Top 8 Supplements to Boost Your Pineal Gland Function

By: Anna Hunt, Staff Writer,
Waking Times, Guest

The pineal gland, an endocrine gland located in the brain, is said to be the seat of the soul. Also referred to as the Third Eye, this small gland is believed to be involved in reaching higher levels of consciousness, acting as a gateway to dimensions beyond our brain-created reality. To learn more about the pineal gland, see: What is the Pineal Gland?

For the people that seek to fully activate their spiritual potential and tap into the power of the pineal gland, one must begin by strengthening its function though detoxification and proper nutrition. Researchers are finding that in many people, due to our poor diet with pesticide and chemical-laden foods and environmental toxins such as fluoride in our water, the pineal gland and our entire bodies are becoming exposed to many more toxins and nano-organisms than ever before. These form calcium shells around themselves for protection from our immune systems which has resulted in calcification of the pineal gland, a build-up of calcium phosphate crystals in various parts of the human body. Many of us have a pineal gland that is already completely calcified. This does not fare well when we try to tap into the esoteric capabilities of this gland through yoga practice, meditation, using plant medicines such as ayahuasca, and so forth. The process of detoxification is an essential place to start if we want to exploit our full spiritual capabilities.

Below is a list, in no particular order, of 8 supplements that will boost your pineal gland function, help in its decalcification, and support you on your journey of personal and spiritual cultivation. Some of the supplements offer similar results, so it is up to you to decide which combination of supplements will work best for you.

1. Melatonin

The pineal gland already produces the hormone melatonin, which affects the body’s circadian rhythms of waking and sleeping. Melatonin is also associated with relaxation and visualization, and people often take melatonin supplements as a sleep aid or to help overcome jet-lag due to travel. When purchasing melatonin supplements, make sure the products are plant-based and not animal tested. It is suggested that you always start with the smallest dosage possible and do not use any melatonin supplement for longer than three months.
Recommended products:
NOW Foods Melatonin 5mg Vcaps
Natrol Liquid Melatonin

2. Oregano Oil and Neem Extract

Both oregano oil and neem extract help in the purification process, helping to remove existing calcification within the pineal gland, in addition to purifying the body’s systems, especially the endocrine system. Neem has been used in this way in India for thousands of years. In the western world, oregano oil is also becoming a holistic way of fortifying the immune support system. In the longer term, both of these supplements will act as a natural antibiotic against new calcium shells created by nanobacteria.
Recommended products:
Joy of the Mountains Oregano Oil (100% Certified Organic)
Wild Oregano Oil, Super Strength, 100% Organic
Neem Aura Neem Leaf Extract
Theraneem Organix Supercritical Extract of Neem Leaf Softgel Capsules
Resources:
The Cure Is in the Cupboard: How to Use Wild Oregano for Better Health

3. Raw Cacao

Raw, organic chocolate in its purest form can help detoxify the pineal gland because of cacao’s high antioxidant content. Cacao will also help stimulate the third eye.
Recommended products:
Alive and Aware Certified Organic Raw Cacao Nibs
Navitas Naturals Cacao Powder, Organic
Earth Circle Organics Verified Raw Balinese Cacao Powder

4. Chlorophyll-rich Superfoods

Supplements like spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass and blue-green algae are examples of chlorophyll-rich superfoods that offer similar benefits to eating leafy greens but with much more nutrition packed into a small serving. These supplements assist in the decalcification of the pineal gland due to their strong detoxification properties.
Recommended products:
Ultimate Superfoods Raw Chlorella/Spirulina Tablets
NuSci Organic Spirulina Powder
Mercola Organic Broken Cell Wall Chlorella
100% Certified Organic Chlorella Powder 90 grams (3.17 oz) Pwdr
Klamath Blue Green Algae Capsules
Rejuvenate Forever Organic Wheatgrass Growing Kit
Resources:
The Green Foods Bible: Everything You Need to Know about Barley Grass, Wheatgrass, Kamut, Chlorella, Spirulina and More
The Wheatgrass Book: How to Grow and Use Wheatgrass to Maximize Your Health and Vitality

5. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

A natural detoxifier, raw apple cider vinegar helps decalcify the pineal gland due to its malic acid properties. Malic acid is an organic compound that gives fruits their sour taste. When taken as a supplement, it supports the digestive system and helps the body detoxify. Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits, many of which are listed here. Ensure that the brand you buy is raw and packaged in a glass container.
Recommended products:
Bragg Apple Cidar Vinegar, Organic Raw Unflavored
Resources:
The Healing Powers of Vinegar: A Complete Guide to Nature’s Most Remarkable Remedy

