Healing Properties of Fluorite

Fluorite, also known as fluorspar, is the most important natural fluoride. In the past fluorite was known as spatum vitreum or calx fluorata. The current name "fluorite" derives from the Latin word fluere which means "to flow" and pertains to the fact that fluorite was, and still, is used as flow agent in iron smelting. Thanks to its ionic nature, fluorite has the capacity to increase fluidity. It reaches the melting point at 1360°C. This qualities were first mentioned in 1530 by Georgius Agricola in his work on metals.

Fluorite is a halide mineral composed of calcium fluoride. It is an isometric mineral with a cubic habit, although octahedral and even more complex crystal forms are not uncommon. So called crystal twinning is rather common and adds complexity to the observed crystal habits.

Although fluorite gave its name to fluorescence in 1852, not all specimen of fluorite are fluorescent. Many fluorites, however, emit a fascinating blue-violet light thanks to traces of europium, yttrium or organic impurities in crystal lattice.

Fluorite is easily available. It occurs in large deposits in many regions, most notably in the United States, China, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, North-Eastern Canada, Mexico, South Africa, and Kenya. 

Fluorite often forms vein deposits with metallic minerals and is often associated with sphalerite, calcite, barite, and quartz. 

Fluorite is regarded to be the most colorful mineral in the world. It comes in many colors. The most common are pink, purple, green, blue, yellow, colorless, and rainbow.

 

In esoteric circles fluorite is believed to be a very powerful healing crystal. It is a stone of protection, especially in the mental sphere. It protects from manipulation and helps one recognize the undesirable outside influences. 

Fluorite creates clarity and awareness, and helps reduce mental and physical stress. It helps maintain focus and concentration and can be used during meditation as a grounding stone. The crystal can facilitate spiritual growth and help attain enlightenment.

Fluorite is considered to be the best purifying stone. It can neutralize and dispel negative energy of any kind. It cleanses and stabilizes the aura. It helps reorganize the flow of energy. It clarifies and purifies energetic chaos and helps create a more harmonious structures. It can be used to neutralize the electromagnetic field emanated by cell phones and computers. 

Fluorite restores inner balance and can be used to heal emotional disorders. It encourages positivity and optimism, helps restore trust in one's own power. Fluorite helps clarify vision and redefine one's purpose in life. It helps eliminate bad habits and destructive behavior.

Fluorite is also very effective on the physical plane. It helps to restore the harmony between the body and the mind and can be used to heal many psycho-somatic disorders. 

Fluorite is believed to boost the immune system and stimulate the regeneration on cellular level. It can be used to heal wounds, ulcers, skin disorders, and inflammatory diseases. 

Because fluorite comes in so many colors, it can be used in chakra meditation to restore the energy flow in respective chakras:

• red fluorite - root chakra
• yellow fluorite- solar plexus
• green fluorite - heart chakra
• blue fluorite - throat chakra
• purple fluorite - third eye

This beautiful mineral can be worn as jewelry or placed in living spaces to harmonize the energy flow. It should be placed near TV-sets and computers to neutralize the electromagnetic smog. 

 

 

Fluorite absorbs negative energies and has to be purified after each use. 

By Dominique Allmon

*This article was written for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure a disease.

Healing Properties of Fluorite by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Quiet Food and the Cake the Buddha Ate

A few years ago, while browsing at a Waterfront bookstore in Cape Town, I discovered a true treasure - Quiet food: a recipe for sanity which is a wonderfully illustrated cookbook. The black & white images invite contemplation and you definitely feel like trying out the "Zen pilaf," the "frog in the pond pudding" or the "morning glory" dishes while still perusing the book. Each recipe is more tempting than the last.

Published in 2008 by a Buddhist Retreat Center in Ixopo, South Africa, this is a very special cookbook. I call it an oasis of peace and sanity in a hurried and sometimes very disturbed world.   The experience of preparing and eating food is elevated here to a level that is rather unknown in the fast-paced, modern world. Cooking becomes meditation.

Anyone who loves cooking knows that preparation of a meal can be a very satisfying affair, especially if one can free one's mind from judgment and unnecessary criticism. This unique cookbook seems to remind us of that every time we cut a vegetable or sprinkle herbs into a dish. Cooking is a colorful journey to self-discovery and emotional fulfillment and should be experienced as such.

Last year The BRC issued another jewel - The Cake the Buddha Ate which offers even more delights. This book is just as magnificent as the previous one! 

Both books offer creative recipes for wholesome and nutritious vegetarian dishes that are not too difficult to cook, but take some time to prepare. This, of course, is intended. One has to take some time off from the daily routine and move into a different sphere in order to experience the serenity and wonder of quiet food. 

 

Both books are wonderfully illustrated and both include delightful kitchen gossip, meditation and spiritual poetry. A rare and delicious treat, indeed.

