Archive for January, 2008

10 Simple Coping Strategies When a Family Member Has Clinical Depression

Saturday, January 19th, 2008

By Elizabeth Tull 1.Remember that it is an illness: Clinical depression often requires medical supervision as well as professional treatment. Clinical depression is treatable and requires commitment, understanding and patience from all those involved. 2.It is not your fault: Clinical depression is usually a combination of chemical imbalance and learned behaviors. There may be times when the depressed individual is extremely sensitive, argumentative and/or blaming towards you, the children, the in-laws, the boss and even the world. All the above mentioned are not the cause. What you are responsible for is how you choose to take on the outward symptoms and how they affect you, your home and your relationships. 3.Be well informed: Educate yourself on what type of depression is present and if there is a dual diagnosisIE: chemical dependency and depression or personality disorders and depression. Know what the symptoms, treatments and follow-ups are. There are suggested guidelines for communication and setting boundaries. Though the illness is not your fault; it benefits you and your family to remain open minded and willing to learn new ways of doing things. 4.Make sure to have a support network: Depression and dual diagnosis affects the whole family. There are many ranges of emotions from anger and fear to hopefulness and hopelessness. Having others that have experienced it before can help eliminate unhealthy coping mechanisms such as isolation, shame, control and low self-esteem. There are many national and local support groups available on line. For more information check with your favorite search engines or call a local and/or national mental health hotline. 5.Make time for yourself and your children: Dont fall into the trap of not taking care of yourselves. Misery and fear love company. Living with and loving someone who is clinically depressed can be incredibly draining. Do not become a hostage or enabler. Remember your flight instructions: For those traveling with small children; place the oxygen mask on yourself first and then assist the children. 6.Be a victor not a victim: Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional:We are all going to feel pain in life never mind a home with mental illness. Surround yourselves with knowledge, self-care, experienced support and nurturing. There are no such things as victims only volunteers. 7.Recognize that clinical depression is episodicClinical depression comes in waves. People with clinical depression do get better! 8.Understand that medication takes time to work: In most cases, improvement takes as long as 6-8 weeks. Even early responders require about 3-4 weeks before they notice mood improvement. Even after a person with clinical depression feels better, she or he needs to stay on medication at least six months. People should never stop taking medication on their own; medical supervision is a must. There can be serious physical and emotional complications from sudden withdrawal such as increased depression and suicidal tendencies. 9.Medication alone is fairly ineffective: Research shows that medication in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy is more effective than medication alone. Combined with therapy, the person who is clinically depressed may need to make lifestyle changes, including dietary and exercise changes. The family needs to find ways to reduce stressors by simplifying their lives. 10.Get a written relapse prevention plan: Make a list of early symptoms such as sleep, appetite and mood changes. Early intervention is the key to stopping a downward spiral. Determine what worked in the past to get the person with clinical depression back on track and do the things that worked before. Elizabeth Tull is a Professional Excellence coach who partners with people in crafting and designing Legacies of Excellence. Her focus is on bridging the recovery community to professional coaching as well as support for families dealing with clinical depression in the home. Visit her on the web http://www.agapelegacycoach.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Tull http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Simple-Coping-Strategies-When-a-Family-Member-Has-Clinical-Depression&id=8807 valium with no prescription valium online pharmacy buy valium in turkey without prescription valium prescription without

Some Simple Gardening Tips to keep your Garden Tip-Top after the Winter Months

Wednesday, January 16th, 2008

By Gary Milroy Some simple gardening tips to keep your garden tip-top after the winter months Sometimes getting into the garden and doing the simple things will be most beneficial to your garden. The winter has lived up to being a cold and windy month (for most of us). However, with all the changes in the weather recently, who knows, we might get a heat wave soon. This is a good time to take stock and check the condition of trees and shrubs. Recently planted stock should be checked to make sure that they are still firm in the ground. The frosts can kill the roots if exposed. If they are too unstable, support them with a suitable stake. Also make sure that existing staked trees don’t have their ties too tight. The cold frosts can be your friend too. If you have heavy clay soil you should dig it over leaving it in big lumps. Pick a dry day when the soil itself is not too wet. A lawn that is prone to inadequate drainage will benefit from aeration. Ideally use a hollow tined fork (although an ordinary garden fork will do). This will remove small plugs ofsoil to a depth of about 6 inches, which can then be incorporated in the beds. If using a garden fork push it in to the full depth of the tines and wiggle it back and forth to leave holes. In each case immediately brush washed sharp sand all over the lawn, which will fill the holes. The area may look messy when you are finished but a shower of rain will soon clean it up. Lawn Maintenance DON’T FEED OR CUT YOUR LAWN YET. Any reputable gardener will tell you that feeding your lawn too early will do it more harm than good. Feeding the lawn causes fresh new young growth, which would be damaged by frost. The first feed should be no earlier than April and should be a lawn sand with a low level of feed, just enough to act as a tonic for the grass. Let it start the new season gently. Also don’t be tempted to cut the grass yet even if it started growing during the recent warm spell. Frost damage could again result. Being a gardener is one of the most enjoyable experiences you can have. But remember to keep doing the simple things. Your garden will pay you back for doing it. Gary Milroy is a keen gardener and lawn care expert. He writes for the garden website http://www.gardens.aroundbritain.info. His advice can help you make the most of your garden and become a better gardener. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Milroy http://EzineArticles.com/?Some-Simple-Gardening-Tips-to-keep-your-Garden-Tip-Top-after-the-Winter-Months&id=164649 online prescription for valium buy valium no prescription buy valium cod viagra online shop anxiety buy diazepam to

