Live With Intention

"Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.”-- Mary Anne Radmacher

The Relaxation Response. Mind Tools.

Here is a portion of a great article by Kellie Fowler at MindTools.com

“The Relaxation Response,” by Dr. Herbert Benson, ...teaches the importance of relaxing each day, and even how to do it.

Based on studies at Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Benson’s quick and easy relaxation techniques have immense physical benefits, from lowering blood pressure to a reduction in heart disease. The book explains how anyone can benefit from learning and perfecting relaxation techniques. In doing so, Dr. Benson created a book that is relied on by healthcare professionals and authorities to treat the negative effects of stress.

By learning to invoke the relaxation response once or twice a day for just ten minutes at a sitting, one can effectively lower blood pressure and gain tranquility in their emotional life, making them more successful both in the workplace and at home.

Try the following 6-step relaxation response the next time you feel anxiety or stress:

Sit quietly in a comfortable position.

Close your eyes.

Deeply relax all of your muscles, beginning at your feet and progressing up to your face. Keep your muscles relaxed.

Breathe through your nose. Become aware of your breathing. As you breathe out (exhale), say the word, “ONE”, silently to yourself. For example: breathe IN…OUT, “ONE”, -IN…OUT, “ONE”, etc. Breathe easily and naturally.

Continue for 10 to 20 minutes (depending on your schedule). You may open your eyes to check the time, but do not use an alarm. When you finish, sit quietly for several minutes, at first with your eyes closed, then with your eyes opened. Do not stand up for a few minutes.

Do not worry about if you are successful in achieving a deep state of relaxation. When distracted, simply return to repeating “ONE.”

Besides relying on this technique a few times each day, I regularly use it to get to sleep at night, especially after a long, hard day or before a tough next day. It’s simple, fast, reliable and most importantly, it works!

Hado. A Book In Review.

I've read a wonderful book recently called

"The Healing Power of Hado", by Toyoko Matsuzaki

I really love books like this one that discuss the universal energy that flows around and between all living things.

Toyoko Matsuzaki helps her readers understand "hado" by asking simple questions...

..."Have you ever entered a room full of people and sensed the mood, without anyone saying a word?"

..."Or felt calm and lighter after receiving a warm hug from a friend when your spirits were down?"

Definition:
"Hado is the life force found in everything."

Many people may not understand this energy or find that the topic seems contrary to their religious beliefs. However, if you ponder this topic and talk with your religious clergy, you may be surprised to find how closely this bonds to your beliefs.

Particularly in this book, Toyoko Matsuzaki relates many of her own beliefs to those basics many religions.

...her belief that there is a thin veil between this life and the next...that life does not end after this life...
"Further, the line between this world and the other is very thin...They (departed loved ones) are happy when we are happy and they share the sadness we feel and help us from the other world..."

...that there could be no such thing as reincarnation...that one life on this earth is enough for each of us to endure...
"I am often asked about reincarnation. I think it is too painful for each spirit to repeat the fate and sorrow of this world. Previous lives are our ancestors, and future lives are our offspring."

...that we each have a purpose in this life...each of us is important...
"If you are fully aware of the consequences of your conduct and behavior, you will realize how important it is to live your life to the fullest, regardless of success or failure, with a good heart and good intentions.

..."If a thousand people pray for the same thing with good will, the power of the prayer is magnified."

..."Nothing is stronger than love"

...She essentially believes in the idea of karma and the "Golden Rule", i.e., doing to others or for others as you would like them to do to or for you.
"I firmly believe that what we call "karma" exists. Whatever you have done to others will return to you somehow, good or bad."

...that babies are unconditionally innocent...
"...I believe that babies, especially those who leave this world before starting to talk, go directly to God."

This author goes into great detail relating to the "hado" energy that different items release and how it affects the environment around you and I, along with stories for the readers to understand the energy better.

This "Hado Master" hones her powers of positive energy for healing and helping others. Throughout this book, she empowers her readers to discover the benefits of the positive energy they possess.

An uplifting book. I give this book a very high rating for bringing another positive aspect to connect people throughout the world with the knowledge of the energy that we all share...that it can be positive energy if we choose.