Showerama - Discovering the Fountain of Youth
"When you pour water into a glass, you are in the presence of an element found in an extraordinary variety of forms in nature: as oceans, seas, lakes and rivers, as torrents descending from the mountains, as springs bubbling out of sight among grasses and pebbles, as rain refreshing the earth, as snow and ice… You will say: ‘What? Do you expect us to see all this in a glass of water?’ Yes, why not?
You are in your kitchen or bathroom and you take some water from the tap to prepare a meal or to wash yourself. Of course this is not the most poetic setting in which to make contact with water, but even so it is a good time to think about what it symbolizes – life and purity – and to unite through your imagination with all the waters on earth."- Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov
There are many moments in our lives that be fulfilling and deeply spiritual, but one that I feel may often get overlooked by most people is the time you spend in the shower. On many levels it is a moment of cleansing and reflection. It is a moment when you come into contact with the most precious resource on earth...water. I know, I know...I'm being poetic, but it is true.
It is nonetheless a moment of transcendence where you can let your body follow the path towards cleanliness, while one lets the mind go. I discovered the healing effects of shower therapy when I learned that sometimes it was the only place I could get my mind to focus since the warm water running over my body was overwhelmingly pleasurable. What I like about this program is that it's almost guaranteed that I will get 5-10 minutes of peace and meditation every day.
Chapter 1: There's Something in the Water
Water is the driving force of all nature
- Leonardo da Vinci
The photo to the left is a picture of a water crystal formed from the words "You Can Heal Your Life" given to a colleague from Dr. Masaru Emoto. Dr. Emoto believes, like most Japanese, that words have souls - feelings and meaning are expressed and transmitted - and that water has the ability to pick up the vibrations and form shapes accordingly.
The Power of WordsMorphogenetic field study. Rupert Sheldrake's Theory. emoto's "Word Soul". Dr. Shioya's Fountain of Youth - describes three correct "states of mind" that combine creative power thoghts and breathing. The three states of mind are:
1. Be Positive - Boosts immune system, look at both sides of the coin and consider the possibilities
2. Don't Forget To Say Thank You - Awareness generates energy. We send out corresponding vibrations and attract similar vibrations.
3. Don't Nag - Thoughts such as I'm in trouble, I don't like this, I can't do it, This is hard or This is laborious will attract difficult, unpleasant, hard and laborious situations.
Dialogue With Water
Water is a messenger. Our consciousness has a real effect on water, as described in Dr. Emoto's book " The Healing Power of Water." To paraphrase from his book, by thanking the water that runs over your hands and body you're appreciating the same substance in your own body, in your cells.
Water: The Great Mystery movie on YouTubeAsclepius was the god of healing and medicine and posessed also the power to raise dead people.
Nowadays, most people in the Western world prefer showers over baths. It is necessary to take a shower once a day day. There isn't time to take a bath before work or school every morning. This is a far cry from the phobia against bathing that existed during the Dark Ages.
It is speculated that the modern shower's origins lie with waterfalls. People were already bathing in rivers and streams, so they utilized the pressure from the falling water in order to wash away the dirt and grime on their bodies.
The Ancient Greeks also had a sort of shower. Servants would pour buckets of cold water on the bather as they scrubbed themselves clean. This was not quite as relaxing as the other types of baths that the Ancient Greeks were known for, like their steam sauna, communal sauna, and other types of sauna therapy. The Ancient Greeks would also shower in the cold water that spouted off of the side of large city fountains.
The Ancient Egyptians had a shower room that was very similar to the Ancient Greeks', where slaves dumped vases of cold water over the bather's body.
Ancient Babylon had aqueducts and waste pipes about two and a half thousand years before Europe managed to develop them. Thus, wealthy and important Babylonians had access to water in their private bathrooms. King Nebuchadnezzar had a personal shower room, where he would slather his body with soap made from tallow and ash while his servants poured water onto his body.
