Reishi is a highly revered mushroom throughout Chinese history. Its name, Ling Zhi, literally means “spiritual mushroom,” but its more commonly used name is the Japanese name - reishi. Reishi and other tree fungals are in a special class called Polypores, named for their smooth porous under-sides, which distinguishes them from gilled mushrooms that grow on the ground. Its latin name Ganoderma lucidum simply means “shiny mushroom.” 

Reishi has been used in China as a benevolent ally for spiritual perception. It was first documented in Shennong’s Pharmacopoeia, one of the world's earliest pharmacopoeia possibly written as long ago as 4975 B.P. (before present). It described reishi “the herb of spiritual benevolence.”

Reishi Represented in Art

Reishi has been depicted in many ancient paintings. In one scroll painting, reishi is pictured in the middle on top of a rock escarpment, representing “a bridge between Earth and Heaven.” 

In the lower portions of this artwork, many mendicants of Taoist ideology seek enlightenment, study, converse and make tea. They live in nature at bottom left, and in civilization on the right. They are guided by Quan Yin(bodhisattva of compassion) and Lao Tzu (philosopher and the Father of Taoism), who teach the true road to the Tao. A reishi mushroom grows out of the rock in the center, representing the bridge to higher realms, where masters enjoy a pleasant life in temples and government institutions, and also fly on dragons as celestial immortals - “Tien Hsien.”   

Reishi’s Health Effects

Reishi is said to initiate benevolent cycles of health of the person who drinks the tea. It is not mind altering, but does have beneficial effects on consciousness, bringing clarity and activating connection with one’s higher destiny and potential. Reishi can show us the way to our abundance. When we have reishi in our lives, along with pure foods, healthy lifestyle, a clean inner body and a spiritual discipline, enlightenment can be accelerated. 

It could be a great blessing when reishi comes into your life, a sign that you are opening to abundance in your life, and that you may be able to help others. Reishi mushroom is truly a cosmic messenger to help us manifest higher energy, protect us from the lower frequencies of discord, and rapidly relieve karma of past negative acts.

Reishi was considered superstitious by the Communist Party, who removed it from the Chinese Materia Medica. Efforts are being made to restore reishi in the category of spirit (Shen) herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Reishi is well known throughout Asia as an immune strengthening and modulating herb, which balances immune response. It contains a special class of polysaccharides called Beta 1-3-6 glucans, which support empowerment of white blood cells. It is a liver tonic and anti-stress agent, which benefits the adrenals.

Where to Find Reishi

Reishi grows all over the world, usually found on dead wood in deciduous forests across the Eastern and Northwestern U.S., and you can also cultivate it yourself in Oak or Hemlock logs. Mycelinated plugs of reishi are available from Fungi Perfecti Company and other sources. Drill ¼” holes in the logs and hammer in the plugs. Bury them just underground and cover with a tented tarp and mist regularly. Reishi caps may begin to appear after the mushroom has sufficiently mycelienated into the wood.

Reishi can be purchased in capsule form or bulk powder. It is easy to make delicious tasting beverages with reishi. A relatively bitter mushroom with a coffee-like taste, it can be included in various drinks, such as smoothies and lattes. Reishi can be added to deserts, muffins or cakes, or in granola and hot cereals. Extracts of the fruiting body are the highest quality. Some products include the mycelium and spores.

Reishi is not a stimulant and is considered free of side effects. It is considered beneficial for people of all ages, including children, and even pets.

Disclaimer: All information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a naturopathic or medical doctor.

“Karma does not exist.  Karma is but retribution for bringing into manifestation discord and inharmony.  Substitute renunciation for retribution and you correct the cause for Karma, as it exists only in the thoughts of those determined to manifest Karma.  Remove the cause or substitute it by a higher condition and the lower condition is erased.  You have elevated the vibrations of your body above those which allowed Karma to exist.”  

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East, Vol. 3, pg. 155-156 by Baird T. Spalding

This teaching was given by a wise man in a village visited by a party of archeologists who had gone to the Gobi Desert and the Himalayas, and subsequently had the pleasure to have meetings with many “Masters" (sometimes even Jesus and Buddha would attend and teach).

This teaching declares that “karma" doesn’t exist, only as we manifest it.  This somewhat goes against our theory in physics that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  And it also flies in the face of our Christian concept of “justice."

If what this wise man taught is correct, then we must go into a higher science of physics, and we will have to re-evaluate our thoughts on justice.

I am not a ‘master’ or an illuminated teacher, but studying this subject for years, here is my definition. 

Debt does not exist, the corollary to karma does not exist.

The concepts of debt and credit are simply concepts that were invented to accommodate our new form of accounting, double entry bookkeeping, which was introduced when our money system changed from “hard” money to the use of negotiable instruments in 1933.

This is a fact of our commercial history here in America and actually all over the ‘civilized’ world where countries engage in international commerce.

Capitalism is an Invention of Christianity.  

Christianity was created during the times of Constantine, the Emperor of the ‘Holy’ Roman Empire.  Prior to the time of Constantine the “believers” in the teachings delivered by the Master, Jesus, were simply referred to “followers of the way,“ as was Constantine’s mother, a British woman known as Helen of The Cross, who was also the daughter of the British King Cole.  (Remember the song sung at Christmas … “old King Cole was a merry old soul … ?”)

And our sense of “justice” came from the writings in the King James “Authorized” Version of the Holy Bible.  That “version” was translated specifically for commerce, so I suspect that certain concepts were left out, and perhaps certain things inserted purposefully.  The chief translator who oversaw that effort was Robert Fludd just so happened to be the Grand Master of the Priory of Sion, a “secret society” who were closely associated with the Knights Templars.

