"Two Choices"
Jerry was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"
He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.
"Yes it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."
I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business. He left the back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.
I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he said, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"
I declined to see his wounds but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place.
"The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live.
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.
Jerry continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man.' I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I was allergic to anything."
'Yes,' I replied.
The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."
Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything.
From India, Mumbai
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12Jerry was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"
He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.
"Yes it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."
I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business. He left the back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.
I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he said, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"
I declined to see his wounds but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place.
"The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live.
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.
Jerry continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man.' I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I was allergic to anything."
'Yes,' I replied.
The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."
Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything.
From India, Mumbai
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Sunayna, that's an excellent story.
Ironically enough, I also was in the restaurant business and had a friend who was shot; unfortunately, he did not survive. My friend, who lost his life, has served, however, in a role as an example that I have shared with literally hundreds of potential victims over the years of training I have offered.
If Pat's loss saved one life, he'd be thankful.
Take a look at the webpage tied to my book, "Psyched for Life." The book is available through [u][b] and you can read my notes on each of the Corollaries of Life at http://www.PsychedForLife.com. Perhaps you will find a nugget or two that are beneficial to you. I sincerely hope so.
We're now licensing the IP available in the book, and Licensees are presenting seminars based on the book in North America and Europe. I'm just happy that people find it to be of some value. That's a blessing to me.
Thanks for the story. I'd like to meet your friend someday. He sounds very special, indeed.
All the best.
Alan Guinn, Managing Director
The Guinn Consultancy Group, Inc.
From United States, Bluff City
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Ironically enough, I also was in the restaurant business and had a friend who was shot; unfortunately, he did not survive. My friend, who lost his life, has served, however, in a role as an example that I have shared with literally hundreds of potential victims over the years of training I have offered.
If Pat's loss saved one life, he'd be thankful.
Take a look at the webpage tied to my book, "Psyched for Life." The book is available through [u][b] and you can read my notes on each of the Corollaries of Life at http://www.PsychedForLife.com. Perhaps you will find a nugget or two that are beneficial to you. I sincerely hope so.
We're now licensing the IP available in the book, and Licensees are presenting seminars based on the book in North America and Europe. I'm just happy that people find it to be of some value. That's a blessing to me.
Thanks for the story. I'd like to meet your friend someday. He sounds very special, indeed.
All the best.
Alan Guinn, Managing Director
The Guinn Consultancy Group, Inc.
From United States, Bluff City
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Hello AGUINN,
Thank you. It is really ironic... Well, truth is stranger than fiction. I got this story through a friend; I'll ask him if it's true or if he too received it as a forward.
As for your site, it's not opening. Could you retype the address or send me the direct link to your webpage, please? 😃
From India, Mumbai
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Thank you. It is really ironic... Well, truth is stranger than fiction. I got this story through a friend; I'll ask him if it's true or if he too received it as a forward.
As for your site, it's not opening. Could you retype the address or send me the direct link to your webpage, please? 😃
From India, Mumbai
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Feel free to visit the Psyched for Life site, Sunayna. The URL is: Psychedforlife.com.
When the underlined sentence at the bottom appears after the flash page has loaded, click on the underlined sentence, and the pages will open.
Thanks!
Alan Guinn, Managing Director The Guinn Consultancy Group, Inc.
From United States, Bluff City
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When the underlined sentence at the bottom appears after the flash page has loaded, click on the underlined sentence, and the pages will open.
Thanks!
Alan Guinn, Managing Director The Guinn Consultancy Group, Inc.
From United States, Bluff City
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Hi! that was an emaging story. ya it’s difficult to be positive in whole life. but if a person wants he can be.
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Dear friends,
Namaskar.
What Mr. Suraj Singh says is the crux of the point. To achieve this end, I organized a group discussion of a batch of experienced trainees on "constructive empowerment". After discussion, everyone had to make 5 suggestions on what life should be like. The suggestions are compiled and edited. Then, in a checklist form, the list is circulated among the trainees for endorsement. The items on which there was 100% agreement constituted the final list of mantras. The participants are now supposed to memorize the mantras to redesign their lives.
In subsequent batches, the final list is again circulated for endorsement, and the items in which they had 100% agreement became the mantras for their lives. This is an exercise to initiate change.
The bargaining proposition is - whether you wish or not, you will change. This is the natural law. So, why not change for the better?
Regards,
Jogeshwar.
From India, Delhi
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Namaskar.
What Mr. Suraj Singh says is the crux of the point. To achieve this end, I organized a group discussion of a batch of experienced trainees on "constructive empowerment". After discussion, everyone had to make 5 suggestions on what life should be like. The suggestions are compiled and edited. Then, in a checklist form, the list is circulated among the trainees for endorsement. The items on which there was 100% agreement constituted the final list of mantras. The participants are now supposed to memorize the mantras to redesign their lives.
In subsequent batches, the final list is again circulated for endorsement, and the items in which they had 100% agreement became the mantras for their lives. This is an exercise to initiate change.
The bargaining proposition is - whether you wish or not, you will change. This is the natural law. So, why not change for the better?
Regards,
Jogeshwar.
From India, Delhi
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Yes, changing to think positively is hard but not impossible. You know, the best thing to do to keep a positive attitude is to find just one good thing in every problem and focus on it. It sounds simple, but try it out; it's easier said than done. All the best. Take care, everyone.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Dear Sunayna,
Namaskar.
You are correct that attitude change is hard but not impossible. That is why we are discussing the way out. The type of person you have described in your opening post is an exemplary and exceptional creation of nature. If I were to say to someone, "Here is the model, redesign yourself like this," I think this would be an impossible assignment. Even you and I cannot do that. So, my focus is on the ethos of the organizational system itself.
Regards, Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Namaskar.
You are correct that attitude change is hard but not impossible. That is why we are discussing the way out. The type of person you have described in your opening post is an exemplary and exceptional creation of nature. If I were to say to someone, "Here is the model, redesign yourself like this," I think this would be an impossible assignment. Even you and I cannot do that. So, my focus is on the ethos of the organizational system itself.
Regards, Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Dear Dr. Jogeshwar Mahanta,
Namaskar. Kaise hain aap?
For once, I totally agree with you. Such a guy would be exceptional, no doubt. Don't you think someone like him is there in all of us, in varying quantities of course... but we don't let him come out because we are scared of what others will think, or fear of losing our loved ones... or maybe something else.
I think you are right when you say we should try to redesign ourselves to become something like him 😄
From India, Mumbai
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Namaskar. Kaise hain aap?
For once, I totally agree with you. Such a guy would be exceptional, no doubt. Don't you think someone like him is there in all of us, in varying quantities of course... but we don't let him come out because we are scared of what others will think, or fear of losing our loved ones... or maybe something else.
I think you are right when you say we should try to redesign ourselves to become something like him 😄
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Sunayna,
Namaskar.
Thanks for asking about my welfare. I am strong, stout, fit, and fine all the time. From your posts, I find that you are very jovial. Aap kaise hain?
I agree 100% with your above statement. Also, I agree with you about the hindrances you have mentioned. That is why my approach is to generate a vicarious effect. As we know, 1 and 1 make 11 and 1 and 1 and 1 make 111 and so on. I get continuous encouragement in my approach.
Regards, Jogeshwar.
From India, Delhi
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Namaskar.
Thanks for asking about my welfare. I am strong, stout, fit, and fine all the time. From your posts, I find that you are very jovial. Aap kaise hain?
I agree 100% with your above statement. Also, I agree with you about the hindrances you have mentioned. That is why my approach is to generate a vicarious effect. As we know, 1 and 1 make 11 and 1 and 1 and 1 make 111 and so on. I get continuous encouragement in my approach.
Regards, Jogeshwar.
From India, Delhi
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Hi Dr. JM (I can call you that, right?)
I'm fine too. Well, yes, you are right. I like cracking jokes and having fun. Life is all about facing the troubles with a smile, isn't it?
Coming to the post, I'm glad you agreed. Do tell us about your approach to generating a vicarious effect. I'm sure everyone is waiting to hear about it.
Keep smiling and stay fine.
From India, Mumbai
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I'm fine too. Well, yes, you are right. I like cracking jokes and having fun. Life is all about facing the troubles with a smile, isn't it?
Coming to the post, I'm glad you agreed. Do tell us about your approach to generating a vicarious effect. I'm sure everyone is waiting to hear about it.
Keep smiling and stay fine.
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Sunayna,
Thank you for your prompt reply. This time, I would like to make certain amendments and provide some contradictions.
1. "I like cracking jokes and having fun." Here, I believe humor is closely related to taunt and mischief. Therefore, my personal principle (similar to Kavir's dohas directed towards himself) is "Laugh with people but never laugh at people."
2. "Life is all about facing troubles with a smile, isn't it?" This represents a stage of development in the ladder of self-actualization. My current principle for myself in this regard is "Life is a challenge—cross it, and life is a bed of roses—explore it."
3. My approach to changing attitude has already been shared in this thread. Perhaps you may have overlooked it. Please review it, and if you require any clarification, feel free to ask.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Thank you for your prompt reply. This time, I would like to make certain amendments and provide some contradictions.
1. "I like cracking jokes and having fun." Here, I believe humor is closely related to taunt and mischief. Therefore, my personal principle (similar to Kavir's dohas directed towards himself) is "Laugh with people but never laugh at people."
2. "Life is all about facing troubles with a smile, isn't it?" This represents a stage of development in the ladder of self-actualization. My current principle for myself in this regard is "Life is a challenge—cross it, and life is a bed of roses—explore it."
3. My approach to changing attitude has already been shared in this thread. Perhaps you may have overlooked it. Please review it, and if you require any clarification, feel free to ask.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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The article may be of interest to Sunayna and all.
Public release date: 26-May-2005
[ Print Article | E-mail Article | Close Window ]
Contact: Andrea Gibson
740-597-2166
Mark Shatz
740-588-1496
Ohio University
Learning through laughter: New study supports use of humor in online courses
ATHENS, Ohio -- Watch out Leno, here come the professors. Though most students would argue that academia and humor are about as compatible as oil and water, two Ohio University psychology professors argue that the use of humor in online courses can yield good results. In a new study presented today at the American Psychological Society convention in Los Angeles, Calif., Mark Shatz and Frank LoSchiavo found that the use of levity in the virtual classroom can significantly boost student interest and participation.
"We know students taking online courses often view them as very distant and sometimes boring and impersonal, so we thought about the idea of trying to incorporate humor into online instruction with the idea of enhancing it," said Shatz, a professor of psychology at Ohio University's Zanesville campus who also teaches a popular humor-writing course.
The study, which also will be published in Teaching of Psychology, took an existing online general psychology course and systematically enhanced it with the addition of humor in the form of self-deprecating jokes, cartoons, and top ten lists all related to the subject matter. Forty-four students were then randomly assigned to either the traditional section or the humor-enhanced section, and the researchers assessed their academic performance and level of participation.
The team used the online system Blackboard to tally the number of times students logged on and participated in the discussion boards. At the end, they also asked students to fill out surveys rating their overall enjoyment of the course.
The researchers found that students in the humor-enhanced section were more likely to post comments on discussion boards. They also seemed to enjoy the course more, Shatz said.
"We did not expect to find differences in performance, and we did not find differences in performance because our view is that humor itself is not some learning potion," he said. "Humor is more of a social lubricant. It can facilitate interactions, and that is exactly what we found."
The most important finding, he added, is that humor can take a situation such as online learning, which is often viewed as sterile and remote, and add a sense of personal flavor to the experience. He also has a word of advice to professors who might be afraid to experiment with the use of humor in their classrooms even if they don't consider themselves funny. Sometimes just the attempt at humor is enough.
"Teachers don't need to be comedians," said Shatz, who is currently co-writing the second edition of Comedy Writing Secrets with former Ohio University journalism professor Mel Helitzer. "Our job is not to make students laugh. Our job is to help them learn, and if humor can make the learning process more enjoyable, then I think everybody benefits as a result of it."
Professors rarely have much to lose since students already have low expectations of them going into a class, he argued. "They expect us to be boring and dull. We don't have to be funny, but the attempt at being funny tells students that we're trying to make the course more interesting. I think it's just the effort alone that students truly appreciate," he said.
Humor alone cannot save a poorly planned class; however, oftentimes, too much humor can work against student learning. "If students giggle or give me the pity laugh, that's good because at least it tells them I'm trying," he said. "(But) if I make my students laugh too hard, they're going to remember my story, and not the material."
###
Written by Elizabeth Weinstein.
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From India, Delhi
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Public release date: 26-May-2005
[ Print Article | E-mail Article | Close Window ]
Contact: Andrea Gibson
740-597-2166
Mark Shatz
740-588-1496
Ohio University
Learning through laughter: New study supports use of humor in online courses
ATHENS, Ohio -- Watch out Leno, here come the professors. Though most students would argue that academia and humor are about as compatible as oil and water, two Ohio University psychology professors argue that the use of humor in online courses can yield good results. In a new study presented today at the American Psychological Society convention in Los Angeles, Calif., Mark Shatz and Frank LoSchiavo found that the use of levity in the virtual classroom can significantly boost student interest and participation.
"We know students taking online courses often view them as very distant and sometimes boring and impersonal, so we thought about the idea of trying to incorporate humor into online instruction with the idea of enhancing it," said Shatz, a professor of psychology at Ohio University's Zanesville campus who also teaches a popular humor-writing course.
The study, which also will be published in Teaching of Psychology, took an existing online general psychology course and systematically enhanced it with the addition of humor in the form of self-deprecating jokes, cartoons, and top ten lists all related to the subject matter. Forty-four students were then randomly assigned to either the traditional section or the humor-enhanced section, and the researchers assessed their academic performance and level of participation.
The team used the online system Blackboard to tally the number of times students logged on and participated in the discussion boards. At the end, they also asked students to fill out surveys rating their overall enjoyment of the course.
The researchers found that students in the humor-enhanced section were more likely to post comments on discussion boards. They also seemed to enjoy the course more, Shatz said.
"We did not expect to find differences in performance, and we did not find differences in performance because our view is that humor itself is not some learning potion," he said. "Humor is more of a social lubricant. It can facilitate interactions, and that is exactly what we found."
The most important finding, he added, is that humor can take a situation such as online learning, which is often viewed as sterile and remote, and add a sense of personal flavor to the experience. He also has a word of advice to professors who might be afraid to experiment with the use of humor in their classrooms even if they don't consider themselves funny. Sometimes just the attempt at humor is enough.
"Teachers don't need to be comedians," said Shatz, who is currently co-writing the second edition of Comedy Writing Secrets with former Ohio University journalism professor Mel Helitzer. "Our job is not to make students laugh. Our job is to help them learn, and if humor can make the learning process more enjoyable, then I think everybody benefits as a result of it."
Professors rarely have much to lose since students already have low expectations of them going into a class, he argued. "They expect us to be boring and dull. We don't have to be funny, but the attempt at being funny tells students that we're trying to make the course more interesting. I think it's just the effort alone that students truly appreciate," he said.
Humor alone cannot save a poorly planned class; however, oftentimes, too much humor can work against student learning. "If students giggle or give me the pity laugh, that's good because at least it tells them I'm trying," he said. "(But) if I make my students laugh too hard, they're going to remember my story, and not the material."
###
Written by Elizabeth Weinstein.
[ Print Article | E-mail Article | Close Window ]
From India, Delhi
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Hello JM,
Yup... laughing with people is what I meant. But some people are just so dumb. You can't help laughing at them. How will you not laugh at someone saying, "Where is the Parle factory"? I guess one needs to be a saint not to laugh at stuff like this.
No offense... views are personal. I have a friend who is like this. She is smart and really knows when to talk and when to laugh. During presentations in college, if someone goofs up and the whole class laughs, I've seen her not laugh. I try learning this from her.
Well... life has many philosophies, and everyone has different things working for them. Whatever suits you... it's like that quote, "Whatever your heart clings to, call it GOD."
Oh, sorry... did you mean the "ek aur ek gyaraah" theory? Well, I wanted to ask... how do you implement it practically? Could you give me an example?
Are you an HR manager?
And the article is really informative. It implies that humor can keep you awake in class 😂 and make you listen to the class.
Okay, on a serious note, too much of it could be bad too. The author knows what he is talking about. Kudos to you on submitting the article.
Keep smiling and stay fine.
From India, Mumbai
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Yup... laughing with people is what I meant. But some people are just so dumb. You can't help laughing at them. How will you not laugh at someone saying, "Where is the Parle factory"? I guess one needs to be a saint not to laugh at stuff like this.
No offense... views are personal. I have a friend who is like this. She is smart and really knows when to talk and when to laugh. During presentations in college, if someone goofs up and the whole class laughs, I've seen her not laugh. I try learning this from her.
Well... life has many philosophies, and everyone has different things working for them. Whatever suits you... it's like that quote, "Whatever your heart clings to, call it GOD."
Oh, sorry... did you mean the "ek aur ek gyaraah" theory? Well, I wanted to ask... how do you implement it practically? Could you give me an example?
Are you an HR manager?
And the article is really informative. It implies that humor can keep you awake in class 😂 and make you listen to the class.
Okay, on a serious note, too much of it could be bad too. The author knows what he is talking about. Kudos to you on submitting the article.
Keep smiling and stay fine.
From India, Mumbai
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Hey, thanks JM.
I'm really honored that you like this article so much. I'll keep posting such stuff as and when I get the time. I second your idea on discussing it seriously; I promise to be serious.
Take care,
Sunayna
From India, Mumbai
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I'm really honored that you like this article so much. I'll keep posting such stuff as and when I get the time. I second your idea on discussing it seriously; I promise to be serious.
Take care,
Sunayna
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Sunayna,
Namaskar.
I am happy that you feel elated. But in a certain other thread, I am accused as follows:
":oops: :?: :cry: :x :evil: :?
Hey Doctor ... that was a pretty heavy 'toxic' dose ;-)) I had to read that passage almost 3 times to understand 'something' of it. ;-)"
I think the dose is still heavier here. So let the world move at its own speed, own direction, and own orbit.
In the next post, I will tell you a bit of futurology.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Namaskar.
I am happy that you feel elated. But in a certain other thread, I am accused as follows:
":oops: :?: :cry: :x :evil: :?
Hey Doctor ... that was a pretty heavy 'toxic' dose ;-)) I had to read that passage almost 3 times to understand 'something' of it. ;-)"
I think the dose is still heavier here. So let the world move at its own speed, own direction, and own orbit.
In the next post, I will tell you a bit of futurology.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Hi Dr. JM,
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. What matters is how you react to the reactions. 😊
I read this poem somewhere; I don't remember all the words, but it was like:
"Har koi aapko chahe
Ye koi zaroori to nahi
Aapne jisse pyar kiya
Usne aapko nazarandaz kiya toh aap khafa ho
Ye koi zaroori to nahi
Har koi aapko utna hi pyaar kare
Jitna aapne chaha
Ye koi zaroori to nahi."
Thank you.
From India, Mumbai
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Everyone is entitled to their opinion. What matters is how you react to the reactions. 😊
I read this poem somewhere; I don't remember all the words, but it was like:
"Har koi aapko chahe
Ye koi zaroori to nahi
Aapne jisse pyar kiya
Usne aapko nazarandaz kiya toh aap khafa ho
Ye koi zaroori to nahi
Har koi aapko utna hi pyaar kare
Jitna aapne chaha
Ye koi zaroori to nahi."
Thank you.
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Sunaina,
Namaskar.
You are right, and I enjoyed your poem very much. But my reaction is not that deep. Mine is only rethinking and adaptability. I was thinking that it would be an ambitious pursuit, but on rethinking, I feel that it was too high an ambition.
It is so nice of you that you felt concerned. In that regard, my balancing line is - avidyasmitaragadwshaabhinibeshah kleshah (ignorance, arrogance, attachment, acrimony, and fear of death are sufferings).
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Namaskar.
You are right, and I enjoyed your poem very much. But my reaction is not that deep. Mine is only rethinking and adaptability. I was thinking that it would be an ambitious pursuit, but on rethinking, I feel that it was too high an ambition.
It is so nice of you that you felt concerned. In that regard, my balancing line is - avidyasmitaragadwshaabhinibeshah kleshah (ignorance, arrogance, attachment, acrimony, and fear of death are sufferings).
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
FutureTechnologies
_____________________Tomorrow’s Technology Today TM
The Free Energy Newsletter
July 1, 2000
Seven Keys to Perfect Health
Part III
In earlier newsletters I detailed six ways to help us have a healthier, pain-free life: 1, Drink plenty of water, 2. Exercise, 3. Eat healthier meals, 4. Take proper food supplements, 5. Breathe clean air, and 6. Avoid harmful electromagnetic energy. Finally, I mentioned key number 7 as having the potential for being the most important key to maintaining perfect health.
After over 25 years of research into attitude and its effect on our health, I could come to only one conclusion. We must maintain a positive attitude toward all experiences in life. We all tend to get upset while attempting to solve the endless problems we encounter on a daily basis: earning a living, paying our bills, and dealing with personal relationships at home, at work and in everyday transactions. All of these tend to call up destructive emotions like fear, anger, hate, depression, lust, greed and vanity. Our attitude toward the endless variety of experiences in life is what ultimately determines the state of our health.
What is attitude? According to Webster, an attitude is “a manner of acting, feeling or thinking that shows one’s disposition or opinion.” The key words here are thinking and feeling, which implies emotion. These are key because they are inseparably linked in the sense that it is my thoughts that determine how I’m going to feel emotionally. But what is emotion? Again, Webster says that emotion is “any specific feeling, or any variety of complex reactions with both mental and physical manifestations, such as love, hate, fear, anger, etc.”
Now the big question: What does my emotional state, such as anger or fear, got to do with whether I get sick or not? To answer this question, we have to enter the field of psychosomatic medicine. Webster again says psychosomatic medicine proposes that an illness is “a physical disorder of the body originating in, or aggravated by, the psychic or emotional process of the individual.” So here we have the implication that if I get angry or fearful, I could somehow end up in the hospital. So the bigger question is the “somehow.” How does this happen, or what is this linkage that can occur between what I think or feel and my illness?
According to psychosomatic medicine, almost any illness can begin with a single thought. Psychic communication aside, we cannot experience emotion without first initiating the thought that caused it.
For example, when I sit too long at a red traffic light, I can first feel a fire in the pit of my stomach. Gradually, it spreads to every nerve in my body, and I become tense and fidgety. All of this began because I thought about sitting at a traffic light, and I felt the light was red much too long. I was acting just like Pavlov’s dog that salivated when a bell rang before food was ever seen.
Look at the chain of events in this experience. 1. I missed the green light and I get this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, 2. The red light seems endless and I begin to get tense. Psychologists call these conditioned responses. These feelings are a form of anger and are caused by secretions from glands in my body called the adrenals.
Whenever I react with emotions like fear, anger or impatience, the adrenal’s secretion of up to 28 hormones begin to cause virtually every system in my body to react. My heart begins to pump more blood. My lungs begin to pump more oxygen and fuel to my body tissues. Lung passages dialate. More sugar is released into the bloodstream. Systolic blood pressure is increased. Time for blood coagulation decreases. Stomach and intestines contract and immobilize. Andpossibly worst of all, the Thymus withers. Every system in my body is preparing me for action, but in most cases, I do nothing. Every system in my body is now out of balance and has the potential to cause serious damage and malfunction in the body. Usually the weakest part of my body is most vulnerable.
The eventual result of repeated adrenal reaction can be stress, anxiety, tremors, shock and counter-shock, bleeding stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, anemia, lack of energy, insomnia, headache, depression, morose, self-consciousness, unhappiness, inhibitions, slow reactions, lack of interest, schizophrenia, and/or manic-depressive psychosis.
This reaction of the adrenals can be caused by any number of experiences: strange noises in the house at night, walking down a dark, deserted street, when we are criticized by a coworker and many others. This sudden injection of adrenal hormones can be traced back to our attitude toward the experience that caused the emotional response of anger or fear. Depending on the cause of the emotion we could be motivated to take some sort of action – fight or flight, for example.
Most of us are probably aware that the adrenaline glands are a part of a more complex system in our bodies known as the endocrine system. According to Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, an Endocrine gland is “a ductless gland that produces and secretes hormones into the blood or lymph nodes. The hormones exert powerful effects on specific target tissues throughout the body. The [major] Endocrine glands include the pituitary, the pineal, the hypothalmus, the thymus, the thyroid, the parathyroid, the adrenal cortex, the medulla islets of Langerhaus, and gonads.” The Endocrine System extends from the top of our head to the lower part of our torso. "The building and constructive power of man comes through the endocrines and their hormones."
This is important. This credible medical dictionary states that "The building and constructive power of [physical] man comes through the endocrines and their hormones." Here is the link between our psychological self and our physical self. In the examples of fear and anger above, the psychological part of us, our thoughts and emotions, caused a response from a physical part of us, endocrine glands called the adrenals.
In another example, diabetes is a condition where the pancreas (a lesser endocrine gland) fails to react sufficiently to a sudden surge of glucose or sugar and doesn't secret enough insulin to balance the effect of all that sugar. This occurs whenever the victim overindulges in high carbohydrate foods. Knowing what they have to do to avoid this, they will alter their way of thinking to avoid too many carbohydrates. So changing their attitude has had an effect on their physical well being.
In spite of the many links that can be established between our attitudes, our thoughts, our emotions and our physical well being, traditional medical journals and manuals seem to fear building such a link between these more subtle aspects of ourselves, and our chronic and debilitating illnesses. But the Internet has no such fear. On the Internet you can discover that each of these Endocrine glands is connected to that higher, emotional aspect of ourselves
As we may recall from the above Endocrine gland definition, “The hormones exert powerful effects on specific target tissues throughout the body.” This definition implies that the Endocrine system as a whole has a powerful effect on every function of the body. To me this means that our emotions, that are caused by our attitude and thought patterns, can have a profound effect on every function of the physical body.
Many textbooks and publications, as well as the Internet, have shown rather credibly, that an imbalance among any of the Endocrine glands can cause illness. Since we also know that our emotions caused by our thought patterns, can cause a hormonal imbalance we must, therefore, conclude that our attitudes do have an affect our physical well being.
I finally decided that I didn’t want to have that tense feeling whenever that red light stared me in the face, when I walked down a dark, deserted street or when I heard a strange noise in the house. So I forced myself to think about something more pleasant whenever I found myself in any of these experiences. Sometimes I would think about walking along Miami Beach breathing in that fresh ocean air and sunshine. Sometimes I would think about those whom I have loved or have loved me.
Our biggest advantage in dealing with our mind is that it can only think one thought at a time. All other thoughts loose their strength and eventually dissolve into oblivion.
The thoughts brought about much more pleasant, and healthy, emotion. This was all a matter of reprogramming my thought process and changing the makeup of my subconscious. Just like Pavlov conditioned his dog when the bell rang, I conditioned myself to think loving thoughts in my times of stress.
The loving thoughts that I conditioned myself to think eventually brought my adrenal glands into balance. But what has this got to do with illness? The answer to this question may be found in any good medical text that covers the endocrine system. In such a text you will find specific effects that secretions from each of the endocrine glands have on different parts of the body.
The ultimate question then becomes: how can we know precisely what emotion causes which illness? I know of only one person who has been courageous enough to even attempt to answer this question in any detail with a published book. Her name is Louise Hay. Her classic work is called Heal Your Body. It’s an inexpensive little book in most bookstores. The Internet has also provided some clues that I will touch on below.
The Pituitary Gland
The Pituitary gland has an aura around it (sometimes called the Brow Chakra) and is located a few inches behind, between the eyes. It elaborates a host of different secretions. Some of these exercise control over other endocrine glands (pineal, thyroid, adrenals, etc) which influences digestion, reproduction, growth, metabolism and motivation, protein anabolism, blood sugar levels, fatty acid levels, REM sleep, stress, emotion, obesity and others.
This is considered the highest vibrational center in the subtle, emotional body. Many believe you may bring this center into balance through meditation and inner searching of one's goals in life. It influences the cerebral cortex, the central nervous system, and the left & right brain.
An energy blockage in this gland can cause illness involving any of the physical systems mentioned above. On a more subtle level it could cause us to seek unworthy goals with apathy toward one's spiritual welfare. The physical result can also manifest as cerebral dysfunction or psychotic behavior.
An energy excess can cause one to seek ones goals too energetically or cause a desire to achieve them too swiftly. The result could be persistent headaches, or brain tumor in extreme cases.
Balanced energy in this gland can result in balanced attitudes toward our material as well as our spiritual goals in life. All of this filters down to the physical level as overall good health.
The Pineal gland has an energy field around it (sometimes called the Crown Chakra) which influences our reproductive activities, our motivation, and our emotions.
This is sometimes called the seat of intuition and insight into the problems of life. It influences the health of the spinal cord, the eyes, ears, nose and sinuses.
An energy blockage can cause one to live life according to one's mental perception of reality and failing to perceive, or ignoring, intuitive guidance. It can cause lack of spiritual insight and retard growth in the more important goals in life. Physically it can cause sinus problems, eye problems, and endocrine blockages.
An energy excess can cause the misuse of our intuitive faculties or our more subtle powers as spiritual beings. Physically it can cause cataracts, sinus congestion, inflammation or toxicity in the areas of influence.
A balanced energy permits the proper use of our spiritual powers. It results in increased, and more accurate intuitive guidance.
The Thymus gland is Connected to the heart chakra. It influences: Cell growth, immunity to disease, expelling toxins and foreign invaders & general health maintenance. After puberty gland is replaced by fatty tissue. By maturity the gland becomes atrophied (inactive). The heart chakra has connections to all the lower chakras.
The Heart Chakra effects the ability to express love. It is the balancing factor between the higher and lower bodies (mental and emotional). It influences the health of the physical heart, bronchial
tubes, lungs, breasts and circulatory systems.
Energy Blockage can cause loneliness, depression, bad love relationships or the inability to love in a detached way. Physically it can cause blood clots, stagnation of blood flow to any part of the body, including the brain, causing a stroke. This lack of nutrients can cause asthma and effect the pulmonary function, digestion, blood pressure, immunity function, causing rheumatoid arthritis.
Energy Excess can cause heart failure, high blood pressure, or stress.
Balanced Energy results in loving all of life in a detached way as well as one's self. One gives without expecting anything in return. It causes a balanced life, inner peace, a strong heart and constitution.
The Thyroid Gland is Connected to the throat chakra. It influences: tissue growth, muscular control, reproductive cycle, urine control, blood pressure, metabolism regulation, nervous system, blood calcium regulation.
The Throat Chakra influences growth, glands and structures in the neck region, the mouth, vocal cords, the trachea the cervical vertebrae and parasympathetic nervous system of the autonomic nervous system. Effects the ability to communicate, creativity, self-expression, self-discipline, decision-making.
Energy Blockage can cause difficulty in making decisions, poor self-discipline and the inability to express oneself creatively. When projected into the physical, it can cause deterioration in those structures dependent on the thyroid, causing laryngitis or thyroiditis.
Energy Excess can cause one to make decisions hastily, may tend to be inflexible. In the physical it can cause glandular tumors, cancer of the larynx and toxic or cancerous condition in structures dependent on thyroid secretions.
Balanced Energy can enhance creative self-expression, and be highly self disciplined as well as flexible.
Adrenal Glands are connected to the solar plexus influences: blood levels of sodium, potassium & water, metabolism, stress, inflammatory processes, emotion.
The Solar Plexus provides energy for the activities of life. It motivates; It excites to action. It projects power. It is the most common site for energy blockage. It supplies energy for digestion and purification of body organs including the stomach, pancreas, liver, gall bladder, spleen, lumbar vertebrae. and adrenal glands.
Energy Blockage can cause fear, low self worth, impatience. Physically it can cause, constipation, fatigue, hypoglycemia and a sense of loss of personal power.
Energy Excess may cause anger, intolerance or impatience. Physically it can cause diabetes, excess of stress, ulcers, desire to dominate or have power over others.
Balanced Energy can cause one to be highly motivated in worthy, growth activities and a strong desire to be of help to others.
The Pancreas influences: blood sugar, liver health, digestion, body energy, protein synthesis by body tissues. Influences the Spleen or lyden that influences the immune system, blood production, trauma.
The Sacral Chakra is considered the seat of sexuality and is associated with the reproductive functions.
Energy Blockage is caused by deviate or suppressed sexual desires. It can cause colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, malabsorption diseases of the small intestine, sexual dysfunction and lower back problems.
Energy Excess can cause excessive lust and sexual practices. Physically it can cause bladder tumors, cervical and uterine cancer in women and leydig cell cancer prostate Cancer in men.
Balanced Energy can cause healthy attitude toward the use of sex and extension of physical longevity and health.
Gonads/Ovaries are connected to the base chakra. They influence reproduction, cell nourishment. sexual traits and biorhythm
The Base Chakra is the chakra that binds us to the earth or the activities that are required for our survival in this environment. It is associated with the spine and the external orifices such as the rectum and urethra.
Energy Blockage can cause inflexibility, and at the physical level, hemorrhoids, rectal fissures, urethral strictures, and constipation.
Energy Excess can cause paranoia and a tendency to act defensively in most situations as well as a very strong will to live. Physiologically it can cause diarrhea.
Balanced Energy In a positive vein it can promote stability and the ability to be highly creative.
