Josh-hua Medicine Man, Age 50, Master Faster, 7DW 65th plus, Introduction- Helping People Survive

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Greetings new and old HPS cleansing friends,

I am editing this thread because I have already finished my formal and posted my testimonial which brings closure to my formal 7 days of 7DW cleansing- juice fasting, colon cleansing, home colonics.

Below you will find my introduction posted prior to the cleanse.
Here you will find my pre-cleansing thread.
Here you will find my formal cleansing thread.
Here you will find my post-cleansing thread. which of course is still active until my next cleanse. Post-cleansing is where renewal and rejuvenation happens.
Here you will find my testimonial.

HPS cleansers can of course read, review and participate in all the different stages/ phases (in all the different threads) of my July 2007 cleanse and are encouraged to do so. 7DW level 1'ers are especially encouraged to do so.

The general public cannot review all the the different threads.
Pre-cleansing, formal cleansing and post-cleansing is confidential to those doing the HPS 7DW program.

The general public can only read my below introduction and my testimonial posted after finishing my formal cleansing which includes the first week of my post-cleansing.

Post-cleansing is of course an ongoing process, so if you just ordered the HPS 7DW level 1 program and are reading this I highly suggest, when convenient for you, to check in on my post-cleansing thread because it is a work in progress. I look forward to you participating there.

What benefit is there in the below introduction for the general public?

Well, it gives you an opportunity to learn more about me, my life, my relationships to cleansing and how HPS cleansers interact in this program. After all the HPS 7DW cleansing program is interactive cleansing. Here in my introduction and in my testimonial you'll get a chance to feel what that means. Hopefully you'll feel inspired to join us for some guided cleansing and rejuvenation. All gain, no pain cleansing. HIghly educational, highly personal, highly rewarding.


INTRODUCTION
============

I told Alan already over a week ago (or even longer, was it, sometime in mid June 2007?) that I was going to post this introduction, but each time I felt to sit down and write it, another HPS cleanser had just posted their introduction, and well, I just didn't want to steal the limelight from them, so I put it off another day.

Seems like every other day a new intro has been posted these last few days, so no more sense in waiting anymore... as more are on the way.- both advanced cleansers progressing in the rejuvenation and renewal path and newbie's who finally have decided to take control of their health and well-being.

I'm glad to be able to cleanse now at the same time as a few HPS old-timers (advanced cleansers) like Ben and Jorge and to be journeying at the same time with newbie's like Amanda, Dorothea, Dave, Sky, Bharat and John.

Advanced cleansers know that I usually cleanse two or three times a year, but this last year that hasn't been the case.

This last year I was on the road a lot, first in India last May (luckily I did a cleanse right before that trip, man, was that lucky, as I noted in my intro then I really didn't need it but since time allowed, I jumped at the opportunity).

Then it was Europe in October to meet Amma, then India again in Dec 2006 and Jan 2007 (at Amma's ashram in Kerala) and then since February 2007 until mid April 2007 I was involved daily in renovating an old small Apt I bought, and that made it impossible to do any cleansing.

My small one room apt that I was living in turned into a warehouse for the renovation, and time wise, and energy wise, and space wise, that just wasn't the time to do any cleansing.

Rick, Alan and Belinda showed up at that time, and that really wasn't a good time to entertain, so sorry guys if I didn't deliver what you guys expected.

Special apologies to Belinda!

Anyway, I'm in the new place now, and it sure is lovely, small but heavenly.

When people ask me where am I living, I usually answer in a "heavenly abode"!

And if they ask "how's that?" my reply is, well, I imagine if one were to check into heaven and rent a room there, well, I imagine it would look, feel and be something like my new place. Hahahahahhahaha.

But really, I put a lot of emphasis on the feng shui aspects of the place- light, air, water, fire, how energy flows within the rooms, etc. And that emphasis was worth the energy and knowledge involved because you feel it when in the place.

And of course, the bathroom was built with cleansing in mind.

Have used a cheap Asian "squat" toilet instead the typical western one.

I put a hook up in the ceiling for the bucket we use doing the home colonics, a special place for the board to dry after cleansing, and a big typical Thai village vase for washing up and showering.

It holds 55 liters of water and I bath from it. (Rick, Shawnee, Belinda, Alan know what I am talking about since they were bathing that way for 10 days, out of a big tank, at the meditation retreat at Wat Suan Mokkh in Southern Thailand)

Yes, I do also have a shower with hot water, and that makes the vase bathing experience even better, hot water coming out from the shower head and cold water being splashed on my body from the vase, and the floor is wooden teak wood, so it's a real treat.

Have waterfalls at the entrance to the home, bell chimes at the front and back of the apt, and big trees hanging off the sides of the walls of the balconies.

Built off the bedroom a dedicated meditation room, with three - ceiling to floor windows - that I can take off the hinges in the cool season... my view from the meditation room is to the west towards the holy mountain of Doi Suthep, which the city of Chiang Mai lays at its feet.

And in fact, I have a 270 degree view from the apt, east, south and west... and from every room one has the view!

The way I designed the apt one has the 270 degree view from every room. Only room that doesn't have it is the kitchen.

Don't be fooled, this isn't any palace, the whole place is only 64 sqm, but I built it with a spiritual orientation.

This place is a retreat place, a practice place.

A place to do cleansing and meditation for a lifetime and it was built with love.

Everyday for four months I spent 8 hours with the workers, the builders, and my love went into them, and their love went into the walls, into the bricks, the plastering, painting and tile laying, the electrical work and all the construction.

