Mood:  cheeky

By Jenn Savedge

Health experts have known for some time that exposure to light helps to regulate the body's internal clock. That's why humans get sleepy when it's dark outside and start to wake when it's light out. But new research has found that it may be more than light affecting our circadian rhythms; it may be the color of that light that really makes a difference.
 
For the study, researchers from the University of California, Santa Cruz took a look at how mice were affected by the color of the light they were exposed to. Specially, researchers wanted to know if the color of light affected the suprachiasmatic nucleus — the part of the brain that helps vertebrates regulate time using electrical and chemical signals.
 
To test this, researchers exposed mice to various colors and intensities of light while measuring nerve signals in the suprachiasmatic. Using an artificial sky, the mice were tested at various intensities of light, from bright light to complete darkness. And they were also tested when they were exposed to colors of light, such as the pinks and oranges that one might see during sunrise and sunset.
 
Researchers found that when the mice were exposed to light, as well as the various colors of light, they behaved perfectly normally. But when they were exposed to light that went from bright to dark without the color cues, their suprachiasmatic nerve signals lagged behind by about 30 minutes. Other physiological changes — such as a drop in body temperature — that might indicate the mice were ready to sleep also lagged behind by 30 minutes without exposure to colors.

Read more: http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/blogs/its-the-color-of-light-that-matters-for-sleep#ixzz3YQW8xAQB

Posted by Neil Bartlett DHyp M.A.E.P.H at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Friday, 22 May 2015 16:01 MEST

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Mood:  bright

Can mindfulness practice (meditation) help vanquish mental disorders? According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 7.7 million Americans suffer from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder – approximately 3.3% of the US population when combined. Of these, approximately 40% of the individuals with schizophrenia and 51% of those with bipolar are untreated in any given year, but with the new studies being presented by Juan Santoyo and his peers, there could be strong scientific proof that meditation could help even the most debilitating psychological disorders.

Juan Santoyo is studying neuro and contemplative sciences, and he isn’t doing it ‘just to tickle his fancy,’ but to solve the real problem of mental disorders in our society. He presented his findings at the 12th Annual International Scientific Conference of the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

He noticed when his family emigrated from Columbia that many homeless people suffered from psychological orders that often went untreated. Instead of pumping them full of pharmaceutical meds, he sees another plausible solution based on the preliminary results of a study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.

The paper describes how meditation affects a subject’s ability to change brain activity in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Given the chance to observe real-time feedback on their PCC activity, some meditators were even able to control the levels of activity there.

“You can observe both of these phenomena together and discover how they are co-determining one another,” Santoyo said. “Within 10 one-minute sessions they [participants in a meditation study] were able to develop certain strategies to evoke a certain experience and use it to drive the signal.”

Mindful Meditation

Of course this is far from the first study to show how meditation can trigger mental and even genetic alterations, but for some scientists, the revelation that meditating can actually trigger molecular changes is groundbreaking. While science certainly isn’t needed to experience or even prove the benefits of this ancient practice, these studies are likely heavily contributing to doctors prescribing things like meditation to patients instead of medications.

This has profound implications for those who suffer from psychiatric conditions, since it is known that certain mental challenges can be mapped to certain areas of the mind.

In the study Santoyo was involved with, he found that carefully coded data on experience — “grounded theory methodology” — supports the formulation and testing of hypotheses and a scientific investigation of mindfulness. . . specifically to aid those who have mental health issues. In a study he published on ‘effortless awareness,’ a phenomenon that often accompanies meditation, he noticed that specific memories or thoughts that caused distress could be changed with feedback after a meditation session.

While studying at Brown University, Santoyo has also noted that “these practices [meditation] have allowed him to feel more engaged with what he is studying, to become more adept at handling difficult situations, and to perform better academically.”

From better grades, to handling life’s challenges with greater élan, to helping the homeless, the further study of meditation and mindfulness has a lot to offer. If Santoyo and others studying this phenomenon are correct, more than 7 million Americans could benefit.

About the Author

Christina Sarich is a musician, yogi, humanitarian and freelance writer who channels many hours of studying Lao Tzu, Paramahansa Yogananda, Rob Brezny,  Miles Davis, and Tom Robbins into interesting tidbits to help you Wake up Your Sleepy Little Head, and See the Big Picture. Her blog is Yoga for the New World. Her latest book is Pharma Sutra: Healing the Body And Mind Through the Art of Yoga.

