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Sunday, July 31, 2011

练功怎样人静?
(赵金香宗师)


气功锻炼主要是松与静,特别是入静,鹤功的五节动功,是动中求静,意带形动,气随意行,意、气、形统一,也就是让练功者在动中达到精神集中,不要胡思 乱想,不能有杂念。否则,练功就不能入静。所以,首先要求意、气、形统一,这是由浅入深的入静方法。站桩在出现自发动作以后,怎样真正达到入静?入静的方法很多,简述一两种供参考,如“听息法”。练功者宁神静意细听呼吸。“数息法”,就是数一下呼吸的次数,从一至十,再折回从一开始。“排贼法”,就是练功者在练功前暗示自己,现在开始练功,排除一切干扰,收功后再想。

“追贼法”,如有真正关心的事情,一时又放不下,就干脆让其进入脑海,进行逻辑思考,得出结论,杂念就自然不存在了。还有一种方法,就是在入静以后,细细去意识丹田的位置、变化和各种境界,或自身体会气化的反应等等。

醒過來(故事分享)

對於人生所發生的事情~
要怎樣面對是有所選擇的……….

這個世界上有太多煩惱,所以有許多人,不約而同地問了佛祖一樣的問題:

「我該怎麼做,才能不再煩憂?」

佛祖給的答案都相同:

「只要放下,你就能不再煩惱。」

有個自以為聰明的人很不服氣,便專程去找佛祖,挑釁地問:

「世上有千千萬萬個人,就有千千萬萬種煩惱。但是您給他們的解決方式都完全相同,那豈不是太可笑了?」

佛祖沒有生氣,只是反問男子:「你晚上睡覺的時候,會做夢嗎?」

「當然會!」男子回答。

「那麼,你每天晚上做的夢,都是一樣的嗎?」佛祖又問。

「當然是不一樣的。」

「你睡了千千萬萬次,就做了千千萬萬個夢。」


佛祖微笑地說:

「但是要結束夢的方法,卻都是一樣的,那就是:『醒過來』!」

男子聽到佛祖的回答,啞口無言。


我很喜歡這則禪宗故事。
這則故事把煩惱比喻成「夢」,只要我們願意放下,就能從夢中清醒來。

無論你的煩惱是什麼,方法都是一樣的。

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

我當義工的時候,分別探訪過兩個老婦人。她們的人生際遇有驚人的雷同:

都自小喪母,成為別人的養女;都嫁了一個酗酒的老公;兒子都很不孝順;兩人身體都不好,晚年都在洗腎。

然而,她們兩人的心境卻大不相同。

第一個老婦人談及往事,她處之泰然。
她說種種的不順遂,是她人生的功課,現在她年紀大了,該吃的苦都吃過了,所以她覺得自己真好運,人生像倒吃甘蔗,愈來愈順利。

這名老婦人,現在是某公益團體的義工。

第二個老婦人談及往事,仍然咬牙切齒。
她指天怪地,罵兒子詛咒媳婦,她說老天爺對她真不公平!這名老婦人,也跟那個公益團體有關,但她不是義工,而是受到義工關懷的憂鬱症患者。

