In the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday season, please take a moment to give thanks for all the blessings that you have currently. Notice I said currently, not what you did have or what you would like to have. The thankfulness should start out really simple …very simple.

Giving thanks that you can breathe, for there are many who struggle daily with COPD, asthma, emphysema, or mesothelioma etc. Giving thanks that you can still walk, for those who have lost their legs to war, accidents, paralysis or diabetes.

Giving thanks that you can read this to broaden the mind and a simple pleasure of being able to read a joke, or cartoon to make you smile. You get the picture. So often the very basics that impact the quality of life are the simplest, never mentally appreciated until they are gone or stripped away from you. 

If you start out the day with a small meditation like this and just give thanks for what you already have and maybe even take for granted, the day may seem a little lighter and brighter. For me it is an excellent mediation, sometimes in a form of a prayer, awakening my consciousness to the fact that I have so much abundance in my life.

This is a humbling exercise in a time of year that is traditionally so full of over-stimulation and competition. By staying simple – a truly Taoist attribute – we come to realize that joy and happiness are a by-product of appreciating our God-given gifts. 

The modern world of the 21rst century is enormous with rapid change. Formless Taoism is a way to experience and to gain peace within oneself for the 21rst century – exuding that peace in all you do. It is not religion, nor does it follow any other markings of a Taoist sect of thought. It can’t if it’s to be redesigned for the 21rst century. Old truths will always be true, but the language we use to explain them has to evolve - as so do we. Therefore, previous terminology, stratifications, charts and everything else must evolve to meet the modern mind and truth. Formless Taoism is a way to train the mind to be able to deal with life’s inevitable problems, to reflect the changing world, to utilize the powers of the mind and the heart and to see the options in life. It tears away the delusion (judgment) that causes suffering and gives a perspective on how to live an authentic life. It allows the body, mind and spirit to heal from trauma. The methods increase concentrative abilities thereby being able to make optimal decisions with far less stress to the system. The result is a peaceful state of mind no matter what life throws at you. The Formless Taoist method of instruction www.formlesstaoism.com opens up the doorway for true and lasting change. It is a pure way of training minds, consciousness and expanding ones ability to think independently. With this training, not only do doors of spiritual understanding open, but also critical thinking, decision-making and emotional discernment become increasingly clear. One of my favorite authors, Thomas Merton wrote, : "Mystical Theology" and "Contemplation" are two ways of saying the same thing. So in Formless Taoism, we use contemplation or meditation as our vehicle and the power of that vehicle is based in nature. Nature being the most authoritative, enduring force that we can witness, experience and scratch the surface of understanding. Nature becomes our textbook and the Mind becomes the student. Formless Daoism is meant to be experienced and felt, never to be locked into stasis, but free to grow and evolve into an intrapersonal evolution assisting the embodiment of ones’ own spirit, towards a fulfillment of ones destiny. << MORE >>

As the New Year rolls around, and we begin to think about our New Year Resolutions…many of which include diet and exercise. Diet and exercise control something called inflammation - which is born from stress. Now if there is no stress in your life, then you don’t have to read the rest of this blog.

 

Where you aware that inflammation is the possible cause of 80 – 90% of diseases in the body? Another way of saying this is to say that the reaction the body has to un-channeled, unfocused chronic stress is synonymous with inflammation. This low–grade inflammation that very people think about, know about, is the demise of our health.

 

Stress/inflammation can lead into such common disease as Alzheimer’s, allergies, Arthritis (yes, all of the over 100 types), heart disease, MS, cancer, IBS, ulcers, skin disorders, migraines – and the list goes on.

 

Theories of where does inflammation start have been postulated from dendritic cells, to Eosinophils, to B-Cell development to CD4 and CD8 Effector cells and then which systems mediate and keep the inflammation process accelerating including:  immunoglobins,  prostaglandins,Chemokines ( Interleukin-1, or IL-2, or IL-12, or  Il-17, or IL-23 in Autoimmunity). Wheeeeew!

