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HABITS

  • Posted on May 21, 2012 at 6:01 pm

 

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

-William Makepeace Ackeray

 The last thoughts I wrote in my last article was about ‘samskaras,’ but I was really not totally satisfied with what I tried to express there. There is so much more to that subject and I barely scratched the surface.

Today in my l6th lesson in Tools to Life, Coach Steele talked about lying. What does lying have to do with samskaras? Well, he took the example of smoking or drinking, and talked about how we know that smoking or drinking is bad for our health and we still continue to smoke or drink, lying to ourselves that it will be the last and when the next time comes around, we convince ourselves that the next drink will be the last and we continue to do what we always did and that becomes our habit. Once it becomes a habit we do not analyze our decision and act in a way that comes naturally to us out of habit and that is what we mean when we say it has become our ‘samskara.’

 

Our Samskaras or Tendencies Result from Our Habits:

 

 

Behind most of the things you want to change in your life, there is a lie you told yourself first.
-Coach Steele

Our habits can only be changed thru close observation of our thoughts and the choices we make. We tend to fulfill our deep seated desires even if we know that they are not good for us by lying to ourselves. So today’s lesson was making a promise to ourselves to not lie to ourselves. This makes us listen to our inner conscience that is our best friend. So to change our samskaras, we need to change our bad habits into good habits. And meditation is one tool that helps us do so. In the process of meditation we delve deep into our thoughts, cleansing and purifying the mind layer by layer like peeling an onion and getting into the core of our inner being which is ‘pure consciousness.’ Once we reach this state, we also realize that our true nature is stainless and changeless but our personality is what keeps changing. The way we talk and the actions we take are what make our personality. And self development is nothing but the refinement of the ‘personality of the soul,’ and the blossoming of the personality into a beautiful fragrant flower that gives beauty and joy to others.

 

One should elevate the self by means of his mind but never bring about destruction of the self. For, the mind that is submissive to the self is a kin, and one that is not is an enemy.

                                                                …..Bh. Gita. Ch. 6. Shloka 5

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There is No Shortcut

  • Posted on May 14, 2012 at 10:55 am

meditation

Yesterday was Mother’s day and I took my mother out to eat to celebrate it. Actually I also invited my best friend of 42 years and her mother. And we had a nice time. While on the way to the restaurant we were talking about how some people as they become old cannot control their anger. We were actually talking in reference to our friend who gets angry easily and simply cannot help himself. At that point it dawned on me that it had to do with one’s samskaras. For once, I understood what the word samskara meant.

 

What are samskaras?

Well what are samaskaras or tendencies? When we act in a certain  way out  of compulsion, then we call that as our tendency to act in that way in spite of not wanting to.

As children we are born with certain tendencies that compel us to behave in a certain way. As we grow up and gain more experience, it gives us a chance to change those habits or tendencies thru self development we learn from school and associating with other people.. But developing new habits takes a lot of work and discipline.

Let me give you an example of what I mean. As a child I might be short tempered or get angry very easily. But thru associating with others I am made aware of this weakness of mine and on suggestions of others I try to control my anger. As years go by I seem to have gained some control over my anger during my youth and things look good. But as I grow old and successful, I become egotistical and arrogant and soon I lose perspective of my values and revert back to getting angry easily at the slightest provocation. All that work I put into my self development has gone waste. I have reverted to my original self who gets angry easily. Why does this happen? We take so many births and develop so many habits that they are so ingrained in us that it is hard to change them. The new habits we developed are not strong enough to overcome our previous samskaras.

Unfortunately, even after working the better half of our youth trying to cultivate those good habits, it seems as though our tendencies take control of us during old age and we seem to have lost what we tried to develop thru our youth. So how do we change our samskaras? It is only thru meditation that we can change our tendencies. To this question and answer the following email I received in my inbox today is an appropriate answer and so I decided to post it here on my blog.

 

There is no shortcut.

One thing has to be remembered about meditation; it is a long journey and there is no shortcut. Anyone who says there is a shortcut is befooling you.

It is a long journey because the change is very deep and is achieved after many lives – many lives of routine habits, thinking, desiring, and the mind structure you have to drop through meditation. In fact it is almost impossible – but it happens.

A man becoming a meditator is the greatest responsibility in the world. It is not easy. It cannot be instant. So from the beginning never start expecting too much and then you will never be frustrated. You will always be happy because things will grow very slowly.

