Review: Mindfulness for Challenging Times

We are all living in challenging times at the moment. Like many people, I've sometimes been struggling with anxiety, low moods and disrupted sleep. Things that help me include enjoying nature outside my windows, doing meditations and visualisations, and practising mindfulness. I recently downloaded a book for my Kindle: Mindfulness for Challenging Times, by Shamash Alidina and a community of authors from the mindfulness field.

This was the review I left on Amazon:

I found this book really helpful. I've been struggling with anxiety during the pandemic  - like a lot of people have. Although I do practice mindfulness already, I found this book was very useful in reminding me to practice it as well as teaching me some new techniques. Chapters cover different topics that are relevant in the challenging times we face, such as coping with isolation, stress, trouble sleeping, working from home and the problems of social media. There are exercises to try out - and most of them are quick and easy. The chapters are contributed by various authors who are specialists in various areas of mindfulness and mental wellbeing, and this offers a wonderful selection of ways to tackle the stresses and strains of living in troubled times.

The chapter on media is one I found particularly relevant. It points out that the ability to connect with people using technology has been a real benefit during lockdown, while the wide range of programmes and movies available for streaming helps keep boredom at bay. However, there are downsides too. Social media can give us an emotional boost, but it can also get us down. Depressing, alarmist and fake news can cause our mood to plunge and our blood pressure to soar. Mindfulness for Challenging Times offers easy mindfulness techniques to help us stop, take a deep breath, and step away from the screen when doing so would be in our best interests.

I must admit that I took advantage of getting the ebook when it was free for a day or two as a special offer, but all profits from sales of this book are going to charity. Mindfulness for Challenging Times is available in paperback as well as for Kindle. You can view Mindfulness for Challenging Times on Amazon. 

Which of London's Esoteric Shops are Now Open?

As shops are once again being allowed to open their physical doors to customers, here's an update on what London's esoteric traders  and witchcraft suppliers are doing:

Stepping Stones of Greenwich
Stepping Stones, a mind, body, spirit shop at 97 Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9TS, is reopening today, Monday 15th June. You can also order items online and book readings.You can find out more about its services on its website.

Treadwell's Bookshop
Treadwell's esoteric bookshop has been available for online shopping throughout lockdown. Although owner Christina says she is not yet fully re-opening the physical shop, but you can buy online and have your item posted or arrange to collect it: "Post goes out every second day at the moment. If you're in London you can choose, 'pick up in store' at checkout and collect your order by arrangement (you just email us to fix a time you'll come by) https://www.treadwells-london.com/shop."  The bookshop is at 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury. Treadwells is also running online events including talks and workshops, plus some free online tutorials and podcasts.

Buddha on a Bicycle
This shop selling Buddhist and Hindu items, as well as crystals, has been redecorated and is preparing to reopen within the next two weeks. It is at 27 Endell St, West End, London WC2H 9BA. You can find out more at its website.

Wicca Moon
Wicca Moon of Eltham is getting ready to open its doors to customers once more on the Tuesday 16th June at 11am. You can find the witchcraft shop at 50 Well Hall Rd, Eltham, London SE9 6SH. You can also visit the website to buy magical supplies online here.

Atlantis Bookshop
I've not yet seen notifications of when Atlantis Bookshop, at 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, is going to completely re-open, but you can order books and other items by phoning 020 7405 2120 or emailing atlantis@theatlantisbookshop.com. You can visit the Atlantis website for more details and sign up for a newsletter.

Mysteries of Covent Garden
This metaphysical stockist at 34 Shorts Gardens, London, WC2H 9PX is now offering telephone readings from the shop. Call 0207 240 3688 to make an appointment. You can find out more information via its website.

Watkins Bookshop
Watkins, at 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, is still temporarily closed. You can find out more at its website.

She's Lost Control
This specialist crystal dealer, at 42 Valentine Rd, London, E9 7AD, runs an extensive online store, and is observing lockdown safety procedures. It also runs online events. You can find out more on the website.

The Astrology Shop
The Astrology Shop, at 78 Neal Street, London WC2H 9PA, is shut until the situation further improves. You can find out more at its website.

Magical Listening: The O People Podcast

I've been sent the details of a new series of podcasts called O People. They are by authors from John Hunt Publishing's O-Books imprint and are mainly on mind, body spirit topics. I haven't had a chance to listen to them yet, but I'm looking forward to doing so.You can find the first few episodes via the links below their descriptions:

1. Find your Inner O
Paranormal story author Gavin Lee Davies discusses some of the challenges he has endured from child abuse to suicidal depression and how he has embraced life...and discovered the Inner O.
Link: https://www.breaker.audio/o-people-podcast/e/63519899

2. Become the Alchemist of your World
Colm Holland, author of The Secret of the Alchemist (pictured above) reveals the story of his encounter with Paulo Coelho and his bestselling book The Alchemist, and how discovering the secret in Paulo’s novel gave him the insights to achieve true empowerment in his life.
Link: https://www.breaker.audio/o-people-podcast/e/63519898

3. Learn to LOVE Yourself
Self-Love Pledge is a book that guides the reader to the most important journey of all, that of loving yourself. It is this which opens the doors to a real sense of happiness and fulfilment, and yet it’s one that most people struggle with. Katie Oman explains why learning to love yourself is such an important thing for all of us...
Link: https://www.breaker.audio/o-people-podcast/e/63519895

4. The Man Who Fell Under a Train
What if the after-effects of a near-death experience were undeniable? What if a person could suddenly produce high-quality paintings of the afterlife, or if they acquired the ability to compose classical symphonies? Meet David Ditchfield, author of Shine On.
Link: https://www.breaker.audio/o-people-podcast/e/63519893

5. Experiencing Life more directly
Meet Anne Egseth, author of This is All He Asks of You, a visionary story about letters never sent, life once flowing and now frozen, and the beauty of human connection. Anne invites us on a journey of listening to your inner voice, the whispers of the trees and rediscovering your lost innocence...
Link: https://www.breaker.audio/o-people-podcast/e/63519887

