June 2010 Newsflash

Hi Everyone,

The rain has stopped, the sun is out and there is a brisk, little chill in the air making my nose cold. It's funny how we all feel the cold differently; I was in Terrigal early this morning dressed snuggly in cardigan, jacket and scarf when two teenagers walked past me soaking wet, bare chested, bare footed, wearing half a wet suit. They were laughing innocently, not a care in the world, oblivious to the ferocious icy wind, whilst I watched in dismay wondering whether I was perhaps in a parallel universe. It must have something to do with youth; my children wouldn't even know it was winter if I weren't constantly telling them to put a jumper and slippers on, and to eat their vitamin C tablet.

Speaking of vitamin C, there are lots of delicious mandarins and oranges in season right now so stock up; it's what your body needs over winter to help fight colds and flu's. Look for organic, or at least locally grown. 

In health and happiness,

Allison
Ps.. I am away from Thurs 1st till Sat 10th July but Helen and Colin, aromatherapist and remedial therapist respectively, will be working as usual. Feel free to try them out!

Re the B.P Oil Spill.... As a U.S comedian said, 

"You know what happens when windmills collapse into the sea?.... a splash"

THE BOOK SHELF

I have just received some great books from Amazon. It felt like Xmas as I skipped out excitedly and took the packages from the bemused postman. The DVD's include:

• Food Matters... questioning current beliefs on health care and medical establishments.
• The Gerson Miracle... preventing and treating cancer naturally. A must see for anyone dealing with cancer.
• Food Inc... exposing the ugly side of the food industry. What the big corporations don't want you to see.
• What the Bleep do we know?... An introduction to quantum physics.
• Consciousness... 20 scientists, 9 hours, 5 DVD's... when's the next rainy weekend? :)
• The Quantum Activist... Dr Amit Goswami challenges our notions of existence and realtiy.
• The Celestine Prophecy... based on James Redfield's best selling novel.

You probably won't find these titles in your local video shop so come and borrow them from the clinic. A donation of $5 for DVD's and $2 for books is appreciated and will enable me to keep The Book Shelf stocked with an awesome variety of interesting topics for your family's health. Very educational, they'll give you a new perspective on things.

"With access to better information people invariably

make better choices for their health..." Food Matters DVD

WHAT IS MEDITATION?

Forget the stereotypical images of cross-legged, skinny men sitting for hours in a loin cloth, eyes closed, looking like they have just smoked some good opium. Meditation does not have to be so structured or as painful as you may believe.

Meditation is the art of allowing all thoughts to disperse from your mind revealing your True Self which is buried under all these thoughts. And like any art, practice makes perfect. 

Our True Self, our pure Divine Self, is encased in our physical body while we live on this beautiful planet Earth. Our True Self has all the wisdom of the universe, all the answers you will ever need. Our bodies eventually die but our True Self is eternal. Our body allows us to experience the physical world around us and our minds allow us to discern, judge and memorise our physical experiences. But we are not our bodies and we are not our minds. As Teilhard de Chardin, French priest, philosopher and mystic said "We are spiritual beings having a human experience".

Have you ever noticed the thoughts that run through your mind when driving, washing the car, trying to sleep? We have imaginary conversations, we replay events and have imaginary arguments. Sometimes it's just ongoing scatter-chatter like "...pick up kids...need carrots...far out, she annoys me...hope it doesn't rain tomorrow...oops, forgot to call mum...gee, I'd love to go to Borneo...maybe I should dye my hair red... oh, look at that beautiful cloud...blah, blah, blah...". Our human thoughts distract us from our True Self. Meditation is a tool which you can use to return to your True Self and in doing so bring you to a place of heightened awareness, peace and serenity.

SO, HOW TO MEDITATE?

Ease into it. Aim for 5-10mins, morning and night, initially. Find a quiet, warm place to sit comfortably with your spine erect and your neck relaxed. Close your eyes and begin to notice your breath. Breathing in, breathing out. Don't force the breath, just become aware of it. Hear the sound of the in-breath, the sound of the out-breath. Feel your belly rise and fall with the breath. You will notice your breathing slowing down. You will also become aware of the incessant thoughts trying to infiltrate the peace and quiet you are creating. That's OK. Let the thoughts come and let them go. This is not thinking time... anything important you will think again later. Don't analyse or berate yourself, just let all thoughts and judgements go. Continue to breathe for as long as you can letting go of any interruptions by your mind about sore legs or numb bum. Some people find it easier to repeat a chosen word (mantra) on each out-breath like "peace", "calm" or ''letting go" which may stop the mind wandering or wingeing about being bored.

5 mins may be enough at first but if you continue this practice regularly you will soon experience your beautiful inner calm, your True Self, and you will find you can sit for longer periods. In the initial stages your mind may resist your attempts to meditate with negative comments like "I don't have time", "it's too late", "it's not working". This is completely normal; it's just the mind competing for your attention like a child. And, like an interrupting, annoying child we just ignore. Eventually it will lose power and stop.

Remember, everyone is different and we all have different thoughts, pressures and  expectations of ourselves so try not to let the mind compare you to others. Wherever you are in your meditation practice is perfect. And remember, practice makes perfect.

"Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance.

Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back,

and choose the path that leads to wisdom"

Guatama Siddharta 563-483B.C

MEDITATION AND SCIENCE

#   Meditation helps kids with ADHD 

    http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2007/11/30/2106111.htm

#   Meditation decreases anxiety and depression

    http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200105/the-science-meditation
#   Meditation reduces stress, anxiety and panic disorder

    http:/www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/medical/cp4/client_edit/topic4/sg3b-1.pdf

#   Meditation can slow down HIV progression

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080724215644.htm

#   Meditation can reduce pain

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110065909.htm

#   Meditation helps heart disease patients lower cardiac disease risks by 50%

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163204.htm

"Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. 

It's a way of entering into the quiet that's already there-

buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks everyday"  Deepak Chopra

ENVIRONMENTAL TIP OF THE MONTH

Eat Less Meat
According to renowned scientist David Suzuki (David Suzuki's Green Guide) beef production requires up to 70,000 litres of water for every kilo of meat eventually produced (yes, cows drink water, too) and chickens require 6,000 litres per kilo of meat eventually produced. Commercial animal farming also pollutes rivers and streams via manure run-off, and the atmosphere via methane gas (farts). 

Help save our environment by eating less meat and animal products. Substitute one or two meat meals a week with a healthy vegetarian option. Easy recipes when converting from meat are vege lasgane, vege curry, vege pie and minestrone soup. Make your mince dishes with half red lentils (no one will know!). And always buy organic.. better for you and the beautiful animal.