Something that was not taken out was the concept that justice was demanded by the “law,” but that sanctification came by the Spirit. Sanctification - wonder what that is?  Might it be a higher vibrational concept than justice?  Is it possible to “ascend” from the concept of justice to the spiritual concept of sanctification?

To completely review and understand the concepts of the Old and New Testaments in the KJV, one ought to consider the whole story of the evolution of the doctrine when moving from the Levitical Priesthood into the Melchisadec Priesthood - the change from the “Old” to the “New.” (Study carefully the Book of Hebrews in the NT, especially chapter 7 verse 22 where it refers to Jesus as the “surety.” Suretyis a common word used in “modern” commerce).

Consider also the sayings in the OT where Jesus (Yeshua Ben Joseph) was referred to as the “lamb slain before the foundation of the world.” In the book I referred to above, it is brought out that Jesus (and even the one called John the Baptist) spent considerable time in the Himalayas with the Masters who tried to talk Jesus out of returning to Jerusalem to a certain death.  But Jesus had a destiny and “contract” to fulfill, and so he went back.  

One author I read said that a “perfect” man was one who kept all of his contracts.  And in the NT we see the phrase “ ...and being made perfect...” in reference to Jesus.  Apparently Jesus was made perfect by keeping his contract with Creator.   What does that say for you and I? Could we become perfect if we keep our contracts - even “soul” contracts?

(Side note:  a man I have known who was high up in the CIA told me that he had actually seen the ancient records with Jesus in the Himalayas.  It made a “believer” out of him. He turned to God and left the CIA).

Getting back to “karma": “karma" does not exist and the corollary “debt” does not exist, and the concept of retribution (justice/law) vs. renunciation (sanctification/spirit) starting to take a foothold in our logic. The “holy man” from the Himalayas taught this concept in regards to karma, but I, a not so “holy man,” have “contracted" (with God) to bring these same concepts into our commercial “world.”  In essence, if you can understand the one, you can understand the other.  Perhaps a bit of study and meditation is in order here for us all.  As we “ascend" it appears necessary to fuse the physical (commercial) aspects into our spiritual practices.  If we fail to do that, perhaps we will be slowed in our progression.

The following is a writing from the Phoenicians channeled through Micheila Sheldan. Many of us wonder why we must suffer through karmic experiences and re-live history. For example, have you ever attracted the same type of relationship over and over again? There is a deep reason for this that is related to our internal structure, ascension codes and genetics. Relationships allow us the opportunity to transcend karma and our human experience. In this channeled writing, the Phoenicians explain ascension codes and genetic codes, how they create experiences in our lives and how our relationship to the energy of these experiences becomes the catalyst for our ascension. Finding comfort within change is the key to expanding our DNA and living a higher dimensional experience.

“We wish for you to know the meaning of your ascension codes. This must come into the conversation in order for you to understand how you, as a human consciousness, can perceive the success ahead of overcoming the lower vibrational influence on your planet. Ascension codes are a part of your structure that aligns with planetary energies to release a frequency. The frequency matches an experience and you, as a singular being, have the opportunity to transcend the experience and evolve, or not. These are energy portals. They connect both multi-dimensionally and at the soul level, relatable to your singularity as an incarnate being. But what happens if you do not ascend the code? This is what we wish to explain.

Ascension codes are the first level of triggering of the structure. We don’t wish to get too detailed here as to the structure. But we believe it’s important for you to understand how this works. When you incarnated here, your structure, being attached to a record of how all human structures work, aligned with an energetic portal. That portal is your incarnation date. In other words, the date you chose to incarnate is an energy that is very unique to your expression and it holds a mechanism to unlock your record. There is not a defined set or number of ascension codes that you have. There are many. It is decided when you accept your assignment here the number of codes you must transition and how they will align your soul to do its (work). We put work in parenthesis because it is really not work at all. It is your highest joy connected to purpose.

We often allude to the fact that there is a collective nature to these codes, as well. Within Mother Gaia, there are also codes. She is a Being, in fact, that lives and breathes and there is a component of your structure that holds a mirror to her. So when the collective is resonating with a One frequency (which you are) these codes may be triggered as well.

When a code is triggered, a physical manifestation of energy presents itself. It is often not to your liking, not because it is meant to be difficult, but because it is a unique and new timeline. You have been trained to not like change. Change is the basis for all things energetic, you see. But as humans, you prefer to be stifled and not allow change to flow you to the next experience. You perceive change as bad, so in the initial experience causing change, there is resistance. This resistance builds to create a block in the portal and this is how you do not transcend and become stuck. It’s almost as if you are in a worm hole: portal of time that is never moving forward or back, but keeps you in the same time/space reality for eternity. This block to your energy creates density and the density does not allow you to see the transition as perfect, beautiful and the next step on your path of ascension.

Those who do not transcend ascension codes re-experience the energy of them in other ways. For example, have you continued to attract the same type of relationship over and over? Perhaps you blame yourself or the others. What is happening, in fact, is that you are stuck in a time/space reality that you have not transcended and the energy is playing out over and over again. 

Ascension codes are connective to genetic codes. To make this simple, once an ascension code is transcended you are given an energetic key to unlock a blocked place within your genetic structure, or your DNA. In other words, the density is cleared so that you may perceive new information. How is this density cleared? You cannot perceive it anymore, because you transcended a timeline. You are no longer within that time/space reality and you now have the ability to perceive the timeline in a way you couldn’t before. The weight of it is not equal to the speed of energy or frequency by which you resonate. So to give you another example, you will never again attract this type of similar relationship. The reason you cannot is that you no longer match the frequency of it. It doesn’t make sense in the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual bodies. 

