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How Your Intentions And Vibration Generate Far More Experiences Than Your Brain Or Will

Vibration - Paul Wagner
intention vs brain
Your vibration is a magnetic electromagnetic frequency. A Shutterstock Licensed Image.

We are all lucky to be alive during this time in the planet’s history. There are still abundances of healthy people, animals, trees, vegetation, water sources, minerals, healing herbs, and etheric Beings. There are also wondrous storms of divine magic. Many of us are protected from the ravages of war, and some people have evolved their souls to such degrees that they share light and love with others, without expectation of anything in return. All of these things are miracles. Each one of us is a miracle. You are a miracle. In this article, let’s have a look at intentions vs brain here.

When we’re born, we are thrust into the world as mostly unbound spirits. During the early days, we live from pure vibration and gut-impulse. We are needy, trusting sponges, ready for anything. Since our prior realities were comprised of energy and etheric connection, the density and slow pace of our newly minted lives confuse us.

As the months ensue, we yearn for the Mother, the eternal feminine vibration that has spoken to us for eons. Our first attempt at manifesting the Mother in our lives was through the women who gave birth to us. We continue to project the roles of Mother and Father on a variety of people and institutions throughout our lives. Until we internalize the eternal Mother and Father and own all of it, we tend to feel disappointed. 

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As we meander through the world, we take on the projections of others and allow others to control and influence our intentions, thoughts, identities, and actions. Within our first few years of life, we memorize and adopt a variety of beliefs, ideologies, and constructs, most of which are based less on truth and more on the egos of others. We begin to become dependent on approval and herd-mentality. Instead of diving more deeply into our natures, we want to be and do what others have been and done. 

Our families want us to be something specific, our religions want us to adopt their doctrines, and we allow society to burden us with limited, predetermined titles that outline how to spend most of our time while living on the planet. By age 18, our original vibrations and gut-senses are covered in garbage. Our quest is to become free of all of it. This is why spirituality is so important.

What Exactly Is Vibration?

Our souls continually emit interconnected packets of energy, much like how packets of data are transmitted from computers to the internet. As we emit, so we attract. When our spirits begin to form intentions, they cannot be described in words. They have no barriers to entry into the vibrational fields of reality. This makes intention extremely powerful and potent. 

Meanwhile, our brains can create thoughts that carry equally substantial energy, which can also influence our realities. But the brain emits energy in disconnected, unsupported bursts. While the bursts might have a moment of successful penetration and participation in reality, they lack the potency of our intentions. If the energy burst is weak, it will die out before causing any material influence. If the brain burst is strong, it might penetrate or infect reality with a temporary construct, but it won’t have a lasting effect, unless it’s immediately and continuously repeated. When we allow our brains to rule our lives, we tend to deny our soul’s understandings and desires. This is when many of us become exhausted, numb, or sick. 

Sheer Will, Brain Trusts, and Vibrational Alignment

How did we come to birth on this planet, specifically during this era? What were the instigators? Was it the sheer wills of our souls, the collective brain trust of prior and parallel lives, or were we born into this timeframe because our pre-birth intentions and vibrations matched emerging Earthly trends?

While our wills and brain trusts carry a measure of influence, our vibrations and intentions will always rule our realities. Will is built upon the temporary ego and fortified by the elusive mind. Will and brain-trusts might help us move through spacetime and occasionally tip the scales, but they’re less penetrating and magnetic than vibrations and intentions. 

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Because we are comprised of energy, our intentions and vibrations will always carry the day, especially when we’re living in the other realms and choosing to birth. Once we’re living in three-dimensional realities, we tend to trust our egos and wills, thereby denigrating our intentions and vibrations. When we allow this to happen, we tend to miss out on aspects that will provoke a quickened evolution. 

Our vibrating natures, eternal and magnetic, have more power than we realize. This is why meditation, forgiveness, and love are so important. These things are all born from spirit. They’re empowered by our souls’ eternal connections to the natures of the Universes. As we meditate, forgive, and love, we vibrate with the nature of the All-That-Is. 

Just How Powerful Are Our Intentions and Vibrations?

Given that we are all magnetic by nature and continually connected to the source, our intentions and vibrations are extremely powerful. When we move past or through our emotions, detach from our obsessive minds, and seek the highest power, we become the highest power. 

If we can meditate and pray early in the morning and before we go to bed, we can improve our abilities to honor our souls’ intentions and vibrations. Doing so, we become more attractive to everything. If we can also regularly think of God throughout our waking hours, we will improve our connection to our most effulgent truths. We might even remember all of them!

There is nothing material or dangerous that can stop us from seeking the depths of ourselves. While our temporary self-identities are adept at contriving fears and excuses, it’s vital to realize that our twisted daydreams and most toxic nightmares rarely come true. We are comprised of far more light than dark. Focus on the light, while allowing the darkness to inform you. This is the relationship that the Universe has had with itself for all time. You are light and love, always. 

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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The Herb Purslane Is A Nutritional Powerhouse

Pulsane or flowers - Paul Wagner
The herb Purslane
Purslane is a truly remarkable herb! A Shutterstock Licensed Image.

The lovely, moist succulent known as Purslane, is 93% water, features dark magenta stems, and rich green, rounded leaves. Also known as Portulaca oleracea, this nutritious, edible weed has collected some colorful nicknames over the years, including little hogweed, pigweed, and fatweed. A 1st-century historian named “Pliny the Elder” suggested that 1st century Romans used Purslane as the primary vegetable during dinners and as a crunchy addition to salads. Some 18th-century French farmers were known to hate the plant, saying “it’s a mischievous weed meant for pigs.” The herb can be found in Africa, North America, Asia, and Australia. 

“I have made a satisfactory dinner on several accounts, simply off a dish of purslane, which I gathered in my cornfield, boiled, and salted.”

— Henry Thoreau

Some say that Europe is Purslane’s native home, but given its succulence, it most likely originated nearer to deserts. The plant has been native to India, Greece, and Persia for centuries, but may have first appeared in North Africa some 4,000 years ago. Some archeologists suggest the plant is prehistoric. Slightly sour and infused with nuanced flavors akin to watercress and spinach, the fleshy Purslane is loved by millions throughout the world. 

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This jade-like plant can be sautéed, juiced, boiled, pickled, drenched in butter, or featured in a delicious salad with oil, salt, and vinegar. It’s a versatile weed that can be grabbed from the Earth and immediately consumed. As it’s often found in plentiful heaps strewn across the countryside, the plant is easy to grow and has provided helpful sustenance throughout the ages, especially during times of famine.

Backed by a colorful and fruitful history, Purslane promises a long list of wonderful health benefits. It’s remarkable that this one plant can provide so much for us!

  • Helpful in preventing lung and other cancers
  • Aids in weight loss
  • Improves and protects cardiovascular health
  • Strengthens bones against osteoporosis
  • Reduces eye inflammation
  • Reduces inflammation on or near stings, bites, and cuts
  • Improves vision and reduces cataracts
  • Improves blood circulation
  • Heals some digestive tract diseases
  • Helps to prevent anemia
  • Helpful in losing weight
  • Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes
  • Reduces occurrences of heart attacks and strokes
  • Reduces effects of childhood disorders like autism and ADHD
  • Helpful to the liver
  • A natural diuretic
  • Reduces occurrences of psoriasis
  • Treats headaches
  • Helpful in treating diseases related to the intestine, liver, stomach, cough, shortness of breath, and arthritis
  • Chock-full of antioxidants, which can neutralize free radicals

Purslane is wonderful for our health in a variety of situations, but it’s also a superfood. This leafy green vegetable is action-packed with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and a variety of helpful minerals. In addition to the value derived from its unique pigments, Purslane is truly one of the most generous and nutritive foods on planet Earth. 

  • Magnesium
  • Manganese
  • Potassium
  • Glutathione
  • Calcium
  • Vitamins A, E, and C
  • Highest levels of alpha-linolenic acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acid

Many scientific studies focused on Purslane have shown that it’s of better nutritional quality than most of the world’s major cultivated vegetables. It’s also popular in Chinese medicine for the treatment of hypertension.  

While all the good news might make you want to run out and harvest baskets full of Purslane, the herb should only be consumed in modest portions. Infused with 1.7% oxalic acid, it can do more than just agitate folks with digestive disorders and kidney stones. Since oxalates can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb minerals, for some, the herb can be problematic. If you love Purslane and refuse to give up the obsession, you can combine the weed with yogurt or kefir, which will decrease the herb’s levels of oxalate. 

