Health Tips-27: "To Prevent Wrinkles"

Quit smoking.
Drink lots of water.
Take a good diet of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Take Vitamin A.
Practice Relaxation Techniques.
Stop frowning too much.
Reduce intake of oily and fatty foods.
Reduce or avoid intake of sweets, particularly chocolates.

Wikipedia article on “WRINKLES”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrinkles

Grateful thanks to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

S&T Watch-25: "Brain Chemical and Obesity"

Researchers studying people with a rare genetic disorder have identified a brain chemical that may play a role in appetite and obesity, a finding they say could lead to drugs to help some obese people. Previous animal studies had pointed to this chemical as helping regulate appetite and weight, but the new study is the first to show such a role in people – Reuters.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Chennai, August 29, 2008.

Wikipedia article on “OBESITY”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity

Grateful thanks to Reuters, The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

S&T Watch-24: "Secrets of Immortality"

Scientists working on mechanisms that determine lifespan increasingly believe that the secrets of immortality could be tantalisingly close, a survey has suggested. The survey of anti-ageing research has concluded that a longevity pill to “cure” ageing remains a possibility.

Scientists argue there is no known scientific reason why ageing cannot be prevented. The goal is seen as being similar to preventing age-related diseases – PTI.

Courtesy: PTI and The Hindu, Chennai, August 29, 2008.

Wikipedia article on “IMMORTALITY”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortality

Grateful thanks to PTI, The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Eyecatchers-101: "Ankle Alerts"

Convicted South Korean sexual offenders are required to wear electronic tracking devices around their ankles from September 1, 2008.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Chennai, August 29, 2008.

Wikipedia article on “SEXUAL ABUSE”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_abuser

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia.

Facts & Figures-44: "Breastfeeding Champ!"

Four-month-old Raul Montoya won the King of Breastfeeding contest held in Lima, Peru, to mar the Breastfeeding Wekk that ended on August 29.

Excerpt from The Hindu, Chennai, August 29, 2008.

Wikipedia article on “BREASTFEEDING”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breastfeeding

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

பிருந்தாவின் கவிதைகள்-2: "சுனாமி"

அன்று -
அன்பிற்கு மனிதன்
பொறுமைக்கு நிலம்
பெருமைக்குக் கடல்.
இன்று -
ஒரு பக்கம் கொலை, கொள்ளை
மனித நேயம் என்பதே இல்லை
எங்கும் பொய், புரட்டு;
மண்ணுலகெங்கும் இருட்டு.
மனிதனின் ஆசையின் எல்லை
அதற்கோ முடிவில்லை.
நிலத்தைச் சுரண்டினான்;
கடலைச் சூறையாடினான்;
நிலம் பூகம்பமாய் வெடித்தது;
கடலும் தன் பங்கிற்கு அள்ளியது;
எதற்கும் கொடுக்கும் ‘விலை’,
இவற்றிடம் செல்லவில்லை.

(2004 டிசம்பரில் இந்தியாவைத் தாக்கிய சுனாமிக்குப்பின் எழுதியது.)

நெல்லையப்பன் கவிதைகள்-17: "நம்பிக்கை விற்பவன்"

மழையில் நனைந்தபடி வந்து,
கிளிக்கூண்டு நனையாதபடி
தன் பழைய சைக்கிளை நிறுத்திவிட்டு,
ரோட்டோர உணவகத்தின் உள்ளே,
பையத் துழாவி சில்லறைகளை
பலமுறை எண்ணிப்பார்த்துவிட்டு,
மழையால் தொழில் பாதிக்கப்பட்டதாக
மழையை கெட்டவார்த்தையில் திட்டி,
“இதெல்லாம் ஒரு பிழைப்பா?” என்று
தன்னைத்தானே நொந்துகொண்டு,
அரைச்சாப்பாடு கிடைக்குமா என்று
தயங்கியபடி கேட்டவனுக்கு,
தலைவாழை இல்லை போட்டு,
சிறப்பு சாப்பாடாக
ஒவ்வொன்றாய் பரிமாறியபடி
முதலாளி சொன்னார்:
“உன் பெருமை உனக்குப் புரியவில்லை;
அரசு செய்யமுடியாததை,
அப்பன் ஆத்தா செய்யத் தவறியதை,
கிளி ஜோதிடன், நீ செய்கின்றாய்!”
நீ நம்பிக்கை விற்கின்றாய்;
நாடிவருபவற்கு நல்லது சொல்கின்றாய்;
உருப்படாமல் போய்விடுவாய் என்று
ஒருவருக்கும் நீ சொல்வதில்லை.
இடரினி இல்லை என்றும்,
விரைவில் துன்பம் விலகும் என்றும்,
நம்பிக்கை விதைக்கும் நீ
நல்ல தொழில் செய்கின்றாய்;
உனக்கு சாப்பாடு போடுவதில்
சந்தோசம் எனக்குத்தான் ;
பணம் தரவேண்டாம் நீ,
நன்றாகச் சாப்பிடப்பா”
வயிறுமுட்டச் சாப்பிட்டபின்
கிழிக்கும் உணவு தந்துவிட்டு,
கைதொழுது சொன்னான்:
“ஐயா, பெரியவரே!
இனி எனக்கு கலக்கமில்லை,
இந்தத் தொழில் பற்றி வருத்தமில்லை,
மழையைப் பார்த்தால்ஆகாதையா!
விரைந்து நான் போக வேண்டும்,
நாலு பேருக்காவது
நம்பிக்கை கொடுக்க வேண்டும்!”

