Life Positive October 2018

www.lifepositive.com
` 100
YOUR PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH COMPANION
October 2018
MEET
Smita Jaykar
The seeker actor
PAGE 18
PSYCHO NEUROBIC PROGRAMMING (PNP) - SERIES 3
PAGE 87
The mystery of
Bosnian
Pyramids
PAGE 68
GURU GYAN by
Dadashreeji
PAGE 46
FOOD
THERAPY An array of natural foods that successfully cure ailments
PAGE 26






October 2018Vol. 23 Issue 07 Price ` 100
Chairman: Aditya Ahluwalia President: D R Kaarthikeyan Director: V Venkat
Editor: Shivi Verma
CEO (Internet technologies): Aman Chandra
EDITORIAL
Deputy Editor: Punya Srivastava
Correspondent: Anuradha Sahu (Mumbai), Rashmi Rawat
MARKETING
Manager, Ad Sales: Ajit Singh
Assistant Manager, Ad Sales: Santosh Pandey
PRODUCT MARKETING
Manager, Circulation & Subscription: Dharamveer Singh Assistant Manager, Circulation: P Murali (Bangalore) Senior Executive, Marketing: Krishan Kumar
Senior Executive, Circulation: Dhananjay Singh
SUBSCRIPTION
Assistant Manager: Ginny Gupta
Subscription Executive: Swetnisha Sharma, Vikash
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Deputy General Manager: Ambika Sharma Executive: Jyoti Khatri
Advisors
Parveen Chopra, Suma Varughese, Mark Tully,
Kiran Bedi, M Madhavan Nambiar, SD Saxena, Ameeta Mehra, Manisha Verma, Shruti Nada Poddar, Hamid Ahmed, Shovana Narayan, Ritika Goyal
Editorial & Advertising Of ce
Delhi: F1/9, First oor, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase - I, New Delhi-110 020
Ph: (011) 49563777 Fax: (011) 49563773 E-mails: [email protected]
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE: Life Positive
P.O. Box 65, Colts Neck, NJ 07722, USA; e-mail: [email protected]
Readers are requested to make appropriate enquiries before sending money, incurring expenses or entering into commitments in relation to any advertisement in this publication.
Life Positive or Life Positive Pvt Ltd do not vouch for any claims made by the advertisers of products and services. The printer, publisher or editor of Life Positive or any employee of Life Positive Pvt Ltd shall not be held liable for any consequences in the event of such claims not being honoured by the advertisers.
All rights reserved. © Life Positive Pvt. Ltd.
losZ HkoUrq lqf[ku~%] losZlUrq fujke;k%
losZ Hknzkf.k i’;Urq] ekdf’pn~nq%[kHkkd~Hkosr!
May all beings be happy, May all be healthy, May people have the well-being of all in mind, May nobody suffer in any way. — Vedic prayer
Edited by Shivi Verma. Printed and published by
Aditya Ahluwalia on behalf of Life Positive Pvt. Ltd. from F1/9, First oor, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase - I,
New Delhi-110 020
Printed at M.P. Printers, B-220, Phase 2 Noida, 201305
Member, Indian Newspaper Society
F d f th ght
The more I have focussed on improving my condition, the more I have realised that it all boils down to taking responsibility for my life. My self-work permeated and positively affected every aspect of my life, including my health. Spiritual seeking changed the vibratory pattern of my cells, and I became more aligned to sattvik food. Three things happened in quick succession:
• My desire to eat meat left me, and I no longer salivated on seeing it. • My excessive fondness for food also diminished, and I no longer was the glutton that I used to be.
• Thirdly, healthy eating, that supported my body in maintaining good health, became a permanent feature of my life.
I deeply realised that enjoying good health was essentially a spiritual state because things that come in its way, such as wrong habits and addictions, are the product of a mind that is orbiting away from its spiritual centre. Not only that; once you are more aligned with a natural way of living, the avours of natural foods come alive for you. You realise that the bres, esh, and juices present in fruits and vegetables are made up of the same compounds that make up your body and are joyfully assimilated by it. Natural foods are complementary in nature to the human body and – if we do not pollute them with pesticides and genetic modi cation – are no less than medicine for us. The cover story for October is on the miraculous healing properties hidden in food that can heal people of chronic ailments, as well as restore lasting health and vitality. All that you have to do is to become more attuned to the messages relayed by your body and do its bidding.
We have another fascinating article on the Bosnian pyramids this month. The presence of these highly charged ancient structures is proof that the history of mankind and its desire for spiritual ascension are much older than we think. There is no end to growth and discovery.
Have a happy October.
Dear Reader,
4 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018
LP mascot: Laughing Buddha
- Editor




LEAD STORY
Food therapy
Natural foods not only prevent but also heal chronic diseases, says Jamuna Rangachari
CLOSE ENCOUNTER
Smitten with spirituality
Actor Smita Jaykar talks about spirituality’s role in shaping her life
HEARTSPEAK
Gender equality
Boys too can be the victims of gender stereotyping
HEALTH AND FITNESS
Vision yoga
Eye exercises that improve eyesight and even restore your vision
FOOD
A protein-rich platter
A vegetarian diet too can be an abundant source of protein
Cover photo: Adobe Stock, Photo credit: Adobe Stock, Cover design: Sandeep Chauhan
06 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018
26
18
14
40
48


56
62
68
78
82
SPECIAL REPORT
A festival of happiness
The Life Positive International Festival held in Coimbatore offered life-altering healing avenues
SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY
Science and Shankara
Adi Shankaracharya’s Advaita philosophy can be viewed in the light of modern science
SPIRITUAL TRAVEL
Pilgrimage to the pyramids
The Bosnian pyramids leave the writer mysti ed, yet exhilarated and healed
INSPIRATION
Dauntless Durga
Story of a slum-dwelling little girl with unshakeable courage and a big heart
ESOTERICISM
The three forms of Lakshmi
Worship goddess Lakshmi in her material and spiritual avatars this Deepawali
REGULAR COLUMNS
Response 08 Mandala 10 Guruspeak 46 Aha-moments 54 Journey 66
Spirit 76 Positive focus 86 Angel messages 92 Revelations 94 Banyan tree 96
Total pages 100, including the cover page and the back cover



Contents 07


RESPONSE
www.lifepositive.com
YOUR PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH COMPANION
GURU GYAN by JAYA ROW PAGE 46
` 100
September 2018
RAW FOOD RECIPES
PAGE 76
MEET
Devdutt Pattanaik
PAGE 20
PSYCHO NEUROBIC PROGRAMMING (PNP) - SERIES 2
PAGE 86
THE ADVENT OF THE DIVINE MASCULINE
LP Cover september 2018.indd
1
28/08/18
4:39 PM
Mail from our readers, online fans and subscribers
Letter of the month
MUCH-NEEDED ARTICLES
The article A pinch of pessimism by Jeny Rapheal, published in the September 2018 issue of Life Positive, was impressive. At times, it is better to be a pessimist while expecting from our loved ones. I have always stuck to my belief that if there is anybody from whom you can expect, it is you. The last paragraph of the article is extremely helpful in understanding this concept: “Danger creeps in when you argue about the legitimacy of your expectations and stubbornly seek for their ful lment.”Howtrue! Relationshipscouldbemuchsmoother if only we had fewer expectations and were more concerned about what we were bringing to the table, instead of what the other was doing for us. Moreover, the cover story, The complete man, by Satish Purohit, was much needed. The modern world is witnessing a paradigm shift in gender roles. Men are nding it dif cult to adjust to this role reversal. Many feel shy to embrace their feminine side since they are taught from childhood that men ought to be only masculine. This article is an eye-opener for men as well as mothers who raise their male kids in an old-fashioned, patriarchal manner. Life Positive, keep churning out such interesting and eye-opening articles. They touch our soul. I look forward to reading such soul-enriching stories every month!
Shipra Singh, New Delhi
LIVE NATURALLY
I refer to the informative, The taste of life, by Swati Moheet Agrawal, published in the September 2018 issue of Life Positive. The best way to live healthily is to live naturally. Spend more time outdoors, expose yourself to the fortifying rays of the sun between six and eight in the morning, acclimatise yourself to all weather conditions, and walk for as long and far as possible. Live in a natural environment as much as possible. Mahesh Kapasi, via email
USEFUL ARTICLE
The August 2018 issue of Life Positive was like a breath of fresh air. The features and the articles were impressive and soul- stirring. Apropos of the article Farewell, Dada Vaswani, the passing away of Dada Vaswani has left a huge void in the lives of many who were touched by this humble and venerable saint. I am sure that even after moving on from this realm to another, he will continue to bless us with love and peace.
Nandini Sarkar’s article
Kamakhya to Kanyakumari
was quite useful for people who love to travel to such pilgrimage destinations which abound in India and are yet to be discovered by many. It will be a great help to readers if LP could publish more articles on such places.
Sreejaa, Bangalore
08 LifePostive | OCTOBER 2018




