from: http://quotesnsmiles.com/picture-quotes/images-30-transforming-wayne-dyer-picture-quotes/
Category Archives: Body, Mind & Spirit
Dangers of Sucralose
Science Review Reveals Laundry List of Health Hazards Associated with Splenda Consumption
December 18, 2013
By Dr. Mercola
Story at-a-glance
- An in-depth scientific review of sucralose (Splenda) reveals an extensive list of safety concerns, including toxicity, DNA damage, and heightened carcinogenic potential when used in cooking
- When heated, it releases chloropropanols, which belong to a class of toxins known as dioxins. Dioxin—a component of Agent Orange—is among the most dangerous chemicals known to man
- Sucralose can destroy as much as 50 percent of the microbiome in your gut. What’s worse, it appears to target beneficial microorganisms to a greater extent than pathogenic and other more detrimental bacteria
- Both animal and human studies have shown that Splenda alters glucose, insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels, thereby promoting weight gain, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes
- The adverse effects of sucralose are oftentimes misdiagnosed or overlooked entirely as the side effects are so varied and mimic common ailments
Sucralose, marketed under the brand name Splenda, is a best-selling artificial sweetener around the world. (In the European Union, sucralose is also known under the additive code E955.)
It has been nearly eight years since I published my concerns about Splenda in my book, Sweet Deception. Since then, evidence continues to support the concerns I had back then.
Splenda is found in tens of thousands of processed food products sold in 90 different countries, many of which are specifically marketed to those seeking to either lose weight or manage their diabetes.
Mounting research, however, shows that not only does it tend to worsen both of those problems, but it’s also associated with an array of other troublesome side effects.
The web site www.truthaboutsplenda.com lists a variety of consumer complaints from Splenda consumption, many of which mimic other health conditions. Some of the most commonly reported adverse effects include:
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Seizures, dizziness, and migraines
- Blurred vision
- Allergic reactions
- Blood sugar increases and weight gain
But that’s not all. Now, an in-depth scientific review1, 2 of sucralose published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health3 reveals an extensive list of safety concerns, including toxicity, DNA damage, and heightened carcinogenic potential when used in cooking.
It also blows a huge hole in the argument that Splenda is a good choice for diabetics and/or those seeking to lose weight.
Sucralose—NOT Safe for Cooking After All
The featured report came to several important conclusions—all of which challenge the “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) status of sucralose. Of primary concern is that sucralose is not an inert substance.
When heated, it releases chloropropanols, which belong to a class of toxins known as dioxins. One of the selling points of Splenda is that it remains stable when heated, making it well-suited for cooking and baking, but these findings refute such claims. (Many other artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, are not recommended for cooking purposes as they’re known to break down in high temperatures.)
As reported by Sayer Ji at GreenMedInfo.com,4 research now shows that sucralose starts breaking down at 119 degrees Celsius; 180 degrees Celsius causes it to degrade completely.
Dioxin is a waste product of incineration, smelting, chlorine bleaching, and pesticide manufacturing, and its well-documented health effects include cancer and endocrine disruption. In fact, dioxin, which was a toxic component of the Agent Orange used to defoliate jungles during the Vietnam War, is easily one of the most dangerous chemicals known to man.
Another study5 published in October also expressed concern over the chlorination reactions that occur when sucralose is cooked in stainless steel cookware, generating highly toxic compounds, including dioxins6 and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs).
Recent animal research also suggests a link between Splenda consumption and an increased risk of leukemia.7 Based on such research, the time is more than ripe for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reconsider the GRAS status of sucralose…
Sucralose Also Destroys Your Gut Health
The featured review also concluded that sucralose destroys gut bacteria. (In fact, animal research8 published in 2008 found it could kill as much as 50 percent of your microbiome).
This is very important, as anytime you destroy healthy intestinal bacteria, you open yourself up to unfriendly micro-organisms that can cause health problems. Your immune system, which is imperative for general health, is dependent on healthy gut flora, so the idea that this artificial sweetener may destroy up to half of all your healthy gut bacteria is disconcerting to say the least.
Worse yet, sucralose appears to target beneficial microorganisms to a greater extent than pathogenic and other more detrimental bacteria. And remarkably, according to one study, these adverse effects on gut microbiota remained even after a three-month long recovery period…
Early studies, upon which its approval was based, claimed that sucralose would simply pass unchanged through the human gastrointestinal tract, but more recent investigations show that it is indeed metabolized in your gut. And, as reported in the featured review, “the identity and safety profile of these putative sucralose metabolites are not known at this time.”
Diabetics Beware…
to read more, go to: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/18/sucralose-side-effects.aspx?e_cid=20131218Z1_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20131218Z1&et_cid=DM37487&et_rid=372003445
Consciousness & Sacred Geometry
The Golden Spiral of Consciousness: Inspiration & Enlightenment through Art & Science
Posted on by crowrising
Robin Craig Clark
The golden ratio or spiral is a unique relation existing in the universe between the whole and the part and has been in our consciousness for over 4,000 years. It is a ubiquity number widely accepted as a divine proportion and spiritually regarded as the language of the Universe.
This simple fraction has been an inspiration to many artists, musicians, mathematicians and philosophers throughout our history.
Out of the golden ratio rises the golden spiral, whose familiar coil shape can be found everywhere in nature, such as in the structure of our DNA and fingerprints, sunflowers and seashells, storm clouds and tornados—even a star cluster nebula like the Milky Way.
The golden spiral, also called the flower of life, is a twirling pattern that forms out from a rectangle with the golden ratio.
When this rectangle is squared, it leaves a smaller rectangle that has the same golden ratio as the original. When this even smaller rectangle is squared, it in turn leaves a yet smaller rectangle behind—and this process continues until the shapes become so small you cannot see them anymore.
In other words, the process goes on forever.
When you connect a curve through the opposite corners of these concentric rectangles, you form the golden spiral.
The fact that the golden spiral shows up in many growth patterns of plants, animals and even whole galaxies makes us wonder if this unique shape is not indeed the pattern of life.
The principles of the golden spiral also can be seen in the design of buildings and architecture, as well as in art and literature. Golden proportions are to be found in music and even light.
The Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Chinese all depict the golden ratio in their artwork. The Egyptians were probably the first to combine mathematics with art in the design of their pyramids.
Pythagoras discovered the golden proportions of the human body and this was portrayed by artists throughout Greek art.
Leonardo De Vinci found inspiration in the mathematics of art and nature; and it is almost certain he painted to conform to the golden ratio—especially the proportions set out in the Mona Lisa.
Literature can draw on the golden ratio in the structure of words, sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and pictures.
