A general guideline is to allow an infant about five or six months old to establish her own sleep habits. By then, most children have the neurological maturity to sleep more soundly. When your child is between fur and six months old, begin to encourage the sleep association you value.

The following is a discussion of the sleep associations that most commonly cause problems.

Feeding. The child who is nursed or fed to sleep learns to need the calming that comes from eating, sucking, and being held. If she rouses during the night, she will call for more of the same. She may also wake seeming “rested” with a burp after 20 minutes, but she will not be establishing dependable routines.

As she loses that newborn drowsiness, begin to keep her awake during feedings (easier said than done for some babies) or purposely rouse her while laying her down so that she knows she is falling asleep in her own bed, not in your arms.

Sucking. Pacifiers help some children settle themselves to sleep. Be aware that their use after ‘about three or four months means that this habit will eventually need to be unlearned.

Rocking. Rocking is a pleasant, calming experience for both child and parent, but it can be a strong sleep association. One alternative is to rock a child to soothe and lull him, but not put him into a full sleep. Or rock until it ceases to be soothing—perhaps at four or five months with the sociable child, or later, as mobility increases, when she squirms to get down to play.

Children love to “nest”—that is, move around in bed until it feels just right. If we confine them by rocking, walking, or whatever, we deny them this winding down pleasure. If you are a “pillow fluffer” yourself, you will understand.

Loveys. Many children become attached to special blankets, stuffed anim or toys. “Loveys” make it easier to sleep without parents. To avoid the pai of a lost or forgotten lovey, make more than one available (buy matchi blankets) or make it so general that a replacement might not be noticed.

*23/67/8*

THE CAUSES OF EPILEPSY: TUMOURS

A tumour arising within the brain understandably causes great anxiety-perhaps more so than with tumours elsewhere in the body, as a brain tumour may appear to strike at the very centre of one’s soul and being. Many people with simple headaches due to anxiety or stress believe that they have a brain tumour which is causing their headache. However, the incidence of primary tumour is very low (10 per 100 000 per year). It is, however, true that tumours can cause epilepsy. This is much more likely to happen in adults than in children.

Brain tumours are either primary or secondary. A secondary tumour is one that has been carried in the blood to the brain from another site. Cancers of the lung (bronchus) or breast are by far the most common of these. Usually the site of the original cancer is known, and the appearance of seizures in such a patient is an ominous sign indicating that a secondary tumour has arisen within the brain. Sometimes, however, the original cancer has not been discovered at the time of the first seizure, and a careful clinical examination will reveal a small tell-tale lump in the breast, or the lung cancer will be seen on a chest X-ray.

Primary tumours of the brain do not arise in nerve cells. They either arise in the supporting cells between nerve cells which play an active role in their nutrition (glial cells) or in the meninges, the covering membranes of the brain. These tumours are called gliomas and meningiomas. There are other types of primary cerebral tumours, such as those arising from the cells lining the cavities of the brain, or from blood vessels, but these are rare.

Primary brain tumours are not like cancer of the breast, or bowel, or bronchus. They show no tendency to develop blood-borne secondary deposits in other organs. This is fortunate, but there are other characteristics which hinder effective treatment. The gliomas infiltrate normal brain extensively, so there is no apparent margin beyond which one can be quite certain that no abnormal cells have reached. This makes recurrence after surgical excision very likely. Meningiomas, however, are encapsulated tumours, and can often be removed completely, with a good chance of complete eradication. However, meningiomas often have an extensive blood supply, so complete removal may be technically very difficult.

*21/188/2*

THE JOY OF PERFECT HEALTH: MEDITATION FOR PURE MIND

The active practice of listening to your higher mind and developing a better connection with it is what many wise people call “meditation”.

There are many meditation techniques passed on to us by our wise ancestors. There is again no room here to analyse them even briefly. Perhaps the best I can do is to summarise some of my personal experiences.

In my opinion, the single most important thing common to the best meditation techniques is the teacher, or master, who is capable of showing you the access path to your own higher mind. No words can describe this connection. You actually have to be shown the beginning of your own path, together with some instructions, so you can progress along it yourself every day.

I had two meditation teachers: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a leader of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement, whom I never met and Master Ching Hai.

TM people will charge you about a thousand dollars for the basic technique, and several thousand dollars if you want to learn more advanced techniques. In my opinion, the gaining of knowledge, for those who are ready to learn, should be essentially free of any charges, so I could not justify the latter. However, I must say, that I have had considerable degree of success, using the basic TM technique.

