Month: April 2013

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Should we use labels to define others or Don’t call me human!

Labels A number of times, when I’ve mentioned that someone is an Empath, they say it’s a label, and they don’t like using labels.

As it goes, I’m ambivalent about if this is really an issue.

The question I have is: How do you define something without a label? If people refused to be categorized then how can they identify who they are, and what they can do?

Fact is, everything is a label. Defining your gender requires a label.

If you specialize in something, it requires a label. For instance, if someone is a medical practitioner, you would call them a ‘doctor’, which is a label. They would hardly say, don’t call me ‘doctor’ because you’re labelling me. At least you would hope they wouldn’t as you want to know who is a doctor so you would know who to see if you have health issues.

Race, abilities, body type, hobbies, professions, skills and everything requires some kind of definition and like it or not, we use labels all the time because no one would have a clue what we’re talking about unless we use some agreed on definition that gives us a point of reference.

If someone has the signs and traits of an Empath, it is easier to say, you may be an Empath than go into the dozens of abilities they may have, probably losing them about a third of the way in. I feel labels are fine.

The thing I feel should be avoided is stereotyping people because of using a label. It’s like saying, you’re a male (labelling) and all men are bastards (stereotyping). (Whereas, there may be some who might not be. 🙂 )

Also, problems arise when they are used as a means to degrade others, however that is more an issue of bullying and attacking rather than defining.

Labelling helps us to define, and gives us an agreed standard on which to discuss a topic on. Next time someone objects to being defined by means of a label, ask them how they would do it then and see if they can come up with a reasonable response.

Anyone have any thoughts on this subject?

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Healing Depression Series: Bach Flower Remedies (BFR) – Are they a placebo? part 5 or if I fooled myself, I did a great job.

my new kit!

Are they a placebo? Part 5

As I have mentioned, I had suffered from depression for most of my life. While I had overcome most types, I had reached a point where Clinical Depression was slowly destroying me, and my life.

Every little thing, no matter how small, or imagined, would send me spiralling into a dark pit and those around me at the time, didn’t have much patience for that. (It suffices to say, those people are no longer in my life).

I kept on trying different remedies, but nothing worked. It wasn’t until, one day, during a particularly bad episode, that I, in desperation, took some Rescue Remedy, and noticed that I felt a slight relief. Not enough to make a difference, but enough to make me take notice.

I ran though the remedies that were part of it, over in my mind, and felt that the only one it could have been was Star of Bethlehem, the remedy for clearing shock and trauma.

As it was, that was one remedy that I had barely used. I just assumed that, because it was already part of the Rescue Remedy, I wouldn’t need it on its own.

So I took it, and after one dose, it felt like a heavy weight was lifted of my soul. The depression suddenly lifted, and I felt amazing.

I had to keep on taking the remedy every few minutes, because the depression would begin to return, but would always lift every time I took it.

Soon, the intervals changed from minutes, to hours, to a few times a day, and then about 5 days later, I didn’t need to take it anymore.

The point behind this story is that if they were a placebo, then any remedy would have worked, when I felt I was taking the right ones. As it was, they didn’t. I had misdiagnosed the cause, and I kept on doing so.

It wasn’t until I hit the right one that it suddenly shifted everything.

In actual fact, if I was susceptible to placebos, I would have saved myself a lot of money, because everything would work. For me, though, most things don’t.

Still, having said all this, the easiest way to prove that they work is with the Rescue Cream. This is a cream that has all five remedies of the Rescue Remedy in it, plus a sixth one, which is Crab Apple, which is the cleansing remedy.

From time to time, I burn myself, and putting the Rescue Cream will quickly stop the pain. My ex-partner once got a second degree oil burn while cooking. We put the cream on the burn. The pain had stopped a few minutes later, and the burn healed within a few days, leaving no marks or scaring.

My partner’s daughter also would use the cream when she got burnt. Once she missed a spot, and noticed that while the pain around it had stopped, the area that was untreated still burned. Once she applied the cream, it stopped.

Now, the base cream itself, without the remedies, was chosen because it’s allergy free and non-greasy.

So, it’s safe to suggest that the cream by itself does not have the power to heal burns.

