Spirituality | Wellness | Happiness

Our culture has largely moved beyond Satan, because despite religious literalists, we have a century of secularism behind us. Whatever its faults, which can be glaring, secular culture has promoted therapy, discouraged superstition, given people responsibility over their own destinies, and encouraged open-minded dialogue in every area once considered taboo. These are considerable achievements; they bespeak tremendous growth in consciousness. Evil, however you define it, remains even after Satan has gone, but removing our attention from Satan has diminished him greatly, just as the ancient gods of Mount Olympus, once so powerful that they served to explain every natural phenomenon, are now relegated to history. Like the Greek gods, Satan has outlived his usefulness. When people find a better explanation for any phenomenon, the old explanation withers away. We have the power to make Satan grow or diminish. In fact, we have the power to make him real and unreal, which is far more cruc...

As someone living with Asperger's Syndrome, non-profit founder Peter Eichler has overcome many challenges the latest being a stand-up comedy act performed in front of a live audience. Eichler's experiences and subsequent successes were the impetus behind his non-profit organization, Adam 2 Adam, which supports young adults with Asperger's and embraces humor, creativity, music, exercise and relaxation techniques as forms of therapy. Eichler made his stand-up debut on October 16 at New York City's Gotham Comedy Club, where he assumed the persona of a character named Melvin. "After the show, I was convinced my first performance would be my last. I found the writing difficult, the rehearsal intense and my stress levels very high, he stated, noting that this level of sensory stimulation is especially difficult for someone with Asperger's. "However, the feedback I received was overwhelmingly positive, and ideas for new jokes kept flowing so I brought Melvin...

I much prefer being churchless to my previous true-believing. However, it bothers me when I read about how religious people tend to be healthier and happier than atheists/agnostics. Hey! I want to be healthy and happy too. But I don't want to believe in God. Can't I have the benefits of believing without the religious dogma? I've assumed that I could -- the admittedly subjective evidence being that I'm (1) healthy and happy, yet also (2) irreligious. Still, I wanted more conclusive reasons for doubting that religiosity, as such, is what brings bodily and psychological benefits to the "churched." In this month's Scientific American, Michael Shermer fulfilled my desire with one of his Skeptic articles, " Sacred Salubriousness : New research on self-control explains the link between religion and health." (In case that link eventually fails to work, I'll copy in the article as a continuation to this post.) Shermer says that in science "God d...

Yoga Poses with Pictures Top Yoga Poses In our busy lives, it is not always possible to do 2 hours of yoga daily. It would be great if we all had the time for such devoted practice, and even if some of us were lucky enough to be able to accommodate such a practice, there would inevitably be phases where time would be limited and we would have to make do with a shorter practice. Today I would like to present you with a great set, composed of many of the top yoga poses, which is ideal for meeting the needs of a quick yet complete yoga routine. The set below incorporates many of the best yoga poses and exercises out there and is quite complete, but you can supplement it with other poses if you feel that there are some aspects that this workout does not cover. An example of such additions, would be adding Spinal Twists for the Lower Back , Frog Pose for Toned Legs or any of the exercises from the Simple Yoga for Upper Body Training Set . Each of the links I have cited above will take you ...

Spirit never acts in a fixed way. In general, to hear that someone you love needs you does result in fulfilling the need. There are certain loving instincts that come naturally when you are in touch with spirit: You dont oppose. You put feelings over results. You want to help. Service gives rise to feelings of joy. You put anothers wishes on the same plane as your own. These instincts develop and mature through surrender over the years. But if you go back again to the experience of falling in love, you will see that these arent learned responses. Love already contains them. Love automatically means release from ego conflict and struggle. A single experience of falling in love isnt a complete release, since struggle inevitably returns, but lovers get at least a glimpse of the Way. Whether they can articulate it or not, this is what they discover: It takes no effort to love. The state of being has its own innate joy. Questions answer themselves if you are aware enough. Life ...

