This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. “Are you your own healer” says Shamini Jain, who invites us to discover the hidden possibilities of healing from a scientific and spiritual point of view. Dr. Shamini Jain is a psychologist, scientist, and social entrepreneur. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego, where she is also Chair of the Center for Integrative Medicine’s Research Committee. Dr. Jain is also the Founding Director of the Consciousness and Healing Initiative, a collaborative effort that links scientists, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and educators to facilitate personal and planetary healing through an understanding of consciousness and consciousness-based practices.
Category: qigong
The Way of Divine Energy
The wisdom and insight we can learn from ancient texts is never ending. More than 5000 years ago the ancient Chinese masters of esoteric healing came to the understanding that everything is composed of the same energetic substance called Qi. They observed the oneness and wholeness in all existence and everything is energetically interconnected as one body. The ancient Chinese believed all transformations happened under the influence of Qi. Birth, aging and death of all things with Heaven and Earth, including wind, water, mountains, forest, humans, animals and insects are caused by and formed out of Qi. Qi is the constant energy motion within all things.
One ancient Chinese text of mystery and beauty is the The Daodejing, believed to be written by the sage Lao Tzu. It is the most translated text into English next to the Bible. Daoism is the second of the three major philosophies of China. The Daodejing responds to the political, family centered morality of Confucius; rejecting man-made hierarchies and arguing the value of simplicity and humility over power and ambition. It can be compared today with Capitalism and Spirituality. The dao is the way of nature in a universe that consists of opposites in harmony, and de (virtue, integrity) is an innate human strength. Following the dao brings humans freedom, serenity, and longevity. The original conception of Dao was simply the observation that reality has a certain way about it. The “Way’ encompasses all of existence. Some may call it the way to God,
an atheist may call it the laws of nature, all pointing to the same thing, something I call Infinite Intelligence.
The Dao can be considered as two-fold, one represented by the law of physics describing the universe and it’s manifestations such as energy and light; and at the personal level describing the human sphere and its manifestation such as our thoughts, emotions and actions. The Daodejing or Tao Te Ching was trying to tell us these principles. If we can understand these forces are inseparable, the physical and metaphysical, it will make our spiritual journey richer and more fruitful.
If one looks for Dao, there is nothing solid to see; If one listens for it, there is nothing loud enough to hear. Yet if one uses it, it is inexhaustible.
Consider the Dao as Infinite Intelligence, pure Universal Energy of divine mystery and the sage Lao Tzu a divine messenger of the 5th century BCE. Lao Tzu, Buddha, Krishna and Jesus were divine messengers providing the way for all to see. Lao Tzu tells us the “Act in harmony with the Way and you will become the Way. Nurture the way within yourself and you will live a virtuous life.” Buddha said ” Those that follow the way are like dry grass. They need to be protected from the flames of desire.” While Krishna tells us ” Let those who are wise seek the Way. Those who find it will not return. ” The apocalypse Jesus tells us to “Open the door to the Way that is within you, so that you may be a guide to those who wish to follow you. Encourage all those who are ready to follow the Way and receive its blessings.”
The Daoists understood Dao as the appropriate way for humans to live their lives. But for the Daoists, following the way was participating in the Dao of nature, the changes and rhythms of the universe and the natural world. To neglect the way of nature was the root of society’s misery. They believe if a person follows the “Way” or “path” and lives a life of virtue, then the way of nature, heaven, Earth, and humanity will be balanced.
There is a strong element of mysticism by losing one’s sense as a separate, individual self while perceiving a much greater reality. This mystical sense is both encouraged by and expressed through particular practices and ways of being in the Daodejing. One of the most important practices involves diminishing the ego; such as the cravings for attention, recognition, and control. True sages were not interested in the material world but for the welfare of others. “Sages blend into the world,” says the Daodejing. To blend into the world, one lives a simple existence.
A simple existence is the understanding Qi is the Catalyst for everything. The ancient Chinese believed that the Qi of Yin and Yang fulfils the “Great Void” (Wuji) enveloping all things and leaving nothing outside its boundary.
