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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Several years ago, Audrey Barron and her coworkers would joke about her someday opening her own caf.

But then she did.

The accomplished personal chef took what was once the two car garage attached to the building where she used to work and transformed it into Ezras Enlightened Caf--- the go-to vegan/vegetarian eatery in Broad Ripple Village.

We are plant-based, were gluten-free. We are focused on non-GMO and were focused on food thats bright, flavorful. But I really want people to walk away feeling better than when they walked in, said Barron.

When Barron opened Ezras Enlightened Cafe, she was pregnant with her son, Ezra, who was the inspiration behind opening the restaurant.

Thats the whole reason I opened this place was inspired by my sonI was inspired by children, she said. I saw a need in the community for a place to go where families or anyone could go and feel comfortable ordering from the menu and not have to kind of pick and choose.

And when it comes to location, she said there was no question in her mind that Broad Ripple was the perfect place open her business.

I live near here [and] my children go to school near here. Its kind of like our village, our community theres a lot of people that live and come here and are open-minded and interested in health and well-being and it just is a good fit, she said.

Ezras Enlightened Cafe is gluten-free, dairy-free, processed sugar-free, non-GMO and specializes in serving live/raw food that is sourced locally. They even grow their own veggies and herbs on their regenerative urban farm. They are focused on being as organic as possible and are mostly vegan with the exception of local raw honey.

Were focused on food thats bright [and] flavorful, said Barron. But I really want people to walk away feeling better than when they walked in.

Over the last several years, Barron says shes seen an influx in people who have done research that brought them through the doors of Ezras seeking healthy, plant-based foods to fit their health and/or lifestyle needs.

Some folks are coming in with maybe Celiac Disease, their children have autism perhaps, people who are battling things like cancer and then also people who really love food and are vegan and gluten-free, she explained. We have regular customers who have been eating here for years and attest to our food helping them live the life that they want to live.

But you dont have to be vegan or vegetarian to enjoy the food here.

We have heard so many people say, I eat meat or Im not vegan and I love your food! and I had no idea it was going to taste this good, Barron said with a smile.

Some of their most popular menu items include their freshly-made soup of the day, granola bowls and tasty lunch bowls like the Nacho Mama Bean Bowl, Rosemary Sweet Potato Bowl and their top-selling Buddha Bowl.

Its got our signature honey spice kale so we source our honey from a local bee-keeper here and kind of massage the kale with olive oil and honey and then its got carrots and beets and these falafels that we make every week, a tahini dressing and people just love that, she explained.

Head over to their Wellness Bar for a sip of something thats as tasty as it is good for you.

Our juices are always organic and our smoothies are some of the best around, said Barron. We dont use any ice [and] were always using organic and really fresh ingredients.

Try a fresh smoothie like their Health Nut, Buddha Belly or Strawberry Seduction or opt for an herbal tonic latte or elixir shot.

It gets kind of like Harry Potter-ish if you will were kind of mixing things up for people, she said. Its really all with the purpose of helping people feel really good so they can get a little shot, they can get an almost cappuccino-esque drink that doesnt have any coffee but will leave them feeling really good and nourished.

Head right to their dessert case to check out one of the sweet treats that they are known for. Some of their most popular offerings include Key Lime pie, chocolate pumpkin cheesecake, cookies, brownies and even CBD-infused options.

When it comes to sweets, Barron said their muffins are always incredibly popular.

Weve got a carrot muffin [so] if youre wanting that Fall flavor, theyve got that kind of carrot spice flavor goingon, she said.

One thing that you may notice is that Ezras doesnt offer a kids menu. But thats all by design, because Barron created a menu that is intended for individuals of all ages to enjoy.

I walked in the other day and there was a child that was just fully immersed in a donut and a brownie and just loving life, she said.

Four Things You Need to Know AboutEzras Enlightened Caf:

For more information about Ezras Enlightened Cafe, check out their website by clickinghere. To see more photos and reviews by local Yelpers, check out theirYelp profile. You can also connect with them viaFacebookandInstagram.

While in Broad Ripple, check out these other healthy hot-spots within walking distance of Ezras Enlightened Cafe:

The Garden TablePublic GreensGood Earth Natural Food CompanySoBro Caf

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Ezras Enlightened Cafe serves up delectable vegan/vegetarian dishes, smoothies and desserts that draw even the biggest carnivores to Broad Ripple -...

A plant-based diet helps to "feed" the "good bacteria" in our gut. [Photo: Getty]

People in their seventies may benefit from going vegan, an expert has said.

Professor John Mathers from Newcastle University claims swapping meat and dairy for a plant-based diet helps feed the good bacteria in our gut.

These bugs typically decline with age as the gut barrier becomes leakier, allowing substances from the digestive tract to enter the bloodstream.

This may trigger inflammation, which has been linked to everything from dementia and heart disease to cancer.

READ MORE:Should you go vegan for your health?

Speaking at the House of Lords, the professor of nutrition said: A plant-based diet may be more healthy in old life.

It provides the carbohydrates for good bacteria to grow.

Fruits and vegetables are rich in indigestible ingredients called prebiotics.

These act as the fertiliser for the growth of bacteria in our digestive tract.

Prebiotics are different from probiotics, which specifically introduce new bugs into the gut, like some yoghurts.

Dr Marina Ezcurra, from the University of Kent, added: Bacteria in the gut are linked to age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular conditions, and cancer.

