April 2016 - Conscious Community by Conscious Community

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CONSCIOUS C MMUNITY

Dedicated to Elevating Consciousness

KISSING AND DRIVING

Get Your Garden On!

Kundalini Yoga is the Yoga of Awareness

April...

Spring into Action through Planning APRIL 2016 Volume 37, No. 8

Harp Meditation SPRING

EVENTS, FAIRS, EXPOS AND MUCH MORE!

FREE!

ROBIN HODSON WORLD RENOWNED TRANCE MEDIUM COMING TO CHERRY VALLEY IN APRIL!

Too Good To Miss! Robin will be presenting workshops, Sunday Service, and private readings April 9th through April 12th. At the NSAC convention in Phoenix, he exhibited accuracy on the level of a Van Praagh or Edward.

Come to listen, work, and even get a reading from one of the best! MAY 15, 2016 We will have a PSYCHIC FAIR With Guest Mediums from Camp Wonewoc in Western Wisconsin FOR MORE INFORMATION: Cherry Valley Spiritualist Camp/ Spiritualist Chapel in the Woods 8002 Service Rd. Cherry Valley, Il 61016 779-207-8278

MEDITATION ON THE GRASS

Columns 7 10

Features

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS April 2016

ALL ABOUT TOWN Experiencing the Hum BY THERESA PUSKAR

FROM THE HEART Kissing and Driving BY ALAN COHEN

THE SHARED HEART: NEW DIMENSIONS OF RELATIONSHIP

Asking Our Higher Power for Help In All Situations BY JOYCE AND BARRY VISSELL

12 16

YOGA FROM MY EXPERIENCE

THE MAGICAL WORLD OF NUMBERS

HEALING WITH HORSES

KISSING AND DRIVING

42 24

Spring As Emergence of Divine Energy BY CYNTHIA GRAN

April…Spring into Action Through Planning BY ELIZABETH SUMMERS

Horses Don’t Discriminate BY BLAIR MCKISSOCK

SOUND MATTERS Flashbacks, Road Warriors, And R.I.P. The “Fifth Beatle” BY STEVEN HALPERN

CYBERWEAVE: SPIRITUALITY AND THE INTERNET Loving Kindness: Lessons from a Local Hero BY MARY MONTGOMERY

GET YOUR GARDEN ON 46

COSMIC DAILY WEATHER: DEPTH ASTROLOGY PERSPECTIVES April 2016 BY KAYE BERJOT

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America’s Oldest Spiritual and Metaphysical Magazine

Contributors 40

DREAM ON BY WALTER PERSCHKE

ADVERTISER INTERVIEW Kundalini Yoga is the Yoga of Awareness BY ANNA J ANTHONY

GET YOUR GARDEN ON BY SUE ODLAND

Connections 28

THE PULSE CALENDAR

APRIL Events, Happenings, and Announcements of Interest

LIGHTWORKERS CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY Resources for Better Living

Reviews 52

IN PRINT BY KAYLA HANCOCK

Conscious Community Formerly The Monthly Aspectarian

April 2016 Volume 37, No.8 Publisher WALTER PERSCHKE Circulation Manager KASIA SZUMAL

Special Event Coordinator KASIA SZUMAL KAYE BERJOT KAYLA HANCOCK Media Coordinator KAYLA HANCOCK

Delivery Manager BONNIE TRALKA

Mutlimedia Specialist MELISSA BOYAS

Editors JULIE ROBERTS SUSAN PLUTO

Webmaster MELISSA BOYAS

Advertising KASIA SZUMAL ANNA ANTHONY

Online

CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM Conscious Community is published 12 times yearly by Conscious Community Magazine, LLC 47 W. Polk St., Suite 153 Chicago, IL 60605 Tel: 847-966-1110 Email: info@consciouscommunitymagazine.com

Follow Us On: Twitter twitter.com/ ConsciousCommunity Facebook facebook.com/ ConsciousCommunityMagazine Pinterest: pinterest.com/ ConsciousCommunity © 2016 Conscious Community Magazine, LLC. Formerly The Monthly Aspectarian. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. Conscious Community does not necessarily agree with opinions of the writers, nor is it liable for advertiser claims or representations. We believe in the reader’s judgment regarding the quality of any information. All ads should be received by the 10th of the month preceding publication.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 5

PUBLISHER’S LETTER The evolving nature of religious belief in America is documented by a Pew Research Center study completed in 2014. The study incorporated questions and answers from more than 35,000 participants. The direction of belief is subtle, but measurable— we are drifting away from traditional religion albeit at a very slow pace. The study is a repeat of one done in 2007, so we do have a solid starting point for comparisons, and measurement of change. One of the results of the two studies shows that only 3% fewer Americans say they believe in God, pray daily, or go to church regularly. Another aspect of the study shows that 23% of the public say they are religiously unaffiliated, they are atheist or agnostic, or have no particular affiliation. Pew Research Center staff calls them the “nones.” A fitting appellation. The “nones” have grown very rapidly in recent years to the dismay of mainstream churches that are bleeding membership. The “nones” population has grown 7% between the two studies. As the “nones” have increased in number, their need to feel or be religious has declined. 65% of the unaffiliated now say that religion is “not too” or “not at all” important to their lives, versus 57% in the first study in 2007. 33% of “nones” now indicate they don’t believe in God, versus only 22% in the 2007 study. Some of the changes are probably due to generational movement. The Baby Boomers, born 1946-1964, and the Silent Generation,1925-1945,areessentiallycommittedChristians,but as they die out, they are replaced in the mix by Gen (eration) Xers, 1965-1980, & Millennials, 1981-2000,who are not so devout, and help to lower the “I believe in God,” and “religion is very important to me,” from the 92% to 89% in 2014. The trend, while small, is consistent over the survey questions. From the Pew Research Center study: “Fully85%ofadultsfromtheSilentGenerationidentifythemselves as Christians, and just 11% saytheyhave no religious identity.And among Baby Boomers, fully 78% identify with Christianity, and just 17% are “nones.” But look at Millennials. Among Millennials, fewer than six-in-ten identify with Christianity, and more than one-third say they have no religious affiliation.” There is good news in the survey. The strength of commitment in pre-Millennial America is as strong as it was in 2007. There has been a 7% increase in the number of Americans who “feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and well-being,” and a similar 7% increase in the share of Americans who say they regularly “feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe.” Let us all experience the deep sense of wonder of the universe, the magic of creation, and the sense of awe that we are alive here and now to experience life as we know it.

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I am grateful to the Pew Research Center for their work in religion and spirituality. They measure change in meaningful ways, and present a frequentlysimple and easilyunderstoodyet compelling picture of belief in America. Thank you, Pew Research Center. When you are in the mood for a laugh read this: The atheist Chinese government has decided it will legislate who can be reincarnated. This is aimed, of course, at the Dalai Lama, and their desperate need for control of the Buddhist population, especially in Tibet. Tenzin Gyatso, which is the birth name of the 14th & current Dalai Lama, is 80 years old, so the issue is very relevant today. The succession of the soul of the Dalai Lama is quite real, but he has indicated he needs a rest after 7 or 8 incarnations, and my sources say he’s right. The Chinese are in a panic to find a successor that is alive now, a Buddhist and friendly to the government, which completely misses the point. You can’t find a successor while the current resident is alive, no matter what your government thinks and legislates. The Dalai Lama has been a shining light ambassador for Tibet, and we wish him the traditional blessing; long life, good health, and prosperity. Until next time,

Walter

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS Advanced Meditation! APRIL 7TH, 14TH, 21ST, 28TH

Are you under stress and overworked? Do you struggle with your emotions? Stress is self-generated, and is the byproduct of fear. Deep down, we all know this. The root cause is that we all live in the past or future in our thoughts—without consciously realizing that both are out of reach and out of our control. Negative thoughts have a destructive effect on our mind, and ultimately they manifest in the form of stress. Learn Vipassana. Gautama became Buddha (the enlightened one) with the help of Vipassana. If he could, why can’t you?

Introduction to Qi Gong with Jim Kaminecki April 9th • 2-4pm

Join Qi Gong practitioner, Jim Kaminecki, for this introductory class to Qi Gong. During our two hours, you will be introduced to a level one Qi Gong form, and we will practice it three to five times depending on our progress as a group. We will start the session with a brief warmup, which includes stretching exercises, then provide instruction on foundational techniques you will be using before we begin. All skill levels are welcome. $25/person offering with a maximum number of participants held to 20. Please bring activewear with you to participate: gym shoes, comfortable exercise clothes – sweatpants/shorts; sweatshirt/t-shirt.

What is Qi Gong?

Sessions will consist of Breathing, guided meditation, and silent meditation.

Sometimes thought of as moving meditation, Qi Gong (pronounced ‘chee-gong’) is an ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique that has a history going back over 4000 years.

Participants will learn about stress and its root cause, body, mind, and energy connection, law of karma, effect of stress on a cellular level.

Qi – roughly defined as vital energy, life force, breath, or spirit. Gong - - cultivation or mastery

Price: $30 per session. $100 if all sessions are pre-paid (20$ savings). Time: 6-8 pm. Location: Crystal River Gifts 310 N La Fox St #1, South Elgin, IL 60177. Phone: 224535-8708.

Price: $25. Register in advance to hold your place by calling 312-786-0077, or sending an email to SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com. Location information: Spiritual Learning Center, Burr Ridge. Location: Burr Ridge. Free Parking. ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 7

COMMUNITY

ROBIN HODSON World Renowned Trance Medium COMING TO CHERRY VALLEY April 9th through April 12th

Cherry Valley Spiritualist Camp and Spiritualist Chapel in the Woods are pleased and honored to announce that ROBIN HODSON, English Medium, world renowned teacher and trance instructor, will be coming in April. Robin has served Spiritualist Churches and Centers in his native Britain, America, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Switzerland, Sweden, Lapland and many other countries for 28 years. He is President of the International Spiritualist Federation and Seafordspirit, an independent Spiritualist center. In addition to church and public platform presentations, Robin is an expert tutor in all forms of mediumship; his trance and physical mediumship is sought round the world. His recent mediumship presentation at the NSAC convention in Phoenix exhibited accuracy and specificity on the level of a Van Praagh or Edward. Robin will be presenting workshops, Sunday Service, and private readings April 9th through April 12th. Cherry Valley Spiritualist Camp is the only Spiritualist Camp in Illinois and will be re-opening under new management in June. This is just the beginning of an exciting season in store! FOR MORE INFORMATION: Cherry Valley Spiritualist Camp/ Spiritualist Chapel in the Woods 8002 Service Rd. Cherry Valley, IL 61016 779-207-8278 8 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

Family Constellations Healing Series Facilitated by Candice Wu, LPC, CYT500 April 24th, May 29th, June 26th, July 24th: $395 for four sessions

Through an intimate small group for four weeks, we will share in a Family Constellations healing circle. Constellations can bring peace, freedom, awareness, and resolve to any life difficulties, including trauma, relationships, spirituality, career, money, love, infertility, health issues, mental health issues or imbalance, difficulties in life, grief, body image, shame, confidence, etc. Family Constellations cuts through the mindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story and our ideas of ourselves to a deeper, visceral, energetic, and spiritual level. In a compassionate and healing space, we will begin with grounding and tuning into the body, and then constellate two to three personal constellations each session. We will bring awareness, balance, and healing to ourselves and our ancestry, dead or alive. Time: 11am-3pm. Location: Hamsa Center: 3807 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613. Event link: http://www.candicewu. com/event/family-constellations-healing-series Contact Candice Wu at candicewu.aum@gmail.com or 248-3905001 More at www.candicewu.com. Look for Family Constellations One-Day Workshop especially for Healers and Therapists at the end of April at www.candicewu.com.

HAPPENINGS

Conscious Community Magazine together with Spiritual Learning Center to hold Two Harp Meditation Events

The Journey to Wholeness Center is NOW OPEN!

APRIL 24TH & APRIL 30TH

Mark Brewer is a professional harpist in the Chicago area who leads harp meditations and recorded the Power Chill cd. A lifelong student of spirituality with a unique talent of â&#x20AC;&#x153;captivatingâ&#x20AC;? audiences, Brewer brings the healing properties of the harp to people through live meditations. As he plays the harp, an instrument made from natural materials, each string produces a spectrum of overtones that deeply penetrate into the light body to balance the listener, and aid in the healing process.

The first event will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at Spiritual Learning Center, Burr Ridge. Time: 1pm2pm. Price: $25. Register in advance to hold your place by calling 312-786-0077, or sending an email to SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com. Free Parking.

Please come by and visit our holistic healing and wellness center. We offer daily Yoga classes, Massage Therapy, Reiki, Intuitive Healers, Life Coaches, EFT, Gong Healing, and many Educational Workshops. There is also a wonderful onsite bookstore and gift shop. We are located in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Please call, visit our center, or check the website to schedule an appointment with one of our many healing practitioners, or sign up for a Yoga class. We are offering the first Yoga class free for the month of April. Location: Journey to Wholeness Center, 9501 S. New England Ave. Oak Lawn, IL 60453. 708-634-3664. www.journeytowholeness.org.

The second event will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Crystal River Gifts, South Elgin. Time: 1pm-2pm. Price: $25. Register in advance to hold your place by calling 224535-8708 or by sending an email to crystalrivergifts@gmail. com. Free Parking.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 9

EXPERIENCING THE HUM Westmont, IL March 4th, 2016 ALL ABOUT TOWN

By: Theresa Puskar

“This is month three of my solitude and slowdown journey, and I can enthusiastically affirm that I survived!” As I have previously mentioned, I requested three months hiatus where I would not write about area events. My intention and focus has been on slowing down and simplifying my life. I would only allow myself one “planned” weekend event, and I spent a great deal of time at home in self-imposed hibernation. I have found that much to my surprise, I have enjoyed the quiet and solitude. I find refuge in having a day with nothing that I “have to do!” I was recently pulled back into the flurry of busy-ness when I was given a new position at my workplace. While I am excited about the opportunity, I was not enjoying the over-extension of my efforts, nor the depletion of sleep or downtime. Perhaps this is a sign of some success, as I carve my way back to living a more sanely paced lifestyle. As I write this, I am wondering if you have joined me on your journey, and if so, how you are doing?

“A while ago, I tried an experiment. For one year, I would say ‘Yes’ to all the things that scared me… the very act of doing the thing that scared me undid the fear… “yes” changed my life.” – Shonda Rhimes 10 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

It is funny what messages come your way when you are hungry to hear them. Again, I don’t believe that any accidents exist in my life, and I was blessed with another life lesson that arrived at my doorstep – via email. I subscribe to the weekly TED Talks. Whatever the subject, most often I find them informative and exhilarating. Last week I was sent a link to a video recording of renowned Hollywood producer and writer, Shonda Rhimes. If you are like me and spin your wheels at an insane pace, do yourself a favor. Look up and watch “Shonda Rhimes TED Talks - My year of saying yes to everything.” Her speech deeply impacted me, and moved me to tears. In fact, it stopped me dead in my tracks, and so inspired me that in response, I sent an email invitation out to my favorite sisters.

