 Guest article by Dee Gans, September 2016 Jump into the ocean of being authentic
People on the self-actualization path know ‘the best-kept secret’ - and they live it in their everyday life. Now, many of them want to share this adventure of personal empowerment with others. A fresh approach to self-empowerment Millions are yearning for the ultimate secret in life. Some spend thousands of dollars on pricey seminars and trainings, to gain this competitive edge. Others blindly follow self-appointed experts, just to get a glimpse through someone else’s experience. The truth is there are some ‘rare birds’ that know where the real deal and personal power can be found - and how to access it. It's different than what most of us have been taught. It takes a shift in perspective.  Image©JanH.Andersen/Fotolia "The mantra is the sound that harmonizes the vibration of the individual with the universal vibration and energy..." —Adesha, Founder, DASA Meditation Written by Lorraine Alexander, August 2016 For many years we've seen rave reviews in the news, praising the benefits of silent-mantra meditation. But more recently, there have been articles that attempt to dilute the importance of the mantra, by encouraging the reader to "just pick any word or any sound." This suggests that anything will do. I call this "the fast-food approach to inner peace." But alas, any sound does not qualify as a mantra, and not all mantras are created equal. I can only assume that the author is sincere in their delivery, but they lack firsthand experience. There is more importance to a mantra than one might assume. After all, silent mantra meditation has been taught teacher-to-student in the oral tradition for over 5,000 years. Given the mantra's rich history with meditation, shouldn't we consider that there might be something to be learned from this deeply rich tradition? Why your mantra matters There is something beautiful and special about a traditional mantra; each crafted for effectiveness in the ancient Sanskrit (pronounced sæn-skrɪt) language. Within this age-old wisdom, the mantra was considered to be sacred; even the word itself 'mantra' is derived from Sanskrit. Its literal meaning is 'sacred utterance.'
If you think chronic pain is rare, think again. According to a report from the Institute of Medicine, more than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, at the cost of about $600 billion a year. Chronic pain is near epidemic proportion across the U.S.
Acute pain vs. chronic pain The onset of acute pain is sudden, caused by an injury like a burn or cut, a dental problem, a broken bone, or surgery. When the affected area heals, the pain usually subsides within a six-month timeframe, according to Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center. But chronic pain can continue to plague sufferers; lasting for months or even years after the affected area has healed. This occurs because the body continues to signal pain to the nervous system. The pain is real, and the effect stresses the body–and the patient. Chronic pain can immobilize patients, holding their life hostage by keeping them from their work, their daily activities, and even their social life.  Image © John Blyth Silence is essential. We need silence just as much as we need air, as much as plants need light. If our minds are crowded with words and thought, there is no space for us.— Thich Nhat Hanh Written by Lorraine Alexander, January 2018 If you are thinking about learning to meditate there are hundreds of methods to choose from. The task of researching a sea of choices is a mind-boggling experience. To simplify your selection process, know that it is no coincidence most medical studies on meditation are based on silent meditation. There are two primary categories, directive (also known as concentrative) and nondirective (no concentration is required). Both are beneficial according to a study completed at Harvard Medical School in 2013. The study found both meditation styles reduce stress and improve health. 
Written in honor of the treasured Star Wars movie series. Awaken the Force Within By Lorraine Alexander The actor Mark Hamill portrayed the beloved character Luke Skywalker the Jedi apprentice, in the hit movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens. As the story evolves, Luke grew to become a guardian of peace and justice. He dedicated himself to personal growth and the way of the Jedi. Once he developed these noble values, only then did he find the ability to tap into "the Force.” Who wouldn’t love to wake up each day feeling that you are on top of your game like Luke? Backed by an abundance of medical studies, many experts concur that meditation delivers new levels of health, wellness, mood, and mental clarity. Consider this, let's say you invest 40 minutes (20 min. twice a day), and for that small investment of time, you receive a substantial return in health, clarity, and creativity. Most meditators agree wholeheartedly that after meditation they have greater focus and energy; they accomplish more in their day; they find their day is suddenly more enjoyable.
 The most important thing in life is to be true to ourselves, to never give up attempting to become the very finest version of what we wish to be, no matter how arduous that proves to be." - Kilroy J. Oldster Written by Lorraine Alexander, October 2017 If you've ever worked on a project as a collaborative team member, you know from firsthand experience, that when the team dynamics work, there is nothing sweeter; conversely, nothing is more challenging or draining than a team out-of-sync. How can companies and organizations facilitate a team culture of cooperation, flexibility, and a positive spirit?
How Meditation Programs Launch Winning Teams As a first step, some experts might suggest analyzing the corporate culture or group dynamics. Although this is the most obvious starting place, to create a winning team, we need to dive far deeper. Each team member should take a personal inventory; first by taking a good look at their motives and intentions, and secondly, whether they are committed to the success of the group as a whole. To achieve this deep level of commitment, each individual needs to understand self-actualization and the basic hierarchy of personal growth.  image©[email protected] The Nobel Prize Winning Science behind Telomeres and Aging by Lorraine Alexander In 2014 Diane Sawyer reported groundbreaking historical research from Harvard University. The researchers at Harvard succeeded in reversing aging in elderly mice. These changes were evident through hair growth, shinier coats, improved memory, the size of their brain grew, and even the ability to reproduce was restored. For the first time in history, research proves that there may be a way to delay or even turn back aging. "Nobody had any idea that meditation and the like, which people can use to reduce stress and increase wellbeing, would be having their salutary and well-documented useful effects in part through telomeres." - Elizabeth Blackburn, Ph.D., Nobel Prize 2009 Telomeres are our "clock of aging"
Humans are comprised of 37.2 trillion cells. With time, these cells naturally age. Each cell has a nucleus, which holds forty-six chromosomes. Chromosomes are often described as long shoelace-like X-shape structures. The tips are called telomeres, a protective end cap, much like the end of a shoelace. Every time a cell divides the telomere shortens. As telomeres shorten, we become more susceptible to disease and cancer. Eventually, the telomeres diminish to a degree that causes the cell to die. This is the only known "clock of aging" in humans discovered by medical science to date. As science grows to understand telomeres and telomerase, there is hope on the horizon for solutions that will preserve the integrity of the telomere, offering a higher quality of life and health well into our golden years. |
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