Get Happy, Be Happy, Stay Happy

Has Mother Nature programmed us to be allergic to our closest kin? Does the nose know a good mate when it smells one? Is the ability to smell out the good ones from the bad ones impaired in women who take oral contraceptives?

According to one of my male neighbors, birth control pills are really messing things up. Those little, harmless-looking pills are causing women to choose the wrong mate and destroying their sex drive, thereby leading to an epidemic of married men who are porn addicts. Could be true, I said. Who knows what all happens when we mess around with hormones.

For a really interesting look at this topic, see this recent post at Gene Expression:

Taking the pill might make your brother hawt?

Read this article about the secret sex nerve

I received an email from Tony Wright, author of Left in the Dark, letting me know that the book is now available to view online in its entirety. If you enjoy pondering the mysteries of human development, especially those that seem to make no sense outside of supernatural or mystical explanations, you’ll love this perception-altering book!

If you like studying human consciousness and enlightenment (are we truly on an evolutionary trajectory to higher, better levels of consciousness?), Left in the Dark will provide a new frame for understanding this intriguing subject. But not to worry — it is a hope-filled message, a message that quite possibly can lead us to real, workable solutions to the mess we’re in today.

The human brain, over a period of perhaps a million years, expanded at an increasingly rapid rate then, some 200,000 years ago, this expansion suddenly stopped. There is, to date, no plausible scientific explanation for either of these linked events.

Religious and mythic traditions of paradise inform us that we once lived in a benign state of perpetual wonder and joy but from this we regressed. The reasons for this are obscure. Do these apparently unrelated perspectives have something in common?

The new theory presented here and in the Left In The Dark book suggests the extraordinary evolution of our brain was influenced by changes in the activity of our own hormones. Such a seemingly innocuous idea has dramatic ramifications. It not only explains a number of recently uncovered anomalies within the human mind, but also makes sense of the stories of human degeneration that are preserved in virtually all cultural myths and religions from around the world.

Both perspectives tell the same unexpected and shocking story — Humanity is suffering from a progressive neurological condition that has distorted our perception and altered our sense of self. This seemingly dire situation however has a positive side — we still have unimaginable potential just waiting to be unlocked. There is a very real possibility of regaining our lost perceptual heritage. (from the author’s Home page)

View the book online

Consider buying the book to support further research!

More from Tony’s site:

Virtually all cultures preserve myths with an almost identical theme; that from a past golden age humanity has suffered a progressive degeneration. Is this near universal tradition based on real events? The answer appears to be ‘yes’. Recent scientific evidence supports the idea that we suffer from an inherited hormonal condition that has damaged part of our brain. In an unexpected twist, it is the damaged part that is not only driven to play the major role in telling us who we are but also dominates our basic biological functions.

Such a scenario explains some extraordinary anomalies that have emerged from research into how our brains function. It provides an underlying reason for the present crises in health, from the dysfunction of the immune system to the declining age of puberty. It also makes sense of the diverse mystic and religious practices that are said to lead to enlightened states or ‘oneness with God’.

If our common experience of near constant low-level fear and anxiety is actually a consequence of a neurological disorder, there may be a fundamental solution to the problem. We all know that fear, distrust and a lack of connection lead to conflict and ultimately war. Such a solution therefore could be of crucial importance to our global future.

To find out more, read on…

Don’t be left in the dark Read the book!

FDA faulted over unapproved uses of medications
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080727/ap_on_go_co/fda_off_label_drugs

The review that Grassley requested by the investigative arm of Congress found that the FDA is ill-equipped to catch even blatant marketing abuses by drug companies. The agency does not have any staff exclusively assigned to monitor whether companies are following the rule against marketing drugs for unapproved uses.

The FDA “isn’t keeping track of how drugs are marketed for off-label use, even though marketing for off-label use is illegal and it’s the FDA’s job to enforce that law,” Grassley said in a statement. “As a result, drug makers aren’t being held accountable for promoting unapproved use of medicine and patient safety is diminished.”