சுக வாழ்க்கைக்கு விதிகள் – பிக்ஷூ சுவாமிகள்

1. கடவுளைத் துதிப்போம். அகம்பாவத்தை ஒழிப்போம். மனக் கவலையை ஒழிப்போம். எல்லா உயிர்களிடத்தும் அன்பு காட்டுவோம். ஆசாபாசங்களை விடுவோம்.
௨. சுத்தமான காற்றில் வாசிப்போம்.
3. யோகாசனம், பிராணயாமம் முதலிய பயிற்ச்சிகள் செய்வோம்.
4. சுத்தமான தண்ணீரையே பருகுவோம். காப்பி, டீ, சோடா, மது விலக்குவோம்.
5. பசித்தே உண்போம். மாமிசம் விலக்குவோம். சைவ ஆகாரத்தையே அளவாக உண்போம். சமைக்காத பச்சைக் காய்கறி உண்பது நலம். உப்பு, காரம், புளி குறைவாகப் பயன்படுத்துவோம்.
6. அபினி, கஞ்சா, புகையிலை நீக்குவோம்.
7. சுத்தமான உடையையே குறைவாக உடுத்துவோம்.
8. சுத்தமான தண்ணீரிலேயே குளிப்போம்.
9. வாரத்தில் ஒருநாள் உபவாசம் இருப்போம். 1
10. நோய் வந்தால் நோன்பு இருப்போம். கூடிய வரையில் மருந்துகளைத் தவிர்ப்போம்.
11. பிரம்மச்சரியம் கடைப் பிடிப்போம்.
12. உலக ஆடம்பரத்திர்காகச் செலவழித்து அடிமையாகாதிருப்போம்.
13. நம்மால் இயன்றவரை உதவி செய்வோம். யாருக்கும் தீங்கு இழைக்காமல் இருப்போம்.
14. ஒருபொழுதும் சூதாடாமல் இருப்போம்.
15. மெய்ப்பொருள் ஆராய்ச்சி செய்து தன்னை அறிந்து பிரம்மானந்த மயமாக வாழ்வோம்.

நன்றி: “இயற்கை மருத்துவம், ஏன்?” – பிக்ஷூ சுவாமிகள்,

தமிழ்நாடு இயற்கை மருத்துவ சங்க வெளியீடு (மதுரை), விலை: ரூபாய் பத்து மட்டும்.

எது கவிதை? – புதுமைப்பித்தன்

கவிதையைக் கலையின் அரசி என்பார்கள். கல்லாத கலை என்பார்கள். கவிதை என்றால் என்ன? யாப்பிலக்கண விதிகளைக் கவனித்து வார்த்தைகளைக் கோர்த்து அமைத்துவிட்டால் கவியாகுமா? கவிதையின் இலட்சணங்கள் என்ன? கவிதைக்குப் பல அம்சங்கள் உண்டு. ஆனால் அவைகளின் கூட்டுறவு மட்டும் கவிதையை உண்டாக்கிவிடாது. கவிதையின் முக்கிய பாகம் அதன் ஜீவசக்தி. அது கவிஞனது உள் மனத்தின் உணர்ச்சி உத்வேகத்தைப் பொறுத்துத்தான் இருக்கிறது. – புதுமைப் பித்தன்

புத்தகம் என்ன செய்யும்?

