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Meditation is widely touted by wellness experts as a means to reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and encourage a healthy lifestyle. But it's not all zen and self-actualization. In fact, a new study says the practice can result in distressing and potentially impairing experiences along the way.

The study, released Wednesday by Brown University researchers who interviewed nearly 100 meditators and meditation teachers, revealed frequently reported side effects, including hypersensitivity to light or sound. Insomnia and involuntary body movements was also reported, in addition to feelings of fear, anxiety, and panic.

Meditation can help relieve stress and provide calmness, but also brought up fear and anxiety for some people.

Were not trying to scare people away from trying meditation, Jared Lindahl, a visiting assistant professor at Browns Cogut Center for the Humanities and co-lead researcher of the study told TODAY. There is data that many people find tremendous benefits from meditating."

With so many different types of meditation, teachers, and apps, people who want to meditate need to understand their goals and find a teacher or form that matches what they're looking for, Lindahl said.

The duration of the negative effects like insomnia or a loss of emotions varied from person to person, anywhere from a few days to more than a decade, according to the study, which was published Wednesday in the science journal Plos One.

Sometimes experiences were ostensibly desirable, such as feelings of unity or oneness with others. But some meditators reported them going too far, lasting too long or feeling violated, exposed or disoriented, said Britton. "Others who had meditation experiences that felt positive during retreats reported that the persistence of these experiences interfered with their ability to function or work when they left the retreat and returned to normal life.

Its important to note that the researchers sought out meditators and teachers who have had challenging experiences because there isnt much research on the subject. During their five-year process, they talked to practitioners from the three main types of meditation: Theravada, Zen and Tibetan.

Willoughby Britton, the other co-lead researcher, explained the purpose of the study was not to determine the rate of negative experiences but to document them and find potential influencing factors. Some of those potential red flags which warrant more study, he said, include frequency and type of meditation practice, psychiatric and trauma history, and the relationship the meditator has with his or her teacher.

The science behind meditation is still in early stages. Previous research has found that mindful meditation, which focuses on breathing, can reduce pain. Certain types of meditation, combined with exercise, can ease symptoms of depression, according to a recent study.Sharon Salzberg, a meditation teacher and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, acknowledged that unexpected or uncomfortable experiences can sometimes arise during meditation and applauded the study for examining an under-researched area.

Certainly people at different times may go through some degree of difficulty. But its not everybody, said Saltzberg. I wouldnt go into meditation thinking its going to be dreadful. The quality of instructor, the nature of the community and the ongoing support system makes a difference in how we handle the feelings that arise.

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Originally posted here:

Meditation may cause negative feelings for some, study finds - Today.com

Mumbai city news: Fifty years after prohibition, illicit liquor worth Rs101 crore was seized from Wardha last month

Dry Wardha, a city in Maharashtra that is home to Gandhijis famous Sevagram, is overflowing with liquor.

Nearly five decades after Maharashtra imposed a blanket ban on the production, sale and distribution of alcohol in Wardha owing to its historical links to Mahatma Gandhi, the district topped the list of places in Maharashtra from where massive amounts of illicit brew were seized during the first-ever such crackdown.

The Maharashtra police and the state excise department seized more than 15 lakh litres of illicit liquor worth Rs101 crore from Wardha last month. The volume accounts for more than half of the 30.35 lakh litres of illicit liquor confiscated from 35 districts during the month-long drive, which did not include Mumbai. Illicit liquor includes illegally sold (and smuggled) Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) as well as country liquor brewed illegally.

As many as 9,889 people were arrested during the drive and a record 12,598 cases registered.

Wardha reported the maximum number of cases registered - 1,297.As many as 531 people were arrested. The most arrests were made in neighbouring Chandrapur, which went dry a couple of years ago - 659. More than 66,000 litres of illicit liquor was seized. Osmanabad came second, with as much as 6.41 lakh litres of alcohol seized.

Solapur (rural) traditionally known for its endemic hooch production was low in the list of amount of alcohol seized. Here, 11,237 litres of alcohol was confiscated, however, as many as 509 were held.

