Healing From The Inside Out

More than just ideas to help you during times of crisis and trouble, Mind Over Matter has something for everyone - to help you on your journey towards becoming more conscious, empowered, successful, and joyful.

Announcing: The upcoming release of my new e-Book "Natural Cures for Depression." This book contains all of the most effective and powerful, drug-free methods I've found for overcoming depression, and living a life of joy, peace and purpose. I had planned to release this book in March, but due to some delays, I hope to have it available by end of April. Stay tuned!

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy."

-The Dalai Lama - Exiled head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people

Here Comes the Sun

Meditating, or doing Yoga in the morning sun are a wonderful addition to your self-care routine.

For more information about the benefits of Sunlight and Solar Meditations, visit: Solar Meditations

Light Therapy Technology

One of several companies that has a good reputation, is Apollo. I've seen some impressive results with a cute little portable model that isn't too outrageous in price. What makes it interesting, is that instead of it being a full spectrum light, it is only Blue light. Blue light is the only part of the spectrum (normally invisible to us), that actually activates the brain to produce more of the neurotransmitter Serotonin. It's called the "Golite." Available for around 150 dollars. If you buy through Cosco Online, you can get it for a discount.

Warning: If you have Bipolar Disorder - use this only for depressive episodes. There is a high risk of inducing mania by using light therapy when it is not needed (when you are not depressed), or from using it for too long a period, or during the summer months when there is already an abundance of sunlight. Chart your mood and sleep daily. If you experience any symptoms of mania (racing thoughts, insomnia, sharp increase in energy, grandiose thoughts or delusions, etc), then discontinue use and talk to your psychiatrist immediately.

Energy Psychology and EFT

I have found no psychological healing technique more effective than EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), when it comes to treating depression, (as well as anxiety, traumas, and phobias), in my own clinical practice.

The wonderful thing about EFT is that anyone can learn the technique and use it on themselves once they become proficient at it. It can be very helpful to work with a therapist first.

EFT is incredible - I could even say miraculous - for treating a wide array of different psychological/emotional and even physical ills. But it's use for treating Depression is one that I'm particularly interested in. There are millions of people in the world with depression. I wish they could all know about this technique!

The method involves simple tapping on a sequence of acupressure points on yourself (or someone else can tap on them for you), while keeping the mind focused on the specific symptom or disturbance that you are wishing to eliminate. The is an art to doing this effectively, but even beginners can achieve incredible results immediately.

The developer of the EFT technique, Gary Craig, notes that he's observed three basic categories of depression:

1) Depression that is fairly uncomplicated, and disappears within a few minutes of applied EFT.

2) Depression that is more complex, connected to multiple unresolved emotional issues - such as guilt, shame, grief, anger, past abuse, low self-esteem, and so on. This also is highly treatable with EFT, but requires more skill to weed out the various core issues, and apply the EFT to each one separately.

3) Depression that is due to a toxin, or other type of allergic reaction to a substance. I would include in this category, any type of biological or chemical factor, including inadequate nutrition, substance abuse, and other unhealthy life-style issues. Even this type of depression can be treated with EFT, but usually the offending substance must be removed in order for recovery to be successful.

Learn more about EFT

Any therapy or technique that is simple, unexplainable, profoundly effective, inexpensive, and fast, often has the potential to arouse suspicion, distrust, and even ridicule or anger from the "mainstream." A therapist or doctor who has invested thousands in their education, and poured their heart and soul into a way of treating patients, that may be expensive, and/or take months or even many years of therapy, may feel threatened by a method that claims to achieve positive results in minutes.

I urge you to suspend your disbelief, keep an open mind, and try it for yourself. If it doesn't give you significant results, don't blame the technique. Although it is "simple," it is also subtle, and there is an art to making EFT work for you. Be persistent, and "tap on everything." Try it on any and all issues - physical or emotional. And when in doubt, work with a therapist who is trained in EFT.

I highly recommend this very short video about EFT:

Meditation: Beyond Mind and Body

"THE FINEST EMOTION OF WHICH WE ARE CAPABLE IS THE MYSTIC EMOTION"

"Herein lies the germ of all art and all true science. Anyone to whom this feeling is alien, who is no longer capable of wonderment and lives in a state of fear is a dead man. To know that what is impenatrable for us really exists and manifests itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, whose gross forms alone are intelligible to our poor faculties - this knowledge, this feeling ... that is the core of the true religious sentiment. In this sense, and in this sense alone, I rank myself among profoundly religious men."

-Albert Einstein

This is both unrealistic and unhelpful to yourself to hold on to such a goal. Do away with all judgments of "right" and "wrong." The mind is like the weather. It changes constantly. You can't predict which way the wind will blow, or how hard. If you become attached to the idea of controlling the mind -- the mind will always win.

The mind, with all it's random, repetitive, upsetting, disturbing, mesmerizing, tantalizing thoughts, desires, regrets, wishes, desires, and fantasies -- will never bring you any true or lasting joy. Thoughts are a useful tool, but will never show you your true self. We become so identified with our thoughts and beliefs that we become imprisoned by them.

Consciousness -- the real Self -- is a limitless source of bliss. It is not dependent on others, or on anything outside of yourself. Because nothing exists outside of Consciousness. Consciousness is not confined to the body or the mind. So, the first and most important step in learning to meditate, is to give up the goal of clearing the mind. The clouds of the mind will clear, just like the sky will reveal the sun -- without your effort. Be patient, be consistent and be compassionate with yourself.

Meditation is the practice of concentration. You may focus on passively observing the thoughts, feelings and sensations as they pass by. Or you can focus only on the breath, or on a mental image, or sound. Don't resist your thoughts, or you give them too much power. Accept them, but don't react to them. Get absorbed in the breath... Learn more about yoga and meditation for health, happiness and vitality.

A Few Words of Caution:

If you have any family history of psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder - or have any of these issues yourself - then I'd be more inclined to suggest Mindfulness Meditation - in moderation - to gradually develop an inner observing consciousness, and to become more aware of the inner landscape of your mind and body. Some yogic practices are very powerful and can trigger mania or psychosis in those with a vulnerability to this.

Anyone with persistent suicidal ideation, dissociative episodes, or severe self-critical or disturbing thoughts or unresolved traumatic memories should work with a therapist and/or qualified meditation teacher to provide close guidance and safety. Sometimes intensive meditation can seem to worsen these symptoms before improving them, and can increase the tendency to dissociate more.

The Best Place to Start is Here and Now

Meditation may free you from many self-imposed limitations, fears, and unhealthy attachments, but the results come gradually, and only through regular practice. With practice, the results can be more far reaching than just about anything else you might do for yourself.

Try meditating right now. Put on some headphones and click play to listen to my guided meditations. Find a comfortable, quiet place to sit as you listen. These two gentle 15 minute meditations should give you a good start (sorry they're not downloadable at this time):

The Dirty Truth About Drug Companies