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Holistic Healing/Balancing Information.
Here we share ideas on balancing and healing ourselves, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically.
click here to play ENYA-Ebudae When we do walking meditation, the point is not to get somewhere, but rather to practice, using walking as the object of our attention. Even when we do have to get somewhere and must drive to do so, there is an opportunity for practice. Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Zen master and poet, has written a number of gathas, or brief verses, for enhancing our mindfulness during everyday activities, even driving a car.
Driving Meditation
by Thich Nhat Hanh
Before starting the car,
I know where I am going.
The car and I are one.
If the car goes fast, I go fast.
If we are mindful when we start our car, we will know how to use it properly. When we are driving, we tend to think of arriving, and we sacrifice the journey for the sake of the arrival. But life is to be found in the present moment, not in the future. In fact, we may suffer more after we arrive at our destination. If we have to talk of a destination, what about our final destination, the graveyard? We do not want to go in the direction of death; we want to go in the direction of life. But where is life? Life can be found only in the present moment. Therefore, each mile we drive, each step we take, has to bring us into the present moment. This is the practice of mindfulness.
When we see a red light or a stop sign, we can smile at it and thank it, because it is a bodhisattva helping us return to the present moment. The red light is a bell of mindfulness. We may have thought of it as an enemy, preventing us from achieving our goal. But now we know the red light is our friend, helping us resist rushing and calling us to return to the present moment where we can meet with life, joy and peace. Even if you are not the driver, you can help everyone in the car if you breathe and smile.
A number of years ago, I went to Canada to lead a retreat, and a friend took me across the city of Montreal. I noticed that every time a car stopped in front of me, I saw the sentence, "Je me souviens" ("I remember"), on the license plate. I did not know what they wanted to remember, perhaps their French-speaking origin, but it gave me an idea. I told my friend, "I have a present for all of you here. Every time you see a car stop in front of you with the line 'Je me souviens,' you can see it as a bell of mindfulness helping you remember to breathe and smile. And you will have plenty of opportunities to breathe and smile while driving in Montreal."
My friend was delighted! He liked it so much that he shared the practice with more than 200 people in the retreat. Later, when he came to visit me in France, he told me that Paris was not a good place to practice driving, as there were no signs "Je me souviens." I told him that he could practice with red lights and stop signs. After he left Plum Village and went back to Montreal, he wrote me a beautiful letter: "Thay, practicing in Paris was very easy. Not only did I practice with red lights and stop signs, but every time a car stopped in front of me, I saw the eyes of the Buddha blinking at me. I had to smile at those blinking eyes."
The next time you are caught in traffic, don't fight. It is useless to fight. If you sit back and smile to yourself, you will enjoy the present moment and make everyone in the car happy. The Buddha is there, because the Buddha can always be found in the present moment. Practicing meditation is to return to the present moment in order to encounter the flower, the blue sky, the child, the brilliant red light.
Posted By Koko
I saw this and thought boy does this speak directly to me....
Love the moment and the energy of the moment will
spread beyond all boundaries.
Corita Kent
When we quiet our mind, bypassing our thoughts about
the hour or day before, or our fear over what may come
tomorrow, we can more easily relish each momentthis
moment. We too often succumb to the seduction of
worrying about the past and future, which are beyond
our control. Our unwillingness to give up this
obsessive thinking keeps the joy and serenity we long
for out of reach. We forget that the power lies within
us to clear our mind and to fully experience the peace
of the moment.
Quieting our mind requires commitment and practice. We
can circumvent any thoughts and experience moments of
peacea peace that will become as seductive as our old
obsession to worry.
I will choose to give up worry today and enjoy many
peace-filled moments instead.
 Kundilini
What is Kundilini? Many people have different ways of naming it, but basically its the flow of energy through the chakra stem. This energy maintains the soul from birth to usually puberty when the chakra centers begin to open and prepare the soul and physical body for the work to be done in this life. In order for the soul to begin it's work on karma or spiritual lessons, the chakra that is in line or
associated with that energy must be open and ready to join in the process. There are exceptions, for karmic reasons of course, but for most people, the Kundilini isn't ready to open until the physical body had developed and progressed to the point of puberty.
(this will be discussed in a little more detail when we talk about chakras).
Chakras
Chakras are the energy vortices at a sub-atomic level of your spiritual body. They are the spiritual DNA holding the trace memories from past lives and act as the input centers for the cells of the body. The chakras are the physical manifestation of the soul in the human body. Simply put, the Chakras are the Soul in a physical sense.There are a few different schools of thought for how many chakras there are, their exact placement and the purpose or function of each. In the Tibetan practices there are 9 major chakra centers and multiple minor chakras. Each major center carries with it a special purpose, energy and color vibration.
Turning that around, these major chakra centers can also be stimulated by specific types of energy and other vibrations, such as sound and words. Edgar Cayce prophesied that by saying the Lords Prayer, all the chakras can be opened successfully for work.
Where are the Chakras?
