Gnosis: The Secret of Solomon's Temple Revealed

If you seek the material Temple of Solomon then you are reading the wrong article. If you instead seek the Inner Self and wish to understand the secret teachings of the ancients, then you are in the right place and time. For this tale I am about to tell is one learned from ancient sources. This is a truth revealed, a truth held sacred for many generations and clouded in the literal ramblings of biased criticism.
In our search for the Holy Grail [1] we discovered an ancient universal serpent cult. Known variously as Ophites, Adders and even Gnositics, these ancient peoples, from before the time of Christ, worshipped the serpent on many levels. We traced the origins of this cult right back through time and into ancient Sumeria where the traditions of it emerged as a symbol of the much discussed enlightenment experience. From Osiris and Isis to Abraham and Sarah, from Christ and Mary to Arthur and Guinevere - we discovered deep-rooted links to the serpent worship of wisdom.
You see, in all of these tales, we have the secret right before our eyes - that of balance. The fact is that our ancestors told us of the duality of our minds - when the first man was split to create Adam and Eve (meaning Female Serpent). This is not a literal tale. They claim quite simply that we are split personalities - that we constantly argue within ourselves and that this dual nature affects us on many levels. It is to the re-uniting of these dual natures that the ancient sought - joining Christ with Mary, Arthur with Guinevere, and all in the symbolic representation of the entwined serpents we see on the infamous Caduceus or the Indian Kundalini.
But, what does this tell us about the Temple of Solomon? This cannot be done in just a few words,[2] however, try to follow the reasoning of the dualities and we shall be half way there.
Solomon was a strong and wise King, but he was also blunt and over zealous - taxing his people to the point of breaking. He was so arrogant that he believed the whole world must know of his wisdom. That was until the hoopoe bird told him about the Queen of Sheba.
We discovered Sheba to be the "land of serpents" and so the Queen was no different to the Queen of Serpents known in Arthurian tales as Guinevere. In this respect then, the hoopoe bird, is the internal dialogue, letting the "male" dominated side of our minds know that there is also a "female" side and bringing them together. Once these two sides joined together the true Temple of the united self could be built.
Rid of arrogance, strong and wise, we stand in glory. But when Sheba left Solomon, the whole thing crumbled, as it did when Guinevere cheated on Arthur. The land became infertile and the people descended into the abyss. This is a warning to us all - that once we have achieved balance, we must strive to maintain it.
And so it appears, the teachings of the ancients and even the medieval writers of the Arthurian tales, were really working through a psychological process of inner balance and giving us this teaching in the only way they knew - analogy built around their own world view. These concepts also had to be hidden, for there were, and still are, those who hold power - be they religious or political - who do not and have never wanted man to be fully free. It will be these people who argue against this very interpretation.
But, can we be sure that there was no Temple?
According to Professor James Pritchard in his book, Solomon and Sheba (1974, p.35):
“.. the so-called cities of Megiddo, Gezer and Hazor, and Jerusalem itself were in reality more like villages.. Within were relatively small public buildings and poorly constructed dwellings with clay floors. The objects reveal a material culture, which, even by the standards of the ancient Near East, could not be judged sophisticated or luxurious. The ‘magnificence’ of the age of Solomon is parochial and decidedly lackluster, but the first book of Kings implies exactly the opposite.”
Again we find the author David Rohl in his book A Test of Time: The Bible from Myth to History (1995, p.174) claiming the same thing:
“when it comes to the Iron Age (which is purportedly the time of Solomon and his ally, Hiram of Tyre) there are no stone buildings…. How then did Solomon acquire building expertise from Phoenicia if the Phoenicians did not have the skill or resources to build stone structures for themselves.”
So, there was no Temple of Solomon and there is very little evidence that there was even a Solomon. We are left with only one solution: that the whole story - and many others like it - are symbolic. With new eyes, I now challenge each of us to take a new look at the paradoxes of the ancient world and see if we can now solve the puzzle. I also challenge all of us to seek true balance and build our own Temple.
Notes
1 The Serpent Grail by Philip Gardiner with Gary Osborn, Watkins, 2005
2 For a more in-depth view see Gnosis: The Secret of Solomon's Temple Revealed by Philip Gardiner, Radikal Books, 2005, UK.

The Blessing of the Lord Makes One Rich

Have you ever found yourself being super frustrated trying to do something and not getting anywhere? It seems no matter how hard you try it doesn't seem to work.
Wherever there is an anointing on something for you to do, there should be an "ease" about it. I don't mean it should be easy, but there should be a sense of "simpleness."
Here's a good example; a person may be in a job situation that they may not particularly care for. In fact, they may absolutely hate what they are doing and maybe even feel sick before they go into work. Maybe he or she is "settling for."
It is noble to do what you need to do, but you don't have to dread it. Many people are in a job or in a relationship where they have no joy, peace, or sense of ease. It could be that God did not instruct them to take that particular job or to be in that particular relationship.
So many people are sad and discontent and continue to live their lives in disappointment and frustration because they are not doing what God designed them to do. These people are like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. Maybe they are pursuing a task or a career that was recommended by someone who was successful at it.
What is simple for one person may not be simple for another. How many times have you seen someone do with ease what someone else could not do at all? We are not all cut from the same mold.
Everyone has a purpose in life. Some of these purposes are the same, but many are not. As mature and responsible people, we must know what our strengths and weaknesses are. Most people will say they don't know what their strengths and weaknesses are, but I disagree.
Everyone knows what they are good at and what they are not good at. The reason many people are confused is, is that they equate their purpose with earning income. Success in life is not only about income, but enjoying and loving life.
If you find yourself being upset in your spirit with no joy or peace in some certain areas of your life, it could be that you are settling for less than what God wants for you. When God anoints something for you He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22). Instead, He gives you a sense of peaceful contentment.
He doesn't want you to "settle for." He wants you to be happy and enjoy your life. John 10:10 says, "Christ died that we might have life and have life more abundantly" and Jesus said, "Ask, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24).
There's no reason to keep putting up with a dead end job or relationship. Seek God's ultimate will for your life. The devil would love to keep you thinking that what you have is all you're gonna get. Don't believe it! Seek God's anointing and do with ease what you couldn't do on your own. When His anointing is on something for you there is a flow that just seems to make everything work.

Prayer Remembers the Truth

Prayer is what you do when you’re done struggling.
When you hear the word "prayer," you may have memories of being bored to sleep as you squirmed next to your parents in church. Or maybe you have images of pleading with a deity to grant your wishes while you wring your hands. Do you call it prayer when you stay up all night obsessing over your finances or the safety of a loved one?
None of these activities are prayer: These are all symptoms of wrestling with problems. Prayer is what you do when you’re done struggling with a problem, and you’re ready to call forth its solution. As Eric Butterworth says again and again in his book, The Universe is Calling, prayer is not about trying to get God to do something to you or give something to you. It’s about allowing God to do something through you.
When something troubles us, we often approach prayer with a sense of urgency and tension. It’s as if we’re an ocean wave facing a continent alone. The first thing we must do, then, is relax into God. We quit acting like a wave that thinks it can pound the shore all by itself. We give up the illusion of separateness and relax into knowing that we are part of the infinite ocean that God is. We envision ourselves drifting out to sea, knowing that the ocean has far more power to shape the shoreline than we have alone. If there’s anything for us to do, anywhere for us to go, the current will carry us there and give us the power to do it.
If you don’t like watery metaphors, Butterworth offers another useful image. See yourself as an archer, and the solution to your problem as a target. To send your arrow home, you don’t start hurling arrows willy-nilly at the bull’s eye. And you certainly don’t start throwing arrows where you don’t want them to go. Similarly, in effective prayer, you don’t spew out a lot of words that focus on the problem – at least, not if you expect to make your mark.
In archery, what you do is center yourself, take one arrow, draw your bow, and LET GO. You remain still and let the arrow do its work. When prayer is your bow, the arrow is your word. It may be a statement of truth, such as "I am grateful for divine wisdom that reveals to me my good," or "I am energized in mind and body through the healing activity of God in me." It may be a familiar scripture that focuses your attention on the target, your solution, such as "Be still and know that I AM God." Then, you let go and send your arrow home. Once you are centered, your word cannot fail to reach its mark.
And what is the mark, or the goal of prayer? Speaking these affirmations doesn’t make them true. They already are true. Whenever you are in distress, it is only because you have forgotten your essential oneness with all that is good and true in the universe. The only thing that ever needs correction is your perception, and your perception is exactly what gets healed in prayer. You’ll know it has happened when a sense of gratitude flutters through your spirit and across your face. And so it is. Amen!

