Intention is not something you do, but rather a force that exists in the universe as an invisible field of energy. Where is this field you might ask? There is no place which it is not because everything in this Universe has intention built into it. This is true for all life forms, whether a rosebush or a mountain. A mosquito has intent built into its creation and life experience. A tiny acorn with no apparent power to think or make plans for its future contains intention from the invisible field. If you cut the acorn open, you won’t see a giant oak tree, but you know it’s there.  An apple blossom in the springtime appears to be a pretty little flower, yet it has intention built into it and will manifest in the summer as an apple.

Every aspect of nature, without exception, has intention built into it, and as far as we can tell, nothing in nature questions its path of intent. Nature simply progresses in harmony from the field of intention. We, too, are intended from the energy of this field.

Try imagining a force that’s everywhere. There’s no place that you can go where it isn’t. it can’t be divided and it’s in everything you see or touch. Now extend your awareness of this infinite field of energy beyond the world of form or boundaries. So it’s both in the physical and the non-physical. The only way you deactivate this dormant force is by believing that you are separate from it. Become conscious to the Power of Intention and everything that you want will manifest in the physical world.

Shift into alignment with Intention. Do not live by default, with an unconscious drive… this will manifest the unwanted in your life. 

We are what we believe and intend that we are… Always be aware of this tremendous power that can achieve the impossible.

Activating intention means rejoining your source and becoming a modern day sorcerer. – Wayne Dyer

The biggest attribute to our separation from this Infinite Power of Intention is EGO! 

Ego is made up of 6 primary ingredients that account for how we experience ourselves as disconnected. By allowing ego to determine your life path, you deactivate the power of intention. Briefly, our Ego beliefs are:

1- I am what I have. My Possessions define me.

2- I am what I do. My Achievements define me.

3- I am what others think of me. My Reputation defines me.

4- I am separate from everyone. My Body defines me.

5- I am separate from all that is missing in my life. My life Space is disconnected from my Desires.

6- I am separate from God. My life depends on God’s assessment of my Worthiness.

No matter how hard you try, intention can’t be accessed through Ego… so take time to recognize and re-adjust any of those 6 beliefs. When the supremacy of ego is weakened in your life, you can seek Intention and Maximize your Potential.

4 steps to intention:

Activating your Power of intention is a process of connecting with your natural self and letting go of Total Ego Identification. The process takes place in 4 stages.

1- Discipline. Learning a new task requires training your body to perform as your thoughts desire. So, eliminating ego identification doesn’t mean disconnecting from your relationship with your body, but rather, training your body to activate those desires. You do that with practice, exercise, nontoxic habits, healthy foods, and so on.

2- Wisdom. Combined with discipline fosters your ability to focus and be patient as you harmonize your thoughts , your intellect and your feelings with the work of your body.

3- Love. After disciplining your body with wisdom and intellectually studying a task, this process of mastery involves loving what you do and doing what you love.

4- Surrender. This is the place of intention. This is where your body and mind aren’t running the show anymore and you move into Intent. Relax and allow yourself to be carried by the same power that turns acorns into oak trees, blossoms into apples, and microscopic dots into humans.

First and foremost: Stop doubting the existence of a Universal Omnipresent Force called Intention. And you can link and be carried to your destination by that force. When doubt is banished, abundance flourishes and anything is possible.

“The law of floatation was not discovered by the sinking of things, but by contemplating the floating of things which floated naturally, and then intelligently asking why they did so” – Thomas Troward.

How to connect to Intention:

What you’re feeling is a function of how you’re thinking, what you’re contemplating and how your inner speech is being formulated. Imagination is the most powerful tool we humans possess. Imagination is the movement of the Universal mind within you. Your imagination creates the inner picture that allows you to participate in the act of creation. It’s the invisible connecting link to manifesting your own destiny.

1. Be Creative. The expression that designed us and got us here. The power of intention has to be creative or nothing would come into existence. Creative energy is a part of you. it originates in the life-giving Spirit that intends you.  Trust your own purpose and have an attitude of unwavering intent in your daily thoughts and activities. Affirm, recognize your life and what you want and create only that into your reality. Never waste time thinking of what you don’t want or what you’re scared of. That which you feel yourself to be, you are… so live in the feeling of being who you want be, and that you shall be!
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” – Albert Einstein

2. Be Kind. Kindness is key to intent. It is kind energy that intends what you create to flourish and grow, thrive and multipy. The moment unkind energy comes into form, the life-giving spirit is destroyed. Unkind thoughts weaken and kind thoughts strengthen. Choosing to be kind is a choice to have  Intention active in your life. Be kind to yourself… be kind to others… be kind to all life.

3. Be Love.“Love is our highest word and the synonym for GOD.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson. Love is the force of GOD! The most powerful existing energy. The energy field of intention is pure love resulting in a nurturing and totally cooperative environment. Judgement, hate, anger, fear or prejudice won’t thrive here. Thoughts and emotions are pure energy, some higher than others. Love is the highest form of energy that can dissolve any other lower energy attribute (example: fear, anger, hate). Cultivate love in your immediate circle of family, friends, acquaintances, and ultimately it will expand globally. The more you extend your love, the closer you are to being love… and it’s in this being of love that intention is reached and manifestation flourishes.

4. Be Beauty. “Beauty is not caused… it is!”- Emily Dickinson. It is neither an opinion, nor a judgment… everything is simply beautiful. As you awaken to your divine nature, you’ll begin to see beauty in everything you see, touch and experience. Become receptive to seeing and feeling beauty around, and you attract more beauty in your thoughts and emotions which in turn connects you to intention. Beautiful thoughts build a beautiful soul!

