MIND
BODYer
SPIRIT
Podcast Review on Radiolab
Inflammation and Gut Health
The Path of the Fool
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Edition #1
EVENTS A highlight of Mind ~ Body ~ Spirit events in Bellingham
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Inspiring the mind, body and spirit
November / December 2013
Krishna Lounge Opens in Bellingham
If I Ran The Zoo A Christmas Story We always go to Christmas Mass wherever we are. This year we were in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and there are so many Catholic Churches here that we went looking for one church, couldn’t find it, and ended up driving by another one that was beautiful and had very few cars is the parking lot. What the hell. Bad choice of words. What the heck, we decided to give it a try. It was a old mission style church, Cristo Rey, with thick adobe walls and beautiful timbers on the ceiling. My wife went right towards the front and I sat in the back row, as I always do, because I’m Jewish and Jews aren’t supposed to kneel.
Apparently Moses knelt for 40 days and 40 nights when he climbed Mt. Sinai, but after the breakaway Catholics adopted kneeling as an integral part of their service, a Rabbi forbade the Jews from worshiping in that manner. The only exception is on Yom Kippur, the very holy Jewish Day of Atonement. So I can’t kneel, and I don’t want to block the kneelers behind me, or make a big show of not being a kneeler, so I sit in the back. The problem is you can’t see from the back of a church, or a synagogue for that matter. Unless there is a very high altar, you can hear the Priests and the choir but you can’t see them. There’s often a great stereo sound system but poor sight lines. Continued on Page 3
The Krishna Lounge opened last month in Bellingham. I have to admit that I had some misunderstandings about what the Hare Krishna movement is about. When I think of Hare Krishna the Hollywood images of people dancing, singing and handing out flowers at the airport come to mind. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with the founders of the Bellingham Association for Krishna Consciousness, Sadhu and Sudevi. As I have gotten to know them, I realized that I had some pretty poor stereo-types about the Hare Krishna movement. What I experienced was a very welcoming and heartwarming practice. They both are great about sharing their philosophy without preaching or making me feel ignorant. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness or more commonly known Hare Krishna movement is a holistic philosophy that inspires the mind, body and spirit. They have their roots in the ancient teaching of the Baghavad Gita and have had famous followers such as George Harrison of the Beattles. They have inspired great community projects such as Food for Life, a project to "liberally distribute pure vegetarian meals (prasadam) throughout the world". Here in Bellingham I have participated in the Kirtan and feast offered by Sadhu and Sudevi and would highly recommend both. The Kirtan or chanting meditation is a uniquely beautiful experience. The music and chanting bring you into a deep state of meditation and sense of peaceful bliss. I was apprehensive at first about chanting with them (stemming from a fear of singing in public), but what I experienced was very powerful. The combination of feeling the music, the others chanting and my own voice created a resonance in my body that was out of this world. The feast that followed was a delicious vegetarian meal. They explained that the food is prepared in a practice called prasadam, which is a sacred meditative process of preparing and Continued on Page 7
Tea room at the Krishna Lounge
Bellingham Muse
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In This Issue...
A Letter From the Editors Thank you for picking up a copy of Bellingham Muse! What we love about Bellingham is that there are many diverse thoughts and practices here. Some are easy to find and others are not so easy. This newspaper's goal is to highlight the many different organizations and people who provide services or products in Bellingham that inspire the mind, body and spirit.
you will not find in the paper includes but is not limited to: *Updated calendar of events (Have an event you want listed? Add it on the website!) *Tune in for free weekly guided meditations for stress reduction tips during the holidays. *Links to podcasts and videos *Special guest interviews *Input from our readers!
“People take different roads We do not wish to tell you what to do or seeking fulfillment and how to think. Instead our goal is to help happiness. Just because they’re you find the road to fulfillment and happiness that is right for you. We do not not on your road doesn’t mean have preference for any particular way and they’ve gotten lost.” have reverence for all views. We want to ― Dalai Lama XIV make it easy for our readers to find all the We would like to hear from our readers opportunities available in our beautiful and invite you to share your own thoughts community. on matters including: your spiritual We hope to build a place people can journey, stress relieving tips during the come to for inspiration, things to do, holidays and anything that inspires the learn, experience or even share within mind, body or spirit. our own community. We have the A big thank you to all our wonderful physical paper for our hands on readers, contributors! and for our tech savvy we have our website. We encourage you to visit the Thanks for letting the Muse inspire you. website frequently as we will be updating -Alana & Kerri and adding content regularly. Kerri Burnside is a Certified Information available on the website that Hypnotherapist, Hypnotherapy Instructor Alana Simler is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Pilates Instructor. As well as owning and running a successful massage practice for 18 years, she has instructed massage therapy at Ashmead School of Massage and Whatcom Community College.
and Spiritual Life Coach. Her background is in public speaking and teaching leadership courses in the corporate environment. She now teaches spiritual classes which focus on centering yourself in the present moment, and leading an authentically empowered life.
