AYURVEDIC MEDICINE: Ayurvedic medicine stresses a holistic approach to health.

It defines disease as the result of climatic extremes, bacterial attack, nutritional deviance, and stress, as well as other forms of emotional imbalance. Optimal health is achieved by cultivating mental and physical habits that are conductive to physical and spiritual well-being, and treatment often includes hatha yoga, diet, and the development of positive attitude.

(See also: Ayurvedic medicine , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Transpersonal Psychology / Transpersonal Counseling

A school of psychology that aims at integrating Western science and Eastern thought by moving beyond Humanistic Psychology and its focus on the self or ego. Its orientation is a holistic one that focuses on the integration of mind, body and spirit and has ultimate psychological growth and well-being as its goals.

(See also: Transpersonal Psychology/Counseling , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Toning

Vocalizing long, sustained sounds using a vowel, a consonant, or a combination of both without melody, words, beat or rhythm. Toning, an ancient method for pain relief and for treating illness, is one of the oldest forms of healing: also known as sounding, toning is the simplest form of singing. Toning produces vibrations with overtones, or 'vocal harmonics,' which help restore harmony of body, mind and spirit.

(See also: Toning , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Acupressure

is a form of bodywork in which the practitioner uses thumbs, fingers, palms, and elbows to stimulate points along the Chinese energetic meridians of the body. Popular forms include shiatsu and jin shin do.

(See also: Acupressure , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

According to ayurvedic philosophy an individual bundle of `spirit’, desirious of expressing itself, uses subjective consciousness or Satwa to manifest sense organs and a mind. Spirit and mind then project themselves into a physical body, created from the five (Pancha) great (maha) eternal elements (bhutas) – together called the Panchamahabhutas – which arise from Tamas. The sense organs then using Rajas to project from the body into the external world to experience their objects. The body becoming the mind’s vehicle, its physical instrument for sense gratification.

The Bhutas combine into "tridoshas" or bioenergetic forces that govern and determine our health or physical condition. While the three gunas (Rajas or activity, Tamas or inertia and Satwa, which balances the first two) or psychic forces determine our mental and spiritual health. Ayurveda is thus a holistic system of health care that teaches us to balance these energies in order to achieve optimum health and well being.

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

BioSonic Repatterning™

A branch of Energy Medicine that uses music and sound modalities (tuning forks, toning, mantras, chanting, music and improvisation) to promote healing. Developed by Dr. John Beaulieu, it is the process of tuning into and aligning our natural rhythms with our "LifeSound." The principals of BioSonics are used to interface with and enhance Cranial Balancing.

(See also: BioSonic Repatterning , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Midwifery

The art of assisting at childbirth. In the United States, due to rising medical costs and a growing interest in home delivery and "natural childbirth," there has been a resurgence of interest in midwifery. Certified midwives undergo prescribed courses and training in hospitals and medical schools and many are now licensed by the state. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) are licensed and under a doctors supervision in all 50 states. Check your state's regulations to be informed on other midwifery certifications.

(See also: Midwifery , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Essential Oils

are the volatile essences extracted from aromatic plants by steam, distillation, expression or solvent extraction. Essential oils are applied topically or inhaled, and act on physical, emotional and psychological processes.

(See also: Essential Oils , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Bodywork

encompasses many practices that utilize manual manipulation of the body. Techniques include massage, acupressure, energy work, movement, structural work, deep tissue massage and other therapies to induce relaxation, increase circulation, treat pain and stiffness, and to break up chronic patterns of muscular tension.

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

Jin Shin Jyutsu

An ancient Japanese healing art rediscovered by Jiro Muri in the early 1900's and brought to America by Mary Burmeister in1965. Jin Shin Jyutsu balances and harmonizes your body's energy systems by using 26 safety energy locks with the hands and fingers.

