Greetings OHI community, and welcome to spring. There's just something about this season that is so invigorating. The air is warmer and the sun seems brighter. With new leaves emerging and flowers blossoming, vibrant color is returning to enliven a drab world as it awakens from its long winter nap. Spring symbolizes renewal, making it the perfect time for many to participate in Spring Cleaning. In this issue I’ll explore a unique perspective on this tradition and discuss the significance of the ritual of cleansing.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
You may recall from our January newsletter, I wrote that all of us have something to heal. I noted that OHI looks at healing from a holistic approach which considers the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit. We then looked at how our bodies are designed to heal organically - if we remove obstructions such as unhealthy food, toxins, stress, and negativity. We reviewed that in order to heal holistically; we must address our mental and emotional needs with practices that consider the subconscious mind where most mental and emotional issues reside. We also considered the need to express our emotions in order to heal.
Many Situations Call for a Reset
Have you ever wished that you could just start over? From scratch? The burdens of life can lead to negative thoughts that can make you feel that way.
Are you feeling stuck? In unhealthy relationships where you are spending too much time with people who bring you down? In a dismal dead-end career that leaves your personal aspirations unfulfilled?
When your life is overloaded with too many responsibilities; and you struggle to keep it all together... When there are many things that need maintenance, cleaning, or some sort of care... When our lives get cluttered with too many details - many of them unnecessary... Feelings of overwhelm can make you wish you could throw it all away and start over. When you're feeling that kind of stress, it's time to unburden yourself with a ritual cleanse.
Create Your Own Ritual of Cleansing at OHI
Healing - including holistic healing - starts with cleansing. These days people talk about "going on a cleanse" as if it is a new thing. History, however, is full of cultures and religions that adhere to a custom of cleansing. Ritual cleansing, often called ritual purification, is practiced by all of the major religions including: Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, as well as, many others. Most of these traditions involve cleaning the body with moving water.
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. Ezekiel 36:25
I grew up as a Christian, and as such was baptized as a baby and again when I was old enough to understand its meaning. Baptism is a ritual cleanse that is a symbolic renewal of the spirit. In other words, it is a spiritual cleansing. There is so much more to spiritual cleansing which I will get into momentarily. First I want to discuss OHI's comprehensive holistic cleanse which tackles the whole self - body, mind, and spirit - and why you should develop a ritual cleanse.
Ritual is a Matter of Mindset
A ritual is more than just a habit; it is a way of thinking. A ritual is a sequence of activities that may be prescribed by tradition. Many rituals are symbolic, but establishing a ritual of holistic cleansing involves a great deal more. Like the dirt that is released from our skin and pores when we scrub our bodies while bathing, holistic cleansing is about releasing that which is hurting us: toxins, negative thoughts, limiting beliefs, bad habits, unhealthy relationships, and above all stress.
Our lives have many parts that can stand a clean-up. You may be carrying emotional baggage from past negative experiences such as an unhealthy relationship, a missed opportunity, or a career effort that failed. Perhaps you're feeling trapped in a lifeless routine that sucks the energy out of you. Anything that has the power to upset you or keep you awake at night is an area ripe for a cleanse. It's all about letting go - of all that no longer serves you - especially letting go of the past. At OHI you'll learn mindfulness techniques that will help you live in the present instead of the past or future.
Creating a ritual of holistic cleansing several times a year is a great way to routinely reset and renew your life. It gives you the opportunity to prepare for a fresh beginning. A cleansing ritual can bring clarity to your life and enable you to focus on your purpose or assist you in finding one. It empowers you to stay the course with your goals and dreams.
The best thing about a cleanse is that it opens up space for growth, renewed intentions, developing positive habits, and new opportunities to learn more about what you are genuinely interested in.
Getting Rid of That Which is No Longer Useful to You
A cleanse at OHI simultaneously addresses the body, mind, and spirit. The OHI cleansing diet helps eliminate toxins from your body through fasting and consuming fresh, raw, organic foods. By participating in various classes and activities, such as our Release Ceremony and Mental Detoxification class, you will discover how to eliminate negative thoughts and limiting beliefs, effectively cleansing your mind.
"The cure of many diseases is unknown to physicians because they are ignorant of the whole; for the part can never be well unless the whole is well." Plato
The OHI for Life Body-Mind-Spirit Program will also teach you how to purify your spirit through practices like meditation, reflection, and prayer. It's important to find the time to be silent, quiet your mind, and pray. It is prayer, along with reflection and contemplation, that revitalizes the spirit most of all. Finding the silence and quieting the mind will guide you back to your higher power. That’s why the best place to cleanse your spirit is in a peaceful retreat-like setting such as OHI where you are shielded from the erratic outside world in a safe and sacred space with a community of like-minded folks.
With your spiritual cleanse you will expand your consciousness. This means you will experience a wider and deeper awareness of your surroundings. It will enable you to live in harmony with others as you will feel more compassion and empathy for people everywhere. It will help strengthen your relationships with friends, family, community, and the world. You'll develop a better insight into the causes of obstacles you encounter, and the ability to recognize the lessons to be learned.
Additionally, your OHI cleanse will include learning how to master your emotions through our Alpha, Conscious Breathing and Self-Esteem classes. You must cleanse the stress from your life by learning how to healthily express your emotions. At OHI we will instruct you in how to cleanse your emotions which begins with acknowledging them. This validates that they are normal and okay to experience. Next identify the emotion you are feeling. By observing your emotion, you can focus your attention on what sensation it is causing in your body. Then ask yourself, "What is this emotion communicating to me?" and "What is it suggesting that I need?"
Healing will likely require you to change something in your life. This is what cleansing is all about: taking the personal responsibility of making changes to your body, mind, and spirit.
All in all the ritual of cleansing is an act of self-care. It reminds us to slow down, focus inward, and check-in with how we’re feeling. This intentional pause can help you realign with your goals, values, and higher self.
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
When we leave OHI and go back to our regular everyday life, it is easy to fall back into bad habits. Because of that, I encourage everyone to make a ritual of cleansing at OHI one to four times a year.
What's New for 2025
This spring, we are excited about the new updates coming to OHI. We have just introduced a new property management and reservation system aimed at improving our guests' experience by keeping track of your preferences. We're also improving our check-in process for quicker and more convenient arrivals. We’re excited to have you at the center of this new system!
Additionally, we're initiating a fundraising campaign to increase scholarships for individuals on their healing journeys, set to launch in the coming months. In addition, we are planning to offer virtual classes, enabling you to participate in OHI sessions from the comfort of your home, so you can refresh and rejuvenate whenever you wish.
Come to OHI this Spring
The sun is shining, and the flowers are blooming, this is a great time to reunite and strengthen your bonds with your OHI community. A spring cleanse will help you reset and revitalize your body after the long winter months.
Make your reservation today, and begin the New Year with a new you. Be sure to book early – call us at (800) 588-0809 to book your stay!
Here's wishing you health and wellness this glorious spring.
Yours in prayer,
Robert P. Nees, Jr.
Senior Pastor and Chairman
Optimum Health Institute of San Diego and Austin