Thoughts are the Solution
Now the second big question: How do I tear down those firmly ingrained attitudes built up through our traditional methods of teaching. The answer is: we tear them down using the same method we used when we first established them, namely by establishing a brand new thought pattern.
Thought patterns are the groundwork of our attitudes. Change them and our attitudes and beliefs will change automatically. I remember sitting in my religion classes listening to the teacher tell me, “you must have faith, because faith can move mountains.” I would always think to myself, “I’d do anything to have half that kind of faith. How can I get.” The usual response to that question was, “Faith is a gift.”
After many years of study and trial and error, I’ve learned that faith is not a gift. Nothing is given without payment, otherwise God’s justice becomes imperfect. It takes effort and self-discipline. The next paragraph may very well be the most important sentence in all of the newsletters I’ve ever published, because it will be the basis for what your attitude will become.
I first heard this while attending a lecture by a clergyman from Columbia, Maryland. He was speaking about the four fundamentals of a Spiritual life: prayer or meditation, study, devotion to a Supreme Deity and self-discipline. But none of the first three are possible without number four: Self-discipline, and the most important time to exercise self-discipline is in our thoughts. One of his final statements was this: “The most important decision you have to make at any given time is: what to think next.” Memorize this. Commit it to memory, and never forget it. This is the foundation for establishing any new attitude, or for strengthening your old attitude.
Most of us are aware of those fortunate few who defy the doctor’s death sentence when they are given only a few months to live. The question I had when I first heard about such a case was: “What’s attitude got to do with healing a illness? How could my mind possibly have anything to do with healing the physical body.” It took me many years to convince myself that there is a connection between mental and physical.
Some of you may remember an earlier newsletter when I wrote about the "Right Hand Rule" in physics The rule has to do with the flow of electricity through a conductor, like the electrical wires in our houses, for example . The "Right Hand Rule" states that if we would grasp one of the wires in our house in our right hand, with our thumb pointing in the direction of the electrical flow, then our fingers would point in the direction of the magnetic field around the wire that results from that electrical flow. This is an undeniable law of physics.
Conversely, physical law also states that whenever you can detect a magnetic field around a conductor, then you can be certain that there is a flow of electrical energy through that conductor. Several conclusions may be drawn from this law.
"The Right Hand Rule" in Action
As it turns out, there's not one object on the face of this earth that is not effected by the "Right Hand Rule." A husband and wife team proved this many years ago. In 1963, a Russian couple, Semjon and Valentine Kirlian, took out a patent for a technology that they called electro-photography. With a special camera they built, they were able to take photographs of very subtle magnetic fields. They took pictures of hundreds of objects, and they all had magnetic field around them. This is also true of you and me. Our energy fielda are usually called auras. Each of our auras are as unique as a fingerprint. They once photographed a man with a missing hand and found that his hand still existed at a more subtle level of reality, because the outline of the hand was defined by his aura.
Subsequent studies with auras have discovered that organs within our bodies also have their own unique auras. Interestingly, the most prominent auras in our bodies were not detected around the organs we are most familiar with like the heart, the lungs or the stomach. The most powerful and widespread energy fields were detected around the glands of our endocrine system: the Pituitary, the Pineal and the Thymus glands.
The Physical- Psychological Bridge
Our physical bodies consist of a number of separate but linked systems that make up the entire community of cells: the Circulatory System, the Lymphatic System, the Nervous System, the Pulmonary System, the Musculo-skeletal System, the outer covering or skin, and, last but not least, the Endocrine System, etc. Most of us have a basic knowledge of most of these systems, but very few of us know much about the Endocrine System.
Ed Leary
ear sunayna,
namaskar.
Thank you for you appreciation and so I am giving below another balancing thought very much in consonance with your topic "attitude is everything"
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
_____________________Tomorrow’s Technology Today TM
The Free Energy Newsletter
Seven Keys to Perfect Health
Part III
In earlier newsletters I detailed six ways to help us have a healthier, pain-free life: 1, Drink plenty of water, 2. Exercise, 3. Eat healthier meals, 4. Take proper food supplements, 5. Breathe clean air, and 6. Avoid harmful electromagnetic energy. Finally, I mentioned key number 7 as having the potential for being the most important key to maintaining perfect health.
After over 25 years of research into attitude and its effect on our health, I could come to only one conclusion. We must maintain a positive attitude toward all experiences in life. We all tend to get upset while attempting to solve the endless problems we encounter on a daily basis: earning a living, paying our bills, and dealing with personal relationships at home, at work and in everyday transactions. All of these tend to call up destructive emotions like fear, anger, hate, depression, lust, greed and vanity. Our attitude toward the endless variety of experiences in life is what ultimately determines the state of our health.
What is attitude? According to Webster, an attitude is “a manner of acting, feeling or thinking that shows one’s disposition or opinion.” The key words here are thinking and feeling, which implies emotion. These are key because they are inseparably linked in the sense that it is my thoughts that determine how I’m going to feel emotionally. But what is emotion? Again, Webster says that emotion is “any specific feeling, or any variety of complex reactions with both mental and physical manifestations, such as love, hate, fear, anger, etc.”
Now the big question: What does my emotional state, such as anger or fear, got to do with whether I get sick or not? To answer this question, we have to enter the field of psychosomatic medicine. Webster again says psychosomatic medicine proposes that an illness is “a physical disorder of the body originating in, or aggravated by, the psychic or emotional process of the individual.” So here we have the implication that if I get angry or fearful, I could somehow end up in the hospital. So the bigger question is the “somehow.” How does this happen, or what is this linkage that can occur between what I think or feel and my illness?
According to psychosomatic medicine, almost any illness can begin with a single thought. Psychic communication aside, we cannot experience emotion without first initiating the thought that caused it.
For example, when I sit too long at a red traffic light, I can first feel a fire in the pit of my stomach. Gradually, it spreads to every nerve in my body, and I become tense and fidgety. All of this began because I thought about sitting at a traffic light, and I felt the light was red much too long. I was acting just like Pavlov’s dog that salivated when a bell rang before food was ever seen.
Look at the chain of events in this experience. 1. I missed the green light and I get this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, 2. The red light seems endless and I begin to get tense. Psychologists call these conditioned responses. These feelings are a form of anger and are caused by secretions from glands in my body called the adrenals.
Whenever I react with emotions like fear, anger or impatience, the adrenal’s secretion of up to 28 hormones begin to cause virtually every system in my body to react. My heart begins to pump more blood. My lungs begin to pump more oxygen and fuel to my body tissues. Lung passages dialate. More sugar is released into the bloodstream. Systolic blood pressure is increased. Time for blood coagulation decreases. Stomach and intestines contract and immobilize. Andpossibly worst of all, the Thymus withers. Every system in my body is preparing me for action, but in most cases, I do nothing. Every system in my body is now out of balance and has the potential to cause serious damage and malfunction in the body. Usually the weakest part of my body is most vulnerable.
The eventual result of repeated adrenal reaction can be stress, anxiety, tremors, shock and counter-shock, bleeding stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, anemia, lack of energy, insomnia, headache, depression, morose, self-consciousness, unhappiness, inhibitions, slow reactions, lack of interest, schizophrenia, and/or manic-depressive psychosis.
This reaction of the adrenals can be caused by any number of experiences: strange noises in the house at night, walking down a dark, deserted street, when we are criticized by a coworker and many others. This sudden injection of adrenal hormones can be traced back to our attitude toward the experience that caused the emotional response of anger or fear. Depending on the cause of the emotion we could be motivated to take some sort of action – fight or flight, for example.
Most of us are probably aware that the adrenaline glands are a part of a more complex system in our bodies known as the endocrine system. According to Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, an Endocrine gland is “a ductless gland that produces and secretes hormones into the blood or lymph nodes. The hormones exert powerful effects on specific target tissues throughout the body. The [major] Endocrine glands include the pituitary, the pineal, the hypothalmus, the thymus, the thyroid, the parathyroid, the adrenal cortex, the medulla islets of Langerhaus, and gonads.” The Endocrine System extends from the top of our head to the lower part of our torso. "The building and constructive power of man comes through the endocrines and their hormones."
This is important. This credible medical dictionary states that "The building and constructive power of [physical] man comes through the endocrines and their hormones." Here is the link between our psychological self and our physical self. In the examples of fear and anger above, the psychological part of us, our thoughts and emotions, caused a response from a physical part of us, endocrine glands called the adrenals.
In another example, diabetes is a condition where the pancreas (a lesser endocrine gland) fails to react sufficiently to a sudden surge of glucose or sugar and doesn't secret enough insulin to balance the effect of all that sugar. This occurs whenever the victim overindulges in high carbohydrate foods. Knowing what they have to do to avoid this, they will alter their way of thinking to avoid too many carbohydrates. So changing their attitude has had an effect on their physical well being.
In spite of the many links that can be established between our attitudes, our thoughts, our emotions and our physical well being, traditional medical journals and manuals seem to fear building such a link between these more subtle aspects of ourselves, and our chronic and debilitating illnesses. But the Internet has no such fear. On the Internet you can discover that each of these Endocrine glands is connected to that higher, emotional aspect of ourselves
As we may recall from the above Endocrine gland definition, “The hormones exert powerful effects on specific target tissues throughout the body.” This definition implies that the Endocrine system as a whole has a powerful effect on every function of the body. To me this means that our emotions, that are caused by our attitude and thought patterns, can have a profound effect on every function of the physical body.
Many textbooks and publications, as well as the Internet, have shown rather credibly, that an imbalance among any of the Endocrine glands can cause illness. Since we also know that our emotions caused by our thought patterns, can cause a hormonal imbalance we must, therefore, conclude that our attitudes do have an affect our physical well being.
I finally decided that I didn’t want to have that tense feeling whenever that red light stared me in the face, when I walked down a dark, deserted street or when I heard a strange noise in the house. So I forced myself to think about something more pleasant whenever I found myself in any of these experiences. Sometimes I would think about walking along Miami Beach breathing in that fresh ocean air and sunshine. Sometimes I would think about those whom I have loved or have loved me.
Our biggest advantage in dealing with our mind is that it can only think one thought at a time. All other thoughts loose their strength and eventually dissolve into oblivion.
The thoughts brought about much more pleasant, and healthy, emotion. This was all a matter of reprogramming my thought process and changing the makeup of my subconscious. Just like Pavlov conditioned his dog when the bell rang, I conditioned myself to think loving thoughts in my times of stress.
The loving thoughts that I conditioned myself to think eventually brought my adrenal glands into balance. But what has this got to do with illness? The answer to this question may be found in any good medical text that covers the endocrine system. In such a text you will find specific effects that secretions from each of the endocrine glands have on different parts of the body.
The ultimate question then becomes: how can we know precisely what emotion causes which illness? I know of only one person who has been courageous enough to even attempt to answer this question in any detail with a published book. Her name is Louise Hay. Her classic work is called Heal Your Body. It’s an inexpensive little book in most bookstores. The Internet has also provided some clues that I will touch on below.
The Pituitary Gland
The Pituitary gland has an aura around it (sometimes called the Brow Chakra) and is located a few inches behind, between the eyes. It elaborates a host of different secretions. Some of these exercise control over other endocrine glands (pineal, thyroid, adrenals, etc) which influences digestion, reproduction, growth, metabolism and motivation, protein anabolism, blood sugar levels, fatty acid levels, REM sleep, stress, emotion, obesity and others.
This is considered the highest vibrational center in the subtle, emotional body. Many believe you may bring this center into balance through meditation and inner searching of one's goals in life. It influences the cerebral cortex, the central nervous system, and the left & right brain.
An energy blockage in this gland can cause illness involving any of the physical systems mentioned above. On a more subtle level it could cause us to seek unworthy goals with apathy toward one's spiritual welfare. The physical result can also manifest as cerebral dysfunction or psychotic behavior.
An energy excess can cause one to seek ones goals too energetically or cause a desire to achieve them too swiftly. The result could be persistent headaches, or brain tumor in extreme cases.
Balanced energy in this gland can result in balanced attitudes toward our material as well as our spiritual goals in life. All of this filters down to the physical level as overall good health.
The Pineal gland has an energy field around it (sometimes called the Crown Chakra) which influences our reproductive activities, our motivation, and our emotions.
This is sometimes called the seat of intuition and insight into the problems of life. It influences the health of the spinal cord, the eyes, ears, nose and sinuses.
An energy blockage can cause one to live life according to one's mental perception of reality and failing to perceive, or ignoring, intuitive guidance. It can cause lack of spiritual insight and retard growth in the more important goals in life. Physically it can cause sinus problems, eye problems, and endocrine blockages.
An energy excess can cause the misuse of our intuitive faculties or our more subtle powers as spiritual beings. Physically it can cause cataracts, sinus congestion, inflammation or toxicity in the areas of influence.
A balanced energy permits the proper use of our spiritual powers. It results in increased, and more accurate intuitive guidance.
The Thymus gland is Connected to the heart chakra. It influences: Cell growth, immunity to disease, expelling toxins and foreign invaders & general health maintenance. After puberty gland is replaced by fatty tissue. By maturity the gland becomes atrophied (inactive). The heart chakra has connections to all the lower chakras.
The Heart Chakra effects the ability to express love. It is the balancing factor between the higher and lower bodies (mental and emotional). It influences the health of the physical heart, bronchial
tubes, lungs, breasts and circulatory systems.
Energy Blockage can cause loneliness, depression, bad love relationships or the inability to love in a detached way. Physically it can cause blood clots, stagnation of blood flow to any part of the body, including the brain, causing a stroke. This lack of nutrients can cause asthma and effect the pulmonary function, digestion, blood pressure, immunity function, causing rheumatoid arthritis.
Energy Excess can cause heart failure, high blood pressure, or stress.
Balanced Energy results in loving all of life in a detached way as well as one's self. One gives without expecting anything in return. It causes a balanced life, inner peace, a strong heart and constitution.
The Thyroid Gland is Connected to the throat chakra. It influences: tissue growth, muscular control, reproductive cycle, urine control, blood pressure, metabolism regulation, nervous system, blood calcium regulation.
The Throat Chakra influences growth, glands and structures in the neck region, the mouth, vocal cords, the trachea the cervical vertebrae and parasympathetic nervous system of the autonomic nervous system. Effects the ability to communicate, creativity, self-expression, self-discipline, decision-making.
Energy Blockage can cause difficulty in making decisions, poor self-discipline and the inability to express oneself creatively. When projected into the physical, it can cause deterioration in those structures dependent on the thyroid, causing laryngitis or thyroiditis.
Energy Excess can cause one to make decisions hastily, may tend to be inflexible. In the physical it can cause glandular tumors, cancer of the larynx and toxic or cancerous condition in structures dependent on thyroid secretions.
Balanced Energy can enhance creative self-expression, and be highly self disciplined as well as flexible.
Adrenal Glands are connected to the solar plexus influences: blood levels of sodium, potassium & water, metabolism, stress, inflammatory processes, emotion.
The Solar Plexus provides energy for the activities of life. It motivates; It excites to action. It projects power. It is the most common site for energy blockage. It supplies energy for digestion and purification of body organs including the stomach, pancreas, liver, gall bladder, spleen, lumbar vertebrae. and adrenal glands.
Energy Blockage can cause fear, low self worth, impatience. Physically it can cause, constipation, fatigue, hypoglycemia and a sense of loss of personal power.
Energy Excess may cause anger, intolerance or impatience. Physically it can cause diabetes, excess of stress, ulcers, desire to dominate or have power over others.
Balanced Energy can cause one to be highly motivated in worthy, growth activities and a strong desire to be of help to others.
The Pancreas influences: blood sugar, liver health, digestion, body energy, protein synthesis by body tissues. Influences the Spleen or lyden that influences the immune system, blood production, trauma.
The Sacral Chakra is considered the seat of sexuality and is associated with the reproductive functions.
Energy Blockage is caused by deviate or suppressed sexual desires. It can cause colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, malabsorption diseases of the small intestine, sexual dysfunction and lower back problems.
Energy Excess can cause excessive lust and sexual practices. Physically it can cause bladder tumors, cervical and uterine cancer in women and leydig cell cancer prostate Cancer in men.
Balanced Energy can cause healthy attitude toward the use of sex and extension of physical longevity and health.
Gonads/Ovaries are connected to the base chakra. They influence reproduction, cell nourishment. sexual traits and biorhythm
The Base Chakra is the chakra that binds us to the earth or the activities that are required for our survival in this environment. It is associated with the spine and the external orifices such as the rectum and urethra.
Energy Blockage can cause inflexibility, and at the physical level, hemorrhoids, rectal fissures, urethral strictures, and constipation.
Energy Excess can cause paranoia and a tendency to act defensively in most situations as well as a very strong will to live. Physiologically it can cause diarrhea.
Balanced Energy In a positive vein it can promote stability and the ability to be highly creative.
Thoughts are the Solution
Now the second big question: How do I tear down those firmly ingrained attitudes built up through our traditional methods of teaching. The answer is: we tear them down using the same method we used when we first established them, namely by establishing a brand new thought pattern.
Thought patterns are the groundwork of our attitudes. Change them and our attitudes and beliefs will change automatically. I remember sitting in my religion classes listening to the teacher tell me, “you must have faith, because faith can move mountains.” I would always think to myself, “I’d do anything to have half that kind of faith. How can I get.” The usual response to that question was, “Faith is a gift.”
After many years of study and trial and error, I’ve learned that faith is not a gift. Nothing is given without payment, otherwise God’s justice becomes imperfect. It takes effort and self-discipline. The next paragraph may very well be the most important sentence in all of the newsletters I’ve ever published, because it will be the basis for what your attitude will become.
I first heard this while attending a lecture by a clergyman from Columbia, Maryland. He was speaking about the four fundamentals of a Spiritual life: prayer or meditation, study, devotion to a Supreme Deity and self-discipline. But none of the first three are possible without number four: Self-discipline, and the most important time to exercise self-discipline is in our thoughts. One of his final statements was this: “The most important decision you have to make at any given time is: what to think next.” Memorize this. Commit it to memory, and never forget it. This is the foundation for establishing any new attitude, or for strengthening your old attitude.
Most of us are aware of those fortunate few who defy the doctor’s death sentence when they are given only a few months to live. The question I had when I first heard about such a case was: “What’s attitude got to do with healing a illness? How could my mind possibly have anything to do with healing the physical body.” It took me many years to convince myself that there is a connection between mental and physical.
Some of you may remember an earlier newsletter when I wrote about the "Right Hand Rule" in physics The rule has to do with the flow of electricity through a conductor, like the electrical wires in our houses, for example . The "Right Hand Rule" states that if we would grasp one of the wires in our house in our right hand, with our thumb pointing in the direction of the electrical flow, then our fingers would point in the direction of the magnetic field around the wire that results from that electrical flow. This is an undeniable law of physics.
Conversely, physical law also states that whenever you can detect a magnetic field around a conductor, then you can be certain that there is a flow of electrical energy through that conductor. Several conclusions may be drawn from this law.
"The Right Hand Rule" in Action
As it turns out, there's not one object on the face of this earth that is not effected by the "Right Hand Rule." A husband and wife team proved this many years ago. In 1963, a Russian couple, Semjon and Valentine Kirlian, took out a patent for a technology that they called electro-photography. With a special camera they built, they were able to take photographs of very subtle magnetic fields. They took pictures of hundreds of objects, and they all had magnetic field around them. This is also true of you and me. Our energy fielda are usually called auras. Each of our auras are as unique as a fingerprint. They once photographed a man with a missing hand and found that his hand still existed at a more subtle level of reality, because the outline of the hand was defined by his aura.
Subsequent studies with auras have discovered that organs within our bodies also have their own unique auras. Interestingly, the most prominent auras in our bodies were not detected around the organs we are most familiar with like the heart, the lungs or the stomach. The most powerful and widespread energy fields were detected around the glands of our endocrine system: the Pituitary, the Pineal and the Thymus glands.
The Physical- Psychological Bridge
Our physical bodies consist of a number of separate but linked systems that make up the entire community of cells: the Circulatory System, the Lymphatic System, the Nervous System, the Pulmonary System, the Musculo-skeletal System, the outer covering or skin, and, last but not least, the Endocrine System, etc. Most of us have a basic knowledge of most of these systems, but very few of us know much about the Endocrine System.
Ed Leary
ear sunayna,
namaskar.
Thank you for you appreciation and so I am giving below another balancing thought very much in consonance with your topic "attitude is everything"
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Hello, people,
There are many inputs by people on the concept that attitude is everything. Even I want to make people think about a concept called the ASK concept, which suggests that a person can succeed when the first word 'A' is present in that person's behavior. So, 'A' stands for attitude, 'S' for skill, and 'K' for knowledge. Therefore, people with skill and knowledge may fail in life if they do not have the right attitude. Take Bill Gates, for example. He had the attitude to create the group called Microsoft rather than relying solely on skill and knowledge factors. I can elaborate more on how this 'A' factor influences people, especially in helping them succeed.
Okay, see you all. Bye.
From India, Vadodara
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There are many inputs by people on the concept that attitude is everything. Even I want to make people think about a concept called the ASK concept, which suggests that a person can succeed when the first word 'A' is present in that person's behavior. So, 'A' stands for attitude, 'S' for skill, and 'K' for knowledge. Therefore, people with skill and knowledge may fail in life if they do not have the right attitude. Take Bill Gates, for example. He had the attitude to create the group called Microsoft rather than relying solely on skill and knowledge factors. I can elaborate more on how this 'A' factor influences people, especially in helping them succeed.
Okay, see you all. Bye.
From India, Vadodara
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Wow, it took me 1 hour to read it with concentration, but it was worth it. So, people do read it. I sure believe in physical and mental connection. I'm unable to eat when I'm sad, so there is some connection somewhere.
Hello Dr. JM. What I would like to know is how to activate the glands?
Hi Sreenivasan, you know, I knew this theory and I called it the SKA theory. I would always forget the initials. ASK makes it easier to remember. 😉
From India, Mumbai
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Hello Dr. JM. What I would like to know is how to activate the glands?
Hi Sreenivasan, you know, I knew this theory and I called it the SKA theory. I would always forget the initials. ASK makes it easier to remember. 😉
From India, Mumbai
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This article again emphasizes that there is a strong connection between what you think and what you do.
I remember this story about some frogs... There was this contest where the frogs had to jump a wall... but no one believed that it was possible... so they kept booing and passing comments... all frogs lost hope and gave up. One frog, though, didn't stop trying and made it. When he was asked how he did it and how much practice he put in, everyone realized that he was deaf - he couldn't hear the negative comments.
THE FOUR UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES THAT CAN BRING YOU UNCOMMON SUCCESS by Loral Langemeier
I talk a lot about having a particular mindset when working on your business. It's the same wealth mindset I learned from my mentor, Bob Proctor. Some of you have seen Bob's stick figure drawings that show how we get the results we do in our lives. Essentially, your thoughts become an idea. That idea causes a particular emotion. The emotion alters your vibration, and the vibration is expressed through action. The actions create the results that show up in your condition, circumstance, and environment. The action, in turn, causes a reaction that again alters your results. This is the same cycle we run through daily, and it's why a person stuck in poverty stays in poverty, and the person finding incredible deals keeps finding more incredible deals.
The stick figure's "head" is split in two - the conscious and subconscious. The subconscious is by far the larger of the two and is your power center. Any thought you continuously impress upon your subconscious becomes fixed, or in the words of Michael Roach, "germinate, then expand."
This is where the principles put forth by Roach really intrigue me. I see a lot of truth in these principles, and I'll explain each in my own words.
The four principles:
1. Whatever it is you are currently experiencing always matches the general content of thoughts that were at one time impressed upon your subconscious.
2. The strength of the original impression continuously expands in your subconscious until it flowers and forces you to have an experience that directly relates to that impression.
3. No experience of any kind ever happens unless there was an original thought that had been impressed that relates to the experience.
4. Once a thought has been impressed in the subconscious, it must lead to an experience. No impression is ever wasted.
I'll try to relate these principles to a practical application so you can get a sense of their power. A young girl is told repeatedly that women don't have a good mind for business. This thought is impressed upon her subconscious and grows throughout her teens. What she sees, and the experiences she has are in alignment with this impression and cause it to grow. She goes through college, finds a job, and moves to an area that is experiencing a real estate boom. However, all the houses she finds are bad deals, or she arrives too late. Her experiences match the impression in her subconscious that she doesn't have a good mind for business.
A second young girl is told that she can do anything she wants, and that she's got a good mind for business. Her experiences serve to reinforce this impression, and by the time she moves to the same area as the first girl, she's already created several businesses for herself. She sees incredible deals all over town and jumps on them immediately.
Here we have two girls living in the same town. One sees great deals, the other gives up because she can't seem to find any decent deals. One believes she has a knack for business, and the other is convinced she's not good at business. The experiences they have and the circumstances that greet them on a daily basis match whatever has been impressed upon their subconscious minds.
How this information can change your life:
First, you have to realize that whatever it is you are currently experiencing is a result of thoughts and actions from your past. Current circumstances are no more or less than the expression of what has been impressed upon your subconscious mind. You are simply experiencing what you have prepared yourself to experience.
I see this as very good news, and here's why. If what you're currently experiencing is a result of past thoughts and actions, then doesn't it apply that your future experiences will be a result of your present thoughts and actions? Yes, it does!
You may have heard me talk about the importance of being in action and about compartmentalizing your tasks throughout the day. That is, when it's time to do email, you do email. When it's time to work on a particular project, that's what you do. This requires diligence and sometimes a great deal of practice to stay focused. When you act in this way, you start creating little successes in each part of your life. These successes and the focused attention create NEW impressions upon your subconscious. These new impressions will eventually surface in the form of new experiences.
Think of it a different way, and this will blow your mind. To experience what you want in the future, all you have to do is begin impressing into your subconscious the thoughts that directly relate to that experience today, then acting according to the feelings you have when you impress those thoughts. This is how you create new experiences.
Simply figure out what you want to experience and work your way back from the experience to determine the thoughts and actions that will create the experience. This always works, without exception. Positive thoughts get reinforced through positive action, and negative thoughts through negative action. It's an incredibly simple concept to understand, but takes a lot of patience and persistence to get right, and you have to stick with it.
Here's a practical example. Say you want to get involved in flipping real estate, but your current experience is that everyone else seems to find the good deals, and that you always get there too late. Look back at your life to examine the thoughts and actions that were impressed upon your subconscious and resulted in your current experience. In "The Diamond Cutter", Roach goes through 46 business problems people face and identifies the root cause and how to create new impressions.
It's likely that if you're always behind or left out, you had this image of yourself impressed upon your subconscious early in your life. Maybe your brother or sister got all the attention, or you had to wear his or her old clothes. These thoughts create feelings of inadequacy, resentment, or jealousy. Actions are then based on these feelings and reinforce the impression of "not good enough".
You have to break the cycle and create new, positive impressions.
What I like about Roach's approach is how much it requires very specific action to create a new impression in your subconscious. People who don't take the time to do a financial baseline or forecast are fueling the impression of lack - lack of time; lack of resources; or lack of money. To create the opposite impression in your subconscious, complete your baseline and forecast as a way of impressing the thought that "there is plenty of time to do what's needed for my business, and I believe I can make my targets."
It's important to understand that the simplest tasks often create the most powerful impressions. Knowing that you have over 60,000 thoughts in a day, what if you took actions throughout the day that required you to have mostly positive thoughts?
In the above example, the person who feels that everyone else gets the good stuff would benefit from having a mini-celebration every time she hears about another person's success. This impresses the idea that there are good deals to be had, and getting them is a very good thing. Yes, it's that subtle, and that easy to create new impressions. Remember to give it time, though.
Creating the impressions that result in building wealth and the expression of your power
1. Examine your current situation and understand what has been impressed upon your subconscious.
2. Create the vision of what you want to experience in the future.
3. Determine the thoughts and actions that will most likely result in those experiences.
4. Define the strategies and tactics necessary to impress the right thoughts and take the right actions.
5. Go into action.
More specifically:
If you haven't already created your 2005 baseline and forecast, do it as soon as possible to nurture the impressions of success.
Take the steps to protect your assets and your business. This helps to create the subconscious impression of your value and worth.
Develop real marketing plans for your business to impress upon your mind your ability to succeed.
Create or further develop your wealth team. Surround yourself with quality people you trust, and you impress upon your subconscious the energy or idea of quality. This results in quality experiences.
Celebrate in the success of your colleagues, and learn to collaborate instead of compete. Collaboration and celebration (and gratitude) create impressions of success in your subconscious so that you may create future experiences in which you feel celebrated and grateful.
Summary
These are extremely powerful concepts. Yes, you absolutely need to learn about and exercise the fundamentals of wealth-building. Develop your plan and strategy. Create your baseline and entity structuring. But, perhaps most importantly, begin creating the kinds of impressions on your subconscious that will eventually lead you to the experiences you want to have. I am constantly working on my mental conditioning, as should you if you want to join me at the head of the table.
Loral Langemeier, author, speaker, and founder of Live Out Loud, is a pioneer in financial coaching who empowers people to build wealth and achieve financial success.
From India, Mumbai
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I remember this story about some frogs... There was this contest where the frogs had to jump a wall... but no one believed that it was possible... so they kept booing and passing comments... all frogs lost hope and gave up. One frog, though, didn't stop trying and made it. When he was asked how he did it and how much practice he put in, everyone realized that he was deaf - he couldn't hear the negative comments.
THE FOUR UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES THAT CAN BRING YOU UNCOMMON SUCCESS by Loral Langemeier
I talk a lot about having a particular mindset when working on your business. It's the same wealth mindset I learned from my mentor, Bob Proctor. Some of you have seen Bob's stick figure drawings that show how we get the results we do in our lives. Essentially, your thoughts become an idea. That idea causes a particular emotion. The emotion alters your vibration, and the vibration is expressed through action. The actions create the results that show up in your condition, circumstance, and environment. The action, in turn, causes a reaction that again alters your results. This is the same cycle we run through daily, and it's why a person stuck in poverty stays in poverty, and the person finding incredible deals keeps finding more incredible deals.
The stick figure's "head" is split in two - the conscious and subconscious. The subconscious is by far the larger of the two and is your power center. Any thought you continuously impress upon your subconscious becomes fixed, or in the words of Michael Roach, "germinate, then expand."
This is where the principles put forth by Roach really intrigue me. I see a lot of truth in these principles, and I'll explain each in my own words.
The four principles:
1. Whatever it is you are currently experiencing always matches the general content of thoughts that were at one time impressed upon your subconscious.
2. The strength of the original impression continuously expands in your subconscious until it flowers and forces you to have an experience that directly relates to that impression.
3. No experience of any kind ever happens unless there was an original thought that had been impressed that relates to the experience.
4. Once a thought has been impressed in the subconscious, it must lead to an experience. No impression is ever wasted.
I'll try to relate these principles to a practical application so you can get a sense of their power. A young girl is told repeatedly that women don't have a good mind for business. This thought is impressed upon her subconscious and grows throughout her teens. What she sees, and the experiences she has are in alignment with this impression and cause it to grow. She goes through college, finds a job, and moves to an area that is experiencing a real estate boom. However, all the houses she finds are bad deals, or she arrives too late. Her experiences match the impression in her subconscious that she doesn't have a good mind for business.
A second young girl is told that she can do anything she wants, and that she's got a good mind for business. Her experiences serve to reinforce this impression, and by the time she moves to the same area as the first girl, she's already created several businesses for herself. She sees incredible deals all over town and jumps on them immediately.
Here we have two girls living in the same town. One sees great deals, the other gives up because she can't seem to find any decent deals. One believes she has a knack for business, and the other is convinced she's not good at business. The experiences they have and the circumstances that greet them on a daily basis match whatever has been impressed upon their subconscious minds.
How this information can change your life:
First, you have to realize that whatever it is you are currently experiencing is a result of thoughts and actions from your past. Current circumstances are no more or less than the expression of what has been impressed upon your subconscious mind. You are simply experiencing what you have prepared yourself to experience.
I see this as very good news, and here's why. If what you're currently experiencing is a result of past thoughts and actions, then doesn't it apply that your future experiences will be a result of your present thoughts and actions? Yes, it does!
You may have heard me talk about the importance of being in action and about compartmentalizing your tasks throughout the day. That is, when it's time to do email, you do email. When it's time to work on a particular project, that's what you do. This requires diligence and sometimes a great deal of practice to stay focused. When you act in this way, you start creating little successes in each part of your life. These successes and the focused attention create NEW impressions upon your subconscious. These new impressions will eventually surface in the form of new experiences.
Think of it a different way, and this will blow your mind. To experience what you want in the future, all you have to do is begin impressing into your subconscious the thoughts that directly relate to that experience today, then acting according to the feelings you have when you impress those thoughts. This is how you create new experiences.
Simply figure out what you want to experience and work your way back from the experience to determine the thoughts and actions that will create the experience. This always works, without exception. Positive thoughts get reinforced through positive action, and negative thoughts through negative action. It's an incredibly simple concept to understand, but takes a lot of patience and persistence to get right, and you have to stick with it.
Here's a practical example. Say you want to get involved in flipping real estate, but your current experience is that everyone else seems to find the good deals, and that you always get there too late. Look back at your life to examine the thoughts and actions that were impressed upon your subconscious and resulted in your current experience. In "The Diamond Cutter", Roach goes through 46 business problems people face and identifies the root cause and how to create new impressions.
