Friday, April 19, 2013

Miller Time Friday: Me, Deepak and Hey, whose molecules are these anyway?

Ah Friday!

If the weather person is correct, it will rain over night and then tomorrow, it will clear up and be warm.  If that is the case, I will don my rubber boots and head out to the great yard and start picking up all the row that landed on the lawn all winter long.  I can just imagine the sore muscles on Saturday!  But they will be good sore muscles!

Last night, as some of you know, we went to Moncton to see Deepak Chopra give a lecture.  Now I need to be clear: I like Deepak.  I have always liked Deepak, because he has been taking a holistic perspective of our health for many years.  Recently, I have started meditating thanks to Old Deepak and he has a gentle way of introducing you to meditation that is working for me.

He was in Atlantic Canada to talk about the concepts of his new book, Super Brain, which he has co-authored with Dr. Rudy Tanzi, who is a Neurology professor at Harvard.

Because Deepak is a doctor, and a bit of a science "geek" - and I say that in the most loving of ways - the first 20 minutes of the lecture was really a VERY short history of the universe and the inner workings of our body.  Very fascinating stuff.  What seemed to really catch the audience's attention was when he explained that when we breathe in, we breathe in 10 to the 8th power of molecules.  All of which are the molecules from all the world around you.  And then you breathe out ten to the 8th power of your molecules, all over people.  I won't go into the whole science of this because a) I can't remember it all and b) it's all in the book, but the gist of it is that the way this all works is that we have had every living being in our body via this exchange of breath. 

Now some people would be grossed out by that.  Me, not so much.  You all seem like nice folk and if I get a bit of you in me or on me, no big whoop.  But the reminder that we are all just bags of molecules held together by gravity is an awe-inspiring thing.  His latest research is on the new scientific frontier of trying to understand consciousness.  This is really freaking a lot of people out (if you read the Huffington Post you may have read Chopra's blog post on this yesterday).  I tend to be pretty open minded and intrigued by the concept of science and the belief in a higher power, but it does make some uncomfortable.  I leave it to others to debate this (and please not here!) but there is some really neat stuff in this new area of research that is intriguing indeed and if you are interested in the latest research on the brain/mind connection, you will enjoy his new book.

What I was most impressed by was his ability to speak science in a way that it is comprehensible and respectful in a room of people who were not scientists.  In fact, the vast majority of individuals there were not new age folks, but a LOT of nurses, mental health professionals and doctors, which intrigued me.  And heartened me.  Many had been encouraged within their professional systems to attend this lecture, which was entitled "The Future of Well-Being".  He talked for 2 hours straight, without notes and without a break and there was no break in thought.  Very impressive to me, whose mind wanders off at the drop of a hat!  At the end, he led the group through a short meditation and for 10 minutes, you couldn't hear a pin drop in the large room.  My husband, who was disinterested in meditation, found it so refreshing, he is thinking of beginning to meditate!


All in all, a great talk and well worth our ticket prices.  Whether or not you are a fan of Deepak or not, he has a great intellect and was refreshingly self-effacing, witty and unabashedly spiritual all at once.  If you do ever have the chance to hear him speak in person, I do recommend it.  The next best thing is his books (the man is PROLIFIC!) or interviews.

Since I spent so much time talking and thinking about the atoms of my body (and yours!) last night, why don't we make some atomic cocktails?

Atomic

Deliciously flavored with orange and mandarin, topped up with exotic fruit juices and decorated with kiwi, this eerie-looking drink tastes great.

INGREDIENTS:
1 ¼ measures cognac
¾ measure grand Marnier
¼ measure blue curacao
Ice
3 measures exotic fruit juice, to top up
1 tsp fraise
Kiwi slices, to decorate

METHOD:
1. Shake the first three ingredients together over the ice until well frosted.
2. Strain into a chilled highball glass and top up with fruit juice.
3. Float in a few drops of fraise and dress with slices of kiwi.
4. Drink through a straw.