MANDALA
Le n to live healthy
“We human beings are made up of earth and can be healed by the earth itself. Healing does not depend upon the chemicals manufactured in a factory. Ayurvedic products are the ones that actually heal us.” This statement was made by Sri Alphons Kannanthanam, Hon’ble Minister of State (independent charge) for tourism at the Krishi and Wellness India Expo, New Delhi. The three-day event took place from August 20 to 22 at Pragati Maidan.
The exhibition focused on organic food, health, biotechnology, and agricultural sectors. The Krishi India Expo was structured to encourage various modern approaches to existing agricultural practices to reduce the workload on the farmers and increase their yield and income. The participants were also provided information on various modern tools of farming and about the impact of climate change. The Wellness India Expo was designed to offer multiple modalities of alternative therapy to upgrade one’s living standard. The last day of the exhibition revolved around organic food
Shri KJ Alphons, Minister of State for Tourism (second from left) along with other dignitaries at the Wellness India Expo
from different states of India, substitutes for regular sugar, and nutritional bars for packed nutrition. It also saw sessions on ‘Nutrition for a Healthy Living,’ ‘Vegan is the Future,’ ‘Growth of Organic Farming and Food in India,’ and more.
Volunteers from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) promoted veganism by motivating people to replace meat and milk with soya products so that animals are not harmed brutally. They also talked about victimisation of animals for research purposes. These animals are con ned to tiny cages, are socially isolated, and subjected to physical pain; they are treated like disposable laboratory equipment rather than the thinking, feeling beings they are.
The exhibition was organised by the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and Exhibition India Group in association with Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Tourism, and PETA.
10 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018


Sikkim leads the way
Nature is a perennial giver. But as is our wont, we have forgotten to be grateful to nature and have been tremendously destructive towards it. Be it land, water, or air, we have not left any of the natural resources unpolluted. Hence, it is a pleasant surprise to see someone working towards nature restoration and more so when it is a collective initiative.
The Indian state of Sikkim, after continuous efforts of its people and the state government for more than 10 years, has gone completely organic by implementing practices on around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land. Declared as India’s rst fully organic state in January 2016, this Himalayan state made the use of chemical fertilisers a criminal offence and became India’s rst 100 per cent organic state. Today, the farming practices in Sikkim are totally free of chemical-based fertilisers and pesticides, which enables consumers to have access to risk-free food options. These practices also make cultivation eco- friendlier. According to experts in the eld, organic practices help in building soil health, which results in sustainably increased crop production. However, this initiative too had to face its share of criticism initially by the local farmers. The state government then had to ban the supply of chemical fertilisers, hence indirectly forcing the farmers to go green.
Almost all agricultural pests have natural enemies. The loss or even decline of such pest-eating predators can have a massive impact on the agricultural ecosystem. Organic farming maintains this ecosystem and keeps the water supplies clean of toxic runoff, thus
Sikkim now enjoys risk-free, organic produce at no extra cost
protecting the aquatic life. Soil Association, an international organisation for organic cultivation, notes that a typical organic eld has ve times the wild plants and 57 per cent more animal species than a conventionally cultivated farm. The State government also introduced organic farming as a subject in school curriculum to sensitise the students towards sustainable and natural living and the signi cance of an organic ecosystem untouched by man-made invasions. To spread awareness about organic composting, the government also installed thousands of composting pits across the state.
To keep the organic movement mobile, we, the consumers, must also equally participate. Let us buy organically grown food sourced directly from the farmers so that they earn greater pro ts and continue to produce organic yield. This will ensure a gradual decline in the conventional farming practices and consequently, a boost in the health of our land.
Mandala 11


M acul s a icul th apy
“Wow!” said everyone in the clinic when Dante turned around to the sound of a clap. One may wonder what is so wonderful about this until one comes to know that Dante, a Nepali in his thirties, was born deaf and dumb. He came to Delhi to work as a labourer in the hotel industry, and it was here that he met Shri Jyoti, an alternative therapist. After a mere three sittings with Shri Jyoti, Dante was able to hear again. “The cyst in my brain was making my life so miserable that I simply did not wish to live anymore,” said Pinky Singh, a 29-year-old woman from Delhi. Most people had almost given up when Shri Jyoti stepped in. Within a month, Singh was completely cured. This, however, was her second miraculous experience with the therapist. He had cured her of infertility earlier.
Shri Jyoti has made healing people through auricular therapy the mission of his life. Auricular therapy is an alternative healing modality based on the idea that the ear is a microsystem, which re ects the entire body, represented on the auricle, the outer portion of the ear. Conditions affecting the physical, mental, or emotional health of the patient are assumed to be treatable by stimulation of the surface of the ear. Similar mappings are used in many areas of the body, evident in the practices of re exology and iridology.
Shri Jyoti is an expert in various alternative healing modalities like yoga, auricular acupuncture, naturopathy, magneto-therapy, reiki, etc. However, since he found very good results using auricular therapy, he started focusing on it prominently. He learnt auricular
Shri Jyoti’s healing touch has changed many lives
therapy from Shri K Vengupathy, a stalwart of this modality, based in Coimbatore.
As evident from the various case studies cited by Shri Jyoti, auricular therapy is not only bene cial for health but has proven to be miraculous in many cases. It is indeed saving millions of lives through therapists like Shri Jyoti. “I charge money for the healing sessions only from people who can afford to pay but offer my services free to those who cannot,” says he. Shri Jyoti has been rendering his services as an alternative healing therapist since the last 25 years. He also conducts training programmes to help people learn this miraculous therapy.
- By Jamuna Rangachari
Contact id: [email protected] 8700057180, 9811435477
12 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018




HEARTSPEAK
Gend equality
Acouple of years ago, we were invited to a series of presentations by my son’s class in middle school. The
children in the class had been divided into smaller groups of ve, and each group had to come up with ideas to conduct a birthday party for an eight-year-old in a budget of under $20. The presentations were very impressive. The kids had come up with delightful, thrifty ways to celebrate. Slideshows, Venn diagrams, charts, convincing speeches—they did it all. Yet, after my son’s group had nished, I was disappointed. It seemed to me that out of the two girls and three boys in their group, it was the girls who had put in the maximum effort. They did all the talking while the boys just answered a few questions. It seemed unfair that the girls had to do most of the work themselves.
Vidya Murlidhar introspects about how boys too can be the victims of stereotyping, just like girls, and makes a case for mutual respect and understanding between the sexes
14 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018