The chakras can't be seen with the physical eyes, x-rays, MRIs or radio scans. They are sub-atomic energy centers located along the spinal column. Each vortex carries a special energy level that causes the chakra to spin and varying speeds.
The slowest speed spin clockwise is the Root chakra. As you move up the body toward the head, the chakra centers begin to spin faster. The only centers that spin in a counter-clockwise motion are the
Pancreas/Spleen chakras. Where as all the other chakras face forward like a round clock, the Pancreas/Spleen sit sideways in the body, almost like a bar-bell.
The energies these centers give the chakra it's own unique focus or purpose within the body. When you are working on issues of choice, you're working with the Thyroid chakra. When you working on matters of transformation within your life, your working on the
Solar Plexus chakra. Like the energy of a flame in a fire, the energy of a chakra also carries with it a specific color, as represented in the picture on the right.
The system used at Forest Moon is based on Tibetan understandings and practices for several thousand years. This system locates the centers in the following way:
Pineal (Crown, 1st vortex)
Located at the top of the head. Also known as the "crown chakra" it represents the beginning. The connection to the cosmic consciousness. The fastest spinning center, this chakra vibrates the brightest light. The color that most describes this energy level
is white.
Pituitary (2nd vortex)
Located between the brow, in the center of the forehead. Also known as the location of the "third eye", this chakra is considered to be the gateway to the higher self. Where you receive your spiritual communications. It reflects the oneness of spirit with
the oneness of life. This chakra vibrates with a violet glow.
Thyroid (3rd vortex)
Located in the throat. This chakra represents the Will center. It is the coming together of the higher and lower chakras. It is the source where spiritual will blends with physical choices. This chakra vibrates with a blue glow.
Thymus (4th vortex)
Located in the center of the chest, next to the heart. Also called the heart chakra, it synthesizes the spiritual and physical natures in harmony and love. The center of unconditional love. This chakra vibrates with a green glow.
Solar Plexus (5th vortex)
Located where the rib cage meets at the bottom. It represents the creative center, where transition takes form and shape. This center fosters the co-creation with the soul and helps the physical body manifest issues, situations and so on. This chakra vibrates
with a bright yellow glow.
Adrenals (6th vortex)
Located just a little up and behind the solar plexus. This chakra represents the protection center. This is where the body holds onto the karmic lessons for this lifetime. This center vibrates with a yellow glow, surrounded with a green border.
Pancreas (7th vortex)
Located below and to the right of the solar plexus, the Pancreas chakra governs how we honor our physical kingdom. It helps us to maintain our physical nature in balance with our spiritual natures. This center vibrates with an orange glow, much like the color of a
pumpkin.
Spleen (8th vortex)
Located below and to the left of the solar plexus, the Spleen chakra is the rejuvenation center. It helps the spiritual body heal itself after a karmic lesson has been successfully resolved, or when too much energy is put out to others or to a situation. Like the Pancreas center, this chakra vibrates with a pumpkin color.
Root (9th vortex)
Located at the base of the spine, at the cervix. The last and slowest spinning chakra this center governs security and the grounding of ones energies. The security of the soul in this embodiment for guarantee of health and survival. When the Kundilini energy first opens the spiritual body, it begins here at the base. Because this center is located within the area of the reproductive organs, the kundilini will not open until these organs are fully functional. For children, this occurs at the time of puberty. If the
kundilini is opened too soon, a child could experience sever bouts of confusion, trauma or even illness. This chakra center vibrates with a red glow.
The upper chakras (from the solar plexus up) are the perineal chakras that progress through each physical embodiment. The energy centers hold the memories, the talents and the past knowledge of all your previous lifetimes. The lower chakras are the annual centers. These chakras are re-created with each embodiment.
What Do Chakras Do?
As we progress through each embodiment, the lessons and energy we experience on a day-to-day basis will stimulate a particular chakra center. The chakras affect the regulatory flow of energy, which results in an effect of the physical body. Or simply put, the
chakras energy manifests in the body when we're working on issues that relate to the purpose or function of that chakra.
For instance:
If you're working on matters of "will", such as choosing not to stand up for yourself and speak your mind, then you may experience disturbances in your throat. If you constantly holding back how you feel, or how you WANT to express yourself, you may develop a
sore throat. The longer you ignore the lessons brought to you by this energy vortex, the more severe the disturbance in the physical body will become. The sore throat turns into strep throat and so on.
When you learn the positive force of the lessons you experience, and can move the spirit forward, the energy of the chakra works with you instead of against you. A person who can speak their will, without negative comments, can become a wondrous singer for
instance.
How To Clear Chakra Energy
Contrary to popular belief, hold or possessing a certain kind of crystal, lighting a particular colored candle or burning special type of incense will not clear the adverse energy in or around a chakra. The essence of the energy within the chakra is based in
your spirituality. You have created the situations that are currently present in your life giving you opportunities to learn lessons and repay karma. How would you be served if all you needed to do to clear that energy is run down to the neighborhood park and
find a piece of crystal? The objects can help aid in your mission to learn, or work through your karma. But they can't take it away
~Unknown
Aromatherapy Blended With Reiki
Aromatherapy employs essential oils extracted from plants. The oils can be used in three ways: by direct application, bathing in water to which a few drops of the appropriate oil have been added, and inhalation.
