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Spam

2007-11-22T00:25:00.000-08:00

All About Spam

Feel free to reprint this article in newsletters and on
websites, with resource box included. If you use this
article, please send a brief message to let me know where
it appeared: kara333@earthlink.net

Word Count = 375
Word Wrapped to 60 characters per line
URL: http://www.karathecomputertutor.com
author photo: http://www.karathecomputertutor.com
date of copyright: March 2005

All About Spam
by Kara Glover
kara333@earthlink.net
Spam is annoying. Period. Why people would want to send all of us stupid messages about buying prescription drugs or getting some outrageously good mortgage rate is beyond me. Well, not really.
You might ignore those emails. But not everyone does. And that's why they're sent. Emails cost so little (or nothing) to send. So sending out a million of them could be a cakewalk. Let's say one out of every 1,000 recipients falls for their ploy. Someone just got 1,000 new customers!
How in the heck did those spammers get your address in the first place? Well, they actually use a variety of techniques. They use programs called spambots to search the web and pick up any email addresses that could be listed on websites. They use what's called the "Dictionary" technique, where they take a well-known email extension (earthlink.net, for instance), and make up all kinds of possible user names to go with it. For example, with me they could try the usernames "kara", "kara1", "kara2"

and so on, until they can confirm one of those connected to an earthlink.net extension is a valid email address. Kinda like going page by page through the dictionary.
Ever fill out a registration form on a website and find a little checkbox, probably near the bottom, asking if you want to receive additional information, newsletters, or something of that nature? Often the box is checked, and in order NOT to receive the info, you have to UNCHECK it (or else). Well if you miss those types of boxes on the wrong kinds of sites, your email addresses may be handed to spammers on a silver platter. Well, almost. Often a zillion email addresses are sold for next to nothing to spammers on CDs. (Couldn't you almost call those silver platters?)
Many internet service providers (those guys that keep you connected to the internet so you can send and receive email) use a variety of methods to block spam before it ever gets to you. Nevertheless, we all know that some spam inevitably gets through to our inboxes. That's when we need to take a proactive stance and install some sort of software to filter it out!
© 2005 by Kara Glover

About the Author

Kara is a Computer Tutor and Troubleshooter. For help on installing anti-spam software, check out this article on Kara Glover’s website: http://www.karathecomputertutor.com You can also find more articles, tips and tutorials on topics such as Microsoft Word., Excel, and PowerPoint there.

Animals

2007-11-16T07:40:00.000-08:00

Animal Husbandry and Other Unnatural Acts: A Career in Dog Training

Do you like dogs? Do they like you back?

Well, in that case, maybe YOU have what it takes to make it in the ruff and kibble world of canine coaching. Maybe. But before you start barking up this career tree, it might be beneficial to get a little information first. The exiting world of dog training covers several areas of expertise, so consider which dog track you want to take.

So, like, what do I need to know? Isn't it just "Sit, Heel, Stay"?

I am so glad you asked. Dog training encompasses much more than simple submission commands. Yes, a career in dog training can and does involve obedience training, but it can also delve much deeper. For instance, you could become an Animal Behaviorist, or a Behavioral Consultant. These professionals burrow into Rover's psyche, working to dig up the long buried bones of his past. Rather than flea the past, they use it to see what makes him tick (Ooh, that one even made ME groan).

You mean I have to be a dog shrink?

Many in the dog-training field, especially Behaviorists, study not only veterinary science, but also psychology. So, in a way, you kind of become a "dog shrink" as you so eloquently put it. But this training helps with more than just the dog. Don't forget, the dogs you will be training generally have owners, and some dog owners don't realize that they may be the cause of the behavioral issues exhibited by their puppy pals (think of the mom of that snotty, screaming kid in the checkout line at grocery store who thinks she's a great parent), and that they need to learn how to interact more effectively with their pets. It's up to a trained dog specialist to uncover and rectify this.

So how much schooling up am I gonna need before I begin my career in dog training?

Many experts in the field of dog training will tell you it takes three to five years of serious, intensive study and hands-on dog training and handling to even become a good novice trainer. Becoming an experienced Master Dog Trainer takes many years of working with the animals, gaining valuable field (or park) experience. You will most likely even pay your dues with a few nips here and there (bites, not nerve-settling sips of schnapps). It's all part of the price - and the leash you can do, if you are serious about a career in dog training.

So, are there like, dog trainer colleges?

There are indeed schools that offer courses in canine training. The program lengths and costs vary from school to school, depending upon the type of study you wish to pursue. There are even online and home study courses (I am familiar with one that charges $995 for a home study video package), but anyone who seriously wants to work with dogs should look for a school with actual animals that you can touch. Sniff around and dig up a school that fits your situation.

The Animal Behavioral College (ABC, get it?) charges about $3000 for its hands-on program to become a Certified Dog Trainer, which takes around six months to complete. And there are some accredited universities and colleges that proffer animal behavior programs. These are not necessarily dog-specific, but nevertheless will assist you in beginning your career in dog training. Cornell University in Ithaca, NY; Guelph University in Ontario, Canada; and Tufts University in Boston, MA are three such universities. Standard college tuition would apply at these schools, but they might throw you a bone and let you apply for financial aid. Beg...beg...good boy!

And then I can become employed as a dog trainer and watch the scratch (money, not the flesh wound) roll in?

No.

Why not?

Good dog trainers - and by that you can read "employed" dog trainers - enter their careers in dog training because of their love of dogs. They work for the intrinsic pleasure of helping man's best friend, not for the money, power, or glory often associated with dog training. Initially, the novice dog trainer may even begin his career by working for a more experienced trainer as his assistant, trainee, or lackey. The pay grade for such positions is, of course, Lhasa Apso-sized - assuming you can find an experience dog trainer who will take you under his paw. If not, when was the last time you read a classified ad seeking a dog trainer?

The way many dog trainers collar a career in dog training is to become self-employed. Hang a shingle on the front door. This has been suggested by the American Dog Trainers Network, which states that you can have a part time career where, nationally, trainers earn an average of $20/hour. Not a bad living. But Uncle Sam is always snapping at the heels of the ambitious with his own statistical snarls and growls. The Occupational Outlook Handbook, put out by the U.S. Department of Labor, states that the median hourly earnings of non-farm animal caretakers were $8.21 in 2002 (the most recent year they have numbers for).

So what should I do? I love them pups!

The bottom line is that a career in dog training is something you do because you have a desire, passion, or drive to work with dogs, not because it's a quick, easy, lucrative career option. As with most any career choice, there is effort involved. Shed your fears (regular brushing helps), put on your shiny coat, and get out there and claw your way to your career in dog training. Or you can just sit...stay...roll over. Good dog.

About the author:

Albert Medinas has developed and maintains the website Dog Training Resources, which answers the most common questions people have about Dog Training. Please visit us at http://www.dogtrainingresources.net today.

Weight Loss Program

2007-11-11T18:41:00.000-08:00

If you're on a weight loss program you're under constant attack - attack from the food bandits all around you.

There is food waiting to ambush your weight loss efforts at every turn.

It's there on every street corner: available, fast, in huge portions and full of fat.
It's there at every checkout: convenient, brightly-packaged and calling "Eat me! Eat me!"
It's there at work for every occasion: birthdays, promotions, leaving parties, "because it's Friday".
It's there at home brought to you larger than life on every TV set, seductively advertised, calling from the fridge and pantry "I'm here! Come and get me! You know you want to!"

Given that the food bandits are out there, what can you do about them?

Be ready to defend yourself!

Know your weak spots - those food temptations you find hard to resist, and plan to

Avoid them as much as you can. Don't drive past fast food outlets even if it means a detour. Keep tempting high-fat snacks out of your home. Give TV ads a wide berth - in fact give TV a miss altogether and get out and do something. Walk away from offers of food, declining as politely and firmly as possible. "No thanks, I'm not hungry just now" should be enough.

Treat your encounter with food bandits with a sense of fun. Make a note in your mind that you've spotted one "Alert! Food bandit on left flank. Eyes right! Defeat!"

If you succumb once in a while to the food bandits, don't let it get you down. Brush yourself down and be ready to come out fighting against the next lot.

Be delighted each time you spot and overcome a food bandit. Feel proud that you were able to show who's in charge. You're the boss!

Once you recognise the food bandits for what they are, they lose their power. Each time you take them on and defeat them, you'll notice their influence over you diminish.

Gradually you get into the habit of ignoring the bandits. Long term result - a slimmer, healthier, beautiful you, in total control of the food you eat.

Healthy Skin

2007-11-11T01:31:00.001-08:00

Achieving Youthful Healthy Skin with Vitamins A, C and E

We all want healthy skin. While the main reasons for pursuing healthy skin tend to be purely shallow and cosmetic in nature, healthy skin is beautiful and keeps us looking younger than our years and there are actually some practical health benefits to maintaining the good health for our skin. The purpose of the skin is to act as a barrier. It serves to prevent bacteria, viruses and other contaminants from entering the body and causing infection, illness and disease. There are many vitamins and minerals that help to keep skin healthy and thus be able to serve its vital role in the protection of the body.

Antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are very important to healthy skin because it is these vitamins that share in the responsibility of controlling the damage that free radicals byproducts of energy production within the body and of environmental contaminants such as air pollution produce. Among the several types of damage done by free radicals is the destruction of collagen and elastin which are fibers that support the skin and keeps it looking supple. As these are damaged wrinkles and a lack of that youthful firmness can occur. Vitamin C also plays a part in the production of collagen making it essential to the function and look of the skin. Recent studies have found that Vitamin C and E used together may help to repair sun-damaged skin.

Vitamin A has its own important role in skin health and beauty in addition to its anti-oxidant properties. In terms of diet even small deficiencies can negatively affect the skin causing flakiness and dryness. Dryness can make lines and wrinkles that are much more apparent. Its primary use however, is as a topical solution for the treatment of severe acne and the reduction of lines and wrinkles themselves. Recent research has showed that a topical solution that contains both Vitamin A and Vitamin C can in some cases reverse the damage done by the aging process and by sun-damage.

Deficiencies in the Vitamin B complex can leave the skin prone to cracking, bleeding and dangerous skin

lesions that allow all kinds of bacteria, viruses and other contaminants to easily enter the body. But in terms of strictly cosmetic concerns even a little shortage of the Vitamin B complex can result in scaly and poorly textured skin. Topical preparations have been found to play an important role in the hydrating of skin cells leading to noticeably firmer and healthier looking skin.

Vitamin K has been found to relieve those awful dark circles under the eyes. Some research has found that creams made up of both Vitamin K and Vitamin A are more effective than those that just contain Vitamin K but researchers are still following up on these results.

Minerals important to the look and to the health of the skin include selenium, copper and zinc. Selenium whether used as a topical solution or taken in the form of a dietary supplement is thought to play a big role in the prevention of skin cancer. Copper, zinc and Vitamin C work together to form elastin which helps to support skin keeping it firm and healthy.

Topical solutions and dietary supplements can help to keep the skin healthy and youthful in appearance. However, it is important to recognize that these are powerful substances and using them within the standard guidelines of dosage is essential to good health. There is such a thing as too much of abusing such natural healing powers which could then result to a not so pretty sight. But when used correctly however, your skin can look better than ever.

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Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
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About the Author

Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

FOODS

2007-11-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

Fat Burning Compatible Foods

Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic around the gym these days. We also hear a lot about negative calorie foods which are considered a part of fat burning compatible foods. So if you are wondering what all the hype is about here is a simple explaination.

Fat burning compatible foods and negative calorie foods require more energy for your body to break down, absorb and then use than the actual calories that they contain. Eating these foods requires the body to create a calorie deficit that may help with weight loss.

Fat burning compatible foods are high in fiber, high in water content, and low in fat. They have a strong metabolism-boosting impact on the body and speed up the rate at which your body burns calories.

These foods require the metabolism to rev up and use the stored energy and fat to help in the digestion process. They are very healthy for you and you are probably already eating a lot of these foods.

Because these foods are considered to be fat burning compatible foods, there are no caloric limits. That means you may eat

any of these foods until you feel satisfied without feeling guilty.

Here are a few examples of fat burning compatible foods and negative calorie foods:

· Fruits: oranges, pineapples, grape fruit, and cantaloupe

· Vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, green beans and onions

· Breakfast foods: Oatmeal, low-fat milk and whole grain cereal

· Spicy foods: cayenne peppers and most Chile peppers

· Meats: Turkey, Chicken and lean beef

· Fish: Tuna and Salmon

· Beverages: Coffee, Green Tea and Black Tea

Fat burning compatible foods and negative calorie foods are easily implemented into your everyday diet and are healthy and delicious.

Copyright © 2005 Treadmill Info.com All Rights Reserved.

About the Author

This article is supplied by http://www.treadmill-info.com where you will find valuable information, ratings, reviews, articles and buying tips before you make the investment in quality fitness equipment. For more fitness related articles go to: http://www.treadmill-info.com/articles_1.html

Weight Loss

2007-11-08T05:41:00.000-08:00

Discover the best weight loss exercise!

by: Armand Dupuis

The Best Weight Loss Exercise

The exercise the experts are keeping a Secret.

The easiest exercise in the world actually "Burns the Most Fat"!

There is only one weight loss exercise that's the best fat burning exercise for everyone by far, there's not even a close second.

However, most so-called weight-loss experts don't teach this exercise, either because they are ignorant of the facts, or more than likely, because they can't make any money from it.

They can't make any money from the best weight loss workout, because you don't need to join a gym, and you don't need to buy any exercise equipment to do it.

People who advise that...

You have to go through all the different exercise routines on all the different exercise equipment in a gym, or buy all this weird exercise equipment, or that you need to be running for weight loss, are just giving you the runaround.

Weight Lifting As a Weight Loss Exercise

Many people who call themselves experts, make the claim that since muscles burn fat, you need to build big muscles so that you can burn more fat, and so...

You should work with weights, because that builds the biggest muscles.

That's totally misleading, but it sells a lot of gym memberships, and lots of exercise equipment.

Many people are looking for a quick weight loss workout, and also, many fitness professionals (note that I didn't say experts), believe that the harder you work out, the more fat you will burn, but...

That's a Lie!

The people who make these kinds of claims, obviously haven't a clue how the human body works as it relates to weight control, and they should probably look for some other line of work.

The Fat Burning Workout Or Sugar Burning

Yes it's true that fat is burnt in the muscles, but so is sugar. All the really hard exercises where you sweat a lot and your muscles hurt, is burning practically nothing but sugar, and almost no fat.

Most professional teach that you have to work really hard to burn fat, and so the more motivated you are to have a fat burning workout, the harder you work, and the harder you work, the more sugar you burn, but practically no fat whatsoever.

You can go through all kinds of weight lifting routines for your weight loss workout, and even build big muscles, but they will be "sugar burning muscles", not fat burning muscles.

If you're a woman, you can build such big muscles this way, that you'll begin to look like a Guy, but you'll still be fat!

Walking for Weight-Loss

Realize that "walking for weight loss" is the absolute best weight loss exercise available. Unless you're already very fit, walking for weight loss is a much better fat burning exercise than running for weight loss.

It's all relative!

If you're unfit and overweight, especially if you're obese and a typical couch potato, then...

If you go running for weight-loss, you'll burn almost nothing but sugar and you'll probably be very sore the next day.

On the opposite extreme, if you're an experienced marathon runner, then your body is a very efficient "Fat Burning Machine", which burns almost nothing but fat during a run.

However...

Just ordinary walking won't do it for you, as there are 10 Secrets which we teach you in the free Slim America weight loss Project, which turns ordinary walking into a very efficient fat burning workout, but that's not all...

Not only is walking for weight loss a fast weight loss exercise and the best fat loss workout, but it will also a rebuild your metabolism so that you burn more fat the rest of the day, even when you're not exercising.

So you see, walking for weight loss, is really the best weight loss exercise available to you, because you really rebuild your metabolism, and that's the key to permanent weight loss.

Have a Great Life!
About the Author

Armand Dupuis is a Personal Trainer, Lecturer, Teacher, & Permanent Weight Loss Specialist, who has been a Serious Researcher into Human Consciousness for 5 Decades.

Mr. Dupuis has presently specialized his Teachings, into a powerful permanent and "free" Weight Loss System, and Information is available on his Web Site. http://www.slimamericaweightlossproject.com/ga

COMPUTER

2007-11-08T01:30:00.001-08:00

Build your first computer from hardware scratches

Wow- if you do it first time and have some asset of time in your disposition – then go ahead and purchase motherboard, your favorite processor, memory, video card (probably it is better to purchase it external for advanced quality). You will also need computer case – first computer should probably go to the cheap one – with USB 2 ports from the front side – the only question – you might want to replace noisy cheap power supply with $50 dollars one. Processor fan – nowadays you will see the variety for all the tastes – get the one with adjustable spinning speed to regulate noise (if you could not place it into the basement of your house – I guess you live in apartment or student dormitory). Let’s go to details:
•Ahead of Generation. It is not a secret that when you build your own computer – you might overpay – in considering to what is available in the stores.. However you usually get ahead of technology. For example – it is still common when Dell/Compaq/IBM computers use PC2700 standard of memory. If you bought PC3200 – you have two years of being ahead of the competition
•Processor. If you build your computer from scratches – you should look into 64-bits processor from the beginning. Get AMD Athlon 64 3400+ at least
•Video Card. For $100 you can get maximum of memory and performance. This is why

we recommend to get external videocard
•DVD Writer. RW+/- unfortunately Japanese manufacturers are in the process of decision making on winning standards plus DVD of high density. Get both supported.
•Hard Drive. Decent motherboards support IDE raid and you could experiment with striping (raid 0). Then if you purchase two IDE disks 400 GB each – you will get 800 GB – unbelievable for supercomputers – but you are on your own and cosmopolitan individual – step forward and be ahead of competition.
•Troubleshooting. Understood and respected. First listen your mother board beeps and refer to its documentation. It might not see memory, graphical card, etc. When you are installing memory – be very careful to static electricity issue. When you are attaching your mother board to computer case – the most typical issue is motherboard shorting – so do not be surprised to try your motherboard first outside the case

About the Author

Andrew is Lead Software Developer in Alba Spectrum Technologies – USA nationwide Great Plains, Microsoft CRM customization company, serving clients in Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Miami, Denver, UK, Australia, Canada, Europe and having locations in multiple states and internationally ( http://www.albaspectrum.com )

BE NATURAL

2007-11-07T16:49:00.000-08:00

Be Natural! Treating Chronic Diseases With Ayurveda

Ayurveda is perhaps the oldest system of health care in the world and originates from the Indian subcontinent.

Ayurveda is based on scientific principles of diagnosis and treatment. It differs from conventional medicine in the basic principles of investigation and assigning causes to processes rather than specific areas of physiology.

Ayurveda has been a vogue since 5000 years ago. Our Vedas have been repeated references to the efficacy of Ayurveda as a science of healthy life. The western world is now realizing the value of Ayurveda in treating Chronic diseases like Arthritis, Paralysis, Stroke, Neurological disorders etc. Even WHO has given high rating for Ayurveda system.

It differs from conventional medicine in the basic principles of investigation and assigning causes to processes rather than specific areas of physiology. The increasing awareness of herbal medicines in Western markets such as USA, UK, Canada and Japan and the technological advancements in biotech industry were two major reasons which compelled us to offer a platform like this.

The key to the success of www.AyurvedicCure.com is the quality of the ingredients they use, the way in which formulae are based on ancient Ayurvedic traditions, a careful manufacturing process and an ongoing research program for testing and evaluating new and old products.

Here are some Important Herbs and their Uses:

Ashvagandha ( Withania Somnifera), ( Winter Cherry): Traditionally, Ashwagandha has been used in many ways--as a sedative, a diuretic, a rejuvenating tonic, an anti-inflammatory agent, and as an "adaptogen" (endurance enhancer). Many Western herbalists refer to this herb as "Ayurvedic ginseng" because of its reputation for increasing energy, strength, and stamina, and for its ability to relieve stress. It is especially beneficial in stress related disorders such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, general debility, etc. It has also shown impressive results when used as stimulants for the immune system.

Amla ( Emblica officinalis), ( Indian Goosebery): Amla contains the highest amount of Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), Phyllembin, Phyllemblic acid, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid in natural form and Cytokin like substance identified as Zeatin, Zriboside, Z nucleotide, Tannins 30%. It is one of the strongest rejuvenatives in Indian pharmacopoeia. It contains 30 times the amount of Vitamin C found in oranges. Its antibacterial, carminative, hypoglycemic, stomachic, Hypotensive and astringent action prevents infection, helps in healing of ulcers, treatment of jaundice, dyspepsia and cough and controls hyperacidity. Alma is a good Cardio Tonic and its mild stimulant action on heart helps to control blood pressure. The use of Indian Gooseberry enhances the antidiabetic action of Karela. Phyllanthus Emblica is a very good hair tonic.

Brahmi (Bacopa Monniera): Aside from increasing intellectual and cognitive function, Brahmi induces a sense of calm and peace in its users. It is unique in its ability to invigorate mental processes whilst reducing the effects of stress and nervous anxiety. This makes Brahmi extremely applicable in highly stressful work or study environments where clarity of thought is as important as being able to work under pressure. Many people have the intelligence to perform to strict standards, but lack the composure and self-confidence to reach them. Additionally, Brahmi helps soothe the restlessness and distraction that nervousness causes. Brahmi is ideal for students and workers faced with this problem.

