I recently received a link to this video on ted.com and I decided to post it here.
There was a time in my life when I was addicted to science fiction. I devoured most of the usual books on the topic, a classic one being the Foundation series of Asimov. Science fiction fed a part of me that is not too easy to satiate.
Nowadays there are sooo many cool things being developed that were just hints in those books. Some which are probably not too public yet. This video shows one of many gadgets that exemplify how virtual realities are going to interact more with real reality. It's really cool.
It's called sixthsense and it is a device (mix of mobile device, camera, mirror and projector) that gives you more information of real objects through hand gestures.
Also check Pranav Mistry's website (one of the developers). He has other really interesting projects.
Thinking about technologies in the next 10 years just blow my mind. Just imagine what the combination of nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and genetic engineering can create (for good or not so good). The world as we know it promises to be a very, very different place not too far from today.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
This moment's quote...
In order to arrive at what you do not know you must go by the way which is the way of ignorance.T.S. Elliot
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Some mental floss for the soul...
Where have I been?
Perhaps it is the new moon (they are always good for beginnings...) or perhaps just a matter of grace, but I just found this website. Smart fun...
Loved this video:
How to Destroy Civilization with Nanotechnology
Ransom Riggs, you go boy...
Perhaps it is the new moon (they are always good for beginnings...) or perhaps just a matter of grace, but I just found this website. Smart fun...
Loved this video:
How to Destroy Civilization with Nanotechnology
Ransom Riggs, you go boy...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Dan-de-lion...
I was introduced to this delicious alternative to coffee on a trip to Australia.
Dandelion tea!
I like the flavor of this in particular, but it has lactose, so might not be an option for some people. There are many brands and presentations you can buy, or you could grow some of your own (it's considered a pest for so many).
Not only it has a toasty flavor, but it is good for the liver and many other things:
"Diuretic, tonic and slightly aperient. It is a general stimulant to the system, but especially to the urinary organs, and is chiefly used in kidney and liver disorders."
(botanical.com)
"Dandelions are also good for the bladder, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines. It’s recommended for stressed-out, internally sluggish, and sedentary people. Anyone who's a victim of excessive fat, white flour, and concentrated sweeteners could benefit from a daily cup of dandelion tea."
(wildmanstevebrill.com)
"Actions: diuretic, laxative, choleretic, tonic, stomachic, antioxidant, hepatic, alterative, aperient, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue"
(herbsarespecial.com.au)
"Dandelion tea, whether made from the root or the leaves, makes a great tonic, because it stimulates the body to eliminate waste and toxins. Because the leaves are rich in readily available magnesium, dandelion is a great herb for improving bone health. Magnesium increases bone density, so dandelions may actually help to prevent bone disorders such as osteoporosis."
(safealternativemedicine.co.uk)
"The leaves contain several vitamins and minerals to promote well-being. Dandelion leaves contains more beta-carotene than carrots, which is important for improving a person's ability to see in dim light. The leaves contain iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc, as well as vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, D, E, and P.
Due to the existence of vitamin E, dandelion tea can be used to alleviate skin complaints. Vitamin E can help encourage the growth of body issue and protects cells from damage, therefore promoting healing and reducing scarring."
(teainfusion.com)
You can read a full list of properties here too.
My experience:
I drink a cup every now and then after meals. It simply makes me feel good.
Dandelion tea!
I like the flavor of this in particular, but it has lactose, so might not be an option for some people. There are many brands and presentations you can buy, or you could grow some of your own (it's considered a pest for so many).
Not only it has a toasty flavor, but it is good for the liver and many other things:
"Diuretic, tonic and slightly aperient. It is a general stimulant to the system, but especially to the urinary organs, and is chiefly used in kidney and liver disorders."
(botanical.com)
"Dandelions are also good for the bladder, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines. It’s recommended for stressed-out, internally sluggish, and sedentary people. Anyone who's a victim of excessive fat, white flour, and concentrated sweeteners could benefit from a daily cup of dandelion tea."
(wildmanstevebrill.com)
"Actions: diuretic, laxative, choleretic, tonic, stomachic, antioxidant, hepatic, alterative, aperient, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue"
(herbsarespecial.com.au)
"Dandelion tea, whether made from the root or the leaves, makes a great tonic, because it stimulates the body to eliminate waste and toxins. Because the leaves are rich in readily available magnesium, dandelion is a great herb for improving bone health. Magnesium increases bone density, so dandelions may actually help to prevent bone disorders such as osteoporosis."
(safealternativemedicine.co.uk)
"The leaves contain several vitamins and minerals to promote well-being. Dandelion leaves contains more beta-carotene than carrots, which is important for improving a person's ability to see in dim light. The leaves contain iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc, as well as vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, D, E, and P.
Due to the existence of vitamin E, dandelion tea can be used to alleviate skin complaints. Vitamin E can help encourage the growth of body issue and protects cells from damage, therefore promoting healing and reducing scarring."
(teainfusion.com)
You can read a full list of properties here too.
My experience:
I drink a cup every now and then after meals. It simply makes me feel good.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Iboga, the miracle hallucinogen?
A few weeks ago, navigating through the web (while researching raw food retreats), I accidentally ran into this.
I used to be a fan of Carlos Castaneda. I read ALL of his books and the books of Taisha Abelar and Florinda Donner, bought the Tensegrity videos and practiced them on my own (for a few months). Anything that mentioned him or Don Juan became a magnet to my interest. (Then life took another course... another story.)
Back then I was very curious about trying peyote or mushrooms or some sort of hallucinogen. I never tried them (am actually happy I did not). This led me to read about these substances and their effects. Nowadays I keep hearing about people going into a ayahuasca retreats or the use of similar substances with the purpose of getting to know themselves deeply, but I had never heard of iboga.