Source - http://wakingtimes.com

Posted by Neil Bartlett DHyp M.A.E.P.H at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Sunday, 10 May 2015 18:42 MEST

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Mood:  bright

A mindfulness-based therapy could offer a "new choice for millions of people" with recurrent depression, a Lancet report suggests.

Scientists tested it against anti-depressant pills for people at risk of relapse and found it worked just as well.

The therapy trains people to focus their minds and understand that negative thoughts may come and go.

In England and Wales doctors are already encouraged to offer it.

Patients who have had recurrent clinical depression are often prescribed long-term anti-depressant drugs to help prevent further episodes.

And experts stress that drug therapy is still essential for many.

In this study, UK scientists enrolled 212 people who were at risk of further depression on a course of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) while carefully reducing their medication.

Patients took part in group sessions where they learned guided meditation and mindfulness skills.

The therapy aimed to help people focus on the present, recognise any early warning signs of depression and respond to them in ways that did not trigger further reoccurrences.

Researchers compared these results to 212 people who continued to take a full course of medication over two years.

By the end of the study, a similar proportion of people had relapsed in both groups. And many in the MBCT group had been tapered off their medication.

Scientists say these findings suggest MBCT could provide a much-needed alternative for people who cannot or do not wish to take long-term drugs.

In their report, they conclude it "may be a new choice for millions of people with recurrent depression on repeat prescriptions."

Nigel Reed, who took part in the study, added: "Mindfulness gives me a set of skills which I use to keep well in the long term.

"Rather than relying on the continuing use of anti-depressants, mindfulness puts me in charge, allowing me to take control of my own future, to spot when I am at risk and to make the changes I need to stay well."

Full Story from BBC

Posted by Neil Bartlett DHyp M.A.E.P.H at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Sunday, 26 April 2015 14:15 MEST

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Mood:  happy

We are human so stress is an inevitable part of our existence however, stress can cause problems to your both physical and emotional health. High levels of stress can cause a decline in life satisfaction, create problems with concentration, and even cause depression and anxiety.

Even though stress cannot be avoided, there are ways in which it can be reduced, if not completely alleviated. Sound therapy is an effective treatment for the relief of stress and anxiety when life's demands become overwhelming.  Sound therapy is not difficult to do.  It consists of listening to relaxing, therapeutic sounds or music for several hours per day.

This can happen by listening to soothing sounds, such as the sounds of a gentle creek flowing, are used.  Often times, sound therapy consists of music therapy.  Music therapy is the listening of soft, relaxing music in a session, promoting relaxation.

There are different ways in which sound therapy is used as a technique for relieving stress and anxiety.

1) By repeatedly listening can have a long-term calming effect two to three hours per day can help with stress management.  But may need to be more or less depending on the situation Music therapy helps increase concentration and memory as well as reduces stress.

2) Sound therapy can be combined with exercise, such as walking, to help elevate mood as well as physical health.

3) Yoga is commonly used while practicing sound therapy. Slow, controlled movements and stretching of the muscles while listening to soothing sounds creates a relaxing experience.

4) Listening to the right music or sounds can enhance the benefits of meditation. Clearing the mind can reduce stress and worry.

5) Sound therapies can be combined with specific visualizations to help create calmer thoughts.

Music that is rhythmic stimulates brain waves. With the right brainwave entertainment, even physical healing can take place during sound therapy.

A slow, steady rhythm can soothe the mind. When the mind is calm, the body and spirit will naturally align positively, healing itself.

However, remembering to create the right environment for sound therapy is important for relaxation.  There is nothing more powerful than the human mind. Sound therapy can help keep the mind healthy, therefore keeping the rest of the body healthy as well.

Posted by Neil Bartlett DHyp M.A.E.P.H at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Sunday, 19 April 2015 18:22 MEST

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Mood:  quizzical

Exercise shown to help reduce inflammation

Yoga can re-energise women who have battled breast cancer.

Just three months of practising postures, breathing and meditation cut fatigue in cancer survivors by more than half.

Inflammation, which is linked to health problems from heart disease to frailty, and increases the odds of cancer coming back, was also eased.

