heradrenaline,noradrenaline,andcortisolwereelevated,and herinsulinwasspiking.Herimmuneresponsewasbeingsuppressed,andher metabolic function was altered. Ultimately, it meant that many of the compoundssheexcretedinanefforttosurvivewouldverylikelynourishher cancerandallowittogrowandsurviveaswell.
Survivalmodeisoftenastateofstressandpanic.Thebodyfeelsrushedand doesn’tslowdown,andallcells,whethernormalorcancerous,fightharderto survive.Thus,Rebecca’sanxietyandfearofdyingcould“feed”thecancerous cells.Herbestchanceatbeatingthecancerandlivingalongerlifewastoshift awayfromsurvivalmodeandmoveintoastateofgreaterrelaxation,withless reactivityonthecellular,emotional,andpsychologicallevels.
Basedonresearchandmyyearsofworkwithpatients,onethinghasbecome clear: when facing a life-threatening or debilitating illness, the natural biochemicalstressresponse,ourinnatefight-or-flightmechanismsthatare drivenbyourinstincttosurvivearefundamentallyatoddswithourabilityto healandthrive.Thissurvivaldrive,rootedinoursympatheticnervoussystem andexpressedbyourbiochemicalalertsystem,isnotgoingtosaveus.Infact,it canharmus.
Howdoesthisphysiologicalresponsesystemturnagainstussodramatically, fuelingdiseaseprocessesandprematureaging?Andmoreimportantly,whatcan wedoaboutit?
Thegoodnewsis,wecandoalot.Andwecandoitinawaythatisactually simplerthananyonefacingacomplexhealthcondition—patientorprovider— mighthaveimagined.
We’llcontinuetodiscussthedetailsofRebecca’streatmentandoutcomesin thenextchapter.Iwitnessedsomethingincredibleinhercase,aswellasin manyothers.SomethingthatBruceLipton,DeepakChopra,andmanyothers havewrittenabout,andwhattheyogisandmysticshavebeensayingfor millennia: the mind can influence the body to heal spontaneously and completely.Themindcandeliverthebodyfromthebrinkofdeathanddisease tovitalityandlongevity.
THE CATCH-22 OF “POSITIVE THINKING”
Publishedevidenceonthemind-bodyconnectionissignificantandgrowing rapidly,andbasedonmypersonalandclinicalexperience,theresultscanbe exponential.Itspoweriswithinusallthetime,andit’sabsolutelyavailablefor ustouse.
So,
whydoesn’titalwayswork?
Ifmind-bodymedicineistheclinicallystudiedgoldstandard“alternative” deemedthesafestandmostbeneficialtreatmentandincreasinglyadoptedand appliedinclinicalsettingsaroundtheworld,itstandstoreasonthatmanymore peoplewouldbeabletomeditateor“positivelythink”theirdiseaseinto remission.
It’stheultimatecatch-22:whensomeoneisfacingalife-threateningdisease, askingthemtorelax,changetheirthoughtpatterns,andfocusonhappy, healingenergyismucheasiersaidthandone.It’slikeaskingsomeonewhose houseisonfiretostaycalm,thinkpositively,anddeeplyinhalethesmokefrom theirburninghome.
We’rebuiltforsurvival.Wedon’tjustwantbutintrinsicallyneedto overcomediseaseandtoheal.I’vecometofind,basedonextensivepublished researchandyearsofclinicalobservation,thatthissurvivaldriveistheone majorblockagestandinginthewayofwould-besuccesses.
Inanerawhenwetendtolookforquickfixesandsymptomsuppressors, we’rereallyjustsuppressingourhealingcapacity.Wedon’ttakethetimeto stop,slowdown,andlookwithin.Theideathatwedon’thavetime—thatwe must rush, and must compete with everyone, including ourselves—is detrimentaltoourhealthandwell-being.
WhatRebeccaneededaboveallelsewastoslowthissympatheticnervous systemresponse,butshecouldn’t.Herhousewasburningdown,and shecouldn’ttakeadeepbreathinthemidstofwhatappearedtobealifethreateningsituation.
Whenweexperienceasenseofrestlessness,notfeelingsafe,ornottrusting ourenvironmentandcommunity,itcantranslateallthewaydowntothe cellularlevel.Whenwefeelunsafeandbelieveweneedtosurviveonourown, itchangesthemetabolismandfunctionofourcells—theyreceivesignalsfrom theirenvironmentthatthereisalackofoxygen.Theformaltermforlackof oxygenishypoxia,andthehypoxiccellcan’tbreatheornaturallyrelax.(In cancerhowever,thecellsbehavethiswayeveninthepresenceofoxygen, whichwe’lldiscussindetaillaterinthebook.)
Tobeginthehealingprocess,weneedtomoveahypoxiccelltoaplace whereitfeelsitcanbreathe,createanormalmetabolism,andreturntonormal mitochondrialfunction.Todothis,thecellandthepersonmustshiftawayfrom astateofsurvivaltowardastateofrelaxation.Toachievesuchachange,the personasawholemustexperiencesafetyandbalanceallthewaytothecellular level.Thesurvivalalarmhastobeturnedoff!
So,howdidRebeccaandIbeginaddressinghercancer?Howwassheableto takeadeepbreath?Weworkeddirectlyonherbiochemistry.Wedidn’tjust circumventherfearandanxiety—wetransformedit.Weusedcertainnatural compoundstoquietthealarmsystem,normalizethecell,andfightthecancer.
Wecombinedthosecompoundswithmeditation,breathingexercises,regular acupuncture,andhealingsessionswithdifferentmodalities,includinghands-on osteopathic,craniosacral,sound,andvisualizationtherapies.Mostimportantly, we surrounded her with unconditional love and affection, a sense of community,andanenvironmentthatheldherwithoutjudgment—wecreateda worldwhereshefeltsafeandloved.
A DEEPER HEART-BODY CONNECTION
Themind-bodyconnectionisamazing,andit’snotaone-waystreet.Emotions, thoughts, and subconscious responses clearly affect our biochemistry, our physiology,andoursubjectiveandobjectiveexperiencesofhealthanddisease. Atthesametime,ourbiochemistrysharplyaffectsouremotionsandour thoughts.Itaffectswhoweareatthecore.
Meditationandothermind-bodypracticescanundoubtedlygiveusthe quantumedgeinhealing.Theyworknotonlybecausetheycancalmour anxiety,reduceinflammation,andreverseourbiochemicaldiseaseprocesses— theyalsoworkbecausetheymeltourrigidityandrelaxourfixations.They dissolvetheliteralboundariesbetweenthepersonandthedisease,allowingthe person to reach and engage the tumor, the atherosclerotic plaque, the burrowingLymespirochete,oranyotheropportunisticinfection.
However,mind-bodymethodslikemeditationcanonlyunleashourinnate healingpotentialwhenwefigureouthowtotrulyengageourhearts.Inthis regard,amoreaccuratetermforthistypeofhealingis“heart-bodymedicine” ratherthan“mind-bodymedicine.”Itisheartfulnessratherthanmindfulness.I callthis“openheartmedicine.”
Thebasicphysiologyofourheartandthefundamentalmechanicsofthisvital organfunctioninawaythatactuallyallowsandsupports“miracle”healing—an unexpectedpositiveoutcomethatdefiesprobability.
Ultimately,wehavetogetthroughthethinveneerof“positivethinking”and penetratethedeeperlayersofourdefenses.Ourinstinctualfearsandanxieties, whilepartofourinnatesurvivaldrive,obstructourhealingcapacityby triggeringbiochemicalchangesinourbodythatcreateliteralphysicalbarriers. Thesebarriersaremadeofdifferentcomponentsthatneedtobetreated.For example,therecanbehyperviscosity,whichisthicknessofthebloodthat hamperscirculationandtheabilitytodeliveroxygentothetissue;fibrosis, whichisthescarringorhardeningoftissuesandorgans;biofilmstructures, whichformprotectiveshieldsaroundtumorsandpathogens;andmore.Andall ofthiswilltranslateintochangesincommunicationsbetweenthecellandits environment.Thiscauseschangesinsidethecellsandaffectstheirfunction.
So,whatisthekeytoshiftingusfromsurvivaltoharmony?Fromdiseaseto longevity?Whatisthismetabolicsurvivalalarmthatmustbeturnedoff?
Researchershaveidentifiedonemasterproteinproducedbythebody,which isattheheadwatersofourbiochemicalalarmsystem.Thisproteindictatesour biochemicalandphysiologicalresponsetostress,illness,andinjury.
Themorestresswe’reunder,themoreourbodieswillviewlifeasabattle, leadingtoongoingconflictandfrictionwithin.Productionofthissurvival proteinwillrampupinanefforttoresolvetheconflictingdialoguebetweenthe bodyandtheoutsideworldandbetweendifferentsystemsandcellswithinthe body.Hereiswherewecanseetheparadoxofthissurvivalproteininaction.
