July 2018 - Conscious Community Magazine

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THE SOURCE OF

CONFIDENCE THE VITAL LINK BETWEEN

ACCEPTANCE AND SERENITY

YOGA

THE GATEWAY PRACTICE TO EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

JULY 2018

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com

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THE LAST WEIGHT LOSS COURSE YOU’LL EVER DO How many diets have you tried in the course of your life? Have you grown frustrated with the results? Everything you could possibly want to know about diets, exercise, foods to eat or not eat, plus dieters’ aides of all kinds are widely available. So why are 40% of US adults over 20 still obese?

There’s actually a simple, and yet complex answer. Emotions. So a highly intelligent and even self-disciplined person, in so many areas, can actually fail when it comes to losing weight.

OK, so here’s the promise: this 4-day Center for Releasing retreat is your ticket to final and ultimate freedom from fat!

Deadline for the Pre-Registration Price of $647 is October 31st.

(On November 1st price will be $697.)

For more information and to register visit: www.dianestilwell.global or call 312–951–6560

Diane Stilwell Course Leader

When & Where: November 15 - 18, 2018 The first day is from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. All other days are from 10:00am to 5:00pm at the Ritz Carlton, 160 E Pearson St Chicago, IL 60611

The Power of Manifesting Your Goals In just 5 days, using the Release Process: 1. You’ll not only learn to have everything you’ve truly ever wanted; you’ll learn the “how to” in having them ALWAYS. 2. You will become more centered. Everything will begin to come to you, instead of you chasing everything.

Deadline for the Pre-Registration Price of $697 is November 30, 2018. {On December 1 price will be $747.)

3. Your mind will become focused, and you’ll feel a new sense of clarity and vision.

For more information and to register visit: www.dianestilwell.global or call 312-951-6560

4. You may find that you’re becoming aware of your purpose, your reason for being.

When & Where: December 26 - 30, 2018

5. You’ll feel the abundance of a world wanting to “give to you”.

6. You’ll “know” that happiness and contentedness is who you really are

Diane Stilwell Course Leader

…You will begin to manifest right away. One by one, the goals of your dreams will be fulfilled as your true self is being revealed to you. A self that is richer, happier, lighter and freer.

Diane has been developing and refining her “repertoire” for realizing goals for the past 36 years. They are quick and easy, when using the Release Process. (Originally taught to her by Lester Levenson.)

The first day is from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, all other days are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 160 E. Pearson Street Chicago, Illinois 60611 Note: You must have completed a Basic Releasing Course to attend.

Call or email Diane’s assistant Fernanda, at skyranch180@gmail.com about completing this in time.

Contents

AMERICA’S OLDEST SPIRITUAL AND METAPHYSICAL MAGAZINE

12

FEATURES 12 THE WHOLEHEARTED SERVING

Interview with Edward Espe Brown

by Janae Jean and Spencer Schluter

16 THE VITAL LINK

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16

BETWEEN ACCEPTANCE AND SERENITY

by Daniel A. Miller

25 YOGA,

the Gateway Practice to Emotional and Mental Health

by Raquel Jex Forsgren, Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT

26 DEPRESSION

Why It Happens, What You Can Do

by Bernadette Doran, RMT

28 REVIEW OF HEALING MODALITIES

Craniosacral Therapy - Holistic Path to Healing

by Brigita Vaiciulyte CRP, PT (LT)

25

DEPARTMENTS 06 PUBLISHER’S LETTER

The Elephant Kasia Szumal

08 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

July 2018

11 ASK ALECIA

Community Q&A

14 ALL ABOUT TOWN

The Source of Confidence

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July 2018

Ana Matos - The Flowering Heart Center

by Theresa Puskar

JULY 2018

JULY 2018 VOLUME 39, NO.11

™

(Formerly The Monthly Aspectarian)

18 FROM THE HEART

How to get Out of a Coma

by Alan Cohen

30 COSMIC DAILY WEATHER

In-Depth Astrology Perspectives

July 2018

by Tara Aal

37 HEARTH & HOME

Midsummer Smörgåsbord

Cucumbers and Tomatoes

by Janae Jean

CONNECTIONS 22 THE PULSE CALENDAR

Events, Happenings and

Announcements of Interest

July 2018

34 LIGHTWORKERS

CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY

Resources for Better Living

PUBLISHER KATARZYNA (KASIA) SZUMAL EDITORS JANAE JEAN ALMEN SUSAN PLUTO JULIE ROBERTS MEDIA COORDINATORS JANAE JEAN ALMEN KAYLA HANCOCK SPENCER SCHLUTER ART DIRECTOR/WEBMASTER JODY LEVITAN ADVERTISING INQUIRIES BARBARA KNEELAND Barb@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 773.971.6615 SPENCER SCHLUTER Spencer@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 630.492.0831 EDITORIAL INQUIRIES KASIA SZUMAL Kasia@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 847.966.1110 JANAE JEAN ALMEN Janae@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 630.945.7356 ALL OTHER INQUIRIES info@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com

REVIEWS

ONLINE www.ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com

39 IN PRINT

by Kayla Hancock www.facebook.com/ConsciousCommunityMagazine www.twitter.com/TweetCCMagazine www.instagram.com/consciouscommunitymagazine/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCla2b_NjCdjxQldeXCL1FjA

ON THE COVER A Time to Celebrate

CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY is published 12 times yearly by Conscious Community, LLC 47 W. Polk St., Suite 153 Chicago, IL 60605 847.966.1110 © 2017 Conscious Community, 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.

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

THE ELEPHANT T

here was a little boy who loved to go to the circus and watch the elephants. Every time a circus was coming to his city he asked his mom or dad to buy him a ticket and go with him. For this boy, elephants were so magnificent; they were not only the largest but also the strongest of all animals. They made such a deep impression on him. One day after the circus was over, he was surprised to see the same elephant that he had seen in the arena before, tied to a small pole with a tiny rope at the back of the tent. The boy was really surprised by this. He wondered why such a big elephant did not simply pull the pole from the ground and run away. So, he started to ask the people who worked at the circus why this huge elephant doesn't pull out the pole from the ground and run away. Nobody could give him a satisfactory answer. One day someone told him that the elephant is trained not to escape, and this is why he stays tied to the pole. For the boy, this answer was nonsense. If the elephant was trained to stay by the pole, then why must they tie him to the pole? He could not find the right answer.

KATARZYNA (KASIA) SZUMAL PUBLISHER

One day, he met an older man who was selling tickets to the circus and asked him why the elephant did not escape from the circus though he is very large and strong. The older man said that when this elephant was a baby he was tied to this pole with rope every day. He would fight against this pole and rope all day long until he got tired, and then he would try to pull out the pole again every day for the next few years. After years of trying to remove himself from the pole and rope, he just gave up. He believed that pulling up the pole was not achievable for him. Now, even though the elephant has grown big and strong and amazes everyone with his power, he does not try to escape. In his mind, the pole is still too powerful and hard to remove. Eventually, he no longer put any energy or movement towards ripping himself from the pole. He simply stopped trying.

Is there anyone in your life that has said something to you that made you not believe in yourself or has made you stop trying to pursue your dreams? Now, it is a time to try again and do what your heart is calling you to do. You are the big elephant now and the pole isn’t as impossible as you think.

The July issue is filled with inspirational stories, mindful information and events that will activate your highest potential.

Enjoy!

The Best,

Kasia Szumal

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COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS 14th Annual Celebration

The World of Faeries Festival Celebration of the Feminine Spirit

Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Something magical is happening in South Elgin, IL!

Metaphysically Fit Fest Saturday, July 21, 2018, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Free hugs, henna, live music, life readings and drumming are just a few of the things you will find at the Metaphysically Fit Fest. But, according to the founder and organizer Tairi Grace and a number of participants, what you really find at the event is community.

MFF is a place for people of all colors, ages and interests to unite in one place that honors, supports and welcomes everyone. It’s a conscious community which Is engaging people who are changing their lives through conscious practices. The fest brings together vendors, participants and musicians who care about making the world a better place.

Brought to you by Grace Holistic Center for Education and the United City of Yorkville.

Location: Bicentennial Riverfront Park, 301 E Hydraulic St, Yorkville, IL 60560.

Visit www.metaphysicallyfitfest.com for information and https://ghcfe.networkforgood.com/events/5807-metaphysically-fit-fest-2018 for tickets.

Cost: $30 for All Access; $10 General Pass

The World of Faeries Festival always has something new each and every year. We showcase the best local musical talent and entertainment as well as from the surrounding states, even as far away as New York (Frenchy and the Punk) and New Mexico (Randy Granger). We also have the most creative fantasy and fairy artisans who bring their special talents and skills to each event, offering one-of-a-kind handcrafted wares in our vendor village under the ancient oaks of Vasa Park.

Many travel extensively to display fine art, fine crafts, sculpture, puppets, published fantasy books, handmade clothes, fantasy and fairy attire, aromatherapy products, and much more. We encourage families to dress in their best fantasy or fairy outfit, leave their “adult” at home and come and enjoy the magic of the event. All ages are welcome from 1 to 101!

Where Can You Get So Much For So Little, So Close to Home?

David and Gloria Yaeger, co-owners and hosts Location: Vasa Park, 35 W 217 Route 31, South Elgin, IL 60177, 7 miles south on Route 31 from I-90 and five miles north from St. Charles, IL on Route 31.

Call 815-788-1630; visit www.theworldoffaeries.com or email dayglo@theworldoffaeries.com.

Cost: $11 Adults, $8 Seniors (aged 65 and up), Children (12 and under) are free. Discounts offered online.

Free parking!

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Mom’s on Fire Retreat Tucson, Arizona

Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, 4 p.m. to Sunday Sept. 30, 2018, 3 p.m.

Come experience a weekend of growth, inspirations and connection. The retreat begins Friday night with a welcome reception, then Saturday and Sunday are filled with yoga; presentations by our keynote speakers Sami Bell, parenting mentor and Nicole Henry, mindset mentor; health and wellness panel; meditation; self-care workshop and so much more! Enjoy all of this while immersed in the beautiful Catalina Mountains at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort!

Inner Source Retreat

Join us if you are a mom who is looking to change your life; if you feel lost and want to find yourself and your desired dreams; if you want to learn techniques and tools to live the life you always wanted; if you want to learn tools to take with you to create better relationships with your family; if you want to find your best self!

Facilitated by Jenelle Thurston & Randi Cutler

Come nurture your mind, body and spirit with us!

Friday, Aug. 31, 2018 to Monday, Sept. 3, 2018

Location: Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and Spa, 7000 N. Resort Dr., Tucson, AZ, 85750.

Knowing and embracing the gifts of our shadows empowers us to shine authentically. During this four-day women’s retreat nestled into mother nature and a tribe of supportive women, we will dive into the depths of our psyches uncovering hidden parts of ourselves. Through a powerful immersion of Shamanic Breathwork, Firewalking, Yoga, Psyche Exploration and Artistic Creation, our intention is to create a safe and nourishing space for you to curiously explore your inner world, embrace your hidden gifts and celebrate the wholeness of who you are! This is an all women’s retreat. Vegetarian Meals & Lodging included.

Visit www.riverofwellnessyoga.com; or call 630.740.2603 for information.

Register at www.riverofwellnessyoga.com/events/momson-fire-retreat if you are ready to change your life for the better! Enter Conscious Community in the referral box to receive $25 back after completing registration.

Location: Ronora Lodge & Retreat Center, 9325 Dwight Boyer Rd, Watervliet, MI 49098.

Register at https://Innersourceretreat.com

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COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

Soul Body Women’s Retreat

Transforming the Heart, Excavating the Soul with Candice Wu Wednesday, October 10 to Monday, October 15, 2018 The Soul Body Women's Retreat is a spiritual journey for women who deeply desire to sync Soul and Body, live effortlessly and at home in themselves — from the heart and in their creative brilliance — and transform, reclaim, and call up all of who they TRULY are. With ease and love, excavate limiting beliefs and shift into your essential Self. A sacred week of nourishing and healing through sisterhood, nature, embodied healing practices, Family and Spiritual Constellations, yoga and meditation - while immersing in the depths and reaches of earth and sky in Zion National Park, Utah.

Reach out to Candice to explore if this aligns with you! Early Bird Discount until August.

Location: Zion National Park Villa, Utah.

Call 248-390-5001; or visit https://candicewu.com/soul-body Cost: Starting at $2695; Early Bird Discount until August.

The Last Weight Loss Course You’ll Ever Do! Thursday, November 15, 2018 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday, November 16 to Sunday, November 18, 2018 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This is a four-day retreat that will resolve your eating issues forever. Using the Release Process and Diane Stilwell’s special tools and techniques, your unique problems around eating and food will be addressed in a revolutionary new way. You’ll easily find freedom and relief at last. As the pounds effortlessly slide off, your unending struggle to lose weight will be over and your ideal weight is revealed.