6. Iodine

Many of us have been exposed to sodium fluoride due to fluoridation of our water systems, and this has also resulted in the calcification of the pineal gland. Iodine, naturally occurring in plants such as seaweed, effectively improves the removal of sodium fluoride via urine. Unfortunately, the Western diet has left us deficient of this vital mineral while our bodies need it most. To avoid calcium deficiency when taking iodine supplements, a diet incorporating many organic foods such as kale, broccoli, almonds, oranges, flax seed, sesame seeds, dill, thyme and other dried herbs is recommended. It is suggested that a non-GMO lecithin supplement is also taken to compliment iodine intake.
Recommended products:
Detoxadine
Now Foods Kelp capsules with Natural Iodine
Annie Chun's Seaweed Snacks, Roasted Wasabi, 0.35-Ounce Packages
Now Foods Sunflower Lecithin

7. Organic Blue Ice Skate Fish Oil and Activator X (Vitamin K1/K2)

If you’d like to take a natural supplement to decalcify your pineal gland, organic blue ice skate fish oil may be one of the most powerful options out there. This oil contains Activator X – a detoxifier discovered by Weston Price that combines Vitamins K1 and K2 – which allows for the body to remove calcium from various locations throughout the body, such as the pineal gland and the arteries. Instead of eliminating the excess calcium, as iodine does, Activator X places it in areas where calcium is most needed, such as bones and teeth. It has been reported to reverse damage done by calcification which results in diseases such as atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. It also helps reverse tooth decay. It is suggested that Activator X supplements are be taken with Vitamin A and D3.
Recommended products:
Green Pastures Fermented Skate Liver Oil Capsules
Green Pastures X-Factor Gold High-vitamin Butter Oil
Blue Ice Royal Butter Oil / Fermented Cod Liver Oil Blend – Capsules
Resource:
Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox: How a Little-Known Vitamin Could Save Your Life

8. Boron/Borax

Another good supplement that can be used to remove fluoride from the human body is the mineral Boron. It is naturally present in beets, which can be eaten raw, steamed, cooked as well as in a powder supplement. It is also present in other foods, such as dried plums. Borax is an inexpensive source of boron that can be bought in most grocery stores.
Recommended products:
TwinLab – Tri-Boron Capsules
Liquid Ionic Minerals Boron
Frontier Natural Products Organic Beet Powder
Made In Nature Organic Plums, Pitted, Dried and Unsulfured

What Else Can Help Boost Your Pineal Gland Function?

In addition to the supplements listed above, there are many foods that help decalcify and improve the function of the pineal gland, while detoxifying other parts of the body. These include: cilantro, tamarind, Goji berries, watermelon, bananas, honey, coconut oil, hemp seeds, seaweed, Noni Juice, garlic, Chaga mushroom, raw lemon juice. Pineal gland decalcification can also be gained by eating more alkaline foods. See a list of such foods here: Alkaline Foods to Help Decalcify the Pineal Gland.

About the Author
Anna Hunt is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com and an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in research and editorial writing. She and her husband run a preparedness e-store outlet at www.offgridoutpost.com, offering GMO-free storable food and emergency kits. Anna is also a certified Hatha yoga instructor at Atenas Yoga. She enjoys raising her children and being a voice for optimal human health and wellness. Read more of her excellent articles here.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of GrowLearnThink, Waking Times or its staff.

7 Ways to Overcome the Insanity of Modern Life

Dylan Charles, Editor
Waking Times 

Without question, these modern times are becoming more and more challenging to ordinary people as concerning news and events overwhelm us. An honest assessment of the human condition reveals perils of every type.

The economy sucks thanks to the greedy criminals who have death-grip on our monetary system. People seem to be losing their minds and behaving like animals as a first response. Selfishness and irresponsibility trump honesty and integrity, and lawlessness is the new norm. Get used to it. Our national leadership is, well, to be blunt, crap, and no one in office is presenting a vision of the future worth living in. While the soulless scuds in congress debate over new wars, beating veterans off the national mall, and how much more debt we should resign our grandchildren to, Fukushima goes unaddressed. Our environment and all of God’s creatures in it have been sold to industry, and what public land isn’t being raped and fracked is in government shutdown. Privacy is gone, security is a lie, and the mainline media and government propagandists pimp fear, stupidity, ignorance and hate as though nothing else matters.

