the last 40 years I’ve directed a series of studies showing what a powerful
of studies showing what a powerful
of studies showing what a powerful difference changes in diet and lifestyle
difference changes in diet and lifestyle
difference changes in diet and lifestyle can make you know simple changes a Whole
can make you know simple changes a Whole
can make you know simple changes a Whole Foods plant-based diet that’s naturally
Foods plant-based diet that’s naturally
Foods plant-based diet that’s naturally low in fat and sugar various stress
low in fat and sugar various stress
low in fat and sugar various stress management techniques including
management techniques including
management techniques including meditation and yoga moderate exercise
meditation and yoga moderate exercise
meditation and yoga moderate exercise and what we call psychosocial support or
and what we call psychosocial support or
and what we call psychosocial support or reduce it even further to eat well move
reduce it even further to eat well move
reduce it even further to eat well move more stress less love more that’s it and
more stress less love more that’s it and
more stress less love more that’s it and it’s it’s creating a field called
it’s it’s creating a field called
it’s it’s creating a field called lifestyle medicine which is using
lifestyle medicine which is using
lifestyle medicine which is using lifestyle changes not only to help
lifestyle changes not only to help
lifestyle changes not only to help prevent disease but actually to treat it
prevent disease but actually to treat it
prevent disease but actually to treat it and often even reverse it and so we’ve
and often even reverse it and so we’ve
and often even reverse it and so we’ve used for the last 40 years these very
used for the last 40 years these very
used for the last 40 years these very high-tech expensive state-of-the-art
high-tech expensive state-of-the-art
high-tech expensive state-of-the-art scientific measures to prove how
scientific measures to prove how
scientific measures to prove how powerful these very ancient and and and
powerful these very ancient and and and
powerful these very ancient and and and and and powerful approaches these can be
and and powerful approaches these can be
and and powerful approaches these can be you know the more diseases that we’ve
you know the more diseases that we’ve
you know the more diseases that we’ve studied in the more underlying
studied in the more underlying
studied in the more underlying biological mechanisms we look at the
biological mechanisms we look at the
biological mechanisms we look at the more reasons we have to explain why
more reasons we have to explain why
more reasons we have to explain why these changes are so powerful and how
these changes are so powerful and how
these changes are so powerful and how quickly they can occur and I think these
quickly they can occur and I think these
quickly they can occur and I think these findings are giving literally millions
findings are giving literally millions
findings are giving literally millions of people new hope and new choices but
of people new hope and new choices but
of people new hope and new choices but what I want to focus on today is what I
what I want to focus on today is what I
what I want to focus on today is what I consider the most important epidemic
consider the most important epidemic
consider the most important epidemic which is the epidemic of loneliness and
which is the epidemic of loneliness and
which is the epidemic of loneliness and isolation and depression you know 50
isolation and depression you know 50
isolation and depression you know 50 years ago there’s no no I mean it’s been
years ago there’s no no I mean it’s been
years ago there’s no no I mean it’s been a radical transformation in our society
a radical transformation in our society
a radical transformation in our society 50 years ago people most people had an
50 years ago people most people had an
50 years ago people most people had an extended family they saw regularly they
extended family they saw regularly they
extended family they saw regularly they had a job that felt secure that they’d
had a job that felt secure that they’d
had a job that felt secure that they’d been out for ten years or more and so
been out for ten years or more and so
been out for ten years or more and so had their colleagues so they got to know
had their colleagues so they got to know
had their colleagues so they got to know each other they had two or three
each other they had two or three
each other they had two or three generations of people living in a
generations of people living in a
generations of people living in a neighborhood they had a church or
neighborhood they had a church or
neighborhood they had a church or synagogue they went to regulate and most
synagogue they went to regulate and most
synagogue they went to regulate and most people today don’t have any of those and
people today don’t have any of those and
people today don’t have any of those and part of the value of research is it can
part of the value of research is it can
part of the value of research is it can raise awareness and awareness to me is
raise awareness and awareness to me is
raise awareness and awareness to me is always the first step in healing and
always the first step in healing and
always the first step in healing and part of what we’re learning from these
part of what we’re learning from these
part of what we’re learning from these studies is that study after study are
studies is that study after study are
studies is that study after study are showing that people who are lonely and
showing that people who are lonely and
showing that people who are lonely and depressed and isolated are three to ten
depressed and isolated are three to ten
depressed and isolated are three to ten times more likely to get sick and die
times more likely to get sick and die
times more likely to get sick and die prematurely from pretty much all causes
prematurely from pretty much all causes
prematurely from pretty much all causes when compared to those who have a sense
when compared to those who have a sense
when compared to those who have a sense of love and connection in the community
of love and connection in the community
of love and connection in the community and I don’t know anything in medicine
and I don’t know anything in medicine
and I don’t know anything in medicine that has that powerful an impact and so
that has that powerful an impact and so
that has that powerful an impact and so one of the reasons why growing up in a
one of the reasons why growing up in a
one of the reasons why growing up in a family or with two or three generations
family or with two or three generations
family or with two or three generations of people is that people actually know