Heartspeak 15


There is a new generation of boys who are respectful and responsible, and we need to look after their interests too
After the presentations were done, I walked up to my son and the other two boys who were helping the teacher rearrange the tables and chairs in the room. Unable to mask my disappointment, I gently asked them why they had not helped the girls. “We would have,” one of them said wryly, “if they had let us. They refused every suggestion we gave. So, what could we do?” My son shrugged his shoulders and said defensively, “At least we typed out everything... though it had to be exactly the way they wanted it.” Hurt, from my accusations, was writ large in his eyes. Just then, his teacher walked up to me, “I really enjoy having your son in my class. He is one of the most responsible and helpful students I have taught,” she said and hugged me.
Now I was thoroughly disappointed but with myself. This was my child. I knew him inside out. I knew he was such a helpful soul and yet the belief that women carry the burden in most scenarios was so deeply ingrained in my mind that I had jumped to the conclusion that the boys had not pitched in.
After the presentation, while I waited outside the classroom to pick up my son, I saw the two girls whisper into each other’s ears and then point to one of the boys in the class and laugh. They then made a snide remark and continued to giggle. “Nasty women!” I thought angrily, blood rushing to my head. On the drive back,
I narrated the incident to my son. “Those girls are always mean to him, Mom. They make fun of the way he dresses. They think he has no style.” “Well, doesn’t he stand up to them? He should! And you should have too when they didn’t let you guys pitch in for the presentation.” “He says his mom says to never ght with the girls. You say that too! So, we just ignore the girls. Anyway, we already have an A in the class. This project didn’t matter, so why bother?”
This was not right. It was never about the marks but the fact that the boys had been sidelined. These boys may not have been fashionably suave or tough-looking football players, but they were good kids who deserved to be respected for who they were. In some way, I too felt responsible for what happened. This was a very trivial incident, but it made me think. All these years, I had taught my rstborn, my daughter, that there was nothing that she needed to shy away from because she was a girl. She could do anything a boy could do. I had been super proud of the fact that she was one of the very few girls in her AP physics class in high school. Yet, until that day, we had never spoken about respecting the opposite sex.
I wondered if, in our times where abuse and rape made headlines every day, we were disseminating the information that this is how the equation always is. Were we stereotyping the men? We teach our girls to ght, to never
16 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018


succumb, but in our attempt to gain equality, were we planting seeds of superiority in the next generation? With regard for victims of rape or abuse, perpetrators of these barbaric crimes must be severely punished to bring about change in society, so our girls can pursue their dreams unafraid. But there is also a new generation of boys, like my son and his friends, who are respectful and responsible, and we need to look after their interests too.
Equality is a delicate balance
That evening, I found myself talking to my son and daughter about how even though it was important that they should not let anyone, whether boy or girl, treat
them in a manner that disrespected them, it was also important
to treat the people in their lives with equality and respect. At
home or the workplace, they always had to leave room for the other to express.
All things being equal, if my daughter ever went out on a date, then it was only fair for her to pick up or split the tab (with her own money of course, not ours) and if she expected owers and chocolates and the door to be held open for her, then it was perfectly ne if her partner expected her to serve up a plate of food for him. There always had to be a little give and take.
Growing up, I felt the pressure from society with
the expectation that girls had to nurture their
families and prove themselves outside the home.
I was very careful to not let my daughter feel that
way. Both kids were expected to pursue their dreams
and help with kitchen and laundry chores. Now, I wondered
if my son felt a similar pressure. We expected our boys to be tough yet romantic, competitive yet chivalrous.
As a mother, there was another issue that surfaced in my mind that evening. If in the future, my daughter relaxed and watched TV while her partner did all the chores, I would not think anything of it at all, but if it was my son slogging and his partner was on the couch, it would pinch. So much for equality! I had to rst learn to let go of my boy. It was not going to be easy, but I had a lot of growing up to do myself.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
Heartspeak 17


CLOSE ENCOUNTER
Smi en with sp ituality
Renowned actor, author, and spiritual seeker Smita Jaykar touches upon the nuances of spirituality while recounting the journey of her life in a conversation with Anuradha Sahu
Focus on the good and the positive, and you are in sync with the universal energy.—Smita Jaykar
18 LifePositive |OCTOBER 2018


One instantly warms up to Smita Jaykar, a picture of calmness and positivity, with her endearing smile and radiant eyes. Her serene aura, disarming persona, and friendly, cheerful tone create an air of joyfulness that permeates through a telephonic conversation.
It’s a delight to know the actor, author, and seeker, noted for her contribution to the entertainment industry. She has to her credit over 250 lms, more than 75 television serials in Hindi and Marathi, and about 500 theatre shows in English, Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati. Her career, spanning over three decades, has been in concurrence with her spiritual evolvement. “I am an actress whose faith plays a big role in how she approaches her art and her decision-making,” she says.
Married to a well-known lawyer, Mohan Jaykar, Smita is a mother to sons Siddharth and Archit. Besides several articles on meditation, she has also authored two books which have made their way into many readers’ hearts with their simple and sagacious approach. The book Before Tomorrow provides an insightful new look at awakening spirituality within and transforming the way we perceive life. The New Leaf Trust set up by Smita Jaykar supports underprivileged children studying in municipal schools, who have the talent but no nancial support to go forward. It is a charitable service mission that funds projects for child education, a better life for children in urban slums, and schemes that support old and aged individuals.
Unlike many who are hesitant to make their belief and faith public, the spiritual seeker in her motivates Smita to share her learnings and experiences with all who desire to seek beyond. The conversation follows.
Close Encounter 19


It is important to have a living guru.—Smita Jaykar
Who is Smita Jaykar?
A ball of energy. Smita is the name given to it.
Tell us about your foray into the world of acting.
It happened spontaneously. I did not prepare for it nor was there any deliberate effort on my part; rather, I was led towards it. I am a lawyer, though I haven’t actively pursued the profession. It all began with a Diwali special legal programme. I was the master of ceremonies for the evening, and it so happened that the people appreciated my compèring more than the programme itself.
Those were the days when entertainment on the small screen meant only Doordarshan, quite unlike the numerous television channels that we have today. Things simply took off from there and before I knew, I was a part of the entertainment industry.
What sowed in you the seeds of spirituality?
We are a spiritually inclined family. We have always been devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba. Being religious and on the threshold of a promising career, I had everything that one could possibly have desired at that moment. Yet, a lurking feeling inside me prompted me to question myself if this was all there was to it. How do I derive inner peace and joy? What is life?
When did you rst step on the path?
My entry into the eld of entertainment and my spiritual journey began around the same time. I did not turn to spirituality because I was lacking in anything, as it is normally presumed. I think I was destined for it. It so happened that one day, my husband casually asked me to accompany him as he set out to meet someone, and I did, little knowing that it would be an introduction to my rst guru, Prabhuji. My spiritual journey commenced with his blessings more than 30 years ago. He’d often say that the whole world is an illusion, “poori duniya mithya hai,” which would baf e me and make me angry. When I questioned him, he told me to begin work on myself. Prabhuji helped me understand that spirituality is nothing but a process of reconnecting with your life’s purpose and celebrating life with more power and passion.
I would do the Om Prabhu Shanti havan taught by my master for hours and for the past 32 years have been doing it regularly. This is a very powerful havan and has bene tted numerous people who have experienced miracles in their lives. It is uploaded on YouTube with relevant instructions. My master also blessed me with the boon of auto writing. Many a time, people nd it hard to move on after the loss of a dear one. With auto writing, one can reach out to the souls of their loved ones who have transitioned, and nd direction and guidance in life.
20 LifePositive |OCTOBER 2018


