Elements of Tao

Nearly Half of All The World’s Primates at Risk of Extinction

2008-08-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

· Study paints bleak picture for hundreds of species
· Loss of habitat and boom in bushmeat trade blamed

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/08/05/10813/

Giant Toads and Colossal Squid... Whatever Next?

2008-08-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

To start with 'Toadzilla'... I have mixed feelings about introducing such a poisonous animal into the ecosystem. It is well documented that both the Cane Toad and it's offspring are very toxic if ingested by other animals. Introduction of this 'now considered pest' also rippled negative effects to farmers and other native species to this environment. "Both eggs and tadpoles are toxic to many animals. This toxic protection remains at all life stages and very young cane toads kill small reptiles that eat them (Wiki)." Our need to control nature, without taking each and every variable into consideration, turns around to bite us in the rear more often than not. This narrow vision of reality does not take all factors into consideration.

As for the half-ton Colossal squid hauled from the deep sea? Can't we let anything be? It would have been a much more interesting story if it turned around and swallowed the ship! Just kidding (or am I)?

What Significance for Chimps 'Making Tools'?

2008-08-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

Makes perfect sense to me. I think the funny part of it all is the significance placed on the study of it. We are so closely related that it would be more absurd to think that chimps don't use tools. I actually feel that we could learn a lot more from studying their behavioral patterns and how they care for their home rather than destroy it. How many creatures do you see that have this pattern of behavior?

What does concern me is the severity in which their habitat is being destroyed for our so called 'needs'. It is truly a brutal world that corporations can have so much control that they can destroy the planet at such an alarming rate. It's truly horrendous how often you see that the leaders in some of these major corporations fluctuate so rapidly between government officials and decision makers for these businesses. Where is the separation? Hopefully, very soon, the chimps can design some tools that will destroy corporate greed... haven't these folks ever read the 'Lorax'?

Laughter the Best Medicine... Yes!

2008-07-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

I definitely agree that laughter is the best medicine. And let me add my feelings towards the simplicity of life's greatest prescriptions, laughter and breathing. We are constantly searching for that magic pill to take life's woes away, when we embody it completely and totally. It is so simple it almost feels like a joke (so start laughing... it will greatly reduce your risk of dis-ease!). We have been so trained to look outside ourselves for the solution, when in all actuality we embody the true elixir to life... our own fountain of youth.

It brings to mind the story of the journalist Norman Cousins'. On his path through life he learned the Qigong of positive emotions which he believed 'was the key to human beings' success in fighting illness'. His struggle with this illness is detailed in the book and movie Anatomy of an Illness.

"Told that he had little chance of surviving, Cousins developed a recovery program incorporating megadoses of Vitamin C, along with a positive attitude, love, faith, hope, and laughter induced by Marx Brothers films. "I made the joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep," he reported. "When the pain-killing effect of the laughter wore off, we would
switch on the motion picture projector again and not infrequently, it would lead to another pain-free interval."

For us 'left-brainers' that need a detailed explanation, it has been proven that laughter can raise the levels of immune-boosting hormones in the blood and the benefits can last for up to 24 hours. Laughter and positive emotions were also proven to diminish the secretion of the body's stress hormones, cortisol and epinephrine, which have been shown to weaken the immune system's response to viruses and tumors.

I will end with a simple yet profound Qigong exercise I learned in my Chi Nei Tsang studies:

Take 20 minutes (yes, even you can find the time). Shut off your phone and any other
distractions (you are worth it). Find the most comfortable position for yourself, sitting, lying or standing. Start by feeling your entire breath, all the way down to your toes. With each exhale see the stress leaving through your body. Now, picture someone's face in front of you (eyes closed). Someone or something that brings a great big smile to your face. Feel that smile penetrate every part of your body, down to your DNA. And now, start to laugh, like you are sharing the most funny moment together. Keep laughing... I know, it sounds corny, so just laugh out of the corniness of it if you must! Keep it up as long as possible, just keep laughing and smiling into your entire being. I even make the bubble larger than myself and embody the Earth into it as well, we all know she needs it too! Laugh your way back to health! Hai!

Can 'Carbon Offsets' Work Effectively?

2008-07-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

As with everything there are many levels to consider. It is a beneficial gesture to contribute to organizations which are dealing with climate issues, but overall, if you look at the larger picture the climate is still being affected. I feel there needs to be more extreme measures to curb airline travel. With modern technology, there are many of these meetings which can be done with a conference call and with live visual recordings if necessary. These representatives should be setting an example instead of adopting nicknames like 'air miles Margaret'. We need to elect representatives that are moving on the path of solution to this very serious issue. Each individual needs to start seeing what changes they can make to help save this planet and acting effectively to make these differences. Every living being plays a role.

How Would I Deal With the 'Global Crisis in Diet?'

2008-07-19T15:27:00.000-07:00

I feel that first and foremost people should take responsibility for their own choices. They should inform themselves about their diet. Know where their food comes from, how far a distance it has to travel before arriving in their mouth, and learn about the 'extra' ingredients added. Restaurants should have to post all dietary information and make it available to the consumer, including any foods which are genetically modified. All preservatives should be required on the list as well. It should also be noted if any of these food products caused any devastation environmentally. Any advertisement should have to list the ingredients and dietary information as well as health warnings, like they have to advertise for cigarettes. They should not be allowed to target children in their advertisements or be allowed to include a free toy or game upon purchase. This is a set-up. Children under 18 years of age should not be allowed to consume these ingredients until they are old enough to make mature decisions on what they are consuming. I would also make it unlawful to have a playground inside your establishment, another decoy. This may all sound a bit extreme but these fast food chains need to be held accountable. They are not here to provide any of us with a healthy nourishing meal, they are here to just make a buck. The times need to be a changin'.

'New Pill' Promises to Reduce Breast Cancer?