When used in conjunction with reiki, some oils can be applied directly on particular areas of the body, or their aroma can be made to fill the room using an aroma lamp. Below a few oils are considered and their use compared to their therapeutic value in aromatherapy.
Lavender: In aromatherapy lavender is a tonic with relaxing effects. It is also an antiseptic, an antispasmodic and stimulates the appetite. It is also used for minor burns and wounds. Its soothing effects render it helpful for headaches, tension and similar conditions.
In reiki, lavender is associated primarily with recipients who are sensitive and easily hurt. In long sessions of reiki lavender helps to promote the calm and confidence necessary for a period of building and strengthening of the life force energy.
Sandalwood: In aromatherapy, sandalwood oil is prized for its relaxing and antiseptic effects. It forms a very effective oil for application to the skin (especially facial), particularly for dry or sensitive skin.
Sandalwood oil produces an ambience conducive to the reiki therapy because the oil is considered to elicit trust and confidence, between practitioner and recipient.
Clary sage: Clary sage is a tonic, antispasmodic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and more. It is also used to treat colds, menstrual problems and its very low toxicity renders it suitable for general use.
In a session of reiki therapy, clary sage is used to open blocked channels and to enhance sensitivity.
Patchouli: Patchouli has some aphrodisiac qualities, and is also used to treat skin disorders and minor bums because of its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities.
It is also used in reiki therapy for allergies and impurities of the skin; but the fundamental use and aim is to enhance the sensual qualities and aspects of life.
http://www.holisticonline.com/Reiki/hol_reiki_benefits.htm#Effective? |
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The moment you begin resenting a person, you become his slave. He controls your dreams, absorbs your digestion, robs you of your peace of mind, and takes away the pleasure of your work. He ruins your religion and nullifies your prayers. You cannot even take a vacation without his going along.
He destroys your freedom of thought and hounds you wherever you go. There is no escape from the person you resent. He is with you when you are awake. He invades your privacy when you sleep. He is close beside you when you eat, when you drive your car, and when you are on the job.
You can never have efficiency nor happiness. He influences even the tone of your voice. He requires you to take medicine for your indigestion, headaches and loss of energy. He even steals your last moment of consciousness before you sleep.
So if you want to be a slave.
HARBOR YOUR RESENTMENT.
~Unknown
(I got this somewhere thought to share it was pretty profound hugs D)
Alternative Medicine: Definitions
What Is Alternative Medicine?
Alternative medicine is any form of practice that is outside the realm of conventional modern medicine. It covers a broad range of healing philosophies, approaches, and therapies. Most of these treatments and health care practices are not taught widely in medical schools. Examples are naturopathy, chiropractic, ayurveda, homeopathy and acupuncture. (A complete listing of alternative medical practices are given later.)
What is Complementary Medicine?
If alternative medicine or therapy is used alone or instead of conventional medicine, it is called "alternative" medicine. If the treatment or therapy is done along with or in addition to conventional medicine, it is referred to as "Complementary Medicine" as the two practices complements each other. For example, many Chinese hospitals use acupuncture to reduce the pain during the surgery instead of anesthetics. This is complementary medicine. Later, we refer to the use of sesame oil as a complementary treatment for cancer. Dean Ornish uses life style changes to combat heart disease. These are all examples of complementary medicine.
What is Holistic Medicine?
Many of the alternative practices pay attention to the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health, in addition to the physical body. Therapies like hypnosis and visualization claims to be able to change physical conditions through purely mental interventions. They believe that our bodies are remarkably resilient machines, capable, with some occasional prodding or intervention, of healing themselves. The name "holistic medicine" came from this unification of the mind and the body. Holistic practitioners treat the "whole person" as opposed to the individual organs of the body where symptoms occur. The importance of self care and preventing illness are stressed by holistic practitioners.
What is Natural Medicine?
Any therapy that relies on the body's own healing powers may be considered natural medicine. These include herbal remedies, diet and water therapies.
http://www.holisticonline.com/Alt_Medicine/altmed_definitions.htm#what-is  Beginner's Meditation
by Catherine Sutton
The purpose of meditation is to slow down so that we can see clearly into the nature of the mind, making it possible for us to become fully present in each moment, to gain understanding of the way things truly are. It can give rise to the deep sense of calm that comes from really knowing something for yourself. In order to have peace of mind, we need to discover what is preventing us from accessing our inner peace. An uncontrolled mind can never find peace and satisfaction. Besides all the noise in our conscious minds, we also have a lot of confusion and noise in the unconscious mind. In order to create space in the mind we have to start right here.
