Welcome to Spiritual Naturopathy! I'm Michael Schwartz, and I'm excited to have you here. Today, I want to give you a bit of background on what we’ll be covering in this series and how we'll approach it. A key idea we’ll focus on is “having eyes to see,” which will make more sense as we dive into the topics. First, let’s talk about what “spiritual naturopathy” means. When I say "spiritual," I’m talking about the emotional and spiritual self. And "naturopathy" means following the path of nature to bring the body back into balance and good health. Unlike some naturopaths, I focus on basics—giving the body what it needs so it can heal itself. Throughout our sessions, I’ll share new ideas to help you think in different ways, question beliefs, and even ask questions if you’d like. Learning more about yourself helps you grow, and I hope to be a part of that journey. Our first step is understanding that all the conditions in our lives start in the mind. What we see outside is a result of what we expect inside. There’s a teaching from Jesus that says, “Know what is before your eyes, and all the mysteries will be revealed.” Many of life’s big questions—like “Why am I here?” and “What’s my purpose?”—can become clearer once we understand where we are and begin to really "see" our life. In these sessions, I’ll teach you ways to develop this skill of “seeing” and “hearing” more clearly. It helps you recognize patterns, behaviors, and symbols, all of which connect to how your mind communicates with you. Let’s also remember that our mind has great power. It creates our reality based on our needs and expectations. Everything around us is made of energy—positive and negative charges attract or repel. So, we are always either drawing in or pushing away experiences based on what we expect. Sometimes we think negative experiences “just happen,” but they actually reflect our own beliefs. For example, if you face a health issue, consider that your mind may be creating this as a response to something deeper. We’ll explore top health challenges in society and discuss how to address them through diet, emotions, and symbolic meaning. We’ll also talk about stress. Stress often comes from how we respond to what we see and hear. For example, if a police car suddenly appears behind you, your heart may race and your stomach feels uneasy. This reaction is not just physical; it’s connected to how we view authority. You might even wonder, “Why am I bringing this authority into my life right now?” Learning to see these patterns can give you insight into what’s truly going on. Our diet is another key focus. I recommend a realistic approach: 60% raw foods, 30% cooked, and 10% "junk." The reason for the 10% junk is to prevent feelings of resentment, which can actually undermine the benefits of a healthy diet. Allowing a little flexibility helps keep the whole family on board. Lastly, we’ll talk about water and food sources. I suggest choosing organic foods and drinking distilled water. Distilled water is free from many contaminants, including pharmaceutical residues sometimes found in tap water. I’ve been using distilled water for over 45 years, and it hasn’t caused mineral loss because the body regulates its own minerals. In the weeks to come, we’ll discuss everything from common health issues to how emotions and diet impact wellness. We’ll also explore the power of thoughts, the importance of symbols, and how everything in our lives connects back to our mind and spirit. So, as we move forward, remember this: whatever is within us will show up in our lives. If there’s something in your life you want to change, let’s start examining it together. Feel free to reach out with questions. I look forward to helping you grow and find balance in mind, body, and spirit. Thank you for joining, and take care. God bless!
