Vol. 26 No.9
october 2011
Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul. The Koran
Cancer Support Association of WA Patron – His Excellency Dr. Ken Michael AC, Governor of Western Australia
“Work is love made visible.”
Connect with the CSA community online We have created a new facebook page for our members and friends which we update daily with cancer news, inspirations and the latest CSA events and programs.
Khalil Gibran
Facebook / Cancer Support Association
wellness news is the monthly online magazine of the Cancer Support Association of Western Australia Inc.
editorial Dear members and friends,
I have just returned from Ubud in the hills of Bali where my
husband and I took a break to relax and enjoy each other’s company away from the busyness of home and work. Ubud is the cultural centre of Bali with many artists, writers and healers residing there amongst the villagers. It was deeply nurturing, replenishing and creatively inspiring to be in that spiritual environment amongst the gentle Balinese souls.
Wellness News e-magazine is published online twelve time a year and distributed free to members of the Cancer Support Association. An annual print edition of Wellness News is produced at the end of each year and posted to all CSA members. Wellness News magazine is dedicated entirely to publishing informative, inspiring and helpful articles related to wellness and healing. The magazine is for people with cancer or serious health issues; for people who are well and want to maintain their good health naturally; and for complementary, alternative and integrative health professionals.
editorial & production... Editor & Designer Mandy BeckerKnox editor.wellness@yahoo.com.au
online at...
www.cancersupportwa.org.au Wellness News magazine is published by the Cancer Support Association of WA Inc (CSA). The contents of this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the CSA and should be not be construed as medical advice. CSA encourages readers to be discerning with information presented and make treatment, dietary and lifestyle choices in consultation with a team of health-care professionals. © Copyright of all articles and images remains with individual contributors.
On our meandering walks through rice fields and villages, we reflected on our 10 years together and the life we have co-created and marvelled at how much we have grown spiritually and emotionally and how far our deep commitment to family, healing and uplifting others has taken us. After all this time we still celebrate love! One thing I’ve learnt is that before any lifelong commitment can truly be made it is necessary to heal and resolve past hurts which may be unconsciously driving our behaviour or influencing our choices. The past is inextricably linked to the present, even if we don’t consciously realise it. This can be undertaken in one of two ways: we undergo some kind of therapy or healing work; or we trust that life will present us with issues, situations and even dreams which will help us to clear a pathway into the future. We also need to be clear about the future implications of our life choices. When we are free of the past and have unburdened any hurts, we can think clearly about the future and honestly make a whole-hearted lifelong commitment, knowing the choice we are making will lead to happiness and harmony. Healing from illness is much like this. In order to be well it necessary to love and accept ourselves in the way we already love and accept our husband, our wife. We make a wholehearted commitment: to be well, and do everything we can towards being well. And then we do what we can to address any issues or situations which may be holding us back. In a union like marriage love grows and fills the space between two people. When we embark on a healing journey love grows within our own hearts, transforming and healing our lives from the inside. When our hearts are filled with love, we can’t help but be happy, be accepting of ourselves and our circumstances, make healthy choices and attract good experiences into our lives. May this edition of the Wellness News be a reminder to love and nurture yourself, to honour those you share love with, and to celebrate life! F Peace, Mandy
contents CSA Weekly Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 What’s on at CSA this month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 In the News: Stress and Breast Cancer (7); Isolation makes cancer worse (7); Increase Longevity (8); Fish Oils may inihibit chemotherapy (8); Meditation Nourishes the Brain (9). . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . 7 Article: Cancer and Genes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Cancer Story: Healing and Transformation . . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . 12 Article: The Serenity of Miracles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
growth
Article: Rice Humanity’s Healing Food . . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . 20 Article: Natural Benefits and Curative Properties of Rice. . 22 Article: The Macrobiotic Brown Rice Fast . . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . 24 Recipes: Amazing, Healing Rice Creations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Article: 10 Ways to Cultivate Loving Kindness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
”Every moment of life is offering us the possibility of renewal, growth and upliftment. The issue is whether we consciously and willingly step into the field of the eternally new: claiming it... embodying it...choosing it.” Marianne Williamson
October 2011
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this program is updated monthly. Check website for any changes before attending Monday Meditation Made Easy....................................................................................10.00 – 11.30am Ongoing Lessons with Bavali Hill. FREE FOR MEMBERS (non-members $5) No bookings necessary. Massage with Nat Hazelwood ($55/$65 non-members)...................... by appointment
Tuesday Cancer Wellness Counselling with Mike Sowerby................................... by appointment Book with reception. $75 (CSA members), $100 (non-members)
meditation made easy with Bavali Hill Meditation is a safe and simple way to balance a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states. The use of Meditation for healing is not new. Meditative techniques are the product of diverse cultures and peoples around the world. The value of Meditation to alleviate suffering and promote healing has been known and practiced for thousands of years. In these weekly lessons at CSA, Bavali guides participants through various healing meditation techniques and gives notes and handouts to support home practice.
Wellness and Healing Open Support Group................................... 10.00 – 12.00noon with Dr. Angela Ebert Carer’s Wellness and Healing Support Group ........................... 10.00 – 12.00noon with Mike Sowerby (when required) Reiki Clinic.......................................................................................................12.15pm – 1.30pm
Wednesday Reflexology ..................................................................10.00am – 2pm with Udo Kannapin (by appointment between 10-2) Laughter Yoga with Kimmie O’Meara ($3.00).....................................11.00am – 12.00pm Chinese Medical Healthcare Qigong ($10/$5 members).............. 1.00pm – 2.30pm with Alan Donelly
THURSDAY Cancer Wellness Counselling with Mike Sowerby................................... by appointment Book with reception. $75 (CSA members), $100 (non-members) Yoga for Healing...........................................................................................10.00am – 11.15am with Madeline Clare (members $5 / others $10) Grief and Loss Open Support Group...................................................... 1.00pm – 3.00pm with Mike Sowerby (last Thursday of each month)
Friday Meeting the Challenge 1 Day Seminar...................................................9.30am – 4.30pm 1st Friday of the month “Arts for Healing” Art Therapy Group.................................................9.30am – 12.00pm with Glenys Gibbs (members $20 / others $25 includes art materials)
Daily General Counselling with Dr. Angela Ebert ................................................... by appointment Phone direct on 0414 916 724 or 9450 6724 or email a.ebert@murdoch.edu.au
counselling Individual, Family & Group Ongoing counselling sessions with a caring, compassionate professional could help you deal more effectively with the many issues, fears and emotions which arise on the cancer journey; gain clarity to make treatment decisions; give you the insight to grow from your experiences; and the peace of mind and heart needed to heal. Sessions can be booked with our qualified psychologist, and are also available online for those unable to make it in to our Cottesloe premises.
laughter yoga with Kimmie O’Meara Laughter Yoga is a revolutionary idea developed by Dr. Madan Kataria, a Physician from Mumbai, India. It is a complete wellbeing workout combining Unconditional Laughter with Yogic Breathing (Pranayama). Anyone can Laugh for No Reason, without relying on humour, jokes or comedy. Laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group; with eye contact and childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits of laughter regardless of the source.
what’s on at CSA this month be part of the csa community by joining the groups and wellness activities at our premises in Cottesloe
Meeting the Challenge 1 Day Cancer Wellness Seminar Life Changing Information for people with cancer and their carers. Led by Cathy Brown, this seminar provides wellness information, wellness strategies, new resources (such as nutrition, treatment options, meditation) and sharing with others on a healing journey. There is also a focus on accessing cancer information online. Held monthly at CSA on the first Friday of every month from 9.30am-4.30pm. Free for new CSA members, bookings are required.
“If you travel alone, you can probably go faster. But the journey will never be as rewarding, and you probably won’t be able to go as far.” ~ John Maxwell
yoga for healing with Madeline Clare Yoga for Healing classes bring the joy of yoga to people with cancer and those who may need a nurturing space to practice. CSA yoga teacher, Madeline Clare, takes inspiration from both Iyengar and Vinyasa approaches to yoga with an emphasis on relaxation, breath awareness, gentle movement and meditation. A balanced yoga practice has the capacity to heal, shift energy blockages and bring the body into physical, emotional, mental and spiritual alignment.
cancer support groups with Angela Ebert & Mike Sowerby
qi gong
Support groups enable people to discover new ways of coping; share the experience with others going through something similar; exchange information and resources; develop a holistic approach to healing; be inspired by others on the journey to regaining wellness.
with Alan Donelly
CSA offers an open cancer support group for people with cancer and their carers. This weekly group is facilitated by Angela Ebert and Mike Sowerby. We also offer a Carers’ Support Group and a monthly Grief and Loss Support Group.
