Jim Billings: Insight plus 5 cents gives you a nickel

• Stress

One of the most cherished individuals who has contributed to the method is Jim Billings, PhD. Jim is a psychologist, theologian and clinical director of Dean Ornish's Preventive Medicine Research Institute, in Sausalito, CA, down the road from the Institute for Health Solutions, within the time frame of a nice long run. About 15 years ago, I consulted for Dean Ornish, in an effort to bring his method to more people. In the process, I met Jim Billings, a big bear of a man, with full white beard, and a formidable presence at the Institute.

I was coming in to help Dean systematize his program so that it could be replicated in more centers. I learned a lot, particularly how to get at spiritual connection and the downstream chemical effects of it indirectly. Dean had introduced me to staff, but Jim and I still needed to meet, and I remember the occasion because quite quickly we connected, sharing that both methods were spiritually based. And he taught me a lot, including that "insight plus 5 cents give you a nickel" and the essence of merging which is that "If I take care of you then you will take care of me, then neither of us has to grow up." Jim has had health problems in recent years, but he was the emotional anchor behind Dean's movement, and his wisdom permeates the method. Since then, awareness has gown that he was right all along, that the emotional brain changes by repeated experience -- using the tools.