ராலேகான் சித்தி, மகாரஷ்ட்ரத்தின் அகமது நகர் மாவட்டத்திலுள்ள வறண்ட கிராமங்களில் ஒன்று. மொத்தக் கிராமத்திலும் ஐந்நூறு ஏக்கர் நிலம்தான் பாசன வசதியுள்ள நிலம். எஞ்சியவை வானம் பார்த்தவை. அதனால், கள்ளச்சாராயம் காய்ச்சுவதே முக்கிய தொழிலாகிவிட்டது அக்கிராமத்துக்கு. மழை பெய்யும் காலம் தவிர மீதி காலங்களில் ஆறு முதல் ஏழு கிலோமீட்டர் தூரம் நடந்து சென்றால்தான் குடிநீர் கிடைக்கும் என்றநிலை. ஆனால் இதெல்லாம் 1975க்கு முன் இருந்த நிலைமை. இன்று சென்னைக்கு வெங்காயத்தையும், வளைகுடா நாடுகளுக்கு பல கோடி ரூபாய் மதிப்புள்ள காய்கறிகளையும் ஏற்றுமதி செய்யும் கிராமமாகிவிட்டது ராலேகான் சித்தி. இந்த மாற்றத்திற்கும், ஏற்றத்திற்கும் வித்திட்டவர் அண்ணா ஹசாரே. அண்ணா சாரே ஒரு முறை தில்லி ரயில் நிலையப் புத்தகக் கடையில் விவேகானந்தரின் நூலொன்றை வாங்கிப் படித்தார். மக்களுக்குச் சேவை செய்வதே பிறப்பின் கடமை என்பது விவேகானந்தரின் போதனையால் அவருக்குப் புரிந்தது.

எட்டாம் வகுப்பைக்கூட எட்டாத அண்ணா ஹசாரே நாட்டுப்புற வளர்ச்சியில் நாட்டுக்கே முன்னோடியாகத் திகழ்ந்தார். அவரை இந்தச் சேவையில் ஈடுபடுத்தியது ஒரு புத்தகம்தான் என்பதை அறியும்போதுதான் புத்தகங்களின் தாக்கம் நமக்குப் புரிகிறது.

நன்றி: தினமணி, தமிழ் நாளிதழ்.

Health Warnings-8: "SUGAR, A Sweet Poison"

Modern therapeutics recommend restriction on the consumption of sugar for the purpose of maintaining health. Ayurveda and Naturopathy recommend avoidance of sugar from diet. Harmless substances like honey and fruits should be substituted for sugar. Jaggery is produced from sugarcane juice. White sugar is also produced from sugarcane juice through modern process. Considering their nutritious elements, sugarcane juice is more beneficial to health than jaggery, but white sugar has no role as a nutrient.

One of the causes of good health of our ancestors was the absence of white sugar in their diet. They maintained health and energy because they obtained as much fructose as they wanted from raw food, vegetables and fruits. Professor John Yudkin of England has minutely studied the effects of sugar in human body. He states that there is no physiological requirement of sugar. The calories and energy required for the body are easily available from fruits, vegetables and grains.

The constitution of our blood is alkaline. So dietitians advise us to eat edibles containing minerals. Sugar and sweets, after digestion, leave acidic residue in the body which is harmful and injurious to health. The chemical process made upon sugar for whitening and purifying it destroys its nutritious properties. There is little or no amount of vitamins and minerals in sugar.

The consumption of huge amount of white sugar has led to diseases like dental decay and caries, diabetes, cardiac trouble and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The reckless use of sugar leads to migraine, dermatitis and renal disorders. Moreover, sugar increases the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol accumulates in the inner surface of the arteries which consequently become narrow and hard. The heart has to work vigorously to push blood into such narrow arteries. Consequently, the heart becomes exhausted and weak. Sometimes it fails.

Thus, the excessive use of sugar has adverse effects on health. Not only that, it also interrupts the smooth functioning of the body and the mind and leads to various diseases. That is why sugar is considered a SWEET POISON by dietitians.

Excerpt from Juice-Diet for Perfect Health, Drs D R Gala, Dhiren Gala and Sanjay Gala, Navneet Publications (India) Ltd, Mumbai.

