why I do the cleanse---its not only because I am married to Gina.

I remember that during my first Cleanse, the most important aspect seemed to be physical---abstaining from many of the unhealthy aspects of my normal dietary routine. This included caffeine, sugar, processed foods and all the rest. At the time, this seemed like a daunting enough task.

Now, after having completed two cleanses, it seems that perhaps something else should be the focus. To say that any "physical deprivation" goes on during the cleanse is kind of ridiculous. I did not starve or become malnourished while on the cleanse. In fact, my diet on the cleanse exceeds the food intake, both in quantity and variety, of millions of people on the planet. It seems wrong to consider this a "deprivation" in any meaningful way.

Nonetheless, the second and third days of the cleanse can still seem like I'm going through withdrawals. So what is going on? It seems that maybe it is my MIND that is being deprived, not my BODY. Thus, the challenge is accepting that it is the MIND that is rebelling against the change and not the BODY (assuming that you've weened yourself off of caffeine gradually the week prior). It is the MIND's attachment to habitual routines and a sense of entitlement to whatever it desires that causes all the difficulties. The dietary changes, the daily yoga, and the early wakeups all serve to disrupt the routine, thereby exposing the extent of our attachment to it.

Looking at it this way, the selection and quantity of foods, dietary supplements, and the rest take on a different nature. Although I do believe that the regimen is good and has physical benefits for the body, this is almost secondary. In a way, it is almost irrelevant. It is going to happen regardless of how I feel I about it. I can just put these healthy things in my body and it will take care of the rest.

Instead, for me at least, each successive cleanse has become an opportunity to remind the rational-mind that the ego-mind wants to run the show and will play all kinds of tricks to get its way. Each time I retain a little more of this awareness to put into action each day. Even if my actual day-to-day habits don't change much after the cleanse, the awareness of their true nature is gradually growing. The bell of awareness has been rung and the echo continues to resonate through the mind.

I say this only to offer a different angle from which to view the changed routine we adopt while on the cleanse. I find this makes it easier to not search for shortcuts or substitutes that serve only to make my MIND more comfortable. This approach also seems to help me de-emphasize the "details" of the cleanse and focus on the "purpose" of the cleanse, maybe it will help someone else too.

-Jeff