Close Encounter 21


Smita Jaykar: I turned to spirituality because I was destined to and not because I was lacking anything
You are also a teacher of Chakra Dhyana...
Yes. My spiritual quest led me to the Oneness ideology. Its simple message was to tap the universal energy and balance the internal body chakras in order to connect with the unique and intelligent truth of your own being. A lot of synchronicities took place during that period, and I found my path to inner transformation. I experienced an internal calm, and the understanding of life became more intense.
Now I regularly practice Chakra Dhyana meditation that focuses on working around the energy systems in the body and bringing them into balance. Chakras are universal. (Personally, I prefer to stay away from religious dogmas as religion divides.) This is purely scienti c and not connected with any religion. I hold regular workshops to share my experiences and learning. I also dabbled in other spiritual practices like reiki,
acupressure, kundalini and rebirthing, and breathwork workshops.
How did you nd Dadashreeji?
I had always wanted to know more about Mahavatar Babaji ever since I read the captivating book Autobiography of a Yogi many years ago. When I came across an article on Dadashreeji—my present guru—in Life Positive magazine, I knew that this was what I had been seeking all these years. It was like a culmination of my journey.
In a vision, Dadashreeji was directed by Mahavatar Babaji in 2006 to transform humanity. Beyond his spiritual persona, it was wonderful to come across a young spiritual guide like Dadashreeji who had sharpness, clarity of thought, and who professed practical action for engendering personal and social development and reform. Diverting his energies from a
22 LifePositive |OCTOBER 2018


medical practice, he formed the Maitri Bodh Parivaar. The last ve years of my association with Dadashreeji and the Maitri Bodh Parivaar has brought about a complete transformation in me. I’d say that I was a bud previously which has now owered in full bloom.
Was it dif cult straddling the worlds of acting and spirituality simultaneously?
I’d say it was quite overwhelming for a 25-year- old, as apart from working on-screen I was also working on myself. I was learning on both the fronts. In retrospect, today, I can see how I was guided at every step. The right lms and the right people simply came along. Everything happened very naturally without me realising anything, and I simply went along with the ow.
Do you think there is a possibility of another path opening?
I cannot say but I believe that one is a learner till the very end, and I am open to learning. You see, depending on the stage of one’s evolvement, a distinct path opens up. Every spiritual path has enhanced my being only further.
How did spirituality affect your career?
Very constructively. Everything was well- balanced and connected, and when one is connected to Divinity, miracles happen.
How does one nd a guru?
It is something that your heart tells you. If the path is for you, you will know it. When the master has chosen someone, the person is guided towards the master.
Close Encounter 23


The human body is a miracle. Different parts of the anatomy have their own functions and importance—so complex yet working in complete harmony as they are designed to, without we having to instruct them. Yet, are we aware of it?
How have your gurus in uenced your life?
I feel transformed, and with a more peaceful inner self, life is smooth sailing. Stress doesn’t affect me, negative emotions stay away, and I can focus more on solutions rather than the problems. Even if the journey was challenging, I now feel that there was Divine Grace that guided me all along and still does. My energies today are more in sync with the universal energy. I have become a better human being. I feel grateful that today I can appreciate both, the practical and spiritual worlds wholeheartedly.
What according to you is spirituality?
Spirituality is an experience; every journey is different. One cannot undermine the path of another as it’s all a matter of perception. Spirituality is a vast subject and probably that one word from which most of us shy away, maybe because it lacks a clear de nition and is erroneously taken as something linked to orthodox religion or religious beliefs. Being aware, simplicity, giving up the ego—all of these are aspects of spirituality.
What has been your greatest spiritual experience so far? Anything miraculous?
Every experience is unique; you cannot single out any one. The human body, for example, is a miracle in itself. Different parts of the anatomy have their own functions and importance—so complex yet working in complete harmony as they are designed to, without we having to instruct them. Yet, are we aware of it? How many of us ever acknowledge our breath that stays with us till the very end? Do we ever contemplate about the purpose of our life, why we have taken birth, or where we are heading?
So many of us are simply existing—drifting on a day-to-day basis. Unawareness is ignorance; one needs to look inwards. With spirituality, the awareness gets sharper. Once awareness surfaces, the inward journey begins. Don’t we often ask: “Why me?” “Why do I have to suffer?” “Why do bad things happen only to me?” The good and the bad both go hand-in-hand; it is education that makes us big. Well, if we are not ready to work on ourselves, how can we expect miracles to occur? “Wake up and smell the coffee,” I’d say.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
24 LifePositive |OCTOBER 2018




LEAD STORY
F d th apy
Natural foods have immense power to not only prevent but also heal us of chronic and difficult diseases, says Jamuna Rangachari
Hippocrates said ages ago, “Let food be our medicine and medicine our food.” The way we eat food can either rejuvenate and revive, or destroy us completely. Our food gives our body ‘information’ and the materials it needs to function properly. If we don’t get the right information, our metabolic processes suffer
and our health declines. Humans and other species live very symbiotically with nature. Natural foods such as fruits, leaves, juices, seeds, and nuts contain all the elements necessary for our health, rejuvenation, and survival. Naturally available food and water are strong enough to heal us of most diseases; yet, these days, we have to depend on medicines and injectables to treat problems caused by eating or overeating.
Consequently, the question arises, “Where are we going wrong?” Dr Nandita Shah, a holistic healer, says, “One of the biggest causes of disease today is our unnatural diet. Although we’ve been taught by our society that we are omnivores, the truth is that we are not. A true omnivore can attack its prey, tear it apart, and eat it raw and whole. Since we can do none of this with the animals that we eat, we must realise that this is not our natural food. Our mouths water when we see fruits and vegetables on a farm. These are therefore the most suitable foods for our species. Eating foods that are not suitable for our species is like fuelling a car that runs on petrol, with diesel. The results will not be good, even if it’s only a small amount.”
She speaks about eating natural foods and not re ning them, as maximum nutrition of any fruit lies just under its skin. She also tells us how pesticides destroy the human body. They disrupt the hormones, which is why many are suffering from hormonal problems such as diabetes, PCOD, hypothyroidism, menstrual and menopausal disorders, infertility, and breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers. And her claim is not false.
26 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018


“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison’’—Ann Wigmore
Lead Story 27


Many a chronically ill patient have been healed of their diseases by eating foods high in medicinal value, as recommended by their therapists and doctors, and avoiding those laden with chemicals. Foods that grow naturally in a region are rich in elements that buttress the immune system, supply essential nutrients, and ght off diseases. And the more we rely upon indigenous foods and eating habits, the more we are likely to stay t and healthy. Local spices and herbs are a storehouse of healing properties. Our grandmothers used to prepare plenty of herbal concoctions at home to heal stomach pain, fever, bee stings, headaches, and what not.
If we learn to listen to our body, it would tell us what it wants us to do to help it heal. Once I had come down with stomach pain which was caused by infection. I naturally eschewed all foods and sustained myself on hot vegetable soup and khichdi. When the doctor heard about my food intake he was very pleased because he was going to suggest the same foods to me.
When a friend’s mother had come down with dengue fever, giving her the juice of raw papaya leaves had restored her back to health and normalcy. However, there is a whole world of healing chronic and dif cult diseases by simply relying on the healing properties of natural food. Just read these inspiring stories and your life will never be the same again.
Dr Salila Tiwari 28 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018
Success stories of Dr Salila Tiwari
Delhi-based Dr Salila Tiwari has many success stories to her credit with regard to healing people through diet change. Dr Tiwari, author of Sau Saal Swasth Kaise Rahen, is the vice president of International Naturopathy Organisation. She has received many awards like Delhi Ratan and Pride of Country and also runs a naturopathy hospital at a beautiful Himalayan resort at Champawat, Uttarakhand, where treatment and certi ed naturopathy education is provided. Years ago, while helping a poor child get treatment, she found it very dif cult to nd a cure through allopathy, as his parents were not willing to allow a brain- tumour operation. Desperate to help him, she then learnt homoeopathy and was soon carrying her little box of medicines to slums and


helping many get healed. After that, she came across naturopathy, studied it thoroughly, and was convinced that it was the best form of not just medicine but life itself.
Today, she is an internationally renowned naturopathy, yoga, and other alternative therapy expert who has been a doctor to the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and several Bollywood actors too, having cured many incurable diseases. Below is an account of a few of her success stories.
Mr Parveen Nagpal, working as a software and business consultant in the United States, had been suffering from in ammatory bowel disease (IBD) for more than a year and was
given plenty of drugs including prednisolone and mesalamine. They stopped making him feel better after some time, and he hated putting so many drugs in his body. A friend told him about the natural way of healing and strongly recommended that he get in touch with Dr Salila Tiwari. He immediately did so and got amazing results from the therapies advised by her. Dr Tiwari recommended pomegranate juice, bael (wood apple) juice, buttermilk, and coconut water as they ease the digestive system and do not put pressure on it. Very soon, he was healed of his disease.
Manoj Misran suffered from chronic psoriasis for more than 20 years. He had consulted multiple doctors and different
Lead Story 29