Once you make a decision the universe conspires to make it happen. Ralph Waldo Emerson This weekend I decided to run for President of the United States, until I learned that only a select few can actually afford a campaign which costs over $150 million dollars, and over $2 million just to get your name on the ballot. I guess this explains why we continue to be limited to professional politicians running for office and also gives a deeper understanding to the degree of control that the 1% hold. I know that my expertise as a loveologist does not fully qualify me for the office but since I have been studying the latest research which supports the end of men and the doom of family structures I have concluded that many of our political and economic ills stem from a singular issue in the breakdown of our ability to relate and the value of relationships themselves. I am calling this effort the Peoples Campaign for Positive Change. It will be a completely unfunded, grass roots and vira...

There are lots of reasons to shun religion. On this video , Sam Harris describes one of the best reasons in less than three minutes. It's well worth a watch if you've ever believed that your religion was true, while others are false. Harris says that Christianity holds that unless you believe in Jesus, you're doomed. Seems like bad news. But wait! Islam says that unless you believe in the Koran and the teachings of prophet Muhammad, you're also doomed. What gives? Even worse, other religions say the same "you're doomed" thing. The India-based faith I followed for over thirty years, Radha Soami Satsang Beas, teaches that unless you are initiated by a "perfect living master" (supposedly one with God), you are doomed to suffer endless rounds of rebirth in this decidedly imperfect world, bound by chains of karma which can only be broken by meditation under the guidance of the aforementioned guru. So who are you going to believe? Christianity, Islam,...

How to Have Healthy Relationships Good Relationships One of the benefits that is often cited by the students of my Free Online Meditation Classes and the Meditation Certification Program , is the significant improvements they see in their relationships as a result. To me this is no surprise, as the inner transformation that meditation bring about ends up affecting all aspects of ones life, especially ones relationships. So how exactly does meditation lead to healthier and happier relationships? Below is a list of 5 ways it helps. How Meditation Helps Forge Healthy Relationships: 1. Reduces Anger and Irritation in Relationships: One of the biggest and most destructive forces to a relationships health is ANGER. It can be the simmering type, just below the surface, that eats away at the relationship or it can be the volcanic type that erupts in a cascade of hurtful words, insults and even physical violence. Of course, no relationship is going to be completely immune to some irritation or...

Why fascinates me. I don't know why. It just does. Is there a problem with that? I respond "no." But asking that question belies the answer. Simply to just say, "sometimes there's no why , just is ." Reasons lie on a sliding scale, though. In some areas of science causes and effects can be determined in amazing detail. If such wasn't the case, I wouldn't be able to type this blog post on a computer and publish it on the Internet, where you can read it. Nor would space probes be able to reach the most distant planets in our solar system with such impressive accuracy. Even in physics, though, causal interrelationships are so complex, a simple understanding of what makes such-and-such happen quickly unravels under a more penetrating gaze. And when we ask the Big Question, why does anything exist at all? , both science and religion are clueless. That said, let's get closer to home with our why'ing. Why do we do what we do? Seemingly this shou...

On Thursday, November 17th 12noon 1pm the Hendersonville Co-op is holding a free event with speaker and author Alice McCall. The event, "Age with Vitality & Beauty helps attendees understand the role of cellular health in the aging process. "I am looking forward to sharing the concepts behind Cellular Level Healing, in a way that anyone can understand. After all, cellular health is vital to aging with a strong, healthy, vital appearance, explains Ms McCall. McCall credits Cellular Level Healing to her self-healing of beast cancer in 2007. As well as, believing that these same principles can be applied to those looking to maintain their health and vitality as they age. "I know that financially things are tight for so many of us, and with that in mind many of the tips I will be sharing cost little or nothing out of pocket, states McCall. "I hope that the attendees will be inspired to try new things in their quest to age with grace. Following the explanation, McCa...

Over on my other blog, yesterday I made fun of a bunch of Republican presidential candidates (Cain, Bachmann, Perry, Santorum) for believing that God had told them to pursue their political dreams. But it would have been just as easy for me to make fun of myself -- or anyone -- because we all are prone to mistaking messages from the hidden part of our own brains for guidance of cosmic import. If you've ever said, "I think the universe is sending me a message" (I sure have), this is an indication that the difference between you and someone who believes that God is talking to them merely is a matter of what unseen entity is supposedly doing the communicating. I've started reading Daniel Kahneman's book , "Thinking, Fast and Slow." He's the psychologist who gave a fascinating TED talk about our experiencing and remembering selves. The fast and slow aspects of the brain is a different, yet somewhat related, subject. Here's what Kahneman says at th...

