Medicinal Plants and Spiritual Evolution Intensive with …
Posted: July 13, 2015 at 12:44 am
With Plant Medicine Pioneer David Crow, L.Ac.
New 6-Month Live Training Starts Tuesday, July 14, 2015
In the modern West, weve been raised to think of plants in a mechanistic way, at best nourishment for our bodies or beauty for our gardens.
But the truth is that our lives completely depend on plants just to survive and they hold many master keys to a life in which we truly thrive.
They can help us heal disease, clear our minds, cleanse toxins and open to higher consciousness. They can rebalance our emotions, release our addictions and expand our vision.
If we relate to plants with curiosity, humility and reverence, they can teach us a great deal about ourselves, sacred living and our connection to each other.
This is likely not news to you. You have probably long suspected there is much more to understand about plants, evolution and your relationship with the natural world.
You may be fascinated by systems of natural medicine like Ayurveda, Chinese wisdom and working with herbs.
You may be curious about how essential oils, flowers and herbs affect your moods and shift your consciousness.
The challenge you face, though, is that opening the portal to a truly new-paradigm relationship with plants can take a lifetime of study in many disciplines from botany to medicine to different spiritual practices.
Read the original post:
Medicinal Plants and Spiritual Evolution Intensive with ...
Steve Pavlina’s Personal Development Blog
Posted: July 12, 2015 at 2:44 am
Since people who couldnt attend have been asking me about the recent Conscious Heart Workshop last month, Ill share some details about how it turned out, both from my perspective and that of the attendees.
As a refresher, what was unique about this workshop (our 11th since 2009) is that there was no pre-set theme and no pre-planned content or structure. The idea was to go with the flow of inspiration all the way through. It was also intended to be a co-creative event, meaning that attendees could influence how it turned out if they felt inspired to do so.
Lets start with what the attendees thought of it
A few days afterthe workshop, I emailed the attendees a simple survey to share their feedback with me. The survey gives themthe opportunity to ratedifferent aspects of the workshop, to answer a few questions about their experience, and some space foranything else they want to share. People can include their names or submit it anonymously if they wish. I also invite them to share some feedback that I can post publicly with their name or initials if theyre okay with that. The feedback is used toimprove future workshops and to come up with new workshop ideas.
For this workshop, on a scale of 1 to 5, the average ratings were:
Workshop Content 4.3
Workshop Exercises 4.2
Social Experience 4.6
Workshop Staff 4.9
Transformational Effect 4.4
More here:
Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog
Interpersonal relationship – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Posted: at 2:44 am
An interpersonal relationship is a strong, deep, or close association or acquaintance between two or more people that may range in duration from brief to enduring. This association may be based on inference, love, solidarity, regular business interactions, or some other type of social commitment. Interpersonal relationships are formed in the context of social, cultural and other influences. The context can vary from family or kinship relations, friendship, marriage, relations with associates, work, clubs, neighborhoods, and places of worship. They may be regulated by law, custom, or mutual agreement, and are the basis of social groups and society as a whole.
The study of interpersonal relationships involves several branches of the social sciences, including such disciplines as sociology, communication studies, psychology, anthropology, and social work. Interpersonal skills are vital when trying to develop a relationship with another person. The scientific study of relationships evolved during the 1990s and came to be referred to as 'relationship science',[1] which distinguishes itself from anecdotal evidence or pseudo-experts by basing conclusions on data and objective analysis. Interpersonal ties are also a subject in mathematical sociology.[2]
Human beings are innately social and are shaped by their experiences with others. There are multiple perspectives to understand this inherent motivation to interact with others.
According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, humans need to feel love (sexual/nonsexual) and acceptance from social groups (family, peer groups). In fact, the need to belong is so innately ingrained that it may be strong enough to overcome physiological and safety needs, such as children's attachment to abusive parents or staying in abusive romantic relationships. Such examples illustrate the extent to which the psychobiological drive to belong is entrenched.