Mind Creating a Joyful Life -Thanks~Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Dissolving the Monkey Mind . . . . . . . 7 Podcast Review - Radiolab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Body Optimal You - What's Your Deal? . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Herbal Healing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Inflammation and Gut Health? . . . . . . .4
Spirit If I Ran The Zoo -A Christmas Story . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Krishna Lounge Opens In Bellingham . . . . 1 Befriending Saturn In The Season of Dark 5 The Fool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
This and That Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Horoscopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Squash Soup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
BACK IN MOTION CHIROPRACTIC AND MASSAGE CENTER While frustrations with figuring out the health marketplace may be high, our patients are finding that they can count on us to be leaders in information and aiding them to navigate the new rules with low to no stress. After all, you are coming to us for care, to ease your pain, to educate you on how to lead a healthier life. And we want you to know that although healthcare may be changing, our attitude about how to deliver you the absolute best and most complete care will not change. We are leaders in the Chiropractic and massage community here in Whatcom county when it comes to 360 degree care for our patients. By 360 degree care I mean that not only are you given excellent care by practitioners who are constantly increasing their knowledge base, but we are also completely HIPPA compliant by the most updated standards to protect your information, as well as having met the Federal government standards for documenting patient care using electronic health records. So if you have been seeking natural health providers that meet up to your specialized needs as well as professional standards, consider adding us to your team. Call for an appointment or consultation at 360-647-1970
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Optimal You
A Christmas Story Continued from Page 1
Get more great stories by Mel Damski in his new book "If Mel Ran The Zoo" or visit his blog:
www.ifmelranthezoo.com. I'm a director. Site lines, or in my case, camera angles, are my bread and butter. So I’m trying to see what the Priest looks like and who actually is in the choir and that old lady reading responsively sounds nice, I can actually see a piece of her red hat. I want to yell “cut”. Really loud. Stand up in the back of the church and start barking orders. Have my construction department raise the altar. Get a couple of apple boxes under the podium to raise everyone up even higher. Have all the shortest people move to the front row and then we will seat the rest of you, row by row, by height, tall people in the back. But my wife wouldn’t appreciate this and they probably wouldn’t listen to me anyway, even though it would be hard to argue my point. My point being that you should construct churches and synagogues so that the people on the altar can be seen from all of the seats in the chapel. They got it right when they constructed the coliseums and arenas in ancient Rome. You could see every gory detail of the slaying of the lion or the goring of the gladiator from every seat in the house. Why is this so obvious to me and not to the people who design and build these houses of worship?
I understand that there might be some tradition involved, but would it really offend anyone if they added at least a little slope to the seating area. If that’s too hard to engineer, then at least raise the altar. Better yet, re-design it like an arena or a modern movie theater with festival seating. You might be wondering at this point why I even bother going to church with my wife when I’m Jewish. It’s because we have a perfectly ecumenical marriage. We both totally respect each other’s religious beliefs and we have never tried to convert each other. This makes for a good marriage but also serves as a very good model – people of different religions can peacefully co-exist and live in harmony, even under the same roof. Susan loves going to synagogue with me and my mom and my sister and I love going to church with her. She doesn’t wear a hat or prayer shawl at temple and I don’t kneel or take communion. Two of our kids are Jewish and had Bar Mitzvahs. Those are the boys from my first marriage. Our two kids from Susan’s first marriage were baptized and had their first communion. Our youngest, Charley, our joint biological child, was baptized because my wife teaches in Catholic school and we both thought it would be great for him to go to the school where his Mom teaches. One day I was driving Charlie to school, he was in third or fourth grade, and he asked what the difference between what Mom believed in and what I believed in. I told him that his mother and I agreed on everything that happened up until Good Friday. Then we had some differences of opinion about what exactly happened next, but we ultimately both believed in the Ten Commandments, in the power of
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prayer, peace on Earth, good will to Mankind. As long as we both shared the same values, we didn't think it was important to impose our own unique relationship with God on each other. In fact, there would be so much less hatred, so much less violence, so much less mistrust between people if everyone felt the same way. Originally published in the La Conner Weekly News By Mel Damski - the producingdirector of the TV series "Psych" and winner of the Best General Interest Column by the Washington Newspaper Association.
What's Your Deal? When my eye starts twitching I know I've reached a pretty high level of tension. For some people its trouble sleeping, or headaches, or tight shoulders, or trouble concentrating, or, or, or... Let's face it, stress affects us all in one form or another. Besides the obvious causes, even happy events, holidays or social gatherings can cause anxiety. It seems we all have our own special way of communicating that stress to ourselves. Don't worry (ha-ha), there is a reason for all this. The reaction is called the fight-or-flight response.