Make A Weight-Loss New Year’s Resolution And Stick With It!

Tuesday, January 15th, 2008

By Troy Francis Year after year promises are made and broken. Losing weight is one of the most popular New Years resolutions around. We always begin with great intentions but after a few weeks, we drop back into our usual bad habits and the weight we start to put back on. Here are some basic guidelines you need to follow to make sure you stick to your weight-loss resolution at the end of December. Determine why you are doing this resolution and write it down. Try to think about the reason why you want to loose weight. Is it to look better in a bathing suit or to feel young again. Maybe its to get the overall better. How about being able to enjoy a more active lifestyle? Whatever, your goals are try to be honest and specific as possible. Setting those weight-loss goals and writing them down. Ok! The next important guideline to follow is to stick to your weight-loss goal. However, make sure that this is a sensible goal to begin with. You shouldnt expect yourself to loose more than 2-4 pounds per week. Keep in mind that the higher your body mass, the more weight you can expect to lose in the long run. If you are in the average range, but still feel that you should lose more weight, you may not want to aim for more than 4 pounds. However, if you are obese, than losing 50 pounds this year may be a reasonable goal this year. Remember to alway consult with your physician before starting any weight loss program. He or she can help you to determine a sensible goal for weight loss. Ok! Lets make a plan you can stick with all year long. Most likely youve tried every weight loss diet fad out their. So you already know what doesnt work. So, try to be realistic and make small changes that will benefit you over the long run. Eat healthier and consume fewer calories, and try to get more activity. Setting small goals. Try to look at where you are now and what you would like to achieve by the end of the year. Now break this down into smaller weight loss goals. Breaking your weight loss journey into small parts will make it seem more attainable. Move on to each goal only after you finish the previous one.Record what you eat and how active you are during the day. This means everything from walking up those steps to working out and so on. Writing these things down will help you see progress. This will help your mind start to process your weight loss goals and believe in them. If I eat that hotdog, Ill have to write it down. Well, I better skip it. Try to reward yourself for every small goal. Remember those small goals you planed out? Make sure you enjoy each goal you achieve. Reward yourself with small pants you never thought you could fit into or that tropical vacation youve been looking to take. Pick a reward you will truly enjoy. This will build some positive reinforcement that will keep you going until and achieve that weight loss goal youve been looking for. Copyright Troy Francis. Troy is a writer and personal trainer for Exercise-Diet. Please, feel free to republish this article. We only ask that you leave the resource box and link. You can see more great articles on Weight Loss, Diet, Exercise, Health and much more by going to: http://www.Exercise-Diet.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Troy_Francis http://EzineArticles.com/?Make-A-Weight-Loss-New-Years-Resolution-And-Stick-With-It!&id=122279 no prescription pharmacy diazepam prescription drug valium order diazepam confirmation e-mail pax shopping valium buy non prescription valium