Another way to appreciate the importance of relationships is in terms of a reward framework. This perspective suggests that individuals engage in relations that are rewarding in both tangible and intangible ways. The concept fits into a larger theory of social exchange. This theory is based on the idea that relationships develop as a result of cost-benefit analyses. Individuals seek out rewards in interactions with others and are willing to pay a cost for said rewards. In the best-case scenario, rewards will exceed costs, producing a net gain. This can lead to "shopping around" or constantly comparing alternatives to maximize the benefits (rewards) while minimizing costs.
Relationships are also important for their ability to help individuals develop a sense of self. The relational self is the part of an individuals self-concept that consists of the feelings and beliefs that one has regarding oneself that develops based on interactions with others.[3] In other words, ones emotions and behaviors are shaped by prior relationships. Thus, relational self theory posits that prior and existing relationships influence ones emotions and behaviors in interactions with new individuals, particularly those individuals that remind him or her of others in his or her life. Studies have shown that exposure to someone who resembles a significant other activates specific self-beliefs, changing how one thinks about oneself in the moment more so than exposure to someone who does not resemble a significant other.[4]
Interpersonal relationships are dynamic systems that change continuously during their existence. Like living organisms, relationships have a beginning, a lifespan, and an end. They tend to grow and improve gradually, as people get to know each other and become closer emotionally, or they gradually deteriorate as people drift apart, move on with their lives and form new relationships with others. One of the most influential models of relationship development was proposed by psychologist George Levinger.[5] This model was formulated to describe heterosexual, adult romantic relationships, but it has been applied to other kinds of interpersonal relations as well. According to the model, the natural development of a relationship follows five stages:
Friendships may involve some degree of transitivity. In other words, a person may become a friend of an existing friend's friend. However, if two people have a sexual relationship with the same person, they may become competitors rather than friends. Accordingly, sexual behavior with the sexual partner of a friend may damage the friendship (see love triangle). Sexual activities between two friends tend to alter that relationship, either by "taking it to the next level" or by severing it.[citation needed]
A list of interpersonal skills includes:
Social exchange theory and Rusbult's investment model shows that relationship satisfaction is based on three factors: rewards, costs, and comparison levels (Miller, 2012). Rewards refer to any aspects of the partner or relationship that are positive. Adversely, costs are the negative or unpleasant aspects of the partner or their relationship. Comparison level includes what each partner expects of the relationship. The comparison level is influenced by past relationships, and general relationship expectations they are taught by family and friends.
Here is the original post:
Interpersonal relationship - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Online Math Help & Learning Resources
Posted: at 2:43 am
Is math your favorite subject or your most hated topic in school? Are you looking for free online math help, math fun and other useful resources? In this site, you will find interesting quizzes, practice, homework help and other materials to keep you occupied; or fun facts, games, puzzles and other cool stuff to make this subject something to be enjoyed rather than dreaded. Have some fun while learning some key skills to improve your grades.
For parents, teachers and educators, there are loads of materials here for teaching and learning online. Find interesting and fun stuff to help your kids, students and children to enjoy, appreciate and learn numbers, counting, arithmetic, fractions, computation, geometry, statistics, set theory, trigonometry and even algebra and matrices! Check out our Interactive Zone for dynamic online worksheets, exercises and other simulations.
You can also use our free calculators and math tools to check your answers for many types of math problems: Basic Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Calculus, Statistics, Graphing and Matrices.
Become a fan at our FaceBook page to follow our updates or to give us your feedback and comments. Do let us know how we can continue to improve our website.
Read more here:
Online Math Help & Learning Resources
Cosmic Harmony, the State of Enlightenment – Stories and …
Posted: July 11, 2015 at 4:55 am
Cosmic Harmony - The State of Enlightenment "The Universe has been called the Cosmic Form of the Divine. All the beings you see here are manifestations of the Cosmic Form. This means that all are inherently Divine."
What is enlightenment? What is that state of Cosmic Consciousness, the ultimate awareness called variously - enlightenment, nirvana, satori, samadhi, self-realization, rapture, salvation, ascension, unity consciousness, voidness, and many other terms by many various religions? It is the goal of life, the ultimate destination of every individualized being. It is brought about when the individual personality ascends beyond the illusionary perception of self separateness to merge in the Universal Self from which it originated so very long ago. Spiritual evolution towards this goal takes place over ages but the final ascent of Spirit can happen in an instant of time.