Just as we see the existence of the spiral in our fingerprints and galaxies and in the creation of pyramids and paintings, the golden ratio also appears inside the pages of a book—and even in a book’s cover design.
This pattern of nature can be seen inside many art forms and has a universally stimulating effect on the mind. Enlightenment may be part of this pattern—a communication that connects consciousness through the language of the Universe.
Look at the soul as being a bridge between your mind and the intangible essence of your spirit, gently guiding your mind through a doorway of transcendence to a higher plane of awareness.
By bringing the flower of life to words and pictures, your consciousness can be encouraged to move toward a realization greater than itself. In other words, the golden spiral can spiral you to soul awakening.
The flower of life transcends itself from the physical-mathematical form by which it is more commonly known (sacred geometry), into a spiritual equivalent we call unconditional love.
This little flower of life transforms into the pattern of love. Truth seekers, poets and prophets everywhere teach love as being at the center of all things.
When your soul connects consciousness with the golden spiral, you become love. Love is the infinite pattern of the Universe. And so are you.
Our world needs to undergo an incredible transformation. We must heal our emotions and weary bodies. We should sincerely connect to spirit and love—the intrinsic nature of everything.
Most cultures throughout history, from the Aztec to the Celtic, have documented a significant correlation between physical form and spirituality, clearly expressed through art and sacred geometry, like the mandala: beautiful, mesmerizing patterns bearing ritual and spiritual significance.
Psychoanalyst Carl Jung said the mandala is a representation of the unconscious self and believed mandalas are a means toward wholeness in personality.
The Mandelbrot Set, named after Benoît Mandelbrot, is a collection of numbers that form fractals. These are objects that display self-similarity at various scales; and so we can journey into the wondrous world of fractal geometry, gliding through never-ending self-similarity repeating patterns arising from a simple definition.
Quantum physicists show us that the substance of our reality is shaped, if not created, by our own consciousness.
Both old and new worlds of thought now come together as science greets spirituality in a uniform field of thought. The Universe speaks to us and we ought to listen.
If you “dream within a dream,” and inside this dream you awaken to unconditional love, which is the origin of all things in and beyond this world, you may find yourself in an infinite spiral with no beginning and no end called eternal life.
Copyright © by Robin Craig Clark. All Rights Reserved.
Robin Craig Clark is a writer of a new generation of spiritual books. Robin’s unique ideas come directly from nature, sacred geometry, Celtic wisdom and the use of holographic narrative, bringing words and art together to create a powerful way to inspire spiritual awakening and transformation. For more information, visit www.peliguin.com.
from: http://snooze2awaken.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/the-golden-spiral-of-consciousness-inspiration-enlightenment-through-art-science/
Marijuana Overdose Deaths (P.S.: IT’s 0)
Here’s An Updated Tally Of All The People Who Have Ever Died From A Marijuana Overdose
The Huffington Post | By Nick Wing Posted: 01/03/2014 5:20 pm EST
With recreational pot now for sale in Colorado and widespread confusion over a recent satirical story that jokingly claimed 37 people had already died of a marijuana overdose, we figured it might be about time to update our weed death count.
So, here’s a a GIF that still accurately shows all of the people who have died after overdosing on pot:
Yeah, not a single person has ever died from a weed overdose. We don’t have numbers on pandas, but we’re guessing it’s about the same. According to one frequently cited study, a marijuana smoker would have to consume 20,000 to 40,000 times the amount of THC in a joint in order to be at risk of dying.
Last summer, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the federal government wouldn’t intervene as Colorado and Washington state implement plans for a system of legalized marijuana for adults. The decision opened the floodgates for other states to pursue similar legalization efforts and outraged police groups apparently not excited to see a shift away from the failed war on drugs.
In a joint letter written to Holder at the time, law enforcement organizations warned that his move would lead to more crime, violence and even death.
While high driving may be a concern, Colorado, Washington and federal authorities have all taken steps to keep people off the road after using marijuana. The two states both have their own restrictions, and Holder said in his statement that the DOJ would still prosecute individuals or entities to prevent “drugged driving.”
The police groups also made a number of additional controversial claims that marijuana use itself leads to violent behavior, suicidal thoughts and interest in harder drugs. Scientific studies have not been able to prove this causation conclusively, however, and research has also suggested that THC has significant therapeutic value to patients suffering from cancer, AIDS or glaucoma.
None of this is to say that the nation doesn’t struggle with broader issues of drug and alcohol abuse and overdose. Drug policy reformers and activists gathered around the world last year to discuss the overdose epidemic. In 2010, overdoses were responsible for 38,329 deaths. Sixty percent of those were related to prescription drugs. In the same year, a total of 25,692 persons died of alcohol-induced causes, including accidental poisoning and disease from dependent use.
from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/03/marijuana-overdose_n_4538580.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
On Hawaiian Huna Philosophy
The Esoteric Ancient Wisdom of the Hawaiian Huna Philosophy
23rd December 2013
By Paul Lenda
Guest Writer for Wake Up World
A long time ago, Hawaii was a mystical and magical place (and still is today in many ways). What made Hawaii especially magical in ages past was that there were shamans called kahunas that lived on its emerald islands. These individuals experienced true nature of Reality, in which they realized several critical defining aspects of reality that were later taught to others in order to guide humanity towards a full Self-realized state of existence.
In the early 20th century, with the rise of New Thought, there was an individual by the name of Max Long who linked the ancient kahunas to abstract and mystical metaphysics he was contemplating upon. He believed the key to Huna is the concept of the ‘ Three Selves’, meaning the unconscious, conscious, and superconscious, which he called the unihipili, the uhane and the aumakua. Also, the word Huna is a Hawaiian word meaning “secret,” but it also refers to the esoteric wisdom of Polynesia.
The 7 Huna Principles
IKE — the world is what you think it is
KALA — there are no limits
MAKIA — energy flows where attention goes
MANA WA — now is the moment of power
ALOHA — to love is to be happy with
MANA — all power comes from within
PONO — effectiveness is the measure of truth
IKE — the world is what you think it is
This principle is essentially saying that our consciousness creates our reality. Our perception of reality is subjective and does not necessarily reflect the true objective reality, if such a reality should even exist. If someone thinks the world is full of deception, evil, and hatred, they will only focus their awareness on such matters and become completely blind to anything otherwise that would contradict this perception. Each one of us has the inherent power to transform our reality in any way we see fit. This power has the ability to transform not only one’s self, but all those around them.
KALA — there are no limits
In an infinite reality, there is no beginning or end of anything, which signifies the limitless nature of all that is. Anything is possible and self-growth is likewise infinite. There is always a process of be-ing and become-ing. With no limits, anything that is infinitely possible, can happen, is happening, and will happen, in its infinite forms. This is a concept that is simply too magnificent to be able to comprehend by a human brain.
