“Spiritual growth isn’t linear. We can’t rush it or control it. What we can do is love and nourish ourselves to our utmost capabilities each day.”
— from If the Buddha Came to Dinner
Once or twice a year we need to give the body a rest from our regular eating. The foods we normally eat — processed and refined foods, fried foods, caffeine, sugar, white flour products, red meat, and dairy — put a lot of strain on our internal organs.
Cleansing is like giving your body an annual tune-up. The goal of the cleanse is to eliminate excesses from the body (toxins, impacted plaque in the intestines, and bacteria) and increase the body’s natural ability to renew itself through the rejuvenation of cellular growth. As the body releases toxins and begins to renew itself, people usually get the desire to cleanse what is “toxic” or excess from all parts of their life. This takes shape differently for different people. Some people are motivated to break addictive food patterns. Others have ended unfulfilling relationships or had sudden realizations about their life’s purpose.
One of the most important benefits people gain from the cleanse is learning that it’s possible to make positive changes. Physical changes range from improved digestion, regular bowel movements, and weight loss to clear skin, better sleep, and increased energy. But the physical changes are just the beginning. After three weeks of cleansing, my clients also report that they feel more confident and proud of themselves than they have in a long time; know how to take better care of themselves; have clear thoughts and better attention; feel calm and in control of their lives; and generally have a more positive outlook on life.
Numerous cleanses exist. The cleanse I developed is a moderate, food-based program that supports your exploration of integrating deeper levels of nourishment into your everyday life. You can find more information about the cleanse, including specific guidelines and recipes, in my book If the Buddha Came to Dinner: How to Nourish Your Body to Awaken Your Spirit. I also provide responses to many frequently asked questions about cleansing under the FAQs section of this website.
Overview of the Cleanse Process
Preparation
A preparation period alerts your body of your intention to cleanse and mitigates any potential reactions caused by the sudden release of toxins into your bloodstream. We prepare by significantly reducing or eliminating the intake of toxin-forming foods, including processed foods, refined flour products, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, red meat, and milk.
Phase 1: Vegetables & Fruit
By consuming only simple, easily digested foods, this first phase of the cleanse gives your body a chance to release any stored excesses—toxins, impacted plaque in the intestines, and bacteria.
Phase 2: Grains and Seeds
Small amounts of whole grains and seeds are added to your daily consumption of vegetables and fruit. These building foods provide just enough protein and complex carbohydrates to help you persevere with the cleanse while maintaining the responsibilities of your daily life.
Phase 3: Protein
With the addition of protein, you gently transition to a more inclusive way of feeding yourself. Many people maintain this third phase for much longer than a week, and some even use it as the model for feeding themselves on a regular basis.
Questions About Cleansing? Read more…