5. Be ever Expansive. The all-emerging Universal Force that brought you into being and commenced life is always growing and perpetually expanding. By being in an ever-expanding state and growing intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually, you’re identifying with the universal mind. By being in a state of readiness where you’re not attached to what you used to think, say or be… by thinking from the end and staying open to receiving divine guidance, you abide by the law of growth and are receptive to the power of Intention.

6. Be Abundant. Intention is endlessly abundant. There’s no scarcity in the Universal world of Spirit. There is never a lack in the Universe. Do you think we will ever be denied Oxygen? You emerged from a consciousness that is unlimited. Know in your heart that any attitude you have which reflects a scarcity consciousness will hold you back. Shift to an abundance mindset, believe that you are unlimited as you emanated from this inexhaustible supply of Intention. We are what we think about. Become one with it.

7. Be Receptive. Intention is there for us all. No one and no thing is rejected by the receptive face of Intention. It welcomes everyone and every living thing, without judgment… never granting the power of intention to some and withholding it from others. It depends on how receptive you are which allows you connect to intention. Be open and free and receptive to having guidance available to you to manifest your human intentions, not only that… but as well as giving energy back into the world.
To realize your desires, match them with your inner speech. Your inner speech mirrors your imagination… and your imagination is your connecting link to spirit. And your desires will ultimately be realized.

Thank you Dr. Wayne W. Dyer for your amazing books “The Power of Intention” and “Wishes Fulfilled”!

Fear is just fear! It is created by your imagination to make reality seem scarier than it is. When you take action and face your fears, they become weaker, because you realize that reality isn’t nearly as bad as your imagination.

The good news is, fear is not a part of you, it has not always been with you. As humans, we are born with only 2 fears, the fear of loud noises and the fear of falling (and even those don’t stay with us as we grow). Every other fear, negative thought form, or fear-based belief has been instilled inside us throughout our life. Everything from riding a bike, to fear of water, to the more profound and common fears like fear of rejection, failure, worthlessness, etc… Have you ever seen a kid afraid of playing with fire, or getting on a bike, or shoving his hand in a dog’s mouth. This is because fear doesn’t exist in them until they are yelled at by their parents for doing something “wrong”… the yelling scares them into believing this is off limits, something to be afraid of. Or unless they get burnt by the fire, the physical reaction of pain sinks into their subconscious mind as fear never to approach fire again. This is how it works. Fear is created by your mind, your imagination… from life experience, from the moment you come into the world, from your mind, your parents, school, society, your environment, religion, etc… restrictions, limitations, and no no’s that build resistance.

Some fears are good to have… like the awareness that you should not jump off a balcony because you’ll get hurt. But these are just to protect your life. But how about those fears that stagnate your life, stunt your growth… those that begin to interfere in you really living and put limitations on you? Wouldn’t we all do without them?

Let’s first understand how fear can limit your growth, your love, your experiences, your purpose. Let’s say, growing up, all you ever heard was: Don’t bother following your passion or focusing on the things you enjoy to do because you can’t ever get rich or achieve any success in your life unless you work so hard in a stable 9-6 job. You will form a fear-based belief in your mind which states: I will never become rich and successful following my passion. So, what happens? You bury your passion and end up stuck in a boring job, one you don’t like to achieve the life you want to have. Afraid to leave it, yet unable to work hard because you don’t like it. Thus, Unsuccessful. And if you do decide to pursue your passion, the fear of that initial, deep-seated idea instilled into you “rich = working hard” will leave you unable to become rich, or achieve any kind of success… and inevitably stunt your growth.

Another example: you’re growing up in an environment where you are constantly told, men are mean, and careless. All they do is break hearts. Never trust a man, they’re cunning and sly.  You grow up with a fear of men, a fear of giving your heart to a man, a fear of love. So you sabotage every potentially loving relationship because of your deep fear of getting your heart broken. And even if you do decide on being with a man, because of your other beliefs, you will always fear and never experience any sort of happiness or love.

Why live half a life? Why be satisfied with just that? Why settle? Overcome all of this chaos and noise in your mind. Be the master of your own life… and the beginning is by overcoming FEAR!

HOW?

Awareness: Be aware. Before you can begin overcoming fear, you have to know that it is causing chaos in your life. You! Not anyone around you… only you! It’s easy to get so attached to your thoughts and feelings that you think they are all that exist, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

Be in the Now. Stay in the here and now. Don’t let your thoughts and emotions dwell in the past or stray to the future. This does not mean: don’t make plans. But being in the now means not getting your mind stuck in ideas such as: what has gone wrong before and what could go wrong tomorrow. This will only build up your fear to the point where you feel unable to do anything. And instead… just run away (Flight response). Stop worrying about the future, the future will be the now soon enough. And when you get there, it will be much easier to get things done and live the life you choose when you have created a minimal amount of stress and fear within your mind. Whenever you feel fear, your mind is often dragged into emotional turmoil, a hypothetical future scenario where you think you might fail. Your brain is over-analyzing a possible situation, which leads to a negative, downward spiral of thought. This expands and empowers your fear to the point where you become almost paralyzed. The only way around this is to completely empty your mind of any and all expectations, assumptions, preconceptions and predictions. The only way around it is to Surrender.

