Dr. Gabriel Cousens, M.D., M.D.(h), D.D., Founder and Director, The Tree of Life Foundation

Gabrielle: The Tree of Life Foundation is a humanitarian beacon, a non-profit devoted to illuminating pathways of awareness—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—on a global scale. Our ethos draws inspiration from the ancient Essene teachings, which emphasize harmony with the body as the gateway to an unimpeded spiritual connection.

Achieving peace with the body is paramount, and diet plays a crucial role in this pursuit. The free movement of spiritual energy—known as Kundalini in Eastern traditions or the Holy Spirit in Judeo-Christian belief—thrives in a purified vessel. Many historical narratives have obscured the fact that Jesus and his disciples adhered to a vegetarian diet. However, the Essenes, who profoundly shaped his teachings, were staunch proponents of live food vegetarianism, a principle also embraced by John the Baptist.

Your personal journey has been deeply entwined with these teachings. What formative experiences led you to this path?

Gabrielle: My own transformation has been a tapestry woven with sacred experiences. I was baptized in the River Jordan, the very waters where John the Baptist anointed Jesus. Additionally, I spent seven years in India, where I was spiritually acknowledged and empowered to transmit awakening energy. This process, known in Sanskrit as Shaktipat, is a sacred initiation that facilitates spiritual awakening. In Hebrew, a similar tradition exists, known as Haniha.

Jesus himself bestowed this awakening upon his disciples. However, in many individuals, the natural flow of this divine energy is obstructed by dietary choices—meat, fish, poultry, and dairy—foods that carry the vibrational imprint of suffering. The path to bodily peace is not just a matter of physical well-being; it is a spiritual imperative.

Your physical vitality is a testament to the lifestyle you advocate. Can you elaborate on your personal regimen and its spiritual significance?

Gabrielle: At 82, I embody the principles I teach. I perform 1,600 push-ups every two days and have achieved as many as 2,000 in a single session. This ongoing progression defies conventional notions of aging. At 21, I managed 70 push-ups; by 60, I had reached 600. Today, my strength and flexibility surpass even my youth.

This is not a mere feat of endurance but a manifestation of spiritual discipline. Yoga, which I practice alongside my wife—a dedicated teacher—has been instrumental in this journey. It is a profound reminder that the body, when nurtured with conscious intent, can become a vessel of boundless energy and renewal.

You have a formidable background in both conventional and holistic medicine. How has this shaped your philosophy of healing?

Gabrielle: My path has been a confluence of the scientific and the spiritual. Trained as a physician at Columbia Medical School, I specialized in psychiatry and family therapy. Over the years, I have also immersed myself in holistic medicine and homeopathy, particularly under the guidance of Spanish healers.

This synthesis of knowledge has enabled me to facilitate profound healing, even in cases where conventional medicine has faltered. I have worked extensively in reversing concussions and neurological trauma, particularly in athletes. Homeopathy—widely respected in Spain, France, and Germany—has been an indispensable tool in this work.

Your teachings extend beyond physical well-being to spiritual emancipation. Can you share your approach to meditation and transcendence?

Gabrielle: Meditation, in its highest form, is not merely about silencing the mind—it is about dissolving the illusion of self, stepping beyond identity into a state of pure, unfiltered being. My latest book, Into the Nothing, delves into this sacred journey.

Since 1985, the Tree of Life Foundation has championed interwoven peace: peace with oneself, with the Earth, and with all sentient beings. Our agricultural explorations have demonstrated the potential for remarkable growth—both literal and metaphysical—when one aligns with the rhythms of nature.

You have a profound connection to Native American traditions. How have these shaped your spiritual perspective?

Gabrielle: My immersion in Native American traditions has been transformative. I have participated in the Sundance and Eagle Dance ceremonies of the Lakota Sioux, rigorous spiritual practices that demand fasting and physical endurance as acts of devotion and sacrifice. Completing the four-year Sundance and the culminating Eagle Dance—fasting for four days without food or water while tethered to a sacred tree—has deepened my understanding of the Lakota teaching Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ, which means “all my relations”—a recognition of the interconnectedness of all existence.

In addition to my path as a Sundancer and Kabbalist, I am an acknowledged yogi. My spiritual journey seamlessly interlaces multiple traditions, each leading to the ultimate truth: the transcendence of self, the merging into the nothingness from which all arises.

Your retreats have garnered widespread recognition. Could you illuminate what attendees can expect from your programs in the Dominican Republic and Dubai?

Gabrielle: Our spiritual fasting retreats, a cornerstone of our mission since 1985, offer participants an immersive experience of renewal—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Many perceive fasting as a mere physical detox, but in truth, it is a gateway to profound emotional and spiritual purification.

The New York Times has aptly referred to me as the “Fasting Guru,” acknowledging my decades of guiding individuals through this sacred practice. Our retreats span seven days, with an additional day dedicated to mindful reintegration into nourishment. My wife leads yoga sessions, and I assist her, ensuring that the body aligns with the spiritual work we undertake. Each day, we hold two meditative sessions focusing on Shaktipat, or Ruach HaKodesh, to awaken and channel divine energy.

Participants also engage in discourse and inquiry, sharing their experiences and gaining insights through specialized Q&A sessions. As a physician, I provide guidance particularly for those managing diabetes—within three days of fasting, nearly all Type 2 diabetics in our program can cease insulin use entirely.

Ultimately, our retreats serve as sanctuaries for transformation, guiding individuals toward optimal health, heightened consciousness, and alignment with their highest potential.