Who was Origen of Alexandria?

I would like to introduce readers to this philosopher. His name was Origen and he lived from 185-254AD. He was a writer and teacher of early Christianity and is considered to be the Father of Christian mysticism. He believed in reincarnation and the three aspects of the trinity, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He believed that those in power should pray, yet not pray for material goods but a better understanding of God. 

Weight Loss Hypnosis

 

This is a weight-loss hypnosis video created by Zoe Featherstone with text by Wendy Stokes for salt, sugar and fat reduction. 

Plants That Thrive In A Bathroom

Many people think that the bathroom is not the place for plants and whilst it is true that not every plant likes the environment, it is also true that some plants thrive in a bathroom. For instance a shower will create high levels of humidity and some plants that require misting do well in the muggy atmosphere of a bathroom.

Another challenge some bathrooms can offer is low lighting, if this is the case in your bathroom then choose plants that don't require a large amount of light. All plants require sunlight to photosynthesise but some plants require low levels of light.

Ayurvedic home remedies

In Ayurveda, you will discover herbs that stand out. Turmeric is among the many spices that are honored by India's Ayurveda since this herb is full of health benefits that do not have any unintended effects at all. Turmeric is among the list of most abundant herbs in India and the whole of Asia. Initially it was used for its yellow-gold dye and strong flavor in Indian cooking.

The reported turmeric benefits are many. Now, turmeric is being implicated for cleansing the body. Some of the disorders it is used for include digestive issues, fever, infections, jaundice and dysentery. You may also expect turmeric merits to include combatting liver and gallbladder issues. It is also said to cure menstruation soreness and relieve chest congestion. Turmeric can be implicated in research concerning Alzheimer's disease.

Alexandra David-Neel

Who was Alexandra David-Neel?
Born Paris 24 October 1868, she was the only daughter of a Hugenot Freemason teacher, and in her early years, she played piano and sang, and was precociously interested in ascetic practices. Travelling widely and compulsively, she was fascinated with secret societies, studying with Annie Besant and Madame Blavatsky. She converted to Buddhism when she was 20 years old, and due to an inherited personal fortune, she became an intrepid explorer, visiting Mongolia, Korea, Japan and India, much of the time disguised as a beggar or monk. She was fascinated with secret societies, studying with Annie Besant and Madame Blavatsky. She became a member of a mixed Scottish Rite Freemasonry society where she reached a high status. She was also an early feminist, a Spiritualist, and a political anarchist. In 1924, she travelled to Tibet and became a lama. At that time, Tibet was closed to foreigners. She underwent the notorious 'chod' initiation, an experience of greatest stress, where demons and devils cause the disintegration of the self. She also was engaged in the extraordinary creation of the 'tulpa', where a spirit is summoned and given sufficient power to materialise. Author of 40 books on mostly Buddhist topics. She died 8th September 1969. 

Daan Van Kampenhout - Shaman

The art of shamanism is a communication between souls. Water, stones, animals and humans, all nature has a soul. Nomadic cultures use trance or dream states to bring balance, empowerment and quality of life to the tribe. Daan, from the Netherlands, uses song to transmit energy and to heal, to elevate consciousness and to unite people. When he was in India, he developed a serious illness and had a series of visions. Melodies were given to him in his dreams. http://daanvankampenhout.com/en/  

Richard Rohr

Who is Richard Rohr?

Born 1943, Richard Rohr is a Franciscan friar and spiritual author living in New Mexico. He is the Founder of the New Jerusalem Community which is a grass roots community that provides equality for men and women and supports LGBTQ rights and campaigns for a new orthodoxy that is different from the top down Vatican line. 

Giant Cell Arteritis - An Elusive Odyssey

Circle Network Book Review - Giant Cell Arteritis - An Elusive Odyssey by James Rupp. 168 pages, published by Lulu. 

This book is dedicated to Pearl Rupp, James's wife, whose photo fronts the text. We are introduced to Pearl and to her illness, Giant Cell Arteritis - inflammation of large and medium blood vessels - and its related, disabling condition, Polymyalgia Rheumatica. We read of symptoms, tests, scans, diagnoses, flare-ups, procedures, medications, treatments, X-rays, biopsies, disabilities, complications, drug conflicts, and the advice of numerous doctors and health care workers. There are confusions, speculations and assumptions and doctors who argue with each other about who has most wisdom in treating this extraordinary illness which requires an individualised care plan.

John O'Donoghue

Who was John O'Donoghue?

"When you cease to fear your solitude, a new creativity awakens in you. Your forgotten or neglected wealth begins to reveal itself. You come home to yourself and learn to rest within. Thoughts are our inner senses. Infused with silence and solitude, they bring out the mystery of inner landscape."

