What Is a Long and Healthy Life?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mamie_Smith_Ed.D.]Mamie Smith Ed.D.
The American Aging Association has as one of its goals... "to keep the public informed of the progress... and of practical means of achieving a long and healthy life." What is a long and healthy life? Typical answers like "make sure you rest," "eat healthy foods," or "spend time with other people," are human needs that should be met, not key ingredients to achieving a long and healthy life.

Ingredient One: Discover and do daily mediation or spiritual reflection and contemplation. These set the stage for the elimination of things that cause stress, anger, and the tendency to focus on self. How do you begin? Thinking about The Lord's Prayer, reading spiritual books, or simply replacing negative thoughts with divine thoughts are great starting places.
You may also pray to your Higher Power, seek angel messages, or ask for help beyond endeavors that lead to getting through troubling situations. Change your mental environment! Rise above "I can't believe he did that!" to "I'm going to lift my thinking above that which he did!" "I'm going to see him as one of God's perfect angels."
You will be surprised at how an honest acceptance of such statements will melt the disharmony that you are feeling inside. Mental disturbance yields physical discord. Your body responds to your thoughts.
Ingredient Two: Let go of your ego and get in touch with the One Ego-namely God, Higher Power, Supreme Being, or whatever you call Him. I call Him God! The "I must be pleased or satisfied attitude" has to cease. Seeking to think, say, or do things that follow divine Law eliminate "egoism." I have many mental conversations with myself during the day. Example: "Mamie, what do you think God would do about this? Is this divine will or human will? Is this loving my neighbor as myself, or just loving myself?"
The one with the greatest impact is "Am I obeying 'Thou shall have no other gods before Me?' Humble yourself before God. One writer puts it this way: "Real humility is rare, because to have it you have to want nothing, yet, when you have it, you get everything"(Divine Thought of the Day). That "everything" is a calm, inner peace that nothing material can parallel.
Ingredient Three: Express gratitude. True gratitude comes from the heart-the soul. It is that inner spirit that brings comfort, peace and tranquility. Everything "ungodly" disappears. You seek only to please that Power that no human hand can hold, and no human heart can touch. It is an inner glow that the brightest sunlight cannot emulate. The weight that was holding you down, releases itself, and you soar above the trivial and critical. All truly is well.
There are many people who make a "gratitude list." While this can be well and good, care must be given so that the items placed on it are derived from the heart. A list of material things cannot generate the expression of Soul, God. Many times, my list simply says, "I am grateful that You have given me so much that I can share today," or "Help me to shape my life so that others, observing my actions, will glorify thee."
Ingredient Four: Carry a spiritual quote or verse around with you mentally throughout the day, and apply it to situations that develop and seek to rob you of your inner peace and positive level of thought.
Finally, clearly define for yourself the true meaning of life and health. I see health as a divine state of thought, not a well physical body. Defining health in this manner, enables me to maintain pure and uplifting thoughts. Ask yourself, "Is having a well body all that there is to life? Is living, just existing physically?" If you answered in the affirmative to either of these questions, I believe you have lots of work to do. Life is another name for God. It is divine revelation of thought-that spiritual connection to God. You or I truly live when we are so connected that we hear, see, and feel God's goodness and mercy every minute of the day. Arrive at your own spiritual awareness of life and embark upon a "long, healthy life".
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Is-a-Long-and-Healthy-Life?&id=6660023] What Is a Long and Healthy Life?

Perspective Is Everything

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Betsy_McGuire]Betsy McGuire
It was a quiet Saturday afternoon at our house when my husband decided to give my son a haircut - not unusual.  What was unusual was the crying about 3 minutes later, and an urgent "honey, please come here immediately".  Uh Oh!  I couldn't help but worry that my son has somehow been cut.  I was certainly not prepared to see my son with a bald stripe down the front, center of his head.  Apparently, my husband had forgotten to put the guard on the clippers.  "What do I do?" my husband asked above my son's wails.  In a flash, I herded my son to the car to go to a haircut place.  Not usually known for his dramatics, my son sobbed  "MY LIFE IS RUUUUIIIINNNEDD" on the way to the car leaving behind a very guilty daddy.
All was pretty quit on the way, but when we headed into the haircut place, my son put his head down and tried to hide behind me - obviously embarrassed.  It was while we were sitting and waiting that I realized what had to be done here.  It's really an age-old parental trick.  When something happens to your child that you cannot fix, you have just one choice...you have to change their perspective on the situation.  My son was called and we both went to the chair.  He was unusually unresponsive despite the attempts of the very nice haircutter "Cathy".  I explained what happened and Cathy assured my son that she was there to help.  Together, Cathy and I started talking about how cool he was going to look with such short hair.  Cathy mentioned that all the cool kids these days have closely shaved heads.  I could see my son beginning to come around, so I took it further.  He had a swim meet the following day and I told him that with less hair, he was sure to swim faster than ever.  In just 15 minutes in the haircut chair, I saw my son go from dejected and embarrassed to hyper-happy.  He went home and gave his dad a huge hug and a "thank you".  The transformation was amazing.
It was also one of life's great life lessons.  We can't always change or control a situation.  We can choose to be angry or sad or beat our heads against the wall, but why not choose something else?  Why not try to change our perspective?  My son's new haircut still looks a little strange, but by bringing the positives of it to his attention, his entire world changed.  We can do that too - everyday.
Betsy McGuire invites you to visit http://www.chickpeawellness.com/ and sign up to receive her mind, body, and spirit blog the day entries are made. You can also "like" Chickpea Wellness on Facebook and receive new articles on your wall.
Copyright 2011 Chickpea Wellness, LLC
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Perspective-Is-Everything&id=6675467] Perspective Is Everything

