Spiritual Nutrition: Six Foundations for Spiritual Life and the Awakening of Kundalini

Spiritual Nutrition: The Six Foundations for Spiritual Life and the Awakening of Kundalini is, by far, the most practical manual for modern spiritual living this avid reader has encountered. The author's in-depth understanding and application of more than one spiritual tradition makes this book accessible to those who understand that Ultimately All is One. Far beyond "New Age" or "Traditional," this book combines the best of spiritual wisdom as it has been handed down by generations of "Enlightened Ones," as well as invaluable illumination and practical applications offered by a modern Awakened One (the author) to other spiritual seekers both novice and seasoned. Whether you are ready to adopt a 100% live-food diet (which from my experience really does boost one's spiritual energy) or you simply wish to steadily improve and strengthen your diet and spiritual life, this book is a priceless tool. It is compassionate, universal, humble, and more profoundly, the process of reading it activates and stimulates the vast spiritual potential within. Properly understood, Spiritual Nutrition supports the reader in going beyond words-to the Self. It is an invaluable guide on the journey to the "Nothing."

To start with a story, in 2002, life seemed to unravel and re-ravel. Old perceptions seemed no longer tenable; ideas and ways of life that had seemed ridiculous (if I even knew about them) came to been seen as desireable and appropriate. Emotions that were buried to the point of callousness, alternating with explosive outbursts, began to pour out with overwhelming feelings, tears, and what I can only describe as awakenings. Where chance and chaos had been my mottos in the past, purpose and harmony came to the forefront. What happened? I didn't know what happened, and the mystery, I'm glad, continues. However, after reading Spiritual Nutrition, I enjoy a greater awareness, thanks to Gabriel's wide context and personal experience, of what my mind and body were and are going through. Take the idea of the chakras becoming activated. The sweeping, successive changes in my personal, social, emotional, intellectual, and professional life could be seen to correspond with the activation of energy working in different parts of my physical system. The same can be said for the layers of mind that become rolled back. Since that time and continuing today, I have wanted, in fact vowed to myself, that the spiritual connection I am experiencing should be my first priority. I knew this had to mean being open to principles of right living, and creating conditions that support the process, but I had little idea how. Of course, this not knowing where to go from there made me rely on intuition, which was and is great. However, a grounded understanding, or map, of the terrain of supporting spiritual life was to come in handy. This map is what Spiritual Nutrition gifts to me. In Spiritual Nutrition, Dr. Cousens capably describes terrain and anatomy that are hard to dig up without help. It is written with gentleness and confidence. It is strong and fiery at times, subtle and flowing at others. It is an inner adventure story through the flow-ways within each person, and an esoteric textbook. As a science text, if you are alert you can find where spiritual nutrition is tethered to materialistic nutrition, biology, and physics concepts. I appreciate being able to use current mainstream science as a springboard into the potential of consciousness that arises when we allow our very experience of life to realize that itself is the light.

First off I would like to point out that any reviews older than late 2004 are reviewing the old version which was called "Spiritual Nutrition and the Rainbow Diet" which was much less comprehensive and written back in 1986. I worked for Dr. Gabriel Cousens for almost 3 years and have recently stopped working and moved away. I did a lot of transcribing for this book last summer and fall ('04) and it had a huge impact on me. Although I learned a lot working for Dr. Cousens and being a part of the Tree of Life community, his schedule is so busy that it isn't possible just to have lots of leisurely time to sit around and pick his brain. He puts all the nitty gritty details of his knowledge and wisdom into books. I didn't think that transcribing a book was the greatest fun, but I immensely enjoyed learning all the information. Dr. Cousens is always researching and learning and always putting out the latest and greatest information. In this new version of Spiritual Nutrition, much of the old material was kept, but revised to go into newer, better, and more detail. But most of the book is new material, with newer information than has been discovered since the last book was written. Although I am not nuts about reading technical material and this book really goes into detail, I found also that it was readable and understandable. There were good editors working on the book too to make sure that it was as clear and concise as possible. Gabriel does not gloss over topics, he definitely is willing to explain in great detail and provide resources for the information provided, along with anecdotes of his own personal experiences. If you are like me, you will walk away from this book with an understanding of nutrition and the body that far exceeds your expectations, or what you would believe is possible. The same goes for spiritual understandings. My hat is off to Gabriel, not only for the incredible level of information provided in this book, but also on a personal level for helping my son get well when no one else could, and for having the insight to be so patient and flexible with me when I needed it most while under his employ. Gabriel is truly not in this whole thing (book-writing, lecturing, developing and running the Tree of Life Center) to get rich. Everything is non-profit and he lives very modestly and simply. In my experience, it became obvious to me that Gabriel does what he does because he truly wants to spread great health, wellness, and peace throughout the world. Thank you Gabriel, for your contribution to our lives. I've seen you help so many people (who were willing) to turn their lives around and experience a level of wellness they never thought possible. My son was one of those people. Everyone else, if you want some really great information that is hard to find from other sources, get this book. Whether you are interested in physical health and nutrition, or spiritual health and nutrition, or both.

Gabriel Cousens wrote this masterpiece back in 1986, but everything within the book still applies 100% to today's world, and will likely go on for years and years, never needing a revision.Cousens writes from the heart, and tells how his journey into living foods has openened up a new world of love, spirituality, and peace that he never though possible. This book covers all the bases, from how long we could possibly life, to religion, to the best diet, and so on. An excellent read for anyone, and an amazing amount of information for anyone who seeks to take themselves to the next level of consciousness.

In a culture obsessed with food, for better or worse, this is a classic on diet and health that trumps them all. Dr. Cousens presents a comprehensive overview of the true role of nutrition as it supports an evolving humanity. With exhaustive scientific analogs and references, he explains exactly what food is, what it is supposed to be for, and how to use it intelligently to lay the foundation for a full and complete life. Bring your heart, your thinking cap, and a good sense of humor. This is the real stuff.