The word mantra is a root derived from the Sanskrit language and is associated with a spiritual context. Mantra is a sacred word, verse, or syllable representing the name or form of the god. It is given by an enlightened master also known as Guru to a seeker or disciple; who seeks it earnestly for spiritual pursuits or simply for purification of the mind. Mantras are considered very sacred and powerful and they are normally used in rituals as well as meditation techniques.

Buddhist meditation is a concentrated effort taken by the mind and it helps in perfecting the thought process. It is not associated with any specific religion and anyone having the desire to do a meditation can go in for a mantra meditation. Chanting a mantra or making the mind to dwell on a mantra can be termed as mantra meditation. Mantra meditation helps in purifying the mind and creating clarity in the thought process.

Mantra Meditation is a repeated chanting of the sacred syllable, word, verse mentally or inwardly to keep or acquire a balanced state of mind. This type of mediation when done repeatedly helps a person to attain mental tranquility and clarity in the thinking process.

Several people have several objectives concerning the benefits of meditation, like spiritual pursuit, self awakening, inner realization, self understanding, relaxation or it is done simply as a stress buster. Whatever be the objective of meditation the full potential of it is derived when it is done in the appropriate manner. Mantra meditation similarly is done with several objectives in mind, since mantras are sacred syllables and there are several mantras associated with several deities the result or the end objective for choosing a mantra is dependent on the seekers goal or objective. If a person seeks prosperity there are mantras and deities for the same such as Goddess Lakshmi mantra or Kubera mantra. Similarly if one seeks knowledge, wisdom etc there is another deity which is worshipped for the same and thus there are several mantras to choose from depending on the person’s pursuit.

When a seeker is interested in Mantra meditation he has to be clear on the objective for doing the meditation. Accordingly he can choose the right mantra, deity and get the initiation from a spiritual guru or master. Once he gets the mantra from the master he can start practicing meditation or chanting as specified by his master or guru. When the person practices mantra meditation, he will slowly start gaining a mental clarity which will help him to attain his objective or goal of life in a successful manner.

My forehead is all spotty but I don’t have acne anywhere else. Why is this?

It is difficult to give you the right answer without seeing you but it is helpful to think about what is different about your forehead. Below are two likely reasons.

One problem can be your hairstyle. Ordinary hair across the forehead does not cause any problems but if you use greasy hair products, including hair waxes and gels, to keep your hair in a particular style it could cause acne. Greasy things can block up the pores and lead to the formation of comedones - we therefore call them ‘comedogenic’. If this is your problem, stop using the grease and your acne should clear with or without needing a simple topical acne treatment. If your hair is naturally greasy, wash it as often a necessary with shampoo designed for greasy hair.

There is a type of acne called pomade acne, which is a direct result of using pomade hair products, more commonly used on African-Caribbean hair styles. If you wish to continue using these, there is no need to find a suitable acne remedy - you just need to keep it off your hair-line and wipe away the excess from the surrounding skin with a towel or damp cloth and keep your hands away from your face until you have washed them thoroughly.

Is it just me or are all burger restaurants staffed by kids with acne?

This is a bit of an urban myth but one that may have a little truth behind it. A hot sweaty face leads to more blocked pores and more acne. So the combination of heat and humidity in poorly ventilated kitchens where a lot of frying goes on and where everything gets a fine coating of grease can make acne worse.

Also, these types of fast food outlets tend to employ students looking to boost their pocket money and therefore you have more teenagers - the classic age for developing acne. The worst cases of acne triggered by heat and humidity occur in soldiers on jungle training where the added friction from their packs can cause an extensive and serious flare-up of acne. This type of acne is easily resolved with simple acne remedies from the pharmacy.

Natural Menopause Diet Tips - Try Eating More Foods Rich In Phytoestrogens

Here’s some facts about natural hormone replacement therapy and other herbs for menopause. We don’t need pumping full of drugs just because our bodies are changing - we need to take control and learn how to manage our symptoms with natural alternatives.

Foods rich in phytoestrogens are a very healthy addition to any menopause diet as they can help relieve and alleviate a lot of the menopause and perimenopause symptoms.

Here’s some specific foods you can include in a menopause diet to help relieve the symptoms and signs of menopause, and improve your overall health:

Green Soya Beans (Edamame)

Fresh soya beans in pods are harvested when they are young and tender. When steamed and salted they make a delicious snack. Green soya beans are available from Chinese supermarkets.

20 mg isoflavones per 100 g

Canned Soya Beans

These can be added to salads or casseroles or pureed with olive olive, lemon juice and garlic to make a dip similar to hummus.

