Students Of Success

GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR:

Former CIA Director James Woolsey and Bennett are out and about in 2003 telling the truth about the Cold War being properly called World War Three. Just as the current war on terror is WWIV and will continue to be. MacArthur did not want that to happen and he was ready to use the A-Bomb to end the Korean War. He had to be replaced – that kind of sensible action (A-Bombs are tactical weapons and actually save overall life and create less pollution than the alternatives.) could cut into a lot of cronyistic money-making and fear-mongering.

MacArthur was a long time hero of mine and I read all I could about him and his excellent administration in Japan as well as the inspiring speech that is summed up as ‘I shall return’. I used that phrase frequently for many years.

In 1980 or thereabouts I went to New Orleans and hired a man who had been George Marshall’s top NCO and the Allied chief NCO of commandos in Korea. Thus began my real education and since then I have found much of the stories about MacArthur are really attributable to Marshall or are mere gloss-overs of the truth. Things were not as simple as this man was aware of either. For example the UN was in charge of the Korean operation but a Russian was in charge of its administration.

There was one story my short-term employee had that made a lot of sense. Apparently Truman had to put a stop to the reporting about it because the American people would have been easily whipped into a frenzy by the fact that the Chinese were taking American POWs and betting on when they would die. They drove bamboo shoots into their bodies and continued until the person was declared dead. The winner was the one who had correctly calculated how many it would take and the betting and wagering continued as people saw their original bet go by the wayside. Yes, I can see how this would have made Americans mad enough to use the Bomb on China and end all the nonsense of the Cold War that makes so much money for the armaments and financial concerns with long term investment horizons.

But why would MacArthur back down and not pursue his admitted desire for being President? Why did the Kennedy family keep quiet? What is so HUGE that this kind of thing gets stopped in its tracks? Earlier he had covered up the use of bio-weapons used with American POWs by the Japanese according to various credible sources. But I still don’t think that would have stopped him. There must be something more to it. Here is a somewhat radical source for the proof stating what Manchester (a very credible source for the paradigm) covered regarding a Nazi criminal that MacArthur worked with at the same time Kissinger came to be part of General Clay and Baruch’s re-construction with other Nazi wanted criminals.

“General Douglas MacArthur — Another World War II hero, he helped to cover up Japanese war crimes involving chemical and biological experiments on American prisoners so that we could use the secret results. (3) This operation and others directly involved MacArthur’s chief of staff, Colonel Charles Willoughby, who is in reality a Nazi criminal, Kurt Weidenbach.” (4 & 5)

So why did MacArthur simply disappear from the world stage? It is the same people and plan that includes the assassination of JFK. JFK was about to stop interest on the US debt as well as end the spy network which is run by the Merovingian Rothschild complex including the IMF and World Bank. There are other issues including the Russell Merovingian drug business that George Bush fronted in China and as CIA executive. There is the issue of Old Joe Kennedy and the mob as well as the image or Spin that the Kennedy Stuart Merovingians needed to maintain despite their children being drug using womanizers or consorts with the highest paid prostitute the world has ever seen, who later married (Please check into Jackie’s marriage agreement with Onassis who was part of his family’s long term involvement in drug running out of Smyrna.) another Merovingian. There are lots of details in the confusion of Plausible Deniability and patsy types who keep us and our attention mired down in all manner of games. But first on the list of causes for the assassination of JFK, Lincoln and Garfield are the banking interests. In fact the corporate behemoth and involvement of the international financial concerns who own the media has gone unabated and their temerity knows no bounds. But people like Chomsky and McLuhan still don’t write it plain and simple – secret societies are the main clearing-house and planning group. They do say it is speeches or in person though.

About the Author

Author of Diverse Druids

Columnist for The ES Press Magazine

Guest ‘expert’ at World-Mysteries.com

Fishing boats have come a long way since the days when you had to purchase the large metal or wood boat with the massive gas guzzling motors attached.

