Natural Living—Part 2

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Here is an article from Susun’s newsletter I subscribe to: http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/February08/empower.htmv The author talks about flu & cold prevention, and there are 2 things here that to me are connected to Natural Living. First of all, the idea that getting sick is a body & mind's way to take a break, and that afterward one actually will feel better than maybe in a long time. That has certainly happened to me. The other one is about thinking of remedies as allies, and having some sort of a relationship with them. The author here talks about homeopathical remedies, but it could be herbs or any other thing. (And I don’t think she is endorsing abuse of substances here as perhaps some could interpret this.) Also, here again is the idea that different things work for different people, and that we need to find out for ourselves what works for us. My friend Bonita once told me to “just sit with it” for a while; at the time it was about me being depressed and extremely sad. I think this simple yet powerful technique often helps with anything we are uncertain about, and so it can be with more tangible things like remedies. I am in the process of exploring a relationship with Stinging Nettle, which so far is still a bit uncertain. I would like to have her as my ally, for she is a very powerful one. (Do a search on the internet if you are interested in that). The “just sitting with it” here is obviously not just 10 minutes or even an hour or so, but may take me several months of observing how Nettle affects me. I have been drinking a cup of the infusion for about a month now. I have been gathering information about her, linking her to experiences as a child (she is a major player in one of my favorite fairy tales). Also I would like to find a spot were it grows (not too easy in the urban environment where I live, and perhaps it’s a bit too early in the year yet), do a deeper meditation, etc. ... ... Just another one of those things that mean "Natural Living" to me.