Seeking and Finding Wholeness

My TV broke 3 weeks ago. Since, I’ve had much more time for quietness and for reading. I am getting more stuff done and am flipping books like a lean mean reading machine. I do watch movies or certain TV episodes online on websites that offer streaming, flash and divx movies. But I can easily now read more, which is good since I am currently studying for the GMAT test, reading the book “Relearning to See”, taking a hypnosis class. Not to mention my day job. Life is busy, I am glad the TV doesn’t work!

Speak well to yourself because your deep mind is always listening.

By Devin Hasting

Title: Breathing
by William H. Bates, M.D.

MANY patients with imperfect sight are benefited by breathing. One of the best methods is to separate the teeth while keeping the lips closed, breathe deeply as though one were yawning. When done properly one can feel the air cold as it passes through the nose and down the throat. This method of breathing secures a great amount of relaxation of the nose, throat, the body generally including the eyes and ears.

A man aged sixty-five, had imperfect sight for distance and was unable to read fine print without the aid of strong glasses. After practicing deep breathing in the manner described he became able at once to, read diamond type quite perfectly, as close as six inches from the eyes. The benefit was temporary but by repetition the improvement became more permanent.

At one time I experimented with a number of patients, first having them hold their breath and test their vision, which was usually lower when they did not breathe. They became able to demonstrate that holding their breath was a strain and caused imperfect sight, double vision, dizziness and fatigue, while the deep breathing at once gave them relief.

There is a wrong way of breathing in which when the air is drawn into the lungs the nostrils contract. This is quite conspicuous among many cases of tuberculosis.

Some teachers of physical culture in their classes while encouraging deep breathing close their nostrils when drawing in a long breath. This is wrong because it produces a strain and imperfect sight. By consciously doing the wrong thing, breathing with a strain one becomes better able to practice the right way and obtain relaxation and better sight.

The habit of practicing frequently deep breathing one obtains a more permanent relaxation of the eyes with more constant good vision.

Q: What do you call a Rodent that has a sword?

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After quickly reading Improve Your Vision Without Glasses Or Contact Lenses I quickly got a hold of a book called “Relearning to See: Improve Your Eyesight — Naturally!“. I’ve finished 5 chapters already and am very pleased. The book by Thomas Quackenbush is based on the Bates Method of natural vision improvement. This book does NOT have eye exercises what it has are ‘habits’. Apparently myopic individuals (including myself) strain our eyes with bad habits. I can relate to a lot of what I’ve read so far in this book on how I and people like me see the world around us.

Quackenbush did his homework in putting this book together; there is a lot of information on Bates research and how Bates came to his conclusions on restoring vision naturally. I have the Bates book and read some of it (I’m reading both Bates’ and Quackenbush’s books right now). Quackenbush often quotes Bates, from the Better Eyesight Magazine and the Perfect Sight Without Glasses book. Quackenbush then in his own words clarifies and modernizes Bates words.

The habits in this book were totally new to me, just as was the Bates method. Even though I read the 5 chapters today and last night, I can see how these habits do in fact work. My vision today on the commute to and from work was exceptionally sharper and I feel like I live in a 3D world that feels more 3D than it did before. Amazing.

Placebo effect? I will continue to read the book and do my best to follow the habits. If (or when) I see vision improvement I will let you know.

I hung my Snellen eye chart on the wall today. My vision today with my contact lenses on is 20/20 (wearing -6 contacts). Without contacts it is worse than 20/200.

I keep my eye on our nearest star out of curiosity. You also can follow the sun, find the live picture of the sun in the lower right bar, do it, scroll down now.

Today, I saw new sun spots, 3 of them:

(click image to enlarge)

Book Review:

Recently, I finished reading a book titled “Improve Your Vision Without Glasses Or Contact Lenses” by the American Vision Institute (AVI).  As a newbie to the concept of Vision Therapy and ‘naturally’ improving eye power, I found “Improve Your Vision Without Glasses Or Contact Lenses” a good starting point, but you should not make this book your last to read on the subject. The book is very short and easy to read, making it very practical. The book emphasizes exercising the eye muscles and offers hope to many.

This book may have done more than offer hope, apparently it actually helped people improve their vision! By reading the comments and ratings on amazon.com I found that 42 users gave this book 4 or 5 stars, many of them reporting vision improvement! (I listed some of these comments below).

The 42 positive reviews gave me enough reason to give this book a try. Even if half the 42 positive ratings did not actually have improved vision, even if 21 individuals no improvement, in reality even if only 3 individuals where able to enhance their vision by following some visual exercises, that in itself warrants more investigation and experimentation.