Now even though these boats are still popular, some fishing enthusiasts are searching for alternatives to this expensive investment, and are now turning to the inflatable fishing boat, also known as the fishing kayak.

Kayak fishing has grown in popularity for individuals that enjoy the peace and tranquility of their favorite fishing spots, which allow them to get away from the traditionally hectic areas that attract the large amounts of fishermen and women. These congested areas such as the large lakes and rivers, bring many sport fishing boats that are bulky, noisy, and in most cases they smell of gas and oil.

With many inflatable boats and catamarans that can easily set-up in minutes, the fisherman can quickly stroll down their newly found winding trails, and hit their secret spots in no time to enjoy the un-chartered territories that supply unlimited fish resources.

The angler has much more on their catch agenda, and as the sport fisherman becomes more in tune with his/her environment, it only makes sense that obtaining a watercraft that is safe and non-polluting to our world is an added bonus.

Many inflatable fishing vessels are lightweight and only require a small electric motor to navigate through the water. This keeps the lakes clean, and offers you the added flexibility to get to your recreational fishing area quickly, so you can take advantage of the surplus of fish available!

Sports Fishing Should Be Fun And Affordable, Not A Second Mortgage!

Unless you’re a professional, and you enter many sport fishing tournaments, we believe that most individuals want to enjoy themselves without having to pay thousands of dollars for sports related boats that are only for entertainment.

Online Outfitters have taken the time to cater to this type of boat fishing need! They have designed many inflatable-fishing boats that range from small dinghies to large catamaran boats that can carry many persons and gear. Depending on what you’re looking for, these boats are all made with rugged materials, and can be customized with all the top fishing accessories to make your angling experience the most enjoyable on the waters.

If you’re really serious about getting your hands on one of these fishing vessels, you can easily go online and search for your desired boat in minutes. Once you have chosen the right one that fits your style and budget, the next step is to get more information, or take advantage of the online inflatable boat supplier’s trial period. This offer is very rare in the retail outfitter industry, and if you can find a local company willing to do this, jump on the chance to take one out and give it a try.

What better way to test out the inflatable fishing kayak or catamaran, to see if it achieves all your outdoor requirements! Remember, even though these crafts are not as expensive as the traditional fishing boats, they still are an investment in your future fishing adventures, and will play a large part in your leisure activity for many years to come.

About the author: William is the owner and the author of “Rugged Inflatable Kayaks” available at www.rugged-inflatable-kayaks.com A great source for inflatable fishing boats! Read great article information and tips on many fishing boat styles, including kayaks for fishing, catamarans, and inflatable boats in a variety of sizes that can handle many persons, fishing gear, and outboard motors for a flexible and convenient outdoor adventure.

Wherever you are on the street, in an office building or
shopping mall, driving, waiting for a bus or cab, stay alert and
tuned in to your surroundings.

Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you
uncomfortable, avoid the person or leave.

Know the neighborhoods where you live and work. Check out the
locations of police and fire stations, public telephones,
hospitals, and restaurants, or stores that are open late.

On Foot-Day or Night

- Stick to well-lit, well-traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts
through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.

- Don’t flash money or other tempting targets like jewelry or
clothing.

- Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps.
Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket, not a back
pocket. Carry only what is necessary and try not to keep
currency and credit cards all in one place.

- Don’t wear shoes or clothing that restricts your movements.

- Have your car or house key in hand before you reach the door.

- Try to use automated teller machines (ATM) in the daytime.
Have your card in hand and don’t approach the machine if you’re
uneasy about people nearby. Better yet, only use the ATM
machines inside of grocery stores, malls, or gas stations.

- If you think someone is following you, switch direction or
cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant, or
lighted house. If someone harasses you, don’t be embarrassed.
Loudly say, “Leave me alone! Someone call the police! Get away!”

Vehicle Safety

- Keep your car in good running condition. Make sure there’s
enough gas to get where you’re going and back.

- Always roll up the windows and lock car doors, even if you’re
coming right back. Check inside and out before getting in.

- Avoid parking in isolated areas. Be especially alert in lots
and underground parking garages.