Meditation encourages:
our ability to focus
calmness and equanimity
awareness
insight into what is going on inside us
Meditation can be difficult for beginners because it is in complete contrast to how we normally conduct our daily lives. Many meditation techniques have a similar approach they encourage you to focus on something specific such as the breath, a candle, or a mantra (called objects of meditation). Whatever arises in the mind or body, the intention is to remain focused on the object of meditation. Thoughts will arise in the mind and sensations in the body, but rather than getting caught up with these distractions, the idea is merely to observe them, not commenting, and return to the object of meditation. In time, it is possible to become a passive observer of all the feelings and sensations that come and go not attaching to them which creates a calm acceptance of the way things are.
Learning to Meditate
Set aside a time to meditate when you know you are not rushing to do something, so that you can give your full attention to it.
1. Use a posture that will allow your back to be straight without strain. This can be in a straight-backed chair or in a cross-legged position on the floor. Make sure that you are comfortable.
2. Allow your eyes to close.
3. Gather your attention and move it slowly down through your body, starting at your head, making sure that there is a sense of calm and relaxation as you go. If you notice areas of physical tension, try to let them go as you exhale.
4. Allow your thoughts, ideas, and memories to drift in and out of the mind without following them.
5. Focus your attention on the breath, and allow it to come from your lower abdomen. Notice the rise and fall of the abdomen as the breath comes in and goes out. Focus your mind on the sensation of the breath, on the movement of the abdomen, and see how difficult it is to keep your attention on this simple process. As soon as you notice that your mind has wandered, return your attention to the breath and the movement of the abdomen, using the words in and out or rising and falling as the breath comes in and goes out this can help focus the attention more sharply.
This whole process develops mindfulness, patience, and insightful understanding. At times, when meditating, you may feel sleepy or bored. When this happens, put more effort into your posture and the bodily sensations. With regular practice, you will begin to see your attitudes more clearly and will come to know what is useful for you and what is creating difficulties in your life. You will also begin to see how the mind habitually reacts to situations and how habits can stifle progress. Try to put aside fifteen to twenty minutes each day to meditate. If you do so for only five or ten minutes, the mind has hardly had time to slow down before you wind it up again.
The mind is like a pond full of water: if you stir up the water it looks muddy, cloudy, and opaque; likewise, because we are constantly agitating it, the mind becomes cloudy and busy. If you take a glass of muddy water from the pond and let it rest on a window ledge for twenty minutes, the silt will sink to the bottom, leaving clear water. In the same way, if you sit for twenty minutes without agitating the mind, your thoughts will slow down, and some clarity will emerge.
Tried and tested methods by depressives for depressives!
PAMPER YOURSELF
Take the time to be nicer to yourself when feeling down, make some allowances and don't give yourself too much of a hard time. Take things one day at a time. take warm baths, hot tea, sex, essential oils, whatever helps YOU! Use relaxation tapes Tanning beds
DISTRACTION
Keep busy with friends and family
Hobbies- eg: art, writing, reading, listening to your favourite music
Try to keep calm, using methods such as deep breaths.
Hit something soft to relieve tension.
Try a little productivity, even clean the house! Sometimes doing something practical can actually help.
THE POWER OF THE INTERNET AND REAL LIFE FRIENDS
Learn to lean on your friends, that's what we are here for!
Use of message boards. Set yourself a goal of submitting say a few posts per day
Use chat rooms to stay in touch, talk about your problems, and avoid total isolation.
Investigate 12 step programs (eg: Emotions Anonymous, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Al-Anon)
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF
Make an effort to remember to take your medications on time and keep all appointments with your psychiatrist and/ or therapist. These people are trained to help!
Stay in an environment you feel comfortable in until you are feeling more secure.
~Unknown
http://www.objectivehappiness.com/Page1.htm#who
Who Are You?
Know Thyself
GOAL: Advancement, growth and happiness in any or all areas of life, now and in the future.
HOW: Compete with the self of the present, i.e.; strengthen weaknesses by the removal of negatives and the addition of positives.
CONSEQUENCES TO SELF:
Positive: Education, growth, efficacy and happiness.
Negative: A possible temporary displacement or confusion.
CONSEQUENCES TO OTHERS:
Positive: A standard with which to aim or exceed through competition of self and then others, which in effect, raises the over-all advancement of growth and happiness of all people.
Negative: A possible temporary displacement or confusion.
ABOUT YOGA:
Concentration/Meditation practices: The benefits of the postures are greater if you concentrate the healing action where it is needed. You can incorporate a variety of affirmations, meditation/concentration practices and visualization. Meditation and concentration is covered in detail elsewhere. Many times focusing on an object or sound (like clicking of a clock) can help us concentrate and leave our distracting thoughts away.
An affirmation is a declaratory statement of yourself. They are inner-self conditioners. Our inner mind will believe everything we say with conviction and emotional force. It take some persistent repetitions to get the desired result. Typical affirmations that can be used are:
I am at my desired weight (for dieters)
My lungs are pure and clean (for smokers who want to get out of the habit)
I feel continuously alert, vital and useful (general), etc.