The large, U.S. based study suggests that something as cheap and gentle as yoga could be of huge benefit to breast cancer patients.

Breast cancer is Britain’s most common cancer with almost 50,000 cases a year.

Survival rates are improving but the gruelling treatments can leave women feeling worn out for months – or even years – after they have stopped.

The Ohio State University researchers recruited 200 women who had survived cancer of varying degrees of severity.

Half were asked to attend 90-minute yoga classes twice a week and practise at home, if they could.

The other women were told to go about life as normal but promised yoga classes after the study was finished.

The women, who had undergone surgery and powerful treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, were also quizzed about their energy levels and subjected to blood tests.

None had done any yoga before the start of the study.

Three months after the yoga classes had ended, fatigue was an average of 57 per cent lower in attendees, the Journal of Clinical Oncology reports.

This is important as persistent tiredness can make people more frail by reducing the amount of exercise they are able to do. As a result, even day-to-day activities become more challenging.

The study also showed that the more yoga a woman did, the greater the boost in energy levels.

Blood tests showed a reduction in levels of compounds linked to the inflammation.

The psychological benefits of yoga have been much studied but this research is some of the first to pin down some of the underlying biology.

Read more: dailymail.co.uk

Posted by Neil Bartlett DHyp M.A.E.P.H at 00:01 CET

Updated: Tuesday, 17 February 2015 13:27 CET

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Mood:  happy

We have all heard the phrase “You are the Master of your own Destiny”. What this means in Law of Attraction terms is that you create your reality and attract into your life circumstances that align to your current state of thinking. We all want to have the most amazing life possible (at least on a soul level – even if the subconscious is in conflict) – but do you have the ability to take the helm and steer your own life?

The Universe responds well to clear and strong manifestation requests coming from a place of confidence, empowerment and self belief. When you are strong and clear in yourself – the Universe can hear you and you are more likely to get what you want. But at the same time you have to make it happen for yourself and be able to take action steps that will get you there. It is the action that is the stumbling block for many. There is a desire, a wish, a dream – and then there is the end result out their in the ethers – as yet unmanifested – but in between is a gaping chasm that can only be bridged through the path of action which requires a degree of self mastery.

Self mastery is the ability to create for yourself what you want in your life from a place of clarity, whilst having the focus and determination not to yield to external distractions that will take you away from where you want to be. When you know what you want and you believe you can have what you want and you can do the action steps –  you will receive or experience it.

So how can one become the Master of one’s Destiny and harness the Law of Attraction to its fullest?

Here are 5 basic steps that can greatly improve your ability to create your own life.

1. Recognize you have the power to choose. If you are not where you want to be – you have to narrow the gap through the power of conscious and clear choices. Your life is a product of your choosing and if you want to manifest well you have to be able to become aware of what you are choosing! If your subconscious is doing it for you – then you are at the mercy of the unknown. Make it a point to know yourself better.

Your whole life is the product of your choices.

Positively affirming choices take you closer to your ideal – negative choices take you further away. You can compound the power of positive choices to build a powerful field of intent that will attract positive circumstances into your life. If you believe you cannot choose – you are a victim and must then just hope for the best. Being a victim to outer circumstance is a power drain and not fun. Look to see where you give your power away externally. For as long as you do this – others will choose for you – every time – on their terms!

2. Make sure your life is on your terms. Your life has to work for you if you are going to create anything. Working on all levels. Work in work that works for you. Making the money that gives you the life that you want. Manifesting the clients that suit you.

Do a reality check and see who’s terms are running your life?

If they are not yours – you are not a Sovereign Being and you will be living the life stories of others.

Once your life is on your own terms – other people’s stories will not trouble you or sway you from your path. A LOT of obstacles on the path to creating your ideal life will have root causes in living on other’s peoples terms. To have the power to live your own life – take it back from those who you gave it to in the first place. Other people – if you let them – will put rocks in your path – when you least expect it.

Wow! Where did those rocks come from !?

Know what you want and make sure that you are in control of your own life – at all times.

3. Be Yourself. As you have the potential to become your own Master – the way to realize this is to be authentic to yourself. Do not be concerned about what others may think, what people want you to wear, what people want you to be like or worry about getting permission from the outside to be who you want to be. Just be yourself. If you are concerned about other peoples thoughts and opinions – there is some self-love work to do so that you can develop a stronger sense of self determination.

