Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Dreaming of Life

Lose Your Dream, Lose Your Life!

In New York City, a young cop by the name of Joseph was shot in the left eye and right knee during an arrest operation. 3 months later, he was discharged from the hospital and he is a totally different person.

Once a macho, high-spirited handsome young chap, he now was blind and lame. The New York City’s government and other organizations awarded him lots of medals for what he had done. During an interview, a reporter asked him: “How are you going to face such a great change in your life now?” “The criminal is still on the loose and I want to arrest him with my own hands!” He answered with fury in the eye that escaped the shot.

From then onwards, despite dissuasion from all levels, he participated in all arrest operations for that criminal. He had almost gone all over America. Once he even flew to Europe for a minor clue.

9 years later, the criminal was finally caught somewhere in a small country in Asia. Joseph, of course, played a key role in the arrest. He became a hero again. Everybody called him the toughest and bravest man in USA. Not long after, Joseph cut his wrist and died in his own apartment. He left a message that read like this: “All these years, arresting the criminal was my only reason for living. Now that he who has injured me has been brought to justice, my hatred is gone. And so is my reason for living. I have never felt so despair over my handicap.”

Losing a healthy eye or leg is a great distress. But losing your aim or meaning in life after that would mean losing everything. And that is truly tragic. Please do not lose your dream or aim or meaning in life because you need them to keep you alive.

Honman is the owner http://www.my1stopcentre.com and http://www.openyourmindtoprosperity.com He is an internet marketer, an IT professional and a webmaster. He attended lots of seminar in internet marketing and self-improving course and seminars. Please visit for more information. Download a FREE Attraction Accelerator Report at http://www.openyourmindtoprosperity.com/attractionaccelerator.pdf

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Writing a Mission and Vision Statement

Last year, I attended a seminar where the attendees were asked to define their personal mission or purpose in one sentence. Out of about a group of about three hundred people, fewer than a dozen were able to articulate a mission statement.

It’s not that living with purpose is a low priority for most of us. Research by Richard J. Leider and David Shapiro, authors of Repacking Your Bags, found that the number one deadly fear of most people is “having lived a meaningless life.”

Why, then, does writing a mission statement seem like such a daunting task?

I believe the main reason lies in the lack of practical resources. Though you can avail yourself of prolific advice about writing mission statements from management experts and from books, the Internet, and so forth—most of this information is complex and confusing. Also, most of these resources target corporations and organizations, providing little practical advice for an individual who wants to craft a personal mission statement.

When you were a child you probably learned how to start a fire by focusing sunlight through a magnifying glass. Sunlight alone could not start the fire; it had to be focused through the magnifying glass. This reflects a basic principle of solar energy—though a large amount of sunlight falls on the earth, the light is diffused. For the sun to be utilized for heating, solar energy units must be designed to collect and concentrate the light.

The same principle applies to purpose. It must be focused to produce results. With no focus, there is no mechanism for establishing direction or goals. As Diana Scharf Hunt said, “Goals are dreams with deadlines.”

Committing yourself to defining your purpose is the perhaps the most important task you could ever engage in. “Discovering your purpose will put your life into crystal-clear perspective,” says Mark Victor Hansen in an Internet article “Conceptualize your Purpose.” “You will see another world, one in which you are a necessary and intricate spoke in the wheel.”

Your Personal Mission Statement

What is a mission statement? Since the focus of this article is on personal life purpose, as opposed to a corporate or organizational purpose, I’m going to simplify the process with the aim of making it easy for individuals who desire to articulate their purpose. Let’s use the following definitions:

Mission Statement: Concise statement of your life purpose. Vision Statement: Concise statement of the unique and distinctive ways that you will accomplish your purpose.

The first place to start is your mission statement. I will use the terms “mission” and “purpose” interchangeably. Choose the term you like best.

Think of your mission statement as a general statement encompassing your reason for existence—in other words, a broad statement of what you hope to accomplish. It does not include the distinctive ways that you intend to accomplish your purpose; that will be articulated in your vision statement.

Your mission statement will help you stay on course. In First Things First, Stephen Covey emphasizes the motivation and energy that result from an effective mission statement. “What we’re talking about here is not simply writing a statement of belief. We’re talking about accessing and creating an open connection with the deep energy that comes from a well-defined, thoroughly integrated sense of purpose and meaning in life.”

Before you develop your mission statement, it is important to understand what a mission statement is not. It is not a to-do list. Nor is it a statement of strategies or methods. It is not a job description. Jobs and roles change through life’s different seasons; purpose embodies a broad vision that encompasses all your roles.

You may not see a clear picture right now, and that’s fine. Relax. Don’t sweat it. Enjoy the process.

In other words, your mission statement is not written in stone. You can and should revisit it periodically. Most likely you will revise and fine-tune it time and again. Don’t be concerned about whether it is precisely accurate. Pray and ask God to lead you in this endeavour.

Take time out from your busy schedule to prayerfully reflect on your personal mission, as you understand it at this point on your journey. Look at the big picture, and ask yourself questions like, Who am I? Why am I here? What are my desires and dreams? What is my mission, or purpose?

Defining your purpose should be a stimulating and motivating exercise. It should stir enthusiasm and excitement.

Many people feel that purpose must relate to a vision of achieving something of great magnitude or something that affects a nation or even the entire world. But purpose does not necessarily involve grandiose ideas.

I like what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Everyone has the power for greatness—not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”

Defining your passions within a larger context will help you articulate your purpose.

Successful people not only have a clear vision of what they want to do, but why. The why is as important as the what, for it is the why that fuels vision and keeps you motivated when you face setbacks.

Understanding why you want to do something will help you define your purpose. For example, perhaps you believe you are called to leadership in the business arena. Ask yourself, Why do I want to do this?

Think about how you can use your gifts to seek others. Always seek to understand the big picture – the purpose for your passions and talents.

Now get out some paper or your Palm Pilate or laptop or whatever communications gadget you like best, and begin drafting your mission statement. I’ll say it again—do not obsess about getting it perfect. I wrote and rewrote my mission statement many times. And who knows, I may refine it again in the future.

Keep revising it until you can define it in one clear, concise sentence.

Here is my mission statement: “To inspire and equip women to reach their divine potential.”

Notice that this statement does not include the specifics of how I will accomplish my mission. It says nothing about the unique and distinctive strategies I will employ for achieving my purpose.

Your Vision Statement

Now that you have defined your mission statement in one sentence, you are ready to take the next step and craft your vision statement. The vision statement adds the all-important how. It defines the distinctive and specific ways that you will accomplish your mission.

As George Barna says in The Power of Vision, “While the mission statement is philosophic in nature, the vision statement is strategic in nature.” While mission relates to general approaches, “vision relates to specific actions.”

Your vision statement propels your mission to specific strategies. Specifying the primary activities you will pursue to accomplish your purpose, it reflects your unique passions, talents, and skills.

You should be able to define your vision statement in one concise paragraph. The first sentence of this paragraph is your mission statement. The next one or two sentences specify how you will accomplish your mission.

Your vision statement will evolve over time, reflecting your character development and the acquisition of more skills and experience.

At one time, my vision statement read as follows: “To inspire and equip women to reach their divine potential. This will be accomplished by writing articles and books and by speaking at conferences and seminars.”

As time went on, I revised my vision statement to the following: “To inspire and equip women to reach their divine potential. This will be accomplished by writing articles, columns, books, and e-books; by publishing an online women’s magazine; and by speaking at conferences and seminars.”

Notice that the first sentence (my mission statement) did not change. The next sentence, which encompasses how I will achieve my mission, continues evolving.

Thousands of other women may have the same mission statement as mine but have different vision statements reflecting their unique gifts and callings.

For example, one woman might reach the same mission as mine through counselling. Her vision statement might read something like this: “To inspire and equip women to reach their divine potential. This will be accomplished through personal counselling.”

Another woman might have a vision statement like this: “To inspire and equip women to reach their divine potential. This will be accomplished by coaching women in leadership and business management skills.”

Can you see how the vision statement encompasses uniqueness and specificity? It is the vision statement—not the mission statement—that reflects your unique gifts and strategies.

Your vision statement serves as a compass to keep things going in the right direction. It helps you measure your progress, set goals, establish priorities, and know when to use one of the most important words in your vocabulary: No.

One of my favourite movies is Apollo 13. I never fail to be inspired by the courage and resourcefulness of the astronauts amid unimaginable pressure and seemingly impossible odds. On top of a litany of other crippling technical problems, the astronauts were faced with the reality that their oxygen could run out, they could be poisoned by carbon dioxide accumulations, or they could freeze to death. Even if they managed to return to the earth’s atmosphere, they had to enter at precisely the right angle.