So much of this is beyond the control of the individual, but we all play our part. The world doesn’t have to be this way, yet it is, and so we must do our best to maintain equilibrium in this long emergency. For even the most resilient and positive of us, life can become oppressive, frightening and bleak sometimes, and when it does we have to make more of a conscious effort than ever before to maintain sanity and peace of mind. Bad news is infectious, but, while we’re sulking and entertaining this negativity, the beauty of our lives continues on before our eyes, and if we don’t actively reset ourselves, then we miss out on the joy that is life, and we overlook the astounding beauty that lies in each moment. Life is a gift and a treasure, and the best revenge truly is living well.
Here are some very important keys to bringing life back into harmony and balance in these worrisome times:

Develop a Personal Practice – A personal practice is often a physical or meditative art which allows us to concentrate completely on the happenings within. Many modern people are re-discovering ancient modalities of spiritual and physical cultivation, such as Yoga, meditation and martial arts. Learning the skills of a physical art, then integrating them into daily life is one of the most powerful ways of maintaining stasis and discovering new strength and vitality. The integrative arts are a keen way of monitoring one’s personal condition, improving wellness, and gauging one’s capacity to withstand this insanity. An ongoing personal practice offers regular renewal and re-centering and is a powerful of method of re-establishing perspective, control and self-control. As a practice becomes more of an appreciated part of life rather than just a chore, one develops the insight to know when life is drifting our of control, while also developing the tools to quickly and mindfully return to balance.

Detoxing and Re-discovering Health – Our modern health care system is based on the expensive notion of symptom suppression, not on the development of genuine, vibrant health, and the quality of our environment and food is dreadfully deteriorated with myriad pollutants and toxins. Being healthy is quite difficult nowadays, but physical health and an un-polluted body are absolutely critical to mental health and wellness. Changing our patterns of consumption and learning how to live independent of pharmaceutical, drug and alcohol dependence is a lifestyle change that we simply must make. Once a person gains a little ground on this front by sheer force of will, the natural drive to be well takes over and it becomes easy, and eventually common-sensical, to protect and nurture our health.Detoxifying the pollutants, heavy metals, fluoride and other toxic assailants from the body follows the changing of our habits of consumption.

Activism – Finding a voice in the cacophony of the information age is not easy for most of us, but in doing so, we discover that we have tremendous reserves of personal power and courage that bring an unfamiliar richness, fullness and vigor to life. Human beings are creatures of unimaginable potential, creativity and ingenuity, and re-claiming these qualities to put them in service for causes and issues we are passionate about means we are no longer acquiescent to the control-freak designs of our culture. Speaking up and being vocal about the quality of our world is deeply empowering, and an empowered person naturally shrugs off adversity and is more resilient to stress and adversity.

Kill Your Television – The mainstream news media and entertainment industry feeds us programming that heavily influences our perception of reality. By tuning in to this garbage, we are submitting to being emotionally manipulated and tacitly controlled. Fear, anxiety, insecurity, violence, desire and hate are the main vibrational qualities of the corporate/fascist media. Utilizing the ‘off’ switch and developing our own perceptions of reality is more likely to reveal a world of abundance, love, compassion, and forgiveness… all qualities important to a peaceful and balanced person.

Learn How to Say No – Saying ‘no’ is perhaps the most important social skill we can develop in order to maintain our sanity and personal sovereignty. We can use this in interpersonal relationships, while working for ‘the man’, and at the airport when the TSA goon wants to feel us up. Saying ‘no’ is surprisingly difficult, however, for ordinary people because culturally we are bred to obey ‘authority’, and to not ‘rock the boat.’ Conformity is demanded, but we must choose to comply with it. The world is in such shambles nowadays not because a cabal of shadowy elites is forcing us all into strife, conflict and terror, but, because so many ordinary people are afraid to say ‘no.’

Emergency Preparedness, Self-Sufficiency and Debt-Free Living– Being at least basically prepared for some of the obvious potential calamities, such as natural disasters, civil unrest and economic hardship, is an important key to resisting the fear consciousness and uncertainty in the world today. Decreasing dependence on the just-in-time food system by stocking up on storable foods and learning to contribute to our own food supply is a social responsibility we all share. Getting out of debt and not participating in the crooked credit schemes of the fiat economy is a revolutionary act, one that frees up considerable energy and resources from worry.

Gratitude  – Intentionally practicing gratitude and thankfulness for the good things we do have is a powerful means of liberating ones’ self from the trap of want and desire that is an intrinsic feature of our consumeristic society. Many times when we feel down, depressed, or are agonizing over current affairs, the simple act of focusing on the good things surrounding us is enough to move our consciousness beyond its sad state. Material possessions offer only temporary boosts to happiness, much like drugs, alcohol, and entertainment distractions. More importantly, though, material pursuits and possessions represent a trap for the spirit. Letting go of these desires and acknowledging the critically important factors in life, like love, relationships and health, with a spirit of gratitude can be enough to liberate us from the anxiety and fear that is our recommended preconditioned response to the madness in our modern world.

Conclusion 

Interesting times these are indeed, and each of us is faced with the option of giving in to the pollution, contamination and suppression of the human spirit, which so naturally yearns to be vibrant, radiant, alive and inspired. More than ever the world needs righteous actors to overcome the callousness and apathy that are endemic in our society. Hopefully these tips are of value when confronting circumstances which conspire to sap our personal energy and positive will.