Location: Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 160 E. Pearson Street, Chicago, IL 60611.

Call 312-951-6560 (please ask for Fernanda, Diane’s assistant;) or visit www.dianestilwell.global.

Price: Deadline for pre-registration price of $647 is Oct. 31, 2018. On Nov. 1, price will be $697.

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[COMMUNITY Q&A]

ASK ALECIA

by Alecia Rice

Q: My partner often disappoints me and I feel disheartened. He’s a good man but maybe not for me. I’m not sure what to think. — Disheartened A: Dear Disheartened, Happiness is created within. Yet, that philosophy doesn’t necessarily change things quickly. Sometimes we need to find perspectives that help free us up from the inner and outer ties that bind until we can work our way through the process to ground ourselves in contentment.

We’re capable of having two opposing thoughts and feelings at the same time so your partner can be a good man yet still be disappointing to you. Holding expectations often leaves us feeling disillusioned because we can’t control what others do. Disappointments can ease up though, if we know what we desire, yet try to remain unattached to the outcome, which allows for the free will of others.This isn’t easy but with consistent practice, expectations can be diminished while learning to flow with ease in whatever shows up.

Please take a closer look at your expectations for your partner. Ask yourself if you’re asking too much from someone who isn’t really capable to meet you where you need to be met in a relationship. If they don’t, that may be something to simmer with. Some people have the capacity, yet choose to do something different, while others don’t necessarily have the capacity. If the latter is true, it may be a difficult

realization. With clear forethought and planning, it may align them with a future in which they are content.

I would also encourage an openly honest conversation with your partner to see what you can shift around as a couple to bring about more fulfillment for both of you in the relationship. I’ve found this to be a tremendous help towards clearing the air, feeling lighter and more connected. Often just putting a voice to our thoughts can bring release and a lift that’s surprising. You might find some helpful conversation tips in May’s Ask Alecia column where I respond to Mother-in-flux – https://consciouscommunitymagazine. com/ask-alecia-may-2018/.

Q: My spouse and I have been taking business junkets and socializing with the same group of colleagues for 11 years. I’ve recently adopted a fairly restricted nutrition plan. I’m afraid that people will judge me because my meals will be specially ordered and different from theirs. Any tips?

— No Junk Junket A: Dear No Junk Junket, Many people find themselves in similar social situations after drastically changing dietary habits either for health - or healthier - reasons, especially once they understand the concept of “food as farmacy.” This is where I encourage people to “Know thyself,” create boundaries and be clear in communications.

When one eats what seems obviously

out of “the norm,” it can draw in people’s attention. In turn, this can bring up questions and comments that may feel challenging and invasively judgmental. This is especially true if one’s feeling wobbly with new change and willpower. Such scenarios can also reflect unresolved imbalances and guilt around diet/health.

This holds the capacity for triggering unconscious projections – always good to know for balance.

This is when I encourage one to consciously decide what they want their experience to be ahead of time by creating a few pre-thought-out responses to feel confident while addressing concerns with ease. If questioned, one can merely state that the doctor encouraged this nutritional experiment to gauge its effectiveness. If one wishes, that can then be followed with a question about the other person to change the topic.

Should the topic emerge again, it can be followed up with firm, clearly spoken boundaries meant to disengage from the discussion about one's food along with opinions about what’s best for one’s body. One can offer a response along the lines of “This is a difficult experiment for me. I’d prefer not to discuss it as much as catch up with you since we haven’t seen each other for awhile.”

Many people still have difficulty understanding that what’s good for one may not work for another. In life, we all get to experiment and make our own choices for what works for us.

Our bodies are as unique as fingerprints and virtually any dietary opinion can be countered by a differing stance. When others can’t seem to let it go, be conscious as to what’s to be left at their feet because it’s their issue and move on.

The concept of knowing thyself is alchemical gold that far surpasses this single issue.

A lecia Rice integrates higher concepts with wisdom to bring forth balance, perspective and clarity. She’s a personal advisor, speaker and gatherer of women. For perspective on life issues, you’re invited to text questions and comments to 681-321-1109.

Discussions continue at Ask Alecia on Facebook.

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THE WHOLEHEARTED SERVING Interview with Edward Espe Brown

by Janae Jean and Spencer Schluter

For this interview, we had the honor of speaking with author, chef and Zen priest, Edward Espe Brown. Brown has authored many books on cooking, including The Tassajara Bread Book and his most recent, No Recipe: Cooking As Spiritual Practice. He was featured in Doris Dörrie’s 2007 documentary How to Cook Your Life, which showed how he blends Zen teaching with cooking lessons.

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Janae: Was there anything specific from your childhood that started you on your cooking journey?

Edward: When I was 10, I visited my aunt in Falls Church, VA. After sightseeing in Washington, DC, my brother and I came back and her home was aromatic with the smell of fresh-baked bread. I found it heavenly… intoxicating. She served the bread with butter.

and how to get there. But, he said, “When you know where you’re going, you want everybody to get out of your way, and you’re not so sensitive.” When you try to make everything happen, you’re usually not as sensitive to things as you might be otherwise. You’re more responding to the circumstances.

We used margarine in my family, so it was so delicious–the aroma, the flavor, the taste and the sensation of eating it.

I was so inspired that I decided I would learn how to make bread, and I would teach others. When I got home, I asked my mom if she could teach me to make bread. She said, “No, yeast makes me nervous.” Eventually, about 10 years later, I was at Tassajara (before the Zen center arrived) and the cooks there taught me to make bread. That led to The Tassajara Bread Book in 1970.

Spencer: What is the chef’s role at a Zen center? What role does the kitchen play in the life there?

EEB: I was the first head cook at Tassajara. I came in May 1967 through 1969, about two years. In Zen, it’s considered that there should be a student who’s the head of the kitchen. Zen master Dogen, who lived in the 13th century and is considered to be the founder of our school, the Soto Zen School, wrote a wonderful chapter with instructions for the head cook. I use some of the teachings from that in No Recipe. One of the first things he says is the cook needs to have “the mind that seeks the way,” otherwise known as “beginner’s mind.” It’s about finding out, studying, not just repeating what you already know. You’re finding out what to do. Suzuki Roshi said, “Zen is like feeling your way around in the dark.

You don’t know where you’re going, but you move carefully, and then, step-bystep you find your way.” You might think it’s better to know where you’re going

I tell a story in the book about those years. I barely knew how to cook myself. I was definitely in the dark as the head cook. One day we had to wash spinach for about 60 people. I looked in the cookbooks, but there was no cookbook that told you how to cook spinach, how to wash spinach. It was all spanakopita… soufflé… spinachcheese pie… spinach lasagna. Nobody told you how to just cook spinach. The recipes tended to want you to take stems off the spinach, so it’s very tender. It wasn’t very long before one of the students said, “Ed, I tried eating the stemmed spinach, it’s not very tough.

It’s tender. It’s easy to eat. It’s only going to get more tender when we cook it.” So I tasted one, and I said, “You’re right! Let’s leave the stems on.” So, you don’t need directions for this. One of the sayings of a Zen master Tenkei is “See with your eyes, smell with your nose, taste with your tongue; nothing in the universe is hidden. What else would you have me say?” Of course, you want him to say how to get it to come out the way it should so that it’s no stress, easy and not much work. There’s no answer to that.

JJ: What do you mean by “cooking as a spiritual practice?”

EEB: It’s an interesting subject because there’s not a lot of language for what’s “spiritual.” What passes for spiritual is following your breath… being mindful. But, as soon as someone starts to practice mindfulness, they apply the same rules, of what I call “the horizontal world” to it. I like to think of the horizontal world where things are compared to other things.

“How good is your cooking? Are you a success?” The vertical world is “Show up. Do your best. Be sincere.” You bring your energy and your gifts from

beyond this world. That’s my model for what’s spiritual. This is something that Dogen emphasized for the cook, being sincere and wholehearted. We’re so involved in this horizontal world. It’s also the world of what I would call performance. In that sense, my encouragement is to shift from performance to a world of presence. You respond to the world as it’s arising and take care of it. You do what you can to bring out the best in others and yourself. But, bringing out the best does not mean that at the end you compare your best to other people’s best and see whose best is better. If you do that, you’re back in the horizontal world. At the end of the day, rather than cooking to gain praise, acknowledgment, gratitude or appreciation, you’re cooking, in the spiritual sense, to make an offering from beyond, from the divine, from Source. You’re making an offering to this world.

This interview is only a brief adaptation of our conversation. To listen to the entire interview, visit www.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com.

Subscribe to us on iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, TuneIn and YouTube.

Janae Jean serves as editor, social media manager and podcaster for Conscious Community Magazine. She has an extensive background in new media and music education. Janae is actively researching using electronically generated sounds for healing. Visit www.janaejean.com and www.perennialmusicandarts.com for details about Janae’s upcoming classes, lesson information, workshops, shows, articles and projects.

Spencer Schluter is the advertising account manager, social media manager and podcaster for Conscious Community Magazine. His experience includes visual communications, advertising, social media, marketing, public relations and business development.

Visit www.yggstudios.com for more information about his freelance design and consulting work. He is also a master level Reiki and traditional Chinese Qigong practitioner.

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Wendy Allen

[ALL ABOUT TOWN]

THE SOURCE OF CONFIDENCE Ana Matos - The Flowering Heart Center Wheaton, Illinois - June 13, 2018

by Theresa Puskar If we are lucky, most of us have two families: the one we were born with and another that we choose!

About seven years ago, I began to pray, setting an intention to find a nearby community where I could completely and fully

Ana Matos, Theresa Puskar and Kristin Panek 14

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be my authentic self. While I had created a mom’s group and was a part of several local clubs, in most cases, I did not feel safe to speak my emotional and spiritual truth. Most conversations felt shallow and often empty; they did not feed my soul.

Fast-forward a year, as is so often the case, this magnificent universe responded with The Flowering Heart Center. I have to say that I am so grateful for the center. Becoming a part of this rich, supportive and conscious community has changed my life in so many wonderful ways!

For the past six years, upon each arrival at the center, I am greeted with a warm and heartfelt, “Welcome home” by co-founder, Frank Panek. After all of these years, especially with my family of origin living in Canada, I have to say that I never tire of his greeting. The Flowering Heart Center community has literally become my second family. I deeply appreciate the courageous step that Kristin and Frank Panek took to create it. After years of success in the business world, they left the safety of their careers to start the center. They opened the doors of their home to all, as just about all events were held there. While their home became our home, they

sacrificed a great deal to open their doors to the public. I’m excited to announce that they recently opened a new center in Wheaton, just off Butterfield and Naperville Roads. As I entered the space for the very first time, I was overcome with awe and amazement. At the main wall as you enter, a massive piece of art that Wendy Allen created for the center welcomes you. It reflects the radiance and light that energetically emanates throughout this sacred space. It is exquisite and encapsulates the Panek’s commitment towards the flowering of the hearts of those who are privileged enough to be a part of the community.

Your confidence is not diminished by anything or anyone outside of yourself. Only your inner critic thwarts it. The good news is that you can silence that critic!

The first guest that they welcomed to the new center was Ana Matos.

The subject of her workshop was “The Source of Confidence.” Like Kristin, Ana has had a great deal of instruction, introspection and inspiration at the O&O Academy (formerly known as the Oneness University).

The evening started with a physical warmup, followed Frank and Kristin Panek by a discussion on the Source of Confidence and two processes to help us silence our inner critics.

Is the true source of your confidence financial abundance, power, good looks or health; or does it come from within?

As I wrote my solo show, I realized that while I strive to be a spiritual being having a human experience, I often find myself caught up in the superficial “stuff” of my life. Would I like not to care about what I see staring back at me in my mirror?

Absolutely! Would I prefer not to get caught up in lack and scarcity consciousness and stop worrying about finances in my life? You bet! However, the reality is that more often than not, I do care about them. In fact, I frequently find myself spending way too much time worrying about them.

“Being on a constant ego trip, reminding yourself and others about your greatness is not confidence!”

— Preethaji, O&O Academy

Truth be told, I look forward to the day when I no longer find myself led by my ego and feel the need to promote myself to the world. Life can be so complicated. On the one hand, as I contemplate this massive universe, I know that I am but a grain of sand compared to its magnificence. On the other hand, each of us has a wondrous soul and affects this great universe in our own unique way. Each of us is a hero on our own epic journey of self-discovery.

Ana shared that there are two ways in which our inner critics show up in our lives. First, it exaggerates all that is wrong, dark or foolish in us; it doesn’t allow us to see our value. Second, it gives us the perception that others are mocking us, gossiping about us or have a poor perception of us. In response, we most often become “people-pleasers” and spend so much of our time focused on fear, hurt and mistrust.