Whether caused from internal thoughts/expectations, or external immediate danger our body was designed to cope with these "threats." Basically defined, the body goes into this primitive response mode to cope. Hang on for the ride! This process starts in our brain; your sympathetic nervous system button is pushed and a cascade of events within your body follows. Adrenaline starts flowing, heartbeat quickens, breathing becomes shallower and more rapid, hearing and vision becomes more acute and so on. Well, that all seems a little extreme, doesn't it? If we need to jump out of the way of the random crazy driver this is all quite useful, but otherwise we are unintentionally activating this system not even realizing it. You know those little thoughts that make you gasp - did I leave the candle burning, did I lose my keys; or worry - did I get the job, how am I going to afford all these presents. Hello compounded stress. Luckily, we have what's called the parasympathetic nervous system that works opposite to the sympathetic nervous system. It tells your body to chill out, have a rest and maybe digest while your at it. Unfortunately, many of us have this constant mind chatter going on that keeps pushing that other button! So how do we intervene? We start by learning how to communicate with our bodies. Don't you love it when someone says "just relax". Easier said than done, believe me, it takes practice and not all of us achieve it in the same way. The key is to find a method you like and recognize when you need to do it. I'm going to list a few and tell you why they help, pick out a couple and give them a try! Continued on Page 4 MA 00008372
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Inflammation and Gut Health? (part 1 of 2) Inflammation; what does that gut’s immune response is run by word bring to your mind? I have the Gut Associated Lymphoid asked this to numerous different Tissue or GALT. The health of groups and the answers are our gut is directly impacted by generally that of the various “itis’s” diet, lifestyle, stress, food allergies like tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, or and sensitivities, toxins, and sprains and strains. Certainly these nutrient deficiencies. If gut health are common conditions in which declines over time ( and this can inflammation is the secondary happen very quietly and with few effect of the injury. Whether it is symptoms) the interlocking of the acute or chronic, in these conditions cells begin to loosen and gaps we see the cardinal signs of form wide enough for larger inflammation; redness, swelling and particles of nutrients to pass pain, and as well, in these through. This can cause conditions we are apt to know the overactive GALT response due to cause of the inflammation. But the perceived “Foreign Invaders” what about other inflammatory crossing the barrier. In response conditions like the myriad of to this over activity of the GALT, autoimmune processes, heart the immune system will increase disease, Fibromyalgia, production of inflammatory ADD/ADHD and Alzheimer’s? proteins which have the ability to What triggers the inflammatory change the permeability of the process that ends up being blood-brain barrier as well as expressed as these conditions? cause production of antibodies to This is an important question attack the foreign invaders. These with many possible answers. antibodies can deposit in any However, for the purpose of this tissue (cartilage, thyroid gland, gut article I will focus on the lining, skin, arteries, to name a connection between the foods we few) and because of the weakened eat, gut health, and inflammatory blood-brain barrier, they can also conditions. deposit in the brain, brainstem, or First it is important to have dura. Hence, any time that the some background on the structure food which has been marked as of the intestinal lining. It is an the foreign invader is eaten, it can intricate interlocking of cells which, trigger an inflammatory response. in their optimal structure only allow The process by which the gaps passage of fluids and digested small widen and food particles escape is particles of fats, carbohydrates, and known as Leaky Gut Syndrome or proteins. This mucous layer of cells increased intestinal permeability. also blocks large undigested food There is increasing evidence particles from escaping and showing that this process is related entering the bloodstream. in some way to all of the afore Secondly, it is important to know mentioned conditions. And that more than 70% of the immune remember, that at the root cause is system is located in the gut. The inflammation. So how do we maintain our gut health so that we don’t start this silent triggering of inflammatory reactions?
The Path of the Fool The Fool leaves his home with no destination in mind. On morning he just wakes up and leaves everything he has ever known behind him. The consequences of his departure never enter his mind, the only thing that he thinks about is that he needs to be somewhere else and this is the day that he must go. Fool is young and clever. He has always passed any trials. He has never had any trouble succeeding at whatever he puts his mind to, knowing that he cannot fail. He trusts in his ability to overcome. No one has ever tried to stop him or get in his way so he knows that he can do anything. The Fool’s dog jumps around nipping his feet. The dog doesn’t know where they are going, never having travelled this path before, so it dances around looking at everything. It always comes back to nip at the Fool so he will look at what has been found now. His senses are alive and traveling with the Fool is a great adventure. Continued on page 9
What's Your Deal? Continued from Page 3
*Deep Breathing - I mean deep in the belly breathing (not those wimpy light chest breaths). Doing this interrupts the fight-or-flight response and stimulates the parasympathetic system - the one that tells your body to rest and digest. Try resting your hand on your bellybutton and inhaling for 4 seconds while focusing on the breath expanding where your hand is located. Now exhale for 6 seconds. Repeat this 4 more times. Hopefully you can already feel some relaxation benefits. *Exercise - The fight-or-flight response was preparing us to go into a sudden burst of physical movement. By exercising we burn off those stress hormones that were released and stored. Regular exercise is great, but if your running (pun intended) low on time, drop and give yourself 20 quick push-ups or 50 jumping jacks. These quick bursts will essentially answer your stress response and help to neutralize your body. For routine exercise, take your pick, there are unlimited ways to burn off stress and gain all the benefits of physical activity! *Massage - My personal favorite, of course, being a massage therapist. This is a great way to teach your body how to relax and let go. It also reduces levels of cortisol (stress hormones), increases good endorphins, lowers heart rates and decreases blood pressure. Massage can also be good feedback to let you know where you are storing stress. It also helps you learn more about how to listen to your body's cues. *Meditation - Teaches us how to quiet the endless mind chatter, and achieve our quiet mind. Plus, you can do it anywhere and for as short or long as you need.
Tune in next time for helpful *Singing, laughing, praying, dancing, yoga, tai chi and more - All of steps toward optimal function. these have attributes to help create calmness within our bodies and mind. By Cherrelyn Seegers, D.C.