“Dao is forever and he that possess it, Though his body ceases, is not destroyed.”
The goal is balance yin, our feminine side, and yang, our masculine side and make into one. According to the Chinese, energetic fields are divided into Yin and Yang. The theory of yin and yang energy represents the duality of balance and harmony within the body as well as the universe. Earth energy is Yin while Heaven energy is Yang. Those who master and balance the bodies Yin-Yang energy were considered “Tian Shen” or Xian meaning “immortals”.
The different sacred texts from different cultures of the world have essentially the same message. For example balancing yin and yang, the feminine and masculine, and the 114th saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. Simon Peter said to him, “Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life.” Jesus said, “I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven.”
The Valley Spirit never dies.
It is named the Mysterious Female.
And the doorway of the Mysterious Female
Is the base from which Heaven and Earth sprang.
It is there within us all the while;
Draw upon it as you will, it never runs dry.
In my humble opinion, woman and man are equal and the more we work together in the name of love, compassion and service to others, we can create the world where every human can learn and discover their true selves. The sage Laozi said about the self, “ Some people recognize the self and are amazed. Other people who hear of the Self just wonder. Still others do not understand at all.” He also speaks of love when he said “ The world is transformed by those who love all people, just as you love yourself”.
It starts with us!!!!!
In 1972, excavation in the Mawangdui Han Dynasty tombs in Hunan Province uncovered a silk relic that portrayed drawing of Do yin postures dating prior to the third century BCE. This silk scroll is consider the first complete set of Qigong movement with over half of these illustrates posture are of animal movements used to purge the body’s channels to regulate the Yin and Yang and treat illnesses.
Death and the After life
Death and the after-life is something we will all face eventually. Our limited understanding is guided by our belief system; what we subconsciously learned and consciously taught. It is the school of life, with countless confusion and distortions with so many belief systems and religions. It may be as simple as to what you believe will be your reality.
Death is the release of our life force in order to continue our spirit journey. The ancient chinese described qi as “life force”, Hindu called it prana, Christians and Jews refer to it as the soul and the Muslims call it Rūḥ, our immortal self. Gnostics called it the divine spark; spirit, essense and the list goes on.
Our life force is who we are, energy within our bodies, feeling all the aches and pains as we age, physically and emotionally. We are trying to understand our purpose. We learn and practice tai chi, chi gong, yoga, walk, jog and meditate to cultivate our life force just to face the daily challenges and choices. We look around and wonder if this it, why are we here! Based on the Law of One our purpose is to learn the ways of love with wisdom, and each of us have our own special lessons to learn. At the end of our life we have a “life review”. If you attained 51 percent positive, you will leave 3rd density and advance to the the 4th density. Seven densities , realms, dimensions or heavens are terms used in religious and mythology ancient texts.
Law of One also provides insight on death which states, ” the process of the physical death is as we have described before: one in which there is aid available and the only need at death is the releasing of that entity from its body by those around it and the praising of the process by those who grieve. By these means may the mind/body/spirit which has experienced physical death be aided, not by the various perceptions of careful and repeated rituals.”
Near Death experiences (NDE) also provides insight and some sort of understanding of the afterlife. People that have experienced NDE sometimes describe a floating sense of freedom from pain and of complete wellbeing; or they had unusual abilities, such as being able to see walls and also see through them, and being able to “hear” the unspoken thoughts of the people nearby; They sometime say they experienced a “life review” while at the same time, they re-viewed, and experienced being on the receiving end of, all their actions throughout life; Some went beyond the light, seeing cities of light and knowledge. When they chose to return, it was because of a love connection with one or more living people. The other half say they didn’t choose to return: They either were told or made to return, or they were just suddenly “back” in their bodies.
Physical death releases our life force; our final escape from this realm. It is interesting to note how emotions around us affect even the death process. Our thoughts, emotions and actions create our reality not only in this world but also the next. Many seek gnosis, the knowledge of spiritual mysteries, to better understand our situation. Esoteric knowledge of spiritual truth was held by the ancient Jews, Christians and Greeks. They believed it was essential to salvation.