The only things added to the cream are those six remedies. If they didn’t work, then nothing would happen when treating the burn. In fact, most doctors recommend against putting cream on a burn.

Simply put: If they were a placebo, it just wouldn’t heal or do anything.

Others have reported that it brings relief with sunburn. I stay out of the sun, so I can’t verify this.

I’ve also used it when my legs itch so badly that even hot water doesn’t help. (Hot water always stops itching for me).  I used the cream, and the itching stopped immediately.

I’ve also heard that the BFR’s works well for plants. I’ve not tried this, but if anyone does, let me know how that goes.

I’ve also had many reports that children, who have had accidents, especially traumatic ones, recover within minutes when the Rescue Remedy is administered.

In my opinion, the remedy and cream should be in the first aid kit of every house.

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Q&A session: Your questions answered

A few people who have responded to the survey on the side bar have asked for a question and answer session.

If anyone has a question I have not looked yet, or gotten to yet, please feel free to ask and I will answer to the best of my ability.

Topics can range from Empath, depression, my personal experiences, Bach Flower Remedies or anything else that’s related.

You can either e-mail me at xeraphax@gmail.com or post in the comments section.

I’ll look at posting the answers on Sundays.

 

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Healing Depression Series: Bach Flower Remedies (BFR) – Are they a placebo? part 4 or do animals know the difference between placebo and the real thing?

Bach "Rescue Remedy" (Photo credit: salimfadhley)

 

Are they a placebo? Part 4

Over the years, I have used the remedies with great success, which would pretty much suggest that they are not a placebo.

I thought I’d share some compelling examples.

One day, my mother’s two year old dog suddenly collapsed and went limp for no apparent reason.  She carried her into the bedroom where he lay listless on the bed.

I decided to give her four drops of Rescue Remedy, so I placed it in his mouth, and watched as she smacked her lips, and then fell into a deep sleep.

A couple of hours later, she woke up, and I gave her four more drops. She repeated the exact same smacking noise, and once again fell into a deep sleep.

When she woke up the third time, she was perfect fine, as though nothing had been wrong.

Now, I’m not a vet, and I can’t say what was wrong, or if she was going to get better on her own, but I have no doubt that those four drops sent her to a healing sleep.  With the little I know about dogs, it would appear that dogs do go limp right before they die. Once again, it is speculation on if this would have happened, but healing certainly took place.

Another time, I came across a possum that was injured on the foot path. He or she as the case may be,  was barely moving, and didn’t look all that healthy.  As I carry a bottle of Rescue Remedy on me, I gave him a few drops.  He seemed to recover within a minute, and was quickly gone.

I have used the Bach Flower Remedies on other animals and have had good results.

It’s reasonable to suggest that animals are not subject to the placebo effect.

 

Next: Personal healing

 

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Healing Depression Series: Bach Flower Remedies (BFR) – Are they a placebo? part 3 or I should have got a modern fuse box installed.

English: A 220 volt service panel with three (3) 100 Amp porcelain fuses. (Location: China) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Are they a placebo? Part 3

The thing about the Bach Flower Remedies is that if you choose the wrong ones, you won’t notice changes and then claim they don’t work.

The reason behind this is that If you don’t need that remedy, you will not notice anything because everything is already connecting as it should.

To put it another way, say the fuse to your bathroom has blown, and you replace the fuse to your kitchen. The bathroom lights will still not work, and the kitchen will still work because you haven’t actually replaced the correct fuse. (Nowadays, it’s all switches, but I’m sure you get the idea.)

So do you say, hey, these fuses are bunk. I replaced one, and it doesn’t work. This electricity is all just smoke and mirrors, or do you say, maybe I need to replace the correct fuse, and then do so?

I liken the Bach Flower Remedies to fuses because that’s what they are, in a sense. They are the fuses that link us to our higher self, and ensure that the messages we should receive get through. (And yes, I know it all sounds a bit esoteric, but bear with me here.)

Everything is vibrational in nature. I believe that’s accepted as scientific fact nowadays. Under that assumption, that would include things such as our emotions and feelings.

Now suppose each emotion is linked to what is termed as your higher-self? That is, the greater soul aspect of whom you are. You would have 38 main links.

