Precious 3-week Experience at a Meditation Center

Dear friends and family,

I recently tasted a nectar so sweet that I must tell you of the tree from which it's fruit fell... Such an opportunity so rare, that few will have a chance to take it in this lifetime... take the course that will shed light on depths unconscious, lead to truths rarely experienced...

I've just returned from a month at a vipassana meditation center in Massachussets. I attended 2 courses and volunteered in between. The benefits I have realized from the visit are inumerable. I attended my first 10-Day course in Taiwan 1 year ago. I was quite skeptical of the organization and teachings during my first course... but by the end of my first 10-day course, I was amazed at the increased peace and balance I was experiencing. I felt such great benefit from the course, that I immediately volunteered at the Taiwan center to help with the next course. After volunteering at the Taiwan center and at the Massachussetts center this year, I began to discover what a wonderful organization it is. An organization offering EVERYONE the opportunity to have 10 days to look within, know thyself, and discover the truth that resides deep within each and every one of us. The course teaches tools that lead practitioners to deeper peace and happiness and help the practitioner better steer through the trials and tribulations life is bound to bring each one of us. I have also come to know that one can stay true to their own faith, of any religion, and attend a vipassana meditation course without conflict. A vipassana meditation course will only serve to strengthen one's morality, devotion, faith, peace, and compassion.

"There are no charges for the courses - not even to cover the cost of food and accommodation. All expenses are met by donations from people who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the opportunity to also benefit." Visit: http://www.dhamma.org/

So, your seat is waiting for you. All you need to do is find the time; the 10 days to attend. Many of you know of,.. have followed,.. or have even joined me on my adventures and travels through the last decade. And many of you look forward to your next vacation, when you can take your next adventure to some far away place... But after all of my travels... I am amazed to have experienced the greatest adventure, the greatest benefit, the most peace and happiness by traveling WITHIN during this 10-day meditation course. And depending on your location... you may not have to travel so far to attend a course. There are Vipassana Meditation Centers around the world that are run by volunteers that are old students. These old students come to the centers to voluntarily serve, so that others may experience the same benefit that they themselves have experienced... and such has been my motivation for the 4 courses I've volunteered for this year. Visit their website to find the closest center to you: http://www.dhamma.org/
The video introductions on dhamma.org are a bit old and I don't recommend them. There are more recent videos about vipassana by following the "Podcasts" link here: http://www.pariyatti.org

Through the course, I had the chance to sharpen my awareness, consciously observe my thoughts, habits, and patterns, and develop a more peaceful, balanced, loving, compassionate mind... all the while learning a technique that will allow me to do so more often.

During the course I explored my relationship with:

my past
people
food
habits
anger
sadness
addictions
self
authority
time
sleep
love
life
death
plans for the future
and more...

and gleaned new knowledge and wisdom about each one. As I left old habits behind, I began developing new ones that I always dreamed of achieving. I cannot recommend this course highly enough.

A Miracle to sufferers of Ear, Nose, Throat issues, Sinusitis, Allergies, Ear infections, and Tooth Decay! Especially for Children! 很棒的自然鼻子藥

Dear Ones,

If you, a child, or a loved one suffer from any Ear Nose Throat problems EVER... read on and try an all natural, non-chemical, non-addictive, non-prescription remedy that has been a miracle for me! I'm not selling anything... but I will direct you to a website that sells the following Xylitol products in hopes that it works the same miracles for you that has for me! After teaching Kindergarten for 5 years in Taiwan, I've seen my share of snotty noses (thousands!), and there is no reason for them anymore! 很棒的自然鼻子藥:

Preventing Ear Infections in Children Naturally: http://www.xlearsa.com/html/children.html

I suffered from ear infections as an infant, to recurring strep throat infections as a child, to sinusitis (recurrent sinus infections) and loss of my sense of smell as a teen and adult. Most recently I was diagnosed with asthma for the first time in an emergency room in Taiwan following an "uncontrollable coughing attack" due to "allergies". These ENT symptoms and syndromes are common for so many of us. My main complaints (now cured) were stuffy nose, constant excess mucous, yellow-green mucous, head congestion, soar throats, frequent coughs, etc.

