Mike_Y, Age 44, 7DW Level 1, Introduction

[Mike_Y]

G'day, fellow cleansers.

Let me say, right from the outset, that I'm not all that excited about not eating for week, let alone not drinking (alcohol that is). And I don't even want to start thinking about sticking tubes up my bum! But several forces have conspired to get me this far.

First, I met Joshua who has been a good friend of my wife Shuk Wa for some time. He's a rather charismatic guy who seems to radiate health. In fact he makes Cliff Richard look like Keith Richards. So I thought there must be something to this cleansing stuff.

Secondly, my wife was ready to give it a shot. While Shuk Wa is big on spiritual health (she's a reiki level 2), she hasn't been all that keen to join me on my 2003 crusade to get fit. Unlike my NY resolutions for the past millennium, I'm keeping this one and was hoping Shookers would be part of it. So I thought here's another way to skin the cat (so to speak).

And finally, I left my job last month. It was a mutual thing. I work at an ad agency which was hit hard by the war and SARS and was struggling to pay for high-cost expats like myself. And I hadn't been a happy camper there for some time. We agreed it was time to part ways. So I thought here's a window of opportunity to do this thing.

So that's my story. Despite my earlier misgivings, I'm really looking forward to giving this a red hot go. And hopefully Shookers and I will emerge better for it.

cheers
Mike

[David_T]

Welcome Mike!

Thoughts are as toxic as bad food and alcohol. Look forward to what this means for you.

Love and light,

David_T

[Lardin_B]

well mike good for you. It seems that you are giving up more than just old eating and drinking habits. And if i may say so the concept of not eating for a week seems harsh but once you get into it you will feel soo soo different. I have cleansed before and fasted before but not the hps style, but it was very similar to hps and i must say the first thing i felt everytime was complete peace and contentment. I was so surprised that i can go without chewing food for days at time. Body is a facinating machine you will learn new things about your body. Good luck and happy journey.

Love always
lardin

[Richard_D]

Hi Mike.

Good to see some folks from this general hemisphere joining the program now. We're on the SARS doomsday list over here, too, but so far it hasn't impacted my field and I think it'll be over with before that happens anyhow. Some real jitters are creeping into the locals, but nothing approaching panic. In my opinion your average Asian flu epidemic is deadlier than this has proven so far. Let's hope.

I shared you concerns with the tube and the posterior, and all that, the first time I tried fasting (not here), and honestly I never got past the feeling that some liberties were being taken with me. That was just a bucket and a line of flexible tubing; I've had a couple ganders at the colema board apparatus and it makes me think I'm gonna resemble an ear of corn on a skewer. But I've tried fasting with and without colon irrigation, and man, I'm here to tell you, that water is your friend. And so is that board (much more effective that the pinch-and-run method you have to use with teh bucket-only option), although I really need to find a place to stash it other than the living room, where it attracts awkward questions from private students.

But hey, enough about me. Hearty welcomes to you and Shuk Wa, and I hope your experiences exceed all your expectations.

Rick

[Louise_L]

Mike,

You are indeed lucky -- to have met Jos-hua, to be able to do this while you are not working, and to have a spouse who is doing the same thing.

The formal cleanse is no picnic. I sure didn't feel like doing it today when I woke up feeling lousy on day 3 of my level 2. But I never considered not doing it, partly because I've invested too much to get to this point. But more importantly, I have learned a great deal in this program, and I understand why I am doing everything. I also have the incredibly positive results from the last 6 months.

The most enjoyable part of the program is the positive benefits you will experience. It is wonderful to feel better. And I must say I have enjoyed almost every single thing I've eaten since I started. The program is a good mix of learning and doing.

Welcome to the group, and I wish you an excellent cleanse.

Louise_L

[Elisa_C]

Hey Mike !

You sound like my kind of people. Not too serious about what we are serious about...sort of like sitting around and doing nothing ? (Tao)

Anyway, coming from the restaurant biz, fasting is the least of my concerns, but you too will get through it. The bum thing is not my favorite either, but we woman get proded more than you guys (docter. visits ETC) and after child birth, I am sure it will be manageable too !

I am not even in pre-cleanse yet and influencing lots of people to be more aware of how they treat their bodies.
It is amazing how hungry people are for information toward the road to health.

Keep posting so I can laugh during the journey.

peace, love & light,
Elisa_C

[Mike_Y]

To my dear cleansemates,

Thanks for taking the time to email. Fabulous to hear from you all. My chatroom discussions have previously focused on issues of world importance like how many runs Ricky Ponting will make on the Windies tour (I threw that in for you Elisa) so it's nice to talk about something other than sport.