Master Ching Hai, on the other hand, teaches you the Quan Yin method, known for thousands of years to be the best meditation technique, totally free of charge. Her organisation does not even accept donations. The only way to help their activity financially is to buy books, works of art, fashion clothes and other things they produce. Master Ching Hai’s requirement to teach you the Quan Yin method is your commitment to become a vegetarian for life and to meditate 2.5 hours each day. (Master Ching Hai books are listed in the References).

After meditating for some time I noticed, that my life has become much easier. Most problems, including stress, have been practically eliminated. I have found that nothing is truly difficult to understand, you just need to learn to listen to your higher mind.

I have also found that development of our wisdom is actually the purpose of our existence. Life is just a lesson. If we do not learn, it becomes harder, until we do.

*21/96/8*

DISEASES OF THE HEART AND BLOOD CIRCULATION: THE HEART-THE BLOOD CIRCULATION

The arteries and veins refer changes affecting the whole system to the third lesser zone = Blood zone. In the observation of this zone special attention is given to light or dark colouring. A strong lightening of this zone over the entire iris indicates that the blood is heavily laden with uric acid; whereas a darkening, or several large usually somewhat obliterated weakness-signs, extending to the muscle zone, indicate general circulatory and muscle weakness. The patient feels tired, sleepy and inefficient (hypotonia).

Small dark point-like signs in the blood zone constitute a danger signal. They indicate that the state of the blood is not good. The protective function is lacking in that the leucocytes are no longer being adequately provided. In such a case, the patient should be warned before every proposed operation. Iris illustration 10 shows these dark spots distributed over the whole iris, as well as in the blood and muscle zones. The lymph glands are no longer able to function.

If the blood zone in the upper half of the iris is much lighter, while the lower half is dark, it indicates congestion of the head and ischaemia of the intestines. Reverse these signs in the iris, and there is ischaemia of the brain and hyperaemia of the abdomen.

In this chapter the condition of arteriosclerosis should be discussed, since in our civilised countries hardly anyone will escape its influence. It appears in all individuals sooner or

Jater—more or less pronounced, and shows itself by affecting those organs which the mode of life has most strongly stressed. In the iris it is shown by whitish-grey to whitish-yellow deposits, mainly in the skin zone. Often this becomes an arcus senilis, a characteristic arc around the entire iris obscuring the iris structure. The arcus senilis enables one to assess the biological age of the patient concerned.

In the alcoholic, the arteriosclerosis ring is particularly strongly indicated in the areas for liver and spleen. With mental workers, it is marked in the brain sector. Where there is C-N-S sclerosis we find a sharp white neurasthenic ring clearly indicated. Coronary sclerosis has been described above under heart signs.

*21/78/2*

THE CAUSES OF EPILEPSY: ANOXIA

Anoxia means lack of sufficient oxygen, an essential component of the normal ongoing chemistry of the cell. Cerebral nerve cells are amongst the highest consumers of oxygen in the body, as reflected in the fact that a quarter of all arterial blood goes to the brain. If the oxygen supply is cut off, then damage to nerve cells occurs after a few minutes. Some die, but others are damaged in such a way that they may paroxysm ally discharge in subsequent life.

Anoxia may occur at birth. During each uterine contraction in a prolonged labour the fetal heart rate slows, and the supply of oxygenated blood to the brain is reduced. The umbilical cord may become tightly wound around the baby’s neck. The placenta may separate prematurely. After birth, for a variety of reasons, the child may not breathe for a few minutes. These are four examples of how anoxic brain damage can occur at birth. If severe, the brain damage results in severe learning difficulties, cerebral palsy, or epilepsy. However, as has already been mentioned, the cause of these three is often due to antenatal factors rather than problems with the birth itself.

Anoxia also occurs in febrile convulsions, as has already been discussed. During a seizure the oxygen requirements of brain nerve cells are enormously increased, and yet the resulting convulsion interferes with normal respiration, so that the blood leaving the lungs picks up insufficient oxygen. The combination of excessive demand and inadequate supply may on rare occasions result in anoxic damage to cerebral nerve cells. The nerve cells which seem most susceptible to damage, at the age at which febrile convulsions occur, are in the temporal lobe.

A stroke is usually due to an obstruction to an arterial vessel to one particular part of the brain, so nerve cells in the territory supplied by the blocked vessel either die as a result of lack of oxygen, or become damaged in such a way that they may form a focus for paroxysmal discharges later. Most strokes occur in late adult life, and cerebrovascular disease accounts for much of the epilepsy beginning in old age. Occasionally, however, a stroke may occur in a young adult or even in a child.

