In the 1990s, society expended great resources investigating questions of management and leadership. Managers are fairly common; real leaders are extremely rare. Managers use people to make things happen; leaders make things happen for the people. Managers often lead from the back. They may watch to see what is popular, what seems politically correct, what will help them increase their own status and especially, what will help them increase their incomes. Managers tend to be utilitarian and opportunistic.
True leaders, however, always lead from the front. They are associated with the “four C’s”:
• Character • Competence • Compassion • Courage
When we find a true leader, we will find strong performance in all these areas.
There are so many definitions for the word “leadership” in the English language alone. Such a diversity of meanings for the same word indicates that people are confused about what it means. It is a complex topic.
The work of a true leader can also be listed in descending order of significance:
• To be • To do • To see • To tell
Similarly, we can categorize citizens in a general way:
• Inventors: Those who make things happen • Resenters: Those who watch things happen (and often complain about how they are happening) • Consenters: those who do not know what is happening, but who consent and go with the flow.
True leaders are always inventors. They are experts at making things happen. There are so many analogies to help us understand the qualities of a leader.
Here’s another one, relating to the attitude people have when they approach a hill intending to climb it:
• There are those who see the hill as an obstacle, and immediately give up their plans; • There are those who see the hill and decide to camp at its base • There are those who see the hill and proceed to climb it.
Those who quit are the types of people who become discouraged by adversity. They do not possess the perseverance, stamina or the deep commitment to attain the goal. Those who camp at the hill’s base may start off with enthusiasm, but they become distracted by the obstacle and lose sight of the goal.
Those who climb the hill despite the promise of difficulty have enough commitment to work for success. Their challenge is to maintain their vision and sense of mission, and by continuing to strive, they can achieve their goal.
Retired United States Army General Norman Schwarzkopf said in his analysis of losers vs. winners: • To a loser, it may be possible, but it is difficult. • To a winner, it may be difficult, but it is possible. • A leader says that nothing is impossible. • A loser will say, “It’s not my job” • A winner will say: “Let me help you do it” • A leader will say: “Follow me and do as I do”
Others have categorized people into winners and whiners. One should live one’s life by discipline, not emotion. • Winners, and especially true leaders, feel good when they do right • Whiners must feel good before they will do right • Winners say: “I will do it because it is right, and I will feel good knowing I acted properly” • Whiners say: “If I ever feel good about it, then I will do it” • Winners say: “I must believe it before I can see it” • Whiners say: “I must see it before can I believe it”
True leaders know that progress is motivating; apparent progress based on lust, greed and self-deception is actually failure.
True leaders make things happen, are winners, lead from the front and always keep the highest welfare of their constituents in mind. In this way, a leader will inspire people to come to a higher standard by their own superior qualities.
By Bhakti Tirtha Swami In the book “Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness Volume II: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times”
You hear about coaching and most likely are becoming familiar with what a “handler” is.
In show business – fashion industry – celebrity making machine world – a handler is common; even in politics there is a controlling personality who will not coach or support, but instead, their goal (or mission) is to control and most likely, if they cannot control they will eradicate.
So how to recognize and differentiate the coach from the handler?
The coach is someone who will fan whatever little fire you have regarding anything. He or she will listen to truly comprehend what you want and will support that. They will be a personality for problem-solving and forward thinking, strategically planning landmarks with you while holding you accountable in a very loving and caring way.
He or she will make you feel powerful, remove doubts from your mind while giving realistic insights and assistance for the structuring of your life, setting the stage where success can actually be achieved. The only thing in the mind of a real coach is your success, the success of your project and your life, in business or even marriage; so the sole focus is the achievement of your overall happiness and fulfillment in this life.
The handler is someone who is either naturally unbalanced, with a deep desire to control another; or it could be a straight up narcissist, with some having heavy sociopathic traits and if so, he or she will only want to control for pleasure, and most likely they’ll begin to take credit for everything you do while diminishing your past accomplishments. Overall it would be a person that comes into your life with a focus on manipulation (emotional and psychological) only to control. It could be someone who says they want “to help” by giving input and insights, but that would only be to forward their own agenda, be it for purely monetary gain – so being paid for their so called coaching services – or they could carve out a “friendship.” But again, for their own controlling and manipulative pleasures.
Depending on what your position in society is already, it could be someone sent (employed by someone else) to “handle you” and in this way, you would be put in line with whatever agenda the employee wishes. Some handlers will just come in and mess up one’s life entirely for both a pay check and personal sociopathic pleasure.
Yes! These characters are a minority, but are fantastic manipulators, so it’s good to know they actually do exist.
