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.

“At Mirabai you’ll find an amazing array of books devoted to inspiration, transformation and healing, the best in World Music which you can sample on our listening station, exquisite statuary and jewelry from Asia and the South Seas, crystals from Brazil and beyond, incense from India, meditation and yoga supplies, and so much more. Nearly every day, new and long-time customers comment on the “good energy” they feel here. Some refer to us a sanctuary for the soul. Come visit sometime and see if you agree.”

There’s increased evidence showing that practices such as qi gong, meditation and yoga can not only prevent disease, but actually reverse it and delay aging as well. As scientists learn more about such topics as gene expression, what turns a gene on or off, and how to prevent telomeres, (the strands of protein in our cells that control aging) from unraveling, it becomes impossible to ignore just how much our good lifestyle choices can pay off.

If you’re one of the thousands of people who have experienced the unexplainable – a near death experience, an out of body moment, a vision, or other extraordinary phenomena that has changed your life – then you know that it can be difficult to share that experience with others, or even fully understand it your self. Fortunately, there are resources now that can help. One of the best is ACISTE, the American Center for the Integration of Spiritually Transformative Experiences.

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.

Dear Readers: 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…

Jin Shin Jyutsu® physio-philosophy is an ancient art of harmonizing the life energy in the body. This art brings balance to the body’s energies, allowing the body to function, feel better and heal more quickly. With the high occurrence of osteoporosis, osteopenia, and other fragile bone conditions, prescriptions for Fosamax and similar drugs are given routinely. There are other alternatives if you are willing to take the time and give this a try.

Waking up to that fact that it’s not only a dream; it’s another world. “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. We must be over the rainbow.” – Dorothy, in the movie version…

Three Minutes a Day is one of the best meditation books to come along in years. Author Richard Dixey has written a real how-to manual for anyone who wants to start meditating. Not only that, he outlines in clear, simple terms how the reader can gain all the wisdom and benefits of a meditative practice with just a few minutes daily investment of time. Repeat that three minutes every day for several weeks, and before you know it you are a meditator, capable of achieving clarity, growth, and insight.