Qigong is a traditional Chinese mind-body practice that uses meditation, breathing control, and movement to balance the flow of energy (qi) through the body to help healing to occur. CSA offers qigong to complement cancer therapies and help with the symptoms of cancer. In this setting, qigong is not used as a treatment for cancer per se, but as a method of easing cancer symptoms such as fatigue.
reiki clinic reflexology with Udo Kannapin Reflexology is the application of pressure, stretching and movement to the feet and hands to trigger corresponding parts of the body. It complements standard medical care by relaxing the body and reducing stress.
every Tuesday CSA offers a weekly reiki clinic staffed by qualified volunteers. Gold coin donation. Reiki is a Japanese energy-based therapy that promotes healing and overall wellness. A trained reiki practitioner uses his or her hands to transmit energy to the recipient. Reiki has been proven to help with pain management, relaxation, and side effects of cancer treatment.
October 2011
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NEW CSA members can attend free!
Meeting the Challenge Handbook CSA will soon launch the Meeting the Challenge Handbook for people newly diagnosed with cancer. The Handbook presents holistic cancer wellness strategies based on the principles of lifestyle medicine and mind-body healing. T
here is no doubt that cancer is a challenge for the person diagnosed, their family and community. For many years the Cancer Support Association has hosted the 1 Day Meeting the Challenge Seminar to help people meet the many challenges of cancer.
Meeting the Challenge! one day cancer wellness workshop
First Friday of every month between 9.30am-4.30pm at CSA, Cottesloe Life Changing Information for people with cancer: • The Wellness approach to cancer • Nutrition for optimal health • Power of the Mind • Introduction to Meditation • Natural & Complementary Therapies To book ph CSA 8384 3544 online: www.cancersupportwa.org.au 6 Cancer Support Association www.cancersupportwa.org.au
The Meeting the Challenge Handbook contains information to supplement the seminar and can be used by anyone with cancer looking for a balanced perspective on their illness and strategies to recover from cancer. If you have just been diagnosed with cancer you will benefit from the immediate strategies in this handbook which may help you positively deal with cancer and improve your life. Meeting the Challenge is based on the principles of lifestyle medicine and mindbody healing. The seminar and handbook contain information to help you process your diagnosis, to learn about the options available to you, and introduce you to the key areas of lifestyle medicine. Lifestyle medicine is about what you can do within your everyday life to improve your health. Adjustments to lifestyle, nutrition and adding meditation, natural and complementary therapies into your daily routine can all improve your wellbeing. Once you’ve read through this handbook you may have a clearer idea about the kinds of changes you could make to aid your recovery from cancer. At the back of the handbook we have included a template for you to start thinking about your own personalised cancer wellness plan. With total commitment, it has been found that even after being given a ‘terminal’ cancer diagnosis, there are many people who defy the odds and recover from cancer. Ian Gawler, CSA staff members Cathy Brown and Mike Sowerby, some CSA members, and many other long-term cancer survivors are vibrant examples of the potential success of the wellness approach to cancer. F
The Meeting the Challenge Handbook will soon be available for all CSA members and for anyone newly diagnosed with cancer. Contact CSA to preorder your free copy.
in the news... Stress and breast cancer Major stress possibly sparked by a bereavement, a job loss or divorce can cause breast cancer, researchers have proved. Risks of developing breast cancer increase by almost 12 times if a woman has suffered stress in the previous five years. Surprisingly, women who confront problems and try and work them out are three times as likely to suffer breast cancer as those who have an emotional response to their troubles. Other risk factors, but ones considered of lesser importance by the researchers, included smoking and being postmenopausal. They found no evidence to suggest that environmental factors had any significant part to play. This is a landmark piece of research because it is the first time researchers have been able to scientifically prove what has been “known” for a long time. A team of English and Chinese psychiatrists, radiologists, surgeons and cancer specialists, led by Dr C Chen from the National Cheng Kung University Medical School in Taiwan, questioned 119 women, aged between 20 and 70, who had been referred to King’s College Hospital in London with a suspicious breast lump. By questioning them, and assessing stress levels and other factors, they were able to show that women were more than three times as likely to develop breast cancer five years or less since suffering stress. This figure leapt to 11.6 times when adjustments were made for other factors such as age and the menopause (BMJ, December 9, 1995). Women with early breast cancer have as good a survival rate if they have a lumpectomy, followed by radiation therapy, as women who have a radical mastectomy. A recent review of research papers has confirmed the important finding made in 1989 which began to alter the way breast cancer is treated. The original research was questioned, however, because some of the data was later found to have been falsified (BMJ, December 2, 1995)
Breast cancer more aggressive in women who are stressed Breast cancer spreads more aggressively in women who are stressed. Fear, anxiety and isolation all play a part in determining just how quickly the tumour grows, researchers have discovered. Researchers from the University of Illinois discovered the association between stress and aggressive tumour growth when they carried out a psychological profile on 989 women who had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Isolation can make cancer worse Cancer could be made worse if you’re living an isolated life. Breast cancer tumour growth increases among those who live alone, and who rarely go out and socially mix with others.
Our social interaction could have a profound affect on a range of chronic diseases, and not just breast cancer, believe researchers. Isolation could also have a negative effect on other health problems such as obesity, type II diabetes and hypertension. At the moment the association between community and illness has been witnessed only in studies of mice, but researchers from the University of Chicago believe it could equally apply to humans. They discovered that mice that were isolated developed mammary gland tumours whereas those that were kept in groups remained cancer-free.
From: What Doctors Don’t tell you: www.wddty. com, October 2011. Source: Cancer Prevention Research, September 2009
The researchers are puzzled by the association, however, and can’t explain how stress interacts with tumour growth. They’re also not sure what came first: are the women more stressed because they have cancer, or did their stress bring on the cancer in the first place? F
From: What Doctors Don’t tell you: www.wddty.com, October 2011. Source: American Association for Cancer Research Conference, September 19, 2011.
October 2011
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Fish oils may block chemotherapy drug Fats found in fish oil supplements can stop chemotherapy drugs working, according to researchers. Writing in the journal Cancer Cell, they advise cancer patients not to take the supplements while undergoing chemotherapy. The two fatty acids involved, which are also produced by stem cells in the blood, lead to tumours becoming immune to treatment. Cancer Research UK advised patients to ask their doctor whether they would be affected.
Increase longevity Start volunteering for the right reasons
Scientists in the Netherlands were investigating how tumours develop resistance to treatments. Experiments on mice showed that stem cells in the blood responded to the widely-used cancer drug cisplatin. The cells started producing two fatty acids, known as KHT and 16:4(n-3). These fatty acids begin a series of chemical reactions, which mean cancerous cells become resistant to chemotherapy. Using drugs to block the production of the fatty acids prevented this form of resistance which “significantly enhances the chemotherapy,” the study says. However, researchers warned that these fatty acids were “abundantly present in commercially available fish oil products”. They showed that off-the-shelf fish oil supplements, given to mice, could stop chemotherapy working against some tumours. Prof Emile Voest, lead researcher at University Medical Centre Utrecht, said: “We show that the body itself secretes protective substances into the blood that are powerful enough to block the effect of chemotherapy. “These substances can be found in some types of fish oil. Whilst waiting for the results of further research, we currently recommend that these products should not be used whilst people are undergoing chemotherapy.” Jessica Harris, health information manager for Cancer Research UK, said: “This interesting study suggests one possible option for stopping cancers becoming resistant to treatment, but it is at an early stage and much more research would be needed to develop ways to halt resistance. “Cancer patients who are taking or thinking of taking these supplements should talk to their doctors to find out whether they could affect their treatments.” F
From: www.bbc.co.uk, September 2011
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Cancer Support Association
If living a longer and healthier life interests you – you may want to consider
lending a helping hand a bit more. People, who regularly volunteer and for the pure satisfaction of helping others, were shown to improve their longevity compared both to their non-volunteering counterparts and, better yet, even to those who volunteered but only for a personal benefit. Researchers from the University of Michigan concluded this after studying a group of Wisconsin high school graduates from 1957. The researchers caught up with over 3,000 of these individuals, who were now age 65 years or older. They found that a little over half of them had volunteered in the previous 10 years, and when contacted four years later, just 2.3 % of the volunteers had died, compared to 4.3% of non-volunteers. The frequency of volunteer time mattered as well, showing that less than 2% of the regular volunteers had died opposed to 2.5% of occasional volunteers. The most interesting findings of the study, though, revealed how motives for volunteering can have dramatic effects on our mortality. The participants, who volunteered and did it for compassionate reasons, were more likely to gain the most health benefits. However, the ones who volunteered but only did it for personal gain or self growth, such as social interaction, getting out of the house, escaping their own problems, etc., were as likely to die as those who didn’t volunteer at all. Volunteer work, when the motive is genuine, can have amazing physical benefits such as: - Stress reduction: when helping others, your body releases an important hormone called oxytocin, which assists in buffering out stressful thoughts. - Even thoughts of giving have effects on certain chemicals of the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin ( both have been linked with depression and other mood disorders). - Self confidence: when you are passionate about something and helping others in need, your self esteem will build and confidence levels grow. - Helping others has shown to help with chronic pain and cardiovascular health. Aside from the health benefits, volunteering can connect you to others and create meaningful and sincere relationships, and it also brings great fulfillment to your life. F
By Dr. Anthony Baratta. From www.naturalnews.com, October 2011. Dr. Baratta has been a practicing chiropractic physician for the past 15 years and speaks regularly on the importance of holistic nutrition, detoxification, fitness and various other topics.