Themolecularendresultofthisreactivedefensestrategyiscontraction, isolation,andoftendisease.Thesearesurvivalresponses,whicharedrivenby self-preservationbutunfortunatelyleadtoinflammationandfibrosis.These responsesalsoleadtodegenerationatthecellularlevel,organsystemlevel,and atthelevelofourwell-beingandlongevity.Theyhaltthecooperationbetween ourtrillionsofcellsthatwouldotherwiseseamlesslycommunicatewitheach otherinthemiracleoflife.Thebodyhasaninnatecapacitytohealitself—when thesurvivalresponsedoesn’tstandinitsway.
CHAPTER TWO THE ARCHITECT OF THE SURVIVAL RESPONSE: GALECTIN-3
Nowthatyouknowwhatthesurvivalparadoxis,let’smeetitsmolecular architect.
Ifyou’veneverheardofgalectin-3,youaren’talone.Despitethefactthat therearethousandsofpaperspublishedaboutitsroleindrivingeverythingfrom cancertoheartandkidneyfailureandmuchmore,thevastmajorityofpeople— includingmosthealthcarepractitioners—haveneverheardofiteither!But you’reabouttohearalotaboutit.
Therearedifferenttypesofgalectins,butthemoststudied(yetlittle-known) one is galectin-3, a fascinating carbohydrate-binding protein. On close examination,itplaysanimportantroleinthebalancebetweenhealthand disease. It is the core component and initiator of our self-preservation mechanism.Icallit“thesurvivalprotein.”Let’sdefineexactlywhatitisand whatitdoesinsidethehumanbody.
THE OPERATION OF GALECTIN-3
Wheninjury,illness,orotherstressorsoccur,ourinnatesurvivalresponse triggerstheproductionandactivityofgalectin-3.Intheseinstances,galectin-3 initiatesacascadeofprocessesthatarenecessaryforinjuryrepair.Howeverif thealarmfailstoturnoffafterthethreatsubsides,galectin-3getsoutofcontrol and can seriously harm us.
Whengalectin-3activitycontinuesuncontrollably,iteffectively“goes rogue,”drivinginflammationandfibrosisratherthanhealing.This,inturn,can leadtonumerousdiseaseprocesses.What’smore,pathogenssuchasdifferent infectiousagentsandtumorscanhijackgalectin-3anduseitfortheirown survival.Thisisakeyissuethatcanbetreatedstrategically,andwe’llfurther explorethisconceptthroughoutthenextchapters.
Galectin-3isproducedor expressed indifferenttypesofcells.Inparticular, galectin-3isexpressedinimmunecells,inepithelialcells(theonesthatcoat certaintissuessuchasthoseoftheintestinesandlungs),inendothelialcells(the inner-liningcellsofthebloodvessels),andinsensoryneurons,amongothers.
Weunderstandthatgalectin-3canbebeneficialorharmful,buthowcanone proteinharmandbenefitusatthesametime?Togainabetterinsightintothis paradox—oursurvivalparadox—let’stakeajourneytogetherintothestructure ofthisprotein.
Galectin-3hasachimerastructure,meaningthat different structures from various sources come togethertocreateit(achimericcharacteryoumight befamiliarwithisFrankenstein:hewascreatedfrom manydifferentparts).Whengalectin-3isactivated, itcanbindtoothergalectin-3proteinsandother carbohydratestoformcomplexstructures.Uptofive individual galectin-3 proteins can stick together, creatingfive-sidedstructurescalled pentamers.
Whengalectin-3formspentamers,thesecanattachtoothergalectin-3 pentamers,toothercarbohydrates(sugars),andtocell-surfacereceptors,where thesestructurescanthenmediatecellreactionsandcontroltheinteraction betweenthecellandtheenvironment.Soundscomplicated?Itisabit.Butdon’t worry,we’llbreakitdown.
Oursurvivalprotein,galectin-3,isactivatedwhenweexperienceasudden threat,beitphysical,emotional,mental,orpsychological.It’salsoactivatedin casesofinjury,infection,cancer,orotherillnesses.Whengalectin-3isactivated, itturnsonmultiplepathwaysthatinitiateinflammationandtheprocessof fibrosis,andsuchscartissuebuild-upcanleadtohardeninganddysfunctionof tissuesandorgansystems.Furthermore,itcanalsooverexpressitselfinspecific areasofthebody,forexample,inthejoints,cardiovascularsystem,orthebrain. Andwhatistrulyamazingisthatitcanexertverydifferenteffectsatdifferent sitesbasedonwhatit’sboundto.
GALECTIN-3 EXPRESSION IN MODERN LIFE
Tobetterunderstandthecomplexityofgalectin-3,let’srelateittothebigger picture:ourmodern-dayexistence.Weliveinaworldwherepeoplecontinue tobecomemoreisolated.Whenpeoplearelessconnectedtoeachotherandto theearth,allbecomeweaker.Weexploitandabuseournaturalresources,and weseetheeffectsofrapidclimatechange.Globalwarmingisaninflammatory processontheplanetarylevel.
Atthehumanlevel,ourinternalandexternalsenseofpeaceisdwindling,and ourattentionspansareridiculouslyshort.Wecannolongerwaitforweeks, days,orevenhourstogiveorreceivearesponse—wecanonlytoleratewaiting formilliseconds,andwefeeltheneedtoreactimmediatelytoeverystimulus.
Mostofuslivehigh-stresslifestylesinundatedwithelectronicandotherforms ofstimulation.Idon’tthinkit’sanexaggerationtosaythatourmodernsociety isinastateofoverwhelm.
Thecontinualbarrageofstimulifromeverydirection,theonslaughtof environmentaltoxins,theongoingmental,physical,andemotionalstresswe’ve grownaccustomedto—thesedisturbancesthrowusintosurvivalmodewhere oursystemsareonconstanthighalert,likeanalarmthatneverturnsoff.
Theresult?Unhealthygalectin-3expression,andwithit,progressivedamage tovitalorgansandsystemsoverthelong-term.This,inturn,fuelsmore galectin-3production,formingaperpetuallyclosedloopsystemthatisproving tobeperhapsthesinglegreatestthreattoourhealthandlongevity.
Theconditionofouralarmsystemanditsresponsetostressorsofdifferent originsdependsupontheconditionofmultipleothersystems.It’sinfluencedby theneurological,circulatory,andmetabolicsystems,aswellasmitochondrial function(ourenergyproductionsystem).Ourdietandlifestyleaffectittoo. Regardlessofthenature,origin,orlocationofthestressor,theresponse— galectin-3—hasanextraordinaryinfluenceonourbody’salertsystemand, subsequently,ourentirespectrumofhealthandlongevity.
Forouralarmsystemtoworkcorrectly,ourinflammatory,immune,and otherbiochemicalresponsesmustbecarefullyregulated.Whenthealarmsystem isworkingwell,itcanresolveslow-comingissueslikecancer,aging,orjoint pain.Itcanalsorampupquicklyandaddressimmediatethreatslikecuts, infections,bruises,emotionalstress,andotherdangers.Thenitcanwinddown
justasrapidlyaftertheproblemhaspassed.
Let’scompareahealthyinflammatoryresponsetoanunhealthyoneby thinkingaboutwhathappenswhenweturnonlights.Turningonasingle switchdoesn’ttakemuchenergy.Inthiscase,“turningononelight”alertsthe bodyofanissue,illuminatingtheneedforrepair.Whenthishappenswithinthe body,it’sanentirelynormal,acuteinflammatoryresponse,andwhenthe problemisgone,thelightturnsoff.
However,thetroublebeginswhenaswitchisturnedonandcan’tbeturned off.It’sasthoughacircuithasmalfunctioned.Whentheswitchstayson,it triggersacascade,causingmultiplelightstoswitchon.Thisisthestartof chronicinflammation,andthebodygoesintocrisismode.Atthatpoint,the bodyhasachoice:resolvetheproblemorkeepturningonmorelights.Ifthe bodychoosestokeepswitchingonlights,thiswilleventuallyleadtoamuch biggercrisis.
Anotherproblemwiththeselightsisthattheycanbeturnedoninisolation, awayfromthebody’sradar,meaningthebodywillbeunawarethattheselights areevenon.Justliketheselights,galectin-3canbeactivatedinanisolated microenvironmentwhereitgraduallycausesdamage.Insomecases,bythetime thedamageisdetected,itmaybetoolatetohealorreverseit.Apersonmay wakeuponedaytodiscover“sudden”kidneyfailure,wheninfact,thedamage occurredslowlyovertime—theywerejustunawareofit.