Visualization For Self Healing

Monday, January 14th, 2008

By Susan Norrad Visualization and guided imagery are two of the mostpowerful healing powers of your mind. All you needto do is use your imagination for some astonishingresults. Please note, it is never advisable to rely only onthis method for curing your ailments. Continue withyour doctor’s treatments until he/she tells you thatthey are no longer needed. Visualization can greatlyspeed up your recovery and shorten your recoveryperiod. With visualization you heal yourself by creating strongpictures in your mind of what you want the outcometo be. Then you believe or pretend that those picturesare the absolute truth. This process can be used for anything, such as increasingyour income or receiving desired material possessions, butfor this article I will use healing as an example. You can adjust your visualizations for other things using theseguidelines. Take at least 20 minutes a day (two to three times a dayfor any serious illnesses) and sit or lay down. Close your eyes and get yourself into a relaxed state by taking three deep breaths. Feel that all thoughts and tensions are being released from your body. Visualize clear, pure energy entering the top of your head and slowly moving down through your whole body. With each inhale, feel and see the pure healing energy get brighter. With each exhale see all sickness and disease being expelled from your body as air or smoke and disappearing off into the universe. Continue for several more minutes or as long as you want. If you have a certain area of your body that is diseased, you can put your focus there and see the illness turning to smoke and disappearing. Another type of visualization that works well with healing is to imagine something taking the disease away. For example, if it’s cancer that you want to get rid off, imagine birds flying into your body at the site of the cancer and pecking away at it until it is completely gone. Or laser beams shooting into your body and burning the cancer up. Another good visualization is to imagine a waterfalls above your head. The water is entering your head and washing all the disease away out through your toes. Use your imagination and come up with ideasthat feel right for you. Now you will use your imagination to see the end result. Picture yourself as completely healed. Feel how strong you are. See yourself doing all the things you love to do as you are now once again in perfect health. Hear the sounds around you, smell the air and fragrances, taste the delicious foods that you are enjoying. Use all your senses to perceive a healthy you enjoying your life to the fullest. You can also use this method to manifest better relationships, better jobs, money, anything at all. The key is to visualize in great detail what your want until you feel in your mind that you already possess it. Do this everyday and do not concern yourself at all about how or when your goal will come. Just be certain that the energy of the universe will begin moving to bring it to you. This has been proven by modern physics and is called the “observer effect”. Your attention and intention to something causes it to come into your life. There were those through the ages that already knew of this wonderful power long before modern physics.For example: Charles F. Hannel - “The Master Key System”"The secret of all power, all achievement and all possession depends upon our method of thinking.All power is from within, and is absolutely under your control; it comes through exact knowledge and by thevoluntary exercises of exact principles.” Jesus Christ “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.” Goeth “If we can conceive it, and we can believe it, then we can achieve it.” Deepak Chopra”Within every desire is the mechanics of its fulfillment.” James Allen “The aphorism, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he,” not only embraces the whole of a man’s being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life.” I have heard some amazing stories of people who helpedto heal themselves using these methods. Even their doctorswere astonished. It has been well documented that thosewho use visualization, prayer and positive attitudes recovermuch more quickly than those who don’t. So it sure doesn’t hurt to give these methods a try. It could save your life. To your success. Copyright 2005 Written by Susan Norrad, of Everyday Business Online.Discover the Techniques that lead to Absolute Power, Wealth and Success Now.http://everydaybusinessonline.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Norrad http://EzineArticles.com/?Visualization-For-Self-Healing&id=16356 cheap low cost prescription xanax valium fast buy diazepam valium online pharmacy usa online pharmacy prescriptions for oxycontin somas viagra valium

3 Golden Rules for Using Laughter to Build Attraction

Thursday, January 10th, 2008

By Scott Patterson One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever heard is this: “If you can get a woman to laugh ALL the time you’ll be able to get her into bed” Yes, it’s true! There is a direct link between getting a woman to laugh and you’re ability to build attraction. By using humor, you’ll increase attraction and will be able to seduce her. But there is one major problem with using humor: 90% of ALL men are doing it wrong! While many guys know that laughter is a key to a woman’s heart, they’re using it in a completely wrong way. That’s why it’s important to understand how humor should be used. In this article, you’ll learn about the 3 golden rules for using laughter to build attraction: Rule #1- Never use self deprecating humor The most important rule for trying to make a woman laugh is this: Self-deprecating humor should never be used. Now if you dont have a dictionary handy, self-deprecating humor is any type of joke or action which points out one of your faults. It’s important to NEVER use these types of jokes because it demonstrates lower status to women. Your goal for interacting with women is to demonstrate higher status and establish yourself as a fun guy to be around. So your jokes and action should increase your status instead of reducing it. Rule #2- Use humor to tease and mock Instead of directing the humor at yourself, you should direct it at her. Yeah, I know you’re probably not used to insulting women, but there is a fine art to using humor to build attraction. Let me explain something about women Most of the time women are used to guys kissing their butts. Typically other men will shower women with compliments in the hopes of getting them into the bedroom. The problem is women grow tired of guys who use the same boot-licking and supplicating lines. In order to stand out from these guys, you need to use your humor to tease a woman. While you should never be a jerk, you can build attraction by noticing her imperfections and telling funny jokes about it. Believe me, you’ll have a woman laughing hysterically if you can embrace this personality and learn to joke around with her. Rule #3- Let humor be ONE part of your personality The final rule is to know when to turn off the teasing and attempts at humor. Whenever you’re in a conversation with a woman, there is a time to be funny and there’s a time when it doesn’t work. As you’ve probably discovered, a woman wants guys who be something more then a slap-stick personality. In order for you to be seductive, you have to show other core personality traits in addition to humor. For instance if you want to a seductive guy, you have to demonstrate things like: Confidence Initiative Intelligence Communication Interest By having all of these personality traits, you’ll be perceived as a higher status alpha male. Thus you’ll be a funny guy, while showing other attractive personality traits. Using humor is an important part of dating and seduction. By knowing how to properly use humor and make women laugh, you’ll find that it’s easy to increase attraction. If can adhere to these three rules you’ll stand out from other guys and will increase your overall success with women. Want to learn 50 different ways for meeting, approaching and attracting women? If so, take a look at Scott Patterson’s Free eBook which provides 50 tips for instant dating success. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Patterson http://EzineArticles.com/?3-Golden-Rules-for-Using-Laughter-to-Build-Attraction&id=553016 where can i order xanax without a prescription where can i buy generic xanax buy xanax cash on delivery buy xanax bars

