by Marisa
 Most of us have heard of Transcendental Meditation. Maybe you vaguely remember some phase The Beatles went through, or have caught wind of the David Lynch Foundation's funding of TM programs in schools. Perhaps you follow Deepak Chopra, who expounds regularly on the myriad health benefits, or have simply heard there's a meditation practice that charges $2500 to learn one word. All true. But I'd like you to hear just a little more.
While I can't vouch for the copy-righted Transcendental Meditation (TM) program since, well, I can't afford it, I can vouch for the technique. It's also known as Vedic meditation, and increasingly, it's everywhere.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi mainstreamed Vedic meditation under the name Transcendental Meditation in 1955, roughly 5,000 years after the practice's actual origin. Drawn from the Veda, an ancient Indian body of knowledge predating Hinduism and responsible for yoga and ayurvedic medicine, Vedic meditation was and remains a "house-holder's" meditation. You don't need to recluse yourself from society or forfeit the material world to practice. The training program takes all of a handful of hours over a couple days, after which you're on your own, sitting comfortably with your assigned mantra, eyes closed, for 20 minutes, twice daily. Simple, right? Portable, and easily integrated into the busy American life.
So if your curiosity is piqued but the $2,500 TM price-tag proves too large a hurdle, consider a free introductory talk with any number of independent Vedic teachers. Same practice, but on a more manageable sliding scale, and once you've completed the course, you can repeat it as often as you like with any Vedic teacher, at no additional charge. After all, a meditation designed to be accessible for the masses, should be financially accessible as well.
For further info go to:
Light On Meditation
Green Tree Meditation
What is Vedic Astrology?
Double Act: Mike Myers & Deepak Chopra On Comedy & Spirituality
The Path To Enlightenment Is Filled With Books: Reading Suggestions From Deepak Chopra
Famed Beatles Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Has Left His Body
Rock Gods and Their Gurus
Meditation Rx: Three Doctors' Perspectives
Daily Zen And The Art Of Cyber-Meditation
Breathe Together Now
by Marisa
 Self-help books can get a pretty bad rap. Even Harriet Lerner , psychologist and author of the classic female life manual The Dance of Anger, bristles at "feverishly inspirational books that make large and silly promises." Which may be why she writes them so well.
The Dance of Anger analyzes the impact and importance of anger in intimate relationships, identifying common patterns while productively redirecting anger's path. Lerner states: "Anger is something we feel. It exists for a reason and always deserves our respect and attention." Where we often go awry is in its expression. And wow do we.
Many women (Lerner's book is specifically directed toward women, though is insightful for any reader) tend toward two distinct patterns: a) suppressing anger in the interest of propriety until it bubbles forth at a truly inappropriate time, ultimately diminishing our credibility despite our anger's rational origin, or b) expressing ourselves immediately, but in heated terms that can yield wildly unproductive labels like "crazy" and "bitch."
Good times, right? And that's just the angry iceberg tip. Lerner also delves into the balance of "I" versus "We" in relationships, and the dance between over-functioning and under-functioning partners. Generally, the more emotional responsibility one person carries, the less is required of their partner, and so goes the imbalance cycle.
So, excellent! Patterns exposed, true source of anger explored; Lerner's work is done, right? Well, if this were the brand of self-help book she derides, perhaps. But changing the pattern of our intimate relationships is more difficult and complicated than can generally be summarized, let alone accomplished, in ten easy steps.
What begins as an exploration of common patterns quickly expands to anticipate the effects of our changes on others. Resistance to change is a basic human truth, and when one person chooses to step boldly into personal growth, adjustment, and exploration, it generally follows that the surrounding people scream "Change Back!" as quickly and loudly as possible. By forcing change too soon, and creating a jarring, deeply uncomfortable dynamic, you may be first in line, begging yourself to return to pre-established patterns. Fortunately, Lerner is a step ahead of you, preaching patience and self-love as she guides us through our anger's evolution, identifying the possible responses among loved ones, and arming us with an informed perseverance.
