This is a repost from Futurity.org
UC BERKELEY—Researchers have found compelling evidence that people who are more empathetic possess a particular variation of the oxytocin receptor gene.
Published in the journal Proceedings in the National Academy of Sciences, the findings by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, support other research showing that oxytocin plays a major role in countering stress, says study coauthor Sarina Rodrigues, assistant professor of psychology at Oregon State University.
All humans inherit a variation of this gene or “allele” from each parent. The study looked at the three combinations of gene variations of the oxytocin receptor. The most empathetic—able to get an accurate read on others’ emotions were double "GG"—that is, they had two copies of the “G allele.” In contrast, members of the AA and AG allele groups were found to be less capable of putting themselves in the shoes of others and more likely to get stressed out in difficult situations.
“This is the first study to suggest that a tendency to be more empathetic and stress reactive than others may be influenced by a single gene,” notes Rodrigues.
Informally known as the “cuddle” or “love” hormone, oxytocin is secreted into the bloodstream and the brain, where it promotes social interaction, bonding and romantic love, among other functions.
But while nature might have given some of us the DNA to be more empathetic, those who are not in the GG group should not despair, Rodrigues says. “There are plenty of people in the AA or AG gene pool who are empathetic, caring individuals,” adds Rodrigues, who is not a double G but counts herself as caring and empathetic.
If you know you’re not in the GG group, you might just have to work harder at making social connections, she explains.
In the study of some 200 young men and women of diverse ethnicities, participants, who provided DNA samples, filled out questionnaires that gauged their levels of empathy and their ability to read emotions displayed in eye expressions. Those with the GG variation were better at reading eye expressions than their AA and AG counterparts.
Participants were also were given stress reactivity tests, including one that measured their heart rate as they awaited loud blasts of noise. While female participants were found overall to be more sensitive to stress, both men and women in the GG group maintained a lower heart rate in the face of the sound blasts.
While the findings might inspire science fiction musings about genetic screening for caring professions or even for sociopaths, they point to positive applications, Rodrigues says.
“Not everyone is going to be a touchy-feely person,” she adds. “We should reach out to people who aren’t because research shows it’s better for everyone to be socially connected.”
The study was funded by the Metanexus Institute and UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center.
UC Berkeley news: http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Empath Connection Newsletter: November 2009
Coming to your inbox tomorrow.
Make sure you accept all email coming from EmpathConnection.com.
Check your spam boxes as well!
Here's the web version of Vol. 15
Cheers!
Michael
Make sure you accept all email coming from EmpathConnection.com.
Check your spam boxes as well!
Here's the web version of Vol. 15
Cheers!
Michael
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Empath Connection Newsletter Archive
Hi all, hope you're having a FABULOUS full moon week! I thought it would be appropriate to give you links to the most recent Empath Connection newsletters. I am surprised I haven't done this yet. Here they are: 18 months after the first issue!
Empath Connection, Vol. 14 - Sept/October 2009
Empath Connection, Vol. 13 - July/August 2009
Empath Connection, Vol. 12 - May/June 2009
Empath Connection, Vol. 11 - April 2009
Empath Connection, Vol. 14 - Sept/October 2009
Empath Connection, Vol. 13 - July/August 2009
Empath Connection, Vol. 12 - May/June 2009
Empath Connection, Vol. 11 - April 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Comment on the Sweat Lodge Deaths
There's been a lot of press lately about the sweat lodge deaths in Arizona.
These headlines can possibly scare interested people away from an experience that has been used without any drama for thousands of years.
These are the times when a bridging of the Native American and white/black/latino cultures is happening, and so one unintended aspect of these deaths is that they can bring about cultural communication and understanding, even though it is under tragic circumstances.
In the press, there has been only minimal exploration of the historical uses of sweat lodges. Some of it, rightfully so, is clouded in mystery. That's because the ways, the uses, and especially the effects of the sweat lodge are not immediately apparent to the outside observer, especially the western outside observer. It's somewhat akin, I would imagine, to the outside observer who looks at masonic culture and traditions as portrayed by Dan Brown -(I happen to be reading the Lost Symbol right now!).
I have had the privilege to partake in traditional ceremonies facilitated by Native Americans, American Indian, whatever you want to call it (because some Indians certainly would never call themselves Native Americans) - for 6 years now. That's not a lot of time, as any true Indian would tell you, however, one thing is for sure: there is no reason to be scared of the sweat lodge. I have many clients who are interested in these ways and are pursuing them in their local areas from those who are trained.
A trained sweat lodge leader is one who has been chosen by Spirit, and one who has endured years upon years of rigorous testing and training. A lodge or "altar" would never be passed down by an elder unless the individual has passed many, many tests of endurance, heart and strength. The sweat lodge leader must be strong enough to withstand the sickness of ALL those who are in the lodge. By sickness I mean karma, bad decisions, generational DNA influences, trauma, accidents, illness - all sorts of nasty stuff, whatever comes up. It can be a very, very difficult path to follow. It is NOT to be taken lightly, nor is one's decision to enter a sweat lodge.