You are always interpreting frequency through your structure in the form of ascension codes. The choice becomes yours as to how you respond and offer a new vibration. How can you do this? Finding the neutral energy within the timeline is our best advice. When you find that neutral energy, you relate to the opportunity within the experience. That is where it lies. There are no new opportunities in energetically remaining within the timeline on either end of the spectrum – higher or lower vibration. Let us take this relationship again as an example. The higher vibrational expression of that timeline may surprise you. You think that everything higher must be better. But we are speaking of speed and imprints of energy here. To us, the higher vibrational manifestation may be that you become self-righteous. You decide that you are going to leave the relationship because it is not suiting you, but you leave in a very abrupt and disconnected way. In other words, you are right. And in your right-ness, there is a frequency or vibration that you perceive as higher when really it is on the opposite spectrum of neutrality. 

The lower vibrational expression would be defeat or accepting you are wrong. In your wrong-ness, you lose your sense of self, judging your emotions and identity in a way that also creates an imprint. You see, both of these scenarios do not transcend the portal. You are still holding on to the energy in some way, re-imprinting it stronger. Because now, it has been given more speed, more weight and more meaning within your structure.

The neutral space is one where all possibilities lie. There can be no right or wrong, only love – love for one’s self and love for others. Keep in mind we are not saying that you do nothing in a neutral space.  Physical action always follows energetic frequency. You create and hold the energy that manifests into human experience. So what would a neutral scenario look like? Let us first describe what it would feel like.

The neutral space is not stressful, it cannot be held in fear. The neutral space is respectful both of the self and the other. It creates a collective energy in which all are considered. The neutral space is whole, it is not fragmented. It considers all parts of the experience. 

You may be thinking there is a record for this relationship. It must either end or continue on. We say that the record matters not. The souls within the record are only players on the stage and you are the playwright. All possibilities reside in the neutral space. When decisions are made in the neutral frequency, the souls engaged can both step onto a new timeline together or apart. They can further transcend their experience and fulfil the record. They can both find peace and happiness in that scenario apart or together. Not because they have the answer, but because they now understand the evolution of their soul lies in experience, as does others. This is a collective one energy that will serve all of your unique experiences. And so it is.”

~The Phoenicians 

As the consciousness of an evolving soul finally arrives at a human birth, a unique opportunity is presented to itself; the Consciousness of Man is attained, and with that consciousness comes a corresponding physiology which permits a highly sophisticated range of expressions that hasn't been in its disposal before. More often, souls are recycled into the system. They get repeated opportunities to improve themselves by accreting experiences which encourage self-awareness and service to others. Although Man is brought up in an environment which fosters a broader array of intellectual and creative abilities, he is still subjected to the laws of Karma, which determine his progression on the scale of evolution. The soul desires to move forward, to reach the infinite and reside within the cosmic personality, but its fresh chance to embody the macrocosm within his finite form is stumped by a flawed societal framework, which corrupts his perspective and distracts his attention towards his materialized construct during his most crucial years of self development.

Questions arise as to whether individually we are evolving under the current societal framework. If there is a process of evolution, one can assume there’s an opposite and equal process of devolution; a state wherein the mental and physical faculties of the soul are not developed or are overly neglected. Therefore, the mind and body are not equipped or trained enough to perform certain tasks or abilities we are born with. In devolution, one's mind, body and soul would consequently degenerate because they’re not constantly being exercised to their fullest potential. If that is indeed the case, then defining for ourselves a state and process of devolution could potentially give us a clearer outlook as to the steps we may still have to take in order to achieve and maintain a level of progression necessary for the liberation of the soul.

In its human experience, the soul arrives at a stage of development where it must exercise its free will wakefully in order to earn its next stage of evolution. The human experience is considered an important stage of development for the soul, whereby the identity of the soul is challenged within a mental framework of separateness. Man experiences himself separate from his environment, so he continues to operate from that point of view when generating all of his experiences, until challenged to think otherwise. On his path, Man finds himself in the crossroad of making a decisive choice; one of which some graduate successfully from through the fostering and adherence to a good-willed nature, while others are deceived and manipulated into a mentality of wrongdoing. 

Inflicting negativity on oneself and on others keeps Man in a state of disharmony. While a good-willed person enjoys intellectual and creative progress, the disharmonious person stagnates and loses himself in bigotry and jealousy. Any sentient being in its environment receives exactly what it sends out into the universe, whether it be good or bad. A good-willed soul may seem likely to evolve forward, but because most of his wrongdoing brethren don’t, society as a whole is unable to move forward until the majority of the system is positively oriented. This is due to polarity. If a majority of society is negative, then the overall system leans more towards a negative polarity, and vice versa. 

The Cause of Man’s Fall

The fall of Man is largely due to the temptations of the flesh. Man is conditioned within society to identify himself with subjects and objects that stimulate his 5 senses. 

The 5 senses were originally given to Man in order to navigate the holographic terrain of frozen thought - the virtual reality that had been created within this universal construct. However, in his upbringing he had been mentally fostered to identify strongly with these signals and has chosen to overindulge himself in basic urges. His willingness to indulge in these signals has over time numbed his capacity to control these basic urges, ultimately allowing the sensations to control him. In his weakened state, an unsatisfied urge leaves Man in an unsettling and uneasy feeling. His fragile state lowers his resiliency to negativity, and therefore sensations overpower him and urge him to pursue some form of self-satisfaction. Due to his personal attachment to his unsettling bodily sensations, Man competes with others to liberate himself and turns a blind eye to the suffering he trails behind him. 

Like a trail of breadcrumbs, Man’s wounded peers - witness to this attitude inflicted on them - choose in their weakened state to take his behavior personally. This pattern and behavior is ultimately repeated and spread across households and communities. And because one person cannot control his urges, an entire societal framework degenerates. However, When his basic urges are met, Man finally feels able to relax and appreciate the transient moment, until his cravings return and urge him to follow predictable patterns which only bring him relief in the shortest amount of time. 