types of therapies viz allopathy, homoeopathy, ayurveda, acupuncture, and so on. He had also spent seven years in the United States and consulted the world’s best doctors. Yet, nothing worked. Some of the top doctors told him point blank that there was no permanent cure for psoriasis in medical science. All he could do was take medicines to treat the symptoms. Three years ago, he applied for term insurance for himself, but the insurance company rejected his application on medical grounds. It was then that he came to know he had failed his LFT (liver function test). After consulting a doctor, he came to know that his liver had gotten severely impacted due to long-term use of the medicines he was taking. Manoj was in a x now and hugely depressed because if he stopped taking the medicines, his skin would be damaged, and if he continued with them, his liver would take a beating.
While he was in this deep dilemma, grace presented itself, and a colleague asked him to contact Dr Tiwari and take her guidance. She suggested that he attend a course of eight classes that explains complete naturopathy.
She also asked him to stop all medicines. Though he was afraid that his psoriasis might resurface, he decided to follow her advice and stopped the medicines. In the rst month, the symptoms did show up, but the intensity was quite low. This excited him, and he became much more disciplined in following the course suggested by Dr Tiwari.
According to her, we need to take Vitamin C from natural sources like amla, lemons, or oranges, depending on an individual’s liking or system. She recommends having juices since they are easily absorbed and asks people to have only fruits, salads, or juices in the morning and two meals between 12 noon and eight in the evening to strengthen our system.
.
Manoj is now completely cured without medicines and he is the only one in his of ce who has not taken a single sick leave in the past three years.
Similarly, Munish Sehgal from Delhi had been taking medicines for a thyroid problem for four
30 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018


to ve years. Dr Tiwari asked him to have lotus stem in any form. He has been having lotus stem soup at least four to ve times a day and has improved so much that all his medication has been stopped.
Listen to your body
Dr Rakhi Mehra, who has trained in various disciplines and has served as a consultant/ specialist/ surgeon in various tertiary hospitals including Safdarjung Hospital and Military Hospital in India, rmly believes in listening to our body. For example, in fever, light khichdi allows rest to the digestive system while enhancing our taste along with igniting the body’s metabolism. Similarly, intake of simple haldi (turmeric) powder with normal water proves to be very effective in summer for the usual bouts of colds, coughs, and throat infections. Black pepper, ginger, cloves, and holy basil are very effective during winter in cases of common cold or u. Despite knowing these facts, we prefer to take antihistamine drugs, which further exacerbates our sore throat.
She says, “I am personally aware of several individuals who stay t and healthy during winter months by eating an amla (Indian gooseberry) or two oranges a day. Those who eat plenty of fruit and vegetables enjoy better immunity, thanks to the hundreds of bene cial compounds they imbibe through the vast variety of delightful fruits and vegetables supplied by nature.
Presents
Lead Story 31


Curing cancer through food
She remembers how Rama Patnayak, a retired principal, consulted her for breast cancer that she had been tackling with chemotherapy. She also had diabetes and high blood pressure and wanted to strengthen her immune system. On Dr Mehra’s advice, she added vegetables, dry fruits, buttermilk, turmeric (immunity booster), methi (fenugreek—a proven anti-diabetic) and dalchini (cinnamon—good for metabolism) in her diet, in addition to her regular medicines. After seven days of following this regimen, she began to feel lighter and more energetic along with getting sound sleep at night.
Satish Sharma, a bureaucrat from Delhi, had barely recovered from the shock and trauma of his mother’s death from cancer in 2003 when, in April 2005, at the age of 50, he was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer, though rare in men. He was operated upon and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Meanwhile, his quest for the reason of disease and its solutions, as an affected layperson, carried on. He found many websites and books that made him much wiser, making him his own doctor and health guide. During the treatment in 2005, he used to have wheatgrass juice and aloe vera to help his body ght off the ill effects of radiation. His blood count went up and his operation, chemo, and radiotherapy went relatively smooth. He also started having raw foods though he does say that caution has to be exercised as during chemo, one’s immune system is compromised, and raw foods can cause infection if not washed or disinfected properly.
Satish comes from a family where all his uncles and father died of heart attack or heart disease. He never had a robust constitution. He suffered from angina pain in his left arm upon exertion, that began around age 48. He had been prone to asthma and digestive problems too. After he started having raw foods in 2005, his sinusitis, puf ng, panting, asthma, and digestive issues
32 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018


vanished. His skin is much better with no rashes or eczema, and the quality of his sleep too has improved. Even the hair on his head, face, and chest that was greying, started becoming black, so much so that his children’s friends told them that their father doesn’t look his age. Now, Satish regularly conducts workshops to help others take charge of their own health.
As far as superfoods are concerned, he says there are many and cautions against aping the West that has suddenly discovered superfoods like turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, holy basil, mint, coriander, and cumin. The fact is that spices, various fruits and berries, green leafy vegetables as well as other coloured ones, nuts and seeds, apricots, and kernels, all have different enzymes, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, biophotons, macro-and micronutrients—all bene cial for health. He says, “The more we limit ourselves to only a few superfoods, the less we give to our body, which requires a lot of variety for great health and healing.” According to him, what is important is that fruits should be seasonal and fresh, and preferably non-GMO and organic.
Another person who has de ed the predictions of allopaths is Ramneek Wig, a lawyer from Delhi. He was diagnosed with cancer (Hodgkin’s lymphoma) in the year 1998 at the age of 25. Soon after the chemotherapy was over, the cancer relapsed within the next six months. According to the doctors, the only cure was a bone marrow transplant for which he went to the US. The transplant was followed by 25 sittings of radiotherapy, and he was told that it was unlikely to return.
Fortunately, he had done a course in yoga and pranayama earlier and decided to get wholeheartedly involved in pranayama, food therapy, and meditation. He ate a lot of berries and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, cauli ower, cabbage, brussels sprout, beet greens, turnip greens, radish greens, mustard greens and watercress, besides garlic, turmeric, and wheatgrass.
He started feeling better, and even the doctor was extremely surprised to see him after a year. Having recovered, he has now authored many books, helped many people heal, and conducts personalised courses in Delhi and on Skype.
Ramneek Wig
Lead Story 33


Intake of simple turmeric powder with normal water proves to be very effective in summer for the usual bouts of colds, coughs, and throat infections. Black pepper, ginger, cloves, and holy basil are very effective during winter in cases of common cold or u.
34 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018


