Written by: Lea Kosovac

Like many children, I grew up listening to stories and fairy tales. One of them left a deep impression on me, and only recently, searching the internet, I found that it originates from my part of the world.

It’s a story about a king whose three daughters wanted to express how much the king meant to them through birthday presents.
One daughter brought jewels to the birthday party and said that the king was like the most valuable jewels to her.
Another offered a piece of gold, saying that the king was like dry gold to her. The third daughter brought a lump of salt, and when she said that the king was as valuable to her as salt, the court burst into laughter.
Everyone at the birthday gathering made fun of the young royal, and she got expelled from the kingdom. A few months later, the kingdom ran out of salt. All residents began to fall ill with various diseases.
The daughter, who was in exile, returned to her kingdom bringing salt.
After saving the kingdom, she became the new queen and lived happily ever after.
This is a short interpretation of my favorite story that originates from Rijeka, Croatia.

Visiting the Saltworks Ston, the oldest in Europe, I came back to that story, and through it, I understood why people used to fight wars over salt and why a gram of salt was worth more than gold.

The first records about Saltworks Ston date from 1333. At that time Pelješac peninsula became the property of the Republic of Dubrovnik.
Due to its good location, Mediterranean climate, and high salinity of the sea from the Ston Canal, this locality has become ideal for salt production.

At that time, salt meant life, and whoever had a monopoly over it could do whatever he wanted. Back then, it was the wise Republic of Dubrovnik.
After taking ownership of Pelješac, they first renovated the salt pans and built the Ston Walls in the 14th and 15th centuries to protect this strategically important product. The pools of Saltworks Ston got names after saints, all but one, which got the name Mundo after the Spanish word meaning world. Salt from that pool, by order of the municipality, was used by workers and the poor. The fact that the municipal rulers at that time cared about the workers and the poor is fascinating.

The people of Dubrovnik made good use of their ownership of the Ston salt pan, and because of their neutral position, they traded with the Ottomans and the Mediterranean countries. All healthy men were obliged by the law to help with the harvest.
The production capacity of Saltworks Ston has remained the same today as it was during the Republic of Dubrovnik. On 400,000 square meters, there are seven sea evaporation pools and ten crystallization pools.

The production process has not changed either. And this sets this Saltworks apart from all others in Europe, and perhaps the world.

The salt produced in Saltworks Ston comes from natural sources only, sea, sun, and wind. And the whole process is done manually. What is interesting is that salt is not collected, it is harvested.
The process starts in April, and the picking takes place from July to September.
The final product is pure ecological salt, without additives or supplements, which is a rarity today. For people who care about their health, or deal with energy work, the importance of ecological salt is invaluable.
She is more than jewels and more than gold.
Although today salt is spoken of only in a negative context, at least when it comes to nutrition, the importance of ecologically produced sea salt should not be neglected.
If we learn to value the right things and use them in moderation, they can only be good for us.
The key to a quality life is not in renunciation, it is in moderation.
However, always take everything you read with a grain of salt.

If you plan to spend your vacation in Croatia, we recommend you visit the Saltworks Ston, located close to Dubrovnik.
It is worth visiting the salt museum, taking photos by pools where the salt is stored, and if you have time, you can always lend a hand in picking.

Read more about Saltworks Ston here.

Written by: Pelka Evdenic Kuzelka

I was largely thinking about what I should write, or how, or for whom… Then, the answers came on their own, as the waves in a calm, sunset bathed sea… write about volunteering… keep it simple… you do not have to convince anyone about anything… be authentic sharing your point of view, just that easy….

Volunteering. The dictionary meaning about volunteers is that they are individuals who freely offer their time, labour, and expertise. It is true as a definition’s skeleton, although there is missing a large and beautiful spectrum of small lights and shadows that make volunteering the most fulfilled way of living this three-dimensional experience called life.

