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Showing content with the highest reputation on 09/14/2018 in all areas

  1. Why Forest Bathing Is Good for Your Health Though any kind of nature can enhance our health and happiness, there’s something special about being in a forest. By Karin Evans | August 20, 2018 Print Bookmark “Nature deficit disorder” is a modern affliction. With more people living in cities, working in high-rise office buildings, and becoming addicted to their innumerable electronic devices, many of us are indeed experiencing a nature deficit. This is true for children and adults alike. In his new book, Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness, Japanese medical doctor and researcher Qing Li presents some sobering statistics: By 2050, according to the United Nations Population Division, three quarters of the world’s people will live in cities. Even now, the average American spends 93 percent of the time indoors, and some ten hours a day on social media—more than they spend asleep. The Kumano Kodo trail in Japan In Japan, there’s enough awareness about this deficit that Li heads up an organization called The Japanese Society of Forest Medicine, which promotes research on the therapeutic effects of forests on human health and educates people on the practice of forest bathing. His book—a companion to the center he runs—explores research on these benefits, while offering a number of techniques we can use to enhance them. “Some people study forests. Some people study medicine. I study forest medicine to find out all the ways in which walking in the forest can improve our well-being,” writes Li. The history of forest bathing Japan is a country that is both urbanized and heavily forested. Trees cover two-thirds of the island’s landmass, and yet a majority of Japan’s people live in crowded city conditions. Li himself lives in Tokyo, a city he describes as “the most crowded city in the world.” Perhaps that’s why the art of “forest bathing”—shinrin-yoku—began there. Forest bathing involves slowly walking through a forest, taking in the atmosphere through all your senses, and enjoying the benefits that come from such an excursion. In 1982, Japan launched a national program to encourage forest bathing, and in 2004, a formal study of the link between forests and human health began in Iiyama, Japan—a place particularly known for its lush, green forests. Now, each year upwards of 2.5 million people walk those forest trails as a way to ease stress and enhance health. Li’s interest in forest research began when he was a stressed-out medical student. He went away for a week of forest camping, and found it restored his physical and emotional health. That inspired him to begin researching the benefits of forests on human health and well-being. In 2004, he helped found the Forest Therapy Study Group, aimed at finding out why being among trees makes us feel so much better. The healing power of the forest After years of careful study, Li has found that spending time in a forest can reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and anger; strengthen the immune system; improve cardiovascular and metabolic health; and boost overall well-being. “Wherever there are trees, we are healthier and happier,” writes Li. And, he adds, it isn’t about exercising—like hiking or jogging—it’s simply about being in nature. Why would this be? It’s long been recognized that humans have a biological need to connect with nature. Some 20 years ago, American biologist E. O. Wilson noted that humans are “hardwired” to connect with the natural world, and that being in nature had a profoundly positive effect on human health. Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness (Viking, 2018, 320 pages) Li’s research seems to corroborate this. For example, one of his studies looked at whether forest bathing could improve sleep patterns among middle-aged Tokyo office workers who tended to suffer sleep deficiency due to high levels of stress. During the study, participants walked the same amount of time in a forest that they usually did in a non-forest setting on a normal working day. After a walk in the forest, participants were significantly less anxious, slept better, and slept longer. In addition, researchers found that afternoon walks were even more beneficial than morning walks. “You sleep better when you spend time in a forest, even when you don’t increase the amount of physical activity you do,” reported Li. To further assess the effects of time spent in a forest, Li measured people’s moods before and after walking in the woods or in an urban environment. While other studies have shown that walking anywhere outdoors reduces depression, anxiety, and anger, Li found that only the experience of walking in a forest improved people’s vigor and reduced fatigue. The health secrets of trees seem to lie in two things—the higher concentration of oxygen that exists in a forest, as compared to an urban setting, and the presence of plant chemicals called phytoncides—natural oils that are part of a plant’s defense system against bacteria, insects, and fungi. Exposure to these substances, says Li, can have measurable health benefits for humans. Physiological stress is reduced, for example, and both blood pressure and heart rate are lowered. Evergreens—pine, cedar, spruce, and conifers—are the largest producers of phytoncides, so walking in an evergreen forest seems to have the greatest health benefits. How to do forest bathing So, is there a specific art to forest bathing? Or is it just as easy as a walk in the woods? Connecting with nature is simple, writes Li. “All we have to do is accept the invitation. Mother Nature does the rest.” Here are some of his suggested steps. Find a spot. Depending where you are, find a good source of nature. One doesn’t need to journey deep into a forest for these benefits. Just look for any green area. It could be an urban park, a nature preserve, or a trail through suburban woods. Forests with conifers are thought to be particularly beneficial. “Let your body be your guide. Listen to where it wants to take you,” Li says. Some people will respond to sunny glades, others to shadier places. Listen to your own wisdom. For people who don’t have access to a forest, or can’t get outside for some reason, infusing essential tree oils in your home can provide benefits, too. Engage all your senses. “Let nature enter through your ears, eyes, nose, mouth, hands, and feet,” says Li. Actively listen, smell, touch, and look. “Drink in the flavor of the forest and release your sense of joy and calm.” Don’t hurry. Slow walking is recommended for beginners. And it’s good to spend as much time as possible. You’ll notice positive effects after twenty minutes, says Li, but a longer visit, ideally four hours, is better. Try different activities. Try doing yoga in the woods, or Tai chi, or meditation. Take a picnic. Write a poem. Study plants. You can venture alone, or with a companion. In Japan, forest walking therapists are even available. Appreciate the silence. One of the downsides of urban living is the constant noise. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a wooded area that’s free from human-produced sound. Silence is restorative, and a forest can have its own healing sound—rustling leaves, a trickle of water, birdsong. Spend a few quiet moments with a favorite tree. If nothing else, when we connect with nature we are reminded that we are part of a larger whole. And that, Li notes, can lead us to be less selfish and to think more of others. Li’s book, which includes illustrations and a map of “40 Beautiful Forests Across the World,” is an invitation and an inspiration to take a walk in the woods, wherever you are. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_forest_bathing_is_good_for_your_health?utm_medium=email&utm_source=other&utm_campaign=opencourse.es3OSXqhEea1Vw7ENWFEPw.announcements~opencourse.es3OSXqhEea1Vw7ENWFEPw.NyzGa6cwEeiD2QqOJunOiA