How people discover the magic of food therapy
It is not just our own sickness but also that of our loved ones too which makes us look for solutions. My uncle in Bangalore, who had a chronic cough, was told by K Girish, a healer, to have carrot soup combined with pepper, green chilli, and turmeric, which cured cold, cough, and asthma. He followed the instructions and became much better in just a few days. He is now truly grateful to Girish who himself became a healer when faced with a personal challenge.
As a 28-year-old electrical engineer, he was blessed with a bonny boy. Before he could even celebrate the event, he came down with anxiety as the baby kept crying continuously. The doctors hospitalised the baby for one month and in a warm chamber for one week. After this,hewasdischarged.JustwhenGirishfelt the boy would remain healthy, he began having a constantly runny nose and fever till the age of thirteen. Girish went to several doctors and gave him many types of medicines, but the problem persisted, with his son being admitted to hospital three times.
Exasperated, he began working on various alternative cures himself and found that a combination of ginger, garlic, turmeric and giloy, crushed and mixed with honey every day, improved his son’s immunity tremendously, and his attacks reduced dramatically.
Now a healer himself, he has also discovered many other healing foods like cardamom that is extremely bene cial for diabetes, cholesterol, and the heart, and the carrot soup that I mentioned earlier.
Something similar happened in Shailaja Agarwal’s father’s case. Her father, at the age of 40, developed type 2 diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). Promptly, the doctors put him on allopathic medication for both of these lifestyle diseases. Twenty years later, despite being on medication, he developed heart disease with 90 per cent blockage in one of the arteries of the heart, and the doctor suggested surgery. Fortunately, an open-minded allopath advised a lifestyle change instead, which would open the blockage gradually. He opted to drastically change his diet to a very low-fat diet and incorporated yoga and regular walks in his daily routine.
As a result, he became completely well. This encouraged Shailaja to qualify as an IAO (International Accreditation Organisation)- certi ed nutritionist with a Diploma in Dietetics, Health, and Nutrition from the VLCC Institute and promote wellness through diet. Now, she creates a exible, personalised weight loss chart and has guided many people in improving their health. “It is my passionate endeavour to create vibrant health through using both traditional wisdom and modern knowledge to ascertain the underlying causes of an individual’s current health challenges and make adjustments to their food and lifestyle choices that support health improvement,” she says.
Raj Merchant’s grandmother suffered from severe diabetes, and she was told that her legs would need to be amputated. At that time, he met a wonderful healer who guided him in healing her through just diet. After this, he himself learnt the technique and has guided
Lead Story 35


many people in healing themselves through simple remedies, some of which are given in the box in this article.
Indian homes always have been a treasure trove of ancient wisdom. Mr Dinesh Sahgal, a legal professional from Mumbai, learnt from his own grandmother, the bene ts of mulethi or liquorice and has used it to cure himself of mouth ulcers and his daughter of tonsillitis.
The instances may be many, but the fact is that people heal when they listen to their own body and what message it is emitting.
The human body has been designed to stay well and battle against entropy. We are meant to regenerate and revive ourselves. This, of course, can be discovered only if we listen to our physical body, mind, and spirit, and identify our own healing mechanism, for we all are indeed unique. Just like we need to nd our own gurus, we need to nd and follow our own health regimen by observing and learning from others in the journey of wellness.
36 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018


Diet tips (from many sources):
• Approx. 150 to 160 leaves of tulsi can be consumed three to four times a day for any kind of fever.
• One spoon of onion juice is good for dandruff and greying of hair. Onion juice even gets rid of spectacles if its juice is put in the eyes.
• 200 to 300 curry leaves a day are good for controlling blood pressure and diabetes.
• Coriander juice consumed on an empty stomach reduces cholesterol.
• 10 to 15 French beans consumed on an empty stomach helps in controlling diabetes.
• A handful of mehendi (henna) leaves are good for jaundice and liver-related problems.
• Carrots are good for increasing haemoglobin and for curing cancer.
• Hibiscus or shoe ower can be consumed for stopping excessive bleeding or piles bleeding. The green leaves of the same plant are very helpful in reducing any kind of infection in the body.
• Research has shown that turmeric, which is used in many Indian curries, when combined with black pepper, improves the bioavailability of this superfood.
• The antioxidant ellagic acid (found in walnuts, raspberries, pomegranates, and cranberries) enhances the ability of quercetin (an antioxidant found in apples, grapes, onions, and buckwheat) to kill cancerous cells.
• Sprinkling half a cup of sun ower seeds into our morning cereal with milk provides more than 100 per cent of our day’s requirement of vitamin E.
• Flaxseeds contain high levels of phytoestrogen. They not only lessen symptoms of menopause but also have positive effects on cholesterol, cognition, and digestion.
Lead Story 37


• Amla or the Indian gooseberry has high Vitamin C content, enhances food absorption, balances stomach acids, forti es the liver, nourishes the brain and mental functioning, and supports the heart. It also strengthens the lungs, regulates elimination of free radicals, enhances fertility, helps the urinary system, improves skin quality, and promotes healthier hair.
• Mulethi or liquorice supports liver health and is an antiseptic that helps to calm the stomach. It is also an expectorant and decongestant that can help ght respiratory infections.
• There is some evidence that liquorice in small amounts can be used to decrease sugar cravings. Moreover, it is also known to be bene cial in cases of low blood pressure.
• Aloe vera juice is good for the digestive system, skin, hair, and teeth. It is an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-in ammatory and protects us from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• In the case of cancer survivors, it provides protection from skin damage after radiation therapy.
• Wheatgrass is packed with a powerful combination of nutrients and has many therapeutic bene ts. It is known as complete nourishment.
• The extensive combination of vitamins and nutrients make wheatgrass an exceptional choice to enhance one’s well-being. It has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-in ammatory properties.
• Lemons have a high content of Vitamin C, regulate the bowels, are antibacterial and have B-complex vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and bre. They balance our body’s chemistry.
Note: These are general guidelines. Everything needs to be customised to suit one’s body.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
38 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018




HEALTH AND FITNESS
Visi yoga
40
LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018
Jamuna Rangachari shares information on Vision Yoga, the brainchild of Dr Viram Agarwal, a pioneer in the field of holistic vision therapy
My 59 year old aunt, Seeta Narayan (name changed), now in Mumbai, has always been very close to me. Unfortunately, since her teenage, she has had problems with her eyesight, with she having to change her spectacles every now and then. Though she tried many things to
improve it, nothing really worked. In the recent past, she had to go for a cataract operation, which went awry, and the eye that had been operated on, became almost non-functional. She had more or less accepted her fate and only hoped and prayed she would at least be able to see with the other eye.


Grace presented itself when her neighbour told her about one of her relatives who had bene ted a lot from Dr Viram Agarwal’s treatment, in Mumbai. She convinced my aunt to visit him at least once, and thus her journey with him began. Very soon, her vision started improving in both her eyes. The reason was doing regular eye yoga exercises that were taught at his centre. Now, she is an ardent and regular practitioner of these eye exercises. She was also amazed by the miraculous experiences of children and elderly people who regained their vision through these techniques.
After hearing all this, I felt I must explore this gentleman’s work and in the process came across many inspiring stories. A couple of them are worth mentioning.
Ahanna Desai, a 20 year old from Mumbai, had to forgo her dream of joining the aviation industry, as she failed the medical tests due to her poor vision. After practising Vision Yoga exercises for four months, her vision improved signi cantly, and she passed the medical test she had failed earlier due to the weakness of her vision. Her vision is still not perfect, but the prescription number has reduced considerably and she is very happy that she can now follow her dream.
Mrs Tanaz Birdi, 65 from Mumbai, read an article about the doctor in a mainstream paper and went to him as she had lost the ability to see with one eye. Now, her non-functioning eye has improved quite a lot within two months, its prescription number has reduced, and she is certain that it will become even better.
The journey
Most of us will agree that no amount of medicines or surgery can replace the bene ts of maintaining healthy habits like brushing our teeth, taking a bath, eating nutritious food, and being physically active every day.
Strangely, however, no one has taught us simple ways to maintain eye health and preserve our invaluable natural vision. This lack of awareness, combined with constant exposure to pollution, bright glare from television and mobile screens, long stressful hours in front of computer screens, poor sleeping and eating habits, very often deteriorate the health of our eyes which, in turn, drastically reduces the quality of our vision.
In India, 70 per cent of people run into some kind of eye trouble in their lives. It is estimated that 90 per cent of all individuals in the US will eventually wear glasses at some point in their lifetime. According to international health agencies like WHO (World Health Organisation), AOA (American Optometric Organisation), and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), anywhere between 80–90 per cent of all people who use computers for two hours daily, suffer from CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome). The number of sufferers across the world is now of cially more than 40 million, and this number is growing rapidly with IT entering virtually every area of our lives.
In this scenario, vision therapy is included as a part of optometry and is now being highly recommended by international 0rganisations and colleges like COVD (College of Vision Development, USA), ACBO (The Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists, Australia), BABO (The
Health and Fitness 41