2008-07-10T23:03:00.000-07:00

Whoaaa! Hold on, not so fast. That is my impression. To say that this pill may reduce breast cancer bypasses a lot of other information that isn't so promising for this 'new pill'. Mifepristone is based on the pill RU-486, designed by the Roussel Uclaf company, which has been used to terminate pregnancies. The side-effects are alarming as well. Abdominal pain, uterine cramping, and abnormal bleeding are just a few to name. It has also been said to stop periods which should be another red flag. In extreme cases, in much larger doses, it has lead to the deaths of eight women in the U.S. The FDA's prescribing information also states that there is 'no data on the safety and efficacy of mifepristone in women with chronic medical conditions'. I would encourage them to develop a more natural approach to contraceptives. An approach that would not have these dangerous side-effects. Once again, if more awareness is brought to our natural rhythms and knowledge of our monthly cycles, a solution can be re-discovered that would be more in-tune with our bodies. One that wouldn't cause these abnormal conditions. There are many other natural approaches to birth control as well as ways to reduce your risk of getting breast cancer without having to take pharmaceutical drugs.

Bring Back the Bison

2008-07-10T22:22:00.000-07:00

I feel that the most important issue to be addressed is the current slaughter of Bison when they leave the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. I spent six years up in the Yellowstone area enjoying the vastness and beauty of this preserved area. It was truly amazing to get the chance to be so close to Bison, Moose, Elk, Wolves and the occasional bear. During the first three years of my stay, if the Bison wandered outside the park boundaries they were herded up and taken back into the park. That changed. Montana ranchers did not feel the same appreciation towards the Bison. They claimed, although it has never been documented, that the Bison were spreading brucellosis to their cattle. From that moment on, if Bison wandered outside the park boundaries, they were shot. At that time I was working for a news station as their Chief Editor. I still remember seeing all of the raw footage of this brutal slaughter. They shot approximately two dozen. The producer asked me to edit a short 60-second loop for the story, but asked me to not show the 'gory' footage. I didn't listen to her. I showed the footage exactly as it was given to me. I thought the truth needed to be seen. It was one of the saddest stories I ever showed. I still remember driving around West Yellowstone and seeing the carcasses, all ages, lying motionless on the trailers being shipped away. How were they supposed to know when they are leaving the park's boundaries? There are no fences, nothing to protect them.

It is very hopeful to hear the plans of 'Buffalo Commons' to reintroduce the Bison to the Northern and Southern Plains. This will lead to restoration of the entire ecosystem and re-establish the balance that existed before they were nearly shot to extinction. Another group, the Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative hopes to restore the bison population on their tribal land. To hear that in the past 'U.S. government officials actively destroyed bison to defeat their Native American enemies' is a very difficult part of history to swallow. This would help to restore hope and tradition for these people that have had so much taken from them. If it were left up to me I would say, first and foremost, that the killing of Bison should be illegal. Secondly, I would propose that these lands be opened up and made available (once again) as a free roaming area to help restore what has been lost, both environmentally as well as spiritually.

2008-07-02T22:25:00.000-07:00

"One of the beauties of biology is that its facts become our metaphors."

Kenny Ausubel, Nature's Operating Instructions

The 'End Goals' of Social Ecology?

2008-07-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

“The modern conservative… is engaged in one of man’s oldest exercise in moral philosophy. That is the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” John Kenneth Galbraith

This quote was one that stood out for me. Our entire mode of operandi must be restructured from the egotistical rhythm it currently resides. Social construction varies over time and is constantly changing. ‘The assumptions accepted by its practitioners are value-laden and reflect their places in history and society, as well as the research priorities and funding sources of those in power.’ A large amount of funding does come from large corporations and for the most part the research is geared towards monetary abundance for the few with no consideration to the majority or the environmental impact.

“The Earth is not dying- it is being killed. And the people who are killing it have names and addresses.” Utah Phillips

‘Reality is a totality of internally related parts.’ This statement feels very Taoist to me. Once again, if we return to the ancient ways and truly consider our actions and their effects for many generations to come we will restructure society’s momentum into one which is sustainable and can be enjoyed by the majority and hopefully, eventually, all of creation. ‘All relationships are fundamental and continually shape the totality’ following the natural rhythms of existence.

‘Ecology is likewise a socially constructed science whose basic assumptions and conclusions change in accordance with social priorities and socially accepted metaphors.’ There appears to be a major contradiction currently. The social priorities that have been active for the last few decades are coming to a grinding halt. The Earth can no longer sustain such practices. The climate is affected by these past ‘priorities’, the food we eat is affected, the lack of food available to such a large population, the corporate control of our basic necessities and the laws that are changing to protect their practices and not the people their narrow mindscape is affecting. These social priorities need to change, on a global level, to consider all life forms involved. This brings me to November 30, 1999, the longest day in Seattle’s history. More than seven hundred groups, and between forty thousand and sixty thousand individuals, took part in protests against WTO’s Third Ministerial in Seattle, constituting one of the most disruptive demonstrations in modern history and, at that time, the most prominent expression of a global citizens’ movement resisting what protesters saw as a corporate-driven trade agreement. The demonstrators and activists who took part were not against trade per se. They wanted proof, rather, that trade- at least as WTO envisions it- benefits the poor, the workers, and then environment in developing nations, as well as at home. That proof had yet to be offered, because it could not be offered. Because it does not exist, protesters came to Seattle to hold WTO accountable. Their frustration arose because one side held most of the cards; that side comprised heads of corporations, trade associations, government ministries, most media, stockholders, and WTO... Specifically, the shared activity of hundreds of thousands of nonprofit organizations can be seen as humanity's immune response to toxins like political corruption, economic disease, and ecological degradation (Paul Hawken, Unblessed Rest). There is a great need for social and ecological re-education. A commitment, that if made, will allow us to share our stories with our children, and their children, and their children… Wake up, the time is now.

How Can 'Ecosystems be Both Strong and Fragile?'