I feel so FORTUNATE to have had such an experience and to have such a place.

Especially fortunate because for over 15 years I was homeless.

That's right HOMELESS. Living out of one bag, moving from place to place, so you can imagine what a revolutionary position this is for me, not only to have a home of my own, but to have built it from scratch ( I knocked down all the original walls outside of the condo exterior walls).
I am on the 12th floor the view is quite beautiful in all directions.

Will take pictures during this upcoming cleanse and post them, especially of the bathroom.

I guess the reason I am writing all this is to introduce myself to new HPS cleansers and because it all leads into what I am about to write below...

Daniel Reid wrote a long time ago the following:

"If you stand long and still enough near rivers, lakes and ponds where herons and similar long-beaked birds fish and feed, you will notice a curious habit.

From time to time, a heron will suck up a beak full of water, twist its neck around and insert the beak into its own anus, squirting the water deep into its bowels to flush out the putrid debris and other residue from its fish-based diet.

Who taught these birds to do that? Nature did... and a Taoist respects no teacher more than nature."

So, since in the new place these last two months I've been watching nature.

I planted a lot of vines, creepers I think they are called... some give flowers, others don't.

What I noticed is the following:

They move in spurts... sometimes, all of the sudden for what seems like for no reason, all of the sudden the vine will send out a new shoot, and it will keep growing and growing, extending outwards, flying in the wind (up here on the 12th floor during the rainy season and at the end of the hot season we have days where the wind is relentless, maybe 40 to 50 km an hour for two or three hours!)

And they keep dancing and growing... and giving off these beautiful bell shaped blue flowers, and then all of the sudden, nothing. it stops.

No matter how much nourishing I give, water, fertilizer, love, attention, soil additions, nothing happens... almost frozen... no matter how much sun or no sun, heat or coolness, frozen. As if it innately knows that it is time to stop, collect energy, rebuild internally before expanding outwards again.

And that got me thinking about my health journey and the health journey of many cleansers here.

Sometimes we see tremendous bursts of energy and transformation in our health in our post-cleansing, of course the more energy and effort we put into it, the more consistent we are, the greater that transformation. AND of course, the cleansing does one thing only, setting the causes and conditions for that growth to take place be it physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually.

I guess what I am trying to say is that those of you who seem initially not to see much movement in your post-cleansing, you should note that the same happens in nature.

I fertilize those vines, water them daily, send love and nourishment their way, i.e., I set the causes and conditions, but they innately know when it is time to move forward, to sprout new offshoot vines and flowers, and your body is the same.

It innately knows, so be patient and keep practicing.

Don't allow yourself to think nothing is happening...that is a mistaken view born of ignorance.

A lot is happening which you might just not be aware of.

And don't let yourself think you aren't doing enough... if you are keeping the wheel turning, that is sufficient. Some weeks, some months, some years there will be phenomenal growth and other times, it will seem as if nothing is happening.

The second thing that caught my attention was some fish. I have a few different large vases filled with water flowers, lotus flowers and lots of little fishes.

I bought a big green color Burmese vase about two months ago, filled it with water, about 10 liters, bought a big pink beautiful lotus plant which I put inside of the vase and then bought 12 white and yellow colored fishes and put them inside.

This vase I put inside my living room, near the eastern window thinking that there would be enough morning sun for the lotus plant.

Well, the lotus after 3 weeks dropped dead and the fishes (all of the same spices) seemed to be pretty lethargic to me. They just hung around, almost never swimming. When I would feed them daily, they would jump up to the top of the water, devour the food pellets and then go back into a kind of frozen existence.

Anyway, to make a long story short, about three weeks ago I moved the vase outside onto the patio at the front door... lots more sun there and I assume the lotus will revive itself at the appropriate time. I also added another speices of small fish into the vase.

The fish guy told me when I bought the white fish that I shouldn't put them with other fish as they will attack each other. Well, in my other vases there were so many babies these last two months that I decided to put 12 of the small ones in the vase with the white ones.

Interestingly enough, two things happen... when the vase was in the sun, those white fish started moving around a lot,,, within days there was a discernable difference in their behavior. A very obvious difference. They unfroze... and as Dan says "... and a Taoist respects no teacher more than nature."

For years I have been encouraging you all to try to spend daily 15 to 20 minutes in the sun.

The theory you have in your books that come with the different levels of HPS cleansing.

I see it with the fish... a big difference.

And I see when I mixed them with another species, they have become even more livelier, playing more, swimming around the vase more, and of course, protecting their territory more. hahahhahaha... but the point is "... and a Taoist respects no teacher more than nature."

When you are on a cleansing path, you want to be around people who also are. At home, at work, your friends, family and colleagues probably aren't,

You need other kinds of friends around you, cleansing friends, and this group/community is your perfect answser.

So for those of you who haven't joined us yet in taking control of your health, don't be afraid, mix with us, join us, swim with us in the cool calm waters of healing and rejuvenation and you'll probably find yourself just like those fish in the vase... a lot more alive, a lot more energetic and hopefully, a lot more happier.

If you stick only with your same kind, well, that might just be counter productive to your health and happiness at this stage of your life.