Top 5 Tips For Effective Email Marketing

Over the past few years, research has continued to prove the benefits of e-mail marketing for business: low costs, high conversion rates and detailed tracking are all notable features. But e-mail marketing is becoming much more than just a tool for spammers and e-businesses. Consumers are becoming increasingly savvy on the differences between spam and permission-based emails, and more and more of them are accepting permission-based e-mail marketing as a positive replacement for direct mail.
The best news is that the majority of people who receive permission-based e-mails open, on average, 78% of them.
Jupiter Research reports effective email marketing campaigns can produce nine times the revenues and 18 times the profits of broadcast mailings. But crafting an effective business email is both an art and a science. Here is a list of factors, potential problems and effective solutions to keep in mind:
1. Spam! Spam! Spam! I don't need any Viagra!
The average consumer receives more than 300 emails a week, 62% of which are spam. No wonder there's such hostility towards the industry. But spam filters, bulk folders and "report spam" features are helping consumers become more at ease about the perils of spam. While 89% of users cited spam as a major concern in 2003, that number dropped to 85% in 2004, proportionally to an increase in the use of spam-fighting tools.
So as a permission-based business email marketer, what can you do? One tip is to remind your subscribers to add you to their "safe senders" list. The second, and most important, tactic is to make sure your email marketing service provider has a good relationship with ISPs. This will ensure that your email marketing campaigns go into your subscribers' inboxes, not their junk mail folders. When choosing an email marketing software, make sure the company has strict anti-spam policies and complies with the guidelines of Can-Spam.
2. Images and formatting: Why do my emails look broken?
Broken email campaigns are an increasing concern among email marketers, especially since several companies and web-based email providers now block graphics as a measure to combat spam. In fact, according to ClickZ, 40% of email marketing messages delivered to inboxes are "broken."
So what's the solution? Some email marketing programs publish all your sent email campaigns to a secure location on the web (a location only original recipients of the email can access, thanks to encrypted technology that automatically authenticates the user). In some programs, the technology also ensures you can track your users' behaviors, even if they are reading your email campaign at the secure web location.
3. Personalization and relevant content: In a business e-mail, one size does not fit all.
In a recent study by DoubleClick, email users were 72% more likely to respond to a business e-mail if its content was based on the interests they had specified. That number points out the absolute importance of allowing users to choose their own interest groups and have control over which business e-mails they receive. The most popular interest categories, according to the study, are coupons and household goods.
But you're coupon is no good unless the user opens the email. Users in the study said the most compelling reason for them to open a business email is the name in the "from" field. So it's a good idea to make sure your company name is clearly stated there. Another major factor is the "subject" line. Users cite discount offers and interesting news as the most compelling subject lines, followed by new product announcements and free shipping offers.
4. Click-through and conversion: Show me the money!
So the user has opened your email and read the content. Great. But where's the sale? There's good news here. For one, consumers are increasingly likely to make purchases as a direct result of a business email campaign. One-third of users in the DoubleClick study had purchased something by clicking a link on an email. Another 42% clicked on an email link for more information, then purchased the product at a later time. Second, online couponing is booming: 73% of consumers have redeemed an online coupon for an online purchase, and 59% have redeemed an online coupon offline.
In terms of industries, the top performers are travel, hardware/software, electronics, apparel, food, home furnishings, gifts/flowers and sporting goods. All companies sending business emails in those categories said between 71% and 80% of recipients have purchased their products because of an email campaign.
There's no need to fret if your company doesn't fit in to one of those industries. The overall landscape for email marketing conversions is looking brighter every day. The average click-to-purchase rate has increased nearly 30% since 2004 and the average orders-per-email-delivered rate has increased more than 18% since last year.
5. Stats tracking: Who are my real consumers?
E-mail marketing is an increasingly popular tool in effective CRM, and it's about time more businesses recognize that. First off, if your provider's email services for business do not include detailed, real-time tracking, you're getting a raw deal. Real-time tracking is now an industry standard, and it's highly valuable, as it allows you to see the exact moment a user opens your campaign, clicks on your link and makes that purchase. Studying your users can help you improve your communications efforts, so each campaign performs better than the last (several email service providers also let you compare the performance of your campaigns).
But many marketers are still in the dark. According to a recent WebTrends research, only 5% of marketers are very confident in the measurement of their online marketing efforts, while 26% admit they're "flying blind." WebTrends says the low confidence comes from a lack of knowledge when it comes to measurement, which means there's still a lot of work to be done.
In email marketing, a blind shot won't take you very far. But if you aim properly by following these essential rules of play, you should soon be reaping the same major results as so many online and offline businesses.

Golf Tips – The Secret And Crucial Role Of Alignment In Supercharging Your Game!

The alignment is an absolutely crucial and vital part to any golfer’s game. You swing round your body, therefore if your body is offline, your swing in turn will be off line and out of sync, resulting in a poor swing and a poor shot, usually ending up deep in the rough.
When setting up to the ball, firstly ensure the clubface is square to the ‘ball to pin line’ (the line between the ball and the pin), and ensure that your shoulders, hips and feet are all parallel to the ‘ball to pin line’, if these 3 are not aligned and one is out, a good body turn is ruined with a poor swing resulting.
When training, on the driving range or wherever you can practise, a useful technique for lining up is to place a club on the floor and check that you’re your feet, hips and shoulders line up with each other, the shoulder alignment is particularly crucial because your body turn starts with your shoulders.
Ideally, you should be lining your body up slightly to the left of the target (slightly to the right for left hand players), as opposed to trying to line your body up with the target itself.
On the course a simple test to see if this is the case, is to look at the target, if you can see your left shoulder, then you are lined up to too far to the right (visa versa for lefthanders), your shoulder should be just out of sight.
Poor Alignment can have several affects, these are all negative. Aligning too far to the left most commonly leads to the slicing of the ball, this occurs because you are not parallel to the line running from ball to pin. As a result the backswing is limited so an ‘out to in’ swing results. As a consequence the club face is slightly open on impact which generates side spin on the ball. This leads to the common problem which is the slice which I will explain in another article.
If you align too far to the right, the opposite will take place and a hook will occur due to the ‘in to out’ swing of the club, although quite common with beginners and inexperienced players.
Often they will subconsciously become aware of this and try to adjust mid-swing, over adjusting by opening up the clubface as impact approaches. This again results in the slicing of the ball, which is very difficult to control and usually leads to ‘the rough’.
Alignment is an often overlooked and crucial part to any golfer’s game and therefore must be addressed for you to succeed at any level of golf. For as long as you’re alignment is out, you will never be able to consistently hit straight accurate shots and will increasingly find yourself hooking or slicing into the rough, turning those pars into bogies and taking your round from a 75 to 85.
So get that alignment sorted and go shoot some birdies.