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  2. The Taj Mahal is the face of India, Its one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Its impossible to have a India tourism brochure without the Taj slapped on the cover or somewhere inside. The Taj has been romanticized as the symbol of love, but what about the slaves that built it? what about the genocide of non Muslims carried out under the orders of Shah Jehan? The Taj like any other Mughal structure was built using Indian wealth plundered by the invaders, Indians were denied their wealth, land, culture, religion, yet India celebrates this building! Its not just the Taj but many buildings built by these invaders have a dark story which has been overshadowed by the "beauty" and "grandeur" This whole idea of Shah Jehan building the Taj as a symbol of love for his wife is false lol! the Mughals, like any other emperor of the past built huge colossal resting places to make themselves eternal! they forever wanted to be remembered so built huge mausoleums for themselves. Throughout time emperors themselves wrote much of history in order to be remembered as powerful Kings. Many of the Mughal tombs have gardens with fruit and exotic plants, fountains and artificial lakes, the idea was to create jannat here on earth, and its the same for the Taj. The whole love saga was created much later. I have been to the Qutab Minar, Delhi which was constructed by one of the early Muslim invaders, Delhi sultanates. Huge Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temple complexes were destroyed and the same material was used to build this Minar. The Qutab Minar complex is huge and the remains of these ancient temples are still there! the ruins of these temples are dotted around everywhere surrounding the Minar. Walking around it makes you wonder how magnificent these temples must of been at one point. There are many other early Islamic tombs and structures in the Qutub Minar complex and they too are made of destroyed temples. Today the Qutab Minar is a UNESCO world heritage site and is protected by the government of India! it is a protected monument under the archaeological survey of India! how does that make any sense? Imagine the moment the Islamic invaders marched into the temple complex, the genocide they carried out, the screams and bloodshed, the slaughter and destruction. And then those same temples were crushed and used to build the Minar. Its not just the buildings but even in Bollywood the Mughals are romanticized. Jodha Akbar was a huge movie a few years back and it was all false. It was a fictionalized version of Akbars marriage to Rajput Princess Jodha. In reality Jodha had to change her name to Mariam and was buried according to Islamic beliefs and has a Islamic tomb. Akbar is called a secular king with the first secular government, but why do they ignore the Rajput genocide that he carried out in order to spread his empire? The Mughals slaughtered the local princes and then claimed Indian wealth and land as their own property! with this same wealth they built their empire and built these monuments using Indian slaves. Why are these people celebrated? The Islamic invasion of India was one of the bloodiest genocides the world has witnessed, for 900 years millions of Indians were slaughtered and today their buildings are protected and their culture is celebrated. why? Here are the ruins of temples in the Qutub Minar complex. Around 900/800 years foreign invaders marched into this very place and carried out a brutal massacre. They demolished the indigenous religion and culture and replaced it with their own. This place should be a memorial not a tourist attraction. The crumbling temples and the towering Muslim structure in the center, This place perfectly captures the Islamic invasion of India. This place symbolizes one of the worst genocides the world has witnessed.
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  3. If you do this, you will surely lose your friend. I don't see anything too wrong with going, but I wouldn't participate in any of their shenanigans lol. I'd just walk and immediately go take a seat somewhere.
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  4. That's very interesting, especially the controllable society bit. I agree. Though I disagree with people sticking to their own castes. I think young sikhs need to do the opposite, marry out of your caste, it will creator stronger relationships between sikhs of different castes and we need that... In fact I hope i do marry someone outside of my caste
    1 point
  5. Why? Saving face and putting a positive spin on an embarrassing -- for Hindus -- historical capitulation. They literally cavorted with the enemy and sought to profit from a union with their invaders. It's willful self-delusion designed to make subsequent Indian generations feel less guilty at having been cucked by the Mughals. A huge coping strategy.
    1 point
  6. Nice Sikh videos, some are interesting and some beautiful! post more guys ...
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  7. Don’t bow to the idols just say Waheguru. Nothing wrong with going to a Dharam Asthaan. I went to a church (school trip).
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  8. Adjust the manner in which you mentally frame your relationship and your interactions with him. It's almost a process of stepping out of yourself and seeing things for the first time with new eyes. If you're clinging to the memories of the good times or you're an overly sentimental person, you most likely won't be capable of doing this. Reconcile yourself with the idea that his demeanour has changed with age, and that there's no dialling it back to more pleasant times. Dare I say your interactions with him from now on will almost be tinged with him being patronised by you or treated like an incapable child needing to be humoured. If this seems cruel and dispassionate, then obviously it's not going to work for you. You can plough on as you are, pining for the old days, but you'll only end up hurting yourself.
    1 point
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