Hi Molly --

Hope all is ultimately well in a difficult time (?) and know that you are loved, valued, and admired, laughed with here!

My experience after 14 months is that oil pulling treats the:

1) physical, in ways we discuss and learn more and more about here. The benefits of which are copious.

2) mental, in a sort of increased calm and clarity. This makes sense because of the physical -- but I also think the practice, rather than the act, has brought a sense of overall calm to my life; and

3) The spiritual, in the connectedness it brings to all of you, in the great feeling I get when helping a newcomer to the forum get started, and in the meditative sense and (hate to sound new agey cause I sure as sh*t am NOT!) in the focus and heightened consciousness that can come as I rhythmically swish each day!

These three aspects of one's self are certainly circular and relate and interrelate -- for instance, greater physical health brings increased mental clarity and physical ability to sit here and be of service to new people at the forum! And they coalesce often in the

4) emotional -- better mood (I have not had debilitating Depression since beginning OP, whereas in recent years I have sunk pretty low, and this year I had some terrible losses really back-to-back) and happiness due to being part of this forum, being of service here, looking forward to my "visits" with you all, the relaxation and FUN I have here as opposed to any other forum, etc.

A great deal, all the way around! (Oh -- plus the tangible -- you all, my fellow OP'ers, and friends!)

Hope you all have an oil-tastic weekend...

Laura

rack up some R's for that post.

Hello Molly,

I too am thankful for oil pulling and this forum.

There is a peace and light heartedness that accompanies oil pulling with me. It was obvious with my first pull.

I enjoy visiting here regularly. Writing is not my best form of communication. Therefore, I participate by reading way more than jumping in the flow of conversations.

This oil pulling community is kind, peaceful, helpful, fun, and interesting. I have noticed that if someone comes here for a fight that they do not get very far and the person moves on or changes.

I also appreciate all the extra tid bits that are passed on here. I have investigated many and put into practice alot of them.

I agree, this forum truely is an oasis.

With great appreciation,

SGG

when in a state of turmoil
the first thing i do is reach for my oil
sesame, sunflower, hemp, coconut
swishing a bit gets me out of my rut
my teeth, they are dazzling
my breath, like spring air
i also slather oil upon my hair
i bathe in it, drink it, pour it over my head
oil, it's the reason
i get out of bed!

:)

how's that?

BWA Ha ha ha ha.....

OP IS Zen, a Godsend, a bit of serendipity - however you'd describe it. I'd have to say I've stuck with it as much for the mental aspects as the health.

Just the physical act of swishing gives you a wonderful mental respite for about 2o minutes. I can't dwell, fume, ruminate, worry etc when I'm swishing. I don't know why not, I just can't (even though I can easily spend much of the rest of my day doing just that). So a nice little 20 minute vacation - or a bit of Za-Zen to start your day as Molly might put it.

Then there's the fantastic feeling of both physical and mental lightness immediately after the pull. People here say that has to do with the mini Liver Flush effect - and given the sensation, it seems plausible to me.

Thirdly there's the feeling you get looking in the mirror at your youthful skin and hair. None of this is earth shattering, but it IS Zen, and a wonderful routine that can get you back to center when everything else seems to be upside down in your life. Unfotunately, I can relate perfectly these days.