It's likely that if you're always behind or left out, you had this image of yourself impressed upon your subconscious early in your life. Maybe your brother or sister got all the attention, or you had to wear his or her old clothes. These thoughts create feelings of inadequacy, resentment, or jealousy. Actions are then based on these feelings and reinforce the impression of "not good enough".
You have to break the cycle and create new, positive impressions.
What I like about Roach's approach is how much it requires very specific action to create a new impression in your subconscious. People who don't take the time to do a financial baseline or forecast are fueling the impression of lack - lack of time; lack of resources; or lack of money. To create the opposite impression in your subconscious, complete your baseline and forecast as a way of impressing the thought that "there is plenty of time to do what's needed for my business, and I believe I can make my targets."
It's important to understand that the simplest tasks often create the most powerful impressions. Knowing that you have over 60,000 thoughts in a day, what if you took actions throughout the day that required you to have mostly positive thoughts?
In the above example, the person who feels that everyone else gets the good stuff would benefit from having a mini-celebration every time she hears about another person's success. This impresses the idea that there are good deals to be had, and getting them is a very good thing. Yes, it's that subtle, and that easy to create new impressions. Remember to give it time, though.
Creating the impressions that result in building wealth and the expression of your power
1. Examine your current situation and understand what has been impressed upon your subconscious.
2. Create the vision of what you want to experience in the future.
3. Determine the thoughts and actions that will most likely result in those experiences.
4. Define the strategies and tactics necessary to impress the right thoughts and take the right actions.
5. Go into action.
More specifically:
If you haven't already created your 2005 baseline and forecast, do it as soon as possible to nurture the impressions of success.
Take the steps to protect your assets and your business. This helps to create the subconscious impression of your value and worth.
Develop real marketing plans for your business to impress upon your mind your ability to succeed.
Create or further develop your wealth team. Surround yourself with quality people you trust, and you impress upon your subconscious the energy or idea of quality. This results in quality experiences.
Celebrate in the success of your colleagues, and learn to collaborate instead of compete. Collaboration and celebration (and gratitude) create impressions of success in your subconscious so that you may create future experiences in which you feel celebrated and grateful.
Summary
These are extremely powerful concepts. Yes, you absolutely need to learn about and exercise the fundamentals of wealth-building. Develop your plan and strategy. Create your baseline and entity structuring. But, perhaps most importantly, begin creating the kinds of impressions on your subconscious that will eventually lead you to the experiences you want to have. I am constantly working on my mental conditioning, as should you if you want to join me at the head of the table.
Loral Langemeier, author, speaker, and founder of Live Out Loud, is a pioneer in financial coaching who empowers people to build wealth and achieve financial success.
From India, Mumbai
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"Wow, it took me 1 hr to read it with concentration, but it was worth it. So, people do read it.
I sure believe in physical and mental connection. I'm unable to eat when I'm sad, so there is some connection somewhere.
Hello Dr. JM, what I would like to know is how to activate the glands?
Dear Sunayna,
Namaskar.
In the meanwhile, Sreenivasan has posted a nice message. You too have posted a supplementary article on the relationship between thoughts and deeds. I shall go for its second reading. Now I am answering to the above post.
Thank God you did not curse me while having concentrated reading of one hour. Thank you for your patience and interest.
Glands are always in action. It is the direction and magnitude that matters. Attitudes are predispositions, and they modulate direction and magnitude. Then external and internal stimuli accelerate or decelerate the activation levels of the glands. Apart from external and internal stimuli, momentary oscillation of biorhythms also accelerates and decelerates the activation levels of the glands. Among the internal stimuli, thoughts are most important. Thoughts influence body chemistry, and body chemistry influences thoughts. This is cyclic. So, to maintain body homeostasis/balanced state, thoughts are the tools with you.
Now let me demonstrate in you how thoughts can accelerate the activation level of your salivary gland without hypnotizing you in the next post."
From India, Delhi
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I sure believe in physical and mental connection. I'm unable to eat when I'm sad, so there is some connection somewhere.
Hello Dr. JM, what I would like to know is how to activate the glands?
Dear Sunayna,
Namaskar.
In the meanwhile, Sreenivasan has posted a nice message. You too have posted a supplementary article on the relationship between thoughts and deeds. I shall go for its second reading. Now I am answering to the above post.
Thank God you did not curse me while having concentrated reading of one hour. Thank you for your patience and interest.
Glands are always in action. It is the direction and magnitude that matters. Attitudes are predispositions, and they modulate direction and magnitude. Then external and internal stimuli accelerate or decelerate the activation levels of the glands. Apart from external and internal stimuli, momentary oscillation of biorhythms also accelerates and decelerates the activation levels of the glands. Among the internal stimuli, thoughts are most important. Thoughts influence body chemistry, and body chemistry influences thoughts. This is cyclic. So, to maintain body homeostasis/balanced state, thoughts are the tools with you.
Now let me demonstrate in you how thoughts can accelerate the activation level of your salivary gland without hypnotizing you in the next post."
From India, Delhi
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Read the following carefully. Take a pause. Relax. Imagine that you have gone to your choicest fruit chatwala. You have ordered a plate of fruit chat. He pulls out a plate. On it, he cuts a banana, an apple, a tomato, a piece of papaya, pieces of orange, sprinkles some salt on it. Then he takes a big sour green lemon, cuts it. Two hemispheres of the lemon are in his two hands, juice is falling drip drip dripping. Now he squeezes the hemisphere in his right hand on the fruit pieces in the plate, then he squeezes the hemisphere in his left hand on the fruit pieces in the plate. Now he shakes the fruit pieces. The fruit chat is ready. He hands over the chat plate to you. You are enjoying the chat.
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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hi JM ..i get the point..(chat masala is missin though) ok seriously....this one is simpler...how abt other glands??? n how can we tke advantage out of this?
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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" Atiitude defines your altitude '' Its the skills which fetch you the job and its the attitude which makes company retains you. Regards Vinay 9866254387
From India, Hyderabad
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From India, Hyderabad
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Hey Vinay,
That's the best quote. It just says everything about attitude in the simplest and most inspiring way possible. It's so true, isn't it? It's like this trick: if you number each letter of the alphabet with numbers, like A = 1, B = 2, and so on, then H+A+R+D+W+O+R+K gives us 98%. I don't remember, but there were 2-3 others. However, only A+T+T+I+T+U+D+E gives you 100%. So, I think attitude really is everything.
From India, Mumbai
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That's the best quote. It just says everything about attitude in the simplest and most inspiring way possible. It's so true, isn't it? It's like this trick: if you number each letter of the alphabet with numbers, like A = 1, B = 2, and so on, then H+A+R+D+W+O+R+K gives us 98%. I don't remember, but there were 2-3 others. However, only A+T+T+I+T+U+D+E gives you 100%. So, I think attitude really is everything.
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Sunayna,
Namaskar.
From your posts, I get flooded with associations. However, shortlisting and ordering priority is as follows:
1. Am I that deaf frog?
2. Thoughts and deeds
3. "Ok seriously... this one is simpler... how about other glands??? And how can we take advantage out of this?"
Can you please guess how I determined the order?
From India, Delhi
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Namaskar.
From your posts, I get flooded with associations. However, shortlisting and ordering priority is as follows:
1. Am I that deaf frog?
2. Thoughts and deeds
3. "Ok seriously... this one is simpler... how about other glands??? And how can we take advantage out of this?"
Can you please guess how I determined the order?
From India, Delhi
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Here is the corrected version with spelling, grammar, and formatting improvements:
---
Here is the proof of the first point.
"Global health culture and life span of Nobel laureates in physiology or medicine.
Dear friends,
Namaskar.
Nobel award was started in 1901. Since then, the Nobel Prize has been awarded in physiology or medicine as well. According to my online research, 118 Nobel laureates in physiology or medicine have passed away, and 62 are still alive. Those who have passed away had an average lifespan of 79.27 years. The correlation between their year of birth and their lifespan is 0.063. The average age of those who are still alive is 74.13. Only 33.9 percent of them are above 80. Any errors in this information may be corrected if there are gaps in the information or computational errors.
However, contrary to this statistical information, my intuitive prediction is that those who are still alive and those who will receive the award will have a significantly higher average lifespan than those who have already passed away. This prediction is based on the rapid emergence of global health culture. Culture is unique and influences its members consciously or unconsciously.
I am neither an astrologer nor a real age calculator nor a lifespan predictor. Therefore, specialists in these fields or any other specialists or intuitive observers may wish to support or contradict my prediction.
May God bless them to live longer and contribute to the rapid emergence of global health culture. Thank you.
Regards, Jogeshwar."
This message was posted in another community forum several months ago. Despite the time that has passed, not a single reply has been posted, but I remain steadfast in my prediction.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
---
I have corrected the spelling, grammar, and formatting issues in the text while ensuring that the original message's meaning and tone remain intact.
From India, Delhi
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---
Here is the proof of the first point.
"Global health culture and life span of Nobel laureates in physiology or medicine.
Dear friends,
Namaskar.
Nobel award was started in 1901. Since then, the Nobel Prize has been awarded in physiology or medicine as well. According to my online research, 118 Nobel laureates in physiology or medicine have passed away, and 62 are still alive. Those who have passed away had an average lifespan of 79.27 years. The correlation between their year of birth and their lifespan is 0.063. The average age of those who are still alive is 74.13. Only 33.9 percent of them are above 80. Any errors in this information may be corrected if there are gaps in the information or computational errors.
However, contrary to this statistical information, my intuitive prediction is that those who are still alive and those who will receive the award will have a significantly higher average lifespan than those who have already passed away. This prediction is based on the rapid emergence of global health culture. Culture is unique and influences its members consciously or unconsciously.
I am neither an astrologer nor a real age calculator nor a lifespan predictor. Therefore, specialists in these fields or any other specialists or intuitive observers may wish to support or contradict my prediction.
May God bless them to live longer and contribute to the rapid emergence of global health culture. Thank you.
Regards, Jogeshwar."
This message was posted in another community forum several months ago. Despite the time that has passed, not a single reply has been posted, but I remain steadfast in my prediction.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
---
I have corrected the spelling, grammar, and formatting issues in the text while ensuring that the original message's meaning and tone remain intact.
From India, Delhi
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Hi, sorry I'm running a little late with the answers. You are obviously not the frog. Now, what made you think about that? This was regarding the earlier mail, Baba. And nope, I don't know how you determined the order. Maybe because you don't know the answer? :lol: lol... Please do reply soon.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Dear Sunayna,
Namaskar.
Thank you for defrogging me. So let me skip over to point 3. But be sure what you think as "simpler," I am presenting as complex, and what you think as complex, I am making it simple. Before that, please be exposed to the world where we are now.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
MIND/BODY MEDICINE
An Alternative and Complementary Medicine Resource Guide
Contents:
Introduction
Books
Journals
Professional and Research Organizations
Self-help and Referral Organizations
Treatment Centers
Web resources
INTRODUCTION
Beginning in the 17th century, the need for separation between the mind and body arose within Western cultures. This gave medical science the freedom to explore and experiment on the physical body while maintaining the church's domain over the mind. While this separation has permitted great advances in the understanding of the nature and treatment of diseases, it has also limited its progression as it has produced a reliance of Western medicine on technology and what has come to be known as "body-mind dualism."
Within the last 30 years, some researchers have turned to alternative and complementary medical systems to explore the interconnections between mind and body. Researchers have also learned that most traditional systems of medicine appreciate and incorporate into their practice the complex and powerful relationship between the mind and the body.
Scientists have developed a new discipline called psychoneuroimmunology, which interlinks psychological, autonomic, immune, and nervous system functioning. Current mind/body medicine extends beyond psychoneuroimmunology to include the fields of psychology and physics in a new "science of consciousness," which views energy as the underlying pattern of the universe. This is similar to many Asian philosophies, such as Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine, that see human beings as part of an interconnected, universal energy field.
Healing, using mind/body medicine, usually begins by promoting physical and mental relaxation, and developing better ways of coping with stress. A variety of techniques may be used, including biofeedback, body psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and guided imagery (see our Molecules of Emotion Resource Guide for resources on these and more topics). Mind/body medicine is based on the recognition of the relationship between mind and body, the body's innate healing potential, and the partnership of patient and healer in restoring the body to health.
In 1993, The New England Journal of Medicine published a study stating that one in three adults had used some form of unconventional medicine, with mind/body techniques being the most frequently used type. Mind/body medicine has emerged as an integral part of comprehensive health care, has given rise to the legitimization of widespread research, and the incorporation of mind/body programs in major medical institutions.
[Back to Contents]
NOTE: The following resource listings are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to be used as a guide for treatment. They are provided for information only. The resources are selected and categorized to help you with your research.
BOOKS
AUTHORITATIVE RESEARCH RESOURCES
MIND/BODY
Daniel Goleman, Ph.D. and Joel Gurin
Mind-Body Medicine: How to Use Your Mind for Better Health
Consumer Reports Books, 1995
Provides current information compiled by several contributors on the crucial role the mind plays in health, an analysis of the mind/body connection, and specific techniques for using the mind to achieve better health.
James S. Gordon, M.D.
Manifesto for a New Medicine: Your Guide to Healing Partnerships and the Wise Use of Alternative Therapies
Perseus Press, 1997
Provides an understanding for the use and applications of alternative therapies with a strong guide for blending the best of traditional and alternative methods.
Steven Locke, M.D.
The Healer Within: The New Medicine of Mind and Body
Plumsock Mesoamerican Studies, 1997
A clear authoritative presentation of psychoneuroimmunology, showing how emotions and attitudes can affect health and treatment of illness.
Candace B. Pert, Ph.D.
Foreword by Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Molecules of Emotion: Why You Feel the Way You Feel
Scribner, 1997
Based on her research, discusses how molecules and chemicals can link mind and body, affecting your health.
PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY
Elliot S. Dacher, M.D.
Psychoneuroimmunology: The New Mind/Body Healing Program
Paragon House, 1991
A detailed explanation of psychoneuroimmunology. Dr. Dacher provides a program on disease prevention, risk reduction, and recovery, applying principles based on imagery, meditation, and biofeedback research.
Manfred Schedlowski and Uwe Tewes
Psychoneuroimmunology: an Interdisciplinary Introduction
Academic Publishers, 1999
Examines the complex functional relationships between the nervous, neuroendocrine, and immune systems. Produced by international leaders in the field, includes a wealth of cited research studies.
Dr. Alan Watkins
Mind-Body Medicine: A Clinician's Guide to Psychoneuroimmunology
Harcourt Health Sciences Group, 1997
Each chapter focuses on a different clinical problem that practitioners commonly encounter. Provides the reader with current research, scientific explanations of research findings, and some helpful suggestions on alternative therapeutic approaches.
CASE STUDIES/OBSERVATIONAL DATA
Joan Borysenko, Ph.D.
Minding the Body, Mending the Mind
Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishers, 1993
Each chapter focuses on a different clinical problem that practitioners commonly encounter. Provides the reader with current research, scientific explanations of research findings, and some helpful suggestions on alternative therapeutic approaches.
Norman Cousins
Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient
Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishers, 1991
Cousins examines creativity and humor as essential components of treatment for chronic illness.
Norman Cousins
Head First: The Biology of Hope and the Healing Power of the Human Spirit
Penguin USA, 1990
Cousins' account of his personal triumph over severe illness. This book describes his 10-year quest to find proof that positive attitudes are biochemical factors that combat disease.
Burton Goldberg
Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide
Future Medicine Publishing, Inc., 1998
Based on physician testimonials, a general overview of mind/body medicine, and explanations of various modalities such as yoga, meditation, imagery, hypnotherapy, and biofeedback.
Paul R. Martin, Ph.D.
The Healing Mind: The Vital Links Between Brain and Behavior Immunity and Disease
Dunne Books, 1998
An easy-to-read presentation of what is now known about how psychological and emotional states influence physical health and are in turn affected by it.
Bill Moyers
Healing and the Mind
Main Street Books, 1995
A compilation of transcripts of fifteen interviews with leaders in the field of body/mind healing.
Bernie Siegel, M.D.
Love, Medicine, and Miracles
Harper Perennial Library, 1990
Siegel describes how exceptional patients work to heal themselves and find courage and determination to follow new, inspirational paths.
David S. Sobel, M.D., and Robert Ornstein, Ph.D.
The Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Handbook
ISHK Book Service, 1997
Presents strategies and techniques for health improvement such as relaxation, humor, and stress management and evidence of their effectiveness.
[Back to Contents]
JOURNALS
Advances in Mind-Body Medicine
A publication of the Fetzer Institute, which is a non-profit private foundation. The Institute supports research, education, and service programs exploring the integral relationships among body, mind, and spirit. This journal explores the interactions of thoughts, emotions, attitudes, and related phenomena with the body and examines their effects on health.
The Humanistic Psychologist
A journal of the humanistic psychology division of the American Psychological Association; published three times per year.
Journal of Humanistic Psychology
This journal provides a comprehensive look at humanistic psychology, integrating theory, research, and application through a variety of features, such as experiential reports, theoretical papers, research studies, and analyses of contemporary culture.
Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine Journal
Peer-reviewed journal designed to provide guidelines, scientific background, and scientific credibility for subtle-energies applications and to support increased dialogue among clinicians, healers, and the scientific and medical communities.
[Back to Contents]
PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS
Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB)
A non-profit organization largely composed of clinicians, researchers, and educators in biofeedback and related mind-body therapies.
Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
A non-profit educational organization aimed at transforming medicine into a more compassionate, open-minded, and effective model of health care and health education, addressing the mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical dimensions of health and illness. Offers several training programs.
Fetzer Institute
A non-profit private foundation that supports research, education, and service programs exploring the integral relationships among body, mind, and spirit.
Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)
The noetic sciences study the mind and its diverse ways of knowing in a truly interdisciplinary fashion. The IONS is a research and education foundation that produces several publications, organizes educational events, and provides grants for scholarly research.
International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine (ISSSEEM)
An interdisciplinary organization for the study of the basic sciences and medical and therapeutic applications of subtle energies.
Mind/Body Medical Institute and Mind/Body Medical Clinic
Non-profit scientific and educational organization dedicated to promoting worldwide health and well-being, through the study and advancement of mind/body medicine, including the relaxation response and belief systems. Conducts basic and clinical research, offers training to health care professionals and others.
National Institute for
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Namaskar.
Thank you for defrogging me. So let me skip over to point 3. But be sure what you think as "simpler," I am presenting as complex, and what you think as complex, I am making it simple. Before that, please be exposed to the world where we are now.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
MIND/BODY MEDICINE
An Alternative and Complementary Medicine Resource Guide
Contents:
Introduction
Books
Journals
Professional and Research Organizations
Self-help and Referral Organizations
Treatment Centers
Web resources
INTRODUCTION
Beginning in the 17th century, the need for separation between the mind and body arose within Western cultures. This gave medical science the freedom to explore and experiment on the physical body while maintaining the church's domain over the mind. While this separation has permitted great advances in the understanding of the nature and treatment of diseases, it has also limited its progression as it has produced a reliance of Western medicine on technology and what has come to be known as "body-mind dualism."
Within the last 30 years, some researchers have turned to alternative and complementary medical systems to explore the interconnections between mind and body. Researchers have also learned that most traditional systems of medicine appreciate and incorporate into their practice the complex and powerful relationship between the mind and the body.
Scientists have developed a new discipline called psychoneuroimmunology, which interlinks psychological, autonomic, immune, and nervous system functioning. Current mind/body medicine extends beyond psychoneuroimmunology to include the fields of psychology and physics in a new "science of consciousness," which views energy as the underlying pattern of the universe. This is similar to many Asian philosophies, such as Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine, that see human beings as part of an interconnected, universal energy field.
Healing, using mind/body medicine, usually begins by promoting physical and mental relaxation, and developing better ways of coping with stress. A variety of techniques may be used, including biofeedback, body psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and guided imagery (see our Molecules of Emotion Resource Guide for resources on these and more topics). Mind/body medicine is based on the recognition of the relationship between mind and body, the body's innate healing potential, and the partnership of patient and healer in restoring the body to health.
In 1993, The New England Journal of Medicine published a study stating that one in three adults had used some form of unconventional medicine, with mind/body techniques being the most frequently used type. Mind/body medicine has emerged as an integral part of comprehensive health care, has given rise to the legitimization of widespread research, and the incorporation of mind/body programs in major medical institutions.
[Back to Contents]
NOTE: The following resource listings are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to be used as a guide for treatment. They are provided for information only. The resources are selected and categorized to help you with your research.
BOOKS
AUTHORITATIVE RESEARCH RESOURCES
MIND/BODY
Daniel Goleman, Ph.D. and Joel Gurin
Mind-Body Medicine: How to Use Your Mind for Better Health
Consumer Reports Books, 1995
Provides current information compiled by several contributors on the crucial role the mind plays in health, an analysis of the mind/body connection, and specific techniques for using the mind to achieve better health.
James S. Gordon, M.D.
Manifesto for a New Medicine: Your Guide to Healing Partnerships and the Wise Use of Alternative Therapies
Perseus Press, 1997
Provides an understanding for the use and applications of alternative therapies with a strong guide for blending the best of traditional and alternative methods.
Steven Locke, M.D.
The Healer Within: The New Medicine of Mind and Body
Plumsock Mesoamerican Studies, 1997
A clear authoritative presentation of psychoneuroimmunology, showing how emotions and attitudes can affect health and treatment of illness.
Candace B. Pert, Ph.D.
Foreword by Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Molecules of Emotion: Why You Feel the Way You Feel
Scribner, 1997
Based on her research, discusses how molecules and chemicals can link mind and body, affecting your health.
PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY
Elliot S. Dacher, M.D.
Psychoneuroimmunology: The New Mind/Body Healing Program
Paragon House, 1991
A detailed explanation of psychoneuroimmunology. Dr. Dacher provides a program on disease prevention, risk reduction, and recovery, applying principles based on imagery, meditation, and biofeedback research.
Manfred Schedlowski and Uwe Tewes
Psychoneuroimmunology: an Interdisciplinary Introduction
Academic Publishers, 1999
Examines the complex functional relationships between the nervous, neuroendocrine, and immune systems. Produced by international leaders in the field, includes a wealth of cited research studies.
Dr. Alan Watkins
Mind-Body Medicine: A Clinician's Guide to Psychoneuroimmunology
Harcourt Health Sciences Group, 1997
Each chapter focuses on a different clinical problem that practitioners commonly encounter. Provides the reader with current research, scientific explanations of research findings, and some helpful suggestions on alternative therapeutic approaches.
CASE STUDIES/OBSERVATIONAL DATA
Joan Borysenko, Ph.D.
Minding the Body, Mending the Mind
Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishers, 1993
Each chapter focuses on a different clinical problem that practitioners commonly encounter. Provides the reader with current research, scientific explanations of research findings, and some helpful suggestions on alternative therapeutic approaches.
Norman Cousins
Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient
Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishers, 1991
Cousins examines creativity and humor as essential components of treatment for chronic illness.
Norman Cousins
Head First: The Biology of Hope and the Healing Power of the Human Spirit
Penguin USA, 1990
Cousins' account of his personal triumph over severe illness. This book describes his 10-year quest to find proof that positive attitudes are biochemical factors that combat disease.
Burton Goldberg
Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide
Future Medicine Publishing, Inc., 1998
Based on physician testimonials, a general overview of mind/body medicine, and explanations of various modalities such as yoga, meditation, imagery, hypnotherapy, and biofeedback.
Paul R. Martin, Ph.D.
The Healing Mind: The Vital Links Between Brain and Behavior Immunity and Disease
Dunne Books, 1998
An easy-to-read presentation of what is now known about how psychological and emotional states influence physical health and are in turn affected by it.
Bill Moyers
Healing and the Mind
Main Street Books, 1995
A compilation of transcripts of fifteen interviews with leaders in the field of body/mind healing.
Bernie Siegel, M.D.
Love, Medicine, and Miracles
Harper Perennial Library, 1990
Siegel describes how exceptional patients work to heal themselves and find courage and determination to follow new, inspirational paths.
David S. Sobel, M.D., and Robert Ornstein, Ph.D.
The Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Handbook
ISHK Book Service, 1997
Presents strategies and techniques for health improvement such as relaxation, humor, and stress management and evidence of their effectiveness.
[Back to Contents]
JOURNALS
Advances in Mind-Body Medicine
A publication of the Fetzer Institute, which is a non-profit private foundation. The Institute supports research, education, and service programs exploring the integral relationships among body, mind, and spirit. This journal explores the interactions of thoughts, emotions, attitudes, and related phenomena with the body and examines their effects on health.
The Humanistic Psychologist
A journal of the humanistic psychology division of the American Psychological Association; published three times per year.
Journal of Humanistic Psychology
This journal provides a comprehensive look at humanistic psychology, integrating theory, research, and application through a variety of features, such as experiential reports, theoretical papers, research studies, and analyses of contemporary culture.
Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine Journal
Peer-reviewed journal designed to provide guidelines, scientific background, and scientific credibility for subtle-energies applications and to support increased dialogue among clinicians, healers, and the scientific and medical communities.
[Back to Contents]
PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS
Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB)
A non-profit organization largely composed of clinicians, researchers, and educators in biofeedback and related mind-body therapies.
Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
A non-profit educational organization aimed at transforming medicine into a more compassionate, open-minded, and effective model of health care and health education, addressing the mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical dimensions of health and illness. Offers several training programs.
Fetzer Institute
A non-profit private foundation that supports research, education, and service programs exploring the integral relationships among body, mind, and spirit.
Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)
The noetic sciences study the mind and its diverse ways of knowing in a truly interdisciplinary fashion. The IONS is a research and education foundation that produces several publications, organizes educational events, and provides grants for scholarly research.
International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine (ISSSEEM)
An interdisciplinary organization for the study of the basic sciences and medical and therapeutic applications of subtle energies.
Mind/Body Medical Institute and Mind/Body Medical Clinic
Non-profit scientific and educational organization dedicated to promoting worldwide health and well-being, through the study and advancement of mind/body medicine, including the relaxation response and belief systems. Conducts basic and clinical research, offers training to health care professionals and others.
National Institute for
From India, Delhi
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Hi Anjum, Namaskar.
Here are the 7 glands that determine our being and becoming:
1. Pineal
2. Pituitary
3. Thyroids
4. Thymus
5. Pancreas
6. Gonads
7. Adrenal
Where is the 8th? Do you prefer to tame these 7 first or search for the 8th?
Regards, Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Here are the 7 glands that determine our being and becoming:
1. Pineal
2. Pituitary
3. Thyroids
4. Thymus
5. Pancreas
6. Gonads
7. Adrenal
Where is the 8th? Do you prefer to tame these 7 first or search for the 8th?
Regards, Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Dear Sunayna,
Namaskar.
Here is the simpler as complex and then I shall post complex as simple.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
THE SIMPLER AS COMPLEX AND THE COMPLEX AS SIMPLE.
By now we are very clear about cyclic causal relationship:-
ATTITUDES--àTHOUGHTS---àBODY CHEMISTRY--àATTITUDES---à
Simpler as complex
1. The imagination of fruit chat stimulates our salivary gland. We are conditioned to the former. We do not know when. Similarly we are conditioned to billions of stimuli about which we may be innocent. Some such conditioned stimuli facilitate our living while certain others create hindrance and sometimes they are so great that they can shorten our life. So can we differentiate the life facilitating conditioned stimuli and hindrance producing stimuli? My answer is emphatic YES. But before that let me tell you the great history behind the conditioned salivary gland response.
2. In 1904 Ivan Petrovitch Pavlov was awarded Nobel prize. Do you know why? He was doing experiment on gastric juice of dogs in a greatly controlled laboratory condition. It was greatly controlled because he wanted to rule out the influence of extraneous factors in his experiments completely.
3. He was a physiologist and did know that a much more psychic domain exists beyond the material world and both material and psychic phenomenon are intertwined very systematically.
4. One day he noticed that while the page boy who used to feed his dogs was still at a distance but the saliva of the experimental dog is falling dip dip dripping. He was amazed. No food was yet in the mouth of the dog and still it salivates. Then the focus of his experiments changed. He named this reaction as psychic reflex and then as conditioned reflex. For this discovery he was awarded Nobel prize in 1904.
5. An American psychologist, John Broadus Watson of John Hopkins University carried forward conditioning research further. He conditioned the little boy Albert to fear his dear white rabbit and then he extinguished the fear too. This was the great beginning of behaviorist school of psychology and behaviour modification movement as well.
6. In the personal front he developed affairs with one of his students(Rosalie Rayner?). The puritan University administration ousted him on this cause. Then he entered into corporate world. Used his conditioning technology in advertisement and became multi millionaire. Thank God he was not ousted for scientific misconduct for producing conditioned fear responses. In the experiment the overt observable behaviours were recorded and not the autonomic and endocrinal responses because experimental psychopathology was yet to come..
7. Not knowing all these as a beginner in the college while I was hearing the lecture on Pavlov’s conditioning, I reacted. What is great in it? In the association school already there are laws of proximity, similarity and cause and effect etc. My teacher was angry and for days together she did not talk to me.
8. During the post graduate stage I found that there was a great controversy between Wolfgang Kohler and Ivan Petrovitch Pavlov on the issue of associationism and conditioning. After several correspondence Pavlov agreed that associatiotionism and conditioning are identical and they merge together.
9. So this is in brief the great history of fruit chat(of course, without chat masala) and saliva.
10. Now let me go to make the complex as very very simple
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Namaskar.
Here is the simpler as complex and then I shall post complex as simple.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
THE SIMPLER AS COMPLEX AND THE COMPLEX AS SIMPLE.
By now we are very clear about cyclic causal relationship:-
ATTITUDES--àTHOUGHTS---àBODY CHEMISTRY--àATTITUDES---à
Simpler as complex
1. The imagination of fruit chat stimulates our salivary gland. We are conditioned to the former. We do not know when. Similarly we are conditioned to billions of stimuli about which we may be innocent. Some such conditioned stimuli facilitate our living while certain others create hindrance and sometimes they are so great that they can shorten our life. So can we differentiate the life facilitating conditioned stimuli and hindrance producing stimuli? My answer is emphatic YES. But before that let me tell you the great history behind the conditioned salivary gland response.
2. In 1904 Ivan Petrovitch Pavlov was awarded Nobel prize. Do you know why? He was doing experiment on gastric juice of dogs in a greatly controlled laboratory condition. It was greatly controlled because he wanted to rule out the influence of extraneous factors in his experiments completely.
3. He was a physiologist and did know that a much more psychic domain exists beyond the material world and both material and psychic phenomenon are intertwined very systematically.
4. One day he noticed that while the page boy who used to feed his dogs was still at a distance but the saliva of the experimental dog is falling dip dip dripping. He was amazed. No food was yet in the mouth of the dog and still it salivates. Then the focus of his experiments changed. He named this reaction as psychic reflex and then as conditioned reflex. For this discovery he was awarded Nobel prize in 1904.
5. An American psychologist, John Broadus Watson of John Hopkins University carried forward conditioning research further. He conditioned the little boy Albert to fear his dear white rabbit and then he extinguished the fear too. This was the great beginning of behaviorist school of psychology and behaviour modification movement as well.
6. In the personal front he developed affairs with one of his students(Rosalie Rayner?). The puritan University administration ousted him on this cause. Then he entered into corporate world. Used his conditioning technology in advertisement and became multi millionaire. Thank God he was not ousted for scientific misconduct for producing conditioned fear responses. In the experiment the overt observable behaviours were recorded and not the autonomic and endocrinal responses because experimental psychopathology was yet to come..
7. Not knowing all these as a beginner in the college while I was hearing the lecture on Pavlov’s conditioning, I reacted. What is great in it? In the association school already there are laws of proximity, similarity and cause and effect etc. My teacher was angry and for days together she did not talk to me.
8. During the post graduate stage I found that there was a great controversy between Wolfgang Kohler and Ivan Petrovitch Pavlov on the issue of associationism and conditioning. After several correspondence Pavlov agreed that associatiotionism and conditioning are identical and they merge together.
9. So this is in brief the great history of fruit chat(of course, without chat masala) and saliva.
10. Now let me go to make the complex as very very simple
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Let me repeat the cyclic causal relationship:-
ATTITUDES--àTHOUGHTS--àBODY CHEMISTRY---àATTITUDES
Making the complex as simple.
When the imagery of fruit chat is invoked in the consciousness, every conditioned cell in the body gets activated right from frontal lobe/association cortex in the brain to the salivary gland spontaneously. This is true for every thought(percept, image and idea).
Let me illustrate.
We had to buy a polygraph equipment. The supply came. I had to be satisfied on its output. On checking I found that the equipment is OK but performance of certain parameters required modification. The sales manager could not understand what we wanted. So he requested that this be talked with the production engineer. So I had to go to their factory at Chandigarh. The production engineer could understand our requirement in five minutes. But it took 3 days to effect the correction.
When they said that it is ready I had to check it up in their laboratory itself. One of their employee was hooked up into the parameters. I then asked him:
Close your eyes. Imagine that you are late for office. Hurry up. Hurry up…………. Now you have reached the office and you boss has started orally firing you. You are defenseless
All the imaginations are untrue. He is not late. His boss is very much around and viewing the demonstration. Despite that the equipment shows that his blood pressure has gone up, resistance to electrical conductance has gone down and there is hypoventilation in respiration.
