About Holistic Healing

Victory Through Surrender

2009-11-07T11:36:44Z

Janet Dagley Dagley, from The Reiki Digest, the go-to blog for everything Reiki, chose a theme for this week's edition of the Carnival of Healing that is especially dear to my heart. Thank you Janet for choosing surrender as a healing theme. If you are a control freak, which I can tend to be, learning how to surrender yourself can be a quite a challenge. Surrendering is not the same as giving up. True surrendering or "letting-go" has an element of trust in it. Surrendering can be the most difficult thing to do, but once you are able to do it, the impact can be a rush of warmth that feels unbelievably soothing.

Hey carnies, I need your help. The hosting calendar is looking might sparse. Step right up and volunteer to host. It makes me nervous that the calendar has so many openings.

Among this week's carnival attractions are:

Glowing Face Man: Abundance Mentality
Seeing Miracles Everyday: Following the Healing Light
Gold Post It: The Law of Surrender

Surrender yourself over to the Carnival of Healing #214 for a dose of healing and inspiration.

What is the Carnival of Healing?

The Carnival of Healing is a weekly round-up of blogs across the Internet featuring information about healing, self empowerment, and spirituality. Bloggers can become a part of upcoming carnivals by volunteering to host or submitting blog posts for consideration. Check the carnival calendar for available hosting dates.

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Victory Through Surrender originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 11:36:44.

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65 Percent Say No to H1N1 Vaccine

2009-11-06T14:07:51Z

Poll results from a recent H1N1 poll reflect that 65 percent of you have elected not to get the H1N1 vaccination. The image is a screen shot of the poll results as of noontime CST today (November 6, 2009). The poll is still open so these numbers are fluid. Have you voted yet?

The vaccine hit my region on Tuesday, but I did not meet the criteria to get the shot even if I did want to get one.

CDC is recommending people in these groups get the H1N1 vaccination:

Pregnant women
Children ages 6 months to 18 years
Young adults ages 19 to 24 years
Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

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65 Percent Say No to H1N1 Vaccine originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 14:07:51.

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Sweat Lodge Tragedy Time Line

2009-11-05T13:49:11Z

Many of my readers have asked me to continue keeping them informed on any new developments on this story. So, of course I will continue to report updates regarding the Arizona sweat lodge tragedy that occurred in October as soon as I know about them. Today I have gathered past reports and compiled this time line. I will expand the time line as additional news to this sad story unfolds. I welcome additional news updates from readers to keep everyone informed. Please post related news you become aware of under comments to help me make this time line current. Thanks!

Sweat Lodge Tragedy Time Line

Animal Prints

2009-11-04T02:26:52Z

_{Animal Spirits Imprint Our Lives}

More Wordless Wednesday photos at About.com and the Wordless Wednesday Home Blog

ballyscanlon / Getty Images

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Animal Prints originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 02:26:52.

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Halloween Edition of the Carnival of Healing

2009-10-31T13:16:31Z

Costumes and carnivals go hand in hand, don't you think? And what fun that our weekly Carnival of Healing fell on October 31st! Don your mask and head on over to today's Halloween party being hosted by Astrid Lee. She decided to have a bit of fun hosting the carnival on Halloween at her blog Therapeutic Reiki. It's not at all scary... the celebration is about honoring our ancestors, overcoming our fears, and striving to heal ourselves.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Among this week's carnival attractions are:

Mad Kane's Humor Blog: Hijacking Halloween
Therapeutic Reiki: Raven Meditation
Karuna Web: What is Mindfulness?

Head on over to the Carnival of Healing #213 for all of this week's spooky and healing carnival attractions.

What is the Carnival of Healing?

Matt Cardy / Getty Images

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Halloween Edition of the Carnival of Healing originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 13:16:31.

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China Buys Wisconsin Ginseng

2009-10-30T20:46:47Z

An agreement has been signed between Wisconsin ginseng growers and Tong Ren Tang Ltd., a major Chinese distributor of holistic health products. This five year contract is good news for Wisconsin ginseng growers.

I didn't even realize that ginseng was grown in Wisconsin. According to the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin the state has a reputation for growing the best quality ginseng in the world. They attribute it to their cool summers and mineral-rich soil. Panax quinquefolius or American ginseng is generally sold in the states as a food product. But, in China, it is sought for its medicinal purposes. Cathy Wong, About Guide to Alternative Medicine, says American ginseng has "cooling" properties which are valuable for treating fever and respiratory tract disorders.

In September I blogged about wishing I could attend a ginseng festival in Korea. Now I'm thinking a Wisconsin ginseng festival would actually be doable for me, if there even is such a festival.

Blue Jeans Images / Getty Images

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China Buys Wisconsin Ginseng originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 20:46:47.

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Touch Therapies Reduce Pain Intensity

2009-10-29T18:08:43Z

Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, and Healing Touch receive well-deserved acknowledgment from the science community that touch therapies do indeed promote healing. Hallelujah!!

The acknowledgment came from Dr. Shamini Jain, UCLA Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Dr. Paul Mills, Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, and the Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center in San Diego.

