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Flower Essences - Nature’s Healing Gift Flower essences are the vibrational imprint of the lifeforce of a plant or flower that has been transferred and stabilized in water. They contain no scent, perfume or chemical components of the plant. Flower essences differ from essential oils used in Aromatherapy. An essential oil is an extraction taken from using large numbers of plants or flowers. The scent plays an important role in the promotion of healing through aromatherapy. Flower essences are often taken internally in a tincture form, but can also be used topically in a bath, on the skin or on clothing. Dr. Edward Bach pioneered the use of flower essences in the 1920’s. His intuition led him to the beautiful English countryside, and to the flowers which he knew had healing properties. He initially chose thirty eight flowering plants and trees which he processed by various methods. This produced a concentrated essence, which he then mixed with water and a small amount of alcohol as a preservative. Dr. Bach believed that negative emotions were at the core of many illnesses. He said, "Disease of the body, as we know it, is a result, an end product of something much deeper. Disease originates above the physical plane, nearer to the mental. It is a result of a conflict between our spiritual and mental selves. So long as these two are in harmony, we are in health; but when there is discord, there follows what we know as disease." In a 1983 article in the New York Times titled, "Emotions Found to Influence Nearly Every Human Ailment," stated that health problems, such as high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, heart disease, headaches and ulcers are linked to stress. Dr. Bach pioneered this thinking and was ahead of his time, as many physicians now accept this thinking to be true. How do Flower Essences work, and what are they used for? Dr. Bach said, "The action of these remedies is to raise our vibrations, and open our channels for the reception of our spiritual self; to flood our natures with the particular virtue we need, and wash out from us the fault which is causing harm. Flower essences are excellent for eliminating negative or limiting patterns of behavior or thinking. They help us to better cope with stress and trauma, helping to create clarity and balance. By selecting flower essences that remedy particular emotions, the healing properties act as an antidote. They never repress emotional imbalances, they are catalysts for their release. They are not to be used as a replacement for medical or psychological treatment when indicated, but can be used in combination with other types of treatment with excellent results. They are non-toxic and can be used with pharmaceutical medicines. They are also safe for pets and children. More and more parents and animal owners are using flower essence remedies as a drugless alternative to emotional and behavioral problems. What are the results of using flower essences? Some of the results of using flower essences are a reduction of stress, greater clarity about life direction, improved relationships with others and ease of coping with trauma and challenging life situations. A study done at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco in 1979, showed that the beliefs of the user did not affect the working of the essences. How do I begin using them? Individual flower essences are available in many health and herb
stores. Custom designed essences must be obtained from a flower essence
practitioner. By Irma Kaye Sawyer, Flower Essence Practitioner Acupuncture is a unique method of holistic healing that is a least 5,000 years old, making it the oldest known form of medicine. There are a great number of schools of acupuncture scattered across the countries of East Asia, Europe and North America, and there are as many styles or traditions of this healing art. There are three fundamental points which, when taken together, distinguish acupuncture as a healing modality:
The practice of acupuncture, then, is about living rightly upon the earth, so that one does not create suffering in others or oneself by one's decisions, thoughts and actions. This is achieved by nourishing the spirit, whether this be accomplished by changing one's life or by thoughtful treatment.
Once you contact a practitioner there are a few questions which may help you decide it this one is for you:
--What training has this person had? --Will my insurance cover acupuncture? Some policies do and others don't. You need to talk with your insurance company about coverage. Even if your company does not pay it is up to you to get the care that you need. A major part of healing is to take charge of one's own health, including who you go to and for what reasons. Compassionate healers will work with you to make your healing affordable and workable. --Will the needles hurt? The mildness or severity of sensation varies greatly from person to person and from one point on the body to another. The needles themselves are solid, slender instruments, and any pain is not the result of contact with a nerve, but rather with one's own qi which is caught, waiting to be freed by the needle. It is this sudden movement of energy which is felt, sometimes as pain, often as a mild sensation. Most people feel some sensation of one kind or another. Acupuncture and Eastern medicine are remarkable means of healing, which create subtle and profound changes in a person's health and well being.
