What happened? Free LA Fire healing

Los Angeles' San Gabriel Valley suddenly feels like a faraway paradise beach

.

WHAT HAPPENED?

What is a sound bath for spiritual cleansing?

In PR Russia with its worker cooperatives, the nation hides a glorious imperial past. Leningrad is actually Saint Petersburg, and this is where the czar stored the booty from imperial Eurasian adventures and conquests in the forging of the USSR, a Soviet super-nation, now mostly disassembled. The great Central Asian "stans" where the Buddha grew up are remnants of that time as is Ukraine and places as far away as Mongolia. The palace is now a museum. One needn't travel all the way there to see it, just visit The Langham Huntington Resort Spa in residential Pasadena on Lake Ave., which becomes Oak Knoll as it flows south.

The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

All the Gilded Age gold inlay on the ceiling...anyway, turn left to the Georgian Room, apparently named after the country of Georgia, where 60 yoga mats were arranged in a flower pattern streaming out from a center, where all of our "philosophical instruments" (Tibetan and crystal singing bowls, Zildjian gong, tingsha, giant shamanic drum, muyu wooden temple drum) were set up. Enormous amethyst and clear quartz crystals formed a ring around our sacred space. Eager participants, many of them guests of the hotel, streamed in and found a place, arranging themselves on the ground for maximum comfort, socializing and hugging. Then Seven sounded the drum and brought their attention to the basics for the evening:

• total relaxation
• receptivity with palms facing upward (downward for grounding)
• diaphragmatic breathing
• placing the mind on the breath to remain in the present moment, knowing the human superpower of adverting attention to a safe default (resting home) position at the nose or belly button.

Slowly the other musicians, the Zildjian Mistress Linda Lau Cole and Dr. O'Connor and Linda with the bell and her husband with the rain stick wandered about, enchanting the audience. Some sat to meditate, others taking a supine position to exhale.

The instructions were simple. What? Be. Where? Here. When? Now. How? Breathe and stay with the breath already breathing itself. Be a mindful observer of all that is coming up, without

• fixing
• judging
• evaluating
• clinging to
• rejecting
• fighting
• or even choosing

The work of the shaman is healing.

the content of experience. Be here now. Stay present. Know the safety of presence as Byron Katie and Eckhart Tolle explain it. Be in the now. The room was very safe. People kept streaming in, finding a mat. The sounds became ethereal, echoing, softening hearts and soothing minds.

Dr. O'Connor voiced otherworldly notes, traces of Tibetan chants, a heavenly choir as the Mistress joined in. Seven gave reiki and a laying on of healing hands, transferring prana and whispering a sacred mantra, for those open to it.

Dr. O'Connor began the process of emerging, signaling the supine to slowly move their heads side to side and rouse themselves with tapping. Slowly they sat up, smiling, looking at one another with lovely eyes.

Raising open palms, we intoned three long "OMs" together to send out metta and positive energy to an aching world. Outside, the earlier rain had quelled the fires and begun the cleansing process. Inside, the vibration had been raised, and there was clarity and a wish to connect.

• The next FREE sound bath and healing event was announced (February 8, 2025, at 4:00 pm, at The Awareness Center, Pasadena.

Roses were distributed to everyone as was water provided by the spa. Some people cried tears of joy, free hugs were on offer, and plans were made to reunite as everyone was invited to the next event.

RSVP for the next free session

• Los Angeles Fire FREE healing session (2/8)
• Disclosure Project: LA FIRE FREE HEALING, sound bath, meditation for all impacted by disaster, Sat, Feb 8, 2025, 4:00 PM | Meetup
• PasaDharma: LA FIRE FREE HEALING, sound bath, meditation for all impacted by disaster, Sat, Feb 8, 2025, 4:00 PM | Meetup
• Nature Center: LA FIRE FREE HEALING, sound bath, meditation for all impacted by disaster, Sat, Feb 8, 2025, 4:00 PM | Meetup

Event details

Event flyer: Sound Bath.

Spend an hour or more with Dr. O'Connor and healers gathering for a sound bath, vagus nerve release, relaxation, and meditation.