Instead, the job is handled by the office that oversees all drug advertising, including television commercials and magazine ads. That office has 44 full-time employees assigned to review ads. Last year, they had to dissect the fine print on some 68,000 advertisements.

The office tries to set priorities, by focusing first on misrepresentations that could have a damaging impact on human health. But the report found that the FDA lacks a system for tracking all the material it receives.

Just having some fun with the headline. And grabbing your attention. I mean, who wants to be known as a stupid pessimist? On second thought, don’t answer that!

What I really want to talk about is Ode, the Magazine for Intelligent Optimists. I received a brochure inviting me to send for a free preview issue and a free copy of Touching the Earth, “a relaxation and meditation program recorded by internationally acclaimed Buddhist Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh that will bring new levels of peace and compassion to your life.” Cool! My request is in the mail.

I’ve gotten Ode a couple of times from the bookstore, and I liked it (even though they believe in human-caused global warming and will plant a tree in my name to help reverse the damage when I buy a subscription). But I’m wondering how some people react to their tagline. A magazine for “intelligent optimists.” Are they implying that it’s not a good thing to be a stupid optimist? Or an intelligent pessimist?

I’ve been thinking about such questions lately. Steve Salerno recently wrote a post regarding Randy Pausch, which has elicited some interesting discussion. Steve responded to a commenter, “But let’s even assume that false hope ‘works.’ That’s the question I pose: Reduced to extremes, would you rather be a deliriously happy moron, or an intelligent, right-thinking curmudgeon? That’s what this whole post was about. I’m guessing that many people today would rather be the happy morons, and that’s fine–for them. I’m not so sure it’s fine for society or ‘the human condition,’ if you will.”

Good question. And I have no trouble answering it. If given only these two choices, I’d rather be a deliriously happy moron.

Yes, that raises a bunch of philosophical issues, as Steve notes. But so far, the world that intelligent, supposedly right-thinking human beings have created is wonderful, isn’t it?

I want to experience a world that is set up for well-being and happiness. Isn’t that what we all want? (No, don’t answer that question! I know not everyone wants that.) It’s hard for me to get and stay happy. Apparently I’m not alone. According to French psychiatrist Christophe André, humans are naturally gloomy.

We tend to be naturally gloomy. Melancholy is la condition humaine. Biologically oriented psychologists agree there’s a good evolutionary reason for this. When we were all still hunters and gatherers, a certain degree of concern was useful. It was prudent to remain alert to dangers and problems, which is why we’re geared to focus on the negative. It appears that the Christian church understood this early on: There’s no point looking for happiness on Earth; heaven is where you’ll find it. It is the reason why Sigmund Freud wrote: ‘Happy is not included in the plan of creation.’ It has also been proven that happiness and unhappiness are registered in different parts of the brain.

The good news, of course, is that we can do things to become happy. He says:

It’s hard work but it’s pleasant. You’ve got to put your mind to it. Working on happiness acts as an anti-depressant.

You can spend an evening with friends and only realize once you get home that you had a good time. That means you’ve missed your moments of happiness. You need to realize that there are many opportunities to be happy. You have to realize: This is enjoyable, this is a nice moment, I’m having fun, this is a little bubble of happiness. I know people who have a nice weekend and cannot be happy because on Sunday afternoon they’re already -starting to think about going to work on Monday. And at work they’re thinking they’re not happy because they don’t see their children enough. Those people never have their minds in the present. You have to tell yourself: I’m going to enjoy this for a moment. My child is here and I’m going to stop thinking about my work. I’m emptying my mind and listening to what my child has to say.

This can be learned. The English call it ‘mindfulness.’ Concentrating helps; meditation is very good. It takes hard work every day, but it works. Happiness can be learned. It’s within reach. When I get too nervous, too excited, too eager, then I know I need to rest and take a walk. When I walk, I need to stop occasionally and look around. Look and be open; absorb nature.