Shamanic Healing & Soul Retrieval - The Journey to Wholeness Shamanism is an ancient tradition of knowledge of the unseen that is cross-cultural. It is thought to predate all known religions and philosophies. While shamans do not have a fixed dogma or religion, they do believe in the web of power that sustains all life. According to shamanism, all things in the environment are alive and inter-connected with the human world. Dr. Roger N. Walsh in his book The Spirit of Shamanism offers this definition: "Shamanism can be defined as a family of traditions whose practitioners focus on voluntarily entering altered states of consciousness in which they experience themselves or their spirits, traveling to other realms at will, and interacting with other entities in order to serve their community." The shamanic journey is the most common of the shamanic practices. It is usually induced by a rhythmic sound of a drum or rattle, and is often used to contact the practitioners’ guides in spirit. The shamanic journey is used for physical and emotional healing, personal guidance and spiritual expansion. It brings the practitioner in touch with what Carlos Castaneda called "non-ordinary reality." According to Jose and Lena Steven’s book Secrets of Shamanism, shamanic practitioners have the following knowledge and characteristics: · They know about energy, how it works in many forms. They
have an intense relationship with the spirit body and can communicate with it. One of the symbols that arises during the journey process is Totem or Power Animals. They have been a part of many traditions throughout history including the North American Indians. They often appear during a journey to assist and guide the practitioner. Each animal possesses its own spiritual qualities or "medicine". For example, a eagle represents spiritual vision, enlightenment and freedom. A shamanic practitioner can journey to retrieve the totem animal for another person and to bring home the qualities that animal brings into daily life. We have totem animals that come to us at different stages in our lives to assist with whatever lessons we are dealing with at that time. The animals that are encountered on the journey can have profound meaning and are helpful to discern the inner qualities of the practitioner or the person or people he/she is journeying for. The gifts they bring are power and healing. Soul Retrieval is another service provided by a shamanic practitioner. Soul Retrieval is necessary when a person has experienced what is called soul loss, in which an individual loses a part of his or her spiritual energy. The causes of soul loss are many with most people experiencing some degree of soul loss in their lifetime. Children are particularly vulnerable to soul loss at the hands of adults. Soul loss is often associated with physical or sexual abuse, death of a loved one or severe or chronic illness. Repressed, forgotten and gaps in memory could also be an effect of soul loss. This concept is becoming more prevalent with contemporary health professionals such as Carolyn Myss, PhD, who recommends "calling your spirit back." Today many of us are realizing that we are not completely whole. We may not feel "all together" or "all here." A shamanic practitioner can assist a person with soul loss by journeying on their behalf to uncover how and when the separation occurred and to return the missing soul part or energy to the person. Below is a list of symptoms of soul loss: · Fear of trusting others. Soul Retrieval is an excellent adjunct therapy to traditional psychotherapy and a growing number of therapists are consulting shamanic practitioners to assist their clients. The gifts of Soul Retrieval are increased personal power, clarity of purpose and life direction, healing of physical injury and illness and a shift to a positive state of consciousness. With the pressures in our changing world environment and with the increasing interest in personal growth and healing, shamanic work is timely and powerful. Irma Kaye Sawyer resides in Huntington Beach,
California. She is a shamanic practitioner, Reiki master, writer and is a member of
the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. (Listing
for Irma's Practice)
www.irmaksawyer.com
MAGNETS FOR HEALTH & COMFORT "HEALTH MAGNETS" Science's newest wonder for many different conditions. No home should be without them. Scientists explain that magnetic fields attract and repel charged particles in the blood, creating movement and heat. This process is believed to cause the blood vessels to dilate, encouraging better blood circulation and pain relief. The healing power of magnets to relieve pain has been the subject of numerous news
reports the past few years. Testimonials from professional athletes have fueled renewed
interest in this ancient form of healing. Today many professional athletes in tennis,
golf, football, and baseball, recognize and are utilizing magnetic therapy for lower back
pain, arthritic joints, muscle atrophy and other sports related pains. It is estimated 20
golfers on the PGA senior tour would not be playing were it not for their use of magnets. For more information on magnets or how to buy or sell them contact Cindy Napolitan at (800) 358-1900 or Email her at chsn@redrose.net
