any situation, disturbed by nothing. Doesn’t that sound like the very best New Year gift, ever? With her guidance, my inner questions and meditation practice have developed, and I’ve had a chance to touch with the Awake within. It is a full and complete happiness unlike anything I had ever imagined or thought possible, hidden perfectly in the very last place I would have ever looked for it! I can now feel the possibility of living with the Forever Spring, which is far and away so vibrant and alive, compared to the temporary and fragile happiness of satisfaction that relied on things always going my way. All the stress and conflicts in daily life are surely commonplace, but I have come to see that we do not have to stay stuck in those patterns anymore. Ever since I started to experience the benefits of Zen Meditation at Universal Door, I was so excited to share with others that there is a practical, real path toward genuine happiness and complete freedom, and encourage everyone to connect with it for themselves. Why take the transient benefits of this spring season to be our greatest goal when we can aim to realize the Forever Spring within ourselves? For this Lunar New Year, may you discover the Forever Spring and bring that as your gift everywhere you go and share it with everyone in your life. All meditation classes, retreats, workshops, youth pr ogram, and other celebrations at Universal Door Meditation Center, founded by Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien, aim to help all people discover more about themselves and realize the Forever Spring within to be truly happy in everyday life. For questions about our Center, the Zen Master, or opportunities to connect with us, check out our website at www.universaldoor.org, our Facebook page, or by calling 281-5659718. We hope to see you soon! Thien Vien Pho Mon - Universal Door Meditation Center. 2619 Charles Lane, Sugar Land, TX 77498. 281-565-9718 . UniversalDoor.org. See ad on page 9. 36
Houston
What is the “Point” of Acupuncture? by Jo Nell Norcini, L. Ac., M.A.O.M
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Cosmetic Acupuncture
P
eople are getting frustrated with the current medical system. Many people find that they are taking more and more pharmaceutical drugs and are not feeling any better. In fact, they are feeling worse. Every drug on the market has side effects, even aspirin! Just listen to the television ads or read the package insert. It is crazy, but doctors will tell you that the benefits outweigh the risk and most of the time, they do. However, what if you could find a way to treat many common medical conditions without all the drugs? This is where TCM comes into play. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been around for over 3000 years. It is a complete medical system that includes Acupuncture and Chinese herbs. The beauty of TCM is that it looks at each person, individually, as a whole. It is this Holistic approach that makes TCM so effective. TCM is not a “one-sizefits-all” type of treatment. What this means is that if ten people present the
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same chief complaint, say for example, indigestion. It is likely that each person will receive a different treatment with acupuncture points and herbal formulas based on their constitution and their manifestation of symptoms. It is a dynamic medical treatment that changes as the condition changes and addresses the “Root”, or underlying cause of the disease rather than putting a band-aid on the symptom. So, what is acupuncture and how does it work? Acupuncture is the art of inserting very thin needles (about the diameter of a strand of hair) into specific acupuncture points on the body to achieve a therapeutic effect. These points are located along channels or meridians where energy - or Qi (Chee) - runs throughout the body. Should these channels become blocked, the energy in the body cannot flow smoothly, therefore, pain and illness will occur. Acupuncture works by clearing these blockages and balancing the body. Acupuncture allows the body to heal itself! Many western scientists have a hard time wrapping their head around this concept because Qi cannot be seen or measured. So another way of looking at how acupuncture works is that it causes the nervous system to release neurotransmitters such as endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain relievers, and serotonin, which promotes feelings of well-being. Acupuncture can also enhance the immune response, thereby reducing inflammation in the body. Acupuncture has proven so effective that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) have listed over 100 different conditions that acupuncture can treat. So, what is the point of a c u p u n c t u r e ? Th e p o i n t i s t h a t acupuncture is for everyone. It is a safe, effective treatment modality that integrates beautifully with western medicine. It can help everyone achieve higher levels of wellness. JoNell Norcini is the owner of Cypress Area Acupuncture which is located in northwest Houston. Please visit www. CypressAreaAcupuncture.com for more information. See ad on page 7.
calendarofevents NOTE: All Calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month prior to publication and adhere to our guidelines. Email Mike@NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 3
markyourcalendar
5 Day Intuitive Painting Workshop- Creating Your Connection to Limitless Creativity - Cherie Ray, Life & Creativity Coach, Learn and experience how to receive, remove limiting blocks and connect to your creative expression. Begins Wednesday, February 3-7, 2016. True You Creativity Studio in The Heights. Register at www. trueyoucreativity.com
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5
Awakening Course. 7-9pm. And 9am-9pm on Saturday. The first of a 2 day workshop. Awakening is the rising of consciousness where there is greater awareness, joy, love, togetherness and focus in everything that you do and experience. The course invites you to see what life is like beyond the realm of the mind. The course is an intensive journey of inner growth, culminating with participants having the option to be initiated as a Blessing Giver. New Students $195, Returning Students $95. Unity of Houston 2929 Unity Dr, 77057. Purchase tickets at Tickets.brightstarevents.com/event/oneness-awakening-course Reserve childcare at unityhouston.org/childcare For information call Janis Shanks 713-782-4050.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6
Marva’s Holistic Fair. 10am-5pm. Psychics, tarot readers, palmists, healers, vendors of all sorts. Admission Free. LaQuina Inn-Galleria on 610 West Loop North between San Felipe and Post Oak, 77027. 713-444-3581 psychicfairs.com.