With regards to my personal health and the path I have been on this last 1.5 years, I will post that info in my pre-cleansing thread...exclusivity of this program has its benefits! :-)

Suffice to say, you are going to find there some really interesting stuff... I have been "putting to the test" everything we are doing here in our HPS cleansing and renewal... and I have put this last 1.5 years the "petal to the metal" to see how strong a cleansed and rejuvenated body really is, and how much abuse can it take before breaking down again? Lots. Anyway more on that in the private sections of this community open only to HPS 7DW cleansers.

I already have all my products for this cleanse, am just awaiting some bento that Alan sent me from China and once that comes I will start the formal.

Have been pre-cleansing for over two weeks now so I am set and ready and excited about this upcoming cleanse. My pre-cleansing thread is here --> http://hpscleansing.com/group/showthread.php?t=3607

I plan on using this whole year to devote to my body and mind.

I just turned 50 last month and I want to use this whole year to set some marvelous causes and conditions for personal growth and self development for my 50's, 60's and 70's...physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I plan on making good use this year of the fantastic cleansing bathroom I have setup and the fantastic meditation room.

I see no sense in banking on the past, in on what I have done these last 15 years... as our new cleansing friend Roberto says- "get busy living, or get busy dying." So, I'm getting busy living...

I don't intend in my 60's, 70's or 80's to be popping pills, doing medications, visiting doctors and getting lab tests. I plan on enjoying to the fullest the remainder of my life, helping myself and helping others, fully vibrant, fully energetic, fully happy and content.

It seems to me that with this heavenly place that I have access to, no family responsibilities, and the knowledge and skills I have accumulated in these last 15 years of continuous cleansing and renewal, seems to me that I should respect how fortunate I am and do something with it all...

So this year will be a year of a big spurt.

I wonder who is going to go further, farther and faster this year, the vines or me?

Wishing you guys all the best, thanks for reading this "long" intro, and thanks for being a part of HPS.

HPS = Helping People Survive. It is a cooperative effort.

Peace,

[Richard_D]

Great intro, Jos-hua, I don't think you could do any more to inroduce the newbs to you while catching the rest of us up on the last tumultuous year. BTW I had a great time visiting Chiang Mai earlier this year, you made plenty of time for me during a hectic time and I'm very grateful for that, no worries and many many thanks!

I'm about to get my own cleanse kicked off here finally, probably about a week behind yours but it'll be close I think, and then I plan to have a very serious year of cleansing and rebuilding too (I have to stay at home more these days anyhow, might as well be living better while I'm at it) as I originally planned to get started last year. It'll be perfect to have you doing the same so I have that constant inspiration to keep my own efforts up.

Meanwhile, learning from nature...excellent advice, I will look for ways to do that for myself. And I'm looking forward to seeing the pics of the apartment now that it's all done, I need some inspiration on that score too for my own new house!

Thanks for providing the needed inspiration for all these things, and for spending so many difficult years preparing yourself and laying the groundwork for building this most unique of places, this online group here at HPS. May the growth and building continue!

Rick

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Thanks Rick. I really enjoyed meeting up with you here in Chiang Mai and hope the next time will come sooner than you think. You blessed my meditation room and apt with your presence during the building and I really value that. Thanks man.

Yes, yes, use this year since you are going to be home a lot to cleanse, grow and build yourself.

Now that you have done the retreat at Suan Mokkh, I know you have the tools to do it all..

And maybe next year Rick (or the year after?), who knows, maybe I'll inspire you to make a short trip to Katmandu and spend a few weeks there in my guru's presence. With Chokyi Nyima Rinpoches blessing you will progress even further and faster. I guarantee it.

Peace bro, thanks for being here and sharing so unselfishly with all our cleansers, including myself.. Most grateful I am.

Love and light, jos-hua

[Benjamin_R]

Hey Jos-hua

I second Rick....great intro...so good to hear about what's been going on in your life...and so many good things obviously!! The new abode sounds fantastic....can't wait to see the pics...but just from your description I can visualise it quite clearly!!
When I first read Dan's book that quote also stood out....nature certainly has a way of showing us how things should be done....it's just that industrialisation and modernisation have removed us so far from nature that we fail to see what nature has to teach us anymore!
It's a privilege to be cleansing at the same time....although I'm sure you'll be done way before me....I still have a month of pre-cleansing to do! But I'll definitely be learning along the way!
Looking forward to seeing your big spurt this year!!!

Ben

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Thanks Ben for the well wishes...

So just as you go into your formal 7 days of cleansing, I'll be getting into my post-cleansing...

Great, that will mean I'll have more time (and energy ) for you.

Looking forward to all Ben. I'm liking more and more your positive attitude and your companionship for others here at our group. Keep up the good work dude.

Peace,

Jos-hua, thanks for the long intro I think it helps so much to be able to visualize each other and our "spaces". And about learning from nature...I don't think there's any limits on that one! ; )

Wow, 15 years of not having your own "space"...and now to have your own little "heaven"...I'm so happy for you! We truly do reap what we sow.

I'm looking forward to see how your cleansing goes as well as the others...and I'm glad you suggested for me to be patient, I am really learning so much by waiting and reading and participating, I know this will make my cleanse so much more successful! Thanks again!

[Alysia_W]

Hi Jos-hua

Thanks for your long intro!

What a tue inspiration you are for us all on this journey to better health.

It was great to be able to visualise the new 'heavenly' abode. It certainly sounds as close to heaven as you can get without actually being there.

To think you have been in the process of doing all of that while still being able to support us 'newbies' on our journeys.

I can't imagine 15 years of being virtually homeless.

As a very young first-time mother at 18 my goal was always to 'have a home' to bring up my family.