As we get older, gut microbes are more likely to release molecules into the bloodstream, which affects our tissues.

A strong microbiome strengthens the gut barrier against leakage that leads to inflammation.

Prebiotics are said to be more powerful than probiotics for long term health.

They change the pattern of organisms in the gut, which continues for some time after a person has stopped consuming prebiotics, Professor Mathers said.

READ MORE:Meat eaters can now get paid to go vegan

Leaky gut syndrome is not officially recognised as a condition.

However, some claim the immune system reacts to substances that have escaped out of the porous bowel and into the bloodstream.

According to the NHS, certain conditions and drugs can make the intestine more permeable, however, there is little evidence it causes any significant, widespread problems.

For those considering going vegan,the health service adds they should be able to get most of the nutrients they need from a varied and balanced diet.

Story continues

Their diet should be made up of at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, as well as dairy alternatives, beans and lentils.

However, vitamin B12 is only found naturally in meat and dairy.

Vegans therefore rely on fortified cereals, drinks and yeast extract, like Marmite.

With veganism not being for everyone, Professor Mathers admits the benefits likely vary from person-to-person.

Diet advice is complex, he said.

We know little of the nutritional needs of old people aged 75 or over.

It depends on any conditions they have and the drugs they take, which lends to a more personalised approach.

READ MORE: Adding a lemon to your drink might not be vegan and people are confused

Whether you choose to go plant-based or not, adding more protein to your diet could keep you strong into old age.

The elderly struggle to build muscle so they need more protein to maintain muscle mass, Professor Mathers said.

Vegans can up their protein intake by adding lots of beans, lentils and other pulses to their diet.

Meat, fish and eggs are also rich sources.

While changing your diet in later life may seem overwhelming, the experts stress you cannot underestimate the benefits it could have.

Ageing is damage to the big molecules in our body, like DNA and lipids, Professor Mathers said.

Food influences the processes in cells and tissue that repair that damage.

Nutrition is fundamental.

And the effects could be almost immediate.

Diet changes the microbiome dramatically, Dr Ezcurra said.

If you alter your diet it influences the species in your gut in four days.

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Going vegan in your seventies could ward off disease - Yahoo News

Russell Brand has defended Lewis Hamilton against comments calling him a hypocrite.

In a recent Instagram Story, Hamilton wrote about the climate crisis. He said, Im sad right now with the thought about where this world is going, and asked his friends and followers to give up meat and dairy to go vegan.

He said,it is the only way to save our planet today.

However, Hamilton drives racing cars for a living, and Formula One is an industry that, as a whole, is a while away from becoming carbon neutral.

Hamilton has said he plans to be carbon neutral himself by the end of the year, but the nature of his sport prompted many to speak up and label the athlete a hypocrite.

In Brands view, whether or not Hamilton is hypocritical is irrelevant because most of us are. Hes trying to communicate, said Brand in a new YouTube video.Why wouldnt he communicate?

It really just highlights the impotence that we all share,he continued. Operating within systems and cultures that, in a sense, yield continually to the invisible power of commerce.The comedian and podcast host added, none of us can make a significant difference as individuals.

But that doesnt mean we shouldnt try. Its great sentiment to do those things, he adds. Brand himself follows a plant-based diet. He has been a vegetarian since he was 14 and an on-off vegan since 2011.

In Brands view, real change will only happen at the level of global regulation. Countries will have to pass laws against using single-use plastic or fuels that harm the planet.

He believes its the current system that makes people unable to see Hamiltons point of view.

We can all see armageddon, we can all see the apocalypse, but we cant see Lewis Hamiltons carbon-neutral, vegan, wonderland. Because its very difficult to envisage that when our current systems seem so immobile, he said.

He added, Lewis Hamilton is doing his best. Hes alright. I met him before a couple of times and hes a nice bloke.

In his view, accusations of hypocrisy are a way of trying to exclude a person from a conversation. He said, if the price of entry to the public debate is personal perfection, then were [expletive].

The price should be a shared aspiration to improve the world, he added. To create a better collective, to create ideals for us to move towards being forgiving towards one another when we inevitably slip.

Surely thats what we should be doing instead of condemning individuals, he continued.

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Russell Brand Defends Lewis Hamiltons Vegan Hypocrisy and It Will Make You Think

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Russell Brand has spoken up for Lewis Hamilton amidst backlash calling him a hypocrite. The Formula One driver recently asked his followers to go vegan to save the planet.

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Charlotte Pointing

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Russell Brand Defends Lewis Hamiltons Vegan Hypocrisy and It Will Make You Think - LIVEKINDLY

The Perfect Couple Enter the Perfect Exclusive World Records in Paper Cutting Art and Mimicry

The Perfect Couple (Husband- Chethan Koppa (32) & Wife, Akshatha Kudla (26)) Enter the Perfect Exclusive World Records in making the largest paper cutting Art using papers and stencil; and making Highest number of mimicry sounds in one minute, respectively. Akshatha is a Kannada teacher at St Aloysius Gonzaga School, Mangaluru, while Chethan is in-charge ofa Govt School in Ulaibettu.

Mangaluru : Whatever the Mind can Conceive and Believe, it can Achieve said Napolean Hill, therefore each one of us has at least one unique quality which is different from others, and for that matter, Exclusive World Record ( EWR ) welcomes such people / Organisation for shining in the world. EWR has been established in 2019 as a record book and organised by Lata Foundation. Exclusive World Records is the trademark of its owner being used by Lata Foundation under exclusive rights conferred by the owner of the said trademark.

