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Dr. Craig’s Heart Healing Journey to India: Part 2
By Dr. Helen Thomas, D.C. | October 1, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008 - Pune, India
Hello, friends. Dr. Craig here, and this is the first of my weekly reports from India where I’ve come to have Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatments under the care of our friends and colleagues, Dr. Narendra Pendse and Dr. Aruna Pendse.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!
First, I want to thank those of you who made comments on the ezine or sent e-mails. I’m heartened by your support. Thank you. I was especially touched by the note of one woman who wrote something to the effect of that this was a journey of growth and spirituality. That’s so true. I feel that this experience is an opportunity for going forward, not for regaining something.
I WILL NOT BE A “VICTIM”
The common parlance is that someone “suffered a stroke” or is a “stroke victim.” This isn’t something that I want to be. None of us can afford the luxury of negative thoughts, and this is all the more true when dealing with an illness or physical challenge. If we recover with that negativity in tact, we run the risk of “victim” becoming a permanent part of our personality.
It may seem crazy to some of you to travel halfway around the globe, turning my back on Western medicine to seek out a different and strange cure. I think so too, at times. But I think it would be crazy or even “brave” to do the opposite: stay home, wait and hope for the best. If Western medicine had anything more to offer me, I would’ve jumped at it. I was fully prepared to have heart surgery if that was offered as an option. And since it’s not, I’m jumping into uncharted waters!
My wife, Dr. Helen, has been practicing Ayurveda for over 20 years. We have had a working relationship with the Pendses now for 6 or 7 years. We’ve been here a few times and on our last visit in February, we got to see firsthand examples of what Western medicine would call “miracles” - healed diabetic wounds, healed non-union fractures, and cancer cures. Knowing thse things, I would’ve been crazy not to come to India.
DR. PENDSE’S AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS: PULSE READINGS
I will resist the tempation to make this a travelogue. It’s a “medicalogue” or a “healthlogue.” Nevertheless, some texture and context will creep in. Unavoidably so, for Ayurveda is embedded in the history and culture of India.
After 20 hours of flying - interrupted by an 11-hour layover in Heathrow - I stumbled out of the Mumbai airport to find myself awash in the sights, sounds, and yes, smells of India. I was happy to see Dr. Pendse’s smiling face waiting for me. I wasn’t much company, though: on the drive back to Pune, I slept most of the way.
After a long night’s sleep, I presented myself the next afternoon at Dr. Pendse’s clinic for examination. I had previously e-mailed him with my records of blood work, cardio tests, CT scans, and MRI, so he was familiar with my case. The very first thing he did was to reach across the desk and take my pulse. (This is a very important part of Ayurveda and one which gets overlooked or bypassed outside of India for the simple reason that it is so difficult to master.) He then conducted a physical examination, concentrating on palpation of my abdomen. (None of the other doctors did this kind of examination. Western medicine in compartmentalized; Ayurveda looks at the whole person.)
Based on my pulse, my records, and his examination, Dr. Pendse decided on a course of action. He gave me Ayurvedic medicines (pills, tonics, and a jam-like substance) to take for 5 days. Then I will have a panchakarma treatement for 3 weeks in accordance with his specific instructions. As he explained it, these remedies would help the swelling in my extremities subside, help my bowel to work better, and allow me to recover from jet lag. Depending on my pulse, panchakarma procedures begin on Wednesday.
AYURVEDIC HEAVY METAL (NO, NOT THE MUSIC)
A word about these remedies I’m taking: they contain heavy metals like gold, silver and mercury. That’s one of the reasons I’m doing this here and not back at home. These remedies are not available in the U.S. because they contain these heavy metals. The FDA won’t allow it.