“There is some kind of shift inside me when the work gets good. A hum begins in my brain, and it grows and grows…The hum is God’s whisper right in my ear. And when you have a hum like that, you can’t help but strive for greatness… The more I work to be successful, the more I need to work… I AM that hum…And then the hum stopped. Overworked, overused, overdone, burned out… Inside me was silence…All the colors were the same, and I was no longer having any fun.” Shonda Rhimes is a self-professed “titan.” While that term sounds exemplary and heroic, frankly I translate it as “she is a workaholic.” I only say this because I stand right there by her side, wearing the same armor. Can you relate? I learned a long time ago that I identified my self-worth more in the work that I do, rather than the person I choose to be. Frankly, it’s something I’ve been aware of for years, and have yet to overcome. Again, all of the pieces of the puzzles in my life so delicately and deliciously seem to fall into place. Backing up a couple of months, one of the instigators of my commitment to slowing down was a channeled reading by an extraordinary woman whom I have known for over a decade, and have been meeting with about once every three to five years. In her recent December communication, she told me that I need to get back in touch with the playful, childlike part of myself. I need to quiet, settle, and put the humor and joyful play back into my life. Lo and behold, soon after that, I am delivered Shonda Rhimes’ TED Talk. “So what do you do when the thing you do, the work you love, starts to taste like dust?... If you have been to the hum, when the hum stops, who are you?... If the song of my heart ceases to play, can I survive in the silence? And then my Southern waitress toddler asks me a question, ‘Momma, wanna play?’ And I say, ‘Yes.’...There’s nothing special about it… nothing out of the ordinary… All that exists are sticky fingers and… tiny voices… It’s all peace and simplicity. The air is so rare, in this place for me…Play is the opposite of work. And I am happy.” To be honest with you, I don’t know when I lost the sense of play, or if I ever had it – not to mention whether I can find it again. As a child, I remember smelling the grass, and watching the ants build their colonies. I still smell the scent of those yellow popper tapes that my sisters lined up along the sidewalk and popped with the scratch of a rock (usually around July fourth.) However, even then I remember being incredibly awkward and self-conscious. If I lived a free and easy childhood, I don’t know if it was for very long. As far as playing with my daughter, I have fond memories of dancing in the rain, painting, and riding high on the hammock with her, yet I don’t know if it was at all natural for me. Often it felt forced and contrived. “A good mother engages and plays with her children. She doesn’t stand by watching.” That was the critical, self-conscious voice that rang throughout my struggling-mommy brain. So very often I went through the motions. I “acted” like I was having fun. Frankly, I think I was more worried about doing it right, than I was about letting go and enjoying life with my dear daughter.

“The hum is not power, and the hum is not work-specific. The hum is joy-specific… The real hum is confidence and peace…singular and original… It’s just love… My tiny humans show me how to live and the hum of the universe fills me up. I play and I play until I begin to wonder why we ever stop playing in the first place… you can still do this… You have time… You only need 15 minutes… What could be wrong with giving myself my full attention for 15 minutes?”

I thought the hum was the work. I thought it was the accolades I received from my writing, inspirational speaking, or performances, yet as I meditate on this, I am coming to realize that while I got short, sweet buzzes, they did not give me the hum that I so desperately needed. So, where do I find the hum, and how do I open my heart to feel it? Perhaps like Shonda, I may have to fake it for a while. “Work doesn’t work without play…Work’s hum is still a piece of me, it is just no longer all of me… I said ‘yes’ to less work and more play… the more I play the more I feel…the real hum. The more I feel that hum… the more I know who I am.” So, I have committed myself to finding the hum, and committing to play, as difficult as that may be. My first step - here is the invitation I sent to my dear sisters and friends: Dear sisters. I sit here, sobbing after watching the attached TED Talk. If you watch it, you will understand. As I watched, I asked myself whether or not I’ve experienced the “hum” that Shonda references in her speech. If I’m not sure, perhaps I haven’t. I don’t know. What I do know is that I want to find it. Life is too short, and I want to re-experience life’s greatest joys. I think it will start to whisper when connecting with friends, in re-experiencing play, and in witnessing the awesomeness of life’s simple miracles. Wanna join me? If not, no worries - I’ll do it on my own (but, of course, it’d be much more fun with friends!!!). I am committing to scheduling AT LEAST one “hum” day each month - hiking, dancing, hugging trees, going to Second City shows, painting, laughing too much, biking, skiing, seeing theater that I love, pampering myself, whatever. Let me know if you want to join me (and if so, please feel free to share your ideas). I encourage you too to shout out to your clan, and plan your own play dates. This weekend, I joined a dear friend at a spa. I got my first full-body 90-minute scrub and massage. It was delightful and refreshing. I felt nurtured and re-energized. It was the selfadministered “me” time that I committed myself to, and I am so glad that I did it. I can’t wait to see how this commitment shapes my life. I want to laugh more, to trust more, and to feel that I am easing into every experience that comes my way. I know it will start small, and I have no doubt that somehow, some way, this benevolent universe will continue to take me to the places that I need to go. I look forward to opening my heart and mind to the childlike magic that I need to fulfill my soul’s calling at this time. I hope that you join me. We can all use a lot more ease, joy, and play in our lives. Theresa Puskar, our All About Town contributor, is a writer, trainer, speaker, and inspirational audiobook producer. She has recently authored The Terri Series – seven books that focus on social issues such as bullying, honoring diversity, celebrating creativity, non-judgment of emotions, finding alternatives to technology-based entertainment, discovering a non-judgmental God, and overcoming fears. She has also recorded a powerful experiential audio program, How to De-Clutter Your Mind and live a Heart-Centered Life!

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 11

KISSING AND DRIVING FROM THE HEART

By: Alan Cohen

I saw a romantic greeting card which showed a couple kissing in the front seat of a car. The message said, “If you can kiss while driving safely, you are not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.” Anything that is worth doing, is worth doing with a whole heart, mind, and body. We get into trouble not because we do things that are wrong, but because we approach our activities with divided intentions. Our body is doing one thing, while our heart is elsewhere. We go to jobs we’d rather not be at, we sleep with people we don’t love, we go to parties we secretly find boring or repulsive. At the same time, we love people we don’t express our love for, we deny ourselves food we would really enjoy,

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we have creative impulses we do not follow, and we know truths we do not act on. I have a very simple definition of integrity: You are in integrity when what you are doing on the outside matches who you are on the inside. I respect people who live unapologetically. I know people who do things I don’t agree with, or wouldn’t do myself, yet I respect them for being 100% who they are. They are in integrity. In Emmanuel’s Book II: The Choice for Love, Emmanuel suggests, “When you move into your physical loving, as you remove your clothing, take off your mind as well. It simply is not equipped to hear the music.”

present. When I am singing with Iani I don’t miss my cell phone. Email is non-existent. Money has no value. I am content. “But Alan,” you say, “Not all of us have the luxury of sitting and chanting on a Maui beach. Some of us have jobs and families to support, and responsibilities.” Fine; it doesn’t matter. Just be fully present with whatever you are doing. When you are at work, that’s all that exists. When you are making love, make total love. When you are with your kids, really be one with your kids. I noticed that when I did book signings, I felt rushed so I could accommodate everyone in line. I was not fully present with some people, because I was aware of the people behind them in line. Then I realized that I was cheating them and myself. So I decided to be fully present with each person, and stay with them until I really connected with them. Suddenly book signings became a delight. Now I love talking to people, touching them, looking into their eyes. I learned that it does not take a lot of time to make contact; just a few moments of full presence can be completely fulfilling. In the movie City Slickers, a veteran cowboy named Curly teaches some angst-ridden dudes some country wisdom. When things get tough, Curly raises his index finger and nods. Eventually the city slickers figure out what he meant: “Do one thing at a time. If you can really focus on what is right before you, everything falls into place.” I read a fascinating article in USA Today about multi-tasking, the process of doing several things at once. Years ago this was called, “spinning plates.” Now it’s multi-tasking. Whatever. The writer stated that we invented time- and labor-saving devices to give us more time to enjoy life. Instead of enjoying life with our extra time, we find more things to do. Ultimately, our life is not richer because of our voicemails, emails, cell phones, faxes, pagers, and microwaves; it is just busier. If we did more of the things we really want to do with our free time, these inventions would be worthwhile. Instead, we find more things we have to do.

Everything is like kissing and driving. If you’re driving, really drive. If you’re kissing, really kiss. Alan Cohen is the author of the new bestseller A Course in Miracles Made Easy: Mastering the Journey from Fear to Love. Join Alan in Hawaii for a life-changing retreat, Destiny Calls, June 10-15. For more information about this program, his free daily inspirational quotes, online courses, and weekly radio show, visit alancohen.com.

In the late 1950s a survey asked a large group of people if they considered themselves happy. Nearly 60% of the group answered yes. A few years ago a similar study was conducted, and 57% of the group answered yes. So all of our slick technology has not improved the quality of our life. Quantity of activities, for sure; quality, no. What is it, then, that makes our lives qualitatively better? Presence; being 100% with what you are doing; approaching work, relationships, everything with a whole heart. I would like to tell you about the most prosperous man I know. Iani sits on a local beach and sings love songs. He strums handsome exotic Indian instruments which he meticulously crafts at home, then comes to the beach around sunset, and chants. He sings love songs to God, to the sea, to the sky, to the sand, to the wind, and, if you pass by, Iani will sing a love song to you. During many memorable sunsets, I have sat with Iani and sung with him. I take an empty plastic water bottle, and play percussion. Iani lives very modestly and has few possessions. He is the most prosperous man I know, because his heart is full of love and he is fully

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ASKING OUR HIGHER POWER FOR HELP IN ALL SITUATIONS THE SHARED HEART: NEW DIMENSIONS OF RELATIONSHIP The first three steps of the twelve-step program for recovery from addiction have to do with asking for help; knowing that we are powerless without help from a higher power; and trusting that this higher power can restore our lives greater than we could even imagine. I have seen these twelve steps work miracles in the lives of many people. What about people who are not struggling with addiction? I feel the twelve steps, especially the first three, can help everyone. We recently met with a family group of 15 people who were going through a huge challenge, with very strong opposing views. The family was split in two by these views, and were in a lot of pain. There appeared to be no easy solution, and there was a possibility of multiple estrangements. In all of our 45 years of counseling people and leading groups, this was honestly the most complex and painful family situation we had ever encountered. I hardly ever feel nervous about a situation in our work, yet I began to feel nervous, and a bit fearful. I realized I needed to turn the situation over completely to God, asking that this great power could come through Barry and me in ways that I could not even imagine. That is what happened! Once I really surrendered to my need for help in working with this broken family, the nervousness and fear left me. I did not really have a plan other than to trust in the Higher Power of Love. Though the time with them was very challenging, the end result was greater than I could have ever imagined. This family has a long road to go in healing, yet if they can continue to ask for help from a higher power,

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By: Joyce and Barry Vissell

they will be even stronger than before. Asking for help from our higher power is extremely powerful in our lives. Most people wait until there is an extremely challenging situation. There is the famous scene from the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” in which Jimmy Stewart’s character, George, is desperate and wants to take his life. While sitting in a bar he prays, “God, I am not a praying man but, if you can hear me, I need help.” Then help comes in the form of a strange angel named Clarence. What if we began asking for help with smaller things in our life, to build up a momentum of faith that we can be helped in all ways when we ask? Most people feel that it is best to not bother asking for help for smaller things, as it is a waste of God’s energy. That view sees The Great Power of Love in such a limited way; that there is just so much energy, and so we’d better wait until it is life and death before asking for help. The truth is that the energy available to us is unlimited. We are loved so much that help is always available. I am not talking about asking for a brand new, shiny car, or to win the lottery. I am talking about real life issues; however small you think they are. I recently had an experience with what could be considered a very small need for help. We were at the breakfast line at the retreat center we use in Hawaii to lead our week-long couple’s retreat. Before the retreat a woman volunteer asked us to give a talk to the community about relationships. At first we thought none of the volunteers would come, yet she assured us she

would get other volunteers to come. We agreed and set up a time and space for one of the evenings. We then got involved with leading our retreat, and forgot about naming the talk. The morning of the talk came, and suddenly we realized we had not given the talk a name to place on the daily activities board. While in line at the dining area, Barry suggested that we call it an “Aloha Talk.” I didn’t like that title but couldn’t come up with something else. Then I said, “I’m going to ask for help that someone will come and tell us exactly what to name the talk.” Barry looked doubtful, and responded, “Well I doubt that someone is going to come walking up and tell us, yet if they do we will go with their suggestion. We have to have something up on the bulletin board within a few minutes.” We agreed and continued in the line. I closed my eyes for a moment, and asked for help. Within one minute of my asking for help, the original woman volunteer that had invited us came around the corner carrying some hot water. She stopped when she saw us and said, “We are all so excited about the talk tonight. What are you going to name it?” Barry suggested the “Aloha Talk.” She grimaced and said, “Nobody would come to that! Why don’t you call it ’Creating Healthy Relationships’?” Then she continued on her way with the hot water. We stood a moment in awe at the divine answer to my small request for help.

Creator wants to help us as we live our lives upon this earth. Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors near Santa Cruz, CA, who are widely regarded as among the world’s top experts on conscious relationship and personal growth. They are the authors of The Shared Heart, Models of Love, Risk to Be Healed, The Heart’s Wisdom, Meant to Be, and A Mother’s Final Gift. Call Toll-Free 800-766-0629 (locally 831-684-2299), or write to the Shared Heart Foundation, P.O. Box 2140, Aptos, CA 95001, for further information on counseling sessions by phone or in person, their books, recordings, or their schedule of talks and workshops. Visit their website at SharedHeart.org for their free monthly e-heartletter, their updated schedule, and inspiring past articles on many topics about relationship and living from the heart.

Help does not always come immediately, as with the name of our talk, George Bailey getting a visit from his angel Clarence, or when we worked with that troubled family. But help will come at the perfect time, and it can go beyond your imagination. The important thing is to start asking for help, and knowing that our

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Spring As Emergence of Divine Energy YOGA FROM MY EXPERIENCE

By: Cynthia Gran

“Little Darling, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter.   Little Darling, it seems like years since it’s been here.”   Here Comes the Sun, George Harrison As soon as you walk outside on a spring morning, the senses awaken. The ears fill with bird songs. The sun shines brighter and appears higher in the sky, and your skin feels its warmth. Plants emerge from the ground. The air smells fresh. You can’t help but exclaim, “It’s a beautiful day!” The greening of the Earth’s mantle in spring is an awakening of energy. Plants and trees awaken, utilizing resources that remained inactive all winter. This stored energy, recognized in physics, is called potential energy. A yogi sees this as analogous to awakening the divine energy and sparkle of one’s own dormant, potential energy that lies within the pelvic region. That divine energy is Kundalini Shakti. It’s symbolized as a sleeping snake coiled up in the base of the spine. The classic Sanskrit manual, The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, says that the entire purpose of yoga is to awaken this potential. Like the awakening of the Earth in springtime, the yogi’s objective is to awaken Kundalini Shakti from its dormancy, and move it up through the spinal column to the crown of the head. This is why most yoga postures involve loosening, twisting, and strengthening the spine, tapping into and rousing the potential energy at its base. Yoga cultivates that human potential, otherwise untapped, in order that we may transform our everyday human experience. Still the process is as natural as the flowering of a daffodil. We’ve all experienced Kundalini Shakti in the form of unexpected raindrops; a brisk wind or gentle breeze; a shiver up the spine; goose bumps; butterflies in the stomach; a sense of rising/swirling energy; or intense prayer. Yet its ultimate expression is stillness.

