Meditation As Medicine: Activate the Power of Your Natural Healing Force [Paperback]

Dharma Singh M.D. Khalsa (Author), Cameron Stauth (Author), Joan Borysenko (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: May 21, 2002

Proven effective by scientific research and presented here by Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa and Cameron Stauth, the practice of Medical Meditation revolutionizes the healing process. By balancing and regenerating the body's ethereal and physical energies through simple meditations, Medical Meditation unites the mind, body, and spirit into a powerful triad.

Each Medical Meditation here has a specific physiological effect, targeting afflictions from arthritis to ulcers to cancer. Dr. Khalsa details the five unique attributes that endow this type of meditation with far more power than standard meditation. The combination of special postures and movements; exact positioning of the hands and fingers; particular mantras; specific breathing patterns; and a unique focus of concentration can change your entire biochemical profile, easing you into a calm, healing state. Practiced in conjunction with conventional or alternative medical treatments, cutting-edge Medical Meditation activates the healing force within you.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Long-term meditators experience 80 percent less heart disease and 50 percent less cancer than nonmediators, according to a large body of studies. Meditation has been shown to improve sleep and reduce chronic pain. Not all meditation is equally effective, however. Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., has developed a form of advanced meditation he calls "Medical Meditation," which "more fully addresses every element of our physical and ethereal makeup... a full-service approach." Medical Meditation is an adaptation of kundalini yoga combined with meditation, using specific breathing patterns, posture and movements, mantras, and mental focus.

Different Medical Meditation focus on different physiological benefits for specific conditions, so once you've learned the basics, you can choose a specific Medical Meditation for high blood pressure, to improve digestion, or to strengthen the immune system or the heart, for example. Line drawings illustrate the postures, and Khalsa's stories about his patients are inspiring and involving.

Meditation as Medicine is not a brisk read or a "read-today-do-tomorrow" guide, however. Be prepared to immerse your mind in a study of chakras, mantras, breathing exercises, movement exercises, poses, and meditations--and discipline yourself to practice Khalsa's techniques patiently. Are the benefits worth all the work involved? Khalsa thinks so: "For the ill and injured, Medical Meditation is not a problem. It's a solution."

Khalsa is both a physician and a yogi. He is board certified in anesthesiology, pain management, and antiaging medicine, and president and medical director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Foundation. Cowriter Cameron Stauth, author of 12 books, was named Journalist of the Year by the National Health Foundation. --Joan Price --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Here, Khalsa presents a compelling look at the value of "medical meditation," a form of therapy based on the principles of kundalini yoga, a discipline that he has practiced for over 20 years. Using references to current medical research and case histories from his medical practice, Khalsa builds a case for the efficacy of medical meditation to assist in healing many diseases. A firm proponent of the power of mind, body, and spirit to overcome illness, he believes that the ethereal body can help the physical body to heal and vice versa. Throughout the program, the author stresses the need to use traditional Western medical techniques in combination with medical meditation to achieve the best results. Khalsa's narration is excellent; however, it is hard to follow some of his instructions for meditation positions. Those who are not already motivated to meditate, or who are not facing life-threatening illness, may find his daily regimen for maximum results overwhelming. Highly recommended for libraries that serve audiences interested in current techniques to increase the healing connection of mind and body. Kathleen Sullivan, Phoenix P.L.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books (May 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743400658
• ISBN-13: 978-0743400657
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the effort August 10, 2006

By Jacqui Denomme

Format:Paperback

I first read this book about five years ago and found it a bit overwhelming - this time around I read it with a sense of anticipatory excitement. I didn't know whether to read it all the way through, first, and then try some of the techniques, or try them as I went.

There are some great reviews written about this book already. All I would like to add is this: I have made the effort to learn several of the techniques, and THEY WORK!

