Role of Taste

It is as important to realise that every food's unique combination of attributes will influence its taste and the action it causes in the body. With every taste having a different action – as detailed below. Astanga Hrdayam clearly describes the characteristics of each of the six tastes and problems that might be experienced from its habitual over-consumption. Most foods being a combination of two or more of these tastes e.g. coffee is bitter and pungent.

Sour

Comprised of the elements earth & fire, it increases pitta and kapha and is good for heart and digestion. Stimulates agni, moves inactive Vata energy down the pelvic cavity, sets the teeth on edge and increases salivation. Excess use may cause looseness and flabbiness, loss of strength, giddiness, itching, irritation, a whitish yellow pallor, herpetiform lesions, swelling thirsts and fever, and diseases arising from excess pitta and kapha.

Sweet

Related to earth & water, it mitigates pitta and vata, producing greater strength in the tissues and of value to the aged, wounded, emaciated and children. Universally liked, it often adheres to the inside of the mouth, giving a feeling of pleasure, contentment and comfort. Good for the complexion, hair, senses and ojas, it also increases breast milk and helps unite broke parts like bones. By its virtue it prolongs life and helps life activities. In excess however it may cause diseases arising from fat and excess kapha e.g. obesity, dyspepsia, unconsciousness, diabetes, enlargement of neck glands or malignant tumors.

Salt

The water & fire in salty taste increases pitta and kapha. It clears obstruction of channels and pores and increases the digestive activity and salivation. Also responsible for lubrication and sweating, it penetrates the tissues. An excess of it may cause baldness and graying of the hair, wrinkles, thirst, skin diseases, blood disorders, herpetiform leisons and loss of body strength

Pungent

Fire & air in pungent increases vata and pitta and mitigates kapha. Increases hunger, is digestive, causes irritation, brings secretion from the eyes, nose & mouth, and gives a burning sensation to the mouth. Dilating the channels and breaking up the hard masses. But an excess use of it may cause thirst, depletion of reproductive tissue and strength, fainting, contracture, tremors, pain in the waist and back, and other disorders related to excess of pitta and kapha.

Bitter

Air & space being its elements, it mitigates pitta and kapha. Drying up moisture from fat, muscles, faeces and urine. It cleans the mouth and destroys the perception of taste. It is said to cure anorexia, worms, bacteria, parasites, thirst, skin diseases, loss of consciousness, fever, nausea, burning sensation. But in excess, it increases vata, causing diseases of vata origin and depletion of tissues.

Astringent

Air & earth increases vata and mitigates increased pitta and kapha. It cleans the blood and causes healing of ulcers. Like bitter, it too dries up moisture from fat. It absorbs water, causing constipation and hindering digestion of undigested food. Its excess use causes stasis of food without digestion, flatulance, pain in the cardiac region, emaciation, loss of virility, obstruction of channels and constipation.

(See also: Diet , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Pain Dictionary

Ariyasachcha ariyasacca (Pali) (from ariya noble, distinguished, of high birth + sachcha real, true)

Noble truth; in the plural, the Four Noble Truths (chattari ariyasachchani) set forth by Gautama Buddha in his first sermon: 1) pain (duhkha); 2) cause, origin of pain (samudaya) is desire (panha); 3) destruction of desire eliminates pain (nirodha); and 4) the road or footpath (magga), the noble eightfold way (ariya atthangika magga).

See also ARYASATYA (for Sanskrit equivalents)

(See also: Ariyasachcha ariyasacca , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Pain Dictionary

Lila said: “Tell me in short, Goddess Sarasvati, something more with regard to death, as to whether it is happy or painful to die and what becomes of people after they are dead and gone from here.”
The Goddess replied: “Dying men are of three sorts and have different results upon their death. They are, those who are ignorant, and such as are versed in Yoga, and those that are abstemious and religious….

The death and dying and the life after death has always fascinated man. This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Soul After Death: Death And After according to The Yogavasishta

STRAIN / COUNTERSTRAIN

Developed by osteopath Lawrence Jones, this noninvasive treatment helps decrease protective muscle spasms and alleviate somatic dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system.