This attitude disconnects Man from his environment, since his growing addiction to sensory stimuli had developed in him a restlessness that is unquenchable and interferes with his capacity to tune in, listen and be present. No matter how much fleshy pleasures he pursued, he kept on pursuing them in his want for comfort and self entertainment, meanwhile ignoring the suffering others were undergoing in respect to his mindless choices and actions. 

Man de-evolved from his pure state of Harmony with his Environment 

Man was brought up by parents who do not exercise scientific techniques of God-contact and thus he is brought up into the world with an incomplete understanding of his true nature. He erroneously picked up an attitude and behavior from his environment which disregards the welfare of his external manifestation and the recognition of its sentient nature. Thus he disconnected himself from his boundless identity impregnated in the ocean of atomic energies dancing all around him. 

The core of his problem is his inability to identify within himself symptoms which indicate his state of disconnection; that is why he remains out of harmony in many aspects of life. His hidden issue is that he doesn’t have a clue as to how a connection is made, preserved and maintained, which makes reason to suggest that he would be clueless as to the existence of a “disconnection”, even as he is experiencing it.

Man has forgotten that his environment constantly communicates to him his state of wellbeing, such as the quality of his thoughts and amplitude of his emotions. Man’s thoughts are represented externally in the arrangement of scenery and scenarios, while his emotions are represented by the rate and nature of his thoughts. At times the environment can be turbulent and other times calm, but Man doesn’t draw a correlation between his internal sensations and external phenomena. Man’s abuse -- and lack of being able to interpret -- his senses numbs him cognitively to the magnitude of precision the environment presents to him the quality of his wellbeing. Instead, Man operates restlessly and decides to mechanically submit the environment to his will, rather than to find content and peace within and develop a relationship with his environment. 

(This is the end of part 1 out of 3 parts of this work. Read part 2 and part 3). 

This is an excerpt from Micheila Sheldan's channeled writing. We are Source energy. But what does that mean? Our structures are one with the oceans, the animals, the earth. We want to heal all of these things. Yet, how many of us are guilty of negative self-talk when we look in the mirror? Honoring yourself has a profound effect on the consciousness of all things. We are those things, in beautiful physical form.

"Many of you believe that your structure only applies to the inner workings of your physical and energetic body. That there is a fine line between your auric field and the rest of the universe that keeps you separate. This belief is a program we wish to abolish from your structure and internal workings. As you have been created in the likeness of many and of your Mother Goddess, Earth, you hold within you connections to all of it. And this is where your belief systems have failed you. This belief that you are separate from the universe and the earth is holding you in resistance of what is the biggest and most important aspect of your existence. And you hold the capability to transcend this history you have created as a One.

The transcendence of this holds the capability to take you into fields of unknown territory. Communication with trees, plants and animals. Interaction with your cosmic families. And support from the unknown. But in addition to this, it holds a secret universal space in which all things are connected. Imagine for a moment having a bad day. And all of the sudden, the entire universe comes to support you and change your reality. This is the capability you have right now in this very moment. But your beliefs about yourself hold you in resistance of this beautiful intersection of energies through and of the self.

The structure is all things coming together in a singular energy. So if your singular energy is not focused in the highest intent, it will affect all things. This is how you have a part in your collective experience. When you are not in harmony with yourself, you are not in harmony with all things. When you look in the mirror and criticize yourself, at the cellular level you are creating patterns that affect all things. Do you see the responsibility you have to honor yourself? Honoring yourself is Source energy at its highest peak. And all things accept the vibration you offer in harmony."

-The Council of Light

Sacred sites have been around for thousands of years and there are many theories as to what they were used for around the time of their construction. However, could these sacred sites such as Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza serve a purpose for us in present day? In an interview for AAE TV, Freddy Silva talks about the second book he wrote called “The Divine Blueprint” which contains nearly 1,000 references that describe the various encounters people have with sacred sites. He raises the question of – What is the origin of sacred sites, and what makes them sacred? Freddy doesn’t limit his investigation of sacred sites to places of origin that date back thousands of years, but instead he includes recent crop circle formations in his research. His investigations of sacred sites are nothing short of thorough – as he makes use of scientific evidence, eye witness testimony from prominent sources, and pieces the whole puzzle together with the myths and legends of the local population.

Crop Circles

Some people don’t believe there is any mystery to the crop circle phenomenon. Others maintain the belief that all crop circles are made by two people holding a string and a board. However, Freddy woke up to a greater reality when he started noticing luminous objects above crop circle formations that he couldn’t ignore. He began to travel the world in search for answers with the belief that when the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear; and the teacher always did. Postal workers, policemen, military personnel, politicians, and 80 other eyewitness testimonies in Freddy’s book: “Secrets in the Field” claim to have seen crop circles being formed. In addition to these testimonies, Freddy’s book has over 400 images and diagrams to help explain this phenomenon. In many of these accounts the witnesses say they see tubes of light coming down from the clouds and that the crop formation would appear in under 15 seconds. In some cases the formation would appear the following day. He doesn’t end the discussion there, but instead he postulates that these formations could be created by sound, plasma or the manipulation of local gravitational fields.

“Some people think that crop circles are either hoaxes or that they are made by UFO’s, neither is actually the case – They are created by consciousness,” Freddy said.

Freddy dissects the crop formations’ sacred geometry, known meanings, hidden messages, and connections with ancient symbols. He believes the phenomenon works alongside human consciousness. He conducted many experiments where he would ask a mathematical question in his mind, and the answer would be revealed in the formation of a crop circle.

What makes a site sacred?

“Sacred space is where you come in contact with everything. The veiled world of the universe gets lifted.”