If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll recall there were many decisions and actions that contributed to their successful landing. One of those actions was ensuring they kept the earth in sight at all times, for they had lost their navigational equipment.

In the same way, your vision statement will keep you moving in the right direction. It will help you stay focused on the big picture, even when facing emotional upheaval, discouragement, obstacles, and all the other distractions that life throws at you.

Mission and vision statements provide focus to your purpose. As Henry David Thoreau said, “In the long run men only hit what they aim for.”

Judy Rushfeldt is an author, speaker, and online magazine publisher (http://www.LifeToolsforWomen.com) whose passion is to help women reach their dreams. This article is an excerpt from her latest book, Making Your Dreams Your Destiny - a woman's guide to awakening your passions and fulfilling your purpose. Making Your Dreams Your Destiny is available in quality bookstores in Canada and the United States. To read more about this book or to order online, visit: http://www.MakingYourDreams.com

Thursday, October 4, 2007

So is the Law of Attraction real or just another marketing gimmick?

The Truth About The Law Of Attraction

Everyone is talking about the Secret. From Oprah to David Letterman, it is the new media buzz.

The Secret is a movie about the Law of Attraction. The Law of Attraction has been around since the beginning of mankind but only a select few knew what was it about. Those who knew and understood the law were some of the most successful men of the history of mankind.


The truth is nobody really knows. Law of Attraction can go by any other name but essentially the Law of Attraction is everywhere and is working every single second : Whatever you think about and focus on, you will bring about. This is a proven fact based on many examples of famous men in the history of mankind. Thomas Edison, a man that changed the history of men totally, had never gave up his dream even though he kept failing. It is this unwavering focus and determined drive which he had that eventually brought or "attracted" what he wanted.

However, many men and women found much difficulty in using the Law of Attraction to bring about the things that they want in life. In the end, most of these men and women often ended up proclaiming that the Law of Attraction does not work.

There are 3 things that can thwart your effort in using the Law of Attraction :

1. Doubt.
When you have even a tiniest doubt about the Law of Attraction, whatever it is that you are trying to attract will move further away from you. Having doubt in yourself or your own instinct will also deter the attraction. Why? The Universe will often in its own way, present to you opportunities to help you but you may not have jumped at these opportunities due to your doubt.

2. Negativity.
When you focus on negative thoughts like "I do not want debt in my life", more debt will come into your life instead. The Universe does not understand "I want" vs "I do not want". It only knows that it will give to you whatever thing you focus on. Thus, why not focus on "I am a millionaire on 31st January 2009" instead?

3. Taking No Action.
This may be due to your laziness or due to self doubt as in Point 1. Imagine having the best no-risk opportunities presented to you but yet you do not take action, do you think you will be able to successfully attract all the things you want in your life?

Once you can eliminate the above points, the Universe will start arranging the events in your life to attract the things that you want into your life. All you have to do is be patient, be grateful to whatever you have now and never give up. To accelerate the process of attracting, start focusing and visualizing what you want every single day.

If you want to attract abundance and wealth in your life, Alison recommends Bob Proctor's The Science of Getting Rich Program that guides you step-by-step on how to attract wealth, health and riches. You can get a FREE interview report with Bob Proctor here: http://www.abundanceattracting.com

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Study the Laws of Attraction

Change How You Say It, Change Your Attractiveness

Language, whether it’s emerging from our mind, our heart, or our lips, says a lot about ourselves. It tells others what state we're in at the time, actually where we are in our life, as well as how we dress our self, our body and our soul. It also tells us what we will do now, what we did in the past, and what we will do in the future. Yet, we are so comfortable with our own voice and too busy to hear its voice that negative expressions escape constantly. Does what you say and how you say it count? U-betcha.

For those of you that are a student with the laws of attraction , also known as manifesting what you desire with the power of energy, this is another way you can use the law for your benefit. Let me expound on this in the simplest of ways.

What you say is how you are. There are usually many ways to say what you say. Many ways will not attract, others will. Let’s journey together on this with an example. Let’s use an expression we tend to use more mindfully and less expressively, "I could care less."

"I could care less," taken literally means "I care more than I might seem to." You are saying that you do care some and that isn't what you intended to mean which was not caring at all. The true way to state your feelings would be, "I couldn't care less." It may sound harsher yet it’s the truth. It is important to be true to your words.

Being true in your language is a vital step to being in a place of truth in yourself and in the world. As a I child, my Dad drummed the expression into me, and probably you as well, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Practicing the laws isn't about sugar coating your feelings or your language. It’s about expressing them from your own truth. But what the saying tells us that even though we can acknowledge this as our truth we don't have to express that truth verbally.

Because we are so comfortable with our language that we have stopped hearing what we are saying 90% of the time. The only way to catch your language is to use this exercise.

Here is a practice that will help you begin your journey in how to uncover the truth to your language. It will also change your hearing process anytime you speak. After listening consciously to your words, then and only then, can you begin a strong path to attractiveness. Also, hearing and acknowledging what you said takes courage. Is it easy to listen to yourself? Heck no. To me, my voice sounds like chalk squeaking on a blackboard. Focus on the outcome to move past the squeal. The shift in attractiveness is well worth the practice.

Audio record your telephone conversations. Just your side of the conversation. There isn't any country or state laws that affect you since they are one sided like there are in recording two-way conversations or in-person conversations. And you don't have to ask the other person’s permission.

Extra tip: This is also a great way to improve your marketing and telephone skills as well.

Listen to the recording. Listen for the incomplete sentences, unfinished thoughts, and vocal expressiveness or flatness. Did you really say what you meant? What wasn't said that you thought you said? What wasn't finished and you thought it was? What words were slung together that attracted the opposite of what you wanted?

Extra tip: Tape record your conversations with your children. We become so comfortable with those that we love our language sabotages our relationships frequently. Especially with teenagers.

Awareness and acknowledgment are the first two steps to changing anything. We can't do either without hearing it first. And you can't change what you don't acknowledge. Attractive language allows you to walk a different path through life. Take the leap, find just enough courage to practice this exercise, it may be painful at times, but it will rewrite your life and all those that touch it.

(c) Copyright, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.

Catherine Franz is a Life and Business Coach and Master Practitioner in the Laws of Attraction. Catherine guides others in finding the light of their own existence and walking an attractive truth in their own lives. http://www.abundancecenter.com blog: http://abundance.blogs.com

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Mantras are such a meditative science

Mantra Chanting
WHAT IS A MANTRA?
The word mantra has its origins in ‘Man’(Manan)and ‘Tra’(Trana). ‘Trana’ means salvation from the worldly ties, in this manner, from the terms ‘Manan’(EkUkUk) and ‘Trana’(=k.k) evolved the word ‘Mantra’. Constant chanting and meditating on Mantras give rise to Bhakti(devotion)and divine energy. Constant contemplation and meditation of the worshipped deity gives rise to divine energy and results in success in efforts and protection from misfortune because of the intrinsic energy of mantra.
Mantra reaches the worshipped deity in the form of sound vibrations reverberating throughout the atmosphere like radio waves and repetitive chanting of a Mantra gives rise to the development of a divine energy within and bestows unlimited power on the devotee. Various Mantras have the subtle energies of various deities in a basic form. As before sowing a seed we cannot see the tree, fruits and flowers but after we sow that same seed in the soil, it grows into a full-fledged tree and is visible to everyone and this tree also grows fruits and flowers. In the same manner, a Mantra is an external manifestation of the invisible deity within which after continuous care and watering grows fruits and flowers.
There are two kinds of Mantras : -1. Tantrik Mantras2. Vedic Mantras
Tantrik mantras are the ones we call ‘Beeja Mantras’ whereas Vedic Mantras are the ones that are followed under the Vedic system.
Every mantra has to be chanted for a definite number of times. Every mantra is a deification of a unique combination of miraculous sound vibrations and divine power of the deity and the deity we worship is the one who bestows its blessings on us and this very frequency of the underlying vibrations in a mantra brings us in communion with the divine deity.
The power of a mantra is greater than even the nuclear power and every person gets results in accordance with his own positive or negative vibrations. Every mantra has been tested and approved by our Rishis and Munis. Mantras should be chanted only with a pure heart and mind and it is only the correct pronounciation of a mantra that gives the desired results.
Mantras are such a meditative science in which only by following the proper method one can get the desired results.
RULES T O BE OBSERVED WHILE CHANTING OF MANTRAS : -
1 Have complete devotion and faith in the Mantra. Repose your complete faith in the deity being worshipped.2 Keep a peaceful mind.3 While chanting of Mantras never let your mind be distracted.(concentrate deeply)4 Put your complete will power in the chanting of Mantra.5 Never be afraid while the chanting of Mantra.6 Never change your place before your Mantrik meditation is complete.7 Perform Mantrik meditation as laid down in our scriptures.8 From the beginning to the end of the meditational chanting of Mantra do not change incense(Dhoop), lamp(Deepak), asana, beads(Mala) and clothes.9 While the chanting of Mantra keep non-vegetarian food and liquor strictly away from your house.10 After bathing and with complete purity perform the chanting of Mantra.11 Never use Mantra power or attainment for negative purposes.
While chanting of Mantra all these things should be taken special care of. At the same time, always undertake “Samkalpa” at the starting of the chanting of Mantra and receive its results at the end of the chanting of Mantra.
Pt. SUNIL SHARMA, DIRECTOR- ASTROLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTRE
Pt. Sunil Sharma was serving as assistant director from 1990 till 2002 and as director of Astrological Research Centre since then which was established in 1952 by late Pt. Raja Ram Shastri. This organization has made outstanding contributions in the field of research and personal predictions. A postgraduate in Political Science and Sanskrit, he has been involved in original research work on astrology for past 15 years. He also launched the website (http://www.astrocent.com) of this august i nstitution on 24th December, 2004 which makes accessible to all original research work, criticism and a host of other concepts associated with astrology in the form of research and criticism articles which are nowhere else to be found on the world wide web. Another special feature of this website is manual horoscope which is a completely novel concept on the web. He does not believes in computerized astrological predictions as well as calculations and has also given the reasons in his research articles on the website.
Money MantraMantra Chant Gayatri Mantra Mission Statement or MantraWhat Is Mantra