MAKIA — energy flows where attention goes
Where someone focuses their attention, that is where an directed energy stream will go. This is how the healing method of reiki works and how the method of prayer works as well. When someone directs their thoughts towards a particular form of sentient energy, such as a loved one, this additional energy will be either in a positive form or a negative form. Depending whether the thought-forms are malevolent or benevolent, the end-result will be mimicked.
Sending positive energy and healing hope will have a beneficial effect. If the contrary is occurring, the opposite will result. This can be magnified to show its effects on global consciousness. If positive thoughts are sent into the global consciousness, then there will be less animosity, hatred, anger, and other malevolent emotions. This was demonstrated to be a reality in the 1987 Harmonic Convergence.
MANA WA — now is the moment of power
The power of ‘now’ is monumental. Existing and living the present moment does away with the stress of thinking about ‘what-if’ scenarios or reliving painful memories in an endless loop. All that is, is, and always will be as such. There will be complete inner peace when someone lives in the ‘now’ moment.
ALOHA — to love is to be happy with
Love is such a powerful state of consciousness. When love is experienced, it is a feeling that requires something to be happy about. It can be a physical manifestation of energy such as a person, tree, etc. or it may be completely subtle and nonphysical such as the love for existence. This requirement of having something else be a part of the love equation, demonstrates the interconnectedness with all that is, in all its varying frequencies and energy forms.
MANA — all power comes from within
The individual is the greatest power plant that exists. The mind is more powerful than it is often given credit for. With the power to create, destroy, restore, shift, and change, anything is truly possible for a person to do. Realizing the inner power that each individual has will empower that person to not only completely control their being, but will give one’s self the opportunity to share this power with others and create mutually beneficial exchange relationships.
PONO — effectiveness is the measure of truth
How effective something is in creating a positive and beneficial shift or change in someone or something is a good indicator of the genuine nature of something. It will give a better reflection between truth and falsehood, or rather, between truth and the ignorance of truth.
The seven Huna principles are a great introduction to the power of consciousness and should be able to transform your daily life into something far more empowering and positive on many levels. There’s such tremendous potential for each of us to make a difference not only in their own lives, but in the lives of every other person on the one planet we all share.
The power is all within you. Express it, with love.
from: http://wakeup-world.com/2013/12/23/the-esoteric-ancient-wisdom-of-the-hawaiian-huna-philosophy/
Foods for Detoxification
36 Foods That Help Detox and Cleanse Your Entire Body
1st January 2014
Guest Writer for Wake Up World
Practiced for thousands of years by cultures around the world –detoxification is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health. These foods will assist in boosting your metabolism, optimizing digestion, while allowing you to lose weight and fortify your immune system.
1. ARTICHOKES
Artichokes help the liver function at its best, which in turn will help your body purge itself of toxins and other things it doesn’t need to survive. It ups the liver’s production of bile, and since bile helps break down foods which helps your body use the nutrients inside them, an increase in bile production is typically a good thing.
2. APPLES
Apples are full of wonderful nutrients. You get fibre, vitamins, minerals and many beneficial phytochemicals such as D-Glucarate, flavonoids and terpenoids. All of these substances are used in the detox process. One flavonoid, Phlorizidin (phlorizin), is thought to help stimulate bile production which helps with detox as the liver gets rid of some toxins through the bile. Apples are also a good source of the soluble fibre pectin, which can help detox metals and food additives from your body. It’s best to eat only organic apples as the non-organic varieties are among the top 12 foods that have been found to contain the most pesticide residues. Organically produced apples also have a 15 percent higher antioxidant capacity than conventionally produced apples.
3. ALMONDS
Almonds are the best nut source of Vitamin E. In fact, just one ounce contains 7.3 mg of “alpha-tocopherol” vitamin E, the form of the vitamin the body prefers. They’re also high in fiber, calcium, magnesium, and useable protein that helps stabilize blood sugar and remove impurities from the bowels.
4. ASPARAGUS
Not only does asparagus help to detoxify the body, it can help you wage the anti-aging battle, protect you from getting cancer, help your heart to stay healthy, and is a general anti-inflammatory food. It’s also known to help with liver drainage, which might sound like a bad thing, but since the liver is responsible for filtering out the toxic materials in the food and drinks we consume, anything that backs up its drainage is not doing you any favors. Asparagus also helps reduce risk of death from breast cancer and increase the odds of survival.
5. AVOCADOS
This wonder fruit is packed with antioxidants, lowers cholesterol and dilates the blood vessels while blocking artery-destroying toxicity. Avocados contain a nutrient called glutathione, which blocks at least 30 different carcinogens while helping the liver detoxify synthetic chemicals. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that elderly people who had high levels of glutathione were healthier and less likely to suffer from arthritis. Consuming avocados is associated with better diet quality and nutrient intake level, lower intake of added sugars, lower body weight, BMI and waist circumferences, higher “good cholesterol” levels and lower metabolic syndrome risk.
6. BASIL
Basil has anti-bacterial properties, and it’s full of antioxidants to protect the liver. The active ingredients are terpenoids. It is also wonderful for digestion and detoxification, too. It supports the functioning of the kidneys and also acts as a diuretic to help the body expel unwanted toxins. Basil has been known to have anti-ulcer qualities as well as antimicrobial effects that guard against bacteria, yeast, fungi and mold. Basil seed can also help with constipation. The anticancer properties of basil may also relate to its ability to influence viral infections.
7. BEETS
A single serving of beets can do more for your health than most foods in the produce isle. Not only can they boost your energy and lower your blood pressure, but eating beets in the long-term can help you fight cancer, reduce arthritic pain, boost your brain as well as help you lose weight. Beets contain a unique mixture of natural plant chemicals (phytochemicals) and minerals that make them superb fighters of infection, blood purifiers, and liver cleansers. They also help boost the body’s cellular intake of oxygen, making beets excellent overall body cleansers. When you’re detoxing, beets will help by making sure that the toxins you’re getting out actually make it out of your body. Many detox cleanses go wrong when toxins are reintroduced to the body because they don’t make it all the way out.
8. BLUEBERRIES
Blueberries contain natural aspirin that helps lessen the tissue-damaging effects of chronic inflammation, while lessening pain. Just 300 grams of blueberries protects against DNA damage. Blueberries also act as antibiotics by blocking bacteria in the urinary tract, thereby helping to prevent infections. They have antiviral properties and are loaded with super-detoxifying phytonutrients called proanthocyanidins.