The Universe does not care for ‘hoop jumping’ or ‘people pleasing’. Please yourself and you will please those who respect and appreciate you. If people do not respect and appreciate you – the chances are you do not want them around anyway.

4. Be aware of dream-stealers. Make sure you do not share your manifestation wishes with those who believe you should not have it. If people would never consent to what you want – ask yourself what are you doing in their lives? There is a power in keeping one’s mouth shut in such cases.

Blabbing to the whole world about what you want will dilute your energy and prevent you getting what you want. What you will then get is a mixture of your dreams mixed in with a dose of everyone else’s dreams – whether agreeable or not!

Intent and focus is magnified when you strengthen up your energy field and cease being the loose cannon. Many of us like to post our wishes and dreams in Facebook groups so that we can get support in manifesting them – but it does not work like that. There are big Facebook Support Groups out there for Manifestors but the truth is that the words Manifestation and Support Group are a contradiction in terms. Only you can create your own life. You are responsible for it. No-one else can do it for you. If you are weak willed and ask others to help – you will attract into your life those who do not have your best interests at heart.

If you need support, hire a therapist first to sort out the emotional problems so that you can stand on your own two feet. Then think about using the Law of Attraction after.

5. Do not take crap or crappy behaviour from people. A big one but an important one. People like trying to crap over successful people because they hate their own life and feel envious, jealous or downright hateful. Learn how to deal with it and develop a thick skin. Be loving and soft on the inside and know when to share that – but make sure you have some protection in the world. Learn how to give karma back that is not yours and learn how to not attract crap in the first place.

Many philosophies talk about love and forgiveness but the real forgiveness is in releasing your emotional attachment to the story so that it no longer affects your life. Period.

The more you love and respect yourself – the less you will be presented with other people’s emotional crap. Once you have the above 5 in place – you are well on the way to manifesting your amazing and abundant life.

About the Author

Free Spirit is a Spiritual Master and a Teacher of Ascension after spending his whole life in pursuit of spiritual understanding. He is also the author of Keys to Immortality (his third book) and has some public discourses on You Tube. He also builds Merkabah structures to enhance dreaming as well as teaching dreaming workshops and providing personal and in depth spiritual mentoring to VIP clients.

His website is at www.keystoimmortality.com and his You Tube Channel is here https://www.youtube.com/user/FREENANDAY

Source - http://wakingtimes.com

Posted by Neil Bartlett DHyp M.A.E.P.H at 00:01 CET

Updated: Monday, 5 January 2015 19:46 CET

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Mood:  amorous

Have you ever noticed how good it feels to walk barefoot on a sandy beach, or in a forest? There is a reason for that—it’s called the grounding effect. The reason for this sense of well-being is due to the fact that you’re receiving a surge of potent healing electrons from the ground.

The earth has a slightly negative charge, so when you stand barefoot on that sand, electrons from the earth flow into your body, giving you a virtual “transfusion” of healing power.

The featured documentary, The Grounded 2, is a sequel to the film The Grounded, released in 2013. The sequel features Step Sinatra, the son of cardiologist Stephen Sinatra MD, astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell, and yours truly, among many others.

Step was a Wall Street trader until his health suddenly began to decline, bringing him to the brink of death. He credits his ultimate recovery to learning about grounding, along with a switch to an all-organic diet.

In 2010, his father, Dr. Stephen Sinatra released a book on the healing power of grounding called Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?, co-authored with Clint Ober, one of the pioneers in this field.

The producers of this film are allowing a full and FREE viewing through 8/8. You can learn more about this film by CLICKING HERE.

The Ultimate Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory

Grounding or Earthing is defined as placing one’s bare feet on the ground whether it be dirt, grass, sand, or concrete (especially when humid or wet). When you ground to the electron-enriched earth, an improved balance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system occurs.

The earth is a natural source of electrons and subtle electrical fields, which are essential for proper functioning of immune systems, circulation, synchronization of biorhythms and other physiological processes and may actually be the most effective, essential, least expensive, and easiest to attain antioxidant.