Circumstances changed and we have moved house 3 times in the last 5 years due to work commitments.

I am actually looking forward to being 'homeless' in about 6 years (after the kids leave home) and just going with the flow and ending up where nature/fate takes me (with my hubby of course!)

I look forward to following your next cleanse and learning from you, with you.

Alysia

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Hi Alysia, Hi Sky,

Sky, being able to rejoice in someone else's happiness is so important if we want to find our own happiness. I rejoice in your rejoicing sister!

Alysia, being homeless is at the end of the day part of the spiritual process, part of the renunciation process...

It teaches one to connect more with others, as one becomes more dependent on others, which teaches gratitude, gratefulness and generosity.

It also teaches one compassion, patience, tolerance and acceptance, not just acceptance of others, but of oneself, and ones circumstances, of just being present in the moment.

I spent many many years in Nepal, India and in South thailand (over 15 years!) in hermitages, temples, monestaries, guesthouses, and bunglows in some very exotic locations so in fact, I feel very fortunate for that time and all the people who came into my life at that time... especially the great teachers and living examples of the path. Bottom line is- all of humanity has become my family, I am a child of the universe.

But everything is impermenant, and so that period (the homelessness and the tremedous suffering that seemed like it would never end or change) has passed for the time being and now I am in a different phase of my life, a different space, and enjoying it too...

But I am applying all the same principles which the homelessness taught me- that being impermenance, non attachment, compassion and loving kindness. It's just now I have a place to come back to whereas before it mostly was a one way journey. (which means also that i now have the chance to accumulate material possesions too. hahahahahahhaha.)

Thanks guys for checking in, thanks for being here, thanks for trusting and over the coming months I hope I will be able to say thanks for practicing.

[Amanda_H]

Your abode DOES sound heavenly!

Thanks for sharing the lessons from nature. I think sunlight is wonderful- whenever I felt bad in the past i just go outside- it's good to live in the sunshine state! hehehe.

I look forward to learning from you as you do your 65++ cleanse!

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Oh, and I forgot to note that I have got back into practicing my music.

I am studying classical indian music, learning to play a santoor, which is an indian dulcimer.

for anyone who has learnt to play an instrument, let me tell you one thing, THIS HPS GUIDED CLEANSING is a lot easier and a lot quicker.

I've been practicing with my instrument now over a year (minus the 4 months when renovating the apt) and still am only on the scales, and a few small compositions.

And i have spent close to 5,000 US$ dollars to date with this music adventure of mine... buying the equipment, going to india for 3 weeks to take lessons, having my teacher come from india to give me more lesson 6 months after i started, etc... air flights to india and back, hotels, his fees, etc.

anyone who goes through the all 4 levels of the HPS program spends half of that and receives in return 100 times, if not a 1000 times more rewards. isn't it so friends?

and forget about the 4 levels, lets just talk just about the 7DW level 1 cleanse, someone who does an HPS 7DW level 1 cleanse, in 7 days only their health is changed, and of course someone who is practicing for over a year, not only is their health much much much better, but their life is transformed!!!!

And HPS type practices, which are health are practices, are a lot more simpler than sitting down everyday for an hour or two and hitting the strings, running up and down the scales.

Everyday, when i sit for an hour, I am acutely aware of this, practice on an instrument is a hassle, not easy to sustain, and is BORING... but practicing on ones own body, as we do here during our post-cleansing, at ones convenience and choice is much much easier, FUN, ADVENTUROUS, EXCITING, and much more REWARDING.

I keep thinking to myself, man, we can do wonders with a few hours with our health, and here with the music, hundreds and thousands of hours and very little progress or pleasure... but i continue and perservre, i'm confident down the road in another two or three years, i will find pleasure from the music and bring pleasure to others who hear my playing.

Amanda, now there is a lesson right there!

[Dorothea_L]

Hi Jos-hua,

I just got my order update, which led me to your introduction.

What a beautiful place you have built for yourself! Thanks for going into so much detail.

I loved the insights from the plants and fish, and I can see it took a lot of time to observe like that. I totally agree with the lessons.

My husband always encourages me to sit out in the sun. But with only two months of summer (this year has been pretty rainy and cloudy so far) and two months of lovely fall, the rest of the year, sun has to be gotten in front of a window - it's probably not as good - but no earthquakes, tornados or monsoons!

So, you're cleansing now -- and you've been so helpful to me during it all. That's what I call energy!

bye for now,
and with great appreciation for helping me survive,
Dorothea

[Janaka_P]

Jos-hua, it is really nice to see you persevering with the Santoor - great instrument with beautiful, other-worldly, uplifting sounds.

[Bharat_P]

Hey Jos-hua,

It was good to read your long introduction. Though over the past few months, I have a deeper knowledge about HPS and you, it was still a great insight about your past 15 years. Unless a person has been through a similar experience, it is not possible to imagine the difficulties you must have had to endure.

Good luck with your flat, it sounds like a fantastic, blissful, peacful place. Your indepth description of the place has been a particularly helpful learning process. It makes me ponder about the possibilities of making some/many changes in my habitat.

Good luck with your latest cleanse, regards,

Bharat

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Thanks Bharat, Dorothea, and Janaka!

Bharat, thanks for telling me that perhaps my long intro has inspired you... makes all that writing worthwhile.

Janaka, yea, so soothing... one day I'll play nice music... it is just a question of perserverance.

