Add Dimension To Your Walls With Ancient Wall Reliefs
I had been to a friend a short while ago and, even though I don’t usually take note of such things, I was fascinated by his furnishings. The style is known as steam punk, a type of futuristic Victorian, that sounded as if it came directly from Jules Verne, a a little like Captain Nemo meets Robur the Conqueror, all shining brass, leather, futuristic technology, and clockwork. My friend’s variation was a lot more ‘Indiana Jones’, with his steamer trunk table, assortment of fascinating artifacts, sculpture and interesting ancient wall reliefs. It went along with his home, originally built in the 1920’s and created a comfortable, interesting inside well suited to his large collection of books.
My house is rather more contemporary, so when I thought about options for furnishing my den (something I was told was ‘up to me’) I turned down the steam punk concept. Although I’m no interior designer I can see that a certain harmony between interior and outside is beneficial. While modern houses are usually spacious they are often really bland, i quickly realized this gave me more range to be able to put my own character on the room, and that notion gave me the concept to use wall art and wall sculptures to give my room some identity, but what to choose?
Ancient Greek structures were not what we understand today. Most people recognize that they were wonderful structures which were standing, oftentimes for centuries, prior to suffering deterioration we know now, but did you realize that they had been bright colored? You probably would not think so to examine the remains inside a museum. I used to take my lunchtime while admiring the huge Assyrians gateways within the British Museum in London, just along from room 18, the home of the ‘Elgin marbles’. These famous sculptures were stripped away from the Parthenon in the initial years of the 19th century by Earl of Elgin, the Greek government is still seeking to get them returned to Greece. The sculptures tend to be stark, white and intensely stunning, precisely what we think of when we consider ‘classical art’ yet what might the ancients have thought of them? Euripides give us a hint in his play ‘Helen of Troy’ when Helen says ‘If only I could shed my beauty and assume an uglier aspect, the way you wipe paint off a statue’. Those beautiful marble statues in their sparkling white were once bright and multi-colored. So totally different from what we see today and associate with the ancient world, that it’s truly difficult to picture.
We look at the ancient gods as abstract, consequently ancient wall sculptures such as Poseidon in his chariot are ‘classical’ and absolutely at home in the modern room. It was only at the Renaissance that, finding classical statues removed of their paint by time, the sculptors thought they had originally been white marble, and attempted to emulate them. In antiquity the Greeks believed in living breathing Gods;their statues had been colored brightly in order to echo that. While we admire the incredible workmanship of the Parthenon sculptures the ancients admired their lifelike quality so much so it was said that at certain times during the day it was as if the gods in their friezes actually moved. The sculpture and painting methods were designed to come together and enhance the three dimensional quality of the stone, bringing the subject to life. Archaeologist Vinzenz Brinkmann is working hard to analyse ancient sculpture and create authentic reproductions. These, detailed with intricate paint techniques and colors are as close as it can be to those used in ancient times and the final results are intriguing; the ancient world won’t ever appear the same again.
What exactly should I do? I could choose traditional Greek wall art that will create a modern room, making my personal choice on the basis of symbolism. Hercules wrestling the lion might emphasize that even if my todo checklist is a tad long, it is not the Labours of Hercules, whereas Dionysus on a donkey might help remind me the point of work is always to fund the fun in the future. As an inhabitant of the ” new world ” I could choose Mayan wall reliefs, but I think my choice will be more ancient still. From Ramses who drove out the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh, to the thought of Maat, goddess of justice and order, the wall sculptures from the Ancient Egyptians hold a never-ending captivation. We are more accustomed to coloration in relation to Egypt, and therefore observe these more as they really were, vibrant and dazzling in the desert sunlight.
For my Bedroom the main choice is evident; Thoth, the god of writing and wisdom, to keep me right always!
The Stormy Reign of Akhenaton and his Queen
He was often referred to as the “Heretic King.” Akhenaton the Pharaoh may well have been the the first ruler of any culture to embrace monotheism. As coregent with his father the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, Akhenaton showed no tendency towards a desire to change the religion of Egypt. It was only after his marriage to his Queen Nefertiti that his views towards religion changed and he began to worship the sun disk guide Aten to the exclusion of the Egyptian pantheon. He then renounced his royal name, Amenhotep, assuming the name Akhenaten which meant “He Who Serves Aten.” Nefertiti changed her name to Nefer-Nefru-Aten , or “Beautiful is the Beauty of Aten.”
