November 3, 2003

From the Inside Out
THE VOID OF NOTHINGNESS

Mellen-Thomas Benedict is an artist who survived a near-death experience in 1982. He was dead for over an hour and a half and during that time, he "rose up out of his body and went into the Light." Curious about the universe, he was taken far into the remote depths of existence, and even beyond, into the energetic "Void of Nothingness" behind the Big Bang. Dr. Kenneth Ring has said, "His story is one of the most remarkable I have encountered in my extensive research on near-death experiences."

"THE ROAD TO DEATH: In 1982 I died from terminal cancer. My condition was non-operable. I chose not to have chemotherapy. I was given six to eight months to live. Before this time, I had become increasingly despondent over the nuclear crisis, the ecology crisis, and so forth. I came to believe that nature had made a mistake — that we were probably a cancerous organism on the planet. And that is what eventually killed me. Before my death, I tried all sorts of alternative healing methods. None helped... Neither was I into any kind of spirituality, but my approaching death sent me on a quest for more information about spirituality and alternative healing. I read various religions and philosophies. They gave hope that there was something on the other side.

"I had no medical insurance, so my life savings went overnight on tests. Unwilling to drag my family into this, I determined to handle this myself. I ended up in hospice care and was blessed with an angel for my hospice caretaker, whom I will call "Anne." She stayed with me through all that was to follow. It lasted about eighteen months.

"I woke up about 4:30 am and I knew that this was it. I was going to die. I called a few friends and said good-bye. I woke up Anne and made her promise that my dead body would remain undisturbed for six hours, since I had read that all kinds of interesting things happen when you die. I went back to sleep. The next thing I remember, I was fully aware and standing up. Yet my body was lying in the bed. I seemed to be surrounded by darkness, yet I could see every room in the house, and the roof, and even under the house.

"A Light shone; I turned toward it, and was aware of its similarity to what others have described in near-death experiences. It was magnificent and tangible, alluring. I wanted to go towards that Light like I might want to go into my ideal mother's or father's arms. As I moved towards the Light, I knew that if I went into the Light, I would be dead. So I said/felt, "Please wait. I would like to talk to you before I go." The entire experience halted. I discovered that I was in control of the entire experience...

"The information transmitted was that our beliefs shape the kind of feedback we receive: If you are a Buddhist or Catholic or Fundamentalist, you get a feedback loop of your own images. I became aware of a Higher Self matrix, a conduit to the Source. We all have a Higher Self, or an oversoul part of our being, a conduit. All Higher Selves are connected as one being, all humans are connected as one being. We are literally the same being. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It was like all the love you've every wanted, and it was the kind of love that cures, heals, regenerates.

"I was ready to go at that time. I said "I am ready, take me." Then the Light turned into the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen: a mandala of human souls on this planet. I saw that we are the most beautiful creations — elegant, exotic . . . everything. I just cannot say enough about how it changed my opinion of human beings in an instant...

"THE VOID OF NOTHINGNESS: Suddenly I seemed to be rocketing away from the planet on this stream of Life. I saw the earth fly away. The solar system, whizzed by and disappeared. I flew through the center of the galaxy, absorbing more knowledge as I went. I learned that this galaxy, and all of the Universe, is bursting with many different varieties of life. I saw many worlds. We are not alone in this Universe.

"It seemed as if all the creations in the Universe soared past me and vanished in a speck of Light. Almost immediately, a second Light appeared. As I passed into the second Light, I could perceive forever, beyond Infinity. I was in the Void, pre-Creation, the beginning of time, the first Word or vibration. I rested in the Eye of Creation and it seemed that I touched the Face of God. It was not a religious feeling. I was simply at One with Absolute Life and Consciousness. ..." ~ Mellen-Thomas Benedict

(This unusual story is offered as an alternative perspective,
which indeed requires a very open mind. Should you want
to read the article in full, please click: www.NearDeath.com )

~ Contributed by Hospice Nurse, Denys Cope, RN, BSN
"This is an amazing account that confirms, for me, much of what I know
and have intuited about life and death, and then goes beyond."
Click Here to Contact Denys or to Read "Lessons for the Living"

Yes You Can!
EAT BROCCOLI, FIGHT CANCER

It's no secret that men who eat lots of vegetables seem more likely to avoid prostate cancer, but researchers now think a chemical in broccoli and cauliflower could help doctors treat the disease, too.

