testing 1.2.3.

naturopathic medicine

well, in light of recent events, and as a follow-up to my post a while back about the robert schad naturopathic clinic in toronto, i thought that i would post a few links about naturopathy, and also give my opinion (as a skeptic of most things herbal)

wikipedia gives a general overview of the history of naturopathy, regulations, etc

kosmix gives a more you-might-want-to-know response, which i always favor (i recommend kosmixing most things!)

the canadian association of naturopathic medicine – going to the source may not be a bad plan! (and a very well done, and easy to navigate website, might i add)

so, i should say a couple of things first:

1. i’m a firm believer in using what works and discarding what doesn’t work.  the issue with that sort of perspective when considering individuals is that what works for each person is typically different.

2. not all doctors are the same.  i’ve seen some terrible MD’s and some wonderful MD’s.  i’ve also seen some terrible acupuncturists and some great ones. you just have to find the right one.

i like to think of medicine as that system which keeps me spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy.  so to that end, i have a lot more than just my GP treating me.  i have my optometrist, dentist, counselor, and the odd jar of herbal remedies appears in my mailbox from a few of my more naturopathically inclined physicians (and of course, the Baha’i Faith!) …i have to add that i have yet to find a decent naturopathic doctor where i live – so when i say shop around, i really mean it…  in any case, it’s the combination of these people that keeps me healthy (relatively).  others might add a nutritionist to their list as well (i don’t have one), or  a masseuse, etc, you get the idea.

well, that’s all for today!  hope you are all healthy and happy!

- CJ

nostalgia

sigh, today’s just one of those days that make me reflect about life.  i started my day at a hospital nearby, holding a tiny five-month old girl who is very, very ill.  i sang her the Baha’i lullabies that my mom would sing me when i was  young, and she seemed to like it enough to relax and sleep in my arms.  imagine starting out your life in a hospital, sick, and without any family to hold you and love you.   i don’t know how nurses and doctors do it.  i would die working in peds, i think.   i left, heartbroken.

then i went over to my parents, to see that my brother has my dream life.  i smile and laugh, and actually, lately, i no longer feel things.  i’m just sorta numb and there.   nevertheless, it does bug me a bit to see what he gets and what i pay for.

part of it is also probably the fact that i’m listening to the soundtrack to the holiday right now (brilliant cd by the way).  but!  it is nostalgic… in a happy, detached sorta way.

anyway – here’s a Writing that i should probably be thinking about right now… and maybe you might like

52. O SON OF MAN!
Should prosperity befall thee, rejoice not, and should abasement come upon thee, grieve not, for both shall pass away and be no more.

(Baha’u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)

anxious? concerned? confused?

i read this article last week (in the new york times) and thought that you might like it.  it’s all about our ability to weigh the risks vs benefits of a situation and judge accordingly.

what i find interesting is that it talks about how affected we are, as individuals, by an abundance or lack of information on a topic.  in other words – it states that being bombarded by information in the media makes us more anxious about those things, rather than things that might actually cause us more harm, but isn’t widely acknowledged/known.

it reminded me of the following Writing from Baha’u'llah:

What “oppression” is more grievous than that a soul seeking the truth, and wishing to attain unto the knowledge of God, should know not where to go for it and from whom to seek it? For opinions have sorely differed, and the ways unto the attainment of God have multiplied. This “oppression” is the essential feature of every Revelation. Unless it cometh to pass, the Sun of Truth will not be made manifest. For the break of the morn of divine guidance must needs follow the darkness of the night of error. For this reason, in all chronicles and traditions reference hath been made unto these things, namely that iniquity shall cover the surface of the earth and darkness shall envelop mankind.

(Baha’u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 31)

in a sense, this imposition of confusion on our society (and it’s not just by the media, and it’s not just the media’s fault) is a form of oppression.  ‘Abdu’l-Baha tells us that “When thou lookest about thee with a perceptive eye, thou wilt note that on this dusty earth all humankind are suffering.” (Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 184)  there’s various forms of suffering, of course, and i don’t mean to diminish what anyone is going through.  the reality is simply this: that in one form or another, every individual on this planet is hindered from finding truth.

you might read that and say “well, not everyone wants to look for truth”.  and i would respond: they’re all looking for something real, in some form.  and from there we would get into a discussion of conscious and unconscious search… which is a whole series of posts… and discussions, really.  because, at the end of the day, i don’t really know what i’m saying – i’m just sharing some thoughts and hoping that it creates a dialogue – somewhere, somehow.

latest favorite site!

hey everyone,

just had to tell you about an awesome site that i just found.  believe it or not, there is actually a www.bahaullah.org.  it’s a photographic narrative of the life of Baha’u'llah, Prophet Founder of the Baha’i Faith.  and for the skeptics in this audience – this narrative even taught me things, and has pictures of places i had never seen.  (and that’s sayin something!)  i highly recommend it.

-CJ

and for those days when life just doesn’t seem worth it…

tips for surviving those terrible days… or, more appropriately: temporary fixes for temporary problems…

(these are in no particular order)

1. call/email/msg a close friend. or two.  actually, two is usually better, because usually if one can’t cheer you up, the other can.  make sure this person isn’t someone who can’t joke – you’ll need humor to lighten the situation after you discuss your situation.