www.cancersupportwa.org.au
Meditation nourishes the brain What is it about meditation that invokes so much mystery? When asked, people conjure
images of difficult lotus positions, strange beliefs and exotic settings. Of course, none of that is necessary and the realities of a person sitting comfortably on their living room floor for a few minutes isn’t quite as interesting. Confounding public perceptions even more are the religious connotations that are sometimes connected to meditation. This only serves to further alienate people who could potentially benefit. This is unfortunate since it can easily be argued that prayer in any religion is a form of meditation. The practice of meditation has a long history in almost every major historical civilization and religion, yet there is so much that is not known. When we look at the past philosophies and beliefs associated with meditation, we can understand the perspectives of the ancients according to contemporary science. Science has not replaced the old views; so far it has mostly served to strengthen many of the ancient beliefs. However, modern science has been able to fill in essential details of underlining processes. It has been shown that meditation can increase pain tolerance. One study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience (2011), showed that meditation caused a 40% lowering of pain intensity and a 57% lowering of pain unpleasantness. That is impressive when you consider that morphine and other pain relieving drugs only lower these symptoms by about 25%. This relief came from subjects with no previous meditation experience who were taught basic meditation in a total of four 20 minute classes.
"Healing may not be so much about
A number of studies that have utilized modern imaging technology, such as fMRI, have clearly shown that meditation increases blood flow to the brain and, with extended practice, actually makes significant changes to the brain’s physical structure. These changes can lead to increased efficiency and function in certain parts of the brain, such as heightened visuospatial processing and increased focus.
getting better, as
A Harvard Medical School study (2011) put subjects on a two-month course of meditation and then used fMRI to compare the brains of the mediators with the average brain. The results showed that the subjects had increased gray matter density “in brain regions involved in learning and memory processes, emotion regulation, self-referential processing, and perspective taking.”
of everything that
In 2010, a University of Pennsylvania Medical Center study used SPECT (single-photon emission computerized tomography) to map out the differences in blood flow in the brain between people who meditate regularly and people who do not meditate at all. Specific regions of the brain were found to have more blood flow than those of the average person. “The observed changes associated with long-term meditation appear in structures that underlie the attention network and also those that relate to emotion and autonomic function.”
the expectations,
Meditation can also foster positive emotions and give practitioners an increased ability to deal with emotions in general such as those associated with stress and anxiety.
who you are."
A 2009 study published in Neuroimage from UCLA used MRI to compare long-time meditators with novices. In the veteran meditators, they found significantly larger gray matter volumes in the right orbito-frontal cortex, the right thalamus and the right hippocampus. “Both orbito-frontal and hippocampal regions have been implicated in emotional regulation and response control. Thus, larger volumes in these regions might account for meditators’ singular abilities and habits to cultivate positive emotions, retain emotional stability, and engage in mindful behavior.”
Rachel Naomi Remen
about letting go isn't you – all of all of the beliefs – and becoming
The most researched and clearly established benefit to mediation is the increased ability of attention and self-awareness. Although meditation is not yet fully understood, one thing is certainly clear: meditation nourishes the brain. F
By Dave Gabriele. From www.naturalnews.com, October 2011. Dave Gabriele, D.Ac, BA, is a registered acupuncturist, a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine and a health researcher October 2011
wellness NEWS
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Cancer
and Genes
Countless people have had regular expensive testings and even organs removed because, Scientists find based on genetic testing, they’ve been told they are sure to get cancer. Think about women having breasts amputated to avoid breast cancer in the future, for example. Others live a life of risk research is worry and a feeling of impending doom if they believe test results of “biomarkers” for specific diseases show sooner or later they will probably get heart disease, dementia or some other inaccurate...maybe potential killer. But it turns out, according to a new study, the research about the associations between genes and you aren't doomed other biomarkers and various maladies is vastly overstated. Bottom line: were told you are more or less doomed to eventually get a certain disease so you need constant vigilance and testing? to cancer or other Turns out, none of that may be true. from John Ioannidis, MD, DSc, an expert in scientific study design at the Stanford diseases because of Research University School of Medicine, shows clinicians may be making decisions for their patients based on inaccurate conclusions not supported by other, larger studies. your genes afterall! For instance, one widely cited study links the BRCA1 gene mutation with colon cancer; another links levels of C-reactive protein in the blood with cardiovascular disease. Still another claims an association between homocysteine levels with vascular disease. The trouble is, these conclusions turned out to apparently be gross exaggerations.
A weekly group held every Tuesday at CSA 10am – 12noon. Anyone who’s life has been affected by cancer or other life threatening illnesses is welcome to attend. A Carer’s Support Group is held at the same time when required. 10
Cancer Support Association
www.cancersupportwa.org.au
In a statement to the press, Dr. Ioannidis claims these mistakes are “...the result of statistical vagaries coupled with human nature and the competitive nature of scientific publication.” His research paper was published in the June 1, 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). “No research finding has no uncertainty; there are always fluctuations,” Dr. Ioannidis stated. “This is not fraud or poor study design, it’s just statistical expectation. Some results will be stronger, some will be weaker. But scientific journals and researchers like to publish big associations.” However, by publishing these popular “big associations”, the medical journals give the papers lots of publicity; the research papers are cited over and over in the mainstream medical community (with little if any critiques of the findings). And soon they are seen as proof linking a biomarker to a disease. The result can be unneeded testing, treatment, and more. It can also cause patients undue anxiety, stress and fear for their future. In all, Ioannidis and colleague Orestis Panagiotou, MD, from the University of Ioannina School of Medicine in Greece, investigated 35 widely cited studies which analysed the relationships between biomarkers such as the presence of specific genes or infections, levels of blood proteins and other markers and the likelihood of developing conditions such as cancer and heart disease. They found that less than half of the biomarkers in these studies had statistically significant associations with disease risk in larger follow-up studies. What’s more, only one of every five of the original selected studies increased a patient’s relative risk for a condition by more than 1.37, practically no risk at all (A relative risk of 1 means there is no difference between two groups). In addition to statistical findings that don’t show up in additional, bigger studies, Dr. Ioannidis said another problem is that researchers can also superimpose their own bias. “Researchers tend to play with their data sets, and to analyse them in creative ways. We’re certainly not pointing out any one investigator with this study; it’s just the societal norm of science to operate in that fashion. But we need to follow the scientific method through to the end and demand replication and verification of results before accepting them as fact,” he stated.
“The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mystical. It is the power of true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, which dull our faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive
Dr. Ioannidis, the C.F. Rehnborg Professor in Disease Prevention at Stanford, outlined some of these same troubling research worries years ago in a 2005 essay published in the journal PLoS-Medicine entitled, “Why most published research findings are false.” F
forms – this knowledge, this feeling, is at
From: www.naturalnews.com, June 2011. For more information: http://jama.ama-assn.org/
Albert Einstein, His Life and Times
the centre of true religiousness”
October 2011
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Healing and Transformation By Martin Brofman Ph.D.
Art: Victor Bregeda
“Every symptom has a certain way of being with which it is associated. In order to release a symptom, one must release the way of being associated with it. Thus, the process of healing implies a process of transformation. Anything can be healed”... One or Two Months to Live When I had terminal cancer in 1975, I had been told that I had one or two months to live, and that the end might come very suddenly, any moment, if I coughed or sneezed. I was faced with a reality in which each day was possibly my last day, each hour my last hour, and I recognised that for whatever limited time I had remaining, I wanted to be happy. Living a compromise made no sense to me. Since each meal was possibly the last one I would ever have, I wanted to eat whatever I had an appetite for, whatever my body was asking for. It didn’t make sense to me to eat food I didn’t enjoy just because someone else thought it would be healthy for me. Their loving intentions were recognised, but I knew it was not my way. My path to health had to include a sense of enjoyment in all that I did, and I had to be true to myself, to be real. I had to believe in the recovery process.
Reprieve! Then, it was suggested to me that the cancer was the result of a process that had been going on in my consciousness, and that I could use my consciousness to get rid of it. My consciousness had been the effect of programming, in the same way that the results that a computer produces are the effects of the way had been programmed. I could reprogram my consciousness.
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Cancer Support Association
www.cancersupportwa.org.au
I was presented with the idea that our perceptions create our reality, and I realised that I had to reprogram my consciousness to create the perception that I was well. I was not prepared for such an abrupt shift from the perception of being terminally ill, but I realised that I could much more easily create the perception that I was getting better and better, until I was indeed well. I had had the perception that I was in a state of deterioration, getting closer and closer to dying, and I knew that if I were to have as the end result the perception that I was well, I would have to change from getting worse and worse to getting better and better. I also knew that the turn-around could happen in any moment. It was a matter of turning a switch in my mind, and insisting on knowing that it had been turned. I decided that if the moment of change could be any moment, then let it be now.
