Integrating work, family and life, plus a Christmas sale

Here we are approaching the end of 2015 and another opportunity to reflect, be grateful, and to celebrate. With Christmas not so far away, we are offering 30% off all our resources (until 30th November) to say thank you to all those whom we have been involved with during this past year and to encourage meaningful giving.

Then some reflection on integrating work, family and life, but first



                  Thought for the day

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. 

Nature’s peace will flow into you 
As sunshine flows into trees. 

The winds will blow their freshness into you, 
And storms their energy, 
While cares will drop away like autumn leaves.

                                        John Muir



Ruth and I are very grateful to all of who support our work; those who came to the workshops, seminars and retreats we presented in 2015, and especially to thank you personally those of you who remain on our database and keep in touch via the blog, Facebook and other communications.

Ruth and I are truly blessed in that our work consistently reminds us of what it is to live well - in body, emotions, mind and spirit. For us, our work really is our life.

Yet so many we speak to struggle with integrating work, family and life. For some it even seems as if the type of work they are engaged in almost demands a compromise. As if they need to leave some of their values, some of their ideals, at the door as they enter to start the working day, and to pick up what ever remains on the way out.

For some too, there is the sense that amidst the busyness, the demands, the very real struggles of daily life, even the family can have a sense of being a burden.

So here is the challenge. How do we hold true to that which we value in life, how ideally we would like to live our life, and integrate that with our work and our family?

My sense is that this has so much to do with the clarity of our intention and our habitual ways of thinking. Check out how you speak to yourself about work, about relationships. Notice what this reveals. When you find yourself saying “ that always happens here” or “that is just what I expected”; then those words reveal habitual ways of thinking. How do these habits work for you?

Be reminded that if you choose to, these habits can be changed with strong intention, backed by imagery and affirmations. They can be transformed by the natural kindness and optimism that slowly and steadily emerges out of the regular practice of meditation. Consciously developing an attitude of gratitude can produce amazing benefits.


In an ideal world
everything we do
will somehow enhance our lives.


This is not to say
everything we do will be easy;
on the contrary,
often it is the difficult things in life
that teach us so much
and bring the greatest rewards.

But here is the problem.

In our modern busy world,
there are so many forces working against a happy, healthy life.

Sad but true.


So much busyness, so many commercial forces, so many expectations, so much to do. And internally our own habits and beliefs to contend with, along with that subtle and innate laziness that is a feature of all our lives. I cannot be the only one with these issues!!

So that is why Ruth and I make time to attend at least 2 retreats as participants each year. Sure, we are fortunate in that we get to lead retreats; but we too feel the need to take time out, to stand back more fully and to reflect, re-evaluate, re-think, re-set priorities and refresh.

For me it is really clear. Amidst the pressures of daily life, and with the intention of being kind to ourselves and functioning well with work, families and friends, attending at least one retreat per year is almost mandatory. Almost in my view like meeting a basic need of survival. Certainly a major step towards continuing a productive, happy and healthy life.

If you would like to join us in 2016, our retreat and program schedule is on our website.

But for now, in gratitude we are offering a Pre-Christmas webstore sale with 30% of all our resources - until 30th November – books, CDs DVD, bundles and the Pearls (really beautiful and meaningful presents).       LINK HERE

RESOURCES 

Meditation Retreats and specific cancer residential programs with Ian and Ruth Gawler CLICK HERE 

Ian Gawler Blog: Mind-Body Medicine in daily life – the big 3

We hear so much about the wide-ranging benefits of Mind-Body Medicine these days. Relief from stress and anxiety, mind made healing, the power of the mind. So many possibilities.

The recurring question I have been asked over many years is “How do I apply this in daily life? What works best? Where do I start? What next?”

Well, it comes down to three things. So this week we examine the big three with the intention of making clear how Mind-Body Medicine can bring comfort and ease, along with chronic good health into a busy, modern life.

Then details of new events along these lines in Melbourne and around New Zealand; but first

Thought for the day
Recent definition of meditation

Learning to focus our attention 
and suspend the stream of thoughts 
that normally occupy our mind

from the (USA) National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine 





The Big 3 of Mind-Body Medicine
Number 1. RELAXATION
Yes, simple old relaxation. Well perhaps quite not so simple in that Mind-Body relaxation involves relaxation of body and mind.

But a major principle. Based on many years of experience, it is my view that many people, books, even institutions fail to recognize the importance of physical relaxation. The point?

The basic tenet of Mind-Body Medicine is that the mind and the body are connected. A tense body equates with unhealthy changes in the body’s biochemistry and physiology. If we want to have a healthy body, we need to be free of physical tension.

Now, it is possible to be mindful in a tense body. It is possible to do creative imagery or meditation in a tense body. And yes, maybe enough mindfulness, imagery or meditation does enable us to let go of tension. But in my experience it can take years and some never seem to get there. What about you? Ever met a tense meditator?

The answer? Take time to learn, practice and become proficient at relaxing the body and the mind. Start with the body, allow it to flow into the mind. Number 1 taken care of!

Number 2. MEDITATION
For simplicity we will include mindfulness, contemplation, and imagery in this process of training the mind. All are useful. All warrant serious attention with more time dedicated to learning, practicing and become proficient.

Number 2 taken care of in 3 lines! Could take a little longer in practice, but well worth the effort.