- If you think someone is following you, don’t head home. Drive
to the nearest police or fire station, gas station, or other
open business to get help.

If Someone Tries to Rob You

- Don’t resist. Give up your property. Don’t risk your life.

- Report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker
accurately. Your actions can help prevent others from being
victims.

Take a Stand!

- Make your neighborhood and working place safer by reporting
broken street lights, cleaning up parks and vacant lots and
lobbying local government for better lighting in public places.

- Initiate a block watch program in your neighborhood by
contacting your local crime prevention unit.

Stay safe! Visit http://www.UrbanSafetySupplies.com and
http://www.HiTechHiddenCameras.com for all of your self defense
and security item needs.

Gambling is considered a game of luck and chance. As the outcome is usually unsure, there are various myths that surround the world of gambling. However, as is mostly the case, these myths are nothing but superstitions that can be refuted by facts.

The premise that gambling involves luck is not concrete. Mathematical matrices and probabilities are tools that can be used to calculate one’s odds. In fact, the casino’s all operating on these strategies to be the winner in the long run. If the players had an advantage on the casino, the casino would suffer huge losses. Each casino has a pre established house percentage which determines how much advantage it enjoys over the player. These percentages are usually kept small, yet the casinos earn huge profits owing to the frequency of losses and the volume of players.

Blackjack, poker and slots are frequently surrounded by myths. Many creators claim that their betting systems are fool proof and ensure consistent winnings. This is all farce, especially knowing the mathematics of the casino and the concept of house advantage. No betting system can sustain for long periods, though it might get a few initial wins. Another talked about principle of winning is that of card counting in blackjack. Accurate card counting and placing all the cards requires pure genius. Even skilled players can take hours to place the cards. A faster method is to determine the odds of the game and then participate.

Slot myths can be quite entertaining. One of the popular myths is that the slots are monitored by the casino and it they who decide whether one would win or loose. In truth, there is no hidden camera or surveillance on the slot machines. The entire game is governed by computer programs and is quite independent of human interference.

Another myth is regarding the facilities provided by the casino to a winning gambler as compensation. It is believed that the casinos provide free rooms, meals and other amenities to the gambler who wins and that these gamblers are the best ones the casino has at that time. It is not the best gambler that the casino compensates every time.
Depending on the potential to pay, the casino compensates the gamblers. Free rooms and meals are provided to make the experience better even in case the gambler suffers huge loss. This helps in building good customer relations and customer loyalty, so that the gambler can be a good source of income in the future.

The tussle between religion and gambling is quite old. While some regard gambling as immoral, some think that gambling on festivals brings luck. A simple explanation can be the age of gambling. Gambling is perhaps as old as the concept of religion itself. Cards and dice games were popular recreational activities and were also used at times to predict the future. Thus gambling and religion can be intricately linked but do not oppose each other.

Myths might be based on true incidents. But with time, they get distorted or blown out of proportion, to sound completely baseless and irrational. Speculation also gives rise to myths. These rumors are an entertainment that come along with the game and should be taken with a pinch of salt.
About the Author

Mansi gupta writes about gambling myths. Learn more at http://www.gamblingmyths.com

It’s one thing for someone who sits at a computer all day and never exercises to have back pain, but for a bodybuilder, someone who spends hours and hours each week pouring everything they’ve got into building muscle, it should be criminal!

The reason we say this is because, if you are going to spend so much time, money, and energy trying to build the “perfect body”, you have to make sure that you not only look good, but also feel good…

We’ve identified what we call “Bodybuilding Sins” that lead to back pain, sciatic pain, and other injuries… read em and take action now if you are serious about bodybuilding and are fed up with your back pain.

Because there is so much information to share with you, we’ve broken it down into a series of 5 articles, each covering a different component of how back pain affects bodybuilders.

