138 the rice diet renewal
a much more cost - effective solution than the billions of dollars
spent on anticrime measures (such as longer prison sentences and
more police), whose effectiveness is far from proven. This is a great
example of how attending to the root of our problems through a
spiritually inspired approach, rather than chasing the tail of our
problems via physical and superfi cial means, creates true healing,
with more evolved, sustainable, and cost - effective results.
Faith Heals
Most of us know by now that our minds and emotions are inti-
mately involved with our physical beings, yet some people still
consider it a leap to believe that the spiritual self or essence can
signifi cantly infl uence our health, our well - being, and the health
and well - being of others.
Dr. Harold Koenig, one of the world ’ s most respected research-
ers on the health benefi ts of practicing a spiritual discipline, knows
this scientifi c literature better than anyone I ’ m acquainted with.
In addition to writing many wonderful books on this subject, he
also fi nds time to occasionally inspire Ricers with practical sum-
maries of the numerous advantages of having a religious and
spiritual practice. He is the founder and codirector of the Center
for Spirituality, Theology, and Health at Duke University (which
conducts interdisciplinary research, scholarship, and education
on spirituality, theology, and health and explores the role of faith
commu nities in forming the health of the broader community).
Finally, he is a Duke University psychiatrist in gerontology, and his
research participants are primarily Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist.
So, regardless of your spiritual or religious orientation, his words
shed light on the research, as well as on its practical applications.
As at the Rice Diet Program, Dr. Koenig graciously shares here
from his wealth of professional knowledge and personal wisdom.
We know that the mind and emotions are intricately con-
nected with the natural physiological systems in the body