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January 4th, 2010 | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized
"Manhattanhenge," Photo by Steve Kelley
Today’s blog is excerpted from the introduction to our gorgeous new catalog, written by our creative director, Ralph White.
Entering the New Decade
The Open Center enters the new decade delighted with the beauty and spaciousness of its new home. As holistic ideas and practices permeate mainstream society with increasing frequency and effectiveness, we are thrilled to occupy a building that permits many more participants in our programs. Read More
Traditional Chinese herbalists treat sexual imbalances such as impotence or reduced desire by improving adrenal energy, muscle strength and endurance with herbs that increase vitality and immunity. For improved sexuality, herbal adrenal tonics are often combined with moistening or blood-building herbs that reduce stress and increase sexual fluids. Harmonizing sexual drive and capacity with sexual fluids is said to bring happiness, compassion and love.
The Open Center bookstore is now offering a fabulous new product that makes the perfect meaningful holiday gift!
A few years back a dear friend and I were in Sedona, Arizona having breakfast while on a long road trip. I was going through a difficult period in my life and she asked me, smiling, how I interface with the Cosmic, the Divine, and in what ways I communicate with the larger Life that surrounds me. I replied, “Well, each morning I ask that I be happy, healthy and free, that others be peaceful and liberated, that good things come to me and those I love,” and continued to recite a list of requests or prayers that I used to start my day with. She looked at me and (now not smiling) simply replied, “Do you ever just say thank you?” 
Those of us working on Sunday mornings have been privy to the intoxicating and delicious smoke (literally) wafting through our halls during the Church of the Transfiguration’s Sunday services. One recent Sunday morning the hallway in front of the elevators was particularly perfumed and smoky.
Swine Flu is not new. Plagues have been feared ever since people began living together in close proximity with animals. Even before that, people hung garlic on a string around their neck and in windows to prevent evil spirits from entering their homes. Garlic, an odorous antimicrobial seemed a logical choice because it acted as a pesticide to prevent plague-infected fleas from biting. Today, however, we are concerned with defeating upper respiratory and viral epidemics. We have to keep flu germs from reaching the lower lungs. For that reason, we need natural guidelines for prevention and treatment of air-borne colds (bacterial) and flu (viral) infections with foods and easily available herbal remedies. 
Rapid-fire change is happening, and the perception of Black women is transforming from the negative images historically portrayed in the media to well-respected style and cultural icons such as Michelle Obama and Oprah. With leading industry insiders and image-makers, this will be a provocative and honest conversation that explores the complicated issue of beauty within Black communities including: the politics of complexion and hair; the underexposure of black models within the fashion industry; who controls the image of black women in major media; and other relevant, timely topics.
Every week, through print and broadcast media, our nation becomes more aware of the terrible cost of war to the young people sent to fight it. Never have we seen such high rates of mental illness, substance abuse, family discord, and violence. The Army estimates that one-third of our returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD. Suicide is rampant in combat and on return. By all accounts, this issue isn’t going away any time soon, and in fact may become worse in the years ahead as more troops are sent to Afghanistan. ![cover_caseforgod[1]](http://ocblog.opencenter.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/3/files/2009/10/cover_caseforgod1-150x150.jpg "cover_caseforgod[1]")
Have you lost touch with the religion you grew up with but feel the need for a spiritual dimension in your life?
Recently I have given up cigarettes, again, and I am really getting a first hand view of addiction and what it entails. The dictionary defines addiction as “being physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse side effects.” I have found this to be true. In looking at my addiction to cigarettes I have surely felt a physical and mental desire. To me, however, I find it much more difficult to deal with the mental traps. In my experience, the times when my mind plays a large role in urging me to have a smoke, are the times when my mind is reflecting on similar past experiences. For example, when I am at a bar enjoying a beer. Somewhere after two beers a voice in my head tells me how buzzed I will get from drinking and smoking, and the body wants to follow. 
