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PART 2 - The Tao of Da Vinci Code-Can Eastern Philosophy Contribute to the Da Vinci Code Controversy

[Recently published in Qi journal - Winter/2006] Part 2 of 2

What good is such practice? Some might ask in our busy yang energy go-get-em world. Creativity and inspiration come from the unseen, the yin, the receptive, the intuitive. Albert Einstein once said, "Imagination is more important that knowledge." Einstein didn't devalue the masculine or yang consciousness, for he also defined success as "10% inspiration and 90% perspiration." However, he did exalt the yin, feminine, intuitive consciousness as the MOST important. For without that all important "spark" of awareness or inspiration which can only come from quiet contemplative thought, the 90% perspiration would be as purposeful as a "busy" hamster running around its endless wheel that leads nowhere. Just as many of the world's actions today are resulting in environmental and political messes that could easily be avoided, if preceded by deep "contemplation" before action occurs. Too often our endless business (busy-ness) is not purposeful at all as far as solving our global problems, but to the unaware observer the decision makers look "very important" and "very busy."

Mind/body sciences like yoga, and tai chi, and qigong (energy exercise), are designed to allow the flow of life energy to permeate the mind and body, and to create a "receptive/open state of mind in the practitioner," a passive alpha state of awareness. Qi, life energy in Traditional Chinese Medical science, is a subtle unseen power that emerges from the very fabric of the subatomic field that makes up all matter, and permeates all things including human beings. Acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine, as well as physical exercises like tai chi & Qigong are designed to open the flow of life energy through the mind and body. yoga and Ayurvedic practices are designed to do this as well.

In this field of life energy all things are connected, and therefore insights from this pure consciousness can be powerfully complex solutions that seem simple and elegant and obvious, once they come to mind. Yet offer more comprehensive communally beneficial solutions to challenges facing the practitioner cultivating this "field" awareness in themselves through these ancient practices. tai Chi may help cultivate such intuitive, receptive states of mind if taught to that end. tai Chi, incorporated with gentle deep breathing, and physical loosening, and mental images of constantly "letting go" of everything enables this unseen force of the universe to flow through us, emanating from every cell and atom of our being, and expanding effortlessly from each airy fold of the tissues of our mind. We can allow every atom of our being to glow with and be permeated by this energy of life as we move through the flowing motions of tai Chi "without purpose," "without analysis," "without grades, or self judgments." But rather, only for the sheer pleasure of being, while experiencing the thousands of wonderful sensations tingling and percolating through the body. tai Chi becomes an effortless "self massage" that flows through the yielding heart, mind, and body. This state is not "directed" by the mind, but allows the mind to let go and be massaged by the pleasant sensations flowing through it, holding on to nothing, not analyzing or even naming the sensations caressing, washing the mind as they flow through receptive awareness.

Today's current knee jerk reactions which get us individually into such trouble on crowded freeways, or in global trouble as a nation in an increasingly crowded world, have been cultivated over centuries of under-developing our feminine or yin consciousness. Our television pundits automatically react and narrow dialogue without even being conscious of it. In a three month period leading up to the Iraq war, Fair Media did a study of major news networks coverage of the impending conflict. They found a disturbing reality, that over 90% of the talking head guests on their news shows were already assuming there was a war to be fought, and discussing war strategy. Only less than 5% of the talking heads were opposed to, or even skeptical, about the idea of going to war. This hard charging into action, rather than "contemplating", is an example of the result of centuries of male energy being accepted and extolled, and yin or feminine energy being dismissed and considered "indecisive" and "weak minded."

The pool of "receptive" sensation that tai chi or other ancient transcendental technologies can bathe us in again and again, day after day, enables the subtle possibilities and gentle power of the yin and feminine to permeate our being and consciousness, and through that, affect our actions in the world. It can change the way we function, so that rather than charging into personal, or social, or national decisions, we instinctively "contemplate" and "intuit" all the possible outcomes of that action "BEFORE" taking that action. This could keep us out of costly wars, and reduce futile quests to find where on earth to dump thousands of tons of highly toxic nuclear waste that will be poisonous for tens of thousands of years. It may open us up to more subtle "yielding" approaches to international relations, that can get us the desired results through the subtle dance of negotiation which entails "listening" before "acting," which is a very yin or feminine quality. It may draw us more to "passive" energy solutions like "solar" or "wind" that could easily solve all our energy needs, and we would never need to fight anyone anywhere over the sun or the wind, which is available to all equally.

Transcendental mind/body technologies like tai Chi, yoga, transcendental meditation, chi Kung, etc. can today be made available to billions of people worldwide at a time when the world desperately needs to learn to find a balance in the deepest part of our being, a balance that extols the subtle and quiet power of the feminine or yin aspect of who we are individually and as communities and nations. tai Chi and yoga, for example, are now taught in virtually every nation in the world, and can perhaps now contribute to solving humanity's hunger for balance between the "male" and "female," between the "yin" and the "yang."