All the three systems-circulatory, dermal and respiratory are complex systems. But the idea invoked in the consciousness or its effect travels to each cell of the body which is record able. The only difference between the aforesaid salivary response and these responses is that of magnitude. The former was above the threshold of awareness and these responses are below the threshold of awareness. But the truth is that the thought invoked in the consciousness or its effect travels to each and every cell of the body.
Next question is how to use this knowledge in general and for human resource management in particular.
CAN YOU GUESS?
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
ATTITUDES--àTHOUGHTS--àBODY CHEMISTRY---àATTITUDES
Making the complex as simple.
When the imagery of fruit chat is invoked in the consciousness, every conditioned cell in the body gets activated right from frontal lobe/association cortex in the brain to the salivary gland spontaneously. This is true for every thought(percept, image and idea).
Let me illustrate.
We had to buy a polygraph equipment. The supply came. I had to be satisfied on its output. On checking I found that the equipment is OK but performance of certain parameters required modification. The sales manager could not understand what we wanted. So he requested that this be talked with the production engineer. So I had to go to their factory at Chandigarh. The production engineer could understand our requirement in five minutes. But it took 3 days to effect the correction.
When they said that it is ready I had to check it up in their laboratory itself. One of their employee was hooked up into the parameters. I then asked him:
Close your eyes. Imagine that you are late for office. Hurry up. Hurry up…………. Now you have reached the office and you boss has started orally firing you. You are defenseless
All the imaginations are untrue. He is not late. His boss is very much around and viewing the demonstration. Despite that the equipment shows that his blood pressure has gone up, resistance to electrical conductance has gone down and there is hypoventilation in respiration.
All the three systems-circulatory, dermal and respiratory are complex systems. But the idea invoked in the consciousness or its effect travels to each cell of the body which is record able. The only difference between the aforesaid salivary response and these responses is that of magnitude. The former was above the threshold of awareness and these responses are below the threshold of awareness. But the truth is that the thought invoked in the consciousness or its effect travels to each and every cell of the body.
Next question is how to use this knowledge in general and for human resource management in particular.
CAN YOU GUESS?
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Dear Vishal,
Namaskar.
Here is what science says:
(Seven Endocrine Glands - After Ray Stanford) The endocrine system stands at the heart of human opportunity and human disease. This is the case because the major glands are the transmitting agents for social, emotional, mental, and spiritual forces which underlie the whole of our physical worlds. This idea may seem a bit far-fetched to the uninitiated, simply skeptical, or strictly scientific. Many such folks believe that human beings are just peculiar masses of protoplasm controlled by brain impulses and nervous system patterns. But, there is growing evidence that we are really this and much more. Research is appearing which will eventually validate that, "The mind is not so much in the body, as the body is in the mind."
The choice is yours.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Namaskar.
Here is what science says:
(Seven Endocrine Glands - After Ray Stanford) The endocrine system stands at the heart of human opportunity and human disease. This is the case because the major glands are the transmitting agents for social, emotional, mental, and spiritual forces which underlie the whole of our physical worlds. This idea may seem a bit far-fetched to the uninitiated, simply skeptical, or strictly scientific. Many such folks believe that human beings are just peculiar masses of protoplasm controlled by brain impulses and nervous system patterns. But, there is growing evidence that we are really this and much more. Research is appearing which will eventually validate that, "The mind is not so much in the body, as the body is in the mind."
The choice is yours.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Ah... wanted to ask you the same thing. How can we use this info? My guess would be you can destress your employees and motivate them, but waiting for the answer. And no, I don't think it's boring. I'm reading all this for the first time, and it's fascinating.
Well... also wanted to ask... what gland needs to be activated in order to lose weight? JM, stick to the simpler version. 😉 Where do you get so much info from?
From India, Mumbai
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Well... also wanted to ask... what gland needs to be activated in order to lose weight? JM, stick to the simpler version. 😉 Where do you get so much info from?
From India, Mumbai
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If you want to know about losing weight, there is research in the UK and USA that suggests individuals tend to lose weight quickly when they are in love. Even standard weight loss programs may not achieve the same level of weight loss. You could consider trying this approach if you are looking to lose weight.
From India, Vadodara
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From India, Vadodara
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Hi,
Going by what Sreenivasan said about weight loss, I do not agree with him. In fact, when waiting for my husband, I tend to eat more, which is the reason for what I am today.
Do you have another version of this? I would say that only when you are in love and not married, you tend to lose weight, but after marriage, it is the other way around. 😄
Regards,
Soumya Shankar
From India, Bangalore
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Going by what Sreenivasan said about weight loss, I do not agree with him. In fact, when waiting for my husband, I tend to eat more, which is the reason for what I am today.
Do you have another version of this? I would say that only when you are in love and not married, you tend to lose weight, but after marriage, it is the other way around. 😄
Regards,
Soumya Shankar
From India, Bangalore
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Hey Soumya, Sreenivasan's theory thus sounds right. You are waiting for your husband to arrive, so it is like waiting for love. By the way, Sreenivasan, I meant which gland could help in weight loss.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Hi Soumya Shankar,
I am talking about the research done in the UK, so naturally, it is about people falling in love and then weight loss. It is not connected with marriage, and this research was featured in the Indian Express newspaper. If you want full details, you can refer to the paper.
Sunayna, I do not know about the gland. When I read about the weight loss, this result came to my mind, so I just mentioned it. I think some biological students can deal with that, not me.
From India, Vadodara
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I am talking about the research done in the UK, so naturally, it is about people falling in love and then weight loss. It is not connected with marriage, and this research was featured in the Indian Express newspaper. If you want full details, you can refer to the paper.
Sunayna, I do not know about the gland. When I read about the weight loss, this result came to my mind, so I just mentioned it. I think some biological students can deal with that, not me.
From India, Vadodara
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There’s an old saying that “the level of your being attracts the level
of your life.” In other words, your general tone or ATTiTUDE toward
life will be reflected in the different areas of your life, including your
checkbook.
If you want to have a generous and prosperous bank account, the best
place to start is with your ATTiTUDE.
Here’s a method for checking your attitude by Stephanie Yeh .
First, when you wake up in the morning, check in with yourself.
What’s your attitude?
Are you relaxed and languorous after a good night’s rest or are you
tense and anxious?
What thoughts, if any, are running through your mind? Keep a notebook
by your bed and jot down a few words about your general attitude.
Then, at night, check in again. Review the events of your day and get a
general sense of your attitude. Were the events upbeat and happy or
were they argumentative and tense? Keep a running log for a week – and be
honest!
At the end of the week, look back over your log and assess your general
tone. If your checkbook or financial status is low, chances are your
attitude is also low. If you find that your attitude has been less than
generous all week, try this little exercise for expanding it (and your
checkbook).
Once a day, intentionally go out of your way to be generous, expansive
and kind toward someone. It doesn’t have to be someone you know – just
pick a person to be generous with. You might compliment someone’s
outfit, give someone a smile or tip a little more generously than usual at a
meal. Whatever you choose, keep it simple and easy. Be as sincere as
possible.
Most importantly, don’t expect anything back from that person, and
don’t tell anyone about your kind act.Keeping your kind act of the day
under wraps is really the secret of success for this exercise.
The Universe responds to your generous attitude and reflects that
generosity through your bank account and the richness in your life.
Do this exercise consistently for a week or two and see what comes to
you.
WHATEVER IT IS , IT WILL BE GOOD !!!
From India, Vadodara
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of your life.” In other words, your general tone or ATTiTUDE toward
life will be reflected in the different areas of your life, including your
checkbook.
If you want to have a generous and prosperous bank account, the best
place to start is with your ATTiTUDE.
Here’s a method for checking your attitude by Stephanie Yeh .
First, when you wake up in the morning, check in with yourself.
What’s your attitude?
Are you relaxed and languorous after a good night’s rest or are you
tense and anxious?
What thoughts, if any, are running through your mind? Keep a notebook
by your bed and jot down a few words about your general attitude.
Then, at night, check in again. Review the events of your day and get a
general sense of your attitude. Were the events upbeat and happy or
were they argumentative and tense? Keep a running log for a week – and be
honest!
At the end of the week, look back over your log and assess your general
tone. If your checkbook or financial status is low, chances are your
attitude is also low. If you find that your attitude has been less than
generous all week, try this little exercise for expanding it (and your
checkbook).
Once a day, intentionally go out of your way to be generous, expansive
and kind toward someone. It doesn’t have to be someone you know – just
pick a person to be generous with. You might compliment someone’s
outfit, give someone a smile or tip a little more generously than usual at a
meal. Whatever you choose, keep it simple and easy. Be as sincere as
possible.
Most importantly, don’t expect anything back from that person, and
don’t tell anyone about your kind act.Keeping your kind act of the day
under wraps is really the secret of success for this exercise.
The Universe responds to your generous attitude and reflects that
generosity through your bank account and the richness in your life.
Do this exercise consistently for a week or two and see what comes to
you.
WHATEVER IT IS , IT WILL BE GOOD !!!
From India, Vadodara
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I have corrected the spelling, grammar, and formatting in your text. If you have any more text that needs correction or further assistance, feel free to ask.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Ability is what you’re capable of doing... Motivation determines what you do... Attitude determines how well you do it.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Hi Sunayna,
I mentioned that the way of life and social interactions in the UK are different from here. That is what I meant to convey before posting. If you want, you can allocate time to do the exercise, Sunayna. You have 24 hours, which is 1440 minutes. What do you think, Sunayna?
Furthermore, I would like to point out that attitudes vary from country to country, and even among individuals. However, there may be some underlying commonalities, especially when we consider the same country. What is your opinion on this? What do others think?
Thank you.
From India, Vadodara
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I mentioned that the way of life and social interactions in the UK are different from here. That is what I meant to convey before posting. If you want, you can allocate time to do the exercise, Sunayna. You have 24 hours, which is 1440 minutes. What do you think, Sunayna?
Furthermore, I would like to point out that attitudes vary from country to country, and even among individuals. However, there may be some underlying commonalities, especially when we consider the same country. What is your opinion on this? What do others think?
Thank you.
From India, Vadodara
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Dear sunayna,
Namaskar.
Here are some answers to your questions. More will follow.
“Obesity and Overweight
Endocrinologists treat patients who are overweight or obese, often because of metabolic and hormonal problems. The sign of obesity is too much body fat. Thyroid, adrenal, ovarian, and pituitary disorders can cause obesity. Endocrinologists also identify factors linked with obesity such as, insulin resistance and genetic problems.”
“Taking too much thyroid hormone will usually cause anyone to burn off or waste calories and lose weight but much of the weight lost will be protein and result in osteoporosis and problems with the heart. When the thyroid hormone is stopped or reduced to normal amounts the weight will increase again.
Some individuals, who have been hyperthyroid but have been treated and now have normal thyroid levels, experience more difficulty keeping their weight down as compared to before they ever had a thyroid problem.
Somehow too much thyroid hormone for a period of time may permanently impair an individual's ability to waste extra calories and the weight tends to increase even though the thyroid levels are normal. This applies to individuals who have been hyperthyroid because of a thyroid problem such as Graves' disease and those individuals who take too much thyroid hormone over a long time.
Because of this and the long-term side effects of taking too much, thyroid hormone is not a good way to lose weight.
The safest approach is lifestyle modification that results in decreased caloric intake by changing eating habits and increased expenditure of calories by exercising more. Even though weight control may be more difficult after being hyperthyroid, it is still quite possible.”
The above two quotes speak about the glandular role in overweight and alteration efforts. Now I lead your focus to the last two words of the first quote-“genetic problems”. Instead of calling it genetic problems, let us call it genetic determination. Like certain height, certain weight is also contributed by our ancestors. What is that? If over the years someone is having more or less constant weight, there is no need of concern. This is genetically determined. However, genetic codes also can be broken but let us not enter this area now for obvious reasons-the materials are already too heavy. But please keep in mind that genetic codes also can be broken.
I become surprised when so much of people are concerned about their weight and are spending billions of dollars and are least concerned about body realignment. In our day to day activities we exert differential strain in different locations of the body, This apart our sleeping, sitting and movement styles and stress may de-align our body cells. This is much greater problem than just body weight per se. Body alignment must look majestic, dignified and graceful. When I imagine majestic, dignified and graceful, the lower arms locked figure of Swami Vivekananda appears in my consciousness vividly. One can have his/ her own visualizations. Mere loss of weight will not give this.
Coming back to the body weight, we must keep two things in mind. Are we eating just what we ought to eat? Next, are our alimentary systems in perfect order? I think these two questions are of greater concern than the concern of body weight.
Next, let me move to the RELEVANCE aspect.
From India, Delhi
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Namaskar.
Here are some answers to your questions. More will follow.
“Obesity and Overweight
Endocrinologists treat patients who are overweight or obese, often because of metabolic and hormonal problems. The sign of obesity is too much body fat. Thyroid, adrenal, ovarian, and pituitary disorders can cause obesity. Endocrinologists also identify factors linked with obesity such as, insulin resistance and genetic problems.”
“Taking too much thyroid hormone will usually cause anyone to burn off or waste calories and lose weight but much of the weight lost will be protein and result in osteoporosis and problems with the heart. When the thyroid hormone is stopped or reduced to normal amounts the weight will increase again.
Some individuals, who have been hyperthyroid but have been treated and now have normal thyroid levels, experience more difficulty keeping their weight down as compared to before they ever had a thyroid problem.
Somehow too much thyroid hormone for a period of time may permanently impair an individual's ability to waste extra calories and the weight tends to increase even though the thyroid levels are normal. This applies to individuals who have been hyperthyroid because of a thyroid problem such as Graves' disease and those individuals who take too much thyroid hormone over a long time.
Because of this and the long-term side effects of taking too much, thyroid hormone is not a good way to lose weight.
The safest approach is lifestyle modification that results in decreased caloric intake by changing eating habits and increased expenditure of calories by exercising more. Even though weight control may be more difficult after being hyperthyroid, it is still quite possible.”
The above two quotes speak about the glandular role in overweight and alteration efforts. Now I lead your focus to the last two words of the first quote-“genetic problems”. Instead of calling it genetic problems, let us call it genetic determination. Like certain height, certain weight is also contributed by our ancestors. What is that? If over the years someone is having more or less constant weight, there is no need of concern. This is genetically determined. However, genetic codes also can be broken but let us not enter this area now for obvious reasons-the materials are already too heavy. But please keep in mind that genetic codes also can be broken.
I become surprised when so much of people are concerned about their weight and are spending billions of dollars and are least concerned about body realignment. In our day to day activities we exert differential strain in different locations of the body, This apart our sleeping, sitting and movement styles and stress may de-align our body cells. This is much greater problem than just body weight per se. Body alignment must look majestic, dignified and graceful. When I imagine majestic, dignified and graceful, the lower arms locked figure of Swami Vivekananda appears in my consciousness vividly. One can have his/ her own visualizations. Mere loss of weight will not give this.
Coming back to the body weight, we must keep two things in mind. Are we eating just what we ought to eat? Next, are our alimentary systems in perfect order? I think these two questions are of greater concern than the concern of body weight.
Next, let me move to the RELEVANCE aspect.
From India, Delhi
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THE RELEVANCE
“hello people,
there are many inputs by people on attitude is everything. even i want to make people think about a concept called ASK concept. which tells a person can succedd when the first word A is there in that persons behaviuour. so A is attitude, s is skill and k is knowledge. so ppl with s and k may fail in life since not having A. like bill gates. he has the attitude to make the group called microsoft than s & k factors. so i can talk more about this A factor inluence on the people esp in making people suceed..
ok see u all byee
_________________
Sreenivasan.R “
Here is what sreenivasan says and I agree with him. Suppose we request Mr Surjeet Kumar to select 100 perfect ASKs at their age of 25. He applies his best recruitment devices and gives us 100 perfect ASKs. Fine.We are happy. But the story does not end here. Can Mr. Surjeet Kumar say how many of them can maintain their ASK ness by their age of 50? NO. Can Mr Surjeet Kumar say whose ASK ness will decline at what rate? No. But under the present circumstances inevitably ASK ness will decline with the passage of time.
Here comes our ATTITUDES--àTHOUGHTS---àBODY CHEMISTRY--àATTITUDES-----à--- formula to rescue.
The rule of thumb is- THE GREATER THE CONSCIOUS ADHERENCE TO THIS FARMULA THE SLOWER IS THE RATE OF DECLINE OF ASK NESS.
And yes, the other rule of thumb is for others who do not have perfect ASK ness- THE GREATER THE CONSCIOUS ADHERENCE TO THIS FORMULA THE GREATER IS THE PROBABILITY OF ENRICHMENT OF ASK NESS.
Dear viewers! Do you agree with it?
Dear viewer! Do you not want these rules of thumb?
Next, let me move to HOW TO/HOW TO TO HOW TO.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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“hello people,
there are many inputs by people on attitude is everything. even i want to make people think about a concept called ASK concept. which tells a person can succedd when the first word A is there in that persons behaviuour. so A is attitude, s is skill and k is knowledge. so ppl with s and k may fail in life since not having A. like bill gates. he has the attitude to make the group called microsoft than s & k factors. so i can talk more about this A factor inluence on the people esp in making people suceed..
ok see u all byee
_________________
Sreenivasan.R “
Here is what sreenivasan says and I agree with him. Suppose we request Mr Surjeet Kumar to select 100 perfect ASKs at their age of 25. He applies his best recruitment devices and gives us 100 perfect ASKs. Fine.We are happy. But the story does not end here. Can Mr. Surjeet Kumar say how many of them can maintain their ASK ness by their age of 50? NO. Can Mr Surjeet Kumar say whose ASK ness will decline at what rate? No. But under the present circumstances inevitably ASK ness will decline with the passage of time.
Here comes our ATTITUDES--àTHOUGHTS---àBODY CHEMISTRY--àATTITUDES-----à--- formula to rescue.
The rule of thumb is- THE GREATER THE CONSCIOUS ADHERENCE TO THIS FARMULA THE SLOWER IS THE RATE OF DECLINE OF ASK NESS.
And yes, the other rule of thumb is for others who do not have perfect ASK ness- THE GREATER THE CONSCIOUS ADHERENCE TO THIS FORMULA THE GREATER IS THE PROBABILITY OF ENRICHMENT OF ASK NESS.
Dear viewers! Do you agree with it?
Dear viewer! Do you not want these rules of thumb?
Next, let me move to HOW TO/HOW TO TO HOW TO.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Hi Jogeshwar,
The formula is good, but how do you calculate this conscious adherence? Other than mentioning conscious adherence, can I refer to it as "learning intent" because learning can help maintain the ASK level? I have also heard that some companies try to evaluate this learning capability through tests during entry. If a person has a good ASK level and a strong learning curve, they may sustain. Is that what I am trying to say? If so, please confirm if I am correct or incorrect, Jogeshwar.
From India, Vadodara
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The formula is good, but how do you calculate this conscious adherence? Other than mentioning conscious adherence, can I refer to it as "learning intent" because learning can help maintain the ASK level? I have also heard that some companies try to evaluate this learning capability through tests during entry. If a person has a good ASK level and a strong learning curve, they may sustain. Is that what I am trying to say? If so, please confirm if I am correct or incorrect, Jogeshwar.
From India, Vadodara
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Dear Sreenivasan,
Namaskar.
Thank you for the insight. The causal relationship attitudes -> thoughts -> body chemistry -> attitudes cycle is going on automatically. Only one needs to be conscious of it so that no unhealthy thoughts creep in. This point will be all the more clear in my next post.
It is true that there are individual differences in learning capabilities. But to maintain capabilities whatsoever, balancing body chemistry is absolutely necessary, and that can be done through healthy thoughts only.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Namaskar.
Thank you for the insight. The causal relationship attitudes -> thoughts -> body chemistry -> attitudes cycle is going on automatically. Only one needs to be conscious of it so that no unhealthy thoughts creep in. This point will be all the more clear in my next post.
It is true that there are individual differences in learning capabilities. But to maintain capabilities whatsoever, balancing body chemistry is absolutely necessary, and that can be done through healthy thoughts only.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Hi Jogeshwar,
You are very much right. When people try to know the meaning of attitude, then they can surely understand there is involvement of mind and body in it. So, when a person does not like blood, when he sees blood, he may feel giddiness. So, attitude towards blood has led to body chemistry changes.
Then, you have come to my point itself that I specified about learning because that is a mind-related factor which rates the brain's capability. As you have said, "balancing body chemistry is absolutely necessary, and that can be done through healthy thoughts only."
So, healthy thought is about mind attitude and can be measured from factors related to the mind. The level of attitude affecting the body depends on each person's level of affection for that kind of attitude. I think on the topic itself, I did not go out of it.
From India, Vadodara
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You are very much right. When people try to know the meaning of attitude, then they can surely understand there is involvement of mind and body in it. So, when a person does not like blood, when he sees blood, he may feel giddiness. So, attitude towards blood has led to body chemistry changes.
Then, you have come to my point itself that I specified about learning because that is a mind-related factor which rates the brain's capability. As you have said, "balancing body chemistry is absolutely necessary, and that can be done through healthy thoughts only."
So, healthy thought is about mind attitude and can be measured from factors related to the mind. The level of attitude affecting the body depends on each person's level of affection for that kind of attitude. I think on the topic itself, I did not go out of it.
From India, Vadodara
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Dear Sreenivasan,
Namaskar.
I was tempted to drop just two lines regarding what I spontaneously felt after reading your post. I see a teacher's self in you, and I always say that teaching is the best way of learning. The dictum also goes that the more you distribute knowledge, the more it enriches. Please keep it up.
I shall come to the topic later.
Regards, Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Namaskar.
I was tempted to drop just two lines regarding what I spontaneously felt after reading your post. I see a teacher's self in you, and I always say that teaching is the best way of learning. The dictum also goes that the more you distribute knowledge, the more it enriches. Please keep it up.
I shall come to the topic later.
Regards, Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Hi Jogeshwar,
Sure, I am waiting for your reply. Maybe I will be back to the forum after Sunday since my diploma exam is tomorrow. So, I will be a little busy with studies. But I will definitely come to see what you have explained. I will also try to share the knowledge I have to the maximum extent.
See you.
Have a nice time.
From India, Vadodara
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Sure, I am waiting for your reply. Maybe I will be back to the forum after Sunday since my diploma exam is tomorrow. So, I will be a little busy with studies. But I will definitely come to see what you have explained. I will also try to share the knowledge I have to the maximum extent.
See you.
Have a nice time.
From India, Vadodara
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Hi Sunayna,
I said that the UK people's way of culture and social outgoing is different from here. That is what I meant to say in the before posting.
Oh, sorry, maybe I missed it... haha... it was fun till it lasted.
The culture is definitely different. The pattern of attitude varies from country to country. Yes, it varies from person to person, but there may be some underlying thread which will be the same if we see it in the same country... So, what is your opinion on this?
The culture is definitely different. Chuck country to country... I think my culture and my neighbor's culture vary too.
All the best for your exams! 😄
From India, Mumbai
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I said that the UK people's way of culture and social outgoing is different from here. That is what I meant to say in the before posting.
Oh, sorry, maybe I missed it... haha... it was fun till it lasted.
The culture is definitely different. The pattern of attitude varies from country to country. Yes, it varies from person to person, but there may be some underlying thread which will be the same if we see it in the same country... So, what is your opinion on this?
The culture is definitely different. Chuck country to country... I think my culture and my neighbor's culture vary too.
All the best for your exams! 😄
From India, Mumbai
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hi DR. JM
namaskar...
plz explain....taking???
oh..ul be surprised at the amount ppl spend to l0oook good and lose weight,
i read it someplace...tht obese women spend 78% of their time worryin abt their weight...isnt it sad?
wt is concsious adherance?
n do explain this in a lil more detail
wer do u get this info from?
From India, Mumbai
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namaskar...
plz explain....taking???
oh..ul be surprised at the amount ppl spend to l0oook good and lose weight,
i read it someplace...tht obese women spend 78% of their time worryin abt their weight...isnt it sad?
wt is concsious adherance?
n do explain this in a lil more detail
wer do u get this info from?
From India, Mumbai
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Dear sreenivasan and sunayna and friends,
Namaskar.
I am really grateful to you for giving the opporunity to express myself. Virtually I was waitng for sunayna to return. Before posting HOW TO/HOW TO TO HOW TO, I thought I shall post another article which answers several questions.
To the sunayna's question "wer do u get this info from?" my answer is my greatest guru. For at least five years my medical expence is NIL. I have forgotten when I have met a physician last for any ailment. Second, to keep my motivation high, I make a lot of study to find people who are thinking in my direction. I receive about 50 to 100 e-mails daily. I quickly scan and retain the ones that are very very imortant. then I go to link articles if necessary which are written by eminent authors of the world and/or published in professional journal. I get notification with research abstracts from American Psychological Association as soon as a journal is published. Psywatch is another news letter which gives latest information on research development around the world. I look into the articles of my interest. This how i tone up my intuition and keep information updated as much I can.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
Questions about Endocrine Disruptors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the endocrine system and endocrine disruptors:
What is the endocrine system?
What are hormones?
How do hormones work?
How do scientists study hormones?
What is an endocrine disrupter?
What chemicals cause endocrine disruption?
What natural chemicals have endocrine activity?
What is the relationship between hormones and cancer?
What evidence is there that environmental contaminants are causing endocrine disruption in humans or wildlife?
Should I be worried about endocrine disrupting chemicals?
Links to more information about Endocrine Disruptors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is the endocrine system?
The endocrine system is composed of ductless glands that secret hormones into the blood stream to act at distant sites. Together with the nervous system, the endocrine system is responsible for the integration of many different processes which allow complicated organisms to function as a unit (maintain homeostasis). What does the endocrine system look like?
What are hormones?
Hormones can be proteins, polypeptides, amino acids, or steroids. The most well known hormones are the sex steroids estrogen, produced in the ovaries, and testosterone, produced in the testes. Estrogen and testosterone are also produced in the adrenal glands of both sexes. Other hormones include thyroxin, produced in the thyroid, and insulin, produced in the pancreas. The pituitary and hypothalamus in the brain release a variety of hormones that affect other organs, including the sex glands.
How do hormones work?
From the blood, hormones interact with cells by binding to special proteins called receptors. The binding is specific, like a key in a lock. When enough binding sites are occupied, then a message is passed on to the target cell nucleus unmasking genetic information which results in physiological reactions ultimately responsible for stimulating or regulating proper metabolism, development, growth, reproduction, and behavior. For example, in women estrogen works in this way to control the menstrual cycle, and in men testosterone controls sperm production. Hormones are released into the blood in very small amounts. Their levels are controlled by the rate of release, and the rate of degradation, usually by the liver or kidneys. Timing of hormone release is often critical for normal function. This is especially true during fetal development. Precise hormone control is important, as too much or too little at the wrong time can result in dysfunction of one or several body systems.
How do scientists study hormones?
In laboratory studies, glands can be removed or hormones can be administered to study the effect on animals, such as rats or mice. Human diseases or inherited disorders, which involve hormone imbalance, are studied to better understand the resulting dysfunction and to develop treatments. For example, it is known that men produce small amounts of estrogen and women produce small amounts of testosterone. Too much estrogen in a man results in female characteristics such as enlarged breasts. Too much testosterone in a woman results in male characteristics such as facial hair. Hormone imbalance can be life threatening, as with insulin and diabetes. Estrogen imbalance has been implicated in certain forms of breast cancer.
What is an endocrine disrupter?
There are chemical substances, sometimes called environmental estrogens, both from natural sources and man made, that if present in the body at the right concentration and at the right time, can adversely effect hormone balance or disrupt normal function in the organs that hormones regulate (modulate?). By EPA’s working definition, endocrine disruptors "interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones in the body that are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis (normal cell metabolism), reproduction, development, and/or behavior." Many endocrine disruptors are thought to mimic hormones. They have chemical properties similar to hormones that allows binding to hormone specific receptors on the cells of target organs. However, endocrine disruptor chemistry varies greatly, as does potency -- the effectiveness in binding and "turning on" the response. Most endocrine disruptors have very low potency as their chemistry is significantly different from the hormones they mimic. Lower potency means that a greater amount of endocrine disruptor is required to elicit the same response of the hormone they mimic. In addition to potency, the potential for a hormone-like effect depends on dose. For all known endocrine disruptors there is some dose, below which there will be no effect. At doses slightly above this threshold some endocrine disruptors elicit a beneficial effect, whereas at higher doses the effect is adverse (harmful). Please see EXTOXNET FAQs Endocrine Disruptors - Phytoestrogens.
What chemicals cause endocrine disruption?
Drugs have been specifically designed to treat hormone imbalance in humans. Diethylstilbesterol (DES), a drug with strong estrogenic properties administered to pregnant women until 1971 to prevent miscarriages, is a tragic example. Female children of mothers who took DES during pregnancy have a higher incidence of certain forms of ovarian and vaginal cancer. However, there are many drugs that mimic or otherwise affect hormone balance which are important to modern medicine. Other man made chemicals, with unintentional hormone-like activity include: pesticides such as DDT, vinclozolin, endosulfan, toxaphene, dieldrin, and DBCP, and industrial chemicals and byproducts such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and phenols. Some of these phenols are breakdown products of surfactants, found in soaps and detergents. Also implicated are heavy metals, plastics, cosmetics, textiles, paints, lubricants. Sewage treatment effluent may contain a variety of natural and man made endocrine disruptors, including natural hormones from animal and human waste.
Currently, there are no standard tests to determine if a chemical is an endocrine disruptor. However, both the Clean Water Act and the Food Quality Protection Act require the EPA to develop test methods by 1999. As many endocrine disruptors are thought to affect sex hormone function, and therefore reproduction, the findings in multigeneration animal studies, currently required for pesticide registration by EPA, can provide strong evidence of the potential for endocrine disruption.
What natural chemicals have endocrine activity?
There are natural chemicals in plants that have hormone-like activity. These chemicals, mostly phytoestrogens, are found in high levels in broccoli, cauliflower, soybeans, carrots, oats, rice, onions, legumes, apples, potatoes, beer, and coffee. Most phytoestrogens have weak activity (low potency) and people who consume diets rich in these substances may have a reduced risk of developing some hormone related diseases. However, the actual health risk or benefit of a diet rich in plant hormones is largely unknown. Some researchers argue that dietary consumption of plant hormones dwarfs the potential exposure from man made sources. Please see EXTOXNET -Phytoestrogens.
What is the relationship between hormones and cancer?
Most scientists do not believe that hormones cause or initiate cancer, but some hormones may promote cancer growth. This promotion may result in cancer that appears at a younger age than expected, or in a cancer that grows at a faster rate. These findings suggest that chemicals that act like hormones may also promote cancers. In women, estrogen is thought to play a role in the promotion of some forms of breast cancer. Based on a single epidemiological study, the presence of DDE, a metabolite of DDT, has been associated with increased risk of breast cancer. However, more recent studies provide strong evidence that there is no relationship between DDE exposure and breast cancer. Other studies suggest that specific phytoestrogens and certain PCBs and dioxins can block estrogen from promoting some forms of breast cancer. Please see EXTOXNET TIB - Carcinogenesis.
What evidence is there that environmental contaminants are causing endocrine disruption in humans or wildlife?
Recent studies of wildlife, including alligators, birds, and fish, have investigated the relationship between chemical exposure and reproductive problems. Many of these studies have shown that exposure to high doses can result in malformed reproductive organs, consistent with sex hormone imbalance at a critical stage of fetal development. Studies where very high doses of dioxin were fed directly to pregnant rats show effects on sexual development, sperm production, and sexual behavior in male pups. Directly feeding very high doses of DDT to rats has also shown adverse effects on sexual development. The dramatic results of these high dose studies has lead to speculation by toxicologists that the risk to reproductive success, associated with exposure to much lower levels of some chemicals in the environment, may be unacceptable.
In humans, a recent epidemiology study suggesting that sperm counts have declined by almost 50% over the past 50 years, and that this decline is associated with increased exposure to synthethic chemicals, has made the headlines. Other epidemiologists who have examined the same data do not reach this conclusion. Direct evidence of chemical effects on male fertility has been demonstrated in the study of workers involved in the manufacture of the older pesticides dibromochloropropane and leptophos (neither currently registered in the US). Again, such direct evidence is the result of exposure to very high doses.
Should I be worried about endocrine disrupting chemicals?
The number of chemicals that have been implicated as potential endocrine disruptors is substantial. There are many opportunities for exposure to these chemicals, both singly and as mixtures, albeit usually at very low levels. There are a variety of adverse health effects related to endocrine system dysfunction. This is not surprising, as the basic function of the endocrine system, in addition to controlling sex characteristics and reproductive functions and responding to perceived hostility (adrenaline release), is to maintain homeostasis (even keel) among the diverse functions of the body. Of specific concern is that a single relatively small dose at the right time during pregnancy can effect the fetus in ways that will not show until adulthood, and may impact the next generation due to decreased reproductive success. Also of concern is that these chemicals have been implicated in the increased incidence of certain cancers, including breast cancer.