The priests of Thebes considered the actions of the Pharaoh heresy, prompting Akhenaten to set up a new court on the east bank of the Nile near what is now Amarna. The king’s power could not be disputed although his monotheistic philosophy was questioned by many. The Egyptian people still felt compelled to follow Akhenaton and nearly 20,000 made their home in Akhenaten el-Armana, a tremendous urban city filled with amazing art and architecture.
Akhenaten’s faith in the sun disk god, prompted changes in Egyptian art. For the first time, Egyptian artists were compelled to craft art centered on the celebration of life rather than death. Frescoes and stone wall reliefs were common forms of art during this period. They were decorated with paintings and text and often used to commemorate an historic event. They were crafted both for religious and decorative reasons.
Little of the Pharaoh’s 17-year reign remains. the Egyptian priesthood sought to eliminate any evidence of the ‘heretic Pharaohs’ monotheistic legacy. Very few artifacts from the. Of his reign remains intact. An Egyptian wall relief depicting a playful, quiet moment of this royal Egyptian family is housed in the Altes Museum in Berlin. The artifact is significant because it demonstrates a shift in artistic style from traditional ‘staged’ poses to a more naturalistic scence.
hieroglyphics within the wall relief suggest that the change in style was at Akhenaton’s direction. In the scene he is is seen kissing one of his daughters. Nefertiti sits across from him, another daughter plays with her earring. However, not all conventions of Egyptian art are completely abandoned. The children are depicted as much smaller than the King and Queen even though they were full grown at the time. This is symbolic of their lesser stature to the King and Queen.
Lucid Dream Technology Revealed
You want to have a lucid dream. That much you are sure of; however, what you are not at all sure of is how to go about having one.
You need to know why it is that you want to be a lucid dreamer. Are there benefits to be gained through lucid dreaming? There are, but to understand them we should first start by examining normal sleep.
Why is lucid dreaming different from normal sleep? When you lie down to go to sleep, your eyes close and hopefully you go to sleep. When you wake up you remember dreaming something or you don�t remember anything at all.Kind of strange when you think about it.
We need normal sleep to refresh our minds and bodies, keeping us healthy mentally and physically. What would happen if you could control the time when you are dreaming?
How would you like to control what you do while in your dream? Control the events that happen in it in any way you like. A lucid dreamer is in complete control of their dreams.They are able to enter the spiritual realm of existence far removed from what exists in the physical waking hours.
Are you are ready to begin but remain unsure of how any of this is possible? That is ok we are getting there, there are two way to enter lucid dream state. The first is a dream initiated lucid dream, (DILD). This happens once you have already begun to dream and during the dream, you come to the realization that you are indeed dreaming. At this point, you have brought an element of control to the dream because your conscious mind is now involved.
WILD refers to a wake initiated lucid dream. You slip into a dream before you are fully asleep. Instead of going to sleep before you dream you simply enter into the dream with your mind still conscious.
How do you go about achieving these two states of lucid dreaming?
Remember your dreams.
If you want to become a lucid dreamer, one of the easiest ways is to begin by learning dream recall. Dream recall is nothing more than being able to remember your dreams. Learning to remember you dreams makes it easier for you to recognize that you are in a dream while sleeping � you are more than likely to either have the same dream more than once, or at least have elements which recur in your dreams.
Writing down everything you can recall dreaming, this is called keeping a dream journal. The more you do this the more likely you will be to remember your dreams. If possible do this as soon as you wake up as this is the time when you will remember the most about your dreams.
Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams (MILD)
Dr Steven LaBerge is a leading scientist who studies lucid dreaming. He was the founder of MILD. This method involves telling yourself you will remember your dreams or perhaps an object in the dream. When you see the object while dreaming it will trigger your mind into knowing you are in a dream.