The sweat lodge leader is most likely is not profiting from their use of sweat lodges, although it is custom in today's society to give the leader of the sweat lodge a monetary donation after the lodge. The fact that the leader of the Arizona lodge, James Arthur Ray, is charging $10,000 per retreat has been used as criticism from some. However, his retreat included a lot more than just the sweat lodge itself. The only person who truly knows what happened at that lodge is Great Mystery and Creator - and that's probably the way it should stay.
One enters a sweat lodge for a higher purpose. I have seen many people enter a lodge to test it out once, twice, or a handful of times. That's fine and it's intended for that. Every single sweat lodge that I have ever been to has been an EXCEPTIONALLY welcoming and SAFE place for ALL people.
There's been criticism from Indians, who say they would never cram 60 people into a lodge. In my experience, the most I have ever seen in a lodge is around 20-25 people. Any more than that I don't think the sweat lodge leader could be fully attentive to every person's healing experience.
Thankfully, I have had teachers and mentors whose goal in life was to extend these Indian traditions and understandings to ALL people. Understand that many Indians don't want their traditions passed on to white people. Many still have deep-seated, generational distrust of white people.
While understandable, this is what I am using MY LIFE to pray for. I am using MY LIFE, with the use of my gifts and every ounce of strength, to pray that this old DRAMA be healed. ONCE AND FOR ALL.
-M
These headlines can possibly scare interested people away from an experience that has been used without any drama for thousands of years.
These are the times when a bridging of the Native American and white/black/latino cultures is happening, and so one unintended aspect of these deaths is that they can bring about cultural communication and understanding, even though it is under tragic circumstances.
In the press, there has been only minimal exploration of the historical uses of sweat lodges. Some of it, rightfully so, is clouded in mystery. That's because the ways, the uses, and especially the effects of the sweat lodge are not immediately apparent to the outside observer, especially the western outside observer. It's somewhat akin, I would imagine, to the outside observer who looks at masonic culture and traditions as portrayed by Dan Brown -(I happen to be reading the Lost Symbol right now!).
I have had the privilege to partake in traditional ceremonies facilitated by Native Americans, American Indian, whatever you want to call it (because some Indians certainly would never call themselves Native Americans) - for 6 years now. That's not a lot of time, as any true Indian would tell you, however, one thing is for sure: there is no reason to be scared of the sweat lodge. I have many clients who are interested in these ways and are pursuing them in their local areas from those who are trained.
A trained sweat lodge leader is one who has been chosen by Spirit, and one who has endured years upon years of rigorous testing and training. A lodge or "altar" would never be passed down by an elder unless the individual has passed many, many tests of endurance, heart and strength. The sweat lodge leader must be strong enough to withstand the sickness of ALL those who are in the lodge. By sickness I mean karma, bad decisions, generational DNA influences, trauma, accidents, illness - all sorts of nasty stuff, whatever comes up. It can be a very, very difficult path to follow. It is NOT to be taken lightly, nor is one's decision to enter a sweat lodge.
The sweat lodge leader is most likely is not profiting from their use of sweat lodges, although it is custom in today's society to give the leader of the sweat lodge a monetary donation after the lodge. The fact that the leader of the Arizona lodge, James Arthur Ray, is charging $10,000 per retreat has been used as criticism from some. However, his retreat included a lot more than just the sweat lodge itself. The only person who truly knows what happened at that lodge is Great Mystery and Creator - and that's probably the way it should stay.
One enters a sweat lodge for a higher purpose. I have seen many people enter a lodge to test it out once, twice, or a handful of times. That's fine and it's intended for that. Every single sweat lodge that I have ever been to has been an EXCEPTIONALLY welcoming and SAFE place for ALL people.
There's been criticism from Indians, who say they would never cram 60 people into a lodge. In my experience, the most I have ever seen in a lodge is around 20-25 people. Any more than that I don't think the sweat lodge leader could be fully attentive to every person's healing experience.
Thankfully, I have had teachers and mentors whose goal in life was to extend these Indian traditions and understandings to ALL people. Understand that many Indians don't want their traditions passed on to white people. Many still have deep-seated, generational distrust of white people.
While understandable, this is what I am using MY LIFE to pray for. I am using MY LIFE, with the use of my gifts and every ounce of strength, to pray that this old DRAMA be healed. ONCE AND FOR ALL.
-M
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A quick mental tune-up
Here's a quick psychic tune-up for today:
Every interaction that you have, and every single thought you think, either subtracts or adds to the world at large.
What is your choice for today? For tomorrow?
For the next week?
-M
Every interaction that you have, and every single thought you think, either subtracts or adds to the world at large.
What is your choice for today? For tomorrow?
For the next week?
-M
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Good news: My CDs hit #1 on Amazon mp3
A little bit of good news that I thought I would share:
My two audiobook CD's hit #1 and #6, respectively, on Amazon.com mp3 album downloads in the Spoken word and New Age Meditation categories.
Here's the screenshot #1 and screenshot #2:
Thank you for the continued amazing response to the work even after a year.
