MyNewsletterBuilder | Healing Arts 05/2009 (Preview)

“Freedom lies in being bold.” - Robert Frost

Whether you realize it or not, it's deep within you - that driving, ambitious life force that's brewing below the surface, just waiting to erupt into a rushing current of boldness and originality. It's your time to do what you were put here to do - to leave your mark, your impression, upon humankind and the planet. Maybe you've already cultivated whatever it is that you have to offer in this life, but it just hasn't risen to the surface yet. What you need is a good dose of boldness to facilitate such a transformation, such as arriving.

The power of boldness can make you feel unstoppable in the achievement of your goals. It's all about going after what you want, but with tact, compassion, and respect for others, and without reaching a state of arrogance or greed. Most progress has been led by people who were bold: public servants, scientists, artists, philosophers, writers, entrepreneurs, and others who didn't wait for opportunities to come along; they created their own opportunities. If you want to be bold and unstoppable, here are a few ways to jump start that momentum.

-- Try something you wouldn't normally do. Take a dance class, go skydiving, or wear a color or style of clothing you wouldn't normally wear. This not only opens you up to new things, but it lets others know that you're willing to go outside of your comfort zone and take risks.

-- When you're hesitant in your interactions with others, try making the first move. You'd be surprised how often others will be willing to follow your lead. Propose some ideas of your own at the next company meeting, or ask that attractive woman at the gym to join you for coffee sometime.

-- Ask for what you want as long as you feel you deserve it. Don't hold back from asking for what you've rightfully earned. What have you got to lose? Go after that raise or promotion. Ask your credit card company to waive the annual fee. Bargain with that used car salesman for the price you feel is fitting.

-- Take risks, but don't be reckless. Risk-takers have calculated the possible consequences of their actions, but reckless people haven't thought things through before acting. Think your actions through, just don't avoid taking risks altogether. Inaction can be a mistake, one that leads to emptiness and regret. For many people, having taken risks and fallen on their faces was far more fulfilling than having done nothing at all.

-- Boldness has to do with acting in accordance to what you believe, which ultimately constitutes who you are. This is a very powerful thing indeed. Life is not about what you do, but who you are, and if you don't know who you are, you can never truly be bold. Find an appreciation for your uniqueness and originality. Discover what makes you different and love yourself for it no matter what others think. That is the heart of boldness.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods, but is added to many others, and is available as a dietary supplement. The primary source of Vitamin D, however, is the sun. This essential sunshine vitamin is produced when ultraviolet rays trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Adequate vitamin D prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

What exactly are the health benefits of vitamin D? How much do you need? And why is the issue of vitamin D intake so often framed in terms of sun exposure-can't you just take a multivitamin or drink fortified milk?

Let's start with the basics: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble substance, meaning it dissolves in and can be stored by fat deposits in the body. It is present in salmon, mackerel, sardines, and cod liver oil; fortified foods including milk, breakfast cereals, and some juices; and vitamin supplements. As we mentioned before, Vitamin D can also be synthesized in the skin through exposure to the sun. In its active form, Vitamin D affects a range of processes, especially the regulation and absorption of calcium.

Vitamin D is important because it:

boosts immunity
is needed for bone growth and bone remodeling
helps prevent osteoporosis
plays a role in insulin secretion
reduces the risk of certain cancers
regulates blood pressure
reduces inflammation
lessens joint and back pain
slows the effects of arthritis

Most vitamin D experts argue that moderate UV exposure is a key part of achieving adequate blood levels of vitamin D (except for people with a history of skin cancer or other sun-sensitive medical conditions). The main reason for this is simple: It is difficult to consume enough salmon and milk to get the recommended amount of vitamin D.

It's true that UV exposure can cause skin cancer, but only a small amount of casual sun exposure is needed to trigger vitamin D production. Exact amounts are difficult to pinpoint since they depend on a person's skin type and age, as well as latitude, season, time of day, and amount of skin exposed. Some experts argue that 10 minutes of sun a few times a week is all that's needed to produce thousands of units of vitamin D. Many people simply aren't getting enough of this crucial vitamin. And for most people, given its dizzying array of proven and potential benefits, the advantages of a little sunshine very likely outweigh the risks.

You've probably heard of acupuncture, or seen a photo of someone receiving the treatment - looking a bit like a human pincushion, with dozens of little needles penetrating the skin's surface. There is a similar technique that, although it's as old as the sands of time, has only in recent decades been recognized as a healing modality in its own right.

What is the difference between acupuncture and acupressure? Acupressure follows the same principles as acupuncture, except human fingers and hands are doing the healing instead of needles.The goal of acupressure is the same as acupuncture: to stimulate what Chinese medical practitioners call chi-the essential energizing life force that flows through the body.