Personal power comes from embracing spiritual values

Personal Powerby: Margaret Paul, Ph.D. All of us would love to have personal power – the power to manifest our dreams, the power to remain calm and loving in the face of fear, the power to stay centered in ourselves in the face of attack. Our society often confuses personal power - “power within” - with “power over,” which is about controlling others. There is a vast difference between personal power and control. Personal power comes from an inner sense of security, from knowing who you are in your soul, from having defined your own intrinsic worth. It is the power that flows through you when you are connected to and feel your oneness with a spiritual source of guidance. It is the power that is the eventual result of doing deep inner emotional and spiritual work to heal the fears and false beliefs acquired in childhood. Without this inner work to heal the beliefs that create our limitations, we are stuck in our egos, our wounded selves.

The very basis of the ego is the desire for control, for power over others and outcomes. Our ego is the self we created to attempt to have control over getting love, avoiding pain, and feeling safe. We created our ego self in our attempt to protect ourselves from the losses we fear – loss of self, loss of other, loss of security, loss of face. As children, when we didn’t get the love we needed, we decided that our true Self must be unlovable. In our attempt to feel safe, we buried our true Self and created the false self – the ego, our wounded self. The ego self then went about learning how to feel safe through trying to control others and outcomes. The ego believes that having control over how people see us and feel about us, as well as over the outcome of things, will give us the safety we seek.

Even if you do manage to have some control through anger, criticism, judgment, or money, this will never give you personal power. This will never fill you with peace and joy and an inner sense of safety. Control may give you a momentary sense of safety, but it will never give you the deep sense of safety that comes from knowing your intrinsic worth, the worth of your soul. As long as your safety and worth are being defined by externals which can be temporary – your money, your looks, your performance, your power over others – you will feel anxious. We feel anxious when we attach our worth and happiness to temporal things rather than to eternal qualities, such as caring, compassion, and kindness. For example, Walter is a man who has tremendous power over others but no personal power. Walter has made millions as the president of a large investment company. He has a lovely wife, three grown children, and two beautiful homes. Yet Walter is often anxious. He worries about losing his money. He is easily triggered into anger when things don’t go his way and people don’t behave in the way he wants. Because his heart is not open, he is a lonely man. Walter operates totally out of his ego self, believing that having control through anger and money will bring him the happiness and safety he seeks. Yet he has achieved everything he believed would bring him happiness and safety and what he feels most of the time is anxious and lonely. Walter is empty inside. He has no sense of his true Self, no sense of the beauty within him, no sense of his lovability and intrinsic worth. His life is based on externals rather then on the spiritual values of love, compassion, honesty and kindness. Personal power comes from embracing spiritual values rather than just earthly values. It comes from making love, kindness and compassion – toward oneself and others – more important than power over others. It comes from doing the inner work necessary to allow the soul to have dominion over the body, rather than allowing the animal instincts of fight or flight – the instincts of the body – to have dominion over our choices. When the soul has dominion over the body, you have the power to manifest your dreams, to stay centered in the face of attack, to remain loving in the face of fear. When the soul has dominion over the body, you have tremendous personal power. About The AuthorMargaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?" She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com

Why Visualization Is So Powerful - Visualization Is So Powerful The mind is an incredibly complex and powerful thing. Even today with all of the technology and understanding that we have, we have barely scratched the surface of the full potential of what the mind can do.

Meditation and Visualization - Meditation and Visualization Dreams are a living form of visualization. They are symbolic and always visual. I’m amazed when people tell me they are not creative and that they cannot visualize anything.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Hinduism




Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend


Hinduism is a religion that originated on the Indian subcontinent. With its foundations in the Vedic civilization, it has no known founder being itself a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions. It is considered the world's "oldest extant religion," and has approximately a billion adherents, of whom about 890 million live in India, placing it as the world's third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. Other countries with large Hindu populations include Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia.Hinduism provides a vast body of scriptures. Divided as revealed and remembered, and developed over millennia, these scriptures expound an equally vast range of theology, philosophy, and myth, providing spiritual insights along with guidance on the practice of dharma (religious living).


Among such texts, Hindus revere the Vedas along with the Upanishads as being among the foremost in authority, importance, and antiquity. Other important scriptures include the Tantras and sectarian Agamas, Purāṇas and the epics: the Mahābhārata and the Rāmāyaṇa. The Bhagavad Gītā, a deeply profound conversation excerpted from the Mahābhārata, is widely seen as summarizing the spiritual teachings of the Vedas.Mahatma Gandhi In reply to a reporter's question "What do you think of Western Civilization?" I think it would be a good idea!


Swami Vivekananda Pearls of Wisdom When I Asked God for Strength He Gave Me Difficult Situations to Face.

Goal Setting Understanding Goal Setting Like Henry Ford Did

Everyone knows what a great success Henry Ford was. The odds are that you have probably been in a car with his name on it more than once in your lifetime. You can t become as successful as Henry Ford without understanding the proper way to set goals.

Henry Ford was on the cutting edge of technology in his day. He was a visionary with big plans. You probably have much less weight on your shoulders than Henry Ford did, but you may still be having problems with achieving the goals that you have set. So how do you achieve those great things?Henry Ford gave a sneak peak into how he sets his goals when he said, Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs. You see, he had huge goals in front of him but he divided things up into smaller, easier jobs. This seems so simple but, how many times have you put more pressure on yourself than needed because you set a huge goal without breaking it down to smaller, more manageable goals?If you have a goal to earn $5,000 more per month than you are earning right now, break it down into smaller goals. For instance, set your first mini-goal at earning an extra $500 per month. Once you have achieved that, you will have acquired the skills to set another mini-goal of earning an extra $1,000 per month. Keep this up until you reach your larger goal of earning an extra $5,000 per month.

In following Henry Ford s advice, you will prevent yourself from getting discouraged if you aren t able to hit your big goal right away. Learn from people who are more successful than you are at setting and achieving goals. If you do, you will find that things in your life will move much faster than you thought they could.

By: Jason Osborn
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Is there greatness on the inside of you but you don't know how to achieve it? Jason has just completed his brand new 7 part e-course, 'Find Your Greatness'. Get it free when you subscribe at: www.findyourgreatness.com. Jason and Rebecca Osborn have dedicated themselves to changing thousands of lives by helping people find their greatness and true potential through their Find Your Greatness Newsletter.

Personal Development: Tips for Living Life with Passion!

by Shauna Arthurs
We all want to lead full, happy lives...so why is it that so few of us do?
If it's time you took a good look at your own life and gave it an overhaul, don't wait another minute. Whether we like to admit it or not, the clock is ticking for each of us. Make each moment count by actually putting into place the practices which will bring you joy and rekindle the passion in your life. This has nothing to do with anyone else - it's all about YOU!
Following are some tips to help you make the most of each day and ensure you are living your life to the fullest. While they may not sound positive and easy, this is all about being EFFECTIVE. These few key areas are where you can put new practices into place and give yourself the gift of a happier, more satisfying life.

