When reading through an e-zine such as this you may be looking for articles that capture your attention, enthrall you and leave you feeling enlightened, moved, or inspired. I have no prediction that what follows will provide you with such lofty experiences. It is, however, my sincere desire to share a few minutes of time with you so that the breadth and far-reaching implications of the Hygiene message may become more apparent.

On June 25th of this year I was departing from my home in England to accompany my beloved life partner, Dr. Douglas Graham, on a voluntary, self-funded lecture tour of the United States.

We arrived at Newark airport in New Jersey around the middle of the day and, after exchanging a kiss in the corridor, we parted with the words “see you in the baggage hall.”

I never saw him again.

Being American, Doug easily passed through immigration. I went and innocently stood in line for the next available agent. When it was my turn to go to the window of the booth I politely greeted the inspector. He said nothing in reply but (I assume) pulled my details up on his computer screen. He then proceeded to put my passport into a plastic bag and handed it to a woman who appeared, as if from nowhere. She demanded that I follow her.

Little did I know that my nightmare had begun.

The first officer to call me to her feet (literally - as the desk inside the immigration hell hole is deliberately set upon a rostrum so that all INS inspectors physically tower over those who they are attempting to intimidate) was a woman who proudly wore the name D. A. Lowes pinned to her chest.

I was spoken to with disrespect but it was not until my hemp wallet was disemboweled onto her desktop that the real abuse began. What had fallen into her hand were two sheets of stickers that I keep with me for those moments when opportunity lends itself to providing a little education. One set of stickers read “Don’t make your stomach a graveyard for animals” and the other one read “Fur is DEAD.”

Upon reading these, D A Lowes looked at me with disgust and asked if I was a vegetarian. I affirmed that I certainly was and this, I now realize, had apparently sealed my fate. Her manner and tone then changed from disrespectful and rude to the most aggressive, demeaning and insulting of ways possible to conduct human communications.

The officer, who was the primary interrogator after his spiritually bankrupt colleague had finished with me, was Terrance Andrew Pegus.

For seven hours I was psychologically terrorized, disrespected, abused, insulted, shouted at, deliberately frightened and treated as if I were a murderer. They committed slander about my parents, whom they have never met nor seen. They took my full set of fingerprints and several photographs. They denied me access to a telephone and refused, for the most part, to allow me to ask any questions.

I was neither allowed to see nor speak to Doug, who was doing all he could to free me from my torment from the other side of the airport. After some hours the police escorted him off the premises telling him that I would not be joining him and that there was nothing he could do.

They marched me from room to room to be subjected to further insults and demeaning treatment. I had two sets of photographs of me taken, two full sets of fingerprints and was made to take an oath. I have had chemicals smeared onto my hands and my personal belongings were rummaged through with total disrespect for my personal treasures.

They bombarded me with ridiculous questions such as expecting me to remember the exact dates and details of my travel movements going back several years. When I told them that I did not remember, they accused me of withholding information. They even asked me the date my library card had been issued of which, naturally, I had little recollection. In order to avoid being accused of withholding information I made a guess as to the library card's issue date and, as it was incorrect, I was then accused of lying.

They told me that unless I could prove my ownership of my house in England that I was, in “serious trouble.” I do in fact own my own home in West Sussex but I ask you, dear reader, do you carry the deeds of your house in your pocketbook or wallet?

Regardless of the truth I told them, they accused me of lying almost ever time.

At one point they left the small room where I was held telling me that I had to sit there until I was prepared to tell the truth. I was already telling the truth.

Their terrorist tactics and psychological abuse eventually rendered me in such an emotionally distraught state that I vomited and had severe diarrhea.

At no point did I ever raise the level or pitch of my voice, demonstrate rudeness or disrespect of them, refuse to cooperate or in any way antagonize them. At one point I explained that I was simply trying to help them. That, it turned out, was a major mistake on my part. My attempt to be cooperative was received as the most obnoxious comment apparently perceivable by the human intellect, and was thrown back at me amidst spitting disgust and evident total amazement that I should dare to think I could help them.

D. A. Lowes (who by this time I was seriously wondering if the names Hitler or Hussein appeared on her Christmas list) assured me that they were trying to help me. I might have been more inclined to believe her were it not for the saliva that arrived on my face as she showered me with her spiteful assurance.