Dorothea, happy to help you, that is what I'm here for, to serve you and all our other cleansers.

Called my builder today to find out why he hasn't come to finish up the loose ends. I paid him in full even though all the work wasn't done, hoping that with such a postive attitude on my part (the Thai's are notorious for holding back payments) he actually will do what needs to be finished.

I had an appointment with him two Saturdays ago, he never showed up... and hasn't called... and I didn't want him to show up during my formal or after (as i'll be in meditation retreat) so I wanted to let him.

So, he tells me he is in the hospital recuperating after an operation that cut out part of his colon.

So ironic, when we first met and I told him what I do, he laughed.

So now, he is spending 7 days in the hospital wihtout a part of his colon, and I am spending 7 days in my apt, at my pace and conveniene, doing 7 days of formal cleansing...

I hope anyone from the general public reading this, takes note of this....

It just makes a lot more sense to spend the time at your convenience and choice and get all the benefits of renewing your health and energy and looks, rather than spending 7 days in a hospital recuperating from surgery or illness... and you can bet the bank, many reading this intro, will sooner or later also unfortunately, like my builder, be under a surgeons knife or afflicted with some sort of disease as they age, a disease which will require a lot more energy, money and effort in doctor visits, lab tests, and medications for a lifetime...

of course not to mention the advantages psychologically and emotionally and mentally... we cleanse and gain more and more happiness, and much better health as we age year in and year out; sick people live a life of declining sluggish health, full of fear and anxiety and spiralling health bills.

Anyway, have opened my formal thread and will see HPS cleansers there day in and day out as I cleanse. http://hpscleansing.com/group/showthread.php?t=3611

See you guys there.

Peace,

[Bharat_P]

Hi Jos-hua,

Already, I feel that I have learnt so much. Having read Dan's book has opened up so many possibilities about how to structure our lives. Add to that, all the life enhancing information a person can take onboard here in this community is sure to be priceless, for that I am grateful for your guidance.

Bharat

[Alan_A]

“a daoist respects no teacher more than nature.”

And Jos-hua, thanks for shedding more light on what you’ve been doing recently in your life, and with your new “heavenly abode’ :-) ….

And thank you for your insights stemming from this quote that’s been ringing bells in me since I read your post here last week:

“a daoist respects no teacher more than nature.”

Dan ried talks to some extent about yin and yang, the positive and negative aspect of all dynamic and constantly changing nature. Reid describes their individual and complementary traits as such “[Yin] represents darkness and passivity, and is associeated with the qualities of yielding, softness, contraction. It moves downward and inward, and its primary symbols are woman, water, and earth. Yang…represents light and activity, is associated with resistance, hardness and expansion, moves naturally upward and outward, and is symbolized by man, fire, and heaven.”

Now, not just Daoists, but anyone who has done a certain amount of study and reflection upon yinyang can see how these two are at play in life.

Some things I’ve noticed are:

Diet—alakaline foods-- yin; acidic foods-- yang

Activities—analytical, creative thinking-- yang; meditation-- yin

Exercise—basketball, field sports etc—yang; yoga, tai chi, qigong—yinyang; meditation—yin

Seasons—winter—yin; spring--yin transforming into yang; summer—yang; fall--yang transforming into yin

Global Examples—developing countries, particularly China’s, transformation from an isolated, closed, agricultural, and communal society to the headlong pursuit of an industrialized technologically advancing, individualistic, capitalistic and materialistic society--yin transmuting into yang; the west’s slow and less obvious but apparent transformation from the headlong industrialization to a growing interest in organic agriculture, traditional medicine, and the tradtional philosophies and religions such as asia’s daoism, hinduism, buddhism,-- yang transmuting into yin.

And then some miscellaneous examples of the workings of yinyang:

Rampant Technological Development and use without moral balance—yang

Male dominated cultures where women’s rights are suppressed, or at the very least they are thought to be inferior.--yang

National (USA, i'm american)—presidential/foreign policy of non-compromise, war, “sticking to their guns”, trying to change the ways and traditions of others quickly through force, resisting completely opinions of the international community and resisting the need to adapt to current situations demanding for change ie global warming, fossil fuel use---yang yang yang;

Global warming—by definition yang; (even the cycles of the earth—ice age to habitable conditions—subject to yin and yang)

War—yang

Peace? Well, a bit of both, a balance, maybe a bit more yin, like humans ph balance. I don’t know I guess. All I know is that there is an imbalance, and to any daoist, or traditional medicinal doctor that means disharmony, disfunction, disease, discontent.

Now, why talk about yinyang, my personal observance of yinyang, and the affairs of humanity at large here in Jos-hua’s introduction? Well, some people might be reading on here and wondering themselves why they should cleanse at all, while others might be wondering why, after nearly 70 cleanses, why would Jos-hua be doing another one at all?

I’ll do my best to answer.

Jos-hua is not one of, if not the healthiest person I know, just because of the one week colon cleanses.

Through discussion and study at the cleansing forums, and through experience, advancing cleansers and newbies alike begin to see that HPS colon cleansing is a way of life, not just a week here or a week there of “healthy” cleansing, and then its back to the unhealthy habits and lifestyles that brought disease and discontent in the first place.

No. Its much much more than the one week colon cleansing.

If you think that that is all this is about here, then you should not bother wasting your time and money, and the time and energy of others. because

It’s very much about after the week of colon cleansing.

It’s very much about consistent engagement in a healthy lifestyle through certain practices that are introduced in the program.

