Category Archives: Spirituality

Check this out!, Inspirational, Spirituality, Thoughts

This Blackboard In New York Asked For Their Biggest Regrets. It’s What They Had In Common That Broke My Heart

February 4, 2016 Jeff Wilson Leave a comment

Everyone has at least one regret. With our natural desires, comes fear. Fear that we don’t deserve what we want, fear of loss, fear of judgement; the specific fear stems of desire and if we don’t address these by products of desire they will lead to regret.

A black board was put up in New York city, on it was written, ‘Write Your Biggest Regret’. All that day people strolling by wrote on the board. People of different ages, creeds, races and cultures wrote their regrets on the board. The variety of comments were definitely expansive . The pedestrians listed everything from relationships they never pursued, to loved ones they never forgave to never making the time.

Fear grips all of us at times. Leaping to the next level of our lives can be scary. For instance: new relationships can seem full of uncertainty and time can fool us into thinking we have tomorrow to make things ‘right’. That’s just fear propagating and justifying its own existence.

If we let fear control our now, warp our version of tomorrow, then we have to carry those justifications with us forever. They will warp over time and become regrets.

Don’t let fear weigh you down for the rest of your life! Make mistakes, love and cry, forgive those you love and chase your dreams. Its better to fail in your pursuit of your dreams than carry around the possibilities and failure for the rest of your life! You can only change the present…

Energy, Inspirational, News, Spirituality

New To Yoga? This Is The Perfect 20 Minute Video To Get You Started

February 3, 2016 Jeff Wilson Leave a comment

Breaking into the yoga scene is difficult. You have to be willing to put yourself out there. Many may equate their first yoga experience to dancing to a song you don’t know, surrounded by strangers.This judgement isn’t necessary,though it is perfectly natural. Remember your reasons for investigating yoga and set the intention to experiment! Building a strong awareness of your body and it relation to your mind and spirit is a beautiful thing. Please don’t let your fear or insecurities stop you from developing every humanizing skill you can.

Yoga is an umbrella term for many practices of meditative movement. There is a wide range of specialties and points of focus. The consistent theme in every form of yoga is the focus of breath attached to specific movements. As you breathe inward you preform a movement and as you breath out you do a different one. This idea of ‘one movement, one breath’ should be the focus of every beginner. After you feel comfortable with the concepts then it will be productive to look into the different types.

Don’t feel bad about starting out in the comfort of your home. It’s important that you feel comfortable as you explore if yoga is right for you. If you find that you enjoy the experience I strongly recommend you go to a studio eventually. Yoga studios can be powerful places of intentions and provide a wealth of information. Once you make the leap to a studio pay attention to how you feel. Does this studio make you feel good? Is it a productive experience? Making a strong personal connection is key to finding YOUR studio. Don’t feel in the least bit crazy for not wanting to be at a certain studio! No one is wrong, it just isn’t for you, and that’s fine.

The video below is a great place for new people to start. The focus isn’t on the technical side but enough attention is paid to the specifics to stop you from hurting yourself. If you can’t reach or bend or bow as far as the instructor take a moment and thank your body for what it can do. Regardless of mental hang ups and judgments, your body is amazing! Do your best and try to have fun.

The one element i found lacking in this twenty minute session is that no intention was set before hand. At my studio this is a common practice. Setting a reason or dedicating your practice to someone or something takes a lot of pressure off yourself. As you don your yoga outfit think about someone who could use some of the positive ju-ju your about to create. As you build yourself relate that experience to the world around you.

Discoveries, Energy, Inspirational, Spirituality, Thoughts

12 Of The Most Healing Crystals and How To Use Them

February 3, 2016 Submitted By You Leave a comment

Healing crystals have become a household object for many people, but do you know what each one’s special power is? Truly, each stone holds unique mineral formations and unique powers as a result. Some crystals are great for purifying the air. Others are ideal for keeping a grounded, loving home. What crystals should you have?

Onyx

Onyx cleanses the air, rids your home of negative energy, and holds strong grounding powers. The stone is great for any home, but especially people who have recently endured a divorce or whose children are grown and have moved from the home.

