The Root Cause Of All Addictions And Compulsive Behaviors

(Photo credit)

The pandemic of addiction

How many people do you know who eats compulsively, or work obsessively, or spends so much time on the internet, video game, exercise, and so on to the extent it affects their other aspects of life? Or someone who “can’t live” without daily doses of coffee, chocolate, junk foods, sex, not to mention alcohol, nicotine, or drugs? Or someone who goes from one destructive relationship to another with hardly any intervals? Or someone who shops for the pleasure of acquiring stuffs even though they don’t really need them?

Hello? Are you one of them?

Practically everyone is addicted to something or some behavior patters, often multiple of them.

And even though there are physiological issues, some unique to the specific addiction, the root cause of all addictions is one. Until we face this root cause, we just make lateral move from one addiction to another, for example, a recovering alcoholic pigging out sweets and then becoming obsessive health advocate or “born-again” religious fanatic.

Are we all crazy?

And this, when a good life is quite accessible.

Imagine, for a moment, a mediaeval Viking man in the freezing Scandinavia. He doesn’t have enough foods and fuel, no one in the village does. So the only way they can save their lives, along with their families’, is to go out to the southern, slightly warmer area and assault the people there. Some of them would die in the fight, and leaving home is intrinsically painful, so to ease the fear and the emotional pain, they drink alcohol — it keeps them (temporarily) warm, too.

Back then, no one thought drinking was a problem. The cold and the lack of foods and fuel was the problem.

But we don’t live like that, fortunately. We can have a reasonably safe, comfortable, and healthy life — and yet, we throw ourselves into compulsive behaviors that sooner or later destroy our well-being.

And again, so many of us do this. Ours is the culture of obsession and compulsion. Why?

Sense of not being “enough”

There are physiological causes. For example, I’ve been feeling so much better since I started taking extra vitamins (C, E, B complex) — I feel so “normal” around foods. I was suffering a mild hypoglycemia and that was part of the cause of my sugar problem. Likewise, there may be chemical or hormonal imbalance behind many compulsive behaviors. (So consulting a healthcare professional is an idea — although many doctors, or even nutritionists are not very aware of the issue.)

But the physiological cause is not the whole story. If it were, the rehab should have 100% recover rate. And it doesn’t explain the common switching of addictions.

I think the root cause of all addictions is the sense of not being enough. A girl who doesn’t feel she is pretty and lovable enough may attempt to control her food intake. If it’s a boy, he might exercise endlessly. Or they may retrieve to the fantasy world of video game altogether. Someone who doesn’t feel he or she is good enough may work excessively for achievements. And someone who thinks their life hasn’t been good enough or spiritual enough may become by-gods.

This inner sense of insufficiency is very universal in our society. Even kids exhibit it. And we go into compulsive behaviors either to numb the pain of this insufficiency or to overcome it.

But why are we, I mean practically all of us, feeling insufficient? Does this make sense? Who is enough, then? And what is enough?

The disconnection from the Source

The intellectual answer to these questions is to attribute them to the society’s more. But I think there is even deeper issue.

We are suffering from the disconnection from the Source.

Even though most of us don’t remember on the conscious level, we know we are connected to the life-giving Source. We also remember the connection was more full and complete before. We crave to feel that full connection again. That is certainly “enough” — there is nothing more complete than that.

But because we don’t even know it’s the spiritual level hunger, we look to all the wrong places. The truth is, no amount of money, fame, worldly recognition and power, no level of physical fitness and beauty, no amount of knowledge and academic achievement, nothing — absolutely nothing — can replace the satisfaction we receive when we connect with the Source.

So now we have a choice. We can forever seek, possibly switching the target of our compulsive behaviors from time to time, or we can reconnect with the Source.

Test: doing nothing

If you are still unsure, do a little self-test. Do nothing — for a long time — and watch what comes and goes in your mind and how long you can last doing nothing.

“Gee, I have so many things to do, why am I doing this stupid test of doing nothing?”
“I wonder what (name of someone you know) is doing now.”
“This is waste. What do I achieve by this?”
“And how much more time do I have to do this?”

These are some common thoughts that might cross your mind. They all indicate compulsiveness.

If you are comfortable with who you are, you would notice how sweet the air is. Or the light around you. You would feel joy and peace doing nothing.

How to be aware and reconnect with the Source

And this test doubles as a way to reconnect with the Source. Because it’s all about being aware. Being aware means releasing the mental chatter.

When you are thinking compulsively, you are like in a dream when you think the dream is real. You try many things in the dream. You try so hard. But of course, you get nowhere because you are only dreaming. The cure is to wake up.

You wake up from the human collective dream when you release compulsive thinking (and the behaviors that are promoted by these thinking).

Stop thinking and stand still. NOW.

