Bøker utgitt av North Atlantic Books,U.S.

Say "body modifications" and most people think of tattoos and piercings. They associate these mainly with the urban primitives of the 1980s to today and with primitive tribes. In fact, as this fascinating book shows, body mods have been on the scene since ancient times, traceable as far back as 1.5 million years, and they also encompass sacrification, branding, and implants. Professor John Rush outlines the processes and procedures of these radical physical alterations, showing their function as rites of passage, group identifiers, and mechanisms of social control. He explores the use of pain for spiritual purposes, such as purging sin and guilt, and examines the phenomenon of accidental cuts and punctures as individual events with sometimes profound implications for group survival. Spiritual Tattoo finds a remarkable consistency in body modifications from prehistory to the present, suggesting the importance of the body as a sacred geography from both social and psychological points of view.

Evolving Dharma is the definitive guide to the meditation revolution. Fearless, unorthodox, and irreverent scholar and activist Jay Michaelson shows how meditation and mindfulness have moved from ashrams and self-help groups to classrooms and hospitals, and offers unusually straight talk about the "Big E"- enlightenment. Michaelson introduces us to maverick brainhackers, postmodern Buddhist monks, and cutting-edge neuroscientists and shares his own stories of months-long silent retreats, powerful mystical experiences, and many pitfalls along the way. Evolving Dharma is a must-read for the next-generation meditator, the spiritually cynical, and the curious adventurer in all of us.

A collection of probing essays and weekly meditations, this book addresses how to prepare emotionally and spiritually for the impending collapse of industrial civilization. Author Carolyn Baker offers wisdom, inspiration, and a sense of spiritual purpose for anyone who is concerned about the daunting future humankind has created.The author's introduction to Collapsing Consciously articulates our current predicament of economic collapse, environmental degradation, and global conflict and expresses the confusion, anxiety, grief, anger, and despair we all experience when we take a hard look at the present-day global crisis and the likely future of the planet. But rather than showing us ways to prevent the collapse, Baker argues that the demise of our consumerist, corporate culture is inevitable, and that it is crucial to prepare emotionally and spiritually for the certain changes to come.Part 1 is a collection of seventeen essays which argue that while the collapse of industrial society cannot be prevented, its meaning extends far beyond tragedy and loss. These essays ask the reader to delve inward and discover the limitless treasures of the soul, as well as the gratification and exhilaration to be discovered in joining with community in preparing for the future.In part 2, Baker offers fifty-two weekly meditations comprised of spiritual wisdom, inspiration, paradox, comfort, humor, irony, and a persistent challenge to create and savor beauty in the world, regardless of how bleak the future may appear.Collapsing Consciously is a refreshing take on the perilous present and the grim prospects for our future. Instead of quoting discouraging statistics about our predicament, Baker offers a deeper perspective that makes sense of a world that most of the time appears psychotic or even surreal. Through inspiration and perennial wisdom she has created a manual for making meaning and generating joy, especially in situations that feel hopelessly devoid of both.An ebook containing additional meditations is also available: Collapsing Consciously Meditations: Further Reflections for Turbulent Times, ISBN 978-1-58394-758-6.

Body Awareness as Healing Therapy: The Case of Nora is Moshe Feldenkrais' classic study of his work with Nora, a woman who has suffered a severe stroke and lost her neuromuscular coordination, including the ability to read and write. Feldenkrais uses rational and intuitive approaches to help his student relearn basic motor skills. One can observe here the groundwork of Feldenkrais' extraordinary insights which became known as the Feldenkrais Method. We follow his detailed descriptions of the trial and error process which led him to see the ingredients that were needed to help Nora reshape her attention, perception, imagination and cognition.

According to David Jubb, who has done the breakthrough work in this realm, life extension and health optimization require protein and antioxidant synthesis. Colloids of life and lifecolloids (spores), he says, are the real primordial building blocks of life, not the body cells. These colloids comprise the body's flora, whose vitality is crucial in creating sustained good health and long life. Jubbs Cell Rejuvenation focuses on how to optimize this bio-terrain, giving readers solid information about the science and techniques for reclaiming that inner terrain in relationship to protein and antioxidant synthesis. In a world of health practitioners who talk only in terms of disease, Dr. Jubb's focus is on the forces that allow health to flourish. This work represents a nontoxic, natural approach that gently creates a symbiotic relationship among body functions that contributes to overall health. Chronic fatigue, digestive insufficiency, cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune challenge are all demystified in this important work.

This parenting guide presents seven principles for guiding and teaching children in today's turbulent learning environment. It replaces traditional adult-child formulas, rewards, and punishments with playful interaction, creative intelligence, and insight. With the goal of raising happy, healthy, intelligent young people, the book adopts proven strategies that allow top athletes and others to perform at high levels, called variously "zone," "flow," and "play." Using these concepts, parents and other caregivers will learn how to create and maintain "Optimum Learning Relationships" with children of any age.