Number 3: POSITIVE THINKING
Yes, good old positive thinking. So under-rated. So misunderstood.

When I speak of positive thinking I speak of studying how the mind works and using it intelligently to best advantage.

Clearly it is the mind that changes everything and in Mind-Body Medicine we recognise that the mind decides what we eat and how much of it, what we drink, whether we smoke or exercise, how we manage our relationships, our own mind and our spiritual life.

At the very least, positive thinking is about how we make decisions and how we follow them through. So there is a huge difference between “wishful thinking”, which is when you hope for the best and do nothing about it; and “positive thinking” which is when you hope for the best and do a lot about it.

Positive thinking is not just a state of mind, commonly it is an invitation to quite a deal of focused hard work!

So Number 3 is using the thinking mind intelligently.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER.
Again the common question: Where to start? Well, I usually suggest meditation. Meditation that takes Mind-Body Medicine into account and so begins with a focus on relaxing the body and calming the mind. Instant relief from stress and anxiety. A rapid calming and clearing of the mind so that decisions seem easy to make and the confidence is there to follow them through to conclusion.

Sure it makes good sense to develop all three, but meditation is at the heart of Mind-Body Medicine.

COMING EVENTS
Ruth and I are fortunate to be hosting a world authority in Mind-Body Medicine during October. Dr Nimrod Sheinman has taught mindfulness and creative imagery techniques in a wide range of settings – including Universities, schools and hospitals. He and I will present a day seminar in Melbourne, then combine with Ruth for a 5 day retreat/training for individuals and health practitioners in the Yarra Valley.

In November and December, Ruth and I travel to beautiful New Zealand for a series of seminars, evening talks and retreats – see below for details.

We hope to re-connect with those of you who live locally at one of these events. Please help others know about them by sharing this blog post.

NOTICEBOARD - for full details, CLICK on the highlighted sections

1. With Dr Nimrod Sheinman
i) MIND-BODY MEDICINE in DAILY LIFE. Sunday, October 20th - day seminar
Relaxation, meditation and creative imagery for health, business, healing and wellbeing

ii) IMAGES, WORDS and SILENCE  October 28th - November 1st
Five day training/retreat for those interested in mind made healing – either for personal use or as a health professional.
With Dr Nimrod Sheinman, Ruth and myself in the Yarra Valley.

2. NEW ZEALAND
i) AUCKLAND
       Evening Public Lecture: Medicine of the Mind.  Thursday November 14th.
Let go of stress, activate healing, maximise performance in all you do. The power of the mind at work in everyday life.
       Weekend workshop: A New Way of Living
Saturday November 30th: Meditation and the power of the mind
Sunday December 1st: Living Well, Being Well –
A way of living that generates good health, profound healing and log-term wellbeing.

iii) Rotorua: Health, Healing and Wellbeing – Saturday November 16th - day seminar
The essence of what Ian has found most helpful.

iv) Christchurch: Inner peace, Outer health. Sunday November 24th.
A free event - find peace and clarity amidst troubled times.

v) Nelson: Mind-Body Medicine in Daily Life. Evening of November 26th.
Relaxation, meditation and creative imagery for health, business, healing and wellbeing

vi) Meditation Under the Long White Cloud. December 2nd – 8th. Seven day meditation retreat – the first from Ian and Ruth in New Zealand - at Mana Retreat Centre.
Ian will detail how to deepen your understanding and experience of relaxation, mindfulness and meditation; then he and Ruth will guide you into the direct experience of inner peace.

vii) Five day follow-up cancer program.
Specifically for people who have attended a CanLive program in NZ, or Gawler Foundation program. November 18 – 22 at Wanaka out of Queenstown - one of the most beautiful environments there is.

RESOURCES
My books, CDs and CD downloads are all now available once more on line: CLICK HERE
Downloads going to all parts of the world!





Ruth and I are leading
Meditation in the Desert
in the incredible, meditative
Central Australian Desert
so there will be no new post for 2 weeks.

Ian Gawler Blog: Learning, money and Four Corners

I have to confess to being a little excited this week as Ruth and I launch our new webstore. To celebrate we have some great specials featuring discounted meditation CDs, a great new concept with Starter Packs, and for the first time, all our CDs are now available as MP3 downloads and on special for 2 weeks! Postage is free for all Australian orders over $70. To connect, CLICK HERE

And then it does seem timely to have some discussion around the financial issues involved with teaching a person to fish – metaphorically that is. Plus there is news of a Four Corners program that I had some part in that will go to air Monday, 19th August. But first,

Thought for the day
If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day. 
If you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime
Chinese Proverb






The camellias and magnolias in the garden 
are spectacular, so here are a few: 






It is an interesting thing to work in the “Health Industry”. I remember back in 1973 when I first began working as a veterinarian in my own practice, how confronting some of the money issues were. What to charge? What to do when owners say “we cannot afford to pay”, or did not want to pay, or thought things too expensive? How do you put a price on an animal’s health, or even moreso, their life?

I was caring for people’s pets, often the embodiments of their emotional lives, as well as for those magnificent, compliant yet powerful creatures we know and love as horses, plus a few farm animals that bore the brunt of food production.

And then courtesy of my own illness I moved into human health, most particularly the charged atmosphere of cancer medicine. And here I was, not handing out a metaphorical fish to eat, like a drug or some other possibly very valid external form of treatment. No, here I was attempting to teach people “how to fish”, how to manage their own health, healing, recovery and long-term wellbeing.