9. BRAZIL NUTS
These tasty treats are packed with selenium, which is key to flushing mercury out of your body. The body uses selenium to make ‘selenoproteins’, which work like antioxidants preventing damage to cells and there is growing body of evidence to show it has a key role in our health. The consumption of brazil nuts has been found to be inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, independent of other potential risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
10. BROCCOLI
Broccoli specifically works with the enzymes in your liver to turn toxins into something your body can eliminate easily. If you’re stuck for ways on how to make broccoli taste better try dehydrating or consider eating it raw. But don’t microwave it as this destroys both the nutritional and detox potential. Broccoli contains a very powerful anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial called sulforaphane which helps prevent cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and allergies.
11. BROCCOLI SPROUTS
Broccoli sprouts can actually provide more benefit than regular broccoli as they contain 20 times more sulfurophane. They contain important phytochemicals that are released when they’re chopped, chewed, fermented, or digested. The substances are released then break down into sulfurophanes, indole-3-carbinol and D-glucarate, which all have a specific effect on detoxification. Add these to your salads and get creative with them in your meals. Researchers have found that an oral preparation made from broccoli sprouts trigger an increase in inflammation-fighting enzymes in the upper airways.
12. CABBAGE
In addition to cleansing your liver, cabbage will also aid in helping you go to the bathroom, which in turn helps you expel the toxins, getting them out of your system so you can start fresh. It contains sulfur, which is essential when it comes to breaking down chemicals and removing them from your body. Along with other cole crops, cabbage is a source of indole-3-carbinol, a chemical that boosts DNA repair in cells and appears to block the growth of cancer cells.
13. CILANTRO
Cilantro, also known as coriander, Chinese parsley or dhania, contains an abundance of antioxidants. Cilantro helps mobilize mercury and other metals out of the tissue so it can attach to it other compounds and allow it to be excreted from the body. It also contains an antibacterial compound called dodecenal, which laboratory tests showed is twice as effective as the commonly used antibiotic drug gentamicin at killing Salmonella.
14. CINNAMON
The oils from cinnamon contain active components called cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, and cinnamyl alcohol. Cinnamaldehyde has been well-researched for its effects on blood platelets helps prevent unwanted clumping of blood cells. Cinnamon’s essential oils also qualify it as an “anti-microbial” food, and cinnamon has been studied for its ability to help stop the growth of bacteria as well as fungi, including the commonly problematic yeast Candida. Cinnamon’s antimicrobial properties are so effective that recent research demonstrates this spice can be used as an alternative to traditional food preservatives. It has one of the highest antioxidant values of all foods and its use in medicine treats everything from nausea to menstruation and energy to diabetes.
15. CRANBERRIES
While they are more popular as fruits that help prevent urinary tract infections, cranberries are antibacterial and are known to remove many different toxins from your body. Cranberries feature a rich profile of anti-inflammatory nutrients, provide immune and cardiovascular support, as well as promote digestive health. Consuming cranberry products has been associated with prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) for over 100 years.
16. DANDELIONS
Dandelions are considered a powerhouse food full of nutrients that are essential for anyone regularly eating processed foods. Dandelion root (taraxacum officinale) is known to act on the liver and pancreas by straining and filtering toxins & wastes from the bloodstream and its beneficial effects on liver complaints have been well documented by both Asian practitioners and American physicians. They’re a rich source of minerals and provide a variety of phytonutrients. They’re super antioxidants that support cleansing of the digestive tract. Try adding dandelion leaves to your salad.
17. FENNEL
The fennel bulb is high in fiber may also be useful in preventing colon cancer. In addition to its fiber, fennel is a very good source of folate, a B vitamin that is necessary for the conversion of a dangerous molecule called homocysteine into other, benign molecules. The vitamin C found in fennel bulb is directly antimicrobial and is also needed for the proper function of the immune system.
18. FLAXSEEDS
When detoxifying your body, it’s essential to ensure toxins are eliminated properly. Ground flaxseeds provide a wonderful source of fibre that helps to bind and flush toxins from the intestinal tract. They’re also a great source of health promoting omega 3 oils. Try consuming two tablespoons of ground flaxseeds in lemon water every morning. University of Copenhagen researchers report that flax fiber suppresses appetite and helps support weight loss. Men should be cautious when consuming flax as the lignans are similar to the female hormone estrogen as can cause problems for some men.
19. GARLIC
Many detox diets list garlic as a crucial piece of the puzzle. The reason is that garlic boosts the immune system as well as helping out the liver. One good thing about garlic is that you can up your intake without having to worry if your body is going to get used to it or build up a resistance. Sulfur is found in high quantities in garlic — which makes it a good detox food and its antibiotic properties heal your body. Garlic is proven to be 100 times more effective than antibiotics and working in a fraction of the time.
20. GINGER
Along side turmeric, ginger is one of the world’s most potent disease-fighting spices. Ginger spikes your metabolism, flushes out waste, is thought to help liver function, and has some astringent properties. Some detox diets ask you to chew on ginger root. You may also find that adding it to hot water makes the water taste better. Basically any way you can think of it get it into your system is going to be beneficial, especially if you’re suffering from a fatty liver caused by too much alcohol, or too many toxic foods and drinks.
21. GOJI BERRIES
Replace raisins with nutrient-dense Goji berries to boost your vitamin C and beta-carotene intake. Gram for gram, goji berries pack more vitamin C than oranges and more beta-carotene than carrots. Vitamin C can help remove waste from your body, while beta-carotene improves liver performance.
22. GRAPEFRUIT
Grapefruits can prevent weight gain, treat diabetes, lower cholesterol, fight cancer, heal stomach ulcers, reduce gum disease and even keep stroke and metabolic syndrome at bay. Grapefruits can treat disease as well as pharmaceuticals without the side effects. The rich pink and red colors of grapefruit are due to lycopene, a carotenoid phytonutrient. Among the common dietary carotenoids, lycopene has the highest capacity to help fight oxygen free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells. The big takeaway on grapefruit is that it gets your liver fired up and ready for action, while infusing the rest of your organs with nutrient-laden fruit juice.
23. GREEN TEA
Green tea is often thought of as a great addition to any detox program because of its high antioxidant value. It is the least processed tea and thus provides the most antioxidant polyphenols, notably a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits linked to green tea. According to 17 clinical trials, green tea is linked with significantly lower blood sugar.
24. HEMP
Hemp might just be one of nature’s most perfect foods since it is full of antioxidants like Vitamins E and C, as well as chlorophyll which is wonderful for cleansing the body from toxins of all kinds, including heavy metals. The soluble and insoluble fiber in hemp can also keep the digestive tract clean and therefore, reduce the toxic burden on other internal organs. Hemp could free us from oil, prevent deforestation, cure cancer and it’s environmentally friendly.