Wake-Back-to-Bed (WBTB)
To use the wake back to bed method you need do little initially beyond setting your clock to wake you up. Set your clock for about five hours sleep give or take an hour, once the alarm goes off get up and do something. Read a book, your dream journal anything but going back to sleep, after approximately an hour you may go back to bed. In studies done this method has 60% of the time. When you are interrupted in the middle of sleep, you are interrupting rapid eye movement sleep. This is the time when dreams are the most active. Therefore, you stop in the middle of your best dreamtime only to return to sleep a short time later, improving your chances of entering lucid dream state.
Dr, LaBerge says that his method has a 60% rate of success. Why is this? Basically, you wake in the middle of an REM cycle, so when you return to sleep, you will have a better chance of lucid dreaming.
As the name suggests this technique is all about cycling your sleep. Go to bed at your normal time but for a week set an alarm to wake you one and a half hours early. You should continue to do this for around 7 days. Once your body has settled somewhat into this routine, begin to alternate your wake up times. One day normal, wake up time the next early, on your normal days you will be trying to wake up early and should increase lucid dream chances.
Developed by Daniel Love, this involves setting your alarm to wake about 90 minutes earlier than usual; once you acclimate to this, set your alarm to wake you up alternately early and at the time you used to get up. At those times when you wake up at the usual time, you’ll be accustomed to waking early. This means that you are more likely to lucid dream during this last hour and a half.
Wake-initiation of Lucid Dreams (WILD)
To get into this correct frame of mind if you will there are a few tricks you can use. Focus seems to be key so try to focus your mind on things like your breathing, counting, perhaps chant or meditate. In a way, you are practicing self-hypnosis. Use this technique when you are not extremely tired, perhaps during a late nap.
First, it was cds and DVD�s now we have devices that will help you lucid dream. Masks and other electronic apparatuses can be used to recognize REM sleep and give you a light buzz or light to make you aware that you are dreaming. If you want to increase, your chances of success use the method that has proven to be the best. Using a set of headphones listen to binaural beats at the right sound frequencies during sleep.
They now have tools you can use to make it even easier to induce lucid dreams. You can get dreaming masks and devices with strobe lights to help you get into the right state of dreaming.
The best and easiest way to achieving the state of lucid dreaming is by using headphones.You should listen to sounds that naturally alter your brainwaves, these are called binaural beats.
Binaural beats induce lucid dreaming by causing the hemispheres of your brain to work synchronously, making your brainwaves shift to the frequency required for lucid dreaming.
Anyone can learn to be a lucid dreamer. Practice the self hypnosis and keep telling yourself when awake that you will be aware when you are dreaming. This will prepare you for your lucid dream experience.
The Amazing Benefits of Cosmic Ordering
These days many people are looking for ways to their live. People want a fulfilled life, one that they are able to have things that they want and to really enjoy what they currently have. There are many programs around that claim to assist you in making your dreams a reality, but none that have the success of cosmic ordering.
Just what is cosmic ordering anyway? Cosmic ordering is asking the universe itself for what you want. This is a spiritual practice, but you don’t need to do years of good works and spiritual exercises to learn how. Anyone can use spiritual ordering.
The cosmic ordering service is the spiritual manifestation of your goals and dreams. You will ask for or order from the universe, what you want. This could be nearly anything. Perhaps you would ask for a change in your circumstances that will ultimately lead to the attainment of your desires.
According to Drs. Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer, you must be within your ‘field of intent’ to successfully place an order with the universe. The field of intent is an energy field, while obviously invisible, connects our spirit to the universe. When this connection is made, our conscious desires are returned.
You have likely done this before without even being aware of it. Likely, you can remember a time when you really needed something or wanted something very badly and by an amazing coincidence, you got what you desired. This was cosmic ordering, not a mere coincidence.
Using cosmic ordering relies a lot on the power of intention. The power of intention is the combination of our desire to create an improved situation and our belief that we really deserve what we are requesting. For cosmic ordering to work at all you must truly want what you are requesting and you must believe wholeheartedly that you also deserve it.
