BODY (health): Asthma simplified

Asthma is a common, multi-factorial respiratory condition that is associated with episodes of coughing and various degrees of breathing difficulty. It affects about 1 in 4 urban children, and can lead to death in serious cases.
Asthma is characterized by chronic 'background' inflammation of the upper to mid airways (bronchi), resulting in congested, mucous filled airways with episodes of acute flare-up, causing severe coughing and airway restriction (wheezing). This inflammation [inflammation: response by cells to 'non-self' elements such as chemical compounds, micro-organisms and radiation] is caused by two main factors:

* GENETIC PREVALENCE

Some people are born with a genetic predisposition where their immune system will 'over react' to external factors, causing the inflammatory response in the upper and mid airways associated with asthma. Thus, it could be said that asthma 'runs in families', and is an important question by a medical practitioner when first examining a patient.

* EXTERNAL FACTORS (most common)

There are various external factors that could cause asthma, but the following are the most common found:
Chemicals such as sulfuric, nitrous and volatile organic airborne and ingested chemicals. Pollutants, most notably Tobacco smoke & micro fibers of synthetic carpets in the average home. Allergens like pollen, dust mite excrement and dry airborne animal saliva. Micro-organisms such as various respiratory viruses, fungal spores & bacteria are also causes.
As mentioned earlier, these external as well as internal factors cause the 'background' inflammation, which then could be changed into an acute 'attack' where the threshold between chronic life sustaining, and life threatening will be crossed. This could be due to a higher intake of the above-mentioned factors, or triggered by mainly exercise, laughter or cold air. It is also usually present in the early hours of the morning due to a drop in bodily steroid production.

CLASSIC SYMPTOMS & SIGNS

Asthma is usually a chronic condition with episodic acute episodes. These two factors have different presentations. In the chronic phase, common symptoms are dry to 'wet' coughing; breathlessness & failure to thrive in children. Signs often only include a 'pigeon chest' in young children as well as delayed milestones. In young adults, there could be prolonged expiration times and occasional wheezes with auscultation. Mostly, asthma is first diagnosed after an acute episode, with symptoms including severe coughing, difficulty in breathing and a feeling of panic; and signs of anxiety, laboured breathing with polyphonic wheezes and rapid heart rate with engorged neck veins.

TREATMENT

It is vital to treat an acute attack as an emergency by ensuring an open and viable airway and administering 100% humidified oxygen, Beta-2 stimulants and fast-acting intravenous cortico-steroids. It is also vital to remove and/ or treat any causing factors if at all possible.
In the chronic phase, it is of utmost importance to start with preventative measures, thus, by avoiding causal factors. Ironically, the most common factors will be found in one's home; tobacco smoke and especially synthetic carpets being the culprit [carpets - especially synthetic ones as their static attracts particles - are saturated with all kinds of pollutants]. Smoking should never occur indoors, and carpets should be replaced by solid flooring. If this is not possible, carpets should be vacuumed daily with a proper vacuum cleaner (with HEPA filters cleaned regularly), in the absence of the asthmatic person, leaving the house open to 'air out' for a while. Bedding should also regularly be washed and dried properly, with mattresses aired and dried in the sun on occasion. Foods containing preservatives (especially nitrate and sulfide containing ones) should be avoided. In conjunction with the utmost important Primary Health Aspect mentioned above, drugs such as long acting cortico-steroids and Beta-2 stimulants can be prescribed. It is also important for the asthmatic to always carry a fast acting Beta-2 stimulant inhaler as well as a Medic-Alert bracelet with his or her condition inscribed.

PROGNOSIS

Early onset asthma has a strong tendency to diminish or even disappear into adulthood, while late onset asthma usually sticks around like a bad habit. This can also be ascribed to the misdiagnosing of other respiratory diseases closely mimicking asthma in adults.

ALTERNATIVE VIEWS

If one takes Reiki principles into account, respiratory problems - notably so in asthma - is on a mental level, secondary to a repressed sense of failure to accept life force, or that what the Universe has to offer. Thus, those who always decline something good coming their way, feeling guilty of accepting 'freebies'.