Dr. O'Connor and Dharma Buddhist Meditation are offering a complimentary sound bath and emotional healing to support Los Angeles residents affected by the recent fires with our very own Seven and Devorah Anderson.

• COMING SOON: We will be at The Awareness Center yoga studio in Pasadena, providing this healing event to the community. See Dharma Buddhist Meditation (Meetup) for upcoming announcement details.

These Santa Ana winds are driving me crazy!

Using Tibetan singing bowls, Indian harmonium, shamanic drums, and a Zildjian gong, this healing session promotes deep relaxation, breath work, emotional release, de-stressing, and physical renewal.

Let the soothing vibrations help begin to restore balance, ease stress and strain, and bring about peace from within during this time of recovery.

WHO MAY ATTEND? This is for any LA resident emotionally, psychologically, or physically affected by the fires. (That means you).

There is good scientific evidence that sound stimulates the vagus nerve and can therefore positively affect our wellbeing.

• FREE meditation, spiritual healing, sound bath
• Georgian Ballroom at Langham Spa Resort Hotel
• 1401 South Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, California
• Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:15 pm
• Space is limited to 60. Sign up as guest to register:
• na.spatime.com/tllax/5684945/activity/activity-view/11679295
• Also please RSVP free here or here:
• Disclosure Project: Dharma Buddhist Meditation
• PasaDharma: Dharma Buddhist Meditation
• Nature Center: Dharma Buddhist Meditation
• Dr. O'Connor, Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Jen B. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Mindfulness as effective as antidepressants

The Buddha taught mindfulness.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) was found to be as effective as the antidepressant escitalopram in reducing agoraphobia, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder symptoms.

The muti-institution study, led by the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland, suggests that mindfulness (sati) practices may offer a viable alternative to medication for treating anxiety disorders, with significantly fewer side effects.

Anxiety disorders affect millions of people and are frequently treated with medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Ketamine and psychedelics may also work better than toxic antidepressants.

.
While SSRIs can be an effective tool in countering the symptoms of anxiety disorders, they also come with side effects that can negatively impact a patient's quality of life in other ways.

In the case of escitalopram (sold as Lexapro and Cipralex), these adverse effects include nausea, headaches, dry mouth, excessive sweating, insomnia, and fatigue.

The research team previously demonstrated that eight weeks of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) was non-inferior to escitalopram in providing stress relief and emotional regulation without having the additional drawbacks (avoiding the side effects of synthetic allopathic drugs).

In a new research letter, "Mindfulness Meditation vs Escitalopram for Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial," published in JAMA Network Open, the team presents the secondary outcomes of patient-reported anxiety, depression, and quality of life from the previous study.

• Related video: Healing from Depression and Navigating Obsession (Francesca Tighinean) This is one of the darkest manipulation techniques that people...

The study

Drugs disrupt enzyme processes like magic.

The study involved 276 adults diagnosed with various anxiety disorders (including agoraphobia, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder). Participants were randomly assigned to either the MBSR program or escitalopram treatment. The MBSR group attended weekly sessions focused on mindfulness meditation techniques, while the escitalopram group received dosages ranging from 10 to 20 mg per day with regular clinical follow-ups. Researchers used multiple standardized scales to measure anxiety, depression, and quality of life, both from patient and clinician perspectives. Blinded evaluators conducted assessments using tools like the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the PROMIS Anxiety Short Form.