So, is her process easy? Well, no. But sincere pattern-changing requires an exploration of perhaps decades-long emotional habits. Lerner isn't offering the psychological equivalent of a rapid weight loss diet so you can fit into that great new dress next week. She's teaching skills and awareness for lasting change. I'll dance to that.
by Nicole
 A new study has linked the consumption of energy drinks to risky and aggressive "toxic jock" behavior amongst young adults. Kathleen Miller, the principle investigator at the University of Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions, published a report on the link between energy drinks, athletics and risky behavior, which appeared in the March issue of The Journal of American College Health. She found that those who regularly consumed energy drinks were more likely to indulge in substance abuse, violence, and unprotected sex.
Miller doesn't necessarily blame the hazardous habits on the energy drinks, which often contain high quantities of caffeine, taurine and other stimulants, but says they may serve as a predicator for such behavior. "It appears the kids who are heavily into drinking energy drinks are more likely to be the ones who are inclined toward taking risks," Miller said.
Two of the energy drink brand leaders are Red Bull and Rockstar, which both market heavily to young people at extreme sports and music events. An 250 ml serving of Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine and 1000 mg of taurine, alongside assorted sugars and sweetners, a carbohydrate compound, and some B group vitamins. Rockstar contains similar quantities of caffeine and taurine mixed with what the manufacturers describe as a "the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle."
Though the drinks themselves contain levels of caffeine that are comparable to those found in a cup of coffee, they can be drunk much faster since they are served cold and therefore provide a more concentrated caffeine hit. The combination of caffeine and tourine, an amino-like acid which was originally isolated from ox bile but is now synthetically produced, is also thought to make the drinks more potent. The subjects of one study, conducted by James Kalus of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, exhibited an 11% increase in resting heart rate after consuming just two cans of energy drink per day for a week. Such potentially detrimental effects, have kept this class of beverages off the shelves in countries such as Norway, Denmark, and Iceland.
When combined with alcohol, energy drinks have been found to serve up an even riskier cocktail. A study conducted by the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina found that "college students who drink alcohol mixed with so-called "energy" drinks are at dramatically higher risk for injury and other alcohol-related consequences, compared to students who drink alcohol without energy drinks." Lead researcher, Mary Claire O'Brien, notes when under the influence of super-charged cocktails, "you're every bit as drunk, you're just an awake drunk."
But the stimulants in the drinks, and their effects when mixed with alcohol, aren't the only things encouraging risky behavior. On Red Bull's website, the manufacturers claims the drink improves performance, increases concentration and reaction speed, increases endurance, and stimulates metabolism. Meanwhile the makers of Rockstar, invite fans of their drink to "party like a Rockstar," the phrase being the brand's tag line alongside the words, "Bigger. Better. Faster. Stronger." Could it be young people are falling victim to a false sense of invincibility induced by juiced-up sugared water, and some highly seductive marketing?
by Nicole
 With pump prices acting as strong a deterrent, Americans are putting the breaks on their driving habits. DOT Federal Highway Administration mileage figures released earlier this month show, "the sharpest yearly drop for any month in FHWA history."
Estimated vehicle miles on public roads in March 2008 fell 4.3% when compared to the same month last year, with Americans driving 11 billion fewer miles in total. It was the first time that March driving figure had declined since 1979.
With gas prices like daylight robbery, commuters are choosing to skip the pump and run –– to the nearest bus stop. The American Public Transportation Association reports that last year ridership reached levels not seen in 50 years, with 10.3 billion bus, trolley and train trips taken in 2007. Furthermore, they report that a staggering 35% of summer travelers say they are likely to use public transit to save on driving costs when visiting other cities.
All this is good news for the environment, but extremely bad news for car makers. New car sales dropped by 7 % in April; the seasonally adjusted sales total of 14.4 million vehicles was the worst in 13 years.
With car sales plummeting, car dealers are resorting to desperate measures to move vehicles. One Butler, MO dealer is offering a choice of $250 in gas or a free semi-automatic handgun with purchase. We're not sure why the handgun needs to be semi-automatic (how many people do Missouri drivers need to shoot in one go?), but so far it's by far the preferred option, with 80% of customers opting for a coupon which they can exchange for a gun once they've passed the require background check.