6. Coping with Trauma
Meet Sue Wells, author of A Sense of Something Lost. Do traumas, whatever their nature, shape, define or ruin our lives? Or encourage us to see that our greatest challenges are also keys to the freedom we seek, enabling us to find who we are beyond our personal story?
Link: https://www.breaker.audio/o-people-podcast/e/63519883

7. What if There is Nothing to Change or Fix?
Martin Wells, author of Sitting in the Stillness - a collection of stories from the therapy room -  invites people to go beyond these personal accounts to the universal, beyond the agitations of the mind to an infinite stillness of being. His stories include examples from group therapy, mindfulness groups, family and couples’ therapy and demonstrate our fundamental interconnectedness.
Link: https://www.breaker.audio/o-people-podcast/e/63852996

8. Energies Blocking us from Developing our True Potential
Meet Ann Drake, author of The Energetic Dimension. We all have an energetic body that houses all our memories and experiences of all our lifetimes. We absorb energies from our families, our previous incarnations as well as from the culture in which we live. These energies often mask who we truly are and may block us from developing our true potential.
Link: https://www.breaker.audio/o-people-podcast/e/63519879

The O People podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor FM, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts (available in the U.S), Pocketcast, Acast, PlayerFM, Podcasts.com, Tune IN, and Breaker, Spreaker.

Stressed? Here are Three Ways to Help Tackle Anxiety

Life seems pretty stressful at the moment. So, these suggestions for ways to help tackle anxiety from health and fitness expert, and former schoolteacher, Brian Keane couldn't have come at a better time.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues. According to a three-year study by the Office of National Statistics (http://bit.ly/2pZiaGS), women are more likely to feel anxious compared to men and those who registered as the most anxious were aged between 50 and 54. (The ONS is unable to collect information on clinically diagnosed cases of anxiety and depression.)

Brian Keane said he suffered from anxiety while working as a teacher. He found himself having sleepless nights and consistently worried about his performance at work. For four years Brian worried about his sleep pattern and his working life, which resulted in him consuming sugary foods and drinks to maintain his energy.

Brian said: “I always thought anxiety meant that you didn’t have your life together - regardless of what you may see, nobody has every area of their life together - and my only experience with anxiety was when colleagues would get signed off work due to stress.

“I didn’t have enough self-awareness to realise that it’s something that all of us face at some time or another and for some people, it’s chronic and affects them every single day. For others, it can be chemically induced - too much caffeine, alcohol and drugs. Regardless, the more people I meet, the more I realise that everyone experiences anxiety in some way, shape or form

“There are some serious cases of anxiety, and if you have suffered any major physical or mental trauma or have a hormonal imbalance, it would be probably best to consult your physician. However, I hope by sharing my own experiences and strategies, I will ultimately support you in managing any kind of day-to-day anxiety or worry that may be limiting you in any aspect of your own life.”

Brian Keane’s new book The Fitness Mindset, which achieved eight weeks at the top of the Amazon bestseller’s chart, has tips on improving fitness and how to achieve a mindset to overcome obstacles such as anxiety and stress. It addresses tactics Brian has discovered when working to overcome his own anxiety, below are some of the top tips he has discovered.

Recognise the source of your anxiety. ‘Find the source, fix the problem’. For some of us, it is as simple as cutting off the source of anxiety. In my case, there were certain people in my life who just made me feel ‘off’. I felt more insecure around them, and even though I called them friends, in truth, they weren’t.

If there are people in your life that make you feel this way, Brian recommends minimising the amount of time you spend with them, or cut them off completely. Sometimes, it’s as simple as finding the people who make you feel happy and spending more time with them.

Train, exercise or meditate. Brian said: "For years, I used the gym and my training as an outlet, so they always acted as plasters that temporarily healed the problem. If I felt I was on the edge, I never dealt with it or asked myself who or what was making me feel this way. I just went to the gym. I was effectively ‘self-medicating’ with exercise.

"In my opinion, it’s actually the best way to reduce short, as well as long- term anxiety, but it’s imperative to follow step one and then use training, exercise and meditation as ways to support you and not just put a lid over the real problem."

Don’t eat foods that make your anxiety worse. Brian said: "Knowing how certain foods can send my body into a spiral of ‘fight or flight’ has helped support me massively over the past few years. If your body is intolerant or allergic to certain foods, or if you react to certain additives, flavourings and preservatives that can be found in heavily processed food, then it’s worth keeping note of how you feel if these ingredients feature heavily in your diet.

"For example, I know if I eat too much dairy, sugar or gluten, my brain will feel foggy the next day and I won’t have the same steady energy and mood that I normally have. Everyone reacts differently to certain foods and ingredients, so experiment with it yourself.

"I’ve largely eliminated these ingredients and foods and very rarely get any physiological
anxiety issues anymore. If you still find yourself getting edgy and anxious for no apparent reason – it’s not about money, a relationship or a job and you just feel ‘off’ – then I highly recommend having a look at your nutrition and checking if certain foods you consume are causing you to feel this way."

You can view The Fitness Mindset on Amazon. It is published by Rethink Pres.

Links:
Brian Keane Fitness Website: https://briankeanefitness.com/
ONS Study: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing

Is Our Idea of the Candlelit Relaxing Bath a Myth?

Apparently we are not taking enough time to relax. Even though the English are supposedly keen on soaking in the bath to unwind, a new survey suggests that the ‘relaxing bath’ is actually a myth.

The national survey, conducted by Faith in Nature, showed only 4% of us find time to luxuriate in a relaxing bath. Indeed, the term ‘I’m off to soak in the bath’ heard so often is most likely to be a figment of the person’s imagination. They are more likely to go home to browse Facebook or watch an episode of Poldark on catch up.

This is backed up by Peter Kinderman, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool and lead educator of the course on the FutureLearn social learning platform: 'Psychology and Mental Health: Beyond Nature and Nurture’. He said: “People aren’t maximising opportunities which make them happy. We could be making better choices about how we spend our time.”