of people is that people actually know
of people is that people actually know you they don’t just know your facebook
you they don’t just know your facebook
you they don’t just know your facebook profile or your biosketch they know when
profile or your biosketch they know when
profile or your biosketch they know when you messed up you know they saw you
you messed up you know they saw you
you messed up you know they saw you whatever it was they know your demons
whatever it was they know your demons
whatever it was they know your demons they know your problems and
they know your problems and
they know your problems and you know that they know and they know
you know that they know and they know
you know that they know and they know that you know that they know and there’s
that you know that they know and there’s
that you know that they know and there’s something very primal about being seen
something very primal about being seen
something very primal about being seen in that way it’s kind of like in James
in that way it’s kind of like in James
in that way it’s kind of like in James Cameron’s movie Avatar you know I see
Cameron’s movie Avatar you know I see
Cameron’s movie Avatar you know I see you you know it’s sort which is really
you you know it’s sort which is really
you you know it’s sort which is really from an African proverb just being seen
from an African proverb just being seen
from an African proverb just being seen in all of who you are or warts and all
in all of who you are or warts and all
in all of who you are or warts and all is incredibly powerful and so it’s not
is incredibly powerful and so it’s not
is incredibly powerful and so it’s not enough we’ve learned you know I’m doing
enough we’ve learned you know I’m doing
enough we’ve learned you know I’m doing these studies I’ve asked people you know
these studies I’ve asked people you know
these studies I’ve asked people you know why do you smoke and why do you overeat
why do you smoke and why do you overeat
why do you smoke and why do you overeat and drink too much and work too hard and
and drink too much and work too hard and
and drink too much and work too hard and abuse substances these behaviors seem
abuse substances these behaviors seem
abuse substances these behaviors seem some maladaptive and they look at me
some maladaptive and they look at me
some maladaptive and they look at me they go you don’t get it you don’t have
they go you don’t get it you don’t have
they go you don’t get it you don’t have a clue these behaviors are maladaptive
a clue these behaviors are maladaptive
a clue these behaviors are maladaptive they’re very adaptive because they help
they’re very adaptive because they help
they’re very adaptive because they help us deal with our loneliness our
us deal with our loneliness our
us deal with our loneliness our depression or isolation they’ll say
depression or isolation they’ll say
depression or isolation they’ll say things like you know I I’ve got 20
things like you know I I’ve got 20
things like you know I I’ve got 20 friends in this pack of cigarettes and
friends in this pack of cigarettes and
friends in this pack of cigarettes and they’re always there for me and nobody
they’re always there for me and nobody
they’re always there for me and nobody else is you’re gonna take away my 20
else is you’re gonna take away my 20
else is you’re gonna take away my 20 friends what are you gonna give me you
friends what are you gonna give me you
friends what are you gonna give me you know or food fills that void or fat
know or food fills that void or fat
know or food fills that void or fat coats my nerves and numbs the pain or
coats my nerves and numbs the pain or
coats my nerves and numbs the pain or alcohol or other drugs numb the pain
alcohol or other drugs numb the pain
alcohol or other drugs numb the pain that’s why we have an opioid epidemic
that’s why we have an opioid epidemic
that’s why we have an opioid epidemic it’s just part of a larger issue or
it’s just part of a larger issue or
it’s just part of a larger issue or video games numb the pain or more
video games numb the pain or more
video games numb the pain or more socially acceptable way is working all
socially acceptable way is working all
socially acceptable way is working all the time numbs the pain we’ve all done
the time numbs the pain we’ve all done
the time numbs the pain we’ve all done that and so we can’t just give people
that and so we can’t just give people
that and so we can’t just give people information we can’t just you know focus
information we can’t just you know focus
information we can’t just you know focus on the behavior we have to focus on
on the behavior we have to focus on
on the behavior we have to focus on these deeper issues because ultimately
these deeper issues because ultimately
these deeper issues because ultimately that’s what makes them sustainable and I
that’s what makes them sustainable and I
that’s what makes them sustainable and I first got interested in this in my own
first got interested in this in my own
first got interested in this in my own life when I was a freshman in college at
life when I was a freshman in college at
life when I was a freshman in college at Rice University in Houston and became
Rice University in Houston and became
Rice University in Houston and became suicide depressed and came about as
suicide depressed and came about as
suicide depressed and came about as close to killing myself as you can
close to killing myself as you can
close to killing myself as you can without actually doing it it wasn’t in
without actually doing it it wasn’t in
without actually doing it it wasn’t in the course catalog but it turned out I
the course catalog but it turned out I
the course catalog but it turned out I later found out that the highest suicide
later found out that the highest suicide
later found out that the highest suicide rate per capita of any school in the
rate per capita of any school in the
rate per capita of any school in the country and I became suicidal because
country and I became suicidal because
country and I became suicidal because not only did I feel like I was stupid
not only did I feel like I was stupid
not only did I feel like I was stupid but I felt like I could take all the
but I felt like I could take all the
but I felt like I could take all the meaning out of everything you know so
meaning out of everything you know so
meaning out of everything you know so what big deal
what big deal
what big deal who cares nothing matters why bother you
who cares nothing matters why bother you
who cares nothing matters why bother you know all the usual things like that and
know all the usual things like that and
know all the usual things like that and it became a you know depression severe
it became a you know depression severe