Exclusive World Records aims to provide a platform to those people who have some talent or quality (Either single or group of person), and want to have their name in the sky and who desire shining like twinkle star by attempting or by doing unique activities. In this world every person has a unique talent which is different from the rest of the world. And here we have a young couple, both Teachers, who have made it into the Exclusive World Records, with unique talents of theirs.

Meet Ms Akshatha Kudla (26) and Chethan Koppa (32), a young couple who are Kannada teachers have entered the Exclusive World Records with their unique talent. The duo are associated with Mangaluru based Gopadkar Swaroopa Adhyayana Kendra, which aims to create an alternative to the existing system of education through painting, mimicry, dance and other art forms. Akshatha and Chethan have now inspired many others by entering Exclusive World Records, where Chethan had created the largest paper cutting of Mahatma gandhi, while Akshatha has performed 40 different mimicry sounds in just one minute.

26-year-old Ms Akshatha Kudla is a Kannada teacher at St Aloysius Gonzaga school-Mangaluru, who achieved the Exclusive World Records certificate for making 40 different mimicry sounds in a one minute. It is learnt that Akshatha was the only woman contestant out of eighteen who made it to final list. Over 800 contestants participated in the mimicry contest. Speaking to Team Mangalorean she said ,I can perform various mimicry sounds including vehicles sound, musical instruments, sounds of birds/animals etc in just one minute. In this contest, I mimicked 40 different sounds. The jury present in the contest was surprised looking at my talent. I want to encourage students to do multi-tasking. I learnt the art of mimicking at Gopadkar school and this has helped me to keep the students more engaged and support them in developing their mimicking skills.

32-year-old Chethan Koppa, a resident of Koppa in Chikkamagaluru, and who is a paper cutting artist, has entered the Exclusive World Records for making largest paper cutting art using papers and stencil. Presently Chethan is in-charge headmaster at Government Higher Primary School in Ulaibettu. Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Chethan said, My achievement will encourage hundreds of students especially those who are studying in government schools, to exhibit their talents. I secured the certificate by making the largest portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. I used white and black paper sheets measuring 11 ft long and 10.6 ft in width to make Gandhis portrait on 2 October 2019 in Mangaluru during Gandhi Namana programme. Chandan Suresh who is also a student of Gopadkar Swaroopa Adhyana Kendra inspired me to achieve the feat

Son of Babanna and Parvathy from Chikkamagaluru, Chethan has also authored few books including Amma Mattomme Kshamisu, and Asmithe, Muhurtha Sariyilla. He has also directed plays including Kade Koogu and Bangarada Rekke, and is serving as a resource person of Guruchethana programme by the education department. In addition, Chethan was also part of interactive sessions held with thousands of students under Akshaya Teru programme. Being a research teacher at Gopadkar Swaroopa Adhyayana Kendra, Chethan was part of several awareness programmes with an aim to transform lives of children for the last seven years.

As they say, You Can Do Anything, and Together We Can Do More, and for that matter, Chethan and Akshatha are no doubt special from others, having entered the Exclusive World Record with their each unique talent. The couple are not going to stop here, they still aim to achieve more. While Chethan has an aim to make 50 x 50 sized paper cutting, Akshatha wants to beat the world record by singing continuously for 106 hours. Team Mangalorean wishes the Made-For-Each-Othercouple all success in their future ventures.

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The Perfect Couple Enter the Perfect Exclusive World Records in Paper Cutting ... - Mangalorean.com

Catholic World News

November 05, 2019

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CWN Editor's Note: Addressing participants in a forum organized by the International Federation of Catholic Universities, Pope Francis said, Education reduced to mere technical instruction or to mere information becomes a ruptured education. To believe that we can transmit knowledge by abstracting from its ethical dimension would be to abandon the task of teaching.

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'It is necessary to overcome the legacy of the Enlightenment,' Pope tells leaders of Catholic universities : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Free speech is a right promised to all Americans through the Constitution and is an integral part of democracy which must be protected. But too often, people have the wrong idea about free speech.

In extreme instances, they believe it gets them off scot-free every time they commit the crime of hate speech. More often, though, pleading ones right to free speech allows people to spout alternative facts and baseless theories without consequences. Why is this wrong? Why isnt this free speech?

To understand that, we must examine the roots of free speech. In Western society, the legal protection of free speech stems from the Enlightenment movement. The Enlightenment was brought about by a revolution in science which caused a mix of conflicting ideas and academic debate never seen before. The debate in the international scientific community led to the discussion and study of non-scientific realms of knowledge namely, society and politics.

Enlightenment thinkers believed in rationalism, the idea that nothing could be accepted on faith and everything had to be backed up with reason. And they believed through rationalism, they could move forward humanities understanding of everything, creating better societies and better people.

These were the ideals the United States was founded upon. Our founders believed the legal protection of free speech would engender the debate and discussion of ideas. Debate tears apart bad ideas, preventing them from being implemented in any way. Debate also validates good ideas because when no one can find fault with an idea, there is no reason not to implement it.

Editorial Board: Free speech and power in a protest-driven eraFreedom of speech has been an integral principle in American jurisprudence since our countrys conception. Generally, it is an idea Read

Everyone who enters a discussion with either good or bad ideas comes out better informed and with an understanding of what the best plan of action is. In a democratic form of government, we want debate because it makes the ideas government implement better. Free speech is a tool that improves governance.