The inner critic can make us feel that what we experienced in our reactivity (mistrust, paranoia, etc.) was real.

Ana took us through two meditations. The longer one was a brain detox meditation, where we were guided through a process to release the disappointments of our lives. She also took us through a shorter meditation that assisted us in working towards silencing our inner critics. The potent reprogramming message in this meditation was, “I see myself as I am – neither better nor worse. I am at peace being me.”

What struck me about this meditation was the phrase, “neither better nor worse.” In reciting it to myself, I realize that the ego plays a powerful game of having us see ourselves as “better than” or “worse than”. Both are traps that get us stuck in competitiveness and comparison – games we can never win!

As the evening came to an end, we all gathered for our usual warm cup of tea, a couple of pieces of delicious, decadent chocolate and a chat. Each time I leave the Flowering Heart Center, I am on a natural high. As I opened my car door, I asked myself, “Where else in the world do I find my physical, mental and soul-self filled and even raised to a higher vibration with every visit?” Nowhere else! When I feel alone or isolated, or when I am going through those “dark night” moments, I know that my Flowering Heart family is there for me. They “get” me and have supported me through thick and thin. In fact, they will be hosting upcoming performances of my solo show, Beauty, Bollywood and Beyond on Sunday, July 15, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.; Friday, August 17, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.; and Sunday, September 9, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. (show), 2:30 -5:30 p.m. (corresponding workshop.) They are also co-hosting an exciting event that you might be interested in as a member of our conscious community. The Ekam World Peace Festival will be held on August 19. To learn more about the Flowering Heart Center and their many events, go to www.

FloweringHeartCenter.org.

Theresa Puskar is an author, performer, minister, inspirational speaker and motivational audiobook producer. With over 25 years of experience in media and communications, she has worn many hats in the industry. She is the author of the “Terri” children’s book series, which focus on a variety of emotional and social development issues for children, ages 5 to 9. She has received accolades for her recent autobiographical solo show, Beauty, Bollywood and Beyond and looks forward to performing it throughout Chicagoland this summer and in New York in October. A powerful inspirational speaker and transition leader, Theresa edu-tains her audiences, by touching hearts and minds in a way that is engaging, joyful and life affirming.

For more information, visit www.TheresaPuskar.com.

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THE VITAL LINK BETWEEN ACCEPTANCE AND SERENITY

by Daniel A. Miller

“Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.”

—Unknown THE GIFTS OF ACCEPTANCE Accepting people and things as they are bestows many gifts upon us. One gift is that it releases stress and anxiety. When we accept a troubling situation as is we have no need to further fret about it. Acceptance also frees us to make choices and decisions that are best for us because with acceptance our focus changes from people and circumstances we cannot change or control to where it can do the most 16

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JULY 2018

good–ourselves. Last but not least, acceptance significantly reduces the unhealthy compulsion to control. When we are accepting, we aren’t controlling.

THE LINK BETWEEN ACCEPTANCE AND SERENITY Consequently, a very strong—and empowering—link exists between acceptance and serenity. Acceptance brings us greater serenity, even in the most discouraging situations. Below are two inspiring stories demonstrating the

integral relationship between accepting life and people as they are and enjoying a life with greater serenity.

GREG LEARNED TO LIVE IN ACCEPTANCE Greg was only 47 when his life changed in a split second in the early morning of April 29, 2013. As he did every weekday morning, Greg hopped on his motorcycle to ride from Reseda, in Los Angeles’s San Fernando Valley, to Long Beach, California, where he

worked as a geology compliance consultant to oil companies.

This particular morning, however, he took a different side street to the nearby lighted intersection leading to the freeway. A car traveling in the opposite direction made a sudden left turn into his lane, crashing into him—and that was the last thing Greg remembers. He awakened from a coma two weeks later.

It wasn’t until a month had passed that Greg began to realize what had happened to him—initially a broken pelvis and punched-out hip socket; compound fractures to his right tibia, fibula, ankle, and wrist; a severe concussion; and blood clots.

After spending three months in a rehab facility followed by four months in a wheelchair and additional physical therapy, Greg was able to walk a few feet at a time with the aid of a walker.

I met with Greg at his home three years after the accident. He was able to walk with a crutch but still couldn’t move his right leg because of severe nerve damage that rendered his quadriceps useless.

Greg had recently shared at a men’s discussion group that we both attended that the only way he was able to get by was by “living in acceptance each and every day.” No longer able to work as a geologist, Greg told me his “new job” was to get better—one day at a time.

He said he prayed and meditated on acceptance the first thing every morning. “I meditate on where I was, where I am, and where I’m going,” he said.

When I asked him if he could expand on that further, he replied: “I have a lot of limitations, but I don’t think about what I can’t do. I need to think about how I’m not limited.

Just last week I went fishing for the first time in three years, and it was an absolute blast—and I caught a ton of fish! Acceptance builds on itself, like a snowball. But, if I don’t remain positive in that way, I start feeling sorry for myself, and that only sets me back. If I don’t practice acceptance, I get mired down in the problems and can’t find

the solutions. The way I look at it, I have to accept where I’m at to get to where I want to go.”

As Greg talked, I commented that he seemed so open and positive about the future, even grateful. He replied, “Yes. By accepting where I’m at, I get to practice gratitude for what I can do.

And I am looking forward to where I get to go next. I get to start again. A new career. A new life.”

Greg’s story exemplifies the serenity that comes from living in acceptance, even under the most difficult circumstances. Although we may not have Greg’s remarkable positivity and courage, greater serenity is still possible, even if we are only able to live in acceptance part of the time. A strong commitment and willingness to try will be rewarded.

MARTIN ACCEPTED HIS PARENTS’ SHORTCOMINGS We also find greater serenity when we accept others as they are—even those we dislike or who have made our life harder.

Martin’s life got better, for example, after he stopped blaming his parents for his personal shortcomings. Well into his adulthood, he blamed his parents for his insecurities, low self-esteem, and people-pleasing tendencies. His father was an alcoholic who was rarely around and his mother constantly demeaned him. Whatever Martin did was never “good enough” for her.

As a result, growing up, he never felt good about himself. In fact, as Martin puts it, he wasn’t sure who “himself” really was. Consequently, by his early 20s, he was an alcoholic and street druggie, in and out of treatment centers and sober living homes.

In his mid-30s, Martin found sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, and a few years later joined Al-Anon, another 12-step program for those whose family or friends have drinking problems.

There he gained a greater awareness of “self” and what made him tick. One of the things Martin learned was that

blaming his parents for his struggles was absolutely of no benefit to him now. Pure and simple, it neither helped nor made him feel better. To the contrary, he says it deterred him from working on his personal shortcomings.

Martin speaks about how his life improved by accepting his parents for who they were: “I certainly didn’t like what my parents did when I was young. It messed me up a lot. But, I know for sure that they didn’t go to bed at night thinking, ‘Now what can we do tomorrow to make Martin’s life miserable?’ And I also know for sure that they didn’t have any mean or evil intent. That’s just the way they were; they didn’t know any better.

I am in acceptance of that now. My primary focus now is working on myself.

It’s solely up to me to make my life better. I’m finally getting to know who ‘Martin’ is and finding a lot that I like.”

ACCEPTANCE IS A CHOICE WE MAKE As these stories show, practicing acceptance leads to a life marked by realistic expectations, greater humility, and new choices, discoveries, and possibilities, as well as reduced worry, stress and frustration—a life where hope replaces despair.

Fundamentally, acceptance is a choice we make. You can choose to accept people and circumstances as they are—as Greg and Martin did—or not.

If you choose acceptance, that very act births opportunities that can transform your life, the lives of others, and, I believe, the world.

Daniel A. Miller is an artist, poet, successful businessman, and bestselling author of The Gifts of Acceptance: Embracing People and Things as They Are, and Losing Control, Finding Serenity: How the Need to Control Hurts Us and How to Let It Go, a Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Award finalist.

His website, www.DanielAMiller.com, features over 70 of his blog posts on control and acceptance dynamics as well as his poetry and paintings.

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[FROM THE HEART]

HOW TO GET OUT OF A COMA

by Alan Cohen I was honored to meet Morten Lauridsen, a genius musician considered by many to be the world’s greatest living composer of choral music.

He is widely respected for his stirring opus, “Lux Aeterna” (“Eternal Light”).

Morten told me that one of his dear friends, a conductor who often conducts Lauridsen’s compositions, fell into a coma. After several weeks, doctors could not predict whether or not he would awaken.

Morten went to visit his friend, who was 18

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lying inert in a hospital bed. After a minute Morten began to gently sing the chorus of “Lux Aeterna.” Then, to onlookers’ astonishment, the patient raised his hand as if he were conducting a chorus.

This was the first time the man displayed any activity since he had fallen comatose. Eventually he was resuscitated.

(For a moving journey into Lauridsen’s music, watch the documentary Shining Night, available at innerharmony.com.)

This healing incident is as metaphoric as it is literal. We have all fallen

comatose. In the Book of Genesis we are told that “…a deep sleep to fall upon Adam,” but nowhere in the Bible does it say that he woke up.

We are all Adam, still immersed in the dream of limitation. We have become sleepwalkers, trudging through our days wondering who we are, and why we are here. In the poignant film Joe Versus the Volcano, Meg Ryan’s character sums up our predicament: “…almost the whole world is asleep.

Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to…only a few

people are awake, and they live in a state of constant total amazement.”

How, then, do you awaken from the coma of a dreary, burdensome, or oppressive life? The antidote is passion.

Passion is the avenue through which life guides you to fulfill your unique purpose.

When Morten Lauridsen’s friend heard music that stirred his soul, he found a reason to awaken and live. We all have a reason to awaken and live, yet we must act on it to reap its benefits.

In the classic movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Ferris phones his friend Cameron to ask him to play hooky. Cameron tells Ferris, “I’m dying.” Ferris replies, “You’re not dying, you just can’t think of anything good to do.” If you feel sick or tired, ask yourself, “What might I do during the day that would make me want to wake up in the morning to do?”

Your honest answer to that question will open the door to your next important step in life.

When you follow your bliss, you deliver gifts that stir others to find their passion and fulfill their purpose. Frederick Buechner declared, “To find our calling is to find the intersection between our own deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger.” Acting on joy is not selfish at all; it is your gift to humanity. In a world where many people are suffering, those who choose happiness are the lifeline by which others find their own way home.

I saw a documentary about a high school student named Steve who was getting poor grades and getting into trouble. His parents and teachers tried to correct him, but nothing they did worked. Then Steve discovered a bird sanctuary where injured birds of prey were given refuge, resuscitated, and released back into the wild. Steve was fascinated by this place, and visited daily after school. He became a volunteer, and eventually got a part-time job. Meanwhile he stopped getting into trouble. The final scene of the documentary showed Steve giving a lecture at the sanctuary to students on a class trip—the very class he had been flunking. When Steve found something that

stimulated him, his life lined up.

To be true to your passion, you must release activities that run counter to your joy. You cannot simultaneously be comatose and passionate. Every thought you think, word you speak, and action you do either enforces your coma or releases you from it. To get and stay awake you must tell the truth about what brings you life: It, and what saps your life: Not It. An army general noticed that one of his soldiers was acting weird. The private would walk around the post, pick up papers, and after reading each one said, “That’s not it!” The general sent the soldier to the psychiatrist, who concluded that he was deranged, and wrote him a discharge order. When the private read that paper he shouted, “That’s it!”

Everything in the world either reinforces the insanity that keeps it in

force, or opens the door to escape from it. Meanwhile there are bigger, wider, richer worlds that also reinforce themselves if we step into them.

William Blake declared, “If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite.

For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro’ narrow chinks of his cavern.” (Sic) We are spiritual beings who have gone to sleep only to experience the joy of waking up. At this moment a genius is singing to you a song to stir your soul.

The moment has come to lift your arm, and return to the podium to conduct the chorus of your life.

Alan Cohen is the author of many inspirational books, including Relax into Wealth. For more information about his programs, books, free daily inspirational quotes, and his weekly radio show, visit alancohen.com.

Gary Renard

Oneness with Spirit Experience loving for yourself and others.

Live in your truth with happiness and joy.

Weekend Retreat: August 4-5

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Advancing the Four Agreements into the Soul Gain greater liberation, deeper intimacy, and tremendous honesty for real happiness in loving partnerships Weekend Retreat: August 18-19

Limited Space, Register Today: InfinityFoundation.org 847.831.8828 Free course guide with 60+ courses, events & more. CEUs availabl available.