Each of us is extremely valuable in the way we have chosen to go through this experience. The moment we recognise this beauty of our existence and begin to value it in its true weight is the life changing moment, forever. We all are unique, and we all are just part of the Whole. We all are connected, and we are enough the way we are, we do not have to show no one that we are better, we can just Be the way we are. Therefore, whatever we did for some other living being, as feeding birds for example, we are getting their beautiful energy and gratitude even if we are not aware of it. It is absolutely stunning how our vibration increase by doing it daily. We are hugely improving our life by such a small change.

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Can you imagine what your life would be like if everything you make would be voluntary, without expecting anything in return? Imagine bathing yourself in this unconditional love that you bring to everything you do? and the lovely paradox that the first beneficiary will, always, be you?

In this point, I started writing about frequencies, vibrations, focus and quantum physic explanation and I realised that, as true as it may seem to me, it was no longer serving the purpose of keeping it simple.

Volunteering is about flowing in Here and Now. Each one of us is just a drop in this Whole of all existing and expanding matter, energy, and space. We have no other power except our free will. This is our most appreciate gift and our ticket to gratified life experience. Do not waste it because you are limiting yourself experience of freedom, goodness, love, and acceptance. Do not give someone else the power of taking decision about your life. Do not blame on someone else because of your unfulfilled life. You are free to choose, and you are, indeed, always choosing for yourself. Became aware of this existential law and follow your inner guide, improving life of all living beings meeting you on the way through this dimension.

And please do not just read me, do not just agree with me, and do not just forget me immediately. Find out by yourself this beautiful power hidden in you, discover it, feel it, and share your experiences if you wish so. Thank you for reading me and if you like it, the next month you can read about what was mine foundation stone in becoming volunteer.

Written by Stephen Grissom

Treat the Person, not the Disease

In the previous blog, “Healing the Gut with Beginners Mind”, I touched on the importance of the belly button in Siddha Medicine and Healing. While I did not provide so much detail as to why in this blog I’d like to delve a little deeper into the prominence of the digestive tract in overall health. The importance placed on digestion in Siddha healing cannot be overstated. In fact, digestion in our system is not confined to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract but includes the various enzymatic actions of the organs, all the various tissues, right down to cellular level metabolism. All these layers have their own digestion, assimilation, and absorption functions. Beginning in the mouth and ending on a cellular level, Siddha healing holds an expansive yet inclusive view of what is meant by the word “digestion.” From our perspective up to 90% of diseases can be traced directly to poor GI digestion. This is a most vital insight into just how truly important a role that robust and balanced digestion plays in ones ability to live in a healthy and vibrant manner.

In stark contrast, even though there are GI specialists in their disciplined approach, modern science has only begun to pick up the scent of the interrelatedness of the GI tract, its digestive actions, cellular makeup and how these promote health or disease in a person. 

“A huge proportion of your immune system is actually in your GI tract,” says Dan Peterson, assistant professor of pathology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. (November 2015)

I can distinctly recall when this insight was making the rounds of social media. Still working as a pharmaceutical rep it was discussed at length by my colleagues as well as with numerous physicians. The general consensus of amazement that our health could be so entwined with something as previously overlooked as what we ate and how we were able to absorb it, truly astonished me. I was just floored. Sure, I had grown accustomed to the general lack of understanding of the true role that food intake influenced an individual’s health. What did shock me was the enthusiastic conversations that followed. It was so charged with emotional exchanges, it reminded me of how people talked of the first moon landing! Privately I felt it to be such an encouraging development leading to a more whole view of treating people. By including the digestive system when working with diseases, allopathy was expanding how they view disease and its treatment. Simply by the discovery (understanding) that gut health, and by necessity diet, was directly linked to immunity. One step closer to a more holistic view of treating people, not just isolating a disorder and trying to resolve based on a concentrated approach.

