Archive for September, 2007
Sound and Visual Perception
Do we hear with our eyes? At least partly? This 10-second video comes to us from the University of Oslo sound lab. No matter how many times I replayed it, it sounded different to me with my eyes closed than with them open. Something to contemplate over the weekend. For more on the McGurk effect, see this. Happy Sounding!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 4 so far )Sept. 27 is Blogging for Hope day
While many bloggers are using today to speak out to end violence, and I applaud their efforts, I prefer to use a quote I first mentioned in my Spirituality in a Nutshell post:
“It would be wonderful indeed if a group of persons should arrive on earth who were for something and against nothing.” -E. Holmes
I don’t in any way endorse unpleasant, damaging or coercive behavior. I just prefer to state what I DO support, which is respecting and honoring our fellow beings. I am honored to participate in this day of hope.
Only Positive Music
A lot of us like to listen to online radio. Here is a station devoted to uplifting music with a positive message. There are a few different styles represented: rock, country, jazz, and rap are all there, but most seem to be upbeat or soft pop. I want to stress that this is not religious or new age music, but does have the side effect of helping the listener to feel good! Hope you like it, too: Poz Radio
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Energy Therapy Video containing research!
I’m very pragmatic in how I approach my everyday life. I wouldn’t use something as odd and unconventional as EFT if it wasn’t useful. This 8-minute video is a short introduction to the method and contains some results on “blood clumping” before and after treatment is applied.
EFT Introductory Video and FREE information!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 2 so far )I don’t crave that!
I co-facilitated an energy therapy workshop this weekend, and I’m once again blown away by some of the things this EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques—see “Health or EFT” topic) can accomplish. I know I sound like a “true believer” here, but, just take a look at what happened with one participant:
This person presented a compelling, persistent addiction to a certain well known and much consumed soft drink. And not just the general sort of this drink, but a specific brand. The person stated this drink’s positive aspects were energy and well-being, due to the caffeine and sugar involved. The downside? Jitters, unwanted weight gain, and a general conviction that “This isn’t good for me”.
Fortuitously, there was a soft drink machine nearby, and we purchased a can of the drink in question to work with. After a bit of chat to identify the issues, the participant was encouraged to take a sip. “Pretty good”. Then, after a few rounds of EFT “tapping”, another sip was encouraged.
“Really?”, the client asked. “Have as much as you want, I said.”
Mmmmm, big sip. “Wait, I feel all this energy. I feel kind of tingly. And, what?…
“It doesn’t taste like anything!”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s just like drinking soda water, or something. No taste!”
Well, as we went on with the session, the participant just couldn’t get the original taste of the soda back. The person didn’t care for the taste anymore, and therefore, the presented “addiction” was no longer relevant.
I’ve seen this happen over and over while watching clinical training videos, but this was my first dramatic in-person experience of this phenomenon. This result is widely reported for addictions to soda, chocolate, cigarettes, and other substances. Will this client ever crave the particular soda again? Maybe, but perhaps not. And even if the person does, the client now has a tool to address the issue before the dreaded soda is imbibed, and can choose to use it. Even if the craving does persist–and again, many times it does not–with repeated treatment it will likely fade in a short time.
Watching this sort of thing happen in someone’s (and my own) life is like watching real magic, even though there IS a scientific bases for the results. It’s just one of the most gratifying things I do!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 4 so far )I promise not to create your Reality for You
Once again, a reader has left a comment, and asked a question which caused me to think, and really evaluate my position. I feel so fortunate to have such thoughtful–and thought provoking–readers who really want to engage with the ideas we’re exploring. By the time I had answered RubyShooZ‘s question, I had enough for a new post, so here it goes:
The issue of “blame” comes up a lot in relation to such teachings as found in the movie and book The Secret, or those found in certain New Thought or New Age philosophies. While I appreciate the movie The Secret, I’m not fully in tune with ALL of its teachers, or the fact that the title implies that these teachings are a mystery which has only recently been discovered.
I’m in no way endorsing or trying to sell a philosophy here. In fact, if one doesn’t like the notion of creating ones own reality, I would support that person in *not* embracing this belief. I think beliefs, methods, tools, and philosophies are only valuable if they help us to reach a better-feeling place.
As far as blame goes, I know how easy it is to interpret these teachings as if it is my “fault” if I get sick, or don’t have enough money, or have bad relationships, or whatever. Just as I would not “blame” anyone for being in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, I would not blame anyone for any unwanted condition in their lives. In fact, I think that’s where a lot of the confusion comes in. If we “attract” something, or “create” something, it often sounds as if we “want” that thing. That’s not necessarily the case. Most people don’t go around “wanting” poverty, or bad relationships, or illness–if they do, they have a whole other set of issues.
I’m including a link to a set of videos by Bob Doyle, one of the “Secret” teachers I do enjoy. I want to point out that I’m not endorsing Mr. Doyle per se, in fact, I’m not a member of his program, although I’m considering joining, as I do like the way he presents information. (And, he uses my favorite energy therapy, EFT 🙂 ). The second video in the set is about 8 minutes long, and specifically addresses the question of blame.