Past Life Regression Case Study

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Susan_Di_Monson]Susan Di Monson
Strained Relationship
A young woman we'll call Sarah, was bothered by the strained relationship she felt between herself and her brother. There were just two siblings in the family, and Sarah wanted to feel closer to her brother and couldn't.
To her knowledge, nothing had ever happened between she and her brother to explain the distance and unease between them. So, Sarah decided to give past life regression a try, hoping for some answers.
Regression to Childhood Memory
Sarah was regressed fairly easily. She first went to a pleasant childhood memory of herself and some friends at a party. Her brother was not present. She was having a great time at the party.
Past Life Regression
Next, Sarah was regressed to a past life.
She immediately found herself dressed in a beautiful, red dress and standing outside of a mansion, attending a garden party. It was in late summer in one of the New England states. As she looked around, she began to feel that something was wrong.
Searching for her fianc�, Sarah noticed movement in the bushes beside the patio. Looking to see what the movement was about, she saw her fianc� fondling and kissing another young woman. She was enraged!
Blood on Her Hands
Sarah jumped to another scene in her past life. When she looked down at her hands, they were covered in blood. Her mind began racing and she deducted that she had killed her fianc� or the other woman. She couldn't see what had happened at this point.
The next scene was where Sarah was arrested and taken to jail. She was charged with murdering her fianc� and the other woman.
Off to Jail
Jumping ahead, Sarah found herself sitting in a jail cell by herself. Oddly enough, she seemed to be at peace.
She saw herself staying in jail for the rest of her life.
Her Last Day Alive
Now an older woman, Sarah was very frail and had lost the will to live. However, she was still not bitter.
Moving to her death scene, Sarah learned that she had NOT murdered her fianc� or the other woman. Instead, her brother from her past life had been so hurt for her, that he had murdered them.
Knowing this, Sarah had willingly gone to jail and had given her life to protect her brother. It was at this point, Sarah recognized her past-life brother as the same brother in her current life.
Guilt
In Sarah's past life, her brother had felt guilty for not accepting responsibility for the murder he had committed. It was he who carried the guilt forward into this life and didn't feel worthy of being close to his sister. 
Of course, he had no idea on a conscious level why he felt the way he did.
Making Up for Lost Time
After coming out of hypnosis, Sarah left to phone her brother. They talked for a long time as she outlined what had taken place during the regression. She began to feel closer to her brother now than ever before.
They are both determined to work on their relationship with this new understanding. Her brother told her that it made total sense to him.
In Conclusion
The above case study shows the power of the subconscious to affect a person through many lifetimes.
And, sometimes the person being impacted by negative memories is not you. Therefore, you have no way of understanding a relationship or a situation without the past life regression.
Think of the memories as knowledge gained. Knowledge may affect you physically, emotionally, spiritually and/or mentally.
Susan Monson shares more about gaining an understanding of [http://www.holistic-health-alternative.com/past-life-regression.html]Past Life Regression as well as other holistic health alternatives at [http://www.holistic-health-alternative.com]http://www.holistic-health-alternative.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Past-Life-Regression-Case-Study&id=6671829] Past Life Regression Case Study

5 Ways of Showing Your Gratitude

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Maureen_Hamilton]Maureen Hamilton
Being thankful and showing those around you gratitude is a healing and fulfilling way to approach living your life. It makes you happy, keeps you balanced, and humble and fills those around you with a sense of worthiness and warmth. Showing gratitude is a simple task-gratitude can be a simple thank you when someone lets you borrow their pen in a science class or the gesture of holding the door open for a mum struggling with her grocery bags. Gratitude is a good tonic for many of the ailments in life; it can help keep you balanced and centered in times of great struggle. Practicing gratitude everyday is good for your heart and your mind. Here are ten easy ways that you can show gratitude in your life every day:
� Offer a little extra help: Offering help does not have to be a huge exertion. If someone drops something, pick it up. Let them know that they are worthy of help and a little extra attention-no matter how small the action, it is the intention behind it that counts.
� Make thank you your favorite phrase: Do you say thank you enough? Think about it. Making thank you a hallmark of your social interactions will make people appreciate you and want to spend time with you because they know they are appreciated.
� Praise someone: Give an extra compliment to someone, a coworker or a friend. Let them know that you value what they do, what they say, and above all who they are.
� Listen: You can show that you appreciate someone by really listening to what they have to say. Sometimes people just want to know that they are seen and heard, and if you authentically listen to what they have to say, you will boost their self-esteem and self-worth ten-fold.
� Replace criticism with gratitude: Did your spouse leave the towel on the bathroom floor again? Did your coworker start chewing his food too loudly during a meeting? Instead of criticizing the habits that annoy you, try to focus on showing gratitude to the people in your life, even when they annoy you the most. You will feel better and more centered if you dwell on the positive instead of the negative.
Gratitude is a major factor in keeping us connected to those around us. As human beings, we are relational and the main purpose in our lives is to keep ourselves connected with those around us, as this facilitates our ability to receive love, safety, and comfort. Showing gratitude is a way of making the people around us feel that they are worthy of love, safety, and comfort. Gratitude is a humble way of nurturing the seeds of human relationships that lead us all to feel better about ourselves and our place in the world.
About the Author
Maureen Hamilton is an Integrated Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner, Hypnotherapist and a Demartini Method Facilitator. Maureen has previously worked in many areas of health in Australia as well as overseas. Her health background includes training in general and midwifery nursing, mental health and children's behavioural issues (including the effects of emotional trauma especially in children). Maureen is very much involved in promoting and assisting people to obtain optimal health and is absolutely committed to helping people to stop smoking and/or lose weight naturally using Hypnosis and NLP. If you would like to find out more, visit http://masteryourlifepower.com and and talk to Maureen about your requirements.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Ways-of-Showing-Your-Gratitude&id=6669586] 5 Ways of Showing Your Gratitude

How to Set Goals for Fat Loss

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Darragh_Holland]Darragh Holland
Those that wish to lose weight will want to lose weight as fast as humanly possible. This is a fine goal but they make the common error of not accepting the fact they are human.
In other words, they do not truly realize how the human body's metabolism works. Because of this, they do not plan out realistic diet goals which can truly be attained. This leads to an enormous amount of disappointment when the weight does not come off.
To help those that truly wish to lose weight in an effective and appropriate manner, here are a few realistic ways to set goals for fat loss:
Set a goal of being healthy -
Don't just get hung up on a specific amount of weight to lose. When you opt to eat healthier, your weight will come off provided you are creating a calorie deficit.
Educate yourself on proper nutrition. Once you determine those foods which are good for you and which foods pack on the pounds, you can determine goals from an informed perspective. That means you won't be eating a diet that outright undermines the goals you have set for yourself.
That said, you can also set a short term goal of the amount of weight you would like to lose in a reasonable amount of time. 2lbs a week is the recommended goal which would be a perfect amount of weight that could change anyone's physique dramatically, when done consistently.
Accept that only a minimal amount of weight will be lost each week. You must realize the human body can only lose so many pounds per week of fat. 1lb to 2lbs is the most common from calorie reduction. You may lose additional weight but it will be water. 1lb of fat is 3600 calories.
Do not try to engage in diets that cut calories enormously because they will only lead to the slowing down of your metabolism which would certainly not be a good thing.
If you wish to lose more weight per week, you will need to burn it off with exercise. Your exercise goals must be as realistic as your weight loss ones. Do not assume you can work out two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening to expedite results. This would be too extreme of a schedule.
Rather, the idea-program is to try to work out 3 - 4 days per week at 30 - 45 minutes of moderate to moderately heavy intensity. This would be a much more realistic approach which could enhance your success potential for shedding off excess calories.
When you devise this schedule stick with it or else you won't see your exercise sessions prove valuable.
Devise an appropriate timeframe for your weight loss goals. If you want to lose 10lbs, you can set a 12 week period in which you will gradually and slowly drop the weight. 12 weeks will fly by quicker than you think so do not assume you must lose weight in 30 days because doing so sets you down the path of unrealistic goals.
Plan to weigh yourself once a week to make sure you are on the path to meeting your goals for fat loss. Weigh yourself on a digital scale to make sure you get the most accurate results possible. Once a week is enough for this and do not obsess over it, your clothes and how you look/ feel is the biggest indicator.
It is advised to look towards having your body fat percentage effectively determined. This way, you will know what composition of your body is fat and what are muscle, bone, and water. Understanding your body's physiology in this manner will allow you to craft the proper fat loss goals you have in mind. That is, if the bulk of your weight is muscle mass, you won't need a goal of shedding 20lbs as maybe only 8lbs would be enough to give you a shredded physique. If you are carrying 30% body fat then you will have to devise logical goals intended to eliminate such a significant amount of body fat.
And never let your goals become inflexible. If you feel you need to tweak or modify your goals to gain a better outcome then do so. You never want to be rigid in your goals for fat loss or they may become self-defeating.
Ultimately, if you take a common sense approach to losing weight and shedding unwanted pounds you will discover the goals you devise become much more easily met.
Darragh Holland is a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvUiDE8eZcU]Cavan Personal Trainer and also runs his own Bootcamps.
He has helped people to lose weight and get toned so be sure to check out his [http://dutchysfitness.com/2011/09/cavans-group-fitness-classes-for-weight-loss/]Cavan personal training studio.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Set-Goals-for-Fat-Loss&id=6671334] How to Set Goals for Fat Loss

