September 2009, Volume 9, No. 3
OUR AWARENESS IS HEIGHTENED
THROUGH SHIFTINGS OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS
Bringer of the Dawn
Credit: Rassouli
Editorial MusingsMinding Our Business and Losing Our Mind: How can we recover our full consciousness after losing it, in time to save our civilization from suicide?
Daniel J. Benor, MD, ABIHM
Wholistic healing opens us to consciousness of dimensions within and beyond the physical body that have been ignored by conventional medicine, psychology and by modern science as a whole. In addition to mind, which conventional science and medicine attribute solely to electrochemical activities of neurons in the brain, there are emotions, relationships with other people and the environment, plus bioenergies and consciousness that open into spiritual awarenesses.
The brain is the organ through which we think that we think.
- Ambrose Bierce
How have we come to narrow our consciousness so severely in modern society? Much has been written on the difficulties that modern science has in dealing with the non-material aspects of consciousness, health and illness. I will not belabor these issues, other than to observe that modern science has preferred to focus on those phenomena in our physical world that are measurable, while declaring subjective awarenesses to be immaterial to science (as they define science). In Eastern and traditional societies, the science of subjective awarenesses is well researched. Study and consensual validation is achieved through meditation, with well-mapped pathways for personal development. Western science generally rejects this mode for research.
Why have science and medicine had such a difficult time even considering the evidence for these transpersonal phenomena, much less accepting them? I believe that a major block to change may lie in the mind-set of modern science in English-speaking countries that has been shaped to a significant degree by our language.
ResearchThe Effects on Quality of Life on Those who Pray and Meditate for Others
Scott Guerin, PhD
This study explored the effects of prayer and meditating for others as assessed by the global health measure of quality of life (QOL). Participants recruited from around the United States were asked to pray or meditate for 2 people every day for 4 weeks. Pretest and posttest scores on the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire showed improvements in 8 out of 10 QOL measures, with significant improvements in vitality (p < .034), decreased bodily pain (p < .011) and trends of improvement in general health (p < .067) and restrictions resulting from emotional problems (p < .097).
Remarkable RecoveriesEmotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for Cerebral Palsy
Carol Look, LCSW, DCH, EFT Master and Zachery Larson
Zachery, a 24 year-old man who was born with cerebral palsy, suffered from speech impairment and weakness with poor coordination on the left side of his body, plus garbled hearing in his left ear. He had physiotherapy, speech therapy and surgically-induced deafness in his left ear, all of which produced helpful but only modest improvements. His auditory processing and speech were so impaired that he was placed in classes for the hearing impaired. At age 22 he learned Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), which produced marked improvements in his abilities to coordinate the left side of his body and to communicate verbally and through sign language.
Elimination of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Other Psychiatric Symptoms in a Disabled Vietnam Veteran with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) in Just Six Sessions Using Healing from the Body Level Up Methodology, an Energy Psychology Approach
Judith A. Swack, PhD*
Increasing numbers of returning veterans and veterans of previous conflicts are being diagnosed with depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological problems caused by military service. It is important to develop brief and effective treatment methods to facilitate reentry into civilian life. Energy psychology techniques have been found effective for rapidly treating trauma. This case study describes the results of treatment of a Vietnam Veteran for PTSD and other psychiatric symptoms with Healing from the Body Level Up (HBLUTM) methodology, an approach from the field of Energy Psychology. The patient, a Navy Seal, sustained a bullet wound to the skull in Vietnam, and later sustained separate, severe injuries to the brain requiring four rounds of surgery 1990 - 1994. The Veteran’s administration diagnosed him 100% disabled. His symptoms were assessed using the SA-45, a well-validated instrument for measuring anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive behavior, phobic anxiety, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoia, psychosis, and somatization; and the PCL-M, the military assessment for PTSD. Testing was done just prior to treatment and 2 months post-treatment. After three double sessions over a period of three months, he demonstrated complete recovery from PTSD and a return to normalcy in all nine areas of formal psychological test evaluation.
Living with Life ChallengesA Remarkable Recovery from Breast Cancer
Lauren Miller
A 38 year-old woman was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and given a fifty percent chance of survival. This was a doubly difficult challenge to deal with, as it came one week prior to her final divorce court day. She underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, experimental chemotherapy and 11 reconstructive surgeries. She found that using the technique of EFT along with prayer, meditation, exercise and diet, she did not experience many side effects of her treatments and was able to live through her course of treatments with much greater ease.
Variations on the Theme of HealingCreating Sacred Space: Walking a sacred path
Helen Will, RN, BScN, Cert. Midwifery
In my work with Therapeutic Touch and CranioSacral Therapy, I have always had the sense that I was working in Sacred Space with my clients. My introduction to the sacred space of the Chartres Labyrinth led me on a new journey of self-discovery, healing and inspiration. More than twenty-five new labyrinth designs/paintings emerged in my work at a time when traditional labyrinths were just beginning to be re-discovered and gaining some recognition for their healing qualities.
