RESEARCH

We have now added some video footage of various practitioners, scientists and researchers from different fields, all representing some aspect of the ‘mind-body-spirit-environment’ model that we at Reach believe is imperative for optimal and holistic health. These recordings are in no way meant to be a substitute for seeing a doctor or health practitioner if you think you have a problem that needs special attention. They are really designed to increase your knowledge and act as a catalyst for you to look more deeply into these areas and take responsibility for your life and well-being. We are aware this is a multi-media age and therefore video footage will have a special appeal for many, however, we hope these will not become a substitute for the written word as we continue to post other research and clinical evidence on this page. Finally, we would encourage you to remember the message not the messenger. History has taught us that when we focus disproportionately on the messenger, the message often gets lost and so do we!

 

 

 

Dr. Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. Hailed as a global renaissance woman, she is a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Her list of achievements is arguably beyond compare in our time. From her staggering book I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (1970) she has gone on to have over 30 best selling titles and acquire more than 30 honorary degrees. She has received the presidential Medal of Arts in 2000, the Lincoln Medal in 2008 and also received 3 Grammy Awards. She is currently Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.

Dr. Angelou also wrote the screenplay and composed the score for the 1972 film Georgia, Georgia. Her script, the first by an African American woman ever to be filmed, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. She has appeared extensively in television and films including the landmark television adaptation of Alex Haley's Roots (1977) and John Singleton's Poetic Justice (1993). In 1996, she directed her first feature film, Down in the Delta. In 2008, she composed poetry for and narrated the award-winning documentary The Black Candle, directed by M.K. Asante

Dr. Angelou’s words and actions continue to stir our souls, energise our bodies, liberate our minds, and heal our hearts.

 

 

 

 

Byron Katie’s ‘The Work’ is a way of identifying and questioning the thoughts that she believes cause all the fear and suffering in the world. She invites participants to experience the happiness of undoing those thoughts through what she calls ‘The Work’. This process then returns the mind to its truly awakened, peaceful and creative state.

The Work is a simple yet powerful process of inquiry that teaches you to identify and question your thoughts. It’s a way to understand what’s hurting you, and to address the cause of your problems with clarity. For those of you interested in her work, we are sure you’ll find the following video footages useful…..

"I discovered that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but that when I didn't believe them, I didn't suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always." - Byron Katie

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neuroscience is rapidly helping us to better understand ourselves and our relationship to the environment. It's become clear that the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere have very different functions and help us to interface with the world in different ways. We believe that the growing understanding in this area is in danger of being over-simplified.  This knowledge is commonly distilled down to mean that the left hemisphere is largely concerned with logic, the past and the future and is more analytical in its assessment of reality (therefore considered more male in its orientation), whilst the right hemisphere houses what many deem the female qualities such as: intuition, emotion, creativity and focus on the present. We believe that these definitions can be somewhat misleading. Although there are some useful generic truths here, this over-simplification is in danger of eclipsing the immense value that this aspect of neuroscience has to offer. That is, the brain is not bound up with gender i.e. right=female, left=male. It's a much more sophisticated picture than this. In fact, as far as we are concerned, the real agenda is to become 'whole-brain thinkers', which means stepping away from 'gendercising' the issue so we can celebrate and prize the different aspects of the brain and recognise the real challenge for us all is to marry and mould their unique attributes into a beautiful, exquisite force. We hope these video footages will stimulate your interest in this subject further...

 

 

Change your thinking with a little dancing practice - a personal perspective

Recently on YouTube I came across a video flash of the silhouetted spinning dancer, with a commentary inviting viewers to check whether the figure spins clockwise or counter-clockwise.

It was suggested that the viewer will see the dancer turning counter-clockwise for left-brain activity and clockwise for right-brain activity.