During the Dark Ages of Europe and among early Christians, bathing was associated with vanity and therefore declared as unholy. Bathing became more popular when the queen made a request for a bathtub installation of her own bathtub in a time where bathtubs were apprehensively looked upon. In spite of this, bathing was still considered a frivolous waste of time for many years afterwards.
The first and most elaborate shower apparatus was the English Regency Shower, created in 1810. It stood twelve feet tall, with a round basin at the bottom for the bather to stand in and a tank at the top to hold water.
The tank had a drain inside of it and was attached to the basin with ten foot long poles. The entire device was made out of metal, painted to imitate the texture of bamboo. Water would be dumped onto the bather's head, drained from the basin, and pumped back up to the tank via a hollow pole. The water would be showered upon the bather's head once again.
The bather wore a precursor to the shower cap- a tall, conical hat made out of an oily cloth to protect their hair. Even the wealthier class was apprehensive of the shower, most of these new devices used cold water, so their innovative merits did not surpass the relaxing and comfortable feeling of a hot tub spa or an outdoor hot tub.
Hot tubs were not as common as hot baths, but they both had the advantage of warm water. The ice cold water that most showers used, in addition to the strange new method of bathing, caused most people to be completely disinterested in using them.
The 1800s finally led to the development of indoor plumbing, and heated tap water followed closely behind. In 1889, JL Mott Iron Works invented a new showering apparatus. Exposed pipes sprayed jets of water at the bather from every angle in a similar way to the modern power shower.
Steam shower enclosures are a recent innovation in bathing. Steam showers usually come in stand-alone steam shower units. A type of humidifier/steam generator produces a warm mist around the bather's body.
Steam showers are much like ordinary steam rooms or saunas, but they have many components of a personal shower. Most steam showers are kept in enclosures so that the walls and paint of the bathroom are protected from moisture damage.
Bathing facts
- In ancient times Monks and nuns did not bathe, as it was considered sensual and therefore sinful
- Typically less than 1% of all water treated for drinking is actually consumed by people. 99% of all water treated for drinking is used for things like showers, lawn sprinkling, to flush toilets, etc.
- On base in Antarctica, you are only allowed to take two, two-minute showers a week.
- Shower in German is 'douche'
The original showers were neither indoor structures nor man-made, but were common natural formations: waterfalls.[2] The falling water rinsed the bathers completely clean and was more efficient than bathing in a traditional basin, which required manual transport of both fresh and waste water. Ancient man began to reproduce these natural phenomena by pouring jugs of water, often very cold, over themselves after washing. There has been evidence of early upper class Egyptian and Mesopotamians having indoor shower rooms where servants would bathe them in the privacy of their own homes.[3] However, these were a far cry from modern shower facilities; they had only rudimentary drainage systems and water was carried, not pumped, into the room.
The first group of people to have showers that would be recognizable to a modern person were the ancient Greeks. Their aqueducts and sewage systems made of lead pipes allowed water to be pumped both into and out of large communal shower rooms used by elites and common citizens alike.[4] These rooms have been discovered at the site of the city Pergamum and can also be found represented in pottery of the era. The depictions are very similar to modern locker room shower, and even included bars to hang up clothing. [5]The ancient Romans in their love of everything Greek also followed this convention. Their famous bathhouses can be found all around the Mediterranean and as far out as modern day England. The Romans not only had these showers, but also believed in bathing multiple times a week, if not every day. After the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity, practicing what is today considered good hygiene became a religious taboo and was abandoned almost completely from the late Middle Ages until the Victorian era.[6]
The advanced water and sewage systems developed by the Greeks and Romans quickly broke down and fell out of use after the fall of their great empires. It was not until the 19th century that a system nearly as complex or reliable as the Greek and Roman sewers was rebuilt. The first showers in the modern era were self- contained units where water could be reused several times.[7] In the early 19th century (probably around 1810, though there is some contradiction among sources), the English Regency Shower was anonymously invented.[8] The original design was over ten feet tall, and was made of several metal pipes painted to look like bamboo. On the top of the unit was a basin connected to these pipes. The water was pumped through a nozzle and over the occupant's shoulders before being collected and pumped back into the basin. This prototype went through several renovations including hand pumped models, models with several sprayers, and those with interchangeable nozzles. The reinvention of reliable indoor plumbing around 1850 allowed the freestanding showers to be connected to a running water source, making them easier to use. In addition the increase in access to heated water made bathing more comfortable and popular. Even with the new improvements in their design, the shower remained less popular than the bath until the second half of the 20th century when it all but replaced bathtubs in most western bathrooms.