Indeed, if we take a closer look at the new field of psychoneuroimmunology, it is clearly seen how different aspects of personality and mental attitudes will lead to certain diseases (such as the reduction of Killer-T cells in Type C personalities; rendering some prone to cancer as an example).

This shows again how health is not merely a case of the reductionist 'this equals that' slapped with pharmaceuticals; but requiring a careful, empathetic and holistic approach.

BODY: The Health Dangers of Carpets

Dust Mites and Mold in your carpets.

Most of us love our carpets: they keep our feet warm during those dreadful winter months; we relax on them in front of our fire-places; our babies frolic around on them...

Little do we know just how unhealthy they could be:

Most carpets are made from synthetic fibres, and not well seated fibres at that. These micro fibres will - due to their static nature - attract all kinds of pollutant particles: from dry pet saliva to all the city-street surface particles, unseen by our eyes. These fibres become airborne with our activities, and we inhale them deeply, blissfully unaware.

"Nothing a good vacuum cleaning job won't fix", you might remark. However, if we would to think on a microscopic level for an instance; shrink ourselves right down to the level of each carpet fibre being the size of a tree...ooh, you will have nightmares dear reader: dust mites the size of tigers, dry rocks of bodily fluids carried in by your pets and your slick city shoes; all deeply embedded into the core of the carpet. Most vacuum cleaners simply skim the top 2% or so. And to add: ever smelled that dusty smell after a vacuum cleaning session? Yep, all that grizzly micro contents of your carpet have simply been lifted and made airborne by the 'good 'ol cleaner' in your hands; the filtration system simply not good enough.

Carpets are especially bad for the little ones crawling around on them, and more even so for asthmatics.

Then what are we to do?

Wall to wall carpets are a bad idea (even non-synthetic ones: they all trap debris over months to years). Solid flooring in the shape of sustainable wood, bamboo, tiles (or laminate, synthetic yet again - last option) is a good idea; with underfloor heating to break the winter cold (underfloor heating is more effective than other forms of central heating). Loose natural cotton and or bamboo carpets can be strategically placed, but with a condition: CLEAN REGULARLY.

And if it's simply out of the question to remove carpets due to financial reasons (believe me, I understand: the Credit Crunch is here to stay); then at least invest in a proper vacuum cleaner (names are not important, the working is). A strong machine = a better clean (but unfortunately also eats electricity). Get one with a HEPA/S filtration system. It is also important to regularly clean the vacuum cleaner (with a mask in a draft away from your breathing). You'll think me a health nut; but as soon as you really look into the matter - study that grey dust that falls from the HEPA filter - you will understand my concern. The loose mats can be cleaned in the same way, or beaten like a pinãda; and left to air out in the sun (the UV rays of the sun kills most dust mites and fungi).

After the vacuum session, leave the house open to air out for a while.

Next post: asthma made simple...

A Change of Heart (and mind)

After a long silent period, I blog forth, albeit with a difference: no more 'actavistish' anarchist colours will permeate my writing. I have suddenly had a change of heart over the last few months: my anger with our severely failing and disappointing governments and other self-made bureaucratic institutions (traps) have changed into a 'can't be bothered' situation. They are mere symptoms of a failing and transient civilization, as with Egypt, Rome, Greece and Ancient China, they will crumble and fall, and be replaced by a better one (I hope). I realized that it is inevitable to try and stop the out-of-control train from storming over the cliff. Best is to tell as many passengers (willing to listen) that this is the case, and get off yourself, waiting for, or building the next.

This change of heart came due to many reasons. Mostly it was due to realizing - after years of blood, sweat and tears - that the majority of people just don't listen to moral reason. They never have, as they are too caught up with the 'bling-bling' of the zeitgeist and especially their own shadowy egos; so why waste time and energy on a deaf, self-destructing mob of self-obsessed primates in designer clothing, drinking Cafe Latte in some fancy franchise? I would rather spend some time with my loved ones and give my pearls of wisdom to the very few individuals who ask for them. A wise world teacher has indeed advised not to throw one's pearls to the swines; not to sow one's seeds on dry and infertile land.