Michael
My two audiobook CD's hit #1 and #6, respectively, on Amazon.com mp3 album downloads in the Spoken word and New Age Meditation categories.
Here's the screenshot #1 and screenshot #2:
Thank you for the continued amazing response to the work even after a year.
Michael
Monday, September 28, 2009
2012: The Return of the Great Mother
2012: THE RETURN OF THE GREAT MOTHER
By Christine Page, M.D., GreatMystery.Org
It is said there will be a return of the feminine in 2012, portrayed in the symbols of the Virgin, the Mother, and the Crone. This emergence of the feminine inherently implies a death, or diminishing, of masculine energy. According to author, teacher and Cancun Prophets Conference presenter Dr. Christine Page, this change of tides, or shift in feminine/masculine power, can be seen as “the completion of the hero’s journey.” She shows not only how the myths of the feminine and the masculine incarnation relate to our personal journey toward 2012 and a new consciousness, but also how we can use the lessons of these symbols and myths to prepare ourselves for the coming changes.
Welcome To The Greatest Show On Earth
“Congratulations—you are among a select Group of souls who won the lottery to be here, on this planet, at this time! The prize not only ensures you a front row seat but also the unique opportunity to cocreate the future of the human race. Your contribution, along with that of other awakened souls, will create a blueprint, which will influence your ancestors and the next 26,000 years of human existence. This is what you have been working toward during your many incarnations; this is the moment you’ve been awaiting. This is a time to remember.
“For the first time in 26,000 years, our sun and, by implication, the Earth is aligned with the dark rift of the galaxy, the Milky Way. The path of interstellar dust is known as the “black road” by the Maya and leads us directly to the galactic center.
“According to the ancient people who observed the skies night after night, the Milky Way represents the great mother and the great serpent, both synonymous with death and rebirth, the essential ingredients of transformation. The dark rift is seen as a symbol of both the open vagina of the mother and the gaping mouth of the serpent. Whatever the symbol, the message is the same: this is the portal through which we are born, and it is to here that we will return to die.
“To the indigenous people, this center represents the heart of the great mother. It was here that king-priests and shamans would travel to receive the insights and wisdom that could be translated into reality for the well-being of the land and its people. It is seen as the portal to multidimensional reality, parallel worlds, the void, the place of nothingness and the ocean of possibilities, accessible in the past only to the elite or those in deep meditative states. Now, at this extraordinary time, its riches are available to all of us if we can step outside our limiting belief patterns and rekindle the innocence and joy that allow us to harmonize with the pulse of the great mother.
“We are like children in a candy store, and the great mother is offering us an unlimited array of goodies. Yet, if our hearts and minds are still locked into a particular paradigm of belief concerning ourselves and the world, all we will see and select are the candies with which we are familiar, and we will pass by the rest. This is certainly a good moment to take a risk.” —Christine Page, M. D.
CHRISTINE R. PAGE, M.D., began her medical practice in London in 1978 and combined it with homeopathy in 1989. She is an international seminar leader on subtle energy and energy medicine, having created a three-level training program to enhance the power of intuition for health care professionals. She is author of 2012 and the Galactic Center: The Return of The Great Mother, Frontiers of Health: How to Heal the Whole Person and Spiritual Alchemy.
www.christinepage.com
2012 CONFERENCE; JANUARY 22-24, 2010
Conference and Mayan Sacred Temple Pilgrimage JANUARY 22-29, 2010
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONFERENCE is to explore a radically different, more optimistic interpretation of the Mayan prophecy – as referring to the end of the world as we have known it. Instead of predicting a physical destruction of the material world, the Mayan prophecy might refer to death and rebirth and a mass inner transformation of humanity. Bringing together Stanislav Grof, Jose Arguelles, Graham Hancock, Jacque Fresco, John Major Jenkins, Daniel Pinchbeck, Roxanne Meadows, and Miguel Angel Vergara. Following the conference will be a pilgrimage to the Mayan Sacred Temples of Chichen Itza, Coba, Ek Balam, and Muyil.
Full Information: GreatMystery.org
By Christine Page, M.D., GreatMystery.Org
It is said there will be a return of the feminine in 2012, portrayed in the symbols of the Virgin, the Mother, and the Crone. This emergence of the feminine inherently implies a death, or diminishing, of masculine energy. According to author, teacher and Cancun Prophets Conference presenter Dr. Christine Page, this change of tides, or shift in feminine/masculine power, can be seen as “the completion of the hero’s journey.” She shows not only how the myths of the feminine and the masculine incarnation relate to our personal journey toward 2012 and a new consciousness, but also how we can use the lessons of these symbols and myths to prepare ourselves for the coming changes.
Welcome To The Greatest Show On Earth
“Congratulations—you are among a select Group of souls who won the lottery to be here, on this planet, at this time! The prize not only ensures you a front row seat but also the unique opportunity to cocreate the future of the human race. Your contribution, along with that of other awakened souls, will create a blueprint, which will influence your ancestors and the next 26,000 years of human existence. This is what you have been working toward during your many incarnations; this is the moment you’ve been awaiting. This is a time to remember.