By Alana Simler, LMP
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Podcast Review Radiolab
What in the heck is a podcast? For the longest time I had heard ‘podcast’ thrown around without having a clue what they were myself. I moved to Seattle about four years ago, and when I did, I left television behind me. Honestly I watched way more TV than was necessary for a healthy existence, so living without it was certainly an adjustment. For a while I got along well digging into the depths of Netflix on my laptop, and eventually I tuned into the waves of public radio broadcasts. But then, from the shadows of these entertainment behemoths, I was introduced to podcasts. Podcasts are basically radio shows, typically structured in the way that TV shows are, with episodes and seasons. The range of what a podcast can be and it’s length (10 minutes to 2 hours) is astounding; from talk show interviews, fictional stories, education, comedy, and random rants and raves. They are free to download on either your computer, or mobile device, and anybody with a microphone, a recorder and a computer can create one, that means there’s is a lot of, let’s say...underdeveloped… content out there available to download. Since learning about podcasts, I have delved deep into the tangled mass of free downloadable shows, and have surfaced to tell of many tales. Fear not readers! With persistence you can find a variety of shows to expand your mind, discover mysteries of the body, and warm your spirit; and I bring you suggestions of where to start. May I propose that you begin with my personal favorite podcast, Radiolab. What I love about Radiolab is how it makes what could be a mundane science lecture into a unique and captivating program that makes one more curious about ourselves and the world around us. One of the two hosts, Robert Krulwich, sums up the premise of the show, and my particular interest in an episode titled “Tell Me a Story”, where Robert speaks at a commencement ceremony for the California Institute of Technology. While this is a great episode that really gets at “what” Radiolab is, it is maybe not the best place to start for your foray into the
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podcast experience. Instead, I suggest you start with season 7, episode 3, “Limits”. This episode tells the tales of humans toeing the edge of physical and mental endurance, before completely jumping from that edge to find that solid ground is closer than one thinks. What is nice about Radiolab, is that in between full episodes, they will put out “shorts” which are mini episodes, usually around 15 minutes long. I enjoy these for when I am doing dishes and need something to listen to. Anyways, one episode in particular I will point out is called “Wake Up and Dream”. It’s about a man who has a recurring nightmare through most of his life. Determined to overcome this, he seeks professional help from Dr. Stephen LaBerge, who has done much research in lucid dreaming. Using techniques described by Dr. LaBerge’s assistant, this man attempts to confront his nightmare. What I enjoy about this episode in particular is its look into a part of humanity that seems under studied. Why do we dream? What causes the dreams we have? And why, if dreams are so common, are they so elusive? It is refreshing to hear some professionals in the world taking a chance at studying them more closely. One more episode I recommend is titled “The Universe Knows My Name”. This episode examines our perceived role of what the universe is, and even what our universe perceives of us. A sort of philosophical episode that looks at coincidences or “rhyming events” in people’s lives, as well as a lively discussion of Looney Tunes. Once again this is a “short”, so it is just long enough to get your brain tingling with thoughts before ending and leaving you craving more Radiolab! Finally, I will leave you with one last episode. Episode 13 season 10 “Colors”. Honestly, I just love this episode for no good reason other than it is interesting and told very well. Mantis shrimp may well be one of the most interesting creatures on this planet, and I had not heard of them until this episode. Seriously, check it out. By Joel Simler
Befriending Saturn in the Season of Dark Our dark season is upon us here in the Pacific Northwest. We can look forward to sunsets at five pm, long, cold nights, and weeks of rain where the sun pushes back the clouds for maybe only a few minutes. It’s natural to tighten up inside during this time as many begin to feel the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder, succumb to winter illnesses, or experience the flare up of old chronic conditions. Astrologically, the planet who rules this territory is Saturn, the god of depression, sickness, limitation and old age. Most of us cringe at the thought of this
guy. Unlike benevolent Jupiter or enticing Venus, Saturn seems cold, menacing, and severe. It’s important to remember; however, that each of the planets (i.e. characters of our psyches) plays a certain necessary role in our lives and ultimately is working towards our wholeness and growth. As I’ve found over and over again through my own journey, life is an intricate intertwining of darkness and light. It is a peculiar convergence of happiness and sorrow, pleasure and pain, triumph and defeat, that all combined create the remarkable, mesmerizing collage of our individual and collective stories. For those of us who identify as spiritual, we are often drawn to the lighter half of lifejoy, serenity, friendliness, and bliss. These are all vital practices, especially in a world
fraught with so much suffering and lack of care. But if pursued with a certain singleminded intensity, our desire to only experience the lighter half of life can lead to an internal imbalance that perpetuates unhealthy patterns within ourselves. This is when Saturn may come to visit to “darken” us through an illness possibly or personal limitation of some sort. Saturn slows us down, keeps us from attaining the things we believe bring us happiness and fulfillment, forces to look at the things in our life we would rather not pay attention to. I’ll give an example from my own experience. I can be a very task and goal-oriented person, whipping through to-do-lists with Olympic determination and speed. If I find myself trying to keep up this routine for too long, I will eventually be struck with a bout of Continued on page 9
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Creating A Joyful Life Thanks ~ Giving With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I am reminded of how when I was young I was taught to count my blessings each night before going to sleep. I would list at least five things that I knew that I “should” be grateful for. It was done out of obligation and with a sense of duty. I never really understood why I was doing it and I never really thought about what I was truly grateful for. In time I stopped doing it. Later in life I learned that this was actually a brilliant tool or practice. Instead of doing it at night, I began doing it in the morning and I truly listed what I was grateful for. What I noticed was remarkable. On the days that I started by thinking about and feeling what I was grateful for my day flowed more easily and not much would aggravate me. On the days that I forgot or was too rushed to do it… well, let’s just say that I was irritated. Will practicing gratitude work for you? There is a growing body of scientific evidence that says that it will. According to several studies when you feel gratitude it changes your heart and brain waves, resulting in less stress, anxiety and more
happiness. (Check out our website www.bellinghammuse.com to see some of these interesting studies and videos.)