Their “help” continued to manifest in ways that leave me hoping that I will be spared the assistance of other such depraved souls in the future.

Eventually their power-hungry egos had eaten their fill of me. I was spat out to armed guards who marched me down unknown corridors to be placed on a plane bound for London. A brown paper envelope with my photograph pinned to the front was handed to the pilot who assured me that I would not be allowed to have it until I reached the UK.

I sat on the airplane oblivious to the fact that I was about to undertake another 8 to 10 hour flight. Honestly, I do not remember anything much about the flight itself except for the glances of other passengers who obviously thought my armed escort to the plane evidence of some horrendous crime I had committed to humanity.

Upon arrival at Gatwick, London I was met once again by guards who “escorted” my brown envelope and me to the immigration office. After a few minutes I was allowed through and left alone standing, dazed, confused, traumatized and exhausted under the sign that tells you which luggage belt to go to for your baggage. My angels somehow guided me to the place to buy a train ticket, got me on the train and then guided me to get a taxi. Once home I locked the front door and did not venture beyond the safety of my little nature garden for three days when I finally stopped shaking.

The American INS have taken away my right to ever again enter the USA on a green “waiver” form. The only way that I can enter in future is with a visa. They tell me that if I “abuse” that by coming to the USA as frequently as I have been that they will also take that away and then I would also be in “serious” trouble.

So, let’s get a few things straight here folks; I have never stayed in the USA a day beyond that which I am entitled to traveling on a standard green waiver (90 days at a time). Yet, according to the paperwork, the INS have deported me on those grounds. I have visited, on average, only once or twice a year over the past 10 years.

I do not live, in the USA. I live at my home address in England. I am especially attached to my home and, as my friends will verify, I get significantly homesick when away overseas. I run my own self-employed business from my home in England. I work as a health consultant. My visits to the USA are rooted in my own personal mission to bring health education to the suffering masses.

I am experiencing intense distress at being forced to dishonor my commitments to American health seekers. I am very concerned for all the people I will be letting down by not being there to present at the various gatherings this summer.

The American Embassy in England have granted me an interview on August 5th. I am intending to apply for a visa but have no guarantee that they will give me one.

I am currently separated from both the man that I love and unable to give of my knowledge and support to American health seekers.

I honestly believe that my being denied entry to the US is absolutely inappropriate and profoundly wrong. The way I was treated was inhumane, deplorable to an extreme and absolutely inexcusable.

Many have asked me how I am dealing with my anger. To be honest, anger is not what I feel. Frustration yes, disappointment yes. What I feel towards D. A. Lowes and Terrance Pegus is authentic pity, for what other emotion would be appropriate for those so lost in such darkness of their own souls’ depravity.

Dearest reader, let it be known in your heart that the Hygiene way of life reaches far deeper into the essence of the human experience than the shallow depths of personal health. The journey to true compassion for all life is fueled by foods that neither cloud the mind nor dull the senses. Until murder, terrorism, rape and torture are no longer the breakfast, lunch and dinner of the masses none of us are shielded from the manifestations of their individual, or collective inner wars.

It is going to take a critical mass to bring about the shifts necessary for salvation of the human soul and true preservation of our natural world. Tears of hope come to me eyes as I sit here and write. I feel a connection between you and me that is beyond words. It is a connection built upon an understanding how trivial much of our daily distractions are, compared to the necessity of the powerful Hygiene example that we set.

Please know, without any shadow of doubt, that what you choose to put in your shopping cart, on your table and in your mouth is more influential to the healing of our world than any political vote you might make. Reach out to others with your own habits rather than demonstrating disapproval of theirs. The sleeping cannot be awakened until their eyes see that dawn is breaking. Whisper not into their ears of all that you reject, but hold up in front of them all that you embrace. Let the light of your awakened and compassionate heart be that dawn light awakening them from their unconsciousness.

If you have found the Hygiene path then you have been chosen to lead the way. Know this and walk with strength and grace towards the creation of world peace.

My love and support is with you.

- Prof. Rozalind Gruben

If you would like to help Rozalind regain her right to enter the USA to continue her voluntary teaching please contact her at rozgruben@aol.com.

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