Tai Chi - To Be or Not To Be

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Howard_Frederick_Gibbon]Howard Frederick Gibbon
One of the problems experienced by new students to Tai Chi is they often complain they can not remember the moves. Because Tai Chi relaxes the body and dulls the thought processes, the moves are often easily forgotten but the essential benefits of Tai Chi i.e. the meditative experience is remembered. Because it is absorbed into their being.
This is the beauty of Tai Chi. The inner experience outweighs the outer for the newcomer and as this is an unfamiliar experience, the mind fights it because it does not understand and can not define the experience by looking at other experiences. The mind wants to understand to link to a past experience and to commit that experience to memory. Now we have a big problem. The new student feels good after the class but when trying to relate their experience to others, find it difficult to put it into words what that experience was, because essentially it was an experience that was felt not deciphered by the mind.
Your practice should refresh you; not burden you with more things to remember. True understanding in Tai Chi brings a deep wholeness to your essential being. Not another memory attached to the intellect. There is no need to remember it - it is there...
As you practise let thoughts come and let them pass through. Become the watcher. Be indifferent to the thoughts. When you listen or read word of wisdom, don't try to remember them or the meaning will be lost. Let them wash over you, cleaning your mind, emptying it. Do not let thoughts whip up your mind like a strong wind ruffling the surface of water causing confusion and doubt, be still like a calm lake. The purpose of meditation is to throw out the mind. Tai Chi empties the mind. Do not burden yourself with more words or thought processes.
See from your deep inner self, let that wisdom go to work to change and empower your essential self, the real inner you. Forget for the moment your outer self, your conscious self that was born of your upbringing, your surroundings and moulded by others' expectation of you and what you should become.
Tai Chi given the chance can change your life, if you let it. This is true, I know beyond a shadow of doubt because I am living proof of that.
Being of service to others by passing on the teaching I was so privileged to receive from my Master and spiritual mentor. I am living a life of happiness and satisfaction beyond my wildest dreams. I have found my personal Dao.
Perhaps I was lucky but I really believe I had the sense to see the Master when I met him and intuitively felt that this was what I should be doing. I didn't understand why, it just felt right and I did not deny that, or subdue it with logic. I followed my heart though the good and the bad times and allowed my inner self to flower.
Howard Gibbon - Tai Chi teacher - Author - Publisher
Download our free Tai Chi book and learn the first 20 moves in the comfort of your own home.
Website: http://www.howardgibbon.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Tai-Chi---To-Be-or-Not-To-Be&id=6670672] Tai Chi - To Be or Not To Be

Tai Chi - Saviour of My Sanity

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Howard_Frederick_Gibbon]Howard Frederick Gibbon
It is not often I experience a feeling of being totally overwhelmed but a few days ago I woke feeling this way. Probably you have had the same feeling yourself sometime. There were family health issues, disputes, unhappiness in abundance. I had a DVD to finish that was having its share of technical problems. I had a newsletter to get out in a few days. Admin work was piling up on my desk. Decisions to be make about course dates. The list went on and on... It was 10.30am. I had answered phone calls and dealt with urgent emails already. But I had not done my regular Tai Chi practise yet. My wife called out as I passed her office and asked me to help her with a small task. I had to stop myself barking a reply. Something on the lines of I am too busy. I was stressed, what no not me surely, an experienced Tai Chi teacher with many years under my belt teaching other people how to bring peace and harmony into their lives.
Am I a hypocrite?
Should I not be above all that sort of thing? Well Tai Chi is a tool not a panacea for all ills of the body and mind. It is no quick fix and like all tools it is only useful when it is put to use.
Time for my Tai Chi practice.
I stepped out into our back garden onto the patio, my usual exercise place. As I looked down to check I was standing on the correct spot I noticed a ladybird to my front. It looked dead; I considered that I had probable in my poor mental state, plagued with so many problems, stood on it as I walked onto the patio. Out of dejection and irritation I, gently mind you, flicked it toward the grass with the edge of my shoe. It slid towards the grass rolling over twice in the process and then to my surprise came alive and started walking back towards the spot I expelled it from. Now my focus turned to the safety of this ladybird. It was still full of life heading back to its original spot at a fair number of knots. Filled with remorse for the treatment I gave it I looked around and seeing a dead leaf that had fallen off the ivy climbing our garden fence. I picked it up and tenderly placed it in the path of the ladybird and when it crawled on the leaf, lifted it and placed it amongst the ivy.
Now feeling a little better about myself I set to work on my Tai Chi practise. And work it turned out to be because my mind was still consumed with my worries and waiting tasks. I persevered, completing the long form. This was not the real Tai Chi I had come to know after many years of dedicated practise. This was mere mechanical movement. My mind slipped in and out of control, drifting back and forth from my movements to my problems and concerns and back again to my practice. This was the way I used to perform my Tai Chi in my early years. It had its value in the physical exercise and the brief moments of clarity when I was focused on my Tai Chi. In touch with my physical reality at the very moment of its conception. Then I quickly lost that connectedness again as my mind moved too far in front to think of a forthcoming movement or returned to one gone and analysed it. Both pastimes fruitless for the future has not arrived and the past has gone, forever, never to return. I perform the long form a second and third time in this very state. Exercising my body, no doubt moving my energy in a sluggish kind of way and struggling to control my thought processes. Then suddenly, remarkable quickly, everything fell into place.
The physical flow, that place I have come to know where, I become the watcher and the watched, my being in harmony, body, mind and spirit working together as one, no separation only the essence of being. No more distractions, no more disturbances. The muddy waters now clear and calm. I continued my Tai Chi practise clocking up 1 hour and 10 minutes, more than twice my usual training time for the Tai Chi form and I wanted to go on. It felt so good I did not want it to end. But I knew that balance must be the overruling principle. So I stopped my practise, now calm in spirit and smiling at the ladybird still on the ivy, it and I, happy to be alive. What beauty we have around us and how often we miss it in our obsession to achieve goals. I made a mental note to allow myself more time to exist in my natural state of individualism whilst appreciating the beauty of my surroundings.
So Tai Chi has saved my sanity again. What a blessing my practise has been and continues to be to me. I strive to pass on the benefits of Tai Chi and its gifts to anyone who has the tenacity to endure beyond the superficial. The few, who will dig deep, bear their souls to the universal spirit and practise on a regular basis. The only recipe for true knowledge, that matures into wisdom. Later that day I walked the short distance to the cliff top and allowed myself to enjoyed the view. Silently giving thanks for my health, the beauty before me and the gift of Tai Chi. So many times Tai Chi has helped me deal with life's adversities, restored my balance. How can I show people the value of sustained practise of this unique and fascinating art? Well I continue the work as best I can. For having been given so much from the practice of Tai Chi it would be selfish beyond measure not to pass it on to others.
Howard Gibbon - Tai Chi teacher - Author - Publisher
Download our free Tai Chi book and learn the first 20 moves in the comfort of your own home.
Website: http://www.howardgibbon.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Tai-Chi---Saviour-of-My-Sanity&id=6589499] Tai Chi - Saviour of My Sanity