About the Author

Dylan Charles is a student and teacher of Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Qi Gong, a practitioner of Yoga and Taoist esoteric arts, and an activist and idealist passionately engaged in the struggle for a more sustainable and just world for future generations. He is the editor of WakingTimes.com, the proprietor of OffgridOutpost.com, a grateful father and a man who seeks to enlighten and assist others with the power of inspiring information and action. He may be contacted at wakingtimes@gmail.com.

Why We Get Mad When Others Challenge What We Believe In

Thousands of years ago the earth was the center of the universe. Hundreds of years ago the earth was flat. Today, we know both of these things to be false given what we have discovered about our world and the solar system. However, when people first started bringing the idea forward that what people believed about the earth being flat or the center of the universe was false, they were met with extreme resistance and were considered to be crazy. Regardless of the fact that today we might laugh at these ideas because we know them to be false, back then it was so heavily believed and engrained into people’s minds. You could say there is a striking resemblance between what was happening during those times and what is happening now with those who are awakening to what is really going on here on earth.

Truth passes through three phases: First it is ridiculed. Second it is fiercely and violently opposed. Third, it becomes self-evident.
— Arthur Schopenhauer

Arthur Schopenhauer’s quote perfectly brings light to the truth of how humans often operate when beliefs or world views are challenged. Simple ridicule to brush off new ideas is often phase one, as at this point the new beliefs are not seen as much of a threat. Then new ideas or beliefs are violently opposed as the weight and truth of them becomes more evident. The idea of having to change ones world view becomes more prominent and fear sets in. Finally, when all is clear and proven beyond any reasonable doubt, the truth that was once so heavily opposed and ridiculed is revealed as self-evident. Why does this happen?

The Ego

To understand this process we have to look no further than the human ego. The word ego is often associated with one’s sense of pride or vanity for themselves. While these characteristics do come from the ego, the ego is more than that. The ego is a false sense of self that we believe to be who we are. Any idea of identity or concept about who we are, is ego. This means ego often turns up in how we choose to act, think of ourselves and others, how we dress, our emotions etc. The ego can also be seen as a protective layer that separates us from everyone else. While this protection is not necessary, to the ego it is its means of defending itself from the differences of others. When you look at yourself in the mirror and think you need to change something about your appearance, it is your ego. When you feel you are not worthy of something, it is your ego. When you walk down the street and judge another person for their actions or clothing choices, it is your ego. Many of the thoughts that keep you thinking and out of the moment are a result of our egos.

You might be realizing how this is all relating to our initial statement of why we get mad when others challenge what we believe in. You may have already come to the conclusion that technically, WE do not get mad, our ego does. How do we know it is our ego? It’s simple. The information presented, or information we believe in, is not us. Our ego has taken that information and formulated an identity around it. When the information is challenged or attacked, we feel like we are being attacked and so we get upset. This is the egos way of defending itself and in essence, enslaving us. When someone attacks our favorite sports team or band, we get mad because we have created an identity around being a fan. As we now know, this is not who we truly are and it is not US being attacked.  This same understanding can be applied to almost anything including religions, beliefs, clothing, hobbies, information etc. None of these things are us.

Steps to Un-Identifty With Ego

1. Remember that information is not you. When you are feeling attacked, observe your anger or discomfort developing. Observing is a great first step to see how things are working within you. If starting with yourself is tough, observe it in another first. Be sure not to judge them but instead simply observe what happens as emotions take control during the process.

2. Once you have observed how you react, make a conscious effort to notice that you are the observing being beyond the mind, the thoughts and the identity with the information. While this sounds profound, it is a simple realization that you had control over reacting and getting upset. Thus you, a separate entity, had control over the ego, which is not you. This realization is a big step in removing ego identity.

3. Continue to practice remaining conscious during these times without letting the ego take over again. As you continue to remain conscious, you will break the habit of ego identification and will be unfazed while others are challenging or attacking information you might believe in. Ultimately, this allows you to see truth behind information much more easily than when we are blinded by the ego.

About the author

Joe Martino created CE 4 years ago and have been heavily at it since. I love inspiring others to find joy and make changes in their lives. Hands down the only other thing I am this passionate about is baseball. Feel free to email Jow at joe@collective-evolution.com.

**This article was originally featured at Collective-Evolution.**

Strange Things Are Happening To Astronauts Returning From Space

By: Arjun Walia, Guest

This is a beautiful video of what happens to astronauts when they return to Earth. It was done by Planetary Collective, a group of filmmakers, visual media creatives and thinkers who work with cosmologists, ecologists and philosophers to explore some of the big questions facing our planet today. One astronaut featured in the video is Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell. We’ve shared many of his recent interviews on our website as well as many from fellow astronaut Brian O’leary.