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22 23 24 • THE 40TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE US PSYCHOTRONICS ASSOCIATION - Deerfield • THE BASIC RELEASING COURSE – Chicago • AURA THERAPY PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION TRAINING LEVEL ONE – Chicago

29 30 31 • ANCIENT OILS OF SCRIPTURE CLASS – Willowbrook (Ongoing) • COMMUNITY WELLBEING EVENT Menomonee Falls, WI • ROOT TO RISE YOGA FESTIVAL - Lisle

5 6 7 • MIDWEST HERB FEST - Monterey, IN

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4 5 6 7 • THE POWER OF HEALING STONES & CRYSTALS - Oak Lawn

11 12 13 14 • POETRY & STORYTELLING – Evanston

• CHICAGO IANDS - Evanston • OPENING SPIRIT PORTALS THROUGH DREAMWORK - Oak Lawn

18 19 20 21 • EMOTIONAL RELEASE CLASS – Willowbrook

• REIKI FOR KIDS AGE 7 to 9 – Chicago

• THE 40TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE US PSYCHOTRONICS ASSOCIATION - Deerfield

• THE 40TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE US PSYCHOTRONICS ASSOCIATION - Deerfield • FUNDRAISER FOR THE ROBERT MULLER L.I.F.E. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - Evanston • GUILDING A GARDEN OF WELLNESS - Oak Lawn • METAPHYSICALLY FIT FEST - Yorkville • THE BASIC RELEASING COURSE - Chicago

25 26 27 28 • ANCIENT OILS OF SCRIPTURE CLASS – Willowbrook (Ongoing) • REIKI FOR KIDS AGE 10 to 12 – Chicago

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• MIDWEST HERB FEST - Monterey, IN • CREATE AN ACTION VISION BOARD - DuPage County

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Midwest Pulse Calendar Saturday, July 7 THE POWER OF HEALING STONES & CRYSTALS: 1-2 pm. $20. Informative workshop on the healing and protective power of stones & crystals. 9501 S. New England Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453. 708634-3664. www.journeytowholeness.org

Sunday, July 8 LOVING THE SKIN YOU’RE IN: 1-2 pm. $15. Do you suffer with skin problems? The skin is the largest organ of our body and plays a significant role in holistic well-being. Learn to treat your skin with mindful products. Samples provided. 9501 S. New England Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453. , 708-634-3664, www.journeytowholeness.org

OPENING SPIRIT PORTALS THROUGH DREAMWORK: 3:30 - 5:30 pm. $30.

Machete Mama provides guided opening of Spirit portals and provides understanding to Dreamtime messages of the Subconscious Mind and the Ancestral realm. 9501 S. New England Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453. 708-634-3664. www.journeytowholeness.org

Friday, July 13

Sunday, July 15

POETRY & STORYTELLING - 6:30 - 9:30 pm. Free. Join us for an evening of sharing stories & poetry. This can be your own, a favorite author’s, or just come to listen.

Location: Divine Creative Synergy, 707 Chicago Ave, Evanston, 60202. 312-3918740. www.DivineCreativeSynergy.com

YOGA & QIGONG IN THE PARK: 10am - 12 pm. $30. Join us for a morning of outdoor fun. Outdoor Yoga followed by QiGong. 9501 S. New England Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453. 708-634-3664. www.journeytowholeness.org

Wednesday, July 18

Saturday, July 14 CHICAGO IANDS, support/study/ resource forum for near-death, out-of22

body, & spiritual experiences, losses.

2-5 pm. Suggested donation: $20.

Guest Speaker: CASSANDRA BAUER, NDE during which she talked to her deceased brother. Major life change.

Founder of Level Up. Frank Auditorium in Evanston Hospital. Free covered parking. For more info: 847-251-5758 or http://www.chicagoiands.org

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JULY 2018

EMOTIONAL RELEASE CLASS. Experience JFB Myofascial Release to Unwind and YLEO Essential Oils with

intention to release. All of this happens complimentary at 7 pm at Abundant Health Chiropractic, 6300 Kingery Hwy, Suite 212, Willowbrook, IL 60527, with Sharon M. Vogel, LC, LMT, BCTMB, CLT, LANA Candidate, BS-Biomedical, Reiki Master and QiGong Practitioner. RSVP at https://www.schedulicity.com/ scheduling/SNM966/classes or by phone 630-241-4100.

Thursday, July 19 REIKI FOR KIDS AGE 7 to 9: 11am - 2 pm. $85 per child. Equilibrium Energy + Education, 850 S. Wabash, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60605. Registration is required: www.equilibrium-e3.com, 312-786-1882.

Friday-Sunday, July 20-22 THE 40TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE US PSYCHOTRONICS ASSOCIATION. Explore the subtle realms underlying the material universe; bioenergy and the life force; the etheric body; the power of shape and sacred geometry; parapsychology; energy healing; directed intention; and actionat-a distance — all from a science or evidence-based perspective. 20 renowned speakers including authors and leading experts in frontier science.

Visit the conference vendors offering innovative products, books, and services. Pre and Post conference workshops are available. Join us for this landmark event! Location: Hyatt Regency Deerfield, 1750 Lake Cook Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015. Early bird specials on www.eventbrite.com For more details: www.psychotronics.org

Saturday, July 21 FUNDRAISER FOR THE ROBERT MULLER L.I.F.E. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL: 6-9 pm. Free. Join us for an evening to help support the L.I.F.E. School! Guatemalan handcrafts, art, jewelry for purchase to benefit the school children. Location: Divine Creative Synergy, 707 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202. 312-391-8740. www.DivineCreativeSynergy.com GUILDING A GARDEN OF WELLNESS: 12-1 pm. $20. Learn the wellness and healing potential for a healing garden consisting of thirteen varieties of plant allies. Explore the benefits of plant connection as well as using nature to heal and find balance. 9501 S. New England Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453. 708-634-3664. www.journeytowholeness.org METAPHYSICALLY FIT FEST. 11am6 pm . Free hugs, henna, live music, life readings and drumming are just a few of the things you will find at the Metaphysically Fit Fest. But, according to the founder and organizer Tairi Grace and a number of participants, what you really find at the event is community.

MFF is for people of all colors, ages, and interests to unite in one place that honors, supports, and welcomes everyone. It’s a conscious community which Is engaging people who are changing their lives through conscious practices. The fest brings together vendors, participants and musicians who care about making the world a better place. Located at Bicentennial Riverfront Park; Yorkville, IL 60560.

Brought to you by Grace Holistic Center for Education and the United City of Yorkville.

Saturday-Sunday July 21-22 & Saturday, July 28 THE BASIC RELEASING COURSE Saturday and Sunday on-site: 10-5.

Saturday, July 28: 10-4 via conference call from your home, office, or cellphone. $547. This course is the foundation and the crowning gem of all Releasing courses. In 3 amazingly insightful days you will watch your stress, tension, and worries simply melt away. You’ll discover how to “let go” at will, clearing the way to having the life you always longed for, but never dreamed could be possible! Location: Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 160 E. Pearson Street, Chicago, IL 60611. For more information, call 312-951-6560 (Please ask for Fernanda, Diane’s assistant) or visit www.dianestilwell.global

Sunday, July 22 AURA THERAPY PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION TRAINING LEVEL ONE: 10am-5 pm. $195. Grounding, Protecting, Healing Aura Layers. Jane Albright teaches the first of three levels of training for becoming a certified Aura Therapist.

Equilibrium Energy + Education, 850 S. Wabash, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60605. Registration is required: www.equilibrium-e3.com, 312-786-1882

Wednesday, July 25 REIKI FOR KIDS AGE 10 to 12: 11am 2 pm. $85 per child Equilibrium Energy + Education, 850 S. Wabash, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60605. Registration is required: www.equilibrium-e3.com, 312-786-1882.

Sunday, July 29 COMMUNITY WELLBEING EVENT: 10am-4 pm. Free Admission, Free Parking.

Multiple Vendors - Crafts, Jewelry, Healing Modalities, Readers, Workshops, Demonstrations and more. W17194 Appleton Ave. Menomonee Falls, WI. www.UniversalAwarenessFellowship. org, 262-404-7119.

ROOT TO RISE YOGA FESTIVAL Presented by NEXT Yoga. 10am-3 pm.

Sound OFF Yoga Class, Sound Healing Class, Acro Yoga Class, Aerial yoga, Slack Lining, Kids Soccer Clinic w/ Chicago Red Stars, Health & Wellness market, and so much more! Location: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois 53, Lisle, IL 60532. Contact: casey@nextyoga.com More about event and buy your tickets: https://www.next-yoga. ticketleap.com/3rd-annual-root-to-riseyoga-festival/

Friday-Sunday, August 3-5 MIDWEST HERB FEST - Join us for our 12th annual Midwest Herb Fest, Returning to Our Roots, for folks interested in learning how to identify, work with and understand medicinal herbs. Location: Glastonbury Institute of Sustainable Living, 10120 E 750 S, Monterey, IN 46960. Phone: 812-788-1707. Website: www.midwestherbfest.com

Saturdays, August 4-25 CREATE AN ACTION VISION BOARD 9:30 am - 12 pm. Love Donation. Unlock your inner knowing and be open to all possibilities. Bring magazines, scissors, poster boards, stick glue, your picture, snack, and drink plus your body, mind, heart, and spirit. Location: DuPage County. 708-888-1726. Leave Message.

Bonus: Mini (15 minutes) Intuitive Reading for those who pre-register at www.VisionBoardsForHealers.com

Thursdays, August 9-30 THE POWER OF MANIFESTING YOUR GOALS - JUMP START – Online Course: North & South America Calls: August 9, 16, 23, 30, 2018 7:30-9:30 pm CT/ 8:30-10:30 pm ET. European/Asia Calls: August 10, 17, 24, 31, 2018 5:30-7:30 pm GMT – London time (9:30–11:30 am PT). $197. In this online course you will discover how to create a powerful set of new goals as you blast through any lingering limited beliefs. Discover your path to “Havingness”, sweeping away all roadblocks as you go. For more information, call 312-951-6560 (Please ask for Fernanda, Diane’s assistant) or visit www.dianestilwell.global CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

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Friday-Monday August 31 - September 3 INNER SOURCE RETREAT - LABOR DAY: Facilitated by Jenelle Thurston & Randi Cutler. Knowing and embracing the gifts of our shadows empowers us to shine authentically. During this 4-day women’s retreat nestled into mother nature and a tribe of supportive women, we will dive into the depths of our psyches uncovering hidden parts of ourselves. Through a powerful immersion of Shamanic Breathwork, Firewalking, Yoga, Psyche Exploration and Artistic Creation, our intention is to create a safe and nourishing space for you to curiously explore your inner world, embrace your hidden gifts and celebrate the wholeness of who you are! This is an all-women’s retreat. Vegetarian Meals & Lodging included. Ronora Lodge & Retreat Center. Watervliet, Michigan. Register at: www.Innersourceretreat.com

Friday-Sunday September 21-23 14TH LIGHTWORKERS CONFERENCE Admission starting at $10. It's all about YOU! Learn ancient secrets and healing during this wisdom filled, experiential conference on cutting-edge topics to move you forward. Ancient Templar codes, Angels, Sound Healing and more. Location: Benedictine College, Lisle, IL 60532, 630-579-8184. www.LightworkersConference.com

Wednesday-Monday October 10-15 SOUL BODY WOMEN’S RETREAT: TRANSFORMING THE HEART, EXCAVATING THE SOUL WITH

CANDICE WU - The Soul Body Women's Retreat is a spiritual journey for women who deeply desire to sync Soul and Body, live effortlessly and at home in themselves — from the heart and in their creative brilliance — and transform, reclaim, and call up all of who they TRULY are. A sacred week of nourishing and healing through sisterhood, nature, embodied healing practices, Family and Spiritual Constellations, yoga and meditation - while immersing in the depths and reaches of earth and sky in Zion National Park, Utah. Early Bird Discount until August. Location: Zion National Park Villa, Utah +1 248-390-5001 https://www.candicewu.com/soul-body

Thursday-Sunday November 15-18 THE LAST WEIGHT LOSS COURSE YOU’LL EVER DO! First day is from 2-5 pm. All other days are from 10-5 pm.

Deadline for Pre-registration of $647 is October 31, 2018. On November 1, price will be $697. This is a 4-day live retreat, which will resolve your eating issues forever. Using the release process and Diane Stilwell’s special tools and techniques, your unique problems around eating, and food will be addressed in a revolutionary new way. YOU’LL EASILY FIND FREEDOM AND RELIEF AT LAST. Your unending struggle to lose weight will be over, as the pounds effortlessly slide off, and your ideal weight is revealed. Location: Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 160 E. Pearson Street, Chicago, IL 60611. For more information, call 312-951-6560 (Please ask for Fernanda, Diane’s assistant) or visit www.dianestilwell.global

Wednesday-Sunday December 26-30 THE POWER OF MANIFESTING YOUR GOALS - First day is from 2-5 pm. All other days are from 10-5 pm.

