Health and Wealth the Medicine Wheel Way: Part 2

Ralph P Brown was generous in making a Guest Blog post and yesterday we posted the first part of his gift. Today we continue:

"THE EAST - the Physical

The sun is a life-giving source that is central to all life on the earth. The importance given to the sun by Indian people is marked by the reverence they show it. The sun is our father in the same way that the earth is our mother. Like a father, the sun provides for us and gives us heat and light - and works with mother to provide food for us. Just as the sun rises in the east signaling the beginning of a new day, of new life, or of a new cycle - so, too, do we put "new beginnings" in the east on the Medicine Wheel. When a child is born, he enters the first of four phases in the growth cycle: infant, child, adult and elder. Because this new life is a beginning, the earthly journey has its start in the east.

First, there is the need to feed and nourish the body so that it has everything it needs to perform at its optimum capacity. Diet and nutrition are an important element. We want to put good things into our bodies while protecting it from the things that can harm it. Our body does a good job of filtering and voiding itself of toxins but when we consume quantities of toxin-like substances, such as those found in drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, the body has to fight hard to restore and maintain balance. Abuse of any of these things generally signals that something is unbalanced in one or more of the other bodies - spiritual, mental and emotional - all of which makes us more susceptible to illness.

In addition to diet and nutrition and the avoidance of toxins, the body needs exercise. Exercise should come in two forms - strength or resistance training (weight lifting) and cardiovascular exercise (such as bike riding, swimming, stair climbing or walking). Anything that is aerobic works to elevate the heart rate. With exercise, the body's immune system is strengthened and its ability to use and assimilate nutrients is enhanced. The body needs blood and oxygen and exercise increases the flow of both.

As with everything, balance is the key. The body needs rest in the same way that it needs exercise. Each person is different in their need for sleep just as they are in their need for exercise. Rest is a necessary component to a healthy regime. A balanced portion of each day should be dedicated to proper exercise, good nutrition and rest to keep the physical body in balance and functioning at its optimum level."

Mother Connie suggests that you meditate on the words Ralph P. Brown has offered and let them permeate your consciousness. This message will flow into tomorrow's piece and you will come to understand the wisdom of this man's knowledge of these lessons.

It is a sure thing that you are enjoying this Guest Blogger--we can know this by the swell of emails and the comments you have placed on this page. Some are too shy to put their remarks out on the internet and that's okay. Others have indicated that they visited Mirrored Windows and let us know they have been astounded at the beauty that awaited them. We want everyone who appreciates the energy of art and the wealth of a healthy body, mind, heart and spirit to be touched.

Mr. Brown's next post will offer a great deal of information about emotional well being.

Again we warmly invite your comments. Just click on "comments" and a little box will pop up. You may remain anonymous if you please.

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Connie Baum