It’s very much about participation in the lives and journeys of other cleansers of the HPS community that are trodding their way toward great health.

As Jos-hua said in his first post: HPS, it is a cooperative effort. And the community is priceless.

So why do a colon cleanse? Why is Jos-hua doing another one after he's done 70 already?

still building toward that end, please bear with me,

That’ll come in part 2....i'll leave a link here later for those of you that want to find it later. it will be in a place open to the public.

peace all

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Originally Posted by Alan_A

,,,No. Its much much more than the one week colon cleansing.

If you think that that is all this is about here, then you should not bother wasting your time and money, and the time and energy of others. because

It’s very much about after the week of colon cleansing.

peace all

cool comments Alan, very cool indeed to see how you are assimilating the yin-yang balance of life into and within your own life. My congratulations. You wouldn't be able to write the above post the way you did if the assimilation process wasn't going forward 'full steam ahead'.

Re the part I quoted, so funny indeed.

While doing my first bucket last night, that is EXACTLY what I was thinking, almost in those words!!!!

So, yea HPS is a lot more than just a colon cleanse, it shows me how much we have connected heart to heart, or using other words, mind to mind.

Awaiting part two, in fact can't wait!!!

[Richard_D]

Nice input Alan, I can't help but adding a bit to the yin-yang discussion after reading how you laid it out here:

Originally Posted by Alan_A

Some things I’ve noticed are:

Diet—alakaline foods-- yin; acidic foods-- yang

Activities—analytical, creative thinking-- yang; meditation-- yin

Exercise—basketball, field sports etc—yang; yoga, tai chi, qigong—yinyang; meditation—yin

Seasons—winter—yin; spring--yin transforming into yang; summer—yang; fall--yang transforming into yin

Global Examples—developing countries, particularly China’s, transformation from an isolated, closed, agricultural, and communal society to the headlong pursuit of an industrialized technologically advancing, individualistic, capitalistic and materialistic society--yin transmuting into yang; the west’s slow and less obvious but apparent transformation from the headlong industrialization to a growing interest in organic agriculture, traditional medicine, and the tradtional philosophies and religions such as asia’s daoism, hinduism, buddhism,-- yang transmuting into yin.

And then some miscellaneous examples of the workings of yinyang:

Rampant Technological Development and use without moral balance—yang

Male dominated cultures where women’s rights are suppressed, or at the very least they are thought to be inferior.--yang

National (USA, i'm american)—presidential/foreign policy of non-compromise, war, “sticking to their guns”, trying to change the ways and traditions of others quickly through force, resisting completely opinions of the international community and resisting the need to adapt to current situations demanding for change ie global warming, fossil fuel use---yang yang yang;

Global warming—by definition yang; (even the cycles of the earth—ice age to habitable conditions—subject to yin and yang)

War—yang

Peace? Well, a bit of both, a balance, maybe a bit more yin, like humans ph balance. I don’t know I guess. All I know is that there is an imbalance, and to any daoist, or traditional medicinal doctor that means disharmony, disfunction, disease, discontent.

Yin and yang to my understanding are morally neutral terms, yet reading over this list you've compiled what struck me before I was a third of the way through is how much negativity you seem to associate with the Yang half of things; what starts out somewhat dispassionately very quickly begins to read as though yin is associated with mostly good and noble impulses, and yang with the evil or misguided human actions.

What do I take from this? Perhaps that we can see our own Yin/Yang imbalances from exercises like this. Now it's easy enough for me to read what you've written here and say, well, I think Alan must be a little Yin-heavy, he seems to be very unfavorably disposed toward Yang...but I'd be missing the real lesson, which is, hey, why is it when I read all these negative things about Yang that I feel like there's some injustice or unfairness here? I know from my physical indications that I'm overbalanced Yang anyway, but it's very telling to see how what I take in through reading or conversation or whatever passes through the filter of that imbalance, I actually associate more with the Yang point of view than the Yin and this post of yours really brings that out where I can see it clearly.

Anyway that caught my interest.

Rick

[Alan_A]

Originally Posted by Richard_D

Nice input Alan, I can't help but adding a bit to the yin-yang discussion after reading how you laid it out here:

Yin and yang to my understanding are morally neutral terms, yet reading over this list you've compiled what struck me before I was a third of the way through is how much negativity you seem to associate with the Yang half of things; what starts out somewhat dispassionately very quickly begins to read as though yin is associated with mostly good and noble impulses, and yang with the evil or misguided human actions.

What do I take from this? Perhaps that we can see our own Yin/Yang imbalances from exercises like this. Now it's easy enough for me to read what you've written here and say, well, I think Alan must be a little Yin-heavy, he seems to be very unfavorably disposed toward Yang...but I'd be missing the real lesson, which is, hey, why is it when I read all these negative things about Yang that I feel like there's some injustice or unfairness here? I know from my physical indications that I'm overbalanced Yang anyway, but it's very telling to see how what I take in through reading or conversation or whatever passes through the filter of that imbalance, I actually associate more with the Yang point of view than the Yin and this post of yours really brings that out where I can see it clearly.

Anyway that caught my interest.