Once a photograph of the Earth taken from outside is available, a new idea as powerful as any in history will be let loose – Fred Hoyle, 1948

OVERVIEW from Planetary Collective on Vimeo.

Source 

The Health Benefits of Learning Tai Chi

Waking Times, Guest

Each and every one of us can benefit from learning Tai Chi. This ancient Chinese art has been described as “meditation in motion” and is known to prevent and treat many health problems, as documented by several studies.

Tai chi is a practice that focuses on movements originating from the torso. Why is this important, and how do we lose this capability as we get older? Here is some insight, as presented by Synerchi Publishing:

An early Tai Chi master once wrote that the ultimate purpose of learning Tai Chi was to live forever in the spring season of your life. Tai Chi is not just for longevity, but also for robustness, even at an old age. The health benefits of Classical Tai Chi may be viewed from several different angles and at different levels, all of which tie in strongly with the practice of Internal Discipline.

When examining the movements of very young children, we see that their movements of arms and legs often originate from their torso, their movements are relaxed and without tension. As we grow older our movements tend to concentrate on our arms, legs and shoulders and less on our torso: also, tension and stiffness start to creep into our movements. Gradually, we lose touch with the torso. We can only do simple movements such as the popular ab exercises but cannot perform the subtle, intricate, and powerful movements that the torso inherently is capable of. We talk about the dexterity of hands or feet, not knowing that the torso can be developed to have just as much dexterity, but think of the torso as a dull part of the body.

Eventually, stagnation in the torso sets in. We often see the elderly walking with a shuffle—the walking movement no longer extends into the torso. With all the major organs and complex circulatory system residing in the torso, it’s easy to understand the adverse effect of inaction and stagnation of the torso on the health of the body. One may assert that the onset of internal rigor mortis actually precedes death!

If you want to maintain youthfulness of internal body systems, you must learn to initiate movements from the internal core of the body, to cultivate your body’s internal energy. Once we’re able to regain our connection with the torso, our body starts to work more effectively and efficiently, resulting in better health.

Classical Tai Chi may be considered as a means to return to childhood. The Internal Discipline of the Form movements first tunes the nervous system in the body so that the complex and powerful internal movements will become natural and spontaneous. In China, a healthy and well-tuned nervous system is considered to be paramount to a healthy body. That is the importance of Qi (see more about Qi here). Physically, the internal movements penetrate to the deep recesses of the torso, stimulating and invigorating the organs and the circulation systems in the torso. Enhancement of the function of the intestine and kidney are immediate when tai chi is played with Internal Discipline. Other benefits are more long term.

Our Western way of exercising can be difficult on the body especially long-term and as we get older. Here is how Tai Chi helps:

Modern exercise routines, including martial arts, are long on external movements and short on internal movements, in other words, exercising the parts of the body which are already over-used for an active person while neglecting the portion of the body which needs exercise. Worse yet, these routines often subject the shoulder, knee, the back and other joints with ill-conceived repetitive, unnatural movements. No wonder many active people eventually develop joint problems. Classical Tai Chi, through the experience of multi-generations of practitioners who practice from a young age until the end of life, fully grasp the importance of proper postures and movements to protect and strengthening the practitioner’s joints for long term, repetitive practice.

Such considerations are pointed out throughout our DVD set, particularly in the segments titled “Insight into Body Mechanics” Vol. I Tai Chi Overview, “Tai Chi Walk” Vol. II, “Stance of the Feet” and “Step Size” Vol. II. These considerations are only understood recently with current understanding of body mechanics and often used by modern physical therapists. Yet, it was put into rigorous practice in Classical Tai Chi centuries ago. As a result, beginning practitioners often cite reduced or eliminated back pain and weakness as the first benefits of practicing Classical Tai Chi.

Synerchi Publishing offers several examples on their website of internal movements that originate from the torso and how such movements affect our health:

In the movement of pushing the arm forward, the elbow points downward and stays in front of the body. In this way, the arm is solidly braced so it can deliver the powerful internal energy to opponent without buckling during martial art application. The position of the elbow also protects the mid portion of the body. From a health viewpoint, this movement fully stretches and relaxes the upper back, tuning and strengthening it. Those who have pain in their upper back often find that playing the Tai Chi form alleviates their problem. Throughout the Tai Chi form movements, the synergy between martial art and health is spontaneous and natural without coercion.

Every aspect of Tai Chi has to satisfy two requirements simultaneously; 1) it has to be useful for martial art applications. 2) useful for health benefits. Classical Tai Chi accomplishes these goals superbly. For example, playing the Tai Chi with Internal Discipline fully utilizes the powerful core of the body, the abdomen and the back, in its motion. It is also a uniquely effective means of invigorating the internal organs, circulatory systems and nervous systems.