How do you price that? People have told me that they believed my book “You Can Conquer Cancer” saved their life. How do you price that? $34.95. Seems reasonable enough!

But now, here is a little known secret. When I began to run cancer groups in 1981, I wanted to do it using a donation system. I discussed this at length with my main mentor of the time, Dr Ainslie Meares, and he convinced me that in our culture, people put little value on what they get for free; that they relate price to value and even to meaning and significance.

I often wonder how this work would have developed if we had charged twice as much? What about four times? But I opted to charge at the minimal end of the scale and while people may not be aware, for many years the Gawler Foundation programs have been subsidised by fundraising in a way that reduces everyone’s fees by around 25 to 30%.

The Transcendental Meditation group provide an interesting contrast, charging a large amount for their TM courses and being very successful both in making TM widely used and having a stable and sustainable financial system. Another thing their extra income enabled was the funding of major research which in turn has played a formative role in establishing the credibility of meditation in the scientific world.

Anyway, in the early days I wrote books and recorded tapes then CDs to help people learn and be supported in applying what I valued. In the beginning I was very shy about recommending my own material. It actually took years to get over that hang-up and realise that was acting like a schoolteacher who was not telling their students about the textbooks they needed. Like asking people to learn to fish without the manual to refer back to. Or if you prefer, how to grow carrots without a good gardening reference book.

So, being over that, Ruth and I are excited to be able to offer our resources on line again. We used to do this through the Gawler Foundation, but they upgraded their website some months back and dropped their webstore.

Creating our own has been a 3 month process and we have had terrific help from Joel Whitford – very skilled web developer, designer; great with words, highly systematic and thoughtful, creative, great communicator. Made the process a creative delight.

Creating our own store has meant we can offer more detailed suggestions for people with specific interest or needs around meditation, nutrition, the power of the mind and healing. One reminder, if you do download an MP3, the process is relatively easy via computer or android phone (especially if you are under or have access to someone under 30!), but if you want to listen on a Mac device like iPhone or iPad, you need to download via computer, transfer into iTunes and then sync with your device. There is a pdf available on the site and that is sent with each download that explains all this in detail.

 So please do check it out, we hope you find it helpful and that proverbially you catch many good quality, sustainable fish; or if you prefer, grow heaps of excellent organic carrots!

Anyway, do have a look, maybe take advantage of a bargain and do give us your feedback; we are always keen to do things even better. Postage is free for all Australian orders over $70.

To connect CLICK HERE

NOTICEBOARD

1. Next workshop in the Melbourne region: 
Mt Macedon on Saturday August 24th, 10am (arr 9.30) to 4.30pm

Duneira is an exquisite heritage hill station property on the slopes of Mt Macedon. The garden is like a meditative space, so beautiful and filled with majestic trees. I love being there!

Then the house itself is grand enough to host good sized but still quite intimate events. There is a tradition now at Duneira of hosting community events that range from music to personal development and Ruth and I have become regulars.

So, fancy a nice drive to a beautiful place for a meaningful event? If so, CLICK HERE



2. Retreats / Trainings filling 
MEDITATION in the DESERT
If anyone is still thinking of joining us in the desert, we could take a couple more, so let us know very soon. Details: CLICK HERE

IMAGES, WORDS and SILENCE 
Training/retreat with Dr Nimrod Sheinman, Ruth and myself in the Yarra Valley is filling steadily, so if interested, book directly with the Gawler Foundation. Details: CLICK HERE

MEDITATION UNDER the LONG WHITE CLOUD
Ruth and I are leading our first meditation retreat in New Zealand in December at the beautiful Mana Retreat centre that has a similar high reputation for a good environment and great food as the Foundation. Details: CLICK HERE

5 DAY FOLLOW-UP CANCER PROGRAM
Specifically for people who have attended a CanLive program in NZ, or Gawler Foundation program. November 18 – 22 at Wanaka out of Queenstown - one of the most beautiful environments there is. Details: CLICK HERE

NEWS
The ABC documentary program Four Corners is planning to screen what could be a very significant program on Monday 19th August (available via streaming shortly thereafter). Initially the program was to investigate current mainstream cancer research and treatment, and compare costs and outcomes with the more integrative approach.

Early in the program’s development I was told “we want to look at the costs, over-utilization and efficacy of drugs; and the influence of pharmaceutical companies on research findings and promotion of cancer medicines. We also want to have a look at the most up-to-date research on integrative medicine in cancer treatment.

“As always, to tell this story we will be hoping to engage with real people grappling with decisions about their own cancer treatments. We would very much like to engage with the Gawler Foundation and film with cancer patients taking part in your program - people who may have experienced conflict in deciding about their own treatments, or tried one way and then gone another who could help us illustrate the complex issues our audience can engage with. We are very mindful of telling a balanced story, as I know are you.”

I was very enthusiastic, helped connecting Four Corners with relevant patients and their families, and was filmed by them presenting some of my recent Sydney workshop.

