Christmas holiday “thinking time” is good for your health

Many feel a pressing need to get away from it all and quite literally to lie on a beach during the Christmas holiday period. This isn’t a selfish desire, because a holiday break’s positive health effects are intuitively good for your mental, physical and spiritual health, as well as being backed up by current medical research. It could also be argued that no great discovery or innovation made in human history has been made without considerable “thinking time” in an environment where mental and spiritual development can occur unimpeded by the demands on time by colleagues, relatives and friends.

Exodus: Gods and Kings is awe-inspiring in its use of CGI but doesn’t develop many of the underpinning spiritual themes in Moses’ story. For instance, when Moses was banished from Egyptian society, his time-out spent in a humbling shepherd’s role enabled him to begin to understand his relationship to the divine – to become more thoughtful and less prejudiced, to choose to become more compassionate, to forgive himself and others, and to confront a fear of speaking in public, so that he was ready when it was time to “step up to the plate.” I’m sure most of us could draw parallels in our own lives, here.

The Ten Commandments, the culmination of Moses’ time spent in quiet contemplation, are unique but include universal principles which can be glimpsed in the teachings of every religion or moral system in practice today: it’s best and kindest if we honour our mum and dad, we shouldn’t kill people or hurt each other in any way, or ourselves by fretting over other’s possessions or achievements.

The first few Commandments explain the nature of God as One and All and are what sets them apart. Moses’ quintessential life purpose is set forth uniquely by American religious reformer, Mary Baker Eddy: “Moses advanced a nation to the worship of God in Spirit instead of matter, and illustrated the grand human capacities of being bestowed by immortal Mind.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.) A better understanding of God as Love kept the children of Israel safe, no matter what. Now, that was worthwhile time spent in meditation.

Cell biologist, Dr Bruce Lipton, keynote speaker at the Uplift Festival held at Byron Bay a few days ago, also had a transformational experience, when he was elbowed out of the scientific world to make way for the emerging biochemical view of reality. Lone researchers like Lipton had the time to discover a better model based on the study of quantum physics, an epigenetic (above genetics) model, which is now claiming increasing interest from the scientific world.

In his talk, he also explained that it’s not a random evolution of material organisations we are experiencing here on earth, but an evolution of consciousness that is really occurring. The man who knew and demonstrated best our essential spiritual nature lived over 2,000 years ago. Many in Australia and around the world celebrate his birth each year on 25 December.

Jesus’ view of reality as spiritual and based in divine Love, or heaven already on earth, couldn’t help but revolutionise. It instigated social change, moderated the weather, healed mental and physical sickness and supplied immediate needs. However, he didn’t achieve this state of thought without regularly taking time out. So often the Bible states that he went by himself or with his disciples “into a mountain” to pray, to meditate on God’s spiritual idea, man and the universe. As we celebrate His great gift to humanity, take precious time this holiday season to renew, rejuvenate, recharge, revive, repair, and consider rekindling your true spirit.

Kay Stroud writes on the link between consciousness and health and is a regular contributor to APN print and online publications. – www.themorningbulletin.com