Rick

hey Rick, thanks for the comments and questions. i don't think that it would be too hard for many people to draw the conclusions you did, ie the words in bold above. so thanks for sharing your mind and giving me a chance to clarify.

there is no yin without yang, and vice versa. i myself cannot say one is better than the other.

i am just looking at the situation as it is today, like a physician would look at an ill person's body systems at the moment of observation.

a tcm(traditional chinese doctor) looks at all the observable parts outside on the body and within. through the observation of the facial color, eyes, toungue, posture, gait, speech and sound of voice etc, and then observation of the pulses within by pressing on the wrist, the physician determines the root of the illness, often an organ problem, and administers the correct therapy.

now, say, the problem is an organ imbalance in the liver. it could be excessively yang or excessively yin, either way there is imbalance, and in some way the physician must institute a balancing act, affecting the imbalance toward balance. this is very general, but adequate for explaining why i focused on the global conditions i've noticed in the world.

yang is not bad, but, too much of yang, or yin, creates problems.

as we cleanse more, work with traditional medicine more, and gain more awareness of our bodies, we can see clearly that this is true.

the same goes for the planet. the incredible pace of development of industrialized society, scientific and technological advancement is amazing--and this i see as a yang tendency, not bad per se. but, as we now can see, that pace and blind development has created incredible pollution and adverse affects not only on the environment but on society as well--one of many examples being incredible stress.

the point is, development was not balanced, and now there are consequences surfacing that are demanding our attention, much like disease finally demands that one begin paying close attention to one's health.

and from my observations Rick, the yang tendency of the yinyang interplay brought about the conditions we are seeing today.

therefore, to bring about balance and harmony, the yin tendency, in many shapes and forms, needs to be cultivated, strengthend, and empowered.

so, i guess, in light of the current situation, and due to my own tendencies for first 20 years of my life, i'm putting more emphasis on the yin aspect....

but not all emphasis. i am a man, strongly yang, with important yang tendencies. so, emphasis on yin, with balance in mind

hope that clarifies, thanks again for your thoughts and questions Rick,

peace

[Richard_D]

Originally Posted by Alan_A

the point is, development was not balanced, and now there are consequences surfacing that are demanding our attention, much like disease finally demands that one begin paying close attention to one's health.

and from my observations Rick, the yang tendency of the yinyang interplay brought about the conditions we are seeing today.

Yes to all the above, and let me just restate that the point of my earlier post was not to diagnose you from your writing, but to show how I was able to catch my own Yang imbalance out by following that train of thought closer to its source.

It's easy to see the imbalance toward the Yang half that American culture presents--I haven't really been immersed in any other culture to a degree that I can start making these kinds of distinctions, don't mean to be picking on the US exclusively, it's just that it's all I know--with so much approval and attention put toward the makers and doers, the aggressive A-type personalities who get things done and just as often do things to others around them, so much better to be an aggressor than a victim, at least that's the mindset these days at work in our foreign policy; we value youth and vibrance and energy over any other attributes, so you have this rush to cosmetic surgery to appear younger than we really are, we embarrass ourselves with clothing styles that don't reflect our inner state but instead attempt to conform with the bold young image everywhere projected at us...sure, these things are fairly obvious, and there are millions of threads like this to pick apart and hunt down. I think though that this is a feature of Yang energy is that, in its outward expanding tendencies, it's much more obvious to discern at work in large populations than perhaps Yin is, which shrinks and evades notice a great deal of the time. We can easily fool ourselves into not seeing how much influence Yin continues to have in just about any situation.

I was thinking in terms of Yin and Yang as energy that moves and finds expression through us at outlets both at the individual and societal level, rather than as an internal feature or characteristic...like if we, and our cultures, are like radio receivers in a way, we adjust our bodies or our relationships in certain ways and in so doing attune ourselves either to Yin, Yang, or a mix of both (and when we die, neither)...the example that came to mind was a battle between two armies on the battlefield, both charge forward filled to the brim with Yang energy and fight it out until eventually one proves to have a greater reserve of Yang and the tides begin to turn; then the overcome side very rapidly changes its energy to a predominantly Yin type, falls back, gives ground, and eventually withdraws and retreats altogether.

The battle thing only works as a very gross analogy, even in a straight head-to-head combat situation there will be plenty of charges and drawbacks, feints and lunges, etc, that show that one must possess both forces in order to win, but it does show how quickly these opposing forces can trade off as the dominant force several times in a matter of seconds even. In a more realistic battle analogy one would have to consider the Yin and Yang nature of various strategies and troop maneuvers, etc.

So anyway, it's a deep subject, easy to lose oneself in for a while. I'm drinking some yin fruit juice right now so maybe that'll cool my brain a bit and I can get back to other matters...Seems like this topic deserves its own thread somewhere, doesn't it? but then Jos-hua has introduced so many subjects in this intro that it also fits.

Rick

[Dorothea_L]

Hi all,

I'm trying the quote button for the first time, and it didn't work (I know, it's not the machine, it's the user!), so the paragraph below is from Rick:

"So anyway, it's a deep subject, easy to lose oneself in for a while. I'm drinking some yin fruit juice right now so maybe that'll cool my brain a bit and I can get back to other matters...Seems like this topic deserves its own thread somewhere, doesn't it? but then Jos-hua has introduced so many subjects in this intro that it also fits." Rick[/quote]

Well, what a discussion you're having!

Yin - Yang, it's pretty new to me, but if this was in another thread, I probably never would have read it.

In essence, it sounds like dividing everything into two categories makes life a little more simple, yet you (as in everyone here) definitely have found a way to complicate it!

love,
Dorothea

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Dorothea,

They are less of categories and more of a continuim.... and they keep merging one within the other, inverting inwards and outwards, (I'm sure you've see the yin-yang symbol), expanding and contracting... so its very alive and dynamic, categories make things a bit static.