Interview with Karen Sherman and Dale Klein, Author of “Marriage Magic!”

Tuesday, January 8th, 2008

By Juanita Watson We are pleased to have two sisters, Dale and Karen, with us today. Based on their own experiences and knowledge they have co-authored an innovative, uplifting, and pragmatic self-help book designed to reignite relationships that have grown stale. Welcome to Reader Views. Juanita: Karen, you have been a psychologist specializing in marital work for over 20 years. How common is it for couples to find their relationship has become flat and lifeless? Karen: Its a very common problem. Most of us come into our marriages with expectations based on what weve seen in the movies and read in romance novels. Initially, our relationships are exciting and both partners are so invested in each other. Then the reality of everyday living takes place and the couple feels their relationship is not what its supposed to be. Juanita: Do you feel that most couples get to the point of considering divorce before they are willing to take action? Karen: Yes, unfortunately. Most couples dont call me until they are really in trouble and at that point it takes a lot of work to get them back from all the hurt feelings and sense of hopelessness. Juanita: How has your own marital problems influenced the making of this book and has it changed how you help your clients in your practice? Karen: For many years, I thought my marriage was perfect. It turned out that, just like we state in the book, gradually over time, I realized that I just wasnt happy. Neither was my husband. We spoke about our choices and decided that we wanted to try and make things work. Each of us was willing to put in the time and to take responsibility for our part in the relationship. Each of us was willing to look at the other persons side of the story. A lot of what my husband and I did to make things better, became techniques I offered my clients. But most of all, it allowed me to let them know that marriages can be saved and be stronger than they were before! Juanita: Karen, not only are you a practicing psychologist, you conduct workshops and seminars with the underlying theme of Choice. Please tell your readers of you endeavors and how they may contact you. Karen: I offer information to help people with their relationship to themselves and to one another and I do this in a number of ways through workshops, teleseminars, books, speeches, CDs, articles, and a newsletter. Lots of times Im quoted in the media. The best way to find out about my work is through my website: www.drkarensherman.com. Juanita: Dale, you are a Communications consultant, also conducting workshops and presentations helping people develop a professional image in business. Please tell us more about your work and how has your profession contributed to the content of Marriage Magic!? Dale: Thank you for asking, Juanita. How other people sound, is my business. What I mean by that is I work with clients to ensure that they make a positive impression when they communicate in business interactions. This includes all facets of communication such as speaking on the phone, in meetings, networking, public speaking, interviewing, and even over the internet! My focus is always about paying attention to other people, ensuring that you actively listen to what they’re saying and making sure you use this information when you deliver your message to them. These principles have the same impact in our personal relationships and that’s how I applied them to “Marriage Magic!” Juanita: Your respective careers and experiences merge effortlessly, providing a refreshing perspective that will undoubtedly achieve results. What was your motivation for writing Marriage Magic!? Karen: I really believe that Ive been a marriage therapist since Im eight and professionally for over 20 years. Especially since I had gone through problems in my own marriage and seen how to make things so improved, I felt I owed it to the people I work with to offer them the insights I had gained. Dale: Juanita, I was extremely motivated to write “Marriage Magic!” because the feedback I receive from my clients is that they often “borrow” the tools I teach them and apply them to their personal lives and are delighted with the results. That was my impetus to want to offer the same tools to our readers. Juanita: Dale, you and Karen are sisters who grew up in a home environment that was negative, conflict-ridden, and abusive. You have made it a point to not fall into the same familiar patterns of your parents with your own marriage. Was this a conscious effort and how did you manage to do this? Dale: Yes Juanita, I do believe this was a conscious effort on my part. It has been a long journey of self-exploration and one that continues to unfold. I’ve always chosen to look closely at my own behavior and the ensuing outcomes, both professionally and personally. I think I’ve always known on a gut level that I needed to work on myself first before I could share my life with someone else. These are deep-seated values for me and therefore I waited to find someone to marry that shared my beliefs. Juanita: Dale, what if your partner isnt willing to acknowledge that your relationship is in trouble? Dale: It certainly is possible that our partner isn’t willing to acknowledge that the relationship is in trouble. While we can’t force someone to acknowledge something, we can make it a priority to express what we are experiencing and that will often “open the door” for more communication. It’s also important to recognize that sometimes fear can prevent someone from opening up, so therefore we want to strive to make communication safe and respectful. Juanita: How do you suggest your readers deal with feelings of disappointment, loss of hope and anger? Dale: I would say the first place to start is to check and see if what you think you’re feeling, is indeed what you’re experiencing. In other words, sometimes we “feel” anger but if we explore further, we may in fact be experiencing “hurt” or “sadness.” This is where “Marriage Magic!” is so valuable because readers can read about the emotion they’re feeling and get a better idea if that’s consistent with what they’re experiencing. If it is, they’ll learn how to handle the feeling and can try some of the corresponding exercises. Or, they may realize they’re feeling something different than what they first thought. The most important thing is to pay attention to your feelings so you can learn how to manage them vs. ignore them. Juanita: Your book is titled Marriage Magic! It gives me the impression of exciting and surprising results.Magic! What can readers expect from doing the exercises in your book? Dale: That’s exactly right, Juanita. Readers will learn that the exercises in many cases are simple to implement and have the potential to yield very positive outcomes. Perhaps the greatest value of the exercises is that readers learn how critical it is to make their relationships a priority. Juanita: Do you think most people go into a marriage thinking it should be easy, only to find out that it take conscious attention and awareness? Karen: I think most people dont really know what to expect in marriage. Its only been fairly recently that we have started to teach people the skills that they need to have a successful relationship. Most people think, like so many songs would have us believe, that love is what will carry us through. Juanita: Would your book be helpful for someone who isnt married but would like to be? Dale: That’s a great question Juanita, and my answer is “yes.” Whether someone is married or not, the importance of keeping communication open, respectful and clear will always be a tremendous asset. Since most marriages dissolve due to communication breakdowns, “Marriage Magic!” is a proactive step to take for those who desire to be married at some point. Juanita: What sets your book apart from the myriad of self help books we have to choose from today? Karen: Several things. Many people may be experiencing different emotions but dont quite know what they are feeling. Our book helps them to get a handle on their emotions, which will then make it easier to deal with them. Also, though most relationship books will teach communication skills, they dont explain why the skills are important and some people are unwilling to do things unless they understand why they are doing them. Another difference is that the entire book doesnt have to be read people can pick and choose the parts of the book (the emotions and accompanying exercises) that pertain to them. Finally, we set up the book realizing that most likely it is women who will read it. And though you cant expect someone to change, usually if one person does something differently, the other person will react differently also. So, this is a relationship book that only has to be read by one person and can still be highly effective. Juanita: Thank you for your insightful, exciting book Marriage Magic! I know your readers will be refreshed by your new approach to marital difficulties. Are there any last thoughts youd like to share with your readers? Karen: In this very stressful world, it is so easy to put your relationship on a back burner, but its essential that you make the choice to prioritize it. And when you make the choice to do so, you can have a very powerful and magical relationship! Dale: Communication is the key to fulfilling and lasting relationships on both a personal and professional level. The reality is that communication breakdowns will occur. The good news is that if we are committed to making our relationships a priority, we can learn the tools to repair our communication and fortify how we relate to others. Juanita Watson is Assistant Editor for Reader Viewshttp://www.readerviews.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juanita_Watson http://EzineArticles.com/?Interview-with-Karen-Sherman-and-Dale-Klein,-Author-of-Marriage-Magic!&id=168328 xanax available without a prescription prescription free xanax ordering xanax online no priscription xanax forum online

