Life Enhancing and Transformational Encounters (Part I)

I'm not sure why I'm sharing this, but I have this intuitive sense
that I must! So, over the next few posts, I wish to talk about some
transforming practices I have encountered in my life so far (since I have more
access to a computer for a while). I feel grateful to have had an opportunity to
learn and benefit from these practices...I hope they benefit you as well.

In today's post I'll concentrate on beneficial practices I've learnt relating to
the physical dimension....

Health and Healing

Walking - This is the exercise recommended by Lord Buddha! Zen
Master Thich Nath Hanh says...not on water, not on air, it is
walking mindfully on earth that is the greatest miracle of all.

Hatha Yoga and Pranayama - This is the relaxing, invigorating and
challenging discipline of mind-body mastery. I have found Swami
Ramdev's teachings to be very accessible.

Suryanamaskar - A complete 12 step exercise system which aligns
body, breath and heart. This has been my staple exercise for years.

Five Tibetans - Five exercises which balance the chakras, offering
health and longetivity. They are easy and take only about 10 mins.

Zhan Zhuang (a form of Chi Gong) - Did you know that simply standing
still (like a tree) can be is a superb exercise! The book "The Way
of Energy" by Master Lam Kam Chuen explains this teaching well.

Three Stage Breathing - The simple practice of abdominal breathing,
has many benefits.

EFT - A delightfully simple healing system for resolving emotional
and physical issues. It has worked for just about everything I have
tried it on so far, including insect bites and distance healing!
(www.emofree.com)

5BX Plan - An quick and effective exercise plan developed by the
Royal Canadian Airforce. (try www.statesa.com)

Reflexology/ Acupressure - A system of diagnosis and healing
available to all. These books by Dr. Devendra Vora are excellent -
"Health in your hands" parts 1 and 2.

Amroli (Urine Therapy) - A wonderfully effective and versatile
healing practice (once you drop some stale old beliefs!). A good
book to learn about this is - "The Golden Fountain" by Coen Van Der
Kroon.

Sungazing - An extraordinarily healing and revealing practice which
awakens a new dimension of intelligence, energy and inspiration.
Hira Ratan Manek's system is most straightforward. Solar Charged
Water (water kept in the sun for 5-8 hrs) is packed with prana.

Relaxation - The art of deep relaxtion is not difficult to learn and
has so many benefits. An audio with a relaxtion exercise is offered
by www.silvaultramindsystem.com if you sign up for their free course.

Diet - The book "Diet for a New America" reveals how our daily food
choices have a profound impact our health, and the future of the
planet. (I am currently on a diet journey from vegetarian to vegan
to more raw food to (maybe) pure sunlight!)

Honest Food Guide - www.honestfoodguide.org gives a one page summary
which says it all.

Chewing - Gandhiji used to say "chew the liquids and drink the
solids" ... chewing and savouring well is a simple secret to mindful
and healthy eating...it also shows gratitude for all the effort that
goes into growing/preparing the food.

Affirmations and Visualizations - Our thoughts can be the best
medicine. Imagining perfect health is already a big step towards it.

Love - Forgiveness - Laughter - Are tremendously powerful healing
forces...they are often responsible for spontaneous remissions
of "incurable" diseases. (a simple and healing mediation which puts
one in touch with the power of love can be found at
http://www.soulprogress.com/html/Unification/UnificationIntro.shtml)

Water - drinking lots of pure water (the water in coffee and
coke doesn't count...it discounts!) is important for health. Also see
www.hado.net for neat photos of how thoughts can affect water.

www.wanttoknow.info presents summaries of Health Industry Cover-ups;
Genetically Modified (GM) Foods and more.

www.mercola.com has a hilarious spoof called "Town of Allopath" and
some good alternate health resources.

www.healthliesexposed.com clears some health myths.

That's all I can think up for now. I may expand on this list in
future posts.

I'm lucky to live in a place where there is plenty of sunlight,
fresh air, nutritious food, cheerful and caring companions. Sri
Lanka also has skilled ayurvedic doctors and health care is actually
free here. And........ wonderful as this may sound, it is all very
uncertain and subject to change :)

Anyway I'm happy to share with you this first installment of
transformational practices. If you want to learn more about any of
them, maybe you can search the internet (or write to me).

I invite you to share your own list of most life enhancing /
transformational practices and (if you so wish) I'll post them on
this group for the benefit of all.

Health is wealth...may you prosper!

With metta,

Ven. Nyanasanti