Category Archives: Body, Mind & Spirit

Oils for Chakra Balancing

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7 Essential Oils To Balance Your Chakras
By Sarah Walsh
January 9, 2015

Essential Oils are a great tool to help with physical ailments and spiritual growth.

These oils have been around for centuries and are making a comeback into our modern day lives. Use these oils in addition to other tools like yoga, to help bring balance to your chakra system.

The essential oils can be mixed with coconut or olive oil, and applied topically by rubbing on the feet or corresponding chakra area. Alternatively, try an aromatherapy approach by using a diffuser, or or diluting in tea or water. You can also ingest these oils in capsule form.

1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)

Located at the base of spine in tailbone area, this is where our sense of security lies.

  • Use patchouli for an enhanced sense of grounding and stability.

2. Sacral Chakra (Svadhistana)

The lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel and 2 inches in — our creativity and sexuality.

  • Ylang Ylang and sandalwood both act as an aphrodisiac to aid in our sexual and reproductive energies.

3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

The upper abdomen, in the stomach area — our self-esteem and confidence.

  • Use cinnamon to help heat up this power center, or peppermint to cool any excess fire in the system.

4. Heart Chakra (Anahata)

Located in the center of chest just above heart.

  • The scent of rose is related to our heart, and enhances romance and love. It is also helpful for alleviating depression and insomnia.

5. Throat Chakra (Vishudha)

Located in the throat — the center for self-expression.

  • Use eucalyptus to help clear sinuses and cure a sore throat or coughing, allowing this passageway to become free and clear for self-expression.

6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

At the forehead and in between the eyes is the gateway to our intuition.

  • Lavender oil is incredibly calming and great for headaches; a common occurrence whenever your third eye is blocked. We can calm the active mind with lavender to reach a higher state of consciousness.

7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

The very top of the head is our universal connection to beauty and spirituality.

  • Frankincense is one of the most spiritually-charged oils. It has been around for thousands of years, and brings us mental peace and clarity.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

from:    http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-16958/7-essential-oils-to-balance-your-chakras.html

Benefits of Pine Bark (Pycnogenol)

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The Powerful Aspirin Alternative That Grows On Trees

The Powerful Aspirin Alternative That Grows On Trees

Aspirin’s long held promises are increasingly falling flat. A natural, safer and more effective alternative to this synthetic drug has been known about for at least 15 years!

In a previous article titled “The Evidence Against Aspirin and For Natural Alternatives,” we discussed the clear and present danger linked with the use of aspirin as well as several clinically proven alternatives that feature significant side benefits as opposed to aspirin’s many known side effects.

Since writing this article, even more evidence has accumulated indicating that aspirin’s risks outweigh its benefits. Most notably, a 15-year Dutch study published in the journal Heart found that among 27,939 healthy female health professionals (average age 54) randomized to receive either 100 mg of aspirin every day or a placebo the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding outweighed the benefit of the intervention for colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention in those under 65 years of age.

Of course, aspirin is not alone as far as dangerous side effects are concerned. The entire non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) category of prescription and over-the-counter drugs is fraught with serious danger. Ibuprofen, for instance, is known to kill thousands each year, and is believed no less dangerous than Merck’s COX-2 inhibitor NSAID drug Vioxx which caused between 88,000-140,000 cases of serious heart disease in the five years it was on the market (1999-2004).  Tylenol is so profoundly toxic to the liver that contributing writer Dr. Michael Murray recently asked in his Op-Ed piece, “Is it Time for the FDA to Remove Tylenol From the Market?”

Given the dire state of affairs associated with pharmaceutical intervention for chronic pain issues, what can folks do who don’t want to kill themselves along with their pain?

Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) Puts Aspirin To Shame

When it comes to aspirin alternatives, one promising contender is pycnogenol, a powerful antioxidant extracted from French maritime pine back, backed by over 40 years of research, the most compelling of which we have aggregated on GreenMedInfo.com here: Pycnogenol Research. Amazingly, you will find research indexed there showing it may have value for over 80 health conditions.

In 1999, a remarkable study published in the journal Thrombotic Research found that pycnogenol was superior (i.e. effective at a lower dosage) to aspirin at inhibiting smoking-induced clotting, without the significant (and potentially life-threatening) increase in bleeding time associated with aspirin use. The abstract is well worth reading in its entirety:

“The effects of a bioflavonoid mixture, Pycnogenol, were assessed on platelet function in humans. Cigarette smoking increased heart rate and blood pressure. These increases were not influenced by oral consumption of Pycnogenol or Aspirin just before smoking. However, increased platelet reactivity yielding aggregation 2 hours after smoking was prevented by 500 mg Aspirin or 100 mg Pycnogenol in 22 German heavy smokers. In a group of 16 American smokers, blood pressure increased after smoking. It was unchanged after intake of 500 mg Aspirin or 125 mg Pycnogenol. In another group of 19 American smokers, increased platelet aggregation was more significantly reduced by 200 than either 150 mg or 100 mg Pycnogenol supplementation. This study showed that a single, high dose, 200 mg Pycnogenol, remained effective for over 6 days against smoking-induced platelet aggregation. Smoking increased platelet aggregation that was prevented after administration of 500 mg Aspirin and 125 mg Pycnogenol. Thus, smoking-induced enhanced platelet aggregation was inhibited by 500 mg Aspirin as well as by a lower range of 100-125 mg Pycnogenol. Aspirin significantly (p<0.001) increased bleeding time from 167 to 236 seconds while Pycnogenol did not. These observations suggest an advantageous risk-benefit ratio for Pycnogenol.” [emphasis added]”

As emphasized in bold above, pycnogenol unlike aspirin did not significantly increase bleeding time. This has profound implications, as aspirin’s potent anti-platelet/’blood thinning’ properties can also cause life-threatening hemorrhagic events. If this study is accurate and pycnogenol is more effective at decreasing pathologic platelet aggregation at a lower dose without causing the increased bleeding linked to aspirin, then it is clearly a superior natural alternative worthy of far more attention by the conventional medical establishment and research community than it presently receives.

