The SHN #29: #1 Obstacle to Self-Realization, Science, and Humming

Welcome back to The Synergetic Health Newsletter! 

In this edition, we’ll look at the #1 obstacle to self-realization.

After that, two health professionals discuss a problem with scientific research.

Then comes a look at the ancient practice of humming.

Finally, I’ll include some links to things I’ve found particularly interesting recently.

👋 Greetings from Argentina! (Travel Update)

I arrived this week in Buenos Aires, a city I’ve been looking forward to visiting for many years. This place has architecture reminiscent of a Paris or Madrid while having the unique South American vibe and beat. I’ll be here for at least a month and am excited to enjoy the summer here while eating cheap steaks.

Before Buenos Aires, I spent a month in Rio de Janeiro, which was an incredible city and experience. It was unlike any place I’ve been to before, a dynamic environment nestled between lush mountains and stunning beaches. Cariocas, as Rio locals are called, have an infectious exuberance for life. I stayed mostly in Ipanema, a safe neighborhood bordered by the beach and a lagoon, which I would recommend for anyone interested in visiting Rio.

For 10 days before Brazil, I was in Cali, Colombia. Two hours after landing in Cali we were held up by a crazy guy with a knife demanding my friends phone. Danny held strong though and failed to grant our new friend’s request. Maybe not the best decision but we got lucky. Other than that, we enjoyed Cali— especially the nightlife and salsa scene.

To wrap up my travels, I had spent a combined six weeks in Isabela, Puerto Rico and Cancun, Mexico. I’m grateful to my friend Ashley who let me watch her two sweet dogs in PR while she was back in the US. The west side of PR is beautiful and it was amazing to have my feet in the sand by 7:30 every morning.

If you’re curious about any of these locations and/or have some questions, feel free to shoot me a note!

🧘‍♂️ #1 Obstacle to Self-Realization

What is the biggest obstacle on a spiritual journey?

Your self.

Your small self, to be specific. Your identity. All of your beliefs, perceptions, preferences, opinions, thoughts, societal roles, etc. Your ego.

Constantly our ego wants to reinforce control of our lives, to stay firmly rooted in the drivers seat. There is nothing it fears more than being seen for what it is, a creation of the mind.

So who better to hijack your progress to self-realization than the insane voice in your head telling you that you’re not worthy, you haven’t meditated long enough, you need to focus on your career, stop following that unrealistic path, you have real world problems to solve, what would your friends think, and the list goes on.

It’s far easier to let yourself be concerned with the external world than investigate your inner one. It’s easier to be “productive”, to focus on the tangible achievements and challenges of the external world rather than diving into the complex, sometimes uncomfortable, realms of self-reflection and introspection.

Your ego loves distraction. It thrives on the constant buzz of the external world, keeping you occupied with tasks, goals, and societal expectations. It whispers doubts in your ear, convincing you that the pursuit of self-realization is a luxury, an indulgence you can't afford.

Yet, the irony lies in the fact that the pursuit of self-realization is the most transformative endeavor you can undertake. It's the key to unlocking your true potential, freeing yourself from the shackles of societal conditioning and self-imposed limitations.

So, how do you overcome this internal adversary on your journey to self-realization? It starts with awareness. Recognizing when the ego is steering the wheel and redirecting your focus inward. It means challenging the stories your mind tells you, the ones that make you doubt yourself and feel afraid.

Meditation becomes a powerful ally in this battle. Not as a tool to escape the external world, but as a means to turn the spotlight within. Through mindfulness, you can observe the ego's antics without being entangled in them. You learn to distinguish between the authentic whispers of your intuition and the loud protests of the ego.

Most people would benefit learning meditation the old-fashioned way— propped up on a cushion and focusing on the breath. But quickly you can take this practice off the ground and into the world, living meditatively moment-to-moment.

Embracing vulnerability is another crucial step. It means acknowledging that the path to self-realization is not a straight line of unwavering confidence but a road filled with uncertainty and self-discovery. It's about allowing yourself to be imperfect, knowing that each step is a progression toward authenticity.

