Articles

What the BLEEP are Ice Crystals
By Lawrence Ellyard, author of The Spirit of Water
and co-founder of Hado Institute Australia.

Anyone who saw the hit documentary “What the Bleep do we know?” will instantly recall the scene in the subway showing the work of Japanese scientist Dr Emoto and his striking images of ice crystals. Although Dr Emoto’s ice crystals were first published years ago, it was not until they were featured in the movie ‘What the Bleep’ that they received world-wide recognition and were heralded as a major leap forward for both science and spirituality. For the first time, a visual depiction of how water reflects consciousness was illustrated. As the saying goes: “I’ll believe it when I see it”, these imaged showed to all of us, just that – how our words, thoughts, and actions have a direct effect upon ourselves and our world. For some, this news is nothing new however, what is new is the ability to scientifically quantify consciousness and its effect on water. Given that we are 80% water, this is a significant finding because it asked the question, ‘how is the water in our bodies affected by our words, thoughts and actions?’

In order to fully appreciate how ice crystal images are formed we first need to understand the nature of water. The first point is that water carries information.

Much like a blank CD, water records information. Whether it is a kind word, or the impressions from a nature free from pollution, the canvas of water is free to express the world around it. These vibrations or ‘resonance’ by which water is imprinted is referred to as “Hado”. The term Hado is a Japanese word representing vibration and is fast becoming the new word for “The Force” popularized by the Jedi Knights of Star Wars. Ice Crystals, so clearly illustrated in the work of Dr Emoto, shows humanity that there is a dark and light side of the force.

Dr Emoto suggests that words in fact carry a vibration and this vibration imprints upon water. When negative words are shown to water, distorted and fragmented results appear, yet when positive words are shown to water, beautiful ice crystals appear.

What quantum physics shows us is that everything in existence is vibration. Going back to our scene in the subway from the movie, upon seeing the ice crystal images the man responded by saying, "If words can do that to water, imagine what our thoughts can do to us!"

The world of Hado affects each one of us from the largest to the smallest scale. If we go down to the size of molecules we see vibration at the absolute level. At the molecular and sub-molecular levels, everything is in a constant state of vibration. Air molecules for example, change patterns over a billion times per minute. Even at the sub-atomic level, everything is in a constant state of vibration. Objects that are thought of to be solid are found to be mostly space. When separating particles in a vacuum where no particles can exist, (when observed) new particles appear out of thin air. Through the act of observation form appears, yet when we try to find form, at the smallest scale, we find only space. The historical Buddha described this realization through his famous teaching, “form is emptiness, emptiness is form; form and emptiness are part of the same totality”.
Now through quantum physics and as depicted so beautifully through ice crystal photography, some 2450 years later we demonstrate this truth.

“Water is a mirror reflecting our mind; it is telling us to look inside ourselves. It is filled with wisdom for each of us. It is the mirror of the soul. When we have a clear understanding of water we will better understand the human body and even unlock the mystery of why we were born and exist as we do.” – Dr Emoto

Human beings are also vibrating, each with our own individual frequency. Being essentially vibration, and being a conscious and aware individual, we all have the capacity to feel Hado. We've probably had the experience of walking into a room and instantly sensing the 'vibe' of the place. We’ve also met people with powerful vibrations. Some vibrations are good, whilst others make you wish you’d never met.

The good news is happy people emit a happy Hado and this feeling can 'rub off’.

The amazing discovery of water crystal photography allows us to see how different Hado in its many forms including words, music, images and our consciousness can actually change the molecular structure of our self and potentially, our world.

What is water? Second only to air, water is vital for life. If we lose 50% of the water in our bodies, we cannot survive. Water carried by blood and bodily fluids, is the means by which nourishment is circulated throughout our bodies. This flow of water enables us to live active lives. Water serves as the transporter of energy throughout our body. This transport of energy is similar to a freight car that moves throughout the body. If the body is clogged and soiled, then the cargo in the freight car will also become filthy, and so it is essential that water always remain clean.

Water also circulates around the globe, flowing from one place to the next. A river, for example is never the same river because its contents is always moving and never the same. If we were capable of reading the information contained in the memory of water, we would read a story of epic proportions. To understand water is to understand the cosmos, the marvels of nature and life itself.

How are ice crystals formed?

Through the science of vibration (Hado), we can photograph the effects of water’s response to conscious stimuli. These characteristics are captured using high speed photography and are observed using a dark field electron-microscope.