7 Rules To Live By When Choosing An Affiliate Program Or Work at Home Business

So you've decided to become financially independent! You've chosen to work at home. Congratulations! I'm sure this is a decision that can turn your life around and lead you to financial freedom.
But that is going to happen only if you're careful enough to let it happen! There are a few things you should really look out for when deciding to work at home.
When you set out to give the work at home business thing a try, you'll find out that this was just the easy part! The hard part is to discover which one is right for you.
With all these so called "opportunities" that flood the internet, you should be very careful in choosing a work at home business. To help you, I have put together a few simple rules :
Rule #1 : Try to avoid "get rich quick deals"
Now that's a golden rule! Usually, when something sounds too good to be true then it probably is!
Oh, I know these sound appealing and of course you would like to get paid for doing nothing (so would the rest of us!). But don't you think that if these people had the magic solution to making big money they would use it instead of trying to sell it to you for whatever price?
It's sad to know that so many people end up feeling frustrated when they realize that they have wasted their time and hard earned money. There are no magic tricks! Commitment and hard work instead, can make you rich.
Rule #2 : Find a program that you really like and can work with
Another rule that's essential! Say that you come across a program that requires you to sell life insurance. You hate insurance people, you think they're full of hype.
So what, the compensation plan looks great! What would you do? Would you join the program? Could you picture yourself selling life insurance even if you hate the very idea? The answer is that you're never going to make any money doing something you don't like!
The point I am trying to make here is, that you should go on and find out everything there is to know about the program you are interested in. Just spend some time doing an essential reading through the available material (company website, related articles etc). Try to get an overview of how the system works and if you need more information or if you get confused , go ahead and ask the person who referred you to the program for help. Doing your homework always pays off.
Rule #3 : Make sure you know exactly what you're getting for your money
There are just too many companies out there that present you with sales letters as long as a book but not even a hint as to what you are actually getting in return!
If the product they're selling is that good and is going to make you so much money, why hide it? Why only mention it in the last few paragraphs?
Ok, I know, it's the way sales are closed. Still, you would like to know exactly what you're buying. It could save you a lot of grief!
Rule #4 : Perform a background check on the company
The longer it has been around, the better. This way you know that you're dealing with an established company that will not go bankrupt 4 months after you join!
It has been known for people to lose their online businesses and commissions owed to them for this very reason. Choosing a quality company is essential but can prove critical to the survival of your work at home business.
Rule #5 : Make sure you're going to get all the help that you need
It's just typical for someone to join a program, pay his membership fee or buy a product and then be left in the dark, not sure what on earth to do next!
Again, I'm repeating myself here but this is important, try to get an overview of how the system works, who your upline people are and how they can help you.
If you need more information or if you get confused, go ahead and ask the person who referred you to the program for help. In this way not only will you get an idea of how the program is structured but you would also be testing your referrer to see if he/she will respond promptly to your need for help.
But first, you have to have an idea of how the program works.
Rule #6 : Check out the compensation plan
Ok, so you've joined a program which ,hopefully, is going to make you rich. Do you know how this is going to happen?
It's not necessary that you know every detail about the compensation plan from the first day that you join. But still, wouldn't you like to know if you're getting 5% or 60% commission on an average sale?
After all, it takes the same amount of effort to generate a sale. Wouldn't you like to be paid more?
Rule #7 : Do not spend much at the beginning
A legitimate work at home business should be able to operate at a minimum/low cost. You should not have to invest a lot of money in any home business. At least not in the beginning.
When you do decide to invest some money into your own home business, this should be your own decision, not someone else's and must arise from your understanding that a business is what you make it.
There are more rules that I can add to these and make a really long list but this is not my goal. My goal is to provide a clear path, a few steps that should be easy to follow through the minefield of schemes and "get-rich-quick" deals to a company you can really trust.
Using your own common sense is as important as having these rules in mind when looking for an opportunity or a work at home business.
Your decision to join a program should be the result of considering facts and should not in any case come from mere curiosity. Keep in mind that there are very few true work at home opportunities out there and you have to find the one that's perfect for you!

5 Things You Must Have to Succeed in Affiliate Marketing

The idea of being mere passengers on a ship meant to sail to the farthest points does not appeal to people who like to put their destiny into their own hands. They have the desire of maneuvering the ships themselves, of being able to be the ones to take it anywhere they want to. Being aboard a ship on its way to a particularly great destination is something each and every one of them dreams of, and the knowledge that they have the capacity to steer it themselves is what makes them actually want to.
Perhaps this is the reason why more and more people are succumbing to one of the most popular businesses around – affiliate marketing. It is because in this business, there are no bosses to order the employees around. There are no deadlines to meet and no clutter of work do to. One only needs to be equipped with the tools needed to succeed in a business such as this, and he is bound to get what his heart ultimately desires.
Just what are the things needed to be able to succeed in affiliate marketing? What must one have within himself to be able to do well in this industry? There is a lot of competition involved in affiliate marketing, and to be able to rise above the norm, one must be equipped with just the right stuff necessary to propel him forward. There are five things one must ultimately possess if he wants to achieve the glory he is yearning for in this business, and these five things are a must for him to possess to be able to stand out among the rest.
The very first quality one must possess if he wants to try his hand in affiliate marketing is the willingness to learn and be trained. Treading through unfamiliar territory is scary stuff if one is not properly equipped, and he might get lost amidst a jungle of the unknown. Learning the tricks of the trade is also an important aspect of the game, and one’s willingness to know it all will give him far better advantages in the business than he could ever imagine.
The second quality one must possess is the willingness to invest time and effort even if direct results do not seem at all apparent. Although several months may pass without good news, it is important for one who has his foot in the industry to hold on and wait. It is this quality which would save him from giving up after investing a lot of himself in the business.
The third quality one must possess is self-determination. If one wants to conquer the affiliate marketing world, he must have the ability to push himself ahead. Never having to say die is a quality each and every affiliate marketer should possess, and the ability to motivate oneself into scaling greater heights is an ability which would actually take an affiliate marketer there.
The fourth quality one must possess is discipline. If one knows how to teach himself to work everyday with all the energy he can muster, then he is close to achieving what he has set his heart to having in the first place.
The fifth and last quality one must possess is optimism. Negative attitudes and hearsays should not discourage an affiliate marketer from pursuing what he has to in order to make life better for himself and for everyone concerned. Neither should anyone influence his attitude toward the business, because once in it, it is a must for him to be the captain of his ship and the master of his soul.
The ingredients to success in a business such as affiliate marketing are diverse and manifold, but the most important thing one needs to be able to make it big lies in himself alone. It is he who has the capacity to do everything to be able to realize his prospects, and the desire which fuels his heart in doing so is the gasoline which should keep the engine going.
Affiliate marketing is all about putting one’s fate into his own hands. The right attitude is the key to being able to steer one’s ship into that part of the ocean where a certain kind of serenity can be found, one that permeates the atmosphere as the ship sails calmly on.