If you are ready to learn more about Tai Chi and its benefits, please visit Synerchi Publishing’s informative website at http://www.classicaltaichi.com/index.html. You can also review the contents of their DVD offering here: http://www.classicaltaichi.com/taichi-video-contents.html.

Source: Waking Times

12 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

Among the many benefits of pumpkin seeds, they are the only seed that is alkaline-forming in this world of highly acidic diets.

Did You Know? History and Interesting Trivia

• Pumpkin seeds were discovered by archaeologists in caves in Mexico that date back to 7,000 B.C.
• North American tribes were the very first to observe the particular miracle in pumpkin seeds. Pumpkins and their seeds were an important Native American Indian food used for their dietary and medicinal properties.
• Pumpkin seeds are called pepitas in Mexico and they are a trademark of Mexican cuisine.
• Pumpkin seeds were very popular in ancient Greece.
• The nutrition in pumpkin seeds improves with age; they are among the few foods that increase in nutritive value as they decompose. According to tests made at the Massachusetts Experimental Station, squash and pumpkin seeds stored for more than five months show a marked increase in protein content.
• Pumpkin seeds are high in calories, about 559 calories per 100 g.

Nutritional Facts & Health BenefitsPumpkin seeds:

• Are filled with lots of minerals including phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, iron and copper.
• Contain phytosterols, compounds that that have been shown to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol.
• Contain L-tryptophan, which helps with good sleep and lowering depression. Tryptophan is converted into serotonin and niacin. Serotonin is also very helpful in helping us to have a good night’s sleep.
• Are high in zinc, making them a natural protector against osteoporosis. Low intake of zinc is linked to higher rates of osteoporosis. In a study of almost 400 men (age from 45-92) published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition they found a correlation between low dietary intake of zinc, low blood levels of the trace mineral and osteoporosis at the hip and spine.
• Are a good source vitamin E; they contain about 35.10 mg of tocopherol per 100 g.
• Are the most alkaline-forming seed.
• Are an excellent source of vitamin B group (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) and folates).
• Contain good quality protein. 100 g seeds provide 30 g.
• According to studies, pumpkin seeds prevent calcium oxalate kidney stone formation.
• Reduce inflammation for arthritis without the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Are used in many cultures as a natural treatment for tapeworms and other parasites.
• Are good for prostate health! The oil in pumpkin seeds alleviates difficult urination that happens with an enlarged prostate.

10 Reasons You Should Never Get a Job

Source: http://www.stevepavlina.com

Just for fun I recently asked Erin, “Now that the kids are in summer school, don’t you think it’s about time you went out and got yourself a job?  I hate seeing you wallow in unemployment for so long.”

She smiled and said, “Wow.  I have been unemployed a really long time.  That’s weird…  I like it!”

Neither of us have had jobs since the ’90s (my only job was in 1992), so we’ve been self-employed for quite a while.  In our household it’s a running joke for one of us to say to the other, “Maybe you should get a job, derelict!”

It’s like the scene in The Three Stooges where Moe tells Curly to get a job, and Curly backs away, saying, “No, please… not that!  Anything but that!”

It’s funny that when people reach a certain age, such as after graduating college, they assume it’s time to go out and get a job.  But like many things the masses do, just because everyone does it doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.  In fact, if you’re reasonably intelligent, getting a job is one of the worst things you can do to support yourself.  There are far better ways to make a living than selling yourself into indentured servitude.

Here are some reasons you should do everything in your power to avoid getting a job:

1. Income for dummies.

Getting a job and trading your time for money may seem like a good idea.  There’s only one problem with it.  It’s stupid!  It’s the stupidest way you can possibly generate income!  This is truly income for dummies.

Why is getting a job so dumb?  Because you only get paid when you’re working.  Don’t you see a problem with that, or have you been so thoroughly brainwashed into thinking it’s reasonable and intelligent to only earn income when you’re working?  Have you never considered that it might be better to be paid even when you’re not working?  Who taught you that you could only earn income while working?  Some other brainwashed employee perhaps?

Don’t you think your life would be much easier if you got paid while you were eating, sleeping, and playing with the kids too?  Why not get paid 24/7?  Get paid whether you work or not.  Don’t your plants grow even when you aren’t tending to them?  Why not your bank account?

Who cares how many hours you work?  Only a handful of people on this entire planet care how much time you spend at the office.  Most of us won’t even notice whether you work 6 hours a week or 60.  But if you have something of value to provide that matters to us, a number of us will be happy to pull out our wallets and pay you for it.  We don’t care about your time — we only care enough to pay for the value we receive.  Do you really care how long it took me to write this article?  Would you pay me twice as much if it took me 6 hours vs. only 3?