How to Achieve the Goal ???
How does one proceed from the normal human condition to the goal of enlightenment? The easiest way to achieve this Ultimate Goal is to follow in the footsteps of those who have passed this way already. The sages, saints and ascended masters of all times have found this path - sometimes through their own unaided efforts but more often by following the written or spoken guidance of a previous Teacher or Guru. The enlightened master sees the grand achievement and encourages others to find the immense treasure within the reach of every sincere seeker. They point out the path, warn of dangers, offer encouragement, and elucidate the methods of advancing on the way.
Short of direct guidance by a living enlightened one (a rare piece of good fortune), there is no better way than to read the lives of saints and pay close attention to their words. These powerful beings are alert on the other side, watching for the seekers, waiting to help and remove hindrances in the path of all those aspiring to the higher life in spirit.
Read their stories. Draw forth their grace. Create that subtle link of consciousness with them. Their photographs are full of power; their words highly instructive; their stories saturated with the essence of enlightenment. Meditate on their actions and you will approach their subtle perfection.
This is a very special time during which spiritual evolution is being immensely accelerated. Powerful beings are working behind the veil with all who are consciously cooperating to change Earth and bring us into a radically new pattern of human attainment. Never before have even small efforts on the spiritual path been so greatly rewarded. So do not miss this rare opportunity - it may not come again for a long time. As it says in the Upanishads, Arise! Awake! From this very day vow to become the Self that you really are and join the army of lightworkers that are even now transforming the planet.
Enlightenment, Nirvana, Ultimate Nature of the Universe What is Enlightenment Cosmic Consciousness All this is Brahman Reality, an Illusion Existence, Knowledge, Bliss Samadhi, Enlightenment, Nirvana
Sages, Saints, and Avatars Promote Harmony in the Universe What is an Avatar Types of Avatars Historical Avatars Immanent vs. Transcendent Role of Sages and Saints Avatars vs. Saints
Mt Kailas, Himalayas, India as guardian of the Vedas and Vedic knowledge Why India? Himalayas The Tibetan Plateau Sacred Mt. Kailas The River Ganga Land of Bharath India, Guardian of Wisdom Vedic Knowledge
Read the original post:
Cosmic Harmony, the State of Enlightenment - Stories and ...
Christian Transhumanism
Posted: July 10, 2015 at 8:50 am
Prepare for HyperEvolution
with Christian Transhumanism
James McLean Ledford
Download the full PDF version of Christian Transhumanism
Christian Transhumanism is an ancient idea, and yet it is the most advanced form of Christianity. Theologian Paul Tillich points this out in a compilation of his lectures titled A History of Christian Thought. He traces Christian Transhumanism back 1800 years to the early anti-Gnostic theologian Irenaeus of Lyons; "Irenaeus called salvation recapitulation. He was pointing to Ephesians 1.10 which speaks of all things in heaven and earth being gathered up in Christ." "It means that the development which was broken in Adam is resumed by Christ and fulfilled in him. In Christ the new mankind has started. That which mankind was to become... However, not only mankind but the whole cosmos finds its fulfillment in Christ." Paul Tillich calls this idea "The profound doctrine of a transcendent humanism, a humanism which says that Christ is the fulfillment of essential man, of the Adamic nature." "And we can become fully human through participation in this full humanity which has appeared in Christ. This includes eternal life, and similitude with God with respect to participation in infinity." Then Tillich says, "I am always surprised how much better the theology of the ancient church was than the popular theology which developed in the nineteenth century, how much profounder and more adequate to the paradox of Christianity, without becoming irrationalistic, nonsensical, or absurd." So Christian Transhumanism is rational. It makes sense and it bridges the gap between the real world today and what we are to become. We got lost, but recent developments are making it clear where we are togo.