Not Just A Drug Alternative

Pycnogenol, like so many other natural interventions, has a wide range of side benefits that may confer significant advantage when it comes to reducing cardiovascular disease risk. For instance, pycnogenol is also:

  • Blood Pressure Reducing/Endothelial Function Enhancer: A number of clinical studies indicate that pycnogenol is therapeutic for those suffering with hypertension. Pycnogenol actually addresses a root cause of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in general, namely, endothelial dysfunction (the inability of the inner lining of the blood vessels to function correctly, e.g. fully dilate).[1] It has been shown to prevent damage in microcirculation in hypertensive patients, as well as reducing the dose of blood pressure drugs in hypertensive patients,[2] including hypertensive diabetic patients.[3] It has even been found to reduce intraocular hypertension found in glaucoma patients.[4]
  • Anti-Inflammatory Effects: There is a growing appreciation among the medical community that inflammation contributes to cardiovascular disease. Several markers, including C-reactive protein are now being fore grounded as being at least as important in determining cardiovascular disease risk as various blood lipids and/or their ratios, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Pycnogenol has been found to reduce C-reactive protein in hypertensive patients.[5] Pycnogenol has been found to rapidly modulate downward (inhibit) both Cox-1 and Cox-2 enzyme activity in human subjects, resulting in reduced expression of these inflammation-promoting enzymes within 30 minutes post-ingestion.[6]  Another observed anti-inflammatory effect of pycnogenol is its ability to down-regulate the class of inflammatory enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).[7] Pycnogenol has also been found to significantly inhibit NF-kappaB activation, a key body-wide regulator of inflammation levels whose overexpression and/or dysregulation may result in pathologic cardiovascular manifestations.[8] Finally, pycnogenol has been found to reduce fibrinogen levels, a glycoprotein that contributes to the formation of blood clots; fibrinogen has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.[9]

Given the evidence for pycnogenol’s pleotrophic cardioprotective properties, we hope that pycnogenol will become more commonly recommended by health care practitioners as the medical paradigm continues to evolve past its reliance on synthetic chemicals, eventually (we hope) returning to natural, increasingly evidence-based interventions. However, it is important that we don’t fall prey to the one-disease-one-pill model, convincing ourselves to focus on popping pills – this time natural ones – as simply countermeasures or ‘insurance’ against the well known harms associated with the standard American diet, lack of exercise, and uncontrolled stress. The ultimate goal is to remove the need for pills altogether, focusing on preventing cardiovascular disease from the ground up and inside out, e.g. letting high quality food, clean water and air, and a healthy attitude nourish and sustain our health and well-being.

from:    http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/powerful-aspirin-alternative-grows-trees-1

Universal DNA

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Rainbow Galaxy-Waves and New Expressions of the Universal DNA

by Zen Gardner

by Robert Neil Boyd, PhD

Guest Writer, ZenGardner.com

“The suppression of uncomfortable ideas may be common in religion and politics, but it is not the path to knowledge, and it has no place in the endeavor of science.” -Carl Sagan

This year is going to be a really good one, as Galactic Waves are going to be passing through here, starting in about the February-March time frame. The New Reality will eventually be revealed, as the Galaxy Waves will create elevations in Consciousness, along with changes in the laws of physics, when all the sub-waves of the Galaxy Wave, have passed.

Astrophysics has observed quantized red shift arising in concentric circles from the cores of all Galaxies. [See: “Quantized Galaxy Redshifts” by William G. Tifft and W. John Cocke, University of Arizona, Sky & Telescope Magazine, Jan. 1987, pgs 19-21, and: Napier, W.M. and Guthrie, B.N.G., Quantized redshifts: a status report, J. Astrophysics and Astronomy 18(4):455–463, 1997 ] Here is a lecture by Halton Arp which explains red shift as intrinsic to galaxies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyREfCOr-Y0 [Also see: http://www.haltonarp.com/articles/the_observational_impetus_for_le_sage_gravity] These observed changes in galactic red shift values correspond with changes in the Maxwell equations, due to changes in the physical properties of the interstellar aether media. [See: Aspden, Harold. “Tutorial Note 10: Tifft’s Discovery”, Energy Science, 1997. ] TUTORIAL 10 and LECTURE NO. 6   Also see: “Stars, Galaxies, Cosmos: A Catalog of Astronomical Anomalies” by William R. Corliss http://www.science-frontiers.com/sourcebk.htm and http://www.science-frontiers.com/sf080/sf080a04.htm Also see: http://astr.ua.edu/keel/galaxies/arp.html]. For example, if the value of the charge of the electron changes, the Maxwell equations are forced to change.

Get the idea that the whole Infinite volume Universe is mostly fluid, in between the stars. Then, rather like making regular sloshes in the bathtub until it overflows the top of the bath, repeated resonant waves can “pump” galactic and intergalactic matter in the plasma state. The resulting “overflows” produce various galactic ejection phenomena, such as quasars and galactic polar jets. (Galactic jets are normally ejected perpendicular to the plane of the given galaxy.) Such plasma resonance overflow pumping events are also commonly seen in stars such as our sun, and in laboratory plasmas. Or get the idea that it is like poking a plate of jello, so the jello starts wobbling around from the poke. Our sun rings like a bell (or a plate of jello), and exhibits “sun-quakes”, when the sun is “poked”.

Such plasma-resonant electric field “pokes” can produce acceleration effects in even such massive objects such as galactic centers, which are not at all “black holes”, but enormous clusters of very closely packed and quite large stars. Such wave-periodic sloshes will produce various redshifts in cosmic objects, such as galaxies that are “near” to each other, or even within the same object, as is seen in our own galaxy and more than 1000 others, so far.

The results of such “sloshes” have been observed in galaxies as concentric rings moving outwards from the center of each galaxy, where at each ring (technically, a “domain wall”), a variance in the value of the red shift is observed, with quantized (discrete periodic) values. 72.5 km/s is the most commonly seen galactic domain-wall red-shift interval, but red shifts of 36.6 km/s and 18.3 km/s are also observed.

Galactic Wave

Where these domain wall concentric “rings” pass through, the laws of physics are changed throughout the volume of the effect, until the next ring passes through, when the laws of physics change again. That the Maxwell equations are changed in the different domain walls is demonstrated by the variations in the localized values of red-shifts, internal to galaxies.

Such moving red-shift domain walls have actually been observed in our galaxy, and there is one headed this way. It will intersect with our solar system in the February-March time frame. This means that the Maxwell equations will start changing at the same time. The Maxwell equations are central to describing the inner workings of our reality. This means that what we have been used to considering as reality, will also begin changing, in much deeper and more profound ways than a mere red-shift change.

Life here is going to start getting interesting in these kinds of ways: http://galactic.no/rune/Gilbertwilliams/

Gilbert Williams art is based on his precognitive perceptions and dreams and also on his direct intuitive visions of the New Reality. So, if you think you feel elevations of your Consciousness now! Just wait!

Along with all this kind of beautiful stuff, as illustrated by Williams, there are going to be many new kinds of life forms. Many new species will appear ab initio and start wandering about, making a happy living in the new environment. Many people around the world have already seen the informational semi-physical precursors of these new life forms, in the form of sort of brown or grey “fog-shadows” of odd looking new creatures, with unusual behaviors, briefly flitting into our ability to vaguely see them, then vanishing back into the Earth or the rock or the air, from whence they arose, while we happened to be blessed enough to be at the right time and the right place to see them. When the time comes, these foggy precursors will be seen as actual living personal physical facts of many new kinds of critters.