Surrender. The term surrender is ambiguous. Surrender in this context does not mean to give up and go home. It just means don’t fight the fear and keep it out of your system, dismiss it entirely, or allow yourself to believe that it does not exist. Because it does, and that will only strengthen and anchor it within you. Instead, accept that feeling of fear. Observe it in your mind and body without labeling or judging it. Pay attention to the consequences it is bringing into your life with no judgment. Surrendering to the fear instead of fighting it will allow the negative energy it holds to pass through you, your body will release it and only then can you return to normal focus on the here and now again. Focusing on the now not only reduces the fear, but also increases the chances of you succeeding as your mind is focused, your confidence is intact, and your thoughts become clear and your heart is attuned to feel and be in a state of love.

Be Grateful. Switch your attention from fear to what you are grateful for. Be grateful for your body, for your life, for your blessings as I’m sure we all have them. If you’re afraid of the public speaking, be grateful for your voice and the opportunity to communicate with so many people and that they are there to listen genuinely and attentively to what you have to say.

Redefining you and reality. New Perspective. TAKE ACTION! To change yourself and overcome fear, you have to be prepared and willing to redefine yourself. You have to be willing to take the risk and keep practicing. No one can do it for you. And when you do, you will make what may seem to be the biggest, most incredibly impossible step not so large and you will progress pretty quickly. You have eliminate the ideas in your mind: “This is who I am”,“This has always been, this will always be” because as long as you think those are true, they will remain your truth. Yet, if you are prepared and willing to change, you can rewrite what you perceive as the truth about yourself and your personality, thoughts, actions and emotions and the whole world. There is no separation between you and the world. We are one. You might never be able to fully understand or internalize that statement – but just by entertaining the idea, it becomes much harder to feel fear. Without the perspective of separation, with the perspective of absolute unity, you automatically become calmer, kinder, less fearful and more open receptive and naturally connected to the rest of the world and to source.

Be Positive. Whenever fear strikes, flip it. Positivity can lessen the fear in your mind of what may happen in a new, scary, unfamiliar situation or how one might respond to what you are saying. A negative view of the world and their reactions creates fear and holds you back. But if you change your point of view from negative to positive, many of the people you meet will respond in a similar manner. In general, no matter how you think about the world, people are a mirror for you.

Total abdication of Control. We crave control and predictability, even though it’s impossible to get. When we don’t assume control, we experience fear. Yet, let’s ponder on that thought for a moment. Are we ever really in complete control? Even a professional swimmer can drown,  a professional pianist can still make mistakes and mess up a show. Give up the illusion of control, and you are free from fear!

Meaning. Everything happens for a reason. This includes the fears we hold. It also includes overcoming fear and learning the lessons that come out of it. Your feelings are there to tell you something. Scan the idea in your head about the situation you are fearful of.  Investigate your fears, what thoughts generate them; where, when and why you feel the fear and how you react to them. Be an observer of your inner space. Ask what the purpose of them is. Ask your heart, God, the Universe, or whatever you feel comfortable with. What are your fears trying to tell you? What’s the worst that can happen? Listen to the answer. Face your fear. Choose freedom… Choose life. 

Understand Failure. Most of our fears are associated with the fear of failure, not being good enough, shame, or somehow not living up to the standards society or family has put up for us. When we realize that failure is not the end of the world, we become free. Failure is just a stepping stone to success. And most of all, once we accept that this is our life and no one can live it for us. No matter what choices we make, society can always butcher us, but that’s not our problem… in fact, that’s there problem with their own insecurities and fear-based beliefs. If we are attached to their expectations of us, how can we fulfill our own life’s purpose, how can we walk our own path?

Other powerful techniques to overcoming fear include EFT, Hypnosis, NLP, Yoga, Affirmations, Meditation or Prayer, Eating Right, Proper Breathing, Life Coaching, Talking (Yet talking may be tricky because we often hold back the negative beliefs we have afraid of how others might react or perceive us), Reading (Feel the fear and do it anyway, The power of now, The power of Intention, Wishes Fulfilled, The power of your Subconscious Mind to name a few books)

It’s already been established that we are spirit, mind and body. The energy formed by our thoughts, feelings, emotions mutate into our physical body and build into either a positive growth or a negative one.

THE BODY:

An intelligent structure of tissue, blood, cells, organs, biological systems make up this interconnected organism which we call the Human Body. Interconnected meaning every aspect of the body is completely and 100% connected to every other aspect.  For example, if one has a heart problem, in most cases, it is merely a result of functional disturbances of other organs. It could be the thyroid, the kidneys, etc… There are great medicaments for the heart and it is true that such medicines help the heart’s condition. But what most people fail to realize is that treating the heart aids with the symptom while the cause of disturbance remains unresolved. Healing the symptom and not the cause just masks the problem for a short period of time. And this is not a long-term solution. Specialization has caused medical science to be divided up, and therapeutics has become only an art of treating the symptoms. People have forgotten that the human body is an indivisible unit… it is one complete intertwined circuit such that an insignificant little gland is often responsible for a disorder appearing in a remote part of the body.

If we have a disorder in the gall, the lungs or any other organ, every part of our body, from the brain to the last pigment cell in the skin, is affected. These is no such thing as a dis-ease of just one organ; it is possible, however, for a general condition of disease to culminate in one organ. Thus the whole human being is ill, not just one part of his body. To treat the affected area of one’s body may take away that disorder but the true cause of the afflicted area is still hidden and if the deeper reasons to one’s illness is not found and fixed, these symptoms will keep reoccurring… possibly inflicting other organs and areas as well.