Healing Cancer, Part of the Process

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Philip_B_Martin]Philip B Martin
With the Cancer Healing Process, all healing, regardless of the actions that the person takes, takes place when the existing pattern becomes invalid and stops operating. With diseases such as cancer, it is preferable to swap completely the existing pattern for a new pattern, one of health and happiness. Now this new pattern will typically be the one you were born with. In the book I explain that we all have a pattern of existence, which is like a blueprint of instructions that our unconscious mind follows and therefore our behaviors, beliefs and experience of life develops according to the instructions of the pattern.
When working one on one with a client, it is easy to establish the new pattern which stops the old pattern and the disease process and the client naturally heals, as there is no disease process or resistance. However when you do this yourself, it can be difficult to have a complete pattern transfer (which is the quickest way to heal). Because you are doing the work with yourself, you may unconsciously sabotage the work or meet with resistance. In the book I show you how to do the pattern transfer with a partner, but if you find it difficult or meet resistance, then do these intermediate steps.
1. Realize the pattern is made up of habitual conditioning (that is, years of your pattern running on automatic pilot), beliefs, limitations, ego vulnerability etc.
You change the pattern little by little. With cancer you don't want to start with too little changes, so start with limiting beliefs, which are negative beliefs that adversely impact your life, and this is explained in the book.
Or you can start with a pattern change, that is larger than changing limiting beliefs, but not as large as a complete pattern transformation, but will lead naturally to one.
It goes like this. You will be looking for your main, deepest, darkest negative emotion, that is a large part of your existing pattern. let's take for example Hate.
Let's imagine, we have someone who has hate as their major negative emotion. Now they are likely to hide this hate and not necessarily display it that often, but they feel hate often internally. Now the fact that it is a major emotion, means that it is encoded as a life saving and pro survival. This person may not consciously like hating but the unconscious mind will perceive hating as justified. The hate will be the core of a cluster of negative emotions, an automatic pattern, so to speak. The cluster may consist of blame, distrust, vulnerability and shame.
Let's look at a side issue, how this person may have hate as their major negative emotion. As a young child, they may have been abused, raped, bashed and as a result their brain would have concluded that they were in serious threat of dying. After surviving the event or initial event (if it was repeated) the brain, debriefs the situation and as it was a life threatening situation, the person would have concluded, that they were vulnerable and incapable of guaranteeing their survival (remember this is when they are a child). So the brain has to put in place an action plan, to prevent this happening again and therefore dying. The young child's mind will likely come up with something similar as - "I must distrust everyone (or males, or family etc depending on the situation)", this will lead to being on guard for similar occurrences and "I will (have to) hate everyone one" this guarantees to never let the guard of mistrust down. These are vows as they have absolutes in them, it allows for no flexibility.
To a young mind this seems like an ideal solution. And to keep true to the vow, the memory of the event, will be attached to the statements. And so, this little pattern will be the filter the persons uses in all relating with others. Now the person will feel safe by doing this and this offsets and cost for displaying or feeling this pattern. This pattern gets entrenched year after year. This pattern is a result of an understandable and the best solution at the time, but a knee jerk reaction to a serious threat. As the person has grown, this pattern is no longer pro survival or beneficial, it severely limits the persons joyful, healthy and productive experience of life. Hate denies love, an essential ingredient to a healthy and happy life, the person will also learn to be inflexible, they will fear spontaneity, they will suffer pain and sadness and on and on it goes.
2. Back to this little pattern transformation: To discover your major negative emotion, first of all just imagine or pretend that you are totally safe and indestructible. Now, whilst feeling this, look for your major negative emotion. when you sense what it is, look at the enormous amount of negativity, pain etc it has cost you throughout your life. Sense all the heaviness, sense all the lost opportunities. Keep feeling totally safe, for that emotion thinks it is keeping you safe, when in fact it is preventing you from maturing and gaining self control. See how this emotion weakens you and creates vulnerability.
Now see this emotion and see it as the pattern that it is, it is a pattern or way of living, a way of being. Now can you see that this way of living, is slowly killing you?, this is the irritant, the stress, the wound that the healing cells (which we call cancer) are reacting to and trying to heal and absorb.
3. It is hate or life. Now with all your mind and body, make your decision. Decide with your whole body and mind and feel, life and living flowing into all parts of your mind and body, replacing the hate etc and feel the freedom.
After you have done this, the rest of you limiting beliefs will be on shaky foundations and you can work with these, the big ones are the concepts you have about yourself. limiting beliefs in this area that need transforming are I am worthless, I am not good enough etc.
Cheers for now,
Philip Martin
Philip Martin is a Naturopath, Hypnotherapist and Author of "Life Patterns, the Secret to Emotional Freedom" and "The 5 Step Cancer Healing Process, a clear and defined pathway". He is a gifted therapist based on the Sunshine Coast Qld. Australia. For his website [http://www.healyourcancer.org/]Visit How to Heal Cancer
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Healing-Cancer,-Part-of-the-Process&id=6664770] Healing Cancer, Part of the Process