Male Sexual Enhancement Yoga to Improve Male Sexual Fitness Although it is not springtime, I seem to be getting a lot of emails and requests from guys looking to enhance their sexual prowess and performance in bed. So for this months Learn Yoga Asana series, I thought it would be good to learn a pose which is known for improving male sexual health and virility. This pose is Chair Yoga Pose and I am quite a fan of it myself. There is no question that proper diet, exercise, reduced stress and proper rest are factors in improving a mans sex drive and his overall sexual fitness, but in addition to these general guidelines, yoga also has some more specific poses and exercises designed for such enhancement. Many of these exercises focus on the groin and legs regions, which is responsible for the sexual meridians, sex organs and sexual energy. You will find a list of these exercises and other related techniques towards the bottom of the article and below you will find details of Yoga Chair Po...

Yogi, Sadhguru Vasudev and founder of Isha Foundation, a public service organization that cultivates human potential through yoga programs and social and environmental projects, is introducing a simple but powerful meditation process known as Isha Kriya. The meditation process, involving sitting and performing certain conscious breathing patterns, requires an investment of only 12-18 minutes per day. Over time, says Sadhguru, the cumulative effects of this short meditation process are new levels of clarity and calmness, heightened focus and energy, and -- particularly important during increasingly troubled times increased feelings of well-being. After performing Isha Kriya, people have shared a wide range of positive experiences, including feelings of deep relaxation and bodily warmth. Everett Goldner, New York City, reports experiencing an "organic progression over a long term, from noticeable feelings of relaxation to reduced physiological symptoms of illness to overall feeling...

Look at you up in the sky Shining, pulling oceans Back and forth, The flow of blood Through my heart, Thoughts in my head. When was it you Entered my genes, Became part of me, Wrapped around my soul, Filled my veins with liquid Moonlight? When did my Comings and goings, Ebb and flow Fall under your gravity? When did I discover I saw better by Moonlight? Look at you up in the sky Shining, so bright Mars hides In your light, Blushes at your beauty, Paralyzed. The Incredulous Traveler: Weight, Work and Wonder in the Journey of Everyday Life This began as an intermittent travelogue on WW; intermittent as I don't travel much. Soon it was more than about food and, upon missing a day, emails arrived asking where my posts were. I am amazed at the everyday world around me; the beauty, absurdity, ignorance and joy. In the midst of this wonder and surprise, I work to maintain my weight, creativity, sanity and humor; to be awake, aware and still happy when it would be far easier to pay no atte...

Yesterday I got an email from someone who asked an excellent question. Why should he engage in ego-lessening practices? Hello Mr. Hines. I have practiced Zen for several years, but in the past year or two I have fallen away from the practice.I find myself resonating with your concepts of spiritual independence and church of the churchless. Im sending you this email because I thought you might have some insight on my question. Why do(why should?) I engage in ego-lessening practices? I realize that the question comes from the ego. Itsa sort of whats in it for me question. But what IS in it for me? Why do it? Any thoughts? l wrote back, saying that I'd try to answer his question in tonight's blog post. Which puts me on the spot, because it's now tonight, and I'm starting to write a blog post. But I don't really know what I want to say, or what I'm going to say. Yet this blog post is going to be written. So who will do it? To be honest, I can't claim that it wi...

Yoga Teacher Training Course Reviews Yoga Certification Reviews Of all the online programs offered here on Mastery of Meditation and Yoga, the 2 that are the most popular are the Meditation Certification Course and the Online Yoga Teacher Training Program . These 2 programs are, of course, designed to create top class yoga and meditation teachers, but are also independently capable of transforming your life and helping you realize your full human potential. The first certification course that went online was the Meditation Teachers Training Course and the feedback I received regarding it was quite incredible. You can read those reviews and testimonials in the following article Meditation Certification Program Reviews . This was the inspiration behind creating the Yoga Certification Program, and I am very happy to report that it too has received amazing feedback and has gone on to become one of the most popular yoga training programs on the web. The Mastery of Yoga Training Program is...