Listen to your body, treat it with respect, it’s your vehicle on this Earth… you can choose to have a peaceful, strong, powerful journey in a body that is capable and can carry you with strength and determination through this life, or not. It’s in your hands. Integrate mind, body and soul. Integrate your own Consciousness with the Universal Consciousness though the alignment of your thoughts, emotions, actions and intelligence…. honor your body in any number of ways: Natural Nutrition, Rhythmic Breathing, Meditation, Yoga, Tibetan Rites, etc… balance the flow of  Energy in your body and allow it to cultivate rather than dissipate, also using any form of alternative therapy from EFT, to Craniosacral Rhythm to REIKI, etc… Live the art of prevention and not of curing.

There have been many reports citing that miraculous healing took place in patients who have been ill and were on medication without success for a long while, and through monitoring their thoughts, healthy nutrition, simple breathing and Yoga exercises their most distressing illnesses faded completely and they are now healthier than ever. In reality, this healing is not miraculous, but quite natural. The Body has a natural self healing mechanism. Avoid healing with chemicals, but with forces of nature.

Cyrus Mehta said “Nature is Universal, synthetic, and man is a child of nature who cannot be divided, and specialized to pieces.”

Breathing fills the entire being with new strength. The mind gains peace, self-confidence and assurance. Yogi breathing eliminates the impurities from our blood, increases our resistance, stimulates the metabolism and has a particularly great regenerating effect on the endocrine glands. This rejuvenates the entire organism. It is a frequent occurrence that people who exercise rhythmic full breathing consistently for 1 or 2 months, joyously report the disappearance of certain symptoms regarded as signs of old age with which they did not expect improvement.

Rythmic Full Breathing (or Yogic Breathing) is a combination of Abdominal breathing and Thoracic (Chest) breathing.

Execution: standing, sitting or lying down. By means of our consciousness we animate our entire trunk always following the wave-like movement of our inhalation and exhalation. In this way we experience complete equilibrium. Start by exhaling fully. Slowly breathe in through the nose, counting up to eight, and combing lower, middle and upper breathing in a wave-like movement. First, we expand our abdomen, then our ribs and finally we raise our collarbone. At this point our abdominal wall is already drawing in slightly and we begin the exhalation in the same manner as the inhalation, that is, by first drawing in the abdominal wall, then contracting the ribs and finally lowering the shoulders, while we let the air out through the nose. In complete Yogi breathing, the entire breathing mechanism, i.e. the lower, middle and upper lobes of the lungs are in uniform movement. Between the inhalation and the exhalation we can retain our breath for as long is comfortable.

Therapeutic effect: we experience a great feeling of peace. This exercise completely airs the lungs, increases the oxygen and energy supply in the blood, sets up equilibrium between the positive and negative currents, calms the entire nervous system, regulates and slows the activity of the heart, reduces high blood pressure and stimulates digestion.

Mental effect: the calming of the nervous system affects our mental condition. We are filled with a feeling of peace, quiet and security.

You were brought into this world by a sacerd power so great… so divine…

Judge not, resist not, fear not… only love… unconditionally. Allow others to live as they choose to live. Do the same for you…  you have a God-Given, Universal RIGHT to choose to live as you want to live. Be happy, be safe, be kind, be giving… be creative… be open to receiving… to expansion. Have faith that you are always in “protective hands”… have faith that the Universe is always on your side guiding you to exactly where you should be, in the right moment. Accept everything and everyone for who they are… understand that others choices are their own and they are entitled to them… never condemn someone for their own set of beliefs. Be forgiving. Be gracious. Always be grateful… for what you have and even what you don’t have. Be free of others and be free of your ego. Speak only kind words, filled with integrity. Be true to yourself and everyone around you, and the entire world. Always offer a helping hand if anyone or anything needs you… Understand that you should always “Do unto others what you would want done unto yourself”… Know that we are all one in this world, regardless of gender, race, religion, political or any other kind of views… and the slightest thing you may do, may affect the entire world… so always do good. Everything that happens in your life is because of you… own up to your actions, take responsibility, never shift blame. Because nothing that happens to you is caused from external factors … everything in life starts from the inside out. It is how you perceive and absorb what is happening around you that affects you positively or negatively. Always be positive… know that you can be all that you want to be and can achieve anything in life if you want it strong enough, if you believe in it and most importantly believe in yourself… if you give it love and care and if you have the proper intention towards it. Free your mind and your life of useless gossip, free yourself from reputation, from caring about what others think of you or why… as long as you are happy with who and what you are, and you never ever cause harm… that’s all that matters. Respect your mind, empty it from all of the nonsense and material things and nourish it with wisdom. Concentrate on the things you want in life… because whatever you concentrate on expands in the Universe. Respect your soul, and connect with the divine… with the source, with the power of Intention by meditation and silent contemplation…. and always do so with unconditional love and abundance…. be present… in the moment…. being present is key to living a full life.  Respect your body… the vehicle that is holding you and driving you through this wonderful journey of life.. feed it nutritious, healthy food… food available in nature… be kind to your body… exercise frequently as movement is the breath of life and even our cells need movement to breathe and to live… Respect nature, as it is the Energy you are living in day in and day out… respect all living things…Be aware of your emotions, of your feelings…. do not anger, do not worry, do not doubt, do not fear… everything happens for a reason… Believe that all is well… always… and so it will be! Create Your Own Reality… because no one can do it for you!