I personally do not have an illness, aside from rather intense mood swings that leave me with feelings of panic and anxiety. The exercises for the fourth chakra (heart) have brought a much greater calm to my life. I would warn people to avoid doing some of the exercises designed to increase energy at night. I made this mistake and was unable to get to sleep! It is best, like the author says, to do them as soon after you awaken as possible. I would also like to note that these exercises do require EFFORT! After some of them, I feel like I have done a hard physical work-out. If you have a yoga or meditation background already, you will be somewhat prepared. You will also have to take some time to really master these exercises. On the plus side, many of them take only 3-11 minutes to perform, so you have much gain for a little pain!!! What I chose to do was learn the ones that looked the easiest first. Experiencing the clear head, peaceful calm, yet alert energy has given me the encouragement to keep trying the other techniques. Some of the techniques I found made be positively euphoric. There is a reason why Yogis always have a smile on their faces! I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to put effort into their own well-being, who likes the idea of "natural high" as opposed to drug-induced mood-altering.... Peace, alertness, energy and no ugly side-effects.

I've no doubt that those who use these techniques for serious medical problems will experience at least some relief if not eventual cure. I've no doubt that if I continue to practice these techniques I might prevent some future illness in my own self. Read more ›

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars MEDITATION - A TERRIFIC STRESS RELIEVER! March 19, 2001

By Sandra D. Peters

Format:Hardcover

Meditation is a great stress reliever and has had some valuable results in many cases in improving sleep patterns, aiding in pain management, reducing stress and heart problems, and lowering blood pressure. One of the key elements in the success of mediatation lies in studying the chakras, mantras, and breathing exercises and having the self-discipline to follow through on the meditations on a regular basis.

This is an excellent book based on the concept of using meditation as a powerful healing agent which heals both mind and body. Like many other things in life, what you read only works if you put what you read to good use and have the dedication and commitment to stick with it. For anyone interested in meditation and healing, this is a first-rate book written by one of the most knowledgeable authors on the subject.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cutting edge alternative health May 11, 2003

By Pieter Uys HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

The author integrates ancient wisdom and time-tested healing techniques with modern science in this informative and practical book on self-healing. The interesting foreword is by author Joan Borysenko. The purpose of medical meditation is to balance the mind, body and spirit into a powerful whole, for a better, healthier life. It provides specific medical meditations for physiological effects, including special movements and postures, mantras and breathing exercises. How to activate the healing force via the chakra system is discussed in detail and the book includes a section on staying young with the help of nutrients and maintaining endocrine health with meditation. It concludes with a list of sources, recommended reading and an index. Helpful illustrations demonstrate some of the exercises. Khalsa goes into very specific detail and provides information that I have never encountered in similar books on spiritual and mental healing. I recommend this book to all practitioners of alternative healing therapies and to all people who wish to take responsibility for the own health.

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Meditation as Medicine, a Prescription we can all Afford August 24, 2004

By K. J. Cohen

Format:Paperback

If you are searching for inner peace, in the process of healing yourself, or healing others, Meditation as Medicine is an essential reference. Dr. Khalsa gives practical, step-by-step instructions on how to understand and heal your physical and ethereal bodies by combining techniques from yoga, meditation, and chanting. He presents numerous scientific studies plus his own experiences and those of his patients. He explains how the chakras, nadis, endocrine systems, and brain interconnect the body, mind and spirit.

Dr. Khalsa reveals many gems as he explains how our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies are miraculously intertwined. "Breath is the kiss of God," he writes, "With the proper breath, posture, movement, and mental focus, we can heal ourselves." He proposes that "The chanting of mantras endows us with a single-mindedness that is needed for a life of passion, commitment, and peace and heightens the proper replication of DNA."

Even if you only follow a few of his recommendations, you will be convinced that his approach is valid.

The techniques synchronize with each other to reinforce the magnificence of our creation. "The sixth chakra is the path of the soul," Khalsa reflects. If you are ready to explore the path of your soul, then try some of the exercises. Experiment with the mantras and notice how sound affects your energy. Take time to meditate and discover a renewed sense of vitality. Incorporate these techniques into your morning or evening routines and witness the miracle of the healing within.