*19/188/2*

THE JOY OF PERFECT HEALTH: THE IMPORTANCE OF A PURE MIND

When your body is poisoned, overloaded with excess food and toxins, your mind at all levels (from the sub-conscious to the super-conscious) is forced to assist emergencies arising in yarious organs of your body. This is an extremely low level of activity of the mind (a fight for survival), perhaps the lowest possible.

To understand better what I am talking about, I give you an example.

Consider that your house is on fire. Without any hesitation, you will direct all your undivided attention and efforts to this emergency. You will try to extinguish the fire, save as many items of value from the house, save yourself, your family and other people in danger. Your mind will be totally engaged in the emergency operation.

It is quite easy to imagine, that it will be impossible for you under such circumstances to direct your mind into a more subtle mode or to creative activity like writing a book, solving complex problem or programming your computer for example, when your house is on fire and you and your family are in danger. Imagine your boss phoning you in the middle of the fire with some ideas for you to work on. You will simply cut all conversation and attend the emergency immediately.

Now let us go back to your body. If it is not pure enough, your mind is busy attending “fires” in various organs. You feel dull and become tired quickly. You have difficulties concentrating. If your body is in the “healing crisis” (simply speaking you feel sick), the least you feel like doing is thinking. You simply cannot think ! Any request for thinking hard is like a telephone from your boss during the fire : your higher mind cuts all communications.

Similar effects can be observed after large meals, when you overload your body with food. According to medical science food should give you energy. But instead, you feel tired and sometimes even sick. Your mind is slow and tired too. Any request for thinking hard, returns as feeling of being sleepy and ready to rest.

In the other extreme, people aiming at the highest possible activity and development of the mind (to the point of complete enlightenment and unification with the entire universe) have to have very pure physical bodies. Masters of yoga in the Himalayas hardly eat anything at all.

*17/96/8*

NATUROPATHY

Naturopathy is a term which is applied to the treatment of disease by a range of natural therapies as opposed to surgery, pharmaceuticals, X-rays, chemotherapy etc. A qualified naturopath is versed in therapies such as nutrition, fasting, herbalism, therapeutic massage, iridology and manipulation. The underlying philosophy of naturopathy is that the body is capable of curing itself. One of the basic principles of Hippocrates, the well-known Greek physician known as the ‘Father of Medicine’, was ‘first do no harm’. Naturopathy is built upon this principle, whereby therapy is as non-intrusive as possible. The different therapies are intended to stimulate the healing resources of the body.

Naturopaths believe that the breakdown of the normal balance of the body is the cause of illness. While outside factors such as viruses or bacteria may affect health, it is the lack of resistance in the patient which is the primary problem requiring treatment.

Methods of diagnosis include iridology, analysis of blood and urine, hair diagnosis, and others. The naturopath will also want to know about the diet, sleep patterns, menstrual cycle and bowel activity of the patient. The diagnosis of any problem is more concerned with the reason for disturbances in health than in naming the illness. Like other wholistic practitioners, the naturopath concentrates on the individual patient, rather than on diagnosing a condition which has an associated set of symptoms.

Treatment recommended by a naturopath may include changes to the diet. For example, a patient may be advised not to consume drinks containing caffeine, such as tea and coffee, or to give up alcohol or smoking. Someone who is diagnosed as having an allergy may be told to avoid certain foods such as wheat or dairy products. Sometimes a short fast on water or juice, or a limited range of foods may be prescribed in order to cleanse the system.

Some naturopaths practise therapeutic massage, acupuncture and herbalism.

Many naturopaths in Australia are registered with national organisations such as the Australian Natural Therapists Association, the Australian Traditional Medicine Society and the Complementary Medicine Association. When consulting one of these registered therapists, you may be entitled to rebates if you are covered by a participating health fund.

*17/69/2*

TREATMENT OF ULCERS: ANTACIDS

Q. At long last, let’s get on to the standby therapy of the past fifty years or more — antacids. What is their current status in ulcer treatment?

A. I’m glad you mentioned them, for the current reaction to them is a mixed one. For many years they have been the sheet anchor of therapy, but mainly by default rather than because of their intrinsic worth.

There is little doubt that they will reduce ulcer pain. However, as far as healing is concerned, evidence indicates that very large doses are required. According to a leading Sydney gastro-enterologist who has treated ulcers for many years, “when given in high dosage (equivalent to 30 ml double strength aluminium hydroxide gel one hour before and after each meal and also before retiring), antacids have also been shown to be effective in treating peptic ulcers. Liquid antacids are generally more effective than tablet formulations, but are less convenient for the working person.”