What stands out for me to be essential is the emotion of love, the emotion that conquers all things. Also our intentions regarding our thoughts, emotions and actions. If we fear death, a negative emotion, then death may be exactly that. That is why we are here to learn about love and the wisdom to use it.
Our ancient teachers had much wisdom to say about death and immorality.

Jesus said in the Apocryphon of John, “I am returning to the place for which I came, If you wish to follow me, you may. But you will not enter the Kingdom until you have perfected yourselves.”
Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita, ” When the self leaves the body it will go whatever the attention is focused on the time of death. Therefore remember me at all times. When your mind absorbed in Me you will come to Me”
Lao Tzu said in the Tao Te Ching, ” Those who are not attached to life will not fear death. They are more fortunate than those who give life too much meaning. “
“One who has lived wisely does not fear death.” The Buddha
Being more positive than negative with your thoughts, emotions and actions; being aware of your intention regarding your thoughts, emotions and actions; do not get attached to the material world; and live your life with wisdom; all teachings from our Masters to not only assist us with our life journey, but our impending death and afterlife.
Meditation, a Powerful State of Mind



Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

We all have a morning ritual. We wake up in our own way, some begin thinking about the day ahead. Schedules, appointments, meetings, kids, family, all part of our daily lives. Before you start your day, consider taking a few moment to have a conversation with God, in your own way. The ancient Essenes taught that prayer was the feeling. Feel it from your heart and then sit quietly and listen. Feel the gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to serve and quietly reflect your intention for the day; radiate love and compassion to all you meet. Visualize your day.
Imagination and visualization are a great tools. Mainstream has defined imagination as” the faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses. The ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful.”
Imagination is our ability to understand the mind, and is not limited to our physical body. When we awaken, we begin to understand, feel and recognize all the subtle energetic rhythms of the life around us; moving within our energetic field. It takes time and awareness.
Meditation Warriors is a group that was created with the intention of positively changing our world. The group provides encouragement for a daily meditation practice. Meditation can be standing, walking, sitting, and laying down. It is a about changing the way we think, a new way of thinking and how we see the world. Practicing mindfulness during the day is being aware of your thoughts, feelings and actions with your focus on what you are doing. Moving meditation, like qigong or tai chi is helpful for cultivating energy throughout the body. Lying meditation can be done before you rise and before you go to sleep at night and even when you wake up during the night. Sitting meditation for just 5 to 20 minutes a day with the right intentions sends positive vibrations into the world. There is no right or wrong way to meditate. The Kirtan Kriya method may be of some assistance for those with the real unruly mind.
We are not of different races, but one race, the human race, with a divine power within each of us. United we are one and could positively change our world!
If there is to be peace in the world, There must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, There must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, There must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, There must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, There must be peace in the heart. chinese philosopher – Lao Tzu
Spiritual Healing and Our Health
As we go through life, sooner or later we will face disturbing effects of illness, diseases and failing health. The medical system is failing, ran by the pharmaceutical corporations; our food supply is being replaced by nutrient deficient food; genetically modified foods and, glyphosate has been found in the water supply. Even the air we breathe is questionable. When we are focused on all the obstacles we face daily, it is difficult to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes it helps to remember we are here for a purpose; to discover our true selves.
With falling health, our human bodies become frail, our minds become confused with fear and anger, feeling defeated. But our spirit, our higher self, tells us to keep going, to not give up. Most do not realize that we have been programmed since birth. Our education, media, political and religious systems play an integral part of who we have become and how we think. Our lives are connected to family, friends, work, school and the material world, all affecting our health; positively and negatively.
As we begin to discover our true selves, spiritual healing begins with the realization there is a Source, Universal Intelligence of pure sacred energy, that connects us all. We begin to think and believe we can heal ourselves. Controlling the mind is key, not only for our health be for our spiritual journey.
Buddha said, “Hard it is to train the mind, which goes where it likes and does what it wants. But a trained mind brings health and happiness. The wise can direct their thoughts, subtle and elusive, whenever they choose: a trained mind brings health and happiness.”