it became a you know depression severe depression is a real reality distortion
depression is a real reality distortion
depression is a real reality distortion field as Steve Jobs used to talk about
field as Steve Jobs used to talk about
field as Steve Jobs used to talk about in other words you think you’re seeing
in other words you think you’re seeing
in other words you think you’re seeing things clearly for the first time things
things clearly for the first time things
things clearly for the first time things are bad they’ll always be bad they’ve
are bad they’ll always be bad they’ve
are bad they’ll always be bad they’ve always been bad and anytime you thought
always been bad and anytime you thought
always been bad and anytime you thought otherwise you were just fooling yourself
otherwise you were just fooling yourself
otherwise you were just fooling yourself and that’s where the the hallmark of
and that’s where the the hallmark of
and that’s where the the hallmark of depression which is the helplessness and
depression which is the helplessness and
depression which is the helplessness and hopelessness comes from is that belief
hopelessness comes from is that belief
hopelessness comes from is that belief that things are always going to be bad
that things are always going to be bad
that things are always going to be bad and so there’s an old saying that when
and so there’s an old saying that when
and so there’s an old saying that when the student is ready the teacher appears
the student is ready the teacher appears
the student is ready the teacher appears and for me what really saved
and for me what really saved
and for me what really saved was an ecumenical spiritual teacher
was an ecumenical spiritual teacher
was an ecumenical spiritual teacher named Swami Satchidananda and he taught
named Swami Satchidananda and he taught
named Swami Satchidananda and he taught me that I was looking in the wrong place
me that I was looking in the wrong place
me that I was looking in the wrong place for my health and my well-being he he
for my health and my well-being he he
for my health and my well-being he he liked to make puns people would say what
liked to make puns people would say what
liked to make puns people would say what are you a Hindu he’d say no I’m an undo
are you a Hindu he’d say no I’m an undo
are you a Hindu he’d say no I’m an undo you know and and he helped me learn
you know and and he helped me learn
you know and and he helped me learn where do peace and health really come
where do peace and health really come
where do peace and health really come from and that’s really the central focus
from and that’s really the central focus
from and that’s really the central focus of what I want to talk about today
of what I want to talk about today
of what I want to talk about today because our whole culture the whole
because our whole culture the whole
because our whole culture the whole advertising industry teaches is it comes
advertising industry teaches is it comes
advertising industry teaches is it comes from outside ourselves just yet
from outside ourselves just yet
from outside ourselves just yet more stuff more accomplished more more
more stuff more accomplished more more
more stuff more accomplished more more money more whatever then you’ll be happy
money more whatever then you’ll be happy
money more whatever then you’ll be happy and the problem is that the you know
and the problem is that the you know
and the problem is that the you know once you buy into that view of the world
once you buy into that view of the world
once you buy into that view of the world until you however it turns out you feel
until you however it turns out you feel
until you however it turns out you feel bad if only I had more whatever then I’d
bad if only I had more whatever then I’d
bad if only I had more whatever then I’d be happy until you get it you’re unhappy
be happy until you get it you’re unhappy
be happy until you get it you’re unhappy by definition if someone else gets it
by definition if someone else gets it
by definition if someone else gets it and you don’t then you’re really unhappy
and you don’t then you’re really unhappy
and you don’t then you’re really unhappy and makes you feel like we live in this
and makes you feel like we live in this
and makes you feel like we live in this zero sum game dog-eat-dog world the more
zero sum game dog-eat-dog world the more
zero sum game dog-eat-dog world the more you get the lesser is for me if you
you get the lesser is for me if you
you get the lesser is for me if you never get it your bed and if you get it
never get it your bed and if you get it
never get it your bed and if you get it it’s seductive in the moment it’s like I
it’s seductive in the moment it’s like I
it’s seductive in the moment it’s like I got it it’s mine but it doesn’t usually
got it it’s mine but it doesn’t usually
got it it’s mine but it doesn’t usually last it’s usually followed either by now
last it’s usually followed either by now
last it’s usually followed either by now what you know one patient told me I
what you know one patient told me I
what you know one patient told me I can’t even enjoy the view from the
can’t even enjoy the view from the
can’t even enjoy the view from the mountain I’ve climbed the MARTA looking
mountain I’ve climbed the MARTA looking
mountain I’ve climbed the MARTA looking over the next one or so what big deal it
over the next one or so what big deal it
over the next one or so what big deal it doesn’t really provide that lasting
doesn’t really provide that lasting
doesn’t really provide that lasting meaning that I thought it would and
meaning that I thought it would and
meaning that I thought it would and another you know patients said you know
another you know patients said you know
another you know patients said you know the the the letdown that comes from
the the the letdown that comes from
the the the letdown that comes from accomplishing the goal is so great I
accomplishing the goal is so great I
accomplishing the goal is so great I always make sure I have a dozen projects
always make sure I have a dozen projects
always make sure I have a dozen projects going at the same time but what I
going at the same time but what I
going at the same time but what I learned from the Swami and really it’s
learned from the Swami and really it’s
learned from the Swami and really it’s part of all spiritual traditions is that
part of all spiritual traditions is that
part of all spiritual traditions is that the peace and health are there already
the peace and health are there already
the peace and health are there already it’s not something you have to get it’s
it’s not something you have to get it’s
it’s not something you have to get it’s something that we have already and that
something that we have already and that
