Jost Sauer - The Perfect Day Plan: Unlock the Secrets of Your Body Clock

The Perfect Day Plan

THE

PERFECT

DAY PLAN

Unlock the secrets
of your body clock

JOST SAUER

First published in 2009

Copyright Jost Sauer 2009

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or 10 per cent of this book, whichever is the greater, to be photocopied by any educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) under the Act.

Inspired Living, an imprint of
Allen & Unwin
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Australia
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ISBN: 978 1 74175 948 8
Internal design by Lisa White
Set in 11/16 pt Minion by Midland Typesetters, Australia
Printed in Australia by McPhersons Printing Group
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

DEDICATION

In memory of my parents, Elizabeth and Hans Sauer.
I would have loved to have shared this with you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author, columnist and media commentator Jost Sauer is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and lecturer. Apart from his own busy practice, Jost spends much of his year travelling, teaching and giving talks to the general public and health professionals. By continuing to examine ancient understandings about good health, then applying these insights to 21st-century issues, Jost has become one of the leading figures in innovative approaches to health and wellbeing.

Jost first came to attention with his groundbreaking books Higher and Higher and Drug Repair That Works. Passionate about good health, cars and electronic music, Jost offers his readers powerful, practical and effective new ways to approach the challenges of contemporary life.

CONTENTS

Foremost to my wife Kirsten, without whom this book would not exist. Elizabeth Stephens, editor of Living Now, for publishing a series of my articles on the chi cycle, and supporting my work in so many ways over the years. Maggie Hamilton, at Allen & Unwin, for continuing to believe in my vision. My father-in-law, Bryon Fitzpatrick, for once again providing support, stodge and storage space in the garage. Karina Averlon Thomas, for spreading the message and always encouraging me. Leon Fitzpatrick, for the enthusiastic feedback. To all my clients for giving me an opportunity to learn and grow.

Special thanks to the Chinese masters who have been refining the art of living for thousands of years. Without you I would have been a lost soul. I hope my contemporary interpretation of the chi cycle makes some small contribution to the ongoing evolution of this magical healing art.

The information presented in this book is the opinion of the author. If you wish to make health and lifestyle changes it is recommended that you do so under professional supervision. The author does not hold responsibility for any actions taken based on the contents of this book.

Note on Traditional Chinese Medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine the word organs refers to an organ system different to the anatomical system as understood in western medicine. It is convention to capitalise the name of an organ when referring to it in the Chinese context, but for ease of reading we are not applying this convention here. Likewise, we will not discuss pairs of organs in the singular.

Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the idea that the universe is made of energy. This energy flows through the planets and stars, and also through our bodies, in a 24-hour cycle. In traditional Chinese medicine all life is interconnected and all things are possible.

Within our body, our life energy, or chi, circulates through each organ in turn. In traditional Chinese medicine we have twelve organs: the heart, small intestine, bladder, kidney, pericardium, san jiao (or triple burner), gall bladder, liver, lung, large intestine, stomach and spleen. Organ systems is probably a better way to describe them as they also have meridians or invisible energy pathways associated with them. It is these pathways that allow energy to flow throughout our body and even extend beyond it.

Every two hours a different organ is energised. Each organ has a specific physical, emotional and spiritual function so every two hours there are certain things we should be doing to maximise the effect of the energised organ. This might be eating, working, exercising, meditating, having sex, sleeping or being creative. If we do the right things at the right time we dont waste our energy and we increase our longevity, happiness and health and take one step closer to fulfilling our destinies.

An organs pathways can also access what is known as the universal intelligence, a source of great wisdom. So, every two hours a different part of lifes wisdom is available to us. For example, each day between 1 and 3 pm, as our small intestine is energised, we have an opportunity to find mental clarity. Between 3 and 5 pm, as our bladder becomes energised, we can feel our direct connection to life. If we dont accept these gifts at the time, life simply offers them again the next day.

Another great thing about this cyclewhich we will refer to as the chi cycle or Perfect Day Planis that regardless of how depressed, lethargic or ill we might feel, every day we have an opportunity to change. All we have to do is get our actions in tune with the cycle and our health will automatically improve. Each thing we do at the right time with one organ makes it easier for the next organ to carry out its duties, which in turn impacts on how the day ahead pans out physically, emotionally and spiritually.

A key element of the Perfect Day Plan is balancing action (yang) times with rest (yin) times. This is a huge challenge for our current lifestyle of 24/7 activity. We all know we cant keep this up, but at the same time it seems impossible to stopwe dont seem to have enough time to get things done. The chi cycle shows the optimum times to take breaks so that the active times are much more effective and productivethe Perfect Day Plan gives time back to us.

This plan works. Ive turned my life around by living it, and so have countless clients and workshop participants and it is easy to do. Following the Perfect Day Plan is not about giving up things, it is about doing things at the appropriate times so we dont lose vital life energy and end up with digestive problems, chronic fatigue, food allergies, road rage, addiction, psychosis, obesity, heart disease and panic disorders.

Parents often say they wished their children came with instructions... in fact we do. The chi cycle maps out everything for us. It was identified thousands of years ago by the ancient Chinese sages, but right now we are probably entering the first time in history where we can actually live it. After centuries of restraint and control, we can now choose how we want to live. We can choose the chi cycle lifestyle. We can follow the Perfect Day Plan.