Yummy Purslane Recipes

Here are a few simple ways to enjoy Purslane:

  1. Purslane Salad: Chop your purslane leaves with some radishes, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Add splashes of apple cider vinegar and olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Purslane Spinach Sauté: Heat some oil, butter, and garlic in a pan, throw in a few cups of lightly chopped spinach and purslane. Cook for no longer than 2 minutes. Add a bit of honey and salt to taste.
  3. Stuffed Purslane Avocados: Cut (4) avocados in half, scoop out the avocado meat (save the 8 half-shells), and mix in a bowl with lightly chopped purslane. Add a little chili pepper, some lemon juice, olive oil, and walnuts. When your concoction is well-mixed, scoop it back into your avocado shells. 
  4. Purslane & Your Favorite Meats: Purslane is a delicious companion to duck, lamb, and fish. After cooking your meat with garlic, marjoram, curry, and/or salt, add a cup or two of freshly chopped purslane. 
  5. Peaches & Purslane: Chop together a few peaches and a cup of purslane and you’ll enjoy a nicely balanced flavor of sweet and sour. Add an ounce or two of freshly squeezed orange juice. Some might also add a sprinkle of salt or spice.

Vegetarians And Futurists Unite!

Because Purslane is such a significant source of omega-3 oils, it can be a vital contributor to the health of vegetarians, who tend to avoid fish-derived oils. With uncommon nutritional value, Purslane will most likely emerge as one of the most important foods in our Earth’s future. It’s quick to grow, easy to harvest, and doesn’t require a host of fertilizers. With more than 500 known species, Purslane is available throughout the world. 

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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COVID Quarantine: Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Things To Do

coronavirus Quarantined
Prayer works. A Shutterstock Licensed Image.

As we watch this disease coronavirus spread across the planet, we might feel alarmed, unsafe, or frightened, especially if you’re in a COVID quarantine. As the US government scrambles and ignores science, we might also feel worried about the health of our friends, families, and loved ones. As more challenges arise from political egos and our lack of preparedness, remember: This, too, shall pass. 

While moving into this next phase of reality, it’s becoming increasingly important to take responsibility for our states of mind and heart. As we witness the rise in coronavirus statistics, it’s important to realize that these jumps are the result of poor data collection and all the previously uncompiled data finally making its way into the current projections. Thanks to the hard work of doctors and scientists working outside the limited federal government, we are finally on a road to understanding how this virus is functioning and the rate at which we can expect its spread going forward. 

While we can never assume how our lives will unfold from day to day, we can each choose to live prayerfully, actively, and full of hope and faith. When there’s fear in our hearts, we might not realize just how beautiful and wonderful our lives are. We might even forget to love. 

Are you feeling disheartened during your COVID quarantine, bombarded with headlines noting every facet of the world’s pain? Consider these loving and healing suggestions, which I hope you’ll find useful! 

Keep An Active Mind During COVID Quarantine

Most of us live from our minds. These elusive, temporary constructs can be useful to us. They process information, inspire our creativity, and help us to establish our behavioral patterns. Minds can also be quite dangerous. They can generate our anxieties and feed our fears. They also tend to give rise to our dreamlife, which is not always pleasant or productive. Most of us are at least partial slaves to our minds. 

During tragedies and times where we are forced to isolate ourselves. we can uplift our minds, heal and release the past, forgive others, educate ourselves, and explore ways to improve our conditions. During times like these, and frankly, always, it’s our mind that needs direction, not the other way around. Here are a few ways to improve your mental condition and take control of an otherwise unruly dictator during your COVID quarantine. (Yes, I’m speaking about our minds.)

  • Learn a new healing technique and share it with others. 
  • Learn to cook, ferment, jar, and freeze the foods that feel best to you. 
  • Learn how to create your own medicinals using raw herbs. Making salves, teas, and tinctures is fairly simple and quick. These home remedies will help you to elevate the health and immune systems of yourself and others. 
  • Read books that help you to feel more loving and uplifted. Share them with others.
  • Consider launching a home business and becoming more financially independent.
  • Research what’s happening in your community and consider ways you can help. 
  • Cook for the elderly. Deliver it to their doorstep with a sweet love note.
  • Leave excess furniture and other useful items on the curb, with signs that say “FREE!”
  • This is a great time to write that novel! (Or at least a cute, little blog.)
  • Think positive thoughts and find ways to reawaken yourself when you move into negativity. 
  • Consider chanting mantras to keep your mind active – and uplifted.

COVID Quarantine is a Time to Stay Physically Active And Eat Healthily

Currently, the data around how different age groups are affected by the virus is sketchy. It seems to change on a regular basis, so many of us have voluntarily chosen COVID quarantine despite the confusing projections and uncertain warnings. The best all of us can do is to focus on improving our physical bodies and our immune systems. Here are a few suggestions on how you can improve your health and diet:

  • Focus on improving your immune system. While Tom Hanks can afford his personal $500,000 ventilator, the rest of us will need to rely on our local hospitals. 
  • Improve your diet with these superfoods and supplements, including Spirulina, Elderberry, Wheatgrass, Zinc, Vit D, Vit E, multivitamins for your age-group (from Garden of Life and New Chapter), Resveratrol, Moringa, and liver cleansers like Milk Thistle, and other cleansers like Black Currant Seed Oil. You can read my other articles on this site about a variety of helpful, nutritive, and healing herbs, oils, and supplements. 
  • Continuously improve your diet with whole foods and small portions. For some variety, explore the different food and grocery delivery options in your area. You might find that your favorite boutique grocer is delivering or offering curbside pick-up. Order in small bursts, rather than buying out the store.
  • Consume a little less wheat, rice, and sugar, and more greens. 
  • Consider intermittent fasting. 
  • Add a comprehensive exercise plan to your routine. Even working out for 20 minutes, three days a week can help you reduce your chances of heart disease. 
  • Learn Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, otherwise known as Harbhajan Singh Khalsa. 
  • Steam and strengthen your lungs by adding a few drops of tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and lavender to a bowl of hot water. Place a towel over your head and shoulders, and breathe deeply for 5-10 minutes. This will help you open your bronchial tubes and heal them. This is especially valuable for those of us who have respiratory challenges. 
  • Withhold your ejaculate (go Tantra!) to give your body a higher vibration, increase your level of energy, and improve your immune system. Do yoga and pranic breathing to sublimate the increase in body heat and help your system continue moving your life energy upwards through your chakras. 
  • Sign-up for weekly deliveries of fruits and vegetables from local farms. When your order is delivered, wear a mask and gloves when bringing it into the house. Before storing or consuming these items, wash them, and immediately soak them in a vinegar solution. Meanwhile, throw away all packing materials, including egg cartons. Store your eggs in Tupperware. Wash down all surfaces. Wash your hands. You might even consider stripping off your clothes and immediately washing them. 
  • Buy herbs and learn how to make healing tinctures, salves, teas, and more

Be Friendly, Thoughtful, And Romantic

When we serve others, it’s similar to prayer. There’s no better circumstance than a COVID quarantine to practice this service, whether it’s with the people in our household or by reaching out to those we cannot currently visit. This increases our vibration and uplifts all of reality. Practice these sweet ideas in your home and with loved ones:

  • Cuddle often. 
  • Cook together. 
  • Hold hands.
  • Kiss each other’s foreheads ten times!
  • Give each other massages. 
  • Prepare a bath for a loved one. Add some lavender to the water and light some candles!
  • Continually nurture each other in thought, word, and deed. 
  • Meditate on the purity within your hearts. With vulnerable and loving hearts, you can achieve miracles. 
  • Remember, too, that you are already a miracle. YES!
  • Write little love notes, emails, and texts to the people you consider most important in your life.
  • Reach out to old friends and tell them how much you love them.
  • Build new business relationships and explore the possibilities. 
  • Talk to your plants and animals. Remember that you are all ONE.

Immerse Yourself In Your Spirituality During COVID Quarantine

While all of the above suggestions can help you improve your conditions, lives, and bodies, it’s your spirituality that’s most effective in helping you evolve and expand. Just the mere thought of God during this COVID quarantine will help you improve your circumstances, bring you closer to knowing yourself, and help you advance toward your most fruitful and joyful potential. Keep God and Love in your mind and heart, always. 