The poll of 2,000 people revealed that most Britons prefer a functional shower instead of a bath. According to the survey, 79% of Brits say they focus on speed and attention to cleanliness rather taking their time with a long soak. Of the rest, only 4% of Brits prefer to take a long and luxurious bath with candles or scents, 4% enjoy listening to music or singing their way through washing and 4% of Brits find themselves daydreaming instead of washing. The majority of people’s bathing habits do not change when it comes to weekend bathing as nearly 61% of Brits keep the same shower routine seven days a week.

Professor Peter Kinderman said: “There are plenty of opportunities to make us feel good. The possibilities for enhancing our lives are endless and the choices are there for the taking. The paradox is that people aren’t choosing things to make their lives better; they’re making mundane and easy choices, which essentially aren’t making people happy.

“I always encourage people to make conscious choices about how to spend their time. Whether you have a spare 10 minutes or 2 hours, think about how you would like to make the most of this time. Whether the choice it to go for a run, to call a relative, bake a cake, or relax in a warm bath, it’s choosing things that enhance our lives that make us feel calmer, more relaxed, and happier.”

Joy Parkinson, managing director of Faith in Nature, said: “We were really surprised at the results of the national survey and it certainly indicates that Britons have forgotten how to relax. Modern day life is busy and fast paced, and we agree with Professor Kinderman about the types of choices people are making. Most people probably know that soaking in a warm bath provides a moment of calm for the mind and body, but they are choosing other ways to spend their time. Perhaps this is a lesson for all of us that we should all give ourselves more time to do things that genuinely make us feel more relaxed.”

Here are some tips for having a relaxing bath:

• Ban all digital devices from the bathroom
• Turn on some soothing music - no loud beats
• Dim the electric lights and light some candles
• Tell your family that you need 30 minutes of alone time
• Add some relaxing bath foam. Lavender is recommended for its soothing and calming qualities

For more information about Faith in Nature, visit: http://www.faithinnature.co.uk

Books: The Akashic Records and A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, is one of my favourite Yuletide tales - and I have to say that A Muppet Christmas Carol is one my all-time favourite festive movies too. Not only do I enjoy a winter's night ghost story, I love the idea that even the meanest person can have a change of heart.

But I recently had a new revelation about the classic story of a man being visited by spirits who showed him the past, the present and the possible future. In a new book called The Akashic Records, author Sandra Anne Taylor points out: "But did you know that this tenderhearted and moving story is about the Akashic Records?"

I hadn't realised it before, but you can certainly read it that way.

The Akashic Records are described by Sandra Anne Taylor as: "A vibrating storehouse of information and energy... Embodying all the mysteries of life - your life, my life, the entirety of life from before life began, as we know it - the records will go on long after the world we know disappears."

She also describes them as being like a huge library that contains all the knowledge of the universe. That's the image I love. It makes me think of something like the library in The Name of the Rose, but infinitely bigger and more mysterious.

There are other names for the records, of course. The Buddhist term Alaya Consciousness is similar. As someone who follows a path of Jungian spirituality, I like to think of the Akashic Records as being connected to the collective unconscious.

However you visualise the Akashic Records, or whatever term you use for them, they are a way of comprehending how one can use psychic techniques to find out information about our past, the forces that are influencing us in the present, and what the possible outcome might be in the future. We can also use that information to alter our actions and behaviour to bring about changes in our lives in the future. Just like Scrooge.

Sandra Anne Taylor's new book, which has the subtitle Unlock the Infinite Power, Wisdom and Energy of the Universe, offers techniques and exercises to help you access the Akashic Records and use what you find there for insight, personal development and help with overcoming problems.

It is in the Hay House Basics series, so is an introductory guide, starting with the simple concepts and working up to more advanced techniques.

As publisher Hay House says on its website, the book covers:

• What the Akashic Records really are and how to tap into their ever-present power
• How to travel the eternal timeline to investigate the past, present and potential future
• How past lives are influencing you today and what you can do to rewrite those records
• How you can use the Akashic Records to find your purpose, expand your talents and find greater success and joy in this life
• How to programme future events within the records of this life and in lifetimes to come
• Techniques to open the records anytime you desire

I would say that although this book is a straightforward guide aimed at beginners, tapping into the Akashic Records is generally considered a relatively advanced psychic skill. You probably at least need to have some experience of meditation, mindfulness or hypnosis and know about about past life theories first. Nevertheless, The Akashic Records is written in a straightforward way and builds up from easy first exercises.

Hay House Basics - The Akashic Records can be ordered via Amazon.

The pictures show The Akashic Records, "Marley's Ghost", original illustration by John Leech from A Christmas Carol, and "The Ghost of Christmas Present" from A Christmas Carol, 1843.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/05/soul-centred-transform-your-life-with.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/review-hay-house-basics-mindfulness.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/05/review-hay-house-basics-past-lives.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/04/review-hay-house-basics-lucid-dreaming.html

Colouring Books: Spirit Animals & Enchanted Mandalas

I do like the current fashion for adult colouring books – even though I haven’t had much time in recent months to indulge in the activity. However, I hope that over the yuletide holidays I will be able to find an hour or so when I can sit in a quiet place and enjoy putting colour on some of the beautiful outlined images available.

Two new colouring books that have come out this month are Enchanted Mandalas by Alina Shalev and the Spirit Animal Colouring Book by Sarah Wilder. Both are published by Hay House, which very kindly sent me review copies. I really like them both.

They are similar in some ways – both being inspired by traditional mandalas, which were originally circular figures using symbols from Hindu and Buddhist spirituality used for meditation. However, the styles of artwork and focus of the two books are a bit different. I should also add that these are modern mandalas; while they are still intended for meditation, the images are primarily stylised motifs from the natural world.

Obviously, the Spirit Animal Colouring Book has pictures of animals, while Enchanted Mandalas also has stylised flowers, circular patterns, crystalline structures and some motifs from spiritual traditions around the world.