Unfortunately, as the program developed, the focus needed to narrow. It seems that covering the cost/benefits of new cancer drugs adequately is big enough! So again I was told “It is a disappointment that our thesis has gone in a direction that doesn't allow for inclusion of the Gawler program and lifestyle medicine in the story… We still very much hope to provide a forum for discussion about where we are going in future with cancer treatments, their cost to the community and the individual, and the bar we set for acceptance of new drugs onto the market…. I remain hopeful that we will do another story around these issues, and I hope you would be prepared to be as generous again with your time if we can do so.”


So do watch the program, do be a little socially active. Give the program feedback. Encourage them. Say what you do like about the program. Say we want to see Lifestyle Medicine in cancer investigated. Ask why is it that something that is so cost-effective, that is so empowering and that has so many benefits as Lifestyle Medicine does, is not part of the mainstream treatment of cancer everywhere? By contrast, why do expensive treatments with high side-effect profiles and often small gains get so much support from the medical world and the wider community?


Hopefully the Four Corners program will break the apparent taboo that has existed for too long around discussing in public the cost/benefits of modern oncology and it will beg the question, what else is there that can help people to manage their cancer, their treatments, and their recoveries? This may well be a good time to speak up.

Clean Food – and the 4 elements of gourmet health food

I am sitting in the dining room at Gaia, looking out on a golden evening as the landscape rolls away over serene hills and on into infinity. But amidst the calm and the beauty, my thoughts go to “What will the food be like?”

Will it be a disappointment, or a pleasant surprise? For this is Olivia Newton-John’s luxury spa retreat where I am due to give some talks and where people come to be pampered and treated with gourmet meals that are intended to be healthy. This week we find out, prepare for talks in Coffs Harbor, Katoomba and Sydney and share a short video link that is well worth a look. But first

Thought for the Day
To keep the body in good health is a duty,
otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear
                                                                                 The Buddha

Gaia. The luxury spa retreat in the hinterland near Byron Bay in the far north of New South Wales that I have heard about from my old friend Olivia (who is not so old at all!) and who I know to be genuinely passionate about good food and a healthy lifestyle.

Olivia’s hand is evident everywhere, whether it be in the beautiful setting, caring, discreet and friendly way the staff conduct themselves, or in the quality of Gaia’s facilities with their earthy, natural décor, or the excellent standard of the massage therapists, hand-picked to work in the day spa. There are thoughtful touches of care and beauty everywhere.

But what will the food be like? Gregg Cave, the resident manager who treats each and every person like a personal guest, a personal friend, is with us when the dinner arrives.


It is immediately apparent. More than a pleasant surprise, it is wonderful! True gourmet health food. A chef who knows how to cook good food well.

“I like to call it clean food” says Gregg. “We start each meal from raw ingredients and we make every effort to use organic produce for its environmental and the health benefits as well as the enhanced flavor."

"Then we keep it simple. We stay away from salt and sugar so that again, the natural flavours are not swamped and guests get to really taste what they are eating.”

What I notice is the clean taste and the lightness that accompanies eating such food. You finish the meal feeling satisfied, clean and light. So different to many meals we eat when out that in one way taste OK, but leave you feeling heavy and feeling like another meal at home would have been a better choice.

Here, every meal is delicious and delightful. And clean!



Gaia does believe in choice so at different meals they do present chicken, seafood and some straight vegetarian meals. You can choose to leave cheese or other ingredients out of the meals that are offered; with vegan and gluten free options reliably and easily catered for.


So, the four 4 elements of clean food?

1. Start with top quality raw ingredients

2. Use organic produce wherever possible

3. Avoid salt and sugar

4. Keep it simple. Allow the ingredients and the naturally enhanced flavours to speak for themselves and do not complicate things with heavy, overbearing sauces and too many complicated flavours.

Oh yes, and to add that gourmet touch, do what Gaia have done - hire a top chef or 2 or 3 who are really into this style of cooking! And support them with top staff.

Simple really.

So if you are fortunate enough to have the time and money to go to a top-quality health retreat in Australia, and if you are seeking a place where you choose what you do, where there is no set formal teaching program, where you can go when it suits you, with oodles of pampering, excellent regular optional Yoga, Chi Gong and fitness classes, then Gaia comes very highly recommended.

RELATED BLOGS
Organic food – good for fruit flies, good for you

Eating well, being well

NOTICEBOARD




Ruth and I were in Brisbane this last week where for the 30th year in a row I presented at the Relaxation Centre. Quite a milestone really and what a fabulous volunteer driven centre. See the recent blog : One remarkable man, one great lesson.






This weekend we are in Coffs Harbor being organized for a day workshop through another old friend and colleague David McRae. David and I worked closely together in the Foundation way back in the eighties and so we look forward to spending more time with him and his wife and speaking in Coffs.

Then the following week, Katoomba and Sydney

Coffs Harbour
July 6; Day workshop: Medicine of the Mind

Katoomba
July 9; Day workshop: Health, Healing and Wellbeing

Sydney
July 13 - 14, Weekend workshop: A New Way of Living

AND HERE IS NEWS OF ANOTHER HIGHLY SKILLED COLLEAGUE’S MEDITATION CLASSES IN MELBOURNE

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
Not sure whether to laugh or cry, whether it is politically incorrect or not, but here is a short video that is definitely worth a few minutes. Check it out:

It’s not about the nail

Ian Gawler Blog: One remarkable man; one great lesson

Over the years, I have had the good fortune to meet and sometimes work with many remarkable people. This week, as I prepare to speak at Brisbane’s Relaxation Centre for the 30th year in a row!, along with workshops in Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Katoomba, lets go Out on a Limb once more and I will tell you about one of the most remarkable of all, Lionel Fifield, and of the one great life lessons I learnt from him.