Wardhas superintendent of police (SP), Nirmala Arjun, told HT that the large volume of liquor seized was a direct result of the prohibition law, which led to alcohol being smuggled from neighbouring districts or being brewed by tribals.

We cannot seal our borders or prevent people from travelling to neighbouring districts where alcohol is sold. People surreptitiously carry four to five bottles. It is not possible to check each person, she said.

Despite reports of several organised smuggling syndicates operating across the district, police denied having knowledge of these gangs. Liquor is not being smuggled on a large scale.No syndicates are involved. The problem is caused by small-scale smuggling carried out by individuals and locally brewed hooch, she added. The drive helped us identify cracks and we are taking steps to fix them, she said.

Meanwhile, the additional director general of police (AdDP) Bipin Bihari said the crackdown was planned soon after the Supreme Courts order to ban liquor shops along highways in March. Earlier, the raids were patchy and did not cover all districts. This time, we decided to launch raids across state by collaborating with the excise department which regulates liquor, he said.

The state intelligence department (SID) collected information about places where the trade or production was ongoing and the individuals conducting the business. In a large number of cases, we found agents of liquor shops in villages and small towns. They would keep small stocks and sell those at high prices, while a well-organised delivery system ensured quick supply after a phone call was made, he added. The information was passed on to local police stations.

Most of those arrested were booked under the Bombay Prohibition Act of 1951 and Section 110 (8) of CrPC. The licenses of liquor shops engaged in illegal trade have been revoked while externment proceedings under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous (activities) Act (MPDA) is being initiated against repeat offenders, Bihari said. He added that inspector generals of police have been asked to closely monitor the situation in districts where more than 150 cases have been registered.

Read more from the original source:

Liquor prohibited in Wardha, home to Gandhi's ashram. 15 lakh litres of hooch seized - Hindustan Times

Despite its popularity and panoptic appeal, meditation is still a widely misunderstood subject. Nepal is full of places that allow people to explore various meditation techniques and delve into the philosophies that underlie them.

Here we have covered three such places that may inspire you to take meditation more seriously and bring you closer to people with similar interests.

Dharma Shringa Vipassana Meditation Center

Located about nine km north of the Ring Road intersection at Narayan Gopal Chowk, this meditation center sprawls on a slope of Shivapuri Hill at an altitude of 5,200 feet. A black-topped road runs from Budhanilakantha right up to the centers gate, so getting to the place is no problem. This center is next door to the Shivapuri National Parks entrance gate at Pani Muhan.

Although the center looks almost like a continuation of the Shivapuri National Park, the difference becomes starkly clear when one sees how the parks wilderness gives way to a beautifully landscaped facility that resembles a well-maintained resort. Inside, an explosion of colourful flowers greet visitors, and the well-maintained greenery along the stairs and pathways that crisscrosses the facility adds to the serenity of the place.

The entire setting makes visitors feel at home immediately and settles them down for lengthy residential retreats. The center runs a ten-day beginners course for meditators and several other long and short-term courses for those who have mastered the basic techniques. There are several meditation halls and residential quarters, and a large stupa that houses several isolated meditation cells. The main meditation hall can seat up to 250 people at a time and the stupa has 84 individual meditation cells.

Vipassana meditation has three phases: Anapana, Vipassana and Metta.During Anapana, the natural flow of breath is observed to improve concentration. During Vipassana phase, body sensations like heat, cold, itching, prickling, tickling, pain are observed. Metta, the last phase, emphasises praying for all with a pure mind and body.The whole technique hinges on the central idea that our reactions to stimuli, from outside or within us, is pointless because everything is anicchha or impermanent. Knowing this by experience through the practice of meditation bolsters equanimity and sets the meditator on the path of liberation. To attend a ten-day course at Dharmashringa, contact Nepal Vipassana Centers city office at 4250581, 4223968 or visit http://www.np.dhamma.org. To know more about worldwide Vipassana centers log on to http://www.dhamma.org.