Thus, no more waving of the red flag, shouting 'DANGER!'. Nope, enough is enough. I will sit quietly under a nearby tree, and watch the mob run over the cliff like the rats of Hamlin, blindly following the magical flute with greedy foaming mouths. There certainly will be those who will use their gifts of critical thinking, moral reason and accountability and exit the self-destructing mob before tumbling over the cliff...

In the meantime, I will write in a positive light only; giving advice on love, life and health. So feel free to come and collect your pearls, and share yours with me.

Giving & Receiving is after all the greatest gift of the Universe...

A Sad, sad day...

Today, my favourite film director - Anthony Minghella - has passed away at the age of 54. His films, such as English Patient, Talented Mr. Ripley and Truly, madly deeply were of the most honest and touching films I have ever seen. I so looked forward at more profound films from this great story-teller; but his brilliance stops with 'Breaking & Entering'.

It feels as if I lost a great friend. It is a sad day for the world: with all it's glitter, glamour and mere money making mechanics, not many honest artists such as Anthony remain.

He will be missed by many...

True Love - what is it?

"I love you"...so easily said, yet, very few of us really understand love for what it is.

Love to some, is what you feel for a child, spouse or parent. To others, it is that tingly sensation when touching a lover for the first time, or the butterflies you feel at the pit of your stomach when he or she looks at you in a certain way. For most of us, love often 'hurts'.

When it 'hurts', it is not love. Love cannot hurt. Love is not a feeling. The 'feeling' of 'love' is something else entirely. Think about it: if you feel 'love', you feel a warm sensation in your chest; and when you 'hurt', you feel a nagging pain-like sensation in the same area - your chest. This also applies to excitement or fear, felt in the pit of the stomach; or when repressing sadness & anger, felt as 'pain' in the throat. Interestingly, these all coincide with the chakra or energy foci of the body (which in turn, coincide with local important neuro-endocrine structures) as well as to their attributes: according to ancient yoga and Tantric texts; the 'heart' chakra is the centre of expressing love and gratitude; the solar plexus chakra is the centre for motivation and ambition; and the throat chakra the centre for communicative expression. It seems then that - as the eyes, ears and other three senses of the body senses the physical universe around us from light to sound - the chakras sense more subtle energies. As we experience the narrow window of electro-magnetism (from 400 to 700 nm) & pressure differences in air (from 20 to 20 000Hz) as 'sight' and 'sound'; so we experience this sensing of subtle energies as 'emotion'.








Then just what IS love?

What we call 'love' is subtle energy flow from one being to another. When a person has the intention of absolute benevolence toward another being (from plant to person), subtle energy flows from the enfolded or 'spiritual' dimension through mind. This flow will be sensed as 'love' by your cardiac energy focus or chakra. The receiver of this benevolent energy (if sensitive enough) will also sense it with the same chakra, and respond accordingly to this 'positive' energy. When someone does the opposite, thus retrieve or take energy from another being or person; this will be felt as 'hurt'. This phenomenon can also be seen in water-crystal formation (as researchers Dr. Masaru Emoto et al. has shown).

Love is thus GIVE & RECEIVE; not TAKE. When you hug someone because you want to be loved, then you TAKE and do not GIVE. This is why so many will pull away from your hug: they can sense you TAKING from them. Love is when you hug someone to GIVE. Love is when your partner leaves you for another person; and you - instead of going on a rampage, destroying everything in your path due to a jealous rage - you let him or her go, and are happy for them. Yes, of course you will be sad and miss them; but love is letting go when the time is so. You are giving back to the universe this person that you shared a life with; and in return, you will receive something far greater when the time is right.

Can you do this? Do you love your partner, child or friend this much?