“For the first time in 26,000 years, our sun and, by implication, the Earth is aligned with the dark rift of the galaxy, the Milky Way. The path of interstellar dust is known as the “black road” by the Maya and leads us directly to the galactic center.
“According to the ancient people who observed the skies night after night, the Milky Way represents the great mother and the great serpent, both synonymous with death and rebirth, the essential ingredients of transformation. The dark rift is seen as a symbol of both the open vagina of the mother and the gaping mouth of the serpent. Whatever the symbol, the message is the same: this is the portal through which we are born, and it is to here that we will return to die.
“To the indigenous people, this center represents the heart of the great mother. It was here that king-priests and shamans would travel to receive the insights and wisdom that could be translated into reality for the well-being of the land and its people. It is seen as the portal to multidimensional reality, parallel worlds, the void, the place of nothingness and the ocean of possibilities, accessible in the past only to the elite or those in deep meditative states. Now, at this extraordinary time, its riches are available to all of us if we can step outside our limiting belief patterns and rekindle the innocence and joy that allow us to harmonize with the pulse of the great mother.
“We are like children in a candy store, and the great mother is offering us an unlimited array of goodies. Yet, if our hearts and minds are still locked into a particular paradigm of belief concerning ourselves and the world, all we will see and select are the candies with which we are familiar, and we will pass by the rest. This is certainly a good moment to take a risk.” —Christine Page, M. D.
CHRISTINE R. PAGE, M.D., began her medical practice in London in 1978 and combined it with homeopathy in 1989. She is an international seminar leader on subtle energy and energy medicine, having created a three-level training program to enhance the power of intuition for health care professionals. She is author of 2012 and the Galactic Center: The Return of The Great Mother, Frontiers of Health: How to Heal the Whole Person and Spiritual Alchemy.
www.christinepage.com
2012 CONFERENCE; JANUARY 22-24, 2010
Conference and Mayan Sacred Temple Pilgrimage JANUARY 22-29, 2010
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONFERENCE is to explore a radically different, more optimistic interpretation of the Mayan prophecy – as referring to the end of the world as we have known it. Instead of predicting a physical destruction of the material world, the Mayan prophecy might refer to death and rebirth and a mass inner transformation of humanity. Bringing together Stanislav Grof, Jose Arguelles, Graham Hancock, Jacque Fresco, John Major Jenkins, Daniel Pinchbeck, Roxanne Meadows, and Miguel Angel Vergara. Following the conference will be a pilgrimage to the Mayan Sacred Temples of Chichen Itza, Coba, Ek Balam, and Muyil.
Full Information: GreatMystery.org
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Surrendering to the Greater Than Yourself: Not Needing to Understand.
I just got off the treadmill and am having a moment of clarity that I thought I would pass along. Right here in this moment, I can see, ever so briefly and humbly, how I am related to everyone and everything. An old friend, a spiritual sister of mine, is going on a vision quest tomorrow. As a person gifted by creator with the gift of powerful prayer, she's going four days without food or water to pray for others; not for herself. Her short little posting on Facebook today sparked the prayers that I just prayed, hard, for her, while working out on the treadmill.
And perhaps one of you reading this will pray for her as well, a prayer that she help transform and transmute darkness into Light, just like many of us here on Earth are now doing. Especially those of us who are highly sensitive.
Will you pray for her, and for her mission, with a level of total sincerity in your heart for a mere 10 seconds? Will you imagine and hold nothing but LIGHT in your consciousness and ask that it be sent to her, whenever she may need it?
There are a lot of people and things and messages that bombard us and compete daily for our attention. Ask yourself, how many of the 86,400 seconds in each day do we really pray for other people?
If your answer is less than would be optimal, take a moment of silence, submission, and surrender to that which is Greater than you.
We are living right now in multiple realities. We don't realize that the person who we think we are is not the person we appear to be. From the view of the creator, the universe, the great mystery; we don't have a clue. Not one clue. Parts of us are scattered all across universes, galaxies, times, incarnations, and places. We are doing our best in this lifetime if we can really understand the basic concept that we don't really know nothing. NOTHING.
Once we surrender to that reality, that we don't understand anything, then we realize that we don't need to understand.
And if we don't need to understand, we don't need to control.
And if we don't need to control, we don't need to play games.
And if we don't need to play games, we don't need to hurt others or imagining hurting others. We can give all of it to God.
And to think - could one posting on facebook change the world?
Could one blog posting alter the course of our future tomorrows and of the future tomorrow's for the 7 generations yet to come?
Believe it.
And perhaps one of you reading this will pray for her as well, a prayer that she help transform and transmute darkness into Light, just like many of us here on Earth are now doing. Especially those of us who are highly sensitive.
Will you pray for her, and for her mission, with a level of total sincerity in your heart for a mere 10 seconds? Will you imagine and hold nothing but LIGHT in your consciousness and ask that it be sent to her, whenever she may need it?