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Here are a few simple suggestions that will help you improve your vibration and keep you connected to the All-That-Is. Namaste! 

  • Remember that you are a powerful spirit. With regular positive thoughts and actions, you can keep your vibration elevated and in the bosom of God’s light. Please continue to be hopeful, positive, and loving of yourself and others. 
  • Add Meditation, Prayer, and Lots of Deep Breathing to your regimen. When we pray for others, the Universe prays for us.
  • Sing to the Divine with an open heart. Be wild, bold, and loud! Enjoy this communion!
  • Imagine that you are the embodiment of love, connected to all the realms and universes. 
  • Om into your hands three times and then massage your body from head to toe. The vibration from your Oms will improve your peacefulness and illuminate your physical form. This will help you connect with spirit while improving your immune system.
  • Remember that you are vibration more than you are a body.
  • Donate (even a tiny bit of money) to the most disenfranchised health organizations. Selflessly serving others increases our vibration and connects us with God, Light, Love, The Eternal Vibration, and The Universe.
  • Pray for our politicians and leaders so they may think clearly and be abundantly full of compassion and empathy in all of their interactions and decisions.
  • Leave a Thank You note for your mail carrier and package delivery folks. Consider giving them a small bottle of hand sanitizer as a gift. 
  • Use I LOVE YOU vs LOVE YOU. Personalizing your love in this way improves the connection and further expands all hearts involved.
  • Chant mantras like, “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu,” which means, “May all the beings, in all the Universes, in all the worlds, throughout all the realms, be happy!”

This COVID quarantine is a great time to reassess our lives and build stronger, more authentic, interdependent, operational plans for ourselves. You are an infinite, loving Being, and every particle within you is born from stardust. You are literally made of light and stars. This means that the universe is in your bones! As you move through this time, you can honor all of creation by becoming more lovely, thoughtful, and empathic. Rock this time in your life, burst out of prior conditioning, seek your evolution, move beyond your mind, and live in love – YOU GOT THIS!

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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The Wonderful Benefits Of Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed
Lovely Japanese Knotweed – better than your average garden pest! A Shutterstock Licensed Image.

While the anti-cancer and brain-healing Resveratrol is found in grapes, blueberries, peanuts, cashews. cocoa powder, and wine, this powerful antioxidant is wildly abundant (more than grapes) in Japanese Knotweed. Resveratrol is unusually powerful and a natural phenol, found in a unique group of micronutrients with antioxidant properties. This puts Knotweed in an elite class of supremely healing and helpful herbs. In recent years, it’s become a vital medicinal, culinary, and ceremonial herb throughout Korea, China, and Japan, and within several spiritual communities in the United States and Europe. 

This beautiful green and white plant is also as fertile as a mule. When planted among other vegetation, Japanese Knotweed becomes invasive and ravages the land, often consuming neighboring crops. Because it’s also difficult to eradicate, some folks consider this herb an enemy. Japanese Knotweed is also known as Itadori tea. The Japanese word itadori can be translated as “remove pain.” It’s used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. Meanwhile, when foraged in the wild, its young stems are edible, albeit sour, with a flavor reminiscent of rhubarb. The plant can be found in 39 of the 50 United States.

Japanese Knotweed Is A Natural Laxative

Infused within its cells is a bowel regulator known as Emodin, which makes Japanese Knotweed an excellent, natural laxative. Emodin also turns the weed into an effective healer of stomach ailments, cramps, and bloating, and gastrointestinal issues, like constipation. Unfortunately, many herbalists and distributors of the herb use processes that maximize the Resveratrol, while reducing the amount of Emodin in the final product. 

Click to read “The Herb Purslane Is A Nutritional Powerhouse“

Let’s Get To The Full List of Benefits!

Japanese Knotweed has a variety of reported benefits, including:

  • Cancer Management: Given the immense immune effects of Resveratrol, and because Japanese Knotweed is proving itself powerful, separate from Resveratrol, many studies are reporting how powerful and effective the weed is when administered to cancer patients and those with autoimmune disorders. Even the NIH has reported that Japanese Knotweed has clear positive biological effects on human cells. 
  • Improves brain health and memory: The plant-derived polyphenol Resveratrol has been reported to help the brain heal and experience a degree of age-reversal. 
  • Improves cognitive performance: Regular consumption of Japanese Knotweed can enhance cerebrovascular function. In other words, it can help you be more clear, focused, and productive. 
  • Improves mood: if you’d like to take a slight edge off of your personality, this powerful weed can improve your mood, attitude, and mindset.
  • Neutralizes free radicals: Free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage cells, which can cause or trigger disease and aging. When free redials overwhelm our bodies, our systems can fail and we can experience oxidative stress. Japanese Knotweed can help reduce the effects of free radicals and improve the human body’s ability to heal itself.
  • Modulates blood pressure: Japanese Knotweed has a positive impact on your arteries and blood flow. With less strain and blockages, our cardiac health improves. When these things improve, other aspects of the body improve as well. The weed also helps to prevent blood clots.
  • Reduces constipation, bloating, and cramps: Because of the Emodin in Japanese Knotweeds, it can help to ease most challenges occurring in your stomach.
  • Helps to heal respiratory infections: indigenous peoples have been using Japanese Knotweed to treat many ailments, including respiratory, lung, and other infections.
  • Regulates insulin levels: Because it moderates and balances insulin levels in the blood, Japanese Knotweed can promote healthy blood sugar levels.
  • Improved absorption of Vitamins A and C. Japanese Knotweed also contains potassium, zinc, phosphorus, and manganese.
  • Potentially increases testosterone
  • Improvers estrogen metabolism and may reduce the risk of breast cancer
  • Reduces reactions to hay fever
  • Reduces acne and improves skin health
  • Reduces inflammation
  • It has a positive effect on blood fats
  • Shows potential in fights against viruses and bacteria

Additionally, Japanese Knotweed helps to slow the processes related to aging, and to establish healthy blood vessel function, improved nerve and liver function, and improved cardiovascular and heart health.

Warning To Knotweed Lovers

As with every delicious indulgence in our lives, Japanese Knotweed comes with a few alarms. If you consume too much of it, you could easily experience negative reactions. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

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  • If you’re anemic, Japanese Knotweed might not be safe for you.
  • It might interact (that’s not a good thing) with a few prescription drugs and popular supplements. 
  • High doses can be harmful. Even small doses can be harmful to certain people. 
  • The long-term effects related to consuming Japanese Knotweed are unknown. 

If you’re excited about diving into Japanese Knotweed, consult with a nutritionist, Ayurvedic practitioner, or herbal remedy consultant. 

If you’re into foraging for herbs in the nearby wilderness, keep in mind that Japanese Knotweed has a few doppelgängers, including Bindweed, Himalayan Balsam (Knotweed and Honeysuckle too!), Bamboo, Broad-leaved Dock, Russian Vine, and Lilac. When hunting for nutritional herbs, it’s always best to have a slew of images of the herb so you can be certain when bringing your collected herbs home.

As with all things found in the forest, be careful to remove clinging vines and flowers that attach themselves to your favorite herbs. You’ll also want to clean your herbs before creating your tinctures and teas. You can submerge them in warm water with a little apple cider vinegar for an hour or so – then they’re good to go!

It’s always a great time to explore what our beautiful planet is growing for us. Making tinctures, salves, and teas is relatively simple, and it feels so good to work with the Earth’s gifts to heal ourselves and our loved ones. Wishing you all good health, happy hearts, and expanded spirits!

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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Apocalyptic Prophecies From The Most Popular Religions

The end of world prophecies
Alas, the end of the world is not knowable. Sorry. A Shutterstock Licensed Image.

“The Apocalypse is not something which is coming. The Apocalypse has arrived in major portions of the planet, and it’s only because we live within a bubble of incredible privilege and social insulation that we still have the luxury of anticipating the Apocalypse.”

— Terence McKenna

There are many religions and cultures that tout profound and mysterious “holy” books including apocalyptic prophecies. The most enduring of these tomes are the Bible and Quran, the most powerful and influential books birthed in recent history. These beloved testaments represent the beliefs of an almost unfathomable number of Christians, Jews, and Muslims throughout the world. 