• How psilocybin the psychedelic in 'magic mushrooms' may rewire the brain to ease depression anxiety and more
• Science explains mind-altering effects of 'magic' mushrooms
• Neuroscientists reveal how magic mushrooms work on the brain
• Psychedelic found to reduce anxiety, research says
• Psychedelic drug DOI activates specific brain neurons to ease anxiety
• The truth about using psilocybin for depression
• Neuroscience research sheds light on how psilocybin alters spatial awareness
• IP protection of psychedelics
• The clinic for psychedelic difficulties: where people go when the trip never really ends
• Extra strong cannabis changes drug users’ DNA, study finds
• 12 metal musicians who surprisingly stayed drug free
• Magic mushroom strains: Is there really a difference?
• Breakthrough headset could be used to help treat depression at home
• Headphones which Zap the brain could help tackle depression
• Meditation works to relieve pain and is not placebo study shows
• Meditation can backfire worsening mental health problems
• Psychedelic drugs and treating mental illness
• People with depression may have key brain difference
• How to supercharge your dopamine levels naturally to help stop feeling depressed or anxious
• Study identifies brain regions that are almost twice as large in people living with depression
• Alert over huge rise in dangerous opioid painkillers use
• VIDEO: The future of mental health treatment: Psychedelic mushrooms on the rise
• After 20 years in the finance industry, I felt depressed and anxious — until I started microdosing. It helped me see how I was holding myself back

Findings

I'll take Nature over Big Pharma any day.

Findings revealed that both groups experienced similar reductions in anxiety symptoms over the study period. No significant differences were detected between MBSR and escitalopram in overall anxiety reduction by Week 8, the study's primary endpoint.

Escitalopram showed a slight edge in symptom reduction at the mid-treatment point (Week 4), but these improvements were not sustained by the end of the study.

Adverse event rates were the only significant difference between the two treatments. Nearly 79% of escitalopram recipients reported at least one study-related side effect, compared to just 15% of those in the mindfulness group.

The findings lend greater support for the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction as a reliable treatment for anxiety disorders with fewer risks, making a compelling case for its broader application in clinical settings. Source: Mindfulness found as effective as leading antidepressant in treating anxiety disorders

• More info: Hiroe Hu et al, "Mindfulness Meditation vs Escitalopram for Treatment of Anxiety Disorders," JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.38453 © 2024 Science X Network.
• This story was originally published in Medical Xpress. Subscribe to newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates
• Medical Xpress via MSN.com, 10/24/24; Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

How to keep cool without alcohol: Ü Relax

I'm an artist, and I do art for art's sake in L.A. Kava Bar & Botanical Lounge (the Valley)

I want to feel less inhibited without all my hangups, at least on the weekends, and I need help.

Alcohol is liquid ignorance.

The world’s most effective calming tonic experience provides a new kind of cool with delicious, ready-to-mix drinks that kick stress to the curb.

Try Ü Relax with plant-based ingredients, scientist-backed formula for quick, convenient, and delicious drinks.

Hours of calm in one small packet

Anti-vax comedy tee-shirt

These brews provide up to four hours of continuous calm in one small packet. They are powerful anti-stress blends.

Forget about worries and let go of whatever is bothering. Tasters are just one sip away from a calmer, less-stressed state of mind.

What's in it?

Sit back and unwind with Ü Relax. Take a moment, anytime, anywhere. Ü Relax delivers a great-tasting medley of the potent and powerful properties of these three plants [nootropics] for a happier, worry-free experience:

• Kava
• Ashwagandha
• Lemon Balm
• with L-Theanine.

Ingredients to feel good about

The Alcohol Freedom Formula

All Ü Relax tonics are made with ingredients found in nature and backed by science. Each stress-reducing property comes together for a super-functional formula that tastes amazing and mellows one out quickly.

We all get stressed... The knots in the stomach, the tight pain in the chest, the thoughts racing through the mind—that’s stress.

It happens to all of us, but instead of letting it bring us down, we’re kindly kicking stress and anxiousness out the door. We believe we deserve to feel good and smile, no matter what life throws at us. More

Why can Paddy McGee drink and drink like his dad?

But why not drink alcohol? What's the big deal? Everyone's doing it! (Everyone isn't)

Those sound like Yoda's words stating the Buddha's sentiments. Maybe they both said it?

.

The Buddha spoke of human virtue in terms of Five Precepts. It is the kind of karma that leads to (re)birth on the human plane. There are many more human worlds not of this familiar one. Just to be human, in the past and in the future, it is because one kept this minimum of conduct, behavior, action. The Five Precepts are restraints, refraining from:

1. killing
2. stealing
3. sexual misconduct
4. false speech (bearing false witness)
5. intoxicants (that occasion heedlessness).