Here’s a breakdown of the articles to look for:

1. Article #1 - Choosing The WRONG Exercises (below)
2. Article #2 - Training Variations for Pain Relief and Maximum Results
3. Article #3 - Targeted Stretching
4. Article #4 - Targeted Exercises
5. Article #5 - Rest, Recovery, and Injury Prevention

Article #1 - Choosing the WRONG Exercises

Get ready, this is gonna hurt! The exercises most bodybuilders focus on the most, are the ones that cause the most problems… hopefully, you’re different J

But before we share with you what those exercise are, let’s talk real quickly about what bodybuilding is…

The goal of bodybuilding isn’t to get as big as you can, or at least to us it isn’t and shouldn’t be, but to build a balanced body that is as strong as possible in every way. For example, while being freakishly big may get people’s attention, it serves you no purpose at all…

while on the other hand, what if you were not only big, but also extremely strong and powerful, lightning fast, flexible, and agile enough to kick ass if needed?

So many bodybuilders build massive amounts of muscle yet are so unbelievably weak and inflexible… for example, we know a guy who can bench press over 350 lbs but can’t do a measly 50 push-ups!

The point is, the exercises you choose and how you perform them not only determine how big, strong, and flexible you are, but also affect how your body functions and whether or not you suffer from aches, pains, and injuries like back pain and sciatic pain.

Ok, here they are… the exercises that create the most problems and are most likely to lead to back pain:

1. Bench Press
2. Leg Extension

So, any of your favorites on this list?

While there are others, these are the two that cause the most damage.

There are several reasons why these exercises made our list of the “worst bodybuilding exercises”. First, all of them target areas that already tend to get worked a lot in everyday life and often times are overdeveloped…

and by focusing so much on these exercises you end up creating muscle imbalances, or worsening existing muscle imbalances, which pull your bones and joints out of their normal position…

and this leads to uneven pressure and wear and tear on your muscle, ligaments, tendons, bones, and joints and will sooner or later lead a break down or injury.

For example, chronic overuse of the bench press, coupled with little or no exercises targeting the upper back, leads to an overdevelopment of the chest and a lack of strength and development in the upper back…

This all too common combination leads to what we call “Turtle Back”. You know what we’re talking about, when the shoulders are pulled so far forward, lats are as wide as barn, and from behind, their back looks like a giant sea turtle shell!

This “Turtle Back” posture can create neck, upper back, and shoulder pain and injuries faster than you can pop an Advil!

Plus, how many times during your day are you forced to lie on your back and push up a bar loaded with weights? There are so many better exercises for chest development that not only stimulate more muscle, but also build more usable strength.

Now let’s talk about the fabulous thigh builder, the leg extension…

Not only does it place an unbelievable amount of strain on the knee joint, but it also will quickly overdevelop the quads, which are already getting far more work than their counterpart, the hamstrings.

An imbalance between the quadriceps and hamstrings, which is also extremely common in bodybuilders, is a key contributor to back pain. This imbalance is easily identifiable by what people often call “Bubble Butt” or “Ghetto Booty”.

So hopefully you can see how important it is to choose your exercises wisely. We strongly recommend you cut out these exercises, or at least cut back on using them and add in targeted exercises for the opposing muscle groups and targeted stretches for those tight, overdeveloped muscles.

The key to eliminating back pain, or any other ache, pain or injury for that matter, is to bring your body closer to balance…

What good is muscle if you can’t use it? How many more workouts are you going to miss because of back, neck, or shoulder pain? How much bigger and stronger could you be if back pain and other injuries weren’t ruining your training?

Just imagine how bad things will be 10, 20, or 30 years from now if you don’t make changes to your training now… but don’t take our word for it, ask some of the older bodybuilders who are paying the price now… you can spot them easily at the gym because they limp around trying to find something they CAN do.

Look for the next article, “Training Variations for Pain Relief and Maximum Results” very soon and in the mean time, if you are suffering from back pain or sciatic pain, here’s what you need to do…

Head on over to our website http://www.losethebackpain.com now to find out exactly what’s causing your back pain and the specific steps you need to take to get relief fast and get back to training at 100%.