Quartz

Quartz is perfect for relieving stress and anxiety. It’s also an excellent energy purifier. I like to leave quartz on the windows so that incoming energy passes through it. Periodically the crystal will need to be washed of any negative energy by leaving it in nature for a while.

Amethyst

Amethyst is a well rounded healing crystal. Great for getting rid many of headaches and general feelings of fatigue. This crystal also promotes good skin, strong bones, joints and pleasant dreams. Sleep well!

Citrine

Citrine is used to increase concentration, boost memory, and breathe life into creativity, into all of your endeavors. It’s a great stone to keep in the workplace or home office.

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is a strong supporter of the immune system. This stone can remedy migraines in a flash. Keep this stone in your night stand so it can rejuvenate you as you rest.

Opal

The go to stone for artists and politicians a like, this bolsters creativity and the ability to see solutions where they are not apparent. Leave this stone in your work space and for added effect, combine it with agate.

Topaz

This stone is thought of as the ‘youthful’ stone. It encourages a younger mentality, youthful appearance and glow! Even if you are young, this stone is an empowerment stone. It provides strength and a sense of being grounded.

Aquamarine

This stone is great for all things relating to digestion. It encourages thorough absorption, easier body movements and efficient energy production. It also stops the effects of IBS, acid reflux and eases the problems of a temporarily dis balanced diet. I would keep one in the bathroom or dinning room!

Jade

The ultimate adrenal balance tool, this crystal makes it easier to build or balance different energies within your self. My mother wears a jade bracelet 24/7 to bring mindfulness and health her way.

Garnet

An amazing general healing tool, this stone can encourage tissue regeneration. This stone burns energy however so stay cognizant of your resources to avoid burn out.

Bloodstone

This stone regulates circulatory movement and pressure. If you get cold a lot in winter this stone can restore some warmth to your extremities. Great for colds and general feelings of ‘not feeling so hot’.

Agate

Empowering your acute decision making skills, this stone serves business people and privateers. It also naturally deters anxiety and builds confidence. Leave this stone in your office or place of business to maximize the effects in your life.

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8 Traditional Beliefs That Have Now Been Proved By Science

February 2, 2016 Submitted By You Leave a comment

Our ancestors had the same needs and desires as people in the modern age, the only difference is how we achieve them. People have always gotten sick, needed comfort, tried to push the limits, and understand the world they live.The tricks, practices, and intentions of purpose that societies practiced hundreds, or thousands of years earlier paved the way for this generation to build on.

Some of these ideas and methods are still practiced today, in the same or similar fashion they started out in. That is an indicator of something that not only works but is worth holding onto. In this modern age of a ‘prove it’ mentality, the explanations by men and women in lab coats are the only ones taken seriously. Now, finally after years of research, the good people in coats have moved these techniques from the list of holistic, to helpful.

Helping OTHERS Can Help YOUR Health

Giving factual substance to the golden rule of being a good person, a study compared two philosophies of happiness. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s study compared the effectiveness of hedonic and eudaemonic philosophies of happiness. Hedonic well-being is based on the notion that increased pleasure and decreased pain leads to happiness.

Hedonic concepts are based on the notion of subjective well-being. Eudaemonic happiness is based on the premise that people feel happy if they experience life purpose, challenges and growth.

Using phone interviews, questionnaire,s and blood samples, the study explored how the philosophies effected people on a genetic level. Participants with more hedonic and less eudaemonic well-being were found to have a lower production of virus-attacking antibodies, while those with more eudaemonic well-being experienced an increase in antibody production.

Acupuncture Can Restore Health And Balance the Body

Originating out of China, addresses energy, blood and chemical imbalances in the body through manipulation of chi. Chi is the energy found in all living beings. The National Institutes of Health funded a study into the benefits of acupuncture, currently thought to be used by 3 million Americans a year.

Analyzing data collected from 18,000 subjects, researchers found that acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture and standard western care when treating various types of pain, including migraines and chronic back pain.

We Need the Support Of A Community In Order To Thrive

Every community has proven it’s worth. Support is a must for survival and growth. Without a healthy and productive social life, we physically start to fail. Brigham Young University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers confirmed this belief in 2010.