I love you…

EFT is about returning the mind, body and feelings to a state of balance and harmony so you are not limited by negative emotions. Even though we are ‘designed’ to recover from unpleasant experiences or thought patterns, nevertheless we can be affected by recurring emotions from past events such as relationships, trauma or loss. We can also be affected by ongoing or future events such as work-related stress, interpersonal problems, depression and various kinds of anxieties. These negative emotions, if not released out of the system in the proper way, can be stuck to your energy field and your body, rather than dispersed. Even if you try to ignore them, they still affect your lives.

How it works:

EFT requires ‘tuning into’ the issue and then gently tapping on specific acupressure points to with your fingers to release negative emotional states, thereby helping with almost all of our life problems, including our physical issues. The significant aspect of tapping is that you often experience shifts within minutes. For example if you carry anger towards someone who has hurt you in the past, you would be asked to think about them… and notice how you feel. You do not have to relive past events, just be aware that the negative feeling is there. Once ‘tuned in’ to that feeling, you tap those acupressure points (shown in the diagram, 5-10 times each point), and say a few things that also help disperse the emotion from the system… and you will immediately feel relief from that anger… neutralize it so it no longer carries emotional charge… and you never have to feel it again. The sentence to repeat while tapping is “Even though i feel …… , i deeply and completely love and accept myself.”

Gary Craig (founder of EFT) expresses how EFT works in a slightly different way which is easier to understand. His catch phrase is:

“All negative emotions are caused by disturbances in the body’s energy field”.

He describes it as follows: when you think about a negative memory or feeling, the body’s acupuncture meridians become blocked, a bit like a hose becoming kinked, and this blocks the flow of energy to parts of the body. The result of this is that you feel the negative feeling. By tapping on specific acupuncture points, whilst are deliberately focusing on the negative memory you “un-kink” the hose.

From an experiential perspective, as this is happening, the emotional charge is falling away. Once you do this for all the feelings connected with a negative past memory, the next time you think about that same event or experience, the charge has reduced or gone – in fact minutes or even years later you find you can’t get upset about that same memory. And this is something that can be hard to believe unless you experience it for yourself.

This has enormous implications. It means that it is not the traumatic or unpleasant past event that causes the negative emotions and feelings associated with it. This can’t be the case, as after Tapping away all the negative charge on the event, the individual thinks about the event and can’t get upset even if s/he tried! Nor is Tapping causing repression – in fact Tapping can release the energy that represses emotions (one thing to bear in mind for severely traumatic past experiences that have been numbed or suppressed!).

It appears that in the moment of a trauma (small or large) something is stored in the energy system connecting the event or experience to emotions or feelings. It is for this reason that we feel negative emotions when we think about a negative past experience. Once the energy system is re-balanced with Tapping, there is no longer any connection and the individual is free from the effects of the trauma.

Typically, once the charge has gone, the individual has a completely different relationship to the event, and finds it much easier to understand and have forgiveness, thereby enabling complete closure and resulting peace. This doesn’t mean though, that they agree with what was done, just that it is completely released.

Sources: Peter Donn –  http://www.london-eft.co.uk/

An Introduction to EFT: 

Basic EFT Tutorial:

Find other EFT videos on youtube to watch. There’s a lot of stuff out there.

Life expresses itself as motion. Movement is activity and is fundamental to all life forms. It defines how life sustains, grows, and changes. In our body, movement produces the reactions that vitalize our cells, nourish our tissues, and harmonize our organs. Our mind has movement of thoughts, whereas our spirit has movement in feelings. Ideal health strives for the equilibrium reached when all levels optimize and balance each other, seeking a steady-state movement.

At a deep level of our physiological functioning, all healthy, living tissues subtly “breathe” with the motion of life – a phenomenon that produces rhythmic impulses which can be palpated by sensitive hands. The presence of these subtle rhythms in the body was discovered by osteopath Dr William Sutherland in the 1930s, after he had a remarkable insight while examining the specialized articulations of cranial bones. Contrary to popular belief Dr Sutherland realized that cranial sutures were, in fact, designed to express small degrees of motion. He undertook many years of research during which he demonstrated the existence of this motion and eventually concluded it is essentially produced by the body’s inherent life force, which he referred to as the “Breath of Life.” Furthermore, Dr Sutherland discovered that the motion of cranial bones he first discovered is closely connected to subtle movements that involve a network of interrelated tissues and fluids at the core of the body; including cerebrospinal fluid (the ‘sap in the tree’), the central nervous system, the membranes that surround the central nervous system and the sacrum.

What is CranioSacral Therapy?

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on method of body evaluation and treatment that may have a positive impact on nearly every system of the body. CST helps normalize the environment of the craniosacral system, a core physiological body system only recently scientifically defined. The craniosacral system extends from the skull, face, mouth down to the sacrum and coccyx. It consists of a compartment formed by the dura mater membrane, the cerebrospinal fluid contained within, the systems that regulate the fluid flow, the bones that attach to the membranes, and the joints and sutures that interconnect these bones.

Because the craniosacral system contains the brain, spinal cord, and all related structures, any restrictions or imbalances in the system may directly affect any or all aspects of the central nervous system performance. These problems can be detected and corrected by a skilled CranioSacral therapist by using simple methods of palpation (touch).