By using palpation and passive positional procedures, the therapist practicing strain/counterstrain therapy can help restore pain-free movement. The position that relieves the referred pain is held for 90 seconds. After resuming the original position and pressing the trigger point, the referred pain is gone.

Although the client is often asked to bend or twist like a contortionist to secure a comfortable position, for the most part clients report effectiveness of the procedure.

(See also: STRAIN , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Pain Dictionary

Life has a way of taking unexpected turns - of throwing surprises at us when we least expect them. In many ways, life does bring one down. When unplanned and unexpected events come into our lives, they leave us in a state of pain, grief, doubt, fear and depression.

One feels the need for a strong and stable foundation that one can depend on when life's river takes unexpected turns. A simple formula is needed that can keep us grounded on the path and pointed in the right direction - that of flow, let go, forgiveness and happiness.

Here is just such a simple solution, presented in the form of three keys, that when remembered and practiced, keep us going in the right direction and while we walk the path, they also are the catalysts in bringing happiness.

(See also: Metaphysics, Metaphysical Principles, Definition of Metaphysics, Metaphysical Techniques, Miracles, Creating Miracles Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, Peace of Mind, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Metaphysical Techniques: The Three Keys To Happiness

Spirituality is man’s realisation of the spirit. According to advaita , the non-dualistic philosophy of Vedanta , this spirit, which is also called the Brahman , created this entire universe through matter and energy.

All objects are the outcome of one primal matter. All natural forces like gravitation, and thoughts and feelings on the consciousness level, are the outcome of a primal energy called prana .

(See also: Self-realisation , God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Self-realisation: Matter And Energy, Brahman And Maya  

ACCUPUNCTURE:

·      The modern name is derived from the Latin words Acus (needle) and Punctura (penetration). It is, however, an ancient Chinese art of healing that sticks needles into a patient's skin or even muscles to correct imbalances in the `yin' & `yang' of the body.

·      Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, one of the oldest medical texts in the world, comprises a special section called `Magic Gate', which is devoted to this therapeutic style.

·      Although modern acupuncture charts more than 2000 points in the body - located along invisible energy called `meridians', 12 channels in each half of the body and 2 major channels (Ren & Du) along the middle line - traditionally there were only 365.

·      The western explanation for this is that a needle inserted at specific acupuncture points of the body releases certain chemical substances, that activate neuro-transmitters, which then pass on nerve impulses to the brain to obtain the desired effects. Must be performed by trained practitioners only.

The fundamental difference between these two systems being:

ACUPUNCTURE

·      A form of surgery where needles are penetrated into specific points of your body.

·      To cure chronic aches and pain.

ACUPRESSURE

·      A form of physiotherapy that indulges in massage and stimulation of precise points of the body.

• To ease all kinds of aches and pains and provide relief from tension, exhaustion and disease.

(See also: ACCUPUNCTURE , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Pain Dictionary

Meditation Experiences by Sarasvati Buhrman PhD - Part I

Sometime after 350 B.C. a great yogi sage wrote the "Yoga Sutra". This brief translation should wet your appetite. This describes the transformation of mind that will unfold over a course of sadhana (spiritual practice), focusing on the relationship between the mind and the object of meditation.

Read more here: » Meditation: Meditation Experiences According to the Ashtanga Yoga Tradition with Commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutra

Many questions arise concerning the role of suffering. These questions include: How is there suffering in a world created by a good God who cares for and loves His creation? For the Christian the quintessential question is why does God’s plan include the suffering and death of His own Son? Paul sees the death of Christ not only as a propitiatory or vicarious sacrifice, but as a colossal cosmic occurrence.

(See also: Suffering , God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Suffering: Redemptive Power of Suffering  

A broken heart requires as much care as a broken bone or as any other physical ailment. However, with time and proper care, one can be confident that it will heal.

Do not worry about having ups and downs; these are signs that you are healing. You are more fragile now, there is no shame in that, so take it easy. Crying is a natural release. Remember you are not alone. You cannot be a human being without suffering loss.