The Change I felt a shift in my consciousness, and I knew then that I was in a state of improvement. I also knew the importance of maintaining the integrity of that decision, and of that moment. I knew that all of my perceptions had to reinforce the idea that I was now getting better and better. For example, I could remind myself as I ate whatever food I wanted, that it was exactly what my body needed to accelerate the healing process. Physical sensations that felt like electric shocks in my body, which before had reinforced the idea that the tumour was growing, now had to be perceived as evidence that the tumour was shrinking. My mind looked for more and more ways of knowing that the improvement was happening. I knew I had to stay away from those people who insisted on seeing me as still terminal, not from any lack of love, but just to maintain my own positive attitude toward my healing process. I had to be with people who were willing to encourage me on this seemingly impossible task I had set for myself. When I was asked how I was doing, I insisted on answering, “Better and better,” and seeing how that was, in fact, true. I knew that it was vital to maintain the positive programming, and that putting myself in a relaxed state of mind and talking positively to myself for fifteen minutes, three times each day, was a part of the programming process I should in no way interfere with. There were temptations to not do the relaxations, and then I would remind myself that my life was at stake. Any temptation, then, was something that stood between me and my life, and had to be removed, so that I could live.
Holding the Perception At first, it was very difficult. I found that the integrity of the moment of change was easily compromised, by my thoughts or words acknowledging anything other than the idea that I was improving, and I had to be honest with myself, and see that, and then know that I had “blown it.” Then, I could tell myself that what had happened was just a practice run, and that the real moment of change was now. It got easier and easier. I was able to maintain integrity for just hours at first, then a day, then two days, and then I was solid. I knew the program was working. I was able to recognise the doubting voice inside, and know that it did not represent truth. I was able to identify with the encouraging voice. It became my guide, leading me back to stable health. I was more and more able to maintain the single-pointedness of knowing that positive changes were happening. When I was not feeling a symptom, I told myself that perhaps now I would never feel that symptom again. If I experienced the symptom after that, I told myself that the process was just not yet complete, and that indeed I was feeling the symptom less than I had before.
asdfafas When an individual who has been out of balance has made the decision to return to balance, they must make it a high priority project. Nothing else must be more important. Particularly in the case of a catastrophic illness, the return to health necessarily becomes more important than family, friends, or job. When there has been the recognition of a path to health, nothing must interfere with that path. The development and maintenance of a positive mental attitude is imperative.
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...from previous page I had to know that positive changes were happening now, possibly just at the threshold of notice-ability, so I could eagerly anticipate evidence to justify my perceptions. Naturally, I was always able to find something, and so assure myself that it was not something I was just imagining, but real, and more strength was added to the process.
The Program During my relaxation periods, I imagined seeing the tumour which had been located in my spinal cord in the neck, and imagined that I was watching one layer of cancer cells dying, and being released, to be discarded by my body’s natural elimination system. I knew that the change, perhaps not yet noticeable, was still definite. I knew that each time I released waste products from my body, the dead cancer cells were being eliminated, and I reminded myself of that each time. I insisted on knowing that it was true.
In the case of serious illness, when the relationship between lifestyle and the physical symptoms is recognised, there needs to to be a willingness to change all aspects of the lifestyle that did not result in happiness, because it would be clear that it was those aspects which were directly related to the illness. It would be clear as well that to not bring about the necessary changes would be to recreate the symptoms of the illness.
I knew that cancer represented something held in and not expressed, and since the tumour was located by my throat chakra (energy center), I had been holding back the expression of my Being. Since I wasn’t quite sure what that meant, though, I decided that it was imperative that I express everything. Every thought, every feeling, whatever was in my consciousness that wanted to come out, I expressed, knowing that it was vital for my health. Before, I had had the perception that expressing led to discord, but now I saw that what I was expressing was appreciated by those around me, that expressing and communicating led to harmony. Before, I had had the belief that if I expressed what I really wanted to, something bad would happen. I had to reprogram that to the belief that if I expressed what I really wanted to, something wonderful would happen. I made that decision, and it was so. I found myself having less and less in common with my old friends. It was as though we had shared a common vibrational frequency before, say 547 cycles, whatever that means, and suddenly I found myself at 872 cycles, having few things to communicate with the 547-cycle people. I had to find new friends who were also at 872, to have someone to talk with. I found myself attracted to the 872 crowd, and them to me, as though I had become selectively magnetic, and certain elements of my reality were being released which were no longer in accord with the new Being I was becoming. I knew the process was inevitable, and should not be interfered with. I developed a sense of compassion and understanding at that time. I knew that my life depended on releasing all elements of my life not in accord with my new vibration. The process was simple, though not always easy. I began each day as a process of self-discovery, with no preconceived notion of who I was, yet with a willingness to discover the emerging Being, and a sense of delight with each new discovery. I imagined the scene that would happen in the doctor’s office after my work on myself was done. I could see him examining me, and finding no tumour, being puzzled. He might say, “Perhaps we made a mistake.” I played the scene in my mind each day, in my relaxation periods. I had heard that within the technology of mental programming, if I talked to myself for fifteen minutes three times each day, within 66 days, I could get myself to believe anything, and that whatever I believed to be true, would be true. About two months after I started working on myself, I went to be examined by the doctor who had pronounced me terminally ill. On the way to the doctor, I knew that I had to maintain the perception that everything was all right. I replayed the scene in my mind, knowing it would happen like that. Finally, the moment of truth arrived. The doctor examined me, and found nothing. He said, “Perhaps we made a mistake.” I laughed all the way home.
Transformation I have transformed my way of Being. My lifestyle has changed dramatically. It no longer makes any sense to work in any nine-to-five job, or to call any other Being my
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“superior,” since we are all equal Beings, and all with infinite potential. I ”retired” from Wall Street at the age of 38 with nothing but the dedication to the idea of doing what I really want to do and not doing what I really do not want to do, and trusting my journey, listening to my inner voice. It’s a decision I have never regretted. With what I learned of the body/mind relationship from my experience and the research I did during my own healing process, I developed a model of healing as a way to organise in my own mind what had happened for me, and what had worked. I gradually became involved in healing others when conditions seemed to demand that, and in doing that I saw more and more examples of the body/mind interface covering many other symptoms. The model of healing I was using became more and more coherent and multi-dimensional. I discovered the joy of sharing my experiences and ideas with others, and watching them benefit as they put the ideas to work in their own lives. The work I do now as a healer and teacher is meaningful to me, important to others as well, and is of service to humanity, and I feel a “high” when I do it. I have a strong sense of doing my life’s work. I know that I am doing what I came to this planet to do. I know it’s right. It’s not a feeling that I had had before. The process of transformation is an integral part of the healing process, whether the Being is healing his/her vision or releasing some serious illness, and indeed also even when the out-of-balance condition has not reached the physical level, yet still exists on the mental or emotional level. It is for those of us who recognise the process to encourage it, and assist it where we can, so that the planetary transformation now taking place within the individuals inhabiting it may be hastened, and made as gentle as possible. Illness or injury shows on the physical level, metaphorically, what has been happening in the consciousness of the Being experiencing the symptoms. It is related to that person’s way of Being. Once the elements of a person’s Being that relate to their physical out-of-balance condition are identified, they can be changed, and health and balance on all levels can be restored. When we see the physical body as a map of the consciousness that wears it, and always balanced to it, we can also see that a change in one implies a change in the other. When a healing happens, a change in personality may be expected to reflect the change in the physical Being, and vice versa. The “new” individual will have the same Essence of Being, yet with a different way of interacting with the environment, without what had been excessive tension for that individual. In fact, they will be more themselves, whom they really are. It may seem as though the individual had awakened from a very real-seeming dream, and things will make sense in a different way. A perceptual filter will have been removed, a filter through which values had been determined, and without that filter, truer values will become evident. The “new” Being may even have different tastes in food and/or clothing, and different personal habits. It will be a welcome transformation.
Approaches to healing which consider the aspect of personality change, transformation, are keyed to the idea of an inner cause to any outer symptom. Without the inner changes, the symptoms may be relieved in the physical reality, but not yet the causes in the inner world, and the symptoms may get re-created again. The Being then considers that part of their energy system an inherent weakness, to be continually dealt with, until they can bring about the inner changes, after which the symptoms no longer manifest. After all, the symptoms were only necessary to give a message to the “old” Being. The “new” one, not having the built-in weakness, has no need of the symptom. As a matter of fact, the formerly weak part may even become the “new” Being’s strongest part. Stories of formerly paralyzed or injured patients who became Olympic stars are evidence of this. When transformation is focused on in addition to other parts of the healing process, another dimension is added, to accelerate the healing.