Non-dummies often start out on the traditional income for dummies path.  So don’t feel bad if you’re just now realizing you’ve been suckered.  Non-dummies eventually realize that trading time for money is indeed extremely dumb and that there must be a better way.  And of course there is a better way.  The key is to de-couple your value from your time.

Smart people build systems that generate income 24/7, especially passive income.  This can include starting a business, building a web site, becoming an investor, or generating royalty income from creative work.  The system delivers the ongoing value to people and generates income from it, and once it’s in motion, it runs continuously whether you tend to it or not.  From that moment on, the bulk of your time can be invested in increasing your income (by refining your system or spawning new ones) instead of merely maintaining your income.

This web site is an example of such a system.  At the time of this writing, it generates about $9000 a month in income for me (update: $40,000 a month as of 10/31/06), and it isn’t my only income stream either.  I write each article just once (fixed time investment), and people can extract value from them year after year.  The web server delivers the value, and other systems (most of which I didn’t even build and don’t even understand) collect income and deposit it automatically into my bank account.  It’s not perfectly passive, but I love writing and would do it for free anyway.  But of course it cost me a lot of money to launch this business, right?  Um, yeah, $9 is an awful lot these days (to register the domain name).  Everything after that was profit.

Sure it takes some upfront time and effort to design and implement your own income-generating systems.  But you don’t have to reinvent the wheel — feel free to use existing systems like ad networks and affiliate programs.  Once you get going, you won’t have to work so many hours to support yourself.  Wouldn’t it be nice to be out having dinner with your spouse, knowing that while you’re eating, you’re earning money?  If you want to keep working long hours because you enjoy it, go right ahead.  If you want to sit around doing nothing, feel free.  As long as your system continues delivering value to others, you’ll keep getting paid whether you’re working or not.

Your local bookstore is filled with books containing workable systems others have already designed, tested, and debugged.  Nobody is born knowing how to start a business or generate investment income, but you can easily learn it.  How long it takes you to figure it out is irrelevant because the time is going to pass anyway.  You might as well emerge at some future point as the owner of income-generating systems as opposed to a lifelong wage slave.  This isn’t all or nothing.  If your system only generates a few hundred dollars a month, that’s a significant step in the right direction.

2. Limited experience.

You might think it’s important to get a job to gain experience.  But that’s like saying you should play golf to get experience playing golf.  You gain experience from living, regardless of whether you have a job or not.  A job only gives you experience at that job, but you gain ”experience” doing just about anything, so that’s no real benefit at all.  Sit around doing nothing for a couple years, and you can call yourself an experienced meditator, philosopher, or politician.

The problem with getting experience from a job is that you usually just repeat the same limited experience over and over.  You learn a lot in the beginning and then stagnate.  This forces you to miss other experiences that would be much more valuable.  And if your limited skill set ever becomes obsolete, then your experience won’t be worth squat.  In fact, ask yourself what the experience you’re gaining right now will be worth in 20-30 years.  Will your job even exist then?

Consider this.  Which experience would you rather gain?  The knowledge of how to do a specific job really well — one that you can only monetize by trading your time for money – or the knowledge of how to enjoy financial abundance for the rest of your life without ever needing a job again?  Now I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have the latter experience.  That seems a lot more useful in the real world, wouldn’t you say?

3. Lifelong domestication.

Getting a job is like enrolling in a human domestication program.  You learn how to be a good pet.

Look around you.  Really look.  What do you see?  Are these the surroundings of a free human being?  Or are you living in a cage for unconscious animals?  Have you fallen in love with the color beige?

How’s your obedience training coming along?  Does your master reward your good behavior?  Do you get disciplined if you fail to obey your master’s commands?

Is there any spark of free will left inside you?  Or has your conditioning made you a pet for life?

Humans are not meant to be raised in cages.  You poor thing…

4. Too many mouths to feed.

Employee income is the most heavily taxed there is.  In the USA you can expect that about half your salary will go to taxes.  The tax system is designed to disguise how much you’re really giving up because some of those taxes are paid by your employer, and some are deducted from your paycheck.  But you can bet that from your employer’s perspective, all of those taxes are considered part of your pay, as well as any other compensation you receive such as benefits.  Even the rent for the office space you consume is considered, so you must generate that much more value to cover it.  You might feel supported by your corporate environment, but keep in mind that you’re the one paying for it.

Another chunk of your income goes to owners and investors.  That’s a lot of mouths to feed.

It isn’t hard to understand why employees pay the most in taxes relative to their income.  After all, who has more control over the tax system?  Business owners and investors or employees?

You only get paid a fraction of the real value you generate.  Your real salary may be more than triple what you’re paid, but most of that money you’ll never see.  It goes straight into other people’s pockets.

What a generous person you are!

5. Way too risky.

Many employees believe getting a job is the safest and most secure way to support themselves.