According to several sources, iboga is a shrub originaly used in Africa by the Bwiti (a religious group) for spiritual and medical reasons. Its main ingredient, ibogaine, was accidentally found responsible for removing withdrawal symptoms and cravings from chemical addictions.
I know people whose lives have been completely ruined because of addiction to drugs and alcohol, people that have tried and tried but keep failing to completely let go. Letting go is not easy for most of them and the effects of stopping using such substances can be deathly. Alcohol, for example is one of those substances, more so than drugs.
So reading about Ibogaine, a substance that is prohibited in the US, but widely researched in other countries, opened my eyes to a new alternative. Research has showed that it:
- alleviates 90% of withdrawal symptoms
- addresses cravings for two to six months
- changes habitual thought patterns
- helps restore proper functioning of the brain's neurochemistry
- is non-addictive and needs not be taken on a continuing basis
(from 'awakeninginthedream.com')
There are plenty of youtube videos and material available online. This is just one of them:
It does sound like a miracle plant.
I wonder how many things can be found in nature whose true healing properties are yet to be discovered (or perhaps forgotten).
I used to be a fan of Carlos Castaneda. I read ALL of his books and the books of Taisha Abelar and Florinda Donner, bought the Tensegrity videos and practiced them on my own (for a few months). Anything that mentioned him or Don Juan became a magnet to my interest. (Then life took another course... another story.)
Back then I was very curious about trying peyote or mushrooms or some sort of hallucinogen. I never tried them (am actually happy I did not). This led me to read about these substances and their effects. Nowadays I keep hearing about people going into a ayahuasca retreats or the use of similar substances with the purpose of getting to know themselves deeply, but I had never heard of iboga.
According to several sources, iboga is a shrub originaly used in Africa by the Bwiti (a religious group) for spiritual and medical reasons. Its main ingredient, ibogaine, was accidentally found responsible for removing withdrawal symptoms and cravings from chemical addictions.
I know people whose lives have been completely ruined because of addiction to drugs and alcohol, people that have tried and tried but keep failing to completely let go. Letting go is not easy for most of them and the effects of stopping using such substances can be deathly. Alcohol, for example is one of those substances, more so than drugs.
So reading about Ibogaine, a substance that is prohibited in the US, but widely researched in other countries, opened my eyes to a new alternative. Research has showed that it:
- alleviates 90% of withdrawal symptoms
- addresses cravings for two to six months
- changes habitual thought patterns
- helps restore proper functioning of the brain's neurochemistry
- is non-addictive and needs not be taken on a continuing basis
(from 'awakeninginthedream.com')
There are plenty of youtube videos and material available online. This is just one of them:
It does sound like a miracle plant.
I wonder how many things can be found in nature whose true healing properties are yet to be discovered (or perhaps forgotten).
Sunday, March 22, 2009
More on diets... and gaining weight.
One of the many things that call my fascination is the issue of weight loss/gain. There are many, many aspects to these. From the image related ones to the health related ones, going through psychological, cultural, etc. etc.
I am not an expert on the topic. However, it is interesting that the research I have done usually brings more information on suggestions and ideas for people wanting to loose weight, not gain it. Have you ever talked to someone that wants to actually gain weight? They would tell you that it is very, very difficult. Some have attempted to eat all day (in fact some do eat quite a lot) but they just cannot gain weight.
So this post has my total support for them, not the weight loosers. Must say, though, I wonder if the key for both is the same. By accident I found a comment on a you tube video that mentioned some system (they didn't talk about the specifics) that helped people loose weight through working directly with the hypothalamus.
This is totally new for me (although it is pretty obvious when you look at it closer). The hypothalamus is the one that regulates some functions related to metabolism and the Autonomic Nervous System. In relation to weight, it sets the 'program' that specifies the 'normal' weight for that person (whatever that may be, even if it does not seem 'normal' nor 'healthy').
I was reading wikipedia (which, yes I admit is the basic of basics, but can give a general idea on something). It says the following:
The hypothalamus is responsible for certain metabolic processes and other activities of the Autonomic Nervous System. It synthesizes and secretes neurohormones, often called hypothalamic-releasing hormones, and these in turn stimulate or inhibit the secretion of pituitary hormones. The hypothalamus controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, [1] fatigue, anger, and circadian cycles.
The hypothalamus is a complex region in the brain of humans, and even small nuclei within the hypothalamus are involved in many different functions. The paraventricular nucleus for instance contains oxytocin and vasopressin (also called antidiuretic hormone) neurons which project to the posterior pituitary, but also contains neurons that regulate ACTH and TSH secretion (which project to the anterior pituitary), gastric reflexes, maternal behavior, blood pressure, feeding, immune responses, and temperature.
As I said before, I know very little about the topic, which seems immense, so I will post some open questions that perhaps will seem odd, but might bring some clarity in the future.
The questions come from thinking about a person I met recently, and linking this person's case to other people I have seen that cannot gain weight. They also arise from combining my interests in astrology and emotional issues and my general interest in people's issues. Some, however, are just questions to which I would have to write a whole treatise if I wanted to explain how I came up with them.
I'll call the person in this case 'FB'. FB is someone that cannot put on weight. FB is usually hungry and eats quite often, not limiting the diet, except for red meat, which only is included very rarely.
When talking to FB, a single woman in her 30s, other possible clues come to the surface. She mentions that she doesn't have a good relationship with her mother and that she has trouble sleeping at nights. She also says that she often has trouble digesting food and that she feels tired despite taking a nap in the afternoons.
From an astrology perspective, an astrological influence that seem to jump out is the moon. The moon has to do with nurturing (this includes food), the mother, and deep rest and letting go.
Now thinking about another couple of cases (one of them a man), they also had issues related with their mothers. In his case, his mother died when he was young, leading to deep grief and loss. In her case her mother was absent through her childhood due to work.
So, my questions:
- could there be a relationship between the hypothalamus and the moon astrological force?