Lardin, thanks for the encouragement... peace and contentment sounds good. Right now, that generally depends on whether the kids are awake. David, you've got me thinking about toxic thoughts! However, I'm sure you'd like me to contemplate your words post-cleanse. Just at the moment, they're a tad cryptic. (I feel a bit like the confused young Grasshopper in Kung Fu!)

Hey Rick, you're in the war zone compared to Singapore. But as you say, you're more likely to choke to death on a betel nut than expire because of SARS. For the past couple of days I've had a head cold but I might as well be a bell-ringing leper gauging by people's reactions. Fear is a powerful virus. BTW, let me know what you do there.

Thanks Lousie. I'm feeling more positive already! Good luck with the rest of Level 2.

And as for you, Ms C, we men get our fair share of prodding I'll have you know. Mostly from our aggrieved partners! And here you are, not yet into pre-cleanse mode, dismissing the fast as if it'll be a breeze. I'll be emailing you pics of chocolate souffles on Day 5 and see how you feel! Only kidding. We'll be doing this TOGETHER and I'll welcome your strength of resolve.

Onwards and upwards
Mike

[David_T]

Isn't it amazing how a commitment to doing something starts the whole universe moving? You have clearly started cleansing.

Love and light,


David_T

[Sumina_B]

Hello Mike! Nice to read you on the boards. Saurabh and I are also on the cleansing path together. So far, we have done both level 1 and 2 together, I know some couples on the message boards who do each of their cleanses individually.

It is great to have your humor and participation on the boards. Keep it coming! :)

As far as the uncertainty you feel with the colenema experience, well as the others have said, you will get over it! The colenema will become a relief during the cleanse.

anyway, look forward to hearing/reading more from you in the coming weeks!

Much Love,
Sumina

[Richard_D]

Jeez Mike, I thought that Singapore had the highest death rate so far...until that is China (mainland) started their boom over there...and there's Hong Kong. My impression was that Taiwan had a few cases popping out here and there (one downtown from me, last week) but that they caught on to it pretty early. They sure haven't stinted their efforts. Currently they're supposed to be hunting down like 20,000 airline passengers. Contrast that to my home state in Tulsa, OK: they had a SARS death there a week or two back, and the airline hasn't even notified the other passengers that flew with him in the US. And they may not even plan to.

Well, this is all probably

[Richard_D]

[remote server closed the connection, sliced my post]

...beyond the purview of HPS posting guidelines, so I'll cancel the non-fasting bits for the moment. "Introductions" seems an acceptable place for idle chit-chat, though.

BTW I'm an English teacher here, kindergarten through whatever grade they're in at the age of 12 or so. We have great laughs all around; nobody learns much, of course.

I'll grant you that we guys get a fair share of poking/prodding, but you have to admit it's usually a rare enough occasion when the doctor straps on the rubber gloves and the Barry White, saying, "now let's do something beautiful." It never happens over here, though. Most of the time the doc just calls his buddies over and they giggle about the size of my Adam's apple.

Well hey, I think you're gonna have a blast (npi) on this program. Looks very much as though you have the perfect attitude for potentially stressful situations.

Cheers,

Rick

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Greetings Mike!

Ah, it's a long weekend upon us, but then again, everyday is weekend of you these days! Hope you are enjoying the time off.... sitting still, doing nothing, it's not that often we get the chance to do that.

Please do make good use of Daniel Reid's book, the Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity... i know Shuk wa has a copy, but maybe you should get your own copy too... the way to work with the book is to have it by your side, during your pre-cleansing, your formal and your post-cleansing, so that whenever the urge arises, you can open it and read a paragraph or two on the sujbect that caught your minds attention. If you have to look for her book, or take hers away when you need it, just frustration and disruption will come from that, both for you and for her... the book is important Mike, it's a practice book. It needs to be at hands length, whenever the urge arises to think of alternative health. It's rich, one sentence here, a paragraph there. A few minutes a day keeps the doctor away.

Mike friend, it was nice to meet you in Singapore, and just as nice to have you join us for some online cleansing.... the contribution to your life will be great. I am confident of that... and I look forward to the contribution you can make here at our community to other cleansers. HPS- it is a cooperative effort.

Looking forward to getting to know you better Mike_Y.

Wishing you all the best. Big hugs to the kids.

Peace

PS. where did the name 'Shukkers' come from? Never heard that one before, that's original. ;) What's the story behind it?

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Originally posted by David_T
Welcome Mike!

Thoughts are as toxic as bad food and alcohol. Look forward to what this means for you.

Love and light,

David_T

David friend, it would seem that thoughts are much more toxic than bad food.

First of all they linger... bad food or alcohol is consumed and evacuated, either with a little suffering or a lot, but it ends.

Thoughts on the other hand linger in the form of memory that directly and indirectly, consciously and unconsciously have powerful momemtum...