Shivapuri Baba Ashram

This ashram is dedicated to a little-known, yet highly revered, Hindu ascetic, Shivapuri Baba. (He was named after the Shivapuri Hill, where he lived for years in a hut before moving down the Valley floor). As per various claims, he lived until the age of 130 or 140, and left the body willingly in full consciousness in 1962. The ashram is sequestered in the Dhrubasthali forest, an extension of the Mrigasthali forest on the hillock east of the Pashupatinath Temple.

Although accessible after a short walk across the road from the Tilganga Eye Hospital and a short climb up a forested knoll, the ashram is hidden from sight. The forest you need to pass through to reach the ashram is dense enough to make you feel uneasy if you are hiking alone, but in a group you feel absolutely no fear and the greenery, and hillocks all around you make the place look like an ideal picnic spot.

It is quite likely that the moment you step into the clearing where the one-story, hut-shaped ashram stands, your everyday self will melt away and silence itself into a seeker. Even the most restless souls wouldnt mind spending some time in meditation after reaching the ashram. For serious meditators and I have heard this from many of them the spiritual pull is unmistakable there.

One of the things you have to bear in mind while going to the ashram is that a huge population of monkeys hangs around the place. They wont pay you any attention if you let them be and it is best not to carry any edible item openly.Although Shivapuri Baba made no effort to establish a cult or commune, he emphasised on maintaining physical, mental and spiritual discipline through right living for the realisation of the higher self.

The ashram is open to all and it is the right place for anyone one who wants to spend their morning or daytime in quiet contemplation. Visitors are not permitted into the premises of the ashram after 6 PM.

Yogoda Satsanga Meditation Society, Kupandole

Despite busy roads and dense settlements all around, this place is surprisingly peaceful. Located behind Gurudwara, the Sikh shrine in Kupandole, the center was established by the disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda to practice and propagate the teachings and techniques of Kriya Yoga.

The Kriya Yoga system combines several stages of pranayama, mantra (chantings), and mudra (asanas) to rapidly accelerate spiritual development and engender a profound state of tranquility and what the practitioners call the ultimate state of God-communion. Rediscovered and passed on by latter-day sadhus since the mid-19th century, the concept is said to resemble the Raja Yoga of Patanjali and is mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita.

Although the centre is built on a small piece of land, space has been utilised beautifully to augment spiritual grandeur. The centres gate opens to a cemented path lined with trees and plants. Inside, a small patch of neatly trimmed lush grass and more trees and plants contribute to the tranquility of the place.

The two-storey building that houses the Society features large, spacious halls on both floors. The ground floor is a sort of administrative unit where one can get all the information about the Society, such as the process to become a member, meditation courses, and special events. You can also buy books and read newsletters on yoga and meditation.

The meditation hall on the floor above is an airy, light-filled spacious room with pictures of Lord Krishna, Jesus Christ and other saints, including Paramahansa and his gurus, adorning the front wall. The pictures, soothing fragrance and intermittent sounds of chirping birds blend beautifully to create an atmosphere ideal for meditation.

Although the centre is open every day, more experienced meditators make it a point to gather on Thursdays and Saturdays for special sessions. From time to time Kriya Yoga masters from Ranchi, India lead meditation sessions at the centre.

Published on May 25th, Thursday, 2017 11:19 AM

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Three places to begin your meditation journey in Kathmandu - Online Khabar (English) (satire) (blog)

Bodycom Fitness club will host an aerobics marathon on 27 May at Ivory Park Ext. 7 recreational park to raise funds and sanitary towels.

Founder of the Bodycom Fitness Club, Tebogo Malunga said the aim of the event is to raise funds and collect sanitary pads for girls from poor households in Ivory Park.

Members of the Bodycom Fitness Club are ready to raise funds for girls. Photo: Supplied

As parents and the community, we must do everything in our power to ensure that our children in general and girls in particular do not miss days of school because of things we are able to address, said Malunga.