In 2001, the Labyrinth Society of America placed a call for entry for a new labyrinth design to be built at Ground Zero. Two friends, Diane Brown, Dia Rigden and I brainstormed to create the concept and qualities we felt this special labyrinth would need and then I designed it. We ended up with three new designs – one to honour each of the three sites - Ground Zero, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon. Even though they were not chosen, many wonderful events have happened around them.
The purpose and intention behind our 9/11 healing labyrinths was meant to extend far beyond these tragic sites. Our intention was that these labyrinths would help to heal those affected by terrorism, war and other tragic events (natural disasters, violence in the home and community etc.) world-wide. As we learn heal ourselves, we can then begin to heal the planet.
Much has been written about labyrinths and adult experiences with them. The focus of this article is using the labyrinth as a learning tool with children. This article is about building a very special angel labyrinth with four young neighbourhood children.
Wholistic ApproachesOpen Eye Meditation: The visual way to the development of the inner sense
Floco Tausin
What is the inner sense and how do we develop it? This article deals with an open eye meditation method which involves the concentration on both material and subtle objects. As an example of a subtle object, I present the meditation practice on eye floaters (muscae volitantes) according to the four steps of meditation in the Yoga sutras by the Indian philosopher Patanjali.
Student and Healee Experiences of HealingEmotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for Cerebral Palsy
Carol Look, LCSW, DCH, EFT Master and Zachery Larson
A Remarkable Recovery from Breast Cancer
Lauren Miller
Creating Sacred Space: Walking a sacred path
Helen Will, RN, BScN, Cert. Midwifery
Wholistic News ReviewsWholistic News Reviews: Traditional, Complementary, Alternative, and Psycho-Social Modalities of Treatment
Larry Lachman, PsyD
Socializing in older adulthood and the impact on motor function
Cancer and schizophrenia?
A screening test for early Alzheimer’s Disease
Moving to a new home increases suicide risk for teens
Amino acids help to improve weight with pre-term infants
Poetry, Art and Humor are HealingThe Emergence of the Goddess
Fusionartist Rassouli with Poetry in collaboration with 'Naomi'
The mystery of the woman is hidden in the depths of the heart.
Her innocence is protected in the embrace that surrounds her like the petals
of the rose surround the bud. The secrets of her nature are revealed when the light
of the spirit of love beholds the fullness of her being, and the full flowering of her beauty opens
only in the presence of those friends of the heart, who truly seek to honor her freedom.
The 21st century is the era when humankind will make a quantum leap in the direction of making the earth a more peaceful and united world. To make this shift, we need to face certain challenges. Many of the solutions are harbored within the energy of the feminine nature, not just in the home or work place, but also everywhere across the planet. The compassionate nature of women is one of the most precious resources available to us. There is an energy, a special light, and a capacity for love that arises out of a deep desire within women who give of themselves and can care for others. The same qualities are found in men, as each gender also possesses the qualities of the opposite gender, but cultural overlays tend to suppress these. I believe this quality would revolutionize our world if we could truly encourage and support women’s involvement.
LAUGHTER FOR LIFE
Greg Tamblyn, NCW
Humor is an antidote to worry. We hear a lot these days about the benefits of living in the present moment, about being in the "flow." Worry and certain other emotions keep us stuck in the past or future. The thing is, it's okay to look at the past or future. Just don't stare! One great benefit of humor and silliness is that they snap us back into "Now."
Humor is also a shock absorber for the sometimes rocky road of love.
Perhaps you've been romantically or sexually attracted to another person. Perhaps you've been "in love." The feeling is somewhat akin to many chemically induced states. Endorphins get released. A psychiatrist friend of mine calls it "the best drug in the world." When he said that, I thought, Sure, it's a great drug, but they never tell you about the side effects.
This led to a new song about the stages of relationship (kissing, making love, marriage, and even divorce), with each stage being like the need for a more powerful drug. At each level we listed all the side effects, just like the pharmaceutical commercials on TV…
The Longest 2 Minutes
Tomy Bewick
The longest 2 minutes
Of my entire 28-year existence
Came after 40 weeks and 2 days of waiting.
Heart beat racing
90% anticipation
No way to prepare for what I was facing…
Book ReviewsIrene van Lippe-Biesterfeld with Jessica van Tijn. Science, Soul, and the Spirit of Nature: Leading thinkers on the restoration of man and creation
Larry Dossey, MD. The Power of Premonitions: How knowing the future can sharpen our lives
Laurel Parnell, PhD. Tapping In: A step-by-step guide to activating your healing resources through bilateral stimulation
Marie Nilsson. The Magic Power of Stones, Crystals and Minerals
Richard H. Thaler & Cass R. Sunstein. NUDGE-Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness
Frank McCourt. Teacher Man, a Memoir
Tomy Bewick. My Mouth Hurts Too Much To Fight You: Poems by Tomy Bewick
Athena Thompson. Homes That Heal And Those That Don’t: How your home may be harming your family’s health
Lynsi Eastburn, BCH. It’s Conceivable! Hypnosis for Fertility
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