The Risks of Isolation Formations
Isolationisafundamentalsurvivalstrategy.Itisinitiatedanddrivenbygalectin3.Aswediscussedearlier,galectin-3usesmultiplepentamersboundtoeach otherindifferentwaystocreatelatticeformations(orcoatingsorbiofilms). Theseformationscreatepocketsofisolationaroundareasofdamage,infection, andtoxicbuild-up,amongothers.Withinthesemicroenvironmentscreatedby galectin-3,diseasescandevelopundetectedandremainprotectedfromdrug treatmentsandothertherapeuticagents.
Frequentharmfulvisitorswithinthebody—likebacteria,viruses,fungi, parasites,otherinfectiousagents,andcancercells—haveasimilarisolation strategy.Theycanhijackgalectin-3tocreateashieldaroundthemselves(a latticeformation)sotheyareundetectedbytheimmunesystemandcaneven evadetherapeuticagents.Galectin-3canalsoisolatevariousthreatsthataretoo difficultforthebodytodealwith,suchastoxinsandheavymetals.
Youcanimaginethatonapsychologicallevel,wegothroughasimilar process,buryingemotionsandtraumasthataretoodifficultforustodealwith. Evenifthesetraumasarenotatthesurfaceofourawarenessorconsciousness, theycanstillhaveapsychologicalandphysiologicaleffectonus.Youmight havehadanexperiencewhilegoingthroughadetoxprocesswhereanemotion ormemorysurfacesallofasudden.Wherewasthisemotionallthistime?Itwas likelyburiedinamicroenvironmentthatwasnotaccessibletous.Asweopen orrevealourphysiologicalmicroenvironmentsandreleasetoxins,wecanalso openpsychologicalmicroenvironmentsreleasingburiedemotions.
Evenifanisolatedareaisnotspecificallycreatedinordertohidean infectiousagentorcancercell,themicroenvironmentscreatedbythegalectin-3 latticeformationsarestillwalledofffromourcirculation,andthesealtered environmentscanoftenbecomeveryinflamedandhypoxicduetoalackof oxygen.
Hypoxia also shifts our cellular energy production pathway from normal mitochondrialfunctionto anaerobic glycolysis,whichisahighlyinefficientway toproduceenergy;itresultsinthebuildupoflacticacidandotherinflammatory metabolicby-products.Thiscanleadtofurtherhypoxia,whichproduces additionalinflammationandgalectin-3expression,causingthehardeningor dysfunctionoftissues,organs,andbloodvessels.
THE PROS AND CONS OF GALECTIN-3
Despitethepotentialharmitcando,galectin-3servesafewimportantpurposes withinthebody.Ithelpsintranuclearcelldevelopmentandextracellularinjury repairandsurvival.However,whenthebodyisincrisisandthereisan upregulationofgalectin-3production,itcanhavedetrimentalconsequences.
Duetocomplexbiochemicalstructuresandgenetictendencieswithineach person,thereisnostandard,predictableresponsewhenitcomestogalectin-3. Thisproteincanbeatdifferentlevelsindifferentpeopleandtriggerdifferent responses,eveniftheyhavethesamecondition.Forexample,somepeople’s bodiesare“hypervigilant,”alwaysonthealert,andtheyrespondtoastimulusor triggerwithoverinflammation.Otherpeoplemaynothaveagood“survival sense,”andtheylacktheabilitytofightandcreatetheproperinflammation. Instead,theyhaveatendencytoshutdownandendupwithsuppressed immunityoranincreaseinfibrosis.
Furthermore,thereisanadaptiveresponsewithgalectin-3,meaningthe reactionisamplifiedduetopreviousphysical,emotional,orpsychological trauma.Inanadaptiveresponse,oursystemhasbeenconditionedtorespondto specifictriggersinaparticularway.Inotherwords,itrepeatsthepatternsitis accustomedto,allthewaytothelevelofourcellularmemory.
Healing without Consequence
Forourbodiestohealproperly,weoftenneedtoremovethestimulantsthat causetheinflammatoryprocesstoperpetuallycontinue.It’snosecretthataswe getolder,ittakesmoreandmoreefforttodothingsthatoncetooknoeffortat all.Whenweareyoungandagile,ourbodiesaremoreefficientandlesstoxic; theyareflexibleandhaveahighcapacityforchange,growth,andrepair.We canmountarobustinflammatoryresponsetoshutaproblemdownwithout consequence.Likethemetaphorofabirdflyingintheskywithoutleavingany trace,orlikewritingonwater,wecanoftensolveaproblemwithoutleavinga trace.
However,asweage,ourbodieslosethatagility,andwearemoreapttocarry ourissueswithus.Forexample,ifaninjuryoccurstotheskininutero,the woundcanhealwithoutatrace,butasweage,thewoundhealingprocessslows andcausesincreasedscarring.Aswetraveltheroadoflife,ourbodiesdisplay theevidenceofourphysical,emotional,psychological,andspiritualtraumas— theynolongerhealwithease.
Themetaphorsforabirdflyingwithoutleavingatraceandwritingonwater comefromBuddhistphilosophy.Theyservetoillustratethenatureofthoughts andexperiencesasarisingandvanishing—anexampleofimpermanence.Thisis whatinflammationshouldbe:itshouldbeanacuteresponsethatoccursand thendisappears.Itshouldturnoffwithoutatraceandwithoutlingering consequences.Thisiswhathappenswhenwehavearobustimmunesystemand whengalectin-3worksappropriately.Andwhenitdoesn’t,thedamagebegins.
The Solution: Blocking Unhealthy Expression of Galectin-3
I’dliketotakeamomenttoemphasizeacriticalpointandtheprimaryreasonI wrotethisbook:wecanabsolutelyinterruptthiscycleofdestructionandhalt— orevenreverse—thesefundamentaldiseaseprocesses.How?Bydeactivating unhealthygalectin-3.
Whenweblockgalectin-3frombinding,wecanbreakuplatticeformations and reach the isolated pockets and areas of the body, including tumor microenvironments.Abnormaltissuesandcells,eventumorouscancercells,can becomenormalonceagain,which,needlesstosay,hastremendousimplications for our health and longevity. By blocking unhealthy galectin-3, we can dismantle its harmful effects and render it inactive, decreasing unhealthy inflammationintheprocess.Thismakesblockinggalectin-3oneofthemost importanttherapeuticstrategiesfortreatingavastarrayofconditions.
REBECCA’S STORY (CONTINUED)
Let’srevisitRebecca’sstorysinceithelpsillustratehowgalectin-3candirectly influencesurvival,health,anddisease.
WhenRebeccacametoseemein2011,itwasthefirstyearwewereableto testgalectin-3levelsintheblood.Thankstoasimplenewserumassaythatwas recentlyapprovedbytheFDAandisnowreadilyavailable,shewasoneofthe veryfirstpatientsinmypracticetohavegalectin-3levelstested.
Rebecca’sinitiallevelswereskyhigh,andtheby-productsofhersympathetic nervous system response to her crisis were elevated, as well as other proinflammatory,procancerousmarkers.Akeystrategyinhertreatmentplan wastotargetgalectin-3usingvariousprovenmethods.Weusedherlevelsasa markertogaugeherprogressthroughout.
Theresultswereunmistakable:whenRebeccawasdoingwell,hergalectin-3 levelswerelower,andwhenshewasinacrisis,herlevelswerehigher.For Rebecca,thismarkerservedasanimportantindicatorastowhenthecancerwas aggressiveandwhenitwas“quiet.”
Thishelpedusfine-tunehertreatmentsandstayonestepaheadofthecancer. (Note,however,thatduetoitscomplexbiochemistry,galectin-3cancause damageevenatlowlevels.Itisthereforeimportanttoaddressgalectin-3 regardlessofitslevels.MoreinformationcanbefoundinAppendixA.)
Rebeccataughtussomethingveryimportant:sheexemplifiedtheintimate connectionbetweenouremotionsandourhealth.WhenRebecca’sanxiety increased,hercancergotworse.Herpresentationwassopronouncedand immediatethatitwaseasytoseewhenheranxietywasworsening.Butwhen shewasabletorelax,quiettheanxiety,andbemorespacious,hersymptomsgot better. The way Rebecca responded as a person was the way her body responded as well. When her survival crisis decreased, and she became comfortablethinkingaboutlife,death,andimpermanence,itaffectedtheway thecancerfunctioned.Thecancerfeltlessthreatenedanddecreaseditsown survivalresponse.
Doesitsoundnew-ageyandfluffywhenItalkaboutchangesinthebehavior ofcancer?Really,it’snot.I’mreferringtochangesinthelevelsofgrowth factorsthatdrivetheaggressivenessofcancer,factorslikedownstreamproteins thatareregulatedbyoursurvivalprotein,galectin-3.Suchdownstreamproteins areimpactedbysignalingmolecules—whichthemselvesareimpactedbyour emotionalstate.
