It’s been over a week since I began using Jala Neti as a twice daily cleaning routine (once in the morning and at night when I brush my teeth). I’d like to share with you what I’ve experienced so far.
After practicing Jala Neti for about a week I abandoned my Claritin allergy pills. The result is that I have not experienced any earaches or swelling of the ear canals, which was a daily occurrence before without the Claritin. So far, I’ve been off of the Claritin for about a week and am doing quite well on that front.
Another great benefit I’ve discovered is improved clarity–especially during the day. Normally I experience at least one groggy period during the day where I zone out and have difficulty focusing. This is usually accompanied by a lack of energy in general. I’m not really physically tired, just sleepy. Most of the time caffeine does little, if anything, to alleviate these groggy periods. Using Jala Neti completely eliminated the zoning out spells. Using Jala Neti at night and the next morning gave me better focus and concentration throughout the day with not one instance of grogginess.
Unfortunately, the plastic pot I was using for Jala Neti developed a crack and I can’t use it. So, the universe has forced a control into this little experiment of mine. And I’m none too happy about it. As of this posting, the last time I performed Jala Neti was Wednesday morning. I didn’t perform it last night, or this morning. And let me tell you, I can feel the difference.
This morning I got out of bed late, and was subsequently late for work. Not severely late, mind you, but enough for me to notice the divergence from my alert Jala Neti practicing self. I am, at this moment, experiencing a very overpowering grogginess.
All this leads me to believe that the nasal cleaning is not a placebo. Jala Neti definitely makes me feel clearer, more alert and healthier. More definite yet is the fact that I feel almost miserable without it.
As soon as I replaced my neti pot, I’ll update with any changes/improvements I notice.
Now normally I like to keep it positive around here instead of focusing on the negative, but let me just say that hackers, phishers and spammers all suck!
I got home yesterday and couldn’t get on my myspace account. I didn’t think too much of it at the time, but then I couldn’t get into my private ISP e-mail either. At this point I began to think that I was typing my password in wrong.
Nope.
Turns out someone had gotten a hold of my account info. They were on myspace making junk comments about meeting singles or buying medicine.
Because I’m always on the net searching for new blog material and what not, I sometimes come across web sites and newsletters that can be a tad suspect (but I sometimes sign-up, hoping for the best).
And I think that’s what happened this time.
You see, I made the mistake of using the same password for almost EVERYTHING. Not smart, I know. But I’m really lazy about things like that.
Fortunately, they didn’t get into lucasvaden.com (at least not that I know of), most likely due to the fact that I do use a different password for this site (thank God!).
So, kids, don’t be like me. Change your passwords often. And don’t use the same password for every site.
Do you walk around in a haze, that no amount of caffeine seems powerful enough to affect it? Do you have trouble focusing, or just can’t help zoning out sometimes. Well, you certainly aren’t alone. Fortunately, there is a non-drug remedy out there which may help you.
It’s called jala neti
Jala Wha’?
What is jala neti? Jala neti, in the simplest of terms, is nasal irrigation. Used to cleanse the nasal sinuses, jala neti is like the extreme version of saline sprays. Think of it like this; if saline sprays are your average garden hose, then jala neti is like standing under a waterfall. The basic concept is that you insert a spout into one nostril and tilt your head to allow the water to emerge from the other nostril (not down the back of your throat!). Special neti pots are used for this practice and they come in a variety of materials such as; plastic, ceramic and stainless-steel. The water is essentially saline, one part non-iodinated salt with nine parts water. This is basically the same constitution as human tears. Make sure the salt is not iodine-salt, as this could cause irritation. Also, make certain to thoroughly mix the salt with the water or you might get a nasty surprise at the button of the pot.
I happened across jala neti while doing some research on mudra at Health & Yoga. It’s used by yogis for clearing-up a variety of ailments the majority of which are sinus related. Chronic sinusitis, allergies, post nasal drip, etc. On a spiritual note, jala neti has the added benefit of unblocking the third eye chakra. The result is more powerful and better focused meditations as well as better alertness during daily activities.
A session of jala neti in the morning incorporated into the other cleansing rituals of showering and brushing your teeth can bring lasting benefits throughout the day.
What I’ve Discovered so far
I’ve been using jala neti for about a week now and the results I’ve seen so far are as follows;
improved clarity and focus
slight improvement in vision (better able to take in visuals, less zoning out)
decreased post nasal drip.
The latter ailment has been one that has pledged me all my life. And a love of dairy products simply proved to compound the issue over the years. I’ve been on an allergy pill for nearly a year now, due to the fact that I’ve developed outer ear aches as a result. After another week’s regular use of jala neti, I plan to drop the allergy pill and see what happens.
Now I’m not saying the jala neti is a cure-all, but consider it along the same lines as brushing your teeth. Could you imagine what sort of shape you’d be in if you never brushed your teeth? Not only would you have poor teeth and mouth health, but a myriad of other problems associated with lack of oral hygiene. So wouldn’t it make sense to give a regular cleansing to another important bodily gateway? Consider that far more passes through your nose on a given day than does your mouth (unless you inhale through your mouth, which is another problem jala neti is capable of tackling).
