Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 3 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Many who have had a few bottles of prescription drugs that haven’t worked are now trying to find alternatives to healing. If you want to join the growing numbers of people who are working towards alternative medicine, you can look directly into Chinese medicine. There are a variety of practitioners available, all of which understand the methods of helping you heal.
If you are familiar with Chinese medicine as an alternative, you may have also noticed that it doesn’t seem like there are a lot who are advertising the alternatives. Just because this is true, you don’t have to give up hope to find your options with your health. Through some simple searching, you can find the best way to optimize your health and energy.
The good news about Chinese medicine is that most practitioners that come from the orient are first trained in the ancient practices. Even though it may say that they are specialized in a specific type of practice, you can suspect that they know a few things about the complete picture of Chinese medicine. For example, if you know an acupuncture practitioner, you will be safe in asking about herbal alternatives as well.
Not only can you ask local practitioners about Chinese medicine practices, you can also find other resources that can help. Because alternative medicine is becoming more popular, you can easily find national associations and organizations that are dedicated to promoting alternative methods of Chinese medicine. By linking to these organizations as an alternative, you will be able to expand your possibilities and knowledge of holistic health.
Finding a way to link the mind, body and spirit also means finding examples of those who have been initiating alternative health. There are a variety of possibilities that are available, all of which can link you to understanding and be practicing your flow of energy.
The sign of Cancer (June 22 – July 22) has very little to do with that prickly crustacean, believe it or not. In fact, it’s hard to pin down exactly what constitutes the Cancer personality. The ancient Egyptians perceived Cancer as the sacred scarab. It was a symbol of resurrection and immortality and they often placed a carving of a scarab in the body where the heart had been, as part of the mummification process.
Cancers are very imaginative and intuitive. They make great artists and musicians. They’re not risk takers and will take the time to contemplate all sorts of outcomes and probabilities before taking on a new venture. They’re very sympathetic and protective of those around them. They will help out in whatever way they can, although not impulsively and will temper their generosity by calculating all the risks first. They’re emotional and loving, and great family and pet people.
In the Zodiac Great Year, the Age of Cancer fell between 8600 and 6450 BCE. It was a time characterized by the worship of mother goddesses. During this period alcohol fermentation was discovered and people began to use copper.
Cancers make good journalists, writers or politicians because of their ability to think and judge independently what they’re told. They’re good in public service, perhaps in social service agencies. Cancers are good providers because they themselves love the comfort and a good life. Cancers can procrastinate and can upset their families with this trait. They’re not too good at taking orders, so positions, where they’re required to be submissive or subordinate, may not suit them well.
Famous Cancers comprise an interesting mix of accomplishments. They include the Duke of Windsor and Bob Fosse, Sylvester Stallone, the Dalai Lama, Robin Williams and Ernest Hemingway.
The best partner for Cancer is Taurus, while the sign with the least potential for a harmonious relationship with Cancer is Aries.
Foreign seeds can be caught anywhere, including these harvested flax seeds (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We are being bombarded each day with information on omega 3 6 9 oils and supplements. Listening to so many facts and figures might get complicated for the common man. You need information about each of these but in a simpler and intelligible manner and this is exactly what we give you in this article.
Omega oils belong to the group of essential fatty acids or EFAs. The number against each of these fatty acids is representative of their chemical structure. However what is important is their role in our body and their health benefits.
The body needs these fats to perform important functions and prevent various diseases. Studies show that Omega fats or the essential fatty acids can help prevent cancer, mental disorders, arthritis and cardiovascular diseases.
However, these essential fatty acids or Omegas cannot be synthesized within our body which is why they need to be obtained through our diet. Let us discuss more these oils and other dietary sources of essential fatty acids.
Omega 3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats and comprise three fatty acids - Alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The main dietary sources of omega 3 are Fish oils. Certain vegetable oils such as Flaxseed oil and Canola oil are also rich in omega 3.
Fish oils are extracted from the tissues of cold-water fatty fishes such as salmon, sardines, Hoki, tuna, and mackerel. They are rich in both EPA and DHA fats and can be instantly absorbed by our body.
Flaxseed oil is the richest vegetarian source of omega 3. Flaxseed oil contains ALA fats that need to be converted into EPA and DHA to be absorbed by our body. It contains both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in a ratio of 4:1.
Canola oil is one of the healthiest and cheapest cooking oil available today. Developed by the hybridization of rapeseeds, canola oil is very rich in ALA content. It has a very low content of saturated fats which makes it heart-friendly.
Omega 6 Fatty acids are essential fatty acids and comprise of Linolenic acid, Gamma-linolenic acid, Dihomogamma linolenic acid and Arachidonic acid. Omega 6 is mainly obtained from vegetable oils, nuts, and baked goods.
Safflower oil is the richest natural source of Omega 6 fatty acids. They are colorless, odorless and are ideal for cooking purposes. Safflower oil is rich in monosaturated as well as polyunsaturated fats.