There are a lot of people and things and messages that bombard us and compete daily for our attention. Ask yourself, how many of the 86,400 seconds in each day do we really pray for other people?
If your answer is less than would be optimal, take a moment of silence, submission, and surrender to that which is Greater than you.
We are living right now in multiple realities. We don't realize that the person who we think we are is not the person we appear to be. From the view of the creator, the universe, the great mystery; we don't have a clue. Not one clue. Parts of us are scattered all across universes, galaxies, times, incarnations, and places. We are doing our best in this lifetime if we can really understand the basic concept that we don't really know nothing. NOTHING.
Once we surrender to that reality, that we don't understand anything, then we realize that we don't need to understand.
And if we don't need to understand, we don't need to control.
And if we don't need to control, we don't need to play games.
And if we don't need to play games, we don't need to hurt others or imagining hurting others. We can give all of it to God.
And to think - could one posting on facebook change the world?
Could one blog posting alter the course of our future tomorrows and of the future tomorrow's for the 7 generations yet to come?
Believe it.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Jenna Forrest's Highly Sensitive Newsletter
The Empowered You
Jenna Forrest's September 2009 Issue;
Living Well in an Out of Whack World
September 6, 2009
When the Going Gets Tough...
Where the global population is experiencing intense stress around finances, home life, relationships and health, we're all surely feeling it in our own individual lives as well.
But not to worry! When the going gets tough, the tough look backwards.
No, that's not how it goes.
When the going gets tough, the tough get distracted.
Hmmm...that doesn't sound right either.
Is it, the tough go in circles?
Kidding aside, sometimes we do feel like we're going backwards, getting distracted or going in circles at the crazy times in our lives. Getting off course like that happens more than we'd like, especially in this high-stress day and age. We weren't really taught how to handle the levels of stress that society is under these days. Instead, we were taught to ignore our inner voice and deny our true feelings. Yikes. That's a lot like turning off the GPS device in the middle of New York City. No more inner voice = No more maps! No more direction! a.k.a. LOST.
And that's a scary place to be! So, we are left walking around in the proverbial pitch dark, taking steps out of fear instead of out of clarity. We trudge around hoping we end up in a better situation, but not really feeling very peaceful about it. I think we as humans spend a lot of our lives wandering around in the dark without a healthy sense of direction. We've disconnected from our true selves and tuned into the world around us.
And then life gets our attention. WHAM. And there we are face to face with ourselves where it is dark and quiet, all over again. Did you ever think about how tough times like sickness land us in bed, losing loved ones makes for an eerily quiet house, and job loss suddenly makes us less busy and distracted? Isn't it odd that the common product of most tough times is dead silence? It's like we're being pushed up against the reality of the moment to really look at what's happening.
So what's happening in your life? Where is there a notable silence?
Maybe the saying should be that when the going gets tough, the tough sit in silence. Sometimes there's a lot of power in doing just that. After all, having to sit in the quiet after all of the fallout of a tough event is no easy task. I believe it takes amazing toughness and courage to endure that kind of quiet. And to listen for answers.
If we don't rush off to "get going" too soon, we WILL start to hear some really clear answers and direction. There's that GPS device we had turned off! And so the direction and clarity returns. And so we follow that clarity to "get going" in a better direction.
In this issue, we'll look at ways to get direction to heal our bodies.
Please drop me a note to tell me what's going on with you. I would love to hear from you.
Warmly,
Jen
Skype, Sensitivity and Schools
Thanks to technology, it's possible for me to visit schools in nearly any country by video conference. If you have any connection to a school in your area and would like to arrange for me to talk to classes there via Skype, let me know what dates and times the classes prefer by September 20th. There is no charge for this service. It is offered for all grade levels as well as university level.
ACTION STEPS: To book this service, please coordinate dates with the classroom teacher(s) and email Jenna's office to confirm the date, time and grade level.
Understanding Irritable Bowel, Chronic Fatigue, and other Nervous System Related Ailments
Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with an autoimmune related illness? If you haven't, how do you tell if you are on your way there?
The reality is that we currently live in especially stressful and toxic times. Our bodies need our support as much as we need theirs. To help keep your body flexible, youthful and energized, make sure you're aware of how to boost your body's adrenal, immune, digestive and circulatory function and promote cellular efficiency.
If you're not experiencing total health or have been given an autoimmune-related diagnosis, you may already be a step ahead in understanding how sensitive the body truly is to stress. You may have been helping your body return to normal functioning by doing some research online to see if your diagnosis is reversible. For those who haven't, you can find out a lot by searching for terms like "healing autoimmune disease," "reversing chronic fatigue," etc.
Last week I found a great article describing the stages of a stressed sensitive nervous system that can lead to debilitating illness. When I saw it, I felt it was important to send it to you all on my newsletter list so that you can be aware of how biologically your body responds to chronic stress.
As I'm sure you know, autoimmune disorders are becoming more commonly occurring these days, especially in those with highly sensitive nervous systems. That's why understanding the following process is so important. It can help us recognize the warning signs and learn to support our bodies so our bodies can heal themselves.
