Temptation, Tempatation - Breathing Space Blog

Notes from Lead Us Into Temptation: The Triumph of American Materialism
by James B. Twitchell, Ph.D.

Chronicling America’s increasing absorption in materialism, "the most shallow of the twentieth-century’s various isms," Twitchell examines the cycle of conspicuous consumption.

Comparing the influence of contemporary marketing and advertising to that of the Renaissance-era Catholic church, he contends that both "sell peace of mind either in this world or the next."

He finds celebrity spokespersons to be "priests" of marketing, the subject of "hagiography" in television commercials that are "an almost perfect mimic of religious parables” which pay for sitcoms that instruct Americans in "how branded objects are dovetailed together to form a coherent pattern of self-hood, a lifestyle."

Shopping has become integral to the construction of the modern self. Infomercials and home shopping networks are the ultimate conspiracy, with their one-sided, two-dimensional falsely "interactive" setup.

Temptation, Tempatation - Breathing Space Blog

Notes from Lead Us Into Temptation: The Triumph of American Materialism
by James B. Twitchell, Ph.D.

Chronicling America’s increasing absorption in materialism, "the most shallow of the twentieth-century’s various isms," Twitchell examines the cycle of conspicuous consumption.

Comparing the influence of contemporary marketing and advertising to that of the Renaissance-era Catholic church, he contends that both "sell peace of mind either in this world or the next."

He finds celebrity spokespersons to be "priests" of marketing, the subject of "hagiography" in television commercials that are "an almost perfect mimic of religious parables” which pay for sitcoms that instruct Americans in "how branded objects are dovetailed together to form a coherent pattern of self-hood, a lifestyle."

Shopping has become integral to the construction of the modern self. Infomercials and home shopping networks are the ultimate conspiracy, with their one-sided, two-dimensional falsely "interactive" setup.

The Act of Raising Kids - Breathing Space Blog

"...raising children is the most civilizing exercise in life, for the parent, in transmitting values to the young, must examine his beliefs and attitudes again, as if for the first time."

              -- Lance Morrow, Essay, “Fathers and Sons,” Civilization, Jan/Feb 1996

The Act of Raising Kids - Breathing Space Blog

"...raising children is the most civilizing exercise in life, for the parent, in transmitting values to the young, must examine his beliefs and attitudes again, as if for the first time."

              -- Lance Morrow, Essay, “Fathers and Sons,” Civilization, Jan/Feb 1996

Sitting is too Long is Hazardous - Breathing Space Blog

An excerpt from an article in The Week

"If you work at a desk, you should get up on your feet for at least two hours a day to avoid the serious health consequences of prolonged sitting, a panel of scientists has recommended. The average office worker sits for 10 hours a day, then heads home to spend the evening glued to a television or computer screen. 

A growing body of research has found that hours of sitting triggers a destructive chain reaction in the body, slowing metabolism, altering hormones, raising cholesterol, and weakening muscles; over time, the result is heightened risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, weight gain, cancer, and a shortened life. Scientists say, in fact, that prolonged sitting does as much health damage as smoking cigarettes. And the negative effects of eight to 10 hours at a desk can’t be undone by exercising before or afterward."

Sitting is too Long is Hazardous - Breathing Space Blog

An excerpt from an article in The Week

"If you work at a desk, you should get up on your feet for at least two hours a day to avoid the serious health consequences of prolonged sitting, a panel of scientists has recommended. The average office worker sits for 10 hours a day, then heads home to spend the evening glued to a television or computer screen. 

A growing body of research has found that hours of sitting triggers a destructive chain reaction in the body, slowing metabolism, altering hormones, raising cholesterol, and weakening muscles; over time, the result is heightened risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, weight gain, cancer, and a shortened life. Scientists say, in fact, that prolonged sitting does as much health damage as smoking cigarettes. And the negative effects of eight to 10 hours at a desk can’t be undone by exercising before or afterward."

Slowing Down is Good for You - Breathing Space Blog

Joseph Bailey in his book “Slowing Down to the Speed of Life,” has some profound observations. “My enjoyment of life has everything to do with being ‘in the moment’ and that the only thing that keeps me (or anyone) from being fully in the moment is our misunderstanding of the nature of our own thinking -- how it pulls us away from the moment, confuses us, and stresses us."