2008-07-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

One quadrillion cells make up a human being, and 90 percent of them are bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and other microbes, without which we could not survive. Therein lies a paradox: what makes us fully human is, well, not human. Within our body is the back-story of the earth four billion years ago, the molecular chains, elemental compounds, simple bacteria, and salty fluids that wash our eyes and surround our cells, forming a compendium of life that has preceded us. We have always been a work in progress, a cumulative animal, a chimeric fusion of different organisms from the beginning of life “bound together by the elastic string of time”.

Paul Hawken, Blessed Unrest

There is no separation. Ecosystems are both strong and fragile. 'They' can endure a great deal, but when there is an imbalance change will take place. The only constant in life is change.

Thoughts on the 'Eight-Point Ecology Platform'

2008-07-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

1) The well-being and flourishing of human and nonhuman life on Earth have value in themselves. These values are independent of the usefulness of the nonhuman world for human purposes.

I definitely agree with this statement. The need to try to control nature has been an act that has shifted the planet’s energy way out of balance, and as the yin-yang symbol shows, there is always the seed within, and no pure static state of excess. This is why we are seeing more frequent devastating weather patterns. Why fields that have been planted as a mono-crops and constantly sprayed with chemicals are unable to produce. The soil is depleted. The natural balance has been disturbed.

2) Richness and diversity of life forms contribute to the realization of these values and are also values in themselves.

The inherent energy of all life forms, down to the cellular level, should be respected and honored. The energetic value given to life is not one that should be set by multinational corporations. It follows a natural flow and when that is disrupted and becomes one based on greed for few and not the common-good for all it will be followed by disturbances until the common rhythms of nature are honored and considered.

3) Humans have no right to reduce this richness and diversity except to satisfy vital needs.

‘Vital needs’ is not a relative statement. It is not dependent on the value system set by a few corporations. All actions should be considered as to the effects and their consequences. This brings me to the current standards of the food presented to us as ‘safe’ on our supermarket shelves. There is no labeling to let the public know what they are ingesting, and this was decided by a corporation that manipulated their power to make sure that we are not made aware of any of the GMO foods we are consuming.

4) Present human interference with the nonhuman world is excessive, and the situation is rapidly worsening.

There needs to be significant shifts towards localization and a stop put towards interfering with nature’s rhythms. A large vortex revolves around food. How it’s grown, where it’s grown, how it’s manipulated genetically, the list goes on. Those responsible need to be held accountable for their actions and disregard for the environment. It is not a separate entity. Our environment is a reflection of us and we of it, it is even difficult to explain with language that feels so ‘Cartesian’ at times. There is no separation. ‘We’ are our environment and we are a direct reflection of what is currently happening in our environment.

5) The flourishing of human life and cultures is compatible with a substantial decrease of the human population. The flourishing of nonhuman life requires such a decrease.

This is a difficult one for us to chew on, but it is happening naturally with all of the current ‘catastrophes’. Mass floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, earthquakes, reflect just a few of the current shifts that are showing us that our actions are out of balance. Change needs to happen; whether it’s by our own choices or those of natural environmental reactions.

6) Policies must therefore be changed. The changes in policies affect basic economic, technological structures. The resulting state of affairs will be deeply different from the present.

Corporations need to be held accountable for any environmental pollution and any effects their business may have on the local inhabitants and ecology. In fact, instead of just assigning a monetary value to their punishment they should have to make sure that nothing they do effects the environment negatively or they should not be allowed to operate.

7) The ideological change is mainly that of appreciating life quality (dwelling in situation of inherent worth) rather than adhering to an increasingly higher standard of living. There will be a profound awareness of the difference between big and great.

I feel that when life is truly honored and appreciated it shifts much in the way of dis-ease and brings it more towards a point of balance. The illusionary goals that are set by societies give false impressions as to what is ‘big’ versus what is great. If the majority of folks really questioned their actions and shifted their goals, it would bring about the necessary alterations towards a more sustainable future. It is mentioned in the Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight by Thom Hartmann, that with enough people engaging their energies towards a more balanced state it will have an effect on the world as we know it.

8) Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an obligation directly or indirectly to participate in the attempt to implement the necessary changes.

A quote that I cannot state verbatim, but along these lines… ‘If you think you are too small to make a difference consider that pesky mosquito”… There are differences you can make, and if the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings can have an effect across the globe so can a choice you make to fall back into nature’s rhythms.

My Feelings towards Western Approaches to HIV/AIDS?

2008-06-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

I'll have to say it is one of deep concern. Taking a look at the video recommended by Debbie, it makes you question what the exact intentions the research is based on, and how ego-bound the motivation is. While I do appreciate the extent of the information discovered so far, it feels like there are a few significant 'missing links'.
I also find it very disheartening, when you hear time after time, how the lack of understanding by Western doctors towards TCM, eliminates their referral towards a more wholistic approach of dealing with the symptoms of HIV/AIDS. I feel that it would be most beneficial to intertwine both Western and Eastern approaches for the overall care and treatment plan of the patient.

Can TCM Strengthen Our Immune Systems?

2008-06-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) has much to offer in this area. In fact, TCM does not view it as an isolated system. In treating your immune system you are also effecting other systems as well. It has a vaster scope and methodology for dealing with the entire person, and not just one isolated symptom. Diet, lifestyle, emotional therapy, movement therapies, herbs, and massage are also included in the treatment plan.

Here is a link to an article I found which was very informative. It expands on the use of acupuncture with two individuals, Charles and Andre, and tells their stories of how acupuncture has assisted them upon their diagnosis of HIV. http://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Acupuncture+and+HIV+The+
New+Weapon+in+the+Fight+Against+HIV+AIDS

Conservation Land Trusts Saving the Planet

2008-06-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

This story is one which hits very close to home for me. I have been living in Sierra Valley, the largest alpine valley in North America, now for five years. Approximately two and a half years ago we received a big scare. The community I live in, 'Sierra Hot Springs' was to be purchased by a developer and turned into a gated 'Boutique Spa' and 136-Estate 'Eco-Friendly' (huh?) golf course!