In the event you are looking to make advancement, and are humble enough to ask or just accept advice from anyone, be it a coach, a friend, or even a family member, please make sure that you know the difference in behavior so you can scan very closely what their agenda truly is. Observe how they proceed in regard to “helping you out” and most importantly, follow your in-tuition and gut feeling because that compass is a true guide. And don’t worry if the handler tries to ridicule you, just know that, if something feels fishy there’s probably someone fishy around.
And lastly, by knowing the difference one will avoid hiring a handler for a coach. It would be terrible to actually pay someone to control you and very likely, usher you into not accomplishing your heartfelt life goals.
Varnashrama-dharma is based on honoring the diversity in unity that is the natural consequence of interdependence. When there is forced conformity, there will never be true unity; when there is simply diversity without any attempt at unity, this is anarchy. The divine monarch’s duty is to expertly engage the people according to their individual natures and responsibilities toward the central goal of developing a balanced society.
A divine monarch seeks to synergize his kingdom.
Synergy literally means that the total effect is greater than the sum of the individual elements. One plus one equals more than two. The ability to synergize a kingdom comes from celebrating the diversity among one’s subjects and then holding them accountable to fulfill both personal and social goals. It does not result from either dependent or independent citizens, but from those who recognize their interdependence.
Recognizing interdependence also results in the formation of symbiotic relationships. That is, relationships based on mutual need. In a symbiotic relationship, what it takes to maintain two distinct living entities is actually reduced as the two entities support each other’s needs and help one another attain success.
When the king honors unity in diversity, it allows for symbiotic relationships among his subjects wherein all benefit.
For interdependence to work, however, there has to be a common ground upon which the diversity expresses itself. Without that common ground or common goal, society will fall into chaos.
Diversity experts realize that by celebrating diversity, we can avoid four “cancers” that are detrimental to the achievement of synergy.
These are: • Criticism • Complaint • Comparison • Competition
Without celebrating diversity, we may exist, but will we flourish? In such a condition, we will not optimize our potential. Unless we learn to cooperate, we will only compromise. We must do away with divisive factors if we are to achieve synergy.
Too much independence destabilizes an institution or community because it produces anarchy. When there is social fragmentation, people will not bring out their best. Also, too much dependence is unhealthy because people will not be creative. They will not use their own initiative in performing their tasks but will tend to be dull and uninvolved on a personal level.
Nowadays, people are discussing codependency, which manifests at its worst in addictive behaviors. Codependency is often at conflict with one’s God consciousness, because the codependent person replaces God with his or her spouse, child, business or a substance such as alcohol or cocaine.
Every form of addiction is a misdirected religion. John Bradshaw, in his best-selling book, Healing the Shame that Binds You, discusses some of the dangers of addiction. He stresses how every addiction is an aborted religion—how it has a God, disciplines, devotees and rituals. The rituals might be seen in the way one passes around a marijuana joint, for example, or the way in which one drinks alcohol with friends.
Addictions have their moment of ecstasy, and their atonement. All addicts and codependent people are spiritually bankrupt. They are actually searching after the ecstasy that comes from God, but they look in all the wrong places. Bradshaw explains how shame is necessary for recovery, and that in codependency and addiction, one is overreacting to things outside and under-reacting to things inside.
Addicts believe something outside will bring them happiness. In materialistic society, where addiction is rampant, people tend to want to look for their happiness outside themselves rather than finding it within. A divine monarch helps people to focus more on both their individuality and their interdependence, and he himself leads from the inside out. His leadership example stimulates them to also look for inner happiness.
Bhakti Tirtha Swami Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness Volume II: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times
Yoga is not physical exercises Yoga is not merely difficult posture Yoga is not confined to attire Yoga is not renunciation of worldly life Yoga is not inactivity Yoga is not torturing oneself Yoga is not magic Yoga is not an exhibition Yoga is not a competition Yoga is not mysticism Yoga is not one’s inherited domain
NOW – ONLINE EXCEPTIONALLY
Yoga (in Sanskrit) means, to connect with the Divine.
1. Physically, from working with your Fascia (BowSpringYoga style) and breathing exercises. 2. Mentally and Psychologically, from the ‘Vibrational Medicine’ in the form of ‘Mantra Meditation’, which calms the mind and assists your alignment with the Divine. 3. Spiritually, from hearing sacred mantras that open pathways to transcendence.
THE CLASS Introduction to Chanting Yoga 10′ Fascia( BowSpringYoga style ) 40′ Benefits of Yoga and Mantra Meditation 10′ Contemporary vibrational enhancing techniques 15′
This method also assists in the speedy removal of stress, so you may enhance your assimilation of all the practices many fold.