Whenever I have encountered people who complain of digestive problems I am aware that resolving those issues can have an enormous impact on their overall health. The importance of helping someone overcome chronic constipation is not ordinarily considered life-altering in most medical or healing disciplines. I beg to differ. Not only are most now aware of the immune system being affected but psychologically a healthy GI tract leads to a healthy mind as well. So, what seems like something simple to treat by simply taking fiber supplements or laxatives, which give only temporary relief, constipation should be taken seriously. Affecting about one-third of adults over age 60, I have found it affects people of all ages. Each one required treatment unique to their situation and one that would help to prevent it from recurring. 

A platform of individual healing that treats the whole person

One example was a young child of 2 years whose parents, both physicians, asked for help. She had not been able to have a bowel movement of any consequence for several weeks and infrequent ones for an even longer time. Her mood had become whiny and cranky and fear was beginning to show itself whenever they took her to the toilet. It was apparent that the issue was not a blockage or something more serious needing emergency care. Looking at her I felt the way to proceed so I prepared a mixture of soaked raisins and a few other food products and sweetened it with maple syrup so she would not be repulsed by the taste. I also instructed the parents to be sure she sat in a squatted position while evacuating. In hatha yoga, it is called Malasana or Garland pose and allows the peristaltic action of the colon to function without strain or stress. In a few days, her bowels had evacuated and become normal. To both, her and her parents delight her mood returned to the playful and joyful toddler she had always been.

A second example is a lady, mid-fifties referred to me by a physician. She had not been able to produce a bowel movement of any consequence in four months. She was desperate. What was most alarming was that the referring physician stated that she was scheduled for surgery the next week as they had run out of options. And that this occurred rather often in her practice. Meeting the woman for the first time I found her in a mildly aggravated state. I found her colon to be completely dry and lacking vitality or the memory of how to contract properly. After treating her with Varma point stimulation which is the therapeutic aspect of Vasi Healing®, I gave her a prepared ghee based mixture of various things to balance the vata in the large intestine. In addition, I gave her a footstool to prop her feet up since she was not open to practicing Garland pose while using the toilet. As she left I intuitively told her that whether she had a bowel movement or not to return for another treatment the next day and that within 24 hours she could expect results. Showing up the next day she reported no evacuation but lots of rumbling and passing cramps. After the treatment, she reminded me that it was almost 24 hours and she had not yet been able to go. 

“But it hasn’t been 24 hours yet, you still have two more to go,” I replied. 

She stared back and told me that if this did not work, she would be in surgery in less than a week.

Less than an hour later I received a text. She had four solid evacuations, her stomach pain and bloating was gone, her mind and body felt more relaxed than she could remember. More bowel movements followed in each of the coming days. And to her credit, she avoided the few foods I asked her to stop eating like yogurt, cheese, and eggs.

The third example is that of a young girl, just out of high school who was referred by her mother, a physician. The girl has a deep love of animals and had her first real job working at a company that boarded and groomed pets. Low paying for sure, but her love for animals is what attracted her. When she complained of constipation that had persisted for some time her mother sent her for treatments. Following the first Vasi Healing® session it was quite clear that she was beautifully open to the treatments. I gave her an herbal to take before bed. When she returned the next day for the treatment she happily reported that her bowels had emptied that morning and she felt so much better, lighter and happy. Before we began the Amritha Kalai aspect of the treatment something spontaneous occurred.

“You are going to have a dream or some very clear and strong insight,” I told her. “something happened in the recent past, you forgot yourself and how you wished to be in life.”

“Oh my God,” she exclaimed sitting up on the massage table, “it already happened! I woke up this morning and lying there it came to me that I always wanted to be a veterinary technician. It’s like I’d totally forgotten about it.”

After the session, we talked some more and she informed of a job at a veterinarians office in another city that she was determined to apply for. One that would train the employee and allow them to be certified as a vet technician. Actually, she was determined to get this job even though they had already turned down more mature and qualified applicants. And you know what? At that moment I did not, heck I could not doubt her at all. It took a while but she got the job. And, according to her mom, she also matured very quickly after our sessions, and was a happier more fulfilled person. Constipation in her body seems to have been a call of a blockage in her life course. Vasi Healing® sessions allowed this inner urge to come forth. 