I was very shocked to hear this news for many reasons. I had chosen to live here due to the principles written in Oneness in Living by Ishvara, the owner of Sierra Hot Springs and Harbin Hot Springs. I felt that his decision to sell to a developer went against all that he written about in his book. Sierra Valley is a very sacred place and has a rich history with the native tribes, the Maidu and the Washoe. You can still go on walks and spot arrowheads, view a wide variety of wildlife, and it's 685-acres contain many springs, hot and cold. It was truly absurd to consider that these healing waters and land would be so disrespected.

What seemed like forever, but was truly just a pinch of time, ten months after hearing this devastating news, the town finally got a chance to meet with the developer as well as the biologist he brought with him. I will be forever grateful to know that I had the chance to stand and make a difference in this decision, as well as the 150 other concerned citizens who attended this meeting. It was beautiful to see that everyone who stood up and spoke was opposed to this purchase. Multi-generational families attended to try to put a stop to this atrocity. It was shortly after this meeting that he withdrew his plans to purchase Sierra Hot Springs!

While this particular case proved victorious, it was not the last. There have been many lawsuits, and much money lost, in numerous cases involving developers suing long term members of this valley because they do not want to give up rights to their land. Sierra County is one of the least populated counties in California, and many developers want to change this. You look at the surrounding counties, and all the golf courses and developments that are continuously being built (especially in drought conditions), and it makes one very worried that all the variables and environmental effects are not being considered.

On the positive side you have organizations like the 'Feather River Land Trust' at http://www.frlt.org/oursuccesses.html, a group responsible for conservation of 79,000 acres in and around Sierra Valley. I used to live on the Maddalena Ranch, see photo, an amazingly diverse place. I am very relieved to know that this will remain untouched, and that I will be able to return one day and know it will not be taken over like the 'small' town I grew up in in Southern California, once upon a time. I have also heard recently that the possibility is being discussed to place a portion of the 685-acres of Sierra Hot Springs into a conservation land trust which would place it under protection from development permanently. Sounds good to me!

I have also traveled extensively through Mexico as well as Baja California, and if you ask me, there are already enough "Cancun's". I am very happy to hear that land is being preserved into conservation land trusts, as well as to experience this in a very direct way. It is very important to make sure that nature is not overdeveloped, for once you start this process there is no turning back, the toothpaste is already out of the tube.

Are Our Genes Still Evolving?

2008-06-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

Of course we are still evolving, it would be very egocentric to believe that we have reached an apex. I would definitely question though, how genetically modified foods and those fed to the animals that most people consume alter us genetically. Also, that a gene may be modified so that it can be patented and it's life cycle destroyed, and what effects this food has on us cellularly. Could these new practices discourage our genes from evolving? Or maybe, genetically, we will evolve so that we can adapt to this transformation, but then what is this doing to the natural process of evolution? I believe that we are tinkering in very dangerous and unknown terrain and continuing to do so may alter genetic codes in an irreversible and devastating rate.

How Does the TCM Approach to Cancer Differ?

2008-06-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

The TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) approach to cancer considers a much broader perspective. TCM is a healing art and science which teaches how to see the entire human being in bodymindspirit, how to recognize the process of health and illness, and how to go about the restoration of lost health in an individual. Cancer is the accumulation of external and/or internal factors, that create disharmony in the normal functioning of the body. When treating patients, the TCM physician takes a complete inventory of the person and considers many factors, such as energy lever, complexion, temperature, sleep patterns, appetite, digestive functioning, emotional state, and overall lifestyle, to name a few.

I especially resonate with Five Element Theory where the human being is a microcosm of the universe, and so the description of the Energy that activates the cosmos is the same description for the human being. We are YinYang. We are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Everything is connected and we are a reflection of our universe. This concept of bodymindspirit is the Chinesse belief in the unity and integrity of the human person: though there many be different aspects of the self to consider, these aspects can never be isolated from the context of the individual as she is and as she experiences life.

Do We Truly Understand Cancer?

2008-06-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

It appears that on many levels we do have a very sophisticated understanding of cancer, even down to the cellular level. How it can be summarized in just a few sentences and the state of the art testing procedures to now see if you are hereditarily prone to it. While we do have all of these 'pieces' to the puzzle fairly well mapped out, how does our understanding provide prevention?

There are definitely choices you can make to reduce your risks: quitting smoking, reduce stress, a healthy diet, and the reduction of environmental risk factors. But what about when you hear that someone has just been diagnosed with cancer and has lead a very healthy life? I suppose then you are dealing with environmental factors as well as genetic ones? What worries me is the rise of cancer especially in children. It truly makes you question our approach to dealing with cancer. To discover it's causes and patterns on a cellular level is quite extraordinary, that technology and wisdom has lead us to this point, but what about the preventative measures? What about not allowing genetically modified products into our food chain until they have been adequately studied? And what about holding the large companies accountable for the pollution they pump into the atmosphere or let run off into our water supply? What about questioning that our food is no longer considered 'food' and is classified as a pesticide? Could that lead to cancer? What about changing the patterns of vacation time in the U.S. and adopting one more similar to the European culture where you get a few months off to enjoy time with your family, friends, or yourself?

I would encourage a larger, broader perspective into the patterns of cancer and adopt one that also includes one of prevention and accountability. An interesting perspective to end with is viewing Five Element theory. The Earth is connected and symbolized by our own earth and home: our physical bodies. It is interesting to note how the current treatment of Earth reflects the rise of disease and cancer of our own internal planet, our selves... makes you think.

Chines Medicine Gaining Respectability in the West?

