Living

Archived Posts from this Category

August 4, 2010

The Power of Meditation…continued

Posted by shenlife under General, Living, Meditation, Self Improvement, spiritual
Leave a Comment 

In my last article, I spoke of the importance of “attention” in building the Kundalini Fire (fundamental life force) for personal and spiritual development.

Remember why it is crucial?

Because energy follows attention, and wherever your attention is at any moment, your energy will be there, also. Therefore, it is vitally important to understand and practice “present-centered attention” (or PCA).

What does “present-centered attention” mean? Is it a type of prayer, a meditation, mindfulness, or some other transformational technique?

The proper application of attention or as I call it, PCA (present-centered attention) is none of the above. In fact, it has nothing to do with the use of the mind or the instruments of the mind.

You may wonder now, “So, if PCA has nothing to do with the mind, then how do you do it?”

Well, that is just it you don’t do it. It does you. You allow it to happen by giving up over and over! You could say it’s a form of surrendering. You see, to be in the present moment, you can’t be there or at least the “you” who you’ve come to identify yourself as can’t be there.

Get it?

The “you” who you’ve come to believe is you is a seeker — a seeker of experiences. The pre-sent moment is what exits prior to the seeker and its seeking. It’s pre-sent or before. So, this seeker must go. The pre-sent moment is what exists when the seeker gives up, surrenders or collapses.

I like to refer to the seeker as the Bull$hit Artist, B$A for short, because it’s insidious, constantly fooling us, like a con-artist!

The challenge is dismantling the B$A. The difficulty lies in the holographic nature of it all. The B$A is not separate from what it seeks. In fact, it is what it seeks. And since the B$A is built upon its past or past experiences, what it seeks in the imaginary future is really just projected memories. Therefore, any new experience in the imaginary future simply reinforces its existence and thus creates a perpetual feedback loop keeping it stuck in the past! It’s similar to kicking a dog and getting bitten. Then turning around and kicking the dog for biting you, only to get bitten again. Each time, the kicks and the bites get harder and reinforce the cycle or madness. This is bull$hittin.

I dive into this deeper in our upcoming book, Shen Life. In it, I point out the importance of realizing the problem of seeking and the deeper implications of seeking before beginning the practice of “present-centered attention.” The danger is an unchecked practice breeds a new and more insidious form of seeking– spiritual seeking.

Typically, meditation, prayer and other self-help techniques have an intention to get somewhere, or achieve something—to seek something in the imaginary future, like enlightenment, spirit, wealth, health, etc. In fact, the more intent the attempt to fix the B$A, make it better, or get something in the great out-there, the stronger it becomes. In PCA, nothing is sought, nothing is avoided nor resisted, not even pain, anguish, anger, loss, failure, or fear. All is welcome, good, bad, or whatever. Nothing is held onto, not even bliss, ecstasy nor delight. Attention is allowed to jump, hop, move, and do its thing. After all, it’s the chronic fixation on experiences, internal and external, good and bad, healthy and unhealthy, that is the real problem. So, the key is to allow the chronic fixation to dislodge and run its course. All states are recognized as temporal, nothing to be loved or feared, just allowed to pass. Until, even attention itself relaxes. Here (a non-local “here”), Shen reveals itself as you.

Here’s an exercise you can try.

Sit and watch how attention jumps from thoughts, to emotions, to sensations, to external phenomena, and so on. Just watch. Then, as it begins to slow down, watch “who” is doing the watching. And so on and so on and so on.

This can be exhausting!

Finally, after much watching, an “irritable discontent” ought to arise. Now you are getting somewhere. Simply, fall, sink, relax, let go, surrender, melt, or whatever into the irritable discontent, over and over and over and over until Shen reveals itself as You.

Shen can be likened to the Supreme Unknown, the Absolute, Undifferentiated Awareness, the Great Beyond, Ultimate Reality, or Absolute Freedom. It is here, Shen, which is everywhere and nowhere at the same time, where what is referred to as healing, transformation, and conscious evolution takes place.

Just to be clear, conscious evolution or healing doesn’t happen in linear time as we think of it either. It’s more like a falling away of conditioned time that reveals what has always been there unchanged by time, the pre-sent moment, Shen.