25. KALE
Kale is now recognized as providing comprehensive support for the body’s detoxification system. New research has shown that the ITCs made from kale’s glucosinolates can help regulate detox at a genetic level. This vegetable is so good for you that it is often recommended to patients that are following a doctor recommended diet when fighting kidney disease. It’s packed with so many antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties as well, not to mention all of the vitamins and minerals it contains. Leafy greens are likely the number one food you can eat to regularly help improve your health. They’re filled with fiber along with crucial vitamins, minerals, and plant-based phytochemicals that may help protect you from almost every disease known.
26. LEMONGRASS
This is an herb that is used in Thailand and other parts of the world as a natural way to cleanse several organs at once. It not only helps the liver but also the kidneys, the bladder, and the entire digestive tract. Benefits of using it in your cooking, or drinking it as a tea include a better complexion, better circulation, and better digestion. It is most often used as a tea in the world of detoxing, and there are several recipes you can try until you find one that suits your tastes best.
27. LEMONS
This wonderful fruit stimulates the release of enzymes and helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that can be easily excreted from the body. In addition, they contain high amounts of vitamin C, a vitamin needed by the body to make glutathione. Glutathione helps ensure that phase 2 liver detoxification keeps pace with phase 1, thereby reducing the likelihood of negative effects from environmental chemicals. Drinking lemon water, which is alkaline-forming, first thing in the morning will help to balance out the acidity of foods we’ve consumed. They also have an incredible effect in detoxing the liver. Fresh lemon juice contains more than 20 anti-cancer compounds and helps balance the body’s pH levels.
28. OLIVE OIL
Some liver cleanses out there call for olive oil mixed with fruit juice in order to trigger your liver to expunge its gallstones. But aside from that olive oil should be your go-to oil when you’re trying to detox the body. That’s because it has a lot of healthy properties, and makes for a better choice of fat than most of your other options. Just be sure not to cook with it at high heat. Use it as a salad dress to help things like dark leafy greens go down. Your best choice is always ice-pressed olive oil, but if you can find a very high quality cold-pressed olive oil, although not as nutritious, it will suffice provided the quality is high and not adulterated.
29. ONIONS
This ubiquitous kitchen staple is as healthy as it is tasty. It’s brimming with sulfur-containing amino acids, which efficiently detox the liver. Raw onions deliver the most health benefits. Even a small amount of “overpeeling” can result in unwanted loss of flavonoids. For example, a red onion can lose about 20% of its quercetin and almost 75% of its anthocyanins if it is “overpeeled”. Onions will soak up arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and tin in contaminated foods. The total polyphenol content of onion is not only higher than its fellow allium vegetables, garlic and leeks, but also higher than tomatoes, carrots, and red bell pepper. Onions have been shown to inhibit the activity of macrophages, specialized white blood cells that play a key role in our body’s immune defense system, and one of their defense activities involves the triggering of large-scale inflammatory responses.
30. PARSLEY
Those pretty green leaves don’t just make your plate look great. Parsley boasts plenty of beta-carotene and vitamins A, C and K to protect your kidneys and bladder. Diuretic herbs such as parsley prevent problems such as kidney stones and bladder infections and keep our body’s plumbing running smoothly by causing it to produce more urine. They also relieve bloating during menstruation. The flavonoids in parsley–especially luteolin–have been shown to function as antioxidants that combine with highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules (called oxygen radicals) and help prevent oxygen-based damage to cells. In addition, extracts from parsley have been used in animal studies to help increase the antioxidant capacity of the blood.
31. PINEAPPLES
This tropical delight contains bromelain, a digestive enzyme that helps cleanse your colon and improve digestion. Excessive inflammation, excessive coagulation of the blood, and certain types of tumor growth may all be reduced by bromelain. Two molecules isolated from an extract of crushed pineapple stems have even shown promise in fighting cancer growth.
32. SEAWEED
Seaweed may be the most underrated vegetable in the Western world. Studies at McGill University in Montreal showed that seaweeds bind to radioactive waste in the body so it can be removed. Radioactive waste can find its way into the body through some medical tests or through food that has been grown where water or soil is contaminated. Seaweed also binds to heavy metals to help eliminate them from the body. In addition, it is a powerhouse of minerals and trace minerals. Seaweed extracts can help you lose weight, mostly body fat.
33. SESAME SEEDS
Sesame seeds’ phytosterols have beneficial effects which are so dramatic that they have been extracted from many foods and added to processed foods, such as “butter”-replacement spreads, which are then touted as cholesterol-lowering “foods.” But why settle for an imitation “butter” when Mother Nature’s nuts and seeds are a naturally rich source of phytosterols–and cardio-protective fiber, minerals and healthy fats as well? Sesame seeds contain minerals important in a number of antiinflammatory and antioxidant enzyme systems. Sesame represents one of the top 10 healthiest seeds on Earth.
34. TURMERIC
Curcumin is the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, which gives it its yellow color. The rate at which your detox pathways function depends on your genes, your age, lifestyle and a good supply of nutrients involved in the detox process. Curcumin is used a lot in Ayurvedic Medicine to treat liver and digestive disorders. Turmeric has specifically been studied in relation to the positive effect that it has on the liver. As a high antioxidant spice, turmeric protects the body and prevents disease more effectively than drug based treatments and without the side effects.
35. WATERCRESS
Give your liver a big boost with cleansing action of watercress. If you’re into making smoothies for your detoxing this is a great one to blend up and drink down. This helps to release enzymes in the liver that clean it out and help rid it of toxic buildup. Eating watercress every day helps prevent breast cancer.
36. WHEATGRASS
Wheatgrass restores alkalinity to the blood. The juice’s abundance of alkaline minerals helps reduce over-acidity in the blood and thus also Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver protector. It increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. It also cleanses the organs and gastrointestinal tract of debris. Wheatgrass stimulates the metabolism and the body’s enzyme systems by enriching the blood. It also aids in reducing blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways throughout the body. Pound for pound, wheatgrass is more than twenty times denser in nutrients than other choice vegetables. Nutritionally, wheatgrass is a complete food that contains 98 of the 102 earth elements.
from: http://wakeup-world.com/2014/01/01/36-foods-that-help-detox-and-cleanse-your-entire-body/
The Mind’s Power to Heal
6 More Stories To Make You Believe In The Power Of The Mind To Heal You
4th January 2014
Guest Writer for Wake Up World
In 6 Stories To Make You Believe In The Power Of The Mind To Heal You, I shared with you evidence that the mind’s thoughts, beliefs, and feelings can heal- or harm- the body. The response to this post was so enthusiastic that I felt inspired to share more stories with you. The more verifiable scientific evidence you collect for your skeptical mind, the more you will prove to yourself that the mind really can heal the body.