Q. Could taking all that medication each day in itself produce unpleasant side effects?

A. It seems this is possible and many patients on high doses may develop diarrhoea or constipation. Also, long term, a condition called ‘hypophosphataemia’ with anorexia (loss of appetite), muscular weakness, and a bone condition called osteomalacia may take place, if used in high doses over prolonged periods of time. Other side effects are also possible, depending on the type of antacid used. One case was recently reported in the medical journals of a patient with very large bladder stones which had developed after many years of taking a calcium antacid.

However, there is little doubt that used with discretion, and under proper supervision, antacids can bring a good deal of symptom relief. They are cheap, readily available and, in smaller doses, may do little harm, even if they are not as dramatically beneficial as some of the newer forms of medication. The antacids are available in many forms, as mixtures, tablets, powders. Many patients will continue using them, especially if there is occasional abdominal discomfort. What’s more, they often help in simple cases of dyspepsia, a feeling of fullness, bloat, and the unpleasant sensation which commonly follows from ‘dietetic indiscretions’, as the doctors succinctly put it.

*17/61/2*

WHY CONVENTIONAL MEDICAL REMEDIES FAIL THE ARTHRITIS TREATMENT: GOLD INJECTIONS

Gold therapy has been greatly popularized and acclaimed as one of the most effective remedies for arthritis. Exactly how

the injected gold salts work in the body is not known. Nor is it known how the body reacts to them. Since gold therapy produces some relief of the symptoms it is believed that it acts as a stimulant on the vital processes of the body.

Gold injections, however, are known to be highly toxic and may produce many diseases and complications. Liver and kidneys can be seriously damaged, which may even cause death. Various skin diseases are a common result of gold injections. Stomach disorders, deafness, anemia, hemorrhages under the skin, neuritis, headache, eye impairments, ulcerations of the mouth and gums1B—these are just a few of the most serious diseases caused by gold therapy. In fact the toxic nature of gold salts and the dangers of gold treatments are so well recognized by physicians that it is usually recommended only in cases where other forms of treatment have completely failed.

As in the case of aspirin and cortisone, gold injections do not go to the bottom of the problem; they do not eliminate or alleviate the basic causative factors of the disease. Considering the grave risks involved in its use, gold therapy should have been abandoned long ago as a remedy for arthritis.

New drugs are constantly developed by pharmaceutical companies searching for a miracle drug which will cure arthritis. Indomethacin is one drug which is considered by the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases as the most promising at the present time. Other recently developed drugs are phenylbutazone and unpronounceable triethylene-thiophos-phoramide. All are potent pain-killers with equally potent side effects.

As I mentioned before, all these conventional treatments and remedies have failed to bring about a real, permanent betterment and cure for arthritis. The reason for this is obvious: Orthodox medicine, by its own admission, does not know the cause of arthritis. Since they don’t know what causes arthritis, it would then be logical to expect that they don’t know what to do or how to go about finding a cure.

*15/176/2*

WHY CONVENTIONAL MEDICAL REMEDIES FAIL

Since the average practitioner of orthodox medicine does not have a clear understanding of the basic causative principles involved in arthritis, his treatments and remedies are understandably symptomatic—that is, he is not treating the disease but the isolated symptoms of the disease. He treats an affected joint with injections, x-rays, and drugs as if it was a question of an isolated disease of the joint. He administers pain-killing drugs which will relieve pain temporarily. But, in the long run, due to their many undesirable side effects, these drugs only cause more damage and ultimately aggravate the condition instead of improving it.

As was evident from the previous chapter, arthritis is a systemic disease which affects the whole body. Therefore, the only measures that can be successful in correcting the disease, bringing it under control, and accomplishing a lasting cure, must be ones directed at correcting its underlying causes. This can only be accomplished by treatments which help to overcome the systemic disturbances, normalize the metabolic processes, and help restore all normal functions of the vital organs and glands. That the conventional remedies fail to accomplish this is evident

While drugs and injections may relieve pain and modify symptoms, they do not go to the bottom of the problem, they do not eliminate the underlying causes, nor do they correct the systemic disturbances. What is even worse, these conventional remedies, being suppressive in nature and having undesirable toxic side effects, interfere with the normal bodily processes and actually inhibit restorative and healing efforts of the body. Eventually they cause more damage than good and lead to a complete invalidism.

It must be emphatically stated that drugs do not possess curative powers. The cure is always brought about by the body itself, and the most that a wise doctor can ever do is assist the body’s own healing forces. The drugs used in conventional treatment of arthritis—aspirin, cortisone, gold injections, etc.— only suppress and mask the symptoms of the disease. They do not promote the healing processes, nor do they provide any lasting benefits.

*12/176/2*