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“A seed is waiting in the earth, for rain to come and give him birth. It’s all he really needs to set him free... So lay down your umbrellas; strip off your plastic macs. You’ve never felt the rain my friend, till you’ve felt it running down your back. So the next time you see rain, it ain’t bad. Don’t complain it rains for you.” Mamunia, Paul McCartney and Wings (1973) As a key is used to open a door, the potential energy of Kundalini Shakti can open the door to spiritual liberation. The whole process, as written in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, is archaic and complicated. It requires guidance by a competent teacher to translate subtleties of the exercises. Genuine awakening requires commitment, diligent preparation, and sincere effort. In fact, it’s been said that the preparation is greater than the achievement. Preparations include purification of mind and body, hatha yoga, meditation, and breath control. Breath is exceedingly important in awakening Kundalini Shakti. Without harnessing the breath, nothing happens. Kundalini is an advanced branch of yoga with multiple definitions. It’s often misunderstood; yet one basic concept can be easily understood: the outer world is reflected in our inner world, although we experience them as separate. Tantra adds that we may be conscious or unconscious of this separation. It usually causes the restlessness in our lives. But we are all connected to that same primal energy, just as a drop of water has the same qualities of all the water in the ocean. The purpose of yoga is to transcend our limited human experience and tap into our unlimited potential to see we are not alone. Kundalini actually draws us towards her. The raising and awakening of her energy is yoga, the union that we naturally desire. Tantra states that Kundalini Shakti is the divine, cosmic reservoir. It’s the universal source of life, and the vitality of the body/mind complex. We experience it directly, but only in minute amounts. We just need to realize that we can align to these channels of spiritual energy. Kundalini Shakti is divine. You are divine. Nature is divine. By breathing along the spine we become linked to the Divine. As the weather warms and you spend more time outside, try this simple technique. Here the body is a conduit between your potential energy and Nature’s energy. Take 30 minutes to feel fully alive and profoundly connected to the energy of universal consciousness: Find a quiet place outside. Either sit directly on the ground, or stand barefoot. Get in touch; feel the grass beneath you. Look. Listen. Smell. Breathe. Establish deep breathing by simultaneously raising the arms very slowly overhead while inhaling. Exhale and slowly lower the arms to your sides. Continue coordinating arms and breath this way for three minutes. Pause the arm movement, but continue the same deep, rhythmic breathing. Bring your attention back to the grass and the Earth beneath you. Inhale, using the mind to see breath/energy rise up from the Earth and up into the body. Continue breathing slowly upward, lengthening the breath, reaching several inches overhead. Exhale from overhead back down through the body until reaching the Earth. Continue coordinating mind and breath through the body, inhaling up and exhaling down. Let the mind and breath continue to flow together slowly without pause. After several minutes, focus the attention at the heart. Remain here as long as you wish, continue watching the breath. Become aware of your surroundings via sensations. Open your eyes and see the world anew.

APRIL…

Spring into Action through Planning

THE MAGICAL WORLD OF NUMBERS

Focus, discipline, stability, security energy…sounds like a boot camp but these are the energies of April. All the scattered thoughts and behaviors of March are now settling down into practical applications. April, the fourth month of the calendar year, brings organization and planning more into focus. Whether gardening, deciding which walls to paint, where all the tools and gadgets in the newly cleaned out garage need to go, the Number Four is a great support system to lead us forward. During April, one might feel like “putting life in order” and all the surroundings of one’s life experience, too. Thinking things through step by step, carefully budgeting monies and laying a foundation for a social life to come in Summer just might take up a lot of “thinking time”. The Number Four equates to the sign of Taurus in Astrology. Taurus energies love the “good life”…good foods, luxury, beautiful homes, rocks, wood…an earthy and stable environment. Digging in the dirt, gardening, cooking, experimenting with wines, liquors, herbs… you name it, brings Taurus and Number Four comfort and fun!

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By: Elizabeth Summers

In ancient Tarot Number interpretations, the Number Four is the Emperor card exhibiting control and will power in making decisions. Using reason and not emotions, this Emperor vibration creates concrete organizations and structure. Armed with these thought processes, the Emperor knows what to do and when to do it. Accounting, building, military, architect are but a few occupations that offer productivity to Number Four, Taurus and the Emperor. The term “salt of the earth” is frequently a phrase used to identify this no nonsense vibration. The geometric associated with the Number Four is a square. Those born on birth day Numbers adding to a Four chose this day because it offers the framework, socially, materially and financially that this personality energy is striving to carry out. This “four-square” person is a good efficient worker who enjoys doing things with head and hands. The energy of self -discipline binds him to a need for a conventional routine. This subconscious fear of “no one can do things better than I can do them” can lead to physical issues of stress and heart burn! Taking vacations frequently

is unheard of because there is a distinct tendency to be a workaholic. Change is not the favorite situation for Number Four’s to be involved in…flexibility and un-scheduled adventure sameness is not a strong point! The Number Four personality has a peculiar tendency to view everything from an opposite angle to everyone else. For instance, in an argument, a Number Four may deliberately take the other side. Even with the best of intentions, this seemingly quarrelsomeness nature brings about the opposition. Thus, the secret enemies list of the Number Four grows ever longer. Neither governments nor communities are safe from the rebellious attitude of the Number Four as they will make valiant attempts to reverse the order of things through instituting new rules and regulations for all to live by. Favorite themes attracting this “rebel with a cause” are social questions and reforms of all kinds, yielding very positive, unconventional views and opinions.

values money only as an essential ingredient for achieving security, which is of utmost importance to them. April and the early signs of Spring is when Mother Earth begins to step up and show her potential for the upcoming months. The winds blow house-cleaning the trees, animals begin to scamper, babies animals find themselves in a whole new environment with mom and some dads and we find ourselves stepping out more into the fresh air, soaking in the new rays of sunshine, and beginning to feel that “all is right with the world!” Spiritually guiding clients since 1988, Elizabeth Summers provides practical information by combining Numerology, Astrology and Tarot interpretations in her personal readings. For a private Numerology reading with Elizabeth Summers, please go here to review your choices: http://www.elizabethsummers.com/numerologyreadings.html

Feelings run deep when discussions of patriotism, loyalty to friends and family duties are discussed. Although as a rule, the Number Four makes few real friends, to those they do have they are most devoted and loyal. The Number Four will always play the part of the “under dog” in any argument or cause so think carefully when you are picking sides. In addition, tact and diplomacy are not necessarily a strong point for the Number Four simply because they bend over backwards to be truthful. A child born on any day adding to Number Four, including Four, could best be described as the “different” one in the group. Frequent trips to the principal’s office occur as the Number Four thoroughly enjoys doing things just the opposite of the other kids. Grown- ups look at this as anti-social behavior and rebellion. Nevertheless, the Number Four personality of the child is slow, deliberate, cautious and methodical. They are usually high-strung and have difficulty expressing feelings verbally. Their easily-bruised emotions cause moods that will be hard to shake, which play themselves out as contrary and expressing unconventional behaviors. When dealing with relationships, Number Fours express love and emotional feelings from the physical and intellectual sides. These relationships are likely to have their ups and downs. A Number Four frequently chooses relationships that come from out of his or her own ethnic, social or religious background. The Number Four is apt to repress his feelings because of his tendency to over discipline himself. Others may not give their love to him because they feel it is unwanted. With an attitude that is more or less indifferent as to the accumulation of wealth, Number Four is seldom as successful in worldly or material matters as other vibrations. Although an extrovert and very goal-oriented, Number Four

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 19

HORSES DON’T DISCRIMINATE HEALING WITH HORSES

Have you ever noticed how many different colors of horses there are? Horses can come in almost 100 different varieties of coat color and markings with endless combinations. They are one of a few species that can have multiple variations in their markings within a group of the same species, besides humans. Their colors are influenced by their breed and heritage, just like humans. Human skin color runs the spectrum from dark to light skin tones, and there are variations in hair color with endless combinations. Within horses there are some with very long wavy manes and tails, all the way to curly manes like a Curly Bashkir. There are some horses whose ears are curled, and others that have coats that seem to glow. Just like humans, they come in all shapes and sizes, yet horses don’t discriminate. Horses don’t see the world the way we do. They use all of their senses, not just sight to interpret the world around them. They can see long distances as a part of their evolved ability to survive. Some researchers believe they can see some colors in the blue and red spectrum. They use their funnel-shaped ears to hear long distances. Horses can recognize each other by distinctive whinnies and sounds, and can also tell the gender and size of a horse by their call. Their sense of smell is very keen, determined by the distance from the nostril to the sinus, where they have more scent

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By: Blair McKissock, MSEd, RYT

receptors than many domesticated animals. It is speculated that they can smell on a DNA level, meaning that they can smell or taste our DNA, and know their owner or “person”; and/or if we are nervous, scared, relaxed, etc. One of their most sensitive senses is that of touch. They have a very sensitive nose with fine whiskers that can tell them what they are feeling. If you have ever touched a horse, their nose is as soft as velvet. Horses have the ability to remember each other by using all of their senses, even after being apart for many years. If you talk to a horse person, they can confirm that like us they have a gut instinct. They can sense our mood, and perceive emotions, picking up on incongruences among those they interact with. Even with all of these heightened senses, they don’t discriminate. (Editor’s note: A very interesting and informative website is: montyrobertsuniversity.com. Check out their Forum for information and questions shared by many knowledgeable horse people.) When horses interact in groups, they use all of their heightened senses to gain information about other horses, especially ones they have never met before. They tend to be cautious of horses they don’t know, which is why humans allow horses to greet over fences, or from separated pastures before turning them out with one another.

Do you think they would choose to fight another horse because it was a dapple grey instead of a bay? Or do you think a stallion would herd his mares away from a bachelor band because they were all palominos? When you meet a horse do you think they see you first? Or do they hear you, smell you, and perceive you? A horse doesn’t ask what your heritage is, or why your skin is a certain color; they take you as you are right then and there. They only ask for your honesty in letting them SEE you. There is a difference between seeing someone for what they look like on the outside, and SEEING someone as they are. If there is one message that we need to learn from them right now it’s that what is on the outside is NOT a reflection of what is on the inside. We need to learn to listen to a person first, use all of our senses to perceive them and see them, before we decide we can trust them or not. A horse doesn’t turn its back on you because of the way you look, it’s because of the way you act. They don’t assume you are less intelligent if you are a miniature horse instead of a quarter horse. They ask you questions about your leadership through their body language, and wait to see how you answer it. They don’t form a judgment about you when they see you, they take in the whole picture to determine if you are safe or not, and even that judgment changes moment to moment based on how you act. If you walk into a pasture with a halter and lead rope making a straight line to one horse, they can tell what your intention is, and then choose whether or not to let you catch them. If you stop chasing them, and bring your energy down, then they may simply walk over. They watch the way you walk, how your head is held, and your body posture, not looking at your skin color to determine if they can trust you or not. To survive, horses must work as a group together each knowing they have a place and job within the herd. Everyone has something to offer, and they are stronger together. Horses can’t afford to discriminate.

There has been a lot of hate and fear thrown around at us humans lately. It is adding fuel to fires that have sat smoldering for years and if left unchecked will erupt. Yes, there are bad people in the world, but that does not make everyone bad. When we spend so much time classifying people according to where they come from, what they look like, or how they talk, we miss the bigger picture; we don’t SEE them. We miss out on what kind of leaders they could be, or what kind of person they are. Somewhere inside of us we know that nature has it right. We can learn a lot from nature, and from spending time with horses. Next time you meet someone that you are unsure about, use all of your senses to get the complete picture of them as they are right then and there, before you decide whether to trust them or not. Look past their colors, markings, size, and heritage, and SEE them for who they are. Horses don’t discriminate, so why do we? Blair McKissock, MSEd, RYT is a speaker and author on experiential and nature-based learning. She loves sharing the amazing world of equineassisted learning and therapies through her work at Strides to Success in Plainfield, Indiana. You can learn more about coaching, OmHorse mounted yoga sessions, and upcoming equine-assisted workshops at stridestosuccess.org.

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22 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

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SOUND MATTERS

By: Steven Halpern

I’ve been on the road more in the past three weeks than in the past six months, and I’m tired. I presented a standing room only workshop at the Conscious Life Expo in LA, and barely had time to eat during the entire weekend. There was always a great speaker or panel to attend, when I wasn’t checking out the amazing exhibitors.

A virtual sandstorm kicked up as I hit the keys. I was choking, and covered with dust. This was a case of, “the show does NOT go on.”

This past week, I presented a Friday evening program for the IONS of Tucson (AZ) group, (Institute of Noetic Sciences). IONS was founded by astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell about 40 years ago. I’ve been a member ever since. Twenty years ago, I presented a full day workshop at the international IONS conference in Boca Raton, FL. Dr. Deepak Chopra was the keynote presenter.

She was, indeed, in the house. But she was offended that I called her out, and refused.

I was honored to perform a short piano composition to begin the awards ceremony. At the end of the conference, I was invited to play a private concert at Dr. Mitchell’s home, on his Yamaha grand piano. Naturally, I flashed back on those interwoven experiences as I stepped onstage in Tucson. Much to my surprise and delight, there was a seven-foot Yamaha Conservatory grand piano onstage at the Unity of Tucson hall. That’s the same model as the one I recorded MINDFUL PIANO on. I could hardly wait to begin my presentation. You see, the first concert I gave in Tucson, in 1981, left an indelible mark on my memory banks. That concert was booked at a historic theater downtown. They didn’t have time for a sound check, so I was not prepared for what greeted me as I played my opening arpeggio.

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I stopped, and got up to speak at the microphone, “Is the house manager here? If so, please bring a vacuum cleaner on stage immediately.”

I was offended that anyone would allow a beautiful 1920 piano to be abused like that. The show had to go on… so I invited 12 people onto the stage, had them take a deep breath, and blow the sand and dust towards the stage door. That’s what I remember about the evening. This past weekend, right before I got onstage, a woman named Colette came up to me, and told me how much she had enjoyed that marvelous concert in 1981. Several other folks told me about healings that had occurred. Interestingly, Colette didn’t even remember the sandstorm part of the concert. I learned early in my career that healings and other blessings would often take place during my concerts, regardless of the quality of the piano. It also confirmed that I have an unseen ‘band’ who accompanies me.

In fact, at many concerts, psychics and other individuals who see auras would come up to me after the concert and tell me what they saw. Since I don’t usually see these beings (but I do feel them), I am fascinated, especially when folks all report seeing the same thing! Getting that kind of first-hand feedback has always been one of the highlights of performing in public. The economic exigencies, both of affordable facilities that have concert-level pianos, as well as my own physical stamina, mean that I’ll never repeat the road warrior persona of the first 25 years of my career, when I was on the road three out of four weekends almost every month. I have no idea how the various presidential candidates do what they do, on a daily basis. I’ve done a different city every day only once, on a book tour for Sound Health in spring 1985. It was a killer schedule. I did major media and New Age press, radio, and TV, yet I never spoke to rallies of over 10,000, as both Bernie and Hillary do on a regular basis. In fact, and this goes for all of the candidates, I wonder if they get special foods, high oxygen content on their planes, or secret pharmaceutical breakthroughs. My hat’s off to all of them. First Person Testimonials First person testimonials, in person, or via email, Facebook, or Twitter, are like gold records for me. It is always an honor to hear how my music has positively impacted someone’s life. Rarely, however, has a physician come up to me outside of a conference setting, and told me, “Your music helped me graduate medical school. Not only did I listen to SPECTRUM SUITE, but I’d record material I needed to learn onto cassettes, with your music in the background. I’d listen in the car as I drove from Buffalo to Jamestown on holidays.” That was how Dr. Panebianco introduced himself to me, when we met about a year ago at the juice bar at my nearby Good Earth natural food store. Dr. P. is the Medical Director at the VA Hospital in Tucson, and a graduate of Dr. Andrew Weil’s Integrative Medicine program. He is also an amazing individual, who interrupted our lunch, en route to the airport, to save a woman’s life who was having a stroke at the restaurant we were dining at! Watching him shift gears and leap into action was truly extraordinary! For the past 15 years, my music has been made available to vets in a number of VA hospitals through Medcalm, a major content provider to hospitals of all kinds.