I have been using ‘corrective’ eye glasses and contact lenses ever since I was 11 years old. Back then I barely needed my spectacles, now I cannot even see my wife’s face without them, and I am 30 years old (as of the date of this article).

I caution you from relying on this book as the only source of information on natural vision enhancement because it overlooks the Bates method which has been proven to improve eye sight.  There are so many websites, books and products on this topic. Only a few are worth your time and money.

My next book will be the original Bates Method book to which I will write about later.

Official Product Description:

For the 110 million Americans who suffer some type of vision problem, the American Vision Institute offers a clinically proven program of 20 exercises and maintenance techniques guaranteed to improve vision in as little as 30 days. This complete course in vision therapy helps increase focusing power, decrease eye strain, and prevent further deterioration of vision.

Six users gave the book one star, in other words a negative rating. Most the negative comments where what you would expect in a negative comment for a book that is against the mainstream of thought, basically “if it sounds too good it is probably too good to be true” comments.

One good thing that came out of these negative comments was to introduce me to the Bates Method, and let me know (even before reading the book) how this book followed a different approach to vision enhancement that was NOT the Bates Method.

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If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.

- Henry Ford

NPR reported today that the recession may be benefiting the environment. The International Energy Agency said greenhouse gas emissions have fallen sharply this year, mostly because of the downturn. This decline has been the steepest for almost half century. Most of the plunge is due to falling factory output. Delays in building new coal-fired power stations have also played a part.

The concern could be that once the recession is over, once we start to see economics pick up again, then we’re going to see emissions going up again.

The IEA says that for the first time, government moves to curb emissions in Europe, the U.S. and China are taking effect. They account for 25 percent of the fall in CO2.

Source

While some amuse at the benefits of the downturn in bringing the CO2 emissions down for now, one can’t help but wonder what the ‘harmful’ impacts on the environment are.

Less buying power equals less production, less waist and more conserving of resources. However, people and industries strapped for cash may find ways to be more economical by disposing of waste in ways that are harmful to the environment or by extracting and harnessing natural resources without taking measures to counter the negative effects of such use.

Laws on pollution, the use of chemicals, clean air and clean water laws may be challenged by companies trying to improve their bottom line.

Finally, once the economy starts to improve, one would expect even a faster rate of green house gas production as the gears of industry start moving, moving faster to compensate for lost time, perhaps abusing natural resources at an accelerated rates as both industries and governments overlook the environment in their fixation at an economic rebound.

The recession will likely harm the environment not benefit it — if people and governments allow it.

Q: What do you call the ghost who haunts TV shows?

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mad as hell doctors.com - Where the rubber gloves meet the road

For those who have doubts about where doctors stand on the public option, this recent survey of doctors should help.

New England Journal of Medicine: 73% support a public option

New England Journal of Medicine article

NPR:
NPR article

On 09/09/09 I wrote an article titled Diet and Fish Oil to Prevent Tooth Decay? where I referenced a discussion in the community forum titled ‘Fish Oil to Prevent Tooth Decay?‘.

I’ve just researched the book Cure Tooth Decay: Heal and Prevent Cavities with Nutrition (First Edition). I was impressed by the comments that I ordered a copy of this book from Amazon a few hours ago. The user reviews were very encouraging that I decided  the book was worth reading and perhaps trying out some of its tips. I am of the belief that every idea is worth examining, and that usually, the most effective and correct solutions are the simplest ones, this applies to math, physics, engineering as well as it applies to the human body and health, common sense, isn’t it?

I’ve had my share of dental issues as a kid, I remember having many teeth extracted, as an adult these dental issues kept haunting me. It didn’t make sense because I followed the rules, I brushed and ate well and used mouth wash. I look forward to reading this book.

Here’s some info about the book, based on the Amazon comments I read. The book follows on a trail-blazing dentist, Weston Price. The book outlines mistakes of the western society when it comes to food, it discusses how primitive cultures in the 1930’s (now largely decimated by modernization) had remained immune to tooth decay.

Besides research done by Dr. Weston Price, Nagel draws on personal experience and his child’s. The book has a substantial section devoted solely to children’s diets and the connection to their healthy teeth.

It makes sense that health at large effects the health of teeth, if you are in poor health your teeth will undoubtedly suffer. The book discusses how dental health may actually be an indicator of overall wellness.

This sounds like simple common sense to me.

