The Close-Up View & The Whole View by David Briscoe
The Close-Up View & The Whole View by David Briscoe
If we look at the human body under a microscope, we see trillions of single cells. If we only knew this view we’d have to conclude that we are trillions of single cells. But if we take our eye off the microscope and step back, we see a totally different view. We don’t see individual cells. We see that the human body is one whole organism. Both views are real. The microscopic view shows us the close-up view and the macroscopic view shows us the big view. Both comprise the whole view.
In today’s world the is an ever-increasing tendency to view life only from the close-up microscopic view. From this view it appears that we are all separate individuals, separate nations, separate religions, etc. Of course, by nature’s design different geographical and climatic conditions have produced different cultures, traditions, languages, etc. But when we only live by this close-up view of the separate me and separate we, great problems and conflicts arise, individually and collectively. If the big view is missing, and we see only the close-up view, we miss the whole view.
As I see it, our challenge in today’s world is how to live with the close-up view, and its individual living circumstances of our families, personal lives, collective cultures and traditions, and at the same time have the big view in our consciousness
When the close-up view and the big view are together, our lives and actions are rooted in the whole view.
Weak Kidneys & Acid-Alkaline Balance by David Briscoe
Weak Kidneys & Acid-Alkaline Balance by David Briscoe
Many people have “weak kidneys” but are unaware of it. To my knowledge, the condition of weak kidneys is not considered in modern urology. Weak kidneys allow some minerals to leak out that should be reabsorbed and sent back into the blood by the kidneys
Every time we urinate we naturally excrete some minerals. This is part of the kidneys work. They decide what minerals to reabsorb and what minerals to excrete in order to constantly maintain a correct concentration of minerals in the blood and entire body. But when the kidneys get weak, they lose a little bit of their ability to properly filter the blood. And the kidneys have to filter the entire blood supply every 30 minutes. When they become weak from overworking for a variety of reasons, the begin to lose some of their healthy filtering ability.
One of the most common signs of weak kidneys is regular nighttime urination. If you have to get up once a night, even 2-3 nights per weak, to urinate after you have gone to sleep, you may be developing weak kidneys.
While we are sleeping is the time for the kidneys and all the organs to rest by the slowing down of their functions. It’s a time given to us by Nature to restore ourselves. If we have to get up at night, our body’s ability to restore itself is disturbed. It’s a sign that something needs to change in our lifestyle and dietary choices.
When we urinate more than is necessary, we lose some minerals that we need to remain alkaline.
If you are interested in learning more about the kidneys and how to take care of them, you may want to attend our live online class, Taking Care of Your Kidneys.
An Acid-Alkaline Theory of Viral Infection by David Briscoe
An Acid-Alkaline Theory of Viral Infection by David Briscoe
I’m not a medical doctor or specialist in infectious diseases. But I am a human being who wants to find ways of helping his human family around the world have less suffering
I have this acid-alkaline theory about viral infections. Here it is in a nutshell: When the fluid around cells, the extra-cellular fluid, has an elevated level of acidity, the cell membrane becomes weak, allowing the virus to easily enter and begin to proliferate.
The main acid-forming nutritional factors are concentrated protein (mainly animal protein), simple sugar, and refined carbohydrates. In my opinion, they are the #1 factors in viral infections and epidemics. Over 50 years ago, George Ohsawa, the modern-day father of macrobiotics, wrote that animal protein and refined sugar are the main causes of human illness and suffering. I believe his words still hold true today, and humanity of the future will recognize the simple truth he taught.
I have never seen my acid-alkaline theory of viral infection supported or disproved in any medical research. If you have any ideas or comments about this theory, or if you have read about any similar theory or criticism of such a theory, please let me know.
I hope that this theory is valid and that it can eventually lead to the relief of human suffering.