Hope Heals
As described by Dr. Bernie Siegel in Love, Medicine & Miracles, a chemotherapy regimen called “EPOH” was being studied in a research protocol for efficacy. Most of the study centers were reporting consistent results- some benefit from the chemotherapy, but nothing earth-shattering. But one study center was getting dramatically better results, so the research team investigated. What were they doing differently?
Turns out the doctor in the center with better results had renamed the chemotherapy regimen. Instead of telling his patients they were getting OPEH, he rearranged the letters and dosed them with HOPE.
Fake Surgery Heals Knees
In an article in The New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Bruce Moseley, an orthopedic surgeon renowned for the knee surgeries he performed on people with debilitating knee pain, reported about a brilliant study he designed to prove that his signature knee surgery was more effective than others. The patients in one group of the study got Dr. Moseley’s famous surgery. The other group of patients underwent an elaborately crafted sham surgery, during which the patient was sedated, three incisions were made in the same location as those getting the real surgery, and the patient was shown a prerecorded tape of someone else’s surgery on the video monitor. Dr. Moseley even splashed water around to mimic the sound of the lavage procedure. Then he sewed the knee back up without actually doing anything.
As expected, one third of the patients getting the real surgery experienced resolution of their knee pain. But what really shocked the researchers was that those getting the sham surgery had the same result! In fact, at one point in the study, those getting the sham surgery were actually having less knee pain than those getting the real surgery, probably because they didn’t undergo the trauma of the surgery.
What did Dr. Moseley’s patients think about the study results? As one World War II veteran who benefited from Dr. Moseley’s placebo knee surgery said, “The surgery was two years ago and the knee has never bothered me since. It’s just like my other knee now.”
Fake Surgery Heals Chest Pain
In the past, ligation of the internal mammary artery in the chest was considered standard treatment for angina. The thought was that, if you blocked blood flow through the internal mammary artery in the chest, you’d shunt more blood to the heart and relieve the symptoms people experience when they’re not getting enough coronary blood flow. Surgeons performed this procedure for decades, and almost all of the patients experienced improvement in their symptoms. But were they really responding to the ligation of the internal mammary artery? Or were their bodies responding to the belief that the surgery would be helpful?
On a quest to find out the answer, one study compared angina patients who got their internal mammary arteries ligated with patients who underwent a surgical procedure during which an incision was made on the chest wall, but the artery itself was not ligated. What happened? 71 percent of those subjected to the sham surgery got better, whereas only 67 percent of those who got the real surgery improved.
What You Believe Affects Your Life Expectancy
Researchers in San Diego examined the death records of almost 30,000 Chinese-Americans and compared them to over 400,000 randomly selected white people. What they found was that Chinese-Americans, but not whites, die significantly earlier than normal (by as much as 5 years) if they have a combination of disease and birth year which Chinese astrology and Chinese medicine consider ill-fated. The researchers found that the more strongly the Chinese-Americans attached to traditional Chinese traditions, the earlier they died. When they examined the data, they concluded that the reduction in life expectancy could not be explained by genetic factors, the lifestyle choices or behavior of the patient, the skill of the doctor, or any other variable.
Why did the Chinese-Americans die younger? The researchers concluded that they die younger not because they have Chinese genes, but because they have Chinese beliefs. They believe they will die younger because the stars have hexed them. And their negative belief manifests as a shorter life.
Generosity Is Potent Medicine
After 9 heart surgeries, Andy Mackie’s doctors had him on 15 medications, but the side effects made him miserable. So he decided to stop all his medications and spend his remaining days feeling as good as he could. His doctors said he would die within a year, so Andy decided to do something he had always wanted to do. He decided to use the money he would have spent on his heart medicines to buy 300 harmonicas for children, with lessons. And when he didn’t die the next month, he bought a few hundred more. Thirteen years and 20,000 harmonicas later, Andy Mackie finally passed away.
The Mind Affects Hair Growth
Thirty percent of patients who thought they were getting chemotherapy but were actually getting nothing but saline lost their hair. And bald men in the Rogaine trials who were getting nothing but sugar pills grew hair. Go figure.
Still Not Convinced?
I have zero attachment to converting skeptics of mind-body medicine into believers. I’m just a curious scientist who can’t ignore the evidence that the mind is more powerful that we yet understand. If you’re curious like me, read more evidence of the mind’s power to heal the body in Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself or watch my Public Television special Heal Yourself: Mind Over Medicine (watch the trailer and check listings here).
from: http://wakeup-world.com/2014/01/04/6-more-stories-to-make-you-believe-in-the-power-of-the-mind-to-heal-you/
US & Soviet Paranormal Research
New paper at physics archive reviews long history of official Soviet and Russian paranormal research effort
An extensively referenced paper has been published to the physics archive arxiv.org and reveals in detail the long history of Soviet and Russian paranormal research.
According to the document found at http://arxiv.org/pdf/1312.1148v2.pdf
Summing up the section on the period from 1980 to 2003, it should be noted that with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, these program are first reduced, and around 2002-2003 completely closed … Due to academic and non-academic researchers the instrumental psychotronics, denoted sometimes as torsionics, still continue to grow, but we cannot speak about government programs in Russia any longer.
The appearance of generators and detectors of ’high-penetrating’ radiation in 2003-2004 indicated the beginning of a new stage in the development of instrumental psychotronics. These effects can by examined by independent researchers and even by non-technical (e.g. biologists) experts. This factor played a major role in the evolution of this research area after minimizing and closing governmental programs.
Posted 4 days ago by STARstream Research | STARpod.US | PsycheLeaks.org
from: http://psi-spy.blogspot.com/2013/12/new-paper-at-physics-archive-reviews.html
Lightworkers Unite!!!
2014 Galactic Call To Arms
Last updated on January 3, 2014 at 12:00 am EDT by in5d Alternative News
by Michellle Walling, CHLC
Calling all Lightworkers, Warriors, Lighthouses, and Grounders! The time is finally upon us to spring into action! This is the time we have all been waiting for. It is time to suit up to perform the greatest feat ever in our Universe. We have heard these words before and we have all shown up to hear them once again. This time our suit of armor is our power to stand together as one and to voice our manifestation intention to bring the New Earth into our reality.