The Process:
1-Each time a stressor occurs, the demand for Cortisol increases.
2-With chronic stress (overarousal of the nervous system), the cortisol production system eventually becomes fatigued and exhausted (hypothalamus, pituitary, ACTH production, adrenal glands). The ability to buffer overarousal decreases.
3-Cortisol levels decrease, and possibly, an imbalanced ratio between DHEA and cortisol takes place.
4-A moderate decrease in glucose utilization by the cells begins. Muscle and joint fatigue develops. The normal anti-inflammatory benefits of cortisol diminish, causing muscle and joint aches and pains. Low potassium levels develop.
5-The entire body now feels fatigued, exhausted, overwhelmed, unable to cope with more overarousal, painful, and rapidly approaches shut down.
6-Immune system support for the body diminishes.
7-Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome, 20th Century Syndrome or MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity), Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Adrenal Exhaustion, and Hypoglycemia begin to set in, along with an increase in cravings for carbohydrates (when we are tired and exhausted, we crave carbohydrates). The digestion system (including the muscles) becomes too exhausted, because of a lack of energy, to properly digest food and properly move the food through the intestines (gas and bloating occurs). A liquid diet seems like the only food (least dense food) that the system can tolerate.
What to Do
Did you know that it's entirely possible to not only manage, but often even reverse these diagnosed (or undiagnosed) ailments? Our bodies just need our support. If you are feeling so creaky, achy and tired that your regular lifestyle has become difficult, reach out for answers sooner than later.
Ask your doctor to test your vitamin B levels, including B-12, as well as vitamin D, chromium, potassium and others that get depleted by an exhausted nervous system. If inflammation is a problem, you can get your body back to producing it's own anti-inflammatory agents naturally. In the meantime, try to take natural herbal anti-inflammatories and immune system boosters.
While I'm not big on taking supplements or pills of any kind, sometimes they truly are necessary to operate to our full physical potential. Contrary to what many believe, our bodies do need added nutritional support, no matter how well we eat. Sometimes we end up deficient of vitamins and minerals even as we are taking the supplements we need! The problem here is incomplete absorption, due to digestive disruptions such as bacterial and fungal toxicity.
Remember, our bodies are very complex. If one system is down, another suffers, and over time an illness can build. But there is so much you can do today. One of the things I believe in doing for myself is asking for help from trusted nutritional counselors and other professionals who understand the needs of my sensitive nervous system.
I find great results with practitioners who use a technique called muscle testing or applied kinesiology to read the truth straight from the body itself. You might try that if it feels right for you.
If you're on prescription medications, you might consider taking a closer look at how they are benefiting you. If they are only masking your symptoms, you may be allowing further depletion to continue.
Taking supportive, natural supplements to replenish your body's needed vitamins and minerals and making sure your body is able to absorb them properly helps your body return to a place where it can heal itself.
It's truly not natural for you to be in pain or limited in your body movements, no matter what age you are. Total healing is your body's goal in life and it will work for you if you work for it. In a future issue, I'll talk about how to protect yourself from picking up the thoughts, moods and energies of others.
Until then, here's to the promise of light, easy movement and excellent health. When we feel good, we love better, laugh better, and get to really enjoy our lives.
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Jenna Forrest
http://www.jennaforrest.com
Jenna Forrest's September 2009 Issue;
Living Well in an Out of Whack World
September 6, 2009
When the Going Gets Tough...
Where the global population is experiencing intense stress around finances, home life, relationships and health, we're all surely feeling it in our own individual lives as well.
But not to worry! When the going gets tough, the tough look backwards.
No, that's not how it goes.
When the going gets tough, the tough get distracted.
Hmmm...that doesn't sound right either.
Is it, the tough go in circles?
Kidding aside, sometimes we do feel like we're going backwards, getting distracted or going in circles at the crazy times in our lives. Getting off course like that happens more than we'd like, especially in this high-stress day and age. We weren't really taught how to handle the levels of stress that society is under these days. Instead, we were taught to ignore our inner voice and deny our true feelings. Yikes. That's a lot like turning off the GPS device in the middle of New York City. No more inner voice = No more maps! No more direction! a.k.a. LOST.
And that's a scary place to be! So, we are left walking around in the proverbial pitch dark, taking steps out of fear instead of out of clarity. We trudge around hoping we end up in a better situation, but not really feeling very peaceful about it. I think we as humans spend a lot of our lives wandering around in the dark without a healthy sense of direction. We've disconnected from our true selves and tuned into the world around us.
And then life gets our attention. WHAM. And there we are face to face with ourselves where it is dark and quiet, all over again. Did you ever think about how tough times like sickness land us in bed, losing loved ones makes for an eerily quiet house, and job loss suddenly makes us less busy and distracted? Isn't it odd that the common product of most tough times is dead silence? It's like we're being pushed up against the reality of the moment to really look at what's happening.
So what's happening in your life? Where is there a notable silence?