Article by Jesse Cannone, CFT, CPRS and Steve Hefferon, CMT, CPRS
Find out which back pain exercises actually work and you need to be doing… and which ones you must avoid like the plague!

Confessions of a professional poker player

This is an interview of one of Sweden’s most famous poker
players who recently won a larger online poker tournament with a
total prize pool of over $75 000. The interwiever, Eric Isaksson
owns the largest informational poker site in Sweden, Online poker information in
Swedish and also Online bingo
information, where this article was originally published.
This version of the interview has been shortened and translated
by Eric Isaksson himself. The interviewed player has asked to be
anonymous in this version of the interview. Therefore, no names
or anything else that can be used as hints or tips to find out
who the poker player actually is will be revealed in the
following interview.

You recently won an online poker tournament with over five
thousand participating players. How are you feeling after this
great achievement?

I am overwhelmed with happiness. Most of the tournament, I was
somewhere in the middle of the field and had no expectation of
winning. Finally, when we were just five people still playing, I
became the chip-leader. Not until then I actually realised I had
a realistic chance of winning. When I actually won the
tournament I stood up and screamed of joy. After this I
celebrated by taking a couple of drinks with some friends. It
took me a couple of days until I finally realised what I had
accomplished.

The prize contained a ticket to the WSOP (World Series Of
Poker), but you were too young. Were you disappointed when you
only got to participate in Monaco Millions?

No, not at all. Instead I was positively surprised. Mostly
because of the higher entrance-sum, meaning my prize was worth
even more money than it originally was supposed to have done.

Do you get nervous when playing against more famous players,
or is it nothing but an adrenalin kick for you?

Neither of above. I always comes to the larger tournaments
without any expectations since I know I will be playing against
the best poker players in the world. I have no demands on myself
to play at a certain level or reach a certain placement.

Now, I of course must ask if you consider yourself to be one
of the “more famous players”?

No, not quite yet. I’m still not fully evolved when it comes to
poker. However, I believe that if I keep playing and practising
my skills I will be among the 200 best players in the world
within a time period of 20 years. But I am not in a hurry.
Actually, I am satisfied as long as my playing evolves and I
keep making ridiculously much money.

I know since before that you also are a very talented
blackjack player. You have been writing articles for such sites
as Online Casino
Information, bj21.com and many others. What made you change
career and go into poker instead?

Well, it’s a quite simple choice really. The plus sides with
poker verses blackjack are enormous. It is a lot easier to win,
assuming you are a good player of course, and the fluctuations
in your bankroll is a lot smaller. Also, in poker, you don’t
have to face the risk of being caught counting cards by the
casino’s Super Visor and immediately getting kicked out…

While there is always blame to go around about who should handle emergency preparedness, there is little doubt that everyone needs to play their own role in preparing themselves for emergencies. Everyone can look back and see that there are problems and fingers to point, but it is essential that each individual prepare themselves for the terrible things that can happen. While we want to be able to have others be there, it just makes sense to have your own safety in mind.

Emergency preparedness starts at home. Here are some things every individual can do:

• If you do not have a good deal of money to purchase extra foods all at once, simply buy an extra can of food each time you shop. This extra can, can easily be stored away for when you need it. Purchase a large storage container with a lid to store extra food in. You’ll want to plan for enough food for each member of your family for at least three days.

• Water is also crucial. Same thing here, though. If you purchase bottled water already, simply put a few into the container each time. You will need at least a gallon of water a day for each member of your household for three days.

• You’ll also always want to make sure that you have enough of your medications as well. For many life saving prescriptions, they will allow you to fill the next prescription at least a few days in advance if not longer. Never allow yourself to get down to just a few pills.

• Make sure that part of your emergency preparedness is a family evacuation plan. This is important in any emergency. How will everyone get out? Who is responsible for the younger children and pets? And, where will you meet to know that you are out safe?

All of these things are the starting of a good emergency preparedness plan. Your safety is in your hands at least for a while so make sure that you prepare now.

For more information please see http://www.emergency-preparedness.co.uk.