Each one of these examples shows a variety of ages and issues that begged for attention on an individual level. One that would speak to each individual’s real need. Yes, they all needed to have bowel movements. Yet each one had specific issues as each one is a unique phenomenon. Each one is not just constipated but far more. Each one is a person. And that is why Vasi Healing® as an Integrated Healing Platform is so effective. 

Siddha Vasi Healing® is the unique healing system of Stephen’s guru, Palpandian of Tiruvannamalai, India. As an Integrated Healing Platform of the unique Tamil Siddha lineage its scope makes possible healing for any disease of the human experience.

More information can be found at: https://www.siddhavasihealing.com

Written by Murali Tingarala

Introduction

This article is about our parents and how we should take care if them. Many aged parents who are struggling in their daily lives because of lack of support from their family members. Parents during our childhood have strived hard to meet our demands be it an expensive toy, to our clothes, to our education even taken loans to send us abroad for higher studies, taken care of our kids whilst we can focus on our work. Parents are our first guru’s, it is our responsibility to take care of them at old age. Here are some important steps that we can do to make their lives conformable. If you see the below details they are not so complicated, just simple things to make lives comfortable when they require it the most.

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Summary

Mostly after retirement our parents feel very lonely as they are used to regular routine of 9 to 5 job. To overcome this and to ensure that they are active not dependent on their children fully, there some important things that we can do.

– Take health insurance for them at an early age like 35 or so, and keep renewing it every year.

– Ensure that they go for health check-ups twice a year. Some insurance companies cover it. Take those ones.

– Encourage them to do their own work this will make them active, unless they have health issues.

– if parents are spiritual then encourage them to practice it regularly like mantra chanting, meditation, prayers and take them to temple or church.

– Encourage them to keep going to daily walks and join senior citizens club if they want to. The advantage is that the senior citizens usually celebrate birthday parties, go out to temple visits. So they will have friends of their age.

– Some parents want to stay independently from their kids, respect their decision. But ensure that all their needs are taken care and helper is there.

– Teach them to check bank statements online than go to banks. Ensure they also can buy groceries/vegetables online.

– Some parents want to settle in an old age home. This is absolutely fine, there are good old age home now with excellent facilities. They don’t need to cook, it’s a campus like environment. There is doctor facility also and bathrooms are designed for senior citizen.

– As children if we are in another country then keep checking on them and calling them especially on their wedding anniversary and birthdays.

– Sometimes kids call their parents to their place abroad to help during pregnancy. This is ok, but remember our children are our responsibility. Parents

should be called to visit and to see places not to make them work. They will do whatever we ask them, but sometimes they will feel bored and dependent.

– If parents are staying alone or with us then ensure that bath rooms flooring are rough and there are holders. This will help in preventing accidents.

– For medication, the medical shops deliver medicines at home or as children we can order online. Even simple blood tests can be done at home.

– Post retirement also our parents can work like taking tuition, as a tax consultant, or any other skill they have so that they are active. They can teach their grandchildren. Soduku is great thing that they can get hooked as it sharpens the mind.

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Conclusion

As a conclusion, go and tell your parents how much you love them today and now, It’s the least you could do and it would mean a world to them. To care who for those who cared for us is one of the greatest services.

They did not leave you when you were young so don’t leave them when they are old. Never take your loved ones for granted because you never know when their hearts will stop beating will stop beating and you won’t have a chance to say good bye.

Written by Boris Perišić

The 2022 UN Ocean conference, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal, took place from June 27 – July 1^st, in Portuguese capital, Lisbon.