Also, another really inspiring cancer recovery story, but first

Thought for the Day
If I were to wish for anything,
I should not wish for wealth and power,
But for the passionate sense of the potential,
An eye, which, ever young and ardent
Sees the possible.
                  Soren Kierkegaard

In the mid seventies, Fortitude Valley, adjacent to Brisbane’s CBD, had a well-earned reputation for crime, corruption, vice and sleaze. So when a new centre opened opposite the local Police Station with the then ambiguous title of The Relaxation Centre, it was not long before two burly plain-clothes detectives enquired.

All fresh-eyed and bushy-tailed, the man in charge, Lionel Fifield thought it best to introduce the said gentlemen to his best “girl”. With some anticipation, they were led upstairs to meet one Doris, champion stamp licker and letter poster at the tender age of 90 something!

This was a Relaxation Centre with a difference! Based on volunteers and an incredible ethic of service, the Centre has been providing self-help programs, personal development courses and so much good for the Brisbane community for nearly 40 Years.

In July I will celebrate with Lionel 30 years of annual presentations. In fact, Lionel was the first to ask me to present a comprehensive workshop – over a weekend in 1993. His style, enthusiasm, mentoring and on-going support for me, has, as with so many others, played a crucial role in how I work. So first, something of the man; then his great lesson.

Lionel Fifield began his working life as an accountant and made the most of the opportunity to experience many years of stress, fear, anxiety and chronic insomnia. At the tender young age of 30 he was warned that the way he was going, he could not expect to live for more than another 10 years. A range of severe illnesses rapidly followed, propelling Lionel to transform his heath and his life.

Inspired by what he found during his own recovery and now aged 34, Lionel, along with six others launched the Relaxation Centre of Queensland. Lionel has been at the helm virtually daily since and is the key person responsible for developing the Relaxation Centre’s wide-ranging programme. He has also presented numerous courses throughout Australia and in several countries overseas. I know of few who have done so much for so many others over such a long time.

One great lesson: Trust in abundance; focus on the need

Lionel first came into my life in 1983. While I had been conducting groups since ’81, the Gawler Foundation was just being established and big choices regarding how to proceed were being faced regularly.

I well remember Lionel calmly pointing out to me how many resources of every type were available in this marvellous world we live in. Logically, he pointed out how these resources were available to meet the needs of real needs. What we discussed at length were really the Laws of Abundance and Manifestation; not in some flaky New Agey way (although we both recognised much that was good in the so-called New Age) but more how these principles applied in the real world.

It was Lionel, more than anyone that convinced me to hold firm to my own belief that if in the Foundation we were to hold unwaveringly to meeting the needs of those people we set out to serve, then the finances, the people; all the resources we needed would become manifest. Focus on the service and the finances will follow.

In those early days I was often accused of flying “Faith Airlines”, believing in abundance and manifestation and expanding the work of the Foundation without any visible means of financially supporting the new service. It made for some tortured Board meetings and we certainly had our ups and downs, but the Foundation was built on this principle, the key words of which are eloquently stated in the Bible:

“Ask and it will be given to you,
seek and you will find;
knock and it will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives,
and he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks it will be opened’      
         Luke 11, 9-10

People often ask Lionel how he has retained his enthusiasm for this work for so many years. He often talks about some of the changes, and almost miracles, he has seen happen for people when they have grasped the possibilities available to them and taken responsibility for their lives.

I share Lionel’s sentiment, and so here is another letter, a great example of what is possible, and this one offered as a tribute to my great friend, inspiration and mentor, Lionel Fifield.

Details of the Brisbane events, along with Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Katoomba follow. In Sydney, I will be presenting a weekend workshop at the Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour - a wonderful venue for the occasion. Please also note, the Relaxation Centre has moved from the Valley, and is now at Alderley. See you there!

KEVIN BAKER and a REMARKABLE HEALTH TURNAROUND

Kevin was diagnosed with kidney cancer after an operation in January of 2011 for the removal of his gall bladder. Here Kevin shares what unfolded.

On recuperating from the gall bladder operation I had scans for the spot on my kidney which revealed a 66mm cancerous tumour on my left kidney.  Within 3 weeks I had it removed. In early 2012 another scan revealed metastasized cancer to my lungs. After being referred to a lung surgeon, he told me there is nothing he can do for me and referred me to an oncologist that said the same thing.

The oncologist then said to me you will have years not months so go and do your bucket list. However what the oncologist also said was there is a really good book written by Ian Gawler ‘You Can Conquer Cancer’. I said wow funny you should say that my daughter is a naturopath and she has given me that book from a friend and I am reading it now.

I read You Can Conquer Cancer by Ian Gawler and other books, then my family said you should go to the Gawler Foundation Retreat. Well I said we really can’t afford it and my wife said is your life not worth $3,000?

I did the retreat and that was the best money I ever spent in my life. I was with 30 other people who were in the same boat as me; some were more advanced. We all learnt an immense amount of knowledge of how to live with cancer and I came out of that with so much life changing experience.