Think of it like this… you are in a dark room, or at least you think it is dark. The truth is it is dark, because you have a bag on your head. It takes you a while to figure it out, since that bag has been on your head for years and you’ve become used to it. You grown so accustom to it that you think it is part of your being, who you are; hence the Bull$hit Artist. When you finally get it off, you realized that there was always light in the room, only the bag kept you in the dark. Now, during your struggle to figure it out, time passed. This is what is commonly referred to as the healing  process, the removal of the bag, letting go of your personal story, your memories—bull$hittin’. However, in the big scheme of things, neither the bag (the B$A) nor your process (bull$hittin) did anything to change the absolute fact that the room was full of Light. The B$A and its B$ just obstructed your awareness of what was already present or pre-sent.

Once you understand seeking is the problem and it’s the B$A’s modus operandi, that is moving and jumping around like a cat on a hot tin roof seeking one experience after another, like a junkie looking for the next fix, then you’ll be ready to let it go; thereby, letting go of the B$A. Of course, this usually has to be realized over and over. Not until “frustrated incorporated” becomes your general experience will the “sense of urgency” be great enough to finish the job.

Remember, PCA is just a tool, and Shen Life is just a map, not the destination or territory. So, don’t fixate on these items, just discard them once the collapsing is done.

There you have it…now have fun!

~Stephen

 

July 4, 2010

Let’s Talk about SEX, baby…

Posted by shenlife under General, Health Related, Lifestyle, Living, Self Improvement, sex, spiritual
[2] Comments 

There is so much confusion and misinformation regarding sex within the human potential and spiritual growth movement. Is it bad? Is it good? Is it the key to development and spiritual growth? The questions keep going.

So, what is the real truth about sex and it’s relation to human development and spiritual growth other than the obvious – pleasure and procreation?

First, let’s define what I am referring to when using the term sex. I prefer– copulate. To copulate, means to engage in sexual intercourse, derived from the Latin word, copulare, which means, to join together. So, there it is. The true meaning of sexual relations is to join together.

What is being joined together? Is it just man and wife, the male and female gender or any two adult human beings?

Suppose I should put out a disclaimer here: I am not making any value judgments regarding sexuality. This article is purely to provide another perspective on copulating besides the common one.

Allow me to explain.

As I have mentioned before, while incarcerated almost two decades ago, I experienced a Kundalini Awakening. (I’ll get into that further below.) In East Indian Spirituality, a Kundalini Awakening refers to an activation of the dormant energy that lies coiled at the base of the spine. When awakened, the energy travels upward in a serpentine fashion along the spinal column through several pathways until finally reaching the top of the crown. This process liberates an individual’s awareness to allow him/her to experience a greater connection to Self, others and the rest of the world. Yes, many other cool changes and exciting healings happen, too.

Typically though, an Awakening doesn’t transpire in one quick explosion. Rather a series of ongoing bio-energetic transformations strung together that can last for many years is the common occurrence. It depends on each person’s lifestyle choices.

Yes, I said choices.

The Kundalini process is either expedited or impeded by lifestyle behaviors. The primary lifestyle habit that will either speed up the process or slow it down relates to sexual behavior. The energy referred to as the coiled serpent is none other than the sexual energy or Kundalini. As we, humans, move into adulthood, more and more of this vital energy is spent in the game of life, particularly in sexual relations (either personally or with a partner). As a result, the Kundalini Energy Reservoir is very deficient in most people. Weak reserves will make any Kundalini Experience almost impossible, never mind a full-blown Kundalini Awakening.

This correlation reflects the reasoning behind why some monks, priests, and other religious zealots guard against sexual relations all together. Sadly though, most of these folks don’t possess the true understanding of the relationship between the sexual energy and their spiritual practice. Many times the true knowledge is replaced with fallacies like, “sex is bad” or “unholy behavior except in marriage.” This outlook on sex or copulating creates a host of health problems and relational issues. (But, that is another topic for another time.)

In the right context, sex and the sex energy can be a huge asset to our potential, both in health and growth. Mindful copulating will encourage and build the vital force that leads to a Kundalini Experience, and even possibly a full-blown Kundalini Awakening. As you may know, there are a great many sexual practices that foster the growth of the Kundalini Energy. Some of them are Sexual Qi Kung, Tantric Practices, and Spiritual Coupling. Careful though, one must guard against sexual addiction or abdicating personal responsibility onto the partner for spiritual development. Each of these practices help (and I’ve personally gained from them), however, I found a spiritual aspirant will develop faster once he/she can let these practices go and learn “true coupling” within.

The true coupling I am referring to is the joining of the male and female energies within ourselves.

How do you do this?

Well, it’s rather simple, but it is not easy!