The legal protection of free speech was created with the intention of encouraging people to back up with evidence their ideas in debate, free of the fear of consequences. It was not created to let people yell anything from misleading statements to outright hate speech.

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents has proposed policy that would mandate suspension or expulsion of students who repeatedly disrupt free speech on campus. This was encouraged by efforts in the State Legislature by Republicans to protect free speech. But the measures taken will only discourage free speech.

The conservative Charles Koch Institute even recently voiced its objection to the policy in an official statement.

Punishing students for their expression is not how you promote free speech, the statement said. Imposing mandatory minimum punishments without even defining for students what actions will subject them to that punishment will stifle campus dialogue rather than enrich it.

Hate speech is free speech its time that changesPresident Donald Trump signed an executive order March 21 that would withhold federal funding from universities that do not protect Read

It is my hope that this influential conservative group will convince other conservatives to encourage more free speech. The ability to speak freely is not a political issue it is the basis of democratic politics, and therefore should be promoted by everyone who takes part in them. Those who impede free speech pose a danger to democracy.

I believe this is why the rule has been proposed. The Board, much like the Koch Institute, wants free speech protected from people who impede it. Their intentions are good, but there are three major issues with it.

One, disruption can take many forms and is sometimes justified and no formal definition of disruption has been created. There is no firmly stated red line where one crosses from a heated discussion between two people, to one person disrupting the other persons ability to speak.

This is a problem because students will be discouraged from debate if they dont know at what point they run the risk of getting kicked out of school. Debate is never something that should be discouraged at an academic institution.

Two, disruption is a form of protest and banning it is undemocratic. I would support the proposal if it stated in clear terms the only forms of disruption banned were physically disrupting someone speaking freely. Otherwise, the rule could be misinterpreted to stop peaceful protest by students, of people they dont agree with. This would create a culture where we all keep our opinions to ourselves, further isolating people who hold different beliefs.

War of words: Proposed legislation reignites tensions on campus over free speechFires, pepper spray, smashed windows, punches, assaults, riots, domestic terrorism all are results of recent protests across the nation Read

Third, some forms of speech deserve to be disrupted. Lies, misleading statements and hate speech should not be protected under any circumstance. People saying these things will scream at the top of their lungs that Free speech is my right! These people use their ability to speak freely to insult and mislead, not to debate with the intention of finding the best ideas.

Their rude and/or derogatory words should get them punished for disturbing the peace. Will this rule protect hate-filled people who hide behind their false notion of free speech? That should not be its intention.

But it is possible that students rightfully opposing a man spouting hate speech could be accused of disruption of free speech by that same man when the police show up, getting them kicked out of school, and getting him out of whatever fine or imprisonment he actually deserved. While this is unlikely, the prospect would discourage students from confronting these abusers of free speech.

This rule would be detrimental for UW. It would reduce dialogue, diversity of ideas and debate the whole point of free speech while emboldening those who misuse free speech to spread hate and lies.

Board of Regents: Do you really want to create a campus where students are afraid to voice their opinions?

Harry Quick ([emailprotected]) is a freshman studying economics.

See more here:
Board of Regents' 'protection' of free speech actually does exact opposite - The Badger Herald

From busy work lives to overscheduled personal commitmentsand unprecedented hyperconnectivity everywhere in betweentravelers are more harried than ever. Luckily, the new crop of wellness resorts have upped the ante on restorative vacations, pairing the best medical technology with holistic treatments to help you recharge, replenish, and find your balance.

But unlike the retreats of old, luxury is at the forefront, leaving you feeling pampered and ready to get back to the grind. Here are 10 stunningly stylish escapes to help you open up and say ommmmm.

New Yorks summer playground has become synonymous with decadence, but elemental simplicity is key at Shou Sugi Ban House. This wabi-sabiinspired wellness getaway channels the palliative effects of the natural world in healing four-, five-, and seven-day retreats and spaces that could be described as anything but rustic.

Thirteen cabins awash in soothing blonde woods and crisp white linens come with freestanding tubs, Scandi-mod furnishings and cedar slatting make you feel like youve never left the sauna; public spaces follow suit with cozy fireside sectionals and a communal table in the dining room.

Meals are the creative brainchild of Noma co-founder Mads Reflund and feature plant-heavy dishes sourced from local farms. But the real star is the spa, which features an infrared sauna, hydrotherapy plunge pools, and restorative treatments with names like Deep Within and Clear the Path.

Rates begin at $4,650 for three nights. Book Now

If youre escaping New York, a drive on rambling Berkshires country roads past red-barn farmsteads and foliage-fringed vistas is enough to make you breathe more deeply. But one step on Canyon Ranch soil will send your parasympathetic nervous system into overdrive.

The Lenox outpost of the Arizona-based brand offers the gold standard of all-inclusive wellness: a 100,000-square-foot spa with Pilates and yoga studios and indoor and outdoor pools, on-staff physicians and nutritionists to help you achieve optimum health, and targeted programs (think sleep clinics and digital detoxes) to tap into your specific needs.

The pice de rsistance? An 1897 Carrere and Hastingsdesigned mansion where health-forward ingredients sourced from local farms are served overlooking manicured gardens and the propertys great lawn.

Rates begin at $1419 per night. Book Now

In the heart of Sedonas red-rock Boynton Canyon, Mii Amo is one of the worlds most celebrated destination spas. It also resides on a vortex, a metaphysical energy center revered for its healing properties by ancient Native Americans. As the name suggests (it means ones path in the Yuman language), the resort offers three-, four-, and seven-day all-inclusive journeys to help you find your light and recharge your spirit.