- Anam Cara, p. 17

Scales of Balance within Tantra

Tantra creates within the physical body, a living sacred temple of light, energy and wild alertness. If you are a Tantrika, you are an initiate on the Path of Divine Healing of the Masculine and Feminine Universal, Sacred Genders. As you bring the dual polarised energies of dominance and submission into mutual respect and balance within the self (inner) and with your partner (outer), you will attain great poise and balance. The advanced spiritual path of the Tantra is to unite within the self, all polarities and all aspects of the male and female gender roles. This provides the connection between body and soul. The effect of the divine relationship is genuine enlightenment as the Kundalini is raised and energy within the body is generated. In this way, the body becomes a living sacred temple of light, energy and wild alertness. This embodiment can be experienced in movement, in deep stillness, in vitality and in silence.  

Tantra Exhibition Review

 

Mind Body and Soul Ezine Review: The Tantra Exhibition – British Museum’s first exhibition since Lockdown! From 24^th September 2020 to 24^th January 2021

 

Approximately 100 mostly antique exhibits (from 6th century to the modern day) including paintings, sculptures, photos, texts, many with write-ups to express the wild and wonderful philosophy of Tantra. So - what is Tantra? Originating in Hinduism and moving to Buddhism, and then to Sufism, it is a Goddess driven religious ideal, where women take the power to be ugly, angry, savage and destructive but bring enlightenment, laughter and reverie. Women have the capacity to be protective, strong, dynamic and demanding, hence the appalling images of females in the throes of drinking from skull cups and other serious craziness! Shiva, Kali, Kundalini and Durga are the main protagonists, but they have their parallels in Sekhmet, Lyssa, Valkaries, etc.

Scotland - Coorie!

Coorie (aka Cosagach in Gaelic) a Scottish word that means to snuggle or cuddle. 

Coorie is a Scottish wellness trend based on simplicity, balance and harmony.  It is similar to Danish art of 'hygge' 

How to Make a Vision Board by Jack Canfield

 

You can skip the advert at the beginning of the video.

Your brain will work tirelessly to achieve the statements you give your subconscious mind. And when those statements are the affirmations and images of your goals, you are destined to achieve them!

Creating a vision board is probably one of the most valuable visualization tools available to you. This powerful tool serves as your image of the future - a tangible representation of where you are going. It represents your dreams, your goals, and your ideal life.
Because your mind responds strongly to visual stimulation-by representing your goals with pictures and images-you will actually strengthen and stimulate your emotions...  and your emotions are the vibrational energy that activates the Law of Attraction. The saying “A picture is worth a thousand words,” certainly holds true here.
If you have already defined your dreams, it’s time to illustrate them visually.

Thomas Traherne

Who was Thomas Traherne?

Living from 1636 - 1674, Traherne was an English writer, mystic and religious teacher. His still popular book 'Centuries of Meditations' provides sincere moments of life to nourish and inspire. His biography is appreciated by many around the world. The attainment of a state of bliss was to experience being in the moment, to love all that is good and beautiful, and to seek and love the truth. His work influenced the Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, C S Lewis, and others. 

Coping Skills

 

Helplessness, anger, and feelings of being out of control are common following emergencies. Depression can also follow, and lead to exhaustion which compounds the already difficult situation. Stressed minds can only come to stressed conclusions and a disordered mind does not make sensible decisions. Advice: Get into nature, see friends and speak to them about your problems, seek professional advice and take it. Build you own immunity to stress during quiet times, prepare for the worst but hope for the best. You can cope better, regardless of your experiences and difficulties.

Taoism

What is Taoism? 
Taoism was founded by a Chinese sage who worked - it is believed - as a librarian, and whose name was Lao Tsu. He lived 2600 years ago in ancient China, at a similar time to when Confucius lived. The teaching of Taoism is received through a book titled the 'Tao Te Ching', (reputedly) written by Lao Tzu who also wrote a large number of poems through which he imparted his teachings. There are many extraordinary myths about his life: that he was born fathered coupling between his mother a shooting star, and that he was born after an 82 year gestation with white hair and a long beard. The aim of the method is to achieve a high meditative and relaxed state, which provides inner harmony, poise and contentment. 

Mind Mapping Demonstration

Designed by the late Tony Buzan in the 1970s, this is a very useful way of collating psychological material. This video demonstrates how to create a 'mind map'. I use them all the time as a writer to organise the information for my feature articles. The most simple form is a spidergram, which has been available since my childhood days.