"Waters," was the common normative description of water until it took its singular form about two hundred years ago.
Ancient Egyptians associated Nile water with fecundity, for humans as well as for crops, and was known as the fattening water, as it had the power to regenerate and enrich. Worship at shrines such as Lourdes and Fatima merely capitalised on the economic benefit to the community.
Hydropathy is a therapeutic system that professes to cure all disease with water, either by bathing in it or by drinking it. Although water therapy is currently used to treat certain ailments, its effectiveness is generally accepted to be limited. Most authorities agree that many disease and injury conditions are indirectly improved by the relaxing effect of the patient’s immersion in water. Hydropathy as a formal therapeutic system came into vogue during the 19th century through the efforts of Vinzenz Priessnitz (1799–1851), a Silesian farmer who believed in the medicinal value of water from the wells on his land.
Chapter 2: Your Shower is a Temple : p
Wash away doubt, shower me with hope.
Wash away scarcity, shower me with abundance.
Wash away fear, shower me with love.
This book is written for the average person. Although changing a few things is not necessary, I firmly believe it's essential for the full experience. I have listed below several things that will magnify your meditation experience.
This is, in my opinion, the most important piece of hardware you can install. You don't need to redo your bath! There are some simple investments you can make. You will find that an umbrella of water flow is a born again experience. Trust me you want to do this.
Shower Head
Danze D451289BN
http://www.jaclo.com
Non-slip Rubber Mat
This is essential. Not only is it good foot therapy, it will keep you from slipping. You can find all kinds of these at your local department store or on the internet for the more specialized kind.
- Rubbermaid Cushioned Shower Mat
- Avon Therapeutic Mat http://www.footsmart.com/P-Massaging-Shower-Mat-30096.aspx
http://www.furniturestoreblog.com/2008/08/30/teak_shower_seat_for_shaving_or_safety.html
Shower Curtain?
This is funny, but it may help you to remember some good poses http://www.thisnext.com/item/41836386/Yoga-Shower-Curtain
Chapter 3: Breathing
Is the bowl empty?
Is the bowl full?
Is the mind empty or full
Or do you understand or not?
Go and wash your bowl.
- Zen Wisdom
Basic Shower Meditation
- Start a shower as you normally do.
- Notice the physical sensation you experience on your skin in the shower. Notice the sensation in shoulders, arms, and other parts of your body.
- When your mind wanders, gently back your attention back to the sensations you experience on your skin.
- After finishing shower, dry your skin with a towel. Notice the different sensation in your skins after drying.
- After getting familiar with this practice, you can expand your awareness to various other physical and mental experiences, for example, the sounds of the water as it is coming out of the nozzle, the warmth or coldness of the water, the smell of the soap or shampoo, water droplets on the walls, thoughts arising, and so on.
- Breathe normally and relax.
Continue this as you get under the shower.Feel the water on the top of your head, feel it running over your body--cleansing and soothing you. Now the peace and magic will begin.
All your stress is being washed away.
All you can feel is the water. Focus on the water. It's origins are all natural. You are bonding with the earth. If stray thoughts come in just let them go.
All you can hear is the water rippling and running.
Breathe gently and deeply, counting five as you inhale and another five as you exhale.