7 Ways Television Influences Your Prospects Behavior, And How To Leverage This Into Money In Your Pockets!

Did you know, that television -- the persistent purveyor of pop culture here in America -- shapes a LOT of your prospects behavior patterns?
Here, listen to this:
1. The average US home has the TV on for 7 hours and 40 munites a day.
In case you're wondering, that means by the time a child is 18 years old, they've already been exposed to 50,367.6 hours of television!
Sheesh!
2. The average amount of television the average American watches, is over 4 hours a day. (that's 17% of your life, by-the-way)
Likewise, this means the average American has actually watched over 26,280 hours of TV by the time they're already 18 years old.
3. 50% of all US households have 3 or more TV's in their house.
4. (And this one was amazing) 45% of all parents say if they have something important to do, they'll use the TV to occupy their children! (Whatever happened to books, or arts and crafts?)
5. 54% of children between ages 4 and 6 said they'd rather watch TV than spend time with their fathers! (Gosh, I hope my daughter wasn't participating in that survey...)
6. 40% of all Americans watch TV while they're eating dinner.
7. And lastly, on average, sadly... parents only spend 38.5 minutes a week having a meaningful conversation with their children.
No doubt then, television is a HUGE part of American life. In some cases, it's even more important than having a relationship with your children, for goodness sakes.
You'd have to assume from reading through these statistics, that people are planning meal times around what's on TV... they're spending a good amount of brain-power trying to make sure "this" show gets taped or recorded at "that" particular time... and they're probably spending more energy watching David Letterman than making love.
Which is very VERY tragic of course.
One thing TV doesn't do, is... it doesn't tax your attention span.
You get entertained a little... and then you get some relief in the form of commercials.
You hear a little bit about your topic... and then you go and grab some ice cream.
Because of this, if your sales pitch isn't giving your prospect the same sense of "relief" -- either in your story or in your presentation -- then your prospect is going to do the same thing you do, when what you're watching, no longer interests you:
They're going to grab their remote and click to another channel, which in this case means...
They're going to toss your sales pitch straight into the garbage can!
And above all else, you certainly DON'T want them to do this, now do you?
So next week, to make sure this doesn't happen to you, I'm going to tell you "5 Ways To Give Your Prospect A Much-Needed Break In Your Sales Copy!"
Now go sell something,
Craig Garber http://www.KingOfCopy.com
P.S. Check out all the prior archives you've been missing, right here at: http://www.kingofcopy.com/tips/tiparchives.html
P.P.S. If you know someone who could benefit from this tip, then do the right thing and forward this tip on to them, right NOW!

Spiritual Medium india

Before this time, and even today, there were many charlatans who pretended various powers as mediums, including 'witch doctors' and conjurers, but the growth of the modern philosophical doctrine is usually traced to the French educator known as Kardec during the mid 1800's. The specific word, really just a matter of semantics, was and is objected to by some people. Spiritist mediums as described by Kardec often practice very differently from spiritual mediums.
On one level many people will say that a priest should theoretically have a 'calling' from his God to be able to translate the wishes of that god to his congregation or following. In a general sense this is indeed what his or her duty is; however on a much more personal level the task or ability of the spiritual medium, as we understand them today, is to be the communicator from one dimension to another.
The ability to become a medium is something you either have a gift for or you haven't. Rather like an excellent sportsman, the spiritual medium is born with a gift, and whether it is used or not is up to the individual. Just as there are brilliant sportsmen in the world who have never played sport, there are many potentially gifted spiritual mediums who have never, except perhaps in a very minor way, delved into the uses and possibilities of their gift.
Whilst the exact beliefs and powers of spiritual mediums vary greatly, in general they are people who are able to communicate with spirits in various ways. Sometimes this may have physical manifestations, but more usually these are people with a gift of being able to reach mentally into other dimensions such as time and space, and see or understand what is occurring therein.
It is generally known that if you have this gift and wish to use it the best way is to look for like-minded people who also have the same or similar powers and can show you how to take advantage of it. The same again as in sport where you can be a brilliant batsman and a lousy fielder, or vice versa, some spiritual mediums find that they are only able to communicate in one way or another, whilst some are able to become all-rounders, tackling the intricacies of several methods of divination, possibly all at the same time.
Some mediums are better at communicating with the past, while some can see into the future. Often spiritual mediums are conversant with horoscopes, if that is their particular field of gift, and can combine the technical knowledge of these and their calculation with their own understanding of other dimensions.
Nowadays many people are taking advantage of psychic mediums on the telephone and on the web from reputable companies specialising in this phenomenon. This private and confidential service ensures that you are talking to a genuine spiritual medium who can give you a personal service.

india favorites festivels on here

India is known across the globe for its vibrant and colourful festivals and celebrations. The country is called the 'Land of Gods' where people of different religions follow all customs with equal zest and excitement. Its multi-cultural and multi-religious population adds to its colourful identity. People of various religions celebrate numerous festivals and occasions keeping the country swinging with joy all throughout. Amongst the thousands of festivals celebrated across the country, a few most popular and awaited festivals are Diwali, Dussehra, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Baisakhi, and Lakshmi Puja.
Diwali is also known as Deepawali meaning the lighting of many lamps traditionally called diyas to celebrate the victory of good over evil. The mythological connection of the festival marks the return of Ram to Ayodhya from his exile. This day is also marked in the Hindu calendar as the beginning of a financial New Year. People worship the goddess of wealth Lakshmi on this day. This occasion is also known as the Festival of Lights; fireworks, decorative lightings, and crackers are an integral part of this festival, which has its own charm for both children and adults.
The Festival of Dussehra is celebrated on the occasion of Navaratri. Navratri is the festival of Goddess Durga. People in different parts of country celebrate this occasion in different ways. In the North, people welcome the Goddess by singing and dancing. A traditional dance type Dandia is performed during these nine days of celebration. Celebrations are unique ranging from worshipping goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga) to exhibiting colorful toys on the day of bombe habba in Kannada or Bommala Koluvu in Telugu. In Bengal the nine day celebration of goddess Durga is known as the annual Durga Puja festival which is ideally a four day celebration and the last day is marked as Vijay Dashmi or Dussehra.
Ganesh Chaturthi is observed in the Hindu calendar as a day when Lord Ganesha makes his presence on earth for all his devotees. It is not the birthday of Lord Ganesha. While held all over India, it is at its most elaborate in Maharashtra, and other areas which were former states of the Maratha Empire. The festival is celebrated at home and also jointly in localities. An idol of lord Ganesha is brought and worshiped for 10 days, when people sing, dance and celebrate with family and friends. The idol of Lord Ganesha is bid good bye by immersing in water, and praying to him for a prosperous and successful year ahead.
Another big indian festival is Holi, also called the Festival of Colours. It is a major spring festival celebrated all throughout the country. In History it is linked to the burning of Goddess Holika in fire, symbolising the end of all evils.The mythological story of Krishna and Radha and their immortal love is celebrated in some parts of India on this day. People play with bight colours to celebrate this day. It is an occasion full of fun and frolick, when people indulge in a lot of sweets and drinks. And folk music plays a very important role in making the occasion brighter.
Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi celebrates the relationship between sisters and brothers, when sisters tie an auspicious thread on their brother's wrist, in exchange taking vow from their brothers to protect them. This is how the occasion has derived its name. Today, it is a day when brothers and sisters celebrate and enjoy the day. They exchange gifts on this occasion to express their love for each other. It is a typical occasion of family celebrations.
Sweets, Gifts and flowers are integral part of all Indian festivals. People exchange gifts and sweets with their family members and friends to rejoice and wish them a happy festive season. The tradition of exchanging gifts on these festive occasion are taking a strong hold and is just another gesture to show that festivals are all about being with your family, near and dear ones and wishing them good luck and happiness for ever.

Christian Meditation to speak to Godess?

Centuries ago, monks began practicing Christian meditation by reading over verses in the Bible and then thinking about the truths in these verses. Often, they would say the verses to God as a prayer. In this way, the monks learned to speak to God in prayer, and learned how to tell God their own thoughts and concerns. By meditating on Bible verses and praying to God, the monks trained their minds to always think about God. They called this "contemplation", and it helped them to have a close, loving relationship with God.
By following this method of communicating with God, the monks created what is called the "ladder of prayer". The rungs of the ladder included reading Bible verses, thinking about the truths in the verses, praying to God, and learning to think about God always.
In the 1900s, two types of Christian meditation were used. Using a mantra, or word that is repeated to help the Christian focus on God, was one type of meditation. An example of a mantra would be the word Maranatha, which is an Aramaic word for "come, Lord". Christians would also use what is called a Centering Prayer, which uses a sacred word or words to bring the Christian into God's presence. These two types of Christian meditation helped the people using them to take their focus off their own problems and to turn to God to hear what He had to say to them.
A woman named St. Theresa of Avila created five steps to help Christians focus on God when praying. These five steps are known as the five R's.
- The first R is Ready: this is the step in which the Christian realizes that he/she is in the presence of God. To be ready to continue in prayer, the Christian thanks God for the many blessings He gives, and confesses any sins. - The second R is Read, and includes reading prayers, spiritual books, and the Bible. - The third R is Reflect. In this step, the Christian focuses on what he/she has just read in order to come closer to God. - The fourth R is Respond. It is at this step that the Christian speaks with God in an open and honest way about what he/she has been reading and thinking about. It is the most important step, as this is when God can share His wisdom and thoughts with the Christian. - The fifth and final R is Resolve. This is when the Christian thanks God for what he/she has learned, and closes the time of prayer.
These different types of Christian meditation can all be useful in helping Christians to meet with God, come close to Him, and learn His truths. Christian meditation does not save a person from their sins; it is a tool that can be used by people who are already saved to build a stronger relationship with God.