Shallaki ( Boswellia Serrata): Today its major use is as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, myositis, fibrositis, and osteoarthritis. Experimental and clinical usage of boswella indicates it has none of the side effects on blood pressure, heart rate of the gastric irritation and ulcers associated with many anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic drugs. It is now an approved herbal medicine in India for use against osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, low back pain, myositis and fibrositis. In the United States,physicians are giving boswella high marks for effectiveness. Dr. E. W. McDonagh, a Kansas City physician, has reported success among some 350 patients suffering from a variety of advanced muscular and skeletal conditions for which other treatments had failed to help.

Karela ( Bitter Gourd), ( Bitter Melon), ( Momordica charantia) : Bitter Melon, also known as Karela, Momordica Charantia or Bitter Gourd is a herb that helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps body functions operating normally. It contains Gurmarin, a polypeptide considered to be similar to bovine insulin, which has been shown in experimental studies to achieve a positive sugar regulating effect by suppressing the neural response to sweet taste stimuli. Karela's principle constituents are lectins, charantin and momordicine. The fruits have long been used in India as a folk remedy for diabetes mellitus. Lectins from the bitter gourd have shown significant antilipolytic and lipogenic activities.

Shilajit (Asphaltum) : This is Shilajit, one of Ayurvedas most potent and unique rejuvenatives. The ancient medical literature attributes many health benefits to Shilajit known as "conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness." It has been said that there is hardly any curable disease which cannot be assisted with

the aid of Shilajit. Shilajit has been used historically for general physical strengthening, anti-aging, blood sugar stabilization, libido, injury healing, urinary tract rejuvenation, enhanced brain functioning potency, bone healing, kidney rejuvenation, immune system Strengthening, arthritis, hypertension, obesity and many other application for numerous conditions.

Garlic ( Lasuna), ( Allium sativum): The platelet and hypolipidemic activities of Lasuna ensures smooth coronary function. Garlic is regarded as one of the most effective remedies to lower blood pressure. The pressure and tension are reduced because it has the power to ease the spasm of the small arteries. It also slows the pulse and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, shortness of breath and the formation of gas within the digestive track. It has an antiseptic effect and is an excellent remedy for infectious diseases and inflammations of the stomach and intestine. Human population studies show that eating garlic regularly reduces the risk of esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer. This is partly due to garlic's ability to reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds.

Triphala: Triphala, a cornerstone of ayurvedic medicine, is a composite herbal preparation containing equal proportions of the fruits of three myrobalans, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica. When consumed for a long period, it helps reduce excess weight. It promotes good colon health and acts as a laxative without causing cramps or irritation. It gently stimulates the intestinal walls and restores tone to the colon, thus helping in the elimination process, providing a colon cleansing effect. When consumed for a long period, it helps reduce excess weight. It promotes good colon health and acts as a laxative without causing cramps or irritation. It gently stimulates the intestinal walls and restores tone to the colon, thus helping in the elimination process, providing a colon cleansing effect.

Guggulu: ( Bedellium), ( COMMIPHORA MUKUL): Studies show that a 14-27% of LDL cholesterol and 22-30% of triglycerides levels were reduced when guggul was given to men and women with high cholesterol for 12 weeks with no change in diet or exercise. Research with laboratory animals suggests guggul may help enhance thyroid function. Since the thyroid gland produces hormones that are needed to regulate metabolism, it can help in weight loss. Studies show guggul may change thyroid hormone metabolism, increase levels of circulating T3, or triiodothyroxine, a thyroxine metabolite known to raise overall metabolism, which in turn increases fat burning. Since guggul supports atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which may impede blood flow to and from the penis, guggul may possibly be the treatment for impotence many men are looking for.

Tulsi ( Holy Basil), ( Tulasi): Tulsi has antioxidant properties, and helps boost the body's ability to fight off damaging free radicals, which have been linked to disease and aging. It is an adaptogen that helps the body fight the effects of ongoing stress and also balances the mind, nerves and emotions. Tulsi maintains the health of the throat chest and lungs. In fact, it helps protect the entire respiratory tract. It is an anti-inflammatory. A herb that promotes optimum respiratory support. Tulasi has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant properties and is useful in respiratory tract infections. It helps during respiratory stress.

Neem (AZADIRACHTA INDICA): Neem effectively kills the bacteria that cause Acne and studies prove that Neem will reduce inflammation, even the inflammation produced by Acne. In the case of eczema clinical studies demonstrate that even the application of weaker Neem leaf extracts effectively cured acute conditions of eczema, what to speak of the fresh cold pressed oil with its high concentration of active ingredients.Modern clinical studies have identified a number of compounds in the Neem tree that effectively regulate immune system functions. Whether drinking a simple cup of tea out of the leaves or taking extracts of the Neem leaf, Neem significantly and consistently reduced insulin requirements for nonkeytonic, insulin fast, and insulin sensitive forms of Diabetes.The pain, inflammation, and swelling of the joints in arthritis can be greatly reduced by different compounds in Neem

Arjuna (TERMINALIA ARJUNA): Arjun improves cardiac muscle function and pumpingactions of the heart. Scientific studies have shown Arjun to be very effectivewhen used regularly over a period of time for the treatment of angina, coronary artery disease, heart failure, edema, and possibly hypercholesterolemia. Studies have also shown Arjun to have positive effects in the treatment of gonorrhea. Externally, this herb has been used to treat acne, blemishes, wounds, dysentery, and diarrhea.

About the Author: Ayurvedic Cure.com, http://www.ayurvediccure.com AyurvedicCure.com - Health, Nutritional and Herbal Vitamin Supplements Guide. Health Guide featuring Home Remedies, Nutritional Herbal Supplements. Complete Guide and Online Health Store. http://www.ayurvediccure.co.uk

Source: www.isnare.com

Exercise

2007-11-07T02:11:00.000-08:00

Exercise Smarter Not Harder

by: Greg Ryan Fitness Expert

My name is Greg Ryan. I am a fitness expert, professional bodybuilder personal, trainer to movie stars, and former employee of Kathy Smith. For twenty years I have been able to keep my body fat levels lower than most, and consistently exercise five days a week, and having fun in the mean time. Not because I am anything special, but because I have learned a few tricks along the way, that I would like to share with you. Start incorporating them into your plan today and notice the difference tomorrow.

1.Set a time limit on all your workouts. End the workout if you run over. 2.Exercise larger muscle groups before the smaller ones. I.e... Back, Legs and Chest before shoulders and arms. 3.Change your workout plan up every twelve to fourteen weeks. 4.Treat your time in the gym as if it is your most important time of the day. 5.Make the workouts at the beginning of the week harder than those toward the end of the week. 6.Take at least one day off a week from doing any form of exercising. 7.Change your cardiovascular equipment up each time you exercise. 8.Monitor your heart rate all the time. 9.Go over your workout in your head before you start. 10.Efficiency is more important than length. Have a number of reps in your head before each time you do a set.

These are just a few things I have learned over the years. Do not be afraid to try different things. Listen to your body and never be afraid to ask for help.

About the Author

Greg Ryan is a high profile fitness expert and former employee of Kathy Smiths. Body building champion, public speaker and personal trainer to the stars. He is a best selling author of the Changing from the INSIDE Start getting in better shape today! For FREE MINI COURES click here www.resolutions.bz

ACNE-FREE SKIN

2007-11-07T01:18:00.000-08:00

6 Steps to Clear, Acne-Free Skin

Hundreds of medications, treatments, cleansers and cosmetics are available for people with acne, but the most important elements of an acne-fighting program won’t cost you a cent.

1. Nourish your skin by eating a healthy and balanced diet.

Most health care specialists agree that a healthy diet will benefit your skin. Cut down on caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates, all of which can activate the hormones that tell your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Add more fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, juices and other healthy treats to your daily diet, and you’ll see in improvement in your skin.

2. Drink lots of water to maintain the skin's elasticity.

Plenty of water is essential to the health of your skin. One of the main activities of the body’s self-healing system is to filter the blood, a job performed mostly by the kidneys, with help from the skin in the form of perspiration. This self-healing system removes the toxic wastes of metabolizing food and of other harmful substances that get into our bodies one way or another.

This purification system operates efficiently only if the volume of water flowing through it is sufficient to carry away the wastes. 6 to 8 glasses (64 fluid ounces) of water a day is the recommendation. To reach your quota, carry bottled water with you in your car, your purse, your briefcase—wherever you go.

Get the water habit, and your skin will thank you for it.

3. Exercise regularly for good circulation.

Get into a regular routine of exercise. Do it for at least half an hour, five days a week. Exercise improves your blood circulation, helping your body clear toxins from your system, including your skin. Better circulation also increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your skin. Exercise also relieves stress, which is a common cause of acne flare-ups. Last but not least, exercise releases endorphins, the "feel good" substance in your brain that puts a smile on your face—the best beauty secret of all.

4. Cleanse your face—then tone,

moisturize, and exfoliate.

At night
* First remove your makeup with an oil-free makeup remover and a cotton ball.
* Then wash your face with lukewarm water and an oil-free, non-comedogenic (doesn’t block pores) cleanser.
* Pat (don’t rub) it dry with a soft towel.
* And apply an oil-free moisturizer.

In the morning
* Wash your face as directed above, then use an alcohol-free toner.
* Next apply moisturizer.
* Then apply makeup—all oil-free and non-comedogenic.

Once or twice a week use an exfoliator with alpha hydroxy acid or glycolic acid. This will aid in the shedding of dead skin cells, the “food” for the bacteria that cause pimples.

If you exercise during the day, you’ll need to wash your face a third time, immediately afterward.

5. Protect your skin from the sun and harsh weather.

One popular myth about acne is that tanning will clear it. It may seem so at first, but soon you will notice that your tanned skin becomes less pliable, making it less able to shed oil and dead skin cells, which clog your pores. Your acne will become worse, not better.

Always wear sun block with at least an SPF-15 UVA & UVB rating. If you’ll be outside in the sun for long, wear a wide-brimmed hat.

6. Get plenty of good-quality rest.

Your immune system requires energy to do its work, including the work of protecting your skin from acne. The deep sleep the brain needs for “recharging” comes several hours into the sleep cycle. That’s why a few hours here and there won’t do. Most people need at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night. Consider it beauty sleep.

If you make these 6 items part of your daily routine, you’ll look better, feel better, and have less need of expensive acne treatments and cosmetics.

About the Author

Visit Ron's website Latest-Acne-Solutions for the lastest research into acne relief.

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is left intact and all links are hyperlinked.

Spirituality -- Workplace

2007-10-10T07:13:00.000-07:00

Bringing Spirituality to the Workplace

What is spirituality in the workplace? Some companies would tell you

that it is bringing your values to work and using them in everyday

life. Values like honesty, integrity, and good quality work. Other

companies would tell you it is treating each customer, employee and

co-worker with respect and love. Yes I said "love". For yet other

companies it is using prayer, meditation, in making all the small and

large decisions each day. And for some it is being socially

responsible for the community, enviroment, and the world. They see

their companies serving the three "P's" people,planet and profit.

Some key values that companies are embracing are:Key spiritual values

embraced in a business context include integrity, honesty,

accountability, quality, cooperation, service, intuition,

trustworthiness, respect, justice, and service. More and more companies

believe this approach exemplifies a balance between deeply held

spiritual values and respect for the need for profit in business

endeavors.

With more women in the workplace than ever before (studies show that

women are more concerned with the spirit) we are in a revolution in the

workplace that the whole person be reflected in the workplace.

How do I find a job I really enjoy? How do I find meaning in my work?

Is there more meaningful work I should be doing? How does my

spirituality fit in with my career? People are asking these questions

of themselves and their companies.
Since we spend so much of our lives working and so much of ourselves

these are valid questions to be asking.

Corporate scandals fill the headlines but Signs of spirituality in the

workplace keep turning up: companies not only allowing but sponsoring

prayer or meditation groups; company-sponsored chaplains; conferences

and executive training sessions that experiment with spiritual

practices or how to incorporate values into decision making; and how to

use prayer as a way of making decisions. I think these headlines

should dominate the headlines. There is a shift going on in

business

involving, going beyond maximizing profits to considering all

stakeholders: employees, customers, vendors, shareholders, and the

community.

Now that more and more people are doing business on the internet and

companies have gone global the community has expanded as has the

enviroment to a global village.

I believe that Joseph Campbell showed the way when he said follow your

bliss. What he meant was that we should notice the things that give us

deep joy and a feeling of satisfaction. People are not only looking

toward following their bliss but having meaning in their work. In the

agricultural age one saw the results of their work. Now so many times

people only do a small piece of a large project and never see any

results of the whole. So it is more important than ever that they do

what they love and love what they do. We yearn for work to be a place

in which we both experience and express our deep soul and spirit. What would a more spiritual workplace mean for people? It would mean that work is a place beyond earning our daily bread. A place where the whole person can express themselves. It would also mean through our creative contribution that other peoples spirit and creativity would be nourished.e Self (their aliveness).

Creativity is the core of business. It will allow us to come out with new products, ideas, and services that serve other people. To realize this goal we must create enviroments where spirit flourishes. When people incorporate spirituality they work more efficiently as teams for they are living values that nuture others. By being more ethical companies are able to trust employees, employees can give up some of the fear of being scammed by employers and customers trust the company and stay with them longer.

When we exercise leadership based on spiritual values, we build the character and reputation required for growth.

About the author: Judi Singleton is the publisher of Jassmine's Journal you can subscribe at http://www.motherearthpublishing.com

GO HERBAL

2007-10-09T01:36:00.000-07:00

3 Quick Herbal Remedies

In recent years the issue of Alternative Healing has
skyrocketed to the forefront of the medical field.
A 2004 government survey concluded that more than one
third of adults use alternative medicine and healing.

One facet of this burgeoning interest is Herbal Medicine.
While it may seem "trendy" to some, Herbal Medicine has
been around for thousands of years. In fact, many of
the familiar pharmaceutical medications we use today
were originally created from "natural" ingredients.

Drugs like opium (from poppies), aspirin (from willow bark),
digitalis (from foxglove) and quinine (from the
cinchona tree.) Interestingly, the synthetic version
of "aspirin" is credited with the beginning of the
pharmaceutical industry. A chemist working for the
Friedrich Bayer Company in Germany created the synthetic.
The company registered the term "aspirin" as a trademark
but Bayer lost the patent rights when the Allies seized
and resold its foreign assets after World War I.

Here are 3 herbal remedies to help with popular conditions:

1. Arthritis.

The term Arthritis literally translates to "joint
inflammation." If you suffer from Arthritis, chances are
you have taken drugs to combat the effects or tried other
"home remedies." If you haven't yet tried "Urtication,"
it might be helpful. The term "Urtication" comes from
the botanical name, Urtica dioica and dates back some
2,000 years to biblical times. Urtica dioica is
"Stinging Nettle. The treatment is to grasp the nettles
in a gloved hand and swat the sore joints with the nettles.
This may seem bizarre, but the

practice has proven to be
so effective for some sufferers of arthritis that they
now maintain a nettle plant on their window sill.

2. High Blood Pressure.

Try vegetable soup. Yes, vegetable soup. Add any of the
following: Celery, Garlic, Hawthorn, Kudzu, Onion,
Tomato, Broccoli, Carrot, Purslane (any anything else
that contains magnesium), Saffron, Valerian, Fennel,
Oregano, Black Pepper, Basil and Tarragon. Consume on
a regular basis. Eliminate pork, beef, and alcohol
from your diet. Eat more plant foods and herbs and
use a good vitamin regimen.

3. Dandruff.

Create an herbal scalp rinse. Add one teaspoon of Potassium
Chloride (find in salt section at the supermarket) into
6 cups of water. Heat until the Potassium Chloride
dissolves. Chop four ounces of fresh Celandine (if
fresh is not available use a half cup of the dried
herb instead).Add Celandine to the solution. Allow to
stand for two hours. Then boil slowly for 20 minutes.
Strain out the plant material, and simmer reducing to one
and one half cups. Add eight ounces of glycerin and
continue simmering reducing the liquid slowly to two cups.
Strain the result and bottle it. Store in cool place.
Use once or twice a day as a hair rinse.

Lastly, make certain that both your physician AND your
herbalist are fully aware of all medications and/or
herbal treatments you are using.

About the Author

Tony Newton publishes the popular health and wellness
website - http://www.1st-for-health.com
With lots of informative articles on low carb diets,
hair loss, arthritis pain relief, acne and lots more.

HAIR CARE

2007-10-09T01:02:00.000-07:00

15 Hair Care Myths - The Truth and The Lies

Everyone has a favourite myth about hair care – and we usually never let the truth get in the way of a good legend! This article examines some of the most widely known - and the reality behind the myths.

1. Excessive washing of hair causes hair loss/dryness.

FALSE: Frequency of washing doesn’t harm hair. Wash it as often as you like, although the recommendation is three times a week. The right shampoo for your hair type and texture will actually add moisture, body and beauty to your hair.

2. More shampoo = cleaner hair.

FALSE: Don’t waste your shampoo! A dollop of shampoo, about the size of a quarter is usually enough for long hair. Very long hair may take a little more.

3. Conditioner helps repair split ends.

FALSE: No conditioner can "repair" damaged hair. What it can do is smooth down the cuticle and make hair seem in better condition. A good conditioner can also prevent damage from occurring in the first place.

4. Blow-drying produces hair loss.

FALSE: Blow-drying can damage, burn or dry hair, which can cause it to fall, but the hair will grow back immediately. This is not permanent hair loss.

5. Sleeping with wet hair causes scalp fungus.

FALSE: Scalp or fungal diseases can’t be caught from sleeping with wet scalps. Scalp infections require prior involvement with infected sources such as humans, tainted hair care tools or animals. Scalp fungus (tinea capitis) mainly affects children, whose immune systems make them more susceptible to skin infections.

6. To get your hair to grow, brush 100 strokes each day.

FALSE: Brushing that much can damage the hair cuticle. NOT recommended! Actually, your hair reacts better to a comb than a brush. Brushing it will only lead to split ends and hair breakage.

7. Sharing combs and brushes can spread scalp diseases.

TRUE: Lice and other parasites can be transported from scalp to scalp through the sharing of combs, brushes and other hair care tools.

8. Cutting hair makes it grow faster and/or thicker.

FALSE: This common misconception comes from the fact that hair is thicker at the base than it is at the tip, so shorter hair appears thicker at first. Cutting your hair does not affect its normal biologically determined growth rate or overall texture. Thin, limp or fine hair will not ever grow thicker in response to a haircut. Plump up your hair by using volume enhancing hair care products, experimenting with a hair fattening blunt cut or getting a texturizing perm or color treatment.

9. Color treatment causes hair

loss.

FALSE: Most hair coloring products contain chemicals that can do serious harm to the hair itself if not properly used, but it wont instigate hair loss.

10. Salon products are identical to drugstore products.

FALSE: Although there are exceptions, salon products generally contain higher quality, more expensive ingredients that are designed to consistently provide more intensive cleansing, moisturizing and conditioning results. The quality ingredients found in salon products are not usually found in drugstore brands. If in doubt – read the labels.

11. Long sun exposure favors hair loss.

FALSE: Your hair acts as a shield against the sun. Hair loss appears at the follicle level and so the sun would have to penetrate at this depth to do any damage.

12. Diet is related to hair loss.

TRUE: it's important to eat right in order to be generally healthy. However, no individual food has been proven to be beneficial or detrimental to hair.

13. Stress causes hair loss.

TRUE: Severe stress (e.g. surgery or a death in the family), can shut down hair production, causing temporary hairloss (alopecia areata). The scalp usually recuperates, though, and hair grows back

14. Wearing tight braids, ponytails or buns causes baldness.

TRUE: Traction alopecia is a very real hair loss condition that is quite common amongst older African American women. It results from wearing tight ponytails, cornrows or buns over an extended period of time. Over time, hair breakage or loss as the result of tight, stressed styles, can become permanent. Avoid this potential problem by opting for looser styles that minimize scalp tension.

15. Smoking causes gray hair.

TRUE: According to J. G. Mosley of the Leigh Infirmary in Lancashire, England in an article in Science News (January 11, 1997) smokers are four times more likely to have gray hair than non-smokers. Even worse, smoking has been conclusively linked to accelerated hair loss.

SUMMARY

Heard another myth about hair? Do your research – ask an expert! This doesn’t include your grandmother, best friend or local barmaid. Instead, talk to an experienced hairdresser or a trichologist. Always get the real facts before you act on any hair myths – you owe it to your hair.

(With thanks to Daniel Mcullough and Karen M. Shelton)

About the Author

Michael Barrows is a web publisher specialing in niche marketing. Pick up his FREE ebook "(Nearly) Everything You Should Know ABout Hairstyles and Hair Care" at his website; http://www.great-hairstyles.com

HEALTHY DIET

2007-10-07T08:03:00.000-07:00

A Heart Healthy Diet Makeover

Heart Disease remains the number one cause of death in the U.S. among both men and women. Part of the problem is it is truly a silent killer. There are few warning signs of a heart attack and the signs that are there don’t necessarily make us feel bad. The good news is there are many lifestyle changes you can make to significantly decrease your risk of heart disease. Here are 9 simple steps to make over your diet for heart health.

