(This posting was written exactly a year ago to this day, on 15/01/09. For whatever reasons, I’ve been shy in publishing it. Maybe the title and introduction are a bit crude and clumsy, or the tone is too accusatory. Or perhaps the real message is and was to myself, and still awaits being acted on. If the challenges of 2009 led to paring and simplification, in an adjustment to a ’survival’ or ‘holding’ mode, 2010 is certainly going to demand innovation and action if the spa offering is to have relevance sufficient to command a viable engagement from our customers. Now it really is time to get off my a***. Declan)

For the past ten years our society has been ‘developement’ led, and we were happy to play along, buying in to monetary goals. Development has proven to have been a scam where a small number of financiers/developers planned to gain at the economic enslavement of the great majority. Development fostered a culture of dependency and casual disregard of our individual, community and societal welfare. The huge rise in self-inflicted physical and mental debilitation (- morbid obesity and rampantly medicated depression being among the more obvious examples) is self evident of a society that has lost direction.

THE CURE

Reclaim individual, community and social autonomy. Get up off our a***’s. Arise from our slumber. Awaken to our education. Reclaim the cultural and spiritual heritage of our ancestors. Reject the disempowerment fostered by economic exploitation and media manipulation as mindless consumers. Re-engage with what we are, with our nature.

As humans we have been gifted with tools to support efficient physiological functioning and maintain mental equanimity.

Tools to beat the recession, depression

The four basic tools that underpin the spa programme at Temple are equally applicable in everyday living – Move, Eat, Sleep & Connect (Smile)

1. Move – be physically active every day. The body works and sustains itself ONLY by being active!

2. Eat – nourishing, wholesome food, not crap!

3. Sleep – make rest (including getting enough sleep), play and social intercourse part of your everyday.

4. Connect meaningfully, ie openly, without pre-judging the outcome

i)        with ourselves                                                            – Meditate

ii)       with another(s)                                                           – Relate

iii)     within our community                                                – Participate

iv)     with nature                                                                  – Appreciate

v)      with the big picture (order / randomness / chaos?)           – Contemplate

SMILE J

A smiling disposition lightens both our physiological and emotional load, and leaves both open to being inspired.

The solution to our recession / depression is in my hands and your hands, dear reader.

The spa is here as a locus where you might come to find temporary refuge, to restock, reflect, recharge and be supported in maintaining and building on your own autonomy.

January 2009