Before you file bankruptcy or start an intensive debt management plan consider seeking out one of the many reliable debt settlement companies

Debt settlement is a popular way of regaining financial wellness. If you’ve fallen considerably behind on high interest credit card payments for instance, it could take you as long as 20 years to get back on track. With reliable debt settlement companies you may be able to settle for up to 75% of your actual debt and often in as little as three years.
First off it’s important to understand debt settlement and how the process works. Essentially, debt settlement is a negotiation process where by one of the many reliable debt settlement companies you’re considering will negotiate with your creditors on your behalf.
It’s the job of a debt settlement company to convince your creditors of the value of lowering the total amount of money that you owe. A little money is better than no money at all.
When you sign up for a debt settlement program many creditors will do what is known as ‘re-aging’ or bringing your account into a current status.
Once a settlement is reached it’s your responsibility to pay the agreed upon amount in full. Your debt is cleared when you owe no more money. This whole process may take several months to accomplish during which you may still be harassed by creditors.
This is where the best in reliable debt settlement companies come in. The company will work on your behalf to field all such communications.
Understand that debt settlement demands that you maintain a strict budget as reliable debt settlement companies will usually take monthly payments directly from you and hold the balance in trust.
Once a debt settlement is reached you will find that reliable debt settlement companies will than make a one time payment to your creditor followed by final credit report documentation that your account is now paid in full. Once your account is settled you will no longer have a negative report.
If you have more than one debt, the debt settlement process is repeated for each creditor.
You’ll also find that some reliable debt settlement companies offer credit repair as part of their debt settlement services. Although there are usually fees for any credit repair, it does wonders for removing blemishes from your credit report.
Since debt settlement is one of the fastest debt relief methods there is to clear your debts in three years or less, you’ll find that there are a ton of debt settlement companies seeking your business.
When doing a search for debt settlement companies it’s important you do your homework. You’ll find you can save a substantial amount of money by finding one of the many reliable debt settlement companies that will work towards eliminating your late fee and interest payments.
Remember however that a good debt settlement company can’t do it all for you . Even the reliable debt settlement companies will take issue with you if you don’t have the self-discipline to stick with the program and work with them.
The bottom line is that reliable debt settlement companies will look out for your best interests as long as you do your part and keep the agreed upon payments coming.
Your search for debt settlement companies is bound to undercover a ton of debt settlement services but asking questions and understanding the ins and outs of how the process works is one of the best ways of knowing if you’ve found one of the most reliable debt settlement companies on the market.

world of mind spiritual yoga- The Benefits for you

Yoga’s primary emphasis is upon general well-being. Although yoga has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of conditions, it is not considered a therapy for specific illnesses. Rather, yoga employs a broad holistic approach that focuses on teaching people a new lifestyle, way of thinking, and way of being in the world. In the process, however, it is also found to bring a myriad of healing effects. By attending to practices for improving, regaining or retaining general good health, a person is likely to find that some of his more specific difficulties tend to disappear. Many of the healing effects of yoga is clinically verified. We will look at the healing effects of yoga. However, one of the most important benefit of yoga is its application in relieving stress, fatigue, invigoration and vitality and its anti-aging properties and its application for relaxation therapy.

According to Swami Sivananda, the benefits of pranayama (yogic breathing practices) include:

"The body becomes strong and healthy. Too much fat is reduced. There is luster in the face. Eyes sparkle like diamonds. The practitioner becomes very handsome. Voice becomes sweet and melodious"

Indra Devi, author of many books on yoga suggests that with yoga:

"You will be able to enjoy better sleep, a happier disposition, a clearer and calmer mind. You will learn how to build up your health and protect yourself against colds, fevers, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and other troubles. You will know what to do in order to remain youthful, vital and alert, regardless of your calendar-age; how to lose or gain weight; how to get rid of premature wrinkles, and keep a smooth skin and clear complexion."

Miscarriage info

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The cause of most spontaneous abortions is fetal death due to fetal genetic abnormalities, usually unrelated to the mother. Other possible causes for spontaneous abortion include infection, physical problems the mother may have, hormonal factors, immune responses, and serious systemic diseases of the mother (such as diabetes or thyroid problems).
It is estimated that up to 50% of all fertilized eggs die and are lost (aborted) spontaneously, usually before the woman knows she is pregnant. Among known pregnancies, the rate of spontaneous abortion is approximately 10% and usually occurs between the 7th and 12th weeks of pregnancy.
The risk for spontaneous abortion is higher in women over age 35, in women with systemic diseases such as diabetes or thyroid problems, and women with a history of three or more prior spontaneous abortions.
Symptoms
Possible symptoms include:
Low-back pain or abdominal pain that is dull, sharp, or cramping
Vaginal bleeding, with or without abdominal cramps
Tissue or clot-like material that passes from the vagina
However, about 20% of pregnant women have some vaginal bleeding during the first trimester. Less than half of these women have a spontaneous abortion.
Treatment
The treatment for a threatened abortion varies from restricting some forms of exercise to complete bed rest. Abstaining from intercourse is usually recommended until the warning signs have disappeared.
If a spontaneous abortion occurs, the signs of pregnancy decrease, the uterus begins shrinking to its original size, and a brownish or reddish vaginal discharge is often experienced. The tissue passed from the vagina should be examined to determine the source . It is also important to determine whether any fetal tissue remains in the uterus. This is called an incomplete spontaneous abortion.
If remaining tissue is not naturally aborted in a reasonable amount of time (about 4 weeks), surgery or medication will be required to complete the abortion. Medications include mifepristone, methotrexate, misoprostol, or a combination of these medications. Most women who use these medications do so because of a desire to avoid anesthesia and surgery if at all possible.
Side effects of the medication may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, warmth or chills, headache, more visits to the doctor’s office, prolonged vaginal bleeding, and being more aware of cramping than with surgical abortion. With medication, passage of the products of conception most likely will occur at home, but some women may still require surgical evacuation (D and E) to complete the abortion. The success rate has been shown to be around 95%.
Once the tissue is removed, the woman usually resumes her normal menstrual cycle within a few weeks. Any further vaginal bleeding should be carefully monitored. It is often possible to become pregnant immediately, but the woman should usually wait for 1 or 2 normal menstrual cycles before trying to become pregnant again.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if vaginal bleeding with or without cramping occurs during pregnancy.
Call your health care provider if you are pregnant and notice tissue or clot-like material passed vaginally (any such material should be collected and brought in for examination).
Prevention
Many spontaneous abortions that are caused by systemic diseases can be prevented by detecting and treating the disease before becoming pregnant.
Spontaneous abortions are less likely with early, comprehensive prenatal care and by avoiding environmental hazards (such as x-rays and infectious diseases).
When a mother's body is having difficulty sustaining a pregnancy, signs (such as slight vaginal bleeding) may occur. This is a threatened abortion, which means there is a possibility of abortion, but it is not inevitable. A pregnant woman who develops any signs or symptoms of threatened miscarriage should contact her prenatal provider immediately.