讓我印象深刻的,是她們兩個臉上的表情、散發的氣息形成了強烈的對比。

當下讓我感覺: 中國人說的「相由心生」,真的非常有道理。

當義工的老太太,因為已經放下了煩惱,
所以給人的感覺是祥和又親切,讓人很想親近,表情有如菩薩。

得憂鬱症的老婦人,還把多年來的不順遂、痛苦扛在肩上,
她的氣息尖銳又暴烈,讓人避之唯恐不及,表情如同厲鬼。

然而,對於後者,其實我是深刻地同情的。
她的一輩子都在吃苦,但她不但不願意放下那些苦,還要抱著那些其實已經遠離的苦難不放,讓它們繼續折磨自己。

也許,人生真的有太多無法逆轉的苦難、無法挽回的遺憾。


也許在夜闌人靜的時候,我們會因此哭泣,覺得蒼天真是無情,竟然讓我承受如此巨大的痛苦……

但是,你我都不應該忘記,
能將我們從痛苦的地獄拯救出來的,絕對不是別人,只有我們自己。

人生有太多包袱,我們可以選擇將它一一扛在肩上,也能選擇瀟灑地放下它們,而能否放下,則會決定我們未來的人生,將繼續痛苦,還是可以享有幸福。

想擺脫惡夢的糾纏,唯一的方式是「醒過來」;
想忘卻人生的不順遂,唯一的方法就是「放下」。

人生有太多包袱,我們可以選擇將它一一扛在肩上,也能瀟灑地放下它們。


Source: CLICK

Friday, July 22, 2011

20 Pain Cures You Can Find in Your Kitchen

Make muscle pain a memory with ginger

When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months. Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily.

Cure a toothache with cloves

Got a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight, say UCLA researchers. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.

Heal heartburn with cider vinegar

Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain,” explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL.

Erase earaches with garlic

Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.

Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries

Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you’re one of them, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today’s painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing’s Michigan State University. Their research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different kinds of pain,” explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University. His advice: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until your pain disappears.

Fight tummy troubles with fish

Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases…if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription meds. “EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, side effect-free anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract,” explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead, MA. For best results, look for oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring.

Prevent PMS with yogurt

Up to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone that occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York’s Columbia University. “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in flux,” explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale University.

Tame chronic pain with turmeric

Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.

End endometrial pain with oats

The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal. Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long. Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University.

Soothe foot pain with salt

Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at California’s Stanford University. The salt in the mix naturally nixes inflammation, plus it’s anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to the warmest temperature that you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection subsides.

Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple

Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72 hours, say researchers at California’s Stanford University. That's because pineapple is natually packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small intestine, say USDA researchers.

Relax painful muscles with peppermint

Suffering from tight, sore muscles? Stubborn knots can hang around for months if they aren’t properly treated, says naturopath Mark Stengler, N.D., author of the book, The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies. His advice: Three times each week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your nerves — a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half, says Stengler.

Give your back some TLC with grapes

Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first bowl). That’s great news because your back’s vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are completely dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissue, says Stengler.

Wash away pain injuries with water

Whether it’s your feet, your knees or your shoulders that are throbbing, experts at New York’s Manhattan College, say you could kick-start your recovery in one week just by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Why? Experts say water dilutes, and then helps flush out, histamine, a pain-triggering compound produced by injured tissues. “Plus water is a key building block of the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, your joints’ lubricating fluid, and the soft discs in your spine,” adds Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book, The Good Mood Diet. “And when these tissues are well-hydrated, they can move and glide over each other without causing pain.” One caveat: Be sure to measure your drinking glasses to find out how large they really are before you start sipping, she says. Today’s juice glasses often hold more than 12 ounces, which means five servings could be enough to meet your daily goal.

Heal sinus problems with horseradish

Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation’s number one chronic health problem. And this condition doesn’t just spur congestion and facial pain, it also makes sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over. Horseradish to the rescue! According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do. The study-recommended dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms clear.

Beat bladder infections with blueberries

Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, whether you opt for them fresh, frozen or in juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs) by 60 percent, according to researchers at New Jersey’s Rutgers University. That's because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap around problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can’t get a toehold and create an infection, explains Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers University.

Heal mouth sores with honey

Dab painful canker and cold sores with unpasteurized honey four times daily until these skin woes disappear, and they’ll heal 43 percent faster than if you use a prescription cream, say researchers at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates. Raw honey’s natural enzymes zap inflammation, destroy invading viruses and speed the healing of damaged tissues, say the study authors.

Fight breast pain with flax

In one recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet eased breast soreness for one in three women within 12 weeks. Scientists credit flax’s phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the estrogen spikes that can trigger breast pain. More good news: You don’t have to be a master baker to sneak this healthy seed into your diet. Just sprinkle ground flax on oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies and veggie dips.

Cure migraines with coffee

Prone to migraines? Try muscling-up your painkiller with a coffee chaser. Whatever over-the-counter pain med you prefer, researchers at the National Headache Foundation say washing it down with a strong 12- ounce cup of coffee will boost the effectiveness of your medication by 40 percent or more. Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb painkillers more quickly and more effectively.