Happiness is about the little things. Happiness tends to be calm and peaceful. You don’t jump up and down with happiness, but with joy. Yes, there is such a thing as intense happiness, but it doesn’t happen often in one’s life. Striving toward absolute, huge, oceanic happiness, le bonheur fou, can be discouraging and distract you from little happiness.”

Read the entire article online, courtesy of Ode.

I’m always thinking about the human condition, life on Earth and where we’re headed. Many believe we’re in a global crisis, with the health of the entire planet hanging in the balance. This may be true. I don’t know.

We now hear the call, from many quarters, for a great shift in human consciousness. Some groups are more than willing to lead this great shift, and they offer up a stellar slate of so-called leading-edge visionaries to serve as the pioneers. I do understand that a shift or change of consciousness is not possible without a new vision, leaders and participants. But I find myself resisting these group efforts.

For starters, some of the “visionaries” are highly questionable. I don’t get why people will simply believe what an author claims is true. You know, like having a conversation with God. Or that “Jesus” beamed a revelation into a psychiatrist’s brain for transcription. And while we’re on the subject of credible sources, it’s beyond my comprehension how people can believe that beings from other dimensions or universes are contacting Earthlings with important messages. Anyway…

I just don’t trust subjective experiences as truth. I want to know the facts, as much as we can know and understand them. I want stuff to be objectively proven. Or at least seem reasonable based on what we know. So I’m drawn to understanding the human condition through scientific study and research. Here’s a comment I wrote under Neuroanatomist Finds Nirvana, which prompted today’s post:

If you’re interested in human development and understanding the context for the varying levels of human thought and behavior (especially those we have now), I highly recommend studying Spiral Dynamics.

http://spiraldynamics.org

If you’re interested in learning about a fairly new, systematic approach to understanding and solving psychological problems, check out the Human Givens approach.

http://www.hgi.org.uk

Both of these are grounded in scientific study and research. I’ve found these systems and approaches extremely helpful for getting my arms around some of the biggest issues of our time. Not that I understand everything, of course, but now I have a basic framework for hanging the millions of pieces of the puzzle (to me).

I started this blog post several weeks ago after reading “Consciousness is Nothing But a Word,” an article by Henry D. Schlinger in Skeptic Magazine. I enjoy reading about consciousness, which remains a mystery. I absolutely loved the article and Schlinger’s ideas about what consciousness is. To my delight, the article is now available online in the latest e-skeptic.

I believe we do have the ability to create the wonderful world we want.

I invite you to read the article and comment.

I learned from Steven Sashen’s blog that the Oprah show is looking for people who have questions about the Laws of Attraction.

Are you familiar with The Secret, (or the “Laws of Attraction”), but are unsure how to use them in your life? Are you struggling with how to implement The Secret in your life? Which part are you struggling with? Do you set-out with a positive thought but come to roadblock when it comes time to manifest this attraction? Are you wondering how you can make the law of attraction work in your life? Have you heard family or friends talk about how The Secret has worked in their own lives, but you still just don’t “get it”?

Source

If they can admit that this is indeed the case, the show should be flooded with people who are supremely manifrustrated.

I’ve said it many times on my blog and I’ll say it again: The so-called Law of Attraction as taught by the The Secret film and book is nonsense — and attempting to live by this law is harmful. I hope that Oprah will come to see the folly of promoting this garbage.

After a lull of a few months, people are googling again for information about The Secret and the Law of Attraction, and they’re finding my blog. I’ll continue to post about this topic because I believe in doing my part to make this world a better place. If you don’t know how living La Vida LOAca (hey, Connie, add that to our lexicon) is destructive, read this and this and this for starters.

I’ll also continue to point to other blog posts that reflect my views, such as this one from Chief Happiness Officer Alexander Kjerulf (an oldie but goodie).

“I am an Australian and I made this video in support of all American patriots.”

As the U.S. media tries to snuff out Ron Paul, the rest of the world is watching. Amazing.

Watch the video

People want to know how to control their world so they can be happy. Period.