Importance of Healthy Breathing

We know how to breathe. It is something that occurs to us automatically, spontaneously, naturally. We are breathing even when we are not aware of it. So it seems foolish to think that one can be told how to breathe. Yet, one's breathing becomes modified and restricted in various ways, not just momentarily, but habitually. We develop unhealthy habits without being aware of it. We tend to assume positions (slouched positions) that diminishes lung capacities and take shortened breaths. We also live in social conditions that is not good for the health of our respiratory system.

As discussed above, scientists have known for a long time that there exists a strong connection between respiration and mental states. Improper breathing produces diminished mental ability. The corollary is true also. It is known that mental tensions produce restricted breathing.

A normally sedentary person, when confronted with a perplexing problem, tends to lean forward, draw his arms together, and bend his head down. All these body postures results in reduced lung capacity. The more intense the concentration, the more tense the muscles become. The muscles in the arms, neck and chest contract. The muscles that move the thorax and control inhalation and muscular tenseness clamp down and restrict the exhalation. The breaths become shorter and shorter. After an extended period of intense focusing, the whole system seems to be frozen in a certain posture.

We become fatigued from the decreased circulation of the blood and from the decreased availability of oxygen for the blood because we have almost stopped breathing. As our duties, responsibilities and their attendant problems become more demanding, we develop habits of forgetting to breathe.

Try an experiment suggested by Swami Vishnudevananda. Focus attention upon the ticks of a clock placed at a distance of about twelve feet. If you get distracted, try concentrating harder until you experience the ticking with undivided attention. If you fail at first, you should try again and again until you succeed in keeping the ticking clearly in mind for at least a few seconds. What happened? The majority of persons who took part in this experiment reported that they have completely suspended the breath. The others, who had less concentration, reported that they experienced very slow breathing. This experiment shows clearly that where there is concentration of the mind, the breathing becomes very slow or even get suspended temporarily.

What's Wrong With The Way We Breathe?

Our breathing is too shallow and too quick. We are not taking in sufficient oxygen and we are not eliminating sufficient carbon dioxide. , As a result, our bodies are oxygen starved, and a toxic build-up occurs. Every cell in the body requires oxygen and our level of vitality is just a product of the health of all the cells.

Shallow breathing does not exercise the lungs enough, so they lose some of their function, causing a further reduction in vitality.
Animals which breathe slowly live the longest; the elephant is a good example.

We need to breathe more slowly and deeply. Quick shallow breathing results in oxygen starvation which leads to reduced vitality, premature ageing, poor immune system and a myriad of other factors.

Importance Of Breathing

Breathing is important for two reasons. It is the only means to supply our bodies and its various organs with the supply of oxygen which is vital for our survival. The second function of breathing is that it is one means to get rid of waste products and toxins from the body.

Why Is Oxygen So Vital?
Oxygen is the most vital nutrient for our bodies. It is essential for the integrity of the brain, nerves, glands and internal organs. We can do without food for weeks and without water for days, but without oxygen, we will die within a few minutes. If the brain does not gets proper supply of this essential nutrient, it will result in the degradation of all vital organs in the body.

The brain requires more oxygen than any other organ. If it doesn't get enough, the result is mental sluggishness, negative thoughts and depression and, eventually, vision and hearing decline. Old people and those whose arteries are clogged often become senile and vague because oxygen to the brain is reduced. They get irritated very quickly.

Poor oxygen supply affects all parts of the body. The oxygen supply is reduced to all parts of the body as we get older due to poor lifestyle. Many people need reading glasses and suffer hearing decline in old age.

When an acute circulation blockage deprives the heart of oxygen, a heart attack is the result. If this occurs to the brain, the result is a stroke.
For a long time, lack of oxygen has been considered a major cause of cancer. Even as far back as 1947, work done in Germany showed that when oxygen was withdrawn, normal body cells could turn into cancer cells.

Similar research has been done with heart disease. It showed that lack of oxygen is a major cause of heart disease, stroke and cancer. The work done at Baylor University in the USA has shown that you can reverse arterial disease in monkeys by infusing oxygen into the diseased arteries.

Thus, oxygen is very critical to our well-being, and any effort to increase the supply of oxygen to our body and especially to the brain will pay rich dividends. Yogis realized the vital importance of an adequate oxygen supply thousands of years ago. They developed and perfected various breathing techniques. These breathing exercises are particularly important for people who have sedentary jobs and spend most of the day in offices. Their brains are oxygen starved and their bodies are just ‘getting by’. They feel tired, nervous and irritable and are not very productive. On top of that, they sleep badly at night, so they get a bad start to the next day continuing the cycle. This situation also lowers their immune system, making them susceptible to catching colds, flu and other ‘bugs’.

Oxygen Purifies the Blood Stream
One of the major secrets of vitality and rejuvenation is a purified blood stream. The quickest and most effective way to purify the blood stream is by taking in extra supplies of oxygen from the air we breathe. The breathing exercises described in here are the most effective methods ever devised for saturating the blood with extra oxygen.

Oxygen bums up the waste products (toxins) in the body, as well as recharging the body's batteries (the solar plexus). In fact, most of our energy requirements come not from food but from the air we breathe.

By purifying the blood stream, every part of the body benefits, as well as the mind. Your complexion will become clearer and brighter and wrinkles will begin to fade away. In short, rejuvenation will start to occur.

Medical Science Verifies Oxygen's Importance
Scientists have discovered that the chemical basis of energy production in the body is a chemical called Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). If something goes wrong with the production of ATP, the result is lowered vitality, disease and premature ageing.
Scientists have also discovered that oxygen is critical for the production of ATP; in fact, it is its most vital component.
Yoga permits us to tap into this vital nutrient.

Why Is Our Breath Fast and Shallow?

There are several reasons for this. The major reasons are:
We are in a hurry most of the time. Our movements and breathing follow this pattern.
The increasing stress of modern living makes us breathe more quickly and less deeply.
We get too emotional too easily. We get excited easily, angry easily, and most of the rest of the time we suffer from anxiety due to worry. These negative emotional states affect the rate of breathing, causing it to be fast and shallow.
Modern technology and automation reduces our need for physical activity. There is less need to breathe deeply, so we develop the shallow breathing habit.
We are working indoors more and more. This increases our exposure to pollution. As a result, the body instinctively inhales less air to protect itself from pollution. The body just takes in enough air to tick over.

As we go through life, these bad breathing habits we picked up become part of our life. Unless we do something to reverse these habits, we can suffer permanent problems. The good news is that these are reversible. The bad news is that before we can change these habits, we should recognize and accept that our behavior needs to be changed. This means that we see for ourselves the benefits of good breathing techniques.

Certainly, yoga is not the only way to cope up with the stress and the resultant drop in oxygen supply to the brain brought on by the constricted breathing. A smoke, a coffee break, a trip to the restroom or a good laugh may all result in some readjustment of constricted breathing patterns. These can be thought of as "mini-yogas". We can benefit by taking or seeking more smokes, breaks, trips or jokes. But for those whose occupations continue to be highly stressful, something more will be needed. Deep breathing exercises and stretching of muscles, especially those primarily concerned with controlling inhaling and exhaling, should be sought. Participation in active sports also will be useful. Going for a walk is very good. For those experiencing restricted breathing at night, morning exercises should be actively pursued.

The Effects of Shallow Breathing
Reduced vitality, since oxygen is essential for the production of energy in the body.
Increased disease. Our resistance to disease is reduced, since oxygen is essential for healthy cells. This means we catch more colds and develop other ailments more easily. Lack of sufficient oxygen to the cells is a major contributing factor in cancer, heart disease and strokes.

With our 'normal' sedentary way of living, we only use about one tenth of our total lung capacity. This is sufficient to survive and just tick over, but not sufficient for a high vitality level, long life and high resistance to disease.