Feng Shui Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese system of environmental placement, based on the understanding that the world is completely alive - all things have chi, the universal life energy - with everything, including buildings, streets and property, interconnected in a dynamic relationship that affects everything we experience. In a Feng Shui consultation, a certified Feng Shui practitioner visits your home (or office), taking into account the location of the structure in the neighborhood, the lot on which it sits, the inside of the structure and each room. Using spiritual techniques learned in training, and understanding the Ba-Gua, the practitioner addresses those areas of your life that you would like to have impacted in a positive way. Making often simple Feng Shui adjustments in our environments allows for the most beneficial flow of chi, creating greater health, harmony and abundance. The growing popularity of Feng Shui is the direct result of its extraordinary effects on the people it touches. These include improved health, more rewarding relationships, and an increase in happiness and prosperity. Whether you want to transform your home into a personal paradise or your workplace into a powerhouse, Feng Shui can make the difference. By Karen Post, North Jersey Feng Shui...Karen's Listing
In the Marketplace
I stood for a moment looking at the small stone in my hand. I noticed it had a tiny hole in it. I smiled, nodded to the Indio woman who had just handed it to me and said "Muchas gracias". Something important had just happened, but I couldn't quite grasp it. My western mind was still entangled in it's old ways. I had been wandering through the Indio market which fills the plazas and squares of Cusco in the evenings. Everywhere you looked there was another plaza filled with Peruvians, blankets spread, shop doors open, tables and carts piled high with their goods. The mall of the Andes. It was wonderful. I was in the market that night searching for a particular type of stone, a meteorite, a stone from the stars. Earlier in the day our expedition guide, Gato, had taken us to a shop where he knew they might be available and, indeed the proprietor had several, but Gato said the price of 120 soles (about $40) was outrageous and would not let us purchase them. Gato advised us to go to the marketplace that evening and search out our meteorites there. So, I wandered the marketplace that night with two friends, taking in the sights and sounds, buying gifts for family and friends. This was our first and last opportunity to shop as most of our time had been spent high up in the mountains and sacred ruins. We were here with our teacher Alberto Villoldo, to meet with his teachers and friends, the elders and medicine people of the Q'ero nation. The Q'ero are said to be the descendents of the Inka who have lived in isolated villages at 16,000 - 17,000 feet in the heights of the Andes. This was where they had fled 500 years ago when their lands were engulfed by the Conquistadors and where they had kept their prophesies and traditions clear and alive. Then in the 1950's they were discovered and their lives were opened to the modem world that had passed them by. The Inka prophesies had foretold the coming together of the eagle of North America and the condor of South America, that the two would some day fly together again. So, when Alberto Villodo, a North American anthropologist came to the Q'ero over twenty years ago, he was taken into their world, and trained as a master shaman in the traditions of not only the Q'ero, but absorbing the teachings of the coastal and jungle shamans as well. He became a piece of the bridge between the worlds. Now he, with the assistance of Cusco born shaman Jose Luis Herrera, bring Alberto's students to the mountains, to visit sacred sites, to do ceremony with the elders and undergo their rites of passage with the medicine people. It was an intense trip. One of the gifts of this journey was to have the opportunity to observe and engage with the cosmology or operating principle through which the indigenous people live their lives. The primary force of their Universe is based in reciprocity, or ayni (eye-nee) which honors the interconnectedness and interdependency of all things - or in "New Age" language, what goes around comes around. But to these people this is not something to be talked about or put on a bumper sticker, it is a belief to be lived, and they live it every day. Their world is alive, animated, all things have spirit, have energy that must be acknowledged and honored. They have a profound relationship with the natural world, still living in the Garden that we as Judeo-Christians were expelled from long ago. The Mother Earth, Pachamama, still holds them sweetly and they are very aware of all that she and her elements provide. They honor this gift of life on earth through ceremony and by gifting back to the earth symbolic offerings in a ceremony called a despacho. There are many forms of despacho ceremony, but we were particularly honored to participate in an ayni (reciprocity) despacho ceremony with Don Manuel Quispe in the sacred ruins of Machu Picchu. This offering of gratitude to Pachamama, Mother Earth, takes the form of a beautiful mandala created with natural ingredients of coca leaves, flower petals, nuts, grains, shells, wine, candies and many, many prayers. Watching Don Manuel create the despacho, filling it with beauty and sweetness was like wrapping my own heart around