"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation." - HERBERT SPENCER

Spencer was a very widely known English philosopher, scientist, theologian during the 1800's. He was also among the creators of the field of sociology. He was among the greatest minds of Victorian England.

NOTES:

This quote appeared in the First Edition of the Book of Alcoholics Anonymous which is the foundation of all the 12 step programs. After tens of thousand of thousands of hours studying scriptures with computer software,reading many different books on religion, GOD, Spirituality and related subjects I have yet to find a formula or belief system more complete or more powerful than the 12 Steps. Even though these steps were written by what the world saw as ...

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What comes to mind when think about meditation? Do you associate it with an attempt to reach a higher plane? Do you see an image of a bald man in orange robes sitting on a cold, stone monastery floor, chanting a mantra? Perhaps it's a picture of hippies with legs crossed in the lotus position, breathing deeply and murmuring, "Ommmmm."

Adding to the confusion is the fact that there are many different types of meditation practice - Transcendental Meditation (commonly known as TM), vipassana, zazen, stillness, or devotional meditation. Is each one different? Let's say that they all share many elements and each has its benefits, yet some would be more beneficial in certain contexts than others.

When discussing my personal meditation practice with friends and colleagues, I have encountered some misconceptions about precisely what meditation is or what it achieves. One particularly memorable instance came in response to ...

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Most people come to meditation thinking, or even fearing, that it is difficult. No matter how much some people rave about the benefits of meditation, many think it would be easier to relax by merely playing a sport, reading a book, grabbing a drink, watching TV, or doing any number of things that don't require much effort.

Meditation does require some effort, or personal discipline, and it takes up the most precious commodity in our lives - time. Yet, to derive all of the benefits takes practice. So why go to all the trouble of learning to meditate? Isn't it all too hard? The short answer is that learning to meditate will invariably help your well-being. One of the best answers is that you will feel the benefits almost immediately, which is definitely one of the greatest aspects of meditation. I like to think of meditation as an insurance ...

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Chakra meditation is a unique form of relaxation that involves deep concentration. By achieving an uninterrupted level of focus, psychic energy is able to flow up through your body, energizing and reinvigorating all of your different chakras along the way.

What is a chakra?

Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means wheel or vortex. The chakras can be thought of as energy centers that direct the flow of energy through our bodies. Chakras are a part of our consciousness and how we use them reflects on the decisions that we make in our lives.

Achieving Peace

There are different ways to practice chakra meditation, including a method useful for beginners. Before beginning your meditation, ensure that you are dressed in loose and comfortable clothes and find a space that is free from noise and interruption.

The Steps to Inner Harmony

1) Begin by sitting or lying down in a comfortable ...

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We all want to feel loved, open, free and peaceful. We all desire to let go of the ideals and expectations of the world and be still. What if you had permission to be anything your heart wanted you to be? What if there was no right or wrong way of doing yoga poses, just simply YOUR way. The way that feels good for your body, mind and spirit. That is yoga to me.

There's a smorgasbord of yoga labels all around us. Each having its own fancy term or cool yoga gear. It's a bummer to see yoga magazines or videos with the same types of bodies representing yoga. This sends a message to the world that yoga is about looking a specific way. Instead of getting lost in the confusion, I chose to start really looking at my responsibility in this. Most of my clients share ...

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Deep breathing is a great way of promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Yoga, meditation, martial arts, and trained voice are disciplines that recognize the importance and effectiveness of deep breathing. Use the following deep breathing technique during any of the above activities or when you want to relax and energize your body.

It is natural to breathe using the diaphragm or lower abdomen. If you watch babies, you will see that they breathe this way. As we get older, stress and inactivity cause us to draw shorter, shallower breaths. These short breaths use only the upper chest instead of the lower abdomen. In times of stress the abdominal muscles tense up and make it almost impossible to breathe deeply and naturally. At first, the shock your body feels because of the increased oxygen intake during deep breathing exercises, may cause you to feel some dizziness.

Short breathing exercise: Close your ...

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Best selling author Dr. Bernie Siegel is a well-known proponent of alternative approaches to healing not just for the body, but the mind and soul as well. In 365 Prescriptions for the Soul: Daily Words for Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit he prescribes daily doses of inspiration, hope and love designed to help us navigate whatever challenges life throws our way. Here's a sampling of the guidance and wisdom he lovingly offers:

Prescription #12: Black Holes of Renewal When we need to find our energy and source, the place to look is in the darkness. It is in the black holes that the energy of creation lives. Whether we are speaking of the universe or of an individual, darkness is the source of life. When facing emotional despair, hopelessness, or physical anguish, going into the darkness helps us to find our self and renew our life. It is in ...