Grateful thanks to Drs Gala and Navneet Publications.

“Juice-Diet for Perfect Health”

by Dr D R Gala, Dr Dhiren Gala and Dr Sanjay Gala

Navneet Publications (India) Ltd, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

Pages 176

2002 Edition – Price Rs.33/-

www.navneet.com

(A wonderful book for people who would like to follow Juice Therapy. The price is also very, very cheap compared to the content, an evidence that it is published with service motive. I strongly recommend this book to all health-conscious people.)

Health Facts-5: "Lack of Sanitation"

One in every ten diseases and 6% of all deaths globally are caused by lack of sanitation.

Courtesy: The Times of India, Chennai, June 30, 2008.

Wikipedia articles on “SANITATION” and “Water supply and sanitation in India”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanitation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanitation_in_India

Grateful thanks to The Times of India and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

S&T Watch 23: "Cell Phones Powered by Fuel Cells"

In the near future, you might own a cell phone equipped with a hydrogen-powered fuel cell. The cell phone would come with an insert-ready hydrogen pack and a small solar array for charging.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, August 28, 2008 (From “Snapshots”)

Wikipedia articles on “FUEL CELLS” and “PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_fuel_cells

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_array

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

How To-79: "How to Implement Organic Baby Care Methods"

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Are you interested in making organic choices for your baby or toddler but not sure where to begin? Making small changes to remove unnecessary toxins from your baby’s environment can have a big impact on your baby’s well-being. Here are some steps to help you ease your way into an organic lifestyle with your little one.

Steps

1. Understand the labels. Making organic choices is simple when you know how to read the labels. Don’t be confused by fancy marketing terms such as “all natural”, “hypoallergenic” or “no growth hormones”. Organic is the only term that is regulated.
2. Choose a product that is certified organic. This means the manufacturer has taken extra precautions to ensure the product can bear the seal of approval. In the US certified organics contain no pesticides, antibiotics, fertilizers, growth hormones, food additives, fertilizers or sewage sludge.
3. Start with your baby’s food. Choose organic milk or formula and then expand to cereal, produce and meat. This will hep you avoid genetically modified foods, growth hormones and chemical additives.
4. Get rid of chemical-based baby skin care products. Approximately 60% of what goes on your baby’s skin is absorbed into the bloodstream within minutes. Read the labels of all lotions, shampoos and body care products. Replace products with unfamiliar chemicals for those made from food or plant based ingredients.
5. Choose diapering products free of chlorine, fragrances and pesticides. In most cases your baby has a diaper on 24 hours a day, its . Explore the many options available in cloth diapers, flushables and chlorine-free disposables and choose the one that fits your lifestyle.
6. Assess your baby’s sleep environment. Your baby spends a lot of time in the bed those first few months. Incorporate organic cotton, wool or bamboo materials in the selection of your baby’s crib sheet, mattress or mattress topper to prevent your baby from inhaling noxious chemicals during sleep.
7. Do an inventory of your baby’s clothing. Remove polyester, fleece and clothing made with heavy, starchy fabric finishes. Pure cotton is a healthier alternative and organic cotton is even healthier because it is free of potentially carcinogenic pesticides. Hemp and bamboo fabrics don’t involve the use of pesticides and are also healthy alternatives.
8. Learn about the materials that go in your baby’s mouth. Soon there will be non-toxic and organic versions of everything. What you need depends on your baby’s development stage. Baby bottles, pacifiers, teethers, toys and furniture can all be made of natural, non-toxic materials which are better for your baby.

Tips

• Pace yourself and start with the areas that come in closest contact with your baby for the longest periods of time.Trying to make too many changes at once can be overwhelming and expensive.
• Save more by making items from your baby’s layette. Clothing, bedding, diaper bags and toys can all be handcrafted with a little guidance and talent.

Warnings

• Introduce foods one at a time in order to identify potential allergic reactions.
• Avoid using skin care products on babies less than six months old. Always spot test for allergic reactions.
• The above is not intended as medical advice or to replace the information given by a health care provider.

Related wikiHows

• How to Know Which Essential Oils Are Safe for Babies

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Implement Organic Baby Care Methods. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Mobile World-13: "Motorola’s New Camera Phone"

Motorola on August 27, 2008 announced the launch of Motazine ZN5 handset in India equipped with high-quality camera specially designed by Kodak.