it, filling it to overflowing with love and gratitude for life on this earth path. It was an incredibly sweet and humbling experience, one that brought me to a place of ayni, a place of commitment to service, balance and harmony, the shaman's path. It wasn't until the long night flight from Lima to Miami that I again thought of the woman in the marketplace. What had happened there? As I dozed, uncomfortable from long hours in the plane, it came to me. When I had asked her the price of the meteorite she had replied 3 0 soles, or the equivalent of about $ 10. I was thrilled. I had found just what I had been looking for and at a great price. I had said "Ah, bueno" and immediately dug 30 soles out of my money pouch and handed it to her. She had taken the bills and then paused. I wonder now how she had considered my gringo ignorance. Did she look at me with sorrow or only with mild amusement? I had not bartered with her over the price of the meteorite. She had named a price and I had immediately agreed. I was supposed to bargain with her, to go back and forth so that we might come into agreement about the value of this stone. I had blown it, had apparently paid more than she felt it was worth, and in doing so had thrown both of us out of balance, out of ayni with the Universe. We were now both in disharmony. And so she, with her ancient knowledge and gracious wisdom, had handed me another stone with a tiny hole, saying, "Senorita, for you" and so, gently shifted the energies of the Universe, once again bringing the two of us back into balance, into ayni. Muchas gracias, Senora. copyright MA Huggett 1999
The Bowen Technique by Gerri Shapiro, MS Ed.
Tom Bowen was a gifted natural healer from Australia. Late in life he discovered he had an unusual gift that allowed him to intuitively know what was ailing people and how to help them relieve their pain. His healing technique is unique in that it was developed without him having had any previous medical or healthcare training. He claimed he could feel tiny vibrations in people’s muscles that helped him find the exact location to work on. He spoke of his skill with great humility and frequently stated that his work was “simply a gift from God.” Tom had the capacity to quickly assess what was wrong with someone and where they were out of balance. He could look into a room full of people, glance at them for about 20 seconds, and know what their problems were. Although he never advertised, it was estimated that he treated over 13,000 people in the course of one year, and he claimed a success rate of about 88%! Like Palmer (Chiropractic), Rolf, (Rolfing), Feldenkrais (Feldenkrais Technique) and Usui (Reiki), Tom Bowen had a unique talent. He dedicated his life to turning his gift into a practical application that has proven to be of great benefit to thousands of people all over the world. A Unique Technique The Bowen Technique is quite unique. There are several features that set it apart from other modalities Gentle It is so gentle that you hardly notice you’re being touched. People usually become very relaxed right away, and often fall asleep during a session. Fast Rapid pain relief is common. Most pain and injury will respond within two or three sessions. Long-Lasting Relief People often experience a deep and long-lasting relief. Two to three sessions spaced one week apart are usually enough to achieve lasting relief, even from long-standing pain or injury. Safe There is no one who cannot be treated safely with Bowen. It is so gentle, it can be used on babies, pregnant women, the elderly and the disabled. It is not dangerous to those suffering from chronic illness and it is ideal for treating children because it is non-invasive and non-threatening. Two Minute Pauses It is a unique feature of the Bowen Technique that there are two minute breaks in which the practitioner actually leaves the room. These pauses are crucial as they allow the body time to absorb the “messages” presented by the moves. Painless There is no cracking, no force and no needles. There is little discomfort or pain involved because there is no heavy pressure or hard probing into sensitive muscles or joints. Less Is More The practitioner does the minimum needed to bring about a healing response in the body. The more acute the pain, the less they do. The less they do, the more profound the effect on the body. Great First Aid Tool When you apply the Bowen Technique right after a fall, injury or accident, the release of tension acts in a preventive way to help correct any imbalance before it can adversely affect the body. Easy To Learn The technique is easy to learn. There is only one basic move. How Does Bowen Work? The gentle yet powerful Bowen moves send neurological impulses to the brain resulting in immediate responses of muscle relaxation and pain reduction. The moves create energy surges which are concentrated in specific areas of the body using "blockers" or "stoppers." These are released when you stand up. The Bowen Technique helps the body remember how to heal itself. Electrical impulses sent to the nervous system remind the body to regain normal movement in joints, muscles and tendons. This helps relieve muscle spasms and increase blood and lymph flow. Several of the moves are located along acupuncture meridians or on specific acupuncture points which are known to stimulate and balance the body’s energy.