Freddy mentions that there are certain spots on the Earth that feel different. The environment feels different, your state of perception feels more developed and it might feel as though you’ve come into contact with another level of reality. Scientists Freddy has spoken with, say that beyond the measuring, and beyond the scientific evidence they found about the differences in the electromagnetic field, they say there is a palpable difference in how they feel when they step into and out of the sacred space.

“Part of the reason why we find temples in every culture of the world when we look at the myth, legend, traditions and what took place at these sites, it becomes pretty obvious that they are all looking for the same thing – a controlled out of body experience,” Freddy said.

He mentions that even the left-brained early mathematicians like Plato and Pythagoras had experiences in certain temples where they accessed another level of reality. These places were built with a purpose. They are astronomical markers because the stone circles do align with stars and constellations, but also there is a history of healing at these sites as well. However, the one thing that ties all of the theories about these sites together is the ability for people to go in and journey, and use the elements at the places to help them release their soul from their body and disengage from the material world for a certain amount of time (sometimes as long as 3 days). People like Isaac Newton or Leonardo Da Vinci, who both belonged to secret societies, went on similar journeys. He says that they had accessed certain areas of their brain, certain levels of consciousness, in order to put themselves into a situation where they could receive information from a bigger library of information.

How do the Sacred Sites affect us in the present day?

The boundary between belief and science fiction is slowly disappearing as we learn more about the Sacred Sites and their possible links to the higher levels of consciousness, to aid us in our awakening as a whole planet. We do not have all the answers yet, but people are going to sacred sites (Freddy suggests there is a 5,000% increase in people attending sacred sites) because we are awakening to the realization that there is something missing in our understanding of the world we live in. Why can we not replicate the same sacred sites that were made thousands of years ago? How can we dismiss nearly 100 known eyewitness testimonies of the formation of crop circles? Why is there so little knowledge and understanding of sacred sites, and why is the scientific evidence dismissed so readily? There is undoubtedly a misunderstanding of how the world really works, and the way to bridge this gap is not necessarily a stepping stone of finite proportions, but could be more like a giant leap – A paradigm shift.

The pineal gland or sixth chakra is located deep within the center of the brain and was considered by French philosopher Rene Descartes to be the “seat of the soul.” Mainstream society has long suppressed the science behind the true nature of the pineal, but evidence of its multifaceted function and symbolic history is coming to light as the consciousness of the planet rises. The pineal gland serves as a symbol of spirituality, intuition, and clairvoyance in many religions and societies across the globe. It is often referred to as the “third eye” because it possesses a lens, cornea, retina, and has light sensitive internal structures that are similar to the rods and cones of the eyes. Once activated, it allows an individual to view the spiritual realms. Yet to the detriment of humanity, toxins in the environment and a loss of spiritual knowledge have caused the third eye to calcify and become dormant in most people. However, an awakening is occurring that is allowing people to rediscover their third eye abilities as alternative science uncovers the once well-known mysteries of the sixth chakra.

Pineal Gland Function

Melatonin

The primary function of the pineal gland as understood by mainstream science, is to produce melatonin during sleep, as well as regulate body temperature and skin coloration, all of which depend on the presence of environmental light. Melatonin is a hormone produced from serotonin which affects our mood. Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland in the absence of light which is responsible for repairing cells, governing circadian rhythms, and eliminating free radicals. A deficiency can lead to insomnia and cancer, and accelerate the aging process. Electromagnetic radiation and the presence of light during sleep also interfere with the signals that tell the pineal gland to start producing melatonin.

Canadian medical doctor, Roman Rozencwaig began studying the pineal gland and its ability to produce melatonin in the mid 1980’s. He believes decreased melatonin production is a direct result of atrophy of the pineal gland, which in turn leads to aging and disease. As a person grows older, the cells of the pineal are damaged and calcified due to toxins in the environment and injury. This leads to decreased melatonin production and higher levels of serotonin, which may be responsible for cancer and other diseases. Dr. Rozencwaig states that supplemental melatonin can drastically reduce the rate of pineal atrophy, slow down the aging process, and treat a wide array of diseases by boosting the immune system, allowing the pineal gland to maintain a balanced ratio between melatonin and serotonin levels in the body. He has treated several of his cancer patients with supplemental melatonin and many have seen a significant improvement in their condition. Even though melatonin is a vastly important part of pineal health, it is not the compound responsible for inducing mystical experiences.

DMT

DMT or Di-methyl-tryptamine, is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound that is found throughout the body, and produced by the pineal gland. DMT is believed to play a role in inducing mystical states of consciousness. DMT can be found in almost all plants and animals and has been thought of as the key to our spiritual gateway by many indigenous and ancient tribes, particularly those in South America.

In the mid-1800s Amazonian explorers described psychoactive powders and brews made from plants with high concentrations of DMT. The tribe members often recounted out of body experiences in which they would communicate with spirits and experience mystical visions. These tribes understood the nature of these substances far earlier than their western counterparts. DMT was discovered in the blood, urine, tissue, and spinal fluid of humans in the mid-60s and became the first psychedelic substance to be produced internally by the body. However, DMT research encountered political opposition in the following decade due to the growing anti-psychedelic sentiment, and was not studied again until the 90s.

In his book DMT-The Spirit Molecule, Dr. Rick Strassman discusses his groundbreaking research on DMT and its effects on the pineal gland. Dr. Strassman asserts that the pineal’s location in the center of the brain makes it an ideal candidate for DMT production. Since the third eye is close to the cerebrospinal fluid channels, this allows any secreted substance to be easily absorbed by the brain. Furthermore, the pineal is situated near the colliculi which are mounds of tissue that transmit emotional and sensory data to certain parts of the brain. It is also surrounded by the limbic system which governs the experience of emotions.

