An Introduction to the View and Practice of Mindfulness Meditation
Our world is a very busy place these days and often we find ourselves floating along with a fast moving current. Rarely does the mind rest, even for a moment. During the day we jump from dwelling on some distant past event to worrying about the future. At night when we should be sound asleep our hopes and fears are re-lived in dreams. We are captivated by thoughts and dragged around by strong emotions. All this activity is tiring and not very fulfilling, though we may feel like we are getting somewhere.
Healing Archetypes in Chinese Medicine: A Brief Introduction to the Five Elements
Acupuncture has been practiced for over forty years in North America, yet for most westerners the concepts that explain its sometimes miraculous results are somewhat mystifying. Unfortunately, most people attempt to fit this unique practice into an evidence based medical model, a context that denies Chinese Medicine’s philosophical roots. Understanding acupuncture as a form of therapeutic intervention requires developing more of a personal understanding of the body and the world – one characterized by dynamism and energy. Like all living systems our body is in a constant state of change, despite its apparent solidity and structure. Though we may feel like the same person who graduated from high school many years ago clearly we are not. According to the view of energetic medicine the body is more like a fountain of water than a statue. What determines the shape of the fountain is energy with a few particles to fill in the gaps.
Essentials of Great Digestion
In Chinese medicine digestion is essential for good immunity and health. It is important to remember that it is not just what we eat, but also what we digest that matters for vitality. For a moment imagine your belly as a cauldron with a flame providing heat from bellow to break the food down so all the essential nutrients present can be absorbed. The strength of this metabolic process is dependant on the intensity of the fire. If our digestive fire is weak we are not able get what we need from our food. Furthermore, incomplete digestion results in metabolic waste known as dampness or phlegm in Chinese Medicine.
Complimentary Treatments Strategies for Macular Degeneration
Two perspectives on macular degeneration
Modern medicine defines Macular Degeneration as the slow deterioration of the cells in the macula, a tiny yellowish area near the center of the retina where vision is the most precise. Ninety percent of people with macular degeneration have the dry type, in which small, yellow spots called drusens form underneath the macular. Drusens are believed to be waste products that accumulate because of lack of antioxidants to clear the waste from the eyes The drusen slowly break down the cells in the macular, causing distorted vision. In the wet type, new, abnormal blood vessels begin to grow toward the macular.