By Dominique Allmon

 

Dominique Allmon©2012 

To visit the Buddhist Retreat Center website, please click here

Images source Dominique Allmon and Kiyoaki

The Peacock

Remember that the most beautiful things in life are often the most useless. Peacocks and lilies, for instance. - John Ruskin, prominent English art critic of the Victorian era (8 February 1819 – 20 January 1900)

Image source here

Rejuvenate and Restore Health with Maqui Berry

Maqui berry (aristotelia chilensis) also known as the Chilean Wineberry, is a dark purple berry which is native to the Patagonia region of Chile. Patagonia is considered to be one of the cleanest, best preserved and most fertile natural sanctuaries on Earth. The evergreen shrub is native to Chile, but it also grows in the Patagonia region of Argentina.

The healing properties of the maqui berries were well known to the Mapuche Indians who harvested them for centuries. The Indians also used the leaves and stems of the shrub to cure many different ailments. The warriors of the tribe were famous for their energy and endurance. Their legendary stamina was ascribed to the consumption of these powerful, almost magical, small berries which only recently became known to health conscious communities in Europe and North America.

New studies appear almost every month as the scientists are trying to decipher the healing properties of this healthy fruit.

What the scientists discovered in their laboratories, exceeded any expectations. Like any other berries, maqui berries are rich in antioxidants. The measured total ORAC* value is 27,600 per 100g which is higher than that of any known fruit or vegetable. The berries are not only rich in antioxidants, but are also a great source of Vitamins A and C, potassium, calcium and iron.

Health benefits of maqui berries:

• Promote healthy weight loss
• Help detoxify the body 
• Improve circulation
• Boost strength and increase endurance
• Increase energy levels
• Strengthen immune system
• Prevent degenerative disease and support healthy aging
• Neutralize free radicals
• Reduce inflammation in the body
• Protect LDL from oxidation
• Inhibit protein glycation in the body
• Strengthen bones and joints
• Clear skin conditions and help protect against sun damage

Clinical studies demonstrated that maqui berries speed up metabolism and can be effectively used to lose unwanted pounds. The berries also help remove any toxins and chemicals that accumulated over time in the body. Detoxification and improved elimination contribute to better health and support any weight loss diet.

Maqui berries contain delphinidin, a powerful antioxidant that shows powerful anticancer activity.  Its tumor destroying potential has yet to be tested in human studies. 

The Chilean berries are powerful rejuvenation agents. As we age we are not only exposed to an increased oxidation, but also to inflammation and protein glycation. Maqui berries help reduce the inflammatory processes in the body and are used with great success by those who suffer from painful joint inflammation. The berries also help fight free radicals and stop oxidation of LDL thus preventing cancer and heart disease. They also help remove AGEs or advanced glycation* end-products. They support liver function and improve blood circulation.

The suggested daily dose is 500 mg twice daily and can be obtained in form of capsules or juice. As with any other superfood it is important to remember that supplementation cannot replace healthy nutrition and exercise.

By Dominique Allmon

Glossary:

*ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity score is a chemical analysis that measures the antioxidant levels of food and other chemical substances. High ORAC value means that the food is high in antioxidants. The antioxidant’s strength is its ability to eliminate oxygen free radicals. The higher the score the better the ability to protect the cells from oxidative damage and to fight and prevent diseases such as heart disease or cancer. Oxygen free radicals are chemicals that are formed naturally within our bodies through the process of oxidation. Natural bodily functions such as breathing and digestion as well as our physical activities produce oxygen free radicals. Daily exposure to polluted air, processed foods and oxidizing radiation from the sun and electrical appliances also produce oxygen reactive species. The ORAC value of 27,600 was measured by the Brunswick Laboratories.

*Glycation is a reaction that takes place within the body when simple sugar molecules such as fructose or glucose become attached to proteins or lipids without the moderation of an enzyme. This results in the formation of rogue molecules known as advanced glycation end products or AGEs. Glycation disrupts the  normal metabolic pathways and advances the circulation of AGEs, which in turn promote certain health risks and speeds up aging.

*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure a disease. Please, consult your health care provider before commencing supplementation.

Rejuvenate and Restore Health with Maqui Berry by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Quote of the Day

Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Parivrtta Parsvakonasana

Revolved Side Angle Pose or 
Parivrtta Parsvakonasana

By John Schumacher

The universe moves in many ways: straight lines, curves, circles, ellipses, and apparently chaotic patterns. But when I contemplate the movement of things within and without myself - something I do fairly often as a yoga teacher - the pattern I encounter most frequently and ubiquitously is the spiral. The word spiral comes from the Latin spira, meaning to coil, and these coils are everywhere. From the immense Spiral Nebula to the minute spiraling strands of DNA, all of creation simultaneously spins and soars, twirling and swirling in a grand cosmic dance. 