Before now, Lightworkers have had varied roles in preparation for 2014. Some have been Warriors of the truth- exposing and fighting the government lies, false flag attacks, and depopulation agendas. Some have been great bearers of light, standing tall like Lighthouses, attracting those who chose to awaken in order to help them grow their own light within. Some have focused on grounding the healing energies coming to us from the Great Central Sun of Alcyone into the planet 
and into the grid system. Some of us have worked on a little of everything. All of us have been so passionate about what we are doing that we have been focused on what we thought was right and it has sometimes caused rifts between us as to where the most focus should be.
Light Warriors relentlessly uncovered and exposed horrible things happening on this planet, continuously focusing on death disease and destruction. Some of them got a little frustrated with other Lightworkers who they felt just weren’t doing enough exposing and focusing on the darkness. Some of the Lighthouses faulted the Warriors for focusing too much on what we do not want to see on the planet. The Grounders got lost in nature and bliss, not caring what the warriors and lighthouses were doing, for it felt so good to be home.
All groups of lightworkers were needed to get us to where we are now. One group is not any more important than another group. The planet has been run for thousands of years by a group of fallen Anunnaki (we will call them the Fallen A’s) that have wanted to control planet Earth in order to keep it for themselves. The big difference in the Fallen A’s in control and the lightworkers in human form is the Fallen A’s worked together as a group with one single goal in mind- complete service to self control of the planet via mind control, chemical weapons, financial monarchy, and depopulation.
We now see how the lightworkers have been divided and most of the division was caused by New Age disinformation propaganda and paid “schills” who tried to discredit everything that would bring us together. For the past several years, tricksters made their way into channeled messages to being that one bit of misinformation that would make us all begin to discredit and question what is really happening. This includes the timeline agenda of 2012 and any timeline agenda after that, for the event will happen when we make it happen. Many Lightworkers were interfered with using off world technology that affected our brains and our physical bodies in general.
We are the multidimensional beings of the light that we have been waiting for
We all have a higher aspect of ourselves somewhere out there in spaceships, on another planet, or sitting in the Universe shining brightly as a star. Our souls are too big to move down into the third dimensional denseness- it is too compact, so we had to send sparks of ourselves. We have a soul family in the macrocosm that is reflected in the microcosm here on the planet as incarnated humans. We also have spirit guides and angels with us from our soul family helping us along this difficult path. We have aspects from our monad that are from the “past” and the “future” that are being healed and are merging with us in the “now” here on the planet, in our spiritual bodies. Our army is immense, and we have all been trying to figure out what it is we are supposed to do to end this battle with these dis-compassionate Fallen A’s once and for all. It is time to unite all aspects of ourselves and to call upon our Galactic family to spring into action.
The term “we are the ones we have been waiting for” may have been a little confusing in the past. It seems to infer that as multidimensional beings incarnated into human form, that the human for will be the one to once and for all bring the Fallen A’s down through peaceful protest and through peaceful non-compliance. While this is partly true, we haven’t seen the big shift yet as to how we can truly stop adhering to governmental control and guidelines since they control every aspect of living. Many have tried to start new financial systems that will break free of the shackles and cause the financial collapse in the U.S.- however it seems to keep running on thin air. We have all been waiting for the one big thing to occur that will allow us to stand in our power in order to take back our freedom.
People of planet earth, we cannot take down this Fallen A government and financial tyrannist sect just as humans. We must merge with our higher existence- thus the term “ascension” was coined and we have been doing our “work” to prepare ourselves for the shifts in vibration that we have been experiencing. So to further explain the term “we are the ones we have been waiting for”, we must understand that we have to call on our Galactic family- our space brothers and sisters, the ascended masters, the aspects of our monads in the past and the future, our spirit guides and angels, and whatever other terms we use for our higher beings and the oneness. They are all us, we are all of them. They are patiently waiting on us to do this because they can only interfere to a certain point in keeping with Universal Law in order to keep the planet from being blown up without our free will request for assistance.
We incarnated into physical form to be able to use our free will to voice our desire to end the tyranny and control of this planet. That is what we all came here to do, and we can accomplish this in 2014.
Earth is being showered by pulses of galactic high vibrational energy from Source to Alcyone to our sun
In the latter part of December and the beginning of the New Year, the bursts coming to Earth from our sun have risen from an estimated 50 per day to over 500 per day. The Fallen A’s have no idea of the immense power of this energy because they cannot experience it. They are like robots on auto pilot and are not attuned to the changes, even though they have been told what is coming. They do know something is really, really wrong and they are showing their confusion with every move they make.
The end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014 was the final clearing and preparation for the way showers to stand in their remembrance of this task and of the power that they all hold together. Yes, this could have been achieved earlier, however, it has been a tricky awakening and our galactic family had a bit of housekeeping to do. The top hierarchy of the Fallen A’s are being rounded up and are standing “trial” in front of galactic councils and will be accountable for what they have done. Their puppets are left with broken strings and have lost their energetic connection to the negative emotional pool of energies that have been farmed from the Noosphere. They are flopping around like fish out of water and are basically hanging themselves.
Yes, the U.S. economy will collapse eventually, but it is time to bring it down with the help of our family in order to make the smooth transition into the higher vibrations of the New Earth rather than simply watching the Fallen A’s painfully hang themselves while intentionally taking out as many humans as possible in the process. Too many people are suffering and the situation has gotten to the point of disaster with Fukushima and chemtrails. Their sick and twisted goal has even included helping the financial collapse before our very eyes the hard way- making millions suffer and starve in the process.
Although it truly has seemed hopeless, there is a solution, and it is in place. Our galactic family has the technology to pass to us that can clean up the environmental disasters. They have a sound financial system ready to implement that can be run by the people that will eventually turn into a bartering system. There are many people on the planet qualified to form councils of elders that can be voted in and out in according to the people’s wishes. The mainstream media can be freed and the rest of humanity can learn in a blink of an eye what has been done to them. Holistic healthcare practitioners can begin to heal people and big pharma will quickly be a thing of the past. The oil and gas companies will rush into manufacturing of free energy devices and the automobile industry will begin to bring forth the most exciting free energy cars of all time. We can correct our soils and grow organic food once again. Our water will be safe to drink right out of the tap. The whole world really can change very rapidly if we want it to.
All we have to do is ask. We are in essence giving ourselves and our Galactic family permission to move forward. By asking, we are exercising our free will.
Many people are still trying to get used to the concept that we can co- create our reality. They are disillusioned by focusing on what is in front of their eyes. Even some lightworkers are lost in depression or have closed the curtains to the outside world because it was too frightening for their kind hearts to handle. There has been an erroneous statement spread like wildfire that “no one is coming to save us”. Does this statement really feel right? There are millions of UFO’s cloaked all over the planet! Many are showing themselves to us and there are more videos than ever available in the internet and even on mainstream media in other countries outside of the U.S..