Deadline for Pre-Registration Price of $697 is November 30, 2018. On December 1 price will be $747. You will learn tools for developing your ability to have absolutely anything you could possibly ever desire in this 5-day Center for Releasing retreat, with Diane Stilwell. Just bring your list of goals that you would love to achieve. You must complete a Basic Releasing Course to attend. Location: Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 160 E. Pearson Street, Chicago, IL 60611 For more information, call 312-951-6560 (Please ask for Fernanda, Diane’s assistant) or visit www.dianestilwell.global

Ongoing ANCIENT OILS OF SCRIPTURE CLASS. This course covers the history behind The Oils of Ancient Scripture and goes in depth about each oil.

Experience the rich, woodsy, and fragrant essential oils dating back to 6,000 BC. Every last Sunday and Wednesday of each month. Location: Abundant Health Chiropractic, 6300 Kingery Hwy, Suite 212, Willowbrook, IL 60527, with Sharon M. Vogel, LC, LMT, BCTMB, CLT, LANA Candidate, BS-Biomedical, Reiki Master, QiGong Practitioner.

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AT T E N T I O N A D V E R T I S E R S Did you know that the Midwest Pulse Calendar section is one of the most read parts of Conscious Community?

The Midwest Pulse Calendar listings are $1.00 per word with a 30 word 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.

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YOGA,

or on your lap. Notice how you are inhaling and how you are exhaling. Take five to ten breaths.

Notice how your body, mind and breath feel. You may even try it holding a furry friend!

the Gateway Practice to Emotional and Mental Health

CONQUERING DEPRESSION AND RISING OUT OF THE DARKNESS

by Raquel Jex Forsgren, Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT

“Embracing reverence and love for all (Ahimsa), we experience oneness.”

— Yoga Sutra 11.35

In The Secret Power of Yoga: A Woman’s Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras, author, spiritual leader and one of my beloved teachers, Nischala Joy Devi, said, “When we refuse to take the time to treat our bodies, emotions and minds, with reverence and love, they will often remind us—not so kindly—by failing to respond when we need them. Our ability to think clearly recedes. We may experience sadness or depression. After a time, our lack of ease may allow disease to creep into our life. Then we are obliged to take time for ourselves. It is much more pleasant and fun to do it willingly before any dis-ease invites itself into your life.”

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, over 18% Americans are struggling with different types of anxiety disorders each year. It is the number one reason for disability. Over 40 million people are living with anxiety and only 36.9% of those people receive treatment. Nearly half of those diagnosed with either anxiety or depression suffer from both. Yoga creates calmness and ease. Here are some of the ways that a yoga practice fights depression and anxiety.

YOGA CALMS OUR NERVES Yoga boosts levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical in the brain that calms nerves. GABA is one of the main neurotransmitters in the brain. It inhibits brain activity, helping it relax. When GABA is low, our brains “stay on,” resulting in anxiousness and overstimulation.

Anxiety is interesting. In the original Yogic Texts, the yogis talk about the monkey mind. I’m from the West, so I talk about it as “running off the ranch.” What causes anxiety? It’s most often due to thinking about the past and ruminating over what you said, didn’t say, someone who hurt you, or someone you hurt, and the list goes on. It’s also caused by thinking about the future, where the what-if’s come to play. When you are being in the present, anxiety cannot come.

Yoga’s effectiveness at calming the nerves is directly related to modulation of the general stress response. Breathing evolves from being fast and clunky to rhythmic, slow and smooth. This slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and, thereby, reduces the amount of the damaging stress hormone cortisol that is pumped from adrenal glands in response to the original stress. See how the cycle works?

ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO CALM THE NERVES IS TO FOCUS ON YOUR BREATH Try sitting in just a simple cross-legged position on the floor, on your bed or in a chair with your hands just in front of your heart

Yoga can help conquer depression. The combination of movement and meditation in most classes makes yoga ideally suited to conquer depression. Both of these practices have been proven to improve mood and lessen the hold that depression can have. In fact, remember GABA? Practicing yoga causes an increase in GABA. Gaba helps ease the symptoms of depression. Many supplements and common pharmaceuticals contain GABA and are used to treat depression. Yoga increases this chemical in our brain naturally.

As a yoga therapist, one of the most important tools that I use is to teach how to embrace what comes up during practice. Postures often open the heart and hip area, both of which are places where we hold deep-seated emotions and scars. Try practicing strong poses, such Warrior 2, to feel empowered. I tell my patients to feel what comes up in their body, notice where it is and embrace it.

Lean into it. Listen to it and what it may be trying to tell them. I help them practice non-judgment on what is coming up, notice how their bodies feel and create the safest place possible for them to express them on the mat.

START NOW Find a local studio. There are yoga studios everywhere that can teach you the basic postures. You’ll feel a physical benefit in your muscles and be calmer when you leave your first session. If you want to dig deeper to manage your anxiety, depression or other mood disorder, finding a yoga therapist may be the right move.

Yoga therapists have a sub-specialty, such as in mood disorders, the aging body, cancer, cardiac rehabilitation, addiction and recovery and more. Look for a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) to ensure you are receiving the highest credentialed therapist.

If you have been diagnosed with clinical depression or suicidal, we are here to help. You can go to the website https://suicideprevention lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now or call someone at 1-800-273-8255.

“We’re all just walking each other home.” — Ram Dass Raquel Jex Forsgren is a Certified Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT, a graduate from Soul Institute, certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapists, holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and 25 years in pharmaceuticals. Raquel has been living Yoga for over a decade. Raquel Jex Forsgren lives in Chicago. You can reach her at livingyogatherapy@ gmail.com, or visit her website at www.livingyoga-therapy.com.

Sources: The Secret Power of Yoga, Nischala Joy Devi; Anxiety and Depression Association of America; Yogabasics.com; Harvard Medical School Review; American Pyschological Association; Science Daily, August, 2017; Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

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DEPRESSION Why It Happens, What You Can Do

by Bernadette Doran, RMT We all get bouts of sadness now and then. But, one in seven Americans tumbles into the black hole of clinical depression— deep, sustained despondency accompanied by many different symptoms, including chronic fatigue, loss of pleasure in normal activities, sleep disruption, frequent crying, feelings of worthlessness and helplessness, and feelings of pessimism and hopelessness. Depression can also manifest as irritability, aches or pains that won’t go away, especially headaches and stomach aches, a persistent sense of emptiness, and sometimes thoughts of suicide. Symptoms are complex and contradictory—one person may sleep all day while another is so agitated, she cannot sleep at all. If any combination of symptoms lasts more than two weeks, it can be the onset of clinical depression.

Even though the condition may present itself in different ways, the results are always the same. Depression makes every day a sad, hopeless and debilitating struggle that affects every aspect of life from family and relationships to job performance.

WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION The causes of depression are as varied as its symptoms. Some are well known, while others may surprise you.

Genetics: Someone who has a family history of depression will probably be at risk.

Defeated by Disease: People grappling with difficult health challenges, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cancer may become depressed.

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Life Trauma: One of the most pervasive causes of depression is trauma, including physical, mental or sexual abuse in childhood, or trauma later in life. Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, for example, often have clinical depression. The longer the trauma is not addressed or treated, the longer depression will continue.

Community Violence: Fear of danger and death for yourself and loved ones can cause depression.

Gender Identity: Long-term struggles with gender identity and lack of support are factors as well.

Now to some surprising causes; you might want to skip that donut and check the warnings on your birth control pills.

Fast Food and Commercial Baked Goods: A 2012 study in the UK’s Public Health Nutrition Journal found that people who consumed those foods were 51% more likely to develop depression compared to those who did not. However, there are other possible contributing factors. Those same people were more likely to be single, less active, have poor dietary habits and work long hours.

Combining Meds: Taking multiple common medications at the same time was found to cause depression. A study of medication use patterns of more than 26,000 adults discovered that 200 commonly used prescription drugs, including hormonal birth control pills, blood pressure and heart medications, proton pump inhibitors, antacids and painkillers,

have depression or suicide listed as potential side effects.

About 15% of adults who simultaneously used three or more of these medications experienced depression while taking the drugs, compared with just 5% for those not using any of the drugs, 7% for those using one medication and 9% for those taking two drugs simultaneously. More than one-third of U.S. adults may be using prescription medications that have the potential to cause depression or increase the risk of suicide.

Facebook: Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that Facebook can lead to depression when viewers compare their lives to those of their friends. Users who feel envious after seeing postings about expensive vacations, new houses or cars, or happy relationships are much more likely to report feelings of depression than those who feel happy for their friends.

Too Much Screen Time: The suicide rate for girls aged 13 to 18 increased by 65% between 2010 and 2015. The number of girls experiencing suicide-related outcomes such as feeling hopeless, thinking about suicide, planning for suicide or attempting suicide rose by 12%. The number of teenage girls reporting symptoms of severe depression increased by 58% during that period. San Diego State University researchers discovered an important statistical correlation: 48% of teens who spent five or more hours per day on electronic devices reported at least one suicide-related outcome, compared to only 28% of those who spent less than an hour a day on devices.

The researchers asked teens how they spend their leisure time, and between 2010 and 2015, teens increasingly spent more time with screens and less time on other activities. “That was by far the largest change in their lives during this five-year period, and it's not a good formula for mental health,” the study concluded.

WHAT YOU CAN DO Drugs may or may not be an answer: More than half of the 41 million Americans who take antidepressants do not fully respond. Ironically, antidepressants may actually make things worse. A recent study showed that depressed people who use antidepressants are far more likely to suffer a relapse of major depression than those who avoid antidepressants altogether.

The great news is research has discovered many other approaches that offer significant help.

For Trauma-Based Depression: “While we can't change a person's family history or their life experiences, it is possible to help a person change the way they think and to teach them positive coping strategies,” says Professor Peter Kinderman.

Kinderman is the Head of the Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, at the University of Liverpool in the UK, and has been researching successful cognitive therapy approaches.

Therapies that access the subconscious, where traumatic memories are often deeply buried, can be especially helpful, including hypnosis, EFT, EMDR and Holographic Memory Resolution.

Sports and Physical Activity: Physical activity brings about neurobiological changes in the brain that are proven to relieve

depression. Physical activity enhances the brain's capacity to absorb serotonin, ensures the release of various factors for nerve growth, prevents cell death in the hippocampus (caused by depression) and reduces the stress hormone cortisol—all using your body’s own chemistry set instead of an invasive drug.

Get a Pet: Studies show that a whopping 74% of people with pets report mental health improvements from owning a pet. A pet provides you with a faithful companion, a confidante to tell your troubles to and a buddy to exercise with—all terrific for lifting depression.

Reiki: The successful long-term effects of Reiki were documented in a double-blind study of 55 adults suffering from depression and stress. After six weeks of treatment, a handson Reiki-treated group and a distant healing Reiki-treated group both showed significant improvement based on standard psychological measurement tests for depression. Even more important, the relief from depression lasted a full year after only six weekly Reiki treatments.

Yoga: In one study, 23 male veterans participated in twice-weekly yoga classes for eight weeks. On a 1-10 scale, the average enjoyment rating for the yoga classes for these veterans was 9.4. All participants said they would recommend the program to other veterans. More importantly, participants with elevated depression scores before the yoga program had a significant reduction in depression symptoms after the eight weeks.

Meditative Breathing: Sudarshan Kriya yoga helped alleviate severe depression in people who did not fully respond to antidepressant treatments, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. The meditation technique, which can be practiced in both a group setting and at home, includes a series of sequential, rhythm-specific breathing exercises that bring people into a deep, restful, and meditative state: slow and calm breaths alternated with fast and stimulating breaths.

Participants showed significant relief from depression symptoms after a two-month course.

Probiotics: Twice as many adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) reported improvements from co-existing depression when they took probiotics than adults with IBS who took a placebo, according to the journal, Gasteroentrology. Researchers say this study provides further evidence of the microbiota environment in the intestines being in direct communication with the brain to support mental health.

Even the most stubborn case of depression can be overcome, experts say, by taking one step at a time. Reaching out and staying connected, getting plenty of sunlight and exercise, picking up a former hobby you used to love, challenging negative thinking, eating healthy foods and seeking professional help can all be the crucial first step.

Bernadette Doran, RMT, is a trauma therapist and director of Equilibrium Energy + Education, a research-based energy medicine wellness center in Chicago’s South Loop. Go to www.equilibrium-e3.com or call 312-786-1882 for further details.

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REVIEW OF HEALING MODALITIES

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY - HOLISTIC PATH TO HEALING

by Brigita Vaiciulyte CRP, PT (LT)

Craniosacral Therapy has been becoming more popular in recent years due to its gentle, noninvasive nature and its benefits to health and wellness. It is a very light touch holistic therapy that helps to bring the body into balance and heal by itself.