Choose chanting rituals, meditative walks through an on-site labyrinth, or chakra-opening massages, and enjoy organic, locally sourced meals made with ingredients from the chefs garden. The propertys 16 adobe-style casitas provide their own therapeutic benefits thanks to beehive fireplaces, heated floors, and private patios.

Rates begin at $2027 per night. Book Now

The town of Calistoga may be nestled in the heart of wine country, but its mineral-rich watersthe result of a geothermal aquifer that sits just below ground levelare the real reason you should visit. The hot springs feed mineral baths all over town, but most luxuriously at Calistoga Ranch, a 157-acre retreat where the cedar-shingled cottages come with outdoor showers and glass wallsthe better to soothe the senses with round-the-clock forest bathing.

If the spas essential-oil massages and outdoor mudbaths arent enough to send you into a trance, perhaps private painting lessons, a perspective-building hot-air balloon ride, or a tour of the on-site vineyard will do the trick.

Rates begin at $3930 per night. Book Now

Want to reach nirvana even faster? Use a card like the Capital One Venture card and earn unlimited 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. Even better, "erase" a wide variety of travel costs, including flights, hotels, rental cars and much more.

Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa

If you prefer a more rigorous approach to self-improvement, the Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat is the wellness escape for you. Here, retreats include tough-love professional instruction (a clinical psychologist and lifestyle coach is available for consultations even before you arrive) and three to four hours of hiking daily through pristine British Columbia wilderness.

One- and two-week programs for just 16 guests encourage overall well-being, bringing hormones into balance, lowering stress levels, detoxifying bodily systems, and improving sleep with sunrise yoga, mindfulness lectures, and a healthy menu thats more gourmet than granola. But its not all work. An on-site spa offers everything from infrared saunas and hydrotherapy pools to massages and soaks in natural hot springs.

Rates begin at $5400 for a week. Book Now

In addition to their contributions in architecture, astronomy, and writing, the Maya created sophisticated systems for healing. Some of those customs form the basis of the wellness program at Chabl, a beach refuge that blends indigenous rituals with the sybaritic luxuries of a modern resort. At the 17,000-square-foot spa, guests may indulge in locally sourced herbal treatments, hydrotherapy pools, and a traditional Temazcal ceremony performed by a local shaman.

The 70 stone-and-wood casitas provide their own opportunities for relaxation with indoor-outdoor showers, private pools, and tech-forward amenities like retractable glass walls. The regional focus continues in two restaurants, where celebrity chef Jorge Vallejos Mexican delicacies (think prickly pear and watermelon salad and octopus tacos) join grilled fresh-caught fish and homemade breads.

Rates begin at $620 per night. Book Now

What better place to engage in some healthy self-reflection than along the pristine waters of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealands remote Southern Alps? The primordial backdrop is the setting for Aro Ha, a sustainable wellness resort that feels a little like boot camp for the spiritually downtrodden.

After waking to the sound of Tibetan chimes in one of the 20 minimalist cabins, guests participate in sunrise yoga sessions and rigorous nature hikes to exercise the mind and body, as well as mindfulness and meditation practices and curated activities like cooking classes and kayaking excursions. Daily massages help ease aches and pains and get blood flowing to aid in detoxifying efforts, as does the garden-grown, Paleo-friendly menu served in the main house.

Rates begin at $4832 for seven nights. Book Now

Located just outside bustling Ubud, COMO Shambala Estate is worlds away in spirit and takes a pampering approach to holistic healthwitness the suites, where canopy beds and thatched roofs meet locally made furnishings and airy open-air pavilions.

Though guests engage with Ayurvedic doctors and specialists in Chinese medicine in formal regimens, the resort also offers fitness classes, rock climbing, hiking, and white-water rafting in the nearby Ayung River for a more adrenaline-pumping approach to spiritual and physical healing. After an intense morning, kick back in the spring-fed pool, then expect to be dazzled with spicy curries and wok-fried seafood (caught earlier that day), served in a stunning 150-year-old house filled with intricate carved wood.

Rates begin at $473 per night. Book Now

The path to enlightenment runs through Vana, a 21-acre ashram nestled into a valley in the Himalayan foothills near the northern Indian city of Rishikesh, also known as the birthplace of yoga. Designed by Spanish architects, the LEED-certified resort is the picture of luxury, with organic linens, private plunge pools, and shower water heated by solar panels, plus expansive windows overlooking endless forests (and a monkey or two).

The wellness regimen is even more thoughtful. A host of Tibetan doctors, nutritionists, and yoga instructors prescribe everything from Ayurvedic remedies, breathing, and meditation classes to daily yoga sessions and soothing spa treatments to help you find balance. There are plenty of secular activities to help guide you as well, including traditional Indian weaving and landscape painting lessons. Best of all, cellphones and laptops are banned in public spaces. Disconnecting never felt so good.

Rates begin at $480 per night. Book Now

Who better to lead you on your spiritual journey than Marina Efraimoglou, a Greek bank chairwoman who traded in finance for Chinese medicine when she was diagnosed with cancer and channeled her recovery efforts into the sybaritic Euphoria Retreat? Designed to reflect the pristine natural surroundings, as well as the medieval ruins of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mystras, the 45-room resort feels like a series of Zen caves carved into the mountainside, with olive oil-infused mattresses, oak furnishings, steam showers, and marble and gold accents.