Soybean Oil is extracted from soybeans and is a rich source of both omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids. To ensure maximum benefits of Soybean oil, it must be used in an unrefined state only since the refining process turns the unsaturated fats into hydrogenated fats.
Walnut Oil contains both omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids in a ratio of 10:1 respectively. It is a rich source of unsaturated fats and is considered good for our cardiovascular health.
Omega 9 Fatty acids are monounsaturated fats. Omega 9 fats can be synthesized within our body. They contain Oleic acid which is beneficial for reducing inflammation throughout the body. Omega 9 fatty acids are mainly found in Olive oil and avocados.
Omega 3 6 9 oils should be a part of a healthy diet plan. Balanced and proper consumption of Omega 3 6 9 oils can keep your heart, mind, joints, and skin healthy.
Fruits of Prunus domestica (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Potassium and prunes are a natural constipation remedy that you can quickly use to help you get constipation relief.
Potassium is needed in your colon walls to ensure that peristaltic action occurs. Without potassium, colon walls are weak and unable to respond and contract properly when a fecal matter needs to be move.
Potassium in your colon wall tissues brings in more oxygen, which is required for good cell function and elimination of toxins. In addition, potassium creates an alkaline environment inside and outside the cell, which helps protect cell walls from bacteria, fungus, and other pathogens.
Potassium is a powerful source when it comes to cleaning, feeding and building your colon walls. Removing the thin layer of buildup – harden mucus, dried fecal matter, waste derby, heavy metals - against your colon wall can be accomplished by eating those foods that are high in potassium.
Excess buildup on your colon walls of fecal matter and toxins is a cause of continual constipation. This buildup prevents your colon walls from functioning properly.
Potassium is necessary for reducing anxiety and depression. These conditions can affect the peristaltic movements of your colon. Lack of it causes muscles and organs to sag and lack tone.
Potassium, also, draws water out of the body. So when potassium is in your colon it attracts water and pulls it into the fecal matter. This makes your fecal matter softer and easier to move along the colon.
To get more potassium into your diet make a constipation remedy drink by,
Pouring hot water over dried prunes and waiting 10 minutes. Then eat the prunes and drink the juice Do this on an empty stomach in the morning.
The high concentration of potassium and vitamin A, in prunes, stimulates enzymatic processes. These processes meltdown fecal wall wastes and dissolve blockages. They also activate peristaltic action to move this waste out through your rectum.
If you have any kidney disease, do not take potassium supplements unless directed by your doctor. If you are pregnant, take potassium only under a doctor’s direction.
If you are on any type of drugs, do not take potassium unless directed by your doctor.
When you have constipation it is best to take a potassium supplement. Once you have your constipation eliminated back off on the potassium you are taking and depend on your potassium dose from the foods you eat.
My recommended Potassium dose is 1000 – 3000 mg each day taken with meals.
Chinese uses her needles to treat a production brigade worker
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Although it is been done for thousands of years in Asia, some people are still very nervous about going to an acupuncturist for treatment. As the practice becomes more accepted, however, and the use of acupuncture is becoming more prevalent, many individuals will find themselves getting this treatment for the first time. If you are a little bit nervous about your acupuncture treatment, you are in good company but that doesn't mean that you have a need for alarm. Here is what you can expect from your visit to the acupuncturist.
The first visit will actually be a question-and-answer session and may or may not include acupuncture at all. Your doctor will want to know almost everything about your medical condition, and the underlying issues and anything else that may help him in his treatment of your condition. Once the proper treatment is discerned, however, your treatments will start, perhaps even on the first visit.
This is where most people get nervous because they are unsure about the dangers that may exist from acupuncture. Let me put your mind at ease. It is very rare for there to be any problems from acupuncture treatment and, as long as you're acupuncturist is using clean needles and knows what they are doing, you have little to worry about at all. It is possible for an infection to set in or for an organ to be punctured but this is very rare if you're acupuncturist is qualified.
Each session will last about one-half hour and your doctor will insert very tiny needles into the acupuncture points and may manipulate them somewhat with his hands, induce a very light electrical pulse or even warm them with moxa. The needles will remain in your body for anywhere from five to 20 minutes. Most people do not feel any discomfort at all from having these needles inserted and actually may feel invigorated in some cases or perhaps very relaxed.
After your first time of receiving acupuncture, you will find that it is not an unpleasant situation at all. As a matter of fact, you may leave the acupuncturist feeling very good, relaxed and with an overall sense of well-being. In fact, once you begin with your acupuncture treatments you will probably wonder why you waited so long to begin them in the first place. It's an ancient medical practice but it can still take care of many things for us today.
Sit up straight with legs evenly extended in front. Bend the right leg at the knee and place the foot so that the heel is in the right groin and the front of the foot touches the left thigh. Turn the foot so that the bottom of the foot is facing upward and press the knee back to form an obtuse angle with the body. This position will be difficult at first; don't force it. Put a folded blanket under the knee and also under the hips. Gradually the knee will move farther back. Just keep the foot correctly positioned.