Hinduism and the Senses

Tuesday, January 8th, 2008

By Mahu D There is a light that shines beyond all things on earth, beyond us all, beyond the heavens, beyond the highest, the very highest heavens. This is the light that shines in our heart. ‘Chandogya Upanishad’ 3.13.7 (1) This ‘light’ has many names and is perceived by different Hindu practitioners in a variety of ways. The two prominent andbroadest categories are the Monist and the Theist conceptions of the divine. The monist sees the divine in impersonal terms,whereas the theist regards the divine as a loving personal god. Perception of the divine can be a crucial factor indetermining the individuals prime method of approach, of which there are traditionally three; The path of devotion (Bhakti Marga); the path of knowledge (Jnana Marga); and the path of ritual/action (Karma Marga).Although these three paths are not mutually exclusive, one may tend to take precedence over the others. For example, the monist philosopher Sankara of the ninth century A.D taught that the divine was best approached via knowledge, yet he wrote devotional songs. An the theist philosopher Ramanuja, who lived some 200 years later, taught that the divine was ultimately encountered through devotion, while recognizing the value of correct knowledge. Monism and Theism present contrasting views of the ‘light’ that dwells within and shines beyond. Monism, as the name suggests, views the light as ‘all-God’, while Theism makes a distinction between the lights ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ designations.The inner light is that of the individual, which is a distinct entity from the outer light which is the intelligent creator God. Both ‘lights’, however, share a unified commonality. Both ‘ lights’ shine as one. The following extract from the Upanishads can be understood from both Monist and Theist perspectives; ‘Put this chunk of salt in a container of water and come back tomorrow.’ The son did as he was told, and the father said to him: ‘The chunk of salt you put in the water last evening bring it here.’ He groped for it but could not find it, as it had dissolved completely.’Now take a sip from this corner’, said the father ‘how does it taste?”Salty”Take a sip from the center - how does it taste?”Salty”take a sip from that corner -how does it taste?”Salty”Throw it out and come back later.’ He did as told and found the salt was always there.The father Told him: ‘You of course, did not see it there, son; yet is always was right there.”The finest essence here - that constitutes the self of this whole world; that is the truth; that is the self (Atman), and that’s how you are Svetaketu.’ ‘Chandogya Upanishad’ (2) Here, the unified commonality of divine essence is explained, by way of a practical demonstration, given by a father to his son. The salt, when dissolved in the water, is both immanent and transcendent simultaneously. The father explains that it is like the ‘Self of the whole world’, the universal Atman, otherwise known as Brahman. As the salt is present in every drop of water, similarly, so is the Atman omnipresent in reality. And as the father points out to his son; ‘That’s how you are’ (TAT TVAM ASI) too. And so, the universal Atman, or Brahman, is said to be ‘at one’ with the Atman, or self, within.Moksha can be said to be realization of this inner Atman, or self, while still alive in this present body. This is known as’Jivanmukti, the living freedom’(3). According to the theists perspective it is achieving ‘unity’ or ‘conscious conformity with God’ (4). According to the monist’s perspective it is realizing ‘ that is how you are’ (TAT TVAM ASI) all along, and recognizes no distinction what so ever. Yet, to the unenlightened, the Atman, like the salt in the water remains invisible. and when the son ‘groped for it’ he ‘could not find it’. As the Isa Upanishad explains; ‘The senses do not reach it, for it is always one step ahead’ (5). So it would appear that the Atman is beyond the senses, which presents the seeker with a further obstacle to be overcome. In order to penetrate the inner Atman the constant barrage of sensory input needs to be bypassed. We are told in the Upanishads that the Atman, or self, is like the driver of a chariot; the body is like the chariot itself; the mind like the reins of the chariot; while the senses are like the horses that pull the chariot. The upanishad continues; He who has not right understanding and whose mind is never steady is not the ruler of his life, like a bad driver with wild horses.But he who has right understanding and whose mind is ever steady is the ruler of his life, like a good driver with well trained horses.He who has not right understanding, is careless and never pure, reaches not the end of his journey; but wonders on