- is it possible that by working out the mother issues these people carry, their weight would go up?
- what is really happening in the hypothalamus of these people or people like them?
- what could be done in the hypothalamus to change and influence a different 'normal' weight and a metabolic balance that will target their perfect weight?
- could genetics be the main factor here?
Suddenly I am fascinated with the hypothalamus.
Perhaps someone with more knowledge will read this one day and point to something that might be a key to solving the issue of weight gain or loss in this case.
Friday, March 20, 2009
On accidents, skiing and Natasha Richardson
I confess.
I am not a Hollywood follower. I like movies, all sorts, but I find the fanaticism towards actors/actresses and public people is a bit too much.
Why? Probably because I feel they are just people, like you, me, and, unless you are in a deserted island (I'm not), our neighbors. Sure, some public figures are very, very talented and I always welcome inspiration from talented people. But to put some other human being on a pedestal is not quite right.
Anyway, the only reason I am talking about this is because I have been almost obliged to follow the accident/death of Natasha Richardson through yahoo news. Have you ever noticed how intelligent their titles are? They pull you into reading things that you did not know interest you. Ok, I am drifting again...
Back to topic. Apparently Richardson's death resulted from her falling on a beginners slope in some ski resort in Canada. She did not die immediately. She went off to her room as if nothing much and started having a headache. She was then taken to the hospital in Canada and then transferred to NY, but it was too late. Later, the autopsy showed her brain was swelling from the injury. Condolences to the family and friends.
When I read the whole story I felt a reminder of how much life can be such a delicate thing.
A few weeks ago I was skiing after many, many (MANY) years of absence into the sport. I was excited but also noticed some fear... What if I fall and get injured?
I started with the beginners slope. After the third time and a little confidence I went unto the next level (still beginners I would say). I kept going until I went to the most difficult gray slope. All in all I fell three times. Two of them feeling my whole body twisting.
Two interesting things I noticed where. One, the fear never really went away (I assume the falls were a result of this) and two, falling was not that bad. In fact it was fun and I felt as if I had landed in the softest cushion. It was the trying to get up that was hard.
The next day I was expecting to feel all bruised. Not one single pain. Eyebrows raised.
So... reading about Richardson's death and then comparing it to my skiing experience, it seems surreal. All these questions. All these little seemingly innocuous accidents that happen all the time. What is it that for some it means a final good bye, and for others just a bad moment?
I guess there is no answer. Or at least not one that doesn't involve some esoteric insight.
Life... such a delicate thing it is, indeed. There's mystery in life.
May her journey be safe and clear.
I am not a Hollywood follower. I like movies, all sorts, but I find the fanaticism towards actors/actresses and public people is a bit too much.
Why? Probably because I feel they are just people, like you, me, and, unless you are in a deserted island (I'm not), our neighbors. Sure, some public figures are very, very talented and I always welcome inspiration from talented people. But to put some other human being on a pedestal is not quite right.
Anyway, the only reason I am talking about this is because I have been almost obliged to follow the accident/death of Natasha Richardson through yahoo news. Have you ever noticed how intelligent their titles are? They pull you into reading things that you did not know interest you. Ok, I am drifting again...
Back to topic. Apparently Richardson's death resulted from her falling on a beginners slope in some ski resort in Canada. She did not die immediately. She went off to her room as if nothing much and started having a headache. She was then taken to the hospital in Canada and then transferred to NY, but it was too late. Later, the autopsy showed her brain was swelling from the injury. Condolences to the family and friends.
When I read the whole story I felt a reminder of how much life can be such a delicate thing.
A few weeks ago I was skiing after many, many (MANY) years of absence into the sport. I was excited but also noticed some fear... What if I fall and get injured?
I started with the beginners slope. After the third time and a little confidence I went unto the next level (still beginners I would say). I kept going until I went to the most difficult gray slope. All in all I fell three times. Two of them feeling my whole body twisting.
Two interesting things I noticed where. One, the fear never really went away (I assume the falls were a result of this) and two, falling was not that bad. In fact it was fun and I felt as if I had landed in the softest cushion. It was the trying to get up that was hard.
The next day I was expecting to feel all bruised. Not one single pain. Eyebrows raised.
So... reading about Richardson's death and then comparing it to my skiing experience, it seems surreal. All these questions. All these little seemingly innocuous accidents that happen all the time. What is it that for some it means a final good bye, and for others just a bad moment?
I guess there is no answer. Or at least not one that doesn't involve some esoteric insight.
Life... such a delicate thing it is, indeed. There's mystery in life.
May her journey be safe and clear.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Are you at your best being raw?
A quick side note to raw foods (or any type of 'diet').
I have to say though that, after reading and reading about raw foods, I am still not convinced on their long term benefit. I will definitely choose from these and have initiated conversations with some of them, but my intention is to find a short term detox solution and perhaps do it periodically. An interesting website to read is:
http://www.beyondveg.com. It explores some of the ideas behind being vegetarian or vegan. It also takes me back to my original thought that diet is something very, very personal and that the best way to decide what you need is to tune into your body. However, this can be tricky as people might be completely pulled to certain types of diets because of their conditioning.
I'm not in pro of dogmas, whatever form or shape they have. To me life is much more than a set of fixed ideas.
I have to say though that, after reading and reading about raw foods, I am still not convinced on their long term benefit. I will definitely choose from these and have initiated conversations with some of them, but my intention is to find a short term detox solution and perhaps do it periodically. An interesting website to read is:
http://www.beyondveg.com. It explores some of the ideas behind being vegetarian or vegan. It also takes me back to my original thought that diet is something very, very personal and that the best way to decide what you need is to tune into your body. However, this can be tricky as people might be completely pulled to certain types of diets because of their conditioning.