Those who have read the slowly-developing news about the Nintendo Revolution know that the system is not what most would expect from a gaming system, but it is what many would expect from Nintendo. Building off the success of the Nintendo DS, whose popularity took many by surprise, the Revolution has features that have never been used in a common gaming device. The controller is more reminiscent of a television remote than a standard game pad and includes motion sensing technology. By interacting with a small sensor placed near any television, the Revolution can sense any movement the player makes with the controller.

Many developers see the new controller as a fresh way for players to interact with their games. In a video released by Nintendo, players are shown swinging the controller as if it were a sword or baseball bat. In other scenes, players are shown using the controller to chop ingredients for cooking or use a dentist’s drill. The possibilities of the new remote-style controller are limited only to the developers’ imaginations.

Despite the imaginative game play methods, many people fear Nintendo’s direction. The “non-gamers”, people who do not currently play video games, are becoming increasingly important to the company. Games such as Nintendogs, Animal Crossing, and Brain Training seek to expand Nintendo’s consumer base. Many of these “non-games” have seen great success in attracting new players outside of the standard young male gamer. Nintendogs alone sold over 250,000 copies within one week of its release.

If the games are innovative and more people are playing them, you may ask why some fans are concerned in Nintendo’s strategy. The fear is not from expanding into new markets, but the possibly of alienating the original fans. If Nintendo diverts its attention to making Nintendogs, will the production of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess suffer as a result? After all, the company does not have unlimited resources.

Aside from Nintendo’s own first-party titles, some question the possibility of playing traditional titles on Nintendo Revolution. How is one to play a complex fighting game on a controller that is held vertically and has a limited number of buttons? How can the player execute an intricate skating move on a controller unlike any of its predecessors?

In general, I feel that these fears are not well-founded. Nintendo has given developers the option to take advantage of the new interface or instead develop for a “shell” which has the layout of a standard controller. Either way, the controller allows the precise motion sensing abilities. In this sense, Nintendo offers more control options than its competitors.

Nintendo has always been a gaming company. The original Game Boy brought us portable gaming, yet consoles are still being made. The Nintendo 64 brought us three-dimensional gaming ten years ago, yet the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS are host to hundreds of two-dimensional games. As Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Reggie Fils-Aime stated, Nintendo is an “and” company, not an “or” company.

When the world first saw the graphical stylings of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, many people, myself included, scoffed at its cartoon-like look. We knew what we wanted and Nintendo did not deliver. Near the game’s release, the reviewers were giving their opinion on the game and to my surprise, the graphical style was mentioned as one of the best aspects of the game. Soon after I bought my own copy of the game and I was sold. The art style was magnificent. The point of my story is that Nintendo sometimes knows gaming better than its customers. I am not saying that their views need to shape your own, but they do what they are doing. Give them a chance and you might be surprised.

Nintendo built the now-standard paradigm of gaming. It has been over 20 years since Nintendo released the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in the United States and introduced to us the first modern gaming controller. Two decades later, the industry needs another revolution.

Alex is the program director of Apex Radio Broadcast, a weekly comedic Internet radio show.

Books filled with pages of instructions helping you learn certain skills are easy to obtain. These books are helpful in day-to-day living. Some things though, such as Usui Reiki Ryoho commonly shortened to Reiki, need to be researched before you spend your money on a book or video.

The history of medicine shows one of the most difficult things to try to understand is how the human body heals. To date medical science does not have the answer. Professional medical care is not replaceable in any physical or mental crisis, but Reiki complements medical care and helps with the side effects of medical treatments. Reiki will never interfere with professional medical care and it helps to maintain homeostasis in mind, body, and spirit. Reiki is the name Mikao Usui in 1921 gave to the vibration of love and harmony of universal energy that balances and surrounds with harmony; what is balanced and is in harmony heals. The meanings of heal are quite broad and what is true healing can at times be difficult to accept Have you ever been asked to recognize a relative’s living will?