We have to deprogram ourselves, so to speak, and perhaps think differently. There is another world that is inseparable from our physical world that cannot be detected with the five senses; our metaphysical world. It is the world of the Source, pure energy simply beyond our understanding. It is the energy generated by our hearts and minds. Science is beginning to study what we already know. One study makes a striking correlation between heart rate and the electromagnetic energy from the sun and earth. Even health care providers are understanding the correlation between spirituality, religion and mental health.
The Source is our life line. In Chinese cultures, this is known as chi or qi and other cultures ki, prana, chakras and kundalini. Our body, mind, and spirit have a life force we call electromagnetic energy or energy that cannot even be measured or thoroughly understood. Sunlight is something we cannot live without. Light is the food for all life on earth. The human body, according to the doctrine of chromotherapy, is basically composed of colors. Isn’t that what Jesus said, We are from the Light? We know insufficient sunlight will result in low Vitamin D deficiencies, leading to the development of prostate and breast cancer, memory loss, and an
increased risk for developing dementia and schizophrenia. We have been told to wear sunscreen to protect ourselves but what is really happening? We are light beings with chakras and the energy of the sun has the colors of the rainbow. Every creature and plant on earth is engulfed in light that affects its health conditions.
Grounding, as we all know when we go to the beach, improves sleep and reduces stress. Grounding is bare skin to the earth, perhaps walking or performing Qigong or chi gong, or any meditative practice outside barefoot. It is an excellent way to cultivate energy. We all wear shoes and that prevents us from getting the benefits from the earth. Grounding is a simple way to prevent and help inflammation with these techniques.
Emotions control who we are and what be become. Paracelsus, Father of Modern Medicine said “The spirit is the master, imagination the tool, and the body the plastic material . . . The power of the imagination is a great factor in medicine. It may produce diseases in man and in animals, and it may cure them . .. Ills of the body may be cured by remedies or by the power of the spirit acting through the soul.” Thoughts and emotions control our destiny, so think what you want to become and do it in love, the strongest of all emotions.
Meditation and prayer are our connection to the Source but also essential in controlling the overactive mind. According to Dr. Andrew Newberg, meditation and prayer positively changes our brains. He also said that the brain has two primary functions that can be considered from either a biological or evolutionary perspective. Essentially, we are hard-wired for God, the Source.
A 12 minute exercise, called the Kirtan Kriya is a type of meditation, practiced daily for 8 weeks, will improve cognition and activate parts of the brain that are central to memory.
The power of visualization is a tool we can use for healing. Your brain is constantly using visualization in the process of simulating future experiences. This happens so naturally we generally aren’t even aware it is happening, much like we are unaware of our breathing or heart beating. If you are not aware of it then you are not actively directing the process. You can learn to use visualization to actively create future simulations that can help you improve goals that you set for yourself, such as healing. The same thing may apply to the lost mode of prayer. Visualizing your prayer as if it has already happened instead of asking for it.
We live in a world of distractions. Fear, anger, stress and greed will wear the body down, but love is the one emotion that will overcome all. In your own way, try to cultivate love in everything you do. Jesus said love your neighbor as you love yourself. According to the Law of One, our purpose on earth is to learn to balance love and wisdom and be of services to others. Healing starts with the mind and the realization of the power within, a change from traditional thinking. It is just you, your higher self with help from the Source. All the same divine energy connecting as one. All waiting on you.
Our Ability to Heal
The placebo effect has been proven. Our mind, our belief system, actually controls our pain and can heal many ailments we suffer. In short, the placebo effect relies on your body’s own chemicals, released in response to or in accordance with your mental or emotional expectations or beliefs. You have the ability to heal yourself, all you have to do is sincerely believe and engage and energize the power within. Our thoughts, emotions and actions have a huge impact on our lives more than any of us ever imagined. We live in the material world, not realizing the unseen forces of metaphysical world undetected by the five senses. Our unruly mind does not help. Most of us realize we are energetic beings who do not comprehend the power within. Much like newborn babies, we are just discovering there may be something much more to ourselves than just a physical body. Jesus even said ” Truly, truly, I tell You, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. He was telling us to believe and understand his true message and we could perform the same good deeds.