Whoever goes to a shrink ought
to have his head examined.

What are the worst of these? The answer would seem to be the first, killing. Actually, that is not the worst. The Buddha spoke of No. 4 as being worse than that -- insofar as it was observed that someone who lies, deceives, misleads might do any of the others since such a person has no shame about lying about it (as to evade consequences).

We maintain, while those two things may be true, there is one worse, and that is No. 5, using dope (getting wasted, sauced, trashed, inebriated, intoxicated). Why? Of all the things we would not do, what wouldn't we do when stoned -- when out of our mind, out of our reason, out of sorts, out of our heads? They all become possible.

So the (otherwise) good person suddenly, when drunk, lies, cheats (sleeps with another person's partner), steals, and even kills in a fit of anger or, more likely, in a reckless disregard for consequences, such as driving under the influence, or operating a gun or heavy machinery or a horse and carriage or a laser or blacking out and becoming possessed and doing who knows what?

In fact, in the Sigalovada Sutra, the Buddha spells out the misery that accompanies one who gets drunk. Of course, this would apply to any intoxicant (meth, weed, pharmaceuticals, fairy dust, venom, soma, yerba deliria or delirium-inducing-herb like Jimson weed, whatever). But it's usually alcohol, whether beer or spirits. What heedlessness, shamelessness, recklessness, negligence, carelessness might it occasion?

Whatever one would scrupulously not do (sober) becomes a wide-open possibility when s-faced, stoned, wasted, out of one's gourd. One is straight but drunk or stoned suddenly one is open to anything. One is a preserver of life and would risk one's own life to save another, but drunk or stoned does such stupid things that someone gets killed. Do the courts hold one responsible for killing-while-drunk? Yes. Judges look down on it and sentence one to many years in prison.

We may not feel responsible because what we did, we did when we were not in our right mind. But think about it -- as you're telling the other prisoners that you don't belong in prison with them -- what were we when we got drunk or stoned? We did that sober.

And in doing that, we take all the responsibility of what we end up doing inebriated. Fair/not fair? What does it really matter what the court says, what the judge says, what the jury says, what the society says, or what we say? What matter is what karma says. We will hold ourselves to account for all we do under the influence of

• greed (passion, liking)
• hatred (aversion, disliking)
• delusion (foolishness, ignorance, stupidity, wrong views)

We're sticking to toxic soft drinks full of sugar,
aspartame, carbonation, saltpeter, and caffeine.

That being the case, why would we make it worse? Why would we drink, fall into the habit of drinking (by repeatedly choosing to or allowing someone else to choose that we drink), think nothing of drinking (until something very bad happens)?

Maybe we'll say it's because we needed to relax. Well, if that were true, if that were the case, why not use Ü Relax or some similar mood-enhancing but not intoxicating-to-the-point-of-heedlessness substance?

Above all, the Buddha said, let us be lamps/islands (dipa) unto ourselves and work out our salvations/liberations with diligence (mindfulness). There is no time to waste. We might say, above all, to pull a cultural reference from the 1980s (rap song), "Check yourself before you wreck yourself." Or maybe it would be better to say, "Know thyself" and, as Howard Stern's father always used to say to him, "Don't be stupid, you dummy" (which means, "Don't be a wiseass, Dumbass.")

• CalmingCo.com; Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Dhr. Seven, Moon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Public Service Campaign and COMMENTARY

Beauty queen quits her 'Miss USA' crown

Beauty Queen Ariana Viera dead at 26

Like beautiful Prince Siddhartha doing the unthinkable, renouncing his place of privilege and influence, to strive for something better, Miss USA is rejecting the title, dumping the throne, and tossing off the crown. Why? She says "I am silenced." So we are not likely to hear the real reason. What reason is she giving up what other competitors would kill for? It must not have been all it's cracked up to be.

Who me? I beat everybody else on this stage?

Miss USA Noelia Voigt, 24, has announced she is relinquishing her Miss USA crown and throne to preserve her mental health.

The beauty pageant winner, who was awarded the prestigious title Sept. 29, 2023, in Reno Tahoe, announced her decision to step down today (May 6, 2024) on Instagram, which is encoded with message "I am silenced." (See below).