Darwin’s “evolution” is a big fat lie! Creator has designed the Universe so that everywhere there is a place, the informational pattern (technically based in the quantum potential) of DNA is present. This has been proved by the experiments of the Nobel Laureate, Montagnier, a microbiologist. [See: http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/1012/1012.5166v1.pdf ]

Montagnier placed a small sample of DNA in a sterile test tube which contained only pure deionized water, then hermetically sealed the test tube. He placed a second sealed sterile test tube containing only pure water a few inches away from the first test tube, then ran a 7 Hertz electromagnetic radiation, in the microwatt range of power, across the test tubes overnight. The next day, he and his team of researchers discovered by standard DNA test sequences that the second test tube now also had DNA in it!

This entire experiment was done very rigorously and the results are beyond scientific reproach. DNA does not “evolve”, but manifests life in perfect harmony with the environment, at the given time and place. As the environmental factors change, so too do the life forms change, to be living in Harmony with that environment.

So now, the laws of physics are about to change in this particular part of this particular galaxy. Obviously, when the laws of physics change, life will change to suit the new energetic environment. Already, new species are appearing ab initio (no “evolution” involved), all over the planet. Galactically speaking, this happens on a regular cycle as the energetic environment changes in the local vicinity. There are mass extinctions which happen at exactly the same time as massive numbers of new kinds of life are being expressed by the universally present DNA pattern, so that new Life flourishes, in the new and different circumstances.

dnaartb0

Again, DNA expresses (not “evolves”) life in accordance with the local environment. “Evolution” is a dirty lie and a fiction, which has been completely destroyed by scientific experiments performed during the past 20 years. For more on some more recent aspects of this kind of evidence, see:
http://worldwithinworlds.yolasite.com/resources/GarFried06-01.doc
and http://www.emergentmind.org/gariaevI3.htm

Every year, for the past decade, approximately 300 entirely new species of plants, animals, and insects have been discovered within the boundaries of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park alone. Along with all these new kinds of life forms, various Wise and Harmonious Aetheric Beings will become more and more visible, until eventually the world will become seen as envisioned by Gilbert Williams, in his art.

This set of events and unfoldings is part of why we chose to incarnate at this particular point in time. We came here to watch all this amazing beauty arise in the world, and to help it along, and participate in various supportive ways, and to help folks along, some of whom are going to be just completely freaked out by all this “new” stuff. So we came here  during these times, to help others to understand how to get along in the Harmonious New Reality.

Eventually, there won’t be anymore mean people in the world. And the Natural Harmony and the Cosmic Harmony will be restored throughout this entire planet. It will be Paradise! The “Garden of Eden” will be restored.

Eventually, True Magic will be restored and all the Invisibles will become visible. Devas and Nature Spirits will be seen everywhere, no escaping the fact of them. These events, and related events, will change global society, unerringly, after the existing societal inertias have worn off.

from:    http://www.zengardner.com/rainbow-galaxy-waves-and-new-expressions-of-the-universal-dna/

Various Levels of Consciousness

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Levels of Consciousness

Levels of Consciousness

Story by: Steve Pavilina (www.bodymindsoulspirit.com)

 

In the book Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins, there’s a hierarchy of levels of human consciousness. It’s an interesting paradigm. If you read the book, it’s also fairly easy to figure out where you fall on this hierarchy based on your current life situation.

From low to high, the levels of consciousness are: shame, guilt, apathy, grief, fear, desire, anger, pride, courage, neutrality, willingness, acceptance, reason, love, joy, peace, enlightenment.

While we can pop in and out of different levels at various times, usually there’s a predominant “normal” state for us. If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re at least at the level of courage because if you were at a lower level, you’d likely have no conscious interest in personal growth.

I’ll go over these levels in order, mostly focusing on the ones between courage and reason, since that’s the range where you’re most likely to land. The labels are Hawkins’. The descriptions of each level are based on Hawkins’ descriptions but blended with my own thoughts. Hawkins defines this as a logarithmic scale, so there are far fewer people at the higher levels than at the lower ones. An increase from one level to another will result in enormous change in your life.

Shame – Just a step above death. You’re probably contemplating suicide at this level. Either that or you’re a serial killer. Think of this as self-directed hatred.

Guilt – A step above shame, but you still may be having thoughts of suicide. You think of yourself as a sinner, unable to forgive yourself for past transgressions.

Apathy – Feeling hopeless or victimized. The state of learned helplessness. Many homeless people are stuck here.

Grief – A state of perpetual sadness and loss. You might drop down here after losing a loved one. Depression. Still higher than apathy, since you’re beginning to escape the numbness.

Fear – Seeing the world as dangerous and unsafe. Paranoia. Usually you’ll need help to rise above this level, or you’ll remain trapped for a long time, such as in an abusive relationship.

Desire – Not to be confused with setting and achieving goals, this is the level of addiction, craving, and lust — for money, approval, power, fame, etc. Consumerism. Materialism. This is the level of smoking and drinking and doing drugs.

Anger – the level of frustration, often from not having your desires met at the lower level. This level can spur you to action at higher levels, or it can keep you stuck in hatred. In an abusive relationship, you’ll often see an anger person coupled with a fear person.

Pride – The first level where you start to feel good, but it’s a false feeling. It’s dependent on external circumstances (money, prestige, etc), so it’s vulnerable. Pride can lead to nationalism, racism, and religious wars. Think Nazis. A state of irrational denial and defensiveness. Religious fundamentalism is also stuck at this level. You become so closely enmeshed in your beliefs that you see an attack on your beliefs as an attack on you.

Courage – The first level of true strength. I’ve made a previous post about this level: Courage is the Gateway. This is where you start to see life as challenging and exciting instead of overwhelming. You begin to have an inkling of interest in personal growth, although at this level you’ll probably call it something else like skill-building, career advancement, education, etc. You start to see your future as an improvement upon your past, rather than a continuation of the same.

Neutrality – This level is epitomized by the phrase, “live and let live.” It’s flexible, relaxed, and unattached. Whatever happens, you roll with the punches. You don’t have anything to prove. You feel safe and get along well with other people. A lot of self-employed people are at this level. A very comfortable place. The level of complacency and laziness. You’re taking care of your needs, but you don’t push yourself too hard.

Willingness – Now that you’re basically safe and comfortable, you start using your energy more effectively. Just getting by isn’t good enough anymore. You begin caring about doing a good job — perhaps even your best. You think about time management and productivity and getting organized, things that weren’t so important to you at the level of neutrality. Think of this level as the development of willpower and self-discipline. These people are the “troopers” of society; they get things done well and don’t complain much. If you’re in school, then you’re a really good student; you take your studies seriously and put in the time to do a good job. This is the point where your consciousness becomes more organized and disciplined.

