The Fast

The theory behind the internal cleanse is that we have consciously and unconsciously subjected our body, mind and spirit to harmful life-styles, eating habits, and a modern world full of pollutants that inhibit the body's own natural ability to cleanse itself. The digestive organs get clogged with waste matter that over time becomes an anaerobic sewer. Here is what takes place in detail:

As toxic waste matter builds up, the epithelial cells lining the intestinal tract secrete mucous due to irritation. Built up toxins, stored in the mucous lining are thus absorbed by the body. Over years the toxic mucous gets harder and harder, becoming layers of rubberized matter or “mucoid plague” (and there can be over 20 or more lbs. in there!) that prevents the body from absorbing all the nutrients from food and supresses or over stimulates the immune system to do its job properly. At this point all of the systems in the body work overtime trying to clean up the excess waste that has accumulated at a cellular level.

At the same time, compensating for lack of oxygen, the person exhausts all of his/her energy reserves to find homeostasis and a slow spiral toward an increasingly unhealthy life continues until effort is made to do some cleansing and make some changes. .

The toxic state that many, many people are in can cause everything from that tired, exhausted feeling, CFS - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, acne, eczema, psoriasis, Candida albicans, asthma, arthritis and other auto-immune disorders, backache, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Irritable Bowel Disease (basically anything wrong in the intestinal track), also PMS, Menopause symptoms, Diabetes and other endocrinal diseases such as hypo and hyperthyroidism, adrenal weakness, liver diseases and Cancer to name a few problems.

Probably not every illness is related to this waste overflow the body is carrying around, causing a clogged digestive system, but as one well known doctor said, 90% of our illnesses are related (refer to our quotes). Fasting is a natural healing method, a time to let the natural intelligence of your body take over. It is the oldest healing method humankind has known. To cleanse the colon [large intestine] and other internal organs may be the best thing you will ever do for yourself.

At Dharma Healing International we do an 'Elimination Fast' which includes taking our own freshly made “Five Flavor” Herbal Cleansing Formula balanced for softening, loosening up, cleansing and eliminating old hardened mucoid plaque, bile, poisons, lymph fluid, yeast and parasites that stay sometimes for years in the digestive organs and body tissues

Twice a day fasters self-administer a simple full colon wash called colonic irrigation to quickly eliminate the loosened up material and toxic elements. We use organic freshly roasted and ground coffee or organic green tea in the morning and herbal teas in the evening, adding a few drops of 35%, food grade, hydrogen peroxide to our colonic water to oxygenate the colon. The method we use is called Kundalini Yoga Colonics and incorporates a four part process which is gentle, very efficient while also stimulating and relaxing. The practice is excellent for eliminating material and getting connected to your body and emotions.

During the day fasters sip on a variety of liquids, such as: purified water, medicinal herbal teas of the day, lime water, fresh coconut waters filled with enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids that are harvested daily; and in the evening a veggie broth soup that is rich with minerals and phyto-nutrients, made with locally grown fresh veggies, spices and herbs from China, North America, India, Malaysia and Thailand.

On the third day of the fast we give a drink of Epsom salts and another special drink called a liver flush. The Epsom salts open up the bile ducts and the liver flush gives a kick to detoxifying the liver and gall bladder. The extra-virgin olive oil relaxes the bile ducts allowing old stagnant bile and sometimes gall and liver stones to be released into the intestinal tract for elimination.

Other nourishing and medicinal drinks, supplements and homeopathic remedies are provided based on individual need during the program.

Our fasting program includes a complete course. Throughout the week a variety of classes (30 hours of class time in total) are taught to help fasters work with the cleansing, fasting process, to guide and support each and every person while preparing him/her to lead a healthy life when they leave us.

This is a partial list of classes held throughout the week. It only includes the following 10 classes on foods and spiritual nutrition: Please refer to our Class page for a complete list with details.

	Orientation
	Digestive System Overview
	Digestion and Nutrition of all Food Categories - 3 Classes
	Food Combining -  The Art and Love Of Eating and Being-  Daily Cleansing from the Heart
	Break the Fast
	Enzymes
	Setting Up a Health Food Kitchen and Recipes – Discussions during other classes
	In The Kitchen Raw Foods Preparation

Fasters are individually given one Iridology reading during the week with a personal explanation of what Iridology is and how to read a chart. This is to provide a picture of their all over general health condition and constitution. In addition to the Iridology reading we offer a nutritional, emotional and spiritual counseling session.