1.Use the right fats: The good fats are found to preserve HDL (protective cholesterol) and lower LDL (Bad Cholesterol) levels. The good fats are found in foods such as olive, canola, and peanut oils as well as nuts, avocados and olives.

2.Decrease the Saturated Fats: These fats tend to increase the cholesterol made by your body. They can increase your total and LDL (Bad) cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in animal products such as dairy, poultry (especially the skin), meats, butter and cream based sauces and dressings. It is not necessary to omit these foods, just choose leaner options and have the higher fat foods once in awhile.

3.Remove all Trans Fats from your pantry! : Trans Fats are oils that have been hardened by the hydrogenation process, such as stick margarine and shortening used to make commercial baked goods, chips, and fast foods. Like saturated fats, these fats increase total blood cholesterol and LDL (Bad) cholesterol levels and may even lower HDL (Good) cholesterol levels. Food labels will be required to list the amount of Trans fats in a food product by 2006. Until then, if the ingredient list on the food label includes the term hydrogenated, or partially hydrogenated, it contains Trans Fats. Avoid these products!

4.Increase Your Fiber! : Soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood by binding to cholesterol in the intestine so it cannot be absorbed by the body. Good food sources of soluble fiber include beans and legumes, oranges, apples, prunes, broccoli, carrots, oat bran, oatmeal, and some cereals. Use whole grain products in place of their white counterparts. Eat at least 20-40 grams of fiber a day. (Most Americans only eat around 12 grams of fiber a day.)

5.Omega-3 Fatty Acids every day: Omega-3 Fatty Acids are essential fatty acids meaning we have to get them from our diet. These fatty acids may reduce the risk of blood clotting, decrease inflammation, lower triglyceride levels, normalize heart rhythms and improve the immune system. Consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids daily may reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death by 50-70%. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in: fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, lake trout, halibut, and sardines. Other sources include ground flax seeds, soybeans, canola oil, and walnuts.

6.Five To Eight Fruits and Vegetables a day: Eating fruits and vegetables can help to decrease your risk of heart disease, cancer, cataracts, and can help to lower blood pressure. Fruits and Vegetables are loaded in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. The more fruits and veggies you eat, the more antioxidant activity in your body.
How do antioxidants work? Every day we are exposed to free radicals from our diets, sun, chemical exposure, pollution, etc. These free radicals promote the plaque build up in our arteries leading us to increased

risk of heart disease. Antioxidants work by neutralizing these free radicals before they can cause damage to our bodies.

7.Folic Acid: High levels of an amino acid called homocysteine in the blood have been associated with damage to the blood-vessel walls, increased blood clotting, and overall increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Folate is a B vitamin which has been shown to decrease these homocysteine levels in the blood. Good food sources of Folate include green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, beet greens, and chard as well as legumes, asparagus, broccoli, oranges, orange juice, whole and fortified grains, walnuts and peanuts.

8.Add some almonds! Studies show that eating an ounce of almonds a day can help to lower your cholesterol. A matter of fact, a recent study published in Journal of the American Medical Association found that eating a diet that included plant sterol margarine (such as Benecol or ProActiv), soy products, almonds and increase fiber was able to lower cholesterol levels as much as the statin drugs and in just 2 weeks time! Have an ounce of almonds as a snack, or sprinkle them in your cereal or salad.

9.Have a little soy: Soy has also been shown to lower cholesterol levels.
Using soy on a weekly basis is a great step towards protecting your heart. If you are not a tofu fan, try soy milk or yogurt, garden burgers, edamme (soy beans), or soy sausage patties. There are all kinds of ways to include soy in your diet!

Sample Heart Healthy Meal Makeover:

Sample day
Before:
Breakfast:
- glass of orange juice
- 2 fried eggs
- 3 slices of bacon
- 2 slices white bread with 3 tsp butter
Lunch:
- roast beef sandwich on white bread
- potato chips
Snack:
- 1 cup Cheez It crackers
Dinner:
- fried fish strips
- 1 cup mashed potatoes cooked w/whole milk and butter
- ½ cup corn

Diet make over:
Breakfast:
-glass of calcium fortified orange juice
- scrambled egg beaters
- 1-2 slices of whole grain bread with 1-2 tsp Benocol or ProActive spread
- 1-2 slices soy bacon or sausage links
Lunch:
-½ turkey, lettuce, tomato, and avocado sandwich
- 1 cup vegetable soup
- 8 oz vanilla non-fat yogurt with 1/3 cup of berries added
Snack:
1 ounce almonds
Dinner:
-3 ounces baked or broiled salmon
- ½ cup broiled red potatoes with olive oil
- ½ cup broccoli
- 1-2 cups of salad with cut up pears and toasted walnuts
with 1TB olive oil vinaigrette salad dressing

Results:
Day 1 = 2300 calories and 114 grams fat; 98 grams sat fat; 45% calories from fat
Day 2 = 1800 calories and 58 grams fat; 14 grams sat fat; 29% calories from fat.

Making small changes can go a long way to improve your heart health! What changes can you start making?

About the Author

Owner of Real Living Nutrition Services, Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She has developed two online weight management programs, The Mini Diet Makeover and The Ultimate Diet Makeover, which focus on a healthy, non-diet approach to weight loss. For more information or to sign up for our free newsletter, visit www.reallivingnutrition.com.

YOUR HEALTH -- WE TAKE CARE

2007-10-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

Health Insurance and health care

by: Mike Yeager

Health insurance is something that everyone needs today. The rising cost of visiting a health care provider or a hospital stay makes it imperative that everyone have some type of health care coverage. Government statistics estimate that over 40 million people in America are not covered by any type of health insurance on any given day. That's an enormous number of people who really are taking a financial risk.

Even if you're on a tight, limited budget, it's very important that you pick up some kind of affordable health insurance. Even if you only have a plan that covers unexpected hospitalization, your peace of mind will be greatly enhanced. Keep in mind that a catastrophic health insurance policy can come with a high deductible before their coverage kicks in. They don't pick up the cost of preventive physician visits or emergency room visits to get a few stitches.

Some questions to ask when considering affordable health insurance.

1) Can your and/or your family afford to pay ALL your medical expenses if you're sick or injured?

2) How much is the deductible?

3) How much are the premiums?

With a little searching and comparison shopping you find the best rate for your personal affordable health insurance.

About the author:
Mike Yeager
Author/Publisher
http://www.a1-healthinsurance-4u.com/

Circulated by Bandoni Media

COOKING TIPS

2007-10-04T23:48:00.000-07:00

14 Easy Cooking Tips for Meat and Poultry Slow Cooker Recipes

The first Christmas we spent with my in-laws in their new country home, my mother-in-law wisely gave me a slow cooker. Her thoughtful gift helped Dan and I enjoy the most convenient of all cooking methods, even with our long work days and commute.

I'll always treasure the memories of delicious aromas wafting through the front door as we stepped into the house after a long day at work and a nerve-jangling commute in heavy traffic.

Most of the slow cooker recipes I used were based on meats and poultry. Here are 14 easy tips to make your slow cooker recipes tasty and safe:

Tip # 1 - According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, bacteria in food are killed at a temperature of 165°F. Meats cooked in the slow cooker reach an internal temperature of 170° in beef and as high as 190°F in poultry. It is important to follow the recommended cooking times and to keep the cover on your slow cooker during the cooking process.

Tip # 2 - It is best not use the slow cooker for large pieces like a roast or whole chicken because the food will cook so slowly it could remain in the bacterial "danger zone" too long.

Tip # 3 - Always defrost meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker.

Tip # 4 - Meats generally cook faster than most vegetables in a slow cooker.

Tip # 5 - Trim all fat from meat and poultry. Fat can increase the temperature of the liquid in the slow cooker and decrease the cooking time. This will cause the food t be overcooked. Fats will also melt with long cooking times, and will add an unpleasant texture to the finished dish.

Tip # 6 - Cooking at higher temperatures will generally give you a tougher piece of meat. for all day cooking or for less-tender cuts of meat, you may want to use the low setting.

Tip # 7 - The slow cooker recipes are best used with the tougher cuts of meats.

Tip # 8 - For the best color and texture, ground beef is best browned before using, except in meatloaf or other similar dishes.

Tip # 9 - It is not necessary to brown meat before slow cooking, but it

gives more depth of flavor in the food and removes some of the fat, especially in pork, lamb and sausages. If the meat is lean, well trimmed and not highly marbled, it doesn't need to be browned.

Tip # 10 - For roasts and stews, pour liquid over meat. Use no more liquid than specified in the slow cooker recipes. More juices in meats and vegetables are retained in slow cooking than in conventional cooking.

Tip # 11 - Dark meat takes longer to cook, so if a whole cut up chicken is used, put the thighs and legs on the bottom.

Tip # 12 - The slightly coarser texture of corn-fed, organic or free-range poultry is ideal for slow cooker recipes.

Tip # 13 - Most meats require 8 hours of cooking on LOW. Use cheaper cuts of meat - not only do you save money, but these meats work better for slow cooker recipes. Cheaper cuts of meat have less fat, which makes them more suited to crockpot cooking. Moist, long cooking times result in very tender meats.

Tip # 14 - Farberware FSC600 6-quart Oval Slow Cooker oval design accommodates oversize roasts, whole chickens, hams, and/or ribs. It features a large, 6-quart capacity stoneware liner, which nests inside a chrome slow cooker base and the auto setting switches to a lower 'keep warm' setting after cooking food.

For those who are not concerned about cooking in aluminum the West Bend Versatility 6-quart Oval Slow Cooker will work well to cook meats. It has a removable aluminum insert that can be used on the stovetop to brown meats and caramelize onions before slow cooking. The bottom unit can also be used on its own as a small griddle. Its dishwasher-safe insert has a nonstick interior and an included roasting rack.

About the author:

Anjali Dawson has 45 years of experience in cooking, from exotic Indian cuisine with her family in Nepal and India, to home-style American cooking with her mother-in-law in Alaska. She refined her gourmet talents working with her chefs as a Restaurateur. Visit Anjali's slow cooker recipes site for free recipes and tips. http://www.easy-slow-cooker-recipes.com/

CURRENCY TRADING

2007-09-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

Trading Currency Through Online Forex Brokers
by: Jay Moncliff

Access to foreign exchange (forex), the most extensive market on the planet, is generally through an intermediary known as a forex broker. Similar to a stock broker, these agents can also provide advice on forex trading strategies. This advice to clients often extends to technical analysis and research approaches designed to improve client forex trading performance.

Financial institutions are generally the most influential in the forex market through high-volume, large-value forex currency transactions. Historically, banks enjoyed monopolistic access to the forex markets, but through the Internet, any forex speculator can also enjoy 24 hour access to the market via a forex broker.

Secure web connections today allow many forex traders to work from home, where ready access to news and other technical advice informs decisions on what forex positions to take. Similar moves are being made by stock brokers, who are also moving out of banks and other traditional institutions.

Your needs in the market will influence your choice of forex broker. Online forex brokerage firms, known as houses, provide those new to the forex market with detailed research, advice and simulators to learn how to use their forex trading tools. The experienced online forex trader is catered to by other broking houses, with in-depth advice, but less focus on forex trading instruction based on the assumption that you are familiar with the forex market. To make an informed choice, it is advisable to trial several differing online forex broking houses and their trading tools to find the best fit for your needs.

OUR CHILDREN

2007-09-24T04:17:00.000-07:00

A New Family History

Have you ever felt trapped by your family history?

Many of us were raised by loving, well-meaning parents, many
of whom had very bad health habits. Perhaps our parents
smoked cigarettes, followed unhealthy diets, lived with too
much stress or one of a hundred other things that we know
today will rob us of the quality of our lives.

This thought leads us to the next logical idea ... what type
of family history are we creating for OUR children?

The good news is this. No matter what type of home you were
raised in or what habits you have formed up to now, you can
start a new family history beginning today! And the Internet
will help.

To begin with, it's fair to say that everyone wants to live
in good health. Given a choice of being well or being ill,
what would you choose?

Let's look together at three powerful ways to begin a new
family history today and how the Internet can help us reach
that goal.

1. Vitamins and supplements. For over 25 years the idea
of a "one time per day" multi vitamin had been thought
to be good enough. Now we know that, while this is a
good starting point, it's just not enough for today's
busy lifestyle.

The good news is that there are web sites a plenty that
can help you find the right balance of vitamins for
you. Look for sites that offer lists of "symptoms"
(like 'sleepy all the time' or 'hard to get out of bed
in the morning') and then go on to offer specific
information about how to overcome those challenges.

2. Exercise. Another multi-billion dollar industry that
excels in selling products. Look for sites that offer
information specific to your life. A great first step
is to write down your current situation. Are you over
50? Under 20? In great shape now? Can't make a flight
of stairs without stopping?

The good news here is that there are lots of web sites
that offer very practical advise no matter your current
condition. From simple things you can do while sitting
down to how to train for your next marathon, the
information is available and free to all with a dial up
connection.

3. Foods. Food used to be just food. Now there are
super-foods and foods that help you accomplish specific
goals. You can find a wealth of great information
online about foods that help in specific ways.

Did you know there are chocolates that actually help
you lose weight? How about foods that help your brain
function and improve memory too? All of this and more
is not only possible but is happening now.

The bottom line is this. Your health matters. How you choose
to live today will be reflected in the lives of your
children. In 2003 we are blessed with an abundance of free
information to help us create a healthy, happy family
history for our children and improve our everyday lives as
well.

With great health comes the freedom to make more money,
enjoy the rich relationships we all cherish, try new and
exciting activities and more. The tools are all at your
disposal.

Make 2003 your best year yet. Take time to evaluate where
you stand now, where you want to be, and how to cross that
divide. Dare to dream and your dreams will come true!

About the Author

***********************************************************
Dr. Caron Goode, a psychologist and author of parenting and
health books, manages www.inspiredparenting.net Visit
www.inspiredparenting.net now and get a FREE SAMPLE of Ross
Chocolates. Incredible tasting, sugar-free, low-carb Belgian
chocolates. Now chocolate can be good for you! While at
Inspired Parenting check out the books, music and resources
that empower you.

FEEL HAPPY

2007-09-23T09:17:00.000-07:00

What is Depression!

What is depression?
In my opinion depression is the result of our own over anxiety. We plan some thing, and on which we invest our money, time, skills and extra efforts and then we anticipate and expect positive results. We wait for the results to come. That is it! This waiting period is the one which actually works on us as poison. Well, while waiting you will think about the results, particularly the positive results. Based on that the mind starts working over time and so you will gradually increase the magnitude of positive aspects which you anticipate and naturally your estimates will take a leap and cross the limit of common sense. The relative graph is such that to an extent the graph moves up taking the hope along with it and when the time is dragging beyond certain limits, the graph starts rolling down as the insecurity which starts at the brink develops gradually so the graph starts falling down to touch the base line where the depression would at its peak!

If you look at the specific cases, in each and every case - the cause differs, situation differs, environment differs and the person who feels depressed differs. May be your situation is awful so far as your circumstances are concerned. Frankly, I too sometime experienced the same kind of situation - may be the level of going down may vary. Particularly when you feel restless, unable to change the situation and when you feel totally inactive in every aspect - the depression levels will increase in a volatile manner.
Let's think and analyze the situation - as there is nothing we can do to change the situation - to know how the whole episode has started.

How depression comes into being!

As I said earlier in the introduction, the depression is not connected to any part of your body and no way related to your brain cells or blood count. I can also assure you that you need not worry about your mindset or the health of your mind - apart from the other symptoms you may feel which are actually attachments of the depression. Looking at the so called problem in magnifying glasses is the real cause for the depression. So take away those magnifying glasses and throw them away. You did it! Well. The size of your problem has come down. In fact you can see the issue in its real size. Magnifying glasses are can be your vision or your mind or mostly your inclination to look at the ISSUE only! You don't want to look at other things and in the process you will ignore even the solutions - however may be small. Solutions are solutions!

For every problem there are several solutions inside moving around to be opened. Well, your case is different! I agree with you - and I am with you, but I only ask you instead of looking at the issue alone (let us call it issue instead of problem) start looking at the surrounding area also. There are friends, family, family relatives, close associates, colleagues and boss as well as those who were benefited from you in the earlier days and those who adore you in far off places. Concentrating on the issue alone makes the problem tougher, dangerous and hard to crack. And inability to apply reason for the issue is one aspect where the depressed person gives-in to the artificial pressure of the situation. When Arjuna saw their relatives, teachers, friends and many other close people - he got suddenly depressed about the result of the war. He was not thinking that so many people - most of them relatives - would participate in the war. He was not prepared to the full scale war where his part was most important. In those circumstances when he has seen the actual situation - he got stunned, shocked and surprised - and made calculations in his mind and concluded that he should never take a part in that war. Bhagwan Sri Krishna has to come and explain the logic, modalities and more appropriately his small part in the whole drama.

You might have heard about a mathematical quiz - that the teacher has drawn a line with a chalk on the black board and asked the students to make it small - without erasing the line. And he kept the chalk on the near by table. After a considerable time and discussions among them, one student got up and took the chalk and drawn another line bigger than that line. This is the only solution for any problem - particularly when the issue is not to be erased or deleted.

You think that you did everything right, you feel that you were absolutely correct in your approach, you argue within yourself that what you did was appropriate and above the board. You have reached an opinion about you. You forget about reaching an opinion on others! Why not? Why you have not thought about others, their right, their approach, their actions in the given circumstances and their right to do the right thing?

The Author gives this information to help people to feel Happy.

GARDEN

2007-09-22T03:56:00.000-07:00

A Flower Garden for your Home

Picture a constant supply of beautiful cut flowers for your home, or fresh cut flowers for friends, and special occasions. Beautiful flowers at your disposal are possible by planting a well-stocked flower garden.

To begin your flower garden, select a sunny area, as a flower garden usually requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. The selected area should be easily accessible for watering, in case your climate encounters long dry spell. Another factor for your flower garden is easy access for cutting your flowers, such as a raised flowerbed. The raised flowerbed is then accessible from all sides.

Fall Bulb Planting In order to have a constant supply of flowers available, consider when each flower blooms. For instance, plant Daffodils and Tulip bulbs in the fall for the earliest spring flower. A couple of other early spring flowers to consider for fall planting are: Giant flowering onion, grows 3-4 feet tall, with large purple flowers, and blooms early spring to mid-summer, and Crocus's bloom in early spring, though there are varieties that bloom through autumn.

Spring

Planting Gladiolus bulbs can be planted in early spring for beautiful blooms from early summer through the first frost. You can plant your gladiolus bulbs as early as two weeks before the last frost. Continue to plant the gladiolus bulbs every two weeks and you will have cut flowers until the first frost.

Annuals such as snapdragons, cosmos, zinnias, etc., are also planted in early spring after the last frost. Consider the length of time it takes your annual to bloom and plant accordingly so that you will have a flower bouquet right through fall.

With a little bit of planning and a little bit of work, your home can have beautiful cut flowers all summer long. Good Luck!

For more information, visit http://www.flowergardeninfo.com and http://www.springgardenflowerguide.com
About the Author

David Chandler For your FREE Stock Market Trading Mini Course: "What The Wall Street Hot Shots Won't Tell You!" go to: http://www.stockmarketgenie.com

FISH RECPES

2007-09-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

A Healthy Fish Recipe

Fish is one of the healthiest meats that you can eat, but most people have no idea how to cook these healthy fish recipes. I am not talking about the frozen fish fillets that can be full of sodium or have other non-healthy breading on them; I am talking about fish such as salmon, tune, or mackerel.

Because of the great amount of omega-3 fatty acids these fish contain the American Heath Association recommends that you eat this sort of fish twice a week. These fish can be cooked in an array of ways that will bring a healthy but tasty fish dish to your table.

One great healthy fish recipe is Baked Salmon. This dish is easy to prepare and is sure to please even the meticulous of people at your dinner table.

For this recipe you will need:

1 ounce can of salmon,
8 ounces of tomato sauce,
½ teaspoon of hot sauce,
3 tablespoons of Miracle Whip,
1 sliced tomato,
1 ounce of grated low fat cheddar cheese,
3 tablespoons of cream or milnot,
1 teaspoon of garlic powder,
salt and pepper to taste.

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Flake the salmon and place it into a medium sized oven pan. In a bowl, mix

the tomato sauce, cream, salt, and garlic powder. Pour over the salmon. Place the tomato slices on top in a decorative manner and then scatter the cheese on top. Bake until cheese is melted.

You can try this recipe with either tuna or mackerel as well. Either type of fish will bring a delightful taste to your palate that is sure to become a family favorite. Along with your healthy fish recipe, you can prepare other green vegetables such as fresh green beans, broccoli, or Brussel sprouts. However, if want something quick, just fix a green salad.

No matter which type of fish you choose, your healthy fish recipe will be enjoyed time and time again. You may wish to try adding other vegetables such as onion, green pepper, or even zucchini for a unique and tasty treat.

You are free to publish the above article in your ezine or website provided you do not alter or change the article and give credit to the author in the form of an (HTML clickable) hyperlink.

About the author:

Hans is one of the authors of http://www.steaks-guide.com/< /a> and seafood section with tons of especially written seafood recipes

ENERGY

2007-09-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

A good business proposition, first and foremost

When the renewable energy sector is confident and not constrained, business opportunities will grow fast. In India it’s become a simple equation: lesson the loads on the sector, and will increase its load of offerings for producers and users it is really Win-Win.