I'm not in pro of dogmas, whatever form or shape they have. To me life is much more than a set of fixed ideas.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Raw foods retreats
These are some resources, available online. I found some of these very interesting and appealing. There is a whole range from only classes to full retreats with services and therapies as part of their program. I feel that if I were to do something like this I'd probably go for the full thing and experience it on a retreat setting. The more beautiful the place the better. However there are programs for all types of people, ranging from very serious, medically based ones to programs in which people share their personal healing experiences resulting from living a raw food lifestyle.
The list:
USA
ARIZONA
http://www.treeoflife.nu/
This is a community centered around a Dr. called Rebbe Gabriel Cousens. They offer different programs and options with a spiritual focus. I can't fully comment on something I haven't experienced myself, but this seems a little new agey for me.
CALIFORNIA
http://www.therawretreat.com
The place looks very beautiful and what they offer seems interesting, but the website seems out of date. It is also focused on individual needs and not for groups.
http://jinjee1.securesites.net/retreat/
This place is still under construction. The place also looks beautiful in a different way. The owners/developers seem to be very convinced about the benefits of raw foods and they have build a whole website with pictures to prove it.
PUERTO RICO
http://www.annwigmore.org/
Also based on Dr. Ann Wigmore's ideas (and they make sure you know it), who according to the website spent time there teaching, when she was not in Boston (or elsewhere). They don't have retreat facilities, but you can stay at nearby apartments and hotels. They are close to the sea. Their focus is educational as they are not 'a spa nor clinic'.
FLORIDA
http://www.hippocratesinst.org/
This is a fully fledged program, probably the most professional. They have spa services and intensive workshops leading to certification. The original Ann Wigmore's school. If I were serious about raw foods, I'd probably give this one a chance.
http://rawfoodsretreat.com
This is more of a luxury type, personal retreat place. Things get organized around the individual needs.
http://www.circle-of-life.net/
They offer individualized programs in Florida as well as group retreats in other parts of the world. They focus too on juice fasts. The Florida programs do not offer accommodation as part of the retreat.
GEORGIA
http://www.livingfoodsinstitute.com
The owner/teacher seems very upbeat and willing to teach anyone. Her transition into raw foods was due to an illness. This is also mostly educational (although she offers therapies and treatments - colonics, reflexology, Bach flowers, etc) as part of the program. People stay at hotels or nearby homes as she does not provide retreat facilities. Her prices are a bit higher, but she offers different packages to match different budgets.
HAWAII
http://www.vacationinnparadise.com
They provide you with everything so you can do it yourself.
ILLINOIS
http://www.naturesrawenergy.com
Five and 12 days detox retreats based on classes. Their prices seem to be affordable and include room and board and classes.
Based on Dr. Ann Wigmore's ideas.
MICHIGAN
http://www.creativehealthinstitute.com
Based on Ann Wigmore, they offer teaching retreats and support afterwards.
NEW MEXICO
http://www.wigmore.org/
Very secluded. Also based on Ann Wigmore's philosophy.
PENNSYLVANIA
http://www.purejeevan.com/
Individual guidance with raw foods or some group retreats done in a separate place.
TENNESSEE
http://www.serenitycove.com/
Also focused on individual needs. The owner offers other services. One that promised interesting results was a massage based therapy called chi nei tsang.
TEXAS
http://www.roylretreat.com/
They are closed at the moment, but including it since they seem serious enough.
WASHINGTON
http://www.cedarsprings.org/
The are looks beautiful, probably close to Canada. They make emphasis on the weight loss aspect of eating raw foods. They also have programs with horses.
OTHER:
http://www.optimumhealth.org/
They have two places one in San Diego and one in Austin. They hold full retreats, but focused on teaching, not on spa therapies. Their philosophy is Christian based.
OUTSIDE THE US:
AUSTRALIA
http://www.alivefoods.com/
They offer detox retreats on a yatch and other similar classes (not specific to raw foods).
BELIZE
http://www.vidaclara.com/
They offer water fasting, raw food retreats and Natural Hygiene programs, in beautiful lush surroundings. The retreats are individual with the support of one of the owners, Dr. Sniadach who offers personal support and assistance.
COSTA RICA
http://www.pachamama.com
They are a community based on Osho principles and practices. They offer raw detox as part of one of their longer workshops. The place looks beautiful.
http://www.waterfallvillas.com
They are not specifically raw food oriented. It is more like a spa retreat where they also have raw foods.
PANAMA
http://www.tanglewoodwellnesscenter.com/
Their specialty seems to be water fasting. Not my piece of cake, but perhaps some people will find it interesting.
THAILAND
http://www.dharmahealingintl.com/
Their program is a spiritual in nature and includes raw foods. These are some of the activities they advertise as part of their program: Meditation, Yoga, Qi Kung, Water Exercise, Raw Food Preparation, Spiritual Nutrition, Vibrational Sound Healing, Dharma Talk, Kundalini Colonic-Acupressure, an Iridology reading and personal psycho/spiritual counseling. Might be a good option if you can afford the trip to Thailand.
UK
http://www.livingfoods.co.uk/
Their focus is day in day out. They offer courses, consultation and practitioner trainings.
http://www.suradetox.com/
They seem to know what they are doing. Their retreats are for 7 days in countryside UK. They put emphasis on colonics and they have a lot of information about them on the website.
---
If anyone reading this has any suggestions or comments regarding the above, please share!
The list:
USA
ARIZONA
http://www.treeoflife.nu/
This is a community centered around a Dr. called Rebbe Gabriel Cousens. They offer different programs and options with a spiritual focus. I can't fully comment on something I haven't experienced myself, but this seems a little new agey for me.
CALIFORNIA
http://www.therawretreat.com
The place looks very beautiful and what they offer seems interesting, but the website seems out of date. It is also focused on individual needs and not for groups.
http://jinjee1.securesites.net/retreat/
This place is still under construction. The place also looks beautiful in a different way. The owners/developers seem to be very convinced about the benefits of raw foods and they have build a whole website with pictures to prove it.