A Way For The Free And Forward Thinking
What it means to be human will change soon and you will probably experience it. So read carefully. In the coming years computer-human interfaces will become so intimate that users may be considered superhumanly intelligent transcendent humans, or "transhumans". We will have a choice in how to use vast new power. Use it for material gain? Or, aim this power at spiritual growth. In this new era of understanding, most will see the dead end of material gain, and see a better outcome in a life dedicated to spiritual growth. For individuals taking the spiritual path, the lower hierarchy of material needs will fall away and so naturally the transhuman will become a benevolent and self-actualized spiritual being. Ultimately, life as represented by mankind will shift from consuming material for sustenance to a flow of information. This means that we shift to a wholly spiritual life where truth is the way. As material needs diminish, transhumans will increasingly be sustained by a powerful flow of Word that can be called the Glory of God. In giving up competition and control strategies and turning to God, we grow to be all that we can be; Christ-like.
Essential to Christian Transhumanism is the notion that love is a cognitive process and God expects us to participate in our salvation by learning how to love perfectly. In this way we access the Glory of God, becoming Christ-like (Christian).This webpage and http://www.technical-jesus.com will go on to clarify the technical aspects of love, and the love process.
Read the original here:
Christian Transhumanism
Global Communication Hub – Barbara Marx Hubbard
Posted: at 8:50 am
Home Global Communication Hub
The Evolutionary Spiral and Wheel of Co-creation graphic tells the story of our evolution from Universal Intelligence - the field of infinite possibilities; from the origin of the Universe through the formation of Energy, Matter, Earth, Life, Animal Life, Human Life and now us going around our turn on the Spiral.
The Core of the Spiral represents Universal Intelligence,the Impulse of Evolution within us, that sense of Spiritarising in each of our hearts as our own impulse to create.
We feel resonance with the global communion of pioneering souls as we discover the new Planetary DNA, divining the design of evolution.
The Wheel of Cocreation describes our current turn on the Spiral. We identify Golden Innovations that work, joining with Global Cocreators and each other in every field and function that are symbolized by the various sectors of the Wheel.
The same mysterious process that co-ordinates atom with atom and cell with cell is co-ordinating us within the Wheel. The Wheel of Cocreation is not static - each of us is turning the Wheel by everything we do.
We celebrate the planetary birthing experience as we come together as one planetary body embracing the next epoch of human evolution as a Universal Humanity.
The Wheel of Cocreation is a potent representation of the whole-system shift. If you look carefully into the Wheel you will see twelve societal sectors arranged in a wheel-like structure according to the so-called 12 around 1 model; we believe these twelve areas comprise the full list of the basic functions of any community. The 12 around 1 principle is considered to be a model of stability in nature, and is the basis of the concept of tensegrity pioneered by Buckminster Fuller. Thus, the sectors or functions represented by the Wheel provide us with a reliable and integrative model for our collective transformationtwelve divisions of the positive fluctuations needed to create a leap to social synergy. It is our responsibility now to activate the Wheel of Cocreationour turn on the Spiral.
When the Wheel of Co-creation is fully activated, we will see the new world that is already arising in our midst. It will offer us a coherent picture of humanity as well as our whole planetary system as a living organism. It will tell us where the problems are, who is working to solve them, and where we can find the needed innovations all organic elements of a living, holistic system of relationships. It will provide for us what I call the new news of who we are becoming in such a way as to continually activate our potential to participate.
Continued here:
Global Communication Hub - Barbara Marx Hubbard
Read | OSHO | Meditation – Mindfulness and the Science of …
Posted: at 8:49 am
Explore the Osho vision from the wide selection offered here. A perfect way to help us understand ourselves and the world around us, from the unique Osho perspective.
There are selected topics on many of the timeless yet contemporary issues from different Osho Talks. Or perhaps you will enjoy reading from one of the serialized book titles.
In the regular Featured Articles section, you can find Body Dharma, where you can explore the body. Or under The Other: Myself, you can find insights into the world of relationships, or perhaps it is our emotional life that attracts you and you choose Emotional Ecology.
There are serialized book titles under Featured Books, or you want to start meditating now with the Meditation of the Week.
