Daily_Mantra's blog

Why women endure and pass on the bondage of belief. An Evolutionary Perspective

2009-02-16T13:15:18-06:00

Why do women today continue to fall victim to an archaic system of beliefs that foster misogynistic behavior? Why are women even more likely to be religious than men?As we celebrate the 200th birthday of the godfather of evolution, Charles Darwin, mankind still looks to religion for answers that his theories have tangibly brought fourth. Statistically speaking however, womankind is even more likely to believe and pass on religious dogma, which presents a logical dichotomy given that they're the gender most oppressed by their faith.Following on from her previous article on The Evolution of Religion, R. Elisabeth Cornwell (who works alongside Richard Dawkins in support of his Foundation For Reason & Science) explores the evolutionary reasons why women endure and pass on the bondage of belief.

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 1 Tim. 2:11-14

Religion has both revered and reviled women, exalting their fertility and fearing their sexuality. While religions throughout history have mutated, gone extinct, and propagated -- the position of women within their ever expanding reach has usually fared poorly. Yet, women are far more likely to be religious, attend religious services, and inculcate their children with their beliefs*. Why are women so willing to give in to religious dogma and subject themselves to the degradations often inflicted upon them? This is a fascinating question, and is especially perplexing when you consider the great strides toward equality women have gained in the West. Yet, without women passing on faith, belief, and dogma, religion could not survive through the generations.The full article can be found at the link below:Why Women Are Bound to Religion: An Evolutionary Perspective

Codependence Day: In Celebration of a Long and Beautiful Friendship

2008-07-03T14:20:51-05:00

Being English in America is a rather strange experience come July 4th. After all the whole union is busy inviting each other to barbecues, waving flags, setting off fireworks, and rather ironically singing "This Land Is Your Land" in celebration of the declaration of independence from of us Brits back in 1776. As you can imagine, attending one of these affairs feels like being Guy Fawkes at a bonfire (which is the anniversary we Brits save our fireworks for).

A relationship that has lasted, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, for 231 years after it was officially annulled hardly smacks of independence. Like a divorced couple who still can't break the ties, the lives of Britain and America remain intertwined. I would argue that July 4th doesn't really mark independence at all, but a transformation of the relationship, bringing a greater choice into the equation. It's like now Britain and America aren't forced to live together they find they seek out each other's company because they actually want to hang out. And so, as we head towards two and a half centuries since our two great nations' relationship was last redefined, we should define it again, get real, and start celebrating American and British Codependence Day.

The Powers Perspective

Meditation: You Say Transcendental, I Say Vedic

2008-05-31T19:41:20-05:00

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.

By Marisa

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

Dancing In Anger

2008-05-29T14:31:19-05:00

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 Marisa
www.dailymantra.com

Energy Drinks Encourage Young People To Party Like A Rockstar (But Not Everyone Has Ozzy Osbourne's Constitution)

2008-05-28T20:08:26-05:00

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?

www.dailymantra.com

Robert F. Kennedy Says The Media Has Failed Democracy

2008-05-28T14:56:03-05:00

Robert F. Kennedy talks eloquently about how the media has failed democracy (click HERE to view video). But has an apathetic democracy also failed the media, by consistently undervaluing it and failing to protect it? I guess it's a question of the chicken or the egg.

With Gas At $4-Plus, Some Catch The Bus And Others Miss The Point Entirely

2008-05-27T19:02:35-05:00

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 this that make Walter's namesake Michael Moore so proud –– of Canadians. We're figuring Walter skipped Bowling for Columbine when it came out in theatres, but would like to think he might catch up with it on DVD.

www.dailymantra.com

Shoes By Sign

2008-05-26T14:57:46-05:00

With the film version of Sex in 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 the 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.

By Linda

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

Skull & Decker: Does Indiana Jones Know He's Chasing Fake Skulls?

2008-05-23T19:09:16-05:00

Skull & Decker: Does Indiana Jones Know He's Chasing Fake Skulls?