Modern science has thoroughly documented the connection between inflammation and all of the chronic diseases, including the diseases of aging and the aging process itself. It is important to understand that inflammation is a condition that can be reduced or prevented by grounding your body to the Earth, the way virtually all of your ancestors have done for hundreds if not thousands of generations.
How the Modern Running Shoe May Be Destroying Your Health

Materials such as metals are electrical conductors. They contain free or mobile electrons that can carry electrical energy from place to place.

Your body is somewhat conductive because it contains a large number of charged ions (called electrolytes) dissolved in water. Your blood and other body fluids are therefore good conductors. Free or mobile electrons can also move about within your body.

Other materials, called insulators, have very few free or mobile electrons. Plastic and rubber are good insulators and are used to cover electrical wires to keep the conductors from touching each other and from touching your skin, which could otherwise give you a shock.

Traditionally, shoes were made of leather, which actually conducts electrons and therefore maintains a conductive contact between the earth and your feet. However, modern day rubber and plastics are electrical insulators and therefore block the beneficial flow of electrons from the Earth to your body.

Grounding Is a Foundational Aspect for Optimal Health

Free radical stress from exposure to mercury pollution, cigarettes, insecticides, pesticides, trans fats, radiation, and many others, continually deplete your body of electrons.

This is one of the primary reasons why antioxidants are used, which actually donate electrons back into your body, to help ward off free radical damage to your tissues.

You can also get these electrons by going outside, barefoot. Touching the earth helps neutralize the damaging positive charges of free radicals in your body.

According to Clint Ober, this lack of grounding appears to be an underlying thread in most chronic disease—a phenomenon he calls “electron deficiency syndrome.”

For a visual demonstration of this, review my previous article, which features an experiment conducted by Gary Schwartz, PhD, at the University of Arizona. Using sunflowers, he demonstrates the powerful biological effects of grounding.
The Health Effects of Grounding

When your body is exposed to a lot of free radical stress, your blood tends to thicken, and positive charges accumulate in your body. This causes chronic inflammation, which is a hallmark of most chronic and degenerative diseases.

Grounding effectively helps alleviate inflammation in your body. It also helps thin your blood, by providing your red blood cells with a surplus of electrons so they can effectively repel each other and avoid being sticky, which can lead to blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke. Research has demonstrated it takes about 80 minutes for the free electrons from the earth to reach your bloodstream and transform your blood cells.

For example, early (and even some current) birth control pills were notorious for causing heart attacks in women. One of the mechanisms responsible for this increased risk is that synthetic estrogens and progesterones increase blood viscosity. Other biochemical alterations caused by grounding include changes in:

Phosphorus
Calcium metabolism
Fibroid metabolism
White blood cells

Grounding also helps calm your sympathetic nervous system, which supports your heart rate variability, which plays an important role in balancing, in your autonomic nervous system. Pain relief, improved sleep, and a generally enhanced sense of well-being are but a few of the health benefits reported by people who try grounding.

Last but not least, when you are grounded to the earth, the negatively charged electrons you receive increase the structure of the water in your cells—just as water increases in structure when a negative charge is introduced by an electrode.

As explained by Gerald Pollack, PhD, author of The Fourth Phase of Water: Beyond Solid, Liquid, and Vapor, living water is negatively charged water. This water can hold energy, much like a battery, and can deliver energy too. In essence, when you ground, you are charging every single cell in your body with energy your body can use for self-healing.

How to Ground, Both Indoors and Outdoors

Walking barefoot is one of the easiest and best ways to get and stay grounded, but you’ll need to do so on the proper surface. Many walking surfaces in today’s modern world will NOT allow for electron transfer between the earth and your body. This includes asphalt, wood, rubber, plastic, vinyl, tar, and tarmac. Surfaces that will allow your body to ground include:

Sand (beach)
Grass (preferably moist)
Bare soil
Concrete and brick (as long as it’s not painted or sealed)
Ceramic tile

Even indoors, and while flying, there are ways to help you stay grounded. As noted in the film, touching the faucet with one hand while shaving with the other helps you ground. And when flying, you can take off your shoes and place your feet (bare or with socks) on the steel struts of the chair in front of you, as this too will help you stay grounded. There are also grounding pads you can use to sleep or sit on, which can be particularly beneficial if you live in a high-rise building.