Just Feel Better
Another really fantastic benefit to jala neti is an increased sense of ease, or well-being. I’d read that this was a benefit, but didn’t wholly believe it (though I didn’t discount it entirely). I’m not sure why this is true, but I just feel better throughout the day when I’ve done jala neti in the morning. Perhaps it’s the relief from nasal sinus pressure, or maybe it’s related to having the third-eye unclogged. Regardless, I feel much better on the days I do jala neti than the days I don’t. Along the same lines as breathing one’s teeth; aside from the offensive smell I’d subject others to, brushing one’s teeth does make you feel better (just try and go a morning without it and see how you do). So perhaps, jala neti works in the same way. Most practitioners of jala neti practice it as a daily cleansing ritual (usually when brushing one’s teeth). Thus a great many practitioners perform jala neti at night as well as in the morning.
The benefits of performing jala neti before bed should be self-evident. But in case they aren’t; consider the peaceful and restful night’s sleep you would get from having a clear head. And because jala neti cleanses not only the nostrils, but the tear ducts as well, you’ll wake up with less sleep in your eyes (you know, the crud that collects around your tear ducts at night).
I plan to make jala neti a regular part of my daily cleansing routine in the morning and at night. Some people might say that I should only do it once a week, but try brushing your teeth just once a week. It’s essentially the same thing.
With flu season in full swing, it makes perfect sense to have your first line of defense cleared and ready for the oncoming season. Below are a few helpful links that I hope you will benefit from:
http://www.falconblanco.com/health/neti.htm
The latest Certificate of Demand is the manifesting of a new house. Whether it’s you first, home second or vacation, use this tool to visualize and bring into reality a new home of your very own.
This last weekend I was shopping with my girlfriend at Barnes & Noble, looking for books on timber framing. Unfortunately, the book store was pretty limited in their selection of materials relating to timber frame homes.
While, browsing between the architecture and home resource sections I turned to make my way back to a previous section I’d been in. But instead of just turning around, I decided to make a circle around the general area—just in case I was missing something.
This took me past the martial arts section of the store (why it was in with interior design and architecture is beyond me). While I had no more intention than to glance at it while I passed, I suddenly felt the need to stop and examine a few titles. A small paperback volume immediately struck my attention. It was titled “Ninja Mind Control.†Corny sounding, I know. Nevertheless, I picked up the book to examine it closer, firstly just because of the amusing title. But upon reading the contents of the first page I realized that this book had nothing to do with hypnotism or other supposed ninja superpowers. Instead the book dealt with issues of, and techniques for, controlling one’s own mind.
“Now, that’s more interesting,†I thought.
Naturally, I wound up purchasing the book (I never did find any timber framing books).
While this book does cover a few basic fighting techniques, the text mostly deals with the spiritual/psychological side of ninjitsu. In actuality very little of the text itself comes across as “ninja†and seemed more along the lines of Taoism and Hinduism (both of which are referenced in the book several time). More over, the text often speaks of cultivating peace, rather than seeking combat. The idea of true control as presented in this book is the ability to defeat an enemy with the mind; and not through hypnosis or invasive control, but through understanding of oneself and ultimately those around us. To defeat an enemy without harming him, that is true power.
A related subject covered in the book is the idea of using mudra to reach one’s goals of control over the mind and ultimately one’s environment. I’d never tried mudra before, at least not on a conscious level, but was surprised to see a few concepts that I had been introduced to while training in iaido. Both being Japanese martial arts, I shouldn’t have been too surprised at intersecting techniques.
Though many of the mudra techniques are focused on certain “ninja pursuits†(Like slowing down space and time. Funky.), the majority of the techniques can benefit one in everyday life. There are techniques for healing, wellness, calm and strength.
Admittedly, I was genuinely surprised by this little book and found some useful nuggets. Given the West’s (especially Hollywood’s) flamboyant treatment of ninja culture I was relieved to find a book on the subject containing some actual substance.
You can check it out on Amazon, Ninja Mind Control
As promised, here for download, is the first in my series of “Certificates of Demand.” It’s in PDF format and ready for printing on letter sized paper.
Demand more out of life.
Now, I’m not talking about demanding more out of the people around you (or even the people in power). Demanding from other people is not only almost entirely useless, but selfish as well. People are limited in what they are willing or able to give. And what others have to give may not be in alignment with what you want.
You should however, demand more from your potential and from the universe at large. The universe is/has an unending supply of, well, everything. Demanding abundance from the universe is like demanding water from the ocean. Don’t worry about running out of supply. You will never be able to use up all that the universe has to offer.
So rather than constraining the universe by demanding from it through other people, make demands of the universe directly. Ways of doing this have already been covered in several blogs on this site (and others that I recommend). But today I want to broach a new idea.