Maybe the saying should be that when the going gets tough, the tough sit in silence. Sometimes there's a lot of power in doing just that. After all, having to sit in the quiet after all of the fallout of a tough event is no easy task. I believe it takes amazing toughness and courage to endure that kind of quiet. And to listen for answers.
If we don't rush off to "get going" too soon, we WILL start to hear some really clear answers and direction. There's that GPS device we had turned off! And so the direction and clarity returns. And so we follow that clarity to "get going" in a better direction.
In this issue, we'll look at ways to get direction to heal our bodies.
Please drop me a note to tell me what's going on with you. I would love to hear from you.
Warmly,
Jen
Skype, Sensitivity and Schools
Thanks to technology, it's possible for me to visit schools in nearly any country by video conference. If you have any connection to a school in your area and would like to arrange for me to talk to classes there via Skype, let me know what dates and times the classes prefer by September 20th. There is no charge for this service. It is offered for all grade levels as well as university level.
ACTION STEPS: To book this service, please coordinate dates with the classroom teacher(s) and email Jenna's office to confirm the date, time and grade level.
Understanding Irritable Bowel, Chronic Fatigue, and other Nervous System Related Ailments
Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with an autoimmune related illness? If you haven't, how do you tell if you are on your way there?
The reality is that we currently live in especially stressful and toxic times. Our bodies need our support as much as we need theirs. To help keep your body flexible, youthful and energized, make sure you're aware of how to boost your body's adrenal, immune, digestive and circulatory function and promote cellular efficiency.
If you're not experiencing total health or have been given an autoimmune-related diagnosis, you may already be a step ahead in understanding how sensitive the body truly is to stress. You may have been helping your body return to normal functioning by doing some research online to see if your diagnosis is reversible. For those who haven't, you can find out a lot by searching for terms like "healing autoimmune disease," "reversing chronic fatigue," etc.
Last week I found a great article describing the stages of a stressed sensitive nervous system that can lead to debilitating illness. When I saw it, I felt it was important to send it to you all on my newsletter list so that you can be aware of how biologically your body responds to chronic stress.
As I'm sure you know, autoimmune disorders are becoming more commonly occurring these days, especially in those with highly sensitive nervous systems. That's why understanding the following process is so important. It can help us recognize the warning signs and learn to support our bodies so our bodies can heal themselves.
The Process:
1-Each time a stressor occurs, the demand for Cortisol increases.
2-With chronic stress (overarousal of the nervous system), the cortisol production system eventually becomes fatigued and exhausted (hypothalamus, pituitary, ACTH production, adrenal glands). The ability to buffer overarousal decreases.
3-Cortisol levels decrease, and possibly, an imbalanced ratio between DHEA and cortisol takes place.
4-A moderate decrease in glucose utilization by the cells begins. Muscle and joint fatigue develops. The normal anti-inflammatory benefits of cortisol diminish, causing muscle and joint aches and pains. Low potassium levels develop.
5-The entire body now feels fatigued, exhausted, overwhelmed, unable to cope with more overarousal, painful, and rapidly approaches shut down.
6-Immune system support for the body diminishes.
7-Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome, 20th Century Syndrome or MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity), Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Adrenal Exhaustion, and Hypoglycemia begin to set in, along with an increase in cravings for carbohydrates (when we are tired and exhausted, we crave carbohydrates). The digestion system (including the muscles) becomes too exhausted, because of a lack of energy, to properly digest food and properly move the food through the intestines (gas and bloating occurs). A liquid diet seems like the only food (least dense food) that the system can tolerate.
What to Do
Did you know that it's entirely possible to not only manage, but often even reverse these diagnosed (or undiagnosed) ailments? Our bodies just need our support. If you are feeling so creaky, achy and tired that your regular lifestyle has become difficult, reach out for answers sooner than later.
Ask your doctor to test your vitamin B levels, including B-12, as well as vitamin D, chromium, potassium and others that get depleted by an exhausted nervous system. If inflammation is a problem, you can get your body back to producing it's own anti-inflammatory agents naturally. In the meantime, try to take natural herbal anti-inflammatories and immune system boosters.
While I'm not big on taking supplements or pills of any kind, sometimes they truly are necessary to operate to our full physical potential. Contrary to what many believe, our bodies do need added nutritional support, no matter how well we eat. Sometimes we end up deficient of vitamins and minerals even as we are taking the supplements we need! The problem here is incomplete absorption, due to digestive disruptions such as bacterial and fungal toxicity.
Remember, our bodies are very complex. If one system is down, another suffers, and over time an illness can build. But there is so much you can do today. One of the things I believe in doing for myself is asking for help from trusted nutritional counselors and other professionals who understand the needs of my sensitive nervous system.
I find great results with practitioners who use a technique called muscle testing or applied kinesiology to read the truth straight from the body itself. You might try that if it feels right for you.
If you're on prescription medications, you might consider taking a closer look at how they are benefiting you. If they are only masking your symptoms, you may be allowing further depletion to continue.
Taking supportive, natural supplements to replenish your body's needed vitamins and minerals and making sure your body is able to absorb them properly helps your body return to a place where it can heal itself.