The practice, applied by a practitioner and as self-help, can eliminate stress, create emotional equilibrium, relieve pain and alleviate acute or chronic conditions. The art can also be used preventively, to sustain a sense of harmony and well-being. Ultimately, it may restore you to a knowledge of yourself and of your long-dormant innate ability to improve the quality of your life.

(See also: Jin Shin Jyutsu , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Prana

Sanskrit term for universal energy; used in yoga (pranayama). See also life force, biofield, chi.

(See also: Prana , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Chi

Chinese word meaning energy or universal life force.

(See also: Chi , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Chiropractic

care is based on the premise that the health of the spine is essential to human health. Pain and discomfort caused by misalignments (subluxations) of vertebrae are corrected with a variety of methods including activator methods, upper cervical, Sacro-occipital technique (SOT), cranial, and low-force adjusting.

(See also: Chiropractic , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

ANCIENT MEDICINE: CHINESE AND GREEK

Chinese

According to the ancient Chinese system of philosophy, the human body is governed by Chi, which can loosely be translated as the 'Life Force'.

·      The Chi is made up of the Yin and the Yang - the feminine and masculine principles - that in perfect balance ensure health, peace and well being.

·      Any imbalance between the two causes disease.

·      As early as 2700 BC, the complicated system of Acupuncture had identified pressure points in the human body that were considered crucial for the healing process. By manipulating these pressure points, ancient Chinese physicians could treat the most complicated of diseases.

Greek

·      Ancient Greek medicine (circa 450 BC) is synonymous with the name of Hippocrates, who is deemed to be the father of modern medicine.

·      Hippocrates based his study and his practice of medicine on logic, reasoning and scientific experimentation.

·      For the first time in the ancient world medicine was separated from religion, philosophy and superstition. He recorded all his theories and observations in a series of books, which are now held sacred by the practitioners of modern medicine all over the world.

• From about 6th century BC, many important developments were made in the fields of surgery, orthopaedics, opthalmology and obstetrics in Greece. Greek surgeons using various types of knives, syringes and forceps as surgical tools. Although there is a school of thought that believes that transfer of similar knowledge from India through the trade connections cannot be ruled out entirely.

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

PYRAMID POWER

(Also cone headgear). In mimetic magic the pyramid serves as a parallel funnel or horn to draw down the powers of the heavens onto all that which lies inside or under it. Its base is a perfect square, representing the earth and its four corners - or a circle, deriving from infinity, the point.

The cone is nearly as effective as the pyramid, so a hat in the shape of a cone also has beneficial effects on the wearer, curing headaches, stress and even slow-healing head-wounds. The effects of a cone device, as far as I know, have not been compared to those produced by Reich's Orgone box.

In contemporary "pyramid power" theory, the convection of the cosmic energy derives from its inversion and the subsequent compression (like laser) of the lines of force - as images are similarly inverted by a lens. Think of an hourglass or how the sun's rays stream out like a cone through a small opening in the clouds. It has been observed that concentration is increased and a sense of well-being occurs amongst subjects placed under a tent pyramid or cone device for the head. Even 10 or 15 minutes under the pyramid can increase energy, intelligence, concentration, self-confidence, optimism, sense of well-being, etc.

The tent pyramid is an attempt to realign imbalanced centers, just as in olden days the dunce or "thinking cap" was administered by impatient teachers in an effort to quieten children and heighten their attentionality. It was intended to help the child regain control of his center. For the same reason the conical hat or hood was forced upon criminals and heretics in a final stab at restoring them before their punishment or sacrifice. We think of wizards, warlocks and alchemists wearing these conical devices chiefly as physical enhancers (to make them appear taller than normal people), but obviously, their actual purpose was to increase not their stature but their powers of concentration. Witches' hats are defective, because they have brims that deflect the celestial currents. In very ancient times priests and kings wore head dresses bearing legends and symbols of their rank. These legends could serve as mantras as well, to further enhance the restorative powers of such devices.