2. eat ice cream.

3. go for a walk, and get ice cream.

4. watch a funny movie.  (or watch something like the latest star trek – action AND comedy, all rolled into one)

5. find the nearest Baha’i gathering with happy people in attendance, and GO!  (take ice cream with you )

6. (can you tell that i like ice cream?) read the Baha’i Writings about love and joy and unity.  or just read through some stories about ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (eg. the ones in Ruhi 3 – those are bound to cheer you up!)

7. watch old episodes of the muppets or sesame street.  or…. madtv’s stewart.  (i’ve linked some to start you off)

ok, so i only have 7 ideas – the only other thing i would add is that if your situation is one that comes back to you, counselling is always a great option, and sometimes, you can find it at an affordable rate.  i used to always think that it was for pussies, but it’s actually a very helpful way to reflect on your life and understand what forces are acting on you, and how to resolve those with who you want to be.  maybe i’ll write more on that later.

star trek really was a GREAT movie.  i highly recommend that everyone see it.  it was witty and action packed – but not without a plot!  i’d totally go back to see it in theaters… and i think i will actually pay for the blu ray disc. 

cool puzzle game – 3D logic II

3D Logic Strong hold of sage

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vertigo: a matter of perception?

are the horizontal lines parallel or do they slope?

Perception is everything.  It is remarkable that reality exists, given that we are all subject to our own ability to understand and interact with it.  That is to say, our limitations govern our definitions of reality.

Recently, a friend of my mom’s had an ear infection that she was unaware of.  For the past year (she doesn’t believe in doctors, as you can see) she has been missing steps (or adding them) as she goes up and down the stairs at work.  She is young, perhaps in her 20’s and my mom has beent telling her, for months, to see a doctor.  Last week, she finally went.  The diagnosis: ear infection.  She is now on medication, and should be able to go up and down stairs, without falling, within 10 days.  The infection in this young woman’s ear was causing her perception of reality to be skewed.  She was unable to clearly define/interpret where the steps started and ended, and as a result, she was constantly falling.

In a sense, we’re all doing this.   We’re all stumbling around to some degree or another, struggling against vertigo.  In the process, we’re likely doing harm to ourselves and others.  Some of us realize that we’re feeling the effects of vertigo, and do things to actively fight it… others, though, are either satisfied with where they’re at (maybe they don’t realize that it’s not normal), or they think that the room is actually no longer spinning (they’re clearly lying to themselves).

In any case – living in such a state is clearly damaging.  Why would you want to do that?  And, as an individual watching others do this to themselves – what possible reason could I have to not get involved?

These are the questions that are plaguing my mind.  When we all seem to be lost, why not work together through the maze?  Why do we constantly fight with each other?  And if others fight with me, should I still try to work with them?

Want to see a naturopathic doctor?

a friend of mine sent me this email a few days ago… those of you who live in the toronto area might want to consider her services – i highly recommend them!   if you don’t live in TO – try looking up a naturopathic doctor.  they might just be able to do what your regular doctor can’t.  (that is, after all, why we have all types of doctors!)

Dear all,

I am writing to let you know that after 4 long years of studies in Naturopathic Medicine I am finally an intern at the Robart Schad Naturopathic Clinic (RSNC). Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care that addresses the root causes of illness, and promotes health and healing using natural therapies. For more information on naturopathic medicine and for clinic info, click here.

To book an appointment call: 416-498-9763
My clinic hours are: Tuesdays 11am – 3 pm
Thursdays 9am – 1pm
Fridays    3pm – 7 pm
Saturdays 10am -2 pm

Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested in services offered by Naturopathic doctors.
At your service,

Negin Misaghi

Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.) candidate

P.S. Almost all extended health plans, including those offered by universities, cover naturopathic services. And, since the RSNC -conveniently located on the subway line (Leslie & Sheppard) – is a teaching clinic, its rates are much much more affordable than regular naturopathic visits.

Some University Health Plans coverage:

Ryerson -$250/benefit year

UofT -$25/visit –up to 20 visits

York – $20/visit up to $300

national convention

delegates, national spiritual assembly, counsellors, and trustees of the huququ'llah at the canadian national convention

so, i said that i’d be talking a lot more about the NC as it got closer, but it seemed that i was unable to get a steady internet connection – or at least one that would allow me to be discreet… and then some other stuff came up once i did get back home.  but – i’m back!  so… onto our topic at hand.

the national convention was amazing.  really.  this was my first time serving as a delegate, but i have been to past ones as an observer.  i can honestly say that the convention is evolving as an institution.  it’s remarkable.  and our counsellors really helped us to shape the consultation and to provide as many constructive suggestions as possible – despite the fact that the questions that the national spiritual assembly put to our consideration were extremely challenging to respond to!

other than that, i don’t know what else to say.  i’d like to suggest that if anyone has any questions about the convention, or the baha’i administrative order, you can feel free to post it here, and i’ll try and answer.  that… or.. just go to the convention next year!