What a load of boll*#ks!!

There has been a lot on the news the last two days about the level of fear and anxiety in the general population. there was a spokeswoman from the mental health foundation who reckoned that "we know so little about mental health",but that "we know everything about physical health".

For a start, she is implying that there is no link between mental and physical health, obviously she never heard of the concept of "Holism".

Secondly if the conventional medicine knew so much about "physical health", why are chronic health problems rising ? Why is cancer rates rising? Why is diabetes and obesity rising?

Along with all the other problems such as world terrorism, global warming, recession and other negative news that bombard us everyday, no wonder people are anxious and fearful. The world is full of discord and disharmony. Basically, without seeming too much of a doom and gloom merchant , we, the human race seems to be making a mess of things.

As a collective flock, we seems to be herded towards disaster, and all we are doing is bleating.
What can we do to stop this? Is it a hopeless case? No!
For a house to be strong, each individual brick must be strong, and the bond between each brick must be strong. Therefore if the bricks on the lower level is crumbling, eventually the whole house will collapse. So, even though the bricks in the basement has never seen the bricks in the attic, they are linked. Using the same reasoning, if we want to help the starving in Africa, we need to create a harmonious and caring society here, and if each country, each continent did that, then, their would be no discord or starvation. the concept of this ripple effect is not new;but here lies the problem, how to change concepts into practical realities.

We started off this blog by talking about fear and anxiety and moved on to the world going down the pan. If we can all make the world a nice place to live in , then there will be no fear or anxiety.
The world can be changed by all of us. We don't have to do great momentous things, we have to do small things , immediate to our environment. First we need to understand what holistic health is and to achieve it in ourselves, for only when we respect ourselves, can we then respect others. A world of mutual respect is a world in harmony.
We deserve what we get. Only when we have evolved in wisdom, will we then have the right shepherds to lead us, as oppose to the wolves that are leading us to hell.
How do we evolve?
You cannot have good emotional health without good physical health.
You will be hard pressed to find any patient with emotional health issues who has good physical health. You will be hard pressed to find any "health professional" who understand or have good physical health. If there are people out there who disagree with me, then maybe we have a different opinion of what good health is. Good health is not just an absence of symptoms.
You can be "fit" and not know anything about health. You can go to the gym every day and still don't know about health.

What is good health?
Good health is when someone is biochemically and energetically optimal , this is achieved by a life style of eating the right foods and using the appropriate exercise systems such as yoga and Tai Chi. Eating well should be delicious and easy, and systems like Yoga and Tai Chi are based on profound spirituality as a well as exercise systems, these are complete holistic systems for living. You won't find this in the gym. All good systems will have elements of movement and stillness.If you are biochemically, energetically and structurally sound, then you won't have any fear or anxiety, because you will have a relationship with your body, you will feel empowered and in control, you will have confidence and self-respect. When you have all the above you will have the strength and wisdom to be emotionally and spiritually strong.
How can we learn about good health?
There are lots and lots of people and companies out there promising you good health. There are some who are very good and genuine, equally, there are lots of wolves also who will take your money and exploit your vulnerability. Over the years, I've worked out a system which suits me and my patients. It shouldn't be difficult to live well. Good healthy living should be easy, delicious and fun. It shouldn't be like living in purgatory. As I say to my patients, I am not that clever, so if I can do it, so can you. Check us out at Shining Tree.
The key to good health and happiness is suppleness and flexibility. This is both physical and emotional.
When we eat the right foods, think the right thoughts and do the right moves, then we will attain wellness.
The food that you put in your mouth, the thoughts in your head and even the exercise that you do, are they your conscious choice or are you manipulated and herded into doing it?

Don't believe me, read the following from someone who is taking control:
Hi,
I am very grateful for the day that I had at the shining tree clinic, it was absolutely lovely to come and swim and sauna before the treatment. Already I have seen vast improvements as a result of the colonic hydrotherapy session. I have been very sensitive and aware of what I have wanted to put into my body. I haven't cut out the things that are toxic but I have eaten little portions and taken time to really enjoy the whole sense of eating and nourishing the body. I have not had any alcohol or tea, only green tea which has made a MASSIVE impact already. So many many thanks for your time and wisdom..... Very very much appreciated.
SD
14/4/09


Two roads diverged in a wood and I -
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.
- Robert Frost

Om Shanti,
James

Spiritual tips from Paul Roche


Having a sharp tongue can cut your own throat.
If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.
The best vitamin for making friends.... B1.
The 10 commandments are not a multiple choice.
The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
Minds are like parachutes... they function only when open.
Ideas won't work unless YOU do.
One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.
One who lacks the courage to start has already finished.
The heaviest thing to carry is a grudge.
Don't learn safety rules by accident.
Jumping to conclusions can be bad exercise.
A turtle makes progress when it sticks its head out.
One thing you can give and still keep... is your word.
A friend walks in when everyone else walks out.
NEVER FAIL TO TRY -TRY AND THEN SAY YOU FAILED
EVERY FAILURE IS A STEPPING STONE TO SUCCESS.
AND FINALLY...
The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!