How often you have noticed how the privatization and public-private-partnerships have changed our languages, with new words, or new meanings to old words? In the world of energy, terms like “wheeling”,” banking” and “feed-in” are part of our verbal main stream, reflecting how these practices are firmly in the industry’s tool box.

The renewable energy scene is exemplary of this change. Its own amazing dynamic having been unleashed since the liberalization of the national energy market in early 1990s. The depth and scope, both highly promising, of the attention paid to renewable energy is reflected in the stately India Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA).The World Bank made one of its ever largest ever loans in the field of renewable to IREDA under Indian Renewable Energy Project., and helped the agency to an important position in developing market opportunities for the private sector. With a facilitating role played by ASTAE, it has accompanied IREDA along a long and fulfilling road, milestone with adjustments to the needs of the private sector and to the growing involvement of the financial sector in the renewable energy market

Go with the blow.

The national map of renewable energy in India is well dottedwithprojects underway. The resources enormous, even if, as elsewhere, tht are not yet fully mapped. And imperatives are high, given India’s high position in the league o nations with emissions of carbon dioxide from energy consumption growing per capita, and expected to have increased six-fold between 1985-2035.

It is the south of the country that the density of renewable energy activity appears to be highest-through, truth could be, dots on maps may deceive the eyes. In any case, if progress is indeed marked by the interplay between the public and private sectors, it is in the south-eastern state of Tamilnadu that the superlatives start to flow, or blow the most Tamil Nadu is the number 1 state in India, in renewable energy production especially from Wind.

The prime factor is natural: the terrain and wind are extremely favorable. At the India’s southern tip, the monsoons blow from south- west and the north-east. The state’s REDA claims that this makes for a plant load factor (PLF) of 25%, where as the PLF in other states is lower, usually around 21%. The agency under took detailed wind resources assesmentstudies, including a series on 67 sites in 1986 and came up with positive data on 41 of them. These studies, more latterly, have been assisted by wind radar data captured from satellites, through intermediary of an ASTAE partner, Winrock International. In many a conversatation with wind torm operators, they almost never cease to under line the crucial nature of such data in their decisions, after initial official reluctance, a demonstration site was set up followed by wind forms with an installed capacity of 19MW in 8 sites. That sparked of a migration of investors into commercial wind forms. By the end of September 2004, the state had a total of 1,639MW, having added 277MW in the last six months. This amounts to almost 27% to the state’s total installed capacity, from all sources which as energy professionals love to point out, is not synonymous with the share of energy actually generated from wind sources. But it’s impressive none the less.

The second factor comes from man-made measures Legislations have enabled private producers to become leading players in Tamilnadu power supply, both for captive energy (such as textile factory generating its own energy) and with wind forms feeding to the grid. This latter process requires not only laws that allow private production, but laws and quality procedures for feeding and selling energy. This involves” wheeling” privately-produced electricity over the grid to your factory. The electricity supply company imposes a service charge for “wheeling”, and another for “banking” the electricity whilst on the grid. Their charges are part and parcel of” private purchase agreements” (PPAs) between private producers and the public utility company, and they were greatly facilitated by the new national Electricity Act adopted in 2003. Their potential has suffered from a lack of agreement on tariffs.

In Tamilnadu “wheeling” and banking charges have been raised from 2% each to 5%. This has not diminished the fervor of private producers, even though they have eaten their income. Other measures are supportive: IREDA itself advances loans up to 70% of total project cost, for 7 to 10 years, at up to 10.5%. Alternatively, SIDBI can provide loans up to90% of the project cost repayable in5 years at 14% interest.

The revenue department helps by allowing accelerated depreciation of the initial investment cost of a wind farm: 80% is deductible in the first year. And then, especially for the competition-challenged textile sector, the Technology Up gradation Scheme reimburses eligible textile producers with 5% of their investment. And icing on the the cake, again for the textile sector textile producers who feed in power to the grid are exempt from taxation on their income for 10 years. No wonder you’ll often see a wind farm adjoins a textile plant.

INFORMATION IS POWER

One key to Tamilnadu’s wind energy surge is widely credited as having been accessible data on wind speeds and heights. In neighboring Karnataka state, where water resources seem to abound as much as Tamilnadu’s wind, some energy professionals and investors wish that they were as information-rich as their peers. Some early studies. Assisted by the World Bank and Energy Sector Assistance Program were useful for determining sites for small hydro plants on major rives. The plants must be operative 99% of time since every drop of water must be used. In such case, more detailed data would be of inestimable value.

Already, small hydro energy is a leading source of the state’s renewable, whose total potential value is estimated at 10,150 MW. According to the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Company, the major potential is in the wind (68%) and small hydro (14%). But only 4% of potential wind power is already being captured. More than 13% of small hydro is in use (196 MW as at the end of 2006) , this would reflect a somewhat proactive regulatory approach to renewable in Karnataka than in Tamilnadu-more enabling than empowering- and and the preference for small hydro as well as an attraction that the private capital has found in the private sector power production.

Bankers, water turbine manufactures and-the litmus test of energy supply- consumers all attest to the benefits of power sources being boosted by independent producers. Fewer outages, less pollution, lower prices. And more time for other things.

MORE WATTSAND JOBS, LESS EMISSIONS.

Elsewhere in Karnataka, a start has been made in mobilizing the potential to another end of of the energy spectrum: the plant materials into energy. The privately-owned Malavalli Biomass Plant generates electricity through steam from burning agricultural wastes. Under a Power Purchase Agreement with Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation it supplies -46 villages-more than 100,000 households-with a reliable supply of 18 hours a day.

Project managers report their concerns that an inadequate regulatory framework for biomass generation may lead to the depletion of forests and ground resources.

All these have to be addressed for any use of tapping natural sources as methods to generate electricity.

THE GURU

2007-09-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

Sri Aurobindo -- A Brief Life Sketch

from Volume 30, SABCL, p.1-6.

The contents of this document are copyright 1976, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry, India. You may make a digital copy or printout of this text for your personal, non-commercial use under the condition that you copy this document without modifications and in its entirety, including this copyright notice.

SRI AUROBINDO was born in Calcutta on August 15, 1872. In 1879, at the age of seven, he was taken with his two elder brothers to England for education and lived there for fourteen years. Brought up at first in an English family at Manchester, he joined St. Paul's School in London in 1884 and in 1890 went from it with a senior classical scholarship to King's College, Cambridge, where he studied for two years. In 1890 he passed also the open competition for the Indian Civil Service, but at the end of two years of probation failed to present himself at the riding examination and was disqualified for the Service. At this time the Gaekwar of Baroda was in London. Aurobindo saw him, obtained an appointment in the Baroda Service and left England for India, arriving there in February, 1893.

Sri Aurobindo passed thirteen years, from 1893 to 1906, in the Baroda Service, first in the Revenue Department and in secretariate work for the Maharaja, afterwards as Professor of English and, finally, Vice-Principal in the Baroda College. These were years of self-culture, of literary activity -- for much of the poetry afterwards published from Pondicherry was written at this time -- and of preparation for his future work. In England he had received, according to his father's express instructions, an entirely occidental education without any contact with the culture of India and the East. Footnote 1 At Baroda he made up the deficiency, learned Sanskrit and several modern Indian languages, assimmilated the spirit of Indian civilisation and its forms past and present. A great part of the last years of this period was spent on leave in silent political activity, for he was debarred from public action by his position at Baroda. The outbreak of the agitation against the partition of Bengal in 1905 gave him the opportunity to give up the Baroda Service and join openly in the political movement. He left Baroda in 1906 and went to Calcutta as Principal of the newly-founded Bengal National College.

The political action of Sri Aurobindo covered eight years, from 1902 to 1910. During the first half of this period he worked behind the scenes, preparing with other co-workers the beginnings of the Swadeshi (Indian Sinn Fein) movement, till the agitation in Bengal furnished an opening for the public initiation of a more forward and direct political action than the moderate reformism which had till then been the creed of the Indian National Congress. In 1906 Sri Aurobindo came to Bengal with this purpose and.joined the New Party, an advanced section small in numbers and not yet strong in influence, which had been recently formed in the Congress. The political theory of this party was a rather vague gospel of Non-cooperation; in action it had not yet gone farther than some ineffective clashes with the Moderate leaders at the annual Congress assembly behind the veil of secrecy of the "Subjects Committee". Sri Aurobindo persuaded its chiefs in Bengal to come forward publicly as an All-India party with a definite and challenging programme, putting forward Tilak, the popular Maratha leader at its head, and to attack the then dominant Moderate (Reformist or Liberal) oligarchy of veteran politicians and capture from them the Congress and the country. This was the origin of the historic struggle between. the Moderates and the Nationalists (called by their opponents Extremists) which in two years changed altogether the face of Indian politics.

The new-born Nationalist party put forward Swaraj (independence) as its goal as against the far-off Moderate hope of colonial self-government to be realised at a distant date of a century or two by a slow progress of reform; it proposed as its means of execution a programme which resembled in spirit, though not in its details, the policy of Sinn Fein developed some years later and carried to a successful issue in Ireland. The principle of this new policy was self-help; it aimed on one side at an effective organisation of the forces of the nation and on the other professed a complete non-cooperation with the Government. Boycott of British and foreign goods and the fostering of Swadeshi industries to replace them, boycott of British law courts, and the foundation of a system of Arbitration courts in their stead, boycott of Government universities and colleges and the creation of a network of National colleges and schools, the formation of societies of young men which would do the work of police and detence and, wherever necessary, a policy of passive resistance were among the immediate items of the programme. Sri Aurobindo hoped to capture the Congress and make it the directing centre of an organised national action, an informal State within the State, which would carry on the struggle for freedom till it was won. He persuaded the party to take up and finance as its recognised organ the newly-founded daily paper, Bande Mataram of which he was at the time acting editor. The Bande Mataram, whose policy from the beginning of 1907 till its abrupt winding up in 1908 when Aurobindo was in prison was wholly directed by him, circulated almost immediately all over India. During its brief but momentous existence it changed the political thought of India which has ever since preserved fundamentally, even amidst its later developments, the stamp then imparted to it. But the struggle initiated on these lines, though vehement and eventful and full of importance for the future, did not last long at the time; for the country was still unripe for so bold a programme.

Sri Aurobindo was prosecuted for sedition in 1907 and acquitted. Up till now an organiser and writer, he was obliged by this event and by the imprisonment or disappearance of other leaders to come forward as the acknowledged head of the party in Bengal and to appear on the platform for the first time as a speaker. He presided over the Nationalist Conference at Surat in 1907 where in the forceful clash of two equal parties the Congress was broken to pieces. In May, 1908, he was arrested in the Alipore Conspiracy Case as implicated in the doings of the revolutionary group led by his brother Barindra; but no evidence of any value could.be established against him and in this case too he was acquitted. After a detention of one year as undertrial prisoner in the Alipore Jail, he came out in May, 1909, to find the party organisation broken, its leaders scattered by imprisonment, deportation or self-imposed exile and the party itself still existent but dumb and dispirited and incapable of any strenuous action. For almost a year he strove single-handed as the sole remaining leader of the Nationalists in India to revive the movement. He published at this time to aid his effort a weekly English paper, the Karmayogin, and a Bengali weekly, the Dharma. But at last he was compelled to recognise that the nation was not yet sufficiently trained to carry out his policy and programme. For a time he thought that the necessary training must first be given through a less advanced Home Rule movement or an agitation of passive resistance of the kind created by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. But he saw that the hour of these movements had not come and that he himself was not their destined leader. Moreover, since his twelve months' detention in the Alipore Jail, which had been spent entirely in practice of Yoga, his inner spiritual life was pressing upon him for an exclusiie concentration. He resolved therefore to withdraw from the political field, at least for a time. Footnote 2

In February, 1910, he withdrew to a secret retirement at Chandernagore and in the beginning of April sailed for Pondicherry in French lndia. A third prosecution was launched against him at this moment for a signed article in the Karmayogin; in his absence it was pressed against the printer of the paper who was convicted, but the conviction was quashed on appeal in the High Court of Calcutta. For the third time a prosecution against him had failed. Sri Aurobindo had left Bengal with some intention of returning to the political field under more favourable circumstances; but very soon the magnitude of the spiritual work he had taken up appeared to him and he saw that it would need the exclusive concentration of all his energies. Eventually he cut off connection with politics, refused repeatedly to accept the Presidentship of the National Congress and went into a complete retirement. During all his stay at Pondicherry from 1910 onward he remained more and more exclusively devoted to his spiritual work and his sadhana.

In 1914 after four years of silent Yoga he began the publication of a philosophical monthly, the Arya. Most of his more important works, The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga, Essays on the Gita, The Isha Upanishad, appeared serially in the Arya. These works embodied much of the inner knowledge that had come to him in his practice of Yoga. Others were concerned with the spirit and significance of Indian civilisation and culture (The Foundations of Indian Culture), the true meaning of the Vedas (The Secret of the Veda), the progress of human society (The Human Cycle), the nature and evolution of poetry (The Future Poetry), the possibility of the unification of the human race (The Ideal of Human Unity). At this time also he began to publish his poems, both those written in England and at Baroda and those, fewer in number, added during his period of political activity and in the first years of his residence at Pondicherry. The Arya ceased publication in 1921 after six years and a half of uninterrupted appearance. Sri Aurobindo lived at first in retirement at Pondicherry with four or five disciples. Afterwards more and yet more began to come to him to follow his spiritual path and the number became so large that a community of sadhaks had to be formed for the maintenance and collective guidance of those who had left everything behind for the sake of a higher life. This was the foundation of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram which has less been created than grown around him as its centre.

Sri Aurobindo began his practice of Yoga in 1904. At first gathering into it the essential elements of spiritual experience that are gained by the paths of divine communion and spiritual realisation followed till now in India, he passed on in search of a more complete experience uniting and harmonising the two ends of existence, Spirit and Matter. Most ways of Yoga are paths to the Beyond leading to the Spirit and, in the end, away from life; Sri Aurobindo's rises to the Spirit to redescend with its gains bringing the light and power and bliss of the Spirit into life to transform it. Man's present existence in the material world is in this view or vision of things a life in the Ignorance with the Inconscient at its base, but even in its darkness and nescience there are involved the presence and possibilities of the Divine. The created world is not a mistake or a vanity and illusion to be cast aside by the soul returning to heaven or Nirvana, but the scene of a spiritual evolution by which out of this material inconscience is to be manifested progressively the Divine Consciousness in things. Mind is the highest term yet reached in the evolution, but it is not the highest of which it is capable. There is above it a Supermind or eternal Truth-Consciousness which is in its nature the self-aware and self-determining light and power of a Divine Knowledge. Mind is an ignorance seeking after Truth, but this is a self-existent Knowledge harmoniously manifesting the play of its forms and forces. It is only by the descent of this supermind that the perfection dreamed of by all that is highest in humanity can come. It is possible by opening to a greater divine consciousness to rise to this power of light and bliss, discover one's true self, remain in constant union with the Divine and bring down the supramental Force for the transformation of mind and life and body. To realise this possibility has been the dynamic aim of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga.

Sri Aurobindo left his body on December 5, 1950. The Mother carried on his work until November 17, 1973. Their work continues.

Footnotes

1 It may be observed that Sri Aurobindo's education in England gave him a wide introduction to the culture of ancient, or mediaeval and of modern Europe. He was a brilliant scholar in Greek and Latin. He had learned French from his childhood in Manchester and studied for himself German and Italian sufficiently to study Goethe and Dante in the original tongues. (He passed the Tripos in Cambridge in the first class and obtained record marks in Greek and Latin in the examination for the Indian Civil Service.)

Back to footnote reference

2 For a more complete statement about Sri Aurobindo's political life see Volume 26, On Himself, pp. 21-41.

Back to footnote reference

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Last modified on Sep 15, 1995

The above Document is reproduced by the author as a humble Homage to his Guiding Guru who rushes to help his family at times of difficulties.

PEACE OF MIND-3

2007-09-15T04:46:00.000-07:00

PEACE OF MIND- 3

Be away from unwanted things.

Many of us suffer, not for want of knowledge and good intentions, but we fail to implement them in our daily life. If you want peace of mind, stop doing things, which is prevented by our conscious. This is very important. It will shoe you good path. Then the blessings of God will come to you. Not only you will get peace of mind but also you will make others to have peace.

You must have confidence in others. You must be affectionate even to the poor. You must not be selfish. You can give money, material or even a smile. You can not achieve this in a day. If you want these good things in your life, you must practice slowly, step by step.

You harvest what you have sworn.

You can not expect peace of mind, if you give trouble to others, or if you punish the children, or if you cheat your servents, subordinates and your wife. You are expecting some thing which can not be expected. You have no right to expect it. One who spoils others peace has no right to have peace of mind. Then how are you going to behave?

You must lead a simple life, eat a simple food and live in a good atmosphere. You must pray regularly, move with good people and meditate. You do them contently. Then the good in you will begin to sprout from you.

Suicide is not an answer.

At times of despair, you you read the works of great men or take leave for a month and go on a pilgrimage. Stay there for a month. You spend your time in meditation, prayrs and walking. These are the methods to get back your lost confidence.

Do not resort to drinks. This will bring you more harm. Sleeping pills are also no answer. You can improve yourself. Hesitation is the worst enemy. Be faithful to yourself. Do away with pretensions; they are your worst enemies.

Your friends.

Do not move with others beyond some limits. So far, no further is a good policy.talk what is essential. At times words with good intentions may be understood wrongly. Do not advice others unless you are consulted. Cary on with your life.

Expectations.

Do not expect any thing. Since expectations give restlessness and at times give disappointments. If you expect a letter from your friend and if you do not receive, you get frustration.

No one can increase or decrease your sufferings. Forget the past. Do not think of future. Live in the present time

Without loughing, weeping …..

.Accept life as such. Acton and reactions are common. If you feel happy a bad thing, you may have to weep latter. If you want to heap sand in a place, you have to dig in another place.

Accept your life as a gift of the God. Allow Him to shape you. Read The Bahavath Geetha or The Holly Bible or Venerable Koran. Remember their teachings. There is no alternative for getting peace of mind.

ASSERTIVENESS

2007-09-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

DIFINITION OF NICE BEHAVIOUR

It is important for you to define where you find your behaviour beneficial and where you find it a liability. See where you fit into the wide spectrum of our definition of nice behaviour.

Below is a list of some of the things that adaptive people do. It will help you identify for yourself the areas where you find it difficult to be anything but accommodating and the areas where you feel you are in balance and have a say in the outcome of the transaction.

This is a chance for you to self-assess the degree to which you modify your natural inclinations and to identify some of the feelings you get when you do modify your behaviour when you don't want to. We can't stress forcefully enough that none of the behaviours listed below are right or wrong. Only if you recognise it as a liability is it one.

For instance, avoiding conflict at any cost might be perfectly all right for some people and never cause them any problems at all. While for others, avoiding conflict means they never get to disagree, never get to stand up for themselves, never have the experience of achieving a successful conclusion to a confrontation and then they end up feeling bad.

We are often too hasty to put a judgement on our actions: this is good or that is bad. If you personally identify something as a problem then it is a problem for you. It may not be a problem for someone else. Therefore, to declare that all overly nice behaviour is wrong would be a mistake on our part.

This quiz is for you to determine where you have difficulties and what you can do to alleviate them. It is not to make a whole new set of rules about the correct way to run your lives!

Here are our self-assessment questions.

Mark each question

1 for Never 2 for Occasionally 3 for Often 4 for Always

Do you:

Apologise even when you haven't done anything wrong?

Ask for permission when getting permission is unnecessary? For instance: "Is it OK if I make a cup of tea?"

Worry about what other people think, even if you don't even know them?

Find it impossible to say no?

Smile when you are giving or receiving bad news?

Believe people don't want to hear what you have to say?

Ask redundant questions such as: "Can I ask a question?" or "Would it be all right if...?"

Agree to things because they're expected of you?

Go on holidays you don't want because everyone else wants to go there?

Lend money and then are unable to ask for it back?

Have friends that overstay their welcome?

Seek confirmation when you make a suggestion. For example: "Is that all right with you?"

Get asked to stay late at work or do work nobody else wants to do?

Find it impossible to take the initiative at meetings?

Find yourself saying "Whatever you want to do is fine with me" when someone asks you what you want to do?

Wait to be offered a raise instead of asking for one?

Eat food you don't like rather than send it back?

Put up with unwanted noise rather than ask someone to stop using their mobile phone, personal stereo, etc.?

Feel you're not

allowed to have an off day?

Evaluating your responses:

Manageable:

If most of your answers are 1s and 2s ( Never or Occasionally), then you probably are a good judge of the appropriate behaviour for the appropriate situation. You may sometimes do things you'd rather not or mentally kick yourself for altering your behaviour when you wish you hadn't.

But in general, your life probably works the way you'd like it to. You're not afraid of being disliked because you know it's impossible for everyone to like everyone and therefore it is unlikely you feel compelled to alter your behaviour to make others happy.

You are well integrated, which means that your inner and outer worlds match. You don't edit your thoughts and actions to such a degree that you diminish yourself. It would be useful for you to fine-tune those few uncomfortable areas of your life you'd like to be more in charge of.

Borderline:

If most of your answers are 2s and 3s (Occasionally and Often) then there are most likely some areas in your life that don't work as well as you'd like and where things feel like they are in someone else's control.