Rebeccawasabletocalmhersystemthroughregularmeditation,deep breathing,acupuncture,participationinmymeditationandhealingretreatsand workshops,andthroughtheuseofgalectin-3blockers.Thesehelpedtomitigate the initial survival process and significantly reduce the growth and aggressivenessofhercancer.
Rebecca’scancerdidnotcompletelyrespondtochemoandradiation,butit subsidedthroughthesehealingmethods.Herscansbecamenormal,indicating thathercancerhadgoneintoremission.ButRebeccadidmorethanjust incorporate these healing methods intohertreatment—she alsodeveloped communityandfriendshipswithotherpatientsinourcenter.
Thesefriendscheeredheronthroughoutherjourney,andthestoicdriverwho broughthertoherfirstappointmentwasnolongerneeded,asshebegan participatinginlivelycarpoolstotheclinic.Shewentfrombeinghighlycritical ofnonconventionalapproachesandbitteraboutherdiagnosisandfateto embracingherprocessandwelcominghertreatments.
Rebecca’stransformationsprofoundlyaffectedherphysiologyandallowed hertooutliveherprognosisconsiderably.Oneday,herlaughrangthroughthe clinicfromtheIVroom,remindingmeofthehealingpowerofjoy.Hercancer eventuallyreturned,butevenwithresiduallungcancer,shelivedsevenmore yearswithabetterqualityoflifethanshehadexperiencedindecades.Shesaid, “Isaac,Ifeelalivelikeneverbefore.”Shediedpeacefullyinherhome,ina meditativestate,surroundedbyfriends.Herlifewascelebratedbythemany peoplewhoweredeeplytouchedandinspiredbyherjourney.
CHAPTER SIX
THE HEART OF TRUE SURVIVAL
Nowyouunderstandhowtomitigatetheeffectsofthesurvivalresponseatthe biochemicallevel.Butwhatifyouwereabletotransformthesurvivalresponse altogether?
Weknowthateveryorgansystemwithinthebodyisconnected,andallthese systems must operate in harmony with each other. When cells openly communicateandcooperatewitheachother,itresultsinbetterhealthand longevity.Withinthisremarkablenetworkofsystems,theheartistheorgan thatallowsustoshiftfromsurvivalmodetohealthandharmony.
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE TRANSFORMATIVE HEART
Ourmajesticheartisdesignedforitstransformativerole.Itisactually built to transformtoxicandunwantedby-productsintonourishment. It is the heart’s role in our survival, and without it, we wouldn’t be alive.
Everyotherorganinthebodygetsbloodthrougha“clean”arterialsupplyand releasesunwantedby-productsandtoxinsintothecirculation.Butnotthe heart.Thehearttakesinvenousbloodthatislowinoxygenandhighincarbon dioxidefromthewholebody—itdoesn’tmatterwherethevenousbloodcomes fromorwhatitcontains.Inexchange,theheartoffersoxygenatedarterialblood tothewholebody.
Sincetheaorta,themainarterycomingoutoftheheart,doesn’tcontractor expandlikeotherbloodvessels,itallowsbloodtofloweverywherewithout determiningwhereitgoesfirst.Howdoestheheartmakethisexchange?By connectingtotheoutsideworld,totheuniverse—throughthelungsandbreath.
Thelungsreleasecarbondioxideandotherunwantedby-productstothe outsideworldduringexhalation.Inreturn,duringinhalation,thelungsare nourishedwithclean,oxygenatedairwhichpassesintothebloodandis deliveredtotheheart.Theheartthenoffersthebloodtothewholebody.This processensurestheongoingconnectionbetweenusashumans,asindependent entities,andourenvironment.Andifyouthinkaboutit,thisconnectionisno differentthantherelationshipbetweenasinglecellanditsenvironment.
Whilethereisatendencytosimplifyandlookatconcepts,ideas,and experiencesinalinearway,weareallmultidimensionalbeings.Theheartisnot anydifferent—itsexchangeofdirtybloodwithcleanbloodisexpressednotonly onaphysiologicallevelbutonanemotionalandpsychologicallevelaswell. Thehearthastheabilitytotransformsurvivalresponse–driven,negative,and harmfulemotionssuchasanger,resentment,jealousy,fear,andothersinto unconditionalloveandcompassion.Theheartgiveswithouttakingabreak,and withoutjudgmentastowhoshouldreceive.Thistransformativequalityofthe heartisinnatelywhoweare,andwhentheheartceasestoperformitsrole,we die.
Inordertonourishthebody,thehearthastoreceivedirtyvenousblood from the body.Thisisnecessaryfortheongoingtransformation.Andwhatdoesthe heartnourishfirstintheprocess?Itnourishesitselfthroughthe coronary arteries.Theheartneedstotakecareofitselfinordertotakecareofothers! Evenmore,ittakescareofitselfaspartoftakingcareofothers.
Thisisaprofoundunderstandingofthedeeperroleoftheheart.Weneedto loveandnourishourselvesaspartoflovingandnourishingothers,andthis fundamentaltruthisexpressedinourphysiology.
GETTING
TO THE SOURCE
Amongtheorgansinthebody,itisourheartthatradiatesthelargestandmost powerfulmagneticfield.Thismagneticfieldisonehundredtimesstrongerthan thatgeneratedbythebrain.Itextendsseveralfeetoutsidethebody,andinthe process,itpervadeseveryoneofourcells,tissues,andorgans.²⁰Thismeansthe heartnotonlyhasaprofoundeffectonourentirebodybutalsoonthespace aroundus—wecanactuallybeineachother’s“heartspace.”
Aswelearnmoreabouttheinterconnectivityinsideofus,wecometo appreciate the magical and miraculous complexity of our body. Human tendencyistoputeverythinginboxessowecanaddresseachoneindividually. Welookforaspecificsolutiontoaspecificproblem.Wearedrawntowhat seemsmostobvious—theimmediatemanifestation—andthenwerespondtoit. Forexample,inmostmedicalsystems,ifweseethatanorganhasaproblem, ourtendencyistorespondbytreatingtheproblematicorgan.Thisisareactive, survivalresponse—somethingIcall“outermedicine.”
Truehealingrequiresdeeperexamination—weneedtolookfortherootof theproblem.Forexample,wetreatthesymptomsofcongestiveheartfailure, butweoftendon’tconsidertreatingtheinflammatoryprocessthatcausedthe condition.Andifwearelookingatinflammation,weseldomexploretheroot causeoftheinflammatoryresponse.Whatwereallyneedtoaddress,however,is thesurvivalresponsethattriggersthisinflammatoryprocess—theonethat resultedincongestiveheartfailuretobeginwith.
Wecanhavedifferentinflammatorytriggersandpathways,whichiswhyit’s essentialtounderstandandhealthem.Onabiochemicallevel,it’scriticalto block galectin-3. By doing so, we block the protein that ignites the inflammationprocessatitsheadwatersandcontributestothedownstream cascadethatdriveseverychronicdisease.Andonanemotional,mental,and psychospirituallevel,weneedtotransformthetriggersofthesurvivalparadox. Thistransformativepoweristhesecretgiftofourheart:theheartofsurvival.
CHARLIE’S STORY
CharlieRicewasalwaystheretolendahandandtosupportwithasmile,a goodword,ahug,andanopenheart.IfirstmetCharliewhenhecametothe clinicwithShellie,hislovingwife,inJuneof2005.Atthetime,hehadstage4 prostatecancerthathadmetastasizedtohisbones,andhisPSA(themarkerfor prostatecancer)wasover100.Hisjourneywithprostatecancerhadstarted threeyearsearlierin2002.Ourmeetingcommencedadeephealingjourneyfor CharlieandShellie,andaverymeaningfulfriendshipthatlastedoverthirteen years,untilhepassedawayinAprilof2018,afteroutlivingstage4cancerfor overfifteenyears.
Fromhishumbledemeanor,youwouldhaveneverguessedCharliewasa highlydecoratedVietnamhero,someonewhoencounteredimmenseadversity anddanger.HespentayearinVietnamwiththe25thInfantryDivision¾ Cavalry.There,Charliewasanarmyhelicopterpilot,aswellaslieutenantin chargeofthescoutplatoon.Whilemostcombataircraftaimtoavoiddangerby maintainingaltitude,theOH-6helicoptersthatCharliepilotedflewverylowto theground—aslowasonlytenfeetabovethegroundcovering.TheseOH-6 observationhelicopterswerepairedwithCobragunshipstoformteams.
