Just when we thought the economy couldn’t get any worse, along comes swine flu. If this were a movie script, it would require the willing suspension of disbelief.

     But whatever the cause, as I write this newsletter on May 1, what is clear so far is that FDR was right, at least partially: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

     Indeed, it seems that at this juncture, there is more havoc wreaked by fear of swine flu than the actual virus itself. Some authorities are calling this an “infodemic” rather than just a pandemic.

     Ever since my graduate student days (1970–73), I’ve been privileged to connect with colleagues who are at the leading edge of many aspects of holistic health and well-being. My perspective on “sound health” was motivated by my own need to enhance the functioning of my immune system, hard hit by so many cases of strep throat in college that I received an honorary “A” in infirmary.

     Although I’ve received a few emails over the years from folks who only want me to discuss sound and musical items in this column, I feel that the current situation warrants all of the information and resources we can assemble for ourselves, loved ones and colleagues.

     Most of you are likely also interested at this time in learning how to stay as healthy as you can be. The following protocol from one of the most revered health experts, Dr. C. Norman Shealy, founding president of the American Holistic Medical Association, is one that I want to share with you. Some of what he recommends are not profitable for what he calls the pharmaco-mafia, yet they are effective and inexpensive.
     Dr. Shealy recommends, “At least 50,000 units of D3 a minimum of once a month for anyone under twelve and at least once a week for those over twelve. K2 100mcg is synergistic. Vitamin C and n-acetyl cysteine are worth having on hand. To be most effective, any of these must be taken at the onset of symptoms.” Visit his website www.normshealy.com to learn more.

     Other suggestions from Dr. Marc Gitterle include Oscillococcinum, a homeopathic remedy.

     Dr. Andrew Weil has always recommended chewing raw garlic cloves. It may help keep the virus away, as well as vampires and many other individuals.

     Perhaps it’s just another coincidence, but the timing of the publication of Dr. Eldon Taylor’s new book, Mind Programming, is right on. But before I discuss a topic that I’ve covered many times here and in my own books, I want to offer closure on the last ”name that tune” contest. 

 

Name that Tune

     As you may recall, I shared a little musical history lesson that detailed the acknowledged inspiration for the first big hit of a “one hit wonder” whose singer/songwriter went on to score several other huge hits (“Eye of the Tiger”). I thank all of you who sent in your reply.
     The correct answer was immediately supplied by a reader from New York, Henry Blaukopf. Not only was he the first respondent, but he had an “inside edge” ... he once jammed with Jim Peterik, the singer/songwriter of (“I’m Your) Vehicle,” by the Ides of March. That song was a musical descendant of a great song by Blood Sweat and Tears, written by the legendary Al Kooper. (Several entries cited BST’s other hits, including “Spinning Wheel” and “When I Die” which were quite different.)

     That distinctive harmonic progression of Kooper’s song was itself inspired by James Brown’s classic, “It’s a Man’s World.” As I read through his entire email, I was surprised and delighted to note that Henry was a long-time music industry professional as well as a musician and talented songwriter. Henry’s current title is Director of Sales, Valley Entertainment Inc./Windham Hill/Hearts of Space Records. (Kind of ironic that two iconic California New Age labels that started after I launched my own label both wound up under the same roof in NYC?)

     I called him right up, and we had a wonderful chat. You just never know who might be reading this column. By the way, Blood Sweat and Tears, the Ides of March, and Chicago, three of the seminal rock bands with horn sections, are still performing live all around the country. In fact, Ides and Chicago have many or all of the original members. Make a point of seeing them if you can.

     Little known historical factoid: About forty years ago, I sat backstage with Chicago and had a wonderful conversation with their dynamic trombonist, Jim Penkow. He told me how he wrote most of the horn charts, and that they were looking to get into more of a jazz thing. Obviously, they went in another direction, and that is the reason they are still actively gigging.

     A final note: I won’t mention any names, but some of the answers were so far off the mark that I wonder how the respondent came up with them. Perhaps in a future podcast I’ll offer a succinct tutorial on Songwriting 101.

Mind Programming by Eldon Taylor

     Rarely has a book addressed one of the key issues of our time: how the American public is “sold” ideas, information and products. He examines how what most of us think are our own “choices” are actually the result of scientific advertising, marketing psychology, and what many now call brainwashing. The subtitle is “From Persuasion and Brainwashing to Self-Help and Practical Metaphysics.” It is published by Hay House. 

     I have been involved in researching these same areas since 1973, and first met Dr. Eldon Taylor about twenty years ago. I was immediately impressed with his professional persona and personal integrity. We shared a common interest in the area of subliminal communication and audio self-help programs. Given that my own most recent release is Drive Time Rx, which features subliminal messages to enhance one’s alertness, safety and mindfulness, I am especially grateful that Eldon’s latest book makes such a strong and scientifically documented case for the fact that subliminal communication is real.

     If you’ve read the comments on the article following the ABCNews.com‘s feature on Drive Time Rx (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=7095615), you’ll note many folks have heard “that all subliminal programs are a hoax,” or “there is no research to support the field.” Anyone who continues to make those statements is either just ignorant of the facts, or purposely avoiding dealing with them.

     I would also like to rebut the unfounded and quite biased statement of one of the alleged “experts” —that although visual subliminal perception is possible, “the ear is not nearly as sensitive, and thus it could not possibly register subliminal messages.” That is so wrong on so many levels that I’ll address an entire future column to ”setting the record straight.”

     Dr. Taylor presents a plethora of information about persuasion technology in the first half of the book. The second half is the positive response, and offers many tools, techniques and exercises to help you be the person you truly can be. 

     As I have done in my own books and seminars, Taylor covers the groundbreaking work of Dr. Wilson Bryan Key, the former adman who blew the whistle on the use of subliminal airbrushed artwork in liquor ads. Once you see the examples in Dr. Key’s or Taylor’s books, you may never look at a print ad the same way.

     You can find Mind Programming at Dr. Taylor’s website, www.innertalk.com, at your local bookstores, on amazon.com, or through www.HayHouse.com.

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Steven Halpern is an award-winning composer, recording artist and pioneering sound healer. He has researched and produced subliminal audio programs for over 35 years. His latest CD, Drive Time Rx, is now available from www.innerpeacemusic.com and www.amazon.com.

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