Fighting Parkinson’s, and the validation of the Recipe, part 2

The Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery® is a soul, mind, and body recovery protocol. Today is part 2 of a 4-part series supporting you who are doing the Recipe. Part 2 will address the mind part of the Recipe.

Background

I started doing the Recipe on September 28, 2009. I had my full recovery on June 12, 2010. On January 5, 2011, I posted the Recipe on my blog. On November 17, 2017, my book became available on Amazon.

As noted in my previous blog post, I put in this query on Google:
“has the parkinson’s recipe for recovery been studied as a whole or only studied in its individual elements”

Here is the response received from AI Overview:

“In scientific and clinical research, the “Parkinson’s recipe for recovery” has not been formally studied as a whole collective protocol. Instead, clinical studies and trials consistently evaluate its individual elements — such as specific dietary approaches, targeted physical therapies like exercise, and psychological treatments. While the individual elements of the recovery protocol are validated in peer-reviewed literature, the recovery protocol as an aggregate remains untested.”

Today we will look at the validation on the mind healing component of the Recipe, specifically looking at sitting zazen (meditation and mindfulness), “okay” acceptance, and letting go of fear.

I will post the queries and responses and provide the studies at the end of this blog post.

Sitting zazen (meditation and mindfulness)

Initial query:

does the parkinson’s recipe for recovery use sitting zazen as its meditation and mindfulness practice for parkinson’s disease

AI Overview response:

“Yes. Sitting zazen is indeed the specific mindfulness and meditation practice used in Howard Shifke’s Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery.

The program utilizes daily zazen (or another meditation of your choice) to help calm the mind as part of the “Mind” component of his holistic recovery method.

You can read more about how this practice fits into the recovery framework on Howard Shifke’s Blog.”

Next query:

Is sitting zazen a beneficial meditation for Parkinson’s patients

AI Overview response:

“Yes, sitting zazen can be highly beneficial for Parkinson’s patients, serving as an effective complementary practice to manage motor and non-motor symptoms. It helps by improving cognitive function, increasing focus and attention span, and reducing anxiety and depression.

How Zazen Helps

• Brain Training: Zazen requires an upright posture and focused, open awareness, which trains the brain to manage fear, anger, and automatic nervous responses. This helps practitioners better self-regulate when symptoms or emotional fluctuations occur.
• Symptom Management: Mindfulness practices in general have been shown to help relieve stress, improve sleep quality, and even mitigate some physical motor symptoms.
• Accessibility: Zazen uses your own mind and breath, making it a portable, low-risk tool that requires no special equipment. 

Tips for Adaptation

Traditional zazen often requires sitting cross-legged (like in a full or half lotus position) on the floor. For Parkinson’s patients, it is highly encouraged to adapt the physical posture to ensure comfort and stability:

• Chair Sitting: You can sit comfortably on an upright chair with your feet flat on the floor.
• Support: Ensure your spine is tall but relaxed, and feel free to use meditation cushions or pillows to stabilize your body.
• Alternative Postures: If sitting aggravates your lower body or causes pain, you can use a meditation bench, sit back on your heels, or even incorporate mindful walking.
• Focusing Options: Some zazen practices are “just sitting,” while others use the breath as an anchor.”

As you can see, not only is sitting zazen the meditation and mindfulness practice listed in the Recipe, but the first suggested tip for adaptation is exactly how I sat zazen as it outline in the Recipe.

Okay acceptance

Initial query:

did howard shifke coin the term “okay” as general acceptance of life’s events for helping parkinson’s

AI Overview response:

“Yes. Howard Shifke coined the term “Okay acceptance” as a mental tool within his self-developed program, the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery.

He defined this concept as having “general acceptance of life’s events” so that individuals do not judge or criticize themselves for what they can or cannot do each day, which helps create a strong emotional foundation.”

Next query:

is “okay” acceptance of life helpful for parkinson’s patients

AI Overview response:

“Yes, reaching an “okay” acceptance of life is highly helpful for Parkinson’s patients. It does not mean giving up; rather, it means letting go of what you cannot control to free up mental and physical energy for what you can manage.

Why Acceptance is Beneficial

• Reduced Anxiety: Accepting unpredictable symptoms lessens the emotional strain of fighting the disease’s daily realities. 
• Psychological Flexibility: It helps preserve self-esteem and identity by allowing patients to adapt to changes rather than viewing them as personal failures. 
• Better Self-Care: Conserving energy that would otherwise be wasted on frustration allows patients to focus on vital routines like physical therapy and medication timing. 

Letting go of fear

Initial query:

does the parkinson’s recipe for recovery recommend letting go of fear as helpful for parkinson’s patients

AI Overview response:

“Yes. The “Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery” strongly recommends letting go of fear as helpful for patients.

Creator Howard Shifke emphasizes that staying in the mind with negative emotions like fear feeds Parkinson’s symptoms. The protocol teaches that moving into a positive, fearless state—filled with faith and gratitude—is required to release negative energy, get dopamine flowing, and allow for healing.

For more on the specific mental and physical techniques required for this recovery model, check out Fighting Parkinson’s…and Winning.”

Next query:

is letting go of fear helpful for parkinson’s patients

“Yes, letting go of fear is incredibly helpful for Parkinson’s patients. Fear and anxiety are not just emotional responses to a diagnosis; they are directly tied to the brain’s chemical changes. Managing these emotions can significantly improve your overall quality of life.

Why Letting Go of Fear Matters

• Reduces Physical Symptoms: Chronic stress and fear can actually worsen motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as tremors, stiffness, and freezing.
• Improves Sleep: Letting go of anxiety helps calm the nervous system, which promotes much-needed restorative sleep.
• Encourages Movement: Fear—particularly the fear of falling—can lead to social withdrawal and a sedentary lifestyle. Letting go allows you to stay active, which is crucial for maintaining mobility and delaying the progression of motor symptoms.
• Reclaims Focus: Instead of wasting energy worrying about the unpredictable future, letting go frees you to focus on what you can control.

Clinical studies and articles validating the Recipe mind healing methods

Click here for an article on sitting zazen.

Click here for a meditation and mindfulness article citing a clinical study regarding Parkinson’s. Click here for the clinical study.

Click here for a mindfulness clinical study regarding Parkinson’s.

Click here for a mindfulness clinical study for Parkinson’s motor and non-motor symptoms.

Click here for a Parkinson’s study of acceptance of the disease and creation to one’s quality of life.

Please post a comment letting us know how you are doing in your recovery journey with meditation/mindfulness, “okay” acceptance, and letting go of fear.

You are worth it!!!

All my best,

Howard

NOTE: Many people have been suffering from extremely hot weather these last couple of weeks. Click here to read May 27, 2026’s blog post, “Spring is hot and summer is coming” to understand the impact of heat and humidity on Parkinson’s symptoms and what you can do to your best to function in the extreme heat.