something that we have already and that the goal of all these different
the goal of all these different
the goal of all these different practices meditation and yoga and prayer
practices meditation and yoga and prayer
practices meditation and yoga and prayer and whatever it is that you happen to do
and whatever it is that you happen to do
and whatever it is that you happen to do is not that they bring you a sense of
is not that they bring you a sense of
is not that they bring you a sense of peace and well-being but rather they
peace and well-being but rather they
peace and well-being but rather they help us quiet down our mind and body to
help us quiet down our mind and body to
help us quiet down our mind and body to experience what’s already there and and
experience what’s already there and and
experience what’s already there and and and that’s may sound like you know
and that’s may sound like you know
and that’s may sound like you know parsing words and semantics but it’s all
parsing words and semantics but it’s all
parsing words and semantics but it’s all the difference in the world because if
the difference in the world because if
the difference in the world because if you have to get that from outside of
you have to get that from outside of
you have to get that from outside of yourself like when I was in medical
yourself like when I was in medical
yourself like when I was in medical school I I got depressed because I
school I I got depressed because I
school I I got depressed because I thought I was never gonna get in the
thought I was never gonna get in the
thought I was never gonna get in the medical school and you know be all alone
medical school and you know be all alone
medical school and you know be all alone and but but the problem is is that if if
and but but the problem is is that if if
and but but the problem is is that if if you think it comes from outside you
you think it comes from outside you
you think it comes from outside you everyone who has what you think you need
everyone who has what you think you need
everyone who has what you think you need has power over you whereas if it’s if
has power over you whereas if it’s if
has power over you whereas if it’s if I’m starting to feel anxious or worried
I’m starting to feel anxious or worried
I’m starting to feel anxious or worried or upset I can say what am i doing
or upset I can say what am i doing
or upset I can say what am i doing that’s disturbing what’s already there
that’s disturbing what’s already there
that’s disturbing what’s already there and that is very empowering
and that is very empowering
and that is very empowering I can do something about that otherwise
I can do something about that otherwise
I can do something about that otherwise everybody has power over me and so when
everybody has power over me and so when
everybody has power over me and so when we quiet down our minded bodies we can
we quiet down our minded bodies we can
we quiet down our minded bodies we can experience even if it’s only momentarily
experience even if it’s only momentarily
experience even if it’s only momentarily if you’ve meditated or you do whatever
if you’ve meditated or you do whatever
if you’ve meditated or you do whatever you do to quiet down your mind and
you do to quiet down your mind and
you do to quiet down your mind and you’re feeling more peaceful remind
you’re feeling more peaceful remind
you’re feeling more peaceful remind yourself remind yourself that that
yourself remind yourself that that
yourself remind yourself that that feeling didn’t come from the meditation
feeling didn’t come from the meditation
feeling didn’t come from the meditation it was already there what you did is at
it was already there what you did is at
it was already there what you did is at least temporarily he removed what was
least temporarily he removed what was
least temporarily he removed what was disturbing that and the other thing that
disturbing that and the other thing that
disturbing that and the other thing that happens is that when you quiet down your
happens is that when you quiet down your
happens is that when you quiet down your mind you begin to hear your own inner
mind you begin to hear your own inner
mind you begin to hear your own inner teacher your own inner guru your own
teacher your own inner guru your own
teacher your own inner guru your own inner wisdom the still small voice
inner wisdom the still small voice
inner wisdom the still small voice within whatever name you give to that
within whatever name you give to that
within whatever name you give to that it’s that voice that wakes us up at 3:00
it’s that voice that wakes us up at 3:00
it’s that voice that wakes us up at 3:00 in the morning and says hey Dean listen
in the morning and says hey Dean listen
in the morning and says hey Dean listen up pay attention you’re not doing
up pay attention you’re not doing
up pay attention you’re not doing something that’s in your best interest
something that’s in your best interest
something that’s in your best interest or here’s something that you might want
or here’s something that you might want
or here’s something that you might want to think about that’s really creative
to think about that’s really creative
to think about that’s really creative you know all the studies that I’ve done
you know all the studies that I’ve done
you know all the studies that I’ve done really came from that place and then
really came from that place and then
really came from that place and then kind of reverse engineering to see if I
kind of reverse engineering to see if I
kind of reverse engineering to see if I could prove that they were that those
could prove that they were that those
could prove that they were that those insights were really true and when you
insights were really true and when you
insights were really true and when you learn to recognize that voice you can
learn to recognize that voice you can
learn to recognize that voice you can tie into that you can tap into that even
tie into that you can tap into that even
tie into that you can tap into that even in the in the busiest times of your day
in the in the busiest times of your day
in the in the busiest times of your day if you just take a moment and stop and
if you just take a moment and stop and
if you just take a moment and stop and listen and the other thing that happens
listen and the other thing that happens
listen and the other thing that happens when you quiet when we quiet down our
when you quiet when we quiet down our
when you quiet when we quiet down our mind enough is that we experience what
mind enough is that we experience what
mind enough is that we experience what it means to be in a transcendent state
it means to be in a transcendent state
it means to be in a transcendent state and by that it means that on one level
