Monthly Archives: October 2009

You May Be Amazed

Posted by David on

To find that your are plastic!

No I don’t mean that incredible material derived form oil, that’s flexible, waterproof, doesn’t rust and so on. Making it ideal for rain coats, shopping bags, containers etc. etc.

Hold on a minute though this does give us a clue.

No, not the ‘doesn’t rust’ part (although you probably won’t) but the bit about ‘flexibility’.

Did you know that your genetic make-up and brain neurology are not fully hard-wired. Your genes can change with experience and your brain can adapt its structure to the loss of a major sensory channel.

It’s official: You are not a machine, you are a free man (or woman).

For instance, the human brain can override genetically programmed compartments mapped for sight or sound, and re-wire them for new functions. So, in the brain of a blind person, a huge area normally assigned to the visual cortex will now process sound and touch. 1

Even more fascinating, have you ever considered seeing with your tongue? Well, you may have several uses for it, but I bet you didn’t think of that one. Dr. Bach-y-Rita at the University of Wisconsin has managed to prove that we can. Underlying this work is the belief that we do not see with our eyes, but with our brain. 1

In the area of genetic research, there has been much publicity in recent years surrounding the tremendous feat of mapping the sequence of human DNA (Genome). One of the results of on-going research in this area is the realization that our DNA sequence does not predict our destiny.

Some areas where this is most apparent are the fetal origins of adult diseases and, in some cases, the impact of birth itself on our DNA.

During our whole lifetime, it seems, there is a dynamic relationship between our genome and the environment. This interplay between us and our world means that our unique experiences can permanently alter the expression of our genes. 2

Isn’t it intriguing to think what it would be like if we could consciously change our DNA?

Another interesting statistic about our human genome is that only about 3% of it is used in instructions for living. The remaining 97% is known as non-coding DNA, and its function is not currently fully understood. 3

Some have suggested that it may be possible to turn it on, but what does this and when this could happen, is at present unknown.

Sources (See The Books Page):
1 Evolve Your Brain, by Joe Dispenza, HCI, 2007.

2 DNA: Promise & Peril, L. L. McCabe & E. R. B. McCabe, Univ. of Cal. Press, 2008.

3 The Human Genome Source Book, T. Acharya, Greenwood Press, 2005.

Vibrate Baby!

Posted by David on

We are vibrational beings living in a vibrational universe.

You’re receiving and interpreting light to read this, you can hear noises in the background via sound waves, the sense of what you’re touching is via waves of vibrating sensations in your body etc.

Further, all the cells in your body resonante with vibrating energy.

We are also rhythmic creatures. Since all matter is vibrating, our bodies are a series of overlapping rhythmic patterns: heartbeat, pulse, brainwave activity, electrical currents from our muscles, cranio-sacral impulses and so on.

From many perspectives, when we feel in vibrational harmony with a place, another person, our jobs etc., then we feel happy and healthy. And naturally the opposite is true.

What has this got to do with healing?

Well in several ways, it guides us as to why a wide range of healing modalities can be effective in relieving our symptoms, and it opens our minds to possibilities. Here are a few healing styles from hundreds of examples.

Chemical Solutions
Modern allopathic and traditional herbal medicines add chemicals to our bodies. Whilst we probably wouldn’t consider these as vibrational healing, what are chemicals but vibrating energy?

Sound Healing
This is an obvious use of vibration in a mood changing and healing context. Many of us are familiar with the effect that music can have on our mood, and many successful songs reflect back to us our sad, happy, celebratory feelings etc.

Sound therapy healing can also be used more directly as a healing modality in restoring our inner harmony. Be this in the form of modern music therapy, or traditions going back 1000s of years.

Magnetic Therapy
The earth’s magnetic field is one of those things we probably don’t think much about, rather like gravity its just there.

This magnetic field has been fluctuating over the millenia, and we are currently in a phase were it is at an historical low. Since our boides evolved during periods when the earth’s magnetic field was much stronger, magnetic therapy aims to correct this imbalance by adding extra magnetic sources to us.

A magnetic field is of course another example of a vibrational source.

Bach Flower Remedies.
These 38 remedies which were discovered by Dr Bach are directed at a particular characteristic or emotional state.