For you, niceness doesn't rule your life, but it exerts a fairly strong influence on it and you'd like to be able to readjust those parts of it that are stopping you feeling truly comfortable with yourself.

You may feel that your life is made up of contradictions: at times you have no problems sticking up for yourself, getting what you want, going against the status quo and feeling comfortable doing so; and then there will be other times when you buckle under, feel paralysed to do anything and/or get angry without voicing your feelings.

Since you know there are times when you can affect the outcome of tricky situations in your favour and other times when you seem completely powerless to change anything, it will be the contradictions which are most puzzling.

Problematic:

If most of your answers are 3s and 4s (Often and Always), then you already know how serious this is for you. You know you feel compromised and let down a lot of the time.

Your head says "No" but your mouth says "Yes". You're afraid of offending and you continually adapt your behaviour to what you think other people want. You are probably a people-pleaser because you fear that not pleasing could somehow land you in a great deal of trouble.

You play the game of life by rules you've made up. Not only that, you really do believe these rules are in other people's control. You feel bad a lot of the time: uneasy, unsure, anxious, frustrated and worried.

And then you think you ought not to feel bad; that's it's silly or pathetic and that you ought to pull yourself together. Your level of compassion for yourself is often nil and you imagine other people think you're pathetic as well.

Time to get some help.

About the author:

Jo Ellen and Robin run Impact Factory a training company who provide Assertiveness Training, Public Speaking, Presentation Skills, Communications Training, Leadership Development and Executive Coaching for Individuals.

GARDENING

2007-09-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

Benefits Of Gardening For Kids

Apparently, we can see how nature is treated these days. It is a sad thing to know that people do not pay attention so much anymore to the environmental problems. What can we do about this? It's as simple as starting with the children. It is good to see the children's involvement with environment-friendly activities. One such nature-loving activity that children could easily get their hands on is gardening. Why should you consider gardening for your children?

Here are the benefits that gardening could easily provide the children with:

1. Science

In planting, children are indirectly taught the wonders of science like the plant's life cycle and how human's intervention can break or make the environment. They can have a first hand experience on the miracle of life through a seed. This would definitely be a new and enjoyable experience for the kids.

2. Life

Watching a seed grow into a tree is just as wondrous as the conception to birth and growth of a child. In time, kids will learn to love their plants and appreciate the life in them. Gardening could actually help simulate how life should be treated -- it should be with care. The necessities to live will be emphasized to kids with the help of gardening - water, sunlight, air, soil. Those necessities could easily be corresponded to human

necessities, i.e., water, shelter, air, food. By simply weeding out, one could educate how bad influences should be avoided to be able to live life smoothly.

3. Relaxation

Studies show that gardening can reduce stress because of its calming effect. This is applicable to any age group. More so, it stimulates all the five senses. Believe it or not, gardening may be used as therapy to children who have been abused or those who are members of broken homes. It helps build one's self-esteem.

4. Quality Time with the Family

You can forget about your stressful work life for a while be soothed by the lovely ambience in the garden. You can play and spend quality time with your children. You can talk while watering the plants or you can work quietly beside each other. The bottom line is, always do what you have to do, together with your kids. You might discover a lot of new things about your child while mingling with them in your garden.

Let kids become aware of their environment's needs. And one way to jumpstart that environmental education may be through gardening. It's hitting two birds with one stone -- teach them to respect life while you bond with them.

About the author:

You Too can have a green thumb. Visit Georges Blog here http://www.daveshealthbuzz.com/gardening

GOAL SETTING

2007-09-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

PRACTICAL GOAL SETTING or PLAYING WITH YOUR RAS

I'll not bore you with the details or claim to be an expert in the area but there is a part of your body that you should be particularly interested in - your RAS.

This is your Reticular Activating System which is located in the upper brain stem and continues into the lower part of the cerebral cortex.

I do know that the brain is in my head somewhere and not some other part of my body which was often suggested when I was younger!

So why is your RAS important to goal setting? Well your RAS can be considered as a 'watchdog' that arouses the cortex of the brain when relevant sensory information needs to be acted upon. We set goals with the intention of achieving them so it seems reasonable that we might need to act to take advantage of something that might help us achieve our goal.

Remember the arcade game in the 80's called Frogger (an appropriate metaphor as the RAS is believed to be part of our reptilian brain!). The GOAL of the game was to get to the other side of the road, using lily pads to make progress across the river and to avoid transport on the roads. Whilst we knew the objective we could not plan the route in advance - we had to react to the opportunity of lilies and the potential misfortune of lorries and cars as we progressed towards our goal.

Programming our RAS is a set-it and forget-it approach to achieving goals. If our RAS knows what to look for it will prompt us into action when an event that will lead us to our goal passes through our awareness. Hey - getting things done doesn't have to be a slog anymore!.

I use three techniques to get my clients well on the way to achieving their goals:

1. Thinking Outcomes 2. SMART Goals 3. Time line

To think outcomes use the following translation table to get out of problem frame thinking. A problem frame is the unproductive 'worry' place that we can often find ourselves.

Click here for the Problem Frame vs. Outcome Frame table.

When firmly in an outcome frame start putting together SMART goals. A SMART goal is a goal that is the following:

1. Specific and Simple

2. Measurable and Meaningful 3. Achievable and worded as-if now 4. Realistic and responsible/ecological 5. Timed and towards what you want

In determining the SMART goal be clear that there are no reasons for sticking with what you have. In NLP we call these +ve by products and they will scupper your plans if you do not work with them.

An example of your SMART goal might be:

"It is July 2006 and I am meeting with potential partners with a view to them reselling my product. They are interested and keen to understand more and I am confident with the answers that I provide"

Now break the end goal down into less than 6 smaller intermediate goals that you will achieve along the way. Word all these as SMART goals. Write them and the end goal down on separate sheets of paper.

For me this is the powerful bit. Lay down a line on the floor (in your imagination or a physical marker such as string or tape measure) that represents time and place each of your goals on the line with the end goal the furthest away.

Now walk your future. Visit each of the goals one by one. Take time to fully experience having them - question what you will see, hear and feel. Look at how close the next step is. Take a look back at the progress you have made - revel in the achievement - notice how good it feels.

Keep walking up and down your line and know that each time you do so you train your RAS to know the things that are important to you so that it can call you into action when an opportunity for progress comes by.

Refresh this every now and then by all means and in particular run through it before you go to bed. AND trust that one of your most basic parts of your body is going to take care of your future for you.

Have fun in getting what you want!

About the author:

Mark Spall is a Coach and Leadership trainer and delivers his materials through a variety of innovative mediums. More on Mark can be found at www.markspall.co.uk . Mark is the founder of the Agile Leader Network (www.agile-leader.com ), a knowledge base and support network for young people who wish to achieve their best in their care

THE AUTHOR PUBLISHES THIS WITH A SOLE INTENTION OF SPREADING WHAT HE THINKS THAT OTHERS ALSO SHOULD ENJOY IT.

EARN AND SAVE

2007-09-10T08:58:00.000-07:00

Avoid Losing Money and Start Living the Ultimate Dream!

I have yet to meet a person who enjoys losing money. All of us who currently market on the Internet are continually striving to learn "how" to make money and avoid losing it. Once we learn that secret, we would be living this dream.

Still, one answer that I get more often than not is: "If I could buy a home and stop losing money on renting or buy
that cash making rental property, THAT would be the Ultimate Dream for me and my family!"

The rules as it were for buying a home have changed immensely through the years. I recall my grandfather
telling me that he 'shook hands' with his banker to build his house back in 1948.

And when he needed an additional amount to finish the house, the banker came to the home, looked at a huge beautiful Weeping Willow tree and said: "Harry, we'll use that mighty tree for collateral to help you finish
the house."

The point? Yes, things have definitely changed. It has become increasingly difficult for many to buy a home for
several different reasons. One major reason is credit!

I was reading the other day a statistic that literally made my mouth drop to the floor. "Nearly 85% of Americans
have some type of credit impairment or problem on their credit report." But that was not all. Of those 85%,
over 37% cannot for one reason or another buy a house.

I was shocked at those numbers. Still, another reason that many cannot buy a home or even rental properties is
lack of down payment. This as well as a 'unhealthy' debt to income ratio can be as hurtful to someone buying a
home as having a negative credit report.

Yes, it pains many, many people to keep losing this money by renting... month after month, never seeing any equity
in what they are paying for.

Or how about the business minded person that understands the concept of investing in rental properties to build
their equity and net worth but cannot due to their credit being over extended or not having the cash flow or down
payment needed to close this type of business deal.

Whatever a person's situation is, ranging from bad credit to low down payments to being over extended,
...this keeps many from enjoying the Ultimate Dream.

However, there are proven steps that a buyer can take to improve whatever situation is keeping them from buying
their home. Listen closely, because this can greatly benefit you, a relative or a friend in this situation!

- First, check your credit report to see what is on there. Preferably before you apply for a house loan. In fact,
there are many websites that offer a 'FREE' credit report.
http://ultimatetrafficjam.com/freecreditreport
Free Credit Report

- Second, seek counseling or debt assistance so that you can remedy the problem now because a rejection doesn't
have to last forever! Remember that.

:)
http://ultimatetrafficjam.com/debtassistance
Debt Assistance

- Third, do your research. There are mortgage companies that will work with B,C, and D clients (Those with various
credit blemishes) and still get many of them into a home.
http://ultimatetrafficjam.com/mortgageloans
Mortgage Loans

Okay. But what if you want a home or rental property right now? What if you know that it will take a while to fix or
re-establish your credit? And what if you only have $2000, $3000, $4000 or even $5000 to put in a house and
you're still required to come up with more money? Is there anyone that can help you now? Are renters 'doomed'
and banished to this renting world forever?

No. For some reason, people think they have to rent because there are no alternatives available. Or maybe it's because they've heard so many rejections from so many people. Well, I am happy to say there is good news on the horizon.

There does exist an exciting and alternative road to pursue. There is a 'private mortgage program' that can put a renter or would-be investor into a home, commercial or rental property many times within 30 days or less with...

1. NO Credit Checks
2. No collateral
3. and in many cases, a Lower down payment

Visit: http://ultimatetrafficjam.com/renpn.html
Instant RE

Imagine not having to deal with all the extensive paperwork, the 2 years of financial statements, the credit
report, and the stringent debt to income ratios that have kept many from enjoying their American dream.

FACT: This works unbelievably well for homes, condos, townhomes, commercial and rental properties. Remember, you
can now enter the lucrative real estate world by buying rental properties with this incredible program that can
make you large amounts of cash each and every month.

This exciting and very unique program works in all 50 states and is 100% legal... it works.

Do something positive about your situation today. But whatever you decide, work on improving your credit report or stay at that job for sufficient proof of income.

Your family will be forever grateful to you for getting them into that home or buying that rental property what-
ever way you can... yes that home that now you are building equity in. That truly is an Ultimate Dream come true.

About the Author

Floyd Tapia, is the editor of New Age Internet Marketing newsletter - N.A.I.M. (http://ultimatetrafficjam.com)
He's also been in the real estate industry as an investor, agent and fiancier for 15 years. Contact Instant RE today at: http://ultimatetrafficjam.com/renpn.html
Instant RE
This article may be published if the content and resource box remains intact.

WEIGHT LOSS

2007-09-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

BECOME LEANER

FAT LOSS SUCCESS

EVERYONE who wants to get leaner should read this article. Yes, I know it says "Fat loss for beginners," but sometimes even veterans forget what they once knew or don't practice what they do know. If you're a beginner, this will be an introduction. If you're experienced, let this be a reminder. 1. Just get started - take Decisive action!

There are so many opinions about how to lose body fat that many people end up completely confused and they don't do ANYTHING! They've read about 27 ways to diet, 34 ways to do cardio, 101 ways to lift weights and 79 supplements to take. But they still don't have a clue how to start.

You stuff your brain with so much information it feels like it's going to explode, but then you never do anything about it. You're like a deer stuck in headlights. Sound familiar?

I call this the "paralysis by analysis" syndrome.

The most important thing you can do is take action. Just begin the journey and figure it out as you go. Better still; get a coach or trainer right from the start.

Actually, losing fat is not that complicated. You don't need a PhD in exercise physiology to figure out that any exercise is better than no exercise. You don't have to be a genius in nutritional biochemistry to figure out that an apple is better than a Donut. Getting lean is simple: Exercise. Eat healthier foods. Eat smaller portions. Isn't this stuff just common sense? Didn't your mother tell you this?

So what's stopping you? What makes you freeze up? If you're like most people, FEAR is stopping you. You're so afraid of doing something wrong, you choose to do nothing rather than make a mistake or "look foolish."

What you must understand is that people who accomplish much and people who accomplish little BOTH have fears. The difference between the two is that the failure feels the fear and lets it immobilize them. The success feels the fear and does it anyway.

Begin the process. You can always fine-tune your program as you go. Naturally, it's better to aim and then fire, but it's better to fire and then adjust your aim later than not to fire at all. You can't win a battle by hiding in the trenches.

2. If in doubt, walking is a great way to start a cardio program Ok, so you've decided to forge ahead in spite of your fear and start working out. Congratulations. Now what? How do you choose between Stairmaster, Tae Bo, Lifecycle, Yoga, Kickboxing, Elliptical machine, jogging, swimming, etc.?

Any exercise is better than no exercise so stop over-analyzing dammit! just pick something and start. Just do it!!!

If you can't make up your mind, then here's the simplest, easiest, most guaranteed way for any beginner to successfully start a fat loss program:

Walk!

Here's why: It requires no equipment It requires no knowledge of exercise technique It can be done by almost everyone, regardless of experience It can be adjusted to any fitness level It can be done almost anywhere It's safe

For all these reasons, walking is the perfect way to begin. However, the better your condition becomes, the more you'll need to advance to higher levels of exercise intensity to reach higher levels of fitness.

I'm not saying you should abandon walking, but if you decide to keep walking, a casual stroll will no longer do. For an experienced exerciser, I would consider walking a method of locomotion more than a serious workout.

There's a big difference between walking for health vs walking for fat loss. Even a 10 or 15-minute casual walk has health benefits. But if you want to turn walking into an effective, fat-melting workout, you'll need to push yourself for 30 minutes or more several days per week. Walking briskly uphill (or on an inclined treadmill) is an excellent fat-burning workout for anyone.

3. Don't get caught up in minutia - focus on fundamentals Read any book about success and it will tell you "pay attention to detail." Sounds like good advice - unless you haven't mastered the fundamentals yet. In that case, it's the worst advice you could follow.

Every day people send me questions like these: "Should I use a fast acting protein powder like whey or would casein be better? What if I mix both and also add a little bit of Soy? If I use all of them, what ratio of

the three would be ideal and when should I take them?"

"I want to do the ephedrine-caffeine stack and it says to take 20 mg of ephedrine with 200 milligrams of caffeine. The ephedrine comes in 25 milligram tablets, so should I chip a little bit off the tablet to get the right ratio?"

Do you see the problem here? These are legitimate questions, but they're completely moot if you're eating doughnuts and sitting on the couch all day long. Fix your diet and get your butt moving first, then worry about the little things.

Emerson said, "The height of the pinnacle is determined by the breadth of the base." The heights you reach will depend entirely on how broad a foundation you build. Great coaches such as Vince Lombardi and John Wooden credited most of their success to drilling their players on fundamentals.

Forget about supplement dosages Here's my advice to you: Forget about macronutrient cycling Forget about "supplement stacking" Forget about tempo manipulation Forget about glycemic indexes Forget about the latest Bulgarian or Russian periodization program Forget about ALL the minutia until you have the fundamentals down cold!

Master the fundamentals first! The fundamentals of fat loss include: (1) Do your cardio, (2) Lift weights, (3) Burn more calories than you consume (4) Eat small, frequent meals and never skip meals, (5) Keep your fat intake low, but include adequate amounts of essential fats, (6) Eat natural foods; avoid processed & refined foods, (7) eat more natural complex carbs, fruits & vegetables, (8) eat lean proteins with each meal, (9) Think positive: visualize yourself as you would like to be. If you're not doing all these things, and you're looking for the perfect supplement stack or the optimum periodization plan, you're barking up the wrong tree.

I don't want you to think that details don't matter - they do. The "Law of Accumulation" states that every success is a matter of hundreds or even thousands of tiny efforts that often go unnoticed or unappreciated. Everything counts. Everything either helps or hurts. Nothing is neutral.

The problem is when you get bogged down in minutia before you've even learned the basics. Minor details produce minor results. Major fundamentals produce major results.

Don't major in minor things. Lay your foundation first, then move on to the finer points. And remember, as Jim Rohn says, always be suspicious of someone who says they've found a "new fundamental."

4. Know your calories The most important dietary factor in fat loss is not how many grams of carbohydrate, protein or fat you eat, the most important factor for fat loss is calories. Eat more than you burn each day and you will store fat. Eat less than you burn each day and you will lose fat. It's just that simple.

Where the calories come from is important too, but unless you understand the calorie concept, nothing else matters.

I'm appalled at how many people claim to sincerely want to lose body fat who admit they haven't a clue how many calories they eat.

Get serious! If you don't have the faintest idea how much you're eating, how can you expect to make any progress?

Did it ever occur to you that your ONLY problem might be overeating! Do you realize that too much of anything gets stored as fat?

That's right - even if you're eating nothing but "natural and healthy" foods, if you eat too many of them, you're still going to get fat.

Portion control, my friend, portion control! On the other hand, if you're under-eating you may be slowing down your metabolism. There's a fine line.

To learn all the details about your daily calorie needs, fat loss fundamentals, fat burning cardio methods and all the motivational tools you need to help you get past paralysis by analysis and take decisive action, send your name and address to: naqsh244@ntlworld.com now.

If you want to learn even more of the most powerful beginner tips that are simple and easy to apply in your life, yet will put you on the road to a leaner, more muscular today. Then act now and mail your name and address to: naqsh244@ntlworld.com , and learn intermediate and advanced-level fat burning tricks and tactics.

About the author:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MAIL YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO NAQSH244@NTLWORLD.COM

KNOW -- 2

2007-09-06T19:13:00.001-07:00

PEACE OF MIND - 2

What to do with our responsibilities?

Do not run away with your responsibilities. In sted of giving peace of mind it, will give more worries. The very thought that you are not carrying out your responsibilities, will wipe away even the little bit of Pease in in you. Do not go on adding new responsibilities while you are not able to fulfill your previous commitments. It is almost inviting troubles. Spend more time on meditation. To the extend to which you reduce your thoughts, to that extend you will get peace of mind. Thoughtlessness is the highest state of peace of mind.

Meditation –The Miracle

Meditation makes you peaceful. It creates a state of mental well being. Even if you meditate for an hour a day, it influences the remaining twenty three hours. Increase your time of meditation step by step. This will not interfere with your day to day activities. Since meditation will give you, the ability to carry out your duties in a shorter time and more efficiently.

Perform only useful things.

Always do some things which are good. Do not waste your time in deciding things to be performed. By doing so you may waste even a year, doing nothing. Even a momentary your carelessness will make your efforts fruitless. Preserve time as gold, spend it in useful things.

Even if you are taking rest physically, engage your mind in, prayers, reading books or in meditation. All problems start only from the mind. Even bad thoughts spring form mind. Hence keep your mind clean. Your life will be like spotless crystal.

Defeat is no Defeat.

At times initially you may commit mistakes and may meat defeats. Don’t bother, you can correct your deeds and next time you may win. By sitting on a chair and repenting you are not going to achieve any thing. This will make you lose your confidence.

Some people even lose their confidence, even before they begin to do any thing good. This brings difficulties in their way, which they can overcome by their will power. These difficulties come in the way only to test you. These may even challenge your abilities, does not become their victim.

With a strong belief in God and on your self go-ahead and tide over the difficulties. Without facing difficulties, you can not achieve any thing in any field. Can you get a degree without writing examinations?

There is a pleasure in meeting challenges.

If you are hesitating to meet challenges, you can not achieve any thing in life. You can spend your time, but it is not the meaning of life. You should have aims, aspirations in your life. Without facing problems, you can not achieve any thing in life. The difficulties should not spoil your peace of mind. On the other hand they should give you enough strength to face them with velour. You must accept them as apart of your life and learn to live with them.

Do not repent on any thing. You learn from those bitter things. They may become your guides for your future. Thinking about ifs and buts of your past life is of no use. Since worries dissolve your abilities and thy do nothing

The fact is, what has happened is, due to the will of the God; nothing could have gone against them. God has decided, from tiny things to the movement of the Universe in a clear well defined way. Every thing will happen only according to His will. Hence learn to live with the will of God. Then only you will get the peace.

Selfishness does not give Peace of mind.

Are you completely selfish or occasionally think about others also? If you are selfish you will never have peace of mind. Onth other hand if you help others with out any expectation you will get the peace you want. It gives immense pleasure. If you make others happy, you will feel happy. This can be practiced by every one.

Big or small serve others. But you should not expect any thing from them.

Service must be done only for service sake. When ever there is an opportunity grab it.

There are plenty of ways to get peace of mind.

A man who wants to have peace of mind should act prudently at every moment. Our ancestors have, shown us which are right and which are wrong, in a very clear way, they are applicable at all times to come. If you want to perform any thing, you analyze them in the point of ancestors, great souls, scrpters and your own conscious. If you come to a conclusion based on the above, then it is very simple to act in a proper direction. Performing any act mechanically will land you only in troubles.