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.

www.dailymantra.com

Love Guru Mike Myers Explains Why Mariska Hargitay Is The New Namasté

2008-05-21T15:55:07-05:00

Love Guru Mike Myers (a.k.a. Guru Pitka) explains to talk show host Ellen DeGenere why Mariska Hargitay is the new Namasté (click HERE to view video).

Mariska Hargitay is the daughter of 1950's sex symbol Jayne Mansfield and the Hungarian-born former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay. She plays Detective Olivia Benson in the Law & Order spin-off TV series Special Victims Unit. Mariska is a Hungarian name meaning "sea of bitterness." Hargitay is also Hungarian, and means "of Hargita," a county in central Romania.

Namasté is a respectful greeting commonly used in India, Asia, and by people in yoga pants everywhere. It is a conjunct of two Sanskrit words: "namas" meaning "to bow" and "te" meaning "to you."

From a spiritual point of view, "Namasté: is taken to mean "I am your humble servant." Since Mariska Hargitay has overcome much adversity, including the grisly death of her mother to become a tough New York TV cop handling heinous crimes with poise and grace, perhaps the spiritual meaning of the guru greeting "Mariska Hargitay" should be "strength through adversity."

"Mariska Hargitay"

Jude Law Visits Cannes For The Day After Peace

2008-05-20T18:31:19-05:00

Jude Law did his bit for world peace yesterday (Monday May 19), attending the premiere of The Day After Peace, a documentary he worked on with filmmaker pal Jeremy Gilley.

Gilley, the founder of the Peace One Day organization, successfully lobbied world leaders and the United Nations General Assembly, who in 2001, with resolution A/Res/55/282, established an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on September 21. Gilley documented his journey towards Peace Day in the 1999 film, Peace One Day.

Though he's yet to achieve actual world peace, even for one day, the annual vacation from violence that Gilley helped create has had a profound effect. Last year, 27.6 million people in 200 countries observed Peace Day in some way.

As part of an ongoing quest to persuade those who bear arms to give up the nasty habit for at least 24 hours, Gilley and Law made a secret trip to Afghanistan, where they shot footage for a follow-up film. The resulting documentary, The Day After Peace, features Kofi Annan, The Dalai Lama, Annie Lennox, Jonny Lee Miller, and Angelina Jolie.

U.N. Goodwill Ambassador Jolie is shown in the film meeting with Gilley at his home, which is somewhat more modest than the Hollywood star has become accustomed to. Law and Gilley weren’t tempted to track down other A-listers for their project however. "Organizations can drown under the weight of too many faces," said Law in Cannes.

As an A-lister himself, the handsome star, who was caught by paparazzi sucking face with Kimberly Stewart this past weekend, enjoyed the anonymity his trip to Afghanistan afforded. "They had no idea who I was. I was really there as a B cameraman,” said Law, who is already planning a further foray to the region. He vowed, "I will return to Afghanistan to show the film there."

www.dailymantra.com

What's Your Moon Sign?

2008-05-20T13:40:21-05:00

Most of us know where the sun was during the month of our birth, but few of us know where the moon was traveling. The sun which describes our personality, changes astrological signs approximately every 30 days, whereas the moon changes signs approximately every 2 1/2 days. In astrology the moon represents our emotions, instincts and how we feel about things.

Knowing where your moon sign will allow you to understand yourself on a more subconscious and even unconscious level. The moon depicts how we react to our environment and how we systematically go about our day. If you really want to understand yourself more deeply, discover your moon sign.

Listed below are a few keywords and scenarios that describe the emotions best associated with each of the moon signs:

Aries MoonImpulsive, quick to react, competitive, independent, me first, courageous and adventurous. In a man's chart it indicates a tendency to be attracted to dominant women, while in a woman's chart it indicates that jealousy may prevail.