Dr Viram Agarwal is a pioneer in the eld of vision therapy, having founded Vision Yoga—a one of its kind programme to maintain healthy eyesight.
42 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018
British Association of Behavioural Optometrists, UK), along with regular corrective eye treatment for better and long-lasting results. Recognising this fact, ASCO (Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry) has launched a vision therapy course for optometrists, for the rst time in India.
Dr Viram Agarwal has been a pioneer in this eld for a long time. When he saw that there was not enough focus on improving one’s eyesight, he entered this eld in 1997 by doing research at the Sri Aurobindo School for Perfect Eyesight, Pondicherry. He studied the work of the late American ophthalmologist, Dr William Bates, who had done pioneering work on how to naturally invigorate vision in today’s computerised and technology-rich world apart from studying many other alternative therapies. Today he is a member of COVD (College of Vision Development, USA); Indian Board of Alternative Medicines; Trinity College London, UK and many more prestigious institutes having earned doctorates and MDs from them.
A combination of all his study, his programme includes generating awareness about eye health that helps people with issues like retinal disorders, glaucoma, squint, lazy eye, dry eyes, and even simple refractive errors like myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism, presbyopia, and so on. This programme is unique as it has been designed keeping our current lifestyle in mind. These exercises can be done anywhere, in any kind of clothing, once understood well, can be easily remembered. He also does not include any dietary restrictions.
Essentially, he created Vision Yoga, a holistic method of treating eye disorders, combining modern techniques with Vedic tradition, as given in the Chakshushopanishad (Upanishad for eye health) and Netradwayam (ayurvedic treatment of eye disorders). He has found that eye exercises relax the mind and improve concentration and memory, especially in children. They also work on improving the coordination between the eyes and the brain. This, in turn, reduces strain, thus preventing vision deterioration and the use of glasses.
Dr Agarwal rmly advises people to avoid wearing spectacles all the time and asks them to use glasses only when required, to strengthen the eyes as much as possible. He believes that every school should have eye exercises at least for 15 minutes, thrice a week, so children at an early age can keep their vision natural and healthy.
There are many types of yogas to exercise our body, but not much for the eyes though it is much needed. I wish Dr Agarwal all the best in creating a world that will be free of spectacles and vision issues.


Simple exercises for healthy eyes
Note: Remove spectacles before doing these exercises.
1. Swinging exercise
• Swing your body from side to side with your eyes shut in front of a light source or under the sun.
•Do this 80 to 100 times.
Bene ts: It massages the eyeballs and strengthens the eyes.
2. Rope exercise
You would need a rope that is three feet long, and three big beads that could be put on the rope. The beads should be attached leaving a six-inch gap at both the ends, and one should be attached in the middle.
•Ask someone to hold the rope straight in front of you and you place the rope on the tip of your nose.
•Now, look at the rst bead near your nose. It should look like a ‘V’.
•Jump to the last bead. It should look like an ‘A’.
•Now look at the one in the middle. It should look like an ‘X’. •Do this 60 times.
•Blink three times.
Bene ts: This is good for the optic nerve. Even if the letters are not visible to you straightaway, continue doing it.
Healings I Therapies I Rejuvenation
The light within
• 5th - 7th Oct. : Basic DNA Theta Healing Classes • 26th - 28th Oct. : Advance DNA Theta Healing
• Lama Fera class in Oct
Book your slots for
• Akashic Records consultations
• Clearing your spaces and aura from entities
and psychic attacks
• Energetic Facelift session
• Correcting Vision sessions
• Age regression and Past life regression
• Intuitive readings from 7th plane, guardian angels and tarot
for details about
contact for Dates, venue and cost: 9031045900/7004100257 or inbox your query on [email protected]
Ongoing registrations for August classes and workshops
Ahaana announces classes in Kolkata
Health and Fitness 43


3. Pen exercise
•Make the eye focus shift from front to back, tailing an object, like a pen near your nose.
•Then look far away.
•For children, use a toy instead of a pen.
•Do this 60 to 80 times.
Bene ts: It works on the oblique muscles of the eye and helps the lens focus.
4. Focus exercise
•Start reading a number on a calendar while walking away from it till the point it is clearly visible to you.
•When it is blurry, squeeze your eyes hard ve times. •Keep your eyes closed and imagine it as you saw it rst. •Do this twice.
•Repeat it at least three times a day
Bene ts: It improves the central xation of distant objects.
5. Acupressure points
•Press the following points on both hands 10–15 times, three times a day.
•The point between the index and tallest nger on both hands •The point on top of the thumb, above the nail on both hands
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
44 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018


Transformation Now!
Presents
6th Past Life Regression Confrence (PLRC6)
15th & 16th December, 2018
at Taj Lands End, Bandra, Mumbai
Keynote Speakers At PLRC6
Doug Buckingham
Clinical Hypnotherapist and Regression Trainer, United Kingdom
PLRC6 Highlights :
• Access to the best transformation / healing expe riences by world-renowned masters
• Over 20 workshops and presentations by master speakers
• 1- to -1 connect with the pioneers in alternative therpies
• Interactions with therapists, spiritual scientists, healers & others whove experienced miraculous transformations
• Life-changing insights & tips, & exposure to the newest developments in spirituality & alternative
therapy
• A transformational & peaceful experience by the
Arabian Sea at Taj Lands End
Dr. Lakshmi M.B.B.S
Past Life Regression Pioneer ARRR Vice President, India
Dr. Newton Kondaveti,M.D
Past Life Regression Pioneer ARRR President, India
Who attends PLRC?
• Professionals : Manage stress, achieve sental clarity and man ifest your goal
• Students: Over come fears & limitations which are stopping you from manifesting your dreams
•Homemakers: Strengthenyourrelationshipswithfamily,boost
•
Empower your practice by un
porate a holistic approach in your practice •Healers&Clairvoyants: Deepenyourunderstandingbylearn
ing from world renowned experts & network with like minded individuals. awaken your hidden potential through transfor mative healing.
Other Six-Day Residential Training Programs in 2018
“FAMILY CONSTELLATION ” 25th to 30th October 2018
“LIFE BETWEEN LIVES ” 15th to 20th November 2018
“BREATH MASTERY ” 1st to 6th December 2018
Contact for more details:
Sridevi +91-9848019022, Rajashekhar +91- 9849094575, Dr. Preeti Kohli: +91-91672 55439, Ssanket: +91-98212 16880 Email : [email protected] Website Link: http://www.arrrglobal.org / plrc6


GURUSPEAK
The human mind often tends to concern itself with destined forthcoming events. In fact, it focuses more on destiny than on the present. You try to de ne and limit your life with ‘destiny’. Your mind tries to know about the future. This distressing mental struggle is further exacerbated by society.
Many start visiting fortunetellers, and the confused mindstartsreadjustingtowhat is foretold. Unfortunately, many believers are misguided and disappointed due to lack of true knowledge. It happens when discrimination between the real and unreal is compromised, further confusing the seekers. The most confused lesson of life is about karma and the associated destiny factor. Hence, let us simplify and understand this concept well.
Ex cise y r ee will
Do not circumscribe your life by predictions, advises Dadashreeji. Instead, use your freedom of choice to enrich and enjoy your life’s journey
of one’s journey in time; they ow from the past to the future.
In the name of destiny, the ignorant may limit themselves, blaming the self or others. They miss the opportunity of using their free will to explore and enjoy the journey. They may restrain themselves from evolving and exercising their choice to practise what they feel is right.
Do not believe in life which is con ned by predicted events. Your birth here on this planet is not about dragging yourself from birth to death but about the quality of life you enjoy throughout your journey. It is about love, bonding, joy, friendship, togetherness, and many happy things in your life. Life is not about moving from point A to point B; it is about love and freedom. It is not about how much you achieve in life but about love and freedom you experiencewithin.Doyou?We mean now!
20 per cent of your entire life. Somehow, you design your life only around this gure and forget that you have a further 80 per cent to enjoy under the privilege of free will. You could have done or can productively do better in life with this knowledge. Erase your past that is lingering in the mind. Look at what you have now, and work with it. Don’t worry about the destiny factor. With your relentless efforts, pre- xed events can also be changed if you really need to. Hereafter, do not blame your destiny; if you want to blame your efforts. Today is the day which gives you immense opportunity to change your life, and there is absolutely nothing which can stop you from doing so—not even your destiny.
Explore and enjoy your life.
A profound Master and the Founder of Maitribodh Parivaar, Divine Friend Dadadhreeji is a sublime blend of ancient wisdome and modern insight.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
Consider a petrol station as
your total karma and the petrol
lled in your car as your destiny.
With a full petrol tank, you can
travel to your desired location.
Yourmind,asadriver,willknow
the destination and will help you
reach there. Hence, in simple
terms, destiny is the result of
the past. Karma (deeds) are the
recorded and ongoing actions your understanding, it is only
Life does carry something from the past; to scale it for
46 LifePositive |OCTOBER 2018