Anyone can learn Reiki-ho (method) once he or she has received what has come to be called an attunement from a qualified Reiki Shihan (teacher). In our fast paced world of instant downloads it is natural to expect most things to happen in this way. The attunement takes only a small amount of time, but there is much more to learning Reiki. Reiki cannot be learned from a book, or in one afternoon, or one weekend. The Gokai (five precepts or principles), the backbone of the Reiki is five very simple lines. The meaning of these five simple lines, like the universe, is very extensive. Learning Reiki requires hours of study with your Reiki Shihan, and practice. Some people have created an overwhelming number of training wheels (Reiki symbols) to make the understanding of the energy quicker. Hours of study with a Reiki Shihan and practice erases the need to use any training wheels because you learn to identify with the energy. To practice Reikiho in this way, which is the way I learned Reiki coming directly from Japan, may not make you stand out in the crowd but it carries the essence of the method Usui-Sensei taught to gain health and happiness.

It is natural and good for people to want to make things better. Reiki is the pure white light of love and harmony from the universe. Why would anyone try to make something that strong and pure better? History shows that sometimes efforts to make things better can be rewarded with the reverse of what is wanted. The next time you read about a way someone has made Reiki better think back to that ship in 1912 that was made so much better that it was claimed to be unsinkable. The ship I speak of is the Titanic that sunk on her maiden voyage.

Many of the details that have remained sacred within Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai,the society Usui-sensei created, are slowly being taught outside the Gakkai. New information about the history of Reiki and Usui-sensei is being shared, and since URRI 1999 those in other parts of the world are learning styles of Reiki that had stayed in Japan. It was customary that students did not advance until the Shihan knew that student was ready. Usui-sensei had 2,000 students, but only three of those he advanced to become Shihans, or what some call master/teacher. Learning Reiki from a Reiki Shihan that feels the timeless wonderment of the universe can enhance everything in your life, but it requires time, study, practice, and understanding.

Before Usui-sensei connected to universal energy he read many books in his lifetime, and spoke with many wise people about a variety of subjects. He traveled, and held different types of employment. He did not receive any formal education degrees, but he was an intelligent enlightened man that after many years of searching for knowledge had his first awakening (the first first being one of intellect). That led him to three years in Zen studies, which led him to the deep meditation, which lead to unconsciousness, which allowed him to connect to the universal vibrations of love and harmony. It then was not until he arrived home that he began to understand the strength of the energy that flowed through him. Many legends have been created to show proof of the strength in the gift Usui-Sensei passed on. Simply knowing that people in his presence began healing in the way that was best for him or her at that particular junction in time is all the proof I need of the amazing strength of Reiki.

Learning Reiki may not be for everyone. Each person is born with the ability to see auras, communicate with animals, and many other “psychic” skills, yet only a few have nourished these skills in such a way that they became a natural part of his or her life. If a skill is not nourished it is overridden and often lost. Anyone of any age can easily be opened up to the vibrations of love and harmony by a qualified Shihan in some style of Usui Reiki Ryoho. The nourishing to blend universal energy into day-to-day life so that is heals you and all those around you requires hours of study and practice. Discipline and determination are the keys to most things in life; the universe blends patience and practice into the formation of discipline. Universal energy may flow through you at its full strength, but healing sometimes is not seen until you let go of thinking how things should heal. Reiki practitoners and Shihans do not diagnose nor do they direct the energy to a specific area. How pure and strong the energy flows depends upon many things.

I have been very lucky to have studied under Reiki Shihans with close lineages to Mikao Usui. More facts about Reiki can be found on my website www.naturalhealinglearning.com. Through Japanese styles of Usui Reiki Ryoho and herbs I have become dedicated to helping others in the art of well-being. I urge people to overlook legends that make these look like that “quake- stuff”, and experience Reiki through a Reiki Shihan in a style that honors the essence of the wonderment of what Usui-sensei taught. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but changes form. The form of energy named Reiki is a unique form that can give light to dark corners in a unique way, if learned correctly.