and by that it means that on one level
and by that it means that on one level you know obviously we’re separate you’re
you know obviously we’re separate you’re
you know obviously we’re separate you’re you and I mean but on another level or a
you and I mean but on another level or a
you and I mean but on another level or a part of something larger that connects
part of something larger that connects
part of something larger that connects us all together whatever name you give
us all together whatever name you give
us all together whatever name you give to that even to give it a name is to
to that even to give it a name is to
to that even to give it a name is to limit what’s essentially an ineffable a
limit what’s essentially an ineffable a
limit what’s essentially an ineffable a limitless infinite experience this
limitless infinite experience this
limitless infinite experience this interconnectedness this oneness and all
interconnectedness this oneness and all
interconnectedness this oneness and all the what Aldous Huxley call the
the what Aldous Huxley call the
the what Aldous Huxley call the perennial philosophy what you find in
perennial philosophy what you find in
perennial philosophy what you find in all the different religions once people
all the different religions once people
all the different religions once people stop killing themselves over the
stop killing themselves over the
stop killing themselves over the differences in rituals and so on the
differences in rituals and so on the
differences in rituals and so on the love compassion altruism and empathy and
love compassion altruism and empathy and
love compassion altruism and empathy and forgiveness really come from that place
forgiveness really come from that place
forgiveness really come from that place of transcendence it’s a direct
of transcendence it’s a direct
of transcendence it’s a direct experience that when you see a people as
experience that when you see a people as
experience that when you see a people as you in another form then naturally
you in another form then naturally
you in another form then naturally compassion flows from that but you know
compassion flows from that but you know
compassion flows from that but you know you know it’s it’s not that you have to
you know it’s it’s not that you have to
you know it’s it’s not that you have to get that we disturb our own inner sense
get that we disturb our own inner sense
get that we disturb our own inner sense of ease and we become diseased or you
of ease and we become diseased or you
of ease and we become diseased or you know the the ancient Swami’s and rabbis
know the the ancient Swami’s and rabbis
know the the ancient Swami’s and rabbis and priests and monks and nuns didn’t
and priests and monks and nuns didn’t
and priests and monks and nuns didn’t discover these approaches just to unclog
discover these approaches just to unclog
discover these approaches just to unclog their arteries or lower their blood
their arteries or lower their blood
their arteries or lower their blood pressure cholesterol they can do all
pressure cholesterol they can do all
pressure cholesterol they can do all those things but these are really
those things but these are really
those things but these are really powerful tools for transformation they
powerful tools for transformation they
powerful tools for transformation they free us from our suffering right here
free us from our suffering right here
free us from our suffering right here and right now
and right now
and right now and I first learned this when I was
and I first learned this when I was
and I first learned this when I was doing my very first study 40 years ago
doing my very first study 40 years ago
doing my very first study 40 years ago and I was a second year medical student
and I was a second year medical student
and I was a second year medical student and I had ten men and women who had
and I had ten men and women who had
and I had ten men and women who had really bad heart disease and I put him
really bad heart disease and I put him
really bad heart disease and I put him in a hotel for a month and one of the
in a hotel for a month and one of the
in a hotel for a month and one of the guys was an older dentist who was
guys was an older dentist who was
guys was an older dentist who was homophobic and of course one of the
homophobic and of course one of the
homophobic and of course one of the younger guys was gay and so the older
younger guys was gay and so the older
younger guys was gay and so the older guys had some really awful stuff to the
guys had some really awful stuff to the
guys had some really awful stuff to the younger guy the Eiger said some equally
younger guy the Eiger said some equally
younger guy the Eiger said some equally awful stuff back they started yelling at
awful stuff back they started yelling at
awful stuff back they started yelling at each other at the top of their lungs one
each other at the top of their lungs one
each other at the top of their lungs one just clutched his chest and an Djimon
just clutched his chest and an Djimon
just clutched his chest and an Djimon took a nitroglycerin the other clutched
took a nitroglycerin the other clutched
took a nitroglycerin the other clutched his chest took a Demerol slammed the
his chest took a Demerol slammed the
his chest took a Demerol slammed the door slammed the door I thought wow
door slammed the door I thought wow
door slammed the door I thought wow they’re both going to die and this is
they’re both going to die and this is
they’re both going to die and this is going to be the end of my very short
going to be the end of my very short
going to be the end of my very short research career so I talked to them I
research career so I talked to them I
research career so I talked to them I said look you’re giving the power to
said look you’re giving the power to
said look you’re giving the power to give you chest pain and maybe even a
give you chest pain and maybe even a
give you chest pain and maybe even a heart attack and die to the guy that you
heart attack and die to the guy that you
heart attack and die to the guy that you hate the most that’s not really smart
hate the most that’s not really smart
hate the most that’s not really smart even from your own self-interest
even from your own self-interest
even from your own self-interest especially from your own self-interest
especially from your own self-interest
especially from your own self-interest and so they became more loving and
and so they became more loving and
and so they became more loving and compassionate didn’t have any more
compassionate didn’t have any more
compassionate didn’t have any more participating so the suffering can be a
participating so the suffering can be a
participating so the suffering can be a doorway for transforming our lives you