Noelia Voigt, crowned Miss USA 2023 in 2023, has decided to step down (© Jason Bean/RGJ).

“My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride, and later the USA at Miss Universe (held in November),”

Voigt said in the lengthy statement posted to her account. “Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023.” USA TODAY has reached out to the pageant for comment.

"I AM SILENCED" (Noelia Voight on IG)

“Never could I have imagined the journey that my childhood dream would take me on,” Voigt, 24, continued.

“Constant and consistent hard work and dedication all lead me to where I am today, and I hope that the last seven years of competing in pageantry and sharing my journey with you all is something that inspires you to never give up on your dreams, whatever they may be.

• Miss USA Noelia Voigt makes 'tough decision' to step down. Read her full statement
• Joe Biden and Mike Johnson on funding Ukraine and Israel
• Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, May 6, 2024; Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Ashley Wells, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Practice mindfulness at InsightLA.org

• InsightLA non-profit meditation, practice mindfulness online
• Insight Los Angeles
• Santa Monica Meditation Center
• 1430 Olympic Blvd., L.A. 90406
• Managed by Melissa McKay - Senior Teacher | InsightLA
• Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Dhr. Seven, Jen B., Wisdom Quarterly

Complete Guide to Buddhism, Mindful Meditation

Seth Auberon, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation) (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Who needs practice when one can just read about it? It's a new year and I want to learn to meditate, be mindful, and reduce stress. I could sit, but that's hard. My mind is curious, and maybe this book writer found something that will make it easier. Could 59 raters be wrong? Yes, but it's better than hitting the cushion too quickly.

The Complete Guide to Buddhism, How to Meditate & Mindfulness Meditation to Reduce Stress, Anxiety & Find Lasting Happiness, for Beginners to Advanced

Whew, what a title. It's a 3 in 1 bundle in the Kindle Edition by author Harini Anand. It has a 4.4 out of 5 stars with 59 ratings.

Reduce stress while increasing calmness, clarity, and happiness even for complete beginners who are not Buddhists.

Mindfulness and meditation are simple practices available to all... Research over the past two decades by the California State University Department of Psychology broadly supports the claim that the practices have beneficial effects on physical and mental health.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio was quoted as saying, “Meditation more than anything in my life was the biggest ingredient of whatever success I’ve had.”

Plus, one is not required to have "faith" in the Buddha or live secluded in a distant monastery to reap the rewards.

This means anyone can increase wellbeing to deal with stress in a practical way while learning about Buddhism, mindfulness, and meditation as one wishes.

This three-in-one bundle includes:

• Buddhism for Beginners: Ancient Strategies for Lasting Happiness, Overcoming Stress, Anxiety & Developing a Zen Mind in the Modern World
• Buddhism: Discover Ancient Strategies for Beginners or Advanced to Achieve Lasting Happiness, Mindfulness & Calm Stress in the Modern World
• How to Meditate: Practicing Mindfulness & Meditation to Reduce Stress, Anxiety & Find Lasting Happiness Even if Your Not Religious, a Beginner or Experienced

[One knows there has to be an editing problem with these books if one of the titles contains a spelling error no one caught, where Your should be You're.]

Key concepts discussed in this bundle include:

• Over 9 different ways of meditation, choosing the best way for each practitioner
• What is Buddhism and what do Buddhists believe?
• Elite level meditations used daily by superstar basketball player Kobe Bryant
• Top tips for practicing mindfulness in everyday life
• The benefits of Moving Meditation plus 3 ways to start practicing them now
• Manage anxiety, stress, depression and sleep
• Why chasing success and happiness is making us miserable – and what to do instead
• The three major Buddhist divisions to know about
• How karma affects everyone and will catch up with us eventually
• The fastest way to start the spiritual path without living in a temple
• The Four Noble Truths and how they can end suffering
• Buddhism for kids to help children learn from our mistakes and live a happy life
• and much, much more!

The teachings of Buddhism, mindfulness, and meditation are straightforward and can be understood by anyone even if not religious. Begin the journey today towards stress-free, happy living with this bundle.

