Success

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success. " - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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What is the Purpose of Life?

What is the Purpose of Life?
Wisdom, Compassion, Creativity

                                      By Jay McDaniel

Many years ago I was giving a talk at a university in China on Whitehead’s philosophy.  At the end of my talk there was time for questions and a student from the school of business administration raised his hand and asked: “You have studied philosophy.  I have a serious question for you.  Do you think that life has a purpose?”

There was nothing cynical about his question.  He was not challenging me to prove that life has a purpose.  He was not trying to impress his peers.  There was a purity in voice, a freshness. I asked him to explain to me what experiences gave rise to his question.

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How to become an environmentalist

By David Suzuki

Young people often ask me what they have to do to be environmentalists. They want to make a difference. My answer is, "Follow your heart. Do what you love most and pursue it with passion."

You see, environmentalism isn't a profession or discipline; it's a way of seeing our place in the world. It's recognizing that we live on a planet where everything, including us, is exquisitely interconnected with and interdependent on everything else.

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Humans may have loaded the bases, but nature bats last

Humanity is facing a challenge unlike any we've ever had to confront. We are in an unprecedented period of change. Exponential growth is causing an already huge human population to double in shorter and shorter time periods.

When I was born in 1936, just over two billion people lived on the planet. It's astounding that the population has increased more then threefold within my lifetime. That staggering growth has been accompanied by even steeper increases in technological innovation, consumption, and a global economy that exploits the entire planet as a source of raw materials and a dumping ground for toxic emissions and waste.

We have become a new kind of biological force that is altering the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the planet on a geological scale. Indeed, Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul Crutzen has suggested that the current geologic period should be called the Anthropocene Epoch to reflect our new status as a global force - and a lot of scientists agree.  Read More

Lifeforces Newsletter, June 2011

http://www.lifeforces.org/newsletter/2011/June2011.shtml

Welcome to the June 2011 Lifeforces newsletter We are offering many workshops over the next few months. If you are interested in taking a class that is not listed, please contact us: hari@lifeforces.org tel/fax 03-3472-1714 or petya@tokyo.com tel/fax 03-3357-2067 Directions to Lifeforces locations in Shinagawa and Shinanomachi: www.lifeforces.org/directions.shtml To subscribe or unsusbscribe to this newsletter please email hari@lifeforces.org

Free Energy Share Meetings in June & July Sunday June 12th & 26th July 10th & 24th 18:00-21:00 Lifeforces 2, Shinanomachi, Free Rainy season is on the way, but it's cool and dry at the free Energy/Reiki Share! Meet new people and share experiences. Learn more about channeled energy/healing and how it can enhance your life. Contact petya@tokyo.com for more information Workshop schedule: All of these classes can be taken by distance! Angelic Opening & Shielding of the Base Chakra level 2 Click here for course description Monday 6th June 19:00 - 21:00 By distance only Fee 7,000 yen Contact hari@lifeforces.org for more information Drisana level 1 Offered with Japanese translation Click here for course description Saturday & Sunday 11th, 12th June 13:00 - 17:00 Fee 33,000 yen Contact hari@lifeforces.org for more information Red Ankh level 1 Click here for course description Wednesday 15th June 19:00 - 22:00 Lifeforces 2, Shinanomachi, Fee 5,000 yen Contact hari@lifeforces.org for more information Neriya level 3 Offered with Japanese translation Click here for course description Wednesday 22nd June 20:00 - 22:30 Lifeforces 2, Shinanomachi, Fee 45,000 yen Contact petya@tokyo.com for more information Phoenix Rising level 2 Click here for course description Wednesday 29th June 19:00 - 22:00 Lifeforces 2, Shinanomachi, Fee 9,000 yen Contact hari@lifeforces.org for more information Quote of the Month: “Oneness - the destination you never left.”

Oneness The basic premises of any political system, be it capitalist, socialist or whatever, are fundamentally flawed as they are all based on the idea of limitless resources. Domestic product, wealth and so on cannot keep growing indefinitely. Yet this is what we are promised by politicians and is touted as the solution to our 'problems'. War and poverty exist, though, because those in power see resources as being scarce. Resources are something to be fought for, and the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. This situation is continued by the promotion of the 'us vs them' mentality, amongst other things. The fact is, neither viewpoint is accurate. While resources are not infinite, there is no scarcity. Scarcity is something that is manufactured by a consumer economy to give so-called 'value'. Diamonds, for example, are not particularly rare, but the major mining companies tightly control the amount on the market. Motor vehicles could be built that are very fuel-efficient and easily last 50 years. We don't even need to have a fossil fuel-based economy; solar, wind, wave, and especially geothermal energy could provide our energy needs for thousands of years to come, safely, cleanly and renewably. This is a sustainable economy. The only 'catch' to meeting everyone's needs is the lack of a global consciousness. Nations, religions, political groups, etc. all emphasise uniqueness and separation from the rest, instead of emphasising sameness. To an an extraterrestrial, our similarities far outweigh our differences, and as a species we must seem insane as we harm ourselves with war, pollution, habitat destruction, bad food, etc. Most people gain great satisfaction from helping others, but most of the time we look at others as, well, other, instead of realising we are all one. Book of the Month: Oneness Great teachers tell us that no amount of intellectual understanding will help us realise that we are all one, and that only love can bring about this realisation. Yet author John Greven has done a pretty good job of overcoming the intellectual barrier. To quote, " This book will offer no path, no exercises, no teacher no guru, no mantra, no nothing! It is not about self-improvement, spiritual growth, or hocus-pocus. "This is about totally radical discovery. It is about seeing who you are, who you have always been, and who you will always be."

Should You Try Tai Chi?

Should You Try Tai Chi?
Published: 6/5/2011

Today's Q&A:
Do Cell Phones Cause Brain Cancer?

Related:
Technology & Health

If you've been searching for an exercise that is great for your overall health and provides mental and physical stimulation, try tai chi. Considered by many to be a gentle martial art, the term "tai chi" refers to a harmonious balance between the yin and the yang - the two forces of the universe. Those who practice tai chi work to perfect a series of physical motions that flow into one another very smoothly and gracefully, while the body is held straight and upright. The movements are gentle, continuous and circular, exercising every part of the body.

Tai chi is especially beneficial for those with osteoarthritis. It can help strengthen leg muscles, improve posture and promote balance, flexibility and mobility. It also can teach relaxation and focus, and is a way to synchronize the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. In addition, it helps many to develop concentration and coordination, and can reduce the risk of falls, a common concern of older people. Learn more about tai chi, including what to expect when you participate in a class and where to locate an instructor.

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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