Here are some emotional bandages for a broken heart:

(See also: Metaphysics, Metaphysical Principles, Definition of Metaphysics, Metaphysical Techniques, Miracles, Creating Miracles Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, Peace of Mind, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Metaphysical Inspirations: Ten Ways To Heal a Broken Heart

The withdrawal syndrome from heroin (or any other short-acting opioid) can begin within 6 hours of discontinuation of sustained use of the drug: sweating, malaise, anxiety, depression, persistent and intense penile erection in males (priapism), general feeling of heaviness, cramp-like pains in the limbs, yawning and lachrymation, sleep difficulties, cold sweats, chills, severe muscle and bone aches not precipitated by any physical trauma, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, gooseflesh (hence, the term "cold turkey"), cramps, and fever occur. Many ...

See also:

Heroin, Heroin - History, Heroin - Usage and effects, Heroin - Production and trafficking, Heroin - Manufacturing, Heroin - History, Heroin - Trafficking, Heroin - Risks of non-medical abuse of heroin, Heroin - Withdrawal, Heroin - Drug interactions, Heroin - Culture, Heroin - Books

Read more here: » Heroin: Encyclopedia II - Heroin - Withdrawal

ACTIVE MUSCULAR RELAXATION TECHNIQUES: Active muscular relaxation techniques are a powerful new approach to bodywork used for relaxing overactive muscles and managing soft tissue pain. Over-activity in local musculature is a typical response to pain from trauma or poor posture.

Active muscular relaxation techniques utilize resisted isometric contractions of the overactive muscle or its antagonist (the one opposing its action). The objective of this procedure is to relax and/or lengthen (stretch) the overactive muscle.

(See also: Active muscular relaxation techniques , Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Pain Dictionary

Gout - Attacks. Acutely, first line treatment should be pain relief. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, the drugs of choice are indomethacin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or intraarticular glucocorticoids, administered via a joint injection. Colchicine was previously the drug of choice in acute attacks of gout. It impairs the motility of granulocytes and can prevent the inflammatory phenomena that initiate an attack of gout. Colchicine should be taken within the first 12 hours o ...

See also:

Gout, Gout - Signs and symptoms, Gout - Diagnosis, Gout - Pathogenesis, Gout - Stages of gout, Gout - Treatment, Gout - Attacks, Gout - Prevention, Gout - Surgery, Gout - Diet, Gout - Suggestions for pain relief, Gout - Additional observations, Gout - History, Gout - Famous people who had gout, Gout - Gout in fiction, Gout - External link

Read more here: » Gout: Encyclopedia II - Gout - Treatment

Suffering is any unwanted condition and the corresponding negative emotion. It is usually associated with pain and unhappiness, but any condition can be suffering if it is unwanted. Antonyms include happiness or pleasure. In a phrase like "suffering from a disease" emphasis is on having the disease, less on the unhappiness it causes. Acceptance Anger Anticipation Boredom Disgust Envy Fear Guilt Hate Hope Joy Jealousy Love Remorse Sadness
Including:

• Suffering - Abolitionism
• Suffering - Suffering addressed by major faiths
• Suffering - Buddhism
• Suffering - Judaism and Christianity
• Suffering - Language
• Suffering - Law
• Suffering - Spinozistic Definition of Sorrow

Read more here: » Suffering: Encyclopedia - Suffering

Maria Yraceburu, Quero Apache Indian, share the prophecy of Hope from her people. A prophecy that tells us that we live in the midst of a time a great change and transformation of the World as we now it.

Read more here: » Prophecy: Wisdom of the Rainbow Serpent - Prophecy of the Apache Indians

As normal developing human beings, people internalize certain concepts needed to support their ability to face life. For example, they come to understand there are people and authorities who will support them, they psychologically become independent and individual from their peer group (individuation), they believe they have validity purpose and "a place" simply by virtue of being a human being, that they are not simply an "object", they have many life-experiences which give them pride and self-confidence, and so on. These are a very profoun ...