This "must-read" guide to children's health "combines insights of the great wisdom tradition of Ayurveda with a current understanding of body, mind, and spirit" (Deepak Chopra, M.D.) According to Ayurveda, an ancient Hindu science, health is a state of balance among the body, mind, senses, and soul. This book shows specific ways to promote children's health and well-being using Ayurvedic principles. In this book, John Douillard explains how to identify the signs of imminent illness, how to make the home chemical and allergen free, and how to stock a "Lazy Susan" of useful natural medicines. Appendices provide shopping lists and a directory of national health providers. Perfect Health for Kids is an accessible, illustrated guide that provides highly effective health maintenance for children.

The Body in Recovery challenges the separation of verbal and bodywork therapies by integrating Reich's concepts of character armoring and bioenergetic exercises with psychodynamic theory. Addressed to therapists, this culminating work of twenty years of psychotherapy will also fascinate those embarking on the journey of therapy for themselves, and anyone seeking to understand the process of shaping an identity.

Discover the myriad ways you can use herbal medicines to boost your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-beingWith more than 180 easy-to-follow recipes and written by a well-respected urban herbalist, The Gift of Healing Herbs explores herbology as the "people's medicine"-freely available to all-and as a powerful yet gentle way to heal the body, mind, heart, and soul. You will learn about: · The true nature of health and the causes of illness · The physical systems of the body and the common and not-so-common herbs for tonifying them · Recipes for teas, brews, and how to incorporate herbs into your daily life· The relationship between our body systems and the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water Filled with personal stories, case histories, prayers, meditations, and more, The Gift of Healing Herbs is equal parts inspiration and instruction drawn from the author's decades spent teaching and practicing herbal medicine in a spiritual, earth-based, non-dogmatic style. The author explores how one's personal story turns into one's embodied physicality, ultimately revealing unique paths of healing for each reader."Robin Rose Bennett teaches through stories, and the teachings are profound. Spiritual insights are richly interwoven with excellent herbal remedies.… Bennett brings a joyful spirit and an open heart to all she does." -Rosemary Gladstar, visionary herbalist and author of Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs

Nakamura Taisaburo's landmark book on the art of the sword includes technical information, thoughtful analysis, and fascinating recollections of his own training and teaching. One of the most famous Japanese swordsmen of the twentieth century, Nakamura sensei is widely acknowledged as the preeminent reinvigorator of the practice of tameshigiri (test cutting) as a test of technical and spiritual mastery. The Spirit of the Sword--first published in Japanese in 1980, now translated into English for the first time--is regarded by many as the most complete of Nakamura's writings on Japanese swordsmanship. Here Nakamura instructs the reader on the integration of iaido, kendo, and tameshigiri; the correct mental approach to sword practice; training methods; numerous kata or forms; a guide to sword maintenance; and historical notes on the use of the sword as a weapon. Illustrated with over 800 original photographs, this book is a must-have for any student of the Japanese sword and an excellent resource for sword enthusiasts in general.

Crystals and Stones: A Complete Guide to Their Healing Properties helps readers to incorporate the healing power of stones into daily life. Aimed at both beginners and experts, the book showcases nearly 200 crystals and stones, describing their impact on human beings' physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual states. The book begins with historical background and practical considerations, such as how stones work and how to clean and recharge their energy. The relationship of stones to chakras is explored, as are practices such as channeling via certain powerful crystals. The heart of the book is an A to Z guide covering everything from amber to zoisite that explains which stones are most effective for particular medical conditions, emotional and energy blockages, and spiritual impasses. Stones and crystals have been important tools for health and spiritual transformation for millennia. This book shows modern readers how to best utilize those tools. "If we could follow the step by step transformation of coal into diamond, we would discover what enabled Prince Siddhartha to 'awaken' and become this Being of Light known to this day as the Buddha."-from the book

Written for both lay readers and practitioners, Awaken to Healing Fragrance is divided into three parts structured around the past, present, and future of aromatherapy. The book begins with profiles of prominent female historical figures—from Cleopatra to Elizabeth I—known to have used essential oils for mind, body, and spiritual health. Part two explains the value of aromatherapy today: modern methods for using essential oils—from relaxation practices like massage and facials to treating common conditions like PMS, stress, and a sore throat—and describes how and why they work. Also featured are case studies, research on anti-infectious qualities of the oils, and a section on psychoneuroimmunology that shows how essential oils can help restore the mind-body-spirit connection and create balance. Awaken to Healing Fragrance concludes by exploring the future of essential oil therapy and how it can be integrated into traditional medical systems. Jones discusses energetic medicine, creating aromatic gardens, and establishing integrative medicine clinics where doctors trained in Western medicine would collaborate with alternative therapists such as acupuncturists, nutritionists, and aromatherapists to bring a new consciousness and sense of well-being to healthcare.