Tips on How to Improve Memory

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jill_Magso]Jill Magso
Wouldn't it be wonderful to know how to improve memory function? Ever lost your keys and spent hours searching the house for them? Can you recall the name of someone you just met? Remembering things well is something some people seem to pull off effortlessly, but there are some practical steps you can take to improve your memory function.
The part of the brain chiefly responsible for memory is the hippo campus. It operates very efficiently, and stores each and every experience you have. What you can recall, depends on how you look after the health of the hippocampus, and your brain and body generally.
Good tips for improving memory
Exercise
A brisk walk at lunchtime, a weekly swim, or a quick visit to the gym is a good way to increase blood flow to your brain, ensuring it receives oxygen. Gaining weight is not good for the brain, increasing the risk of stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Regular exercise improves the efficiency of blood vessels, which are numerous in the brain, where they transport nutrients. For good brain health and memory, exercise daily, if only for fifteen minutes, for optimum brain health.
Repeat things
There is a time and a place to sound as if you are talking to yourself, and to improve memory you have to try this. You have a 30 percent improved chance of remembering someone's name, after the first time you are introduced, if you repeat the name. Try it and see.
Negative associations
If you need to remember your bosses wife's name is Karol, spell with a K, it is a good idea to pause for several seconds and reach for an association in your head. For example, A Christmas carol is spell with a C, so you can tell yourself, 'not like the Christmas Carol', and you will remember the unusual spelling.
Focus time
In this world of traffic, radio, television and distractions, finding a few moments to focus on things can show you how to improve memory. If you need to stop after work and buy milk and cereal, spend a moment away from your desk, in a quite part of the office, and pay attention to the thought for a few seconds. Really concentrate on it.
Visualize
To remember where you put something, look at what you are doing and say to yourself; 'Here is where I am putting my keys'. There's a lot to be said for how to improve memory function by simply pausing for thought.
Memory games
Sudoku, puzzles and crosswords, played on a regular basis can help keep your brain functioning efficiently. These games of logic exercise the left side and encourage the synapses in the brain to connect ideas. This critical thinking is vital to memory function, as in order for us to figure out any puzzle, our brain will look to the hippo campus, which remembers everything we ever learn, and retrieve the information to help you solve the puzzle in front of you.
Start working on how to improve memory function today.
Learn more [http://www.silvalifesystem.com/articles/memory/how-to-improve-memory]How To Improve Memory
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-on-How-to-Improve-Memory&id=6672428] Tips on How to Improve Memory

Inspired to Greatness

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jock_Brocas]Jock Brocas
Are you inspired to greatness?
What does it mean to be great? What makes an individual great and what do we mean by greatness. Throughout time, there have been many who have tread the path of greatness upon the earth plane, and I often wonder what was the essence that made them that way, what really is greatness, and can we all achieve this level of 'ness' in our own lifetime?
Individuals such as religious leaders, scientists, artists and warriors of all eras have changed the face of humanity in some way. Whether it is the fight for freedom, justice, forgiveness or the inherent search for peace, these men and women have etched their lives into our hearts over time - again and again. Moreover, it is their desire to serve humanity in some way that drives them forward ceaselessly upon heir path. What we must remember is that each individual is just that, an individual, who is the same as you and me in every physiological way, the only difference being the vibration they emit. What this means is that everyone is made up of energy and therefore vibrates at a particular frequency, and the frequency that is omitted attracts the same. Therefore, if you resonate on a higher vibrational plane you will attract to you those of similar vibration. Consequently, the same goes for the lower end of the frequency range.
The individuals of whom we speak, perhaps are also separated from the lower vibratory individual Is primarily due to the level of enlightenment they have already achieved, either by lives lived throughout time, or the culmination of many experiences, both good and bad. And so, vibration and level of enlightenment attained could pal a key factor.
Greatness then can be likened to knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment, and the truth is that we can all reach a level of greatness, even though this may seem so far out of reach. The desire and spiritual growth is what is needed and is reachable for us all, it is your birthright, though not easily attained. Everyone who has achieved something great in their lifetime has experienced the desire to change things for the better either in the immediate environment or on a larger scale. Think about the suffragette movement many years ago. One woman decided that equal rights should be awarded to the female race, and so, she changed the face of ignorant belief and repression. Ghandi fought for freedom and peace by using the desire for peace as his weapon and never once raised a fist in anger. Jesus of Nazareth taught many lessons of the spirit and was persecuted for sharing the knowledge. Another common facet of those who achieve this greatness is the element of suffering that one seems to go through. Personally, I do not feel that suffering is necessary and we should be careful how we cause suffering for the balance has to be restored at some point. But what is remarkable is that everything that was achieved by those individuals came from an innate desire to make things better - even by their own sacrifice in some way. They found their voice and spoke up against what was driven by ignorance, greed and the need for power.
Power is certainly no aphrodisiac but an energy that consumes the individual, then manifests in something great within or something negative because of the beliefs and the desire for more. Power is a dangerous thing and many who seem to have this energy, would do well to respect it and recognize the responsibility they should have. This life is short, what will you do with that power when you pass and have to face up to how you have lived in this lifetime. Will you see yourself for what you really are or be faced with your bill of Karma that has to be repaid. Greatness then cannot be linked to power, for greatness is divine in nature and is the right of every human being on the planet. Every one can make a difference in this lifetime if only they can raise themselves above the ignorance that man has created.
A question still unanswered is "what is the greatness we speak of"? It would seem that one would consider greatness to be an achievement of something out of the ordinary that has caused change for the better in some way. It is not, for greatness can be measured by a simple thing such as service to your fellow brother or sister. What makes you great is the ability you have to exercise your right to be of service, to show some act of kindness, forgiveness or to decide to change something that is of no benefit to something that is of benefit. No matter how small or how large, your greatness is measured by your intent to be of service and your desire and capacity to effect positive change in the world - in speech, the written word or by action. Being mindful of your speech and how you talk to or about someone or something is great. You can achieve greatness in mindful speech by infusing it with positive energy rather than negative energy. Being mindful of your thoughts is great because only you can choose positive or negative thoughts. This is mindfulness of thinking. Deciding to be of service in some way by offering alms or help to someone less fortunate, or deciding to change the way you feel about something or the way you treat someone, this is mindfulness of decision. Every great thing was borne of thought intent and decision. The way you choose to write your words can make you great if done with the right intent.
The truth is that greatness is inspired in everyone throughout the day and we all have the right and the ability to achieve greatness in thought, in deed and in action. Therefore greatness cannot be measured by the amount you have done, but perhaps of the souls you have touched or aided in the journey no matter how you have achieved this. Greatness is not the measure of man's achievement but his service for the greater good of mankind no matter how large or how small the act.
Jock Brocas is a professional Psychic Medium - natural from birth and developed later in life. Jock has dedicated his later years to his own spiritual development and the professional development of his psychic gifts and his Mediumship. Being a professional Psychic Medium is very rewarding but also has its inherent problems. Nevertheless, Jock believes in the sanctity of mediumship and takes his work as a psychic medium very seriously.
Jock is known for giving irrefutable evidence and some of which can be validated much later. Jock is passionate about the science of psychic mediumship and works closely with many professionals in this field. He does not give general information that some psychics throw out and prefers the protocol of scientifically controlled telephone appointments. Jock very rarely gives psychic readings face-to-face.
Jock developed his psychic gifts and mediumship later in life when he was visited by a spirit. At first, this visitation shocked him and terrified him, which led him into the true vocation he was here for, a psychic medium's life. He learned from his past and recognized that he was being groomed to work for spirit all his life - from growing up with spiritual leaders and spending time with religious communities - the path was being prepared. He is also a trained vocalist and is currently working on an Album to be released at some point in the future.
Jock Brocas (Psychic Medium) has studied many martial arts in the past and dedicated his later years to the study of Budo. He has amalgamated what he has learned in Budo and as a psychic medium to help change individuals lives for the better.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Inspired-to-Greatness&id=6679409] Inspired to Greatness

