ASHLEY MALTZ, MD
  • Home
  • About
  • Conditions Treated
  • Work with Me
  • Services and Fees
  • Blog
  • Contact Dr. Maltz
  • Store

Blog

RSS Feed

Become an Avatar, change your life!

1/14/2012

0 Comments

 
What is Avatar and How Does it Apply to Me?

The word avatar does not just refer to a movie about blue humanoid creatures fighting to save their world from destruction. It has a much deeper history than this 21st century creation. Unbeknownst to most Westerners, the word avatar is a Sanksrit word meaning “a manifestation of a deity in bodily form on earth”. It is used in Hindi texts (the Bhagavad Gita) to refer to human incarnations of various Gods (namely Vishnu, Ghanesha and Shiva). According to Wikipedia (the encyclopedia of everything), this ancient word ‘is mostly translated into English as "incarnation," but more accurately as "appearance" or "manifestation"’. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar. So what does this have to do with me and why am I even bringing it up?

Well, I attended a consciousness training course last week (Jan 2nd-8th) named Avatar that completely transformed the way I think about the world and my life. What is consciousness, you ask? According to Wikipedia (again), “consciousness is a term that refers to the relationship between the mind and the world with which it interacts. It has been defined as: subjectivity, awareness, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind.” It is taught by every major religion and is best regarded in the form of meditation. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness for more information.

I want to share my experience with you all for your own knowledge and to encourage you all to potentially undergo the same transformation of self through this course or by some other means. Disclaimer: I have NO financial ties to this company or to Star’s Edge International through which it runs. I am writing this review mostly because so many people have asked me about it and I feel inclined to share (sharing has always been one of the things I love to do most!)! Another disclaimer: Avatar is NOT a religion; it is NOT a cult and it truly is NOT dangerous. It allows you to uncover your true beliefs and motivations and gives you the tools to create what you want out of life. Anyone can do it and at any age, provided they have the finances to attend the courses which take place in 17 different countries. Third disclaimer: I started it as an open-minded skeptic but have been transformed in to a believer. Oh, and I can’t go in to the details of the exercises that lead up to the transformation, but just trust me when I say they work!

So let’s get started from the beginning. So how did I hear about Avatar? I fortuitously stumbled upon this course during another training course in early December for a guided imagery technique that I offer my patients for decreasing anxiety, pain, etc. See http://www.healfaster.com/index.html for info on this extremely valuable technique. Anyways, the creator of the guided imagery technique happened to mention Avatar as a valuable training for people who truly wanted to delve in to their consciousness and change their lives. This person is a psychotherapist by training and had already been through the Avatar course and previously taught it to others. The course came highly recommended. So me, being the curious person I am, googled Avatar in Connecticut and found a woman teaching it in a nearby town. I enthusiastically contacted her to see if our missions aligned (mine being to get rid of the severe negativity I harbored after residency and med school that manifested itself as chronic neck and shoulder pain and to create a more fulfilling life for myself; and hers to make sure that she attracted people ready for transformational change in their lives).

Needless to say, our missions aligned as she believed I was ready to attend an Avatar Resurfacing class and signed me up for one taking place that upcoming weekend (things happen quickly when you’re ready). It was only a ~$300 investment for a full weekend of training. (Not bad in the grand scheme of things!) So off I went not really knowing what to expect but staying open to the idea of profound change. When I got to the course on Saturday, I was a little put off by the way the people there were looking at me. They seemed to be looking through me, into my soul, and it kind of weirded me out (being honest). In addition, they were all SO happy and friendly and that added to my concern that I was jumping in to something harmful (funny how conditioned we are to unhappiness and hostility, as if I'd be more comfortable if they were cold and unfriendly!). 


But as the day went on and I delved in to my own psyche through the numerous workshop exercises, I noticed a growing sense of “lightness”. I noticed the easing of my chronic neck and shoulder pain and an increase in my energy level as the day progressed. So much so that I could not stop talking about these changes during dinner with friends on Saturday night. I felt vibrant, enthusiastic and light! I was excited to see what day 2 would bring. So I returned on Sunday for more exercises and completed the course in a sustained “lighter” state of being. It was then that I made the commitment to attend a week-long Avatar course in Orlando, piggy-backing it on to my week-long vacation in Houston. I even noticed changes during my week in Houston. Not only did I have a fantastic time catching up with family and friends that week, but I seemed to have opened myself up to attract what I wanted from life - meaningful relationships (with old and new people) and profound change in my patients’ lives (opportunities for collaboration, etc) - on some small level. 