No one has tested the chemical on humans yet, however, and it may take years to turn it into a usable drug. "It's interesting early work, but it's a long way from something going on in a test tube to exactly what goes on in humans," says Dr. Durado Brooks, director of prostate and colorectal cancers for the American Cancer Society.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States and kills about 30,000 each year, according to the National Prostate Cancer Coalition. A number of treatments are available, but side effects commonly include incontinence and impotence.

Prostate cancer rates are lower in countries where people eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, although the exact link between diet and the disease isn't clear, Brooks says.

Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley decided to investigate the cancer-fighting effects of chemicals in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.

"We realized that what was missing was a comprehensive study of how these natural compounds affect the growth and function of reproductive cancer cells," says study co-author Gary Firestone, a professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of California at Berkeley.

The researchers found that a chemical known as 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), a byproduct of eating cruciferous vegetables, appeared to prevent the growth of breast cancer cells. They next turned to prostate cancer cells.

The researchers found that prostate cancer cells treated with DIM grew 70 percent slower than untreated cells.

The chemical appears to prevent cancer cells from receiving signals from the hormone testosterone, Firestone says. That, in turn, prevents the cells from growing.

By contrast, traditional hormone therapy for prostate cancer patients is designed to prevent testosterone from getting to the cells in the first place. "You cut off the signal that makes the prostate cancer cells grow," Firestone says.

It's possible that the chemical could be used in combination with hormone therapy, Firestone says, letting doctors dampen the side effects of lowering testosterone levels.

Producing drugs from the vegetables may be easy and inexpensive, he adds: "There's a lot of broccoli and cabbage, and you should be able to obtain a lot of this chemical at a very cheap price."

However, Brooks says hormone treatment is much less common than other prostate cancer treatments. Surgery and radiation are the usual treatments.

Research into chemicals derived from vegetables may be more important in terms of prevention, says Satya Narayan, an associate professor of anatomy and cell biology at the University of Florida. "These compounds may be of greater importance for prostate cancer prevention at the early stages of the prostate cancer development, instead of at the later stages when the cancer is advanced." But it's still not clear how many vegetables men would need to eat to protect themselves from getting prostate cancer in the first place.

Learn about this disease by visiting the
National Prostate Cancer Coalition or National Cancer Institute.
~Randy Dotinga, HealthDay.Yahoo.com

Saipan, Marianas Islands

From the 30,000 foot depths of the Mariana Trench, 14 islands emerged from the Pacific Ocean, and today form the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The northern islands are sparsely populated and some have active volcanoes. Saipan, the largest island in the group, has gentle beaches on its western and southern coasts, a rugged and rocky eastern coast, a hilly interior and dramatic cliffs on the northern coast. The environment is great for learning to windsurf, sail, or kayak since the warm turquoise water is shallow for up to a mile from the beach. At the famous Blue Grotto, SCUBA divers can swim through a tunnel from the sea and come out in a sunken, natural inland pool.

LINKS
THAT SHINE

"Soul Talk Stories"

Creating a genuine circle of love in those who read and/or submit stories that come from the heart and soul. Please enjoy and dare to share what you ache for, and what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. Love the Miracle You Are.
www.SoulTalkStories.com

CLICK FOR MORE LINKS

Fascinating Facts
COLD WEATHER CARE FOR DOGS (Part 3)

Another approach to winterizing dogs is to protect their feet with dog boots or socks. More and more dogs are wearing them. You may laugh, but it makes a lot of sense. If you plan on going this route, I would suggest you purchase them now to let your dog get used to them. My dogs adjusted in a fairly short time because I was consistent in putting them on. Make sure that whatever you purchase is easy to put on. Dogs don’t like to stand still for a long time while you attach strange things to their feet.