So what is the risk? What is known with an acceptable degree of certainty is that high doses of some of these chemicals can cause adverse health effects in humans and animals. As the adverse health effects observed in these studies are biologically plausible there is reason for concern. Significant research and biological plausibility also support that responses to endocrine disruptors are dose/potency related: there is a no-effect threshold. In addition, low doses of some substances may result in beneficial effects. Current information on likely levels of exposure does not indicate a significant risk of adverse health effects to humans or wildlife. However, EPA has identified "Hot Spots" where adverse effects to wildlife have been observed. Human epidemiology studies which have examined the relationship between the manufacture and use of endocrine disruptors and health effects are far from conclusive. However, as the findings in these studies do not allow the identification and contribution of all risk factors, endocrine disruptors cannot be ruled out. Consequently, EPA and other federal and state agencies will continue to provide substantial funding for research to better understand the risks posed by endocrine disruptors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some very informative external links that pertain to the endocrine system and endocrine disruptors:
Center for the Study of Environmental Endocrine Effects
EPA Endocrine Home Page
EPA, Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances - Endocrine Disruptors
ECME: Environmental Estrogens & Other Hormones
EXTOXNET - Environmental Hormones
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extoxnet FAQHome
Extoxnet Pesticides
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Page prepared by the EXTOXNET FAQ Team. , January 1998
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Namaskar.
I am really grateful to you for giving the opporunity to express myself. Virtually I was waitng for sunayna to return. Before posting HOW TO/HOW TO TO HOW TO, I thought I shall post another article which answers several questions.
To the sunayna's question "wer do u get this info from?" my answer is my greatest guru. For at least five years my medical expence is NIL. I have forgotten when I have met a physician last for any ailment. Second, to keep my motivation high, I make a lot of study to find people who are thinking in my direction. I receive about 50 to 100 e-mails daily. I quickly scan and retain the ones that are very very imortant. then I go to link articles if necessary which are written by eminent authors of the world and/or published in professional journal. I get notification with research abstracts from American Psychological Association as soon as a journal is published. Psywatch is another news letter which gives latest information on research development around the world. I look into the articles of my interest. This how i tone up my intuition and keep information updated as much I can.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
Questions about Endocrine Disruptors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the endocrine system and endocrine disruptors:
What is the endocrine system?
What are hormones?
How do hormones work?
How do scientists study hormones?
What is an endocrine disrupter?
What chemicals cause endocrine disruption?
What natural chemicals have endocrine activity?
What is the relationship between hormones and cancer?
What evidence is there that environmental contaminants are causing endocrine disruption in humans or wildlife?
Should I be worried about endocrine disrupting chemicals?
Links to more information about Endocrine Disruptors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is the endocrine system?
The endocrine system is composed of ductless glands that secret hormones into the blood stream to act at distant sites. Together with the nervous system, the endocrine system is responsible for the integration of many different processes which allow complicated organisms to function as a unit (maintain homeostasis). What does the endocrine system look like?
What are hormones?
Hormones can be proteins, polypeptides, amino acids, or steroids. The most well known hormones are the sex steroids estrogen, produced in the ovaries, and testosterone, produced in the testes. Estrogen and testosterone are also produced in the adrenal glands of both sexes. Other hormones include thyroxin, produced in the thyroid, and insulin, produced in the pancreas. The pituitary and hypothalamus in the brain release a variety of hormones that affect other organs, including the sex glands.
How do hormones work?
From the blood, hormones interact with cells by binding to special proteins called receptors. The binding is specific, like a key in a lock. When enough binding sites are occupied, then a message is passed on to the target cell nucleus unmasking genetic information which results in physiological reactions ultimately responsible for stimulating or regulating proper metabolism, development, growth, reproduction, and behavior. For example, in women estrogen works in this way to control the menstrual cycle, and in men testosterone controls sperm production. Hormones are released into the blood in very small amounts. Their levels are controlled by the rate of release, and the rate of degradation, usually by the liver or kidneys. Timing of hormone release is often critical for normal function. This is especially true during fetal development. Precise hormone control is important, as too much or too little at the wrong time can result in dysfunction of one or several body systems.
How do scientists study hormones?
In laboratory studies, glands can be removed or hormones can be administered to study the effect on animals, such as rats or mice. Human diseases or inherited disorders, which involve hormone imbalance, are studied to better understand the resulting dysfunction and to develop treatments. For example, it is known that men produce small amounts of estrogen and women produce small amounts of testosterone. Too much estrogen in a man results in female characteristics such as enlarged breasts. Too much testosterone in a woman results in male characteristics such as facial hair. Hormone imbalance can be life threatening, as with insulin and diabetes. Estrogen imbalance has been implicated in certain forms of breast cancer.
What is an endocrine disrupter?
There are chemical substances, sometimes called environmental estrogens, both from natural sources and man made, that if present in the body at the right concentration and at the right time, can adversely effect hormone balance or disrupt normal function in the organs that hormones regulate (modulate?). By EPA’s working definition, endocrine disruptors "interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones in the body that are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis (normal cell metabolism), reproduction, development, and/or behavior." Many endocrine disruptors are thought to mimic hormones. They have chemical properties similar to hormones that allows binding to hormone specific receptors on the cells of target organs. However, endocrine disruptor chemistry varies greatly, as does potency -- the effectiveness in binding and "turning on" the response. Most endocrine disruptors have very low potency as their chemistry is significantly different from the hormones they mimic. Lower potency means that a greater amount of endocrine disruptor is required to elicit the same response of the hormone they mimic. In addition to potency, the potential for a hormone-like effect depends on dose. For all known endocrine disruptors there is some dose, below which there will be no effect. At doses slightly above this threshold some endocrine disruptors elicit a beneficial effect, whereas at higher doses the effect is adverse (harmful). Please see EXTOXNET FAQs Endocrine Disruptors - Phytoestrogens.
What chemicals cause endocrine disruption?
Drugs have been specifically designed to treat hormone imbalance in humans. Diethylstilbesterol (DES), a drug with strong estrogenic properties administered to pregnant women until 1971 to prevent miscarriages, is a tragic example. Female children of mothers who took DES during pregnancy have a higher incidence of certain forms of ovarian and vaginal cancer. However, there are many drugs that mimic or otherwise affect hormone balance which are important to modern medicine. Other man made chemicals, with unintentional hormone-like activity include: pesticides such as DDT, vinclozolin, endosulfan, toxaphene, dieldrin, and DBCP, and industrial chemicals and byproducts such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and phenols. Some of these phenols are breakdown products of surfactants, found in soaps and detergents. Also implicated are heavy metals, plastics, cosmetics, textiles, paints, lubricants. Sewage treatment effluent may contain a variety of natural and man made endocrine disruptors, including natural hormones from animal and human waste.
Currently, there are no standard tests to determine if a chemical is an endocrine disruptor. However, both the Clean Water Act and the Food Quality Protection Act require the EPA to develop test methods by 1999. As many endocrine disruptors are thought to affect sex hormone function, and therefore reproduction, the findings in multigeneration animal studies, currently required for pesticide registration by EPA, can provide strong evidence of the potential for endocrine disruption.
What natural chemicals have endocrine activity?
There are natural chemicals in plants that have hormone-like activity. These chemicals, mostly phytoestrogens, are found in high levels in broccoli, cauliflower, soybeans, carrots, oats, rice, onions, legumes, apples, potatoes, beer, and coffee. Most phytoestrogens have weak activity (low potency) and people who consume diets rich in these substances may have a reduced risk of developing some hormone related diseases. However, the actual health risk or benefit of a diet rich in plant hormones is largely unknown. Some researchers argue that dietary consumption of plant hormones dwarfs the potential exposure from man made sources. Please see EXTOXNET -Phytoestrogens.
What is the relationship between hormones and cancer?
Most scientists do not believe that hormones cause or initiate cancer, but some hormones may promote cancer growth. This promotion may result in cancer that appears at a younger age than expected, or in a cancer that grows at a faster rate. These findings suggest that chemicals that act like hormones may also promote cancers. In women, estrogen is thought to play a role in the promotion of some forms of breast cancer. Based on a single epidemiological study, the presence of DDE, a metabolite of DDT, has been associated with increased risk of breast cancer. However, more recent studies provide strong evidence that there is no relationship between DDE exposure and breast cancer. Other studies suggest that specific phytoestrogens and certain PCBs and dioxins can block estrogen from promoting some forms of breast cancer. Please see EXTOXNET TIB - Carcinogenesis.
What evidence is there that environmental contaminants are causing endocrine disruption in humans or wildlife?
Recent studies of wildlife, including alligators, birds, and fish, have investigated the relationship between chemical exposure and reproductive problems. Many of these studies have shown that exposure to high doses can result in malformed reproductive organs, consistent with sex hormone imbalance at a critical stage of fetal development. Studies where very high doses of dioxin were fed directly to pregnant rats show effects on sexual development, sperm production, and sexual behavior in male pups. Directly feeding very high doses of DDT to rats has also shown adverse effects on sexual development. The dramatic results of these high dose studies has lead to speculation by toxicologists that the risk to reproductive success, associated with exposure to much lower levels of some chemicals in the environment, may be unacceptable.
In humans, a recent epidemiology study suggesting that sperm counts have declined by almost 50% over the past 50 years, and that this decline is associated with increased exposure to synthethic chemicals, has made the headlines. Other epidemiologists who have examined the same data do not reach this conclusion. Direct evidence of chemical effects on male fertility has been demonstrated in the study of workers involved in the manufacture of the older pesticides dibromochloropropane and leptophos (neither currently registered in the US). Again, such direct evidence is the result of exposure to very high doses.
Should I be worried about endocrine disrupting chemicals?
The number of chemicals that have been implicated as potential endocrine disruptors is substantial. There are many opportunities for exposure to these chemicals, both singly and as mixtures, albeit usually at very low levels. There are a variety of adverse health effects related to endocrine system dysfunction. This is not surprising, as the basic function of the endocrine system, in addition to controlling sex characteristics and reproductive functions and responding to perceived hostility (adrenaline release), is to maintain homeostasis (even keel) among the diverse functions of the body. Of specific concern is that a single relatively small dose at the right time during pregnancy can effect the fetus in ways that will not show until adulthood, and may impact the next generation due to decreased reproductive success. Also of concern is that these chemicals have been implicated in the increased incidence of certain cancers, including breast cancer.
So what is the risk? What is known with an acceptable degree of certainty is that high doses of some of these chemicals can cause adverse health effects in humans and animals. As the adverse health effects observed in these studies are biologically plausible there is reason for concern. Significant research and biological plausibility also support that responses to endocrine disruptors are dose/potency related: there is a no-effect threshold. In addition, low doses of some substances may result in beneficial effects. Current information on likely levels of exposure does not indicate a significant risk of adverse health effects to humans or wildlife. However, EPA has identified "Hot Spots" where adverse effects to wildlife have been observed. Human epidemiology studies which have examined the relationship between the manufacture and use of endocrine disruptors and health effects are far from conclusive. However, as the findings in these studies do not allow the identification and contribution of all risk factors, endocrine disruptors cannot be ruled out. Consequently, EPA and other federal and state agencies will continue to provide substantial funding for research to better understand the risks posed by endocrine disruptors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some very informative external links that pertain to the endocrine system and endocrine disruptors:
Center for the Study of Environmental Endocrine Effects
EPA Endocrine Home Page
EPA, Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances - Endocrine Disruptors
ECME: Environmental Estrogens & Other Hormones
EXTOXNET - Environmental Hormones
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extoxnet FAQHome
Extoxnet Pesticides
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Page prepared by the EXTOXNET FAQ Team. , January 1998
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
To Sunayna's question "where do you get this info from?" my answer is that my greatest guru is my intuition. For at least the last five years, my medical expenses have been NIL. I have forgotten when I last met a physician for any ailment. Second, to keep my motivation high, I conduct a lot of studies to find people who are thinking in my direction. I find that millions of people are thinking more or less like me. I receive about 50 to 100 emails daily. I quickly scan and retain the ones that are very important. Then, I go to link articles if necessary, which are written by eminent authors of the world and/or published in professional journals. I receive notifications with research abstracts from the American Psychological Association as soon as a journal is published. Psywatch is another newsletter that provides the latest information on research developments around the world. I look into the articles of my interest. This is how I tone up my intuition and keep information updated as much as I can.
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Dear Ekta,
Namaskar.
Thanks for your appreciation. It is not difficult eithe. It only requires change of attitude. To this effect my question is-If chang is inevitable then why not towards better? Change is the law of nature. None can remain unchanged howsoever rigid he/she may be.
May be that you might not have gone through the earlier posts. So here is one more article for you and those who may be interested.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
Mind/Body Medicine
The Dance of Soma and Psyche
© William Collinge M.P.H., Ph.D. (Excerpted from The American Holistic Health Associations Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine, Warner Books, 1996)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The mind steadfastly refuses to behave locally, as contemporary scientific evidence is beginning to show. We now know, for example, that brain like tissue is found throughout the body.... So, even from the conservative perspective of modern neurochemistry, it is difficult if not impossible to follow a strictly local view of the brain." --Larry Dossey, M.D.1
In the conduct of medical research, the existence of mind/body interactions has over the years been treated as a sort of hindrance. Such interactions are often lumped under the somewhat disparaging name of the placebo response. "Placebo" is a Latin term whose original meaning is "I shall please," and it refers to the mysterious and uncharted mechanisms by which the power of suggestion can result in a physiological change.
Ironically, the very scientific methods championed by mainstream medicine in the testing of drugs have provided the greatest scientific support for the existence and power of the mind/body connection. In fact, the mechanisms involved are so formidable that the standard research procedure requires separating out their effects from those of the drug.
Hence the power of mind/body mechanisms has been examined and measured in virtually thousands of drug studies. It is in this sense that they have been verified and acknowledged by medical research to be a real and powerful phenomenon.
In the 1970s and 80s, researchers trained their sights more directly on these mechanisms. Herbert Benson, M.D., and his colleagues at Harvard Medical School led the way with the discovery of the relaxation response. This work has led to a cascade of findings about how mind/body mechanisms can be used for medically significant impact on hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and other conditions.
Today, leading edge programs for both patients and professionals are now conducted at Harvard's Mind/BodyMedical Institute, New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston. And under Benson's direction, the institute is collaborating in the creation of other such programs at major medical centers around the nation.
In Benson's perspective, "We are part of mainstream medicine, we are not alternative. You might say that this was considered alternative years ago, but it is now mainstream."2
Taking Center Stage
Indeed he may be right. In early 1993, a widely reported study documented the surprising popularity of alternative medicine this country. Published in The New England Journal of Medicine and led by Harvard researcher David Eisenberg, M.D., the study found that one in three adults had used some form of unconventional medicine. Of the varieties reported, mind/body technique were the most frequently used.3The creation of the Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health followed a few months later. Shortly thereafter, mind/body medicine was brought into the living rooms of millions of Americans by a television series on PBS called Healing and the Mind, hosted by the popular journalist Bill Moyers.
The PBS series symbolized a highly visible milestone in the mainstreaming of what critics had previously considered a form of fringe medicine. Mind/body medicine (also known as behavioral medicine) is of course nothing new. The influence of the mind in healing is addressed in virtually every medical tradition, from the ancient teachings of Ayurveda to modern allopathy. What is new is the legitimization of research in this field to the point of government funding and the incorporation of mind/body programs into the offerings of major medical institutions, many of which are noted for their conservatism and scientific bent.
What is the emerging role of this work? Benson regards it as an integral part of comprehensive health care. He offers the metaphor of a three-legged stool: "One leg is pharmaceuticals, another is surgery, and the third is what you can do for yourself. Mind/body medicine is strengthening the third leg, integrated with the other two legs.4
Key Principles
The Biopsychosocial Perspective
In the late 1970s the eminent medical researcher George Engel of the University of Rochester made the bold statement that modern medicine needed a new way of thinking about health and illness.5 He proposed what he called the biopsychosocial model, in which health is the outcome of many factors interacting together. This provides the theoretical framework underpinning mind/body medicine.
In this view, health is not just a matter of "the drugs keeping up with the bugs." Rather, health is determined by an interaction among our genetic vulnerabilities; environmental inputs such as germs, viruses, or pollutants; psychological factors such as stress, lifestyle, attitudes, and behavior; and social factors such as supportive relationships, economic well-being, access to health care, and family and community patterns of behavior.
Turning Down the Dial on Pain
Jim is a forty-six-year-old assembly line worker who received a disc injury in his neck and developed a chronic pain syndrome involving head, neck, arm, and shoulder pain. He was referred by his physiatrist to Karen Carroll, a biofeedback clinician practicing in Waterloo, Iowa, for pain control.
Carroll used EMG, first for general muscular tension and then for muscular tension around the upper body and neck. Jim was able to discover a direct connection between his thoughts, his level of nervous system arousal, muscular tension, and eventually his pain level.
After eight sessions spaced progressively further apart and accompanied by home practice of breathing exercises and progressive relaxation, his headaches and neck pain completely disappeared. He was then able to use physical therapy to further strengthen his neck and shoulders, and subsequently returned to work. He stated, "I never really knew what it felt like to relax until now." According to Carroll, this case illustrates the benefits of commitment to self-regulation and daily practice at home for someone who was motivated to avoid medication and surgery if possible.
Engel's perspective is gradually penetrating the thinking of mainstream medicine. When we look at the big picture of all the factors that influence health, we can see that many are within our direct control. Along with this new way of thinking has come a growing openness and receptivity to the contributing of mind/body approaches.
Mind/Body Communication
Our thoughts and feelings influence the body via two kinds of mechanisms: the nervous system and the circulatory system. These are the pathways of communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
The brain reaches into the body via the nervous system. This allows it to send nerve impulses into all the body's tissues and influence their behavior. The brain can thus affect the behavior of the immune system with its nerve endings extending into the bone marrow (the birthplace of all white cells), the thymus, the spleen, and the lymph nodes.
It also reaches into all the glands of the endocrine system, all the bones, muscles, all the internal organs, and even the walls of veins and arteries. It can influence the behavior of the heart with its nerves penetrating the heart tissue, affecting heart rate and other aspects of the heart's functioning. The entire body is literally "wired" by the brain.
The brain is also a gland. It manufactures thousands of different kinds of chemicals and releases them into the bloodstream. These chemicals circulate throughout the body and influence the activity and behavior of all the body's tissues. The brain could be described as the ultimate apothecary, producing many more drugs than science has ever invented.
The cells of the body have receptors on their surfaces that function somewhat like satellite dishes. These receptors receive the chemical messages being released by the brain and respond accordingly.
Finally, the mind/body connection is a two-way street. In addition to sending messages into the body's tissues, it also receives feedback, both in the form of nerve impulses and its own receptors that sense what chemicals are being released by other tissues in the body.
Research into how the brain can influence immune responses has given rise to the new field called psycho-neuro-immunology (PNI). Findings in this field have brought great hope to people dealing with such difficult illnesses as cancer, AIDS, CFIDS (chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome), and other immune-related diseases.
It is only a matter of time before similar acronyms are defined for other fields such as psycho-neuro-cardiology (PNC), the study of the mind-heart connection, or psycho-neuro-hematology (PNH), the study of how the mind can influence bloodrelated disorders, such as clotting problems in hemophilia.
The Power of the Mind/Body Connection
One of the most stirring stories about the power of the mind/body connection concerns a man diagnosed with terminal cancer. Reported by Dr. Bruno Klopfer in the Journal of Projective Techniques in 1957, it involved a man with metastatic cancer and tumors that had spread throughout his body. The patient had tried every available form of medicine and his condition had hopelessly deteriorated to the point where he was bedridden and gasping for air. His doctors agreed that he had only a few days to live. Then the man heard about an experimental drug called Krebiozen, which was in the process of being tested. He insisted on being included in the experimental trials. His doctors, feeling he had nothing to lose and would soon be dead anyway, out of compassion agreed to give him the experimental drug. To their amazement, the man's tumors soon began to shrink dramatically and he was discharged from the hospital.
Two months later, the man read news accounts of the research on Krebiozen that reported serious doubts with the drug. Within a matter of days, the man's tumors had returned and were again threatening his life. His doctor cleverly convinced him that new and more potent shipment had been received and proceeded to give him injections of plain water. His tumors once again began to shrink dramatically. He remained healthy for seven more months until another news report declared "Nationwide AMA Tests Show Krebiozen to Be Worthless as a Cancer Treatment." The man died within two days.6
The Stress Response
The stress response is a set of changes in the body that result when the person experiences what they perceive to be a challenging or threatening situation. This matter of perceived threat is important because the effects of the stress response on the body are the same whether the threat is real or just imagined in the mind.
The magnitude of these changes is influenced by how serious the person thinks the situation is and what they think about their ability to handle the threat effectively (their appraisal of their ability to respond). Of course, the more confident the person is in their ability to handle a challenge easily, the less stress is involved. The more the person appraises the challenge as a threat—even at the subconscious level—the more intense will be the stress response.
Commonly called the fight-or-flight reaction, the stress response has the beneficial effect of preparing the body to function at a higher level of efficiency, which of course enhances the likelihood of survival. The physiological changes include:
Increased blood pressure
Increased respiratory rate
Increased heart rate
Increased oxygen consumption (burning of fuel)
Increased blood flow to skeletal muscles
Increased perspiration
Increased muscle tone
While all these changes clearly contribute to one's ability to fight or flee in an emergency, they also have a downside. If the person is experiencing the stress response regularly and for extended periods of time, these physiological changes have the effect of weakening the body's resistance to illness and lowering the effectiveness of its mechanisms of self-repair.
The Relaxation Response
Another key principle is the relaxation response, which was discovered and named by Herbert Benson, M.D., and his colleagues in 1974.7,8 They were studying a pattern of physiological changes that occurs in people practicing transcendental meditation (TM).
This pattern of changes has been found to represent a very beneficial state, one that is virtually a mirror image of the stress response. The relaxation response includes the following changes:
Reduced blood pressure
Reduced respiratory rate
Reduced heart rate
Reduced oxygen consumption (burning of fuel)
Reduced blood flow to skeletal muscles
Reduced perspiration
Reduced muscle tension
The relaxation response is an antidote to the effects of the stress response and it has also been found to enhance the effectiveness of the body's defenses and self-repair mechanisms. Regular practice of techniques that elicit this response also brings improved emotional well-being and better handling of stressful life events.
The relaxation response is a physiological state, not a technique as such. As we shall see later, there are many techniques that can be used to produce it and, indeed, learning to do this is at the heart of mind/body medicine.
Coping, Emotions, and Health
Researchers have identified how the ways we cope with emotions and stressful situations—our coping styles—can influence our physical health. Most firmly established are the links between coronary heart disease and the Type A behavior pattern. Type A is a way of coping characterized by constant hurriedness, intense competitiveness, and free-floating hostility.
A more recent concept is the Type C pattern, which in many ways is the polar opposite of Type A. It involves the non-expression of anger and other unpleasant emotions such as fear and sadness, unassertive and overly appeasing behavior in relationships with others, and a preoccupation with meeting the needs of others, often to the point of extreme self-sacrifice. The theory of the Type C pattern was put forward by Lydia Temoshok, Ph.D., a leading health psychologist and PNI researcher. She has found compelling evidence for a link between emotional expressiveness and the progression of cancer.
The middle ground, or Type B. is considered a more balanced way of coping that involves appropriate expression of all emotions and the ability to meet one's own needs while responding to those of others. People who cope in this more balanced way tend to be less at risk for serious illness. The cultivation of these behaviors is often a goal in mind/body medicine programs, especially for heart disease and cancer.
Lifestyle Change
The use of mind/body medicine takes place within a broader context of changing one's lifestyle to promote health. Making a daily practice of mind/body techniques is but one of several areas of lifestyle change that work together in a synergistic way. Other areas include proper diet, exercise, and social support.
While the health benefits of diet and exercise are obvious, there is a growing body of research now indicating that supportive interpersonal relationships are strongly associated with better health. They seem to ameliorate or buffer the harmful effects of stress on the body.
Turning Down the Pressure
Alice, suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), undertook a two-week intensive treatment of intravenous Acyclovir therapy in the hospital. Acyclovir is a drug that inhibits the reproduction of herpes viruses, a family of viruses thought to be cofactors in CFS. One of the side effects of this therapy is elevated blood pressure, which needs to be closely monitored.
Alice was about halfway through her treatment protocol when she enrolled in a group mind/body medicine program. She brought her stainless steel drip apparatus with her from the hospital and stood it up beside her in the circle with the other patients and their spouses.
The first day involved a series of relaxation and deep breathing exercises. The next day Alice returned to the group bubbling with excitement. She reported that the previous evening her blood pressure had returned to normal. The nursing staff were mystified and wanted to know how she had done it.
Variations: The Many Contexts of Mind/Body Medicine
This field is uniquely cross-disciplinary, which accounts for its wide availability, helping make it the most commonly used form of alternative healing.
Its variety of techniques may be used by medical doctors, nurses, physician's assistants, naturopaths, osteopaths, practitioners of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, bodyworkers, homeopaths, and chiropractors. Other human service providers such as psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family counselors, ministers, and hypnotherapists also use these tools. And of course there are very specialized applications for midwives, physical therapists, exercise physiologists, respiratory therapists, and others.
Mind/body approaches are generally taught either in office practice via private consultation with a health care provider or in group programs. Hospitals and other institutions offer various kinds of support groups or group therapy programs for people with cancer, heart disease, organ transplantation, and other conditions. Almost all such programs incorporate some use of mind/body techniques, such as relaxation exercises or imagery.
These methods are often taught to patients preparing to undergo surgery or other difficult treatments. Research has found such preparation to speed healing, reduce bleeding and complications, and result in earlier discharge from the hospital.
Procedures and Techniques
The repertoire of mind/body medicine includes all psychological strategies that directly influence physiological states. Following are the most commonly used methods.
Meditation
There are hundreds of varieties of meditation. The most basic approach for facilitating the relaxation response is that described by Herbert Benson. The process should take place in a quiet environment, a setting where one can be quiet, undisturbed, and in a comfortable position for at least fifteen to twenty minutes. Given this setting, there are only two essential steps: the silent repetition of a word, sound, phrase, or prayer and the passive return back to the repetition whenever other thoughts intrude.
Variations on these instructions are at the core of many forms of meditation from diverse spiritual traditions. The simplicity of these instructions, however, makes the approach available to virtually anyone, regardless of their spiritual or religious beliefs. This is because the person can use as their repetitive focus a prayer or any other words that reinforce their beliefs (e.g., "God is love"), thereby adding a further dimension of comfort to the experience.
Mindfulness
This is actually another approach to meditation, which involves the ability to focus completely on only one thing at a time. In other words, in mindfulness the mind is full of whatever is happening right now. This can include walking, cooking, sweeping the floor, dancing, watching a bird, hearing the sound of a river, or any other focus you may choose. Whenever thoughts intrude, you simply return your attention back to the focus. This is a traditional Buddhist approach and has been widely popularized by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., in the Stress Reduction Clinic, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester.
Progressive Relaxation
This is another common approach to eliciting the relaxation response. In this technique the body itself is used as the focus of attention. It may be done either lying down or sitting. They technique involves progressing through the body one muscle group at a time, beginning with the feet, moving up the legs, and so on, spending approximately a minute in each area. For each muscle group, you hold or clench the muscles in the area for a count of ten and then release for a count of ten before moving on to the adjacent area.
The remaining techniques described below, while they also can lead to induction of the relaxation response, are also used for other purposes.
Mental Imagery
This involves using symbols to imagine that the changes you desire in your body are actually happening. For example, you might imagine that pain is melting away and dripping like a warm liquid out of your fingertips. Or you might develop an image of your immune cells actively subduing and preying on cancer cells or viruses, like birds of prey swooping down to engulf field mice in a meadow. This is a highly personalized technique and you would use images that are uniquely exciting and meaningful to you.
Studies of mental imagery have found that people can actually influence their immune functioning as well as significantly reduce pain and tension in the body with this method. But aside from the physiological benefits, which take some practice to achieve, there is also the knowledge that you are doing something to help yourself, channeling your energy into a healing activity. This in itself helps to improve emotional well-being and build a sense of self-efficacy or confidence, which research has found to improve immune functioning.
Autogenic Training
This approach involves using a combination of autosuggestion and imagery. Phrases are used to describe to oneself what changes in the body are desired as if they are happening now. For example, "My legs are warm and heavy," "All the muscles of my back are softening and melting," "I am calm," and "Warm, peaceful relaxation is flowing throughout my body." These phrases are repeated while maintaining one's focus on those parts of the body being addressed. Whenever the mind wanders, the attention is gently and passively returned to the focus.
Breath Therapy
A variety of breathing exercises can help one to release tension, anxiety, and pain. They can be used in conjunction with imagery or autosuggestion. They can also be used to encourage fuller breathing in general and give the body a greater supply of energy, which it can use for healing. It takes energy to fuel the body's self-repair mechanisms including the immune system. Since we take a thousand breaths every hour, each breath is an opportunity to contribute to a healing process.
Some breath therapy techniques use the breath in a calm, peaceful way to induce relaxation, to release pain, or to prepare for imagery. Another variety is Evocative Breath Therapy (EBT), which uses stronger breathing, sometimes accompanied by music, to stimulate emotions and emotional release.
Hypnosis
A simple description of hypnosis is offered by Karen Olness, M.D., of Case Western Reserve University who calls it "a form of self-induced, focused attention that can make it easier for you to relax or learn to control your body's functions."10 It is this experience of extraordinary focus of attention that makes it possible to influence bodily states.
A Hike in the Tetons
Larry was a successful forty-two-year-old architect at the time he developed pancreatic cancer with metastases in 1978. He integrated meditation and imagery into his chemotherapy treatment and though the road was long, he recovered completely, with no further signs of cancer three years later.
He tells the following story about his devotion to doing his imagery practice:
"My girlfriend at the time and I had taken a backpacking trip to the Grand Tetons. This was nine months into my treatment. We'd get out there on the trail and after lunch, which was one of my times, I'd want to sit on the trail or on a rock, or lean against a tree and do my visualization.
This woman was go-go-go, very achievement oriented. She was a very dynamic and pushy and controlling person. 'We're going to hike to this point, have lunch . . . by such and such a time we'll be at the campground,' and she would get terribly impatient with my after-lunch visualization.
It started leading to more and more friction, but I maintained my ground. I was insistent that this is what I was going to do. By the time the trip was over, we weren't speaking. We flew back from Wyoming, not even sitting together on the plane, but that was very important for me, because I didn't often put myself first when it came to her."
Since his recovery, Larry has remained involved with a cancer self-help program as a lecturer in imagery. His story inspires many others to challenge difficult odds. There is no medical explanation for his recovery. The chemotherapy of the day was not considered curative for his condition, yet somehow he was able to marshall the resources to heal.
When in a hypnotic state, the mind is perfectly aware of the surroundings and the situation, but because it is so highly focused, it is able to concentrate on a task without being easily distracted. This enables the person to use imagery, relaxation, or autogenic suggestions in a richer, more powerful way.
Hypnosis is especially useful for relief from pain, reducing the distress from other symptoms or the side effects of treatment, and establishing a greater sense of control. Hypnotic states can be self-induced or facilitated by a hypnotist or hypnotherapist. Finally, it can help in overcoming one's resistance to healthful behavior change, such as reducing smoking or changing one's eating habits.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback uses special instruments attached to the body to give the person information about what is happening in the body. The instruments serve to amplify the signals that the person may not otherwise be able to detect so they can then use this visual or auditory feedback to learn to regulate certain bodily functions. Many people find this form of assistance very helpful for learning to relax.
The most commonly used form is electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback. An EMG sensor is attached to the skin and reveals the amount of electrical activity related to muscle tension in the area of the sensor. This is very useful in helping people learn to relax the muscles, for they have direct feedback—which may be visual readouts, lights, beeps, or tones—as to the degree of tension. This approach is often used for tension headaches and chronic pain conditions.
Other kinds of biofeedback include thermal, sensing the temperature of the skin as an indication of blood flow and relaxation; electrodermal (EDR), measuring subtle changes in amounts of perspiration; finger pulse, for measuring heart rate and force, useful for anxiety or cardiovascular symptoms; and monitoring breathing patterns—rate, volume, rhythm, and location (belly or chest) of each breath.
Biofeedback has many applications, such as headache and migraines, anxiety, chronic pain, teeth grinding and clenching, Raynaud's disease (vascular disorder causing cold hands and feet), incontinence, asthma, and muscle disorders (including helping people learn to reuse arms or legs that have been traumatized). Essentially any bodily process that can be measured can potentially be controlled or influenced through the help of these techniques.
Scientific Support
There are four areas of research that support mind/body medicine: studies describing the physiology of mind/body interactions, those measuring the effects of mind/body therapy techniques, research on the health outcomes of structured mind/ body programs employing a variety of techniques, and studies of cost effectiveness.
Mind/Body Interactions
The Mind/Heart Connection. Scientists have pieced together how stress affects the heart. This work is well summarized by Cynthia Medich, Ph.D., R.N., a cardiovascular specialist and researcher at the Mind/Body Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School and New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston. What Medich describes as the mind/heart connection involves the release of two kinds of stress hormones into the bloodstream: corticosteroids and catecholamines.
These hormones set off a cascade of changes in the body including increased platelet aggregation (tendency for blood clotting); increased coronary artery tone; a surge in coronary artery pressure; increased blood pressure, glucose levels, and lipid levels; a more rapid and powerful heartbeat; and, paradoxically, a constriction in the coronary arteries. In short, the demands on the heart all increase.11
OAM-Funded Studies
Eight of the initial thirty studies funded by the Office of Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health deal with mind/body medicine.