And a lot of people aren’t happy, and they don’t know why. They want answers. Thus the phenomenal success of The Secret, which purports to give the answers. In this WebProNews article, Jason Lee Miller calls The Secret “that marketing genius.” Others have said that many times before, of course. Hard work, hooking up with well-connected people, and the power of viral marketing aimed at easily influenced people hungry for answers is the secret to its success.

Now ideas popularized by The Secret, such as “putting energy out there,” are seamlessly woven into mainstream media stories. Some of the most unlikely of sources are using the buzz to grab attention. As I noted in an earlier post, 2008 will be a year of all-things-Secret. (You’re right, I’m capitalizing on it too with this post!)

Here’s Jason’s entire article, in which he suggests an experiment to use our thoughts to stop the recession.

Searchers Want To Know About The R Word
Jason Lee Miller | Staff Writer

It should be the Frau Blucher of words and if we believe in that marketing genius that was “The Secret” we shouldn’t dare throw it out there. Nonetheless, the braver the media gets at using the “r” word, the more people are searching for it. Thus, they’re all putting the energy out there like seeds and are waiting to reap the harvest.

Recession. There, I said it, now let’s get on with it.

Yahoo’s Molly McCall at The Buzz Log reports that Yahoo searches have spiked in the past week regarding that rather unpleasant term. See, put it out there it just grows.

She writes:

“Over the past seven days, searchers propelled queries on ‘economic recession’ and ‘recession’ upwards. Lookups like ‘last u.s. recession’ and ‘recession proof jobs’ spiked. Even ’stagflation’ - a term not normally found strolling the Buzz aisles-more than doubled its numbers.”

The phrase “definition of a recession economy” is up 500%; “what is a recession” is up 260%.

Concern, according to McCall’s color-coded map, is heaviest in places you might expect, where the real financial centers are like New York, Illinois, and California. Strangely, the recession-related searches are extra-heavy in Tennessee, too.

As the for square states, the nobody-lives-there states, and the-economy’s-always-bad-anyway states, they don’t seem to be all that alarmed.

Maybe we should try an experiment. Everybody think super hard about economic expansion, repeat the words, and then go search for it. Maybe The Secret works.

(Yes, I know he’s not being serious. I hope.)

The Internet is enabling transparency and truth to have free reign, that’s how.

The really big story unfolding about the presidential election campaign is how some in the news media, including Fox News and The New York Times, are working hard to push Ron Paul out of the running. And, thanks to the Internet and Web 2.0, their methods and tricks are being exposed.

Read these posts and see for yourself.

Unbelievable! When Fox Can’t Exclude Dr. Paul, They Cut Him

Shame on the New York Times

Shameful, indeed.

Unbelievable? Not really. People in power have been doing this for ages. But now we have ringside seats and nothing obstructing the circus acts.

Some people just don’t get blogging.

If you don’t got nothin’ new to say, don’t say it! And fer cryin’ out loud, stop linking to other blogs, ya bunch of inbreds!

Seriously. I’ve read this sentiment many times on blogs and Web sites. Saw one yesterday almost identical to the blurb above, on a blog which shall remain unlinked.

One of the best things about blogs is the rich network of links and connections. One thing leads to another, which leads to another, and another, ad infinitum. For an information nut, this dynamic is sheer paradise.

Yesterday a blogger found my blog, wrote a blog post about life coaching that included a link to one of my blog posts, which led me to her post on BlogHer.com, which led me to a whole new world of women bloggers and a bunch of great new resources to explore. For example, here’s a post that grabbed my attention: Tools for Voters Who Want to Separate Facts From Spin.

(Go ahead. I dare you to see what you can find out about Ron Paul at FactCheck.org! And you’ve got to see the Truth-O-Meter at PolitiFact.org.)

So to all my fellow bloggers, blog on!

Better late than never. Yesterday I watched the four-part documentary The Century of the Self, produced by British filmmaker Adam Curtis. According to Curtis, “This series is about how those in power have used Freud’s theories to try and control the dangerous crowd in an age of mass democracy.”

The film blew me away.

Of course, the 2002 documentary itself might be propaganda. I’ll be pondering the implications for quite awhile.