And their essential healing properties are derived from the resonant qualities of their particular vibrations.

We could go on and on, the rhythms of a great massage, the still point of a cranio-sacral session and the tone of an hypnotic induction etc.

Here are some books you may find interesting:

Healing with Magnetic Therapy

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The Healing Power of Sound: Recovery from Life-Threatening Illness Using Sound, Voice, and Music

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The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life

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Genetics (Intro)

Posted by David on

One of the most exciting scientific endeavours of the last century and into this one has been the astonishing progress in understanding the basic building blocks of sentient life, our life.

Few people alive today cannot of heard of the genetic material which defines who we are as a species and as individuals which is called DNA (DeoxriboNucleicAcid). At a biological level it is what defines both our commonality and our uniqueness.

Leaving aside the scientific complexities of this subject, in this series of blogs, I’ll be exploring some of the applications and consequences of these amazing discoveries.

For instance, there is much coverage of how understanding our genetic make-up can help us understand, diagnose and treat diseases more effectively.

Genes in and of themselves do not cause disease. It is the aberrations and mutations of genes which can lead to health problems. These mutations can involve faulty genes, missing parts of DNA or new functions being triggered.

Some health areas where genetic science is currently making improvements are:

Vaccines:
There are several ways in which genetic science helps here.
• Improved production techniques for current vaccines.
• Creation of new vaccines. This is especially useful in hard to replicate diseases.
• Avoiding the reduction in virulence of exiting vaccine cultures.
• Creating vaccines which can target several diseases at the same time.
• DNA injections to stimulate the recipients immune system to create anti-bodies.

Pathogens:
These are the biological entities which cause infectious diseases in our bodies.

Genetic science can be used to assist in the diagnosis of these illnesses, which then leads to the correct course of treatment.

Some diseases are very difficult to track down, and some are almost impossible to grow in a lab, so here genetics can assist in the understanding of these pathogens.

Health Evaluations:
Following on from some aspects noted above, by analysing a person’s DNA, it is sometimes possible to detect the presence of genetic mutations which could lead in the future to disease.

There is also the potential to genetically profile a person, so as to assess their predisposition to particular ilnesses or diseases. This can lead to recommendations on life-style choices and specific check-ups to look out for potential problems.

However, a predisposition is only a measure of risk, a measure of potential, it is not a factual prediction of what will happen. So genetic screening can raise a number of interesting questions such as: who has a legal right to this information, should it affect a person’s ability to get (or the cost of) health insurance and most sensitive of all – it can raise the spectre of aborting a pregnancy.

Gene therapy can also be used to devise better treatments and in the earlier diagnosis of problems – both of which improve our chances of recovery from illnesses. These aren’t necessarily always new treatments.

Spare Bits For A Rainy Day:
The cloning of body parts may sound like something from science fiction, that will only happen (if it happens at all) in the far distant future.

In fact, it is happening right now.

The advantage of creating body parts from our own genes is that our body’s immune system will not reject them. So we do not risk infection from donated body parts and we don’t need to take drugs to suppress their rejection.

I found the following book by Tara Acharya very helpful in understanding this highly complex subject:

The Human Genome Sourcebook

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And for a series of informed discussions on the ethical and moral issues raised by the application of genetics knowledge, the following book by L. L. McCabe and E. R. B. McCabe makes fascinating reading:

DNA: Promise & Peril

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Feeling Blue?

Posted by David on

Outside the rain patters on the roof-tops, the sky is blanket shade of mid-grey and there is a distinct chill in the air.

There, doesn’t that make you feel … well not so good.

As winter arrives the Northern hemisphere, many people feel their mood changing. Some of us are only slightly affected, whilst some find there lives almost transformed, as if they are a different person in the winter time.

People who are very social and active in the summer time can find themselves becoming almost a recluse as winter bites, not having the energy or will to go out much.

This phenomena has become known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in psychology circles.

The main cause is thought to be the reduced sun light during the winter months, due to the shorter and often cloudy days.

So, what can be done about it?

Here are some suggestions on what can often help sufferers of SAD:

Buy a light box:
These are sun light substitutes, and the idea is that you sit in front of them whilst reading (for example) for 20 minutes or more per day.

People often report feeling better within 2 weeks of using them.

