“The extreme of Selfishness is to Love Yourself the most.
The extreme of Love is to experience everything as a part of One - Self.
Balance the extremes.”
Obviously a time has come for me to reflect upon an issue brought up by the flow of events. Most of the time, there is no conscious control over what I do - I simply follow some irrational stream of energy and then use rationality to explain, or rather try to explain why it happened. Most of the time, I understand completely the overall connections of actions, but fail completely when it comes to pouring that understanding into words. Still, there are some things that are able to be put on one plain through words. This is one of them: meat consumption.
One would speculate over the intentions of my action to bespeak on such a touchy subject. Oh, touchy it is for both parties involved, the animals and the humans.
First of all, I haven’t eaten a terrestrial animal for thirteen years or a water based one for four years. That hardly makes me an angel from their perspective, so it could not, and is not, the reason of me advocating a humane point of view. Again, humane from their perspective. It is this that is the reason - most people do not understand animals or are even aware of that they communicate.
People are one of the best beings on this planet when it comes to cracking codes. We nearly cracked our own DNA! It seems bizarre that we remain collectively adamant on a few topics. For example, to be the top of the food chain, to have always eaten meat, to be ignorant to the fact that animals have feelings, to underestimated other intelligence levels or the fact that nature is our toy of joy.
But, arguing any of these presumptions seems a lost battle to me. How can one argue a conviction in a manner of a fair trial?
The discussion arose on Facebook on the topic of meat consumption. Remarks fly left, right and center. It is easy to hide behind the screen. Besides all the mental-word games that we enjoy now playing, one cannot help to sense that their is another human typing those words into the computer. It is a great reference point to start the reflection.
The truth is that the human race NEVER DEPENDED on meat to survive. If other foods were scarce, animals took place of sacrifice and became a means to an end, not the other way around. The growth and progress, although I am more and more hesitant to use that word, has always depended on WATER AND GRAINS. Even more, ON GRASS.
It would be an honorable venture to explore how come our brains integrated THC receptors throughout evolution, although we shall stick to the topic. RICE is a form of grass. Even today, the majority of the world’s population sustains itself with rice and we are not talking only about India and China. Go, grasshoppers, go!
Never ever in history has man slaughtered so many animals under the pretense of food consumption. Let’s be honest - it is pure greed and aggression.
This is a hard one to swallow and digest, even though many swallow things almost impossible to digest . It seems absurd that it is mostly those who consume meat that feel the most heat in such a discussion. And it seems to me the only reason for that is YOU KNOW IT’S NOT QUITE ALRIGHT.
Compassion, maybe is the right word. Not preaching or ‘smart-assing’ around. Anyone who is honestly concerned about their vitality, sooner or later turns the attention to nutrition. One is then bound to come across an unavoidable obstacle in the form of a simple realization - why do I eat meat?
HERE IS WHERE WE SHOULD START THIS DISCUSSION IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Because I have to for health reasons, right? Wrong. The opposite is true.
Because humans have always eaten meat, right? Right, but study the circumstances.
Because Man is made to eat all, right? Almost right, if You observe what people eat today - even plastic.
This is getting boring. The truth becomes painstakingly plain and the reasons one, who asked the question ‘why I eat meat, keeps on doing so are directly linked to what others have to say about the topic.
By talking to people around the world on this subject, they mostly say they would stop eating meat, but it’s ‘others’ they would have to face. You mean, I should be scared of others to eat me?
If You look at how many animals are being slaughtered, experimented on and seen as living corpses across the fields of science, industry and ‘food’ production, one is appalled. Just a fact: people kill approximately 100 million sharks every year - the majority of them are thrown back overboard while still alive and bleeding. Maybe ‘Jaws’ was sponsored by FASA - Finless Anonymous Shark Association?
Now, they say that what others think shouldn’t bother You. Thoughts don’t hurt (or do they?). It is even more absurd to say that what others eat affects You. Just a form of collective hideaway, that’s all it is.