Let a plecent way be ours.

The thought that you should copy others is very powerful. It can enslave even wise men have been victims. Just because your friends have a car, you should not buy one if there is no need or use for you. Do not think of sending your sons abroad to study, since your neighbors have done so, if your economy does not permit you, do not send your son.

Keep away from all temptations do not go to anyplace that will tempt you. If you do not do so, you may have to struggle to avoid the temptations. Even if you over come temptations it may create a worries in your mind.

Limited wants-peaceful life.

Do not increase your wants and live like a beggar. Let your wants be limited then you will lead a life like a king. When you have enough clothing at home, why should you enter a textile shop if you do so you will buy unnecessary things, if you do not have enough money to do so you will feel sorry?

BEWARE OF YOUR WEIGHT

2007-09-06T06:47:00.000-07:00

DIABETES

3 Surprising Statistics About Our Weight

To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an
understatement! Pick up any magazine, tune-in or turn-on any
source of advertising and you're bombarded with the latest diet
schemes and food fads. More often than not, they are endorsed by
some familiar Hollywood celebrity, or promoted using some other
cleaver technique.

It's no mystery that the weight-loss industry has built a
thriving empire. In America, for example, we spend about 35
billion dollars every year on an assortment of weight loss
products and plans. In addition, we spend another 79 billion
dollars for medication, hospitalization, and doctors to treat
obesity-related problems. Even with this, the obesity epidemic
continues to spread. Sadly, we have become the heaviest
generation in our Nation's history.

The National Center for Health Statistics reports that we have
some very good reasons to be concerned about our weight-gain.
Americans, for example are packing-on the pounds faster than ever
before and weight-related medical problems are taking center
stage. Diseases like heart disease, diabetes and yes...even
certain forms of cancer have all been linked to obesity.

Here are a few of the surprising statistics about our weight:

- A whopping 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or
obese. That's up approximately 8 percent from overweight
estimates obtained in a 1988 report.

- The percent of children who are overweight is also continuing
to increase. Among children and teens ages 6-19, 15 percent or
almost 9 million are overweight. That's triple what the rate was
in 1980!

- Nearly one-third of all adults are now classified as obese. At
present, 31 percent of adults 20 years of age and over or nearly
59 million people have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater,
compared with 23 percent in 1994.

(The BMI is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height.
For adults, a BMI of 18.5 - 24.9 is considered normal. A BMI of
25.0 - 29.9 is overweight and 30.0 or above, is considered
obese.)

Modern life both at home and at work has come to revolve around
moving from one "seated" position to another: whether it's
television, computers, remote controls, or automobiles, we seem
to be broadening the scope of our inactive endeavors.

At times, life seems to have gotten almost too easy! For
entertainment, we can now just sit-down, dial-up our favorite TV
program or DVD movie and enjoy hours of uninterrupted
entertainment...

And all those simple calorie burning activities that were once a
normal part of our daily routine not so long ago? Long gone! You
know the ones I'm talking about...activities like climbing stairs
instead of using escalators and elevators. Or, pushing a lawn
mower instead of riding around on a garden tractor. And what
about that daily walks to school? Now, our kids complain when the
school bus happens to be a few minutes late getting to the bus
stop!

Along with the convenience of our affluent lifestyle and
reduction in energy expenditure, have come changes in our diet.
We are now consuming more calorie rich and nutrient deficient
foods than ever before.

Here are a few examples of what we were eating in the 1970's
compared to our diet today (information is taken from a recent
U.S. Department of Agriculture survey):

- We are currently eating more grain products, but almost all of
them are refined grains

(White bread, etc.). Grain consumption
has jumped 45 percent since the 1970s, from 138 pounds of grains
per person per year to 200 pounds! Only 2 percent of the wheat
flour is consumed as whole wheat.

- Our consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased, but
only because the U.S.D.A. includes French fries and potato chips
as a vegetable. Potato products account for almost a third of our
"produce" choices.

- We're drinking less milk, but we've more than doubled our
cheese intake. Cheese now outranks meat as the number one source
of saturated fat in our diets.

- We've cut back on red meat, but have more than made up for the
loss by increasing our intake of chicken (battered and fried), so
that overall, we're eating 13 pounds more meat today than we did
back in the 1970s.

- We're drinking three times more carbonated soft drinks than
milk, compared to the 1970's, when milk consumption was twice
that of pop.

- We use 25 percent less butter, but pour twice as much vegetable
oil on our food and salads, so our total added fat intake has
increased 32 percent.

- Sugar consumption has been another cause of our expanding
waistlines. Sugar intake is simply off the charts. According to
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, people are consuming roughly
twice the amount of sugar they need each day, about 20 teaspoons
on a 2000 calorie/day diet. The added sugar is found mostly in
junk foods, such as pop, cake, and cookies.

- In 1978, the government found that sugars constituted only 11
percent of the average person's calories. Now, this number has
ballooned to 16 percent for the average American adult and as
much as 20 percent for American teenagers.

The days of the wholesome family dinners so near and dear to our
hearts, where we all sat around the kitchen table to discuss
events of the day, are now a part of our sentimental past. They
have been replaced by our cravings for take-out and fast-food. We
have gradually come to accept that it's "OK" to sacrifice healthy
foods for the sake of convenience and that larger serving
portions mean better value.

And, since I have been throwing-out statistics, here's one more:
Americans are consuming about 300 more calories each day than we
did twenty years ago. We should actually be eating less because
of our decreased activity level, but instead are doing the
opposite!

Decide TODAY that healthy eating and exercise habits will become
a permanent part of your life!

Begin to explore your values and thoughts and other areas of your
life where change may be required, and then take action. Begin
slowly, but deliberately to make improvements in the areas you
identify. And remember, it has taken a very long time to develop
your habits, and it will take some time to undo them…so is
patient!

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes
only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any
disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any
health care program.

About the author:
Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News
where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on
many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

Posted by S.Kannan to bring awareness in the public with out any other motive.

HUMAN LIFE AND ITS GOAL

2007-09-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

INDIVIDUAL

Supreme consciousness or Brahman is the origin and the creator of the universe. Brahman has either a beginning nor an end and undying. It is the inner self of all creatures.

What is known as Brahman at the macrocosmic (collective) level, is understood as "Atman" or "Self" at the microcosmic (Individual) level.

The individual has a physical body as well as psychical personality. Birth, growth old age and death are the attributes of the physical body.

Psychical experiences constitute happiness, grief, prosperity, poverty etc.

Human Life and its goal.

Sri Aurobondo and The Mother visualize the whole life upon earth including human life as a mass of vibrations, mostly as falsehood, ignorance and disorder resisting vibrations of truth and harmony coming from higher regions.

universal forces, good or bad, favorable or hostile are pouring into everyone, without the person even knowing them, but influence the person according to his will or consciousness. The cosmic law never makes a mistake and it never gives any thing to unfit.

The objective world represents the cosmic forces. The subjective "Atman" or "Self" inside psychical being is infinite but suffers from delusion.

Our momentary personality is only a bubble on the ocean of our existence according to Sri Aurobindo.

We are immensely more than what we know of our selves. "Self" cannot be known by study or through intellect. It is in pure mind " Self " revels itself.

We must turn to " Self " or "Atman " with in us to understand life, its purposes and attain the goal of absolute knowledge and absolute Bliss.

BODY, MIND and SOUL

Body

The human body is divided into gross, subtle and casual body.

The gross body consists of skin, flesh, bones etc.The gross body is produced by ones past actions. The subtle body is the aggregate of ten sense, five pranas, and four internal organs, making up a total 19 principles.

The subtle body carries the mind, experiences both in the walking and dreaming states, and is not disintegrated with the death of the gross body.

The casual body is pure nescience (absence of knowledge). It transmigrates and takes a new body un rebirth.

Mind

SRI SRI Ravishankar states " Health generates in the mind and blossoms in the body ". Also the mind is the cover which holds the divinity in us.

According to Buddha by regulating the mind we can make our body spontaneously go right.

The mind control is a must, since our thoughts, conscious or otherwise, expressed or not,, create a good or evil influence affecting everyone.

When we have to manage situations we experience sudden rush of temptations, anger, lust, greed, hatred etc, Pathanjali suggests that we should have contrary thoughts. that is when one is troubled by anger he should think of love.

The mind can be in five different conditions- scattering (restlessness), darkening (dull and passive) gathering, one pointed and concentrate.

Food also controls the mind. The Upanishads tell that the food that we eat is transformed in three different ways. The grossest part becomes excrement, the middle part becomes the flesh and the subtlest part goes to form the mind. Some interpret food as meaning anything that is taken in by the senses, sounds, sights, smell etc in addition to food that we eat.

Soul

Vedic scriptures say that the soul of man is beyond all affiliations, that is free from sin, old age, death, grief, thirst etc. our physical life is not unreal but represents a very small part of our real life. But viewing it as a largest part , we block the steady flow of our life force and suffer in endless ways. Sri Aurobindo sees soul as a spark of the Divine present in all life, but stands hidden behind the ordinary consciousness.

He visualizes the soul as a veiled part of us, although it is that by which we exist and persist as individual beings in nature. The soul gathers and assimilates the essence of all our mental, vital and bodily experiences for the future evolution of our existence in nature. This action is occult and not obtruded on the surface.

The absolute soul is in the heart and mind. The body and mind should be used as a means to unfold the divinity within.

Does God exist ?

It is an eternal debate where theists (believers) and atheists (non believers) refute the other's arguments.

The anthropic principle became the strongest argument of the theists but the atheists argue why an omnipresent benevolent God allowed suffering and evils to exist and even proliferate.

Debates and scientific studies apart , being a theist only helps us to take refuge in God at times of our difficulties when our efforts fail, but contrary view is devoid of any benefits.

Art of living

According to Norman Vincent Peale " Life is a marvels gift , Accept it, See it, Hear it, Touch it, Smell it, Taste it and Live it."

Psychologists that in all of us a psylogical barrier called the first layer of fatigue. Most of us stop working on reaching this point, but those who drive past this point become great achievers in their respective fields

Holistic Health and Self Healing

Life is precious because we are integral part of infinity Health is not a state but a continuous adjustment to the changing demands of life and environment.

The concept of holistic helps in achieving the body's inherent healing process. Some times, the practices fail or succeed partially due to obstructions within for free flow of prana or life energy caused by the residual traces of our past actions and experiences. this concept, takes care of all aspects of health-Physical, mental, social and spiritual.

Character building resting on the four values of Truth, Purity, Faith and Fearlessness also contributes to holistic health.

Realizing similarities and relationship between individual and nature, ayurveda advocates daily routine of rising early, exercise, bathing, oil massage, gargling and regular sleep

Regulating the intake of food, both quality and quantity and observance food in Upanishads, that is, food should not be insulted etc help control of body and fight diseases.

Fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals which are debase preventing, Vegetarian diet also stimulates anti cancer enzymes in the body.

Next to food, sleep, exercise and relaxation in all systems of health.

Self Healing

Faith is a divine gift and it is not opposed to rationalism, but belief is superficial. Positive thinking carried one step further, in curing diseases etc. Moderate levels of exercise boaster our immune system

Life after death

According to Sri Sri Ravishankar " Death ( not suicide ) is a friend of life. It is deep rest. In death we drop one body and get into another body. We fear death because we do not know what it is. Life is a circle, death brings birth, birth leads towards death. knowledge of death, gives the knowledge of life " This the essence of Sri Adisankara's teachings and Sri Bahvathgeetha.

The soul migrates from body to body, all our thoughts and deeds are stored in it, ready to spring and take a new shape again until it has finished its experience, completed the circle, and finally shines in its own light, free, no more to be born, no more to die.

The author does not claim ay originality for the ideas and thanks the Divinely Blessed Thinkers whose preaching have been the source of inspiration.

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THE VISION OE SRI AUROBINDO

2007-08-31T21:52:00.000-07:00

SRI AUROBIDO

The contents of this document are copyright 1972, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry, India. You may make a digital copy or printout of this text for your personal, non-commercial use under the condition that you copy this document without modifications and in its entirety, including this copyright notice.

Sri Aurobindo's Teaching and Method of Sadhana

The teaching of Sri Aurobindo starts from that of the ancient sages of India that behind the appearances of the universe there is the Reality of a Being and Consciousness, a Self of all things, one and eternal. All beings are united in that One Self and Spirit but divided by a certain separativity of consciousness, an ignorance of their true Self and Reality in the mind, life and body. It is possible by a certain psychological discipline to remove this veil of separative consciousness and become aware of the true Self, the Divinity within us and all.

Sri Aurobindo's teaching states that this One Being and Consciousness is involved here in Matter. Evolution is the method by which it liberates itself; consciousness appears in what seems to be inconscient, and once having appeared is self-impelled to grow higher and higher and at the same time to enlarge and develop towards a greater and greater perfection. Life is the first step of this release of consciousness; mind is the second; but the evolution does not finish with mind, it awaits a release into something greater, a consciousness which is spiritual and supramental. The next step of the evolution must be towards the development of Supermind and Spirit as the dominant power in the conscious being. For only then will the involved Divinity in things release itself entirely and it become possible for life to manifest perfection.

But while the former steps in evolution were taken by Nature without a conscious will in the plant and animal life, in man Nature becomes able to evolve by a conscious will in the instrument. It is not, however, by the mental will in man that this can be wholly done, for the mind goes only to a certain point and after that can only move in a circle. A conversion has to be made, a turning of the consciousness by which mind has to change into the higher principle. This method is to be found through the ancient psychological discipline and practice of Yoga. In the past, it has been attempted by a drawing away from the world and a disappearance into the height of the Self or Spirit. Sri Aurobindo teaches that a descent of the higher principle is possible which will not merely release the spiritual Self out of the world, but release it in the world, replace the mind's ignorance or its very limited knowledge by a supramental Truth-Consciousness which will be a sufficient instrument of the inner Self and make it possible for the human being to find himself dynamically as well as inwardly and grow out of his still animal humanity into a diviner race. The psychological discipline of Yoga can be used to that end by opening all the parts of the being to a conversion or transformation through the descent and working of the higher still concealed supramental principle.

This, however, cannot be done at once or in a short time or by any rapid or miraculous transformation. Many steps have to be taken by the seeker before the supramental descent is possible. Man lives mostly in his surface mind, life and body, but there is an inner being within him with greater possibilities to which he has to awake - for it is only a very restricted influence from it that he receives now and that pushes him to a constant pursuit of a greater beauty, harmony, power and knowledge. The first process of Yoga is therefore to open the ranges of this inner being and to live from there outward, governing his outward life by an inner light and force. In doing so he discovers in himself his true soul which is not this outer mixture of mental, vital and physical elements but something of the Reality behind them, a spark from the one Divine Fire. He has to learn to live in his soul and purify and orientate by its drive towards the Truth the rest of the nature. There can follow afterwards an opening upward and descent of a higher principle of the Being. But even then it is not at once the full supramental Light and Force. For there are several ranges of consciousness between the ordinary human mind and the supramental Truth-Consciousness. These intervening ranges have to be opened up and their power brought down into the mind, life and body. Only afterwards can the full power of the Truth-Consciousness work in the nature. The process of this self-discipline or Sadhana is therefore long and difficult, but even a little of it is so much gained because it makes the ultimate release and perfection more possible.

There are many things belonging to older systems that are necessary on the way - an opening of the mind to a greater wideness and to the sense of the Self and the Infinite, an emergence into what has been called the cosmic consciousness, mastery over the desires and passions; an outward asceticism is not essential, but the conquest of desire and attachment and a control over the body and its needs, greeds and instincts are indispensable. There is a combination of the principles of the old systems, the way of knowledge through the mind's discernment between Reality and the appearance, the heart's way of devotion, love and surrender and the way of works turning the will away from motives of self-interest to the Truth and the service of a greater Reality than the ego. For the whole being has to be trained so that it can respond and be transformed when it is possible for that greater Light and Force to work in the nature.

In this discipline, the inspiration of the Master, and in the difficult stages his control and his presence are indispensable - for it would be impossible otherwise to go through it without much stumbling and error which would prevent all chance of success. The Master is one who has risen to a higher consciousness and being and he is often regarded as its manifestation or representative. He not only helps by his teaching and still more by his influence and example but by a power to communicate his own experience to others.

This is Sri Aurobindo's teaching and method of practice. It is not his object to develop any one religion or to amalgamate the older religions or to found any new religion - for any of these things would lead away from his central purpose. The one aim of his Yoga is an inner self-development by which each one who follows it can in time discover the One Self in all and evolve a higher consciousness than the mental, a spiritual and supramental consciousness which will transform and divinise human nature.

August, 1934

Sri Aurobindo Birth Centenary Library, Vol. 26, "Sri Aurobindo on Himself", pp. 95-97.

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Last update: 17 Feb. 1996.

The Author is publishing without any commercial motlve

THE MOTHER

2007-08-31T17:22:00.000-07:00

The Mother On Herself

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
The contents of this document are copyright 1976, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry, India. You may make a digital copy or printout of this text for your personal, non-commercial use under the condition that you copy this document without modifications and in its entirety, including this copyright notice.

The following quotes are from The Collected Works of the Mother. Volume and page number precede each quotation.

from Volume 13, Words of the Mother, p.38 (1920)

When and how did I become conscious of a mission which I was to fulfill on earth? And when and how I met Sri Aurobindo?

These two questions you have asked me and I promised a short reply.

For the knowledge of the mission, it is difficult to say when it came to me. It is as though I were born with it, and following the growth of the mind and brain, the precision and completeness of this consciousness grew also.

Between 11 and 13 a series of psychic and spiritual experiences revealed to me not only the existence of God but man's possibility of uniting with Him, of realising Him integrally in consciousness and action, of manifesting Him upon earth in a life divine. This, along with a practical discipline for its fulfillment, was given to me during my body's sleep by several teachers, some of whom I met afterwards on the physical plane.

Later on, as the interior and exterior development proceeded, the spiritual and psychic relation with one of these beings became more and more clear and frequent; and although I knew little of the Indian philosophies and religions at that time I was led to call him Krishna, and henceforth I was aware that it was with him (whom I knew I should meet on earth one day) that the divine work was to be done.

In the year 1910 my husband came alone to Pondicherry where, under very interesting and peculiar circumstances, he made the acquaintance of Sri Aurobindo. Since then we both strongly wished to return to India -- the country which I had always cherished as my true mother-country. And in 1914 this joy was granted to us.

As soon as I saw Sri Aurobindo I recognised in him the well-known being whom I used to call Krishna... And this is enough to explain why I am fully convinced that my place and my work are near him, in India.

from Volume 2, Words of Long Ago, p.166 (Japan, February, 1920)

I belong to no nation, no civilisation, no society, no race, but to the Divine.

I obey no master, no ruler, no law, no social convention, but the Divine.

To Him I have surrendered all, will, life and self; for Him I am ready to give all my blood, drop by drop, if such is His Will, with complete joy; and nothing in His service can be sacrifice, for all is perfect delight.

from Volume 5, Questions and Answers 1953, p.139 (1 July 1953)

The most important thing for an individual is to unify himself around his divine centre; in that way he becomes a true individual, master of himself and his destiny. Otherwise, he is a plaything of forces that toss him about like a piece of cork on a river...

It is a rather unpleasant sensation to feel yourself pulled by the strings and made to do things whether you want to or not -- that is quite irrelevant -- but to be compelled to act because something pulls you by the strings, something which you do not even see -- that is exasperating. However, I do not know, but I found it very exasperating, even when I was quite a child. At five, it began to seem to me quite intolerable and I sought for a way so that it might be otherwise -- without people getting a chance to scold me. For I knew nobody who could help me and I did not have the chance that you have, someone who can tell you "This is what you have to do!" There was nobody to tell me that. I had to find it out all by myself. And I found it. I started at five.

from Volume 10, On Thoughts and Aphorisms, p.131

For example, once when I was walking in the mountains, I was on a path where there was only room for one -- on one side the precipice, on the other sheer rock. There were three children behind me and a fourth person bringing up the rear. I was leading. The path ran along the edge of the rock; we could not see where we were going -- and besides, it was very dangerous; if anyone had slipped, he would have been over the edge. I was walking in front when suddenly I saw, with other eyes than these -- although I was watching my steps carefully -- I saw a snake, there, on the rock, waiting on the other side. Then I took one step, gently, and indeed on the other side there was a snake. That spared me the shock of surprise, because I had seen and I was advancing cautiously; and as there was no shock of surprise, I was able to tell the children without giving them a shock, "Stop, keep quiet, don't stir."

from Volume 8, Questions and Answers 1956, p.161 (30 May 1956)

At the beginning of my present earthly existence I came into contact with many people who said that they had a great inner aspiration, an urge towards something deeper and truer, but that they were tied down, subjected, slaves to that brutal necessity of earning their living, and that this weighed them down so much, took up so much of their time and energy that they could not engage in any other activity, inner or outer. I heard this very often, I saw many poor people -- I don't mean poor from the monetary point of view, but poor because they felt imprisoned in a material necessity, narrow and deadening.

I was very young at that time, and I always used to tell myself that if ever I could do it, I would try to create a little world -- oh! quite a small one, but still...a small world where people would be able to live without having to be preoccupied with food and lodging and clothing and the imperative necessities of life, so as to see whether all the energies freed by this certainty of a secure material living would turn spontaneously towards the divine life and the inner realisation.

from Volume 4, Questions and Answers 1950-51, p.62 (27 January 1951)

Is it useful to note down one's dreams?