CST is based on the idea that each person’s body contains the necessary information to uncover the underlying cause of any health problem. By using about 5gm of pressure, roughly the weight of a nickel, the CST practitioner evaluates the system by testing for ease of motion and the rhythm of cerebrospinal fluid pulsing within the membranes. In this way,  the therapist communicates with the body to obtain this information and help facilitate the person’s own self-healing process and self-regulating capabilities. Specific treatment techniques are then used to release restrictions in sutures, fasciae, membranes and any other tissues that may influence the craniosacral system. The result is an improved internal environment that frees the central nervous system to return to its optimal levels of health and performance.

“Worms will not eat living wood where the vital sap is flowing;

Rust will not hinder the opening of a gate when the hinges are used each day. 

Movement gives health and life. Stagnation brings disease and death.”

– proverb in traditional Chinese Medicine

Visit The Upledger Institute or the Franklyn Sills’ Craniosacral Biodynamics websites for more information on CST, therapists and training.

Below is an informative video with demonstrations for a better idea. 

There is absolutely no precedent for the basic premise of reflexology that areas of the feet correspond to other parts of the body, and, that stimulation of these areas of the feet therapeutically relaxes the corresponding parts of the body! And yet, recipients have had their arthritis completely cured, been cured of their headaches, back aches cleared up, asthma symptoms relieved, sinuses cleared, have been freed of their PMS., ovarian cysts disappeared, stomach ulcer healed – and on and on.

From around the world, scientific research has shown that reflexology is an effective therapy for a diverse range of health conditions: PMS., kidney stones, constipation, childbirth, arthritis, internal pain, tension headaches and the pain suffered by persons with terminal cancer, and, diabetes type II. Maybe it is time to take a second look at reflexology and all the claims that have been made.

Reflexology has a long history originally dating back to Ancient Egypt, India and China. Reflexology was introduced to the modern Western world as “Zone Therapy” by Dr William Fitzgerald (USA) in 1913, and further developed by the pioneer of Reflexology Eunice Ingham (USA) in 1930.

Reflexology is a natural non-invasive and holistic therapy that is well established and respected in the field of complementary medicine. It is also now being increasingly used alongside treatments in conventional medicine. Reflexology restores the free flow of “Energy Circulation” within and around the body, by focusing on the feet as Reflexologists apply a form of very specific and skilled foot “massage”. This “massage” technique aims to stimulate the nerve endings in the feet and sends signals along the nerve pathways to the central nervous system where they are processed and filtered to the corresponding part of the body or organ being worked on.

THE FEET ARE A MIRROR OF THE BODY!

It appears that reflexology might be the difference between requiring drugs/surgery, and helping your body to heal itself.  Reflexology therapeutically reduces stress and tension throughout the whole body. Blood and lymph circulation improves, nerve supply to the cells is improved, and the release of toxins from the body is increased. These physiological benefits facilitate improvement in the body’s assimilation of nutrients, elimination of wastes, and the functions of the immune system.

Reflexology complements massage and other physical therapies by reducing stress and tension in the internal glands and organs of the body, and, by relieving stress from parts of the body that are too painful to be directly worked on. Reflexology complements nutritional and herbal therapies and colon therapy by facilitating more efficient assimilation and elimination in the digestive system.

All of this, and more, realigns mind body and spirit to a state of wellbeing and harmony.

The greatest power of healing is touch.

Healing through the simple process of touch has a long history. Touch is something that we are all born with the ability to both give and receive. It is one of the first sensations we feel upon our arrival into the world, and is therefore one of the most important in terms of its ability to allow us to feel the safety and security of loving relationships in our lives. If this sensation of love and security is allowed to thrive with nurturing parents as providers, we set a foundation and begin to learn more about how to both give and receive love… and as mentioned earlier, unconditional love is the greatest power to connect with the divine!

Touch should not be underestimated because it permeates into all aspects of life. From the way we shake someone’s hand to giving someone a hug, we are defined by how we touch or how we receive it.

There are definitely social and cultural norms for touching, though. Reflect for a moment about how touch is regarded in different parts of the world, within different cultures – where there are implied or clear rules about the human touch. We learn the difference between those times when touching is appropriate or when it is not. We become aware of different types of touching and then determine if we feel that the sensation of being in contact with another is a positive or negative experience.

In terms of its ability to heal or promote health, touch plays an important role in how our instincts develop or evolve. This is not something that we are always conscious of, but nonetheless, become part of our hard wiring. This is seen in our ability to use touch for healing or for survival. When we extend a helping hand (touch) to another person in pain or one who is suffering, we are able to provide a sensation of comfort and soothing for the soul. Being able to use touch for injured or sick persons has become a human characteristic that we tend to take for granted.

In practical terms, alternative healing modalities all use touch as the essence for healing. The objective is a higher level of structure, function, and well-being. Rexflexology, CranioSacral Therpay, Shiatsu, jin shin jytsu, etc… are all used for improving structure, flow, function, in a particular body system – energy, neuromuscular, myofascial, meridians. A Therapeutic Touch practitioner would use  “healing touch” or even “Distance Healing” to work directly on the energy centers and the energy body of a client (with their hands directly on or near the body) to manipulate their energy field which promotes healing, energy body balancing and clearing of the blockages in the Auric system. (Reiki, Pranic Healing, etc…) This, in turn, results in better overall functioning and even psychological transformation and disease prevention. In a holistic way of seeing things, every part of our body and every aspect of our being is connected and affects every other part! Nothing in our bodies acts independently or separately. If we alter just one dimension of a system (as in our bodies), there will be a subsequent influence on all of the others. What changes your structure changes your function, and also changes your mind and heart.