from death to death.But he who has right understanding, is careful and ever pure, reaches the end of the journey, from which he never returns. ‘Katha upanishad’ (6) Here we have a clear contrast between the individual who is caught in the wheel of Samsara, described here as wandering ‘from death to death’, and the one who has achieved Mosksha, ‘From which he never returns’. Control of the senses is achieved through the various Hindu spiritual practices such as meditation, the performance of rigorous physical austerities and devotion. These approaches are known collectively as yoga. The Sanskrit root meaning of yoga is ‘to join’ and it is the method by which an individual becomes joined with the divine. The vedantist Scholar Sri Aurobino (1872 - 1950) described the aim of yoga as the liberation and perfection of the inner ‘Atman’. It is to advance beyond the mind and unite with the divine source (7). So, command of the senses is an imperative step to wards the final release from the cycle of rebirth, but the inner quest does not end there. Yoga is not the end, it is the method, or vehicle, by which the Atman is reached, beyond the senses. It is the process that still the turbulent waters of perception in order to see a clear unbroken reflection of the true self. A further aspect of Monism is Advaita or non-dualism. In contrast to the dualistic theory of the cosmos, which views spirit and matter in direct opposition with one another, Advaita sees no such conflict. All is God and all is one, therefore everything exists in complete harmony. All else is ‘Maya’ or illusion, and release from the cycle of Samasara is comparable to waking up from a dream. Maya was a vital component of Sankara’s philosophy. Also, around a thousand years before Sankara, Krishna, the leading character in the ‘Bhagavad-gita’ Proclaimed; I am not revealed to every one,being veiled by my magic trick-of-illusion;’tis deluded and does not recognizeme the unborn, imperishable - this world. 7.25 (8) In the Bhagavad - gita Krishna is portrayed as the absolute Brahmin (7.29), who dwells in the heart of all living beings andsupports the cosmos (18.61). He is the supreme unity of Sankara’s philosophy (7.4-7; 11.10-32) that transcends the illusion of opposites (7.28). He is also the personal God of Ramanuja (11.3) who waits at the end of the path of devotion with open arms and a loving smile (7.21; 11.54). Krishna tells us, concerning samsara, that it is a misconception (2.17-22,30), if only we would withdraw our senses, and detach ourselves from wrong desires (2.55-58), and make him our true desire (7.11), through yoga (2.47-72), then we would achieve release (2.51) ‘from the dubious and vulnerable character of human existence.’(9). When the wise rests his mind in contemplationon our God beyond time, who invisibly dwellsin the mystery of things and in the heart ofman, then he rises above pleasures and sorrow. ‘Katha Upanishad’ (10) When the senses are brought under control, the mind is at rest, and the inner light has dawn, then the individual is filled with the warmth of that inner flame and finds contentment. The unbend-ed joy of life is untouched by momentary delights and the blackest heartaches (bhagavad-gita 2.15). not unlike St. Paul, the individual who has calmed his inner ocean and crossed over to the other side into ‘the mystery of things’ has learned the secret of being content in any and every situation’ (Philippians 4:12). And having found his inner Atman he is ready to cross the cosmic ocean to ‘Our God beyond time’, never to return. (1) Mascaro, Juan (trans), 1965 ‘The Upanishads’, p.113 (Penguin classics) (2) Beckerlegge, Gwilym (ed), 2001 ‘The World Religions Reader. 2nd edition’, p.252 (Routledge) (3) Swami Vivekananda, Beckerlegge, Gwilym (ed), 2001 ‘The World Religions Reader. 2nd edition’, p.297 (Routledge) (4) Swaman, K., Beckerlegge, Gwilym (ed), 2001 ‘The World Religions Reader. 2nd edition’, p.293 (Routledge) (5) ‘Hinduism. Units 7-10′ 2000 (Open university) (6) Mascaro, Juan (trans), 1965 ‘The Upanishads’, p.60-61 (Penguin classics) (7) Beckerlegge, Gwilym (ed), 2001 ‘The World Religions Reader. 2nd edition’, p.298 (Routledge) (8) Egerton ‘trans’, Beckerlegge, Gwilym (ed), 2001 ‘The World Religions Reader. 2nd edition’, p.269 (Routledge) (9) Sivaraman, K., Beckerlegge, Gwilym (ed), 2001 ‘The World Religions Reader. 2nd edition’, p.291 (Routledge) (10) Mascaro, Juan (trans), 1965 ‘The Upanishads’, p.59 (Penguin classics) Mahu D http://www.freewebs.com/protevangelium/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mahu_D http://EzineArticles.com/?Hinduism-and-the-Senses&id=88932 buy real xanax overnight with online culsultation prescriptions alprazolam buy or xanax xanax online cod buy xanax without a prescription or membership