See also:

Psychology of torture, Psychology of torture - Background, Psychology of torture - The torture process, Psychology of torture - What is psychological stress and pain, Psychology of torture - Psychology of torture, Psychology of torture - Psychology of pain, Psychology of torture - Extending torture to family and friends, Psychology of torture - The perversion of intimacy, Psychology of torture - Forced absorption of the torturer's perspective, Psychology of torture - Psychology of torturers, Psychology of torture - Psychological results of torture, Psychology of torture - Torture trauma and survival

Read more here: » Psychology of torture: Encyclopedia II - Psychology of torture - Psychology of torture

Fibromyalgia has been studied since the early 1800s and referred to by a variety of former names, including muscular rheumatism and fibrositis. The term fibromyalgia was coined in 1976 to more accurately describe the symptoms, from the Greek my-, meaning muscle, and algia, meaning pain. Fibromyalgia was once considered an autoimmune disorder, but laboratory results reveal no disturbance of the immune system although reactivated viral infection has been identified in a subset of patients. It was also once re ...

See also:

Fibromyalgia, Fibromyalgia - History, Fibromyalgia - Symptoms, Fibromyalgia - Diagnosis, Fibromyalgia - Differentials, Fibromyalgia - Treatment, Fibromyalgia - Living with fibromyalgia, Fibromyalgia - Theories on the cause of fibromyalgia, Fibromyalgia - Sleep disturbance, Fibromyalgia - Deposition disease, Fibromyalgia - Other theories, Fibromyalgia - Comorbid diseases

Read more here: » Fibromyalgia: Encyclopedia II - Fibromyalgia - History

Abdominal pain can be one of the symptoms associated with transient disorders or serious disease. Making a definitive diagnosis of the cause of a person's abdominal pain can be quite difficult, because so many diseases can result in this symptom. Abdominal pain - Introduction. Abdominal pain is traditionally described by its chronicity (acute or chronic), its progression over time, its nature (sharp, dull, colicky), its distribution (by various methods, such as abdominal quadrant (left upper quadrant, left ...

Including:

• Abdominal pain - Introduction
• Abdominal pain - Approaches
• Abdominal pain - Types and mechanisms
• Abdominal pain - Selected causes

Read more here: » Abdominal pain: Encyclopedia - Abdominal pain

Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation) is a group of conditions that affect the health of the bone joints in the body. One in three adult Americans suffer from some form of arthritis and the disease affects about twice as many women as men. Arthritic diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which are autoimmune diseases; septic arthritis, caused by joint infection; and the more common osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease. Arthritis can be caused from strains and ...

Including:

• Arthritis - Signs and symptoms
• Arthritis - Diagnosis
• Arthritis - Treatment
• Arthritis - Types of arthritis
• Arthritis - History

Read more here: » Arthritis: Encyclopedia - Arthritis

An interview with Sri Samadarshini and Sri Ananda Giri from the Golden Age Foundation in Varadyapalyam, India, April 2003. By Eva Brenckert, Edited by Parlan Fritz

Read more here: » Spiritual Parenting: Srishti, the Art of Spiritual Parenting

Breath, sound and meditation are the main resources of kundalini yoga. For example, a school of Kundalini yoga is probably best recognised for its frequent use of 'Breath of Fire' and the mantra 'Sat Nam'. Breath of Fire is a breathing exercise where you inhale and exhale rapidly through the nose without pausing, and pump the navel point while using the abdomen as a bellows. Sat Nam means 'truth is my identity' and, as a chant, is used to stop mind chatter by creating a rhythm that produces higher consciousness.

Read more here: » Yoga: Kundalini Yoga - Techniques and Pitfalls

Hippocrates, a Greek physician, wrote in the 5th century BC about a bitter powder extracted from willow bark that could ease aches and pains and reduce fevers. This remedy is also mentioned in texts from ancient Sumeria, Egypt and Assyria. Native Americans claim to have used it for headaches, fever, sore muscles, rheumatism, and chills. The Reverend Edward Stone, a vicar from Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire England, noted in 1763 that the bark of the will ...

See also:

Aspirin, Aspirin -  Name, Aspirin - Discovery, Aspirin - Synthesis of aspirin, Aspirin - How it works, Aspirin - Indications, Aspirin - Contraindications and warnings, Aspirin - Common side effects, Aspirin - Overdose

Read more here: » Aspirin: Encyclopedia II - Aspirin - Discovery