Tame leg cramps with tomato juice

At least one in five people regularly struggle with leg cramps. The culprit? Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is flushed out by diuretics, caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. But sip 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily and you'll not only speed your recovery, you'll reduce your risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as little as 10 days, say UCLA researchers.

Read More

http://www.ivillage.com/natural-pain-remedies-your-kitchen/4-b-334141#ixzz1JzfggDZ8

http://www.only-faith.com/20-pain-cures-you-can-find-in-your-kitchen

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

◎慈悲沒有敵人
聖嚴法師

可憐人、同情人、原諒人、愛護人、關懷人等,都可以算是慈悲精神的表現。慈悲的主要目的是心中無敵,無敵就是心中沒有敵人,沒有過去的宿仇,也沒有現在的怨家,更不製造未來的對頭。所以不是仗權勢而稱無敵,也不是憑財力而稱無敵,更不是靠武力打敗一切人而稱無敵,乃是以慈悲心照顧、原諒一切人。慈悲心愈大就愈能夠感化人。

在這個世界上,沒有一個人能夠免於受人批評,即使佛陀也不例外。縱然未得罪過人,卻無法不讓人討厭、不讓人仇視;就算你不跟人鬥,人家也會找著你鬥,你不跟人爭,人家也會跟你競爭。但你不必介意人家如何,自己心中要沒有敵人。


例如在我們的農禪寺裡有一位人人稱許的好人,大家都說他好,師父也常稱讚他好,這時候,可能就會有一、兩人覺得有一點酸溜溜的,會想:「他好,難道我就不好?師父老是說他好,為什麼師父不曾說過我呢?」這樣的人,心中就有了敵人。有敵,就是有比較的對象;敵是敵對,敵對不一定是怨家,就像女孩子嫉妒別人長得漂亮、穿得美麗,這不就是和對方作對了?如果不是嫉妒,而是見賢思齊,那就是慈悲心。


如何用慈悲?要常常往相反的方向說、往相反的方向看、往相反的方向解釋。例如有人無緣無故地瞪你一眼,你心裡一定毛毛的,此時,你應該要用相反的方向來解釋、來體會:「他瞪我一眼,可能是我的臉長得不太好看;或者我今天有什麼不對勁,他提醒了我,我要感謝他。」「人家的表情就是我的鏡子」,見他面目可憎,多半是因為自己的面目大概也不太好,至少我的樣子讓他生氣、我的氣質讓他討厭,所以他才會瞪我一眼。


此外你也要想:他雖然是在瞪我,可能不是生我的氣,不知道是為了什麼事情不開心?他這時候應該受到關懷。所以不要「以眼還眼」,應該避開他,或者替他念一句阿彌陀佛,願他能夠心裡平安,這樣就是慈悲心。否則,一旦生起對立心,你就離開慈悲心;若能為他設想,原諒他、可憐他、關懷他,就能轉敵對心成慈悲心了。


如果一個蠻不講理的人在你面前出現,你的心裡一定會毛毛的,這時要想:「他已經不講理了,生氣了,我應該講理、不要生氣,否則氣上加氣更麻煩。」因此不論任何時間,只要我們能用一種相反的念頭來轉變對人、事、物的看法,這就是慈悲心。


但是當我們還是凡夫的階段,要想做到完全心中無敵是很難的,所以我們要時時想到慈悲心,至少就不會老是生氣了。



◎智慧不起煩惱


不要以為開悟才是智慧,智慧是頭腦冷靜,是理智、理性。人的煩惱都是從情緒、情感產生,尤其碰到感情問題一定會有煩惱,必須用理智、理性來處理,煩惱才會減少。

曾經有一位女孩來找我,非常痛苦地哭著說,她認識一位男孩,交往了七年,二人在一起彼此都很痛苦,生不如死。可是分開又會互相思念,她想離開他,可是男孩子威脅她,沒有她的話,他會去死。但她認為,如果她真的離開他,他並不會去死,如果二人繼續纏在一起,倒有可能二人都累死。我要她用理智來思考衡量,過了一段時間,她想通了,便破涕為笑。