DMT is rapidly broken down by the body so the production center needs to be close to the emotional areas of the brain in order to have an effect on the consciousness of a person. The pineal contains the necessary enzymes to convert tryptamine (the base compound that derives melatonin and serotonin) into DMT. It also produces compounds called beta-carbolines which prevent neurotransmitter inhibitor enzymes called monoamine oxidase (MAO) from breaking down DMT. However, the pineal has mechanisms to prevent spontaneous DMT production during normal activities. For example, both the pineal and adrenal glands produce neurotransmitters called catecholamines. These are known to stimulate melatonin production in the pineal, and are produced in response to stress in the adrenals. When the adrenal catecholamines are near the pineal its nerve cells rapidly get rid of them. The nerve cells act as a security system to prevent the release of DMT in periods of everyday stress.

Dr. Strassman postulates that large amounts DMT are released by the pineal at specific points in a person’s life. "Pineal DMT production is the physical representation of non-material, or energetic, processes. It provides us with the vehicle to consciously experience the movement of our life-force in its most extreme manifestations.” He believes that DMT is released when the soul enters the fetus, at birth, during states of meditation or psychosis, and when the soul leaves the body. In patients with psychosis, enzymes that stimulate DMT production are elevated and MAO enzymes are decreased. Therefore, their third eye is unable to turn off DMT production, resulting in hallucinations. During states of deep meditation people have reported having mystical experiences similar to those produced by psychedelics. When a person enters a deep meditative state their brainwaves become slower and more coherent as they reach a level of expanded awareness. Thus, the pineal vibrates at these same frequencies which triggers the release of DMT. During birth and death, Strassman speculates that large amounts of catecholamines are released. Since birth and death can be high stress experiences, the pineal is overwhelmed with catecholamines which stimulate DMT release.

Dr. Strassman and his research team conducted a study in which they gave several volunteers low, medium, and high doses of IV DMT, and measured its effects on the body. When volunteers were given a dose of .05mg/kg, no psychedelic effects were present, but many experienced feelings of joy and happiness. At a medium dose volunteers experienced rapid colorful visual patterns that were kaleidoscopic or geometric in nature. At higher doses volunteers experienced complete loss of connection with reality as they were fully launched into a psychedelic experience. Many felt as if they had died, accompanied by feelings of bliss and euphoria, while a smaller percentage experienced feelings of terror and paranoia. Several reported traveling through realms with vibrant unfamiliar colors and shapes while whizzing past galaxies. Some volunteers even encountered beings who interacted with them and guided them through the DMT space. Overall the experiences were individual, but similar in many respects. Strassman’s research indicates that pineal DMT production may play a vital role in inducing mystical experiences during near death experiences, psychotic states, and deep states of meditation.

Pineal Calcification and Activation

Even though the pineal gland contains chemicals and neurotransmitters to induce mystical experiences without the use of external psychedelics, the pineal glands of most people are calcified and dormant. Many of the toxins in our food and environment are responsible for pineal calcification. Calcification prevents the pineal from functioning correctly and leads to decreased melatonin and DMT production. Fluoride, mercury, and processed foods, are some of the substances that contribute to pineal calcification. Fluoride is found in toothpaste and most of America’s water supply, and is one of the chief causes of pineal calcification. The calcified pineal contains the highest concentration of fluoride in the body.

Fluoride and mercury have been shown to effect brain function, and even lower IQ. Mercury can be found in vaccines and tooth fillings, and has been linked to the onset of autism in young children. However, fluoride can be removed from tap water with filters specifically designed for fluoride removal. Mercury and other heavy metals can be removed from the body with the correct supplements. Processed foods contain a plethora of additives, chemicals, and artificial compounds that indirectly cause pineal calcification, as well as a host of other health problems. Over 50% of the standard American diet consists of processed foods. Since their inception in the early 20s, processed foods have become a staple in many American diets, with Americans consuming 31% more processed food than fresh food.

There are numerous ways to activate and open the third eye, and each method can be individualized to suit the needs of the person. One of the most widely practiced pineal activation techniques is meditation. Dr. Joe Dispenza, author of “Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind”, claims that through the science of neuroplasticity, a person can rewire their brain. In his research with cases of spontaneous remission, Dr. Dispenza discovered that those who had achieved total healing from terminal illnesses were able to rewire their brain through positive intention and thought. When a person is awake and alert they are generally in a beta state. When one begins to enter a meditative trance the brain enters alpha, theta, and gamma states, with the latter being the slowest and most conducive for healing. These slow frequencies allow the brain to readily access the field of quantum possibility when an intention is set. This is because the brain is not preoccupied with tasks of daily survival and it is able to expand its focus beyond everyday needs. Therefore if a person sets an intention to open their third eye, it can be activated with regular meditation practice.

The use of supplements coupled with a more plant based diet is an excellent way to decalcify the pineal gland. Nascent iodine is an electrified form of iodine that is readily absorbed by the body which helps eliminate fluoride, bromine, chlorine, and other toxins. Not only does nascent iodine remove pineal toxins, but it also stimulates the thyroid, improves mental clarity, and aids in boosting the immune system. Chaga mushroom is one of the best supplements for pineal decalcification because of its high melanin content. Melanin is produced by the pituitary gland in the presence of melatonin and is a primary pineal food source. Chaga is one of the highest natural sources of antioxidants, and helps balance the immune system and prevent cancer, as well as a host of other diseases. Chaga medicines can be made into powder, tea, and single or dual extracts. Dual extracts are the most potent because they contain both the water and alcohol soluble compounds of the mushroom and are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. Adding magnesium bicarbonate to drinking water not only decalcifies your pineal gland, but alkalizes your body and eliminates calcium deposits that have formed around other organs. Its Magnesium in water is absorbed 30% faster than magnesium in food and the bicarbonate amplifies the amount of magnesium absorbed by cells.