Even more powerful technique than affirmation is visualization. Here, we show our subconscious mind a picture of what we are talking about. Forming such picture inside your mind is called visualization.
To be effective, visualization should involve all senses, not just sight. Imagine the state or thing we want. How does it feel when we have it? What will you be with it? What does it feel? What does it look like? How does it sound? How does it taste? How does it smell? For healing therapy, visualize the state without the condition. For example, for those trying to lose weight, visualize yourself in the desired weight and physical condition and imagine the life in the new state.
In other words, you should mentally see the affected area as it receives fresh blood circulation, oxygen and physical massage. A diabetic should visualize the healing energies flowing into the pancreas, near the stomach. A rheumatic can concentrate on the release of synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is a lubricant and also disperses waste matter which can cause stiffness at joints.
Thus, most effective yoga therapy involves a three-pronged attack. When you practice yoga postures, you are strengthening the body. When you control your breathing, you are creating a chemical and emotional balance. And when you concentrate your mind on affirmations, you are practicing the power of prayer. But when all three approaches are synthesized, you are entering the most powerful mystery of healing: the basic harmony of life.
Related Topics:
Meditation in Holisticonline.com
http://www.holisticonline.com/Meditation/hol_meditation.htm
Guided Imagery in Holisticonline.com
http://www.holisticonline.com/guided-imagery.htm
Mind-Body Medicine in Holistic-online.com
http://www.holisticonline.com/hol_mindcontrol.htm
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Surya (sun) is the Soul, both of the moving and unmoving beings.
The Rig Veda
TRY THIS FOR BALANCE:
http://www.objectivehappiness.com/Page1.htm#who
You Are The ESSENCE Of Life
Essence (as relating to conscious humans):
1. Something that is, or exists; entity. 2. That which makes something what it is; intrinsic, fundamental nature (of something); Essential being. True substance.
What it takes to change your essence, is a conscious and focused effort to decide to want to change, unless you have been coerced to change.
Before the question is asked of one's self, the first objective is to know what your essence is and to be fully honest about what is the best essence for you to have.
The second objective is to use reason to know if it needs to be changed.
If you think your essence needs to change, then the third objective is to ensure it is for your own benefit and self-interest first.
The fourth objective is to make mutual agreements with others that will be the most beneficial and productive exchange of values.
The final objective is to reflect on one's own values created through productive efforts to ensure the greatest amount of happiness that you can have.
What makes your essence what it is, is your philosophy. Everyone has a philosophy, even if they don't know it.
What Is Alternative Medicine?
Alternative medicine is any form of practice that is outside the realm of conventional modern medicine. It covers a broad range of healing philosophies, approaches, and therapies. Most of these treatments and health care practices are not taught widely in medical schools. Examples are naturopathy, chiropractic, ayurveda, homeopathy and acupuncture.
This is a wonderful addy to a page with a ton of links for YOGA. If you are interested in learning more, check out our BODY MIND SOUL SPIRIT folder.
http://www.holisticonline.com/Yoga/hol_yoga_home.htm
holisticonline also has very important information regarding REIKI: what it can do for you, the qualifications one has to meet to practice reiki (so you can more easily spot a fake or a scam), warnings about serious conditions/diseases, and basically what it is all about.
check out this general link for reiki:
http://www.holisticonline.com/Reiki/hol_Reiki_home.htm Rest: a powerful natural inner resource for healing
Actually, rest is not quite the correct word for this law of healing. However, because of some confusion about the concept of`rest, we need to be clear about what we mean by rest. Rest is only one of four distinct ways we naturally stimulate the process of healing or recuperation, that is, the ability to restore energy. The others are sleep, relaxation and recreation.
Sleep. A good night's sleep is essential for physical, mental and emotional health. During deep sleep the mind rests. The more autonomic and primitive parts of the brain are then able to direct all the body's available energy to the work of healing and rejuvenation.
Rest. This means simply to give yourself some quiet time - whether daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. This rest may consist of a few minutes of meditation each day, or a day of quiet each week, or a weekend retreat once in a while - whatever works for you. When sitting quietly doing nothing, you may experience your thoughts coming to mind one after another, racing a mile a minute; the head talk never seems to stop. However, with practice, you will find yourself emerging from these quiet moments feeling energized and at peace.
Recreation. Often we are told that all work and no play is not good for your health. As a doctor once suggested to me:, "You know, my son, you can do 11 month's work in 12 months and 12 month's work in 11 months. Think it over." Vacations, even one minute vacations, are important for a productive,happy and healthy life. Take time once in a while to have fun. Give yourself permission to have fun. It's vitally important.
Relaxation. This is the power to put yourself in a special state of consciousness which is neither sleep nor rest nor recreation. Relaxation is a special condition in which deep healing can occur - healing of body, mind and spirit. Much has been written about relaxation, how to achieve it and its special effect on overall health and the healing process. In the past twenty years extensive scientific study of this phenomenon has revealed much about the mind's power to deliberately make beneficial changes in the body's biochemistry and immunological functioning through the use of physical and mental relaxation exercises.