I will never forget my 10 days with the Gawler Retreat, I think it is probably one of the best memories of my life. Well I must say I really enjoyed every minute, however, I just can’t believe how much information that I absorbed and took home with me, but most of all put into practice.

As well as turning my cancer around with diet and lifestyle, I have cured other ailments that I used to suffer. I actually had an attack of diverticulitis when I was on the Retreat but I haven’t had diverticulitis since, although I used to get it at least 6 times a year.

I was perpetually living with irritable bowel syndrome. I haven’t had it since.

I used to get hay fever so bad my eyes would bung up and I would have a perpetual post nasal drip, I used to have to pay to get my lawn cut. I now do it myself, no problem, no hay fever.

I have been on proton pumps for reflux for over 6 years I no longer get reflux, no more medication.

But best of all I lost 30 kilos.  By losing this weight I have lost 90% of my arthritis pain.

From the knowledge I had learnt from The Gawler Foundation Retreat and put into practice - in seven months I had turned my cancer around. The next scan showed that the two largest tumours in my lungs had decreased in size very significantly and a cluster of smaller tumours had decreased very significantly.

My oncologist said it was amazing that I have shrunk my tumours without any mainstream treatment and that in all his experience as an oncologist this had only happened once before with another patient and that was six years ago.

All the best to all of you guys you will live in my heart forever.

Kevin Baker
Student from April 2012

RELATED BLOGS
Parking backwards and other positive acts

NOTICEBOARD
WORKSHOPS COMING SOON in NSW and Queensland
This will be my 30th year presenting at the Relaxation Centre in Brisbane.

Ruth and I love these events where we get to meet up with people we know, make knew friends, to remind ourselves and others of what works and to share the latest in our field of health, healing and wellbeing.

Please do forward the details to those you may know in any of these places and if you live nearby, we hope to see you at one of the events. Bring your family (we had 5 members from the same family share a day workshop recently), come with a friend, tell your colleagues.


These workshops are interactive, a great way to review what you already know, to be re-inspired and re-enthused, and to learn exciting new things, like the latest breakthroughs in epigenetics, the neurosciences, telomeres and nutrition.

Something for everyone!

Brisbane
June 27; Evening Public Lecture: Health, Healing and Wellbeing
29 – 30; Weekend workshop: A New Way of Living

Coffs Harbour
July 6; Day workshop: Medicine of the Mind

Katoomba
July 9; Day workshop: Health, Healing and Wellbeing

Sydney
July 13 - 14, Weekend workshop: A New Way of Living

RESOURCES

BOOK: The Mind that Changes Everything – includes the principles and techniques of how to develop the Laws of Abundance and Manifestation

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Lifestyle and Follicular Lymphoma (sometimes referred to as Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - NHL)

Several lifestyle factors (e.g., obesity, alcohol use, and diet) have been shown to affect the outcome of patients with NHL. A number of tumour molecular markers have been shown to predict the clinical course and overall survival  NHL.

In this study, high microenvironment expression of CD7 (a protein that can be aberrantly expressed in refractory anaemia and may confer a worse prognosis) was significantly associated with a dietary pattern high in fruits, vegetables, and starch (p=0.04), as well as more specifically a higher intake of carotene-rich vegetables (p=0.005).

To our knowledge, this represents the first report of the association of lifestyle factors on tumour markers/microenvironment in NHL and their collective impact on survival.

Evans A et al. Influence of Lifestyle Factors On Expression of Tumour-Related Microenvironment T-cells and Impact On Survival of Follicular Lymphoma. Link to the paper: CLICK HERE.

Ian Gawler Blog: Heal your Self

What do Dr Bernie Siegel and I have in common? Good looks? Well no, he is much balder than me. We have both run cancer groups and written books over many years? True, but then Bernie is truly world famous. We are friends? True, but the answer you were looking for is we are both film stars!

Well almost. We both feature amongst others in a terrific new American documentary, Heal Your Self, that focuses on Lifestyle Medicine and the self-help approach to health, healing and wellbeing. So this week some details and some great feedback. But first, do not give me a hard time about the baldness crack! I am making the most of it while I can. And then

Thought for the Day
See your day as a classroom 
and be aware of the different subjects and teachers 
available to you for your further education. 
Life is a great teacher
                                             Dr Bernie Siegel, author of Love, Medicine and Miracles

Heal Your Self is a film that works to highlight major areas of health such a food, love, meditation, environmental stress, emotional stress plus more. I was privileged to be included in the line up of presenters that also include John Gray, Ph.D., Meg Ryan's mum, Susan Holden of Seventh Generation, plus many other experts in health  - seventeen in total.

The film starts with people with serious illnesses telling what changes they made to take back control of their health, and ends with practical tips for you to try yourself. It is inspiring and informative – well worth a look. There is a very small viewing fee.

I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed taking part. LINK HERE
Or Link to Bernie's website, just do not mention the hair thing! Click here

NEWS
1. Nice to hear
I rarely feature feedback, but this comment came in after the recent Melbourne workshops and seems to put into words the aims I would have in presenting “A New Way of Living”, so here it is. A reminder I will be in Brisbane, Coff’s Harbor, Katoomba and then Sydney in June and July.
Details on the website: CLICK HERE

Spending the weekend with you and Ruth has had a huge impact on my attitudes and behaviour.

I would now drink water rather than eat the 'wrong' food.

I have exercised each day since the weekend. Not that I was slack before but I am now in a different paradigm.