"I realized that everything I ever needed is right here, right now -- as long as my thinking doesn't carry me away from this moment. I learned that there is nothing in the future to rush off to that can offer me anything more than this precious moment that you and I are in every instant. I realized that, more often than not, my mind is somewhere else -- a past regret or a future worry, anywhere other than right here."

"My first reaction to this insight was to feel a deep sense of peace. I felt like I did in the happiest days of my childhood. I felt relaxed, at peace, fulfilled, satisfied. At the same time, however, this message made me uncomfortable for two reasons. First, it was too simple. The answer had been right under my nose all my life."

"Why had I been searching so hard and stressing myself out in the process? I felt stupid and foolish. Second, as a teacher in my field, I felt not only that I had misled myself by running on the treadmill, but that I had done the same to hundreds of clients and professional colleagues as well. We had all been innocently searching outside of ourselves.”

Slowing Down is Good for You - Breathing Space Blog

Joseph Bailey in his book “Slowing Down to the Speed of Life,” has some profound observations. “My enjoyment of life has everything to do with being ‘in the moment’ and that the only thing that keeps me (or anyone) from being fully in the moment is our misunderstanding of the nature of our own thinking -- how it pulls us away from the moment, confuses us, and stresses us."

"I realized that everything I ever needed is right here, right now -- as long as my thinking doesn't carry me away from this moment. I learned that there is nothing in the future to rush off to that can offer me anything more than this precious moment that you and I are in every instant. I realized that, more often than not, my mind is somewhere else -- a past regret or a future worry, anywhere other than right here."

"My first reaction to this insight was to feel a deep sense of peace. I felt like I did in the happiest days of my childhood. I felt relaxed, at peace, fulfilled, satisfied. At the same time, however, this message made me uncomfortable for two reasons. First, it was too simple. The answer had been right under my nose all my life."

"Why had I been searching so hard and stressing myself out in the process? I felt stupid and foolish. Second, as a teacher in my field, I felt not only that I had misled myself by running on the treadmill, but that I had done the same to hundreds of clients and professional colleagues as well. We had all been innocently searching outside of ourselves.”

Yoga Poses both Risk and Rewards - Breathing Space Blog

The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards by William J. Broad is a book that explains why yoga, as beneficial as it can be in some respects, can also lead to some undesirable results.

Yoga Poses both Risk and Rewards - Breathing Space Blog

The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards by William J. Broad is a book that explains why yoga, as beneficial as it can be in some respects, can also lead to some undesirable results.

Stay Healthier: Save More - Breathing Space Blog

I first wrote about this phenomena in 1989 in the 1st edition of Breathing Space, and it is confirmed by a study: "More workers who make saving a habit report better health than those who do not. And it's not just about having a high income."

"People who save money out of habit are more confident about retirement and better prepared financially, as you might expect. But there’s a sleeper benefit, new research shows. Consistent savers also are in better health -- no small matter as longevity stretches out life spans and means you likely will live in retirement more years than you did in childhood."

Stay Healthier: Save More - Breathing Space Blog

I first wrote about this phenomena in 1989 in the 1st edition of Breathing Space, and it is confirmed by a study: "More workers who make saving a habit report better health than those who do not. And it's not just about having a high income."

"People who save money out of habit are more confident about retirement and better prepared financially, as you might expect. But there’s a sleeper benefit, new research shows. Consistent savers also are in better health -- no small matter as longevity stretches out life spans and means you likely will live in retirement more years than you did in childhood."

Obesity Can Actually Spread! - Breathing Space Blog

According to a New York Times article and since backed up by other research, "Obesity can spread from person to person, much like a virus, researchers are reporting today. When one person gains weight, close friends tend to gain weight, too."

Hmmm, what does that mean in terms of our social circles?

Obesity Can Actually Spread! - Breathing Space Blog

According to a New York Times article and since backed up by other research, "Obesity can spread from person to person, much like a virus, researchers are reporting today. When one person gains weight, close friends tend to gain weight, too."

Hmmm, what does that mean in terms of our social circles?