Acupressure is the older, original technique, a Chinese home remedy that gave rise to the more "technological" approach of acupuncture. In much the same way, the herb willow bark was the predecessor of aspirin. Both of these techniques are powerful methods for pain relief and disease treatment, but acupressure can be even more powerful when it comes to relieving everyday aches, pains, and stress. If you think about it, acupressure is instinctual. When your head hurts, you rub your temples. When your stomach aches, you bend over and hold the place where it hurts. The Chinese believe that there are many places on and just beneath the skin, called acupoints, that can be massaged to stimulate the flow of chi to problem areas.

Common complaints that can be addressed by acupressure include backaches, sinus pain, headaches, neck pain, eyestrain, menstrual cramps, and much more. Acupressure can also reduce the pain of ulcers, help heal sports injuries, relieve insomnia, and alleviate digestive problems such as constipation.

Another advantage of acupressure over acupuncture is that you can do it yourself; all you need are your hands and a little knowledge. It's also cheap - free, in fact, once you've learned the basics. Furthermore, acupressure is simple and safe. If you use common sense, the only thing you can do wrong is be a little too vigorous.

A healthier alternative to the more traditional Arborio risotto rice, barley adds iron and fiber to this dish. Total Prep Time: 40 minutes, serves 4.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup pearled barley
2 leeks, white and light-green parts only, thinly sliced
1/2 cup dry white wine or water
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
14 1/2 ounces vegetable broth
1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), trimmed and cut on bias into 2-inch pieces
1 box (10 ounces) frozen peas, defrosted
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan
1/4 cup thinly sliced mint leaves, plus small leaves for garnish

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium. Add barley and leeks and cook until beginning to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Then, add wine and cook until evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add 2 cups water, bring to a boil and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid absorbs, about 10 minutes.

2. Add broth and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until barley is tender and creamy, about 10 minutes. Add asparagus; cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in peas until heated through. Add Parmesan and mint; season with salt and pepper. Garnish with mint leaves.

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In This Issue:

The Power of Boldness!

Are You Getting Enough of the Sunshine Vitamin?

Acupressure - The Basics

Featured Recipe: Spring Barley Risotto

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The 7 Principles of Huna

Serge King, noted author, international speaker, and recognized authority on Huna wisdom, has handed down a concise system for healing based on seven Hawaiian words given to him by his Hawaiian "family".

As art or music cannot often be described, so the beauty and flowing construct of the Hawaiian language is not readily translatable, but more easily felt.

Ike: Awareness - the world is what you think it is.
Truly the cornerstone of all shamanic practice, your world is a reflection of your beliefs. We may think we know it all today, but we know only what we are aware of. As we change our perception, our awareness, so our world changes as well. Everything is a dream and all systems are arbitrary.

Kala: Freedom - there are no limits.
Everything is connected, anything is possible, and separation is a useful illusion.

Makia: Concentration - energy flows where attention goes.
You achieve what you focus on.

Manawa: Persistence - now is the moment of power.
Everything is relative, and power increases with sensory attention. Use your senses to be present in the now.

Aloha: Love - to love is to be happy with.
Love increases as judgment decreases. Everything is alive, aware, and responsive.

Mana: Confidence - all power comes from within.
Everything has power, power comes from authority. Nature has an inner authority which generates power (like lightning); man, being a part of nature, has the ability to harness that power.

Pono: Wisdom - effectiveness is the measure of truth.
There is always another way to do anything. The means determines the end.

Healing Journeys - Beyond Ordinary Vacations

A healing journey is different from your typical vacation in that you have some sort of spiritual quest that you are wishing to fulfill. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that you have to travel to the far reaches of the globe; you can embark on your spiritual journey in your own state or town, even in your own backyard. From spiritual retreats to shamanic tours and vision quests, there are endless possibilities for your pilgrimage. You just have to find what works for you.

No matter how you choose to conduct your healing journey, there are a few things you should keep in mind before, during, and after your retreat. Remember that all things are energy, including you and your expressions. Visualize yourself owning, accepting and loving that energy, embracing the divine human being that you already are. You need to become re-charged with this healing energy in order to recover and advance in the ways you need to, thus fulfilling your quest.

Sometimes a healing journey is simply a matter of altering your perspective. Perhaps you just need to remove yourself from the day-to-day in order to invoke a fresh view, harness invigorating energy, and become recharged and centered enough to continue with daily life. This mental, emotional and spiritual restructuring is what you ultimately want to achieve from a spiritual journey. Whether this means taking off to the coast by yourself for a few days, or enlisting the guidance of a spiritual mentor from some far-away land, is entirely up to you.