I personally find the belief that I “create my own reality” tremendously liberating. It puts into context things I’ve been diagnosed with, or relationships and situations I’ve had, as well as giving me tools for the present and future.
However another one of my beliefs is that I can choose which beliefs to have. Sometimes I choose scientific validation as the basis for my beliefs, and sometimes intuitive understanding. Sometimes, a combination of both.
So, to any who are kind enough to read this, please know that I, and other off-beat seekers like me 😉 don’t blame anyone for any condition they find less than optimal. I just want to go from here, and use tools and find ways that enable me and you to feel even better than we already do. Shalom.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 5 so far )I don’t know and I don’t care.
I saw this joke somewhere on WordPress recently:
“There are 10 kinds of people in the world: those who know binary, and those who don’t.”
And this one:
“A professor responds to an incorrect answer from a student: ‘Are you ignorant, or are you just apathetic?’ The student replies ‘I don’t know and I don’t care.'”
I have to wonder why I think the above two are hilarious. I realize that not everyone reading this will share my opinion. I think I like humor with a little “twist” to it. Of course, all humor relies on surprise in order to get a reaction or laugh. These two jokes have that. But they also cause me to think. They’re not immediately obvious. I had to consider the punchline for several nanoseconds before I got it, in these. I realize I enjoy cleverness, pun, and using my native English language in a compelling way.
There is all kinds of humor, geared to almost any kind of demographic we can think of. I tried doing a little research for this topic, but only got as far as a) rather simplistic dictionary definitions; or b) long essays, theses, or dissertations on the scholarly analysis of humor. Neither of these did much for me. I wanted a little more insight than the dictionary gave me, but over-analysing humor leaves me cold…brrrr!
I’ll just have to ask myself, and answer myself. Maybe I’ll get some good insight that way!
One thing I did read is that humor comes out of pain (or humiliation, loss, misfortune, or any of many other so called “negative” experiences). In fact, nearly every source mentions this. The problem with definitive, declarative, perhaps self-congratulatory statements like that is they tend to become an accepted part of cultural reality which then defies people to oppose them.
I think much humor does come from using past unhappy experiences to try to allow ourselves to feel better. In fact, much of stand-up comedy I’ve seen revolves around such themes as “I was such a dorky kid…”, or “My neighbors or my family are such idiots…” This can relieve stress, I suppose, but that sort of humor doesn’t ultimately feel uplifting, long term, to me.
I’m more of a “dry wit” or “goofy, off-center” fan. I think that Monty Python‘s “Ministry of Silly Walks” sketch is just the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. I still nearly fall off my chair when it comes ’round. But, people I care deeply about will roll their eyes at the mere mention of Python. Why is that?
Humor is a form of Energy Therapy, just like Emotional Freedom Techniques, or massage, or deep breathing. Careers have been made on this claim (see here, and here, for instance). Authentic laughter releases energy blocks, and restores well-being. It’s highly individualized, though. Each of us has their “funny bone” in a different location. Dr. Norman Cousins says, “Find a way to laugh. Find what makes you laugh. Do what it takes, and you CAN heal.
I may not Know—but I do, in fact, Care.
“…so, this blogger walks into a bar…”
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 10 so far )Lessons I will learn, someday…How ’bout today, please?
Lesson #1 – Do not wait ’til the day you are to deliver a report to edit and print that report. I did that today, and I sure was sorry. When things get busy, sometimes they get put on the back burner–but, they can catch fire back there, since I’m not watching. Which brings me to
Lesson #2 – Do not respond emotionally when under stress from #1, above. I don’t always appreciate who I am when I have too many “irons in the fire”. Interesting expression, that. After I wrote it, I imagined it must be a blacksmithing term, and found that though there are a couple other definitions, the major one seems to involve having more metal pieces ready to be hammered than the blacksmith can deal with at one time. This is considered a mis-use of resources. So I mis-use my resources when I’m in a rush, feeling pressure, or have procrastinated. This is fine, as I have remedies for all these things. There’s my energy therapy, or vocal toning, or even taking a few deep breaths and asking myself if I am in a calm, comfortable connected place. But, here’s
Lesson #3 – Learn to be aware when it’s time to apply a tool or remedy. This is a challenge I have yet to overcome. I’m perfectly able to use my tools, and get to a better feeling place, except…when I forget! I think stressful situations can bring up old programming in the biocomputer, and part of that programming is “coping” in old ways, which may or may not have been useful at the time they were initiated, but were really invented for a person who’s some years younger than the current Me.
Lesson #4 – Be gentle with oneself. One of the hardest things, sometimes, is allowing myself human error. Notice I say “error” not “wrongness”, or “badness”. I’m quite capable of making an error in judgment. The error is apparent when the thought or action does not bring me uplifting results. This is part of the condition of being human, I think, but the challenge is in telling myself, “OK, I’ve just seen an example of how I don’t want to be in life. Now, I can identify the qualities I AM seeking”.