When you do, you may feel a temporary buzz or pain. That is the dying scream of your ego. . . well, for now. Most likely, it will come back soon enough, so again, you stop and release your mental chatter, focusing on the Now.

Personal endnote
I am currently releasing my urge to reading. Yeah, reading can be an addiction, too. It’s an easy addiction because no one frowns at an avid reader. And I don’t mean I would never read — just as I would eat, I would read. But no more reading to overcome the inner feeling of “I may not know enough.”

Spiritual growth is an oxymoron. All it takes is to be aware, to be aware of my connection with God, or the Source. And that doesn’t take any reading. It takes actually connecting.

The Healthiest Diet

(Photo credit)

I like reading about healthy eating and I’ve written several articles on the topic, such as this and this, about vegetarian vs meat eating diet.

Now, if you are interested in eating healthy, you know how confusing the discussions are.

Some people maintain 100% raw vegan diet is the way to go because cooking destroys the precious nutrients. They also imply humans are the only animals who cook, so cooking is unnatural. But then, if we are talking about the original way of human diet, it’s hard to believe they were vegetarian — they certainly ate animals. (Chimpanzees eat small animals like lizards and eggs. Even gorillas, generally considered vegan, actually eat insects along with veggies.)

Some insist killing animals is plane cruel and wrong, and eating animals affects our spiritual health. Then others hit back pointing out the hypocritical nature of vegans.

I am in no position to judge, but I’d like to share what I think. Maybe you can find your takeaway from my thoughts and experiences.

The reality check

In search of the healthiest diet, I set aside my reading on nutritional theories and turned to what has worked in reality.

• Find people who have been in good health for a very long time (not just recovering from disease, not just healthy and beautiful in their youthful years).
• Find out what they have been eating.

The Okinawa centenarians

There are several areas in the world that boast longevity. One is the southern islands of Japan, Okinawa. While some areas of the world still don’t keep reliable third-party data of birth, Japan has been quite meticulous about it since the late 19th century, so I trust the Okinawa records. (You know, just because some old folks say they are 120 years old doesn’t mean they really are . . .)

So how have the Okinawa elders been eating? (Notice my wording — I am not interested in how the Okinawans eat these days. How long an Okinawa man or woman in their teens, 20s, 30… even 50s will live is mystery. They have adopted the westernized diet. I am interested in how the current age 100 or over population in Okinawa have been eating.)

There is an excellent book on the topic called “The Okinawa Program : How the World’s Longest-Lived People Achieve Everlasting Health–And How You Can Too”. The authors did extensive interviews and research. And also, I have had several friends from that area who told me their stories.

The Okinawa centenarians are typically not vegans nor vegetarians. They eat fish and even some pork — but not very often. A bit of background info: The Okinawa islands are far off from the mainland Japan and there aren’t much land for farming… especially not for big-scale farming. People are poor (very few industries that bring cash — who wants to build a manufacturing plant on a far off island?)

So they try to survive on foods they can get on their own, not from stores. They grow their own vegetables and they forage. (They are in semi tropical area, so vegetation is good.) They fish, and younger men dive to catch fish. They raise pigs with food scraps. (Pigs don’t require large pasture like cows.)

They eat brown rice (refinement is waste) and lots of Japanese sweet potatoes. (They are right in the course of typhoons, so crops that grow on the ground, like rice, is always at the risk of getting hit before harvest. In the old days, sweet potato was the main stay of their diet.)

Tofu is a critical protein source. My friend told me her mother made tofu at home with the homegrown soys and natural nigari from the ocean. (Nigari is sea water minus water and sodium chloride. In other words, it’s a byproduct of sea salt production.)

Sweet potatoes, brown rice, wild greens, vegetables, sea vegetables, tofu and occasional fish and pork. Local and, even though the regulation of organic produce was not set back then, practically all produce was organic. Mostly plant-based, but not exclusive of animal products. Minimal refinement.

And remember the whole lot of manual labors involved to get and prepare the foods. Many Okinawa elders remain active, working in the field.

My thoughts on eating animals

The Okinawans don’t see killing their pigs as sinful. They raise their own pigs, take good care of them daily, and when the time comes, they gather, offer a prayer, and slaughter it. Then they divide the meat among friends and family. They eat “everything but the hoof” so that no part would be wasted. That is how they show their respect for the animal that made the ultimate sacrifice to sustain their lives.

I don’t have the guts to do the bloody work to put down an animal, but I understand their sentiment. I think many vegans are a bit discriminative, as if they can stay in their clean holy land if they don’t consume animals.

The truth is life circulates in this world. On the physical level, nutrients circulates. Even if you only eat vegetables, those vegetables need nitrogen, which is typically fed with animal products like chicken manure. (And you don’t think those chickens are kept solely for the poop, right? They are kept for eggs or meat.)