These words are as much for me as for you, the reader. There is no finish line, no “done” on this journey. I consider myself fortunate to have opened the aperture of awareness, to be able to become the non-judgmental witness of experience some of the time. There are certainly many moments I slip into unconsciousness, yielding to the whims of the ego.

How quickly you can notice these moments and return back to your true self, the one who is aware when the ego has grabbed the steering wheel, can be a helpful indicator on where you are in the journey.

With continued “practice”, it will also become easier to notice the triggering experiences in your life where you are most likely to fall back into unconsciousness— into your false mind, your ego self. You have to decide if you are willing to surrender these moments or continue to let them cause you suffering.

The biggest obstacle is not the journey itself but the resistance from within. As you navigate this, have compassion for yourself. Understand that the ego's resistance is a sign that you're onto something significant—that the journey to self-realization is a path worth traveling, no matter how winding or challenging.

🔬 The Impact of Unpublished Scientific Studies

In a recent episode of the Gillett Health Podcast, Dr. Kyle Gillett and nurse practitioner James O’Hara discuss how certain scientific findings are sometimes not published because they had unexpected results.

They rightly say how these studies can contribute to the scientific lexicon informing decision-making in medical practice, even when they don’t prove the original hypothesis. When failing to publish, it does a disservice to the medical community.

For example, one (as of now unpublished) study investigated the effects of ketamine on depression in both animal models and human subjects. The hypothesis was that blocking a certain receptor (mTOR) would attenuate the antidepressant effects of ketamine. Surprisingly, the results showed the opposite. The authors suggest that the study should be published even though it contradicts their original hypothesis.

Another study on longevity genes and lifespan explored the effects of overexpression of a gene called C2 (related to longevity) in mice. The results showed that there was no difference in longevity metrics compared to the control group. This paper never made publication even though it would clearly contribute to the existing knowledge base on longevity.

In the podcast, the hosts discuss the challenges that researchers face when trying to get their studies published. They highlight the peer-reviewed system and how it can make it difficult for papers that question established assumptions to be accepted.

They also note that some journals may be more inclined to publish papers behind paywalls rather than making them openly accessible, which can hinder the dissemination of important research.

Gillett and O’Hara also touch upon the use of clickbait titles in scientific journals. They mention that it has become more common for papers to use catchy and attention-grabbing titles to attract readers and suggest that it is important for scientists to focus on publishing results and avoiding sensationalism to ensure the integrity and impact of their work.

Another point discussed is the need for publishing conflicting results. The hosts emphasize that publishing studies with unexpected or contradicting results is crucial for enabling informed decision-making in medical practice. It allows healthcare professionals to consider different perspectives, evaluate evidence, and make informed choices based on the available data.

By publishing conflicting results, the scientific community can engage in meaningful discussions and further refine our understanding of various topics.

Overall, the video highlights the importance of transparency, open access, and critical evaluation in scientific research. It encourages researchers to publish their findings, even if they go against established assumptions, and to present their results in a clear and unbiased manner to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields.

It’s a bit sobering to know that science can be suppressed and that governing bodies and scientific journals can halt the publication of a certain study because it doesn’t fit the mainstream narrative or show a result they were hoping to see.

Hopefully more people like Dr. Gillett share this message and call for the publication of ALL scientific research, not just the cherry picked studies.

🎶 Humming Your Way to Better Health

Jonathan Goldman is an acclaimed author, musician, and pioneer in the field of sound healing. Born in 1949, he has dedicated his career to exploring the transformative power of sound and music. Goldman has authored several influential books on the subject, including "Healing Sounds" and "The 7 Secrets of Sound Healing."

As a musician, Goldman is recognized for his proficiency in creating therapeutic and meditative music that harnesses the healing properties of sound frequencies. His innovative work has contributed significantly to popularizing the concept of using humming as a tool for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

In addition to his writings and musical contributions, Jonathan Goldman is a dedicated teacher, conducting workshops and lectures worldwide on the profound effects of sound on human consciousness.