Charlie’shelicoptersearchedforsignsoftheVietcong,flyinglowenoughtothe terraintobeabletodoso.WhentheenemysawthelowflyingsmallOH-6, theywouldopenfireonthehelicopter.NowtheCobragunshipknewwhereto fireback.
Charliewasshotdowneighttimesinasingleyear,andeverytime,hecame back.AstheVietcongwouldoftenhideinvillagesnearcivilians,Charlie’steam hadtomakedifficultdecisionsinasplitsecondthatcouldcostliveseitherway— this,afterhe’dliterallylookedintotheeyesofthosewhohadbeendeemedhis enemies,asaresultofhisproximitytotheground.Charliesufferedfromsevere PTSD. He would wake up with nightmares, experiencing his multiple helicoptercrashesandseeingthepeoplewhoshothimdown,aswellasthose whohaddiedathisownhand,inhisbidtosurvive.Charliewasexperiencing thesurvivalparadoxatitsfullest.
Afterhepassedin2018,hiswife,Shellie,toldme,“Mostscoutsdidn’tlast long.Charliedid,though,becausehehadadestiny.”Charliewasawardedthe AirMedalFirstthroughThirty-SecondOakLeafCluster,theBronzeStarfor MeritoriousAchievementinGroundOperationsAgainstHostileForces,the SilverStarforGallantryinAction,andaPurpleHeartforwoundsreceivedin action. After Vietnam, he transferred to Germany, where he flew and commanded300troopsastheoperationscaptain.Whenheleftthearmyafter sixty-sixmonthsofmilitaryservice,hejoinedtheSunnyvaleDepartmentof PublicSafetyinSunnyvale,California,asapoliceandfirelieutenant.
JustlikeCharliewasneverafraidtofaceadversitieswithhisunlimited courage,hewasnotafraidtofacehisinnerdifficultiesandstruggles,andto surrendertochange.Overtheyears,CharlieandShelliebecamepartofour familyandevenmetmymotherandsiblingsinIsrael.
IcouldwriteabookaboutCharlieandhisjourneyduringtheyearswespent together.Aspartofhishealingjourney,heattendedmymeditationandhealing eveningsandretreats,andmeditatedonadailybasis.Ourconnectionwasa deepheart-to-heartconnection.WhenIwasintownandabletodohealing sessionsforhimonceortwiceaweek,themarkersofhisprostatecancerwould decreaseremarkably.
AndwhenIleftformylongretreatsortravels,andourhealingsessionswere putonhold,hisPSAwouldrise.Thiscyclehappenedrepeatedly,demonstrating hisuniqueabilitytotakeinhealingallthewaytothecellularlevel,which allowedhimtooutlivehisdiseasebymorethanadecade.
Charlie’sbigtransformationhappenedduringashortweekendretreatat AmitabhaMedicalClinicin2012.Atthattime,Iwasteachinghowpastactions, eventhoseofourancestors,canaffectourpresentexperienceandourcurrent health,ascanbedemonstratedbyourgeneticsandepigenetics.Duringthe retreat,weengagedinaBuddhistmeditationpracticecalled Tonglen—apractice ofexchangingsufferinganddifficultyforloveandcompassion.Intheretreat, wediscussedhowthiscanhelpclearoldtraumasandhealusandthosearound us.
Charlie,inhisuniqueway,doveintoitfullforce.Thatnight,whilesleeping, heexperiencedallthedifficultiesandtraumashehadundergonethroughouthis life:asachildgrowingupandasaVietnampilotrepeatedlyshotdown.Inhis sleep,hewasabletolookintotheeyesofthosehehadcrossedincombat,but insteadofexperiencinghisusualPTSDreaction,hewasabletosendthemlove andcompassionfromhisheartasastreamofwhitelight.Charlie’sheartwas transforminghissurvivalresponse,andwithit,histraumabegantotransformas well.
Atthattime,Charliewasexperiencingseverepelvicpainsduetobone metastasis.Whenhewokeupthenextmorning,hispainwascompletelygone. Anditdidn’tcomebackforaverylongtime,untilyearslater,afteramedical procedurecausedunexpectedsideeffects.
Tonglen practicebecameCharlie’smainmeditation.Andwithit,hebecame softer,hisheartexpanded,andhisloveandcompassionforeveryonebecame more andmore evident. Inour healing sessions, hecould visual izehis adversariesinVietnam,andinsteadofhavingasurvival-driventraumatic response,hisheartwouldopen,andhewouldcontinuetosendwhitehealing lighttothem.
WhenCharliefirstmetmymotherattheclinicin2006,hetoldher,“Ruth, Isaacteachesushowtolive.Andhealsoteachesushowtodie.”Inthethirteen yearsIknewhim,helivedaremarkablelife,despitefirstcomingtomewith stage4cancer.Andinhistransition,heshowedusallwhatitmeanttodie gracefully.
InApril2018,asCharlie’stimewascomingclose,Iwoulddrivetohishouse intheeveningstoofferacupunctureandhealing.CharlieaskedthatIbeathis sidewhenhetookhislastbreath.Itwasmypromiseandcommitmenttohim. Theeveningbeforehedied,IcalledhimfromthecarasIwasdrivingtohis housetoaskhowhewasfeelingandhowthedaywent.Herepliedbyasking me,“Howareyourdaughtersdoing?Iwaspracticing Tonglen forthemand sendingthemwhitelightalldaylong.”Thisiswherehisheartandmindwere, evenashewastransitioning.Sovastwashiscareforothersthatinsteadof fixatingonhisownsuffering,therewasonlyloveleftinhisbeinganda profoundsenseofpeacearoundhim.
Onthatlastevening,Ilefttheclinicinthelateafternoonanddrovethehour tohishouse.Charliewaswaitingforme,readytomakehistransition,with Shelliehugginghimathisside.Ipreparedformymeditationwithhim,our mostimportantjointmeditation.AswemeditatedandCharlietookhislast breath,thesunrayscameinthroughthewindow,andarainbowshinedon CharlieandShellie.Agracefulandamazinghumanbeingwiththekindestheart leftusinthemostpeacefulandinspiringway,showingusthepowerof transformingthesurvivalparadoxinlifeandindeath—howtheheartofsurvival holdsthepotentialforprofoundtransformation.
CHANGE BEGINS IN THE HEART
Thereisabundantresearchshowingthathappinessandcompassionaffectthe nervousandcirculatorysystems,immunity,andmuchmore.²¹Themoreour heartsandmindscanunderstandthatwearepartofabiggercollective,the happierandhealthierwewillbeasindividuals.
Everyhumanbeingonthisplanetisinthesameboat:weallwanttobehappy, butweexperiencedifficultyandpainaspartofourexistenceonthisearth.One ofthecausesofourdifficulties,ofourinnersuffering,isourinabilityto recognizethateverythingischangeableinitsnature,andnothingispermanent. Insteadofembracingthisconcept,weresistandfightchange.Ifwe’dstop resisting,oursurvivalresponsewouldfallaway,andwithit,manyofour difficulties,struggles,andillnesses.
Whenwerealizethatoursurvivalasindividualsandasasocietydepends uponopeningourheartstooneanother,everythingcanchange.Itisthe essenceofourheartanditsphysiologicalfunction.Thisistheprofoundhealing potentialofopeningourheartsandisoneofthekeymessagesofthisbook. Whenweunderstandthedangersofgraspingforsurvival,wecanseejusthow isolatinganddamagingitcanbeinthelongrun.Myintentionistoencourage andcreatearenewedemphasisonloveandcompassion.Thisalsomeansbeing lovingandcompassionate with ourselves.
Loveandcompassionofferinfinitehealingcapacityandallowustoover comeoursurvivalreactions.Whenwearedrivenbyoursurvivalresponse,it expressesitselfintheformofnegativeandharmfulemotions,butthat’snot whattheheartdoes.Thehearttakeswhatevercomes,anditdoesn’tfight;it transformswhatitgetsthroughitsconnectionwiththeuniversebyutilizingthe lungs and offers it back in return unconditionally. Recognizing and experiencingtheinnate,transformativeactionoftheheartisoneofthesecrets totruehappiness,health,andlongevity.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN TRANSCENDING THE SURVIVAL PARADOX
Thesurvivaldriveisaninherentpartofeverylivingbeing,andwe’vediscussed itspurpose,importance,andmechanismofactionextensivelythroughoutthe book.Wenowunderstandthatwhilethisdriveisnecessaryforustosimply survive, its paradoxical effects can compromise not only our health and longevitybutalsoourqualityoflifeandthequalityoflifeforthosearoundus. We’veallexperiencedsurvivalmodemultipletimesinourlives,manifestingas highstressandreactivitydrivenbythesympatheticnervoussystem.It’snota pleasantplacetobe,andtheconsequencesofbeingstuckinsuchastateare enormouslydamaging.