Meditation is not a seasonal flower which within six weeks is there. It is a very very big tree. It needs time to spread its roots.
‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑OSHO


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Music To Our Ears!

  • Posted on May 13, 2012 at 4:23 am

music

 

 

Importance of Music In our Lives

 

 

If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once a week; for perhaps the parts of my brain now atrophied would have thus been kept active through use. The loss of these tastes is a loss of happiness, and may possibly be injurious to the intellect, and more probably to the moral character, by enfeebling the emotional art of our nature.
-Charles Darwin

I came across this quote in tools to life program. I agree with it absolutely. There was a time when I was care free and would listen to a lot of music and that would make me happy. I have the habit of singing when I am working my house hold chores.

Lately, though, I have been so pre-occupied with my online businesses and trying to be creative with my blog writing, that I don’t make the time to relax and listen to some nice music. O, I watch some television to take a break but the stories in those dramas are so melodramatic and far from reality full of cunning schemes being played by one character or another!

I think the best approach is to learn to play an instrument or sing for yourself. Both my husband and my daughter do that no matter how busy they are. I have to make time to do that also and I am trying to listen to some music to find some relief from my stress.

 

Here are some additional beautiful quotations on music

 

 

Music is God’s gift to man, the only art of heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to heaven.
-Walter Savage Landor

Music is well said to be the speech of angels; in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine. It brings us near to the Infinite.
-Thomas Carlyle

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Many Wonders of The Neem Tree

  • Posted on May 7, 2012 at 11:53 am

 

Neem

 

The Neem Tree with Flowers

I just want to talk about the many wonders of Neem Tree today just to show that it also has many benefits. I got the following list in my inbox a couple of days ago and as I looked over it I found it has benefits similar to Noni. However, it is very difficult to take Neem internally because it tastes extremely bitter. I know because I tried it.

  • As for myself I have a good substitute for it in Noni and I am very happy with it.
  • However there are so many benefits to Neem that it is worth recapitulating it here once again and so I have posted what I got in my email as is.


Neem

  • The fast growing evergreen Neem tree is native to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. This amazing tree is claimed to treat forty different diseases. All the parts of the tree is used for treating illness – the leaves, fruit, seeds and even the bark all contain medicinal properties.

  • The use of neem as a medicinal herb dates back over 5,000 years. Today its benefits have been proven by scientific research and clinical trials. And, although few of us have access to a neem tree, it can be purchased in the form of oil, powder and pills.
  • To give you an idea of the healing powers of the neem tree, here are a few names that the people of India have given it, “Divine Tree”, “Village Pharmacy”, “Heal All” and “Nature’s Drugstore”. With the almost ending list of uses for neem, I think it could be called, ” The Tree of Life”!
  • In treating diabetes, neem has been found to actually reduce the insulin requirements by as much as 50% without altering the blood glucose levels. Take 3 to 5 drops internally each day.
  • Neem cleanses the blood, stimulates antibody protection and strengthens the immune system which improves the bodies resistance to many diseases.
  • Used as a mouth wash it treats infections, mouth ulcers, bleeding sore gums and will even help prevent tooth decay!

  • For pink eye the juice of neem leaves can be used as eye drops, warm 5-10 ml and apply several drops.