Analyzing the 148 studies, spanning more than 300,000 individual participants, available on the subject, researchers discovered that those with stronger social relationships maintained a 50 percent increased likelihood of survival.

The effect of social relationships on mortality risk is even greater than the effect of exercise or obesity.

Tai Chi Alleviates A Number Of Health Conditions

A very old martial art that stresses balancing mental and physical discipline to achieve spiritual harmony and peace. It has been long held that this practice provides a longer life.
A report summarized several studies confirming that this “moving meditation” practice can help prevent and treat many age-related health problems, alongside standard treatment in older adults. A number of studies in the past decade have found tai chi to be helpful for those suffering from arthritis, low bone density, and heart disease.

Meditation Reduces Stress

A form of meditation can be found in every society and is not always attached to a religion. Meditation aids the mind in building awareness and focus. A team of researchers from Harvard Medical School reveals how this practice can affect genes linked to stress control and immune function.

Utilizing neuro imaging and genomics technology to measure the physical potential for change. After regimented yoga and meditative practices, they viewed the before and afters.

There was a dramatic increase in mitochondrial energy production, utilization, and resiliency, which help to reduce the stress linked to health conditions like hypertension and infertility.

Compassion Is The Key To A Meaningful Life

Tibetan Buddhism includes a practice of ‘metta’ of the formation of loving kindness. Emory University released a study specifically marking how this practice boosted an individual’s ability to to empathize via their facial expressions.

A similar study on the same subject revealed that participants’ positive emotions allowed them to find a deeper sense of mindfulness, their purpose in life, the network of support surrounding them, and their health. These components helped increase their overall life satisfaction.

Acceptance Is Key

Deakin University showed that facing the realities of assisted living, and therefore losing a degree of independence, helps seniors live longer and feel happier. The study compared feelings of life satisfaction and perceived control of older adults living with assistance and those living in the community.

All You Need Is Love

One constant in every era for every society is the understanding that love propagates longevity, health, and productivity. The Harvard Grant study, conducted over 75 years, gathered empirical evidence to back that up.

268 males were followed over this time and their lives were dissected to find how love motivated and changed them. Love was the most powerful and consistent element for positive change in all their lives.

Energy, Healing, Inspirational, News, Spirituality, Thoughts

5 Ways To Cleanse Your Personal Space Of Negative Energy

February 1, 2016 Jeff Wilson Leave a comment

Energy is typically viewed in two forms: good and bad. Good energy is seen as an empowering force, the love that exists within us all. It is both the means and reward for us acting well or in accordance with a higher power. Bad energy is the complete opposite. Representing selfish desires and sickness spiritually, this force can not be avoided, negative energy is the catalyst for change.You can not truly live with out being effected by this damning force. How we deal with this energy dictates our growth (or lack of) and defines us as individuals. The ability to walk through hardships with our head held high, acting out of loving endurance and clear, positive intentions is the bar that everyone should measure themselves by. This is a wonderfully productive way but difficult way to live.

I realize what a lofty example this is. As you read it, I’m sure justifications for not traversing hard roads as well as possible, jumped to mind. We only do as well as we can in every moment. I’ve personally learned every lesson the hardest way I could envision. I write this not as an expert but a person tired of seeing the same deep scars on others from the same avoidable mistakes.

The playing fields for for these techniques span your heart and mind. You should never try and control these formations because they are performing the duties they are intended for. Your mind is supposed to run down every possibility, from the terrible, amazing, surprising and selfish. How else do we expand abstract concepts without looking every rock, including the dirty ones? In the same vein, the heart feels whatever it can. This is awful because it seems to be doing its own thing regardless of conscious desire. It is still YOUR heart! Have faith that it is working in your favor.

Take A Break

You are not calling it quits, or being weak in any way. Step away from the experience you’re living through. Examine the situation you find yourself. Smile, you got this! If you can’t figure out what to do breathe and understand this is momentary. You may not have the answer now but don’t worry this is not the end. With no answer apparent, focus on consolidating your resources. Do what you can and shift priorities.

Breathe

Turn your focus away from anything external and focus on you in your entirety. Your breath can melt away stress and embolden your spirit if you let it. Take the time to examine your health. Thank various elements of your self for what they do.