During each week we include two Thai massage treatments, one with each of our two Thai masseuses. A one hour session includes a thorough abdominal massage (if requested), invigorating elimination. Thai massage is available during the day time on a fee by hour basis.

Breaking The Fast

For a few days after the fast, a tasty vegetable yogurt we make together is eaten that reintroduces friendly bacteria into the intestinal tract, important enzymes for stimulating digestion and B Vitamins to support the immune system.

After the fast, it is important to put one's own loving energy into the food. We encourage all of our fasters to go to the local fresh food market and buy their own fruits and vegetables. This simple act of feeding and nurturing ourselves after a fast supports a physical, mental and spiritual immune response, toward happiness and well being.

Each of us is very delicate after a fast and needs to take excellent care in breaking the fast properly. We have found that it takes a minimum of at least 10 days of breaking the fast properly to feel the full benefits. That is why we give explicit directions in staying away from a list of "no-nos" (that are stated on the Preparing for the Fast page) while eating a natural whole foods diet.

It is necessary to watch not only what we eat, how we eat, how much we eat, who we eat with, who prepares our food  and also where we eat after a good fast. Restaurant and airline food may not always be healthy. Many people who eat in restaurants and who eat airplane food directly after a fast report feeling awful. We encourage and support fasting, ordering fruit or carrying healthy foods on long journeys.

After a fast each of us is vibrating at a much higher frequency and will often become intuitively awakened to what appropriate nutrition is and what are unwanted poisons. Thus, we can become much more vulnerable and sensitive to what we eat.

Everyone who comes here leaves feeling changed, alive vibrant and truly great! Many people overcome old habits, attitudes, and addictions. Smoking is not allowed and most people quit smoking, drinking, taking drugs and eating unhealthy processed foods. . .

Our Fasting Course Program is for those who want guidance in changing their lives, who want to leave behind old habits and outdated attitudes and work toward their Higher spiritual and Divine potential, on a Path of loving oneself and the world they live in. It is our privilege to help each person who comes to us work toward this positive state of living and being.

It is our hope that everyone who comes to be with us feels, safe, loved and supported in our family environment throughout their stay.

If you are new to the idea of internal cleansing you will be starting a fantastic education into your body and your health from a very personal experience. As we like to say, you really get to know YOU.

Throughout Eastern and Western religious traditions fasting has been our primary way toward spiritual inspiration and self-purification, broadening our inner consciousness and intuitive abilities toward well being and enlightenment. It is a time to go within, giving the body a rest from the material world, the mind a superior focus and the spirit freedom to swim in harmony with the elements of nature, elements that support one's humanness and ultimate simplicity to experience life at its most basic existence. It is the oldest therapeutic method known to man. Even before the advent of the medicine man and the healing arts, human beings instinctively stopped eating when they felt ill and abstained from food until   health was restored. It is without a doubt the absolute best gift a person can give him or herself and is the ultimate vacation!

There is hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness We are lutes no more, no less   If the soundbox is stuffed full of anything-no music If the brain and the belly are burning clean with fasting every moment a new song comes out of the fire The fog clears and new energy makes you run up the steps in front of you Be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry Emptier write secrets with the reed pen When you’re full of food and drink an ugly metal statue sits where your spirit should be When you fast good habits gather like friends who want to help Fasting is Soloman’s Ring Don’t give it to some illusion and lose your power But even if you have if you’ve lost all will and control they come back when you fast Like soldiers appearing out of the ground Pennants flying above them A table descends to your tents Jesus’ Table Expect to see it when you fast this table Spread with other food better than the broth of cabbages *Fasting by Rumi 13th Century

The Dharma Healing International Fasting Course Program is directed according to Buddhist Principles, guiding each individual into him/herself; practicing Love, Kindness, Empathy/Compassion and Equanimity. Please note: we are not doctors. We do not diagnose, treat or cure anybody.