Homosexuality on Trial

There is a case in the NJ courts about a man accused of spying on another man. It is all happening because one of the men jumped off the George Washington Bridge, he identified as homosexual, you may have heard of him, he was a Rutgers student. There currently is a man on trial for invasion of privacy and intimidation, he set up a webcam. Through his webcam he saw the other man involved in a homosexual encounter.


 As I read the details and follow this case I wondered; What is really on trial? I don't really know but I can surmise and give my own perspective. Homosexuality and homosexuals are marginalized and I would venture to say that in a sense homosexuality and our ability to legitimately accept ourselves and others is on trial. 


Really why is this happening why can't we accept other people? I normally do not write about issues as personal as this but I felt compelled because on the national stage this is still a debate. We are all entitled to our views and I get concerned when I hear rancor regarding the personal lives of Americans. I am so hesitant to say this but I will because I feel it is pertinent. When we have a candidate running for nomination for president who is so anti-homosexual it bothers me. I am talking about Mr. Santorum, who in the past has equated homosexuality to bestiality and pedophilia. 

He is entitled to his views but these views are dividing people and this division is happening inside and outside of us. I don't know what it is like to be ridiculed for my sexuality(I identify as heterosexual). Sexuality is such a fundamental tribal identifier and that someone would feel less than because of it and seek to end their life is a tough pill to swallow. 

There is one man on trial but in a sense it is much larger; we may not understand another persons behavior we may think it is gross but to ridicule another? This only points to the one ridiculing and his/her inability to process and deal with their uncomfortable feelings regarding a situation. 

It is not them, the other that is the problem because to point a finger without examining your own situation leads to more internal and external division. And, if we are ever to heal as individuals, a nation, a species etc we need to look into those places we fear and accept those parts that we reject. 


People it is time to stop the ridicule, the internal division; it is time to take personal responsibility for how we feel and stop the blame. 

Because this blog is flower essence themed I thought to mention some here: 

Calla Lily: Sexual Self Acceptance: This essence is for clarity about sexual identity, sexual self acceptance and the integration of masculine and feminine qualities.  Treats confusion or ambivalence about sexual identity and gender and wounding due to cultural gender bias.


For acceptance of the shadow and other uncomfortable feelings look at the monkeyflower family.

The Monkeyflower Family: This group of essences deals with fears, a variety of fears related to emotions and our emotional life.

Pink: This essence treats fear of being exposed, due to feelings of shame, guilt or unworthiness. Those needing this remedy are often afraid to be seen both literally and metaphorically. Pink Monkeyflower helps one feel at ease emotionally and encourages emotional openness and honesty. It also helps one have the courage to take emotional risks with others. 

Scarlet: This essence is for those who are afraid of deep emotions and intense feelings. Often these intense feelings or emotions get repressed out of fear. Scarlet Monkey Flower helps one to get in touch with strong emotions, it promotes emotional honesty and integration of deep emotions, especially of the emotional ‘shadow’.  It also gives people the courage to express intense feeling and emotions. Useful for sexual repression. 

Sticky: This essence balances the integration of human warmth and sexual intimacy; it helps one to express deep feelings of love and connectedness, especially in sexual relationships. Helpful when there is a fear of intimacy, repressed sexual feelings and an inability to experience warmth in sexual experiences.

Hibiscus: Warmth and responsiveness in sexuality; integration of soul warmth and bodily passion.  Helps when there is an inability to enjoy sexual experiences; lack of warmth due to abuse or exploitation.

Pine: Useful when guilt is the driving force behind sexual behavior. As a society we are not taught how to handle our sexual energy in a healthy way, it often comes with a large amount of guilt and creates a cycle. Where we indulge then feel guilty, Pine will help stop this viscous cycle of self incrimination and help you to accept yourself and your behaviors.

Snapdragon: This essence is for mis-placed libido energy, when the libido is strong and is repressed energy builds up. This pent up energy has a tendency to be expressed as anger, aggression and frustration. It is often misdirected and leads to harm. 

Holly: Holly is an excellent remedy to treat anger, jealousy and envy. It is helpful if something in your personality prevents you from experiencing happiness. This can be very corrosive when left unchecked. Holly is also helpful for treating bitterness and suspicion, which corrupts the ability to love. This essence engenders compassion in the heart and soul, enhancing the ability to love inclusively. This is a tremendously powerful remedy that helps you feel and channel love through your heart and extend it to others. Dr. Bach felt Holly was one of the most important and widely applicable remedies.

 

Dr. Oz and Rescue Remedy

Dr. Oz's recommendation for Rescue Remedy is welcome news, because Rescue Remedy is such an effective and useful supplement, that will help you cope with the stresses of daily life. Therapists around the world have been recommending Rescue Remedy  for acute anxiety, niggling fear and emotional upset for over 80 years.


What is it?
Rescue Remedy is simple formula made from five wildflowers, it originated in England and is now available in most continents around the world. The trusted formula of Clematis, Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose and Cherry Plum has remained the same ever since Dr. Bach made it up in the mid 1930's.


Lets examine the individual flowers in the Rescue Remedy Combination Dr. Oz has been recommending.