All of this research point to one simple fact: the medical/research community is baffled by the complete process of inflammation.

 

This article is not to give you a crash chemistry lesson, but to assure you that one of the most profound answers to 21rst century health care is much simpler than you think. Well, in that simplicity – it reveals ultra complexity!

 

In my research and in my own experience of surviving cancer, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, and multiple surgeries and infections from those surgeries, I am here to tell you that nothing ……Nothing ….will ever help you to heal and recuperate your health more than training the mind/body with the easiest being exercise or movement based therapies.

 

If fact if you have a disease – you can guarantee that inflammation from stress plays a huge part in its development and/or exacerbation. And no, you can’t just blame your genes anymore. Genetics plays less than 20% of your disease. Genes are not your destiny…!!!

 

Emotions, Diet, exercise (or the lack thereof), and stress control your destiny! 

In other words, your mind…or your reactions to your internal /external environment – processed by the mind are your destiny.

 

Movement Is key to a healthy mind and body. Bodhidharma, way back in the 5^th /6ht century found this out when the monks he was trying to teach to become enlightened by meditation, could not hold a single point thought becasue their body was so deconditioned.  For as long as you occupy this vessel or body, it is designed to move, work and then rest and relax or meditate - a Yin / Yang balance.

 

A brief summary of how inflammation starts and continues in the body:

 

·      Stress causes an increased output of cortisol from the adrenal glands which fuels inflammation.

 

·      Lack of sleep places a stress on the body with an inability to recuperate from previous days stressors.

 

·      Too much fat, sugar, preservatives,  processed and fast foods, sodas and energy drinks as well as over-proportioned amounts of fatty meat.

 

·      An imbalance of organisms in your gut causes your immune system to overreact. H pylori is a bacteria in the stomach that contributes to inflammation and the development of ulcers. H pylori is present in 50% of adults over 60 years old and in 20% of adults under the age of 40!

 

·      Leaky gut – an increase in the permeability of the intestinal lining can result in toxins leaking from the bowel resulting in inflammation

 

·      Chronic low-grade food allergies or food sensitivities that may cause few symptoms.

 

·      Toxins from food, water, your environment and personal care products. Most folks never think about the products they rub on their skin, but much of that can be absorbed into the blood.

 

·      Food sensitivity or intolerance and food allergies cause low grade inflammation

 

·      Obesity  – the fatty tissues of the body secrete hormones that regulate the immune system and inflammation, but in the case of an overweight individual this can become out of control.

 

·      Dehydration makes inflammation worse

 

So what can we do? Well start by including the following foods.

10 excellent inflammation-fighting foods

·      Long Grain rice (Basmati, Jasmine etc) are really good for helping quiet inflammation and is a great alternative to the enormous amount of wheat product we consume

 

·      Wild caught salmon, not farm-raised salmon, is another way to get beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. You can also try other fatty fish like mackerel and sardines.

 

·      Tart cherries can reduce inflammation ten times better than aspirin! Tart cherries or cherry juice help reduce your risk for heart disease. Tart Cherry juice is also good to drink for bladder infections and UTI’s.

 

·      Walnuts are often mentioned, but I have found a lot of folks allergic to this nut. A better choice is chestnuts roasted.

 

·      Onions and Garlic. Onions have lots of quercetin, a potent antioxidant that can help your body fight inflammation. Be careful with onions if you have an irritable gut.  Garlic has long been a folk remedy for colds and illness, and its anti-inflammatory properties are spectacular. Again be careful not to eat too much at once until you know your tolerance. Also, fresh garlic needs to be mashed in order for it to become biologically active with its anti-inflammatory properties.

 

·      Fermented Foods and Liquids like organic Keefer, Yogurt  and raw milk are good for the gut. If the gut is happy, your body is happy!