Stay Warm:
This may seem self-evident, but keeping your body temperature up during the cold weather can also help.

Winter Vaccations:
If you can get away to a sunny and warm place during the winter, this helps break the cycle.

Regular Exercise:
You may not feel like it, but doing regular exercise boost your metabolism.

Reduce Your Carbohydrate Intake:
Cut down on the things you crave, which often accompany SAD., as are just temporary fixes to make you feel better.

Reduce Stressful Activities:
If you have less energy and enthusiasm, then take on less in the winter months.

Sleep Less:
There is often a craving to sleep longer and more often with SAD, almost as if you go into semi-hibernation. Unfortunately, this sleep is seldom refreshing, so cut it down.

Counselling:
You may find this supportive.

Move Somewhere Sunny:
Sounds a bit drastic, but if you are severely affected by SAD, this may be an option to consider.

For full details on SAD and what you can do about it, I recommend Dr. Rosenthal’s book:

Winter Blues, Revised Edition: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder

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NLP & Reframing

Posted by David on

NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) has some fascinating insights on how we humans operate.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with it, NLP has three broad insights into how our minds work.

The first of these is that we have mental filters, through which we experience our sensory world and construct our own unique world view.

The second is that the way we process and use language reflects our thought processes, beliefs and emotional make-up. And in turn, this gives us guidance on how langage can be used to influence these.

And thirdly, our most effective learning often comes from copying people who are good at what we want to learn, and modelling our own performance based on their actions, attitudes, thoughts, emotional state etc.

Reframing.
In this blog, I’d like to focus on one aspect of NLP processes called reframing.

This is a psychological technique for changing the context within which we experience something, or the content of that experience.

The context, or ‘frame’, will influence how we judge and hence react to a given event, experience or situation.

Many of our life experiences are ‘framed’ in some way. For instance, we may associate ice cream with being at the beach, or the smell of bonfires with autumn walks in the park.

In these examples, there is no problem it seems, they are all a part and parcel of normal living. But what if I associate the sound of a car horn with a bad accident? Then every time I hear a car horn, I may become anxious and want to get away from the place without realising why.

In the process, of reframing, we are aiming to get the situations which cause us irrational behavioural problems, such a panic attacks, undue stress and maybe even unexplained anger, re-categorised so they’re no longer an issue for us.

This can be done by seeing the event or experience in a bigger or richer context. This larger frame can be one of time, one of people involved, one of other similar experiences etc. The aim here is to desensitise the original limited framing.

And by shifting our awareness of a situation through reframing, we are in a position to make a wiser range of choices, and to be conscious of these alternative ways of reacting. Assuming we need to react at all.

What we can learn from this, is that many things in our lives are neither good nor bad, until we frame them. And only when we put them into a given context do they get labeled one way or the other.

Another type of NLP reframing, is to address the content rather than the context of a situation. The aim is to move to a broader, more positive and resourceful view, and let go of an obsessive negative reaction to certain situations or people.

A great recently released book on NLP is by Rintu Basu, a very effective NLP trainer:

Persuasion Skills Black Book: Practical NLP Language Patterns for Getting The Response You Want:

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Hypnotherapy – Introduction

Posted by David on

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in a therapeutic situation.

It is important to understand that hypnosis is not in and of itself therapeutic in nature. Although some may point out that the deeply relaxing nature of hypnosis can be very beneficial in reducing stress and a pleasant experience.

The simplest definition of hypnosis is that it is the introduction of an altered state of consciousness in someone, and that altered state is usually called an hypnotic trance.

Altered consciousness in what way? Hypnosis reduces the domination of our conscious (critical) mind, and allows us to open up to our wider sub-conscious awareness.

Why would we want to do this in a therapeutic context? Well, by bypassing the critical mind, it gives a therapist and client access to a wider range of change potentials.

Methods:
There are a wide range of techniques which an hypno-therapist may use to facilitate positive change in a client’s life.

One of the most common, and obvious methods, is to use suggestion techniques to alter an unwanted behaviour pattern such as smoking.

These are invitations to change our perceptions and personal beliefs which often underpin our unwanted habits.

In more modern methods of hypnotherapy, hypnosis is combined with other life changing techniques such as Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

This has a two-fold benefit: Firstly it acknowledges that on its own hypnosis is not a cure-all for any symptoms that clients may have, and secondly, it gives clients access to a wider range of techniques which can assist them in achieving their goals.