Since the pineal is a light sensitive, sun-gazing is a simple way to decalcify it. Sun-gazing is the practice of looking at the sun during the hour of sunset or sunrise in order to absorb its light energy. However, mainstream science has taught us that looking at the sun for even brief periods is harmful to our eyes, so many are skeptical of the process. In addition to pineal decalcification, sun-gazing can improve mental clarity, eliminate toxins, prevent mental and physical disease, slow the aging process, and decrease hunger. One of the most popular methods of gazing is the HRM method, named after its founder Hira Ratan Manek. HRM recommends that you begin gazing for 10 seconds, increasing 10 seconds each day until you reach a time of 45 minutes. According to this method total mental clarity occurs at 15 minutes and physical diseases start to disappear around the 30 minute mark. HRM believes after the 45 minute mark is reached, a person can stop gazing and start walking barefoot for 45 minutes per day on bare earth. This connection with the earth ensures that your “solar battery” remains charged. If this process is continued one experiences feelings of bliss and joy as their intuition supersedes the ego mind. It is recommended that a person only gaze an hour within sunset or sunrise when the UV index is low. When the sun is higher in the sky, the UV rays can be damaging to the retina of the eye. In order to gain the full benefit, HRM recommends that a person ground themselves by standing barefoot on dirt or sand while gazing. It is also important to note that you should never gaze while standing on grass because the plant life can absorb sun energy from the body and lessen the benefits. Sun-gazing is a journey for each person and the benefits and experiences are unique based on the intention and needs of the individual.

Western society once thought the third eye was a vestigial organ with no function, but its mysteries are slowly unraveling as science and spirituality merge. The discovery of DMT as a naturally occurring psychedelic adds validity to the complexities and unique nature of mystical experiences. As people connect with their spiritual nature through pineal decalcification, meditation, and other holistic practices the power of intention, belief, and thought becomes a driving force in the areas of health and spiritual attunement. We have only just begun to tap into the nature of our pineal, but as scientific evidence confirms spiritual knowledge mystical experiences become tangible tools for physical and spiritual growth.

Disclaimer: All information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a naturopathic or medical doctor.

The inner critic -- refer to it and everyone nods their head knowingly. But ask what it is and what it does and few have an easy reply. Exploring what the inner critic is and how it operates, can help us make it our inner champion.

Most people experience self-directed inner negativity – thoughts that come into your mind quickly and repetitively after you do or say something you wish you hadn’t. Thoughts such as “Why did I do that?” or “Why did I do that…again?” or “What’s wrong with me?” and “What was I thinking?” are common.

Perhaps your negative thoughts are a little different, but you likely have them – in some form. They are usually demeaning. For some, these thoughts are pervasive, and occur all day long in response to thoughts of the past or projections about the future.

These inner messages are what make up the inner critic.

The inner critic develops outside of our conscious awareness when we are very young. No one sets out to have a negative inner voice, but we all encounter uncomfortable events in childhood that we do not understand, and we strive to avoid their repetition. As children, we experience ourselves as the center of the universe, and so naturally we ascribe causality to our actions. “If I don’t do that again, Mom and Dad won’t get mad,” and so forth. But Mom and Dad being mad (or feeling and expressing another negative emotion) is not always about us, and so our developing minds have a hard time pinning down the -- often non-existent -- pattern.

Because we are not yet mature enough to understand paradox, double binds, and simple misdirected emotion, our self-preservation instinct begins to apply internal scolding -- “Don’t do that again” -- to things that are beyond our control in an attempt to avoid conflict. And since we do not talk about our internal processes, no one puts things in perspective for us, leaving this self-deprecatory instinct to develop unchecked.

As a result, it never really matures, and it uses the same strategy of attempted protection forever. Because we respond to the inner scolding, the inner critic part of the mind registers it as effective. But the response is not usually helpful. Instead we just feel bad. The inner critic is a like fussy 6-year-old that likes to tell us what we did wrong, but never offers any constructive advice.  And it is very persistent.

Imagine for a moment that you can ask that part of you to be nicer, to try some more productive strategies, and that it will listen.

You can. And it will.

This isn’t magic. But over time the results are pretty magical.


You Can Stop Your Inner Critic with These Easy Steps

The first step is to tune in to what is going on internally – in your mind and body. Set the intention to notice when you feel bad.

Next set the intention to notice what sort of internal messages you are experiencing during these times. If they are some form of “you messed up” or “you are not good” or “you are going to screw up” then your inner critic could use a little help growing up!

Internally, turn toward that part of you. Speak to it -- gently.

Most people, when they initially realize they have a negative internal voice want to block it out or cut it off; they want to get rid of it.

The inner critic is a part of you. As such, it deserves to be treated with the same kindness, gentleness, respect, and generosity that every other part of you deserves. If you just tell it to “be quiet!” you are dropping to that same 6-year-old level. If you cut that part of yourself out, you will end up with phantom pain.

Instead, be a partner to your inner critic. Help it out, like it has been trying so hard to help you all this time -- and yes, it is there to help you. It has been trying to keep you safe, but it is over-protective and not good at predicting the future. If it were, it would tell you not to do things instead of scolding you after the fact. It would tell you how to avoid messing up, not that you are going to.

With some help, the inner critic can become a positive support for you, not just a nag.


How to Talk to Your Inner Critic

What follows is the language I suggest to people when introducing this concept, but please do not feel like you have to use it – find what works for you.

“I recognize that you have been working really hard for a long time to try to help me, but the way you are doing it has not been very effective.

Is there anything new here that you are trying to tell me? If there is, I want to know. Otherwise, please take a break from working so hard or try a new positive strategy.