Spiritual tips from Paul Roche


Having a sharp tongue can cut your own throat.
If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.
The best vitamin for making friends.... B1.
The 10 commandments are not a multiple choice.
The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
Minds are like parachutes... they function only when open.
Ideas won't work unless YOU do.
One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.
One who lacks the courage to start has already finished.
The heaviest thing to carry is a grudge.
Don't learn safety rules by accident.
Jumping to conclusions can be bad exercise.
A turtle makes progress when it sticks its head out.
One thing you can give and still keep... is your word.
A friend walks in when everyone else walks out.
NEVER FAIL TO TRY -TRY AND THEN SAY YOU FAILED
EVERY FAILURE IS A STEPPING STONE TO SUCCESS.
AND FINALLY...
The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!

Hello to all our members, students and patients.

We have aquired a tipi! Its situated near the pool area and facing the pond and woods. Do come and sit in it when you are here. Its a lovely space for comtemplation, reflection etc,etc. Uf you have any ideas what to use it for ,let me know.

Om Shanti,

James

Learn to be silent. Let your quiet mind listen and absorb.
- Pythagoras (c. 580-c. 500 B.C.)
Philosopher and mathematician

Wet, wet, wet.
Saw an advert on the telly last week. It was trying to sell incontinence pads to women in their thirties. According to this ad, women in their thirties are already starting to become incontinent of urine.
Either its a clever bit of marketing to convince you girls that you need to wear nappies, or the health of the nation is really going down, when women in their thirties are getting stress incontinent. What do you think, girls?

If Carlsberg did care work, the staff employed wold be there because they are extremely caring and compassionate people. The patient or client would get all the care they need, with their dignity preserved at all times. The staff would have a high level of training, resources and time with their clients; and in the case of private companies, the excellent care comes before profit consideration.

But they don't!

The care providers are the state, private and charitable organisations. In theory it seems easy -

have a management team and good system with training, feedback and quality control, recruit the appropriate people and Bob 's your uncle.

But it doesn't work like that. The hopelessness of Government and bureaucratic organisations seems to get worst everyday. Private profit making organisations seems just as bad if not worst. It seems that the only organisations which seems to be of any good are Charitable ones, this could be because there is no profit motive and the people who set up such organisations are passionate able it.

Its all very well to knock faceless, indifferent, uncaring organisations and governments.But we have to realise that we are the people who work in these organisations. So when we are faced with appalling indifference and incompetence ,it is ourselves as a race who is to be blamed collectively.

Unless we evolve as a race to go beyond our individual external and material needs, nothing will change. Unless we realise that we are herded by wolves and our actions are not our own, nothing will change. We need to be our own shepherd and guide ourselves. The road to enlightenment is the same for all of us. Only when we have respect for ourselves can we then show the same respect for others.

Until then, indifference and atrocities will continue to be carried by us to ourselves. This is what we have to look forward to as we get old and infirm. Its no less than what we deserve.

"If you can't do great things, then do small things in a great way."
- Gandhi

Sometimes extending one hand to help somebody has more value, than joining two hands for prayer.
- Anonymous

Real education should educate us out of self into something far finer; into a selflessness which links us with all humanity.
- Nancy Astor

Om Shanti

experts, geeks, the general public and enlightenment

Experts, geeks ,the general public and enlightenment


Would you take it as a compliment if someone called you an expert? Would you be offended if someone called you a geek?


What we are called, or what we call ourselves defines who we are, tells people what we do or


tells us what people thinks of us. Some names or labels appears completely negative (i.e. there is no redeeming features if the general consensus is that you are a "tosser")while others are open to interpretation. Maybe it should all come down to how valuable we are to our community?


I frequently come across people who tells me :"I'm only a housewife" or "I'm only a cleaner".


Do we get people who say:"I'm only a banker"? Who do you think are more important to the fabric of our community, our housewives and cleaners? Or bankers?