We have been led down a rabbit hole in thinking we have to win this battle do this as humans with our hands tied behind our backs. The suffering is over. We must be the ones to ask, or command our aspects of us and our galactic family to end this now. The command had to come from the human heart. The spokes on the wheels have aligned in the cosmos and the door has opened for us to be heard.
The way we will free the planet is with a form of affirmation- prayer, meditation, or intention; whatever form you use for manifestation. Ground, invoke the light, and ASK YOUR HIGHER ESSENCE TO HELP HUMANITY MOVE FORWARD WITH THE DEMISE OF SYSTEM AND THE HEALING OF THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE PLANET. Verbalize or write it down and burn it. You are masters, you know how to do this and you know what will have the most power. We do not have to all meditate at the same “time” for the ritual that we are performing is in alignment with our higher selves in the now. Do it whenever you feel you are ready and do it as much as you feel you need to. We have already won the battle in the now.
We The Masters will now manifest ourselves into the New Earth and we will celebrate the ease with which we will pass along a thousand years or more of peace and prosperity to our lineage, and we will become ambassadors in the Cosmos. From the now, we will heal our past and our future selves. We will teach how to free other planets from domination and control and how to live in peace and love. We will reunite with our galactic families within our consciousness and will use our Stargate codes within our bodies to travel the Universe, all while existing as a light bodied human here on planet Earth. We are multidimensional, multivibrational beings, and it is time to explore our wholeness again.
It may or may not be time for the spaceships to land for full disclosure. Would you want to land in this chaos? It really is not necessary now, for the majority of the human population would probably handle it out of fear. The ground crew is in place- we are here. We need space to be free to be who we are and to expand into it. Our Galactic family can help to give us the last push we need to get there, allowing us fight fire with fire. Go within your heart and unlock the key to your power. Use the voice within to shout out to the Universe- “WE ARE AWAKE, AND WE ARE FREE”!
About the author:
Michelle Walling is a Certified Holistic Life Coach. She has devoted her life to being a bearer and grounder of the light in service to others. As a truth seeker, she is committed to share her experiences with the world. She is also a hands-on healer, a distance healer, an empath, and an intuitive.
from: http://in5d.com/2014-galactic-call-to-arms.html
On Mindful Living
Why 2014 Will Be The Year Of Mindful Living
The Huffington Post | By Carolyn Gregoire Posted: 01/02/2014 9:06 am EST | Updated: 01/02/2014 2:38 pm EST
Mindfulness, it seems, is having a moment. 2013 saw a significant spike of interest in holistic health and mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation (not to mention a number of celebrities and CEOs hopping on the mindfulness bandwagon) and it’s a trend that will likely continue to gain momentum in 2014.
“What the culture is craving is a sense of ease and reflection, of not needing to be stimulated or entertained or going after something constantly,” Soren Gordhamer, founder of the Wisdom 2.0 conference, told the New York Times. “Nobody’s kicking out technology, but we have to regain our connection to others and to nature or else everybody loses.”
Here are five reasons that mindfulness will change the world this upcoming year.
Trendspotters are going all in for 2014.
According to JWT Worldwide, one of the world’s largest marketing communications brands, 2014 will be characterized by a movement toward mindful living. A number of the items on JWT’s “100 Things to Watch for in 2014” list reflect a growing interest in mindfulness — that is, the cultivation of a focused awareness on the present moment — and mindful living was named one of 10 trends that will shape the world in 2014 and beyond.
“Mindfulness is part of a much larger trend we’ve been observing called mindful living,” Ann Mack, director of trendspotting at JWT, told the Huffington Post. “It’s kind of a counter-trend to the past decade of overly stimulated, ADD-afflicted, tech-saturated culture that we’ve been living in. What was once the domain of the spiritual set has filtered into the mainstream as more people are drawn to this idea of shutting out distractions and focusing on the moment.”
Related trends forecasted on JWT’s 2014 list include “survival of the focused,” “rage against the machine” — a movement characterized by a fear and resentment of technology, and desire for more human experiences — and mindfulness in the classroom.
But just because mindfulness has been labeled a trend, don’t expect the movement to fizzle out any time soon.
“[Mindful living] has staying power, because our world is only going to become more saturated with technology, and therefore people have to find ways to counteract that,” says Mack. “We’re reassessing our relationship with technology. Over the last decade, we’ve allowed technology to rule us. Now we’re trying to be more mindful in the way we use technology and find more balance.”
People are Googling it like crazy.
It’s a movement that began gaining steam in 2013, making headlines around the web — from Rupert Murdoch’s announcement that he was taking up Transcendental Meditation to the University of Wisconsin’s groundbreaking finding that mindfulness meditation actually alters gene expression in the body — and searches for the term soared on Google (see chart below).
Major corporations are getting on board.
Silicon Valley may be at least partially responsible for turning mindfulness from a niche New Age practice to a pop culture buzzword. In November, a New York Times Magazine cover story profiled the “hunger to get centered” and influx of mindfulness practices in the tech world and beyond.
“It seems counterintuitive, since technology is perhaps the biggest driver of mindlessness and distraction… but the drive to mindfulness is becoming more prominent in places were tech immersion is more prominent,” says Mack. “A lot of Silicon Valley companies, for instance, are banning technology during meetings in an effort to reign in focus.”
Google even offers its employees a program called Search Inside Yourself (SIY), a mindfulness-based emotional intelligence training program. Chade-Meng Tan, the program’s founder and author of “Search Inside Yourself,” told the Huffington Post that mindfulness can help build compassion, which can be beneficial to not only individuals and community, but also to corporate bottom lines.
“The one thing [that all companies should be doing] is promoting the awareness that compassion can and will be good for success and profits,” said Tan.
Leaders are identifying themselves with it.
A number of high-powered executives — from LinkedIn’s Jeff Weiner to the late Steve Jobs to Oprah — have touted meditation as their secret to success. Even several years ago, you’d never expect to hear a billionaire hedge fund founder admit to meditating daily, but it’s becoming a lot more common.
“Meditation more than anything in my life was the biggest ingredient of whatever success I’ve had,” Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio claimed, while Oprah has said that meditation helps her to create her best work and best life.
Science has proven it’s worth the hype.
Mounting research on the physical and mental health benefits of mindfulness has contributed to and helped to legitimize this growing interest in meditative practice. Recent studies have linked mindfulness with emotional stability and improved sleep, increased focus and memory, enhanced creativity, and lower stress levels, among a host of other positive health outcomes.
from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/02/will-2014-be-the-year-of-_0_n_4523975.html?utm_hp_ref=gps-for-the-soul&ir=GPS+for+the+Soul