Gaia is a quiet powerhouse of research and consciousness. Jude Currivan’s premise, that the earth is a sentient, evolving being that has been supporting and participating in our own human evolution for thousands of years, is luminous in scope and hopeful in its message for navigating these changeable times.

I first came across Victor and Wendy Zammit’s website, The Afterlife Report, around June of 2015. Since that time, I have looked forward with great excitement every week to the latest newsletter. Something always captures my attention from the mix of articles, interviews, videos, and book reviews, and I learn something new each week. I can’t count how many times that I’ve “lost” an hour because I clicked on one or more links in the newsletter!

I have been meditating for over twenty years now and find it an essential part of my life. Many have written about the substantial physical and emotional benefits, and while I’ve certainly found that to be the case, too, I’ve also noticed that there is a component of releasing “cellular memories” that is rarely addressed. People shy away from phenomena that are not so easily explained, but whether you call it “cellular memories,” “past lives,” or releasing “old patterns,” I have found that there is something extraordinary happening that also brings welcome relief to the body and the spirit.

Breathing can be trained for both positive and negative influences on health. Chronic stress can lead to a restriction of the connective and muscular tissue in the chest resulting in a decrease range of motion of the chest wall. Due to rapid more shallow breathing, the chest does not expand as much as it would with slower deeper breaths and much of the air exchange occurs at the top of the lung tissue towards the head. This results in “chest breathing.”

Our human world is in crisis. Increasing numbers of people are beginning to comprehend the perils we face. We are creating a new program of action that we think can be of help: THE NEXT STEP: A Unitary Approach to the Planetary Emergency Personal, Societal, Ecological. The conference on this subject will take place on Saturday November 12th at the New York Academy of Medicine at 5th Avenue and 103rd Street in Manhattan

Here’s a quick round up of some of our favorite articles from this month! As always, we look forward to presenting you with up to date news and information about holistic events, health and well being from both the scientific and the spiritual perspectives, nutrition, vegan lifestyles, and more.

Problems with eyesight can occur at any age, but in seniors they are more common. For most eye conditions, the risk rate increases for those over 70- or 80-years old. However, many of the eye conditions that arise as a result of age are considered to be normal by many medical professionals, although physiological or biological compensations are possible. Aging does increase the risk for some sight-threatening eye conditions, which is why it is important to be informed and to have regular eye check-ups.

Kriya Yoga is a powerful and life-changing spiritual practice that combines the spiritual techniques of yoga and meditation into a system that can be easily incorporated into your daily life. The result of regular practice is the rapid acceleration of spiritual development. Indeed, one minute of practice is said to equate to one year of natural unfoldment. In Autobiography of a Yogi, the life story of Paramahansa Yogananda, Kriya Yoga is described as “a simple, psycho-physiological method by which human blood is decarbonized and recharged with oxygen. The atoms of this extra oxygen are transmuted into life current to rejuvenate the brain and spinal centers.” Accordingly, to portray the technique of Kriya as a mere mental technique that transports the life force up and down the spinal column is a woeful oversimplification.

As the American population ages and the peak of the baby boomer generation move into their 70s, there has been a huge increase in the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Fortunately, there is a growing body of research into cause, early diagnosis and treatment, that shows great promise.