Psychosynthesis

Psychosynthesis is described as the 'psychology with a soul'. Roberto Assagioli (1888-1974), an Italian psychiatrist who travelled widely in his early life and spoke many languages, is the creator of this form of humanistic and transpersonal psychotherapy. It is principally based on the understanding that our personality is comprised of many sub personalities which act like musicians playing in a orchestra without a maestro. By gaining understanding of these sub personalities, we can bring them into harmony, so they create a wonderful piece of music that enables us to have a flourishing life. Love, wisdom and creativity are goals of this therapy. Psychosynthesis uses creative visualisation (also called guided imagery) to access the inner world and inform our understanding of the way we think and feel. Assagioli was imprisoned by the Faschists and spent his time in meditation and this influenced his work later in life. 

Introducing Kathleen Ball PhD - Templars in Brazil

"My name is Kathleen Ball and I am living in California. My qualifications are a doctorate in Metaphysical Science, I hold two Masters degrees in Fine Art (Sculpture) and Metaphysical Science (World Religions) and two Bachelors degrees in Fine Art and Religious Studies. I'm a retired Art Professor from Columbia Community College and Los Rios College District where I taught Anatomy for the Artist, Sculpture and multimedia classes for many years. I've been traveling the world for over 40 years exploring and investigating ancient sites and indigenous cave and rock art, temples and living spaces of ancient peoples. 

The Grail - Relic of an Ancient Religion

Article written by the author, Simon Andrew Stirling: “The Grail” book was written by me with an unspoken idea ever in mind – that paganism is the belief system of the future. Modern paganism is often a reaction to organised religion, with its intolerance and inconsistencies, and to the destructive materialism of a capitalist world.  The paganism practised by earlier societies was nothing less than a matter of survival.  Without water, for example, we die very quickly.  Along with those other elements – air, fire, earth – water, clean drinking water, is an absolute must.  And yet our attitudes to water are odd: we have commercialised it, privatised it, polluted it and treated it with chemicals.  Ever since shrines were de-sacralised during the Reformation, water has been nothing but a commodity.  An early pagan would be unable to comprehend our reckless behaviour towards the water we need to survive.

Locus of Control

The locus is: the position, point or place, a location where something occurs. 

Those who have an internal locus of control believe they can change circumstances of their lives. They believe they can make things happen through their own ability or hard work. They take responsibility for their actions, they are not influenced by others, and they often prefer to work at their own pace. Their personal decisions drive the outcomes of their life. 

Those with an external local of control, place power outside of themselves. They believe things happen to them that are not within their power to change, causing them to feel disempowered and to blame others when things go wrong. They are influenced by the opinion of other people, following trends and popularisers. They often believe that god, the stars or the spirits control their destiny. 

Jalal ad-Din Rumi

Who was Rumi? 

His life dated from 1207 - 1273, a writer, teacher, Sufi mystic from Persia. His father was a religious teacher and he studied under a Sufi master, a mystic practice that seeks to unite to the divine within the Godhead, a mystical journey and transpersonal attainment. His work became the basis for the Mevlevi Dervish Order which has music from the Afghan and Iranian traditions. 

Simone Weil

Who was Simone Weil?

Simone was born in France and lived from 1909 to 1943. She was an intellectual and mystic, and taught philosophy and politics of socialism. During WWII was an activist in the dangerous French underground movement and previously was also involved in the Spanish Civil War. She died of Tuberculosis and her correspondences were discovered and published posthumously.  

Rainer Maria Rilke

Who was Rainer Maria Rilke?

Lived 1875-1926, Rilke was an Austrian traveller, poet and mystical prose writer. Conscripted into service in WWI, he experienced depression as he was not psychologically suited to the military. He was an only child with a dominating and extreme Catholic mother who dressed him in girl's clothing, made him kiss the wounds of Christ's statue, and told he must never complaint when he was in pain or distress. This behaviour might have influenced his later strong dislike of Catholicism. In one poem, he describes Jesus as having been married to Mary Magdalene - an early concept which has now found interest in the modern day. 

Martin Buber

Who was Martin Buber?
1878 - 1965  Born in Vienna, he was a direct descendant to a notable Jewish family. Carl Marx was a distant cousin. He read philosophy and questioned his religious beliefs. He retold many traditional tales, he supported a Jewish and Arab state, he rejected the terms 'philosopher' and 'theologian' though his life is hallmarked by both disciplines of study for which he received many awards. He was an existentialist and a story-teller who came from generations of Rabbis. and was nominated on 10 occasions for the Nobel Prize for Literature and for the Peace Prize on seven occasions. He contributed to many fields of study throughout his lifetime and his 'I' - 'Thou' was influenced by the therapeautic encounter work of Jacob L Moreno. 

