The Basic Principles
Active Health is an integrated programme which applies all aspects of Healthy Living and teaches the essentials to be used and modified by each individual for a greater understanding of Life.
Whatever we can do for ourselves to improve our own health will be more effective than what another does for us, because any outside help only acts through our own belief system using our own resources. Efforts from doctors, health care professionals or clinical facilities only have short term value and are no substitute for the DIY approach.
Want to be healthy? – Do it yourself
As long as we are not living in harmony with our nature and constitution we can not expect ourselves to be really healed by any method. One of the failings of modern culture is that it deprives us of the time we need to take care of ourselves and those we love. The responsibility, however, remains ours, and there is no one to blame but ourselves if we don't make the effort.
Danger of Excess Treatment
Physical disease is often a result of over fixation upon the physical body and the material world. If we put too much energy into our physical condition we may aggravate the disease process. We lose sight of the spiritual and creative sides of our lives thereby reducing life to a poor relative to the real thing.
Many of us today suffer from excess treatment. We have taken too many medications, seen too many different doctors or healers. Our bodies are deranged by too much strain to make them well. Hence, in healing ourselves we should proceed with patience and simplicity. By taking many remedies we may not make things better, even if our condition is not good, we must consider that we may make things worse.
Limitations of Naturalistic Therapies
The main difficulty with any natural form of healing is that it takes time, as well as effort of our own. It may take a month or more of a natural herbal remedy, particularly in treating a long-standing complaint, to give a noticeable effect. It may take several months of following a constitutional regime to notice major changes. Nor can we expect the mild remedies of natural healing, such as herbs or body work, to succeed if our own life is out of balance, if our diet, work or stress of lifestyle are antagonistic to them.
Mild natural remedies work on a subtle internal level by correcting and improving the nature of the life-force. This is like growing flowers. The natural healer provides the seed but the rest – the water, sunshine and love – must come from us as the seed is planted in the soil of who we are.
Life-Regimes
What is necessary, therefore, is that we each establish for ourselves our own appropriate life-regime according to our unique constitution. It is a matter of discovering through sensitivity to ourselves and to life, what the natural movement of our own being is. This is not about implementing a "routine", which has to be followed mechanically, nor is it a "discipline" which implies imposing some external or ideal pattern upon our own nature.
It is necessary that we establish the right rhythm in our lives. This maintains a certain harmony and consistency but remains flexible in order to respond to the changes of each moment. This way we keep in harmony with the universe and the cosmic life force. Living on the breath of the creative force of Nature fills our lives effortlessly with opportunities.
The following aspects of Life all need to be given attention and taken into consideration if we are to be healthy and remain healthy throughout the changing demands and environments of Life.
Pure Lifestyle
All human beings should follow a pure lifestyle, one that gives peace and clarity of mind.
Physical purity includes pure diet with raw or freshly cooked vegetarian food, pure air and water, proper exercise of a calming nature, and physical cleanliness.
Purity of mind includes truthfulness, honesty, humility, non-violence, friendliness and compassion to all beings. Bad mental habits such as anger, hatred, pride, lust and fear, as well as gossip and worry, should all be set aside.
Purity of lifestyle includes an occupation that does not harm others, pleasant speech, harmonious environment, avoidance of noise and violent or degrading forms of entertainment.
Purity itself should not become a fault through self-righteousness, hypersensitivity or fanaticism. Good hammer and moderation should always be maintained.
Diet and Herbs
Diet is the most important long-term physical remedial measure. This needs to be adjusted for seasons, age and specific diseases. Our physical body is composed of food; we can not expect its condition to change without changing our diet.
Herbs are like subtle foods. They can be taken in small or large doses. In small doses herbs are like strong food supplements, and they can and should be taken on a regular basis by almost everyone. Right nutrition is about fresh wholesome food and daily herbs.
Oils and Massage
Massage and external application of oils are necessary for most of us on a regular basis. Twice a week applying oil such as sesame to the feet or head will help to nourish the system; massage has a calming effect on heart and mind, softens the muscles and ligaments and strengthens bones. Touch is a very important form of communication and healing.
Essential oils and fragrances, as well as incense, play on important part in purification and balancing.
Colours and Gems
The right use of colours has a harmonising effect on mind and emotions through the senses. Our impressions feed the mind and affect the biological balance.
Gems help balance the aura and harmonise the cosmic influences projected upon us through the stars and planets.
Daily Living
This is probably the most important general factor in physical and mental health. How to bring out nature's deeper powers through not suppressing our natural urges like eating, sleeping, sex, elimination, urination, sneezing, weeping, coughing, yawning and farting.
Take note of right amount of rest, sufficient exercise, right exposure to sun, to heat or cold, and a pleasant and natural environment.
Yoga and Meditation
This relates to the spiritual aspect of life. We must live according to the purpose of our soul in order to have peace and well-being. Often disease indicates that we have lost contact with our soul.
Each of us should do some daily Yoga and meditation; including postures, breathing exercises, mantra and visualisation. Increasing awareness and silencing the mind are essential to a healthy life.
Spiritual methods vary more according to differences of cultural and individual temperament than do physical health measures. The mind, as it is not as defined an entity as the physical body, requires greater flexibility in its treatment.
A seperate website that focusses on how to gain more independence from authority. Here a group of like-minded people share their knowledge and skills with others to encourage each other to learn about what is required to become more independent. It makes the individual think about how each of us can claim back some of the power we have given away or some of the control that has been taken away rom us.
Contribute to the group and feel part of a movement towards self-reliance.
Dr Patrick Quanten MD