Although these sacred scriptures are authoritative in their entirety, many devotees take the writings with grains of salt or focus on excerpts, which include the Torah (Tawrat), Zabur (Psalms), and Gospels of Christ (Injil).

Also, there are many related and adjunct writings that have not been fully approved by these popular religions. These include the Catholic Apocrypha, The Latin Vulgate and Septuagint, The Muslim Scrolls of Abraham and Moses, and the Gnostic (unabridged) Gospels, featuring the confronting Gospel of Mary and suggestive Gospel of Peace.

“The probability of apocalypse soon cannot be realistically estimated, but it is surely too high for any sane person to contemplate with equanimity.”     

— Noam Chomsky

How Have Apocalyptic Prophecies Played Out So Far?

Some of the most popular and feared chapters in these hallowed volumes refer almost exclusively to apocalyptic prophecies and events, the end of the world as we know it. They outline specific details about how a Messiah or Devil will appear and how the world we’ve come to love will be destroyed or reborn:

  • Books of Revelations, Daniel, Jubilees, Esdras, Isaiah, Malachi, Micah, Kings, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Zechariah, Matthew, Mark, Thessalonians, Haggai, Amos, Lamentations, Hosea, Nahum, Elija, and Elisha.
  • Apocalypses of Abraham, Adam, Baruch, Daniel, Elijah, Ezra, Gabriel, Lamech, Enock, Moses, Sedrach, Zephaniah, Zerubbabel, James, Galias, Pseudo-Methodius, Paul, Peter, Samuel, Stephen, and Thomas
  • The Aramaic Apocalypse
  • The Apocalypse of the Seven Heavens
  • The Book of Mormon

Whether the apocalyptic prophecies in these books are already etched into the stones of destiny or are merely twisted projections written by delusional cultists as fictional prose, these writings outline a long list of incredible events that many have believed to be the future playbook of humankind.

“We all love after-the-bomb stories. If we didn’t, why would there be so many of them? There’s something attractive about all those people being gone, about wandering in a depopulated world, scrounging cans of Campbell’s pork and beans, defending one’s family from marauders. But some secret part of us thinks it would be good to survive. All those other folks will die. That’s what after-the-bomb stories are all about.”

― John Varley

The Mother-List Of Apocalyptic Prophecies

Here is a sampling of the most popular and alarming apocalyptic predictions by the world’s most popular religions, philosophers, zealots, and psychics:

  • Based on the dimensions of Noah’s arc, Christ will return in A.D. 500
  • The end of the world will occur 666 years after the rise of Islam in A.D. 618
  • The European plague is the beginning of the end of times
  • For his “rapture,” Christ will call the faithful back to heaven, without warning
  • Christ or a similar Messiah will return to Earth and establish a peaceful kingdom, known as the Millennium (or opening of the 7th Seal)
  • After Christ’s reign, the Antichrist will come to Earth and persecute all Christians 
  • The Earth will experience devastation and a complete reboot before 2033
  • World wars and unimaginable weapons will kill millions of people over a century
  • The spiritual battle, known as Armageddon, will give rise to the Antichrist and a slew of horrendous, natural disasters
  • The world will end in 2800 B.C.
  • The world will end in 1666 with a fire in London or in 1524 with a flood in Germany

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  • Christ will return, and the world will end by 1844
  • Israel will be redeemed and supported, and eventually command the planet
  • Israel’s enemies will wipe it from the face of the Earth
  • Your social security number is the “mark of the beast,” and denies you resurrection in Christ 
  • A mysterious, Babylonian, one-world system and religion will emerge in the end of times and present false notions of Christ (believed to be the New Age Movement)
  • Many new religions will emerge and encourage people to believe they are each the eternal God
  • America is the new Zion, loved and protected by God, and built to become God’s “new Israel,” protected by Him as the only significant nation on Earth
  • Christian nations will condemn and crush all Islamic nations
  • Islamic nations will condemn and decimate all Christian nations
  • Native cultures on many continents will be hunted, enslaved, and eventually eradicated
  • Two saviors will emerge, one will embody the light and one will emanate only darkness
  • The world’s most powerful nation (possibly the United States) will break international treaties and laws, initiate wars, and command an empire, which will give birth to the Antichrist and make way for his darkness
  • Years after Hitler’s death, hatred and greed will once again emerge as the basis for several nationalistic religions, which will inspire the truly devoted into a profound spiritual awakening
  • Earth will collide with the planet Nibiru in 2012, causing a physical and spiritual transformation for all living beings on Earth
  • The world will end in 1954, 1960, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2020, 2021, between 2028 and 2033, or after 2060, due to an asteroid or series of fireballs thrust from the heavens
  • By 2025, the leaders of the New World Order (NWO) will have amassed total control of all infrastructure, politics, climates, armies, and human life, and reveal themselves as the backbone to the world’s economies
  • Beginning in 2039, the melted polar ice caps will cause flooding, and there will be massive starvation due to uncontrolled population growth
  • By 2040, a variety of alien species (from other planets and galaxies) will make themselves known and teach us about the true origins and history of planet Earth
  • The Earth will become a slave-state with the sole mission of supporting non-biological Beings and robots
  • Several companies will continue to thrive through the ages, thousands of years into the future, including IBM and McDonalds
  • Before 2050, every human being will be chipped with an RFID
  • Before 2075, every chipped human being will be managed, mentally controlled, and emotionally influenced by a global electronic monitoring system
  • Before 2100, salt-water fish will become extinct, except those that are able to adapt 
  • At some point within the next 200 years, the universe will begin to reverse its expansion, which will cause time and gravity also to reverse
  • In 8000 years, the human race will either be extinct or unrecognizable
  • In 20 billion years, the universe’s atoms will have adopted new attributes, including no longer being able to contain their electrons (The Big Rip)

  • “The contraction of the universe with reversal of time and gravity will commence the beginning of the end, which will last for thousands and possibly millions of years. We will be removed from the regressing effects of reversed time as we come back alive in our own time. We will then be taken across many dimensions beyond this universe. A beautiful natural mechanism that is based on the laws of physics will cause all that to happen. This real end has nothing to do with wishful thinking and predictions of priests or shamans.”

— Dr. M.H. Kahn

The World’s Apocalyptic Religions, Movements, and Cults

Whether it’s born from a religious testament, a real prophet, the teachings of a short-lived, fear-based cult, or a vision from someone with an overactive imagination, most apocalyptic prophecies never see the light of day. 

When a religious leader promotes a date for the end of the world, their organization sees a rise in membership and revenue. While it’s misguided and dangerous, predicting the Apocalypse is good business. 

Here are a few more of the world’s religions, movements, thinkers, and troublemakers that have apocalyptic prophecies, outcomes, and events, and promoted catastrophe-based ideologies:

  • The Crusaders
  • The Assyrian Empire
  • The Baha’i Faith
  • Theosophists and Helen Blavatsky
  • Naziism
  • Mayan calendar enthusiasts
  • Branch Davidians and David Koresh
  • Seventh-Day Adventists and their many off-shoot cults
  • Fans of The Jupiter Effect
  • Believers in Haley’s Comet
  • Millerites and William Miller
  • Utopianism
  • Nostradamus
  • The New Age Movement
  • Church Universal And Triumphant, and Elizabeth Clare Prophet
  • William Branham And The Faith-Healing Movement
  • The Fifth Monarchists
  • The Anabaptists
  • Concerned Christians and Monte Kim Miller
  • Johannes Stöffler
  • Elohim City, Robert G. Millar, and John Millar
  • Botticelli and Girolamo Savonarola
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses and Charles Taze Russell
  • Mormons And The Church Of Latter-Day Saints, and Joseph Smith
  • Planet Xsters
  • The Seekers, The Guardians, and Dorothy Martin
  • God’s Salvation Church and Hon-Ming Chen
  • The Movement For The Restoration Of The Ten Commandments Of God, Credonia Mwerinde, and Joseph Kibwetere
  • Dami Mission, Lee Jong Rim, and Lee Dap-gye
  • Wilbur Glennism
  • Heaven’s Gate and Marshall Applewhite
  • Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
  • Exotheology and Marshall Vian Summers
  • The Order of the Solar Temple, Joseph Di Mambro, and Luc Jouret
  • Zoroastrians 
  • Established King and Wu Yangming
  • Pagans
  • Norse Mythology and Ragnarök

“Our Earth is degenerate in these latter days; there are signs that the world is speedily coming to an end; bribery and corruption are common; children no longer obey their parents; every man wants to write a book and the end of the world is evidently approaching.”