JANU SIRSASANA: Correct, perfect posture
Having positioned the foot and knee correctly, stretch the left leg out, keeping the leg firmly on the mat. Settle the heel firmly and stretch the toes up. (The heel should pull gently away from the ankle.) Now inhale and bend forward over the straight leg, catching the foot with both hands if possible. Beginners should bend only as far as they can without rounding the back. When this posture is done correctly and completely, the body will roll forward over the extended leg, absolutely flat from the tailbone to the head. Stay there breathing normally for as long as you can. Inhale, release the handhold, come up smoothly, straighten the bent leg and relax. Repeat on another side.
JANU SIRSASANA: Wrong posture
The heel is not positioned against its own thigh. The knee has not been pushed back as far as possible to form an obtuse angle. The back is humped and curved because the pelvis is jammed and unable to lift properly. Instead of a smooth, complete stretching of the spine, the lumbar is over-stretched and the rest of the spine constricted. The left leg is not flat on the floor.
TRIANG MUKHAIPADA PASCHIMOTTANASANA: Sitting, forward-bending pose over one leg
This posture generally follows the previous one. Sit with your legs stretched in front. Bend the right leg so that the right foot is near the right hip. The toes should point back. The right calf presses against the right thigh. The body will tilt in this position so put a small folded towel under the left buttock to keep the hips level and the forward stretch even and extended. Hold the left foot with both hands, inhale and bend forward, keeping both knees together as you stretch forward over the straight leg. Many students will find it difficult in this position to even take hold of the foot of the outstretched leg. Do not despair. Just hold the knee, shin or ankle, and sit, breathing deeply, in whichever position represents your best extension. If the back is tight and the spine inflexible, this will take time. Release the hold and straighten the bent leg. Repeat on the other side.
What is a hex? A hex is a spell for bad luck put on a person. Often it's not just for one bad thing but a lifetime of woe and despair. The hex might be called the evil eye, a whammy or a curse. The term hex is a Pennsylvania-Dutch derivation of the German word "hexen" which means to practice sorcery.
Many people associate hexes with gipsies and voodoo, regardless of whether the term got its start from the German language. Images of voodoo queens leaving a small bundle of herbs hidden in their victim's house or gipsies pointing a finger and declaring the recipient hexed are part of our world, via the cinema and television. However, those that put hexes on others aren't necessarily practitioners of either. Some are just people with a strong hankering for revenge, the primary reason for a hex.
As with most discussions on the occult, hexes and their viability are greatly debated. Some people believe that they work, but only if the person hexed knows that they had a hex put on them. In this case, it's the power of suggestion or the self-fulfilling prophecy. Others believe that all people have the power to alter matter and therefore control events. The advent of discoveries in quantum physics helps to put their views into a more favourable light.
Albert Einstein created the hypothesis that matter is neither created nor destroyed, simply converted. E=MC2 is an equation most school children know, even if they don't understand it. E stands for energy, the M is mass and the C is the speed of light in a vacuum, what it takes to convert mass into pure energy. The formula represents the fact that energy and matter are really one. Quantum physics experiments show that when an observer watches an experiment, it changes the outcome. The proved that the observation has the power to turn a wave, energy, into particles, mass. So, why is it so difficult to believe that the mind of an individual doesn't also contain that same power?
There was a study done in Washington, DC where hundreds of advanced yogi's meditated on peace in the city for one month. The result was a lower violent crime rate for the city. Dramatically lower than the average. Was this simply serendipity or did they have an effect? Another study used a random number generator and two control groups. One group was supposed to will the generator to show x's and the other was to will it to show O's. The results showed a marked increase in x's for the group willing x's and O's for that group. Had they controlled the computer?
If these studies are indicators of the potential, then hexes are possible. Ah, the law of attraction now comes into play. Whatever you focus on, you receive. Normally this means that if you think all is lost, you can bet it is but if you believe that good comes from something, you're also right. In the case of a hex, you focus on evil or a bad outcome for someone. What occurs? With so much focus and ill intent, you need to watch out because it comes back to you. Many early religions that practice hexes and spells have the law of threefold. It simply means what you put out into the universe, in terms of spells or hexes, comes back to you only three times more lethal.
Keith Ward is the Founder and Director of the Circle of Professional Clairvoyants, which offers Psychic Readings with fully qualified Senior UK Clairvoyants and Psychics. Article Directory: Article Dashboard
There are thousands of people looking for Aries tattoo designs online. Well, those who were born in parts of March and April anyway. With that said, it can be hard to find the truly superb artwork for this wonderful niche. I am sure you have tried to use a search-engine (which is not a good idea) and haven't come up with much. Here is how you can find the perfect zodiac tattoos for your tastes.