I have studied various styles of Usui Reiki Ryoho, but the two I most commonly teach are Gendai Reiki-ho and Komyo Reiki. I was lucky to have found teachers practicing styles that were created in Japan. One of my teachers, Hiroshi Doi, is a member of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, and another is also a Buddhist monk in Japan. I have my teacher Richard Rivard to thank for introducing me to them. I enjoy teaching Reiki, and allowing Reiki to flow through me to others in healing sessions. I use only the pure strength of Reiki, and when asked give written lists of various herbs that have helped others with a certain illness. I live in Maine, USA and my healing room is nestled in the trees visited daily by various forms of wildlife. Through my daily practice of Reiki and continued herbology studies I have gained an awareness of the wonderful energy nature has to offer. Within each herb are properties that will reveal themselves to us if we quiet our mind and allow them to come to us. I also teach peace through meditation.

With the current explosion of VoIP all over the world, it is not surprising that many people in the U.S. are now jumping on the VoIP bandwagon. The technology works by routing voice conversations over the Internet via IP networks. The voice data does not use circuit switch transmission lines of the past, but instead uses packet switched networks that do the same thing, but cheaper and more efficiently.

This amazing technology has many benefits for consumers and businesses today. Take a look at these top benefits and decide if you want to switch to VoIP today!

VoIP Doesn’t Drain the Bank Account

Here is a quick exercise. Take out your current telephone bill and examine each line item. You might find something like this: (1) $19.99 for the basic phone service, (2) $5 for call waiting, (3) $2 for caller id, (4) $10 for voicemail and the list goes on. This total amount doesn’t even consider any long distance charges or applicable taxes either. Once calculated, your phone bill might be between $60 and $75 dollars. That is too much money to pay for phone service.

With VoIP, consumers pay one low monthly fee for phone service. And, the beautiful thing is that all the features are included in the fees; with some features not even being offered by the phone companies like voicemail to email and call forwarding to name a few. Now here is the mind blower: included in the low monthly fee is unlimited calling to the US and Canada! The industry standard for VoIP service is anywhere from $15 to $25 per month; not bad cost saving at all.

VoIP is Portable

One thing most people hate about moving into a new house is not the hard labor of lifting boxes all day long; it’s having to call the phone company to disconnect and reconnect their phone service. It’s a hassle and there are always fees associated. Because VoIP is connected to a high-speed internet connection and not the traditional land line, it becomes almost as portable as a cell phone. Essentially, consumers can take their phone number anywhere they move; and even if it’s just for a weekend getaway.

For example, let’s assume that you have to go on a business trip to New York. Simply pack up your phone adapter, (power supply & cables) and your touch tone phone. When you arrive at your hotel in Manhattan, set up your phone adaptor and phone just as you had installed it at home. You can then make and receive telephone calls as if you were sitting down in your living room back home. It’s that easy.

VoIP Lets You Choose Your Phone Number

With VoIP, consumers are no longer tied to their local phone number. What that means is that even if you live in Nebraska, you can have a California phone number. Many consumers take advantage of this feature when they have several friends and family members who live in a different state or city.

Most VoIP providers also offer virtual numbers. A virtual numbers is an inexpensive secondary line that rings to the primary VoIP line. In another example: let’s assume that you live in San Francisco where your primary VoIP phone number has a 415 area code. Your mother-in-law lives in Florida and her area code is 561. You can get a virtual phone number with a 561 area code that rings to your primary line in San Francisco. That way, your mother-in-law can call you everyday without having to pay long distance telephone charges. This benefit alone should convince you to switch over to VoIP!

Cost savings, portability and frequent phone calls from your mother-in-law are all reasons why you should make that switch to VoIP. This technology is here to stay and there is no better time to adopt VoIP today and start saving on your phone bill tomorrow. It’s a guarantee that once you go VoIP, you will never go back; to traditional phone service that is.

Click here for more in-depth information about voip telephony products and services.

Michael Brito is an internet marketing consultant and freelance writer for a variety of consumer related products.