The ancient yogis knew the importance of correct breathing and developed techniques not only to increase health and life span, but also to attain superconscious states.

The Medical Viewpoint on Fast, Shallow Breathing

Modem science agrees with the ancient yogis on the subject of shallow breathing. An editorial in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine suggested that fast, shallow breathing can cause fatigue, sleep disorders, anxiety, stomach upsets, heart bum, gas, muscle cramps, dizziness, visual problems, chest pain and heart palpitations.

Scientists have also found that a lot of people who believe they have heart disease are really suffering from improper breathing.

Importance of Breathing Through The Nose

The first rule for correct breathing is that we should breathe through the nose. This may seem obvious, but many people breathe principally through the mouth. Mouth breathing can adversely affect the development of the thyroid gland. It can retard the mental development of children.

The nose has various defense mechanisms to prevent impurities and excessively cold air entering the body. At the entrance to the nose, a screen of hairs traps dust, tiny insects and other particles that may injure the lungs if you breathe through the mouth. After the entrance of the nose, there is a long winding passage lined with mucus membranes, where excessively cool air is warmed and very fine dust particles that escaped the hair screen are caught. Next, in the inner nose are glands which fight off any bacilli which have slipped through the other defenses. The inner nose also contains the olfactory organ-our sense of smell. This detects any poisonous gases around that may injure our health.

The yogis believe that the olfactory organ has another function: the absorption of prana from the air. If you breathe through the mouth all the time, as many people do, you are cheating yourself of all this free energy (prana). The yogis say this is a major factor in lowered resistance to disease and impairs the functioning of your vital glands and nervous system. Add to this the fact that pathogens can enter the lungs via mouth breathing, and you can see that it's impossible to be healthy, not to mention vital, if you breathe through the mouth.

It is easy to break the habit of breathing through the mouth. Just keep your mouth closed and you will automatically breathe through your nose!

Summary: Benefits of Deep Breathing

We will now summarize the benefits of deep breathing. Deep breathing produces the following benefits:
Improvement in the quality of the blood due to its increased oxygenation in the lungs. This aids in the elimination of toxins from the system.
Increase in the digestion and assimilation of food. The digestive organs such as the stomach receive more oxygen, and hence operates more efficiently. The digestion is further enhanced by the fact that the food is oxygenated more.
Improvement in the health of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, nerve centers and nerves. This is due again to the increased oxygenation and hence nourishment of the nervous system. This improves the health of the whole body, since the nervous system communicates to all parts of the body.
Rejuvenation of the glands, especially the pituitary and pineal glands. The brain has a special affinity for oxygen, requiring three times more oxygen than does the rest of the body. This has far-reaching effects on our well being.
Rejuvenation of the skin. The skin becomes smoother and a reduction of facial wrinkles occurs.
The movements of the diaphragm during the deep breathing exercise massage the abdominal organs - the stomach, small intestine, liver and pancreas. The upper movement of the diaphragm also massages the heart. This stimulates the blood circulation in these organs.
The lungs become healthy and powerful, a good insurance against respiratory problems.
Deep, slow, yoga breathing reduces the work load for the heart. The result is a more efficient, stronger heart that operates better and lasts longer. It also mean reduced blood pressure and less heart disease.The yoga breathing exercises reduce the work load on the heart in two ways. Firstly, deep breathing leads to more efficient lungs, which means more oxygen is brought into contact with blood sent to the lungs by the heart. So, the heart doesn't have to work as hard to deliver oxygen to the tissues. Secondly, deep breathing leads to a greater pressure differential in the lungs, which leads to an increase in the circulation, thus resting the heart a little.
Deep, slow breathing assists in weight control. If you are overweight, the extra oxygen burns up the excess fat more efficiently. If you are underweight, the extra oxygen feeds the starving tissues and glands. In other words, yoga tends to produce the ideal weight for you.
Relaxation of the mind and body. Slow, deep, rhythmic breathing causes a reflex stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which results in a reduction in the heart rate and relaxation of the muscles. These two factors cause a reflex relaxation of the mind, since the mind and body are very interdependent. In addition, oxygenation of the brain tends to normalize brain function, reducing excessive anxiety levels.

The breathing exercises cause an increase in the elasticity of the lungs and rib cage. This creates an increased breathing capacity all day, not just during the actual exercise period. This means all the above benefits also occur all day.

Healthy Reasons to Have a Pet

Here are the health reasons to have a pet as reported by Delta Society that performs research into the importance of animals to the lives and well being of humans.

Seniors who own dogs go to the doctor less than those who do not.
In a study of 100 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog owners in the study has 21 percent fewer physician's contacts than non-dog owners. (Siegel, 1990).
Pet owners have lower blood pressure. (Friedman, 1983, Anderson 1992).

A recent study, from the State University of New York at Buffalo, looked at male and female stockbrokers already taking medication to control high blood pressure. Researchers say those with a pet nearby during stressful encounters experienced half the increase in blood pressure as those who did not own a pet.
Lead author, Dr. Karen Allen, calls the results "dramatic and significant." She says while medication can lower blood pressure, it cannot relieve stress and that can force blood pressure back up. The research team says it chose a dog or cat for each stockbroker at the beginning of the study and soon the study participants became very attached to their pets. Six months later, Allen says, many of the stockbrokers in the medication-only control group went out and got themselves a pet.

Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than non-owners (Anderson, 1992).
Companionship of pets (particularly dogs) helps children in families adjust better to the serious illness and death of a parent (Raveis, 1993).
Pet owners feel less afraid of being a victim of crime when walking with a dog or sharing a residence with a dog. (Serpel, 1990).
Pet owners have fewer minor health problems (Friedmann, 1990, Serpel, 1990).
Pet owners have better psychological well-being (Serpel, 1990).
Contact with pets develops nurturing behavior in children who may grow to be more nurturing adults (Melson, 1990).
Pet owners have a higher on-year survival rates following coronary heart disease (Friedman, 1980).
Medication costs dropped from an average of $3.80 per patient per day to just $1.18 per patient per day in new nursing home facilities in New York, Missouri and Texas that have animals and plants as an integral part of the environment. (Montague, 1995).
Pet owners have better physical health due to exercise with their pets. (Serpel, 1990).
Having a pet may decrease heart attack mortality by 3%. This translates into 30,000 lives saved annually (Friedman, 1980).

The Benefits We Experience When Pets (Animals) Are Beside Us

Pet Therapy works by providing proximity to animals to those who can benefit by it. What are the benefits we accrue when animals are brought near us? Delta Society suggests the following benefits of having pets beside us or living with pets.
We Develop More Empathy
Studies report that children who live in homes in which a pet is considered a member of the family are more empathetic than children in homes without pets.
This could be due to a variety of reasons:
Children see animals as peers. They can identify better with animals than human beings. Animal psychology is very simple. With animals, what you see is what you get. Humans are not as direct. We need to develop talent to read and interpret “body language.” Children can read an animal's body language.
As children get older, their ability to empathize with animals will carry over into their experiences with people.

We Develop An Outward Focus
Individuals who have mental illness or low self-esteem focus on themselves. Animals can help them focus on their environment. Rather than thinking and talking about themselves and their problems, they watch and talk to and about the animals.
Nurturing
Nurturing skills are learned. Most of learn this from our parents. Those who do not learn these skills from their parents can learn by taking care of their pets. By being taught to take care of an animal, the children can develop these skills. Psychologically, when a person nurtures, his/her need to be nurtured is being fulfilled.
Rapport
Animals can open a channel of emotionally safe, non-threatening communication between client and therapist.
In therapy settings, animals help present an air of emotional safety. If a therapist has an animal in his/her office, s/he "can't be all bad." The animal's presence may open a path through the person's initial resistance. Children are especially likely to project their feelings and experiences onto an animal.