The holistic spa specializes in targeted programs that incorporate treatments inspired by the five elements, from detoxifying body wraps to metabolism-boosting activities like rafting, climbing, and hiking. Best of all, the premises feature a Roman-style tepidarium, a Finnish sauna, a Byzantine hammam, and a womb-like thermal pool scored by the sounds of dolphin and whale song.

Rates begin at $325 per night. Book Now

Icelands Blue Lagoon is renowned for its healing properties, so its only natural that the geothermal pools aquamarine waters have become the backdrop for one of the worlds most stylish escapes for soul-searching aesthetes. Seemingly carved into inky black lava fields, The Retreat feels at once futuristic and eternal, rising out of the rock in minimalist forms that feature wood and concrete walls, freestanding tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the moss-covered landscape to set the tone.

While the 62-room resort offers group hiking trips and daily yoga classes, no stay would be complete without a visit to the subterranean spa, where you can steam up in a cave, indulge in an in-water massage, or simply hover above the mineral-rich waters in nest-like wrought-iron hanging chairs.

Rates begin at $1,180 per night. Book Now

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The 10 Luxury Wellness Escapes You'll Want to Book for 2020 - TownandCountrymag.com

Despite all the good that came out of the Enlightenment including the recovery of ancient sources of all kinds, and an interest in their historical substance (see my lecture on The Bible and the Reformation in JETS), there was, as Wright notes Enlightenments radical split of cosmology and history are bound to produce false readings.if we think of a closed continuum of Epicurean world-development then anything to do with God must by definition be entirely separate.This is one reason why Bultmann turned eschatology into a metaphor for private spiritual experience. (p. 130).

Wright continues to promote the perspectives of his teacher, G.B. Caird, and his famous book The Language and Imagery of the Bible. He thinks it helps to deal with the imagery and metaphors in apocalyptic literature, and he is quite right about that. The Jewish two ages notion (this age and the age to come) takes a particular twist in the teachings of Jesus and Paul, namely that the age to come has already broken into this age, inaugurated by the death of Jesus, if not by his earlier ministry itself. Wright points to Qumran which also seems to have thought that some eschatological events had already transpired.

The burden of chapter 4 is to critique false views of eschatology and apocalyptic, having already found the imminentist view of Schweizter and others defective (i.e. the end is coming soon to a theater near you), as well as konsequent eschatology which over-emphasized the already aspect of the already-not yet schema of eschatology. His particular target is several false notions: 1) that apocalyptic means what Schweitzer said namely it refers to the near end of the world. No says Wright, apocalyptic is a literary genre (see below), not a particular point of view on the timing of the last things; but also 2) Wright wishes to critique Lou Martyn and his whole approach to apocalyptic that wants to argue for an incursion model (see pp. 133ff.), divine invasion from above. Divine disclosure or victory with no historical antecedents. And Martyn tags this to the death of Jesus, whereas his teacher E. Kasemann links it to the future end things, particularly the victory brought about by the parousia.

Wrights own view, based on Cairds, is that the apocalyptic language has to be decoded, not demythologized, and this involving seeing that apocalyptic is a socio-political critique of empire, where the cosmic battles are actually transpiring (p. 134). My problem with this is not that there is not critique of empire in Revelation, for example, because there is, but that there is also much said about what is going on in the non-material realm as well, in particular in heaven. Apocalyptic cant be reduced to political critique in theological clothing, though it certainly involves such a critique. And while we are at it Rev. 6-19 certainly suggests action in heaven that brings judgments to earth. Apocalyptic is not merely a this worldly critique of historical forces and processes. And if the book is talking about Christ returning, the proper question is where did he go in the meanwhile?? In other words, apocalyptic is also about the heavenly realm.

And then there is Wrights exegesis of Dan. 7 as about the ascension and exaltation of Christ, which simply doesnt work (nor is Mt. 28. 18-20 simply a rerun of Dan. 7.13-14 p. 148). Dan. 7 is about the coming of Gods kingdom on earth to eclipse the previous human kingdoms. In particular its about the Son of Man coming from heaven to judge the world, to fulfill the Yom Yahweh. Where Wrights exegesis of Dan. 7 completely falls apart is when we are told that the nations will worship the Son of Man and he will reign forever. This clearly has not happened yet, and is associated in Revelation 21-22 with the final stages of the new creation. In other words, while there is plenty of political critique of beastly empires in both Daniel and Revelation, in neither case is that all that the apocalyptic language refers to. It also refers to the future breaking into human history of Gods just judgments through the person of the Son of Man. On the other hand, a text like Mk. 9.1 certainly could refer to the Transfiguration being a resurrection of Christ preview if it is not a parousia preview. There are also problems with Wrights take on Rom. 9-11, because there it is made clear that by Israel Paul doesnt mean Jew and Gentile united in Christ, indeed he means Jews temporarily broken off from the people of God while Gentiles are brought into Gods people, but that at the return of Christ all Israel will be saved, by which Paul means a large number of Jews at the return of Christ. In other words, there are some issues with reducing apocalyptic to just socio-political critique in the present.

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Tom Wright's History and Eschatology Part Six - Patheos

Lets start off with some simple facts of life. Water is wet, grass is green and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) has been even when keeping its modest mission in mind a failure for most of the people who sat through it in their youth.