In addition to boots, I’m all for coats, blankets, and sweaters for dogs. I think they are suitable for small dogs, single-coated dogs, older dogs, and house dogs. But wait for the really cool weather. If you are walking consistently, your dog will build up a heavier fur coat and this will help. Common sense will tell you when to start using a coat. Purchase one locally so that you can try it on your dog. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can make one yourself. I took an old blanket coat for one of my dogs and used it as a pattern for one of my other dogs.

Keep Fido on a Leash
Many dogs get lost during snowy conditions. To keep your pup safe, have him on a leash at all times, or within eye distance if you are absolutely sure that your dog will reliably come on command.

Don't Let Your Dog Skate on Thin Ice
Never allow your dog on a frozen lake, even at the edge. It isn't worth the danger that your pup may fall through a thin patch of ice.

Provide Clean Water and Snacks
Even though many dogs like to eat the fluffy white stuff, snow will not provide the hydration your dog needs. If you will be out walking, hiking or exercising with your dog for an extended length of time, you must bring fresh water for your canine companion. It is also a good idea to bring a healthy snack of dry dog food. You can find collapsible doggie bowls at most pet stores, as well as meal kits and even doggie snack backpacks.

Clean Up Killer Antifreeze
If you ever spill antifreeze, it must be thoroughly cleaned up immediately. This chemical concoction tastes sweet to animals, including dogs and cats, who will lap up any spills. Unfortunately, antifreeze is deadly and kills quickly. An animal must be seen by a vet almost immediately after ingesting the substance for it to have any chance of survival. Please be very careful and conscientious when using this chemical.

Bring your Dog Inside
If the weather outside is frightful, don't leave poor Fido shivering in the cold. Even if he is an "outside dog", there are conditions where it is cruel (and illegal) to leave a dog outside.

~Katie Ward, Minneapolis Star Tribune
and T.E.Ellis, DogsAbout.com

 

What's the 'truth' about chickens?

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Laughing It Off
MY FORGETTER

My forgetter's getting better,
But my rememberer is broke
To you that may seem funny
But, to me, that is no joke

For when I'm "here" I'm wondering
If I really should be "there"
And, when I try to think it through,
I haven't got a prayer!

Oft times I walk into a room,
Say "what am I here for?"
I wrack my brain, but all in vain!
A zero, is my score.

At times I put something away
Where it is safe, but, Gee!
The person it is safest from
Is, generally, me!

When shopping I may see someone,
Say "Hi" and have a chat,
Then, when the person walks away
I ask myself, "who was that?"

Yes, my forgetter's getting better
While my rememberer is broke,
And it's driving me plumb crazy
And that isn't any joke.

~FunForwards.com

Untangling the Web

WHAT A SITE!

Free Cleaning Hints...
This site was created by a group of cleaning professionals to help solve problems inside and outside your home, including cleaning birdbaths and grills, and removing adhesive residue, pet hair and stains. Includes cleaning product reviews.
www.HowToCleanAnything.com

COMPUTER-EASE

Email a Webpage...
You can send a Web page in e-mail by clicking the File menu, pointing
to Send, and then clicking
Page By Email.

Photo: Wally Pacholka /Astropics.com

Mars shines brightly over ...
Corona del Mar State Beach in Newport Beach, California, this past summer when Mars and Earth made their closest encounter in 60,000 years, a mere 34.6 million miles away. Mars' orange tint, sometimes seen as red, is created by a global coating of iron oxide, commonly called rust. At the close approach, the Red Planet was brighter than Jupiter and all the stars in the night sky, outshone only by Venus and the Moon. ~MSNBC