Acceptance
Animals have a way of accepting without qualification. They don't care how a person looks or what they say. (Have you ever heard of your dog deciding to go to your neighbors because he or she feels it is better out there?) An animal's acceptance is nonjudgmental, forgiving, and uncomplicated by the psychological games people often play. They accept you the way you are.

Entertainment
The presence of an animal provides a much needed entertainment to those watching it. Even people who don't like animals often enjoy watching their antics and reactions. Especially in long-term care facilities, it seems everyone is entertained by animal visits in some way.

Socialization
Studies have shown that when dogs and cats come to visit a care facility, there is more laughter and interaction among residents than during any other "therapy" or entertainment time. In an inpatient setting, the presence of animals encourages socialization. Staff members have reported that it is easier to talk to residents during and after animal visits. Family members often come during the animal visits and some have reported that it is an especially comfortable and pleasant time to come.

Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation occurs because of increased communication with other people, recalled memories, and the entertainment provided by the animals. In situations that are depressing or institutional, the presence of the animals serves to brighten the atmosphere, increasing amusement, laughter, and play. These positive distractions may help to decrease people's feelings of isolation or alienation.

Physical Contact, Touch
It is well established that touch is very important for the nourishment of our mind and spirit. Infants who are not touched do not develop healthy relationships with other people and often fail to thrive and grow physically. For some people, touch from another person is not acceptable, but the warm, furry touch of a dog or cat is. In hospitals, where most touch is painful or invasive, the touch of an animal is safe, non-threatening, and pleasant. There are a number of programs for people who have been physically or sexually abused in which staff and volunteers are not allowed to touch the clients. In cases like these, having an animal to hold, hug, and touch can make a world of difference to people who would otherwise have no positive, appropriate physical contact.

Physiological Benefits
Many people are able to relax when animals are present. Tests have shown that the decrease in heart rate and blood pressure can be dramatic. Even watching fish swim in an aquarium can be very calming.

Additional Benefits
Some people feel spiritual fulfillment or a sense of oneness with life and nature when they are with their pets. This is hard to define or explain. Some well-known authors have described their relationships with animals and nature as part of their sustaining life energy and/or part of their communion and relationship with God.

Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga stresses the use of the mind to transcend the mind; it works with that part of the human mind which strives incessantly to know and understand. It trains discrimination; it is eight-limbed, and its other seven limbs are detachment, self-discipline, longing for freedom, hearing the truth, reflection upon that truth, and meditation, which is defined as consolidation and transcendence.
The tradition of Jnana Yoga teaches that "Liberation is attained, not by works or ceremony, but by knowledge alone." Knowledge in this context is not belief or collected data: it is comprehension as a result of discernment and experience. The Way of Knowledge is for the special few who are prepared for steady examination and clear perception of the nature of Consciousness.
One who chooses this path studies the conclusions of the seers by reading the great scriptures and commentaries, then examining them in the light of his own intelligence and coming to his own realization. In deep meditation, he contemplates the characteristics of Consciousness in manifestation and, by doing so, gains insight and perfect realization.

Mantra yoga information

Mantra yoga means "union by voice or sound". This form includes the rhythmic repetitions of specific sounds, chants, or mantras. The practitioner repeats the syllable, word or phrase continually, sometimes for weeks, months or years on end. Certain syllables are believed to posses healing potential for specific purposes. (for example see Transcendental meditation where a mantra is assigned for individual use.)

Raja yoga Highest form of yoga

Raja means "royal," and the meditation route to Self-Realization is considered to be just this. It is direct and affords the opportunity of experience in different levels of awareness, beginning from where we start to where we are able to conclude after our meditation practice. Raja Yoga starts with the mind; its goal is a complete stilling of the mind, so that the light of the indwelling spirit may shine out. It makes use of asana and pranayama, and some consider it merely another name for Ashtanga Yoga, described elsewhere.
Raja Yoga meditation is the process whereby the practitioner concentrates upon one point in order to integrate discontinuous, diffused attention, thus holding attention steady. All distractions are thus effectively closed out, and meditation proceeds. Daydreaming, floating with thoughts or allowing impulses to dominate is obviously not concentration, and, without concentration, meditation is impossible to experience.

Bhakti Yoga

There are no set ways to perform Bhakti yoga. Some people find that external aids can contribute to a devotional attitude: an altar used during prayer and meditation; pictures of saints to serve as inspiration; chanting or singing; use of mantra or even a simple devotional ceremony to aid in creating a mood as preparation for meditation. Whatever a person's approach, if that approach is useful in the long run, it is perfectly in order for him, even though it may not appeal to another.
Singing the names of God aloud can elevate consciousness, clear the mind and even charge the environment with pure energy. For persons who find it difficult to concentrate during meditation and for whom the approach of calm discernment is too subtle, prayer and chanting can be of value.
It is in our day to day life that Bhakti Yoga is truly practiced. Are we loving, compassionate and fair in our dealings with others? St. Francis is one of the Christian tradition who exemplified the Yoga of love and devotion. Jesus stated the ideal of Bhakti Yoga when he taught, "As you have loved me, love one another." When true love reigns, there can be no barriers; then harmony and fulfillment rule.
Simple, direct prayer is the most effective- just talking with God, then being still. The teaching is that by devotion and receptivity we can open ourselves to the Reality of God and attract God's consciousness into our own. Love and devotion also purifies human nature and cleanses the mind and the emotional field. There can be no hate, dislike, jealousy, envy, fear or prejudice in the loving heart. Truly, blessed are the pure in heart, for they can perceive the Reality of God.

Laya, Tantra or Kundalini yoga

A celibate approach to spiritual growth is quite common in many of the world's religious traditions. Many yoga practices suggest that sexual involvement is a detriment to a greater development of self and hence should be avoided if possible. However, tantric yoga suggests that sexuality can be a very powerful force that can be harnessed for increased self-awareness. Thus, tantric yoga is unusual, in that it not only allows sexual feelings and contact, but uses sexual experience as a means to enlightenment.
The Tantrics maintain that there is an enormous energy locked into sexuality, which, if released from the lower end of the spine, can flow up the spinal column to bring divine illumination to the brain. They believe that within the interior of the spine, in a hollow region called the canalis centralis, there is an energy conduit called "sushumna". Along this conduit, from the base of the perineum to the top of the head, flows the most powerful of all psychic energies, Kundalini energy. On the other side of the canal are two additional energy channels, one called "Ida" corresponding to the male, and the other the "Pingala" corresponding to the female. Ida is at the right of the base of the spine and the pingala begins at the left.
These tow psychic currents are said to coil upward around the spine and the sushumna like snakes, crossing the chakras (energy wheel of center of conscious). Kundalini yogi's lifelong task is to evolve through the various chakra qualities and challenges, thereby bringing the focus of the Kundalini energy upward from the base of his spine to the top of his head.
Once the yogi has achieved mastery of self by relaxing body tension, silencing mental chatter, and releasing energy blocks, he is ready to join with a partner whose energies and spirit complement his own in such a way that together they form a "whole". The partners must first achieve a highly developed awareness within their being, a process that might take a lifetime, before ready to engage in tantric embrace. In the tantric lovemaking experience, known as "maithuna", the lovers undergo a variety of meditations and rituals before they actually make physical contact. They maintain the spiritual link or bond throughout the lovemaking process. They visualize the flow of pranic currents between them. In tantric yoga, the lovers do not try to achieve orgasm. In fact, they work hard not to have one. They are attempting to draw the forces of Kundalini energy upward through their body-minds, thus releasing the power of the various chakras. This force transforms the yogi psychologically, changing his personality as the Kundalini rises to each succeeding chakra. The emphasis is not on the sexual release as an end in and of itself, but rather on sex as a channel through which the evolution of self may proceed.
The goal of Tantra is the union of dynamic and static aspects of personality. It is quite different from practices that dwell on renunciation and desirelessness.