Most of us raised in the United States remember D.A.R.E., if not for the riveting curriculum, then at least for the cool shirts that are almost exclusively worn ironically.

To provide students with the knowledge and tools they need to resist drugs, alcohol and other high-risk behaviors is D.A.R.E.s mission, according to its website. Developed in the '80s with the Just Say No movement by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), which has a reputation regarding its community outreach, and the Los Angeles Unified School District, D.A.R.E. became nationwide and then grew to international use.

When it comes to the general inefficacy of its program, D.A.R.E. seems to understand why.

When detailing its history, D.A.R.E. is eager to explain where it went wrong. While discussion was encouraged, the prevailing approach in the original curriculum involved the D.A.R.E. Officer teaching each lesson, according to the website. Undoubtedly, thats one of the primary issues concerning a program like D.A.R.E., which relies on visiting instructors whose job is to throw some information your way.

Lectures are the name of the game in college, but when youre in a room full of 13-year-olds, its clear that that approach wont work.

Post-2007, it seems that the program got the message that walking into a room, introducing kids to a whole bunch of drugs theyd never heard of and telling them not to do them wasnt a winning strategy.

This isnt to discount all of the work it has done before 2007, but it ties into the lack of real grappling with D.A.R.E.s mission.

Since its moment of enlightenment, it has been noted that its teaching style became interactive with an emphasis on facilitation, rather than a didactic presentation model. Instead of listening to a lecture, students spend most class time working in small cooperative learning groups, guided by the D.A.R.E. officer as they apply a decision-making model to develop their own unique ways of positively addressing high-risk situations in their lives.

This was, undoubtedly, a step in the right direction, but there are aspects of the D.A.R.E. program that are far from conducive to meeting its long-term goals.

One of the crucial tenets to effective pedagogy is building upon a students prior experiences and learning. The National College for School Leadership (NCSL), a former branch of the United Kingdoms Department of Education, listed taking these past experiences as one of the nine keys to quality teaching.

In the mid-20th century, research into childrens learning and cognitive development was heavily influenced by the work of (Jean) Piaget ... Piagets approach to child development emphasized three elements: the way a child explored her environment, the developmental stages through which children passed in making sense of the environment and the role of adults in assessing a childs readiness to learn, a report from the agency stated.

This ties back to the irony of the progenitors, and current teachers, of D.A.R.E.s message: the police. In many communities around the country, to put it simply, the police arent trusted. A 2017 Gallup poll reported that 57% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the police, which is the historical average.

Regardless of whether you think thats a good number for the police in general, its not the best for people who are required to teach the youth. When a police uniform is enough to turn off a student to what theyll hear, its clear that having a police officer teach D.A.R.E. programs is hustling backward in large swathes of the country.

D.A.R.E. also has an interesting take on the increasing legalization of marijuana. It correctly stated that it is neither safe nor healthy for students and all children under the age of 18 to use marijuana, but with the stated goal of effecting future use, the way it has taught that marijuana is to be avoided in any circumstance is, once again, contradictory at best.

These are far from the only reasons why D.A.R.E. didnt work, but it has substantial issues with the program. Cool t-shirts aside, all you have to do is walk down Easton Avenue any given Saturday night to see that D.A.R.E. didnt always, and probably rarely, met its own marks.

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Dare to criticize D.A.R.E., ineffectively educating our youth - RU Daily Targum

Former actor Bijay J. Anand, best known for playing Kajols ex-boyfriend Rahul in the 1998 hit Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, is now unrecognisable in his long salt-and-pepper beard, man bun and a pair of sparkly bright eyes. He is now a yoga guru who teaches all around the world and claims that stumbling upon the practice of kundalini yoga in Rishikesh changed his life. t2 recently attended a three-day kundalini yoga workshop by Bijay at the Atmantan Wellness Resort in Pune and came back rejuvenated.

The three-day wellness and healing experience organised by Atmantan Wellness Centre and Anahata Retreats was a near life-changing experience for us. Atmantan, that sits atop a unique crystal hill overlooking the majestic Sahyadri range and the Mulshi Lake in Maharashtra, was our home for three days of the workshop. Located a little over a three-hour-drive away from Mumbai, the Atmantan Wellness Resort in Mulshi is spread over 42 acres.

When we reached, it was raining and the ambience was beautiful and serene. We were handed schedules of the next three days, curated to relieve us of stress, depression and ill health and lead us to renewed vigour and vibrancy like the blossoming of the lotus.

What is kundalini yoga?

I have done yoga before but not kundalini yoga, so I was intrigued to find out more about this new form. Kundalini yoga claims to heal one from the inside as well as outside. The practice uses mantras, kriyas, and mudras that go deep into your subconscious mind and connect you with your suppressed emotions of grief, anger, pain and toxicity. In addition to that, it aims to heal ones chakras and realign them to offer a holistic and rejuvenating experience.

Beginning to heal

Our orientation on the first day began around 4.30pm. On the first day, we were taught about the nature of the Anahata (heart) chakra and its connection with our aura. Im a very anxious and hyperactive person by nature so I must admit that I did face difficulty in concentrating on the first day. But I also felt a sense of calm that was hard to ignore. I finished my dinner by 7pm and was already calmly sleeping by 8.30pm a first ever!

The next day began early at 7am with an hour-long morning sadhana followed by breakfast. Today, we were learning about how to open our heart chakra. We chanted, we meditated and we tried an exercise where we were taught how to get rid of all the toxicity of our lives. I suddenly realised I had tears in my eyes this was something I had never felt before, it was a completely different experience. We broke for lunch and I must mention here that we were only served light, vegetarian food during the three days of the retreat.