The synergy that sparked when I spoke with Dr. P. was exciting. I’ll have more to say about our work together to combine his expertise and mine to combat PTSD among vets. (In case you were wondering, as I was: the VA debacle that was reported in the news in 2014 was at the Phoenix VA hospital, a totally different situation than in Tucson.) I’d like to invite you to feel free to share stories and experiences you’ve had with my music. Facebook, Twitter, and contact links are on my homepage, StevenHalpern.com. On a less happy note, news of Sir George Martin’s passing at age 90 came as I was completing this column. His brilliance in helping to manifest and expand John, Paul, George, and Ringo’s musical visions is widely known by millions. His genius is even more appreciated by musicians; the “Fifth Beatle” changed the course of modern music forever. I recall that when the Sgt. Pepper album came out, it was rumored that the Abbey Road studio used 128 tracks to record all the special sound effects, the orchestra, etc. (This was at a time when the leading studios had four or eight tracks at most!) Years later, it was revealed that Sir George did it all on only four tracks, bouncing tracks and pre-mixing. Most of my friends simply could not believe it! My personal epiphany in hearing “between the notes” occurred while listening to the extended sustain, and the endlessly shifting harmonics of the very last chord in “A Day in the Life.” No one had ever recorded a piano in that way, so that the listener could get ‘inside the harmonic overtones’ like that. (This was the case whether one listened with or without herbal or chemical assistance.) Years later, it was revealed that in actuality, several different pianos were recorded to create the trippy effect of those shifting sonics. Long before that information was made public, I developed my proprietary pianistic and multiple microphone placement techniques to highlight the symphony of ethereal harmonies that are a hallmark of my grand piano recordings. This approach to mindful, meditative composing and listening reached a new level of beauty in my latest album, MINDFUL PIANO. Listen with headphones, and I guarantee you’ll be transported to that same sublime place of peace on the wings of sound.

Until next time, Remember to listen to the space between the notes. Steven Halpern

Steven Halpern is a Grammy® nominated recording artist celebrating his 41st anniversary as “the most trusted name in sound healing.” His latest releases are MINDFUL PIANO and AMONG FRIENDS:1975-2015: A 40 Year Retrospective, (which is nominated for the ZMR Meditation/Relaxation Album of the Year.) Read more at StevenHalpern.com, and watch videos at YouTube.com/StevenHalpernMusic. Steven will be presenting a keynote address at the GLOBAL PRYAMID conference May 13-15 in Chicago

LOVING KINDNESS:

LESSONS FROM A LOCAL HERO CYBERWEAVE SPIRITUALITY AND THE INTERNET Last month’s column paid tribute to the gifts given to the world by the late Dr. Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 Astronaut and founder of the Institute of Noetic Sciences(IONS). Not all heroes have such a national and international scope. We can often be inspired by people much closer to home. These local heroes and role models often have a greater impact on us because our connection with them is so personal and deep. I recently attended the “Going Home Celebration” (aka funeral service) of one of these local heroes who left us at the ripe old age of 94. If you aren’t an African-American who grew up on Chicago’s west side, you probably have never even heard of James “Major” Adams. Major, as he was affectionately called, is a local legend, and his lifelong dedication to using the power of loving kindness as a force for transformation can inspire all of us. The Major title comes from this man’s service in Europe during World War II, though it is what he did after the war that has left its indelible imprint on so many. In 1955, Major opened up a basement in the Henry Horner projects in order to provide wholesome activities for community residents. This became the Henry Horner Boys & Girls Club, the first Boys & Girls Club built in a housing development in the United States. The young people in Major’s Hornets Drum & Bugle Corps attained international fame. In the 1960s, Major, with the assistance of Chicago Area Project, established Youth Services Committee of the Westside, an organization that continues today as the Major Adams Community Committee at 125 N. Hoyne Ave., Chicago, IL 60612 (check them out on Facebook). Major Adams mentored many, including some names you may be familiar with such as Freddie, Maurice, and Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire, Warner Saunders, Former NBC5 News Anchor, and Arthur Robertson, founder of the South Shore Drill Team. He also mentored countless folks who were way down on their luck, and needed a good word and a helping hand. Just one example: Even if their own families had turned their backs on them, recently released convicts knew that Major would find a way to help them get back on their feet. Major did just that by creating the community’s first re-entry program for ex-felons.

26 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

By: Mary Montgomery

All this is well and good, yet why am I writing about Major in Conscious Community Magazine? The answer to that question is contained in the eulogies at that “Going Home Celebration.” Over and over, I heard memories of Major, who never had an unkind word to say about anybody, and Major who believed that there is no such thing as a bad child. Later on, at the luncheon in his honor, I had a chance to talk to one of his mentees, Ken Butler, the current executive director of the Major Adams Community Committee. “The Major would see the diamond inside the coal,” said Butler. “He was an amazing individual who never gave up on anyone… It’s an aura. As he told me, ‘It has to burn inside in order for you to want to make people feel better about themselves.’” It has to burn inside. The love and kindness has to burn inside our own hearts in order to bring out that love and kindness in others. I know that. You know that. Yet, my goodness, that way of being can seem to be SO difficult, especially in a society that has made insult and ridicule a high and valued art. I have personally struggled with this. For example, when a treasured relationship broke up last year, I found myself in a very angry and critical space. I knew I shouldn’t be in this space (and beat myself up over that too). I saw the effect on my life of being in that angry and critical space (Law of Attraction). My New Year’s Resolution was to adjust my way of being. I’m not a natural at this like Major was. I am a believer in using techniques that help me reach my goal. For me, the techniques that are helping me become more loving and kind are those recommended by Abraham Hicks (abraham-hicks.com). Hey, I had all the “Abe books” in my library. I had Ask and it is Given on my Kindle app. I even was a member of the AbrahamHicks Vortex Group on Facebook. I was familiar with some of the techniques, yet I wasn’t really using them. This time I reread the Abe material with a fresh eye. I realized that I didn’t have to buy 100% into the Abraham vision of reality for these techniques to be effective in my own life. Here are my Abraham takeaways.

They have helped put me on a new and entirely fabulous and positive plane of existence in my own life. Maybe they will help you too. • According to Abe, Step One is identifying what you want. Step Two is the work of Source Energy, ready to answer your request. Step Three is about taking responsibility. It is the important step that many people skip. You must be in a receiving mode of well-being so that you are not in vibrational resistance to what you want. • The Abe techniques help us get back into a vibrational harmony of well-being. On the surface, this can be very “It’s all about me” centered, yet here’s the interesting part; using these techniques also trains you to feel more loving and kind about everyone and everything in your life. When you practice these techniques you start to burn inside, just like James “Major” Adams. • Technique: Smile. When you wake up, smile for one minute. This increases the serotonin levels in your system, and is a powerful antidepressant. It also helps you put on an inner smile that you can take with you all day. I’ve been making a point of doing that, and the results are amazing. Complete strangers are starting to say things like, “My, you have such a pleasant smile!” and, “You are so nice!” Sweet! • Technique: Rampage of Appreciation. Look around your environment, and gently notice something that pleases you. Try to hold your attention on this pleasing object as you consider how wonderful, beautiful, or useful it is. As you focus upon it longer, your positive feelings about it will increase. Now, notice your improved feeling, and be appreciative of the way you feel. Then, once your good feeling is noticeably stronger than when you began, look around your environment, and choose another pleasing object for your positive attention. As you move through your day make it your objective to notice things that easily evoke your appreciation. Focus on them and see your positive feelings increase, and your feelings of resistance decrease.

• Technique: Rampages of Appreciation for People. This is a variation of appreciating objects or things. I found this in an Abe passage where he is making recommendations to folks who want to find their perfect mate. The interesting and wonderful thing, though, is that when you use this, you find yourself feeling more loving and kind to all people. Here’s the method: Look for positive aspects in everyone you see. Know that it is fun to see these positive qualities, and make statements like, “Oh, I like that attitude, there!” “Oh, that is nice quality!” and, “That one is very beautiful.” Guess what? You are not only attracting folks with those qualities and aspects into your experience, you are also becoming a much more loving and kind person yourself. OK, this is what is helping me get on the path to being more loving and kind. There are many other techniques that can help us along this path, of course. There is the Loving Kindness Meditation (a nice version is available at liveanddare.com/ types-of-meditation/#Loving_Kindness_Meditation_Metta_ Meditation). Hmm… I don’t have space to go into this or any other techniques this month. There is a lot of science that supports the benefits of love and kindness. I think this is worth a follow-up column next month, don’t you? My Advice: I bet you have some Love and Kindness techniques that have helped you. If you share them with me at MMontgomery@SpiritualTravelerGuides.com, I’ll pass them on to other readers. In the meantime, try some of these AbrahamHicks techniques. They work! Hmm… I think I’ll reread this column. Writing it sure put me in a rampage of appreciation for James “Major” Adams, and all of his positive qualities. Rereading it will enhance that effect. Mary Montgomery’s company, Montgomery Media Enterprises, specializes in public relations, writing projects, and social media development, especially in the non-profit sector. Ms. Montgomery has a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies from Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS). She has completed the coursework in doctoral studies with a focus on Altruism and Unconditional Love. Contact her via email at MMontgomery@SpiritualTravelerGuides.com. Please use Cyberweave in the subject line. You can also visit her new blog, SpiritualTravelerGuides. com.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 27

Conscious Community

Chicago Pulse

Month APRIL 2016 YEAR

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On The Cover MEDITATION ON THE GRASS

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESD

3 4 5 • REIKI 1 - South Elgin • GONG BATH - Oak Lawn • INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION - Oak Lawn

10 11 12 • PAIN RELIEF AT YOUR FINGERTIPS - Oak Lawn • PSYCHIC HOLISTIC FAIR Crystal Lake

• REIKI SHARE -

17 18 19 • GONG BATH - Oak Lawn • INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION - Oak Lawn • INTRODUCTION TO RESTORATIVE YOGA - Batavia

24 25 26 • AUDIO PHARMACOLOGY® SOUND THERAPY - Oak Lawn • HARP MEDITATION – Burr Ridge • QUARTZ CRYSTAL SINGING BOWL MEDITATION - Batavia • MICHAEL HARNER’S , THE WAY OF THE SHAMAN® - Rockford

1 2 3 • CERTIFICATION CLASS FOR EFTWITHAGUARANTEE™Willowbrook • HARP MEDITATION - South Elgin

FOR A DETAILED DESCRIPTIO

DAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 2

• JR CARMANY - South Elgin • TECHINQUES TO CARE FOR MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT - Oak Lawn • REIKI 1 - South Elgin

6 7 8 9 • DRUM CIRCLE - South Elgin • ADVANCEDMEDITATIONFOUR(4) • FREE EFT WORKSHOP • WISHDREAMSPARKLE,INTERNET SESSION PACKAGE - South Elgin RADIO SHOW • COMMON GROUND PROGRAM “THE DIDACHE: THE TEACHING OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES” - Chicago • GUIDED MEDITATION WITH WALTER PERSCHKE - Burr Ridge

• CHICAGO IANDS - Evanston • CONSCIOUS CHOICES - Oak Lawn • INTRO TO QI GONG - Burr Ridge • PSYCHIC HOLISTIC FAIR - Crystal Lake • ROBIN HODSON-WORLD RENOWNEDTRANCEMEDIUM,Cherry Valley

13 14 15 16

- South Elgin

• WISH DREAM SPARKLE, INTERNET RADIO SHOW • FREE. UFO’S, CROP CIRCLES, JESUS, MAITREYA - Chicago

• ADVANCEDMEDITATIONFOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE - South Elgin • GONG MEDITATION - South Elgin • GUIDED MEDITATION WITH WALTER PERSCHKE - Burr Ridge

• DATE NIGHT YOGA - Batavia

• A CHANNELING WITH ARCHANGEL MICHAEL Naperville • ADVANCED INTUITION PART I WITH AMY BIANK - Oswego • JOINUSFORCONNECTINGTO SPIRIT - Chicago

20 21 22 23 • WISH DREAM SPARKLE, INTERNET RADIO SHOW

• GUIDED MEDITATION WITH WALTER PERSCHKE - Burr Ridge • EFT FOR WEIGHT LOSS Naperville

• FREE EFT WORKSHOP

• THE MYSTERY OF CRYSTALS, HEALING STONES & OILS - Oak Lawn • MICHAEL HARNER’S BASIC WORKSHOP, THE WAY OF THE SHAMAN® - Rockford

27 28 29 30 • WISH DREAM SPARKLE, INTERNET RADIO SHOW

• ADVANCEDMEDITATIONFOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE - South Elgin • GUIDED MEDITATION WITH WALTER PERSCHKE - Burr Ridge

• CERTIFICATION CLASS FOR EFT WITH A GUARANTEE™ Willowbrook • HARP MEDITATION - South Elgin

4 5 6 7 • MOTHER/DAUGHTER WELLNESS RETREAT Southeastern Wisconsin

• MOTHER/DAUGHTER WELLNESS RETREAT Southeastern Wisconsin

N OF EVENTS SEE NEXT PAGE

Pulse Calendar Saturday, April 2 JR CARMANY Saturday 10am -4:30pm. You may know her from SOUP TO NUTS but to us she is JR Healing hands! JR has works for years in the holistic arena. JR will do reflexology, acupressure and a foot detox. Come and experience the healing powers of her hands. PLEASE CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT. Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.CrystalRiverGifts.com TECHINQUES TO CARE FOR MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT: 1:302:30 pm. Learn practical tools to stay in a place of peace and wellness. Mediation, oils, juicing, exercising etc. $10 Journey to Wholeness Center 9501 New England Ave Oak Lawn www. journeytowholeness.org 708-634-3664.

Saturday-Sunday, April 2-3 REIKI 1 – 10:00am to 2:00pm $200. Learn how to heal yourself, your family and friends with reiki energy. After completing level one reiki you will know how to: heal yourself, help your family and friends, manifest goals, and use reiki as a preventative tool. Pre-registration is required. Contact Crystal River Gifts Presenter: Bharat, Reiki Master and Instructor Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www. CrystalRiverGifts.com

Sunday, April 3 GONG BATH: 3 to 4:30pm. Deeply relax and let the vibrations of the gong open the flow of energy and create a body-mind state for change and healing. $25 Journey to Wholeness Center 9501 New England Ave Oak Lawn www.journeytowholeness.org 708-6343664. Space Limited, Reserve Online.

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION: 1 to 2pm. What is meditation? Learn how to quiet and still the mind to achieve peace and inner guidance. $10 Journey to Wholeness Center 9501 New England Ave Oak Lawn www.journeytowholeness.org 708-634-3664.

Wednesday, April 6 DRUM CIRCLE 7:30pm $10 This is a great way to release energy, find your inner child, and meet new friends! If you’ve never touched a drum or you’re an experience percussionist….this Drum Circle is for you!! EVERYONE IS A DRUMMER!! Bring your own hand drum or use the ones provided. Join in for an exciting hour of TRIBAL DRUMMING FUN! Weather permitting, the Drum Circle will be held outside. Presenter: Andre Peraza WELCOME BACK ANDRE!!!!!!! Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.CrystalRiverGifts.com WISH DREAM SPARKLE, Internet Radio Show – 7 pm CST – www.247thestream.com

Thursday, April 7 ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE Thursdays April 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm Price: $30 per session or $100 if all 4 sessions are pre-paid ($20 savings) Presented by Bharat Kalra Are you overstressed and overworked? Do you struggle with your emotions? Have you been wondering how to exit the “rat race”? You can learn how to stop the energy leak by practicing total relaxation and come back to yourself! Learn Vipassna. Gautama became Buddha (the enlightened one) with the help of Vipassna. If he could, why can’t you! Sessions will consist of the following: Breathing, guided meditation, and silent meditation. Participants will learn about stress and its root cause, body, mind and energy connection, law of

Attention Advertisers Did you know that the Pulse Calendar section is one of the most read parts of Conscious Community? The Pulse Calendar listings are $1.00 per word with 20 words minimum. Copy is due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Copy submitted after the deadline is not guaranteed to be included in the next issue. Check or credit card must accompany calendar listings.

