At the end of the previous blog, reference was made to Mother Teresa, who reminded people that peace begins with a smile. This prompted me to research information regarding the effects of smiling. Much to my delight, I learned how smiling affects the brain and the body:
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that is used to treat a wide range of conditions. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) method is widely used in the United States. Based on the belief that a life force (qi) circulates within the body along pathways called meridians, acupuncture works to balance this flow of vital energy along the meridians at various depths. The practitioner may also gently move or twirl the needles, or apply heat or mild electrical pulses to them. Usually the needles remain in place for 10 to 20 minutes while the patient lies still and relaxes, and the energy flow rebalances. As the Mayo Clinic also points out, even Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue.
As mentioned in an earlier blog, one doesn’t have to enroll in a class or travel to a far-off land to learn about shamanism. It is not so much a matter of technique but viewing and living life from the place of shared sisterhood and brotherhood.
In Richard Rohr’s 2014 book, Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi, the specifics of spirituality are examined through the life of St. Francis.
These two words are becoming increasingly familiar as more and more women are coming forward with reports of being sexually assaulted and harassed by males in entertainment, political, athletic, and educational positions. The prevalence of these incidents is alarming.