Anyway, Dan talks a lot about it in the recommended reading material of the 7DW Level 1.

The discussion you see going on here just shows that these guys got it, and that is marvelous... not complicated, but marvelous, and my hats go off to them!

Peace, love and life, jos-hua

[Dorothea_L]

Well, when I went upstairs -- my book mark was at chapter 5 where Dan Ried talks about the healing arts (he mentions more about yin and yang too, and I think it will be a while before I get it).

Anyway I was dog-earing almost every page when I gave up and decided that this was definitely a chapter to go back over.

I know that there are a lot of reasons to want to move away from North America (mine is that there's no sun), but what was yours?

love,
Dorothea

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Originally Posted by Dorothea_L

....I know that there are a lot of reasons to want to move away from North America (mine is that there's no sun), but what was yours?

love,
Dorothea

i went to india at the age of 20-21 and never came back home, have stayed in asia now 30 years... of course wasn't planned, but that's life.

[Alan_A]

yea Rick, i see the analogy well you made....i've never read that old chinese book the art of war, i bet it touches on this dynamic.

and the dynamic is at play all the time, wow, last night went to a birthday party, lots of socializing, dancing, drinking(though not for me, doctor's orders), general outward merry making. then today, after doing some errands int he morning i see that this afternoon i was just plain tired, had to nap. woke up, any kind of activity just not fitting the bill, so i sat down and meditated.

anyway, an impressive display of yinyang to me within a day,

peace

[Dorothea_L]

And, can I also ask how you managed to fall into a cess pool?

Dorothea

(sunshine today, by the way, it's the first sunny day in at least 8 days - so most of my formal was done during rain and clouds)

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

dorothea, some fool didn't cover it properly, the wood that was on top just broke as i stepped on it... someone not caring about others, so typical isn't it these days in todays world, cutting cost puttin wood over it rather than a concrete slab... anyway, who cares, it was almost 20 years ago.

peace,

[Dorothea_L]

Oh,

You're right, it doesn't matter now.

Like you, I've had to forgive some things in the past that I had no control over and I also say, "Who cares?". It's not what others do that affects me, it's how I react to them that makes all the difference.

I hope you don't mind me being so nosey, but I detected a Quebec French accent in your voice, you said you were from the northern states, are you from Vermont maybe?

It's great getting to know you.

love,
Dorothea

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

To an outsider (e.g., someone who isn't cleansing with us) it might seem that doing 7 days of authentic genuine cleansing (juice fasting, colon cleansing and home colonics combined) is like the end of the world,,,, but to me, after so many cleanses, it seems so easy and natural.

and that is what I want to give back to each and every HPS cleanser, the familiarity, skills, knowledge and self confidence to take full control of their health for a lifetime. That is what is important to me.

Today is day 5 of my formal cleansing http://hpscleansing.com/group/showthread.php?t=3611 , and I'm off to do the morning bucket. It's a saturday morning today, the puja box is running, the sun is shining and I'm basking in it all...

Just can't believe that this cleanse is already almost over... I JUST STARTED IT.

hahahahhahaha, time flies when you know what you are doing, how to do it, and when to do it, and especially what not to do or be doing...

Well thanks guys for checking in on my introduction.

I imagine over the year new HPS cleansers will be reading here, and old ones too, but I won't be replying here anymore... see you at my formal cleansing thread and my post-cleansing thread which I will be opeing in three days time... man, just can't believe that the 7 days are over already. feels like day one to me. hahahahhahahaha

Lots of old crap dropped, the detox feels great, and my skin and age have decreased by about 6 years... it is amazing isn't it? all in just seven days... bloody amazing to me, even though I have done this 65 + times, I am always amazed at how quick the change can come and how sustainable it all is the HPS-online way.

Peace,
catch you at my post-cleansing thread or at your threads- be it your introduction, you pre-cleansing, formal cleansing, post-cleansing or testimonial thread.

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Originally Posted by Alan_A

...last night went to a birthday party, lots of socializing, dancing, drinking(though not for me, doctor's orders), general outward merry making.
peace

Alan, sorry you don't listen to my advise...

i would have told you to party, socialize, dance and drink... keep your doctor in the clinic and your renewal in your own hands. and make merry, and make merit. you'll be far ahead of the game that way bro.

like this you are still woke up tired (your own words) and you didn't really engage, just observed... from observing not much merry will come, from engaging more will. and who knows how many people you freaked out along the way with your weird behavior of not socializing at a party, but being "mister clean".

peace,

[Janaka_P]

Jos-hua Medicine: "....time flies when you know what you are doing...

actually: "Time flies like and arrow. Fruit flies like a banana." - Groucho Marx

Couldn't resist ------ in case anyone reading this has never heard it!

[Jai_N]

Medicine Man hello!

Good intro, your apartment sounds nice I know you have put a lot of time and effort into it. I cant believe you were homeless for 15years, Ive moved twice in the last 10months and hope I never have to do it again!

By the way I dont believe I wished you happy birthday last month, so HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY! ,
I know a little belated but better late than never.

See you in your cleansing thread.

Jai_N, Level 1

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Originally Posted by Janaka_P

Jos-hua Medicine: "....time flies when you know what you are doing...

actually: "Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana." - Groucho Marx

Couldn't resist ------ in case anyone reading this has never heard it!

hahahahahhahahahaha