很多問題都應該以客觀的理性來處理,要以權衡輕重的智慧去分析。有些人一遇到困難就到神前丟筊杯,這不是究竟的方法,如果用智慧、理智來處理,問題根本不會存在。犯了法要坐牢,可以委請律師設法減輕罪刑,但是應該坐的牢還是要去,那就沒有煩惱了;有病的人要去看醫生,也可以念阿彌陀佛、念觀世音菩薩,有人在醫生宣布醫藥無效的狀況下,因為念了阿彌陀佛、念了觀世音菩薩而奇蹟式的復原,這種例子很多。


佛法的智慧,是指無私無我的觀察力、抉擇力、判斷力,不論遇到任何狀況,都只有應當怎麼做就怎麼做,不為自身的利害得失設想。由於凡事不為自己的私利求,所以不會為自己招致煩惱。


佛法的智慧,是因洞察世事無常,所以知道沒有一事一物能夠永恆不變;凡夫因為不解世事無常,所以把暫時的身心世界,當作小我大我,爭人我、爭多少、爭內外、爭對錯,以致惹生許多的煩惱。


其實,天下本無事,庸人自擾之。庸人是沒有智慧的人,不用理智、不用理性處理事情的人,若知佛法,情況就會改善。佛法是講因果及因緣的,懂得因果,凡事不會怨尤;懂得因緣,凡事不會強求,哪還會煩惱什麼?

聖嚴法師

Friday, July 08, 2011

Guyabano Cancer Cure

Guyabano, The Soursop Fruit has cancer curing abilities. The Sour Sop or the fruit from the graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo. The taste is not bad after all. It’s completely natural and definitely has no side effects..

Guyabano is a tree called graviola in Brazil , guanabana in Spanish and has the uninspiring name “soursop” in English.

The fruit is very large and the subacid sweet white pulp is eaten out of hand or, more commonly, used to make fruit drinks, sherbets and such.

The principal interest in this plant is because of its strong anti-cancer effects. This plant is a proven cancer remedy for cancers of all types. Besides being a cancer remedy, graviola is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent for both bacterial and fungal infections, is effective against internal parasites and worms, lowers high blood pressure and is used for depression, stress and nervous disorders.

Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to:

* Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss
* Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections
* Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment
* Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life
* Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer..
* The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug!
* What’s more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola tree selectively hunts down and kills only cancer cells.

guanabana2

Various parts of the Graviola tree–including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seeds–have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indians in South America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis.

Going on very little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing the tree’s anti-cancerous properties–and were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo.

The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976.

The results showed that Graviola’s “leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells.” Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released to the public. Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, but as of now, no double-blind clinical trials.

A study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent study conducted at Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to selectively kill colon cancer cells at “10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug) Adriamycin…”

The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched.

Unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells), causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients.

A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers.

Note By Tom Coghill. This research looks good but cancer is never that easy to heal. It would be great to put this to the test. The juice would have to be fresh. The seeds have to be removed before blending or juicing.

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Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Curry leaf - "KARAPINCHA" (tej Patti)

Take 22 leaves, bruise slightly, and leave to soak, overnight, in a cup of boiled and cooled water.
Strain, and drink first thing
in the
morning .

You can drink your tea/coffee 1/2 hour later.

See brief explanation below:


The value of "Karapincha" or the curry leaf is appreciated by a very few people .. Apart from its general use, Karapincha protects the liver and the liver cells and is even used as a medicinal cure of certain liver diseases, the control of high blood pressure, heart disease , diabetes and high cholesterol especially. It is an excellent culinary herb for fat reduction.

" Karapincha or curry leaves definitely reduces overweight" says Dr Vajira P.S. Seneviratne, Medical Officer, Government District Ayurveda Hospital, Beliatte ,Sri Lanka." The leaves contain nearly 18 amino acids and volatile oils which contributes a very specific fragrance .


Its medicinal properties and actions help improve people's digestive power and helps avoid constipation and softens stools. Karapincha also relieves flatulents and heals gastritis".


Try "karapincha porridge" and "karapincha sambol" twice or thrice weekly.


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