I did the weekend because I just wanted to have more contact with you. I deep down knew it was going to have an impact.

Please continue doing your splendid work. We need you!

With love and much appreciation.
                                                             GK, Dentist

2. Sport – why no health advertising?

This is something you may like to add your voice to. The quotes come from The Conversation, the links are well worth following.

The Australian Football League (AFL) and Cricket Australia have refused to sell advertising space to a Tasmanian man trying to raise awareness of the impact of junk food and alcohol advertising linked to major sports.

Aaron Schultz is an ordinary dad. When he grew sick of seeing his children constantly exposed to junk food and grog ads he started a website called Game Changer with the aim of tackling unhealthy advertising in sport.

Can the four big sports – AFL, Cricket Australia, NRL and ARU – follow the lead of FFA and Netball Australia and use their enormous influence to promote healthy choices? Or will they and their star players continue to be ambassadors of booze, betting and junk food?

Maybe if we all add our voice, be a little socially active, we can effect a much needed change. To read more, CLICK HERE

3. Cancer the big budget winner in health – Oh really? Or should that be Big Business is the cancer big budget winner?

In the health sector, cancer emerged the big winner with an extra $226 million announced for cancer research, treatment and screening.

The Government’s largest commitment is for $92 million over four years to expand breast cancer screening to women from 50 to 74 years of age. This comes despite expert concern over the usefulness of screening in women over 69. Some European studies and countries are now seriously questioning the whole mammography program. More on this specifically in another blog soon, but in the interim, the budget will fund an extra 145,000 women to screened every two years.

The budget also included amongst other cancer payouts $30 million to fund chemotherapy drugs on the PBS, pending a review due to report in October; and $24 million to meet increasing demand for bone marrow transplants.

Not much visible for patient support and nothing I can see for Lifestyle Medicine. Guess we just do not have the lobbying power, or is it something else? What do you think? Add your voice to the Comments

RESEARCH ARTICLE

An egg a day blows your heart away. Does it?
While I am still of the view that a few eggs each week work well for most people, this is interesting.

Eggs increase the risk for heart disease and diabetes, according to a new meta-analysis published in Atherosclerosis. Researchers reviewed 14 studies and found that those who consumed the most eggs had a 19 and 68 percent increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes, respectively, compared with those who ate the fewest eggs. For those who already had diabetes, the risk for developing heart disease from eating the most eggs jumped to 83 percent.

Li Y, Zhou C, Zhou X, Li L. Egg consumption and risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes: A meta-analysis. Atherosclerosis. Published ahead of print April 17, 2013.

Ian Gawler Blog: In praise of fast cars

What can we learn from a very fast old car?
Plenty really. I drive a Subaru WRX. Fabulous car. I was fortunate and happened to buy the 1998 model, in my opinion the best looking WRX of all time. Sleek, elegant, relatively cheap, and bloody fast!

My car is about to celebrate its 15th birthday, having just turned over 300,00Kms. Yes 300,000Kms! And it still goes very fast!

And yes, I know that these days it is about as politically correct to admit to loving driving fast as it is to loving being a smoker, but it is a fact. I love speed. Always have.

So this week, let’s go “Out on a Limb” and discover what we can learn from a very fast old car. But first, I also love being still, so

Thought for the Day
Profound and tranquil, free from complexity
Uncompounded luminous clarity
Beyond the mind of conceptual ideas
This is the depth of the mind of the victorious ones.

In this there is not a thing to be removed
Nor anything that needs to be added.
It is merely the immaculate
Looking naturally at itself
                        Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche


The car metaphor is simple but very strong
As a fast car, to get to be 15 years old and to continue to look as good as you did in the early days, to continue to go as fast as you did in the early days; it all takes some work. Good care, regular servicing, a few running repairs, and maybe a facelift!



My WRX came with all the raw ingredients.


The car looks terrific to my eye; it has beautiful lines, is compact, elegant and very practical. In many ways it looks like a modest hatchback.

(This one looks the same, but is not my actual car)



But then there is this incredible turbo-charged Boxer motor that is hooked up to everything that matches. The outcome? A racing billycart. Sure the ride is a little rough, but it moves fast, handles extraordinarily well and has been incredibly reliable. I love driving this car.

But then, the truth is the car is serviced regularly by the best Subaru people I could find using only genuine parts. It has never had an accident, despite being driven very hard in its early days, more sedately of late. It did blow up a transmission at 30K, but Subaru recognised an in-built fault and replaced it free of charge. Being automatic, the transmission did need replacing again recently.

The only other difficulty was when the failure of a minor part led to a major engine problem at around 200K and the bottom half of the engine needed replacing. And I did have it resprayed a year or so ago.

So the simple metaphor. Compare the car to the body. My body is 63 years old. Still goes quite well despite being short of one leg, one lung and most likely one kidney. But this body of mine, like the WRX, gets very well looked after.

Fuel
I am quite particular about what goes into it this body of mine. The WRX would probably run on basic unleaded; splutter along at least; but it goes best on Premium and that is also better for its engine.

My body, like the WRX, is a combustion engine. You put things into it, it burns them up and it goes. The WRX has a simple combustion engine and I am very particular about what I put in its petrol tank. My body is an exquisitely complex combustion engine. It makes logical sense to be even more attentive to what goes into my own tank.