* GOALS: The trick here is to make them YOURS. Not what your Mom wants, nor what your guidance counselor told you was right for you...but what YOU want. Have you even thought about this lately? Many people have not thought about what they truly want in years. This is partially due to the vague notion that many carry around that says 'some day I'll have more time to figure it out and then I'll get what I want'.

This is NOT how it works...some day is NOW. Tomorrow will never come, and our time here is limited. You can either choose for this to be a depressing thought and turn away from it, or face it straight on and FREE YOURSELF.
Today is all we have - live it up! Dream with passion! PLAN to do things you love and which are fun...there is no time like the present!

* PRIORITIES: In these busy times, it is time we realize that we cannot do it all. We can CREATE everything we want - I firmly believe this - but we only have 24 hours in a day, and there will simply be things that slip through the cracks.
Therefore, the more we hone our focus and decide what our priorities are, the better we can live each day from that focus, and accomplish more of the things that matter to us as individuals. This is not goal-setting. Goals ARISE from this work, and allow you to accomplish those things that you wish to. This allows us to live each day with a strong sense of purpose, aliveness and joy.

The trick to living this way is two-fold: the first is to invest the time to look at your life overall and decide what you want it to be about. A good way to think about this is to look at the end of your life. Ask yourself what you will regret most if you don't change it? What do you want said about you when you're gone? What kind of a legacy would you like to leave? What will you wish you had done?

The second part ties your priorities and your goals together. The best two tips in this area I have heard in years are extremely simple:
1. Make a list every night of the five things you MUST accomplish tomorrow, and then DO THEM tomorrow, in the order of those you want to do least first.
2. Ask yourself each day: What can I do today that I'll be glad I did tomorrow? This one step is amazingly powerful, as you will see after a few days.
* VISION: How many times have you heard that you must visualize what you want in order to get it? Did you know that in studies with Olympic-caliber athletes, tests have shown that they performed just as well after visualizing themselves going through the motions with precision, as when they actually practiced physically? Additionally, in brain and muscle tests, all the same neurons in the brain and muscle fibers in the body were activated during intense visualization as during the actual athletic endeavor.

Amazing? YES! Use this to your advantage in your own life! Practice and improve your ability to clearly and precisely picture yourself being in the situations you wish to create. There are some guided meditations in the Wealth Beyond Reason program that we have found to be very helpful with this process.
* HEALTH: This has been addressed in many places, but my two best tips are:
Eat less, and more often. Studies have shown that those who eat less actually survive longer, and with this happy, passionate life you are building you'll want to prolong it as mush as you can! Also, eating smaller amounts every 3-4 hours serves to boost your meatabolism and burn more fat...helping you to be healthier and have more energy. Think of your metabolism like a fire...consistently feed it in little amounts. If you starve it or smother it, the results will be less to your liking.

The second tip is to get moving, and do it consistently. This one thing, if you are not already doing it, will make a huge difference for you. Go for walks, take up new sports - do whatever you have to do to stay active, and enjoy increased energy and stamina, as well as more clarity in your thoughts.

* ROLE MODELS: Get some new ones. Look for people and situations that empower you, and remind you of the magnificence of the human spirit and what is possible. This lifts you out of your narrow, every day focus, and gives you a broader perspective. For inspiration in this regard, you may find our Get Inspired! Course helpful.
There you have it...a few key ingredients to living a life with passion!
Of course there are more things you can do, however we have found that it's the fundamentals that need to be put in place for people to really feel energy, passion, happiness, and a sense of purpose.

Enjoy, and go create your dreams!
You can find more tips on creating your dreams and living with passion at http://blog.breathingprosperity.com, and at http://shaunatravels.wordpress.com.

About the Author
Shauna Arthurs is a writer/editor, Prosperity Coach, Internet Marketer and co-founder/owner of several web-based businesses, including http:www.breathingprosperity.com.

Women Can Enjoy Chocolatey Contentment Without The Guilt

Women face "moments of truth" all day long-times when the temptation for great-tasting snacks are especially strong. Giving in to these temptations can often cause feelings of guilt among women dedicated to weight-management goals.

A new cereal-Special K Chocolatey Delight-can satisfy women's desires for evening snacks without the guilt. Women looking for a way to lose weight without as much sacrifice can replace their evening snack with a bowl of the new cereal. Research shows by replacing a higher-calorie evening snack with a lower-calorie snack, women may lose weight. A serving of Special K Chocolatey Delight is 120 calories, and with a half cup of fat-free milk, it contains 160 calories, compared to 344 calories in average evening snacks eaten after 6 p.m., according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Women's eating habits can swing dramatically throughout the day and evening, according to an August 2005 study by Insight Research Group for Kellogg Company. The new cereal joins an entire line of Special K products developed to help women stay on track with their weight-management goals and overcome those tempting "moments of truth" through the day with great-tasting snack and meal options.

By: Stacey Moore
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Learn more by searching for "Special K" at www.Yahoo.com.

7 Feng Shui Tips For Spicing Up Your Lovelife



by: Tracy O'Brien Are you happy with your lovelife or would you like to see it improved? No matter who you are, there are times when "the bedroom" is not the loving and fun room it should be. There are of course numerous reasons why this may happen but there are some simple things you can do to help you make things better. Your bedroom acts as a magnet both literally and metaphorically for your relationships. It is also where you sleep during the night renewing your energy levels in preparation for what the world has to offer to you the next day. It is most likely where your romantic life is centered - unless of course you like to experiment - perhaps you're a free spirit who likes to commune with the outdoors ;-) Your bedroom is your and your homes sanctuary. The positioning and layout within it plays a massive role not only on your passion and romance chances but also your health, wealth and other relationships in general. Careful attention should indeed be paid on this highly important room.


When you get it right, positive energy (called "chi" by the Chinese and "ki" by the Japenese) will flow easily through your home. Get it wrong... All things in life are connected at the minute quantum level and the following information will help guide you so you and your relationships flourish: 1. Make sure your bedroom "feels" inviting - it must fulfill the role of a place of safety for you. When you look at the state of your bedroom now - what does it say to and about you? Does it say "I'm at home with myself" or is it a big jumble and in disarray? Is it just functional - it's purpose only for sleeping in your eyes, if so - if you want your love life to change, then this has got to change too. 2. Look around at all of the items - furniture/trinkets etc... in your bedroom. Do you have good/loving memories and feelings for these items? Or are there items which hold bad memories? If there are - get rid of them, they hold a residual energy and act as a constant reminder to your non-conscious mind. How about photos?


Are there any old flames "hanging around" - again, chuck them out - you do want to move on to a new relationship - don't you? 3. Your bed should be the focal point of the room - this is where both "action" and "inaction" takes place, where you are both energized and renewed. Does your bedroom have a "personality problem"? Is it in effect multitasking? Do you have a home office or perhaps a treadmill beside you? Again, these items should not be here. You want to focus on your relationships rather than your body or mind in this room - move them out. If this is not possible due to space constraints, you will need to use a screen to keep them "at bay". 4. The ever present TV. Yes it can be cosy to curl up in bed and watch a great movie but a TV sends out a stream of positive ions (rather than positive chi) - this device is "yang" in nature and will ensure your body does not get the rest it requires.


It also represents a 3rd party in the room - not particularly conducive to a stable and healthy monogomous relationship... Once again - the TV has got to go. 5. Make sure your bed is as far away from the door to your room as you can. If you are unable to see the door, you will feel ill at ease at a subconscious level - this is because you will sense you cannot see if an intruder will enter your room (heaven forbid!). This unease will of course impact how you rest at night. 6. Choose a bed which has a solid and sturdy headboard. In Form School Feng Shui, the headboard represents a supportive mountain to your back. 7. Your bed holds residual energy from those who have come and gone before. In an ideal world, if you have had a partner and wish to attract a new one, you should purchase a new bed. This gives you and your new relationship an optimal chance to flourish. Regardless, you should invest in the best bed you can as if you sleep 8 hours per day, this means you will spend 1/3 of your entire life in it!

