On Being Politically Correct

On Being Politically Correct     The great movement to be politically correct has helped lead us to mediocrity.  Writers, professors,
doctors and others live in fear of offending the wrong person.  Professors are hauled in front of university
boards having to defend something they may or may not have said in a given lecture.  Doctors must be
very careful about the way they examine patients and do disease preventing research.
The intimate nature of being a doctor sometimes causing doubt and misunderstanding.
  I am not saying that all are innocent.  There are people out there doing
terrible things and they must be punished. However, it has gone to far.  The new McCarthyism is a reality.
   In the realm of writing, I can no longer rave about the beauty of Japanese women, without coming under
some scrutiny from my readers.  Poets have long raved about the beauty of many things including men and women,
but it seems one can no longer do this, without having to defend the act. Why not?  I can rave about the beauty of a flower
and that is okay, why not women? Are women not beautiful? How can this possibly be offensive?  I do believe that
outer beauty is skin deep, and we all have a lot of inner beauty too. To be politically correct, one must deny the existence
of the former.  Why not acknowledge it, while also stating that personality is the most important thing.  If you want to
rave about the beauty of men do it.  I will be happy in knowing that I am not a physical object nor a sexual one.
I am simply me and there is more to me than my physical appearance.  I feel that this anger over raving about
physical beauty, primarily comes from those who are not very confident about their own inner beauty and strengths.
It is a comment about them in other words.
  One friend with more experience at living than I, said that this movement to be politically correct is simply a furthering
of the women's liberation movement--a step too far.  I agree with this argument.  Women's lib was a necessary protest
movement, and great strides were made, but now it is getting ugly.  One woman at Simon Fraser University in Canada
decided that she wanted one of the coaches at the university, and she was willing to do almost anything to get him.
After being repeatedly rejected she accused him of sexual harassment.  Due to her physical beauty, she was believed.
Us men are animals you know. This SFU coach hired himself a good lawyer, held some press conferences and took to battle.
Proving himself innocent and hounded by a horny young woman.  He had been fired over the allegations.  I will repeat that: he was fired over
allegations--nothing had been proven. That is the problem too.   Doctors, teachers and other professionals can be destroyed
simply by irresponsible and erroneous allegations.
  The final chapter of this SFU story had the woman in disgrace but unpunished, the Dean of the
university lost his job for firing the coach in the first place.  The coach was finally vindicated and got back to teaching
and trying to win championships.  This whole movement has gone to far, and would make a great comedy if it were not so
tragic and stressful for so many people.
  No I say rave about the beauty of men, women or flowers.  Don't let any narrow minded person tell you otherwise. If they do,
you have to ask them what axe they have to grind?  What are they bitter about?  Acknowledge beauty, don't be afraid to tell
someone they are beautiful in whatever way they are. I do draw the line at bosses telling their employees they are very attractive;
the same goes for teachers telling students.  But in general, let's stop with this nonsense of believing that it is morally wrong.
 
Recognize that the real beauty comes from inside, and this should
be acknowledged too.  All of us are beautiful, and physical beauty really is only skin deep.
 