markyourcalendar An Intro to Cosmic Consciousness: Illumination Beyond Religions. 11am-12:30pm. This lecture is an exploration of sudden, spontaneous and life-changing mystical experiences, ones that seem comparable across diverse cultures and religious traditions. $20. The Hines Center 500 Fannin Street, Suite 100 77002. 713-590-3302. hinescenter. frontdeskhq.com
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7
Bayou Bikers. 8am. Meet at Market Square Park for 25- to 40-mile bike rides exploring the bayous of Houston. Rides are open to all. Mountain bikes or bikes with fat tires are necessary. This is an informal group whose purpose is to show Houstonians and visitors the beauty of Houston’s waterways. Market Square 301 Milam, 77002. 713-845-1000 marketsquarepark.com Centerpoint Body Mind and Spirit Expo. 1-5 pm. Psychics, Astrology, Tarot, Ear Candling, Massage, Fengshue, Ionic Foot Bath, Palmist, Pranic, Reiki & Matrix Healers, Jewelry, Foot Reflexology, Pet Massage, Pet Healing, FREE coffee, tea & pastries. Admission Free. Center Point (in the old Metaphysical Matrix building) 2727 Fondren Suite 5M, 77080. 713-932-7224 centerpointhouston.org
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 11
Lunch Coach is on Call! Noon-12:45pm Cherie Ray, MLA, 3 Principles Coach. This month, the focus of our conversation is: Holiday Cheer: Experiencing challenging family members in a new way. Free. Call-in instructions at trueyoucreativity.com Life Coaching & Intuitive Painting – True You Creativity Studio, Thursday evenings, February 11 and 25th. Friday morning, February 12 and 26th. For times, more information and to register, visit www.trueyoucreativity.com
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12
Life Coaching & Intuitive Painting – True You Creativity Studio, Thursday evenings, February 11 and 25th. Friday morning, February 12 and 26th. For times, more information and to register, visit www.trueyoucreativity.com
natural awakenings
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14
Blessing Ceremony. 10am-12n. Come and experience peace and blessing. Free. Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston. 12129 Bellaire Blvd., 77072. 281-568-1568. cthouston.org Centerpoint Body Mind and Spirit Expo. 1-5 pm. Psychics, Astrology, Tarot, Ear Candling, Massage, Fengshue, Ionic Foot Bath, Palmist, Pranic, Reiki & Matrix Healers, Jewelry, Foot Reflexology, Pet Massage, Pet Healing, FREE coffee, tea & pastries. Admission Free. Center Point (in the old Metaphysical Matrix building) 2727 Fondren Suite 5M, 77080. 713-932-7224 centerpointhouston.org Restorative Yoga Retreat with Satya Shepherd. 1-5pm. We invite you to join us for a gentle day to restore, nurture and rejuvenate. Following a short period of breathing and gentle stretches to prepare your body, you will be guided into a series of lingering Restorative Yoga poses drawing you deeper into your interior experience. “If yoga were a smorgasbord, restorative poses would most definitely be at the dessert table.” $73. The Hines Center: a ministry of Christ Church Cathedral 500 Fannin 77002. 712-590-3302 hinescenter.org
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 18
Contemplating the Celtic Way with Marcus Losack. 6:309:00pm. We will explore the key events, themes and challenges to discipleship that can be found in Saint Patrick’s own writings as well as key themes related to major festivals in the pre-Christian Celtic Tradition and how they became formative for the Christian understanding of faith and the Liturgical Year. The Hines Center: a ministry of Christ Church Cathedral 500 Fannin 77002. 712-590-3302 hinescenter.org
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19
markyourcalendar Texas Yoga Conference. Feb. 19-21. We inform adults and youth through educational materials, workshops, classes and trainings about the benefits of breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga to promote wellness. We believe yoga is a preventative and complementary treatment of diseases often caused by stress. Our intention is to promote not only the teachers of the practice but yoga as a way of life for all fostering peace and wholeness for the masses. See website for ticket information. India House 8888 West Bellfort Blvd. 77031. Texasyogaconference.com
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20
One day Meditation Retreat. 8am-3pm. Continue into the new year with happiness and stability! Through clear and direct teachings, Zen Master Thich Dieu Thien guides students to connect with Awake Mind and to apply meditation through various daily activities such as sitting, walking, eating, and movement, to Wake Up and live truly happy in any situation. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 15. Suggested donation $50, includes refreshments and lunch. Universal Door Meditation Center - 2619 Charles Lane, Sugar Land, TX 77498 universaldoor.org 281-565-9718 SQ21, Intro to the 21 Skills of Spiritual Intelligence. 9am1pm. Courageous. Wise. Authentic. Compassionate. Peaceful. Whether we are religious believers, atheists, or anything in between, it turns out we can agree quite easily on what it means to be a spiritually evolved human being. The more difficult question is, how do we get there? And how can we measure our progress? In SQ21, Cindy Wigglesworth translates spirituality into Spiritual Intelligence: a skill-set like EQ (emotional intelligence) that can be developed and measured. In her empowering and practical book, she shares 21 Skills that can help you live a life of wisdom, compassion, and authentic leadership. $120. The Hines Center: a ministry of Christ Church Cathedral 500 Fannin 77002. 712-590-3302 hinescenter.org
February 2016
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