2008-06-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

Once again we are trying to fit a circle into a square. If we truly want to research Chinese Medicine we would have to redefine the testing parameters and not try to fit them into Western Medicine's mode of operandi. I also feel that the 5000 year testing period is one to consider, especially compared to some of the six month testing periods that allow prescription drugs to be placed on our shelves. Instead of trying to compare the two completely different perspectives, why not integrate? Just think of that tapestry which could be woven if the two could intertwine...

The Use of Tools and Language for Chimps?

2008-06-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

It makes complete sense to me that our relatives, the chimpanzees, use language as a means to communicate and also have the capability of adapting tools for gathering food. There are actually many animals who utilize tools including birds and dolphins.

Wolfgang Kohler was a psychologist who studied learning and thinking among animals in the 1920’s. He discovered that chimpanzees were very good at using tools. In one test he placed a bunch of bananas outside the chimps cage and two bamboo sticks inside the cage. However, neither of the sticks was long enough to reach the bananas. One of the chimps, Sultan (pictured here), discovered that he could create a longer stick by pushing the thinner stick into the hollow of the thicker one, and was then able to retrieve the bananas.

It is also well documented that dolphins use sounds to communicate with one another, and that the tone of these sounds seems to convey information about the dolphin’s emotional state. Researchers have identified over 30 whistle-type sounds, each of which has a specific meaning. Squeaks and barks are often used to convey danger, protest, anger and irritation. (Dolphins and Their Power to Heal, Cochrane and Callen).

To be honest I find it a bit hilarious that animals are studied in this fashion, put to human tests and the egocentric parameters placed on this Cartesian mode of thinking. I feel that a far greater 'test' would be to completely reintegrate with nature and stop separating ourselves as isolated beings. We are all connected. 'We' may even find that we have something to learn if we look closely enough!

No Qi... No Life

2008-06-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

How does one distinguish between living and nonliving systems? There are many theories and explanations as to what can actually be called a living system.

I really like what Kenneth Cohen has to say in The Way of Qigong: "Qi is the Chinese word for ‘life energy’. According to Chinese medicine, qi is the animating power that flows through all living things. It is also the life energy one senses in nature. The earth itself is moving, transforming, breathing, and alive with qi. When we appreciate the beauty of animals, fish, birds, flowers, trees, mountains, the deep ocean, and floating clouds, we are sensing their qi and feeling an intuitive unity with them. Human beings are part of nature and share qi with the rest of the earth."

The Gaia Hypothesis is another example which views the Earth as a single interconnected organism. One of the criteria of this empirical definition of life is its ability to replicate and pass on their genetic information to succeeding generations. This leaves much room for discussion as to the sustainability of our current modes of operation and consideration into the effects of our environmental practices, or lack thereof. An example being genetically modified food. The fact that the life cycle of a seed has now been intruded upon by genetic manipulation and can be controlled by a corporation. And what about our current water treatment policies and regulations? Are the chemicals that we dump so habitually into our watershed truly that sustainable? Not to mention peak oil, and what sustainable measures are being explored to alleviate this very real and catastrophic event.

It really makes you reflect back onto the practices of the Native Americans and their consideration not only towards themselves and their children, but the realization that you must consider you actions for seven generations. I feel that it would be in our best interest to truly consider our effects in the 'bigger picture' and start realizing that life as we know it cannot continue at this pace. We have reached the tipping point. We need to remove ourselves from this selfish notion that the Earth is here to serve us, as it's sole occupants and realize that everything is connected and in order to preserve the planet we need to adopt more sustainable practices on a global level.

Eat Your Broccoli... And Laugh A Lot

2008-06-02T11:01:00.001-07:00

There exists no single food to protect you against cancer, but scientists have shown that the right combination of foods will lower your risk of developing the disease. However, several recent studies have suggested that by adding cruciferous vegetables to your diet you may increase your body’s ability to repair damaged DNA and may help in preventing the formation of cancerous cells. The studies are also showing that two naturally occurring compounds in these vegetables may have the ability to halt the growth of cancer cells.

I truly appreciate what modern day science can now tell us and its ability to dissect information down to the minutest detail. An additional perspective to consider is the relevance of this knowledge with regards to the larger picture. For example, noticing the nutritional value of a few cruciferous vegetables, I found that they contain high levels of vitamin C. The use of Vitamin C in the fight against cancer has a rich history as well. Another very relevant question to ask is if this broccoli you are ingesting is organic? And, are you smiling, laughing, and content, as you chomp down on these hearty veges? There are many factors to consider in the study of dis-ease. By connecting these microcosmic perspectives to the macrocosmic levels of awareness, you allow for a richer understanding into the flows or blockages of these energetic relationships we call life.

Was It the Chicken or the Egg?

2008-06-02T00:40:00.000-07:00

I vote for the egg, because we do know that as a definite answer, what comes out of the egg did originate from that very same egg. It is interesting to think that a genetic mutation allowed for the shift to what we call a present day chicken, but isn't that the case for most life we view today?

Now, should we ask, 'What is the sound of one wing flapping?'

Can Diversification Save Species?

2008-06-02T00:04:00.000-07:00

Let’s time travel back to the year 1845 and ask the Irish, where unintentionally, the largest experiment in monoculture was conducted. It took only a few days for the spores of Phytophthora infestans, to decimate an entire crop of potatoes, including those in storage. It was not felt so dramatically in the rest of Europe due to the variety of crops grown. In Ireland, the vulnerability was felt with the most devastating presence, brought on by their sole dependence on one main food staple, the potato. Potatoes are a cloned food crop, and this variety had no resistance to the fungus. It was not the potatoes so much as the potato monoculture that sowed the seeds of Ireland’s disaster. For example, the Incas also depended largely on potatoes, but they cultivated such a variety that no one fungus could cause such complete damage. In fact, it was in South America, where the solution was found that would resist the blight: the ‘Garnet Chile’.