For questions, please email: Kasia@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com or call 847-966-1110. 30 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

karma, and the effects of stress on cellular level. Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www. CrystalRiverGifts.com COMMON GROUND PROGRAM - “THE DIDACHE: THE TEACHING OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES” with Jerry Leitner (7-9 pm) The Didache (Did-a-kay), a brief early Christian treatise, dates from the mid to late first century. Some church leaders pushed to include it in the New Testament. Written perhaps even before the first gospel, the book’s version of ritual and belief both agrees and clashes with that found in the New Testament-making for intriguing and enlightening study. $10 fee payable to Common Ground. Swedenborg Library, 77 W Washington St, (at Clark St.), Chicago. See www.SwedLib.org GUIDED MEDITATION WITH WALTER PERSCHKE Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 7-8pm Suggested Love Offering $5 “Now is the time to build bridges. When the flood comes, and it will come, you need to be ready. It will be too late to prepare.” Walter Perschke Learn to prepare for the changes our world is experiencing now and the changes to come. Learn how to center yourself and enter the inward journey we are all on. Join the peaceful future rather than the chaotic present. The answers are there for us to find. Let us help you to find them. Location information: Spiritual Learning Center, Burr Ridge. Details available when registering. Call 312786-0077, or send an email requesting the Burr Ridge address to SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com www.SpiritualLearningCenter. com FREE PARKING. KUNDALINI KIRTAN TO HEAL THE HEART with Jagatjeet Kaur & Ramdeep Singh -6:30p-8:00p $20 online, $25 at door FocusOm Batavia www.focus-om.com

Friday, April 8

FREE EFT WORKSHOP. 6-8PM, SoderWorld. 2CE’s. www.EFTTom.com 708-955-3634

Saturday, April 9

CHICAGO IANDS, support/study/resource forum for near-death, out-of-body, & spiritual experiences, losses. Guest Speaker: JULIE PAYNE; Healing with advanced radionics devices....how does it work? She is a stunning healer and will give a demonstration with the CoRe (Co-Resonance) machine... Don’t miss it! Frank Auditorium in Evanston Hospital. 2-5 pm. Free covered parking. Suggested donation - $20. For more info: 847.251.5758 or http: www.chicagoiands.org CONSCIOUS CHOICES: 2 to 3:30pm. Acquire the tools to begin creating the life you want consciously, on a soul level, as opposed to creating out of fear from the ego. $20 Journey to Wholeness Center 9501 New England Ave Oak Lawn www. journeytowholeness.org 708-634-3664. INTRODUCTION TO QI GONG with Jim Kaminecki Saturday, 2-4pm Join Qi Gong practitioner, Jim Kaminecki, for this introductory class to Qi Gong. During our 2 hours, you will be introduced to a level one Qi Gong form and we will practice it three to five times depending on our progress as a group. We will start the session with a brief warm up, which includes stretching exercises, then provide instruction on foundational techniques you will be using before we begin. All skill levels are welcome. $25/person offering with a maximum number of participants

held to 20. Please bring active wear with you to participate: gym shoes, comfortable exercise clothes – sweatpants/short; sweatshirt/tee shirt. Location information: Spiritual Learning Center, Burr Ridge. Details available when registering. Call 312786-0077, or send an email requesting the Burr Ridge address to SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com. www.SpiritualLearningCenter. com FREE PARKING. PSYCHIC HOLISTIC FAIR @ Enlightened Balance Chakra Spa 11am until 6pm. Doors open at 9am for Retail Shoppers, Classes and Waitlist. Event is run on a first come, first served basis. Each day of the event has different offerings. Enlightened Balance Chakra Spa 30 North Williams, Brink Street Market Suite F, Crystal Lake. www.EnlightenedBalance.com 815-307-1180 ROBIN HODSON-WORLD RENOWNED TRANCE MEDIUM is COMING TO CHERRY VALLEY April 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Cherry Valley Spiritualist Camp and Spiritualist Chapel in the Woods are pleased and honored to announce that ROBIN HODSON, English Medium, world renowned teacher and trance instructor, will be coming in April. Robin has served Spiritualist Churches and Centers in his native Britain, America, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Switzerland, Sweden, Lapland, and many other countries for 28 years. He is President of the International Spiritualist Federation and Seafordspirit, an independent Spiritualist center. In addition to church and public platform presentations, Robin is an expert tutor in all forms of mediumship; his trance and physical mediumship is sought around the world. His recent mediumship presentation at the NSAC convention in Phoenix exhibited accuracy and specificity on the level of a Van Praagh or Edward. Robin will be presenting workshops, Sunday Service, and private readings April 9th through April 12th. Cherry Valley Spiritualist Camp is the only Spiritualist Camp in Illinois, and will be reopening under new management in June. This is just the beginning of an exciting season in store! For more information: Cherry Valley Spiritualist Camp/Spiritualist Chapel in the Woods 8002 Service Rd. Cherry Valley, IL 61016. 779-207-8278. WIRE WRAP – 1:00pm to 2:30pm So many people have asked about wire wrapping and we have found a wonderful person to teach it! Create your own jewelry with crystals! Cost of supplies - $15 Presenter: Justin Pasternak Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www. CrystalRiverGifts.com

Sunday, April 10

PAIN RELIEF AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: 1 to 3pm. What is EFT? Are you experiencing physical pain? EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) can get you off the sidelines and back into the action. $20 Journey to Wholeness Center 9501 New England Ave Oak Lawn www.journeytowholeness.org 708-634-3664. PSYCHIC HOLISTIC FAIR @ Enlightened Balance Chakra Spa -11am until 4pm. Doors open at 9am for Retail Shoppers, Classes and Waitlist. Event is run on a first come, first served basis. Each day of the event has different offerings. Enlightened Balance Chakra Spa 30 North Williams, Brink Street Market Suite F, Crystal Lake. www.EnlightenedBalance.com 815-307-1180

Tuesday, April 12

REIKI SHARE - 6:00pm. FREE We welcome all to attend. This is a wonderful opportunity if you have ever had any questions about

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 31

healing Energy, or if you have Level 1 or Level 2 and you want to share your gift with others. This is a great time and place for just those very things. We open the doors to all for this amazing experience. Open Group Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.CrystalRiverGifts.com

Wednesday, April 13

FREE. UFO’S, CROP CIRCLES, JESUS, MAITREYA. Free literature. Interesting discussion. Garrett Wellness, 3020 N. Kimball, 6:308:30pm. 708-955-3634. FREE WISH DREAM SPARKLE, Internet Radio Show – 7 pm CST – www.247thestream.com

Thursday, April 14

ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE Thursdays April 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th. See listing for Thursday, April 7th for full details. GONG MEDITATION 7:30 pm $20 Gong meditations are one of the most deeply healing and restorative meditations possible, particularly because of the deep state of relaxation that is attained in response to the sound vibration. Gong meditation participants typically lie face up on a yoga mat or blanket in resting pose, or sit in a chair to experience the tremendous healing sounds and vibrations. Presenter: Andre Peraza WELCOME BACK ANDRE!!!!!!! Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224535-8708. www.CrystalRiverGifts.com GUIDED MEDITATION WITH WALTER PERSCHKE Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28. See Listing from Thursday, April 7th for full details.

Friday, April 15

DATE NIGHT YOGA with Heather Huffman & Michael Casey 7:00p-9:00p $30 per person by 4/10 $35 per person after Partner required (romantic or potentially romantic) FocusOm Batavia www. focus-om.com

Saturday, April 16

A CHANNELING WITH ARCHANGEL MICHAEL by Diana Kushenbach - 7-9pm (CST). 475 River Bend 200B Naperville, IL Online access to this event also, www.policeintuitive.com or call 630-269-0115 for more information. ADVANCED INTUITION PART I WITH AMY BIANK, 4 weeks beginning Saturday, April 16, April 30, May 14, and May 28th from 1:00 PM until 3:30 PM, 83 Century Dr., Oswego, IL – Call 630554-7713 for information on attendance options, Skype sessions, pricing and to register. www.theintuitveangel.com JOIN US FOR CONNECTING TO SPIRIT: Healing the Ancestral Soul through Family Constellations, 1-3:30 pm at Church of the Spirit, 2651 N. Central Park, Chicago. Donation $30 at the door (no registration required). Presented by Dr. Marta Carlson, Transpersonal and Energy Psychologist, Certified FamilyConstellation practitioner, Reiki Master/ Teacher & EFT practitioner. Info: 772-489-5422

32 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

Sunday, April 17

GONG BATH: 3 to 4:30pm. Deeply relax and let the vibrations of the gong open the flow of energy and create a body-mind state for change and healing. $25 Journey to Wholeness Center 9501 New England Ave Oak Lawn www.journeytowholeness.org 708-6343664. Space Limited, Reserve Online. INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION: 1 to 2pm. What is meditation? Learn how to quiet and still the mind to achieve peace and inner guidance. $10 Journey to Wholeness Center 9501 New England Ave Oak Lawn www.journeytowholeness.org 708-634-3664. INTRODUCTION TO RESTORATIVE YOGA with Pete Stadalsky - 2:00p-4:00p $30 online, $35 at door FocusOm Batavia www. focus-om.com

Wednesday, April 20

WISH DREAM SPARKLE, Internet Radio Show – 7 pm CST – www.247thestream.com

Thursday, April 21

ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE Thursdays April 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th. See listing for Thursday, April 7th for full details. EFT FOR WEIGHT LOSS. www.EFT-Tom.com 4CE’s, MT, LCSW. 6-10pm, $125, RUAH Center, Naperville. 708-955-3634, GUIDEDMEDITATIONWITHWALTERPERSCHKEThursdays,April7,14, 21, 28. See Listing from Thursday, April 7th for full details.

Friday, April 22

FREE EFT WORKSHOP. 6-8PM, SoderWorld. 2CE’s. www.EFTTom.com 708-955-3634

Saturday, April 23

THE MYSTERY OF CRYSTALS, HEALING STONES & OILS: 2 to 3:30pm. Learn all about the healing proprieties of these tools and how to apply them in your life. $20 Journey to Wholeness Center 9501 New England Ave Oak Lawn www.journeytowholeness.org 708-634-3664.

Saturday-Sunday, April 23-24

HARP MEDITATION. April 24. Time: 1am-2pm. Price: $25. Mark Brewer is a professional harpist in the Chicago area, who leads harp meditations and is the creator of Power Chill album. A lifelong student of spirituality with a unique talent of “captivating” audiences, Brewer brings the healing properties of the harp to people through live meditations. As he plays the harp, an instrument made from natural materials, each string produces a spectrum of overtones that deeply penetrate into the light body to balance the listener and to aid in the healing process. Register in advance to hold your place by calling 312-786-0077, or sending an email to SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com. Location: Burr Ridge. More information you can find on the website: www.

SpiritualLearningCenter.com . MICHAEL HARNER’S BASIC WORKSHOP, THE WAY OF THE SHAMAN® sponsored by the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, www.shamanism.org At Cleo’s Aromapothecary , Rockford, Illinois Presented by Jo Ann Broder (815)-519-3104 Jo@ shamanicThunder.com

Wisconsin. Contact Dr. Christina Wilke-Burbach: www. mindsoulandself.com/Retreats.html or mindsoulandself@yahoo. com or 608.393.7353.

AUDIO PHARMACOLOGY® SOUND THERAPY: 3pm-5pm. What is sound and vibrational healing? How can it help me achieve balance, healing, alignment and peace? Sound Shower group therapy session along with a short lecture on Audio Pharmacology®. $30 Journey to Wholeness Center 9501 New England Ave Oak Lawn www.journeytowholeness.org 708-6343664. QUARTZ CRYSTAL SINGING BOWL MEDITATION with Diamond - 6:00p-7:30p $20 online, $25 at door FocusOm Batavia www. focus-om.com

Friday-Sunday, May 20-22

WISH DREAM SPARKLE, Internet Radio Show – 7 pm CST – www.247thestream.com

WISE WOMEN GATHERING strengthening intuitive wisdom, authentic greatness, self-esteem by sharing our life’s journey in supporting, inspiring atmosphere. Not a therapy group but therapeutic in nature for the feminine spirit. Tuesdays 7:00p-8:30p wwwomenswisdom@aol.com Des Plaines (847) 258 7225 website: www.womenswisdom.org

Sunday, April 24

Wednesday, April 27

Thursday, April 28

ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE Thursdays April 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th. See listing for Thursday, April 7th for full details. GUIDED MEDITATION WITH WALTER PERSCHKE Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28. See Listing from Thursday, April 7th for full details.

Friday-Monday, May 13- 15

GLOBAL PYRAMID CONFERENCE in Northbrook. www. globalpyramidconference.com.

THE PHENOMENON AND GIFT WEEKEND COURSE May 20-22, western suburbs of Chicago. The Next Evolution for Awakening from Oneness University. More info: www.facebook.com/ phemongiftchicago

ONGOING

INTERNET RESOURCES - WWW. CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM Conscious Community online includes our print edition plus links to past issues.

CRYSTAL RIVER GIFTS offers an eclectic assortment of books, meditation CD’s, essential oils, jewelry, crystals and much more. The services that we provide include astrology sessions, tarot readings, psychic readings, pet readings, reiki, and reflexology. Address:310 N. La Fox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-5358708. www.crystalrivergifts.com

Saturday-Sunday, April 30 - May 1

CERTIFICATION CLASS FOR EFT WITH A GUARANTEE™. SoderWorld, Willowbrook, 9am-5pm both days. For beginners & experienced EFT Practitioners. Basics of Level 1 & 2, plus “EFT With A Guarantee™”. 14hr Certification workshop. $225/$195/$95 to audit. 14CE’s - LCSW, MT, etc. Money back guarantee. www.EFT-Tom.com 708-955-3634 HARP MEDITATION – Time: 1-2pmpm. Cost: $25. Mark Brewer is a professional harpist in the Chicago area, who leads harp meditations and is the creator of Power Chill album. A lifelong student of spirituality with a unique talent of “captivating” audiences, Brewer brings the healing properties of the harp to people through live meditations. As he plays the harp, an instrument made from natural materials, each string produces a spectrum of overtones that deeply penetrate into the light body to balance the listener and to aid in the healing process. Tickets are $25/person. Please call for your tickets. Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www. CrystalRiverGifts.com.

Friday-Sunday, May 6-8

MOTHER/DAUGHTER WELLNESS RETREAT - This extraordinary Mother’s Day healing weekend will change your life!! Yoga, massage, crystal healing, psychic medium, more! Southeastern

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 33

Lightworkers Classified Directory

ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR ANIMAL FEEDBACK BY LAURIE KAY, certified bodyworker, energy worker. 25 years’ experience, assisting animals with conversations to their beloved humans through a photo or in person. For more information please call (847) 774-6139 lauriekay@ stardustsanctuary.org.

HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR PET! Through me your pet will answer all you questions regards to health, behavior, attitudes and more. Psychic readings for people too! 773-499-4909. www. ChristineGoldman.com

BOOKS & METAPHYSICAL STORES CRYSTAL RIVER GIFTS offers an eclectic assortment of books, meditation CD’s, essential oils, jewelry, crystals and much more. The services that we provide include astrology sessions, tarot readings, psychic readings, pet readings, Reiki, and reflexology. Address: 310 N. La Fox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.crystalrivergifts.com.

BOOKS & METAPHYSICAL STORES STYX AND STONZ, 1758 W. Algonquin Rd. Hoffman Estates, IL 60195. 847-358-9975. www. styxstonz.com

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS CRYSTAL RIVER GIFTS offers an eclectic assortment of books, meditation CD’s, essential oils, jewelry, crystals and much more. The services that we provide include astrology sessions, tarot readings, psychic readings, pet readings, Reiki, and reflexology. Address: 310 N. La Fox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.crystalrivergifts.com.