Yes, for more than a year I applied myself to this kind of self- discipline. I noted down everything -- a few words, just a little thing, an impression -- and I tried to pass from one memory to another. At first it was not very fruitful, but at the end of about fourteen months I could follow, beginning from the end, all the movements, all the dreams right up to the beginning of the night.

from Volume 4, Questions and Answers 1950-51, p.125 (19 February 1951)

Is there anybody here who has fainted suddenly, as if by accident? You see your body, don't you? and you ask yourself, "But what is it doing there in that ridiculous position?" And you rush back into it! That happened to me once in Paris. I had been treated to a good dinner, and then I went to a conference hall, I believe. There were many people, it was very hot, I was standing there with the good dinner in my stomach, and suddenly I felt ill at ease. I told the person who was with me, "I must go out immediately." Once outside (it was in Trocadero Square) I fainted away completely. I saw my body there, stretched out, and I found it so ridiculous that I rushed into it and I gave it a good scolding, saying, "You must not play such tricks with me!"

from Volume 4, Questions and Answers 1950-51, p.385 (5 May 1951)

Once, I remember, four of us had gone on a walking tour across the mountains of France. We had started from one town and had to reach another. It was about an eight or ten days' journey across the mountain. Naturally, each of us carried a bag slung across our back, for one needs a few things. But then, before starting we had a little discussion to find out what things we really needed, what was quite indispensable. And always we came to this: "Let us see, that thing we can manage in this way" and everything was reduced to so little...

from Volume 5, Questions and Answers 1953, p.352 (11 November 1953)

(Mother is about to begin reading the first pages of Quelques Paroles, Quelques Prieres

The first texts were written in 1912. Many of you were not yet born. It was a small group of about twelve people who met once a week. A subject was given; an answer was to be prepared for the following week. Each one brought along his little work. Generally, I too used to prepare a short paper and, at the end, I read it out.

from Volume 5, Questions and Answers 1953, p.182 (22 July 1953)

I was in Japan. It was at the beginning of January 1919. Anyway, it was the time when a terrible flu raged there in the whole of Japan, which killed hundreds of thousands of people. It was one of those epidemics the like of which is rarely seen.

from Volume 6, Questions and Answers 1954, p. 303 (25 August 1954)

I can tell you one thing, that is, when I began with Sri Aurobindo to descend for the yoga, to descend from the mind into the vital, when we brought down our yoga from the mind into the vital, within one month -- I was forty at that time, I didn't look old, I looked younger than forty, but still I was forty -- and after a month's yoga I looked exactly eighteen. And someone who had seen me before, who had lived with me in Japan and came here, found it difficult to recognise me. He asked me, "But really, is it you?" I said, "Obviously!"

from Volume 6, Questions and Answers 1954, p.384 (20 October 1954)

On Sundays, when you play, do you decide beforehand from what region the music has to come?

Before sitting down I don't even know what notes I am going to play. The region? It is always the same region. This is why I can speak with some experience about the origin of Berlioz's music, because it is a region very well known to me, one I frequent assidously. But I do not know what will come. Nothing at all, nothing. I don't even decide what feeling or idea or state of consciousness is going to be expressed, nothing. I am like a blank page. I come and sit down, concentrate for a minute and let it come.

from Volume 4, Questions and Answers 1950-51, p.106 (12 February 1951)

In the meditations we formerly used to have there [at the Ashram], when we had a morning or evening meditation, my work was to unify the consciousness of everyone and lift it as high as I could towards the Divine. Those who were able to feel the movement followed it. This was ordinary meditation with an aspiration and ascent towards the Divine. Here, as the Playground, the work is to unify all who are here, make them open and bring down the divine force into them.

from Volume 7, Questions and Answers 1955, p.257 (27 July 1955)

Sweet Mother, every day we go for the Balcony Darshan, and here at the Playground we come for the March Past and the Concentration. What should be our approach to each one of these things?

[In this period Mother used to give Darshan every morning from her balcony. This was known as "Balcony Darshan". In the evening She was present in the Playground to receive the salute at the March Past and conduct the Concentration at the end of the "Marching."]

The most indispensable thing in every case is receptivity.

At the Balcony, for example. When I come on the Balcony I make a special concentration, you notice that I look at everybody, don't you; I look, see, pass my eyes over every one, I know all who are there, and where they are, and I give each one exactly what he needs; I see his condition and give him what is necessary. It can go fast, because otherwise I would keep you there for half an hour, but I do it, that's what I do. That's the only reason why I come out, because otherwise I carry you in my consciousness. I carry you in my consciousness always, without seeing you, I do what is necessary. But here it is a moment when I can do it by touching the physical directly, you see; otherwise it is through the mind that it acts, the mind or the vital. But here I touch the physical directly through the sight, the contact of sight; and that's what I do -- each time.

from Volume 13, Words of the Mother, p.43 (15 August 1954)

I want to mark this day by the expression of a long cherished wish; that of becoming an Indian citizen. From the first time I came to India -- in 1914 -- I felt that India is my true country, the country of my soul and spirit. But I had to wait still longer because of my heavy responsibilities for the Ashram here in Pondicherry. Now the time has come when I can declare myself.

But, in accordance with Sri Aurobindo's ideal, my purpose is to show that truth lies in union rather than in division. To reject one nationality in order to obtain another is not an ideal solution. So I hope I shall be allowed to adopt a double nationality, that is to say, to remain French while I become an Indian.

I am French by birth and early education, I am Indian by choice and predilection. In my consciousness there is no antagonism between the two, on the contrary, they combine very well and complete one another. I know also that I can be of service to both equally, for my only aim in life is to give a concrete form to Sri Aurobindo's great teaching and in his teaching he reveals that all the nations are essentially one and meant to express the Divine Unity upon earth through an organised and harmonious diversity.

from Volume 13, Words of the Mother, p.53

When I speak, I live what I say and I communicate the experience together with the words -- no machine can record that. That is why the text seems completely different when it is heard or read, the main thing has gone, for it is beyond all notation. Even when what I have written myself is printed in a book or an article, the intensity of the experience I had while writing it escapes, and the text seems flat, although the words are identical.

from Volume 13, Words of the Mother, p.109

The 21st February is the Mother's birthday.
The 29th March is the anniversary of her first meeting with Sri Aurobindo.
The 4th April is the Ashram New Year, date of Sri Aurobindo's arrival in Pondicherry.
The 24th April is the date of the Mother's final return to Pondicherry in 1920.
The 15th August is Sri Aurobindo's birthday.
The 24th November is called the day of Victory in remembrance of a very important spiritual event which took place in 1926.

from Volume 13, Words of the Mother, p.95

My way of seeing is somewhat different. For my consciousness the whole life upon earth, including the human life and all its mentality, is a mass of vibrations, mostly vibrations of falsehood, ignorance and disorder, in which are more and more at work vibrations of Truth and Harmony coming from the higher regions and pushing their way through the resistance. In this vision the ego-sense and the individual assertion and separateness become quite unreal and illusory.

from Volume 12, On Education, p.433

You see how it is, now I am nearing a hundred, it's only five years away now. I started making an effort to become conscious at five years old, my child. This is to let you know...And I go on, and it goes on. Only... Of course, I have come to the point where I am doing the work for the cells of the body, but still, the work began a long time ago.

This is not to discourage you, but... it is to let you know that it does not happen just like that!

from Volume 13, Words of the Mother, p.77

Now remember one thing. Sri Aurobindo and myself are one and the same consciousness, one and the same person. Only, when this force or this presence, which is the same, passes through your individual consciousness, it puts on a form, an appearance which differs according to your temperament, your aspiration, your need, the particular turn of your being. Your individual consciousness is like a filter, a pointer, if I may say so; it makes a choice and fixes one possibility out of the infinity of divine possibilities.

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Last modified on Sep 15, 1995

BEWARE OF FURTHER DEPTS

2007-08-27T07:50:00.000-07:00

A STRATEGY

Borrowing Money to Consolidate Debt

Debt consolidation is usually done by taking out a big loan to pays off other smaller loans. This is called a debt consolidation program. Debt consolidation programs can be very beneficial to borrowers, but may also put you at risk of further debts.

When to Use Debt Consolidation Programs

Debt consolidation programs are good for a few situations. If you are paying several different loans off, your life may be easier if you consolidate everything into one loan. You'll only get one monthly statement and make one payment.

Also, you'll find that your monthly debt payments decrease if you use a debt consolidation program that stretches your payments out over a longer period of time. This means that you'll pay out less each month and you can free up some cash.

A tempting (and sometimes successful) strategy is to use a debt consolidation program to manage various high-rate revolving debts. As an example, you might have numerous credit card balances with high interest rates. With a debt consolidation program, you might be able to get a handle on that debt and lower the interest rate that you're paying. In general, credit cards have higher rates and secured loans have lower rates.

Things to Remember About Debt Consolidation Programs

Using debt consolidation programs can help you or hurt you. You should be very aware that all these programs do is shift your debt - a debt consolidation program does not eliminate your debt. You owe the money and will have to pay it back sooner or later.

One pitfall of a debt consolidation program is that you may feel like you have less outstanding debt. For example, you'll notice that your credit cards once again have generous amounts of available credit. If you use this credit you'll only dig yourself into a deeper hole.

You should also be aware that you may end up paying more total interest if you use a debt consolidation loan.

AYURVEDA

2007-08-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

Concept of 'Agni' in Ayurveda

Being one of the panchamahabhoota, agni (fire) has the characteristic that it cannot exist without a base. In the body it exists in pitta dosha.

Agni is responsible for the following functions:

Digestion - indigestion (Pakti- Apakti)

Vision- absence of vision (Darshanam- Adarshanam)

Degree of heat (Matra- Amatratvamushmanala)

Normal -abnormal complexion (Prakrit - Vikarit varnam)

Prowess- fear (Shaurya- Bhaya)

Anger - exholoration (krodham- Harsham)

Confusion- clarity of mind (Moha- Prasadan)

For the metabolic processes in the body, there are three main groups of biological factors, probably exhibiting enzymatic functions (agnis).

Jatharagni or Koshthagni:

Present in the pachak pitta. It is responsible for the digestion and the absorption of nutritious substances during this process.

The process of digestion (ahar pachan) is divided in three stages, which collectively is called awastha paka and can be divided in the following.

Amavstha (Madhuravastha) Paka - in stomach

Pachymanavastha (Amlavstha) Paka - in 'grahani' (Duodenum)

Pakavstha (Katuavstha) Paka - in small and large intestine

As the rasa changes in different phase of digestion these phase of digestion are called avsthapaka. At the end of the digestion the digested food have their original rasa which is in accordance with the rasa of the ingested food. This is called as Nistha paka .It is also called popularly as Vipaka.

Madhur rasa & Lavan rasa have Madhura Vipaka, Amla rasa have amla vipaka and Katu, Tikta & Kashaya rasa have Katu vipaka.

Panchabhutagnis :

In ayurveda it is believed that everything is made up of five elements and so is the body. These five elements are the panchmahabhoota and are responsible for constituting every living being in the world. Agni transforms the Asharir Mahabhoota (external mahabhoot) to Sharir Mahabhoota. Example - When we drink water Jala Mahabhoota (water) dominates and later the water is transformed by Jala Mahabhoota agni to the Sharir Jala Containing five types of biological factors, it is responsible for the processing of the five basic elements into a composition useful to the body.

Dhatvagnis : The third group contains seven types, each for the assimilation of the seven tissues This assimilation takes place successively. From the absorbed nutritious substance, plasma (rasa) is produced first; from plasma, blood (rakta) is formed, then muscular tissue (mamsa), adipose tissue (meda), bony tissue (asthi), bone marrow (majjan) and the reproductive cells (shukra).

Besides performing all the metabolic functions agni takes care of digestion (ahar pachan) and in the absence of ahar it acts on the ama pachan i.e. properly metabolize the improper metabolites. When ahar and ama are absence Agni does the function of dhatu i.e. rasa, rakta etc. Digestion of dhatu is a fatal condition in which dhatus are broken down to get energy. The reduction or deficiency of the quantum of dhatu in the human body leads to the disease called 'Kshaya roga'.

In ayurveda it is believed that all the pathology occurs due to the impairment in Agni (Kaya). Hence the correction of Kaya i.e. Agni is called the treatment or 'Kaya Chikitsa' in ayurveda

Agnis are also classified into four categories according to how they manifest in the human being:

Tikshnagni -sharp,

Mandagni - mild,

Vishamagni - irregular, and

Samagni - regular or Balanced.

Dr.Shashikant Patwardhan is practicing as 'Ayurvedic Consultant' for last 25 years at the city -Sangli , Maharashtra -India. He has done his graduation in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery [B.A.M&S] and post graduate Fellowship of Faculty of Ayurvedic Medicine [F.F.A.M.] From Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Pune University , India, during the years 1970-1976. He is a chief editor and Ayurvedic Consultant of a 'Comprehensive website on Ayurveda - http://www.ayurveda-foryou.com He is an author of many books on Ayurveda and is first to publish them in ebook format.Up till now he has written four ebooks - 1. Ayurvedic Cure of Diabetes 2. Home Remedies in Ayurveda 3. Treat Common Diseases with Ayurveda & Yoga and 4. Ayurvedic Principles Revealed He regularly writes articles on various topics in Ayurveda in Ayurvedic health magazines and alternative medicine sites.

editor@ayurved-online.com

KNOW

2007-08-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

Pease of Mind – PART-1

All of us know that good health and sound economic wellbeing are badly needed for our peace of mind.

But so many people, though they have these two, suffer from lack of peace of mind. If you belong to this category you please continue to read this. Most of your sufferings have been created by you and they can be eliminated. How? Let us see further.

Do you interfere in other’s activities? They can be wrong. But why are you worried about it? Do not find fault with any one or any thing.

Who gave you the authority to judge others? GOD has not authorized you to do so. Every one act according to his or her own wishes. The God in them make them to act as one wishes. In order to be peaceful you concentrate only on your own affairs. This is a good attitude.

WORK itself is a meditation.

Concentrate on your job. This is an essential attitude to be followed by those who want metal peace. Nothing in this world does not require your attention. The is a GOD to look after every thing. In fact He looks after you! One should not forget this truth.

Can we find fault with?

Please remember to look after your affair only. Do not find fault with any one or anything. To find fault with is equal to scolding. Without the WILL of GOD nothing happens. If some thing happens, it may be good or bad according to you. But there is a sanction of the GOD. If you condemn the act, you are condemning GOD and HIS wisdom. Please do not do this. You will see that you are one step towards peace.

Does our Will Govern the world?

God sees everything in totality. But man sees in bits. Man disassociates himself from past and future, and sees only present activities. But God knows the past, and what may happen in future. While the God sees the justification and man does not. If you place your self in the place of the God and look at things you will find that you’re filled with peace and fell that energy springs in you.

While others find fault with you-----

We feel that others are finding fault and scolding us without any rime or reason. Even it is so, do not get perturbed. Manage the situation calmly. You will find calmness is a powerful weapon. If some one scolds you, be patient. Let them thing and act as they like.

If some one scolds you, close your eyes andand be calm. Let others think as they like and tell their views.

The world is full of fools. You be wise.

Be polite before others. Do not assume that you are great or otherwise. This is possible only if you begin to practice to see The GOD in others. Do not argue if others find fault with with you. By doing so you become elated spiritually.

Enmity – will burn those who handle.

Do not entertain in in your heart any ill will against those who harm you. This is worse than showing anger outwardly, mental cancer. Do not develop hatred, forget and forgive. This is not an empty proverb. But the only method to get peace. If you develop hatred it will do more harm. You will lose your sleep. Your blood pressure will shoot up. The accusation or harms were done to you in the past. It is a closed chapter. Why do you want to remember them and spoil your mind and health? This is a foolish act. Do not spend your precious time and life over these silly things. The life of man is very short. The man who is today is no more tomorrow. You leave the ill feelings and attend on an assignment, you like the best whole heartedly.

If you engage your self in an entertainment or assignment you will get metal peace. You will have the satisfaction of having achieved something. Remember that man can not live by bread alone. If you feel that peace is more essential than money, you will take up a job with less earning if it gives you satisfaction.

Do we need Fame?

Why do you want others to praise you? Most of them are fools. Please remember that the great achievers in any field are those, who did not expect recognition or rewards from any one. Why should we worry ourselves to be recognized by others? Instead try to get the blessings of the GOD and Good people. This is what is to be aimed and achieved.

Our fate.

We very often get our peace lost due to jealousy. Jealousy is a disease. If you think that one Mr. stood in your way of promotion in office, it is wrong. Remember that no one can block your way. Every thing is predetermined by your past deeds. If you are to become great, no force on the earth can prevent it. Every man is governed by his fate. It may appear that we depend on each other, but the life of one is different from the the other. Remember this at all time. Never be jealous or hate others.

Change according to circumstances.

We may feel that the things around us are responsible for our troubles, and then instead of changing things we don’t like, we should change ourselves so that troubles will disappear. Then we will find out that things change to please us. When you become purer your life also becomes enjoyable. Don’t ask how/ experience it.

The power of endurance.

Endure every thing. Which can not be cured must be endured. Learn to live with all sorts of difficulties, troubles etc from morning to night. Then you will change difficulties into happy moments.

Depending on others, even for basic things, is the cause of our difficulties. Try to stand on your legs and feel the sweetness of independence. Try to clean your rooms, wash your cloths and type your letters! You need not do them daily. But one day you will find them very useful at an important moment.

UNDERACHIEVING CHILD NOT TO BE WORRIED

2007-08-15T04:08:00.000-07:00

Finding Answers to Underachievement

Finding answers to a child's underachievement is often a difficult and complex process. Let intuition be your guide, knowing when and how to ask the right questions. Here are 7 steps to get you started:

1. Narrow the Problem.

By the time a family member or teacher steps in to help an underachieving child, it may be months or years since problems may have first appeared. It can be extremely difficult sorting out the source of difficulties, and what problems (depression, anxiety, apathy) are primary or secondary. Nevertheless, narrowing the problem is often the most first step in finding specific answers to underachievement, and realize it may take some time. Look for patterns in certain subjects, assignments, homework, or teachers. Are there more problems taking information in or getting it out? Did things get more complicated in middle school or when classroom expectations increased? Could there be a 'silent' learning disability? Could your child be overscheduled? Are problems related to subject areas like reading, writing, or listening?

2. Identify Strengths.

Realize the importance of strengths in designing solutions. Children need to feel good enough about themselves to have the mental energy to tackle school frustrations. Underachieving children often they have no strengths and they may even have existential depression. Also learning strengths should tell you the best routes for overcoming learning or performance 'blocks'. Look for strengths in personal or hands-on learning, language, or the visual arts. Problem solve best memory routes and styles of expression.

3. Share Your Stories.

Realize that you are probably a powerful role model. Share your realistic stories about learning difficulties, personal obstacles, and discuss what you continue to grapple with. Be aware that underachieving children easily succumb to 'catastrophism'. Encourage them, and give them perspective.

4. Commit to a Change.

Most children are already exhausted and defeated by the time you try to work with them. Encourage them to commit to a change and start small. The answers will be found by problem solving, and encourage them to celebrate every small bit of progress as it arrives.

5. Don't Forget Your Parachute.

Encourage realism and don't expect all your changes to work the first time. Underachieving children often need some aggressive accommodations (reduced work load, assistive technology, adjusted deadlines) at first to allow them to develop and become efficient with new styles of processing information or expressing ideas. Don't forget to take breaks and to enlist the cooperation of teachers as you devise a plan for overcoming your child's underachievement.

6. Adopt a Team Approach to Problem-Solving.

Partner with your child problem solving situations and crises. Let your child express her worries and desires. Develop a plan that seems sensible to you both, and then push forward.

7. Remember the Big Picture.

Realize that many of the anxieties of underachievement come from personal fears of futility and catastrophe. Fears about time running out and bleak futures need to be confronted and carted out to the waste bin. What you need to do is focus on the present, plan sensible changes, allow time to see their effects, and adjust plans accordingly. Constantly redirect the focus on the big picture - how can we help make them more happy, reduce their frustrations, accentuate their talents, and prepare them for their future.

About the Authors: Brock and Fernette Eide are physicians and consultants to a wide range of parent, teacher, and clinical groups seeking more information about learning and brain-based solutions. Together they have authored more than 50 articles and they speak internationally for keynote lectures, seminars, and small groups. The Eides have a free Neurolearning Newsletter and can be contacted through their website at: http://www.neurolearning.com or by email at: feide@u.washington.edu or drseide@neurolearning.com

ATTENTION PARENTS

2007-08-15T03:37:00.000-07:00

For School Success, Don't Coddle Your Kids

Parents want their children to succeed in school. However, sometimes their best intentions are misguided. Attempts to provide children with a wonderful life can, in fact, increase the stress of the entire family.

One of parents' most common mistakes is to want to make everything easy for their children. It's painful for parents to see their children struggle. If children never do anything difficult, however, they never learn that they can successfully meet a challenge.

Here are some things parents can do to promote their children's success in school:

? Make school attendance a family priority. Try to schedule doctors' appointments and family vacations when school is not in session. Have your child arrive at school in time to organize for the day.

? Show your child that you consider school to be important. Attend parent meetings and conferences. Talk with your child about school. Don't overemphasize grades.