Grounding May Be Essential for Life and Health

It’s important to understand that grounding is not a “treatment” or a “cure” for any disease or disorder. Rather, it is one of the key mechanisms by which your body maintains equilibrium and health. The human body evolved in constant contact with the earth, and your body needs this continuous interchange of energy in order to function properly.

Exercising barefoot outdoors is one of the most wonderful, inexpensive and powerful ways of incorporating grounding into your daily life. You can also simply take off your shoes as much as you can when you’re outdoors to take advantage of these natural grounding opportunities.

Source - Dr. Mercola

Posted by Neil Bartlett DHyp M.A.E.P.H at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Saturday, 1 November 2014 13:23 MEST

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Mood:  lyrical

By Luminita Saviuc - http://wakingtimes.com

“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.”
~ Robert Muller

Do you consider yourself to be a forgiving or resentful person? If somebody has hurt you in the past or did something to make you suffer, would you hold on to those past events, thoughts and feelings, or would you just let them go?

I always say that where there is anger, hate, revenge, bitterness, there is also a lot of pain underneath, and I really believe that to be true. A person who is blissful and content with herself and the world around, no matter how many mean people she will encounter and no matter how much pain those people may cause her to feel, she will always respond with love, kindness and compassion instead of anger, hate and resentment.  Loving people know that an eye for an eye would only leave the whole world blind, like Gandhi said it, and they choose to do no harm to the world around them.

“If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives: Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies: Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank people will try to cheat you: Be honest anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight: Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous of you: Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten by tomorrow: Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough: Give your best anyway.”
~ Mother Teresa

I know it’s a lot easier to give back exactly what you receive, and in this case, a lot of negativity, but we don’t want to do what’s easier, but rather what is best for our health, our well being and that of those around us. I know that people can be really mean sometimes, and that they can do horrible things to those they come in contact with, to those they love and care about, but I also believe that people can change, and this is why it’s so important to give up on your personal history that you might have had with those people, and allow them to show you just that.

If you keep an inner record of what this/that person did to you, and what they said to you, and how they made you feel, how much pain they may have caused you, etc. , every time you will come into contact with them, you will be reminded of all those things, and you will never be able to forgive and forget, nor to allow them to show you how sorry they are for what happened. No matter if they did all of those things on purpose or not, by holding on to grudge, anger or whatever it is that you are holding on to, you will bring even more pain upon your shoulders.

Just think about it. How is it possible to affect them with your hate, or whatever feelings you have towards them? You sit at home, ruminating about all the times they have mistreated you; and all the times they have hurt you; and all the many horrible things they did to you; making all kind of scenarios in your head about the things you want to tell them, and about the many ways you could get even… You spend most of your time doing just that, when the people you hate so much are probably having the time of their lives, not being affected by your feelings at all. It just doesn’t make any sense. Your ego might tell you that it does, but deep down in your heart you know that what you are doing is pretty crazy and disturbing.

I guess it’s time for you to stop, don’t you think? Forgive and forget, not for them, but for your own sake. Why spend your time thinking about something that would only attract more anger and drain you of your emotional, physical, and mental energy, ignoring all the beauty that is present in and all around you…? What’s done is done. Let it go. Detach yourself from it.

"For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness".
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of the many mistakes people make in this case, I would say, is that they choose to hold on to something that is not healthy for them, just because they aren’t willing to let go of some past resentments. Why won’t you let go of something that is causing you so much pain?

"Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear just as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten".
~Buddha

Here’s what I would like you to do: take a sheet of paper and a pen, and write down a couple of questions, questions that are meant to help you see things differently, and help you let go of your own misery. After you write each question, try giving an honest answer to each and every one of them:

Who is the person that mistreated you? Is it your mother, your father, your spouse, is it your child, your best friend, your neighbor  your dog, your cat? Who is it?

Do you think they did what they did just to hurt you? Do you think they did it on purpose?

Do you think it’s possible for you to forgive them, and I mean, really forgive them?

Do you think it’s possible for you to forget everything and go back to how things were before?

Would you rather hold on to your anger than go back to being friends? Can you even remember how good it felt to be in their presence, to spend time with them?

Would you say that they are sorry for what they did?