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Mind Power To Think Away Pain


Pain can be mysterious, and its causes unknown. But if you could see the pain -- or, at least, your brain's reaction to it -- you might be able to master it.
A study asked people in pain to control a pain-regulating region of the brain by watching activity in that area from inside a real-time magnetic resonance imaging machine. Results showed subjects could reduce their pain dramatically.Humans can take control of a specific region of the brain, and thereby decrease pain, "Most people found it very exciting to be able to watch the activity in their own brain, moment by moment, as it took place," A pain psychologist Texas, said she thinks the study lends scientific data to what scientists already knew empirically -- that people can decrease their own pain by focusing on certain thoughts.


It probably also helped that subjects could watch their brain activity unfold on a screen, she said. For years, some therapy methods have allowed patients to monitor and try to control their biofeedback by concentrating on things like skin temperature and heart rate.It will be some time before such therapy could be available for commercial use.


They're investigating the process and right now they're focusing on a study to investigate the effects of long-term neuroimaging therapy. One day, patients may even be able to think away other problems like depression, anxiety and dyslexia."We don't yet have a good answer to what happens if you keep practicing and practicing," he said. The magic here is that as humans, we have in fact the power to control our levels of pain with our mind. Such a feeling is overwhelming and we tend to feel victim to the pain we experience. However, with the power of relaxation and visualization, patients have cured themselves of violent migraine headaches, and even been able to undergo surgery without any anesthesia.In The Science of Being Well Home Study Course, you will find some exercises in chapter two to show you exactly how to reduce the amount of pain you experience, and make it disappear completely. Strangely enough, it starts with focusing directly on the pain. In our experience, we tend to do the opposite and will the pain away, to deny it and attempt to block it. However, we must learn to recognize that pain is a trigger survival mechanism in the body, alerting us that something is out of balance.


Simple techniques can help you immediately to stop physical pain and assist you in feeling better and looking younger. In the Science of Being Well Home Study Course, you will find many examples and stories to help you develop your own powers of healing using simply the power of your mind. This is not revolutionary. These secrets have been around for ages. To learn more, claim your FREE report of the First Secret to Abundant Health on www.thescienceofbeingwell.biz today!!

Natural Therapies For Back Pain: Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Yoga And Herbs

by: Caroline Colby

Back pain can cause you immense pain. Other than drug medications, there are many natural therapy methods for your pain. Take a proactive approach to your pain and you will then be able to live life to its fullest. Here are some facts to reveal how common back pain is. Back pain in the U. S. currently accounts for approximately 50-60% of pain complaints for workers. It is surprising to note that it does not matter what type of job you hold. Whether you are a factory worker to a professional, you are equally susceptible to back pain as your colleague. Back pain not only afflicts the working population in general, but there are other causes for pain as well. Degenerative diseases like osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect more of the female population.

Spinal cord injuries resulting from accidents are another leading cause to back pain. Natural therapies for back pain tend to focus on holistic principles. This means the integration of the physical, psychological and spiritual components of life toward treatment. Some researchers say that your social, economic and cultural background can indicate whether you are more likely to experience back pain in the future or not. Neuromuscular Therapy is a new type of natural therapy for back pain. There are many clinics that provide massage therapy in the U.S.Deep body massages can aid you by massaging away pain from nerves that are swollen within muscle tissue, and improve the flexibility of your body. Massage therapy also helps you to relax and that helps in back pain pain relief.

Another beneficial natural therapy for back pain that people have found advantageous is acupuncture. Acupuncture is a 2,000-year-old Chinese treatment, which stimulates the nerve pathways through the spinal cord and to the brain, with the use of needles. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a painful therapy at all. The use of the needles stimulates the nerve pathways to release hormones, so your brain do not experience pain as much. Also, the body stimulates release of other hormones to aid in healing. A good exercise for reducing back pain is yoga. The practice of yoga grew out of eastern therapies of medicine and religion beliefs. Hatha and sivananda yoga are beneficial because they are gentle in the physical training, and the two various styles of yoga use relaxation techniques through proper breathing and meditation states. Through relaxation and meditation, muscles relax and external stressors are eliminated.

This benefits your body because the overactive electrical impulses that make your muscles tense are reduced. Lastly, a natural therapy for back pain is with the use of herbs. Herbs are non addictive and in most circumstances, do not result in major side effects. One popular herb is boswellia because it does not produce inflammation. When boswellia is used it will reduce stiffness because blood supply is increased in the back. Ginger is useful too in your fight on back pain. It stops pain-causing hormones from being released. Also, ginger can be used on a long-term basis. Over the counter back pain products that contain menthol and camphor are also particularly helpful. Be sure to seek the advice of your healthcare practitioner the next time you pay him a visit. Discuss the various options of massage therapy, yoga or acupuncture as complementary therapies. Many healthcare practitioners are more open to these options than ever before. Who knows? One of these therapies may just be what you are looking for in terms of pain relief.

About The Author Caroline Colby writes on massage therapy. She believes that this form of therapy helps improve blood circulation and is effective for cases of arthritis, back pain, headaches and other common health ailments. For more articles and resources, please visit http://www.massage-therapy-central.com.

Enlightenment

The Roots of Hatha Yoga


by: Jennifer Marie Jordan Hatha Yoga is the yoga that most people know as simply, “yoga.” Practiced for emotional and physical health and wellness, Hatha Yoga focuses on both the purification of the mind and the body, aiming to pave a path to vitality and wholeness. Hatha Yoga was introduced by a man named Yogi Swatmarama, a yoga sage in 15th and 16th century India. Known for calmness and peacefulness, Yogi Swatmarama is a name that has now become synonymous with delight, one who paved the way for an exercise that enhances the mind, body and spirit. He began with Hatha Yoga by writing the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a Sanskrit that was based on Swatmarama’s own experiences as well as the words of older Sanskrit texts. It details information about asanas, bandhas, kriyas, shakti, pranayama, and several other areas.


The book, as well as Hatha Yoga itself, is rich with hints of Hinduism. Perhaps the oldest religion in the world, Hinduism is a religion based on acceptance, building its foundation on a plethora of text and scriptures. It aims to teach people mystical truths, while providing guidance on how a person can grow to become morally, spiritually, and physically whole. Hinduism also believes the “Heaven on Earth” concept, noting it’s possible to achieve salvation while alive rather than only in death. Part of this salvation is achieved through balance. Because the word “Hatha” is derived from Sanskrit words meaning sun (“Ha”) and moon (“Tha”) it only makes sense that Hatha Yoga places a lot of concept on the focus of balance. A type of yoga that teeters between two streams (the Ida (mental) and the Pingala (body) currents), Hatha Yoga uses the Shushumna Nadi (the current of the self) to open up various Chakras (cosmic points within the body that are awaiting release).


Once this happens, a state of quieted thought and a still mind occurs while consciousness remains. This is called Samadhi and it is known as a stated of bliss. Hatha Yoga is based on holistic principles, moral disciplines and physical exercise. It focuses greatly on poses (Asanas), breathing techniques (Pranayama) and meditation. Similar to the sun versus moon concept upon which its name is based, Hatha Yoga take energies that are in opposition – dark and light, yin and yang, fire and ice – and uses them to find a balance between the mind, body, spirit, and external forces of life. A variety of breathing techniques, meditations, and poses all help to drive the person doing Hatha Yoga to a path of enlightenment. Among some of the most practiced poses are Bhujangasana, also known as the Cobra; the Eka Pada, also known as the one-legged king; the Halasana, also known as the Plow; the Padmasana, also known as the Lotus; and the Simhasana, also known as the Lion. Hatha Yoga, like the word “yoga” itself, greatly uses the concept of unity, the unity between man and nature as well as the unity within each person: without unity between the mind and the body, it’s hard to accomplish anything.


Depending on the individual, Hatha Yoga may be used to unite people with different things. For some, Hatha Yoga may be used to form a union with God, the Self, ones True Nature, or the Divine. For others, Hatha Yoga may be used to unite them with a much needed recovery from a stress in their life. Still for others, Hatha Yoga may be used simply as a way to unite them with themselves. Hatha Yoga, having been around for hundreds of years, is rooted in principles that will never change, however as times are always changing these ancient principles can be evolved and applied to the 21st Century. Overall the roots of yoga teach people to obtain what everyone seeks: physical and emotional health, a clear mental state-of-mind, and a life driven not by worries, but simply by joy. TWISTED is a medical yoga studio at the Center for Osteopathic Medicine in Boulder, Colorado. Twisted integrates osteopathic medicine, hatha yoga and mindfulness practices to teach optimal balance between physical, mental, and emotional health. It aims to educate and help people to live a healthy life from the inside out. Rehabilitation programs offer a comprehensive treatment regime for the whole being, empowering each person one breath at a time to stimulate the body’s natural healing potential.