Taurus MoonPatient, sensual, stubborn, slow-moving, thorough and attracted to material comforts. In a man's chart it attracts a loyal partner, while in a woman's chart it indicates a close maternal relationship, although it may not necessarily be a happy one.

Gemini Moon Curious, clever, talkative, communicative, changeable and quick-witted. Women with this moon sign may lack a sense of domesticity; while men with this moon sign are attracted to women with whom they can talk.

Cancer Moon Intuitive, touchy, maternal, domestic and selfish. A man with this moon sign can be overly emotional and sensitive, while a woman can be easily hurt. To compensate and to take control, she often declares herself head of the household.

Leo Moon Proud, creative, generous, vain, ambitious, self sufficient and self reliant. In a man's chart a Leo moons makes him romantic and sexy, while in a woman's chart it makes her equally attractive and attracted to the opposite sex.

Virgo Moon Methodical, clean, perfectionist, sloppy, industrious and emotionally over eager. In a man's chart it indicates an attraction to non-clinging women, while women with this moon placement may lack a sense of warmth when expressing their emotions.

Libra Moon Peace-loving, refined, sociable, indecisive and suave. A man with a Libra moon tends to look for a refined and social partner, while a woman with a Libra moon loves to be surrounded by great beauty and enjoys playing hostess.

Scorpio Moon Investigative, passionate, jealous, resourceful secretive and very intense. In a woman's chart a Scorpio moon may indicate promiscuity and self-indulgence, while in a man's chart it can mean he tends to be secretive and finds it hard to talk to about his emotions.

Sagittarius Moon Straightforward, philosophical, optimistic, blunt and enthusiastic. Men with Sagittarius moon's tend to love their freedom and either remain a bachelor or marry much later in life. A woman with a Sagittarius moon tends to enjoy a great deal of independence with a sense of carelessness.

Capricorn Moon Cautious, responsible, practical, business-like and inhibited. Woman with a Capricorn moon have more self doubt and tend to feel that no one in the world likes them. Plus very few of them marry and/or have children. Men with a Capricorn moon seek a partner who may help further their social standing in the community. They also enjoy running a household.

Aquarius Moon Inventive, logical, intellectual, unconventional, unpredictable and bored by details. Both men and women with this moon sign tend to have a great need for independence which can lead to loneliness. Although Aquarius moon people may have a humanitarian nature, they come across as being cold and unfeeling as they find it difficult to understand the emotional needs of others.

Pisces Moon Compassionate, emotional, feels misunderstood, musical, intuitive and a romantic at heart. A man with a Pisces moon wants an affectionate and devoted mate. A woman with a Pisces moon may marry much later in life, but also tends to have a certain magnetism that men are attracted to.

Click HERE to calculate your moon sign.

By Lindawww.dailymantra.com

Heart Music: 30 Minutes of Calming Tunes A Day Reduces Blood Pressure

2008-05-19T14:54:59-05:00

Scientists from the University of Florence in Italy report that listening to classical, Celtic or Indian music for just 30 minutes a day for a month can significantly reduce blood pressure. The researchers presented their findings last week at the American Society of Hypertension's 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans.

"Listening to music is soothing and has often been associated with controlling patient-reported pain or anxiety and acutely reducing blood pressure," noted Dr. Pietro A. Modesti. "But for the first time, today's results clearly illustrate the impact daily music listening has on ambulatory blood pressure."

"We are excited about the positive implications for both patients and physicians, who can now confidently explore music listening as a safe, effective, non-pharmacological treatment option or a complement to therapy," Modesti added.

The study involved a small group of 48 patients between the ages of 45 and 70 who were taking medication for mild hypertension. 28 of the patients were given a CD of down-tempo, "rhythmically homogenous" music, and were asked to listen to it for 30 minutes once a day for a month while practicing controlled breathing exercises. The 20 remaining participants made no lifestyle changes, and served as a control group. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring after the first and fourth weeks revealed a marked reduction in blood pressure among the patients who'd been asked to listen to music.