READKeeping girls in school with essential donations

Those who wish to participate in the marathon are required to pay a R20 fee and bring a packet of sanitary pads. These will be handed to girls in and around the area who cannot afford to buy their own sanitary pads.

Founder of Bodycom Fitness Club, Tebogo Malunga, with members of the club. Photo: Supplied

What other community activities can be done in the community to help those less fortunate? Tweet us @MidrandReporter.

Read more:

Aerobics marathon in Ivory Park for sanitary towels - Midrand Reporter

Veggie-lovers and beer-lovers have something new to share: Sage Vegan Bistro has just launched a completely vegan microbrewery adjacent to their Echo Park cafe. Along with the brewery operation also comes with a full tasting room and bar to knock back the animal-friendly drinks in style.

There are six fermentation tanks in place, Eater L.A. reports, which implies that at least six of the tasting rooms 36 taps will probably eventually be used for the house beers. For now, they are rolling out their own vegan beers slowly, starting with a habanero pilsner, and using the other taps for pre-batched cocktails, wine and kombucha.

While non-vegans might not think about it often, beer isnt necessarily fit for a vegan diet. A number of breweries, particularly those that adhere to British and Irish beer brewing traditions, use animal-derived additives and ingredients in making their suds. Guinness famously uses the fish-derived clarifying agent isinglass and other beers can contain ingredients like gelatin, casein and other products unsuitable for veggie lips. Los Angeles has no shortage of great spots for vegan dining, but Sages brewpub might mark the first proactively vegan drinking establishment around.

The bar is now open, but night owls may want to keep in mind that hours currently end at the relatively-early 11pm on weekdays, though they will be staying open until midnight on Friday and Saturday and may be extending until a 1am closing time if things pick up.

Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

Brittany is the associateeditor responsible forTime Out Los Angeles' blog and social media as well as the Film and LGBT sections. Her bloodstream is mostlycoffee. Follow her on Twitter at @britt_m.

Continue reading here:

Sage Vegan Bistro launches a fully vegan brewery and bar - Time Out Los Angeles (blog)

You get the sense that Killingsworth Dynasty would rather be a warehouse in New York than a neighborhood bar in North Portland. The high ceilings and darkly lit space implies a sort of feigned seediness, despite an all-vegan menu and LGBTQ-friendly vibe that attracts a specifically Portland crowd: socially conscious party people. And so while you wait in line at the all-genders restroom, it doesn't seem odd to overhear a woman describe her drunken attempt to make use of a urinal. On the dance floor in the bar's farthest and darkest corner, sweaty people thrash around to left-of-the-dial art music, and in the large leather booths below exposed-brick walls that often serve as a screen for projected animations, you can blend into the background and sip sweet coconut-milk-based cocktails (like the $9 lavender-cream or horchata martinis). Note that while Dynasty is a lot louder and darker than most places in which you'd usually sit down for a meal, its menu has a decent selection of veganized Southern fare, including the holy grail of plant-based comfort food: vegan chicken and waffles.

Bar story: When owner Michael Wolfson originally applied for a license to open the venue in 2011, the city of Portland had some concerns about "the neighborhood" and what the bar might do to stir up crime. "This is a bar for hipsters on bicycles," Wolfson told neighborhood association members at an OLCC hearing. "We might get some tagging, but I'll clean that up."

See the article here:

Killingsworth Dynasty is Where Vegan Hits the Dancefloor - Willamette Week

Reducetarian, flexitarian, vegetariantheres a diet out there for everyone. Thats why its more important than ever to make sure we get it all straight.

One diet (or lifestyle) thats been gaining in popularity among nutritionists, celebrities andmillennialsis the plant-based diet.The diet mostly appeals to anyone whos looking to live a healthier lifestyle,but its smaller environmental footprintmakes it particularly appealing to millennials.

If youve heard people talking about a plant-based diet, you may have thought this was basically just another word for veganism, but youd be wrong. Really wrong. And were going to explain why.

