Healing Reiki

Reiki definition (Ray Key) from Steve Murray's site: HealingReiki.com

Reiki is a powerful, precise system of healing which is believed to have originated in Tibet thousands of years ago. It accesses a universal life force energy. This energy, also known as prana, mana, chi, holy spirit and source, helps promote healing in all living things on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. The Reiki Master and Reiki Practitioner are channels for this healing energy. The word Rei as it is used in Reiki is interpreted to mean knowledge of spiritual consciousness which is all knowing. Ki is the life force. It is also called the vital force or the universal life force. This is the non-physical energy that animates, circulates and surrounds all living things. If there is a restriction in the flow of ones's Ki a vulnerability to illness occurs. When it is high and flowing freely better physical and mental health is experienced. Life force plays an important role in everything we do. It animates the body and is the primary energy of our emotions, thoughts and spiritual life.

How Does Reiki Heal?

Life force flows within the physical body through pathways called chakras, meridians and nadirs. We are alive because of this. It flows around us in a field of energy called the "Aura," nourishing the organs and cells of the body as it supports them in their vital functions. When this flow of life force is disrupted, it causes diminished function in the organs and tissues of the physical body. The life force is responsive to thoughts and feelings and becomes disrupted when we accept, either consciously or unconsciously, negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves. These negative thoughts and feelings attach themselves to our energy field, thus causing a disruption in the flow of our life force and diminishing the function of our body's organs and cells. Reiki heals by flowing through the affected parts of the energy field and charging them with positive energy. It raises the vibratory level of the energy field in and around the physical body causing the negative energy to break apart and fall away. This is where the negative thoughts and feelings are attached in so doing. Reiki clears, straightens and helps to heal the energy pathways, thus allowing the life force to flow in a healthy and natural way.

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A Living Burial

Who would have thought? You can now go GREEN in the afterlife! Have your burial under a newly planted tree. A Tree Burial! Instead of rows of tombstones there will be a meadow with trees and flowers or a forest! The tree is you – living on – as it was your body that provided the nutrients it needed to grow tall and strong. Dust to dust; ashes to ashes as instructed in Genesis 3:19

1. eco-friendly

2. less expensive

3. natural alternative

4. bans toxic emblaming fluids

5. eliminates cemetery space and upkeep (saves water and eliminates fertilizers/chemicals)

6. no need for vaults/caskets/markers (saves expense, more environmentally friendly)

7. less intrusive for families (a more peaceful setting)

8. you live on to help the environment for your loved ones

It is estimated that the more than 22,500 cemeteries across the Unites States bury 827,060 gallons of embalming fluid every year. Embalming fluids can include chemicals and additives like formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, phenol, methanol, antibiotics, dyes, anti-edemic chemicals, and disinfectant chemicals. These substances eventually find their way into the soil where they can contaminate the local water supplies. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers Formaldehyde as a Class 1 Carcinogen. Does it make sense to risk the health of the living to preserve - for just a little while - the bodies of the deceased?

Frankly I like the idea of not being filled with and residing with all of these toxins in my afterlife and leaving all behind for my children and grandchildren to deal with. It really makes sense. It saves the environment and makes room for the masses of living on earth...

September IS

Earth

Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. - Rachel Carson

Xeriscaping - Water Wise Gardens

Summary:

If landscapes are designed using plants with water requirements corresponding to typical local rainfall patterns, significantly less water will be needed for irrigation. This is the simple concept behind Xeriscaping, a term coined by western land planning authorities dealing with water shortages in the 1970s. From Greek words meaning "dry scene", xeriscaping refers to selecting plants for their drought tolerance, and/or ability to thrive without regular maintenance in the climate conditions where they will be used. With water use issues becoming a concern in nearly every region of the United States, xeriscapes offer a viable alternative for attractive exterior space planning without consuming dwindling water resources and creating excessive cuttings or plant waste.

Traditional landscaping techniques include the widespread use of lush-looking Kentucky Bluegrass lawns, punctuated with groupings of exotic ornamental shrubs, flowers, and trees. For many years it was assumed that an unlimited water supply could provide the irrigation needed to maintain this vegetation, even in less hospitable hot or arid environments.

As increasing percentages of land area have been developed throughout the United States, water usage concerns have developed in nearly every region. In the East, problems with disposal of grass clippings and pollution from fertilizer/pesticide runoff have fueled the debate, while in the West and Southwest, water resources have been pushed to their limits by continued development and ever-increasing demand. Seasonal droughts may result in water restrictions in any part of the country.