Lifeforces Newsletter, May 2011

http://www.lifeforces.org/newsletter/2011/May2011.shtml

Thank you to everyone for all your support in raising funds for disaster relief in Japan hari@lifeforces.org tel/fax 03-3472-1714 or petya@tokyo.com tel/fax 03-3357-2067 To subscribe or unsusbscribe to this newsletter please email hari@lifeforces.org
Upcoming Free Energy Share Meetings Sunday May 8th and 22nd 18:00-21:00 Lifeforces 2, Shinanomachi, Free Everyone is welcome to come and relax with the warm vibrations of healing energy at the Reiki/Energy Share! It is a great opportunity for you to receive a free mini-healing session (regardless of whether you already are a practitioner of energy healing or a ‘novice/beginner’)! And for those of you who have already been attuned to Reiki - or any other healing energy - it is a great opportunity to share with others, and to deepen your ability to work with and learn more about channeled energy/healing and how it can enhance your life and the lives of people around you. Contact petya@tokyo.com for more information Workshop schedule: All of these classes can be taken by distance! Angelic Opening & Shielding of the Brow Chakra level 2 Click here for course description By distance only Fee 7,000 yen Monday 9th May 19:00 - 21:00 Contact hari@lifeforces.org for more information Neriya level 2 Click here for course description By distance only Wednesday 18th May 19:30 - 22:00 Fee 41,000 yen Contact petya@tokyo.com for more information Bliss of Osiris level 1 Click here for course description If taken by distance, CD provided Wednesday 25th May 19:30 - 22:00 Lifeforces Shinanomachi, Fee 23,000 yen Contact hari@lifeforces.org for more information Infinite Light of Huna level 2 Click here for course description By distance only Friday 27th May 20:00 - 22:00 Fee 14,000 yen Contact petya@tokyo.com for more information Drisana level 6 Click here for course description By distance only, CD provided Sunday 29th May 11:00 - 13:00 Lifeforces Shinagawa, Fee 47,000 yen Contact hari@lifeforces.org for more information Quote of the Month “Desire is half of life; indifference is half of death. ” Kahlil Gibran	Desire In spiritual circles, desire is often seen as the obstacle to happiness and enlightenment. It is said that only because we desire we are unhappy. Yet without desire we would not live. There would be no movement, no desire for change. The content of your desire is a reaction to the situation in which you exist, and is partly dependent on culture and upbringing. It is the mind that gives you desire, while your body is happy to just exist. The problem is not that we have desires; not having one's desires met is the problem. However, once one desire has been met, another pops up, creating an endless chase. Furthermore, even wanting to give up desire is a desire in itself. The nature of living is that you will always have desires, therefore having desires is a given and natural part of being alive. However, it is important to realize that at every step your desire will create an illusion. This is the illusion that after your desire is fulfilled you will be happy. Therefore, the content of your desire is unimportant, though at any given moment you may think it very important. One good thing about desire is that it causes you to reach for something beyond what you have. It allows you to stretch your boundaries. Or, in other words, there is something in you that wants to be boundless. Since we are in a physical body, in order to be boundless we have to go beyond the physical. In fact, desire can be seen as part of the spiritual process as it encourages you to look for something more than your body or mind can provide. Life did not make a mistake in giving humans desire. A life without desire would be as uplifting as that of a cow in a field. Book of the Month On Desire - Why We Want What We Want William Irvine An amusing and insightful book on the nature of desire. Irvine talks about evolution, the science of desire and religion, and above all, offers some practical and amusing advice on being eccentric and 'mastering' desire. Philosophy and spirituality do not have to be serious, and this book, although sincere, is an easy read.

Weight Loss Part 1: 5 Steps to a Healthful Weight

Weight Loss Part 1: 5 Steps to a Healthful Weight
Published: 5/3/2011

Today's Q&A:
Is Astaxanthin A Better Antioxidant?

Related:
Supplements & Herbs

We all know the "secret" of successful weight loss: Eat less and exercise more. It's not always easy, but by adopting healthy eating habits and a regular exercise routine, you are sure to lose weight without depriving yourself of nourishing, satisfying food. And if you continue those good habits after you reach your goal, you will have an excellent chance of maintaining your desired weight. Here are some tips for successful weight loss:

1. Avoid artificial sweeteners and synthetic fat substitutes. They are unhealthy and don't help you develop good eating habits.
2. Dietary supplements or "fat-burning herbs" are usually just stimulants - don't rely on them. The pounds will surely return once you've stopped taking them.
3. Build lean body mass. Strength training burns excess calories and influences the way your brain regulates hunger, making you less susceptible to food cravings.
4. Pay attention to the mental and spiritual aspects of weight control. Use relaxation exercises - instead of food - to combat anxiety.
5. Accept your body. You may see it as less than perfect, but it is beautiful just the same.

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3 Ways to Support Your Stomach

3 Ways to Support Your Stomach
Published: 5/1/2011

Today's Q&A:
Is Electroacupuncture Worthwhile?

Related:
Integrative Medicine

Gastrointestinal health is an important, if often overlooked, aspect of overall health. While bowel function may not be at the top of your list of health priorities, it should be - irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer are all serious issues. To help keep your bowel healthy, try the following supplements. Each can be found in health food stores or at your local grocer.

1. Psyllium. This dried seed husk derived from the plantain does double duty: it can be used as a laxative when you experience constipation, but may also prevent diarrhea by adding bulk to your stool. It is helpful for those with IBS, and is good for general bowel maintenance. Always take psyllium with plenty of water.
2. Probiotics. If you plan on traveling, are taking antibiotics, have slow digestion or experience excessive gas, probiotic supplements may help by promoting healthy levels of friendly bacteria. Choose a probiotic supplement containing at least one billion colony forming units (CFUs) or more per standard dose, and always take them with food.
3. Triphala. This ayurvedic herbal mixture is designed for ongoing use. Triphala promotes regular bowel function through its mild laxative properties and helps regulate bowel tone. Consider using triphala (capsules only) for 10 weeks, then taking a two-week break.

Help for Bowel Irregularity
Constipation and irregular bowel movements are common problems, especially among women and older people. A diet rich in fiber and antioxidants, along with a regular exercise routine and stress reduction techniques can help to keep your bowels healthy.

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