— Assyrian tablet, 2800 B.C.

The Truth About The Universe

The universe is a wild frontier and system built upon a limitless number of electric, magnetic and chaotic anomalies, all occurring in once instance, within multiple trajectories, and in a host of realms, all affecting each other. Given the temporary nature of our lives, and the eternal nature of conscious matter, human beings, in our current forms, are rather inconsequential.

Time does not exist. It’s a construct that helps us make sense of the madness. When the end comes, it will most likely be the result of a depressed, overworked, and sleepy, military technician. While misinterpreting a weapon’s cleaning instructions from an out-dated manual, he’ll pop a donut in his mouth, spill his coffee on the red button, and this iteration of reality will conclude.

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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Empathy vs Intuition: What’s the Difference?

empathy intuition - Paul Wagner
empathy vs intuition
One is a skill, the other is a person’s nature. A Shutterstock Licensed Image.

Empathy vs. Intuition: How Can You Tell?

Embodying the pain of others is different than sensing the properties, conditions, and experience of the pain. Let’s have a look at Empathy vs Intuition in this article.

What is Intuition?

Intuition is an ability or gift whereby one or more of your senses inspires an awareness about a potential trajectory or event. For example, you might have a gut (physical) feeling or an image (spiritual sense) that someone will call you or that an impending decision will work out in your favor.

What is Empathy?

Empathy is the ability to consider, fully encompass, embody, or sense a person’s or group’s feelings, either in-person, within your soul tribe or family, or remotely. Empathy might emerge as a full-body experience where you can literally feel the sadness or grief of another person. In the case of feeling somebody else’s anger, empathy might appear as a rash or upset stomach. The overriding feeling of empathy is equal to the feelings of the other person.

How Psychics Use Empathy vs. Intuition

The challenge for Intuitives and Psychics, who focus primarily on extracting information from a projected timeline or reality, is integrating empathy and compassion when they are helping others and themselves. The challenge for Empaths is to refrain from taking things personally when we feel or absorb energy from others.

Many Empaths, Intuitives, and Psychics have compassion and are kind people, but some highly sensitive people use the victim position/identity to take things too personally and to create self-pity, attention or drama, rather than use their gifts toward self-realization, healing, and light.

Because these types of gifts can be challenging, all sensitives should pray, chant mantras, do healing and light rituals, help the poor, refrain from alcohol, pot, and other drugs – and regularly clear their energies. Doing so helps us be earnest and true servants to our own evolution and the evolution of others.

Sending this with love and light!

Check out The Empath Oath 

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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Amma: The Loving, Hugging, Humanitarian Saint

Amma - Paul Wagner

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Amma, the remarkable, unmatched Hugging Saint. A personal photo (yup, that’s me!). Do not use.

As of the date of this article, Amma has hugged attendees to her programs over 40 million times. Her free events attract thousands upon thousands of people, often taking place in football stadiums. In the early days, when 50 or 60 people were in attendance, Amma was known as “Ammaji” or “Ammachi.”​

It was 1990 when I first met Amma. She was seated on a tattered, cushioned chair in the center of a small, basement room in The African-Methodist Episcopal Church in Central Square, Cambridge, MA.

The moment I walked into the room, I was so profoundly struck by Amma’s light and presence that I fell to my knees and bowed to her. I spent the rest of the day sobbing in absolute bliss, happily crouched in a corner. In addition to a few Swamis and helpers, there were less than ten other people in the room.​

While indulging my tears, Amma caught my eye and invited me to her chair. I was so nervous, I could barely speak. I walked toward her, awkward and self-conscious as if it were my first time walking. I bowed and she immediately took my hand, then gently bent me across her lap.

Amma then gently rubbed my body from head to toe while I cried. She massaged my scalp and forehead and patted my spine. Amma even squeezed my ears and tussled my hair. It felt as though I were embraced by the most loving bundle of light.

After 20 minutes of her healing touch, Amma lifted my head with her soft hands and pressed her cheek and lips against my ear. She lovingly whispered Sanskrit mantras to me as I absorbed every morsel of her love.

“Pure Love Transcends The Body. It Is Between Hearts. It Has Nothing To Do With Bodies.”
— Amma (Amma.org)

During this timeframe of my life, I was the host of a popular children’s TV show with fantasies of fame running through my head. After meeting Amma, my heart expanded and I changed my approach to my career and every other aspect of my life.​ Amidst all of my faults and challenges, Amma helped me blossom in ways that I could never have imagined.

During the years to come, Amma would ask me to open her retreats and events with spiritual comedy shows. It was lovely to sit near Amma’s chair and deliver playful lectures and videos about the hilarious things that happen within spiritual communities.

“I don’t see if it is a man or a woman. I don’t see anyone different from my own self. A continuous stream of love flows from me to all of creation. This is my inborn nature. The duty of a doctor is to treat patients. In the same way, my duty is to console those who are suffering.”

— Amma (Amma.org)

Amma’s Birth And Family

Amma, an enlightened master, was born as Sudhamani (bright, precious gem) Idamannel on September 27th, 1953, in Kerala, India. Devotees call her Amma, although she is also known as Mātā Amritānandamayī Devī, an incarnation and embodiment of The Divine Mother. Amma’s ashram, Amritapuri, is in Kerala, India.

Amma was born into a family of fishermen with six siblings, most of whom did not understand her or treat her with kindness. Amma’s commitment to her divine path is what eventually inspired every member of her family to embrace her as the Divine Mother.

Witnesses of her birth say that Amma was born without tears and with a sweet smile on her face. She was reported to have been born with bluish skin, reminiscent of stories Krishna. Even though her skin soon turned to brown, many believe Amma to be an incarnation of Krishna. From age 5 onward, Amma spent most of her time in devotional prayer.

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Known as “The Hugging Saint,” Amma tours the world continually, holding free programs in multiple cities on every continent. In the hotels she inhabits, Amma rejects all comfort and sleeps on the floor (requesting that all beds and pillows be removed). She barely eats, yet will hug thousands of attendees, often for longer than 24 hours at one sitting. Amma’s darshan, or blessing, comes in the form of hugs and gentle, loving whispers during the embrace.

Amma offers mantras to those who request them, and she makes herself available to people who have life-or-death questions.

“I am not interested in making believers by showing miracles; I am here to help you find the real truth, and to find liberation of the Self (Soul) through the realization of your eternal nature.”
— Amma (Amma.org)

Amma’s Mission: Hospitals, Housing, Tsunami Relief & More

Amma’s international missions, Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM) and Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, help millions of people around the world.

In addition to spiritual education, these organizations have a long, successful record of helping the poor and uplifting humanity. She has garnered hundreds of millions of dollars in donations for disaster relief, healthcare for the poor, the environment, global hunger, and education for financially strained students.

The primary missions of Amma’s organizations are to promote activities of selfless service. The idea is based on her teachings around karma yoga, which encourages everyone to help those who are less fortunate as a prayer.

Thousands of people around the world volunteer for Amma’s organizations. This includes monastics, students, and householders (married and/or with children), who come from a long list of religions, races, creeds and ideologies.

When you attend Amma’s events, you’ll hear about her mission, “Embracing the World.” All of Amma’s charitable organizations work under this premise and title.

Ranked as the #1 private India university, Amma’s Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, is an accredited university that offers degrees in Arts & Sciences, Chemistry, Biotech, Business, Education, Engineering, Nursing, Medicine, Ayurveda, and more. Students can also learn meditation, Sanskrit and yoga.