If compassion wasn’t my compass, I would end on a harsher note. But, compassion lead me to leave the animals alone and it is the reason why I urge You to consider this: If You had a choice upon which Your Life would depend on, what would You REALLY CHOOSE: a box of apples or a live cow?
Be. Live.
The first thing any athlete should learn in a process of training is how to breath properly. What a second? Doesn’t that hold value for everyone? Are you saying that breathing need to be learned? What are talking about, since we all know that breathing is done spontaneously!
Yes, I am saying most of us forget not to breathe, but HOW to breathe. Yes, I am saying proper breathing needs to be learned. As You will see from the discussion, correct breathing supplies most of the energy to the body, thus enhancing performance in anything You do, from typing, gardening, thinking and, oh my, enjoying sex. Athletes, being those who train their bodies with a specific focus, be it competition or lifestyle, need to take this into consideration even more.
The first thing that gets disrupted alongside any MENTAL or EMOTIONAL stress is breathing. Now, reconsider Your past - has there been any mental or emotional stress? If Yes, then HOW MUCH of it? Shocking, isn’t it, when one starts to recall incidences on early childhood. Even during the recall, Your breathing might get disrupted.
I am saying it is not normal for a point of view of how the body is designed to breath - deeply into the abdomen, filling the lungs and even the throat. When exhalation, that ultimately relaxes the body, is almost twice as long as the inhalation, which is done effortlessly when allowing the air to fall into the lungs.
If You ‘trained’ the unnatural breathing techniques for decades, wouldn’t You assume this would somehow get integrated into EVERYTHING YOU DO?
And it is so simple - the human body is so plastically modifiable. It is designed for evolutionary learning. Hence, one needs to simply do a little bit of a structured exercise every day and the body will figure it out in its own. Aha, so this is how breathing makes ‘me’ FEEL BETTER? The body always strives for comfort.
Here’s the three step natural breathing cycle and some tips how to practice it. ENJOY!
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Natural breathing has three steps in each cycle. Inhalation and exhalation happen as the air flows in and out in three connected steps.
FIRST: Inhalation starts with the abdomen area pushing out. That creates space in the lower parts of the lung area and draws air deeply into the lungs.
SECOND step is when the air starts filling the upper part of the lungs. Chest muscles relax and expand, creating space for air to enter.
The last, third step happens when the air fills up the remaining top of the lungs and throat area.
Exhalation happens in the opposite way, going backwards through all three steps. First, the air exists from the throat and the very top of the lungs. Secondly, the chest muscles start to contract and push out air from middle and top part of the lungs. The third step involves abdomen muscles contracting, which pushes out the remaining air in the lower part of the lungs.
It is very important to understand two things, when it comes to learning how to breathe properly:
1) Inhalation is a spontaneous process, which means that it happens without control. The only control we have, is in how much we relax the muscles involved in the breathing cycle. The more relaxed the muscles, the deeper the inhalation can be. That is why, it is so important to know how to relax just before the wipeout.
2) Exhalation is more important than inhalation. The body does not use all of the oxygen from the air that we inhale. A bigger part of it gets exhaled. At the same time, the exhalation is when the body gets rid off all of the waste products, mostly in the form of Carbon Dioxide (Co2). The better and the longer the exhalation will be, the deeper the following inhalation will be. That is why we have conscious, focused control over exhalation by using abdominal and chest muscles to contract and push out the excess products. That is why the exhalation in natural, deep and relaxed breathing is almost twice as long then the inhalation.
LEARNING THE THREE STEP NATURAL BREATHING CYCLE
Put your hand on your abdomen area below the navel (belly – button).
Inhalation (through the nose)
As you inhale, push the hand away from the body by using your abdominal muscles. Continue inhaling by raising your chest and expanding it. Finish inhalation by drawing air into your throat.
Exhalation (through the nose or the mouth)
As you exhale, start by pushing the air out of your throat. Next, start contracting the chest muscles and pushing the air out of the lungs. Finish exhalation by pushing into your abdomen area with the hand and by contracting abdominal muscles. Then simply go into another cycle.