Western medicine offered me antibiotics, antihistamines, decongestants, and finally suggested surgery on my "deviated septum".

Traditional Chinese Medicine offered me daily doses of herbal medicine and acupuncture. After taking herbal medicine regularly for 4 years I experienced no lasting effect and when I stopped taking the medicine, my symptoms returned.



I tried the neti pot with salt water, then added Hydrogen Peroxide, baking soda, and grape fruit seed extract. The neti helped little. I tried extreme dietary changes and even fasting many times... up to 15 days on water only, the "Master Cleanse", but these helped little too. I tried allergy medicines and pharmeceutical sinus sprays to no avail. I tried practicing yoga and tai chi for 6 hours a day... nope. I tried so many other things that I don't even remember... but nothing has worked as amazingly as Xlear!






Also, I've made some recent DIETARY CHANGES:
One thing that also seems to help and effect my sinuses is sugar. I've cut processed sugar out of my diet almost completely. Now when I want something sweet, I eat an apple or a few raisins. When I eat a lot of processed sugar now (in the form of desserts), my sinuses do get stuffy or irritated. I've also stopped eating leavened breads. They are usually high in sugar (most breads contain sugar as the second ingredient). I still occasionally eat sprouted grain breads (like ezkeil, manna, or german unleavened breads). But many people do react to breads' gluten, yeasts, or sugars. I'm not sure how big a role cutting out sugar and bread have played into my sinusitus recovery.

After returning to America last year and visiting my friend Stephen (thank you Stephen!!!), he recommended I try Xlear Nasal Wash spray. Xlear is now sold at many health food stores and can be bought at discounted prices online.
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=XL-1010
List Price $13.49 --- Sale Price $8.89

Xlear is not only for acute infections... one will achieve best results if it is used regularly and preventatively to keep the sinuses clean. We wash our hands all the time. How often do you wash your sinuses?

Here are some consumer reviews of Xlear:
http://xlear.com/blog/dfs.php

Here is some fascinating info and background about xylitol and Xlear by it's developer:
Xlear Page: http://www.xlear.com/xylitol/jones.aspx
You can also read what each doctor in the "Doctors Corner" (of the same page) has written about xylitol.


I have since done heavy research into the product and how to make it myself. I suggest you buy a bottle and see how you like it. If you use it regularly and want to make the solution yourself, read on.

1 Pound of "Xylosweet" Xylitol Powder
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=XL-1001&source=FGXL-1001&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=XL-1001

More info from Xlear and information on how Xylitol can help ear and throat infections:
Nasal-Xylitol Page: http://www.nasal-xylitol.com/

Xlear Patent Page (You are allowed to make the solution for personal use):
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6258372.PN.&OS=PN/6258372&RS=PN/6258372

I made my first batch of Xylitol Nasal Wash and it is working well. Here is my first recipe:

I mixed the following ingredients together, put them in a 16 oz. (500ml) water bottle, and shook it up. I keep the extra in the fridge (probably doesn't need refrigeration).

2 cups of purified water
1 teaspoon sea salt
5 teaspoons of Xylitol powder
6 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE liquid) anti-bacterial, viral, fungal, natural preservative

I usually apply the nasal wash twice a day while I'm still in bed. Once in the morning when I wake up and once before going to sleep. The way I use the spray is I tilt my head forward (bending over slightly), point the tip of the spray bottle in each sinus straight up (toward the back of my head), spray twice in each nostril, keep my head tilted forward for 10-30 seconds (to allow the solution to spread into my sinuses), then I lay down for a few minutes and let the solution run back into my sinuses. I no longer need to blow my nose (nose blowing being highly discouraged by ENT's). I used to have to blow my nose numerous times per day! After a week of using Xlear, I experienced major improvements in my sinus Happiness!!!


You can purchase empty nasal spray bottles here (to share your solution with family and friends):
http://www.1-800-medical.com/nasal/nasal.htm

I'd like to experiment with adding other popular natural nasal wash ingredients such as colloidal silver, hydrogen peroxide, bakingsoda, and ??? Tell me about your nasal wash recipes.

This girl tried xylitol in her neti pot:
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/answers2/frontend.php/question?qid=20080114140056AAAb66i

Happy Sinuses, Ears, Noses, and Throats to All!!!