Similar previous studies have closely related blood pressure to music tempo, noting corresponding blood pressure increases when subjects were exposed to more aggressive, up-tempo music, indicating that the speed and genre of music is key to music's heart-calming potential.

"Sadly, despite the global focus on prevention, it predicted that 56 billion people worldwide will be hypertensive by 2025," said Modesti. "In light of these devastating statistics, it is reassuring to consider that something as simple, easy and enjoyable as daily music listening combined with slow abdominal breathing, may help people naturally lower their blood pressure."

www.dailymantra.com

2008 Summer Of Love: Gay Marriage In California

2008-05-15T20:48:39-05:00

The California Supreme Court has ruled that gay couples should have the right to marry. The Republican-dominated high court voted 4-3 in favor of applying and expanding constitutional race and gender protections to sexual orientation and the institution of marriage.

In his ruling, Chief Justice Ronald George wrote that, "...retaining the designation of marriage exclusively for opposite-sex couples and providing only a separate and distinct designation for same-sex couples may well have the effect of perpetuating a more general premise - now emphatically rejected by this state - that gay individuals and same-sex couples are in some respects "second-class citizens" who may, under the law, be treated differently from, and less favorably than, heterosexual individuals or opposite-sex couples.... Accordingly, we conclude that to the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional."

With couples already lining up at San Francisco City Hall for appointments to get marriage licenses, the judgment could be a boon to California's economy should it go unchallenged. Unlike other states, California has no residency requirements for obtaining marriage licenses, meaning that same sex couples could flock to the Golden State for ceremonies (though same-sex marriages performed in California may not be recognized in other states).

As comedienne and GLBT activist Margaret Cho pointed out, "just the ice sculptures alone" could be worth a small fortune to the local economy. Living in West Hollywood, the Daily Mantra can think of a new reason to hold on to our tax refund/stimulus payment when it arrives. With the slew of gay marriages that are likely to happen over the summer we anticipate that we'll have to allocate a rather large budget for wedding outfits and gifts in 2008! Yay! We love a good wedding!

www.dailymantra.com

Japanese Company Offers Lovelorn Workers Heartbreak Leave

2008-05-13T14:25:01-05:00

Have you just found out your partner's cheating on you with your best friend? Did someone just dump you by text message? Are you likely to burst into tears every time you hear "Nothing Compares 2 U" on the radio? Then Hime & Company could be your dream employers, since the enlightened Japanese company is offering heartbreak leave as one of its many employee benefits.

The company's website explains that, "Many companies have maternity leave and claim they are kind to women because of this... People may take sick leave, yet not for heartache. But people would find it harder to be at work in such a situation, making simple mistakes, doing strange things."

As anyone who's ever shown up to work red-eyed and fuzzy brained after a particularly heinous row with a loved one knows, heartbreak leave makes sense not only for the employee but for the employer too. The recently heartbroken are in no mental state to make competent decisions, or deal in a cool and collected way with fellow workers or members of the public.

Employers may also want to consider the man-hours lost as co-workers rally round to cheer up the heartbroken. All those serial heart to hearts by the coffee machine add up, making a day or two of official heartbreak leave look like sound economic sense.

Those with perpetually tragic love lives have their heartbreak capped at Hime & Company however. Those in their early 20's are allowed one heartbreak day a year, those in their mid-twenties are allowed two, while those who are thirty-plus are allowed a full three-days heartbreak vacation. (The Japanese are famous for their love hotels, perhaps they should have heartbreak hotels with classic back & white movies, tissues and chocolate on tap too.)

Interestingly, none of Hime & Company's workers have taken advantage of the company's heartbreak holidays, though another benefit has seen a much higher uptake rate. 100% of employees have taken advantage of the company's "bargain leave," which is offered to workers twice a year so they can take advantage of the sales. This leads us to conclude that companionship from coworkers and retail therapy tops solace when it comes to dealing with a broken heart.