Once you start meditating, emotions are bound to start surfacing. Now you know where to go! Or you can sign up for the Library where you can read answers to every conceivable question related to meditation, and much more.
There is a monthly horoscope, a newsletter you can subscribe to and an opportunity to send an eGreetings to a friend.
In case you are wondering where all this amazing material is sourced, try Osho on Osho and be very surprised!
Above all:
Always remember, whatsoever I say to you, you can take it in two ways. You can simply take it on my authority: Osho says so, it must be true then you will suffer, then you will not grow. Whatsoever I say, listen to it, try to understand it, implement it in your life, see how it works, and then come to your own conclusions. They may be the same, they may not be. They can never be exactly the same because you have a different personality, a unique being. Whatsoever I am saying is my own. It is bound to be in deep ways rooted in me. You may come to similar conclusions, but they cannot be exactly the same. So my conclusions should not be made your conclusions. You should try to understand me, you should try to learn, but you should not collect knowledge from me, you should not collect conclusions from me. Then your mind-body will grow. Osho
Read this article:
Read | OSHO | Meditation - Mindfulness and the Science of ...
Charisma Carpenter – Biography – IMDb
Posted: at 3:47 am
Overview (4) Mini Bio (1)
Born July 23, 1970, in Las Vegas, Charisma Carpenter was named after an Avon perfume (a fact that did not sit well with her). She studied classical ballet from age five. Her family moved around often. As a youngster, she entered many local beauty contests, and attended Gorman High School in Las Vegas. At 15 the family moved to Rosarita City, Mexico, and then to Bonita (a suburb of San Diego, CA), where she attended Bonita High. Charisma finally transferred to Chula Vista School of Creative and Performing Arts, where she graduated in 1988. In high school she was a cheerleader, and did the typical teen things: sneaking out and having boys over when mom wasn't home. Charisma's nature tends to be pensive, which some classmates unfortunately misinterpreted as being snooty.
After graduating she traveled throughout Europe, then went on to college. She also worked as an aerobics instructor and in property management. In 1991 she was picked to be a cheerleader for the San Diego Chargers football team. The next year she moved to Los Angeles to break into the entertainment business. She audited classes at Playhouse West and was cast in over 20 major commercials, including a long stint for Secret deodorant. She also performed in a number of theater productions, including "No, No, Nanette" and "Welcome Home, Soldier." This tall (5'7") beauty with the striking looks, brunette hair with chestnut highlights and hazel eyes was a natural for TV; she started in an episode of Baywatch (1989) in October of 1994. Because of that appearance, Aaron Spelling personally auditioned her for the role of Ashley in Malibu Shores (1996), which had a brief run from March to June of 1996. Despite its short run, TV Guide noticed her and said she was beguiling and had the most fleshed-out character on the show. Charisma auditioned for the title role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) but wound up being cast as Cordelia. She had doubts about this and did not want to play a bitchy character again, but her agent reminded her that she couldn't be typecast until people knew her. She is quick to point out she is nothing like her TV persona, noting, "People might think I'm this awful person, but I'm not--I'm a nice girl". Fans and producers liked the character enough that she was transferred to a bigger role on the spin-off series Angel (1999). A long career in TV now seems assured for Charisma. Her hobbies include horseback riding, roller blading, hiking and rock climbing (for her 26th birthday, she had gone skydiving. When the folks at WB heard about this, they made her sign a clause that she would refrain from that for the length of her contract). She has prudently switched to writing poetry instead.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: kdhaisch@aol.com
Birthmark on her jawline
Was a cheerleader for the San Diego Chargers' football team.
Named by her mother after a brand of perfume
She has a tribal sun tattooed on her back.
Gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Donovan Charles Hardy, at 9:50 PM on March 24th 2003 at Cedar Sinai hospital in Beverly Hills.
She's Cherokee, Irish, Scottish, and Spanish on her mother's side and French and German on her father's side.
More here:
Charisma Carpenter - Biography - IMDb
spiritual warfare – Youth Apologetics Training
Posted: July 9, 2015 at 7:53 am
As we have been working our way through the series on the New Apostolic Reformation, the topic of Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare has come up several times. What is Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare?
Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare (SLSW) is a host of various tactics used by the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) to win areas and peoples to the Lord all the while taking dominion. If you want to learn more about Dominionism click here. It is believed that demons rule different areas or territories. These demons are believed to hinder Gods ability to act in these territories. Another way that God is supposedly hindered is if an area has specific corporate sins that need to be repented of. Methods used by the Nar to remove these hindrances are referred to as Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare. The following are some of the ways that the NAR/Word of Faith movements conduct Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare.
Binding territorial demons is one of the most popular SLSW strategies. This is believed to be achieved in several different ways. Often times an apostle or prophet will claim that god has revealed a particular demon over an area that must be bound. This apostle or prophet will often give this demon a name or characterize it as a demon of (name the sin). He or she will then elaborate on Gods battle plan for binding the demon. These battle plans can include fasting, praying, massive prayer vigils, prayer walking, warfare prayer, pouring anointing oil in specific spots, blowing shofars and proclaiming the demons be bound in Jesus name.
In 2011 Cindy Jacobs and John Benefiel claimed that God had revealed that DC was being controlled by a demon named Columbia, so they organized NAR believers across America to remove Columbias influence. This move was known as DC40. Prayer and fasting was directed towards the removal of this perceived demonic threat. To the NARs defense, I will add that there are pagans who believe a goddess named Columbia rules in America. Whatever the case, their efforts proved to be fruitless. Nothing improved. Our nation is continuing to go downhill morally.
Some questions for NAR adherents: Are we as believers supposed to be engaged in these types of activities? Is Christ glorified when we participate in these endeavors? Does this have anything to do with the great commission? Does Gods word command us to bind territorial demons for the purposes of taking dominion?
I personally have taken part in activities like this in the past, when I was part of the hyper-charismatic/Word of Faith crowd. I always felt like we were doing battle against imaginary monsters. A prophet would claim that there was a demon of such and such that we must engage. We would then come up with a plan from the Lord to take this demon down. Once we followed the formula that God had supposedly given us, we would see no real change. Things would continue on as they were. After all the embarrassing goofy things we did to fight the demon nothing changed! We did exactly what the prophet had said. If God had really ordered this whole escapade, dont you think we would see real results? The God we see in the Bible doesnt make mistakes and He doesnt mess around. When God told prophets to perform certain often strange prophetic acts, such as marching around Jericho and blowing shofars, real results would follow. No one doubted whether the wall fell or not. When Gods people followed what God had told them to do, amazing tangible miracles would take place. When these false prophets claim God told them to take action in a specific way, and the people follow the specific orders, nothing happens. Its a farce. The people have been duped yet again.
C. Peter Wagner, the most authoritative voice amongst the New Apostolic Reformation movement recognized this problem.
Since 1990, as I have explained, city transformation has been high on our priority lists. That, as I write this, was 15 years ago. Our best top-level Christian leadership has been involved with this in city after city across America. God has been providing incredible new tools for getting the job donetools such as identificational repentance; spiritual mapping; strategic prophetic prayer; massive all-night, stadium prayer events; strategic-level spiritual warfare; prayer journeys; pastoral unity; and the concept of the church of the city. In addition, Bill Bright, Elmer Towns and others made fasting popular, and I would guess that somewhere around half of American evangelical pastors have now experienced 40-day fasts. However, we cannot point to a single city in America that has been transformed in all of those 15 years! C. Peter Wagner
C. Peter Wagner said this in 2005. We still dont see any miraculous changes coming from this nonsense! Why arent the abortion clinics in these towns shutting down? Why arent the strip clubs closing? Why dont we see some real results? If God was orchestrating these battles, wouldnt you expect some real obvious tangible shocking results? Quite simply, God is not in this stuff. He is not speaking to these false prophets and apostles. Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare as presented by the New Apostolic Reformation is joke. Friends, its time to repent and leave these false prophets. Lets turn our hearts back to the Lord.
Read the original post:
spiritual warfare - Youth Apologetics Training