80 mg isoflavones per 100 g

Tofu Or Bean Curd

Made from pureed, pressed soya beans, tofu is low in fat and is a good source of protein. There are three basic types: firm, soft and silken. Firm tofu has a texture similar to cheese; it can be marinated and used to make kebabs or cut into cubes and added to stir-fries. Soft tofu is used in recipes that call for blended tofu or in Oriental soups. Silken tofu has a texture similar to set yogurt; it can be used to make dips, salad dressings, sauces or desserts.

11-30 mg isoflavones per 100 g

Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)

This is a meat substitute made from soya-bean flour It is low in fat and rich in protein. It is available as dehydrated chunks, as a ground beef substitute or incorporated into prepared foods such as burgers or sausages. The ground beef substitute can be used in dishes such as spaghetti sauce or lasagne.

114-245 mg per 100 g (dry weight)

Soya Milk

This is available unsweetened or sweetened and in a variety of flavors. Look for one with added calcium. Soya milk is cholesterol-free and available in low-fat varieties. It is also lactose-free. Soya milk can be used in the same way as cow’s milk, as a drink, on cereals, in cooking or to make smoothies.

A 250 ml glass provides 10-20 mg isoflavones

Tempeh

A thin cake made from fermented soya beans, it has a mushroomy slightly smoky flavor It can be grilled and used as a meat substitute or added to stews, casseroles or pasta sauces.

35-19 I mg isoflavones per 100 g

Isolated Soya Protein

This powder can be mixed into drinks and sauces or added to baked goods such as bread.

46-100 mg isoflavones per 100 g

Soya Flour

Made from ground, roasted soya beans, it comes in full-fat or low-fat versions. It can be used as a substitute for white flour in recipes such as muffins and cakes. It has quite a strong flavor so it is best mixed with another type of flour; try substituting 20-30 percent wheat flour with soya flour.

188-276 mg isoflavones per 100 g

Miso

Made from fermented soya beans, miso is used mainly as a seasoning or condiment. It is very salty and should be used sparingly.

8-28 mg isoflavones per 15 ml (1 level

Soya Desserts

There are many different types including yogurts and ice creams. Isoflavone content will vary according to brand.

Soya ice cream - 4-5 mg isolfavones per 100 g

Soya custard - 5 mg isoflavones per 100 ml

Soya yogurt - 16 mg isoflavones per 100 ml

Soya and Linseed Bread

contains around 7 mg isoflavones per slice.

It’s also worthy to note that soy sauce, soya oil and soya margarine contain no isoflavones, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t include them as part of a menopause diet, as they offer other health benefits including helping to lower cholesterol.

‘What we have here is lower back pain that has traveled north,’ said a doctor to a warehouse foreman who couldn’t move his neck without feeling severe pain.

There may be some truth in what you say,’ replied the foreman, who had never suffered low back pain. ‘But what should I do about it?’

‘A good question,’ the doctor said, reaching for his prescription pad.

It is a good question. The answer, believe it or not, has almost nothing to do with viewing neck pain as a bad back problem that just happened to land higher up on the spine.

There are similarities, of course, between neck and low back pain. But mostly there are differences - major differences in self-help therapies (including the kinds of exercises to do), in practitioner effectiveness, and in the success rates of a wide variety of neck pain treatments.

Pretty much everybody has had neck pain at one time or another: a stiff neck when they woke up, a painful neck after painting a ceiling, a ‘crook’ in the neck after holding the telephone in an awkward position during a long conversation.

About one-third of people who suffer with chronic pain injured their necks in accidents. And they usually suffered years of pain before learning how to improve their conditions.

‘My problems stem from a minor car accident at which time I was rear-ended while stationary in my vehicle,’ a human resources director reported. What happened to her reflects the experiences of many people with neck pain: ‘I felt fine at first, but the next morning I could barely move my neck.’ After trying manipulation, physical therapy, prescription drugs and acupuncture, and after ‘a period of being totally immobile due to the most excruciating pain I have ever felt,’ she finally found the support and neck pain treatment she needed.

A construction worker’s injury also typifies the traumatic origins of most neck pain. ‘I was hurt on a construction job and was in the hospital forty-one days,’ the worker wrote. ‘I saw many doctors. Most had different opinions on the extent of damage done to my back. All I know is that I have suffered severe pain.’

In a recent international survey of back and neck pain sufferers, almost one-third of survey participants attributed the onset of neck pain to emotional stress. For example, a television personality suffered neck pain while two members of her immediate family were gravely ill. A teacher linked her neck pain to working with highly disturbed and disabled children. An executive experienced severe neck pain while going through a painful divorce.

The remaining survey participants just ‘found’ themselves with a pain in the neck one day. Some had had the pain for years, but at a nuisance level. Others found that it seemingly struck full blown out of the blue.

‘I woke one morning and, for no apparent reason, could not raise my head or move it from left to right,’ said a family therapist. Other participants who echoed her words endured pain for months or years before obtaining neck and back pain relief.