Biofeedback. Angele McGrady of the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo is studying the use of biofeedback-assisted relaxation in reducing the dosage of insulin required in type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The method is being studied as an alternative to increasing the dosage when the person is under stressful conditions. Richard Sherman at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, is evaluating biofeedback in treating chronic musculoskeletal low back pain and muscle-related orofacial pain.
Imagery. James Halper of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City is conducting a controlled study of the benefits of guided imagery for patients with asthma.
Mary Jasnoski of George Washington University, Washington, D.C., is examining the effects of imagery on the immune system, with potential implications for use in cancer and AIDS.
Blair Justice of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston was funded to conduct a controlled study examining the effects of a group imagery/relaxation process on immune function and quality of life in breast cancer patients.
Hypnosis. Helen Crawford of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg is examining how the use of hypnosis affects the electrophysiology of the brain in patients with low back pain. Carol Ginnandes of McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, is studying whether hypnosis can be used to speed the healing of broken bones. Patricia Newton of the Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, is conducting a pilot study of the effects of hypnotic imagery on psychological and immunological factors in breast cancer patients.
With this understanding it is easy to see how individuals who experience stress on a chronic basis are at greater risk for heart diseases. This connection was dramatically illustrated in a study of air traffic controllers, considered to be in a very stressful occupation, who were found to have five times the incidence of hypertension as a comparison group of second-class airmen.12
Other research has been able to anticipate who will develop hypertension and heart disease. One study followed 1100 adults for twenty years. Those who had the highest levels of anxiety at the beginning of the study turned out to have the highest rates of hypertension two decades later.13
An eight-year study of over three thousand people found that those with the Type A behavior pattern were twice as likely as Type Bs to develop coronary heart disease.14
Depression has also been found to affect the heart adversely. A study of patients with a history of heart disease found that those who were also depressed were eight times as likely to develop ventricular tachycardia as the patients who were not depressed. (Ventricular tachycardia is a condition of abnormal and potentially deadly heart rhythms.)15
A ten-year study was conducted to follow the mortality rates of people who had experienced stroke. Those who had been diagnosed with either major or minor depression were 3.4 times as likely to have died within the follow-up period. The death rate among depressed patients with few social contacts was especially high: over 90 percent had died.16
In a study of 194 heart attack patients, those who reported lower amounts of emotional support in their lives were nearly three times as likely to die within six months as those with higher levels of emotional support.17
The Mind and Immunity. In addition to affecting the heart, the chemistry of the stress response has been found to lower immune functioning. This is illustrated by studies of the effects of exam stress on medical students that have found significant drops in the activity of natural killer (NK) cells18 as well as in the numbers19,20 of NK cells (NK cells are a key in fighting cancer cells and viruses) and a significantly lower percentage of T-helper cells in the blood21,22 (the cells that arouse the immune response to fight off an infection).
In a study of recently divorced people, those who wanted the divorce, for whom it brought relief, were found to have better immunity than those who did not want the divorce.23
A study of the effects of stress on salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA, the antibody that fights infections in the mouth and throat) found that a higher frequency of daily hassles was significantly associated with lower levels of S-IgA. However, the effects were less severe in people who scored higher on a scale measuring sense of humor. This suggests that sense of humor can counter the negative effects of stress on the immune system.24
Research has shown that depression can have an adverse effect on immunity. A study that took place in a mental hospital compared natural killer (NK) cell activity in depressed patients, schizophrenic patients, and staff members. The patients with major depressive disorder had significantly lower NK functioning than schizophrenic patients and staff members.25
A study involved 132 college students to determine the effects of positive emotions on S-IgA levels. Half watched a morbid documentary about power struggles in World War II, while the other half watched an inspiring film about Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic nun selflessly serving the poor and sick in Calcutta. The latter group had significantly increased S-IgA concentrations, indicating heightened immune responsiveness.26
Mind/body researcher Lydia Temoshok, Ph.D., studied the psychological factors associated with malignant melanoma. Among her findings was the discovery that emotional expressiveness was directly related to the thickness of the patients' tumors as well as the course of their disease.27,28
Major findings of Temoshok's research include the following:
Patients who were more emotionally expressive had thinner tumors and more slowly dividing cancer cells.
The more emotionally expressive patients had a much higher number of lymphocytes (immune cells) invading the base of the tumor.
Patients who were less emotionally expressive had thicker tumors and more rapidly dividing cancer cells.
Patients who were less expressive had relatively fewer Lymphocytes invading the base of the tumor.
These findings helped contribute to the formation of the concept of Type C coping.
Can the immune system be trained to respond, like Pavlov's dog was trained to salivate at the sound of a bell? In a well-designed, controlled study, participants were given a sherbet sweet along with a subcutaneous injection of a chemical known to increase NK cell activity (epinephrine). After several administrations of this regime, the epinephrine was replaced by a useless saline injection. Remarkably, the participants still increased their NK cell activity in response to eating the sherbet accompanied only by the saline injection!29
Techniques of Mind/Body Medicine
Some research on techniques has examined their effects on specific bodily functions such as immune responses, blood pressure, and heart rate. Other studies have looked at recovery from surgery, and still others have focused on psychological well-being and the quality of life.
Relaxation Training. This is by far the most widely studied subject in this tradition with hundreds of studies documenting its benefits. A few examples: Patients with ischemic heart disease who practiced the relaxation response daily for four weeks achieved significant reduction in the frequency of preventricular contractions.30
Patients with hypertension who took an eight-week (once a week) training program achieved significantly lower blood pressure and the benefits were maintained three years later.31
Patients receiving several kinds of elective surgery who were trained in relaxation had less surgical anxiety both before and after surgery. The intensity of their pain and their use of pain medication were both reduced.32
Also, a study of patients receiving angioplasty procedures showed significantly less anxiety, pain, and need for medication. In patients receiving heart surgery, those who received the training had significantly lower incidence of postoperative supraventricular tachycardia.34
A controlled study of women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) using the relaxation response twice daily for three months found a 58-percent reduction in the severity of their symptoms.35
Two studies found increased NK cell activity as a result of practicing the relaxation response. One, involving geriatric residents in nursing homes, also found indications of lower activity of herpes viruses. In addition, there were significant reductions in symptoms of emotional distress.36
Finally, in a study of exam stress in medical students, the more they practiced the relaxation response, the higher the percentage of T-helper cells circulating in their blood.37
Meditation. Of many various forms of meditation, TM has led the way in mind/body research. Over five hundred papers have been published in 108 scientific journals, authored by scientists at 211 research institutions and universities, in twenty-three countries worldwide. Studies of TM were instrumental in discovering the relaxation response and its benefits for hypertension. Other studies have found important benefits for such diverse populations as prison inmates, drug addicts, and Vietnam veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorders.
In one study, patients with hypertension who practiced TM twice daily for five to six months achieved significantly lower blood pressured.38 In another, the effects of TM were compared to those of progressive muscle relaxation and usual care in hypertension. For those using TM, the decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were twice as great as those for the subjects in the other groups.39 As will be seen later, TM has also shown impressive effects in reducing the utilization rates of medical services.
Imagery. Imagery is often used in combination with relaxation and meditation. A controlled study of fifty-five women examined the effects of imagery and relaxation on breast milk production in mothers of infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. They received a twenty-minute audiotape of progressive relaxation followed by guided imagery of pleasant surroundings, milk flowing in the breasts, and the baby's warm skin against theirs. They produced more than twice as much milk as those receiving only routine care.40
In another study, a group of metastatic cancer patients using daily imagery for a year achieved significant improvements in NK cell activity and several other measures of immune functioning.41
At Michigan State University, researchers found that students could use guided imagery to improve the functioning of certain white cells called neutrophils, important immune cells in defense against bacterial and fungal infection. They could also decrease, but not increase, white cell counts. At one point in the study, a form of imagery intended to increase neutrophil count unexpectedly caused a drop instead. Subsequently, students were taught imagery explicitly intended to keep the neutrophil count steady, while increasing their effectiveness. Both of these goals were achieved.42
Breath Therapy. A study examined the effect of evocative breath therapy (EBT) on salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA). EBT involves abdominal breathing accompanied by music and posthypnotic suggestion to promote emotional arousal and release. Forty-five adults in a group therapy program for cancer showed an average 46-percent increase in S-IgA levels after an hour-long EBT experience.43
Biofeedback. A controlled study of patients with irritable bowel syndrome found that biofeedback training brought a significant reduction in symptoms. This change was still present six months later.44 Another controlled study found a 41-percent reduction in migraine headaches in patients using a thermal biofeedback procedure at home.45
Multistrategy Group Programs
Most organized mind/body therapy programs use a regimen of several techniques. Below are described some findings of such multistrategy programs for specific illnesses.
Hypertension. A group program for patients with hypertension included training in the relaxation response, nutrition, exercise, and stress management.46 Findings included significant reductions in blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, weight, body fat percentage, and psychological symptoms. Importantly, most of the benefits were intact when the patients were checked three to five years later.47
Surviving Heart Attacks. Patients recovering from myocardial infarction took a six-hour program of stress management training with mind/body techniques and emotional support. The result was a 50-percent reduction in subsequent rate of cardiac deaths.48
Reversing Heart Disease. A controlled study at the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, examined the effects of a multistrategy program on people with severe coronary heart disease. Patients were randomly assigned to either a usual care group or the experimental program. The latter involved a regimen of dietary changes, exercise, yoga, and group support that included the practice of mind/body techniques. Those in the experimental program almost universally showed reductions in coronary artery blockage, while those with usual care generally showed more blockage.49
Benefits for Infertility. A ten-week group program for infertile women included training in the relaxation response with instructions for daily practice and training in stress management, exercise, nutrition, and group support. Results included decreases in anxiety, depression, and fatigue and increased vigor. Also, 34-percent of the women became pregnant within six months of the program.50
Reducing Symptoms of AIDS. In a controlled study, patients received group training in biofeedback, guided imagery, and hypnosis. Results included significant decreases in fever, fatigue, pain, headache, nausea, and insomnia. Vigor and hardiness also significantly increased.51
Another group program for HIV found significant improvement in emotional expression, sense of control over health, tension, anxiety, fatigue, depression, and total mood disturbance.52
Psychological well-being in Cancer. Fifty-nine patients took a ten-day, sixty-hour group program that includes imagery, relaxation training, lifestyle evaluation, emotional release therapies, group support, breath therapy, and exploring the personal meaning of illness. Results included significant improvements in emotional expressiveness, fighting spirit, quality of life, sense of control over health, and optimism--including patients with metastatic disease. These improvements were still present three months after completing the program.53
Psychological well-being and Immunity in Cancer. Sixty-six patients with malignant melanoma took a six-week structured group program that included health education, stress management, training in problem solving, and psychological support.
Josephine
Josephine, thirty-six, suffering from headaches, sought help from her physician. Her blood pressure was 150/100, she was twenty pounds overweight, and her cholesterol level was 280 mg/dl. She smoked a pack a day and did not exercise regularly. She was given a betablocker for high blood pressure, a cholesterol drug, and was told to lose weight and stop smoking.
Two months later her blood pressure was 160/102 She had lost no weight, she had not been able to stop smoking, and her cholesterol was 290 mg/dl. When asked why she hadn't cooperated with the recommendations she broke down in tears. She hadn't been able to afford the medications ($90/month). Her husband had left her and their two children after a stormy and abusive marriage, so she had been trying to work two jobs, felt depressed, was not sleeping well, and her headaches were now a daily occurrence.
She was referred to the Hypertension Clinic at the New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, and participated in a twelve-week program of two-hour sessions with ten other participants. The program emphasizes the relaxation response, diet, exercise, and stress management. Her goals in the program were to control her blood pressure, lose weight, and stop smoking. During the program she regained some of her self-esteem, began to feel more hopeful, started sleeping better, was less irritable with her children, and was able to find assistance for child care and vocational training. She monitored her blood pressure once a day, which dropped to 124/90, and her medication was stopped. She was headache-free. She started walking daily and lost five pounds. Her cholesterol dropped to 220mg/dl. She practiced the relaxation response once a day and signed up for an assertiveness training class at the YWCA.
Before leaving the program, she outlined the situations that might be associated with relapse and developed a plan for action that included returning periodically for the drop-in groups for reinforcement. She also signed up for a SmokeEnders group to start after the program ended.54
Six months after the program, there were significantly lower levels of psychological distress and higher levels of positive coping methods in comparison to patients who did not have the program. There were also significant increases in the percentage of NK cells and in their functional effectiveness (cytotoxic activity).55
Increasing Survival Time in Malignant Melanoma. The patients who participated in the above study were followed for six years. A startling difference in death rates between the two groups was found. Of those who were in the control group (no group therapy), thirteen of thirty-four had a recurrence of cancer during the six years and ten died. For those who had the group program, only seven of thirty-four had recurrences and only three died.56
Increasing Survival Time in Breast Cancer. A ten-year controlled study was conducted with eighty-six women with metastatic breast cancer. Those who had a year of weekly group sessions had nearly double the survival time of those who did not have the group (averaging thirty-six months versus eighteen months). The group provided self-hypnosis and a form of therapy called "supportive-expressive therapy."57
Cost-Effectiveness
Aside from the medical and psychological benefits, one of the most important contributions of mind/body medicine is in reducing the costs of health care by reducing the utilization rates of expensive inpatient and outpatient services.
Dr. Elizabeth Devine of the University of Wisconsin School of Nursing in Milwaukee conducted an analysis of 191 different scientific studies in which surgery patients were taught simple mind/body techniques. She found an average reduction in the length of hospital stay of 1.5 days (12 percent). This of course translates into enormous savings, considering the cost of a day of hospitalization. Results also included faster recovery from surgery, fewer complications, and reduced postsurgical pains.58
Other studies have found reduced utilization rates for outpatient medical services. For example, in one study 109 chronic pain patients took a ten-session outpatient group mind/body program. A 36-percent reduction in total monthly clinic visits for pain management was found in the first year after the program.59
Another study looked at the medical care utilization rates of two thousand regular practitioners of TM, comparing them with 600,000 other members of the same insurance carrier. For children and young adults the reduction for inpatient services was 50 percent and for older adults it was 69 percent. The reductions for outpatient services were 47 percent for children, 55 percent for young adults, and 74 percent for older adults.
The same pool of TM practitioners were compared to five other health insurance pools, showing 55 percent fewer visits for benign or malignant tumors, 87 percent fewer visits for heart disease, 30 percent fewer visits for infectious diseases, 31 percent fewer visits for mental disorders, and 87 percent fewer visits for diseases of the nervous system.60
Strengths and Limitations
The greatest strengths of mind/body medicine are in stress-related conditions and chronic illnesses. It also has a great deal to offer in terms of relief of the symptoms of acute illnesses as well as relief from the side effects of treatment such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy in cancer.
This is obviously a complementary form of medicine rather than a primary treatment for major diseases. However, while it is usually thought of as supportive rather than curative, there are illnesses that do not respond to conventional medical treatment and for which mind/body medicine offers a way of gaining some relief and promoting recovery.
One point of controversy that often arises in this tradition is the question of whether its use implies an assumption that one's illness must have been caused by the mind in the first place. For example, there are those who question whether this approach should be applied to cancer because to use it might suggest that the person brought the cancer upon themselves. This is an unnecessary assumption since the mind/body connection can be exploited regardless of the cause of an illness.
The leading PNI researcher Alastair Cunningham, who holds Ph.D.s in both psychology and immunology, articulates this point well: "Although epidemiological considerations suggest that the contribution of psychological factors to cancer onset is small . . . no upper limit to what can be achieved by psychotherapy is necessarily thereby set: the relative influence of the psyche on outcome may be greatly expanded by such therapy, overriding the usual progression of disease."61
One limitation is that the methods require an ability to sit quietly and in some cases focus the mind on a technique. Some people suffering from extreme symptoms of disease may at times have difficulty following through with a routine of regular practice. Those who do best are able to sustain a regular practice and achieve cumulative benefits over time.
It should also be remembered that while there have been many studies documenting significant effects of mind/body techniques, there are different kinds of significance. Statistical significance means that there is a measurable effect happening, but this does not guarantee that the effect is strong enough to cause tangible medical benefits.
A Walk on the Beach
Heidi, thirty-five, was scheduled for a round of chemotherapy for breast cancer. The treatment was to take place on Friday and she and her husband had tickets to fly to Hawaii on Saturday for a week's vacation.
As is routine, she was called into the treatment center for a blood check on the Monday before to make sure her white cell count had recovered enough from the previous treatment to allow her to qualify for the next one. To her shock, she was told that her white count was only about half what it should be and she would probably have to forego her vacation.
For four days she practiced imagery intensively several times a day, concentrating on raising her white count. She used images of the bone marrow releasing a steady, strong flow of white cells into her bloodstream and spreading throughout her body. She also imagined directing her breath into the bone marrow and thereby nourishing the stem cells (that produce the white cells) so that they could grow and release more white cells.
On that Friday, she went in for another blood test. Her white count had more than doubled. She was able to have the treatment and the next day was able to walk on the beach with her husband.
Clinical significance, on the other hand, means that actual medical benefits have indeed been observed. The studies reporting a major change in the overall course of an illness or even longer survival time in cancer provide the best examples of clinically significant findings.
Hence a person may use mind/body techniques religiously and practice them perfectly with real commitment and still not get the medical benefits they desire. The degree of the contribution will vary from one person to the next, depending in part on the severity of the illness.
When people do not understand these limitations and have unrealistic expectations, they are at risk of feelings of failure, self-blame, depression, or disappointment that may arise when such expected results are not forthcoming. This is called the psychosocial morbidity of mind/body medicine. Patients and practitioners alike must endeavor to keep a realistic perspective on mind/body medicine, not overrating but also not underrating it.
The Practitioner-Patient Relationship
Mind/body techniques are often used in the context of psychotherapy or group therapy. These situations offer the opportunity for addressing other important aspects of coping with an illness. Often it is important to deal with the emotional aspects of an illness before one can comfortably or confidently pursue use of the mind/body techniques.
In this sense, this is a relatively practitioner-dependent tradition. However, the professional is not so much a healer as a teacher. Once the methods are learned, you can use them on your own at home in the form of a daily practice. And of course there are other ways of learning the techniques such as books and tapes. Some highly motivated people are able to develop a fruitful practice without professional guidance, but such guidance is still advised, especially in using such methods with a more serious illness.
The Vital Fluid
Carol Anne was scheduled to undergo a complicated abdominal surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. Her surgeon told her that patients undergoing this procedure typically lose ten to eleven units of blood.
For several days prior to the surgery, Carol Anne practiced a form of imagery in which she pictured her body going through the surgery without losing any blood, the tissues knitting back together smoothly, no complications, and a speedy recovery. She also imagined the look on the surgeon's face when he realized that no blood had been lost.
The day after the surgery, the surgeon came into her room and congratulated her on how well she had come through the ordeal. To his amazement, she had required only one unit of blood. When she told him of her preparations, he smiled and walked out shaking his head.
Evaluating Personal Results
The results of mind/body techniques may be immediately apparent with changes in mood, pain, or physiological state. This is one of the things that is appealing about this tradition. The body gives direct feedback as to the impact of the technique. In fact, the subjective experience is the most important way of evaluating results.
This is consistent with the advice of Carl Simonton, M.D., who first popularized the use of imagery with cancer. According to Simonton, the criterion of successful imagery practice is whether the person feels hopeful, powerful, and optimistic after doing it. This is much more important than the details of the images or whether they followed someone else's particular guidelines.62 Research has also confirmed that feeling confident in one's ability to influence his or her health will in itself reduce the degree of stress they feel and have its own health-promoting effects.
Beyond the patient's subjective impressions, other means of evaluating results are biofeedback equipment or lab test results.
Relationship to Other Forms of Medicine
Mind/body medicine is usually used in the role of complementary therapy. This means it works alongside other treatment in a supportive way. I like this term because it communicates a cooperative partnership rather than being exclusive of other traditions. In fact, all medical traditions now include within them some attention to mind/body interactions and ways of working with them.
Costs
The economics of mind/body medicine are another source of its appeal. Other than for the individual consultations or training programs one might engage to use this approach, t
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From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Namaskar.
Thanks for your appreciation. It is not difficult eithe. It only requires change of attitude. To this effect my question is-If chang is inevitable then why not towards better? Change is the law of nature. None can remain unchanged howsoever rigid he/she may be.
May be that you might not have gone through the earlier posts. So here is one more article for you and those who may be interested.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
Mind/Body Medicine
The Dance of Soma and Psyche
© William Collinge M.P.H., Ph.D. (Excerpted from The American Holistic Health Associations Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine, Warner Books, 1996)
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"The mind steadfastly refuses to behave locally, as contemporary scientific evidence is beginning to show. We now know, for example, that brain like tissue is found throughout the body.... So, even from the conservative perspective of modern neurochemistry, it is difficult if not impossible to follow a strictly local view of the brain." --Larry Dossey, M.D.1
In the conduct of medical research, the existence of mind/body interactions has over the years been treated as a sort of hindrance. Such interactions are often lumped under the somewhat disparaging name of the placebo response. "Placebo" is a Latin term whose original meaning is "I shall please," and it refers to the mysterious and uncharted mechanisms by which the power of suggestion can result in a physiological change.
Ironically, the very scientific methods championed by mainstream medicine in the testing of drugs have provided the greatest scientific support for the existence and power of the mind/body connection. In fact, the mechanisms involved are so formidable that the standard research procedure requires separating out their effects from those of the drug.
Hence the power of mind/body mechanisms has been examined and measured in virtually thousands of drug studies. It is in this sense that they have been verified and acknowledged by medical research to be a real and powerful phenomenon.
In the 1970s and 80s, researchers trained their sights more directly on these mechanisms. Herbert Benson, M.D., and his colleagues at Harvard Medical School led the way with the discovery of the relaxation response. This work has led to a cascade of findings about how mind/body mechanisms can be used for medically significant impact on hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and other conditions.
Today, leading edge programs for both patients and professionals are now conducted at Harvard's Mind/BodyMedical Institute, New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston. And under Benson's direction, the institute is collaborating in the creation of other such programs at major medical centers around the nation.
In Benson's perspective, "We are part of mainstream medicine, we are not alternative. You might say that this was considered alternative years ago, but it is now mainstream."2
Taking Center Stage
Indeed he may be right. In early 1993, a widely reported study documented the surprising popularity of alternative medicine this country. Published in The New England Journal of Medicine and led by Harvard researcher David Eisenberg, M.D., the study found that one in three adults had used some form of unconventional medicine. Of the varieties reported, mind/body technique were the most frequently used.3The creation of the Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health followed a few months later. Shortly thereafter, mind/body medicine was brought into the living rooms of millions of Americans by a television series on PBS called Healing and the Mind, hosted by the popular journalist Bill Moyers.
The PBS series symbolized a highly visible milestone in the mainstreaming of what critics had previously considered a form of fringe medicine. Mind/body medicine (also known as behavioral medicine) is of course nothing new. The influence of the mind in healing is addressed in virtually every medical tradition, from the ancient teachings of Ayurveda to modern allopathy. What is new is the legitimization of research in this field to the point of government funding and the incorporation of mind/body programs into the offerings of major medical institutions, many of which are noted for their conservatism and scientific bent.
What is the emerging role of this work? Benson regards it as an integral part of comprehensive health care. He offers the metaphor of a three-legged stool: "One leg is pharmaceuticals, another is surgery, and the third is what you can do for yourself. Mind/body medicine is strengthening the third leg, integrated with the other two legs.4
Key Principles
The Biopsychosocial Perspective
In the late 1970s the eminent medical researcher George Engel of the University of Rochester made the bold statement that modern medicine needed a new way of thinking about health and illness.5 He proposed what he called the biopsychosocial model, in which health is the outcome of many factors interacting together. This provides the theoretical framework underpinning mind/body medicine.
In this view, health is not just a matter of "the drugs keeping up with the bugs." Rather, health is determined by an interaction among our genetic vulnerabilities; environmental inputs such as germs, viruses, or pollutants; psychological factors such as stress, lifestyle, attitudes, and behavior; and social factors such as supportive relationships, economic well-being, access to health care, and family and community patterns of behavior.
Turning Down the Dial on Pain
Jim is a forty-six-year-old assembly line worker who received a disc injury in his neck and developed a chronic pain syndrome involving head, neck, arm, and shoulder pain. He was referred by his physiatrist to Karen Carroll, a biofeedback clinician practicing in Waterloo, Iowa, for pain control.
Carroll used EMG, first for general muscular tension and then for muscular tension around the upper body and neck. Jim was able to discover a direct connection between his thoughts, his level of nervous system arousal, muscular tension, and eventually his pain level.
After eight sessions spaced progressively further apart and accompanied by home practice of breathing exercises and progressive relaxation, his headaches and neck pain completely disappeared. He was then able to use physical therapy to further strengthen his neck and shoulders, and subsequently returned to work. He stated, "I never really knew what it felt like to relax until now." According to Carroll, this case illustrates the benefits of commitment to self-regulation and daily practice at home for someone who was motivated to avoid medication and surgery if possible.
Engel's perspective is gradually penetrating the thinking of mainstream medicine. When we look at the big picture of all the factors that influence health, we can see that many are within our direct control. Along with this new way of thinking has come a growing openness and receptivity to the contributing of mind/body approaches.
Mind/Body Communication
Our thoughts and feelings influence the body via two kinds of mechanisms: the nervous system and the circulatory system. These are the pathways of communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
The brain reaches into the body via the nervous system. This allows it to send nerve impulses into all the body's tissues and influence their behavior. The brain can thus affect the behavior of the immune system with its nerve endings extending into the bone marrow (the birthplace of all white cells), the thymus, the spleen, and the lymph nodes.
It also reaches into all the glands of the endocrine system, all the bones, muscles, all the internal organs, and even the walls of veins and arteries. It can influence the behavior of the heart with its nerves penetrating the heart tissue, affecting heart rate and other aspects of the heart's functioning. The entire body is literally "wired" by the brain.
The brain is also a gland. It manufactures thousands of different kinds of chemicals and releases them into the bloodstream. These chemicals circulate throughout the body and influence the activity and behavior of all the body's tissues. The brain could be described as the ultimate apothecary, producing many more drugs than science has ever invented.
The cells of the body have receptors on their surfaces that function somewhat like satellite dishes. These receptors receive the chemical messages being released by the brain and respond accordingly.
Finally, the mind/body connection is a two-way street. In addition to sending messages into the body's tissues, it also receives feedback, both in the form of nerve impulses and its own receptors that sense what chemicals are being released by other tissues in the body.
Research into how the brain can influence immune responses has given rise to the new field called psycho-neuro-immunology (PNI). Findings in this field have brought great hope to people dealing with such difficult illnesses as cancer, AIDS, CFIDS (chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome), and other immune-related diseases.
It is only a matter of time before similar acronyms are defined for other fields such as psycho-neuro-cardiology (PNC), the study of the mind-heart connection, or psycho-neuro-hematology (PNH), the study of how the mind can influence bloodrelated disorders, such as clotting problems in hemophilia.
The Power of the Mind/Body Connection
One of the most stirring stories about the power of the mind/body connection concerns a man diagnosed with terminal cancer. Reported by Dr. Bruno Klopfer in the Journal of Projective Techniques in 1957, it involved a man with metastatic cancer and tumors that had spread throughout his body. The patient had tried every available form of medicine and his condition had hopelessly deteriorated to the point where he was bedridden and gasping for air. His doctors agreed that he had only a few days to live. Then the man heard about an experimental drug called Krebiozen, which was in the process of being tested. He insisted on being included in the experimental trials. His doctors, feeling he had nothing to lose and would soon be dead anyway, out of compassion agreed to give him the experimental drug. To their amazement, the man's tumors soon began to shrink dramatically and he was discharged from the hospital.
Two months later, the man read news accounts of the research on Krebiozen that reported serious doubts with the drug. Within a matter of days, the man's tumors had returned and were again threatening his life. His doctor cleverly convinced him that new and more potent shipment had been received and proceeded to give him injections of plain water. His tumors once again began to shrink dramatically. He remained healthy for seven more months until another news report declared "Nationwide AMA Tests Show Krebiozen to Be Worthless as a Cancer Treatment." The man died within two days.6
The Stress Response
The stress response is a set of changes in the body that result when the person experiences what they perceive to be a challenging or threatening situation. This matter of perceived threat is important because the effects of the stress response on the body are the same whether the threat is real or just imagined in the mind.
The magnitude of these changes is influenced by how serious the person thinks the situation is and what they think about their ability to handle the threat effectively (their appraisal of their ability to respond). Of course, the more confident the person is in their ability to handle a challenge easily, the less stress is involved. The more the person appraises the challenge as a threat—even at the subconscious level—the more intense will be the stress response.
Commonly called the fight-or-flight reaction, the stress response has the beneficial effect of preparing the body to function at a higher level of efficiency, which of course enhances the likelihood of survival. The physiological changes include:
Increased blood pressure
Increased respiratory rate
Increased heart rate
Increased oxygen consumption (burning of fuel)
Increased blood flow to skeletal muscles
Increased perspiration
Increased muscle tone
While all these changes clearly contribute to one's ability to fight or flee in an emergency, they also have a downside. If the person is experiencing the stress response regularly and for extended periods of time, these physiological changes have the effect of weakening the body's resistance to illness and lowering the effectiveness of its mechanisms of self-repair.
The Relaxation Response
Another key principle is the relaxation response, which was discovered and named by Herbert Benson, M.D., and his colleagues in 1974.7,8 They were studying a pattern of physiological changes that occurs in people practicing transcendental meditation (TM).
This pattern of changes has been found to represent a very beneficial state, one that is virtually a mirror image of the stress response. The relaxation response includes the following changes:
Reduced blood pressure
Reduced respiratory rate
Reduced heart rate
Reduced oxygen consumption (burning of fuel)
Reduced blood flow to skeletal muscles
Reduced perspiration
Reduced muscle tension
The relaxation response is an antidote to the effects of the stress response and it has also been found to enhance the effectiveness of the body's defenses and self-repair mechanisms. Regular practice of techniques that elicit this response also brings improved emotional well-being and better handling of stressful life events.
The relaxation response is a physiological state, not a technique as such. As we shall see later, there are many techniques that can be used to produce it and, indeed, learning to do this is at the heart of mind/body medicine.
Coping, Emotions, and Health
Researchers have identified how the ways we cope with emotions and stressful situations—our coping styles—can influence our physical health. Most firmly established are the links between coronary heart disease and the Type A behavior pattern. Type A is a way of coping characterized by constant hurriedness, intense competitiveness, and free-floating hostility.
A more recent concept is the Type C pattern, which in many ways is the polar opposite of Type A. It involves the non-expression of anger and other unpleasant emotions such as fear and sadness, unassertive and overly appeasing behavior in relationships with others, and a preoccupation with meeting the needs of others, often to the point of extreme self-sacrifice. The theory of the Type C pattern was put forward by Lydia Temoshok, Ph.D., a leading health psychologist and PNI researcher. She has found compelling evidence for a link between emotional expressiveness and the progression of cancer.
The middle ground, or Type B. is considered a more balanced way of coping that involves appropriate expression of all emotions and the ability to meet one's own needs while responding to those of others. People who cope in this more balanced way tend to be less at risk for serious illness. The cultivation of these behaviors is often a goal in mind/body medicine programs, especially for heart disease and cancer.
Lifestyle Change
The use of mind/body medicine takes place within a broader context of changing one's lifestyle to promote health. Making a daily practice of mind/body techniques is but one of several areas of lifestyle change that work together in a synergistic way. Other areas include proper diet, exercise, and social support.
While the health benefits of diet and exercise are obvious, there is a growing body of research now indicating that supportive interpersonal relationships are strongly associated with better health. They seem to ameliorate or buffer the harmful effects of stress on the body.
Turning Down the Pressure
Alice, suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), undertook a two-week intensive treatment of intravenous Acyclovir therapy in the hospital. Acyclovir is a drug that inhibits the reproduction of herpes viruses, a family of viruses thought to be cofactors in CFS. One of the side effects of this therapy is elevated blood pressure, which needs to be closely monitored.
Alice was about halfway through her treatment protocol when she enrolled in a group mind/body medicine program. She brought her stainless steel drip apparatus with her from the hospital and stood it up beside her in the circle with the other patients and their spouses.
The first day involved a series of relaxation and deep breathing exercises. The next day Alice returned to the group bubbling with excitement. She reported that the previous evening her blood pressure had returned to normal. The nursing staff were mystified and wanted to know how she had done it.
Variations: The Many Contexts of Mind/Body Medicine
This field is uniquely cross-disciplinary, which accounts for its wide availability, helping make it the most commonly used form of alternative healing.
Its variety of techniques may be used by medical doctors, nurses, physician's assistants, naturopaths, osteopaths, practitioners of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, bodyworkers, homeopaths, and chiropractors. Other human service providers such as psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family counselors, ministers, and hypnotherapists also use these tools. And of course there are very specialized applications for midwives, physical therapists, exercise physiologists, respiratory therapists, and others.
Mind/body approaches are generally taught either in office practice via private consultation with a health care provider or in group programs. Hospitals and other institutions offer various kinds of support groups or group therapy programs for people with cancer, heart disease, organ transplantation, and other conditions. Almost all such programs incorporate some use of mind/body techniques, such as relaxation exercises or imagery.