 

·      Spices: Ginger & Tumeric

Turmeric is a spice used extensively in other cultures, and for good reason. It contains curcumin, a substance that actively reduces inflammation.

Ginger works in a way similar to tumeric to lower inflammation and in some studies has been shown to reduce pain associated with arthritis.

 

Next…GO FOR A WALK !!!

Yes ..this is the oldest form of exercise and is probably the best and always will be. Take your dog for a walk and then pet the dog -  all has been proven to lower blood pressure and the inflammation response!

 

If you would like to find out more on how to reduce inflammation/stress and become educated on anti-aging therapies, please contact Inner Strength at 724-845-1041 or 1- 800-chi-gung.

 

Over 100 million people have trouble sleeping....well pretty much all of us at one time or another. But what I am speaking here is chronic - night after night of sleeplessness. Often, people will say that they dreamt all nigh and awoke exhausted too. 

We now know that dreams, once thought to occur only during REM sleep, also occur (but to a lesser extent) in all sleep phases. It is theorized that there may not be a single moment of our sleep when we are actually dreamless.

REM dreams are characterized by bizarre plots, but non-REM dreams are repetitive and thought-like, with little imagery – such as obsessing that you forgot to lock the door to the house.

In a recent survey of 4,000 people with sleep issues, 65% stated that the number one reason they cannot fall asleep or have interrupted sleep is because of the inability to let go of the stress of the day. No surprise there

Unresolved stress manifest in disturbed sleep patterns affecting the internal organs  in Chines Medicine. From rebellious Qi (acid reflux) to Shen disturbances manifesting in manic mood swings in bi-polar patients or initiating depression sequences. Research shows that an inability to sleep is one of the major signs of clinical depression.  

Formless Taoism and Dream Therapy

In Formless Taoism, I have developed a method of utilizing lucid dreaming and therapeutic goal setting to assist patients in their progress towards healing. Since we spend one third of our lives sleeping, it makes sense to use this as a pro-active means of reinforcing and programming ourselves for success and happiness.

In sessions, we uncover many of the fears and insecurities that are preventing a client from achieving their objectives. Whether that is removing the fear of dying in a phase four cancer patient or ameliorating the worry of past transgressions and facing forgiveness of self and others, the patient can now begin to program themselves towards a healthier way of consciously living. 

If you would like to read more, see my article in Qi Magazine this month for the full and complete article.

Or you can make an appointment here at Inner Strength. Please call us at 724-845-1041.

The self is limitless, like the Tao

People consume their own blood in defining their boxes

As you create a right, you create a wrong

By creating division, you create limitation. 

In a recent medical publication, there has been some startling news with regards to drug interactions (no surprise!)

 Reported this month, the popular class of antacids that includes Aciphex, Dexilant, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix (called Proton Pump Inhibitors) increases the risk of C. diff infection and bone fracture!

 Perhaps the scariest PPI risk is serious infection with C.difficile bacteria, a hard-to-cure infection that minimally causes severe diarrhea. Stomach acid with proper pH levels does a wonderful job of keeping C.diff down.

PPI's, however, keep stomach acid below the levels that protect against this bad bug. Yet another reason to look for other options for heartburn, which most of these drugs are prescribed for.  Additionally, allopathic medicine knows that most stomach ulcers and associated digestive disorders are caused by an equally insidious bacterial infection. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), not only triggers ulcers and acid reflux, but is behind the growing rates of stomach cancer, too!

 A lot of data comes from the more than 130,000 women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative.  Women who reported current PPI use were 47% more likely to have had a spine fracture, 26% more likely to have a forearm or wrist fracture, and 25% more likely to have any kind of fracture. Clearly, a lot of this risk can be avoided!

 I have developed an easy to follow program that keeps the stomach acid in the proper ph range and 90% of time eliminates the need for these drugs and their life-threatening side effects.