We have the ability but where do we start? Mystical and psychic abilities have been depressed and discouraged for centuries and most are reluctant to even discuss. We have been made to believe psychic ability was something from the dark ages, something negative.
Witches were burned at the stake for practicing so-called magic and of spells of invocation of spirits, all psychic abilities. Channeling, another psychic ability has been going on since biblical days. Parts of the Old Testament says kill the messenger and the New Testament says do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. This list of psychic abilities have been attributed to real-world people and there are different types. World governments have been recruiting operatives with psychic abilities for years.
We all have some degree of psychic ability. One ability most have and may not realize it is knowing something and your not sure how you know; known as discernment. Call it instinct or intuition we have the ability if we pay attention. A psychic has the the ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception (ESP). To me, it is the development of our third eye, our sixth sense. The sixth sense is the 6th Chakra of the 7 energy centers, running from the base of our spine to the top of our head. Another message Jesus left us was he said “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your vision is clear, your whole body will be full of light.” Light is energy and once your vision is clear, you understand the power within, the kind that can heal not only yourself but others.
Andrew Newberg, MD Director of Research, Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has being doing research and suggest that Human beings appear to have spiritual brains; brains that are capable of feeling deeply connected to something greater than themselves and that we can develop intense beliefs about God. His research reveals the fascinating relationship between the universal spiritual urge and the intricate workings of the human brain. He did brain scans of Franciscan Nuns while they were engaged in a type of meditative prayer called centering prayer. The brain scans showed many different changes, including changes in he parts of the brain that are involved in the sense of self, providing evidence that meditative prayer has a measurable effect on the brain.
Other research also suggests meditation may physically change the brain and body and could potentially help to improve many health problems and promote healthy behaviors. Science has established 12 science-based benefits of meditation that can be easily obtains with daily practice.
Buddha said “Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.”
We all have the potential to heal ourselves and develop our God-given abilities. With positive and loving thoughts, emotions and actions, we create our reality. Daily meditation provides wisdom. A great start to understanding our true selves.
Changing old habits that do not serves us in our endeavor is probably the most difficult task to overcome, so one should begin gradually. This is about transformation, changing bad habits that have been ingrained for years into beneficial ones. Your thoughts, emotions and actions create your reality. Media can be your friend or foe, so you should realize what you watch or read, affects you. Adding more positivity in your life is a plus. Qigong, yoga, Tai Chi exercises may increase your positive energy and your overall well-being.
A daily meditation practice is probably the single most important aspect of any spiritual journey. It is just you and One Infinite Intelligence or God. Daily meditation turns your attention away from distracting thoughts and unhealthy habits and focuses on the present moment, the power within each of us, that divine spark.
Healing is not just about the body, but the mind and spirit. It about our connection to God and how to make positive life changes in order to connect. It is a journey, and as humans we make mistakes. We simply learn and find our way back to our path. Eventually you will look back and be glad you took that first step. With wisdom and compassion, we love others unconditionally, be of service to others, nurture and care for all of nature and becoming one with our Infinite Creator, developing that true power within.
Our Essence/Spirit/Soul
Our essence, the spirit and soul, is pure energy, a source from Infinite Intelligence that encompasses the universe that forever has been a mystery for the human race. Our essence is much like a baby, trying to learn to see, sit up, crawl, walk, and talk while developing the 6th sense. It is drawn to the beauty of nature, the thriving life of seen and unseen worlds. It looks at others and sees itself with feelings of compassion, love and discernment. It feels sorrow as it sees the world being ravaged, polluted and destroyed; the pain and suffering of the people, plants, animals and mother earth. It understands we are one community with different cultures, ideas, and beliefs, all different, but all spiritually connected.