Acceptance – Now a powerful shift happens, and you awaken to the possibilities of living proactively. At the level of willingness you’ve become competent, and now you want to put your abilities to good use. This is the level of setting and achieving goals. I don’t like the label “acceptance” that Hawkins uses here, but it basically means that you begin accepting responsibility for your role in the world. If something isn’t right about your life (your career, your health, your relationship), you define your desired outcome and change it. You start to see the big picture of your life more clearly. This level drives many people to switch careers, start a new business, or change their diets.

Reason – At this level you transcend the emotional aspects of the lower levels and begin to think clearly and rationally. Hawkins defines this as the level of medicine and science. The way I see it, when you reach this level, you become capable of using your reasoning abilities to their fullest extent. You now have the discipline and the proactivity to fully exploit your natural abilities. You’ve reached the point where you say, “Wow. I can do all this stuff, and I know I must put it to good use. So what’s the best use of my talents?” You take a look around the world and start making meaningful contributions. At the very high end, this is the level of Einstein and Freud. It’s probably obvious that most people never reach this level in their entire lives.

Love – I don’t like Hawkins’ label “love” here because this isn’t the emotion of love. It’s unconditional love, a permanent understanding of your connectedness with all that exists. Think compassion. At the level of reason, you live in service to your head. But that eventually becomes a dead end where you fall into the trap of over-intellectualizing. You see that you need a bigger context than just thinking for its own sake. At the level of love, you now place your head and all your other talents and abilities in service to your heart (not your emotions, but your greater sense of right and wrong — your conscience). I see this as the level of awakening to your true purpose. Your motives at this level are pure and uncorrupted by the desires of the ego. This is the level of lifetime service to humanity. Think Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Dr. Albert Schweitzer. At this level you also begin to be guided by a force greater than yourself. It’s a feeling of letting go. Your intuition becomes extremely strong. Hawkins claims this level is reached only by 1 in 250 people during their entire lifetimes.

Joy – A state of pervasive, unshakable happiness. Eckhart Tolle describes this state in The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. The level of saints and advanced spiritual teachers. Just being around people at this level makes you feel incredible. At this level life is fully guided by synchronicity and intuition. There’s no more need to set goals and make detailed plans — the expansion of your consciousness allows you to operate at a much higher level. A near-death experience can temporarily bump you to this level.

Peace – Total transcendence. Hawkins claims this level is reached only by one person in 10 million.

Enlightenment – The highest level of human consciousness, where humanity blends with divinity. Extremely rare. The level of Krishna, Buddha, and Jesus. Even just thinking about people at this level can raise your consciousness.

I think you’ll find this model worthy of reflection. Not only people but also objects, events, and whole societies can be ranked at these levels. Within your own life, you’ll see that some parts of your life are at different levels than others, but you should be able to identify your current overall level. You might be at the level of neutrality overall but still be addicted to smoking (level of desire). The lower levels you find within yourself will serve as a drag that holds the rest of you back. But you’ll also find higher levels in your life. You may be at the level of acceptance and read a book at the level of reason and feel really inspired. Think about the strongest influences in your life right now. Which ones raise your consciousness? Which ones lower it?

One thing I like about these levels of consciousness is that I can trace back over my own life and see how I’ve been moving through them. I remember being stuck at the level of guilt for a long time – as a child I was indoctrinated into a belief system where I was a helpless sinner, being judged according to the standards of someone at the level of love or higher. From there I graduated to the state of apathy, feeling numb to the whole thing. By high school I had reached the level of pride — I was a straight-A student, captain of the Academic Decathlon team, showered with accolades and awards, but I became dependent on them. I hit the level of Courage in my late teens, but the courage was very unfocused, and I overdid it and got myself into all sorts of trouble. I then spent about a year in neutrality and moved through willingness and acceptance during my 20s with a lot of conscious effort. At present I’m at the level of reason and getting closer and closer to completing the leap to love. I experience the state of love more and more often, and it’s guiding many of my decisions already, but it hasn’t yet stuck as my natural state. I’ve also experienced the state of joy for days at a time, but never with any permanence yet. That state is a pervasive feeling of natural euphoria, as if I’m exploding on the inside with positive energy. It literally forces me to smile. I’ve been in that state for most of this morning, probably because I haven’t eaten anything yet today (I find it easier to hit that state of consciousness when I eat lightly or not at all).

We’ll naturally fluctuate between multiple states throughout the course of any given week, so you’ll probably see a range of 3-4 levels where you spend most of your time. One way to figure out your “natural” state is to think about how you perform under pressure. If you squeeze an orange, you get orange juice because that’s what’s inside. What comes out of you when you get squeezed by external events? Do you become paranoid and shut down (fear)? Do you start yelling at people (anger)? Do you become defensive (pride)? What happens to me under pressure is that I become hyper-analytical, but recently I just had a pressure situation where I handled it mostly by intuition, which was a big change for me. This tells me I’m getting close to the unconditional love state because in that state, intuition can be effectively accessed even under pressure.

Everything in your environment will have an effect on your level of consciousness. TV. Movies. Books. Web sites. People. Places. Objects. Food. If you’re at the level of reason, watching TV news (which is predominantly at the levels of fear and desire) will temporarily lower your consciousness. If you’re at the level of guilt, TV news will actually raise it up.

Progressing from one level to the next requires an enormous amount of energy. I wrote about this previously when discussing quantum leaps. Without conscious effort or the help of others, you’ll likely just stay at your current level until some outside force comes into your life.

Notice the natural progression of levels, and consider what happens when you try to short-cut the process. If you try to reach the level of reason before mastering self-discipline (willingness) and goal-setting (acceptance), you’ll be too disorganized and unfocused to use your mind to its full extent. If you try to push yourself to the level of love before you’ve mastered reason, you’ll suffer from gullibility and may end up in a cult.

Going up even one level can be extremely hard; most people don’t do so in their entire lives. A change in just one level can radically alter everything in your life. This is why people below the level of courage aren’t likely to progress without external help. Courage is required to work on this consciously; it comes down to repeatedly betting your whole reality for the chance to become more conscious and aware. But whenever you reach that next level, you realize clearly that it was a good bet. For example, when you hit the level of courage, all your past fears and false pride seem silly to you now. When you reach the level of acceptance (setting and achieving goals), you look back on the level of willingness and see you were like a mouse running on a treadmill — you were a good runner, but you didn’t pick a direction.

I think the most important work we can do as human beings is to raise our individual level of consciousness. When we do this, we spread higher levels of consciousness to everyone around us. Imagine what an incredible world this would be if we could at least get everyone to the level of acceptance. According to Hawkins 85% of the people on earth live below the level of courage.

When you temporarily experience the higher levels, you can see where you must go next. You have one of those moments of clarity where you understand that things have to change. But when you sink into the lower levels, that memory becomes clouded.