I want to start with a critical point about using a search engine. When you use one to find any Aries tattoo designs, you are probably being led to the hundreds of generic galleries out there that have nothing but the same cookie cutter images that most people try to stay away from. You wouldn't believe how many men and women end up settling on this bland artwork, simply because that is all they could find! It's crazy to think that people are getting images tattooed that they don't fully like, but it's true. Search-engines are the number one reason this happens so often, so I want to tell you about an alternative solution to looking for good Aries tattoo designs.
It starts with you closing down Google and opening up internet forums to look for your Aries tattoo designs. You can actually use search-engines if you want to find the many huge forums out there (they are at least good for that!) This is where you will find tons of topics dealing with tattoos. The great thing about forums is that artwork for tattoos happens to be a gigantic subject, which many people follow. You better believe you will be able to find tons of links to the hidden galleries out there that probably have a lot of good Aries tattoo designs for you.
I don't know why search-engines tend to leave the good galleries out, but at least you can rely on forums to find the galleries that have great Aries tattoo designs. It's just a simple solution to a growing problem of finding quality zodiac artwork on the web.
If you have diabetes you have to be very careful about what you eat. You need to take extra care in managing your blood glucose levels. You can do this by eating healthy, watching your diet, taking medication prescribed by a physician and getting proper exercise.
What foods should you eat? There is a food pyramid for people with diabetes. The Diabetes Food Pyramid divides food into six groups. At the top of the list is fats sweets and alcohol. Since this is the smallest group this tells you to eat very little from this section. The next group is milk, meat, meat substitutes and other proteins. On the pyramid, 2 to 3 servings of milk are suggested and 4 to 6oz of meat/protein is mentioned. Then you have your vegetables and fruits. Veggies choose at least 3-5 servings per day and fruits choose at least 2-4 servings a day. The last group which you should eat the most of is bread grains and other starches. You can check with your doctor to get a copy of the diabetes food pyramid to learn more about the correct servings and portion sizes for you.
What is Type 1 Diabetes? This type of diabetes was previously known as juvenile diabetes and is typically diagnosed in children and young adults. The body does not produce insulin. What is insulin? It is a hormone needed to convert starches, sugar (glucose) and other foods into energy. Energy is needed for daily life activities. Type I Diabetes is a chronic condition with no cure, but the outlook for people living with this disease is far better than it was 20 years ago. There has been much advancement in medicine, research and patient education reducing disabling complications and extended the expectancies of life for those without diabetes. In other words, people with diabetes 1 can live just as long as people without diabetes with the proper treatment and educating themselves on this disease.
What is Type 2 Diabetes? With type 2 the body does not produce enough insulin or the cell just simply ignores the insulin. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. You need insulin in order for the body to be able to use sugar. The basic fuel for your cells is sugar. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose does not go into the cells but builds up in the blood instead it can cause problems. The problems it can cause are over time high glucose levels could hurt your heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes. What are the most common symptoms for adults with Type II Diabetes? The answer is fatigue, blurred vision, thirst and excessive urination. Do you think you may be diabetic? Check with your doctor. With type II diabetes minor weight loss can greatly improve your blood glucose levels.
So remember if you have diabetes please be under a doctors care. Watch what you eat. Limit your sweets, fats, and alcohol. You can still eat good tasting foods and there are many diabetic food recipes on the internet. Get on a doctor-approved exercise program and keep track of your glucose levels. Learn all you can about your condition so you can take control of it instead of the disease controlling you.
Lubok-style cover of a Russian dream book. The book is solemnly named The Dream-Book, or an Interpretation of Dreams by Sundry Egyptian and Indian Savants and Astronomers.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The interpretation of dreams by dream experts may be almost as old as dreaming itself. We know that all humans, and many animals, dream every night, and humans have always been fascinated to learn what causes dreams and what they mean.
The interpretation of dreams dates back at least as far as 3000-4000 B.C. We know that because the interpretations of dreams were recorded in permanent form on clay tablets. It is thought that many primitive peoples were unable to initially distinguish between the real world and the dream world. In many cases, these people looked at the dream world as an extension of the physical world around them, and in many cases, they saw the dream world as more powerful than the waking one.
Dream interpretation was such an important field to the ancient Greek and Roman world that dream interpreters often accompanied generals and other military leaders into battles. Dreams were taken extremely seriously, and the Greeks and Romans in particular often viewed dreams as messages sent by their gods.
Dreams also had a religious content in ancient Egypt, and priests they're doubled as dream interpreters. Dreams were among the items recorded by the ancient Egyptians in the form of hieroglyphics. Those whose dreams were especially vivid or significant were thought to be blessed and were given special status in these ancient societies. Likewise, people who were able to interpret dreams were thought to receive these gifts directly from the gods, and they enjoyed a special status in society as well.
There are over 700 mentions of dreams in the Bible, and people in biblical times saw dreams as very significant. Dreams and their interpretations are mentioned in many of the most significant books of the bible and other holy scriptures.
In many cases, dreams were often seen as a form of prophecy. People often interpreted their dreams as omens or warnings and adjusted their activities accordingly. Dreams were often thought of as omens from deities, as messages from spirits, or as messages from departed souls. In some cases, dreams were even seen as the work of demons, meant to confuse and trouble the dreamer.