A crystal is a solid structure with orderly configured atoms and molecules.

Dr. Emoto came up with a theory that when a water molecule crystallizes, pure water becomes a pure crystal, whereas contaminated water forms disfigured or in many cases, no crystal is formed.

First water samples are placed in a glass bottle and exposed to information such as words, pictures, music, and prayer.

Water is used from natural water sources from around the world as well as populated areas. Distilled water is mostly used for experiments involving words, music, photographs and prayer. Then, this water is dropped on fifty petri dishes (5cm in diameter). Because water is fluid by nature, it is unstable and changes rapidly.

In order to obtain examples of ice crystals, many samples are required to be photographed under as stable conditions as possible. Therefore, dishes are placed in a deep-freeze freezer for 3 hours at a temperature of -25c.

When they are taken out three hours later, ice grains have formed with their centre rolled up due to surface tension.

These grains are very small (less than 0.5cm).

Water expands when frozen and ice crystals form at the tip of the water sample. Light is directed on each grain of ice and observed through a dark field electron-microscope in a freezer room at a temperature of -5c.

Under the magnification of 100 to 200 times, ice crystals can be observed as the ice begins to melt away. If things go well a crystal starts to form as the temperature rises and the ice begins to melt. Taking only one to two minutes, it opens up like a flower blooming.

The message from water has the potential to transform our world view. Water teaches us the delicacy of the human condition and the impact that love and gratitude can have on the world.

“A small adventure beginning with a tiny water crystal has spread to people all over the world, creating a growing movement. Hearts have been opened, and love, gratitude, and a hope for peace have spilled out, opening the way for a new adventure”. - Dr Emoto

For the most part, the people of the world are beginning to ask questions. Humanity is looking for a way to make sense of the chaos we find ourselves in. Dr Emoto’s photographs are a meaningful drop that has created a ripple, which has since spread throughout the world.

Our emotions and feelings have an effect on the world moment by moment. If we send out words and images of love and thanks then we will be contributing to the creation of a beautiful world. We all have the capacity to change the world within each moment. All we must do is make a simple choice.

Lawrence Ellyard is the co-founder of Hado Institute Australia and is a certified Hado Instructor, trained by Dr. Emoto.

7 Steps to Recession Proofing
your Natural Therapy Business
BY Lawrence Ellyard

If you are finding it hard to make ends meet in your natural therapy business you may find help is not far away. Industry expert, Lawrence Ellyard who is the author of The Secrets of Spiritual Marketing offers some down to earth advice on marketing your natural therapy business without compromising your values.

Truth be told, most natural therapists are excellent at what they do. They have undertaken all of the training in their chosen field, have spent hours in clinical practice and in many respects they are experts in facilitating their natural health therapy. However, not all is well for the wellness professionals.

When it comes to promoting and advertising their natural health therapy practice, most therapists are less than capable of effectively promoting and marketing what they do.
One of the primary reasons why natural therapists lack the ability to effectively promote themselves is simply due to the fact that little or no time is devoted to learning about marketing or advertising, (perhaps a few short units on business practices at best).

It makes sense then that in order to successfully build a practice where we not only bring in new customers and clients but retain our existing clientele that we need to receive an education in achieving this.

Marketing by definition is the art of selling and is defined as being the business of delivering goods (your services) from you (the producer) to the consumer. Spiritual marketing is defined as a way to share what you love to do and be financially supported by providing your services in order to help others.

Whether you like it or not, if you are running a business, no matter what it is, you are in the business of marketing it. No matter what you do, every profession involves helping others solve their problems or offers a service to improve their lives.

Because most natural therapists have little education about advertising and promoting their natural therapy practice, they often look to what everyone else is doing. The result is more advertisements that fail to be effective simply because almost everyone is copying everyone else’s badly written and poorly designed ads. The good news is, there is help.

To be successful in your natural health therapy practice you need to solve your clients problems through your experience and training. However, in order for you to help more people, they also need to know you exist.

The opportunities for natural health practitioners to make a living in the wellness industry are better today than ever before and conversely there are many more wellness industry practitioners in practice. This presents a great variety of natural therapy options in the market place for consumers, which also equals greater competition for natural therapists. How will you make your business stand out from the crowd?

The following are seven simple steps you can take right now to help market your natural therapy business.