His YouTube channel, “Jonathan Goldman’s Healing Sounds” is chock full of sound experiences, including “Sacred Sonics for Psychedelic Experiences,” “Sounds of Compassion,” and “Conscious Humming.”

Specifically, Goldman has brought awareness to the power of humming for human health.

Humming is a simple but powerful practice that involves creating a continuous sound by keeping your lips closed and making a humming sound with your voice. It has been practiced for centuries in various cultures and traditions for its potential health benefits.

Here's how humming can improve your health:

1. Regulation of the nervous system: Humming has a calming effect on the nervous system. It activates the vagus nerve, which helps to regulate various bodily functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and stress response.

2. Stress reduction: Humming activates the relaxation response in the body, reducing the production of stress hormones like cortisol. It can promote a sense of calm and relaxation, relieving anxiety and tension.

3. Boosts immunity: Studies have shown that humming and other forms of sound vibration can stimulate the production of nitric oxide in the sinuses, which has antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

4. Respiratory benefits: Humming can improve breath control and lung capacity. It can activate the diaphragm and improve airflow.

5. Enhances mood and well-being: Humming can release endorphins, the body's natural feel-good hormones, which can elevate mood and increase overall well-being.

6. Improves vocal health: Humming exercises the vocal cords and helps maintain vocal health. It can improve vocal resonance, control, and clarity of speech.

On the spiritual side, humming represents the original sound of the universe, being deeply rooted in spiritual and metaphysical perspectives. According to some ancient philosophies and mystical traditions, the universe emanates a fundamental vibration, often referred to as the cosmic sound or primordial sound.

In this perspective, humming is seen as a human attempt to attune to and replicate this universal vibration. The act of humming is considered a form of resonance, aligning the individual with the cosmic rhythm or energy that underlies creation.

You can visit Goldman’s website, listen to him on the Living 4D with Paul Chek podcast, hear him explain what “conscious humming” is, listen to him talk all about the health benefits of humming, and follow his Instagram.

Here is a short guided humming meditation by Goldman:

𝕏 Thread of the Week

💠 Babies Experience Life As an LSD Trip: A study “discovered that the brains of awake babies have very similar activity to adult brains while in state of dreaming and the brains of animals given LSD.” Basically what a number of studies have found is that the brains of dreamers and trippers looked more similar to those of young children than those of focused adults.

🧂 Does Your Favorite Salt Have Heavy Metals and Microplastics?: An online community sent 23 popular salt products to an EPA-certified laboratory to answer this question. They grouped their findings into three categories: “Not Our Favorite Salt Products”, “Better Salt Products”, and “Best Salt Products.” A bit surprising is to see a few variations of kosher salt on the best list, as well as old staple Morton Iodized Salt. Also good to see the one I was using most recently in the US, Saltverk Flaky Sea Salt, was on the list.

🪦 Demystifying Death— A Palliative Care Specialist’s Practical Guide to Life’s End: A physician, along with UK filmmaker Emily Downe, made this four-minute video which offers viewers “a sensitive, honest and practical guide to how death tends to progress under normal, or perhaps ideal, circumstances.” It outlines the necessity for talking about and understanding death before the inevitable time comes.

💧 Sparking Water Helps with Constipation and Stomach Discomfort: A study found that “in patients complaining of functional dyspepsia and constipation, carbonated water decreases satiety and improves dyspepsia, constipation and gallbladder emptying.” It also can improve gallbladder emptying, which lowers cholesterol (since high cholesterol can be caused by impaired bile flow). Been seeing more and more about the benefits of drinking sparkling water over non-sparkling, but I haven’t made the switch yet.

☯ “Enlightenment is whatever remains when you no longer see a self within you.”

✌ One cannot seek wealth and peace simultaneously. The former requires burning desire, the latter is a byproduct of desirelessness.

👩🏻‍💻 Too much social media keeps you in a cycle of trying to solve problems you don’t have.

📅 My Scheduling Page: Go here to book a 15-minute free call to chat about my coaching and energy healing services.

🔗 If you know anyone who loves learning about these types of topics, send them this link!

📰 To read all past newsletters, go here.