Dreams were so important that they often dictated the actions of political and military leaders, affecting everything from the prosecution of a battle to the outcome of a political decision. Dreams were also thought to provide vital clues to healers, and they were used in the diagnosis and treatment of all manners of illness.
Dreaming was often looked upon by indigenous peoples as a way to commune directly with gods and spirits, and dreams are still used in this way by cultures around the world. Many people believed, and some still do, that during dream sleep the soul leaves the body and communes with the spirit world.
The Chinese were one culture who believed that the soul left the body each night during dream sleep. They believed that if the dreamer were suddenly awakened the soul may not be able to return to the body. That is why some Chinese are still leery about the use of alarm clocks. This is just one example of how ancient legends can linger into the modern world.
Some Mexican and Native American societies share this ancient view of the importance of dreams and share the belief in a separate dimension that is visited during dream sleep. These people believed that their departed ancestors lived in their dreams and that they were able to take forms like animals and plants. Thus dreams were seen as a way for them to commune with their recent and ancient ancestors, and to gather wisdom and knowledge that would serve them in their waking lives. Dreams were also seen as ways to gather information about their purpose or mission in life.
The respect for dreams changed radically early in the 19th century, and dreams of that era were often dismissed as reactions to anxiety, outside noises or even bad food and indigestion. During this period of time, dreams were thought to have no meaning at all, and interest in dream interpretation all but evaporated. This all changed, however, with the arrival of Sigmund Freud later in the 19th century. Sigmund Freud stunned the world of psychiatry by stressing the importance of dreams, and he revived the once dead art of dream interpretation.
"Hamatsa emerging from the woods--Koskimo" "Hamatsa shaman, three-quarter length portrait, seated on the ground in front of a tree, facing front, possessed by supernatural power after having spent several days in the woods as part of an initiation ritual."
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Some cultures retain shamanism longer than others. And some cultures retain some aspects of shamanism even as they transition from gardening to farming.
Reviving and Preserving Shamanism
It is hard to preserve animism and shamanism in modern life. The agricultural, dualistic worldview on which most world religions are based is incompatible with the animistic-shamanic reality.
The Foundation for Shamanic Studies uses proceeds from classes and memberships to help revive shamanism in cultures where it was stamped out by European conquerors,
In some countries, such as Tuva and Mongolia, shamans have come out of hiding, and shamanism has begun to flourish again after being brutally persecuted by the Soviet Union for decades.
Oneness vs Duality
The oneness, or nonduality, is very hard for modern people, whether religious or materialistic, to understand. Modern people, especially in Europe and North America, literally live in a different reality from traditional animists.
Duality is the belief that everything has an opposite: good/bad, black/white, up/down, yes/no. Nonduality, or oneness, is the reality that all things exist somewhere on a spectrum, a range from harmonious to less harmonious, like the continuous scale of grays from white to black. Nonduality also means that the same event can be harmonious or inharmonious, depending on the context.
Without an intuitive grasp of the oneness of animism, the reality of the spirit world, the world of the shaman, is unimaginable.
Yet the effort to break through, to be able to enter into the animist reality, is worthwhile. Shamanic practice is a road to health for individuals, for modern society, and for the survival of life on Earth.
Humans Need the Spirit World
Humans seem to have a deep inner need to sense and interact with the spirit world. Our mental and physical health seem to require it.
Without that interaction, people lose touch with themselves and become unhealthy. We see the results of that in horrendous wars and in the rape of the Earth.
Pitfalls of Calling Oneself a Shaman
Indigenous shamans almost never refer to themselves as shamans. That is not only because the word shaman is used only by the Tungus tribe in Siberia. Indigenous shamans tend to speak humbly about themselves because they don't want to offend the spirits or their own people (or cause envy). Shaman (in whatever language) is a title for others to confer. It is also because the spirits do not like bragging.
According to the book Fools Crow: Wisdom and Power, Lakota ceremonial chief Frank Fools Crow cautioned that if you brag about your powers, the spirits will take them away, and if you misuse your powers, the spirits will kill you. He said he had seen it happen several times over the years, and that while the death might look like a sudden illness or freak accident, it was, in those cases, the punishment of the spirits.
Always remember that spirits are real, and shamanism is serious business. We have to work at remembering that, because, generally speaking, in our culture only what is physical and provable is considered to be real.
Among people who have studied classic or core shamanism, it is also considered is considered inappropriate and pretentious to call yourself a shaman. Those who understand what shamanism is, and what real shamans are, do not award themselves the title of a shaman.
Without a community to serve, without a group of people who recognize us as shamans, we can't really be shamans. We call ourselves "students of shamanism" or "shamanic practitioners." So be aware that if you call yourself a shaman, people who have really studied shamanism will generally assume that you are not one.
And never, never brag about "your" powers. The spirits are listening.