About The Author Jennifer Jordan is senior editor of http://www.yogatwisted.com/. Specializing in articles that not only teach yoga techniques, but also teach techniques on fulfillment and enrichment, she aims to educate students proudly enrolled in the school of life.


The Modern Period of Atheism

Modern Period of Atheism

By the 1770s, atheism was ceasing to be a dangerous accusation that required denial, and was evolving into a position openly avowed by some. The first open denial of the existence of god and avowal of atheism since classical times may be that of Paul Baron d'Holbach (1723–1789) in his 1770 work, The System of Nature. D'Holbach was a Parisian social figure who conducted a famous salon widely attended by many intellectual notables of the day, including Diderot, Jean Jacques Rousseau, David Hume, Adam Smith, and Benjamin Franklin. Nevertheless, his book was published under a pseudonym, and was banned and publicly burned by the Executioner.

The pamphlet Answer to Dr Priestley's Letters to a Philosophical Unbeliever (1782) is considered to be the first published declaration of atheism in Britain — plausibly the first in English (as distinct from covert or cryptically atheist works). The otherwise unknown 'William Hammon' (possibly a pseudonym) signed the preface and postscript as editor of the work, and the anonymous main text is attributed to Matthew Turner (d. 1788?), a Liverpool physician who may have known Priestley. Historian of atheism David Berman has argued strongly for Turner's authorship, but also suggested that there may have been two authors (see Berman 1988, Chapter 5).

Afterward, the French Revolution of 1789 catapulted atheistic thought into political notability, and opened the way for the 19th century movements of Rationalism, Freethought, and Liberalism. An early atheistic influence in Germany was The Essence of Christianity by Ludwig Feuerbach (1804–1872). He influenced other German 19th century atheistic thinkers like Karl Marx, Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) and Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900).

Lady of Fatima



Our Lady of Fatima is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Catholics and others who believe that she appeared to three shepherd children at Fátima, Portugal on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917. The title of Our Lady of the Rosary is also used in reference to the same apparition; the children related that the apparition specifically identified herself as "the Lady of the Rosary". It is also common to see a combination of these titles, i.e., Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima


Between May and October of 1917, three shepherd children, Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto reported visions of the Virgin Mary in the Cova da Iria fields outside the hamlet of Aljustrel, very close to Fatima, Portugal. They had this experience on the 13th day of each month at approximately the same hour. Lúcia described seeing Mary as "brighter than the sun, shedding rays of light clearer and stronger than a crystal glass filled with the most sparkling water and pierced by the burning rays of the sun."


A photostatic copy of a page from Ilustração Portugueza, October 29, 1917, showing the crowd looking at the miracle of the sun during the Fatima apparitions (attributed to the Virgin Mary)According to Lúcia's account, Mary confided to the children three secrets, known as the Three Secrets of Fatima. She exhorted the children to do penance and to make sacrifices to save sinners. The children wore tight cords around their waists to cause pain, abstained from drinking water on hot days, and performed other works of penance. Most important, Lúcia said Mary asked them to say the Rosary every day, reiterating many times that the Rosary was the key to personal and world peace. Many young Portuguese men, including relatives of the visionaries, were then fighting in World War I.
more on the Lady of Fatima

Hinduism

Hinduism is a religion that originated on the Indian subcontinent. With its foundations in the Vedic civilization, it has no known founder, being itself a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions. It is considered the world's "oldest extant religion," and has approximately a billion adherents, of whom about 890 million live in India, placing it as the world's third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. Other countries with large Hindu populations include Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Hinduism provides a vast body of scriptures. Divided as revealed and remembered and developed over millennia, these scriptures expound on a broad of range of theology, philosophy and mythology, providing spiritual insights and guidance on the practice of dharma (religious living). Among such texts, Hindus revere the Vedas and the Upanishads and consider these as being among the foremost in authority, importance and antiquity. Other major scriptures include the Tantras and the sectarian Agamas, the Pura?as and the epic Mahabharata and Ramaya?a. The Bhagavad Gita, a treatise excerpted from the Mahabharata, is widely considered a summary of the spiritual teachings of the Vedas.

Hinduism Buddhism

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Scientific Views on Abrahamic Religions

Religious and Scientific Views Some religions — in particular, most Abrahamic religions — do not admit the existence of beneficial spiritual possessions; so, if they admit the concept at all, they automatically consider any spiritual possession as malign. Many of those religions have practices, often in ritual, to drive out such evil spirits, generally termed exorcism. Various forms and denominations of Christianity have developed practices for driving out spirits, most notably Roman Catholicism; there exists a Roman Catholic International Association of Exorcists. Father Gabriele Amorth is a Roman Catholic priest and noted exorcist.


Charismatic Christianity includes a tradition of individuals being 'blessed' by the Holy Spirit - either Speaking in tongues, or experiencing some other manifestation - but this is not traditionally considered possession by those who adhere to these beliefs. Many other creeds, including Shamanism and many African and Afro-American religions, teach that spiritual possession may be benign as well as malign, and their rituals often include incorporation: either of spiritual deities, such as the lwa of Vodou (related to Voodoo), the Orisha of the Yoruba, or of the ghosts of deceased people, as in Kardecism. Depending on the religion, the person who is possessed may be a priest, or a specially gifted medium, or a lay member. In Spiritism, incorporation of spirits is a key aspect of the practice. The existence of spiritual possession has not been scientifically proven. However, some psychologists acknowledge that occasionally, an individual exhibits behaviors that are consistent with possession as it is understood by the individual or the individual's religious/cultural tradition.


Believers hold that these cases provide evidence of spiritual possession, but most psychologists dismiss these claims as anecdotal evidence and suggest that there are other possible explanations for these cases, including delusion and malingering. Some cases may be considered consistent with the psychological-psychiatric category of culture-bound syndrome. Some cases of demonic possession may also be explainable by purely psychological or social causes, e.g. hysteria — roughly, a grown-up version of childhood tantrums or displays of anger. In fact this explanation was liberally mis-applied since the 19th century.


In the past, demonic possession may also have been alleged (by the subject or by others) for the purpose of excusing behavior which would otherwise be severely punished — similar to a defendant falsely claiming temporary insanity in a court of law in many jurisdictions today. Incarnations have been feigned by priests, religious figures, and mediums for fraudulent purposes, e.g. by pretending to communicate with a person's deceased relatives in exchange for "donations". The famous U.S. escape artist Houdini was instrumental in exposing several such frauds in the 1920s.

Belief in supernatural phenomena.

"The problem with terms like "supernatural" and "supernaturalism" ... is that they tacitly presuppose that nature is the fundamental reality and that nature is far less problematic conceptually than anything outside or beyond nature. The "super" in "supernatural" thus has the effect of a negation.
But what if nature is itself a negation or reaction against something else? For the theist (though not for the panentheist of process theology), nature is not a self-subsisting entity but an entirely free act of God. Nature thus becomes a derivative aspect of ultimate reality—an aspect of God's creation, and not even the whole of God's creation at that (theists typically ascribe to God the creation of an invisible world that is inhabited among other things by angels). Hence, for the theist attempting to understand nature, God as creator is fundamental, the creation is derivative, and nature as the physical part of creation is still further downstream.
C.S. Lewis argued in his book, Miracles, that it is inaccurate to define a miracle as breaking the laws of nature. Instead,
"The great complex event called Nature, and the new particular event introduced into it by the miracle, are related by their common origin in God, and doubtless, if we knew enough, most intricately related in his purpose and design, so that a Nature which had had a different history, and therefore been a different Nature, would have been invaded by different miracles or by none at all."
In connection with his writing about the appearance of Jesus Christ the Apostle Paul himself acknowledges that; "oppositions of science" will occur and so leaves a testimony in the Bible regarding a supernatural event to which many may struggle to attach a scientific explanation. This may also be viewed as a reference to Gnosticism, however, as the Greek word translated as science is ???s?? (gnosis).

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

The Power of Letting What is Be Okay


By Nancy Heimstra


Have you been in that “black hole?” That is the place that is so dark and keeps sucking you in. It can seem like there is no way out, so what is the use of going on.I just emerged from one recently. It was seemingly more distressing because I am such a “positive” person. The truth is I have fears and doubts like anyone else.I am a believer in creating my reality from the thoughts and feelings I send out. I know that the experiences I was having (and kept attracting) were a result of being stuck in a low vibration. I had a series of rushing into decisions and paying for them later. Even being aware of this did not prevent me from doing it all over again.I was fortunate enough to work through this with my life coach. I was able to see the underlying issue of lack of self-esteem and feeling on a subconscious level that I was not deserving of the abundance life has to offer, was a core issue for me.