Are you willing to give up on the relationship you had with this person because of what he/she did to you?

Is it worth being upset? Is your ego really that big?

What does your mind tell you to do?

What is your heart telling you to do?

To whom are you going to listen? Your heart, or your mind?

And then make a decision. You either choose to continue being friends with that person or not. Whatever your decision will be, you will eventually have to let go in order to be happy!

Let go of that friendship, let go of the relationship you had with this person, let go of those past resentments, let go of the hate… let go of that person you once loved. You will have to chose, and no matter what your choice would be, you will eventually free yourself.

And here’s another tip for you. If you choose with your mind, who is so critical and judgmental, and most of the time telling you all kind of crazy things that would only attract even more anger and resentment upon you, you would probably have many regrets afterwards. On the other hand, if you choose with your heart, who is constantly trying to help you see that letting go of all that negativity, would not only bring you freedom but will also help you rediscover the inner peace and happiness. It doesn’t have to be as complicated as your mind is trying to convince you life should be. Simplify your life! Listen to your mind but always follow your heart.

Posted by Neil Bartlett DHyp M.A.E.P.H at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Wednesday, 1 October 2014 18:28 MEST

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Mood:  chatty

A great deal of pharmaceutical research has gone into analyzing the active ingredients in herbs to find out how and why they work. In some cases, the action is due to a specific chemical present in the herb or it may be due to a complex synergistic interaction among various constituents of the plant. Check out these categories of herbs, and how they are beneficial in treating the human body.

1. Adaptogenic: Adaptogenic herbs increase resistance and resilience to stress, enabling the body to adapt around a problem and avoid the adverse effects of stress, such as fatigue. Many adaptogens are thought to work by supporting the function of the adrenal glands.

2. Anti-inflammatory: Herbs that soothe inflammation or reduce the inflammatory response of the tissue directly. They work in a number of ways, including inhibiting the formation of various chemicals produced by the body that tends to increase the inflammatory process.

3. Antimicrobial: Antimicrobials help the body destroy or resist pathogenic microorganisms. While some herbs contain chemicals that are antiseptic or poisonous to certain organisms, in general they aid the body's own natural immunity.

4. Antispasmodic: Antispasmodics ease cramps in smooth and skeletal muscles and alleviate muscular tension.

5. Astringent: Astringents have a binding action on mucous membranes, skin, and other tissues, reducing irritation and inflammation and creating a barrier against infection that is helpful to healing wounds and burns. This may result in toning and tightening of skin and tissues.

6. Bitter: Herbs with a bitter taste have a special role in preventative medicine. The taste triggers a sensory response in the central nervous system leading to a range of responses, including stimulating appetite and the flow of digestive juices, aiding the liver's detoxification work, increasing bile flow, and motivating intestinal self-repair mechanisms.

7. Carminative: Plants that are rich in aromatic, volatile oils stimulate the digestive system to work properly and with ease. They soothe the gut wall, reduce any inflammation that may be present, ease griping pains, and help with the removal of gas from the digestive tract.

8. Diuretic: Diuretics increase the production and elimination of urine, helping the body eliminate waste and support the whole process of inner cleansing.

9. Expectorant: Herbs that stimulate removal of mucus from the lungs. Stimulating expectorants "irritate" the bronchioles causing expulsion of material. Relaxing expectorants soothe bronchial spasms and loosen mucus, which helps dry, irritating coughs.

10. Hepatic: Hepatics tone and strengthen the liver, and can also increase the flow of bile. They are of great importance because of the fundamental role of the liver in maintaining health by facilitating digestion and removing toxins from the body.

11. Hypotensive: Hypotensives are plant remedies that lower abnormally elevated blood pressure.

12. Laxative: These are plants that promote bowel movements. They are divided into those that work by providing bulk, those that stimulate the production of bile in the liver and its release from the gall bladder, and those that directly stimulate peristalsis.

13. Nervine: Nervines help the nervous system and can be divided into three groups - tonics that strengthen and restore the nervous system, relaxants that ease anxiety and tension by soothing both body and mind, and stimulants that directly stimulate nerve activity.

14. Stimulating: Stimulants quicken and invigorate the physiological and metabolic activity of the body.

15. Tonic: Tonics nurture and enliven. They are used frequently in TCM and Ayurvedic medicine, often as a preventative measure. Tonic herbs like ginseng are thought to build vital energy, or qi.