Why You Must Use A Safe Weight Loss Programme

Friday, January 4th, 2008

By Clive Jenkins If you’re concerned about your weight or appearance, and you’re determined to shed those pounds there are literally hundreds of thousands of programmes available online, in any book shop, and in any video store. There are so many people just itching to lose weight, and there are so many crooks with fad diets just waiting to steal your money. Before forking out for one of these diet plans, think about what the programme involves and consider whether it is a safe weight loss programme for you and your body. Any safe weight loss programme will promote light to moderate exercise with calorie limitations. This is the only safe weight loss method, and is by far the most natural way to lose extra pounds. Although there are a number of fasting methods and miracle pills, the best way to permanently lose weight is through natural, safe weight loss measures, which unfortunately involve diet and exercise. To lose weight it is important to stick rigidly to your programme, and in the long term you will benefit from a permanent leaner body. It is important to remain realistic in your goals. You should aim to lose only a couple of pounds every week, with anything more potentially dangerous to your body. Although many diets will claim to lose you 14 pounds in 3 days, or some equally ridiculous target, consider that it is firstly only possible to lose half a pound of weight a day, with any additional loss coming from water lost through perspiration. Additionally, consider that each pound of fat equates to a calorie content of approximately 3000 calories, making losing that amount of weight a very hard task indeed. Weight loss requires hard work and dedication to succeed. Those who see the best results are consistently the most determined, so it pays to stick at it. Try structuring your diet to include more fruit and more vegetables. The calories from fruit and veg are significantly better for the body, in that they are used quickly, so dont tend to linger as fat. They give you a real burst of healthy energy to leave you feeling more energetic and ultimately healthier. Consider coupling a healthier diet with some exercise, like walking, which not only helps you shed the inches but is also very good for your heart, and helps curb the impact of aging. Nobody every said with a straight face that weight loss is easy. If the do, it’s probably not worth the money, but I can assure you if your stick to a healthy lifestyle, safe weight loss programme, the pounds will simply melt away. There is no quick fix, but by living your life properly and healthily you can work towards your goal. And you dont have to cut out luxuries all together. If you like chocolate, go for it. The key is to take everything in moderation to provide the right natural balance to keep your body in harmony, and your body fat at bay. Clive Jenkins recommends the Detox Diet Plan website which provides comprehensive information on Detox Diets. To find articles, tips and free information and advice check out the site here:http://www.detox-diet-plan.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clive_Jenkins http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-You-Must-Use-A-Safe-Weight-Loss-Programme&id=276111 buy real xanax overnight with online culsultation prescriptions pharmacy xanax xanax online 2day air buy cheap levitra xanax xenical

