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.

This Month’s Recommended Merlian News Articles:

Merryn’s Musings by Merryn Jose
Spiritual Awakenings: Scientists & Academics Describe Their Experiences

I’ve been reading the recently published book, Spiritual Awakenings: Scientists and Academics Describe Their Experiences, edited by neuroscientist Marjorie Woollacott and David Lorimer. In this book 57 scientists and academics discuss how their experience of spiritual awakening transformed their philosophical world-view and perception of reality. I have found that many of their stories validate my own experiences over the years. This in itself is a profound revelation for me, as I have had these events all my life, but found so few people, apart from my clairvoyant mother, Maureen Treanor, who also experienced these on a regular basis, with whom I could share.

Liminal Moments by Cheryl Shainmark
When Your Body Speaks: Paying Attention to Food Cravings

Several weeks ago I caught a doozy of a cold, leaving me with a stuffed head, chronically runny nose, sore throat and a bit of a cough. Bad enough for the first few days, weeks later it seemed like it just wouldn’t go away. I didn’t have the flu or strep throat or bronchitis, but the symptoms lingered. Finally, after weeks of getting more rest and watching my diet, it passed. During that time I ate lightly, (when I wasn’t sleeping,) but found myself throwing handfuls of thyme and garlic into virtually everything – from scrambled eggs to soup. It was a little bizarre, actually, but it seems my body was telling me what it needed to heal.

Books
Supernatural Family International Cookbook by Nancy Mehagian 

Our reviewer writes, “The Super Natural Family International Cookbook is a thoughtful compendium of kid-friendly recipes from around the world. Nancy Mehagian, the author of two prior award winning books – the culinary memoir Siren’s Feast: An Edible Odyssey, and the Supernatural Kids Cookbook – has knocked it out of the park again with her newest effort. Families and kids are going to love these recipes.”

Meditation
The Science is In: Meditation Affects Aging and Telomere Length 

Science is all about precision, controlled studies, and measurable, repeatable results. So for years researchers resisted working on alternative practices such as meditation, dismissing the few studies done as “fuzzy science,” “subjective,” or “impossible to duplicate.” But as research methods have advanced, so has the accuracy of the latest research. There is ample evidence now that stress leads to increased risk of health problems and that meditation reduces stress. What’s new are the studies showing how stress is related to aging and telomere length.

Website of the Month
www.bioneers.org

Environment
Bioneers: Restoring People and Planet

Bioneers is an innovative nonprofit educational organization that highlights breakthrough solutions for restoring people and the planet. Founded in 1990 by social entrepreneurs Kenny Ausubel and Nina Simons, Bioneers has acted as a hub of social and scientific innovators with practical and visionary solutions for the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. Their programs include radio shows, podcasts, youth fellowship, women’s leadership, and more.

Thank you once more, for your positive feed back and support!

Merryn Jose – Editor In Chief & Publisher
Cheryl Shainmark – Senior Editor