Matt Castle tells the real story of bana:
The humble banana almost seems like a miracle of nature. Colourful, nutritious, and much cherished by children, monkeys and clowns, it has a favoured position in the planet’s fruitbowls. The banana is vitally important in many regions of the tropics, where different parts of the plant are used for clothing, paper and tableware, and where the fruit itself is an essential dietary staple. People across the globe appreciate the soft, nourishing flesh, the snack-sized portions, and the easy-peel covering that conveniently changes colour to indicate ripeness. Individual fruit—or fingers—sit comfortably in the human hand, readily detached from their close-packed companions. Indeed, the banana appears almost purpose-designed for efficient human consumption and distribution. It is difficult to conceive of a more fortuitous fruit. The banana, however, is a freakish and fragile genetic mutant; one that has survived through the centuries due to the sustained application of selective breeding by diligent humans. Indeed, the “miraculous” banana is far from being a no-strings-attached gift from nature. Its cheerful appearance hides a fatal flaw— one that threatens its proud place in the grocery basket. The banana’s problem can be summed up in a single word: sex.

The banana plant is a hybrid, originating from the mismatched pairing of two South Asian wild plant species: Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. Between these two products of nature, the former produces unpalatable fruit flesh, and the latter is far too seedy for enjoyable consumption. Nonetheless, these closely related plants occasionally cross-pollinate and spawn seedlings which grow into sterile, half-breed banana plants. (Continue...)

 It is so true that return home is BIG. :) This is when we get to really see the changes, resistance to changes, both inside and out and we get the chance to really apply what we've learned and to see the magic of aya unfold. It is absolutely majestic! It's like a flower, which at Blue Morpho was planted, in a safe jungle climate got to grow a stem, beautiful whole leaves and big flower bulbs. Upon return home the flower is opening up, unfolding the radiant multi-coloured petals, releasing it's strong aroma, it's starting to bloom. It is very important to continue adding the fertilizer (diet) and water it (awareness, focus, love) regularly to help it grow further. LOL Hamilton and Don Alberto are awesome gardeners! 

The beauty is that the flower is totally perennial and can continue growing for as long as we water it and let it grow. It's fruits are filled with nectar of divine knowledge. :)

I'm greeting the changes and challenges that awaited for me at home with open heart, totally amazed by the magnitude of these changes. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! 

 Yes, the substantial part of changing and learning takes place when we actually return home. And of course, in this process of self-integration we'll be noticing how we at times loose the presence, get carried away into stories, fantasies and emotional vortexes. One reason, first of all, is that now such instances become more recognizable, as we compare them to the state of actually being in the NOW. Another reason is that we follow the vibrations of the spaces we're in, and here, there's more complexity than in the jungle and so many triggers that we're habituated to react to in a certain manner. That's the real learning in practice: loosing the awareness, noticing it and patiently returning back to present, over and over again. With practice and time it becomes easier and quicker, and presence becomes stronger and stronger. Your practice of grounding and tai chi will definitely help you with that. Meditation and yoga are also very powerful tools that strengthen the focus and open the heart. I also noticed that when I attend artistic performances, where the artist is truly in the moment and in creation, my heart goes BOOM into openness and light. I recently saw Cirque Du Soleil performance, the show was so powerful and inspiring, exactly for that reason. I also attended a flute/cello concert and art gallery - same thing. Art is a very powerful teacher/healer.

 ... Things aren't that bad.
The smoke that comes from sheesha is cooled, that's why it feels light. The long pipe and water do minimal filtration. However, the tobacco in shesha is actually purer than tobacco in cigarettes, as it is not treated, just blended with fruits and molasses, sometimes with bit of glycerine added, and the total amount of tobacco consumed is less. Cigarettes are smoked on a regular basis, several a day, sheesha is smoked less frequently.
Now, the main difference: cigarettes pose high danger of addiction from practically the first cigarette; sheesha does not.
That is very puzzling to me. The addictive substance is supposed to be nicotine, which is present in both. How come sheesha does not cause equal dependance?

 I found a research article about adverse effects of Water Pipe / Nargile / Hookah smoking:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/116/1/e113

Just what I was looking for... some statistical evidence of significantly adverse effects of sheesha...
Nicotine: higher content than in cigarettes
Tar: higher
Carbon monoxide: higher
Heavy metals: yep, they're there

dixi 

 

Dear friends,
The special time of the year is upon us, the New Year is coming.
Let’s get together to say “bye-bye” to 2008 and to give a warmest welcome to 2009, let go of all old unnecessary baggage and make space for new opportunities, possibilities, wishes and ideas.
For that purpose we have rented an awesome venue in the heart of Toronto, where we will celebrate all night.
You are invited to a masquerade party “YOLKA 2009” December 31st, commencing at 9pm at Studio 204 Spadina. 

There is a rich program planned out for the night, which includes, but not limited to
Masquerade – let your imagination soar, dress up into anyone/anything you wish!
Music and dancing - to the favorites of 80’s and 90’s and contemporary tunes
Visuals – projected on a big screen, ooh yeah!
Potluck table -please plan ahead and let us know what you’ll bring
BYOB – it’s a private party, so we can drink all night!!!
Talent show - take part, share your talents!
Games – let’s go nuts!
Gifts – there will, of course, be Yolka under which you can put the presents for your dear friends and under which you will find your presents too.

The cost is $35, which I kindly ask you to pay in advance to cover the venue. 

You can do the e-mail transfer to writetomasha at gmail dot com or pass the cash. I’d appreciate if the payments be made by Dec.1st, so we can pay for the studio.

Please bring your festive good humor, indoor shoes, dish for potluck, your favorite substances and your talents!

 

I am studying the Amazon trees that are used in Amazonian medicine, particularly in Ayahuasca ceremonies.
The total of 12 trees was used in our brew.
Here's one:

Remo Caspi bark, Pithecellobium laetum,
contains phytomitogenes, lupeol, and spinastero

-make canoe paddles
-anit-malaria
-purgative

Family: Apocynaceae

Genus: Aspidosperma 

Species: excelsum

Common names: avore de carapana, arvore dos mosquitos, canalete, carapanauba, jaroeroe, musara, paddle tree, paddlewood

General Description: Remo caspi is a large canopy tree with extensive reinforcement to support its height. Some of its root system is above ground and provides immense support for this huge tree. Remo caspi grows to the top of the Amazon Rainforest, up to 100 feet. Small white flowers emerge on this tree and a fruit capsule also grows from its branches. "Remo caspi" is Spanish for 'paddle' wood and makes reference to its large roots.

Uses: The wood from the roots is used to make canoe paddles because it is both light weight and durable. In traditional tribal and herbal medicine, Remo caspi has been used for a variety of ailments. In Brazil, it is an agent used for intestinal distress, both gas and as an aid for digestion; thus it is a carminative. Brazilians also use this herb for bronchitis, inflammation, fever, diabetes, cancer and malaria. Some reports also suggest Remo caspi has antioxidant properties. It has been used widely in the Amazon to treat malaria, sexual problems, coughs and bronchitis. Other South American countries use the bark of this tree for a variety of ailments: some Indian people chew on the bark to relieve toothaches; others use it to prevent cavities, treat malaria and hepatitis. In Peruvian herbal medicine, the root bark is used as an aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antibiotic, and wound-healer; it is also used in Peru to treat malaria, high blood pressure and bronchitis.

I will be in Moscow soon. Not for long.

OM AH HUNG
Open your hearta
And join forces in welcoming spring
On Saturday April the 5th evening
At ANAHATA at my hata