"It's a choice –– protection or gas," said Walter Moore of Max Motors. "We got high gas prices, theft, carjackings, innocent people getting hurt."
We could be wrong, but it seems like Walter’s customers aren’t the Prius-buying type. It's attitudes like these that make Walter's namesake Michael Moore so proud –– of Canadians. We're figuring Walter skipped Michael's anti-firearm flick Bowling for Columbine when it came out in theaters, but would like to think he might catch up with it on DVD since it notoriously features a bank which offered a similar bonus for new customers. Ultimately, the film showed that guns are about as bad for people as fossil fuels are for the planet. Again, we could be wrong, but we thought the end-game was to get rid of both.
by Nicole
 Scientists in Germany are working on a new generation of environmentally friendly explosives for use in bombs. Live Science reports that the research is being partially funded by the U.S. Army.
Explosives such as trinitrotoluene (a.k.a. TNT) and cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (a.k.a. RDX), which are commonly used by military forces around the globe today, create toxic gases upon detonation. Furthermore, the compounds themselves are toxic, and can raise environmental concerns when chemicals from unexploded and partially exploded ordinance leach into ground soil.
The new bombs primarily get their explosive energy from nitrogen rather than carbon. In laboratory tests these explosive were found to be more powerful than traditional explosives, despite having a far smaller carbon footprint. We're sure that those who are eventually the targets of these new green bombs will find this most reassuring.
by Linda
 With the film version of Sex And The City hitting theaters at the end of the month, it got me thinking about shoes. Why is it that some women are obsessed with owning the latest designer labels, while many of us just want to keep our feet protected from the elements? As an astrologer it's innate in me to question why a person does what they do.
When it comes to the art of shoe wearing, my logic tells me it's more about our how we feel about shoes than how we think about them. I therefore feel wearing the right shoe is more about our moon sign then our sun sign. Case in point, I am a Libra with a Leo rising, with this combination I should own a thousand pair of designer shoes. However, with my Virgo moon, to me, when I shop for a pair of shoes, it's all about being practical. I don't need a closet full of shoes that is going to give me more to clean up around. Below is a guide to what your moon sign reveals about your shoe fetish.
Aries:
Since the sign of Aries is known for their "me first" attitude, these folks want to be the first in line when the new Manolo Blahnik's hit the shelves. They may not camp out in front of the store for days, but they would hire someone to do so.
Taurus:
Those with their moon in Taurus want the very best of everything and are willing to spend a fortune showing off their latest design. Not only are they looking to add to their mounted number of possessions, the endless pairs of shoes they purchase must add to their feeling of material comfort.
Gemini:
These Gemini moon babies will buy a pair of shoes that are funky and hip just to get people talking about them. They'll do anything to start a conversation.
Cancer:
Since crab moon people love the beach and walking in the sand, you'll find their closet loaded with flip flops in every style and color.
Leo:
Leo moons want to show off their newest purchase and will not be caught dead wearing the same pair of shoes twice. For them every new outfit must include its own pair of shoes.
Virgo:
Practical, practical, practical. A Virgo moon person will always question whether or not they really need that new pair of shoes. They will own and wear the same pair of comfortable shoes for years as long as they remain in perfect condition.
Libra:
Those with their moon in Libra want to feel pretty and sexy all of the time and will often be seen wearing four inch stilettos even at the grocery store.
Scorpio:
Those with a Scorpio moon sign probably don't think much about shoes until they have to make some kind of impact. Whether they're attending the holiday office party or a loved one's funeral, picking out the right shoe to make a statement is essential.
Sagittarius:
'Shop until you drop" is the motto for Sagittarius shoe-moonsters. Their closets are filled with hundreds of shoes, many of which they've never worn. It's the fun of knowing they own all of the shoes and bragging to the world about them is why they have such an extensive shoe collection.
Capricorn:
Shoes, who needs shoes? But if those born under a Capricorn moon have to wear them, they better not cost a lot, and they must be comfortable and practical for work, work, work.
