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LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Devices which emit laser light has, within a relatively short period of time, become part of our language and our everyday world. The applications of lasers are legion and span almost every field of human endeavor from medicine, science and technology to business and entertainment. At their extremes these applications range from the preservation of life [for example by the use of high-power medical lasers to excise cancerous lesions from the body] to patently military applications such as range finders and as weapons. Indeed, for most people, the association of lasers is with 'death rays' in science fiction novels and films.

Thankfully for most of us, our contact with lasers is limited to their use in such devices as supermarket bar-code readers, compact disc [CD] players. Lecture theatre pointers and laser light shows.

LASER ACUPUNCTURE as an alternative to needle acunpuncture which carried out through the irradiation of traditional Chinese acupuncture points using low intensity laser radiation. Pioneering work was carried out in Canada in the 1970's by DR Frederick Plog. Based on Plog's early work a number of He-Ne laser systems were subsequently developed in China, Japan and the Soviet Union. In these countries laser acupunture represents an important field of low-intensity laser application, with trials having been successfully complete for a range of conditions including exophthalmic hyperthyroidism, pelvic inflammation and particularly for the relief of a range of painful conditions.

While laser acupuncture does not enjoy the same level of acceptance in the West, its popularity and use is increasing, particularly through the use of laser diodes as an alternative to acupuncture needles in the deactivation of painful musculoskeletal trigger points.

LEFT HAND PATH a phrase used to describe the path of black magic where there is intention to harm a person, property or living being, or use force against a persons free will. The left earned these negative associations because the Latin word for left - sinister - has become associated with evil.

The phrase 'right hand path' is typically associated with healing magic and goodness, while 'left hand path' is popularly associated with selfishness, cursing and evil. The distinction between left and right hand paths may have been handed down to modern times from Hindu and Buddhist traditions, where yoga involving sexual acts is left hand tantra and right hand tantra is breath world and celibacy.

Obviously left hand paths include Satanism and cursing, but it is important to note that, like most dualities, this system of classification has its contradictions and left hand methods may be found in traditionally right hand groups and vice versa. For example, right hand paths tend to place divinity outside of the self, while leg hand paths place it within. Right hand practitioners usually seek to serve the divine and left hand practitioners seek to realise the divine within themselves. Right hand paths emphasise service, cooperation, humanity and charity; left hand paths emphasise self-development, self-reliance, maturity and pride.

Today there are varying opinions of the two Paths: some see them as equally valid approaches to truth, whose relationship is akin to the balance between yin and yang, while others criticise the right hand path for being too restrictive. According to the latter view, the right hand paths imposition of formal dogmas and codes of behaviour can take away a persons ability to be truly responsible for his or her own life, thereby destroying a part of a persons identity. According to some, this is the main difference between the two paths: the left hand path preserves identity, while the right hand path destroys it. Conversely, some accuse the left hand path approach of narcissism while praising the right hand path for its altruism.

LEMURIA According to some occult traditions Lemuria was believed to be a lost continent from 25,000 years ago - variously located in the Indian Ocean, the eastern Pacific, or portions of both - which sank before the heyday of Atlantis.

LEY LINES Patterns of powerful, invisible earth energy running through, along and beneath the earth that are through to possess great spiritual, astrological and healing qualities and to connect various sacred sits, such as churches, stone circles, megaliths, holy places and other locations of spiritual or magical important. The study of ley lines forms part of the so-called 'earth mysteries', a field of holistic investigation into ancient sites and their surrounding landscapes.

A Brief Guide to Ley Hunting

In this books Alfred Watkins laid down meticulous rules for ley hunters and gave advice that incorporates reference research, mapwork and fieldwork. Points to look for on the map are of the following types, listed in order of importance:

1 - Ancient mounds, whether called tumulus, tump, barrow, cairn or any other name. .
2 - Ancient unworked stones - not those marked as boundary stones.
3 - Moats and islands in ponds and small lakes.
4 - Traditional or holy wells
5 - Beacon points
6 - Crossroads with place names and ancient wayside crosses
7 - Churches of ancient foundation and hermitages
8 - Ancient castles and old castle place names

Watkins suggests ringing each of these features on the map so that they are clearly visible. Next, stick a pin into the exact location of a grade 1 or 2 marker point and place a straight edge against it, swinging it around to see if three or other ringed points (or two and a stretch of straight road or track) can be found to align. Draw a thin pencil line through the points and then check for further confirmation points along its course. To conform to Watkins prototype, the ley should consist of at least four marker points and terminate at both ends in a natural hill or mountain peak.

If successful in this first stage, the next thing is to walk the ley on the ground. Watkins says that this is detective rather than surveying works, as much evidence has been lost to ploughing and modern development. An important aspect of field observation that Watkins does not mention is the intervisibilty of sites. In short distance leys, such as those between standing stones, the ability to see the next marker stone from your point of observation is a good indications that the alignment was deliberate.

The Society of Ley Hunters [www.ley-hunter.com ] is a good source of information on ley lines and hunting ley lines.

LUCID DREAMING a phrase coined by Celia Green of the Institute of Psychospiritual research in Oxford [in her 1968 book Lucid Dreams], is the state of knowing you are dreaming while you are dreaming. This may sound like a contradiction but many people report lucid dreaming, including subjects in sleep research laboratories.

Lucid dreaming can happen without trying to make it happen, but most of the time people who practise lucid dreaming do so deliberately, often for the purpose of controlling the dream. The idea is that once a person is aware they are dreaming they can alter their dreams and dictate what happens: they can do anything they have ever wanted and go anywhere they have ever desired.

Lucid dreaming can be an important tool for achieving goals, reliving stress, rehearsing new behaviours, solving problems, finding artistic or creative inspiration or coming to terms with emotional problems. It can also be directed to help the dreamer access their intuition.

Steps towards having a lucid dream

1 - be aware while you are sleep that you are in fact dreaming. To d this you need to prepare during the day. Pick a common object that night appear in your dreams - a flower, books apple cat etc. tell yourself several times during the day that when you see your chosen object it will serve as a signal that you are dreaming. In addition prime yourself to go into lucid dreaming mode. Tell yourself at regular periods during the day and just before you sleep that you want to go into lucid dreaming mode.
2 - before you go to sleep have a pen and pad near by to prepare to record your dream on waking,
3 - when you are in the in between stages of waking and sleeping your conscious mind is most open to suggestion and lucid dreaming, so restate your intent and remind yourself that seeing your chosen object will let you know that you are dreaming. Let the image of your object rest in your mind.
4 - what may happen is you start to dream and then think you have woken up. You haven't - you are still in a dream state because your chosen object has appeared. Its now that you can take control. Try to set the scene, talk to people you need to or ask for help to find solutions.
5 - when you do finally wake up immediately write down your dream. Then give yourself time to ponder what your dreaming self has discovered.