From Wikipedia:

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, changed the perception of the human mind and its workings profoundly. His influence on the 20th century is widely regarded as massive. The documentary describes the impact of Freud’s theories on the perception of the human mind, and the ways public relations agencies and politicians have used this during the last 100 years for their “engineering of consent”.

Among the main characters are Freud himself and his nephew Edward Bernays, who was the first to use psychological techniques in advertising. He is often seen as the “father of the public relations industry”. Freud’s daughter Anna Freud, a pioneer of child psychology, is mentioned in the second part, as well as Wilhelm Reich, one of the main opponents of Freud’s theories.

Along these general themes, The Century of the Self asks deeper questions about the roots and methods of modern consumerism, representative democracy and its implications. It also questions the modern way we see ourselves, the attitude to fashion and superficiality.

The business and, increasingly, the political world uses PR to read and fulfill our desires, to make their products or speeches as pleasing as possible to us. Curtis raises the question of the intentions and roots of this fact. Where once the political process was about engaging people’s rational, conscious minds, as well as facilitating their needs as a society, the documentary shows how by employing the tactics of psychoanalysis, politicians appeal to irrational, primitive impulses that have little apparent bearing on issues outside of the narrow self-interest of a consumer population. He cites a Wall Street banker as saying “We must shift America from a needs- to a desires-culture. People must be trained to desire, to want new things, even before the old have been entirely consumed. [...] Man’s desires must overshadow his needs.”

In Episode 4 the main characters are Philip Gould and Matthew Freud, the great grandson of Sigmund, a PR consultant. They were part of the efforts during the nineties to bring the Democrats in the US and New Labour in the United Kingdom back into power. Adam Curtis explores the psychological methods they now massively introduced into politics. He also argues that the eventual outcome strongly resembles Edward Bernays vision for the “Democracity” during the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

To quote the BBC site:

To many in both politics and business, the triumph of the self is the ultimate expression of democracy, where power has finally moved to the people. Certainly the people may feel they are in charge, but are they really? The Century of the Self tells the untold and sometimes controversial story of the growth of the mass-consumer society in Britain and the United States. How was the all-consuming self created, by whom, and in whose interests?

Watch the documentary:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

I don’t like drugs, and they don’t like me. So when a doctor wanted me to take Paxil to treat anxiety and depression, I declined. I had spent hours on the Internet researching Paxil and other SSRIs. I felt that the potential side effects I read about were too severe to risk. I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.

So I returned to the Internet to search for “natural” ways to deal with my problem. I didn’t have time to waste barking up the wrong trees, and I was really scared. But, thankfully, I found something right away that sounded safe and effective. The cure was as simple as tweaking my diet. (More about this later.)

Millions of people take SSRIs. I don’t know how many suffer from side effects, but the numbers of people telling their stories on Web sites, message boards and blogs is alarming. Last week I ran across the new film, Uncomfortably Numb, which is getting close to release. Produced by film maker Phil Lawrence, who took Paxil for social anxiety for ten years, the documentary explores the repercussions of SSRIs.

Watch the trailer:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG6IAV5VBD0[/youtube]

Visit UncomfortablyNumb.com

(By the way, the second expert shown in the clip is Dr. Stuart Shipko, author of Surviving Panic Disorder, mentioned in this post.)

“When thinking changes your mind, that’s philosophy.
When God changes your mind, that’s faith.
When facts change your mind, that’s science.

WHAT HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND ABOUT? WHY?

Science is based on evidence. What happens when the data change? How have scientific findings or arguments changed your mind?” (The Edge Annual Question — 2008)

Find out what 164 leading scientists and thinkers said.

For example, Todd Feinberg, Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, writes:

For most of my life I viewed any notion of the “soul” a fanciful religious invention… I have come to believe that an individual consciousness represents an entity that is so personal and ontologically unique that it qualifies as something that we might as well call ‘a soul’.