Pure Natural Essential Neem oil

  • To treat jaundice, mix 30 ml of neem juice with 15 ml of h

  • oney, take on an empty stomach for seven days.
  • If you suffer from burning sensations and excessive sweating, add 5 to 10 drops of neem oil in a glass of milk and drink it before going to bed.
  • Another way to treat psoriasis as well as eczema, skin ulcers, fungalconditions, cold sores and athletes foot, is to mix 1 tablespoon neem oil and 4 ounces of olive oilThis should be applied at least twice daily to                         to the affected areas.
  • To remove moles and warts, one drop of undiluted neem oil should be directly to the mole or wart and then covered with a small bandage. The procedure should be repeated daily using fresh oil and clean bandage..
  • For acne problems take 2 capsules twice daily, you will start to see results within a few days.
  • Proclaimed the best product available in treating psoriasis, 2 capsules should be taken three times daily after meals with a glass of water.
  • For sinusitis, plain pure neem oil can be used as nasal drops. Use tow drops twice daily, morning and evening.
  • For athletes foot, soak feet in warm water with 15 ml of neem oil.
  • Neem oil will quickly stop ear-aches, just warm some oil and apply a few drops into the ear.
  • For hemorrhoids, apply some neem oil to a cotton ball and gently rub for about a week. If preferred a paste can be made by adding a small amount of olive oil or Aloe Vera oil until desired consistency is reached.
  • To prevent hair loss and enhance growth, mix a few drops of neem oil with coconut or olive oil and massage into scalp. This will even prevent your hair from graying!
  • Neem oil can be applied to cuts and abrasions to help them heal quickly. Neem increases blood flow which aids in creating the collagen fibers that helps the wounds to close.
  • As a treatment for burns and even sunburn, neem oil can kill the bacteria, reduce the pain and stimulate the immune system. By stimulating the immune system it speeds up the healing process and there is less scarring.
  • To kill head lice, neem oil should be massaged into the scalp and left on over night. Shampoo your hair as usual the next morning.
  • Neem detoxifies the body and helps maintain healthy circulatory systems, digestive and respiratory systems and helps to keep the urinary tract free of infections.
  • Scientific evidence has shown that neem is valuable in boosting the bodies immune system. A healthier immune system helps your body in fighting off many illness and diseases.
  • Laboratory studies have proven neem to be effective in treating the symptoms of food poisoning associated with both salmonella and staphylococcus. Neem extracts kill the salmonella bacteria and flush it out of your system, reducing the severity and length of the ailment.
  • A neem paste applied directly to the sores caused by chicken pox, will relieve the itching and reduce scarring.
  • Neem tea drank once or twice weekly can even help prevent colds. If you already have the symptoms associated with a cold they can be lessened by drinking neem tea three times a day. It will help alleviate the fever, cough, aches and pains, sore throat, fatigue and nasal congestion.
  • Neem also contains powerful anti-fungal properties that have been shown to aide in the treatment of athletes foot, yeast infections, thrush and even ringworm.
  • In its use of treating hepatitis, 80% of test subjects showed a significant improvement. The neem extract can actually block the infection caused by this virus.
  • Drinking neem tea during an outbreak of influenza will help alleviate some of the symptoms and speed up the recovery time. Neem has an amazing ability to literally surround viruses and prevent them from even infecting the cells.
  • Use of a neem based powder for jock itch will reduce the itching, dry the area and kill the fungus. For severe cases a neem lotion may be more effective.
  • The length and severity of an outbreak of mononucleosis can be decreased by drinking neem tea twice a day for two weeks.
  • For shingles, neem cream should be applied to the affected area at least three times per day. Severe cases should also be treated with neem tea after each meal, but tea should not be consumed for more than two weeks at a time.
  • Thrush can be effectively treated with neem tea, it will reduce the inflammation, reduce the pain and speed healing. Children under the age of 12 should not drink neem tea, for children this young it should only be used to gargle.
  • Secondary bacterial infections in the nasal passages and respiratory system can be decreased by inhaling steam from boiling the leaves.
  • In a recent study neem was shown to lower cholesterol levels when taken for a month in either the capsule form or the extract.
  • Scientific studies have proven that neem will reduce blood clots, heart irregularities and even reduce blood pressure. Results can be seen within one month on a regimen of extract or capsules.
  • Neem will increase the bodies production of T-cells, which will attack infections.
  • The use of neem oil on the skin is known to actually rejuvenate the skin, it also promotes collagen and will work in the treatment of many skin conditions including acne. Acne can be cleared up within a few days by taking two neem capsules twice daily.
  • It is reported that neem will help in fighting chronic fatigue.
  • For headaches neem powder should be applied to the forehead, neem oil should also work in combating headaches when used the same way.
  • The inflammation, pain and swelling of the joints associated with arthritis can be greatly relieved with the use of neem. Neem changes the immune systems response to arthritis and can halt the progress of this disease.
  • For centuries neem has been used to reduce tumors. Clinical research has shown remarkable effects in the reduction of tumors and cancers and also in treating leukemia.
  • Neem is highly effective in treating gastritis, indigestion and heartburn.
  • Blood disorders such as blood poisoning, kidney problems and poor circulation have been benefited by the use of neem.
  • With all of the countless medicinal benefits that are already provided with the use of neem, it is also being studied very closely for a treatment for AIDS, cancer, allergies, diabetes and both male and female forms of birth control!
  • Neem oil should be stored in a cool dark place, if the oil solidifies it can be placed in warm water to bring back to liquid form.