This Summer, we will be near Madrid, in sunny Spain. Four days and three nights of Chanting Yoga Retreat.
Please visit Chanting Yoga for further details and to book – Thank you
Arrival date: Thursday July 16th lunch time. Departure date: Sunday the 19th late afternoon.
This historical ‘Conscious Farm’ is a fabulous location to relax, learn, reflect and communicate peacefully. You will develop skills that not only enhance your day-to-day life, but you’ll also acquire tools that eliminate stress, allowing a balanced life from which to operate every day.
What is included: Your accommodation All courses and activities (hiking – swimming) Three vegetarian meals (light at night)
Not included: Your flight Your pick up and drop off at the Madrid International Airport
Arguments for vegetarianism are strong in all aspects from HEALTH, ECOLOGY, ECONOMICAL and SPIRITUAL perspectives.
HEALTH
Human teeth are designed for grinding and chewing vegetable matter (like herbivores).
Humans lack sharp front teeth characterizing of carnivores – they swallow food without chewing and so don’t need molars or jaws that can move sideways.
To digest meat, stomach must contain digestive juices high in hydrochloric acid but humans and herbivores have this less than 1/20 the strength of carnivores.
As meat is corpse, it produces poisonous waste as it goes through the body, so it must be eliminated fast. Carnivores do this with an alimentary canal 3 times their body length. Human alimentary canals are 12 times body length allowing more toxic effects in the body.
The kidneys extract waste from the body and so must work tree times harder for flesh-eaters than for vegetarians. Youth can do this, but for older people it’s more of a strain causing risk of kidney disease or failure.
Natural flesh eaters can metabolize large amounts of animal fats and cholesterol. Humans cannot. The imbalance excess creates fatty deposits clogging the arteries, called atherosclerosis. This blocks flow of blood increasing chance of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and blood clots.
Cancer can be caused by high-fat low-fiber diet, which meat-centered diet tends to produce. As meat goes through colon, it releases poisons called carcinogens (cancer producing) properties.
Chemical preservatives in meat can react with certain chemicals found in beer, wine, tea, tobacco, creating NITROSAMINES which are cancer producing.
Animals are fattened by hormones, tranquilizers, antibiotics, and over 2000 other drugs. They are still present in flesh when eaten, though there is no law saying they must be declared on the label.
Sodium nitrate and nitrite are used to slow down decay of flesh, making meat seem bright and reddish, but without them, it would be gray/green and repelling to customers.
The pain to animals being slaughter produces pain poisons, which enter into the flesh (urea and uric acid) which further poison the flesh.
Vegetarianism is not a synonymous for boring meals!!!
NUTRITION
Often meat eaters feel vegetarianism means lack of protein but the eight of the 22 essential amino acids that are needed by the body, which came from protein, can be found in abundance in non flesh like: DAIRY PRODUCTS, GRAINS, BEANS, and NUTS. Cheese, peanuts, lentils for example, contains more protein per ounce than hamburger, pork or steak.
Some studies have found that both vegetarians and meat eaters take in more than twice the amount of protein needed. It can’t be used by the body and so becomes NITROGENOUS WASTE burdening the kidneys and reducing body energy capacity.
Proper vegetarianism also gives more nutritional energy than meat: A Brussels University study by Dr. Iotekyo and V. Kipani showed vegetarians could perform physical tests 2 to 3 times longer than flesh eaters before exhaustion, and fully recovered from tiredness in 1/5 of time for meat eaters.
HIDDEN COST OF MEAT
In terms of calories per acre, a diet of grains, vegetables and beans will support 20 times more people than a meat diet.
Using grain to feed animals for meat is very wasteful: for every 16 pounds of grain, you get 1 pound of flesh.
A report to the United Nations world food conference stated that: “The over consumption of meat by the rich means hunger to the poor”.
Some ecologist found that 1 pound of wheat growth requires 60 pounds of water while 1 pound of flesh requires 2.500 to 6000 pounds of water.
DO UNTO OTHER
Slaughterhouses contain screaming animals that are subdued by electric shock, concussion gun or hammer blow.
They are placed on conveyor belts and have their throat cut while on conveyor belt.
Pythagoras was vegetarian (and would pay fisher men to throw fish back into river).
Advocates of vegetarianism included Benjamin Franklin, Adam Smith, Shelley and Leo Tolstoy.
Matthew was born in Mississippi and raised in England. He spent many years living and traveling in Europe, soaking up the culture, playing music and writing poetry. Then, with the gravitational pull of a black hole, cinema devoured him.
His podcast is a vehicle for sharing his process and realizations about cinema, the filmmaker and the audience; and their effect on each other.