This is how Hay House describes Enchanted Mandalas: “Meditate, contemplate and relax in a zone of creative bliss! Considered by many ancient traditions as tools for awakening, mandalas have the ability to raise one's levels of consciousness and awareness. In this colouring book, over 90 original, hand-drawn illustrations provide the means for fun and creative relaxation.”

The Spirit Animal Colouring Book is a bit more multi-purpose, as it is also designed to be used for zoomancy, or divination based on the observation of animals. Each picture in the book contains key words. For example, cockatoo represents freedom, travel and creative expression. You could open the book at random to select an animal to work with that day, flip through it to find one that calls to you or pick a word or theme that you want to concentrate on from a list provided at the front of the book.

Hay House says: “This colouring book is dedicated to our animal kin and the energies they allow us to tap into, to help guide and shape our lives and help us stay connected to our Source. Embrace your creativity while colouring these beautiful images and connect more deeply with the wisdom and guidance offered by spirit animals. Great for those who want to bring calm into their life or has no time to meditate as creative meditation practices like drawing and colouring can have similar results in traditional meditation.”

I’m really looking forward to colouring in these books. I’ve already dug out my pencils and picked up some fresh gel pens when I did my weekly shop. All I need now is a little bit more free time.

You can order the Spirit Animal Colouring Book and Enchanted Mandalas from Amazon.

Battling Pain Through Mindfulness Meditation

Here is an article by freelance writer Helen Young about yoga and mindfulness. It follows on from her feature last week about personal development through mind, body and spirit:

Yoga and mindfulness meditation are taking the world by storm in a variety of settings – spiritual activity groups, rehabilitation centers for addiction and residences for the elderly, as a means of battling stress and resisting depression and anxiety.

The current popularity of mindfulness meditation, however, can be attributed in no small part to the array of studies carried out in the past decade, which have shown quantifiably significant benefits for this practice. One recent study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience and carried out by scientists at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, has shown that mindfulness meditation reduces pain more effectively than placebo. The findings are significant because placebo-controlled trials are considered the gold standard method for testing the efficiency of medications, therapies or treatments.

The scientists expressed that they were greatly surprised by their findings, since finally, they were able to provide new, objective evidence that mindfulness meditation reduces pain in a unique way. The study also showed that mindfulness meditation is mechanistically different from other activities.

The study relied on a dual approach: pain ratings and brain imaging. Some 75 healthy patients were placed into one of four different groups: mindfulness meditation, placebo meditation (fake meditation), placebo cream, or control.

Pain was assessed by heating participants’ skin to 120.2ºC using a thermal probe. The participants then reported the intensity of pain felt, and the unpleasantness of the pain. Brain imaging scans were used, with magnetic resonance imaging technology, to view changes in the brain before and after meditation, placebo, etc.

The mindfulness meditation participants reported a 27 per cent reduction in pain intensity and a 44 per cent reduction in unpleasantness. The placebo cream group had an 11 and 13 per cent drop in the same categories. The MRI imaging also showed significant differences: patterns of brain activity varied between groups, with mindful mediation activating areas in the brain linked to the self-control of pain. Another area of the brain, the thalamus, was deactivated during mindfulness meditation, in contrast to all other conditions. When the thalamus is turned off, it can cause pain signals to diminish or disappear.

Because mindfulness meditation is able to reduce the intensity of pain and our emotional response to it, scientists suggest that four 20-minute sessions be used daily among patients receiving pain treatment in hospital settings. It can also be argued that everyone, even those not experiencing great pain, should introduce mindfulness meditation into their daily routine, to combat minor pain and to avail of the many other benefits of this practice.

The above study is not the only one to shed new light on mindfulness; one study, carried out by scientists at the Massachusetts General Hospital, found that participation in an eight-week mindfulness meditation program promotes measurable changes in the brain regions related to empathy, stress, memory and sense of self. The study revealed that meditation does not only promote a state of peacefulness; it also has cognitive and psychological benefits that last throughout the day. MR images showed that those who meditate have more grey matter in the hippocampus (which is responsible for learning and memorisation). The same effect can be seen in the parts of the brain responsible for compassion, self-awareness and introspection.

Finally, a study carried out in February, 2014, by researchers at the Association for Psychological Science, showed that mindfulness can help us make more rational decisions, by enabling us to remain in the present moment and make choices without being subject to past prejudices and biases. Meditation reduces the extent to which we focus on the past and future, and reduces the burden of negative emotions. Interestingly, there is also plenty of research indicating that by setting just a few minutes aside per day to focus on breathing and mindfulness, we can reap a plethora of benefits which includes greater spirituality, lower stress levels, and an increase in our quality of life, as we begin to exist the way we were meant to: in the here and now.

Further reading:
Newswise.com, Mindfulness Meditation Trumps Placebo in Pain Reduction, accessed January, 2016.
Harvard Medical School, Mindfulness meditation may ease anxiety, mental stress, accessed March, 2015.
M Goya et al., Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being. JAMA Internal Medicine, 2014; 174(3):357-368.
Mindful.org, The Science of Mindfulness, accessed January, 2016.
Nau.edu, Mindfulness Training has Positive Health Benefits, accessed January, 2016.
Brown.edu, What is Mindfulness, accessed January, 2016.

The picture shows Statue of Shiva in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, performing yogic meditation in the Padmasana posture shared under creative commons from Wikipedia

Begin a Journey to Improve your Body, Mind & Spirit

Here is an article sent to me by freelance writer Helen Young about personal development through mind, body and spirit:

It is strange how little our society cares for the health of our body, mind, and spirit. In a time when we need to focus on this trio more than ever, we have a society that is more energised to promote global economies and rush us into the future than making sure our spirits are pure, our minds clear, and our bodies in good health.

Even though it should be a priority, these things aren’t even mentioned. We’re all here for a limited amount of time - shouldn’t we work hard to make this journey joyous and complete for all of us? Perhaps if we could all live in the woods, we’d recapture that magic sooner. Alas, for too many people there are unavoidable logistical issues to think about - bills to pay, cars to run, and mouths to food.

This article is directed at people who know they need to improve their body, mind, and spirit, but who also feel entrenched, for the time being at least, in a way of life from which they cannot escape. For those people, here are a list of some actions that will set you on the right path.