-David Briscoe
Know Your Physical Limitations: A Lesson from Herman by David Briscoe
Know Your Physical Limitations: A Lesson From Herman Aihara by David Briscoe
Freedom is a wonderful thing. It is wonderful to feel unlimited. Even the prisoner in solitary confinement can be free in his imagination. Our culture teaches us to think of ourselves as free and unlimited. But we are actually free only in spirit. Physically, we are not free or unlimited
Probably one of Herman’s most powerful, simple and often repeated statements was “Know your physical limitations.” Many times this was misunderstood by his students. Some saw this statement as negative, and they didn’t pay much attention, but in this statement was contained the essence of many of Herman’s most positive teachings. In order to be in the physical world for a normal, healthy lifetime, it is important to know how the physical world works. It has rules. The body, being part of the physical world, needs to operate by the rules or it will get sick much more than it normally would, and then it will age prematurely.
We all know that we need oxygen. If we go into outer space or under the water, we must take our supply of oxygen with us. This is one of our physical limitations. We just can’t go anywhere we want, we can only go where there is oxygen. We all come to learn soon in life that the body’s temperature maintains itself at 98.6 F. It can go up a little, maybe down a little, but it can’t go up too high for too long or down too low for too long. If it does, our life is in real danger. This having to maintain a certain body temperature is another of our physical limitations. Nobody can buy their way out of this. So, knowing this, we make sure that our temperature never gets too high or goes too low. It’s become common sense.
We all have to maintain a constant blood sugar level, we all have to consume food and water. These things we understand easily. When we study more about the body, we discover that it has even more, not-so-obvious limitations. In our blood we have to maintain a certain concentration of minerals like sodium and potassium.
This concentration of minerals must be maintained constantly or we are in big trouble. Fortunately, there are automatic functions in the body that maintain this internal mineral concentration.
Perhaps one of the most important physiological limitations is pH or acid-alkaline balance. Human blood must be maintained constantly at a pH of 7.4. If it varies from this number by much, we would go into a coma or convulsions. Our lungs, kidneys and blood buffer system help the body remove acid so that the pH of 7.4 can be steadily maintained. It is a natural process going on night and day without stop.
When we select food and drink, it adds acid or alkaline-forming elements to our blood after it is digested. Protein, fat and refined carbohydrates (white sugar, white flour, white rice, alcohol, etc.) all add acid to the body. Of course, we need a certain amount of protein, fat and unrefined carbohydrate, the body can handle
them. It’s when we eat concentrated amounts of these nutrients that we create an acid blood condition. Many, many health problem have their roots in an acid blood condition. When we learn how to wisely choose foods according to macrobiotic principles, we discover that we can easily support our body in maintaining an alkaline blood condition. When we do this we are learning to live with a physical limitation, and we know how to stay healthy longer. By understanding that we do have physical limitations, and that be learning to embrace them and live with them, we become stronger and happier people. Living with our physical limitations allows us to root ourselves strongly in the reality of our biological life. When we accomplish this, our spirit is able to soar freely and without limitation. It is like a majestic tree, firmly rooted in the earth, supporting its branches in their reach to the heavens.
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SEA VEGETABLES: Arame and Onions with Lemon-Ginger Zip
Arame and Onions with Lemon-Ginger Zip
2 cups dry arame
2 medium or 1 large yellow onion, sliced into half moons
1 teaspoon light sesame oil
pinch sea salt
2-3 tablespoons shoyu (natural soy sauce)
Rinse the arame, drain and allow to sit until soft. Do not let the arame soak in water.
Cut yellow onions into thin half moons.
Heat sesame oil in a large skillet.
Sauté onions for 5-10 minutes or until transparent.
Layer the softened arame on top of the onions
Add enough water to cover the onions and arame.
Bring to a boil, reduce flame, and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
Add shoyu (natural soy sauce). Cover and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. A few minutes before the cooking is finished add 2 teaspoons of ginger juice from freshly grated ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest (grated lemon peel). Cover pot and continue to cook for a few more minutes or until all liquid has cooked away.
Mix arame and onions together. Serve.