It's truly not natural for you to be in pain or limited in your body movements, no matter what age you are. Total healing is your body's goal in life and it will work for you if you work for it. In a future issue, I'll talk about how to protect yourself from picking up the thoughts, moods and energies of others.
Until then, here's to the promise of light, easy movement and excellent health. When we feel good, we love better, laugh better, and get to really enjoy our lives.
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Jenna Forrest
http://www.jennaforrest.com
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Breath of Life with Margaret Gilfoyle: Reflections on the Work
Had a very nice trip to Laramie, WY. It was my first time back in the energy of the snowy range since leaving in 2005. It felt very nice and quiet.
We did Breath of Life work with Margaret Gilfoyle. It was my first time meeting Margaret, and it was done by invitation from Johnna Nunez, a dear friend & former student.
The work was done on a massage table inside a tipi. Very warm energy in there. I laid my head down on the mat, and then Margaret proceeded to bring in the energy of the spirits that she works with. Very gentle energies worked on me for over an hour.
I've been on an energy work kick lately - getting some good spiritual chiropractic. I found myself floating off into many different worlds, many different colors & vibrations were experienced. At one point, a very strong male spirit came in, he seemed either Native American or Asian in his energy. He was at my left and working on my hips. There was a lot of energy being released in my hips and in my occiput. My hips are still adjusting three or four days later; they were a bit tight during yoga today, but I digress. Anyway, I started to quiver all over my body - it felt like almost too much to handle. Felt like I got a little feverish too. I was praying very hard, calling in the Light. Every time I would have the thought to call in the Light, the beings spoke through Margaret and they would say "thank you for assisting, thank you & blessings to you." If you ever needed proof (I don't) that every thought is real & can be heard by spirit, then this work will prove it to you. During an intense part of the work, I felt like I was growing a beak. Yes, I was turning into an eagle and my eyes were getting stronger, my nose bigger, and my shoulders ached in my back because I have been growing wings. This is not some imaginatory hallucination, it's for real.
At the end, I felt like I do sometimes at the end of sweat lodge ceremonies. I feel clean, and yet I also feel like I ran a marathon. My legs were wobbly & weak, but in a good way. The energy was "reset" in several respects. My lungs were able to take in a huge amount of oxygen and breath.
I've been getting even more sensitive lately. Thus, I find that I need to receive energy work more than usual. What about you? Are you having similar experiences? I think we're ALL getting more sensitive as we prepare for the coming SHIFT. Is it not true?
Just wanted to share a few thoughts on this wonderful experience. THANK YOU Margaret and all the beings in spirit for assisting me in helping to release whatever needed to be released! Margaret, your gentle energy and intuitive perception facilitated a tremendous spiritual movement. Thank you THANK YOU!
May all of us be made STRONGER through GENTLENESS.
Aho,
Michael
We did Breath of Life work with Margaret Gilfoyle. It was my first time meeting Margaret, and it was done by invitation from Johnna Nunez, a dear friend & former student.
The work was done on a massage table inside a tipi. Very warm energy in there. I laid my head down on the mat, and then Margaret proceeded to bring in the energy of the spirits that she works with. Very gentle energies worked on me for over an hour.
I've been on an energy work kick lately - getting some good spiritual chiropractic. I found myself floating off into many different worlds, many different colors & vibrations were experienced. At one point, a very strong male spirit came in, he seemed either Native American or Asian in his energy. He was at my left and working on my hips. There was a lot of energy being released in my hips and in my occiput. My hips are still adjusting three or four days later; they were a bit tight during yoga today, but I digress. Anyway, I started to quiver all over my body - it felt like almost too much to handle. Felt like I got a little feverish too. I was praying very hard, calling in the Light. Every time I would have the thought to call in the Light, the beings spoke through Margaret and they would say "thank you for assisting, thank you & blessings to you." If you ever needed proof (I don't) that every thought is real & can be heard by spirit, then this work will prove it to you. During an intense part of the work, I felt like I was growing a beak. Yes, I was turning into an eagle and my eyes were getting stronger, my nose bigger, and my shoulders ached in my back because I have been growing wings. This is not some imaginatory hallucination, it's for real.
At the end, I felt like I do sometimes at the end of sweat lodge ceremonies. I feel clean, and yet I also feel like I ran a marathon. My legs were wobbly & weak, but in a good way. The energy was "reset" in several respects. My lungs were able to take in a huge amount of oxygen and breath.
I've been getting even more sensitive lately. Thus, I find that I need to receive energy work more than usual. What about you? Are you having similar experiences? I think we're ALL getting more sensitive as we prepare for the coming SHIFT. Is it not true?
Just wanted to share a few thoughts on this wonderful experience. THANK YOU Margaret and all the beings in spirit for assisting me in helping to release whatever needed to be released! Margaret, your gentle energy and intuitive perception facilitated a tremendous spiritual movement. Thank you THANK YOU!
May all of us be made STRONGER through GENTLENESS.
Aho,
Michael
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