If you just say ‘I really want that promotion’ but do not genuinely believe that you deserve it, you should not be surprised when it doesn’t work out for you. You need both desire and belief that you are deserving of that promotion in order to get what you want for yourself.
Cosmic ordering can be the easiest way of getting the things that you want out of life. But is there a downside to cosmic ordering? The answer is yes. If you wish for negative things and truly believe that they will happen, then cosmic ordering will make it so.
If you go through your workday believing and thinking that you are bound to be fired, then you will are going to be given your walking papers. Always focus on positive things. Spend your time thinking about the good things you want in your life.
So many people have lived their lives in unhappy circumstances and see themselves as being unworthy. These people find manifesting what they want to be impossible.
If you really want to make the most of cosmic ordering, than you have to be open to the good things which can come to you and to be ready to accept a change for the better.
People have successfully changed their lives by practicing cosmic ordering. Do you believe that you should be able to live the life that you truly want? Now is your chance to use cosmic ordering to live a truly fulfilled life and realize your dreams.
Cosmic ordering has made positive transformations in the lives of many � why not you? You too can use cosmic ordering and start living the life you want.
How To Become Psychic
Psychic powers are defiantly a gift given to people that can be confusing and even frightening at times. Many people wonder if they can actually become psychic, because even though psychic powers can be scary they are also very intriguing to those who do not have them. There are a number of people who wish to have the power to see into the past and the future.
When you have psychic powers, or become psychic, you will have the ability to see deeper into the subconscious than many average individuals are about to do. Some psychics can see into the future and then predict the events to follow, such as with Nostradamus. Many individuals are able to see into the past, this ability is considered as retro cognition. Psychic powers have various names such as Medium, Clairvoyant and Second Sight.
Since the time of the ancients, psychic abilities have been recorded; take for instance, the psychic advisors of the Egyptian Kings. Today, when someone is searching for answers in life, they may search for psychic services. People visit with psychics for such answers as finding their inner self, their soul mate or even in order to make the right career choice.
True psychics are born with these natural powers yet everyone has the ability to become psychic. However, it does take work and the willingness to make time to tap into the subconscious.
The first step to take to become psychic is that of cleansing the subconscious mind by means of meditation. You must take on a more positive perspective, while releasing any and all negative thoughts and energy is essential during meditation. The subconscious is not fully enabled to see things clearly while entertaining any negative thoughts or feelings.
Regular meditation helps people to learn more about themselves and who they really are. Once a person reaches true meditation, they will be able to fully understand their inner strengths. Releasing negative thoughts and feelings is difficult for some to do; however if you are able to accomplish this you will have a more rewarding life.
It is difficult to achieve a perfect meditation in just one day. In fact, for many people, perfect mediation comes from years of practice. You should begin by practicing mediation at least once a day. To begin you will need a comfortable quiet place without distractions. You should choose a place that is connected to a positive experience for you. Perhaps a park where you had a wonderful date with your soul mate or a room in your home that makes you feel particularly peaceful.
You will focus only on breathing, while pushing away any unwanted thoughts from your mind as you meditate. As you meditate you will leave all thoughts behind as you move inward, tapping into your subconscious mind. While you meditate you are better able to easily sense the surrounding energies.
You may release any negative energy while meditating. Acknowledge your feelings and then focus on your surroundings and the energy vibrations. Imagine your mind as it was before filling it with knowledge. Now, imagine you are feeling and experiencing everything for the very first time in your life.
Once you are able to achieve perfect meditation you are more aware of your thoughts and feelings as well as those around you. Becoming one with the universe will enable you to tap into your psychic power more easily.
The use of tarot cards is resourceful for tapping into psychic powers. Tapping into your psychic abilities is much easier while using tarot cards. However, it is essential that the person reading the cards is able to interpret the meanings of the various tarot cards.
Practice and mastering the skills of good meditation is a means of tapping into your psychic abilities. When you take on a positive mindset, while using your newfound psychic powers you make a significantly more positive impression in the world around you.
.jpg "Free Traffic System - Increase Targeted Website Traffic with Free
Unlimited One Way Links")
.gif "Free Traffic System - Increase Targeted Website Traffic with Free
Unlimited One Way Links")