The powerful part of the act of going through this was the fact that I felt it. I worked through it and experienced it on a deep level.There is so much today about the law of attraction (which does control your reality), but I feel there is a component of this that may be misunderstood. I am the first to agree that my job is to feel better and to raise my vibration. If I were to have just reached for the thought that felt better and not worked through the feelings, most likely they would have risen up at a later time.I was present in my feelings and experienced them on a physical level. I let them be in my body and work from there. It is a great gift to be able to process this and have someone there to guide me through it.I am writing about my experience because I believe it is a gift to those that are struggling with their own “black holes” and trying to change their point of attraction.


There is a fine balance in knowing when to “just get off it” and move on, and going deeper into it and moving through it. I know that a huge part of this process is letting what is be okay. Until you are at peace with the place you are now, you are stopping the process. So maybe that “black hole” you are in now is the gift to usher you into the next level in your life.I often think of the wise words of Byron Katie (www.thework.org) when she said, “Don’t be spiritual, be honest.” Be kind to yourself, allow yourself to be human and feel your truth.If you would like to work through your journey with a Life Coach, please contact me for a free ½ hour conditional consult.Warmly,Nancy Heimstra, Life Coach

Addiction to Complaining

By: Margaret Paul, Ph.D.

Complaining is a way of life for some people. It was certainly a way of life for my mother. I don’t remember a day going by without her complaining, endlessly. I don’t think I ever heard a word of gratitude out of my mother’s mouth. No matter how good things were, she would manage to find something wrong. No matter how perfect I was – and God knows I tried to be perfect! – she always found something wrong with me, as well as with my father. Over the years of counseling others, I’ve noticed that some people start every session with a complaint. They can’t seem to help it. Like my mother, they are addicted to complaining. Why do people complain? What is it they want or hope for when they complain? People who complain are generally people who have not done the emotional and spiritual work of developing a loving, compassionate inner adult self.

hey are operating as a wounded child in need of love, attention and compassion. Because they have not learned to give themselves the attention and compassion they need, they seek to get these needs met by others. Complaining is a way they have learned to attempt to get this. They use complaining as a form of control, hoping to guilt others into giving them the attention, caring and compassion they seek. Complaining is a “pull” on other people. Energetically, complainers are pulling on others for caring and understanding because they have emotionally abandoned themselves. They are like demanding little children. The problem is that most people dislike being pulled on and demanded of. Most people don’t want emotional responsibility for another person and will withdraw in the face of another’s complaints.
This is what my father did. He withdrew, shut down, was emotionally unavailable to my mother as a way to protect himself from being controlled by her complaints. Of course, he didn’t just do this in response to my mother. He had learned to withdraw as a child in response to his own mother’s complaints and criticism. He entered the marriage ready to withdraw in the face of my mother’s pull, while she entered the marriage ready to make my father emotionally responsible for her. A perfect match! My father’s withdrawal, of course, only served to exacerbate my mother’s complaining, and she constantly complained about my father’s lack of caring about her. Likewise, my mother’s complaining served to exacerbate my father’s already withdrawn way of being.

This vicious circle started early and continued unabated for the 60 years of their marriage, until my mother died. While my parents loved each other, their ability to express their love got buried beneath the dysfunctional system they created. Unfortunately, this is all too common in relationships. One person pulling – with complaints, anger, judgment, and other forms of control - and the other withdrawing, is the most common relationship system I work with. A person addicted to complaining will not be able to stop complaining until he or she does the inner work of developing an adult part of themselves capable of giving themselves the love, caring, understanding and compassion they need. As long as they believe that it is another’s responsibility to be the adult for them and fill them with love, they will not take on this responsibility for themselves

. Our inner child – the feeling part of us – needs attention, approval, caring. If we don’t learn to give this to ourselves, then this wounded child part of ourselves will either seek to get it from others, or learn to numb out with substance and process addictions – food, alcohol, drugs, TV, work, gambling, and so on. If, as a child, a person saw others get attention through complaining – as my mother did with my grandmother – and if complaining worked for the child to get what he or she wanted, then it can become an addiction. Like all addictions, it may work for the moment, but it will never fill the deep inner need for love. Only we can fill this need for ourselves, by opening our hearts to the Source of love. Only we can do the inner work of developing a loving adult capable of opening to the love of Spirit and bringing that love to the child within. People stop complaining when they learn to fill themselves with love.

About The AuthorMargaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?" and “Healing Your Aloneness.” She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com or mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone Sessions Available.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Spiritual new years resolutions

Resolutions For New Years - Let's Change The World


by: Terry Vermeylen


We are all human. Be it short, tall, white, black, poor, rich, angry or sad, we all have bodies, minds and hearts. We all feel. We are all capable of love, hate, envy, joy, sadness and compassion. As you see, we share many remarkable common bonds. Another astounding bond is this big beautiful planet we all live on. It is home to all of us. We use its water, farm its land, climb its mountains and walk its woods.
When the tsunami of December 26th smashed into our lives, and the images of huge ocean waves sweeping away villages and people entered our living rooms, our egos quickly fled and we realized how frightfully frail and precious life is. Many of us opened our wallets and hearts, trying our best to help people thousands of miles away. These fellow humans had a different culture, skin colour and religious belief. We never met these fellow humans and probably never will. Yet as the news of the tsunami invaded our comfortable living rooms our differences didn’t matter. The heart pounding images of Mother Nature wiping out entire villages with horrific ease made us drop our petty problems. At that moment we shared the realization that sometimes life just isn’t fair. Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes life is brutal. At that moment our hearts were enveloped in horror, sadness and finally compassion.


Spiritual new years resolutions #1


Give something back. What is the purpose of life? To give something back. If no one gave back, what kind of world would we live in?
We humans have evolved over millions of years. And as the “supreme” animal on earth we have sprouted something fantastic, which we now refer to as our conscience. Our conscience separates us from the rest of the animal species. We do not live on instinct alone. We understand the difference between right and wrong. We have spent thousands of years philosophizing about right and wrong, whether it be in religious or non-religious circles. But conscience is a double-edged sword. Our conscience holds the seeds that flower into beliefs and ego. Beliefs and ego can become twisted, corrupt, and self-serving. Beliefs and ego allow brutal dictatorships to flourish where civilians are subject to poverty, torture and, finally, death. Wars continue to rage on, with technology instantly bringing us the latest body count, political dancing and endless philosophical debate. Life is unfair to many on this planet. But hope is in the fact that we do have a conscience. And that conscience can be the catalyst to life affirming beliefs creating remarkable acts of thoughtfulness and compassion.


Spiritual new years resolutions #2
Let compassion become part of your daily ritual. Whether it is for the world, the nation, the city, the community, the self or your neighbour’s pet dog.
We are plugged in, tuned out, surfing, Blackberrying, beeping and booping. We are becoming like the Borg of Star Trek fame, marching blindly along on the never-ending road of technology consumption. We are subject to advertising assimilation, a constant bombardment of ads -- and the ads are now becoming frighteningly sophisticated, as they are a developed for us by our very own keystrokes. We install anti-spyware on our computers, in our own homes, to combat the constant battering of technology and advertising assaulting us everyday. Corporations will be unrelenting in the future as their IT machines mass produce tools of consumerism trying to snare us all in a web of technology purchasing. Technology is definitely a double-edged sword.


Spiritual new years resolutions #3
Get out and look up at the beauty of the ever changing and expansive sky once in awhile. There is a whole world of natural wonders waiting for you out there. Communing with nature will help you realize that we’re all in the same boat – or, on the same planet, as it were. Looking at Earth from space, you can’t see borders, you can’t see skin colour, you can’t see religion, and you can’t see wealth or education.
In the words of John Lennon
You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one
Please consider this article for your website, blog or ezine. Permission to reprint if by-line stays intact and links are activated on the Internet.