But our essence is just an infant, beginning to realize the infinite possibilities. Telepathy, telekinesis, clairvoyance, discernment, remote viewing and psychic abilities are just some beginning to be understood and practiced. Mankind even has Global Consciousness project uses binary codes to measure levels of global conscious. Even our thoughts create reality by negative or positive emotions causing action and reaction. Over 7 billion people have unknowingly created our world of today simply by thought.
Our essence has been elusive of our understanding since the beginning of time. Humanity has been fascinated the concept of spirit/soul through religion and belief systems. Our essence , also known as spirit, soul, rul, chi, prana, chakras, divine spark or consciousness is in every culture. Each culture has a belief system, established rituals, rules, explanations and concepts based on their understanding how our essence guides us through this life into the next. We go to churches, synagogues, temples, monasteries, mosques and other places of worship to understand our spirit. Others do not attend organized religion but practice spirituality daily.
Our essence is communicating with us, all we have to do is pay attention. Daily meditation, contemplation, prayer and thanksgiving brings our essence closer to the source, our Creator.
Call it mystical and elusive; it has been debated, discussed, and revered, by every Religion and belief system in the world. Science cannot explain or prove the energy exist, encourages those to be non-believers. Description of near death experience excites those who believe. It is free-will, all part of this grand game, we call life.
Spiritual Energy Creates Harmonious Spirit
Have you ever considered the sun or the earth spiritual energy. The energy that nourishes our higher self, our spirit, soul, and higher-self or divine force. In Chinese cultures, this is chi or qi and other cultures ki, prana, chakras and kundli. As spiritual beings with a body and mind, we have a life force made of electromagnetic energy or energy that cannot even be measured or explained. Even our thoughts help create our reality through emotions.
Sunlight is something we cannot live without. Light is the food for all life on earth. The human body, according to the doctrine of chromotherapy, is basically composed of colors. Insufficient sunlight will result in low Vitamin D deficiencies, leading to the development of prostate and breast cancer, memory loss, and an increased risk for developing dementia and schizophrenia. We have been told to wear sunscreen to protect ourselves but what is really happening? We are light beings with chakras and the energy of the sun has the colors of the rainbow. Every creature and plant on earth is engulfed in light that affects its health conditions.
Grounding as we all know when we go to the bench improves sleep and reduces stress. When I go barefoot, I am more relaxed and have a feeling of connection to the earth. Grounding is bare skin to the earth and performing Chi gong or any meditative practice outside barefoot is an excellent way to cultivate energy as well connect to mother nature. We all wear shoes and that prevents us from getting the benefits from the earth. Grounding is a simple way to prevent and help inflammation with these techniques.
Qigong or chi gong. My first experience with qigong was in 2012 when my brother was diagnosed with cancer. We found Master Kim, a former martial arts expert who was also an acupuncturist and taught qigong. I learned qigong was a slow meditative movement cultivating qi throughout the body. Being westerners we were a little slow in learning the process but we did learn still practice today. My brother had surgery and with the excellent care his wife provided with essential oils and diet he is cancer free today.
Meditation and prayer. My brother’s experience with cancer led me to wanting a deeper understanding of meditation. I studied various meditative methods, mindfulness, meditation at Buddhist temple and even mantras by a Buddhist priest. I took a course titled, The Spiritual Brain: Science and Religion experience by Dr. Andrew Newberg. I learned of a 12 minute exercise, called the Kirtan Kriya is a type of meditation practiced daily for 8 weeks will improve cognition and activate parts of the brain that are central to memory.
Emotions control who we are and what be become. Paracelsus, Father of Modern Medicine said “The spirit is the master, imagination the tool, and the body the plastic material . . . The power of the imagination is a great factor in medicine. It may produce diseases in man and in animals, and it may cure them . .. Ills of the body may be cured by remedies or by the power of the spirit acting through the soul.”
We live in a world of distractions. Fear, anger, greed but love is the one emotion that would overcome all. It is also the most difficult to understand fully and certainly the most difficult to achieve. Jesus said love your neighbor as you love yourself. According to the Law of One, our purpose on earth is to learn how to love and be of services to others. A world where everyone love one another as Jesus said, would heal the world.