The Human Energy System In the energy system that we each are, the energy is in a constant state of flow. This flow of energy is regulated by seven energy “pumps,” called chakras. Each chakra represents specific emotions and levels of perception, elements of the Being’s consciousness, and is also associated with specific parts of the body, specific functions within the body, specific endocrine glands, and specific nerve groups. Responses to a Being’s perceived universe are reflected in the chakras as well. The chakras have an optimal state of balance and flow. A healing of the individual balances the chakras. When this happens, in addition to restoring inner balance and a different state of consciousness, as well as physical balance, the rebalancing will also define different responses to the Being’s perceived universe. In other words, with a given state of balance of the chakras, a certain type of experience will be attracted to the individual, and certain types of people will be attracted, as well. When the energy changes in the chakras, as in a healing, the magnetic effect drawing a particular kind of person or experience is then released, along with the old way of responding. For example, one Being, having different interactions with his/her mother may respond by blocking the chakra associated with security or trust. The effect would be insecurity as a perceptual filter. The individual would then attract precarious situations to justify the insecurity, as well as females who would remind that Being of his/her mother. When the chakra is cleared, the type of female formerly attracted would be attracted instead to other Beings with the same kind of blocked chakra as that formerly experienced by the Being who was healed, leaving room for interactions for that Being with females of a different energy. In addition, interactions with the mother-archetype will have a different resolution, more satisfying. Situations presented to the Being will also have more of a sense of solidity, or the Being will have a new perspective of confidence with which to resolve the situation..
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...from previous page We can see, then, that not only do the chakras reflect the outer environment, but in a way they also create it. With minor adjustments in a Being’s energy system, only slight shifts in consciousness would be apparent. In the case of catastrophic illnesses, however, the Being was in desperate need of a major adjustment in consciousness, and then the aspects of transformation would be more profound.
Rebirth While instantaneous change is always possible and available, most people do not seem to be prepared for so abrupt a shift in their way of Being. Gradual change seems generally more comfortable for the Being involved, as well as for others in the Being’s environment. With instantaneous change, there is the experience of sudden clarification of what had been obscure, and a sense something like what might be experienced by a Being suddenly finding itself in a body, and watching a movie unfolding around itself, a movie that had just begun. The Being would find itself as one of the characters, with a sense of seeming to be different than what the others seemed to see the Being as, and in fact, would be very different. Others would be holding the perception of the Being who no longer exists. It would then be important for the Being to maintain his/her new way of Being, the new sense of clarity or enlightenment (yet possibly combined with the confusing sense of sudden newness), and establish quickly the way in which things make sense in the new reality, the new paradigm, with new perceptions. The new Being would have to see its relationship to the old Being’s job, surroundings, home, partner, etc., and evaluate which aspects worked harmoniously, and which parts would have to change in some way. In the case of a Being who had had a serious illness, and who recognised the relationship between lifestyle and the physical symptoms, there would have to be a willingness to change all aspects of the lifestyle that did not result in happiness, because it would be clear that it was those aspects which were directly related to the illness It would be clear as well that to not bring about the necessary changes would be to recreate the symptoms of the illness.
When it becomes a matter of life and death, the choice becomes a clear one, and simple, although not always easy.
Interactions To those people close to the Being, it could be a very confusing time, as well. It could seem as though the person they had known the Being to be, had suddenly changed in a way, gone crazy. Habitual patterns of behavior and responding would suddenly no longer be there, and it could be very confusing. For the Being’s health and well-being, however, they would have to be totally supportive of the new Being, since attempts to re-create the old Being would be perceived by the Being involved (correctly) as a threat to its health, and perhaps even to its life. There must be a willingness to adapt to the Being’s new way of Being. Gradual change is easier for most people, but it must be emphasized that the magnitude of the gradual change is no less than that of immediate change. It is just spread out over a longer period of time. The same issues must be examined. The same changes must be made. In addition, the Being must maintain a single-mindedness of purpose, and stay on purpose, with a total willingness to release all aspects of their life which are stress-related, and all patterns of interacting which are not success-oriented, until life is again harmonious, and the body’s state of health and well-being indicate that the Being has returned to balance, and may now identify with the way they are. The transformation and healing will then be complete.
Anything Can Be Healed! When an individual who has been out of balance has made the decision to return to balance, they must make it a high priority project. Nothing else must be more important. Particularly in the case of a catastrophic illness, the return to health necessarily becomes more important than family, friends, or job. When there has been the recognition of a path to health, nothing must interfere with that path. The development and maintenance of a positive mental attitude is imperative. Each of us is a self-organising autonomous system of consciousness. Each of us is an energy system. Energy
Weekly Art Therapy at CSA Arts for Healing is a gently empowering form of self-expression which actively and creatively engages you in exploring and developing your unique inner resources to make personal meaning of your life experiences, symbolically and spontaneously.
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9.30am-12noon Fridays at CSA with Glenys Gibbs. $20 members/$25 others. For bookings/more info ph CSA 9384 3544
Cancer Support Association
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flows through our Being, and is directed by our consciousness. This energy is in a state of movement, flow, and in a healthy organism the energy is harmonious, and flows smoothly. When the flow of this energy is blocked or interrupted, it is experienced by the organism as an imbalance, and the organism’s tendency is to return to balance and harmony, to return to health. This tendency toward harmony is an aspect of love. All illness, all injury, is energy blocked or interrupted, or a call for love. Each of us, including you, the reader, has the ability to sense energy, detect it, and direct it. Compare EFT Emotional Freedom Technique which aims to reestablish energetic flow and often results in physical healings. Ultimately, any energy block can be released by your consciousness. It is not a question of whether it can be done, but rather how it can be done. Within your Being, within your consciousness, is the ability to love, to perceive without judgment or expectation, to care. You have a potential for infinite love, whether or not you choose to recognise it, and whether or not you choose to manifest it. In fact, this love is the very nature of your Being. You have the ability to love wherever there was a perception of a lack of love, or a call for love. Love heals. You have in your consciousness the potential and ability to heal anything, on any level, in yourself as well as in any other Being, since it’s all just love and energy. What remains is for you to realise this fully and actualize that potential. Anything can be healed. F
Article from: healingcancernaturally.com. For information about The Brofman Foundation for the Advancement of Healing founded by Martin Brofman go to www.healer.ch/. The Brofman Foundationv promotes the cause of healing in the world, as well as the particular methods of healing that Martin Brofman has developed. These are the Body Mirror System of Healing (Exploring the Body Mind Interface through the Chakras) and A Vision Workshop (Using Your Mind to Clear Your Eyesight). Both classes are based on the idea that being healthy and happy is necessarily linked with thinking for yourself, taking responsibility for your life and what happens in it, and fully being yourself. Martin teaches his system through 4-day residential Healing Intensive Seminars in various countries, including the U.K., USA, France, Switzerland, Italy, etc. Other instructors trained by him also teach these classes in weekend seminars in these and other countries around the world.
grace My patient, a physician who has cancer, comes to his session enormously pleased with himself. Knowing my love of stories, he says that he has found a perfect story and tells me the following parable: “Shiva and Shakti, the Divine Couple in Hinduism, are in their heavenly abode watching over the earth. They are touched by the challenges of human life, the complexity of human reactions, and the ever-present place of suffering in the human experience. As they watch, Shakti spies a miserably poor man walking down a road. His clothes are shabby and his sandals are tied together with rope. Her heart is wrung with compassion. Touched by the man’s goodness and his struggle, Shakti turns to her divine Husband and begs him to give this man some gold. Shiva looks at the man for a long moment. “My Dearest Wife,” he says, “I cannot do that.” Shakti is astounded. “Why, what do you mean, Husband? You are the Lord of the Universe. Why can’t you do this simple thing?” “I cannot give this to him because he is not yet ready to receive it” Shiva replies. Shakti becomes angry. “Do you mean to say that you cannot drop a bag of gold in his path?” “Surely I can” Shiva replies, “but that is quite another thing.” “Please, Husband,” says Shakti. And so Shiva drops a bag of gold in the man’s path. The man meanwhile walks along thinking to himself. “I wonder if I will find Dinner tonight – or shall I go hungry again?” Turning a bend in the road, he sees something on the path in his way. “Aha”, he says. “Look there, a large Rock. How fortunate that I have seen it. I might have torn these poor sandals of mine even further.” And carefully stepping over the bag of gold, he goes on his way. It seems that Life drops many bags of gold in our path. Rarely do they look like what they are. I ask my patient if Life has ever dropped him a bag of gold that he has recognised and used to enrich his life. He smiles at me. “Cancer, “ he says simply. “I thought you’d guess” F
From ‘Kitchen Table Wisdom’ by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen. October 2011
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The Serenity of
miracles By Astrid Kastenberg
A miracle is a shift in one’s perception from fear to love.