Vegans abstain from eating any animal products. According to The Vegan Society, Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.This means that many vegans also dont purchase leather goods. But it doesnt necessarily mean theyre eating lots of plant-based meals. Vegans could get through life eating processed foods and snubbing their veggies just like anyone else. Think potato chips, gummy candy, and even Oreos.

A plant-based diet, on the other hand, emphasizes eating whole fruits and vegetables, consuming lots of whole grains, and staying away from (or at least minimizing)the intake of animal products and processed foods for health reasons. That means that evenvegan dessertsmade withrefined sugar or bleached flourare out.

There are no strict guidelines or definitions for what constitute a plant-based diet other than focusing on eating lots of fresh produce and minimally processed foods. Some people on a plant-based diet dont eat any animal products, while others will eat a restricted amount. Its flexible in that way, but strict in its focus on eating whole foods.

Were not saying that a vegan cant be on a plant-based diet or vice versa, but the two are not interchangeable and we want to make sure you know it.

Link:

There's A Big Difference Between A Plant-Based Diet And A Vegan Diet - HuffPost

Kansas City Star

KC Symphony violinist's vegan Key lime pie is cashew creamy Kansas City Star Violinist Stirling Trent plucks the tastiest fruits and vegetables when creating vegan dishes in his Kansas City kitchen. Prior to becoming Kansas City Symphony's associate principal second violin, Trent lived on both coasts first as a graduate of ...

Continued here:

KC Symphony violinist's vegan Key lime pie is cashew creamy - Kansas City Star

Cashews have changed the game for vegan cheeses. They add a creamy, decadent flavor that cookbook authors and chefs have adopted in almost every new recipe I come across.

Vegan brands like Miyokos Kitchen offer up artisanal flavors like Mt. Vesuvius Black Ash and Aged English Smoked Farmhouse as cashew-based options.

Unfortunately, if you have a sensitive gutor suffer from irritable bowel syndromeyou may have a hard time digesting these nuts. Those who cant tolerate cashews are often sensitive to FODMAPssugars and fibers that arent digested by the small intestines. (If you find you also have a problem with onions and garlic, low-FODMAP options might be worth a try.)

My other irritation with cashews is they have to be soakedsometimes up to two hoursbefore they can blend into a cheese sauce.

Extensive prep time is fine on a Saturday afternoon but not on nights when both my husband and I work late. Or, lets be honest, when Ive decided were having nachos for dinner and I forgot to soak the nuts in the first place.

Thankfully, there are nut-free recipes out there that are simple, healthy and delicious. Americas Test Kitchenthe Emmy-award winning cooking showincludes a nacho cheese recipe in its new book, Vegan for Everybody (Americas Test Kitchen, $29.95).

I was dubious when I looked at the ingredients alongside the picture in the book. I thought there was no way a mixture that blended boiled potatoes and carrots along with vinegar and nutritional yeast would come out anything like nacho cheese. Plus, the vinegar sounded gross.

I was completely wrong. The sauce came out smooth, tangy and with an unmistakable nacho cheese flavor and texture. Processing the potatoes released starch that gave it a gluey, stretchy consistency. Sauted adobo peppers and onions added a Tex-Mex kick.

Use it as a chip dip or a topping on your taco salad. Reheat on the stovetop, or microwave in 30-second spurts, adding water when needed.

If youre in the mood for a mac-and-cheese style topping, check out the velvety cheez sauce in Vegan Vittles, by Jo Stepaniak (Book Publishing Co., $19.95).

I got the original version of this cookbook in 2000my first year as a vegan. I remember flipping through the pages on multiple trips to the college bookstore, trying to justify the $13 purchase on my 19-year-old budget.

This is still my go-to topping for macaroni almost 20 years later. Like the nacho recipe, it has a potato and carrot base that you blend after boiling. But this one adds firm silken tofu and lemon sauce to give it a creamier texture.

Be cautious when blending the potato, carrot and water mixture in both recipes. If the liquid is still hot, it can force the lid on the blenderor food processorto pop open. I know this from experience. If you want to blend while the ingredients are still hot, only fill up the container halfway.