About The Author
Terry Vermeylen is one of those rare people that is passionately driven to help others unlock their own barriers toward fulfillment, meaning and purpose. He is the founder of http://www.mylifechanges.com/, an Internet value identification and goal setting enterprise.
terry@mylifechanges.com

Spiritual formation forum denver

The Spiritual Formation Forum (SFF; formerly the Center for Personal and Relational Growth, CPRG) is a nonprofit organization increasing collaboration among leaders in Christian ministries worldwide who are committed to biblically defined and Holy Spirit energized spiritual formation within and through their ministries. This ministry stimulates genuine spiritual formation in the various ministry arms of the church as a means of helping Christians fulfill their calling to be salt and light in the world through living a Christ-like life. The SFF sponsors spiritual formation discussion forums, articulates models of spiritual formation, provides training opportunities for ministry leaders, and encourages them to implement appropriate models in their spheres of ministry (e.g., in local churches, denominations, Christian colleges and seminaries, international ministries, soul care, campus ministry groups, and other para-church ministry

organizations).The Forum is committed to in depth biblical spirituality in the lives of those who have put their trust solely in the pure Gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ our Lord. At the core of this spirituality is intimacy with God through the presence of the Holy Spirit who also works in us and among us to conform us to the image of Christ, bind us together in community, and empower us as servants of God to spread the Gospel and live as salt and light in the world."Spiritual Formation" is increasingly becoming a term used in many different kinds of evangelical ministry settings for building depth and commitment into the lives of individual Christians and their communities of faith.

This common ground between ministries offers us an opportunity to unify evangelicals and their ministry institutions in pursuit of true godliness of life and effectiveness of ministry in the church worldwide.The Spiritual Formation Forum intends to provide an open forum discussion and fellowship context in which we can meaningfully pursue this unity together based on our common concern for spiritual formation in the various arms of the church.

http://www.spiritualformationforum.org/index.cfm?go=c.home

Spiritual gifts personality traits


Description Of The Spiritual Gifts

by Lambert Dolphin


Natural talents and personality traits are natural human resources which all of us have. These are not the same as spiritual gifts which are given by sovereign choice, by the Holy Spirit, at the time we become Christians. These are supernatural enablements so that we may serve God more effectively in the world and in the church. Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift, many are given more than one gift. All Christians are called to the work of the ministry and distinctions between "clergy" and "laity" are foreign to the New Testament.


Both spiritual gifts and natural talents must be employed in the power of the Holy Spirit and not in the self-energy of the flesh in order to please God and bring positive results.
The various spiritual gifts are listed in Romans 12, Ephesians 4, I Corinthians 13-15, and elsewhere. Commentators differ as to whether the list totals 22, or fewer, gifts. The gifts are divided into (1) teaching/leadership gifts, (2) service gifts, and (3) sign gifts given to authenticate the work of apostles and prophets, particularly at the beginning of a new age (dispensation) when God does something new and different in the world.


Here is a rather complete list:


1. Apostle (apostolos). The Greek word means "one sent forth" (on an official errand), i.e., an ambassador. In addition to the twelve original disciples who became apostles, Paul was added to the list of those commissioned by God to lay the foundations of the Christian church and impart a full body of truth which would guide Christian faith and conduct. There were also other apostles, for example, Barnabas, Acts 14:4,14; Andronicus and Junia, Romans 16:7, 2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25. The need for apostles diminished as the church became established. If there are any apostles today they might be found among pioneer missionaries who establish churches in foreign lands where the gospel has not yet been proclaimed. Christians today are under apostolic authority, however there is no Biblical reason to believe in the so-called apostolic succession of authority in the church. Ray Stedman likens the apostles in the Body of Christ to the skeleton and musculature of the human body.
2. Prophet, prophecy. (prophetes), lit: "to speak forth," to proclaim the mind and counsel of God, i.e., the gift of preaching. Differs from pastor-teacher in scope. Ray Stedman compares the role of the NT prophet to the nervous system of the body. NT prophets do not make predictions about the future as the OT prophets did, but gather their message from the Scriptures. Nor is God giving the church new revelation through such individuals today. The gift of prophecy is likewise not for giving secret messages from God to individuals in the church. Prophets vigorously stimulate and challenge the Body of Christ, pastor-teachers patiently feed the sheep and care for their needs. Prophets are to edify, exhort and console, (see 1 Cor. 14:3).
3. Evangelist, evangelism. (evangelistes) from eu = well, plus angelos = messenger. The gift of bringing the good news of God to unbelievers individually and in groups. The content of the message is outlined in I Cor. 15. Ray Stedman compares this gift to the digestive apparatus of the human body which has the ability to take material which is not a part of the body and transform it into parts of the body. Evangelists are also to teach other believers how to lead people to the Lord Jesus. Timothy evidently did not have this gift but Paul nevertheless urged him to "do the work of an evangelist".
4. Pastor-teacher (poimenes kai didaskalos), shepherd and teacher. Ray Stedman describes this gift as analogous to the circulatory system of the human body which "cleanses and feeds" the members of the body. Ray Stedman once said he believed this was a this is a common gift, given to perhaps a third of Christians.
5. Administration. (kubernesis = government). To pilot, guide, or steer as one steers a ship. To preside over the assembly and guide the proceedings. In order to preserve order in Christian meetings the person in charge should know how to direct the course of events towards a spiritual goal as led by the Spirit.
6. Leadership, (proistemi) "to stand before" that is attend to with care and diligence, as the head of a family does. Perhaps this also includes setting the pace, imparting direction and goals in a ministry since sheep are lazy and helpless and prone to wander off course. Most people like to follow a good leader. God's leaders are not only visionary they lead by serving.
7. Faith. (pistis), Faith-vision: the ability to believe God for new direction and power---visionary faith that sets in motion events others can join in and follow. All Christians have some faith because "without faith it is impossible to please God." Also anyone's faith grows as it is exercised. However there is also a gift of "faith-vision" which pioneers new ministries, encourages others and helps them to grow in faith. "Without a vision the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18).
8. Knowledge. (logos gnoseos), lit: "word of knowledge," systematic understanding of truth in broad, sweeping terms so that others may be trained and instructed. Not supernatural utterances from God. All Christians have some knowledge, but there is also a gift of knowledge given to some so they may teach and edify the Body. The ability to sum up lots of information or pieces of knowledge so as to give a clear concise overview.
9. Wisdom (logos sophias), lit: "word of wisdom." The ability to make wise choices and decisions at critical forks in the road. Very valuable to an individual or a group when it needs to choose but has no specifically clear information on the best choice. All Christians can grow in wisdom as they make a series of wise choices over a life-time, however there is also a gift of wisdom given to some in the Body of Christ.
10. Exhortation, encouragement. (paraklesis), to call alongside, comfort, strengthen, to counsel, exhort, bring aid, admonish. The same Greek word describes the Holy Spirit's role in our lives.
11. Discernment (of spirits) (diakriseis pneumaton), is a gift to judge or evaluate the spirits so as to distinguish whether something is from God or from an evil source. Similar to the natural talent of intuition but of course more reliable and consistent.
12. Ministering (diakonia), to serve (hence our word deacons). A wide variety of activities one performs with the help of God to comfort, encourage, support and build up God's people. Also, (huperetes), an under-rower or servant as distinguished from an ordinary seaman on a Roman galley.
13. Service (helps) (antilempsis), "to lay hold of (and support)", especially the weak and needy. To minister to others and meet their needs.
14. Giving, (metadidomi), is the gift of sharing and imparting, not only money but other resources. All Christians should learn to give generously since "God loves a 'hilarious' giver", however certain individuals are given the gift of giving so they can act as stewards over material resources in the Body of Christ.
15. Tongues (that is, "kinds of languages") (gene glossan). The ability to speak in other languages not previously learned, but known languages to men. The gift is for the purpose of praising God. It must be directed to God, not to be used to pass a message from one member to another or from one member to the congregation. Not a means of communication from the Lord to the flock. A sign to Israel especially to mark the beginning of a new dispensation. A sign to unbelievers.
16. Interpretation of Tongues. The ability to translate unknown languages so as to edify and instruct others regarding what has been said.
17. Miracles. (energemata dunameon) The ability to raise men from the dead, call fire down from heaven and otherwise present signs that authenticate the power of God in certain situations.
18. Healing(s). (charismata iamaton) (plural). Ability to heal at the physical, emotional and spiritual levels. The word is plural in Greek, probably suggesting that the ability to heal refers to all three levels of man. Today, God sometimes heals physically, but more often emotionally and spiritually. A valuable gift for a counselor.
19. Mercy (eleos) An ability to touch inwardly with compassion. To be exercised with "cheerfulness".
20. Hospitality. (philoxenia), lit: "love of strangers." May not be a spiritual gift but definitely a Christian virtue. Those who believe this is a separate gift also hold that all believers are to practice hospitality.
Note: A Christian's service involves the entire Trinity.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are the sovereign choice of the Holy Spirit.
The place of our service is chosen by the Son of God, and
the workings, or style, of our ministry is determined by the Father.
This is made clear by the following passage:
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord (Jesus Christ); and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God (the Father) who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:5-