“To be alive, to be able to see, to walk…it’s all a miracle. I have adapted the technique of living life from miracle to miracle.” Margie Piercy Would you like to experience a miracle in 10 seconds or less? Take a moment to inhale, taking the breath in for at least 5 seconds and releasing for 5 seconds. There is a tendency to believe that miracles are something of the extraordinary. Miracles are extraordinary, but they are also a part of our daily existence. Each and every day and in some way, a miracle happens. To drill it down to the most basic sense, when your eyes open each day, you have experienced a miracle. According to A Course in Miracles, a miracle is simply a shift in your perspective from fear to love. The capability for miracles lies in your perception. Serenity creates peace of mind. Your logical mind can be incapable of understanding that peace, serenity and ease, are truly only one breath away. You can feel serene in the midst of turmoil, by turning inward, taking a breath and connecting with the faith that you are always provided for, that everything that happens to us has a divine purpose and timing. As you open your eyes each morning, having gratitude for only that would be enough. It is a miracle when we walk outside of our homes and return safely each day. We bear witness to a miracle, each and every time we practice yoga on the mat. To feel our bodies and experience the breath flowing through it is truly a cause for awe. Yoga asana is created because of our breath. Flowing with the breath insures we create the yoking that is the heart of the practice. To be able to take a deep rich breath, is truly a gift, as anyone with asthma or respiratory issues, can attest to. The breath is life, and the most important and vital function that gives other functions the capability to exist. The story below bears witness to this. A few weeks ago, I was asking the universe for a miracle. My dear friend Lisa became very ill and was fighting and struggling against cancer. Her main concern was her inability to breathe, which compromised her ability to speak. I spoke to her on the phone, prior to her return to the hospital. Her voice was barely a whisper and she wanted me to visit when she was hoping to feel better the following week. Things turned for the worse and she was hospitalized in ICU with Pneumonia in one of her lungs. Combined with ovarian cancer and a host of other complications, my thoughts and faith faltered as my heart turned to fear. In my prayers, I asked God for a miracle, to give her the strength to fight and survive. Upon returning from a business trip, I inquired about visiting hours and was told that she might not make it through the night, and that I should get to the hospital immediately. When I saw her, my heart broke, watching her struggling to breathe, even with a tube and oxygen. The breath was very, very shallow and barely leaving her throat area. It was rapid and fast. She was heavily sedated and in an out of consciousness. Yoga teaches us to take in the longest deepest breaths possible as this transports the energy needed to heal, strengthen and cleanse the body. The pain medication that they had given Lisa had begun to wear off, and she was coming to better consciousness. She was asking
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for pain relief. As I held her hand, I asked her to hold on and relax, I said her nickname “Bernie” , she looked at me and replied: “Bergie” her nickname for me. My intention on what I wanted to say or do when I arrived was to ask her to let go and allow. It was horrible to see her struggle so badly. As the tears came, I said to God that she did not deserve to suffer the way she was suffering. As I held her hand, I asked her to please surrender and allow the help she was to receive, to take place. She looked at me and said “I am ready, I am ready”. Lisa was given the pain medication, and from what I understand, for the first time, since she became ill, her breath was deeper and she was resting more peacefully than before. I left feeling very hopeful and excited about the possibility that whatever the outcome, she would be okay. I did feel that she could survive and had a chance to last longer than through the night. I rested well that night and prayed to God for his divine intervention to help my friend. She passed away the next day, a few hours before I made it back to see her. Initially, I was overwhelmed by grief and shock that she had passed on, so quickly. She had fallen ill only 3 weeks prior and was now gone! As I mourned and cried and sobbed and reached out to friends for comfort, I ultimately realised, that a miracle HAD happened. Her expedient death at only 3 weeks plus, WAS the miracle. She didn’t have to suffer any longer. Whilst I and many of her friends and family have grappled with her loss, at the end of the day, we can find serenity in the miracle of her peace away from the pain and decay of life on this plane. A miracle is a shift in one’s perspective from fear to love. I love the fact that she is no longer suffering, I love the fact that her death has reconnected some long lost friends, I love the fact that a week before she passed on, another dear friend who crossed over years ago, came to her in a dream and said she was trying to find her and take her with her. I love that she is surrounded by an outpouring of love and compassion from the letters, calls and dedications to a woman who touched so many. She certainly gave more than she ever took. Lisa was an amazing friend to me and I am grateful for her being a part of my path and the sacred contract that brought us together. Ironically, or rather divinely ordered, when I was asked to return to the Yoga Collective to teach classes this week, I asked the universe what my message should be. My eyes fell upon my book, A Course in Miracles and the theme came to me, “The Serenity of Miracles”. It was a week later that I read an e-mail that told me Lisa was not feeling well, and had gone to the hospital. You must believe that serenity is a natural state of mind. To feel otherwise, is to be disconnected from your divine spirit. It is not easy to feel serene all of the time, but it comes with daily practice and surrendering to the simplest of miracles each day. F
“To be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars; to be satisfied with your possessions, but not contented with yourself until you have made the best of them; to despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness, and to fear nothing in the world except cowardice; to be governed by your admirations, rather than your disgusts; to covet nothing that is your neighbors except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners; to think seldom of your enemies, and often of your friends, and every day of Christ; and spend as much time as you can, with body, and with spirit, in God’s out-of –doorsthese are little guideposts on the footpath to peace.” Henry Van Dyke
Article from: http://practicewithastrid.com. Astrid Kastenberg is a Corporate Executive and a Yoga Instructor.
October 2011
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Rice Humanity’s
Healing Food
Think rice is nothing more than a side dish? As the staple food for more than half of the world’s population, rice has earned its reputation as an indispensable grain. For many societies, rice is truly a way of life.
Rice has been cultivated since at least 5,000 B.C. Impressed? We are. This descendent of a wild grass first cultivated in the foothills of the Himalayas can now be grown in practically any climate and condition, not just in the wet paddies of water-flooded farm fields, as is widely presumed.
THE LONG AND SHORT OF RICE Hungry for paella? Wanna settle into a bowl of pilaf? Dive into some sushi? Well, then, you’d better know your stuff. “Long grain” is just a generic classification for rice whose milled grains are at least three times as long as they are wide. (Don’t worry; you don’t have to be good at math to love rice.) Common varieties are usually simply labeled “long grain,” but you might know them as basmati, Carolina, jasmine or Texmati. With “medium grain” rice, the grains are less than three times as long as they are wide. Look for bomba, carnaroli, arborio, vialone, Valencia or Thai sticky rice, to name a few. This is the last one that involves math, we promise. “Short grain” rice indicates grains that are less than twice as long as they are wide. To confuse things a bit, though, medium grain and short grain rice are often combined into this one category, which includes sushi and CalRose rice.
RICE: LEARN TO TALK THE TALK We think it’s helpful to understand a few simple terms when you’re shopping for rice to make a great meal. To answer consumer needs, and aid in making quicker meals, rice manufacturers have done a little of the work themselves. Sound good? Read on, rice lover. “Polished” rice refers to white rice that’s been polished to remove its bran and germ. Look for “parboiled” rice if you prefer your rice fluffy. It cooks a bit slower than regular white rice because it’s been processed so that the starch in each grain is gelatinized. But this also infuses each kernel with some of the bran’s nutrients, so eat up! “Converted rice” has in fact not changed religions. It’s simply parboiled rice that’s been further precooked. Look for this option if you’re in a hurry to get supper on the table. In the spirit of being honest, we think you should know that “instant” or “quick” rice, which is processed to cook faster than regular rice, is often lacking in flavor and texture. We won’t fault you if you’re in a hurry, just promise us you’ll make the regular stuff on occasion, too. If you’re looking for a healthful rice choice, look no further than “brown” rice. Just like whole wheat bread, it’s much more nutritious than its white counterpart, in this case because it retains the bran.
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Drumroll, please! “Wild” rice isn’t actually rice at all. In fact, it’s the nutty-tasting seed of a long-grain marsh grass. But it’s great in pilafs, so we’ll give it a well-earned honorable mention.
RICE PREPARATION Rinsing Though modern processing techniques are effective at removing impurities and producing clean, consistent rice, many people still prefer rinsing it before cooking. Proponents say another benefit of rinsing is removing any loose starch, making it less sticky for more consistent cooking.
Soaking Some rice (Basmati, for example), cook better after soaking in water to soften the grains for better texture or to prevent breaking of brittle varieties. Most sticky rice won’t cook properly without soaking, so if your recipe requires it, listen up.
3 METHODS FOR COOKING RICE Most folks think there’s just one way to cook rice, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
a rice of every colour Forbidden black rice
This is the most popular method for cooking rice, using a set amount of rice and a set amount of water for a set amount of time. By the time the water is absorbed, the rice should be done.
Legend says this purple-black rice was originally grown only for the emperors of China. It’s prized for its fragrant aroma, nutty taste and nutritional value.
Steaming Method
Bhutanese red rice
Absorption Method
To avoid sticking to the bottom of the pot, this is usually the preferred method for cooking sticky rice. Soaked and drained rice is put in a special steaming basket or pan over a pot or wok of boiling water and cooked with steam alone.
Boiling Method In this method, the rice is cooked much like pasta. The rice is sprinkled into a large pot of boiling salted water then stirred often to prevent sticking or burning. After cooking, be sure to drain it immediately and thoroughly, then rinse quickly in cold water to halt the cooking. (Note: don’t try this method with sticky rice.)