Around about the same time, on the Reach website, I heard a short talk by neuro-anatomist Jill Bolte Taylor speaking about her brain haemorrhage. She eloquently describes how the two sides of the human brain have very different characteristics. The left hemisphere is analytical, concerned with details, and linear in its thinking (great for crossing the road), while the right hemisphere sees the bigger picture, is expansive in its thinking and produces holistic awareness and feelings of connectedness. Apart from the fascinating account of her stroke, Dr Taylor also appeared to be saying that we have a choice over what type of experience we have from moment to moment.

Both these short videos started me wondering which way I perceived the world – I’m not an optimistic ‘glass half full’ thinker, more ‘the glass half empty’ type, with the accompanying tendency to depressive moods. I began watching the spinning dancer video-flash. For me the dancer would predominantly turn counter-clockwise and occasionally, as if by accident, she would ‘flip’ and turn the other way for a second or so but then revert to the counter-clockwise motion I usually witnessed. What if I could consciously have control over which way the dancer appears to spin? What if the nature of my thoughts determines the direction?

I have begun watching the spinning dancer video as part of daily practice to teach myself to think differently – more upbeat and optimistic. More right-brain with a view to becoming less stressed and more calm, less anxious and more relaxed, less depressed and a whole lot happier. I find that when I manage to sustain a train of thought that contains positive phrases or positive mental images, I see the figure turning clockwise. By the direction of the dancer’s spin I can see the results of my thinking – a simple and enjoyable way to obtain bio-feedback... I hope you'll find some benefit for you. 

Rashna Walton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HeartMath is an institute that is helping us to further develop and understand the human condition. It has, through its innovative research brought the role of the heart to the forefront of understanding and managing emotions. They provide products and services that enable people to transform stress, better regulate emotional responses and harness the power of heart/brain communication.

They also offer a variety of training programs, coaching, various publications and innovative technology. Their ethos and philosophy is built on scientifically validated research and their methods are receiving wide acclaim as they help individuals enhance their personal and professional lives. They’ve had particular success with anxiety, depression, high blood pressure and PTSD to name a few. For those interested in decreasing stress, managing their emotions and living more efficiently, you may want to take a closer look at what the HeartMath system has to offer. We believe this is another useful piece of the jigsaw – certainly worthy of closer scrutiny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emotional Freedom Technique is taking the western world by storm, with more and more people celebrating its validity and life-changing power. Like all healing modalities the technique is only ever as good as its application. So although we (at Reach) share some of the excitement about the effectiveness of this approach, we also have seen the other side, when it fails to work. We believe that this is because whilst E.F.T. can stand alone there are just as many cases when by itself it isn't enough (see EFW 1 & EFW 3) and so something else is needed.  The following video footages offer some insight into the amazing possibilities... We hope you enjoy them...

 

For those interested in the history of EFT, click HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Living Matrix further illuminates the interconnectedness of life. It is a DVD that looks at our incredible power to heal ourselves and helps us to realise that we are not victims of our reality, we are indeed masters of our destiny... we simply need to choose it. The Living Matrix takes on the enormous subject of health and healing and illustrates how we can influence that process. Take a look at the preview and see what you think.

 

 

 

 

The full length DVD simply called The Secret is well worth watching. It seeks to resurrect a number of laws and principles that are over 2,000 years old. It reminds us that we are operating in a universe of infinite possibilities and that we are the chief architects of our own destiny....The following 2 extracts offer 18 minutes (in total) of contemplation on the core principles of The Secret... Why not indulge yourself in the truth and simplicity of the messages contained within each recording... It might just change your life!

 

 

 

 

His Royal Highness Prince Charles needs no introduction. His views on the environment and the way we are mismanaging the planet's resources are well documented elsewhere. We've included this footage here because we think it speaks clearly, passionately and accurately about our relationship with this beautiful planet. We think it also invites us all to question what contribution are we making to positive change? If our environment is unable to support us, how on earth are we expected to thrive? What is the point of progress if it simply leads to our demise? We believe it's time for us all to take responsibility. So don't ask what can be done, ask what you can do....