Let’s go back to my experience. When I first arrived in prison, I was overwhelmed by where my life ended up and who I’d become – a drug and alcohol addicted, a violent-tempered criminal, a first-class mess. From rock bottom, I reconciled to find out why I’d made such poor choices, and to discover how to never to make them again.

Unknowingly, I began a contemplative practice.

Up to that point, my life experience was focused outward. Then, I took a 180-degree turn inward. There is the key. My “attention” was staying home so to speak. I minimized the loss of any vital power of the Kundalini Force (sexual energy), and that reservoir began to build, strengthen and compound.

Along with the contemplation practice, my lifestyle was more balanced. I went to bed at the same time and got up at the same time. I ate three balanced meals at the same time. I exercised each day by walking, stretching, and light strength training, plus I breathed much deeper while doing so. I no longer watched television nor engaged in fruitless conversation. And most importantly, I did not participate in any sexual activity.

Well, unknown to me, the combination of that radical lifestyle change and abstinence built up a brew of powerful energy. After about 9 months of this practice, a huge explosion happened within me…at least, that’s how it felt. A powerful surge of energy shot up from my pelvic floor all the way up to my skull and beyond. Following, a complementary force began from somewhere above my head and moved downward along the same path. My general experience was of pure exhilaration and ecstasy.

Two other experiences occurred that are worth noting. A great sense of connection to everything or whole oneness washed me, like a coupling or joining together of all my parts. Plus, time seemed to slow down to near slow-motion. Of course, all of these cool experiences didn’t last very long. After the big bang, I was left with a surging force that, for much of the time, was torturous physically, emotionally, and mentally. From time to time, I would have the more enjoyable experiences, but for many years afterward, there was mainly the excruciating surging force. Until one day, I noticed my general experience had shifted into an expansive feeling of delight accompanied with a sense of wholeness or unity – true spiritual coupling.

In one word, the key to all of this is attention.

Energy follows attention, and if attention is focused on material life from moment-to-moment, energy follows it. The more I relaxed attention inwardly, the stronger the Kundalini grew. Therefore, it is imperative to gradually bring attention back home into the body, so that the Kundalini can build and eventually lead to total liberation.

Hopefully, you can see how important the sexual energy is in reaching your full potential – both spiritually and humanly. Without it, we won’t get very far.

In my next article I’ll outline the basic practice of attention, which is taken from the section, The Work, in my upcoming book, Shen Life, Reach For It, The Next Step In Human Potential.

Until then, keep it in your pants! ;-)

 

June 13, 2010

The Fountain of Youth, A Review

Posted by shenlife under General, Health Related, Informational, Lifestyle, Living
Leave a Comment 

By: Erica Eddleman Rogers

Recently, I stumbled onto a book that shared some simple information to improve health and stretch the common concept of aging. I truly enjoyed the emphasis of the book—our well being and vitality depends on the integrated, balanced relationship of our unseen bio-energy (chi, ki, prana or lifeforce). When all the centers of bio-energy are active and harmonious, then we experience the magic of life and even the fountain of youth.

Written by Peter Kelder, Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth shares the personal story of his relationship with Col. Bradford. The colonel becomes the ultimate before-and-after testimony to the power of life force on our health. Peter met the colonel in a random encounter when Mr. Bradford was in his late sixties. Then, the colonel sets off on a trip. In the midst of the colonel’s travels, he chose to trek to the source of a myth. He heard that the fountain of youth could be found in a village in the Himalayas. Without spoiling the story line too much, I’ll say that he discovered healing practices that reversed aging, not an actual water source. Peter goes on to describe what he learned when the colonel returned. It is inspiring!

In case you don’t plan on reading the book, I’m going to cut to the chase. The colonel discovered a village where no one appeared old. The secret lied in the energy-exercises everyone did that restored youth to old bodies. These rites are very effective. The power accessed is not in the muscular development of the exercises so much as the effect of stimulating the bio-energy centers. When the body’s major energy centers are turned “on” and in balance with one another, it is like turning on all of the power stations in a city, so there’s ample electricity flowing throughout.

Let me get to it. There were 5 rites to practice daily. With consistency, they will reverse the symptoms of aging. If you’ve ever practiced yoga, or the like, then the moves will be familiar. The number of repetitions varies per person. For beginners or challenged individuals, start with a cycle of 3, then 5, then 7, and so on working up in intervals of 2 week-by-week, until reaching 21 repetitions total. Even if you know that the movements are doable, start slow then work up. (The spinning rite will indicate where best to start.)