FOOD
A protein-rich pla
Naini Setalvad debunks the myth that a vegetarian diet doesn’t fulfil the body’s daily requirement of protein. To encourage us, she shares some fun veggie Mexican recipes
48 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2018


Across the world as well as in India, millions of people are vegetarians, and many more are choosing to
eat less meat for environmental and health reasons. However, one question invariably crops up when it comes to maintaining a vegetarian lifestyle: Is it possible to get enough protein? You will be glad to learn that the answer is a resounding ‘yes’.
We seem to have a misconception that animal products are the only sources of good proteins, but vegetables, cereals, pulses, nuts, seeds as well as milk and soy (and their products) are rich in proteins too. Whether in terms of quality or quantity of protein, a well-rounded, balanced vegetarian diet can do wonders to meet the body’s protein requirement and keep your blood parameters at amazing levels. The most important thing to remember when it comes to maintaining a vegetarian diet is to ensure that it involves a variety of plant-based foods.
A quick biochemistry refresher
There are 20 amino acids which form the building blocks of protein. Nine of these, the essential amino acids, cannot be formed by the body and must be available in our food. The good news is that a varied plant-based diet can give us plenty of these amino acids. In fact, whenever grains such as wheat, rice, or any millet is mixed with legumes such as peanuts, beans, or lentils, they together form a 'complete protein' containing all essential amino acids.
Enough quality protein in veggies
The main function of proteins is to help the body grow and repair damaged tissue cells. Proteins are needed by the body daily as these
catabolic actions happen throughout the day. I always get worried vegetarian clients who are stressing over how they will make up for the supposed lack of protein in their vegetarian diet. I am reiterating the fact that animal products are not the only sources of protein.
The vegetarian diet has an abundance of protein options which, when eaten in the correct combination, give you a ‘complete protein’. Therefore, when it comes to quality of protein, our staple of vegetables and grains like rice and wheat can be good for us but should be seen as a complement to beans, lentils, and nuts, to be truly balanced. But what about quantity? Here too, we nd that it is entirely possible to get an adequate daily intake in a vegetarian diet.
Sources of protein
Beans really are magical. These little superfoods are full of bre, protein, and magnesium and are also low in cholesterol, making them an exceptional replacement for meat. Beans of all kinds work best in Indian curries, soups, salads, veggie burgers, dips, and (of course) burritos. Meanwhile, lentils are high in folate, iron, potassium, and antioxidants, and they’ve even been linked to reduced in ammation. They are a truly versatile protein source and can be used in nearly any type of Indian or world cuisine. Think how bene cial it would be for the body as well as for the environment.
There are more sources of vegetarian proteins such as paneer, tofu, peas, chickpeas, edamame beans and curd; cheeses like cheddar cheese and feta cheese; nuts like almonds, pistachios, and walnuts; and seeds like sun ower and ax seeds. Let me tell you something interesting that will surely shock you: 100 grams of sh have 22 grams of protein and 206 calories, whereas 100 grams of plain yoghurt gives you 18.8 grams of protein and it has only 98 calories! Normally a bowl of dahi (curd) is 200
Food 49


A Sanctuary of Wholeness and Balance.
Our body is like a microcosm of our planet. When one part of this delicate natural machine is disturbed it sends ripples of stress through the whole. One of the most important aspects of natural healing is to understand that healing depends on balance. If our external and internal lifestyles are balanced then, assuming we have the poten al to get well, all the condi ons necessary for healing
are in place. To establish external balance we should develop a good, simple diet, drink plenty of water, get enough rest and sleep, exercise regularly within our capacity and have an enjoyable job or purpose in life or learn to enjoy it! Also it helps to live in a clean and healthy environment. We also need suppor ve and healthy rela onships and should avoid substance abuse.
We also have a subtle body made of energy. This subtle body is made up of Life Force Energy; it runs through subtle pathways or meridians and centres of energy, also known as Chakras. Life Force Energy is the subtle founda on of all life, a sort of cosmic soup that supports, nourishes and sustains the cycle of birth, life and death of all forms of life. Buddhism, Chinese Medicine, Vedic Science and other similar eastern philosophies understand the concept of energy much be er than we do.
The real meaning of natural healing is to restore a person to Wholeness and Balance & having a healthy body is only a small part of this. A good natural healing treatment has the e ect of restoring openness to our energy system so we can receive a well balanced flow of Universal Life Force Energy that is o en cut o or restricted by illness.
Vishuddhii
Vishuddhii is a sanctuary of Wellbeing taking you away from the rigours of a stressful city life, fostering Wholesome Living. Vishuddhii’s mission is to encourage Wellbeing by providing an avenue to support healthy life choices. Vishuddhii focuses on Wholeness and Balance of your Body, Mind and Soul through a range of services, tailor- made for each individual basis his/her speci c needs.
Our centre at Gurugram is the ONLY ONE in Delhi- NCR and perhaps all of India that o ers Magnesium Float Pool service, a full fledged Sound Healing Centre, Biofeedback, Chakra Healing, Yoga, Ayurveda, Medita on and Geopathic Stress Correc on all under one roof. In addi on, there are Unique and highly e ec ve therapies like Bio- Energy Healing and StarMagic which are available at the Centre.
Ananta - The Magnesium Float Pool - Restore, Rejuvenate, Revitalize.
This involves floa ng in a chamber with water 12 inches deep, warmed to skin temperature with over 800kgs of Magnesium (Epsom) and Dead Sea Salts.
Magnesium supports heart health, controls inflamma on, controls blood pressure, helps restore pH balance, reduces risk of cancer (caused through improper Calcium-Magnesium ra o), helps correct sleep disorders and so on. The use of Magnesium a er physical exercises can increase flexibility, muscle tone, improve blood circula on and oxygena on, thereby greatly increasing bene ts of exercise. Ananta provides special oxygen genera ng plants in a personal float room to enhance air purity.
Nada Mandir - Expand the Mind. Feel the Soul.
Sound Healing is one of the oldest forms of healing known to man. It refers to the therapeu c applica on of sound frequency with inten on of restoring Health and Wellbeing. At Vishuddhii, we o er you some unique Sound Healing Therapies. We have a Gong bath, performed daily in a group in which we use the best quality Gongs to bring you a unique stress relieving experience. We also have therapies using special bowls & tuning forks which give you deep sense of relaxa on, reducing stress signi cantly, which is the root cause of disease.
Sound Healing decreases stress and anxiety, helps reduce inflamma on, helps cure sleep disorders, works on depression, helps ght diabetes and other diseases and removes aches and pains.
Vishuddhii Yoga - Breathe, Relax and Open Your Heart to the Cosmos.
At Vishuddhii, we have created a unique space simula ng a forest bathing environment to maximise the bene ts of Yoga. The Yoga asanas are focused on Chakra Health with Sound Healing for added bene ts.
Anahata - Medita on Cave - Be Calm. Be You.
We all know the endless bene ts of medita on. And what's more refreshing and relaxing than to meditate in a cave amidst the nature. At Anahata, our Medita on Cave, you can have a beau ful uninterrupted medita on in solitude.