Gratitude
When we’re less than happy with our lives, it’s easy to focus solely on the negative aspects in our day-to-day routines. However, take a step back and you’ll find that there’s much to be grateful about. If you have shelter, food, and the other essentials of life in your world, then you’re set up to achieve whatever it is you want to achieve. The rest is all willpower! If you’re determined to improve your well being, then you can. The first step is taking a step back and acknowledging all the good things you have. If you’re going to undertake a journey, it’s right to do it on a positive note. Show gratitude and move forward.

Forgiveness
Your soul needs to be clear of agony, doesn’t it? Though it can be difficult, you need to let go of the anger and sorrow that can plague our days and which tear our soul to pieces. This step isn’t always easy. In some cases, it can be showing forgiveness towards a person who you vowed never to forgive. However, in the end, who does your anger really hurt? The person or people who have hurt you are living a spiritually impure lives, and that’s the worst punishment they’ll ever face. Move on and, again, move forward.

Get in Touch with your Primal Being
Our spirits and bodies are in lock-down mode for the majority of our lives. When we go to work, step on a train, or lock ourselves in our automobiles, then we’re entrapping ourselves in a way of being that comes loaded with rules, rules that hurt us spiritually. In my view, nobody has ever gone to the woods and come back feeling worse. Have you ever wanted to sleep among the trees and howl at the moon? I’ll bet you have. It’s a re-connection with nature that we just don’t have any more. Spend a few days under a billion stars and everything will become more clear. And I’m serious about the howling too - you’re a magnificent creature and there’s no reason for you to be silent.

Treat your Body as it Should be Treated
Your body is a temple, a force of nature that even the best scientists cannot understand. There’s so much more to us than we currently know. Until we gain that enlightenment, we have to treat our bodies as they deserve to treated. Who knows what damage the crazy chemicals of fast-food and microwave meals is doing to us? Our ancestors' food didn’t grow in a lab, and they were much more spiritually enlightened that we are. Focus on the gifts of the earth, such as fruits and vegetables, and be wary of poisoning your body with food that the animals, with their heightened sense and atunement to their needs, know not to eat. Once you’re eating well, stretch and give thanks to the day. Your body and mind will feel alive.

We’re a long way off being at our spiritual best, but we’re on the right track. By adopting these methods you can start your journey to being the best you can be.

Resources
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vegetables-and-fruits/
http://www.ithaca.edu/icc/themes/mindbodyspirit/
http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/enhance-your-wellbeing/environment/nature-and-us/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing
http://ellisonchair.tamu.edu/health-and-well-being-benefits-of-plants/
http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_Archives/bookchin/HerberChem.html
http://nccc.georgetown.edu/body_mind_spirit/

Review: Divine Magic by Doreen Virtue - The Kybalion

I've just been reading a book called Divine Magic: The Seven Sacred Secrets of Manifestation,which is an annotated version of an old tome called The Kybalion. And The Kybalion is a bit of a mystery.

Claiming to offer the secrets of hermetic philosophy and magic passed down from the mythical ancient founder of magic, Hermes Trismegistus, The Kybalion was first published in 1908, with the author or authors given the pseudonym of "the Three Initiates", but no one really knows who wrote it.

Divine Magic,on the other hand, has an author - Doreen Virtue, renowned for her well-respected books about mind, body, spirit teachings relating to healing. She first published Divine Magic - with the subtitle A New Interpretation of the Classic Hermetic Manual The Kybalion - in 2006, but a new edition has just been released and I was delighted to get a copy to review.

I have to admit it plugs an embarrassing gap in my reading as The Kybalion is one of those books I probably should have read long ago. My grandma - who was a Theosophist - owned an old copy, but it had looked a bit too dauntingly dry for me to pick up. I assumed it would be written in a stilted, archaic manner and be difficult to understand.

Doreen Virtue's Divine Magic isn't dry and archaic at all and has a look that is more appealing and prettier too. It is actually quite delightful to read, if you are into personal development - because that's what it is about. Doreen describes it as "a classic esoteric self-help book".

The teachings in The Kybalion and Divine Magic are divided into seven basic principles. The first is mentalism, that everything is mind and that our mental powers are paramount in personal development and in achieving our desires. The second is correspondence: "As above, so below, as below, so above." The third is vibration - the concept that everything vibrates and that the difference between our earthly plane and higher planes is the rate of vibration. The fourth is polarity - that things that appear to be opposite, such as love and hate, are just each end of a sliding scale and so can meet in the middle, if we let them. The fifth is rhythm, and the concept that by being aware of the rhythm of our moods and of life we can learn not to be controlled by their ups and downs. The sixth is cause and effect - that nothing happens just by chance. The seventh is gender - that we all have within us both male and female energies, which we should aim to get in harmony and balance.

The book primarily offers visualisation exercises to master those principles. The main one being to see our situation as being on a scale with a sliding lever. To change our mood from sad to happy, we visualise sliding the lever up to the happy end of the scale; for example, we slide the lever from poor to affluent to attract wealth if we are suffering poverty or from sad to happy if we have the blues. There is a lot more to it than that, of course, but you probably need to read the book if you are intrigued.

Publisher Hay House says: "In this book, Doreen Virtue uncovers the Divine magic teachings of the Egyptian sage Hermes Trismegistus. His teachings, called 'Hermetics', were only taught verbally or in very cryptic writings. In 1908, three Hermetic students wrote these teachings in a book called The Kybalion. In Divine Magic, Doreen Virtue presents a clear, edited version of The Kybalion, written in a way that is both modern and easy to understand."

Whether that history of the book and description of its origin is true or not, I don't know. As I said, it is a mystery. But then, a bit of mystery makes a book more appealing rather than less appealing doesn't it?