References: http://spencerinstitute.com/holistic-life-coach-certification/

When we hear the term Ayurveda, our mind automatically sways to spa, massages, body and facial treatments and essential oils… it is much more profound than that and it starts with NUTRITION! 

Ayurveda is one of the most ancient systems of medicine in the world, with its roots reaching back to the 9th century BC. For thousands of years, these teachings were transmitted orally, but were eventually recorded during the Vedic period of ancient India as Sanskrit poetry and compiled into the classic books known as the Four Vedas.

Ayurveda, translated as the “science of life,” is a system of holistic wellness that utilizes various therapies including diet, yoga and herbal preparations to restore harmony and balance within the body.

The principles of Ayurveda are based on the concept of tridosha, “three doshas”. The three doshas, known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha, are dynamic forces with distinct characteristics that shape all things in the universe. In humans, the doshas control all mental, emotional and physical functions and responses, and also determine the state of the soul. They produce natural urges and individual preferences in food. They govern the maintenance and destruction of bodily tissue and the elimination of waste products.

Each person is born with a unique constitution, called prakriti (Sanskrit for “essential nature”), which is composed of varying amounts of influence from each of the three doshas. Each person’s prakriti describes the unique harmony or balance between the doshas that is necessary for that person to experience perfect health.

In the Ayurvedic view, an imbalance between the doshas produces a condition called vikriti, a Sanskrit word that means “deviated from nature.” According to Ayurvedic principles, each individual’s diet should be suited to his or her prakriti.

During times of vikriti or imbalance, the diet can be used to either decrease or increase the three doshas until balance is restored. The dosha balancing effect of a food is determined by its taste, either salty, sour, sweet, bitter, astringent, or pungent and its other qualities, either heavy, oily, cold, hot, light, or dry.

Also part of the Ayurvedic view, Vikriti results from an overexpression of one or two doshas (usually the dominant dosha) and a diminished expression of the other dosha. This imbalance can be caused by eating the wrong foods, chronic mental stress, physical overexertion, negative emotions, or poor sleeping habits, and will eventually lead to the development of disease, obesity and/or mental disorders. As a result, to prevent disease, each individual must maintain the doshas in, or restore them to, their proper balance.

Only a small percentage of people are purely Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. Each of us possesses a proportion of all three doshas. In many cases, two doshas combine to determine our dominant physiological and personality traits.

Vata, translated as “wind“, has the elements of ether and air, and controls all movement in the body, including the flow of blood to and from the heart, the expansion and contraction of lungs that makes breathing possible, and the contractions that push food through the digestive tract. The person with a Vata prikiti is typically of slight, thin build, and demonstrates great enthusiasm, imagination, and vivaciousness. Vata types grasp new concepts quickly, but forget things easily. They have bursts of mental and physical energy, love excitement and constant change, and display dramatic mood swings. Vatas tend to have irregular eating and sleeping patterns. When out of balance, Vata types experience dry or rough skin, constipation, tension headaches, cold hands and feet, anxiety and worry, fatigue, poor and irregular appetite, insomnia, arthritis, and difficulty maintaining their ideal body weight. The Vata constitution is characterized by swift change, and, as a result, it goes out of balance more easily than the other doshas.

Pitta, related to fire, controls metabolism and digestion and regulates appetite. Pitta types are often of medium build and medium strength and typically have blond, red, or light brown hair with freckled or ruddy skin. The basic theme of the pitta constitution is intensity. Pitta types are ambitious, self-disciplined, enterprising, articulate, intelligent, and outspoken. When in balance, they are warm and loving; out of balance, they can be demanding, sarcastic, critical, argumentative, or jealous. Unlike Vata types, Pittas experience intense hunger and cannot skip meals. When out of balance, Pitta types experience rashes, inflammatory skin diseases, heartburn, peptic ulcers, visual problems, irritability, premature graying or baldness, and tend towards compulsive behavior (e.g. alcoholism, eating disorders, etc.).

Kapha, derives from water and earth, and controls the structures of the body, giving strength and physical form to cells and tissues. Kapha types are of solid, powerful build and display great physical strength and endurance. A primary characteristic of the kapha prikiti is contentment. Kaphas are relaxed, affectionate, serene, slow to anger, forgiving, happy with the status quo, and respectful of the feelings of others. They tend to require lots of sleep, have slow digestion, and moderate hunger, though they find comfort in eating. Kaphas typically enjoy good health, but tend to become obese more often than Vata or Pitta types. When out of balance, Kapha types may experience colds and flu, allergies, sinus congestion, depression, lethargy, asthma, and joint problems.

In Ayurveda, diet is one of the key ways to maintain and restore dosha balance. According to Ayurvedic principles, each individual’s diet should be suited to his or her prakriti. And, during times of imbalance, the diet can be modified to either decrease or increase the three doshas until balance is restored. The dosha balancing effect is determined by its taste and qualities.

Click here if you want to know your Dosha Type!

In Ayurvedic nutrition there are six different tastes and six major qualities:

The Six Tastes

 Bitter: The bitter taste is found in spinach, romaine lettuce, endive, chicory, chard, kale, and tonic water. The bitter taste decreases both kapha and pitta, but increases vata.

 Pungent: The pungent taste is found in chili peppers, cayenne, ginger, and other hot-tasting spices. The pungent taste decreases kapha, but increases pitta and vata.

