The signature of McTaggart’s journalism and writing is her keen interest in frontier science, and her ability to synthesize complex findings in a way that resonates with core human needs. In her previous books — the bestseller, “The Intention Experiment” — and book before that, “The Field” — McTaggart explored the farthest reaches of quantum physics. But in following the unfolding research at the pioneering edge of science, McTaggart learned that once science penetrates into the sub-atomic particles at the core of all matter, they found (surprise) “relationships.” The relationship between particles defines matter more than anything inherent in the particles themselves. “It’s a bond, a relationship so intrinsic and profound that you cannot separate where one thing ends and the other begins,” McTaggart explains.

This realization lead McTaggart back to sociology, psychology, human beings and relationships. The core of the modern dilemma, as McTaggart sees it is that “We see ourselves as individuals in competition, striving to the death for survival, rather than working together for survival.” She wondered, “Were we meant to be this competitive?”

When McTaggart investigated the scientific research, she found that the answer is that we aren’t.

The way we live is in contradiction with nature. We’re in crisis because we’re not living the way we’re designed to by nature. We’ve got it backwards. We believe we’re strong when we compete. But the truth is that we’re weak when we compete, and we are strong when we cooperate. Nature has a drive for wholeness, and when we ignore that, we operate against nature, and against ourselves. We’ve been operating on the wrong story.

We’ve been operating on the story that we are separate things, fighting for survival, but it’s not true. We’re designed to care, share, and be fair. It’s the survival of the Fairest, not the fittest. Unfortunately, we are living in the opposite way so it’s no wonder we’re trouble.

According to McTaggart, we’re neither relating, acting, nor seeing in ways that will allow us to survive and thrive. The way out? “To live as connecters, givers, car-ers, and shar-ers.”

“Taking our turn is wired into us. If someone is talented, and makes more money, people don’t mind that,” McTaggart says. “People mind when the banking industry executives pay themselves record bonuses after they engineer things that cost others their jobs and homes,” she says. “Right now, all Western countries are at the unfairest they’ve ever been in history. According to studies, we have the same levels of fairness as those countries in the Middle East that have just had major upheavals.”

Studies show that “The more unfair any society, the worse the health care, and the higher the rates of crime, violence, and mental illness, the worse the survival statistics.” McTaggart claims that this effects everyone in the society.

People’s natural tendency is to give and to share, but when someone is given to, but interrupts the give-and-take process by not giving back, greed develops. There evolves an ethos of ‘keeping what’s mine.’ This mindset undermines the cohesion of a society, to everybody’s detriment. We’ve been following the wrong story. Our heroes are the lone wolves — but they are perfect candidates for a heart attack.

Surprisingly, this increased heart attack risk is not due to known risk factors, like smoking, diet, or high blood pressure. The key factor is social cohesion. Social cohesion and support are stronger protectors, and the lack of them, stronger risk factors for developing heart disease than any of these other physiological determinants, according to a triad of studies McTaggart uncovers in “The Bond.”

Lynne McTaggart’s book, U.S. book tour schedule of events, and programs can be found on her website.

More Connect the Dots on cultural attitudes, health, society, and environment with blogs, radio shows, and action links, at: www.healthjournalistblog.com

The Environment and Our Health
I’ve been a health empowerment advocate for over twenty-five years. While there is so much we can each do as individuals to protect our health, there is also a lot we can’t do on an individual basis to eliminate toxic exposures to ourselves and to our families. We have to address these things on a societal level. On today’s, Connect the Dots radio program, I’ll be joined by Richard Clapp, one of a handful of pioneers (and heroes) in conducting the scientific research into how toxins allowed into the environment, affect us to contribute to many diseases that we try to cure when it’s late in the game. Please tune in!

Dr. Clapp is actively involved with the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, which has many terrific initiatives. The Center is working to prevent diseases caused by toxic exposures. They also have great publications, on topics like Green Toys and workplace safety.

Those who care about addressing health problems at the systemic environmental level, can also sign up at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families to take action and change laws regulating the safety of toxic chemicals.

Protect Public Media
Predictably, the Republican Congress wants to shut down public media– yet again. Bill Moyers has retired. What are they even concerned about?