PUERTO RICO
http://www.annwigmore.org/
Also based on Dr. Ann Wigmore's ideas (and they make sure you know it), who according to the website spent time there teaching, when she was not in Boston (or elsewhere). They don't have retreat facilities, but you can stay at nearby apartments and hotels. They are close to the sea. Their focus is educational as they are not 'a spa nor clinic'.
FLORIDA
http://www.hippocratesinst.org/
This is a fully fledged program, probably the most professional. They have spa services and intensive workshops leading to certification. The original Ann Wigmore's school. If I were serious about raw foods, I'd probably give this one a chance.
http://rawfoodsretreat.com
This is more of a luxury type, personal retreat place. Things get organized around the individual needs.
http://www.circle-of-life.net/
They offer individualized programs in Florida as well as group retreats in other parts of the world. They focus too on juice fasts. The Florida programs do not offer accommodation as part of the retreat.
GEORGIA
http://www.livingfoodsinstitute.com
The owner/teacher seems very upbeat and willing to teach anyone. Her transition into raw foods was due to an illness. This is also mostly educational (although she offers therapies and treatments - colonics, reflexology, Bach flowers, etc) as part of the program. People stay at hotels or nearby homes as she does not provide retreat facilities. Her prices are a bit higher, but she offers different packages to match different budgets.
HAWAII
http://www.vacationinnparadise.com
They provide you with everything so you can do it yourself.
ILLINOIS
http://www.naturesrawenergy.com
Five and 12 days detox retreats based on classes. Their prices seem to be affordable and include room and board and classes.
Based on Dr. Ann Wigmore's ideas.
MICHIGAN
http://www.creativehealthinstitute.com
Based on Ann Wigmore, they offer teaching retreats and support afterwards.
NEW MEXICO
http://www.wigmore.org/
Very secluded. Also based on Ann Wigmore's philosophy.
PENNSYLVANIA
http://www.purejeevan.com/
Individual guidance with raw foods or some group retreats done in a separate place.
TENNESSEE
http://www.serenitycove.com/
Also focused on individual needs. The owner offers other services. One that promised interesting results was a massage based therapy called chi nei tsang.
TEXAS
http://www.roylretreat.com/
They are closed at the moment, but including it since they seem serious enough.
WASHINGTON
http://www.cedarsprings.org/
The are looks beautiful, probably close to Canada. They make emphasis on the weight loss aspect of eating raw foods. They also have programs with horses.
OTHER:
http://www.optimumhealth.org/
They have two places one in San Diego and one in Austin. They hold full retreats, but focused on teaching, not on spa therapies. Their philosophy is Christian based.
OUTSIDE THE US:
AUSTRALIA
http://www.alivefoods.com/
They offer detox retreats on a yatch and other similar classes (not specific to raw foods).
BELIZE
http://www.vidaclara.com/
They offer water fasting, raw food retreats and Natural Hygiene programs, in beautiful lush surroundings. The retreats are individual with the support of one of the owners, Dr. Sniadach who offers personal support and assistance.
COSTA RICA
http://www.pachamama.com
They are a community based on Osho principles and practices. They offer raw detox as part of one of their longer workshops. The place looks beautiful.
http://www.waterfallvillas.com
They are not specifically raw food oriented. It is more like a spa retreat where they also have raw foods.
PANAMA
http://www.tanglewoodwellnesscenter.com/
Their specialty seems to be water fasting. Not my piece of cake, but perhaps some people will find it interesting.
THAILAND
http://www.dharmahealingintl.com/
Their program is a spiritual in nature and includes raw foods. These are some of the activities they advertise as part of their program: Meditation, Yoga, Qi Kung, Water Exercise, Raw Food Preparation, Spiritual Nutrition, Vibrational Sound Healing, Dharma Talk, Kundalini Colonic-Acupressure, an Iridology reading and personal psycho/spiritual counseling. Might be a good option if you can afford the trip to Thailand.
UK
http://www.livingfoods.co.uk/
Their focus is day in day out. They offer courses, consultation and practitioner trainings.
http://www.suradetox.com/
They seem to know what they are doing. Their retreats are for 7 days in countryside UK. They put emphasis on colonics and they have a lot of information about them on the website.
---
If anyone reading this has any suggestions or comments regarding the above, please share!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Money, money, money...
Another topic that´s to come.
Most people are so blinded by money. Money after all is a force, and those who know how to handle it are not many. I think in fact a lot of people, even those succeeding at playing the money game, are handled by this force, not the opposite.
Anyway... more to come.
Most people are so blinded by money. Money after all is a force, and those who know how to handle it are not many. I think in fact a lot of people, even those succeeding at playing the money game, are handled by this force, not the opposite.
Anyway... more to come.
Raw food resource list coming... in the meantime:
I wish there was an invention that could translate your thoughts automatically into written words.
So many things to write about, yet so little time.
I have no doubt that such invention is coming. In fact future inventions is another subject I like. Some of these inventions are going to completely change the world as we know it. For good or bad.
Just imagine nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering (and the whole stem cell research happening)... wow. But this is another topic.
Back soon.
So many things to write about, yet so little time.
I have no doubt that such invention is coming. In fact future inventions is another subject I like. Some of these inventions are going to completely change the world as we know it. For good or bad.
Just imagine nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering (and the whole stem cell research happening)... wow. But this is another topic.
Back soon.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Food, health and freedom
Food is one of those things that most people tend to underestimate. It is so much part of being human that we either give it too much importance or completely neglect it.
Throughout my life I have been changing my diet. As a teenager I would eat anything, (including lots of chocolates) and I would gain or loose weight accordingly. I think I ate a bit too much though.
Later in life I became vegetarian (only cheese and eggs included), then I changed to the blood type diet (according to which I was incidentally supposed to be vegetarian) and so on.