 Often times this can be explained and a full gamelan given in just one appointment. To me, working with difficult cases it is like solving a mystery where the clues are sparse and unconnected. If you would like me to help you solve your mystery, please see my website at www.inner-strength.com for more details. Additionally, stress is such an impetus or catalyst for many issues of stomach upset and reflux. Please check out www.inner-strength.org to see many stress relieving options.

Careful which ‘Organic “ milk product you buy!!!

Many of the “cheaper” organic milks have bGH or rBGH in them which is an additive that I believe is extremely dangerous to all humans and pets (dogs/cats) and can still be listed as "Organic!"

Bovine growth hormone, or bovine somatotropin (also called bGH, rbGH, or bST), is given to cows to make them mature faster and produce more milk. The hormone is produced by cows' pituitary gland and an extra amino acid is attached before it's injected into dairy cows. Any of the above listed products should be avoided in your milk, yogurt cottage, cheese consumption and needs to be labeled as such.

rBGH, is a highly potent genetically engineered version of BGH, the natural bovine growth hormone manufactured by Monsanto.

rBGH is sold to dairy farmers under the trade name Posilac. Injection of this hormone forces cows to increase their milk production by about 10%. Why we need this is a mystery, as currently, there is national surplus of milk production. Monsanto has stated that about one third of dairy cows in the nation are in large herds where the hormone is now used. rBGH factory farms now pose a major threat to the viability of small organic dairy farms, and fattens Monsanto’s pockets without any benefits to consumers.

Monsanto, strongly supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), still insists that hormonal milk is indistinguishable from natural milk, and that it is safe. This is blatantly false according to Samuel S. Epstein, M.D. Professor emeritus Environmental & Occupational Medicine University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Chairman, Cancer Prevention Coalition.

Dr. Epstein further states that: 

Ø rBGH makes cows sick. Monsanto has been forced to admit to about 20 toxic effects, including mastitis, on its Posilac drug label.

Ø rBGH milk is often contaminated with pus, due to mastitis commonly induced by rBGH, and also with antibiotics used to treat the mastitis. This poses risks of nationwide antibiotic resistance to life threatening infections.

Ø rBGH milk is chemically, and nutritionally different than natural milk. These differences include increased levels of milk fat, posing cardiovascular risks.

Ø Milk from cows injected with rBGH is contaminated with the hormone, traces of which are absorbed through the gut into the blood, and provoke foreign antibodies.

Ø rBGH milk is supercharged with high levels of a natural growth factor (IGF-1), which is readily absorbed through the gut. These levels are further increased following pasteurization.

Ø In numerous published scientific studies over the last two decades, excess levels of IGF-1 have been incriminated as causes of breast, colon, and prostate cancers. IGF-1 blocks natural defense mechanisms, technically known as apoptosis, against the growth of early submicroscopic cancers.

Clearly then, these additives need to be avoided.

The FDA and bGH manufacturers have resisted public demand that milk containing bGH be labeled as such. In fact, they have also opposed labeling milk as “bGH-free.” Your best defense is to look for manufacturers that label “rbGH-free." 

As an advocate for healthy eating/living, we should all demand these products be eliminated from our grocery shelves and stop supporting companies who use them.

The bigger question then is:  who knows what long term effects these chemicals will have on our aging, disease progression and development?  

In fact, most people including MD’s do not recognize chemical sensitivity or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) because the symptoms are so vague. Anything from rash, hives, bloating and gas, breathing problems, sore throat, sneezing, stuffy head or congestion, fatigue, and migraines can be caused from chemical sensitivity.<< MORE >>

I have always believed that that power of mind is the most important part of healing available in any medical technique – whether allopathic or naturopathic/complimentary.

A recent article published in Scientific American states exactly that same thing: “A controversial article just published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that antidepressants are no more effective than placebos for most depressed patients.

(Think about that statement for a moment!)