In conclusion. Not only must we feed the body properly to maintain life and health, and not only must we keep all our bodily parts moving to maintain flexibility, suppleness and strength as we age, and not only must we keep the body clean, eliminating any toxins we ingest and any waste we produce in the process of digestion, but we must also give the body and mind the opportunity to recuperate through proper sleep, rest, relaxation and appropriate recreation.
https://members.tripod.com/zenol/rest.html
Spiritual Balance
Even if you do not believe in God, practice a religion, or believe in an afterlife, we are all connected to a universe that is greater than anything we could have created. A force greater than us gives meaning to our existence, and we are, for reasons beyond our comprehension, part of this world. Once we connect to this thought, we begin to live at a higher level of awareness in our life. Doing this requires committing to slowing down and occasionally disconnecting from the flurry of our day-to-day lives, including newspapers, television, books, magazines, and the mail.
Try some of these activities to connect with your spirituality:
Sit at the beach, a park, or any other quiet, solitary place and observe the world right around you.
Walk in a park, the woods, or any other natural place away from cars and buildings.
Feel the peacefulness as you walk without a destination.
Stand in a lake, ocean or any other natural body of water.
Look at the shapes of the clouds, the heat of the sun, the flowers, the birds and the trees. Try to imagine how they came to be and how they survive natures elements without any help from us.
Spend time in a natural environment part of every day or at least part of every week. Use it as an opportunity to think about what and who you are in relation to the larger picture, not what you are in the man-made world.
~Unknown
 Physical Balance
We are born to be physical beings just as a car is made to drive. We were not intended to sit on a couch, watch TV and eat junk food. The body flourishes when it is moving and influences all other parts of ourselves. The connection between a healthy moving body and a healthy thinking mind, spirit and love life is not coincidental. Your mind and heart open up when the body is energetic. And our physical life is not limited to exercise. It is just as important to listen, touch and see: all of the senses are part of our physical life.
Exercise in your life need not be limited to boring routines. Mixing up exercise keeps the body nd mind fresh. The list that follows is meant to suggest traditional and not-so-traditional ideas of physical movement. Consult with your doctor prior to starting any new activity on this list:
Take walks.
Garden.
Ride a bike.
Lift weights.
Clean the house.
Swim.
The body also must sleep. Just as it is important to spend energy, we also must also refuel. When these two aspects of our physical life are in balance, we can truly thrive in our waking hours.
~Unknown Emotional Balance
It is our feelings that proclaim we are not robots; our feelings connect us to our mates, our friends, our family, and nourish our soul. Love is the one part of our being that cannot be measured, x-rayed, operated on or affected by medicine or technology. It completes our existence and ignites that true feeling of being alive. Put yourself in situations that allow you to experience more of those moments in your life.
Spend quality time with your family, friends, or significant other. Turn off the television and just talk and listen to them.
Affirm a connection beyond a symbolic hug or kiss with your significant other. Make a concerted effort to connect in love. Make time to listen to your partner and ask about his or her feelings, desires, and how he or she has changed as a person.
Take a day off to be with those you love. See a friend or relative you have neglected. It is never to late to reconnect with someone.
Chances are, in this world, your priorities are split and often watered down to the extent that love is most often secondary. The only real relationship you have is with people. If your relationship to your job, hobby, television or any other non-human relationship is stronger than those with people, then you are out of balance.
http://www.simplycity.com/
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SUBMITTED BY BLUEBELLECAT:
Hi all. I thought I would share my new coping stategy for depression.
I am bipolar1, rapid cycling and I cannott tolerate antidepressants.
Ad's make me extremely irritable and cause my moods to swing uncontrollably. I have been off them for a year. Even though my moods had leveled out, I still found myself struggling with an overall sense of hopelessness, and lethargy. I had shyed away from vigorous exercise for the past 2 years because I found it also increased my irritability and anger. Before I was psychiatrically medicated, it used to relax me, and give me increased self esteem. I was determined to incorporate the exercise into my life, and regain the good feelings I once benefited from. I started slow. 10 minutes a day, at my target heart rate. Over the past 2 month I have increased up to 25 minutes, 6 days a week. The irritability and anger passed after 2 weeks. To my surprise, the depression and general anxiety I felt have also passed. This is an amazing breakthrough for me! I can now exercise without fear of triggering my mood swings. I can beat the depression without a chemical cocktail. I am also beginning to lose the 60 lbs I have gained from psychiatric meds. I am on my way to a better me!
I wanted to post this for other people who have had problems with Ads.
There are alternative ways to lift the depression. Exercise has worked great for me. It takes real dedication. I have to do it, just like i have to take my other meds. I have made it a part of my daily life.
Chris
 Meditation 101
Prayer, chanting, repeating a word to concentrate, or meditation can lower blood pressure, decease heart disease, cure infertility, and decrease AIDS symptoms. Relaxation and meditation decreases the number of doctors visits a person needs to make by up to 36%. As
many as 40-50% of infertility patients conceived after beginning the practice. Pain and surgical healing time are lessened with this approach. Meditation can de-stress your life and allow the negative impact of stress on the body to dissolve.