“Monoculture is where the logic of nature collides with the logic of economics. In Ireland under British rule the logic of economics dictated a monoculture of potatoes; in 1845, the logic of nature exercised its vet, and a million people- many of whom probably owed their existence to the potato in the fires place- perished. A million people died of starvation in only three years.” (The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan)

This nervously reminds me of what is currently happening with agribusiness. We now live in a time where patents can be given for the food we eat. Where a ‘Terminator’ gene can be introduced to interfere with the lifecycle so the most elemental of nature’s processes is now in the claws of capitalism. It has also been scientifically determined that genetically modified plants are ‘substantially equivalent’ to ordinary plants, and the regulation of these foods has been voluntary since 1992 (Pollan). It is only when one of these agribusinesses feels that it is ‘worthy knowledge’, that we be given notification as to the health concerns of the food that the majority of the population is consuming now. (I can’t remember ever seeing a label telling me that I am consuming a genetically modified product, can you?) GMO ‘food’ is not even considered food anymore. With these genetic modifications, it is now considered a pesticide (placing it under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency). This removes it from any testing or regulations by the Food and Drug Administration.

Another reminder as to the dangers in the lack of diversity is showing signs with the most common supermarket banana: the Cavendish. It is currently battling the black Sigatoka fungus. We saw a similar disaster in the 1950’s when the Gros Michel was completely wiped out by Panama disease. And while the one plant that holds the key to this fungus finds itself as the sole survivor displayed in a botanical garden in India, we have to ask ourselves how it has come to this? What lessons have we learned from reducing ourselves to one type of banana, or potato, or the ability of businesses to now hold complete control in the life cycle of the food we consume? Embrace biodiversity, encourage variety, support your local farmers, grow your own food, become an active member in the chain of events that starts from saving that seed and following it through its entire life cycle. Question and gain information as to the decisions affecting the food you consume. Knowledge is the greatest treasure. Participate in the cycles of life, nature’s rhythms, and understand that just because you see this picture perfect potato doesn’t mean that it is a reflection of its true energy. Know what you eat.

How Did Humans and Chimps Diverge as a Species?

2008-05-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

It makes perfect sense to me that humans and chimps diverged as a species. I am equally impressed with the current insights we gain through DNA research. This is allowing a lot of loose threads to get more closely woven together. It does not sound like this highly debatable topic has been proven as fact though. David Reich's research team has produced controversial evidence that the split between humans and chimpanzee’s occurred a lot differently than has been suspected in the past. It also makes sense the split did not happen based on one event, and then the separation took place. The fact that interbreeding linked us for a theorized ‘several million years’, sometimes with sterile offspring, and other times with favorable traits to pass on through generations, feels like a more complex and thorough explanation of how this split took place.

Not all agree though. Jeffrey Schwatz, who has compiled evidence linking humans to orangutans, feels the data was skewed. He feels that Reich’s team focused solely on evidence to support our connection to chimpanzee’s, but skimmed over evidence of similarities to other primates (Wikipedia). Other controversy is stirring over the origins of intelligence, behavior patterns, and how this ties in with religious communities. This new evidence also offers tantalizing hints that hybridization events up to ten million years ago may have introduced significant amounts of DNA from gorilla and orangutan lineages (Wikipedia).

We will have to see how these recent discoveries unfold once more DNA-data is unwound…

Can We Raise Our Levels of Dopamine?

2008-05-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

Dopamine is a hormone and neurotransmitter released by the hypothalamus. It has many functions in the brain, including important roles in behavior and cognition, motor activity, motivation and reward (Wikipedia). It is released naturally in rewarding experiences such as food, sex, some drugs, and neutral stimuli that becomes associated with them.

Dopamine is believed to provide a teaching signal to parts of the brain responsible for acquiring new behavior. It is commonly associated with the pleasure system of the brain, providing feelings of enjoyment and reinforcement to motivate a person to perform certain activities.

It has been theorized that dopamine pathways are pathologically altered in addicted persons. With the study read in class, biomedical solutions were investigated. Some results were positive, but you also have to face the consequences of the side-effects of the drugs you are using. For example, one drug which has been studied, naltrexone is linked to severe liver damage. Why not try a more holistic approach, like qigong, for example. Qigong has been proven to resolve digestive problems, asthma, arthritis, insomnia, pain, depression, and anxiety, as well as cancer, coronary heart disease, and cases of HIV/AIDS. Tests have also shown that qigong triggers the body’s relaxation response by reducing the level of dopamine, an enzyme that controls neurological activity (David Eisenberg, M.D., a clinical research fellow at Harvard Medical School). A better question to ask would be, “Can we lower the levels of dopamine ourselves?’ I believe by that by adopting a more natural approach to life, we can re-educate ourselves to be less dependent on what is perceived as desire, and shift towards a more holistic and rhythmical approach to life.

Is There A Drug for Everything?

2008-05-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

So many drugs are prescribed today without the proper testing period to look into the side effects, internally as well as externally (with regards to the environmental effects as well). How many cases do you see where the drug is recalled after only a few years, once the effects are starting to show themselves, yet after 6 months of testing it was determined to be safe for consumption? I get a bit nervous when you see the list of side-effects in such small print, long enough to wrap around a city block, with words that most would not even be able to pronounce, let alone decipher.

We are such a drug-based society, looking for the quick fix, the one pill that can solve life’s unease. Starting each day with coffee and sugar (in the form of a quick, easy, cinnamon roll for breakfast), and then out the door. Adrenaline has now kicked in (we are running late) and the traffic is not in our favor. A few hours of work and then off to lunch… a quick sandwich (meat, cheese, white bread, lettuce (if you can call it that), potato chips and a soda (still working on the sugar diet). Back to work, exhausted now, jump start it with more caffeine (missing the societies of siesta), ah, but we do have that 10 minute nicotine break coming up soon, finish the day off with ‘happy hour’ to calm our internal state of affairs. A late-night dinner (had to unwind at the bar a little longer than usual), toss down a bunch of antacids and aspirin (feeling the effects of the alcohol a little too much), get a few hours of sleep and start it all over again. Sound familiar?