But that was just a taste of what was to come. Upon arrival to the course in Orlando (on New Years’ Day after a late night of celebrating), I collapsed in to my hotel room bed and eagerly awaited the course that would later change my life. And man, do I mean change!! After the first day of “exploring my consciousness”, I again, felt extremely light and much less anxious about whether the process would work (and/or if I had just signed up for a cult without realizing it). The Avatar Masters and Wizards (those that have gone on to do further training) still seemed to be looking through me, straight in to my soul, and it again kind of freaked me out. I kept referencing my mother’s request “not to drink the ‘punch’” and kept in mind that I am a nice, Jewish doctor not really interested in re-defining myself. But this skeptical view didn’t last long due to the incredible genuineness of the people I was surrounded by and by the lasting feelings of lightness and happiness I experienced. 

Everyone was there for one reason, self-improvement, and the creator of the program, Harry Palmer, lectured about topics that I believed in - personal responsibility (not blaming others for your successes or problems), compassion, generosity, integrity and self-creation of beliefs. There was no ‘punch’ to drink, no aliens to discuss, no beliefs implanted in my head, etc. This realization and the prescribed exercises I went through to clear out my negative beliefs/thoughts/actions became extremely empowering. I saw that I was in control of my thoughts, feelings and emotions and I became changed! I found myself nodding along to Harry's lectures in agreement and drawing energy from his idealism. 

Again, the people were amazing! There were people from ALL walks of life (flight attendants, children, health care professionals, entrepreneurs, financial advisors, stay-at-home moms, etc) and of ALL ages (ranging from age 8-70, with one sweet, sweet baby boy in the ranks) and ALL nationalities (Americans, Brazilians, Europeans, Australians, Mexicans, Carribeaners, etc.) and ALL religions (you know what they are) with the sole purpose of improving themselves and the world. On any given day you could hear 4-5 different languages being spoken!  As the week progressed, I had found a core group of people to hang out with and we found ourselves laughing like children at every opportunity. They, like me, started as open-minded skeptics and we enjoyed discussing our changes as we went through the process. It was nice to go through it with others who didn’t know what to expect and with whom I could laugh, love, dance and cry (and we did all of these things throughout the week). I left knowing that, if nothing else, I had met people who I respected and could enjoy life-long bonds with. I truly can say, specifically in this way, that the course was mind-blowing!

So after completing my coursework and being deemed an “Avatar” on Sunday evening, I said goodbye to my new friends/community of loving people on Sunday evening, I experienced the most peaceful and smooth experience at the super busy Orlando airport and arrived home to my apartment in Stamford around 3 am, excited and enthusiastic to take what I’d learned to work the next day. I intentionally created the belief my work would be smooth and productive and needless to say, my week proved to be exactly that, with opportunities for further growth presenting themselves every day!


The crux of Avatar is that each person is responsible for the things they experience in life (both positive and negative). You are held accountable for your thoughts, actions, beliefs, etc., regardless if you are aware of them or not. I am excited to see where my new views on life take me. It seems that once you open yourself up to the positivity of the universe, anything is possible. And I say this as a former skeptic who used to believe that the world is the way it is and that true change only results from external forces (ie, life changes, psychological help, medication, etc). Instead, I no longer feel resentment and regret towards my choice to practice medicine and give up the social life my non-doctor friends had during their twenties (yes, many doctors and others with prolonged academic training feel this way). I have opened my heart to the numerous opportunities that await me and I encourage you all to do the same. I am SOO excited to have had this opportunity for rediscovery and look forward to the sustained happiness that lies ahead!

Learn how to let go of the beliefs that no longer serve you (ie, negativity, blame, regret, shame, guilt, etc.) and CREATE positive change in your life! Change truly can happen! Avatar is one way to get there. For more information, contact Ariela Sarai for a free introduction - http://www.powerofavatar.com/. I challenge you to NOT be changed by it! 

All the best,

Dr. M



0 Comments

    Enter your email address for blog updates sent directly to your inbox:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

    Author

    Dr. Maltz earned a Medical Degree and Master in Public Health from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, TX. She completed a combined Internal and Preventive Medicine Residency at UTMB in June, 2011. She then completed a 2-year Integrative Medicine Fellowship at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT, during which she simultaneously underwent an intensive 1000-hour curriculum created by The University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Program founded by Dr. Andrew Weil.  

    Dr. Maltz's specific interests include helping her patients and populations improve their health through lifestyle interventions including, but not limited to, natural pain relief, nutrition, mind-body techniques and decreasing environmental exposures. She spent the last year of her four-year medical residency participating in health policy, cancer prevention and environmental health rotations and enjoys guiding people through the overwhelming amount of health information available on the web.