The materials (metal, stone, glass, wood) seem much less important than the shape itself, although reason would suggest that the desired effects would also be assisted by the proper material: metal for sealing, stone for durability, glass for transparency, wood for organic purposes. But it seems that the power lines move in the desired directions regardless of the material. The results of experiments involving keeping meat fresh or razor blades sharp under pyramids seem rather suspect, but it must be borne in mind that experimental data need not invariably lead us to random or impractical conclusions in order to honor their authenticity. Indeed, anyone can say anything about reality, including that it is random or meaningless.

(See also: PYRAMID POWER , Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul,)

Transfiguration

• To dream of the transfiguration, foretells that your faith in man's own nearness to God will raise you above trifling opinions, and elevate you to a worthy position, in which capacity you will be able to promote the well being of the ignorant and persecuted.
• To see yourself transfigured, you will stand high in the esteem of honest and prominent men.

Source: 10 000 Dream Interpretations, by Gustavus Hindman Miller

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Transfiguration , Meaning of Dreams about Transfiguration , Dream Interpretation Transfiguration )

Magnetic Healing

Magnets stimulate the body's innate capacity to heal itself. Some of the maladies where the application of magnets are effective are: healing of bones; reduction or elimination of pain; improving sensation in numb tissue; stimulating internal regions of the brain; stopping cramps and diarrhea; enhancing wound healing; dispersing of bruises.

(See also: Magnetic Healing , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

AROMA THERAPY

"If the day and night are such that you greet them with joy and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet scented herbs - that is your success. All nature is your congratulations."

Henry David Thoreaux.

The use of pure essential oils from plants dates back many centuries, and history of aroma therapy is in many ways part of the history of herbal medicine as a whole. The Arabic countries are usually credited with first discovering the process of distillation of oils about a thousand years back. It then spread to India and then the west. In modern times much research has taken place on this - from perfumery applications to medicinal uses.

Highly concentrated extracts, essential oils thus need to be treated with respect and care. Preferably used sparingly - large doses not only increase immunity and reduce effectiveness, they can prove irritating and even toxic to the skin - a large part of their effect on our moods and emotions occurs through our sense of smell.

When we breathe in air, the aroma molecules are translated into signals by the receptor cells in the nose. This signal is sent to the olfactory bulb and then on to the limbic and hypothalamic parts of the brain. Although not scientifically proven, it is believed that the essential oil aroma activates the `pharmacy' within our brains - neurochemicals as seretonin, endorphins etc. Which are `words' that our brain uses to communicate with our nervous and other body systems. Thus the aroma of a calming oil would cause release of seretonin - a euphoric aroma.

Relief from pain and other physical effects are also experienced when these neurochemicals are released. Studies done on effects of essential oils on brain waves have shown that a rhythm exhibiting calmness was produced when a oil with sedative potential was inhaled and a stimulating aroma caused an alert response. Our minds can thus play an important role in our well being.

Aroma therapy thus works through the brain, through the mind and through the emotions e.g the tender yellow flower of the Ylang Ylang tree is considered so worthy of love that it is placed on wedding beds in Indonesia. Just as to calm your mind you need to close your eyes and feel the lush coolness of an immense forest filled with cedars, trees of frankincense and sandalwood through deep breaths of the lovely, fresh scent of those trees.

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

Guided Imagery

is usually incorporated as part of meditation or hypnotherapy. Affirmative images, words and symbols are conjured and held in the mind to promote physical, emotional, spiritual well-being. Guided Imagery can also be used to develop self-confidence in realizing a business or athletic goal.

(See also: Guided Imagery , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Acupuncture

In acupuncture, fine needles are inserted at specific points to stimulate, disperse, and regulate the flow of chi, or vital energy, and restore a healthy energy balance. Often used for pain relief, acupuncture is also used to improve well-being and treat acute, chronic, and degenerative conditions.

(See also: Acupuncture , Alternative Health, Healing, Body Mind and Soul)