A Bowen treatment lasts about 30-45 minutes. No oils are used. Treatment can be done through clothing or directly on the skin. The practitioner "rolls" over the muscles with her fingers, which causes the muscles to relax. The moves are done in groups. Between sets, the practitioner leaves the room for at least two minutes to allow the body to relax and make its own adjustments. The moves send out signals which: * stimulate energy flow; * facilitate lymphatic drainage of toxins and waste; * promote good circulation; * release tension; * increase mobility; * encourage the body to relax, realign and heal itself.
People with chronic disabilities such as chronic fatigue syndrome, MS, fibromyalgia, cerebal palsy, muscular dystrophy and arthritis have been known to show a gradual improvement in the condition and quality of life. If someone has not responded to other forms of treatment, it is always worth trying the Bowen Technique because in many cases it has been known to trigger sometimes surprising and unexpected recoveries when nothing else has worked. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue - One Woman's Story Exhaustion had become a stable part of her life, as had the pain. During a visit to a new doctor, a brief mention of the Bowen Technique was made and she was referred to a practitioner. She had no idea what to expect and she was very nervous during her first visit. The therapy was explained in a very reassuring way, even though she didn't really understand the part about "energy flow" and she found the whole thing a little weird. But she had come this far, so she thought she might as well give it a try. The treatment itself was very relaxing. In fact, she almost fell asleep several times. Since she was accustomed to a life of conventional drug therapy, she tried to rationalize how Bowen could possibly help, especially after nothing else had worked. The week after her first session she remained skeptical, and so it was to her surprise that within a few days she began to feel different. Her pain was still there, but she felt different. Like she could do more. She decided it was probably a coincidence. Over the next few weeks she began to take regular walks and without even noticing it, she slowly developed less reliance on pain killers. Gradually the time between Bowen treatments grew longer. It is now months since her last treatment and she still doesn't understand the whole process, but what does that matter? When did she ever understand how conventional medicine worked? All she knows is that without the aid of prescription drugs, she is slowly regaining much of the life she had lost for so long. The main difference between Bowen and other modalities is how fast it works, how gentle it feels and how long the pain relief lasts. Anyone can learn how to do the Bowen Technique: there is only one basic move. The technique has been successful in treating back pain, sciatica, headaches, migraines, arthritis, fibromyalgia, sports injuries and much more. For me, the miracle lies in the fact that doing so little produces such long-lasting relief. * * * * * * * * * Gerri Shapiro, MS Ed, is a leading health educator and Bowen practitioner who has worked with the World Health Organization, Asian Development Bank, USAID and Management Sciences for Health in the areas of alternative and traditional medicine. She is a member of the American Massage Therapy and American Holistic Health Associations. She is the editor of two Bowen information and resource sites: www.miraclepainrelief.com and www.boweninfo.com.
