Ilchi Lee

Huntington concludes that we are descending into an era during which Eastern and Western cultures will compete, often violently, to rise to the top of the global power structure. In the end, it is not a pretty picture of humanity. The author provides good evidence, and his arguments are quite rational, but I believe his portrait is missing one important variable in the human equation—hope.

Huntington has projected an image into the future based on what exists now. The trajectory that he predicts for the course of humanity is not necessarily inaccurate, if one is to assume that nothing about “human nature” can change.

I, however, happen to believe that there is hope for humanity. All we need is a small change in our way of thinking to deflect ourselves away from the dark future that Huntington predicts. What we need is a little bit of hope that the world really can become a beautiful place for everyone to live.

Of course, this can all seem like “pie in the sky” if there is no real plan to make it a reality. That’s why I want to write a book tentatively titled Harmony of Civilizations. Hope comes from first believing that something better is possible, and I believe it is.

With a distinctly new-paradigm vocabulary — hope, change, opportunity, possibility, responsibility, service, and a theme of "Yes we can!" — Obama opened people's minds and hearts to the vision of hoping, healing and succeeding. He rejected dire predictions, and convinced a majority of Americans — shocked and burdened by economic crisis and other enormous national and international challenges — to be empowered by a dream of improving their situation. In the process, he taught them how not to fall victim to the old-paradigm habits of doubt, apathy, cynicism, division and blame.

Obama's victory and his vision for the future of his country are a headline-dominating story of the power of hope. Over and over again I realize the vast energy to be tapped for change and growth when hope is our guiding light. From this generative power of hope, I have created methods, messages, organizations and events to touch and transform the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual lives of other people. You can do that too.

We are in this life fundamentally to grow ourselves, and time has shown that a powerful way to achieve this is by striving to serve others to develop health, peace and abundance. With what Obama calls "unyielding hope," anything is possible. But while leaders can stimulate people to hope, in the end, hope is a choice that you make. It is a choice to go forward, overcome obstacles, learn lessons, develop your abilities, build confidence, and contribute to a better world for your self, the human family, and our Mother Earth.

Brain Wave Vibration is a simple training method that helps to reawaken your body’s innate healing abilities, and according to Ilchi Lee, author of Brain Wave Vibration, “[The Head Nod Method] is one of the most simple and convenient forms of Brain Wave Vibration.” As is it can be done at any time during the day, in any location.

The Head Nod Method is designed to deliver vibrations directly to the brain stem for deep relaxation and tension release. Here is how you can do it:

1. Sit in a chair with your arms resting comfortably at your sides or in front of you on the desk. You may also sit on the floor in a half-lotus posture. When sitting in a chair, do not lean your back against the chair—keep your back straight.

2. Close your eyes and breathe comfortably, relaxing your body completely.

3. Begin shaking your head from side to side. It is normal to hear some noise from the neck as you begin, but this will lessen with practice. Breathe fully, focusing especially on the exhalation.

4. Focus on your brain stem, located at the point where your head pivots left and right.

5. Visualize your brain stem and entire brain lighting up as you go deeper and deeper into the shaking motion. Your head may also go up and down or follow the shape of an infinity symbol as you go deeper into the motion.

6. After a few minutes, slowly return to external awareness, breathing in and exhaling fully.

The benefits of this type of Brain Wave Vibration include focusing and retaining information more successfully as well as prevention of stiff neck and shoulders. It is great to do during work or study.

Lee notes: “Enjoy yourself and let your thinking mind drift away.”

Board-certified rheumatologist, Dr. Nathan Wei, writes: “Stiffness, pain and swelling associated with arthritis can severely reduce the range of motion in joints.” It is important to exercise to keep your joints mobile and to keep your muscles strong.

According to Ilchi Lee, originator of the Brain Education System Training (BEST) and author of In Full Bloom: A Brain Education Guide for Successful Aging, “[Many] exercises can be used for basic body and brain maintenance, and to help keep the effects of time at bay.” Body opening exercises will gear you up for lifelong mobility, which is key for the many of us that lead pretty sedentary lifestyles.

If you have been diagnosed with arthritis or if you spend a lot of the day sitting for work—immobile, getting up and working out is not a bad thing. Sometimes working through the pain and laziness can actually be fun, not to mention healthy.

So grab an imaginary hula, and try the following Pelvic Rotation exercise from Lee’s In Full Bloom: A Brain Education Guide for Successful Aging.

• Stand with your feet parallel and your legs spread at shoulder width. Place your hands on your hips. Keep your knees straight.

• Rotate your hips in a large circle, pushing as far as you can in all directions. Repeat 5 times and then reverse and do 5 in the opposite direction.

Pelvic Rotation is a great way to keep your hip joints and lower back relaxed…and the perfect exercise to try after sitting at your desk working all day.