Links and previous related posts
Divine Magic: The Seven Sacred Secrets of Manifestation
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/05/review-angel-tarot-cards-by-doreen.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/09/review-guardian-angel-tarot-cards.html

Review: NLP - How to Use it to Change Your Life

I’m going to be honest, I was not a fan of NLP. I pretty much avoided anything to do with it, despite the fact that several pagan friends, who I respect a lot, are NLP practitioners. The thing is, NLP (or Neuro-Linguistic Programming) always made me think of pushy door-to-door salesmen.

Back when I was younger, door-to-door salesmen were one of my pet hates. They seemed to be constantly knocked at my flat, trying to persuade me to buy encyclopedias, kitchen appliances, double glazing or some other stuff I didn’t need. And they would try to use psychological techniques that I discovered were NLP.

But I was wise to them. When they tried to get me to mirror a nod, thinking I would then nod to anything, I would instead shake my head. When they asked me: “Would you choose the basic set or the deluxe model?” instead of falling into their trap of guided questions, I would clearly say: “I don’t want either, thank you.” My favourite – although not strictly speaking NLP – was when they went over to the large cage in my room thinking that praising my cute pet would be a winner. I loved the change in expression while they said: “What a lovely...rat...” Rats are actually lovely pets, but that’s a further digression.

So, you might be wondering why I asked to review Hay House Basics: NLP.Well, I’ve been reviewing pretty much all the other books in the Hay House Basics series and been impressed. They explain mind, body, spirit subjects in clear and simple terms, are aimed at beginners and are generally entertaining to read. I also thought it might do me good to learn about NLP – at the very least it could warn me of more pushy sales techniques to be on the look-out for.

I read the first few pages through gritted teeth, but then started to warm to the subject, particularly when author Ali Campbell wrote, about ethics: “I trust you’ll use this knowledge positively and only ever ethically and for the greater good.” Yes, I would, and I'm glad to hear that many NLP practitioners do.

Essentially, when dealing with others, NLP is about communication skills – building a good rapport. This is useful in all aspects of life that involve talking to people, from work to socialising to dealing with sales staff. You can also use NLP techniques on yourself, such as for tackling phobias, coping with stress and (my downfall) avoiding the temptation of cake when on a diet. Sure, NLP can be used unethically – to try to make people buy stuff they don’t need, for example – but it can also be used ethically, to promote harmony, peace and goodwill.

Publisher Hay House describes the book (its full title being NLP: How to Use Neuro-Linguistic Programming to Change Your Life)as: "An introduction to one of the most powerful and exciting psychological techniques in use today, and how you can use it to make positive changes in your life."

Ali Campbell certainly won me round and has inspired me to learn more. I might even check if my local adult education centre is running evening classes in NLP this autumn.

To find out more, Hay House's website for the Basics series is: http://www.hayhousebasics.com/. At the site you can find free downloads to go with each Basics book.


Links and previous related posts
NLP: How to Use Neuro-Linguistic Programming to Change Your Life (Hay House Basics)
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/review-hay-house-basics-mindfulness.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/04/review-hay-house-basics-lucid-dreaming.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/07/review-hay-house-basics-energy-healing.html

Review: Hay House Basics - Mindfulness

I don't say this often, but this is a book that changed my life. Okay, the change was more a subtle shift than a world-turned-upside-down kind of thing, but I do believe my life altered for the better through reading Mindfulness: How to Live Well by Paying Attention.

The book is in the Hay House Basics series, which the publisher says offers: "Introductory titles on core topics in the areas of self-development and mind, body, spirit... these books aim to de-mystify popular esoteric subjects so that anyone can understand them."

My previous attempts at making my life more mindful had been short lived. I had done quite a few meditations and mindfulness exercises, but never managed to turn them into a daily practice despite many resolutions to do so. Hay House Basics: Mindfulness changed my life by teaching me I shouldn't beat myself up over that, I should be compassionate with myself.

Author Ed Halliwell says: "Mindfulness is a training where being critical and trying too hard doesn't produce results... compassion is key. Whenever we hear the voice of the slave driver, telling us that we are not doing it right, or that we're a useless meditator, we can use this as a reminder to open up to kindness."

I started reading the book while I was having a short break with my husband. On the last morning of the holiday, we were sitting in a lovely cafe in Glastonbury waiting for a pair of full English breakfasts to turn up. We should have been happy, but we weren't. Both of us was feeling down because the holiday was nearly over. Then I got an idea inspired from my reading; I suggested we eat our breakfasts mindfully - not talking, just savouring the food, experiencing the smells, tastes and sensations.

We did that, and afterwards we not only agreed that the food had been delicious, but also that we both felt a lot happier. Mindfulness had brought us back to the holiday, rather than our thoughts about the future spoiling the experience of the present. After breakfast, the rest of the morning was delightful too - and we even felt cheerful on the journey home.

Since then I have practised mindfulness pretty much every day - but not by setting a special time aside to meditate. I have been mindful on commuter trains, mindful doing the housework and mindful curled up on the sofa stroking the cat. And if anyone wants to tell me I am not doing mindfulness right, I will listen with compassion - or at least try to.

Apart from the lesson of compassion, I found myself nodding with agreement at many other things in the book. The technique of using mindfulness to face fears, rather than attempting to use positive thinking to make the fears go away, was another that particularly resonated with me. I've always said that if there's a wasp in the room I prefer to be aware of its location rather than stick a towel over my head and pretend it isn't there.

As with the other Hay House Basics, the subject is explained clearly and concisely. There are exercises to do, each chapter has a summary at the end - and there is a good index in the book as well.

Hay House says: "In Mindfulness: How to Live Well by Paying Attention, mindfulness teacher Ed Halliwell makes this increasingly popular subject accessible to beginners. Featuring practical exercises you can try for yourself, it presents traditional mindfulness teaching alongside the increasing body of scientific evidence that shows these practices have huge potential for enhancing our health and wellbeing. Explore the basic approaches that will help you discover more mindfulness, learn how to take this practice into your everyday life, and experience the benefits for yourself."


To find out more, Hay House's website for the series is: http://www.hayhousebasics.com/. At the site you can find free downloads to go with each Basics book. This includes a free audio meditation on mindfulness.