Do this for 5-10 minutes, depending on the time available.
You can imagine that the water from the shower is pure, white light that is surrounding you. Tell your self that this bubble of white light will surround and protect you during the day. You have nothing to stress, or worry about.
You will be amazed at how good this makes you feel. It is also an excellent technique to use if you are feeling stressed, or worried at any time of day.
The is a very simple, yet very effective meditation and it can be used to energize the mind and make you feel refreshed and excited about facing the day. I use it to de-stress if I have something difficult to do, or an important interview, etc. It’s easy and effective and you don’t have to find time to do it.
Some helpful Meditations:
- See that you are positioned comfortably. Close your eyes… breathe normally… be mentally at peace… see in your mind what you desire the most…
- Try to make a clear picture in your mind of your Desire Number One… try to visualize its shape and details as accurately as possible… this should take about half a minute… when visualization occurs concentrate on the mental vision and say to yourself mentally, “This is what I want… This is what I wish to have…”
- Now visualize your Desire Number Two… make a comprehensive picture of the desired object… when the visualization occurs even for a few seconds, say to yourself mentally, “This is what I wish to acquire next… This is what I wish to have…”
- If you have a third desire and have planted the seed for it then visualize your Desire Number three… visualize it for a few seconds… then say to yourself mentally, “This also I wish to have…”
- After visualizing and concentrating your mental energy to intensify the wish for the fulfillment of your long cherished desires let the mind perceive and think of those things which have importance in your present and future life. Let the mind consider those items one by one and meditate on them.
SOME EXAMPLES
- Picture the mental health you wish to acquire and say to yourself, “I wish to become like this…” (go into detail).
- Say to yourself, “I am changing. I am correcting myself. I am improving and changing myself into a better, happy, healthy and prosperous person.”
- Say to yourself, “I do not want to harm anyone. I do not harbor any ill-feeling, hatred, jealousy and a desire for vengeance against anyone. I do not think ill of others”.
- “I realize that I have made some errors and mistakes. I accept them. I have learnt lessons from those mistakes and I am not going to repeat them again. Those lessons have made me a better person now. I do not have any feeling of sin or guilt for those wrongs. Those were only mistakes”. “It is possible that I might make mistakes and even blunders in the future. But when I know that I am wrong, I will correct myself. I consider making errors natural in the process of human growth.”
- “I am going to see all these things fulfilled- some tomorrow, some day after, some in months to come and some in years to come. What I wish to acquire; I am going to have.”
- After meditating on these various aspects of your life, let the mind analyze, examine and think of anything else that comes to your mind naturally… let the positive thoughts come into the mind… do not bring the negative thoughts back into the mind…
- In case, during Meditation you feel that certain elements, forces or people are trying to create hindrances and obstacles in your way… consider them as forces of obstruction… consider them as undesirable elements… just tell them mentally to fly out or run away… they will have to run away and fly out because they can not stand against the power of the individual who is making efforts toward self development…
- When you have spent about five to ten minutes in Meditation, end the session. Slowly open your eyes. Remain seated for a while in the same position. Get up slowly after half a minute and then walk slowly for a few steps. Your session is over.
Want to feel invigorated in the morning? Try this...
Here's a morning meditation that you can do in 5 minutes while taking a shower and is sure to rev you up better than any cafe latte.
Turn the bathroom light off - you'll see why later. Set the shower to a warm comforting temperature and begin by feeling the warmth on your skin as the water trickles down your body. Imagine you are stood under a cleansing waterfall of golden light...Then bring your attention to the crown of your head and visualise the golden light beginning to penetrate your head. As it does so, it is bringing with it universal life energy and cleansing away any polluted energy from the previous day. Watch the darker energy flowing away from your feet.
Move your awareness slowly down through your head bringing the golden light to those areas where your attention rests, all the while the denser energy flowing away from the feet. Work your way down through the body. Notice if you encounter areas of particularly strong resistance and dwell longer in these places until the blockages are removed.