Accepting this truth and showing respect to ALL lives, plants and animals, is very spiritual.

By the way, this may sound bizarre to you, but when I die, I’d like my cremation to be scattered on the Pacific Ocean. In my life, I’ve eaten quite a lot of fish, and it comforts me to think that my little remains feed the fish, thus completing the circle of nutrition.

And yet I stay away from meat…

Having said this, I’d like to stay away from eating meat. Because whenever I try eating meat, even organically raised chicken, I feel the pain and discomfort of the dead animal. I feel so sensitive.

It’s not about moral. It’s about my personal energetic comfort.

I do eat some eggs. I guess I am still experimenting on the quantity and quality of protein that best feeds me. So far, I just don’t feel stable when I go too long on vegan diet.

My thoughts on raw food diet

Even though some nutrients are destroyed with the heat, I think eating some cooked foods is good for me. For one, it balances the yin and yang. If I were living like the original humans, in the sunny African continent and spending the majority of my time hunting or foraging (physical activities), then supplementing yang with cooking heat may be unnecessary. But I don’t live like that. Cooking may be one way humans have adopted to live in the northern climate.

Being attached to 100% raw also has something to do with another aspect of food discrimination. This podcast by long-time raw food advocate Dhrumil is very indicative of this. (The linked podcast is long, but it’s worth it.)

And as they wisely point out, not all “cooked” foods are created equal. I believe the Okinawans cook very simply. (They don’t waste fuel.)

In addition, I found out that many raw food enthusiasts were eating very badly before, like a donut and coffee for breakfast, hamburger and fries for lunch, and pizza for dinner. So when they turn to raw foods and their health improves, is it the power of raw? Or is it the power of taking more fresh vegetables and less toxins such as refined carbs, sugar, and overheated fat (not to mentioned the various additives and synthetic flavorings)?

Further, another point Dhrumil makes, just because someone says they eat 100% raw doesn’t mean they do. Especially online. And those who do don’t tell the whole story — how much struggle they go through with that way of eating. Here is a rare piece that explains it. Matt Monarch’s book, “Raw Spirit” also tells his interesting story of food cravings after he turned raw.

Raw food is great. I think Okinawans have been eating a lot of raw greens. But I don’t think I need to be 100% raw. I like my germinated and cooked lentils, brown rice, and quinoa.

Diet is only part of the deal

To conclude, I want to emphasize diet is only part of the deal for health and longevity. Other factors include:

• Physical activities
• Environment
• Stress level and its management
• Rest, especially the quality and quantity of sleep
• Sexuality
• Family and social life
• Sense of worth and meaning
• Spirituality

The healthiest diet is also personal. Because you are a unique combination of these (and more) factors. So when you read about healthy eating, experiment, listen to your body, and take what works for YOU.

More on Okinawa…

Because they live in the tiny islands, Okinawans have tight connection with their extended family and neighbors. The elders are far from forgotten — many middle age population seek employment in the mainlands, leaving their kids to the care of their parents. Okinawa elders work hard at home and in the field. I am sure they are proud to be such a reliable part of the society.

They produce their own entertainment. Many are excellent musicians, playing sanshin (three string instrument). They knew how essential joy is in life — even when their houses were burnt down in WWII, they ran away carrying their sanshins.

I think Okinawans exhibit the case where so-called negativity like poverty and small, closed society can work positively. Although I have no intention to relocate there (a weakling like myself won’t do there . . . I cannot even tolerate much heat), I have a lot of respect for them.

What do you think about healthy diet? How have you been eating? Please share in the comment. Thank you.

Bonus:
Here is a YouTube video clip of Okinawan traditional music (with modern arrangement). You can see the old man playing the sanshin.

Another Okinawan music, this is modern. Enjoy their unique scale of do, mi, fa, so, ti (no re, no la)

Local Food For Your Health And World Peace

Toward the end of my post Yin Yang For Balanced Health, I mentioned the benefits of eating local foods. You are one with your environment. Asians (and perhaps other indigenous people) knew this for centuries, and I am glad some Americans are taking notice, too.  (Photo credit)

The produce that grows well in your climate is good for you. This is beyond the current nutritional science. Part of the reason is the yin yang balance, and I am sure there are more reasons we don’t know yet.

But it gets better. Local food is not only good for your health but good for the health of Mother Earth by reducing carbon footprints. Further, it can even help world peace.

I seldom talk about politics, but in this article, I am going there. But first, let me explain with a story. . .

The story of three villages

In the beginning, all villages were growing their own sustenance. Produce from faraway lands were considered occasional treats. Life was slow and stable.

Then, Village A, which had the largest land expanse, decided to increase its productivity by modernizing its agriculture. They started to use large machinery, rich chemical fertilizer, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, and they developed more business-efficient seeds with hybrid and genetic engineering.