doorway for transforming our lives you
doorway for transforming our lives you know when Nelson Mandela was released
know when Nelson Mandela was released
know when Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 16 years and had his
from prison after 16 years and had his
from prison after 16 years and had his long walk to freedom people said are you
long walk to freedom people said are you
long walk to freedom people said are you do you are you angry with your jailers
do you are you angry with your jailers
do you are you angry with your jailers and he said well you know they took away
and he said well you know they took away
and he said well you know they took away the best years of my life but if I’m
the best years of my life but if I’m
the best years of my life but if I’m still if I still hate them that I’m
still if I still hate them that I’m
still if I still hate them that I’m still in prison in my heart and so
still in prison in my heart and so
still in prison in my heart and so anything that really brings us together
anything that really brings us together
anything that really brings us together is healing you know and that intimacy to
is healing you know and that intimacy to
is healing you know and that intimacy to me is the root of healing even the word
me is the root of healing even the word
me is the root of healing even the word healing comes from the root to make
healing comes from the root to make
healing comes from the root to make whole yoga from the Sanskrit to yoke to
whole yoga from the Sanskrit to yoke to
whole yoga from the Sanskrit to yoke to unite Union these are really old ideas
unite Union these are really old ideas
unite Union these are really old ideas that we’re rediscovering you know versus
that we’re rediscovering you know versus
that we’re rediscovering you know versus the other you know if you see people is
the other you know if you see people is
the other you know if you see people is different and only different then that
different and only different then that
different and only different then that leads to those Mexican rapists and those
leads to those Mexican rapists and those
leads to those Mexican rapists and those Muslim terrorists and all those horrible
Muslim terrorists and all those horrible
Muslim terrorists and all those horrible things that come from that basic
things that come from that basic
things that come from that basic misunderstanding of what the way things
misunderstanding of what the way things
misunderstanding of what the way things really are whereas when we can be
really are whereas when we can be
really are whereas when we can be grounded in that transcendent state
grounded in that transcendent state
grounded in that transcendent state compassion and love and caring all
compassion and love and caring all
compassion and love and caring all really flow naturally from that and so
really flow naturally from that and so
really flow naturally from that and so it’s a kind of a double vision that on
it’s a kind of a double vision that on
it’s a kind of a double vision that on one level were separate on another level
one level were separate on another level
one level were separate on another level were not and so my teacher built a
were not and so my teacher built a
were not and so my teacher built a temple out on the James River outside of
temple out on the James River outside of
temple out on the James River outside of Charlottesville and it has a beam of
Charlottesville and it has a beam of
Charlottesville and it has a beam of light coming up and then it hits a beam
light coming up and then it hits a beam
light coming up and then it hits a beam splitter and it illuminates the altars
splitter and it illuminates the altars
splitter and it illuminates the altars of all the different religions with the
of all the different religions with the
of all the different religions with the idea that truth is one you know paths
idea that truth is one you know paths
idea that truth is one you know paths are many and it helps us get past a lot
are many and it helps us get past a lot
are many and it helps us get past a lot of these false choices you know I’ve
of these false choices you know I’ve
of these false choices you know I’ve been doing research for a long time
been doing research for a long time
been doing research for a long time people say oh you know you know am I
people say oh you know you know am I
people say oh you know you know am I going to live longer is there just going
going to live longer is there just going
going to live longer is there just going to seem longer if I change my diet and
to seem longer if I change my diet and
to seem longer if I change my diet and lifestyle you know is it fun for me or
lifestyle you know is it fun for me or
lifestyle you know is it fun for me or is it good for me you know
is it good for me you know
is it good for me you know the only way that you get to live to be
the only way that you get to live to be
the only way that you get to live to be a hundred is by not doing all the things
a hundred is by not doing all the things
a hundred is by not doing all the things that make you want to live to be a
that make you want to live to be a
that make you want to live to be a hundred you know variations on those
hundred you know variations on those
hundred you know variations on those themes but actually this is what allows
themes but actually this is what allows
themes but actually this is what allows us to leave the most juicy life that the
us to leave the most juicy life that the
us to leave the most juicy life that the spiritual teachers that I’m attracted to
spiritual teachers that I’m attracted to
spiritual teachers that I’m attracted to the Dalai Lama and the Swami and others
the Dalai Lama and the Swami and others
the Dalai Lama and the Swami and others are the ones that live a joyful life
are the ones that live a joyful life
are the ones that live a joyful life they just being around them you make it
they just being around them you make it
they just being around them you make it makes you feel good and if it’s
makes you feel good and if it’s
makes you feel good and if it’s meaningful then it’s sustainable and if
meaningful then it’s sustainable and if
meaningful then it’s sustainable and if it’s pleasurable then it’s sustainable
it’s pleasurable then it’s sustainable
it’s pleasurable then it’s sustainable and one of the things I learned when I
and one of the things I learned when I
and one of the things I learned when I was in college as I mentioned is I could
was in college as I mentioned is I could
was in college as I mentioned is I could take all the meaning out of everything
take all the meaning out of everything
take all the meaning out of everything but I also learned that I could imbue
but I also learned that I could imbue