Links
Mindfulness: How to Live Well by Paying Attention (Hay House Basics)
http://edhalliwell.com/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/02/review-hay-house-basics-crystals.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/01/review-angels-lead-new-series-of-basics.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/09/review-mindful-living-by-miraval.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/11/review-mindful-london-find-calm-in-city.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/06/review-meditation-experience.html

Soul and Spirit Awards: Nominate Your Favourite Blog

Soul and Spirit magazine has just launched the Soul and Spirit Awards 2015 and is looking for nominations. One of the categories is most inspiring spiritual blog, so I am rather hoping that anyone who reads and enjoys A Bad Witch's Blog might consider nominating me.

The awards aim to find the best experts and brands in the spirituality industry, trusted and loved by thousands of people within the spiritual community and across the UK. Celebrating all things spiritual and holistic, from life coaches and psychics to retreats, workshops, websites and blogs, readers and online visitors will be voting to award a Gold, Silver and Bronze Award in each of the following categories:

• Best-loved psychic
• Best-loved astrologer
• Best-loved angel expert
• Most inspiring life coach
• Favourite mind, body, spirit author
• Best spiritual book of the year
• Most entertaining haunted event
• Best spiritual course/workshop provider
• Most-loved natural/organic beauty brand
• Best mind, body, spirit experience
• Best retreat/healing centre
• Most inspiring spiritual blog
• Favourite spiritual website
• Favourite online shop

The Soul and Spirit editorial team will also be awarding individual Diamond Awards for:
• Columnist of the year
• Outstanding contribution to the spirituality industry

Online visitor nominations are live now and close on April 19. You can nominate your favourite brands, places, products, writers and spiritual experts by filling in a form in the magazine or via the Soul and Spirit website. All entries will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win Stella and Dot prizes worth more than £500.

The magazine will reveal which spiritual experts and brands have been shortlisted in the July issue (on sale June 19) and when the voting stage will then begin. The voting period closes on 20 September and results will be published in the November issue 2015, (on sale 16 October 2015).

Extract: Crystal Prescriptions 2 by Judy Hall

This August, O Books is publishing Crystal Prescriptions Volume 2.The A-Z guide to over 1,250 conditions and their new generation healing crystals is by Judy Hall, who is renowned for her books on Crystals, including The Crystal Bible.Here is an extract from Crystal Prescriptions 2 so you can get an idea of what the book will be about:


Crystal Preliminaries
Whether you are a newcomer to the crystal world or an experienced healer, this directory will help you to find exactly what you need for your healing work. The original Crystal Prescriptions covered crystals that were readily available at the time of writing, many of which dealt with physical symptoms. But the crystal world has moved on rapidly since then and more than 450 new crystals have come on to the market so a new volume is called for.

It does not supersede the first volume. It is an adjunct to it. Many of these new generation stones have a higher vibration than those historically available. They rapidly raise awareness, lifting the frequency of the physical and subtle bodies, helping to assimilate an influx of higher vibrational energies and expanding awareness. Nevertheless, the new generation stones still have a practical healing application, although for some that healing takes place at a psychological, psyche or soul level.

The New High Vibration Crystals
In the last few years there has been an influx of exceptionally high vibration crystals that are harnessing the power of the highest dimensions to assist humankind to evolve. The frequency of these crystals is finer and lighter than those previously known.

Where they really come into their own is in helping to bring about a vibrational shift of consciousness for the Earth and everyone on it. Literally taking us into a new dimension – or, rather, opening all possible dimensions. Indeed, there are many crystals becoming available now whose stated aim is to usher in a ‘new age of awareness’ of being both human and divine at one and the same time.

However, the crystals also point out that we cannot achieve this unity until we’ve done our own personal healing and growth work – with which they also assist. These new crystals didn’t arrive with instructions for use (but you can use my book The Crystal Experience to learn how to tune in yourself). It’s rather like having a totally new programme installed on a computer without operating instructions and then having to fathom out exactly how to utilise the enormous potential it offers.

Fortunately I’ve been running crystal workshops that have attracted some very experienced crystal workers and ‘beginners’ who were eager to learn so we’ve explored that potential together and you can reap the benefit in this book.

Definition of Healing
In the context of this book, disease or illness is a dis-ease, the final manifestation of spiritual, environmental, psychological, karmic, emotional, mental or physical imbalance or distress.

Healing means bringing mind, body and spirit back into balance and facilitating evolution for the soul. It occurs at a subtle energetic level. It does not imply a cure.

What Does this New Directory Do?
This directory is, as with volume 1, first and foremost a ‘first-aid’ guide to assist you to deal with specific issues. It lists conditions and matches them to the crystals that can heal them, whether the issue arises at a physical, emotional, mental or spiritual level.

However, crystal healing does not deal primarily with specific conditions. Being a holistic system, it addresses dis-ease on more subtle levels, often bringing to light the underlying causes of a condition. This is particularly so when using the new generation high vibration stones as they rapidly clear blockages before realigning the whole system.

Why are So Many More Crystals Included?
Well, apart from the fact that so many more crystals are now available, there are infinite possibilities to cover because every body is different. As I’ve said, crystal workers believe that the frequency of our planet and of our bodies is being raised. That our consciousness is expanding through multidimensions and that each person is at a unique and very personal stage of spiritual unfoldment and assimilation of the new vibrations.
Therefore, different crystals are required depending on individual energetic frequencies. There are crystals to remove blockages and to adjust the physical and subtle bodies to facilitate the assimilation of the new vibrations, and also ones that take a fresh approach to old problems. Many of these crystals work from the spiritual level of being, having a subtle effect on the mental, emotional, psychic and physical bodies.

An internationally known author, astrologer, psychic, healer and workshop leader, Judy Hall has been a karmic counsellor for over 45 years and is the author of the million selling Crystal Bibles. Her books have been translated into fifteen languages.

Her first novel Torn Cloudswas published by (O Books), February 2005. O Books also publishes Crystal Prescriptions Volume 1.

