Science of Being and Art of Living

The Science of Being and Art of Living: Transcendental Meditation is a book written by His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1963. Maharishi left his home and brought Transcendental Meditation to the Western World.

Open to those who wanted to learn to meditate in a most simple fashion, Maharishi set into motion the growth of a program of meditation not conflicting with any religion that serves humanity at times of great need. I participated in the first surge of meditation in the US, learning at the Santa Monica TM Center in 1974/5. The second surge is just as exciting, maybe even more because my vantage point of a long time meditator. I am truely excited for each and every person who learns TM.

Saturday, I met Tess. She's roughly the same age I was when I was introduced to TM. I told her what I've come to know if you meditate for over 30 years, you'll be much more aware of many, many things.

Maharishi often talked about the levels of awareness: consciousness is like the water on a lake with the top waves being the thoughts of which we are aware. Below the surface and into the depth of the lake are the deeper parts of the mind. Transcendental Meditation helps meditators access these depths available to every human being.

In the depths of the mind, just like in the lake, is calm/quiet but in access the deeper mind there is also increased energy, increased creativity, increased organization, and the ability to see more clearly our personal life path.

But how do you reach those depths?

http://www.tm.org

Green Clean = Clean Environment

Benefits of Green Clean

Better Health
Clean Environment
Supporting Environmentally Friendly Companies

The last century held a war of germs at the cost of ever increasing numbers of toxic chemicals. Some germs, bacteria, viruses died but some became Super Illnesses threatening the health of an increasing number of people. Hazardous for the elderly and young children Super-bugs are infecting athletes and others in locker rooms and public restrooms with fungus, bacterium and viruses.

One way to avoid a variety of Illnesses is to keep your environment clean.

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

http://www.simplygoodstuff.com/

Light Clean – Daily
Wipe All Top Surfaces
There are places such as public restrooms, offices and even some homes that only use this type of cleaning. They need to do more, really.

Regular Clean – Weekly
Bring the cleaning bucket with all the cleaning supplies. Today is cleaning day: Dust, Vacuum, Wash Floors. All daily lightly cleaned areas are really cleaned with cleaner. Wash all towels, bedding, over-clothing aprons, et cetera. Wash all mugs, coffee pots, tea pots, et cetera. Clean keyboards, mouse, screens, shelves, picture frames, et cetera.

Deeper Clean – Monthly
A semi-large cleaning keeps the dust bunnies and cobwebs from collecting. This is the level of clean that gets noticed by guests and the public. Wipe Walls, Light Switches, Door Handles, Tops of Cases, Tops of Fans, et cetera.

Seasonal Clean – Quarterly
Inside and Outside Windows and Screens, Railing, Curtains, and Behind Appliances in this three-month cycle of clean. This is the cleaning that prevents build up of nasty toxins. While cleaning behind the appliances remember to vacuum the vents, this will extend the life of your appliance. Change vent filters in the heating and air conditioning system. If a loved one has allergies you may want to do this more often but a seasonal filter change keeps your indoor air cleaner, reducing pollen and dust. Change water purity filters too.

This is a great time to prepare a repair list too.

Comments
With the recession building management has reduced the number of cleaning personnel and it shows. Cleaning and maintenance should be a high priority because it reduces overall cost of health-care by reducing communicable diseases, and keeps public areas in better repair.

Historical Note
Until recently most Middle Class and all Upper Class Homes had one or more staff members because cleaning was a daily event. For larger homes it was common to have Upstairs and Downstairs Staff as well as Chamber and Scullery Staff.

Good Clean Health!

E-85: A Better Choice

Sustainable eco-friendlier combustible fuel is produced from corn, a rotatable sustainable crop, it's called E-85.

Current dormant acreage can be rotated to a corn crop rather than subsidized through USDA payments to farmer ‘not-to-plant’. This rotation provides soil nutrients as it is worked and turned, prevents top soil erosion and makes a fuel that burns cleaner than fossil fuels. Could this be an easier choice?

Let’s Explore E-85

E-85 is now available at less than 3,000 gas stations across the US. It is a primary fuel in several European countries including Sweden, Ireland and Italy. If US consumption rises not only would the fuel be available at more stations, the price should go down as the production quantity goes up, making E-85 even more attractive to the consumer.

Current E-85 prices on cost per tank are on par with fossil fuel costs, but E-85 creates less carbon emission, less overall air pollution per mile of driving.

E-85 is an alcohol fuel made from non-edible corn plant or whey, the waste, by product in cheese production.

Reports online show the fuel miles per gallon is reduced when compared with fossil fuel. But the important part for consumers is the price per gallon which is less. With zero added cost to the consumer adding in the improved air quality, the decision is a no-brainer, E-85 wins!

Not only is E-85 better for the consumer and the environment but a boost for the economy as well as rising production levels will increase alternative fuel production jobs right here in the US.

Fuel Economy

In trials gas consumption seems to be related to driving habits. If you are a responsible driver, you’ll find nearing similar mpg (miles per gallon) with E-85. If you are heavy on the gas or ‘Ricky Racers’ with excessive speed or stomping on gas to brake and back again, then your over all fuel economy will be reduced. Some of the anti-E-85 articles on the web are skewed to show the fuel economy ratings toward an erratic driver rather than easy-going driver. In other words, the worst-case scenerio is stated as the probable fuel milage.

One Day’s Price

Gas $3.25/gallon
E-85 $2.75/gallon

Emission Toxins

E-85 reduced emission toxins including Benzene, a known carcinogen. E-85 increases acetaldehyde which is found in exhaust and cigarette smoke. Studies are in progress to find the ratios and related risks to the acetaldehyde emissions.

Is E-85 the end to air pollution?

Easily, the answer is NO.

Is E-85 an alternative to fossil fuel?

Yes.

Can E-85 be less costly than fossil fuel?

Yes.

Clearly, E-85 is a step in the right direction for cleaner air at a better price for everyone.

Book Review: Confucius Jade

Title: Confucius Jade
Author: Frederick Fisher
Genre: Fiction/China
ISBN: 978-0-9819291-3-2
Publication Date: March 2010
Pages: 350
Price: $14.95
Publisher: Dudley Court Press

Confucius Jade: the story begins in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China telling the story of the Kong family, descendents of Confucius who lived five hundred years ago. The family’s story recounts bravery, and tragedy as they move for better opportunity. They follow the jade trade routes only to loose half the family along the way.

Jade is a desired commodity. Wan Yi is a jade carver who finds himself in an unusual position having carved using mystical ways, the representation of Shou-Xing, the Chinese God of Longevity.

Frederick Fisher, a gemologist is the author of this unusual tale of intrigue. His knowledge of China and the gem trade not only makes this story interesting but gives the reader insight to another world.

Once started, I could hardly put the book down and couldn’t wait to get back to it to find out what happened next. It was an honor to read this book and a delight to recommend it to people who are interested in gems, China or simply reading a great story.