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New Book Explores the Mystical Doorway Between Christianity and Yogic Spirituality

In the enclosed review copy of Jesus in the Lotus: The Mystical Doorway between Christianity and Yogic Spirituality (New World Library, April 20, 2009) renowned spiritual teacher and musician Russill Paul asserts that the exploration and integration of the philosophy of Yoga need not threaten, or take away from, essential Christian beliefs but can add a dimension to them and deepen one's faith.

In Jesus in the Lotus, he tells the compelling story of how, after a motorcycle accident and subsequent crisis of faith, his heart opened to the work of renegade monk Bede Griffiths, who was one of the first to synthesize these two great religious traditions. Paul then presents what he calls a pathless path that blends the wisdom of Christianity and the spiritual teachings of yoga for a holistic daily spiritual practice.

Drawing on a ...

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Maybe learning to meditate intimidates you, and it's tough to find the time for daily meditation. The solution to both problems is an easy meditation you can learn right now, that will only take a minute to do each day.

Easy Meditation Technique

Breathing through your mouth expands your chest, but if you breath through your nose you'll notice how your abdomen extends. You see, nose-breathing causes the diaphram to pull air to the bottom of your lungs. This delivers a good dose of oxygen into your bloodstream and brain. It also tends to relax you.

Breathing through your nose is healthier, and it's the basis of this one-minute meditation. You simply close your eyes, let the tension go out of your muscles, let go of your thoughts (to the extent possible), and take four slow, deep breaths through your nose, paying attention to your breathing.

Is ...

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Meditation is a means of transforming the mind. Meditation is not a technique but a way of life. Meditation is becoming a practice that is quite popular in the Western world among people from all walks of life. Meditation is an approach that anyone can use to help them cope with medical problems, stress, and anxiety by way of thought, contemplation, and reflection. Meditation is a powerful tool, one that not only provides us an opportunity to see this "drama," but also to slow it down, to let it cool off and, leave it entirely; to finish off our slave-actor career.

Meditation

Meditation is a three step process that leads to a state of consciousness that brings serenity, clarity, and bliss. Meditation has always been central to Buddhism. Meditation can be practiced while walking or doing simple repetitive tasks. Meditation has been defined as:self regulation of attention, in the ...

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Maybe you've heard about the wonderful benefits of meditation; "It will relax you, center your thoughts, allow you to escape from your stressful day". Why wouldn't you want to take part in such an activity?

The truth is - most people never reap the considerable rewards that a quality meditation session can offer. After a few unsuccessful attempts, these individuals give up and conclude "meditation doesn't work". If you don't believe meditation can work for you, I'd like to offer you a bit of perspective via the following exercise:

Go to a music store that sells pianos (if you can play piano, substitute this instrument with one you've never played before). Sit down at a piano and play some beautiful music. What, you can't......? But I've heard that a person can play beautiful music on a piano. Maybe try a few more times ...

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Most of us have heard talk or have read something about the seven centers of energies that we refer to as Chakras. I do believe these are very important centres of our being in terms of our energy field, our aura, and most of all our own balance that can manifest into our physical body.

So what can we do about these energies and how can we balance these centres? You don't need a high level of schooling but perhaps only a few small tips that can enhance your association with the different levels of these Chakras.

These Chakras are usually associated with colors. Not simply to distinguish them, or identify them from each other, but because colors on their own play on our emotional psyche. I personally work with nine chakras instead of seven. I will go through the nine charkas and explain their characteristics. The characteristics of ...

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Meditation is one of those things in life that benefits you the most when you want to do it the least. It is a practice that helps to calm a racing mind, while it refreshes and refuels your passion and joy. It opens you up to a more conscious awareness of your spirituality. Sometimes, it presents answers to problems you thought were unsolvable. It's free, and the more you do it, the more time you seem to have.

Why doesn't everybody meditate?

One reason is that there is some confusion about what meditation is, and many people don't realize there are a number of meditation techniques. There is a stereotype of meditation that involves people in robes sitting for long painful hours on their knees, but that is just one of many meditation techniques.

A basic understanding of meditation says that, if prayer is talking to God ...

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