While many people have known and believed for years that meditation, visualizations and positive affirmations can keep your mind, body and spirit healthy, it wasn't taken seriously by the established medical community. Then a Harvard medical professor published findings of his study using these techniques.
Finally, scientific proof had shown that Spirituality Heals. Even though there is still resistance to these ideas, they are becoming more accepted within the medical establishment and by the public in general. But what took so long and why are these techniques being so
praised now? Many people such as Louise Hay, Shakti Gawain, Dr. Bernie Siegel and others have been teaching these ideas for years. It's a very simple answer - money. HMO's and managed care want to keep
costs down. Anything that could possibly do that is taken seriously.
Whatever the reason, more and more people are now understanding that the way to mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health is through the mind. Just as our spirit is what we are so is our health
what we are. Being healthy is normal and natural,; being ill is not. We all have the power to take control of our lives and manifest our own destiny. A healthy destiny, not the one that the world looks upon
today. That normal is pain, suffering and disease.
*
The first step on the road to health is to believe that you do have control. This doesn't mean that medications or medical intervention is never necessary. What is does mean is that you can reduce the use of both and in some instances, such as high blood pressure, even eliminate it. To learn to believe, you must visualize it.
Visualization is a simple yet very powerful tool.
Close your eyes and see yourself as a healthy, vibrant person. See the fit way you do things. Life is a joy because you have the energy and vitality to do all the
things you want to do. See it in your mind. See yourself doing favorite things. See yourself going for a medical check-up and the doctor telling you everything is normal and you are healthy. SEE these pictures. Take yourself through the scenes just as
though you are watching a movie. The difference is, this movie will play over and over again - until you believe it is real. Then you will make it become real.
The next step is to affirm the visualizations. Many of us are so used to viewing our health through a negative scene that this may be difficult. We may be around people who think negatively.
Affirmations are statements of acceptance that one uses to allow the manifestation of your destiny. They are powerful and positive thoughts and statements sent out to the universe. To do positive affirmations, you need to eliminate the negativity around you. If that means going to a different room, going for a walk, or finding a quiet space that is all yours. You must get away from negative thoughts and energies around you so that all your positive thoughts remain positive. As you say them out loud and to yourself, the affirmations are becoming a part of your conscious, then subconscious thoughts. Repetition will drive them deeper into your being so that they become a vital part of you. You must affirm each day that there is one more powerful than you, be this the Universe, Mother or Father of us.
Whatever your belief system, it all still fits. Next, you need to know that healthy is normal. Third, to know that your spirit, which is you, is connected to the all-powerful being in your life. You will repeat everyday: "I am a valuable person. I deserve to be
valued. I am a healthy being. It is normal to be healthy and vital. My health is part of my being and my being is connected to the higher self. " Soon, this will be the normal way you approach your health. Not the negative way the world has made it.
Visualizations and affirmations are important, but how do we bring it all together and de-stress. The answer is very simple - meditation. During meditation, you
will re-play the movie you have set up. During meditation, you will repeat your affirmations. Meditation will de-stress you. Many people do not have any idea how to meditate.
Meditation is simple, yet requires concentration, preparation and some items to make your thoughts clear and positive. The preparation is both psychological
and physical. (This is a fast overview of medittion. More detailed instructions for meditative technique are available.) The psychological means that you must
talk to yourself and give yourself permission to have 30-60 minutes of time where only you are the concern; that all other activities may cease; that all other
thoughts can be left until after your time with yourself
Physical preparation includes finding a quiet time in your day when negativity is at a minimum. It may mean going to a special place that is yours alone at a time
when there is the least amount of activity around. Find a comfortable chair or area to sit. A place that will not intrude on your thoughts. Your body must be
relaxed. This can be done with yoga or other exercises, a hot bath, deep breathing. Lighting incense sometimes helps. Do whatever relaxes your body. You may also find it helpful to use an object to fixate on when you are beginning meditation. Candles work well since the flicker of the flame requires concentration.
Once all the preparations are in place and you are relaxed, sit and concentrate on your object while slowly breathing in - and - out. Empty all thoughts from your mind so that all you can see or think of is your object and your breathing. With each breath in tell yourself that your are breathing in the energy of the Universe. Breathe out the stress and relax each muscle of your body beginning at your feet and moving up. Do this until your entire body is deeply relaxed. Then begin the movie in your mind, repeating your affirmations as it plays. Allow yourself to SEE and
BELIEVE. At the end of your meditation session, you will be surprised at how refreshed and invigorated you feel.
By practicing these techniques 30-60 minutes a day, you will soon notice that you are feeling happier and healthier than you have ever felt. You will also find a peace within yourself you have not known before. This is because the realization that you manifest your destiny gives you a power that you have never known.
Once the technique is very familiar to you and you are ready, you can move on to other visualizations and affirmations for your life.