Matt in Los Angeles 2017
‘Cinema and the Psyche’ is a podcast for exploring the nature of the cinematic art form, the artist and audience, and the way they all interrelate. The focus will be on cinema as it appears in our multiplexes and independent cinemas.
I value the individual and the authentic artistic process as the
means for achieving true cinema. Therefore, I’m less concerned with
established ideas, academic outlooks and the views of current
(non-filmmaking) ‘experts’.
We’ll be concerned with those great filmmakers throughout history who defined the medium, but most of all, with my own understandings and realizations; ever searching for what mainstream cinema can be.
I hope you’ll join me on this journey into the depths of cinema. I
won’t always have the ‘right’ opinion or view, but it will be a genuine,
individualist approach to discovering the depth of cinema, the psyche
and their interrelation.
I expect to be posting at least one 20-30 minute episode each week. But, let’s see, as it is with all intuitional based works, anything can happen!
Lastly, the folks over at Patreon.com
have created something wonderful. In their own words: “Patreon’s
mission? Oh, nothing short of helping every creator in the world achieve
sustainable income. We’re making this happen by building the best
platform for creators to make money, run their creative businesses, and
connect with the fans who matter most.”
So, go check out my Patreon page, and if you’re inspired by the podcast, or even want to become part of our core endeavor – making movies at www.yogamayafilms.com – give something monthly. All the details are over there, at www.patreon.com/cinema_podcast. Thanks for tuning in!
High-resolution EEG investigation of meditation According to recent investigations, theta and alpha oscillations are defined as narrow frequency bands reflecting the activity of multifunctional neuronal networks.These are deferentially associated with orientation, attention, memory, effective, and cognitive processing. 128-channel ESI System (ESI-128, NeuroScan Labs.) and 64-channel QuikCap with imbedded Ag/AgCl electrodes (NeuroSoft, Inc.) were used inorder to record these EEG from 62 active scalp sites referenced to the tip of the nose along with both vertical and horizontal electrooculograms (EOGs). EEG spectral power and coherence was estimated in the individually defined delta, theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, and alpha-3 bands and were used to identify and characterize brain regions involved in the meditative states, in which focused internalized attention gave rise to emotionally positive ‘blissful’ experience.
Blissful state was accompanied by an increase in anterior frontal and midline theta synchronization as well as an enhanced theta long-distant connectivity between prefrontal and posterior cortex with distinct ‘center of gravity’ in the left prefrontal region (AF3 site). Therefore, subjective scores of emotional experience significantly correlated with theta waveforms whereas scores of internalized attention were correlated with both theta and alpha lower synchronization.
Conclusion These results suggest selective associations of theta and alpha oscillating networks activity with states of internalized attention and positive emotional experience.
Spectral power changes between eyes closed and meditation conditions in the short-term (STM) and long-term (LTM) meditators in the theta, alpha-1, and alpha-2
Coherence changes between eyes closed and meditation conditions in the STM and LTM in the theta band. Solid lines indicate coherence increase whereas dashed lines point to coherence decrease (the thicker lines relate to error probability of P < 0.001, the thinner lines relate to P < 0.01
EEG WAVEFORMS
Traditional time domain EEG spectra are separated into fundamental bands qualitatively based on shape and range of frequency for clinical and research applications. These generally occur within the limits of 0.1 to 35 Hz for clinical and include alpha, beta, delta, and theta waves. When many of the individual bands occur repeatedly in a specific area of the brain, they produce a complex EEG waveform observed in traditional EEG recording methods.
Alpha wave
Normal alpha rhythms are characterized by sinusoidal waveforms occurring between 8 to 13 Hz. Although the specific amplitude varies from one individual to another, it typically ranges from 20 to 60 mV and rarely exceeds 100 mV. They are believed to originate in the posterior region of the brain and are generally observed in the parietal, occipital, and posterior temporal areas. Alpha rhythms are best detected when an individual is mentally inactive, and they are often seen when the subject is awake, relaxed, and in an environment relatively free of stimuli. These rhythms are inhibited by the ascending reticular activating system at the onset of an unanticipated stimulus or when an individual exhibits increased mental and visual activity. The rhythms disappear completely when a person becomes drowsy. This “alpha dropout” is characterized by the eventual replacement of the alpha waves by a low voltage, mixed frequency pattern. Once asleep, patterns known as sleep spindles may appear which resemble alpha rhythms but periodically produce clusters of extremely large spikes in 1 to 2 second interval (Niedermeyer, 1993). These spindle formations are referred to as spindle coma patterns when observed in comatose patients who have preserved their normal sleep patterns (Synek, 1988). Despite the somewhat similar appearance to alpha waves, spindle waves are clearly different and originate in the thalamus where they inhibit the synaptic transmission of that structure (Steriade, 1993).