Love is subtle vibration from within, flowing through a beautiful mind. Anything else...is not.



See details of chakra-emotion concept in 'The Sleeper Must Awaken', p 147.

Improving Relationships using Vibratory Harmony, Pt II

We continue with the concept of improving relationships using Vibratory Harmony - once understood, it will be so much easier applying it to daily life:

We understand that our universe as well as ourselves - as we are a seamless part of this universe - is an illusory ocean or symphony of vibration; ourselves being songs in this symphony. We understand this through the new concept of M-Theory, and the integration of this 'new' scientific thinking with the remarkable similarities to Kabbalah and Tantra (ancient scientific thinking).

Vibration

But what is vibration really? All the New Age guru's talk about it, but hardly ever explain it. Vibration is - in essence - variation in space-time, in all perceived and non-perceived dimensions. Vibration are waves; waves being the difference in illusory locality and frequency on an illusory timeline. Waves have amplitude or volume (strength), frequency (wavelength) and an 'envelope' or shape, which predetermines the look our sound of the manifested wave (as in sound, trumpet and piano waves 'look' different in their envelopes). In simpler terms: vibration and waves are ripples made by consciousness in a space-time dimension (like a stone shaping ripples in a pond).




Schematic, 2 dimensional representation of sound envelope.

But how dies this apply to you, you might ask. Well, the moment you were conceived, a part of consciousness (The One) that has the etheric and astral memories of your prior selves; extended or projected into the 3d dimension via your parents' combined DNA, and created a ripple, which expanded (not unlike the Big Bang - as above so below), shaping through 'time' the human being you are today. You are a conglomerate of complex projected vibration in space-time; your vibration constantly changing in response to 'outer' vibration (thus your perceived world), and 'inner' vibration (thus your multi-dimensional 'inner self' connected to Consciousness). In essence, your DNA is the originator 'sound' envelope (genotype), and will manifest a complex wave pattern in 3-dimensions perceived as your body (phenotype) - thus in 'movie' terms, your DNA is the film, your body is the projection and the light is consciousness. Cymatics* (the study of how sound changes the nature of our 'physical' world; thus the fermionic vibration of our universe) sheds more light on this.



Geometric shape of a specific sound in matter (mandala).





The geometric shape of the vocal sound 'aah'.


Vibration in Relation

And how does this link with relationships? Relationships are just a limited word, thought out by yester-year man to describe the action-reaction phenomenon between vibratory life-forms such as yourself.

Think about it: when you see something, you perceive light vibration reflected from 'objects' (being vibration themselves). When you hear something, you perceive sound vibration as created by something (like a voice), created by another person, created by his or her thoughts. This stimulates your thoughts, and you react in return with a vibratory response in thought, movement and sound. This is how we 'relate' to one another.

When someone is upset (in reaction to outer stimuli), he or she will respond or react to this outer vibratory stimulus in a certain way that might not be in accord with you (remember harmony in music); in other words, this person's words and actions (thus rough outer creations of his or her thoughts) will 'clash' with yours. The two of you are thus 'singing' out of tune with one another, and will cause an unpleasant 'sound' or disharmony. When you understand this, you could change your own vibration to better suit the situation.

When anger is expressed (high amplitude and frequency wave), and in return, responded to with anger, the intensity of the wave will be increased two-fold due to super-imposing of the waves. This will be like an explosion. It is better to respond with the opposite of anger - a low frequency and low amplitude wave - cancelling the anger wave by superimposition. This is usually the feeling of what we call 'love'. Even the thought of love - thoughts being the original waveform - will calm the situation down.

But: what is love really? We often use the term Love; but mostly it is confused with jealous obsession leading to drama.

In the next post, I will discuss what love really is...

*Jenny, Hans: Kymatik: Wellen und Schwingungen mit ihrer Struktur und Dynamik/Cymatics: The Structure and Dynamics of Waves and Vibrations, Basilius Press, 1967, p. 10

www.world-mysteries.com

Improving Relationships using the concept of Harmonic Vibration, Pt I

As seen in previous posts, our concept of reality must change in order to 'see' our world and ourselves in a clearer light. When we understand our true state of being, then only can we improve ourselves and the world.