As soon as I saw kiwi slices, I immediately thought of our friend over at About Last Weekend, who has such a great blog and fun attitude to life! 

Which made me think that last night was really:

  meet


Go figure!!!  Tomorrow, I will report back on my Ziggy Stardust Tribute Album concert!

Until then, stay safe out there and to quote my beloved Casey Kasem "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars!"

36 comments:

  1. That lecture and book sound fascinating, Wendy. Will be putting the book on my next Book Depository order, I think.
    I don't believe in a higher power, but I do believe in the power of the human mind, and I am in awe of Science.

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  2. Ciao Wendy, Happy Friday! I'm happy that you enjoyed the talk, it sounds like it was compelling.

    I think physics, chemistry, biology, etc. are fascinating and beautiful. Just the other day I was extolling the wonders of human physiology and evolution to my husband. Learning about the inner workings of the body is truly a mind-blowing experience - so much going on in there! Physiology was one of my favourite university classes.

    I hope the Ziggy Stardust concert is fun, it certainly sounds like it will be. I saw Bowie when I lived in Montreal and it definitely ranks in my top three concerts ever. What a performer!

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    1. We saw Bowie years ago as well. The young man who sang the songs was AMAZING! Young, good-looking and an amazing voice! Barry and I both said _ this kid is going to be a star!

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  3. STUDY IN CONTRASTS Deepak and a Bowie cover band, that's quite the 48-hours. As you know, his books got me into meditation too, so my usually whirring brain must credit. I adored Bowie in the early 1990s (a blue streak is only time I ever coloured my hair) and still think he is truly an artist/ creative vs. a pop star/ musician. So ahead of the culture curve. I am a wee bit envious to say, hubs has also seen him in concert, but I never managed it.

    "I don't know where I am going from here, but I promise it won't be boring." -- DB

    P.S. Another "lethal" cocktail, more potent than Tab's champagne ones. Although I guess the Atomic should pack a punch.

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    1. Oh Bowie was amazing when we saw him (which was a long time ago - i think 1989!) Maybe he will tour again with new album!

      I am a little afraid of this cocktail!

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  4. Casey Kasem! I remember that line, that could be your motto Wendy!
    How interesting. I've never read any of his books but I will now, I bet I can find one at the library.
    I hope it warms up enough for you to stomp around your garden today!

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    1. Well Barry was shoveling snow off our side patio, that is how desoerate we are!!! Not warm yet, but not bad!! AM off to get groceries and then relax!

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  5. and because wind and earth's rotation kept those molecules constantly in transit... some days I'm joyful for no reason, sometimes I'm inexplicably sad, and it's because I'm having some of someone else's experiences.

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    1. Love that Fred - that is so beautiful! Deepak would certainly say that good energy is a good thing to send out to the world!

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  6. oops, pushed publish too soon. So you don't get to choose whose or which molecules you breathe in, or how fast they're breathed out. A wayward breeze could bring you atoms from the ashes of martyrs or from the overdone make-up of a living rock star. If a molecule breaks down, it becomes smaller and smaller particles until it's just energy, but nothing ever goes away. We are the past of the universe as well as its future.

    OK enough of that, there are markdowns to check out and the sun is shining.

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  7. Science geek here; I like to keep up with the doings at the Large Hadron Collider, but, like all those particles, the moment I think I get it--gone. Have not read or seen DC ( maybe on PBS I have?); I do follow Jon Cabot-Zinn's Mindfulness research, all meditation based.

    I have 8 roofers here today, thankful for the normal chaos when Watertown is having some very abnormal and frightening mayhem this morning. Hope it's over soon and noon else is hurt. Definitely will be Miller time tonight.

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    1. Lane, I know, understand but shocked at entire MBTA shut-down. Frightening enough on the news reports/ web. Must be so difficult for all confined and working the house-to-house there.

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    2. HI Lane - I am with you - watching in disbelief! 8 roofers are a good thing - we did ours a couple of years ago and was a good thing!