Here are the rites:

  1. Spinning—like a top, the first move is to twirl around as a child would. Arms extend to sides in a T, feet flat, spot a wall like a dancer, spin and breathe. Rotate toward the right only (clockwise). In the beginning, spin to the point of dizziness and stop; note how many turns it took until dizziness sets in, say 7, then that is your count to use in the other rites.
  2. Straight leg raises—for the core, lie on the floor flat (on the back facing up). Start with the legs together on the ground and the hands under the hips for support. Use the breath exhaling to lift the legs and head simultaneously. The chin will tuck to the throat and the legs should stop once vertical at a 90 degree angle from the floor. Then, with the breath, lower down to return flat. If the movement strains the back, do it with bent legs and gradually work the legs toward straight. Also, leaving the head down the whole time is an easier option. Continue with the breath to do as many as your count indicates, like 7 from the example in rite #1.
  3. Camels—to be done immediately after the leg raises, start with the body upright kneeling. Knees hip width apart, tops of the feet on the floor and hands on the hips. From this neutral position, exhale forward into a rounded position, like trying to touch the forehead to the navel. Don’t bend at the hips, just the torso. Then, inhale back to neutral. Next, exhale arching back with the arms supporting the low back or the back of the thighs depending on ability. Arch as far as the spine can go without any pinching or pain sensations. Inhale back to neutral and repeat.
  4. Swinging table top—from a seated position, plant the hands alongside of the hips, and extend the legs straight out, shoulder-width apart. Start by pressing into the hands and bending the legs to get the feet on the floor. Follow by swinging the weight toward the feet, lifting the hips off the floor and moving the torso towards a horizontal position, flat like a table. The head can stay tucked, chin to the chest, or if comfortable looking backward. Once lifted as high as possible, breathe and pause. Then, return. Swing down to the seated position. Next, round the upper body forward, forehead toward the navel while exhaling. Finally, inhale to return up to neutral. Repeat.
  5. The Dogs—start in Downward Facing Dog. (To find your down dog, kneel on all fours—hands lined up and the shoulders and knees under the hips. Then stub your toes to shift the weight back and lift the hips up in the air, ultimately looking like an inverted V.) Ideally the limbs are straight, but bending the knees helps ease the intensity. With the breath, float forward to a plank (push up position) and ease further into Upward Facing Dog, where the body arches open. The hips sink down, and the shoulders and head lift up, while pressing into the hands and feet. Then, return back to down dog by exhaling and squeezing the navel to the spine. Of course this can be challenging, so bend the knees in either Dog to ease the position. Repeat.

There was in fact a sixth rite explained in the book. However, I think that it is best to leave it to the author to share. Or better yet, I’ll pass that off to Stephen to write about in the next installment. I will give you a hint: it requires a lifestyle commitment and it harnesses the most potent bodily force we all have to work with in life.

All in all, the book was a very easy read.  And even though the author didn’t touch on it, I’d add that a whole lifestyle would support the power of the rites—balanced breathing, eating, drinking, sleeping, eliminating, and copulating along with moving. Additionally, I recommend getting a boost from nature in my favorite adaptogenic formula, ShenTrition.

There you have it. Now, make time to access your own fountain of youth. It is pretty easy. After all, who wouldn’t mind the wisdom gained from living long, as long as we don’t have to suffer helplessly old.

Live long and prosper!

 

February 3, 2010

The Time of the Month…Again

Posted by shenlife under Health Related, Living | Tags: , , , , |
[2] Comments 

By: Erica Eddleman Rogers

The most common excuse I’ve used is, “It’s my time of the month.” What about you? Similarly, it’s a universal complaint in men’s conversations. “Man, my misses gave me the business this morning…it’s that time of the month again.” This monthly mark is well noted in our culture; and why not? How can we ignore the muscle cramps, mental fog, achiness and emotional sensitivity that accompany our female monthly cycle? And not to mention, it’s hard to overlook the draammmmaaaaaaaaaa that often strikes.

What most people do not know is that these negative symptoms are preventable.

Over the years in studying holistic healing, I’ve discovered a few healthy habits that ease my monthly cycle. I’m going to share them with you, plus a sure-fire trick that eliminates cramps if they hit.

First, to support your body’s cycle, it is important to take steps to tonify or enrich the blood. The first obvious step is to slow down. Take time to rest (and nap if possible). Resting is especially important on those “heavy” days. I use this time to re-evaluate my schedule of commitments. I set a more healthful pace (eating, exercising and sleeping at regular times).