Can We Understand Shamanism?
If we make the effort to understand the oneness of all that is, and the equality (not superiority) of humans with all other life, if we become humble, perhaps we can restore respect for all beings, including the Earth herself.
Perhaps we can save the elephants, tigers, wild orchids, orangutans, gorillas, bonobos, chimpanzees, redwoods, native peoples, plant medicines, and all our relations. Perhaps it is not too late after all. If we try.
Want to know more about shamans, shamanism, spirit animals, shamanic healing, and soul retrieval? You'll find a wealth of resources for everything shamanic at Shamanista.com. White Cranes has taught and led shamanism groups since 1992 and is the Organizer of a 200-member Shamanism Meetup group. For more information on shamanism and animism, see http://www.shamanista.com and http://shamanista.blogspot.com
If you have the fair interest in knowing Reiki and how it is practised, the best thing to start with is that of getting familiar with the healing procedure. Reiki imparts the knowledge on how the present life can be lived to the fullest and to let go of all the worries and stress. It is necessary to put away the concerns that bother the mind, the spirit, and the body because it is the only way on how a full life can be enjoyed. Reiki healing employs the force that opens the doors in our lives towards the most unexpected and positive things that can occur. As soon as we allow our hearts, minds, and spirits to open up to the wonders of its healing procedure, we can start to live in harmony with the rest of our brothers and sisters.
The Healing and the Healer
As per the believers of Reiki, they manifest the techniques as they abide by the Divine consecration and the sacred covenant that they share with the Creator. Others even have the faith that the ability to heal themselves and others by means of using Reiki is innate. The technique is both a therapy and a way of allowing one to live the present day at a given moment. The healing ability is empowered as the person decides to accept his responsibility in getting attuned to it. Apart from acting as a form of treatment, it is also a lifestyle that encourages an individual to do good deeds in their entire lifetime.
The Early Beginnings
The methods of healing through Reiki is said to have been rooted from the age-old Tibet and was actually rediscovered by no less than a Japanese man by the name Mikao Usui in the latter part of the 1800s. When Mikao Usui died, his loyal followers took over the responsibility and continued the practice. They established clubs and alliances which still exist to this day to teach the variations of the Reiki method. The teaching is basically based on the learner's level of spiritual maturity. In the early times, the club was exclusively for the Japanese so the foreigners were never allowed to partake in the course. However, one Japanese woman by the name Hawayo Takata introduced the same teachings in the western world in the 1970s. Nowadays, the knowledge of Reiki is known to all parts of the world.
Using Reiki Methodology
If there are some people who question the efficacy of Reiki, it is but necessary to believe that it truly works. The person has to be simply open to accept the healing energy which is always around. You don't necessarily have to feel anything during the healing process. If one fails to receive the energy, it means that the process is obstructed by the imbalanced chakras. In order to fully enjoy its effect, it has to be rebalanced. It may take a while but with the help of other Reiki healers, the process of recovery can be made faster.
It is but important to do the Reiki healing procedure with all of your heart and mind. Your action has to be driven by your greatest emotion called love. It is by opening yourself up to the whole process that you will only be able to receive its rewarding effect. Good deeds are also going to be returned to you.
Olaus Magnus shows here the rune alphabet used in Sweden of the Geats and also of the Swedes. The author uses the designation “Alphabetum Gothicum”. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
There are 13 steps to be understood and practiced before you can use the full effects of Rune Power.
1. Runes are universal creative energies. Each rune is a key to a creative energy. Example: Rune FA = wealth, Rune Ur = Health, Rune Thorn = protection, etc.
2. We are now in the Age of Aquarius which means we are in an entirely new S.T.E.M. (space, time, energy, matter) continuum, in the galaxy.
3. This new age has given us a new paradigm to work with. This paradigm is based on the Laws of Quantum Physics.
4. The Laws of Quantum Physics tell us that there exists an infinite ocean of thinking, intelligent energy called the Quantum Ocean where everything that ever was, is or will exist.
5. The Runes and the gods/goddesses of the North exist there and have always existed there.
6. We can contact and transfer the energies of the Quantum ocean with our thoughts, symbols, and rituals.
7. Since thoughts are things we have literally 'thought' ourselves into our present reality. To change our present place we need to change our thoughts.
8. The purpose of the 21st century, Age of Aquarius Rune Shaman, Rune Wizard and Rune Sorcerer is to go to the Quantum Ocean and bring the energies of the Runes and the gods/goddesses into the now. Bring their energies and power into the present. Do not go back and live in the past with them.
9. The matrix of the playing field that the present day Rune Shaman, Sorcerers and Wizard must use is the Mind.
10. We are all in the Age of The Mind. All creations that we see all around us, religion, churches, politics, schools, technology, monuments, books, etc were first created in some one's mind.
11. Now you as a Rune Shaman, Wizard, Sorcerer can use your mind to bring the energies of the runes and god/goddess of the North out of the Quantum Ocean and create new structures for them. Modern-day structures.