I feel that you can even list computers, television, advertising and media as drugs. With our dependence on such a quick pace of life, being such adrenaline junkies, it makes perfect sense that our poor kidneys are in such a state. We are so far removed from nature now, what has happened to our perception to our natural body rhythms? It is such a concern now that they are even terming the condition ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ for children (shouldn’t be age specific if you ask me). If I was asked one drug to prescribe for most conditions that you see currently I would have to say ‘rest’. It doesn’t cost a lot, there are no side-effects, and the addiction is only temporary (until your natural rhythms are re-established). I feel that adopting a lifestyle, which embraced more vacation time, more breaks throughout the day, and a slower pace of life would make us far less dependent on drugs, prescription and those everyday vices we don’t always consider to be ‘drugs’.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault

2008-05-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

Check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault

Cybernetics?

2008-05-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Pox via caos!
(Peace through chaos)

Definitely agreed with the need to be able to organize and connect different life systems, didn't the Taoists already have an explanation for this? Would like to discuss further in class...

Our relationship to Chimps?

2008-05-19T10:44:00.000-07:00

It makes perfect sense to me that 99.4% of our most critical DNA sites are identical to chimpanzees and bonobos. The interesting point to bring up is where the differences lie in that small .06%. What makes that small percentage, which accounts for such an overall genetic similarity, allow for such a huge evolutionary distance as well? We do have many similarities, including our skeletal systems, opposable thumbs and our large toes, and the patterns existing from having a common ancestry. Their social patterns, ability to use tools, and the communication that exists with one another are very common links. A very good book to recommend, 'Primates in Question' by Robert Shumaker and Benjamin Beck, discusses many of the issues and questions raised. To illustrate one example of the differences is our ability to communicate with spoken language. 'Humans and the other great apes have all of the same anatomical features related to speech production, but in a slightly altered formation. This small difference has profound consequences related to vocal abilites (Shumaker and Beck)." It is due the positioning of the larynx and how it does not descend in their development. It is also connected to the way we walk. "Bipedalism requires balancing the head in an upright position on top of the spine rather than in a slightly jutted forward position, as in the quadrupedal great apes. This upright position reorients the vocal apparatus as well as increasing the mobility of the tongue. These factors suggest that bipedalism and an increase in cvocal communication were linked for the ancestors of modern humans (Shumaker and Beck)." It is interesting to note that while they cannot produce spoken language, they are perfectly capable of understanding what they hear and the symbols and gestures that they see as well, and can communicate in turn with these symbols.
I find it very enlightening that we share so many notable physical, behavioral and cognitive similarities with our common ancestors and feel that it is our responsibility to make sure that our actions do not influence our evolutionary relatives negatively.

Thoughts on Human Genetic Evolution

2008-05-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

It is interesting how the fabric of life can be theoretically woven to bring us to present day. These articles were very informative and covered a lot of terrain. A few of the studies I found interesting were the connections to agricultural based societies and what that did to the population, the fact that mtDNA can tell us that we are all connected to a single female, and the fact that life may have began around underwater thermal vents. I also found it intriguing that primitive cells were created in a space lab and their possible involvement in the beginnings of life as we know it (NASA). It makes perfect sense to me that we could have come in with the comets and meteorites, isn't that how we got Samuel Clemens here?

This was my first introduction to the story of the Taung child, and how it was discovered that the positioning of the foramen magnum allowed them to determine that he must have been bipedal. Also, the fact that his canine teeth were short, allowing them to determine that he was more human than ape. I also found it interesting that approximately 3.7 million years ago they found bipedal footprints in volcanic ash which looked like those of modern humans.

Thoughts on Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes and Viruses

2008-05-18T22:27:00.000-07:00

A very educational tool, I also found it interesting to read about life from the perspective of the bacteria. I definitely feel sympathy for the bacteria, it must be a very good test in non-attachment! I took a few of the quizzes, and felt them useful as well (very detailed).

Would like to know more about how are immune system uses carbohydrates to detect infection. I have definitely put a lot of thought into the overuse of antibiotics (as well as the heavy use of antibacterial soap), and what effects these will have on all life forms. I eat a rich diet in fermented foods to try to keep a healthy flora!

It was interesting to note, from the readings on 'Human Genetic Evolution', that "eukaryotes developed as the result of ingestion of prokaryotes by other prokaryotes (endosymbiont hypothesis)". I also found myself pondering the lives of prokaryotic cells, especially the fact that they contain photosynthetic pigments, and what this could mean...

From the Box to the Bloom

2008-05-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

Considering the current theories and debates as to how we have evolved to this present state, it is difficult not to question the egotistical attachment involved. I feel it would be in our best interest to study more about the interrelatedness necessary in our development as a species, and to drift from this Cartesian mode of thinking. The idea that nature must be conquered and utilized for the benefits of a few has been a very destructive mode of being. It has been documented that there are only 23,000 human genes, where rice has 35,000 (M. Pollan, TED talks). Gives you something to chew on!

We truly are just one species among many in this fabric of life. "Our planet-mates (plants, animals and microbes) have been patiently perfecting their wares for more than 3.8 billion years, turning rock and sea into a life-friendly home. What better models could there be (J. Benyus, TED talks)?" Looking to the ideas of biomimicry, and the study of nature as a whole, instead of something we have to conquer and change, would greatly shift this current paradigm. With new illnesses developing, such as Nature Deficit Disorder, we have to question the state we are currently in. We need to study with these enlightened organisms, to adopt their amazing capabilities and survival techniques which they have utilized to take care of their home and that of their future generations.

My Thoughts on Evo-Devo? Ask the Mycelium!

2008-05-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

Walking home from a long day of studies, with the gears rapidly turning in the brain, my nose was the first to catch the scent of an amazing dinner being prepared. I recently read that our sense of scent was a major factor in the development of our brain (A Natural History of the Senses by Diane Ackerman). The dinner being prepared, Fuling Noodle Soup. Fuling, a fungus from pine root, was discovered by Tao Hong-Jing (456-536 CE), a Taoist master, alchemist and herbalist looking for the elixir of immortality. He left no corpse.

