Theme for Spring/Summer 2010 – “Let me be one of God’s channels for bringing blessings to others.”

Meditation is understood to be very effective in closely attuning the conscious mind to the Divine within every one of us.        In study group work to help the body become still and the mind become calm, the head and neck exercises, based on an ancient yoga technique are used – (Do these three times. Move head forward, head backward; move head to the right shoulder, then to the left shoulder, rotate the head slowly 360° clockwise and then counter-clockwise), head, and also specific breathing techniques (Breathe in through the right nostril three times and exhale through the mouth. Breathe in three times through the left nostril and exhale through the right nostril.)  Using an affirmation or an ideal moves the spiritual energy upwards from the base of the spine through to the pineal and on to the pituitary gland, also known as the silver cord from ancient western mysticism and the chakras from ancient eastern mysticism.     The levels of consciousness, the physical reactions  and spiritually tapping into the different states of meditation; including the difference between prayer and meditation, are beautifully described in the first chapter “Meditation” in the Search for God Book I and the final chapter of Book II.   It is a provoking thought that from the Cayce perspective, an individual’s search for God begins and concludes with meditation. 

Over the years I have tried and adapted different forms of meditation and boy there are many to choose from, but personally I have always found the Cayce way as set out in these chapters, to be the most meaningful.  

Meditation need not take hours to be valuable and a few minutes of meditation at the beginning and/or end of the day undertaken with sincerity can be a powerful springboard to meet the ups and downs of everyday life and a powerful tool for unlocking the powers within.  The benefits of achieving  balance and wellbeing through daily practice of meditation are profound and affect us physically, mentally and spiritually.         

Health News

A very basic concept from the Readings is the 20% acid and 80% alkaline diet and be careful about combining different foods, such as quantities of starch with proteins or meats (Reading 416-9).  You can tell if you are getting the balance right because your energy levels are likely to increase.    Also eat SLOWLY.  According to Reading 808-3 “Bolting food or swallowing it by the use of liquids produces more colds than any other activity of a diet!  Even milk or water should be chewed two or three times before taken into the stomach…”

Click To View the Edgar Cayce Basic Diet Chart (Click Back on your browser, to return to this section)

Listening to many chronically and seriously ill people talking,  those who change to foods that are alkaline reacting in nature – fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and avoiding too  many acid-reacting foods such as too much meat, fats, fried food, starches and sweets  are suggesting that these changes have been crucial in helping their bodies heal.    I spoke to several nurses recently and they had not heard of the 80% alkaline/20% acid concept.   One close doctor friend was actually putting this into practice and has been doing so and avoiding certain foods and juices for ages.   If you have been helped by adapting to this way of eating then the most important thing you can do is to pass it on to others through word of mouth.              

An interesting concept is found in Reading 480-19 where it is stated “if an alkalinity is maintained in the system – especially with lettuce, carrots and celery, these in the blood supply will maintain such a condition as to immunize a person.”

A basic plan from the Readings is to avoid white flour, white sugar,  fried foods, (cold or first pressed olive oil and grape seed oil are the best cooking oils to use); no pork except occasionally very crispy bacon.  (I avoid all pork – wouldn’t eat it as a child and it is a no-no ever since reading pork cells resemble cancer cells under microscopy).  Try to avoid combining meat with starch at the same meal.  Lamb, Chicken and fish occasionally (fresh water and deep sea fish are best). If you have to use farmed fish check that carrot pellets and not chemical colouring to change the grey flesh to pink, are used.
 
We eat a lot of food flown in and shipped from overseas. I am no exception as I love seasonal mangoes, pineapples and pomegranates.   But if you can,  buy locally sourced fruit and vegetables in season, According to the Readings these help the body to adapt to the vibrations within the local environment.    At present the way fruit and vegetables are grown and proper maintenance of the soil used are important considerations.   Generally, people nowadays are becoming far more  aware of  different growing methods, crop spraying, genetically modified foods and what to avoid and what to eat. 

Oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit as fresh as possible are alkaline in their reaction unless they are taken at the same time as cereals.  In other words, at breakfast- time avoid combining citrus fruits and cereals. This combination becomes acid-producing. Lemon juice is a very good alkaliser.    I had an uncle who took a squeeze of lemon juice in a glass of water every morning and throughout his life he had the most beautiful skin.

Grape Juice, and there is a  grape juice sold in supermarkets across the U.K, that is made from Concorde Grapes, is beneficial to children and adults.  Grape juice can be combined with good water as an alternative.  The readings mentioned grape juice helping those with a sugar craving.    Grape juice also is helpful with weight control.

Raw sugar or honey as an alternative, particularly Manuka honey, unless you are a diabetic, is preferable to white sugar.

Avoidance of certain foods and combination of different foods is beyond the scope of this article.   Libraries are a good source of information as is the Internet, and the Edgar Cayce Readings on CD-Rom.     

Castor Oil Packs

A basic concept in the Readings is the use of the humble castor oil in a pack. Details of using a castor oil pack is available by clicking castor oil in the Remedies Section. Since the Middle Ages castor oil has been referred to as the PalmaChristi – the hand of Christ.       I have used castor oil for years – at present to reduce/eliminate adhesions following a surgical operation, and boy is this working.  Another of my examples, is when one of my sons, a keen sportsman,  was diagnosed with tennis elbow. He was in such pain and the consultant wanted to inject medication to relieve this. I refused and instead applied castor oil packs for a week.  By the 5th day the pain had disappeared and has never reappeared.     

 I have collected many stories from people who have applied  castor oil packs on themselves, their children, their families and even their animals for many different conditions.    

A friend was not sleeping and was on the verge of becoming an insomniac.   I suggested a series of castor oil packs which had dramatic effects on her sleeping pattern.  Afterwards and well used to the concept of castor oil packs, if she occasionally woke up in the night, she goes to rub castor oil  over the small intestine area on the right side of the body, wrap a piece of clean flannel over the oiled area and cover this  with a clean towel.  She reports it always sends her back into  a deep sleep.      A few drops of castor oil taken internally are useful in alleviating allergies.    A family dog plagued by a skin disorder was helped by its owner applying castor oil packs kept in place by a huge wrap around bandage and old towel for 2 weeks and twice weekly 4 drops of castor oil, which the dog tolerated.   A child who easily became “hyper” although did not meet the criteria for ADHD,  submitted to a cycle of castor oil packs applied over a month – 5 days on and 2 days off at night time and then reduced for a total of 3 months.  Luckily he was not a restless sleeper, quite different to his behaviour during the day.   His mother was extraordinarily patient and persisted with the packs (along the right side of his body, including the liver area) probably because she was at her wits end as to what to do with him, and the change in his behaviour during these 3 months was amazing.   Siblings, family, friends children and even his school were amazed at the change which previously had been disruptive and he had difficulty keeping friends.   His mother now also uses the Cayce 80% alkaline and 20% acid food system at home.

Any recommendations mentioned on this website are not meant to be used as an alternative to your doctor’s or health professionals  advice. It should also be noted that advice/information contained in an Edgar Cayce reading was intended only for the individual to whom the reading was given.