Nutritionally, there are foods that can help replenish our blood too. Below are lists of such helpful foods and supplements. These suggestions are great for tonifying our blood, plus they reflect the extra care needed for our digestion (an important process in replenishing blood). Of course there are foods to avoid that are noted.

  • Useful Supplements:   Beetroot Extract, Vitamin C, spirulina, Sea Plasma, Raw Liver Extract or Iron supplements
  • Useful foods are: liver;  whole grains; dark green leafy vegetables; homemade chicken soup; roast chicken (esp. the legs); dried apricots; egg yolk; and particularly good: kelp seaweed, dried apricots, liver. (For the choco-holics there is hope. Try Xoçai as a healthy alternative that will satisfy those cravings guilt free.)
  • Avoid: caffeine, excess milk and cheese, refined sugar, chemicals in food, liquids with meals, junk food, bananas, raw foods or salads, iced drinks (this even relates to cold drinks straight from the fridge)(Thanks to http://www.wholisticresearch.com/info/artshow.php3?artid=188 for the lists.)

Secondly, it’s important to reduce the amount of blood loss. I practice breathing exercises to reduce the amount of blood loss. To do so, there is an effective breathing exercise to practice. It is called a Keigel. Typically Keigels are taught to women to prepare for child birth; however it should be practiced every month to reduce the amount of blood lost during menses…and as often as possible to maintain feminine health. A Keigel consists of contracting and relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor and vagina. Do so with the rhythm of the breath: inhale and progressively squeeze tighter lifting upward on the pelvic floor, then exhale and relax gradually. This simple breath strengthens the muscles of the female canal and helps to reduce the amount of life force lost.

Using this exercise regularly can eventually decrease the length of your cycle too. I’m an example of that working. In high school, I typically cycled for seven days of which three and a half were heavy. After practicing Keigels, my cycle decreased to 2.5-3 days total and I have one heavy day now. It helps to pick a daily habit, like driving in a car, to use as a trigger that reminds you to practice this breathing exercise.

Thirdly, stretching helps a lot, particularly opening the hamstrings. Though the motivation for moving or exercise weakens at the time, doing some will help. Some gentle hamstring, hip, low back and abdomen stretches are a great way to alleviate the negative symptoms of our monthly cycle.   Go easy and breathe.

Lastly, this is the ultimate helpful trick I’ve learned that everyone should know! Men, you need to know this too; you could become a hero someday. There is a pressure point that will dissipate cramps completely. Yes, I said you can poke a spot on your body to get rid of cramps. Here’s what you do.

To ease cramps, sit down and reach for your Achilles. Pinch the Achilles area (the thin part between the ankle bone and the tendon) on the right leg and then the left. One side will be more sensitive than the other. Determine which it is. That will be the leg you manipulate. Let’s pretend it’s the right side.

Next, using both hands, slide your fingers under the right knee while it’s bent. Let your index and middle fingers gently sink into the pocket that forms in the back of the knee. Inhale deep. While exhaling, keep your fingers firmly pressing on that point and straighten the right leg. Repeat that action 5-7 times. Inhale while bending the knee, and exhale to straighten the leg. That’s it. After 5-10 minutes, you’ll notice the cramps mysteriously disappeared. If they still linger, do the protocol again. But, I’ve never had to do it twice.

There you have it.

This is a recipe that will reduce the suffering associated with “the time of the month.”

Consider it, this recipe is very liberating. There’s a huge industry that monopolizes on the concerns of this female process. Now you don’t have to fall into their trap of dependency upon unhealthy products. You can put your power or money toward more meaningful endeavors. And, you do not have to suffer in doing so.

 

January 13, 2010

Adapting to Stress

Posted by shenlife under Health Related, Informational, Lifestyle, Living | Tags: , , , , |
1 Comment 

By: Erica Eddleman Rogers

“Where do I start?”

That’s the same question I asked myself over 11 years ago.  As a sophomore in college, I anxiously questioned the direction of my life.  There are many transitional moments in the course of our lifetimes that spark similar questions. “What do I want now?” “Why am I in this situation?” “How can I change things?” From such introspective moments we can often obtain the right answers.  And sometimes those answers may lead to an inspired life, which is exactly what happened to me.

After much study and practice in holistic health and wellness, I came to believe that in order to build an ideal life we must build a solid foundation, and the foundation we must invest in is in our health. I’m referring to our whole health, or wholeness, as the origin of the word denotes. The online etymology dictionary defines health as, “wholeness, a being whole, sound or well.”