For a tangy salad topper or sandwich filling, try the Greek tofu feta recipe in Stepaniaks latest book, Low-FODMAP and Vegan (Book Publishing Co., $17.95).

The brinewhich mixes apple cider vinegar, water, miso and oreganotakes about 3 minutes to make. Cut some extra-firm tofu into cubes and let it soak overnight. I ate the cubes solo, but crumble and toss on top of pasta to get a more realistic feta feel.

Read more:

Love vegan cheese but can't eat cashews? Nut-free recipes come to rescue - Fredericksburg.com

Daily Light report

WAXAHACHIE From the vineyards of Texas to the breweries of the Metroplex, one Waxahachie couple is providing downtown patrons an opportunity to kick back, relax and indulge in the finer spirits and brews that the state has to offer.

He dreamt of a barbecue restaurant. She wanted a winery. So, naturally, they settled on a wine bar.

Work began to transform a vacant ground floor studio at the historic Rogers Hotel just after the New Year and wrapped with an April 22 soft opening before officially cutting the ceremonial ribbon Wednesday, May 17 to announce the opening of Cork and Keg the newest wine-bar-and-craft-beer venue in Waxahachie.

I was in the natural gas energy sector for 39 years in Houston and I married a young lady here in Waxahachie three years ago. I commuted for two years and last year my company was sold. So for the last year, I was trying to decide what to do, said Mark Hillegeist, who co-owns the wine bar with his wife, Phyllis Hyatt. I have always wanted to have a restaurant. I always thought I would have a barbecue place or a steak house. My wife always wanted a wine bar. We love to go to wine bars and wineries, so we came up with the idea to open up a wine bar.

The restaurant features wine, craft beers, and small plate items on its menu like crab cakes, hot wings, flatbread, and bruschetta. Already on tap are beers from Deep Ellum Brewing Company in Dallas, Rahr and Sons Brewing Company in Fort Worth and Revolver Brewing out of Granbury.

"We went to the grand opening and had a great time. Because of how crowded it was we sat outside," wrote Bentley Beck on the Cork and Keg Facebook page. "Great beer choices, and for being "bar" food it was really good! [The] atmosphere was very laid back, even when it was packed, we could still carry on a conversation with everyone who joined us. Gold star service from Samantha our waitress, she checked in on us and paid attention anytime someone joined our party to get them drinks. All around five stars, we need more places like this in Waxahachie!"

Laurie Burrow Muirhead also gave the new venue a five-star Facebook review and stated the Cork and Keg is "exactly what Waxahachie needed."

"Upscale but relaxing environment. The staff is great and the food is really good," Muirhead stated. "We are excited for them to have a larger menu and live music which the owners said is coming soon. We usually drive to Bishop Arts when we want this kind of atmosphere so it's great that we can stay in town to have that now."

Beers range from $3-8 for a 16-ounce glass and wine runs between $6-7 a glass. Wine options include keg and bottles from California, Washington, France, and Australia, among others. As of Friday afternoon, beers on tap included Rahr and Sons Dadgum, Saint Arnold Summer Pils, Revolver Blood and Honey, Shiner Bock and Lizard Scorcher.

Specials change daily and are posted to the Cork and Keg Facebook page, which can be found by searching "Cork & Keg."

We are going to focus on a relaxing atmosphere with some good music and some TV monitors in case the game is on. It is going to be a place that people can come to relax, have a drink, learn a little bit about wine and wine pairings. We are also going to serve some craft beers. So they can learn about craft beers and have some really good small plate foods, Hillegeist said. Instead of a place that you can go in and leave, it will be more of a place that you can go to sit back and relax and casually talk to people. I hope to have a little bit of live music once or twice a month and would also like to bring in a comedian once a month.

The restaurant is open 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Cork and Keg can also be rented out for private parties.

Continue reading here:

Newest craft beer and wine bar, Cork and Keg, opens its doors as a member of the Waxahachie Chamber - Waxahachie Daily Light