We have to keep consciously taking ourselves back to the sources that can help us complete the next leap. Each step requires different solutions. I recall when making the shift from neutrality to willingness, I listened to time management tapes almost every day. I immersed myself in sources created by people at the level of willingness until I eventually shifted. But a book on time management will be of little use to someone who’s at the level of pride; they’ll reject the very notion with a lot of defensiveness. And time management is meaningless to someone at the level of peace. But you can’t hit the higher levels if you haven’t mastered the basics first. Jesus was a carpenter. Gandhi was a lawyer. Buddha was a prince. We all have to start somewhere.

Look at this hierarchy with an open mind and see if it leads you to new insights that may help you take the next leap in your own life. No levels are any more right or wrong than others. Try not to get your ego wrapped up in the idea of being at any particular level, unless you’re currently at the level of pride of course.

from:    http://spiritofmaat.com/magazine/january-2015-consciousness-of-perception/levels-of-consciousness/

Burzynski Cancer Treatment

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Breaking: Burzynski Cancer Cure Finally Released By The Feds

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Dr-Stanislaw-Burzynski1

Houston doctor, Stanislaw Burzynski has won yet another huge victory against the medical establishment.  But, instead of the win being reported from every television and radio in the United States, it barely squeaked into existence.  Why?  Because Dr. Burzynski can cure cancer without the traditional western medical treatments and this doesn’t make Western medicine supporters happy.

Antineoplastons, combined with the remarkable new gene-targeted therapy, threaten to destroy the economy created on the traditional treatment of Cancer and the care of Cancer patients in Western Medicine.  By curing the cancers, there no longer needs to be excessively costly treatments and support given the patient.  Patients don’t need additional medicine to treat the symptoms created from the traditional treatments.  By curing the cancer, the money dries up.

Just recently, the Burzynski Research Institute, Inc (BRI) sent a press release to the media alerting them to the lifting of a two-year partial clinical hold on an investigational new drug that had been submitted for Antineoplastons A10/AS2-1 Injections.  These allows for Phase 3 trials to begin for patients who have just learned they have cancer.  For now, the Phase 3 trial will be dealing with Diffuse Instrinsic Brainstem Glioma.

1384204509000-Dr-Stanislaw-Burzynski-story1551 michael stravato for USA TODAY
Dr.  Stanislaw Burzynski
Photo: Michael Stravato for USA TODAY)

There are four phases of clinical trials in cancer treatment.  Each of the phases focuses on a different purpose.  The data gathered provides the FDA with scientific data they claim will prove the worth and potential success of the treatment:

  • Phase One: Safety determination of new treatment
  • Phase Two: Response determination of a certain cancer to new treatment
  • Phase Three: Verify that standard treatment  is less effective than new treatment
  • Phase Four: Find more specific information about the new treatment after it has been approved  for human use

In addition to prescribing Antineoplastons, Dr. Burzynski’s clinic analyzes 24,000 different genes and then prescribe petro-chemical based medications and diet changes based on their individual needs.  This is in direct contrast to the traditional treatment a Western Oncologist would prescribe.  These and other doctors are trained to prescribe medicines which are the most likely to work for most people.  The individual treatment Burzynski gives his patients have become much easier now through advancements in study of the human genome.

Recently US Government agents, members of the big pharmaceutical companies and other individuals worked with one of Burzynski’s own research scientists to file eleven patents on the very research of Antineoplaston medical technology.  One must wonder if Dr. Burzynski’s practice is such quackery, as the mainstream would have us believe, why would these individuals seek to patent the integral part of the treatment?  The patents were not awarded to the individuals attempting to hijack them, but only after a Grand Jury found no reason to bring criminal proceedings against Burzynski.  This was the establishment’s fourth witch hunt.  They’d tried to incarcerate him three other times for using the same technology they were quickly trying to patent.

With any luck, Phase Three will proceed quickly and effectively.  Lives will be saved.  Less money will be spent and cancer can finally be beaten.  After all, getting rid of such a killer is Dr. Burzynski’s lifetime focus.

Written by: Massreport.com

– See more at: http://massreport.com/breaking-burzynski-cancer-cure-finally-released-by-the-feds/#sthash.KG8ih1dr.dpuf

World SOund Healing Day 2/14/15

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13th Annual
World Sound Healing Day
February 14, 2015


Join thousands throughout the planet for the 13th Annual WORLD SOUND HEALING DAY on Saturday, February 14, 2015. At 12 noon (local time in your time zone), sound forth for 5 minutes with the “AH”, created and projected with the energy of compassion and love, sending a sonic valentine to Gaia, our Mother Earth.

At that time, please go to templeofsacredsound.org to enhance the vibratory effect as we sound together for Global Harmonization, planetary peace and healing. Please visit Healing Sounds for more information.

If you cannot tone at 12 noon, sounding anytime during February 14, 2015 will help
create positive shift and change for our planet on World Sound Healing Day.

The purpose of World Sound Healing Day is to:

1). Heal Our Planet!
2). Heal Our Waters!
3). Raise Our Consciousness!

 

For more information, go to:    http://www.worldsoundhealingday.org/

Kingsley Dennis on the ‘New Normal’

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Welcome to the “New Normal”

Kingsley L. Dennis •

We have entered a time which I refer to as the New Normal, and we need to understand that things are never going to be the same again. We have to get used to doing things differently – for these ‘different things’ will become our normal ways soon enough. This shift from older patterns and structures that once served us well, into a space where some things are no longer working for us can be unsettling and disturbing. Yet don’t waste time with old energy patterns that are no longer working. We may feel frustrated in not knowing what to do – and yet this is only just the beginning. In terms of the longer time scale we still have a long way to go, for this change is going to be many years in the making.

Things may now change faster than they have ever done before – we are living in a reality that is on the move. It is likely that many of us have already experienced this – a sense of rapidity and uncertainty unlike previous years. There is no need for this feeling of ‘shifting ground’ to cause anxiety. Change does not mean something negative – people are only afraid of what they don’t know. The easy part in all of this is accepting the need for a ‘new normal’ – the more difficult part is to actively engage in change, in a way that is balanced, stable, and not strange. Being a part of the ‘new normal’ also means normalizing ourselves: there is no more need to stand apart; that is, to use ‘difference’ as part of your personality or identity. You cannot express your full potential when imbalanced. The ‘new normal’ is not here to alienate oneself and others – it does not support divisive energies.

Sometimes change needs courage – courage to accept this change as the new normal. Some people are more used to and adaptive to change than others – each person must find what is right and comfortable for them. However, we are not starting from scratch – arriving to where we find ourselves now is also part of the change.