 

 

 

 

Ramachandran has been described as a mesmorising speaker, making the very complex subject of neuroscience available to the masses. He is a neurologist best known for his work in the fields of behavioral neurology and psychophysics. He originally trained as a doctor and is now currently the Director of the Centre for Brain and Cognition. He also holds professorships at the University of California, San Diego (Professor in the Psychology Department and Neurosciences Programme) as well as at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies where he is a Professor of Biology.

 

He has been called the “Marco Polo of neuroscience” and the “modern Paul Broca”. Newsweek magazine named him a member of “The Century Club”, describing him as one of the hundred most prominent people to watch in the 21st century. He acquired his PhD in Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was then a post doctoral fellow at the Physiology Department at Oxford University. His credentials in this area are second to none. His areas of expertise include : visual perception, visual feedback as a treatment for phantom limb pain, rehabilitation after stroke, synesthesia and more recently he has focused on the causes of autism. Below are a few talks ranging from brief introductions to more extensive probings on this wonderful subject called mind. We think you’ll find some of it fascinating….

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroanatomist who specializes in the postmortem investigation of the human brain. Her own personal experience of a massive stroke, experienced in 1996 at age 37, and her subsequent eight-year recovery, has informed her work as a scientist and speaker. She is affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine, is the national spokesperson for the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Centre and is the consulting neuroanatomist for the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute. It is for this work that in May 2008 she too, like Ramachandran, was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world (by Time Magazine). In the videos below she offers a fascinating insight into the nature of consciousness, bringing both her professional expertise and the enormous challenges of having been a stroke victim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eckhart Tolle has had an unusual rise to fame and now with best sellers such as The Power of Now and New Earth is for many considered one of the great spiritual minds of our time. He had no formal education in his early years but did eventually graduate from the University of London. He had long periods suffering with depression and suicidal thoughts but out of that darkness he is reported to have had an ‘inner transformation’ that has lead him to many of his insights. His study of literature, languages and philosophy have also enriched his teachings. His perspective has been informed and influenced by the Bhagavad Gita, The Vedanta (great Hindu scriptures), Buddha and Lao Tzu, as well as Sufism and more latterly A Course in Miracles. His focus on the ego and its mischievous part in the human story is worthy of closer inspection….For those interested in taking a closer look at his work, much has been written and is widely available.

 

 

 

 

 

Epigenetics literally means ‘control above genetics’. This new science has profoundly changed our understanding of how life is controlled. In the last decade the research in this area has established that the DNA blueprints passed down through genes are not set in concrete at birth (Prey 2004; Silverman 2004), something that has been described as pleomorphism i.e. there are many possibilities. In other words genes are not our destiny. They are a factor in the human story but they do not set us on an inevitable course that cannot be changed. The other factors that modify our genes without changing the actual blueprint are emotions, stress, nutrition and other environmental influences.

 

Bruce Lipton Ph.D. has been leading the charge in this direction. He is an internationally recognized authority in bridging science and spirit. Dr. Lipton began his scientific career as a cell biologist. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville before joining the Department of Anatomy at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine in 1973. The extent of his research is substantial, starting with the work he did on muscular dystrophy, (studies employing cloned human stem cells), focusing upon the molecular mechanisms controlling cell behavior. More latterly, in his ground-breaking book, The Biology of Belief, he has gone on to challenge the old paradigms on which modern science has been built. We believe the following video footages will question the way that you look at the self and the world….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Udo Erasmus is an internationally recognized authority on the subject of fats and oils. His academic credentials include post graduate studies in genetics and biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Nutrition. He has pioneered technology for pressing and packaging healing oils and continues to provide consultation to industry, health professionals and individuals from his base in Vancouver, Canada. He has taken up the challenge of using essential fatty acids (EFAs), to reverse a number of so-called incurable degenerative diseases (having cured himself of pesticide poisoning) such as cancer, heart disease, type II diabetes, arthritis, chronic fatigue, fungal infections, addictions and a range of mental health problems. His pioneering work in the field of essential fatty acids and nutrition adds another piece to the jigsaw puzzle of the story of health….Probably his greatest contribution to this debate is his book Fats That Heal and Fats That Kill.