Want To Become An Energy Healer?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rob_Ive]Rob Ive
If you've considered becoming a professional energy healer then you might be thinking: how do I get started? Are there any regulations I need to know about? What pitfalls are there?
But before all that, you need to discover which branch of energy healing 'floats your boats'. Energy medicine is a general term that covers a number of different modalities such as reiki, qigong and EFT. But it's evolving quickly. New techniques are coming along all the time, and these often bring together the best practices of the more traditional therapies.
Training
The best way forward is not to rush. Take some time to have a look at what's available, and go with your instincts. If you're still uncertain, book a treatment with an energy healer who practices the modality you believe you may find interesting.
This is a great way to get a sense of whether a particular discipline is the one for you. You can ask questions too, not just about the therapy, but also about the training your healer has had.
These days, you don't even have to go to classes for your training. There are plenty of excellent online courses you can download, and the best come with one-to-one email support.
Certification
If you can, sign up for a course which gives you a certification at the end. This will give both you and your clients confidence in your abilities.
Your final goal might well be to practice as a professional energy healer, although right now you may not feel quite prepared to charge a fee for your services. So there's nothing wrong with gaining experience and skill through healing others for free. The bonus with doing this is that you'll get more clients through recommendation.
Energy medicine is a new profession and because of this, there are as yet few agreed standards of practice which have been set down. So in the meantime, it's a good idea to provide a disclosure statement for your clients, stating that as an energy healer you are not licenced by any government department, nor are you a licenced physician.
Of course, always encourage your clients to continue with their medical care if they are receiving any.
And finally, so that you don't feel as though you are on your own, consider joining an organisation which promotes energy healing, where you can get help, advice, courses and where you can meet other healers. You'll be able to find these on the internet.
Would you like to know how to heal yourself, others and animals even at a distance? For more information please visit [http://www.healing-by-energy.com]Healing-By-Energy.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Want-To-Become-An-Energy-Healer?&id=6613295] Want To Become An Energy Healer?