Butwhatifwecouldtranscendthisstate?Whatifwecouldfreeourselves fromthisboundstateofsurvivalandshifttoastateofharmonydrivenbyan openheart,expressingitselfasinnateloveandcompassiontowardallliving beings,includingourselves?Andwhatifallofthiscouldhappenwithoutlosing theabilitytoutilizeoursurvivalmechanismswhentrulyneeded?
Webeganourjourneyintothesurvivalparadoxbyintroducinganimportant revelationandunderstanding:inflammationisaresponsetosurvival.Nowthat weknowthis,let’stakeadeeperlookandaskourselveswhatdrivesthesurvival response.Whyistheneedtosurvivesoinnatelyimprintedineachofourcells, inourbeing,inourcommunities,andinourcountries?
Ispentmostofmylifemeditatingandcontemplatingsuchissues.Istarted thisjourneyasateenagerinKoreaandlateronlearnedfromandtrainedunder someofthemostlegendaryTibetanBuddhistmastersintheUnitedStatesand Asia,includinginremoteregionsoftheHimalayas.I’vebeentrainingoverthe lastseveraldecades.Ispenttenyearsmeditatingdailyforhalfaday;andfor twentyyears,Iwentawayonceperyearforextendedperiods(sixtotwelve weeksatatime)tomeditateinthemountains.AndwhileI’mdefinitelyaslow learner when it comes to meditation, I’ve gained some insights and understandingsthatarenowexpressedinmyhealingworkandteaching.
WhileIwasfortunatetolearnsomeofthemostesotericmeditationpractices, thedeepinsightinto what drives survival wasinfrontofmyeyesthewholetime. It’salwaysinfrontofus.Wesimplyaren’ttrainedtonoticeit,recognizeit,and makethenecessaryshifttofreeourselvesfromit.Wegraspontowhatwe experienceoutwardlythroughoursensesandinwardlythroughourthoughts, feelings,andbodysensationsasiftheyarepermanentlytrue.Thisgraspingis therootofoursurvivalinstinct,ourstruggles,andthecauseofourinnerpain andsuffering.
Let’slookatthisingreaterdepth.WhatdoImeanwhenIsaythatwe perceiveourrealityaspermanentlytrue?Whyisthisfundamentallyflawed?If youexamineyourlifeexperiences,youcan’thelpbutseethat everything changes all the time.Nothingispermanent!
Takeourbodies,forexample.Considerhowmuchyourbodyhaschanged fromthetimeyouwereachilduptothisverymoment,whileyousitandread thisbook.Orthinkaboutthehomeyouliveinorthefurnitureyouown.One hundredorfivehundredyearsfromnow,certainlytheywillageandchange.
Andinonethousandyears,theywillprobablynolongerexist.Theveryatoms andmoleculesthatcomposeyourbody,home,andfurnitureareconstantlyin flux.Andofcourse,wecanlookatourownthoughtsandinternalexperience: Athoughtarises,expressesitself,andvanishes.Wedon’tknowwhatournext thoughtwillbe,orwhatthenextmomentwillbring. Everything is ever-changing and impermanent. Modernquantumphysicsknowsit,scienceknowsit,andour bodiesknowit.
Wetendtoforgetthistruth.Somuchtimeandenergyisspentworrying aboutthingsweholdtoasfixed,evenwhiletheyareactuallychangingby nature.Yetifeverythingchangesateverymoment,thereisthepotentialfor anythingtoarise.Thisiswheremiraclescanhappen!
Thispotentialityisunboundedandinherentwithineachofus.Froma spiritualperspective,wecouldperhapsthinkofthisasbeingthe“divinewithin us.”FromaBuddhistperspective,notrecognizingtheimpermanent,changing natureofeverythingcausesustosuffersinceweloseouropennessand equilibriumbyholdingontothingssotightly.Yetifwestepbackandseethe ever-changingschemeofthings,wecanbegintorelax,andinturn,thegripof ourexperiencebeginstoloosen.Asaresult,changecanhappen,andthe doorwaytoourunboundedpotentialitycanbegintoopen.Thisunbounded essenceisnaturallyexpressedineachofusasinnate,unconditionalloveand compassion.Wedon’thavetoinventorcreateit—it’spresentwithinus,andit’s whoweare.Whatweneedtodoisbecomeawareofitandintegrateitintoour lives.
Wow!Whatajourney!
Thisisanongoingjourneythatcontinuallyunfolds,anditholdswithinitthe potentialforinfinitehealingandtransformation—there’sthepotentialfora miracletohappenineachsecond.Theorganthatholdsthispotentialinour bodyistheheart.
REBECCA’S STORY (CONTINUED)
Withthisunderstandingandinsightinmind,wecanrevisitoursurvival response,ourbody,andourphysiology.Graspingtotheever-changingasifit’s permanenttriggersthesurvivalresponse:thisiswhytheresponseisinnate withinus.Inthisveryactofholdingontoourouterandinnerexperiences—of tryingtoprolongthem,tomakethemsurvive—weinhibittheconstantnatural changethatisneededforhealthandlongevity.Thefixationtothatwhichis ever-changingasifit’spermanentdrivesamyriadofemotions,reactions,and responsesonthephysical,emotional,mental,andpsychospirituallevels.
Graspingandfixationhaveanaturallycontractingeffect.Whenwefinally see and recognize that we’ve grasped things that could not be grasped, somethingsoftensandopenswithinus.Ourstruggleandourfightfallsaway.It isinthisplacethatwebegintoopenourhearttoourselvesandtoothers,and thehealingpowerofloveandcompassionenters.Whenthathappens,wecan livelongerbecausewetrulyhealourselves,andasaresult,wehealourillnesses. Whenourmotivationtolivecomesfromanopenheart,wereceiveunlimited energyandunlimitedstrengthbecauseweconnecttoamuchgreatertruth.
What,then,istherootofsurvival?Whydowefixate?Ithappensbecause we’velosttheabilitytoseethingsastheyare,andwhenit’stimeforwhatwe experiencetochange,wecan’tletgo.Butwhenwetrulyletgo,werealizethat fixationwastheverythingthatcausedustobesickandsufferphysicallyand emotionally.
Whenwehavetheabilityto“letgo”ofthesurvivalresponse,welivealonger andhealthierlife.Ourstresshormones,cortisol,insulin,IL-6,andILB1 decrease.Wereduceinflammatoryresponsesandenableappropriateimmune responsesandtheabilitytobetterhealfromillnesses.
Togiveanexample,I’vespenttimewithreveredBuddhistmasterswho’d sleeponlyonehourpernightandwakeupcompletelyrefreshed,whilenoneof theirattendantscouldkeepup.
Thesemastershadtappedintoanunlimitedsourceofenergythatcomesfrom theongoingrecognitionoftheimpermanentnatureofeverything.Ofcourse,I amnotsuggestingyousleepless.Rather,thisdemonstratesthatwhenwestop utilizingourenergytoholdontothings,afargreaterreservoirofenergyisat ourdisposal.
BreakingThroughtoCancer
Patientswhoaretrulywillingtoletgocancreatemiracles,but this is trickier with cancer. Even if the healing process is profound,thecancercreatesitsownmicroenvironmentthatis independentfromthebody.Sometimesthepatient’schanges can’treachthecancer,especiallyifthere’snolongeradialogue betweenthecancerandthebody.However,throughdisruption ofthegalectin-3latticeformation,wecanbreakintothat isolatedmicroenvironment.Itisherethatcombiningmindbodymethods—combiningmeditationwithagalectin-3blocker likeMCP—canyieldamazingresults.
Unfortunately,whenitcomestohealing,theimpulsetofixateisnot exclusivetothepatient.Doctorsandhealthcarepractitionerscanhaveasimilar mindset.Usingthetreatmentofcancerasanexample,whenanoncologist diagnosesapatientanddiscoversthestageoftheircancer,theyimmediately “catalogue”theirsituation.Theygraspandfixateontheappearanceofthe situation,whichleadstoananticipatedoutcome;thedoctordoesn’tcreatespace fortheunexpectedtounfold.However,whenapatientsurrenderstothe healingprocesswithoutexpectations,andthere’snopressurefromtheirdoctor oroncologist,amazingthingscanhappen.Thisisagreatlessonforallofus.
Oncologistsoftensendpatientstomeafterthey’vetriedallconventional treatmentsandthepatienthasbeenclassifiedasincurableorterminal.Ifa patientissenttomewithalifeexpectancyoftwomonths,thedoctordoesn’t haveanyexpectations,meaningthereislesspressureonthepatienttofollowa certainprotocolincertainways.