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It is 10:01pm and an impulse came through me. Well, stating rather that it is a mission of mine to record into words such swells of informational energy. The trigger of inspiration came while reading a book titled ‘Incognito - The Secrets Lives of The Brains’ by David Eagleman.
Maybe true freedom lies in complete embrace of slavery? As in total surrender to one’s biological processes. Biological, as in logical of/for life. Which life is that? A life of a human as in the life of a body, which from a certain point of view is not alive at all, but merely functions to the best extent it can to adapt for as long as possible?
The debate of free will deliberately leads to the question of what could be called a human life.
Free will, as scientists say, has no place in either the chaotic or semantically structured brain field - in both cases the operations are deterministic and there is no physical place for something called free will to exist.
Here, we touch the subject of the human spirit - an essence that has the potential to act against biological reasons. Force that is able to act completely unparalleled to one’s physical survival. Yes, some bright minds would pull into the debate the salvation of the gene pool, but what if the next person is someone of a distant race. Would then that be the case of saving the human gene pool?
Where there is human spirit, free will can be expressed. It is true that the seed of the spirit lives in every human being, but its fruition is not determined - it is upon every individual, thus society as a whole, to water that seed appropriately in order for the tree of life to grow and bear fruit of Eden: the awakened human being. A being, fully aware of the marriage between the spiritual and the physical.
That is the moment when free will truly becomes free will. That is the moment when we say that a man has freed himself from himself.
Until that moment, free will is only a momentary decision-making tool that blinds one with the perception of choice. In reality, the only choice is to become free of choice.
So, dear fellow thinkers in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, philosophy and other human studies, you could acknowledge the narrow juxtaposition that shallows your point of view - free will exists, but not for one who is yet to become free.
Where, and more importantly how, do the spiritual and physical world intertwine?
Quantum physics describes a field of infinite potential, where electrons circle the atoms nucleus. It is a place where electrons are found; where they are seen and they can be seen as particles of dense matter in many places at once or they can be seen as a wave’s distribution. That would be an adequate place to join, wouldn’t you agree?
And as far as those who surf in the ocean would say:
There is the same place, easily seen in day-light, where both, particle and wave distribution travel together in a marveling manner: we call it the line-up and the phenomenon is called a breaking wave. There’s the wall, the pocket, the lip and the barrel.
“Draw lines, not blood.”
Aloha
For as long as you will live (editor’s note: walking on this planet), you will use your body. The human body is the basic vehicle we use to move around. Even more. The body is in constant motion even when we lay down and rest, or fall asleep. The body is always active.
It can be our best friend or our worst enemy. By neglecting its basic needs for a long period of time, it adjusts through creating an illness. This is nothing but a self-protecting mechanism of the body. It is showing us a way out of an imbalanced life into a harmonious one.
The same applies to the body pain. It is the single possible way for our body to communicate any kind of disorder. It is an amazingly fine-tuned feedback system.
All of this, of course, has no need to happen. All that needs to be done on the level of a human body is proper maintenance and prevention. The body is designed to take care of itself, if it does not have to deal with what we burden it with. Proof lies in people’s lives that go against all principles of the human body, yet they get to live 50, 60 or even longer. The body is an amazing machine. And like every machine, it needs movement, so it does not rust away. Actual physical movement.
Through including some basic movement exercises into our everyday routine, we develop and maintain the natural fitness of the body. This way it can serve and support us in our life’s achievements.
Use tools for exercising the human body that effect the physical and energetic side of it. These tools therefore completely restore and maintain external and internal health. Health becomes more than just the absence of illness and pain, but a state of high creative well-being.
Do you know anyone who hates all animals? Wait. Neurolinguistic commercial break: of course you do. Sure, people hate some species that, oh my, someone put on this planet for no reason. Human vanity…
Do you know that the modern science uses animals in laboratories for testing things to later use them on humans? Sure, you do. Most people not only approve of such scientific hypocrisy, but go to an extent of apologizing it - it is more humane than to test it on people. Why don’t those (so-called) scientists, that have enormous faith in their science and methodology, test their principles on themselves? Man playing you know who…
I deem myself as a highly intellectual being, meaning I have the capacity to use my mind for logical and coherent actions. It is coherence, where majority of those, who proclaim to be at the top of some sort of a pyramid, fail miserably. For example, why on earth would something that works on a rat be great for me to use? This might seem as a redneck statement, but logically challenge me, if you dare. It would be pretentious of me to expect some highly regarded scientist to email me, so let me challenge myself.