JOURNEY TO WHOLENESS CENTER offers Yoga, Dance, Workshops, Massage, Life Coaches, Counselors, Intuitive Readers and a Bookstore. Call or visit us: 9501 S. New England Ave, Oak Lawn 708-634-3664. www.journeytowholeness.org

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS THE SPIRITUAL LEARNING CENTER (SLC) ) is here to offer you the opportunity to study with like-minded people in emotionally safe environments. SLC strives to provide learning opportunities based on expansive concepts that challenge and amplify mainstream knowledge and experience. We offer the chance to learn about things that you may have always been curious about, but haven’t known where to go for answers. To check our classes, please go to our website at www. SpiritualLearningCenter.com or call 312786-0077. Location information: Spiritual Learning Center, Burr Ridge. Details available when registering. Call 312-7860077, or send an email requesting the Burr Ridge address to SpiritualLearningCenter@ gmail.com.

ENERGY HEALING ADVANCED SPIRITUAL ENERGY HEALING Sessions are Divinely guided for the most clarity, direction and healing. We work from your unique Divine plan to assist you on your evolutionary path. Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. 20 years’ experience. Call Susan for more information/appointment 312-335-0053. I would love to help you.

LIGHTWORKERS CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY

The Lightworkers Classified Directory provides listings of a wide variety of practitioners, products, and services available to our readers. Lightworkers listings are $1.00 per word with 20 words minimum. Copy may be submitted by email or regular mail. Check or credit card information must accompany your insertion unless you are submitting it by email. In that case, please call with your credit card information to finalize your listing.

Please call: 847-966-1110 or send your listings to: Kasia@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com by the 10th of the month prior to publication. 34 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

ENERGY HEALING NAN ACTIPES, Certified Master Practitioner of Yuen Method, Balances Body, Mind and Spirit on 6 levels. For Information Call: 312-802-6244.

LAUREN TORRES, SHAMANIC HEALING in your home, Chicagoland, NW-Indiana, Joliet. Shamanic Workshops, drumming circle, see www. earthbliss.com for details, email: earthbliss@ hotmail.com

STACY CHANDLER IS A PSYCHIC MEDIUM & INTUITIVE REIKI-CRYSTAL HEALER. She connects with your energy field to discover the blocks that hold you back from receiving the clear guidance you seek from your angelic support team. www.stacysplaceofhealing. com 630-373-1425.

ESSENTIAL OILS YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS - the missing link to optimal health! Call today to schedule your FREE Intro Class, get a pocket reference, +$20 added to your account. Angelica Cristea 773.297.0403. essentiallyinfusedyl@gmail.com

EXPOS AND FAIRS INTUITIVE GALA at Crystal River Gifts in South Elgin! February 20-21st. From 10-5pm. Check out our astrologers, tarot readers, psychic readers, pet readings reflexology and much more! Address: 310 N. La Fox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www. crystalrivergifts.com

HOUSE/PROPERTY CLEARING

INTUITIVE READER

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE LIVING IN A HAUNTED HOUSE? Any type of property can be cleared. Over a decade of experience. Visit www. PropertyHealing.com for help.

HEATHER FAUN BASL INTUITIVE AND MEDIUM of 11 years. Akashic Records, Card Readings, Energy Healing, and Psychic Work. GRACE ANGELS www.graceangels.com 630.210.8688 heather@graceangels.com

INTUITIVE COACHING AMEE DASSANI, PSY.D. PSYCHOTHERAPIST, ENERGY PSYCHOLOGY AND INTUITIVE COACHING to help with emotional imbalances and promote overall balance. Insurance accepted. Locations: Burr Ridge or Skype. 630-891-3027 ext.6. www.ams-wellness. com ROBERT NOVAK IS A MASTER INTUITIVE, inspiring teacher, author, speaker, and Yuen Method master. His divinely inspired transformational work with clients is the catalyst, which provides them with the empowerment and improvements in their lives to become their own self-experts, to know their purposes in life, and to live them. Robert has the unique ability to pinpoint exactly the answer to improve the progress one’s life. www. BeWillingToBeAmazed.com

INTUITIVE HEALTH & SUCCESS ADVISOR SUSAN CURRY (INTERIORWERX) - Expand health and happiness by raising your vibration to its highest potential. InteriorWerx clears emotional energetic abnormalities at the root of dis-ease, anxiety, pain, sadness, allergies, recurring physical injury... This natural modality provides optimum health for body and mind with proven results. Free 15-minute consultation (schedule at www. InteriorWerx.com). 312-479-7893.

MASSAGE THERAPIST DRAGON ALEXANDER Massage Therapist and Reiki Master. 25+ years’ experience combining Eastern and Western massage with multiple styles of energy healing for a unique integrated “Dragon Massage”. Chicago and Southwest suburbs. dragonalexmassage@ yahoo.com 312-835-2315.

MEDICAL INTUITIVE READINGS CAROL SWANSON, M.A., RMT, Adv-CHT Energy Medicine and Wellness Specialist 25+ yrs. experience / Proven Results! Reclaim your health NOW!! Serving Humans and the Pets they love www.carol-swanson.com carol.swanson@att.net Office: 608-7412083 Cell: 608-359-4720.

PAST LIFE HEALING BARRET HEDEEN - You are the master of your own destiny, but your past-lives can keep you from seeing all poss-ibilities. Free 10-minute phone reading for you! Are you ready for a soul healing? Call 847-951-6328. www.BarretHedeen.com

SUSAN WISEHART, LMFT, 25 years licensed therapist. Past/Between Lives regressions. Trained by Brian Weiss and Michael Newton. Des Plaines/Mundelein. 847-438-7878. www. susanwisehart.com.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 35

ASTROLOGY & CRYSTALS specializes in Bio-Energy Therapy, Astrology, Psychic Readings, Dream Analysis, Chakra Energy, and Spirit Cleansing. Experience peace, wellness and find your life’s direction with Chakra Energy Healing sessions start @ $20. www.astrologyandcrystals.com 773-596-9902. THIRD EYE CONSULTANT. We offer intuitive readings, life coaching, holistic healing, reiki therapy, chakra balancing, guided meditations & relationship restoration. Sessions by phone or in-person at our Chicago location. Call Now 779-3792872 www.ThirdEyeConsultant.com

SCHOOLS & LEARNING CENTERS SCHOOL OF HOLISTIC MASSAGE AND REFLEXOLOGY (SOHMAR) is dedicated to teaching Holistic Massage and Reflexology. The school offers affordable training which embraces physical, mental and spiritual healing. See our website www.sohmar.com or call 630-968-7827. School of Holistic Massage and Reflexology. 515 Ogden Ave. Downers Grove, IL 60515 Appt. required: Professional Massage or Student Clinic.

CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY ADVERTISERS:

USING VORTEX AND PRANIC HEALING, highly evolved systems of energy medicine, to heal, balance, and transform your Physical, Emotional and Karmic body. Ania 773 988-2820.

Tap into an open and aware community by advertising your message in the Conscious Community Magazine! Calendar and Lightworkers Directory listings, display ads are due by the 10th of every month. Call Conscious Community magazine at 847-966-1110 or see www. ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com for advertising information. 120, 000 readers, 40,000 copies distributed in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. Reach your potential with Conscious Community magazine.

HELP WANTED – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! ARE YOU A MOVER AND A SHAKER? Are you an organized self-starter? Do you have a desire to help out, but you are not sure where your skills will be best suited? The Conscious Community family is looking for assistance in the following areas: Administration, Social Media, Event Scheduling, Event Sponsorship, National Calendar Coordinator, IT Expertise, Conference Coordinator, or Copy editor. Whether you can give 1 hour a month or 10 hours a month, we would love to have you join our team. Please contact Kasia at Kasia@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com or call us at 847-966-1110.

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THE SPIRITUAL LEARNING CENTER (SLC) is here to offer you the opportunity to study with like-minded people in emotionally safe environments. SLC strives to provide learning opportunities based on expansive concepts that challenge and amplify mainstream knowledge and experience. We offer the chance to learn about things that you may have always been curious about, but haven’t known where to go for answers. To check our classes, please go to our website at www.SpiritualLearning Center.com or call 312-786-0077. Location information: Spiritual Learning Center, Burr Ridge. Details available when registering. Call 312-786-0077, or send an email requesting the Burr Ridge address to SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com.

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at him and decided I was not going back to the work I had done before. I went back to my first yoga class, and my teacher said that I was really great with alignment, and had I ever considered teaching? My answer was yes; I had thought about it all the time, yet had just been limited by my previous career. She said, “great, because classes start Monday!” That coming Monday was my birthday, so I thought there is my sign right there! I received my 200 hour Hatha certification from “Heaven Meets Earth Yoga” in Evanston. Studying Kundalini was a part of this course. I absolutely fell in love with it! Next, I totally threw myself into going to what was then called “Spirit Fest” in West Virginia. I didn’t know what to expect. I arrived to 500 Kundalini yogis in white turbans, and thought, “this is where I am supposed to be!” I don’t understand it, yet I connect with it. When I returned to the western suburbs, I found that it was really hard to find a Kundalini class at that time that didn’t involve driving to the city. That’s when I found “Spirit Rising Yoga” in Chicago, and decided to start my Kundalini teaching certification. I had just started going thru a divorce, and everyone kept telling me this was not a good time. My response was that this is exactly why I need to do it. It was the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done. I felt like I was getting my MBA. I was really thrown into a group of people that changed my life. AA: What should someone who is attending their first Kundalini class expect?

KUNDALINI YOGA

IS THE YOGA OF AWARENESS

INTERVIEW WITH JENNY BERGOLD OF FOCUS OM YOGA By Anna J. Anthony

“Kundalini Yoga is the Yoga of Awareness. The power of Kundalini Yoga lies in the actual experience. It goes right to your heart and extends your consciousness so you may have a wider horizon of grace and knowing the truth.” -Yogi Bhajan

Anna Anthony: Jenny Bergold, aka Jagatjeet Kaur (light of the world), when did you start practicing yoga, and how were you led to the practice of the Kundalini form of yoga? Jenny B: Yoga was prescribed to me by a doctor. I was suffering from horrible anxiety and panic. I was working in television at the time. I had struggled with this all my life, until I finally realized it was time that I had to do something about it. My first yoga class was at the Eastside Community Center, hosted by the Batavia Park District. It was magical because it was held in the old church, yet at the same time I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. I stuck with it, and now it has been 18 years. I gave birth to my son Michael eight years ago, and when he was three months old I looked

JB: I once had a student come up to me after class and say, “this is kind of wacky, but it’s exactly what I needed.” When I have first time students, I remind them that Kundalini is the Yoga of Awareness. It’s working with your body’s energy and the chakras. Each class consists of kriya, which means ‘completed set.’ This is most commonly a combination of pranayama (breathing), asana (yoga posture & exercise), and mantra (chanting). I always end with savasana (relaxation/ meditation) with a gong. It’s about finding your truth and coming into who you are. It’s a profound experience of transformation. In one of my first classes, my teacher instructed me to sit and deal with myself for an hour and a half. It’s very much community based. It’s about family and lifestyle. It goes beyond the classroom. I can give you tools beyond the classroom. AA: I love that focus of giving “tools beyond the classroom.” I know that this is a huge passion and focus for Charlene Vickery, the owner and mastermind behind the Focus Om studios. The class offerings for your studios are very unique. Charlene states, “There has been a trend to make yoga so much more mainstream, and remove the spirituality part of it. At Focus Om the focus is really about opening the doorway to a personal spirituality that involves yoga, as well as other types of classes about self-empowerment. We are about reconnecting people with their creativity and freedom. To do that thru yoga I think is beautiful!” JB: When I am teaching I always say, “this is something that you can do at home.” I give medical benefits of each posture, and then go into emotional and spiritual benefits as well. I sometimes find myself getting home three hours after my class ended, because I like to create a space for discussion. Students can stay after class and talk about what’s going on. We offer classes not just for exercising the body; we offer classes that exercise the spirit. We are very open. If people aren’t finding what they need, they are welcome to call us and let us know what they are looking for. You can experience Jenny’s Kundalini Yoga class on Sundays at 10AM at Focus Om at 109 E. Wilson, Batavia, IL 60510, and Wednesdays at Focus Om at 9045 Monroe Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513. Check out the full class schedule at focus-Om.com. You can also learn more about Kundalini Yoga at 3ho.org.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 37

Crystal River Gifts 310 N. LaFox Street • South Elgin, IL 60177 • (224) 535-8708

April Schedule

JR Carmany Sat, April 2nd 10am-4:30pm

You may know her from the former Geneva Natural Foods store SOUP TO NUTS, but to us she is JR Healing hands! JR has worked for years in the holistic arena. Let her hands work on your feet as she does reflexology, acupressure, or maybe a foot detox. Come and experience the healing powers of her hands. PLEASE CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT. Presenter: JR Carmany

Reiki 1 Sat. April 2nd & Sun. 3rd – 10:00am to 2:00pm $200

Learn how to heal yourself, your family and friends with reiki energy. After completing level one reiki you will know how to: heal yourself, help your family and friends, manifest goals, use reiki as a preventive tool. Pre-registration is required. Contact Crystal River Gifts. Presenter: Bharat Kalra, Reiki Master and Instructor

Wire Wrap Sat. April 9th – 1:00pm to 2:30pm

So many people have asked about wire wrapping and we have found a wonderful person to teach it! Create your own jewelry with crystals! Cost of supplies - $15. Presenter: Justin Pasternak

Reiki Share Tue. April 12th – 6:00 pm FREE We welcome all to attend. This is a wonderful opportunity if you have ever had any questions about healing Energy, or you have Level 1 or Level 2 and want to share with others your gift. This is a great time and place for just those very things. We open the doors to all for this amazing experience. Open Group

Drum Circle Wed. April 6th – 7:30pm $10

This is a great way to release energy, find your inner child, and meet new friends! EVERYONE IS A DRUMMER!! Bring your own hand drum or use the ones provided. Join in for an exciting hour of TRIBAL DRUMMING FUN! Weather permitting, the Drum Circle will be held outside. Presenter: Andre Peraza

Gong Meditation Thur. April 14th – 7:30 pm $20 Gong meditations are one of the most deeply healing and restorative meditations possible, particularly because of the deep state of relaxation that is attained in response to the sound vibration. Presenter: Andre Peraza

Advanced Meditation Four (4) Session Package Thursdays April 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm Price: $30 per session or $100 if all 4 sessions are prepaid ($20 savings) Are you overstressed and overworked? Do you struggle with your emotions? You can learn how to stop the energy leak by practicing total relaxation and come back to yourself! Learn Vipassana. Sessions will consist of: Breathing, guided meditation, and silent meditation. Presenter: Bharat Kalra

Harp Meditation Sat. April 30th – 1pm-2pm Mark Brewer is a professional harpist in the Chicago area who leads harp meditations and recorded the Power Chill cd. A lifelong student of spirituality with a unique talent of “captivating” audiences, Brewer brings the healing properties of the harp to people through live meditations. Presenter: Mark Brewer

Intuitive Gala April 16th - 10:00 am-5:00 pm April 17th - 12:00 pm-5:00 pm

All healings and readings are $35 for 25 minutes and $70 for 50 min. Featured Reader: Stacy Chandler is a psychic medium that connects with your energy field in order to discover the block that are holding you back from who you are as a soul. Clearing these blocks will allow you to move forward with the clear guidance of your angelic support system. Find out what’s preventing your guides from helping you find you true path. READERS IN ATTENDANCE: • Rose Wolf - Psychic and Psychic Medium • Ken Bentley - Intuitive Reader • David Beck - Psychic Medium • Bharat Kalra - Chakra Reader, Indian Head Massage • Fran Verzosa - Psychic Palm Reader, Saturday only • Roxann Bjorklund - Tarot Card Reader and Reiki Practitioner, Saturday only

CRYSTALRIVERGIFTS.COM

38 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

Diana Kushenbach Police Intuitive

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Infinity Family Fest

Family Mindfulness Hands-on Activities FREE Special Event March 5, 10am-4pm

Lama Surya Das

Make Me One with Everything Experience Inter-Meditation, Interbeing and We Meditation Daylong Workshop Saturday, April 16 Limited Space, Register Today: org 847 831 8828 InfinityFoundation.org 847.831.8828 Free course c guide with 50+ courses, events & more. CEUs av available. ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 39

By: Walter Perschke

DREAM ON

reams are the primary way that our

By interpreting the real dreams of real people, this column is in-

higher selves communicate with us.

tended to facilitate your understanding. Everyone dreams, but

Dreams are a spontaneous prod-

most people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember them. To assist in your recollection,

uct of our subconscious mind and

keep a dream log by your bed to record everything you can re-

beyond the reach of the will. If you

member, as soon as you awaken. This sends a message to your

understand your dreams, and the messages they hold for you, you

higher self that you want this information, and more will flow to

have made a big step forward on your spiritual journey.

you.