Thepatientisofferedmorefreedomofchoice.Andwhilethisfreedomis allowed because the doctor “gave up,” true, holistic care can utilize this opportunitytocreatetheunexpected.Atthisjuncture,Iworkwiththepatient onanindividualizedprotocolwhilecreatingspaceforchangeandhealing.I offerthemmycare,energy,andheart.
Formostpatients,thisapproachmakesadifference,withsomelivingweeks ormonthslongerthanexpected,andotherslivingmanyyearslonger.Andeven ifthesepatientseventuallydie,ourjourneytogetherallowsthemtolivelonger withabetterqualityoflifeandtohealonadeeperemotionalandspirituallevel.
MELTING FIXATION THROUGH MEDITATION
Beforedivingdeeperintothisprocess,Iwanttoemphasizethatthereisa differencebetweenlettinggoandgivingup.Lettinggoofthesurvivaldriveisa processoffreedomandexpansion,whilegivingupisaprocessofcontraction anddespair. Whenweareinsurvivalmode,weareself-focused.Wethinkthewholeworld revolvesaroundus.This“contracts”ourlifeexperience.Theprocessofletting goisassimpleasitsounds.Yousimplyletgo.Let’sexperienceitrightnow. Sitinachair.Closeyoureyesifyouwish,andtakeafewdeepbreaths.Place yourhandswithyourpalmsfaceuponyourknees.Thentakeafewmoredeep breaths.Connectwithhowyourbodyfeels.Seeifyoucanfeelareasoftension andcontraction.Theninhaledeeply,holdyourbreath,andforcefullycontract yourfistswhilealsocontractingyourface,lips,andeyes.Feelthetension buildingupinyourbodyandrecognizewhatacontractedbodyfeelslike.Next, exhalethebreath,andasyouexhale,letyourpalmscompletelyopen,relaxyour face,andletyourwholebeingrelax.Youcanmakea“ha”soundwhenyou exhaleaspartoftheprocessoflettinggo.
Dothisafewtimes,andthensimplysitandgetintouchwithyourbody.You canexperiencehowdifferentyoufeel.Wespendmostofourtimelivingina stateofcontraction,thoughunawarethatwearedoingso.
Theprocessoflettinggoisendless.Wecanalwaysbemoreopen,more spacious,andlesscontracted.Thesecretoflettinggoistoletgoofthe experienceitself—don’tholdontoit,anddon’thaveanyexpectations.Any holding,anyidentificationcreatesgrasping.It’sremarkabletowatchhow peoplecanchangeoverthecourseofafewdayswhentheyactivelyengagein thisprocessinaretreatsetting—whentheenvironment,schedule,diet,and activitypromotethelettinggoprocessonalllevels.Throughmovementofthe body,throughbreathwork,andthroughworkingwiththemind,fixationsmelt away.
I’veseenpatients’cancermarkersdecreaseafterjustafewdaysofmeditation athealingretreats.Forthesepatients,relaxingandopeninguptheircirculation changedthecancer’smicroenvironment,exposingittotheirimmunesystem. Thefear-basedgraspingofsurvivalwastransformedintoanopen-hearted motivationtolive.Andthistransformationisthekeytohealingandoften reducestheaggressivenessofcancerandtumors.InthewordsofDr.BruceH. Lipton,“Themomentyouchangeyourperceptionisthemomentyourewrite thechemistryofyourbody.”
Wenowunderstandthatinflammatoryprocessescanbemodulatedbythe mind.Sincestress,anger,andquickreactionsallbringaboutinflammationand drivegalectin-3,itmakessensethatwecanminimizeinflammationbycalming themind.
Meditationisalifelongexploration,andit’snexttoimpossibletodiscussitin justafewpages.However,Iwilltrymybesttodoso!Meditationaffectsour cellularbiology,epigenetics,andphysiologyandcanhaveaprofoundimpact onourhealth. Myguessisthatthemajorityofpeoplewhomeditatedosoto relaxandfeelbetterorbecausetheywanttofeelhappier.Butwhenwedothis withafocusonourselves,weareapproachingmeditationfromasurvivalpoint ofviewandfromourownsmall,self-focusedperspective.Asaresult,welimit theinfinitehealingpowerofmeditation.
Themostbasicyetprofoundmeditationisapracticethathelpsus create more spaciousnessandcalmnesswithinoursystem.Itisthereforecalled calm abiding or shamata meditation.Whenwefindmorespaciousnesswithin,itcreatesa capacityinwhichloveandcompassioncanthenarise.Whenweengagein meditationwiththeunderstandingthatallbeingsarecaughtinastateof contraction,itallowsloveandcompassiontoflowtowardourselvesandothers asweareallinthesameboat.Let’stakeafewmomentstowalkthrougha simplifiedvariationofthismeditationpractice.
Preparing for Meditation
Beforewebegintomeditate,wemustenterapreparatoryphase,justlikewedo whenwegetreadytodetox.First,wepreparethebody,andthereareafew stepstothisprocess.Wecaneithersitonacushionwithoursitboneselevated orsitcomfortablyinachairwithourbackstraight.Weprepareformeditation bylettinggoofourongoingstrugglewiththegravitationalforce;weletour bodyandoursitbonessinkintotheseat.
Ourperineumrelaxes,allowingourdiaphragmtorelaxaswell.Thebreath cannowflowmoreeasily.Wecanlengthenourspineupwardwhilekeeping thebackoftheneckelongated.Ourhandsarerestingonourknees,andour shouldersandelbowsarerelaxed.Ourtonguegentlytouchestheuppersoft palateinarelaxedmanner,andthereisaslightopeningbetweenourteeth.Our eyesareopen,andourgazeissoft.
Nowthatwe’vepreparedourbody,wecanprepareourbreath.Wetakea fewdeepbreaths.Wevisualizethatwebringwhitelightintothebodywithour inhalation,andasweslowlyexhale,wevisualizethatwearereleasingall diseases,traumas,toxins,andnegativeemotionsasadark,black-graycolor,like smoke,exitingourbody.Afterdoingthisafewtimes,simplyletyourbreath flowsmoothlywithouteffort.
Wewanttoregulateourbreathsothereisanormalflowofoxygen,givingus theenergyandvitalitytocreatechange.Breathingisessentialandkeepsus alive,andcreatingregular,smoothbreathsisawaytobalancethereactive inflammatoryprocess.
Next,wepreparethemindbyopeningourheartstoourselvesandtoothers through contemplation of the principle of equanimity. We do this by rememberingthat everyone wantstobehappyandhealthy,notjustus.People welove,peoplewe’venevermet,andevenpeoplewedislikeallhavethissame desire.Weallwanttobehappy,andweallexperiencedifficultiesinourlives— thesetruthsareequalinallofus.Theyuniteusinourcommonhumanity.The truthofexperiencingdifficultiesanddesiringhappinessiswhatmakesusall equal—thisistheprincipleofequanimitywithinallofus.We’reallonthesame journey!Thisunderstandingopensourheartandexpressesitselfasloveand compassiontowardourowndifficultiesandthedifficultiesofothers.Itnaturally softensusandweakensourreactivesurvivalresponse.Thisistheidealstarting pointformeditationandhealing.
Ifweapproachmeditationwithanopenheart,wecanbringhappinessto ourselvesandtoothersregardlessoftheirbeliefsystem.Wemelttheisolation anddisruptthegalectin-3-drivensurvivalresponse.Asaresult,weimproveour ownwell-being.AstheDalaiLamaoncesaidwithhisfamouslaughter,“Tobe selflessisaverygoodthing,fromaselfishpointofview.”
Finding Calm, Openness, and Clarity
Onceourmindsareprepared,wecanbeginmeditation.Whenwestartour meditationsession,weneedtoslowandcalmourmindandoursystem, especiallyifwearenewtoit.Bringingourgazedownandlookingatanobject beneathoureyelevel,likeasmallrockontheground,canhelpusdothis.We focusourgazeontheobjectofthemeditationwithoutlettingourgazewander. Theeyesandthegazeareusedasadoorwaytosettlingthemind;whenthe gazeisfixedandsettled,themindcanbegintosettleaswell.Restingthegaze onourchosenmeditationobject,weaddthebreath.
Wedothisbyfeelingthatweareexhalingintotheobjectandinhalingfromthe object. We continue the breathing process without losing our visual concentrationontheobject.Thenweaddourmentalconcentrationbygently placingourattentionontheobject.