Work your way all the way down to the feel so that now your whole body is filled with golden light and all the darker energy has been released. Stay as long as feels appropriate feeling all the while the warmth and joy of the life energy within you.
Then get prepared to switch the water to cold - as cold as you can get it (no pain no gain!). Prepare yourself before you switch temperature - be in the place of the observer, know that you are about to invigorate your entire endocrine system.
Switch to cold and immediately take your attention to your feet. Visualise clear blue/indigo/violet light rising quickly from your toes all the way up your body to the top of your head and out into the universe. Stay in the cold water as long as you can.
Then switch the shower off, close your eyes and cover them with your hands. Raise your eyebrows and watch the light effects which are representative of the energy now coursing through you.
Now you're ready to meet the challenges of the day cleansed inside and out with the full energy of the universe at your finger tips!
Cleansing the Soul Meditation
Here's an idea you may enjoy trying. As you take your shower for the day, imagine that you are not only washing your body, but that you are also washing your psyche!
Imagine that the stress from your fears, worries and problems is flowing away, out of your body: down, down, down the drain. The energy and tension that you are holding in your body (shoulders, neck, back, head, legs, arms, stomach) from these concerns can be released into the flowing water. Let the warm, pulsing beat of the stream untie the physical knots. Take deep cleansing breaths as your cares float away. The idea is to release the tension that results from emotional stress, so that you can manage your concerns and problems more effectively... unblocked and empowered, pure and clean.
While you're cleansing body and soul, you may want to say a prayer to God, or your Higher Power: "Thank you for this life. May my thoughts, actions and deeds be a clear reflection of your Love and Grace." As you're saying this, allow God's love into your heart and beautiful body, illuminating yourself fresh and new for another day.
Chapter 4: Shower PositionsStand Upright (Uitademen or Prayer Position) - Hands crossed over on shoulders, Close Eyes, Breathe, Nothingness, If you can't think of nothing, focus on water flowing over. If not, dream
Lean (Shower Pose) - Water Around Scalp, Mouth Closed, Listen to the Water, Breathe. Focus on the water and the sounds of it running over your ear.
Lean With Forearms Against Wall (Dolphin Pose) - Same as lean but lean on your forearms, hands clasped behind your head and head facing downward. Feel the water run down your back.
Stretch (Inademen) - This can be tricky if your new to this or your shower stall is not high enough.
Lying Down - Stretch, Lift Legs and let the water focus onthe water falling on different parts of the body. Warning: This can get really sensual.
Sit Upright - Feel the water massage your brain. Listen to the flow.
Down dog (Adem inhouden) - great with hot water flowing over you.
Bound angle - Great with hot water flowing over you.
Chapter 5: Aids to Relaxation
Aromatherapy
Chapter 6: Advanced Shower Therapy
Steamy hydrotherapy http://www.thermasol.com/
Eye-pleasing chromatherapy http://www.jaclo.com
Chapter 7: Cold Shower for Energizing
The first thing a yogi does in the morning is take a cold shower—not just to get clean on the outside, but to energize the inner body as well. A cold shower lasting one or two minutes will jolt you out of your lethargic, sleepy state and leave you feeling alive, refreshed, and wide awake. You’ll be ready to start the day with a clear, focused mind and plenty of energy, whether you’re heading off to work or to your yoga mat.
If you’re trying to lose weight, cold showers can be an effective weapon in your battle of the bulge. An early morning cold shower jumpstarts your day by boosting your metabolism; it gets you moving.
You may be cringing at the thought of standing under the cold spray, but it’s actually quite a pleasurable experience—especially once you’ve dried off. In fact, less than a minute after your cold shower, you’ll begin to feel its effects. Your body will be warm from the increased circulation and you’ll feel alert and energetic. Somehow, your skin feels softer and more alive. It’s a wonderful feeling.
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