This broader based approach also deepens a therapist’s knowledge base, so they can more easily recognise when a client’s presenting problem is relatively superficial and when they may have a more significant underlying issue or issues.

Applications:
Hypnotherapy has been proven highly effective in helping people to stop smoking, lose weight, gain confidence, in stress reduction and in over coming irrational fears.

Here is a hypnosis course which you may find of value:

Conversational Hypnosis Course - Home Study ->

Fat Gets Funky

Posted by David on

Fat is one of those words which invokes negative connotations in our ‘thin’ obsessed cultures.

Fat, from our bodies point of view, is NOT bad. In fact, our cell membranes are partly made up of fats.

Fats are crucial to our health and wellbeing. No fats means no energy, no immune system, no more cute babies, no vision and no brain. In other words – not good. And that’s where we get the term Esstential Fatty Acids (or EFA for short) from.

So What’s The Problem DD?
Darlings it is all about balance. Having the right balance of the right fats in our diet.

Hey, could it be easier! No need to hug trees or live on a diet of berries and pre-chewed nuts.

What Fats And Where From DD?
We’re going to focus on two key fats, BOTH of which you need, and you need to get them in the right balance to be healthy. These are Omega 3 (a-Linolenic Acid) and Omega 6 (Linoleic Acid).

The body does not make either of these, they come from what you’re eating. However, once it has them, your body can make their derivatives (see later).

And right now, our western diet has evolved over the last century to give us too much Omega 6 and too little of the precious Omega 3.

Why’s That A Problem DD?
OK listen up monkeys – research shows that excessive Omega-6 can lead to more aggression, impulsiveness, self-interest, less co-operativeness, reduced intelligence, insomnia, mood disorders and a predisposition to so called “western illnesses”.

Sound familiar?

Omega 6 instructs the body to store fat. In excess, it also promotes whole body cellular inflamation. And too much inflamation makes us susceptible to inflamatory conditions, obesity and auto-immune system disorders.

A part of this excess in our diet comes from the increased use of vegetable oils in our cooking, and often in the way these oils are pre-processed. These are mainly palm, soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower oils. It has also been introduced to our food chain via the feed given to the animals we eat.

Omega 6 is relatively scarce in the wild, so our body has adapted to this scarcity and needs very little to be happy. Small amounts are to be found in green plants, roots and fruit flesh. Larger amounts (relatively) are to be found in seeds, grains and nuts.

OK – What’s Omega-3 Do?
It moderates inflamation and promotes cellular repair.

Derivations of Omega 3, called Long Chain Omega 3 are fundamental to our body’s structure, function, reproduction, metabolism, brain function and general health. In short – its good stuff.

Omega 3 is to be found in chia sage, kiwi, perilla and flax (linseed). It is also found naturally in fish oils (especially in cold water fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines).
Flax is approximately six times richer in omega 3 than fish oil.

Flax and Chia contain about three times as much omega 3 as omega 6.

Omega 3 supplements can also be a beneficial source, although they often only contain a-linolenic acid and not the long chain omega 3 deivatives.

Read The Label
One way to monitor what you’re getting is to read the labels on food.

Sometimes these get a bit technical (not that they want to fool you), so here some of the more common technical names for omega 3 and omega 6, and their main derivatives.

Omega-6 (Linoleic Acid)
Are a family of unsaturated fatty acids.

Common Derivatives:
Arachidonic Acid (AA).
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
Dihomo-Gamma-Linolenic Acid (DGLA)

Omega-3 (a-Linolenic Acid or Alpha-Linolenic Acid, or ALA)
Are also a family of unsaturated fatty acids.

Common Derivatives (also known as Long Chain Omega-3):
Doeosa-Hexaenoic Acid (DHA)
Eicosa-Pentaenoic Acid (EPA)

All 3 of these are polyunsaturated.

Find Out More?
Would you like to know more? Then read Robert Brown’s explosive book on the subject:

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Hello

Posted by David on

Hello and welcome to my blog.

It is an eclectic mix of information on mind, body & spirit, and I trust you will find it an interesting and useful resource.

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Best Wishes,

David.