 Astringent: The astringent taste is found in beans, lentils, cabbage, apples and pears. The astringent taste decreases kapha and pitta, but increases vata.

 Salty: The salty taste is found in any food to which salt has been added. The salty taste increases kapha and pitta, but decreases vata.

 Sour: The sour taste is found in lemons, limes, vinegar, yogurt, cheese, and plums. The sour taste increases kapha and pitta, but decreases vata.

 Sweet: The sweet taste is found in table sugar, honey, rice, pasta, milk, cream, butter, wheat and bread. The sweet taste increases kapha, but decreases pitta and vata.

The Six Major Food Qualities

 Heavy: Heavy foods include bread, pasta, cheese, and yogurt. The heavy quality decreases vata and pitta, but increases kapha.

 Light: Light foods include millet, buckwheat, rye, barley, corn, spinach, lettuce, pears and apples. The light quality decreases kapha, but increases vata and pitta.

 Oily: Oily foods include dairy products, meat, fatty foods, and cooking oils. The oily quality decreases vata and pitta, but increases kapha.

 Dry: Dry foods include beans, potatoes, barley, and corn. The dry quality decreases kapha, but increases vata and pitta.

 Hot: The hot quality describes hot beverages and warm, cooked foods. The hot quality decreases vata and kapha, but increases pitta.

 Cold: The cold quality describes cold beverages and raw foods. The cold quality decreases pitta, but increases kapha and vata.

By selecting foods appropriate for your prakriti, you can maintain or restore your proper dosha balance. Here are a few dietary and lifestyle suggestions for balancing the different doshas.

FOODS EMPHASIZED

To balance Vata:

Because the Vata constitution is characterized by swift change and is easily thrown out of balance, Vata types benefit from sticking to a daily routine with consistent meal times and a regular sleeping pattern. Vatas should emphasize the consumption of foods with a salty, sour or sweet taste. And eat plenty of foods that are heavy, oily, and hot in quality. For example: stews, breads, warm desserts, and should drink lots of warm fluids (e.g. herbal tea). Vatas do well on a meat-based diet, and can handle lots of dairy products. In addition, they should eat only well-cooked foods and consume warm beverages instead of cold beverages. On the other hand, raw fruits and vegetables and cold beverages should comprise only a small part of a Vata-balancing diet.

To balance Pitta:

When out of balance, Pitta types tend to work excessively. As a result, it is important for Pittas to avoid overscheduling and to balance work and other commitments with sufficient recreation and leisure. Pittas should avoid skipping meals, and should avoid overeating at meals. Pittas should emphasize the consumption of foods with a bitter, sweet, or astringent taste. And heavy, oily and cold in quality. Pitta types are well-suited to a vegetarian diet, and benefit tremendously from consumption of fruits, raw vegetables and cold beverages. Pittas may also eat starchy vegetables, grains and beans, but should eliminate spicy and overcooked foods.

To balance Kapha:

Because Kapha types tend to gain weight easily and have difficulty shedding unwanted pounds, regular exercise is crucial for weight management. In addition, Kapha types should eat only when hungry and should consider doing a 24-hour liquid fast as often as one time per week. Kaphas should emphasize the consumption of foods with a bitter, pungent, or astringent taste. And light, dry, and warm in quality. Kapha types should avoid ice cream, butter, milk, rich and sugary desserts, meat, and fried foods. Instead, Kaphas should consume large amounts of raw vegetables, fruits and beans, and may improve their digestion by drinking hot ginger tea. Although Kaphas can handle some meat in the diet, it should be eaten on an occasional basis only.

Regardless of your dominant dosha, Ayurvedic nutrition principles encourage the consumption of fresh, unprocessed foods. Ayurvedic principles also govern the timing of meals. Because the Pitta dosha is responsible for digestion and metabolism, the ideal time for a large meal is during the period from 10 am to 2 pm when Pitta is dominant. As a result, all people should take their largest meal sometime around 12 noon.

Foods Avoided

Vatas should avoid foods with bitter, pungent or astringent tastes. And light, dry, or cold in quality.
Pittas should avoid foods with pungent, salty, or sour tastes. And light, dry, or hot in quality.
Kaphas should avoid foods with salty, sour, or sweet tastes. And heavy, oily, or cold in quality.

Nutrient Excesses/Deficiencies

Following Ayurvedic diet principles does not limit the quantity or variety of food that can be eaten. As a result, such a diet is not likely to be deficient in any nutrients, assuming the person is eating enough calories and selecting a wide variety of foods.

Food for thought:

• Eat living, high water-content, high-fiber, whole, organic foods, a high percentage consumed raw when possible. If you want hot, briefly steam your vegetables
• The ideal balance is 80% alkaline to 20% acid foods… meaning that 80% of your food comes out of the garden (fruits, vegetables, legumes, pulses etc.). Juice greens, carrots and beetroot for trace minerals, vitamins and enzymes
• Hydrate the body with clean filtered water, 1 to 2 liters a day
• Select fruits with a low sugar-conversion, such as apples and pears
• Eat small meals throughout the day
• Exercise to get everything moving, 60 minutes a day in open, fresh air
• Rest, rest, rest
• Reduce environmental toxins, also at work
• Use safe personal care and household products

Avoid the following:

• Refined sugar/flour/rice
• Hydrogenated fats (margarine)
• Junk foods, fizzy sodas, additives and other highly processed foods
• Pork products, high in nitrates
• Shellfish, has concentrated toxins in their tissues

References: The Spencer Institute, CHLC.