During this 5-day event more than 6000 officials, scientists, and environmental activist from 120 nations discussed variety of topics from protecting biodiversity, state of world fisheries and aquaculture to leveraging global investment to build resilient coral reef ecosystems.

Speaking at the opening of the conference the UN secretary general António Guterres said: “Sadly, we have taken the ocean for granted and today we face what I would call an ocean emergency. We must turn the tide.” 

He blamed the “egoism” of some countries was hampering efforts to agree a long-awaited treaty to protect the world’s oceans.

Sea level rise, ocean heating, ocean acidification and greenhouse gas concentrations all reached record levels last year. Marine species are disappearing, including sharks and rays, whose populations declined by more than 70% over the past 50 years. Roughly 80% of the world’s wastewater is discharged into the sea without any treatment, while at least 8m tonnes of plastic enters the oceans every year.

These figures are more than alarming. “Without drastic action, the plastic could outweigh all the fish in the ocean by 2050,” Guterres warned: “We cannot have a healthy planet without a healthy ocean”, he said in his opening remarks.

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UN conference reminded the world that measures needed to protect the oceans are running late and countries were urged to accelerate their implementation.

At the end of this conference a declaration was published saying that “greater ambition is required at all levels to address the state of the ocean” .

So, what can we, the world travelers do about this? How can we help the oceans?

We can start by promoting responsible tourism that respects environment and support the local economies. We can also spread the word about the negative impact of cruise ships. Anyone who like to travel was at some point tempted by the idea of a vacation on a cruise ship.

We see the commercial with a big white cruise ship in some tropical paradise. What these commercials don’t tell us is that one cruise ship pollutes daily the air as much as one million cars and the air quality on deck can be as bad as the world’s most polluted cities.

Cruise ships release toxic waste into our waters, fill the planet with carbon dioxide, and kill marine wildlife. Cruise ships’ environmental impact is never ending, and they continue to get bigger.

Therefore, please think about the footprint that you leave when travelling, and of course, always collect the plastic from the beaches.

Safe travels!

Boris Perišić is a professional Tour Guide for Europe and Morocco
with great passion for history and environment .

HSTY celebrated the 8th International Day of Yoga through a series of world events spanning several days. Celebrations started on 18th of June in Belgrade, Serbia, at a grand event in partnership with the Embassy of India.

More than 400 people practiced yoga at the historic Kalemegdan fortress.

Mohanji, the founder of HSTY, spoke at the event and said “Yoga is universal, and it is one of the gifts that India gives to people around the world”.

On 19th June, HSTY organized a 24-hour Yoga Marathon with the theme Invoke-Inspire-Involve to inspire action and involve all yoga enthusiasts in this great mission of celebrating traditional yoga.
Participants followed the Sun path throughout the day – from early morning in Australia to sunrise in California, with a many sessions and discussions on topics related to yoga, Ayurveda, yogic diet, and lifestyle.

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The highlight of Yoga Day celebrations was the event held on 21st of June in Bengaluru, India.
HSTY partnered with NCC DTE Karnataka and Goa, Bengaluru to lead a group of 4000+ NCC cadets and Officers through a yoga session based on the Common Yoga Protocol.

The event was presided over by Deputy Director General Air Commodore BS Kanwar, VSM.

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Furthermore, HSTY conducted yoga events for underprivileged children across locations in India.
More than 50 children from Mohanji Ka Aangan in Bengaluru participated in the yoga event with the NCC.
Children from Mohanji Ka Angans in Delhi and Chennai enjoyed yoga practices under the HSTY guidance.

On the occasion of International Yoga Day, HSTY instructors from the Balkans, Sanela Milošević, Sanja Stanković, Stasa Mišić, and Dejan Ćosić, conducted programs for adults and children in several towns all over the Balkans (Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Bijeljina, Pula, Novi Sad).
220 children and 30 adults took part in this event.

In addition, HSTY conducted yoga sessions and talks worldwide to mark and celebrate the virtues of traditional yoga on international yoga day.

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