Weutilizethegaze,thebreath,andthemindinthemeditationprocessby softlyfocusingallofthemononesingleobject.Indoingso,ourmental distractionsslowlyfallaway,andwefindaplaceofpeaceandcalmness.Ifyour mindwanders,youfeelrestless,oryoufeelsleepy,don’tworry.Theseare normalresponses.Ourneurotic,“inflamed”mindthathasbeenincontrolfor ourentirelivesisrebellingagainsttheideaofbeingtoldwhattodo.Butslowly overtime,yoursenseofcalm,openness,andclaritywillexpand.You’llstartto findthenonconceptualspacewherethoughtsfallaway.Thissimplepracticehas profound health benefits on multiple systems: on our circulatory system, endocrinesystem,immunesystem,andnervoussystem.It’salsoverybeneficial fordepressionandanxiety,andtocounteractthesideeffectsofchemotherapy.
Afterwe’vecalmedoursystem,wecanbringourgazetooureyelevel,softly restingourgazeinthespaceinfrontofus.Usingourbreathastheanchorto ourmeditation,weopenourselvestoallvisualsensationsthatweexperience. Whilemaintainingthisvisualopennesstowardthefront,wealsoopenourselves toallvisualsensationsonourright,behindus,onourleft,andaboveandbelow. Wedothiswithoutjudgmentorgrasping,neitherrejectingnorholdingthe experience.Wesimplyacceptourexperienceasitis.Whilebeingopentoall visualsensations,weslowlybringtheothersensesintoourawareness:whatwe hear,whatwefeel,whatwesmell,andwhatwetaste.
Witheverybreath,ourfieldofexperienceexpands.Wepayspecialattention tothegapbetweentheexhalationandtheinhalation.Itisherethatwecanlet gointothenonconceptualspace.Ourbodyisstillandquiet,ourbreathis flowingsmoothly,andourmindslowlyexpands.Wecancontinuethisphase forsometime.
Whilemaintainingthisopennessoutwardly,wecanbringourawarenessinto ourbodyinthesameway.Wecanobserveourthoughts,ourfeelings,andour bodilysensationswithoutgraspingandwithoutjudgment.
Wetrytomaintaintheopennessbothoutwardlyandinwardly.Onceweare morecomfortabledoingthis,wecanlettheconceptualboundarybetweenthe outsideandtheinsideofthebodyfallawayandsimplyrestinthisvastopenness.
Engaging our Healing Heart
We’vepracticedthequalityofopennessinmeditation.Fromthisplaceof openness,wenowconnecttoourinfinitehealingpotential—toourhearts.Take amomentandplaceyouropenhandsonyourchestandsayhellotoyourheart. Feelthewarmth,love,andhealingqualitiesoftheheartspreadthroughoutyour chestandradiatewhereveritneedstogountilitfillsyourwholebody.Youcan directthewarmthtospecificareasinyourbodythatrequirehealing.Thenletit spreadoutsideyourbodyandfillallofspace.
Nowbringyourhandsslowlybacktoyourkneesandsimplyrest.Experience thatyourbodyandtheworldoutsideofthebodyareinseparable.There’sa senseofunity,ofoneness.Ifyourmindwandersawaywhiletryingtostayin thenonconceptualspace,youcangentlybringitbacktothecontemplationof equanimity,justaswedidatthebeginningofthesession.Focusonloveand compassiontowardyourselfandallbeings,andthenletgoagain.Youmayalso contemplatetheimpermanent,ever-changingnatureofallexperiencesandthen letgo.Feelfreetogobackandforthbetweenanalyticalmeditationandletting gointhenonconceptualspace.
Forguided-meditationresources,visitSurvivalParadox.com.
Creating Space for Insight and Transformation
Creatingspacemeansthereismorespacebetweenourthoughts.Initially,we maysimplybecomeawareofhowmanythoughtswehave,makingitfeelas thoughwehavemorethoughtswhenwefirstbegintomeditate.
Theseareallbeingdischargedfromoursubconscious.Whenourthoughtsrun oneaftertheotherwithnospaceinbetweenthem,wehavenoawarenessof them.Thereissomuchmental“noise”thatthereisnospacefordeeper thoughts,contemplations,feelings,orinsightstoarisefromourdepthtoour consciousness.Whenweslowourmind,thespacebetweenourthoughts expands,allowingforthoughts,feelings,andinsightsthatwewerenotawareof toarise.
Thereisnosuchthingas“good”or“bad”meditation.Anythingand everythingweexperiencechangeseventually,asitisimpermanenttobegin with.Meditationisnotaboutwhatweexperience;it’saboutourrelationshipto ourexperienceandhowwereacttoit.Forexample,arewegraspingorpushing awayourmeditationexperiences?
Ifweholdontothemortrytopushthemaway,we’llhavemoreofasurvivaldriven,reactiveresponse.Ifwecansimplyletthembe,lettinggooftryingto changeormanipulatethem,we’llhaveamoredetoxifyingresponse.Andif whateverarisesfromwithingeneratesloveandcompassion,it’sagenuine, transformativemeditationpracticeledbytheheart.
Ifwewanttofindgreaterfreedom,weneedtobecomfortablewiththe unknown.Livingfearlesslywithoutgraspingputsusattheforefrontoflife.It givesustheabilitytoliveinthemoment.Ifwearetrulyfree,wewillnoteven hold on tothemoment.
INSIGHT AND INNOVATION
Whenweliveinthemoment,wecanfindspaceforinsightandinnovation. Beforewetalkaboutinnovation,let’sdiscusswhatthewordmeans. Innovation is aprocessoranactionthatspursonchangeortransformation.It’sbringing somethingtolifethatdidn’texistbeforeorchangingsomethingthatexistsand givingitanewordifferentfunctionandmeaning.Agoodexampleofevolving innovationiswhenmyteamandIbegantoresearchgalectin-3.Wehadanidea inourmindsaboutwhatthisresearchwouldlooklike,buttheendresultwas muchdifferentandbetterthananythingweimagined.Weinitiallyfocusedon galectin-3’sroleincancer,butastimewenton,wediscoveredthatit’satthe rootofmultiplechronicdiseasesandaging.Andovertime,astheprocess unfolded,theroleofgalectin-3asoursurvivalproteinandupstreamregulatorof somanyprocessesmadeitselfevident.
Whatallowstheprocessofinnovationtotakeplace?Theprocessofinno‐vationhastwoparts.First,wehaveaninsight,andanidearisesupinsideofus. Somethingcomesalive.Theprocesscanbeaidedandsupportedbymeditation practice.Byfindingthespacebetweenourthoughts,weareopentodeeper insightsthatwewerenotawareof.
Thesecondpartistheactualmanifestationoftheidea.Thisisthepartwhere wepresentourconceptorideatoothers.It’stheprocessoftakinganinsight andbringingittolife,bringingittofruition.It’smakingoldthingsnewor creatingsomethingnewthatisvisiblyandpracticallyusefultotheoutside world.
I’vecreatedalotofunusualinventionsinmylife.Medicaldevices,dietary supplements,clinicalprotocols,andthewayIteachmeditationareallexamples. Sometimes,whenImakeamedicalinvention,peopleaskme,“Howdidyou comeupwiththisidea,whenscientistsinthepharmaceuticalindustrycouldn’t thinkofit?”Myansweristhatthescientistswerefollowingthesametrendof thought;theyfollowedthesamelogical,rational,andskepticalapproaches. They didn’t give themselves the opportunity to break through their preconceivedconceptsandunderstanding.Iaminnowaysmarterorbrighter thananyofthesescientists.I’msimplytrainedinhowtoletgoofpreconceived conceptsandideas,whichpresentsagreaterpossibilityforinventiveness.
Whileyouneedinsightforinnovation,thismustgobeyondthemere possessionofknowledge.Youmustalsobewillingtosurrenderandletgoof yourknowledge.Inordertodothis,wehavetodiscoveradeeperpartof ourselves,andthisbringsusbacktotheconceptofcreatingspace.Ifourmindis constantlyoccupied,andonethoughtimmediatelyleadsintothenext,thereis nospacefortrueinsightorinnovation.Toreallyprogress,weneedtogo throughtheprocessof“unlearning,”whichisprofoundlydifferentfromnot learning.First,wegaintheknowledgeandthesolidbaseline,andthenwelet goofitintheprocessofunlearning.
Inordertocreatesomethingnew,wehavetoletgoofsomethingold.This meansthatdetoxificationandcreatingspaceisa prerequisite for innovation,justas it’saprerequisiteformeditationandhealing.Thisiswhymeditationisso helpfulinthisprocess.
Innovationisakindofhealing:awayofmovingoutsideofortranscending problemsorpatternsthatnolongerserveus.Whetheritisfromtraditional modesofthinkingthatinhibitsocietalgrowthorlatticeformationsofgalectin-3 thatblockthemovementofmolecules,humanbeingsstrivetotranscend.
Fixationandgraspingaredeath.Motionandchangearelife.Thisistheessence ofthesurvivalparadox:tohavelife,youcannotholdit.Youmustletgoin could in our
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