Archive for Wednesday 17th September 2003 - Meditation Time, Superfood Number 4: Sesame plus Power Shift

Meditation Time The Brahma Kumaris join hands   Bee Gee Robin Gibb spoke, this week, of how meditation helped him cope with his grief over his brother Maurice’s death. The inspiration for this inner strength, he told an audience gathered to celebrate the opening of a £6 million extension to North London’s World Spiritual University, came from two Indian ladies, both now in their 80s. Dadi Janki, 87 (on the left of the picture) and Dadi Prakashmani, 82, (on the right) are the leaders of the Brahma Kumaris, who teach meditation in 70 countries. Robin, who attended the ceremony on Monday night with his wife Dwina, said: “Meditation has helped me get through this very difficult year.” He described the new building, known as Diamond House, as an “oasis”. “Every city should have one,” he added. Perhaps, one day they will. August’s Time Magazine claims the number of Americans practising some form of meditation has doubled in a decade. Studies in Europe report a similar trend. Superfood Number 4: Open Sesame! Remember the password, used to access the robbers’ cave in the tale of Ali Baba and the 40 thieves? The phrase was coined because ripe sesame pods burst at the slightest touch. Around 5,000 years ago, sesame was pressed for its oil, brewed to make wine and used by the Chinese to make ink. But it is better known today as a key ingredient in hummus - a tasty dip available from every kebab shop and supermarket. Helpful with digestive complaints, sesame seeds are 25 per cent protein and contain essential vitamins and minerals. The oil is good for skin care and claims are made for its anti-wrinkle properties. With five times the calcium of milk, the tiny sesame seed may yet have a big role to play in feeding tomorrow’s world. Mark Winter   POWER SHIFT Hydrogen, the gas, which makes up 75 per cent of the universe, may soon help to break our dependency on fossil fuels. Iceland, which launched its hydrogen-powered bus service earlier this year, hopes to be a pollution-free hydrogen economy by 2025. Many experts believe there is nothing to stop the rest of the world following suit. The hydrogen fuel cell was discovered in 1839 by British inventor William Robert Grove. The cell offers clean motoring – and, when your car is not in use, it can be converted into a generator providing electricity for the house. NASA astronauts already rely on these cells for in-flight power.  If you have any feedback or a subject you'd like to see covered on this page, write to Mark: Email jon@bubble.com with subject heading: Mark Winter Please note, we regret that due to time restrictions personal replies may not be available.

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