Atmantan has a private waterfall inside their property and we hiked till there after lunch. It was our very own Mandakini moment, standing under the cold waterfall and feeling cleansed from the very core. We got back in the evening for the Healing of the Heart session.

Our kundalini yoga teacher

Apart from the regular kriyas and mantras that we practised, what really caught my attention was how Bijay was as a teacher. He was completely zen-like and in control he knew exactly what he was doing. Bijay was certified by the Kundalini Research Institute, Los Angeles, after he learnt kundalini yoga from Rishikesh. The principle philosophy behind Bijays teachings is love and its connection with the fourth chakra in our body the Anahata chakra. He told us all about his life experiences, about enlightenment and how even a few minutes of meditation in our busy, daily lives can heal us to a great extent.

He told us that the first 10 minutes of his exposure to kundalini yoga to cleanse the chakras moved him so deeply that he knew instantly that he had found what he had been searching for his entire life. It greatly affected me and I mentally noted that once I got back to my regular life, Id take up the practice in whatever little capacity I can.

Blossoming of the lotus

The crux of the entire workshop was that we are as beautiful as a lotus and just like a lotus looks beautiful even in muck, we too, can blossom beautifully in this world full of negativity around us. The session on the last day was called the Blossoming of the Lotus. I dont know if it was the serene ambience of the retreat, the mighty mountains, the chants or the power of kundalini yoga itself, but I was a changed person after that weekend my husband could feel the difference once I was back and even asked me why I was being so much quieter than my usual chirpy self.

If youre stressed with your daily routine or feel like you need a breather, contact Atmantan Wellness Resort for their next kundalini yoga retreat.

A chat with kundalini yoga teacher Bijay J. Anand on the sidelines of the workshop:

How did kundalini yoga happen to you after being an actor and then an art dealer?

I got a lot of fame being an actor, signing a lot of autographs, experiencing the whole whirlwind of being mobbed by 300 people at the airport. Then at some point, I got disillusioned with it. I just had enough at the peak of my career... I was offered 20 films after Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha had released. I didnt want to work any more and people thought Ive gone crazy because thats what every actor dreams of, to get that big hit. But some intuition in me made me stop. I gave it all up and pursued art as a career; I became an art dealer and made a lot of money there. Then, apart from fame, I experienced wealth and luckily for me, I used that for travelling. I travelled to more than 60 countries. That taught me a lot, when you go to a new country you lose yourself in everything. You dont know the language, the people... you lose yourself and thats where you find yourself.

Somewhere the seeds of spirituality and enlightenment were sown in all the travelling and experiences that I had. One day, I got done with art as well and gave up everything to pursue spirituality. I devoted all my time in learning vipassana and going for various yoga and spirituality courses. In one of them, I found kundalini yoga and in the first five minutes of starting it in the class, I knew Ive found something Ive been looking for my entire life. I was so excited with that discovery that I signed up for the next teachers training course and after that I realised that its so beautiful that I want to share it with the world for the rest of my life.

How has kundalini yoga changed your life since then?

Our teacher had taught us one thing that I really love When you want to learn something, study it. When you want to master something, teach it. Learning kundalini yoga changed a lot about me my priorities, my energies, the way I deal with people, the whole understanding about auras. But what really helped me was the fact that I teach because as a teacher, you keep working towards improving yourself as a human being. The authenticity and integrity as a teacher lies in being true to your practice in teaching. When Im telling you to be honest and a good human being and if Im not a good human being myself, youd know that Im lying. When you practice that goodness in your life, that shows in your face. Kundalini yoga changed my life, yes, but teaching it and travelling to all these countries and sharing it has made me evolve even more and made me what I am today.

How would you describe the three-day Blossoming of the Lotus retreat that we just attended?

The lotus is a metaphor for you as a human being, as a soul how you are in this world that is totally corrupt, volatile, negative and full of violence. Just like the lotus looks so beautiful in a ugly swamp of dirty water, you can shine, too, as beautifully in this ugly, sad world. This three-day programme that we practised here was designed to make you understand what the Anahata chakra is. The connection of the Anahata chakra with your aura and what you need to do to heal the Anahata chakra... its only when you heal your heart chakra can you blossom like a lotus in this world.

What made you choose Atmantan for this retreat?

Atmantan has these crystals all over the property thats embedded in the bedrock, which is part of the geography of the place. Its because of that theres an energy here thats really healing. The nature and the scenery all around is very beautiful and pure. The hospitality and service we get, the way they look after every need, make it a natural choice. Im looking forward to working with them. The maximum number of events we do from here on will be with Atmantan now.

What would be your message for people who are still on the fence about taking up kundalini yoga?

Start with the first step. You dont dive into the swimming pool without knowing how to swim. You start with a small step and in this case, it is having the desire to heal. Understand that theres a heaven on earth now, not after you die. Have a desire to experience that heaven on earth and know that its possible to experience that heaven. The first step you take for that is by becoming healthy, by eating right, by exercising, by doing yoga. Its a small step but its the first step to enlightenment. When you clean up the body and mind, thats when you clean the environment for a clean and beautiful aura. Thats when you polish that aura and make it shine like a diamond.

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The Telegraph goes on a kundalini yoga retreat in Pune and comes back zen - Telegraph India