Generations may look back and see that tai Chi & yoga teachers of today played a pivotal role in human history. Or perhaps the changes they are making in the world are so subtle and gentle, that they will never be recognized but nevertheless . . . will ease the world into its next wave of evolution enabling it to survive the weight of six billion plus inhabitants, without creating chaos through rash actions.

Bill Douglas is the founder of World tai Chi & Qigong Day, and author of the best selling tai chi book, "The complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai chi & Qigong" (Penguin Putnam), and presenter in the world acclaimed dvd instructional "Anthology of T'ai chi & Qigong: The Prescription for the Future."

Contact Bill, or learn more about World tai Chi Day at http://www.worldtaichiday.org

posted by 83662 @ 7:41 PM 0 comments

Weight Loss Motivation - The 7 Problems That Can Destroy Your Weight Loss Efforts! Part 2

weight loss motivation is a BIG problem especially if you have a lot of weight to lose.

The problem can just seem IMPOSSIBLE!

How do you get the motivation to start your weight loss plan and more importantly to stick to it? This 7 part series will help you to overcome the 7 most crippling problems faced by people trying to stick to a weight loss plan and offer the solutions that allowed me to break free of the weight loss plateau.

This brings us to the first problem that can destroy your weight loss efforts:

Problem 1: I don't have time to exercise

Finding the weight loss motivation you need is hard but it is so much easier to make excuses.

Classic weight loss motivation excuses:

• I work several jobs and don't have time
• I have kids and they take up all my time
• between kids, my job, housework and hubby I couldn't possibly fit it in
• The problem is just too big. I can't do it.
• I can't manage to exercise for very long at all. What I can do is insignificant. It's hopeless.
• The exercise and hunger is too painful
• I am not getting results. Shouldn't I see some change within a few weeks?

weight loss solution No.1 - You don't need to exercise for very long to make a difference.

When you start just do 20 minutes per day. Do it in front of the tv or whilst listening to the radio. Do it with a friend. Park an extra block away form work giving you a short walk each day. Don't use the tv remote. Walk to the tv each time you want to change the channel.

Brainstorm 10 creative ways that you can incorporate exercise into your existing daily routine. You will be surprised! Short bursts of regular exercise are actually better for you than a long session that never happens.

As I am a trained maths teacher, allow me to give you a little maths lesson.

If you commit to just 20 minutes a day for 4 days a week and deduct 8 hours per day for sleeping then you are committing to only 1.1% of your time in a week!

Only do as much exercise as your body can handle. You body is smarter than any weight loss expert and if you listen to it you can feel how much you can safely handle and stick to on a daily basis.

weight loss solution No.2 - EASE THE PAIN!

When you first commit to a change of lifestyle there is an inevitable adjustment period. You must adjust to regular exercise, smaller meals and hunger for starters.

Make your exercise fun with a few warm up exercises that you enjoy. Break it down into steps and goals. Your first goal may simply be to get your body moving. Do 5-10 minutes of your favourite exercise, 5-10 minutes of an aerobic activity, 5minutes of resistance training then a short warm down. Exercise doesn't have to be pain and work. It can be as fun as you can make it!

EASE THE HUNGER

There is a way to actually control your appetite without hunger pains.

CBS and ABC news ran an article about a cactus like plant called Hoodia that grows in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. The native Bushmen of the area have been using the cactus to suppress hunger and thirst on their hunting trips through the desert for hundreds of years.

This cactus is now available in a supplement form that allows people from all over the world to take advantage of the Hoodia cactus.

The appetite suppressant effects have allowed thousands of Americans to finally get their appetite and cravings between meals under control where other products have failed in the past.

WERE YOU SCAMMED?!

It can take several painful experiences to finally purchase a hoodia product that is not a fake or full of useless additives. There is nothing more disheartening than purchasing a product and finding it does nothing and you are back to square one with no weight loss solution in sight.

Hoodia is a very rare product and the huge demand for this product often outweighs its supply. The South African Government has placed limits on the amount of Hoodia that can be exported to avoid the cactus being over-harvested. This has resulted in many companies offering fake Hoodia supplements or supplements with so little authentic Hoodia in them that they are a waste of your time and money.

An authentic hoodia cactus extract is a popular form of appetite suppression that has worked for thousands of people. But unless you plan on losing your money rather than your pounds there are the 3 things you absolutely must AVOID! These clues on a manufacturers website will help you to identify the scammers and which products to stay away from.

Visit Trusted Weight Loss Review and discover what you need to know.

This article only addresses one of the problems that can destroy your weight loss motivation. You can also download the full ebook The 7 Problems that can CRIPPLE your weight loss efforts for free at Trusted weight Loss Review and get the full story.

weight loss "wanna be" or weight loss success? Discover a wealth of resources and reviews of the products that have helped our readers to attain a slimmer, healthier, sexier you. There are no gurus here. No hype. Just real people who have achieved the body they have always wanted.

Discover how at http://www.trusted-weight-loss-review.com/Hoodia-Report1.html

posted by 83662 @ 5:39 AM 0 comments