but I also learned that I could imbue choices with meaning and one of the ways
choices with meaning and one of the ways
choices with meaning and one of the ways of doing that is by just by choosing not
of doing that is by just by choosing not
of doing that is by just by choosing not to do certain things that you otherwise
to do certain things that you otherwise
to do certain things that you otherwise could do imbues those choices with
could do imbues those choices with
could do imbues those choices with meaning so when I talk to someone and
meaning so when I talk to someone and
meaning so when I talk to someone and say you know if you’d a plant-based diet
say you know if you’d a plant-based diet
say you know if you’d a plant-based diet you can reverse heart disease and
you can reverse heart disease and
you can reverse heart disease and diabetes and prostate cancer and change
diabetes and prostate cancer and change
diabetes and prostate cancer and change your gene expression and lengthen your
your gene expression and lengthen your
your gene expression and lengthen your telomeres and reverse aging in a
telomeres and reverse aging in a
telomeres and reverse aging in a cellular level and the more diseases we
cellular level and the more diseases we
cellular level and the more diseases we study and the more mechanisms we look at
study and the more mechanisms we look at
study and the more mechanisms we look at the more evidence we have for that but
the more evidence we have for that but
the more evidence we have for that but when people say gosh you know I mean I
when people say gosh you know I mean I
when people say gosh you know I mean I can’t have everything I want you say
can’t have everything I want you say
can’t have everything I want you say well you can do anything you want you’re
well you can do anything you want you’re
well you can do anything you want you’re free but you know all spiritual
free but you know all spiritual
free but you know all spiritual traditions have dietary guidelines and
traditions have dietary guidelines and
traditions have dietary guidelines and they’re often different from each other
they’re often different from each other
they’re often different from each other in one religion you can eat this but not
in one religion you can eat this but not
in one religion you can eat this but not that or certain days of the week or
that or certain days of the week or
that or certain days of the week or certain times a day and you know is it
certain times a day and you know is it
certain times a day and you know is it all right it’s God confused I don’t know
all right it’s God confused I don’t know
all right it’s God confused I don’t know but whatever intrinsic benefit there is
but whatever intrinsic benefit there is
but whatever intrinsic benefit there is in making certain diet and lifestyle
in making certain diet and lifestyle
in making certain diet and lifestyle choices just the act of choosing not to
choices just the act of choosing not to
choices just the act of choosing not to eat something that you otherwise could
eat something that you otherwise could
eat something that you otherwise could do imbues those cases with meaning and
do imbues those cases with meaning and
do imbues those cases with meaning and if it’s meaningful than it’s sustainable
if it’s meaningful than it’s sustainable
if it’s meaningful than it’s sustainable and because these underlying biological
and because these underlying biological
and because these underlying biological mechanisms are so dynamic most people
mechanisms are so dynamic most people
mechanisms are so dynamic most people feel so much better so quickly it
feel so much better so quickly it
feel so much better so quickly it reframes the reason for making these
reframes the reason for making these
reframes the reason for making these changes from fear of dying to joy of
changes from fear of dying to joy of
changes from fear of dying to joy of living and joy of and pleasure and
living and joy of and pleasure and
living and joy of and pleasure and feeling good are really what are
feeling good are really what are
feeling good are really what are sustainable and even in relationships
sustainable and even in relationships
sustainable and even in relationships you know there was a South Indian say in
you know there was a South Indian say in
you know there was a South Indian say in 100 years ago named Ramakrishna and he
100 years ago named Ramakrishna and he
100 years ago named Ramakrishna and he said you can dig a lot of shallow wells
said you can dig a lot of shallow wells
said you can dig a lot of shallow wells and never reach reach water or you can
and never reach reach water or you can
and never reach reach water or you can dig one deep one and reach the
dig one deep one and reach the
dig one deep one and reach the wellspring and so for example my my wife
wellspring and so for example my my wife
wellspring and so for example my my wife and I have been together for 20 years
and I have been together for 20 years
and I have been together for 20 years and before that I used to date other
and before that I used to date other
and before that I used to date other people which was really fun but we
people which was really fun but we
people which was really fun but we decided to be in a committed monogamous
decided to be in a committed monogamous
decided to be in a committed monogamous relationship now again is that the ball
relationship now again is that the ball
relationship now again is that the ball and chain well it certainly can be or is
and chain well it certainly can be or is
and chain well it certainly can be or is it a way of creating a sacred space and
it a way of creating a sacred space and
it a way of creating a sacred space and a sense of safety because you know you
a sense of safety because you know you
a sense of safety because you know you can only be intimate to the degree you
can only be intimate to the degree you
can only be intimate to the degree you can open your
can open your
can open your hard and be vulnerable and you can only
hard and be vulnerable and you can only
hard and be vulnerable and you can only do that to the degree you feel safe and
do that to the degree you feel safe and
do that to the degree you feel safe and so we feel more and more safe over the
so we feel more and more safe over the
so we feel more and more safe over the years as we are we you know we continue
years as we are we you know we continue
years as we are we you know we continue to trust each other and it’s like layers
to trust each other and it’s like layers
to trust each other and it’s like layers of an onion you know the more you can
of an onion you know the more you can
of an onion you know the more you can open the more incident becomes and the
open the more incident becomes and the