With all these said, there have been times when I am so immersed in whatever I am doing that I completely forget to eat. There have also been times when I have found eating such a weird experience. A particular time I remember, working in a company that had a dining room for their employees, I sat there with my selection of food and looked around the room. Everyone was munching away, sharing stories (or gossip) and I thought 'how strange this is that we humans have to put some foreign matter into this thing called mouth to be able to live'. Bizarre.
As time passed by. I lost quite some weight and muscle (probably as a result of lack of exercise). Weight that I have not been able to put on. I decided to go back to eating protein. I started with chicken and fish and every now and then sea food (it was too strong for my palate). Red meat has not been an option, unless I really, really crave it, which is almost never.
The thing is, food is a vital part of inhabiting a human body (unless you are an ultra advanced yogi). However as time has passed I realized that instead of following some external diet, I need to tune into my body and see what it needs. This way it is possible to eat whatever one wants instead of following a set of external rules. The problem with this approach for some people is that they are so out of tune with it, that it is almost impossible to know what is the best thing to eat.
A question I ask myself often is, what would it take to be free of the food slavery. My answer to this has been, let the body eat what it needs. Freedom... !
Lately I have been exploring the idea of trying the raw foods diet, despite the fact that Ayurvedic doctors have advised me to eat cooked food. So in the process of deciding if this is something my body needs/wants I have been exploring what is available on the net. My main intention is to do a thorough detox as I feel I have accumulated all sorts of things that are not supporting my body's well being.
A list of resources to come.
Throughout my life I have been changing my diet. As a teenager I would eat anything, (including lots of chocolates) and I would gain or loose weight accordingly. I think I ate a bit too much though.
Later in life I became vegetarian (only cheese and eggs included), then I changed to the blood type diet (according to which I was incidentally supposed to be vegetarian) and so on.
With all these said, there have been times when I am so immersed in whatever I am doing that I completely forget to eat. There have also been times when I have found eating such a weird experience. A particular time I remember, working in a company that had a dining room for their employees, I sat there with my selection of food and looked around the room. Everyone was munching away, sharing stories (or gossip) and I thought 'how strange this is that we humans have to put some foreign matter into this thing called mouth to be able to live'. Bizarre.
As time passed by. I lost quite some weight and muscle (probably as a result of lack of exercise). Weight that I have not been able to put on. I decided to go back to eating protein. I started with chicken and fish and every now and then sea food (it was too strong for my palate). Red meat has not been an option, unless I really, really crave it, which is almost never.
The thing is, food is a vital part of inhabiting a human body (unless you are an ultra advanced yogi). However as time has passed I realized that instead of following some external diet, I need to tune into my body and see what it needs. This way it is possible to eat whatever one wants instead of following a set of external rules. The problem with this approach for some people is that they are so out of tune with it, that it is almost impossible to know what is the best thing to eat.
A question I ask myself often is, what would it take to be free of the food slavery. My answer to this has been, let the body eat what it needs. Freedom... !
Lately I have been exploring the idea of trying the raw foods diet, despite the fact that Ayurvedic doctors have advised me to eat cooked food. So in the process of deciding if this is something my body needs/wants I have been exploring what is available on the net. My main intention is to do a thorough detox as I feel I have accumulated all sorts of things that are not supporting my body's well being.
A list of resources to come.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Everything's Amazing, Nobody's Happy - OK I AM.
I was watching today the already old video where Conan O´Brien interviews Louis CK
It is so true! Most of us have adapted so fast to all things technological. Earlier today my internet connection dropped and although I was not cursing and screaming, it was a nuisance. We - most of us - have gotten used to these things. We expect them to work and do it well and fast. How frustrating can it be when you are wanting to work and have 3, 4 tabs open and the connection is taking aaaages. We want things faster and better, ALL the time.
We have lost wonder for these things.
Technology changes at such a fast pace that not much makes our eyes open wide. We expect for improvements all the time. Only totally unthinkable new inventions surprise us - sometimes. How many times do we get to think about how things work? How many things had to happen for me to be able to sit here and write this post:
discoveries and inventions like electricity, telephones, radio waves, microchips, keyboards and screens, an alphabet thats comprehensive by most, blogs... not to mention having the privilege of being in a country were there is peace, where I do not have to worry first about what I am going to eat today, being healthy, having a somewhat coherent mind, and so on...
It is AMAZING and I speak for myself here, AND I am happy. [At least right now.]
It is so true! Most of us have adapted so fast to all things technological. Earlier today my internet connection dropped and although I was not cursing and screaming, it was a nuisance. We - most of us - have gotten used to these things. We expect them to work and do it well and fast. How frustrating can it be when you are wanting to work and have 3, 4 tabs open and the connection is taking aaaages. We want things faster and better, ALL the time.
We have lost wonder for these things.
Technology changes at such a fast pace that not much makes our eyes open wide. We expect for improvements all the time. Only totally unthinkable new inventions surprise us - sometimes. How many times do we get to think about how things work? How many things had to happen for me to be able to sit here and write this post:
discoveries and inventions like electricity, telephones, radio waves, microchips, keyboards and screens, an alphabet thats comprehensive by most, blogs... not to mention having the privilege of being in a country were there is peace, where I do not have to worry first about what I am going to eat today, being healthy, having a somewhat coherent mind, and so on...
It is AMAZING and I speak for myself here, AND I am happy. [At least right now.]
Sunday, March 8, 2009
On religions and spirituality...
One last comment before attempting to move on.
It is sad to see that many religious people, that follow the dogmas of their 'faith', miss the point completely. I have friends that grew up, as I did, breathing the Catholic influence. Some of them pretend, like those people I used to look up to at church, to be very religious and in touch with God. Yet, they are highly judgmental of anything that is not their religion, as if afraid that if they were to ask a few questions and inquire within they would go to hell.
God is not about fear, it is not about separation, it is not about judgment. At least not the God I have experienced (read me well, experienced, not believed in). This Divine being is about Love and Truth and Union.