(http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=health )

Whole health or wholeness is more encompassing than what’s practiced in allopathic medicine. Wholeness is even more engaging than what an acupuncturist or naturopath can treat. True whole health requires the highest level of personal responsibility. It incorporates all of the dimensions of our being: physical, emotional, mental, energetic and spiritual. Whole health is the result of embodying whole consciousness, and that is a whole lot.

There are many systems that outline a path toward wholeness and you may already have a routine that works for you. Likely it may include exercise, meditation and a nutrition regimen, and, when followed diligently, it works.  However there are times when we are unable to apply our routine and there are times when maintaining healthful habits seem impractical.

Why? What happens then? Why are those times tougher than others? Does something get in our way?

That something is known as stress. It sounds like a mischievous goblin looking to sabotage everything that hard work builds. Think about it. When someone describes an obstacle, more often than not, stress is the culprit. Call it an invisible sidekick to adversity. Fortunately, stress isn’t a masked bandit running amuck, and we can better manage its impact on our lives.

For many of us, the word stress is somewhat ambiguous. Wikipedia states, “stress is how the body reacts to a stressor, real or imagined, a stimulus that causes stress.”  According to another definition, stress relates to the pressure, pull, or other force exerted on one thing by another. The source of the tension is a stressor, and the quantity, quality and duration of the tension helps to categorize it as a specific type of stressor. To better understand stress, we need to take a closer look at the types of stressors:

  • Mental stressors—all mental illness, chronic unresolved issues, major life changes, overburdened with responsibility, self-image issues, and obsessive thinking
  • Emotional stressors—anger, rage, irritability, worry, anxiety, fear, fright, terror, depression, desire, lust, sadness, grief, and over-excitement
  • Physical stressors—too much strenuous activity such as overwork and too much exercise, physical trauma, starvation, medical issues, suffocation, alcohol and drug use, lack of sleep, illness, and child-birth
  • Environmental stressors—sudden changes in climate or exposure to severe climate conditions, electromagnetic waves (Wi-Fi networks), excessive exposure to sun, exposure to harmful microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, molds, and parasites), exposure to chemical toxins (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, heavy metals, households and industrial chemicals); also, consumption of nutritionally deficient foods such as refined foods, irradiated foods, trans fats, caffeine and other stimulants
  • Spiritual stressors—loss of direction and life purpose

As we can see there are many kinds of stressors. Certainly, it is important to minimize our exposure to unnecessary stressors even though stressors are a part of life. Therefore our focus should be on how we process stress.  Our bodies metabolize stress in two different ways; either as helpful eustress, which is anabolic in nature (meaning it builds us up) or as destructive distress, which is catabolic (meaning it breaks us down). The old saying is true, “what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.”

Hans Selye outlined our stress response in more detail, and earned the nickname “the father of stress research.” In his General Adaptation Syndrome, Selye delineates a sequence of reactions the body goes through when responding to a given stressor. First, in the alarm stage, we experience an internal alert where the body prepares for action with adrenaline and cortisol. This is commonly known as a fight-or-flight response. Next if the stressor persists, the body goes into the resistance stage. Here the body reallocates its primary force to deal with the stressor. This is the “cope and adapt…or else” stage. If the tension persists, then the body will fall into the exhaustion phase. This is the danger zone. In the exhaustion phase we are vulnerable to illness and weakness. Selye’s research proves that the key factor to our body’s survival is its ability to adapt. Our ability to adapt depends on our adaptive energy. He coined that phrase because in situations when our adaptive energy is high, we move through stress unscathed. But when our adaptive energy is low, all things can go wrong and likely do.

Bravo Hans! Good job.

The importance of adaptive energy has been a part of ancient wisdom for centuries. Adaptive energy is the same force that mystics and scholars realized is the foundation for spiritual growth, as well as physical health and well-being. They called it prana, ki or qi (sounds like chi). Because of its vital significance, sages of antiquity sought out ways of enhancing qi.  They found help through Mother Nature. There’s an actual solution—a group of rare botanicals that enhances adaptive energy more than anything else. These plants cultivated strong adaptive power because they grow and thrive in harsh conditions. When consumed, the body absorbs their extra adaptive power. In Chinese Medicine these plants are called tonic herbs for their tonifying effects. This group of herbs is also found within Ayurveda’s rasayan formulas for spiritual alchemy.  As fate would have it, these botanicals were rediscovered in the West in the 1940’s when Russian scientists unlocked their secret and named them adaptogens.  The Russians used adaptogens to help alleviate the distress their Olympic athletes experienced from over-training and they were also used as healing aids after the nuclear accident in Chernobyl. Their modern research proves that adaptogens have a unique ability to bring the body to homeostasis and lessen the effects of stress on a person, be it physical, emotional, mental or environmental stress.