Longest study on happiness reveals...

Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

You wouldn't believe what was in my mouth. - This smile! (Choose to be happy for no reason).

(Veritasium) Nov. 15, 2023: How to lead a happier, healthier, and longer life. Bliss and longevity? Add meaning (purpose, passion, a point), and we're in!

Huge thanks to Prof. Robert Waldinger for all his help with this video. To learn more about what makes for a good life, visit: the-good-life-book.com and • Robert Waldinger: What makes a good life...

Special thanks to Prof. Julianne Holt-Lunstad for her expert advice on the importance of social connections and the detrimental effects of loneliness and social isolation.

Check out our sponsor: https://betterhelp.com/veritasium to get matched with a professional therapist who will listen and help.

References:

• Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness. Simon and Schuster.
• Lindqvist et al. (2020). Long-run effects of lottery wealth on psychological well-being. The Review of Economic Studies. ve42.co/Lindqvist2020
• Wen et al. (2011). Minimum amount of physical activity for reduced mortality and extended life expectancy: a prospective cohort study. The lancet. ve42.co/Wen2011
• Nocon et al. (2008). Association of physical activity with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. ve42.co/Nocon2008
• Blondell et al. (2014). Does physical activity prevent cognitive decline and dementia?: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. BMC public health. ve42.co/Blondell2014
• Office of the Surgeon General. (2023). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The US Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. ve42.co/LonelinessEpidemic
• Holt-Lunstad et al. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS medicine. ve42.co/Holt-Lunstad2010
• Valtorta et al. (2016). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal observational studies. Heart. ve42.co/Valtorta2016
• Shovestul et al. (2020). Risk factors for loneliness: The high relative importance of age versus other factors. PloS one. ve42.co/Shovestul2020
• Donovan et al. (2017). Loneliness, depression and cognitive function in older US adults. International journal of geriatric psychiatry. ve42.co/Donovan2017
• Lara et al. (2019). Does loneliness contribute to mild cognitive impairment and dementia? A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Ageing research reviews. ve42.co/Lara2019
• Holt-Lunstad et al. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: a meta-analytic review. Perspectives on psychological science. ve42.co/Holt-Lunstad2015
• McIntyre et al. (2015). Compulsive Internet use and relations between social connectedness, and introversion. Computers in Human Behavior. ve42.co/McIntyre2015
• Kahneman & Deaton. (2010). High income improves evaluation of life but not emotional well-being. Proceedings of the national academy of sciences. ve42.co/Kahneman2010
• Killingsworth. (2021). Experienced well-being rises with income, even above $75,000 per year. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. ve42.co/Killingsworth2021
• Killingsworth et al. (2023). Income and emotional well-being: A conflict resolved. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. ve42.co/Killingsworth2023

Special thanks to Patreon supporters: Adam Foreman, Anton Ragin, Balkrishna Heroor, Bernard McGee, Bill Linder, Burt Humburg, Chris Harper, Dave Kircher, Diffbot, Evgeny Skvortsov, Gnare, John H. Austin, Jr., john kiehl, Josh Hibschman, Juan Benet, KeyWestr, Lee Redden, Marinus Kuivenhoven, Max Paladino, Meekay, meg noah, Michael Krugman, Orlando Bassotto, Paul Peijzel, Richard Sundvall, Sam Lutfi, Stephen Wilcox, Tj Steyn, TTST, Ubiquity Ventures.

Directed by Casper Mebius. Written by Casper Mebius, Petr Lebedev, and Derek Muller. Edited by Peter Nelson. Animated by Fabio Albertelli and Ivy Tello. Filmed by Derek Muller, Emily Zhang, and Zyan Treadwell. Produced by Casper Mebius, Petr Lebedev, Han Evans, and Derek Muller. Additional video/photos supplied by Getty Images and Storyblocks. Music from Epidemic Sound. Thumbnail by Ren Hurley.