Why not use the best? Why not eat the best?

Regular servicing
For me, regular meditation is like servicing. Worth doing daily. Going on retreat is a more deliberate form of servicing, as is having a regular massage, taking time out in the garden or going for a walk. Regeneration time. When I need to, which is often, I want to know that everything has been done, everything is ready, so that I can be at my best.

Why not be at your best?

Respraying
This seems to be unknown or overlooked by many, but in my view, good food, really good food, is way more effective then a facelift. Eat consistently well and skin tone is good, wrinkles smooth out and an inner glow emerges.

Why not look at your best?

Driving
For me, driving is one of the best moving meditations. To drive safely, especially if fast, you need to be very present, very mindful. Not overly tense, not spaced out;  just right - really relaxed in the true sense of the word. Sharp and relaxed. Aware.

Why not be aware and mindful?

Actually, I treat my body better than the WRX. I like to think I treat it like a Formula One racing car, where everything is taken seriously, but there is a lot of fun involved. That attitude certainly helped me to recover from a very difficult cancer. And these days, while I am not fixated, I am fairly diligent, and this attitude helps me to make the most of the bits that I do have, to live and enjoy life to the full, and to make the most of what it is that I have to offer to others.

And finally, along with the WRX’s milestone 15th birthday next month, I will celebrate returning to having no demerit driving points against my name. Not sure as the years advance if I am becoming more politically correct or just more careful?
Love that car!

RELATED BLOGS
                   Food 101 - What food goes into your tank?

                   Meditation in the Desert

RESOURCES
BOOK        You Can Conquer Cancer – for all the answers to your food questions, and how to be confident of, and enjoy Formula One food!

CDs            Eating well, Being well – outlines the dietary recommendations found in my experience to be best suited to those interested in eating well - for themselves and the family.


                   Eating for Recovery – more specific recommendations for those affected by cancer. Builds on the first food CD, so if you are managing cancer, the two CDs are necessary.

PLEASE NOTE. If you are ordering Books or CDs via this blog, my own website or from the Gawler Foundation directly, their website is being upgraded and the on-line store is still coming, so for the moment, to order you need to ring during normal business hours:  03 59671730

NEWS
1. Coconut oil
Wow. I was naive enough to imagine last week's guest post from Professor George Jelinek explaining why he and I consider coconut oil to be best avoided would only interest a few. Actually, it attracted a huge readership and led to much discussion, including many valuable questions and answers from George and myself that are worth visiting in the Comment section.

2. MELBOURNE WORKSHOPS approaching rapidly, booking soon recommended

Saturday May 11th : Meditation and the Power of the Mind. Like a mini meditation retreat; lots of practise together, some interesting new science, and a neat review of technique and theory.

Sunday May 12th : Living Well, Being Well  On preventing illness, recovering from illness and being really well. Lots on healthy lifestyle, treatment options and nutrition , including heaps of recent research and how it applies in daily life.

Bring the family, invite a friend or two, inform your colleagues!
Maybe you know someone living in Melbourne who would benefit/like to attend.

For full details and to book, LINK HERE

NOTICEBOARD
H.H. THE DALAI LAMA COMING to AUSTRALIA in JUNE

BEYOND RELIGION, THE BENEFITS OF LIVING ETHICALLY

This will be the Dalai Lama’s ninth visit to Australia. This time based on his book, Beyond Religion, Ethics for a Whole World, His Holiness will discuss how to put ethics into practice in everyday life.

Check out to beautiful, clever video: One Voice Video

For the full VISIT SCHEDULE and to book tickets go to www.dalailamainaustralia.org

BOTTOM LINE COMFORT
I am often asked where to obtain a good meditation cushion. The Gawler Foundation stocks great wooden seats to kneel upon as well as cushions, or you can order great Zafus (buckwheat filled, round cushions) online from Blue Banyan. They also have buckwheat refills for well used, flattened Zafus that need replenishing.

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Eating More Meat, Dairy, and Other Unhealthful Foods Leads to Worse Aging
Recent research demonstrates that after an average 16-year follow-up, people who consumed a “Western-type” diet, including a high intake of red and processed meats, whole dairy products, and fried foods, were more likely to die prematurely and to suffer from various chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, cancer, and mental health disorders, compared with people who avoided such dietary patterns.

Researchers analyzed data from 5,350 participants from the WhitehalI II study in London and scored dietary patterns using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) to assess disease risk. People with better AHEI scores had better overall health outcomes as they aged.

Akbaraly T, Sabia S, Hagger-Johnson G, et al. Does overall diet in midlife predict future aging in phenotypes? A cohort study. Am J Med. 2013; 126:411-419.

BOOK REVIEW

The Dalai Lama’s Cat
Unlikely title. Intriguing title. Great book of fiction mixed with fact based on the adventures, learnings and insights of a stray cat adopted and cared for by the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, Nepal.

It has a whimsical sense of humour, warmth and compassion running through and provides a gentle introduction to Buddhist principles through the eyes of a wayward but curious cat. Highly recommended for all, but maybe a good present for teenagers and those older who are interested in the meaning of life.

The author David Michie hails from Perth and Ruth and I met up with him and his lovely wife while speaking there last week.

The book should be in all the proverbial good bookstores, but can also be ordered on line. Two possibilities with direct links:
  Amazon    and    Fishpond