These methods are often taught to patients preparing to undergo surgery or other difficult treatments. Research has found such preparation to speed healing, reduce bleeding and complications, and result in earlier discharge from the hospital.
Procedures and Techniques
The repertoire of mind/body medicine includes all psychological strategies that directly influence physiological states. Following are the most commonly used methods.
Meditation
There are hundreds of varieties of meditation. The most basic approach for facilitating the relaxation response is that described by Herbert Benson. The process should take place in a quiet environment, a setting where one can be quiet, undisturbed, and in a comfortable position for at least fifteen to twenty minutes. Given this setting, there are only two essential steps: the silent repetition of a word, sound, phrase, or prayer and the passive return back to the repetition whenever other thoughts intrude.
Variations on these instructions are at the core of many forms of meditation from diverse spiritual traditions. The simplicity of these instructions, however, makes the approach available to virtually anyone, regardless of their spiritual or religious beliefs. This is because the person can use as their repetitive focus a prayer or any other words that reinforce their beliefs (e.g., "God is love"), thereby adding a further dimension of comfort to the experience.
Mindfulness
This is actually another approach to meditation, which involves the ability to focus completely on only one thing at a time. In other words, in mindfulness the mind is full of whatever is happening right now. This can include walking, cooking, sweeping the floor, dancing, watching a bird, hearing the sound of a river, or any other focus you may choose. Whenever thoughts intrude, you simply return your attention back to the focus. This is a traditional Buddhist approach and has been widely popularized by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., in the Stress Reduction Clinic, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester.
Progressive Relaxation
This is another common approach to eliciting the relaxation response. In this technique the body itself is used as the focus of attention. It may be done either lying down or sitting. They technique involves progressing through the body one muscle group at a time, beginning with the feet, moving up the legs, and so on, spending approximately a minute in each area. For each muscle group, you hold or clench the muscles in the area for a count of ten and then release for a count of ten before moving on to the adjacent area.
The remaining techniques described below, while they also can lead to induction of the relaxation response, are also used for other purposes.
Mental Imagery
This involves using symbols to imagine that the changes you desire in your body are actually happening. For example, you might imagine that pain is melting away and dripping like a warm liquid out of your fingertips. Or you might develop an image of your immune cells actively subduing and preying on cancer cells or viruses, like birds of prey swooping down to engulf field mice in a meadow. This is a highly personalized technique and you would use images that are uniquely exciting and meaningful to you.
Studies of mental imagery have found that people can actually influence their immune functioning as well as significantly reduce pain and tension in the body with this method. But aside from the physiological benefits, which take some practice to achieve, there is also the knowledge that you are doing something to help yourself, channeling your energy into a healing activity. This in itself helps to improve emotional well-being and build a sense of self-efficacy or confidence, which research has found to improve immune functioning.
Autogenic Training
This approach involves using a combination of autosuggestion and imagery. Phrases are used to describe to oneself what changes in the body are desired as if they are happening now. For example, "My legs are warm and heavy," "All the muscles of my back are softening and melting," "I am calm," and "Warm, peaceful relaxation is flowing throughout my body." These phrases are repeated while maintaining one's focus on those parts of the body being addressed. Whenever the mind wanders, the attention is gently and passively returned to the focus.
Breath Therapy
A variety of breathing exercises can help one to release tension, anxiety, and pain. They can be used in conjunction with imagery or autosuggestion. They can also be used to encourage fuller breathing in general and give the body a greater supply of energy, which it can use for healing. It takes energy to fuel the body's self-repair mechanisms including the immune system. Since we take a thousand breaths every hour, each breath is an opportunity to contribute to a healing process.
Some breath therapy techniques use the breath in a calm, peaceful way to induce relaxation, to release pain, or to prepare for imagery. Another variety is Evocative Breath Therapy (EBT), which uses stronger breathing, sometimes accompanied by music, to stimulate emotions and emotional release.
Hypnosis
A simple description of hypnosis is offered by Karen Olness, M.D., of Case Western Reserve University who calls it "a form of self-induced, focused attention that can make it easier for you to relax or learn to control your body's functions."10 It is this experience of extraordinary focus of attention that makes it possible to influence bodily states.
A Hike in the Tetons
Larry was a successful forty-two-year-old architect at the time he developed pancreatic cancer with metastases in 1978. He integrated meditation and imagery into his chemotherapy treatment and though the road was long, he recovered completely, with no further signs of cancer three years later.
He tells the following story about his devotion to doing his imagery practice:
"My girlfriend at the time and I had taken a backpacking trip to the Grand Tetons. This was nine months into my treatment. We'd get out there on the trail and after lunch, which was one of my times, I'd want to sit on the trail or on a rock, or lean against a tree and do my visualization.
This woman was go-go-go, very achievement oriented. She was a very dynamic and pushy and controlling person. 'We're going to hike to this point, have lunch . . . by such and such a time we'll be at the campground,' and she would get terribly impatient with my after-lunch visualization.
It started leading to more and more friction, but I maintained my ground. I was insistent that this is what I was going to do. By the time the trip was over, we weren't speaking. We flew back from Wyoming, not even sitting together on the plane, but that was very important for me, because I didn't often put myself first when it came to her."
Since his recovery, Larry has remained involved with a cancer self-help program as a lecturer in imagery. His story inspires many others to challenge difficult odds. There is no medical explanation for his recovery. The chemotherapy of the day was not considered curative for his condition, yet somehow he was able to marshall the resources to heal.
When in a hypnotic state, the mind is perfectly aware of the surroundings and the situation, but because it is so highly focused, it is able to concentrate on a task without being easily distracted. This enables the person to use imagery, relaxation, or autogenic suggestions in a richer, more powerful way.
Hypnosis is especially useful for relief from pain, reducing the distress from other symptoms or the side effects of treatment, and establishing a greater sense of control. Hypnotic states can be self-induced or facilitated by a hypnotist or hypnotherapist. Finally, it can help in overcoming one's resistance to healthful behavior change, such as reducing smoking or changing one's eating habits.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback uses special instruments attached to the body to give the person information about what is happening in the body. The instruments serve to amplify the signals that the person may not otherwise be able to detect so they can then use this visual or auditory feedback to learn to regulate certain bodily functions. Many people find this form of assistance very helpful for learning to relax.
The most commonly used form is electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback. An EMG sensor is attached to the skin and reveals the amount of electrical activity related to muscle tension in the area of the sensor. This is very useful in helping people learn to relax the muscles, for they have direct feedback—which may be visual readouts, lights, beeps, or tones—as to the degree of tension. This approach is often used for tension headaches and chronic pain conditions.
Other kinds of biofeedback include thermal, sensing the temperature of the skin as an indication of blood flow and relaxation; electrodermal (EDR), measuring subtle changes in amounts of perspiration; finger pulse, for measuring heart rate and force, useful for anxiety or cardiovascular symptoms; and monitoring breathing patterns—rate, volume, rhythm, and location (belly or chest) of each breath.
Biofeedback has many applications, such as headache and migraines, anxiety, chronic pain, teeth grinding and clenching, Raynaud's disease (vascular disorder causing cold hands and feet), incontinence, asthma, and muscle disorders (including helping people learn to reuse arms or legs that have been traumatized). Essentially any bodily process that can be measured can potentially be controlled or influenced through the help of these techniques.
Scientific Support
There are four areas of research that support mind/body medicine: studies describing the physiology of mind/body interactions, those measuring the effects of mind/body therapy techniques, research on the health outcomes of structured mind/ body programs employing a variety of techniques, and studies of cost effectiveness.
Mind/Body Interactions
The Mind/Heart Connection. Scientists have pieced together how stress affects the heart. This work is well summarized by Cynthia Medich, Ph.D., R.N., a cardiovascular specialist and researcher at the Mind/Body Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School and New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston. What Medich describes as the mind/heart connection involves the release of two kinds of stress hormones into the bloodstream: corticosteroids and catecholamines.
These hormones set off a cascade of changes in the body including increased platelet aggregation (tendency for blood clotting); increased coronary artery tone; a surge in coronary artery pressure; increased blood pressure, glucose levels, and lipid levels; a more rapid and powerful heartbeat; and, paradoxically, a constriction in the coronary arteries. In short, the demands on the heart all increase.11
OAM-Funded Studies
Eight of the initial thirty studies funded by the Office of Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health deal with mind/body medicine.
Biofeedback. Angele McGrady of the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo is studying the use of biofeedback-assisted relaxation in reducing the dosage of insulin required in type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The method is being studied as an alternative to increasing the dosage when the person is under stressful conditions. Richard Sherman at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, is evaluating biofeedback in treating chronic musculoskeletal low back pain and muscle-related orofacial pain.
Imagery. James Halper of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City is conducting a controlled study of the benefits of guided imagery for patients with asthma.
Mary Jasnoski of George Washington University, Washington, D.C., is examining the effects of imagery on the immune system, with potential implications for use in cancer and AIDS.
Blair Justice of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston was funded to conduct a controlled study examining the effects of a group imagery/relaxation process on immune function and quality of life in breast cancer patients.
Hypnosis. Helen Crawford of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg is examining how the use of hypnosis affects the electrophysiology of the brain in patients with low back pain. Carol Ginnandes of McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, is studying whether hypnosis can be used to speed the healing of broken bones. Patricia Newton of the Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, is conducting a pilot study of the effects of hypnotic imagery on psychological and immunological factors in breast cancer patients.
With this understanding it is easy to see how individuals who experience stress on a chronic basis are at greater risk for heart diseases. This connection was dramatically illustrated in a study of air traffic controllers, considered to be in a very stressful occupation, who were found to have five times the incidence of hypertension as a comparison group of second-class airmen.12
Other research has been able to anticipate who will develop hypertension and heart disease. One study followed 1100 adults for twenty years. Those who had the highest levels of anxiety at the beginning of the study turned out to have the highest rates of hypertension two decades later.13
An eight-year study of over three thousand people found that those with the Type A behavior pattern were twice as likely as Type Bs to develop coronary heart disease.14
Depression has also been found to affect the heart adversely. A study of patients with a history of heart disease found that those who were also depressed were eight times as likely to develop ventricular tachycardia as the patients who were not depressed. (Ventricular tachycardia is a condition of abnormal and potentially deadly heart rhythms.)15
A ten-year study was conducted to follow the mortality rates of people who had experienced stroke. Those who had been diagnosed with either major or minor depression were 3.4 times as likely to have died within the follow-up period. The death rate among depressed patients with few social contacts was especially high: over 90 percent had died.16
In a study of 194 heart attack patients, those who reported lower amounts of emotional support in their lives were nearly three times as likely to die within six months as those with higher levels of emotional support.17
The Mind and Immunity. In addition to affecting the heart, the chemistry of the stress response has been found to lower immune functioning. This is illustrated by studies of the effects of exam stress on medical students that have found significant drops in the activity of natural killer (NK) cells18 as well as in the numbers19,20 of NK cells (NK cells are a key in fighting cancer cells and viruses) and a significantly lower percentage of T-helper cells in the blood21,22 (the cells that arouse the immune response to fight off an infection).
In a study of recently divorced people, those who wanted the divorce, for whom it brought relief, were found to have better immunity than those who did not want the divorce.23
A study of the effects of stress on salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA, the antibody that fights infections in the mouth and throat) found that a higher frequency of daily hassles was significantly associated with lower levels of S-IgA. However, the effects were less severe in people who scored higher on a scale measuring sense of humor. This suggests that sense of humor can counter the negative effects of stress on the immune system.24
Research has shown that depression can have an adverse effect on immunity. A study that took place in a mental hospital compared natural killer (NK) cell activity in depressed patients, schizophrenic patients, and staff members. The patients with major depressive disorder had significantly lower NK functioning than schizophrenic patients and staff members.25
A study involved 132 college students to determine the effects of positive emotions on S-IgA levels. Half watched a morbid documentary about power struggles in World War II, while the other half watched an inspiring film about Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic nun selflessly serving the poor and sick in Calcutta. The latter group had significantly increased S-IgA concentrations, indicating heightened immune responsiveness.26
Mind/body researcher Lydia Temoshok, Ph.D., studied the psychological factors associated with malignant melanoma. Among her findings was the discovery that emotional expressiveness was directly related to the thickness of the patients' tumors as well as the course of their disease.27,28
Major findings of Temoshok's research include the following:
Patients who were more emotionally expressive had thinner tumors and more slowly dividing cancer cells.
The more emotionally expressive patients had a much higher number of lymphocytes (immune cells) invading the base of the tumor.
Patients who were less emotionally expressive had thicker tumors and more rapidly dividing cancer cells.
Patients who were less expressive had relatively fewer Lymphocytes invading the base of the tumor.
These findings helped contribute to the formation of the concept of Type C coping.
Can the immune system be trained to respond, like Pavlov's dog was trained to salivate at the sound of a bell? In a well-designed, controlled study, participants were given a sherbet sweet along with a subcutaneous injection of a chemical known to increase NK cell activity (epinephrine). After several administrations of this regime, the epinephrine was replaced by a useless saline injection. Remarkably, the participants still increased their NK cell activity in response to eating the sherbet accompanied only by the saline injection!29
Techniques of Mind/Body Medicine
Some research on techniques has examined their effects on specific bodily functions such as immune responses, blood pressure, and heart rate. Other studies have looked at recovery from surgery, and still others have focused on psychological well-being and the quality of life.
Relaxation Training. This is by far the most widely studied subject in this tradition with hundreds of studies documenting its benefits. A few examples: Patients with ischemic heart disease who practiced the relaxation response daily for four weeks achieved significant reduction in the frequency of preventricular contractions.30
Patients with hypertension who took an eight-week (once a week) training program achieved significantly lower blood pressure and the benefits were maintained three years later.31
Patients receiving several kinds of elective surgery who were trained in relaxation had less surgical anxiety both before and after surgery. The intensity of their pain and their use of pain medication were both reduced.32
Also, a study of patients receiving angioplasty procedures showed significantly less anxiety, pain, and need for medication. In patients receiving heart surgery, those who received the training had significantly lower incidence of postoperative supraventricular tachycardia.34
A controlled study of women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) using the relaxation response twice daily for three months found a 58-percent reduction in the severity of their symptoms.35
Two studies found increased NK cell activity as a result of practicing the relaxation response. One, involving geriatric residents in nursing homes, also found indications of lower activity of herpes viruses. In addition, there were significant reductions in symptoms of emotional distress.36
Finally, in a study of exam stress in medical students, the more they practiced the relaxation response, the higher the percentage of T-helper cells circulating in their blood.37
Meditation. Of many various forms of meditation, TM has led the way in mind/body research. Over five hundred papers have been published in 108 scientific journals, authored by scientists at 211 research institutions and universities, in twenty-three countries worldwide. Studies of TM were instrumental in discovering the relaxation response and its benefits for hypertension. Other studies have found important benefits for such diverse populations as prison inmates, drug addicts, and Vietnam veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorders.
In one study, patients with hypertension who practiced TM twice daily for five to six months achieved significantly lower blood pressured.38 In another, the effects of TM were compared to those of progressive muscle relaxation and usual care in hypertension. For those using TM, the decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were twice as great as those for the subjects in the other groups.39 As will be seen later, TM has also shown impressive effects in reducing the utilization rates of medical services.
Imagery. Imagery is often used in combination with relaxation and meditation. A controlled study of fifty-five women examined the effects of imagery and relaxation on breast milk production in mothers of infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. They received a twenty-minute audiotape of progressive relaxation followed by guided imagery of pleasant surroundings, milk flowing in the breasts, and the baby's warm skin against theirs. They produced more than twice as much milk as those receiving only routine care.40
In another study, a group of metastatic cancer patients using daily imagery for a year achieved significant improvements in NK cell activity and several other measures of immune functioning.41
At Michigan State University, researchers found that students could use guided imagery to improve the functioning of certain white cells called neutrophils, important immune cells in defense against bacterial and fungal infection. They could also decrease, but not increase, white cell counts. At one point in the study, a form of imagery intended to increase neutrophil count unexpectedly caused a drop instead. Subsequently, students were taught imagery explicitly intended to keep the neutrophil count steady, while increasing their effectiveness. Both of these goals were achieved.42
Breath Therapy. A study examined the effect of evocative breath therapy (EBT) on salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA). EBT involves abdominal breathing accompanied by music and posthypnotic suggestion to promote emotional arousal and release. Forty-five adults in a group therapy program for cancer showed an average 46-percent increase in S-IgA levels after an hour-long EBT experience.43
Biofeedback. A controlled study of patients with irritable bowel syndrome found that biofeedback training brought a significant reduction in symptoms. This change was still present six months later.44 Another controlled study found a 41-percent reduction in migraine headaches in patients using a thermal biofeedback procedure at home.45
Multistrategy Group Programs
Most organized mind/body therapy programs use a regimen of several techniques. Below are described some findings of such multistrategy programs for specific illnesses.
Hypertension. A group program for patients with hypertension included training in the relaxation response, nutrition, exercise, and stress management.46 Findings included significant reductions in blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, weight, body fat percentage, and psychological symptoms. Importantly, most of the benefits were intact when the patients were checked three to five years later.47
Surviving Heart Attacks. Patients recovering from myocardial infarction took a six-hour program of stress management training with mind/body techniques and emotional support. The result was a 50-percent reduction in subsequent rate of cardiac deaths.48
Reversing Heart Disease. A controlled study at the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, examined the effects of a multistrategy program on people with severe coronary heart disease. Patients were randomly assigned to either a usual care group or the experimental program. The latter involved a regimen of dietary changes, exercise, yoga, and group support that included the practice of mind/body techniques. Those in the experimental program almost universally showed reductions in coronary artery blockage, while those with usual care generally showed more blockage.49
Benefits for Infertility. A ten-week group program for infertile women included training in the relaxation response with instructions for daily practice and training in stress management, exercise, nutrition, and group support. Results included decreases in anxiety, depression, and fatigue and increased vigor. Also, 34-percent of the women became pregnant within six months of the program.50
Reducing Symptoms of AIDS. In a controlled study, patients received group training in biofeedback, guided imagery, and hypnosis. Results included significant decreases in fever, fatigue, pain, headache, nausea, and insomnia. Vigor and hardiness also significantly increased.51
Another group program for HIV found significant improvement in emotional expression, sense of control over health, tension, anxiety, fatigue, depression, and total mood disturbance.52
Psychological well-being in Cancer. Fifty-nine patients took a ten-day, sixty-hour group program that includes imagery, relaxation training, lifestyle evaluation, emotional release therapies, group support, breath therapy, and exploring the personal meaning of illness. Results included significant improvements in emotional expressiveness, fighting spirit, quality of life, sense of control over health, and optimism--including patients with metastatic disease. These improvements were still present three months after completing the program.53
Psychological well-being and Immunity in Cancer. Sixty-six patients with malignant melanoma took a six-week structured group program that included health education, stress management, training in problem solving, and psychological support.
Josephine
Josephine, thirty-six, suffering from headaches, sought help from her physician. Her blood pressure was 150/100, she was twenty pounds overweight, and her cholesterol level was 280 mg/dl. She smoked a pack a day and did not exercise regularly. She was given a betablocker for high blood pressure, a cholesterol drug, and was told to lose weight and stop smoking.
Two months later her blood pressure was 160/102 She had lost no weight, she had not been able to stop smoking, and her cholesterol was 290 mg/dl. When asked why she hadn't cooperated with the recommendations she broke down in tears. She hadn't been able to afford the medications ($90/month). Her husband had left her and their two children after a stormy and abusive marriage, so she had been trying to work two jobs, felt depressed, was not sleeping well, and her headaches were now a daily occurrence.
She was referred to the Hypertension Clinic at the New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, and participated in a twelve-week program of two-hour sessions with ten other participants. The program emphasizes the relaxation response, diet, exercise, and stress management. Her goals in the program were to control her blood pressure, lose weight, and stop smoking. During the program she regained some of her self-esteem, began to feel more hopeful, started sleeping better, was less irritable with her children, and was able to find assistance for child care and vocational training. She monitored her blood pressure once a day, which dropped to 124/90, and her medication was stopped. She was headache-free. She started walking daily and lost five pounds. Her cholesterol dropped to 220mg/dl. She practiced the relaxation response once a day and signed up for an assertiveness training class at the YWCA.
Before leaving the program, she outlined the situations that might be associated with relapse and developed a plan for action that included returning periodically for the drop-in groups for reinforcement. She also signed up for a SmokeEnders group to start after the program ended.54
Six months after the program, there were significantly lower levels of psychological distress and higher levels of positive coping methods in comparison to patients who did not have the program. There were also significant increases in the percentage of NK cells and in their functional effectiveness (cytotoxic activity).55
Increasing Survival Time in Malignant Melanoma. The patients who participated in the above study were followed for six years. A startling difference in death rates between the two groups was found. Of those who were in the control group (no group therapy), thirteen of thirty-four had a recurrence of cancer during the six years and ten died. For those who had the group program, only seven of thirty-four had recurrences and only three died.56
Increasing Survival Time in Breast Cancer. A ten-year controlled study was conducted with eighty-six women with metastatic breast cancer. Those who had a year of weekly group sessions had nearly double the survival time of those who did not have the group (averaging thirty-six months versus eighteen months). The group provided self-hypnosis and a form of therapy called "supportive-expressive therapy."57
Cost-Effectiveness
Aside from the medical and psychological benefits, one of the most important contributions of mind/body medicine is in reducing the costs of health care by reducing the utilization rates of expensive inpatient and outpatient services.
Dr. Elizabeth Devine of the University of Wisconsin School of Nursing in Milwaukee conducted an analysis of 191 different scientific studies in which surgery patients were taught simple mind/body techniques. She found an average reduction in the length of hospital stay of 1.5 days (12 percent). This of course translates into enormous savings, considering the cost of a day of hospitalization. Results also included faster recovery from surgery, fewer complications, and reduced postsurgical pains.58
Other studies have found reduced utilization rates for outpatient medical services. For example, in one study 109 chronic pain patients took a ten-session outpatient group mind/body program. A 36-percent reduction in total monthly clinic visits for pain management was found in the first year after the program.59
Another study looked at the medical care utilization rates of two thousand regular practitioners of TM, comparing them with 600,000 other members of the same insurance carrier. For children and young adults the reduction for inpatient services was 50 percent and for older adults it was 69 percent. The reductions for outpatient services were 47 percent for children, 55 percent for young adults, and 74 percent for older adults.
The same pool of TM practitioners were compared to five other health insurance pools, showing 55 percent fewer visits for benign or malignant tumors, 87 percent fewer visits for heart disease, 30 percent fewer visits for infectious diseases, 31 percent fewer visits for mental disorders, and 87 percent fewer visits for diseases of the nervous system.60
Strengths and Limitations
The greatest strengths of mind/body medicine are in stress-related conditions and chronic illnesses. It also has a great deal to offer in terms of relief of the symptoms of acute illnesses as well as relief from the side effects of treatment such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy in cancer.
This is obviously a complementary form of medicine rather than a primary treatment for major diseases. However, while it is usually thought of as supportive rather than curative, there are illnesses that do not respond to conventional medical treatment and for which mind/body medicine offers a way of gaining some relief and promoting recovery.
One point of controversy that often arises in this tradition is the question of whether its use implies an assumption that one's illness must have been caused by the mind in the first place. For example, there are those who question whether this approach should be applied to cancer because to use it might suggest that the person brought the cancer upon themselves. This is an unnecessary assumption since the mind/body connection can be exploited regardless of the cause of an illness.
The leading PNI researcher Alastair Cunningham, who holds Ph.D.s in both psychology and immunology, articulates this point well: "Although epidemiological considerations suggest that the contribution of psychological factors to cancer onset is small . . . no upper limit to what can be achieved by psychotherapy is necessarily thereby set: the relative influence of the psyche on outcome may be greatly expanded by such therapy, overriding the usual progression of disease."61
One limitation is that the methods require an ability to sit quietly and in some cases focus the mind on a technique. Some people suffering from extreme symptoms of disease may at times have difficulty following through with a routine of regular practice. Those who do best are able to sustain a regular practice and achieve cumulative benefits over time.
It should also be remembered that while there have been many studies documenting significant effects of mind/body techniques, there are different kinds of significance. Statistical significance means that there is a measurable effect happening, but this does not guarantee that the effect is strong enough to cause tangible medical benefits.
A Walk on the Beach
Heidi, thirty-five, was scheduled for a round of chemotherapy for breast cancer. The treatment was to take place on Friday and she and her husband had tickets to fly to Hawaii on Saturday for a week's vacation.
As is routine, she was called into the treatment center for a blood check on the Monday before to make sure her white cell count had recovered enough from the previous treatment to allow her to qualify for the next one. To her shock, she was told that her white count was only about half what it should be and she would probably have to forego her vacation.
For four days she practiced imagery intensively several times a day, concentrating on raising her white count. She used images of the bone marrow releasing a steady, strong flow of white cells into her bloodstream and spreading throughout her body. She also imagined directing her breath into the bone marrow and thereby nourishing the stem cells (that produce the white cells) so that they could grow and release more white cells.
On that Friday, she went in for another blood test. Her white count had more than doubled. She was able to have the treatment and the next day was able to walk on the beach with her husband.
Clinical significance, on the other hand, means that actual medical benefits have indeed been observed. The studies reporting a major change in the overall course of an illness or even longer survival time in cancer provide the best examples of clinically significant findings.
Hence a person may use mind/body techniques religiously and practice them perfectly with real commitment and still not get the medical benefits they desire. The degree of the contribution will vary from one person to the next, depending in part on the severity of the illness.
When people do not understand these limitations and have unrealistic expectations, they are at risk of feelings of failure, self-blame, depression, or disappointment that may arise when such expected results are not forthcoming. This is called the psychosocial morbidity of mind/body medicine. Patients and practitioners alike must endeavor to keep a realistic perspective on mind/body medicine, not overrating but also not underrating it.
The Practitioner-Patient Relationship
Mind/body techniques are often used in the context of psychotherapy or group therapy. These situations offer the opportunity for addressing other important aspects of coping with an illness. Often it is important to deal with the emotional aspects of an illness before one can comfortably or confidently pursue use of the mind/body techniques.
In this sense, this is a relatively practitioner-dependent tradition. However, the professional is not so much a healer as a teacher. Once the methods are learned, you can use them on your own at home in the form of a daily practice. And of course there are other ways of learning the techniques such as books and tapes. Some highly motivated people are able to develop a fruitful practice without professional guidance, but such guidance is still advised, especially in using such methods with a more serious illness.
The Vital Fluid
Carol Anne was scheduled to undergo a complicated abdominal surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. Her surgeon told her that patients undergoing this procedure typically lose ten to eleven units of blood.
For several days prior to the surgery, Carol Anne practiced a form of imagery in which she pictured her body going through the surgery without losing any blood, the tissues knitting back together smoothly, no complications, and a speedy recovery. She also imagined the look on the surgeon's face when he realized that no blood had been lost.
The day after the surgery, the surgeon came into her room and congratulated her on how well she had come through the ordeal. To his amazement, she had required only one unit of blood. When she told him of her preparations, he smiled and walked out shaking his head.
Evaluating Personal Results
The results of mind/body techniques may be immediately apparent with changes in mood, pain, or physiological state. This is one of the things that is appealing about this tradition. The body gives direct feedback as to the impact of the technique. In fact, the subjective experience is the most important way of evaluating results.
This is consistent with the advice of Carl Simonton, M.D., who first popularized the use of imagery with cancer. According to Simonton, the criterion of successful imagery practice is whether the person feels hopeful, powerful, and optimistic after doing it. This is much more important than the details of the images or whether they followed someone else's particular guidelines.62 Research has also confirmed that feeling confident in one's ability to influence his or her health will in itself reduce the degree of stress they feel and have its own health-promoting effects.
Beyond the patient's subjective impressions, other means of evaluating results are biofeedback equipment or lab test results.
Relationship to Other Forms of Medicine
Mind/body medicine is usually used in the role of complementary therapy. This means it works alongside other treatment in a supportive way. I like this term because it communicates a cooperative partnership rather than being exclusive of other traditions. In fact, all medical traditions now include within them some attention to mind/body interactions and ways of working with them.
Costs
The economics of mind/body medicine are another source of its appeal. Other than for the individual consultations or training programs one might engage to use this approach, t
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From India, Delhi
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ok...got the hormones part. so if one is somehow able to control their hormones...they can reduce weight..(n0t tht one shd go abt it..m jus aksin) hi ekta thnks glad u liked it..
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Hi Sunayna,
Every time I type your name, I check if I spelled it correctly. You mentioned that your culture differs from your neighbor's. However, if you were to compare your culture with that of your friends, there would be variations. I want to emphasize that there is a common thread that runs through different cultures.
For example, in Indian culture, there is a practice of showing respect to elders. Your friend may come from a different cultural background than yours, but they might still adhere to the same value of respecting elders. Similarly, in the UK, there is a tradition of granting more freedom to individuals once they turn 18, which is commonly followed.
Therefore, while there may be differences between cultures, there are often shared values that persist across different people within a country.
Let me know if you need further clarification.
From India, Vadodara
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Every time I type your name, I check if I spelled it correctly. You mentioned that your culture differs from your neighbor's. However, if you were to compare your culture with that of your friends, there would be variations. I want to emphasize that there is a common thread that runs through different cultures.
For example, in Indian culture, there is a practice of showing respect to elders. Your friend may come from a different cultural background than yours, but they might still adhere to the same value of respecting elders. Similarly, in the UK, there is a tradition of granting more freedom to individuals once they turn 18, which is commonly followed.
Therefore, while there may be differences between cultures, there are often shared values that persist across different people within a country.
Let me know if you need further clarification.
From India, Vadodara
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Dear sunayna and friends,
Namaskar.
Here starts the use. I shall be back to body weight.
HOW TO/HOW TO TO HOW TO
When I say life is just spontaneities, I recall the opening lines of a poem of Madhusudan Rao who wrote:-
Re atman,
Nidra parihari,
Phedi chintara lochana,
Kara kara nireekshana,
Nishabde jeevana srota,
Dhaunchchi kipari,
Bhetibaku mrityu sindhu,
Karala lahari.
My English translation
Oh atman!
Awake from sleep,
Open the eyes of consciousness,
And behold!
Soundlessly how,
The stream of life,
Runs fast,
To meet the dreadful tides,
Of the ocean of death.
He wrote poem and I am speaking science but we converge at this point. With the spontaneous emission of 2 million sperms, spontaneously we raced and succeeded alone to penetrate into one ovum whose outer surface spontaneously hardened as soon as we entered into it to prevent any other sperm to get in. Spontaneously we projected an umbilical cord with the placenta at the end which got planted in a right location of uterus spontaneously and spontaneously we went on sucking nourishment. Then every thing happened spontaneously and we are here spontaneously till date.
We do not know when we spontaneously got consciousness and the spontaneity- too. Yes, spontaneity-, the death instinct, Thanatos, centrifugal force and any thing you may name is also with us. But for the sake of brevity let us call it spontaneity-. So Life=f(spontaneity+/spontaneity-)(Formula I). As the value of this ratio goes up our ASK ness, health, happiness and longevity etc. go up and vice versa.
Now as I have demonstrated and illustrated earlier, through consciousness we can influence these spontaneities in every cell of our body. So the second formula emerges as Health Power Ratio(ASK ness, health, happiness, longevity etc.)=f(RxHT/UT)(FormulaII)
Where,
f=function,
R=resilience,
HT=healthy thoughts and
UT=unhealthy thoughts.
Thus, our job is to extinguish unhealthy thoughts and maximize healthy thoughts to increase the value of health power ratio.
Now here are certain mother(repeat mother) healthy thoughts in mantra form:-
THOUGHT TRANSMISSION MANTRAS
1.Let us attain perfection and pleasures in the constant flow of the
most favorable decisions and happenings to us and extinction of all unfavorable decisions and happenings against us instantly, perfectly, permanently and spontaneously.
2.Let us have
breath in our nostrils,
voice in our mouths,
sight in our eyes,
hearing in our ears,
hair that has not turned gray,
teeth that are not discolored and
much strength in our arms.
Let all our organs remain unimpaired
and our souls in peace and harmony.
3.Let us attain perfection and pleasures in simultaneous and
spontaneous regeneration, fresh generation, repair, readaptation,
regularities and cell health medicines instantly, perfectly,
permanently and spontaneously.
4.Let us attain perfection and pleasures in feeling free, relaxed,
comfortable, reorganized and produce and progress instantly,
perfectly, permanently and spontaneously.
5.Let us attain perfection and pleasures in the constant flow of
clear, vivid and correct feelings and ideas and not any wrong
feeling and idea instantly, perfectly, permanently and
spontaneously.
Now what is a mantra? Mantra is a word or a sequence of words, the reverberation/chanting of which yields desirable results as the effect of invocation of a mantra in the consciousness travels unto every cell of the body and the mantra attracts further healthy thoughts into consciousness and extinguishes unhealthy thoughts. Its function in Sanskrit is- Manasam trayate iti mantrah which means that which protects the mind is mantra.
Tajjapastadartha bhabanam is the sutra to use a mantra which means chant/reverberate and dwell in its meaning. So it needs that one is to get by heart a mantra to use it.