Interestingly if some of these people locked in their boxes were to do a little research on how religions came about, they would be surprised to see that what they belief is a result of years and years of transformation and that some of the most important religions actually originate in the same principles and ideas. It is only the workings of time (and perhaps political, social and or economical interests) that have made them what they are now.I am not an expert here, but I remember reading about the origins of Catholicism and was baffled to see how much beauty there was back then. Esoteric Christianity, phew... and so on. I used to be so critical about Catholicism, rejecting absolutely everything there is about it, until I did my research. I think the form it has taken now is so distant from its original essence. Same probably for most dogmatic religions that ask people to have faith in something that they can't even experience themselves.
The art of things becoming corrupted. Well, not really an art.
Furthermore... a quote
“We are like a choir who stand round the conductor,” says Plotinus, “but do not always sing in tune, because their attention is diverted by looking at external things. So we always move round the One—if we did not, we should dissolve and cease to exist—but we do not always look towards the One.” Hence, instead of that free and conscious co-operation in the great life of the All which alone can make personal life worth living, we move like slaves or marionettes, and, oblivious of the whole to which our little steps contribute, fail to observe the measure “whereto the worlds keep time.” Our minds being distracted from the Corypheus in the midst the “energetic Word” who sets the rhythm, we do not behold Him. We are absorbed in the illusions of sense; the “eye which looks on Eternity” is idle. “But when we do behold Him,” says Plotinus again, “we attain the end of our existence and our rest. Then we no longer sing out of tune, but form a truly divine chorus about Him; in the which chorus dance the soul beholds the Fountain of life 234 the Fountain of intellect, the Principle of Being, the cause of good the root of soul.”
From the fantastic book by Evelyn Underhill :
Mysticism: A Study in Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness
From the fantastic book by Evelyn Underhill :
Mysticism: A Study in Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness
Your belief becomes _your_ reality. Not _the_ reality.
Let this be the first real post.
Among the many musings that I have there is one that has been very present today.
I often think about how people's beliefs create their reality. What sort of beliefs? All sorts: religious, financial, cultural,... you name it.
I was born in a country that was somewhat forced to adopt Catholicism as the way to relate to the Divine (God, That, or whatever you want to call it). Having had always a sense of 'a something else' a lot of the times I was taken to church by my parents (backed by a very Catholic grandfather) I was bored, and amused at the same time. My amusement came not from the sermons that the priest would call, neither from the sense of being in a holy place. In fact, it was very much the opposite. I found the words empty, the people around me hypocrites and pretenders and I just couldn't understand why they would hit their hearts three times saying "I am guilty' ("guilty of what?" I thought... "I am not guilty of anything, don't count me in!"). These visits felt heavy and gray. My concept of something else was very different, so different that I would never had thought that perhaps some of my experiences could be considered divine.
Memorable moments were those during the night in which I would wake up in my room, to the most sublime silence (to whatever extent one can understand the concept of sublime as a child) and the most beautiful light and sound with it (yes, silence can have sound of a very different type). It would hold me deeply and I would soon fall back asleep. There was lightness, joy, and something that felt open and fluid - very different to the heavy, gray, limiting aspects that Catholicism represented to me.
And so I grew up, became quite cynical, forgot about the blessed moments of awe and wonder and existentialism took over. A complete questioning of every aspect of my life. Who am I? What do I want? And so on... It was only later, perhaps as a result of that intense questioning, that I started to reconnect back with those heart-warming experiences that I felt as a child and denied as a teenager. It was a long journey - it still is, and I am very grateful for it.
So, what does this have to do with people's beliefs and reality? Well, I look around and see people (and myself in the mirror) so caught in their religious 'shoulds', their financial 'worries', their social 'fears', and many, many more... Ideas that are only mental and conditioned, followed because of the society, the group, what the media says, what has been done before should be, what the perceived limit is. Many of these rarely come as a result of the true essence of the person shining through. Ideas that limit people instead of opening the doors of freedom, the real freedom.
Think about it. What would society become if at least half of the population created their reality based on their highest, innermost being? People that instead of listening to the bs sensationalism generated by the media could see that there are other ways, other means and that by choosing to fall into the bunch they are becoming it? The beliefs create their reality.
Now pushing this further. Beliefs will never be reality itself. To know reality one has to have the experience of it. By reality I mean what is beyond appearances, that which has to do more with the inside than the outside.
No, don't get me wrong... there is a world out there.
There are cars and houses, and pennies and dollars and euros, and oceans and trees and human bodies. It is NOT an illusion. The illusion is what we make out of these things, what we believe these to be. What if we could really wake up and see things for what they are? Can you imagine the type of world we could actually build? The social, financial, political... systems? (Or call them whatever you want.)
Just spare with me for a moment here.... OMG!
Perhaps for many these are ramblings of an idealist... and that is ok. You can choose your beliefs (or probably more something like let your beliefs choose you.) What I choose is not to believe, but to experience. This means a possibility, a possibility of creating a reality, with the physical means that will actually support the core of being human and not deny it. Or at least that is my goal. And no, I am not looking for another theory or another set of beliefs. I want to be able to create, to whatever extent possible giving the reality of the physical existence, something that holds That.
Can this be possible? Somewhere inside I know it is (just don't ask me how just yet).
Those brief moments of silence experienced as a child were more real than any sermons given in the church. They conveyed something that felt more True at least to me. Something was alive and that something was not imposed. There were no beliefs, no doctrine, no dogma, only experience. In a way, one needs not to talk about religion to find similar things. The speeches of politicians, the disinformation of the media, the trends generated by the materialistic approach, these can be for a lot of people doctrines and dogmas, only sometimes the preacher or priest is more difficult to spot.