These herbs are amazing.  Just take a look at some of these herbs and their benefits!

American Ginseng

By far the most popular adaptogen, Ginseng (pronounced “gin-sing”) is considered the most lucrative legal crop in the world. Ginseng has been used for thousands of years to prevent an extraordinary amount of problems, from premature aging, to low libido, low energy and cancer. It can, to a certain extent, be supported with scientific research regarding its anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant properties. American Ginseng is the best variety of the ginsengs because of its neutral healing properties.

Astragalus

Astragalus has been considered one of the most potent immune tonics by ancient physicians and modern researchers alike. For over 2,000 years, it has been used for lifting the mood, strengthening muscles, increasing metabolism, reducing stress, and strengthening the body as a whole.

Atractylodes

Atractylodes is a powerful energy tonic. Also, it is well-known for balancing the digestive system. It is widely used by athletes and those interested in weight loss because of its mild diuretic action, and ability to increase metabolism and vitality.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is renowned as a powerful energy and endurance tonic, because, it increases oxygen capacity, battles weakness and fatigue, and boosts lung function and capacity. Also, it strengthens the immune system and improves sexual vitality. Cordyceps is a superstar among the longevity tonics!

Gynostemma

Gynostemma is the all-time stress-fighting botanical. Gynostemma calms the mind, eases tension in the body, and increases vitality and energy; plus, it acts as an anti-inflammatory and powerful immune tonic.

Licorice

Licorice root has been used for thousands of years to rid the body of unwanted toxins, increase energy, and harmonize herbal formulations. It is one of the most commonly used adaptogens.

Fo Ti

Also called Polygonum Multiflorum Root, it has incredible rejuvenative effects. It is often used to bring about mental clarity and to invigorate the brain. However, its real claim to fame is its ability to restore youth to a tired, old body! In China, it is said to help return an aged person to youthfulness.

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi is one of the most powerful, potent tonic herbs known to man. It is an immune booster as well as a mood regulator. It is widely used among meditators for calming the mind and inducing expanded states of consciousness.

Shiitake Mushroom

Shiitake mushroom, one of the most highly prized botanicals of Chinese and Japanese herbalism, is used to improve energy, blood circulation, and strengthen the body as a whole.

Ashwagandha

Ancient physicians have used ashwagandha for everything from hiccups to cancer. No doubt it has impressive adaptogenic properties. This powerful herb is one of the best adaptogenic herbs for restoring homeostasis!

Lycium

It is said that Lycium will brighten the eyes, promote happiness, and strengthen vitality, plus, it is a strong sexual tonic! In essence, it restores and builds the hormones that keep us vital and youthful!

Rhodiola

The story goes that those who regularly took Rhodiola lived to see 100 years. Science has now proven this herb to have powerful longevity attributes, and helps control stressful situations that lead to chronic diseases. Rhodiola also has been observed by researchers to have a potent detoxing effect on the body’s systems.

Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola boosts the body’s energy reserves, thus strengthening the brain. This is why it is referred to as a brain tonic. This action of boosting the brain by revitalizing the body’s energy is known as the “secret of immortality.”

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian Ginseng strengthens sexual performance, builds energy and stamina, and improves mental abilities. It was given its fame by Russian Olympians who used it to expedite the recovery process from over-training.

Adaptogens are my safety net or insurance policy. They help me stay in control of my reaction to stress and with their help I avoid the desperate choices that I could make because of exhaustion. And most often they provide a boost of energy and mental clarity.

We are fortunate to have access to these herbs with the click of a mouse. In the book, Adaptogens; Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, by Winston and Maimes, multi-herb formulas are recommended for the harmonizing and boosting effects. Though single herb preparations are fine, a wide array of adaptogens in a single combination prove to be more powerful and balanced. Because these herbs primarily restore balance in the body they are safe to take on a regular, long-term basis, unlike treatment-oriented formulas.

Supplementing with adaptogens is the easiest step I’ve taken to build an ideal life. Of the many choices available, my personal favorite adaptogenic product is ShenTrition. I think it is the most powerful and effective.