Beta wave
Beta rhythms include all frequencies above 13 Hz with low amplitudes rarely exceeding that of 30 mV. They can exist simultaneously throughout the cortex at various frequencies but are most common to the frontal and central head regions in nearly all healthy adults. Beta rhythms can be extremely fast with an upper limit between 50 and 100 Hz. Enhanced or fast beta activity occurs over isolated bone defects and is also an effect of minor tranquillisers, barbiturates, and some nonbarbiturate sedatives. Remarkably accentuated beta rhythms are usually classified as only slightly abnormal unless they occur in unresponsive individuals, which may be an indication of a severe abnormality (Niedermeyer, 1993). Frontal beta activity may be one of the fastest EEG frequencies and is common in normal sleeping individuals. Posterior beta activity also may be present in some individuals where it mimics the alpha rhythms blocking and enhancement reactivity to eye opening. In addition, localized bursts of 40 Hz oscillations are characteristic prior to voluntary movement, such as wrist or finger extensions, and beta synchronization appears at approximately 20 Hz after movement (Pfurtscheller, 1992; Pfurtscheller 1996).
Delta wave
Delta rhythms consist of low frequency, high-amplitude waveforms recorded between 1 to 4 Hz with amplitude ranges commonly from 20 to 30 mV. Delta waves can be seen in the posterior regions of the head, and/or they can occur on either side of the temporal region. However, they are most often recorded over the left cerebral cortex. These rhythms are produced by thalamocortical neurons and are virtually absent in the EEGs of normal alert individuals. Delta waves are associated with periods of unconsciousness typically appearing in cerebral monitoring during sleep, coma, or after convulsive seizure. They also are common following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can occur in conjunction with elevations in intracerebral pressure (ICP) due to an obstruction of the cerebral spinal fluid system or an expanding lesion (Rumpl, 1979). In such cases, waveforms of 0.5 to 5 Hz are recorded diffusely over the cranium. Customarily, waveforms below 1 Hz have been classified as delta waves. However, intracellular recordings indicate that these waveforms are derived from different mechanisms than those waves ranging from 1 and 4 Hz. The slower oscillations are generated by corticothalamic and reticular thalamic neurons, and they are significant abnormalities in severe coma patients (Steriade, 1993). ‘Psychomotor poverty’ is positively correlated with both delta and beta power and ‘reality distortion’ was significantly positively correlated with alpha-2 power (Harris, 1999).
Theta and Gamma wave
Theta waves measure from 4 to 7.5 Hz and have low to moderate amplitudes. They are presumed to originate in the thalamus and are associated with the hippocampus and limbic system. Theta rhythms can be recorded in the frontal, temporal, central, and posterior head regions and are rarely the predominant waveform, frequently mixed with alpha and beta waves. In fact, theta waves are most often seen in conjunction with alpha waves despite their different production mechanisms. Theta rhythms appear in various capacities at different stages of development and maturation. These waveforms also play a vital role in conditions of drowsiness and sleep in all ages and may be linked to the emotional processes in children (Niedermeyer, 1993). Frontal midline theta rhythm is a distinct theta activity of EEG in the frontal midline area that appears during concentrated performance of mental tasks in normal subjects and reflects focused attentional processing. Analysis showed bilateral medial prefrontal cortices, including anterior cingulate cortex, as the source of frontal theta, suggesting suggests that focused attention is mainly related to medial prefrontal cortex (Ishii et al, 1999). It has been suggested that immediate memory in humans may be mediated in the theta band (Towle et al., 1999).
Arousal may be a necessary condition for Gamma activity. In states of extremely low arousal (anaesthesia and non-REM sleep), there is minimal Gamma activity and evidence points to a positive linear relationship between arousal and level of Gamma. Sheer (1984) captured the essential role of arousal in the modulation of Gamma in his interpretation of Gamma activity as a `focused state of cortical arousal’. It has been hypothesised that in patients with schizophrenia, the integration, associating, timing, coupling or binding of spatially diffuse cerebral activity related to a specific cognitive task may be a key feature of the pathophysiology.
Neuroimaging studies of hypnosis have identified many of the same cerebral responses posited in the model of meditation proposed by Newberg and Iversen. In both meditation and hypnosis, attention drives the prefrontal and cingulate cortices which interact with other structures including nuclei of the thalamus and brainstem as well as parietal cortices, resulting in states of decreased vigilance and increased attention.
