The Lakota Way of Life

Praise, flattery, exaggerated manners and fine, high-sounding words were no part of Lakota politeness. Excessive manners were put down as insincere, and the constant talker was considered rude and thoughtless. Conversation was never begun at once, or in a hurried manner.

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 the politics of socialism. During WWII she was an activist in the dangerous French underground movement and previously she was involved in the Spanish Civil War. She died of Tuberculosis and her correspondences were discovered and published posthumously.  

John Gray on Health and Happiness

In a personal message to the Administrator of the Mind Body Spirit Magazine, John Gray writes "So much of my work can be summed by saying, "If you don't know your past, you will not know your future! I try to help people move forward by looking at their past mistakes and removing the blocks that are holding them back from finding happiness. Basically, unloading their baggage so they can enjoy their future (which is usally a combination of parents, siblings, friends, exes, etc) and is also the basis for most of my health work - unloading the baggage from past health decisions, which can be a combination of poor diet, not enough exercise, genetic traits and even prescribed medications.

Get into Alpha!

 

Meditation is quick and easy and can be conducted anywhere! There are amazing statistics for those who meditate regularly. It is promoted as a miracle pastime, and can improve health of the body, mind and emotions.

Dealing with Difficult People

There are many techniques for managing people you find are difficult to deal with. Many would prefer to leave a situation rather than use the methods that have been tried and tested over time by others and have been found to work in the majority of cases. However, sometimes, yes, it is necessary to leave a situation where someone's patterns are honed to get the best of yours. Whether it be a parent, spouse, child, work colleague, it is usually a power issue. Do not give away your power. Have clear boundaries. Remain distant and obscure if necessary. Knowledge is power. Use affirmations to contradict your soft natured patterns. Keep your sense of humour. Don't try to fix them. Say 'no' and mean it!

A Call to Greatness - Bruce Nixon

“The 21st Century Revolution - A Call to Greatness" by Bruce Nixon is book is for people all over the world who want to prevent the environmental catastrophe and create a happier, fairer, more peaceful world. It will help you make sense of the situation, find solutions and decide how you can participate in bringing about the radical changes that are needed.

 The greatest challenges in human history

• Climate Chaos and Destruction of the Eco-system
• Growing Economic Injustice
• Resolving Conflict without Violence and Valuing Difference
• Radical Reform of out-dated Democracy
• And, that key part, the need for “ordinary people” to inform and empower themselves.

All these are interrelated; everything is connected. For instance the tragedy of mass migration results from this mix. So this book offers whole system analysis and whole system solutions.

Bioenergetics

What is Bioenergetics? 

Bioenergetics is the study and practice of using energy within the body in better ways. It is based upon the controversial work of Wilheim Reich and was created by two of Reich's students, principally Alexander Lowen, who included some of the theories of Reich's tutor, Sigmund Freud. It focuses on releasing unconscious blocks within the body that cause headaches, backache, etc., through physical exercises so that the person becomes more physically and psychologically free.

Tai Chi Ch'uan

This is a form of ancient graceful exercise, yoga and it is also a martial art which is performed as a strengthening for the body and meditation for the mind. It also helps deportment and eases joints and strengthens muscles. Slow, purposeful moves increase energy, chi, and is popular throughout the world, especially in China where it is used as a community exercise, often performed in public. To assist wellbeing, reduce stress and provide grace and poise.

Solo Vision Quest

 

The Vision Quest was held by native tribal people of the Americas and was a time spent alone in nature to learn about themselves and about other species, to be thankful for the water we drink, the song of the birds for comfort and the breeze in the trees for company. We can do this in our time, perhaps with fasting, with meditation, with kindness and love for all we see, hear, feel and experience. This video was made in 2011 but the information does not go out of date.  

Giant Cell Arteritis

After experiencing painful headaches, hair falling out, deeply disturbing potential loss of vision and hearing, patients are aggressively railroaded into temporal artery biopsies, often on both sides of the head. This extremely invasive surgery, at a time of inflammation of these delicate arteries, to cut through and micro-suture, with often delayed wound healing, is outrageous when non invasive scans are available, especially as the result does not matter, as a negative does not mean that GCA is not present and the treatment is the same as a positive test for giant cells. This operation is very expensive and dangerous. Wound healing is often a problem when other means of diagnosis are available.

What is Focusing?