If the mantras sound abracadabra then please start with our conventional blessings. Bless command to yourself as:
1. Sarba sampanna bhaba;
2. Ayushman Bhaba;
3. Dirghayu Bhaba;
4. Chirajeebi bhaba and
5. etc. etc.
There are other facilitating exercises but let me stop here today.
Let the ideas get settled first desirably through further discussions. Every question for clarification from any body is welcome and it will certainly be answered. Of course,Shraddhaban labdhate jnanam.
Let me repeat the cyclic causal relationship before I stop:-
ATTITUDES--àTHOUGHTS--àBODY CHEMISTRY--àATTITUDES-----à
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Namaskar.
Here starts the use. I shall be back to body weight.
HOW TO/HOW TO TO HOW TO
When I say life is just spontaneities, I recall the opening lines of a poem of Madhusudan Rao who wrote:-
Re atman,
Nidra parihari,
Phedi chintara lochana,
Kara kara nireekshana,
Nishabde jeevana srota,
Dhaunchchi kipari,
Bhetibaku mrityu sindhu,
Karala lahari.
My English translation
Oh atman!
Awake from sleep,
Open the eyes of consciousness,
And behold!
Soundlessly how,
The stream of life,
Runs fast,
To meet the dreadful tides,
Of the ocean of death.
He wrote poem and I am speaking science but we converge at this point. With the spontaneous emission of 2 million sperms, spontaneously we raced and succeeded alone to penetrate into one ovum whose outer surface spontaneously hardened as soon as we entered into it to prevent any other sperm to get in. Spontaneously we projected an umbilical cord with the placenta at the end which got planted in a right location of uterus spontaneously and spontaneously we went on sucking nourishment. Then every thing happened spontaneously and we are here spontaneously till date.
We do not know when we spontaneously got consciousness and the spontaneity- too. Yes, spontaneity-, the death instinct, Thanatos, centrifugal force and any thing you may name is also with us. But for the sake of brevity let us call it spontaneity-. So Life=f(spontaneity+/spontaneity-)(Formula I). As the value of this ratio goes up our ASK ness, health, happiness and longevity etc. go up and vice versa.
Now as I have demonstrated and illustrated earlier, through consciousness we can influence these spontaneities in every cell of our body. So the second formula emerges as Health Power Ratio(ASK ness, health, happiness, longevity etc.)=f(RxHT/UT)(FormulaII)
Where,
f=function,
R=resilience,
HT=healthy thoughts and
UT=unhealthy thoughts.
Thus, our job is to extinguish unhealthy thoughts and maximize healthy thoughts to increase the value of health power ratio.
Now here are certain mother(repeat mother) healthy thoughts in mantra form:-
THOUGHT TRANSMISSION MANTRAS
1.Let us attain perfection and pleasures in the constant flow of the
most favorable decisions and happenings to us and extinction of all unfavorable decisions and happenings against us instantly, perfectly, permanently and spontaneously.
2.Let us have
breath in our nostrils,
voice in our mouths,
sight in our eyes,
hearing in our ears,
hair that has not turned gray,
teeth that are not discolored and
much strength in our arms.
Let all our organs remain unimpaired
and our souls in peace and harmony.
3.Let us attain perfection and pleasures in simultaneous and
spontaneous regeneration, fresh generation, repair, readaptation,
regularities and cell health medicines instantly, perfectly,
permanently and spontaneously.
4.Let us attain perfection and pleasures in feeling free, relaxed,
comfortable, reorganized and produce and progress instantly,
perfectly, permanently and spontaneously.
5.Let us attain perfection and pleasures in the constant flow of
clear, vivid and correct feelings and ideas and not any wrong
feeling and idea instantly, perfectly, permanently and
spontaneously.
Now what is a mantra? Mantra is a word or a sequence of words, the reverberation/chanting of which yields desirable results as the effect of invocation of a mantra in the consciousness travels unto every cell of the body and the mantra attracts further healthy thoughts into consciousness and extinguishes unhealthy thoughts. Its function in Sanskrit is- Manasam trayate iti mantrah which means that which protects the mind is mantra.
Tajjapastadartha bhabanam is the sutra to use a mantra which means chant/reverberate and dwell in its meaning. So it needs that one is to get by heart a mantra to use it.
If the mantras sound abracadabra then please start with our conventional blessings. Bless command to yourself as:
1. Sarba sampanna bhaba;
2. Ayushman Bhaba;
3. Dirghayu Bhaba;
4. Chirajeebi bhaba and
5. etc. etc.
There are other facilitating exercises but let me stop here today.
Let the ideas get settled first desirably through further discussions. Every question for clarification from any body is welcome and it will certainly be answered. Of course,Shraddhaban labdhate jnanam.
Let me repeat the cyclic causal relationship before I stop:-
ATTITUDES--àTHOUGHTS--àBODY CHEMISTRY--àATTITUDES-----à
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Hi everyone,
Here is my take on having the right attitude.
A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 2000, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you - but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the $20 note. Then he asked, "Who still wants it?" The hands were still up in the air.
"Well," he replied, "what if I do this?" He dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still, the hands went into the air.
"My friends, you have all learned a valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless, but no matter what happens or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes not from what we do or who we know, but from who we are.
You are SPECIAL - don't ever forget it."
From India, Mumbai
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Here is my take on having the right attitude.
A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 2000, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you - but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the $20 note. Then he asked, "Who still wants it?" The hands were still up in the air.
"Well," he replied, "what if I do this?" He dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still, the hands went into the air.
"My friends, you have all learned a valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless, but no matter what happens or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes not from what we do or who we know, but from who we are.
You are SPECIAL - don't ever forget it."
From India, Mumbai
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Hi Reena,
That was a great story to explain about attitude. Just a good one. I thought of adding a few more letters to the ASK method - that is V ASK. We ask... V for value. What value we carry also matters. Maybe this has more relevance with the attitude.
Okay, just think and give your suggestion, Jogeshwar, Sunayna, and Reena.
Okay, see you. Bye.
From India, Vadodara
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That was a great story to explain about attitude. Just a good one. I thought of adding a few more letters to the ASK method - that is V ASK. We ask... V for value. What value we carry also matters. Maybe this has more relevance with the attitude.
Okay, just think and give your suggestion, Jogeshwar, Sunayna, and Reena.
Okay, see you. Bye.
From India, Vadodara
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Hi Dr. JM,
Your mention about mantra reminds me about positive thinking. I read it somewhere that you should keep repeating your desires to yourself; it gives your brain a red flag, and it works. For example, if you want to be a little more patient in life, keep repeating it to yourself—it works. You can also make it into a song and keep humming it all day long. Do try it out, everyone, and tell me if it works.
Hey Reena, lovely message.
Hi Sree, doesn't value (amongst others) help you form your attitude?
From India, Mumbai
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Your mention about mantra reminds me about positive thinking. I read it somewhere that you should keep repeating your desires to yourself; it gives your brain a red flag, and it works. For example, if you want to be a little more patient in life, keep repeating it to yourself—it works. You can also make it into a song and keep humming it all day long. Do try it out, everyone, and tell me if it works.
Hey Reena, lovely message.
Hi Sree, doesn't value (amongst others) help you form your attitude?
From India, Mumbai
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Hi Sreenivasan and Sunayna,
First of all, thanks for appreciating the message. Well, I think every person is valuable in one way or another, but everyone carries a different attitude. Attitude depends on how you see yourself, what importance you place on yourself, how much self-respect and self-confidence you have, how capable you think you are, and the list goes on.
So, according to me, attitude is not dependent on value; instead, it depends on a person's perspective. What do you say?
Reena
From India, Mumbai
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First of all, thanks for appreciating the message. Well, I think every person is valuable in one way or another, but everyone carries a different attitude. Attitude depends on how you see yourself, what importance you place on yourself, how much self-respect and self-confidence you have, how capable you think you are, and the list goes on.
So, according to me, attitude is not dependent on value; instead, it depends on a person's perspective. What do you say?
Reena
From India, Mumbai
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RESTING
“My current dictum for myself in this regard is " Life as a challenge cross it and life as a bed of roses explore it".”
Dear sunayna,sreenivasan and friends,
Namaskar.
The above post is from my message dated the 27th May, 2005. It is under cloud now. So I am resting till the cloud is over, if at all as Ram and Lxman had to wait on Rishyamuka mountains due to clouds and rains during their quest for abducted Sita.
Please carry on. Wish you all the best.
Regards,
jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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“My current dictum for myself in this regard is " Life as a challenge cross it and life as a bed of roses explore it".”
Dear sunayna,sreenivasan and friends,
Namaskar.
The above post is from my message dated the 27th May, 2005. It is under cloud now. So I am resting till the cloud is over, if at all as Ram and Lxman had to wait on Rishyamuka mountains due to clouds and rains during their quest for abducted Sita.
Please carry on. Wish you all the best.
Regards,
jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Hi Dr. JM, what's up? Are you busy with work? Need help? Hope you see sunshine soon.
Hi Reena, it was a pleasure to read it. Please explain your idea on values a little more. I still think that your values will, in some way, determine your attitude. I agree with self-confidence, self-respect, and all.
From India, Mumbai
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Hi Reena, it was a pleasure to read it. Please explain your idea on values a little more. I still think that your values will, in some way, determine your attitude. I agree with self-confidence, self-respect, and all.
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Sunayna,
Many thanks for your prompt inquiry. God has naturally endowed you with the heart of a real friend. I do not get worked up by my work; I enjoy it.
By "cloud," I mean the special icon over each of my posts from day one. I noticed it on Friday. That is for edit/delete, with a cross over it. Obviously, the first two imply challenges and provocation, while the cross implies wrath.
Regarding help, I think tides, tornadoes, and tsunamis come and go. The only thing necessary is to maintain steadiness.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Many thanks for your prompt inquiry. God has naturally endowed you with the heart of a real friend. I do not get worked up by my work; I enjoy it.
By "cloud," I mean the special icon over each of my posts from day one. I noticed it on Friday. That is for edit/delete, with a cross over it. Obviously, the first two imply challenges and provocation, while the cross implies wrath.
Regarding help, I think tides, tornadoes, and tsunamis come and go. The only thing necessary is to maintain steadiness.
Regards,
Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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Hi Dr. Jogeshwar, Sunayna, and Reena,
Hi first about Jogeshwar, since I talked with you I know how you felt. So, I don't think I have to ask you again or tell you something about that.
Then, about Sunayna and Reena, let's talk about values. Values touch on some fundamental concepts of attitude, very specific in nature. For example, if I have to give an example, your value of not hurting animals reflects in your attitude towards people eating non-veg being negative. You don't like people who eat non-veg, and this constitutes your attitude.
Another thought I have is whether attitudes can be changed. Similarly, can values be changed or not? That is what I am pondering. Each value we hold may have one or more attitudes associated with it.
This is also what I think about the relationship between values and attitudes. Even theories in books seem to suggest similar ideas.
Thank you.
From India, Vadodara
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Hi first about Jogeshwar, since I talked with you I know how you felt. So, I don't think I have to ask you again or tell you something about that.
Then, about Sunayna and Reena, let's talk about values. Values touch on some fundamental concepts of attitude, very specific in nature. For example, if I have to give an example, your value of not hurting animals reflects in your attitude towards people eating non-veg being negative. You don't like people who eat non-veg, and this constitutes your attitude.
Another thought I have is whether attitudes can be changed. Similarly, can values be changed or not? That is what I am pondering. Each value we hold may have one or more attitudes associated with it.
This is also what I think about the relationship between values and attitudes. Even theories in books seem to suggest similar ideas.
Thank you.
From India, Vadodara
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Hi Sunayna and Sreenivasan,
According to me, the value of a person implies his/her worth for himself/herself and for others. I think every person has some worth, which means every person has some value in his/her own eyes and in the eyes of loved ones. However, attitude depends upon one's perception and personality.
Reena
From India, Mumbai
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According to me, the value of a person implies his/her worth for himself/herself and for others. I think every person has some worth, which means every person has some value in his/her own eyes and in the eyes of loved ones. However, attitude depends upon one's perception and personality.
Reena
From India, Mumbai
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Hi Reena,
Ok, good explanation... Value is formed for a person due to a few things. One is from the gene - one that is family-oriented values. Then the environment-oriented - like the place where he/she lives, then caste/culture, then country, place, etc.
So, it is the starting point which will start the molding of the behavior of the person. Then, this will prolong to attitude, motivational factors, then personality, etc. So, it is just the base of many things that's what I want to convey to understand.
From India, Vadodara
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Ok, good explanation... Value is formed for a person due to a few things. One is from the gene - one that is family-oriented values. Then the environment-oriented - like the place where he/she lives, then caste/culture, then country, place, etc.
So, it is the starting point which will start the molding of the behavior of the person. Then, this will prolong to attitude, motivational factors, then personality, etc. So, it is just the base of many things that's what I want to convey to understand.
From India, Vadodara
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The more I think about it, the more confused I'm getting. So, I think values lie in the borderline, but I still lean towards values being a part of attitudes, as in one of the factors giving rise to attitude. Let's just agree to disagree.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Hi Sunayna,
OB is one damn interesting subject, which may look confusing, but it is the basic for any HR function or HR strategy. Just an interesting subject to delve into anytime.
Okay, see you. Have a nice time. Don't get confused. You are right about value and attitude. Just observe the people around you and try to determine if you are right or wrong. Very easy.
Thank you.
From India, Vadodara
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OB is one damn interesting subject, which may look confusing, but it is the basic for any HR function or HR strategy. Just an interesting subject to delve into anytime.
Okay, see you. Have a nice time. Don't get confused. You are right about value and attitude. Just observe the people around you and try to determine if you are right or wrong. Very easy.
Thank you.
From India, Vadodara
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Hi Sree,
I am glad that I am right. Cool. Here's a story.
In short, it proves that you can achieve anything and everything in life with the right attitude. :)
You Become What You Want to Be
By Marilyn Joan
Growing up the fifth of six children was a challenge, with the struggle for placement and acceptance being the usual issues. Personally, I never felt I needed to be heard or seen. Taught to be seen and not heard from the time we were born, when we broke that rule, we were punished severely.
I had several strikes against me growing up. I had very little self-esteem, if any. Our mother had a hair-trigger temper, and we constantly had to avoid her wrath, learning to fear and not thrive as children. Even when we weren't in trouble, we felt like we had done something wrong. Talking about love or sex in our house was totally taboo. Our home lacked warmth, and my fears of incurring my mother's anger outweighed my desire to talk to her about very important things that should have been dealt with as a child, not as an adult.
My childhood was short. I always say I graduated from the school of hard knocks and meant it. I was molested between the ages of ten and thirteen by four different family friends and a family member. I was an alcoholic by the time I was fourteen and a frequent user of drugs when I wasn't drunk.
I was not popular in school, my grades were not great, and the only thing I excelled at was spelling, which would not carry me far. My mom planted the seeds and watered them daily, telling me I wasn't smart enough or good enough to reach the goals I set for myself in life. I wanted to be a teacher, a stewardess, or a nurse. At one time, I had many, many dreams. Not one of them was something my mother encouraged or thought I could accomplish.
I made mistakes, too many to mention, and some so humiliating that I cringe inside today as I recall them. The drugs, the alcohol, and the self-destructive path I was on were not things I was proud of. I wanted so desperately to change, but I had no idea how. I just wasn't good enough to succeed at anything. The only positive thing left was my desire to try.
I started dating a guy when I was thirteen, falling hopelessly in love with him. True to form, my mother told me I would never do better, and on my sixteenth birthday, we were engaged. We moved in together after high school and married at nineteen. We had two beautiful kids together, and that was the turning point in my life. Being a good mother was something I could accomplish.
Marrying so young was wrong; we both knew it. We were drawn to each other for all the wrong reasons. It was bad for him, it was bad for me, it was bad for the children, so I started my road to recovery by divorcing him. We never harbored any hate or animosity for each other, and frankly I liked him better once we lived apart. He became a better father and a better person, and I too became a better human being.
I began to reinvent and get reacquainted with myself. I faced my problems with the help of psychologists and social workers, who taught me healthy parenting and life skills. With their help and encouragement, I learned to talk with my kids and to value them for who they were. I am able to guide them toward realizing their full potential through encouragement and emotional support. And, I have stayed clean and sober.
During therapy, I remembered the sexual abuse and came forward to have the man arrested and charged with his crimes. I felt wonderful, vindicated, and strong when he was convicted twenty years later for the crimes he committed against me.
I look back with 20/20 hindsight and wonder why my educators never picked up on my abuse. The signs were there; I read it in my report cards. About a sullen little girl who sulks and wants to be the center of attention, and cries. No, I don't want to be the center of attention. I just want to be loved. Can't you see that! I remember all the incidents as if they were yesterday and have worked hard to move beyond feeling like a victim.
Today I feel lucky. I have a wonderful husband, two more great kids, and a home in the country, a life far beyond the dreams of a kid being drowned in the toilet. I have never beaten my children or belittled them. I overcame great odds, faced the loathing and shame, and grieved for the loss of my childhood so that the cycle stopped with me. In its place, a life centered on love and nurturing has taken root, and I am careful to plant more seeds and water them daily.
From India, Mumbai
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I am glad that I am right. Cool. Here's a story.
In short, it proves that you can achieve anything and everything in life with the right attitude. :)
You Become What You Want to Be
By Marilyn Joan
Growing up the fifth of six children was a challenge, with the struggle for placement and acceptance being the usual issues. Personally, I never felt I needed to be heard or seen. Taught to be seen and not heard from the time we were born, when we broke that rule, we were punished severely.
I had several strikes against me growing up. I had very little self-esteem, if any. Our mother had a hair-trigger temper, and we constantly had to avoid her wrath, learning to fear and not thrive as children. Even when we weren't in trouble, we felt like we had done something wrong. Talking about love or sex in our house was totally taboo. Our home lacked warmth, and my fears of incurring my mother's anger outweighed my desire to talk to her about very important things that should have been dealt with as a child, not as an adult.
My childhood was short. I always say I graduated from the school of hard knocks and meant it. I was molested between the ages of ten and thirteen by four different family friends and a family member. I was an alcoholic by the time I was fourteen and a frequent user of drugs when I wasn't drunk.
I was not popular in school, my grades were not great, and the only thing I excelled at was spelling, which would not carry me far. My mom planted the seeds and watered them daily, telling me I wasn't smart enough or good enough to reach the goals I set for myself in life. I wanted to be a teacher, a stewardess, or a nurse. At one time, I had many, many dreams. Not one of them was something my mother encouraged or thought I could accomplish.
I made mistakes, too many to mention, and some so humiliating that I cringe inside today as I recall them. The drugs, the alcohol, and the self-destructive path I was on were not things I was proud of. I wanted so desperately to change, but I had no idea how. I just wasn't good enough to succeed at anything. The only positive thing left was my desire to try.
I started dating a guy when I was thirteen, falling hopelessly in love with him. True to form, my mother told me I would never do better, and on my sixteenth birthday, we were engaged. We moved in together after high school and married at nineteen. We had two beautiful kids together, and that was the turning point in my life. Being a good mother was something I could accomplish.
Marrying so young was wrong; we both knew it. We were drawn to each other for all the wrong reasons. It was bad for him, it was bad for me, it was bad for the children, so I started my road to recovery by divorcing him. We never harbored any hate or animosity for each other, and frankly I liked him better once we lived apart. He became a better father and a better person, and I too became a better human being.
I began to reinvent and get reacquainted with myself. I faced my problems with the help of psychologists and social workers, who taught me healthy parenting and life skills. With their help and encouragement, I learned to talk with my kids and to value them for who they were. I am able to guide them toward realizing their full potential through encouragement and emotional support. And, I have stayed clean and sober.
During therapy, I remembered the sexual abuse and came forward to have the man arrested and charged with his crimes. I felt wonderful, vindicated, and strong when he was convicted twenty years later for the crimes he committed against me.
I look back with 20/20 hindsight and wonder why my educators never picked up on my abuse. The signs were there; I read it in my report cards. About a sullen little girl who sulks and wants to be the center of attention, and cries. No, I don't want to be the center of attention. I just want to be loved. Can't you see that! I remember all the incidents as if they were yesterday and have worked hard to move beyond feeling like a victim.
Today I feel lucky. I have a wonderful husband, two more great kids, and a home in the country, a life far beyond the dreams of a kid being drowned in the toilet. I have never beaten my children or belittled them. I overcame great odds, faced the loathing and shame, and grieved for the loss of my childhood so that the cycle stopped with me. In its place, a life centered on love and nurturing has taken root, and I am careful to plant more seeds and water them daily.
From India, Mumbai
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hi sunayna, this was a good article.. i am thinking to follow dr.jm... but the article was good. if it live person article or just some think story kind.. ok see u have a nice time byee
From India, Vadodara
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From India, Vadodara
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And they call some of these people "retarded"...
A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash.
At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.
All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry.
They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back... every one of them.
One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium stood, the cheering went on for
From India, Mumbai
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A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash.
At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.
All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry.
They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back... every one of them.
One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium stood, the cheering went on for
From India, Mumbai
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Hi,
It's really a wonderful story on being Positive. Here, I could remember one more such story that is known across the country.
Let me tell the story as follows:
Once upon a time, there lived a King whose minister was all positive in his approach towards life. He always used to say, "Whatever happened, it's for our good."
One day, the King was having his breakfast. While he was cutting a fruit, he cut his finger with the knife. When he met his minister and informed him of the injury, his minister, as usual, replied, "Whatever happened, it's for our good." For this remark, the king became furious and ordered that the minister be imprisoned.
As the Minister was imprisoned, the king went to Shikaar alone. When he went into the deep forest, a group of tribals found him and tied him and took him to their Village Priest. As the tribals were then celebrating a festival, the Priest ordered that the king be sacrificed to please the Goddess. The king worried over his fate but could not do anything. The king was asked to bow his head before the Goddess. Just before cutting off his head, someone from the group yelled saying, "He has an injury and hence is not fit for sacrifice to the Goddess." Then, the priest ordered to release him. Feeling relieved, the king came back to his kingdom.
He went to the imprisoned Minister and narrated the story, for which again, the minister replied, "Whatever happened, it's for our good." The king said, "It's ok that my life is saved because of the injury, but what about you? Today, unnecessarily you are in prison. Why do you think that it is for good?" Smiling, the Minister answered, "My Lord! if I wasn't arrested by you, I would have accompanied you to the forest. As I am healthy, they would have left you and sacrificed me instead." Hence, by keeping me in prison, you saved my life." The King felt overwhelmed at the answer of the Minister and immediately released him from jail. Further, he showered upon him valuable gifts for his unbounding Positive attitude.
Perhaps, I may not be good at bringing the literary value to this anecdote, but I hope my message is clear: "Whatever happens, it is for our good." Hence, "Be Positive."
Corrected Spelling and Grammar: Identified and fixed spelling and grammatical mistakes in the text while maintaining the original meaning and tone. Ensured proper paragraph formatting with a single line break between paragraphs.
From India, Hyderabad
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It's really a wonderful story on being Positive. Here, I could remember one more such story that is known across the country.
Let me tell the story as follows:
Once upon a time, there lived a King whose minister was all positive in his approach towards life. He always used to say, "Whatever happened, it's for our good."
One day, the King was having his breakfast. While he was cutting a fruit, he cut his finger with the knife. When he met his minister and informed him of the injury, his minister, as usual, replied, "Whatever happened, it's for our good." For this remark, the king became furious and ordered that the minister be imprisoned.
As the Minister was imprisoned, the king went to Shikaar alone. When he went into the deep forest, a group of tribals found him and tied him and took him to their Village Priest. As the tribals were then celebrating a festival, the Priest ordered that the king be sacrificed to please the Goddess. The king worried over his fate but could not do anything. The king was asked to bow his head before the Goddess. Just before cutting off his head, someone from the group yelled saying, "He has an injury and hence is not fit for sacrifice to the Goddess." Then, the priest ordered to release him. Feeling relieved, the king came back to his kingdom.
He went to the imprisoned Minister and narrated the story, for which again, the minister replied, "Whatever happened, it's for our good." The king said, "It's ok that my life is saved because of the injury, but what about you? Today, unnecessarily you are in prison. Why do you think that it is for good?" Smiling, the Minister answered, "My Lord! if I wasn't arrested by you, I would have accompanied you to the forest. As I am healthy, they would have left you and sacrificed me instead." Hence, by keeping me in prison, you saved my life." The King felt overwhelmed at the answer of the Minister and immediately released him from jail. Further, he showered upon him valuable gifts for his unbounding Positive attitude.
Perhaps, I may not be good at bringing the literary value to this anecdote, but I hope my message is clear: "Whatever happens, it is for our good." Hence, "Be Positive."
Corrected Spelling and Grammar: Identified and fixed spelling and grammatical mistakes in the text while maintaining the original meaning and tone. Ensured proper paragraph formatting with a single line break between paragraphs.
From India, Hyderabad
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Hi Noojilla,
Lovely story. Well, agreed, everything happens for the good, but at times I wonder... Does everything really happen for our good, or do we try to find something that makes us happy? Your comments?
From India, Mumbai
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Lovely story. Well, agreed, everything happens for the good, but at times I wonder... Does everything really happen for our good, or do we try to find something that makes us happy? Your comments?
From India, Mumbai
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Hi Sunayana,
A tricky question you posed indeed, didn't you? You too know that when I say 'everything happens for our good,' it's the literary expression of one side of our attitude. Here the Minister represents our positive attitude. The maxim behind the saying is that 'you try to look at the better (positive) side of the issue.' Then, we feel that everything happens for our good, just like the 'half full-half empty' type. Everything depends upon our perspective, i.e., how we look at things.
You are lucky for your name itself (Sunayana = Girl with good eyes/looks), so you are by default with a positive outlook. Keep them that way and run the show.
Regards,
Srinivas
From India, Hyderabad
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A tricky question you posed indeed, didn't you? You too know that when I say 'everything happens for our good,' it's the literary expression of one side of our attitude. Here the Minister represents our positive attitude. The maxim behind the saying is that 'you try to look at the better (positive) side of the issue.' Then, we feel that everything happens for our good, just like the 'half full-half empty' type. Everything depends upon our perspective, i.e., how we look at things.
You are lucky for your name itself (Sunayana = Girl with good eyes/looks), so you are by default with a positive outlook. Keep them that way and run the show.
Regards,
Srinivas
From India, Hyderabad
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I strongly believe in "Jo hota hain vo achche ke liye hota hain" and "Everything happens for Good," but the trouble is, the moment when it is happening, it is difficult to foresee the good side of it. The present is a problem. After the 'good' has happened, it is easier to search for the happening and say 'good that it happened.' However, the moment of truth is always troublesome and painful.
For example, when I lost my IT job in December 2001, I firmly believed that it was for good. But how do you explain it to family, friends, and even to yourself? Definitely, it was the best thing to happen to me in those days. It changed my life and gave me great opportunities to do what I wanted to do, not just what everyone else was doing!
So, it boils down to holding the belief firmly in mind that "It's all for the Good" and continue striving, walking the path, enjoying life. Keep smiling and have a great day!
ShoOOonya
From Switzerland, Geneva
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For example, when I lost my IT job in December 2001, I firmly believed that it was for good. But how do you explain it to family, friends, and even to yourself? Definitely, it was the best thing to happen to me in those days. It changed my life and gave me great opportunities to do what I wanted to do, not just what everyone else was doing!
So, it boils down to holding the belief firmly in mind that "It's all for the Good" and continue striving, walking the path, enjoying life. Keep smiling and have a great day!
ShoOOonya
From Switzerland, Geneva
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I try my best to do the same. At times, I wonder... does everything really happen for the good, or is it me who wants to believe like that and try finding something good?
I guess this is where we need patience and trust in Him up there. Patience is a virtue. I really don't follow it but try my best to be patient.
Same to you, shoonya. Have fun.
From India, Mumbai
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I guess this is where we need patience and trust in Him up there. Patience is a virtue. I really don't follow it but try my best to be patient.
Same to you, shoonya. Have fun.
From India, Mumbai
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Hi, Vishal dude.
Glad you liked it. I'm sure you will appreciate this too. You know, in college, we had dudes and "dudi's" (it was later that we found out it was "dudette").
So, we used to enter a room and say, "Hello dudes and dudi's." Now, it sounds so silly.
A jobless man applied for the position of "office boy" at Microsoft. The HR manager interviewed him, then gave him a test: clean the floor. "You are hired," he said. "Give me your email address, and I'll send you the application to fill out, as well as details on when you will start."
The man replied, "I don't have a computer, nor an email."
"I'm sorry," said the HR manager, "if you don't have an email, it means you do not exist. And someone who doesn't exist cannot have the job." The man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with only $10 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy a 10 lbs. tomato crate.
He sold the tomatoes door-to-door. In less than two hours, he had doubled his capital. He repeated the operation three times and returned home with $60! The man realized that he could survive this way and started going out earlier and returning late.
His money doubled or tripled every day. Shortly after, he bought a cart, then a truck, and later had his own fleet of delivery vehicles. Five years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the U.S.
He started planning his family's future and decided to get life insurance. He called an insurance broker and chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded, the broker asked for his email. The man replied, "I don't have an email."
The broker, curious, said, "You don't have an email, yet you managed to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an email?!"
The man thought for a while and replied, "An office boy at Microsoft!"
The moral of this story:
1. The internet is not the solution to your life.
2. Even if you don't have the internet and work hard, you can still become a millionaire.
3. If you received this message by email, you are closer to being an office boy rather than a millionaire.
From India, Mumbai
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Glad you liked it. I'm sure you will appreciate this too. You know, in college, we had dudes and "dudi's" (it was later that we found out it was "dudette").
So, we used to enter a room and say, "Hello dudes and dudi's." Now, it sounds so silly.
A jobless man applied for the position of "office boy" at Microsoft. The HR manager interviewed him, then gave him a test: clean the floor. "You are hired," he said. "Give me your email address, and I'll send you the application to fill out, as well as details on when you will start."
The man replied, "I don't have a computer, nor an email."
"I'm sorry," said the HR manager, "if you don't have an email, it means you do not exist. And someone who doesn't exist cannot have the job." The man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with only $10 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy a 10 lbs. tomato crate.
He sold the tomatoes door-to-door. In less than two hours, he had doubled his capital. He repeated the operation three times and returned home with $60! The man realized that he could survive this way and started going out earlier and returning late.
His money doubled or tripled every day. Shortly after, he bought a cart, then a truck, and later had his own fleet of delivery vehicles. Five years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the U.S.
He started planning his family's future and decided to get life insurance. He called an insurance broker and chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded, the broker asked for his email. The man replied, "I don't have an email."
The broker, curious, said, "You don't have an email, yet you managed to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an email?!"
The man thought for a while and replied, "An office boy at Microsoft!"
The moral of this story:
1. The internet is not the solution to your life.
2. Even if you don't have the internet and work hard, you can still become a millionaire.
3. If you received this message by email, you are closer to being an office boy rather than a millionaire.
From India, Mumbai
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Think Positive!!
This is nice - finding the positive out of every negative - which we don't always manage to do.
I am thankful...
1. For the husband who snores all night, because he is at home asleep with me and not with someone else.
2. For my teenage daughter who is complaining about doing dishes, because that means she is at home & not on the streets.
3. For the taxes that I pay because it means that I am employed.
4. For the mess to clean after a party because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
5. For the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
6. For my shadow that watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
7. For a floor that needs mopping, and windows that need cleaning because it means I have a home.
8. For all the complaining I hear about the government because it means that we have freedom of speech.
9. For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.
10. For the noise I have to bear from my neighbors because it means that I can hear.
11. For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.
12. For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been capable of working hard.
13. For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am still alive.
AND FINALLY ....... for received e-mails because it means I have friends who are thinking of me, at least.
HAVE A NICE DAY !!!
From India, Mumbai
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This is nice - finding the positive out of every negative - which we don't always manage to do.
I am thankful...
1. For the husband who snores all night, because he is at home asleep with me and not with someone else.
2. For my teenage daughter who is complaining about doing dishes, because that means she is at home & not on the streets.
3. For the taxes that I pay because it means that I am employed.
4. For the mess to clean after a party because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
5. For the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
6. For my shadow that watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
7. For a floor that needs mopping, and windows that need cleaning because it means I have a home.
8. For all the complaining I hear about the government because it means that we have freedom of speech.
9. For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.
10. For the noise I have to bear from my neighbors because it means that I can hear.
11. For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.
12. For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been capable of working hard.
13. For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am still alive.
AND FINALLY ....... for received e-mails because it means I have friends who are thinking of me, at least.
HAVE A NICE DAY !!!
From India, Mumbai
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Hi there, Doctor,
My sister is in 4th standard, and she wants to learn everything about the digestive system, preferably with pictures to help her understand more easily. I've been searching for resources, but I'm confused about which site to visit for this information. Could you please provide me with some hints on where to find suitable resources?
Thank you.
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My sister is in 4th standard, and she wants to learn everything about the digestive system, preferably with pictures to help her understand more easily. I've been searching for resources, but I'm confused about which site to visit for this information. Could you please provide me with some hints on where to find suitable resources?
Thank you.
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Hello Priya ji! Namskar. I am not a nadi doctor but a khopdi doctor. Sorry. regards, Jogeshwar
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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helloo friends i am sending u a ppt of this story (jerry). i hope u all will enjoy that. your friend sumit :lol:
From Qatar
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From Qatar
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