40 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

Happy Dreaming!

Dreamer 1: I keep having dreams of my deceased husband, and a few times lately… it’s not a nice dream sometimes; sometimes it is. They’re normal dreams like a normal day, but I wake up, go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, go back to bed, and the dream continues. All night long I’ll do that. I’ll get up three or four times a night, go back to sleep, and I’m like, I don’t want that dream anymore. Walter: Does he say anything in the dream? Dreamer 1: It’s like he’s here. Yes. He says stuff all the time. It’s like he’s here and we’re doing stuff. This one dream I dreamt that I was in a hotel waiting for an elevator with another man, and when the elevator opened, he was in the elevator, my husband. So I felt like I was cheating on him, even though he’s been gone for four years now. Walter: Well it’s clear that he is not anxious to let go of you. He has made you a very important person. What you can do is to basically ask him to move on. Dreamer 1: I like him here. Walter: Well then, so this isn’t a complaint. Dreamer 1: I miss him. I think that’s why he’s always in my dreams. Walter: You’re right. He is in your dreams because you miss him. You’re attracting him back and that’s okay. That’s okay. That is reassuring. A lot of us get dreams where a dead relative will appear. They’re almost always a message. Now this sounds like a conversation, not just a message. Let go of any feeling you are cheating on him. In their dimension those feelings don’t exist. He would probably help you to find the right mate. Jealousy doesn’t exist where he is now. Dreamer 1: Yeah, it’s a conversation all the time. Walter: Well, that’s okay. That’s a good thing. Dreamer 1: And I don’t see symbols like you were saying. Walter: He’s the symbol.

Walter: I’m a big movie fan. There’s a scene in the movie Gladiator, towards the end. Russell Crowe has died on the battlefield, and I don’t know the name of the character, but it was the black gladiator that became his good friend. He’s in the stadium all by himself, and he’s burying the two figurines that Russell Crowe had of his wife and child, and he says, “We will meet again, but not today.” What you said just reminded me of that. If you want, just ask them to leave. Dreamer 2: Oh I don’t mind; I was just wondering if it meant anything. Walter: It means they’re trying to communicate to you. They probably have a message. Ask them if you have a message. You get to talk; this is not passive. Audience Member: I’ve watched a lot of people pass away, and you know how they’re going in and out of consciousness, and they’re having these dreams, is that their spirit guides talking to them, and helping them to cross over? Walter: Yes. I was talking earlier to someone about Oscar the cat. Oscar lived in a hospice and had the uncanny ability to go to the room and the bed of the person who was about to make their transition. The doctors and nurses, and all of the medical staff came up with this long list of possibilities, all of which were wrong. The cat could see the spirit guides. I have a cat. I have a black cat. She will come in the meditation room when I have a meditation and sit down in the middle of the floor. She’ll just lay there and absorb all that energy. Oscar could see the spirit guides and the relatives coming to pick up the soul of the person about to die. If you’re sensitive, you can see that. There are many stories of people about to die that say, “oh, there’s Uncle George.” They can see them because they are actually there, and the person is already moving to another existence. Dreamer 3: I had a dream where I saw my children. I don’t have children yet; I’m not married or anything like that. Is that a wish fulfillment dream, or is it something more? These kids aren’t like any kids that I’ve ever seen or met, or even really look like my baby picture. Walter: Are they kids you would accept as yours? Dreamer 3: Yeah, no they were mine, in the dream.

Dreamer 2: You may have partially answered this. My mother and my brother lately have been appearing to me in a real pleasant way, and I would love to see them again, but not too soon. Like a few years from now you know? What do you think this means? It’s very pleasant, and I’m happy to see them but…

Walter: I think is a prophetic dream. It’s telling you that you have children in your future. And the nice thing about karma is you have forever to get it straight. So, if you don’t have those kids in this life, you will have them in the next life, or the next life. They will come back.

Walter: Then why don’t you want to see them more?

Walter: I see.

If you would like to submit a dream for possible inclusion in this column, please submit your dream in an email to: Walter@ ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com, and include your phone number. Only submissions with a phone number will be considered.

Dreamer 2: I mean I don’t want to join them there. They were very close to me. I’m just wondering, because in the past when they have appeared to me it was always a warning, and I was always glad to have it, because it prepared me for stuff, so I wasn’t blind-sided.

Walter Perschke is the publisher of Conscious Community Magazine, formerly the Monthly Aspectarian, America’s oldest spiritual and metaphysical magazine. Mr. Perschke is a Professor of Metaphysics, writes, teaches, and speaks frequently on metaphysical subjects, and is a popular guest speaker at conferences and seminars. He hosts a weekly guided meditation group.

Dreamer 2: Because they’re deceased.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 41

GET YOUR GARDEN ON! By: Sue Odland

As temperatures begin to rise and the arctic cold becomes a distant memory, our thoughts turn to spending more time outdoors. Why not spend some time this year helping the planet and your health by growing your own organic fruits and vegetables? Many people find that food grown and harvested from their backyard tastes far better and fresher than produce shipped from far-off destinations. Take a break from a tech-saturated life, to sink your hands into the soft, cool soil of Mother Earth.

Here are some simple, proven steps to bring homegrown goodness to your table:

Pick your Space

In-ground, raised bed, patio container, or communityshared garden? Which fitsyourlifestyle and living space best? Any of these methods will produce healthy, organic produce for you and your family. Are there 6-8 hours of sun? With our shorter Midwest growing season, good direct sunlight is a must for encouraging strong plant growth and development.

42 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

Lay your Foundation

For those choosing raised beds and patio containers, this step is simple. Find a good organic soil mix at your local garden center or nursery, and fill your container of choice. If you choose the in-ground method, prepare your garden bed by loosening the soil and adding organic material like compost or dried leaves. If you have great soil, you may not need much. For those with clay or thin soils, the addition of organic materials will improve your harvest. Amending your soil with organic matter will provide a strong foundation in which your plants will grow and thrive. If your chosen space is covered with grass, you’ll need to either dig up the top layer of sod, or try this easy no-dig method whether you have sod or not. First, lay cardboard over the desired area. Then cover the cardboard with several inches of grass clippings, shredded leaves, bark, or weed-free straw. This mulch will keep pesky weeds at bay, and hold precious moisture in the ground, thus reducing the need to water often when your garden is established. In a few weeks’ time, you can cut straight through the cardboard to reveal soil ready for planting. Use a small hand trowel to break through the mulch and cardboard to create designated planting spots. Then add a few scoops of compost into each newly opened spot for your plants or seeds. Remember - don’t start too early. If the ground is still a bit frozen or wet, you will need to wait. To test if your garden is ready for planting, pick up a handful of soil and squeeze it in your hand. If it crumbles and falls apart easily, it is ready. If it forms a small muddy ball, your soil needs more time to warm up and dry out.

4 3

Choose your Future

What do you enjoy eating? Do you love salsa? Then consider planting a salsa garden of tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, and onion. Are you a pie fan? Try strawberries, rhubarb, or blueberries. Let your imagination run wild with visions of juicy sliced tomatoes over baby spinach topped with green onions, dainty French dilled green beans, raspberry smothered waffles, or fresh blueberry smoothies. Your yard is an endless supply of gastronomical delights! Next, do you want to plant seeds or starter plants? For greater success, choose starter plants, especially for warm weather vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. If you would like to grow from seed, try easy-to-grow vegetables including beets, peas, beans, radishes, and onions. Spend some time at your local garden center or nursery to acquaint yourself with perfect plantings for your palate. Aword of caution...start small. Too often new gardeners get swept up with plant fever by planting far more than they will need. If you can’t say no to that beautiful zebra striped tomato plant, or a fifth rainbow pepper mix, remember that you can donate your extra nutritious offerings to your local food pantry or church to help your neighbors in need.

The Dig

Place the plants in the soil. Check labels or online for proper planting depth and space. Plants are like humans; some need more space, while others like to be closer together. Before you place the plant into the ground, “tickle” its root system at the bottom of the plant to encourage the roots to stretch out after being so tightly wound in the plastic pot. Kids love this part. After planting in the ground or container, give each plant a good soak. Do not spray water on the top of the plant, aim towards its base to give the roots a good soak. Check the moisture level of your garden soil every few days.

5 Maintaining the Bounty There is an old saying that the best fertilizer a gardener can add to their garden is their shadow. Pour yourself a cool drink, and spend time communing with your plants. Pick off bugs at first sight. Stake up fast-growing veggie stalks and vines. Surf the Internet for organic pest control practices that are simple, and keep Mother Earth free of pesticides. Some methods include planting a ring of marigolds around your vegetable garden to discourage insects and conceal the scent of your vegetables from passing animals; or applying a soapy spray of dish soap and water to remove aphids (clusters of white insects) from your tomato plants. There are many easy, inexpensive ways to keep your garden and your yard chemical-free and healthy. Finally, once the fruits and vegetables are ripe, simply pick, rinse, prepare, and serve. Raising your own fruits and vegetables is very rewarding, enjoyable, and nothing short of miraculous! Plant the seeds for your good health this year, by growing your own organic garden.

Sue Odland is a freelance writer and avid gardener who is looking forward to the first blooms of spring.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 43

Conscious Community FREE COPY locations

Dear Conscious Community Reader: You will find your free copy of Conscious Community at more than 900 locations in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana including those listed below Lassak Market & Deli 7145 Kingery Hwy Willowbrook, IL 60527

Lauretta’s Italian Bake Shop & Cafe 709 S Lake St Mundelein, IL 60060

Holistic Happenings 7925 W. 171st St. Tinley Park, IL 60477 Edgewater Public Library 6000 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60660 Elgin Books 66 S Grove Ave Elgin, IL 60120

Shop & Save Market 5829 S Archer Ave Chicago, IL 60638 Oak Lawn Public Library 9427 Raymond Ave Oak Lawn, IL 60453 The Good Earth 6350 N. Guilford Ave. Indianapolis,‎ IN 46220

Crystal River Gifts 310 N La Fox St # 1 South Elgin, IL 60177 Fresh Farms International Market 5740 W. Touhy Ave. Niles, IL 60714

Naturally Yours 710 Geneva St. Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Town & Country Restaurant 17 N. Ayer St. Harvard, IL 60033

Mario Tricoci Day Spa 1441 W. Peterson Road Libertyville, IL 60048

The Wellness Studio 1731 N. Marcey St. #530 Chicago, IL 60614

Earthsong 2214 Kennedy Rd. #115 Janesville, WI 53545

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April 2016

COSMIC DAILY WEATHER THE ARIES AND TAURUS ENERGY IS PROVIDING MOTIVATION AND PRIDE IN WHAT YOU KNOW YOU CAN BECOME.

Overview Please note: Times given are for CST, Central Standard Time. For EST, add one hour; for MST, subtract one hour; for PST, subtract two hours. The Moon Void of Course (VoC) is the time period from when the Moon makes its last aspect in one sign before moving into the next sign. The Moon is the fastest-moving planet and transitions from one sign into the next every 1-3 days. What that means is that the Moon is constantly in motion, it’s never retrograde, so it’s inevitable that she will connect with “something,” i.e. another planet or transit, until the moment that she doesn’t. During the moments when she doesn’t connect, we call it the Moon Void of Course. When these events occur, the best thing to do is to meditate, sit still, and listen to your higher guidance. Sitting still does not mean to physically sit still, although it can be beneficial. In February you didn’t have all of the information. In March the missing pieces of the puzzle were filled in. In April your plans have been readjusted, and you’re putting those plans into action. This might sound strange, considering that during the month of April we will have a great deal of planets in retrograde motion. Saturn went retrograde March 25th, Mars retrogrades April 17th, Pluto retrogrades April 18th, Mercury retrogrades April 28th, and Jupiter still remains in retrograde motion. So what does all of this retrograde action

46 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

mean? Most people might say that it means to slow down, and not make any drastic or sudden changes. With that said, it’s also a time when you can make movements because you utilized all of the fastpaced energy that Mars was gifting you prior to its retrograde. With all of this retrograde energy you are rediscovering pieces of yourself that have been missing in action. The Aries and Taurus energy is providing motivation and pride in what you know you can become. Move swiftly and stand firm; most of all enjoy April’s energy as it provides you with a clean slate.

Wednesday, April 6 Venus makes its way into Aries today, and comes into close contact with the Moon. As the two sextile Mars you become focused on making positive movements towards emotional healing. This occurs just as Mercury makes its way out of Aries and heads towards Taurus. In Taurus Mercury will begin planting seeds that are more in tune with your values. Make sure you plant those seeds in the right spot, because when the flowers start to bloom so will you.

Friday, April 1

Thursday, April 7

A retrograde Saturn trines the Sun, Uranus, and Mercury, and you could feel like you’re covering old ground. As you retrace your steps, things that were once hidden seem to become much clearer. It’s like you’ve found a precious jewel buried underneath a pile of sand. While Saturn makes positive aspects to some planets, it squares Neptune, Venus, and a retrograde Jupiter. These squares are encouraging you to remove all illusions from your vicinity. This includes people, actions, and things. You don’t want to be rude about it; you just want to set clear boundaries that you can live by. Moon VoC 11:39 am- 8:37 pm.

Venus is having a one-on-one conversation with Mars today. The two have decided that it’s time to start being the person that you know you are. It’s been tough to break away from the pack, yet it’s been a worthwhile endeavor. There is nothing wrong with taking time out from the rest of the pack. The only decisions that need to be made are the ones that you make. Others can make decisions for themselves, while you concentrate on you. New Moon 6:25 AM. VoC 9:56 am until tomorrow.

Saturday, April 2 The Moon starts off in Aquarius and could have you a little anxious. As Pluto and the Moon square the Sun, Uranus, and Mercury in Aries, you might question who you are without the emotional ties that bind. Pluto with its trine to Jupiter Rx is letting you know that you are a much healthier person without all of those chains. Saturn Rx along with Mars are also in on the conversation. They are reinforcing what Pluto says; change for the better.

Sunday, April 3 It’s hard to let go when someone else is telling you to let go. You have to be the person that’s ready. The sextile from Saturn to the Moon is letting you know that you’re ready. For quite some time you’ve been reinventing yourself, and although the full overhaul is not complete, there are some portions that are. These moments are about celebrating how far you’ve come, not about how far you have to go. Moon VoC 6:16 pm to 12:46 am.

Monday, April 4 The energy from the weekend continues along at the start of the week. Today you might need to take an idea for a test run. Can you run as fast as you think you can? Can you push through for as long as you’d hoped? You’ll never know unless you give it a try, so, try today.

Friday, April 8 Today you’re on a solo mission. It’s one of those days when you feel like you’ve packed an overnight bag, and you’re running away from home. The most interesting thing about this day is that you’re not actually running away from home; instead you’re moving towards your new version of home. The Moon VoC ends 1:10 am.

Saturday, April 9 The best thing about beginning anew is that you get to start fresh. This time around you have more information and experience under your belt. You’ve recognized that there are ways of avoiding the traps that can take you off course. Boundaries are good when they allow you to experience unlimited amounts of gratitude. Moon VoC 4:49 am until tomorrow.