A Few General Cooking Tips: If the uncooked rice in the pot is more than two inches deep, choose a larger pot. Use a tight-fitting lid so the steam will stay in the pot while the rice cooks. When preparing large quantities of rice, consider cooking it in two or three smaller batches. Oddly enough, microwaving rice takes no less time than cooking on the stovetop. F
Grown at an elevation of 8,000 feet in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, this premium heirloom variety contains trace minerals that make for a beautiful russet color and complex, nutty flavor.
Black Japonica rice
This is actually a blend 25% black short-grain japonica and 75% mediumgrain mahogany-red rice. It’s chewy but tender and full of flavor, making it great for stuffing or rice salads.
Wehani™ rice
This one’s quite unique, with a red bran layer and an aroma not unlike hot, buttered popcorn. It’s also chewy, sweet and reminiscent of brown basmati rice.
From Dr. Ben Kim’s Healthy Living blog 5th July 2011: drbenkim.com October 2011
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Natural Benefits and Curative Properties of Rice I
t has been mentioned in early Oriental writings that natural whole grain brown rice is a perfect healing food. In the ancient literature of Thailand, Burma, Malaya and Indo-China rice is mentioned as a source of health. It was also revered as a food of divine health and used in religious offerings.
health-building amino acids. These amino acids build resilient muscles which comes back to its original form after stretching and bending, healthy skin and hair and clearer eyesight and nourish the heart and lungs, tendons and ligaments, brain, nervous system and glandular network.
Modern researches have confirmed the beliefs of ancient oriental folk physicians that the eating of brown rice is a source of serenity and tranquility. It has been shown to contain all the elements needed for the maintenance of good health.
The B-complex vitamins, especially thiamin, riboflavin and niacin offered by natural brown rice promote youthful energy and nourishment to skin and blood vessels. An abundance of minerals in natural brown rice help to nourish the hormonal system, heal wounds and regulate blood pressure. Rice also offers iron to enrich the bloodstream and phosphorus and potassium to maintain internal water balance along with other nutrients. Rice thus helps restore internal harmony.
Rice is about 98 per cent digestible. It is one of the most easily and quickly digested of all foods – being fully digested in an hour. Rice starch is different from other grain starches as it contains 100 per cent amylopectin which is most completely and rapidly digested grain starch. This makes rice in ideal health food for those who seek speedy and healthy assimilation.
Internal Rejuvenation Rice protein, which comprises up to eight per cent of the grain, has a special benefit as it has eight of the essential amino acids in a delicately balanced proportions. A complete internal rejuvenation takes place when rice protein is metabolized into
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High Blood Pressure Rice has a low-fat, low-cholesterol ,md low-salt contents. It makes a perfect diet for those hypertension persons who have been advised salt-restricted diets. It has been noted by modern researchers that wherever-rice is used as the main food, there is a corresponding benefit of youthful vitality and a very low rate of hypertension. Calcium in brown rice, in particular, soothes and relaxes the nervous system and helps relieve the symptoms of high blood pressure.
It has been mentioned in early Oriental writings that natural whole grain brown rice is a perfect healing food Body Balance The rice diet, in combination with milk, creates a marvelous body balance. In this regimen, natural brown rice is used as the only solid food throughout the day. Fresh milk is taken with each of the rice meals. The rice may be cooked in any manner but no salt should be used. The milk ‘should he comfortably cool. The nutrients in the rice, form a unique balance with those in the milk. The two notable amino acids, isoleucine and lysine in the milk are greatly strengthened by rice protein, thereby enabling them to form stronger body-building blocks: The naturally lactic acid in milk works with rice protein to aid in the absorption of iron.
Digestive System Disorders Rice has a very low fibre content, and is therefore extremely soothing to the digestive system This makes rice an ideal food for digestive system disorders. Thick gruel of rice mixed with glassful of butter milk and a well-ripe banana given twice a day is a very nutritious diet in typhoid, gastric ulcer, stomach and intestinal cancer, colitis, diarrhea, dysentery, piles, rectal fissure, indigestion, in acute febrile diseases related to fever, hepatitis or inflammation of liver, jaundice, morning sickness, acute dilatation of the stomach, burning and indigestion due to hiatus hernia, excessive accumulation of the gas in the intestines, and all the diseases where the mild and light diet is indicated.
Diarrhea in Children Rice is useful in treating diarrhea in children. A teaspoonful of powder of charred par-boiled rice mixed with a glassful of butter-milk should be given in doses of an ounce every half an hour in this condition. This will bring excellent results.
Skin Inflammation Rice may also be used externally in the form of powder or poultice. The rice flour, dusted thickly over the surface, has a very cooling and soothing effect in small-pox, measles, prickly heat and other inflammatory affections of the skin including burns and scalds. It allays heat and irritation. Rice powder should be used soon after the occurrence of injury in case of burns and scalds and it should be dusted thickly over the whole of the affected surface.
From: www.best-home-remedies.com
eat for life
FOOD is the primary thing that affects us. If what we put inside our bodies does not affect us, what could? Once we know this, then it becomes easier to select foods that add to our strength, spirituality, and beauty, because each meal becomes part of who we are at the deepest level. Food is exacting. The face is truly a canvas upon which our food choices paint an accurate picture. The body is truly a sculpture, chiseled and
polished by our food choices.� David Wolfe, Eating For Beauty October 2011
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the macrobiotic
brown rice fast By Craig Nicholson The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, the oldest-known book of Chinese medicine and the foundation of the macrobiotic diet is based on the yinyang principle. It describes a ten-day rice gruel fast as the first remedy for disease.
Food as the primary treatment for disease Ronald E. Kotzsch writes in Macrobiotics: Yesterday and Today that The Yellow Emperor's Classic "asserts that food is an important means for treating disease. It says that in `medieval days' the sages treated illness first by diet, usually prescribing a regime of rice gruel (short grain brown rice) for ten days. If this treatment was not successful, then the roots and leaves of medicinal plants were used to harmonize the energies. Acupuncture and moxibustion were employed only as a last resort. If the emotions and the will of the patient are stable, says the Classic, then cereals alone can effect a cure. Grains have a special importance and power as human food. Water and grains are the root of life and 'death comes only when they are exhausted.' In particular, rice is mentioned as a vital and harmonious food."
Fasting A ten-day brown rice fast may be too severe for those who have not already practiced the macrobiotic diet for some time. Such a fast is not recommended unless you get good macrobiotic counselling, know the body's signs of yin and yang, and know how to break the fast. Instead, you can try a rice fast for one or two days. Eat as much pressure-cooked brown rice as you want. You can follow this with a couple of days of rice and vegetables with a light miso soup as the body gently comes off the rice fast and adapts to a greater variety of vegetarian foods. The longer the rice fast, the easier you should
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make the transition. It is wise to wait a week or more after the rice fast before eating fish, if this is part of your regular diet. Because of the past diets people have been on, reactions may vary from severe to mild to none at all. Go easy, be well informed, proceed with caution, and know when to stop.
Recipe for pressure-cooked brown rice 1/2 teaspoon good sea salt to 4 cups of short grain brown rice (organic if possible) and 8 cups of pure water. Wash rice and put in pressure cooker. Add water and bring to a boil. Add salt and place cover on pressure cooker. Bring cooker up to pressure then reduce flame to mediumlow. Put flame deflector under cooker and cook for 40 min. Remove pressure cooker from flame and let sit for 5 min. without opening, then remove rice from the pot so it doesn't keep cooking. For regular daily use of brown rice when not fasting, use 1-2 teaspoons of salt per pot according to personal taste and need.
Bancha Twig Tea While fasting this tea is beneficial in aiding the detoxification process. Bancha twig tea (also called kukicha) can usually be bought in tea bags at a health food store. If you can only get the loose twigs, here is the recipe for it: If the twigs you have are not already roasted, you should roast them in a dry skillet for 3-4 min. Place 1-2 tablespoons bancha twigs in a pot with 4 cups of pure water, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 min., or 10-15 min. for stronger tea. When tea is finished steeping, remove twigs from the tea and let them dry. Twigs can be reused a few times, adding some new twigs each time. F
From: http://wholesomebalance.com
Book Now For 2012!
The Gawler Foundation 12 Week Cancer SelfHelp Program – Cancer, Healing and Wellbeing will be facilitated by Cathy Brown who is a CSA staff member and endorsed leader of the program. Consistent with the principles of integrated medicine, the program applies a self-help approach designed to improve both quantity and quality of life for people with cancer. This enables participants to make informed, effective choices and better manage their own healing journeys. Each 2.5 hour session is interactive, supported by handouts and focuses on a specific theme from Ian Gawler’s book’ You Can Conquer Cancer’. There is plenty of time to practice techniques as well as opportunity for discussion and questions. The program will be held at the Cancer Support Association building in Cottesloe. There are limited places on the program so be sure to book your place early.