? Read to and with your child. Let your child also see you reading alone.

? Either rule out or treat physical difficulties, such as vision problems, hearing problems, or attention deficit, that may impede learning.

? Don't overschedule your child. Be sure at least three hours between school and bedtime are free of extracurricular activities.

? Encourage healthy sleep patterns. Because of the changes their bodies are undergoing, adolescents actually require more sleep than younger children, perhaps nine hours per night.

? Provide your child with nutritious foods (limited in sugar, fats, caffeine, and additives). Be sure your child starts the day with breakfast.

? Make dinner a family activity, complete with conversation on a wide range of topics.

? Provide a place, with minimal distractions, for your child to study. Be sure the study area is well lit, well ventilated, and equipped with all the supplies your child is likely to need: pencils and pens, dictionary, ruler, stapler, etc.

? Establish a definite time each day for homework, reading, or other academic activities.

? Don't allow TV or video games in the morning before school. Limit total time for these activities to 10 hours per week.

? Don't give your child everything he or she wants. Doing so will teach the child that desires can be satisfied without work.

? Be sure your child has household chores to complete without reminders.

? Help your child develop the habit of writing all assignments in an assignment notebook. It works best if assignments are written on the date they are due.

? Help your child learn to organize time and materials. Begin to wean your child from this help as soon as he or she is able to assume partial responsibility.

? On nights before a test, have your child review material just before bedtime and then go to sleep without reading or listening to music. This will aid retention of material studied.

? Make homework your child's responsibility. This lets your child know that you recognize him or her as a capable person.

? Be sure your child gathers together each evening all the materials that he or she will take to school the next morning.

? Allow your child to experience the natural consequences of his or her actions. For example, don't retrieve things the child forgot.

? Have realistic expectations for your child. If his or her abilities are slightly above average, do not expect the child to be at the top of the class.

? Recognize that your child's teachers are striving for the academic, social, and emotional development of many children besides yours. Seating your child next to a best friend, for example, may not be in the best interest of the class -- or even of your own child.

? Recognize that there will be times when your child will be frustrated by a difficult task. Resist the temptation to solve the problem yourself. Your child will learn and grow from this experience and will emerge with confidence to face the next challenge.

A successful school year depends on the cooperative efforts of parents and teachers -- and, of course, on the students themselves. Each member of the team must fulfill his or her own responsibilities -- and allow the other members to fulfill theirs.

A parent and former teacher, Fran Hamilton is the author of Hands-On English, now in its second edition. Hands-On English gives quick access to English fundamentals and makes grammar visual by using icons to represent parts of speech. The book is for anyone 9 years or older, including adults. Fran also publishes companion products to Hands-On English and free e-mail newsletters: LinguaPhile, published monthly, is for people who teach and/or enjoy English; Acu-Write, published weekly, addresses common errors in English. Both are available at http://www.GrammarAndMore.com.

Finance

2007-08-09T06:08:00.000-07:00

Refinance Your Second Mortgage

Carrie Reeder

A 2nd mortgage is a secured loan on your property, with your home serving as collateral. Depending on the particular terms of your second mortgage, you could be able to refinance if you wish to reduce your monthly payments or are in need of extra cash. Refinancing a 2nd mortgage can be an option for those who want to pay off their mortgage (excluding any home equity lines of credit), reduce the interest rate they currently pay on their second mortgage, or simply want reduce their monthly payments. Refinancing a 2nd mortgage can also be an option if the homeowner wants to pay off the mortgage, including home equity lines of credit, and receive cash.

You can refinance your second mortgage even if your credit is less than perfect. Second mortgages are an excellent means of reducing monthly payments and getting extra cash for bills, remodeling needs, or any reason the homeowner sees fit. If your interest rate on your 2nd mortgage is substantially above the current interest rates being offered by most lenders, you may be able to refinance your second mortgage. Sub-prime loans are available for second mortgage refinances and even with adverse credit, you may be able to lower the amount of interest you pay on your second mortgage. A poor credit rating is no reason not to explore the possibility of refinancing your 2nd mortgage.

Lenders are standing by to give you a no-obligation quote on refinancing your second mortgage. You can get quotes from several different lenders with one simple application, reducing the number of inquiries on your credit report. Often you can submit your application with no initial credit inquiry at all. Now is the perfect time to think about refinancing your second mortgage. You could be approved in less than twenty-four hours and begin saving money each and every month.

Refinancing your second mortgage is a fast, easy process and with the availability of multiple quotes from one simple application you will be assured you are receiving the lowest rate and best terms possible for your individual situation. If you have poor credit, you may still be able to refinance your 2nd mortgage. Mortgage lenders work with any credit situation and may be able to save you money by refinancing at a much lower interest rate that you currently pay. Get multiple quotes on refinancing your second mortgage from one fast, simple online application. The potential decrease in your interest rate could save you money on your payments each and every month.

To view our list of recommended second mortgage refinance lenders, visit this
page: Recommended 2nd
Mortgage Refinance Lenders.

About the Author

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan
Guide, an informational website with articles and the latest news about
various types of loans.

LOVE

2007-08-06T06:26:00.001-07:00

SHOW LOVE EXPECTING NOTHING LIKE FLOWERS

Rose flowers of its own. It flowers for its own joy to be beautiful. It flowers with fragrance to enjoy life. There is no return for it by flowering. Without any expectations it flowers naturally to enjoy life for the sake of enjoyment.

Except in the case of a few, man’s brain begins to think as how to use his appearance, wisdom and skills to attain something. He begins to plan the methods to use his appearance . He may go to the lowest level as well. In the spiritual out look we find rose is much better in this.

Let us go one step further. Just as rose does some thing unconsciously man does some thing consciously. Man should lead a life for the sake of enjoying life in full. This should be natural in us. Children are like this. But due to circumstances and the influence of parents children begin to look at any thing for a return.

Flowering is the way of showing love by flowers. Rose flowers the moment light falls on it. It wants to submit its beauty. Flowers do not think and they do not know the effect of their actions. They flower without knowing what they do .

Man attaches himself with all things he does. He does every thing thinking that he caries the job and that he can do the job. Man has an ego that he performs and he knows. But animals do not think and they only react. The showing of love by man is different.

Flowers flower of their own, it is a natural phenomenon. But this is controlled by a mighty power. That Great power does the job,

Man has definitely the right to show love. There is a real happiness in showing true love.

But due to his ego man expects others also to love him in return of his love. This is regretful. This is against spiritual uplift. This is the main cause for man’s sufferings.

Only he who knows to love can identify love.A man who can not be absolved in love can not see love anywhere. Where one can not offer himself there can not be any love. But this state is very difficult to achieve since human love is full of selfishness and aspirations.

You want to be loved (which is very essential) this thought is in you. That is why you should lean to love otters for the sake of the joy of it. Begin to love without expectations. then you will not feel lonely.

If a man has satisfied divine love he will for get all false love. All love will become blessings. Then he will begin to love only the divinity in others.

The love is like a glowing flame. It will glitter overcoming all obstacles. It has to be experienced. You will find that it will banish all evil thoughts and ignorance in you.

All mental agonies will vanish once you experience the divine love. If you experience it once the whole burden will disappear.

If you know how to live then you will find the whole life is full of love.

POWERFULL TEXT WRITING

2007-08-03T05:42:00.001-07:00

How To Write More Powerful Online Text

Although there are significant differences among the various types of online communication, there all have one critical thing in common - they're read off a screen. There are substantial benefits, too, in that while your message is on someone's screen usually it has their undivided attention. You are genuinely "one-to-one" with them and that's something you must respect - you are literally "in their face" and encroaching on very personal territory. The bad news about online communications is that your message can be "disappeared" faster from a screen than with any other medium.

There are a few more stark facts about online communications that significantly influence how your message is received. One, according to the world-acclaimed web expert Dr Jakob Nielsen, is that 79% of online readers don't read - they scan. That's a little like the way people browse through brochures. What it means is that your message must be delivered in a way that allows key points - and benefits, of course - to be picked up at the same speed as readers scroll and scan.

Secondly, Dr Nielsen has also calculated that when people read from a screen they do so at a rate 25% slower than they read print on a paper page. That's because, despite high-resolution screens and all the other technological wizardry, on-screen text is harder to read. For this reason your messages have to be very much more concise than they do for printed media - some experts say screen text should be just half the length of its paper equivalent. In my view, therefore, there are two very important things you have to remember if you're going to get the best out of online text.

Firstly, go with the flow of the physical restrictions and write so you minimize their effect. Also, create your text so it works well for scanners (human scanners that is) by highlighting key points in bold - not italics or underline because people think those are links. That way people get the gist of your message while scrolling, although of course they will stop and read more carefully when an emboldened section really does catch their eye.

Secondly, bear in mind that even in its short little life the internet has already started to put its early folklore on a nostalgic pedestal and this plays a key role in determining what works online now. Having begun its days as an electronic kaffée klatch for individual tekkies the net has developed a very personal informality and straight-talking ethos that, miraculously, is being preserved and perpetuated with considerable success. And that's all the more astounding when you consider the vast commercialism that's replaced the early net's endearing woolly-sweater-and-sandals innocence, naïvety and honesty.

Never mind, though. There are other good reasons why brief, straight, plain - even blunt - speaking is a sensible style to maximize the success of your online text. Obviously it helps overcome the physical restrictions (see above) and also works well in such a personal, one-to-one medium that is, literally, in your face.

Today you only have to think how emotional people get over the issue of receiving "spam," to understand just how firmly the PC or PDA or other forms of electronic screens have established themselves as part of their users' personal space. "You don't just use a computer," my late mother used to shout when she came by my office to see if I was still breathing, "you wear it."

Well, although I don't exactly read it a story and kiss it goodnight I'm bound to feel pretty close to my computer (and the messages it displays) especially as I often spend more hours a day with it than I do with my family. The moral? When you're writing online text, in fact online anything, respect the close relationship people have with their screens. Knock before entering, then be the perfect guest. Be direct, don't waste their time, but remember to say please and thank you. Then leave before you've worn out your welcome. That's the way to ensure not only that you make a good impression, but also that you'll get invited back.

E-mails

The one huge problem nobody seems to have solved yet, as I see it, is how to handle the vast amount of e-mails that most of us receive every day. Even I, as a humble one-person-band little business employing no-one other than myself and my two rescued dogs who spend most of the day asleep under the desks in my office, receive between 50 and 100 e-mails per weekday. Some clients of mine receive double that. No doubt busy business people I don't know receive even more. How do you prioritize those? How do you decide which ones to read now, which ones to read later, and which ones not to read but to dump?

Ah, ah, I hear you say, what's that got to do with writing? Let me tell you. If you're writing a personal e-mail to a friend there's no problem, particularly as you're more likely to send it to their personal e-mail address than their business addy. But what about business e-mails that you want the recipient to take notice of? How do you make the best of the medium when your e-mail is likely to be surrounded by at least 49 others all shouting for the same person's attention?

In the earlier days of the internet, if you were smart and could write a snappy short phrase you could attract attention in the subject line, perhaps including the words "relax, this is not spam." Now though, the spammers have cottoned on to that one and if you see a subject line in your e-mailbox saying "not spam" it almost certainly is - to the extent that this is the first thing looked for by most of the spam filters you can get.

Spam filters will also choke out all the obvious spammy words like "free" and "opportunity" and "give away." And you can't be believed if you write something really homely and innocent sounding like "message from your cousin Marianne" because that's what all the porno spammers do. So what's the answer?

Or, so what's the problem? If the recipient of your e-mail is likely to know you and knows that what you have to say is usually interesting, they'll open it and probably sooner rather than later. It's when they think your message is not likely to be of use, relevance or interest to them; that's when you're relegated to the delete tab.

So what's the most efficient way of ensuring people open your e-mails? You have to be interesting. That's what's in it for them, and their previous experience of your being interesting provides them with the incentive to read your new e-mail.

It's also a good idea to confirm the fact that you're interesting by getting over "what's in it for you" in the first few lines of the text. If you don't readers are often tempted to move on without going further, especially if they have 27 other e-mails to read. However here we risk straying into pure online marketing areas and once again, there is an impressive selection of reading matter available that goes into chapter and verse about that. But I do want to emphasize this point about being interesting.

Whereas the e-mail marketers might be agonising over how to write subject lines that get through the filters and get people to open the e-mail, a fair few of them may be missing the point that it's not the subject line that matters so much as the name of the sender. If the recipient doesn't know the sender it doesn't matter how cuddly the subject line is, they won't open the e-mail for fear of being sold some ugly garden furniture or pornography or even a virus. If they do know the sender but also know that he/she/they never have anything interesting to offer, they won't open that e-mail either.

Do I hear the ringing of bells in terms of the quality of message? In online communication probably more than any other kind we have a tendency to forget that all the electronic gizmos are just enabling devices, and that at the end of the day the only thing that really matters is the message, not the means of delivering it. If the recipients of your e-mails know that you usually communicate interesting messages with something worthwhile in it for them, they'll open yours even if the subject line is "more boring BS from Bobby."

Text messages

As we progress further down the route of wireless, mobile communications, happily the boffins are busy finding ways to increase the screen sizes so we can use slightly less strangled abbreviations on the screens. But text-based comms for marketing are probably the most miniaturized challenge for copywriters since the old subliminal advertising scandals of the 1950s and 1960s. (They had to keep the messages short and powerful then too.)

If you're tempted to use texting for marketing purposes, do please consult a professional, and a professional copywriter, not a professional telecommunications guru. Despite only working in half words and soundalikes, text ads are difficult to get right, because of the fact that there is so little to play with and so little room for manoeuvre.

Websites

This is the Big One. This is the topic that has given birth to more experts than there are websites, and that runs into the muchomillons. Everyone you meet has their very own views on what makes the perfect site and that varies from the all-singing, all-dancing variety that looks great on a fearfully expensive turbo-charged computer but takes ages to load into most people's cooking PCs ... to the belts-and-braces merchant who believes a website should load faster than he can sneeze and has to give him all the info he needs within the first three bullet points. Are they all wrong, or are they all right?

At the risk of sounding boring and repetitive, once again the answer lies in researching your audience. The bad news, though, is that very often websites have to do not one but several jobs to do for not one but several audiences. Unlike offline print media whose audiences tend to be easier to define, many websites are expected to work as advertizements, brochures, catalogues, shops, customer service centres and technical support bureaux all rolled into one.

This does not make life any easier for those of us who work at creating and writing websites. And although we all have our pet theories there is no single, simple answer to the question "how do you make a website that works as powerfully for audience Z as it does for audience A?"

Probably the most sensible way to define and manage the variants of your site's audience is to split it into two broad groups - new visitors and re-visitors - and ensure that home/landing pages give a clear, simple direction for either group to follow. In the early stages of a website that's probably as much as you can do, but there are ways in which online audiences can be researched and website traffic tracked which will give you clear indications of how to develop the site in the future. However that's something you should discuss with specialist internet and e-commerce experts - it's not a writing issue.

It helps to compare your website with an offline business or other organization, even down to size and proportion - from small boutique to huge department store. At the small end it's obviously much easier to map a site using common sense. At the large end common sense works too, if you take the analogy to the limit. When planning a commercial or otherwise interactive website think of an offline equivalent that works well for its customers or users, and translate its key good points for online use. The sort of offline equivalents you might use for the analogy are:

¨Shopping mall or department store

¨Large public library or government department

¨Bank, insurance bureau, travel agency, real estate agency

¨Bookshop, giftshop, etc

If your website is not a trading site as such but is to act more as an online showcase, then think your way through your organization's most successful capabilities overview presentation. If the approach and content work face-to-face, they're likely to work on a website too.

Of course you can't control the order of presentation on the site in as disciplined a way as you can live. But if you invite site visitors to look at your credentials in a logical and appealing (to them) order, there's a good chance many of them will follow your suggestions and not necessarily jump about in non-linear grasshopper fashion. That's especially true if your content holds their attention equally well at each stage of the progression - there's nothing like sudden boredom to make grasshoppers take a huge sideways leap.

Many internet purists are going to shout abuse at me for comparing websites with offline media, saying that online comms are completely different. But please hush for a moment, folks, while I explain further. I do not advocate trying to squash and squeeze offline material into online manifestations like podgy feet being squelched into shoes 3 sizes too small.

What I advocate is to use the logic from an offline application if you know it works well with people, because the people who look at your organization's website are people - and what's more, it's likely they're from the same or similar audiences as those of your offline comms.

If you know that the thought process behind your offline business communication works very well, why on earth should you consider rethinking your whole strategy and taking a completely different approach for the website? Remember that old line, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it?" In the same way, if a strategy works and you can't foresee any reason why it should stop working in the near future then don't change it. People are people wherever and however they receive your message.

Obviously the way you implement the logic, and what you hang off it in terms of text and other written material, yes, all that will be different online. Websites involve many considerations which do not enter into the offline picture - for example, writing text with one eye on Search Engine Optimization, which is a specialized discipline in itself.

Another very important consideration is for the writer to work very closely with the technical developers and maintainers of a website, because what and how you write is very closely linked with the way the site is structured and how visitors use it. All in all, if you're undertaking anything other than a fairly simple and uncomplicated website it's safer and more effective to use professional specialists all round, writers included.

But do not let anyone try to persuade you that creating a website requires you to undergo a brain transplant. By all means show respect for the technical expertise required to make a good website work well, but equally be aware that at the end of the day all that really matters is how well your website helps you communicate with your audience, not how to calculate the square root of its exponential gigafactor.

Okay, so now we've got the logic right, what do we say? Let's look at some key issues connected specifically with websites.

Obviously you need to create a skeleton structure first of all, and usually that needs to be done in close cahoots with the web designer. The primary objective when putting together the skeleton structure is to make the site work as well as possible for visitors and not, as some designers would have you believe, how many fancy animations and galloping gargoyles can be incorporated and to hell with how long they take to load on old systems using dialup access.

Please don't forget that some people - your customers, perhaps - are still using dial-up access and not only can that be expensive (in the UK at least) but also it's slow and often dependent on the foibles and vagaries of ordinary telephone lines. Assuming that many countries will continue to depend on dialup access for some years to come, slow-loading websites are not going to be very successful in markets outside of the mainstream industrialized nations.

That's one of the reasons why I believe simple, uncluttered websites work far better. Another of those reasons is because I think they're stronger and more effective anyway!

As for the text itself, shorter is sweeter. I normally set about both my offline and online work with hedge clippers several times before I submit it to clients and/or for publication, and when I wrote the text for my own website I took an axe to it over and over again before I was happy. As I've said earlier, it's as hard if not harder to write concisely than it is to waffle on, so writing text for websites is no picnic.

One useful tip, though, is to write down your thoughts in as much detail as you want, and then ask yourself "okay, now what is it that I'm really trying to say?" Often you'll find that you come up with a vastly simplified, shortened version of all those words and you can express your thoughts in a fraction of the space.

A good example of this happened years ago when I co-wrote a book about jewellery with Antwerp-based gemmologist Norbert Streep and we agonized for weeks over a suitable title. At the end of our fourth or fifth brainstorming session I said to Norbert, "how have we been referring to it all this time?"

"As the Jewellery Book," replied Norbert.

"Then that's our title," I said, and it was, too. The publishers loved it.

As with all online text, short, straight, simple and to the point is preferable for any form of website text, even if there is pressure from elsewhere to write it in the "corporate voice." If you do get pressurized it's worth reminding the pressurizer that no matter how big and important the corporation is, its website gets stuck straight into the faces of visitors via their screens and with that level of physical intimacy we really do have to speak to them as one human being to another.

Business website-speak should be as natural and informal as the way you would speak to someone across a table in a meeting - not as informal as chit-chat over a beer at the golf club, but certainly not as pompous and stuffy as the Chairman's Statement in the Annual Report and Accounts. And now if the pressurizer asks "why" you can say, because that's how the culture of the internet has developed since the 1980s and if we go against the grain, we are unlikely to maximize our online business opportunities. (That one works especially well with Financial VPs/Directors - remember to squint meaningfully at them while saying the words.)

One thing I must point out here is that although your website should be written in a way that's crisp, short and to the point, this does not mean that you should keep the range and variety of information to a minimum. On the contrary; one of the beauties of a website is that it can offer a great deal of information to visitors who want to read it all, but unlike with a brochure, if site visitors don't want the lengthy detail it stays tucked tidily out of sight and out of their way.

In people's understandable efforts to keep websites short and sweet they sometimes avoid including background information, archived material, back issues, related articles, etc. Yet some visitors are likely to find that stuff quite useful. And apart from the relatively small cost consideration of website size, there's no need to exclude such material - all you have to do is make sure it's sectioned off in an appropriate part of the site.

Anyway, a great many excellent books and other publications on how to create a good website exist at the time I'm writing this. In the main their advice will be excellent, but do please remember to see the wood from the trees. In the gushing welter of information you'll find about the subject you, in your role as writer, must keep your eyes focused on your audience, "what's in it for them," and how to communicate "what's in it for them" via the most direct and effective route.

Canadian-born Suzan St Maur is an international business writer and author based in the United Kingdom. In addition to her consultancy work for clients in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia, she contributes articles to more than 150 business websites and publications worldwide, and has written eleven published books. Her latest eBooks, "The MAMBA Way To Make Your Words Sell" and "Get Yourself Published" and available as PDF downloads from BookShaker.com.

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