Furthermore, hypnosis studies have demonstrated distinctive associations between certain brain networks and mental relaxation and absorption. Specifically, hypnotic relaxation involves brain areas known to regulate arousal and vigilance while mental absorption involves a brain network underlying attention mechanisms. Additional increases in occipital rCBF during guided meditation and hypnosis may reflect a decrease in vigilance and in cross-modality suppression, associated with decreases in the cortical release of norepinephrine, and leading to a facilitation of experiential changes. Meditative techniques form a dichotomy roughly akin to the extremes of the allegorical spotlight of attention. Concentrative techniques involve sustained focal attention (e.g. on the breath) whereas receptive techniques involve unfocused sustained attention (e.g. mindfulness meditation). Further, meditative techniques may be self guided or externally guided via an instructor or recording. Similarly, hypnosis can be self induced or induced by a hypnotist.
Considering the striking similarities in their experiential and brain correlates, meditation and hypnosis appear to be closely related phenomena and hypnosis may be conceived as a western form of guided meditation.
Check out out amazing Vedic Times & Chanting Yoga Retreats
Yoga is not confined to attire Yoga is not renunciation of worldly life Yoga is not inactivity Yoga is not torturing oneself Yoga is not magic Yoga is not an exhibition Yoga is not a competition Yoga is not merely difficult posture Yoga is not mysticism Yoga is not one’s inherited domain
Who, Where, When and How?
Yoga is recommended to everyone.
One must have patience and faith in the Guru (teacher).
One can start yoga and meditation at any time in their life after understanding the basic fundamentals.
As yoga and meditation facilitates to control kama (lust), lobha (greed), moha (attachment) and control indriyas (senses), hence, one should have good level of motivation and sincerity.
Experience of the self is the first stage which is followed by the second stage that is one of complete visualization and transcendence.
Meditation
What is Meditation?
Meditation is the yogic technique that enables us to experience “self”. Experience of the self is the first stage which is followed by the second stage that is one of complete visualization and transcendence.
During these stages one would experience:
Emergence of consciousness
Enlargement of consciousness
Merging of consciousness with cosmic consciousness.
The meditation approach is based on understanding of total personality and cure and not the symptoms alone.
Biologically and physiologically, the subconscious human brain is similar to the animal brain. It runs on preset patterns. The higher layer of brain tissue available to humans is the conscious brain, which provides the realization to free will and choice. If this higher faculty is not used to become more conscious of the higher aspects of life, it is taken away in the next lifetime.
Karmically, to have animals killed en mass in slaughterhouses creates such heavy Karma that it is paid by having humans slaughtered en mass in wars. Killing plants/vegetables also is an act creating Karma. The protection from the reaction comes by offering those vegetables to the Supreme Person with love. Then the reaction (karmic) to the act is eliminated.
Yoga has been found to be efficacious in: Smoking and Alcohol dependence: Substance Dependence (Bowen et.al 2007), Anxiety and Tension / Stress (Burkett et al, 2006, Lee, 2007, Lindberg, 2005), Insomnia and Epilepsy (Yardi, 2001). Psoriasis, Chronic low back pain (LBP) (Williams, 2005). Immunity (Lindberg, 2005, Roggia, 2001), Cardiac diseases, Asthma/ COPD, Eating Disorders, Depression/ Dysthymia (Lindberg, 2005;Galantino, 2003, Pilkington,2005). Adjunct to Infertility Treatment (Khalsa, 2003; Khalsa, 2004). Chronic Fatigue syndrome, Psychosomatic disorders (Galantino, 2003). Perimenopause/ Menopause (Cohen et al.2007), Prostrate cancer, Carpal-tunnel syndrome (Garfinkel, 1998), ect..
The most important rationale is the growing acceptance of utilizing the human self-regulatory capabilities for the treatment of psychosomatic diseases. Yogic approaches are the prime example of such human self-regulatory capacities (Singh, 2006).
The individual consciousness (jiva) falls victim to the desires, wishes, fears, doubts, convictions, pattern formations and drives which in turn lead to disturbance in the psychic energy and gives rise to suffering and disorders. Meditation helps in relaxation and uplifts a person spiritually. Meditation like Kundalini Yoga regulates the neurotransmitters, hormones and enhances coherence between the two brain hemispheres. Chanting mantras, meditation, rhythmic movements have a positive effect on our emotions. The parasympathetic system is activated which facilitates relaxation (Aftanas 2002; Kjaer, 2002).
In the last two decades of research in meditation, scientific evidence suggest that meditation has improved immune response, decreased response to sympathetic nervous system, in modification of cardiac symptoms, reduction of pain, reversal of heart symptoms and slowing of the aging process.