Aquarius:
Aquarian moon risers were probably the first in line to purchase Air Jordan's. It not so much about needing to have the best of everything, but more about showing off the latest technology that will enhance their ability to run, jump and climb.
Pisces:
Those with a Piscean moon go all out for comfort when deciding on a new pair of shoes. Since Pisces rules the feet, it's only natural for them to think about how their feet will feel and how they can be protected against damage caused by wearing the wrong shoe.
Further Reading:
What's Your Moon Sign?
What Does Your Moon Reveal?
Sex And The Kitty
Mr. Big Vibrator: You Too Can Have Sex With Carrie Bradshaw's On/Off Boy Toy
High-Heeled Science: Nuclear Physicist Looks Into Carrie Bradshaw's Stilettos
by Nicole
 Does Indiana Jones, who's back in action this bank holiday weekend in the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, know he's risking life and limb for a bunch of fake artifacts? Experts analyzed two skulls held by the British Museum and the Smithsonian that were once thought to be pre-Columbian Mesoamerican relics, and concluded that they are modern fakes. The findings are published in the May 2008 edition of the Journal of Archaeological Science.
British and American researchers used modern techniques to uncover the quartz crystal skulls' secrets. Using electron microscopes and X-ray scanning methods, the teams found that modern industrial techniques had been used to fashion the stone. The British Museum skull was manufactured using rotary tools and an abrasive substance such as crystallized aluminum oxide or diamond particles, while the Smithsonian skull has been fashioned with a silicon carbide abrasive.
The British Museum skull first surfaced in 1881 in a Parisian antiques shop. It was bought at auction by Tiffany & Co, who then sold in on to the museum, at a profit, in 1897. The Smithsonian skull was donated anonymously in 1992. It was left with a note that said it had been purchased in Mexico in the 1960’s.
"There are about a dozen or more of these crystal skulls. Except for the British Museum skull and one in Paris, they seem to have entered public awareness since the 60s, with the interest in quartz and the New Age movement," said Cardiff University Professor and study researcher Ian Freestone, speaking to the BBC. "It does appear that people have been making them since then. Some of them are quite good, but some of them look like they were produced with a Black & Decker in someone's garage."
 Suspecting their skull was a fake, the Smithsonian first carried out research on their relic in 1992. Meanwhile the British Museum list their skull as being "probably European, 19th century AD" and "not an authentic pre-Columbian artifact".
A simple search on the internet could have saved Indiana Jones the bother of coming out of retirement. Rather than chasing half-way around the world after these forged antiquities, leaving a path of destruction in his wake, it would have been far more efficient it he'd bought a lump of quartz and a power tool from Home Depot to satisfy his quest for a crystal skull.
by Nicole
 Alaska's Republican state governor, Sarah Palin, has announced plans to fight the Bush administration on its decision to place polar bears on the endangered species list. Palin is challenging conservation and environmental data, and sights concerns that the Endangered Species Act ruling will hinder oil exploration in the state.
As we previously reported (see story), the polar bear's addition to the endangered species list had repeatedly been delayed, allowing an oil rights sale, which generated bids totaling nearly $3.4 billion, to proceed in an area that is home to 20% of the world's polar bear population. There are less than 25,000 polar bears in total, and that number is expected to decline by 60% over the next 50 years as the creature's habitat literally melts away.
Palin was the first woman to hold office in Alaska, and was also the youngest governor ever to be sworn in. She likes snowmobiling and moose burgers, and was an athlete and a beauty queen prior to taking up politics. Obviously she didn't win her Miss Wasilla 1984 pageant title by promising to "help children and animals."
by Nicole
And you think your boss is bad. Workers at a Hindu shrine in southern India had to take their case to the local human rights commission in order to win the right to wear underpants at work. Their employers at the temple had banned underwear in an attempt to stop the theft of offerings stored in shrine's vault.
The men were forced to work in nothing but shoes, and a cotton wrap, which they wore around their waist. After being forced go commando for five years, the men complained to their union, who in turn took the matter to the Kerala State Human Rights Commission, who upheld their case. Temple authorities are now looking into more high tech security measures.
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