Health by Simon Brown Simon G Brown has studied macrobiotics since 1980 and authored many books, including Modern Day Macrobiotics, Macrobiotics for Life and Practical Wabi Sabi. In past issues of the magazine Simon has introduced us to Macrobiotics, Wabi Sabi, Meditation and more. This month Simon tells us all about Feng Shui for Business Success What is health and how do we know when we are healthy? The dictionary definition for health is, being free from illness or injury. We might say that we are healthy when we are free of pain, however, the origin of the word health is to be whole. Interestingly the word whole comes from the German word heil and heil came from the English word hail which was the old English greeting for wishing good health to another. So we might be able to come up with a better current definition for health than simply not being ill. We could for example use various medical indicators to decide if we are in good health. Blood pressure, blood analysis, pulse, pH readings, bowel movements, colour of urine, body mass index, reaction times, resistance to infectious illness and skin condition. We might choose to take the fitness approach by seeing how far we can run, to what extent we can stretch our bodies, how long it takes our pulse to return to its resting state after exercise, our energy levels and muscle tone. We could include something about our memory, clarity of thought, concentration, emotional well being, friendships and ability to function in society if we want to be more holistic. In a much bigger sense we could add a spiritual dimension and consider how we support ourselves in terms of self belief, trust and self love. For me health is more part of a process and less a static measurement. My experience so far has taught me that health comes through the continuous engagement in self reflection and embracing change. My needs change and I need to evolve and develop to meet those changing needs. In this way health stems from my awareness of myself and my current needs. The more aware I am the better I can remain healthy. For practice I like to describe in detail how I am feeling physically, emotionally and mentally. This is different from judging or measuring, it is simply describing without analysing, excusing or justifying. Out of this I naturally feel I know what I need. My intuition, sub conscious or inner being seems to be able to guide me to a new way of caring for myself. I notice that, if along the way I become attached to a certain diet, practice or ideology, that in itself can hold me back in my evolution and skewer my ability to be aware of myself. I think we are so surrounded by cures, remedies, medication, magic pills, diets and answers that we can keep grabbing for different elixirs without really listening to our self first. Perhaps health is really about our ability to listen to our body, mind and heart every day and allow this self awareness to lead into the daily creation of our health whether through breathing, drinking, eating, thinking, expressing ourselves, creating, exercising, meditating, loving, singing, stretching, work, prayer and our own feelings. I would suggest that health comes from connecting with our whole self and using this connection to guide us. Simon G. Brown 22 Belsize Square London NW3 4HT +44 (0) 20 7431 9897 simon@chienergy.co.uk http://www.chienergy.co.uk/ FENG SHUI LIFE COACH by SIMON BROWN EDITORIAL REVIEW: The ancient art of feng shui has long been used to maximise the energy of homes and living spaces. Now expert author Simon Brown shows you how to use the same principles to heal and transform your inner space, just as it works on the rooms in which you live and work. Featuring step-by-step instructions and guidance on defining your goals and becoming sensitive to the energies around you, this indespensible guide also features detailed decor plans for the key rooms in your home - everything you need to maximise the potential of feng shui. Simon Brown's latest book is Macrobiotics For Life and published by North Atlantic. Here you will find more meditation and healing. MACROBIOTICS FOR LIFE by SIMON BROWN EDITORIAL REVIEW: This comprehensive guide to natural living is perfection. Simon Brown gives readers a great place to begin their transformation, with understanding and clear, gentle examination of the theories that are the foundation of macrobiotics. He has left the dogma behind and placed his focus on the beautiful wisdom that makes macrobiotics one of the most powerful life journeys you can imagine. This book is for anyone and everyone with an interest in creating their best life. Christina Pirello, Emmy Award-winning host of Christina Cooks, best selling cookbook author, and macrobiotics teacher MODERN DAY MACROBIOTICS by SIMON BROWN As you eat different foods you take in their energies and these in turn interact with your own internal energies. The resulting new energy may make you feel different emotionally; it may help you to think differently; or it may help lift your spirits. The longer you eat foods with similar energy the deeper and onger lasting this influence will be. Eating macrobiotic foods - primarily whole, living, unprocessed foods, all naturally low on the glycaemic index - can make improvements to health and state of mind. This book presents how to take advantage of this diet, with a range of eating programmes that target specific needs from a one day tone up, to a 4 month healing plan. PRACTICAL WABI SABI by SIMON BROWN AMAZON CUTOMER REVIEW: When I read Practical Wabi Sabi by Simon G. Brown out of a budding interest in the subject, I KNEW that I had found a major key to help deal with the constant buzz in our heads, eyes and and ears in this electronic, microwaves, satallite-connected world. Simon offers a way to handle the insanity of modern life in a way other than stuffing ourselves with high corn fructose foods, or other drugs of choice, including 'retail therapy', in a desperate attempt to handle the mounting stresses in our lives. I LOVE this book which truly is practical, enjoyable and even gives a sense of spirituality no matter what your religious background. Simon's novel The Healer is also now available. This book is a great way to learn more about healing whilst reading an engaging, insightful and thought provoking story. THE HEALER by SIMON BROWN "The Healer" presents a life changing philosophy that incorporates Zen Buddhism within a romantic story. It is a new age novel that openly explores the disappointments, excesses and arrogance that can befall a guru as well as the heart warming, healing interactions and profound, positive thoughts that are found within new age movements. This is a thought-provoking story about a young man's transformation from a mundane life to that of a healer and ultimately his starting a new religion. Yet, at the pinnacle of his success, his life is shattered through arrogance and personal tragedy precipitating the painful rebuilding of his new life and new self.   THIS ARTICLE IS THE LATEST IN SIMON's  FASCINATING SERIES..... CONNECTION THERAPY Relationships are potentially the part of our lives where we can feel the greatest joy and misery. We are essentially herding creatures that tend to work, live and relax with other people. Whether it is with lovers, family, friends, colleagues or casual acquaintances the quality of our interactions can be life changing. ACID or ALKALINE An overly acid condition is associated with headaches, arthritis, indigestion and even an increased risk of cancer. There is much speculation that our immune system is less effective when we our too acidic. If you feel unwell and you are also acidic the obvious remedy is make yourself more alkaline. THE EFFECTS OF THE LUNAR CYCLE ON HUMAN LIFE There has long been a fascination with the moon and its possible influence on our lives. It may be that rather like waiting for the best tide and winds before sailing across the sea, waiting for the ideal phase of the moon can make our journey in life a little easier sometimes. THE HUMAN SOUL The soul can be described as the essence we are born with.In my experience it is our source of love, It is though our soul that we can experience a divine connection. This is where I think some of my interesting insights come from. JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY The tea ceremony was used in Japan as part of a ritual that helped both the provider and receiver reach a meditative, contemplative state. The process engages our senses in a way that we can become totally absorbed in the sensation of drinking tea. WABI SABI Look no further for the ultimate in stress free, green, spiritual, healthy living. This amazing subject is simply a new way of seeing the world and requires no extra time or special practices. You can enjoy your wabi sabi living whilst enjoying any kind of life. MEDITATION One way to overcome this is to calm our mind for a while with meditation. The meditation can be very simple and only needs to take a minute. I find that after a short meditation my mind can be calm for an hour or more after. It is almost like restarting a computer © CORTEX MEDIA 2009