Understanding the Gut

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Simple Changes

I’ve recently read a book that was both entertaining and informative, covering a topic that most people don’t talk about – specifically our gut. More specifically, poop.

Ok, before you get all grossed out and leave, think about it.

Do you actually know how it all works? I didn’t. Not really. But I have a much better idea now and all I can say is… it made a difference. 😉

This book covers more than the physical side of the gut. It also covers emotions and gut feelings. It also shows how important it is for us to not be squeaky clean about everything. It is truly remarkable how important our gut is to our overall health.

The book is GUT, The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ by Giulia Enders, a student of medicine in Germany.

Giulia had been working on her Ph.D in Gastroenterology when her presentation on the gut won her the Science Slam prize in her native Germany. The video of her presentation went viral and the result is her best-selling book.

Here is that original video, which pretty much gives you a sneak peek into the book. The illustrations, by the way, were created by Giulia’s sister Jill Enders.

Yes, it’s in German but the English subtitles work very well.

Giulia’s book is well worth reading. Not only will you be entertained, it will open your eyes to a whole other world that exists… in our guts.

Now what is your gut saying?

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Meditation of the Week: Stop!

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Simple Changes

OSHO’s words are a source of inspiration for so many people, myself included. I found his latest meditation a simple and effective way to become fully aware in the midst of a busy day.

Stop! Meditation technique to do in a moment, any time, any place to enhance your everyday life at work, at home, and at play.

Just as you have the impulse to do something, stop.

You can try it anywhere. You are taking your bath – suddenly order yourself to ‘Stop!’ and stop. Even if it is only for a single moment, you will feel a different phenomenon happening within you. You are thrown to the center and suddenly everything stops – not only the body. When the body stops totally, your mind stops also.

When you say, ‘Stop!’ do not breathe then. Let everything stop…no breathing, no body movement. For a single moment remain in this stop, and you will feel you have penetrated suddenly, at rocket speed, to the center. And even a glimpse is miraculous, revolutionary. It changes you, and by and by you can have more clear glimpses of the center. That is why inactivity is not to be practiced. Use it suddenly, when you are unaware.

For example, you were going to drink a glass of water. You have touched the water, the glass – suddenly stop. Let the hand be there, let the desire to drink, the thirst be there inside, but you stop completely. The glass is outside, the thirst is inside; the hand is on the glass, the eyes are on the glass – stop suddenly. No breathing, no movement, as if you have become dead. The very impulse, the thirst, will release energy, and that energy is used for going to the center. You will be thrown to the center. Why? Because any impulse is a movement outward. Energy is always in movement – either going out or coming in. Energy can never be static.

Remember three things…. One, try it only when a real impulse is there. Secondly, do not think about stopping, just stop. And thirdly, wait! When you have stopped, no breathing, no movement – wait and see what happens.

When I say stop, it means stop totally, fully. Nothing is moving, as if the whole time has stopped. There is no movement – simply you are! In that simple existence, suddenly the center explodes.

Osho,The Book of Secrets, Talk #17

Source: Meditation of the Week: Stop!

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