“There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way.” -The Buddha How can you do it? •Think about what you are grateful for. Look for what you are grateful for everyday. This shifts your awareness away from what you are unhappy with and brings your focus onto what you are happy about. • Pay attention to your self-talk. If you are like most people you have a running dialog in your head. Pay attention to what you are saying to yourself. Are you repeating the same negative story over and over? Are you stuck in the past or worrying about the future? Give yourself a break and purposefully choose to think about what is going well. • Do a gratitude exercise. Write a letter to someone expressing how much you appreciate him/her and share it. Years ago for a college essay,
I had to write about someone that I admired. I wrote about my grandmother and I remember how as I was writing it my mood really changed. I was stressed out, but by the time I finished it I felt great. I wrote about how loved and supported I was by her and thinking about it melted the stress away. I shared the essay in a card to her and remembering her reaction still puts a smile in my heart. Everyone everywhere has something or someone in their life that they are grateful for.
Some days or in some circumstances it may seem challenging to come up with something that you are grateful for, but if you take a moment you will find it. Gratitude is one of the closest emotions to love and is one of the best tools to boost your mood and make you feel happy. When you think of what you are truly grateful for it shifts your energy and brings you into the feeling of love and happiness. Give it a try; you will be less stressed and happier! By Kerri Burnside, CHT
WWU Symphony Orchestra Dr. Ramael brings a refreshing new approach for concert goers. You no longer have to be an expert in classical music to enjoy the experience. Some of the innovative ideas that Dr. Ramael offers are live tweets during the performance Western Washington Univeristy providing links to relevant bio’s welcomes Dr. David Ramael as the and performance detail. new Director of Orchestral Audience members can enjoy an Activities. interactive and educational "Heralded as a “highly gifted experience that is great for all conductor” and for his “exceptional ages. Come experience it for command and professional demeanor,” yourself Tuesday, 11/26/2013. David Ramael has been in great demand as conductor, clinician Visit our website for an upcoming and lecturer in the United States and live interview with Dr. Ramael. abroad."
WWU Symphony Orchestra November 26th, 2013 8:00pm WWU Performing Arts Center Concert Hall Free Admission Performing; Joseph Haydn, Symphony No. 6 Richard Wagner, Prelude and Love Death from Tristan and Isolde Melissa Plagemann, mezzo-soprano solo Jean Sibelius, Symphony No. 7
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Krishna Lounge Opens in Bellingham
Dissolving The Monkey Mind
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offering the food to Krishna. By offering the food to Krishna first the food is transformed into a pure form that will in turn purify you. What is the Krishna Lounge?
If you are human, you have experienced those thoughts that go round and round like a hyped up monkey chattering from branch to branch sometimes called the monkey mind. This craziness can almost make you dizzy. Something like a dog chasing its tail. These rampant thoughts certainly don’t allow you to focus. I just read an article talking about managing the monkey mind. The author was suggesting that during meditation one can observe the thoughts and let them go. I find that we can take this one step
Krishna Lounge is multi-faceted spiritual and social center. Their goal is to have regular classes, workshops and social events meant for nurturing the spiritual inclinations with in everyone. Currently they have programs further. These thoughts can be two days a week that are open to the public. completely dissolved to their On Sunday Krishna Lounge is an all inclusive lounge, tea bar and yoga core. When repetitive thoughts studio. The space is student and volunteer run with the intention to create are removed, you may not even a healthy and sustainable atmosphere. All of Bellingham is invited to be remember them or if you do part of a community engaged in a spiritual revolution. The Sunday remember, they are like someone Krishna Lounge offers a wide arrangement of tea and whole food baked else’s story. They have no hold goods. Ultimately, Sunday is all about catering to a community need for a on you. There is no emotion . peaceful daytime lounge. attached to them and they do not Krishna run old programs that mess up Thursday evenings Lounge offers kirtan, your daily life. philosophical discussion, a The next question is, “How do vegetarian meal, and a cool place you dissolve them?” Let’s first to meet new people seeking a remember that thoughts are broader and deep perspective on life. It is very peaceful, fun and energy. Continued on page 8 the food is great! By Kerri Burnside, CHT
Squash Soup My favorite time of year for cooking is fall; harvest food is so yummy! I adapted this recipe from a wonderful lady I hold in treasured memories from an earlier time in my life. Being from Italy, she always cooked food a little differently than how I was familiar with in my short years of kitchen experience at the time. I was immediately intrigued to learn her ways and expand my knowledge. A particular memory enters my mind each time fall sets in of being a guest for dinner and the first course served was pumpkin soup. Pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie were as far as my endeavors into eating squash had reached, and considering it as a non dessert item was new. My eyes were wide and I thought, "Oh I hope I can choke this down." Boy was I surprised to learn that this would soon be my favorite fall soup! I'm calling it Squash Soup now since it really can be made with almost any squash you choose whether that be pumpkin, butternut squash, kabocha squash, etc. It can be served as a first course or as the main meal with a good hearty fall bread. 1 1 2 1
choice of squash (pumpkin, butternut, kabocha...) cut into chunks and skin removed (approximately 4-5 cups) medium sized potato (sweet potato, russet, yukon gold...) peeled and cut in chunks celery stalks, washed and cut in to chunks onion, cut into chunks
Vegetable or chicken broth 3/4 cup half and half or coconut milk 1 Tbls fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried rosemary) or herb of choice salt and pepper Optional: bouillon (sometimes this is needed if your squash happens to be a little bland, add this at the end if needed after a taste test)