Emotional and spiritual benefits through meditation are far more efficacious and early response is noticed as compared to cognitive restructuring and psychotherapy. It enhances self esteem and cultivates self dependence (Aftanas, 2002; Infant, 2001; Travis,2001).
The term “stress” was coined by Hans Seyle, and defines as non specific response of the body and mind to any demand, and adaptation to challenge. This physiological and psychological response is called general adaptation syndrome.
There have been various models that explain the role of stress in the development of an illness.
Due to the constant hassles of daily living and work in the form of ongoing interpersonal difficulties, persistent threat to security, financial deprivation, and other life events (stress, distress) have acted as triggering effect on the illness. This has precipitated the illness at an early age, a concept known as “brought forward time”
Stress strains the coping mechanism resulting in sequences of internal changes, which are outwardly expressed as illness. The “crisis theory” as proposed by Lindermann and Sating states that stress produces disequilibrium (crisis) resulting in either adaptative changes or maladaptive changes (emotional and physical illness).
The cybernetic model by Kagan and Levi suggests that there is a two-way interaction between psychosocial stress and psychobiological program which determines the physiological and psychological reaction leading to precursor of disease. Yoga has been found to be efficacious in resolving this stress by enhancing the internal power, rather than banking on the chemical agents.
It delays the expression of illness. It must be emphasized here that yoga is not a substitute to pharmacological intervention in acute cases, rather has an augmenting and supplementing therapeutic effect with pharmacotherapy in illness.
What prevents you from achieving at a higher level?
Lack of confidence in public speaking?
Anxiety, panic or a phobia?
Feelings of fear, greed, anger, depression, sadness, guilt, frustration, jealousy, hurt, resentment, stress or other?
Difficulty influencing others towards agreements?
Concept of what you are worth financially?
Burnt out?
Slumps in performance?
Substance abuse?
Your value system?
How to achieve success at the highest level?
How will this program help you?
A study on meditation in the workplace showed that meditation:
Increased effectiveness in the work place.
Reduced anxiety, work stress, insomnia and tiredness.
Reduced cigarette smoking and alcohol intake.
Increased job satisfaction.
It reorganizes your energy and vital force.
Heightens resistance to common diseases (viral infections).
Pranayam and meditation is known to boost your immune system.
Gain control of your emotions and mind.
Regularity and punctuality.
Better understanding in family and social life.
Increases memory.
Enhances Virtues like straight forwardness, generosity, honesty and productivity.
Managing negative emotions/feelings means an individual can achieve success at a higher level and an organization can perform closer to peak efficiency. The bottom line is increased job satisfaction and bigger profits.
Awakening our original consciousness.
Experiencing great peace and supreme knowledge.
Strengthen and recondition your entire body.
Meditation has been known to be effective in reversing heart disease, dealing with negative emotions, reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, diminishing anxiety, stopping smoking, weight loss, eating disorders, addictions, boosting the immune system, and improving sports performance.
Regain youthful flexibility in spine and limbs.
Asanas (physical postures) have shown to improve the flexibility of the spine and help in the mobility of the joints.
Redistribute weight.
Illness and Yoga
1) Hypertension
In patients with anxiety, there is an increased level of catecholamine, particularly norepinephrine and epinephrine. Patients performing transcendental meditation had stable levels of catecholamine. This in turn regulated the sympatho-adrenenal medulla system, resulting in stable blood pressure (Infante, 2001).
2) Insomnia
Meditation has shown to be beneficial in sleep related problems.
3) Epilepsy
Transcendental meditation: A double-edged sword in epilepsy: Transcendental Meditation is derived from ancient yogic teachings. Both short- and long-term physiological correlates of TM practice have been studied. EEG effects include increased alpha, theta, and gamma frequencies and increased coherence and synchrony. Neuronal hyper synchrony is a cardinal feature of epilepsy, and subjective psychic symptoms, apnoea, and myoclonic jerking are characteristic of both epileptic seizures. Clinical studies of similar techniques suggest that meditation has a potential antiepileptic therapy.
In various studies, it has been suggested that behavioural phenomena have an underlying epileptic basis, and the potential efficacy for seizure reduction may translate into improved quality of life. However, more understanding is warranted by clinical trials before a blanket statement regarding the efficacy in seizure disorder is made (Yardi, 2000).
4) Smoking and Alcohol dependence: Substance Dependence
A study by Bowen et al. (2007), in a population of alcohol dependent explored the role of Vipassana, a mindfulness meditation practice emphasizes acceptance rather than suppression of unwanted thoughts. They concluded that Vipassana was effective in reduction in substance use as compared to controls. This was achieved as Vipassana meditation course volunteers reported greater reduction in attempts to avoid unwanted thoughts.