A major ingredient in this giant theoretical pot of stew called 'Evo-Devo' which should not be omitted is the consideration of mycelium. The medicinal properties of mushrooms have been utilized for thousands of years. It has recently been documented that these 'soil magicians' were the first organisms to land here, approximately 1.3 billion years ago. Plants did not appear until a few hundred-million years later. We are most closely related to mushrooms than any other species (Stamets, TED talks). Their usefulness as antibiotics, pesticides, habit restoration and for bioremediation, are only a few of the amazing results discovered from current research. Because they do not need sunlight to grow, it is believed that the fungus 'inherited the earth' after an asteroid impact, 65 million years ago (Stamets). The network system formed by the growth of mycelium, the Earth's natural 'internet', has very similar properties to how dark matter forms(Stamets). Entire microbial universes are developed throughout these neurological networks. It has also been theorized that spoken language developed from synesthesia, the blurring of boundaries between the senses, caused by the medicinal use of mushrooms, which led to the development of spoken language (T. McKenna).

After finishing my delicious bowl of Fuling, still finding myself in mortal form (more research needed into what additional herbs Tao Hong-Jing must have discovered), resting my head on the pillow for a much needed bit of slumber, I find it very difficult not to consider the role of these multi-faceted magicians in our evolutionary development.

The Heart's Code

2008-05-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

Excert taken from an article from Mantak Chia's website:
http://www.universal-tao.com/article/three_minds.html

"Medical science has also discovered the consciousness in the heart. They found that the heart can record a whole event, and it has its own brain, the Third Brain. Dr. Paul Pearsall has written a new book, called The Heart’s Code 3.They have found that people who have a heart transplant can actually experience the emotions of the donor.

One of the published cases is that of a girl who was brutally killed. The police didn’t know who had killed her. Her heart was subsequently transplanted into another girl. The recipient of this transplant started to get nightmares and described somebody killing her. She described the killer’s physical appearance. Finally, the mother took the girl to a psychiatrist, who then contacted the police. The girl gave the police an exact description of the 'man from her nightmares' and a police artist drew a reconstruction of the killer. With this new information the police were able to go and arrest the man.

Afterwards, when confronted with clear details of the crime, the man confessed that he was indeed guilty of this crime. So, from that experience, medical science came to realize that the heart can record all of an event and remember it."
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Your thoughts?

Do We Really Understand Our Biological Selves?

2008-05-03T23:20:00.000-07:00

It has been our attempt to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves through the science and study of life, breaking it into smaller and smaller pieces. Microbiology, through the practice of genetic engineering, can now present us with the 'perfect' tomato in any season, quite astounding, or not? While this has much to offer on many different levels, it also stirs far more questions as to the effects of our current trends. 'Do we truly understand the affects of our biological selves?' might be another question to consider as well. What determines the correct testing period before these 'frankenfoods' are placed on our shelves? Do we truly think 6 months is a sufficient time period to study the causes and effects of our current behavior and trends? One aspect to consider in the grand mosaic of present day life.

This has been one of the large attractants for me in my decision to pursue Traditional Chinese Medicine. The rich and vast history of this medicine and it's approach and consideration towards all aspects and interconnections throughout nature, without the need to try to control her. Taking this to a deeper level of understanding and applying this methodology to the study of ourselves and relating this microcosm of self into to the larger macrocosm of life. The study of Five Element Theory shows this quite eloquently. There is not one isolated part that can be looked at under a microscope without considering how the other elements are related. In fact, you cannot solely focus on one area of study because it is all connected. There exists a true rhythm and balance to the universe, and when these connections are not considered, that is when trouble begins. I feel that a more universal approach, one which considered the effects over numerous generations, would be in our best interest and offer a greater understanding as to the affects of our current practices and to a deeper connection to our true biological selves.

A Bit About Myself

2008-05-03T21:59:00.000-07:00

I have just completed my first week of acupuncture school, a pursuit I have had now for ten years. While it feels like a new beginning in many ways, it does not lack familiarity. This journey has been an enlightening one.

After finishing with a B.S. in Earth Science and Physics at UCSD, I traveled for the summer through Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. It was during that time that I received my first massage, a significant event for me. I truly enjoyed my studies as a scientist, but felt that I needed some nourishment for the right side of my brain as well. It followed the natural flow to now add the physics of the body to my studies. Upon returning, I immediately enrolled in massage school and found myself drawn specifically towards Shiatsu and Tui Na. This also led me to a deeper understanding of energy through the practice of Chi Kung.

The photo shown above is home, Sierra valley, the largest alpine valley in North America. I currently live and work at a hot springs resort, Sierra Hot Springs, which has been frequented for centuries for its healing properties. When I moved here, five years ago, my energy shifted to the water through the studies of Watsu (Shiatsu done in water) and its extension, Waterdance. I also found myself living in a communal setting for the first time and took this opportunity to explore life and the dynamics of living in a community. I found myself living off the grid in a geodesic dome which could only be accessed with skis or snowshoes in the winter. It was great! The only sounds I heard outside were of the gurgling creek and my friendly neighbors, the birds. I also jumped right into running the office and Health Services Department, in which I developed a spa service program and enhanced their existing structure. This has truly been an educational experience on many different levels, and I am thankful for the innumerable gifts of wisdom and humbleness it has given me.

Most recently I have been exploring Chi Nei Tsang, a Taoist visceral manipulation which emphasizes the movement of chi energy through the abdominal organs. Sound has also travelled into my studies through Acutonics, the use of tuning forks on the meridian system. I have learned much through this complex and enlightening journey and truly appreciate the value of acupuncture and Oriental medicine. I believe strongly in the wisdom carried down from these great masters and am moving forward to a deeper awareness into this great tradition.