12. The tools that you will use to do this are the power of the runes. Bring this Rune Power into your aura, life, and home. Protect your home by tiling it with runes.
13. Mentally contact the helpers you need, both physical and non-physical to aid you.
We can do this together. We can revitalize the energies of the Runes and our Northern European Culture, not by going back to the past, as many of the rune and Asatru books tell us, but by bringing the power of the past into the now.
Angular cheilitis as marked by the oval (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The lack of effective over the counter remedies or prescription medication leads many to look for a natural cure for angular cheilitis. Having cracked lip corners can be painful, frustrating and embarrassing. For many people, once they have this condition, it can be difficult to eradicate. The cracks at the corner of the mouth never seem to heal, with everyday things such as laughing, speaking, eating and drinking sometimes causing excruciating pain.
We all have bacteria which naturally lives around the lips. Under normal circumstances, this causes no problems whatsoever. When something happens to cause the bacteria to reproduce, it can develop into a fungal infection It is primarily caused by a fungal bacterial infection, causing the typical symptoms of angular cheilitis which include cracked corners of lips which can bleed intermittently. Sore, red patches in the corners of the mouth which develop into painful lesions and some sufferers also have white swollen patches on the tongue.
The actual causes of angular cheilitis are varied but can include a deficiency in certain nutrients-particularly iron and the vitamin B group. One common cause is improper mouth closure often caused by ill-fitting dentures or braces. This is because the mouth can remain slightly open, causing small amounts of saliva to be trapped in small pockets of skin. The moist warm conditions are perfect to aid bacterial growth and as the bacteria within the saliva is effectively "trapped", it flourishes and then causes the symptoms of angular cheilitis. Similarly, people who gain large amounts of weight can develop small pockets of skin around the lip area and this can lead to the condition.
Although many people believe that angular cheilitis is caused by the cold virus, this is not the case, although it is known that extremes of temperature can increase the likelihood in susceptible individuals.
Other common causes include anything which results in saliva being in contact with the skin around the mouth-for example pen-biting, thumb-sucking and nail-biting. In addition, people with a generally weakened immune system can also suffer.
If your condition is mild, there are a couple of natural cures for angular cheilitis which can help give some relief and may in some cases provide a speedy cure. You could try putting a thick layer of petroleum jelly over the affected area. This will give some pain relief as it will temporarily ease cracked corners of lips. If you feel that dentures are the problem, then have the fit checked over and in the meantime, use a medicated mouthwash and ensure the dentures are kept scrupulously clean and sterilized overnight to avoid them harboring bacteria. If the problem is due to pen or nail biting or thumb sucking, it is worth using an anti-nail-biting solution on the fingers/thumb and even painting this on the end of pens to discourage the practice.
"Gathering the Light" from the Taoist book The Secret of the Golden Flower, translated by C. G. Jung and Richard Wilhelm (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
You can be the creator of your own manifest destiny. Through daily meditation practice and focus on changing your life for the better. In fact, you have the ability to redefine yourself in any direction you desire. The power that you can cultivate is limited only by your own imagination.
As I have mentioned earlier, this will change the lives of people who you come into frequent contact with. Therefore, you must always be kind, trustworthy, and considerate of others. You should make a change in that direction at this very moment.
Why the sudden need for character improvement? It goes hand-in-hand with using power and influence wisely. Remember Lord Acton’s saying: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." The power of your mind has the ability to alter reality. Therefore, this is a power that must be controlled.
How is this possible? Here is an example: If you had two identical twin boys, who haven’t eaten for two days, and you put an apple in front of them; what would they do?
Most likely, they would fight over it, and the winner would eat, most or, all of it. You and I know they should divide it equally, but each of them has really felt starvation, and that is a reality you and I do not feel at the moment. So we are not talking about imagination, but three legitimate points of view, that each becomes our own reality.
Meditation will allow your mind to see multiple points of view, without judgment. If you can see only one point of view, you haven’t meditated long enough. The best leaders, negotiators, and diplomats know that you have to understand the opposing viewpoint, to move forward, on any issue. There is always a justification, on both sides, in any conflict, but true compromise is meeting the opposition in a different reality than you both started from.
If you had the ability to travel in the space shuttle, your view of earth, from within your space vehicle, would be much different from the person living in poverty, within a refugee camp. You could not see, or feel that person’s pain, and each of you would have a vivid picture of life on earth.
You can meditate from a mountain top, but once you have seen the full picture, you have an obligation to help mankind, with acts of kindness. Once you have discovered how easy it is to help others, you are no longer struggling with; “who is right and who is wrong.”
Meditation is often misunderstood by those who do not practice it. Very often, I hear meditation referred to as, “altered states of consciousness.” That sounds more like intoxicants, rather than bringing clarity to a cluttered mind.
Without going too deep into what meditation is, or is not, let’s focus on one of the many things a daily meditation practice can do for you.