The ZN5 is the first mobile phone to combine Motorola’s ModeShift Technology and KODAK ‘Imaging Technology’.

The technologies redefine the quality, convenience and connectivity of mobile imaging devices.

With Kodak Easyshare software and easy access to the Kodak Gallery1 or other websharing sites, pictures are easily moved off the device, allowing consumers to print, share and enjoy their favourite photos whenever they want.

To be available in India from mid-September and priced around Rs.20,000, Motozine ZN5 will come with a 2-GB memory card and a TV-out cable for easily viewing pictures on a television set.

Motozine ZN5 also has an ultrafast 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus, a Xenon flash, 4 GB of optional external memory and optimised settings for low-light environments.

Excerpt from The Hindu, Madurai, August 28, 2008 (“Motorola’s New Camera Phone Offering” by Special Correspondent).

Wikipedia article on “MOTOROLA”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Letters-38: "Burning Persons Alive"

1. Burning persons alive is an act of cruelty that only dehumanised people are capable of. The country’s competitive strength lies not in unethical leaders but in those who know the difference between right and wrong. – K.G.Koru Kuttan Nair, Palakkad.

2. The barbarous and gruesome killing of two innocent persons during the bandh organised by VHP and Bajrang Dal activists is shocking. This lunatic fringe which is trying to push India into the dark ages should be stopped and the perpetrators of the horrendous acts punished immediately. – Jabez Pradeep Roy Chennai.

3. The Orissa government was sufficiently warned of an outbreak of communal violence in September 2006, with the publication of Communalism in Orissa – the Report of the Indian People’s Tribunal on Environment and Human Rights, headed by Justice K.K.Usha, former Chief Justice of the Kerala High court, Democracy is at stake in a country where citizens live in the shadow of terror. Any form of religious communalism mars democracy and should be resisted tooth and nail, regardless of our political inclinations and affinites. – Fr.Adolf Washington, Bangalore.

4. The violence in Orissa exposes the destructive character of communalism. The attacks on the minorities and their institutions are unacceptable. Violence should be contained at the earliest. Religious leaders should rise above parochial considerations and come forward with a positive solution. – R.S.Sreeram, Thiruvananthapuram.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, August 27, 2008 (Selected Letters From “Letters to the Editor” column).

Grateful thanks to M/s.K.G.Koru Kuttan Nair, Jabez Pradeep Roy, Fr.Adolf Washington, R.S.Sreeram and The Hindu.

Dotcom World-15: "Google Launches Mapping Tool in India"

Internet search engine giant Google on August 27, 2008 launched a mapping tool called Google Map Maker in India, which was conceived and developed by its Indian engineering team. This tool allows users to add or edit geographical features such as roads, businesses, parks, schools, apartment buildings and localities among others in the exiusting maps of their city, a release said.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Maduria, August 28, 2008 (From the “Business Page”).

Wikipedia articles on “Cartography” (Map Making) and “Google Map”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map_maker

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Map

Graterful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Computer World-10: "Dell Introduces Low-cost PCs"

Dell Inc unveiled four lost-cost computer models on August 27, 2008 desgined for China, India and otehr emerging economies. Prices for the new Vestro notebooks will start at 3,299 yuan ($475) and for the desktop PCs at 2,999 yuan ($440).

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, August 28, 2008 (“Business” page).

Wikipedia article on “DELL”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_Inc

Grateful thanks to The Hindu.

A Thought for Today-128:

Grateful thanks to Jon Sullivan and www.public-domain-photos.com for the above photo.

The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited – Plutarch.

==========================Today’s Parents are Poor Role Models for Kids

Parents are usually considered to be a child’s first teachers and role models. But, a study has some dampening news for today’s generation of adults – you are responsible for your kid’s lack of basic moral values.

Researchers at the Children’s Society in Britain have carried out the study and found that children are not acquiring basic moral values nowadays because today’s parents are actually poor role models.

According to the society, the rise of the celebrity culture and weakening family bonds are undermining traditional moral values among young people.

But it has also blamed adults for failing to engage with children and being too eager to criticise their behaviour rather than just intervening and helping them to navigate the challenges of modern life.

According to Bob Reitemeier, the chief executive of the society, adults need to take more responsibility for the young people around them. “We reap what we sow when it comes to teaching children values. Every adult plays a vital role, which we should nurture as much as we can.