Add all vegetables to a large pot. Fill with broth of choice to about an inch below the level of the veggies. Bring to boil and then simmer until veggies are very soft. Blend all contents in pot until smooth using a wand blender or a regular blender in batches. Add half and half (coconut milk) and seasonings, bring back to a very low simmer for a few minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve in a bowl with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkled with hot sauce. By Alana Simler, LMP
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character’s head? You know that something centers breaks up and dissolves what is stuck. has occurred to that character that has brought You now have the building blocks of energy to Continued from Page 7 up a new way of seeing something. That “aha” use however you desire. What keeps them in place is our attachment to is the moment the energy changes. Does this seem to easy? For sure it is simple! them. We may have been hurt, embarrassed, disrespected, and more. The resulting The key to that shift is finding what changes an Getting ourselves to take steps toward the emotions and beliefs that developed from old energy form (thought form, emotion, or change is sometimes the piece we have to work these experiences are what keep them in place. repeated life pattern). Every healing modality through. That is why we come together to help each other, whether that’s with friends, These are also energy that has taken a certain is doing this in some way. practitioners, or mastermind groups. unseen form. One simple way to do this is through Dissolving an energy pattern can mean complementary colors. Each color vibration If you are still bothered by thoughts you don’t disassembling the pattern and then replacing has meaning which constitutes a vibrational want, emotions that get you side tracked, or life it. So how does one go about taking a pattern pattern. Red on its own can be about struggle, patterns that don’t fit who you are, now is the fear that you won’t survive, or anger that you time to make a change. Set your intention to apart? find how you can best do that for yourself. feel like a victim of circumstances. You might write out or say in your mind, “I am There are many ways to shift energy. Breathing and visualization are two very The complementary color to Red is Green. open to finding how I can best shift these old important keys to changing the form of Green opens the heart, allows you to grow, patterns that keep me from moving forward. I connects you to others, and brings you am paying attention so that I will see that help energy. information that is soul deep. When working when it comes.” You may be amazed at the You may have heard that what you put your together, Red and Green can shift the struggle, results! Hang in there, you are ready! attention to is what you create. Once your fear and anger found in Red into hope, a By Arlene Arnold attention is attached to what you feel and passion for life, and a feeling that you are not alone. With this shift, you change your focus. believe you are riveted to that energy form. You dream it, you get pinged to remember it This disassembles the old energy pattern and Through years of working with color and replaces it with a new pathway. as some similar situation comes into your life, counseling hundreds of clients, Arlene Arnold developed Complementary Color Therapy. The or it cycles through as the dizzying thoughts that keep your mind occupied. You may even When these colors are breathed into your Power of Color offers classes, courses, training and certification in this modality. dig its pathway deeper by repeating the story consciousness and asked to help you dissolve For more information go to: the energy pattern, they respond immediately. of what happened. www.ThePowerofColor.com Breathing opens you up, asking for help contact Arlene at Arlene@thepowerofcolor.com So what brings about the change? Remember releases your hold on the energy pattern, and 360-450-6849 the cartoons where a light bulb appears over a the movement of the colors through the energy
Dissolving The Monkey Mind
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Herbal Healing Crisp cool autumn scents, mysterious fog laden valleys, brilliant, colorful tree lined streets and walkways, remind me that it’s undoubtedly Fall. This is the time of year that most of us either anticipate with great joy and excitement in our hearts or silently tiptoe around in hopes that it will just pass us by. Our schedules become busier and our minds move faster creating disruption to our daily lives on physical, emotional and spiritual levels. The resulting unwarranted stress can lead to physical ailments which can further inhibit our ability to calmly complete our holiday check list and really, just enjoy ourselves and loved ones. Utilizing herbal medicine can ease you through this time of year. Naturally speaking, plants have the ability to heal and transform both the mind and body simultaneously. Their energetic properties and chemical compositions will help in reducing your stress, calming your tension, aiding with digestion, boosting your immune system and lulling you
into a deep restful sleep. An important category of herbs which aid in both the health of the mind and your physical body are Adaptogens. Adaptogens regulate all body systems during times of stress creating space to more easily “adapt”. The right adaptogenic herb will determine where your body needs the most support and can regulate the hormones released, signals fired, and nutrients absorbed and processed. Siberian Ginseng Eleutherococcus senticosus can be purchased in tea form, as a liquid extract, or a
Befriending Saturn in the Season of Dark Continued from Page 5
anxiety or experience a collapse in motivation. Now, it can be tempting to try to power through this and draw on some self-help technique that will allow me to maintain peak efficiency. But I’ve come to recognize these episodes as a visit from Saturn letting me know it’s time to slow down, to take a break and get back in touch with the rhythms of my body and personal intuition. It also gives me time to recognize that when I become fixated on getting things done, it is often driven by fears I hold around making enough money, meeting other’s expectations, and having some control over my circumstances. While Saturn may manifest in a form we perceive as negative, he is really helping us to change our perspective and refocus our attention on what really matters. A visit from Saturn probably isn’t going to be much fun. In the classic sense, he’s not a very nice guy, and his presence isn’t something that has to be enjoyed.