The Lost Land of Shambhala

Legends abound of a lost land of great beauty, a paradise where superhuman feats are conducted by its people who have great esoteric knowledge! Theosophists suggested this land was in the Gobi Desert, the Chinese say in the Kun Lun Mountains. Greek and Middle Eastern sources say it is in thevAltae Mountains and some Taoistscsay in Szechwan and Tibet. Hungarians say it is in the Syr Darla River and Russians say it is in the Belovodye. In 1923 an expedition was sent to the Kokushi Mountains but never returned.
Perhaps the person most likely to have known where this mysterious land can be found is a Tibetan abbot who wrote 'The Path to Shambala' who describes the entrance to the lost land as being in Mongolia. This mystical land is also known as 'Shangri'La'.

Grades, Cuts and Shades of Diamonds by Michelle Hopkins

Diamonds are a girl's best friend, roughly the phrase goes!  But selecting the best crystal for your loved one as a unique gift or for an engagement present may require more thought. Points taken into consideration would be the size of the stone, could your partner need a dainty piece of jewelry or would they like large and flashy?. Naturally the piece will be based on your finances!

Thomas Merton

Who was Thomas Merton?

Lived from 1915 to 1968, Thomas Merton was given the name Father Louis when he entered holy orders as a Trappist monk, theologian, mystic, poet and student of comparative religions with a deep interest in interfaith dialogue. His work on social justice and peace initiatives brought many to the Roman Catholic Church. His best selling autobiography 'The Seven Storey Mountain. 

Meister Eckhart

Who was Meister Eckhart?

He was a German theologian, philosopher and mystic in the late £13 century when there was conflict between many religious groups. He was accused of heresy but died before being sentenced. His sermons featured aspects of contemplation and of detachment:

Before 4000BC

Around this date, patriarchal culture began to supercede the previous matriarchal cultures. The most ancient deity was a female, known as the Great Goddess, and her full figure statuettes are found internationally and described as 'Venus' figurines. She was described as Ishtar in Mesopotamia, as Astarte in Phoenecia, as Iset in Egypt. It is said that her culture was peace loving, where the weak and disabled were cared for and where the planet was regarded as sacred. 

Thomas Raymond Kelly

Who was Thomas Raymond Kelly? 

Born into an American Quaker family in 1893 and died 1941, Doctor of Philosophy, Kelly originally trained as a chemist. During WWII, he worked in varying capacities becoming a pacifist. He wrote on the subject of mysticism. 

E. F. Schumacher

A New Age style philosopher, Fritz Schumacher (1911-1977) was a exponent of pacifism, monetary advisor to governments, and he created a new economics of material reductionism which cares for the planet and for people, especially those most in need in society. He was influenced by Buddhism and by Gandhi. His book 'Small is Beautiful' (1973) is based on the reasoning that less is more in a society which is generally unhappy despite its material wealth and 'A Guide for the Perplexed' is a best selling explanation of capitalism.

Progressive Relaxation video

Please don't drive or operate machinery while listening to this guided meditation video. Allow 30 minutes to fully relax without interruption. The text is by Wendy Stokes 

Make yourself comfortable, lie down, take a couple of deep breaths, close your eyes and enjoy the experience. 

This video will relieve stress and aid wellbeing and health.  

Environment Health

Permaculture offers a natural and sustainable gardening philosophy, developed by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in 1978, it has taken off as a means of looking after plants and animals holistically and organically. Energy is conserved, rain water is used rather than reservoir water, natural compost is used too. Prince Charles, next in line to the British throne, is very interested in using these permaculture methods. Three core laws apply:

• Care for the earth: Provision for all life systems to continue and multiply. This is the first principle, because without a healthy earth, humans cannot flourish.
• Care for the people: Provision for people to access those resources necessary for their existence.
• Return of surplus: Reinvesting surpluses back into the system to provide for the first two ethics. This includes returning waste back into the system to recycle into usefulness. The third ethic is sometimes referred to as Fair Share to reflect that each of us should take no more than what we need before we reinvest the surplus.

Karl Marx

Who was Karl Marx?
Marx was born 1818 and died in 1883. He was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist and political theorist and socialist revolutionary.  He wrote The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital. His early life as a journalist set the scene for his writing and speaking engagements and his association with Engels developed his philosophy . He spent time in Germany, Paris, Brussels and London. 

What is Hypnosis

For weight-loss hypnosis by Zoe Featherstone, click on the arrow!

If your only contact with hypnosis has been seeing a hypnotist perform on stage, then you might think hypnosis is simply a form of entertainment. While hypnosis can be used for entertainment (and some people have made a lot of money doing just that!) it´s only part of the story. Hypnosis is so much more than that.

Believe it or not, hypnosis is entirely natural. Any ideas you might have held about it being a mysterious art should be disposed of completely. The image of a caped demon forcing you to look into his eyes and subequently turning you into a zombie, incapable of doing anything other than what your 'master' commands, is a lot of nonsense. It might make for good television or stretch the special effects department working on a Hollywood blockbuster, but in truth these represntations are little more than exaggerations of certain aspects of hypnosis.