  

Eugene Gendlin developed this technique with other psychologists at the University of Chicago in the 1960s as a result of research that was conducted between therapists and their clients. They discovered that the clients who were in touch with their felt sense achieved greater and quicker recovery from distress. Focusing helps us to feel what is happening at the present time, creating a greater sense of truth and reality.  

M. Scott Peck

Who was M. Scott Peck?
Scott Peck lived from 1936 - 2005. He was an American psychiatrist, a Christian, and best selling author. ‘The Road Less Traveled’ and ‘People of the Lie’. These were his most well known books.  His childhood was in New York City and his parents were Quakers. He served in the US Army in Japan as a psychiatrist. Delayed gratification, kindness and authenticity were his basic teachings. 

The chant of 'OM'

The word 'om' has several meanings:

• The Sound of All Sounds
• The Sound of the Universe
• The Sound of Creation
• The Beginning of Life

It contains 4 separate parts: ah-oh-mmm and silence. 

Sit comfortably with your back straight. Inhale. On the exhalation begin chanting 'om' . Pause, inhale and exhale and chant again in a regular rhythm and without strain.

Yoga Meditations

 

Yoga Meditations: 

Sit comfortably with your eyes closed.

Exhale and inhale deeply a few times.

Breathe naturally while you focus on the following:

Yoga is a deep well into which we can tap, drawing forth whatever we need to bring ourselves into wholeness and balance.  

Ask yourself what will bring wholeness and balance to your life. 

Wait for an image or an idea to arise. 

Be still with that vision or thought for  few minutes. 

Breathe.

Benefits of Meditation

“Indian artifacts show the history of meditation dates back 5,000 years. Researchers suggest that primitive hunting and gathering societies may have discovered meditation and its many different states of consciousness while gazing into the flames of their fires. The history of Meditation has evolved over thousands of years, into a structured practice that people use daily.

Anxiety and Panic

Panic attacks are very common and are hugely disabling. People who experience a panic attack often feel that they are going to die. Going outside the house, meeting people, just waking up in the morning to face the day, can trigger an attack. Until a panic attack is defined and dealt with, it is a crushing and terrifying illness. It seems to run in families. Even some doctors do not understand, they hand out tablets which have side effects and can cause addiction. If this is happening to you or someone you know, there is a great deal this person can do to help themselves.

Wendy's Post Bag (C)

Q: I am sure the spirit of my Grandma is speaking to me but I cannot quite hear what she is saying. She passed 3 months ago. What should I do?

Wendy's reply: You are a natural voice hearer, as are many mediums, but it’s too early to develop your natural abilities to hear the words of those in the Afterlife. Your grandma wishes to impart a message to you to let you know she is being healed of her illness and any hurts that occurred during her life, as this is a standard process for all who pass to the spirit realms. She is taking rest, so for her, and for you, as it is still early in your bereavement, so wait at least a year before you learn more about mediumship. 

How Do You Feel?

"What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind." -Buddha

Do you feel lucky, happy, positive or grateful? And if not, then what do you feel? Luck is a funny word. I've always thought of it as good fortune. According to Merriam Webster it is a force that brings good fortune or adversity. 

Wendy's Dream Column (2)

Q: Shed Your Inhibitions! I am late for an important event. I can't find my clothes and I can't dress myself. I'm in a muddle. My friends leave without me, and I'm running to catch up. I see them enter a building but when I arrive, I am alone in an empty shed. ID

Wendy replies: I think you've an anxiety about keeping up appearances. Free yourself from living up to anyone else's expectations. Meditate on being appreciated, and being with people who enjoy your company. Use the affirmation: I must live my life to please myself. 

Wendy's Post Bag (D)

Q If I use my tarot or oracle cards, am I more likely to have spiritual dreams? Roberta, Brighton.

Wendy's reply: Yes, these cards will trigger your nightly dreams. When you pay attention to the card images, your unconscious mind becomes activated and it produces spontaneous dream stories while you sleep. If you want to increase the likelihood of dreaming, choose cards that are particularly relevant to what you’d like to generate, such as, for psychic ability, work with the High Priestess card, for advancement at work, The Chariot card, or to increase your energy levels, the Sun card. Place the card in a prominent place and spend a few minutes each day looking at it and thinking about its image. Choose a beautiful and meaningful deck, such as the Isis Oracle or any of the goddess decks, the Oracle of Visions or the Enchanted Tarot, which are my personal favourites.