This welcome nod was based on the review of 66 clinical studies measuring the effects of "biofield therapies." This review group concluded that there was strong evidence that these complementary therapies reduce pain intensity. Evidence of anxiety reduction and relief for fatigue in cancer patients was also cited. They do leave the door open for more studies to be undertaken, but this is a wonderful outcome for supporters of energy medicine.

Jain S & Mills PJ. Biofield Therapies: Helpful or Full of Hype? A Best Evidence Synthesis. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2009; DOI: 10.1007/s12529-009-9062-4 - Springer Boston
Reported in Science Daily.

Suza Scalora / Getty Images

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Touch Therapies Reduce Pain Intensity originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 18:08:43.

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Dose of Meditation Good for You and Your Doc

2009-10-28T02:47:37Z

Have you ever felt rushed or ignored by your doctor? Having a doctor who will listen intently to our health concerns is important to us as patients. Unfortunately, even the most caring doctor can grow weary of tending to patients day after day at the office. Our doctors are human and can experience work burnout just like we do.

Dr. Michael Krasner, an associate professor at the University of Rochester, is an advocate for physicians learning mindful meditation to help alleviate on the job stresses. Krasner evaluated a test group of physicians who were experiencing work burnout. Seventy doctors underwent an eight week meditation training program. The results as reported in the Rochester City Newspaper was that the physicians displayed significant decrease in mood disturbances, also empathy and communication with their patients improved. It is really heartening to see mainstream health care providers recognize the benefits of meditation.

Be an empowered patient. If your doctor seems to be distracted and is not giving you the attention you feel you deserve try reversing roles, and prescribe her a dose of meditation. Your suggestion may be appreciated, but don't be surprised if you get a raised eyebrow. Either way, you'll be letting it be known that you require a focused healer taking care of your needs. Oh, and be sure to make meditation a part of your own health regimen. Meditation is good for you too!

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Dose of Meditation Good for You and Your Doc originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 02:47:37.

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Haunted Houses

2009-10-28T00:02:55Z

_{House Hauntings}

This photo was sent to me by a reader this past week. Bridget says that she has lots of spirits in her home and wanted to share a picture of one of the ghosts in her house with me and all my readers. She says "You have to look at the picture for a while and you will see the sprit right on the ceiling." Well, I did look for a bit and MAYBE I can see something resembling a face, but it is not all that clear to me. I'm posting it to get comments for Bridget. Can you see her friendly visitor??? What does it look like to you? Also, do you have ghost spirits in your home? Or, have you been able to capture a ghost or spirit on film?

More Wordless Wednesday photos at About.com and the Wordless Wednesday Home Blog

(c) Bridget Connor

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Haunted Houses originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 00:02:55.

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Is Karma in Play for James Arthur Ray?

2009-10-27T18:33:12Z

Two pieces of fallout have floated down on James Ray today as more and more information is learned about the Arizona sweat lodge ceremony that resulted in three deaths and several other people who became sickened. As more things come to light about Ray and his actions it is no wonder that karma will be playing a significant role.

Publisher Postpones Publication of James Arthur Ray's New Book

I learned from The Modern Voice that publication of two books written by Ray have been postponed by Hyperion book publishers. One was a paperback release of his bestselling Harmonic Wealth: The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want, the second is Ray's new advice book that had been slated to hit the bookstores in December, The Seven Laws of True Wealth.

US Senator Asks for Federal Investigation Into James Ray's Business

The second bit of fallout I read in the Shakopee News. Pat Minelli reports that Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is asking for the Feds to look into Ray's business affairs, specifically his Spiritual Warrior program.

_{Klobuchar is asking both the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the circumstances related to the "Spiritual Warrior" program run by motivational speaker James Arthur Ray. Klobuchar serves on both the Senate Judiciary and Commerce committees.

"People came from all parts of the country to attend an event which they believed would enhance their lives," said Klobuchar. "Instead, three people died, 18 were hospitalized and dozens more were traumatized. Mr. Ray neither enhanced their lives nor protected their safety."}

There has been lots of anger, shock, and disillusionment felt by Ray's followers for his absence during the aftermath of a horrible event that he was the host to. All three of these emotions can be clearly seen by watching this upsetting video of survivor Beverley Bunn during a recent appearance on The Early Show. Native Americans have been offended by what they are calling a misuse of a sacred ritual. Sadly, spiritual seekers are learning harsh lessons about the importance of discernment and honoring the self. So many of life's lessons are learned on difficult pathways. There has been much discussion about "ego" being an issue in regard to Ray's personality. Looks like he may be in for a whopper of a karmic roller coaster ride. Obviously, we are all on the journey of discovery and soul growth. The pathway towards truth and enlightenment can be humbling.

October 08 - 2 Deaths and 19 others sickened while inside sweat lodge
October 12 - Sharing Sweat Lodge Experiences
October 19 - Lawsuit in the Works After 3rd Sweat Lodge Death Occurs
October 21 - James Ray Urged Sweat Lodge Participants to Ignore Physical Needs
October 23 - Insights into Sweat Lodge Guru James Ray
October 26 - Second Sweat Lodge Lawsuit Looming Over James Ray
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Is Karma in Play for James Arthur Ray? originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 18:33:12.
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