Commute Less and Give Yourself More Time to Relax

Friday, January 4th, 2008

By Judy Niner A recent survey highlighted that over 35% of mondaytofriday lodgers save more than two hours commuting time each day. They enjoy this extra time with friends and pursuing hobbies. If their experience is typical, then many other commuters might want to find somewhere to stay in the working week. Fractional renting saves time and money. Its also much more enjoyable than staying in a hotel if you are working on a long term project. Would you also benefit from Monday to Friday renting? Look what a difference it has made to other commuters: Nearly 50% of weekday lodgers shave two hours off their daily commute and 25% save 30 or more minutes each way20% save up to 100 per month on their commute costs, 10% save up to 250 each month and a staggering 12% save more than 250 each monthmondaytofridayers have a healthy outlook with 17% cycling to work and 20% walking8% have used the time theyve gained to start new or pursue existing hobbiesAnd 33% now spend more time with their friends. So many of us feel under pressure and jobs demand that we work further and further away from home. Life becomes a cycle of work-travel-sleep and we end up simply existing, not living. How different would your life be if you could save time or money every week? Weekday renting is freeing up time for busy professional people as well saving them money. So why not take a fresh look at improving your work-life balance and gain flexibility so that you can enjoy more free time. Judy has over 25 years experience in marketing, fundraising and business development. Based in Oxfordshire, UK, Judy started Development Partners in January 2000. She is also a Director of Roald Dahl Centre Trading Ltd and Mondaytofriday Ltd. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judy_Niner http://EzineArticles.com/?Commute-Less-and-Give-Yourself-More-Time-to-Relax&id=509470 buy xanax low cost xanax online money order xanax buy cheap xanax

A Look at Paralegal Training

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008

By Kent Pinkerton A paralegal assists lawyers, corporations, or government agencies that must work with the law. Most of the time, paralegals help lawyers to keep afloat of the mounds of paperwork needed in law. They organize, index, photocopy, and run errands. They may also interview witnesses, draft legal documents, or conduct hearings. The tasks of the paralegal depends a large part on what type a paralegal he is, and the amount of training he has received. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) recommends that all entry-level paralegals have a four-year bachelors degree. Though only about 50 percent of the working paralegals in 2001 had a bachelors degree, it is quickly becoming standard for hiring paralegals. The U.S. Department of Labors Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the paralegal field is growing faster than most. Extra training can help guarantee a job in this rapidly growing field. NFPA recommends a formal paralegal training program after a potential paralegal earns a bachelors degree. The organization provides a directory of accredited programs, for a small fee, through its Web site, and recommends at least 24 semester hours dedicated to legal studies. Online programs also offer additional paralegal training, including emphasizing critical thinking skills, improving communication skills, understanding law procedures and rules, honing legal writing abilities, and practicing interpersonal skills for working with clients, witnesses, other professionals, or the public. The NFPA urges paralegals to critically evaluate all correspondence or online courses, making sure the program provides an adequate, professionally recognized education. Check, for example, that the program is approved by the American Bar Association. Most colleges and universities offer paralegal certification program, and Kaplan Education Paralegal Programs has training courses in 11 states. Also, the American Institute for Paralegal Studies is one of the oldest paralegal training programs in the country. Paralegals Info provides detailed information about paralegal jobs, schools, training, courses, certificates, and services. Paralegals Info is the sister site of Notary Public Web. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Look-at-Paralegal-Training&id=62746 xanax no prescription xanax online without a prescription buy xanax online without pres buy real xanax overnight with online consultation prescriptions