"The wish to hurt is an attitude, but it is because of this attitude that it can be expressed- that the words or physical action that actually hurts others are carried out. If you think, "I'd like to punch that guy", and you keep that in mind, eventually you may hit him. If you think, "I should tell him how he really is," eventually those nasty words may come from your mouth. That is the creation of physical or verbal karma, whether it be good karma or bad karma. It is the same with disturbing emotions. To like is attachment. To dislike is anger. To not want to investigate something is dullness. Through the five senses, through plans and memories, our mind becomes involved in attachment, anger and dullness. It happens countless times in just one day." (Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Present Fresh Wakefulness)


Peace, jos-hua

[Heather_S]

Mike,

I am so happy you brought up the issue of alcohol. I am about to start my cleanse and, unfortunately, feel like not drinking will be an issue. For one week, it will not be an issue. However, after the cleanse, I am concerned I will want to return to my social life which includes alcohol. I by no means am an alcoholic, however I am 23 years old and live in New York City. A large part of my social life is going to lounges/clubs and having a glass of wine or cocktail with friends. I know this is not healthy and probably contributes to my overall sense of fatigue, which is the reason I have decided that I need to cleanse. However, this is going to be a major obstacle for me to overcome. I hope that we, along with other people in the group, will provide support on this issue.

I did a cleanse about a year ago and felt phenomal for about 4 months- at which time I returned to my old habits. I look forward to getting back on track and hope to have all of your support.

Best regards,
Heather

[David_T]

Thanks for the reminder Jos-hua about how toxic thoughts are.

Heather, it's all about choices. What choices do you want to make with your life? What degree of healthfulness do you want?

Perhaps you could find some similar minded friends. Sometimes when we grow, we out grow our pot ... that is the place we usually hang out and the company we keep. Perhaps you are outgrowing your pot?

Love and light,

David_T

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

Hi Heather,

You already know what will be, how can that be?

If you already know, then all your doing is self fullfilling prophecy....

So instead of already knowing in advance, (i.e., writing the script), why not wait and see (i.e., watch the movie) what actually happens, and then we can take some steps to remedy if need be... lets try to stay focused on the present, that helps a lot in alleviating all the future and past worries, hopes, and fears...

No?
:eek:


Peace

[Jake_W]

Dear Mike,

Welcome to our community. It is great to have you on board and I look forward to the lively interaction you will bring to the group. You have already seen a sampling of the support that abounds here. It just keeps getting better.

[Heather_S]

Jos-hua,

I often find myself dwelling on the future rather than living in the moment. Thanks for the reminder :)

Best regards.
Heather

[Jos-hua Medicine man]

ooouuu Heather, that habit can be a very costly one- on a few dimensions- physical health, mental stability, distruptive emotions, etc...... the list goes on and on.... the good news is- it can be fixed, the bad news is, it seems that all of us have that same bad habit which creates a lot of disturbing karma.

Be mindful Heather, that's the starting point... to notice it as it pops up daily, and once noted to take note of it (the thoughts) (and the habit and to note how it is a habit, how automatically under different circumstances, different places, etc... it happens) and then to drop them and move on into the present. Being present can definitely be more rewarding and fun.

Be well cleansing friend....

[Mike_Y]

Joshua
Thanks mate. Great to finally meet. The Yates tribe looks forward to catching up with you again somewhere in this part of the world.
I might have misinterpreted your comment about "sitting still, doing nothing" if I hadn't picked up Daniel Reid's book today!
Having read half of the introduction, I now know that "ching-jing wu-wei...doesn't mean sitting around all day like a lump on a log". But rather doing only the important stuff.
Shukkers (aka Shookers) derives from a peculiarly Australian way of creating nicknames. To short names like Jack, you add an o, so it becomes Jacko. Max becomes Maxie. Shuk (Wa) becomes Shukkers (or Shookers phonetically). Longer names are shortened. Joshua would most likely become Josh. (And that might lead to Rogan). But I suspect you could be tagged Doc, Guru, or something to that effect. Wait til I get to know you better!
cheers Mike

[Mike_Y]

Heather
I think Joshua's on the money here. There's no point worrying about it.
The fact you did a cleanse about a year ago, felt great afterwards and are back to do another one, says plenty about your resolve.
Right now, I don't think I'm going to stop drinking altogether after the cleanse. Good wine is something I enjoy too much. And having a (I stress "a") glass of wine with friends is not your problem!
I know I probably drink too much, a little like the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.
But let's see how we feel in a few weeks time. If what I've read is true, it may not be such an issue. Maybe one day we can drink to that!
cheers, Mike
PS. Thanks Sumina and Jake W for your words of welcome.

[David_T]

I'll drink to that!:D