You have been using the same strategy all these long years, and the outcome is always the same. I know you are working tirelessly to try and help me, and I would like to work together. I would like to share some new strategies with you that might be more useful.”

You might not be surprised to hear your inner critic respond that it will not work, or that it does not know what to do instead.

Tell it that it will work, and that you will be patient as it learns. Offer it some alternative things to say -- things you’d actually like to hear. Like, “Good Job!” or “You’re getting better at those sort of interactions” might be good places to start.

Your job is to be ready to remind the inner critic when it forgets that it is trying something new. And it is likely to be pretty forgetful.

Why does it not just change once you recognize you want it to? For the same reason that most things take more than one try – we are changing previously unconscious mental habits. It is a habit to let the inner critic talk negatively and unchallenged. It takes creating a new and conscious habit to change that.

Every time you recognize it is happening again you are in the process of changing it.

When you notice a repetitive or negative thought arise, remind your inner critic you are working together to change, and ask yourself if there is any new information. If there is not, make a choice to think about something positive. This is not running away from the negative voice, but making a discerning choice to think positively. Even if it only lasts for a moment, you are doing something different and on the way to a new inner outlook.

With practice your inner critic will soften. It will become less persistent and more reasonable. Use a little loving kindness and it can even become your friend!


For more information about changing the inner critic, you can check out "Tiny Buddha's Guide to Loving Yourself: 40 Ways to Transform Your Inner Critic and Your Life" by Lori Deschene.

Disclaimer: All information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a naturopathic or medical doctor.

There are few things as vibrationally pure as a child's laughter. As the universe expresses itself through all of us individually, the role of children is to bring back the joy and the curiosity to life itself. Not only is laughing great for the soul, but it has also been proven to provide irreplaceable health benefits: mental and physical. As we get older, we unfortunately forget this -- we forget to laugh.

We are living in a fascinating time here on Earth, and we chose to be here for the coming experiences. We can begin to see on both personal and global levels, that multiple shifts and changes are happening, as well as endings and new beginnings. In between all these changes, there is a beautiful opportunity right now to rediscover your inner you(th).


What Children Can Teach Us about Life

Often when we see a small child our first reaction is to immediately smile. This is a reaction to the inner you(th) that is so naturally being transmitted. With so few filters and stories in place, a child beams forth their essence -- exploring the world around in awe and excitement.

Each new experience brings a sense of wonder to this being of youth. The laughter that flows from a child so freely is contagious to all that surrounds or hears it. A child laughs uncontrollably without stopping and the simplest of motions keep this vibration going.


Science-Proven Benefits of Laughter

When is the last time that you allowed yourself to laugh in such a way -- like children do? Laughter is scientifically proven to change brain chemistry. It has been long discovered through studies that the body does not know the difference between simulated and real laughter. Just one minute of stimulated laughter can make a real difference!

In fact, according to psychology professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University: “Forced laughter is a powerful, readily available and cost-free way for many adults to regularly boost their mood and psychological wellbeing."

The body will receive the same physiological and emotional benefits. It is further noted that eventually the simulated laughter will turn into real genuine laughter. This goes back to the saying “fake it until you make it.”

So what is really happening to the body when you are laughing? During a laughter experience your body is releasing endorphins, natural opiates that are more potent than equivalent amounts of morphine. Laughter helps to reduce pain, increase mood, and strengthen your immune system. It is further found that laughing helps the brain regulate the stress hormones: cortisol and epinephrine.


The Way Children and Adults Laugh Differ Greatly

It is reported that children can laugh more than 100 times a day -- some studies show that children laugh as often as 400 times a day! -- while grown ups laugh only 10 to 15 times. This is because adults use their cognitive ability to first comprehend humor and then laugh. This is called the mind-to-body model. It relies on the ability to understand what is funny and amusing.

Children often use the body-to-mind model. If you watch and observe children, you will find that they laugh most while playing. This laughter comes from the body and does not make use of any intellectual capacity of the brain.

We can reap the same benefits again as we did as young children. This memory is still within our cells and tissues of how to move, play, and laugh. It is allowing ourselves permission to be silly again without restriction or fear of judgment of self or others.

Some simple suggestions would be: allow yourself to dance and flow around the living room to your own beat with a smile on your face, blow bubbles and laugh as you pop them, go on the swings at the local park and laugh as you ascend into the air, have a gentle pillow fight with friends and family, and practice different laughs in front of the mirror or each other (Dracula, quiet/ medium/loud, sing your favorite song with laughter vs. the words). You can laugh anywhere you are: in the car, with friends, family, at work, in the store. You will find as you express yourself freely, others will join in.


Laughter Yoga for A Joyful Life

A wonderful resource is an experience called Laughter Yoga. Laughter yoga is a unique concept where anyone can laugh for no reason without relying on humor, jokes, or comedy. It is called Laughter Yoga because it combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing. It assists in rediscovering the body-to-mind connection. You can check out video sessions on you tube or search for a local Laughter Yoga club in your area at www.laughteryoga.org.

Great transformations can occur from this technique. When individuals first arrive to a laughter yoga session, they can often appear apprehensive, display limited body movements to the exercises, and have a more nervous or forced laughter. By the end of the session, people are laughing hysterically coming from the body vs. the mind, moving freely all around the room, and allowing their authentic and child self to shine once again. People who tried laughter yoga reported feeling better, physically and emotionally, and it positively affected every area of their lives.

Through laughter and play we rediscover that inner you(th). The barriers and stories that we hold consciously and subconsciously begin to easily release. We are able to rediscover our passion and purpose for life again. This is an amazing time to reconnect to that presence within as we rebuild ourselves and the world around us for a new tomorrow.

 

Disclaimer: All information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a naturopathic or medical doctor.