All these factors have encouraged the spread of xeriscaping techniques throughout the United States. Municipal and state agencies, especially in western states, have opted to use alternative groundcovers and drought tolerant native vegetation when landscaping the grounds of public buildings and other facilities. Many local and regional parks have set aside meadow or streambank areas where native grasses and other plant species are allowed to grow freely without mowing. This can reduce maintenance costs and provide shelter for wildlife. In some instances, native flora may provide habitats for specific species like hummingbirds or butterflies. In western regions, many builder/developers now offer homebuyers the option of traditional landscaping or xeriscaped lots. In conjunction with drought tolerant trees and bushes, rock garden arrangements with creeping groundcovers and succulents can provide height, texture, color, and seasonal variety equivalent to conventional ornamentals.

By their nature, xeriscaping techniques vary by region. Landscape architects, horticulturalists, and gardeners in every area have developed lists of plants which can thrive under local climate conditions and rainfall patterns. Drought tolerant species may be imported, although some concern must be given to avoiding species which may crowd out indigenous plants or become invasive. Groundcovers, a common substitute for lawns, may be herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, or deciduous or coniferous shrubs. Buffalo grass and blue gamma grass may be substituted for water thirsty bluegrass in many situations. Mulches, such as bark chips, pine needles, wood grindings, composted cotton burrs or gravel and decomposed granite can provide landscape variety.

Xeriscaping also uses the concept of zoning, in which plants with similar water needs are grouped together in specific zones. Lots may thus be laid out to with a smaller but highly visible area where regular irrigation is provided, but with other broad areas requiring little maintenance or watering.


Disclaimer: The information on the system, product or material presented herein is provided for informational purposes only. The technical descriptions, details, requirements, and limitations expressed do not constitute an endorsement, approval, or acceptance of the subject matter by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD/FHA), The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), or any PATH-affiliated Federal agency or private company. There are no warranties, either expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information. Full reproduction, without modification, is permissible.

NAHB Research Center, 400 Prince George’s Blvd., Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 © 2001-2007 NAHB Research Center

Xeriscapes

YARD WORK - AS VIEWED FROM HEAVEN (overheard in a conversation between God and St. Francis):

God: Francis, you know all about gardens and nature; what in the world is going on down there in America ? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistles and the stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought, and multiply with abandon. T he nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honeybees, and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of color by now. All I see are patches of green.

St. Francis: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. They are called the Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

God: Grass? But it is so boring, it's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies, bees or birds, only grubs and sod worms. It's temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want grass growing there?

St. Francis: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it has grown a little, they cut it .... sometimes two times a week.

God: They cut it? Do they bale it like hay?

St. Francis: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.

God: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?

St. Francis: No sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.

God: Now let me get this straight... they fertilize it to make it grow and when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

St. Francis: Yes, sir.

God: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.

St. Francis: You aren't going to believe this Lord, but when the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

God: What nonsense! At least they've kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide be auty and shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep the moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves become compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life.

St. Francis: You'd better sit down, Lord. As soon as the leaves fall, the Suburbanites rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.

God: No way! What do they do to protect the shrubs and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?

St Francis: After throwing the leaves away, they go out and buy something called mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.

God: And where do they get this mulch?

St. Francis: They cut down the trees and grind them up to make mulch.

God: Enough! I don't want to think about this any more. Saint Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?

St. Catherine: "Dumb and Dumber," Lord. It's a really stupid movie about....

God: Never mind--I think I just heard the whole story from Saint Francis!

How Smart Is Your Dog?

This basic canine intelligence test was developed by researcher Stanley Coren, PhD, at the University of British Columbia. "Animals who keep trying until they succeed are brighter," Coren says, "but the longer it takes, the less bright they are. Giving up is not a good sign."

The Cannine Test:

With your dog watching, put a treat under a can; then see how long it takes for her to retrieve it. Less than 15 seconds is very good.

Set up three cans, and place a treat under one while your pet watches. Remove him from the room for a couple minutes and then let him back in. Does he run straight to the cans? Does he find the right one?

How many commands, hand signals, and noises does your pet respond to?

More than 200 means you have a superpet.

The Border Collie ranks Number 1 in Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions. Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better.

The Border Collie originated in the border country between Scotland and England where the shepherds' breeding selection was based on biddable stock sense and the ability to work long days on rugged terrain. As a result of this selective breeding, the Border Collie developed the unique working style of gathering and fetching the stock with wide sweeping outruns. The stock is then controlled with an intense gaze known as "eye", coupled with a stalking style of movement.

This selective breeding over hundreds of years developed the Border Collie's intensity, energy and trainability which are features so important that they are equal to physical size and appearance. The Border Collie has extraordinary instinct and an uncanny ability to reason. One of its greatest assets is the ability to work out of sight of its master without commands. Breeding based on this working ability has made this breed the world's premier sheep herding dog, a job the Border Collie is still used for worldwide.