open the more incident becomes and the more intimate comes the more erotic it
more intimate comes the more erotic it
more intimate comes the more erotic it becomes which I never knew before and so
becomes which I never knew before and so
becomes which I never knew before and so it’s it’s instead of having the same
it’s it’s instead of having the same
it’s it’s instead of having the same kind of experience with different people
kind of experience with different people
kind of experience with different people it’s these profoundly different
it’s these profoundly different
it’s these profoundly different experiences with the same person and and
experiences with the same person and and
experiences with the same person and and that and the more intimate it becomes
that and the more intimate it becomes
that and the more intimate it becomes the more fun it becomes and so you know
the more fun it becomes and so you know
the more fun it becomes and so you know when we have a day together we’re not
when we have a day together we’re not
when we have a day together we’re not trying to create recreate an experience
trying to create recreate an experience
trying to create recreate an experience that we might have had before however
that we might have had before however
that we might have had before however wonderful that might have been we’re
wonderful that might have been we’re
wonderful that might have been we’re where we have what’s called beginner’s
where we have what’s called beginner’s
where we have what’s called beginner’s mind you know we’re open to all
mind you know we’re open to all
mind you know we’re open to all possibilities all degrees of freedom
possibilities all degrees of freedom
possibilities all degrees of freedom we’re not trying to create something
we’re not trying to create something
we’re not trying to create something we’re just trying to be open to whatever
we’re just trying to be open to whatever
we’re just trying to be open to whatever flows from that because if we’re just
flows from that because if we’re just
flows from that because if we’re just trying to create something recreate
trying to create something recreate
trying to create something recreate something it won’t be fresh and so we
something it won’t be fresh and so we
something it won’t be fresh and so we trust each other enough to be open to
trust each other enough to be open to
trust each other enough to be open to whatever happens and most of the time
whatever happens and most of the time
whatever happens and most of the time it’s like the most intensely erotic
it’s like the most intensely erotic
it’s like the most intensely erotic wonderful experience that either one of
wonderful experience that either one of
wonderful experience that either one of us has ever had and not just by a little
us has ever had and not just by a little
us has ever had and not just by a little but by a lot even after many years
but by a lot even after many years
but by a lot even after many years together and so you know with because it
together and so you know with because it
together and so you know with because it allows us to go so much deeper which
allows us to go so much deeper which
allows us to go so much deeper which makes it more intimate which makes it
makes it more intimate which makes it
makes it more intimate which makes it more erotic and so it’s not a moral
more erotic and so it’s not a moral
more erotic and so it’s not a moral issue it’s it’s just like okay what
issue it’s it’s just like okay what
issue it’s it’s just like okay what brings you the most pleasure and the
brings you the most pleasure and the
brings you the most pleasure and the most fun just like yeah you if you eat a
most fun just like yeah you if you eat a
most fun just like yeah you if you eat a plant-based diet you’re helping the
plant-based diet you’re helping the
plant-based diet you’re helping the world you know you you know there’s less
world you know you you know there’s less
world you know you you know there’s less global warming and all that but more
global warming and all that but more
global warming and all that but more importantly you you think more clearly
importantly you you think more clearly
importantly you you think more clearly you have more energy you need less sleep
you have more energy you need less sleep
you have more energy you need less sleep your sexual function improves you you
your sexual function improves you you
your sexual function improves you you know you’re you you can grow some of the
know you’re you you can grow some of the
know you’re you you can grow some of the new brain neurons you’re breaking
new brain neurons you’re breaking
new brain neurons you’re breaking immeasurably bigger and so what we gain
immeasurably bigger and so what we gain
immeasurably bigger and so what we gain is so much more than what we give up and
is so much more than what we give up and
is so much more than what we give up and to make great art great science great
to make great art great science great
to make great art great science great love making great anything is that
love making great anything is that
love making great anything is that ability to see with without
ability to see with without
ability to see with without preconceptions so that you can be open
preconceptions so that you can be open
preconceptions so that you can be open to all possibilities and all degrees of
to all possibilities and all degrees of
to all possibilities and all degrees of freedom it’s a difference between
freedom it’s a difference between
freedom it’s a difference between imitation and innovation and so if it’s
imitation and innovation and so if it’s
imitation and innovation and so if it’s pleasurable it’s sustainable and what we
pleasurable it’s sustainable and what we
pleasurable it’s sustainable and what we gain is is so much more than what we
gain is is so much more than what we
gain is is so much more than what we give up and so it’s not just how long we
give up and so it’s not just how long we
give up and so it’s not just how long we live it’s how well we live and I’m
live it’s how well we live and I’m
live it’s how well we live and I’m learning that these ancient spiritual
learning that these ancient spiritual
learning that these ancient spiritual truths actually give us the great amount
truths actually give us the great amount
truths actually give us the great amount of pleasure which is what makes them so
of pleasure which is what makes them so
of pleasure which is what makes them so sustainable and so thank you for the
sustainable and so thank you for the
sustainable and so thank you for the chance to share that with you today I
chance to share that with you today I
chance to share that with you today I really appreciated
”
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