Craniosacral Therapy has its origins in Osteopathy – a sister healing art of Chiropractic. In the 19th century, the founder of Osteopathy, Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, treated many illnesses and diseases by mechanically adjusting the bones, muscles and soft tissues. His student Dr. W.G. Sutherland took it further and experimented with the bones of the head using his own skull. He discovered that the bones of the skull actually move like fish gills. Obviously, these movements are very 28

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subtle and not seen by naked eye and are palpable with a very precise touch of the fingers. The biggest question lied in “What makes these bones move?”

HOW DOES IT WORK? Craniosacral Therapy works around the cranial rhythm.

Cranial rhythm is a pulsation of cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid in which the brain lies.) In normal states, this rhythm is about 6-12 times per minute. Cranial rhythm is most evident in the head, however, it may be palpable around other areas of the body. With the precise palpation of the client's body, the practitioner can feel this rhythm and decide whether it is in or off balance. When there is a pathological process going on

in the body, cranial rhythm is disrupted. It may be more rapid or very shallow, irregular or barely palpable. For example, if the sacral bone is shifted to one or the other side, it may pull on soft tissue around the spine and cause back pain. Another example, if someone had a concussion in the past, the skull bones may be compressed, which restricts normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. That later may cause many other health issues such as sinus problems, jaw pain, headaches, anxiety, etc. These are only a couple of examples of how the body creates an imbalance.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY? First, it is important to understand that the practitioner, who applies Craniosacral Therapy, does not intend to fix any health or medical issues. The practitioner looks for health and balance rather than trying to treat the symptoms. “On talking of balance, we think beyond the three dimensions. There is front to back, left to right, top to bottom, deep to superficial, psyche to soma, the whole body to its surroundings, and the dimension of time in terms of past, present and future.” 1 There is a lot of listening and stillness involved in the healing process on the side of both the client and the practitioner – the deeper the stillness, the greater the healing. “The craniosacral wave (cranial rhythm) isn’t just a physical phenomenon...It’s also a field of information and intelligence...When client and practitioner have no connection, there sometimes is no efficacy.” 2 Craniosacral Therapy is a truly unique form of healing where people with chronic back pain, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, chronic fatigue, joint and muscular pain find relief in more or less than five sessions.

WHO CAN DO CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY? Usually, professionals who are already involved in therapeutic work (massage therapists, physical therapists, psychotherapists, acupuncturists, physicians of some specialties) add or integrate craniosacral therapy into their service.

Craniosacral therapy is safe and non-invasive with minimal or no side effects. The healing effects are long-lasting and touch the body, mind and soul.

Reference: 1 Wildy, Jo. "Ineffective Unscientific Magical Thinkers." Sutherland

Cranial College Magazine, Summer 2012: 6-11. No 34.

2 Milne, Hugh. The Heart of Listening: A Visionary Approach to

Craniosacral Work. North Atlantic Books, 1998. Hardcover.

Brigita Vaiciulyte CRP, PT (LT) offers light touch therapy for chronic back pain, headaches, fatigue, anxiety, joint and muscular pain. She is a practitioner of Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki and Myofascial Release. She offers long-lasting results in treating chronic pain. If you have any questions, please call 224-243-1513 or visit www.healinghands.name.

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COSMIC DAILY WEATHER July 2018

by Tara Aal

Overview We’re now fully initiated into summer. The angels of Cancer open our hearts to more feeling and connection with ourselves and the world around us. The sign Cancer offers the gift of belonging¬—of securing the foundation of who we are and living with a deep sense of home, wherever we may find ourselves. Cancer feels itself into being. We evolve through the emotional body and in the zodiacal wheel, Cancer is initiation of emotion. Through the mysteries of Cancer, we form our personal identity based on how we feel, what we need and where we belong. When the angels of Leo begin their reign on July 22, we are called to shine in our natural glory. Leo is a celebration of life force and passion! When we are at home with ourselves and mature in getting our needs met (Cancer,) our self-expression and wholeheartedness (Leo) are free to shine, filling the world with more love and happiness. You are a star, just like the Sun. Be brilliant and share your light…we need it!

Your emotional reactions might be exaggerated today but use this time to see everything in a greater context. You can truly expand your capacity to live fully.

Moon/Jupiter square stretches you to make room for more truth that will change your personal perspective. You’re ready for more! Aquarius Moon VoC begins 5:56 p.m. until tomorrow.

Astrology reveals the nature of your personal wiring and energy. It also reminds you of your deepest desires and intentions for growth. It’s an amazing tool to bring about awareness, raise consciousness, and increase empathy and compassion. Check your natal chart out at www.astro.com.

Dreamy Moon in Pisces might steal us away this afternoon, and in sextile with Uranus and Saturn our mysterious, emotional, unconscious lunar nature has an opportunity to team up with liberation and stability. This could be the perfect recipe for making your dreams reality. Aquarius Moon VoC ends 12:31 p.m. when the Moon enters Pisces.

The Moon takes about 28 days to complete her orbit through the 12 signs, spending approximately two and a half days in each sign. When we say the Moon is void-of-course (VoC), it means the Moon makes no more major aspects to other planets until it leaves the sign it’s in. We sometimes say the Moon is floating between signs during these times, and it creates a sense of timelessness. You can embrace these events by slowing down and tuning into your inner guidance. It’s not the best time to start new things, but it’s a perfect opportunity to make room for what’s to come. If you want to know more, check out www.moontracks.com.

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Monday, July 2

Tuesday, July 3 Harmonious Moon contacts with Sun and Jupiter and an infusion from Neptune team up to bring what is hidden into the light.

How is your Moon? Is your heart happy?

Do you feel felt? With all these planets in water signs, you will surely feel a stirring in your soul. Receive the nourishment of love and light and remember “As above, so below; as within, so without.” You are the planets…all of them.

Wednesday, July 4 Mercury conjunct North Node in Leo emphasizes the way we’re collectively evolving through our Mercurial functions.

As a society, how are we communicating?

Are we sharing information in a way that serves and progresses our minds, hearts and physical bodies? Mercury in Leo at its best can inspire an audience with heartfelt motivation. Have we lost “heart” in our world of virtual connection and social media? Let’s put our minds together for projects and causes we can be proud of.

Pisces Moon VoC begins 4:46 a.m. until 11:49 p.m. when the Moon enters Aries.

Thursday, July 5 Seems we all need to spend time revisioning and redefining with Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Pluto and Neptune all retrograde.

Last night, Chiron joined the retrograde party. Slow down and check-in with yourself—you are creating life in every moment with your thoughts, words, vibration and actions. Is this the life you want? Chiron retrograde might trigger feelings of inadequacy and brokenness. That is exactly where your healing and deepest connection with humanity lie. Open your heart to the hurt, for “the medicine is in the wound.”

Sunday, July 8

Saturday, July 14

Yummy Taurus Moon draws us to enjoy sensuality and beauty. Enjoy a delicious meal in a setting that makes you feel comfortable. Remind yourself that indulging in simple pleasures makes a big difference in your quality of life.

This evening, Moon/Mercury conjunction in Leo invites us to share our stories with flare and drama. The need to be understood will be heightened—not so much the facts, but to be felt and seen for who we are and how we want to be identified. If conversation starts to go south, imagine it’s all a comedy and watch from a new view. Leo Moon VoC begins 6:11 p.m. until tomorrow.

Monday, July 9 Venus enters Virgo tonight magnifying our need to get work done and details right. In relationships, this can manifest as critical analysis which can transform partnerships for the better or mentally rip things apart.

Choose wisely and don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. Taurus Moon VoC begins 11:09 a.m. until 11:58 a.m. when the Moon enters Gemini.

Tuesday, July 10 After four months retrograde, Jupiter turns direct! Are you ready to implement your revised life philosophy or path with renewed confidence? It’s time to live what we believe and believe in how and why we are living. Gemini Moon VoC begins 3:00 p.m. until tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 11 Are you taking care of yourself? Every time Moon transits Cancer she reminds us we have human needs. If you get emotional when the Moon is in Cancer, feel beneath your mood to the driving need that is crying to be me, and answer it! Gemini Moon VoC ends 12:58 p.m. when the Moon enters Cancer.

Friday, July 6

Thursday, July 12

Moon/Pluto square can be intense and Aries Moon doesn’t like being told what to do. Notice when and how you react, especially to authority. Make sure you take time to really listen to the other person. It’s likely your visceral gut reaction doesn’t reflect their actual intention and motivation.

Cancer New Moon is a wonderful time to set intentions to allow your emotions to flow as you stand firmly centered, rooted deep beneath the water. When you can fully feel your feelings without being swept away by the waves, you will be safe at home. Cancer Moon VoC begins 9:48 p.m. until tomorrow.

Saturday, July 7 If you feel angry or anxious today, consciously breathe. Moon makes challenging aspects with Uranus and Mars which can stir things up. Release some energy and ground yourself through physical movement.

Aries Moon VoC begins 2:09 a.m. until 7:51 a.m. when the Moon enters Taurus.

Friday, July 13 Who and what do you champion? Moon enters Leo and connects with asteroid goddess Pallas Athena offering us the chance to champion our own cause and the desires of our heart. Cancer Moon VoC ends 12:31 p.m. when the Moon enters Leo.

Sunday, July 15 Leo Moon is still strong this morning and wants us to create a burst of fiery light before Virgo takes over. The Leo in all of us feels best when expressing from the heart. Take a minute to dance, sing or laugh as you start your day. Let your inner child play. Leo Moon VoC ends 12:30 p.m. when the Moon enters Virgo.

Monday, July 16 What feeds you on the deepest levels?

Venus conjunct asteroid goddess Ceres in Virgo speaks to the grief we all carry from patterns of denying our needs and not loving and valuing ourselves. Venus shows how/when we are open to receive; Ceres shows what will truly feed us; Virgo is the archetype of being pure and whole unto oneself and of true service. It’s up to each of us to look after ourselves with love and kindness, we know how to do it best, and we’re worth it.

Tuesday, July 17 Libra Moon brings ease to our minds and interactions this afternoon. Many of us will be drawn to social engagements and conversations. If you’re up late, Moon/ Saturn square will put some tension on things, so prepare to be flexible to find the balance. Virgo Moon VoC begins 5:49 a.m. until 2:42 p.m. when the Moon enters Libra.

Wednesday, July 18 Today is free of major planetary aspects.

Enjoy Libra Moon and Cancer Sun. Cancer and Libra are traditionally seen as a challenge for each other—the tension between family of origin and marriage or partnership. At heart, both signs want peace and connection. Express your gratitude for family and all your relationships however you define them.

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Thursday, July 19 Sun/Moon square reflects tension between our conscious, logical selves and our unconscious, non-linear interior world.

Sometimes, who we think we’re supposed to be doesn’t seem to align with our feelings and needs. Has one been suffering at the expense of the other? What can you do to honor both? Libra Moon VoC begins 2:52 p.m. until 8:13 p.m. when the Moon enters Scorpio.

Friday, July 20 Do you feel like what you need is at odds with what you want? Moon/Mars square symbolizes a struggle between what we think we need to be secure and emotionally safe and what we desire on a primal, instinctual level. If we just go for it, will we be “ok?” If we play it safe, will we ever feel alive? Give yourself permission to test it out! Choose for yourself without holding so tightly to the past. You really don’t know how it will turn out.

Saturday, July 21 Saturn/Neptune quintile reflects the ability to identify problems and come up with creative solutions to incorporate a greater

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and grander vision in our reality. Neptune is unlimited imagination, and Saturn is willing to work hard to turn dreams into something of substance that will serve and sustain.

Sunday, July 22 Sun enters Leo this afternoon, bringing the burning fire of passion and selfexpression. With Moon in Sagittarius, we’re elevated with new optimism and the desire to have some fun. The fire signs are associated with self-identity. We glorify selflessness, but without a self, we have nothing to give. Scorpio Moon VoC begins 4:17 a.m. until 5:12 a.m. when the Moon enters Sagittarius.

Monday, July 23 Moon square Venus and Neptune brings on all the feels. We are challenged to step outside our story about love—personal and spiritual love. If you get stuck replaying old dynamics in current relationships, choose to feel what’s happening in the moment. This is a call for more heart, receptivity, compassion and faith. It doesn’t have to be so hard.

Tuesday, July 24 Venus/Neptune opposition keeps love on (across) the table. Do you expect idealism and perfection in your relationships?

Neptune is perfection in the imperfection.

Can you accept things and people as they are? We all want to be loved unconditionally.

Sagittarius Moon VoC begins 3:21 a.m. until 4:48 p.m. when the Moon enters Capricorn.

Wednesday, July 25 The Capricorn Moon is almost full, in her waxing Gibbous phase. Take a moment to reflect on the progress you’re making toward your goals. Capricorn lives for accomplishment and Gibbous Moon is the perfect time to adjust and refine your plans to ensure they align with your intentions.