In fact, it is stability which is the illusion as everything is in flux. Life is one complete flux-engine – if we can put it that way – and the human body is equipped for constant change. When there is imbalance in the body it naturally seeks to find balance: physically, emotionally, and energetically. We already instinctively know this, and how to practice it. By re-adapting to change and flux we propel ourselves forward – it is a force of momentum within our lives. The new re-balancing is not about going back to the old – it is about finding new positions and definitions. We have to re-define for ourselves what is the new normal.

We have to learn how to operate the new tools we have, and which we are expected to use. Religious belief and unquestioning faith were old tools, for example. Now we need to figure out what are the new tools we have, and how to use them. And within this period of new learning we may also need to do some personal ‘clearing’ – to get our own personal house in order.

So let’s be clear: the new normal is consistent change – and this normal can change on a daily basis. Is this so difficult to accept and understand? It seems that many of the young people can work with this; it is not difficult for them to grasp the essentiality of change. For many young people, it seems obvious that change is an essential, and necessary, part of life. It is only us, entrenched in our years of conditioned stability that fear such flux and flow.

If anyone reading this is feeling a connection to this theme it is also because they sense the need for change within their own lives. They sense it is right – that there is some urge within them that is telling them that something needs to change – there is intent to know more. There’s no better time than now for re-engagement – to reflect upon the question of ‘what is “life” for me? – and how can I participate?’

The following are some of what I consider to be at the basis of change:

  1. Release the fear conditioning

  2. Re-calibrate the definitions of what is ‘normal’

  3. Observe emotions and emotional responses and needs

  4. Get used to change – it is the only normal there is

  5. Be joyful with change and changing habits/patterns – learn to love it

  6. Don’t try to get back to the old ‘normal’ – adjustment is not a return, it’s a moving forward

  7. Waiting for the ‘old’ is not an option

  8. Change works better when you are pro-active – so activate your engagement/participation. Get involved with your own changes!

  9. Trust your intuition and intuitive feelings

It can be unsettling at first when trying to get used to something that is always moving! It is like a radio station that constantly shifts its broadcast frequencies – and every day you have to re-tune your radio to find the new frequency. Yet this constant shifting is also a way for us to find meaning and significance in our lives. We may find that many of the shifts that we choose to activate/act on will have a direct influence upon our need to find a renewed meaning in life. Another way to consider these changes is to view them as being part of the shift from survival mode to creation mode – creating a new way of living more suitable to how we wish to live life in creative and meaningful ways.

As we gradually (or even suddenly!) shift into the era of the new normal we may discover that we fall into one of the following categories:

  1. Manifestors

  2. Facilitators

  3. Nurturers

Each role is equal in importance – and yet each is different in how it relates and engages with others in life. The new normal is going to have a strong influence upon the values of connectivity, communication, consciousness, and compassion.

Our social, local, and global networks will be ever more important for us. Whether we manifest things in life, facilitate for others, or nurture others – each involves conscious participation. That is the core of the new normal – balanced, stable, conscious participation in finding meaning for ourselves and others; and to be creative and active in pursuing a positive future for all.

from:    http://realitysandwich.com/239298/welcome-to-the-new-normal/

On Neural Plasticity & Mind Control

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as always – do your research

Mind control: the Pentagon mission to program the brain

by Jon Rappoport

Mind control: the Pentagon mission to program the brain

By Jon Rappoport
January 6, 2014
http://www.nomorefakenews.com

“Since the dawn of time, the most powerful groups in every society have practiced forms of mind control on populations. They determined it was necessary. Eventually, they decided it was their most important job. Convincing the masses that a fabricated reality is Reality…that task requires formidable mind control.” (The Underground, Jon Rappoport)

DARPA, the technical-research arm of the Pentagon, is leading the way in a mission to program the human brain.

What could go wrong?

In a word, everything.

Here is a DARPA release (5/27/14) on the upcoming “brain-mapping” plan, in accordance with Obama’s initiative aimed at “preventing violence through improved mental health”—otherwise known as Clockwork Orange:

“…developing closed-loop therapies that incorporate recording and analysis of brain activity with near-real-time neural stimulation.”

Translation: Reading myriad brain activities as they occur, and influencing that activity with various inputs/interferences. Drugs, electrical currents, nano-entities, etc.

Here’s another DARPA quote. This one lays out the foundation for the mission:

“…The program also aims to take advantage of neural plasticity, a feature of the brain by which the organ’s anatomy and physiology can alter over time to support normal brain function. Plasticity runs counter to previously held ideas that the adult brain is a ‘finished’ entity that can be statically mapped. Because of plasticity, researchers are optimistic that the brain can be trained or treated to restore normal functionality following injury or the onset of neuropsychological illness.”

Neural plasticity: the idea that brain activity is always changing and, therefore, can be externally molded by operators to fit a conception of “normalcy,” whatever that is, whatever “authorities” decide it is.

Chilling? Of course.

In the long run, this has nothing to do with “recovery from brain injuries.” That’s the cover story. The real goal is programming the brain to fit certain parameters of functioning.

Those parameters will certainly exclude: rebellion, independence.

Here is a quote from a journal article, “The Plastic Human Brain Cortex.” (Annual Review of Neuroscience, Vol. 28: 377-401, July 2005)

“Plasticity is an intrinsic property of the human brain…The challenge we face is to learn enough about the mechanisms of plasticity to modulate them to achieve the best behavioral outcome for a given subject.”

“Modulate them.” “Achieve the best behavioral outcome.” Who defines that? Obviously, not the individual.

Notice the point of view: intervention is a given.

The brain will not be allowed to function on its own.

Behind all brain research lies that premise.

It’s no surprise that, in this technological age, the preferred method of mind control would involve an invasion by “experts.”

There are many, many brain-research professionals, and millions of laypeople, who believe that “intervention” is justified because it “corrects a chemical imbalance” in the brain. This is a myth.

Dr. Ronald Pies, the editor-in-chief emeritus of the Psychiatric Times, laid the myth to rest in the July 11, 2011, issue of the Times with this staggering and stark admission:

“In truth, the ‘chemical imbalance’ notion [of mental disorders] was always a kind of urban legend — never a theory seriously propounded by well-informed psychiatrists.”

No, intervention is all about brain control, not brain health.

And “neural plasticity,” contrary to the official propaganda, is no great discovery. Any human can change his own brain readout patterns by the simple act of thinking.

Of course, researchers make no real distinction between random ideation and consciously chosen mental actions. If they did, they would immediately see that human beings can voluntarily make changes to their own brain activity. No laboratory experiments, no chemical or bio inputs, no externally applied electrical “insertions.”

There is a much bigger problem here. A problem that must remain a secret.

If a human being, through conscious and voluntary thought, can change his own brain activity…who is doing the changing?

Who is outside the brain influencing it?

Who is “human being?”

Who is…you?

That is no part of what DARPA is doing. That is no part of what any mind-control organization group is doing. That is strictly off-limits.