You may have noticed that I’m using the word demand in this blog entry versus the usual intend. Well, like monkey-see, monkey-do (doo?), I got it from someone else. But I’ll get to that in a second.
Now, if demand is too aggressive a word for you, intend will certainly work. However, the technique I’m going to employ here demands (pun intended) a more aggressive approach, and therefore, a more aggressive word to follow suit.
Got that?
Good.
On to the aggressive technique for manifesting!
I was visiting Joe Vitale’s blog today (you may remember Joe from The Secret). While their I had the chance to view an internet TV program called “Feng Shui Your Way” in which the host of the show visited Joe’s house in Texas and proceeded to give his office the Feng Shui make-over. I picked up a couple of interesting points from the host. But the one idea that struck me the most was something that Joe already had in his office.
What Joe had pinned to the wall was a certificated demanding the universe for 1 million dollars in residual income per month! The fact that Joe was making demands of the universe struck me. I thought, “Well, if Joe is doing it. Then I should be too.â€
With that in mind, I now intend to demand (fun with puns, someone stop me) some things from the universe, using a certificate as a visualizing tool. I’m going to make several different certificate templates and posting them on this site for reader of LucasVaden.com to use in making their own demands.
So, stay tuned as all be uploading these template certificates from time-to-time starting with two in tomorrow’s post.
Until then, best wishes. And don’t be afraid to be demanding (at least toward the universe).
Update: follow this link tot he first in my new series of Certificates of Demand. Enjoy!
If you find this site helpful, please show your appreciation by leaving a donation for Lucas.
One way to elicit gratitude toward your current life is to examine the past in comparison with where you are now.
Lately the universe has been giving me opportunities to do just this sort of examination. Thom Somes, who is the owner of Pet Tech and an acquaintance of mine, recently told me, “If something keeps showing up in your life, then it’s a sign that the universe is trying to tell you something.†Well, I think that’s just what the universe trying right now. I think the universe is trying to get me to look at my life now as compared to just a few months ago.
I often examine my life and consider how far I’ve gotten, and I’m grateful for what I have now. But perhaps the universe wants me to focus on it more closely.
For instance, the other day I read a blog from Stave Pavlina about a certain meditation practice that he employs. The practice is where he goes into a meditative state and imagines himself five years from now and asks his future-self questions. After that, the future-self leaves and a past-self from five years ago enters. He examines the past-self, and allows the past-self to ask questions the same way that the present-self had just done with the future-self. In this way Steve gains a hopeful positive outlook for the future by examining those fears and goals that the past-self had, which the present-self has already overcome.
Another instance was a couple of days ago, when at the doctor’s for a physical the receptionist said, “Don’t I know you?†To which I replied, “You, look familiar. But I’m not sure.†Eventually we recalled that we had worked briefly together at a dead-end low paying temp job. We both remarked about how well things were going for ourselves and how we’d “gotten out†of that job. And not just the job, but the whole mindset that attracts that sort of job.
Just a few short months ago, I was working long hours in a warehouse with no heating in the middle of winter, I had to wear a coat all day despite the fact that I was involved in constant physical labor. I had no benefits. I was single, and not entirely enjoying it (contrary to what I was telling those around me). Things didn’t look that great in the present.
Nevertheless, I’d recently seen The Secret and was working to redirect my focus and awareness toward the life I wanted for myself. Even though the job stank I was grateful and stayed positive about it. Soon things started turning around one-by-one.
Now a few months later I’m in a caring relationship with a women I deeply love. I run my own blog and work part-time as a webmaster at a trade organization (where I get benefits). My life is so very different now, and I know that it is because of my mindset. I look around me now amazed at where I have come from in so short a time.
That thought fills me with excitement for what is to come in the future. I still have dreams and goals to reach. But knowing that I’ve reached those past goals and grown as a person, I know that I can achieve my present and future goals.
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Maybe.
I came across this site while doing some random surfing today. It’s called MichaelBadger.com. Hmm…..Kinda of sounds like a blog page. Unfortunately, it’s not.
The site alleges that you can receive a free monthly income without any work. Simply sign-up for the e-newsletter. Well, I’ve made money online without working in the past, so why not try again? Basically Mike (can I call you Mike?) is offering shares in an upcoming dot-com he will be launching. According to Mike there is nothing to buy, nothing to sell and no work to be done. So, it’s more like an investment without any capital up front.
What do I have to lose except faith in Internet programs? I think I can suffer that.
Now that I’ve signed up, I’ve only been tempted with some marketing e-material, which I opted not to purchase. According to the web site this will not affect my receiving a monthly income (once the web site launches).
And for signing up, I not only get free money; I also receive a nifty e-newsletter. Woohoo!
If you’re curious, you can have a look for yourself. Check out http://www.michaelbadger.com/. It’s free to sign up. You just might want to use a junk e-mail, in case your info gets sold.