And from neuroscience researcher Sam Harris:

Like many people, I once trusted in the wisdom of Nature. I imagined that there were real boundaries between the natural and the artificial, between one species and another, and thought that, with the advent of genetic engineering, we would be tinkering with life at our peril. I now believe that this romantic view of Nature is a stultifying and dangerous mythology.

Every 100 million years or so, an asteroid or comet the size of a mountain smashes into the earth, killing nearly everything that lives. If ever we needed proof of Nature’s indifference to the welfare of complex organisms such as ourselves, there it is. The history of life on this planet has been one of merciless destruction and blind, lurching renewal.

Care to comment about YOUR change of mind based on science?

“The history of science is replete with discoveries that were considered socially, morally, or emotionally dangerous in their time; the Copernican and Darwinian revolutions are the most obvious. What is your dangerous idea? An idea you think about (not necessarily one you originated) that is dangerous not because it is assumed to be false, but because it might be true?” (The Edge Annual Question — 2006).

Check out dangerous ideas from 119 fascinating contributors.

Then post your dangerous idea in Comments! (I’ll be working on my answer.)

Before I reveal the secret, let’s talk about quack medicine. Generally speaking, quack medications are concoctions, such as herbal remedies and other supplements, that are not regulated by the FDA and may or may not work as claimed. Without governmental oversight, it boils down to buyer beware. Some herbs can kill you if taken in excess or in combination with certain drugs.

It’s criminal to foist potentially harmful stuff onto an unsuspecting public, isn’t it?

Don’t worry, in a moment I’m going to reveal the secret to selling quack potions and raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars. But let’s continue the discussion for a bit. Let’s consider the pharmaceutical industry, which the FDA regulates. How good of a job do you think the FDA does to keep the public safe from harmful drugs? How many potential side effects, ranging from liver damage to diarrhea, are you willing to tolerate? How willing are you to be a guinea pig when a drug has been fast-tracked and put out to market without testing for the long-term in humans?

Research (deaths) found that the herb ephedra can kill. Okay, everyone, stay away from herbs! They’re not regulated and you have no idea what you might be getting!

Research (deaths) found that the diabetes drug Rezulin can kill. Oops. Sorry about that. But we’ll have a new, improved drug to take its place soon! No worries!

The secret to selling quack medicine is, drum roll please, marketing!

And the secret to selling FDA-approved drugs that may harm or kill you? Marketing!

There you go. Either route, there’s lots of money to be made.

Caveat emptor.

(The inspiration/provocation for this post comes from the December 12 issue of eSkeptic. See the article, “The Immortal Lily The Pink: The 100th anniversary of the FDA marks a milestone in medicine before which cranks and charlatans ran amok.”)

People often find my blog through google searches. Today two people came across my blog using the search terms “Course in Miracles + President 2008.” I was curious about what they might be looking for, so I checked out other search results for the query. Well, what an adventure it’s been!

For instance, on a message board at IsraelForum.com, I learned that beginning January 1, Oprah’s satellite radio program “Oprah & Friends” will offer year-long lessons from the Course in Miracles Workbook. Read the message board post, which presents former New-Ager and ACIM follower Warren Smith’s article, “Oprah and Friends To Teach Course on New Age Christ.” The article is also available here.

As a former Christian, I can understand Smith’s dismay over the Course’s infiltration into Christian churches. The teachings are, as he says, “the truth of the Bible turned upside down.” Even when I was a believer I couldn’t understand why so many Christians played fast and loose with their sacred scriptures. Apparently a la carte Christianity is an easier sell.

But aside from debating whether Christians should embrace the Course, what about the teachings themselves? On a practical level, are they helpful, or harmful? Do they present the truth about the nature of reality and consciousness? Is the Course’s guidance a key to changing the world, as Marianne Williamson claims? Is it the New Age Peace Plan that’s going to transform humanity? I guess it remains to be seen. (But I’m not holding my breath.)

I believe that human consciousness is at a crucial point in its development. We may indeed be ready to make a leap in order to deal with our current existential problems, as psychology professor Clare W. Graves theorized. Graves’ work serves as the foundation for Spiral Dynamics, a way for viewing human nature and how it changes.

