Millions worldwide suffer from some sort of mental illness. Healing meditations calm and restore the mind, directing self into wholeness. From an inter-religious approach, this is an alternative treatment for clinical and non-clinical anxiety and depression. Illness primarily springs from a spiritual cause8 first and foremost, then affects the rest of the individual. Understanding and absorbing spiritual truths can return the person to a balanced state of being. Prayer and meditation are secondary to self-introspection and the willingness to change wrong thought patterns, to let go, to forgive, thereby beginning a process of wholeness. These 40 meditations acknowledge the pain and suffering of the person and provide an affirmation to bring the mind and spirit into agreement. Studies have shown the work-ability and success of religious (spiritual) cognitive therapies for those in treatment. Depending upon the severity of the illness and uniqueness of each case, a plan of treatment should be tailored to the individual. These meditations are not meant to replace conventional therapy, but build upon them.
As one of America's most notorious prisons, Alcatraz has been a significant part of California's history since 1853. The small island known in sea charts by its Spanish name Isla de los Alcatraces or Island of Pelicans laid essentially dormant until the 1850s, when the US military converted the island into a fortress to protect the booming San Francisco region. Alcatraz served as a pivotal military position until the early 20th century and in 1934 was converted into a federal penitentiary to house some of America's most incorrigible prisoners. The penitentiary closed in 1963, and Alcatraz joined the National Park Service system in 1972. Since then, it has remained one of the Bay Area's most popular attractions as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