Experts


In my life, I have worked in different professions, from cooking commercially as a chef, nursing as a registered general nurse for over twenty years to running my clinic as a holistic health practitioner. I would not say that I am an expert in any of the things that I have done and I am sure that there is nobody out there who would call me an expert in anything ( maybe except for my mum, but then she is biased ). I like to think that I am competent in what I do and as I am still in business after eighteen years as a practitioner, others think I am competent too.


Organisations like governments, banks, hospitals are full to the brim with experts......need I say more! Be very wary of anyone who calls themselves an expert, especially the ones with lots of academic qualifications; these "experts" normally bullshit alot but have no life experiences,common sense or practical knowledge in their subject matter.


Geeks


Whereas experts are generally percieved in a positive light, geeks are not. A geek is defined as


an intellectually inclined person, especially one who is interested and focused in scientific or technical subjects; not fashion conscious, and possibly socially inept. Hey that sounds abit like me!


A geek was always used as a deprecatory term, but in this era, the fact that geeks are often specialist in their field changes people 's perception of what a geek is. I am a Geek and my area of geekiness is holistic health. This means that unlike other species of geeks, my species is very much aware of the need of the physical body and mind. Unlike an "expert" which I am not, us geeks don't just talk about it - we do it.


So, the 21st Century geek describes to me someone is is focused and mindful, but not necessarily


sad or lonely. I think we should all be geeks, whether you are a houseperson geek, an accountant geek or a milkman geek, be an aware and an enlightened geek; make sure you look after your health.


The general public


"The general public", "the masses", "the great unwashed"; these are terms used to describe great bodies of humanity. Man is a gregarious animal and tend to flock. The trouble with flocks is that there isn't much individual thoughts. A flock is easily controlled by a shepherd, but all too often we see from history that the shepherd is more often than not a wolf and pry on the sheep.


I read somewhere once, that the Devil has succeeded when he has convinced Mankind that he doesn't exit. How much of what we all do today is from choice as oppose to manipulation and conditioning? Who are the wolves in sheep's clothing that controls us today?

The trouble is that, the "baddies" that we slag off is in a way a reflection of ourselves. There is a bit of the wolf in all of us. Buddhism describes our mindset and action in a very non-judgemental way. So, a person whose action harms himself or others are "un-enlightened"; and actions that we carry out which harms ourselves or others are "unskilled".

There is nothing wrong with being part of a flock, it just depends whether the flock is being led over a cliff or being led to safety. Let us all travel along the path of enlightenment, and may our actions be always skilful .

Thank you David for creating this blog for me. I would like to share my thoughts and knowledge with anyone who might stumble onto this. Like a lot of other people who have been knocking around this planet for a while,I do believe that we meet people who we are meant to,to share resources and support each other on the journey of life. There are issues in the world that affects all of us, whatever we do;but there are also specific things that each of us have a special interest in. No surprise that my special interest is health. From a marketing view point I should be using the "W" word:Wellbeing; this is the current buzz word, Holistic being another one.


The only problem is that these words are used to sell products by organisations and people who think of these words purely from a marketing and profit point of view.


I will try and be diplomatic and polite in dialogue with anyone that I engage in . I do appreciate that we all have our individual journey in life and people who we meet along the way are there as catalysts, support, teachers and inspiration. Yes, people are normally where they are suppose to be and won't move on until they are ready,sadly to say there are people who don't appear ever to be ready; maybe the belief by Buddhists in reincarnation supports this, what do you think? The people that I see at Shining Tree are normally ready to grow.


As a facilitator, I need to guide and direct those who come to me as clearly as I know how and as in depth as that person is able to take on board. In counselling and psychotherapy, you are really not suppose to offer opinions and solutions, because the person is suppose to find it themselves. The guidance that is given can either be non-existent to a very skilled therapist who will guide you to your realisation.


There was a period in my life where I needed a lot of emotional support. It was just lovely to have friends and family around. There was nothing they could do, but doing battle is always easier if you have a good team in your corner. One particular friend is a counsellor, and whenever I talked to her ,it would be as a friend . She would use her counselling skills to listen, but would have no qualms in telling me if she thought I was behaving like a prat (that wasn't the word she used, but she is Irish and the Irish can use the F word and make it sound charming ).


I also believe that there is a time to listen , but there is also a time to instruct and tell someone they are an idiot if that is the case.



"Each man had only one genuine vocation
-- to find the way to himself...
His task was to discover his own destiny
-- not an arbitrary one -- and live it out wholly and resolutely within himself. Everything else was only a would be existence, an attempt at evasion, a flight back to the ideals of the masses, conformity, and fear of one's own inwardness."
- Hermann Hesse





Om Shanti

Shining Tree Blog

Welcome to the Shining Tree Blog.

This Blog will be updated frequently by James