“Oh no, no one is doing the thinking. The brain is doing all the thinking. The brain is operating on its own. Thought A, then thought B, then C, D,E,F. On and on. The brain is a bio-machine, spooling out pre-determined and pre-packaged thoughts. And we, the brain-controllers, just want to change the sequence. We’ll insert B,D,E,A,B,F in that order instead. And then we’ll delete C altogether because we find that counter-productive and disruptive. No problem.”

The fact is, the individual non-material being (you) changes brain activity all the time. The brain is eminently built to allow this to happen across a very wide range of possibility.

What DARPA’s program entails is altering that fundamental relationship between you and your brain. That’s the bottom line.

The alteration will throw up roadblocks. It will shrink the sum of what your brain can do.

The ongoing DARPA brain-programming mission isn’t merely a two-year program or a five-year program. It’s permanent.

It’s the gateway to a controlled society.

And it’s perfectly understandable that this project would come from DARPA, which is an arm of the Pentagon, which is the foremost proponent of “military thought” in the world.

The military is interested in, and devoted to, the issuing of commands and obedience to those commands. Stimulus, response.

The military vision of society is: define the functions of each citizen, coordinate those functions to produce overall “harmony through obedience.”

Since this is the true definition of insanity, and since it is impossible to secure, over the long-term, enough voluntary cooperation to build such a civilization, the target is the brain.

Train the brain, train the collective.

Consider this analogy for you, a non-material being, and your brain, and what the objective of programming is:

The rider and the horse. Previously, the rider took his horse far and wide. The rider went where he wanted to go. The horse was willing. But then something happened. The horse was altered, rebuilt. Now he could only move a mile in any direction from his starting point. At the boundary, he stopped. He turned around and returned home. That was the rule. The rider of course wanted to go farther. But the horse was no longer capable.

The “plasticity” of the horse was reduced.

The horse was now normal.

Jon Rappoport
The author of three explosive collections, THE MATRIX REVEALED, EXIT FROM THE MATRIX, and POWER OUTSIDE THE MATRIX, Jon was a candidate for a US Congressional seat in the 29th District of California. He maintains a consulting practice for private clients, the purpose of which is the expansion of personal creative power. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, he has worked as an investigative reporter for 30 years, writing articles on politics, medicine, and health for CBS Healthwatch, LA Weekly, Spin Magazine, Stern, and other newspapers and magazines in the US and Europe. Jon has delivered lectures and seminars on global politics, health, logic, and creative power to audiences around the world. You can sign up for his free emails at http://www.nomorefakenews.com

from:    https://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/

Some Home Remedies

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21 Home Remedies That Actually Work!

| January 3, 2015 | 

21 Home Remedies That Actually Work!

by TheAlternativeDaily

Some home remedies make sense. For example, aloe vera on a sunburn. Others, however, can seem a little bit out there. Yet, they still work!

The following are 21 such tried-and-true remedies. Some of these may seem a little funny, but it doesn’t make them any less effective. Try for yourself!

Carrot sticks and apples for whiter teeth

When you chomp on crunchy foods such as carrot sticks and apples, it helps to cleanse the enamel of your teeth. Apples are especially great for this, as their malic acid content helps to remove stains.

Chicken soup for colds and other seasonal ickies

Ok, maybe this isn’t so weird, but only because it’s so ancient that everyone and especially their mother knows it. Along with being packed with nutrients, chicken broth and other bone broths contain an amino acid known as cysteine, which is linked to thinning the mucus buildup in the respiratory tract and lungs.

Mint essential oil for combating fatigue

If you’re feeling sluggish, rub a drop or two of mint essential oil onto your palms, and inhale deeply. An instant surge of clarity and focus. This works with other essential oils in the mint family, as well.

Lavender essential oil for stress relief

The soothing properties of lavender have been known since ancient times. When feeling anxious or overwhelmed, try some aromatherapy with lavender essential oil. This oil is also great for a soothing, stress-busting massage.

A pencil for tension headaches

Because tension headaches often stem from clenched jaw muscles, putting a pencil between your teeth – without biting down – makes you automatically relax your jaw. Take some deep breaths while you do this, and after a minute, take the pencil out of your mouth, and try not to tense back up!

Cardamom for freshening breath

There is a reason for the Indian tradition of offering a bowl of cardamom seeds to guests to follow their meals. These antioxidant-packed little seeds, with their strong, refreshing flavor, can cleanse your palate and leave your mouth tasting great.

Yogurt to fight bad breath

Another fresh breath trick: plain, organic yogurt. The live bacteria cultures in the yogurt help neutralize the odor-causing bacteria in your mouth.

Witch hazel for cuts, scrapes and blisters

Works just as well as rubbing alcohol, but is less drying on the skin.

Ginger for digestion

Ginger’s ability to settle the stomach is no old wive’s tale. This powerful rhizome is your first line of defense against upset stomachs and nausea.

Olives to help prevent motion sickness

For your next road trip, don’t forget to pack a jar of olives. The tannins that they contain can help to dissipate the first signs of nausea by drying your mouth. However, this remedy may not work if you are already ill; eat a couple olives at the first sign of motion sickness to help prevent worsening.

Prune juice to ease constipation

Although we’ve all heard of this one, we may not quite understand how prunes work to break up digestive blockages. The soluble fiber, insoluble fiber and sorbitol found in these little fruits work to add bulk to stool, soften stool, support healthy gut bacteria and encourage smooth movement.

Shea butter for dry skin and cracked lips

Skip the vaseline and lip balm: shea butter has you covered. Derived from the shea tree, this thick, luxurious “butter” can heal cracked hands and sore lips in no time – it’ll get you through the winter no problem.

Organic coconut oil for moist, youthful skin

When a little light moisture is all your skin needs, it doesn’t get any better than organic, extra virgin coconut oil. This oil nourishes the skin, and adds important nutrients to keep your complexion smooth and vibrant. Coconut oil is loaded with anti aging properties to naturally boost collagen production. Make your own homemade beauty products using this tropical treasure.

Oatmeal for eczema

Eczema can be a pain indeed, but oatmeal can help in many cases. Many experts recommend pouring colloidal oatmeal into a bath, and soaking in it for about 20 minutes before rinsing. The oatmeal helps to reduce inflammation and calm the skin. If the eczema appears on your face, you can make a thick paste with oatmeal and water, and use it as a facial mask.

Natural exfoliation for body odor

Sometimes, that nasty body odor is simply a result of clogged pores. For this reason, dry brushing your skin before you shower can help a great deal. Just make sure you check out our tips on proper dry brushing technique.

Raw honey for disinfecting wounds

For minor wounds, raw honey can’t be beat. It has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties to clean the wound, and also provides moisture and seals it in.