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Here are a few highlights from a long list of Amma’s unique, humanitarian accomplishments:

  • Awarded over 100,000 scholarships to help disadvantaged people and the many families stricken with farmer suicide
  • MAM’s university, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a 5-campus system, teaches nanotechnology, biotechnology, robotics, and satellite-enabled software solutions. Amma says that their goal is “To harness the power of modern technology to provide the effect of targeted aid to communities and individuals in crisis.”
  • Built four charitable hospitals that serve the poor and disadvantaged
  • Established the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre (AIMS) and several HIV/AIDS care centers. The AIMS hospitals and related programs have 1,300 beds, a medical college with 400-beds, and a 210-bed Intensive Care Facility. They’ve served over 5.5 million patients since 1998.
  • Amma’s MAM funds and manages over 47 grammar schools with an education that integrates spiritual and universal values
  • MAM is part of the “United Nations Billion Tree Campaign” and has actively planted over 1 million trees around the world
  • Amma’s SREE program and her over 5000 self-help groups serve over 100,000 women to improve their lives and support their families
  • Built over 200,000 homes for the poor
  • Raised and gave over $50 million to earthquake, tsunami and hurricane relief
  • Awarded over 60,000 microloans to help families improve their living conditions, careers, health, and businesses
  • Established nine tailoring schools and furnished them with over 2000 sewing machines
  • Educated over 500 students in pursuit of their driver’s licenses to become bus, truck and taxi drivers
  • Educated hundreds of young people in a variety of trades, including mobile phone and TV/VCR repair, plumbing, fashion design, and bag manufacturing/production
  • Her Amrita Nidhi financial-aid program is giving out pensions to over 100,000 widows, and physically and mentally disadvantaged individuals
  • Build four elderly-care homes, equipped with community prayer, ceremony and function halls
  • Amma’s AYUDH helps young people integrate spiritual and universal values into their lives, as she teaches them ways they can help the elderly, homeless and disadvantaged
  • Built two homes that continually help hundreds of children with food, housing, and education

There are many other services, functions, and organizations that Amma and her MAM manage or fund across the globe. Her mission represents one of the most profound humanitarian efforts in history.

Amma’s Miracles

Amma began performing miracles very early in life, including licking the sores of lepers which healed them of their debilitating disease. While she does not place emphasis on these miracles, there are many confirmed stories circulating throughout India.

During her early life and beyond, Amma was known to be extraordinarily generous and compassionate with the lower classes in society, her most impoverished neighbors, and all of the nearby animals. She would regularly forsake her own hunger and give her food to hungry cows and goats. To many, Amma was the miracle that saved their livestock and families.

Amma would also give her family’s belongings to those in need. Even as a young girl, Amma would spontaneously hug others with the hope of comforting them.​

“If we penetrate deeply into all aspects and all areas of life, we will find that hidden behind everything is love. We will discover that love is the force, the power, and inspiration behind every word and every action. This applies to all people, irrespective of race, caste, creed, sect, religion, or of what work people do.”
— Amma (Amma.org)

Amma Quotes

  • “Children, love can accomplish anything and everything. Love can cure diseases. Love can heal wounded hearts and transform human minds. Through love, one can overcome all obstacles. Love can help us renounce all physical, mental and intellectual tensions and thereby bring peace and happiness.”
  • “True worship of God is rendering help to those who are suffering.”
  • “Different people will think different things – that is the nature of the world. People have the right to have faith or not to have faith.”
  • “For me, everything in creation is God, there is nothing but God. Every single object is a wonder for me.”
  • “Only when human beings are able to perceive and acknowledge the Self in each other can there be real peace.”
  • “All I am concerned with is what positive I can do.”
  • “Compassion is Consciousness expressed through your actions and words. Compassion is the art of non-hurting. Compassion cannot hurt. Compassion cannot hurt anyone because compassion is Consciousness manifested. Consciousness cannot hurt anyone. Just as the sky cannot hurt anyone and space cannot hurt anyone, the manifestation of Consciousness, compassion, cannot hurt anyone. One who has compassion can only be compassionate.”

Amritapuri: Amma’s Home Ashram

Amma began hugging people at her home in her early teens, and more regularly as spiritual disciples took residence on her family’s property. Amma says that when people would share their troubles with her, she would listen, share advice and then hug them.

This loving ritual eventually became part of Amma’s blessing which new seekers can experience when they visit Amma. By lovingly embracing others, Amma is absorbing a measure of pain in the world, which heals hearts and helps humanity.​

Amma’s home ashram, Amritapuri, is in Kerala, India, which is also Amma’s primary residence. There are only a few weeks throughout the year when Amma is not touring the world and therefore resides at Amritapuri. Her original tiny temple is still in perfect working order and often used for Pujas and Homas, ceremonies of light and love.​​

When visiting the ashram, you’ll find inexpensive accommodations akin to a youth hostel, delicious and affordable vegetarian meals, free spiritual education, and free programs where attendees are invited to receive Amma’s special darshan in the form of a hug.​​

Mornings at Amritapuri begin long before dawn, when men and women chant in separate halls. If you walk near Amma’s main temple, you can find the sweet spot between the two halls, where you’ll be drenched in waterfalls of chants occurring on either side of you. It’s a profound experience. Visitors are always welcome to attend as fellow-chanters.

Spiritual ceremonies in the forms of Pujas and Homas are performed daily, and can be of benefit to individuals, families, friends, and loved ones. If you have a personal prayer, need or desire for help, healing or cleansing, Amma’s Pujas and Homas can be ordered through her website.

Amma’s Awards And Honors

It seems that every year Amma and her organizations are recognized for their tireless efforts to serve humanity. Here is the most current list of their remarkable achievements:

  • 1993: Named “President of the Hindu Faith,” at The Parliament of the World’s Religions 100th Anniversary
  • 1993: Hindu of the Year, by Hinduism Today
  • 1995: Address at The Interfaith Celebrations, 50th anniversary of the UN
  • 1998: Care & Share International Humanitarian of the Year Award
  • 2000: Keynote speaker at the Millennium World Peace Summit, UN General Assembly
  • 2002: Karma Yogi of the Year, by Yoga Journal
  • 2002: Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence
  • 2005: Mahavir Mahatma Award
  • 2005: Centenary Legendary Award of the International Rotarians
  • 2006: James Parks Morton Interfaith Award
  • 2006: The Philosopher Saint Sri Jnaneswara World Peace Prize
  • 2007: Le Prix Cinéma Vérité
  • 2008: Mahavir Mahatma Award
  • 2008: Keynote at the Summit of the Global Peace Initiative of Women
  • 2010: Honorary Doctorate, The State University of New York
  • 2012: Amma in the Top 100 Most Spiritually Influential, Living People
  • 2013: 1st Annual Award, Vishwaretna Purskar (Gem of the World Award), by Hindu Parliament
  • 2013: Proclamation by the State of Michigan, declaring Amma to be a true citizen of the world for her worldwide charitable works
  • 2014: One of the 50 most powerful women religious leaders, by Huffington Post
  • 2014: Kavithilakam Pandit Karuppan Award
  • 2014: Participated with the first coalition of Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist leaders (including Amma) to sign a shared commitment against modern-day slavery and human trafficking under the direction of The Global Freedom Network
  • 2015: Keynote at The United Nations Academic Impact Conference
  • 2015: Medal of Honor, by Ms. Evie Evangelou, Fashion 4 Development
  • 2015: Special Envoy for the Protection of the Planet in the Summit of Conscience for the Climate in Paris, by French President Francois Hollande
  • 2015: Golden Goody Award (Oscar for Social Good) for Amma’s Worldwide Humanitarian Charities

Amma’s Titles, Roles And Positions

While Amma is hugging people, you’ll often see her Swamis hand her a variety of cell phones. I often wondered why – until I realized that Amma is the CEO of a variety of missions.​

Here are Amma’s primary roles and positions in organizations that serve millions of people across the globe:

  • Founder and Chairperson, Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math
  • Founder, Embracing the World
  • Chancellor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University
  • Founder, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS Hospital)
  • Parliament of the World’s Religions, International Advisory committee member
  • President, Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary celebration committee
  • Member, Elijah Interfaith Institute Board of World Religious Leaders

Other Divine Mothers

Mother Meera is also known as an embodiment of The Divine Mother. Born in 1960, Mother Meera can be found touring the world giving visitors her loving blessing. This free transmission of Light, Love, and Grace is Mother’s gift to the world. Mother Meera once said, “The whole purpose of my work is in the calling down of the Paramatman Light and in helping people. For this I came – to open your hearts to the Light.” You can visit MotherMeera.org to learn more.

Sri KarunaMayi has spent her life immersed in prayer and is known for her embodiment of Divine Motherly Love, which she readily shares with all of creation, including people, animals, and plants. Karunamayi has said, “Where there is selfishness, love will not manifest, and where there is love, there is no room for selfishness.” You can learn more at her website here.

Both of these embodiments of divine love regularly tour the world, shedding their eternal light on all walks of life.