Now, of course, a metal like mercury in its pure form is extremely toxic and event lethal. Only a fool would knowingly ingest a substance containing mercury. But Ayurveda has been using heavy metals in compounds for thousands of years. They long ago figured out how to neutralize the toxic effects of heavy metals and leave intact the healing qualities of the metals. I saw how this is done in 2006 when we attended the World Congress of Ayurveda here. It’s a fascinating process involving extremely high temperatures. Needless to say, I’ve survived three days of these heavy metals without ill effects. Thousands of years and millions of patients are enough clinical trials for me!
CAN’T SHAKE MY JET LAG…YET
I’ve been sleeping a lot the past few days. Jet lag. I discovered that the effects of my particular stroke are nearly identical to having jet lag permanently. I’m so glad I only had a minor stroke; I can only imagine what a major stroke is like.
That’s all for this week. If you would like to e-mail me directly, please feel free: care@effortlessayurvedicliving.com.
Thanks again for all of your support. Until next week…
Namaste,
Dr. Craig Thomas, D.C.
DR. PENDSE IS COMING TO THE U.S.
Dr. Helen and Dr. Craig are welcoming their friend and colleague, Dr. Narendra Pendse, for a series of seminars and consultations at the Thomas Ayurveda and Chiropractic clinic in Santa Rosa, CA this November.
Learn Ayurvedic daily regimens and diets (including cooking demonstrations) to treat and prevent:
Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia - November 11th
Headaches and Migraines - November 13th
Pre -, Mid-, and Post-Menopausal Treatments - November 18th
Dual Ayurvedic Pulse Examination and Treatment Plan consultations with Dr. Narendra Pendse are also available at the Thomas Ayurveda and Chiropractic clinic on: November 10, 12, 17, and 19th.
Please call for more details or to schedule an appointment:
1-707-527-7313
P.S. COMING SOON!
Hi, folks. Dr. Helen here, and I just wanted to give you a heads-up about a new product that I’m developing called The Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Heart Care. We have only one heart to keep our life blood flowing through us, so we’d better take care of it! Ayurveda has incredible healing techniques and all-natural medicines to promote heart health, and I want to share them with you.
The Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Heart Care program is three-fold:
Part I: Learn more about the ancient healing science of Ayurveda with my What Is Ayurveda? Understanding the Principles of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Body Types downloadable PDF booklet. What dosha represents YOU? Which daily regimen - Vata, Pitta or Kapha - will lead you on a path of well-being and health?
Part II: Discover the Ayurvedic methods and treatments to strengthen your beautiful heart with my Heart Care the Ayurvedic Way downloadable PDF booklet. This special report delves into the safe, natural practices of Ayurveda that will nuture your heart and improve your overall health.
Part III: Listen as I and Dr. Craig (with special guest moderator Michelle Yozzo Drake) discuss his personal treatments and dig more deeply into heart health the Ayurvedic way with the Ayurvedic Heart Health Audio Presentation.
I’m so very excited to be able to offer you this program because I want you - and your heart - to be balanced and healthy for years and years to come. Ayurveda has so much to offer, if you embrace it. Trust me, your heart will thank you for it.
Stay tuned for more details on The Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Heart Care program!
Topics: Ayurveda & Heart Health, Ayurveda and Modern Medicine, India & Ayurveda |
3 Responses to “Dr. Craig’s Heart Healing Journey to India: Part 2”
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October 1st, 2008 at 1:13 pm
[…] cassie wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptAyurveda has incredible healing techniques and all-natural medicines to promote heart health, and I want to share them with you. The Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Heart Care program is three-fold:. Part I: Learn more about the ancient … […]
October 1st, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Dear Dr. helen, thank you for shareing this insteresting, health information,i am having problem’s with congestion heart failure,and my pressure is never normal, some days is a little better then other,i am tired all of the time i take medication daily, with very little results,i am insteresting, in learning more about the ancient healing method.i am please with all the information that you send, i can never thank you enough. gladys jones
October 1st, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I will be most excited to hear about Dr. Craig’s health outcome in India. I really believe that his prognosis will be “cured”.