Here’s a quote:

“Years ago, when people were afflicted with various types of ailments and diseases, it was common practice to blame evil spirits. People of the world still do this today, except that these evil spirits now have a new name. Sci entists, doctors, dentists, and government officials have decided that these new ‘evil spirits’ are called micro-organisms (viruses, bacteria, etc.)… The current theory of tooth decay is more like a superstition than a scientifically verified truth… The theory that bacteria thrive on sucrose, and then produce acids that eat away our tooth enamel, seems to be convincing. But it defies both science and logic… A daily mouthwash of some anti-bacterial agent would cure all cavities, if the bacterial theory were true. The answer is clear: what you have been told about tooth decay is a pure, sweet, child-like fantasy.”
~ Ramiel Nagel, “Cure Tooth Decay”

Follow the discussion in the forum: ‘Fish Oil to Prevent Tooth Decay?

Here’s a link to the book:

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What is LUCK? It is Laboring Under Correct Knowledge.

- Mike Jones

A couple days ago a new discussion was started in the community forum titled ‘Fish Oil to Prevent Tooth Decay?‘.

The topic of holistic dentistry, root canals and the health of teeth was talked about on Seeking Wholeness in the past, a couple articles come to mind, the Holistic Dentistry article and the Dentistry without Mercury article.

This recent discussion in the community forum is an exciting one because it discusses an area that is often overlooked, namely what impact does nutrition (or life style in general) have on the health of your teeth.

I quote from the discussion forum

If brushing, flossing, massive fluoridation campaigns, and dental surgery were effective in preventing tooth decay, it would not get worse over time. It would stay the same, or get better. This is what I refer to as unscientifically sound practices. If we are to examine the effects of our dental care as a society, the statistics clearly show it is a failure, as tooth decay becomes worse and worse over time. Either Nature is fundamentally flawed and has doomed us to a life that includes decaying teeth, or humans are flawed in understanding and utilizing Nature.

Until we change the way we live, and return to more natural and life-building foods, the trend of tooth decay worsening with age, will continue.
What Really Causes Tooth Decay

Here’s the natural diet that was suggested in this discussion that can allegedly make teeth healthy:

1. Raw grass-fed dairy including, milk, cheese, cream and butter.
2. Organs of sea animals including fish organs, fish heads, fish eggs, oysters, clams, mussels, and crab and lobster with the innards.
3. Organs of land animals, including liver, bone marrow, tongue, heart, kidneys, pancreas, adrenal glands, gonads and for the more adventurous, brain, eyes and stomach lining.

Read/Join the discussion here.

Since CNN is refusing to air this ad, I am posting it here.

Tell CNN to play this ad here

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I always wondered if within my life time we, humans, would be able to make ‘living’ things. By living I mean ‘life’ in the traditional sense. I am not referring to artificial intelligence (AI), robots, learning computers, virtual living beings, viruses, etc. Interestingly, based on a news article titled ‘Artificial life is only months away‘ it seems we are getting closer.

Is this scary or exciting? Maybe it’s both, it is certainly sci-fi material. We may use this technology to benefit the medical field, or we could create, or engineer, bacteria that is efficient at producing natural gas or other usable fuels. We also, better be careful not to create super killer, out of control, multiplying, toxic-creating species.

This ‘man-made’ life is not entirely made out of scratch. The method being used works by transplanting DNA into bacteria cells, thus rebooting the bacteria cells with this new DNA and transforming the bacteria into a totally new species.

The DNA, or synthetic genome, hold the entire genetic code for the new species, and this synthetic genome is made entirely from scratch by scientists.

Real Life-Creation?

I can’t help but wonder, should we manage to transform bacteria into a different ‘new’ bacteria, even into an entirely new species of bacteria, are we really creating life or merely genetically reprogramming existing life. Does a living organism live by its DNA code alone, or are there other aspects at play?

While we can engineer the DNA out of scratch, it’s pretty much useless until we successfully place it into an already-living bacteria. We are actually reprogramming or rebooting the bacteria cell, that is already alive.

The question left unanswered is, are we able to make the bacteria cell itself out of scratch?  So far the answer is no.

I can’t help but wonder, what makes a bacteria cell alive?

Dr Venter, who has been chasing his goal for a decade, is already working on projects to use synthetic biology to create bacteria that transform coal into cleaner natural gas, and algae that soak up carbon dioxide and turn it into hydrocarbon fuels. Other potential applications include new ways of manufacturing medicines and vaccines.

Artificial life will be created within four months, a controversial scientist has predicted. Craig Venter, who led a private project to sequence the human genome, told The Times that his team had cleared a critical hurdle to creating man-made organisms in a laboratory.

“Assuming we don’t make any errors, I think it should work and we should have the first synthetic species by the end of the year,” he said.

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