Reflection: Your Outer Being Reflects Your Inner Being

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Howard_Frederick_Gibbon]Howard Frederick Gibbon
As I walk along the harbour I pause for a while to rest on one of the many vacant seats. Sitting there looking out across the bay I enjoy the quiet and solitude. The light from the street lamps is reflected in the water, and as the water ripples disturbed by the cold evening breeze, the spot of light that is the reflection of the bulb in the street lamp is duplicated on each ripple. The ripples stretch away from the harbour wall towards the wharf where the boats are moored, here the water is less affected by the wind and the ripples fade away and with them the lamps reflection fades too. I look up at the lamps in the street and then down at the reflections stretching away from the harbour wall. The water disturbed by the wind creates ripples and these ripples reflect the light from the lamp. When the water is calm it will only reflect a single light, a near perfect replica of the original. Yet when the water is disturbed it reflects many more lights, and the more reflections there are the more distorted they become. We are like this, disturbed by the winds of existence we are rippled and become a many faceted reflection of the shining light that is the supreme spirit. Like the distorted reflections of the street lamp I gaze upon we become distorted too. Instead of being a unique replica of the one real light and radiating that true light in our own individual way, we allow the winds of life to disturb our naturally calm interior, we become ruffled, we lose our equilibrium, we become confused and lose our way, becoming disconnected from our own personal Tao.
It is late evening and there are only a few people about. I reflect on the changing scene, the movement from summer to autumn has produced a metamorphosis to the area. A few short weeks ago the harbour, beach and streets were teeming with holiday makers. Some walked along like me enjoying the scenery by themselves, some walked hand in hand with lovers, husband or wife sometimes followed by children whilst others filtered into the amusements, pubs and clubs seeking entertainment. I wondered how anyone could come to such a beautiful place and then spend all their time in a pub drinking themselves into oblivion. Presumably they do it in an effort to escape from the unpleasant boring existence which they have to endure the rest of the year. How anyone could feverishly play bingo hour after hour, blind to the natural beauty all around, preferring the material gain which is theirs when they complete that magic line or fill up those four corners on their card, eager to take back home more than they came with, a modern measure of success; the acquisition of material possessions, all this I find hard to understand, to me it seems like some self-inflicted torture.
As I sit reflecting on these things I remember that I have done all those things and more, I have no right to judge, I do not know who these people are and their struggle with the daily toil of existence may well be fraught with more difficulties than I encounter. They must travel their path and I must travel mine. I have made a conscious effort to change my life. Perhaps these people do not realise they have a choice, caught in the stream of life, they move with whoever seems to know what to do and where to go, the one who battles hardest again the flow and makes the most disturbance is the most easily seen, and they get lost in the struggle to emulate this prominent apparently successful example. Blinded by fear, fear of being different, fear of the unknown, fear of failure in a world ruled by material values. Full of fear they huddle together like sheep, for there is safety in numbers, so they say. But huddled together with most of their movement dictated by the group, this stifles individual development, restricts their individual freedom. To always be looking outwards to what you want to be, to where you want to go, to be always searching for more material growth to satisfy the modern view of what a successful person should be like, in this there is no personal freedom, no personal happiness.
To have the courage to look within to see who you are, to learn to know yourself, this I believe is the way to personal happiness and freedom. When you know who you are THEN you know the way forwards. This knowledge can I believe only be reached by searching within, if you do not know who you are, how can you possible come to know your own personal path (Tao). Trying to be what others would have us be is of no use. If we listen to others who believe they know what is best for us and then follow that advise blindly, this is surely foolish and places us in the same realm as automated machines and robots. Once we follow this path our actions become mechanical, predictable and no longer able to cope with the ever changing conditions that life puts before us. Reality is chaos and needs spontaneous action, not mechanical reactions.
When the sea is rough it stirs up the sand near the shore and breaks away the coastline. Disturbed water in a pond brings the mud to the surface. A ruffled mind raises sediment to the surface and all manner of calamities follow. Looking at nature is one way I find useful to calm the mind, which allows the sediment to sink, so that my thoughts are purified again. Looking at the hills, mountains, lakes, rivers, the sea and open skies, one can learn to put ones own troubles in perspective, for in the great scheme of things they do not amount to much. But in the great scheme of things YOU count for a lot, everything in fact. The most important person in your life is YOU. The more you come to know your true self, who you really are, where you come from, the better balanced you will become, a truer reflection of the shining light. Your mind will become more tranquil and serenity will follow. But this act of gaining self knowledge can only be initiated by you, following someone else because they have a lifestyle that seems good or a disposition you think you would like to have too will not do it. A conscious effort on your part to be still, to look and see, to listen and hear what goes on outside of you and how this movement effects you. What emotions, desires and fears does this outward movement raise in you? By looking at yourself in this way whilst remaining calm, refusing to let the momentum on the outside effect you personal equilibrium, if you can train yourself to do this, then the true nature of the situation will become clear to you. If you allow yourself to enter into the situation, you will be affected by the disturbance and lose your clarity of thought and any action you may take in the light of this will be distorted to the degree that you are disturbed.
To learn anything one needs time and patience and of course a good teacher. Through conscious effort the first two can be secured. By exercising self-discipline by consciously setting aside time to accomplish the task, then by patient study we can set ourselves on the road to knowledge. Our collages and universities are full of students studying a diverse range of subjects with which to enhance their careers. Finding a teacher for these subjects to acquire knowledge of the external side of life is relatively easy. For those interested in self development in a spiritual sense, finding a teacher with special knowledge, esoteric knowledge is another matter because often those who claim to have this knowledge are charlatans who line their pockets with gullible peoples money whilst proclaiming their virtue and offering instant enlightenment, at a price. The genuine Master is not a prominent figure who is easily found, he or she goes about their work without the flashy glib self advertising of the charlatan. True Masters speak in simple terms so that they can be understood by all, they do not need to use complicated language to elevate themselves, their very presence and their natural sincerity ennobles them. When they teach in whatever form that may take, they do just that they teach, they use simple language and actions to pass on the knowledge that they have been given. This knowledge is there for all to see but is often missed because most people are unable to see the profound truths in such humble behaviour, their minds are blinded by the simplicity of it. They prefer to define what they see and hear, prefer to look for complicated structures to analyse, then link the conclusions they reach to similar patterns stored in their memories. Unable to still the mind and just see and hear without introducing their own ideas into the equation, they cast a cloud over what they are being shown that dims their perception of the truth. If you shut out the light, then whether this is intentional or through ignorance it makes no difference, the result is the same; you will be blind.
This I believe is why so many false prophets appear and collect followers so easily, they give people what they want, smart clever phases to repeat, told of what they will experience through the practices they are given, they then set out to accomplish these goals, for most illusions quickly follow. You are in charge of your destiny no one else, only you can find your own path, let no-one else tell you what you are. A true Master will show you how to reach deep within yourself so you can be your own salvation from the trammel and confusion that surrounds us all during the movement that is our existence. As the Moon (Yin) and Sun (Yang) exert their influence on the sea and cause the tides to disturb the calm waters, so does the Yin and Yang of our own life cause us to loose our equilibrium disturbing our minds in the process.
So learning to still the mind and bring it under your control is of paramount importance if you wish to learn the inner knowledge, to know who you are, what your path in life is, from where you came and to where you will return. Logic, the man made tool used to define our external material world will have to be dispensed with temporarily, it has no use here it will only hinder progress, for logic interferes with the truth and tries to categories things placing them in compartments with the known, the collection of things learnt from past experiences and stored in memory. These experiences will never be repeated. You may experience similar circumstances but they will never be exactly the same.
The new is always fresh, the vibrant truth cannot be linked to the past, the past is gone, irretrievable, lifeless now, spent. The future awaits us. But the present is here now, this is where the truth is, in the precious present. And to see it we must still the mind so we can experience it completely, see it clearly, just as it is.
The mind to me is like the sea, the surface is easily ruffled by the wind but the deep waters are more tranquil. The surface of the mind the part we use in everyday life to deal with the necessities of survival, making a living etc is easily disturbed. The deeper parts of the mind are rarely used by most people, some say that we use only one tenth of the minds capacity. By taking time to be alone, time to shut out everyday influences so the surface of the mind can be calmed, we can reach the deeper recesses of the mind, reach the source, become in touch with our true nature unfettered by the external movement of man.
As all artists know, the reflection of colours in water shows the light colours darker and the dark colours lighter. The reflection we see of ourselves in a mirror is not how we look to other people. Therefore to look at our outward reflection and then accept this as the truth is folly. To ask others for an appraisal based on their view, as to how they see us and how they feel about our behaviour, has great value and is useful as feedback as to how others see you. However, this view of you as expressed by others must not be taken to be the whole truth, for it will inevitably be clouded by their own individual perception. The truth, the whole truth requires you to work on yourself, to still the mind to bring it under your conscious control. When you have calmed the waters of your mind and the impurities have sunk, then you will be able to see with a clarity that previously you denied yourself. So be still, look around you and just watch, see the beauty in nature, see also the ruthlessness and violence, but do not focus only on the negative aspect of things. See the evil deeds done by others who seek power over their fellow man and to gain great material riches, see their anger and unhappiness; see the kindness shown to others by some who help their fellow men and find pleasure in doing so without demanding or expecting any excessive reward, see their happy joyous faces. Then look at yourself and see the good and the bad, see the truth. For not until you can see the truth within yourself can you consciously choose, choose to hinder or help, choose to destroy or build, choose to be aggressive or kindly, choose to hate or love.
We cannot always be correct, our behaviour will always be seen by some to be bad no matter how hard we try to be good, the prospective of others and therefore their expectations will not always match ours. Man by his very nature destroys things to live.
The food we eat to sustain us even if we do not eat the flesh of others animals is produced by violent means. We pick fruits and vegetables, pull the fruit from their trees and bushes, pluck the vegetables out of the ground. We harvest the grains, cut them down so we may live on. However, if we endeavour not to over indulge ourselves and not unnecessarily waste food, there will be more for those who have not enough. If we take only what we need we will not become obese through over eating; but we must take enough for our needs if we are to develop properly physically and mentally, if we have not enough food we cannot sustain a good quality existence. So to eat too little through fear of getting fat or depriving others less fortunate than ourselves would be foolish. Both extremes produce poor health and deny us the ability to express ourselves fully. Balance is as always the key and as always you must find your own balanced diet.
Improvements, real improvements, are made not by looking at others and then seeing their faults setting about correcting them. This would require us to exert our will upon others which will cause us to become self-righteous and impose our beliefs by force, whether that force be of a physical nature or mental manipulation or through force of law. I believe real improvement, can only be made when we decide to look within ourselves, and then consciously make an effort to create an improvement within the self, thereby making an improvement, albeit a small one, to the whole of mankind. The more people that do this the greater the overall improvement will be. The harmony and kinship that follows will create long term peace and progress unlike the short term improvement that is the result of coercing others to follow rules and laws dictated to them, for as soon as the force or the fear of punishment is no longer present its influence swiftly disappears. Amendments and betterment to ourselves will influence humanity as a whole for the good and create a higher existence here on earth, one that can be sustained indefinitely; sustained by our own will. The Tao/God gives us free will to make our own choices, let us use this gift wisely.
I wish you all I wish for myself.
Howard Gibbon - Tai Chi teacher - Author - Publisher
Download our free Tai Chi book and learn the first 20 moves in the comfort of your own home.
Website: http://www.howardgibbon.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Reflection:-Your-Outer-Being-Reflects-Your-Inner-Being&id=6676394] Reflection: Your Outer Being Reflects Your Inner Being