 

 

 

 

 

Andreas Moritz is a best selling author and internationally acclaimed health expert. He works chiefly with naturopathic principles and in a lot of his work challenges the allopathic view of health. His primary premise, which dates back to the founders of medicine (the Ayurvedic Tradition), is that ‘the body never works against itself’. Probably amongst the most radical of his ideas is that cancer is not a disease but it is in fact a survival mechanism! He, like many others within the naturopathic field of medicine, believes that the body is always trying to give us the best chance of survival, given the environmental factors it’s exposed to. His work is, over the last 30 years, very much built on the notion that the secret of health is the removal of waste. Those interested, in what some may consider his controversial ideas, may well find two of his bestsellers of great interest. These are The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush as well as Cancer Is Not A Disease.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joseph obtained his Ph.D. from UHS/The Chicago Medical 

Dr. Joseph obtained his Ph.D. from the Chicago Medical School and completed his training at Yale University Medical School (in the department of Neurology and Neuropsychology). Dr. Joseph has pioneered research on the role of environmental influences on the brain and human behaviour, looking at the role of hormonal influences on memory, intelligence, perception, sex differences and learning. He has a staggering list of scientific publications covering a vast array of topics such as evolution, astrobiology, self destructive behaviour and learning deficits. He was among the first to demonstrate neural plasticity in the primate brain as well as highlighting the splitting or duality of the brain as talked about in neurotheology i.e. left and right hemispheres dealing independently with logic and emotions.

 

It was he who discovered that the amygdala, hypocampus and the right hemisphere are particularly affected by trauma and early childhood experiences. His contribution to the debate of life and its origins are difficult to dismiss and although there are many that would find his views controversial, however, we think is it dangerous to dismiss his contribution because so much of what he says stands up to reason? Judge for yourself…..

 

 

 

 

 

“Rumi’s poems elegantly and consistently touch our inner being and inspire us to go beyond our limitations towards the divine”.

 

Rumi was a great Persian poet, theologian and mystic who lived in the thirteenth century. Following his death a branch of Sufism was founded, known as the Whirling Dervishes, famous for its Sufi dance (Sama ceremony). Although Rumi’s works were written in Persian, his importance is considered to transcend national and ethnic boundaries. His work has been translated into many languages and its elegant, spirituality has been appreciated by many. In 2007 he was described as the most popular poet in America! His work is well worth further exploration as it is very much relevant to the 21st century.

 

 

 

 

 

Deepak Chopra is considered to be one of the leading lights in the areas of mind-body medicine and spirituality. His written work on both subjects is extensive (over 50 books). These include: Creating Health, Quantum Healing, Perfect Health, Life After Death: the Burden of Proof, How to Know God, The Book of Secrets, just to name a few. Much of Deepak’s philosophy and teachings are rooted in the ancient spiritual tradition of Vedanta (ancient Indian scriptures). He continues, through a variety of media, to try and bridge the gap between science and spirituality, antiquity and modernity, believing that meditation is one of the vehicles for doing just that. He remains a pioneer in the field of alternative medicine and his contribution to this area is worthy of further scrutiny.