Lesson #5 – Alright, maybe I haven’t been completely pleased by my recent thoughts and actions, but I can let them be, until I’ve integrated my new learning. When I can, it literally realigns the universe, which then supports me and others who’ve intersected my energy field. Actually the support is always there, it’s just when I choose to believe the lie that I am less than worthy that I cut myself off from it.
Lesson #6 – What I think of others is none of their business–or mine! In my previous post, I mentioned a book title I liked: What You Think of Me is None of My Business. I’m discovering it works the other way around–imagine that! When I believe I know the answer to how someone else “should” behave, I’m really just succumbing to a less than optimal state of functionality. This does the world, and me, no good, and I’d prefer to weigh in on the side of good.
Enough lessons for one day. I’m off to meditate, tone, and regain my equilibrium. Peace.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 6 so far )Over and Over again
I think it’s a good thing that words of wisdom from my favorite spiritual teachers roll around in my head. It can get a little irritating at times, as when I can’t get “that song” out of my head, but these are phrases and advice I’ve chosen to think are important and useful. Here are a few of them:
“Don’t take it personally”. –Don Miguel Ruiz
At first, I balked at this one. After all, how can I not take virtually everything personally, as it is ME who is experiencing the feedback of my world. However, if I turn this around, just a bit, I get “You don’t have to take it personally”. Many have said that opinions about one, voiced by others, are really about them. Those opinions have nothing to do with us at all, other than giving us opportunities to look at the patterns we have in place.
I have a friend, who, when she first sees me coming, asks me how I am. So far, so good. I generally answer “Good”; “Splendid”; “Very Well”; or some such thing. Again, so far, so good. But then, she’ll sometimes say “Really?, you don’t look that great!” Arrrrrh. It took me a long time to work on that one. She’s told me that she’s just concerned about me. She “reads” me, she says, and my “energy” doesn’t always match what I’m saying. This may or may not be true, but it brings me to my next phrase:
“What You Think of Me is None of My Business” –Terry Cole Whittaker
This is actually the title of one of Dr. Wittaker’s many books, and gets my vote for the best book title ever. It plays right into my friend’s comments. Whatever her concern is, whether she is right, that I’m “lying” about how I feel, it’s still none of her business, unless I invite her comments by telling her I want to talk about the conditions in my life. It just doesn’t feel like an appropriate or helpful greeting to be told I don’t look so good! Also, whatever way I’m feeling, I’m making a serious attempt at feeling better by affirming I am well–in fact I’m always doing this.
“Talking about your problems; arguing for them, keeps you in them”. –Abraham, by way of Esther Hicks
So, I talk about how I want to feel. When I think of it, why would I not always want to talk about how I want to feel? If I do, I will actually start to align with those feelings more often than not. As I write this, I’m seeing that I’m still a bit sensitive and defensive about my friend’s remarks. Believe me, I’ve done a great deal of work on this issue in my life, including many sessions with my favorite energy therapy (see “Health” topic), and even telling my friend I don’t want to hear this from her.
“You create your own reality”. –Seth, through Jane Roberts
Well, if that’s true–and the more I investigate this, the more I believe it–then I have allowed myself to be open to my friend as teacher, and my resolution of these issues in my being, as part of my reality. And the learning is powerful, and useful.
“There is no “there” out there. –Fred Alan Wolf
This, from a quantum physicist, postulates that not only can a physics experiment change when observed (the “observer effect”), but that there is actually nothing “out there”, outside of our own perceptions. Literally, you, reading this, do not exist, if I am not here to blog this at you! Wow, I’m pretty powerful! But, then, nothing you experience “really” exists outside yourself, either, from this perspective.
“The basis of your life is freedom, the purpose of your life is joy” –Abraham, again
This can be hard to take sometimes, particularly if we’re observing the world around us. But all the other teachings listed here remind me that I am free to observe what I will, and take what action I will. I can always take action that moves me closer to joy, and in so doing, raise the joy-factor around me a little. That’s the best, purest, most helpful action I can take. And it’s important not to act (so far as that is easy and doable) until I’m in a place of well-being. I can work for any cause I wish to from that viewpoint.
So, recently, the aforementioned friend gave me this comment: “You look great! Really grounded and strong! Way to go!” OK, so far, so good? While we all like to receive compliments, and I think it’s much more uplifting to say pleasant things than unpleasant ones to people, I still remembered that “what she thought of me was none of my business.” I really was able to just let that comment wash over me, without attachment.
“Good to see you too!”, I said.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 9 so far )Autumn Holidays and Quiet Contemplation
It is a week of holidays and remembrances. On Tuesday, the world observed what is referred to in the US as “Patriot Day”, which I’d rather call “Remembrance Day”. And continuing this week are the the holy days of Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah–both times of contemplation and renewal. I’m about to attend one of several celebrations honoring “World Peace Day”, giving my thoughts and gratitude to all traditions that seek renewal and understanding. One does not have to be religious to contemplate Peace, of course—just willing to support all that is good and noble in humankind. Good Holidays & Peace to you.
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