Right. It is logical as the way a rat’s body works is so similar to the way my body works. Right. And we know exactly what makes a rat happy, right? What? Well, it has been scientifically proven that thoughts directly influence the body’s physiology. Non-believer. Right. Picture a beautiful island, where you lay under the palm tree as the ocean’s pulse sends slaps of water onto the sandy beach. You are completely free. Safe. What a pleasant sensation. Now, picture you are standing in a long queue in a bank. What changed? Is it that words transformed into thoughts or is it that you have pictured something in your mind, which changed the way you feel?
Right. Let us accept the body - mind connection. How do the acclaimed scientists investigate a specific animal’s mind? Right. Through physical responses, which is as accurate as determining what I think according to which part of my brain would show the biggest stimulation. You think?
The 20th century science and a large majority of its legacy in the form of troops of ‘scientists’ could be ashamed. Not guilty, just with a scent of remorse. It has become inhumane, non-nature friendly and simply a butler to the greedy and ‘powerful’ ones. Oh, yeah, just remembered to add the lazy ones.
There is a lot to learn from our fellow creatures. They can teach us how to move with our mind being fully present in the body. How they achieve in doing some things, so we could teach ourselves the same.
Animals that breath and interact with water, especially dolphins, inhale each breath consciously. All other land living species do not exercise control over their breath. Well, yes. Neither does the majority of us, but we do possess the capacity and can be taught to manage our breathing within minutes. This is one of the most powerful tools on the physical plane that we have.
Today’s technology is truly remarkable and I am excited to see how much better it will get. We have means to examine the way birds breathe while flying. We can investigate the architecture of a horse - it never lays down! The alignment of muscles and bones. Incredible. We could research the connection between agility and strength in the supple body of a cat. There is an ocean of ideas of how to use today’s technology to truly humanely conduct science on animals. Science that would truly be honorable to animals and beneficial to humans.
It makes me sick (that’s why I don’t really think about that), when I think of all those rabbits used in cosmetics and should someone try to tell me that is science, I have only one thing to say: my rat’s ass!
Join me in becoming respectful to every living creature with a heart beat. Never break a beat.
Aloha.
MY FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD
I have spent the last eight years on the beaches around the world, and Hawaii stay my favorite place that I heartily recommend. There’s eight reasons for that, but I am sure everyone will find theirs.
Firstly, they have the best climate on the world. The average water and air temperature hover around 25 degrees year round. According to the art of Feng Shui, they are the most suitable location to live in.
Secondly, they are an island group furthest away from land. You can smell this in the ocean fragranced air and feel it, when sitting on the beach admiring some of the biggest waves on the planet. To me as a surfer, it is of course almost as a sacred place. The conditions for surfing are wonderful, challenging and simply full of awe. Naturally they suit beginners as well.
Thirdly, the Hawaiian culture relates in a sacred way to the ocean and to the land, which is a rarity among world’s civilizations. The photo shows a sacred place in the valley of Waimea river (Wai - water, Mea - red). The river runs into a small bay, where some of the biggest waves on the planet break. The entire area is woven with mystical energy.
Fourthly, one can easily cross the jungle barefoot and no harm will come. There are no poisonous or sharp plants. No dangerous spiders, snakes, tigers or ticks. Even mosquitos are but a few.
Fifthly, the Hawaiian heritage speaks of a spirit called “aloha”. It is a spirit of hospitality that exemplifies the feeling of home. You become theirs and they become yours instantly. Aloha means that good things are shared, while laughter and smiles accompany bad news.