Unfortunately, it is easier to criticise children than to invest in them, and it is the children most in need of positive role models who are becoming disconnected from their communities and wider society.” – PTI

Excerpt from The Times of India, Chennai, July 1, 2008.

Grateful thanks to PTI and The Times of India.

S&T Watch-22: "A new magnetic Carbon"

The newest form of carbon is almost nothing at all – but it will stick to a refrigerator for a few hours. Carbon was known to come in four configurations: diamond crystals, flat sheets of graphite, soccer-ball-shaped cages known as bucky balls and rolled-up cylinders called nanotubes. The new form also consists of narrow tubes, but the tubes are connected in a willowy lattice. The surprise discovery is that nanofoam, unlike the other four forms of carbon, is magnetic. In the first few hours after it forms, nanofoam is attractive enough to stick to a refrigerator. The magnetism then wanes and disappears. It is one of the airiest materials known; a gallon of nanofoam weighs about a quarter of an ounce. – New York Times News Service.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, details not available.

Wikipedia articles on “Nanofoam” and “CARBON”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanofoam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_(element)

Grateful thanks to New York Times News Service, The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Facts & Figures-43: "Rarest Disease in the World"

The rarest disease in the world, called Kuru or Laughing Sickness, affects only the cannibals of New Guinea and is believed to be caused by eating human brains.

Courtesy: ’501 Fascinating Facts’

Pushtak Mahal, Delhi

Grateful thanks to Pushtak Mahal.

Foods that Heal-6: "Sprouted Wheat Grains"

Sprouted wheat grains contain Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and minerals like Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphur, Cobalt, Silica, Iodine. Hence it is considered good for anaemia, nervous debility, initial stages of diabetes, heart ailments, kidney ailments, watery swellings in different parts of the body, eczema.

Health Facts-4: "Value of Sexual Vital Fluid"

In the structure of the body, every part, every limb, every chemical and every phenomenon is important and valuable, deserving appropriate respect and attention. Among all the phenomena the sexual vital fluid is most important for germination, survival and in short, all aspects of life. ….Only by the excretion of the sexual vital fluid man is germinated. By the same excretion man leves the body and that is the end, Death. The entire mechanism and chemistry of the body is based wholly on the sexual vital fluid. It is a unique mixture of various mysterious chemicals serving as a suitable container for the life-force. The quantity and quality of the life-force in a body is commensurate with the quantity and quality of the sexual vital fluid. Further, it is according to the quantity and quality of the life-force in a body that the quantity of charge and stock of bio-magnetism are conditioned.

When the sexual vital fluid is thrown away in an irresponsible manner, or production is reduced by illness or old age, simultaneously the stock of life-force will become proportionately less. As a result, all the three functions of the Consciousness connected with the (1) Central Nervous System (CNS); (2) Autonomous Nervous Systems (ANS); and (3) Universal Wave will become disturbed and thereby man is rendered weak in potential. Now you know the great value of the sexual vital fluid. One has to store it with care, conserve it with due reverence and expend it creatively with a total perspective awareness to enjoy a healhty, happy, prosperous and blissful life.

Although overflow of of the sexual vital fluid (i.e.) enjaculation of the surplus starts at the age of maturity, about 14 years of age, it requires ten years more for males and six years more for females to get proper strength and concentration of fluid to withstand many kinds of disturbances. After this age, the sexual vital fluid will be surprlus has to be necessarily eliminated in a natural way by coition. One or two years more or less for sexual gratification will not produce any harm. Completely suppressing the flow for lack of opportunity or by some wrong concepts will cause definite damage to the kidneys, prostate gland and brain in males, and to kidneys, uterus, ovaries and brain for females.

If for some reason one decides to lead a celibate life, some special process should be followed under the guidance of a spiritual master. There are some exercises and breathing processes to neutralise the sexual vital fluid and transmute it into spiritual energy. One should not neglect any of the facts explained above.

Over-indulgence in sex will replete the vital fluid and bring the stock to a low level. As a result of the reduction in the stock of life-force, the bio-magnetism will become deficient in intensity. Eventually the health of the body and clarity of the intellect will be the casualty. Over-indulgence in sex will also cause impotency which will result in un told suffering for both the life-partners.

Masturbation, homosexuality, having sexual contact with animals and enjoy sex during menstrual period of women will not only deteriorate the health but upset the body-chemistry to such an exrtent that it cannot be restored to normal by treatment. These are examples of improper sex.