5) Psoriasis
In a study by Frankel (1998), in patients with psoriasis found that meditation helped as an adjuvant therapy. The rate of recovery of plaques was 3.8 times faster in the meditation group as compared to control, this was achieved in as little as four weeks time.
6) Chronic back pain
Back pain is an significant public health problem globally and is the most commonly reported reason for use of complimentary alternative medicine particularly yoga. Asthnga yoga and Iyengar yoga, have been found to be efficacious in patients with low back pain. Iyenger yoga has derived from Asthanga yoga, which consists of eight limbs including morale injunctions, rules for personal conduct, posture, breath control, sense withdrawal, concentration, meditation and self realization (Williams, 2005). Krusen, known as one of the early fathers of physical medicine, has credited yoga posture exercises as a means to correct spinal slumping, and thereby improve the respiratory capacity. Stretching of muscles, which produce propioceptive stimulation thereby relaxing muscle tension and restoring optimal muscle tone and posture
7) Depression
Depression is among the five most common disorders seen in primary care. Disability caused by depressive disorder rivals that of coronary artery disease and is greater than disability caused by chronic lung disease and osteoarthritis according to medical outcome study. Cost of depressive disorders in terms of treatment, missed work and loss of function is 43 billion US dollars annually. There have been various studies that have shown to be efficacious as an adjuvant therapy in patients with depressive disorder. (Pilkington et. al., 2005)
8) Psychosomatic disorders
The above-described paths of yoga help the individual in integrating the personality and steadying the mind by changing the attitude and motivation, by developing health and correct habits and by modifying priorities and values of life.
Breathing exercises help in bio-energy control, which then stabilizes emotional upheaval of illness. Yoga Asanas manipulate nervous system and divert body energy to establish the equilibrium of physical, mental and spiritual aspect of the individual’s life. Yoga hygiene not only removes the habit of unhealthy nutrition, but also establishes homeostatic balance. Somatic symptoms evolve due to fault in psychic energy distribution as explained in psychology. Yoga helps in re-channeling the psychic energy (Singh, 2006).
9) Perimenopause/ Menopause
Restorative yoga for treatment of hot flushes has been found to be effective as there was a significant decrease in mean number of hot flushes by 34% from baseline after 8 weeks of intervention. It has no adverse effects and has been suggested to be efficacious in middle-aged women (Cohen, 2007; Khalsa, 2004)
10) Carpal-tunnel syndrome
Yoga in treatment of carpal-tunnel syndrome (Winston, 1999) : Carpel tunnel syndrome is compressive neuropathy of the medial nerve in the carpel tunnel, its more common in women than men, as women have smaller carpel bone, hence less space to accommodate the nerve of similar diameter. With the extensive use of computer keyboard, the wrong posture has led to an increase in the number of new cases in the recent past. In a randomized control trial, it has been shown that eight weeks of Yoga has been found to be beneficial. There was significant reduction in the pain, and better grip strength (Sequeira, 1999).
11) Cancers
Similar to breast cancer, studies of people with prostate cancer suggest that melatonin levels are lower compared to men without cancer, and test tube studies have found that melatonin inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells. Meditation is a valuable addition to the treatment of prostate cancer. The positive effects of meditation may be due to a rise in levels of melatonin in the body.
12) Obesity
With the practice of asanas and meditation one can achieve weight loss to a greater degree in a short span of time. Weight can be reduced faster then most diets.
Caring for our body
Man has unconsciously tried to be forever young. Man has adopted various methods to achieve this goal, which has been futile and vain to a larger extent. They forget that use of revitalizing lotions or toners to erase the wrinkles is not sufficient. Pharmacological and other toxic substances (viz Botox- Botulin for wrinkles) would not help, to attain youthfulness, vigor and vitality. Yoga and meditation is suggested here, which is devoid of side effects and has lasting effect. (Infant, 2001; Travis, 1999;Travis,2001).
It enhances flexibility, regulates blood circulation, toning muscles, and redistributing body mass and enhances alertness and clarity of faculties of mind.
Yoga is a divine science, taking the mankind on the path of positive thinking. Its basis is banked on the homeostasis of all the systems as proposed by George Engel. The learned saints of ancient India discovered this process. Yoga is complete in every aspect as it touches the every sphere of human life. It is a complete science that provides a healthy lifestyle and a complete preventive medication system. Above all, it is an enlightening spiritual art. Saint Patanjali brought Yoga 5000 years ago, in a disciplined manner to preserve and produce the eight yogic practices in the form of Yoga Sutra.
Moreover, the popularity of Yoga lies in the fact that it has never bounded itself within the narrow-minded attitude of sex, community, area, religion, caste, and language.