    Archives

    October 2020
    January 2019
    July 2018
    May 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010

    Categories

    All
    Abe For Fitness
    Abuse
    Achieving Happiness
    Acpm
    Acupuncture
    Added Sugar
    Addiction
    Adhd
    Adolescence
    Adolescent Medicine
    Air Pollution
    Airport Scanners
    Alcohol
    Alcohol Consumption
    Alzheimer\
    Alzheimer's
    America Lags
    American College Of Lifestyle Medicine
    Anti-depressants
    Anti-inflammatory Diet
    Anti-inflammatory Diet
    Artificial Sweeteners
    Aspirin
    Attention Span
    Autism
    Avatar Course
    Beauty
    Bicycling
    Body Image
    Bpa
    Brain Injury Awareness
    Bread
    Breast Cancer Rates
    Breast Cancer Risk
    Cancer
    Cancer And Environment
    Cancer Prevention
    Cancer Prevention Fellowhship
    Cancer Rates
    Cardiovascular Disease
    Cartoons
    Cdc
    Cell Phone Use
    Change Your Life
    Chemicals
    Childhood Obesity
    Children
    Chocolate
    Chronic Disease
    City Living
    Climate Change
    Cognition
    Cold
    Colon Cancer
    Colorectal Cancer Awareness
    Consciousness
    Contaminated Water
    Corn Sugar
    Cosmetics
    Cost-savings
    Cuts
    Dairy
    David Katz
    Death
    Decreasing Cancer Rates
    Deepak Chopra
    Depression
    Diabetes
    Dietary Supplements
    Diet For Adhd
    Diet For Cancer Prevention
    Diet Soda
    Digestion
    Disease Prevention
    Distance Learning
    Dna
    Dr. Andrew Weil
    Dr. David Katz
    Dr. James Gordon
    Dr. Katz
    Dr. Landrigan
    Dr. Weil
    Dvt
    Dying
    Easy Ways To Cut Calories
    Eating
    Emerson Ecologics
    Endocrine Disruptors
    Environmental Health
    Environmental Toxins
    Environmental Working Group
    Exercise
    Fast Food
    Fda
    Fish To Avoid
    Flame Retardants
    Flu
    Folic Acid
    Food
    Food Cravings
    Fox News
    Fragranced Cleaning Supplies
    Genetics
    Gluten
    Glyphosate
    Gradual Weight Gain
    Gratitude
    Guided Meditation
    Harm To Others
    Health
    Health Policy
    Healthy Child
    Healthy New Years Resolutions
    Healthy World
    Heart Attack Risk
    Heart Failure
    Heart Health
    High Fat Diets
    High Fructose Corn Syrup
    Hot Flashes
    Houston
    Huffington Post
    Incidence
    Inflammation
    Insulin
    Integrative Medicine Fellowship
    Internet Addiction
    Internship
    In Utero
    Iq
    Lately
    Lead
    Leukemia
    Life Span
    Lifestyle Changes
    Lifestyle Medicine
    Lifestyle Modification
    Light
    Low-carb Diets
    MB-EAT
    Medical Tests
    Meditation
    Melanoma
    Menopause
    Mental Health
    Meralgia Paresthetica
    Mercury
    Mindfulness
    Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy
    Mindfulness-based Meditation
    Mmwr
    Mold
    My Happiness Project
    National Nutrition Month
    Nature
    Nci
    New Yorkers
    Nitrates
    Noise
    Nutrient-gene Interaction
    Obesity
    Omega 3
    Omega-3\\
    Overeating
    Over-eating
    Oxybenzone
    Pain
    Palliative Care
    Pap Smears
    Parabens
    Pe
    People-pleasing
    Phthalates
    Physical Activity
    Pillcam
    Pku
    Plastics
    Poison Prevention
    Pollution
    Potato Chips
    Poverty And Diabetes
    Poverty And Obesity
    Prediabetes
    President
    Preventable Deaths
    Prevention
    Prevention Of Type 2 Diabetes
    Preventive Medicine
    Primary Prevention
    Processed Foods
    Public Health
    Public Health And Prevention Fund
    Radiation
    Retinyl Paminate
    Risk Reduction
    Safer Chemicals
    Safer Products
    Self-care
    Self Love
    Sensitivity
    Sleep Hygeine
    Small Bursts Of Activity
    Smart Patients
    Sodium
    South America
    Soy
    Specificity
    Spices
    Stamford Hospital
    Statistics
    Steer
    Stilettos
    Stroke
    Stroke Risk
    Sugar
    Sunscreen
    Sustainable Wellness
    Tainted Supplements
    Thanksgiving
    The Lancet
    Tight Jean Syndrome
    Toxin
    Toxins
    Toxins In Food
    Tradition
    Turkey
    Turn The Tide Foundation
    Type 2 Diabetes
    Unnecessary Tests
    Vegetables
    VOCs
    Vulnerability
    Wasteful Spending
    Weight Gain
    Weight Gain And The Brain
    Weight Loss
    Weight Reduction
    Women
    Workplace Wellness

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • About Dr. Maltz
  • Contact

Disclaimer:

The content of this website does not serve as medical advice nor does it substitute for a thorough medical evaluation by a qualified health care practitioner. Consult a physician or local health care provider before adding any supplements, changing any medications or diet or starting an exercise regimen.
©️ 2019 - 2022 Dr. Ashley Maltz
  • Home
  • About
  • Conditions Treated
  • Work with Me
  • Services and Fees
  • Blog
  • Contact Dr. Maltz
  • Store