Cherry Plum is helpful when you feel you are at a breaking point, experiencing great suffering and are about to lose control. You may also find you’re trying desperately to control feelings. Cherry plum is a light-filled essence that promotes growth and calmness while dealing with inner turmoil. 

Clematis supports you in staying awake and present. It ushers in clarity of consciousness and brings awareness clearly to the present moment. Clematis helps bring greater clarity and awareness to life and help you take more practical action.

Impatiens treats impatience and it supports your emotional growth: if you tend to talk, eat and drive fast; anger quickly and have a fiery temper. Impatiens can be of great benefit if you rush through your days with little joy. This remedy enhances the ability to slow down and enjoy the flow of life. It treats general irritation and intolerance helping you embrace life and circumstances with greater ease and flexibility.                            

Rock Rose flower essence fosters, great courage and grounded presence when facing catastrophic situations. This essence helps one to stay centered and remain grounded to effectively deal with challenging circumstances.
  
Star of Bethlehem is a powerful remedy for addressing recent or past traumas. Its deeply soothing and comforting energy fosters wholeness, unity and relief from the most troubling of situations.

If you are looking to purchase Rescue Remedy for yourself or a family member, visit our main site, www.essencealchemy.com. While there you can learn more about how to use Rescue Remedy to address specific fears, anxities  and situational stress.

Dr. Oz Rescue Remedy and Sanity

Am I Normal? Recently there was a segment on Dr. Oz titled "Are You Normal or Nuts", if you have to ask chances are you are normal. You may have behavior that differs from the rest but that doesn't make you "nuts" and in all fairness there is no such thing as "normal". There seems to be an idea that a normalcy exists when in reality we are all unique individuals. We may have behaviors that are uniquely ours and the a question to ask in light of this is: Does the behavior serve you or is it taking away from the quality of your life?


The questions on the Oz show were in regards to OCD behavior, Obsessive, Compulsive Disorder, fears and unresolved emotions showing up in dreams.


I personally like the Dr. Oz show and think he has brought a new perspective to the limelight, that only an MD could do. I say this because he often talks about alternatives to main stream orthodox medicine but because he is a heart surgeon what he says has credibility. So when I heard him mention one of my most favorite topics flower essences I felt compelled to chime in and expand on the topic.

Dr. Oz and Rescue Remedy
Dr. Bach's Rescue Remedy is easily the most widely used and recognized flower essence formula. Dr Oz's Rescue Remedy recommendation came in response to a question of how to deal with paralyzing fear. From a general perspective Rescue Remedy could benefit the person in such a situation. But a paralyzing fear that persists for days leading up to an event would really benefit from a more nuanced approach.

Mimulus
I would need to speak with the person to get a sense of what is going on but right off the bat I would give this client mimulus; which is for fear of known things. A one month treatment cycle with mimulus would help to shift this behavior so it no longer bothers the individual. There is a difference between addressing a symptom and treating the person. One provides temporary relief the other is a long term solution. I am personally more interested in providing my clients with long term solutions.

Rescue Remedy
This formula was developed in the 1930's a much different time than the one we live in. It was developed to address acute stress and anxiety that is the result of trauma or shocking news, such as a death in the family etc. There is a simplicity to this formula which makes it easy to use but as an essence practitioner I think it is being misused. As with many "alternatives" it is falling prey to the allopathic mindset, meaning it is being used to suppress a symptom and not fully address the underlying causes.

Flower Essences and The New Paradigm
Using flower essences therapeutically presents a new paradigm, it is a dramatic shift from how we currently think about health treatment. To sum up the new paradigm as best I can; I would say the New Paradigm that essences work in is to address the person not the aliment. Our current system is diseased focused, this narrow approach is normal, to want to cure a disease is totally legit. And, what if we could take a broader perspective? What if we could see the person behind the disease and treat the person as well?


Bach's Vision
As a doctor Bach had this vision; it revealed itself in his case load and led to the development of flower remedies. What Dr. Bach noticed were these two points:

• The same personality types had the same aliments and complaints
• People coming for single disease treatment have similar personalities 

With that he concluded the following:

• There must be a way to strengthen and balance the personality to protect from disease.
• There must be a way to treat the personality directly and alleviate the disease.

Do you get what he was doing? He was pioneering Mind/Body medicine, his keen observation and dedication to wellness is and was revolutionary. Treat the personality so the patient regains health. I felt the need to give a concise explanation of what Bach was up to before moving on because I feel it is important to understand the intent and vision of the work if we want to get sound results when using essences.

Dr. Oz and Flower Essences
 The proper use of flower essences requires a nuanced understanding if we are to truly address the causes of certain conditions. While I do support his promotion of Rescue Remedy, I want people to understand the depth of healing flower essences can bring to person. This is important because if flower essences are mis-used the results will be paltry and this will lead to flower essences getting dismissed as not helpful. 


Honestly folks if you really want the best results from using flower essences, you need to work with a skilled practitioner. There is an old saying that applies here: "A doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient." I do welcome the attention essences receive when respected folks like Dr. Oz mention them and as someone who specializes in flower essences I seek to clarify his good intent.