 

 

 

Deepak Chopra : on Releasing Emotional Toxins 

 

 

Deepak Chopra : Healing Secrets with Deepak Chopra : intention 

 

 

 

Iyanla Vanzant is an inspirational speaker, a minister, spiritual teacher and author. She was named in 2000 as one of the 100 most influential black Americans. She teaches people how to move beyond whatever has happened in their lives, “to do and be what we came to life to do and be”. She has used her own traumatic experiences as a template for her spiritual life and teachings. Iyanla is the CEO of Inner Visions Worldwide, which runs a spiritual life maintenance centre offering a certified programme in life coaching, based on the principles in her best selling books. She also co-ordinates a prison ministry for over 3,500 prisoners, in over 150 penal institutions. She is renowned for her common sense approach to dealing with life’s challenges. Five of her ten books during a 7 year period, have become New York Times best sellers. These include: Giving to Yourself First, Giving Thanks, Acts of Faith, Faith in the Valley and In the Meantime. Iyanla is dedicated to encouraging humankind to live within the spiritual laws and to embrace God in their lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alice Walker is famous for having won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, for her work The Colour Purple. She was the first black woman to do so. She has gone on to receive many awards and honours in recognition of her literary contribution. She’s also renowned for her anti-racist and anti-war campaigns. She was initially inspired in this direction by her meeting with Martin Luther King in the early 1960s. Much of her work and ideology focuses on peace and personal responsibility. Like Gandhi she believes that we need to be the change we want to see in the world! Like many in the personal development movement, she has come to see meditation and silent reflection as an important piece of this jigsaw if we are to reclaim peace, happiness and balance in our lives. 

 

Alice Walker: Seeking Balance 

 

 

Alice Walker: at the KPFA Peace Awards 2007 

 

 

 

For many, Dr. Wayne Dyer is considered to be the ‘Father of motivation’. For over 30 years he has written prolifically about personal development and spiritual evolution. Many of his works propose the idea that rather than being Christians, Buddhists or Hindus, we should become Christ-like, Buddha-like and Patanjali-like. In other words, don’t simply follow the philosophy, become genuine practitioners of the teachings. His extensive body of work includes: Pulling Your Own Strings, Everyday Wisdom, Your Sacred Self, Wisdom of the Ages, There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, Making Your Thoughts Work for You, just to name a few. Dyer remains for some, a controversial figure because of his passion and outspoken views on spirituality and self-actualization. For those of you who haven’t explored his work, we suggest taking a closer look and judging for yourself.

 

 

Dr. Wayne Dyer & Dr. Bruce Lipton, Pt 1 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Wayne Dyer : Living the Wisdom of the Tao 

 

 

 

Dr. David Simon is a qualified neurologist. He is considered to be a pioneer in mind-body-spirit medicine. He co-founded the Chopra Center for Well-Being with Deepak Chopra. He has become one of the foremost authorities on holistic health-care practices. Dr. Simon is a firm believer in the concept that our mental state influences our physical well-being and has written a number of books on the subject, such as: The Wisdom of Healing: a natural mind-body programme for optimal wellness, The Chopra Centre Herbal Handbook, How to Unlock Your Child’s Genius, Return to Wholeness: embrace your mind, body and spirit in the face of cancer. He is part of the growing movement of neuroscientists who believe in ‘the molecule of emotion’, that is, our emotions are forces in their own right and they impact on the biological story. Therefore, healing depends in part on emotional resolution and freedom. This is why he is an advocate for meditation and an holistic lifestyle.

 

Dr. David Simon: of the Chopra Center on Ayurvedic Principles 

 

 

 

Dr. Joan is one of the pioneers of integrative medicine. She is a world-renowned expert on the mind-body connection. She earned her doctorate in medical sciences at Harvard Medical School, where she also completed her post-doctoral training in cancer cell biology. After the death of her Father from cancer she became more interested in the person with the illness rather than the illness itself. She was also one of the early pioneers in the field of psychoneuroimmunology, helping to bring meditation into medicine. She co-founded a mind-body-medicine clinic in the 1980s and also became a qualified psychologist during that time. Her clinical experience and research culminated in her New York Times best seller: Minding the Body, Mending the Mind. She has since then gone on to write and co-write 13 other books, producing along the way numerous audio and video programmes. She remains one of the most sought after speakers in the field of health, healing and spirituality.

 

 

Joan Borysenko : Emotional Fitness : Managing Change 

 

Joan Borysenko : Emotional Fitness : Self acceptance