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  8. I don't follow this kind of thing, but it sounds interesting. I will leave the Atomic cocktails to those of you who can hold your liquor ! Our weather was incredible yesterday (sunny and in the 80s!!!), but is about to take an unfortunate turn to rain and highs in the 50s. I think I'll stick to the indoor chores this weekend! Hope you have a great one!

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    1. You too, Cate - I am afraid of this cocktail, too, but i may try one sometime!

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  9. I don't know him and I have never heard of him, but it seems quite interesting. I am not really in meditation yet... As I pursue my 150 project, I intend to make more time for different things and meditation should be one of those. Speaking of weather, the grey clouds and chilly temps are back here for the weekend... Not really what I wished for, but, huh... Have a lovely weekend Wendy.

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  10. Hi Wendy,
    Deepak Chopra was my father's doctor many, many years ago. My parents used to travel to Mass. to spend a week at a time with him, just as a preventative, holistic approach to health.
    I have heard him speak a number of times, and just like you said - two hours, no notes, not a break in his train of thought, absolutely amazing. I think he's a true genius.
    Can you link to the Huffington blog post by him from yesterday, can't seem to find it? If not, will keep searching. Must start meditating soon again as well.
    The Jetsons and The Flintstones were my favorite shows as a kid.

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    1. That is really cool, Kathy! Did he make a big difference in your parent's health?

      the blogpost is:

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/dear-ted-is-it-bad-scienc_b_3104049.html

      interesting debates and he did speak to it a bit on wednesday night

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    2. They were already healthy, but I would say yes. It was before he was world famous. There was some "goo" that they took spoonfuls of daily. And almond oil massaged into the soles of their feet? Thanks for the link - I'll read it later today.

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    3. It was at the time when he was all about Ayurvedic medicine - and yes, they followed that and would go yearly to his clinic for check ups. They both already meditated. My father in particular was very big on holistic and alternative medicine, combined with Western medicine. He was very close to my daughter, first grandchild, who is now a doctor of Chinese medicine - unfortunately he died before he knew that, but he would have been quite proud.

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    4. Oh that is so neat! He spoke at length about health and ayurvedic medicine and he ripped apart the medical and scientific communities who have not come about against hormones and genetically modified food (especially vegetables.

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  11. Being a skeptical and sometimes cynical type I used to run, not away from stuff like that as fast as I could but recently I found myself fascinated by it. Meditation is another thing I always dismissed until recently, so who knows what is next for me...
    Ziggy Stardust was always one of my favorite albums ever, I will wait with anticipation for your next post, glad you had so much fun!

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    1. AJC - I hear you! It is interesting to read and think about and I can say that the meditation is really heing me!

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  12. You got me at "bag of molecules." That's exactly what we all are. LOL

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  13. Love David Bowie - I think his performance of 'Heroes' with Thomas Dolby playing keyboards/synthesizers (yes, the 'She Blinded Me With Science' Thomas Dolby!) at Live Aid 1985 is one of Bowie's best performances ever. He came up with many cool, inventive songs and his voice is fabulous. I would love to see him in concert if he ever tours again.

    And i've always admired how Bowie helped out his fellow musicians and causes, particularly with Iggy Pop and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

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    1. We are huge Bowie people - love, love, love! And I agree - I think Bowie has always had huge compassion!

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  14. My hubs has a story of when he was 16 and his mother thought they were all too stressed and needed yoga and meditation. So she, her husband, and Hunter went for their first yoga lesson and were promptly thrown out within thirty minutes for snoring. All of them! I do have a walking meditation album by Nguyen Anh-Huong and Music for Deep Meditation which I use on plane flights when I can not sleep. Both I highly recommend.

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    1. That is seriously funny! I will have to look for those items - thanks!

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  15. I would love to be able to see him talk in person. What a wonderful thought - that we are all so interconnected.

    We are fast approaching cocktail hour here. Happy Friday and have a fabulous weekend!

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    1. You too! Have had a wee bit of wine and am sitting down to watch of Life of Pi

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