On the program you will learn to: • Activate your potential for healing • Relax effortlessly and meditate deeply • Develop and sustain a positive state of mind • Understand the role of nutrition and healthy diet for healing • Develop strategies to manage pain and fear • Find meaning and purpose in life Weekly Topics include: Week 1: Introduction and Meditation 1 Week 2: Meditation 2 Week 3: Mind Training 1 Week 4: Food 1 Week 5: Food 2 Week 6: Pain Management Week 7: Healing Week 8: Causes and solutions for cancer Week 9: Mind Training 2 Week 10: Living and Dying Week 11: Healthy Emotions Week 12: Health and Wellbeing
Three times a year. First 2012 programs starts 1st February 2012 Venue: Cancer Support Association, 80 Railway Street, Cottesloe Register and pay online: www.cancersupportwa.org.au or phone CSA 9384 3544. $350 per person. October 2011
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rice
recipes basmati rice, black eyed peas & sunflower seeds brown & wild rice with herbs and garlic Fold chopped steamed vegetables or cubes of baked tofu into this easy side dish, if you like, and drizzle with fresh lemon juice.
Mushrooms and red bell peppers combine with black-eyed peas in this flavorful vegetarian entrée. Sunflower seeds add a crunchy finish, but pumpkin seeds taste great with this dish, too. Ingredients: 2 cups raw basmati rice 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or canola oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 (225g) package button mushrooms, sliced 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped Gluten-free tamari to taste 6 cups cooked black-eyed peas* (or 4 (425g) cans, rinsed and drained) Salt to taste 1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds Directions: Cook rice according to package instructions. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, mushrooms, red pepper and tamari. Cook, stirring often, until mushrooms release their liquid, about 7 minutes. Add black-eyed peas and salt and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Spoon black eyed-pea mixture over cooked rice, garnish with sunflower seeds and serve. *If preparing beans from scratch, soak overnight and cook on stove top or in pressure cooker until tender.
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Ingredients: 1 (170g) package long grain brown basmati and wild rice 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon canola oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh herbs such as chives, basil, and parsley Directions: Prepare rice according to package instruction adding salt but leaving out added oil or butter. While rice is cooking, melt butter with oil in a sauté pan. Over very low heat, stir fry garlic for 1 minute being careful not to brown or burn. Add minced herbs and stir for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat. When rice is done, stir in herbs and garlic, making sure to get all of oil and butter in as well. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
brown jasmine rice pilaf Celery and shallots add crunch and delicate flavor to this fragrant pilaf. Perfect with stir fry dishes. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 cup diced celery 1/2 cup diced shallot 1 cup brown jasmine or basmati rice, washed and well drained 2 cups vegetable broth (gluten-free if desired) Sea salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Directions: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add celery and shallot and sauté for one minute. Add rice and sauté another 2 minutes. Add broth, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 40 to 45 minutes or until broth is absorbed.as well. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
baked rice and tempeh casserole While technically requiring two pots, we think you’ll still enjoy this simple baked casserole. The tempeh is tossed with garlic, shallot and tamari and briefly sautéed in olive oil for optimum flavor before combining with jasmine rice. Serve with sautéed spinach or broccoli for added colour and flavour. Ingredients: 2 (225g) packages tempeh, any flavour 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 large shallot, minced 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Salt to taste or 2 tablespoons gluten-free tamari Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 cup jasmine rice 1 3/4 cups boiling water Directions: Preheat oven to 200°C. Cut tempeh into bite-size pieces, about 2cm cubes. Mix in a bowl with garlic, shallot, salt or tamari and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Stir-fry the tempeh mixture, stirring constantly, turning the tempeh to brown all sides, about 5 minutes. Place tempeh, rice, and boiling water in a deep baking dish or a 22x33-cm pan. Cover tightly with foil or a tight fitting lid and bake for 30 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked completely.
4 Facts About Rice 1. There are more than 7,000 varieties of rice. 2. Asian countries produce about 90% of the world’s rice. 3. About one-third of the rice used in the U.S. is found in beer. 4. In Japan, the word for rice is the same as the word for “meal.”
almond & brown rice pudding A rich mixture that’s not too sweet but just enough to be enjoyed as a warm after-dinner treat. Ingredients: 1/2 cup pitted dates 1 cup uncooked brown rice 4 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk 1/2 cup raisins 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup toasted, chopped slivered almonds Directions: Place dates in a bowl and pour 1/2 cup boiling water over them. Let soak 15 minutes, then transfer dates and water to a blender and puree until smooth to make a date syrup. Meanwhile, bring rice and almondmilk to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until rice is cooked and has absorbed most of the almondmilk, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Stir date syrup, raisins, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon and almonds into rice and serve warm.
Rice Recipes from Whole Foods Market website: www.wholefoodsmarket.com
October 2011
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10 ways to cultivate
loving kindness To soften and open your heart to others is to lead a truly fulfilling life. In this excerpt from her book Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation, meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg provides 10 tips for cultivating a loving-kindness meditation practice. Think of kindness as a strength, not as a weakness. Kindness isn’t an ally of foolishness or gullibility, but rather an ally of wisdom and courage.
children or animals in our thoughts. Taking just 10 minutes a day to reflect in this way is a powerful path to transformation.
Look for the good in yourself—not as a way to deny your difficulties or problems but as a way to broaden your outlook so it’s more truthful and balanced. Looking for the good in ourselves helps us see the good in others.
Listen. Often we have conversations where we are only partially paying attention; we’re thinking about the next e-mail we need to send, or what we forgot to mention to the last person we spoke to. Or we decide we know what the other person is going to say, based on past encounters. Reopening that closed file by listening is a powerful gesture of kindness, one that allows fresh responses and transformed relationships.
Remember that everyone wants to be happy. If we look deeply into any kind of behavior, we will see an urge to feel a part of something greater than our own limited sense of self, a desire to feel at home in this body and mind. This urge toward happiness is often twisted and distorted by ignorance, by not knowing where happiness is actually to be found. Remembering what we share inspires us toward kindness. Recollect those who have helped or inspired us. Sometimes even a small act of kindness on someone’s part makes an essential difference for us. Cultivating gratitude is a way of honoring these people, and also a way of lifting our spirits and reminding us of the power of good-heartedness. Practice at least one act of generosity a day. We all have something to give, large or small. It may be a smile, or an attentive conversation. Perhaps you let a stranger get ahead of you in line, or gave a coworker a small gift, or wrote a late-night note of appreciation. Any act of generosity—whether material or of the spirit—is a meaningful expression of kindness. Do lovingkindness meditation. Each day we can take the time to hold others in our hearts quietly and wish them well. This meditation might include someone who has been helpful or inspiring to us, someone we know who is feeling alone or afraid, someone who is experiencing triumph and joy, or someone we are about to meet with some trepidation. We might, depending on the circumstances of our lives, particularly include
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Include those who seem left out. In a conversation with a group of people, there may be those too shy to speak. In a room full of partygoers, there may be some who feel out of place. Be the one who opens the circle. Refrain from speaking ill of others. A friend told me about a time he resolved not to talk about any third person; if he had something to say about someone, he would say it directly to that person instead. If you feel tempted to put someone down, assume knowledge of their bad motives, or generally prove their inferiority, take a breath. Even though we might feel a rush of power in saying those words, we ultimately get no benefit from dividing people and sowing seeds of dissension and dislike. There are ways to talk about wrong behavior without derision or condemnation. “Walk a mile in another person’s shoes before you pass judgment.” As this old saying suggests, even if we’re going to take strong action to try to change someone’s behavior, a sense of empathy and understanding for them won’t weaken us. If anything, that element of kindness will allow us to act more compassionately and creatively. F
From: Kripalu newlsetter: www.kripalu.org. Sharon Salzberg is one of today’s leading meditation teachers and authors.
about Wellness News Wellness News is unique in that it is an extremely positive, uplifting, intelligent and beautiful publication focusing on wellness, healing and the environment. Wellness News is designed to offer hope and lifeenhancing wellness strategies for people who may be seriously ill, and a broad spectrum of information for people interested in maintaining good health. Wellness News articles are commissioned or sourced from highly regarded international journals, publications and websites and are divided into seven key areas for complete cancer wellness and healing: mind-body healing; integrative therapies; nutrition and recipes; inspiring personal stories; lifestyle and environment; current news & information; inspirations. Topics covered are spirituality, healing modalities, complementary therapies, integrative medicine – balanced with inspirational stories, recipes and the latest nutrition and wellness trends, and also information on how the environment can impact on health and wellbeing. We place great value on personal cancer stories for their insight into how people manage in challenging circumstances. Also important to our balance of content is poetry and art for the healing potential of words and images. Visually, our magazine is harmonious and pleasing – designed to inspire the healing spirit.
mind-body healing integrative therapies lifestyle & environment inspiring personal stories current news & information nutrition & recipes inspirations
In fond memory of those who have shared part of their journey with us... Pippa Eyres Sandra Donovan Helen Carne
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain... October 2011
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