The education in schools and colleges has come to cover a wide range of subjects from Health to Computer Technology but the importance of Sexual Education is undreestimated and overlooked. Karma Yoga includes sex education to a full extent.

Excerpts from “KARMA YOGA : The Holistic Unity” by Yogiraj Vethathiri Maharishi.

“KARMA YOGA : The Holistic Unity”

Yogiraj Vethathiri Maharishi.

Vethathiri Publications

Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-600041, India

Pages 123

1986 edition

Grateful thanks to Vethathiri Publications.

"On Meditation" – Swami Muktananda

The Upanishads say that everything in the universe is in meditation. The earth is held in position by meditation, fire burns through the power of meditation, water flows through the power of meditation, and the wind blows through the power of meditation. Through meditation, the ancient sages discovered the various laws of society and how to govern so that everything functioned smoothly. In the same way, the secrets of the ancient sciences were revealed to these sages. Through meditation, they accomplished great tasks.

Meditation is such a great purifier that it washes away the sins of countless lifetimes and removes all the impurities and tensions which beset the mind. Meditation rids us of disease and makes us more skillful at everything we do. Through meditation, our inner awareness expands and our understanding of inner and outer things becomes steadily deeper. Through meditation, we travel to different inner worlds and have innumerable inner experiences. Above all, meditation stills the mind – which constantly wanders, which constantly causes suffering – and establishes us forever in the state of supreme peace…. Ultimately, meditation makes us aware of our own true nature. It is this awareness which removes all suffering and delusion, and this awareness comes only when we see our own Inner Self face to face.

Excerpts from “MEDITATE” by Swami Muktananda.

“MEDITATE”

Swami Muktananda

UBS Publishers’ Distributors Ltd

by special arrangements with

Gurudev Siddha Peeth, Ganeshpuri

Pages 71

1991 edition – Prices Rs.60/-

Grateful thanks to Gurudev Siddha Peeth and UBSPD.

Health Tips-26: "To Reduce Stress"

1. Do Yoga and Meditation.
2. Do Deep Breathing Exercises
3. Practice regularly Relaxation Techniques like listening to therapeutic music.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Sunday Magazine, April 13, 2008.

Wikipedia articles on “STRESS REDUCTION” and ‘BEST OF STRESS MANAGEMENT”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_reduction

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_of_Stress_Management

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-15: "1 in 10 US adults suffer "silent" strokes"

One in 10 apparently healthy middle-aged adults may have suffered a “silent” stroke without realising it, a study suggests. A US study of around 2000 individuals with an avearage age of 62 found that the brains of 10.7% bore evidence of a silent cerebral infarction (SCI) or “silent stroke”. Such strokes are caused by clots blocking blood flow to the brain and increase the risk of a full-blown stroke. Dr Sudha Seshadri, one of the study authors from Boston University said: “The findings reinforce the need for early detection and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in midlife.”

Courtesy: The Times of India, Chennai, July 1, 2008.

Wikipedia article on “STROKE”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_infarction

Grateful thanks to The Times of India and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-14: "Mosquito-Repelling T-Shirts"

Now you can wear clothes that have an in-built mosquito repellent. Developed by Tesco, these T-shirts and socks would also smell of different types of scents, as they are woven with extracts of lemon eucalyptus and lavender. Scientists have also coated these items with a special layer to lock in the smell mosquitoes hate. White the T-shirts cost £8, the socks are priced at £4 a pack.

Courtesy: The Times of India, Chennai, June 30, 2008.

Wikipedia articles on “Insect Repellents” and “Mosquito”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_repellent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito

Grateful thanks to The Times of India and Wikipedia, the free encylopedia.

Health Warnings-5: "Top Ten Foods that Cause Allergies"

1. Peanuts
2. Chocolate
3. Fish
4. Cashewnut
5. Legumes
6. Soya Bean
7. Lemon
8. Milk
9. Wheat
10. Chicken

Courtesy: Times News Network, The Times of India, Chennai, June 30, 2008.

Wikipedia article on “Food Allergy”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_allergy

Grateful thanks to The Times of India and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health Facts-3: "High Blood Pressure"

Uncontrolled high blood pressure in a person can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. This is why high blood pressure is often called the “SILENT KILLER”.

Courtesy: Chennai Times, June 6, 2008 (“Toons & Trivia”)

Grateful thanks to Chennai Times.