Now imagine a fuse box with 38 slots (39 if you want to add one which is a general back up). Each slot contains one of your emotions and when working correctly, your messages from your higher-self come through clearly, reassuring you that all is as it should be, and prompting you what to do, and which way to go.

Over the years, one by one, those fuses weakens or breaks. Then the messages become vague, like a radio dial turning and moving off frequency, until they become either distorted, or there is just static.

Eventually, many links become broken, and then you may feel alone, because you are cut off from your main source and the messages no longer are coming through as they should You are basically flying blind or worse, some dark presence has hi-jacked the links and is using them to drain you of your energies. (Once again, I know for some this will sound inane, but I will deal with this subject in a future blog.)

Life can break those links. Shock, trauma, belief systems, negative actions, thoughts, deeds, and attacks can break them.

Break enough of them, and you might just end up a basket case, just trying to survive day to day.

Sometimes you will undergo a purge, or a good therapist will put you back on the right track, but generally, you tend to just fall into depression, and feel there is no hope in sight.

Now, imagine that each of the remedies is a living fuse and as each fuse breaks, you can use it to restore the link.

But the trick is knowing which link is broken and then knowing which remedy to use. Match them up, and you will heal the condition. Get it wrong, and nothing happens.

The remedies are simple. They are simple to take, simple to use and simple to self-administer. They are safe and effective. However, the skill is in knowing which ones to take at the right time, and that is easier said than done.

My depression series blogs address many types of depressions, and what remedies will aid them. However, humans tend to be complicated, and our feelings and emotions can have many layers, and for each one that is healed, a new one might pop up in its place, which is the next stage of healing.

Next: Using them on animals.

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Healing Depression Series: Bach Flower Remedies (BFR) – Are they a placebo? part 2 or why didn’t this remedy for terror heal my anger?

Rescue Remedy

Are they a placebo? Part 2

Because  they are so small, I would carry around a bottle of Rescue Remedy in my pocket, and keep a tube of Rescue Cream at work. A practice that has continued to this day.

There were many departments no my floor, and across from me, there was a young lady who was complaining about her knees, and how, for years, she had problems with them hurting. I suggested she put some Rescue Cream on them, and she agreed to try.

A few weeks later, she came up to me and said that ever since she used the cream, she had not experienced any more pain and said it was amazing stuff.

Word quickly spread around my floor about the remedies, and by the time I left that place, a couple of years later, at least half the staff were using Rescue Remedy and Cream, and swearing by it.

I have had similar results elsewhere, too. Those who follow my suggestions, in spite of them being doubtful, come back with amazing stories, especially when they use it on their families.

And nearly everyone starts off doubtful, that is, until they try them.

But are they a placebo? Is this all the power of suggestion?

Trials have been done on the remedies which suggest as much.

However, just looking at one of the trials, all that was used was Rescue Remedy, which, as it goes, is wonderful in an emergency, but considering that it only uses five of the 38 remedies available (six in the Rescue Cream) , it is hardly a cure-all.

Furthermore the fact that five remedies are mixed into one bottle dilute their healing potency.  This is a very important fact to be aware of, and it amazes me that no one has ever mentioned it or even considered it. (At least no one I’ve found.)

In order to successfully conduct trials, you first need to understand, not only what each remedy does, but what remedy the subject actually needs.

Let’s say that someone is depressed and a double blind test is done to see if the remedies work, administering Rescue Remedy is quite unlikely to work.

If the cause of depression is guilt, then there’s nothing in the Rescue Remedy that will help the subject.

To break it down, as stated, there are five remedies mixed into the Rescue Remedy.

Cherry Plum (for fear of letting go)

Star of Bethlehem ( Shock / Trauma)

Clematis (dreamy / unconscious)

Rock Rose (fear / terror)

Impatiens (Impatience / in a hurry)

As you can see, there is nothing in there that would deal with guilt. For that, Pine would be the appropriate remedy.

In actual fact, Rescue Remedy is very limited in its use. Make no mistake, it is wonderful in an emergency, and I’ve seen miraculous results, especially on animals, but if you’re going to test it to treat specific conditions, you would first need to identify the cause of the condition, and then ensure you are using the right remedy.

Otherwise, nothing will happen.

Next: Why nothing will happen

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