Prayer, chanting, repeating a word to concentrate, or meditation can lower blood pressure, decease heart disease, cure infertility, and decrease AIDS symptoms. Relaxation and meditation decreases the number of doctors visits a person needs to make by up to 36%. As many as 40-50% of infertility patients conceived after eginning the practice. Pain and surgical healing time are lessened with this approach. Meditation can de-stress your life and allow the negative impact of stress on the body to dissolve. While many people have
known and believed for years that meditation, visualizations and positive affirmations can keep your mind, body and spirit healthy, it wasn't taken seriously by the established medical community. Then a Harvard medical professor published findings of his study using these techniques. Finally, scientific proof had shown that spirituality Heals.
Even though there is still resistance to these ideas, they are becoming more accepted within the medical establishment and by the public in general. But what took so long and why are these techniques being so praised now? Many people such as Louise Hay, Shakti Gawain, Dr. Bernie Siegel and others have been teaching these ideas for years. It's a very simple answer - money. HMO's and managed care want to keep costs down. Anything that could possibly do that is taken seriously.
Whatever the reason, more and more people are now understanding that the way to mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health is through the mind.
Just as our spirit is what we are so is our health what we are. Being healthy is normal and natural,; being ill is not. We all have the power to take control of our lives and manifest our own destiny. A healthy destiny, not the one that the world looks upon
today. That normal is pain, suffering and disease.
The first step on the road to health is to believe that you do have control. This doesn't mean that medications or medical intervention is never necessary. What is does mean is that you can reduce
the use of both and in some instances, such as high blood pressure, even eliminate it. To learn to believe, you must visualize it.
Visualization is a simple yet very powerful tool.
Close your eyes and see yourself as a healthy, vibrant person. See the fit way you do things. Life is a joy because you have the energy and vitality to do all the things you want to do. See it in your mind. See yourself doing favorite things. See yourself going for
a medical check-up and the doctor telling youeverything is normal and you are healthy. SEE these pictures. Take yourself through the scenes just as though you are watching a movie. The difference is,
this movie will play over and over again - until you believe it is real. Then you will make it become real.
The next step is to affirm the visualizations. Many of us are so used to viewing our health through a negative scene that this may be difficult. We may be around people who think negatively. Affirmations are statements of acceptance that one uses to allow the manifestation of your destiny. They are powerful and positive thoughts and statements sent out to the universe. To do positive affirmations, you need to eliminate the negativity around you. If that means going to a different room, going for a walk, or finding a quiet space that is all yours. You must get away from negative thoughts and energies around you so that all your positive thoughts remain positive. As you say them out loud and to yourself, the
affirmations are becoming a part of your conscious, then subconscious thoughts. Repetition will drive them deeper into your being so that they become a vital part of you. You must affirm each day that there is one more powerful than you, be this the Universe, Mother or Father of us.
Whatever your belief system, it all still fits. Next,you need to know that healthy is normal. Third, to know that your spirit, which is you, is connected to the all-powerful being in your life. You will repeat everyday: "I am a valuable person. I deserve to be valued. I am a healthy being. It is normal to be healthy and vital. My health is part of my being and my being is connected to the higher self. " Soon, this will be the normal way you approach your health. Not the negative way the world has made it.
Visualization is a simple yet very powerful tool. Close your eyes and see yourself as a healthy, vibrant person. See the fit way you do things. Life is a joy because you have the energy and vitality to do all the things you want to do. See it in your mind. See yourself doing favorite things. See yourself going for a medical check-up and the doctor telling you everything is normal and you are healthy. SEE these pictures. Take yourself through the scenes just as though you are watching a movie. The difference is, this movie will play over and over again - until you believe it is real. Then you will make it become real.
The next step is to affirm the visualizations. Many of us are so used to viewing our health through a negative scene that this may be difficult. We may be around people who think negatively. Affirmations are statements of acceptance that one uses to allow the manifestation of your destiny. They are powerful and positive thoughts and statements sent out to the universe. To do positive affirmations, you need to eliminate the negativity around you. If that means going to a different room, going for a walk, or finding a quiet space that is all yours. You must get away from negative thoughts and energies around you so that all your positive thoughts remain positive. As you say them out loud and to yourself, the
affirmations are becoming a part of your conscious, then subconscious thoughts. Repetition will drive them deeper into your being so that they become a vital part of you. You must affirm each day that there is one more powerful than you, be this the Universe, Mother or Father of us.
Whatever your belief system, it all still fits. Next, you need to know that healthy is normal. Third, to know that your spirit, which is you, is connected to the all-powerful being in your life. You will repeat everyday: "I am a valuable person. I deserve to be
valued. I am a healthy being. It is normal to be healthy and vital. My health is part of my being and my being is connected to the higher self. " Soon, this will be the normal way you approach your health. Not the negative way the world has made it.
Walk with the Angels, Love is the road to Peace,Namaste'
I would like to once again thank Nightengale for allowing us to view her meditation 101 thread and for sharing the healing ! warm hugs my friend !
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