A tiny infant lies in a neonatal ward. The heat of an
incubator replaces the warmth of her mother's arms; tubes filled with
nutrients replace her mother's milk. Every breath is a struggle. Her
underdeveloped heart beats erratically. All around her are other infants in
distress - the monitors attached to them bleep in time with their struggle
to live. Fear is on the faces of anxious parents hovering as close as
possible. Nurses scurry to and fro, dealing with crises every moment.
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Finding The Joy In Your Universe
By
Vidya Ishaya
"Except you become as little children, Remember that one?
Did you ever see little children playing in a sandbox or on the beach?
They create wonderful castles, great monuments, roads and aqueducts
between cities in their sandbox. They create their own worlds of sand. But then with glee
and hand-clapping, they kick their castles to dust, destroy their roads,
eliminate their aqueducts and start all over again with nothing but a
blank pile of sand, happily creating another universe. Can you imagine a
child stressing out because the sand palace starts to erode as the waves
come to chip away at it? Well, maybe a little. But how long does she hold
onto it? Does she start building a wave blocker? When the rain comes, does
she design a roof to protect her creation? Does a child imagine he’s
safe if a building stands, but becomes fearful for his own existence if
the building starts falling? No. Children
don’t try to hold on to anything. They let whatever happens happen. Yes,
they are the creators of their play universe, but they’re the
maintainers and also the destroyers of their creation, all in great fun,
pleasure and enjoyment. What is the
difference between the outlook of a child and that of an adult? As adults, we’ve
been taught just how important and significant it is to hold on to our
creations and never let them deteriorate. It’s great to build a house or
an organization, but it’s not great when it starts to change (and it’s
especially bad when there’s a threat of dissolution.) The more we can
hold onto "exactly the way things should be," then we’re sure
we’re safe and secure. And very happy, right? Well, not exactly.
What we actually see and experience is that the more we hold on, the more
we try to keep things exactly as they are, as they’ve always been, the
more we suffer. Because it is the nature of the universe (and everything
in it) to be created, maintained for a while, and then destroyed.
Everything! But this does not have to be a source of suffering. Not at
all! The truth is –
you create your world around you. And you maintain it. And you destroy it.
Consider the body you reside in. You imagine that you have to keep it safe
at all times, to prevent it from being injured or destroyed at
all costs. The keyword here is "imagine." We imagine that we
know the truth. We imagine that we know what’s going on all around us
when the real truth is something different than we imagine. In truth, we create
our body, we maintain it for awhile, and then we choose to leave it,
exactly at the perfect moment according to a choice we made long ago. And
this is precisely what is happening to everything else in our universe. When you let go,
and experience the world as a child experiences the sandbox, then you are
open to the Truth: what is real never ends. The reality is that you are
eternally the master of creation -- and
destruction. You create, you enjoy your creation for awhile and then you
dissolve it, so that you can do it all over again. Forever. Why? Does nothing
matter? Isn’t anything
significant? Look at what was on
the earth 10,000 years ago. Look at what’s here now. Imagine what will
be here 10,000 years from now. All totally different, all totally changed.
What does that mean about all the things we hold dear, all that has such
importance to us? Do we just give up in frustration because the world is
meaningless and nothing matters? No. Of course not.
We once again become as little children and see the joy, the beauty, the
fun in what we’ve created right
now. And then we let it all go, in glee, like the child who destroys
his sand castle with a bucket of water. Because we know we can create
again, always fresh, always new, with a burst of excitement and enjoyment. What it all comes
down to is: what do you choose? Do you choose to hold on tightly to
everything exactly as it always has been, experiencing stress, sorrow and
frustration when everything begins to change, as
it must? Or do you choose to live life from a place of joy and
laughter, happily accepting everything as it unfolds in front of you,
whether it looks like creation or destruction? It really is just a simple choice, and everyone is making the choice, in every moment. What do you choose?
Vidya
Ishaya is a teacher of the Ishayas' Ascension (the Art of Inner
Exploration.) Awakening Path |
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