Incorporate a variety of herbs into your lifestyle, and look into adaptogenic herbs as a great start. Check out the first source below for more information on adaptogenic herbs.

About the author:

Derek Henry, B.Kin, is a highly revered holistic health coach and world renowned natural health blogger who created Healing the Body to help people understand the fundamental principles to exceptional health so they can overcome their own health challenges.

Learn more: naturalnews.com

Posted by Neil Bartlett DHyp M.A.E.P.H at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Sunday, 21 September 2014 14:04 MEST

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Mood:  lyrical

Several astronauts who have seen Earth from space have had profoundly awakening spiritual experiences. Here’s three of them.

Seeing Earth from space will cause you to lose your shit.

In Plato’s Phaedo, Socrates said that if you could see the Earth from space, you would recognize “that is the real heaven and the real light and the real earth.”

Your eyes, no longer bound to the horizon, see the Earth both from space and in space. Your whole perspective shifts. What was once the endless expanse of blue sky now appears to be just a thin halo surrounding the planet. You can now see above the clouds to the changing atmosphere, raging thunderstorms, and auroras of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. One half of the planet turns dark and the continents light up with networks of cities. Everything appears interconnected.

This view of Earth has only been in popular awareness since 1968, when the first color photographs were taken on the Apollo missions. It represents a major shift in consciousness. Twenty years earlier, the British Astronomer Fred Hoyle said that a photograph of Earth would be “a new idea as powerful as any in history.”

Only around 500 astronauts have ever witnessed this view first hand. For some of these astronauts, seeing the Earth was a profound, life-changing, and outright mystical experience.

Below, three astronauts recount their experiences of seeing Earth from space, and the profound effect it had on their perception.

1. Edgar Mitchell

Mitchell seems to be the most vocal about his experience of seeing Earth from above. His experience left a profound spiritual impact on him. It was so impactful that he founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences in the Sonoma Valley, an institute that conducts research into meditation, consciousness and human potential.

On his experience of seeing Earth from space, Mitchell has said:

“That’s a powerful experience, to see Earth rise over the surface [of the Moon]. And I suddenly realized that the molecules in my body, and the molecules in the spacecraft and my partners had been prototyped, maybe even manufactured, in some ancient generation of stars. But instead of being an intellectual experience, it was a personal feeling… And that was accompanied by a sense of joy and ecstasy, which caused me to say ‘What is this?’ It was only after I came back that I did the research and found that the term in ancient Sanskrit was Samadhi.”

2. Russell L. Schweickart

Schweickart flew on the Apollo 9 mission. Recounting his experience of looking down at Earth, he said:

“You identify with Houston and you identify with New Orleans… And that whole process of what it is you identify with begins to shift. When you go around the Earth in an hour and a half, you begin to recognize that your identity is with that whole thing. That makes a change. You look down there and you can’t imagine how many border and boundaries you cross… and you don’t even see them. There you are—hundreds of people in the Mideast killing each other over some imaginary line that you’re not even aware of and you can’t see.”

3. Wubbo Ockels

Ockel was the first Dutch citizen in space. He passed away last month. Before dying, he composed an open letter calling for sustainable energy solutions. The letter testifies to the spiritual impact his experience as an astronaut left on him:

“We are not bees who unconsciously build a bee colony… We are not neurons that are not aware that they altogether think. No, we are intelligent beings that indeed can see and observe the behavior of our community. We are well aware of where our Humanity is heading. We can lead Humanity into a better direction if we act together. With a new believe in Humanity we can create a new religion that brings us all together.

“There are many Religions who get people together, but never all people. The different gods in whom people believe separate Humanity… This separation has led to many conflicts… These religions do not unify humanity with the earth. They [are] not sustainable. But if we believe in the holistic Humanity we will have no conflicts because we will be inseparable… The God of humanity is in each of us. This God is not outside of us. We cannot hide behind this God because it is us.”

About the Author

Andrei Burke is a freelance writer who currently resides in the Los Angeles area.

Posted by Neil Bartlett DHyp M.A.E.P.H at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Sunday, 31 August 2014 01:34 MEST

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