Having a Neem tree in the backyard sure helps. I remember once when I developed some kind of allergic rash on my whole body, I simply plucked a few leaves and put it in a bucket of water and took a bath with it and got immediate relief and got rid of the rash. There is a public park near my house in Hyderabad and when I used to go for my early morning walk I would pluck a fwe leaves and chew them everyday. But Neem leaves are a bitter medicine for sure.lower cholesterol levels
liheadachesNeem oil should be stored in a cool dark place, if the oil solidifies it can be placed in warm water to bring back to liquid form.

, neem oil can kill the bacteria, reduce the pain and stimulate the immune system. By salmonella and staphylococcusIn its use of treating

 

 

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span style=”text-decoration: underline;”

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Noni Makes Your Hair Lustrous and Strong

  • Posted on May 6, 2012 at 10:08 am

Noni Black Hair Magic

Noni

I heard about Noni Black Hair Magic only a few weeks ago and had a very a good experience when I tried it. When I came to India two years ago, I had the luxury of having a body massage and hair dye treatment right at home. In India a masseuse will come to your home and give you a whole body massage at your house for a few extra bucks. Anyway, while she was giving me a massage she was explaining to me the benefit of massaging with mustard oil. Mustard oil is considered the king of oils. There is no oil as beneficial as mustard oil. She gave me a thorough massage from head to toe and it was wonderful. In the process of doing so she was telling me that using the popularly known brands of hair dyes that are full of chemicals and Ammonia not only weaken the hair and increase hair fall, they are also detrimental to the brain as you apply these chemicals to your scalp. Now that made a lot of sense, but the only alternative natural hair dye she recommended to me was henna. I really did not want to use henna as it leaves the hair red when the color eventually wears off. So I continued to use the popular hair dye that was available in the market that was also full of these detrimental chemicals. Finally after 2 years, I have found a wonderful all natural hair dye made from Noni.

I tried Noni Black Hair Magic a few weeks ago and was stunned at the ease with which I could apply it to my hair. It smelled good too and was cool to the head and washed off easily. The first thing I noticed on applying it was that my hair did not fall out as much as I rinsed the shampoo off my hair. As I am writing this article and google searched some information on mustard oil I found this interesting piece of information.

“To make your hair strong and lustrous, an oil massage is a must. The massage increases the blood flow and provides hair follicles with all the nutrients required for good hair growth. You can also use olive oil if you have a problem of excess hair fall.

Although you cannot cure baldness, with little care, you can promote hair growth and slow hair loss. Massaging the scalp with aloe vera gel or coconut milk is an effective remedy for treating hair loss. Another method to strengthen the hair roots is by rubbing lemon juice onto the scalp after oiling the hair. Make sure you leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it off as usual. This remedy will also help you in getting rid of dandruff. Besides you can also use eucalyptus oil for dandruff treatment by soaking a piece of cotton wool into the oil and rubbing it thoroughly into the scalp. After that just wrap a warm towel around the head for 15 to 20 minutes. Shampoo, and rinse. Repeat the treatment again after a week.

To color your hair naturally you can use henna leaves made into a paste and applied on the hair. It gives a reddish tinge to the tresses. If you want a darker color then put strong concoction of black coffee and tea in the paste. But beware. This recipe is only for brunets or redheads as the final color will not suit people of lighter hair. One more method to color the hair is by boiling equal parts of Gooseberry, Acacia concinna and soap nut in water till you get a dark colored liquid. Use this liquid to wash your hair. Make sure you pour it into the hair small quantities and rub vigorously. Rinse out with plenty of water. It is very good for dark hair. Hope these remedies help you. You will be amazed to see how these natural ingredients work wonders on your hair. Moreover, being non toxic are not harmful for the environment.”

I have quoted this paragraph to show you how elaborate and difficult it is to  use all the ingredients listed above.

With Noni Black Hair magic, you don’t have to work so hard to reap the same benefits listed above, and that is to strengthen the hair roots, prevent hair loss and get rid of dandruff and provide hair follicles with all the nutrients required for good hair growth. Not only that! You can apply Noni Hair dye even on your graying eyebrows with no fear of any chemicals getting into your eyes and harming them. Noni hair dye is all natural and not harmful to the body nor to the environment!

So again, we have a winner of a hair dye in Noni. You will not understand why I am so in love with this product until you try it for yourself. Just fill in your information on the form on the right and I will send you information on how you can get Noni Hair Dye at a very affordable price.