Many of you probably don’t know that I began my media career as a producer of PBS Public Affairs specials. But Reagan began gutting public television funding soon after his election, prompting my first career moves onward. That’s why I still feel it’s important to protect public media from Congressional budget cuts.

Still, it’s vital to protect all avenues of media independence. While I feel that PBS and NPR could do a lot more, funding is an issue. But we need to keep these channels open, so the time to act is now. Here’s your way to take action to keep them funded so that we don’t have a television landscape of total junk food. Plus who knows when the next Bill Moyers may surface? Learn more and act here.

For more action opportunities, befriend me on Facebook.

This week, those who care about health had cause to celebrate, and also to gnash our teeth. Here’s why—

Along with gas roots activist pals, I’m celebrating because the film, Gasland, which powerfully depicts the threats to nationwide water aquifers from a new chemical laden gas drilling process called “fracking” was nominated for the Oscar in the Best Documentary category. The film has won every prize it has ever been nominated for, (including the John Lennon Peace Prize) and deservedly so. You can get the film on DVD here, and be ready to cheer and celebrate when it wins the Oscar.Millions Against Monsanto: Timely Action!

The teeth gnashing? Over the new erosion of Organic Food Standards.

Do you eat organic food? Then it’s time to step up and protect our organic food supply!

If every single citizen, practitioner, and health health conscious person who safeguards their health by eating organic food, took action to safeguard Organic Standards, we’d be healthier and more spiritual besides. Well, the time has come to step up.

According to Ronnie Cummins, the founder and Director of the Organic Consumers Association, “In the wake of a 12-year battle to keep Monsanto’s Genetically Engineered (GE) crops from contaminating the nation’s 25,000 organic farms and ranches, America’s organic consumers and producers are facing betrayal. A self-appointed cabal of the Organic Elite, spearheaded by Whole Foods Market, Organic Valley, and Stonyfield Farm, has decided it’s time to surrender to Monsanto. Top executives from these companies have publicly admitted that they no longer oppose the mass commercialization of GE crops, such as Monsanto’s controversial Roundup Ready alfalfa, and are prepared to sit down and cut a deal for “coexistence” with Monsanto.” Groups across the country are horrified by this capitulation which will have a domino effect, undermining organic integrity in food after food.

Founded in 1998, Organic Consumer’s Association (OCA), remains a steadfast voice with high integrity for maintaining Organic Standards. They are now mounting a new campaign to challenge the “Biotech Bully.” Will you be one of the millions? Sign up here!

In my new radio show, Connect the Dots, every Saturday at Noon ET, along with a great roster of guests, I’ll connect the dots between personal health, environmental health, and societal health– with regular opportunities for you to become a Health Activist and take action. In upcoming weeks and months, I’ll be featuring and covering the upcoming Sages and Scientists Symposium, hosted by Deepak Chopra, coverage from the Integrative Health symposium, plus interviews with a leading environmental health researcher, expert on women’s health, and many, many more.

So please sign up for regular notices, and also please pass the Health Outlook along to others who care about health, and want to receive regular action alerts, and blogs about health concerns like these. Please sign up in the box to your right. Also don’t forget to pass this along to your friends. Thank you for being a Health Activist!

You should be if you live in New York City– especially downtown, New Jersey, or Staten Island. See pipeline map.

For more information, please tune in to my live radio show today at NOON ET on PRN, featuring special guest, Russell Bishop, editor at large at the Huffington Post.

Gas pipelines recently caused explosions in Philadelphia, and California last September (killing 8 people and destroying 37 homes.) Pipelines in urban areas, and near chemical plants are risky due to both explosions and chemical contamination. They are also terrorist targets. Read more about its dangers here.

The agency charged with regulation this industry– FERC–the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has conflicts of interest. (Learn more here.) But any member of the public can become what the agency calls an “intervener.” The deadline is this coming Wednesday, January 26th. So do it today.

You can find step by step instructions on how to become an intervener here. And file here.
The FERC Hotline (M-F) is available to help at:866-208-3676.

For more information, check out this article from Manhattan User’s Guide

If you want to receive regular action alerts, and blogs about health concerns like these, please sign up in the box to your right. Also don’t forget to pass this along to your friends. Thank you for being a Health Activist!

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