If there’s one thing we know beyond any doubt, it’s that all of life is an evolutionary process. Everything, from the smallest particle in existence to the universe as a whole is in the process of evolution. Immutability is the only truth. Expansion is the point. The only question is whether or not it’s happening consciously or unconsciously. As is the case with any pursuit — whether athletic, intellectual, or spiritual — certain signs will begin to show up after a particular amount of practice has been put in, and they will come out, as they should, in your behaviour. If they don’t, then you haven’t condensed the full understanding yet– the concept has not made its way fully to the level of action.

While there is, in reality, no actual ‘higher’ level of consciousness (this is an egoic idea based on comparison) there are, undoubtedly, different modes of seeing the world, resulting, of course, in different modes of being in the world– modes of being that open us up to more relaxation, harmony and balance, even as the external world continues on in the manner it always has. There has been an inner shift.

For the devout, there never has been any question that prayer has the power to heal.

Now, more and more medical research from leading hospitals and universities across the U.S. has shown conclusively a belief in God really IS good for you, making you healthier and happier, and helping you live longer.

“Studies have shown prayer can prevent people from getting sick — and when they do get sick, prayer can help them get better faster,” Duke University’s Harold G. Koenig, M.D.

An exhaustive analysis of more than 1,500 reputable medical studies “indicates people who are more religious and pray more have better mental and physical health,” Dr. Koenig says.

By definition, prayer is a form of addressing God, by establishing a relationship with God or a deity, talking to Goddess, God or Gods, angels and saints.

Just think how much energy is consumed and how much waste is produced by every house on the planet. It’s all because traditional modern housing lacks sustainability and relies on public utilities and fossil fuels. However, with the growing awareness of the environmental issues, more and more people stick to ecologically friendly housing alternatives, which don’t harm the environment but also allow for off-the-grid living.

A small community in Taos, New Mexico, lives completely off the grid thanks to an amazing concept of a self-sustainable house, known as Earthship. All Earthships are based on three main ideas – sustainable architecture, green energy and the possibility to be built by someone who doesn’t have advanced construction skills. When architect Michael Reynolds came up with the concept of Earthship in the 1970s, his main goal was to develop a structure that mimics natural processes and makes most of the surrounding environment, instead of exhausting natural resources.

Satoshi Tomizu is a Japanese glass artist that uses his talents to create astonishing cosmic scenes encased in orbs of glass no larger a human eye. Known as Space Glass, each orb is crafted in breathtaking detail as gold flakes, air bubbles, and a number of other inclusions solidify in the bubble of glass, creating alluring microcosms that can be held in the palm of your hand. Each bauble is blown with a durable glass loop allowing one to wear their personal space-scape around their neck if they wish.

A study conducted by a Harvard affiliated team out of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) came across surprising conclusions regarding the tangible effects of meditation on human brain structure. An 8 week program of mindfulness meditation produced MRI scans for the first time showing clear evidence that meditation produces “massive changes” in brain gray matter.

Study senior author Sara Lazar of the MGH Psychiatric Neuroimaging Research Program (as well as a Harvard Medical School instructor in psychology) stated that meditation practitioners aren’t just feeling better. They are literally undergoing changes in brain structure that create the associated sustained boosts in positive and relaxed feelings.

Fellow MGH researcher Sue McGreevey notes that previous studies by Lazar’s group found structural differences in the brains of meditation practitioners compared to those with no prior experience most notably in the thickening of the cerebral cortex; the area responsible for attention and emotional integration. These prior studies, however could not narrow down the structural differences to meditation specifically until now.