1. Keep in touch with your existing clientele every 90 days
When it comes to finding new clients some statistics report that it is ten times harder to obtain a new client than it is to get a repeat purchase from an existing client for your product or service. With this in mind, we can do many things to retain our existing clientele and entice them in many exciting ways to purchase again and again.

Create a database of your existing clients (if you have not done so already) and offer an e newsletter providing news about your services and a special offer to entice your previous customers to come back and do business with you again. You might offer a discount off their next treatment or create a compelling up-sell to an additional treatment or service. Remember to keep track of birthdays or anniversaries of their first treatment and create a compelling offer to bring them back.

2. Provide Excellent Customer Service
You are only as good as your last treatment. To ensure your customers come back and refer new customers to you, make sure you provide an excellent service and give 100% each and every time. We can extend this level of service to promptly replying to calls (if missed) and providing an efficient and friendly service. You may wish to obtain the services of a call centre for any missed calls if you are in a session. Alternatively, work from a clinic where a receptionist receives enquiries for you.
For email enquiries, the faster you can respond the more likely you will be to secure new business over your competition. Remember, your customers are one click away from your competitors websites so ensure you respond quickly to any enquiry and reap the rewards that comes with speedy service.

Remember your clients’ name, always thank them for their business and treat them like they are the people who keep you employed, because they are. Bottom line: The Customer is King, or Queen, as the case may be.

3. Ask for Referrals and offer Rewards
Provided you have offered great service, your customers will be happy to refer you. To ensure they do there are several things you should offer. Start by asking. At the end of your session, ask your client what they thought and if they are happy, then ask for them for referrals. Let them know your business is mostly shared by word of mouth and that you’d really appreciate it if they could hand out some of your business cards to friends.

I am a strong advocate for handing out not one but five business cards.  It goes without saying that your business cards should have all you contact information and the services and benefits you other.
You may also wish to add a space on the reverse of your card where it states: Referred by… where the person who refers can write their name. Any referrals that come in as a result of your previous customer sharing your services with others can be recorded and offered as compensation in the form of a small gift; or a discount off their next treatment and, at the very least, an acknowledgement for their referral.

4. Get your brand out there
This simply means having an easily recognizable presence and continuity across all your promotional materials and advertising. You will need a logo which defines your service. This does not necessarily mean it has to be a graphic, a logo can be your business name but written in a stylized form.  You will need business cards. You will need a website; your logo on your email signature; signage at the place where you work and perhaps even mobile advertising such as signage on your car.

It makes sense that you should employ the services of a professional graphic designer and web master in order to create a uniform and professional image. Basically, get your brand in as many mediums as possible and become a recognizable and reliable source that people will come to rely on, know and trust.

5. Create an award winning website
You may be a sole practitioner however, this does not mean you don’t need a website.  The internet is fast becoming the main avenue where people research services and, unlike display advertising that can cost thousands per month, your website once established can contain unlimited pages of useful information that can convert those who are looking into customers for life.

Ensure you register a website domain (URL) that reflects your business. Make sure your website is content rich, meaning it has interesting articles and news related to the services you offer. Utilize the internet to its fullest and get involved in online social networking; write a Blog, use Twitter; Youtube; Myspace and Google Adwords to name a few.

Create an Online booking form for your customers; register with search engines, make your information user friendly, leave out industry jargon and gain a hunger to learn more.

6. Network your business
You will be surprised just how many opportunities there are to network your business. Form strategic alliances with other practitioners who are not your direct competitors but have access to networks and are prepared to share your benefits with others. Advertise in e newsletters from other business owners. Try a combined mail-out with other practitioners. Become a sponsor for a major industry event or get a company to become your sponsor. Write articles for industry related publications and alternative health journals. Always carry business cards (I mean everywhere). Let everyone know what you do and most importantly how what you do helps others to solve their problems.

7. Ask for testimonials
Ask your existing clients to give you a testimonial and ensure you have their permission to use these in your promotional materials, on and offline. If you have few existing clients, offer a free treatment to new customers in exchange for a testimonial. Try to receive endorsements from high profile people, such as authors, industry experts and alike.

Testimonials offer great credibility. Remember a person is more likely to try your services if they know others have benefited from your services already.

Of course these seven steps are just the tip of the ice berg in terms of the full scope of Spiritual Marketing. But if you only apply some of these suggestions you will see a measurable change in your natural therapy business for the better.