Hypnotherapy Concepts

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Maureen_Hamilton]Maureen Hamilton
Chances are you have heard of hypnosis, but you may not believe in it: many people are sceptical when it comes to anything that has to do with trances or altered-states of mind that are not induced by drugs. However, hypnosis is a very real phenomenon that can have many therapeutic benefits. In order to better understand how hypnosis can help people, it is important to first understand how it works, so let's discuss the concept of hypnosis in a little more depth.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is an imaginative mental state of mind and it is typically characterized by heightened focus, concentration and inner absorption. Hypnosis is induced by hypnotic induction, a process that involves a long series of questions and instructions. Hypnotic induction can be administered by a hypnotist or by the subject him or herself. Contrary to popular belief, subjects who have been hypnotized are not asleep or engaging in sleepwalking, but rather are awake and responding to and focusing on the suggestions of the hypnotist.
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the term used when hypnosis is used for therapeutic purposes. Hypnotherapists use guided relaxation, intense concentration, and focus to help their patients achieve a heightened sense of awareness (a kind of "trance") in which they are able to zone in on specific behavioural issues and address them by making positive changes.
Hypnotherapy can help modify a variety of behaviours and habits and it is dependent on the power of the mind, not mind-altering drugs. In this way, hypnotherapy is not at all dangerous-the only danger is that it may or may not work in helping you achieve a specific behavioural goal, but it will not harm your body in any way. Hypnosis will not cause you to lose control of your free will, only make you more open to suggestions, so it is not a form of mind control or manipulation. It is completely safe and many patients find it extremely helpful in changing the way they about things and perceive things.
Hypnotherapy can be used to help a patient quit smoking and relieve stress, anxiety, depression, phobias, and sleep disorders. It is considered an aid to psychotherapy and it has become increasingly popular as people are becoming more aware of how much power the mind has in influencing the way we think and behave-we are the creators of our thoughts and our thoughts are the creators of our actions. There are many certified hypnotherapists and there are hypnotherapy organizations in America, England, and Australia as well as in various countries across the globe.
If you have some habits that you are looking to change, are struggling with a psychological condition, or are just seeking ways to expand your mind and the way you think about the world, hypnosis offers a great chance to condition your thinking in positive, creative, and helpful ways and it is definitely worth considering when looking for ways to improve your quality of life.
About the Author
Maureen Hamilton is an Integrated Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner, Hypnotherapist and a Demartini Method Facilitator. Maureen has previously worked in many areas of health in Australia as well as overseas. Her health background includes training in general and midwifery nursing, mental health and children's behavioural issues (including the effects of emotional trauma especially in children). Maureen is very much involved in promoting and assisting people to obtain optimal health and is absolutely committed to helping people to stop smoking and/or lose weight naturally using Hypnosis and NLP.
If you would like to find out more, visit http://masteryourlifepower.com and and talk to Maureen about your requirements.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Hypnotherapy-Concepts&id=6682365] Hypnotherapy Concepts

Perseverance and Adaptation

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shamala_Tan]Shamala Tan
When I first brought my dog home more than 10 years ago, she was a pretty wild one. As she was badly abused by her previous owners, she was neurotic and a little violent at times. I suffered from bites, scratches and minor injury for the first few months of my life with her. I didn't know how to control her and so I bought all kinds of books on dog training and tried to undo some of the damage she went through in her previous home.
She was obviously not an easy dog to train. I tried all the methods that the books talked about. And the success rates for discipline was only 10%. She would either try to pounce on other people around or she would try to hide if there was a big group of people walking towards us. My whole apartment was wrecked. She bit off a huge chunk of my sofa so there was sponge foam everywhere when I came home one day. She pulled down my curtains and bit all my nice candles, pictures, shoes, anything you can think of. My nicely decorated living room soon became an empty shell filled only with dog toys. Fleeting thoughts of giving up and sending her to the SPCA came to my mind. But I persevered because I believe every living creature deserves a chance. Over time the success rate for discipline, even though it did not go very much higher, did not deter me. After a couple of years she began to tone down on her boisterous behaviour. She was more calm and steady and realised eventually that I was unlike her previous owners. I can't say that her discipline level went beyond 50% but I still felt it was a great success.
Today, the same dog is older and deaf. She is still a live wire at times, and because she is now deaf, the learned ways of disciplining her has been thrown out of the window. We are now starting all over again with new methods of discipline. She has started to steal food off the kitchen counter, she does things she is not supposed to and all commands have been ignored because she can no longer hear. But my motivation to discipline my dog has always been the same - to be sure that she remains safe and harm free.
This experience with my dog has taught me many lessons on perseverance and adaptation.
We all have different reasons why we succumb to addictions and bad habits because we all have different experiences in life. But what we must do in order to break out of any bad habits/addictions is to persevere. Our life's circumstances may change over time and so adapting our methods to master our addictions must be done wisely. What may work yesterday may not work today. But our motivation should remain the same and that is to be liberated and to claim our mastery of self.
Shamala Tan is the founder of [http://www.bespiritualandrich.com/blog]http://www.bespiritualandrich.com a system devoted to teaching teaching spiritual small business entrepreneurs around the world how to consistently create abundance and resources in their lives in order to manifest, fulfill and expand their life's mission. You may contact Shamala at  [mailto:info@shamalatan.com]info@shamalatan.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Perseverance-and-Adaptation&id=2057836] Perseverance and Adaptation