Dr. Gabor Mate: reset stress to HEAL

How to reset body from chronic stress: Dr. Gabor Mate uncovers the reasons why we get chronic illnesses

(Inside Serene) April 7, 2023. Dr. Gabor Maté is a renowned physician, author, and speaker who has extensively researched the connection between stress [fear] and chronic illnesses.

In his work, he argues that unresolved emotional stress and childhood trauma can have a profound impact on our physical health, leading to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, [addictions,] autoimmune disorders, and mental health conditions.

According to Dr. Maté, stress and trauma can create a state of chronic inflammation in the body, which can weaken the immune system and make us more vulnerable to illness.

This can be especially true for individuals who have experienced early childhood trauma or ongoing stressors such as poverty, discrimination, or violence.

To address these issues, Dr. Maté emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying emotional and psychological factors that contribute to chronic illness.

This may involve working with a therapist, practicing mindfulness and self-care, and making lifestyle changes that support overall health and well-being.

"We must be willing to encounter darkness and despair when they come up and face them, over and over again if need be, without running away or numbing ourselves in the thousands of ways we conjure up to avoid the unavoidable."

- Buddhist author Jon Kabat-Zinn

In summary, Dr. Gabor Maté's work highlights the complex relationship between stress, trauma, and chronic illness -- and emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to health that takes into account both the physical and emotional aspects of our well-being.

The power of words to control our emotions can be therapeutic to our mental health. ✅ “I'm here for you.” ✅ “You are not alone.” ✅ “You are worthy and deserving.” ✅ “You don't have to apologize.” ✅ “There is treatment available to you…” ✅ “You are strong!” ✅ Be empowered. ✅ Be intentional. ✅ Be in control.

If one suffers from bipolar disorder like Inside Sereen, there are times one might experience cyclical remission through music and motivational/inspirational speeches to be able to survive every stage of cyclical depression. "Inside Serene" is an alter ego, a trusted friend, a gatekeeper of our Pandora's Box of mindfulness that helps us overcome mental struggles.

#trauma #stress #chronicillness #gabor

Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Science: Why Metalheads are HAPPIER (video)

DW History &Culture, 8/20/22; Madison, S. Auberon, Pfc. Sandoval (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Punk rockers are happy, too...when they have a bat and are about to break stuff.

Why metalheads are happier people

(DW History and Culture) Music makes us happy. Millions of people agree with that. But heavy metal music? A genre that is often described as dark, deafening, and aggressive, how is can that [cr*p] make people happy?

• Catharsis: "cleansing" or "purging" of negative emotions

Are headbanging, pot smoking, beer-and-speed abusing, black-clad metal fans happier than other people? Surely, that can't be.

US metal: Job for a Cowboy's Wacken '08 pit ("Entombment of a Machine")

Hard, Heavy & Happy: Heavy Metal

But psychologist Dr. Nico Rose argues to the contrary. In his book Hard, Heavy and Happy, he describes the effects of heavy metal on body, mind, and soul.

He also explains how what heavy [death] metal opponents often call "noise" helps cope with anxiety and depression.

This episode of Arts Unveiled explains how the notorious festival venue of Wacken became a sanctuary for metalheads' well-being and how the heavy metal crowd has now even managed to win over the quiet-loving inhabitants of the tranquil village in northern Germany.

Heavy Metal becomes Happy Metal. With hard rock music [leads] to a happier life.

• 00:00 Intro: Why metalheads are happier people
• 00:22 Reason 1: Metal fans have a strong sense of community
• 03:39 Reason 2: Metal provides an outlet for stress and anger
• 06:24 Reason 3: Metal leads to feelings of joy and empowerment
• 08:19 Outro: The power of heavy metal
• VIDEO: What's better, Rap/Hip Hop or Heavy Metal?
• VIDEO: Finn McKenty, MBA: Learning to like metal

(Coolea) But black metal and Norwegian death metal go too far, right?

#metalheads #wackenopenair2022 #music #rockmusic #dwhistoryandculture

For more visit: dw.com/en/culture/s-1441 ⮞ Follow DW Culture on Facebook: facebook.com/dw.culture ⮞ DW Culture: twitter.com/DW_Culture. DW's netiquette: p.dw.com/p/MF1G.