Sixthly, the islands are the result of volcanic activities, which gives them a touch of divinity, having abundance in tropical growth and water. Waterfalls, lakes and rivers adorn all islands.
Seventhly, each island has its own unique story to tell. Oahu is a paradise for surfers and its capital Honolulu boasts in greenery, with only a few high buildings. The Big Island, the biggest actually, has an active volcano with a huge crater. Maui is windsurfing’s heaven and an island where the landscape changes its form and content a few times in a matter of kilometers. Kauai has the wettest point on Earth. This does wonders to the shades of colors, especially the green one. It has the highest population of authentic Hawaiians and one can notice this in how they treat the land. There are smaller islands for the modern explorers.
Eighthly, they are still the only place that gave me goose-bumps all over my body upon departing. The word “Ha - Wai - I” explains enough: “breath of life”, “fresh water” and “a place for gods”. So, a local greeting, for you to impress your new hosts at arrival: Aloha!
Photos of the article HERE.
Those who are in charge of noticing upcoming cool things have reported sightings of a new life force found in a human body. As with all trends, it is exclusive!
Many have recently touched the eastern wisdom and are familiar with the life force called CHI. Trendsetters found this nothing of a shock.
They have also noticed that many people, unsuccessfully though, are trying to be HOT. Many are willing to risk their health and burden their body with toxins, become red in the face and suffer from high blood pressure. THAT is not hot at all, trendsetters say.
The new life force is called COOL CHI or, as all cool things abbreviated, QlChi. This force starts flowing as soon as a person becomes cool or does something cool.
Trendsetters are, of course, ahead of time and acknowledge the fact that the way forward lies in becoming free of labels, stickers or stigma.
There is no specific instructions given as to what is or isn’t cool. The life force QlChi simply flows through a person, as soon as she or he is cool.
It is that simple!
So, go on, cool it down, be cool and let QlChi flow!
Recently, we are seeing the aftermath of the expansion of accessible art via the modern technology. It seems the industrialized, western society is reaching a point of awareness that it is impossible to hide creativeness.
You exist and thus your picture becomes available to anyone with a recording device. Usually a mobile phone. If, and only if, you have a web-based social group account, this captured image of you becomes available to numerous others. Whatever you put into this world wide web is available to those who have the means and knowledge to access “your” information.
The ownership of the information. What happens to a musician’s work? Or a photographers? Or someone who makes movies, writes poems or simply comes up with adventurous cooking recipes? This essay is not about ownership of whatever has been transformed into the digital world. We punctuated those situations to create a space, where we ask ourselves about the presence of music in our every day lives. It is everywhere. In our homes, cars, work places, public places, in transportation machines of all kinds, on our walk, run, meeting, in our intimate moments and moments of solitude, not to mention situations of group gatherings in the evening times. Life without music? Forget it. Leave me the birds in the morning, at least. Music is priceless.
Who cares about the author or the artist performing it? If it is recorded and placed into the web, it is ours to listen to. There is no party without music. This is the wave we have been waiting for. The most comic thing about music at the party is that barely anyone is listening or singing to it. Yes, people are swaying their bodies in whichever rhythm they feel like. Yes, people are shouting loud to prove how their knowledge of the words in the song is flawless. The majority of people simply keep on conversing. They just talk louder. Raise the volume of the music, they will talk even louder. Or, we find ourselves in the middle of a natural setting. Serene. A few friends join us. We do have electricity, which may turn out to be the main culprit, so we come up with a great idea. Put some music on! Yes. Yes. Life is music.
As hard as we can, it seems undoable. Music is here to stay and it is impossible to fathom life without it. Through listening to its words, melodies and hidden layers, we release back into the universal ocean whatever was burdening us. Or we dance the night away, shaking all the worries out of the body. Let the beat go on.
The best way to listen to music is to live it. Be the song you wish to listen to. Write your own words. Live music. Live music. Do it both. Go to live music venues and pay respect to those who bless us with what they have been given. Live your life as if it was a song.
ps. Hint: choose your refrain carefully :))
pss. I am an author of music as well, so take some statements lightly, ok? :)