Let me be clear, what I am suggesting here is not the fact that everything you believe is real. Or that by constantly repeating affirmations you will magically materialize a pet, or a house, or a million in your account. Those to me are beliefs too and I don't follow the Secret's style of life. Au contraire, what you believe is not necessarily the reality, but your reality. Things in this world are something, regardless of what you believe they are. The key is to see things for what they are, beyond their appearance. And then create with those real ingredients that which will bring you closer to you.
So what if the experience is painful? How painful, I would ask. Is it really painful or is it a belief on top of the pain that makes it a suffering? Not all experiences in this world are pretty. For sure. However, how many times do we believe that these are horrible? Experiences are experiences. What we put on top of them is a different thing. And there are experiences that will bring you closer to you and others that will separate you from you. But only you will know which are these. They do not follow a set of rules, or doctrines and they are far beyond the judgmental noise of the mind.
In a world of growing confusion and ignorance, the key lies in the silence, where no belief exist and just existence is.
Quoting Thomas Keating* "God's first language is Silence. Everything else is a translation."
(*who incidentally is a monk from a strict Catholic order)
Among the many musings that I have there is one that has been very present today.
I often think about how people's beliefs create their reality. What sort of beliefs? All sorts: religious, financial, cultural,... you name it.
I was born in a country that was somewhat forced to adopt Catholicism as the way to relate to the Divine (God, That, or whatever you want to call it). Having had always a sense of 'a something else' a lot of the times I was taken to church by my parents (backed by a very Catholic grandfather) I was bored, and amused at the same time. My amusement came not from the sermons that the priest would call, neither from the sense of being in a holy place. In fact, it was very much the opposite. I found the words empty, the people around me hypocrites and pretenders and I just couldn't understand why they would hit their hearts three times saying "I am guilty' ("guilty of what?" I thought... "I am not guilty of anything, don't count me in!"). These visits felt heavy and gray. My concept of something else was very different, so different that I would never had thought that perhaps some of my experiences could be considered divine.
Memorable moments were those during the night in which I would wake up in my room, to the most sublime silence (to whatever extent one can understand the concept of sublime as a child) and the most beautiful light and sound with it (yes, silence can have sound of a very different type). It would hold me deeply and I would soon fall back asleep. There was lightness, joy, and something that felt open and fluid - very different to the heavy, gray, limiting aspects that Catholicism represented to me.
And so I grew up, became quite cynical, forgot about the blessed moments of awe and wonder and existentialism took over. A complete questioning of every aspect of my life. Who am I? What do I want? And so on... It was only later, perhaps as a result of that intense questioning, that I started to reconnect back with those heart-warming experiences that I felt as a child and denied as a teenager. It was a long journey - it still is, and I am very grateful for it.
So, what does this have to do with people's beliefs and reality? Well, I look around and see people (and myself in the mirror) so caught in their religious 'shoulds', their financial 'worries', their social 'fears', and many, many more... Ideas that are only mental and conditioned, followed because of the society, the group, what the media says, what has been done before should be, what the perceived limit is. Many of these rarely come as a result of the true essence of the person shining through. Ideas that limit people instead of opening the doors of freedom, the real freedom.
Think about it. What would society become if at least half of the population created their reality based on their highest, innermost being? People that instead of listening to the bs sensationalism generated by the media could see that there are other ways, other means and that by choosing to fall into the bunch they are becoming it? The beliefs create their reality.
Now pushing this further. Beliefs will never be reality itself. To know reality one has to have the experience of it. By reality I mean what is beyond appearances, that which has to do more with the inside than the outside.
No, don't get me wrong... there is a world out there.
There are cars and houses, and pennies and dollars and euros, and oceans and trees and human bodies. It is NOT an illusion. The illusion is what we make out of these things, what we believe these to be. What if we could really wake up and see things for what they are? Can you imagine the type of world we could actually build? The social, financial, political... systems? (Or call them whatever you want.)
Just spare with me for a moment here.... OMG!
Perhaps for many these are ramblings of an idealist... and that is ok. You can choose your beliefs (or probably more something like let your beliefs choose you.) What I choose is not to believe, but to experience. This means a possibility, a possibility of creating a reality, with the physical means that will actually support the core of being human and not deny it. Or at least that is my goal. And no, I am not looking for another theory or another set of beliefs. I want to be able to create, to whatever extent possible giving the reality of the physical existence, something that holds That.
Can this be possible? Somewhere inside I know it is (just don't ask me how just yet).
Those brief moments of silence experienced as a child were more real than any sermons given in the church. They conveyed something that felt more True at least to me. Something was alive and that something was not imposed. There were no beliefs, no doctrine, no dogma, only experience. In a way, one needs not to talk about religion to find similar things. The speeches of politicians, the disinformation of the media, the trends generated by the materialistic approach, these can be for a lot of people doctrines and dogmas, only sometimes the preacher or priest is more difficult to spot.
Let me be clear, what I am suggesting here is not the fact that everything you believe is real. Or that by constantly repeating affirmations you will magically materialize a pet, or a house, or a million in your account. Those to me are beliefs too and I don't follow the Secret's style of life. Au contraire, what you believe is not necessarily the reality, but your reality. Things in this world are something, regardless of what you believe they are. The key is to see things for what they are, beyond their appearance. And then create with those real ingredients that which will bring you closer to you.
So what if the experience is painful? How painful, I would ask. Is it really painful or is it a belief on top of the pain that makes it a suffering? Not all experiences in this world are pretty. For sure. However, how many times do we believe that these are horrible? Experiences are experiences. What we put on top of them is a different thing. And there are experiences that will bring you closer to you and others that will separate you from you. But only you will know which are these. They do not follow a set of rules, or doctrines and they are far beyond the judgmental noise of the mind.
In a world of growing confusion and ignorance, the key lies in the silence, where no belief exist and just existence is.
Quoting Thomas Keating* "God's first language is Silence. Everything else is a translation."
(*who incidentally is a monk from a strict Catholic order)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
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