She lives in Dorset, UK. She was recently voted the Kindred Spirit MBS personality of the year 2014 and has appeared four times on the Watkins MBS list of 100 most spiritually influential living writers. The photo to the left shows Judy with her Kindred Spirit award.

Links and previous related posts
Crystal Prescriptions volume 2: the A-Z guide to over 1,250 conditions and their new generation healing crystals
http://www.o-books.com/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/06/review-crystal-bible-v2.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/08/pagan-eye-austin-osman-spares-scrying.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/11/review-sacred-stones-and-crystals.html

This Week's Pagan Events In and Around London

Saturday 1 March; The Testament of Cyprian the Mage. Book launch of a two-volume work by Jake Stratton-Kent comprising The Book of Saint Cyprian and his Magical Elements and an elucidation of The Testament of Solomon. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London, Eng WC1A 1LY. Time: 7pm. Phone Bali on 020 7405 2120 for more details.

Saturday 1 March; Hendon Heathens Moot - free meeting open to all paths on the first Saturday of every month. Venue: The Greyhound, Church End, Hendon, London NW4 4JT. Time: 6pm-9pm at the pub, then over the road to Jammy Dodgers Variety Club for live blues and rock jam, dancing and more pints until 2am.

1-2 March 2014; Footsteps On The Shamanic Path 2014. Crafting Medicine Tools and Creating Ceremony. First of a four-part introduction to shamanism course at Caer Corhain Shamamic Development Centre of the Isle of Sheppey, North Kent. Cost: £70 per weekend course. For more details and information on how to book, visit http://www.touchtheearthuk.com/

Sunday 2 March; Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony to honour the Goddess Isis - Thames-Isis ceremony at Richmond by the River Thames. Hosted by Mani and Pagan Frontiers of London. Free event. Meet at Richmond Rail/Tube station by 1pm for a walk up to the riverside for the Isis ceremony. For more details, visit www.PaganFrontiersOfLondon.com

Sunday 2 March; The Caretakers of the Cosmos. Talk by Gary Lachman based on his recent book, The Caretakers of the Cosmos: Living Responsibly in an Unfinished World.Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8EA. Time: 6pm. Fee per meeting: £7/£5/ TS members: £4. Website: www.theosoc.org.uk

Monday 3 March; Psychic Circle run by Shamanic Spirit at a venue in Croydon, South London. The circle is held on Mondays fortnightly starting at 7.30pm. Cost £5. For more details and to book places call 07952 041477. For more information, visit http://shamanicspirit.co.uk/.

Monday 3 March; Cúchulainn and the Crow Queen. Storytelling with Bernard Kelly at Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £10, advance booking recommended. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Monday 3 March; The Wisdom of Near Death Experiences.Talk by Dr Penny Sartori at Alternatives, St. James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LL. Time: 7pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £12/£8 concs. Advance booking required. To book tickets and for more info visit the Alternatives website: http://www.alternatives.org.uk/Site/Talks.aspx

Tuesday 4 March; Where Time Becomes Space. Talk by Marion Briggs at Steiner House, 35 Park Rd, London NW1. Time: 7.30pm - 9pm. Cost £3.50. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/

Tuesday 4 March; Cobwebs and Cauldrons Moot. Venue: White Horse, 118 High Rd, Chadwell Heath, London RM6 6NU. Doors open 7.30pm, talk starts 8pm. Cost: £4 donation.

Friday 7 March; Temple of Levanah Monthly Meditative Circle with Vivianne Crowleyand Chris Crowley. Venue: Treadwell's Books 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.20pm - 9pm. Cost: £8 per session. Space is limited so it is essential to book your place in advance by emailing: BMDeosil@aol.com

Friday 7 March; An Interactive Demonstration of Tarot and Psychic Mediumship with Avril Price. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Cost: £10/£12 Advance booking advised. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit http://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/index.html

Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 March; I Can Do It Ignite! Described as "an urban retreat to bring harmony to your mind, body and spirit", this weekend event offers talks and workshops on wellbeing and spirituality with renowned speakers and authors. Venue: The Great Hall, Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ. Tickets from £99. Find our more and book at www.i-can-do-it-ignite.co.uk

Saturday 8 March; Seriously Staked - One-Day Vampire Symposium co-organised by ASSAP (the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena) and the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at Goldsmiths College, University of London. Venue: Goldsmiths College, University of London, New Cross, London SE14 6NW. Early bird tickets £15, regular tickets £25. More details and ticket booking: http://www.assap.ac.uk/SeriouslyStaked/

Saturday 8 March; Embracing Your Dark Side - with Aang, Lidija and Vaz of London College of Spirituality. Venue: Conference Room, Canterbury Hall, 11 – 18 Cartwright Gardens, London. Start: noon. Cost: £33. For more details and to book places visit http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/

Sunday 9 March; Stonehenge centre circle full moon rite with The Order of the Horse and Moon via The London Wicca Meetup Group. This is a ritual with planned access to the centre circle of Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, for the Lenten Moon. English Heritage is charging £21 per person attending. For full details and to reserve spaces, visit http://www.meetup.com/The-London-Wicca-Meetup-Group

Sunday 9 March; Woodland Wicca Circle - an introductory-level Wiccan ritual with some basic instructions in Wicca, witchcraft and ritual magic, suitable for newcomers and beginners to the Craft. These rituals are part of a monthly training programme facilitated by Gardnerian HP Mani of Pagan Frontiers and author of Coven Guide: Become an Initiated Witch.. The events take place outdoors at London locations including Richmond Park, Trent Park, Queen’s Woods, woods in Croydon, Hyde Park and riverside locations by Thames. The events are free but small donations to running costs are appreciated. For more details and to reserve a place, visit: http://www.witchcraftandmagic.org/html/wicca_full_moon_rituals.html

Sunday 9 March; Gong Meditation as part of the Peace in the City events for the Jamyang Buddhist Centre. Venue: Jamyang Centre, 43 Renfrew Street, London SE11. The gong meditation is from 3pm -4.30pm, the Peace in the City event runs from 1pm-5pm and includes a variety of complementary therapy tasters. http://www.jamyang.co.uk/