Sunday, April 10 The Moon and Mars are in opposition today. This aspect could have you wondering whether or not you’re moving too fast, or not fast enough. The answer to that question is to just keep moving at a comfortable pace. Mars knows that you have to keep going with positive energy, because in the next few days you’ll want to take a rest. It’ll be harder to gain new ground later on if you don’t push yourself through these last few hurdles. VoC ends 12:59 am.

Tuesday, April 5

Monday, April 11

The Moon is in Pisces, and you could want to emotionally shift a few things. Things like what is it you think when you feel like your motivation is waning? Do you tell yourself to give up, or do you give yourself a good old pep talk? Understanding the type of motivation that you need will help you through the challenging times. Moon VoC 5:33 am -1:46 am.

As the Moon enters Gemini it makes an opposition to Mars and a retrograde Saturn. The squares to Jupiter Rx and Neptune are not helping out with this dose of excitement/anxiety that has shown up on your doorstep. If you are trying out something new today, do your best to go with the flow. There is no room in your new lifestyle for fear; there is only growth. VoC 1:57 pm until tomorrow.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 47

Tuesday, April 12

Monday, April 18

Today you might not love where you’re at emotionally. With that said, you know that these are just the first steps in moving towards a more dynamic you. In time you will love what you discover, and you will feel right at home. The changes you’ve just made were enormous. It takes strength and courage to accept the challenge as gracefully as you have. Rather than crumble, you’ve persevered. A pat on the back is very much deserved right about now. VoC ends 3:07 am.

The Moon is in Virgo and coupled up with Jupiter Rx. You’re getting a good dose of the “what’s healthy for me.” Although Mars has gone retrograde, you have learned from all of the energy that he’s been giving you since February. Mars may not be at its max speed, yet you are. That’s all that matters. Pluto goes retrograde today, and is giving you an opportunity to customize your health regimen, so if you need to add more vitamins to the mix go ahead and do so. VoC 7:29 am until tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 13

Tuesday, April 19

The Moon is in its home sign of Cancer, and she’d love to kick up her feet as if it were the weekend. Unfortunately, it’s not the weekend, and you still have work to do before Mars goes retrograde. Try to keep your emotions in check for another couple of days, even though you want to fall apart. It takes time to digest everything that has just taken place. No one will blame you if you need to take a little time out. VoC 10:59 pm until tomorrow.

Today looks a lot like yesterday. With three planets retrograde you are fine-tuning your thoughts and actions. You are learning that not every scenario requires the same response. Sometimes you have to customize that response to fit the audience. VoC ends 6:24 am. Moon enters Libra.

Thursday, April 14 Today feels like a pressure cooker. The Moon is opposing Pluto, and your emotions could be changing every 10 seconds. A while back you pinpointed the type of pep talk you needed in order to keep you from quitting just when you were about to succeed. So get out that notepad that you wrote that mantra on, and start reading it out loud. VoC ends 8:53 am.

Friday, April 15 The Moon is in Leo, and surprisingly enough you’re feeling calm. This could be because you’ve walked yourself through a tough week, gave yourself the nurturing that you needed, or finally figured out that you could motivate yourself to move forward, even when you just wanted to sit down. In any case, BRAVO!

Saturday, April 16 Today you can sit down and reflect on everything that has transpired over the week. If you want to cry, you can. Just make sure that some of those tears are happy tears. VoC 12:48 pm until 6:23 pm.

Sunday, April 17 Mars goes retrograde in Sagittarius today. So you might want to sleep late, or stay in bed catching up on a good book. Even if you opt for a walk in the park, you’ll discover new insights into your psyche, because today starts a time period of reflection. The past few months have been about how you were going to do something, and now it’s about understanding why you’ve chosen this path. Think back to mid-February for clues.

48 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

Wednesday, April 20 With the Moon in Libra, opposition Venus, and squared Pluto, you could arrive at a critical juncture. Others may call on you to change course, and have you questioning whether or not you’ve done right by them. The bigger question is, “have you done right by you?”

Thursday, April 21 Do leopards change their spots? The answer to this question just might be yes, no, and/or maybe. The real question however, is whether or not you’re the leopard. Don’t give up what you’ve worked so hard for to appease others. You’ve shed your spots already, so you have no more spots to change. You have a clean slate now. VoC 1:13 am until 7:17 pm.

Friday, April 22 It’s Full Moon Friday, at 12:25 am CST. The Moon is in Scorpio, and you are going after your desires. Unlike most full Moons where you’re letting go of something, you’re letting something in. What you’re letting in is hope. This is the type of faith that is based upon what you are capable of manifesting for yourself, rather than on what others can manifest for you.

Saturday, April 23 There is a diamond in the sky today, and it’s shining for you. You’ve finally learned how to plant your own seeds, and take care of them. You’ve learned how to dole out the right dosage of communication in order to hold close what is valuable to you. This doesn’t mean that you are withholding information. It just means that you’re no longer going to sacrifice yourself over and over again. VoC 4:46 pm until tomorrow.

Sunday, April 24

Saturday, April 30

The sun is shining a spotlight today. That ray of sunshine is lighting up your sector of health and vitality. As you look towards the possibilities, make sure that they are glittered with faith and longevity. Wishful thinking doesn’t have a place in this garden. The only thing that works is work itself. VoC ends 7:46 am.

It’s another amazing day. Yeah, there are some rumblings in the background, yet they aren’t loud enough to zap your energy. The Moon is in Aquarius, thereby allowing your new community to take shape. As it squares the Sun in Taurus, you are the one who decides which community aspects are worthy of your investment. It’s your life, and you’re the final decision maker. Choose wisely. VoC 9:56 pm until tomorrow.

Monday, April 25 The Moon is in Sagittarius and conjunct Mars retrograde. Yowza! This is the first time that your emotions have been solid. You aren’t wavering back and forth on whether or not you’ve chosen correctly. The decision has been made, and if for some reason in the future you need to change course then you will. Now is not the time to change course, especially when you’ve only just begun.

Tuesday, April 26 Saturn and the Moon are sending positive vibes to Uranus (planet of innovation), and Venus (planet of love and values). You are reinventing yourself from the outside in with this type of energy. You’ve learned how to walk again, and you’ve learned how to live. So walk and live with your head held high. VoC 10:51 am until 6:54 pm.

Wednesday, April 27 Pluto square Venus and Uranus will show you that teaching yourself how to change is not an easy task. You’re at a place in life where you have to unlearn everything, so that you can understand from your own point of view. Some people won’t be on board with this change of attitude, and some will be your biggest champions. Make sure that you migrate towards your biggest champions.

Thursday, April 28 Mercury has been on a solo adventure for the past few days. Today it goes retrograde in Taurus, and is sextile Pluto and the Moon. This is one of those times when a retrograde Mercury isn’t so scary, because it’s showing you what you are able to accomplish when you plant your seeds of change in the right spot.

Friday, April 29 Today is an enlightened and happy day. If you look at all of the progress that you’ve made since the beginning of the month, you should be amazed. You’ve accomplished things that others didn’t think that you could. Yet, they are things that you knew you could accomplish! Life has changed a great deal since the beginning of the year. Look at how far you’ve come! The universe is proud! VoC 2:07 am until 3:47 am.

Kaye Berjot is a transformational astrologer who specializes in the aspects of Chiron, the wounded healer. Visit her at askkaye.com to read new articles, weekly astrology overviews and horoscopes, schedule readings, or to find out about her future books. You can also send email to: Kaye@askkaye.com.

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ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 51

In Print BOOK REVIEWS

By: Kayla Hancock

Higher: Awaken to a More Fulfilling Life, by Charles Hanna (Figure 1 Publishing, $15.95, Paperback)

become our best selves.

For some people, it takes hitting an all time low to discover real happiness. Charles Hanna shares his personal experience and insights of neuroscience, human nature, and life management, as well as his climb towards true freedom after his life had taken a dark turn from addiction and self-doubt. Hanna shares with readers practical techniques that everyone can use to apply the Higher way into their daily lives, and explains how finding our Higher Purpose actually allows us to use our personal demons to

Secret Medicines from Your Garden: Plants for Healing, Spirituality, and Magic, by Ellen Evert Hopman (Healing Arts Press, $19.95, Paperback) Full of mystical folklore, ancient wisdom, and modern research, this book acts as a guide for exploring herbal lore and the healing power of plants. Ellen Hopman shares the many uses of plants for food, spiritual growth, and magical ritual. She covers everything from simple home-made first aid remedies, remedies from Native American and Egyptian traditions, herbal astrology, and even shamanic Plant Spirit and Animal Spirit Medicine. Hopman also shares tips on how to intuit an unknown plant’s healing properties by using universal indications and contraindications based on different characteristics of each plant.

52 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

Don’t Be a Jerk: And Other Practical Advice from Dogen, Japan’s Greatest Zen Master by Brad Warner (New World Library, $16.95, Paperback) In this book, Zen priest Brad Warner uses analytical commentary to help readers better understand the timeless wisdom once shared by Japanese Monk, Eihei Dogen in his classic, The Shobogenzo. Warner shows readers how Dogen touched on topics such as feminism, reincarnation, and the debate between science and religion. Because Dogen’s work is more relevant now than it has ever been, Warner’s paraphrasing of The Shobogenzo is as helpful as it is entertaining.

Against the Pollution of the I: On the Gifts of Blindness, the Power of Poetry, and the Urgency of Awareness by Jacques Lusseyran (New World Library, $15.95, Paperback) Blinded as a child, Jacque Lusseyran grew up to be an inspirational leader in the French Resistance, and even survived imprisonment at a Nazi concentration camp. His heroism shines through his hardships. This book contains six essays written by Lusseyran in which he conveys how our disabilities are actually our most precious gifts. His recollections of being blinded as a child, and staying at Buchenwald are told with such vividness, beyond our usual five senses. Lusseyran also offers readers a way to reach their true self, and explains how our central “I’s” are under attack, and that we must protect ourselves from things that draw our attention away from ourselves.

Confessions, Revised and Updated: The Making of a Postdenominational Priest by Matthew Fox (North Atlantic Books, $18.95, Paperback) Matthew Fox served for 34 years as a Dominican brother when he was expelled from the order by Cardinal Ratzinger, who was later to be known as Pope Benedict XVI. His conclusion from this acquittal was that the Church believes those who are forward thinkers should not deviate, and instead, they should stay in line with the rest. Fox draws upon ancient wisdom from mystical warriors such as Meister Eckhart and the historical Jesus, as well as touching on multiple spiritual practices to stand up for ecological, social, gender, and economic justice. OMG!: How Children See God by Monica Parker (Health Communications, Inc., $12.95, Paperback) This refreshing book speaks to those of all spiritual practices and faiths. Monica Parker creates a collage of sorts, using pictures and words to show what God means to children across the globe. She showcases the differences and similarities shared by children of every economic, cultural, and religious background, perhaps opening a dialogue for families about the role of faith in their lives. Sure to give you a good laugh, this book speaks to the heart and reminds us of our innocence…our inner child. Lightworker Relationships: Creating Lasting and Healthy Bonds as an Empath by Sahvanna Arienta (New Page Books, $15.99, Paperback) Is it possible to give too much love? Lightworkers are beings who are sensitive and empathic, sent here as helpers of humanity to help others heal. Oftentimes, these souls are so focused on their life’s work of helping others that they forget to receive, thus creating a cycle of sorrow in their own relationships. This book will teach you how to balance your human and spiritual experience, recognize when you shut out love, create healthy boundaries, why it’s essential to receive love, and to live your divine mission while also allowing joy and happiness to appear in your life through human relationships.

Congenital Alterable Transmissible Asymmetry: The Spiritual Meaning of Disease and Science by Morris Hyman, MD (Archway Publishing, $12.99, Paperback) While practicing medicine overseas during World War II, Morris Hyman, MD often found that young, seemingly healthy men had arteries that resembled those of a much older man, upon performing autopsies. What Hyman came to realize was that modern medicine existed only as an “illness maintenance system,” treating patients only after they fell ill, instead of seeking to prevent disease. After decades of research, Hyman concluded that physical health is inextricably related to spiritual and metaphysical health, stressing that true disease should be distinguished from bacterial infections and viruses. Whole Detox: A 21-Day Personalized Program to Break Through Barriers in Every Area of Your Life by Deanna Minich (HarperOne, $27.99, Hardcover) While most detox programs focus on mainly ridding the body of “bad” foods, this comprehensive program created by Deanna Minich addresses other obstacles that block us from looking and feeling our best. Minich helps readers to learn the seven “health systems” so that they can then identify which of their health systems is not balanced. Based on this assessment, the Whole Detox program then provides a personalized diet and offers lifestyle changes to make each individual feel more present and comfortable in their own skin. A Most Incredible Witness by Emily L. Pittsford (WestBowPress, $11.95, Paperback) There are no guarantees in life. Emily Pittsford knows this all too well—her son, Timothy, was taken from her suddenly after witnessing a hit-and-run murder in San Francisco. This manuscript details Pittsford’s journey through grief and healing after the loss of her son. Her raw emotions and courage to share them with the world are inspiring. Kayla Hancock is 22 years old, and is humbled to be able to work for Conscious Community Magazine. She is a certified Deeksha blessing giver, and loves helping others find guidance using her tarot cards. She also loves to write, and is interested in astrology, holistic health, and dream work.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 53

Spiritual Learning Center April Calendar of Events

Guided Meditation with Walter Perschke

Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 • 7pm-8pm • Suggested Love Offering $5

"Now is the time to build bridges. Because when the flood comes, and it will come, you need to be ready. It will be too late to prepare." Walter Perschke Learn to prepare for the changes our world is experiencing now and the changes to come. Learn how to center yourself and enter the inward journey we are all on. Join the peaceful future rather than the chaotic present. The answers are there for us to find. Let us help you to find them. Location information: Spiritual Learning Center, Burr Ridge. Details available when registering. Call 312-786-0077, or send an email requesting the Burr Ridge address to SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com. www.SpiritualLearningCenter.com. FREE PARKING.

Introduction to Qi Gong with Jim Kaminecki Saturday, April 9th • 2pm-4pm

Join Qi Gong practitioner, Jim Kaminecki, for this introductory class to Qi Gong. During our two hours, you will be introduced to a level one Qi Gong form, and we will practice it three to five times depending on our progress as a group. We will start the session with a brief warmup, which includes stretching exercises, then provide instruction on foundational techniques you will be using before we begin. All skill levels are welcome. Cost is $25/person offering with a maximum number of participants held to 20. Please bring activewear with you to participate: gym shoes, comfortable exercise clothes – sweatpants/shorts; sweatshirt/t-shirt. Location information: Spiritual Learning Center, Burr Ridge. Details available when registering. Call 312-786-0077, or send an email requesting the Burr Ridge address to SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com. www.SpiritualLearningCenter.com. FREE PARKING.

Harp Meditation

Sunday, April 24th • 1pm-2pm

Mark Brewer is a professional harpist and the co-founder and leader of the Power Chill live harp meditations. He has more than 30 years of professional playing experience. The harp is historically known as a healing instrument. It’s made of natural materials and literally resonates with the physical and light bodies. Brewer explains that harp music complements and enhances the life force energy and heals by directly stimulating your body’s vibratory and pressure receptors. Your body tissues literally resonate with the harp. The result is a completely unique and effective way for people to heal. The purpose of his music is to facilitate, empower and ennoble the historic transition our planet is experiencing. Cost: $25. Location information: Spiritual Learning Center, Burr Ridge. Details available when registering. Call 312-786-0077, or send an email requesting the Burr Ridge address to SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com. www.SpiritualLearningCenter.com. FREE PARKING.

SpiritualLearningCenter.com

Email: SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com 312-786-0077 54 Conscious Community - APRIL 2016

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