Do yourself a favor and take these herbs regularly! Safeguard your health and growth with adaptogens.

 

November 6, 2009

The Divine Marriage

Posted by shenlife under inspiration, Living, Self Improvement, Social, spiritual
1 Comment 

Marriage between two adults is a symbol or material example attempting to reveal the true marriage – the union between our divinity and our humanity. A common word used today that stands for this divine marriage is wholeness.

Wholeness involves the coupling of two polarities within our own selves, the yin and yang, female and male, non-physical and physical. Once these polarities are reunited, then we can begin our new life, our new existence, as divine beings in this material world while bringing fourth our offspring or divine creations. As whole beings, then and only then, are we able to create from a fully conscious place.Divine Marriage

Romance in many ways is the lure that brings two people together so that they may work out this divine drama. However, rather than being a portal that takes us deeper within, romance can more times than not become an obstacle. Instead, of finding ourselves through relational interplay, we lose ourselves in the abyss of relational trauma and drama. However, if we can remain true to the path of wholeness, and view the relationship for what it is, then we are able to truly complete ourselves and thereby become fully functional beings.

The chief signpost of wholeness is undifferentiated love. Undifferentiated love is love without exception – meaning it’s not contingent on any person, place or thing. It just is-Love!  As complete, fully-functional beings, we not only begin to experience undifferentiated love, but it literally becomes who we are – that is we embody it. Some even say that undifferentiated love is the baseline of the universe, cosmos and beyond. Coincidentally, undifferentiated love resonates at 7.83 Hertz, which is known as the earth’s pulse or what is commonly called, Schumann Resonance.

Wikepedia explains:
This global electromagnetic resonance phenomenon is named after physicist Winfried Otto Schumann who predicted it mathematically in 1952. Schumann resonances occur because the space between the surface of the Earth and the conductive ionosphere acts as a closed waveguide. The limited dimensions of the Earth cause this waveguide to act as a resonant cavity for electromagnetic waves in the ELF band. The cavity is naturally excited by electric currents in lightning. Schumann resonances are the principal background in the electromagnetic spectrum between 3-69 Hz, and appear as distinct peaks at extremely low frequencies (ELF) around 7.83, 14.3, 20.8, 27.3 and 33.8 Hz. In the normal mode description of Schumann resonances, the fundamental mode is a standing wave in the Earth-ionosphere cavity with a wavelength equal to the circumference of the Earth. This lowest-frequency (and highest-intensity) mode of the Schumann resonance occurs at a frequency of approximately 7.83 Hz (earth pulse).

Once we’ve stabilized in wholeness, undifferentiated love puts us in sync with the earth’s rhythm, vibe or flow; this is also synonymous with the idea of grace in Christianity, wu wei in Taosim, effortless action in Yoga or even what many athletes refer to as being in the zone. Being in this flow, or better said, “being flow” not only brings us into harmony with the earth’s rhythms, but into connection with all sentient and non-sentient beings, harmonizes our biological systems, and, last but not least, carries us to our visions, intentions and goals with relative ease.

Our intentions are the offspring of this divine union. In our previous state, our intentions arose from the fear of being separate and a sense of lack. We felt disconnected, divided, and incomplete; so we sought people, places, and things in an attempt to fulfill ourselves. In wholeness, our intentions result from already being whole and therefore are an overflow or the “extra something” we have to give – they are our gifts.

If we are to seriously undertake the path towards this divine marriage, and move into flow, then we must consider the fundamental first step – taking care of the body. Our bodies are reality-generating organisms. Within our bodies the two polarities, male and female, commingle to produce their offspring or our divine intentions. If our bodies are in tip-top condition, then it is much easier for this process to flourish. If our bodies are weak or even worse sick, then our offspring (intentions) will not carry through to the full term of birth and instead lead to a miscarriage of sorts.

To ensure a fruitful union, we developed the Shen Life Starter Kit.

The Shen Life Starter Kit addresses the seven biological needs of the body. Once these biological needs are met, the body is on its way to optimum functioning and wholeness! Watch this video to see more or email any questions. Make note of the role sexuality plays in the divine union as discussed in the video. I’ll discuss that more next time…good stuff.

To whole living,

Stephen

 

July 4, 2009

Introducing the Big Picture of Shen Life p1

Posted by shenlife under General, Health Related, Lifestyle, Living, Self Improvement
Leave a Comment 

Intro to Get Shen 1/2

Here’s a great introduction to Shen Life and it’s lifestyle products.

 

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.