In yoga, no poses so clearly embody the essence of the spiral as twists do.You can find twists within every category of pose: standing, seated, inverted, and reclining. They are powerful cleansing poses, working deeply on the internal organs in a "squeeze-and-soak" action. As you squeeze a sponge to rid it of dirty water, the twists squeeze the abdominal organs, forcing out toxins and waste. Then when you release the twist, fresh blood rushes into those organs, bathing the cells with oxygen and nutrients.

Parivrtta Parsvakonasana (Revolved Side Angle Pose) is an intense twist and, in my opinion, the most difficult of the basic standing poses. It challenges the practitioner's flexibility, strength, sense of balance, and presence of mind. Since this is a difficult asana for even the most experienced practitioner, some intermediate steps can help you learn to better perform the actions of the pose. 

Since most students can’t easily keep their back heel down in this pose, a modified version will be described here with the back heel raised off the floor. See Deepen the Pose below for a brief description of the full pose.  

Step by step instruction

1. Stand in Tadasana. With an exhalation, step or lightly jump your feet 3½ to 4 feet apart. Rest your hands on your hips. Turn your right foot out to the right 90 degrees and turn your left foot in slightly to the right. Align the right heel with the left heel. Firm your thighs and turn your right thigh outward, so that the center of the kneecap is in line with the center of the right ankle. 

2. Exhale and turn your torso to the right until you’re facing directly out over the right leg; as you do this, lift your left heel off the floor and spin on the ball of the foot until the inner left foot is parallel to the inner right foot. Then exhale again and bend your right knee. If possible, bring the right thigh parallel to the floor. Keep your left leg active by pressing the thigh up toward the ceiling and extending strongly through the left heel. At the same time, resist the lift of the left thigh by pressing the tailbone toward the pubis. 

3. With another exhale turn further to the right and lean the torso down, placing the left hand on the floor inside the right foot. Dig your right thumb into the right hip crease and push the thighbone down toward the floor. Firm the shoulder blades into the back ribs and lean the torso back slightly, away from the inner thigh. Stay in this position for a few breaths.

4. If this position seems challenging enough, stay for the recommended time. If you want to go further, bend your left elbow and bring it to the outside of the right knee. Resist the knee and elbow against each other. If possible, straighten your left elbow and reach the hand toward the floor (if you can’t reach the floor, support your hand on a block). You can keep your right hand on your hip, or stretch it over the back of the right ear with the palm facing down. Then turn your head to look at the right arm. As in all twists lengthen and soften the belly, extend the spine with each inhalation, and increase the twist as you exhale. 

5. Stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Inhale to come up, exhale to release the twist. Reverse the feet and repeat for the same length of time to the left. Then return to Tadasana.

Article source Yoga Journal

Image source here

Blue Butterfly

Morpho pleiedes

With wings spanning from three to eight inches, the blue Morpho pleiedes butterfly is one of the largest butterflies in the world. 

The brilliant blue color in its wings is caused by the diffraction of the light from millions of tiny scales on its wings. The iridescent color is used for protection in an amazing way. The butterflies stick together in groups to deter their predators. By rapidly flashing their wings, they drive the predators away. 

The underside of the morpho’s wings, on the other hand, is a rather dull, brown color with many "eye" spots. It provides a perfect camouflage against predators when its wings are closed. 

Morpho pleiedes is native to northern part of South America and can be found in Mexico, Paraguay and the rainforest of Central America. It feeds on the juices from rotting tropical fruits.

The Power of Friendship

I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don't take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff. - Jon Katz

Image by Loop Delay

Summertime

Summertime, I think, is a collective unconscious. We all remember the notes that made up the song of the ice cream man; we all know what it feels like to brand our thighs on a playground slide that's heated up like a knife in a fire; we all have lain on our backs with our eyes closed and our hearts beating across the surface of our lids, hoping that this day will stretch just a little longer than the last one, when in fact it's all going in the other direction. - Jodi Picoult in "My Sister's Keeper"

Castles in the Sand

Some children were playing on the beach. They made castles of sand, and each child defended his castle and said, "This one is mine!" 

They kept their castles separate and would not allow any mistakes about which was whose. When the castles were all finished, one child kicked over someone else's castle and completely destroyed it. The owner of the castle flew into a rage, pulled the other child's hair, struck him with his fist and bawled out, "He has spoiled my castle! Come along all of you and help me to punish him as he deserves." The others all came to his help. They beat the guilty child mercilessly. 

Then, they all went on playing in their sand castles, each saying, "This is mine! No one else may have it. Keep away! Don't touch my castle!"

But the evening came and it was getting dark. The children thought they ought to be going home. No one now cared what became of his castle. One child stamped on his, another pushed his over with both hands. Then they turned away and went back, each to his home thinking that what they did not destroy will be destroyed by the waves.

In this parable, Enlightenment is likened to the overcoming of the passion for existence with the cool evening. In the Pali version, the sand castles are likened to the body, which had been the object of grasping. After Awakening the body becomes a thing to be discarded and broken up, and eventually abandoned when life ends.

Yogacara Bhumi Sutra 4 (Quoted from World Scripture)