Thursday, July 26 Mercury Retrograde! You know the drill—expect wires to cross, in transit and communication. Is this really any different than “normal” time? Remember that just because you think something does or doesn’t make sense is nothing but perspective. Capricorn Moon VoC begins 8:41 a.m. until tomorrow.

Friday, July 27 “A council of ancestors is seen implementing the efforts of a young leader.” is the Sabian Symbol for the Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse at 5˚ Aquarius. Per Dane Rudhyar, the whole past of humankind stands behind any individual effort. As the eclipse lights flash off and on, will you see with greater awareness how we stand on the backs of those who came before? The past can be a hinderance, but it is also a tremendous resource and Aquarius knows how to use that material to break new ground for the benefit of all. Capricorn Moon VoC ends 5:41 a.m. when the Moon enters Aquarius.

Saturday, July 28 We have a quiet cosmic day to reflect on the Full Moon. Moon/Jupiter square as the only major aspect stretches us to understand ourselves and our history in a greater context and be willing to expand outside our comfort zone. There is much more truth for us to discover!

Sunday, July 29 Moon moves into Pisces this evening evoking our emotional nature. Dream a little dream of whatever makes you feel most loved. Aquarius Moon VoC begins 4:25 a.m. until 6:28 p.m. when the Moon enters Pisces.

Monday, July 30 “I once asked a bird, “how is it that you fly in this gravity of darkness?” she responded, “love lifts me” – Hafiz. Pisces Moon, Moon/Jupiter trine…there is always hope, and it is in you.

Tuesday, July 31 Moon/Neptune conjunction can dissolve false illusions, bringing you into greater peace and harmony. If you remember your dreams, write them down. Use the images and symbols as guides into a new cycle where your mind is free to write a new story that leads with the heart. Pisces Moon VoC begins 5:42 p.m. until tomorrow.

Tara Aal is a practicing astrologer, writer, and teacher. She studied Evolutionary Astrology with Laura Nalbandian and is a certified Soulsign Astrologer through Adam Gainsburg. www.TaraAal.com

EAT TO SUPPORT

HEART HEALTH

by Barbara Boules Cardiovascular disease, which encompasses coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and high blood pressure, is currently our nation’s leading cause of death. Hypertension, in particular, is on the rise, affecting more than 100 million Americans. Guidelines for what constitutes high blood pressure were recently revised from the previous definition of 140/90 to 130/80, which means that 46% of U.S, citizens are now classified as hypertensive.

The American Heart Association advocates what they call “Life’s Simple 7” to reduce our risk. This includes not smoking, getting ample physical activity, eating a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy body weight and keeping control of cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Fortunately, most forms of cardiovascular disease are preventable or respond extremely well to healthy lifestyle changes.

In January, U.S. News and World Report listed the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) as the world’s healthiest diet. The good news about this is that DASH is essentially the Mediterranean approach to eating well, which is not a diet at all, but rather a lifestyle that includes an abundance of delicious, nutritious foods.

The Mediterranean philosophy is simply the way people have traditionally eaten along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, emphasizing plant-based foods including vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, plus seafood and healthy fats from nuts, seeds, avocado and olive oil. Moderate amounts of yogurt and cheese are incorporated.

Meats and added sugars are limited. Recipes are pure, simple and full of flavor – perhaps broccoli sautéed in olive oil and garlic with grilled salmon on a bed of herbed brown rice. The difference between the standard Mediterranean diet and DASH is simply an awareness about sodium intake (no more than 2300mg/day) and reduced-fat dairy.

The beauty of the Mediterranean and DASH approaches is that they are the only “diets” backed by decades of research including thousands of studies which come to positive conclusions concerning heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity and cancer.

The MIND diet (Mediterranean/DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay), was designed at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago to address Alzheimer’s Disease and brain aging. Its only real departure from the traditional Mediterranean diet is an emphasis on daily berry consumption and avoidance of dairy products. This is all to say, clearly the Southern Italians and Greeks have been on to something!

Here is the best of The Mediterranean, DASH & MIND • Enjoy a wide variety of vegetables and fruits—think of eating a rainbow every day. The pigments in produce, called phytochemicals, appear to be among their healthiest attributes. Eat lots of greens, punctuated by red, yellow, orange and purple.

• Choose whole grains over refined grains. The fiber content helps keep cholesterol levels in check.

• Soy-based yogurt is an excellent source of protein and coconut and almond-based yogurts provide a healthy dose of probiotics.

Just be sure to read labels and look for brands without added sugar. Simply sweeten it yourself with a teaspoon of honey or brown sugar. Add some fruit and crushed nuts for a healthy balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat.

• Omega-3 fatty acids are important for reducing inflammation.

Vegetarian sources include chia, hemp and flax seeds. These little beauties also have the benefit of some protein and fiber.

Sprinkle some over yogurt, in a salad or add them to a smoothie.

• Add beans and lentils to salads and soups for an extra punch of fiber and heart-healthy potassium.

• Adding avocados a few times a week adds heart-heathly monounsaturated fats.

• Watch added sugar in processed foods. On Nutrition Facts Labels, sugar is expressed in grams. To understand this number in teaspoons, divide the number of grams by 4. In other words, if a serving of cereal contains 16g sugar, that’s a whopping 4 teaspoons per serving. Given that it’s advisable to stay under 6g added sugar per day, a serving of anything shouldn’t contain more than one teaspoon or two.

To take things a step further, researchers from the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, DC recently published a review in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. The review concluded that a plant-based diet has the following benefits: • A 40% reduction in risk of death from cardiovascular disease • A 40% reduction in risk of coronary heart disease • 91% of patients experienced a partial to full clearing of blocked arteries • A 34% reduction in risk of hypertension Don’t worry if a strict vegetarian pattern of eating doesn’t appeal to you; simply focus on more plants and less meat and you’ll reap many of the benefits of a plant-based diet.

Barbie Boules is a registered dietitian and certified health coach in private practice for 17 years. She works with individuals, families, brands and corporate wellness programs. Her approach is personalized to each client – one size never fits all.

She is passionate about the concepts of mindful and intuitive eating, with a focus on anti-inflammatory and pro-gut health foods. You can reach her at bboules@nyoutrition.com or by phone 312-607-6689.

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Lightworkers Classified Directory

AKASHIC RECORDS LINDA HOWE - Since 1996, Dr.

Linda Howe has been teaching and writing about the Akashic Records, the sacred archive of our Souls’ past, present, and future possibilities. The Records offer transformation by lending us exactly the wisdom, guidance and energetic support that we need in this lifetime! Learn more at www. lindahowe.com

ANGEL CARD READER RHONDA BRUNETT INTUITIVE MEDIUM - Phone Readings.

Contact: FB: Rhonda’s Tarot Readings; call 630-885-2128, www.rhondabrunett.com.

ART CHANNEL CLAIRVOYANT VISIONARY DRAWINGS & CHANNELED MESSAGES FROM YOUR SPIRIT GUIDE. Past Lives, Passed Loved

ones, Angels, & Galactic Starseed heritage. Reconnecting you to your unique creative light! Chicagoland/ worldwide via Skype. spiritsketches@gmail.com, 708-680-6297, http://www.SpiritSketches.com

ASTROLOGY SANDY RUEVE. Astrology

readings, personal & universal talismans, intention consultations, workshops, retreats. Align in harmony with the Universe.

Sandy is available for astrology readings, talisman consultations and workshops.

To schedule an appointment, or learn more, visit: www.intentionbeads.com MICHAEL WHITCOMB has

successfully guided and trained thousands of people on their paths of self-exploration.

Psychic, Reiki Master Teacher, 34

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JULY 2018

High Priest, Ritual Teacher, Astrologer, Crystal Grid Maker, Artist, Poet. “Like” Soul Empowerment on Facebook. To schedule a session, contact: 616-516-0194.

AYURVEDIC AYURVEDIC THERAPY RESOURCES offers Ayurvedic Reflexology,

Acupressure and Indian Head Massage. Reflexologists Jay and Ramila Khatau. Location: 410 40th Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Call: 630-258-0196 or 630-730-5602.

BODYWORK SHARON M. VOGEL, CLT, LMT, LC, BCTMB, Clinic Director of

National Lymphatic Centers.

With 27 years in business, I am referred to by Mayo Clinic practitioners, national surgeons, physicians and patients. The practitioners at NLC care for you with Biofeedback, Acupuncture, No-needle Acupuncture, Rife, Chiropractic, Cupping, Myofascial release, Craniofascial, Lymph Drainage, Oncology Massage, and much more.

5002 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515. www.lymphatics.net, 630-241-4100.

THERAPEUTIC BODYWORK.

Your pain and suffering are telling you something! Ron Shereyk offers Integral Bodywork® and instruction in Zen breathwork, TRE™ (tension/ trauma releasing exercises), meditation, and other body-mind practices.708-710-6227.

BOOK & METAPHYSICAL STORES STYX AND STONZ, 1764 W.

Algonquin Rd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60192. www.styxstonz.com 847-358-9975.

BOOTCAMP FOR COACHES DO COACHING • BE COACHED • OBSERVE COACHING - Master

the art of coaching. Topics: Listening, questioning, feedback, behavioral coaching & coaching conversations. Attendees: High-potentials, solo-preneurs, managers & fellows in-transition. When/where: Sunday afternoons / Chicago, IL. 60613.

Join at www.Meetup.com/CoachTraining.

DIVINE CREATIVE SYNERGY DIANN SQUIERS, CRMP, CRMT, CA Reiki & Aromatherapy Sessions by appointment. Free Consultation before first session. Location: DIVINE CREATIVE SYNERGY, 707 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL. For more information on workshops & events visit: www.DivineCreativeSynergy.com or call 312-391-8740.

DREAMWORK PRACTITIONER W. KEREN VISHNY. Explore the

potency of your dreams. Your dreams can help you heal and grow, strengthen your relationships and rediscover your natural creativity. Dreams are a spiritual path, customized for you. 847-440-4468, www.kerenvishny.com, Kvishny@mindbodynorth shore.com

ENERGY HEALING DIVINE CREATIVE SYNERGY. Diann Squires, CRMP, CRMT, CA.

Reiki, Aromatherapy sessions by appointment. Free consultation before session. Check website for upcoming workshops and events! Location: Divine Creative Synergy, 707 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL 60202, 312-391-8740, www.DivineCreativeSynergy.com.

JOHREI is a preventative and

complementary therapy to balance our Mind, Body, and Spirit by harnessing the Divine, Spiritual Light. Johrei sessions are a holistic means of attaining true health and spiritual growth. Visit www. johreichicago.org Chicagoland call: Joe Jarnol 773-465-9014, Tom Wenc 815-886-4337.

KATRINA TECMIRE - Certified

Reiki Master/Registered Yoga Teacher offering Reiki, chakra balancing, private yoga & meditation. Location: Andersonville, Chicago. www.katrinatecmireyoga.com. yogikatrinatecmire@gmail.com, 734-625-7660.

PEACE OF LOVE HEALING Jessica

Marek “Helping you retrieve your missing peace.” Certified Energy Touch® Practitioner (3 Year Program) Distance Healing from Grand Blanc, Michigan. Email: peaceoflovehealing@gmail.com, Call or text: 248-514-0032, www.PeaceOfLoveHealing.com.

SHAWNA IS A CERTIFIED REIKI MASTER TEACHER & PRACTITIONER IN USUI/TIBETAN/HOLY FIRE II by the ICRT. In-home sessions

or by appointment at Salternative Spa in Geneva. Reiki promotes stress reduction, relaxation and self-healing. Always leading with love. Monthly Classes or for appointments: 847-401-1015 or www.mylifewithreiki.com.

VIRGINIA “GINGER” ADAMS.

Reconnective Healing Foundational Practitioner. The Frequencies of Reconnective Healing lead us to a place where spiritual, emotional and physical healing resides. To schedule an appointment, please visit www.virginia-adams.com or call 847-445-0092.

certification training. Reiki, Bengston Method, Akashic Records, New Paradigm, Colorpuncture, chakra balancing, vibrational therapies, biofield analysis, energy psychology and more. www. equiibrium-e3.com 312-786-1882.

Reflexology, Photon Genie, PEMF, Rife, Laser therapy, and more at National Lymphatic Centers, 5002 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515.

630-241-4100.

FENG SHUI

HOUSE CLEARING

LEARN FENG SHUI at The Feng

Shui School of Chicago, recognized as a Gold Level School by the International Feng Shui Guild. Certified Consultant Training Program. Contact: LauriePawli@gmail.com, 630-279-8870. www.TheFengShuiSchoolOfChicago.com

HOLISTIC HEALING BRIGITA VAICIULYTE - Light

touch therapy for chronic back pain, headaches, joint pain, anxiety and fatigue. The session blends Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki, Myofascial Release. Long lasting results in treating chronic pain. LaGrange, IL. Contact: www.healinghands.name or 224-243-1513.