Attacks And Allegations​

While there have been a few physical attacks and negative statements toward Amma, none have materialized relevant corroboration or material evidence. In the one or two public cases, every accuser recanted their stories and apologized directly to Amma and her organizations.​

Despite occasional harsh treatment toward her, Amma repeatedly says that she forgives and loves all of them. Concerning one disgruntled devotee, Amma said, “Even now, Amma is only filled with love for that daughter. I am praying that virtue and goodness come. Time will shine forth the truth.”

“All those who are born will die one day. I am going ahead keeping this reality in mind. I will carry on. I will continue to give darshan to the devotees coming here to meet me.”
— Amma (Amma.org)

Books & Documentaries About Amma

There are hundreds of books written by Amma and her disciples, which can be found on her website at amma.org. Here are the television programs and documentaries that feature Amma and her remarkable work:

  • River Of Love, 1999
  • BBC’s Weird Weekends, “Indian Gurus,” 2000
  • Darshan: The Embrace, 2005
  • In God’s Name, 2007
  • Science of Compassion: A Documentary on Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, 2016

“There is always a lack of love. It has always been Amma’s wish that her life should become love and compassion itself. My sole mission is to love and serve one and all.”
— Amma (Amma.org)

Living With A Master

When traveling to or residing at Amma’s ashrams, everyone works as volunteers in service to the poor and disadvantaged. A volunteer might stay for a few weeks or up to several years, and possibly longer. Some people come to Amma’s ashrams to enter into periods of prayer and meditation.

Many of Amma’s devotees spend half their time working in their home cities and then travel in spurts to volunteer for Amma’s organizations, all of which serve humanity. Some devotees have portable businesses that allow them to work when needed, travel with Amma at her programs around the world, and volunteer regularly to help others.​

It’s exhilarating to be around Amma, and it’s always of benefit to serve others through her karma yogi programs. As always, Amma encourages her followers and visitors to continually seek ways to serve others, no matter where they live.​

Amma continually tours the world and can be found traveling throughout the United States and Canada from May through early August every year. Amma’s unique bookstore and vegan cafe travel are always a lovely and nourishing part of her programs. Admission is always free, although it’s recommended that you arrive early.

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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Do Jesus, Dionysius, Krishna, And Mithras Share The Same Life Story?

life story of krishna

Krishna and Radha – A Shutterstock Licensed Image

Whether you’re a Christian, Buddhist, Pagan, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, New-Ager, Atheist, Zoroastrian, or Planetary Alienist, you’ve somehow been privy to the story of Jesus. While Christians like Catholics and Baptists might not agree on the procedures required to celebrate and worship Christ, they agree on these aspects of the Christian narrative:

  • When Jesus’ mother conceived Him, She was a virgin. An angel announced the birth.
  • Upon his birth, wise men and shepherds visited Jesus and his family. They were guided to a remote manger by the constellations. 
  • At a young age, Jesus had an unusual thirst for spiritual matters and a powerful command of his birth religion. 
  • Throughout his life, Jesus taught about love, faith, hope, devotion, and justice. 
  • He performed many miracles, including healing lepers and casting out demons.
  • Jesus defined himself as the Son of God and was assumed to be omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.
  • He defined the nature of God to be a trinity, comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 
  • He often claimed, “I am the Resurrection,” and promised to cleanse the world of sin. 
  • Jesus gave many lectures and had a core group of disciples who spread his teachings. 
  • He was known to be loving, meek, and merciful, and he forgave his enemies. 
  • Jesus was criticized for associating with society’s outcasts and sinners. 
  • He withdrew to the desert to confront all aspects of the universe within Himself. 
  • Before being betrayed, Jesus held the last supper for his dearest disciples.
  • His teachings threatened old religious doctrine and fearful politicians, which resulted in Jesus being captured and crucified.
  • After Jesus died, he rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples. 

Click to read Amma: The Loving, Hugging, Humanitarian Saint

“After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.”

— Luke 2:46-47

The Life Story of Krishna

What’s surprising is that most of these story elements are also found in Krishna’s narrative. While some might assume that the early Christians stole from the older Hindu religion, it’s fair to say that when the divine births a master, He or She knows that some aspects of the narrative are vital for inspiring devotion to divine love and light. Also, all masters are born from the same cloth, the same mysterious force, and the same eternal consciousness. It might be said that focusing on the narrative detracts from the embodiment of the teachings. 

Many other religions claim Christianity stole their stories. Some of the ancient writings on parchments and stone indeed point to this possibility. Regardless, much of the evidence has been poorly constructed and presented. It’s incorrect to say that early Christians and propagandistic writers did not steal from this sacred religion, it’s just that, when considering traditional academic procedures, it’s not apparent. 

In all things, our devotion and beliefs are personal, and therefore, sacred. While claiming theft might seem justified, it’s also a distraction. With positivity and focus, we can deepen our devotion to our chosen Gods, refrain from judgment, and circumvent our egos. 

No worthy God has a penchant for sustaining a vendetta, ego, or attitude. As all precepts are illusions, details are merely dust. 

Horus The Child and The Cult of Isis

Most of the writings that equate Horus The Younger with Jesus were written by comparative religion enthusiasts who often referenced the writings of other enthusiasts, most of whom are from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. While compelling on first-read, the thrust of this research does not stem from accredited religious figures, Egyptologists, or biblical scholars. This could limit its credibility.

While the narratives around Horus The Child and his mother Isis are fascinating and potentially illuminating, there are few proven similarities to the story of Jesus. The research on this topic is vague. Some of it points to teachings assumed to have been birthed in the City of Atlantis. It might be that the writings that promote the connection between Horus and Jesus are born from hopes rather than qualified scholarship. 

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The original narrative of Horus the Younger, very different from Horus the Elder, featured a powerful Sun God who commanded the elements from the sky. He was the protector of those who suffered affliction and pain. Often depicted in the arms of his mother, Isis, the imagery most likely had a substantial influence on Christian iconography in the forms of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. While there are many other reported similarities, they may or may not be bonafide. 

There is a vast array of conflicting information on this subject, found in libraries and on the web. Because of this, our religious beliefs must stem from the core of our beings and the centers of our devotional hearts.

Mithraism life story

Mithra is known as the God Sun, and some have claimed him to be the mediator between God and humanity. Sadly, anti-Christian writers may have sought to defame the religion, hoping to victimize their unique God. Other writers, especially those who lived during the years 100-500 AD, such as Justin Martyr, Athenagoras of Athens, and Clement of Alexandria, wanted to remove the stigmas against Christianity in support of making it a legal religion.

While Mithraic writings may have pointed to the notion of salvation, they were most likely based in Zoroastrian principles around man’s participation in the cosmic struggle of a magnificent creation opposing the eternal forces of evil. Other purported similarities between Christ and Mithra have mainly been dismissed, including shared December 25th births, a water-miracle, and the mark of the cross.

Dionysius and Jesus life story

The culture and religion around Dionysius were born from a philosophical form of Hedonism. While Jesus may have been the true vine of divine love, Dionysius was literally referred to as the God of Grapes, and therefore wine. While both Gods were traveling teachers, performers of miracles, riders of symbolic donkeys, and then murdered, this is where the similarities end. 

Summary

Regardless of what you believe, your God is whomever you elevate above yourself. With a little faith, Horus, Dionysius, and Krishna could certainly protect you from the perils of this world and the demons within your nature.  

In all religions, the details are sketchy. We’ll never know when or how Christ, Mithra, or the other Gods-in-Human-Form were born. Since all of their narratives were written many years after their deaths, we can only assume their stories were born from combinations of divine intervention, subjective truths, mythology, and hope. While we can love them and honor them, we might never know the truth of their physical lives and purpose. It might also be true that the details are unimportant. 

The prevailing truth of our lives is that the divine can spring forth and lovingly envelop our spirits in an instant. She can birth a master from a vibrant flower or a ray of sunlight. He can conjure realities and spacetime trajectories that appear to last forever, yet only last a moment. 

There are many ways to connect with a loving, divine master. Given their eternal, non-egoistic natures, they probably don’t care which name you call them. Whether it’s Shiva, Saraswati, Aphrodite, Ares, Sol, Tristan, Dolya, Gabrielle, Isolde, Khepri, Koko, or Lena, because they were either born from light or elevated by human consciousness, their vibrations are bright, beneficial, and eternal. 