Meditation is commonly seen in many Yoga classes, but it has been practiced by a variety of cultures, including Roman Catholic priests, as well as Japanese Samurai, who practiced a form of Zen meditation. I mention this so you can see the full spectrum of meditation and its many facets.
There are many varieties and types of meditation, but the easiest form to learn is, “breath awareness meditation.” Compared to many other meditation techniques, this will enable anyone to experience the benefits of meditation in much less time.
At this point, let’s consider that meditation and Yoga teachers often compare the mind to a monkey. Many thoughts are running through your brain, at the same time, and it is hard to control all of your impulses - let alone, sit still and meditate. So why go through all this trouble?
Meditation has many rewards, and we will now consider one of extreme value. Through daily practice of meditation, you will release the unlimited potential of your mind. The ability to change, or alter the universe, starts as a single thought within your mind.
One human decided to harness the power of fire, and did he/she foresee the global warming effect? How could he/she imagine where we are now? This is just one of many thousands of examples of Karma - the law of cause and effect. Therefore, one seemingly small change, of any kind, will have a ripple effect on the universe.
Some of the seeds to change the universe rests locked up in your mind, but you have the ability to shape the future by any small changes that you make.
Let’s say you have a friend, family member, or associate, who cares for you deeply, but, up to now, you have always taken it for granted. Can you imagine what would happen if you take the time to groom that relationship?
The answer is you would have a loyal ally and all you had to show was kindness or appreciation.
You have the ability to alter your own personality and affect the world around you. Hopefully, your personality will always continue to change for the better; if so, this will alter everyone around you for the best.
There are opportunities in martial arts training to learn to use various martial arts weapons. Many martial arts schools, especially those that teach Japanese karate and Chinese kung fu styles have weaponry as part of their overall curriculum. Popular weapons from karate systems include the bo staff, kama, sai, sword, nunchaku, and tonfa. Chinese kung fu styles have a broadsword, 3 section staff, kwan do, whip chain, butterfly knives as well as their own versions of staff. Of course, there are many other types of weapons in martial arts but the above are the more common ones taught.
Some of the more exotic weapons include the fan, rope dart, and the hook swords. Martial arts weapons can be divided into short and long range. An example of a short range weapon would be a pair of sai. The bo staff would be a long range weapon because of the longer reach. Weapons can also be divided into bladed and non-bladed. Kamas and swords, of course, would be bladed weapons where staffs and nunchakus would be non-bladed. In most training situations with bladed weapons, the blades are not live. That is, the blades of swords and kamas are blunt rather than sharp. This adds to the safety aspect of martial arts weapons training. Weapons can also come in different weights from heavy traditional models down to ultra-lightweight versions for forms competition.
Martial arts weapons are considered as extensions of a martial artist’s own body. For example, strikes with a weapon are really extended hand strikes. Blocks with weapons are modeled after traditional martial art blocking techniques. Therefore, it is important for martial arts students to be relatively proficient with martial arts techniques using their own bodies first before learning to use any martial arts weapon. This will help the students understand the applications behind each weapons technique much better. In most Japanese karate schools, weapons training won’t be offered until students reach an intermediate level such as a green or blue belt. There are martial arts that are strictly weapons oriented. An example is a Japanese kendo which is modeled after samurai sword fighting. Philipino arnis is stick fighting which was developed in the South Pacific islands.
There are many benefits in training with martial arts weapons. Because most weapons have some weight to them, their use will help develop muscle tone and strength. Performing forms or katas with weapons will also develop coordination. In today’s world, martial arts weapons may not be as practical as the days of the past when it was acceptable to carry weapons wherever one traveled. However, with some understanding of weapons techniques, a martial artist today can turn almost any household item such as an umbrella, cane or even a set of keys into weapons of self-defense if required. Another important point that shouldn’t be ignored is that most practitioners will claim that training with martial arts weapons is a lot of fun.
However, not all martial arts clubs and studios will teach weapons. Many tae kwon do schools, for example, do not include weapons in their overall training. This is not to say that Korean martial arts do not have weapons. The Korean martial art kuk sool won features the staff, sword, and cane. So if a martial arts student wishes to learn the use of weapons, a school that includes them in their training should be sought after. Another alternative for students who are otherwise happy with their martial arts club that doesn’t have weapons training is to get supplementary private instruction from instructors who can provide it.
Weapons training can open up a whole new dimension to overall martial arts training. Even advanced tai chi practitioners use swords in some of their forms. It doesn’t matter if sometimes the swords are made entirely of wood either since the actual weapons techniques will still be used in the forms. For many martial arts competitors, weapons forms are their favorite divisions to compete in. From a spectator point of view, weapons forms can be very exciting to watch especially when weapons such as whip chains or kamas with strings are used since their presentations are so dynamic and even somewhat dangerous to the user. Such weapons have caused injuries to users when certain techniques were sloppy or mistimed. But like other aspects of martial arts, proficiency with a martial art weapon after much hard training can bring a high sense of satisfaction to a martial artist.
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