KAREN MARZEC, ENERGY HEALER - Discover renewed

radiance and vitality with a unique combination of quantum energetics, sacred ceremony and biofield imaging. Individual sessions, biofield readings, remote healing, group sessions and classes available. 866-916-2348, www.karenmarzec.com SMITA SHAH, LAC, CNC, BA.

I specialize in your chronic health conditions through Acupuncture – with or without needles – Biofeedback,

JEN ZAPPA. CLEARING NEGATIVE ENERGIES AND ENTITIES. Using

ancient mantras and gemstones to clear up your space. Energy worker, healer, rare stone mineral seller. If your house needs some clearing energy, please email jenzap89@gmail.com or call 708-879-9017.

LIFE-LONG LEARNING & PERSONAL GROWTH INFINITY FOUNDATION offers more than 200 Courses for Life in personal, professional, and spiritual growth and development. Reboot, Rebalance, Vision for 2018. CEUs available.

Reasonable practitioner and classroom rental.

Free course guide. 1280 Old Skokie Rd., Highland Park, IL 60035. www.infinityfoundation.org, 847-831-8828.

PAST LIFE REGRESSION 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.

ENERGY MEDICINE CAROL SWANSON LLC Medical

Intuitive & Wellness Consultant, specializing in the release of chronic health issues. Intuitive Health Analysis and Treatment Protocol. Deep Meridian Clearing releases the energetic blockages/trauma supporting your illness. Clients worldwide. Serving Humans and their companion animals. carol. swanson@att.net, www.carol-swanson.com or 608-359-4720.

EQUILIBRIUM ENERGY + EDUCATION. One-of-a-kind

wellness center dedicated exclusively to energy therapies, classes, workshops and CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

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SHAKUHACHI TEACHER

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OFFICIATE: WEDDINGS & OTHER TRANSITIONAL EVENTS Ordained

non-denominational minister officiates at transitional events (weddings, baptisms, funerals, birth rites, etc.). For further information on personally-tailored, magical and intimate experiences, contact Theresa Puskar. www. theresapuskar.com, 630-272-1805.

PSYCHICS PSYCHIC READINGS. Tarot card

reader. Energy balance and cleansing. Available for parties. I have answers regarding love, marriage, heath and business.

Location: 169 W Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440. For appointment, call 630-226-1968.

JIA SENGHE-SHAKUHACHI LESSONS - Shakuhachi students

focus on bringing mind, breath and sound together within one’s being. Affordable, authentic Shakuhachi from Japan.

708-972-3373, http://www.utaguchi.com

SHAMANIC HEALING SPECIALIZING IN PROVIDING AND TEACHING - Shamanic

Healing, Reiki, Mediumship, Intuition Development, Meditation, Drumming, Smudge Fans, and Access Consciousness Bars Practitioner. Kristina Nez Begay, Hozho’ Healing 6127 County Rd T (Manitowoc County) Whitelaw, WI 54247. hozhohealing@gmail.com, www. hozhohealing.com, 414-627-2761.

SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER CHRISTINE MOSES IS A HOLISTIC COUNSELOR AND SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER, specializing in

PSYCHOTHERAPY STEPHANIE MEIS, MA LCPC.

A guide to help you explore and heal your inner obstacles - using energy, past life exploration, ancestral energy, music, dialogue and visualization. The fun and holistic way to do psychotherapy! Contact info: 847-609-0406, smeis@stephaniemeis.com.

facilitating women’s circles and retreats, as well as training other women to lead circles with her book, The Wisdom of Circles: Gathering Women for Conscious Community. 847-525-2600, www.chrisfeatherheart.com.

TAI CHI/QI GONG David Eckert - Tai Chi/Qi Gong

SCHOOLS AND LEARNING CENTERS DIANA KUSHENBACH ACADEMY OF SPIRITUAL ARTS - Just

expanded!! Intuitive Energy Healing, Psychic Medium, Gong/ Sound Healing Meditations, Reader/Healing Fairs. Store hours: Wednesday and Friday 10 am – 4 pm; other days by appointment. Location: 6442 College Road, Lisle, IL 60532. www.dianakushenbach.com 630-269-0115.

THE SPIRITUAL LEARNING CENTER (SLC) is here to offer

you the opportunity to study with like-minded people in an emotionally safe environment.

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 and receive location details please email: SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com, visit www.SpiritualLearningCenter.com.

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Improves: Immune System; Strengthens Bones; Balance; Memory; Nervous, Cardio-vascular, and Respiratory Systems and More! 815-530-5984.

TAROT - INTUITIVE COUNSELING JAN CEDERLUND, M. Msc, Ph.D.

Private readings, parties and teaching. McHenry County and surrounding area. For appointments email: TarotByJan@aol. com or call: 815-482-2511.

TRANSFORMATIONAL READINGS PERSONAL READINGS THAT UPLIFT AND EMPOWER! CAROL SWANSON LLC. Carol has 24+

years as a Spiritual Reader/ Healer/ Teacher, Clairvoyant/ Medium. Spiritual Laws to evolve and succeed. Life Path/Transitions.

Profound Spirit Releasement/ healing of soul aspects. Animal companion reader. Email: carol. swanson@att.net Cell: 608-359-4720, http://www.carol-swanson.com.

CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY ADVERTISERS 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 or see website for advertising information. Distributed in Illinois and Wisconsin. Communities that share together, grow together. Together we go further than ever going alone. Please visit: www.ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com or call 847-966-1110.

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, Event Scheduling, Event Sponsorship, National Calendar Coordinator, IT Expertise or Conference Coordinator. Whether you can give one hour per month or 10 hours per month, we would love to have you join our team.

Please call 847-966-1110 or email Kasia at: Kasia@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com

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 a 20 word minimum.

Display ads are due by the 10th of every month. 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@ ConsciousCommunity Magazine. com by the 10th of the month prior to publication.

[HEARTh & HOME]

MIDSUMMER SMÖRGÅSBORD Cucumbers and Tomatoes

by Janae Jean In the United States we use the word smörgåsbord to refer to any type of buffet style meal. It literally means “sandwich table” in Swedish. Its normally a large spread of cold and hot dishes, featuring regional ingredients such as herring, salmon, dill, cucumbers and crispbread. The sandwiches of Northern Europe are different from those we are most familiar with on this side of the Atlantic; they are normally served open-face. In Scandinavia, the midsummer is a popular celebration time. In North America, July is a month of national celebrations and picnics. You can add these smörgåsbord inspired recipes to your picnic side dishes.

CUCUMBER SALAD 2 English (Seedless) cucumbers, sliced in ¼ inch rounds 1 green onion, chopped into ¼ inch pieces 1 small red onion, sliced ½ cup apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons cold water ½ teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons of fresh dill sprigs 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped Black pepper, to taste In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and water to make dressing. Dissolve the salt and sugar in the dressing. Grind in fresh black pepper. In a serving bowl, arrange the sliced cucumbers and red onion. Drizzle the vinegar dressing on top. Sprinkle with green onion, dill and parsley and toss. Place salad in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Serve chilled.

TOMATO AND BUTTER SANDWICHES This is a simple recipe for a typical Northern European open-face sandwich.

Butter is a must for Northern European

sandwiches, so much so that “smörgås” means the pieces of butter that float in churned milk. In Danish, it’s called “smørrebrød” and in German, “butterbrot.” Both literally translate as “butter bread.” Limpa is a type of rye bread, though you may use another type of bread to your own diet or taste.

Sliced limpa Butter Sliced Swedish farmhouse cheese Sliced fresh-off-the-vine tomatoes

about two hours. Pour over ice in glasses, about halfway. Top with soda water.

Janae Jean serves as editor, social media manager and podcast co-host for Conscious Community Magazine. She enjoys improvising in the kitchen and creating recipes with her loved ones and is very grateful for their suggestions, feedback and help. She is also a music teacher and sound healer; visit www.perennialmusicandarts.com and www.janaejean.com.

Chopped fresh basil Sea salt, to taste Simply spread a layer of butter on the limpa. Lay out sliced tomato on cutting board and grind salt onto the tomato slices. Place a slice of cheese and one slice of tomato on top of buttered bread.

Garnish with finely chopped basil. Other traditional toppings for butter sandwiches include sliced hard-boiled eggs, pickled herring, smoked salmon or caviar. Be creative and try new flavors. For example, if you are vegan, replace the butter with butter substitute and the cheese with a slice of sprouted tofu.

STRAWBERRY-CUCUMBER WATER 1 quart still water 1 quart ounces soda water 4 sliced strawberries 1 medium cucumber cut into ¼ inch slices Lime cut in wedges A handful of sprigs of thyme A handful of sprigs of rosemary Several leaves of lemon balm

In a pitcher with one quart still water, add sliced strawberries, cucumber slices, limes and herbs. Refrigerate for CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

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[BOOK REVIEWS]

In Print Reviews by Kayla Hancock

Chakra Healing for Vibrant Energy: Exploring Your 7 Energy Centers with Mindfulness, Yoga, and Ayurveda by Michelle S. Fondin (New World Library, Paperback, $15.95) The main seven energy centers or chakras located within the human body include the root chakra, the sacral chakra, the solar plexus chakra, the heart chakra, the throat chakra, the third eye chakra and the crown chakra. Michelle Fondin focuses individually on each chakra one chapter at a time, allowing for readers to experience these divine lessons at their own pace. She provides visualizations and other tools to help readers heal more energy blockages so that they can become their best selves.

Source Code Meditation:

Hacking Evolution through Higher Brain Activation, by Dr. Michael Cotton (Findhorn Press, Paperback, $16.99) Traditional meditation techniques often take years to master. In this book, Michael Cotton explains how we can access higher consciousness before meditation using Source Code Meditation. Source Code Meditation reorganizes the pathways in the primitive lower brain, allowing oneself to reach the higher brain sooner and experience meditation (and life itself) from states of deep flow and joy.

Looking Beyond the Fishbowl: A New Comforting Perspective on Reincarnation, by Giulia Jeary Knap (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, Paperback, $6.50) Through her out of body and near-death experiences, Giulia Jeary Knap has gained wisdom to share with all about the truth of existence. She explains how life, death and rebirth are really quite different than most people think—in fact, death does not exist. She reassures readers that we never really lose our loved ones. In this realm, Knap says we are like fish in a fishbowl. If we allow ourselves to see beyond our temporary home, we will know that in committing to living human lives we are selflessly contributing to the universe of which we are all a part.

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The Soul Trek,

by Djana Fahryeva (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, Paperback, $14.95) Soulmates, karmic connections, ancient magic‌this book has it all. The Soul Trek is based on a true story. It begins with Djana trip to the Himalayas where she meets someone from a previous life. While he helps Djana to further develop her psychic powers, Djana begins to fall in love with him. When he leaves for Tibet, a divine string of events unfolds as she tries to follow his spirit. This leads Djana to become an angel messenger and to understand many sacred mysteries.

The Inner Cause:

A Psychology of Symptoms from A to Z, by Martin Brofman (Findhorn Press, Paperback, $17.99) Every physical symptom that a person experiences is much more than meets the eye. In fact, the body, mind and spirit are intimately connected. This is why Martin Brofman has created this book: to share with readers the knowledge he has gained from his 30 years of healing work and research. He lists 800 symptoms and their inner causes, thus helping readers to figure out what their divine is trying to communicate to them. Brofman goes more in-depth with each symptom to help us understand it from all ends: physical, mental, and spiritual.

Making Sense of the Chaos: A Call to Action, by Bobbie Stevens, PhD. (BalboaPress, Paperback, $14.99) Our ancestors used to turn towards spiritual leaders for direction and guidance on how to live in this world. Since then, humankind has lost touch with spirit and has learned to trust science for this guidance instead. Bobbie Stevens points to one incorrect belief that has shaped our lives today and how we can change that incorrect belief to create a better tomorrow.

Kayla Hancock is grateful to be a part of this community. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Practitioner, and certified Deeksha giver who enjoys working alongside her angels and spirit guides to bring more love, joy, and compassion into the world.

Featuring in-depth conversations with spiritual teachers, healers, authors, entrepreneurs, musicians, artists and leading minds of the Conscious Community.

This Month: Edward Espe Brown - Author of No Recipe Upcoming:

Jacob Liberman, O.D., Ph.D., Sc.D. - Luminous Life Matthew Dicks - “Storyworthy” Mikal Vega - Vital Warrior, Not-for-Profit

Past Guests: Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel - The Logic of Faith

Gogo Ekhaya Esima - Crazywise documentary

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OTHER PEOPLE S NEGATIVE ENERGY

AND MORE

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!FTER WEARING THE 0ERSONAL 2EJUVENIZER FOR ONLY MINUTES SHE REPORTED FEELING MORE AWAKE ENERGIZED AND REFRESHED

,IGHT 5NLIMITED WWW LIGHTHEALING COM