Cheap vodka for foot odor

Want a weird fix for foot odor? Simply soak in some inexpensive vodka for a few moments. Or, if crunched for time, just rub some on your feet to kill the bacteria and nix the odor. Just don’t put on stinky shoes and socks afterwards.

Warm salt water gargle for sore throats

The old salt gargle works by drawing excess fluid out of infected throat tissues. This temporarily reduces the swelling and can dramatically ease the pain. Use about one part unrefined, ground sea salt to six or seven parts water.

Black tea for sunburn

If you’re out of aloe, reach for a steeped bag of black tea for your sunburn. The tannins help to soothe the pain, prevent peeling and speed up the healing process.

Duct tape for warts

Is there anything duct tape can’t do? All you have to do is clean the area with the wart, cut a small piece of duct tape (large enough to cover the wart), and stick it on. Change the tape every three days, and each time you do, remove the dead skin with a pumice stone.

Onion for insect bites

To get rid of the itch of a bug bite, slice an onion in half and rub the juice right on the bite. The sulfur compounds contained in the onion work to neutralize the itch.

from:    http://www.bodymindsoulspirit.com/21-home-remedies-that-actually-work/

The Benefits of Quiet Sitting

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20 Ways Sitting in Silence Can Transform Your Life

by Elle –

4 33

by Samuel McCree

“Silence is a source of great strength.” ~Lao Tzu

For over two years I spent one out of every four weeks in silence. At the time I was living at a Zen Monastery and every month we would have a week-long silent retreat.

During this retreat we sat meditation in silence, ate in silence, worked in silence, and only communicated through hand gestures and written notes.

At first living like this was hard, but over time I learned to grow to appreciate silence. By the time I left I learned that silence was my friend and teacher.

What did silence teach me?

1. Satisfaction

I used to think I needed to watch TV every night. But at monastery I went without and discovered I didn’t need it.

Silence taught me to be happy with less. Pick something that’s weighing you down and let it go. Your life will thank you.

2. Expression

When you can only talk by writing a note, you only say what’s important. Before the monastery I talked a lot but said little.

Silence taught me that a few simple words well spoken have more power than hours of chatter. Think of one simple thing you can say that would help someone feel better and say it.

3. Appreciation

Being able to speak makes life easy, but when I couldn’t talk I learned how much I relied on others.

Silence taught me to appreciate the value of relating to others. The next time you see your friends or family, try to really listen. Deep listening expresses deep appreciation.

4. Attention

Several times at my first retreat I thought my phone was vibrating. But then I would remember I didn’t have my phone. It showed me how my phone divided my attention.

Silence taught me how important it is to let go of distractions. The next time you are with someone you care about, try turning off your phone and putting it away. It will make paying attention easier.

5. Thoughts

I once sat a retreat next door to a construction project. What amazed me was how easily my thoughts drowned out the noise. I realized if my thoughts were this loud, I’d better make them as wise as possible.

Silence taught me the importance of shaping my thinking. Take time each day to notice your thoughts and let go of thoughts that don’t serve you.

6. Nature

Because I sat retreat in every season, I know that the sound of wind in fall is different than it is in winter.

Silence taught me to notice nature. Take a short walk outside in silence and you’ll discover the wisdom and peace that nature has to offer.

7. Body

During retreat I noticed that whenever I got lost in thought, I lost track of my body. And when I focused on my body, my thoughts would calm down.

Silence taught me to be in my body. Close your eyes and ask, “What sensations do I feel in my hand?” Learning to feel your body can calm your troubled mind.

8. Overstimulation

Whenever I went into town after retreat, the world seemed so loud and fast. I came to realize how much our senses have to process most of the time.

Silence taught me the importance of reducing the stimulation. Enjoy some quiet time everyday. The less you see and hear, the more settled your mind can become.

9. Sound

People would come to the monastery and remark how quiet it was. But living at the monastery I knew all the noises, from frogs, to owls, to the sound of sandals on the sidewalk.

Silence taught me that the world is a rich texture of sounds. Sit in front of your house and close your eyes. You’ll be amazed at what you hear if you listen long enough.

10. Humanity

During retreat I was surrounded by imperfect people who were doing their best. Some were happy, some were sad, but all were wonderfully human.

Silence taught me that people display great beauty. Find a good spot to people watch with an open heart. What you see may inspire you.

11. Space

For a long time anytime something difficult came up, I would just distract myself. But retreat taught me that if I avoided something it would never go away.

Silence taught me that space helps me face hard times. The next time you face something difficult, pause and honor whatever’s arising.

12. Love

I used to think love was this big thing. But in retreat I found that I felt love for so many things.

Silence taught me that love can be simple. Think of someone you haven’t said I love you to recently and tell them.

13. Courage

I used to think courage was about facing danger, but during retreat I realized that real courage is about facing yourself.

Silence taught me the courage it takes to be still. When we stop moving everything we’re running from catches up. The next time you are afraid, stop and wait for it to pass. There is immense courage inside your heart.

14. Perseverance

Every retreat reminded me that speaking is easy, but staying quiet is hard.

Silence isn’t flashy, but it has an immense power to endure. The next time someone doubts you, instead of disagreeing, silently vow not to give up. Action is speaks volumes.

15. Faith

I often ask for reassurance or feedback. But living is silence meant I had to trust my instincts.

Silence taught me to have faith in myself. The next time you begin to feel anxious, sit in silence and see if you can find the space of deep faith that lives in your heart.

16. Honesty

I used to lie so I wouldn’t have to explain myself. But when I couldn’t talk I began to notice this impulse and how much it degraded my integrity.

Silence taught me the importance of telling the truth. Notice times where you tell little lies and try telling the truth instead. It isn’t always easy but it’s the first step to trusting ourselves and others. 

17. Gratitude 

During retreat I didn’t have a lot of comforts. It helped me see how much I took for granted and how much I had to be grateful for.

At the end of every day sit in silence and ask yourself what am I grateful for. You’ll be amazed at the blessings you discover.

18. Simplicity

I used to love drama and conflict. But at retreat I found I was happier when I kept it simple.

Silence taught me that simplicity and joy are close companions. Pick one space in your home you could simplify. Keep it simple for one month and enjoy the ease it offers your life.

19. Connection

I used to think I had to talk in order to feel connected. I realized during retreat that I can feel connected just by being near people I care about.

Silence taught me that words can get in the way. Do something in silence with someone you love. It will be awkward at first but eventually you will see what it means just to be in someone presence.

20. Truth

I studied philosophy in college and I thought I could read about truth. But retreat taught me that truth is found in silence.

Silence has taught me a deeper truth than words ever could. Sit in silence once a week and feel the truth in your heart. It’s there whether you can express it in words or not.

from:    http://www.zengardner.com/20-ways-sitting-in-silence-can-transform-your-life/