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Noni the miracle fruit

  • Posted on May 1, 2012 at 2:09 am


Well, good health is all about eating right and taking care of the body, and thinking right is all about taking care of the mind. Spirituality is all about meditating and gaining a balance in thought, word and deed! LIFE is a balancing act! It is all about what you eat, what you think, what you speak and what you do with your life.

Recently, I got introduced to a product called Noni Leaven which just launched in India and is available only in Asian countries. I have been using it for the past 3 weeks and have found it to give me a lot of energy and a sense of general well being. Here I am giving an excerpt of the benefits of Noni from their website.

Noni is the Hawaian name of the plant Morinda Citrifolia of the genus Morinda of the family Rubiaceae. In India it is the Indian Mulberry, in Malaysia it is Mengkudo, in Vietnam it is Grand Morinda, in Australia it is Cheesefruit, in Africa it is Bumbo, in the Caribbean islands it is Painkiller Tree, in Guam it is Lada, in Tahiti and Raratonga it is Nono, etc. In Hawaii, Noni is considered like a Goddess just like the Neem tree in India. Just as all the parts of the Neem tree have medical benefits so also every part of the Noni – its roots, bark, leaves and fruit have medicinal value.

Hawaiian Noni is a small, blossoming shrub with rounded branches and dark, glossy evergreen leaves that measure approximately a foot in length. Bunches of small white flowers sprout at different times and evolve into bumpy egg-shaped fruits that are a few inches long and etched with circular indentations. The yellowish white skin of the fruit, which is waxy and opaque, becomes more translucent as it ripens and the tasteless, whitish pulp turns into a smelly semi-liquid that seeps through the skin of the fruit.

Chemical Constituents 

The leaf contains anthraquinones, glycosides, phenolic compounds, resins, B-sitosterol and ursolic acid, besides several amino acids like alanine, arginine, aspartic acids, cysteine, systine, glycine, glutamic acid, histidine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, setine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine.

The flower contains acacetin, glucophyranoside, dimethyl apigenin, galactophyranoside. dimethoxy methyl anthroquinone, rhamnosyl glucophyranoside, etc and the fruit contains antioxidants, alizarin, anthraquinones. aucubin, caprolic and caprylic acids, proxeronine, damnacanthol, essential oils, B-D-glucopyranose pentaacetate, asperuloside tetra acetate, glucose and ascorbic acid.

The root and root bark contain carbonate, rubicholric acid, chrysophanol, magnesium, sodium, morinadadiol, resins, sterols, chlorubin, soranjidol, phosphate, ferric iron, glycosides, morindine and rubiadine.

Pharmacological observations

Compounds found in the fruit portion exhibit antimicrobial action against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, shigella paradysenteriae and Staphylacoccus aureaus. Compounds found in the root have the ability to reduce swollen mucous membrane and lower blood pressure. Proxeronine, an alkaloid constituent of the fruit, prompts the production of Xeronine in the body, which is thought to be helpful in cancer treatment. Noni influences almost all body systems including circulatory, digestive, respiratory, integumentary, endocrine, immune-related, nervous and skeletal.

 Traditional uses

  • Juice made from pounding noni leaves, roots and fruit, mixed with water, is used for diarrhea
  • For infant diarrhea, powdered bark with water is given
  • Small pieces of fruit and root are given with water to kill intestinal parasites
  • Poultice of fruit is applied to swollen areas, deep cuts, inflamed joints, etc for immediate relief
  • Noni fruit juice and bark decoctions are used for regulation of menstruation
  • Boiled bark decoctions are used for stomach ailments
  • Pounded fruit with kava and sugarcane is used in the treatment of tuberculosis
  • Leaf infusions are used to treat adult fevers
  • For inflamed gums, a mouth wash consisting of crushed ripe fruit and juice is used
  • Pounded leaf juice is used in adult gingivitis
  • For sore throat, leaves are chewed and the juice swallowed
  • Leaf poultices are used for skin abscesses and boils
  • Leaf macerations are used for swelling anywhere on the body
  • Heated leaves are used in the treatment of arthritic joints and against ringworms
  • Grated bark is used in the treatment of cough
  • Diseased gums are treated with charred unripe fruit with salt.
  • Fresh, crushed leaves are rubbed on the chest of babies for serious chest colds and fever

I have been feeling so good taking Noni Leaven that I consider it my best friend. :)  In my next post I am going to write more about Noni since it is my latest discovery.


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