There are many types of Gods and masters. There are living masters, birthed/deceased Gods, and divine Beings that solely live within the other realms. It is up to each of us to command our divinity, bow to the eternal light, and remain humble in our pursuit of perpetual resurrection. 

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.

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How Essential Oils Can Help You Heal And Evolve

Bach remedy flowers, essential oils - Paul Wagner

essential oils

Essential Oils can heal you. A Shutterstock Licensed Image.

Our bodies yearn to connect with the earth and the elements. Even the latest research points to the fact that we feel better when we surround ourselves with natural surroundings or allow nature to envelop us. While we came from dust, it’s dirt, trees, rivers, and vast sky that gently nudge us from depression to happiness.

The more we learn about how the natural elements at our fingertips can help us, the more choices we’ll have to improve our attitudes and states-of-mind when we feel disconnected, lost, confused, or negatively impacted by a life-event.

“I believe that for every illness or ailment known to man, that God has a plant out here that will heal it. We just need to keep discovering the properties for natural healing.” ― Vannoy Gentles Fite

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential Oils are some of the loveliest substances found on planet earth, extracted from nature’s most beautiful living-Beings: plants and flowers! The most popular scents include Lavender, Peppermint, Frankincense, Orange, Ylang-ylang, Patchouli, and many others.

Most essential oils are extracted through the process of steam-distillation, also known as hydrodistillation. The process begins when the botanicals are packed into an enclosed compartment within a pressurized still. Water is boiled, and steam pressurizes the plant’s material. This results in the extraction and release of the plants’ aromatic and bioactive compounds into the steam. This vapor is a combination of water and scented oil, which are condensed during the final stages of the process. After the byproduct is cooled, it’s bottled and labeled as our favorite essential oils.

Click to read “The Herb Purslane Is A Nutritional Powerhouse“

Other production processes include cold pressing (CP) and microwave-accelerated distillation (MAD). According to several studies, yet currently less widespread, microwave-acceleration and cold-pressing result in faster extraction times, cleaner production, larger yields, and potentially essential oils of higher quality. However, these processes may reduce the vibrational frequency of the oils. It also might be likely, in terms of application, benefits, and improvements, there are very few differences.

Only you know what will improve your connection to your nature and the universe. The most impactful results and research will stem from experimenting and learning by and for yourself.

Essential Oil Companies

There are many producers of essential oils. Most of them tend to market their oils using contrived, incentive-based structures like MLMs (multi-level marketing organizations) and misleading, hype-based lingo like “We produce the only farm-to-home organic oils.” It’s all baloney.

Once you cut through the weeds, you understand that essential oils are part of your birthright. You don’t need a membership card to invite these powerful fragrances into your life. Through mindful intention and research, you can attract quality, affordable essential oil product lines into your life.

“It doesn’t get much greener than essential oils: when used correctly, they are among Mother Nature’s most potent remedies.” ― Amy Leigh Mercree

How To Use Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways, most notably to improve your feelings about life, others, and yourself. You can add drops of oils to your liquid soap, massage oil, and in some cases, beverages. You can place a few drops on your fingers and massage the oils into your temples, chakras, wrists, and tops of your feet (the places where your skin is thinnest or nearest to a vein).

While most Essential Oil packaging states that these oils should not be consumed, many people ignore this and do it anyway. Use your best judgment. I believe that ingesting a few drops of essential oils (ones that we love dearly) can only improve our states-of-mind and vibrations.

Use essential oils in rituals and prayers. Hold a bottle of your favorite Essential Oil in the palms of our hands and pray for someone to receive its attributes. Use oils to anoint the sick and bless your loved ones. You can also use essential oils to protect specific aspects of our life and health.

Before using an essential oil, I hold it in the palm of my hand, and I pray for it to achieve its highest possible vibration. I ask that the universe extend this vibration to those in need. Sometimes, I’ll use different combinations of oils to improve my energy levels and feelings. I’ll place a few drops in the palms of my hands, rub my hands together, then press my hands against my face. I’ll take five deep breaths through the nose and immediately feel an upward shift.

A Heart-Clearing Ritual With Essential Oils

One of my favorite rituals involving essential oils is to use specific oils to cleanse each chakra. Here’s how to heal your heart chakra:

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  1. Use rose oil to unwind (counterclockwise) your heart chakra and then peppermint oil to rewind the chakra (clockwise).
  2. Place a few drops of rose oil on your fingertips.
  3. Reach under my shirt, press your fingers onto your skin, at the location of your heart chakra.
  4. Move your fingers in a counterclockwise direction, making a small circle.
  5. For a few minutes, breathe white light and love into the center of your heart.
  6. When you’re ready, place peppermint oil on your fingertips and do the same in a clockwise direction.
  7. When done, rub your hands together and press them against your face. Breathe deeply for a minute or so.

There is an unlimited number of ways to use essential oils to improve your health, heart, mind, overall wellbeing, and connection to our divine universe.

“Labeled apothecary bottles filled with raw material oils lined the risers: flowers, resins, leaves, woods, mosses, spices, herbs, seeds, grains, roots, bark, and fruit. From the animal kingdom came fixatives: civet, musk, and ambergris. The absolutes, the resinoids, the essential oils.” ― Jan Moran

Essential Oils That Can Improve Your Attitude and Vibration

Here are some of the more popular essential oils and a few of their attributes. While this list might help get you started, you will always be the best judge of something’s value and specific use.

Sandalwood

Feel more grounded, reduce your internalization of external stressors, know yourself more deeply, and improve your general awareness.

Sage

Connect with your emotions, feel more accepting of yourself and others, be more connected to your surroundings, and achieve a relaxed state of mind.

Pine

Feel more energized and improve your mental clarity.

Pink Grapefruit

Improve your mood, increase your connection to your desires, and be more open to up-leveling your patterns.

Jasmine

Build a bridge between your mind and heart, release the effects of minor upsets, and recall how sweet life can be.

Tangerine

Purify your blood, boost your metabolism, and use this oil as an antiseptic.

Orange

Increase the level of activity in your life, feel more cheerful, and celebrate positivity.

Lavender

Feel more peaceful, reduce inflammation, heal minor burns, reduce anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and cure your restlessness.

Lemon

Cleanse your liver, heal your adrenals, improve your energy level, and feel more rejuvenated.

Rose

Open yourself to more love and heart-centered beauty, connect with the universal Divine Mother, and improve your peacefulness before bedtime.

Ylang Ylang

Improve your connection to grounded masculinity, improve your self-confidence and sex drive, and relieve a broken heart.

Peppermint

Stimulate your mind and heart for an awakening or rebirth.

Patchouli

Let go of the past, feel more connected to others in the present moment, and move forward with a clear resolution.

Bergamot

Calm your emotions, reduce activity, and enjoy the sweetness of life.

Cinnamon

Reduce inflammation, breathe more deeply, create internal space and flow, and connect more intimately with yourself and others.

Frankincense

Reduce fear and anxiety, open your heart, improve concentration, and be more creative.

Chamomile

Relieve feelings of anger, worry, or anxiety; add feelings of joy and calm to your daily life.

Myrrh

Enhance your ability to meditate, forgive, and connect with the divine.

There are hundreds of plants being distilled into essential oils. You have so man choices! Also, since tincture bottles are inexpensive, you can customize a personal blend of the essential oils that inspire you most.

To create a custom blend, place 100 drops of several favorite oils into a small tincture bottle. You can make it more robust by adding carrier oils, including single uses or combinations of Coconut, Argan, Brahmi, Jojoba, Olive, Avocado, Grapeseed, and Moringa oils.

Use essential oils to improve your relationships, business pursuits, health, intuition, and reality. These oils are your subtle-body friends. You can even talk with them and ask them how they can help you. Chances are, they’ll answer you.

While we are each alone in the universe, we can enhance our connections with eternal consciousness and divine by connecting with nature and inviting nature-born products into our lives. This might include essential oils, Bach Flower Remedies, candles, wood-burning fireplaces, cotton sheets, hemp clothing, bamboo comforters, and anything else of nature that appears to you.

As you seek to improve your mind, heart, and health, consider embracing and exploring essential oils to invite feelings of peace, joy, and abundance.

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About The Author:

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Paul is a spiritual healer and coach with more than 30 years of experience. He is the founder of The Shankara Experience, and creator of The Shankara Oracle and The Personality Cards.

His work is focused on guiding seekers to inner freedom and awakening.