A Recap on the Vibratory nature of Being

When we cast aside our learned social presumptions about the reality we experience around ourselves everyday, we will realize that the ancient ones were correct when referring to our world as an illusion. In ancient Yogic, Tantric and Kabbalistic scripts; the world was likened to the metaphoric use of divine sound or the words of God. In the Veda is stated: In the beginning there was the Word, and the word was Brahman. This is reflected in John 1:1 as well: In the beginning there was the Word, and the Word was God. In Kabbalah (of which the Sepher Yetzira and Torah are found in Christian, Muslim and Jewish scriptures), it is stated that, in the beginning, God spoke the three primal words: A, M and Sh. In tantric cosmogenesis, the universe was brought into existence by Purusha (the One consciousness), and gave rise to three primal gunae - Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. All these ancient texts base their knowledge upon the fact that we and our universe is mere illusory vibration. ^

Take modern physics, noticeably so with M-Theory (which is still frowned upon by conservative physicists): all matter (fermion based) are mere different frequencies of vibrating M-Branes in 11 dimensional space. Funny, Kabbalah mentions 11 dimensions as well, and even has names for all of them! ^

When considering your body (and the whole universe for that matter), is made - as mentioned in earlier posts - from fermionic (thus asymmetric spinning) wave form, called atoms. Your whole body - just like the earth - is enmeshed with electro-magnetic activity. Your heart emits electro-magnetic waves (EKG monitored) at a constant beat, traceable by sensitive equipment up to 10 meters from your actual body. So does your brain (EEG monitored). Electro-magnetism, is wave = vibration. In fact, there are 7 major areas in your body that constantly emit these electro-magnetic waves: the 7 major so-called chakras of the body which together, shape the 'aura' (captured on film with Kirlian photography). These chakras all have their own frequency ranges and positions, and 'coincide' perfectly with neuro-endocrine systems of the body as well as the Pythagorean Lambdoma (see The Sleeper Must Awaken for the details).

Harmonic vibration as key to relationships

Harmony in music - not unlike harmony as thought of in relationships alone - is based on the Greek word harmonia, which means to be joint or in accord. The concept of harmony in music is - to cut to the chase - the study of how to place different interval notes (different frequencies of sounds), in such an order, that it 'sounds' good or pleasant to the ear. Many studies have shown how certain types of music can influence from plant welfare and ice-crystal formation to delta-wave creation in human brains (see the study of cymatics by Dr's.Jenny & Masaru et al*).

The reason for this is quite simple: harmonic music, is vibration in air current that creates beneficial resonance in surrounding vibratory forms (thus fermions or matter - the stuff we are all made from). When sound or music becomes disharmonic, it creates havoc in surrounding waveform. Sound or waveform, can thus heal, or destroy, depending on the harmonics used and projected. Ancient ones also knew about this, and can be seen in concepts such as mandalas, which are cymatic representations of the different frequencies in chanting.

This is true for all other waveform as well, especially so with our thought forms creating harmonic or disharmonic electro-magnetic waves that can either resonate in a beneficial way with others' waveform, or not. This is the root of relationship struggles as well as the improvement of relationships - from individual to global level.

Unfortunately, we always try and move the projection, which is impossible. We need to know where the projected problem comes from, and solve it at 'projector level', which is beyond our body-brain concept. It lies in the deep levels of mind, the light beam of the projections from 'spiritual level'.

In Part II, we will take a closer look at just how to improve relationships from a deeper level.


* Jenny, Hans (1967). Kymatik. ISBN 1888138076
* Good Vibrations, Joyce McLaughlin, American Scientist, July-August 1998, Vol: 86 Nmbr: 4 Pge: 342,
* http://www.masaru-emoto.net/
^ See The Sleeper Must Awaken for comparative and integrative explanations.