Morons.

Social conditioning is amazing.  It’s so good it can even make people believe the exact opposite of the truth.

Does putting yourself in a position where someone else can turn off all your income just by saying two words (“You’re fired”) sound like a safe and secure situation to you?  Does having only one income stream honestly sound more secure than having 10?

The idea that a job is the most secure way to generate income is just silly.  You can’t have security if you don’t have control, and employees have the least control of anyone.  If you’re an employee, then your real job title should beprofessional gambler.

6. Having an evil bovine master.

When you run into an idiot in the entrepreneurial world, you can turn around and head the other way.  When you run into an idiot in the corporate world, you have to turn around and say, “Sorry, boss.”

Did you know that the word boss comes from the Dutch word baas, which historically means master?  Another meaning of the word boss is “a cow or bovine.”  And in many video games, the boss is the evil dude that you have to kill at the end of a level.

So if your boss is really your evil bovine master, then what does that make you?  Nothing but a turd in the herd.

Who’s your daddy?

7. Begging for money.

When you want to increase your income, do you have to sit up and beg your master for more money?  Does it feel good to be thrown some extra Scooby Snacks now and then?

Or are you free to decide how much you get paid without needing anyone’s permission but your own?

If you have a business and one customer says “no” to you, you simply say “next.”

8. An inbred social life.

Many people treat their jobs as their primary social outlet.  They hang out with the same people working in the same field.  Such incestuous relations are social dead ends.  An exciting day includes deep conversations about the company’s switch from Sparkletts to Arrowhead, the delay of Microsoft’s latest operating system, and the unexpected delivery of more Bic pens.  Consider what it would be like to go outside and talk to strangers.  Ooooh… scary!  Better stay inside where it’s safe.

If one of your co-slaves gets sold to another master, do you lose a friend?  If you work in a male-dominated field, does that mean you never get to talk to women above the rank of receptionist?  Why not decide for yourself whom to socialize with instead of letting your master decide for you?  Believe it or not, there are locations on this planet where free people congregate.  Just be wary of those jobless folk — they’re a crazy bunch!

9. Loss of freedom.

It takes a lot of effort to tame a human being into an employee.  The first thing you have to do is break the human’s independent will.  A good way to do this is to give them a weighty policy manual filled with nonsensical rules and regulations.  This leads the new employee to become more obedient, fearing that s/he could be disciplined at any minute for something incomprehensible.  Thus, the employee will likely conclude it’s safest to simply obey the master’s commands without question.  Stir in some office politics for good measure, and we’ve got a freshly minted mind slave.

As part of their obedience training, employees must be taught how to dress, talk, move, and so on.  We can’t very well have employees thinking for themselves, now can we?  That would ruin everything.

God forbid you should put a plant on your desk when it’s against the company policy.  Oh no, it’s the end of the world!  Cindy has a plant on her desk!  Summon the enforcers!  Send Cindy back for another round of sterility training!

Free human beings think such rules and regulations are silly of course.  The only policy they need is:  “Be smart.  Be nice.  Do what you love.  Have fun.”

10. Becoming a coward.

Have you noticed that employed people have an almost endless capacity to whine about problems at their companies?  But they don’t really want solutions – they just want to vent and make excuses why it’s all someone else’s fault.  It’s as if getting a job somehow drains all the free will out of people and turns them into spineless cowards.  If you can’t call your boss a jerk now and then without fear of getting fired, you’re no longer free.  You’ve become your master’s property.

When you work around cowards all day long, don’t you think it’s going to rub off on you?  Of course it will.  It’s only a matter of time before you sacrifice the noblest parts of your humanity on the altar of fear:  first courage… then honesty… then honor and integrity… and finally your independent will.  You sold your humanity for nothing but an illusion.  And now your greatest fear is discovering the truth of what you’ve become.

I don’t care how badly you’ve been beaten down.  It is never too late to regain your courage.  Never!

Still want a job?

If you’re currently a well-conditioned, well-behaved employee, your most likely reaction to the above will be defensiveness.  It’s all part of the conditioning.  But consider that if the above didn’t have a grain of truth to it, you wouldn’t have an emotional reaction at all.  This is only a reminder of what you already know.  You can deny your cage all you want, but the cage is still there.  Perhaps this all happened so gradually that you never noticed it until now… like a lobster enjoying a nice warm bath.

If any of this makes you mad, that’s a step in the right direction.  Anger is a higher level of consciousness than apathy, so it’s a lot better than being numb all the time.  Any emotion — even confusion — is better than apathy.  If you work through your feelings instead of repressing them, you’ll soon emerge on the doorstep of courage.  And when that happens, you’ll have the will to actually do something about your situation and start living like the powerful human being you were meant to be instead of the domesticated pet you’ve been trained to be.