quick dissolving powder. This is a great preventative herb to take regularly this time of year. Astragalus Root Astragalus membranaceus can be found in capsules, powder or in a liquid extract (tincture). This herb is fantastic for maintaining health and it is especially supportive to the immune system. This herb can be taken daily. Nervine Relaxants are my absolute favorite category of herbal healers. These plants have chemicals which work directly to regulate and calm your nervous system. These herbs will reduce tension but aren’t meant to make you sleepy! Holy Basil Occimum sanctum is most commonly found in tea form. Renowned in Ayurvedic medicine as a sacred plant and cure-all, Holy Basil will give you a gentle sense of serenity and uplift your spirits, especially in times of stress. Holy Basil tea can be consumed liberally throughout the Continued on Page 10
The Path of the Fool Continued from Page 4
But it can be appreciated. And honored. Saturn is ultimately concerned with our greater wellbeing, and he will shed light on our fears and insecurities and shortcomings so that we have no choice but to turn to the deeper, more powerful qualities of our souls. It is this deep inner wisdom that Saturn is after, and it is sometimes only through one of his dark visitations that we get in touch with a new capacity within ourselves that allows us to achieve greater levels of fulfillment and meaning. I encourage you to reflect on this as we enter our season of sixteen hour nights and weeklong rain squalls. Saturn is not easy to befriend. It can take a long time to learn to accept his often painful medicine. But if we can slowly learn to trust his work and form a relationship with him that isn’t built on fear and aversion, we may find his visits are no longer quite so scary and don’t need to happen as often. By Matthew Brouwer
The Fool has left his home with the clothes on his back and those things that have helped him in the past. His passions and understanding of the world may have the unfocused nature of youth but now the Fool is ready to go out and see what the World has to offer. He knows that what lies over the mountain is what he desires. The Fool never seems to take into consideration how tall the mountains are or how long the trail may be. He just knows that he will arrive soon. He can see far and he can get there.
The Fool doesn’t watch where he is going. He has picked a flower and it is one that he has never seen before. The flower is a thing of beauty with vibrant colors and smells. With the sun at his back and beauty all around him, he travels onward. The path has brought him to a cliff. Far below the fool are the crashing waves of the sea. His destination can’t be seen from where he is, but he knows that all he needs to do is move onward and he will arrive. By Chad Saunders
Matthew Brouwer is a poet, teaching artist, and peer mentor living in Bellingham. He leads writing classes on how to get in touch with one’s core creativity and facilitates Kintsugi: A Writing Circle for People Suffering Chronic Medical Conditions. His work is built upon his own lengthy journey with Myofascial Pain Syndrome, which for a time rendered him virtually unable to walk. To learn more about Matthew and his work, visit www.matthewbrouwerpoet.com
Horoscopes Aries (3/21-4/19) - This is a good time to go travel, get out and see what the world has to offer. What you see and do now will shape your future. A time of adventure awaits.
Libra (9/23-10/22) – This is a time to stay away from arguments. Interactions now will shape your future for a long time to come. Keep a cool head and look for rich conversations.
Good Days : Nov. 13 & 14 and Dec. 10 & 11
Good Days: Nov. 1, 27 & 28 and Dec. 25 & 26
Taurus (4/20-5/20)- This is when all your hard work starts to pay off. Coworkers will be looking to you to get things done. What you do now matters, chose your projects carefully.
Scorpio (10/23-11/21)– This is a time to put your faith in others. Your friends can help enrich your life as you enrich theirs. Emotions will run high this month.
Good Days: Nov. 15 & 16 and Dec. 12, 13 & 14 Gemini (5/21-6/20)- This is a time for discussing your ideas with others, they can help you shape that project you have been thinking about. Friends and family matter now.
Good Days: Nov. 2, 3, 29 & 30 and Dec. 1, 27 & 28 Sagittarius (11/22-12/21) – This is a time of love and pleasure. Although the risks might be fun right now, the gamble might not be worth it in the long run. Adventure can be yours.
Good Days: Nov. 17, 18 & Good Days: Nov. 4 & 5 and 19 and Dec. 15 & 16 Dec. 2, 3, 29 & 30 Cancer (6/21-7/22)-This is a time where your friends matter. Your family is there for you even if they seem to be the obstacle right now. The road ahead is going to be hard.
Good Days : Nov. 20 & 21 and Dec. 17, 18 & 19 Leo (7/23-8/22) – This is a time to let your passions burn, they will lead you to success. Something that gets your mind and body charged will fulfill you in ways you never knew.
Good Days: Nov. 22, 23 & 24 and Dec. 20 & 21
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Capricorn (12/22-1/19)– This is the time where your patience pays off. Your patience and hard work will be rewarded just keep at it just a little longer. The cold weather to come will be your bane.
Good Days: Nov. 6 &7 and Dec. 4, 5 & 31 Aquarius (1/20-2/18)– This is a time to look at your relationships. Equality and understanding will strengthen what you have with others. If you’re not on the same footing then expect a separation.
Good Days: Nov. 8 & 9 and Dec. 6 & 7
Virgo (8/23-9/22) – This is a time to be careful what you spend. Work will seem to hold you back from the things that you desire. Look at the things that you do have, not what you don’t.
Pisces (2/19-3/20) – This is a time where you will come into what is yours. Outside sources will enrich your life for the better. When it rains it pours, just be careful not to get drenched in the process.