Take A Bath

Water is a healing element in every culture across the world. Heat to your comfort level and add some oils or other desired ingredients. Feel the water wash away your negativity and enjoy rejuvenation.

Talk About It

While this one seems obvious it is often hard to do. In the age of self help and independence no one wants to rely on anyone, or drag someone down to ‘their level’. Speak to someone you trust. What level are you afraid to drag someone down to? The human level is the only one I recognise. Chances are they need to talk about something as well. Everyone is going or has gone through hardships, you may find yourself surprised by the lack of judgement.

Pay Attention To Your Physical Self

All this metaphysic and mindful introspection does not nourish the body. A hungry or fatigued person does not handle adversity well. Eat a snack or take a nap! The problem will still be there when you wake!

Energy, Inspirational, Science, Spirituality

The Connection Between Color & Chakras: What’s Your Favorite Color?

January 30, 2016 Submitted By You Leave a comment

Colors affect us in major but subtle ways. The way that color affects human behavior and mood is harder to test than the the other senses, such as taste and feel. Color psychology is the study of the way the visible spectrum affects us. Sadly the information gathered by studies is used mainly in marketing, branding and fashion. The potential use for this type of study is much higher than that.

Cities are installing blue lights in certain areas to reduce suicide, crime and depressions rates. Such a simple and cheap solution to such complex and deeply personal problems. In placebo studies red and yellow pills thought to be stimulants had a higher and more long lasting ‘effect’ than any other color.

While there are general trends in chromatic manipulation, how a person is affected depends greatly on age, gender and a touch of personal preference. Throughout the ups and downs, ins and outs of your life, you have sought out different colors for different reasons. Many people feel calmer and better adjusted around blue and green.

These colors would have meant to presence of attainable water and food to our ancestors, so through the ages we still subconsciously see these necessary elements for survival. Marketing campaigns have also enforced and created associations of their own. Rather than try to uncover corporate master plans or means of manipulation, I’d like to focus on the emotional and spiritual content of the major colors.

As your read forward I would like to share my own example as a template. These are statistical trends and probabilities; not all cancers like orange. I’m a cancer and I have never liked orange because I attribute it to ambulances and caution tape. I do however tend to my sacral chakra ( represented by shades of orange) the most readily of any of my chakras.You will come across anomalies to these suggestions.

Black, Red, Brown Or Gray

These colors are used to represent your root or base chakra. The base chakra connects you to the world around you and fears that you have within. Capricorn, Virgo and Taurus might be especially drawn to these colors. Anyone drawn to these colors are trying to mask their pain with a tough exterior.

Orange

The go to color for the sacral chakra, it represents relationships, creativity, money and sexuality. These are all right up the alley for Pisces, Cancers, and Scorpios. Those seeking or loving orange are naturally creative and tend to cultivate a healthy sex life. They enjoy adventures, new information, and try to be down to earth.

Yellow

Yellow is regarded as a passive and calming color. While that may be true for certain people, yellow is the color of the solar plexus chakra. Associated with breathe, energy and personal power, constantly fueling the body and spirit, this formation is most easily accessible to Leo, Aries and Sagittarius. These people make great natural leaders and sensible business people. They are action oriented and influential.

Green

Sometimes thought to be the color chosen by geniuses, it is certainly well suited to Aquarius, Gemini, And Libra. Green is tied to the heart chakra, the gate to all ‘higher’ chakras and understanding. This chakra holds the spark of the divine and is where we receive our sense of intuition. Agreed as a good choice by individuals with strong emotional ties, they make for great listeners and healers.

Blue

Relating to the throat chakra, it represents and houses will power and choice. Those who feel great in blue are excellent communicators. This breaks down to thorough listening and speech, high levels of empathy and may be more extroverted.

Purple

The third eye chakra governs intuition, divine wisdom and recognition of the truth. If you dig this color you are intuitive, spiritually capable, and experienced in the world of the dreams and the subconscious

Pink

The crown chakra is represented by pink. Characterized as the gate to God or the universe the crown chakra is where unseen forces provide help, intentions, and sometimes test our resolve. Pink lovers delight in making others happy. They are naturally joyful and extremely positive.

Spirit Science