Jay Fournier and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania aggregated individual patient data from six high-quality clinical trials and found that the superiority of antidepressants over Placebo is clinically significant only for patients who are very severely depressed.  For patients with mild, moderate, and even severe depression, placebos work nearly as well as antidepressants (Again, please think about that statement for a moment!)

There have been at least four other review articles published in the last eight years that have come to similar conclusions about the limited clinical efficacy of antidepressants

 

……..In clinical practice, of course, there is no placebo group, and therefore patients and their doctors are likely to attribute all symptom improvement to the medication.”

Wow!  I am sure that this will be challenged almost immediately, as there is an enormous amount of money to be lost from pharmaceutical companies if this is again proved to be true – and more importantly – this becomes common public knowledge!

Regardless, of the study, I personally have proved to myself from surviving “incurable asthma and cancer” that the power of the mind is real….no proof is needed in my mind.

I have been working in this field of mind (sometimes a minefield or mindfield) all my life – mostly from a survival perspective, but now to help my clients in all aspects of healing – physically mentally and spiritually. The mental aspects of this perspective I call Formless Taoism – (a philosophical approach to life). Many of these perspectives and concepts are very old techniques borrowed from ancient Taoist masters.

I have found the root of all disease to be from two factors: stress and inflammation. So this is the chicken and the egg question, which comes first?

Here at Inner Strength, I have developed some very unique concepts of self-healing, based on my own survival, that I now share with my clients on how to alleviate these two culprits. I use a variety of methods - like having different tools in the toolbox  -one tool may work better than another.  Please contact us today and begin the journey to living life to its fullest again, rather than thinking of just getting through the day, imagine about how to enjoy the day !

ãCopyright Inner Strength, Inc. All rights reserved under state and federal laws.Copyright control of this article, the title and ALL content remains with Inner Strenth, Inc. at ALL times. Content may not be copied, altered, edited, disseminated, or reproduced in any way.

So, with New Years just a few days away, perhaps some of you are outlining your resolutions for the New Year. Most of us forecast what we need in our lives, put an action plan into place and try our best to stick with it throughout the year. Ah yeah. That resolution usually lasts until February!

 

So this year, why not try something new? How about instead of making resolutions, you contemplate the following 2 questions: 

Are you on a spiritual path (not a dogmatic path)?

And, if you are on a spiritual path….Why are you?

 

Dogma does not engender spirituality, although they can be merged. Ritual does not define spirituality either. Any “religion” that is self-serving, or only serving a select group, is not spiritually based.  Jesus, a Jew, loved all…not just those who followed Judaism or Christianity. He was patient, kind and compassionate to all men, women and children regardless of their affinity.  

 

The second question is my main focus of this Blog article. Why did you begin a spiritual quest? My teacher Jeffrey Yuen, once spoke of how in ancient China; many people who entered monasteries and covenants did so because they had a really crappy life (my words not his). Their lives where outlined by sadness, rejection and abandonment. They entered the retreat so hoping that they would come out with some newfound healing and abatement of their suffering through divinity. Obviously with that perspective, in time, one can become “mad at God” if the cessation of suffering is not fulfilled.

 

Many people do the same in modern times. Are you seeking becoming spiritual because of your weakness and in turn bringing your weakness to a spiritual life? Or, are you a seeker because you want to bring your strengths to the spiritual world?

 

Most seekers doing so out of their weakness and think of a return vs. what they can contribute. In order to be a contributor to the spiritual path, one must come to terms with the humanness of their perceived fallacies and shortcomings or at least come to know them through cultivation.

 

Instead of choosing to come to know the holiness and divine within themselves, the novice perpetually looks external for their salvation and answers. They are not comfortable with themselves and/or their affliction (we all have some affliction - no-one is exempt).

 

One should seek a spiritual life because it has something to teach you. The Intern works to understand themselves through cultivation through non-biased eyes. As you come to understand and know yourself and your true nature, you thereby come to know God.

 

If you are interested in becoming an Intern, please see the website www.formlesstaoism.com