Learn about Spiral Dynamics here.

Read chapter 1 of Spiral Dynamics by Don Beck and Chris Cowen.

Learn about Dr. Graves here and here.

“The psychology of the mature human being is an unfolding, emergent, oscillating, spiraling process marked by progressive subordination of older, lower-order behavior systems to newer, higher-order systems as man’s existential problems change.” –Dr. Clare W. Graves

I get very excited and filled with hope when I contemplate an evolving human consciousness. But then I start reading discussions like this one, A Report On Nazism in the New Age Movement, on IsraelForum and my hopes get dashed. It seems we have a long way to go.

If you decide to visit this forum, you might want to take some Dramamine before jumping on the dizzying ride.

Oh great Spiral Dynamics, please save us.

Talk about a mess. Bailing out a small sliver of troubled homeowners isn’t the answer. Slapping Wall Street upside the head isn’t the answer. Continuing our current economic policies isn’t the answer.

The mortgage meltdown is just one of many crises facing our nation, as you know. Things are a mess, and if things don’t change, things are gonna get worse.

I know, I know — we tend see everything as coming up roses or dying on the vine depending on one’s political party and other affiliations. I’m not aligned with any party. And I tend to be optimistic about our country. I believe in free markets and sound money. I love living in our beautiful free country. But, quite frankly, I’m getting very concerned about where we’re headed.

The solutions, although possibly painful in the short-term, may be found in… Ron Paul for President!

I urge you to visit his Web site and learn what he stands for and what he wants to do as President. Start googling around and see what his supporters (and detractors) have to say. If you haven’t heard of him, you will soon. A powerful, grass-roots movement is sweeping the nation, unlike anything I’ve seen before. (Check out the Straw Poll results.)

If you like what you see, donate online. It’s kinda fun to see one’s name fade in and out on the Home page

Most of us want to be happy. The United States Declaration of Independence declares the pursuit of happiness as an unalienable right. The Dalai Lama says the purpose of life is happiness.

The desire to be happy is a human given, wired into our brains, because without it, why go on? This makes sense from an evolutionary point of view.

It is this innate desire that unscrupulous gurus often exploit. Some of their followers do experience happiness, so they’re inclined to spread the word about the guru. Unfortunately, other followers are left in a worse state, many mired in deep depression or teetering on the brink of suicide. What goes wrong? In most cases, the followers have been immersed in conditioning and methods found in cults. The mind is broken down, and the person can no longer deal with reality.

Medical experts who help people recover from being in cults describe the same experience and blame it on a process called “dissociation,” in which the mind withdraws from reality based on cues and no longer connects properly to such tasks as consciousness, memory, identity and perception.

It can come about from achieving the “absolute unitary state” too many times. At its best, it can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and stress and offer practitioners a renewed sense of purpose. At its worst, it can cause extreme mental illness and even symptoms of related multiple-personality disorders.

Read the entire article, Tapping into inner happiness

Entering into different states of consciousness is very real and very powerful. I’ll even go as far to say that it may be possible for people to assist others in changing their brain state through physical contact and intention, such as giving and receiving Deeksha.

My point is simply this: There are safe ways to develop happiness, and there are unsafe attempts. Be careful.

A live-in “sober buddy” for the rich. For a whopping $550 a day for low-maintenance gigs, to $1,500 per day for the harder-to-handle assignments.

I’m not kidding. Read this article.

My immediate reaction is to roll my eyes. What will they think up next to pamper the rich?

But what if I were a rich addict who needed help to kick the habit and get my life together? Would I hire a sober coach?

What if I were an addicted middle-class American who could, by the wave of a magic wand, have someone living in my house 24/7 to keep me out of trouble? (Does my chocolate addiction count?) I don’t know what I’d do. On the surface it sounds like the ultimate in pampering, or the ultimate in believing you have no self-control.

I tend to believe there are better ways to deal with addiction. Eliminate the root cause and you won’t need the sitter.