Good Days: Nov. 25 & 26 and Dec. 22, 23 & 24
Good Days: Nov. 10, 11 & 12 and Dec. 8 & 9
Herbal Healing Continued from Page 9
day if you choose, or simply enjoy a glass of tea before bed. Wood Betony Stachys officinalis is found in capsule form or in a liquid extract. This herb especially targets tension of the neck and shoulders, gently easing your muscular tightness. Skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora is found in capsules, tea or a liquid extract. The benefits of this herb on your nervous system are endless. It helps to relieve actual nervous pains and ailments while also providing calming/tension relieving effects. Taking this herb will give you deep relaxation. Oatstraw Avena sativa is found in a capsule form, liquid extract or in some tea blends. This herb provides nourishment for your nervous system. In the case of depleted and overworked nerves, this herb will help to rebuild your system and support regeneration while creating a sense of calm. Lastly, I will discuss Hypnotics. Sleep is vital for maintaining health
during stressful times, and yet achieving quality sleep can be quite challenging. The following hypnotic herbs will give you the deep sleep that you need. Passionflower Passiflora incarnata is found in a capsule form, liquid extract or tea. Taking this herb before bed will not only help you to fall asleep but also to remain sleeping. Its potency will bring you deep relaxation and sleepiness. California Poppy Eschschoolzia californica is found in capsule form, liquid extract or in some tea blends. Use this herb before bed to induce sleep or in any case of restlessness or tension headaches throughout the day. Take care of yourself this holiday season inside and out and be sure to have a cup of Holy Basil tea before heading out to the Mall. By Adrianna Vega Owner of Sage Remedies located in Bellingham, WA Find her at Inspiration Alley (See Ad on page 8) BS Herbal Science from Bastyr University
A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS : SONGS OF HOPE AND COMFORT A Bellingham Holiday Tradition Featuring the Concert Choir and soloists of Western Washington University conducted by Leslie Guelker-Cone
Sunday, November 24, 2013 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 2117 Walnut St., Bellingham $15 general, $10 students/seniors Tickets available through the WWU Box Office, Village Books, The Bellingham Food Co-op, and at the door "As Thanksgiving approaches in the Pacific Northwest and the days grow short in preparation for the coming winter, our thoughts turn to home and hearth and comfort. We are reminded of the joys of family and community and celebration, and we are thankful for the incomparable beauty that surrounds us. We greet the season with mixture of feelings: nostalgia and loss, gratitude and hope. This concert will feature beautiful choral music that reflects these varied themes as we join together to usher in the holiday season with songs that inspire and uplift us, bringing light to our wintry days."
Good days are those days that the moon has moved into your sign making it a good time to start something new. These are the days when things just seem to fall into place. By Chad Saunders
Contact Information: 360-650-3772; Leslie.Guelker-Cone@wwu.edu
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Events November and December Occuring in December
Occurring Weekly Mat Pilates Mondays 9:00am By Simler Massage and Pilates Bellingham Dance Co. 1705 N. State Street $10 drop in
Holiday Port Festival 12/06 - 12/08 2013 Bellingham Cruise Terminal Family Friendly Free!
Tslagi Moving Meditation (The Cherokee Dance Of Life) Tuesdays 7:00am Center for Spiritual Living 2224 Yew Street Rd
Holiday Ball Formal Event! Friday, 12/13/2013 Bellingham Dance Co. 1705 N. State Street $10/per person
Healing Hour 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 5:30-6:30pm Simply Spirit Reading & Healing Center 1304 Meador Avenue, Suite B-11, Bellingham (Haskell Business Center, Building B) $5 drop in
Occurring in November Holiday Festival of the Arts 11/15 –12/24, 2013 Open Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 6pm closed Thanksgiving Day and closing at 3pm on Christmas Eve Bonus Days: 12/23 and 12/24 BIONS (Bellingham Institute of Noetic Science)
SCIENCE & SPIRIT MERGE IN FUTURE CLASSIC Thursday, 11/21/2013 Kirtan & Bahgavad Gita 7:00 – 9:00pm Thursdays 6:00pm-8:00pm (Doors open at 6:30pm) Krishna Lounge, 1111 N. State St. Fairhaven Library 1117 12th St. Sundays 5:00pm-7pm Suggested donation $5-$10 (feast following on 11/10 &11/24) 1109 N. State St. Mystical Winds Bellingham Holistic Fair Be Stress Free! Saturday, 11/23/2013 Guided Meditation 10:00am – 5:00pm Saturdays 10:00-11:00am Bloedel Donavan Park, Krishna Lounge 2214 Electric Ave. 1111 N. State St. Free Admission $5 drop in
Krishna Lounge Daytime Lounge & Tea Bar Sundays 10:00am-5:00pm $5 Yoga- 10:00am & 3:00pm Krishna Lounge 1111 N. State St.
WWU Concert Choir A Light in the Darkness: Songs of Hope and Comfort Sunday 11/24/2013 2:00pm and 7:00pm St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2117 Walnut St. $15 general, $10 students/seniors
WWU Symphony Orchestra Tuesday 11/26/2013 8:00pm WWU Performing Arts Center Concert Hall Free Admission Fairhaven Holiday Festival Opening & Holiday Art Walk Friday, 11/29/2013 3:00pm - 9:00pm Happening throughout Fairhaven Free to enjoy! Left Overs Party Friday 11/29/2013 Bellingham Dance Co. 1705 N. State Street 6:30 pm -Bring some left overs, eat with friends. 7:30pm-Swing Dance Lesson 7:30-10:00pm Dance $5 special Festival of the Trees Bellingham Health Support Center Friday-11/30 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday- 12/1 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Leopold Crystal Ballroom 1224 Cornwall Ave. Musicians will perform Friday evening.
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Jingle Bell Run Saturday 12/14/2013 Festivities begin at 8:00am Bellingham High School
Winter Solstice Service Saturday 12/21/2013 7:00pm - 9:00pm Center for Spiritual Living 2224 Yew Street Rd
Christmas Eve Candle-lighting Service Tuesday 12/24/2013 7:00pm - 9:00pm Center for Spiritual Living 2224 Yew Street Rd
See our website www.bellinghammuse.com for a current calendar of events or to list your own event
"Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself." - Rumi
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