Before, most villagers were farmers, but now Village A didn’t need so many farmers. So many Village A people became factory workers, engineers, and business people. There were tons of foods and people got fat and . . . greedy.

Even with overeating, Village A couldn’t consume all the foods it was producing. (Now do you see things are getting rather ridiculous? Why do they produce more foods than they need? But read on. . .)

Village A approached other villages and said, “Hey, you don’t need to produce your own foods. You don’t have to do that hard labor. We will sell you all the foods you need and that will cost you less.”

Village B bought this idea. They were good at technical thinking, so they decided to manufacture the parts Village A needed to make their large machinery. This way, Village B could earn the money to buy foods from Village A. Part of Village B was also very scenic, so they made nice resort where Village A people could come and have fun.

Village B thought this was a smart move in the globalized economy.

Village C, on the other hand, refused Village A’s offer. They decided to keep their way of living.

For a while, things looked really good for Village B. They became as rich as Village A. Village A and B were close friends.

How they lost their lives

But one day, Village A and B had an argument. Like, everyone does from time to time.

Village B didn’t like what Village A was doing and said they don’t want to join Village A’s new movement.

Village A said, “Fine. I don’t care. I just stop selling the foods to you.”

“What?” Village B people thought. “Then what do we eat?”

Village B had turned all their farmland to manufacturing sites and resorts. They were not making foods locally any more. To turn the manufacturing sites back to farmland would take years. People would starve in the meantime.

And so Village B had to die. Either physically by starvation or spiritually by selling off their freedom.

What happened to Village C? Village C didn’t like Village A’s new movement, either, so they, too, said no. The difference was Village C could feed itself. It wasn’t the fancy foods, but Village C was independent and had freedom.

Local food as the foundation of world peace

Happiness is the prereq of true peace. Happy people don’t fight. And independence and freedom are the critical components of true happiness. Peace without freedom is not real peace but forced silence.

To actualize world peace, we want to be more self dependent on the local level. We want to reduce our need to rely on others for our basic sustenance and also our need to control and manipulate others.

I think this new local food movement is good for Village A, too. Do you want other people to be honest and truly friendly with you or do you want them to be obedient because they are afraid of your controlling power?

Sometimes, people attack back with desperation when they are too controlled. Some people in Village B may even suicide attack Village A . . So, because peace is good for everyone, this new local food movement can help Village A, too.

Local food is about independence and freedom

So what is Village A? Well. . . it could be the big agribusiness or the country with that kind of business. (The fact that the world’s biggest Village A country’s name actually starts with A is only a coincidence.)

Big agribusiness controls food supply and steals people’s independence and freedom. Because we are dependent on foods and therefore on those who provide foods. It’s the same logic that financially-dependent people are not truly free.

I’ve been living in the Northwest for the last two and a half years, and I think people here intuitively know this. They are super big on local foods. They try not to rely on the supply system on the east of the Rockies.

The ultimate local foods

So, wherever you may be on Mother Earth, choose local foods when you shop. You can find your area’s info at Local Harvest.

And grow your own foods even on a small scale. Homegrown is the ultimate local foods.

You don’t even need a sunny garden to grow your foods. If you are totally out of space, grow some sprouts. Seeds don’t need the sunlight to sprout (in fact, they are best kept in the dark). And despite the thin tiny look, they are big on nutrition. They are full of the energy of the seeds coming to life.

If you have a bit of sunny spots, you can grow microgreens and other greens in containers. Greens are the easiest to grow even in partial sun. You can do this even in winter as long as you get some sun and if you choose cold-tolerant seeds such as kale and endive.

Of course, if you have more space, you can grow various fruits and vegetables. There are many good books, blogs, and your local garden center can educate you, too.

In many urban areas, there are also small gardens you can rent. Some people are even negotiating the cities to let them “green” unused city blocks, which help the area clean and clear of crimes, trash, etc. So gardening has various benefits!

I love growing foods

During the last winter, I did poorly not because of coldness but because of the too many rainy days (and therefore lack of sun) here. This fall to winter, I might buy a grow light. That would help me grow some microgreens indoors.

This summer, I am growing a cherry tomato, vitamin-greens (a speciality green), purslanes, shiso (Japanese herb — like basil), salad burnet, and spearmint. And some garlics in the tomato container — they grow fast and repel some unwanted bugs. I also sprout lentils, broccoli, buckwheat, and sunflower. (The sunflowers will be more like shoots.)

And I can tell you, the few minutes I spend each day caring for these plants are so nurturing to myself. My plants teach me so much about life and love.

Are you growing any foods? What do you think about local foods, food politics, and freedom?

(Here are my sprouts, buckwheat and broccoli, getting the final touch of light to green up.)

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